Chickens and parrots

Last month, my lovely and funny blog friend Connie asked her readers to recall their Very First Personal Fashion Moment.

I left a comment about my Chicken Dress...

...and here it is.

This photo was taken in 1967; I was 3, and singing into my skipping rope.*

The dress was a hand-me-down, it had been worn by both of my older sisters and dated from the 1950s.

Bright colours, a great print, secondhand - a pattern was established with this dress.

 See?

Parrot print, plus a peacock.

1980s Hawaiian dress, cardigan, bangles and tights - charity shopped
Peacock necklace - vintage market
Boots - retail (sale)

 I had an interesting exchange with a couple of customers in the shop last week. I heard a man telling his wife how much he liked 1970s styles, and we got chatting. I was wearing a 1970s maxi which the couple admired, but the man said that he could never wear a Seventies suit (he had been trying on jackets and browsing the suits).

Why? I asked. He spoke at length about living in a small village, and speculated about what his friends, neighbours and colleagues might think if he wore something unusual and different. I listened, then suggested that maybe he was overthinking things. If he liked a certain style of clothes, perhaps he should just wear them without worrying about anyone else's opinion.

His wife clapped her hands, and said she met you 5 minutes ago and she's got you pegged. You overthink everything!

Sadly he didn't buy a jacket, but I'm hoping a seed was planted. What's the worst thing that can happen if you wear what you love? The couple were visiting their son who is a student in Sheffield, and maybe next time they're here, they will call back into the shop and make a purchase.

What sort of a vintage seller would I be if I didn't wear it myself, and passionately advocate for the beauty and value of old clothes? What I wear is proving a talking point, and I love having a job where my eclectic wardrobe is a positive benefit.

I'll take my parrot dress over to Patti's for Visible Monday.

 This outtake is the real me rather than the posed me - a bit gawky and inelegant, but friendly, fond of laughing, and usually talking. I'd spotted a friend working in a nearby garden and we were shouting across to each other while the camera snapped away on the timer.


*Perhaps that skipping rope prefigures my penchant for karaoke just as much as the chicken dress sets the scene for my style preferences? My mum helpfully wrote on the back of that photo that I was belting out Puppet on a string, the UK's Eurovision entry in 1967. I still know every word.

 xxxx

                                                        

Hardly Hawaii

It's been a funny old day; overcast yet warm and humid, with occasional outbursts of both sun and showers.

It's also been my last day as a volunteer; the next time I'm in the shop, I'll be an employee.

Although the weather was only very vaguely tropical, I thought a Hawaiian dress was appropriate. 

Originally, this was a maxi. It's unusual for me to shorten a full length frock, and I don't quite know why this one didn't feel right as a maxi. It's made from a substantial cotton fabric, so maybe it felt a little stiff and voluminous. Whatever the reason, it has been languishing unworn for ages in my should it stay or should it go now pile, so I finally made the decision to go for the chop.

I shortened the sleeves while I was at it, and I'm pleased with the makeover, I'll actually get some wear out of it now. That splashy floral print is too good to leave unseen.

  I have a backlog of vintage finds to list on Ebay. Somewhat belatedly, I've realised I am about to have a lot less time, so I'd better crack on with some selling.

1960s Mod dress

1970s floral/lace midi dress

1970s Trina Lewis white maxi dress

Lindy Bop dress, BNWT

1980s-does-50s red prom dress

1970s-does-30s black lace dress (showing the back view because it's so sexy)

American-made square dance red ruffled petticoat

1960s brown/lace maxi dress

1970s kimono-sleeved floral midi dress

Who says there's no vintage in charity shops these days?
(Yeah, I know Lindy Bop is repro but someone will like it, I'm sure.)

 Leather bags from the 1950-60s, including an Essell and Waldybag.

The above items are either currently or intended for sale, but the next batch are mine, all mine!

1960s Jaeger red wool coat

1960s black/lurex dress (requiring some work to repair)

1960s C&A striped jacket

Hawaiian parrot print cotton dress

Sheffield-made Viners cutlery 

1960s large June Rose Pyrex bowl

This beauty isn't going anywhere either;

 a gorgeous 1950s tapestry bag, accompanied by the fabric showing underneath and a handmade lavender-filled heart, all of which were gifts out of the blue from the lovely and talented Emma (who blogs at Painted Style). I'm thrilled! It's no secret that I love a vintage tapestry bag..

1960s Hawaiian dress - flea market

Chain belt, flower, bangles and necklace - charity shopped

Sandals - retail (sale) 

And to finish, some (blurry) photos from our family night out last Saturday. 

We went to the 60th birthday party of our friend and neighbour, Gustavo.

Thirteen years ago, we had just moved to the area and were looking for childcare for Claudia to enable me to return to work. Purely by chance, we stumbled across Norma, Gustavo's wife, who works as a childminder, and there began a fantastic relationship. We never had a moment's concern about childcare, and both Norma and Gus were incredibly kind and supportive when Nina was born and ended up in Intensive Care. They had Claudia and Owen to stay, and generally made a stressful time rather easier to bear.

