Tuesday 21 March 2017

Workin' 5 to 9



What A Way To Make A Living!

.......And that's 5am till 9pm, not the other way round.

Sunday took us to Balham in South London, which turned out to be a great day despite the 3.45am start.


On Friday we popped over to the next town to see a friend and had a quick tazz around the chazzas. In a shop we usually dismiss as being hideously overpriced Jon snaffled this 1970s belted wool jacket by Dhobi (which is an odd name for a line of posh vintage menswear as it's the Hindi word for laundryman) from the £1 rail. A quick going over with the car boot sale steamer and it was ready to wear for work.


I thought this radioactive pink chiffon maxi was quite appropriate for my working day. It's labelled "Young Mayfair" and Balham's only 6 miles away from there. Ain't blogging great? After scrolling through some old posts I discovered that the last time I wore this dress was four years ago, high time it got another outing. 


A lot of traders say they find maxi dresses a hard sell. Not me. I wonder if it's because I wear them to work so people can see that they're not something only worn for fancy occasions. How incredible does this gorgeous customer look? She called this late 1960s lace number she bought from us her Hero Buy. It fits like it was made for her.


Of course when you're self-employed there are no set hours. After unpacking the van yesterday,   washing off the make-up stains and replacing busted zips, the inevitable stock casualties from being tried on over the weekend, we were out on the hunt again this morning. While the hours may be long at least I can dress in whatever I want, no more f*ckin' corporate pinstripes, pencil skirts, court shoes or flesh coloured tights. Amen to that! Dressing in happy clothes is good for the soul.


Topped with my turquoise leather coat (and with thermals underneath) this was today's charity shopping outfit. It got loads of love and brought some chazzing luck, too - we found some cool stuff.

1970s Tori Richards, Honolulu maxi (last seen HERE), Vintage Mary Quant scarf (jumble sale), Gold leather boots (retail, in the sale), 1960s plastic earrings (Car boot sale), Pink cat's eye glasses (Retro Bambi)

So what do we do when we want a break from vintage? A large rum 'n' coke, a cat or two for company and some quality viewing...like The Lunchbox.


This wonderful offering is currently available on the BBC i-player and is utterly captivating. It's Bollywood but not as you know it, there's no singing and dancing, just a beautifully written story, romantic without being mawkish or overly sentimental. You might recognise Irrfan Khan from Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire & The Darjeeling Limited.


I'm itching to get out in the garden but whenever I have time to spare it's either chucking it down (yesterday) or bitterly cold (today). There's definitely a hint of Spring in the air though, I spotted this Snake's Head Fritillary in the garden when we were taking photos earlier.


Right, I'd better crack on, today's charity shop finds need sorting out and washing before the cats decide to make a bed out of them.

See you soon.

77 comments:

  1. I love Snake's Head Fritillaries, but sadly ours have all but disappeared. Must remember to plant more for next year. You cannot but feel great in happy clothes, and both your colourful maxis make me feel happy just looking at them. I'm so glad there's no dress code at work (there are just the two of us), so I can wear what I want. I can't for the life of me understand why my colleague insists on wearing drab neutrals. xxx

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    1. We had to replant our Snakes Head fritillaries, the pesky squirrels dug the old ones up!
      Hooray for no dress code, I swear that boring clothes inhibit creativity! xxx

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  2. Looking pretty in pink!
    I haven't seen The Lunchbox yet, I have heard that it is fab. It didn't fare too well in India, how a LOVE story got past Shiv Sena here is beyond me.
    xox

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    1. You must watch it if you get the chance. I can understand why it wasn't a huge success in India, it doesn't have mass appeal like the all-singing, all-dancing Bollywood regulars, it's too subtle for many! xxx

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  3. You wearing a maxi dress is definitely going to entice the customers to do likewise - you're the perfect advert. Hoping it warms up soon xx

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    1. Thank you! It looks gorgeous from the other side of the window, that wind is bitter today! xxx

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  4. I love Bollywood movies! Thank you for the movie suggestion, looks like a good one.

