Hardly Hawaii

It's been a funny old day; overcast yet warm and humid, with occasional outbursts of both sun and showers.

It's also been my last day as a volunteer; the next time I'm in the shop, I'll be an employee.

Although the weather was only very vaguely tropical, I thought a Hawaiian dress was appropriate. 

Originally, this was a maxi. It's unusual for me to shorten a full length frock, and I don't quite know why this one didn't feel right as a maxi. It's made from a substantial cotton fabric, so maybe it felt a little stiff and voluminous. Whatever the reason, it has been languishing unworn for ages in my should it stay or should it go now pile, so I finally made the decision to go for the chop.

I shortened the sleeves while I was at it, and I'm pleased with the makeover, I'll actually get some wear out of it now. That splashy floral print is too good to leave unseen.

  I have a backlog of vintage finds to list on Ebay. Somewhat belatedly, I've realised I am about to have a lot less time, so I'd better crack on with some selling.

1960s Mod dress

1970s floral/lace midi dress

1970s Trina Lewis white maxi dress

Lindy Bop dress, BNWT

1980s-does-50s red prom dress

1970s-does-30s black lace dress (showing the back view because it's so sexy)

American-made square dance red ruffled petticoat

1960s brown/lace maxi dress

1970s kimono-sleeved floral midi dress

Who says there's no vintage in charity shops these days?
(Yeah, I know Lindy Bop is repro but someone will like it, I'm sure.)

 Leather bags from the 1950-60s, including an Essell and Waldybag.

The above items are either currently or intended for sale, but the next batch are mine, all mine!

1960s Jaeger red wool coat

1960s black/lurex dress (requiring some work to repair)

1960s C&A striped jacket

Hawaiian parrot print cotton dress

Sheffield-made Viners cutlery 

1960s large June Rose Pyrex bowl

This beauty isn't going anywhere either;

 a gorgeous 1950s tapestry bag, accompanied by the fabric showing underneath and a handmade lavender-filled heart, all of which were gifts out of the blue from the lovely and talented Emma (who blogs at Painted Style). I'm thrilled! It's no secret that I love a vintage tapestry bag..

1960s Hawaiian dress - flea market

Chain belt, flower, bangles and necklace - charity shopped

Sandals - retail (sale) 

And to finish, some (blurry) photos from our family night out last Saturday. 

We went to the 60th birthday party of our friend and neighbour, Gustavo.

Thirteen years ago, we had just moved to the area and were looking for childcare for Claudia to enable me to return to work. Purely by chance, we stumbled across Norma, Gustavo's wife, who works as a childminder, and there began a fantastic relationship. We never had a moment's concern about childcare, and both Norma and Gus were incredibly kind and supportive when Nina was born and ended up in Intensive Care. They had Claudia and Owen to stay, and generally made a stressful time rather easier to bear.

They are originally from Chile, but came to Britain in the mid-Seventies. Gustavo was active in left-wing politics and fled to escape persecution and imprisonment (and probably torture) under the Pinochet regime. They left everything behind and came here with nothing but each other. He and Norma built a life from scratch, they have three great (grown-up) kids, and Gustavo remains as passionate as ever about education, inclusion and justice. Oh and he's a fabulous cook, musician and dancer too.

It occurred to me, as he was telling us of his continuing involvement in a campaign to secure compensation for victims of torture, that those who spout alarmist, hate-filled propaganda about the evils of immigration could learn a lot about generosity of spirit, hospitality and courage from this couple. 

I'm very proud to know them. And the party was brilliant!

xxxx

It's coming on Christmas

Work is finished for the year, the cupboards are full, and I believe I am ready to party!

How to style a pair of your daughter's leopard ears. 

Pinch them; then put 'em on. Simple.

 

Our friends Diana and Jim always throw a winter party featuring a brazier and outdoor seating. I thought a sleeveless frock was fine for the indoor parts of the do, then I can throw the leopard fur back on for the outdoorsy bits. 

 

We're off round to theirs a bit later on today, and look, I'm ready to go!

