Friday 29 July 2011

What's The Frocking Time?


It's Friday and the day to frock up and celebrate the end of the week.



Round here it's the time of year for the Industrial Fortnight and so very quiet. The schools have started their six week holiday and our manufacturing industry (what's left of it) is on shut down. Everyone with any money has gone away leaving the town centre even more like a ghost town than usual, the Salvation Army is closed and even the monthly jumble sale wasn't on. At yesterday's car boot sale sellers outnumbered buyers as cash-strapped parents attempted to flog their kiddies cast-offs for cash to entertain them resulting in a plethora of stalls laden with baby clothes and plastic toys, no good to the likes of us.



It wasn't a complete waste of time, I did manage to find a few bargains, including snaffling most of my girlfriends' Christmas presents. I can't say much as they read my blog but I hope they're going to be thrilled.



Being a bit freaky, I've never been able to wear a watch as they stop working the minute I put one on my wrist. Whilst clearing out some of my late Grandma's things I came across her grandmother's pocket watch (my Great-Great Grandmother) which dates to around 1870. Despite being over 140 years old it keeps perfect time and hasn't stopped going yet. I'm making this antique watch my "Favourite Thing on a Friday", my lovely pal, Em's idea to brighten up our Fridays.

Here's today's frock, it's actually a bridesmaid's dress but I don't think the pensioners down the baths this morning are going to mind, they are more than used to the way I dress.

Berketex Brides vintage nylon maxi (£1.78, eBay) worn with a 1970s patchwork leather bag (£1, car boot sale) and Barry M Cyan Blue nails
What are you up to this weekend? It's pubs, curries and catching up with friends for us.
Have a brilliant time whatever you do.

59 comments:

  1. The whole watch thing is rather creepy Vix.. I am not so sure about you anymore..
    I seem to be remembering that whole vampire thing you just told us about. LOL =p

    I love your Grand Father's pocket watch how lovely.
    The dress looks awsomely amazing on you. If anything the ladies at the baths could be secretly jelous of all the unique clothes you own.

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  2. I just love the way you dress and the light in your pictures is fabulous.
    I come from an industrial town and remember the times when everyone disappeared for the holidays. My parents never had much money but we always had a holiday - usually Pontins or Butlins. Great times made even greater as we face the first summer without my dad.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  3. Fab dress, looks lovely. How odd about about wearing a watch! I know someone else who has that problem but the pocket watch is beautiful x

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  4. I have a vintage watch which hubby bought me as my wedding present and it will only work on my wrist! My mum's tried it and I've even tried to just wind it up and monitor it and it doesn't work.

    I do bugger up electrical equipment just by being near it though, and if I'm run down I set alarms off in shops. I'll shut up now, I sound loony.

    I love the frock. It doesn't look at all bridesmaidy.

    Have a great weekend. Xx

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  5. Hi lovely, the watch is fabulous and such a wonderful memento, though the wrist Bermuda triangle stuff is.... unusual! I wonder if there's some sort of magnetic explanation? I love 1970s bridesmaid's dresses, I wish my Mum had kept the hot pink and turquoise patterned one she had to wear to her sister's wedding! xxx

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  6. Oh VV I do love that dress on you so very feminine.I also am in watch envy actually in all your heirlooms envy how nice to own all those things from way back then with family stories and names attached to them.
    Your post showe up this morning on my blog roll but kept taking me back to yesterdays blog post VC said that happened with my post too so I hope all your hundreds pf people find you if you dont get lots of your normal comments you will know why.BLOGGER do get your act together.
    My weekend who knows.Hubby has been throwing his insides up (bug going around) Laura took 3 of my 5 grandies and the other 2 left have a friend each over.I hope to sleep in xxx

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  7. What a gorgeous dress! And so cheap :) You look beautiful!

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  8. The dress fits like a dream, I remember having several similar dresses in my wardrobe as a child. I've never been a bridesmaid and used to be so jealous of friends who were.
    I can't bear the feeling of a watch on my wrist,and I prefer guessing the time (I'm usually right to within 10 minutes). The accessories you choose really define your unique style. Love the stories behind your jewellery.
    Factory shut-down makes for a ghost town here too. Several neighbours sit swigging cans in the street 'til the early hours - the time they'd usually be leaving for work I guess! The rest are in Spain, or up to their eyes in mindless DIY projects (such as painting the window shelf they painted last summer).

