The power of love

Those who have been reading my blog for a while might guess (correctly) that I am not much interested in Valentine's Day.

I'm not a very romantic person...

However, if it involves dressing up and wearing a wig, I'll have a crack at a Valentine-themed post with the best of you!

And this is what happens when you find a 1980s leather pencil skirt in a charity shop for a fiver, and then hear Jennifer Rush belting out The Power of Love on the radio...

Blame Radio 2 and St. Luke's hospice charity shop.

I have never owned a leather skirt before, but I am quite taken with this one.

I discovered it is possible to wear it without looking like an escapee from a 1980s music video after all.

You live and learn.

1980s leather skirt, sheer purple blouse, belt and sequin beret - charity shopped

Boots - Ebay

Houndstooth cape - gift from The Velvet Goddess Sarah

Tights - retail (sale)

Gloves - gift

I had a lovely morning in Chesterfield with bessie mate Joanne.

I had made the classic mistake of changing bags at the last minute and managed to leave my purse at home, so she had to fund my shopping...

Now that's love!

I, or rather Joanne, bought fabric (I've been sewing!) and a cute vintage skirt, currently in the wash.

 The fruits of my sewing labours will be revealed soon.

 

The fruits of my dressing up are ready for viewing now!

What is it with me and wigs? I always go a bit bonkers when I wear one...

1980s leather batwing top (aka Bonnie Tyler) - bought from 80s Karaoke Queen Sarah

Sparkly tights/fishnet tights, shoe boots, necklaces, bangles and sunnies - charity shopped

Vintage pearl necklace - gift from Valentine Supermodel Tamera

Leopard print trilby - Ebay

Wig - car boot sale

I don't believe in soul mates, in One True Love, or Eternal Love.

I appreciate the mythical beauty of Plato's vision of humans split asunder, but I don't believe we are walking the earth in desperate search for our lost half who will make us whole.

I think we make the best relationships we can with those who are available to us, and that we have a better chance of doing so if we feel pretty complete just as we are.

Sharing a life, and love, with anyone else is a bonus.

 But I can enjoy a power ballad as much as all you romantic souls, so go on, sing along as loud as you can - you'll be glad you did!

xxxx

                              

It ain't easy for a circus girl

Yesterday was spent having a very long wait to be seen at Sheffield's NHS Walk-In Centre.

Littlest has another skin infection. It's an occupational hazard with her skin condition*, and I have become adept at knowing when we need to get antibiotics for her. I have seen how frighteningly fast her skin can break down if we don't get her some treatment immediately, so I don't hang about.

She's fine. That kid is a bloody trooper.

But I found myself feeling a little downhearted about it all.
Which doesn't serve any purpose, I know. If she can live with it, then so can I.

(* Bullous Ichthyosiform Erythroderma/Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis)

And what do I do when the going gets tough?

Dream a little dream of another life and play dress up!

                    

(There isn't a video for this song, but play it as a soundtrack for the post if you fancy.)

While we were at my sister's, she took us to see the fabulous Giffords Circus. It's a small traditional circus run by Nell and Toti Gifford, who develop a new show with a different theme each year.

The band.

Their sassy, sexy Victorian bordello styling has been my inspiration!

There was no chance that the frilly bloomers weren't going to make an appearance, was there?

 Beautiful Nell, taking a breather during the interval. It was hot in that Big Top!

Feathers? Yes please.

I found this corset top in a charity shop yesterday, as we pottered around town after we had got Littlest's meds. Serendipity or what?

Gratuitous boob shot!

Wild West cat house chic!

Giffords Circus stars.

It was a fantastic show, warm and funny (no clowns), skillful and quirky. The girls joined in the dancing at the end, Seldom Seen Kid refused but agreed to a pic with Mama.

Circus costumes - 1980s Stirling Cooper sheer skirt, wigs, feather fascinator and lace-up boots (Ebay)
Ann Summers corset, bowler hat, tights, petticoats and bangles (charity shops)



This post is dedicated to all those who are struggling.

With their own stuff.

With the stuff affecting loved ones.

With troubles.

