Thursday 16 May 2013

Fancy Some Interior Porn? What's On My Dressing Table



 I made a friend at last week's vintage fair and invited her round for tea today. 


There's nothing like a visitor to drag me out of my usual state of domestic slattern-hood and spur me into some feather duster wielding action. The spare room dressing table where I do my make-up every morning is usually an utter shambles hidden under hair grips, eye pencil sharpenings and spilt glitter.


Not any longer. I was able to show it off with pride this afternoon. Fancy a look?
The Edwardian dressing table was bought from a charity shop for £25 five years ago and distressed by me. 


I keep my make-up in a wooden cutlery tray bought from a jumble sale. 


 It's mostly Barry M but you knew that already, didn't you? I bought the Revlon eye shadow 5 years ago and still wear it almost every day.


The Benefit make-up bag and brushes were from a car boot sale, Clare gave me the fancy Lancome and Sisley lip glosses, the Two-Faced bronzer & bad-ass handbag mirror were gifts from Krista. Alyson sent me the Lipcote.



I wear false eyelashes instead of mascara. They cost £3 from the Asian beauty shop and keep going for at least 6 weeks. A bottle of eyelash glue lasts me around 6 months.


Dee gave me this groovy 1970s stack system. I occasionally use it for parties but it seemed a shame to keep it hidden away in the cupboard when I'm not entertaining.


Its perfect for keeping the Barry M nail paint in good order.


I bought a tub full of these pots of Indian kumkum from a car boot sale last year. 


This one is so pretty. It's got a butterfly shaped mirror inside the lid.


The swan's full of bindis.


Some of my 1960s chain belts.


I bought the 1950s cat clothes brush from the car boot this morning. The crystal lamps are Laura Ashley, bought from a clearance sale.


I made my necklace storage contraption about three years ago and it's still in one piece despite the weight of all that bling.


I painted a massive gilt frame from a car boot sale with white emulsion, papered a piece of chipboard with a free wallpaper sample and added some cup hooks salvaged from the unit that was in the kitchen when we first moved in.


Can you believe I've recently had a jewellery purge? In case you're wondering the earrings, rings and bangles reside in our bedroom - there's not enough room here!


The Victorian ebony hand mirror has been mine since I was a little girl. The crazy 1970s fringed bed cover was from a jumble sale and I made the patchwork curtains myself.

1960s crimplene daisy print maxi dress (99p, eBay), beads handmade by Tania, cherry red platform sandals (TopShop, 2007)


Liz has the day off tomorrow so we're off on a bus trip around the Black Country, a great way to mark the 3 year anniversary of Mum's death - charity shopping, a liquid lunch and the company of a dear friend - her idea of a perfect day!

See you soon.

Linking to Patti's Visible Monday.


80 comments:

  1. I love your dressing table, you have some lovely accessories! The 70s stack system is brilliant, my friend has a similar which I've always envied! xxx

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  2. hurrah for interior porn posts!!, love them!, and love that you're sharing your little beauty corner with us!, that edwardian dressing table is magnificent and I like so much your pretty good idea to storage your necklaces at sight!
    also love how you're using that stack system and cutlery tray!, brilliant idea!
    And you look fabulous, love your dress and wish you enjoy a funny day!
    besos

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  3. Oh hurray for some interior porn! Love your necklace storage - i might steal that idea when i find a frame ...
    I love your home - and you!


    Xxx

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  4. Great makeover on your Edwardian dressing table and how neat is your make-up? Mine's in a cutlery tray also but it doesn't look like yours!
    Love your groovy orange stack system - much better to use it all year round, it's too lovely to hide away in a cupboard.
    xxx

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  5. I love that stacking system! What wonderful goodies that are on your table.

    I was up too damn late reorganizing my dressing table last night! You have inspired me to blog about it :)

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  6. I I would love a tour of your house, ahhhh. Much more fun than any museum and also a delicious cuppa and chatter with a friend, ahhhhhhh
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  7. Keep an eye on your google search terms after this post - interiors, porn and kumkum, that could make for interesting reading! I love seeing glimpses of your gorgeous home, Vix, it's always unique and personal and beautiful and quirky (like the lady herself.)
    The dressing table itself is lovely - Emma Kate will approve of the paint job! - and your makeup and necklaces are all so neatly organised. I thought I had seen the orange plastic stacking serving thingy out at your parties, but you are right, it's far too fab not to use all the time! And your picture frame for hanging necklaces is an inspired idea. Love that bedspread too.
    Looking beautiful in that gorgeous maxi, Vix, you're a Interior Porn Star! xxxxx

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  8. I always fancy some interior porn. I'm insatiable, so this is just what I wanted, merci beaucoup.

