I haven't been at home in early January for so long that I've forgotten what I'm supposed to be doing. There's lots I could do, get the stock ready for Vintage Village on Sunday, finish packing, sort out the travel insurance, crack on with the never-ending mending pile, cook and freeze some tasty dishes for our return, plan an itinerary for our trip but the internet keeps distracting me. I've spent so long reading the discussion forums I know more about what's happening in Goa than I do about home.
We had to pop into town earlier this week and, naturally, just had to have a quick look round the chazzas where this groovy tan leather & fake-fur trimmed coat caught my eye. Its not particularly old - possibly from the early '90s when the 1970s had a bit of a revival & Dee-Lite's Groove Is In The Heart was never off the CD player.
It might be even later, '70s style got hip again after the release of Almost Famous in 2000.
But who cares? It's my size, it was made in England & cost me a tenner. Besides us Brits spend at least 6 months of the year wearing coats so we might as well have a wide variety.
The sewing machine hasn't been idle. I took the Osti dress I'm wearing in a couple of sizes and my first make of the year was this maxi made using a 1974 pattern and a length of crimplene I bought from Malvern Flea market back in August for £3. Earlier today the postman delivered a pile of vintage patterns from Pam, a lovely blog reader, and I'm inspired to whip up something for my trip (if I can find some suitably groovy fabric in my stash).
Completely changing the subject. One of the reasons for resisting an e-reader for so long was because I thought buying second hand books was far more economical. I imagined e-books to be expensive & that the freebies were either dry old classics or dodgy bootlegs. Wrong! After a random web search a few days ago I discovered Smashwords*, a California-based e-publishing company specialising in indie writers with over 337,000 titles available, almost 50,000 of which are free. I've downloaded 86 books to take away with me with . That beats cramming 26 paperbacks in my backpack! I still read paperbacks at home though, nothing beats a battered old book!
*No, this isn't a sponsored post. I'm sure you know me well enough by now.
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| Leather coat, stack heeled boots (£10 and £2, both charity shops), Dents leather gloves (25p, car boot sale), Vintage Osti maxi dress & bastard massive earrings (Darling Helga), Huge Indian pendant (Vonda), Vintage 70s felt hat (courtesy of Zoe) |
I woke in a cold sweat this morning, dreaming that I'd arrived in India having forgotten all my jewellery, I really ought to go and pack it now just in case I do (after I've checked IndiaMike & the Trip Advisor forum!)
See you soon.
I have resisted also, preferring used books,,,, you look absolutely stunning in this today, the tan with the black and fushia is just amazing, it must be so exciting preparing for you trip,
ReplyDeleteLove your Wrap & Go skirt. I'm with you on the old paperbacks (I read a non-fiction book about clothing by Linda Grant, that I enjoyed). Good to know about the cheaper e-book site. My bf is giving me his old kindle and I feared that I'd never fork out money to put anything on it. Happy packing and internet browsing!
ReplyDeleteYou without your jewelry?!? What a nightmare that must have been!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to finish a book here but not having much success. It's too cold to do ANYthing but flit about the internet :)
Great coat, by the way.
forgot your jewelry? That dream is telling you to buy more.
ReplyDeleteIt's colder than a witch's you know what here today(23!) Good thing a bought a bunch of new to me sweaters on my vacation.
I find it hard to read on a screen. And I like the way books feel and smell.
You look amazing as always. I love the coat. I also love books. There nothing like holding an actual book in you hands.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.delabellesbeautyblog.com
perfect swinging 70´s look!
ReplyDeletebeautiful chick!
i usually don´t take books with me on travels, when i did i did´t read them because i was to busy enjoying the trip. and if there should occur the need for some reading there are always some books - left from others, in shops.....
jewelry packed now? :-)
xxxxxxx
That is so funny you had a nightmare about forgetting your jewellery.
ReplyDeleteI love the photoshopped image of you! I had to look really closely at it...seemed like you were truly there!
Love the floppy hat especially here. You look better than the 70's.
bisous
Suzanne
You look gorge! Although I like my Kindle, I like a book to. Nothing like browsing second hand books and the battery never goes flat.
