Wednesday 19 December 2012

Pink & Velvet


What a hideous day! It's bastard freezing out there & I only just managed to dash outside to pose for these pictures before the heavens opened, hence the even more gormless facial expression than usual.


On Monday I woke up in a blind panic after realising it was Xmas day in a week and I'd done bugger all about it. After a work out and a gallon of tea I calmed down, got dressed, made a list and walked into town. Within a couple of hours I'd sorted gifts for the five people I had to buy for (thank you, charity shops, a year's worth of Boots' Advantage card points & good old Walsall market), purchased brown paper & string from Poundland and snapped up some charity greetings cards marked down by 75%.

Bangles on left (Krista), filigree ring on right index finger (Em)

Leaving me time to treat myself to a huge new ethnic cuff (for a whopping £2 off the market.)


And find some discounted beach reading from Acorns Hospice (£2.80, the lot).


Panic over, I'm wrapped up and chilled out now. I might even be tempted to cut down some holly and ivy from the garden, snaffle a branch or two from one of the fir trees and titivate the house........ that's if it ever stops raining.


The invalid's finally arisen from his bed and we're off to Birmingham to collect our tourist visas. I'm already feeling the Indian vibe, I've been burning Nag Champa since 7am, listening to Asha Bosle, we had pakoras, samosas & batata wada for tea and, according to Diane Vreeland who said Pink is the navy blue of India, I'm resplendent in the colour of the sub-continent.

1970s Madras check maxi dress (Birthday present from Krista-licious), Vintage velvet dirndl (£5, Maisie's Closet Vintage),  Clip-in pink & orange hair extensions (Helga the Great)
We'll probably even have a curry on Xmas Day. Being free agents with no family obligations is bloody brilliant, I tell you.

See you soon!
xxx

74 comments:

  1. Bastard freezing-too funny! I love that pink maxi dress and that jewelry is just WOW. Those cuff bracelets are beautiful and your rings are so unique. Love it all.

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  2. Glad you are ready and now can relax and dream of your upcoming holiday. All the best.

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  3. It's a goal to learn something new every day - today's lesson: Bastard freezing. Too warm to use the term here but will work it's way in soon. (much snappier than our southern - colder than a witch's tittie in a brass bra). Your pink frock brightens up even the grayest day!

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  4. That dress is so beautiful!!!You look great in pink, it should be either our navy blue or new black!What a huge lot of books for only 2.80 pounds, awesome! I use to bring many books on vacation, my parents gave me a kindle last Christmas, but never used it (I think it's a good solution to the extra weight though!I always buy last minute presents, it's always more funny!
    Love xxxxx

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  5. I can feel your Indian mood from here, my dearest friend.
    I know of the long and wet winters in England after having lived 10 years there. In the end I couldn´t cope with the lack of sun.
    I love G.B in Summer so very much, though.
    We are well over 20ºc at the moment, all the windows open and Victor having a shisha outside.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  6. You look so pretty in pink! Love your last post too - you should write a book 'The Vixen's Guide to Vintage Packing'. Can't wait to read all about your trip. Have a ball! M xx

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  7. Today's title sounds like a dodgy porn film!
    Totally uninspiring day, weather-wise. I can hear the beach calling you, and I don't think either you or Jon will be quite right until you hit the sand.
    I'm in pink today too, desperate to bring some cheer to the black leggings and black Super Dry jacket uniform of winter in the valleys.

    Good on you for having such a small list of Christmas related chores. I'm from Christmas hating stock. My mum got the tree down and said "as soon as the youngest grandchild stops believing in Santa, that's IT, no more bloody nonsense".

    Love how Krista is written all over that maxi!

    Lucy x

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  8. eeeek, curry on Xmas day?!?! I'm sure you ca get curried nut loaf!!! :-)
    And woohoo for boots points!
    Am glad Jon's feeling better.
    Oh and great book selection, too!!!
    Hope the rain finally stops (rain is NOT festive)!!!!

    XO

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  9. We had curry on Xmas day some years ago too and Balinese Duck the year after it. Very nice they were too. I laughed at Lucy's mum's comment about Xmas and all that "bloody nonsense". My dad used to take the Xmas decs down on Boxing Day! Love the dress. Enjoy your hols. xx

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  10. Lol! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the outfit! That bright pink is one of my all time fav as well as the darker, richer version. Yum!
    Glad you're ever closer to your holiday! x

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  11. Well done on getting your Christmas shopping done!

    And 'Any Human Heart' is fantastic, great choice.

    Lx

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  12. You are resplendent in pink! I will remember that Diane Vreeland quote the next time I wear navy OR pink. I'm always enthralled by your jewelry and spontaneity.

