Thursday 27 June 2013

The heat that sails across the love ocean


Thank you thank you thank you!

For all your happy birthday wishes, and Facebook messages, and cards and gifts.

Truthfully, I was - am - a bit overwhelmed. 

But very grateful and appreciative too!
 

 
 
 
My birthday on Tuesday was a lovely day.

I'm not going to do a look at my gifts post, for fear of sounding like a acquisitive contestant on The Generation Game reciting items from the conveyor belt. And anyway, I didn't get a cuddly toy or a fondue set.

But I can happily show you this beautiful 1960-70s maxi dress, which was a gift from my dear friend Lucy, and which demanded to be worn immediately.
 
 
 


The prairie styling and pretty floral cotton look a lot like late 1960s or early 1970s Laura Ashley, but the dress is in fact by Just Jane, a label about which I can find no information.
 
 
 

No matter. I love it, and wafted about in my garden feeling like a Timotei or Cadbury's Flake girl.
 




See?
 



 
The kids had all made cards for me, but Littlest added an extra note;



 
Spelling... hmm, not so impressive, but you can't fault the sentiment and the poetic sensibility!


So while I was out with Jo for a birthday cappuccino on Tuesday morning, we saw a poster advertising a charity vintage sale the following day. Needless to say, we returned to see what was on offer, more in hope than expectation.
 
I found;
 
 
 
a beautiful 1960s Jinty's metallic mini dress (too small for me so destined for Ebay);
 



two lovely Victorian micromosaic brooches (dated thanks to the Youtube video which Clare shared a while back);
 
 



and a mahogany butler's tray with brass corners (don't know the date but I would hazard a guess at 1920-30s maybe?) and a hand-embroidered tray cloth (because it fitted perfectly.) 

Now the other items are today's Chesterfield flea market haul.

It looks like that parlour game where you are shown a tray of items to memorise, then one is secretly removed and you have to recall what's missing.

1960s patterns
1960s pressed glass vase (it looks like a Dalek when it's upside down)
1950s New Hall tea bowl
four 1960-70s stainless steel rings (I keep finding them!)
1930s hexagonal Woods Ivory Ware lidded tureen

The vase, tureen and bowl were from Joseph's 3-for-a-quid box.
The rings were £3 for all four (from Joe's Mrs, Wendy).
Patterns - a quid.

I love the fact that I can spend a fiver, and have a little collection of pretty, useful, interesting vintage items. Beats shopping in Primark any day of the week.



 
I seem destined never to have any decent photos of the Ladies Purse in action.
 
We performed woefully at the pub quiz last night, but had a huge laugh.
 
But goodness knows what happened to the pics...



We've gone all blurry and weird; it was a work/school night so honestly, no one was over-indulging. If only - then we could blame our shambolic performance on the booze.
 
 


1970s kaftan-style dress (I think it might be a nightie actually) - Ebay
Bangles and necklace - charity shopped and gifts
Hair flowers - retail and gift
Sandals - retail
Mexican woven tie belt - jumble sale ( I know it's Mexican cos my mate Ruth spotted me wearing it and said she had donated it to our last school jumble, and that she bought it while travelling!)


I hope your week has been excellent so far.

What are your plans for the weekend?

    xxxx

48 comments:

Unknown said...

So cute that new dress of yours! Looks great with garden flowers . I glad you had a great day!
Xxx

freckleface said...

You could be a Timotei girl with that hair. That's such a wonderful frock for floating around in, you do look terribly romantic. I love the fact that your statue has a matching flower in her hair!! What a pair of beauties!

Littlest's note is adorable, top and bottom and what a fabulous portrait of the pair of you. You have Marge Simpson blue hair! You must be the perfect mum.

Never mind the Just Jane label, it's the size 12 vintage that I've noticed. Get you, skinny! Ooh, love the Jinty's metallic dress. What are you going to make to go in your tureeeeeeen Curtise? Turtle soup? xxxxx

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

Glad you had a lovely birthday. You don't look a day older! :) xxxx

Gracey the Giant said...

