Monday 5 May 2014

Sheffield Steal - A Blogging Adventure Up North


Yay! The sun is shining and I can wear my latest purchase, a 1960s jungle print dress snatched off the sale rail in Freshman's Vintage in Sheffield.


I had to lop a few inches off the hem sacrificing several monkeys in the process....


...but the best things in life often do involve a bit of a sacrifice. Like setting the alarm for 5.30am to in order to meet this lovely lot on Saturday (Tania, Gisela, Sara, Emma, Sandra and Curtise). That wasn't shopping in our bags - those were all the presents we'd received.


First stop was the rather splendid Sheffield Town Hall, the location for Loulou's Vintage Fair


It was rammed.


We tried things on, cooed over pretty frocks, despaired at the profusion of 1980s shell suits and bum bags, chatted to sellers, encouraged each other to spend money and the time just flew by.


A quick photo opportunity whilst Sandra was trying a frock on in the loo.


We headed to Wetherspoons for a traditional blogger lunch of chips and pitchers of cocktails. Krista joined us and we raised a toast to all you lovelies who couldn't make it.


Sheffield's 'Spooners were surprisingly reserved and we weren't chatted up once. A lovely lady did interrupt her Wetherspoons curry special to take a few group shots.


There I am! (Linking to Patti's Visible Monday)


The shopping resumed in a warm boozy fuzz. Mooch was a fabulous mix of taxidermy and 1970s frocks. I was tempted with a maxi with a cheeky phallic print and Curtise looked divine in this floral number but neither were to be.


After a wander through the Peace Garden we waved Sandra off,


and had one for the road before catching our trains home.


There's a lot about the internet I remain unconvinced by..Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to name but a few. One thing I am convinced by though is that it is possible to meet wonderful, inspiring and witty women via the world wide web and form genuine and lasting friendships.

Enough of the slush - check out my presents!


A nice jug from Sandra


A gorgeous handmade pin cushion, Flamenco dancer, nail polish and insane fabric from Em.

 A pretty maxi (which I hacked the sleeves off before I went out in it last night), vintage tights, Barry M glitter and a groovy ring from Gisela.

 A fab Sportaville maxi, classy mask and earrings from Curtise


Cowboy shirt, cap, hippy kaftan, chunky beads, ribbon bangle & embroidered boots from Sara ...and a Hello The Mushroom tote bag still stuffed with yesterday's car boot buys.


A proper showgirl maxi dress, crushed velvet loons and a Flamenco doll from Tania.


What did I buy?
This!


At a measly £3 how could I leave this behind? Tania spotted it in Cow Vintage and obviously I need a ruffled 1980s crop top in my life.


Thank you so much for voting for me. If you haven't then here's the link. I'll love you forever if you do (and set my campaign manager, Curtise on you if you don't).

See you soon!

78 comments:

  1. What an amazing day! You all do look gorgeous, happy and just amazing. I love love love the cowboy shirt and the hippy kaftan!!

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  2. Looks at that amazing haul you got!!

    Speaking of amazing, ay carumba you look fab in that 80s ruffled crop top! :D

    xxx

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  3. What a brilliant day! So sorry I missed it. You all look fabulous. See you soon
    Annie xxx

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  4. What a fabulous time you all had. Love your new ruffle top and some gorgeous gifts from the girls.

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  5. Looks like an awesome vintage fair! I love that dress you hacked the sleeves off of lol!
    Cheers,
    L A
    .Ravishing-Ruby.blogspot.com.
    . RAVISHING on Bloglovin’ here.

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  6. awww!!!!
    i saw it over at curtis´- and now again - and say it again - what a gorgeous day!
    the red ruffled top is mindblowing on you :-)

    ....and my ears are still red....tss ;-)
    xxxx

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  7. I thought about you lot on your fab Sheffield jaunt over the weekend and had a quiet sob of regret that I couldn't teleport myself over there to give you all jolly hard arse-squeezes! What wonderful, generous gifts you've exchanged, how about all the flamenco fab-ness - amazing!!! Look at your smile in the last pic, an absolute winner with your utterly fab frilly crop top - I hope to see it in every second outfit post this summer:) xoxoxoxo

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  8. Ooh it looks like you all had fun together and lots of shopping too - perfect! P.S. If you ever fancy heading down to Brizzle for a day out, then give me a shout ;-) xxx

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  9. Good old Cow vintage, your top was a steal at three quid and your washboard tummy puts mine to shame!
    What a fab jungle frock.... and how many gifts???? (I'm loving Curtise's maxi.) Lovely that you took Krista along with you, I hope I'm there too next time!xxx

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  10. Wow! y'all had loads of fun! I love wondering in a city!

    www.delabellesbeautyblog.com

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  11. Do you still have the hacked off monkeys? Would they work as a patch or a brooch?

