Like the colour when the spring is born

I had a lovely relaxing weekend doing things I like, with only a smidge of the stuff I don't like thrown in.

 

So;

 

 

Friday night's curry was delicious...

 

...and the pint of Cobra, through which Seldom Seen is peering, went down very nicely, thank you.

 

 

I missed two vintage fairs on Saturday through being too lazy to go into town - I wasn't feeling it, and they are pretty frequent occurrences anyway. 

 

Miss one, and another one comes along in a few weeks.

The wind and rain are trying their hardest to shake all the blossom from the cherry tree, but it's hanging on in there, at least for a little while longer.

 

 

Beautiful.

Littlest and I went out for a quick spot of shopping and the obligatory cafe visit on Saturday. We found a mirror in a charity shop, just right for her bedroom.

(Don't look at the heinous state of our skirting and floorboards.)

This is me today.

The lollipop lady looked askance at my double tights action this morning, and said it was migraine-inducing...

Bloody cheek.

What do you think?

I used some fabulous tapestry fabric I bought ages ago from a charity shop to make another bag. I had to use the lining to extend the straps, but I rather like the effect.

If you are wondering why I am making so many tote bags - there's only so many I can use, after all - I am trying to perfect my technique so they are good enough to be gifts or maybe to sell at our school Christmas fair.

Trouble is, anything I make always has a touch of the wonk about it. Which I don't mind, but other people might...

See? 

 

Polished and professional... not so much.

 

 

 

But I do have a fine sense of the ridiculous and the ability to laugh at myself, and those are skills of which I am proud, even if the sewing isn't up to much.

1970s D L Barron maxi dress (neckline altered by me), 1960s stainless steel star ring and pendant - flea market

Beret, cardigan, shoes and bangles - charity shopped

Sunglasses - Ebay

Green beaded bracelet - swap gift from dear Sacramento

 

This dress continues the Art Deco theme from my previous post, the print has that look about it.

 

 

And though I am slightly camouflaged among all the greenery of the garden, I still intend to be visible over at Patti's this Monday!

Hope you had a good weekend, filled with the things you like. 

 

xxxx

Friday on my mind

It's Friday; how did that happen so quickly?

Not that I am complaining, Friday night is family dinner out or takeaway night, so we all look forward to that. None more so than me, I get sooooo tired of the relentless treadmill of cooking.

I wish I liked it more, or felt more inspired...

 As it is, the thought of a curry and a beer later is perking me up no end!

I had my hair cut this week.

I do so love the banishment of the grey roots and the swingy feel of a good haircut!

The shorter fringe and more precise bob, accompanied by the chevron skirt, and my new-to-me Art Deco-esque shoes and necklace, give a rather 1930s look.

Top, 1970s midi skirt, fishnet tights, bangles and shoes - charity shopped

Belt and necklace - retail (sale)

Vintage sunglasses - Ebay

So gorgeous!

(Sources here, here and here.)

Green shoes, £3.50.

Cherry blossom in my garden, priceless.

Sticking with the black and white theme, this was me yesterday.

I feel a bit like Madonna in the video for True Blue when I wear a 50s-style dress over leggings, but I went with it.

 I forgot my chiffon scarf, most remiss of me.

I pottered around Chesterfield flea market as usual, just because it's there and I can, and came home with a few bits and bobs for a whopping £3 spend!

Return to the Pool, a Vernon Ward print - 50p

1950s glass jug - 50p

Two 1960-70s stainless steel rings - £1 each

Charlie's tail just made it into shot there.

He is in disgrace. He is a killing machine, we have had a steady supply of dead rats, birds and squirrels lately. 

I bought a collar with a bell for him, but couldn't bear to watch his abject misery and distress as he tried desperately to get it off, so I gave in and removed it myself. 

The bloodshed will doubtless continue, and there will be other shouts of "Muuuum! Charlie's got a squirrel and he's eating its head!" from my appalled-yet-fascinated kids.