Man. I missed your birthday. I am the worst. Happy Belated, Birthday, Lady! I hope it was wonderful. It sounds as though it was and you certainly *look* as though it was, so that's fabulous.

Fiona said...

Yes you do look like a Cadbury's Flake girl (now I'm going to be singing that tune all night!) although strictly speaking you should be wafting about in a corn field or wallowing in a bath. You can't have been eating many too flakes if you can fit into a vintage size 12! Isn't that comparable to a size 6 nowadays? Skinny Minnie. Littlest's letter is the sweetest thing, it's quite an accolade being the 'best mum ever' Never mind about not winning the pub quiz, looks like it was a bloody good night, anyway. My week got worse when that little **** at work took the piss out of me when he didn't think I was looking. Now plotting my revenge!

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday Curtise! Like someone else said, you don't look a day older!

Patti said...

Your birthday dress is marvelous. Nothing in the whole world can top the notes from your kids : > Our weekend ahead looks full of family festivities - b'days and graduations!

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Happy belated birthday, Curtise. You look lovely in your floaty frock and your finds from the flea are wunderbar. Have a great weekend. We're off camping (again). It had better not rain or I'll cry. xx

joyatri said...

Sorry I missed your birthday. I was in transit across the ocean (unfortunately not a love ocean) on Tuesday and have been jet-lagged since. Happy Belated Birthday! That package I sent, that was a birthday present, ok?
That Just Jane dress is just divine on you. So romantic and in such a gorgeous print. I saw some Just Jane frocks on eBay UK and etsy.
I love how your littlest is even pulling funny faces in her note to you.

Krista said...

Littlest said it best didn't she that was so sweet. I also chuckled at the comment above and the "I don't really hate you" Your prairie dress from Lucy is lovely, I have been totally digging these lately too. I love the big blue flower!
Your finds are all tasty but that blue mini is my fav! That will make someone happy! Hanging with girlfriends always keeps me sane. You all get that I'm sure. I wanna pick the flowers right off your last dress, YUM!

Weekend~Farmers Market in the glorious sunshine, thrifting with Cristi, celebrating a friends bday and Sunday I rest:)
I wish I could have given you some birthday spankings:)
XXOO enjoy your weekend honey!!!

Becky said...

Love your dress from Lucy and your note from your daughter is the BEST. You keep finding those amazing steel rings!!!

thorne garnet said...

everything about this post makes me smile. Especially, the little goofy faces on the note.

Veshoevius said...

Fabulous dresses (especially love the last photo) and happy happy birthday to you!

Kylie said...

I am so sorry I missed your birthday Curtise :( I have upped my hours at work, as a consequence I am completely stuffed so my computer time has been replaced with other important things like...sleep! I'm glad you had such a lovely birthday, you look so gorgeous in all your frocks (love the first one SO MUCH!) and I love Nina's note too (I wrote many sinilar hateyou/love you notes to my Mum). Gotta ged ready for work. Yuk! x

Anonymous said...

AAAWWW how sweet are the messages from your kids!!!

LOVE the first dress--I remember wearing something very similar in middle school so it's definitely about 1970-73!!

I wish I could pick up such fabulous stuff so cheaply but alas most sales around here are awash in kids toys or Tupperware.

OMG--I totally adore the last dress--such a vibrant print and you look fabulous in it!!

Daughter is visiting with the grandpuppy so we have a Saturday of doggie fun planned!

Sunday I hope to get some sewing done!
you and yours have a fabulous weekend!

Helga said...

SO pleased you had agrand birthday, darling, AND were showered with all the love you deserve!
I reckon "bleu" is pretty good spelling, myself! I used to make cards like that for my Mama too.
Love the new maxi, and love seeing you wafting about in your garden, all Good Life-y and glam; the turquoise flower adds some delicious punch!
Those brooches and 60's mini are TO DIE FOR splendid, I'm rather wild for them!!! AND I love the second frock we've been treated to!
You are a FOX, my lovely!
Love you!XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Unknown said...

