It may have ended in the usual way, spent in great company, with plenty of booze, laughs and a curry, but this year certainly marked a departure from the usual celebrations, for the first time in my entire 48 years I actually went to work on my birthday.
Welcome to the ancient Shropshire town of Bridgnorth. As commutes go, this one ain't half bad.
Here's the office...and our Kinky corner,
 |
| Organiser Ellen arranged for vintage songstress Bexi Owen to serenade me! |
Meet the workers.
There's Ellen, the boss...don't be fooled, that's definitely not coffee in those cups.
A few of our cool colleagues, including the gorgeous Kaylee & Jake
Rebecca
Hannah, Laura & Nikki
and me!
Gorgeous visitors included these sharp dressed men and their equally stylish partners,
Cherry, the rescue pup, in vintage 1970s.
Supermodel friend Claire, in 1970s Welsh Tapestry, & Omari in a vintage St Michael wool duffel.
We said goodbye to some gorgeous stock including these original silver platforms.
What we wore,
 |
| Wearing: 1970s St Michael velvet blazer, skinnied-up 1970s trousers, vintage cherry red DMs, Austin Reed waistcoat, silk pocket square, 1960s Carnaby St shirt (courtesy of Curtise) |
I won my maxi on eBay last week for 99p, Its a 1960s Union Made (ILGWU) psychedelic chiffon confection listed as a "pastel coloured 1980s polyester dress". Possibly the most inaccurate description ever.
Last night involved beer, Country & Western, more beer, cocktails and curry and rolling back with our mates, G'n'T, in the early hours of the morning. The age may have changed but the lifestyle is pretty much the same (C & W aside) as it has been for the last 30 years.
I've been spoilt with the most glorious vintage clobber, tribal jewellery, dress making patterns, kitsch madness, Lush goodies and new knickers oh, and yes, there's a flight to India booked! In the meantime I've a date in 'Spoons, a newspaper photoshoot and two vintage fairs to promote, shop & prepare for. Better crack open that birthday rum and toast Krista, it's her turn today!
See you soon.
You and all your friends and co-workers look so flyyyyyyy!!!! Happy Bday!!!! I know you are looking forward to India :D <3
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday vix , glad you had a good time , I love bridge north , down town has a fantastic fish and chip shop that we always visit when we are there xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! I'm glad that you had a lovely time, it sounds like a fantastic day even if you did have to work! And what a fabulous dress, you look wonderful! <3
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Vix! Looks like you celebrated in brilliant style, and you're looking as lovely as ever. So good to see the business flourishing too and so many cool dressed people too! - Tasha xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Vix! Sorry not to have remembered it before your post!
ReplyDeleteJan
Happt birthday ! And it was a happy day as seen on the photos ! Perfect to celebrate in such great company !
ReplyDeletexxx
Happy happy birthday, beautiful! I adore that you and J were match-y on this day. Perfect!!
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy Birthday, lovely!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Another trip to India booked, I can't wait for the pictures. You deserve a vacation!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Vix, I love the chiffon xxx Here's to many more and a wonderful trip to India. Froogs xxxx
ReplyDeleteA day worthy of great celebration! Happy Birthday you amazing creature you! Looks like a great time was had by all. Here's to many more years of birthday parties. xo.
ReplyDeleteHappy happy happy!
ReplyDelete(love that painted seedsman sign)
Glad you had a wonderful time and that is how to do work on your birthday. Blinking' bloody brilliant. You all look lush and Bridgnorth is a beautiful part of the country. We used to live near Welshpool which isn't so far away on the other side.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're booked for India too...all is right once you've done that!
Loves ya,
xxxxxx
You may have worked, but you LOVE your work now, so it was never going to be a chore!
ReplyDeleteHuzzah to having such a wonderful day, full of fun people and festive energy!!! Look out for those 50's wannabes, though...!!!
The frock is just PERFECT! Crazy ass seller, what WERE they talking about?! O well, it put off any would be buyers, saving it for you, to whom it's glory rightfully belongs!
Love Helga XXXXXXXXXXXXX
You may have worked, but you LOVE your work now, so it was never going to be a chore!
ReplyDeleteHuzzah to having such a wonderful day, full of fun people and festive energy!!! Look out for those 50's wannabes, though...!!!
The frock is just PERFECT! Crazy ass seller, what WERE they talking about?! O well, it put off any would be buyers, saving it for you, to whom it's glory rightfully belongs!
Love Helga XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Everyone looks so fabulous! Happy Birthday, dear lady :)
ReplyDeleteyou rock your birthday as a Star!! and your work is pretty enjoyable, so it's part of the celebration mood!!, so cool people and fabulous fair!!
ReplyDeleteWish you a fab day and many other fab days through the whole year!!
besos & fun
Many Happy Returns of the Day.
ReplyDeletexx
Happy birthday!!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly look stunning and bright on your happy day!!
What Amazing looking companions for the day and how nice to be serenaded!!
