Sunday 3 March 2013

Vintage Overload



 What type of job lets you to go to work wearing a 1970s evening dress? Only the best one in the world, selling what you love and meeting like-minded people whilst having the time of your life.


Yesterday we were in Cannock, tempting the good folk of Staffordshire with our wares at Elephant Promotions antique and collectors fair.


Thursday's jumble sale frock got lots of love.


Our pitch. 


9.30am and ready for the onslaught. My 1950s cigarette advert from a long-defunct local cinema (to my left) was the first sale.


Normally we bring a flask of coffee but the organisers kindly provided unlimited free coffee & tea, very thoughtful, all that selling is thirsty work.


Our womenswear rail.


The menswear rail.


All manner of stuff.


It's always good to be reunited with our vintage family, Glenn rocked the 1960s Borg overcoat.


I'm sure the seller put that mid-century floor lamp directly in my eye line just to tempt me....I did manage to restrain myself, only spending £4 a pair of 1960s elbow length kid gloves.


Liz (resplendent in a Kinky Melon dress) and Adrian popped by.
We left the boys to mind the stall while we investigated the goodies on offer.


Vintage bling galore.


My friend, Lisa's tempting array of bags.


For a confirmed wedding-phobe like me even I had to agree that this dress was fabulous.


Pretties.


More glorious bling.


We had a brilliant day, made money, met some new friends and found new homes for some of our stock. A couple of older ladies even said that I'd inspired them to dress more flamboyantly in their daily lives which is always fabulous to hear.


The best part of a week ironing, pricing, washing and mending, even erecting a makeshift pitch at home to ensure enough cases, fold-up tables and display props for maximum impact, three hours packing, loading & unloading the van, a day of making pleasant conversation, picking clothes up off the floor & shuffling displays around to fill the gaps, posing for photos and smiling, haggling, schmoozing, measuring & wrapping and then disassembling it all, packing up and putting it neatly away the other end before hitting the pub.....and I wouldn't change it for the world. 


Enough vintage for one weekend? Never! We left the boys at home with a list of tasks and spent this afternoon at Sutton Coldfield's Vintage Fair. I'll show you what I brought back with me soon.

Hope your weekend was fabulous! 

85 comments:

  1. You look SO GORGEOUS in that red maxi, Vix, utterly beautiful, and Indian Princess! Looks like it was a fab day too - I'm just sorry I live in another part of the country and can't get to one of your market days. Or do you sell online too? Do let me know my dear.

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  2. Ooooooooooooh, that dress looks amazingly lovely on yoU!!! Properly stunning! Everytime you do one of these posts, I wish I could come! I've not been to a proper vintage fair!x

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  3. How I would love to drop by your booth at the fair! You look stunning. Glimpses of your posts during my sequestration have kept my pulse going.

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  4. You stand out the most, despite all the wonderful vintage on offer. It's a good job you enjoy sourcing all your stock, it really is hard work setting up the stall, smiling all day and packing it all away again.
    I have a soft spot for that wedding dress too, think it needs to be dyed black though!
    The Liz's are looking fantastic as per usual. Look forward to seeing what you brought back today.
    Red looks absolutely stunning with your tan, who needs an excuse to dress up eh?

    Have a relaxing evening.

    Lucy x

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  5. Ahh that red frock looks dashing on you, LOOOOVE.

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  6. You look beautiful in that dress and the fair looks very cool. Are you still on ebay or just doing fairs now? I'm really glad the hard work is paying off! But if you love what you do, it's not really like work is it? xxx

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  7. This really looks like so much fun! I wish there were these types of sales here. Your new dress looks terrific on you, as does your lovely smile.

