Monday 16 June 2014

And, On The Seventh day, God Created Vintage


I've been hanging around churches a lot recently but don't worry, I'm still the same old living-in-sin, cider swigging, swearing hedonist I've always been.


 Its just that to get into town we have to cut through St Matthew's churchyard, 

Wearing: Levi's shirt & shorts with Spanish 1960s plimsolls (All charity shopped), 1960s Polaroid sunglasses (Car boot sale) and a bag I made from a curtain.

...before negotiating Church Hill, a cobbled access road which has existed since Saxon times.


Lugging our shopping back up this utter bastard of a hill helps keep us fit (probably the reason why Jon's knees are knackered and I've got a hip replacement, too). 


...but its an easier option than these Victorian steps.


We were in church on Saturday, taking Kinky Melon on the road to the Absolutely Vintage, Darling fair at the beautiful St Peter's in the City in Derby.


A new location for Kinky, an hour's drive away from us.


Part of the church dates back over 1000 years.


The nurse in the top right hand corner of the Florence Nightingale Window, rescued from Derby Royal infirmary after it was refurbished, is still alive.


The city was quiet but we didn't do badly takings-wise and would definitely go back. 


Meeting a couple of blog readers who'd made the trip specially to say hello made my day, as well as selling some choice pieces of stock to a couple of vintage virgins.

Wearing: 1970s halter-neck maxi by Jinty's, London (£5, vintage fair), Candy coloured platforms (£5, local retail), Hair flower (Scope, £1)
I didn't get struck down by a thunderbolt for daring to wear a revealing maxi in a church. (Maybe God knows that I'm an atheist.)


Oh look, a line from one of my favourite songs.


I made this maxi dress yesterday whilst watching the Uruguay vs Costa Rica game. Typically, every time I popped into the next room to use the sewing machine I missed a sodding goal. 


It got its maiden outing this morning and survived the encounter intact, although my nerves very nearly didn't. The Post Office had more screaming kids in it than a crèche.

Me-made maxi (made using some 1970s polyester from Helga and a 1974 Style pattern from a car boot sale), Beaded peacock bag (car boot sale, years ago), Lamani gypsy pendant (India), Vintage Ted Lapidus sunglasses (Charity shop, 2010)
Now I've got to decide what the hell I'm going to wear for the National Vintage Awards on Thursday night ...god help me!

See you soon.

73 comments:

  1. STUNNING as always! I love seeing pics of your neighbourhood and I love that most of those cobblestones are older than my country! You look splendid in that gorgeous maxi and THOSE SHOES I see peeking out in one pic. Also an atheist, I do love a pretty church too and I would travel any number of miles to visit you in your glory in that fab church market. Love! Sarah xxx

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  2. What lovely church's, no wonder you are so slim with those stairs !, you look fab in your maxi dresses !!! have a good week Vix.

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  3. Super cool couple for sure(love ur latest creation:)!

    X

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  4. What a lovely atmosphere, fab place for a flea market! xx

    http://haighthippy.blogspot.com

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  5. What a lovely atmosphere, fab place for a flea market! xx

    http://haighthippy.blogspot.com

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  6. Lovely cobbled stone paths. The church looks like a lovely setting. Wonderful to hear about the sales to vintage virgins, I always get a giggle out of people's excitement with their first vintage buy. I'd love to know what they bought. Love the maxi you made, you look so relaxed. Good luck with the awards Thursday night, I'm sure you're not short of options to wear and will come up with something glorious for the occasion. X

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  7. Hello Vix,

    You do seem to be able to create fashions from almost anything in the twinkling of an eye, or still least, the duration of a football game.

    The maxi dress and the bag.......is there nothing that you cannot turn your hand to? We are seriously impressed.

    And what, we hold our breath asking, will you wear to the Vintage Awards Ball? Glass slippers? We are crossing fingers and toes that this will be a night to remember for all the right reasons!

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  8. what an amazing backdrop for your wares or even you for that matter, beautiful place, if walls could talk, your dress looks great!I love old churches, but not the pain an suffering that they caused,

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  9. Hi my dear!! Gorgeous pictures of the church, so pleased you had a successful time! I'm adoring your newly made maxi too, a gorgeous pattern and you look fabulous! xx

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  10. What a wonderful walk home! Well worth the effort if you can see its beauty. I wish we had vintage fairs in our church. I'd be sooo much more fun than a 90 minute mass.
    Loving the frock you made! I'm sending you some psycadelic wool so don't put that sewing machine away...xxx

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  11. I love that line, "maybe God knows I'm an atheist"! Well, he does now!(I'm one too, but I haven't told him yet...Oops!)
    Love both dresses, but my fav is the orange with those platforms! :)

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  12. Most glorious site for vintage sales, Vix. This would actually get me into church! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xoxo.

