Tuesday 27 March 2012

Out Of Africa.....


...and on to me!
How gorgeous is this 1960s maxi dress which my fabulous friend Curtise found on her explorations of Chesterfield flea market?


It's an exceptionally well-travelled frock, starting life in Africa, moving to Europe, briefly taking in Sheffield before settling in Walsall and very soon to be whisked off to India and back.

 

I thought I'd sorted what to pack but it would be a crime not to take this beauty with me, the colours work so well under a tropical sun, it's the perfect length with bare feet and it fits like it was tailor-made.

Barry M Turquoise nails, brass bangles (mostly inherited), Indian turquoise & gilt ring (£1, Cancer Research) and the huge pink and orange perspex ring from Biba was worn by my Mum when she was expecting me in 1966 - almost an antique!

It  looks damned fine with turquoise, too.


Curtise also slipped this cheesy romance in with the hilarious Elvis card.


Our friendly postman's been a busy boy, I won this fab blingy cuff in Denise Angela's glamorous giveaway,


Miss Rayne spotted this cute retro print in her local charity shop and it's one I haven't got in my collection. Check out the card, she knows how fond I am of a vintage hair-dryer, too.


Which of my holiday frocks will get the push to accommodate my well-travelled maxi in my backpack? I promise to let you know as soon as I've made my decision.

1960s cotton maxi worn with 1950s rose print parasol (£1, car boot sale), hand-made hair flower , beaded panda bag (£4.99, PDSA)
Think Nigeria is nothing more than a hot bed of Internet scam artists? Read Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimananda Ngozi Adichie for a fascinating insight into the history of this troubled African country, it blew me away.

Have fun in the sun and see you soon.

68 comments:

  1. It will be great for India, lucky you. Fits like a treat. Love the book title :)

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  2. My favourite colour, and it suits you so well.
    This weather makes everything look so promising, the perfect build-up to your trip and the festival season. Well done Curtise, what an eye for the right garment you have!

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  3. holy cow is that beautiful. again i have maxi envy. the colors are beautiful on you! will check out the book as i'm just wrapping up my current read. thanks vix always for inspiration.

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  4. What great goodies and that dress looks perfect for India!

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  5. I'm so glad you like the frock - I thought you might! The parasol looks perfect with it, and I agree it looks great with turquoise. Oh the dilemmas of packing, you must have so many wonderful things you could take to India, how to choose...
    The cuff you won is amazing, and the cute kid print is adorable. How do those kids stay upright with their huge lollipop heads?!

    I'll check out the book. Half of a Yellow Sun, that is, not Sweet Vixen, hahaha!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  6. YOu look amazing as always .. is that turquoise for me :))Xx

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  7. What a lovely gift from Curtise! You look just lovely in it!

    That book looks a good read, hehe!

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  8. You look fab, well done to Curtise for finding such a perfect dress! The 60s perspex ring is really amazing too. and I love your parasol!

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  9. Such a glorious maxi dress and perfect for India. It’s funny how second-hand clothing can see more of the world than a lot of us see in a lifetime xxx

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  10. Beautiful...what a lovely colour, and perfect for your travels.xxxx

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  11. It looks gorgeous on you love the colour. Can't you take as well one more little dress wont hurt will it ;-))) I did smile at the mills and boons book great name ;-) This weather is blooming gorgeous i can't believe its only March. Have fun, dee xx

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  12. What a stunning dress! And it's in my two favorite colors. You're right; perfect in the sun!
    Thanks for the book recommendation, my favorite reads are the ones that I can learn something from while being entertained at the same time.
    xo, Anita

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  13. Love the colour of that maxi on you, i shall have to try orange this year.

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  14. Hell yeah you better take this gorgeous maxi with you to India, the shade of orange is perfecion.
    Your looking extra glowy bella.
    Im lusting over your 50's umbrella.
    Some family friends came back from Africa and they been telling us horrible stories about voodoo and religion.
    Besonones

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  15. Wow, you exude sunshine in every respect! Beautiful Vix!!!! Can't wait to see mounds of Goan photos although I shall miss your lovely daily posts and lovely comments!

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  16. Love the light on the dress. I have that book but never got round to reading it. After I have finished Isabel Allende's memoir I will start on it.

