Sunday 19 August 2012

Swans, Horses, Pictures Of Jesus? I've Been Jumbling!



Despite promises of this being the hottest weekend of the year it certainly wasn't forthcoming here. Yesterday was wet and a feeble 21 degrees and this morning I managed to do an hour of weeding before the heavens opened.


This dead-stock Devonshire Lady maxi dress had been put aside for me by the manager of a local hospice charity as she knows my love of all things full length and 1970s. I had to perform major surgery on it before I wore it as it was four sizes too big but I could hardly turn it down after she'd been so thoughtful.


It has a rather tremendous padded bodice, ideal for a woman blessed with less-than-adequate natural padding.

Leather-lined tapestry boots (£10, Richard House Hospice)
These tapestry boots get cooed over wherever I go. I bought them with the store tags still attached from a chazza three years ago. 


Did I mention Saturday's grand jumble sale? We made it despite a rather raucous Friday night out. As usual the grannies in the queue instruct me to find clothes for their teenage grandchildren as they have the deluded idea that I'm trendy ("don't you get throwing me any of that Primark crap, jumble sales ain't the same since that shit hole opened"). I usually deliver the goods, logo emblazoned sportswear and River Island frocks fly through the air with gay abandon.

1965 The Little Match Girl & 1954 edition of Lucy Diamond's The Loveliest stories Of All  (20p each)

Not much in the way of clothing to tickle my fancy although Dad's been kitted out with good-as-new pyjamas, Farah slacks and a rather snazzy 1950s wool dressing gown. Jumble sales are brilliant when you've an elderly parent in a nursing home, if I had to keep buying new clothes to replace the stuff boiled to death in their laundry I'd be broke.

Three swans-a-swimming (50p each)
I always head straight to the clothes table as the brac-a-brac area is full of idiots thinking they're Tim Wonacott, pulling out their spyglasses and scrutinising the back of transfer-printed willow pattern plates thinking they've found Ming. I head over when they've moved so I can look at my leisure. Yesterday there were 15 swans of varying age & style, I picked my favourites but ,as usual, as soon as I show an interest they're back trying to wrestle them out of my hands and moaning that I get all the good stuff.


Jon found a huge pile of vinyl but most of it was the usual assortment of Jim Reeves, Max Bygraves and Val Doonican. This 1968 album was the only thing he fancied and we were sweetly serenaded by the accordion over brunch.


I've reined in my retro glass buying over the years as teeny glasses , pretty though they may be, aren't much use to pint drinkers like us, but I couldn't resist these beauties.

5 x glasses 50p

They are pleasingly heavy to handle, too.

Religious print (50p), the plaster St Theresa (?) was a 50p car boot buy a couple of years ago and the Victorian crucifix was Great-Grandma's.
I used to work with an elderly lady who said You're one of the nicest woman I've ever met, it's such a shame you live like the devil. Hopefully this Suffer Little Children framed print might help me see the light. Fellow Smiths obsessives will see the sad irony after this week's Moors Murder news.

Devonshire Lady maxi dress (£10, St Giles Hospice), coloured bangles (second-hand/my friend,  Janne)
Enjoy the rest of your weekend whatever the weather chucks at you. 

See you soon.

82 comments:

  1. Ow I've missed to much in blogworld. So much love you tapestry boots! And your dress looks so lovely on you.
    x

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  2. If there was a way of transferring some more padding from person to person then you could have some mine ;)

    Haven't been near a chazza shop all week - hoping to solve that tomorrow!

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  3. I almost spit out my coffee when you mentioned the elderly women's comment to you. My ex mother-in-law told me I was going down satan's path. It must be hard for them to live in fear like that.
    I love the photo with the swans and that sweet little radio in the background. The little vignettes you created with your finds are precious.

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  4. I give the bric-a-brac table a wide berth at the start of a jumble sale too - the pushing, shoving and elbowing are too much for me these days. Instead, I leisurely peruse the linens, curtains and fabric bits and bobs and move over to the bric-a-brac when the mayhem has died down a bit. Even then, I still manage to snaffle some nice items.