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  13. Oh, such a lovely maxi dress!

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  14. The intense colors of the stained glass window leads me to suspect that the women portrayed in it would have pounced on your rack of pretty frocks, especially the nurse whose vocation required her to wear a uniform. (Starched they were then, and NO air conditioning.)

    What will you wear to the awards event? How will you style your hair. And Jon? Is it tux time?

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  15. If gods exists it will definitely be a woman wearing vintage, yeahhhhhhhhhh
    You are just beyond any words I could say
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  16. Fab maxi dress - and that's one of my favourite songs too.

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  17. Ha, your new dress does that weird optical illusion moving thing when I scroll down the page. If there is a God, then I doubt they care about clothing that reveals the bodies they created. But I also doubt that there is a God so I'm doomed when the Rapture comes.

    That hill must be a total 'mare in rainy/icy weather!

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  18. Thankfully, you don't have to be a believer to enjoy churches, graveyards or religious art; there are a few of us who would be in bother if that were the case! So carry on swearing, cider swilling and unbelieving, and hanging around churches, darling!
    I was squeaking "I've been there!" at the computer when I saw your local church and that bugger of a steep hill! It's beautiful, and you look just fabulous there in your me-made maxi.
    The fair in the church in Derby look great; we have a vintage/craft fair every 6 weeks or so in St Mary's church, just down the road. The stained glass casts a rosy glow, I think God would approve, if he existed! Love love love the orange halterneck, you look beautiful.
    Hmm, what to wear, what to wear... Whatever you pick for Thursday, you'll be a winner, love! xxxxx

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  19. I do like a nice church, it has to be old, mind, as I don't hold with any happy clappy nonsense. Your local lychgate is very ornate and a perfect posing place to show off your stunning home-sewn maxi....I love the fabric. St Peter's windows are amazing, thank heavens the hospital stained glass was recycled. What a lovely venue to sell your wares, I wish our local church would catch on, beats boring sermons any day. Howsabout the white grecian frock for Thursday? Wishing you oodles of luck but have a feeling you won't need it. xxx

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  20. What a beautiful old church. That new dress you made looks great! Have fun at the awards, I am sure you will be in good company. Cheers

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  21. You mean you made that gorgeous dress in a mere 90 minutes! Amazing! xx

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  22. First things first ... Your new maxi is a stunner. You're so good!

    And my mind is blown every time you talk about how old things are all around you. Having the sale in that incredible church must have been quite amazing. I can hardly imagine places so ancient and steeped in history!

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  23. You are the resurrection of VINTAGE!!!!! I am holding out hope that you bring home the award on Thursday and you will look fierce no matter what you wear! That hill!!!! Those heels, I see you wearing them HOT! I think the only way to get me in a church is when they are as beautiful as this one and there is a vintage fair inside!!!! How cool you pop some vintage cherries and met some new blogging gals!

    You are looking beautiful in all of these dresses honey! LOVE YOU!!!
    XXOOOOOX

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  24. You are the resurrection of VINTAGE!!!!! I am holding out hope that you bring home the award on Thursday and you will look fierce no matter what you wear! That hill!!!! Those heels, I see you wearing them HOT! I think the only way to get me in a church is when they are as beautiful as this one and there is a vintage fair inside!!!! How cool you pop some vintage cherries and met some new blogging gals!

    You are looking beautiful in all of these dresses honey! LOVE YOU!!!
    XXOOOOOX

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  25. Your new dress creation is gorgeous and I just love the village you live in, so beautiful.

    The church that the fair was held in is quite stuning too.

    You must be so nervous and excited about Thursday xx

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  26. wouuuu, looking fabulous when walking through that old churchyard, it's a great background for your glorious sassiness! (I'm also a hills climber everytime I get into town, but my walks are not so picturesque!!)
    and you're looking even more fabulous when selling your pretty stuff!!, gorgeous!!
    I'm pretty sure you're going to shine whatever you wear for the N.V.A.!!, you're like a rockstar!!
    besos

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  27. such a beautiful setting for a vintage sale. the stained glass is amazing. you look gorgeous and so fresh as always dear vix. x

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  28. That dress you knocked up during the football match looks fabulous and I love the photos around and inside the church. I'm sure you will look stunning whatever you wear on Thursday xx

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  29. Hey, they don't make anything like they used to...I can't imagine selling thrift store stuff in a church like that here. 'Course they don't have churches like that here. We have a big "old" Catholic church 2 doors down from us and they had a measly little street fair/ sale last weekend. I got a tablecloth for $3 that was full of stains. woo-hoo. Nothing as fabulous as what you have going. And certainly no one there could ever compare to the two of you, for sure. And your maxi, too cool.