I know dressing up doesn't change anything. But just for a moment I'm on top of the world.

Just for a moment, I'm a circus girl.

xxx

Pyjamarama!

Lovely Terri at Rags against the Machine has invited her followers to a Pyjama Party on Friday. Who's going? Come on, it'll be fun, she's got a special Secret Room and everything!

I have never been to one before, is it a uniquely American ritual? Or is it just the name that's unfamiliar? I've had sleepovers for my own kids, but I didn't ever have a whole gang of girls to stay the night when I was growing up.

                                 So my only reference point is Grease. I trust this is historically accurate.


         


                                                                 Fabulous, no? I've been inspired!


           Won't go to bed till I'm legally wed - don't think anyone's asking actually, not with that miserable face.

                                                                       ...I can't, I'm Sandra Dee!

                                           
                                                     I have never seen a Sandra Dee movie. But she is very pretty.

It's a funny thing but playing at being Sandy seems to make me very simpering and po-faced.  It's obviously no fun being a goody-two-shoes.                                                        

                                                                         As for you, Troy Donahue -   

 

                                                                                  

                                                                      I know what you wanna do...

                                                                       

                 I've brought hot chocolate and marshmallows, everyone. What do you mean, where's the booze?


                                                       Hey, I'm Doris Day. I was not brought up that way.

                                                       

                                                                                 I don't drink....

 

   

                                                                                    ...I swear!

                                    Well, maybe just a little nip of gin.  This is a little closer to the real me, ha!                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                           Keep your filthy paws off my silky drawers.                
                                        

                                                                     

                                                                          

                                                                            Elvis, Elvis, let me be!

                                                                       Keep that pelvis far from me. Phwooarr!

                                                       Just keep your cool, now you're starting to drool...

              Costumes - Sandy wears original 1940-50s lawn nightdress (gift from my mum)
                                                       wig (Ebay)
                                                       hairband (borrowed from Littlest)
                                                       basket (charity shop)

                                  Rizzo wears 1960s babydoll nighties (gifts from Hallelujah-it's-Helga)
                                                      wig (Ebay)
                                                      1950s silk scarf (flea market)
                                                      Gin (Gordons, we drank all the Bombay Sapphire...)

                                                                       Oh Sandy, how could you?

 

                                                                                Cheers!
                                                                                   xxx

Making friends, sharing the love

Another chilly day here, the walk to school was a bit treacherous underfoot but we all made it without falling on our bottoms.

                                                It's good to snuggle in some faux fur on a cold day.

Is it really bad that I can't remember where I picked up this Betty Barclay 1980s-does-60s frock? I think it was from a car boot last summer.

Leopard faux fur (flea market), 1980s Betty Barclay frock (who knows?), 1960s Jane Shilton handbag (vintage fair), Ravel loafers and 1970s Sarah Coventry owl pendant (Ebay), tights (M&S sale)


        I need a bit of warmth today. And who better to provide that than my lovely friend Melanie Coconut.

                                           Do you all know Melanie aka Vintage Coconut?

She's gorgeous, quirky, hilarious, and she always makes me smile. And despite the fact that I am old enough to be her mother ahem... a wee bit older than her, we have quite a lot in common.

                                                        We buy our faux furs at the same time.

                                                       We're rather partial to a wise old owl pendant.

                                                           We love our Elna sewing machines.



                                                                       So I'm wondering....

                             I think I know what Melanie might do to perk herself up on a dreary day.

                             We both love a wig, and Melanie looks fab in her black and white shots.


                                                                   And she loves a crazy frock!

There we go - I feel cheerier already. I haven't taken in the side seams on this Hawaiian dress yet, but the Elna is raring to go!

                                                                Let's hula, Mrs Coconut!

And while we are speaking about blog buddies, I was lucky enough to win darling Vanessa and Warren's giveaway. The parcel of pinkness arrived very quickly. and I am delighted with my gorgeous treats, thank you so much Vanessa!

               I have plans for those pretty little vintage flower decorations, Vanessa - wait and see!


             Don't you just make the sweetest friends through blogging? I'm so pleased to meet you all!

                                                                                  xxxxxxx