Monday 4 July 2011

The Big Clean Up


A school night it may be but a cheeky lager's the order of the day after the massive clear-up operation we've just undertaken. Housework and I aren't natural bedfellows and I'm something of a domestic slattern but as an avid second-hand shopper sometimes the clutter gets overwhelming and enough's enough. At least the house is now tidy enough to show you round.

This is my work/sewing/creating/ dressing up/wardrobe overflow space. It's where my friends always end up mid-dinner party or when they drop in for a coffee.

 

I'm always happy to sell on my vintage finds to my friends especially when they look better in them than I do. Some of them popped round earlier for a dressing up session.


There's so much stuff there's not enough days in the year even if I got changed three times a day to wear it all so it's only fair to share.


 How many vintage brass bags can a girl use?


I knew all those suitcases I keep buying for less than a quid would come in handy for storing my eBay goodies. My obsession with retro grooming gear means I could probably furnish a hair salon.


The cats are exhausted just watching me.


Who needs the TV when I've got such a fine collection of vintage annuals, coffee table books and guides? This is just the tip of the iceberg! At least I can reach them now.


 A vintage rummage calls for retro snacks. Just for a change I've put the £1 G Plan coffee table in the lounge. It's quite refreshing not to have to negotiate that low level table made from an antique Rajasthani door, no more bruised shins.


The smaller settee has been moved into the bay. The orange 1960's cushion covers were found by Jon at Thursday's jumble sale. It was a stupid idea to put my cacti on the window ledges as I have to move them every time I open the sash windows.


There were originally five vintage clocks on the mantelpiece.They're destined for the car boot sale, hopefully sometime this week if the weather holds.


We had to buy this ex-display leather tub chair after I had my hip replacement as our settees are too low for me to sit comfortably for long. I was offered an old biddy-style winged armchair on loan from social services but needless to say I declined it.


I pimped up my gypsy chandelier with some clip-on peacocks.


My Bernard Buffet matador was the first in my collection of 1950's framed prints. He was 50p from a local hospice charity over 15 years ago and still one of my favourites.


This 1966 Caroline print was a £3 car boot buy a few years ago. I see different women in it each time I look.


Jon looks on in a bemused manner. I've got spending money for the weekend now, hooray.

Vintage Van Allen maxi (eBay), clogs (local boutique), Tuborg (the Co-op)

Cheers!
Want to see more of our house? Which room next?

93 comments:

  1. Gorgeous photos, I adore your chandelier!!
    I love your dress, too!

    Julia @ Retro Jules

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  2. It would have to be bedroom!!!

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  3. My mum has the same curtains as your dress. Worrying or cool?

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  4. Your home looks delightfully quirky and welcoming - like its owner!
    It's a great feeling when you have had a sort out and things are in order - but oh what an effort to get to that point! You have done so well.
    Favourite things? I so want to rummage in your spare room (sounds vaguely rude), the worn-out cats made me smile, the Van Allen maxi is fab, oh I just damn well love it all!

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  5. Its good to have a clear and sort. I love your dress. I would like to see more of your bathroom as its gorgeous!
    Dx

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  6. I LOVE your patchwork curtains, and am super envious of all your clothing and accessories, what a treasure trove! x

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  7. Loving the tour - I'd love to play dressing up :)

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  8. What a treasure of a home you have. No wonder your friends love looking around! I would spend hours in your dress up room!

    I love the chandelier! Great colours.

    It's so refreshing to see a home with character rather than one that looks as other people expect. Which I could get away with some of that style with my lot! Not got a clue bless em!!

    X x

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  9. Your house always looks so colourful! I would love to have so many lovely things! :)x

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  10. I love your home and would love to see more of your kitchen as I am obsessed with kitchens for some reason.
    Your home is a total tresure trove and am sure you have plenty of willing helpers whenever you have a clearout! The sofa looks really good in the alcove; a perfect fit and I love the cushion covers too.
    I love to accessorise my light fittings too; the light in my lounge hosts birds and butterflies and I was thinking about adding some ribbons too but didn't know if this may be overload! :) xx

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  11. I am forever enchanted by your home Vix, you own so many wonderful and interesting pieces. Every time I catch a glimpse I want to see more! I really love the idea of a dressing up corner, I used to have one of those clothing racks in my teens, there is something quite lovely about being able to see what you have on display rather than hidden away in a wardrobe xxx

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  12. Lovely Vix! You have such a gorgeous welcoming home....I can't stand identikit homes...I like them to reflect their owners. I'm not much good at that housework malarkey either. Life is for living not hoovering!xxxx

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  13. This is exactly how I want my house to be like when I finally grow up and move into my place!
    Do you ever put your ebay link up? I'm intrigued to see what your selling!
    Sophie
    x