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  5. The tapestry boots are so fab. And the comment about living your life like the devil (did he love to thrift-shop??) will have me laughing all day! -Patti

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  6. Excellent boots and the dress looks wonderful after the alterations. I've noticed some of the same dynamics in the rummaging I've been doing for the past three weeks...although I probably should not have passed up the Jesus picture yesterday.

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  7. Hahaha love the description of the junk 'experts' - too much tv for them! You look stunning in the dress, and will be ready if the hot weather gets to you. Like the description of Primark too - you do meet some cards! Xxx

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  8. so magnificent dress, it fits you so nicely!, and lovely tapestry boots and usual gorgeous bijouterie!
    And love to read your anecdotes about all that people around jumble sales!, that pretentious experts 'thinking they've found a Ming', whahahahha!!
    besos & fun

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  9. Amazing boots! I too have a 'wall of God' although I am pretty convinced that God sees us living like the devil but with a much purer heart and thinks that it is a pretty cool way to live! xx

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  10. Luverley frock...Devonshire Lady is always good for a maxi or two. Love those boots too.
    I've god a Jesus and Mary wall/shelf, I've always had a thing for Catholic imagery even though I'm a heathen.
    I know exactly what yo mean about those tossers chasing antique china. Loads of 'em in this neck of the woods.
    xxxxx

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  11. what a fabulous assortment of jumbling booty. I can never be bothered to start scrutinising things either-if I like it, I'll buy it! Just last week I snaffled a fabulous "Devon" map plate and a plate with a drawing of Ibiza on it. Love! Adore those swans mind I will have to keep an eye out for some down my way!
    Love Amie xxxxxxxxx

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  12. Excellent finds, love your newly adjusted dress! Ha my very catholic boss used to tell our engineer she was going to hell cause she's a lesbian, needless to say she didn't care much! ;)

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  13. I love hearing your jumbling tales, Vix! Glad to hear the good people of the Black Country recognise Primark for the shit hole it is, even if they think they are porcelain experts!
    Well done for kitting out your dad (how's he doing?) and for all your interesting bargains. Love the illustrations in those kids books! Jon's album cover is suitably 60s groovy (can an accordian be groovy? Probably, as long as it's French) and like you, I am ridiculously fond of vintage glasses, even when they are a useless size...
    Ah, your Suffer Little Childresn Smith's reference is very poignant. Brady, determined to continue with the head-fuck to the bitter end of that poor woman's life, it's desperate.
    So at the risk of now seeming horrible shallow, I need to compliment you on your alteration skills, you have done a fabulous job with that stunning frock. Cross out Devonshire on the label and write Walsall instead!
    I appreciate your comment on my post very much Vix, thank you. xxxxxxx

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  14. Vix, those boots..... And those glasses and religious relics are a great find! I love collecting religious icons.

    :)

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  15. Those tapestry boots are to die for! x

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  16. So many things to coo over, LOVE the dress, maybe my favorite but then there have been so many lol. Also LOVE the swans, and the little match girls, aaah sweetness.
    V
    xxx

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  17. Ohhh those tapestry boots! And the floral maxi dress which you managed to magically downsize so that it fits you like a glove. And the heavenly background. Just the right amount of beauty to gaze upon on a Sunday afternoon.

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  18. It's been so hot here!! Hit 30 degrees here and I was of course working in a big hot kitchen! Oh well, living my weekend vicariously through yours and I love it x

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  19. I'm cooing over those boots too and all the religionalia. Yes, I know what you mean about teeny glasses - no good to man or beast. xx

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  20. Oh vix, that dress is gorgeous!! I love it! An great bargains, too!

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  21. Such a sad poignancy to the Smiths reference. It really is a sick world we live in! Amost seems crass to mention anything else now but I must say that I love those tapestry boots and kudos for being brave enough to face all those cranks at the bootsale week in week out. I'd probably end up crying!;) Still, it always pays off for you. Have a great week xxx

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  22. ye gads! The Little Match Girl! We did a dance version of that for our winter show once, talk about an uplifting holiday show, not. More like slit your wrist depressing. Lovely bunch of Jesus stuff, I've got a soft spot for the Infante of Prague. Those are some sweet boots!

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  23. OK. We share bangle lust. I lust after yours. Great dress. Isn't it great that you can sew? Such a useful skill and so many young women either can't or don't want to master it. Shame.

