Sunday 15 July 2012

When Curtise Came To Play



Look who I met yesterday, only Curtise, who was every bit as glamorous, fabulous and fun as she is on her blog. For once I managed to meet a blogging buddy and take more than one photograph (this was snapped by a friendly bar man) .


Typically the day Curtise came to visit the legendary chazzas of Walsall were distinctly lacking in good finds. These large ceramic Scottie dogs which would have advertised Black & White Whisky in the 1950s (£6.99) were one of the few items that caught our eye.


Even at the "unbeatable" price of £4.99 the wet-look and printed leggings on the market didn't do it for us.


After a bottle of vino and lunch in Wetherspoons, rudely interrupted by the amorous advances of Bob (just behind Curtise in the fetching 1980s flying jacket) and the elderly gent who wanted to know why I had a picture of the Queen around my neck (my Frida pendant) we hit Walsall's legendary period clothing emporium, Second To None.


This shop is unlike any other vintage shop you'll ever visit. It has a cult following here in the Midlands.


Run by June, a 1960s fashion model, it's been trading for 28 years and crammed to the rafters with everything from Victorian bloomers, flapper girl blouses to 1940s tea dresses and Sixties psychedelia. 

  
There's two floors of stuff and if you're extra lucky you'll get given the key to unlock the secret store room.


Forget about vintage clothes shops being prohibitively expensive, we spotted Mary Quant and Jean Varon for under a tenner and even the most pristine of 1950s frocks cost less than £35. 


You just have to be prepared to rummage,


..and rummage we did!


Clare will attest to what a cool place it is.


We were served refreshments and played dress up until well after closing time. 


 Just too fancy...


Boo! We couldn't get the zip up on this gorgeous California maxi.


Result! This photo doesn't do this classy 1960s wool mini with bracelet sleeves and braided hem justice. At £5 it would almost have been a crime not to buy it.


Curtise made me buy this 1960s Sportsville of London catsuit, not that I needed much persuading.


  I couldn't resist this lurex top by Barry Artist, a 1960s fashion designer from Walsall.


What a brilliant day!

Check out Curtise's version of events HERE.


Why don't you make a date with a blogger? You won't be disappointed.

See you soon.

81 comments:

  1. Vix it looks like you had a fab time with Curtise.
    I laughed out loud at Bob and the flying jacket sat in the background!
    Dx

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  2. I love both your blogs - such fun to see you both having a whale of a time together.

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  3. i don't know why more of you UK girls don't get together, you're all so close to each other compared to us, you're lucky. The vintage shop sounds awesome, you both scored fab finds. What fun to a have a play date, yay!

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  4. Yay, what a fun day you had! Some lovely finds for both of you. Some people are so rude. Why don't they get that you don't want your private conversations interrupted, especially not with innane questions. Losers! Second to None looks AMAZING. Definitely on my list of places to visit if I'm ever in that neck of the woods. Glad you had a fab time xxx

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  5. How fab, I'm glad you had a great time together...couldn't not really, could you. Some wondrous frocks there and that catsuit has your name all over it. I agree...meet up with fellow bloggers whenever you can...you will never be disappointed.xxxx

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  6. You can't beat a good blog meet up, and with chazzas and 'Spoons to boot... superb! Apart from the amourous guy (there's always a couple in every daytime pub, sigh).

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  8. I had to delete my last comment as my IPad turned it into gobbledygook for some reason!

    Blimey! I haven't been to Second to None for ages. I love the smell of that shop. It has a smell all it's own.

    It looks like you both had a great day. You both look stunning. Xxx

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  9. What a lovely day!!!I really like the beautiful Curtise and her mythical sense of humor, I'm sure that you had both lot of fun!!! That June shop is fabulous and I have absolutely to remember the name for my next visit in the U.K.( I hope soon because I really miss England) so I could play dressing up with you too!!
    Lots of kisses!!!

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  10. A brilliant day indeed! Nothing better than photos of friends doing what they enjoy most. All the dresses look fantastic on Curtise. I wonder which ones she bought. And that jumpsuit is freakin' fantastic on you! Reminds me of the one I tried to make in sewing class in middle school. I worked and worked on it and in the end it was too small to pull it up over my legs! ;)
    How far do you two live from each other?

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  11. Dearest Vix,
    just look at you lovely ladies:)
    What a fab date, I can't think of a better way to spend a few hours than to play dress up in a vintage treasure trove like that...what an amazing place! Curtise looks stunning in her fabulous maxi frock and that junpsuit that she made you buy is too bleeding amazing for words. I'm glad you passed up on those sweatshop leggings, saggy bottom syndrome after one wash me thinks and probably not that unbeatable value in the long run.
    Lot's of love,
    Jennie...xXx

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  12. I was only talking to Curtise about meeting up a few days ago. I'm going to meet you both very soon I hope. I just mentioned a meet up to Carl, my husband, he assumed we'd met years ago.

