Doing the double

I'm not a betting woman (too tight for that) but I'd put money on this being the first time I have ever worn Double Denim.

Blame it on the Seventies.

Or the fact that I wanted to get out of the house yesterday morning without over-thinking my choice of jacket.

And if it's good enough for Debbie...

My version is typically thrifty.

1970s C&A denim skirt (£3), belt (£1) and embroidered peasant blouse (£1.49) - charity shopped

Benetton bleached denim jacket (50p) - jumble sale

1980s boots (£8) - Second to None

Beret - free (rescued from the charity shop rag bag)

Total £14.

But if I'm honest, I can't quite get over the thought that Double Denim is just too much of a good thing, and I do prefer a contrast.

Same skirt, plus 1960s jacket and 1970s pussy bow blouse - charity shopped

And the skirt will look best of all in summer, I think, with short-sleeved tops, bare legs and wedge sandals.

I've been picking up all sorts of bits and bobs in the charity shops over the last couple of weeks.

Blingy jewellery at £1 apiece, a 1960-70s raffia bag (£2), and a 1960s turquoise Carnaby Daisy Pyrex dish (£1).

Incidentally, the same piece of Pyrex, also minus its lid, recently sold on Ebay for an astonishing £171. Some colours and designs are very desirable, it seems.

Battered old tin trays with Oriental designs - 50p each.

1976 Brer Rabbit story book with wonderful illustrations - 25p.

1960-70s sewing patterns - 20p each.

I came across a whole stash of patterns, all the same size, so I suspect they belonged to the same woman.

I even know her name - Mrs S Christmas. She ordered patterns from magazines, and several were still in their self-addressed envelopes. Two different addresses - judging from the streets, I reckon she moved from a little terrace to a new house or maisonette on a big estate in the mid-Sixties.

I wonder what that S stood for... Sylvia? Susan? Scheherazade?

Scheherazade Christmas would be a superb name. 

This pattern from Woman's Weekly is the same age as me.

I don't know about you, but despite the ladylike frocks, I reckon those girls are hard as nails, especially the one modelling the Day Dress. I wouldn't mess with her. 

I popped to a small local car boot this morning, and enjoyed bumping into people I know for a chat, and admiring the merchandise.

I managed to resist the Wings of Love and the collection of 1970s bridesmaid dresses...

but for a whole English pound, I thought the 1960s beaded tiger bag deserved a home.

Last of the big spenders, aren't I?

I'll be joining Patti and friends for Visible Monday - see you there!

xxx

Denim and Doncaster

Look at that sunshine!

It's been cold but beautifully clear; I like these lovely in-between days when I need extra layers but haven't yet unearthed my faux furs from storage.

Denim dress, cardigan, belt and bangles - charity shopped
Clockhouse 1970s-style patchwork suede jacket, boots and 70s tooled leather bag - Ebay
Pendant - gift 



I had a feeling this denim shirt dress would look good layered up with tights and boots, I'm liking the 70s vibe...

...although I'm clearly not showing anything like enough thigh.
(Source)

When my mum and sister came up to visit in half term, we went to Brodsworth Hall, near Doncaster, and I somehow never got round to putting the photos together into a blog post.

So here they are.

There is much to enjoy in the Victorian house and gardens.

No photos were allowed in the house (I got told off for getting my camera out, although there were no signs to say photography wasn't OK and my mind-reading skills are clearly ineffective).

We loved the elegant statues and beautiful monkey puzzle tree...

...the ghost trail, Victorian ironwork, pets graveyard...

...autumn colours, fungi, sheep, topiary...

...and the sunlight through the trees.

A ridiculous child photo bombed the topless statuary...

...and the kids enjoyed some time with their Grandma.

A good afternoon. 

And should we have a Gratuitous Pussy Pic to finish?

Of course we should!

xxxxx

'Til Somebody Loves You

The kids have their half term holiday this week, which means I do too!

Oh it has been good to have no particular schedule, and a lovely lie-in or several.

Mind you, today was designated the day of the Big Clear Up.

My mum and sister are visiting tomorrow.

I only ever get the urge to tidy up when visitors are due, it makes me see the mess with fresh and frankly appalled eyes...

Denim blazer - gift from Fiona
Top, hat, belt, bangles and necklace - charity shopped
1970s maxi skirt - flea market
Boots - Ebay
Tapestry tote bag - made it myself

There are always cats around when I take my photos. Charlie was chasing leaves and playing with his buddy from next door, Caspar. Jess (or The Queen, as she is known in this house) was less than impressed with the young upstart.

The dreadful storms which hit other parts of the country very hard didn't have much impact here, thank goodness.

Nail varnish - a gift from Emma Kate

I'll be taking my hat along to Judith's next Hat Attack  on November 1st.

And I'm meeting up with some delicious blogger friends on Friday too, I'm very excited!

But before that, there's a day of family shenanigans tomorrow,  the Ladies Purse will be storming to victory in the local pub quiz (yeah, right... Serial Losers, we should be called), and there is the small matter of Hallowe'en to consider...

