Is it just me?

I often mull over what I'm going to wear, putting outfits together in my head.

Not in an obsessive, anal kind of way, you understand. No no. I like to think of it as my hobby.

But sometimes the reality isn't quite up to the standard of my imagined version.
Reality can be so disappointing.

I bought this nautical skirt in The Shop on Brick Lane during my  jaunt to London last month, then picked up a little 1960s Orlon knit top in a charity shop for £1.99. I thought the two were made for each other, but now I'm not so sure.
It's a feeling I've had before...

See, I was thinking cute retro 50s nautical gorgeousness. But I think I just look frumpy dumpy lumpy. What can I do? Help me, oh Stylish Lady Readers!

On a more positive note, there was another Craft and Vintage Fair on Saturday so I took the female LBs along with me this time.

 As usual, there were lovely things and lovely friendly people, not to mention lovely food.

Two stall holders remembered me from last time, because they liked my frock - wearing vintage definitely gets you noticed, I'm getting to like it!


I bought a few Christmas presents, and a couple of things for myself... For me? Oh you shouldn't have. But go on then. Here's a sneaky peek.

So we had a good time, the girls "helped" Elodie on her stall while I browsed (thanks Elodie!), and they each chose something for their hair. Helga will be impressed that Eldest LB picked an F-O bow to match her shirt (Fuck Off Bows and Matchy Match - she's learning!) and Smallest LB selected a button flower clip (Krista and Loo, who know all about the Button Love, will approve.)

Posing on the grave stones - how very Goth of us, hahahaha!

Did I mention I bought a few things?
I wore a 1970s (I think) maxi with a fabulous almost-paisley print. And my ubiquitous denim jacket, and the necklace from Jennie's giveaway.

The fair was held at St. Mary's church. The vintage finery lurked under the organ pipes, beneath the watchful eye of Mary.

Is it my imagination, or is she flicking the Vs?
Charming.
Perhaps it's a comment on those heathens who only set foot in church if there's shopping to be done there.
Which of course includes me.

Cake stands of distinction

I am not a crafty person. I have some basic sewing skills, but I am not in the least artistic, and craft activities usually fill me with trepidation.

However, shopping is a skill I possess, so I have been happily picking up old plates from charity shops and markets for my friend Tracey's latest project. She's been making 3 tier cake stands, and she invited me and our friend Joanne to join her this morning for a Cake Stand Workshop.

What's a girl to do? Naturally I had a go.

                                            Drilling. Helped by Trace.

Joanne took ages to decide on her plates. She's a very thoughtful and considered person, not slapdash like me.

                                      
                                             Armed and dangerous.

                       
                                     We managed not to crack any plates.





And just look at what we made!

Tracey's is on the left with cake on it; Joanne's in the middle; mine on the right.

                                             Chuffed? Why, I believe we are!


Trace is planning to sell a few at our school Christmas fair. What do you reckon she should charge?

You may have noticed I have changed my hair colour. I decided not to have the highlights put in, but I'm thinking it might be a bit too dark (although it's closer to my natural colour than the blonde was. Actually my natural colour is now grey, but we'll move swiftly on...) I'm thinking of it as my winter pelt.

I was aiming for a chic 1970s vibe with this outfit, not sure I achieved that but I like the midi length on me.
According to Vogue, which I was reading at the hairdresser's, it's the on-trend length.
Yeah, well, not so arsed about that, I just like it.

 Black top (ancient), monochrome chevron midi skirt (£3, Chesterfield flea market), black waistcoat (Ebay), boots (Ebay), jewellery (old, gifts or charity shopped)




Just need to do some baking now and my cake stand will look the business.

Have a fabulous weekend, my dears! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I want to tell you all a story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wife...

I went to a meeting last week of my kids' school's Friends group - not strictly a PTA since there are no teachers involved, but as near as makes no difference.

Other Half disparagingly calls us Do Gooders, or the Moral Mothers of Meersbrook (the area of Sheffield where we live. There are a couple of dads involved too.)

It's a small group of parents who organise events to raise additional funds for school, and I have recently felt that I should show willing and get involved. This was a decision I began to regret, as the tortuous process of decision-making by committee ground on...

The obvious point to note is that, apart from the fact that we have all spawned/adopted kids, we have nothing else in common, and wildly differing ideas of what needs to be done, and how.