    Caroline

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  13. OK, that is just an amazing dress that Clare rummaged around and found...........your catsuit is stunning on you....Sounds like you had a great time together, Frida/queen and all. :)

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  14. You look like you both had fun - that clothes shop is brilliant, wish we had something like that around here! Linda xxx

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  15. I love meeting bloggers, it's always like you already know eachother. That looks like a proper Aladin's cave, and a very fun day out. xx

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  16. SQUEE!!! How wonderfully fab that you and Curtise got to spend the day together - I am terribly jealous! I would have gone completely bonkers in Second to None and would have to bring an extra suitcase. The catsuit has Vix written all over it, and Curtise looks so slinky and glam in the dress she purchased. What a lovely day!

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  17. The dress Curtise found fits her beautifully! I'm glad she persuaded you to buy the catsuit, you look as groovy as ever. Looks like you had fun, I've never met with another blogger (unless I knew them already) I must change that soon! x

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  18. Next time we should make it a menage a trois or quatre - I have to go back to the place again, it's so much fun! You both look gorgeous, no wonder Bob couldn't resist! "Barry Artist" made me laugh as did Bob thinking Frida was her Maj. Everything you bought was amazing and obviously you could leave none of it behind! xxxx

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  19. My two fave prostis together!
    That vintage store rocks!
    Curtiseita looks quite the character.
    We UK biatchs need a big blogger party meet up.
    Besotes

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  20. Ha, what a good time we had, darling Vix! You were such a great guide to the sights (and characters!) of Walsall. I wonder where poor drunken Bob ended up after you turned him down, probably still drowning his sorrows as we speak... Only the Lonely indeed.
    I KNEW that jumspsuit had to be yours, you look incredible in it -perfect fit and gorgeous colours. And I'm looking forward to Barry Artist's work having an outing soon too!
    Thanks again, Vix, can't wait to meet up again! xxxxx

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  21. What a fabulous shop, it looks like you had a great day. I am in love with that lurex top it's a beauty, I had a very similar one with huge batwings back in the 80's and I adored it! xx

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  22. And can only imagine the gawping in envy and awe as you and Curtise, both in gorgeous maxis, strolled down main street. What a fantastic day. I love how Frida is now the Queen... Curtise had a flower in her hair - you should have said it's a portrait of her and then both of you giggle maniacally. I can hear you purring in that fabulous sixties catsuit from Sportsville. Meow.

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  23. wouu, glad you had a pretty good time!. Love that bloggers meetings!
    So fabulous shop!, it seems like my kind of treasure cave!
    And your catsuit is absolutely gorgeous, lovely colorful pattern and it fits you as a dream!
    besos

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  24. We want to LIVE in Second To None. Or buy everything in sight. Prices are SO much more reasonable than mug-off London stores *sigh*

    Love, the Le Blow gals xx

    http://www.leblow.co.uk

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  25. Ok, that's it, I must go visit you. I have said this before and after seeing that shop I know it must happen!
    That playsuit you got suits you incredibly well, it's beautiful!!!
    Hope you are having a great weekend!

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  26. It sounds like a fabulous day! How amazeballs is blogging that you get to find fantastic people all over the place and have a great time. You both look gorgeous, and Curtise looks stunning in her black dress. Your playsuit is gorgeous too. Em ♥

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  27. Oh to be a fly on THAT wall, or better yet a part of the conversation! My idea of the perfect day, shopping with two of my favourite bloggers. Second To None looks like the best shop ever, you both look amazing in your finds. I'd love to go rummaging with you one day!

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  28. That catsuit is SO you and how wonderful is Second to None. June was a stunner and still has amazing skin and cheekbones. So glad that you and lovely Curtise had a giggle together.
    xx

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  29. Hi Vix

    I really hope I can meet you one day and go shopping with you. You are so true.You are true to your style and everything else I see on your blog. You look glam no matter what you wear and how you wear.

    www.personalautographs.blogspot.co.uk

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  30. Followed the link from Curtise's post to yours, and wow, what a great day. So jealous of your vintage finds, but my mouth fell open when I saw that Lurex top. I know I owned the knockoff version of it, and wore it to the office :P

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  31. Looks like you two had a fab day out!! I love Curtise's dress and your lurex top!

    I am totally, totally jealous.

