I'm not blue as in miserable, I'm blue as in sodding freezing. It's been snowing on and off since yesterday morning and there's a wind chill factor of -8. If I look like my face has frozen in this picture that's 'cos it feels like it has.
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| Bad-ass Blythe doll in a bubblegum pink frame, Hindu bracelet, 1960s poodle card Krista mounted and pimped up with pompoms and buttons, shirring detail from 1970s maxi dress, Holly Hobby-ish card, Pinkytoast make-up mirror, playsuit (seen HERE), flower power vintage maxi, Too Faced cruelty-free bronzer and brush. |
Last week warmth in the way of a parcel of sunshine arrived from my rainbow warrior, Krista. I'm dying to get these dresses on my bod but I reckon full-on thermals will spoil the effect. Hopefully, Spring will have sprung soon and I can bare some flesh again.
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| Vintage nightie (the gorgeous Edie Pop) worn with a 1950s leopard coat (£5, Age UK), 1970s platform ankle boots (£7, Birmingham College Vintage fair), 1960s psychedelic toilet bag used as a handbag (Gift from Amy) |
I took my camera out on Saturday morning when I visited Dad. He's resident in a nursing home a mile down the road in Wednesbury, the oldest town in the Black Country and birthplace of the Garman Sisters, legendary bohemians, muses and members of the Bloomsbury Set.
This pub is just across the road from the home and after an hour spent with someone with advanced dementia there's many a time I feel like popping in for a swift one but charity shopping's far more therapeutic (and far cheaper).
The John Taylor Duce & Sons building was built in 1800 and was a wine merchants until it filed for bankruptcy in 1885.
I'm amazed some of these places stay in business.
The prices in this gents' outfitters are eye-wateringly expensive.
You won't find fake Litas in here.
Not the most prepossessing of shop fronts but this charity shop prices everything at £1.99 so it'd be rude not to pop in.
...and aren't I glad I did? The fake fur bomber jacket of my dreams for less than the price of two bunches of daffs.
I know, how many vintage fake fur coats and jackets can a woman possibly need? If you live in the UK, loads. Unless I'm in India there's not a month of the year when I don't wear one.
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| Fake fur and vinyl retro bomber (£1.99, Banardo's), 1970s Belle Aire of Melbourne maxi (courtesy of Amy), Fake Litas (£5, market) |
Back to blue, here's our new van. When Gilbert's over-wintering (or too good for the occasion) we use a manky old truck which is starting to play up. Jon spotted this 1998 Volkswagen Transporter on eBay going for a song and traded the old banger in for more than he paid for it 5 years ago, the rest of it got paid for in cash with music royalties - gawd bless you, Madchester fans. At 15 years old it's the newest vehicle we've ever owned. Kinky Melon will be hitting the road in style from now on.
Though it's sodding freezing you manage to look very elegant, my lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour of Wednesbury. And what a great find with the faux fur jacket!!
ReplyDeleteLx
www.whatlisawrote.blogspot.co.uk
Do you seriously need a coat the whole year?? I haven't worn a proper coat in nearly 2 years. Global warming + Florida weather= a strict NO jacket buying policy for me. Great faux bomber!! I adore the vintage leopard print coat and floral bag. Love seeing all the street views and shops where you live. The pub does look enticing...
ReplyDeleteHave fun in your 'new' van!! I've only ever driven used vehicles and I've had amazing luck. Pay next to nothing and they usually run for ages.
Lovely photos of your town Vix! That fur with the contrast I love & your looking good in the coldness. Here I was complaining about it being 10 degrees here!
ReplyDeleteDenise
Hi there-you look fabulous in your newly thrifted faux fur bomber, it looks great with your maxi and an excellent find by Jon on the transport front too! Have a good week and keep warm! xxx
ReplyDeleteOur Barnardo's is selling all clothes for £1.99 as well - I LOVE it! Long may it continue!
