Sunday 9 September 2012

When Vix Met Krista (and Clare, Curtise, Lucy & Lou, too)



Krista's in town and I've a fellow short-arse to play with. Believe it or not my girl is even more beautiful and bubbly in real life.

I'm a giant in my 6inch heels

We've been Skyping for ages and get along like a house on fire but the last few days has been even more brilliant than I ever dreamt, I don't think we've stopped giggling, chatting, bitching, bum-slapping and hugging since the moment we picked Krista and Chris up from the train station on Thursday.

Bromance - Chris & Jon get along together brilliantly

What have we been up to?
On Thursday we introduced them to the joys of Herefordshire pear cider, Kerr-ang radio and Heinz Salad Cream, sat in the sunshine and walked around the neighbourhood, touring my childhood home, petting dogs and spotting Rob Halford's younger brother. Jon made his famous pizza and Krista got a tour of my wardrobe.



On Friday they got to try HP sauce and saw the rag and bone man leading his horse and cart down the avenue. We went charity shopping in West Bromwich with all four of us managing to score. Krista got frocks and a bag, Chris found an old skool computer game, Jon bought books & music and I got bell bottoms. 


We visited Wolverhampton's Wightwick Manor and lusted over the William Morris wallpaper, Pre-Raphaelite art and De Morgan ceramics but strangely the other visitors seemed more interested in gawping at us than the fabulous stuff on display.



We took them to the pub to sample real ale and Black Country pork scratchings. The Lizs were almost as excited to get to meet Krista as I was (I've yakked about nothing else for months) and loved the personalised necklaces she'd made for them. We took them off to the Shahi to find out how American and British Indian restaurants compared and walked back marvelling at the dubious dress sense of Walsall's clubbers.

Sorrow by Van Gogh

On Saturday we left the boys to play nicely together and strolled into good old Walsall town centre. Krista paid her first-ever visit to a cobbler so he could sort out her knackered Fluevogs (repaired for £4.50), I quickly introduced her to my favourite piece of art in the New Art Gallery before meeting this divine bunch of babes.

Clockwise from far left: Lucy, Clare, Krista,Curtise, Me, Louise. Thanks to Lou's lovely Mum, Jacqui (in the picture below), who snapped us!

After upsetting most of the clientèle in Costa Coffee with our hideously loud shrieking and laughter we toured the chazzas of Walsall. We got papped by the manager of one charity shop as he wanted to display a picture of his most glamorous customers ever on the front of the till. We then adjourned to Wetherspoons' for lunch, cocktails and a spot of pensioner pulling in the sunshine.


 Curtise rocked a groovy vintage maxi, my Californian frock was a gift from Krista.


Lucy scored this stunning 1970s sun dress and we bullied her into keeping it on. Clare found her pretty frock on eBay.

I'd love to know what they were talking about!

Krista dazzled us all with her killer pink mini and Louise made like a sexy Fifties starlet.


No visit to Walsall's complete without a trip to the now-legendary Second To None. Krista was nearly wetting herself with excitement over the array of affordable frockage on display. You'll have to wait to see what she bought.


I tried to make Curtise buy the most incredible pair of red, white and blue Crimplene bell bottoms. You'll just have to imagine how good she looked with that banging bod of hers.


It was Lucy's first visit but hopefully not her last. She rocked an amazing 1960s leopard print sheepskin coat with a leather trim. It was only £10 but a tad too bulky to lug home to Wales on the train. Clare spent a pittance on a Liberty frock, 1930s elbow length gloves, Cloisonne earrings, a badge and a Stratton compact.  

Linking to Patti's Visible Monday as you can't miss us!

Lou and her mum had left us by then but luckily Liz was on hand to take some group photos. This nearly caused a pile up as the traffic slowed up to watch the goings on.


After a final beer in Wetherspoons we kissed the girls goodbye and set off to Liz and Adrian's (via the Arboretum and the lake) for a delicious slap-up Moroccan dinner and a tour of their gorgeous mews house. The boys had been on a countryside stroll to Walsall's oldest boozer, The Manor Arms, built in 1102. 


