Tuesday 26 April 2011

From The Sublime To The Ridiculous


This groovy 1970's frock is my very first Etsy purchase. 



With a lime green Crimplene bodice, blingy rhinestone buttons and a midi length clashing bark cloth skirt it had my name written all over it and at £7 it would have been rude not to have snapped it up. The seller had some amazing stuff and there's a couple more insane pieces I couldn't help but buy which I'll show you soon.


We're still in the throes of jet lag, being wide awake at 4am and good for nothing by 9pm. We made the most of being up early yesterday and squeezed in not one but three boot sales (although they were all a bit rubbish). Sometimes the heaps of barely worn, few week old high street clothing leaves me feeling very depressed at people's fickle natures and sheer wastefulness.  

We did manage to spot one or two treasures amongst the dross, burger vans and market traders.


1960's boxed Lazy Susan, perfect for our retro-themed cocktail parties - 50p


Four 1950's acetate hand-rolled Italian scarves - 40p each

Vintage chiffon scarf celebrating Jamaican Independence and a satin Gibraltar souvenir scarf - 50p each


Hand-made felt Blue Tit and Coal Tit going cheep (sorry, couldn't help myself) at 5p each


 Antik Batik mesh vest for £1. I wish I'd found this before I went to Goa, it's perfect.


1970's Wallis gypsy dress (£1), Richard Shops sequin trimmed maxi dress with matching scarf (£2) and a 1970's crimplene sun dress by Langden Design of London (£1.50)


Huge Pablo Picasso wooden pendant for 20p - I'll change the chain to a silver one.


Three pieces of 1950's kitsch - a knitted poodle (not as demonic as the last one), a Toreador bottle and a donkey cruet set. The elderly lady selling them told me I was "very lucky to be allowed to buy such things" as her husband "wouldn't let her". Obeying a man? Sounds like she was still trapped in the fifties. Still I can't be too harsh on the silly old bat as she let me have the lot for 50p.



I'll try and get our holiday pictures up this week and show you what madness we bought back. 
I'm off to eat crusty bread with a huge salad, olives and cheese washed down with Rose wine. 

Have a fabulous evening.

76 comments:

  1. That is an amazingly vibrant dress! I would have never put pink and apple green together but somehow it works. The skirt fabric is something else. You've managed to do a ton with jet lag - nice to have you back!

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  2. Hi my dear-wow!! An amazing dress and it looks stunning on you!! Fabulous finds at the booty, love the Picasso pendant and the dresses especially! So pleased to have you back in blogland, enjoy your evening and scrummy meal too xxx

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  3. Hey Vix,
    Fab frock. I love Etsy, I could spend hours on there putting things in my favourites. Richard shops takes me back it was one of my Mams favs!
    Dx

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  4. A knitted poodle!how cute!I do love poodles.
    Have a nice evening
    x

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  5. Not a fan of the rhinestone buttons, but I near-as-much choked on my own tongue at the cut of the bodice. You just CANNOT get collar isolations like that on the high street or from designers. Super jealous. Super, super jealous. By the way you're looking fabulous :)

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  6. such great bargains, love all the frocks you bought!

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  7. Dearest Vix,
    I'm working on my etsy shop at the moment, fecking banner took three hours to get (almost)right :(
    I've still not listen anything, maybe tomorrow?
    I think you did very well considering the three car boot sales were "all a bit rubbish".
    I've always wanted one of those knitted bottle poodles cause my granny had one and I remember admiring it as a child.
    I really like the three frock too, especially the gypsy one.
    It's really good to have you back my love, I've missed you a lot!
    Take care luv,
    Jem
    xXx

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  8. Great dress, so you! You have a great eye, even when the boot sale is 'rubbish'! Hope the jet lag gets better soon!

