Thinking pink

I've been impatient to wear my purchases from last Saturday's blogger meet-up in Sheffield, so today I did just that.

 

I hadn't really imagined them together, but why not?

 

I will always think of this cotton velvet jacket as my Krista jacket; and the vintage tapestry bag, a gift from Gisela, has rapidly become one of my favourites. 

 

 

 I'm a little in love with this dress too, it couldn't fit me any better if it tried.

 

And while we are on the subject of vintage maxi dresses and pink, look what I found in a charity shop this week;

the sweetest late 1960s-early 1970s Dollyrockers maxi.

Look at that gorgeous smocking.

Nope, doesn't fit.

One day, I will find a Dollyrockers dress which I can actually wear; this one must away to Ebay.

 

 

 

This beautiful silk scarf cost just £1 from the flea market. 

I've no idea what age it is (I'm guessing it is 1950-60s) but it is really lovely, with different Chinese or Japanese figures and scenes all over it.

And it's also pink!

 

Velvet jacket - vintage shop

1970s chiffon maxi dress - vintage fair

1970s tapestry bag - gift from Gisela

Bangles - charity shopped

Ankle boots -Ebay

Linking to Sacramento's Share-in-Style; the theme is Pink.

 

 

 

In fact, it has been a week of finding all sorts of random bits and bobs in charity shops and at the flea market, things which caught my eye, but cost next to nothing.

 

1970s pig-shaped pomander, and unused 1970s tea towels.

 

 

 

The Infants' Magazine annual from 1903.

 

Lots of wonderful illustrations, including some by Louis Wain.

 

I love Louis Wain cats.

Who remembers Fab 208? It was the official magazine of Radio Luxembourg.

 

And this might be my favourite;

 

Herbidacious!

Was there ever a kids' TV show quite as sweetly psychedelic as The Herbs?

 

It was first broadcast in 1968, and I did indeed watch it with my mother before I started school that year.

 

All those memories, for a mere 50p!

The annuals, this dress, and the Dollyrockers pink beauty, could all be around the same age. 

A neat coincidence, I like that. 

 

 

 I'm off to a jumble sale and a friend's birthday barbeque tomorrow, I'm hoping for treasure and no rain, but will of course enjoy the rummaging and chat whatever the weather!

Have a great weekend.

xxx

Sew good

Sew good,

Sew good,

I got you!

And the you in question is my second self-sewn dress.

 

 

 

Here she is!

 

 

A tad windswept; it's been a cardi on/cardi off sort of day. 

 

Partly the undecided weather, partly my decidedly dodgy personal thermostat.

 

But let's focus on the frock.

 

 

 

 I adore the fabric (a 1950-60s barkcloth curtain from a charity shop), the colours and print make me very happy.

A reminder of the 1960s pattern;

 

 

I liked the idea of the sleeve already being built in, and it certainly made life easier (I'm a little scared of sleeves.)

 

I will have to tackle a proper set-in sleeve though, because I prefer the look of them.  

 

 

 

Overall, I am pleased. The zip is neat and invisible, I used bias binding to hem the sleeves and skirt, and it fits!

What did I learn?

 

Don't be a slack arse and omit the stay stitching; the neck stretched, and I am really cross with myself for cutting a corner, when it was only a 2 minute job.

I am getting the impression that I am an inbetween size; a vintage 16 to fit my hips, but I have had to take in both bodices on my homemade dresses for a sleeker line, so perhaps I am a 14 on the top half.

 

I might have taken this one in too far, which is perhaps responsible for that little bit of puckering at the bust.

Advice, experienced seamstresses?

Anyway, I'm nit-picking. And it's interesting to me that I am noticing the flaws, and wanting to improve sufficiently so that they don't happen again. This is not like me. I usually take a fuck it, that'll do approach to most things. 

What can be happening to me? Motivated toward self-improvement? 

Surely not!

 

Greens, blues and pinks proliferate in my garden.

 

Oh, the Sputnik-y joy of unfolding alliums. 

Sputnik-y is definitely a word.

 

 

 

 

It's gorgeous out there.

 

Dress - made it myself

Cardigan, Fly sandals and bangles - charity shopped

Peacock pendant - vintage market

1980s sunglasses - vintage shop 

I wore this dress for the first time last week, and felt that little rush of pride when people complimented me on it.

 

It's a good feeling, and I'll share it over at Jane's Shiny T Tuesday

 

What's next?

 

Hold onto your hats, I might be making some flares!

 

xxxxx

 

You're gorgeous

For the first time, Sheffield and I played host/ess for a blogger meet-up yesterday. 

Between us, my adopted home city laid on a vintage fair and other vintage shopping opportunities, the obligatory Wetherspoons lunch and cocktails, and some glorious sunshine!

 Jarvis let us down badly and failed to show up, but then he wouldn't have got a word in edgeways!

Gisela, Vix, Sara, Tania, Em and Sandra - ready for the fun of the vintage fair in the Town Hall.

But first...

This time, I said to myself as I made my way to the station (early, I hasten to add), I'm prepared.

I have gifts for everyone;

I have already taken some outfit pics;

and I am going to take loads and loads of photos of our day.

Look, I'm starting on my walk down to the station.

Here's Andrew Motion's poem on the side of a building at Hallam University;

 here's Harry Brearley, the father of stainless steel, for which Sheffield is famous (painted by Faunographic);

 and here's that wonderful water wall at the station, looking beautiful in the sunshine.

And rather perfectly matching my outfit too.

1970s angel sleeve maxi dress - vintage market (£5)
Bangles, necklace, flower and most of the rings - charity shopped
Sandals - retail (sale) 

 And then this happened, and it all went to pot!

Gift exchanging at the station; we all did so well, we didn't really need to go shopping at all.

That was God, trying to strike Em down for her blasphemous ways, but she's made of stern stuff.

And the police weren't required on this occasion, always a blessing.

After that, the photos all got a bit blurry and random - I know, despite all my good intentions. I clearly can't shop, talk, and take photos at the same time.

The Town Hall has some beautiful features, and was packed with vintage sellers.

Vix tried on the phallic mushroom dress in Mooch Vintage, where the delightful Wayne was very welcoming and friendly.

We raised a glass to absent friends in Wetherspoons, and we all wore something pink for our darling friend Krista, who was with us in spirit and in the form of a photo, there at the end of the table!

We missed you, Krista!
  

 
So after seeing Sandra off, we had a final drink and chat.

Thank you so much for coming, ladies; as always, it was a joy to see you all!


Now; do you want to see the treasures which came home with me? There were gifts galore, and the odd purchase or two...

Nail varnish, beautiful floral fabric, a pin cushion, and a helpful sewing guide from Em;

and a shedload of vintage patterns and sewing notions from Vix.

(These girls are encouraging me in my burgeoning sewing addiction - it's brilliant!)

So many goodies from Sara; 1970s-style lurex vest top, Best of Jackie book, Hello the Mushroom tote bag, 1970s secretary dress, vintage faux fur collar, and a Mango handbag.

Amazing vintage tapestry and vinyl bag, nail varnish, notepad and scarf from Gisela;

the coolest little pot from Sandra;

and a wrap cardigan and 1960-70s dream of a maxi from Tania.

As we all commented, there really was no need buy anything else after we'd exchanged gifts, but of course we didn't let that stop us.

I found;

a 1970s polka dot chiffon maxi dress, a tooled leather bag, and a Krista-licious velvet jacket (for days when a denim jacket just won't do!)

What a day; I loved it! When can we do it again?

We were nothing if not highly visible, so I'm linking to Patti's Visible Monday.

Visible, and gorgeous!

xxx