    I hope u had a fab weekend!
    XO

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  32. Two of my favourite blogging ladies together - what could be better? I don't know if I'm more jealous of your meet up or you having such an incredible shop on your doorstep! I predict a sudden flurry of visits for you! xx

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  33. Looks like a great day. And that shop looks like a treasure trove! I'm glad you girls had a good time!

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  34. Oh how cool! I'd love to meet a fellow blogger but I imagine I'd be very shy, I do tend to get tongue-tied at times!!! That shop is amazing! I want to get a cherry-hat, how easy is it to get to Walsall from London!!!?!?!

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  35. What fun this must have been! Ah, what I would do to be a fly on the wall for this. How fun how fun!

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  36. Wow your rocking that cat suit - that charity shop looks so fun, I'd love a rummage around somewhere like that!

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  37. Its always good fun meeting up with another blogger! I can't wait, my friend from Paris will be arriving tomorrow and we always have fun hunting down vintage in the thrift stores and flea markets. "Second to None" looks like a mighty good local treasure, I'm completely agog at the prices for such gorgeous vintage. I adore your new catsuit, along with dresses they are my fav thing to wear in the blistering NY summer heat! XXX Suzanne

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  38. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
    How splendidly FABULARSEHOLE!
    I am SO glad you darlings got it together! And did it feel like you'd known each other forever?!
    Yay,blogger meetups are the BEST!
    AND then some jolly fine shopping!I am gagging to scrabble around in Second to None!I adore that catsuit you scored,it really does scream Vix at the top of it's lungs!
    I would have loved to have been the meat in the sandwich,o YES!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  39. Oooh - so JEALOUS!!! You are both SO BEAUTIFUL! I love your amazing gingham maxi - and THE CATSUIT!!! BEJAYZUS YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!

    Curtise's frock is GOOORGEOUS - and so is she - and I love that fab frock she bought.

    June's place looks like MAXIMUM FUNNAGE - I can't wait to have a good rummage when I visit!

    LOVE you more than HRH Frida! Sarah xxx

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  40. meeting fellow bloggers are really fun!! :)))

    visit my blog? http://raellarina.blogspot.com

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  41. Oh, the two of you make me want to book a flight across the waters to hit June's shop. I love the dress Curtise bought and it looks fabulous on her. And that catsuit is marvelous...but I think you should go back for the flamenco dress!

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  42. What a lovely little blog date! Curtise is adorable and has an equally fabulous style. I love the dress she is wearing!

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  43. That store looks freaking amazing! And the jumpsuit is off the chart.

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  44. I have a date with a blogger once a week, Sue, for SuesDays!! I don't have many followers but those that I have are all far away. And you know you are always most welcome to come play on a SuesDay for as many times as you need ♥

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  45. awww...you two had too much fun! I want to visit that store so bad, it looks incredible.

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  46. Oh I'd love a rummage in that shop too! What bliss to be surrounding by all that great vintage! Your jumpsuit is fabulous!

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  47. Sometimes I'm happy that the vintageoffering where I live is (very) limited. Perhaps I would go crazy otherwise. The catsuit is stunning ... or YOU in the catsuit is stunning.

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  48. You are the jumpsuit queen. I love the colours. It looks like you and Curtise had a fab time. Second to None looks like heaven. Ha ha, I read about Bob on Curtise's blog. He's just like I imagined him.

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  49. Nothing gets my adrenalin rushing like a good clothes rummaging, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    I love the two of you together, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    We are off to Scotland and North of England on the 26th.
    I will think of you when I am in any Wetherspoon or charity shop, ahhhhhhhhh.
    I can hardly wait.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  50. Aw it looks like you had a great day =) Except for Bob, haha!

    Second to None clearly does exactly what it says on the tin! I could get lost in there for days.
    xx

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  51. Looks like a fabulous day out! I love meeting fellow bloggers, everyone has always been so lovely!

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  52. Well, that certainly sounds like a fun day! Who could resist rummaging, especially with a fellow enthusiast? Love your Frida looks as well. I am a big admirer of hers, the way she combined art with the art of expressing herself through clothes. Just my type of girl!

