Thursday 22 September 2011

Cloak & Dagger




This is what I wore to see Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy last night.


I do love a good spy thriller and this didn't disappoint. No high speed car chases or special effects, just well-dressed men in austere rooms, beautiful cinematography, an intelligent plot, subtle '70s touches (Trebor Mints, jumbo cord and Aqua Mander talc) and an absolute credit to Le Carre, one of my all-time favourite writers. Pure class. I watched the original BBC drama with Alec Guinness as a teenager in 1979 and this version is equally brilliant. If Gary Oldman's performance as George Smiley doesn't get him an Oscar he'll have been robbed.

ABC picture house, circa 1975 

 Until 1995 our town centre boasted a magnificent Art Deco cinema. An opulent picture house with potted palms, sweeping marble staircases, velvet seats, doormen in dinner suits and usherettes with wooden trays and torches selling chocolate limes & cigarettes during the interval. The entrance price for every film was just £1 and up until the day it closed I saw at least three films a week (which makes me a bit of an asset in a pub quiz). When the bulldozers tore the building down to make way for Woolworth's (and now, like much of our town centre, empty) I stood and watched, shedding a fond tear at memories of childhood trips to see Walt Disney films and bad behaviour on the back row with dodgy blokes.

Glass 1960s clip-on earrings (the divine Desiree)
These days we have to drive to a hideously utilitarian out-of-town multiplex which reeks of processed meat and where the air conditioning is so icy cold that a coat is pretty much essential all year round. It's rare they screen anything remotely intelligent or arty, most locals prefer a diet of lame Rom-Coms, cartoons and Hollywood shoot 'em up action flicks. Still I'm on the Orange network and get Two for One film deals on Wednesdays so at £7.20 for the two of us it's a pretty cheap night out especially as we don't feel the need to guzzle junk food while we're there which would whack the price up something stupid.

Vintage maxi cape (40p, jumble sale) worn with 1960s psychedelic pussy bow blouse (20p, jumble sale), high waisted acid wash jeans (£2, 2009 sample sale), thigh high boots (£2, car boot sale), Polly Piglet (free)
I like to think that my huge hair annoyed the idiot sitting behind me as much as his texting, seat kicking and nacho munching annoyed me.


It was another glorious day here so we went car booting again. We usually get there at around 8.30 to 9am, not too early, according to the regular traders we like "weird stuff" so most people wouldn't look at our finds twice.

Clockwise from top left: 1960s suede skirt (£1), Crown Devon Art Deco "Perky Pup" (50p) , Italian high-heeled 1970s wellies (£1), BBC pattern book from 1976, unused and intact (£1), 1970s Crimplene midi skirt (£1) , A pair of Dallas Simpson hideously miserable kids (£1 for the two), Alfred Tucker Crafts snakeskin & Sheffield steel choker, circa 1969 (£1.50), 1960s unused Lady Sunbeam boxed shaver (50p)

I'm most excited about the choker and the perfectly fitting Woodstock-era suede skirt, it looks like being another Cher-inspired outfit. 

See you soon.

74 comments:

  1. That cape is AWESOME. I love the color.

    And what a shame that artsy theater shut down! I bet that theater was beautiful...and it is sad the multi-plex doesn't show independent films. :S Or at least not enough.

    In my city (Kansas City) we have three art deco theaters barely hanging on a string. They are each so cute and charming (one has the original pink flamingos on the gold-bordered wall from the 1920s). Another still has its original milkshake bar from the 1950s). They only play artsy films. For many years, there has been talk about them shutting down and every time I go, it breaks my heart to see them so empty. It won't be long, unfortunately...

    Makes me sick. I also do not enjoy the experience of over-priced processed food and generic quality of the multi-plex theater system. Sigh.

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  2. PS. Regarding your cape, I meant to say I love the COLLAR (the purple is striking against the black). :)

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  3. I ADORE those Earrings Vix!
    And great buys there!
    And I know cinemas are really expensive at the mo, I'm on the same network as u but I never get round to going to the cinema, normally cos there's nothing I want to watch and my local cinema is miles away!

    Jules

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  4. Hi my dear-what a sad story about your picture house, its the same story it seems all over the country. I adore your black maxi cape and your total look with the jeans and thigh high boots look amazing. Wow, the choker is fabulous, it really is a gorgeous find, well done!!

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  5. Was going to ask if anyone tried to ask you to remove your hairdo! Kicking seats is sooooo annoying - did you put him in his place?