Here's Eldest before she went out for a spooky walk in Derbyshire with the Scouts this evening.

Zombie School Girl - she raided my wig and beret collection, and perfected the dead-eyed look rather well, I thought.


And a propos of absolutely nothing - the kids have been playing this song constantly, and it's really rather good.
Just shows that sometimes TV talent shows turn up someone with some, err, talent.

xxxxx

New broom

I thoroughly enjoyed my morning of coffee, chat and charity shopping yesterday. Joanne and I talked non-stop, and although there was nothing amazing in the chazzas, I did find this dress.

I love a denim jacket - although this summer has been so good I haven't worn mine as often as usual - but since I don't wear jeans, I have no other denim clothing. 

This denim shirtwaister was only a quid (Oxfam were having a sale, all clothes £1) so I thought it was worth a try.

I like the 1970s vibe, and it will be good for autumn/winter with boots and layers.

September always feels like a fresh start, it's the new academic year thing.

I want a new notepad with clean pages, a sharpened pencil with an unchewed rubber on the top, pens that haven't yet had the opportunity to go missing. I want to make a good impression, get my work done. I want to go to the top of the class.

I've made lists of jobs, and actually got on with them.

(I predict this won't last.)

I have been through the kids' wardrobes with a ruthlessness I am unable to apply to my own.

What can be passed on to friends for their children has already gone, the rest is destined for charity shops tomorrow.

70s-style denim shirt dress, tan leather belt, bangles and necklace - charity shopped

1960s shopper - vintage fair

Sandals - Ebay 

Cream bangle - gift from dearest Tania

Sunglasses - retail (sale)

I am feeling the need to try and be a little more circumspect about my acquisition of clothing. 

I was shocked at how many clothes the kids had, and since they always seem to end up wearing the same things, a load of them have hardly been used. Now they are mainly hand-me-downs, or from charity shops and jumble sales, so they don't represent huge amounts of money wasted, but there's no point having stuff we don't use.

I have lots of clothes which I wear infrequently, or which don't quite work for me (the lint magnet black dress featured in my last post is a case in point; it is in the donation bag now). I am a terrible one for saying you never know when that will come in handy and hanging on to things. 

(I can hear my mother's voice as I type that phrase.)

As for this dress - well, it's made the cut for now, but I'm not making a lifelong commitment.

Eldest has taken a shine to it, and asked can I have it when you're dead?

She'll doubtless pinch the pennies off my poor dead eyes too.

These are some recent outfits which didn't make the blog, for one reason or another.

Actually, the reason is the same - I didn't like them much. It's completely coincidental that they all feature orange. I love orange. 

The giant pants (bottom right) have already gone (they made me look enormous). 

The grey waistcoat is too small (and grey); the orange maxi skirt just has waaaay too much fabric and I trip over it; the 1980s-does-50s skirt (top right) is pretty but isn't so flattering on my hips; the orange top and print shirt may be safe...

All accessories are staying!

I don't find this easy, so don't be surprised if you see all these items again on the blog, being given one last chance.

Are you ruthless? If you cull, how do you decide what stays, what goes?

Fit, condition, frequency of wear? Or is your reasoning more emotional (if that's not too oxymoronic)?

Advice, thoughts, opinions, experiences, all welcomed. 

Linking up with Jane's Shiny T Tuesday - her theme this week is Inspired, and I have certainly been inspired to take charge of the overflowing wardrobes in this house!

xxxxx

Kids in Derbyshire

You all know I am an urbanite, but living in Sheffield means we have some stunning countryside right on our doorstep, including the Peak District National Park.

It would be crazy not to go and enjoy it sometimes!

Under pressure to sort a picnic, find the kids' sun hats/sun screen, get everyone fed and watered and organised for an early-ish start, I hadn't really thought about what to wear myself.

Here I am, hiding among the Derbyshire foliage, awaiting my gorgeous friend Vix's disapproval!

Yeah, I am in disguise as Generic Scummy Yummy Mummy, wearing the ubiquitous cropped denim, Breton striped top and ballerina flats.

I hardly recognise myself!

In my imagination, I looked like Brigitte...

... or Audrey...

... or Jean...

... or even Kim!

Ha, who am I kidding?!

Caught!

Still, our day in the Peaks wasn't really about fashion or style or vintage or anything other than beautiful countryside, a picnic by the river, and a good long walk.

Seldom Seen scampered about on the rocks like a puppy.

Littlest lagged behind a wee bit...

... and Eldest led the charge, as always.

They got tired though...

... and needed a little lie down half way round.

Even I have to admit it's gorgeous out there among the greenery.

So forgive the uninspired outfit just this once, I didn't want to frighten the hikers by wearing frilly pants or a wig and a corset on this occasion!

So what does one wear to tramp through the countryside, go paddling, avoid sheep shit, skirt muddy patches, clamber on rocks and still look glamorous?

 

Buggered if I know!

xxx