    Cheers,
    Rosemary from www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

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  53. that shop looks like an amazing aladdins cave of wonderfulness! what a lovely day out and you ladies look fabulous in your purchased goodies! xxx

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  54. Oh Wow looks like you both had an amazing day June's shop looks wonderful i would love to have a rummage in there what a stunning women she is. So glad you both had the chance to meet up. You look stunning in your catsuit to. dee xxx

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  55. This just made my week! OMG!!!!!! Look at you two noway, I love seeing you in the same frame! You both are looking so happy, cute and carefree! LOL about Bob, something tells me he will still be in that pub when I come visit. Can you blame him really :)

    Second To None....lord!!!!! WE are so going there!!!! June looks to be a total sweetheart and OMG that place is bursting with treasure. I wanna get locked in there for a night with all those dresses and some wine :) I am mad for the pantsuit you got! Could be one of the coolest things I've seen you rock! I love that you two hung out. Two of my favorite ladies.
    Loveyaboth~
    Krista
    ps....8 weeks and counting :))))

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  56. Thrifting and Friends looks like great fun what more can you ask for :) Great catsuit Vix love the colors, the belt looks super cute as well~ xx Heather

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  57. Thrifting and Friends looks like great fun what more can you ask for :) Great catsuit Vix love the colors, the belt looks super cute as well~ xx Heather

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  58. What a stylish duo! It would have been criminal to leave that dress behind (at that price?) And I can't think of anyone better who can carry off a psychadelic catsuit - LOVE!!

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  59. What a great day you both had, there's nothing like looking out for bargains with a fellow vintage lover. You both look brilliant dressed up in your buys for the day, and that shop is just the sort of place where I'd love to have a rummage xxx

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  60. Wah, I don't think there are any thrift bloggers in France - except moi!

    Your day out with Curtise looks amazing, and I am green with envy. I have met a fellow blogger once, in Canada, and it was def a wonderful experience. June's look fabulous - what a story - and I may just have to venture back one day to check out her stash (if I do, i'll let you know!). The catsuit is lovely, very you. xoxo

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  61. Sounds like a fantastic day! That shop looks like vintage heaven - I do love a good rummage :)

    That catsuit is amazing too.

    Nikki x

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  62. Looks like you had a laugh - let me know when you're coming to London & we can meet for a beer - I want the Scottie dogs!

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  63. What a great time you 2 had! I love meeting other bloggers, too... & this shop looks like so much fun - rummaging heaven! xoxo

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  64. That shop looks amazing, I love a good rummage!

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  65. what an utterly brilliant day....loving the Barry Artist top...... isn't it lovely when you make an internet friend!! x

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  66. Love that Barry Artist top! And my gran had a set of Scotties rather like that pair...

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  67. Wow that shop looks amazing! Sounds like a fabulous day xx

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  68. hello again! :)) just dropping by to say thank you for the sweet comment on my blog! :DD


    xoxo,
    http://raellarina.blogspot.com

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  69. Looks nice.
    It is nice to meet you! I will keep watching it in future,

    one more thing,If you have a minute, please check out my blog and follow me if you liked it. I'll appreciate it so much! Thanks!

    Blow a Rainbow
    you can follow this blog through yahoo, google or twitter
    Mwaks!

    ~priscilla~

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  70. You both look fabulous....off to visit!

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  71. I'm glad you two found such amazing outfits as a souvenir of the momentous occasion of your meeting! "Rummage" is practically my middle name so I must get to Second to None the next time I'm in the U.K. (I've got my eye on that purple/orange paisley item in the photo).
    Can't wait to see you in the Lurex top.

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  72. wow, wow, wow. i'd love to make a date with a blogger, YOU! what fabulous finds. love your catsuit, love it all. jealous again. this is getting ridiculous. xxx

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  73. I can only imagine the fun you two had hanging out together.
    I adore the black n white scottie dogs.
    June is absolutely gorgeous, her store looks like one of the most amazing stores I have EVER seen. What I wouldn't give to be able to rummage through it. *lol*

    I love the black dress Curtise purchased and that catsuit you bought for yourself *MEEEEOWWW* you look so groovy!

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  74. What a party the two of you created. I would have loved to be with to explore and rummage in what looks like a space filled with treasures. The meeting of two brilliant women with great style and wit.

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  75. oh i wish any fabulous blogger would live near from me, but noone here in the middle of nowhere :( the picture of both of you is so cute, what a lovely smile you have;) curtise seems really a fabulous lady with impecable taste how good she made you buy this catsuit, it looks so freakin awesome on you!
    kiss,mary

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  76. That shop looks amazing and I'm so glad Curtise made you buy the catsuit - it looks great!

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  77. How exciting to have two fabulous bloggers together! That would be a dream hook up for me. Looks like you gals had some fun together. Xx

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  78. It looks like you had a fab day and such a great shop/.

    I would love to meet up with another blogger but I am really shy! Until I get chatting then I am not shy at all lol. x

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  79. Oh my goodness is that heaven you were standing in!!!! I'd love the play dress ups with both of you. That jumpsuit is out of this world and fits you brillantly. xxxxx

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  80. nice post.

    www.n8fan.net

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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