 

 

1970s C&A maxi dress and ankle boots - Ebay

1970s Wallis faux fur jacket - Kinky Melon's Retro Boutique

Bangles - charity shopped

Ears - nicked off Claudia

 

 

There are more festivities tomorrow, at Sal and Terry's annual Christmas Eve gathering. 

Hmm, what shall I wear?

This was yesterday's final supermarket shop outfit.

Actually, it was all quite civilised at Morrisons, busy but good-natured, and I managed to talk Simon out of buying the entire cheese counter this year... Believe me, that's quite a feat of negotiation.

1970s Decosse Scottish tweed coat - flea market

Flares - made by me from 1970s fabric and pattern

Top, ankle boots, necklace and bangles - charity shopped

Belt - retail (sale) 

 

 

And that's me ready for the festive season. I hope you are doing (or not doing) Christmas in whatever way suits you best, with a minimum of stress and maximum enjoyment. 

Wishing you happy times, my friends!

xxxx

Divine decadence

My friends Kathryn and Steph had a fancy dress party on Friday, their joint 40th and 50th birthday celebration.

The theme? Anything/anyone beginning with the letter M.

Ever helpful, friends and family were keen to offer their thoughts.

Owen suggested dressing up as a man or the Minotaur.

Other ideas included Mata Hari, Miss Marple, Mr T, Mrs Thatcher, and a malteser.

Thanks for that, everyone.

Margot from The Good Life would have been easy - half my wardrobe qualifies.

Madonna would have been a safe bet.

But at the last minute I discovered other people were using both these ladies as inspiration, which left me with no choice but my old standby...

Liza Minnelli.

 Curtise-with-an-e does Liza-with-a-z.

 

Yeah, yeah - I know I've done it before but needs must, and at least the costume was all in my wardrobe already. It helps to have a bowler hat and fishnets on standby!

If I look miserable, it's because I was in a right bloody rush to get ready and snap a couple of photos before I went out. And it was just as well I did since I don't have any pics of me at the do itself.

Well, just this group shot!

Heidi's Blonde Ambition-era Madonna was inspired, and a worthy fancy dress competition winner.

Clockwise, from top left;

Mona Lisa (Jane), a mermaid (Ruth), Magnum P.I. (Greg), Medusa (Jude), Marge Simpson (Tam), another Madonna (Alison) and Margot (Claire), and Miss Piggy (Sarah). 

 Marilyn Monroe and Freddie Mercury.

(Kath and Steph, the birthday couple.)

Medusa and Madonna, deep in conversation.

I loved the fact that everyone really went for it; Moses, Marcel Marceau, a second Medusa, and Mortitia were also in attendance. 

Then the dry ice and the glow sticks came out...

and after dancing in heels till 2am, Ms Minnelli needed her bed!

Saturday was quiet; I wonder why?

But Sunday saw me up and out again, this time in Derbyshire with my mum and eldest sister Belinda.

 A gorgeous well dressing in Rowsley, commemorating the First World War...

 and more flowers at the pretty little church.

The date on this beautiful building is 1652.


 

And then out for dinner en famille.

You know, I could do with an early night or two, and some downtime - I'm knackered!

But I'm never too tired to join the divine decadence that is Visible Monday over at Patti's. I'll be the one in fishnets and shorts! Oh, and since I'm wearing a bowler hat, I'll pop over to Judith's for Hat Attack too.

xxxx

Back to life, back to reality

We slot back into our usual routine tomorrow; the kids return to school, my temporary job is over, and a more regular blogging schedule should resume. But we'll see.

Just as I went outside to take some photos, it started to rain and the wind got up, so I am looking decidedly dishevelled.

  

 There was clearly no point at all in brushing my hair...

1970s Leygil dress and boots - Ebay
Tie cardigan and necklace - charity shopped
Lurex fishnet tights - gift from Goan-mad Vix
Hair flower - retail (sale)



It was Littlest's 8th birthday on Friday. She's doing something with her friends in a couple of weeks' time, but we enjoyed a family meal out, and Eldest took charge of making her sister a birthday cake.

The cake may have been ever so slightly... err... dense in texture. Due to her using plain flour but omitting the baking powder. But we didn't mind.

