A brush with nylon

Certain fabrics get a very bad press. 

 

While natural fibres like silk and cotton are undeniably lovely to wear, I don't have any problem with synthetics, particularly in colder weather.

I bought this 1970s maxi dress last week on my day out with Vix and Tania. It's handmade (very nicely too, complete with purple lining) from brushed nylon, like my autumn-in-a-frock dress (seen here). 

 

Often used in the 1960-70s to make bedding and nightwear, brushed nylon is one of those fabrics which divide opinion, rather like Crimplene. 

I'm in the why not? camp. It washes easily, dries quickly, doesn't need ironing, and the Fuzzy Felt texture is perfect for days with a chill in the air. And that groovy psychedelic print makes me very happy.

The history of synthetic fibres is interesting. Early examples like rayon and viscose were organic, derived from cellulose, but with the invention of nylon in the 1930s, fabrics could be entirely man-made from petrochemicals. 

Acrylic and polyester followed in the 1940s and 50s. Whether you like to wear them or not, these fabrics had a revolutionary impact on fashion.

 

 

1970s maxi dress, jacket, vintage brooch, bangles and boots - all charity shopped

 

It's a good thing I wore something quick-drying today; it has been pouring with rain off and on, and I got caught out without an umbrella on my way home from Lidl. 

 

My life is all about the glamour. 

Speaking of which, I found this little piece of glamour in a charity shop this week.

 

Yes, I know it could do with a good going-over with a lint roller, but for a quid, it's a lovely little vintage velvet evening bag. And it's probably as close as I'll ever get to the Taj Mahal.

 

After a bit of googling, I discovered that this type of embroidery using metallic thread is called zardozi, a Persian technique which became popular in India. Designs use silver or gold thread, and can incorporate beads and pearls. This decoration is still produced today, but I think my bag is an old one since it has a internal pocket intended for a small mirror, not a feature you find in modern bags.  

 

 

And I found a suitably autumnal vintage copper brooch in the same shop, also £1.

 

 

I'm ridiculously easy to please; a nylon frock, a £2 spend in a charity shop, and the company of my cats in the garden. 

I'm really busy at the moment, so in an effort to plan ahead (like wearing a quick-dry frock on a rainy day), I'm linking in advance to Patti's Visible Monday.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

xxxx

 

Florabundance

You know I love a floral print.

And purple, I love purple too.

Told you.

I found this little purple jacket on a £1 sale rail in a charity shop, and very useful it is too as an alternative to my denim jacket. 

Everything charity shopped, apart from Charlie - he was a freebie.

Jacket, top, vintage Austrian crystal necklace and bangles - charity shopped

1970s Debroyal maxi skirt - vintage fair

Sandals - retail (sale)

While I was visiting Patsy the other weekend, we visited Helmsley, a pretty North Yorkshire market town.

The imposing ruins of Helmsley castle.

 The walled gardens were a real treat.

Beautiful borders...

and fabulous blooms.

So much vibrant colour, I loved it.

And the best garden seat ever.

I could have stayed all afternoon.

You'll have to excuse me, I haven't got much to say at the moment. I think working all through the summer holidays is leaving my brain slightly doughy and my energy levels depleted.

 So I'll let this little Russian-made sweetheart wave goodbye for me! She's grateful because I rescued her from the charity shop bin.

I'll come and visit you all soon, I promise.

xxx

In the time of chimpanzees, I was a monkey

Friday. 

Time for another red frock, I reckon, to perk myself.

 It can't have escaped your attention that an unfortunate loss occurred last night.

No, I don't mean England vs. Uruguay, although that was disappointing enough.

My wonderful friend Vix wasn't chosen as Vintage Personality of the Year at the Vintage Awards, despite having more sass, originality and character in her little finger than a room full of wannabe repro-wearing fame whores.

Annoyed? Me? Whatever gives you that idea?

Ah well, you can't win 'em all.

However, I was surprised to discover that the public vote counted for nothing. 

Yet I am also delighted to note that Vix led that vote from start to finish; and all without TV appearances, a record deal, or endless tweets. That shows who the real winner is here, don't you think?

 You're our Vintage Star, Vix, and always will be!

 Charlie says balls to it.

1970s Shubette dress, cardigan, shoes, sunglasses, belt and bangles - charity shopped

1970s apple pendant - vintage market

1960s tapestry bag - gift from Gisela

Red wooden bangle - gift from Tania

1950s rose brooch - gift from Vanessa

My neighbour told me he needed sunglasses to look at me this morning. 

I happen to think pillar box red, pink and purple are the perfect combination.

...as the rose

Blendeth its odour with the violet, -

Solution sweet...

If it's good enough for my beloved garden and Keats, it's good enough for me. 

The other day, a woman I know paid me a compliment about a dress I was wearing, then said; some of the stuff you wear is... [pulled an appalled face] but that one's actually nice.

What would you have said?

I chose to laugh, while privately thinking that everything she wears is [pulls an appalled face]. I'm also choosing to share that opinion with you, but not her. 

Aren't I polite?

 

 

Vix doesn't need an award to be successful and happy; and I don't need my clothing choices to be approved of by my neighbours or acquaintances.

We're good.

And because I know it will make her laugh and dance, here's a song for Vix!

(Keats and Beck in the same post - can't say I don't cover all the bases.)

Have a great weekend!

xxx

    

One day like this a year would see me right

When I finally levered myself out of bed this morning and threw those curtains wide, it certainly was a beautiful day.

Stunningly blue skies, mild and bright and lovely. In mid-January? I'll take that.

Drinking in the morning sun
Blinking in the morning sun
Shaking off a heavy one


Very apt, since last night we were at our friends Diana and Jim's for a winter barbeque party, and as always, I was the last to leave...

