Black and white and red all over

 

I love colour - you all know that. 

But I can appreciate the drama of monochrome too, so Saturday saw me wearing nothing but black and white. Oh and a splash of silver.

 

1970s white faux fur coat, Wallis dress, lurex leggings, vintage silver gloves, 1960s tapestry bag, and sequin beret - charity shopped

Boots - retail (sale, ancient)

  Off we go to town...

 

on a girls' shopping trip...

 

 to H&M...

Claudia had a gift card (Christmas present) burning a hole in her pocket.

 

She's on a black and white kick too. She really wanted a bright blue jumper, but there wasn't one to be found in H&M. Lots of black, white, grey, some mustard and red, but the Fashion Powers That Be seem to have decreed that blue is not in. 

 

I was decidedly unimpressed by the clothes (and may have expressed that view loudly enough to be shushed by my offspring), but Claudia enjoyed getting to choose something from a proper shop, just for a change. 

 

 

Nina and I entertained ourselves while we waited outside the changing room.

 

Mirror mirror, on the wall...

The purchases - striped top, patterned jeans (half price), pack of socks, and a floral hairband.

(I'm not linking, cos I do not love.)

 

Clothing bought, we headed off for lunch...

 

 

and I had to explain why this made me laugh quite so much.

 

Who's he? asked my girls... 

 

Chip off the black'n'white block.

 

But today...

 

 

I thought it was time to add some colour, and try out this rather flamboyant new-to-me 1970s blouse, a gift from Marie of The Queen's Drawers (linking cos I do love.)

1970s pussy-bow blouse - gift from Marie

Jumpsuit, ankle boots, beret and belt - charity shopped

Vintage faux fur collar - gift from Sarah Misfit

 

This outfit comes in at under a tenner. Including shoes.

 

And I like that a whole lot more than shopping on the high street.

I'll be joining Visible Monday over at Patti's as usual. 

Nothing says visible like a vintage lipstick-red pussy-bow, sequins and some faux fur!

 

PS. Guess what? I found my purple glove, a little grubby and utterly sodden, lying on the pavement just up the road.  I am ridiculously pleased!

 

xxx

Rare and Racy

I've had a week of this, that and the other, odds and sods, doing all sorts but not quite finishing anything.

That's my winsome I know I'm a bit useless, please don't be cross pose.

Is it working?

I did achieve something; I managed to rescue this little critter from the clutches of Charlie the Killer Cat;

though getting a squirrel out from under my cooker and into a pet carrier was quite a task. 

Still, he seemed unharmed, enjoyed the grape I gave him, and scampered away when released in my neighbour's garden.

Charlie hasn't forgiven me. He's still looking at me as though I might be next on his Hit List.

1970s Modelly cotton dress - gift from Vanessa

Denim jacket and bangles - charity shopped

Boots - retail

1980s sunglasses - vintage shop

I spent today pottering around, food shopping and birthday present buying, with a wee bit of charity shopping too, of course.

I can't resist a vintage children's book.

A 1925 publication, with some gorgeous illustrations. It's a little foxed and battered, but that's OK; so am I. And we are both worth two quid of anyone's money.

When I met up with my university friends, I promised I would take some photos of our old haunts to send them. This may prove to be quite a project, since we all lived in various houses, and drank in a lot of different pubs.

So I started with the university, noting the survival of some buildings, and much change in others.

The Drama Studio, Arts Tower, and Firth Court.

Nearby Weston Park is a pretty place to wander.

Although The West End pub, in which I spent far too much time and money, is looking for a new landlord/lady.

Every student needs an independent record shop...
 

and Record Collector in Broomhill is still going strong.

And a secondhand book (and music) shop too...

so it's great to see Rare and Racy has survived. They play the oddest music, often incomprehensibly dissonant jazz, in the background. An old friend used to tell me I should just listen to it as sound, and not think of it as music, in a traditional sense..

I struggle with that. I am old-fashioned, and like a tune.

I love this frock, it's got darling Squirrel Miss V written all over it; feminine, pretty, floral, and sweet.

Hmm, well, I am not always sweet...

 but I am rare and racy.

Isn't it great when your faux lesbian girlfriend treats you to something pretty? Thanks, Patsy!

 

 I felt it was time for a gratuitous boob shot, what with the new bra...

 

 

and you all know I have no problems with making a Thomas Henry Titt of myself.

But now...

it's time for bed!

  xxxx

You're gorgeous

For the first time, Sheffield and I played host/ess for a blogger meet-up yesterday. 

Between us, my adopted home city laid on a vintage fair and other vintage shopping opportunities, the obligatory Wetherspoons lunch and cocktails, and some glorious sunshine!

 Jarvis let us down badly and failed to show up, but then he wouldn't have got a word in edgeways!

Gisela, Vix, Sara, Tania, Em and Sandra - ready for the fun of the vintage fair in the Town Hall.

But first...

This time, I said to myself as I made my way to the station (early, I hasten to add), I'm prepared.

I have gifts for everyone;

I have already taken some outfit pics;

and I am going to take loads and loads of photos of our day.

Look, I'm starting on my walk down to the station.

Here's Andrew Motion's poem on the side of a building at Hallam University;

 here's Harry Brearley, the father of stainless steel, for which Sheffield is famous (painted by Faunographic);

 and here's that wonderful water wall at the station, looking beautiful in the sunshine.

And rather perfectly matching my outfit too.

1970s angel sleeve maxi dress - vintage market (£5)
Bangles, necklace, flower and most of the rings - charity shopped
Sandals - retail (sale) 

 And then this happened, and it all went to pot!

Gift exchanging at the station; we all did so well, we didn't really need to go shopping at all.

That was God, trying to strike Em down for her blasphemous ways, but she's made of stern stuff.

And the police weren't required on this occasion, always a blessing.

After that, the photos all got a bit blurry and random - I know, despite all my good intentions. I clearly can't shop, talk, and take photos at the same time.

The Town Hall has some beautiful features, and was packed with vintage sellers.

Vix tried on the phallic mushroom dress in Mooch Vintage, where the delightful Wayne was very welcoming and friendly.

We raised a glass to absent friends in Wetherspoons, and we all wore something pink for our darling friend Krista, who was with us in spirit and in the form of a photo, there at the end of the table!

We missed you, Krista!
  

 
So after seeing Sandra off, we had a final drink and chat.

Thank you so much for coming, ladies; as always, it was a joy to see you all!


Now; do you want to see the treasures which came home with me? There were gifts galore, and the odd purchase or two...

Nail varnish, beautiful floral fabric, a pin cushion, and a helpful sewing guide from Em;

and a shedload of vintage patterns and sewing notions from Vix.

(These girls are encouraging me in my burgeoning sewing addiction - it's brilliant!)

So many goodies from Sara; 1970s-style lurex vest top, Best of Jackie book, Hello the Mushroom tote bag, 1970s secretary dress, vintage faux fur collar, and a Mango handbag.

Amazing vintage tapestry and vinyl bag, nail varnish, notepad and scarf from Gisela;

the coolest little pot from Sandra;

and a wrap cardigan and 1960-70s dream of a maxi from Tania.

As we all commented, there really was no need buy anything else after we'd exchanged gifts, but of course we didn't let that stop us.

I found;

a 1970s polka dot chiffon maxi dress, a tooled leather bag, and a Krista-licious velvet jacket (for days when a denim jacket just won't do!)

What a day; I loved it! When can we do it again?

We were nothing if not highly visible, so I'm linking to Patti's Visible Monday.

Visible, and gorgeous!

xxx