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  5. You know me I think all vintage traders should dress the part when they are working, it's their USP and shows pride in what they do. You two are always tiptop.
    Pink is really your colour, the lippy and sunglasses are spot on.
    Big shout out for working for ourselves in the main much better than 9-5 Monday-Friday even though there's no overtime or holiday pay. I do get to sleep with the boss though and he gets to knock off his secretary haha.
    Must look up that film to watch out of office hours xxx

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    1. Hahaha! Sleeping with the boss, you are naughty!
      Ask for a day off and watch The Lunchbox, I'll put in a good word for you! x

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  6. That dress looks great on that customer, definitely made for her. EEK 3:45! We get up at 6 every day and I think that is too early for people who work at home. We might be signing a new client (son of one of our regular clients) who is working in Vietnam so likely we will be working odd hours by web conferencing.

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    1. My head's already spinning trying to work out the time difference between you and Vietnam! Yes, 3.45am isn't a great time to get up, even the cats ignore us. xxx

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  7. Dressing in happy clothes is good for the soul. What a great line! And yes, I'm sure that wearing those maxis is the best advertisement. You wear them gorgeously!

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  8. I really like Jon's jacket. I don't usually comment, just enjoy you stories and life. But today I thought it would be nice to compliment Jon. You of course look stunning as usual.

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    1. Hello, Lynn! Lovely to hear from you, thanks for the kind comment. i'll pass your message on to Jon. xxx

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  9. Jon's jacket is fab! What a bargain!

    I love your maxi dresses and they look gorgeous on you; I'm sure you're right, customers see how great you look in yours and think 'I could look that good, too'.

    Your happy customer looked wonderful in her maxi.

    I know you work extremely hard when you're self employed but as you say you control your own hours, what you wear, what your philosophy is etc. Much better than the corporate treadmill any day!

    That film looks rather good, I must check it out. Good things to watch are piling up - Broadchurch, Follow the Money, The Team; Vera (that's what my family call me - strangely enough!) there's also one about the Wild Atlantic Coast in Ireland...

    Hope you have a great week and that the weather warms up - beautiful Snakes Head Fritillary btw.

    xxx

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    1. You're so right, the hours fly by when you're doing something you incompletely and utterly believe in.
      I love The Team and Follow The Money, I'm got a real aversion to David Tennant and can't bear to watch anything with him in. You don't look like a Vera at all! xxx

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  10. how do i love your bright dresses!!! it just lifts the mood instantly!!!
    the blonde girl looks fabulous in her new maxi - it has just waited for her. 5-9 sounds hard - take your rest with rum and cats and fine movies! huge hugs! xxxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate! Neon pink at 3.45am makes life way more bearable. xxx

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  11. I love a maxi dress, and certainly could find room in my heart for a few more.

    The great thing about your job is that even when the hours are long you know people really appreciate what you do. You made me think back to my first post-university job, all that being serious and chasing targets, I can't believe I ever did it.

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    1. Being serious and chasing targets is soul destroying. I used to feel like I was trapped in a never-ending lie. No wonder I've always got a big daft grin on my face now! xxx

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  12. Look at you two! Divine frockage, I can't decide which one I like the most...and Jon looks very Man at C & A in his new wool jacket, a bloody bargain. You are the very best advertisement for your vintage merchandise ... and your customer looks very pleased indeed with her purchase. It's obviously been a bit milder down here as I walked into town this morning (six miles there and back) and tackled the garden this afternoon. I'm going to check out that film later...also with a furry friend. xx

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    1. He does look like a catalogue model, doesn't he?
      Blimey, it must be mild down South. Me and a mate walked down to Second To None on Wednesday and nearly got frostbite, we had to spend 2 hours in there to defrost! xxx

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  13. The Snakeshead Fritillery is just so glam isn't she. We have a 4am start this coming Saturday as we're doing a full weekend show up your way. I have grown to hate the bleeding M25 at 8pm on a Sunday night....there's a reason why they call it the biggest car park in the world. Enjoy meeting all the people and there's a really good vibe with the other makers. Ours is a small world in all senses of the word! Arilx

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    1. I feel your pain! 4am is a great time for driving anywhere, unlike 8pm on a Sunday. Gah! xxx

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  14. My mother has fritillaries but her resident pheasant, aka The Vicar, eats them the minute the flower head comes! the are clearly quite a delicacy to game birds.