ReplyDeleteTake a note and keep it in mind. Never, ever visit Edmonton from Nov - Feb. During these months the windchill can and will hit -30C.
ReplyDeleteI can keep frozen food on my pation during these months.
I'm glad someone understands the need for multiple coats!
what a wondrous parcel of joy from our rainbow-girl Krista!!!
ReplyDeleteI can see you teeth chattering!! You've all had a miserable winter!!
you look FABULOUS in leopard and your maxi!! The new furry bomber is gorgeous!
Love the new blue van! I'm a classic VW Beetle fan from WAY back (i've owned 3--they are now too expensive for my budget and i loathe the "new" beetles!)
You are stunning in both these outfits, it's true a girl can't have enough fake furs and the Leopard coat and the new jacket are sensational! I adore how you combined the white nightie, it's lovely with the coloured tights and litas!
ReplyDeleteKrista rainbow parcel is wonderful and I adore her creations,especially the cute poodle and the bracelet, can't wait to see you wearing her fab presents hopefully under a bright sky on a sunny day!!!
Lots of love xxxxxx
I can't imagine how hard it is dealing with your dad's condition. So glad that you have parcels of joy, therapeutic charity shopping and a bargain van to help brighten your days.
ReplyDeleteIts Clear to me now - i dont own enough fake fur!! Love the jacket and says congrats tomten your new Car!
ReplyDeleteI picked up a long Aquascutum heavy wool coat for £1.99 last week, and thought it wouldn't see the light of day until the end of the year - how wrong was I?
ReplyDeleteKrista's explosion of colour and fun is just the ticket to get you through these Bastard freezing days when India must seem like a distant memory. I love the 'new' fur bomber, and the price is unbeatable, a lady in front of me at the shop spent more than that on 2 big bags of Monster Munch!
Those dated independent shops amaze me too - I always imagine them being a front for some big crime organization.
Love the new van, a mere teenager - bless!
Lucy x
What a pleasure to see photos of the places that you see regularly. I now feel silly when I go on about 'this old building' and 'that old building' here in Toronto. In 1800 this city was a forest, and your pub was already 300 years old. It's so neat to see.
ReplyDeleteGreat that you got a 'new' car 'cause you two have place to go and people to see :) xo
It's hard to believe we had a sniff of spring last week, isn't it? That van looks great for its age, I like the colour too. I hope it warms up for us soon. Xx
ReplyDeleteY'know, it's rare to go without a coat, at least one handy, here too! This last Summer has been the warmest EVER and I actually was confident going out a bit without a jacket. I send this Summer YOUR way, my cold, icy darling!
ReplyDeleteSo good to see a post, I ahd a strange panic during the night about your Dad.
That coat makes me pea GREEN with anvy every time you wear it! At least you have THE most styley coat collection to draw from!
I love peeks at where you live, it just fascinates me.
The new van is AWESOME! Reliable and funky enough! I quite like the deep blue. Bless Jon baby for his musical talents!!!
Love you to BITS!
Love Helga xxxXXXxxx
I know how you feel Vix,
ReplyDeleteI think my toes have just turned blue. I dont mind winter but its
springs turn now if you don't mind! lol.
I would say that jacket is a rather
great find and for the sum of £1.99 will last a lot longer than daffs. Though they are pretty.
God bless the royalties and I think your new van it quite cute. Maybe a bit of pimping it up to make it just as awesome and eye catching as you two!
Here is to warmer days.
P x
Nice commercial spaces. Sorry 'bout the cold.
ReplyDeleteI really love both these outfits Vix, you look great despite this horrible weather. I liked seeing round your area too, I love seeing posts like that, I'll have to do one of Cumbernauld town centre in all its hideousness, which I have weirdly grown quite fond of over the years, never thought that would happen. Krista's prezzies are lovely and so colourful and happy looking, just like Krista herself, the total opposite of these grim grey days. xx
ReplyDeleteWe've got heavy snow and biting winds today, gawd it's f..ffffreezing. Your new bomber is just the thing and amazing value at £1.99. Loved your tour of Wednesbury and the independent shops, now a rare sight in so many towns. What a fab new motor, I won't tell you how much my 11yr old Clio cost me today, Ouch. Understand your desire for alcohol after visiting your Dad, I used to visit my Nan every week who also suffered, crikey it was hardcore. Thought about you too yesterday.