This morning we made Krista try Marmite for breakfast (a resounding thumbs down, I'm sad to report). They're now off exploring Edinburgh for a couple of days before hooking back up with us in the Lake District on Tuesday.



We miss them already!

See you soon!

100 comments:

  1. Wonderful, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    They will love the Lakes, and about MARMITE, we all love it at home, but Spaniards think we are crazy.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  2. Boo to a Marmite thumbs down,
    but a big hurrah for the rest of an amazing looking weekend! x

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  3. Oh wow, sounds such an amazing time! You all look totally fabulous of course!

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  4. Love it! You all look so happy! have a brilliant time in the Lake District x

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  5. Phew! It sounds so hectic but fabulous to see you and Krista and all the girls in the same photo. Glad you all scored vintage bargains and have introduced Krista to Wetherspoons and cider. Seems like it was the most brilliant day ever!

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  6. You guys have been busy, looks like you both been having an absolute ball!

    Sad to hear about the marmite thumbs down. Nothing better than a bit of marmite on toast!

    Glad its been a great visit you both looks so happy in the photo's and glam. Here is to more happy times ahead for you all.


    P x

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  7. Brilliant to see you together! And all the girls too...fabulous!
    You are all indeed glamorous and lovely.
    Wonderful that the chaps got on so well too.
    Em.
    xxxxxx

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  8. What a bloody fabulous post! I often dream of a bloggy meet up with my lovely friends but I am just too shy in real life! I bet it was amazing xxxx

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  9. Wow Vix, here's to fabulous friends! You look amazing as do your gorgeous ladies, looks like such an action packed time! Love the fact you all went charity shopping xxx

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  10. Fabulous! You're all looking amazing and I knew you'd all get on so well. I think Krista and Chris brought the sun with them! So wish I could join you x

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  11. Wow...I guess you brought the surroundings to standstill!
    You'll look like a bunch of colourful, shrieking, exotic birds!. I love Krista's hair..can only imagine her vibrant personality!
    You are your fabulous beautiful self Vix...and you totally rock that headband!:)Oh, did you check yourself out in my sidebar?

    Love,
    Shubhi's Revels!

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  12. I knew it would be baking hot after I told Krista to bring warm clothes with her!
    Love the post, you all look like you had a ball.

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  13. Aww looked like you all had a fab time!!i hope she returns pronto!!
    xo

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  14. This is my dream team!!! I love to see all my favorite girls all in once and I still feel very sad for not being there...but thank you for sharing with all us these amazing photos, you fill my eyes with amazing colors,frocks in abundance and great joy!!!

    I really love all of you more than the legendary Walsall!!
    xxxx

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  15. I was in town yesterday what a pity I missed you

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  16. Wow! You all look so bright and lovely! Such a beautiful ladies in gorgeous dresses! <3

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  17. How awesome!! Such a fabulous gathering! I am sure you all stopped traffic!! ~Have fun Love Heather

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  18. Such a fun post to read! Amazing seeing all of you together like that. Fun fun fun! Can't wait to see Krista's pics as well.

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  19. Looks like you all had such a blast. Good for you. I can almost hear the laughter from here!

    Loulou

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  20. This is the epitome of blogger get-togethers. So good to see you all together and having such a good time.

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  21. I'm almost speechless with teasr of joy in my eyes and a huge smile on my dial!
    EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKK!
    FARK I wish I'd been there,I'm just too excited about it all for words! Y'all are so gorgeouos I'm turning lezzo RIGHT NOW!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  22. Lol, everyone's photographs of me seem to look like I'm rattling everyone's head off. Now I know why I was always in trouble at school. I loved yesterday so much, it was fantastic to meet so many fabulous ladies in one place. x

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  23. This is such a lovely, happy post. It sounds like you've all been having a great time! x

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  24. Wow, you actually had an international blogger meetup?! Wow! It must have been so cool to meet her at last! You look like you had a fab time!

