As a psychedelia fan I was lost for words when Asia, my friend Beth Ellen's talented daughter, created this amazing portrait in my honour! It's definitely worthy of a Ta-Dah moment.
I found this book I'd bought 16 years ago whilst I was trying to reorganise the bookcase, promptly abandoning my mission mid-task to re-read it. After seeing the crazy prices it's fetching on Amazon I thought you might enjoy a peek for free.
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| By Martin Sharp |
Promo poster for a Hendrix concert in San Francisco
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| Handbill for the Trips festival at Longshoreman's Hall in San Francisco |
The overland trail to India
Eye candy.
Hippies galore
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| Legendary London boutique, Granny Takes A Trip |
Arriving in 1966 I was born too late for the psychedelic era but I've been living by Victor Moscoso's words for most of my life.
A bloke in a grey jersey tracksuit accused me of "fucking blinding" him with my outfit today!
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| 1960s towelling maxi (beautiful beach babe, Sarah), belt worn as a head scarf (thanks for the inspiration, Kezzie) Vintage orange suede waistcoat (Xmas present from Liz), beaded panda bag (PDSA charity shop), huge copper hoop earrings (the inspirational Pat), Silver velvet platforms (Office sale, 2011) |
I'm off to draw the curtains, sit in front of the fire and pretend it's not snowing.
See you soon.
Fabulous, your outfit is so bright! Who wants to blend in with grey tracksuits?! Looks like a great book - I get distracted in similar ways! Saw a Haight-Ashbury in a chazza before Xmas - only left it because I didn't have enough cash for it and the Stones book I bought.
ReplyDeleteThat's one hell of a great book!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's one hell of an awesome outfit!!! Blinding him?! Crikey, I think some more acidic shades might have done that. You're just blindingly fabularse!!! Such an awesome frock, and towelling must feel mighty cuddly!!
Oooo, must get my bag out again, the one that's almost identical to yours.Then I can pretend we're swinging (!) them together!
YEAH!
Love HelgaxxxXXXxxx
Bright colours are the way to go out here for winter. You could get lost in a snowbank otherwise!
ReplyDeleteI envy yur ability to wear shoes and dressy boots all winter. I still have 3 foot of the stuff on my lawn!
Haha! I can just picture that bloke! love the portrait x
ReplyDeleteAWWWW, I'm blinded by the light! Awesome, man. What a cool picture you've gotten. Such an honor. And your outfit is totally groovy, especially those fab earrings (wink, wink)! I saw Hendrix in concert in Detroit. whohoo! so cool. sigh. I see I'm behind in viewing your bloggoodness, so I'm carrying on now.
ReplyDeleteTowelling.. maxi..
ReplyDeleteI fucking LOVE towelling!!
Bet tracksuit guy won't forget you though! What an remarkable piece of art. Your friend's daughter is very talented. And what a muse you are! Love the dress and the psychadelic images. Definitely a ta-dah post xxx
ReplyDeleteBlinding him with amazing style and creativity well beyond what 99.99% of the population has, yep, perhaps that! ;)
ReplyDeleteSheesh! WOW! I'm gonna smoke me a bowl after this, seriously. This is some of my favorite style of art images and color. You so rock this look too Vix!
ReplyDeleteWho cared if you wear bright colours vix?! That's your style, be proud of it!! He's prob just a sponger haha!
ReplyDeleteI love that portrait of you, though!!
And great book too, that's totally up your street!! :-)
XO
God you look fecking brilliant and a brilliant antidote to grey. Lush portrait too.
ReplyDeleteStay warm.
Loves ya.
xxxxxx
God you look fecking brilliant and a brilliant antidote to grey. Lush portrait too.
ReplyDeleteStay warm.
Loves ya.
xxxxxx
Groovy portrait, baby! And fab outfit. I'm a child of the sixties too.