ReplyDeleteYou still look very glam whatever the weather.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bargain - it looks fab!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's too cold for my liking, I'd like some sunshine please!
Your new Kinky Melon mobile looks like you can fit a helluva lot of stuff in it... nice find (well done Jon!)
www.mancunianvintage.com
Its freezing here too babe, the heating is up full,the hot water bottle is filled and I have enough tea to keep me going for weeks :) You look much more glam in bad weather than I do lol.
ReplyDeleteV
xxx
As you know I love my fake furs too and that ones a beauty x
ReplyDeleteI think you always look glam regardless of the weather x
I saw some of the pics of the town on FB the other day, I love seeing that sideofbthings in your life. I must say you are looking a treatin both of your outfits. I'm especially fond of the second one, your all fury and floral and fabulous.
ReplyDeleteDoes the new van have a name?
You brighten the day no matter the temp, Vix. Love your new bomber jacket. Thanks for sharing all the glorious goodness with Vis Monday. xoxoxox
ReplyDeleteBloomin' odd this weather, eh?
ReplyDeleteI was in a linen shirt on Friday...today it is soooo cold!
Great bomber jacket and love those leggings and you in the red dress - wow!
Z xx
i so love your tours!!!
ReplyDeleteand the bomber is the bomb!
Hugs
Reva
i'd love to go around the charity shops there . in ireland they aren't so great and they are very dear. you get beautiful items and you wear them well. lucy
ReplyDeleteYou're not wrong, I just wish my fake furs were a bit warmer - can't they fake that bit too? You do have the best coat collection. Enjoy keeping toasty in the new van!
ReplyDeletex
This is such an amazing maxi dress! And Monday was blue around East Anglia... I've spent last week wearing spring dresses and even summer tops but today I woke up to face a blizzard! Hopefully it won't last for over two weeks xxx
ReplyDeleteI love the dress; love the van; love blue.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe places like that are actual real and still exist. It looks more like a movie set to me. Nothing's really that old and still functioning it seems in the States.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone says, you look gorgeous no matter what the weather is doing, Vix. Congrats on your new Blue VW too.
Yay Blythe :)
ReplyDeleteI love the white nightie dress xxx
Ooh yes, I was wrapped up in one of my furs today but bloody hell, that wind seemed to whip right through it and chill me to my very core!
ReplyDeleteYou look wonderful in your new fur bomber, and I just knew that maxi was going to look fabulous. And you co-ordinate so beautifully with the new van! Well done Jon for canny trading and excellent royalties!
The leopard print coat was such a bargain and looks amazing with Edie's nightie! And look at all the joyful colour from darling Krista, just what you need to counteract the blues.
Those old-style shops remind me so much of being a teenager, they don't look like they have changed in 30 years! I often wonder how your dad is getting on, it must be hard to visit, and perusing a chazza or two afterwards does indeed sound therapeutic.
Love you more than faux fur - and that's a LOT! xxxxxx
WOAW!!!!! A new sweet VW bus OMG Gilbert has a buddy to help ease his load! Oh what will you name her? Now I want one twice as bad as before and I bet you will have twice the adventures now that you have her! Knowing Jon he got a screaming deal, way to go JON! I can't wait to show Chris!
ReplyDeleteAlways happy to see the goodies arrive safely and I god wish the cold wet snowy gray would go away, you look best with sunshine dancing around your frame! I love that you macth the new ride, the maxi is so pretty and I love that bomber, purrrrrrr. You always kill me with those sexy heels and naughty smile!
LOVEYOU!!!! Talk manana!
