Thursday 4 April 2013

Stuffed Dogs And Bin Bags - Weekday Fun


Yesterday's Outfit: Floaty 1970s polyester maxi (courtesy of the divine Helga), Tod's turquoise python boots (Car boot sale, 2010), Turquoise net bag (handmade by Liz), bastard massive pendant (bought from a Lamani gypsy on the roadside in Goa)

As we'd spent most of the Easter bank holiday working, our weekend started on Tuesday evening, better late than never. 

Tuesday's outfit: 1960s Jean Varon maxi dress (Acorns Hospice, 2011), poodle clutch (Handmade by Liz)
We celebrated our unni-versary with dinner at the fabulously swanky Five Rivers in Walsall. Taffeta and sequins on a week night? Why the hell not?!

Tandoori phool and paneer shaslick starters, Lasani chilli chicken for Jon and Bhindi dupiaza for me 
The fun continued the next morning when I met the lovely Annie for a tour of our town's chazzas and the Wednesday flea market with a pit stop for some daytime boozing & the inevitable fending off of amorous pensioners in Wetherspoons.


We even took in some culture at the New Art Gallery, too. The Jochem Hendricks exhibit blew my mind. Pack is a group of former fighting dogs rendered harmless by taxidermy. Are they real ? They looked it but I was reluctant to touch them to find out. Can we trust what the artist and gallery claim?


Flask of Tears is two containers of tears bought by the artist from a Soviet institution. Hendricks claims to have tasted them and that they are salty, but we believe him? Room In A Sack is rumoured to be the entire contents of a room - bed, ashtray, coffee machine, bedding, a library of books - shredded and put into a bag. Really? Our art gallery never fails to amaze.


Today's ensemble: Duke Sportswear of London, 1970s poncho (St Giles Hospice), another frock of fabulosity from Helga, 1960s Lime green nylon gloves (found in a jumble sale handbag), feather earrings (Topshop sale, 2010)

We're just back from an epic shopping trip and I'm itching to tip this lot up and reacquaint myself with what we've bought. There's all manner of fabulousness in these bags including feathers, velvet, satin and lurex - whoever thinks charity shops are full of over-washed supermarket tee shirts and last year's Primarni seriously need to reconsider their hunting ground.

I'll share this week's finds shortly, right now I need to defrost!

See you soon.

76 comments:

  1. Love the look of the Jochem Hendricks exhibit. And would happily take in all of the pack if they were real life pooches. Looks really interesting. I went to the Roy Lichenstein exhibit at the Tate Modern on Sunday - can't beat a wonder round an art gallery.
    That necklace in the first pic is wonderful! Bastard massive and love it.
    xx

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  2. My goodness our Helga has the magic touch when it comes to finding amazing frocks for you! I'm rather taken by the sequin maxi & your tan looks amazing against the black frock. Some of that art is creeping me out too. What a haul you have in the last pic....I'm looking forward to seeing what you found! Love those green gloves too. Xx

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  3. That exhibit is amazing but as you said: "can we really trust the artist's claims?"
    You and and Jon look lovely and the food looks so yummy!
    Can't wait to see the mother load.

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  4. El primer vestido precioso!
    Saludos
    http://judithbysucre.blogspot.com.es

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  5. On my to-do list, renew museum membership! It's so wrong that I live two miles from a world class modern art museum and don't go there regularly. And a happy unni-versary to you and John.

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  6. I sort of zoned out at the mention of boozy afternoons. Sounds perfect, esp if you can look as good as you do. The art? Well....

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  7. Looks like you've had a lovely time of late!

    Corr! Those bags of charity shop loveliness look amazing - sneak peek?! ;) xx

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  8. Some different artwork .... the dogs looks kind of creepy.
    Im waiting on a fab dress from Vix!

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  9. You and your man look like you had an amazing dinner. Can't wait to see all your fun new finds and that art gallery looks soooo cool. I love a good exhibition and that one seemed like a bit of a mind fuck.
    Becky :)

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  10. What an awesome art exhibit!!! Altho the dogs were creeping me out a bit!