They are originally from Chile, but came to Britain in the mid-Seventies. Gustavo was active in left-wing politics and fled to escape persecution and imprisonment (and probably torture) under the Pinochet regime. They left everything behind and came here with nothing but each other. He and Norma built a life from scratch, they have three great (grown-up) kids, and Gustavo remains as passionate as ever about education, inclusion and justice. Oh and he's a fabulous cook, musician and dancer too.

It occurred to me, as he was telling us of his continuing involvement in a campaign to secure compensation for victims of torture, that those who spout alarmist, hate-filled propaganda about the evils of immigration could learn a lot about generosity of spirit, hospitality and courage from this couple. 

I'm very proud to know them. And the party was brilliant!

xxxx

Me ears are alight

Sometimes, the things people do or say leave me shaking my head in wonder or bewilderment. 

Sublime to ridiculous and all points in between - we humans have it all covered, don't we?

Walking to school with Nina yesterday, a woman I know only slightly stopped me to say that her grandfather came from a tribe in Nigeria, and she loved my dress because it reminded her of their traditional colours.

That made my day.

We went out for delicious Chinese food on Friday night, and the kids used chopsticks with aplomb. 

I have been trying to remember the first time I ate in a Chinese restaurant; I think I was 21, and it took me some years after that to get the hang of chopsticks.

The differences between their experiences of childhood and my own sometimes leave me breathless.

Then again... some things never change, man's inhumanity to man being one of them.

Nina was mocked and insulted by two children at school about the appearance of her skin. As she always does, she asked them to stop, since what they were saying hurt her feelings. They didn't. She told a lunchtime supervisor, who advised her to ignore them.

No. That is not an adequate response from an adult. It's a cop out, a lazy way to deal with inappropriate behaviour on the one hand, and distress on the other. How do those children learn that such teasing/abuse is unacceptable if it isn't addressed? And why should any child with a disability (or indeed without one) have to accept it?

Rest assured I will be talking to school about the incident, and suggesting that there is a training need here. 

1950-60s Hawaiian barkcloth dress - flea market

Jacket, bag, bangles and necklace - charity shopped

Ankle boots - community fair

The prize for the most inappropriate donation to a charity shop this week goes to the person who thoughtfully gave us a half-used tube of anal lubricant. 

Thanks for that.

The weather has been utterly bizarre this week; glorious sunshine, howling gales, snow and hail storms, all within moments of each other. Or indeed at the same time. 

How is a girl supposed to know what to wear? 

As predicted, we're sharing the jacket. And the scarf, apparently...

My friend has just adopted a kitten. He's adorable. 

Despite my advice that it wasn't necessary, she insisted on buying him a bed. I suggested that if he had the run of the house, he would likely choose his own spot to sleep, and anyway, cats love boxes so a cardboard box with a blanket would be just as good.

She was horrified. She said it would look as though they didn't care about him sufficiently to buy him a bed. 

Because kittens are known to care about how things look, and what has been spent on them.

I don't know. 

 

I listen, but sometimes I wonder if I'm hearing things right. 

 Much like this guy.

 

(Nina doesn't get it, and asked what's a tape?)

xxxx

 

Hotter than Hawaii

Oh all right, it probably isn't, but the UK is basking in some high temperatures this week, and what better way to celebrate than with a vintage Hawaiian frock or two?

Colourful, cotton, and with prints bold enough to invite you in for coffee on a first date - what's not to love?

The green dress is 1950s, found on a three-items-for-£5 table at the flea market (which means it cost £1.666666666666667, according to my calculator).

The pink dress is 1960s, and I think it cost £5 on a sale rail at a vintage fair because it had a hole in it. Which I fixed.

 

 

 

 

Naturally, a frock with a loud print is just the thing to wear for the annual extravaganza which is Park Night.

 

Liz, Joanne, Karen, me, Sue and Chris.

Excuse the gurning - can't take them anywhere.

 

Respectable Ladies getting pissed up in the park. 

Naturally.

 

Camouflaged!

I had a lovely potter around the flea market in Chesterfield today; Jo and I haven't been for a while, so it was great to be back.

 

I bought a 1960s curtain for the fabric, and a 1970s crochet hippy top for the fabulous sleeves. It needs taking in to prevent anyone thinking I'm pregnant.

£3 and £1 respectively. 

Hey, Big Spender.

 

The kids break up from school for the summer holidays tomorrow, and I confess I am looking forward to it immensely. 

One last push though - I will be sticking labels on hundreds of books at school tomorrow. I rather like cutting and sticking, there is something oddly soothing about a repetitive menial task. And our Head Teacher is retiring, so I have to dash to the florist for a bouquet to add to the gifts we have already bought, ready for the presentation in assembly.

 

Don't worry - these are tasks I am undertaking happily and voluntarily!

Who knows what the summer will bring?