    You are the best advert possible you and Curtise always make me want to wear a maxi even though I know I don't feel right in them!!

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    1. The Vicar! Haha! The squirrels love the bulbs, I remembered to plant them very deep when I put this lot in. xxx

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  15. That customer looks fab in her maxi! I think the reason yours sell well is because you buy NICE vintage items, not the hideous skanky things that weren't fashionable first time round (which is what I've seen sometimes)- they are GOOD items anyway, and not just because they are vintage! You look fab too- love your maxis, particularly the last one!
    Mawkish is a great word!x

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    1. Tell me about it! Polyester nursing home dresses and shell suits! xxx

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  16. That fritillary is worthy of a photo by Sue of NZ, can't give higher praise for your/Jon's effort to go ground level for that view! Please tell Jon I also appreciate his excellent close-up of those charming sunnies and earrings. Never mind the thermals 'neath the maxi, pink means spring is bursting out in our wardrobes, at last!

    "Happy clothes are good for the soul!" Your wise words are now enscribed on my daybook/shopping list, Vix. Good vintage garments are as stimulating as vitamins!

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    1. Now that is a compliment! Sue's photos are sublime! xxx

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  17. If I had any doubts about a vintage item, seeing how magnificently you wear them would have me sold. Who wouldn't want to look like Vix?!

    I must admit, I have a weak spot for tan "Nana tights" with the dark toe gussets. They're getting scarce in my part of the world as everyone goes bare-legged in summer. I've been known to wear them with sandals. They're my "happy clothes." I've been stockpiling :)

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    1. If I ever come across a lady of a certain age selling flesh coloured tights at a car boot I'll snap 'em up for you. xxx

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  18. Both maxis are gorgeous! And that show sounds very good! :)

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    1. Thanks, Laurie! The Lunchbox is a film about food, what could be better? xxx

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  19. Both of you look fantastic! The gray jacket is so snappy, and your colorful maxi dresses are a joy for sore eyes!

    We absolutely loved The Lunchbox when we watched it on a big screen a couple of years ago. Very subtle - I consider it art! Have you seen the new movie Lion? It's wonderful!

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    1. I'm dying to see Lion, sadly our cinema only shows big money blockbusters about superheroes or kid's stuff. We're going to have to wait for it to come out on DVD. xxx

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  20. I can hardly wait to see your new purchases. It's wonderful that you're keeping busy, doing the things you love. And you both look great doing it, too xx

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    1. I knew there was something I meant to photograph today! xxx

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  21. A 3.45 start sounds painful! Worth it though for the freedom and fun. The top pair of photos are brilliant, you both look great- and after such an early start it's amazing. I totally agree about dressing in happy clothes, a grey day looks much brighter xxx

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    1. The flash on my camera seems to work wonders for eye bags! xxx

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  22. What a fab coat for a quid! Bargain.
    "Dressing in happy clothes is good for the soul" amen to that. I hate wearing anything that I don't feel 100% comfortable and happy in.
    I loved The Lunchbox, such a lovely, lovely film.

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    1. He had to look twice at the price - what can you get for £1 these days? xxx

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  23. You look wonderful in that psychedelic dress and I love those big earrings.

    Snake's Head Fritillary are one of my fave spring flowers so I planted some bulbs last autumn but accidentally drove over them with the mower last week :-(

    Thanks for The Lunchbox recommendation too xxx

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    1. Hope you loved the lunchbox as much as us! x

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  24. Nice to see you on Friday vix , You are a great ambassador for the maxi , Glad you can sell them , Loving both the dresses , The best thing about being self employed no matter how many hours you work is you are doing something you love xxx

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    1. Great to see you, too! the suits are fabulous, they got lots of interest on Sunday, we're just waiting for the perfect shaped man! xxx

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  25. Looking stunning in your Honolulu maxi! I love the whole look! And your little bit different hairstyle! I have seen The Lunchbox, nice movie!