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  9. Ay up...good to have you back in business! Fab haul, Vix...I love those birds, how sweet are they? I've got the same pendant...got it a jumble sale in the 1980's.
    You Etsy dress is gorgeous. I'm tending to come across more things I like on Etsy lately rather than ebay.
    XXX

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  10. Great dress, you look fab, and cool car boot finds, I especially like the Wallis dress and Picasso necklace. Etsy always seems to have loads of cheap 70s dresses, even after you factor in the P&P from the US (UK Etsy shops are far more expensive)... it's addictive, I buy loads from there! I never find any old clothes at boot sales, only Primark and New Look, which also is what fills most charity shops these days too :-(

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  11. Loving the lime green bodice to the dress green looks gorgeous on you i am not to sure about the rest but i have to say its 70's clashing at its best ;-)) Love that lazy susan what a great find and loving those other dresses and that little poodle to. Your dinner sounds yummy enjoy it. I hope you get over the jet lag soon and start to feel better . take lots of care, dee xx

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  12. That lime green really suits you...it looks lovely xx

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  13. OMG, Vix, you did brilliantly despite those boot sales being "a bit rubbish". Love the scarves, donkey cruet set and the poodle. Fabulous dress too! Glad you're back. xx

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  14. 3 Bootsales - you are hardcore lol. You got amazing stuff for 2 being rubbish - loving the kitsch-tastic threesome, the pendant and oooooh the scarves - Im a massive scarf hoarder! Sheesh I need to visit your bootsales! Scarlett x

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  15. EVERYTHING about you is sublime,my darling freaky twin!!!!
    I frigging LOVE this frock,and the others you've scored!Your bargain beacon has not dimmed during your sojourn!!! The scarves,the lazy susan-heavenly!!!EEK!
    Looking forward to seeing holiday pix and catching up with you!!!
    LOVE YOU!!! xxxXXXxxx Helga!

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  16. Lovely dress! I love the poodle too. xxx

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  17. I really love the print on your dress! And the scarves are beautiful. I love Etsy. hehe.

    Amber

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  18. It's good to see you again Vix! Obviously back to normal considering 3 bootsales in one day!

    Love the little tits for 5 pence *chuckles*
    Love the look of that long purple maxi dress!

    The poodle is hilarious.. I'm not sure why!

    I love the shade of green on that dress and the rhinestone buttons add a nice bit of bling to it which we all know you like! Very you! xxx

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  19. I hope you soon get over your jet lag. Lookig lovely as ever, I am looking forward to seeing you in that middle purple dress hanging up.

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  20. Hello doll and welcome back! I'm sure that you got some beauties in India so please post them soon. Don't you love Etsy? It's my favorite place on the net and the prices are usually just right. The buttons on the dress are smashing and so are you.

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  21. "Just one or two treasures" she says...

    Fab finds again Vix, all totally you x

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  22. Your tan skin really loves that dress.
    I am off to Berlín on the 4th of May to spend 3 weeks with our eldest daughter. I am sharpening my claws to get into the many flea market, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I am soooooooooo cold turkey!!
    I am glad to see you again. Have you seen the amount of comments in your feature???
    http://mispapelicos.blogspot.com/2011/03/april-feature-vix.html

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  23. yes, you did find some treasures at those flea markets.

    love your etsy buy... it's so you.

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  24. I love that you are straight back in on the boot sales!

    And of course I have to say whilst KM is not a style icon - you are!
    xx

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  25. Three boot sales and jet lag - you and Jon are dedicated bargain hunters. It was well worth it though for those super buys, especially the Lazy Susan (lush colour too), Picasso pendant and those dresses - that purple Richard's Shop (that was a flash back moment - I'd completely forgotten about those!) maxi is completely beautiful. I bet you'll look stunning in that.

    xxx

    P.S. Lovely to have you back, Vix :-)

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  26. Considering the bootsales were rubbish you came away with some right gems! Love all the dresses, cant wait to see how you style them!
    Amazing tan you have!
    Sophie
    x

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  27. The green on the dress is so delicious shade. That's the problem I find with charity shops & car boots I go to - nothing awesome vintage stuff in sight. Just few times used (but bad quality) high street clothes.

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  28. Fabulous dress from Etsy. Love the little felt birds you found at the boot sale too.

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  29. I envy the way that waistlines always seem to actually hit your waist!

    "Going cheep"- a fine pun. Hah!

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  30. Loving those rhinestone buttons.

    I don't mind high street provided it is clean and in good condition, what I hate is tat that stinks and has fag burns, and they try to sell it to me. Bloomin cheek.

