You're looking good, just like a snake in the grass

The UK continues to have hot weather, so I thought I should turn up the temperature too.

Red dress and red hair!

Which makes this my contribution to Jane's Shiny T Tuesday link up - red on red.

My hairdresser Kirsty thought she detected that I was bored, so she suggested a brighter colour.

I love it - even though I know red fades like mad so it won't stay as shiny and vibrant as this for long.

I have had some funny comments on the school run of late.

One mum gave me a raking gaze from head to toe and back again, then said you're not afraid of colour, are you?

Indeed not - why should I be?

Heights, bad things happening to my children, and terminal illness. These things scare me. Not colours.

Another mum suggested I start a style blog. 

Consider it done.

And the lollipop lady was the person who inevitably sang Lady in Red to me today.

I knew someone would.

Although to be fair, I have an annoying habit of singing lines from songs sparked off by things people say.

It drives the kids bonkers.

Some people think I'm bonkers, but I just think I'm free.

See?

Child: Can I have some money...

Me [sings]: I've got the brains, you've got the looks, let's make lots of money...

Child:  ...for a disco ticket?

Me [sings]: D.I.S.C.O. She is D (Desirable)...

Child: Well, can I?

Me [sings]: Well make a stand for your man, honey, try to can the can...

Child: Stop it, mum.

Me [sings]: You'd better stop, before you tear me all apart...

Child: Muuuuum!

Annoying. 

I know.

Can't stop it.

1970-80s Shubette dress, striped vest, sunglasses, belt and bangles - charity shopped

Sandals - Ebay

Necklace - retail (sale)

Willow update:

I took her to the vet again today. Her eye is much less swollen (it actually looks like an eye again, which can only be good) but it is still cloudy and the pupil is not dilating properly . So we have yet more antibiotic eyedrops, and also eyedrops to dilate the pupil.

That's five doses of eyedrops to be administered every day, which can't be given at the same time.

Five.

One two three four five senses working overtime...

She hates it. She hates us. 

She may lose the sight in that eye but the vet is more optimistic that the eye itself can stay put.

On a cheerier note, I pinched these photos of the Mad Men party from my friend's Facebook page.

Didn't we look glamorous?

And the post title?

My Other Half's usual compliment to me is to say looking good, Big M (not a flattering nickname, but I ignore that bit).

To which the obvious response is you're looking good, just like a snake in the grass.

Don't pretend you didn't recognise a bit of ELO - they're not cool, but then neither am I!

And if you can sing all the other lyrics too, you get a Gold Star and my undying love. And affection.

xxxx

If dresses could talk...

 

This dress is 15 years old.

 

 

 

I remember buying it very clearly; it was 1998, my mate Patsy and I had booked a holiday on the Greek island of Thassos, and I purchased this dress during a pre-holiday shopping trip, despite the fact it was pink and completely unlike anything I wore at the time.

 

 

I daresay I have worn it on most holidays since then, or whenever the weather was sufficiently warm.

We had a fabulous holiday in Thassos.

Beautiful beaches, great food, stunning scenery, friendly locals, and a holiday romance.

(I use the word romance euphemistically.)

 

 

I think we spent the entire fortnight laughing.

 

Apart from when we were horribly hungover following an ill-advised night drinking ouzo...

 

 

Dress - retail

Sunglasses - Ebay

1960s vinyl/tapestry bag, hair flower, bangles and shoes -  charity shopped

Peacock pendant - vintage market

Silver bird pendant - retail (sale)

Well, life is different now.

Partner, three kids, holidays aren't quite the same these days, but I can still fit in the dress, and the heat in the UK has been positively Grecian this week!

 

 

I was pottering around in some secondhand shops on Friday, looking for a gift for a friend, when I stumbled across these two beauties.

 

 

 

The 1960-70s Horrockses maxi is another boob-squisher, which is very disappointing, so she must away to Ebay.

The 1950s cocktail dress fits well and is staying with me, hurray!

 

So is this 1960s amber pressed glass genie bottle, £2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 An update on Willow;

Hmm, not so good.

 

On a second visit to the vet, her eye was still very swollen and infected, her cornea has suffered extensive damage, and the vet thought she may lose the eye.

We have another antibiotic to try, and are hoping for the best, while rather fearing the worst.

She's obviously feeling better in  herself though, judging by the way she takes umbrage when we try to administer her various medications...

 

 

I overheard Littlest talking to Willow, saying Don't worry, Pillsy, we'll still love you even if you only have one eye.

Had a hair cut and colour today; next time you see me, I'll be looking a bit brighter.

 

Despite feeling a little subdued, I reckon I'm still visible enough to join Patti's party as usual!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend! 

    xxxxx

Written in black and white

You lot make me laugh!

I'm glad to know you are an assertive, feisty bunch who don't like being ripped off, by a charity shop or anyone else.

No, I didn't buy the items with the inflated price tags. 

Yes, I asked why they were double the price of other equivalent items.

I received a shrug as my answer.

No, I couldn't be bothered to ask to see the manager (plenty more belts and brooches in the sea of charity shops) but Oxfam, I name and shame you, and you lost a sale. I would never haggle in a charity shop, but I don't have a problem with pointing out inconsistent pricing.