    WOW--the first floaty frock is just STUNNING!! Gorgeous colors and style!

    The food at five rivers looks amazing!! I love Indian food!!
    You and Jon look fabulous as always. The skirt and sequined top are just wonderful on you!

    that poncho is so cool!! I could use some lime gren gloves today--it's just raw and miserable out.

    I can't wait to see what kind of goodies you found!! Is that a BOA I spy??

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  11. Vix your outfits never fail to impress me, you always look fantastic x

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  12. You have really run the gamut with these pictures lol. The sun is actually out here today, but I take it from your fantabulous poncho its still nippy down there.
    V*A*L*

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  13. The blue dress in the top photo is particularly fantastic with those wonderful tiered sleeves! You two looked well and happy during your anniversary dinner <3

    And what unique exhibits at your art gallery! I can only imagine how those tears were gathered.

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  14. You look so beautiful for your anniversary meal! Lucky Jon.
    It never ceases to amaze me what passes for art these days! Hope you've warmed up, it's snowing here. Again.

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  15. I would need a much bigger sack for all of my stuff. But what a horrid idea anyway. Poor books. :(

    I love this checked maxi dress, you look lovely in it!

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  16. I can't wait to see what you've bought Vix! That blue dress looks wonderful, what a pleasure to have a friend like Helga!
    And the dogs look sooo scary!!!
    XX

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  17. Outfit two knocks it out of the park. Your man must count himself supremely lucky.

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  18. Wow this blue floaty number is friggin gorgeous, way to go Helga! And two Liz bags, I have all sorts of envy going on here! What you wore to dinner is just perfect for saying screw the snow, the weeknight and you both look happy as ever! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! We wanna see what you got! What's in the bags!? I am so blown away by the fighting dog exhibit I love your gallery, and it's official I'm stuffing Peetee, no wait I can't do that:)
    Xxoo
    Love you bunches! Lets chat soon darling!

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  19. Art is a strange one. Art to me are pictures with something to look at. I am afraid to say that I struggle to see the dogs as art but we are all different ;-)Interesting concept though I have to admit. You look gorgeous can't wait to see what's in your bags :-)dee xxx

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  20. wonder what PETA thinks of the stuffed dogs? Are they real?

    The food looks mighty tasty. Bags of treasure: I'm seeing hot pink feathers!

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  21. It sounds like a wonderful anniversary, Vix; but I think you are the type of couple who make an anniversary of everyday..
    I love the feeling you get when back home you don´t remember all the things you have bought, and when you open the bags they are fun yet again, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  22. The New art Gallery is one of the best I've ever been to and that's a cracking exhibit. I'd have to stick one of those doggies under my arm and make a run for it. I've already told the cat I'm having her stuffed!!

    I love that blue frock and I can't wait to see what you got in your haul of wonderment.
    Loves ya
    Em
    xxxxxx

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  24. love your maxi fabulous color!, and also love what you've worn to dinner anniversary!, you're so chic!, love to celebrate something on a week night!
    And I like so much your poncho red details and green gloves, and all your fabulous bijouterie!!
    besos & happy finds

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  25. Hi there!! I so love this Jean Varon dress on you, gorgeous indeed and hope you enjoyed your meal too! Can't wait to see your newly thrifted goodies! xxx

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  26. oooh.... bit of a cleavage going on in your going outfit. Gorgeous. You look lovely in the first photo too, more swirly loveliness, all that soft blue/green is just delicious. Although, possibly even more delicious is that amazing meal you had! It looks proper posh. It's a real shame I'm missing out on the Henricks exhibition, but thank you for introducing him to me anyway! xxxx

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  27. Very interesting art gallery & those dogs....
    Love the floaty maxi & the bag!
    Denise

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  28. Ahhh what gorgeously romantic outfits for a beautifully romantic celebration! You're a sultry seductress in that black sequin number, and the photograph of the two of you together made me smile! Helga was also on a winner when she picked that blue maxi for you -it suits you perfectly sweetheart. What a well dressed week you're having!

