Wednesday 10 July 2013

Booty Call - The Return Of The Mid-week Car Boot Sale



 Its been ages since we last went to the Wednesday car boot sale so I was up at the crack of dawn,  covered in factor 25 and raring to go. In my haste I failed to notice there was any sunshine so I was a bit on the chilly side wandering the fields in my strappy summer dress. 


The great thing about a mid-week car boot is that it doesn't start stupidly early so at 9am most traders are only just unpacking.



Jon strides ahead in his excitement to find a bargain.


I have to be sneaky with photos, there's a lot of traders supplementing their benefits so the sight of a bastard massive camera arouses suspicion (not that anyone is going to be making their fortune at these prices).


Our previous two non-summers have lead to loads of car boot sales being cancelled so a dry morning brings the punters out in their hundreds.


 It only takes an hour or so to cover the entire field - I can tell at a glance if a heap of clothes is worth a rummage and new stuff, mountains of kids clothes and toys get given a wide berth.


 So what's in the bag? Retro car parts, which I won't bore you with, and....


A boxed set of snazzy 1970s wine glasses - which will look even more attractive filled with Rose in front of The Apprentice later. The lady selling them chased after me and insisted I take them as she thought I was the perfect person to appreciate 1970s style.


A groovy 1970s French kitsch-tastic cruet


A retro ice crusher - perfect for our rum and coke


An Aztec print cotton midi dress.

(The elderly lady selling it told me it was "brand new". Yeah, it is unworn but at over 40 years old I think describing it as "new" is a tad optimistic.)


These leather boots.

They looked such good quality I handed over my cash without giving them a second glance - when I got them home I noticed that they're Gucci (I suppose the distinctive stirrup should have given them away).



My dream pair of Victorian-style lace-up leather boots by United Colors Of Benetton.

I thought they would be too small for my hooves but they fit perfectly. There's a handy side zip, too - perfect for a cripple who relies on Jon to do her shoes up.


For Jon - a vintage silk scarf and a nice bit of tweed.


Like me, he couldn't give a toss for fancy labels but it's a pleasant surprise when you unexpectedly find one.


A 1960s starburst wall clock 

We've already got a similar one but this onyx & teak beauty was only a quid so I'd have been mad to leave it behind, wouldn't I?

1970s Radley dress (£5, SCOPE charity shop), Greek folk dancing sandals (50p, car boot sale), Vintage tooled leather tote bag (£1, car boot sale), turquoise earrings (Colaba Causeway, Mumbai), Ted Lapidus sunglasses (£1.95, Acorns Hospice)

Spot the difference! 



The legend that is the divine Miss Simmonds, Clare, must be a witch. These incredible 1970s red & white leather platforms & lime green silk bag were in a parcel awaiting my return this morning - they match my frock and Barry M nails a treat. (I'd love to show you a close-up of my feet but my missing big toe nail might put you off your dinner!)


The Louis Wain postcard looks just like my Polly Piglet and who's that girl?
There's another car boot sale tomorrow, can life get any more exciting?

See you soon.

77 comments:

  1. Love a good rummage!!! Do I spot abit of Harris Tweed my lady???? Love it xxx

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  2. There's that pretty dress again. I love the clock as well, I wouldn't have been willing to leave it behind either xxxx

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  3. Wow what a bloody amazing haul! That place looks fab - and what a treat to not have to be up at the crack of dawn!

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  4. Love that clock and I've always had a thing for victorian style lace-up boots.

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  5. love the lace up boots , I would not have the patience to lace them , I can spot a bargain at a glance too , Dave says I don't miss a thing , we are jammie buggers ( a black country saying) xxx

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  6. Yeah!!! I love the red and white checked dress and it's perfect with Clare's wonderful presents, at first I thought you were wearing more comfortable shoes for the car boots sale!! The portrait is amazing, I adore her style and Louis Wain is one of my biggest obsession right now, especially in his schizofrenic period! Those two pair of boots are wonderful, I can't believe that someone could sell them (lucky you) they are timeless, I loved the brown one before reading they were Gucci!! The clock is very beautiful too!!
    Lots of love xxxxxxx

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  7. Fab! Beautiful frock and perfect with Miss S's wonderful shoes. She is such a spooky bitch with her pressies is she not?
    Love the clock and no you couldn't have left it and those lace up boots. Phwoarr! I could do with a pair like that to keep me upright at the moment! It fascinates me what people hoof out onto a rug to flog for thruppence at boot sales. Having said that, I find all my best little bits of tat that way.
    Enjoy the sun.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxxxxxx

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  8. Wow, what a great haul, those lace up boots are to die for and now I'm wanting a cool ice crusher - thanks for sharing!

