Wednesday 24 November 2010

C'mon Baby, Light My Fire


It's freezing cold here today and there's a heap of snow forecast for later so a great excuse to get the fire started.

We had a trip out to Warwick to pick up some vintage VW parts and ventured into the charity shops. As is usually the case with upmarket and touristy places the pickings were few and far between although Jon found himself a few bargains. Warwick's branch of pub chain, Wetherspoons was packed, the American customers (and bar staff) far outnumbered the Brits. You can't go wrong with a fair trade Lavazza coffee and a hot blueberry muffin for £1.39 each, can you?

Did I mention how fabulous my blogging friends are? Here's some more gorgeous treats my lovely girls have sent me this week.

In addition to the fabulous 1960's Jeff Banks at W1 blouse I'm wearing, Alex also sent me a gorgeous cord skirt and Skeletons on dvd (Jason Isaacs, how I adore you!) and a very appropriate patchwork print card - well, I am the queen of patchwork!

Here's my lovely Alex. She must have an uncanny sixth sense as my favourite blouse is another 1960's Jeff Banks at W1, which I featured on my blog last year.


I also received a hippytastic ethnic tunic dress from fellow Morrissey lover and vintage beauty, La Dama:

Perfect for Goa!

Isn't Dora a doll? 

Despite my day out I didn't forget my crafty challenge. Remember these old things?


A pair of Rococco style gilt frames with pastoral prints which I bought for 10p from the same jumble sale as today's shorts.
Well, I painted them pink (with some leftover fabric paint I had lying around) and replaced the prints with some poodle silhouettes printed on pearlised paper. Fabulously kitsch and far more me!


 Kirstie Allsopp better watch her step.

Vintage Jeff Banks floral tab collar blouse (Courtesy of Alex), 1980's West German tailored shorts and matching belt (Jumble sale), 1980's Renata Couture mock-croc leather heels (Acorns Hospice), Hair bow (Handmade by me)

It's Jon's famous homemade pizza and a cheeky bottle of vino in front of the fire with I'm a Celebrity and The Apprentice on the box, two warm cats and a hot man for company.

Have fun whatever you're up to!

50 comments:

  1. That blouse is stunning. Bloggers have such stonking taste!
    Fires crackling here too, Vix. It's SO COLD! Love the poodle silhouettes...funnily enough I've been using something similar to put onto cushions and bags.
    Stay nice and toasty.xxx

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  2. Vix how kind of peeps to send you packages and lovely things. I really like the purple themed outfit today.
    Dx

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  3. Ohhh how I want to be you!! You are so beautiful and fabulous. I say this every time, but it's soooo freaking true. I love your floral shirt. It's lovely. These photos in front of the fire place look so cozy and make me long for Christmas. And omg snuggling in front of the tv with homemade pizza, wine, and a hot guy sounds PERFECT to me. I might have to do that tonight. ;)

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  4. Ay Mamas! look how adorable you are in your purple shortys outfit..I wish.. I could go thrifting for treasures everyday like you and your "Jon."
    "You are very welcome mi amiga adorada Goddess"
    Gracias con todo mi corazon,(with all my heart)
    oh those Rococos frames are too cute..I love poodles and green ones.."thats so you Vixcita."
    mmm that pizza sounds so bueno..cant go wrong with pizza and a man that cooks.
    have a cosy day amor.

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  5. "Two warm cats and a hot man for company" - Lucky you!
    I'm pretty dreadful at geography, but is Warwick close? My super thrifty aunt lives there, she has a unit up in one of the antique barns. She's an endless hoarder!
    Anyway, really like this pic by that gorgeous fire. Great outfit and love that you're flashing those lovely pins again ;)
    xx

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  6. The stream of presents isn't stopping and how I adore this blouse! You, the purple shorts, the blouse, the fire... As you said: Kirstie Allsop, better watch out! xxx

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  7. @ vint junky - Warwick's not too far, about a 30 minute drive away. I'd love to have a nose at your Auntie's unit.

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  8. It is always the little things that count: your love one next to you (that includes the cats, of course),a bottle of vino ( I am more of a lager girl) and the fire...Wowwwwwwwwwwwww.
    You deserve every single present that comes your way.
    I know about the bad weather in England because we have Sky TV , so my hbs doesn´t feel homesick.
    It has been raining here all day today, but tomorrow there will be sun.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  9. I so love that black dress with the sheer purple sleeves, its a beaut! Your house looks amazing too - very worthy of in interiors magazine shoot xxx

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  10. Ha, incidentally I'm wearing a Jim Morrison tee today! So homely and lovely to have a fire, plus I heart that gorgeous firescreen I see. Love the blouse too. Again, I miss Wetherspoon's SO much - g&T's for 2 quid, unbeatable!

