Thursday 14 May 2015

Purple Haze




If you're not in the UK you'll probably be wondering why I'm wearing a floor length heavy velvet dress & diaphanous nylon sleeves when my last post featured bare arms, sandals & sunglasses. That's British Springtime, the schizoid season that sees us basking in glorious sunshine one minute and scraping the frost off the car the next.


Not a problem. It gives me the perfect opportunity to wear my new-to-me 1970s maxi dress which was a gift from fellow seller, Mandy. She'd been carrying it around with me in mind since we met at a vintage fair almost three years ago. We bonded after discovering we'd both been crowned Vintage Queens (I'm HERE). You can see for yourself just how fabulous she is HERE.


It looks like the house is quite tidy from this angle but, take it from me, it isn't. After spending the last couple of days vintage hunting there's freshly laundered clothes hanging from every door frame, buffed up handbags and steamed hats cluttering up every available surface and we're constantly tripping up over rows of newly polished shoes (including some amazing vintage Made in England cherry red Doc Martens.....someones going to be lucky). Vintage trading is no career for the house proud.


We don't even need to leave the house to acquire stuff. These tables came from our friend Phil's late Great-Aunt's house. The duck design is completely made from feathers.


This folding tray table is the perfect height for displaying our box of vintage scarves at fairs.


Talking of fairs we'll be trading in Bristol (HERE) & Brixton (HERE) this coming weekend. We won't be upping our prices for the London trip, we'll be as affordable as we always are and if you do come and see us, don't expect the hard sell, we're not like that. Great clothes sell themselves, no need for glib sales talk.

Vintage velvet maxi dress worn with Indian pendant from the gorgeous Ilaria Novelli, Indian earrings from the fabulous Helga. Lime green nails by Barry M
I wonder what I'll be wearing next time, a bikini, a fake fur coat, wellies, all three?

See you soon!

71 comments:

  1. We have got the same crazy weather ! But i do not look that great ! Love that dress and the colours on you , it makes you look kind of exotic .
    Xxx

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  2. Oooh, I love those sleeves, they are glorious! And the colour too, is divine. You look fabulous xx

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  3. I really like the dress, but on the other hand what's not to love about it? It's purple and a maxi dress which are two plus points at a dress!

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  4. If anyone could make those 3 work together its you!
    Hope your fairs are a great success this weekend. x

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  5. Argh, I'm off to Frome this weekend, otherwise I'd be heading to Bristol. I'm going to get to your stall one day, I swear.

    That maxi looks so comfortable, as well as eyecatching. Bet it's lovely and soft to wear.

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  6. My Nan had that folding table!!! In fact, DAMN, why didn't I grab it when we cleared out Grandad's house!!! It must've been chucked or I didn't notice!!! Would've been really useful in my music room which doesn't have a proper desk!x

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  7. So funny but Canada's weather is just the same, wait 10 minutes and it will change again. Love the purple.

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  8. That maxi is super!!!! I really like it! You look totally glamtastic in tasteful, demure way!!!x

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  9. Excuse me while I kiss the sky! Purple haze indeed, those sleeves are amazing! The folding tray table looks like a really handy thing to have around, and I'd put money on you wearing fake fur, a bikini and wellies in your next post!

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  10. Are the docs boots or shoes and what size ? Xx

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  11. its a testament to your character to have such good friends that keep you in mind with vintage frocks! You look great in that color as well!

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  12. Love, love LOVE the purple now there's a colour for me, keep your pinks and give me purple every time.

    I have to sat I find the duck table slightly disturbing.

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  13. Yes, hopefully I *will* see you soon, if I manage to get to the fair on Saturday :)

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  14. God I know! Tell me about it..pissing with rain it is now after days of blazing sunshine. Mad! Looking absolutely stunning you do and what a gorgeous purple maxi.
    Have loads of fun in Brizzle and in Sarf Lahndan. I haven't been to a Judy's in London in a while and they are always brill.
    Loves ya!xxxxx

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  15. British weather I was sunbathing in the garden yesterday today its been raining all day and I had to put wellington boots on to walk the dogs its raving mad. Love your purple outfit you look gorgeous. Also loving that tray table. Have fun at the fairs, dee xxx

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  16. I love purple, and that dress is simply fabulous!

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  17. I've been having a read about you gals being vintage queens, you both look fabulous. Your purple velvet number is luscious.
    I've been to the funeral of the Mum of one of my friends today and they were all commenting on my vintage suit. I need to get Philip trained up with a camera and get some pics. Xxx

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  18. oohhh - that dress is big drama!!! the indian jewels and your black hair adds to that a lot! trés chic!!!!
    that feather table is awesome!
    2 days before i was in the garden in shorts and bikini top - today i wore a wool dress and sheepskin vest.......
    xxxxxxxx

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  19. Wow, this is crazy! Melanie did a 70s post and I had a suit I wanted to showcase and then you show up in your 70s maxi. Loooove it.

