Sunday 24 May 2015

Cuba Libre


When I started my blog I didn't expect many people to take much of an interest. I'm a bit niche to say the least. A middle-aged woman with no interest in fashion, celebrities or high street shopping. A weirdo who gets excited by rummaging through other people's cast-offs at car boot sales, who doesn't give a toss about age and can happily shop at Poundland and live on a diet of Lidl noodles & oranges if that's what it takes to afford to do what I consider the important things in life - seeing the world & having a laugh. 


Turns out I was wrong. In the six years I've been blogging I've found hundreds of people from all over the world just like me, many becoming real-life friends. One of which is Walsall-based artist Glen, a fellow vintage-loving, bargain hunting, rum drinking, intrepid traveller and vegetarian. On meeting in the park a couple of years ago (HERE) he told me that he was a fan of my blog. We often bump into each other at car boots and a couple of weeks ago he handed us an invite to his 60th birthday party. 



A Cuban themed dance party with a vintage dress code and a photo-shopped image nicked off the best TV programme in the world, Peaky Blinders? Hell, yes! By a massive stroke of luck it was the first weekend in weeks we didn't have a fair booked so we could go, drink rum and stay out late.


We met Liz & Al in the Queen Vic pub, known locally as The Katz despite reverting back to its original name almost twenty years ago, for a few cheeky ales and a catch up (it had been a month since we'd last seen them) before heading down the road to the deaf institute where we were issued with Mojitos on arrival.


Glen, the birthday boy (on the left) in head-to-toe vintage and a bad ass necklace from Poundland.


With his brother, Vincent. Glen's originally from Brighton but, like many, went to college in Walsall and never went home.


Glen's gorgeous wife, Annette.


The guests had made a splendid effort in keeping with the vintage theme.


Good tunes,


And great characters. The best type of night out.


Dressed to impress.


Dude.


We loved this chap's amazing orange trousers.


Who knew that publishing a few words on the internet could lead to so much fun?








After a lethal mix of real ale, cheap white wine and rum we said our goodbyes, staggered walked home and collapsed into bed.


We're having a lazy day today as it's far too wet & miserable for booting. I could crack on with some sewing or price up some stock ready for next weekend but I'll probably watch crap on the TV and eat crisps instead. We're keeping our fingers crossed that it's sunny for tomorrow's Bank Holiday car boot.


See you soon!


52 comments:

  1. Looks like an amazing time! It really is awesome to connect with people via blogging! I don't remember how I stumbled upon your blog, but I'm so glad I did! You are a constant reminder to stay true to ourselves as bloggers and people. XXX

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  2. Blogging has all kinds of wonderful side effects … and invitations to cool parties like that must be top of the list :0)
    xx

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  3. Fabulous! What a grand night out and how wonderful that your blogging led to it. I love that blogging has brought so many people together and like you, when I started rattling on, I had no idea it would lead to meeting such wonderful people like you and the girls, and have such good times. Good god...I'm welling up!!
    Glad you had a great night. I can understand pitching up at college in Walsall and never leaving. I wouldn't have!
    Have a lovely rest of weekend and see you in a bit!
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxx

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  4. Isn't amazing who you meet up with here - looks like that was a party worth being at :) I'm loving your blog - you're helping so many people, me included, feel ok about our outsiderness and not feel you're alone when you don't want to read Hello in the Doctors surgery - ick! . Keep on keeping on and enjoy the tele day :)

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  5. It's great that everyone made such an effort, looks like everyone certainly enjoyed theirselves. x

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  6. what a fabulous idea for a 60th party. mine is just a couple years off (gulp) so this is giving me great ideas. love the characters you pictured. what fun! and i love the idea of lounging and eating chips for a day, i think you deserve it! x

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  7. How fantastic, just the same sort of good time we had at the 50th party of a blog friend a few weeks ago. The Internet is a wonderful thing it's brought us many wonderful new friends including you two gorgeous ones xxx

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  8. What a great party, it looks like you all had a lot of fun!