    Cheers from Rosemary
    foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com

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  24. Those BOOTS! Amazing.
    I really love the 'you live like the devil' comment, how funny!
    xx

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  25. "You live like the devil" haha! When work was really quite in the olden days we used to play "I'm going to hell because". Great fun. The boots are tremendous - no wonder they get cooed over.

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  26. We've both been weeding today but wish I'd been jumbling. A fab haul once again and RESPECT girl, you've altered that dress beautifully. (Hip hooray for a padded bodice!)
    Your JS tales are hilarious, can just imagine the grannies doing battle. xx

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  27. Btw, I love the children's books you found. The Little Matchgirl and Lucy's Diamonds look so pretty xxx

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  28. The dress is gorgeous--but THOSE BOOTS!!!!!! DROOL!!!

    You got some nice goodies!!1 I love to hear stories of the jumble crowds. There are some wacky folk out there. I always get a chuckle out of some of the stuff people put in their carts at the thrifts (I KNOW they are giving me the side-eye!!)

    {{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}
    Tamera

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  29. Your dress is just gorgeous! I love the print. It is understated but super cute.

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

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  30. You do make me chuckle with your tales of other jumble sale attendees! Good going with the swans! Your collection of gorgeous maxi dresses is truly astounding - love the hot pink flowers on this one and those tapestry boots are to die for!

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  31. Kudos to living the devil's life 'cos it sure looks like you have fun! I LOVE the boots, and the retrofitted dress is lovely, very YOU. xoxo

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  32. I love that dress on you - that lady in the charity shop was so thoughtful *awww*

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  33. Your sewing skills know no bounds, that dress looks like it was sewed onto your body, I would have never guessed it started out 4 sizes too big!!

    Oh I simply love that book 'The Loveliest Stories of All' they really did know how to make a story book back then! Such a bargain for 20p!

    The swans are gorgeous, I can imagine them lining a kitchen window housing all manner of garden herbs!

    The Moors Murder news was so sad, that poor woman, I hope she finds solace in the afterlife! xxx

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  34. Yay for Maxi dresses and tapestry boots!! Bet you didn't do the weeding in them.

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  35. Did you say you were serenaded by accordion music? Did you mean to say assaulted? Not a fan but always a fan of your style I love Jesus's pink robes - he seems to be instructing the littlest lambs to raise their hands if they need to be excused. Sweet.

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  36. Excellent job cutting that lovely dress down to size! I drooled a little bit over the photo of the tapestry boots... I love that the jumble ladies follow you around waiting to see what you are going to pick up so then can get in on the action too.

    Yes, darling Vix, if we are indeed living like the devil (had a laugh out loud at that one) and we are all going to hell, then it's going to be one fab party as all my friends, both real life and virtual, will be there!!

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  37. O,what a lovely for saving that uber awesome frock for you! I would never have guessed it was way to big initially;you've done a grand job of making it yours!
    Indeed,I coo over those tapestry boots everytime I see them too!
    You still managed to pick up some beauties at the jumble,the glasses are especially divine!I have a weakness for such things, but reined that in years ago,most particularly as G didn't see them as treasures and I suspect purposely broke a few!!!The cheek!
    The swans are fab;I'm oddly atrracted to them these days, despite not usully liking ornamental thingys! Crown Lynn, an NZ ceramic firm, do fab swans. (Op Shop Mama collects Crown Lynn stuff, not sure if she has swans, though!)
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  38. As always your jumble finds are fab! Those tapestry boots are da bomb! Lovin those swans too and dig your relic radio!!! In op shops here you always find "Kamal" albums!!! Your dress looks fab Vix, you certainly know how to rock a maxi my girl. xox

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  39. OMG those boots. You mustr keep them forever. I am insaneyl envious of them. And that dress is just gorgeous.