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  17. Gorgeous dress - and it has been through some amazing travels! So pretty with turquoise barry m nail polish. Such sweet gifts! Loving the Elvis card so much!!! Really sweet)

    >'.'<

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  18. Lovely Maxi! Pink and orange always reminds me of Krista's hair nowadays haha!

    Love your makeup, gorgeous! xxx

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  19. As you are slipping into your summer garb we down here at the bottom of the world are starting to rug up. I do hope you get the summer we were looking for as it didn't quite turn up this year. The dress is perfect and I love your brollie!!

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  20. Schwing a ding ding,that's one HOT frock allright!!Love it,the colours annd the fit are perfection!Of course you have to take it to India!!! That parasol is making me a bit squealy!I need to get myself one for next Summer!
    Yay for lovely treast,I bet that romance is real steamy....!!!
    The book sounds interesting,I've noted the title and will keep my eyes peeled!
    Love you more than Indian sunshine!
    Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  21. Vix, that dress that Curtise got for you is PERFECT. You look amazing in it and it'll be ideal for your upcoming travels.... It would also be perfect for our current "heat wave"!!!

    xo

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  22. That dress does indeed look like it was tailor made to fit you - stunning. Hope you have a fabulous time in India.

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  23. Such a lovely dress, perfect for the sunny weather and India! Thanks for the tip-off about the book - finished White Tiger last week so looking for something new to get my teeth into (despite the huge pile of Gabriel Garcia Marquez I still have!)

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  24. What an amazing colour combination and pattern! I bet the dress is really happy to have finally landed in a proper British rainforest :)
    Half of a Yellow Sun is such a wonderful read! xxx

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  25. love the print of that dress xx

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  26. Oh yeah, that dress definately
    needs to go with you.When you show jewelry you inherited from your Mom I always think.....I wish I had known her...something tells me she was a very interesting gal.

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  27. It's like you're wearing a piece of history, you certainly look timeless in it that's for sure! We're off to Rarotonga, Cook Islands for 9 nights. Haven't had a proper holiday like this in 10 years and it's been over 20 since we did one on our own. So looking forward to a desert Island, hammoch swinging, cocktail drinking relaxing holiday!

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  28. wow this is really an amazing dress, and honestly i´m very impressed about the fit cause i´ve seen a lot of african clothes whit very poor fit, which friends brought me to make some "changes"..well in the end it was mostly a complete new garment after haha
    love and kiss,mary

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  29. it's a fabulous dress, love that orange shade and pretty print and you're right: it looks damned fine with turquoise, this is a great reason to take it with you!
    Always love your bijouterie and turquoise nails!
    besos

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  30. I love this sweet dress on you! Curtise rules! Is it pink and orange, you look heaven scent and more yummy than rainbow sherbet ice cream (trust me it's yummy ;) I love your toes peeping out and I adore the ring worn by Mum pregnant with you! My toes haven't even seen polish in almost 6 months, soon soon soon!
    I can't wait to have a look at all your stuff! I will probably drive you mad with all of my nosing around. I love that blingy cuff and the print with the kids too.
    There's no sun here today or yesterday but after seeing you all a glow I am content ~ I know it's sunny somewhere.
    LOVEYOU!!!
    Krista

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  31. You look really beautiful today, serene and gorgeous. Curtise chose so well for you. I also loved 'Half of a Yellow Sun'.

    x

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  32. That dress was made for you, perfect. I love your umbrella too, sorry that should be parasol!

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  33. Oh, you silly! You pack a great huge pile of clothes into one of those vintage Louis Vuitton travelling closets, the kind they used to take on luxury liners which also have a built-in martini bar, and ship it to your destination in advance so when you get there your closet is all set up! In my dreams... I love your maxi dress with blue toesies!

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  34. You look really beautiful. I love this outfit -- especially the well-traveled dress.

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  35. Pretty pretty!! I love African textiles. I'm guessing this is a glorious cotton. I love the color as well. This one definitely needs to see the world with you!

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  36. Take the dress on holiday! Do you leave your books behind for the next traveller? The husband always laughs at me because I wonder where the book will wind up.