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  8. How much for the hot chick in the fabularse red frock?!
    Your is the most tempting stall, for sure.That retro coffee set has me swooning! Buger the lucky punter who scored that!
    The floor lamp you spotted is sumptuious; G and I would have snaffled that in a heartbeat!
    What a friggign awesome vintage filled weekend!!! The Liz' are gorgeous, frocked up perfectly for schoozing with you! I hope you did well at the vintage fair! I'm so glad we have a few more of these going on now, I can sort fo pretend to be in your sphere!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  9. Sounds hectic but fun :)

    You are too kind with your comment on my post - feel my age sometimes and worse it changes in a couple of weeks again!!

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  10. That red dress is gorge hun! You do inspire me for my future in selling from stalls! :)

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  11. I went to Sutton Vintage Fair as well and had a lovely time. You look fab in your red dress xx

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  12. You probably had mini versions of that lovely dress as child, because I know I did. I remember many a Christmas party with my sister and I in matching 1970s party dresses lol. Fabulous as always :)
    V
    xxx

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  13. You rock that red frock, love. I'd love to have dropped by to see you. I can see more than a few things that would have come home with me on your stall.
    Hurrah to doing a a job you love.
    xxxxxxxxx

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  14. Liz, erm, the Liz I haven't met, has some fab tights on there and very pretty shoes! You look lovely, what a jumble find! I knew that old fag advert would sell! Did you take any other antiques? I love your stall, it looks like so much fun and you two look friendly and relaxed and not like you'll pressure me into buying anything! xxxx

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  15. Fancy erecting a pitch all the way over is Oz for me to squiz through. I love hearing about your fair adventures and see your set up. I love that vintage is a part of your every day and everything. One must look the part and you always do and do it fabulously.

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  16. Fabulous pics, Vix. You and the stall look amazing. Well done you and have a relaxing evening. xx

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  17. Just love that red maxi!! Looks like you had a wonderful weekend .

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  18. So many lovely items! Is there a pair of Victorian boots on the 4th photo? I've been looking for one for ages but I guess no lady had them feet as big as mine back then... Also your dress is gorgeous, I love the sleeves! xxx

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  19. Fairs are def your thing, boring old eBay it not match to a good old fair. Glad it all went well, you looked stunning

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  20. I'm not surprised your red dress got a lot of love, you look exquisite in it. A million dollars. Or pounds, whichever is worth more.

    You and The Lizzes are luscious. What a gorgeous trio. And what a fabulous weekend of vintage buying and selling. I love your Sunday dress too, you don't often wear unfitted clothes, but as usual, it looks great.

    xxxxxx

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  21. I can only say that I love your job!! Looking forward to these posts Vix.
    Denise

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  22. You have some amazing stock, of course, and you display it beautifully, but you know what the biggest attraction to your stall is? YOU! And Jon, of course! You have the friendliest smile, you look spectacular but remain unthreatening, and I bet you talk to every person who browses through your wares.
    At the vintage fair I went to on Saturday, I was particularly aware that some sellers are really chatty and friendly, while others don't even acknowledge your presence and carry on chatting to their mates while you look at their stock. Rude, no?
    So I am not surprised you did really well, because it is obvious that you absolutely love what you do.
    I see so many bits and bobs on your stall that I love! And I love seeing you with the Lizes, all wonderfully frocked up and ready to rummage!
    The red frock is divine, darling, just like your beautiful self! xxxxx

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  23. That dress you're wearing is absolutely marvelous, it looks lovely on you!
    I'd love to shop your stall, that's for sure!!!
    Hope you had a great time!
    xx

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  24. I sure hope you sold that Adidas bag! But if not and you want it to be more chic, I have heard people pronounce the name "Ah-Dee-Dah" (to pretentious if you ask moi).

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  25. Red looks absolutely gorgeous on you Vix! Every day should be a special day to wear anything. X

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  26. That red maxi was MADE for you x

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  27. I love the red dress on you. your tall I great . can I ask did you sell the boots on the table. if not what size are they and how much? could you send me a closer photo? thanks lucyx

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  28. What an array of absolute loveliness - topped by the fairest of them all in a floor length, pleated red dress. So many goodies to hanker after.