Xx
happy birthday honey. you look so fresh and beautiful! love the shots of all your friends. love seeing the fashion and how everyone wears it. thanks for taking the time to take the photos you do. i know it is time consuming but i love it! x
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy Birthday Vix!! xx
ReplyDeletehappy birthday, love!!!!
ReplyDeletethere are worst ways to spend your b-day then with the work you love and this cool colleagues :-)
the dress is awesome, all that fluff and vibrant colors make you look like bengal fire flames.
and your boy looks very sharp in waistcoat and velvet blazer. hooray for india tickets!!!!!
xxxxxxx
Happy Birthday.
ReplyDeleteIn the words of the old Clairol commercial "You're not getting older, you are getting better.
Since you mentioned the ILGWU, I've had their song running through my head "Look for that union label when you are buying that coat, dress or blouse!". Used to hear it on TV all during the late 60s and early 70s!
Happy birthday Vix and many happy returns - your birthday dress is fabulous - I would love one like it - the thing about pretty dresses like that one is they are actually quite warm too I think - yet look beautifully cool, light and floaty. Betty
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful birthday Vix xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteLizzie's Daily Blog
Glad you had a lovely birthday! It doesn't look too much like hard work when you clearly love what you do as much as you do.
ReplyDeleteMany happy returns. xxxx
Oh, you've got birthday balloons like Sunita! You and Jon are the best dressed couple in Christendom. I'd love to see you doing some of those dance routines. That 1980s polyester dress is pretty fit. Country and Western, eh? Who'd a thunk it? Hope you had a lovely birthday. There's a parcel in the post to you tomorrow. Do tell us more about India. Xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday once again, you gorgeous bit of awesomeness!!! <3
ReplyDeleteAnd when are you coming to India??? Plan a few days in Calcutta too...pretty please? *batting eyelashes*
Happiest birthday to you, my gorgeous friend! Love your chiffon floral dress and you look so happy! xox
ReplyDeleteFrom one Sagittarius to another: happy birthday!!! Mine was today, sadly spent in bed with a heavy cold, but I did celebrate yesterday...
ReplyDeleteOnce again, you know how to do it up right. We'll tip back a few here at Chez Petite in your honor!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteEveryone looks so chic, what a colorful event!
Happy Birthday to a fellow Sagittarius! Sounds (and looks) like you had a wonderful day! XXX
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a great day, even if you had to work. Happy Birthday! :) xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! You look fantastic! And though you had to work on your Bday, it was a great day considering it was spent doing what you like and in the company of all those gorgeous people.
ReplyDeleteFelicitations on the celebration of your natal day! It's good to know you've got that flight to India booked. Surely that was one of the candles you wished upon.
ReplyDeleteYour 60's maxi is a wonderful gift to give to yourself, Vix. Perhaps like Desiree you'll give this special occasion costume a title such as "My Bridgnorth Birthday Best"?
Kaylee's coat especially appeals to me as I have fond memories of a full-length mouton coat much like it. Wore it for years, then a god-daughter at college wore its remnants for years more...I felt glamorous in that coat!
Happy Birthday, Vix!!! You look fantastic in your dress, and Jon is such a handsome partner - perfection, you two! What a fun and happy day you had. It was enjoyable to see all your colleagues and boss stopped by to say hello here in your post. :) Many happy years to you, dear wonderful Vix! And Happy Birthday to Krista - wow, you are practically sisters! xxxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthay Vix! You and Jon look gorgeous. It looks like u all had a blast! :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! What a way to spend the day. And that town looks like what every American thinks every town in England looks like
ReplyDeleteHBD you sexy Sagittarius! What a wonderful day with all your gorgeous peops. Though none as beautiful as you. I love Sunita's Birthday. That was a gift for ME! Thank you. XXXXOOOO
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Vix!!! Although years younger than me, we are fellow Sagi's...you are indeed a kindred spirit my friend! I know you wrote that you had to work on your birthday, a first for everything, but is it really work when you are following your passion?! And way to rock your vintage 'pastel' maxi! You look fabulous!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Lovely Lady :0)
ReplyDeletexx
Happy birthday you gloriarse woman! You're a bombshell in chiffon! Xx
ReplyDeleteYou look stunning, I mean really Vix are you getting younger looking every year!?! I'm so happy you got spoiled and even if you worked it looks like a blast and a birthday serenade, well that is pretty special but so are you! The dress is stunning on you and Jon is handsome as ever! Happy birthday beautiful babe! Mines been awesome too thanks for the mention.
ReplyDeleteI love you!xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Happy birthday, darling! If you have to work on your birthday, I reckon you have the best job - it's sociable and fun and you get to meet all sorts of great people, while spreading the vintage love. And then you have your drinks and curry, and this year there was additional country and western too!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is a stunner, and the Ebay description is hilarious. I've seen some corkers recently, completely inaccurate. Still, on this occasion it worked in your favour, and the dress found its rightful owner. Jon doesn't half scrub up well too!
It's always good to see your stylish colleagues and customers - love Claire's tapestry dress, doesn't she look amazing?
And you're on the countdown to India - hurray! Your two certainly deserve it, you're the hardest working vintage sellers around.