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  37. damn fine is right. love the turquoise!!!!!

    lauren lanza osias

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  38. Oh that dress is AMAZING - Curtise certainly knows us all so well! You look so wonderful in those colours, amor - and of course I adore the darling parasol and all of your perfect accessories. Nigeria!

    Love! Sarah xxx

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  39. The dress fits you so beautifully...and thank you for the book recommendation.

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  40. Very pretty Vix! I also loved reading about you on the Queens of Vintage. I am Queen #69 on the Queens of Vintage.

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  41. That frock from Curtise is fab. I love it accessorized with turquoise. Xx

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  42. Yes that frock has to go to India! Crikey, two trips to the colourful continent in less than 6 months - now I am one envious girl!! Have fun both of you and I look forward to hearing all about it on your return x

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  43. Perfect summery colours, I reckon it'd look as good on you in Australia as elsewhere...hint hint!!

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  44. Its a beautiful dress and you look so lovely in it. Stunning textile - is that a print or woven design? Just fabulous and I bet it'll just get better and better the more you wear it. Would look great anytime of year too - I can imagine it cheering up a lot of autumn/winter layers ....

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  45. Gosh you look just ready for the sunshine, well we have it here but I mean REAL sunshine!

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  46. The colour of that dress is wonderful.

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  47. your arm/hand candy is always so inspiring to me!
    LoVE! LoVe, LOVe!!!!!111!!!11!!
    Hugs
    Reva
    (i have so many things to send you when i get a few pennies for postage ;)
    Hugs,
    Reva

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  48. I love the mix of pink and orange! What a massive journey that dress has taken. I've never seen a vintage beauty from Africa before. xxx

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  49. Gorgeous dress! I can't wait to see what you pack. I swear I'm living vicariously through your trips to Goa.

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  50. That is an amzing dress and to think it found its way to you~Love the bracelets too!! I wish i could go shopping with you for just one day :D But, being across the pond, doesn't make that easy. Take care~

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  51. You have to take that dress--you look effing gorgeous, especially in those last two photos. Did you find the fountain of youth in your backyard or something? Damn it woman, you look more amazing all the time.

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  52. Curtise's dress fits you like a glove and the colours suit you so well, and how clever of her to find a 'bodice ripper' also, I used to read those when I was a teenager.
    Who needs a tripod when they've got a Jon? (who's doing a damn fine job)
    xx

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  53. It's true this dress is absolutely stunning I cant wait to to see it in india!

    - PRADA SUNNIES GIVEAWAY -
    - PRADA SUNNIES GIVEAWAY -

    Sunnie
    (.=

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  54. Oh, your wonderful! :) You have this truly effortless style that seems like you can create masterpieces of fashion with the flick of a wrist! And that adorable African dress makes me so jealous! >.>

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  55. Such an awesome color. (:

    Blog - Facebook - Twitter

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  56. Always beyond stunning, my dear queen.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  57. HOLY HECK what a lovely maxi from Curtise. You look absolutely gorgeous in it! And I also think it deserves a trip to India.
    *hehe*

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  58. Gorgeous jewellery and I love your nail varnish xx

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  59. the brazalets are nicee!! very nice!

    kiss

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  60. oh that dress is beautiful on you great color!! Have fun packing for India ~I always pack way to much I can never decide lol!! Enjoy your new treasures!! Love Heather

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  61. Hell that is one helluva frock love!!! Yes, it looks like it was tailor-made for you - Curtise is such a darling for sending it to you and I'm glad it will get to continue its glamourous travels around the globe:)). I wonder if it has seen India before? What a thought, that some of our clothes are more well-travelled that we are, I like it! Your ring must hold so many memories for you, your mum had the most amazing taste - you've inherited her glorious attitude and zest for life my friend xoxoxoxoxoox

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  62. You are absolutely gorgeous. That dress is stunning, and the brass bangles are just incredible. Loving your blog! :)

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  63. Beautiful dress Vix! The print is gorgeous xxx

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  64. That umbrella is such a great touch to the outfit. Love it :)

    ∞ © tanvii.com ∞

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  65. interesting blog. love your boho style.
    http://adoramehitabel.blogspot.co.uk/
    @adoramehitabel

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Lots of love, Vix