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  29. Wow, Vix you look amazing! That dress fits a treat and red is such a flattering colour on you. I'm just looking at the impressive amount of stock that you guys bring. I'm thinking that carting just one tiny rails worth is heavy duty but two rails plus a plethora of funky knick-knacks, it must take you ages to prepare. I'd love to have a good old rummage through your stock but I wouldn't be allowed to buy anything...I'm on a buying ban at the mo :(
    The first thing to go on our stall yesterday was a bonkers print 60s dress. Bonkers prints seemed to be the order of the day cause two of the men's shirts were also snapped up.
    We are going to do The Dandy Lion Market every month now, it was such a fab day out...didn't feel like work at all :)
    That's a dream job and the fact that you can wear what the heck you like makes it all the sweeter.
    Lot's of love,
    Jennie
    xXx

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  30. this dress is stunning! ... looked like you all had a great vintage weekend! i love to see your market photos ...

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  31. I think I would have bought lots if I'd been at the Vintage Fair. Your stall and the others look lovely. You look so glamourous in your red evening dress. Lovely work clothes!

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  32. the sight of all that beautiful bling made me swoon. And plies of purses.....be still my heart.

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  33. Looks like you had an amazing time and you looked fabuolous as ever! that wedding dress was beautiful, I spent all saturday looking at wedding dresses and was a little wedding dressed out by the end of the day.

    X x

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  34. HI, wonderful goods you have there!!

    The coffee set in the orange, do you still have it, would you post it and if so how much do you think it would be?

    Just enquiring for the moment.

    Cxx

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  35. Sounds brilliant for sure! That would be my idea of a good time too (if I didn't have kids lol)
    I just collect and collect and collect. I really should sell some stuff one day - would be fun!

    That red dress is beautiful - I bet it's comfy.
    x

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  36. I want to be there and buy some of your loveliness! I really like how all of your items look so well press, organized and ready to be loved again.
    Of course you look radiant in red!

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  37. That dress really suits you! LOVE the pop flowers coffee set, A M A Z I N G, really glad you had a good show, so fun - but exhausting! :) x

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  38. That dress really suits you! LOVE the pop flowers coffee set, A M A Z I N G, really glad you had a good show, so fun - but exhausting! :) x

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  39. dear lady, any job that allows you to wear a fabulous red dress is my type of job! and the best part is that you're enjoying it, selling amazing goodies to so interesting people!! (I'm also loving that pretty coffee set!)
    And that vintage fair and your whole weekend seem simply fabulous!
    besos & fabulousness

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  40. Lots of pretty things !! You look stunning.
    Twiggy x

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  41. I like the rug you stood on in the "Death...Greatly Exaggerated" post. Have you told us about it? So much great stuff in your booth - 'course you in that red dress HAD to be the spiciest of the entire show!

    Glad your hard work paid off. How I'd love to track along behind you all one day....What an AdVenrURe that would be!

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  42. That certainly does sound like a wonderful job! How fabulous you look in that gorgeous gown! How wonderful it would be to visit your shop! I'm already coveting that mustard yellow hat, the Russian style black pillbox and the antique button up boots! Also that gorgeous green coat your friend is wearing!

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  43. Ah, what a fabulous weekend Vix. That red dress is a dream on you, I cant wait to see what delights you got at the vintage fair. Xx

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  44. The perfect work outfit! Maybe I should ditch the black and start wearing evening gowns... :)

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  45. It looks very tempting, but the brooches and the bags really drew me in. Probably because it's easier to look at one type of thing at a time, and convince myself I need one of that type of thing.

    You look gorgeous in that red dress!

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  46. Oh this post has me drooling. So many beautiful wares on offer. You my dear look so beautiful in your red dress, like a Spanish maiden. How tiny is your waist?? I'm constantly in awe of your vintage stock. Did anybody buy that darling flowery tea set? I wouldn't have been able to leave it there I don't think! xxxx

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  47. Somehow you manage to stand out amongst all the dazzling items for sale. Must be the gorgeous red dress with you in it! Everything looks great and you can see the care and attention you bring to it all by the way it's set up and arranged.