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  9. Excellent scores! I adore the clock and aztec dress, would definitely rock that. And you look lovely in the red dress :)

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  10. No sun here today either!
    But of course that doesn't stop you finding extraordinary bargains - a starburst clock for a QUID? Brilliant! Both pairs of boots are wonderful, those lace-up ones are right up my street. Jon will look very fancy in his Harris tweed and Hermes silk!
    You look fabulous in your gingham sundress, and those sandals from Clare are divine. The art is amazing - she's just sent me my Clementine portrait too, that girl is a star. So are you! xxx

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  11. great finds!, love your car boot sales posts and how you always purchase something interesting!, that aztec print dress is awesome, and I'm loving your lace up boots!
    And you look fabulous wearing gingham!, so summery and pretty!, and that matching sandals are perfection!
    besos & bargains!

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  12. You kill me in your gorgeous dress, and all my favourite things: car boot sale, 50p piles and even better 20p, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    What am I doing here at 42ºc???
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  13. Hermes and Gucci?!? In a field? What posh boot sales you have! Love both pairs of boots. Good luck for tomorrows boot sale. Bit of Prada perhaps? xxx

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  14. You look down-on-the-farn fabulous in your gingham!!

    WHOA--what a fantastic load of goodies you mananged to nab!!
    Those lace up boots are so Stevie Nicks awesome!!

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  15. Amazing haul. You look lovely in that red and white dress.
    We used to have a starburst clock in the 1970s/80s/90s - think my mum may still have it!!

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  16. Harris tweed, Hermes and Gucci !! Not too bad for a morning's work then. Love the 70's glasses and the French duo. How fortunate that the lace-up boots have a zip too, imagine trying to get those off after a few sherries, without one.
    Hope tomorrow's bootfair is as fruitful.

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  17. It's fun to find high end stuff at yards sales.

    Here's a question: Over here we have yard sales and garage sales at our houses. Flea markets are at a central location. Are car boot sales more like flea markets? And can you have yard sales in your front yard?

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  18. Those Gucci boots are fantastic! And I like your gingham frock. I love a car boot.

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  19. I'm always awed by your finds at car boot sales and jumble sales. I never find quite the bargains that your expert instinct sniffs out. That starbust clock...those boots (both pairs)...that dress... Jon's finds. Simply delicious.

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  20. These are amazing finds!
    Thrift shops are the shits these around here, i wish we had car boots!
    Gucci boots and Hermes, pretty awesome!

    hugs

    Ariane

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  21. I love that dress, you look like a tiny beautiful shepherdess in it. It's been too long since we've seen it.

    A midweek car booty is the best because you get to bag all the booty, while most of the other people are sitting in their offices. That's the kind of cunning plan Baldrick himself would be proud of. And yet again we see the Vix effect in action with those glasses!

    Miss Clare Simmonds is a very clever witch indeed. But a good one, like Wendy, Casper's friend. Those shoes are something else. xxxxxx

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  22. Good picking!!
    I love those shoes from Claire, and her artwork is so fun. I have been loving seeing all her portraits!

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  23. I'm coming up to Walsall to steal those lace up boots!! if you ever want to sell them let me know! I knew those shoes would look amazing on you, I've been too scared to wear them since they hurt so much. That clock is fabulous, for a quid you couldn't leave it at home! Another perfectly beautiful maxi dress too, it's bloody gorgeous. I always love seeing that red and white gingham shepherdess dress, beautiful! The cruet set look a bit like Stalin, but I love them anyway. Love the 50p stall, all shite but you never know what might turn up! xxxx

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  24. You do know that it is quite amazing to someone like myself who has never been to this type of sale, that you were able to find such great things there. I spent an hour and a half at our thrift store yesterday and came away with much less. I love what I found but it seems to take us a lot longer to dig out the extremely well hidden treasures. And here you have people chasing you down with them! :)

    I particularly like the 'new' 40 year old dress.

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  25. You're a lucky girl with those great finds,Vix!

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  26. Ooh I love the old dress and the new, great find! :)

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  27. Such cool stuff. I can never find things like that where I live.

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  28. Jon's items and the two pairs of boots are awesome! that scarf is perfection and I love harris tweed pieces. xx

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  29. Hermes and Gucci? I'm going to come a-bootin with you! What fab finds, I am particularly enamoured with that beautiful clock, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for one similar!

