To Hull and back

Look what Emma Kate sent me!

She found this patchwork skirt at a car boot but didn't want the bother of altering it to fit. So since the measurements seemed OK for me, she passed it along.

Thanks Emma Kate, I love it! Karma dictates that you will now find the plate rack/rug/table/crate/chandelier of your dreams. Yeah, that's really how these things work, honest.

(She sent me another fab frock which I have forgotten to photograph, so that will have to wait for another post.)

Aren't the colours wonderful?

Well might I look smug.

So the school holidays continue, although there's only a couple of weeks left now, how did that happen?

Littlest has been asking for ages if we could go to The Deep, the aquarium in Hull, so last week we did just that.

Voyage, a bronze statue overlooking the Humber estuary.

The original statue, a gift from the Icelandic city of Vik which has a sister statue, was stolen in 2011 apparently by scrap metal thieves. It was replaced last year.

Coral and fish.

Spot the odd one out?

This was the first time I have ever visited Hull, and I was very impressed with the architecture and history.

(The large number of photos might give that away somewhat. Whizz through, it's OK.)

A significant port with plenty of maritime history, the birthplace of abolitionist and MP William Wilberforce, and with a role in kicking off the English Civil War, the city has many civic and private buildings which reflect its prosperous past.

Hull has had its years of decline and deprivation, but in recent times has been experiencing regeneration and revival.

That's William Wilberforce (bottom left) and Philip Larkin (bottom right) who worked as a librarian at the University of Hull for many years.

The George Hotel

England's smallest window

The George Hotel is one of Hull's oldest surviving public houses and can be dated back to 1683. It is also home to England's smallest window which is rumoured to have been used in the days when The George was a coaching inn. A porter was seated at the window to watch for the coaches so as to give immediate attention on arrival.

Yes, that slit on the right is the window, apparently.

No idea why they didn't have a bigger one...

And beautiful Victorian shopping arcades too.

Had enough?

Want to see my skirt again?

OK.

Patchwork maxi skirt - gift from the very talented Emma Kate

1970s blouse - Ebay

Pendant - car boot

Bangles, belt and shoes - charity shopped

(Previous pics) Denim jacket - charity shopped

Tote bag - made it myself

 Charlie was in the tree and trying to attack me, little bugger.

Is everyone having a good week so far?

   xxxx

Earning my stripes

I realised that although I have worn this dress several times, I have never featured it on the blog before. 

 

How did that happen?

It was a gift a couple of years ago from my dear friend Patsy, and I love it.

1970s Kati at Laura Phillips maxi dress - The Shop, Cheshire St., London

Sandals - retail (sale)

Bangles - gifts and charity shopped

Necklace - charity shopped

Hair flower - gift from the much-missed Mrs Coco

 

 

 

 

I love the fiery monbretia, the rowan berries, and the St John's wort in my garden. 

 

The latter is supposed to be a treatment for depression.

 

 I don't know about that, but the stamens remind me of those wonderful fibre optic lamps of the 1970s.

And they certainly cheer me up.

Cats, flowers and fabulous vintage frocks seem to be pretty good for my mood.

 

 

 

 

Cat-studded garden.

We had a lovely meal at Zeugmas on Friday.

 

 

 

 

Turkish delight indeed!

 

 

 

 

 Littlest is Face-Pulling Champion of the World.

 

On Saturday, we had a trip into town to buy shoes and a shirt for the Man (is it me, or are men's shoes really dull?) so the kids needed a little compensation, by way of the dodgems.

They call me Baby Driver, and once upon a pair of wheels...

 

I like blogging.

I like the relationships, the conversations, the contact with people I would not otherwise know.

And I have come to view my blog friends as... well, friends. So when they go awol, I miss them.

I know Real Life comes first. Of course it does.

I know various blog friends are dealing with all manner of personal crises, health issues, life events, they are struggling for time, energy, balance, motivation. Or they're just not feeling the blogging love anymore.

And I completely understand.

But I miss them.

I wish them all well, and hope they can return soon to the blogging fold. 

 

And I appreciate the friends who are still around.