    40p for the cape???? The purple trim is fab. And I'm loving so much pink pattern at the moment - Sarah's frock yesterday and now your amazing blouse.

    My grandma used to have some sort of green dog on the mantelpiece - she used to just give stuff away all the time; her husband moved the family about once a year, so she probably got used to travelling light. x

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  6. Fabulous outfit!

    I haven't been to the cinema for months. Bristol is quite an arty city so we do have at least one arthouse cinema, although I've never been.

    Great finds - my mum found the BBC pattern book in a charity shop several years when I first started sewing for myself - I made the yoked blouse. I don't think she still has it, which is a shame.

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  7. Oooh, I can't wait to see Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. We're waiting for it to come here. I love Le Carre, did you get the free audio book downloads from the Guardian? I like to listen to them when I'm trying to sleep but I'm too tired to read. I know the stories so it doesn't matter if I drop off while listening, ha ha. Love the capes you've been rocking lately. I do like a cape xx

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  8. Wow, Vix - just wow!
    The high high hair is amazing, as is the cloak. You look like the most stylish highwaywoman in the world!

    To think every small town, or each different area in cities, had their own cinema back in the day, it's such a shame they have all gone. Multiplexes - yuk! I go with the kids and am aghast at the cost! Especially when they want popcorn too...

    Dodgy blokes in back rows, eh? That sounds familiar! Oh the joys of a 70-80s adolescence, smoking in the flicks with some arse of a bloke, hahaha! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  9. Fantastic outfit! I laughed out loud about you annoying the guy behind you. I went to the film club at the Phil in Liverpool a while back and my friend and I watched the tallest man in the world come in wearing the tallest hat in the world. We laughed and said" Wow, feel sorry for the poor bastard he sits in front of." He sat in front of us. Then he took off his hat and biggest afro ever bounced out from underneath it. Seriously. You couldn't make it up. totally agree with you about the multiplexes. I'm made up your dad is called Ernie. xx

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  10. I can't imagine how cool going to that old theatre would have been. What great childhood memories, how sad it's gone :(

    You are queen of capes, I love this with it's bold purple collar and those sexy boots, YOWZA!!!! You do have legs for miles :) I also am loving your two new additions to the wall of misery and I was thinking the same thing about your new fringe skirt, so you, so Cher-esq.

    Isn't it nice knowing you don't like the same crap everyone else does :)
    HUGS~
    Krista

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  11. that is so sad about your theater.....you made lol about your hair, I hate that too about texting & phones ringing while you are enjoying a night out. Got to say... love todays finds....both skirts & cant wait to see more of those high heeled wellies! ps....love what you wore to the theater!

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  12. ha ha I know what you mean about cinemas today they are not as good as years ago...but then again what is!!

    Love that cape xx

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  13. It's the seat-kicking, nacho (or popcorn) crunching, unable-to-follow-the-simplest-plot-so-I'll-chat-to-my-mate twerps that put me right off going to the cinema. Plus, it usually works out cheaper to wait for the DVD to appear on Amazon than for the two of us to go to the local multi-screen.

    You're really working those capes magnificently this week, Vix - I especially love the one you modelled on Monday.

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  14. Hooray for "wierd stuff" - your finds are fabulous. I love todays cape and boots combo - very minxy!

    How sad about the old cinema being torn down. I rarely go to the cinema now as the price to see a film is crazy and I always tend to get the seat kicker behind me.

    Mwah Scarlett xx

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  15. I always seem to get the "cougher & sneezer" sitting behind me, who does not cover his mouth. I feel like I have to go home and shower. I don't see anything "weird" in your finds, but that suede skit is to die for! -T

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  16. Love the cape! It's so dramatic, even theatrical, and so, so cool! Love that you paired it with densm <3

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  17. That choker is fabulous, one of the best I've seen. I'm hoping to get round to seeing the film too, as it looks like it'll be a rivetting performance, just the sort of thing I love (and the Seventies vibe is a bonus!)
    xxx

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  18. You look fabulous, and that cloak is simply amazing! :)

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  19. You look fabulous, and that cloak is simply amazing! :)

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  20. love your cape.and pretty earrings.wish i could get my hair up like that.mine isn't long enough.love that suede skirt.and the choker is really cool.