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  31. Check out your waist woman! Jeez! Gorgeous x

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  32. So nice to see you back. Have missed your posts. Looking fabulous as ever, you don't look jet lagged. Have you changed your comment options? I can no lo ger comment with just name and URL which is a pain for lots of techy reasons. I don't like using this google account to comment. Lottie -x-

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  33. your blog is so cute..if you want you can be my follower!:)
    XOXO
    http://stylestarmjonas.blogspot.com/

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  34. Blimey! You got straight back on the carboot waggon! Well done on your finds, Love the lazy susan! And that dress, well, I can see why you had to have it! xxx

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  35. Dearest Vix, that dress absolutely had your name written all over it!! Love the print, the rhinestone buttons, it's great.

    You did well at the boot sale considering. I'm loving the dresses, Antik Batik vest, the knitted poodle!! And the lazy Susan - I could do with one of those for my retro royal wedding party. I'm Tweeting it live for LOVE magazine. Giles is coming round and a few friends. He wants only retro food - cocktail, sausages, mini eggs, and a cheese and pineapple hedgehog! Nothing sophisticated at all is allowed. I'm about all day Wednesday and Thursday, I'll give you a call. Love you xx

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  36. I wish I could find stuff like that a poor boot sales!!!

    Caroline
    xxx

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  37. supercute birds, and I love dresses that have diferent tops and skirts, one day I snall make myself one.

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  38. Glad to have you back amor.
    at first glance thought you made that beautiful green dress. loving the fabric and colors.
    I have only purchased a purse from Etsy.
    I love all your scores,especially the litte red party snack dish so kitschtastic and the flower scarfs cause I'm a scarf addict myself.
    picasso pendant for 20p thats a wow of a bargain.
    the chi chi (tit) birds too,hahayy tit part made me laugh.
    the trio is so cute, love that crazy poodle and burro,I found a few donkeys myself at the boot sale.

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  39. I love etsy!! Your dress is absolutely great i like the color/print mix!! Follow you now. If you have a minute, visit my blog and follow to if you like what you see.
    x milla
    http://misspeppervintage.blogspot.com

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  40. You look great! What a haul of treasure too, I especially love that Wallis frock.xxx

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  41. Love the Etsy dress, there's heaps of great 70s stuff on there if you can be bothered looking through. You didn't do too bad at the boot sales!

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  42. That dress looks perfect on you Vix, love the button detail.
    So you are back with a bang with some marvellous buys, I love the Pablo pendant, and the scarves will no doubt look perfect in your hair for a festival soon.

    xx

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  43. Adorable lime green bodice!
    I love, love. love the Pablo Picasso pendant, that's an amazing piece!
    The bargain goods were so happy to see you back into action!

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  44. ooh, I've really missed your fabulous bargains talent!, so nice to watch all that stuff!!love all that scarves and dresses!!, so much possibilities!
    besos

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  45. Hey ! It's good to be back here ! I love the Picasso pendant !
    http://selenite.weebly.com

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  46. your booty never ceases to amaze me. I went to a car boot sale on Sunday, and I only found one thing!

    Oh, and by booty i mean the treasures you bought, not your bum ;-) Just in case that wasn't clear!

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  47. So nice to have you back! really missed all ur vintage shopping and the amazing stuff you always manage to find! And of course, I missed you and ur daily outfits and lovely posts and ur weekend parties!

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  48. Three carboots! I don't know how you had the patience, especially with jet lag. I love car boots, but the people are so annoying; so much shoving and snatching. Where I live, people are far more concerned than making a huge profit than just getting rid of their junk! Three items for 50p is just unheard of! x

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  49. You look smokin'!! I love the clashing dress, and you're right, you couldn't possibly leave that behind :) I love the front of the bodice. I am incredibly in love with the gypsy dress, you must take some photos in it soon!! It's so perfect. The little donky is very sweet too.

    Xx Claire

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  50. Missed you, Lady! You're catching up fast! I think you found some great pieces! The Picasso pendant is MY personal fav - the red serving plate a close second!

    You looked fabulous in the previous post (well, THIS one, too).

    So glad you're back.

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  51. Me gusta mucho el cuerpo verde que vistes. Estás guapísima.

