I met some gin-soaked bar room queens in Walsall

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when vintage-loving bloggers meet up, there is much chatting, laughing and shopping.

And yesterday was no exception.

 

Walsall's vintage Aladdin's cave, Second to None, full to bursting with amazing stock at great prices, and a lot of happy shoppers.

Serious rummaging went on, fuelled by cans of gin and tonic and vodka and orange, thoughtfully supplied by Hostess with the Mostest, Vix.

There's Tania and her friend Vanessa with Vix, Em and Annie in the top pic, and Gisela checking out the handbags.

Trying on and posing for photos is all part of the fun.

 Vix is a supermodel, of course, whether she's wearing a 1970s pimp-tastic vinyl and faux fur maxi coat, a Dollyrockers frock, or a 1960s suede jerkin over a bikini. 

And look at the amazing print on the dress Em is wearing.

Tania tried a 1960s floral housecoat and an early 1980s C&A jumpsuit (anyone else thinking Anneka Rice in Treasure Hunt?)

Emma rocked the faux fur and a 1970s shirt with a fantastic print.

Annie was taken with the late 1960s/early 70s Indian cotton maxi with the fantastic sleeves, and Fiona also went the hippy route with a beautiful Indian block printed wraparound skirt.

What did they buy? Hmm, you'll have to wait till the lovely ladies do their own posts and show you!

Lunch in a Wetherspoons pub is de rigeur - cheap, cheerful, and boozy. One of Walsall's Wetherspoons is in St Matthew's Hall, built in 1830 as a library. Isn't it a beautiful building?

Bloggers hit the streets!

That's Em in the beautiful green coat; Fi wearing a fantastic tartan maxi skirt, and Gisela in a fab frock and denim jacket. Tan is rocking her curtain couture dress, Vanessa's jeans show off her amazing legs, Lyndsey is working the vintage dress and Converse combo brilliantly, and Vix is doing some excellent pattern mixing. 

Don't they look great?

Walsall's stunning Victorian shopping arcade. 

The trimmings stall on the market got a lot of love.

Look at Tan's little face - ooooh! Fi and Em have matching buns. I refer to their hair, not their bottoms. 

The boxes of braids, pom poms and sequins could be a visual metaphor my blogging friends - colourful, fun, sparkling and beautiful. Cheap, too.

Vix reliving her past - teenagers arranged to meet their dates at Walsall's famous 1970s concrete hippo!

Gray's Herbal Tablets - the working man's friend for cold nights and mornings. 

Anyone need any hair? Vix asked, as she took us for a browse in the Asian beauty shop.

So after a final drink, we went our separate ways after another excellent day out.  Thank you, darlings, for your wonderful company.

And what did I buy?

This delectable 1970s cape-sleeved maxi...

 

but titter ye not, it's by Frederick Howard, not Frankie. 

And this 1960s beauty, for when I come over all Regency lady.

Surprising, I know, but I do occasionally have an Elizabeth Bennet moment. It's happened before, you can read about it here if you like.

1960s David Butler maxi dress - Second to None

1970s wool hat - flea market

Bangles, necklace and shoes - charity shopped

I can't recommend meeting up with fellow bloggers highly enough - it's a joy.

And if you can't do it in person, then a virtual get together over at Patti's Visible Monday is the next best thing - see you there! 

 xxx

Wine, Walsall and wild wild women

I have a tendency to be a glass-half-empty sort of a gal, I'm afraid, though I know it's not a very appealing trait.

 However, I am going to review this rather negative approach to life, since the day I had yesterday has proved that life - and people - can more than live up to your expectations. 

Who wouldn't have a joyful time with this fabulous woman?

I met up with Vix in her hometown of Walsall for a day of chazzing, chatting, vintage rummaging, more chatting, with a bit of drinking thrown in. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?

 

We hit the charity shops, though not with much success. We were rather bemused by this painting in one of them, and thought it was some bizarre monkey/man/creature, but looking at it again, I think it's a woman. Can you see boobs? 

Could it be Eve, being tempted by more than one serpent, while playing the flute? Who knows?

Vix spotted this vintage souvenir bracelet, which came home with me.

And I found some sunglasses and another bangle.

You can never have too many of either, right?

Vix certainly attracted some attention in Wetherspoons. Bob, on the table behind ours, was keen to make her acquaintance, take her back to his retro pad to show her his 60s music collection and serenade her on his karaoke machine (I don't think I was invited...) He had an amorous gleam in his rather bloodshot eyes! 

And another chap was very interested in Vix's Frida Kahlo pendant (but I think he might have been ogling her chest really). 

Gotta love a Wetherspoons on a Saturday lunchtime!

Vix had told me about Walsall's legendary vintage emporium, Second to None, and it didn't disappoint.

 

Packed to the rafters with vintage treasures, we saw all manner of amazing, weird and wonderful things.

June, the owner, let us forage in her secret stock room, and even made us a cup of tea.

Please can everyone tell Vix to go back and buy this fabulous Frank Usher monochrome flamenco maxi dress? It fit her like a glove and she looked incredible in it.

How about accessorising it with a traditional Welsh hat? Lucy, we were thinking of you!

It was a really great way to spend an afternoon, and since we were in there past closing time, it would have been rude not to buy something...

Like there was any chance I would have left that shop without spending some money!

A 1950s Clevaline wool crepe dress with velvet and bead trim for £5? Yes please! It needs to meet the lint roller and have a good air, but it will be the perfect winter dress with bright tights and ankle boots.

And these Finnish-made Juhani Palmroth burgundy leather riding boots were a steal at £8. 

If you are ever in the neighbourhood, get yourself to June's shop, it's a treasure trove, and I guarantee you will find something a) fabulous and b) affordable. Just make sure you allow plenty of time to browse! 

If you haven't already been, pop over to Vix's blog to see what she bought - she's looking fabularsehole!

A last beer in Walsall's other Wetherspoons before I caught my train home.

I had a brilliant day. Vix is just as you think she is from reading her blog - kind, funny, generous, beautiful, warm, chatty, and rather naughty. She's also got an incredible giggle, and she's a man-magnet!

Can't wait to meet up again!

  xxx