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  21. Hahah, i love your big hair revenge on the person behind you! That cape is just amazing, so dramatic!
    xxx

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  22. Ooh, that chocker,Vix! Yum!!!!!!
    Love the big hair for a movie LOL!
    I'd have done the same.......
    Better check for gum,later ;)
    Love,
    Reva

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  23. wow, i missed so much posts during the past busy days...
    your high waisted denim pants are so awesome. they look great with the pink-ish blouse...
    ...aaaaand your hairdo is absolutely adorable!

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  24. You look great Vix. Good on you with your big hair!
    It looks fantastic.

    As for your buys, well like everyone else i adore that chocker!

    X x

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  25. Look at you rocking that cape!!! I am loving the attitude in these pictures. Then again, with a cape, you must have attitude, right?

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

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  26. Hahaha! A s soon as I saw your giant 'fuck off' bun on top your head and realised this post was about the cinema I laughed evilly to myself! I really do hope it annoyed that rude man sat behind you!

    That cape is beautiful. It's very gothic which I love and those are some sexy boots!

    I absolutely hate these new large cinemas! They are more like a production line nowadays just getting you through the door as fast as you can with snotty teenagers serving you without a smile upon their faces. I haven't been to one for years.

    The only cinema I will go to is the one in Wells. Wells Film Centre. It's a small one with only 3 screens and it has been modernised a little inside over the last few years but its still not given up against the giant cinemas like Vue and IMAX, it's prices have gone up though as is expected.

    I much prefer to be patient and wait for the films I want to see to come out on DVD so I can watch them in the comfort of my own home. xxx

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  27. Love that cape! it is amazing on you too. But I also absolutely love that suede skirt! I have something sort of like it and now i must go look to see if it's nearly as fab. Love you blog first time visiting.

    XX
    abutterflybyday.com

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  28. We are hopeing to see the film at the weekend.

    It's just heartbreaking when they tear down beautiful old buildings like that.

    Oh and I love that green pup.

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  29. I cannot believe how much it costs to go to the cinema these days, especially our local naff eighties one that is totally out of date; too old for modern technology but too young to have a super retro vibe. We are naughty and sneak our own food in.
    Until recently, my hometown hosted the oldest cinema in Europe (until the b*stard owner closed it) which was Agatha Christie's local and even has her seat marked. Thankfull the cinema is still in one piece but just sadly not open anymore. :)

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  30. Vixcita,
    I love your big-ass bun.
    black drucula cape is divine,looks great with your jeans. what is that purple collar?
    hahaayy, I bet you annoyed those idiots behind you.
    in California there is old cinemas that play all kinds of old movies. We always used to go to them and they are very cheap too.
    ahhh more awesome scores from the boot sale. love that gingham skirt and suede necklace. and the green compact is gorgeous, doggy figurine is awfully adorable.
    luv ya

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  31. You have car boots during the week? lucky you! Great finds. I went to Uni in York, and they still have the original Deco Odeon there. Films were all £2, only downside was that the ye olde seats were very small and uncomfortable compared to todays plush cinemas! :)

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  32. Your hair looks Fabulous! I Like "weird stuff" too. I think your finds are the Greatest!

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  33. Holy *beep* Those boots you have on are amazin! I lol'ed about you hoping your hair bothered the idiot. *hahaha*
    Weird stuff is great isn't it??
    I adore all your finds, but like the Lady Sunbeam Shaver best!!

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  34. I love hearing my parents' tales of the now long-forgotten cinemas they used to frequent. A chap once spent his days wages on a box of posh chocs for my mum at the cinema - she gobbled the whole box quickly before realising they had gone-off. She spent the rest of the date vomiting!
    I don't understand why people habe to eat at the cinema - fair enough at home, but it's completely uncivilized to be wolfing down noisy, smelly food when watching a film with strangers.
    I'm glad being warm doesn't mean walking socks and an oversized fleece for you Vix. With each 'cape' post I'm getting more jealous. I can't belive how often you come away with fantastic finds on your bargain-hunt travels. It's time for a top-tips post I think. I'm pretty clued up with charity shops but useless at car boot sales and jumble sales.
    LOVE the hair Vix.

    Lucy x

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  35. I love the cloak, the collar makes it even more spectacular! The whole outfit looks pretty hot!

    I really fancy that film, might treat myself!