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  13. You do bring a bit of sunshine to our day Vix! =) I think I'd love to have curry on Christmas day! Xx

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  14. Curry any day sounds great to me, mmmm. We're planning on making Vietnamese food for ourselves for the holiday. Yea, Jon has come back to life. And your panic Christmas shopping has panned out well. Meanwhile, you look lovely in your pink and velvet, quite festive. India will be here before you know it, or rather, vice versa.

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  15. The whole free agent idea sounds wonderful. If only!! But we do very little around the holidays so I'm happy about that. And we've learned a new cocktail we're shakin' up in our kitchen this Holiday (Sazerac) so all is well even though the husband is laid off.
    I don't see one bit of gloom in these photos Vix. You are a ray of pink sunshine!

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  16. Well--you look freakin' gorgeous in your fabulous pink madras and little vest!!
    I wrote down your book titles--they all look so interesting and it will be a long winter!
    Glad to hear Jon is back in the land of the living!!
    Curry sounds fabulous!!

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  17. Hurrah for pink!, love your dress, so fab colors, and you look so summery with your vest over dress ensemble!
    So nice to have that Indian vibe all around you!
    besos

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  18. NIce job with the workout and getting the shopping done! Love the cuffs and rings!!! Nag Champa hahahaha sooo potent! We sell it at our booth and have used it forever :)
    Your trip is making me jealous!

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  19. You are a sherbet dream in this dress Vix and it really looks rocking with your velvet dirndl! Those colors make me so happy and if pink is the new navy you will be very well received. I suck so bad, I have yet to even photography my beautiful pile of parcels from you! If the sun comes out today I shall do it! You sure hit the mother load with all those books. I need to pick something up too.

    Do I see a pink bit in your hair too? Hotness! You made my morning with your gorgeousness!
    WUVSYOU!!!!
    XXOOO

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  20. I thank the lord that my christmas shoppingtips, is done, Hate the shops this time ofta year . Iwish for a calm christmas. You look great in your Pink dress and i love your bangels .

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  21. I'm thinking Chocolate Chili (made with turkey) and cornbread for Christmas dinner. I don't go for traditional either, that's for Thanksgiving. I once made Chiles Rellenos and freaked everybody out. On second thought......I must be feeling better, I'm thinking about food.

    Stay warm!

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  22. love your dress and waistcoat combo. You must be chomping your teeth to get to that beach, don't blame you x

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  23. Everyone should take a leaf out of your book and do a laid back, pared down xmas. Even if you have a large family to buy and cook for, we all have too much stuff and parents who spend hundreds of pounds on their kids are insane. We don't need 3 tins of Quality St. either, I've hardly spent anything this year.
    You look bloody fantastic in Krista's pink frock, a ray of sunshine on a piss poor day!

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  24. You are a madras vision of loveliness- good to know you can take care of your xmas business so quickly! And I can't wait to see INdian sun through your eyes! It's snowing here- my first in decades!

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  25. a fairytale dress and stunning jewels *_*

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  26. Such a gorgeous bright and cheerfully Krista-ish dress, perfect to chase some winter blues away! Gorgeous with the little velvet dirndl top too.
    Good to know that you sorted Christmas gifts out quickly and efficiently, it only gets crazy if you let it.
    Curry for Christmas dinner would be perfect for me, but when I suggested an alternative menu to the traditional, I had a revolting family on my hands (really revolting) so it's roast turkey et al for us. I'm sure we can squeeze something hot'n'spicy in at some stage though!
    Glad to hear Jon is better, not long now before you'll be on that beach basking in sunshine! xxxxxx

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  27. Its sooooo cold here too, I lit the fire in the afternoon to warm the house up. The book title 'A Cupboard Full of Coats' made me chuckle, are you sure its not about you, Vix! xxx

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  28. Madras and dirndl are a pretty combo. And your new cuff is exquisite. Christmas is in a week! Why didn't you tell me sooner? I did buy some xmas cards to send -- now, where are they? Glad to hear that your Christmas is not over the top and can be prepared for in an afternoon. For better or worse, Christmas will just be a day off from work and will likely involve home-cooked curry as well.
    Glad to hear that Jon is back from the dead and that you're off to get your visas. And soon to be free of yucky British weather.

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  29. Hi Vix, sounds like you have everything sorted Christmas-wise and are totally prepared for your upcoming trip to India. Pink and orange is a wonderful combination and the black velvet waistcoat is awesome. Good to see your bastard jewellry collection is expanding and I really enjoyed your post "Freak LIke Me" and your packing for Goa post.

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  30. a curry on christmas sounds great ...
    lovey you bright coloured dress. perfect for blurry winterdays.

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  31. You look amazing! I just love your bracelets!

