Friday 2 March 2012

Down By The Water





This week's glorious weather meant there was no excuse for shirking the gardening.


Remember this snap of our garden from Monday's blog post?

To your left you'll just make out the edge of a buried garden pond.


This is what it looks like today after ruining my fingernails, scratching my arms to buggery and knackering the secateurs.


No wonder we needed a therapeutic charity shop session to soothe our battered bodies.


Ever wondered why there's never any decent menswear in charity shops? That'll be because Jon gets to it first. He managed to find himself a Diesel "Black Gold" waistcoat (£2), a Paul Smith pinstriped cotton jacket currently retailing at £425!(£4.50) and a 1960s Hardy Amies blazer (£3.99). Can you believe that I found an identical pair of brushed denim bell bottoms to the pair I picked up a fortnight ago? They were a quid from the same chazza shop. I also got a brown lace 1960s mini (£2.99), 1970s Californian label midi skirt (£1), dagger collar crimplene blouse (50p), crochet skull cap (£2) and Indian tooled leather handbag (£4.99)


What am I wearing? My Great-Grandmother's bone beads.


"You & Me, London" cotton maxi (20p, jumble sale), my trusty denim waistcoat and a heap of silver jewellery.


We're off for a well-earnt pint or three shortly, no doubt followed by a curry. 

Hope you have a fantastic weekend.

70 comments:

  1. We once had a fishpond like that but our white border collie used to like to just stand in it up to her neck.

    Just love that bone necklace... at first I was so envious that you might have found something like that at a charity shop -- but it makes me feel better that it is a family heirloom (makes me feel better about only finding crap at the stores here).

    Drink a couple more pints for me -- please!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That dress is gorgeous Vix! Very Victorian indeed!

    I'm glad you uncovered that lovely little pond, hopefully some little frogs will make it their home!

    The waistcoat that Jon found is rather strapping!

    Have a lovely weekend!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. It looks like you could just hide in your garden for hours and no one would find you ;-) You could read a lovely old book and read the day away with a nice glass of pimms or something and a blanket sounds bliss to myself ;-) Loving your dress you look really regal today. Great finds that black lace dress is gorgeous and so is the bag. Its great that Jon loves shopping for vintage to and wearing it. Have a great weekend, dee xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. You certainly earned your curry after tidying up that pond! Looks so good now and looks like your kitty is helping!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh hello beautttty of a dress! x

    ReplyDelete
  6. i really can't believe the stuff you find! amazing! great going with the garden

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great job on the garden! You definitely deserved good finds at the Charity shop. 3 weeks teetotal cos of pain meds now, sooo jealous of your pint or 3!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looking beautiful chickadee. Love the bone beads and totally adore that leather bag you bought in the chazza shop, we never get any cool bags in the cs's here :o( I do think you have the best shops up there! Scarlett x

    ReplyDelete
  9. A brilliant job Vix. It looks fab. Have a great weekend.xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. That Maxi dress makes you look like a cool Victorian ghost (in a totally good way!) Love it! Perfect with the waistcoat.
    Enjoy your curry, we have one tonight, off to the cinema first though.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. oh i love this maxidress you look like the lady of the lake, really beautiful, even your cat adores you here;)
    love and kiss,mary

    ReplyDelete
  12. my garden is in for it this weekend too. i will show no mercy.

    love this maxi on you. i'm so in love with maxi dresses and skirts right now. you are so lucky to find so many. they are rather hard to come by here. love that you are wearing you great grandmothers jewelry. that is so awesome. have fun tonight. oh and i cannot believe you slept through the white stripes. omg, you must have been plastered!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You've certainly done some back (and fingernail!) breaking work in your garden. Looking likes its paying off though. By the way, the photos of you in that Edwardian style dress reminds me of the title of Wilkie Collins' book 'The Woman in White'. Have a great weekend :-)
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ha just been out doing similar, in my case the roses, have scratches in all sorts of unmentionable places.
    Loving the frock, just right for this warm with a cool undertone weather, back to woollies next week:(

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very ethereal today - beautiful dress, Vixified by your wonderful waistcoat, and the bone beads are amazing.
    Good work on the pond, hope the nails recover! Polly Piglet obviously wants to get in on the pond action.
    Now this is a strange coincidence - I bought a Paul Smith wool pinstripe jacket yesterday, I don't ordinarily sell men's clothing on Ebay but it was only a quid, so I thought I'd risk it!
    Love the bag, it's very you!
    Have a great night out, you deserve it after all your hard work. xxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow....what a different a few days and a lot of hard work can make.
    I have been out in the garden this afternoon before the rain comes tomorrow...didn't really feel like it but it was very pleasant once I got out there...sleeping badly all week, just short of three hours last night and a 30 hour work, plus zumba and yoga classes has really knackered me out x

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a sweet water feature - just right for inspiring daydreams. You look gorgeous, the perfect compliment for it. I never wonder why there are so few men's things at thrift stores because I assume men never let go of anything!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love that look. I'm hearing bossa nova. You need a huge martini with an umbrella...! But the pints are a much better idea. Great finds too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This must be one of my favourites so far from your outfits! So beautiful frock, very edwardian like, so I adore it!! <3

    ReplyDelete
  20. You are like a fairy by the pond, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
    Glorious English gardens.
    I am in grat need of therapeutic charity shop session.
    There is nothing comparable, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
    Enjoy your pints, life is short, yeahhhhhhhhhhhh
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
    Love, love your white dress, and everything you wear.