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  36. I love that skirt. It is so sad that so many of the art deco cinemas were pulled down. These big multiplexes are so overpriced, and actually a bit depressing. Luckily we have a nice little independent near us, going to see Jane Eyre on Sat! xx

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  37. Oh the old cinema, i loved it ! do you remember the queue uses to go all round the building. I used to have £1.50 pocket money that was spent on saturday, 16p each way on the bus and £1 in the cinema !! Happy Days. When my dad was young he said one person would go in and pay and would then open the fire exits and let their pals in !! naughty ;-)

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  38. Another wonderful post Vix, sorry I've been a little neglectful with my comments of late-I'm on holiday at the mo but am enjoying the time to catch up with your last few posts! Love all the booty and also the snaps from the boot sale-wonderful stuff!

    Sorry to hear about your dad but glad to hear he is on the mend. Sending lots of love your way!

    Amie xxxxxxxxxxxx

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  39. Hello lovely! I'm glad to see there's a stickler for dramatic dressing for a night out - v.jealous of those thigh high boots and that glorious cape.
    So sad to hear of the demise of the old cinema - it sounded wonderful - buildings like that should surely be protected!
    And I like your wierd stuff too - that snakeskin choker and fringed suede skirt are fab!

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  40. O,for feck's sake,I don't know what I'm most vomitous with envy about,your fabulous outfit,your amazingly gorgeous cinema being pulled down for a shitty Woolworths, your seeing that awesome looking fil with lucious Gary AND Colin,or all your splendiferous scores!!!!
    EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! I say!
    I love my morning Vix Fix and I love YOU!!!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  41. I know how you feel about the loss of the old cinema, we had the Odeon which was a beautiful place, it's still there I believe but now one of out there churches! The other cinema, the ABC was Art Deco too, still there in town too, but sitting empty, such a waste. I loved Saturday morning pictures, then were the days. Her in Hamilton NZ they still have an old cinema called the Victoria, that's a quaint old place, you can take a wine etc in and there are little pull out arm rests to put them on except mine was wobbly and I nearly lost me wine on the floor, but I have superhero reflexes where me booze is concerned!

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  42. That cape is tremendous... Although I'd probably worry if I saw you coming on a dark foggy night lol. Our local cinema is pants too. Boooo!!! Xx

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  43. That story about your old art deco cinema makes me so sad - town planners just don't think sometimes! We are quite lucky in my city to have quite a few excellent cinemas. Your hair makes me happy - I wish I could do something fab like that with my hair, I don't think that I have enough hair just yet. Also, yet another fab coat. You are starting to make me jealous with all your cape fabulous-ness^^

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  44. I really want to go and see TTSS - your high-waisted jeans and shirt is amazing! And judging from your marvelous finds, I need to get myself to a car boot sale ...

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  45. You look beautiful as always. I do love a good dramatic cape. I'm always sad when old cinemas get demolished. We used to have quite a few lovely old cinemas that played good movies (none of that blockbuster crap) in Christchurch but I think all but one were badly damaged in the quake so they are getting demolished.

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  46. Oh yes we had the same in our old town with the tearing down of a beautiful old theatre....ugh why do they do it?? You look gorgeous I love your hair Wow it is stunning the boots and cape look fantastic! That choker you found is amazing what an interesting piece and I can't wait to see how you pair up the Cher inspired skirt! Are those high heel wellies hehehehe! Have a fantastic weekend and enjoy all those new treasures looks like you found a good boot sale!! ~Love Heather

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  47. The snakeskin choker is a timely find!

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  48. The cloak, the thigh high boots - it's superVix, ridding the world of boring utilitarian fashion one outfit at a time! You look amazing, and I agree, such a shame about the cinema. I love going to the flicks though, even in the big multiplexes. I still get the same excited feeling I got as a child when my dad took me as a surprise to see one of the Star Wars films.

    That snakeskin choker is arousing my jealousy - how do you find these things? It's fantastic!

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  49. Luckily in London there's a variety of cinemas still going, including a good few high street ones. Our nearest is a multiplex (at which one can buy BEEEER!), but we also have more arty ones a tube ride away. I hate how cold they are, I wonder why they do that? Surely being warm would make people purchase more overpriced drinks?

    TBH, we mostly use our vast, vast collection of DVDs for filmic entertainment. A DVD costs the same as 2 tickets and lasts forever!

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  50. You look amazing! The high-waisted jeans, and the cloak are incredible. Bah to the cinema asshole. I'm always happy when I have big hair if I end up with someone like that behind me!

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  51. what can I say? You are certainly the queen of capes my dear! xxxxxxxxxxx

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  52. I love that inside of your cape is lined in a different colour! That choker is something else I bet you will rock it.

    I can't go to the movies anymore unless it's virtually empty, the people annoy me too much including my friend who texts the whole time.