    Kisses, Lucy!

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  32. i'm so excited for you. I actually met my husband (he's American) on a trip to India so I have a soft spot in my heart the place. I can't wait to see you all sari-ed up! Pink IS the navy blue of India.
    Connie*

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  33. Curry every day of the week I reckon!! :D Melting here, summer has arrived and it's here for the duration methinks :D No obligations here either, both families are 12,000 miles away so no trying to please anyone but ourselves :D

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  34. oh i envy your free agent status. oh my.

    yesterday is was dreary and rainy, today sunshine and brilliant.

    i'm going downtown to take care of my christmas business too. i've put it off til the end as usual.

    i will also clip some boxwood and hang it about the place.

    you look so pretty in pink.:)

    xo
    janet

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  35. At least you have thoughts of India to cheer up the drizzle! What a bargain your ethnic cuff is! Linda xxx

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  36. You look lovely and I just love those cuff bracelets! I am almost finished with my holiday stuff but I am not wrapped yet. I hope to get that all done soon!

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  37. Fecking, bastard freezing here it is too! And the rain....
    Anyway, you're guaranteed to brighten me day and that's a lovely outfit.
    I do love a bit of Asha and I'm glad to hear that your getting in the mood.
    Glad to hear yer sorted for Christmas. Me too...it can come along now, I'm ready!
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxxxx

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  38. I can always guarantee that you'll brighten up my day with your fabulous outfits. I love this, the colours are divine. I often burn incense but can't right now because all my burners are in storage. I may have to dig them out as I love the smell. I'll be cooking turkey on Christmas day for all the family, but will use the leftovers in a curry Boxing day. Xx

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  39. You're like a sexy Heidi in that lovely peasant dress! Love the corset too!

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  40. I just sent out my familys Christmas cards on Monday.
    I still have some gifts to wrap and a couple to buy (EEEaaKK)But I am a little ahead, than I have been in previous years.
    Mmmmm curry Christmas!

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  41. I love the fact that the gallon of tea helped sort your stress out, a cup of tea is the best cure for a lot of things. How fab that in the New Year you will be somewhere a lot hotter than England and no rain either!xx

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  42. Nothing wrong with curry on crimbo day, Vix; other half and I will be having pizza (his choice) cos all the kids have left home and there are no expectations. Miss them all, though. Weep! Lynn

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  43. I really want it to stop raining! I love that feeling of getting all the presents sorted, well done you! That dirndl corset thingy is fantastic!! I love it. Pink and Orange are very Indian, they look great. Bet you're counting down the days now. The cuff is amazing and what a bargain xxx

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  44. Have fun planning the getaway. I am so jealous. You do look very pretty in pink.

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  45. Ha! I'm glad I'm not the only one who uses her Boots Advantage Points to do holiday shopping. Fifteen years running!

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  46. Mmmm a curry on Christmas day sounds amazing! Fab you got your shopping done in one go, I'm just wrapping mine for the army of relatives! x

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  47. been bastardly cold here as well and more shit coming up for us on Friday!
    Thank God i can stay in !
    Unless i have the urge for a charity shop of course
    Love your dress very pretty colors!

    Arianexxxx

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  48. Your not wrong Vix it was freezing. I got soaked just popping to the shop.

    X x

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  49. Is there a colour you don't look resplendent in? Your outfit reminds me so much of something but I can't place it. It feels good to have all the holiday shopping out of the way, doesn't it? I even managed to get all the birthdays done early too, so am very proud of myself (but will probably never be able to repeat the process again!) Yuuummm I just discovered Trader Joe's frozen pakoras and am in love, their samosas are heavenly as well. You always make me hungry for Indian food! Merde. I should have suggested going out for Indian on Xmas rather than cooking! (Although I like holiday cooking, its kind of comforting.) Glad Jon is better! Its been rainy here too, boo the damp gets into my old bones... arthritis sux. XXX PS You reminded me I want a holly tree, there is a massive one down the block that I marvel over every year!

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  50. In that Heidi dress thou must break into joyous song and skip in circles around the garden whilst clutching some holly and ivy. I love your new bastard jewellery, outstanding cuff. Yes, cheers to being a free agent! I'm glad Jon is feeling up to bipedalling again.

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  51. Love Diana Vreeland-quotes ... and your style, and the cover of the book "a week in december", and your blog, etc.