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  9. Awesome party! Everyone looks like they're having a ball. You and Jon look great in your party outfits, of course - do you two ever look bad?
    I'm very glad to have found your blog. You inspire me to enjoy life and dress up every day. Thank you for sharing your life with the world.

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  10. What a fun party, with a great theme! Everyone looks so fantastic in their vintage Cuban looks.

    Isn't the internet wonderful in how it allows you to make friends you'd otherwise miss out on in life? We're excited to have some fine people from the southern United States, who we originally met online, visiting Toronto next week!

    Hope you're enjoying your day off. xo

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  11. Tele and crisps after an amazing night out, just what the doctor ordered!

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  12. You sure have got a fun bunch of friends! And yeah, seeing the world & having a laugh ARE the most important things in life! :)

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  13. What a great bash, Second To None must have done a roaring trade! I can't remember how I found your blog either but I'm sure glad I did.
    Enjoy those crisps and tomorrow's car boot. xx

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  14. Excellant time had by all! Wish I was there, lots of fab characters! Gorgeous dress as always!

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  15. Oh I am SO glad you could make this. He sounds a blinding chap, kind, cool and generously friendly. What a great party! Happy birthday to Glen!
    Why do so many people love you? You're kind, down to earth, make it cool and ok to be thrifty and buy second hand, you're fun and you care about other people. You are popular as well as all that because you make an effort, you don't air in a lofty ivory blogging tower like some people. X x

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  16. I love this, for all sorts of reasons! Because it's proof that blogging leads to real friendships, not just the photo-opportunity-and-self-promotion kind. Because everyone is having a proper good time. Because Glen is a cool guy and his party looks awesome - down-to-earth, boozy, vintage and fun. And because if it wasn't for blogging, I would never have met you and Mr Blue Steel, and I'm so very glad I have!
    Looking gorgeous, darling, and how good it it to have a night out instead of working?!
    Love you! xxxxx

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  17. How much fun did that look! I have to be very honest, when I first found your blog I thought "Who is this crazy chick?" Now I think, "I hope to meet this fabulous classy woman some day!"

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  18. what a great time you all had, you have made some wonderful friends and colorful characters!

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  19. This looks so fun! you guys must have had such a great time!

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  20. Wonderful photos! I love living life on the cheap and it has been amazing finding I am not alone too! Money doesn't buy you friends, style, or happiness, at least not the right sort!

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  21. You look fantastic, so Summery and happy! Looking at you, hard to believe it's wet and cold outside... it's a bit gloomy here too. You certainly have been writing a great story, Vix - and I mean both, your blog and your life, - and if only I lived closer, I would not be able to resist meeting you for all sorts of good fun and talk, talk, talk... I think, at the end we all find what we are looking for. That's why our stories, both blogs and lives, are so different.

    Happy Birthday to your reader and now friend Glen - it looks like you had a wonderful one of a kind party! xxxxxx

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  22. party envy!!!
    and you in that wonderful dress!! tropical beauty!! how great that all guests made the effort to get dressed to the theme. looks like lots of fun!!!
    xxxxxx

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  23. Wow! the party looks and sounds amazing! It's so lovely that you've met so many fab people through blogging; I feel just the same, who knew a hobby could lead to loads of cool new friends! It's brilliant. I love the way everyone's so dressed up, I particularly like Vincent's hat! Jon looks dapper as per and you are a vision in that floral number xxxx

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  24. Look at all those hep cats! That's too much cool for one place. I would love to have been at that shindig!

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  25. My blog has got me invited to some cool places too, but this looks like a blast! I'm very impressed with the stylish gents in attendance, and had I have been there, I would have asked them all to dance. They look way more interesting than the men over here!

    I've been blogging for 6 years now as well - so many outfits, adventures, and connections forged with kindred spirits!

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  26. Isn't it wonderful the people you meet through blogging? That is where the real gold lies.

    This looks like it was so much fun! Glad you had some time to kick up your heels.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  27. This is what it's all about. Happy Birthday to Glen! What a party. I laughed at the description of yourself. That's exactly why people come here. The world needs more "weirdos".