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  30. that old church in derby is a beauty!
    but who should you struck with a thunderbolt when there is nobody ;-)
    love the self sewn maxi - the over length and the color is gorgeous on you!
    xxxx

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  31. Fabulous dress and as always you looking like an angel!

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  32. Looking fabulous fix that dress is lovely. did I will read your coming to Manchester soon? Not too far from me! X

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  33. The Stone Roses?
    Lovely backdrop/pictures, I love a bit of stained glass.
    Betty

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  34. Vix not fix damn auto correct lol x

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  36. What a great location for a swearing gorgeous hedonist !
    xxxx

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  37. Nobody works the maxi quite like you, you gorgeous lady!!!
    And all that silver jewellery! <3 <3 <3

    P.S.: Sent you an e-mail...hope you got it!

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  38. Well, I can send up a prayer for you for Thursday night lol, but probably you won't need it ;-) It sure is a lovely church, and your dress is brilliant.
    V
    xxx

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  39. As a fellow atheist I to enjoy a lovely church and grave yard. What a beautiful church to have a market in, good use of an amazing building. I do so love the history you live amongst so thanks for the tour! Good luck for the awards!!

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  40. I used to be able to make a dress in the morning to wear in the evening - that's when I was a conventional shape. I now go down in the following sizes - 18, 14, 12. Although my waist measurement is several inches more than a 14 in the 60s and 70s at 34" but my 36" hips are size 12 all right!

    I love the way your rail is full of pretty colours.

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  41. Fabulous maxi dress Vix. The pictures of the church yard are just lovely too x

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  42. I love old churches especially moseying round the graveyards (and I'm not even a goth!)
    Your maxi is lovely and I know for a fact whatever you wear on Thursday will be stunning. x x

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  43. I love old churches and couldn't think of a dreamier setting for a vintage fair. Your stall looks so lovely! As do you!

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  44. What a gorgeous location for a vintage fair!! Love that you wore that fab frock in the church! XXX

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  45. Thank goodness for forward-thinking churches! What a brilliant setting. Love a bit of stained glass, me. Beautiful.
    Those local church steps of yours make my knees hurt just looking at them!
    Are there still tickets left for Wednesday? Must check their website.
    Zxx

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  46. Amor,
    This is a dream come true. You look gorgeous as ever.look at those coloful shoes and those stained windows.

    Besotes

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  47. Look at you...just whipping up a gorgeous maxi in-between goals while watching the cup!

    I love the shot of you in the maxi with the stained glass windows. So dramatic!

    So glad you had another good show.

    I cannot wait to see what you will wear. Whatever you choose I know it'll knock their socks off! : )

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  48. Amen to the creation of vintage.
    Will be crossing fingers and WILLING your name to be announced on Thursday. Looking forward to seeing what you choose to wear too.

    And as for my fairy tale maxi dress - that's appropriately, spookily bizarre that you and my mum bid on the same dress on ebay!! And that you recognised it as 'one that got away'. (She says it was before Christmas when she bought it, as it was a Christmas present for me). Mind you, it's a fabulously VIx-ish dress, so I'm not surprised you spotted it. Mum says to say sorry she won the bidding!

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  49. I wear all sorts of short things in church! Slits are nothing!!! ;-)

    Lovely dress dear Vix x

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  50. Whatever you wear (or don't) you will be fabulous! Please take many pictures.

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  51. I was dreadfully worried for about three seconds, thinking you had been kidnapped and converted. Much relief! I love your "me-made" maxi and really enjoyed the walking tour of your neighbourhood! I am wondering now if, since I am 47 years old and was married once before, if I too am Pre-Loved and Vintage.

    xoxoxo

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  52. A vintage fair in a church? That is MY kind of religion! I had to do a close up on your clothing rack. Such pretty things. You know, I was perusing the other vintage contestants and it will be a SIN if you don't win. All that goo gooey pin up steam punky stuff is so boring. You are beautiful and sleek and authentic! I'm sure you will look heavenly. Best of luck!

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  53. What lovely buildings. Here on the west coast of the US everything is so relatively young. We lack buildings that are truly rooted in history. I love the new dress. It looks all floaty and fun to wear.

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  54. glad to hear living in sin is still on the cards! have missed the blogging world and your colourful posts Vix! Would love to visit your stall one day, look at all those amazing dresses!
    x

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  55. You should head down this way for some vintage fairs. Always lots on in Northampton.