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  29. Hope you defrost soon, love the poncho. Not so keen on the dead doggy art or the shredded room, but am open minded , just maybe not that much.

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  30. Such a beautiful taffeta frock Vix I bet all eyes in the curry house were on you. Not keen on the canine art but that may be because they are bull terriers perhaps if they'd been Labradors...maybe not. Yes you are right, I do seriously need to reconsider my hunting ground but paying to travel up North (where all the best stuff is, it seems) sort of defeats the object. Looking forward to seeing whatcha got.

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  31. I know its sooo cold. Those dogs are so strange...a bit eery really.

    Cannot wait to see your charity shops buys x

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  32. That art makes me sad... Who trains dogs to fight now? Disgusting yet it still goes on. Stuffed and still you realise with a normal owner they'd be normal dogs.

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  33. I am in love with that poncho in the last pic ! That art exhibition looks great ! Hope you defrost well, haha =) Kisses

    Fashion and Cookies
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    Bloglovin

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  34. Definitely sequins and taffeta on a weeknight; your dinner looks very yummy! Your art gallery rocks - we rarely get anything as cool as the Hendricks exhibit. I rather like the dogs, and the idea of the "room in a bag" but then I'm a bit of freak myself ;) Can't wait to see what's in the bags!

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  35. The art insulation's look and sound really intriguing - going to look more into those pieces when I get the chance. Those dogs did make me take a second look - I thought you'd gone to rehome some at first!

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  36. I love the sleeves on that blue maxi from Helga, and a bastard massive Indian pendant is always a fine addition!
    Your unniversary meal looks delicious, and I love the photo of you and Jon, still romantic after all these years! Beautiful frock, and yay for a bit of tanned cleavage, phooaarr!
    Your art gallery is a great place, there's always an interesting or thought-provoking exhibition going on. I like the variety of modern art, you don't have to like it or understand it, but isn't it good that artists produce such weird and wonderful work for us to think about? I appreciate the oddness!
    I am dying to see what you found on your shopping trip, I'd love a rummage in those bags, and a cuddle with you in that glorious poncho! xxxxxx

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  37. Love the Jean Varon maxi - it's gorgeous.
    The dogs look real and it's kind of shocking to think of all the dogs brought up to fight instead of living peacefully with us as most of them do. x

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  38. Wow, what a lovely action-packed post. You look wonderful in the Helga dress and I love that you bought your pendant from a gypsy by the side of the road! How romantic.

    Your art gallery looks pretty amazing. Those dogs are phenomenal.

    Romantic meal for two, ahhh. It's good to celebrate. Especially in such great style.

    And oh, the last outfit. Love it, the poncho looks even better on and you look like you mean business. I so want to see the contents of those bags. I can see feathers and lurex, it's all just too tempting. Show us soon! :) xxxx

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  39. good times and so well dressed - love pics and great advice - am off to find the charity shop of dreams this weekend (don't know where but i'm going to find it!)x

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  40. My favourite post ever ( until the next one...obvious!) the first light blue and turquoise dress is breathtaking, the sleeves are lovely and the color perfectly suits you! I adore the sequin top and the maxi skirt too! And the poncho outfit is fabulous !I love green and red together, too many beautiful outfits to comment , I dig your style! The fancy restaurant seems perfect for a romantic night out and I'd love to try their food, if only I could have known before about Hendricks's exhibition, I should have take you there for a second dinner out! Your art critique to his work is enlightening, everything is what it is if it is... mind blowing!
    Lots of love xxxxxx

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  41. I love that Jean Varon maxi, and happy unniversary to you and Jon. That exhibition looks fab. I would be both curious and a little spooked by those dogs. I have to say, the charity shops near me have seriously dried up, boooooo. Xx

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  42. glad you two glammed it up for the un anniversary. cheers!

    you look smashing as always and i'd love to see that art installation.

    did you see this? pretty cool.

    http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2013/04/lost-love.html

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  43. It's a frigging FEAST of Frocks of Fabulosity! I love seeing you rock frocks that I am most annoyed about not being ABLE to rock!!! And the WAY you rock them?! IMPECCABLE!
    The plaid and sequin Varon number is soooo gorgeous, you look dreamy, and how perfect for an anniversary dinner out! Ever so posh indeed, but also righteously funky!
    YAY for a great day out with lovely Annie! Art galleries are interesing places! I don't always get it, but I will defend their right to do it to the death!
    Gagging to see what you scored! Loving the green gloves, incidentally, great touch!
    LOVE Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  44. I bet you have treasures in those bags- don't shred and put in an art display!

