I got cat class and I got cat style

I decided to frock up this Friday and give my new leopard print dress a whirl.

 

 

I spent a bit more than 99p on this one, but it was still only around £7. And I did so want it!

 

It's got a rockabilly-ish feel, I think.

I tied the matching fabric belt round my neck as a pussy bow, it seemed appropriate.

 

 

Now you know I love my cats (to distraction actually) and they often get their gorgeous little faces (or arse, in Charlie's case) in on the blogging action.

 

 

 

Two tabbies (Jessie and Willow), two black'n'whites (Charlie and Minnie).

All different.

All fabulous.

 

Friends obviously know I am a cat person so have tended to give me cat-themed gifts at times.

 

 

 

The little tabby painted pebble was a gift from a young woman I worked with back in my mental health professional days.

 

 It was a struggle, for her and for me, but we both learned something and progressed, I think, and she gave me the pebble when she was left the service. We were always discouraged from accepting personal gifts, but in her case I made an exception. I felt it would have been an awful rejection of her kind gesture to refuse, and that solemn-faced tabby waving goodbye has been with me for many years now.

 

I hope that troubled but lovely young woman is Ok, I do think about her from time to time and wonder.

I bought the cat's head on the left in Egypt.

The solitary soapstone bookend is on his own now, following an unfortunate accident involving his twin and Seldom Seen's light sabre...

Oh I did shout! And I cried a little...

 

I have to confess this is not my only leopard print frock.

I still love this one, and feel vaguely disloyal...

 

 But you can't have too many leopard print frocks, right?

 

And this one has pockets!

While I was taking these photos on the decking right at the bottom of our garden, my next door neighbour shouted down to me "Can I have your autograph?"

I was a bit mortified to be caught. I guess it looked rather bizarre to him.

 

I will choose to assume he meant I look like a Rock Star!

 

 

 

1980s leopard print dress - Ebay

Red shoes, belt, sunglasses and assorted bangles - charity shops

Jessie - Sheffield Cat Shelter

Minnie and Willow - Sheffield RSPCA

Charlie - kitten of a friend's adopted stray

Aren't you impressed that I got through this whole post without using the word pussy once?

Well, just the once.

Imagine my traffic source stats if I'd gone with Pussy Galore as a post title?

Whoops, done it again now...

Have a fabulous weekend, darlings!

   xxx

Summer's lease

British summers often seem all too short, if they happen at all.

Back to jacket and boots it is then.

Ooh, boobalicious! Where did they come from?


I bought this 1970s maxi skirt from Ebay, for a whole 99p. Why didn't anyone else want it, in its sparkly lurex poppy-printed glory? Oh well, their loss, my gain.

Charlie was keen to get in on the photos, and play at being a wild beastie in the trees.

He's only a year old, still a baby, and very playful. And bitey.

A wee tug of his tail keeps him in order... Actually, nothing keep him in order. Cats are a law unto themselves, which is what I like about them.

I have bought a few odds and sods from charity shops lately.

This is my favourite.

A pair of catalogue drawers, for want of a better description. I think the wood is oak, but you may know different, please tell me if you do.

I wanted to be a librarian when I was little. I loved the drawers which held the library tickets, and how Miss Hall (who worked in our town's tiny library) flicked through them at great speed. And I was quite partial to the date stamp too. Strange child...

Not sure what to do with these now I've got them, but they were a can't-leave-behind item from Oxfam (£8) .

I loved this 1960s Pairs game too (£1.99).

And I splashed out £2.99 for this 1960s double-sided pop-up book. You read The Three Little Pigs one way, then turn the book over for Goldilocks.

The illustrator is Vojtech Kubasta, an Austrian-born artist, paper enginer, illustrator and graphic designer who lived and worked in Prague.

Goldilocks is showing her frilly pants. Remind you of anyone?


And while we are talking about wonderful illustrations, have you seen the oh-so-talented Melanie's cartoons?

I love her art work, both her "proper" art and her delightfully whimsical drawings and cartoons.

This one was inspired by my story of a jumble sale incident. I love this version, because there is a happy ending!


Thank you, Melanie, I adore it! I love it so much, I asked the artist's permission to put the last frame in my side bar. I've never been immortalised in cartoon form before!

Kew t-shirt, beaded pendant, assorted bangles and denim jacket - charity shops
1970s Brettles maxi skirt and lace-up boots - Ebay
Belt - retail (sale)
Sunglasses - gift from gingham-clad diva Sarah
Black flower ring (which has since fallen apart!) - flea market
 

See you soon!
xxx

In the whisper of the trees, in the thunder of the seas

I was out last night at the evening part of an old friend and work colleague's wedding reception.

Lovely to be invited.

Perfect excuse to frock up!

Every time I have worn this fabulous 1970s maxi, which was a gift from darling Helga (last seen here), I feel glamorous and special. 



And I get complimented. 

Which is always a good thing!

It's a magic dress.

Look, it makes me go all soft focus and romantic and winsome...

Must be the sight of people finding love in spite of previous heartache and disappointment.

Congratulations David and Sharon!

That's Robert, Dave and I with our pints lined up in front of us.

I may look like a lady, but I drink like a navvy!

Yeah, I might have been a bit pissed. It was a wedding!


And unlike Rob, I didn't have work the next morning, ha!

Oh I can be a hard-faced old cynic, without a shred of romance in me, but a good wedding and a few pints blurs my sharp edges...

...until I'm willing to believe love really is in the air!

xxx

Kids in Derbyshire

You all know I am an urbanite, but living in Sheffield means we have some stunning countryside right on our doorstep, including the Peak District National Park.

It would be crazy not to go and enjoy it sometimes!

Under pressure to sort a picnic, find the kids' sun hats/sun screen, get everyone fed and watered and organised for an early-ish start, I hadn't really thought about what to wear myself.

Here I am, hiding among the Derbyshire foliage, awaiting my gorgeous friend Vix's disapproval!

Yeah, I am in disguise as Generic Scummy Yummy Mummy, wearing the ubiquitous cropped denim, Breton striped top and ballerina flats.

I hardly recognise myself!

In my imagination, I looked like Brigitte...

... or Audrey...

... or Jean...

... or even Kim!

Ha, who am I kidding?!

Caught!

Still, our day in the Peaks wasn't really about fashion or style or vintage or anything other than beautiful countryside, a picnic by the river, and a good long walk.

Seldom Seen scampered about on the rocks like a puppy.

Littlest lagged behind a wee bit...

... and Eldest led the charge, as always.

They got tired though...

... and needed a little lie down half way round.

Even I have to admit it's gorgeous out there among the greenery.

So forgive the uninspired outfit just this once, I didn't want to frighten the hikers by wearing frilly pants or a wig and a corset on this occasion!

So what does one wear to tramp through the countryside, go paddling, avoid sheep shit, skirt muddy patches, clamber on rocks and still look glamorous?

 

Buggered if I know!

xxx