Happy happy happy birthday, my love!

Birthday notes from the kids are gorgeous - you are EXACTLY like the heat that sales across the ocean!

From a place of love and honesty, I'm sorry to tell you that the first frock is absolutely, utterly, revoltingly hideous. My love, please do yourself a great big favour and send it to me and I'll shred it for you. I'm frankly quite surprised that you weren't arrested for wearing it in public - the print, the tiers, the flawy, peasants, gorgeous whimsical loveliness of it... it's just so, so, awful... (I'm not emotional)

And yay for your lovely bargainy treasures... especially the pretty mini and the brooches.

Your garden is beautiful and so are you and yay for trivia and girlfriends and sweet kids and birthdays. You rock the casbah.

LOVE! Sarah xxx

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

Hurray for birthday dresses!!!! You look lovely in yours. So glad you had a wonderful day. The card from Littlest is priceless. You must save that in a very safe place. I thought your comment about the belt was hilarious. I'll often see things I've donated at my closest Goodwill, but never had a friend tell me I bought one of their donations.

Have a great weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Love that turquoise flower, and the micro mosaics! They're gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I meant to add a little story. When I first went to Britain after I got married, we went for a walk one evening through a tatty housing estate. We ran into a man who started chatting with us, and when he found out I'd moved over from the US he said, "Love travels many oceans." I didn't expect poetry from this scruffy guy, but I've never forgotten it. Sounds like your littlest is a bit of a poet, too.

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

Oh, the card from your little is so, so sweet! Happy Belated Birthday to you...it sounds as though you've had a wonderful celebration. I always love seeing your pics of life and stuff...and your garden is always a delight to me. Love your kitties out at the back steps.

Sue xo

Shortbread and Ginger said...

You certainly found some great bargains! Love the tureen, its gorgeous.
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

mispapelicos said...

Great find, dreat friends, gorgeous family, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
You have it all, dear Curtise.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Melanie said...

That is the best card ever! Such purity of expression, priceless.
Happy Birthday, Curtise! True hugs and joy for you on another year well-lived and another one ahead.
Your garden photos are awesome - the sky is blue and you are indeed like the sun. Gorgeous dress made even gorgeous-er with your hair flower. And your pub night looks like so much fun in your kaftan/nightie dress. It's a holiday weekend here so maybe some style parkour...
Again, have a great year, Curtise!! Thank you for sharing your style/life/humour/writing here!.

Camelia Crinoline said...

Belated birthday wishes! The note from your youngest is so sweet. The micromosiac brooches are fabulous as are you in that kaftan-style dress.

Melanie said...

I'm glad you had a lovely birthday and how cute is Nina's note, bless her. I love your dress, it's so very 1970's advertisement xxx

Max said...

I can feel your heat from here! What a sweet sweet mummy love note! You look absolutely charming in the dress lucy gave you Curtise x

Anonymous said...

Your daughter is a great poet! I love the part where she liken you to 'the heat that sales across the love ocean'I don't know enough words to express how much I like it!!And I love both the dresses, especially Lucy's present, the print and the shape are lovely!I love the photoshoot at the pub, everyone seems to enjoy the evening!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Love xxxxxxxx

Vintage Bird Girl said...

I just knew your birthday would be rather splendid. I for one am looking forward to seeing your gifts as you wear/use them. I trust much frockage was in order. The cotton maxi is dreamy & pretty. I love your finds....especially the brooches & rings, from one bower bird to another! It's my birthday on Monday so the celebrations begin on Sunday with brunch, my favourite meal of the day! Xxxx

Unknown said...

ahhh so gorgeous! xxx

Forest City Fashionista said...

I'm so glad you had a nice birthday! The note from your daughter is lovely, and I confess that my jaded, cynical heart melted a little reading it. The birthday dress is perfect for floating around your garden in your own commercial!