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  52. wonderful jewellry and I love that pink- orange maxi dress:)

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  53. Ah, you gorgeous pink one! You 2 must be counting the days to India... I've been the same: 'bugger all' until yesterday, when I started running. xo

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  54. I can almost feel the sand between your toes........ envious moi? The dress has brightened up another uber dull wet day........ho ho .........aaaagh!!x

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  55. I'm glad Jon is getting better and I love your dress, it's so pretty xx

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  56. I'm excited to see you going on this exotic trip so I can just imagine how you feel!! Looking lovely in pink. Good that Jon is up. xo

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  57. Glad to hear the patient is up and around! You are definitely radiating an "India" vibe and I think curry is a stellar alternative to the traditional boring bird. Kudos to you for paring the holiday madness down to a few essentials that you can enjoy. I am ignoring the entire thing this year and refuse to feel guilty or apologetic about it.

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  58. That bastard massive new cuff is GLORIARSE!!! Love it!
    I swoon for this frock and sweet waistcoat combination! What gormless expression are you talking about?! Bahaha!
    Good scoring on the book front,those'll keep you amused for a week or so!It's quite fun stoking up on fun things.
    No family obligations is FANTASTIQUE......Perfect really!
    I'm well impressed that you went out and got all that shit done;I'm pretty sure I would just be a blithering heap if I tried!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  59. Are those hair feathers I see? Very nice! You look great in bright colors.

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  60. 5 Presents to buy? Gah! But what would I whinge about every year if I didn't have to source a gift for a step brother in law's civil partner/diabetic aunt who is allergic to all lotions and potions/a brace of Father in laws etc etc? ;-)

    You don't look gormless in the slightest, slim and gorgeous as usual. Love the bargain cuff.

    Am sure you and Jon are all set for a fantastically unorthodox Christmas - have a good one xxx

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  61. Merry Christmas Vix! Have a fab day. Thank you for another year of friendship and for brightening up my life. xx

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  62. Lovely cheerful dress to brighten up a dismal day. Can't wait for it to stop raining.
    Love your new cuff.

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  63. It just boggles my mind how you can pick two articles of clothing that no one could possibly conceive to pair, put them together and have it look fabulous. Really. I am in awe.

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  64. If "gormless" means gorgeous, I'm in. Seriously, I know what it means, and you never have a gormless expression on your face.

    That pink madras dress would brighten up anyone's day. I am really excited about your upcoming getaway! And maybe a tad jealous...

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  65. You must be getting so excited! Love the pink and orange plaid maxi - from my one trip to India my starkest memory is of all the bright colours of the women's sari's.

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  66. wow!just wow!i love everything you have on..the colours are brilliant!the hair extensions..the jewellery!!
    you have a new follower!!!!

    flysongbird

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  67. Lovely to see a bit of colour in this miserable weather. I'm sure I had an M&S nightie which was very similar to that...

    Free agents with no commitments. What an amazing thing. xx

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  68. Bastard Freezing.

    I am so using that when I get the chance! I love this post so much, it's just so bloody british :D I love the words you use, because it reminds me that I'm not the only non-american blogger ahah.

    I bet you get loads of people asking you what certain words mean, or comment on them. I get it alll the time {thongs, op-shop, chips - not fries!}

    I can't wait to see photos of you guys in India! I've been feeling the wanderlust a little, and am saving like mad to leave the country for the first time ^_^ Snowboarding in New Zealand haha

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  69. yeah pink is the navy blue of india;) lovin your gorgeous dress with, what a great idea to wear your dirndl top with it! ha i had this panic too, because first friends and family decided we don´t want to gift each other and then i found out they had something for me and there was the panic to find for them too haha
    kiss,mary

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  70. I can't think of a better treat than a curry on Christmas Day! Live what you love and you simply can't go wrong. I'm so impressed you managed to get all your shopping done in one day and those cards were a bargain too xxx

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  71. Sorry commenting here so late, my comments are all over the place while I try to catch up on everyone. You would cheer up a rainy day anywhere Vix, I need a gallon of tea every morning too, stressed or not. And there's a lot of things I love about Christmas but not the shops, they're so stressful at this time of year. I'm planning to go to the museum today for the pharaoh's exhibition in the hope that everyone else will be out shopping, but maybe I'll get there and it will be mobbed, we'll see. Hope you and Jon have a lovely Christmas making your plans for India! xx

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  72. I love the combination of the dress and vest-like fusion cooking, who knew two very different looks would be so fab together.
    It would be a fun pic to see you hands full, with two mugs of beer with nag champa as stir sticks. The new St. Pauly girl new and improved!;)
    Also, must say I love your garden even in the Winter.

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  73. Ooh that maxi is so lovely and I LOVE the drndl with it - why have I never though of that??? I've been burning Nag all day today - it's my favourite - makes me want to join you in India! Your handfuls of silver are wonderful as always - and I'm so glad Jon is feeling better. Love you more than Nag! Sarah xxx

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  74. I love your ring collection :). The vintage velvet dirndl is gorgeous.

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Lots of love, Vix