    So what's your ebay site, so those of use on the other side of the planet can get in on the action?

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  48. You look a knock out in that dress! (well, always, but that dress is amazing).

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  49. Going to work in a red evening gown sounds fabulous to me, and you look radiant as you do what you love. No surprise that you had a successful weekend at the antique fair.

    So many tempting items leaping off the screen. It looks like collector's heaven from this part of the world.

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  50. Aah Vix! You are beautiful and you've created a wonderful life for yourself...your array of goodies make me want to be in the UK...hope you had a wonderful day of sales...and you should definitely visit us for the pride parade next year, you'd love it! Xxx

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  51. You are positively radiant in that red frock. I am salivating at the sight of your vintage treasures....that tea set is gorgeous, & if postage didn't cost an arm & a leg I'd buy it quick smart. Vintage bling always makes my heart beat a little faster too! I LOVE you & your friends outfits in the last pic. The green frock on Liz is just my cup of tea! Xx

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  52. Do what you love, the money will follow! Sounds like the perfect day to me. Thanks for my vicarious tour. I love the picture at the end of your post with your friends!! Just gorgeous.

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  53. I wish I had your job Vix - oh to get away with being able to wear a red vintage cocktail frock to the office!! Perhaps one day xoxox

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  54. "Great minds think alike" .. could'nt agree more! I can see that you had a brilliant weekend. My friend went to London yesterday and I was thinking about Brick Lane and Notting hill which I really enjoyed july 2010, but I do believe that you and your friends know much more charming places where it might be less expensive etc etc.

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  55. So not only did you spend your weekend flogging all manor of vintage goodies, you then went back to become the buyer at another vintage fair? Vix, I salute you! xx

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  56. Your job does sound like so much fun. I wish I could go to a vintage fair that you were selling at. That red dress is hot. It looks fabulous on you.

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  57. I would love to go to one of those events, but sadly we don't have them up here in the sticks. You always look beautiful. I loved your interview, by the way.

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  58. It looks like heaven to me! Your dress is gorgeous - such a perfect fit. I would not have been able to resist all that beautiful vintage bling!

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  59. You look fabulous in your red evening dress!!!The Vintage fair posts are always a feast for my eyes!!!
    From your working outfits to the fantastic people and stalls, everything makes me happy, I really wish to come sooner or later!
    I love the last photo with your friends, you are such a glamorous trio, wonderful colours!!
    lots of love
    xxxxxxxx

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  60. I really am a tad jealous that your job really is your passion and you have worked hard to make it so. I love that you are going these fairs too you need to be seen gorgeous its part of the draw! The red dress is a stunner on you and Jon is looking so put together. You stall looks so tempting, better than all the others! I love the shot of you and the Liz's the three of you have so much style I only wish I was sandwiched somewhere in the middle. Can't wait to see what other killer stuff you found.
    Love you lots!!!
    Xxoo

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  61. fabulous vintage clothes, especially your red dress.

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  62. I think I would have been browsing at your stall for three days had I been there. Your stock looks delightful and priced sensibly no doubt. You look stunning in the red dress, no wonder you received compliments. I also LOVE your dress in the last pic, it's absolutely gorgeous. Have a good rest.
    x

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  63. Love Love Love gloves. So glad to read you've added a pair to your collection!

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  64. That red dress looks awesome Vix. I used to like popping to vintage fairs in Nottingham, especially when they had cupcakes! Looks like a fun day. x

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  65. Hi my dear! Your stall and yourself and Jon looked amazing, vintage fairs are so enjoyable, hard work and lots of effort but very rewarding and sociable! So pleased you had a good weekend, well done too!! xxx

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  66. DROOLING over all the fabulous vintqage stuff!! How i wish we had sales like that here!!