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  52. I cannot believe you managed to squeeze in three car boots on jet lag!!!! Isn't it so depressing to see recently purchased chain-store muck being flogged at flea markets etc? My local oppys are just jammed with so much of the trash too - it's getting harder to find treasures. I think you've made some great scores here and nearly died when I saw the Picasso pendant!! Love the lazy susan with it's white plastic frill and don't you just love souvenir scarves - rampant kitcsh-ness galore:))))))) Take good care of yourself with that jet lag - I missed you. xoxoxoxo

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  53. Yeah!
    Your back and the vest is gorgeous!
    The last post is also awesome, you still seem to be in vacation mode, LOVE it!
    You are so tan and lovely!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    xXx
    Reva

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  54. Oh that's gorgeous! I just don't have the patience to really trawl through Etsy. I know there's some gorgeous stuff on there but I find it a really difficult website to search through.

    Anyway, who needs Etsy when they've got your jumble and car booty luck? That Picasso pendant is fab and I can't stop smiling at the utter kitschness of the poodle.

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  55. LOVE this dress! It's great on you! I saw on your profile that you sell on ebay......would love to check out your auctions or store! Hugs! ~Serene

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  56. Yay! You look FABULOUS in that etsy frock - I LOVE the sparkle-arkle buttons! Also love the lazy susan ans the gorgeous rose scarves and that Picasso pendant is AMAZING! Can't wait to see you wear it!

    Loveandlove, Sarah xxx

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  57. The Etsy purchase if fabulous on you. And even a bad day of sorting through the dross, yields fantastic items when YOU are shopping. I'm fond of the little felted birds!

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  58. Ah, Vix you look amazing in that frock. And all those finds- so fun. The scarves are what I'm oogling. Gorgeous. They just don't make 'em like they used to! -Bella Q
    the Citizen Rosebud

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  59. You look lovely Vix as ALWAYS!! That is one stunnin vintage outfit!
    I really like that lazy susan tray, it would come in so dang handy I would want to use it all the time!

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  60. sooo good to have you back vix we've all missed you. Hope Goa was amazing and I am loving all the new booty you've found! The dress is fab! xxx

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  61. That shade of green is PERFECTION on you! I love that dress. :)

    And of course when I come into some money, I will definitely meet you in India for a much-needed vacation. xoxo!

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  62. welcome back love!!... you look fab and v well rested.. very brown.. im jelous!
    love the green of the top against the pattern .. love a contrast!!.
    the lazy susan is very kitch .. im sure it will make a perfect addition to a retro dinner party!

    my fave is the picasso pendent its gorgeous!!

    charl
    x

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  63. That frock is certainly deserving of being your first Etsy purchase! I love it so much! But then, what's not to love about lime green? I think that knitted poodle still looks fairly demonic, but if I had found it I would have bought it just the same!

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  64. Ooh awesome dress, plus I love the vintage Wallis one from the boot sale, I dont even go to my local one now, its usually just full of crap! Cant wait to see the holiday pics! :)

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  65. Ahh I've missed your blog. Whenever I go to carboot sales I feel please with my purchases until I see the amazing things that you've found for a fraction of my bargains!! Holiday sounds amazing - ace tan. xxx

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  66. You got some very nice scores I think - that Lazy Susan is fantastic! xxxxx

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  67. YAY! To your first ever Etsy purchase. How exciting. I LOVE Etsy. Looking forward to seeing what madness youand Jon got up to. :)

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  68. The dress is so chic - of course, it's the WAY you wear it that pulls it all together. Lovin' the finds, esp that serving piece in orange, just perfect for vintage fare.

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  69. I love the scarves and the Wallis gypsy dress! I look forward to your Goa pictures very much, and your dinner sounds divine! That's all I want some evenings -- crusty bread, cheese, some tangy fresh veggies or succulent fruit, and wine.

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  70. Ah so THAT's what a lazy susan is!! I can see that on your table definitely - nice to have you back :) x

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  71. "Hand-made felt Blue Tit and Coal Tit going cheep..."

    hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! i spat my drink out when i read that hon!!!

    That Wallis gypsy dress is divine! As are you and the dress you're wearing.

    Yes... it is a bit sad to see thr high rotation disposable society in action. I find things in opshops that are barely worn and only a few months old but I know some "fashionista" would not be caught dead in it after "last season".

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  72. Glad you had a good hol and are back to your thrifting ways :) looking fab as always x

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  73. Yey you're back and looking tan-tastic!! Hope you had a wonderful time in Goa :-) I love, love, love those handmade birds and 5p?! Oh dear!! Loving all the 50's kitsch too!! xxx

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  74. The scarves are gorgeous. And the food and wine sounds amazing too. xx

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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