ReplyDeleteHow rude some people are. You look stunning and are a style inspiration. Keep up the good work x
ReplyDeleteAsia's art is amazing, hope you are going to display it proudly in your gaff. Love the Hendrix print, would love to own that one. As for you, you are a ray of sunshine on a dull, dull day. Sarah's maxi is spectacular, the bloke in the tracksuit is a wanker, I trust your retort was suitably pithy.
ReplyDeletex
That's a great portrait.....your "I'm Art" collection is growing.
ReplyDeleteBut surely Mr Grey meant to say that you look blinding, if not he obviously has problemos with his eyesight already!
ReplyDeleteYou look groovy & foxy in equal measures.
That book looks fabulous, thanks for the peek :)
Lot's of love,
Jennie
...xXx
I love that you are able to get comments like that from strangers, the grey track suited dude sounds dreadfully boring and dull and obviously can't take the heat of your fabness! Love that print too she's captured you perfectly xxxxx
ReplyDeleteBlinding means excellent dahn London way. Take it as a compliment babe!
ReplyDeleteWow that portrait is genuis! The book looks wonderful and so's your outfit! LOL @ the grey tracksuited man - twit!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Vix, who on earth wants to be grey?
ReplyDeleteI wore a Biba maxi to my brother's wedding on Saturday and the only person who complemented my dress was a girl in a purple jumpsuit and leopard print heels. She looked awesome and I was delighted I got her respect.
Roo xx
Surely blinding a man with your outfit has to be up there with some of the best compliments to of received. I know I would have been smiling, at least you're being looked at not overlooked as the gorgeous Helga says.
ReplyDeleteJust spat out my tea when I read what "Mr Tracksuit" said to you! ha ha! I'd say that's a mighty fine compliment :) x
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like the bloke in the grey tracksuit was just jealous of your 'loud and proud' ensemble. I bet it was one of those hideous pale grey tracksuits - the sort men REALLY shouldn't wear outside of the house (nor in the house either, come to that!!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous psychadelic portrait of you, I wonder if you're the most drawn/ painted blogger? There's been a few great images of you from talented peeps. Anyway, I'd sooner blind someone with colour than blend into the grey concrete, you look fab. X
ReplyDeleteI'm pretending it's not snowing, too - and pretending that I'd look as good as YOU do in that fabulous outfit - carrying that colorful bag...
ReplyDeleteand WISHING I had a fire to sit in front of.
What a great portrait, you obviously inspire everyone who comes into contact with you.
ReplyDeleteWell done for bringing such wonderful colour to a boring Tuesday in February. It tickles me that strangers obviously randomly speak to you because of your appearance. Although Mr Sartorial didn't sound very charming. Ignore him, the rest of us would love to see you just strolling down the street in all your splendour. 'Cos we know what's good for us! xxxx
Fabulous book - I loved (still do) Jimi so much. Your look is psyche-fabulous too!
ReplyDeleteserious eye candy;) i love jimi;)
ReplyDeletebut i love your eye popping outfit even more, psychedelic fabulousness!
kiss,mary
Love the illustrations in that book and your outfit is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
You look amazing, love the lorry- what a great way to travel. I am glad I was at least born in the 60's although I would have loved to have actually lived it!
ReplyDeleteThat is the coolest portrait ever. It is amazing. I can see why you bought that book - I really enjoy reading that king of thing. You are blindingly awesome, hope the guy in the grey tracksuit - if he has jogging - fell over in the snow. Keep warm!!xx
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to be blinded by you in person. You look fantastic- real outfit and portrait- and that book I could get lost in for hours. Whoa. Look at my hands! xo Bella q
ReplyDeleteVery cool portrait and the book is awsome! Real eye Candy inded . Your outfit so glam and fab!
ReplyDeleteThat portrait is fabulous, what a brilliant piece of art to hang up in your house and the book looks like a great read to dip into. xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing portrait! It's the perfect style for you, you are the psychedelic hippy chick we all love, after all!
ReplyDeleteThat book looks fabulous, so many wonderful images.
Keep on blinding us with as much colour as you like, Vix, you look bloody great in it! Damn cheek of Grey Tracksuit Man, he's lucky to feast his eyes on such a vision of gorgeousness on a snowy day in Walsall! That towelling maxi from Sarah is incredible and the suede waistcoat from Liz is perfect with it.