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  45. Awww the poochies! I would not want to see that IRL (I would probably start crying) even the pic creeps me out. *Eaakk*
    When I was little I went to my friends house and the people were ("Red-Neck-Ish")Anyhow.... In their games room where they had a pool table and other stuff... there resided two of their former German Shepard dogs .... Taxidermied. *UHGGGGG* I was traumatized.... (Being a major dog lover) and I would have never known until my friend said ("This is our old dog *Whatever its name was* and this is *whatever its name was* he pets both dogs and talks to them.... OMF@#$&ING God! I was so scared I remember never wanting to go in that room again. The memory has stayed with me and whenever I think of it it seems like it should be a scene out of a HORROR MOVIE!

    You look gorgeous Vix and it sounds like you scored quite a bit of great stuff.

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  46. Glad you had a wonderful time, love your maxi dress :) can't wait to see your bargains you picked up...

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  47. Haha, love the modern art! I went to the Centre Pompadour in Paris and saw loads of seriously weird stuff that was hilarious!x

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  48. Sweet Helga gifting you sweet frocks. You look like a floaty goddess in the first pic. But I'm terribly smitten with your unn-iversary frock. Just splendid I saw.

    I'm a lover of art and have done art myself, it's such an interesting world because it's all so subjective, even when one person just thinks it's plain weird.

    Looking forward to seeing your finds as always. Oh and I think I line the green gloves more than Leisa. What a sweet extra score to find in a bag though.

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  49. Tear in a jar is quite a sad notion. Shame he couldnt collect smiles :)

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  50. You have a wonderful blog here and I just found it through my friends site, Minerva Black. So good to find your shop too with magical clothing from the past. I think clothes were so much more femanine in the 60's and 70's.
    Interesting exhibition too. Not too sure about the dogs though! ;-)
    Best wishes,
    Jo May.

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  51. Oh the joys of tipping out your bags at the end of an epic shopping trip. All the tiny forgetten about trinkets and treasures falling out of the folds of some fab vintage clobber!
    There's always time for a bit of culture isn't there? Those dogs are a bit freaky now you mention it. Don't think I'd have wanted to touch them either. The tear flask is a beautiful concept. I love the notion that someone would love someone so much that every tear they drop was so precious to them like liquid gold xxx

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  52. A shredded room in a bag? An artist here exhibited all the garbage she had amassed in a one-year period. It was incredibly fine art.
    Your evening wear for your unni-versary is stunning, love the poodle clutch. You and Jon look like newlymets. And the lime green gloves found in a handbag? Bonus surprise!!

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  53. Love how you look in your "floaty" dresses. What a doll Helga is to send you something so beautiful.

    Your evening out with Jon looks like it was heavenly. You both look so incredible... and so does the Indian food! (Paneer is one of my faves.)

    Your poncho and maxi outfit is really fun even if you do look rather chilled. Look forward to seeing your finds. :)

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  54. i want to go flea market shopping with you some day..and the food!!!!!

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  55. every outfit is perfect. I especially love those poppin' emerald gloves!

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  56. Seems like it would be a bit of a waste to shred an entire room and put it in a plastic bag, but then I don't really get lots of modern art. That taffeta and sequin maxi dress is gorgeous. You look fabulous in the blue too.