    Fab, fab, fab day, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

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  12. As always - jelous ! Wanna be there ...
    AND i have given you my vote !
    love you !

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  13. I thought about flying to meet you but I was too shy to ask for details or intrude your company!!! Other than that the ruffled top is made for you and what a lucky lady you are to be showered by presents.All ladies were uniquely dressed and please inform Curtise I have already voted!

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  14. Look at that fab little frock! It was worth sacrificing a few monkeys, it looks wonderful on you; even better than when you tried it on over the top of your jumpsuit, and it looked ace then!
    Oh I do keep grinning to myself, thinking that you were all HERE, enjoying the shopping and the sunshine and the chat. And I am still chuckling over Tan asking which of us the very gay man in Mooch fancied most - we need Jon and Pool Boy to join us for those occasions when only a man can do the haggling!
    Love seeing your photos of the day, and I don't think I had spotted all your pressies, so I am having a little drool over that pink maxi from Gisela, the fabric from Em, and I cannot WAIT to see you rocking the white Viva Las Vegas dress from Tan! Didn't we do well?
    I do think that red ruffled crop top might just be my favourite purchase of the day; £3 worth of insanity and worth every penny!
    Vote vote vote VIx - I have emailed all my buddies to ask them to do just that. I'm on the case, can't let Tweedy Man beat you, darling!
    Let's do it all again very soon, love you! xxxxxxxx

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  15. What makes me sooo happy is to see your glowing smiles!! Those you can't fake - you all look so happy here! :) Sounds like one of best kind of days ever! I wish I was there... :)

    Your little new dress is fantastic, it brings a smile to my face instantly. Look at the jungle animals' faces - aren't they adorable? I am impressed with the size and the quality of the fair (and such a gorgeous location). I wonder what vintage fairs are like here... I'll have to explore!!

    You look so lovely in your cropped red top. True flamenco dancer! Or maybe a Bollywood dancer! :)

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  16. God I love that frock. I'm so glad you nabbed it. Had you all over it...as well as monkeys. There was so much pressie cation going on, I missed those wondrous loons. Love 'em. Can't wait to see you in the frock from Tan.
    Had the best time. Can't wait to do it again.
    Fecking loves ya.
    XXXXX

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  17. Hi my dear!! Woo hoo what a totally amazing time you all had and you all look so so gorgeous- I'm loving the little tiered top you snaffled and your gifts are lovely!! So pleased you had a great time, it's so nice how blogging brings together like minded new friends to celebrate all things stylish!! I'm off to vote for you too I've been a bit AWOL on the blogging front but need to get back into the swing of things! You're looking lovely as ever, have a great weekend xxx

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  18. How much fun!!! Great photos. You all must have caused quite a stir. If you all get too well known the vendors might start jacking up the prices when they see you coming! As a rather tiny person I have had to sacrifice much more than monkeys in length.

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  19. Wow what a fabulous haul of gifts and purchases.
    I can't wait to see you in the white dress.

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  20. Fun, fun and more fun. I love the hippie caftan! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xox.

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  21. omg, so many spanish dancers ....
    .... love the ruffeled cropped top.

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  22. My question would be "Who DOESN'T need a red ruffled crop top in their life??" If not to wear, then to display. The jungle print dress is so cute - my condolences to the monkeys who didn't make it.

    What a great looking group you are, and Holy Cow, the prezzies! No wonder you didn't buy much - you already got lots of loot from the blogger gang.

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  23. You have the abs for that delicious top. Cheers to your lovely mates!

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  24. What a wonderful day you've all been having , your facial expressions say enough !
    So sweet the animal dress , love it ,as well as Curtise's magnificent floral dress , the blue psychedelic maxi skirt and all of your pretty bags ...
    You were definitely blessed by the Angels , three of them were just waiting there for you !
    And never have seen such a beautiful picture frame ...So nice of you to bring Krista with you ...
    And yes , I do agree with everyone : the crop top is gorgeous , red suits you terribly well !!
    Thank you for your kind comment on my blog Vix ...