    Yes, having people round is really the only incentive I have for cleaning too. I like to have a few people round once I've done the deed, make it all worth it!

    I'm very taken with all your car boot stash from today, and you look utterly beautiful in that backless dress. I looked up kumkum, what amazing mountains of colour!

    That's a rather poignant note at the end there, I'm glad you are doing something lovely with your dear friend to mark the occasion. xxxxxxxxx

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  9. I love interior porn when its "real" people and not staged by some magazine. Additionally, the whole minimalism thing eludes me, I'd hate not having interesting things to look at & your house is filled with interesting things! I also love that when it comes to colour & mixing patterns you do so with abandon -- so joyful to look at! (I always get Gwensday or Dan ragging on my need to mix up colours -- hey imo if it goes together in nature, it goes together everywhere!) I have a makeup problem after selling it as well as being a makeup artist, I buy far too much... nail varnish & lipstick are the killers, always a nice (and usually inexpensive--cheap stuff isn't so cheap here anymore!) way to brighten up & make things feel new again. Oh how I wish we had Barry M, though to be honest my collection has too much already & hello? I have a problem with my existing collection, adding more... okay I could always make room for more BM & Manic Panic makeup! (Believe it or not I have probably twice as much BM nail paint & eye dusts & I don't live there! Could you imagine the problem I'd have if I did? Do they have "makeup buyers anonymous"? Heehee!) I hope you have a lovely weekend in spite of the sad memory. Hoist a pint for me (dying for some "fresh" lager, ale, stout... oh you get the picture!) in honour of your mum raising an amazing daughter! XXX

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  10. It looks gorgeous! I love the little party snack holder you're using for polishes, I need a good way of displaying mine instead of being put away in boxes. I love the look of your bedding too! xo

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  11. Thoroughly enjoyed the peek at your pretty stuff :-)
    Thoughts are with you for tomorrow.... nice way to remember your mom x

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  12. Dear Viv Yes I know I don't always comment ,but I do follow your blog and advice,Iam building up a nice collection of Barry M nail polish/gel ,and now use the vitamineE moisteriser you recommend ,the only thing is you didnt say how a little goes a long way ..love Jan xx

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  13. OOoh, I love your stacking system!!! ANd that dress is sooo pretty- you have a very nice back!x

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  14. What a really awesome way to honor your Mum!!!! She would love seeing all your stuff so neatly displayed!!! I love your vanity and really dig your display for your nail varnish. I have to try making a necklace holder like that, it's so cool! Let's chat soon!!!! The usual time my dear. LOVEYOUXXXXOOO

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  15. What a nice way to celebrate your Mum - hopefully she'll send you good chazzing karma for a super-special session.

    Edwardian furniture rules - in fact - may brown furniture continue to be unappetising to the masses - our house would be empty without shedloads of 'ugly' house clearance cast offs lol!!!!

    I keep my nail polishes in a spice rack ....

    utterly 

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  16. Lovely way to celebrate your mum! As long as it doesn't involve going into Yates'!
    The dressing table is just so pretty, I love what you've done with it! I wish mine was that clear, but, as you have two I can imagine you would have the same problem if everything was condensed! Love the way you keep your make up. How often do people tell you you're creative? Because you are, very, you just make stuff and it works! and looks beautiful! The necklace rack is fantastic and I love the clothes brush! Looking gorgeous today! xxx

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  17. The combination of your antiques, vintage, talent, taste and organisation have yielded a real treat for those lucky enough to observe it. I was thinking of mentioning everything I love in the photos, i.e.: the combination of your daisy print dress, the bed cover, the hand mirror, the... but the list is just too long. I love everything in your photos. It's all fabulous!

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  18. Gorgeous! Love that bedspread (along with everyone else!)

