Monday 11 February 2013

Working Girl


After a near lifetime of uniforms and enforced dress codes it's a joy to do my job in false eyelashes, neon lipstick, six inch platforms, heaps of bling and wild maxi dresses. I work much better when I'm "me".

My bonnet wasn't for sale, the poor thing got soaked loading up Gilbert in a blizzard.

Here's my glamorous assistant all set for opening time.


Saturday's dismal weather and a Wolverhampton Wanderers home game meant the city was a lot quieter than normal but we managed to turn over a fair profit and have a ball, Dawn and Ellen's events feel more like a night out than work.


I caught up with some of our vintage family for the first time this year. Here's gorgeous mum and daughter team, Claire and Maisie from Maisie's Closet Vintage.


Stunning Manni from Hot As Frock Vintage giving the retro cocktails a whirl.


The incredibly glamorous Gabriella from Retro Makeover.


Local photographer David Hubball took a few pictures.


Despite being there to sell I bet you didn't think I'd resist the lure of a £10 or less vintage rail. I snapped up this sweet 1960s frock. Don't I look demure?

Vintage mini dress (Maisie's Closet Vintage) worn with 1960s go-go boots (Ker-rang K-Boot, 2011) and my Grandma's carpet bag.
Selling, shopping, being snapped, socialising........I do love my job!

1960s Prova maxi (the awesome Sarah Misfit), 1960s Liberty of London silk scarf (£1, local junk shop), violet opaques and  orange suede platforms (Queen Helga the great)

I'm linking to the party over at Patti's Visible Monday.

Hope you had a fantastic weekend.
See you soon.

79 comments:

  1. YAY!!!! You look amazing in the FABULARSE maxi amor!

    Love you more than BEING FIIIIIIIIRST MOTHERFUCKERS!!!

    Sarah xxx

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  2. Goddammit, Sarah the sexacious BIATCH beat me to the punch!!! No FAIR!
    YOU look hotter than a year of June!!!! That frock is heavenly, and OMfriggingG the sweet demure little frockage you picked up is divoon! Demure my ARSE! Good attempt though!
    Indeed, THIS is what you were meant to do. Scmooze, look fantasmo, schmooze, look deliciously to DIE for!
    your assistant is pretty fecking tasty......yeah....I wouldn't mind being the meat in THAT sandwich!!!!
    Dang, Sarah has made me FRISKY!
    We're Skyping as I type!!! Multi taking.I'm a legend and I even know it!!!
    Rock the hell ON, saucypants!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  3. Digging the furry pom pom bonnet! Glad it went well and I hope you can put your feet up today. x

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  4. I would love to have your job!! Although I have to admit I'm pretty lucky, the govt. Dept I work for is pretty good with their dress code. I haven't worn a suit in years! I wish I could come to one of these vintage events, they look like so much fun. Loving both the mini & maxi frock. Have a rad week!

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  5. the vintage mini is divine.....you rock the demure look.... am nursing a sore throat and fighting off infection lying on the sofa and watching the snow....mercifully I don't have to be anywhere today!!x

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  6. Vixxxxxxx! You look AMAZING times infinite...And that Vintage Mini is killing me, less than £10 really??? Gaah, I should be where you are or atleast visit a few of your stalls. Here "Vintage" stores are unbelievably over priced!!!

    Great to hear you did well and had fun...I LOVE LOVE LOVE your bling...Just so you know, I googled Helen for some inspirational pictures of the erstwhile Hindi film icon and one in five pictures was you :D

    And this is a picture of the lady you sometimes remind me of http://www.timescontent.com/photos/preview/7241/Parveen-Babi.jpg

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  7. Hi!!!
    Your work outfit looks great! I love those colours..
    I think I need to flick some of my stuff off this year!
    x

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  8. Vix you look amazing, I LOVE your halter maxi and scarf but weren't you freezing ??? Jon's got a sheepskin coat on and you've got bare arms, makes me shiver just looking at you. The furry pom pom bonnet takes me back, I had one when I was a girl and hated it then.
    Fantastic mini dress too, that colour looks sensational on you and yes you look very demure but you can't fool us!