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  40. The dress came out great!! looks fantastic!! Oh and those boots are amazing love the tapestry lined with leather sounds very nice indeed!! Hopefully Krista will bring some of the California sunshine when she heads your way tell her to bottle some of it up !! :) ~Looks like you found some great stuff enjoy it all ~Love Heather

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  41. You look great in that maxi dress Vix, and the tapestry boots are really fab but I really find myself attracted to those swans; they're lovely and remind me of a swan lamp we used to have.

    xo, Bonnie

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  42. Vix I love reading your posts and I can just imagine tagging along with you as you haggle with those "Black Country Grannies." You are their star, but of course, they think that you "always get the good stuff." I love your glasses with the horses, and your globe bar. I had wanted a globe bar forever, and I found one at an antique store in Ladonia, Texas last week. I was thrilled. Thanks for sharing your treasures with us. Give those Grannies hell!

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  43. That frock looks simply gorgeous....I would never have known it was once too big! I am ooh-ing & ah-ing over those boots! I've never seen anything like it! Xx

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  44. Love your outfit as ever Vix, flowers on a black background is one of my favourite patterns, I'm always drawn to it.
    Love all your jumble sale stories too, I hardly ever get to jumble sales because for the past seventeen years I always seem to have had a child in a pushchair and can't get into the scrum. I suppose I could ram people with it if I had a more aggressive personality but I just end up stuck at the back, lucky I'm tall and have monkey arms to reach stuff.
    My husband Pat always buys glasses too, especially old traditional pint and half pint glasses, though he always ends up giving them away to friends and family who envy his collection and want one for themselves.
    You're a Smiths obsessive too, I like your taste in music Vix, just sad the reference is for such a sad reason, can't even imagine what that poor woman had to go through all these years. xx

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  45. The Little Matchstick Girl book is heavenly, and those horse glasses too. More wonderful finds, well done. Also well done for sewing the dress to fit you :)

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  46. Fabulous dress and I totally love those boots they are gorgeous x

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  47. Well first of all how did i miss Hermonn he is gorgeous ;-) I adore tortoises and Turtles and not everyone knows but i have a little tattoo of a turtle on my tummy i had it for my 30th birthday and it was taken of Dylans Babygrow. Turtles and tortoises represent freedom to me there so wise and graceful and for me spirtiual beings. Love your buys today you look gorgeous in your dress the colours are so pretty on you. dee xxx

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  48. P****d down here nearly all weekend too!
    You did a great job with the dress and those boots are divine.

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  49. That dress is rather lovely I must say! I used to pick up oodles of easy listening records from the junk shop at the end of the road I used to live in, for about 20p each, the covers are always rather nifty.

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  50. still rocking summer...the boots are utterly fab!!x

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  51. Oh fark me, that frock is GORGEOUS amor! You are such a skilled surgeon - nobody could tell that you've had your way with it. The boots are always a favourite, you know I love that religious nonsense, and I love that you live like the devil - because I must too! Love you more than St Teresa! (My middle name!) Sarah xxx

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  52. If you live like the devil, then he must be one damn fun (and stylish) guy! I love the adjusted frock - I never would have even guessed that you performed major surgery on it if you hadn't told us! Oh, and those tapestry boots are to die for.

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  53. I'm just chuckling at the live like the devil bit.

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  54. No one who treats others as they would like to be treated and is non-judgemental 'lives like the devil'! So I very much doubt you do... :)

    I love those etched glasses... I am the same as you, a pint-glass drinker who LOVES a pretty retro design. I have been known to use floral 50s cordials to drink shots out of...

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  55. there's a lack of jumble treasures in Wycmobe but it's been scorching. I read this yesterday but after being distracted by your mention of the Moors Murders I got into reading about them again and became depressed and ending up going for a walk instead! Morrissey must've been deeply affected by it. Anyway - back to the fun stuff - I bet they all groan when you turn up and get the best stuff! It's their own fault for not seeing the potential in random junk or having "the eye".
    You look stunning, that dress has been altered perfectly! I love your religious tat collection and those horse glasses are really special! xxxx

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  56. Your tapestry boots are enchanting & that dress is such a joy

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  57. They really try and take stuff right outta your hands?!?!?! Hence my bitch socks :) Just try and take my shit I'm not from these parts :) I think it's great you found so much stuff for your Dad. Do I get to meet him and your brother while I'm there?