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  11. Didn't Alex and La Dama choose well!! Yay! ooo,you've had some wonderful and well deserved treats this week,lovey!
    That fire looks mighty cosy and homey....I could be very happy snuggled up there woth you and Jon and the kittys.Mmmmmmm...
    LOVE Helga xxxXXXxxx !!!!

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  12. You have a fabulous style woman! Loving your blog! :)
    XX

    Check mine and follow? http://fortheloveoffashionandotherthings.blogspot.com

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  13. I am so so jealous of your fire, the four fireplaces are blocked up in our new house (damn the 1980s) and we can't afford to liberate them just yet.

    A fantastic DIY and some lovely lovely gifts

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  14. That ehtnic tunic looks so bright!! It will look amazing in Goa!!

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  15. You look lovely! Like Spring personified in all those gorgeous bright colours. Just the antidote for this chilly weather. I love that blouse! The print and the bell sleeves are fantastic. Well done Alex for choosing that out for you.

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  16. Yay for The Apprentice. A real fire. What bliss. And low lighting. Starting to feel festive.

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  17. Wonderful blouse, Alex did well. The cord skirt looks amazing too, can't wait to see it on. Enjoy your pizza and vino, we've just had aubergine, sweet potato and chickpea curry and I'm drinking chai tea but might crack out some sloe gin in a bit! x

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  18. I think Kirstie learnt from you!! :)
    Fab poodle prints.

    Love the shape of the blouse, gorgeous print. Lovely of Alex, it's great having such gorgeous friends blogging isn't it.

    xxx

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  19. 'Two warm cats and a hot man for company' - lucky you, although i hate cats indeed. your blouse is fabulous too!

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  20. I remember those 10p frames, what a transformation, I love the poodle prints, very retro indeed. I have a metal baroque type mirror in waiting for a transformation, but was worrying about what paint to use, I love how you re-use and recycle everything. I can imagine you have a wonderful array of resources and plenty of materials at hand.

    I must admit as much as I love Kirstie I really do, you are my favourite Vix, I always am forever inspired by your innovative and creative ways xx

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  21. Ooh that beautiful blouse is gorgeous and I LOVE what you have done with those picture frames. Also I adore that amazing wild horses painting above your fireplace. Sarah xxx

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  22. Lovely blouse, Vix. Enjoy your night in - I'm off to watch The Apprentice!

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  23. Great blouse choice from Alex and your legs look amazing in those shorts. Pizza and wine in front of the fire with your man sounds like a brilliant evening. xx

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  24. This outfit is lovely Vix! I love the print of the blouse and how you've matched the shorts and the belt.
    My hairdresser said he wouldn't do my hair for my wedding if I grew it....Why grow it for one day when I know I'd just chop it all off the next day! x

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  25. The weather in my area, smack dab in the middle of the US, is very British today--overcast and misty rain. A fire, if I had a fireplace, would be perfect!

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  26. Another great post wearing shorts...woo hoo...nice!! The print is one I would soooo wear:)

    You look great..and thanks for your kind words on my post today:)

    Stop by and say Hello:)
    Enter my Spotted Moth Giveaway♥

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  27. Dear Vix, you could already give Kirsty Allsop a run for her money! You should have your own show!

    That fire looks lovely. No I'm a Celeb tonight? *disappointed face* Bloody UEFA cup!!

    The blouse is beautiful, I'm not sure what colour to call it as my laptop shows colours up oddly sometimes as it's so elderly - mulberry, purple? Anyway it's fabulous, the sleeves are stunning. It's fabulous with that tunic.

    Isn't Alex wonderful? I received a parcel from her this morning which I shall blog when I go home tomorrow. I didn't have time to take pics as I was late (as usual). I'm staying at The Actor's tonight. All went as well as can be expected today, thank you for remembering.

    I will get to the post office on Friday and send you a parcel. I have a package for Alex who I think will appreciate some new bits. Hope you and Jon have a lovely evening, speak Friday? xx

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  28. Gorgeous outfit! Hope you are having a lovely evening...no celebrity :( xxx

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  29. Hey Vix, loving those blouses.

    Good to see those frames transformed - so you with the poodles x

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  30. Lovely colours in your outfit today. And what fab treats you have had, much deserved. Impressed that you are keeping up with your crafting challenge.
    Totally freezin here but we had purdy snow! x

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  31. Your evening sounds wonnnnnderful. It is my husband's night to cook; not sure what he has planned, but I'll bet it's good since tomorrow is a vacation day for him (Thanksgiving). No wine in the house since my bottle accident this summer -- I've suffered an aversion to red wine since then -- buit I have had a nip of Highland Park 12 as I roast spiced pecans.

    I adore the colorful silhouette idea in the fancy frames.

    And I'm so glad your friends are sending you such nice treats! You are a warm, intelligent, cherishing woman deserving of such fond and fun tokens.

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  32. Squee! Oh it looks WONDERFUL on you. I was sorely tempted to keep it for myself and diet frantically for another year to fit into it, but realised that was a tad silly and that it would suit you far better than it would me. Aren't the sleeves gorgeous?! The colours look beautiful on you, especially with those super duper shorts.

    Hope you like Skeletons. Jason is divine in it - excellent 'tache and accent!

    ps - didn't realise the blouse was as old as the 60's! How exciting.

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  33. Yikes, I'd be having ALL the fires happoening 24 hours a day-no joke! I love what you've done with the frames.xx.

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  34. The blouse is lovely on you, gorgeous colours.

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  35. Sounds like such a cosy night in!! We are swelterning down here in Melbourne. It rained last night and this morning, but was no relief!! It's sticky and hot! Wanna swap?!!

    xx

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  36. This is so fun! The prints of the shirt and the mysterious purple color. And the belt is just wonderful; I like how it is the same color as the shorts. The tunic dress is fab too!

    Cycling in the clouds,
    Berlin

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  37. Your legs look amazing in those shorts. Your frames look so much better ... !!!

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  38. Hi my dear-the blouse looks absolutely stunning with the shorts and I love the cord skirt too! Hope you enjoyed your pizza last night, hopefully normal TV will be resumed this evening, lol! xx

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  39. Oh I love your poodles and also your horses picture above the fire! :) x

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  40. You look very snug and warm in that outfit! Steve tells me it has indeed been snowing a great deal (at least in Norwich) - I can't believe it's only November and it's already knowing like this! xxx

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  41. I *love* that pic above your fire. It all looks so cosy. x

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  42. the ambiance is great! love it all... and those blue shorts n belt is perfect!

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  43. A shame you didn't find much in Warwick. My boyfriend's from there and I often see lots of great stuff in the charity shops' windows perhaps they're nothing special inside!

    I love the blouse and those picture frames are great- totally transformed.

    Longing to be back home by our open fire instead of my freezing cold Birmingham student flat!

    Have a great day x

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  44. Ahh Vix,
    I am soooo jealous now, oh the joy of having a real fire. I love your house. im stuck with an argos fake beast that sounds like its in a wind tunnel. kinda get use to it after a while. just have to talk louder.
    when i got my first pad, pealed back a lump of wood and I found I finally had one.
    Whoopee I thought as I sat and burnt all the horrid office furnishings left in there.
    Being a blonde essex lil i had no idea or even thought about all my neighbors in the flats above as i sat contently rubbing my hands in front of me fire.
    The neighbors where none to happy as you can imagine... after that i got a bar heater from bootsale which i then tripped and stuck my metal healed stiletto through a hot bar and fused the entire place. which lead me to going out with a kitten stuck on my heel, which i had to scrap of on the side of a cab...My song went, coming baby light my fire, come and set my flat on fire...
    Excuse the horrid kitten bit, but it was an accident, i couldn't see where the lights had all gone out, plus there was tons of them all blind roaming around my flat as some one had given me a cat and not told me it was bleeding pregnant. Thought i was going mad. Why is there's tons of wet gerbils everywhere.
    Excuse my madness. Think its your lovely pad making me feel all at home.
    Good girl on the yellow sarong front, your so up my street.
    love
    Fee
    xxx

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  45. Very jealous of the fire, we've just been told that we can't get our chimney cleared and use the fire in our flat because the main chimney for the block is capped, boohoo. I was so looking forward to it. Loving the shorts, and the frames. And the bow. And that heron picture in the background. Enough! xx

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  46. I want to pinch your fire....it looks so warm and cosy x

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  47. I live in Warwick Vix, 10 mins from the town. You should have popped in for a cuppa. Glad I'm not the only one who thinks the charity shop prices are extortionate. In fact the only charity shops I go to these days are ones I specifically drive to in 'poorer' areas because their pricing's more sensible. I popped into one in leamington today and they had a coat priced at £50! x

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  48. Ahhh you look gorgeous! as always.

    You are a very giving soul Vix so naturally what goes around comes around for you... that's why everyone sends you gifts!

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  49. Dear Vixy,
    My oh my, that vintage Jeff Banks blouse is stunning & I LOVE how you've styled the whole outfit...FABULICIOUS!
    ...xXx

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Lots of love, Vix