 

 

 

 

Linking to my friend Patti's Visible Monday, as always - what could be more visible than vintage floaty orange stripes?

xxxxxx

Good Day Sunshine

 

Got a bit of a 60s thing going on today.

 

 

I've Warholed myself.

 

 

The inspiration was this fabulous 1960s dress...

 

 

 

...which was a gift from my lovely blogger friend Sara (Mrs D of Hello the Mushroom).

She came to Sheffield yesterday for several hours of vintage and charity shopping, chatting, strolling round the city centre in the sunshine, and a glass or two of wine!

If you don't already know Sara's blog, check it out. She's a fabulous photographer, and she has put some photos from our day together on Flickr.

Isn't she lovely? A delightful combination of sassy style, intelligence, humour and friendliness.

Portugal's loss is the UK's gain.

And a demon shopper - Sara scored some great finds.

 

She'll show you her's- I'll show you mine.

 

A 1960s Sid Greene lurex dress, in the same fabric as my favourite mermaid skirt, but this time in shades of gold and bronze;

and a (probably) 1980s German dirndl skirt - the label says made in West Germany so it must be pre-1989. The little metal tag at the top says Kuhnen Dirndl.

Sara said buy it buy it buy it about 20 times when I picked it up in the charity shop - so I did!

 

1960s dress - gift from sweetheart Sara

Denim jacket, bangles, tights and shoes - charity shopped

Huge white sunglasses - gift from darling Helga

 

 

 

 

When I looked through today's photos, I had to laugh - I think I look very similar to my eldest sister in this photo from 1969;

We were by Regent's Park canal at London Zoo, my eldest sister was 14, and clearly none to pleased to be picnicking with the small fry. We have matching pouts - I don't know what my problem was.

Middle sister (age 9) and I (age 5) were wearing matching mini dresses, they were an orange floral print with a high neck and puffy sleeves. I loved that dress.

 

 

 

 

Are you seeing it?

 

Having a face like a slapped arse seems to run in the family.

 

 

But I am very happy with my new frock - thank you Sara!

 

 

 

I am also happy to find myself here, along with all you other Odd Ones Out, freaks and misfits.  

 

And I am very happy to recommend blogger meet-ups - in real life, like Sara's visit, or a virtual get-together, like the weekly gathering over at Patti's on Visible Mondays!

      xxxxx

Call her green, and the winters cannot fade her

All the snow has been rained away, it's been mild enough to ditch the thermal vest, but I have clung onto my hats, scarves and coats because it's been so bloody windy.

That 30 seconds I spent brushing my hair this morning was time I'll never get back...

The expression is saying to the clouds don't you dare rain on me!

The rain had the good manners to hold off until I had finished my photos, but the wind made all my non-hat-wearing pics hilarious!

And it blew the tripod over.

No camera damage, but a little swearing slipped out...
Hard to credit, I know.

1960s cotton maxi skirt and Clockhouse patchwork suede jacket - Ebay

Cardigan and hat - charity shopped

Scarf - flea market

1980s boot - Second to None (they have more than repaid their £8 price tag)

Green leather gloves - old, gift

This skirt is in my mind's Undecided pile at the moment.

I like it, but haven't worn it enough to warrant keeping it, I think.

It may end up back on Ebay from whence it came.

And I may MAKE a maxi skirt!

I say may, because I am a thoroughly idle bugger who can procrastinate for England, and although I spent all last year saying I was going to start sewing, I made NOTHING. Not one thing.

I have no excuses left. 

I have fabric.

I have a pattern.
I have my Elna.
I have threads, zips, pins, pinking shears, buttons, etc, all stored in 2 lovely vintage sewing boxes.

And now I have a Vogue book of sewing tips to get me out of trouble, courtesy of lovely Norma at rosyragpatch.

Thank you, Norma! I know where to come for help!

(This is a woman who is making a bra! How brilliant is that?)

Here's a quick blast of yesterday's outfit.

1960s Davisella maxi - Ebay

Cardigan and bangles - charity shopped

Boots - retail, sale, old

Turquoise pendant - gift

Yes, the sun was actually shining.

Spring will come, and I'll be ready.

Nothing says Spring like yellow, green and flowers!

Hope you are having a delightful week so far.

xxxx