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  9. I LOVE the maxi and scarf and your still-glorious tan makes the outfit look all the more amazing! Glad the sale was a success in spite of the crappy weather. You have a great job! Xoxo

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  10. You are such an inspiration for getting colour and print into a wardrobe! Before I began following your writing I would have happily worn all black all the time, but now I find myself really trying to spruce things up with some colour. I'm not nearly where you are on that front, but you sure have me thinking about it every time I get dressed.

    And speaking of dressed, everyone in your pictures was so nicely attired, regardless of bad weather. That's so good to see. Looks to have been a great day! And I love your new frock.

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  11. Vix, nobody can rock a maxi dress like you. I love that Prova maxi.

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  12. As Confucius said "Choose a job you love and you'll never work again'. Sod corporate dress codes - you and Jon are a perfect advert for what you do for a living. Love the dress and scarf x

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  13. How can one not love their job dressed as fabulously as you. There are few better things in life then doing what makes one happy. X

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  14. Glad to hear you had a good day. I had planned to pop in but got roped into car shopping with hubby!

    X x

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  15. I was in town on saturday and had no clue :( Where was this, im trying to place you by looking out the window haha!

    Everyone looks fab!

    http://live-laugh-love-fashion.blogspot.co.uk/

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  16. Very jealous of your job, looks so fun!! x

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  17. Looks like such fun, and love the pics of you. Especially the jewellery shot. :)
    x

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  18. You are most certainly working it girl! Love the clashing prints, that maxi looks awesome on you, you are such a vintage babe. I've started preparing for my vintage jumble in two weeks, I'm not nervous yet but I know I'll be bricking it the night before...I'm sure it'll be fine but hey-ho this is my first time, virgin nerves ;)
    It is really hard not to buy something when all the other sellers have brought a magic cherry picked mix of awesome vintage threads too, the dress is very cute, so I totally understand why you snapped it up.
    Lot's of love,
    Jennie
    xXx

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  19. I love the £10 or less rails too... there's always some treasure there!

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  20. I love your new dress, it really suits you xxx

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  21. Your new dress is fantastic and I love the go go boots!! This little vintage fair sounds so cool-- already trying to decide if I could set up something like it here... You are giving me inspo!!!
    Becky :)

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  22. Fab maxi dress, you are a great advert for your stall. Your '60s dress is very sweet - what a great find.
    Glad the sale was a success.

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  23. Such a beautiful glamorous working girl! Love that bindi, totally forgot I used to love wearing them, in the heavenly maxi dress you're an indian queen! Looks like it was a fab day, that's a really fun day's work.

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  24. I knew you'd come up with a fantastic frock! I hope you came home with a heavier purse & a lighter load! XXX

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  25. Lately I've fallen into doing a bit of work at something I really enjoy with people I'm very comfortable with so I know what you mean Vix, the difference it makes when you actually like what you do and feel enthusiastic about it! You look totally in your element here, you just need to do one up north so's I can come and have a rummage, get the Vix and Jon show on the road! xx

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  26. You do have a fabulous job, dear Vix, and you do it so fabulous-ly! Love your new demure mini with the laced up boots - big wow! Thanks for linking up : >

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  27. Hi Vix, You look absolutely divine in the colour-crazy maxi with the Liberty scarf, I want them now please! Something I would also die for is the mannequin head you were selling, do you still have that available? If so, how much is it and can I buy it please, pretty please? E-mail me on: caroleannsnell@aol.com

    I have been desperately trying to get to one of your fairs since you started doing them last year too, damn it!

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  28. It's a gift to enjoy a job and be so fabulously gorgeous at the same time. Love the mixing of patterns with maxi dress and scarf and the 'demure' outfit with colorful background. The yellow fringed chair, yellow lamp and multi-patterned fabric are 'to live for.'

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  29. You look stunning in Sarah's maxi dress, the Pope will resign,I would be pleased if you could replace him!
    I really like the fair atmosphere and all the vintage ladies were amazing!
    The photo of your new dress is lovely, but as Helga wrote :good attempt, you look fabulous and not demure (even if it could be a good quality for our next Pontifex).
    I really love the professional shoots too, beautiful colours and model!!
    Love you xxxxxxx

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  30. Both dresses are divine! And so are you!