 So that's that - now let's move on. 

 

I wore the same skirt two days running - an unusual event for me!

 

This skirt was on the sale rail in my local hospice charity shop - it's from the dreaded Primark, but at a quid, I thought I could justify it. 

Yesterday was sunny and hot;

 

today was not.

 

 

We have already covered the camouflaging qualities of a maxi, but they also do a great job of keeping you cool when the weather is hot, and warm when it isn't.

Yeah yeah, I know - the little polka dot vest underneath is actually navy. I thought it was black till I saw the photos. I may be a bit colour blind. Which would explain a lot.

Now having an hourglass figure with quite wide hips (no self-disparagement intended, just an honest assessment of my body shape), I apparently shouldn't wear horizontal stripes or a gathered skirt.

Styling advice for anyone considered broad, large framed, big and large, courtesy of a 1977 Jackie annual.

Hmm, well, I'm not terribly good at taking advice, so stripes and gathers it is.

 

So there.

 

Jersey maxi skirt, top, bangles, red flower - charity shopped

Sandals - retail (ancient - forgot I had them, rediscovered them in the bottom of the wardrobe)

Black flower - gift from 100% gorgeous Sarah

Red wooden bangle (I wear it to death) - gift from darling Tania

Sunglasses - Ebay

Vest, white shirt and Rocket Dog canvas flats - charity shopped

 

 I was having a bit of a shitty day today* till this arrived;

 

 

a parcel of blogger love from my dearest Clare, containing a beautiful Monsoon jacket and two chic shift dresses, and...

...this magnificent portrait of Clementine, at her sneering and sardonic bitchfaced best!

I love it all, Clare - thank you, darling!

 

 

*My shitty day?

 

We woke up this morning to find our shy sweetheart of a cat Willow had a horrendously swollen eye.

I mean horrendous - a red, inflamed third eyelid all the way across, her face puffed out, it looked as though her eye was about to explode. I'm not particularly squeamish but oh dear, it did look nasty.

I rushed her off to the vet; something has scratched her eye quite badly which has become infected - she was fine yesterday, it must have happened in the night.

 

Anyway, she has had an injection of an anti-inflammatory and painkiller, and antibiotic eyedrops,  and it's looking slightly better this evening. 

 

But I have learnt that cats - much like children - do not like eye drops.

 

And I am supposed to put lubricating drops in her eye 6-8 times a day, as well as the antibiotics.

 

She is not a happy girl, and neither am I.

 

The 2-hourly eye drops meant no volunteering at school today, and more importantly, no Chesterfield tomorrow - disaster!

 

Hopefully Willow will be back to normal soon.

 

Cats - they are more trouble than the kids!

 

   xxxx

 

 

 

Notes on a weekend

The UK is bathed in sunshine, an unusual experience in recent summers, and there is a British Wimbledon champion, an even rarer phenomenon.

I always rather like watching Wimbledon, but found both the women's and men's finals almost unbearable viewing, for different reasons.

Poor Sabine Lisicki - to find yourself in the final of your dreams, playing the match of your worst nightmares. I did feel for her.

And I felt like slapping that smug John Inverdale's face, for commenting on Marion Bartoli's looks rather than her sporting achievement.

Really? Is that how we judge sportswomen, on their appearance? Apparently, if you are male and work for the BBC commentary team.

And I am very pleased for Andy Murray, and highly amused that the British tennis establishment finally has its Wimbledon champion, only to find that he is an arsey Scot who apparently supports Scottish independence, and has a healthy disregard for the media.

 Good for him. There's a delicious irony in all that.

The patriotic colours are purely coincidental; I found this 1970s dress at a car boot on Saturday.

I know, I know.

I'm kidding myself to think it fits. My boobs are squashed to buggery, so I fear it must find its forever home elsewhere, via Ebay.

 But I so wanted it to be mine!

It's my contribution to Jane's Dressing Square theme for her Shiny T link up tomorrow.

1970s dress (might be a nightie actually...) - car boot

Bangles - gifts from tennis-loving Tania and charity shopped

 Sunglasses - charity shopped

I didn't find anything else at the car boot - Littlest wasted her money on some crap chose to buy some ceramic teddy bears, Eldest went halves with me on a set of Revlon nail varnishes. 

Last of the big spenders, aren't we?

 I spotted these OK-but-unremarkable cropped white jeans for Eldest in a charity shop - I am practically having to restock her entire wardrobe, she has grown so much - and chuckled to myself when I clocked the label;

Alexander McQueen for £2.99? Ok, thanks.

The 1970s Japanese-made ice bucket, complete with little tongs, was £1.50.

There was also a strange charity shop incident.

I picked up a brooch and a belt, neither of which had a price tag. I checked the prices of the other brooches and belts, and imagined I was being helpful by telling the young woman at the till what the price range was for similar items.

She didn't go and look herself, but said she needed to check with someone, presumably the manager, and trotted off to the back room.

She returned to the counter, and quoted prices which were double those of everything else.

What would you have done?

 I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Thea Gilmore last night.

Live music is a wonderful thing.

