We're looking at the Big Sky

So the school holidays are underway, and we have had a few lovely lazy days.

Life is so much easier when I don't have to nag the kids about homework...

There's been plenty of this.

That cloud, that cloud - looks like Ireland!

C'mon and blow it a kiss now.

But quick, cos it's changing in the Big Sky. 

There's been some wandering around our local area.

The kids love this.

Eldest was "being serious".

Who knows why?

Our local swimming pool, opened in July 1909.

The Edwardian signage was rather more elegant than the modern version.

This glorious Art Deco building houses a wholesale carpet business.

Surely it was built for something more impressive?

We called in for a browse at one of our nearby antiques and collectables centres, and to have a drink and a slice of cake on the roof terrace.

Eldest posed in big hats, and we stumbled across a pair of Converse for Littlest for a fiver - result!

(No, I don't know what they were doing in an Antiques centre either.)

1960s shift dress - vintage fair
Cardigan, canvas shoes, sunglasses and bangles - charity shopped
Leggings - jumble sale

Suitably sunny, summery colours.

 Or maybe not.

It's a ghost dress!

See what I mean about problems with lighting at the moment?

Tomorrow, the kids and I are off to enjoy the famously big skies of North Yorkshire, we're visiting my friend Patsy and her family.

Can't wait!

xxxx


 
 

                             

Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street

Well hellooooo!

 

 It's only just over a week or so since I last posted, and a fortnight since I did an outfit post, but in Blogland, that feels like a lifetime! I must say it felt very strange to read and comment without posting myself, so I have a lot of catching up to do.

After wading through a ton of camera reviews online, and thoroughly overwhelming the very small area of my brain which deals with technology, I finally decided on a new camera and bought it - hurrah!

No idea if the photos are any better but I am trying to get to grips with it.

 

Hasn't the weather in the UK been awful? End of March, and I'm still in boots, gloves and a trusty faux fur, that can't be right!

 

Jess and Charlie don't seem bothered by the snowy conditions. 

 

 

 

So here's a little catch up of some of my doings while I've been out of the blogging loop.

 

Mother's Day isn't really something we make a big fuss about in this family, but I did appreciate this card from Eldest;

 

She had her 11th birthday last week;

Littlest's spelling needs some work but she means well.

My baking apparently needs work too, I had actually made a chocolate cake but it was so flat and uninspiring, I threw it away and bought a replacement. Only a few days before, I made the Other Half a coffee and walnut cake for his birthday which was excellent (if I do say so myself!) 

Same oven, same flour, same tins, same me - I can only blame the Baking Gods for making mischief.

 

Yes, those are new Converse on her feet - secondhand actually, bought from Ebay, but they look virtually unworn and cost less than half the price of new ones. (Those of you who have followed my blog for a year might remember my outrage at the price of the new Converse I bought her last year.)

Her other birthday present was her first phone - the photo bottom right is now a very common sight...

 

 

Obviously I have been keeping an eye on the charity shops,and found a few bits and pieces;

 

 

 

1960s hanky box, £2.50

1970s Droopy and Brown's sheer angel sleeve dress, £6

1970s compilation CD, £1 (with a bizarre mix of songs which includes Thin Lizzy, Cher, Sparks, Joe Jackson and the Jam. Fabulous!)

And a 1950-60s Hawaiian cotton dress, bought from Chesterfield flea market on a 3-items-for-a-fiver rummage table. (My calculator tells me this makes it a bargainacious £1.6666666666667.)

 

 

 

 

Dress, 1970s faux fur coat, jerkin and bangles - charity shopped

Hat and boots - Ebay

Gloves - retail (sale)

 

 

 

 

 

I promise to visit your blogs and see what's been happening in your lives - I don't like it when I feel out of touch! 

 

And thanks to those who commented on my last non-outfit post (it felt odd not to do my usual "here's a frock" thing) and to those who got in touch to say they missed me, I appreciate it!

 

 

 

  xxxxx

Polka dots with hints of purple

Eldest and I spent the afternoon in town yesterday. First stop was Marvellous Mary's Vintage and Craft Market. Just so that the stall holders don't think I'm a one-trick pony, I didn't wear a maxi. I know. A radical move.

I've had this 1970s polka dot peasant dress for a while and worn it a few times, but never taken a photo for the blog. It's got a rather homespun vibe to it, and I always assumed it was German (the label says Rawe Rheda) but it has a Tyrolean look, I think. Which might explain why I feel like a Sound of Music reject in it.

   

I've found a solution to the dilemma of what to wear with my "hideous" red shoes. Purple tights - of course! Why didn't I think of that before? I get the contrast which wasn't there with red tights, but without going as dark and heavy as black.

         
                                                                             Works for me.

                                  A girl should always match her petticoat to her shoes. It's the law.

St. Mary's was a bit quiet, fewer stalls and definitely fewer customers. But it's always a pleasure to go and browse. I never come away empty handed, and it's lovely to chat with the regular stall holders.

 
          Delightful Naomi and me at her stall of treasures. Look at that wedding dress - it has a lace hood!

I bought this great 1960s (we reckoned) vinyl/woven shopper from Naomi. It's big enough to hold all my crap, and looks unused.

And I will be wearing this very soon, I'm just teasing you with a peek at the beautiful fabric. Naomi said she knew I would like this item as soon as she saw it, and like the good retailer that she is, she knows her customers and got it spot on.

                                      Claire and Marie giving good pose! Super-stylish ladies, aren't they?
 
Eldest wheedled for me to buy her a hat from their stall. A cool 10 year old needs a red faux leather cap, naturally.

                                                 I thought the look called for the 60s effect on Picnik!


Then on to Schuh for the moment of truth - the Converse hi-tops have been purchased, full price has been paid, ensuing outrage at said price has been swallowed and accommodated, and Eldest is happy. As Sarah commented, I will indeed make her wear them till her toes grow out of the ends. And then I'll force her brother to wear them too.

                                                       I do like them though! Purple - good choice.

1970s peasant dress (vintage shop), tights, Office shoes, red slip and bangles (charity shopped), vintage hair decoration (flea market), belt (Oasis sale)



                                         Hope you have had a good weekend, my lovelies.
                                                                           xxxxx