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  14. awww what a beautiful house, i'd love to come and play dress up, tho i'd probably wander around gorping at all your finery! xxxx

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  15. Hi Vix well done you, I loathe cleaning and sorting stuff out, I do the cleaning and then think, now everything is clean, after I have recovered, the day after tomorrow! I can have a good old sort out, of course it never happens and now I am running out of space so I will be forced to have a clear out really soon.

    your dress is gorgeous and the house looks amazing after all your endeavours.
    XXX

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  16. I always find that nobody comes to visit when I've just had a good tidy and clean. What a good idea to take photographs. I'd love to see a Hello! magazine style photo shoot with you and Jon posing. Different outfit each shot, maybe re-enact Abigails Party in one scene. I would be in my element! Your curtains are stunning (everyone's comments just sound WRONG tonight!).

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  17. Hi my dear-wow, what a fabulous array of vintage clothes you have and very well done on the clean and tidy up too!! Your kittys look so cute and they've found themselves a lovely snug spot!! Enjoy your drink, much deserved, have a nice relax!! xxx

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  18. I love these nosy posts Vix, your home is fascinating! Love that big globe that snuck in the background of one of the pics!

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  19. What a treat to have a mooch around your wardrobe! Those brass bags are fab. I'd love to have a space just for my clothes.

    I'm looking forward to the rest of the tour.

    Your dress is fab by the way.

    Xx

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  20. I LOVE pics of your house Vix!!Always so interesting and inspiring xx

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  21. Vixcita,
    I never tire of looking at your fabulosa casa, that chandelier is gorgeous with the peacock feathers. Oh and the painting oh so wonderous amor.your looking very cher in this dress , love it. Love the foto of your kittys.
    Hugs

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  22. Wow, I want a dressing up room too!! I'm always interested in other people's houses so any room's you want to show us are OK by me. Btw, have you ever thought off renting out your house as a filming location?

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  23. Your house looks wonderful, Vix. I love that big bay window framed by those gorgeous curtains and as for your chandelier...wow!
    xxx

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  24. Your house looks fabulous.

    I bet you must have so many clothes xx

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  25. I love your place!! It's so nice to have a good clean up isn't it?! Only prob with being such a collector - the stuff gets totally insane!
    Love that frock!
    x

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  26. love your dress and would love to see more of your wardrobe!

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  27. Your bed is amazing!

    Your house is so.. inhabited by you. It's great!

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  28. Well done on your mammouth cleaning up effort! I hate house work too - a tidy house is a sign of a wasted life. It looks very neat now, and very cool too! xx

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  29. What a fab post, I so love looking at your home! The picture with the faces is really amazing!

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  30. You know I'm ready for adoption don't you? Not too messy, all my own teeth, make great puddings...

    Love your dressing up corner - of course - and also intrigued by the fabulous pickled onion and cheese tree!

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  31. Ohh your home looks like a haven of trinkets and treasures! The dressing up area looks so fun to have a rummage around in x

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  32. I adore your house :0) Would love for you to share your kitchen with us all, I'll bet it's full of wonderful gadgets ! Beautiful dress xxx

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  33. Vix! Your house is ammmazzing. I want to come & live with you! xxx

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  34. "domestic slattern" tee hee - you're a lady after my own heart. I did a double take when I saw the post title as I spent all yesterday sorting out and cleaning up my flat - I understand totally the problems of being a clutter bug! Thoroughly enjoyed the house tour though and love your maxi!

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  35. Very tidy! I love all of your decor.

    You've earned your beer indeed. I haven't earned any beer, my flat's a state. But I might have one anyway. Tsk tsk.

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  36. I love seeing your house! Your cats look like they had the right idea, sorting and tidying makes me want to lie down too xxx

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  37. Great post Vix! I love getting these little glimpses into your house, it looks amazing :) x

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  38. Your cats are adorable :) I love your interiors too, its a really eclectic mix but works so well together! I have fallen in love with your brass bags-they are gorgeous !
    Rachelle xxx
    http://inspiredbytheretired.blogspot.com/

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  39. Your home reflects your amazing style. I think Domestic Slattern is a status worth aspiring to!

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  40. STOP THE CLOCK.. your chandelier has mini peacocks on it! Too fabulous, bravissimo, bravisssimo!!

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  41. All of those vintage clothes drive me crazy!!! What a gorgeous collection.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  42. Thanks for the tour and well done on the massive tidy up.
    Love your dress, such great colours.