    ReplyDelete
  21. LORDY I can't believe the difference in the before and after, you go GIRL!!!! You kicked the crap outta that mess! Please come help me with mine, I'll make us kiwi and strawberry martini's :)

    There is that trusty vest, you still have me on the hunt for one. I love you Grandmothers bone bead necklace, I wearing your Mum's pink tooth today :) You make these prairie type dress more rock-n-roll than anyone.You look lovely as always, enjoy your night out me dear!!!
    Missingyou~
    Krista

    ReplyDelete
  22. i started singing PJ Harvey when i read this post header ... love that song. And i really love this look. STUNNING!

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow, well done you! I'm loving seeing all the pics of Elsa's doppleganger Polly Piglet recently xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. That dress is magical! Also, your garden is amazing. Looks huge! x

    ReplyDelete
  25. And deserve it you do! the garden looks great, as do you. What a great haul you got.

    X x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, you have a veritable forest!

    Love your dress so pretty. That's a good day- gardening, charity shopping (spectacular stuff) and relaxing after it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love the looks of that little pond.
    You have quite the cool yard if I do say so myself.

    I can't believe how much awsome stuff you score out in your shops.
    People here turned crazy when magazines announced that (Vintage is the new Black) "Uhhhgggg great so that's why it's hard to come across much in the past months. Thank God garage sale season is almost here. I WILL BEAT THEM TO ALL THE SALES!!!! "Okay maybe not but I am trying to get myself pumped up" *ahaha*

    You look gorgeous Vix! I love your bone beads they are really fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  28. That blouse is gorgeous although not sure if it would be hot to wear - is crimpelene a winter fabric?

    ReplyDelete
  29. Beautiful outfit! Enjoy the pints and curry x

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love your dress Vix! Have a great weekend xx

    ReplyDelete
  31. You look very Lady of the Lake today Vix. Top marks for clearing the garden and pond, sounds like the 'Ruby' will be well deserved. Brilliant chazza shop finds, I'd expect nothing less from you!
    x

    ReplyDelete
  32. How FABULOUSLY Edwardian you are today,my darling!!! I LOVE this outfit,frigging AMAZING!And Granny's bone beads!Wonderful!
    Jee,good on you for going hard on that pond,it looks splendid and ready for Spring frolics!Gardening is so rough on a gal,yay for a chazza shop binge!Jon did really well!Good lad,he can sure sniff out a snazzy bargain!!!
    Love YOU!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

    ReplyDelete
  33. You beautiful creepy Victorian lady.
    that pond looks so cute and scary at the same time. I would probably fall in there.
    look at all the deliciousness you found!
    is there anything that famous jean waistcoat doesn't go with?
    That Indian tool bag is gorgeous.
    Buddy is jealous of Jon's waistcoat.
    You two totally deserve a pint or more.
    enjoy your night amor!
    luv ya

    ReplyDelete
  34. You look gorgeous.Love that dress and the jean vest looks so cute with it.Love your hat.Poor thing breaking your nails.That pond is so cute.I want one for my garden one day.I think all that hard work payed off with those lovely goodies you found.happy friday.xx

    ReplyDelete
  35. The bag and shirt a awesomeness! Good for Jon! I LOVE the pretty dress with the denim vest!!!!!!
    You gave me an idea ;)
    Oh did you det my secret message re: shooties and i for forget the other?
    Oh, Peggings? jean leggings?
    Hugs as always,
    Reva

    ReplyDelete
  36. That bone necklace is spectacular!

    ReplyDelete
  37. You have such a lovely garden - quite jealous! Wish I had a garden.

    ReplyDelete
  38. You look like you should be floating on a pond not standing next to one! I love your floaty frock and I'm so jealous of the
    60's mini. xx

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow you really tackled that jungle! Your pond looks like something from The Secret Garden! That maxi is very pretty on you. I can't wear white it always ends up getting dirty no matter how careful I am! Your mom's bone beads are awesome and I love the silver as always :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. You look so beautiful at the ponds edge, with pussycat to keep you company.
    Your grandma's beads are fabulous, I have a brooch from mine that would match so well.
    I hope you have a restful and happy weekend!!!
    Much love v

    ReplyDelete
  41. Definitely one of my favourite outfits of yours. I can't believe you only paid 20p for that dress. I adore 70's does Victorian. You look very ethereal and other wordly and what a difference in your garden! xx

    ReplyDelete
  42. Well done, you have cleared away so much, a job well done :) Love the dress and waistcoat together, I love the way you match your outfits together :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Good job on the fish pond! I can understand why you needed to do some thrifting to recover. I love your dress & the bone beads.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I can't believe that bargain that Jon picked up!!! He saved over 400 quid!!