    Linked back to you, cheers!
    http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com/2015/05/feeling-groovy.html

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  20. mwahaha, that british springtime looks like a crazier version of our own crazy season, we enjoyed some summer days and now it's cold enough to wear a coat!, rainy and cold indeed!
    I'm loving your purple maxi, it's fabulous!!, purple velvet is absolutely delightful!! and that gauze sleeves!!, really decadent!!!
    besos & purple

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  21. Awesome outfit such a gorgeous colours love the duck table .thank you for the comment you left on my latest blog post , no it wasn't,taken today it was to bloody cold and raining down here in Harwich ,was it last week we had a really nice day when I wore this dress, my bloody menopause can't remember lol !!!best wishes Vix x

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  22. The season's a little schizoid HERE, too! Too bad I don't have purple velvet to wear.

    And though I'm not a vintage trader, I'm definitely not "house proud" either!

    You've got some pretty fabulous pieces there - and I ♥ all the patchwork covers/curtains about your place.

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  23. You look perfect in that purple dress! I can see why she thought of you.
    The duck table is mad. I quite like the floral one. Is it a Vernon Ward?
    Have fun in Brixton. I used to live there decades ago....xxx

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  24. I love the purple haze, it's my favourite colour. Good luck with the weekend venues. I am guessing you must have the heating up to get all that laundry dry - I have! it's absolutely freezing here.

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  25. Crazy English weather - but you are ready for anything, Vix, as per always. That's a great purple dress and you look a dream in it! xox

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  26. Our weather is like yours lately. Can't count on it at all.

    That duck table is INSANE!!! What a find.

    Purple and velvet...you and Prince need to get together. You're both super stylish.

    Also I like your makeup. Pretty pink lips and so 70's.

    Best of luck at the fairs this weekend! I hope you sell out!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  27. Purple is stunning on you ... and that duck table ... amazing!!
    xx

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  28. Perfect in purple, Your Majesty! :) The dress looks like it was made for you, hope it'll get a lot of wear. The sleeves add so much charm and sexiness! It was fun to see your earlier photos in the coronation piece about you. Have great sales and wonderful people your way this weekend!! xxxx

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  29. Love the dress, color is amazing, and I can't stop looking at the duck table - so unique.

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  30. Temps in the 90's this past weekend for us, frost on our car window this morning.

    It's warming up so I'm wearing fuschia tights tomorrow while I still can! I need to find a way to incorporate more purple into my life. It's an awesome color -- amd you wear it well!

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  31. Vix! I'm playing along with a sewing dare challenge right now...it's all for fun...I asked for a sewing dare, and I'm about to start sewing on it soon. Anyways, I can't resist dangling a dare for you....a bikini, a fake fur, and wellies, all at the same time! You know you want to, LOL!

    You look gorgeous, as always. I love the diaphanous sleeves on your maxi. They complement the velvet beautifully! And your accessories are awesome too...I will forever remember the peek into your bracelet drawer...heaven!

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  32. The diaphanous nylon sleeves and purple velvet fabric of that beautiful vintage maxi-dress must feel heavenly when wearing it - it's eye-catching and beautiful. It sounds like you and Jon have been very busy indeed putting your vintage and D.I.Y. expertise to good use. Best of luck in this bustling season as so many folks come out of their hibernation.
    P.S.: The weather has ben erratic on my side of the pond as well.

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  33. Looking good in my favourite colour

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  34. Loving the sleeves, wow! You always look gorgeous girl, I wanna be like you when grow up :D thanks for your honesty about your mess. Usually bloggers just show the good part of their lives but life is not perfect so let's be true to others and ourselves. This way you feel like you aren't the only one!

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  35. That feather table! Never thought I'd say that sentence :-)
    You look so gorgeous in purple like a lady of the house gracing us with your presence for an hour.
    Vintage Queen!
    All the best for the weekend :-) xo Jazzy Jack

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  36. What a wonderful gift this dress is! Beautiful colour, and the velvet/nylon combination looks fabulous. And I am truly amazed with that duck table.

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  37. Gorgeous dress! I love those little tables too.
    I'm sure you'll have a fab time and sell lots in London! xxx

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  38. Good old British weather! You look fab :)

    Doma-Nikki...x
    http://live-laugh-love-fashion.blogspot.co.uk/

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  39. I think the Texans have a saying that "the higher the hair, the closer to God", but I could be making that up". In your case, I would change God to "Goddess".

    We have been having the roller coaster weather over here too, and trying to dress for it is a pain in the arse. Have a stellar selling weekend!

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  40. Ha, we've been having the same type of weather here. As you say though, it does allow for 'one-more-wear' of those cooler weather favourites, which is a good thing in the case of this dress. I love it. You have such great friends who are really in-tune with what you like.

    We were out last night and I got to use my beloved vintage mohair shawl, which given the heat we had last week, seemed highly unlikely at the time. So cooler weather ain't all bad!

    Have a great time at the upcoming fairs. Wish I could be there shopping your treasures. xo

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  41. All three please!! You'd rock it.

    I can't make the Bristol fair now this weekend, boo! I was looking forward to springing up to you clutching a copy of the home mag and asking for your autograph.

    Another time, I promise x

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  42. vix you look positively regal in that purple maxi. I love that you don't mark up prices when in London. that is so decent and kind of you. you are the best! x

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  43. Oh, my! Such a gorgeous shade of purple! You look marvelous! If your house was tidy and you looked great, I would be so jealous! :)

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  44. Glad that you took a close up shot of the table. I don't miss that volatile weather. The duck image made of feather is brilliant. Great feature on you too. xx

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  45. You will go down a storm in London! Kinky Melon forevs! the weather is annoyingly predictable, I hope it will be cracking the flags for you though! you are gorgeous, the dress is a beauty isn't it? love you in purple! x x x oh I forgot the table.....fecking awesome! x x x

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  46. Purple haze..... that colour is fabulous on you!!x

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  47. Brixton on Sunday and I'm going to Brighton..... damn... would have come to find you if i was here...next time!!x

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  48. Whatever it is that girl put a spell on me!
    Fantabulous frock Vix, something quite sexy about diaphanous sleeves. That duck table is rather clever...I like it.
    Enjoy the big smoke. x

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  49. Vix, you look stunning! Have a wonderful weekend! xo

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  50. I love Purple!! Dam weather, ours is the same at the moment, but at least it is Winter. Your sun will come and stay soon, hold onto the hope! What an amazing feather picture in that table, very clever.

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  51. Alright Foxy? Ooh Bristol and Brixton, that's quite an exciting combination. I reckon you'll do brilliantly in both places. Yep, I can vouch for your lovely way of selling, no hard sale and great prices. I vote for all three, we rely on you. xxxx

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  52. You are looking very beautiful in purple, Vix. We are having very strange weather in Texas as well.

    xo, Bonnie

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  53. The dress looks fab and perfect for the inbetweeny weather. I love the patchwork homeware!

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  54. I long for everything purple now. In som way you look like velvet all over. Whatever I mean by that?

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  55. Our weather is so much like yours here in the Pacific NW. I wear lambswool under a raincoat on the way to work and end up having to carry it on my trek home.
    You'd go perfectly standing with Henrix in this purple haze dress of yours.

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  56. Of course you will be wearing all three! I LOVE LOVE LOVE-oh so much LOVE that purple dress. Purple, velevet and diaphanous sleeves are my idea of heaven. How amazing is that feather art? Wow! xoxoxo

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  57. Bloody hell, I'm so late commenting, I'm about the gazillionth here! Oh well, it's never to late to say you look amazing, that dress is a velvet-y sheer-sleeved beauty and God knows, the weather is odd enough to need a winter weight maxi one day and a bum-flashing mini and sandals the next!
    That bird table is fantastic, what a wonderful thing. As is the folding tray table, I love those.
    Hope you had a brilliant weekend. No doubt you will have worked your socks off and you and Jon will be knackered, but I hope it's been worth it (and you get a boozy afternoon in 'Spoons tomorrow as a reward!)
    Love you! xxxx

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  58. Looking fabulous Vix, I just love that shade of purple. I hope you and Jon have recovered after your busy weekend! x

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  59. Hell yes to bikini and fake fur on you ;) That dress is gorgeous in the meantime. When the weather randomly dips I take the rare advantage of and wearing a quarter-length sleeve or boot while I can. You don't get to for very long in Florida! Love this outfit and the one in your previous post.

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  60. That velvet maxi dress is a dream...love the long purple sleeves. You always look lovely.

    Being house proud is not for anyone who does anything creative, vintage trading included. My house is really messy right now... I have been doing a lot of embrodery lately and lotd of diy stuff.

    I hope the weather there improves soon.

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  61. I adore small, useful and beautiful tables -- how I'd love to score that duck table in a local Goodwill!

    Not only would I not be surprised to see you photographed in a bikini, faux fur and cherry-red Docs (more stylish than Wellies, no?), I'd not be astonished to see the ensemble looking good on you -- and only you.

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  62. I love , love your new hair so 60s and 70s and so glam.
    I know about the English weather as you know, hahhhaha
    Wonderful for summer holidays to scape from the heat, but "difficult" to live the whole year round.
    What a wonderful purple number.
    I am so glad that your trading is going so well. You are the queen of queens indeed, my friend

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  63. Noooo! How did I miss this post??? (nursing a baby that's how!) You were in Brixton on Sunday and I missed you??? I can't believe it! You were round the corner! Oh please tell me you'll come back soon and fb message me when you do!!

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  64. How beautiful you look in your sheer sleeves and maxi velvet. Clearly a vision with my Tuesday morning coffee!

    In all of my estate sale travels I have never seen a duck design with real feathers! Truly a treasure.

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  65. Purple haze indeed and a very groovy one at that! Such a gorgeous dress and very you xxx

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  66. Purple haze indeed - you look very groovy. That purple dress is a beaut and suits you down to the ground xxx

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  67. What a fab dress! So exciting that you were trading in London. I used to go to Judy's sales all the time, sad that I missed this one! That duck table is a true delight, very very jealous! XXX

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  68. That frock is beautiful! On the upside unpredictable weather means you have the chance to wear more of your wardrobe :) Isn't that table INCREDIBLE? Real feathers? Wow.

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  69. OH, the folding tray table is too die for beautiful! Love it!

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  70. Hi! That's a nice clothes, mine's look like this one! I love it!!

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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