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  28. Hi Vix that party looks like a blast and what a fabulous idea for a party! it reminded me of the The Rum Diary with Johnny Depp. So cool, everyone enjoying themselves, nice! ;-)

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  29. That looks like a great party! everyone dressed the part - love the orange silk trousers and the lady in red - (is that you perhaps?!) I think I am a Vegan/Vintage wanabee if there is such a thing Vix! Enjoy your weekend off. Betty x

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  30. Amazing! What a fun time you all had. And fabulous outfits..

    X x

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  31. Now this IS a proper ritual to celebrate a man's passage into *late* middle age! (I'm latish myself.) It says much for Glen's character that he obviously considers the company of good people the best gift of all -- the scorpion necklace is impressive, however.

    Cheap white wine and rum? Latin music? Gents my age wearing vintage who can dance? Ah, wish I'd been there.

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  32. It's the best thing about blogging, the friendships with others who really do get you and support you.

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  33. those pants, I do believe I made a matching shirt for a fantasy play out of that fabric. You get to meet so many interesting people blogging. How come it's so hard to meet them face to face?

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  34. It looks like you and Jon had a real blast! Kudos on your blogging, your attitude, on getting out and living the life you choose, on meeting people and on having an interesting life. It looks like Glen's 60th birthday party (with vegetarian fare) was a lot of fun, with lots of lovely vintage fashion.

    http://full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/2015/05/institutionalised-police-racism-and.html

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  35. Fantastic that you have met so many fabulous people through blogging.It looks like such a fun party.

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  36. Happy 6th birthday to you and Happy 60th to Glen. Looks like a top night out. You are looking beautiful in your Hawaiian number, Jon is supercool, and Liz looks just gorgeous in red. Yep, you need to get out and have fun. Life's too short to spend it all working. Orange trousers is fab, look at him breaking those shapes! Watching Tv and eating crisps sounds like heaven! Xxxxx

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  37. The party looks so much fun , looks like a wonderful time had by all , have a good week best wishes x

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  38. So far I met only one blogger in person, but she was really inspiring..she is a doctor and she has her own etsy shop...I was really happy to be able to meet her and I hope I wilk meet more bloggers on the future.

    Btw I want my 6o yrs old party to be just like that...what an awesome way to celebrate a birthday!!!! Great pics...love what you wore.

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  39. Glen Rocks! Happy Birthday Glen! this party looks totally brilliant, utterly cool and full of the best people dressed flaming awesomely - so glad you got to have a night off and have a good drink and dance, I'd have crawled out of there haha! real ale is brutal but very, very lovely x x x you looked gorgeous btw! as you always do! x x x

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  40. Absolutely fabulous! What I love is all the men in their great outfits - you don't see that much, you know? And so good for you and Jon to have a night off to kick up your heels! xo

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  41. What a fun time seems to have been had by all :-)
    And now I have soooo much to catch up on here... so glad to have found your fabulous blog a couple of years ago!

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  42. I know right? It's amazed me as well, how blogging can open up your world ...and social life!
    Sounds like you've had a thoroughly deserving lovely break.
    Keep writing! We love our peak into your world :-D xo Jazzy Jack

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  43. That looks such fun! I love how blogging can open doors to new people and places. Might have to steal that theme for a party sometime, brilliant! x

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  44. That party looks like a blast! I would love to dress and dance with a Cuban theme! Hope your weather improved, we've been having lots of rain here in Minnesota too! :)

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  45. Authenticity Always win, and amazing orange trousers on the thin man indeed!

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  46. You look as gorgeous as ever, and what a great party! Everyone looks fab! xx

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  47. OMG so much fun!!!! I LOVE, LOVE your dress and gorgeous hair!

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  48. we had a Cuba theme for our work christmas party and not one person there looked as on theme and as good as this lot! everyone looks Cuban! haha

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  49. i'm late, but, lady, that's a too fabulous party to not comment anything!, such fabulous guests, they were doing their bests, dressing up really cool!!!, fabulous attitude!
    besos & fun

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Lots of love, Vix