    I think this dress was so worth remaking it to fit you it looks so sweet on and the Barry M pink lipstick, perfection. I have been wearing mine ALOT! Twelve days and counting and we are that much closer to a BIG HUG. It was great to chat it up with you yesterday.
    I loves you!!!
    XXOO
    Krista

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  58. I have tapestry boots too!!! Mine are the teensiest bit small so I don't wear them for long periods of time but I love them. I think they'll be the first pair of boots I pull out after this nasty heat subsides. I love the dress. Glad you were able to alter it.

    I tend to collect religious pictures, statues, etc. from all traditions. One of my favorite pieces is a tall faux plaster statue of Mary (with cherubs all around the edge) that would've been placed in a niche somewhere. I think I'll have to feature her in a post!

    Have a lovely day, Sweetie.

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  59. awesome boots ... love the tapestry ...

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.de

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  60. I miss shopping at the chazz so much, but I'm so lucky to read your blog, so my thirst for hunting is settled down!Great find as always, love everything that is animal themed and the fairy tales books are lovely even if the little match girl always makes me cry..the boots are wonderful, never seen similar before and I'm sure they'll turn even a plain outfit into something magical!
    Lots of love and enjoy your new records!

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  61. You inspire me to want to go vintage shopping RIGHT NOW. Hehe.

    I love all your new purchases, especially those boots.

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  62. The tapestry boots are amazing. Very unique x

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  63. Dress looks wonderful on you!! You do have a talent :)

    becks
    http://fabulous-junk.blogspot.com

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  64. Gorgeous dress! I wish I had the problem of things being too big, everything I see at vintage fairs and fall in love with is miles too small :(

    I love the look of your bar, the glasses make a great addition. I want the cocktail sticks I can see in the background! XO.

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  65. I love how the ladies in the charity shops keep stuff aside for you! Your swans are fab, I was in a charity shop recently and they were selling lots of snails, oviously had been someones collection, each to their own xx

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  66. What a fabulous dress! I do love those boots, I'm not surprised they get a lot of compliments. Out of your hall I think I love the books most but it's all amazing. The kitschy picture of the children in the background of the swans photo is so creepy - it's fantastic!

    Nikki x

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  67. Lovely dress you did a fab job with it,looks great on :) wow love your boots too...

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  68. yes i would guess too that it is st therese of liseux because of the roses. love it and the swans!

    i love dead stock, such an amazing treat when you find some but these boots have found a place in my heart. My aunt apparently had a pair just like them and a stretchy lacey pair in the 70s but gave them both away..i would die for a pair of tapestry boots!
    xox

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  69. Adore those boots -- check out the beaded ones I have on my blog today!

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  70. That dress looks SO GORGEOUS ON YOU!! I am glad you preformed the massive surgery needed to wear it.
    Your boots are beautiful, I have never seen any like those before.

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  71. You are so beautiful Vix, and creative!

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  72. I like that you live like the devil, Vix - what would we do without the spicy people?!?!? My glass hoarding also needs to be reigned in - and Oh! the boots!! xoxo

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  73. I am fascinated by those wonderful tapestry boots! And so glad to see the surgery on the dress was worth it, you look amazing in it. -xx

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  74. Your boots is more than I can handle.

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  75. Are those boots real or am I dreaming? You can't possibly WALK in them - you must FLOAT! or GLIDE heavenly-like. Great operation on the dress, Dr. Vix. But how can you possibly cover up those amazing boots!!

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  76. I really like those swans! I like that they've all got they're own look. I can't imagine the frustration over the ming hunters changing tact and taking all the swans! But at least you managed to get in there. Go on sonny Jim!

    And I really think those tapestry boots are awesome ^___^

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  77. Okay - I have to come chazza shopping/car booting with you soon!!! You find the BEST stuff.

    L xx

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  78. I think I am having a Hawaiian princessa dream. That frock is gorgeous and you are glowing in these photos amor. The surgery came out successful.those swans remind me of some back at mi Mamas house. love the stallion glass cups and the record player is a diamond. You know you can send all the religious garb you don't want.
    besonones

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  79. Wowsers! I take a break to keep up with 3 of our grandchildren and LOOK what YOU've been up to! What great stuff!

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  80. oh my god vix those tapestry boots are sooooo fabulous! i really missed something not visiting you here:( and the maxidress is so beautiful!
    kiss,mary

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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