    The 70's maxi looks amazing on you!! I wore a green one similar to that to a high school formal dance in 1975!!

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  67. DROOLING over all the fabulous vintqage stuff!! How i wish we had sales like that here!!

    The 70's maxi looks amazing on you!! I wore a green one similar to that to a high school formal dance in 1975!!

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  68. Love that red dress, especially the transparent cape sleeves, and you are certainly a stunner in it-yowsa!!!

    The pic of you and the liz's is so great, such a lovely trio you all are...like a vintage advert, so perfectly styled!

    Wish I could have pawed through your stall, but I agree with Miss Helga the best thing there wasn't for sale!;)
    And, how nice of the boys to run the show so the girls can get a little lookyloo.:)

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  69. my future wedding dress is very similar to your red dress :D

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  70. I miss doing the markets - I had a wonderful time too - but it was too hard for me on my own... could you please have Jon cloned and send him over for me!?

    You are just beautiful in your fab new red maxi - the colour is DIVINE on you and your smile lights up the whole room! I like Mister in his fur coat! And you three fab chicks all frocked up and ready to go out makes me green with envy - I wanna come too!!!

    Love you more than markets!

    Sarah xxx

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  71. You look divine in that dress! This vintage fair looks amazing - I'd have love to have been let loose on all those stalls!

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  72. Vix, you are so stunning! I love all these pics. What wonderful clothes and accessories!

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  73. That red dress is just what the doctors order, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    I want to come to one of your events sooooooooooooooo mujch.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

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  74. you look very rosey.......what fun....you were very restrained!!x

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  75. There are too many quips and images that make me happy here- I can't really respond but to say- I would love to shop your rails, and I bet you've made more than a few A couple of older ladies even said that I'd inspired them to dress more flamboyantly in their daily lives," me included!

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  76. wow it´s so true a beautiful woman in red is twice as gorgeous, it´s impossible to ignore a lady wearing red;)
    and man i really wish i can attend to a vintage fair like that soon, that seems like heaven to me!
    kiss,mary

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  77. Oh my, that red dress is just stunning on you. You are obviously in your absolute element and are always inspiring!
    x

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  78. I'm late again Vix, but I really identified with this post as I'd spent the weekend doing face painting jobs and it makes me feel the way you do, it's so fun to be working for yourself doing something you enjoy, and isn't just about the money. I love all the pics here, you are gorgeous in that red dress and so are your friends, I would have been tempted by so many things at your stall. I don't even drink out of cups but I love that little coffee set. I'm always moaning there's no fairs like that round here and I found out too late that there was one not too far away last weekend, must pay better attention to what's going on around me! xx

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  79. Your weekend looks and sounds just like our was :-) You look stunning in that red dress. Your stall looked amazing and i adore that red, blue and white coffee tea set i was watching one of those on ebay the other week. Take care lovely, dee xxx

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  80. Wow! What an amazing day - I must get my travel skates on and come and see you at an event. When the weather is kinder, brrr! Minerva ~

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  81. all the way through I thought I was going to comment on how much I loved the red dress and how it looks killer on you - what a perfect fit, but then I totally fell in love with the dress you are wearing in the last photo, which is, possibly, even lovelier. Sounds like a great weekend - but then anything is when you are doing what you love. x

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  82. I adore that flowered tea set in the foreground of some of the photos! I would love to browse your wares. Hopefully I will get back to England some day :)

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  83. I love vintage shopping vicariously through you :)

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  84. You look amazing in that red dress! So much missed reading your blog. :)
    And all that stuff.... Drowling again.... But I have some good news. Hubby is a member of a vintage fair facebookpage and he told this morning that we will come to Englang this year to visit a vintage fair! :D
    I am so happy.
    xxxx

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  85. the red maxi dress you are wearing looks absolutely divine!! xox

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix