Friday 26 November 2010

Hand In Glove


As usual, I braved the extreme weather to go swimming this morning. Before you go thinking I'm dead hardcore I'd better point out that our public baths have a brine pool which at the moment is a balmy 33 degrees Centigrade, if that's not a good enough reason to strip off and bare your bikini body to the general public then I don't know what is.


On the way back from my swim I thought I'd better start my Christmas shopping as this time next week I should be half way to India. As usual I ended up buying things for me rather than deal with the task in hand.

Armwarmers (TopShop 2005 £1), Vintage wool beret (Salvation Army 50p), Sycamore brooch ( Jumble sale 5p)

This sycamore-print 1970's maxi dress was £7 in our town centre vintage shop. With the roll neck and long sleeves I can get away with a long sleeved top, leggings and thigh-high socks underneath to keep me extra toasty.

The vintage Devoré coat with the fake fur collar and cuffs was a birthday present from my lovely friend, Janne. She emailed me ages ago telling me she was a regular reader of my blog and we've since exchanged regular emails and love to gossip about our jumble sale exploits, exotic travels and I'm A Celebrity. I knew she sold vintage but she never told me her shop name but I tracked her down using my witch-like powers and it's fab.



Here's what else Janne sent me - a fabulous satin jewellery box, some pretty ethnic earrings and a delicious Blue Orchid pefume stick.

I was lucky enough to win this amazing handmade necklace in Stephanie's blog giveaway. Isn't it adorable. If you haven't visited beautiful Stephanie's blog, you really should.

What did I create today?

 I removed the plastic bits from a Poundland crysanthemum and hand-sewed the fabric to a hair clip.

Voilà! A fascinator for a friend's Christmas stocking.


I can't be bothered leaving the house tonight, I'm out for the next two nights so I'm conserving my energy. It's cheap wine and a takeaway tonight and of course, I'm a Celebrity.  Feel free to pop round and join us, the fire's lit and the curtains are drawn.

57 comments:

  1. The dress is fantastic, and how versatile to be able to wear the other layers underneath to keep warm.

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  2. I'm very drawn to that green beret. It looks fabulous on you. I'm looking forward to snuggling down with the Peep Show later. Have a lovely w/end.

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  3. Ooh how I would LOVE to pop round for dinner and laughter snuggled up in front of the fire. Instead it's 5am here, it's going to be 27 degrees today and I'm getting ready for a huge market this morning (what to wear?)!

    OK - that dress is KILLER. You have such a beautiful collection of dresses and this is definitely in my top three. Of course you have styled it within an inch of its life and you just look so so beautiful Vix! The coat, the arm wamrers, the brooch, the beret - just LOVE it!

    I hear you re the shopping. I went out to do a little xmas shopping yesterday and instead I bought myself a pair of tap shoes (what? I needed them!) and a vintage umbrella stand. Oy!

    Have a lovely night in front of the fire!

    Sarah xxx

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  4. Gorgeous autumnal maxi dress, and I love it with the long black coat and golden leaf brooch. I long to do a photo shoot of you in a colors-turning leafy forest! Although, the HIPPIES sign is a pretty hilarious backdrop, too. I wonder where it was originally situated, and if it was obeyed?

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  5. I love that dress Vix, its so pretty. I so want to go to your local pool, it sounds perfect for cold days like these xx

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  6. I was missing your post today. what a wonderful fascinator.ummmmmmmmmmmmmm ideas, ideas!!!!
    Your plan for the cold weather sounds fantascic and cosy to me.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  7. You look as snug as a bug in the beret! I'm thinking of making some Christmas pressies too. Great to see you're a Smiths fan too!
    xxx Comtesse xxx

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  8. when is ur birhtday?

    love the print on the maxi dress!!

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  9. O,Vix,you little snuggly hottie!!Adoring your wintery attire!That sycamore print is gorgeous,and a brooch besides!!!Yee!
    Wow,you've been scoring more fantabulos treats!!And crafting a divine fascinator!!And swimming!!And generally being the hottest thing on 2 legs! I do love you!
    And I love my amazing new treats!And Hugh on the package!Swoonawific!!!And is that a tiny pic of you and someone other than Jon??Can't quite tell!
    LOVE Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  10. Great dress, would have been at least 3 times that price in any of the vintage shops here!

    I keep saying I'll take the little man swimming, but I'm not sure I dare venture into the water at the moment - my bikini days are definitely over!

    Thanks for your email, I think I know what I have to do x

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  11. I love your maxi dress..and I adore that sign by the door:)

    Stop by and say Hello♥

    Enter my Spotted Moth Giveaway♥

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  12. I like your makeup and style . very cute and stylish !

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  13. your too cute..bonito green beret..I have a sweater to go with it..love bright colors..you swiming your like wonder woman..you can do it all..sycamore broch love leaves..more gifts ..that fascinator is awesome..love your creativity mama.

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  14. your little leaf brooch is beautiful. five pence? what a bargain! i adore how you have teamed it with the sycamore dress.

    sounds lovely! i'll pop round after eastenders, hehe. xx

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  15. Ha ha! Love the sign!
    I do love your dress, the leaf print is gorgeous. I stealing your idea of long socks (cue legwarmers) to wear over tights under a maxi - I am FREEZING!
    Love the fascinator too - such a great idea!
    I do hope you will post the odd photo from Goa to cheer us up here during winter!

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  16. It is sooooo coooold!

    The fascinator is a fantastic idea and a lovely present. I wish our swimming baths were so warm and I can't believe you go to India so soon. We shall miss you! x

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  17. On me way round Vix!

    I love I'm a celebrity but not as much as your finds!!

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  18. I want to come party with you, Vix! I really do! You have the most amazing life! And I'm worried, will you be with us when you go to India? I will have Vix withdrawl! XX!

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  19. Fab green beret, I want to find a beret for myself this winter. We just had tandoori roast chicken and are getting stuck into the wine and QI x

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  20. The sycamore broach is fantastic, I love it and it is sooo right to go with the fab print on the dress. Good plan for tonight, it's all snowy here so a night by the fire with a bottle of red is just the job. xxx

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  21. I would love to join you but I have a ginger dog lounging on my lap and a glass of red in my hand, after stuffing an indian myself. :)

    Love the dress with the long coat, gorgeous.

    xx

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  22. 5p for the brooch - madness! I'm finally getting around to going to an apparently amazing car boot near me, a week on Sunday - so sad you wont be around to hear how it went but glad you'll be enjoying the sun in India. You lucky, lucky thing!
    Enjoying some Crabbie's boozy Ginger Beer with this evening's reading...x

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  23. I adore your hat! Great fascinator too! I wish I lived around the corner from you Vix, I'd be there in a flash with a nice bottle of aussie wine. Have a lovely weekend xxx

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  24. Love that brooch Vix!!! And that green hat with Maxi nice combo! :)

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  25. You're perfect Vix !
    And I'm happy to see the little necklace in your home !!!
    Thank you so much !

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  26. Your dress is gorgeous Vix, Hope you are keeping warm....we are all fighting to sit my the fire, Fee is wining. Next year we are getting heating! (we say that every winter though) :) xxx

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  27. That sign is hilarious!!! There is nothing nicer than sitting in front of the fire wrapping gifts, aw youve made me feel all festive xx

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  28. 33 degrees sounds like a nice morning bath and WHERE did you get this sign from?!? You manage to look fabulous AND warm with this maxi dress and coat. Would love to drop by to hang out, instead battling the cold in Oxfordshire this weekend. xxx

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  29. I love your green beret and the print on that maxi dress!

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  30. Hey Vix,
    If only we were neighbors, What fun we could have. I love swimming...
    ( I go to a ladies only Arabic aqua club on a sunday evening, I love it!) Big sigh , huff puff. Once you get past 10 your laughing, dont you find? lengths that is, not Arabs. Though the steam room is a sight for sore eyes ......
    love Fee
    xxx

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  31. Please explain the sign you are posing beside: Hippies use the back door?

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  32. What a very pretty dress. Oh how I wish I was wearing something like that. I fear however the mass of snow would mess with a maxi.

    That handmade necklace you won is so cool. x

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  33. you look wonderful as always I love the sign that would make an ideal Christmas present for someone I know .Hope you enjoyed your night it sounded very similar to mine
    xx fee

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  34. Hi my dear-another fabulously stylish outfit, just adore the green beret and coat and the brooch and dress are lovely! Wishing you a really nice weekend, keep snug and warm!xx

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  35. I couldn't come and read your post lastnight as my computer was playing up... so that totally interrupted my usual Friday night routine. How rude! I love that dress, and I love the hippies sign on your house, and the little bell outside... Vix, you're just wonderful! xx

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  36. I love that dress and would have loved to join you both by the fire. It's bitter isn't it? Thank you for your kind comments about my inviting home, you'll have to pop round sometime for a coffee, wine or mulled cider. xxx

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  37. this dress is gorgeous, and you look so beautiful, Vix!!!

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  38. That sign is hysterical!!!

    You darling Vix are divine! sigh. Everything you do, you do with such flair and panache... you never fail to delight and amaze me! That fascinator is marvelous!

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  39. that dress is amazing! mm cheap wine, my all time fav ;) that hippies sign is hilarious!

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  40. Dear Vix, the fire sounds great, we'll bring the rum and coke!

    Love the hippies sign and the little buddha. Fee used to have the same sign on her wall but it's much funnier on your front door

    Love the outfit especially the vintage coat. Have a great night xx

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  41. Stunning dress. What a great find at an incredible price!

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  42. ha ha love that hippie sign! Als hat is super cute, love the color:-)

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  43. I'm going to have this song stuck in my head all day long now! Not that I'm complaining. ;) Hehe.

    Gorgeous look. I love that dress and the coat. You always look glamorous. xo

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  44. Beautiful outfit! I love the green

    Come by and enter my giveaway for some beautiful jewelry if you like:
    http://elizabethscake.blogspot.com/2010/11/artwark-giveaway.html

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  45. Wow that dress is absolutely fabulous!

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  46. What a frock coat, i'm in love...and it looks a fantastic fit!
    Hadf a giggle when i spied the sign. GENIUS, love it xxx

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  47. i'm really jealous of your globe-trotting vintage packages! wine + rubbish TV is such a plan, although i can't watch gillian "faint" again...x

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  48. Have loved reading about all your creativity this week, Vix, you're so clever. Bet you're looking forward to that holiday now - I do envy you all that warmth and sunshine x

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  49. Stunning dress, the sycamore print is beautiful and the added 5p sycamore brooch is an adorable extra.

    Another great make, I haven’t been to my Poundland for a while, I was avoiding the Christmas shoppers, but I may well have to have a venture sooner or later, I do love a good Poundland bargain xx

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  50. Love the floral maxi dress! That brine pool sounds fantastic. A wonderful way to warm up on a cold day! x

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  51. Oh, I would have loved to pop round for a glass of vino! I love Stephanie's blog too, she has great style. xx
    http://www.weshopthereforeweare.co.uk/

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  52. It would have been criminal not to have bought that dress for yourself - it's stunning.

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  53. Dear Vixy,
    Fabulous dress, fabulous print and yet again you've styled this outfit to perfection.
    I'm totally loving the gteen hat & armwarmer combo...fantastico!
    I would also like to say that I'm really enjoying your Daily DIY's too.
    ...xXx

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Lots of love, Vix