My mum still tells the story of the first cake I ever made all on my own, probably at about the same age that Eldest is now. It too was flat as a pancake and of a somewhat biscuit-y consistency. My mum gave it away to a passing tramp, and claimed he was delighted to receive a flat cake and a refill of his thermos.

It was the 1970s - simpler times.

Anyway, we all ate the 2014 version of The First Cake and declared it just fine. 

Cheers, Nina - happy birthday, love!
 

Our New Year's Eve was brilliant.

I've got a face like a slapped arse, and only managed to snap a hasty photo in the mirror just before I headed out the door.

But oh we did have a fabulous time!
I wore a 1950s frock, heels, and feathers. Of course.
I chatted and ate and drank, I danced and sang and laughed, a lot.

What more could you ask for?

Non-blurry photos? Nah, never going to happen! This is my favourite pic of the night.

The kids were alright...

...and the adults had a ball, despite the photo of Ron with his head in his hands. I think he may have despaired at Claire's and my rendition of River Deep, Mountain High on the karaoke.

Fuzzy photos; fuzzy heads next day.
Just as it should be.


So - 2014, then.
What will it have up its sleeve?

 xxxxx

Before it's too late

We have returned from the genteel beauty of Buckinghamshire, and I have a stack of photos, too many for one post.

Where to start?

The party, of course!

Because I am a hopelessly unreliable blogger, this is one of only two photos which include me.

Here I am with my middle sister and my mum.

After head-scratching dilemmas over what to wear, I went with my bias cut 1970s-does-30s maxi dress in glorious jewel colours, a gift from dearest Helga. 

The kids scrubbed up well.

Littlest borrowed a hair flower, and Seldom Seen Kid's bow tie came from a charity shop!

I am such a good mum, loaning my hair adornments to all and sundry, and do I receive gratitude in return?

I do not.

I receive The Look.

Eldest's black lace dress matched her auntie's - but only one of them came from a charity shop!

As you can imagine, there had been major preparations beforehand, all performed with customary efficiency by my eldest sister.

The event took place in the garden of their home in leafy South Buckinghamshire.

When we arrived on Thursday last week, the marquee was in place; this was swiftly followed by tables and chairs, portaloos, fridges, flowers, decorations, all the table settings, glasses, and a large supply of drinks.

The caterers were sorted, and the band set up and rehearsed.

It really did look lovely.

Here are the hosts - my eldest sister and my brother-in-law, who was celebrating his 60th birthday.

These are my gorgeous nieces - beautiful birthday girl on the left, celebrating her 21st, and glamorous younger sis on the right, who had curled my girls' hair earlier in the afternoon (and who they followed around as though she was the Pied Piper, utterly mesmerised and besotted.)

I love this photo of the five cousins.. 

After the Pimms started flowing, I forgot all about taking photos...

...but hastily grabbed a few pics of the assembled gorgeous young things.

Me? I am so sophisticated, my nails matched the portaloos.

Classy, no?

 

After dinner came the band!

That's my brother-in-law on bass guitar; he and the lead guitarist used to be in a band together, so it was a partial reunion gig.

The crowd loved it!

The birthday girl joined them for an encore, she has a great voice.

Now you see that uber-cool dude at the back?

He is not only rather handsome, he obviously has magical powers - he got my mother dancing.

My sisters and I watched open-mouthed as she tore up the dance floor.

We are 58, 53 and 49 respectively, and we have never, ever seen our mum dance.

Which is because she never has before. Ever. And she's 89.

When asked the following day what had made her have a go, she said she thought she had better do it before it was too late, she didn't know when she would get another chance.

A couple of lessons there, I think; it's never too late to try something new, but what are you waiting for?

Middle sis, eldest sis, and younger niece.

So, so beautiful.

Equally beautiful, in a 7 year old way.

A boy who's had enough now and needs his bed...

We danced till 3am, then called it a night.

Remarkably, everyone felt OK in the morning; plenty of tea and bacon butties fuelled the big clear up.

Mind you, by 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, everyone left in the house was asleep!

Photos of what else we got up to will be in my next post.

I have been trying to catch up on everything I have missed so please bear with me, I'm coming to see you just as quickly as I can!

xxxxx