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  43. Great post! Your house looks great. Really funky and unique. Thanks for sharing it. I wouldn't dare show our hovel! Flamin' Blogger is driving me round the bend. I haven't been able to comment for ages. It's still hit and miss. I do read every post though as I love catching up with you. xxx

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  44. Oh there's soooo much I want to comment on in this post! Number 1- LOVE the dress! Number two- those curtains are amazing! Number 3, I imagine I'd absolutely love visiting your house and do the same as your friends do- it's soooo exciting! 4. Cats- adorable! 5. Blanket box- serious envy! 6. Where where where did you get that amazing hat!!!!! Can I still buy one anywhere? It is fantastic! 7. The brass bags- please explain! 8. BEST snack displaying item EVER! 9. I've always dreamed of owning a mantlepiece full of clocks- rather like Dr Who! 10. Rockin' chandelier! 11. Did I mention I like that dress? 12. Cheers! 13. The kitchen!!!

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  45. You have so much stuff it's unreal! My house is bare by comparison!

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  46. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!
    I SO wanna play dress ups in that room......well,all over your house really!It's such a wonderful space,and so YOU!
    I'm happy to see any room,anytime,over and over and over!It's so inspiring!!! As are YOU,my darling!!
    LOVE YOU,and good work!
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXX

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  47. Your cats look so cozy. I've always loved your curtains, you did such a fine job with them. I think I would love to see more of your kitchen as what you have shown us is just gorgeous.

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  48. I love having a sticky beak at your house VV I love what you have and do.I have eyed off those gypsy lights for a couple of years now.

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  49. HOW LUCKY ARE YOUR FRIENDS!!! Wow! :) That is awesome Vix. Love that Maxi of yours. Looks fabulous on you!

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  50. I looooove seeing your house. You have such an artists eye! Its so exotic and lovely. Hearts, janna lynn

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  51. Vix, your home is as lovely and eclectic as you!
    I adore your chandeleir and somehow it matches your beautiful maxi dress.

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  52. Vix I love your art ... its fab.. I am also a collector of vintage bags and find it so hard to throw..so I dont xx

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  53. Wow, I LOVE vintage things. You have so much.
    I am really loving your dress. It's so fun!

    <3Chelsea Elizabeth
    http://www.organizedxxmess.blogspot.com

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  54. Fab dress, and your house is completely fab too! I love the work/sewing/creating/dressing up/wardrobe overflow bit - so many gorgeous prints! Your cats made me giggle. One of them looks exactly like my Mum's cat!

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  55. Your home is amazing! And this dress looks great on you - such a beautiful pattern <3

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  56. Loving everything on this blog...it has to be one of my favs I only 'found' you about a month ago and I have digested all of your posts. Please tell me where I can buy your stuff from on ebay as I cannot see a link to it xxx

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  57. I love these posts where you show around your house. I just love those J H Lynch pieces. Been after one myself but I haven't find one for a really reasonable price as yet.

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  58. Vix! your home is as amazing as I thought it would be! Your bedroom is lovely I am loving your bed and the blanket box the cat is snoozing on! I love your dress too and your 'dress up' area, those brass bags are amazing, were they all boot sale finds? I'll have to keep an eye out for one!
    Also adore all your wall are, it's so lovely and really in keeping with the theme of your home. What a lovely, welcoming space in which to live :) xxxxxxxx

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  59. I'm nearly about to get a cat - or two - after seeing those two gorgeous, contented moggies sparked out! After one comment suggested you hiring your house as a location shoot (incidentally all they do is paint the walls and wreck it; don't!) - well, if Tales of The Unexpected ever came back, your place would be the perfect setting!

    btw - noticed your pictures hanging from nails in the picture rails. If you want any original picture hooks I've got some lying around somewhere I'd be happy to post to ya. xx

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  60. Great tour! I could do with a tidy up and sort out too. Love the matador too - in fact the whole art display is a delight.

    Had to laugh at your Faliraki mention, I lived there for 6 months once in 1994 - I was working in Rhodes town, bonkers place but great beach xx

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  61. You have so many Beautiful things! I Love your house too! I am also not a fan of housework Lol. You look Stunningly Beautiful in that first picture.

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  62. I love all your blog, but you know peeks at your house are my favourite. It is just beautiful. I am shaking my fist at whoever put horrible uPVC windows in our 1920s house, I love a good sliding sash - with cacti too!

    Enjoy that beer lovely lady, well earned xx

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  63. I do love having a peek around your home and you and I were separated at birth I too am a domestic slattern!

    This week is operation get the house in order, well this week and next, yes it will take that long ha ha!

    Love all the stuff you buy, you find fabulous stuff at such amazing prices!