Stay warm, stay colourful, darling! xxxxxx
Stunning portrait! Just awesome!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I did laugh about the Grey Man complaining about your outfit... clearly he needs more than an injection of colour into his sad little life!
And thanks for the peek into that fab book... especially the eye candy ;-)
Love this post! You're such a rock star. -xo
ReplyDeleteHaha Man in the tracky, individuality is just FAR too scary for some people, and that is the honest to goodness bottom line. I would even say some people are extremely hostile to that level of confidence, or rather comfort in your own skin (and polyester haha). You just shake your groove thing girlfriend
ReplyDeleteV
xoxo
Yeah--i get that "You're blinding me" at work alot. The best was "you look like a bag of Skittles (candy) exploded on you!
ReplyDeleteI adore your blindingly fabulous hippie-trippy maxi!! and the panda purse is so cool!!
Thanks for sharing the memories--I was in elementary school but i can recall the acid-trippyness of it all!!
What a wonderful portrait. I love it. Ha! Blinding the bloke. Too funny. Love that psychedelic dress.
ReplyDeleteMan, I wish I could have visited GRANNY TAKES A TRIP when it was around. Gorgeous portrait of you, love the entire blinding outfit and you look glowing in the headband! XXX
ReplyDeleteHi there! What an amazing book, it looks really awesome and thanks for sharing too! You look gorgeous too, the belt worn round your head looks great and really finshes the whole look! xxx
ReplyDeleteBlinded by your beauty no doubt, sounds like a friggin chav in his track suit no doubt. Here's to always turning up the color my sweet VIX! You are surely the prettiest gal in all of Walsall! This book looks full of yummy images to ogle. Your portrait is just amazing and Asia really did an incredible job with all the colors and patterns.
ReplyDeleteStay warm by that fire. I miss you!
xxoo
Totally fab picture! Simply awe-inspiring...it looks fab on my reading list. Just had to scoot over for a deco.
ReplyDeleteLove that patterned fabric - perfect for such a miserable day!
Z xx
Is gray even a color? Having grown up right out side of San Francisco, I have a major fondness for all the "hippie shit". Too bad I was about 4 years too young to go join the fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat's not to like with an outfit that screams "sunshine" - brilliant!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that amazing book!!!! So cool!!! I love your dress and the silver velvet platforms are killer! I'll always love trippy shit!
ReplyDeleteBecky :)
Gorgeous! x
ReplyDeleteIgnore dull grey tracksuit man! You look amazing! Love the groovy portrait!
ReplyDeleteYay for the blindingly beautiful outfit!!I know that people from grayland couldn't cope with awesomeness, but I do!!!The dress is fabulous and the idea of using the belt as a headband is brilliant (where did you find the same fabric was the first question that came to my wicked mind.The portrait is beautiful, I really love the colors and together with the book is an amazing feast for my eyes!
ReplyDeleteLots of love xxxxxxx
Just think i wil be in SF in March!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait!
This work of art in your honor is just amazing
You are a rock star indeed!
When in SF i will post pics on Twitter and i will be at the corner of haight and ashbury for you !
How very rude!!!! An urgh, grey tracksuit! In Holland Park, an hour ago, a homeless person (I presume) told me to 'move out of the way!' as he hurtled towards me with a large trolley!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, you're welcome re headband, it looks great! I adore this outfit, so pretty and vibrant! I wore a really bright outfit today (comprising of turquoise, mustard, pink, blue and black) and it cheered me up no end!x
Love the book/ pictures...Have been in love with Jimi Hendrix for most of my life...Gaah I want these pictures as posters all over my room...Grey tracksuity bloke deserved to get blinded, why can't people keep their snarky comments to themselves is beyond me...THE ARTWORK IS BLOODY AMAZING! but the real you is way more AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteThat jogger obviously needed a jolt to the system and you were just the gal to provide it! Love the colours and the patterns - you look like a photo straight out of that groovy book. Asia obviously captured your inner psychedelic soul in that portrait.
