Monday 7 June 2010

Caped Capers

I've spent most of the day sorting out some of Mum's clothes. I coverted these sequinned butterfly capes back in the early eighties when I was a teen and now I've got a pair of them, one in silver and another in gold. Naff but kinda nice!

I'm downplaying the bling with denim cut-offs, a jumble sale vest and grey opaques.....

...and my vintage Sacha ankle boots (last week's car boot sale bargain at 50p) plus a load of over-the-top costume jewellery (naturally).

The rain did manage to stop after an hour or so yesterday but we put the BBQ plans on hold opting for pizza, real ale and SoccerAid instead. No excuses, it's a return to healthy eating pilates, swimming and yoga this week, I've eaten so much junk over the last fortnight my body is literally craving green vegetables and crisp salad.

Lots of excitement from you lovely readers regarding my Mary Quant rain poncho. Honestly it ain't nothing special, there's several on eBay. She did a rubbishy range for Freeman's Catalogue at the back end of the 1970's (as did Biba) and the stuff was mostly awful. I did acquire two pairs of vintage Mary Quant wellies many years ago but sold them on eBay to help pay for a flight.

Mum had loads of Mary Quant and Biba cosmetics which I used to play dress-up with as a kid. I recall two boxes of theatrical face paints which brought me out in zits...they were promptly binned!
Vintage make-up makes for hideous skin.


32 comments:

  1. i love the cape. i love trawling round car boots and love reading what you find. i'm hunting a Bally quilted bag at the moment, but with limited luck, i'm sure you have found one in your time. I did find an amazing Bally leather briefcase this weekend for £2 though. Elle x

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  2. Vintage cosmetics are just for souvenirs. A la recherche du temps perdu.

    The cape would be naff in any other way. With the shorts it's brilliant. My rule is: Short and long OR long and short. Long tops go with short skirts and shorts. Short tops go with trousers or longer skirts. NEVER long and long (looks droopy). Or short and short - can be done if one is slim like you but not by the average woman.

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  3. You are so right about vintage make-up. Thick, oily stuff mostly. Ick.

    I've seen those capes before and was never sure about them, but you totally rock it! It looks amazing on you with those shorts. Brilliant. x

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  4. Dear Vix,
    As a complete sucker for anything with sequins on it, the cape is in my book deliriously delightful! I personally think UGG boots & Juicy Couture trackies are the epitome of NAFFness, not to mention designer denim that cost a bomb; especially the logo emblazoned kind! I think you could rock this cape top with just about anything and still look utterly FABULOUS!
    …xXx

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  5. I think worn like that the cape works well.

    BTW in answer to your question - yes me & little one are camping at Latitude - can't wait :)

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  6. Yeah ! I adore ! We're sisters-in-glitter today !

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  7. My nana worked in the factory which produced a lot of the Quant make-up, including those eye crayons which promised so much more than they ever achieved when applied.

    Those capes are ALL about who is wearing them, and how they do it. You, my dear, wear it perfectly. It has to be nonchalantly done...

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  8. i love your blog!!!! and your regular posts, your mother had good taste :)

    Are you going away anywhere over the summer?

    G :)

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  9. I love the cape - it's fab. You could easily imagine Topshop selling something like this in the run up to the festivals and imagine how much it would go for! You look great. xx
    http://www.weshopthereforeweare.co.uk/

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  10. Beautiful butterfly cape. I think you could wear it with a black maxi dress for a big night out in Brum!

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  11. Insane I say! Insane!
    I want to see more posts like this one :)


    purple-peeptoes.blogspot.com

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  12. I hear what you are saying about the diet... ours is appalling lately and includes lots of real ale lol. I almost bought one of those Mary Quant ponchos for cycling in the rain... I may yet, it might be so hideous that it's cool!

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  13. The perfect way to weat such a blingy marvel as that cape!! It's amazing!!And just look at your lovely little bum in those shorts!You are such a hot tamale!
    LOVE Helga XXX

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  14. I always liked those tops so much, Mum used to tell me I couldn't have one because I'd look ridiculous. Sadly she was right but it is just perfect on you.
    Are you going to Latitude? Don't miss Race Horses, a band I know, lovely boys (goodness I'm old!) and they really are amazing, i'm guessing you'd like them quite a lot.

    xx

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  15. Gorgeous top!!! You look so beautiful!!!

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  16. Talk about bling! You look great in that top!

    Bonnie

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  17. I think the cape looks fantastic! and i love your wolf choker so much. Hope you have a lovely week xxx

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  18. Oh my, that Butterfly sequin top is simply Glam. I love it, as I'm sure everyone else does too! If you ever decide to put it on ebay, Please let me know! LOVE!

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  19. Oh my goodness!! That top is SO beautiful! I love how you paired it with casual denim shorts, so perfect ;)

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  20. There is nothing naff about that top! it's beautiful. (I am a magpie though)
    Love the casual side wih the jeans.

    I know how you feel on the junk food side, Andy has been creating some beautiful home made salads lately and I've realised how much I adore healthy eating...in the summer. Give me stodge in the winter please.

    X xx

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  21. Nothing nothing naff about sequins.

    Enjoy the health kick, but pizza, beer and football sounds like a lot more fun to me

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  22. I adore the cape! Can't wait to see the gold one make an appearance soon.

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  23. Yep i totally agree with Jem, heap on the sequins they are fab!


    xxxx

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  24. Love that butterfly cape! Only you could pull it off without looking OTT!!

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  25. The butterfly cape is gorgeous! Love how it shines :)

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  26. That cape is so you, Vix! I have to admit that it's not my kind of thing, but it's amazing how something that I wouldn't like on me looks so good on you!

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  27. I agree, vintage and make-up is not a good combination (to use); although I have to say I sometimes look at some of my things and think "Did I really buy this 10, 15, 20 years ago?" And no, the bling butterfly jacket isn't naff, I think there is something of the 20s in it. And your mum... She must have been such a fabulous lady, Vix! xxx

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  28. Thanks for all the wonderful comments! Glad you like the bling-y cape!
    G: We are thinking of a getaway to Europe for a week between festivals (unless I find a bargain flight to India for the autumn, Europe's soo expensive).
    Disco Goth: Race Horses sound great, we're not at Latitude but I've checked and they are playing the Green Man so I'll catch them there.Thanks for the tip!
    Vix
    xxx

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  29. Oh this must have been hard to do Vix...

    I do love these capes and sequinned tops.

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  30. Wow, wow wow, tht cape top is AMAZING I love it!!!

    It looks fantastic with dressed down shorts and tight ... I want!!

    I was at socceraid, sat right behind the goal they took the pen's in :D You may of seen me on tv and not even known it ;P

    Sal xXx

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Lots of love, Vix