XXOO
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the fake fur sentiment. My sister and I were just discussing how it's never not tights weather here!
ReplyDeleteI love the Hindu bracelet by the way. And you're looking fab as always :) x
Oooh, that town has a nice name. Hope your Dad was ok- my grandma had alzheimers which I always remember was traumatising to see her.x
ReplyDeleteOoh, so Jon was in that band! Off to google them!x
you look fabulous wearing that faux fur coats, both are great! and whatever the weather you cheer up the day with all your gorgeousness!, wish you a defroster warm spring, my dear lady!!
ReplyDeletebesos & hot
I love that town, it just had to be somewhere you found a bargain. I'm dying to pop into the shoe shops and the cheap chazza. The jacket is ace! Krista is such a legend, hopefully it'll warm up and you can show off those psychedelic dresses! Hopefully, it's bloody freezing. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteI have way too many coats, too. It was 72 here today. Your new van is such a pretty shade of blue. Love the pub's name; leathern bottel. And 1510!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The oldest building around here is 1849.
ReplyDeleteAren't you adorable as always, my dear, even when freezing cold? Faux fur coats are like a big, warm, hug.
ReplyDeleteWhat great goodies! That dear Krista is so good to you. And what a SUPER score on that nice van!
Stay toasty!
xxx
Oh what I'd do for some chapel hat peg weather right now! Some rain would be good, and no I've not gone mad lol, we're in a drought here and of we don't get some rain soon it's gonna be bad. As much as I have loved this summer it's still stinking hot (a bit like you in that jacket!! ;-D ) and it's autumn! Phew!!
ReplyDeletereally love that blue dress, that colour suits you so well!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the pull to down a couple of swift ones after seeing your poor dad is tempting. I love the pics of this town, it looks so wonderfully old fashioned, even if the prices are silly:). Yay for vintage jackets - I'm afraid I too blame my jacket-cape-coat addiction on living in England, even if it was for only a short time. Thing is, the temps are closer to India's here so I feel like such an eedjit for having so many winter clothes! Yay for the new Transporter! Very reliable and I just know it's going to be well kitted out and on the road for years and years! xoxoxoxox
ReplyDeleteThat is one super cute little furry jacket Miss Vix, what a fabulous find.
ReplyDeleteThe blue VW is great and will be a gem for the market.
Oh I so want to go into the "Bentley" shoe shop, so old world and the quality would be amazing. They would have the best sensible brown lace up shoes!!!!
Your poor daddy, dementia so heartbreaking, its the shadow of less and less light in there eyes.
Stay warm sweet.
sending much love V
I love how you give us a little history lesson with your outfits and town tours! I've never been to Wednesbury, and I don't think I've ever been in Wolverhampton either. We have some friends in Cradley Heath, Warley. Is that anywhere near you?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the view of the town. I've never been to the UK and like many americans, I'm utterly fascinated. You look wonderful in your furry jacket, always a vision of loveliness. Whenever I go to visit my parents, I have to get away to a little thrift store nearby. I just need the break, as it's heart-wrenching as you said. I also buy a bottle of wine instead of visiting a pub or bar. It's cheaper, right?
ReplyDeleteWow great coat it looks amazing on you!! Anna really wants a blythe doll for her birthday I am going to be hunting one down for her on ebay!! Great Van Congrats on the new wheels!! UGHHHH or should I say BRRRRRRR stay warm! Love Heather
ReplyDeleteI love the outfit from head to toe! And, yes faux fur coats, one cannot have enough! You look beautiful, although bracing the bone-chilling climate. I am not missing that cold at the moment. Enjoy your week dear. xx/Madison
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming looking town and you look very pretty in the blue! XXX
ReplyDeleteVix, I think it was destiny that you found the jacket - it is just so you. I enjoyed seeing the photos of the shops and the wine merchants, oh, and the pub ofcourse. Snow in March - yuk. Hope you are toasty and warm in your new-to-you jacket.