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  26. "Dressing in happy clothes is good for the soul" - never a truer word said (or typed). Death to uniforms!
    www.wholelottarosiesite.wordpress.com

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    1. Pinstripes and pencil skirts still give me nightmares! xxx

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  27. Hi Vix, you can definitely convert anyone over to maxis. I was a mini skirt girl myself, but you make them look so great, and I've been wearing them more often lately. I want to get in my garden too, perhaps on the weekend...Xxx

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    1. I love minis but feel more like "me" in a maxi! xxx

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  28. Honalulu dress is fabulous. Haven't seen the Lunchbox - will be seeking it out. Snakeshead fritillery are hard to grow, lovely to see one. Balham looked fun, it's great to see the odd punter too.

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    1. Thanks, Betty! I remember my Grandparents having lots of Fritilleries in the garden when I was little so I knew they'd grow well. xxx

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  29. You look ravishing in your maxis! I can honestly say that you have influenced me and my love of them.

    I see your leather boots! I am patiently waiting for them to go on sale here too. They were so comfy!

    I hear you with the constant work when you rely on finding new pieces to offer all the time and then the mending and cleaning that comes afterwards but as you pointed out...we get to dress like movie stars!!!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. You always look amazing in yours!
      Those boots ahve been reduced even more, so much so that I've bought a second pair. they're honestly the most comfortable thing I've ever put on my feet! xxx

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  30. You look ravishing in your maxis! I can honestly say that you have influenced me and my love of them.

    I see your leather boots! I am patiently waiting for them to go on sale here too. They were so comfy!

    I hear you with the constant work when you rely on finding new pieces to offer all the time and then the mending and cleaning that comes afterwards but as you pointed out...we get to dress like movie stars!!!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  31. Thank you for the film recommendation - I saw it yesterday and loved it, beautifully done! Just my kind of thing.

    That first maxi on you is a beauty, and so are you xx

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    1. Yay! So glad you loved The Lunchbox. xxx

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  32. Love Jon's jacket, reminds me of one Andy got when the charity shops here offered more than Monsoon and New Look. And your pink dress, that's just super! Can't lose you in a crowd! xxx

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    1. I do get bored with the same old labels. Monsoon used to be lovely but everything I've found in chazzas recently is made of really nasty synthetic fabric no better than Primarni! xxx

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  33. I always enjoy the first peeks of spring you show us .... makes me excited to know it is on its way. We're about a month behind you here, weather wise, so your little blossom is a welcome sneak peek.

    Not only are cheerful clothes good for the soul, the friendly faces I visit with when reading your blog are as well! You two look terrific, as does your lovely customer. So glad she got that dress!

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    1. We've got Forsythia and Magnolia out today! It's cold but the bright blooms make it a lot more bearable. xxx

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  34. One day I'd love to make it to Kinky - so many fabulous finds! (and as a lover of interesting sleeves, more of them to the lovely customer photographed). You're a breath of colourful fresh everything to the world, Vix. Thank you. xx

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    1. You say the nicest things, Elizabeth! xxx

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  35. Gorgeous outfits! Glad you had a good time at Balham, I haven't been to that fair but will have to make it down one day x

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    1. It's back on 7th May - it would be fantastic to see you if you're free! x

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  36. I've never seen one of those snakes-head plants before but they are very cool! I watched the film "The Lunchbox" on Netflix a while ago and really enjoyed the sweet romantic story.

    You are positively glowing in your radioactive maxi - a beacon of light drawing customers to your booth!

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    1. I think those snake's heads are a European native. Being a fellow reptile lover I thought you'd like them! x

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  37. I couldn't agree more - wearing happy clothes is great for the soul x

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  38. Your customer looks ace in her maxi - you're setting a good example there.

    What a long day you had! I hope you took time to recuperate.

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    1. All all-dayer in Spoons was just what the doctor ordered! xxx

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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