    Poetical kisses

    ~ La Dryada ~




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  25. Oh , there were four Angels , I just saw the one at the back !

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  26. I never tire of seeing those psychodelic dresses! So much fun! Looks like you guys had a blast! :)

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  27. That looks like a serious amount of good fun!!

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  28. Ahhhhhhhh FAAAAARK!!!!
    Such a gloriarse day!!! I imagine you were all hoarse by the end of it from screeching and laughing and yapping!!!
    That show girl maxi is to DIE for! Please wear it SOON!
    You're all a bunch of foxes, and I would have worn my palms out groping the lot of you!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  29. Lovely group of gorgeous and stylish ladies- it looks like a load of fun there. Glad you'all took the time to share it- wish I was there! xo.

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  30. Geniales imágenes!!
    Besos

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  31. I've got my vote in, because I am terrified of Curtise. ;-) You look divine in a ruffled crop top so of course you had to have it. It would be a crime against humanity of you did not! So many goodies and such a fun day. I love seeing photos where you and Curtise are smiling big happy smiles. I'm so envious of this UK thing where one just hops on a train and goes off to the city for a day.
    xo

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  32. The jungle dress is sublime. The flamenco top just perfect on you. Looks like a really successful day out! xxx

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  33. ohhhh, I would love to join a so wonderful meeting, you look so pretty and funny and absolutely joyful ladies!!
    obviously, your ruffled red top is one of those neutral pieces magazines speak about, absolutely essential!!, Love it and you look gorgeous!! Style Goddess!!
    (And your flamenco dancers collection put a smile on my face!, spanish kitsch!!)
    besos & risas

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  34. Wow, that jungle frock looks better every time I see it, it's looking amazing now, all hippy chick and cute. Thank goodness you didn't let it go. Definitely the deal of the day, that flamenco top and I can't wait to see you in the show girl maxi. Love all your photos of our fab day out, it was so wonderful to come out of hibernation and see you all. Well done for bringing Krista with you, that was a lovely touch. Xxxxxxxx

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  35. What a lovely lovely day you had!!! Amazing gifts too. Your new dress is amazing!!!! I forgot to ask, any ideas of what the dating of my purple dress might be? Is it modern or might it be older!?!x

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  36. looks like you had a wonderful time.

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  37. Of course you needed a 1980's ruffled crop top ... who doesn't???
    It looks like such a fun day ... wish I was there.
    xx

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  38. Fun!!! Definitely a flamenco thing going on there! xx

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  39. Looks like a lovely bunch ~ your all welcome at the farm any time :))
    And yes ~ you got my vote !

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  40. Vix, I never vote on these things or like people's pages BUT I did vote for you. And you're winning! Yay. I have mad love for the 70s. My mother is a retired disco queen. I often wonder if I would have become a hairstylist without learning to roll my moms hair in hot rollers at 7.

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  41. Hi Vix, sounds like you had a glorious time with fabulous friends. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

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  42. Looks like you had a great time and I am jealous. Lovely presents. Love the crop top and vase from Sandra! XO

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  43. Flamenco, monkeys and India frame - and every look are so Vintage Vixen. I guess that the world stops when this vintage-gang come Walking ...?

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  44. The jungle dress is great as well as all the gifts you got from the ladies. Another two Flamenco dolls for your collection, isn't it wonderful?

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  45. Does your day ever sound like fun. I'd bet there was a lot of laughing going on! And wow, all the presents ... Such wonderful gifts that all seem to suit you perfectly.

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  46. What a great day, love your ruffle top purchase, what a bargain at 3 quid, a real classic.

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  47. Arhh...Sheffield, brings back so many memories. Looks like you had a great day out. Love the kaftan

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  48. Tee hee nothing like trimming off a few monkeys.....that is a fantastic print and the dress is gorgeous on you......yay spring days that are sunny.
    Oh my gosh all the ladies on your fun day out, look amazing!!!!!!! Fantastic gifts!!!!!!
    Love v

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  49. What a fab day out and so may gorgeous pressies. One day, if you ever make it a little further south, I will join you!
    The red top is perfect for you!
    M x

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  50. It's lovely to see that you all had such a gorgeous day out. I love all your gifts. The mushrooom dress was lush by the way, I would have snapped that up. I chuckle whenever you mention chopping hems and hacking sleeves, a girl after my own heart :) xx

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  51. Every time I see a get together like this I feel all kinds of jealous! It just looks like so much fun, one day I will come over to visit (hopefully soon!) and we must have a wee field trip. I love that 80s top and so many treasures...I look forward to seeing what becomes of that fabric.

