Out Of Africa.....

...and on to me!
How gorgeous is this 1960s maxi dress which my fabulous friend Curtise found on her explorations of Chesterfield flea market?

It's an exceptionally well-travelled frock, starting life in Africa, moving to Europe, briefly taking in Sheffield before settling in Walsall and very soon to be whisked off to India and back.

 

I thought I'd sorted what to pack but it would be a crime not to take this beauty with me, the colours work so well under a tropical sun, it's the perfect length with bare feet and it fits like it was tailor-made.

Barry M Turquoise nails, brass bangles (mostly inherited), Indian turquoise & gilt ring (£1, Cancer Research) and the huge pink and orange perspex ring from Biba was worn by my Mum when she was expecting me in 1966 - almost an antique!

It  looks damned fine with turquoise, too.

Curtise also slipped this cheesy romance in with the hilarious Elvis card.

Our friendly postman's been a busy boy, I won this fab blingy cuff in Denise Angela's glamorous giveaway,

Miss Rayne spotted this cute retro print in her local charity shop and it's one I haven't got in my collection. Check out the card, she knows how fond I am of a vintage hair-dryer, too.

Which of my holiday frocks will get the push to accommodate my well-travelled maxi in my backpack? I promise to let you know as soon as I've made my decision.

1960s cotton maxi worn with 1950s rose print parasol (£1, car boot sale), hand-made hair flower , beaded panda bag (£4.99, PDSA)

Think Nigeria is nothing more than a hot bed of Internet scam artists? Read Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimananda Ngozi Adichie for a fascinating insight into the history of this troubled African country, it blew me away.

Have fun in the sun and see you soon.