Teal appeal

I have mentioned before that I seem to be susceptible to Colour Rut.

Hmm, I'm having another attack...

Yesterday on the left, today on the right.

Brown and teal are good together.

Fabulous make up!

Kingfishers look good in it too. 

Kingfisher blue and orange, mmmm...

I weathered the various Scottish dancing/Prime of Miss Jean Brodie/"is it Hogmanay?" comments with equanimity. 

Yeah, right. In my head, I was being sarcastic as fuck.

1960-70s Balmoral Scottish-made wool tartan dress and boots - Ebay

Tights, poncho, brooch and bangles - charity shopped

Jabot-front blouse - jumble sale 

In keeping with the colour scheme, my friend Robert, an avid Poole pottery collector and expert, sent me this beautiful little dish this week. 

Isn't it pretty? Thanks, Rob!

I bought this dress half-price in a Karen Millen sale in the late 90s, I think.

 It has been a favourite but I haven't worn it in ages, and considered putting it on Ebay.

I think I'll keep it, but wear it as a day dress, rather than keeping it as a going out frock.

Let me show you the neckline - sequins and velvet to frame one's magnificent decolletage!

Karen Millen lace dress - retail (sale)

Tights - charity shop

Shoes and 1960s vinyl shopper - Ebay

Royal Worcester china brooch - car boot

Flower brooch - gift from Eldest

Necklace and chunky bracelets - gifts

Green beaded ring - handmade gift from ever-colourful Krista

I read lovely Jean's post this morning on drossintogold, and was very taken by her sensuous, sexy, tactile descriptions of the textures and fabrics of her outfit. 

Of course I like to look at the photos my favourite bloggers share, but have I mentioned how much I love to read well-written, thoughtful, funny posts which showcase my friends' brains as well as their beauty?

Hearing an authentic voice and personality through prose; being engaged by the thoughts, opinions and experiences described; sharing gentle humour, corruscating foul-mouthed sarcasm, or ribald naughtiness; luxuriating in the generous wit and warmth of friends...

The blogs I love are so much more than frocks, shoes, makes, or photo opportunities!

Keep doing it, darlings! 

xxxx

You always loved this time of year

After all the excitement of that fabulous flurry of tulle posts, I am in autumnal mode today.

 

 

I haven't worn this great skirt before. It was sent in a parcel of delight by the wonderful Helga a while back.
I love the colours.

And just for Dawn of Suitcase Vignettes (check her out if you don't know her, she's gorgeous!)

I am wearing a pussy bow blouse. Dawn thinks that name is hilarious! 

I do feel vaguely Mrs Slocombe-esque today.

Yeah yeah, we know all about your petticoat, put it away now...

1980s MaxMara jacket, 1970s St. Michael pussy bow blouse, belt, brooch, bracelets, hat and petticoat - charity shops

1970s homemade skirt - gift from Helga

1980s boots - Second to None, Walsall

Carpet bag - flea market

And speaking of pussies, in bow form or otherwise, one of mine has done a bad thing. 

A very bad thing.

Which one?

That one sneaking into shot on the right.

The other day, I heard a loud squeaking noise.

 Charlie was outside the back door with a guinea pig in his mouth.

 A loudly squealing guinea pig.

It wasn't a cute scene like this..

...or this.

Charlie is a Natural Born Killer. And he eats his prey.

Cute with a toy. Not so much with someone else's squealing pet clasped in the jaws of death.

My neighbour and I managed to corner him, but it was only when we each wedged a finger between his jaws to prize them open that Charlie was forced to drop the guinea pig and we could rescue it.

You will be relieved to know the guinea pig survived. A neighbour across the road keeps them outside on her front lawn, and they had escaped from the cage. Charlie was just doing his opportunist predatory thing, but I would rather he didn't sour neighbourly relations by killing beloved pets...

Thought I'd paint my nails red in honour of Tennyson's wonderful phrase Nature, red in tooth and claw. 

And in relief at a narrow escape on this occasion.


If we could have a little less of the In Memoriam for rodents, thank you, Charlie.

If it's not the kids, it's my pets behaving badly.

When is it my turn?

xxx

Tulled up

Have you seen Sarah Misfit today?

And did you see Melanie's post?

Oh. My. God.

These women are so beautiful and their photos are so stunning, I fear my head may explode.

Thankfully I managed to hold myself together in order to meet Sarah's challenge of rocking tulle and a tea cup while remaining in the twee-free zone.

Actually I don't think my petticoat is technically tulle...

...and my 1970s cup is probably meant for coffee...

... but hey, you work with what you have!

Feather fascinator and ballerina flats - Ebay

1950s petticoat - vintage fair

Black top, shawl, sparkly footless tights, bangles and flower - charity shops

Why don't you join us?

Being inspired by blog buddies is such a delight!



Linking to Patti's Visible Monday today.

Also linking to Lakota's Ta-Dah Tuesday. Just because I can!