    Hope you're well, I have so much catching up to do with your blog, I've been super busy of late and have neglected commenting *slaps own wrist* but glad to see all your hilarious posts and gorgeous pics again-they always make me smile xxxxxxx

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  30. O, jaysus, I just love when you rock that Ellie May gingham frock. You look like butter wouldn't melt in yer mouth!!! The new platforms go a TREAT! They're rather splendid!
    Oooo, some excellent scoring at the boot sale, not one but TWO amazing pairs of boots!!! Loving the glasses and the clock!!! Fecking SWEET!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  31. Love the lace up boots and those shoes from Clare are gorgeous. My favourites though are the 1970s wine glasses - I would never have been able to resist. I'm sure a glass of rose would taste better in them. xxx

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  32. Hey Vix looking good :D Some amazing bargains there I got a Gucci coin purse a few years back for £1.49 at a chazza shop (a real one, circa 1970's/80's) Its a nice feeling when you get that kinda bargain. I was wondering if you could do a recipe for Jon's Channa Massala? I'm aiming to eat less meat and I love Channa Sag when I order from the takeaway. Thanks :D hevanne x

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  33. I am so in love with that gingham dress - if I thought it had a chance of fitting me I would have flown over there and taken it (not while you were wearing it, mind you). Clare's shoe prezzies are perfect with the dress.

    I've always wanted a starburst clock - I never see any around here except at high end vintage stores and they cost much more than a quid. The black lace-up boots are "divoon" as Madame Helga would say. Look at you, scoring the high class labels for a song!!

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  34. BOOTS. OH, THE BOOTS. Both pair! Sickening! You are KILLIN it with these finds, lady!!!!

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  35. I might just have to squeeze in a bit of car booting when I'm over in a few weeks :D Ya know I've been seeing those clocks on the web recently and thinking now there's a blast from the past and I reckon one would lould pretty good up on my wall :D Looking gorge as usual ♥ even minus yer toenail :D

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  36. Such a beautiful dress you are wearing, and both pairs of those boots are divine. That clock for a quid? Omg. Can't wait to see tomorrow's finds. Xx

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  37. Looking sweet in the gingham dress. Nothing better than finding great vintage items. I'm excited for you. You really scored this time! XXX

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  38. Booty call. That's really funny. Wish we did that sort of thing here in the states. I'd be all over it like red gingham on Vix. So pretty. Love the starburst clock. Excellent purchase!

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  39. a -may-zing boots! yikes, the boots are worth a day's trip in any direction! you look gorgeous, and are the best shopper in the kingdom. xoxox

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  40. One pound for that clock??!!!! WTF??! Brilliant!
    Love all your scores.
    So excited for you - car boot season is bloody brilliant. No, life can't get much better!!

    The gingham looks great! You should join up to Shiny T tuesday - theme this week is square dressing!

    Happy Days!! x

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  41. Wow, awesome haul! Love the Gucci boots and the dress is nice too! Love your platforms and bag too!x

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  42. Can you please teach me how to shop? I'm always impressed by the bargains you find but never seem to come across those things myself. If you know about any good car boot sales in London please let me know! xxx

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  43. This is one of my most favorite dresses ever!!!!! Is the difference in those photos you fixed the bottom of the dress??? The time away has served you well OMG I am loving those boots and you will get tons of wear out of them and that sweet brand spanking new sun dress too. Will you sell the Gucci boots I should think you could get a pretty penny for those!

    It was so nice seeing your beautiful face and talking with you today! Take care of that hip honey and that poor toe. You are such a rock and roller!!!!
    LOVE YOU!!!!
    XXOXOXOOXOXX

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  44. oh yeah...Clare is a lil witch :) I love love love those shoes!!!!

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  45. Oh wow, those shoes of Clare's with that amazing dress ... what a beautiful sight!! I used to have a pair of black lace-ups like your gorgeous new pair, but the births of my last two pushed my feet into supersize, where of course, they have remained, so I sold them. :( Gucci boots - score! And I love it when people are desperate to sell/give you amazing retro stuff, coz we all know it's going to be well-loved. Hugs my lovely xoxoxoxoxo

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  46. EXCITING indeed! Great haul! LOVE those lace-up granny boots and the wine glasses are true retro chic. And get on with you and your starburst clock! You KNOW how sought after those are. And at that price (eye roll)... PA-LEEZ! The car boot gods must have been with you at this sale, girl. Best of luck to you on the next one.

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  47. The glass lady understood your fun and kind spirit so indeed she knew that you would take good care of her's '70's glasses.
    The long Victorian boots are my favorite find!