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  9. Ber-loody gorgeous frock Vix!! Your bridesmaid frock is an absolute cracker and has given my day a boost - what an amazing colour:). I cannot believe the watch is still working - you are so lucky to have inherited such a beautiful and precious treasure:)) xoxoxoxo

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  10. Beautiful dress Vix! Have a lovely weekend xxx

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  11. I love the 70s/regency look you're channeling today, and the watch is the perfect accessory!

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  12. quite a story about the watch. intriguing!

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  13. I have the same trouble with wind up watches and I also can't bear haveing something tight attatched to my wrist, but lets face it that watch of your great-gran's is a million times better than any wristwatch.

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  14. Gorgeous dress, I agree with Kestrel that it has a Regency/Jane Austin vibe going on - are you waiting for Mr Darcy? (No, that's Helga's fantasy!)
    You are a freaky woman with the watch thing! I am surgically attached to mine, can't bear to be without it, but Other Half never wears one and ALWAYS know the time. The pocket watch-as-pendant idea is gorgeous, clever you.
    Out for tea tonight, then Vintage Fair in Sheffield tomorrow - it'll be too pricey for me, I know, but I love to look (and maybe haggle...)
    Have a good one, love!

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  15. The watch thing is a little creepy!! That dress is gorgeous, I am a big fan of long sleeved dresses :)

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  16. Ooooh trust you to be the peculiar one! You must have high electrical receptors in your body! You could be a healer!

    That dress is absolutely bloody gorgeous and the colour makes you glow :) What a bargain at just £1.78!

    Looking beautiful :D xxx

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  17. That dress is so so pretty you look like so ladylike xx

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  18. Hi Vix! Something about this post really painted the perfect picture in my head of where you live. I kinda feel like I am right there with ya! This watch is so amazing, 140 years old, WTF??? The stories it could tell!!! You are beautiful as always with those lovely long eye lashes and sweet Friday frock.

    The weekend for me starts in a few hours when I take my niece zip lining through the trees in the forest here. Wish me luck I have never done this before! I plan on absorbing as much sunshine as my red headed skin will allow. Have a great weekend!!

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  19. Looks great - love the watch! You must have freaky body electricity ;-)

    This weekend will be a lot less hectic than last weekend - and thank you so much for the mascara/hair roots solution. I gave it a bash and think it looked ok!

    Ali x

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  20. I wouldn't have guessed that its a bridesmaid's dress and it looks great with your Great Great Grandmother's watch. This is such a gorgeous outfit.

    Yes, I went to the Home of Metal exhibition at Birmingham Museum a couple of weeks ago; it was brilliant and brought back a few memories. They had Sabbath and Judas Priest blasting out in the exhibition which really put us in the mood for a bit of dancing!

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  21. always loving every piece with an story to tell, as your pocket watch!, and you look pretty romantic in that peach color dress, beautiful!!
    The city where I'm living is also a ghost town these days!, everybody is running away to their holiday apartments (if they've one!), but we remain here enjoying this quiet time!
    besos

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  22. Absolutely stunning necklace! Cannot believe that is over 140 years old and still working! I can hardly even keep modern ones working for any time at all!
    xxx

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  23. Beautiful .. you look like a Southern Belle xx

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  24. Vix, I agree with @vainglorysinner, you COULD be a healer!! Watches don't work on me either. I prefer to wear them for the look :)

    I, of course, adore this dress as well!

    xoxo, JLee

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  25. Oooo you look like you just stepped out of time - or a fairytale! Gorgeous!

    Your weekend sounds brilliant. I'm looking forward to a lazy one.

    xxx

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  26. That is so special your pocket watch that keeps perfect time.........love how you are wearing it! The fact that you can date that far back with your family is thrilling! I believe that is how old Canada is lol! Friday's Frock looks so feminine on you.....beautiful! I have a long weekend here so I am going to try & haunt some thrift store and church outdoor markets! Have a fabulous weekend Vix!

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  27. Your grandmas pocket watch is a real beauty. Very spooky about not being able to wear a watch. Hoping for a good turn out here for the booty sunday. Have a fabulous weekend Scarlett x

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  28. That dress is stunning. I love that your heirloom wathc is still going strong. Friends and food this weekend for me too. Big hugs, Em x

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  29. LOVE that dress! You look preetty! Definitely you could be a 70's version of Elizabeth Bennett (if you crimped and pinned up your hair!). I thought of you on Saturday as I found a 70's Regency style empire line dress in the charity shop! Was so excited to find one- will post when I have time!
    I LOVE pocket watches- I was bought one for my 16th birthday after I started to hint about wanting one after er- that Doctor Who film I mentioned, seeing Paul McGann with one- what a saddo I am!!!!!!