I can't keep an eye on him all the time, I've got things to do!

Like making another reversible tote bag.

Fabric (1960s curtains and remnant) from the flea market and a charity shop.

1980s-does-50s dress - Ebay

Shoes and bangles - charity shopped

Red floral bangle - gift from darling Tania

Necklace - gift

Leggings - jumble sale

Whatever you are doing this Friday, do it in fine style, ladies!

xxxx

 

                                   

Pretty flamingos

It was a bank holiday weekend, and I did... very little!

Unplugged, ate, drank, enjoyed the kids, the cats and the sunshine, mooched in the garden, got several loads of washing dry on the line.

Rock'n'roll!

It's been good to relax.

We enjoyed our first visit to a local Vietnamese restaurant.

Seldom Seen Kid tucked into his favourite honey spare ribs, Littlest (having borrowed my fascinator) loved the salt and pepper squid, while Eldest gave me The Look, familiar to all mothers of almost-teenage girls.


Feel free to supply a caption - although The Look doesn't require any words...

OK, I was probably a little overdressed, but so what?

Ruffle vest top, kimono jacket, bangles, pendant, belt and shoes - charity shopped
Giant pants - cut down by me from a 1960s jumpsuit
Necklace - handmade gift from gorgeous Krista
Bangles - gift from lovely Tania
Floral headband - handmade gift from the original Sassy Vamp Desiree



I am sure I have mentioned before that I am not really the biggest fan of pink, and yet I am finding that it features surprisingly often in my wardrobe and recent outfits.

Stronger shades of pink seem to work better for me, and I rather like it with a clashing red or orange.

It clashes nicely with my hair too!



Maybe these pretty flamingos have inspired me;

Top l-r (clockwise);
Helga's shapely ankles, Krista, Sarah, Melanie, Desiree, Vix and Claire.

So pretty in pink!

Love this peacock necklace - what do we think, 1970s?

This top makes my boobs look huge!

I'll live with it...


Bugger, I am too late for Visible Monday at Patti's, I'm behind with my blog reading and commenting, and my ironing pile (after all that line drying) has reached epic proportions.


I'll catch up.

 Wait for meeeee!

xxxx

A fabulous flea market

Thursday is flea market day in Chesterfield, and when the sun shines, it gets 

very busy!

 

I finally remembered my camera this week, and took a few photos on the way round.

 

 

 

 

There is a huge variety of goods, traders and prices.

 

While some stalls are beautifully presented, others have boxes piled high with house clearance and auction job lots. These are very popular with the punters; so much so that I couldn't get a decent photo, all you could see were the backs of rummaging customers!

It's not all vintage/retro stuff, though there is plenty of that. There are lots of newer secondhand clothes and shoes, books, DVDs, tools, crafts/handmade items, jewellery, furniture, and food stalls as well.

I like the cutlery stall, and the 50p an item table.

 

 

There's plenty of cheap fruit and veg, tons of bric-a-brac, and more vintage china than you can shake a stick at. 

 

It's a friendly place - here are Amanda and Jo (who definitely win the prize for most stylish stall holders), Janet, and Joseph.

I bought my magic lantern slides from Janet last week; Joe's stall has the 3-items-for-£1 box which I have mentioned before (Meakin and Midwinter for 33p? Yes please!) and I also bought my globe light and pigeon basket from him.

Debs is another favourite stall holder; she didn't want her photo taken but I sneakily snapped her and Joanne deep in conversation over a rather delightful cupboard. Debs' stall is a mix of vintage loveliness and handmade items like cushions, mittens (in winter) and aprons. She's very talented.

 

My 1970s Decosse wool coat, worn to death this winter, was bought from Debs' stall.

As I was taking the photo of the box of cotton reels, a fellow market browser asked me if I had a blog. She said she reads a lot of blogs and thought that a pic of cotton reels looked like something a blogger would post! I am obviously terribly predictable - but I loved all the colours together!