One photo; that's all I took. The company and the chat and the wine made a poor blogger of me, but were conducive to an excellent night!

Still, I got up to take the kids swimming, and as we walked home, we spotted eight ducks on our local stretch of the River Sheaf. Four pairs, which we are hoping will produce some ducklings later in the Spring. Maybe the sunshine fooled them into thinking it was already time to get courting, and that's why they were all so perky.

A good day to wear my favourite 1970s Feminella coat, a gorgeous red-and-white checked confection in lightweight wool, complete with its original vinyl belt and the glorious piping detail. I always feel smart and sassy in it, even if I'm bleary-eyed from the night before.

1970s Feminella wool coat, cardigan and bangles - charity shopped
1970s dress and boots - Ebay
Tights and necklace - gifts

My tabby beauties, Jess and Willow.

I am a bit downhearted, having failed to be offered an interview for the job I applied for. A handful of hours, at minimum wage, and I didn't even get a look in, that's really worrying. Not to mention humiliating.

Oh anyway;
it's looking like a beautiful day...

Someone asked in a recent blog post which song we never get tired of hearing. (Please tell me in the comments if it was your post and I will personally apologise for my dreadful memory.)

[Edit:
it was Rachel, and she was kind enough to give me a Sunshine Award too. So thanks for that, Rachel, and what synchronicity that the name of the award links so well with this post, all by pure chance!]

I have many, many songs which fall into this category, and this is one of them. Uplifting, epic and anthemic, swooningly beautiful, yet typically Mancunian in its vocabulary and downplaying of emotion. Perfection.

And now I need to take my chamois-creased face off to bed!

 xxxx

Pour myself a cup of ambition

I had lots of plans for today. 

Finish off my Christmas shopping, get cards and parcels to the Post Office, deliver some local cards, breathe a sigh of relief.

As it is, I am housebound with a poorly child, but I can at least do a blog post, and catch up on all your news from the weekend!

Hmm, probably should have worn a slip under that skirt to stop it hugging my legs like a clingy toddler, but never mind.

 

 

 I had a lovely time round at my friend Alison's on Friday evening, where the theme was sparkles. Did I remember to take any photos of the assembled ladies in their sparkly glory? I did not. Bad blogger.

I took just the one photo. Of my drink. 

Sparkling rose with extra (edible) glitter, of course.

I wore silver lurex head to toe but you'll just have to imagine it...

Blimey, I could have someone's eye out with that frontage. 

 

 

A few of you have been curious about what I wear to work, so I'll show you.

Here I am setting off for my shift on Saturday, snapped on the doorstep by Eldest.

 

Dull, isn't it? Looks better with the houndstooth poncho (a gift from Sarah) but a black dress and black cardigan? So not me. 

 

At least my Ravel loafers are getting some use; I bought them on Ebay ages ago and haven't worn them much, but I am finding being on my feet for hours quite a strain, and  comfortable shoes are invaluable. 

I'm working Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week, I'll be too knackered for Christmas! And I'm working on Boxing Day, the first day of the sale, so that will be crazy. Retail is hard!

1970s skirt, top, scarf, belt and bangles - charity shopped

1960s Tricoville knit coat - vintage fair

1980s boots - Second to None (never was £8 better spent)

All these photos seem really scuzzy and muddy to me; no idea why, maybe it's just the poor light conditions and my cheap-ish point and press camera.

So - some Christmas cards are written, but not all (I ran out); some presents are bought and wrapped, but not all (I am disorganised); and no decorations are up in the house, including the tree, languishing in its box in the cellar (I am unmotivated). I think I'll wait until anyone (the man or the kids) mentions it, and if they don't, it just might stay there.

Big balls to it!

I'll be joining Patti and the lovely ladies at Visible Monday, but not in my work clothes; I feel drab and dull in those, which renders them ineligible.

Hope you have had marvellous weekends, one and all.

xxxxx

Purple days

So I've got stuck on a colour again - please bear with me.

 

Friday's outfit.

 

 

This 1970s Co-op Crimplene skirt is such a favourite. I always feel good in it. 

 

Everyone needs an item of clothing like that, several/lots if you can find them. 

Hmm, I probably should be looking moody and angry for this shot, but Eldest was taking the photo and made me laugh.

I'm fighting really, just doing it with a smile on my face (for once).

1970s maxi skirt - vintage fair

Blouse, belt, necklace and bangles - charity shopped

Vest - flea market

Other bangles - gift from darling Tania

Bastard massive Cancerian pendant - gift from Catsuit Queen Vix

Had some success on the crockery front at the flea market this week.

The Midwinter jug and dish, and the 1960s Alfred Meakin lidded casserole dish were out of the 3-for-a-quid box on one of my favourite stalls on Chesterfield flea market. 

The brooch and other Meakin pot were £2 each.

I gasped when I saw the donkey in a charity shop, because I had the exact same fellow when I was a little girl. The sight of him evoked such a powerful wave of nostalgia, I had to bring his sweet tacky 1960s self home with me.

He probably dates from around this time - 1969. I was 5, my middle sister was 9.

My dress was pink and white gingham. And very short.

 

 

 

Today's purple.

1970s skirt (shortened by me) - Ebay

Tights, t-shirt, cardigan and belt - charity shopped

Necklace - retail (sale)

Sunglasses - vintage shop

Shoes - jumble sale

 

 

It's been a beautifully sunny day today. Everywhere looks better for a bit of sunshine, even this city.

 

 

 

 

That's Vulcan up there on top of Sheffield Town Hall.

 

We called in at City Hall to buy some tickets...

 

 

 

...and went for coffee.

I will do my best to wear something other than purple tomorrow, honest.

 

I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

xxxx