ReplyDeleteThe book is a treasure and so are you, in Asia's portrait and in your absolutely fabulous 60's attire. And silver velvet platforms. Perfection!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cool book! I'm feeling groovy and happy just looking at your photos and of course at your outfit.
ReplyDeleteThe idiot that made that comment to you needs a bit of your happiness and good vibrations in his life.
What a fabulous painting of you. She captured you so well. Very talented. I got a rude comment from a guy who stank really badly the other day, and I'm still wishing I'd come back with something good. You look fantastic and anyone seeing you would be happy to have had their day brightened, quite literally.
ReplyDeleteThat artwork of you is AWESOME.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for giving us a sneak peak into that really cool book. I wish I could flip through each and every page!
And your outfit is so coloful and fun and cheerful. I'm obsessed with your panda purse now!
You look stunning, both in psychedelic portraiture and in real life. Loved seeing the highlights of your book - I wouldn't part with it either.
ReplyDeleteGrey Track Suit guy probably needed a good infusion of color :)
The portrait is FAN-Fucking-Tastic! And I must say I love that Asia did your eyes so dark, they look so mysterious! You know exactly what pic I'm drooling over... but the rest are phenomenal! What a treasure! Haha you blinded someone, that's a GREAT sign you're doing the right thing for you! XXX
ReplyDeleteI love that artwork! Beautiful, just beautiful. Thanks for sharing your book with us and as for Mr Tracksuit - bah! If he disapproves its a sign you're doing it right;)
ReplyDeleteah, those were the days, I remember them so well !
ReplyDeleteThat is one fantastic outfit, you would have fitted the bill perfectly back in the 60's - I know- I was there ! and as usual you look gorgous !!
Fabulous!!! As for making the old dude blind, he could be so lucky!!
ReplyDeleteso rude that the price for that book is so expansive! saw a lot of psychadelic posters in san francisco and loved them so much. congrats for being a piece of art by yourself!
ReplyDeletehow inspiring! I even feel sad about the way I look now (too boring)
ReplyDeleteLyosha
Inside and Outside Blog
I wish I lived next door to you, I would be constantly peering out of the window in the hope of catching a glimpse of you in your latest outfit.
ReplyDeleteFabulous, yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
love all that fabulous psychedelic inspiration!, you're taking color higher and you know how to look gorgeously colorful!, love that print and pretty orange vest, and your headband is such a great idea!
ReplyDeletewish you a warm day whatever the weather!
besos
Fab portrait and outfit. I have no idea why anyone would wear a tracksuit in public anyway, least of all a grey one xxx
ReplyDeleteTa-Dah!! They missed you in the 60s, Vix, for sure! xo
ReplyDeleteIs it snowing in the Black Country?!
ReplyDeleteYou look wonderful as always, so colourful and glamourous.
Lx
www.whatlisawrote.blogspot.co.uk
What an absolute amazing portrait! Certainly worth pride of place on a wall. So much vivid and inspiring imagery here, you are such a psychedelic queen Vix xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a super digital portrait! Very imaginative.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to get that book... and do an overland trip in India as well. Thanks for sharing.
Steve Jobs once said, "The sixties really happened in the early seventies." Interesting. What say you?
Another super outfit on your oh-so-lovely self, my dear. Such a beautiful gift.
xxx
I love the first photo of your outfit today you looked radiant and so pretty. That looks like a great book i love the style of wording and the images. Bless your friend for the portrait of you it looks fab. Hope its not snowing anymore. dee xxx
ReplyDeleteYou are a beautiful riot of color and pattern and I totally love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Joni, so pass the dutchie Sista, we're doing the waving screen wipe back to the 60's to hang with Merry Pranksters and groove out!;)
We have an event here called the Oregon Country Fair, started by Kensey and friends. It used to have lots of hippies and was so much fun 20years ago...sadly now more BMWs than VWs-so don't go anymore. But, I wished I could have brought you along back in the day, you'd fit right in, and loved it!
