I could have been someone - well, so could anyone

A feeling of calm has descended.

I am ready for Christmas.

School is finished for the holiday.

The Big Shop has been done.

Gifts are wrapped and cards posted/delivered.

The first party of the season has been attended on the Solstice, and a hangover avoided.

 

So festively far, so good!

 

 

 

 

I wore my wonderful new-to-me lurex maxi skirt and an obligatory faux fur for the Solstice party on Friday, braving the sparks from the brazier in all my synthetic-fibred finery. I managed to avoid going up like a Roman candle, but alas forgot to take any photos.

 

 

This is today's outfit. 

 

The paisley-tastic handmade 1960s dress is a gift from dearest Vix, and the boots are Arseholes

Aerosoles via Ebay.

I must be in an orange and black kind of mood, I wore this on Thursday.

It rained. Hard. All day. It was dark and grey, and orange was a welcome flash of brightness amid the gloom.

1960s shift dress - vintage fair last year

Cardigan, umbrella and bangle - charity shopped

Boots - Ebay

Brooch - gift from darling Sarah

Tights - retail

Rain - compliments of the season

 

So I am chilling out, enjoying the fact that it's all under control, the fridge is full, the booze is plentiful, and we have a party to go to on Christmas Eve.

What shall I wear?

 

I'm thinking either;

a) 1950s black wool dress I bought on my first ever visit to Walsall to meet Vix. It's very plain, but very chic, with a gorgeous velvet and sequin trim round the hem. I think I would wear some very bright tights and high heeled ankle boots with it.

Or;

b) 1970s red flamenco-inspired maxi dress, which I don't wear very often, despite the fact I love it.

You decide!

Ah yes, the traditional cat-in-the-Christmas-tree incident...

 

We have an eclectic collection of baubles, some vintage, all loved. The snowflake (top right) was part of my swap parcel from Alex last year, and the polar bear clutching his Christmas pudding has been our somewhat unconventional tree topper for over 10 years.

I might have fewer opportunities to blog over the next few days, but I will try and catch up with you. I may need your blogs, with all their wit and wisdom and humour and kindness and style, to keep me sane through the festivities!

Have a wonderful Christmas, however you do it.

  xxx

Day Tripper

I've been blogging for a year now (I missed my first anniversary, it was while I was ill in September) and the process has brought about some developments and changes for me.

One of these has been the unexpected delight of making new friends. 

 

Not just I make a nice comment on your blog, you make a nice comment on mine virtual acquaintances - I mean proper meeting-in-the-flesh, Skyping, hilarious emailing, gift-exchanging, you-really-get-me friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday I went off to the vintage blogging centre of the UK, Walsall, to catch up with my dear friends Vix and Clare, and meet Em and Dee for the first time.

 

If you get the chance to meet up with other bloggers, do it - they don't disappoint!

 

It may sound like a cliche, but after you've "met" through blogging, meeting for real is just like catching up with someone you already know. It felt as though I had known Dee and Em for ages, they are engaging and funny and kind and chatty, everything you want in a pal!

 

 

 

Second to None, rapidly becoming the most famous vintage shop in the country, never disappoints either.

 

Dee was so dedicated to rummaging among the handbags , she risked life and limb up on the steps, while Clare and Vix worked their way through the day dresses, and Em found an armful of vintage goodies to try on.

Style Chameleon Vix - a Sergeant Pepper gold and purple velvet coat one minute, a 1960s turban-style hat the next!

Coffees, curry, vintage and charity shopping, all accompanied by lots of chat and lots of laughs - sounds good, doesn't it? 

It was!

 

I really enjoyed our visit to Walsall's art gallery too.

Yes, but is it art, darling?

Damien Hirst's Away from the Flock, a lamb suspended in a case of formaldehyde, made me feel sad; the Stonehenge-inspired installation made me feel non-plussed; and many of the paintings and sculptures made me feel delighted and inspired.

It was fabulous to meet up with these gorgeous, friendly, funny women, and many thanks to darling Vix for hosting yet another Walsall-based outing! You can see her account of our day here.

And what did I buy? 

 

This rather delicious 1960s paisley dress with a cute keyhole neck.

Groovy, baby!

Yeah, I came over a bit hippy-dippy chick... You can see where Littlest gets her face-pulling inspiration!

1960s dress - Second to None, Walsall

Cape - flea market

Beret - gift

Boots - Ebay

Brooch, flower and lurex tights - charity shopped

 

 

 

 

And while I'm on the subject of fabulous blogger friends, look what the wonderfully talented Joni has made for me!

EEK! I've been immortalised as a Calligram!

 

This image is on Joni's art blog here, and she is working on a fashion series, starting here.

 

Joni, you are amazing, I'm so honoured and delighted, I can't tell you!

See what I mean about blogging buddies? They are bloody brilliant!

Hair cut and root retouch for me tomorrow, about time...

Have a great weekend, whatever you're up to!

    xxx

Crazy for paisley

The weather has definitely changed now, with some fierce winds and lots of showers.

If you can guarantee anything in life, it is this: if it is going to rain, it will do so between 8.30 and 9.00am, and again between 3.00 and 3.30pm, just as I trudge to school and back.
I could do that walk blindfold.
I was a bit concerned about the puddle situation this morning, but needn't have worried.

Crimplene is fantastic for being quick-drying, my hem wasn't even wet when I got home!

OK so the Flying Squad suede jacket probably wasn't the wisest choice in the rain, but it goes so well...

 

             
                     Twirling is obligatory in this skirt. It's practically the law.

                    
                         Can't resist showing you my backside, hahahaha!

1970s Co-op crimplene paisley maxi skirt (vintage fair), purple T-shirt (ancient and baggy), White Stuff  linen tie cardigan (charity shop - have you SEEN how much their range is full price?? Would never pay that!), Clarks stack heeled ankle boots (community centre fair), baubles, bangles and beads (charity shops, flea markets or gift).




And finally, these flying ducks have appeared on the gable end wall of a house just up the road. Even in the rain, they always make me smile!

Happy Thursday!