Friday frocks and festivities

I had some lovely lady friends round for coffee and cake this morning, so I thought a frock was in order.

As you know, I think a frock is in order on most days.

Remember this beauty? It was £2 from Chesterfield flea market, what a bargain.

What I had forgotten is that although allegedly a maxi, it's not long enough on me. There's about an inch of hem I can let down but that still won't make it ankle-length on me, especially in heels.

So I wore it as it is, I rather like the midi length. The print is gorgeous, and the long sleeves make it warm enough without more layers.

                                       Though a faux fur is always useful on a chilly winter's day.


The kids finished school today, so our morning starts will be a bit later and a bit less frantic for the next couple of weeks.  It's been a really busy time at school - Christmas concerts/plays x 3, parties, discos. All for the kids, no playtime for mummy, something I intend to rectify next week!

Now you know this isn't a cutesy mummy blog. But at the risk of making the LBs hate me for ever, and making all the non-parents out there yawn, I thought I'd show you a glimpse of their Christmas plays.

                                                               Channelling the spirit of Eeyore.

                                                              Auditioning for the role of Dopey.

 

                                                            

                                                         Homage to the perm, Aussie style.

While I have been known to get a little misty-eyed at seeing the kids perform (not just mine, anybody's kid will do), I have to admit I felt more like chuckling this year. Bad Mummy.

                                                     Have a superb weekend, you lovely ladies!

Gifts and Giveaways

The festive season has the potential to be a time of madness and rampant consumerism.

But blogging has reassured me that this need not be the case.

The best gifts needn't cost the earth. They are the product of true generosity of spirit, thought and kindness.

The beautiful Helga sent me this fabulous 1970s maxi dress in her recent parcel of delights.  I love it.

My delightful friend Sue's birthday party last Saturday was the perfect opportunity to unveil it.

That's lovely Sue in the middle, with Kate and Tracey. Sue is doing a Masters in script writing, and has just had a short piece performed at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. She's on her way to Bafta-winning glory, I am sure! And she sketches, is a dedicated organic gardener, not to mention being a fab mum and stalwart member of our quiz team. Talented lady.

                            And here am I with Lois and Sue. Pissed? I may have been, who's asking?

I feel like a blend of Jean Harlowesque Hollywood starlet and hippy 60s chick in this marvellous frock. And that's a good combination!

I am very pleased to have won the recent giveaway on Rose and Bird. The lovely Liz sent me a gorgeous parcel of crafty prettiness - I'd better get going and produce something, I've no excuse now!

The book has some projects for which I hope my rudimentary skills will be sufficient. Thanks so much, Liz!
                       

And next in the roll call of blogging generosity.....

The fabulous Alex at Odd Socks and Pretty Frocks was my Christmas swap partner in Lakota's marvellous feat of organisation and festive cheer! Look at the superb things she sent to me (sorry Alex, I couldn't wait...)

A wonderful tan leather bag, a smart purse, a 12 Days of Christmas tea towel from 1974 (I was actually old enough to be using it to dry the dishes with in 1974...) and her beautiful handmade snowflake decoration. The latter will adorn my tree as soon as I get round to putting it up!

Oh and there was chocolate, but I ate it. And I didn't share.

Thanks so much, Alex, I love everything. You got it just right, clever you!

And finally, that burst of colour and sunshine, the gorgeous Krista, was kind enough to send me a silk maxi two-piece which was her husband's grandma's. Just needs a tiny tweak before I show it to you properly. Isn't the fabric stunning?

                          She also included a necklace and ring for me, and 2 little goody bags for my girls.

          Skulls for Eldest LB and me, owls for Smallest LB. Perfect! And so thoughtful. Thanks, Krista.

  I think this probably sums up Krista's approach to life. She (and Ru Paul) have it about right, I reckon!


So I'm a lucky girl this week. Friendship and kindness are making me feel quite seasonally squishy!

Loving this blogging malarkey, you're all so bloody brilliant! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It's panto season

Remember that 1960s Swedish cotton knit trousers/tunic set I bought a while ago?

       I thought I'd have a play with it today, and so avoid going out in the gale force winds and driving rain.

                    
                           It fits me perfectly but I'm not sure I can make it work. Does it look like pyjamas?

                                                  

                                               
                                                      1960s style posing seemed to be in order.

   
                                       
                                          Look at these groovy chicks in their pants and tunics.

 

                    
I tried the trousers with a different top. I love them, but have to say I don't think they are very flattering on me.
I'm disappointed!            

                                       And then the spirit of pantomime overcame me.
                                       Or was it the spirit of Desiree, Goddess of the Dropped Pants?