Love you! xxxxx
Happiest birthday wishes to you Vix! I love your dress and Jon's shirt is fabulous, Andy would love it too xxx
ReplyDeletep.s - I hope this goes through, I don't think some of my comments do.
Belated birthday wishes Vix, you are the most glam and best dressed 48yr old bird in Bridgnorth...if not Blighty I reckon. Looks like you had a blast even if you were working, lovely to see the other sellers and customers....loving the gorgeous Welsh tapestry that Clare is wearing. As for your new purchase, 1980's??! Whatever it's era, it's a beauty and you look divine in it. Hope that curry was good, thanks for the Bollymusic and c'mon tell us about your trip. xx
ReplyDeleteWord verification is on - what's happened? It seems to have turned up on several blogs which didn't have it before. Are you getting a shit load of spam? xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you, dear delightful person. It looks like it was a good day, in spite of working. As they say, when you're doing something you love, it doesn't seem like work. And having the chance to be at that sale, with all those fun looking people around you, does look like very fun work. I love your dress and, as always, Jon's ever so cool look.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you got your flight ticket, as it's always such a pleasure to vicariously join you on your travels afterwards. Although you will be missed while you're away.
Woweeee it sounds like a brilliant birthday! That dress is marvellous and how exciting that you're off to India again! Happy birthday! XX
ReplyDeleteI love how you casually slip in the fact that your flights to India are booked!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had an ace day.
I've only just started taking my birthday off, I always used to work but then I turned 40 and thought fuck that I'll do nice things like eat and drink loads instead.
Happy, Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeletehappy birthday to you! peace, love, and may all the best frocks of the world come your way forever and ever :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday the most beautiful vintage girl of the bloggersphere!
ReplyDeleteLucky you going to India, we will get there hubby and I one day, when we sell the house that's for sure!
Love
Arianex
I'll wish you another happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that surprised me most about this post? The fact that you are a fan of Country Western music. Somehow you just don't seem the type.
I can't believe you got that dress for .99.
Also those two couples dressed in vintage were fabulous! I'm so glad you got photos of them.
bisous
Suzanne
It was absolutley fabulous seeing you on Saturday, glowing beautifuly as ever. You are an amazing and talented young lady, the true essence of vintage.
ReplyDeleteFeel especially priveleged to have appeared in your blog and even more honoured to be called a friend.
Birthday love to you.xx
Happy birthday ! great blog post gorgeous dress !!! Best wishes xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Vix! it's belated (bugger!) and Happy 1000th post! and Happy Vintage dining room makeover! oh my goodness! I have missed everything! dang it Miss Vix you are delicious! I was thinking about you, Jon and India the other day too, not long now, my goodness it's almost upon us! good to see you x x x
ReplyDeletehappy belated birthday, my dear! i wish you all the best for a new year full of vintage and fun!
ReplyDeleteA Belated Happy Birthday to you! And a Merry Christmas from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian
ReplyDeleteYou have the same birthday at my fiancé! I can see your day was as gorgeous as our was <3
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday you beautiful busy bee!! I LOVED that video you shared!!!
ReplyDeleteHilarious! Heppy Birdday to you! Love the pastel pyschedelic dress! xo JJ
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday Vix. You all look fantastic and it looks like you had the greatest time ever. xo
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Looks like you celebrated in style and you look absolutely fabulous in your chiffon maxi. Jon is his usual handsome self.
ReplyDeleteA ticket to India! Can't wait Vix! Following you adds excitement to my life.
Happy Birthday!! You and that dress are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great birthday Vix! x
ReplyDeleteHappy belated Birthday.Shame that you had to work but still looks like you had a pretty fun day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Vix! You are an inspiration and such a lovely (and beloved) lady. All the best to you for a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday Vix, great photos and looks like a fab day - even if you were at work. How lovely to be serenaded. xx
ReplyDeleteWay to work #48! Happy Birthday - belatedly. (I'm SO behind.)
ReplyDeleteBELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dear Vix! Looks like it was a lot of fun even though you had to work. Everybody looks so incredibly good! So glad you've got your flight tickets booked - you totally deserve your beach break! xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! Looks like a great day. The dog wearing vintage totally cracked me up and the silver shoes made me drool just a little. So excited for you that you've got your tickets to India!
ReplyDeleteBelated wishes for a Happy, Happy Birthday and a fabulous year full of adventures and vintage treats to come. You may call that "work" but it also looks like there's a lot of fun to be had with such a cool collection of co-sellers and customers. Love your 99p birthday dress!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it strange when you start getting to close to 50 and you think what your parents and grandparents looked like at our age? You seem to be ageless, dear Vix!
Here's to working birthdays if they all go like that! Best to you this year and all the rest of 'em.
ReplyDeleteWorking on your birthday isn't so bad if you have a wonderful job! I LOVE your frock - but the seller must have been very confused? 1980s?? Maybe they didn't know what they had so that's why you got such a sweet deal. Looks like you had a wonderful birthday dear Vix xoxo
ReplyDeletea happy birthday to you Vix! Apologies for the tardiness!
ReplyDelete