ReplyDeleteIt's sooooo cold I would have bought the whole coat rail. And worn them all home! Haha!
ReplyDeleteI am sure I told you before that I lived in England for 10 years, but i couldn´t cope with the weather.
ReplyDeleteIf it is difficult fo the born and bread there imagen for somebody coming from the sun.
You look radiant, and I miss the charity shops; although some of them are getting really expensive, like Cancer reserch and Oxfam. Don´t you find???
We found Hospice to be the cheapest.
Much love, dear Vix.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
aahhh so im excited and so pleased that you both got a new blue van your have to have a naming session :-)Your be able to fit so much in it to..happy days :-) Love the shop fronts it reminds me of shropshire i would call it home but Somerset is mine now really. Enjoy all your lovely goodies from Kirsta those dresses look lush. dee xxx
ReplyDeleteYep, I headed off to college yesterday in a shortened 70s floral mini dress and no gloves. Brrrrr. Haven't made that mistake today. I think I want to hibernate until Spring stops shilly-shallying and makes a proper, grand entrance.
ReplyDeleteMy mum used to emerge from a visit to see my great grandma in her dementia-specialising nursing home looking as though she needed a trip either to a pub or a charity shop. Charity shop won out every time too!
What a snugly jacket, bet that keeps the chills off
ReplyDeleteI love towns that have proper shops like Wednesbury has. There's a shoe shop in my home town, near where I used to live that has been there for years. It was right along from the Co-op and along from a bakers. I always have to see if it's still there when I'm in the area; I got my Green Flash tennis shoes from there. There's also a lovely luggage shop with glorious stained glass windows. No matter what shops vanish, these two remain which is quite mind boggling.
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember the days when our local charity shops sold everything for under £2.50 and you could still bag a fabulous bargain. Sadly those days are long gone, around this neck of the woods anyway & I personally blame Mary Portas for that. If you are happy to spend a fiver on a washed out Peacocks dress or a Primark cast-off our local charity shops are the place for you but if it's bargains you're after you have to hit the car boot sales...the last bastion of bargainicity, stay the fuck away Mary sucking on a lemon face Portas, K?!
ReplyDeleteWednesbury looks like a proper English town and it is nice to still see the old family run businesses toughing it out on the High Street, I wonder for how long that will be the case though?!
Loving both the outfits, you look splendid as does Jon, dapper man that he is.
Loads of love,
Jennie
xXx
How cold is it again! So no good. Roll on sunny days please!
ReplyDeleteI never even realised Wednesbury has such old shops, shows how often I go.
X x
Oo-er loving that faux fur bomber! I wore a very similar outfit yesterday in Dublin and was FROZEN! Where is Spring?! xxxxxx
ReplyDeletethe fur coat is very pretty!
ReplyDeleteLove the fur jackets, you've got a great Wild Thing(you make my heart sing) vibe with the gray one, and anything leopard is just fine with me.;)
ReplyDeleteWe're the same here in Puddletown. You need a jacket almost always except maybe 1 month. It's been known to not clear up until Aug. So, jacket and boots are always a good investment. Especially since your jacket IS your outfit as you usually don't ever take it off.;)
Also, think it's funny what Pinkcheetahvintage said about FL. I have bought so many sweaters and coats from FL on ebay after people retire there and find they no longer need them.lol;)
It's fun to see all Krista's package of joy together! That bracelet jumped out at us when we were just talking about you at the vintage store...like you were there in spirit with us...we both did an OMG seeing it at the same time-it was funny!;)
Congrats on that grooovy VW man...;) Love the color, will go great with your outfits!
AND-WOW 1510!!! OMG, would love to see what it looks like inside...wonder how many pints they have served there...and if those walls could talk!!!:)
Fantastic bomber Vix! I love seeing the area where you live. It just adds to the exotica influence your blog already exudes. I must get over there some day!
