Arc of a diver

It was either very mild earlier this week, or I was having a peri-menopausal hot flush. Good thing I decided to ignore the fact it's January and dress as though I'm on a Riviera holiday in the 1950s.

My inspiration? The beautiful print on a skirt I recently purchased on Ebay.

                                           Yeah, I look just like that when I'm incognito down the lido.

Print clashing again! I found this nautical stripey top this week in a charity shop. Just right for when I visit my yacht.

                                                            Bathing beauties, just like Desiree!

                                                                                    

   

                                                            Skirt and boots (Ebay), bag, belt, scarf, tights, bangles and top (charity shops)


                                                  And speaking of bathing beauties, look at these little darlings.

My mum visited before Christmas, and gave me her old cake decorations. I remember them all from our birthday cakes when my sisters and I were young, they must be over 50 years old.

                                       And in addition to the swimmers poised to dive, we have Billie Jean King...

 

                           ... a selection of ballerinas and a bridesmaid. Choose your role model wisely, girls!

                Well, I can't go en pointe, or hit a volley to save my life, but I can swim! Look, I'll prove it!

                                                                  Come on in - the water's lovely.


I have a house that looks like a filthy squat, a pile of ironing which could crush a small child if it fell over, and a 101 other tasks to do. And I chose to spend the afternoon messing about. No one has a problem with that, right?

 

                                              Pop over for drinkies when the sun's over the yardarm, ladies!
                                                                                xxxxxxx

In which I have listened and learned

Thank you for your suggestions for reducing the frump factor in my nautical outfit.

I knew you ladies of style and substance would have some words of wisdom for me!

I would love a red beret set at a jaunty angle - but I don't have one. Nor a red cardi or jacket.

But I've added a little brooch, tucked in the end of the belt, unearthed some red tights, and lightened the trotters with white T-bars.

And I have turned up the hem of the skirt by about an inch, only pinned as yet, might take it up a bit more yet.

I feel better. Can you tell?

It's not odd that I dressed up again in the same outfit, but with your suggested adaptatons, is it?
I knew you'd understand.

This is what I really wore today.

 1970s Lerose maxi dress (Ebay), InWear mohair wrap cardigan (flea market), Jones boots (Ebay), Jennie's necklace (again), beaded charm bracelet (birthday gift)


The dress was too big on the top (not a problem I often encounter) so I took it in, but very shoddily, hence it can only be worn with something over the top. I told you I was slapdash.

Look, I'm showing you my skirt, right, and if you don't like it, I'll have this face like a slapped arse for the rest of the day.

                                                            Twirly whirly. 

I love how you darlings are full of ideas and constructive styling advice. I trust your judgment, and I will doubtless be calling on your expertise again.

Who needs Trinny, Susannah, Gok or anyone else when you've got the blogging community to help?


You rock! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Is it just me?

I often mull over what I'm going to wear, putting outfits together in my head.

Not in an obsessive, anal kind of way, you understand. No no. I like to think of it as my hobby.

But sometimes the reality isn't quite up to the standard of my imagined version.
Reality can be so disappointing.

I bought this nautical skirt in The Shop on Brick Lane during my  jaunt to London last month, then picked up a little 1960s Orlon knit top in a charity shop for £1.99. I thought the two were made for each other, but now I'm not so sure.
It's a feeling I've had before...

See, I was thinking cute retro 50s nautical gorgeousness. But I think I just look frumpy dumpy lumpy. What can I do? Help me, oh Stylish Lady Readers!

On a more positive note, there was another Craft and Vintage Fair on Saturday so I took the female LBs along with me this time.

 As usual, there were lovely things and lovely friendly people, not to mention lovely food.

Two stall holders remembered me from last time, because they liked my frock - wearing vintage definitely gets you noticed, I'm getting to like it!


I bought a few Christmas presents, and a couple of things for myself... For me? Oh you shouldn't have. But go on then. Here's a sneaky peek.

So we had a good time, the girls "helped" Elodie on her stall while I browsed (thanks Elodie!), and they each chose something for their hair. Helga will be impressed that Eldest LB picked an F-O bow to match her shirt (Fuck Off Bows and Matchy Match - she's learning!) and Smallest LB selected a button flower clip (Krista and Loo, who know all about the Button Love, will approve.)

Posing on the grave stones - how very Goth of us, hahahaha!

Did I mention I bought a few things?
I wore a 1970s (I think) maxi with a fabulous almost-paisley print. And my ubiquitous denim jacket, and the necklace from Jennie's giveaway.

The fair was held at St. Mary's church. The vintage finery lurked under the organ pipes, beneath the watchful eye of Mary.

Is it my imagination, or is she flicking the Vs?
Charming.
Perhaps it's a comment on those heathens who only set foot in church if there's shopping to be done there.
Which of course includes me.

I went to London, and all I took was one lousy photo...