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  57. You and Jon look so happy together on your night out Vix, and I always love a visit to an art gallery. Even if I don't always get the art on display, it's good to see something that makes you look and think about things in a new and different way. The dogs certainly set me off thinking, it's sad to see them like that and wonder what their lives were like. Your local art gallery seems like a really good one, constantly having new and interesting exhibitions. Your bags of goodies look very exciting too, I'm dying to see what you've got in them! xx

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  58. Aww look at you two lovebirds!
    Installation art never ceases to amaze me with its randomness - people study at art college to produce sacks of straw? Quite like the dogs though.
    Looking fabulous in that blue maxi! And love the Jean Varon frock too!

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  59. What an awesome unni-versary outfit (of course - we would expect nothing less than fabulous from you!) Such a stylish couple you are too. How many appreciative 180 degree neck swivels do you two get from passers by when you're out and about together?

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  60. Lemme at those precious bags of loot!! Oooooh I wonder what glorious treasures they contain! And a wonderful happy unni-versary to you both - velvet and taffeta? Any night of the week baby! You're going to knock the socks off the locals in everything you wear so you may as well turn it up to 11 every time you go out!!!!! I feel so wonderfully spoilt for getting to perve at not one but THREE glorious outfits! Indeed, do we believe artists? Well I believe you and you're one of my all-time top ten artists! xoxoxoxoox

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  61. The first picyure of the blue dress - Ah! So beautiful. The dogs are beautiful aswell, but I'm a bit afraid of them and therefore I prefer cats.

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  62. Great looking you are you 2 - look like you just met!
    Happy unniversary again
    Yes to tafeta and sequins any day of the week, you are right there
    Love you poncho, i should wear mine, i have 2 gorgeous one -

    Have a great one

    Arianexxxx

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  63. Your second outfit is smashing and so much your style.I'm so inspired by the way you live your life ,doing just what you love the most.

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  64. You look fabulous, love, love, love your look!! Great pictures, you are awesme!

    Check out my fashion blog at www.fashion1psychology.com Thx

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  65. What a beautiful plaid maxi, but you always have and wear the best maxis! I used to be heavily into Taxidermy before art uni. That exhibit looks stellar! Adore the photos of you two! Enjoy your weekend love! xx

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  66. Looking fab darling Vix. Those fighting dogs made me sad, although at least if they're used in an art exhibition they didn't die 100% needlessly. The exhibitions at that gallery look very interesting!!

    Lx

    www.whatlisawrote.blogspot.co.uk

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  67. Love you in a good maxi! Your local art gallery looks mental - I'd love to visit!

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  68. vix i love the first dress on you. the colour suits you so well . youa re like the ice queen, the one with the big heart. oh i'd love to rummage in those bags. talk soon love lucyx

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  69. love the look of your art gallery.....those dogs look brilliant!!x

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  70. Gosh so much goodness in one single post...the frocks are AMAZING...the food looks mouthwatering and the poncho has walked out of my dreams...FABULOUSITY all around xxx

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  71. Awww, you two look having fun, even after all those years..you look like a couple still very happy-and Vix you look so cute!:)

    Love the sparkly top too, very nice contrast to the color block plaid skirt, and topped of with anther lovely purse! I'm sure you turned all the heads at the restaurant!

    And the art...well, I'll take a Krista painting over it any day!!!:)

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  72. Ooh so many amazing frocks! The dinner looks amazing (YUUUM!) and the taffeta and sequins number is always a fave. Jon looks gorgeous, as always, too, big spunkyarse.

    I love that gorgeous poncho - and the lime green gloves are EXQUISITE!

    I don't know about the stuffed dogs - they make me quite sad - but it's art, right? ART!

    Love you more than ART!

    Sarah xxx

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  73. sequins and tafeta: gorgeous mix!

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  74. Another fantastic frock! I love the taffeta - I think I might have had a dress in a similar fabric when I was a kid. Looks like a great haul there too.

    xxx

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  75. This was a fabulous day Vix. I still can't get over the Hendricks exhibition. The flasks of tears were like something from a fairy tale, and what about those mysterious 'Soviet Institutions'?
    I just love my shoes, and my Kinky Melon jacket. I'll post a photo to Facebook.
    See you soon
    Annie xxx

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Lots of love, Vix