Sunday 25 November 2012

Vix In The City - Shop 'Til You Drop, Drink 'Til You Fall Over



Yesterday I met bloggin' babes Annie and Jo in Birmingham for a day of vintage shopping.


And man, did we shop! No flea market, pop-up bazaar, retro fair and vintage clothes shop in the Digbeth area of the city was safe from our rummaging and any plans for food and drink were left firmly by the wayside in our frenzy for a retro fix.


 Here's Jo rocking her to-die-for 1960s newspaper print mini she's had for years.


Annie in a fabulously shaggy gilet.


And me in my worn-so-many-times-it's-almost-welded-to-my-back fake fur jacket. I'm linking this to Patti's Visible Monday as yesterday's outfit got lots of love.
(To non-Brummies this is The Jam tribute wall downstairs at Urban Village).


Cow Vintage is very 1980s-orientated but we found some cool stuff, including this sweet California-made 1970s mini dress Jo bought.

I got lots of inspiration for my next stall layout from browsing Mister Bird's Emporium.
 So much retro, so little time! After a solid five hours of shopping we said our goodbyes to Jo and braved the City's German Market crowds and the torrential rain for a dash to the pub and a restorative pale ale (or three). Annie had time to meet the gang before hopping on the bus back home.


The lads look like they'd carefully co-ordinated their outfits. Watch out, Mumford and Sons, the Walsall Posse are threatening to out-tweed you.


That's us relatively sober.


And this is Liz and I a couple of bottles of wine and a South American dinner later. 


Here's yesterday's purchases, a 1930s-looking hand-sewn rayon maxi dress.

ILGWU label Gadar of New York 1950s playsuit, Colin Glascoe psychedelic 1960s tunic, 1970s poppy print maxi, original Glam Rock platform boots, 1970s lilac crushed velvet jacket, 1960s patriotic patent belt.

Talk about a bargain, nothing cost over a tenner!

Hope you've had fabulous weekends, too.


Thank you so very much for your kind words and messages about my last post, you truly rock and I promise to get back and reply to you all as soon as I can.

xxx

72 comments:

  1. Look like you had a really fun night out, plus I'm impressed that you look stunning even when pissed, that's quite a skill!

    I love the 1930s maxi dress you discovered, totally gorgeous. I've just put a dressy post up too.

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  3. A great day out, good company and wonderful finds! I love Jo's print and that 30s style dress is gorgeous! Sounds like a fun evening too, hope you feel ok today x

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  4. That was supposed to say Jo's print dress!

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  5. Wow amazing friends and amazing rummaging make for a truly fabulous day! We have a Cow Vintage in Sheffield, but I can’t say I’ve visited it much, I always feel a little out of place inside a vintage shop, but as you say there’s always inspiration a plenty xxx

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  6. Looks like y'all had a fab day out!
    Love that photo of Jo in her new minidress-great with those legs and boots!
    And the 3 lads...you sure they didn't phone each other to check what they were going to wear???
    Z xx

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  7. I love your make-up in these pics darling *__*

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  8. A Swedish "Dala horse " on the first pic !!
    love you dress !

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  9. Ooh, those boots are lush - and I always love your fur coats!!
    Looks like you had lots of fun and a fab weekend!!
    XO

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  10. You look demure, and foxy, at the same time, in that rayon maxi! The boys do look like they could start their own band - they look so much cooler than most of the guys around here. Looks like you and your gal pals had a fun day and you certainly found some cool stuff (Poppy print maxi - LOVE!).

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  11. You gorgeous thang , you!!! Looking coy last pic, and almost pulling it off! I love LOVE that new 30's styled maxi,it's just divoon,as are you in it!Your hair is getting so long!!
    EEEEK to a shopping day with Jo and Annie! You all look bloody sublime,and I'm seething over that newspaper print maxi of Jo's, it's AMAZING!
    Great scores, a great crowd of people I yearn to hang out with and great SCOTT I'm nearly out of superlatives!
    Love Helga xxxXXXXxx

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  12. That 1930's-ish dress is stunning. You have made some fab purchases there.

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  13. The boys made me laugh! Looks a lot like Mumford and Sons to me. You ladies all look lovely though - Jo's newsprint dress is wonderful. I'm very envious of your 30s dress too - it's beautiful. The fair looks wonderful too, I want to go next time xxx

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  14. 1. i love your relatively sober pose.

    2. i adore a man in tweed. or a woman for that matter.

    3. love the 70's mini that your friend bought.

    4. you rock. period.

    xo

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  15. Looks like a fabulous time was had by all you beautiful, stylish people :-)

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  16. Ewwwwww. You guys all look soooooooo good! That looks some really fun rummaging you have there! I am in love with both dresses you are rocking here but the first with it's blues and purples and sweet sleeves, I must see more! The men are looking so friggin stylish dare I call them hipsters. Walsalls finest! I love seeing you smushed between the Liz's buzzed, sober you gals make me smile! I'd say this day was muched needed and totally enjoyed!
    Ilovesyou!
    Xxooo

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  17. Wow, your frock is gorgeous. I pondered heading over to that vintage fair, but didn't want to brave the rain. I'm so feeble. The boys looks great too don't they? I do fancy braving the German market myself because I need an excuse to wear my dirndl. Lol. Xx

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  18. Look at the cheekbones on you in that relatively sober pic! Looks like a fab day out. I love looking at the way vintage shops set out their stock too. Hooray for cheap days out with friends xxx

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  19. What a way fun day. Your floral maxi dress is so beautiful. You look a dream...
    Connie*

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  20. I love everything about this post and so wish I could have been there!