I am hoping for lie-ins, sunshine, sewing, clearing out the Cupboard of Doom, and some trips out and about.

 

 

Thank you for all your very encouraging and positive responses to my previous post. I do appreciate you comments very much!

Have a great weekend.

xxxxx

Big Mouth strikes again

It seems this dress is not to everyone's taste, it gets a very mixed reaction.

I don't know what the problem is - a bit of 1980s rara action never hurt anyone!

Cotton, a mad print, ruffles and angel sleeves- what's not to love?

Here's a question - do you ever speak out about something, because you feel strongly that you should, only to wish you'd kept your head down?

I went on a school trip on Monday which I thought was pretty dreadful, for various reasons.

After a bit of pondering, I decided to email the teachers in charge to express my concerns. Politely, reasonably, but clearly. I'm quite forthright.

I have had a formal letter in reply, refuting all my points, in a very defensive and angry tone, and I should obviously consider myself reprimanded. They are extremely disappointed that I contacted them to say what I felt.

I'm a parent, helping out as a volunteer.

I'm giving considered feedback

Shouldn't they be able to listen, without getting cross?

Or is that expecting too much?

What is your experience of telling professionals things they don't want to hear?

1980s dress - Ebay (99p)

Belt, sunglasses and bangles - charity shopped

Sandals - Ebay

Oh, my sense of justice and my big mouth get me into trouble sometimes.

Lalalala, I'll just shake my rara and pretend I'm not mad as hell.

I may be persona non grata in some areas of school, but the staff  I work with regularly as a volunteer gave me some lovely flowers to thank me for helping out.  

An interesting contrast.

So Eldest has now left primary school, which is something of a milestone.

And to mark the event, I took her to get her ears pierced...

 

and to a folk music festival. 

Guess which event she was most delighted about, and which, well, frankly, she could have done without?

  

Very low water level in the river Porter, we haven't had any rain for weeks.

Sheffield's music festival Tramlines is great, lots of free stuff, and a wide variety of music on offer in different venues in  the city.

After some street food, a quick listen to a band in the city centre, and queueing for ages in Claire's Accessories for the aforementioned ear piercing (held up by a family insisting the staff pierce the ears of their small and very agitated baby; to the staff's credit, they refused), Eldest and I headed to Endcliffe Park, the site of the Folk Forest stage.

We met up with Sally and Carol, who had been organised enough to bring chairs...

 ...listened to some great music, drank some wine (the grown ups, that is), browsed the stalls, and queued again, for the toilets.

 Just like a proper festival!

Look at the joy emanating from her every pore.

Well, I enjoyed it, which is all that matters.

1950s Hawaiian dress - flea market (£1.70)

Cardigan and bangles - charity shopped

Sandals - retail (sale)

I'm happy to put all the school hoo-ha behind me, to relax, and enjoy the next few weeks with no particular routine, lots of lovely lie-ins, and the occasional trip and treat.

Hope your weekend is suitably relaxing!

Linking to lovely Patti and the gals at Visible Monday.

    xxxx

You may not be an old-fashioned girl, but you're gonna get dated

 

After all the excitement and treats of last week, things are a little quieter around here.

Which is OK. I need to get my breath back.

 

Of course, there is the new edition of Vogoff to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

So many wonderful contributions. 

Melanie, hard working assistant to the tyrannical Editor-in-Chief Miz Bagg, has done an amazing job; check out the awesomeness, marvel at the beauty, style and great foolishness!

 

I did enjoy doing my photo shoot as Clementine, I laughed so much that half the photos were unusable.

 

I might even show you some of the outtakes, wouldn't that be a treat?

 

 

 

 

1950s Hawaiian dress - flea market

Sequin top - jumble sale 

(Total cost of these 2 items - under £2!)

Pendant and bangles - charity shopped

Sandals - retail

 

 

There's my garden goddess statue. My blogger pal Secret Squirrel asked me if she has a name, but she doesn't. 

 

I googled goddess of the garden and came across a Roman goddess called Horta; I could go with that, but it sounds redolent of other, less horticultural connotations... 

 

 

I went to nine charity shops this morning with my mate Jo - count them, NINE - and only found one little thing, which is intended as a gift for someone. 

How did that happen?

 

 

 

Yesterday was slightly better.

I found a third 1960s vanity case - in the same charity shop as the other two - so now I have a red, white and blue set. They were all different prices, which made me laugh (£3, £3.50 and £4, if you're interested).

The pressed glass jar with a silver plate lid (1930-40s, maybe?) just appealed and has a little collection of hat pins in it. (£2.)

The patchwork print fabric is a 1970s homemade dress which has lost its elastic and looks rather odd, but I have hopes of being able to fashion something out of it. Don't know what yet, but the fabric was too good to leave behind. (£3.)

Our lawn is scattered with dandelions and daisies, I like them.

 

And that's all I've got.

See, told you I was feeling quiet this week. 

Linking up with Max's Op-shop Show-off.

xxx