How long do you think it took to make one of those micro-mosaic brooches? Sooooo pretty! I think you have way too many cool steel rings - maybe you should start passing them along ;)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous birthday dress. I love the print, I've been trying to get a close up of it. Perfect for wandering around the garden on a summer's day. xxx

Miss Maple said...

How cute is that what your little one wrote. I like the idea of heat floating over a love ocean.
The metallic mini dress looks quite interesting with its bows and the Victorian brooches are really beautiful.
I like the pic where you sit behind the fern and the pink aquilegias.

Rachel said...

Glad you had a great birthday. Your dress is perfect for wafting about in, what a fantastic birthday present!

TFI Friday. I am up for a quiet weekend.

Miss Simmonds Says said...

Happy Birthday yet again! I have your stuff ready to post and I've finally been paid so you'll get them asap! The butler's tray is just wonderful and since everything you got was under a fiver, I bet it was an absolute steal! The little brooches are just gorgeous, I'm glad that video helped. The dress Lucy sent you is just so perfect. The pattern is gorgeous, it fits like a dream. Ideal for floating round the garden. The other dress is also rather wonderful, the belt is fantastic too! Isn't Nina a sweetie? That's one to treasure - and perhaps dig out when she brings her first boyfriend home xxxx

Miss Magpie said...

I'm glad to see you had such a great birthday and what fantastic finds. x

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

Lovely letter to cherish from your kids.
My weekend plans will involve tidying, the gym, washing, coffee with my daughter, shopping, meal out at a friend's house, a Roast and a great film.

Ulla-Marie said...

Ouch! I missed your birthday but takes the opportunity to praise your fine, 60-70s maxi dress. Very Beautiful!

Indigo Violet said...

Happy birthday young'un. That first dress looks very Jane Austen to me - it looks like a lovely crisp cotton, please show us a close-up! I also love the tureen and the vase, and the metallic dress.

Connie said...

Oh a granny dress! You look perfect in it. I don't mean that you look like a granny but you look like the 1970's teenager that this was meant for. Sorry about that. I didn't want you to think that I was calling you OLD on your birthday. I'm feisty and out spoken but I'm not mean...not yet anyway. The amazing Nina said it perfectly. You ARE the heat that sails across the love ocean. I hope you save your kids' little notes like these. Priceless.

Fran said...

Sorry I am so late to wish you a happy birthay! Such sweet notes from your children. Love the print on the kaftan dress, very orietal.

Trees said...

I am so glad you had a lovely birthday - loving the little house on the prairie style frock! Also you picked up a Maudella pattern - my fav. vintage patterns :D

Pennyblossoms said...

Don't know about Just Jane...Just Fab sums it up!
Belated birthday greetings.
Those micromosaic brooches are amazing. So pretty, what a find.
Anything beats shopping in Primark!
Z xx

Flora Cruft said...

That romantic laura Ashley does Edwardian style 70s dress is just the perfect dreamy birthday dress for you dear Curtise! So glad you had a great day, and a good giggle with the gals.

Lynn Hasty said...

Dearest Curtise,

I am so very sorry I am bringing you a BELATED birthday wish! I feel as if I've dropped off the earth again. LOL. I love that maxi dress! It is darling!! Truly. Now, about that love letter. I knew the first time I saw you that you were the heat that sailed across the love ocean.

xoxo
Lynn

Mrs. D said...

I'm so glad you had a good birthday!
I had forgotten about the Timotei ladies... also part of my childhood!
That metallic dress is amazing, have you listed it yet? I would like to bid on it!
I also love the last dress/nighty thingy - love the bright colours conbtrasting with the black background.
BTW- we need to organize a shopping day out in Notts!

two squirrels said...

Oh you look so very whimsical and pretty in the garden.....the dress looks so easy breezy to wear.
I am so in love with the mosaic brooches....the one with the forget-me-nots and so sweet.
love V
Oh thank you for sharing the mummy letters.......they made me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy.

Sheila said...

Love your bigass turquoise flower! You always look lovely - I tried to channel you this weekend in my Hawaiian dress!