At peace with pink

Colours are just colours, right?

No reason to take against any of them.

It appears, despite any previous protestations to the contrary, that I have finally made my peace with pink.

Of course it irritates me that little girls are force-fed a diet of pinkness and princesses.

A visit to the "girls'" aisles in Toys R Us is like travelling through a large, commercialised pink vagina.

Sugar wall-to-walls.

And I understand, and have some sympathy, with the Pink Stinks campaign.

Of course there is more than one way to be a girl. Or a boy.

Colours carry associations.

Beige (camel, tan, ecru, oatmeal, etc), grey and navy are all shades I have trouble seeing positively, they represent something conformist and ordinary and uniform to me.

Just as pink represented girliness, a superficial and stereotypical version of femininity which I rejected for years.

But take a great frock or two, the right vibrant shade of rosiness, and I am a convert. I know, so shallow after all.

(Further proof, it is were needed, is here and here.)

Not to make-up and high heels for toddlers, or pink toy dust pans for your little housewife-in-waiting, or knickers for 7 year olds with Babe written on them...

...just to vintage dresses in bright, glorious, beautiful shades of pink.

I wonder if I can rehabilitate beige, grey and navy now?

 

1960s Hawaiian maxi dress and peacock necklace - vintage fairs

Kimono jacket, shoes  and bangles - charity shopped

 1970s dress - gift from NZ-trippin' Leisa

Sandals - retail (sale)

Belt, bangles, necklace, hair flower - charity shopped

That's right - just let those colour prejudices go...

Besides, here is evidence that a childhood of pink clothing doesn't necessarily do one any harm.

Pink frocks and cardis, 1965-70.

Me and my middle sis.

Speaking of kids, Eldest returns to the fold later today, after having a fine old time at her auntie's.

My niece posted this photo on Facebook of the two of them at the Ritz, no less. 

I've missed her.

 I hope she never thinks she has to be a pink princess to be beautiful.

Have a lovely weekend.

xxxxx

Make mine a double

My dearest friend Vix posted a while back about two dresses she bought from Ebay, same style but different colours.

Go see her gorgeous pair (of frocks, I mean) here.

And the ever-delicious Tania mentioned a similar experience, though she chose the red and left the turquoise version of her frock for someone else.

Now it's my turn!

Why have one superb 1960s maxi when you can have two?

These are Sherman of London dresses, both bought from Ebay.

I loved the story of the navy/pink version, which the seller described in her listing (bought in 1969, then family came along, and the dress was unworn and relegated to a suitcase).

While browsing Ebay some time afterwards, I spotted the black/yellow version, with no such story attached, and not in such good condition, but obviously too good to miss.

 

The prints and colours make me happy just looking at them.

(Please ignore the creases...)

 

I haven't worn this one as much; the elastic of the shirred bodice is loose, and there was a hole in the skirt.

I've patched the hole now, I intend to take in the sides of the bodice for a snugger fit, and let down the hem where it has been taken up.

1960s Sherman maxi dresses - Ebay

Kimono jacket, black cardigan, hair flowers, necklace and bangles - charity shopped

Sandals and sunglasses - retail

Pendant - car boot

I suppose maxis are my signature style (though I sound a right pompous arse using that phrase).

 

I enjoy wearing dresses and skirts of other lengths, but I often feel my best in a maxi.

My best self.

So I'm linking these beauties to Jane's Shiny T Tuesday, the theme this week being Undeniably Me.

 

 

 

 

Is anyone else finding it hard to know what time of day to take their photos? 

 

The bright sun around midday is impossible, but even later in the afternoon/early evening, the conditions are tricky, at least for my modest little point-and-press camera.

Maybe I should forget any attempts at realism and just go mad with PicMonkey's effects...

 

 

Sometimes, amid a sea of black, grey, cream and denim, I think I must look like this to other people.

 

 

 

.

Oh well. 

My pair of Shermans and I can live with it.

Hope you are feeling colourful and beautiful and undeniably your best selves this week.

 

PS. 

Thanks so much for all the encouragement to continue having a big mouth!

    xxxx

Visions of you, in shades of blue

Getting dressed is a tricky business at the moment.

Freezing cold one day, warm and sunny the next.

What's a girl to do?

Wear old favourites in shades of blue with splashes of green, obviously.

 

 

1970s dress - vintage shop

Cardigan, tights, shoes, necklace and bangles - charity shopped

 

 

 

This dress is one of my old faithfuls. 

 

It needed some fixing up when I bought it, it's been a little battered by life.

It's not flashy, it doesn't shout Look at meeee! 

But I love it. It's a survivor. 

Aren't we all?