Here's Chesterfield church, which its famous twisted spire.

And my purchases?

 

A 1960s suitcase and a 1950s umbrella with a lucite handle.

As  you can see, the cats approved. 

 

And this little 1970s steel and abalone shell pendant, in need of a chain.

I am always on the look out for Sheffield-made steel jewellery, and this looked similar to the ring I bought from a charity shop a while back.

Turns out they are both by the same maker (I hadn't noticed the ring was marked until I checked it yesterday).

The mark says Lord Python, designs by D Scott-Walker. When I googled it, guess whose photo came up as the third image? Our Vix, of course! She also found a Lord Python pendant at a carboot and blogged about it.

There's the ring.

 

Skirt - Jo and Amanda's 3-items-for-a-fiver sale, flea market

Vest top, blouse, shoes, tights, pink flower, faux pearl necklace and bangles - charity shopped

Bead/skull necklace - handmade by colourful Krista

Belt - retail (sale)

Black flower - gift

Curls - courtesy of the 1970s Pifco curling tongs I bought at last week's jumble sale!

 

 

 

Unusually for me, there is nothing vintage about this outfit at all - apart from myself, of course.

 

 

 

How could anyone prefer to go to a soulless shopping centre/mall to get their retail fix? I truly cannot understand it. 

 

The staff in House of Fraser or Primark don't sing to you, or know your name, or chat about sewing or the PTA, or share their personal stories, or source items for you. Where's the banter, the connection, the fun?

 

 

 

Support your local market, if you are lucky enough to have one!

 

    xxxx

 

Swirling polka dots, hidden tiger

I bought this skirt at a jumble sale ages ago, intending to sell it.

It didn't sell, so I'm wearing it. I think it will be a great lightweight summer skirt, I don't know why I haven't worn it before. 

 

Oh yes I do - it's been freezing, for months.

Inspired by Helga, Queen of the red, white and blue colour scheme!

 

(Although Helga' accessory du jour was a rather fetching Bloody Mary; I wish I'd thought of that.)

 

I'm not really eligible for Lynne's Goodwill Career Wear Challenge, being an unemployed layabout.

 

That said, I was at school today doing my weekly volunteering, and this outfit comes in at well under Lynne's $10/£10 limit, so I am participating in the spirit of her project!

The polka dots and the swirl potential are obvious; here's a better shot of the hidden tiger!

The colour and the 50p price tag overcame my usual reluctance to buy One Size tights - they rarely fit, and I hate that sinking feeling as you pull them up only to realise the crotch will never rise higher than mid-thigh...

These actually made it all the way up (just) so hurray! And the added bonus, which my poor old eyes hadn't spotted while the tights were in their packet, is the groovy tiger stripe effect.

More swirling!

As always, I was accompanied in the garden by curious cats and colourful flowers...

...and the odd neighbour wondering what on earth I was up to. 

A photo shoot on Monday for a prestigious online publication (third issue due for release later this month or June, I believe...) had an audience of bemused walkers, the occasional coach party, and these disinterested creatures.

I'd like to say more, but if I reveal any other details, Miz Bagg might have me killed. 

She guards her magazine's cutting edge exclusivity most fiercely. Think Anna Wintour, but far far scarier...

 

Submit your fashion shoot photos to Vogoff's editorial team by May 19th (details here.). Go on, you know you want to be a part of le Grand Fashion Art (F'Art) issue, it's bound to be explosive!

1980s Windsmoor skirt - jumble sale (35p)

1970s top - vintage fair (£1)

Cardigan, shoes and tights - charity shopped (£3.50, £4.99 and 50p)

1980s sunglasses - vintage shop (£5)

Bangles - gifts from Tania and charity shopped (50-75p)

Hope your week is going well.

 

Flea market for me tomorrow, who knows what I might find?

xxxx