I don't know what happened, I just got carried away with chatting and eating and drinking and looking and laughing - I completely forgot to take any photos, apart from this one which Patsy took of me in the Moroccan restaurant we went to on Saturday night.

We had a great time; went for sushi and windowshopped in Knightsbridge, visited the V and A museum (sadly the fashion/clothing section, my favourite bit, was closed for refurbishment but the jewellery displays were some consolation) and went to the aforementioned Moroccan restaurant.

Given my uselessness with the photos at the time, it's just as well I had already taken some pics of this dress.

I was planning a post about the Fear of Yellow, as discussed by the wonderful Sarah Misfit here, hence the photos. I bought this dress a while ago because I LOVED the print and the fact that it is a perfect fit, but had been a bit anxious about wearing it. Why? Fear of Yellow, I guess. But if you can't wear a yellow daisy/scallop print dress on a sunny day in London, then when can you?
 

 1960s California maxi dress (Freshman's vintage shop), jewellery and sunglasses (charity shopped, flea market or gifts)


On Sunday, after a leisurely breakfast, we hit Brick Lane, which was heaving but rather wonderful. So many vintage shops, mostly a bit expensive for me, but with some beautiful stock. And so many different types of food on offer, it was hard to choose. I saw the most beautiful 1950s dirndl dress in a pop-up vintage market, which fit me well and was just gorgeous, but at £75 it was way out of my league. I had a little tear in my eye at leaving it behind though.

We loved The Shop on Cheshire Street, an exquisitely presented vintage shop with a stunning array of clothing, accessories, and linens. Gisele Scanlon has some lovely photos of the shop here on her Goddess Guide website.

It was here that Patsy and I worked out a handy little arrangement. She bought me a dress and I bought her a handbag, which is our mutual Christmas present buying done and dusted, and consciences are relieved all round. Aren't we clever?

Here's a sneaky peek at mine. As you can see, I'm rather taken with this orange/mustard/brown/white colour theme at the moment.

I had a nautical moment too.

These were picked up from a street stall.

And this was what I wore (again the photos are from another occasion). This 1970s maxi dress was made by a dressmaker at Ocean Terminus in Kowloon, Hong Kong as part of a cruise collection. 

I bought it from a stall at Chesterfield flea market, the stall holder had bought some other pieces from the collection from the owner herself, but this was the only item she had left. I think I might have loved every piece, and the lady must have been exactly the same size as me because it fits perfectly.

 

The bright print generally draws some side-eye and/or comment. London was no exception, but the comments were all good.

                              At least I was easy for Patsy to spot in the crowd.

 

Even the lovely manager of the hotel we stayed in said he liked my colourful dresses - how sweet is that?

 1970s maxi dress (flea market), denim jacket (charity shop), Moda in Pelle flats (sale 3 years ago)

So I had a ball, I must say a big thank you to my lovely friend Patsy, who I am attempting to convert to the Vintage Way (the bag was just the start), and I can't wait to do it (or something similar) again.

Dirt and scrub

Sometimes life can feel a bit like it's dirt and scrub* all the way - it felt a little like that today, possibly due in part to the post red wine head I was experiencing.

It's not a glamorous life I lead. Jobs included;

• De-nitting the kids. Again. Always a joy.
• Clearing up the jar of honey my 7 year old dropped on the tiled kitchen floor. Mmmm, picking shards of glass out of runny honey - aren't you jealous?
• Washing washing and more washing, accompanied by downpours of rain so I couldn't get it dry on the line.
• Harassing/cajoling/nagging/supporting the kids about their homework. I didn't have homework at their age, for goodness sake, and look at me, I'm a genius.

You get the picture, I was out of sorts.


However, as the headache faded, the day looked up.

              There are still some roses and fuchsia left in the garden.

      There's something very satisfying about a full line of washing - or is that just me?

  And I am now shipshape and bristol fashion, ready for the week ahead!

Well helloooo sailor!

I don't wear trousers much these days, and looking at these pictures, I can see why!

Think I should pull my belly in a bit more... Especially since seeing Kitty's last post, have you SEEN her?! 

Nothing's vintage except the scarf, but trousers, T-shirt, waistcoat, sunglasses and ring all charity shopped or car booted and dirt cheap.

And just so that you can appreciate the difficult circumstances I am working under, here is Smallest Child meandering across my shot. It's all very high tech here, I take the photos on self-timer with the camera balanced on the ironing board, and children milling about under my feet and laughing at me. Kate Moss wouldn't put up with this, would she? I'm working with amateurs here.


* Dirt and Scrub is Smallest Child's homage to The Wasteland. It goes;
                  "Dirt and scrub, dirt and scrub
                   There'll be no more fun at all."
This is intoned in a slow and serious voice.  No laughing allowed. Poetry is a serious matter.
The child is touched by either genius, or the odd stick, jury's out so far.

Haven't had chance to photograph my scores from yesterday's triple vintage fair extravaganza, but I will, I had a great day.

Hope you have all had the most marvellous of weekends. xxxxxx