    You always seem to do well with your chazza shop buys. I love the outfit that your wearing. And the garden now looks fab!

    Hope u enjoyed your curry and pint.
    XO

    ReplyDelete
  45. A bloody well-earned curry too I say, after a gardening effort like that, yikes!! Can't believe Jons score on the Paul Smith jacket, amazing.xxxxxxxxxxx.

    ReplyDelete
  46. You look so beautiful xxx
    I am in the process of preparing a package for you by the way, I haven't forgotten x

    ReplyDelete
  47. Vix, you look like a Victorian heroine, who's just stumbled across the wild beauty of a garden, and stopped to look at the Koi!

    On second thoughts, the kitty might like the Koi too much!

    I adore your bone beads - You are a family of fashion divas - I would love to see this picture of you in a sepia toned effect - Beauty through the ages!

    Amazing, thank you for the inspiration to get out of my nightie and frock up for the weekend!

    Fhi x

    ReplyDelete
  48. Your dress is gorgeous! I love the brown mini & floral blouse, too.

    Catherine, XO.

    ReplyDelete
  49. You've obviously both sold your souls to the charity shop God - you realise your afterlife is going to be spent steam cleaning smelly crimplene in the cosmic back-room don't you/ ;-)

    Amazing finds, especially by John - who gives this stuff away?! You look beautiful in your Edwardian type frock, I hope you had a bib for the curry!

    Have a lovely weekend xx

    ReplyDelete
  50. I want to know more about this bone necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  51. @ Sarah - I wish I could tell you more but sadly I have no female relatives alive to ask. It's actually three separate strands of beads with screw fastenings. You can test if something's bone by poking it with a red hot needle, if it melts, it's plastic. The surface is mottled and not uniform in colour so they aren't ivory. x

    ReplyDelete
  52. Your efforts have paid off, it's the perfect posing area! You make me think of some sort of water-spirit!
    Great finds - you both have such an eye for stylish things x

    ReplyDelete
  53. You rock that look, girl! Love the denim waistcoat and the wonderful 70s maxi dress. Wish I could a)look that good and b) find something for 20p!! I am now officially jealous.

    Cheers,
    Rosemary www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. You always dress so beautifully. xx

    ReplyDelete
  55. love how you wear your maxi dress with so fabulous styling and accesorizing!, that vest is really a masterpiece! and love that you're wearing vintage familiar necklaces, so great!
    Enjoy your weekend!!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
  56. It’s lovely to see your trusty old denim waistcoat make an appearance, that dress is totally darling and a very well done on getting your pond uncovered xxx

    ReplyDelete
  57. Gorgeous as always! Such Great finds! I am Loving that black lace dress.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Look at you, all elegant and pleased with your handiwork! You definitely deserve pints and curry after all that--can't believe the difference in the before and after shots. Jon scored some incredible treasures. He would never find a Paul Smith jacket over here. When are we going to see him wearing this stuff, that's what I want to know!

    ReplyDelete
  59. OMG you look AMAZING! I love this Victorian (Edwardian?) neckline and the pin tucking on the bodice - and those incredible bone beads! Also adore Jon's waistcoat - can we please get some pics of him modelling it for us? The pond is lovely - are there fish in there? We are in our tenth straight day of mad rain and wind - 75% of my state is under flood! And that's my excuse for the knee high lawn/weeds!

    Love! Sarah xxx

    ReplyDelete
  60. The pond was worth digging out if only for this photo! I love the bone beads--the camel beads in particular.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Ohh, a hidden pond! Do you need some gold fishies to put in there? Love your bone beads, they are beautiful. Awesome chazza finds, I'm especially envious of the tooled bag! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  62. Totally worth it - you're maximising your space out there! It looks great. Any fishies in there? I love a hard day in the garden.. actually those days seem like a luxury now!
    x

    ReplyDelete
  63. You look gloriously Lady of Shallot in that white maxi xx

    ReplyDelete
  64. What a lovely place to relax by the pond.....totally love your great grandmas skull beaded necklace....awesome style!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Gorgeous outfit Vix & I love the bone bead necklace.

    ReplyDelete
  66. is that an ethereal fairy down the bottom of the garden by the pond? Nah! It's the wonderful Vix looking beautiful.
    Garden's looking mega different. At least you wear clothes for gardening. Imagine the scratches if you were the 'Naked Gardeners'! http://www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk
    I've put the link in case you thought I was joking! Ouch! Mind were you put those secateurs, Missus!
    Z xx

    ReplyDelete
  67. You look absolutely stunning in this avatar.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hi,

    You have an amazing style, I wish I could have the same! Very stylish and personalize, love it!!

    Andy

    www.nightclub-osny.com

    ReplyDelete

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