Let me run a couple of "issues" by you good people.

Should the treat from Santa at the Christmas Fair be;
a) chocolate coins (cheap, buy it in bulk on sale or return, OK for most though admittedly not every child)
b) a book of poetry?
The Collected Works of Ezra Pound for my 4 year old? Why, thank you, Santa!

We intend to ask parents to put the £2 for their child's Christmas disco ticket in an envelope with said child's name and class on the front. Is this;
a) a basic and reasonable request, achievable by most?
b) an complex task demonstrating middle-class bias by assuming all households have envelopes?

I kid you not.

So while I slowly lost not only the will to be involved, but to live, I amused myself by singing "Harper Valley PTA" in my head. I have loved this 1968 country classic by Jeannie C. Riley since I was a kid, though back then, I hadn't a clue what the lyrics were about.

For those unfamiliar with the song, it tells the story of a teenage daughter coming home from school with a letter summoning her cool young mini-skirted single mum to attend the PTA meeting, because they disapprove of her fast'n'loose ways -"It's been reported you've been drinking and a-running round with men, and going wild."

Mum attends the meeting, and socks it to them by pointing out that they are no better behaved than her - one's knocked up his secretary, several are drinkers, one's the local exhibitionist, one keeps harrassing her for a date.

So, I mused to myself, looking around the assembled Do Gooders - who's the secret drinker?
Who's having an affair?
Who wants to get it on with whom?
Who's the exhibitionist? (Err, that would be me.)

1960s mini dress (vintage fair, £8), 1970s scarf (flea market, £1), Jones lace-up boots (Ebay), hoop earrings (charity shop, 99p), wig (can't remember how much, but cheap, from Ebay). Pissing about instead of doing the housework - priceless.


Well, this is just a little Peyton Place, and you're all Harper Valley hypocrites.



Sing it, Jeannie!

We'd roll and fall in green

I feel a bit like Cathy romping on the moors with Heathcliff in this outfit.

Although maybe the 1980s triangular bag spoils the vibe just a tad...

What do you think? All I need is Lawrence Olivier to complete the look, right?

                              There you go. Dear dear Larry.


The lovely and very talented Lucy said she had found a skirt which she thought was me, but when the parcel arrived, she had not only sent this gorgeous green velvet maxi skirt, which fits me perfectly, but also a little jacket, bangle and brooch. Naughty Lucy! But thank you very much, I love all your gifts.

The jacket almost looks like snakeskin, but it's a knit fabric. Kinda Missoni-esque, what do you reckon?

                           "I pine a lot, I find a lot falls through without you."


I had a good old chazzathon with some friends on Friday, and found a few bargains - some to keep, some destined for Ebay. The best part of the day was the good company and the abundant laughter.

Black sequinned beret (Christmas present from Patsy), 1960s silk scarf (£1, flea market), Gudrun Sjoden black cord jacket (£4.99, charity shop), 1980s Laura Ashley black silk fitted blouse (£2.99, charity shop), 1970s (?) homemade green velvet maxi skirt (gift from Lucy), silver hinged cuff (£3, Brick Lane market), 1980s suede bag (free, won it), black wedge ankle boots (bought full retail price about 15 years ago, pre-kids, when I worked full-time and spent money on myself!)

I had a good Bonfire Night, hope you did too (well, those UK residents who do Bonfire Night, that is!)
I rather liked what I wore, which was a bit Ali McGraw in Love Story, or so I fondly imagined, but of course I didn't take photos to prove it.
I will have to recreate the look on another occasion. I am such a bad Blogger!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The juice of the carrot, the smile of the parrot, a little drop of claret...

Sometimes, you have to find joy in the small things, and though I feel a little beset by worries at the moment - Other Half's job being under threat (public sector, uh oh), Youngest Child's ongoing health problems, money worries, blah blah bloody blah - I am determined not to be a misery.

There are many reasons to be cheerful.

I found this 1960s Salton hot plate, still in its original packaging and in working order, at a recent jumble sale for 50p.

Might be a bit late to send back the guarantee card though...

Then, in a small but satisfying instance of serendipity, I saw this advert in a 1964 Woman's Journal magazine I picked up at Chesterfield flea market. Wonder if I could finish the crossword? Don't need to win the prize though - I've already got one, thanks!

At the same jumble sale, I bought this groovy 1970s chopping board for 20p. It's scrubbed up a treat.