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  21. Great day out!!You and your friends are fab and I can't really take my eyes off your wonderful outfits!! That newspaper printed dress, the shaggy vest and your maxi are just awesome!!The new 30's dress is beautiful too,I love the print, the colors and all your finds especially the mini dresses, the boots and the poppies printed maxi !!
    Love xxxx

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  22. Five hours of solid vintage shopping - that's admirable! Loving that newspaper print dress and that gorgeous peach maxi x

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  23. Oh I WISH I could have come too! It sounds fabulous. You, Jo and Annie look wonderful, and so many places to rummage and treasures to find! You bought some great things, that maxi is a beauty, and the poppy one is spectacular. Great boots and love that little velvet jacket too.
    Mumford and Sons, the Walsall version, are looking good, and you and the Lizes always look so beautiful, pissed or sober, like colourful birds of paradise!
    Hopefully I can make the next meet up, I don't like missing all the fun! xxxxxx

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  24. Glad you had such fun diversion! You deserved some after (was it) yesterday!

    I missed the previous post - so went back to read. I'm truly sad it happened - but loved the peek into your house!

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  25. That looks like so much fun. Wonderful clothes!

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  26. Looks like you had a fab weekend. Shopping and booze with good friends is always a winning combination!

    Sorry to hear about the break in at your dads. What scum, and what a cheek to put stuff in piles to pick up later. Glad you piped them to the post.

    Loving your finds that velvet jacket is a beauty as is the maxi dress. Here's to awesome weekends.


    P x

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  27. Loving you in soft 30s style florals, what a dish!

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  28. What a fun time y'all must've had!! and what wonderful goodies you came across--the 30's maxi is GORGEOUS!!!

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  29. What a blast we had! You and Annie were the best shopping companions a girl could ask for. And we were so lucky that there were so many shopping opportunities in a concentrated area -- especially with such dismal weather.
    That peach-colored maxi fits you like a dream (and I know what a bargain it was). Can't wait to see you in the poppy dress. I hope you can work some magic on the Gadar romper zip.
    Your male dining companions look so dashing in their waistcoasts, caps and scarves.
    I'll post about our day out tomorrow.
    Lots of love, xx

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  30. Boys and girls you look stunning
    The guys are so so cute!
    Great finds Vix, your dress is stunning, you are stunning girl!

    Ariane xxxx

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  31. Handsome lads there! And you are a bombshell in the 30's style maxi dress, Vix. Thanks for sharing all the goodness with Visible Monday.

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  32. I'm so envious of your Cow finds! I never seem to find anything in there, it IS so 1980s and hipster-inclined. Mind you, two of my all time favourite vintage dresses came from there - an insane bright yellow 1960s mini dress with a huge embroidered daisy, and a rather fabulous 1970s electric blue/red Oops California midi!

    xxx

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  33. Straight back to socializing and having loads of fun - that's Vix. Some people would be having a quiet reflective weekend after the upset of the burglary.
    I swear the main template for maxi dresses were modelled on a dummy of EXACTLY the same proportions as you. That dress fits like a dream and the pattern is sublime. You were born to rock a maxi dress!

    How on earth can 3 guys in unique vintage clobber all look so bloody similar? Good job you and the Liz's didn't get so pissed you took the wrong bloke home!

    Everyone looks stylish and happy and gorgeous on this post. That poppy dress is making me wish I could shrink - I'm mad about it!

    So glad to see you had a great weekend

    Lucy x

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  34. What a wonderful day! That newsprint dress is amazing! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  35. You have WAY too much fun, Vix! ;)

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  36. You all are really darling. And your new gown is sigh worthy. Shop til you drop, drink til you fall down should be a new motto for us all!

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  37. 1960s newspaper print mini... WOW. The fake fur jacket is must have. Classic shot of the men. Radiant skin abounds. :-)

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  38. Nothing like a great out day with friends to restore your faith in humanity.
    I love Jo's minidress.
    As for The Jame, I remember skipping school in 1980 to go to a soundcheck for The Jam at The Apollo in Manchester.
    It was a wonderful experieince for a 14-year-old.

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  39. The 1930's dress is classic but not boring at all, which "classic garments" can tend to be sometimes. You in that dress is like a painting of ... what the heck - Botticelli!

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  40. What amazing fun and frocks.
    The lads are so handsome in their tweed.
    Your 30's inspired maxi is sublime.

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  41. Looks like you had a great day out. I'm not surprised that your outfit got lots of love, you look fab! x

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  42. Looks and sound like an amazing weekend Vix.

    And I have to say you eye make up looks fabulous hun.

    X x

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  43. I love to see the photo's of you and the girls having fun. Love the smiley faces.