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  31. Great Dress you found! And great pictures :) you look Fabulous!!! Love Heather

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  32. Bloomin nora you do look demure!

    Looks like you had a fab day (great pics)and business is going well - huzzah!

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  33. Hi there!! A perfect life looking gorgeous and enjoying vintage- I loved the sneek peek at all the other lovely people at your vintage fair too, everyone looks great! That was a really cute dress you scored too, such a fabulous colour on! xxx

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  34. Hello gawjuss! Is there anything better than doing a job that you love so much it's not like work? I think not. And you looks so happy doing it.
    You are a superb ad for vintage too.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxxxxx

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  35. Oh my what have we here! Is this a new maxi it's friggin beautiful on you my dear! Glad to hear that despite the weather and some sport thing that you still made a buck or two. Plus holy hell that sweet 60's mini dress was worth the trip. You look like you need a good spanking in that lil missy! Hot mama! Jon is the cutest assistant I have ever seen! I love the pictures David snapped of you and you on the event poster is the shit!
    I love you sweetie!
    Xxxxxxxxx

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  36. It looked amazing and so did you, glad it went well.

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  37. you look amazing in all the outfits. Glad it was a good day all round - really to be working, earning and having fun, it's about as good as it gets isn't it. Am v tempted to take a trip up the M5 and come check it out, it looks so much fun!

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  38. how absolutely FABULOUS do you look in your maxi!!! I'm glad you had a wonderful sale!!
    You look so prim and proper in the new dress!!!

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  39. You are blessed indeed earning your living from something you love, and your happiness shines through ! keep on inspiring us Vix, since joining your blog I've been sorting through my vintage clothes and WILL start to wear them again soon ! I thought I was too old but have been encouraged by some of the mature ladies on your blog.

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  40. What a great way to earn a living!

    I don't know about that dress being demure - where does it end?

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  41. Gorgeous colorful maxi & cheers to you for escaping the dress code. The good thing of being in your40's......doing what you love.
    Denise

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  42. your dress looks awesome and I love the bright blue nails

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  43. YOU look great doing your job- and HOW I WISH I were shopping your racks. And hugging your rack.

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  44. I love to vicariously 'rummage' at your vintage fairs. How great to be able to do what you want to do for a living (and to be able to wear whatever the heck you like)!! Love that picture of you in the red dress and go-go boots. A vintage picture! xxx

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  45. Hot hot hot!!!!! Love this frock! If I hadn't had a concert, I was SOOOOOOO tempted to jump on a train and come along!!!!x

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  46. You have certainly found your calling - styling and schmoozing and shopping and selling! And you look damn hot in that glorious maxi - you would never know it was a blizzard outside. I wish I could teleport myself over there for one of your vintage fairs - I know I would have such a great time!

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  47. Such an inspiration! A truly kickass woman...

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  48. If ever a woman was in the right business, it's you, Vix! The perfect job, for most of us, would involve making enough money to do what we want, by doing something we love, are knowledgeable and passionate about, and that we are pretty good at. Which describes your vintage selling perfectly!
    How great do you look in that maxi from Velvety Sarah? Your stall always looks eclectic and inviting - and Jon ain't half bad either! Love the photos of you taken by David Hubball.
    Demure? Nah, you don't fool me, you have the sauciest twinkle in your eye! xxxxx

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  49. It's wonderful that you have found a way to make a living doing what is so much a part of you. And you have the personality to make it just so much fun. I bet the customers go home on a high after getting Vixified.

    You look so gorgeousl in your outfits, although I've had a quick flick through the Vix handbook and it turns out demure is code for 'rather mischevious'. Those photos by your local photographer are lovely too. xxxx

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  50. I would have loved to be there, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. getting and big hug from you must be pure candy.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  51. Looks like a great time, love your maxi its amazing, you look great:) that rail looks so interesting...