    Www.mancunianvintage.com

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  19. What a beautiful dressing table you have. Just love it. I always love an interior porn post!

    Hope you have a good tomorrow.


    P x

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  20. Ooo, I love a good nose at other peoples' make-up goodies!!
    Your dressing table handiwork is very impressive.
    I adore the cat clothes brush...what a brilliant find.
    Have a good day tomorrow; sounds perfect.
    Z xx

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  21. Better than anything shown in a fancy design mag!!
    I love everything about the room--the spread. curtains, the fab dressing table, your organization--it's all YOU
    And you are looking rather foxy in your maxi!!
    Have fun tomorrow and i hope you find all kinds of goodies cheap!!

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  22. Lotsa yummy stuff to look at! Loving the pretty and creative jewellery display piece - I'm always struggling with ways to display my many necklaces. Have also always wanted a dressing table - they're so girly and such a fun way to display all the great stuff you use daily. Cheers to your Mum. Xoxo

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  23. Your dressing table looks tres spick and span - wouldn't like to photograph the dust coating my dressing table at the moment!! Love that orange 70's stack system and the cat clothes brush you got this morning. Hope you have a lovely day out tomorrow.

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  24. I love to see around other people's houses, so thanks for showing yours. It's lovely and so full of good ideas.
    I am so glad that there are other people who do a massive tidy up when visitors are due - pre blogging days I thought I might be more or less alone. x
    PS Love your cat clothes brush

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  25. omg your dressing table! it is love! how beautiful it is! and wow you have really a lot of amazing necklaces!
    kiss,mary

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  26. Emma Kate thoroughly approves of the paint job! You've missed your calling Vix!
    One day I will tidy my bedroom and invite you all in for a nose. It's such fun. I'm so excited you're taking on your family home as that means more interiors posts! xxx

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  27. I do love a nosey around people's houses. What a terrifically well organised makeup collection, certainly puts mine to shame, all so beautifully bright too. Xx

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  28. I love these lovely little nosey peaks into your world. It seems quite the thing for us all to be showing off our little nooks and crannies around home at present.

    Your necklace display has given me an awesome upcycle idea.

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  29. I love the cuttlery draw idea , going to a boot sale in walsall wood saturday , i will be on the look out for one , then i will have to hunt for a dressing table to put it in lol xxx

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  30. I love to have a look around your house, your dressing table is fab :)I want to make a necklace frame too now...

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  31. Lovely to have a nosey. I have the same orange snack dispenser which is perfect for storing my bracelets and brooches.

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  32. You're so lucky to have a room just for your make-up and bling! What a lovely riot of colors and a great way to make sure you see each item (I find that if something is out of sight, it doesn't get worn). Love the stacking 70s container and the distressed dresser.

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  33. yes indeed...interior porn. i so love this. love that everything is reused and recycled. i love that blue eyeshadow somehow never runs out.

    thanks for your comment today vix. i can't believe i'll be in england. finally.

    xo

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  34. Oh I love peeking! Thanks for this, you have some very cool make-up. Glad I am not the only one who keeps eye shadow for five years : > xoxoxo

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  35. Your dressing table is amazing and hooray for such a nice price you got it! Love your colorful make up i do rarely wear such bright eyeshadows but guess i should give it try! That stack system is really nice, what a great gift of Dee.
    i made such an accessoire storage of an old frame too and now use it for earrings (and that mini amount of necklaces i have)
    Hope you'll have a fab day tomorrow!
    xxxx Tani

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  36. Love to peek a look at your make up table & so its good to know someone else uses their eye shadow that long!
    Great way to spend the day to help ease the sadness too.

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  37. I had to tiptoe reading this post. You are a master distresser. What an incredible dresser. And your jewels and makeup and bedspread and curtain. And then there's you, master of your domain in your gorgeous daisy-print maxi. Thanks for the peek.

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  38. Swan's full of bindis. I love that

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  39. It is always so interesting to see your personal stuff. The description of your dressing table ("hair grips, eye pencil sharpenings and spilt glitter") made me laugh cause it would perfectly describe my dressing table too. And I thought I am the only one to make such a mess around and to clean it only once in a while :)

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  40. That is the most organized dressing table top I've ever seen! I love the containers you've used to organize your makeup and nail varnish. I wish my dresser top looked like that. Thanks for the sneak peak inside your spare room!