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  44. Ooh it looks like you had loads of fun.
    Gorgeous buys as well.
    x

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  45. What a grand day out with your friends. The lads look fantastic in their matching gear!!!

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  46. Day out and then some! Lovely to see the photos of you and the gang...you all look lush.
    Excellent rummagey buys. LOVE that pink tunic.
    Have a great week
    Em
    xxxxxxx

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  47. Look at you fabulous ladies rocking those frocks. I LOVE your blue one. And your finds are fantastic....I especially love the playsuit. I do hope we get to see you in it one day! Xx

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  48. What a wonderful day we had! You would never know from our happy smiles it was peeing down and freezing!

    I knew that dress would look sublime on you. My absolute favourite has still got to be those fabulous glam rock boots though. What a great find they were!
    Speak soon xxxx

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  49. aahhh you and your friends look truely beautiful and those vintage shops look brilliant. Love your new 30's dress and your hair looks gorgeous all soft and floaty like that. I missed your last post so im off to read it now. dee xxx

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  50. What fun you had, five hours of non-stop retro shopping-result! Lovely finds, loving the 60's tunic and the 70's poppy maxi. Been to a vintage clothing shop meself this morning in the hope I would find something reasonably priced, but I was kidding myself. Found a gorgeous 70's maxi, for a not so gorgeous £42!! Needless to say it stayed on the rail.

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  51. Love your blog sooooo much! OMG Jam tribute wall!Thanks for sharing the girls day out - you're all so cute!

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  52. Vicariously enjoying your day of unending fun from afar. The 1930's era (one of my favorites) dress is quite the find. Such grace with soft and beautiful colors, fitting you like a glove.

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  53. Man, you scored. I, on the other hand, totally struck out. Two charity shops and I walked out of both empty handed. Too big, too small, too I don't think so.

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  54. glad you've enjoyed a so funny day, and you look so fabulously gorgeous, and your men are so fabulously coordinated!
    Love your faux fur jacket and printed dress outfit, favorite color combo ever!
    besos

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  55. I enjoy seeing your posts so much. Things you find and wear remind me so much of my younger more carefree days. Love your blue nail polish.

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  56. Looks like a lovely fun day out. I love your 1930s style maxi.

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  57. oh, such a fun fun fun fun fun post. the 30s-looking dress is a stunner.

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  58. That rayon maxi is lush - great find!

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  59. All the outfits are fabulous!!!

    Also: I've given you an award on my blog...stop by to claim it!!!

    xoxox
    theefface.blogspot.com

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  60. Thanks for your comments on my blog. Gosh I cannot believe the sheer nerve of some people thats just terrible!
    That last dress you are wearing is so stunning I love the pattern.
    Such wonderful photos too you all look so happy x

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  61. Such a beautiful 1930's dress! Great purchases! It's fun to see what vintage shopping is like in your area!

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  62. That newsprint dress is amazing. I love your rayon maxi dress. I just read the post before this one. I'm sorry to hear that your dad's house got broken into. People can be truly awful.

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  63. very cool shop!love your dress' patten!

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog
    P.S. I'm hosting a glasses giveaway on my blog here check it out!

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  64. Love the playsuit, can you let me know size and price on Fb pls, assuming you're selling it, thx lovey, love that pic of you and Liz after a few, it's gorgeous.xx.

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  65. And even after a few bottles of wine you look stunning! Plus, how much do I love this newspaper print mini dress?? Very much! xo

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  66. It sounds like you had a spectacular time out in the city! xx

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  67. Now that's a Vix title if ever I heard one! And it sounds like your weren't exaggerating either. It's a riot that all the guys look like they're stars in a BBC show. Do they always dress like that? They're darling. I can't believe there's that many thrift shops in one place. The gals look lovely and I've seen Jo's newspaper dress before. In fact, that's how I first "met" her. You look fab in your maxi find. my my, what a hard day's night.

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  68. Seriously??? Could you possibly imagine a better way to spend a weekend away in the city? What a fantastic celebration of life Vix. I'm simply blown away by your gorgeous smile, the fabulous shopping trip with precious blogging buddies - newsprint frock!!!!!!!! and the lads look so yum in their tweeds. I nearly had a fit at the sight of the 50s playsuit!! xoxox

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  69. That 30's style maxi dress is just amazing. So beautiful!!

    I love your friend's 60's newspaper print dress as well, too cute.

    Looks like you had a fab time, I've been meaning to come to Birmingham for a shopping trip for ages now and this has only served to spur me on more!!

    Lxx

    P.S. Loving the Mumford and Sons outfits from the boys :)

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  70. Oh such fab photos, the ladies all look gorgeous but my fave has to be the neo-folk stylings of the guys - brilliant!
    x

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  71. I wished I knew more vintage people around here to do some shopping with. Looks like you girls really had an amazing time.
    Your new maxi-dress is so beautifull. I really love that color. You look gorgeous in it.
    xxxx

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  72. Gawd, you lot know how to have fun :))
    Rayon frock is a marvel and I've now just twigged why gentleman's tweed has suddenly gone awol from charity shops lol!

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Lots of love, Vix