I hope everyone had a great weekend; I'll be round to see what you've been up to, just as soon as I can.

Joining lovely Patti and all the gorgeous contributors to Visible Monday.

  xxxx

             

Don't fix it

Who knew we were actually going to get some warm weather this summer?

As usual, I am caught on the hop with unshaved legs, but that's when maxis come into their own!

I am frequently described as glamorous by other mums and the staff at school; this really couldn't be further than the truth.

Here I am, sporting unshaved, untanned legs; scruffy hair needing a wash, not to mention a root touch-up; ancient clothes, and cheap jewellery.

It's amazing how people are fooled by the sight of a long floaty dress and hair flowers.

This dress is another firm favourite. 

I'm horribly predictable; square neckline, print, angel sleeves, full length.

Who cares? If it ain't broke...

1960-70s cotton maxi dress - community fair

Bangles, sunglasses and hair flowers - charity shopped
1960s Lord Python steel pendant - gift from beautiful Vanessa

Silver/marcasite ring - vintage street market

Mosaic ring - Pia (sale), years ago

I seem to have been busy this week, without necessarily achieving very much.

I spent a whole day sticking labels on work books at school - such a simple task, but soooo time-consuming.

One of the teachers said if I hadn't done it, she would have had to take them home to do in the evenings. Year 1 will have 80 kids starting in September. Three work books each. That's a lot of books.

Anyone who criticizes teachers should spend a few days in their local primary school. The staff I spend time with are incredibly dedicated, hard-working, skilled professionals.

This dress was a 99p find on Ebay.

Made from a lightweight cotton voile fabric, it's a bit see-through but a vintage slip sorts that out.

The seller bought in in the late 1960s in London, and wrote in her listing that it has been a happy dress and she wanted it to go to a good home.

It is; it has.

It has a big turn-up on the hem, which I'm going to let down when I get round to it, to make it a better length on me.

Otherwise; neckline, sleeves, print; yes yes yes.

Told you - predictable.

Eldest had a transition day at secondary school this week, and loved it.
Littlest ran her heart out at sports day.
Seldom Seen has been loaned a suit for the Black Tie do in August, and wants to wear a bow tie, to be like James Bond.


But enough about those pesky kids - let me show you the real star of this family's show.

Jess.

 

Contender for The Most Beautiful Cat in the World?

 

I think so.

Minnie and Charlie, rocking the monochrome.

Three guesses what happened a few seconds after I took the photo bottom left. One look at Charlie's evil face is all you need.

And here is sweetheart Wills, the shy one.

Car boot tomorrow morning, barbeque with friends in the evening, seeing Thea Gilmore on Sunday.

What's happening where you are this weekend?

 xxxx

I say it in my head

Another busy weekend has come and gone, and I have been a bit rubbish at taking photos of any of it!

 

Oh well. 

 

 

 

 

On Friday night, I went to a surprise birthday party for my friend Kathryn. 

 

Her husband and sister arranged a Mad Men-themed evening for her, and the guests dressed up to the nines with great enthusiasm and flair.

 

 

 

 

 

Heidi, Jude, Claire and Ruth.

 

The Big Reveal!

Kathryn and her sister Sarah were both wearing frocks borrowed from my collection. Sarah had been round to my house to choose outfits, and borrow vintage table linen, crockery and glasses - all done in the utmost secrecy, of course.

 

Needless to say, I didn't get any pics of me but I wore my wonderful 1950s dress as seen on the left here...

...and look - there are the dresses I lent Kath and Sarah!

 

It was a really good night. I wish I had more pics but the few I did take were mysteriously blurry. Could that possibly be linked to the freely-flowing wine and killer Bloody Marys?

Quite possibly.

 

 

More socialising, but of a slightly quieter kind, on Saturday - dinner with friends, lovely. 

No pics. Bad blogger.

 

Today's dress is one of my absolute favourites, chosen with Jane's Shiny T Tuesday link up in mind.

 

 

 

 

1960-70s maxi - vintage fair

Hair flower, necklace and bangles - charity shopped

Red wooden bangle - gift from lovely Tania

Sandals - retail

 

 

I always always always feel great in this dress. The fit, the square neckline, the sleeves, the print and colours - I love everything about it.

 

 

 

Thank you for all the lovely comments about the letter Littlest wrote to me.

She is quite prolific in her note writing, and often expresses her emotions on paper.

I mentioned to her that I didn't recall her ever telling me she hated me, and therefore that she didn't need to request my forgiveness.

She replied, I say it in my head.

Brilliant, on so many levels.

Another gem she came out with recently was that people who say mean things don't like themselves very much, and want others to feel as bad about themselves as they do.

She may not always find the academic stuff easy, but that girl has an emotional intelligence beyond her years.

 

 

 

In my head, I'm saying what the fuck am I going to cook for tea?

Red, red and more red in my garden. 

 

At least the under-ripe strawberries inspired me to buy some riper ones and make Eton Mess for pudding. Mmmmm.

I'm horribly late to Patti's, but I feel thoroughly and happily visible, so I'm heading over there to join the party.

Hope you all had a fine weekend, I'll be catching up with you when the packed schedule this week allows!

xxxx