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  64. Yay, I love cheeky peeking in other peoples houses, and yours is the most exciting with all the vintage gems and little treasures :) I think my favourite part must be the dress up corner, and favourite piece of furniture must be the gypsy chandelier! Hm, now to decide which room next... I suppose kitchen? :P

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  65. I so want to come and explore your house one day. The matador print is my favourite too, and I love how big it is. I vote for kitchen next xx

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  66. Your home is so wonderful and inspiring to me! I've actually saved pictures of your wonderful living room to keep me inspired when decorating our living room in the coming months. I'd love to see any room that you wish to share!

    I agree with La Dama - you do look very Cher in that lovely bright frock! You're much more pretty though! xxx

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  67. That Caroline print is amazing - as is your whole house, I love it!

    Vix come and enter my giveaway! xx

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  68. Wish I could have shopped your closet Vix!! Feels good to unload stuff though doesn't it? I sell my vintage goodies to friends and have little parties too - either that or all the gals get together and we have a swap with our regular duds.

    I love your decor style - very boho chic!

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  69. Well done on the clearing, hope you make lots of money at the boot sale - how I would love to come across your stall at a boot sale!
    Your home looks amazing, would love to come and play dressing up one day.

    Would love to see more pictures of the bedrooms and kitchen, since you're asking x

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  70. 'Mazing Maxi! The design is fab.
    Im loving the tour around your home, though Im trying to to turn too green at having your own dressing room with so many clothes! No wonder you always look great with that huge amount of choice lol.

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  71. I want to see EVERYTHING. You are too cool. And I LOVE your life. It is FABULOUS. And so are you! I always think, yours is the life I would like if I hadn't chosen the whole giving birth to children part!! Which certainly isn't the best part about having them. The having them obviously is. But yes...love your home. Love love.

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  72. I also want to see everything! Maybe a revisit to the wall of misery... followed by a tour of your garden... and quick squiz into your boudoir and a look through your bathroom and a look at your SHOE and SUNGLASSES collections?

    You look FABULOUS in that gorgeous maxi amor, as always.

    Loveandjewellery, Sarah xxx

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  73. Fabulous post - thank you! Bedroom next please! I love nosying round your house. Can you remind me where to find the link to your eBay page please? Need to have a look through some of these vintage finds you're getting rid of! xx

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  74. wow i love having a mooch round your home...brilliant!!xx

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  75. Oh my God, I LOVE your house. Please can I move in with you?

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  76. this might seem an odd question but have you ever had problems with moths? seeing as you have such a large house and alot of 2nd hand items I wondered if you had any advice for me. Im terrified of the ones ive found in the house getting at my vintage items!

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  77. I adore your house and all it's treasures. I especially love the brass bags. I want one!

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  78. okay so much cool stuff I had to look again and again! I am loving your bed, red sexy wow so unique. Your paintings are all so eclectic and gorgeous!

    My favorite to the beautiful window with those gorgeous drapes, that is where I would sit with a book and a glass on wine.

    I would love to see your kitchen too.

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  79. "I pimped up my gypsy chandelier with some clip-on peacocks." If anyone else says that to me today... :)

    Your house looks lovely and cosy, Vix. And I know what you mean about giving clothes to friends - it's so gratifying to see someone else look so good in something you gave them.

    Now show us your kitchen!! xx

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  80. Your house looks so incredibly fun! And I LOVE that you have mannequins you can put stuff on!

    Can we see more of your garden? It always looks so gorgeous in your photos! xxx

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  81. you have a very quirky interesting looking house! and i mean that in a good way. so cool. love your bed, love your bags and that hat ontop of the mannican is awesome
    francesca
    http://www.frankvinyl.com

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  82. Totally loving your home, and oh my what i wouldnt give to have a rummage through your vintage ebay bits!! Those bags are amazing! Scarlett x

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  83. All i Can say is O MY GOD ;-)) I can't believe you have all those Tretchikoff and Shabner prints amazing ;-)) I love them but they seem to go for such crazy money these days. dee xx

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  84. the chandelier is adorable!! and i like the peacock addition

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  85. The gypsy chandelier!!!! Your house is one big gypsy chandelier... quirky, one of a kind, magical and gorgeous! Describes you too!

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  86. I love love your chandelier.......beautiful photos

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  87. Yay for this post too! Am once again green with envy when it comes to your snack tree! Tee, hee! x

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  88. I wish I had a nice bay window like yours. I'd sit there and look out all the damn time.

    Love you much,

    SB

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  89. Oh VIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
    Your house is m dream home, down to the very last brick!
    xXx
    Reva

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  90. Your home looks so dreamy! As a fellow second hand shopper, I know how hard it can be to keep it all contained, you make it look so effortless! Love that leopard print faux fur, everyone seems to be able to find a vintage one but me. Everything looks so lovely.

    -BB

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  91. You've done an amazing job! It looks absolutely brilliant. I love your house SO much.

    Love you loads, can't wait to catch up 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