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  52. Hurrah! You give me hope that I might find something that suits me as perfectly as Vintage selling suits you. You look stunning in all those photos. That professional one in particular is gorgeous. Your demure, yet cheeky dress is really stunning. xxxx

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  53. I'd love to run off with that mannequin head! Looked like a great event and you look gorgeous as always especially in the maxi! XXX

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  54. The vintage fairs you sell at always look so much fun!! Will have to make a trip over your way for one in the future.

    Lx

    www.whatlisawrote.blogspot.co.uk

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  55. Its a great life when you get to dress how you want to, do what you want to, with people that you like and look stunning and happy in the process!
    The David Hubball photos are amazing!

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  56. Hilarious comments at the top here. They made me laugh out loud.
    Working hard at doing what you love it looks like. And looking gorgeous too I might add.
    I started volunteering at my local senior center thrift shop and I'm having a blast. Getting first dibs on things has been fun!

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  57. Yo working girl so happy to see you rocking that bindi! you can make ANYTHING look awesome, I mean it!

    Love,
    Shubhi's Revels!

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  58. I really love the dress and how you've worn it! Looks like a fantastic place and glad you all had so much fun!

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  59. Loving the maxi and the mini dresses :-)
    It's fabulous that you love your job... I would probably be rubbish at anything else but sometimes wish I felt a bit more more enthusiastic about writing serious scientific stuff as I do ;-)

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  60. OMG totally loving the new maxi fm Sarah what fabulous colour! Good to hear the fair wasn't too bad, means to an end, non? Fairs are always fun anyway I reckon.xx.

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  61. Brilliant! Workwear perfection! And, what a fab and stylish vintage fam, you look gorgeous! xx/Madison

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  62. I agree so fantastic to be able to wear whatever you like for work. Since leaving the corporate world I completely refuse to wear suits. I love your maxi dress and scarf together.

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  63. Ahhh that's so awesome you can wear what you like at work and you AMAZING doing so. Great finds as always and I'm feeling the robins egg blue polish. Love.

    xx Jacqueline
    fngm.blogspot.com

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  64. dear lady, you look stunning and absolutely perfect for working!, nothing better than feeling nice to enjoy what you're doing!
    love your maxi dress and great attitude as seller!, and that pretty little 60's dress is so cute!!
    besos

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  65. THAT MONO CHECKED DRESS IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE THIRD PIC! It's a beaut. Is there anyway I can buy online? Please say it's so - am currently looking for ways of cheering myself up after having my appendix whipped out at the weekend *sympathy vote*

    Natalie x

    www.leblow.co.uk

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  66. This event looks FABULOUS Vix, as do you! xx

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  67. Hi Vix,

    It's me again - thank you so much for replying to me. I've sent you a reply but from a different E-Mail address and therefore I'm not sure if you've received it! Can you check your Spam/Junk please? Thank you! C x

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  68. Fabulous outfit Vix, the maxi dress is REALLY familiar to me, I am sure I had a C&A knock off from the 70s lol.
    V
    xxx

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  69. Your stall looks spectacular, it sounds like you had such a fun filled day! You really are the Queen of Vintage, and I’m sure every shopper on the day left happy xxx

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  70. Love that maxi and the new dress and all your pictures. You and Jon are the coolest couple. I am glad you found something you love to do. I am still working at it. But I know one day I will be doing my dream. "I HOPE" *heheeh*

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  71. I think you have the best job in the world! Everyone looks so glamorous! And you all look like you're having a ball. Your maxi is fab!

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  72. That maxi dress is amazing, and perfectly paired with the silk scarf!

    The lace up boots are incredible, and finishes off you demure look making you look even more demure - if that's possible!

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  73. sounds great.
    sadly my girls and i stopped doing hour fashion flea market project ... but times are changing and interests are changing ... sadly. but i enjoy to read about your posts about your vintage markets so much.

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  74. Those go-go boots have got me going! Oooh errrrrr!

    Top trumps for the Land Army Tribute bucket! Every penny counts!

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  75. Thanks Vix! I love this fabric too & I love sewing up a maxi!

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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