                                                                        The Goddess.

                                 
                                          I'm available for panto. Dick Whittington? Or just a dick?

                                                           Oh no she isn't! Oh yes she is! 

Silver Lady

I did manage to call in at the Vintage Fair on Saturday. It's always nice to go and fondle the merchandise, even if I don't buy, and when it's held in Sheffield Town Hall, you get grand surroundings to boot.

I did buy, of course.

I was rather taken with this 1960s silver wool and lurex knit maxi dress. It came as a set with a wrap cardigan top too, and you know how I love a wrap cardi. However, I think it's a bit too much all together, and somewhat draining for my poor pale English complexion.

God, I sound all "I had my colours done and I'm Spring." I haven't and I'm not.

                                                           You, the jury, must decide. No pressure.

                  I'm liking it best with the gorgeous little 50s jacket (courtesy of beautiful birthday girl Vix).


I've been collecting a few silver items of late, starting with this EPNS tea pot which I bought for £1.99 from a charity shop because I love the shape. It reminded me of Aladdin's lamp, and since it was in a horribly tarnished state when I got it, I have been rubbing and rubbing but so far, no genie...

There's a metaphor for life in there somewhere.

I think the shape looks 1930s/Deco-ish, but I don't know for sure.

Kitty's Top Tip for discovering whether the handle and lid are made from Bakelite or not revealed that it's not, it is actually celluloid (it smells of mothballs/camphor when rubbed with cleaning fluid). She's so clever! I have learned such a lot from fellow bloggers. 

These pretty things are also charity shopped, an engine-turned mirror and hinged bangle, £2 and £1 respectively.

                             And with this little pot, I actually thought ahead and did before-and-after shots.

 

                                                                

                            From tarnished tat to sparkling shell. If you listen closely, you can hear the sea. 

                       

                             

                   Saturday's Vintage Fair was fun. I took the girls, who expressed their enjoyment thus...

                           

                                                                             ... as we queued.

                                               We had the Wise Old Owl of Vintage watching over us...

                                                     ... but I suspect Queen Victoria was not amused.

                                                     The stone and marble staircase is spectacular.

                              This light fitting is beautiful, the globe is decorated with the signs of the zodiac.


All that beauty before we even got into the Fair! I did buy another couple of items, which I'll show you later, but for now, it's all about the Silver Lady.

1960s Jersey Masters of London wool/lurex maxi dress and cardigan (vintage fair); black T-bars, sequined beret, bangles and earrings (charity shopped); sequined scarf and bag (gifts from gorgeous Helga)


And here's a gift for those of you who had Starsky and Hutch posters on their walls in the 70s (surely it wasn't just me?) 

 You are most welcome, Silver Ladies!

The rub of the green

I'm having a bit of a thing for green at the moment.

                            And look! I have found a hat to fit on my enormous pumpkin-sized head!

                                    My second new winter coat - new meaning new to me, of course.

Olive green Philosophy Blues Original wool coat (£8,)  Kangol hat (£3) green tights (£1 - all charity shopped), tan boots (£4, Ebay), crochet flower brooch (gift)


                                 I'm so chuffed with my hat, I'm wearing it indoors. Just because I can.

This 1970s frock is one of my favourites. It's one of those easy items of clothing which I always feel comfortable in, so it's a bit of a old faithful "when in doubt" kinda dress.




On Wednesday, Other Half was on strike, along with Youngest LB's class teacher (the other kids' teachers were working - what's wrong with them?) so he took her into town to join in the march.

                                                                  They were in that crowd somewhere.

                                                Yes, I know I look like Miss Marple. Is that a bad thing?


And yes, I also know that bag is supposed to be for knitting. I can solve crime in quaint English villages, but I can't knit.

At least I was easy to spot in the crowd. I think I was the only green-Caped Crusader there.

 

              And the frock?                                       

                           Another 1970s beauty. I think it cost £3.99, charity shopped, of course.



I am off with the LBs to the annual Scouts Christmas Cracker craft event, which is far better than it sounds. It's a local ritual; the kids do all manner of really great well-organised craft activities before seeing Santa for a photo, while the parents sit and drink coffee and eat cake and chat.


OH is out on a work Christmas do tonight, so will no doubt be the worse for wear in the morning. Therefore getting the kids out of the house for a couple of hours is A Good Thing, plus I earn points to pop into town in the afternoon for a bit of Christmas shopping (got to be done) and maybe a little peruse in the Vintage Fair in the Town Hall...

Whatever you are doing this weekend, I tip my hat to you, lovely ladies! xxxxxxx