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  48. Boot AND Bling envy. Too Much!!!

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  49. Holy shizzaroni Vix!
    You found the best stuff EVER.
    The clock is awesome.
    I love the little sundress.
    I instantly knew those were Gucci boots and my jaw about dropped on the keyboard.
    Your gingham dress is so cute and I adore your shoes and bag. Clare is lovely.

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  50. Wish that we had such sales in my neck of the woods. I love the lace up boots...and the ones that arrived in the mail are perfect match with the dress of the day!

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  51. Gosh between you and Jennie (Frocktasia), I am experiencing major car boot envy today. That clock! Those lace up boots! I'm sure you're a master at sifting through the dreck.

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  52. How do you get so lucky - two pairs of boots! And I just love the French cruets.

    Your dress is so pretty, and the new-to-you shoes are so perfect. You'll have to wear them again very soon!

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  53. I love that dress on you! So summery! What great goodies -- Gucci boots? You must've pissed yourself as I did when I found a vintage Gucci handbag for $1! And Jon finding an Hermes scarf? Oh dear I think I may faint from all this designer car boot loot! Enjoy all your goodies, can't wait to see what tomorrow's boot sale brings! XXX

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  54. Ok I am sorry but I saw nothing else but those lace up benetton boots OH THOSE ARE AMAZING!!! you will look fabulous in those strut around in them for me will ya!! xoxo Heather

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  55. Fabulous scavening work, as per usual! Nice one on the glasses, and I thought I was doing well getting given a free bag of radishes at the markets! You look like a little milkmaid in your gingham frock, adorable!

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  56. You look beautiful in red gingham - I need some red gingham and some sunshine to go with it. That clock is amazing and I want BOTH pairs of those boots:)

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  57. Wow, that clock would cost hundreds of dollars over here! I'm on the lookout for a cheap one.

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  58. They might be Gucci, but I much prefer the lace-up boots.
    When you gonna do a can-can video??
    Gingham = perfect summer dressing.
    Z xx

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  59. Fabulous, love them all!!


    Plz chek out my fashion blog at www.fashion1psycholgy.com. Thx :)

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  60. That 60's starburst wall clock is a beauty. I much prefer analog clocks to digital and vintage to modern. That one looks like it's of high quality, and what a buy! That aztec print midi dress is a beauty and the gingham frock you were wearing is a pretty one. I like your eye-makeup in that piece of artwork shown in that last image.

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  61. You really do find the best stuff! I love the aztec print dress and I'd love one of those groovy clocks too.

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  62. love the aztec dress and the brown boots *__*

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  63. How divine do you look in that gorgeous dress and those cuter than cute matching heels! I love a good car boot!

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  64. Oh the clock is amazing......they are so hard to find here and you pay a bomb for them. EEeekkkk!!!!
    I am so in love with that wee summer dress....you are going to look fabulous in it Miss Vix.
    I wish we had a car-boot sale to go to.
    Love V

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  65. Excellent buys there Vix. I especially covet the drinking glasses, they're really lovely. Have a great weekend xxx

    P.S. Can Jon do a post about his retro car parts? I wouldn't be bored! ;-)

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  66. Such great buys! I just love the clock and those lace up boots are to die for! If you ever see a pair in a size 7 send them my way ;) x

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  67. Wonderful buys Vix. Those are fab wine glasses as well, and I love you in your checkered dress. Happy weekend! xx

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  68. Oh dear lord do you know how badly a star burst clock is on our home wish list. Love it big time.

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  69. Oh wow!! I LOVE that red and white dress you are wearing! You look very fetching!! I love the boots you found. In fact, I am so jealous that I didn't find exactly the same thing in my size! I love seeing these sales you go to!!

    XOXO
    Lynn Dylan

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  70. Great finds .. yet again :) I especially like the midi dress and the clock - would look great in my conservatory ;P

    Sal x

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  71. Lots of lovely stuff :-)

    /http://madelein.se

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  72. I am not usually a fan of Aztec prints but I take exception at that dress as I think its gorgeous. I love the boots too x

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  73. You seriously find the best stuff. I love it all.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

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  74. Hi lovely, I am so far away from blogland at the moment but I was thinking of you and thought I would just have a quick look at what you had been doing and I just had to comment on this post. STARBURST CLOCK OMG £1 I am in shock that has to be the find and bargain of the year :-) Its gorgeous. hugs, dee xxx

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  75. That gingham dress you are wearing is AMAZING!

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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