And, Asia's work is stunning! Wow, lovely name and very talented!:) You are the psychedelic Mona Lisa!!!:)
Unike you, I arrived in plenty of time for the era of psychedelia and remember it very well. I think you are more suited to it though Vix. That outfit would have turned heads (of admiration) even then.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I forgot to add for Mr. Gray...now how does that saying go, Pearls before Swine!;)
ReplyDeleteI love your outfit and the digital rendering of you ... Just have to say, far out, man .... I bet you were tempted to tell the guy in the track suit that you had had more "fucking" creativity and imagination in your little finger than he obviously has in his wardrobe sense! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteOh my God, what an amazing portrait! How many times have you been immortalised in art now? You'll have to start a whole new wall.
ReplyDeleteAlso, are you sure he wasn't just a 90s throwback? 'Fucking blinding' was how we used to describe something 'very good', back in the day!
xx
well that bloke is in a grey sweatsuit so wtf does he know?! I just love this maxi with the head scarf! That is one talented girls as that painting is artistic!
ReplyDeleteDenise
I have not one problem with colour! You look marvellous, I have a psychedelic Tee somewhere that's begging for a reunion. That portrait is the best! And, wishing you the best with the giveaway, thanks for entering, isn't the design so clever! xx/Madison
ReplyDeletefun post. the first picture is so fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteI had to stop by when I seen the first picture on my blog, its fab, you look great. Way to brighten up a cold day :)
ReplyDeleteThat's one very awesome portrait. Loving all of the colours in this post, makes a dull day sunny! X
ReplyDeleteI just discovered you blog and I love it. great style, great stories. i'm addicted already!!
ReplyDeleteDid you use the Toon It photoshop plug-in to get the cartoon effect of your photo? I love that plugin.
ReplyDeleteBrowsing the images brought back memories. I'd say I miss those days, but life was hell then and it's fantastic now, so I don't miss them.
You are looking fabulous today!
Awesome portrait! You need a big print of it on your wall. To put right next to the one I did of you... Teehee!!
ReplyDeleteYou look great, who cares what some grey minded tracksuit Dick thinks, I know you don't care. Fantastic dress, we need colour overload in our lives and you're the Queen of Colour xxxx
That portrait is astounding!! She captured you perfectly. The book made me smile, especially since I wasn't born too late to actually be there. I was there, yes indeed.
ReplyDeleteYou outfit is, as always, perfection. I love the panda bag and the boots especially.
Fuck a duck - you look AMAZING my love! That dress is killer - the boots and bag are perfect. And teh book is FABULARSE - man, check out Jimi in his fab shirt being all 'how you doin?'. Mmmmm...
ReplyDeleteLove you more that the summer of love! Sarah xxx
and fucking blinding you should stay!!x
ReplyDeleteGroovy portrait and groovy dress too! What a find that book is! Tell that guy his tracksuit is boring!
ReplyDeleteUrgh! Rather blind someone with colour than blend into the pavement! I always figure that, even if someone doesn't like what you're wearing, it's always fun to give them something to look at!
ReplyDeletethat photo of your rocks, your outfit rocks and that book!it's a gem vix!!
ReplyDeleteFabulous! I love the pattern on the dress - like flowery amoebas :)
ReplyDeletex
Awesome inspiration post and outfit! Psychedelia was an amazing movement, in music, art and fashion!
ReplyDeleteHa ha , I loved the comment from the track suiter!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing portrait and I love your psychedelic outfits. I always think clothes are a great way to brighten up a dull day.
ReplyDeleteAsia's portrait of you is stunning Vix, what a talented girl, and I love that book, it would have distracted me too, not that it takes much to distract me from cleaning! I'm just imagining how good a towelling maxi must feel on a cold day and it looks fabulous on you, no wonder everyone wants to paint a picture of you! xx
ReplyDeleteHaha, if the insults you're getting are from the grey tracksuit brigade you know you're onto a winner! Lovely bright post to read of a Monday morning! x
ReplyDelete