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  41. I absolutely love seeing other fabulous ladies' dressing tables. I think you have yours organized so well. I love the idea of the wooden cutlery tray and that beautiful orange stacking system as a way to organize your makeup. My dressing table is quite bare because I can't figure out a way to neatly store my makeup, so this has given me some great ideas!
    And how glamorous that you were false lashes everyday! Living the fabulous life you are!

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  42. Thanks for sharing your dressing table secrets. I LOVE how you've stored things, I especially love that orange stack system thing. And all that Barry M polish....heaven! I love seeing your jewellery collection too. I'm always fascinated by how people store their collections. And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with a stack of jewellery! I hope you enjoy the bus trip tomorrow. Xx

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  43. Love your dressing table and your fab jewellery and make up organisation. All my make up is in a big wicker basket so I can never find what I want. I have a pretty coat hook for my necklaces but it is overflowing. I am planning a sort out this weekend!

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  44. i love the swan - you are inspiring me to sort out my jewellery and storage as well. x

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  45. What a cosy little corner, would put most dressing tables to shame

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  46. That clothes brush is my favourite thing ever! I think it's so lovely that you made a friend and invited her round - not in a patronising way - it's just something you don't really see a lot of as adults, which is a huge shame. xx

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  47. I love a peek into peoples lives by means of posts like these. I wish we had room so I could have a dressing table, I've wanted one since I was little xxx

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  48. Interior porn is the best porn there is!
    You are so full of great ideas and your space is so gorgeous.
    I love the way that you display your necklace and I'm glad that it hasn't fall down, I'm also very impressed in how you utilize items in a different way.
    Having tea with a new friend and spending time with an old one sounds like a positive way to spend an anniversary as the one approaching.
    Besos,

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  49. What a treat to have a look at your dressing table. It was fun to have a snoop around at all your interesting stuff!

    I'm with you and mostly only clean when company is coming over. They say untidy surroundings indicate a creative kind. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

    I didn't realize you lost your mother only 3 years ago and my heart goes out to you on that. It's nice that you have your good pal to spend time with to commemorate such a significant loss.

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  50. It made me laugh you saying about the dust Vix, same problem here! I was going to have some pics of my dressing table on my last post until I looked at the photos on the pc and saw all the dust in them, it's still there too, lazy baggage that I am. I love seeing all your getting ready paraphernalia, good to know I'm not the only one who uses her make up for years too! Have a great day out in honour of your mum Vix. xx

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  51. I do love a bit of interior porn, and yours did not disappoint! Such a gorgeous Edwardian chest of drawers and ooooh I'm like a child in a sweet shop looking at all those lovely cosmetics.
    Thinking of you sweetheart as you mark the anniversary of your dear Mum's death.

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  52. What a brilliant dressing table. I love it! haha, liquid lunch ? I think I will join you with one of those on the weekend. xx Happy Friday dear! xx/Madison

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  53. Well...what a fun & motivational post! I have some feather-dustin' and organizing to do!

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  54. Enjoy your day!!! I love that dressing table and I LOVE all your colorful cosmetics. I work in the beauty industry and I wish everyone would have as much fun with it as you do. Cheers!

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  55. Thanks for another gracious view of your incredible home.

    Your storage solutions are brilliant! The necklace organizer is particularly beautiful. (We seem to have the same taste in necklaces.) You did an incredible job distressing that dresser. And I can't believe you got that gorgeous maxi for only 99p.

    My thoughts are with you as you honor your mother. Enjoy your day. :)
    xxx

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  56. Your room looks really great!! I hope you enjoyed your time with your friend and a great way indeed to remember your Mum! I am thinking I need some patch work in my home as well. I need a new valance in the kitchen and the pillows on my couch are so ugly blah!! they are brown (came with the couch) I love putting color around my place. ~Thanks for the little tour loved looking around!! I love that BarryM have that pretty blue polish on my toes right now (thanks to you) its my Fave :) ~Love Heather

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  57. This is totally inspiring!!! I've been absent from blogland, more or less, and to come back to this post is superb. I love seeing how you decorate with your stuff-I do the same thing and love your ideas. Hope you had a glorious day with your friend. XXXXXOOOOO!!!!!!