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  25. it sounds like you've had a brilliant time! So many fun times. Lucky you x

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  26. Now thats what I call shopping with friends.I want to go to those shops too.everyone looks like so much fun and beautiful.xx

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  27. Third time lucky writing this: I wish I could've stayed with you lot all week, a few hours wasn't enough! Everyone got on so well and we all had hilarious stories. Very jealous you get to see Krista again. Lucky the boys got on too! You got some wonderful photos too! Xxxx

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  28. Ohhhhhh ahhhhhh what a wonderful gathering of fabolousness. How much it old have been. You all look utterly delightful. There is nothing like shopping with friends who "get it" and get your style.

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  29. Oh don't you all look amazing!! This sounds like the perfect visit, top host =)
    xx

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  30. So delightful to see you again Vix, and in the company of such divine ladies! Do you think you can persuade Krista and Chris to stay a little longer so we can hang out again? I adore that first pic of the two of you.
    Ah, it was a lovely day, just wish it could have been longer. There's never enough time, is there? Krista tells such a good tale, I could listen to her all day and then some more!
    Bet she's lighting up Edinburgh as we speak!
    PS. Having seen the pic on Clare's blog, I am rather regretting not buying those bell bottoms now...! xxxxx

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  31. What a fabulous get-together - all the vintage goodies and four awesome women! I enjoyed this write-up so much. Thanks for sharing it with Visible Monday too - it's a treat to see you there :>

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  32. I am green with envy!!! Everyone looked abso-freakin-fabulous!! Walsall will never be the same after delighting in the presence of such stunning ladies!!!

    {{{{{hugs}}}
    Tamera

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  33. I hope there were no traffic casualties as you all lit up the streets! I'm quite jealous of all the flare and fun. No matter how I try, I can't achieve the sass!

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  34. We girls need our girl friends, don't we? 'Sounds like a wonderful time! -Marci

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  35. HOLY CRAP!!! You all look so amazing and I am beyond envious - what a fabularse group of women! You and Krista look as though your faces will split from smiling! Curtise looks beautiful as always - I hope she shows us more pics of her maxi! Luce is bloody beautiful! She is so elusive and mysterious - it's great to see she is a real girl! Clare is such a cutie patootie (love her hair bow!). I would have stopped to take pics too - actually I would have followed you all around BEGGING to be in your posse! Can't wait to see part two of your adventures with Krista and Chris - it's so exciting! Love you more than your JUMPSUIT! Sarah xxx

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  36. You ladies look so cool together. I can feel the BFF chemistry from here!

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

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  37. You know it's a good post when you have to google, "What is marmite?" :)

    You guys look beautiful and like you had the best time evah! Yay for blogger meetups!

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  38. Brilliant, ladies, BRILLIANT! Well done!

    Love the squealing part of your adventure. And I love the last picture of the two of you. :)

    Linda

    P.S. I had to look up Marmite too. Think I'd pass too but, hey. many don't get our American love of peanut butter either.

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  39. Thanks Vix for sharing this moment in history!
    You all divine fab Ladies!

    Ariane xxxx

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  40. Now THIS is why I love blogging!!!! Talk about community and making friends!! This is fabulous. You all look amazing, and the energy and fun must have been off the chain. Next time!!

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  41. You are the hostess with the mostess, showing Krista all the local gems and gathering fellow bloggers for a shop 'n gab day!

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  42. *Eaaak* This looks like WAY TOO MUCH FUN.
    Gosh that store looks like the MOST LOVELY STORE EVER!!! I see so many things I wanna check out but can't *lol*
    You Chic's all look Gorgeous!

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  43. Ohh! I wish I could have as fun as you guys are having in these photos! You have really captured the joy, really cool!

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  44. What a great time you have had, thanks for sharing. There is nothing quite like finally getting together with friends from near and far!!

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  45. What a great time you have had, thanks for sharing. There is nothing quite like finally getting together with friends from near and far!!

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  46. aahhh what a gorgeous, warm, bright and sunny post. New friendships forming that will last the test of time. You all looked wonderful and it sounds like an amazing few days. Enjoy the rest that is yet to come, dee xxx

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  47. So so colurful and beatiful girls ! What fun times you must have !