ReplyDeleteFantastic bomber Vix! I love seeing the area where you live. It just adds to the exotica influence your blog already exudes. I must get over there some day!
ReplyDeleteI wish we had buildings like that around here! Thanks for the lovely tour!
ReplyDeleteThere are some lovely shop fronts there, you don't see many of those about now. Oh and tell Jon that I like the new van. I'd love to add one to our car collection but we don't have the room! T'raa for now xxx
ReplyDeleteIt is fecking freezing innit it? Un-bloody believable! You do look lovely in your new to you fake fur.
ReplyDeleteHurrah for the new van and only you could match your shoes to your motor.
Bleedin' loves ya.
xxxxxxxxxx
Sigh. Blogger girl crush spinning out of control. You warm us up- no doubt. I wish we could thrift and sip ciders together. Someday I hope.
ReplyDeleteLovely bomber jacket. You definitely need good coats in this weather. I'm just longing for some warm spring weather.
ReplyDeleteYou look great, and that fur bomber is flippin' gorgeous!! P.S I'm your newest follower :) xx
ReplyDelete£1.99? What a bargain! It's been trying to snow on and off for the last two days (thank god it's not sticking). I really should wear my faux furs - no idea why I'm sticking to my green coat when it's so cold! Sounds like you have lots of luck with motors as well as clothes x
ReplyDeleteI cant wait to see your SS13 ensembles! its been so cold the bottom of my shoes snapped! And thats only the south love the dress and jacket! X
ReplyDeleteYou have my sympathies, it has effing snowed here again as well (or though not as thickly thank goodness) and I'm no longer excited about it, just so bloody cold! I love your leopard coat, grrrr gorgeous, and that furry bomber is such a find! Looking lovely despite the chill.
ReplyDeleteWednesbury looks inviting. If there's a building 100 years old here they prop up the front wall, literally, but only if the developer HAS to, and build a brand new highrise around it.
ReplyDeleteNo such thing as too much fur. You are inspiring. Krista's heart explodes with warmth and beauty around the world - what wonderful gifts. Great deal on the new van!!
So much history in a small town! I can only imagine how difficult it must be to see your dad this way but I'm so happy that you still keep you connection with him. Unfortunately many people give up on the elders when many of this kind of illness take over.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, great ride and that white vintage nightie is stunning on you!
Besos,
Woohoo! The new blue van is fab! Your new old faux fur looks super warm and cosy cool. I don't understand how some of those 'family' stores stay in business either - our local ones never seem to have any customers... are they just fronts for organised crime? I like to think so. You are beautiful, as always, amor, in your beautiful blue maxi!
ReplyDeleteLove you more than cheap daffies!
Sarah xxx
I love the tunic/dress, I cannot believe what a steal it was! This town looks absolutely beautiful too, very charming! I also love the new ride, it's super cool.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your dad, hope you can hang in there :)
WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM
I love the tunic/dress, I cannot believe what a steal it was! This town looks absolutely beautiful too, very charming! I also love the new ride, it's super cool.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your dad, hope you can hang in there :)
WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM
I love the faux fur bomber, and I love the play with layering. Good to see you putting Lemony Snicket's quotes in to good use :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. wanna follow each other on Bloglovin?
WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM
I totally love the Wednesbury. The buildings are so lovely and full of history. where I live they pretty much tear down old buildings and build new ones. I HATE THAT!!!
ReplyDeleteYour jacket is awesome what a score. AND your blue VW is super cool.
Thank you for the tour! What a great place! Also, wonderful parcel of joy too!
ReplyDeleteFab coat! And it's been cold enough to wear them daily - I recently pulled some furry coats back out of storage and swapped them for summer clothes - you're right if you live in the UK you lead loads of them!
ReplyDeleteLoving the new van (Simon's impressed too!), it must be fun taking Kinky Melon on the road xxx
ReplyDeleteFound it , i have lived in wednesbury all my life and did not know it was one of the oldest towns , what a great read ,thank you , Eileen x
ReplyDelete