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  58. Vix, I love your nail polish collection and that fantastic dress you wear!

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  59. LOVE your vintage-filled dressing area. This inspires me to get creative with displays in my room, too. And make some curtains...

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  60. Ooooh, my dressing table is the almost-twin of yours (the actual dressing table that is). Mine only differs in still being the original wood finish, but it's minus the original handles yours has and I don't have the little side mirror sections either. Anyway, now that I've played spot-the-difference, also thoroughly enjoyed the jolly good nose around that you gave us of your make up and jewelry collections.
    Wishing you a wonderful day that your mum would have enjoyed too.

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  61. That's the most fun I have had in DAYS!!! What a treat. I love your style.

    xoxo
    Lynn

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  62. I have a frame I have wanted to turn into a jewelry rack for ages and now that I've seen yours, I'm vowing to get that done this week.

    Bling envy again......

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  63. You are genuine and consistent in your style and even in your dressing table! You are The real thing!

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  64. So interesting! Love the bindi swan and the DIY necklace stack! It looks overworked after all these years though, holding all your gorgeous necklaces, doesn't it?
    The stack system looks groovy indeed!

    Love,
    www.shubhisrevels.com

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  65. I always enjoy a tour around your home. Love your dressing table!! Enjoy your 3 days away Vix.

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  66. how fabulous...... and how tidy!!x

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  67. sounds like a nice way to remember your Mum. Hope it was a nice day for you both xox
    p.s those curtains, that dressing table, the swan and the orange stacking shelf...please just send them all here! Your bedroom looks so lovely. I wish I found bootsale gems here like the cat's clothes brush. Maybe when I'm in Birmingham next week I'll look up some boot sales!
    xox

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  68. Yay, another peek inside yourcolourful home. The first thing I noticed was that orange tray with your Barry M collection in it! This has given me inspiration for when our bedroom gets gutted and rennovated when we're back from France. I'm adamant I want a dressing table as I haven't had one since we moved into the house:( Just love the cat clothes brush and the bedspread, wow! I use the Revlon Matte collection eye shadow too.
    Enjoy your day charity shopping, eating and drinking. Let us know what you find xxxx

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  69. Gorgeous dressing table and I love your necklace storage idea. I love Barry M too x

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  70. What a fab snoop! Im usually tidy but every morning my dresser ends up a tip, I just don't have enough storage. Have a lovely day out xx

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  71. So funny that a Visitor spurns you into Domestic Catch-Up... I do exactly the same thing as I'm such a Domestic Slacker unless Company is coming over! *Winks* Your Boudoir is Lovely and you're so Organized... Lord have Mercy, you put me to shame... my Organizational Skills concerning my Lovelies is about as slack as my Domestic Skills. Good thing I can usually blame most of it on The Man, the G-Kid Force and the Cats... *Winks*

    Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  72. I just stumbled onto your blog last week and I am fascinated. Your stuff is fabulous. I think it's fan-TAS-tic.

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  73. I feel like all of life's greatest mysteries can be solved by looking at that dressing table.

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  74. Wow - I loooove your gorgeous dresser! The orange display thing is fantastic - and all that GORGEOUS BARRY M!!!!

    I absolutely adore the bed cover - it would be a frock in no time if I had my way - and you, of course, look just beautiful. The daisy maxi is DIVINE and I love the pic looking over your shoulder.

    Big hugs on the three year anniversary.

    Love you more than jewellery! Sarah xxx

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  75. You are a true persona, Vix. You stay true to who you are and your style.. everything in these picture tells a story of who you are and I LOVE that about you. Stay that way!

    GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES (a fashion and life-style blog)
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/

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  76. I always love a peek at your gloriarse innards! Love the way you have your makeup stored! You are ALWAYS so inspiring! AND so FOXY!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  77. LOVE this! Ooh I want to come round and play dress up and beauty parlour!
    x

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  78. Wow, I'm in total awe of your dressing table. The necklace storage has always been a favourite of mine! You have such a superb taste in interiors Vix - totally rocking that groovy bed cover too xxx

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  79. Your home is so amazing! I love all the pretty things!

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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