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  52. I am in LOVE with your Spanish Señoritas, all my relatives had these when I was growing up, which is what very much attracts me to things, memories of a very happy childhood. Looks like a fantastic day out. I wish I was there V xxx

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  53. So many fab ladies and gorgeous gifts! That's the sign of a bloody good day out. Love that ruffle-icious top! XXX

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  54. Oh how I love sharing in your day by reading your blog posts. Almost feels like I was there too. Well kinda! Looks like the perfect day filled with blog buddies, vintage, gifts and laughter. I adore that monkey mini....you look incredible in it & the fabric is just fab. Xx

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  55. What a fabulously-lovely, vibrant & heartwarming post!

    X

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  56. It was a brilliant day! I loved it all! doesn't it go quick though? I couldn't believe it! it was utterly fab to meet you and the gals - your flamenco top is delicious, and a bargain, I have just posted and have you in your original dress pre-crop! hope those hacked monkey's are behaving themselves! x x x

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  57. What a fabulous time you all had! Your pressies and buys are wonderful - lucky you!

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  58. You've got my vote Vix - good luck to you!! Fabulous print on your jungle dress too!

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  59. I laughed out loud with your sacrificing monkeys for fashion bit. I'm sure they'll be saved for something even better in the future.
    My, you needn't have gone thrifting at all, there was more than enough with gifting each other! Even better. Looks like so much fun.
    I voted for you, of course. Do you get to wear a - what are those called - a banner? Like Ms. Universe? or a Crown? hmmm.

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  60. I can tell by your joyful faces that you were all having a fabulous time. The gifts are special and I adore the red ruffled crop top. Doesn't everyone need such a beautiful addition to one's collection?

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  61. Love love love that little dress.
    And looks like you had a fabulous time. Beautiful ladies. x

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  62. It sounds like you had a great day. I just love your jungle print dress, you look gorgeous! x

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  63. You are like a real life spanish doll! that top is fab! I love your blogger days out, they look like so much fun xx

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  64. looks like it was an awesome day out - lovely presents. Am just off to cast my vote in your favour xx

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  65. I love your presents especially the lilac nail polish and the embroidered boots xxx

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  66. Such a shame to sacarfice the monkeys on the dress but the length looks fabulous in you. Looks like a fun day out!

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  67. That vintage tiered ruffled red crop-top is a real stunner! You have a fine and well practised eye for beauteous vintage fashion and its potential. Your Northern adventures with your fun group of blogging vintage aficionados look like they were a fulfilling experience. Sorry to read you lost some monkeys but your 1960s jungle print dress came out looking fab. The photos of the frocks, treasures, presents and company are wonderful. I did vote for you - best of luck!

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/2014/05/shadowline-and-victorias-secret.html

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  68. Looks like so much fun! I love your gifts, that's so nice ;-)

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  69. Hello Vix, what a lovely day you all had looking gorgeous as ever Vix, Best wishes xxx

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  70. Groovy dress in the first pic! Looks like you all had a blast. Xo

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  71. Vix you have really made me happy this morning with these pictures. I am floored by your presents, all so thoughtful and beautiful, your right who needed to shop after that! Can't wait to see those boots with the new top! Hotness! You gals are all so colorful and I love that you actually meet up, best part about blogging.

    I love and miss you bunches! Thanks for taking me along Vix you are such a love!
    Xxxxxoooooo

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  72. So fun!! I adore the gifted maxi skirt, velvet pants, and ruffled crop top!!!!!

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  73. It seems you've had such a blast! I love all the gifts you ladies spoil each other with!

    Love, love, love!

    Masha

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  74. You guys look completely gorgeous ... such wonderful smiles. You don't look boozy at all, ladies! What a fine time you all must have had. Vix, I'm knocked out by your jungle print, but am in complete and eternal admiration of the red crop ruffly peasant top thingy ... beautiful on you! You look great, as always. What a figure!

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  75. I had such a nice time... I was having quite a rough week and meeting with you lot was great!

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  76. what a great time you all had, you all look beautiful, I love to see people who are not afraid of color!

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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