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  56. I adore your me-made maxi ... and in one day ... you're a sewing genius!
    xx

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  57. Your so busy makes me feel dizzy just reading:-) your looking fabulous a maxi made in day you have supe powers :-) Good luck for the awards on Thurday night cant wait to hear all about it and see what you wear :-) dee xxx

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  58. Love the maxi - pretty fabric! What a beautiful venue for a vintage fair.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  59. I love the orange maxi i am really into orange atm and the one you made is superb. My mum got me a second sewing machine for my birthday in November it broke in December and still not fixed it been so busy so I might just send my material your way and have you knock me something up...only joking! Any tips on selling vintage at fetes and fairs would be great :)

    http://hayleythrills.blogspot.com

    XOXO

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  60. I love the orange maxi i am really into orange atm and the one you made is superb. My mum got me a second sewing machine for my birthday in November it broke in December and still not fixed it been so busy so I might just send my material your way and have you knock me something up...only joking! Any tips on selling vintage at fetes and fairs would be great :)

    http://hayleythrills.blogspot.com

    XOXO

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  61. Looks like a fab building for your fair. Glad to hear you did ok even if it was a little quiet.

    No wonder you guys are both so lovely and slim walking up those every day!

    As for the new frock... Do you talents never stop? Thats so much nicer that a shop brought dress.

    X x

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  62. What a lovely walk to town! I adore the cobble stone thru way! Your maxi is stunning and I love stained glass windows in the church--I'm a sucker for stained glass.

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  63. I do love a trip round Walsall, especially when it's a trip down memory lane. We saw that church, we climbed that hill! Isn't that the church your and Jon's parents both got married in? Seriously great maxi you ran up there. Love the fabric and the style. You look wonderfully elegant. I was so fed up not to be able to make it, but next time, next time. That's really nice that some other bloggers came to see you. That church looks beautiful, glad they did you proud in Derby. Xxxxxxx p.s. Counting down!!

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  64. That looks like a great place for a vintage fair. I'm an atheist myself, but I can still appreciate a cool church (Notre Dame in Paris is pretty fab) and I love wandering through old cemeteries.

    I love how you casually throw together a dress while watching sports on the telly. It looks great, of course.

    Very excited about the awards - you must wear something even more fabulous than usual so that when they announce you won, everyone can see how you are the ONLY Choice.

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  65. You and Jon look great as usual. The church is amazing and so old, over 1000 years old? wow! I love when you share history behind the sights you show. The walkway you use through the church is really cool. It reminds me of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, so interesting!! :-D

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  66. Beautiful photographs of the church and the stain-glass window! You look adorable in these maxi dresses and I love this Indian necklace.

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  67. a vintage market inside a church, how beautiful!

    good luck on finding the perfect outfit for the award ... for sure you will find the perfect look. can't wait to see it!

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  68. I love churches, although I know of one which scares me a little! That stained glass window is beautiful!
    Love your new made by you dress xxx

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  69. They are some serious steps! and with shopping bags too! that's like boot camp (people pay for these fitness regimes, I'm sure of it haha!) the Church is beautiful and you are looking damn fine! I'm sooo excited for you for Thursday, what will you wear?? whatever you pick you will look like a goddess x x x

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  70. I sort of understand the use of walking sticks for the complete gentlemen of the Regency onward when I see these steps. Yikes.
    You look beautiful ... clever you, a dress in a part of an afternoon ... and Jon is handsome.
    I'm absolutely in favor of good works going on inside the church. Which includes ethical purchases and putting food on the tables of vendors! Wouldn't happen here. I've been a little grim about the state of humanity today, but your post is a little tonic. Reminds me that while it's easier to be human and act with kindness in some places more than it is in others, those places and people do exist.
    If divinity loves beauty, then you must be very loved!

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  71. Makes me think of the saying "sin on Saturday, repent on Sunday", so now your covered!

    I love that church and road so much! It's wonderful and humbling to see and be in such an old building-1000 years is wild to think about, so many marriages, christenings, and funerals! I only wish we'd leave our history alone and not be so quick to level it all.

    What a beautiful dress your wearing! Looks like a lovely sale, would have been fun to go to. And, how nice to have sold to some vintage newbies, sure they'll be back for more next time. And, LOVE your new creation it's MAXI gorgeous!:)

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  72. you guys have more vintage fetes then we have sunny days! im so jelly! i love your wonderful maxi dress! my poor boyfriend has taken to sleeping on the couch so he can intermittently wake up to watch the foot ball at 3am etc. poor dear! At least you got some sewing in! hip hip hooray!

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  73. Nice church.You looking gorgeous.
    You can also try vintage clotes to loog better.For more info you can have a look here http://fireflyvintage.com/

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Lots of love, Vix