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  48. The smile on your face in every photo tells us you had the most amazing weekend. Fab outfits, and fab photos too x

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  49. It sounds like such an amazing time, & you all look bloomin' gorgeous! xo.

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  50. STYLE RIOT.
    That is all :)
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  51. Don't you all look just gorgeous! So glad you all had such a lovely time xx

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  52. Beautiful ladies :) i love the clothes you're wearing whilst posing by the bench the most - both so bright, volofil and gorgeous!!

    Sal x

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  53. this looks bloody amazing! you sure know how to show your guests a hellova good time. You and your ladies all look amazing! and a no to marmite? maybe it will grow on her?! lol!xxx

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  54. Ooh, fabulous!! Must be kinda like having a holiday at home for you, and meeting all those bloggers at once, I'm green with envy!!

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  55. What a fabulous pack of ladies! I would have stopped my car in the street to look at your amazing outfits too!

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  56. Krista sounds (and looks) so wonderful - and I cannot get over the different shades of pink hair in your post. So glad to see what a great time you had! xoxo

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  57. LOL at classic Marmite tasting session! You girls all look fabulous, what a day out, would love it! xxxxx

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  58. Beautiful, amazing blogger love. You all radiate off the screen and fill my morning with color and smiling faces. Too wonderful and fun for words!

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  59. Gloriously stand-out women, here! LOVE it!

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  60. Thank you for sharing your amazing blogger bonding with us!! You look like you were having so much fun, and Krista is just a fabulous fuschia fox. I saw the photo on Clare's blog of Curtise with the bell bottoms, and I can't believe she didn't buy them either. What a wonderful experience for all of you.

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  61. You all look fabulous and wonderfully colourful. I especially love that Californian maxi on you Vix - gorgeous print!

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  62. wow! this is great ... and you all look so awesome and happy!

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.de

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  63. Oh my goodness, you all look so amazing. Like a brightly colored flock of the most fun birds ever!

    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I actually just finished Shantaram this weekend and it was fabulous. That man definitely knows how to write!

    Gracey

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  64. You ladies look absolutely lovley with those dresses!!

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  65. whouuuaaaau!, you look like The Fabulous & Colorful Queens Of Glamour!!, so pretty bunch of lovely ladies, dressed up to thrift and have fun!!
    and so great having Krista with you for a few days!!!, love her pink and sparkly hair!
    besos

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  66. I wanna be part of this gang!! You girls are the coolest in the Midlands for sure. Glad you all had so much fun, can't wait to see what you get up to in the Lake District x

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  67. Wow you all look like you had an amazing time,you all look wonderful :)

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  68. Oh wow! That was so much fun to get to see that on your blog! Can't imagine being there IRL. Looks like you had a wonderful time together! And to see some of my favorite fashion ladies all in one place! Very nice! Glad you had a good time.

    xoxo
    Lynn

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  69. All my fave prostis in one post! Look at you and Kristaita so happy makes me tear up.
    How I wish I coukd of been in between all those gorgeous chi chis. We have too meet up once I get back to England.
    Is that thee Lucy? She is freaking gorgeous!
    Miss you all lots.
    Besotes

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  70. There is not enough space in this little wee box to type all the exclamations that this meeting of divas warrants. You guys - I would have loved to shadow you and film the other people on the street watching your procession. Now I'm tired thinking of all the fun you had together.

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  71. Oh Vix I was so excited to see such wonderful and beautiful ladies together!!!!!! This is HAPPINESS!!!!!
    You all look so amazing, meeting up must be so exciting.
    Sending love and squirrel hugs to you and Krista.
    Love v

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  72. Aww...I want to hang out too - looks like the best time EVER!!

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  73. Looks like you had loads of fun. I love all your fabulous outfits and Krista's pink hair. I bet you were quite a sight for the locals at your meetup.

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  74. OMG! amazing outfits! Ladies, I can not decide which outfit is better! fab!