    Wow I sound like a grumpy old lady ha ha.

    Em x

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  53. I get total cinema rage, cant they have some device to automatically blow up peoples mobiles if they turn them on during the film. Its so annoying when all you can see is flashing screens, thats on top of seat kickers and talkers grrrrr! Loving the cape, I bet it is nice and satisfying to swoosh in x

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  54. Wow, yes I hear you, how annoying with someone texting and making unnecessary crunch sounds, good for you hopefully the bun did make him a bit frustrated. haha.
    You always find the best thing at jumble sales. I love those acid wash jeans. the seaming detail is amazing. :)

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  55. Our main cinema here is also one of these big Odeon boxes filled with munching, texting, screaming kids (you go with your hair-do, Vix, the whole outfit is amazing!) which is the reason I don't go to the cinema very often. (and I miss the many independent cinemas in Berlin) - BUT Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy I definitely want to see. Le Carré is one of my favourite authors, too and the film sounds so promising. xxx

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  56. Hi Vix -

    Love your hair good if it annoyed the the guy who was texting and kicking your seat! Love the outfit and i love your idea of car booting i guess here the equivalent are garage sales - there is even a web site for them just type in google for fun if you want - Vente de garage, probably will be in french but it will give you an idea what i am talking about - thank thank you for taking the time to leave a comment on my blog - love Ariane xxxxxx

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  57. Fab outfit, I know what you mean about going to quaint cinemas, I miss our old ABC in the town centre. I'm terrible at the pictures, I end up spending too much money on Ben and Jerrys. I do have to say that the Vue chain seems to be doing more arts stuff with screenings of live theatre in London and things like that. xx

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  58. what did you do to your hair, it looks A-MA-zing!!! I want the Simpson kids, they're about $65 each here just now, boo!

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  59. I love your hair. It is so. And the cape. Woo. I need a second to sit down.

    Love from Oregon USA,
    Danielle
    xoxoxoxo

    pink and blue

    my twitter

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  60. We had a very similar cinema building in our town. First they made it into a nightclub which was fine, then they talked about converting it to a parade of boutique shops and cafe's which would have been amazing but instead they pulled it down and put in characterless retirement flats, I couldn't believe it!

    Your outfit is so perfect for watching a film, Love the big hair too. and some amazing carboot finds especially the skirt. I am hoping to get carbooting tomorrow at long last.

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  61. *I adore your "weird stuff"!
    *The movie sounds SO worth seeing.
    *.The price and empty nutrition of theater food is disgusting.
    *You look fabulous.
    *Air conditioning in public places almost always makes it too cold and uncomfortable for me. Therefore, I need to find a marvelous cape, too!

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  62. Great hair as an act of revenge against the uncouth - you are my hero! That's my fav cape so far. Love the boot sale finds - too amazing once again.

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  63. What a haul!
    Can't wait to see you wearing them.

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  64. Hey gorgeous, you just won my tea towel giveaway! Please email me your details and I'll send you a little parcel.
    I'm off to see that movie next week, can't wait.
    Kandi xx
    (kandipandi at tiscali dot co dot uk)

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  65. How sad that your town lost its Art Deco cinema! I seldom go to the cinema as I get highly irritated by the other patrons talking nonstop, texting, getting up and down and noisily chomping on nachos or popcorn! Instead I buy a lot of DVDs...
    You looked fabulous in that cape :-)

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  66. Was sad to read about your cinema. Our local town has a fabulous independent cinema which I visit as regularly as I can, and I would be lost without it. Hate those soulless multiplexes with a passion. PS Thanks for your comment about Ron - he has finally turned up, has eaten some food and is now asleep under the spare bed. Thank goodness. xx

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  67. The earrings, cape, or the boots? I'm feeling all of them especially the cape. What I want the most though is your bun. My hair is nowhere near as long as yours, so I guess I'll just live through you.

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  68. Amazing cape. Intrigued by this film - haven't ever read any Le Carre so not sure what to expect. It's a local bank hol here so might head to the flicks tomorrow - it'll either be this one or the puerile escapism of The Inbetweeners! xx

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  69. i love your hair like that :) my hubs and I also hate going to the movie theater-it's so overpriced and people are just rude. i'd much rather cuddle on the couch in my pj's with the dog on my lap and popcorn that's not drowned in imitation butter!

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  70. Your hair is amazing! I hope you did obscure someone's view in the cinema. That choker is a fantastic find!

    Christina @ Hair Romance 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