ReplyDeleteTwiggy
You're almost famous, darling! Whether a making an appearance as a 1970s groupie or on a sewing pattern, you look the business. What a fab skirt (first make of many this year, I'm sure) and the Osti maxi from Helga is a stunner.
ReplyDeleteWe all know a Brit can never have too many coats, so no worries about buying that beauty.
Books. Can't beat them, I reckon, but I completely understand how useful an e-reader is when travelling. More space in your rucksack for jewellery, lover - don't you dare forget it all!
Not long now... Love you! xxx
I was going to ask if you were in Almost Famous but I think it might make me look like a simpleton. If that picture is faked, it's very good! You fit right in.
ReplyDeleteI love Margaret Atwood and read that book last year. Have you read The Blind Assasin by her? I really liked that.
Loving your glamourous floppy hat and new coat. xxx
The horror of no jewellry !
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous !
xxx
Hey Vix: Love that you are inserted in those photos!!
ReplyDeleteI broke down two years ago and got an e-reader. Although I don't travel much, I do like having one, though prefer 'real' books. Denise got a Kindle fire from one of her sons, and she also had resisted, but now loves it!
That coat - THAT COAT!!! And those gloves are just friggin perfect.
xox
This coat is so beautifull ! You look so pretty
ReplyDeleteWould you like to follow each other ?
http://kasjaa.blogspot.com/
Great coat! Used to wear one like it in 1975!
ReplyDeleteE-readers. Arg. They are my crack. Right now I have over 1300 on my Kindle. Amazon and the Kobo sites have hidden freebeies. Just search them using things like "top ten free" and insert genre.
I don't think I could cope with the overload of another techy gadget. The gloves are a great colour and a necessity at the moment! As is a superb hat! ha ha.
ReplyDeleteZxx
That coat is fabulous and such a great find. I bet you are counting down the days until you go away, I know I would be! x
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about what coat to wear with my maxi dresses in winter, and there it is! Ha. Stunning. We bundle up in Canada a lot too so beautiful coats are a necessity. Thanks for the e-book tip although I still love my dog-ears.
ReplyDeleteI love your coat.
ReplyDeleteLizzie Dripping
That coat is definitely a keeper! So envious you snuck on the tour bus with the rest of Stillwater! ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnd look, that pattern has YOU on the pic! Thank you for the link to the ebooks.
ReplyDeleteI am with you - love the old used paperbacks - but even the ebooks you buy now can be had cheaply and they are great for minimalists or those who like to travel. Loved that movie Almost famous - that coat is spot on for it.
ReplyDeleteDave buys a lot of free books for his kindle , I am thinking of treating myself to one too xxx
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finding the e-book site - i haven't made the switch yet, although I'm no techno-phobe. I do love a beat-up paperback book. Gorgeous coat! Very Almost Famous, although I believe you are Actually Famous. xox
ReplyDeleteI adore that coat, so nice!!! (and the hat of course! Goes without saying.)
ReplyDeleteYou look, dare I say it, demure in these outfits- something in the facial expression! Will try to get to the post office at the weekend with les things!
Oh and thanks for that link- her dresses are really cool!!! x
Fab coat! but panic dreams? a sure sign it's time to step away from the message boards and get your stuff sorted ;-)
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think of The Mesmerist I really enjoyed it.
Just can't forget that jewellery! I know what you mean about not knowing what to do. When I'm given a break from minding kids etc. sometimes
ReplyDeleteI'm struck actionless, stymied by the choices!
Lovely sewing job. You are one clever chick.
And that hat and coat are gorgeous! xo JJ
I take that as a good sign, having a nightmare about your jewellery, means there's nothing more concerning to fret about, and that's good to know with a trip looming. Only 7 days to go!! What's the word on the street about Goa, I wonder?! I'm with you on e kindle for travelling. I love to travel light and that has revolutionised your packing. Fancy you doing a fair this weekend, you crazy kids! Still, I'm sure any last minute sales will all help with spending money. Seems like you've had a busy start to the year. I feel like I'm just easing in to it. Love the new coat of indeterminate age, it looks fab on you and that new Osti dress is lovely. You look in perfect company in front of that bus! Groove is in the heart indeed! Xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteThe coat, the boots and the gloves! Caramel cream custard with fluffy frosting and a strawberry/raspberry dollop on top! What a yummy ensemble you've created, Vix.
ReplyDeleteI bought an e-reader when I discovered it was the only way to see a copy of the script for an early sound film. Long story -- but it worked. Now it sits on a shelf until I travel. I much prefer books, real books, preferably with notes inscribed by a previous owner in 1888...
Great coat! And that wrap around skirt turned out fantastic! I really have to get back to sewing. I get all my books from the library, so they are free and I don't have to store them! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha I love the photo shopped pictures I mean really it seems as if you just belong there lol Thanks so much for sharing about the smash words I am going to check that out now. Amazon prime has a lot of free books but mostly romance with no plot and the characters are really boring ....I think it is so funny that to find out about something in California I have to learn about it from someone in England Ha ~Heather
ReplyDeleteI remember you in Almost Famous. You were great! Actually, Vix, you do the seventies way better than most people did the seventies in the seventies.
ReplyDeleteThere is something about turning the pages in a good book that keep me happy. But I think an E reader is the answer when you are traveling due to its compact size. Not long now and you will be able to ditch the coats and wear very little in the warmth at Goa. I am getting excited, I love your posts when you return.
ReplyDeleteIf I forgot jewelry on vacation, I'd have to buy more!
ReplyDeleteI buy my books at thrifts and found a couple of really good job searching books recently that helped me a lot. I don't think I'd have known to look for them as e-books. It's so cool to discover a book simply because you stumbled upon it.
You should'nt begrudge England your presence in January.
ReplyDeleteLovely coat, I had a white one not unlike it in the 70s, yours looks brand new. I am going to look at your Goa forums - wish I was going there. Cuba was great but I'm ready for another holiday already!
ReplyDeleteVix without jewellery just wouldn't be Vix :0)
ReplyDeletexx
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww do not leave without your jewelley, my dear queen; but then again you are the most precious of them all
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Goa, your too country at heart.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx
Great coat! It looks warm and cool at the same time, especially with the hat.
ReplyDeleteI love my e-reader. it's amazing how many free books are out there just waiting to be read.
Ooh, that coat looks lovely on you! I love how you've inserted yourself into those pictures, brilliant! :D
ReplyDeleteOh no! Don't leave the jewellery behind, you just would be Vix without it! xx
I'm loving the photoshopping in this post, brilliant!! And that coat was a good find, whatever its actual age. I'll have to check out that book website, but I do have to admit to being one of those people that enjoys the tactile nature of 'proper' books.
ReplyDeleteI would pack the jewellery now, just in case...
What a fabulous coat , your outfit is stunning , have a fab weekend x
ReplyDeletePerfect 70s look! I really need a hat like that :O Cool! xx
ReplyDeleteI agree, you must have variety in coats. Love that coat for a tenner. Brilliant buy! x Happy weekend and wish you a safe trip! /M
ReplyDeleteLoving the print on your Wrap & Go maxi, a great improvement the model's, although I do envy her waistline. I read yesterday that book sales are up and Kindles are down, but can quite see how useful they are when travelling.
ReplyDeletettfn xxxx
I love TA forums,too so much to learn! Happy New year a bit delayed! You always seem to be busy with many things and I wonder how you manage everything!I love the new collage stuff you make with photos and hey! Thanks for the information about the e books! I'm off to check. Nice trip to India.
ReplyDeleteim loving all your photoshopping here vix! love the skirt you made and the coat. I was watching almost famous the other day while making a courduroy button down mini skirt. It sort of looks like the suede ones that were all sorts of trendy in the 70s. Goa isnt too far away now dear!
ReplyDeleteIf you did forget your jewelry at least you would be in the perfect place for a crucial restock!
ReplyDeleteLoving these pics...and I adore that maxi skirt you made. Looks like it might be a pattern I could master. Xx
ReplyDeleteThis coat is an amazing find, and I agree with you - coats do make the cold half of a year much better. Viva the variety. You look absolutely stunning!! xxxx
ReplyDeleteWell I am going to say again I hope were going to see a Vintage Vixen clothes line this year based on vintage styles your sewing skills are amazing and know its easier to make for your self than someone else but you have such a talent and eye for vintage fashion. Loving your new maxi skirt and coat. I am glad you said that you still prefer a battered old book than an e reader it breaks my heart to think that bloody technology will take over the simple delight of finding a book, flipping through the pages, the smell of history attached to the pages from the old ones and the simple pleasure of holding it and wondering who read it first and finding the inscriptions from past owners. I love technology but some times it goes to far and no I am going to shut up :-) Have a lovely weekend and enjoy, dee xx
ReplyDeleteThe mocked up photos are fab - especially the Almost Famous one. I loved watching that film, although if I'm honest, it wasn't for the acting but those long-haired guys and the music. Funnily enough, I was reading Pamela Des Barres' updated autobiography 'I'm With the Band' the other week and she mentions that Kate Hudson based her character in the film on her and her Led Zep antics back in the day. If you haven't read the book already, I can deffo recommend it xxx
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with the photos! If one didn't know otherwise, the 'after' shots could easily be taken for the originals.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great coat you found. I agree, when we have to wear coats for so long, it's good to have an assortment.
I've not gotten into reading on an e-reader because I find so many good books at the thrift store, but am going to check out Smashwords. It sounds great! Then I'll have the reading materials sorted, and will just have to get cracking on organizing an outing to an exotic place to read them. xo
Ahhh, I love being busy doing nothing. But for heaven's sake, don't forget your jewels!!
ReplyDeleteLove your wonderful (and thrifty!) outfits!! You look like a rock star!!
I LOVE that coat Vix! I remember one of my closest friends having one in the first couple of years of uni (1998) and being so jealous! I do remember the 1990s revival of the 1970s too - had some flares, pirate shirt and crochet vest and thought I was the bees knees! (I was the bees knees actually - most other girls seemed intent on wearing "surfie" brands even though we lived no where near the ocean!). I also LOVE the floppy hat - I think 2015 should be the year of the floppy hat for me :) It doesn't seem like you've been doing "nothing" that skirt is just fab - maybe you're a bit like me, one of my friends says I am an "active relaxer" ;)
ReplyDeleteFabulous coat! And for such a price! Love your purple gloves too. Can't imagine you without your jewelry. But you will be in India, in case you forget yours you can always find some new stuff there
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos! The coat is fab too. I have completed resisted e readers so far as I just love an old fahsioned book but I can see how they could save on packing for a longer trip.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a re-affirming cup of tea after such a nightmare! no jewellry! well at least if you are taking an e-reader you can whack more in the bag, I think they are a great idea (Dave's inherited Charlotte's for his upcoming trip to the USA, the excess weight charge is ridiculous!) your coat is gorgeous, you are gorgeous! how many days is Goa? must be less than a week!! x x x
ReplyDeleteYou fit in PERFECTLY with the Almost Famous cast! Great film, that. Must watch it again soon!
ReplyDeleteThe coat is magnificent! And yeah, so what of it's modern, it's the look you're after, and the price was awesome!
I have yet to complete a sewing project this year; I do have a partly finished frock begging to be finished, but I can't be fecked right now!
For travel, an E Reader, or such like, is a MUST when you're a prolific reader like us. I still love my proper books, but I do not miss lugging a pile in my backpack!
Love Helga XXX
amazing hippie coat. ... almost famous is still one of my favourite movies ...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love your new coat, reminds me of my new one ;)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I decided NOT to close down the blog, as I would miss you all too much! Blogging is a too big thing for me and emphasizes too many aspects of my life that are fab! So come back to my blog, a new outfit post is up, too!
At least if you do forget the jewellery you'll be in the right place to re-stock on the cheap!!x
ReplyDeleteI could never pass up a good looking 25 cent romance novel but it would be kinda handy to have one of those ereader thingies to check out free ebooks every now and then
ReplyDeleteThis coat is really you
ReplyDeleteI love the collages you made
Tks so very much for smashwords, i will check it out cause i have an e-reader too
I can borrow from the library but like i find expensive the books- you think it would be less...
Love
Ariane
You're probably on a beach in a bikini right now, lucky girl! I didn't even notice you had included yourself in the still from Almost Famous, that's how well you fit in.
ReplyDeleteI may get myself an e-reader to take when I travel, but I still love the feel of turning pages when I read.
Have a Vix-tacular time in Goa!
Love the mock up photos! I hope you're having a fab time xxx
ReplyDelete