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog
    P.S. I'm so very much inlove with your style and you blog, following

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  75. Oh this all looks like fun times Vix. Looks like Krista is having a blast on her holiday with you, and it's a bit surreal seeing all you blogging ladies together! Surreal but very nice. Enjoy yourselves in the Lake District! xx

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  76. Oh don't you all look fab! It looks like a lovely time was had by all xxx

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  77. Love this blog post!! How nice that you all got to meet up and have such a fun day.

    L xx

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  78. every single look is great!! and I´m in love with that shop!!!

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  79. Ah I was smiling all the way through reading this! So nice that you two finally got to meet - and what an explosion of colour and print! Glad you have been getting them to sample all the UK's great delights - especially HP sauce (my fave!) :) x

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  80. I love coming across new vintage blogs - and yours is in a league of it's own! You wouldn't know it from my recent travel posts but I'm also a vintage junkie. There is just something about the excitement of the unknown when you walk into a vintage or thrift store. We look forward to your future posts xx

    Carly

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  81. How wonderful Vix! You all look great in your outfits, and that Moroccan dinner sounds amazing! -xx

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  82. Oh wow, sounds like two peas in a pod to me, the whole visit sounded fantastic. I will definalty be dropping by Second to None a.s.a.p so thanks for that tip and of course another inspirational post, Kat x

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  83. Sounds like you've had a lovely time, hope you have a great time in the Lakes. xx

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  84. Vix, this is absolutely the most fabulous post ever! Here's to friends!

    xoxo, Bonnie

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  85. You guys were talking about me? Really? I feel so special.

    I seriously wish I could have been there too - blogger gathering in New Zealand sometime soon? xoxo

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  86. Aww, looks like you blogging buds had a fab time, and are, as ever, most stylishly attired! xo

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  87. oh wow that lady has really the most fabulous pink hair i´ve ever seen in my life;) it seems you girls had a lot of fun together;)
    kiss,mary

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  88. You all look like a beautiful burst of colourful butterflies! Such great fun reading about your days out shopping, gossiping and causing general mayhem!!! Enjoy the rest of your hols together xxx

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  89. It looks like you guys had a fabulous weekend - I wish there was fabulous vintage stores near me, its a travesty that there isnt!

    Gems x

    Fashion, Well Done

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  90. Wow that must be the brightest blogger meet-up ever! You all look divine and it's obvious much fun was had by all. Some absolutely cracking dresses there too.

    I've not made it to the New Art Gallery yet - A has though and says it's a great gallery.

    Nikki x

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  91. Looks brilliant and definitely lovely and bright.

    Sounds like you had fun x

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  92. Lovely ladies having fun! What a great sight to see!

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  93. How cool to see you all having fun in a local town. Looks like such a cool bunch.

    X x

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  94. I love Krista's pink hair!
    And you two look like sisters. :) Seems like you al have had an amazing time together.
    I've had to google marmite... I don't know it, but I think I am going to try it once.
    xx

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  95. Maramite ewwww, brown sauce yum! Meeting Vix and all you other girls was a dream come true. I think we should make this an annual thing. I so enjoyed finally meeting the Liz's, Al and Adrian~ what a great bunch of people! The Moroccan feast Adrian prepared was better than anything offered at a 5 star restaurant! For those of you that have never been to Walsall I have to say it was a highlight of the trip. Great little town, yummy food and great charity shopping PLUS Vix lives there :)
    MISS YOU ALL!!!
    I LOVE YOU ALL!
    XOXOX
    Krista

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  96. Heheeee I'm convinced Marmite (or even Vegemite) is something you have to be raised on to enjoy:). Oh you gorgeous women, it's so surreal to see you all together in pics!! Dammit, Curtise should be wearing those amazing pants NOW!! You all look so happy to see each other and there's nothing like a spot of chazza shopping to form firm friendships:)). More amazing pics of you two and look at the sun shining on you all!! Wow 1102? That's 1010 years ago! What a fantastic treat that pub must have been for Chris:). I can't think of anyone who wouldn't ditch their William Morris day out to tag after you two, the chazza guy sounds sweet:) xoxoxoxo

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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