Of course I love finding vintage clothing for myself, but I am also happy to find beautiful bargains which may not fit me but which I can sell on Ebay or give to a smaller friend!

Look at this amazing bright green and gold silk 1960s Acquer cocktail maxi dress. It was £6 in a charity shop.

I confess I do wish it fitted (it's probably a size 10, I most certainly am not) but it makes me smile just looking at it. It's in superb condition.

While we are looking at stripes, what do you reckon to this 80s-tastic suede bag?

You might remember that my girlfriends and I do our local pub quiz from time to time, and since we never win, we amuse ourselves by taking along our own prizes for whichever team member gets the most correct answers.
I won the pot last week, and this beauty was part of the prize! Can you believe they all laughed when I said I loved it? I donated the cleavage enhancers (if you've seen my Hallowe'en costume, you'll know I don't need 'em!) and was happy to give them to an A-cupped pal!

(We actually came second and won some drinks tokens for next time - a good showing for us!)


This 1960s sparkly crimplene number does fit. Doesn't it remind you of the fabulous Helga? A measley £2 spend for pussy bow heaven!

Some while ago now, I commented on the gorgeous Sarah Misfit's blog that I loved this dress, which she was unsure about.

What happened?
The sweetheart sent it to me! Blog buddies are a HUGE reason to be cheerful!

She sent numerous other goodies in her parcel of delight.

Gorgeous 1970s things to make!

And lovely earrings too!
Thank you, Sarah.


Blogging has brought me the joys of wonderful and generous new friendships, as well as involving old buddies from way back. Debberoo is a very dear old friend of mine from school days, who was blogging way back before I even knew what blogging was! And the fact that she pops in and comments on my musings after all these years does my cynical old heart good!
Thanks Debs!


 And back to that 1964 Woman's Journal, which has amused me greatly for the princely spend of 50p.

School run, 1964 style.


And this fabulous advert has given me an idea.

How about we UK girls book on a Lloyd Triestino luxury liner, stop off at Vix's favourite holiday destination, India, then head on to Australia to meet up with all the gorgeous Antipodean bloggers?
It's air conditioned, we can book direct, and it would really make us cheerful!

Woodwork squeaks and out come the freaks

I started yesterday looking pretty respectable in a 70s kind of way.

I found this 1970s Clothkits wraparound skirt in Oxfam for a fiver, and intended to sell it on Ebay since I'm not sure this shape suits me. But I'm giving it a try, as I  love the colour and print. What do you stylistas reckon? Ebay or keep?

Wraparound styles are a dangerous business. Just look what can happen...

Do you think all bloggers who post photos of themselves are essentially exhibitionists?

I would never have said I was, but I'm beginning to wonder!

I'm not particularly fond of Hallowe'en; the imported ritual of trick or treating, and buying a new costume every year for the kids doesn't sit well with me. I know, I'm an old curmudgeon. However, some lovely friends were putting on a little party (as a way of avoiding the dreaded trick or treating) so that seemed like a good plan.

And if you're going to a party, you have to dress up, right?

Of course you do! This fabulous 1970s velvet corset dress was on the fancy dress rail in a local charity shop, also for a fiver. I didn't think I could get into it, so I put it on Ebay but it didn't sell.

With industrial strength foundation garments, determination, and the assistance of Eldest LB on zip duty, I managed to fit in it. Just look what it did to my boobs!

I put a spell on the LBs and turned them into Goth Child, Boy Dracula and Little Witch.

Eldest LB was really in character!

Smallest LB pinched the wig I wanted to wear. My hair was similar to this in the 80s. Same texture too.

So I had to go with a different wig and a jaunty little witch's hat.

How is it that I, an actual woman, have managed to transform myself into a man in drag?
That doesn't seem right.

Answers on a postcard please.
You don't think the eyelashes are too much, do you?

Shall I wear them on the school run?

Dracula Boy did not want a kiss from his Drag Queen Mama. Can't think why not.

Had to let her have the wig, she looked so cute.

Hammer Horror! That's my girl, nothing like a costume to make you ham it up!

Does this mean I'm a Hallowe'en convert?
Not really, I just enjoyed the dressing up!

All costumes were from charity shops, ghoulish accessories were bought super-cheap, and the magnificent Boob Crack is all my own work.
With the help of a too-tight frock, hahahaha!