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  30. Hi my dear-the dress looks totally amazing, what a fabulous and stylish find!! The watch is a true gem, something that will be fondly loved and cherished forever. Have a wonderful weekend too xxxx

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  31. That's one AMAZING watch. Your frock is lovely.

    Have a fab weekend,

    SB

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  32. have a fab weekend gorgeous girl! x

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  33. My nan had the same thing with watches!

    The dress looks supper hun.

    X x

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  34. You look as soon in Maxi's as you do in shorts! Love that watch too ... Happy Weekend! :)

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  35. That watch thing is a little freaky! At least the pocket watch is working for you - it's beautiful! I never would have realised that your frock is supposed to be a brides maids dress. It is gorgeous though, love the colour.

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  36. this dress is so classic! I love the soft peach color and the material is so dainty!

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  37. i have a similar watch thing where if i wear any of my nans old watches they gave me they either lose an hour of time or gain an hour when i put them on : )

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  38. That is a gorgeous dress! I am especially loving that watch necklace!

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  39. You look so beautiful in that frock amor! And I love your watch - you are so lucky to have treasures from your family's past. Particularly lovely pics today. Hope you're having a GORGEOUS weekend.

    Love, Sarah xxx

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  40. The watch is fantastic! Looks beautiful with your maxi dress.

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  41. Gosh, I'm alarmed that you're already thinking about Christmas presents! I always think I'm doing really well if I start mid-November!!

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  42. Vix, now that's what I call a frock! The color is perfect for your complexion! I love the pocket watch. It's most definitely a wonderful heirloom anyone would be proud to use. I can't believe it's still keeping time! Like my nana used to say, "they don't make 'em like that no more!" :)

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  43. Lovely dress, the little print makes it look almost timeless. You look beautiful.

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  44. Ohh, that yummy watch!
    You are the prettiest bridesmaid ever!
    xXx
    Reva

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  45. Fabulous finds my lovely. I like story behind the watch. Am calling round for curry this weekend;-)

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  46. Am beyond made up that you've joined in with Favourite Thing on a Friday! Big love, Em x

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  47. I love that pocket watch, so beautiful! Haha, your watch stopping powers sound quite amazing!
    xxxx

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  48. That watch thing is brilliantly creepy, haha. Good job this one hasn't packed in, it looks lovely. As does the dress; great colour! x

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  49. You look lovely and dreamy as always. Today I was at West Midland's Safari Park hanging out with all the animals as part of my birthday. I love your Grandmother's watch by the way, it's lovely. xxx

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  50. That dress is LOVELY. What a great colour on you! And I think that it is so cool that you are one of the few (fascinating) people who make watches stop! I have heard of this; but I have never known anyone who has this fascinating ability!

    heart: K

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  51. ps. I am too impressed that you have such an old working pocket watch!! and it's gorgeous!

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  52. The pocket watch is amazingly beautiful and so well preserved for 140 year old.
    Thanks for sharing this watch with us it brought back so many memories because my dad used to wear 3 piece suits and a pocket watch and for my four year old eyes it looked like the coolest thing.
    Have a lovely weekend,

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  53. What a lovely dress on you! You have such great style! Its a bit freaky about the watches (Well i didn't want to say it was you and not the watches!)

    And to wear something with such history is lovely!!

    x
    Jess
    SparksandFireworks.blogspot.com

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  54. What a beautiful frock Vix. I especially love the frills. My weekend including pubs, curries and catching up with friends! x

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  55. You are so irreverent, Vix, you are such a gem for that. I wonder what's the deal with the watch thing? So lovely you have this piece of familial history. Happy weekend! It is a long weekend in Canada and I am seeing pals, cleaning, thrifting (of course!) and Skyping my English hunnie when our schedules mesh! Have a good one. xo

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  56. Amor bridesmaids dress doesnt look like the horrible bridesmaids dresses they make us wear. you look fantastica, love the peach color and fabric. I have kinda the same problem with watches they always come apart or the batteries dont last. how creepy, love love,grandmamas pocket watch. adorar the first foto of you looking down, such a vision you are.

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  57. Another fab maxi! That's a funny thing about watches stopping on you! What a treasure that pocket watch is - I would prefer a fob watch to a wrist watch anyday.

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  58. You are totally rocking that bridesmaids dress!

    I love your watch. I don't wear one either but not because I stop them although I wish I could! Love you xx

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Lots of love, Vix