And I have added the other wonderful blog friends who decided to join in this tulle-ishness, because they are fabulous!

Delicious Desiree

Luscious Leisa

Heavenly Helga. 


I'll add you if you play!

xxx 

All that chazz

 

 

Having rather lost my chazzing mojo of late, it was lovely to go out last week and have some success in the charity shops.

 

This 1980s dress is another shoulder-padded beauty. 

 

I like them, they make me feel all Joan Crawford, statuesque and powerful.

 

Although Joan would have insisted a terrified minion re-ironed that pesky wrinkled rayon before her photo shoot...

 

 

I love the sweetheart neckline and the stand-up collar.

 

 

I think that whisk of the tail means Jess approves.

 

 

I also bought...

 

 

 

 

a 1970s style dress, £2.50...

 

 

...and three skirts.

Black steam punk-y bustle-effect skirt (I am thinking ahead to Halloween and wearing this with my corset), £3.99

Mango cotton velvet wrap skirt, £4

1970s paisley pencil skirt, £2

 

(I also bought jeans for Seldom Seen, school trousers and a waistcoat for Eldest, and an otter hand puppet for Littlest, just so you don't think it's always all about me!)

1980s Joni Blair dress, £4

Boots - Ebay

Necklace and bangles - charity shops

Tights - retail

Sunglasses - vintage shop

 

 

I think we are about coming to the end of the colour in the garden.

 

 

 

But I'm putting my (padded) shoulders back, wearing bright tights and prints, and making the most of the autumn sunshine!

Hope you have all enjoyed the weekend.

xxx

I'll try not to sing out of key

Friends.

They are great, aren't they?

Real life, online life, old, new, human, feline, I love them all!

While I was ill in bed, this one was my constant companion.

This is Willow. 

Although we never call her that. Littlest took to calling her Willsy Pillsy, which has stuck, and now we all call her Pills or Pillsy Potter.

Apart from when OH calls her Pillock, because he thinks she's thick.

She isn't, she's just a little fragile and needy. Aren't we all, sometimes?

While we are talking cats, meet the new addition to the household...

Lovely Em of Ivy Black Chat knows I love all things feline, so she sent me this handsome boy to join the gang! And the blue flower ring too.

See, he fits right in.

And dear Terri of Rags against the Machine has been kind enough to send me a parcel of vintage treasure.

A feast of 1970s delights! 

Fabulous spotty day dress, amazing velvet and lace maxi dress, and a spectacular tapestry maxi skirt.

Thank you, Emma and Terri, I am really touched by your thoughtfulness.

My weekly routine is usually quite a sociable one, but since my hearing problems have continued, I am really struggling with talking to people. I am OK one-to-one but as soon as there is any background noise, I can't hear much.

Which means I can't do my usual voluntary work in the classroom at school, even chatting to other parents in the playground is tricky, and a night out in the pub is impossible.

That makes me a little sad...

But it also makes me truly appreciate my online life and friends. 

It doesn't matter if I can't hear you, I can read your blogs and email!

1970s maxi dress - Ebay

Wool poncho, hat, bangles - charity shops

Clarks riding boots - retail (ancient, almost forgot I had them...)

1960s vinyl/wicker shopper - vintage fair

Flower - retail (sale)

Green beaded bracelet - swap gift from Milan-loving fashionista Sacramento

Green button bracelet - hand made by my dear friend Joanne

Friends make life so much better!

xxx

From top to toe

Do you know lovely Lynne at Practical Paralegalism?

She's funny, she's stylish, she's so good-hearted, and she's hosting a Goodwill Goldmine party on her blog.

She asked her readers to send her a photo of their favourite thrifted/charity/op-shopped item or outfit. 

Me being indecisive me, I couldn't choose only one item, so I went for the complete head-to-toe charity shop challenge!

Parisian Schoolgirl Chic...

...a la Madeline!

Everything in this outfit has been bought from charity shops, including underwear.

I found an unworn Freya bra in my odd size for £1.25 (they retail for over £30), and the shapewear knickers and tights were still in their packets.

I couldn't swear to the prices of all items, but to the best of my recollection, nothing cost more than a fiver.

Gudren Sjoden cord riding jacket

Warehouse silk pussy bow blouse

1970s chevron midi skirt

Wool beret

Dorothy Perkins shoes

Bangles

Belt

Shapewear undies

Freya bra

 Tights

Total - I reckon the whole outfit cost under £25. 

Oops, forgot the petticoat. Add on another £1!

Charlie was a freebie. And he co-ordinates.

The brooch was a gift from darling Helga and my watch, rings and earrings were either bought retail or gifts.

But you'll let me off those, right?

I really enjoyed choosing what to wear for the challenge, and I know I don't have to remind any of my intelligent and savvy readers of the wonders of charity shopping.

I'm linking up with Lakota's Ta-Dah! Tuesday.

I think being dressed entirely from charity shops is worthy of a Ta-Dah any day of the week!

xxx