 

 

 

 

My garden is full of bluebells and forget-me-nots amid lush greenery, such a beautiful combination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first butterfly of the year - an orange-tip.

 

 

 

This skirt is also firmly in the favourite camp.

 

 

 

It received a lot of attention today from Joseph the Bric-a-brac Man on Chesterfield market.

I might have used his enthusiatic admiration for bargaining purposes, but since I was buying from his 3-items-for-a-quid boxes, there was no need to haggle!

 

 

 

The 1960s Alfred Clough coffee and tea pots and the Meakin jug were my 3-for-£1 buys.

 

Other purchases;

1930s Homeleigh ware egg cup set (one sadly missing) - £1

1970s floral sheet (behind) - £1

1970s hat - £2

Late Summer - print by Clemens Freitag - £3

 

 

 

 

 

1980s skirt, shoes and sunglasses - Ebay

Top, cardigan, tights and bangles - charity shopped

Scarf - flea market

Brooch - gift from road tripper Sarah

 

So what's been inspiring your colour choices lately?

xxxx

When in doubt...

...just throw on a load of colour!

My new-to-me 1970s skirt has all sorts of colours and florals so anything goes with it.

Anything goes, full stop.

To tell the honest truth, when I got dressed this morning, I chose this cardigan thinking it was orange. Next to my red cardigan, it is orange.

But next to my pumpkin-a-like tights, it looks red...

But by the time I'd looked in the full-length mirror and figured that out, it was time to go to school. 

So I had a oh fuck it moment and left the mishmash of colours as they were. 

Why not brighten up a dull day?

Warm and cosy in my 1970s wool coat.

1970s USA-made cotton skirt - Cow vintage shop

Belt, t-shirt, cardigan, bangles - charity shopped

1970s coat - flea market

Shoes - jumble sale

Necklace - my mum's

Tights - retail

I love those little ILGWU Union Made labels. 

I'm easily pleased.

Another burst of sunshine arrived today in the form of a gorgeous gift from a blog buddy.

Not for me this time though...

...for my Littlest Love!

Thank you to the very kind and very talented Kylie, Hostess of the recent Retro Cook Off, Collector of vintage tea towels, and Maker of Owlies!

Littlest's eagle eye had spotted the owl which Kylie made for her daughter and posted on her blog here. I commented that Owly had a little British fan, and lo and behold! Kylie whipped up a beautiful version just for my girl and sent him all the way from Australia.

Kylie, you are a star, thank you so much.

 Littlest loves him and so do I!

How's the week going so far?

Good, I hope!

  xxx

Teal appeal

I have mentioned before that I seem to be susceptible to Colour Rut.

Hmm, I'm having another attack...

Yesterday on the left, today on the right.

Brown and teal are good together.

Fabulous make up!

Kingfishers look good in it too. 

Kingfisher blue and orange, mmmm...

I weathered the various Scottish dancing/Prime of Miss Jean Brodie/"is it Hogmanay?" comments with equanimity. 

Yeah, right. In my head, I was being sarcastic as fuck.

1960-70s Balmoral Scottish-made wool tartan dress and boots - Ebay

Tights, poncho, brooch and bangles - charity shopped

Jabot-front blouse - jumble sale 

In keeping with the colour scheme, my friend Robert, an avid Poole pottery collector and expert, sent me this beautiful little dish this week. 

Isn't it pretty? Thanks, Rob!

I bought this dress half-price in a Karen Millen sale in the late 90s, I think.

 It has been a favourite but I haven't worn it in ages, and considered putting it on Ebay.

I think I'll keep it, but wear it as a day dress, rather than keeping it as a going out frock.

Let me show you the neckline - sequins and velvet to frame one's magnificent decolletage!

Karen Millen lace dress - retail (sale)

Tights - charity shop

Shoes and 1960s vinyl shopper - Ebay

Royal Worcester china brooch - car boot

Flower brooch - gift from Eldest

Necklace and chunky bracelets - gifts

Green beaded ring - handmade gift from ever-colourful Krista

I read lovely Jean's post this morning on drossintogold, and was very taken by her sensuous, sexy, tactile descriptions of the textures and fabrics of her outfit. 

Of course I like to look at the photos my favourite bloggers share, but have I mentioned how much I love to read well-written, thoughtful, funny posts which showcase my friends' brains as well as their beauty?

Hearing an authentic voice and personality through prose; being engaged by the thoughts, opinions and experiences described; sharing gentle humour, corruscating foul-mouthed sarcasm, or ribald naughtiness; luxuriating in the generous wit and warmth of friends...

The blogs I love are so much more than frocks, shoes, makes, or photo opportunities!

Keep doing it, darlings! 

xxxx