Tuesday 19 May 2015

What's Cooking? Bloggers, Brixton, Bristol & Balti



When we get home after a long day of vintage trading the last thing we want to do is cook so, more often than not, we'll just collapse on the sofa and dial a pizza or an Indian takeaway. 


"What we need is a slow cooker" I said to Jon last Wednesday and, lo and behold, moments later we spotted this unused 1970s Gordon Bleu model on a stall at the car boot sale for £2. I shan't be making any 1970s dishes in it though, having lived through them I can confirm that the era wasn't great for us vegetarians, little wonder I was such a scrawny child.


We're trying it out today by cooking one of our favourite dishes in it and the smell of mixed vegetable Balti is almost driving us insane with hunger. 


Talking of vintage selling we did another double this weekend, setting the alarm for 5am to make the journey down to Bristol and the achingly hip area of St Paul's. I was so excited at meeting beautiful Amie, after knowing her virtually for almost six years , that I forgot to take a photo, so I've cheated! If possible she was even lovelier than she comes across on her blog. I can't wait to catch up with her again.


After a successful day trading we loaded the van and took the two hour journey to the outskirts of London to check into a hotel at Heathrow, avoiding the long drive back to Walsall and the evil 4am start the following morning to reach trendy Brixton. Jon and I killed ourselves laughing when, on our way to reception, I was approached by a very posh guest who asked if I was performing at her function later. God knows who she thought I was! We checked in, showered, had a couple of beers and a plate of nachos (the cheapest thing on the menu) and went to bed, setting the alarm for 5.45am.


Despite the hotel being a mere 12 miles from Brixton it took over an hour and a quarter to get there. London traffic really is mad, even on a Sunday morning. Staying over meant we hadn't the facilities to make our usual cheese cobs which was just as well as we wouldn't have had time to eat them anyway, over a thousand people visited the fair, we never stopped all day. I was thrilled to meet the gorgeous Sarah & her lovely boyfriend Sam who'd crossed the river to come and visit. 


My excitement continued when Kezzie turned up. She was as sweet and pretty as she is on her blog. I just wish I'd had a chance to spend more time chatting.


All in all the weekend was a roaring success, our stock went down phenomenally well and the van was a heck of a lot lighter on the journey back to the Black Country. We've got this weekend off which is no bad thing as some serious re-stocking is required. Our rails are decimated.


Despite the heavy workload I did find time for a little treat. I spotted this 1970s psychedelic towelling maxi on a neighbour's stall in Bristol and had to make it mine. You can't really miss it, can you?

I'm off to eat curry and drink rum. See you soon!

Linking to Patti's Visible Monday. Better late than never. 

61 comments:

  1. Oh it sounds like you had a brilliant time in Brixton! How lovely that you got to meet so many virtual friends, it's always lovely when that happens. Adore the green maxi, I'm not surprised you snaffled it up! Enjoy your curry & rum (I'm having curry tonight too- must be in the air) XXX

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  2. Wooo, that towelling maxi is BRIGHT! Love the cheating photo, it made me laugh! How nice you got to meet three bloggers; isn't Kezzie lovely xx

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  3. Perfect with a slow cooker ! And tha maxi has great colours a fits you like glove pretty lady !

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  4. That maxi is FAB! A slow cooker is on my list of must gets. M x

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  5. Whoop the maxi is just dreamy! It looks amazing on you, what a find! Soooooo lovely to meet you properly at long last and I am loving the picture!! Let's make sure to take one next time!

    Have a wonderful relaxing evening and enjoy your curry! xxxxx

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  6. That is the most fabulous maxi and just right for the nose dive in the weather - warm but glam. Think you deserve a weekend off after all that hard work. slow cooker looks great - we use ours all the time - they are fab.

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  7. It was so lovely to meet you and Jon, well worth the trip across the river! ;) That maxi is fabulous, I love the colour x

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  8. Ahhh, next time you are down Bristol way I am so coming to see you, I was right near St Pauls this weekend as well.

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  9. Oooh, lucky find on the slow cooker!
    It was so so great to meet you after all this time reading your fab blog, you were lovely and it was a pleasure to come and visit! That maxi is insane!!! Insane in the best possible, coolest way! I bet it is So comfortable in towelling. X

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  10. You look amazing as always!

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  11. That green dress is perfect! And I looked up Balti - sounds delicious - I may have to try that some day soon.
    xo

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  12. Wow! Psychadelic green looks amazing on you! Lovely to see you meet up with fellow bloggers, I will be off to read the blogs which are new to me now. Enjoy your weekend off!

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  13. No love...can't miss you in that fab number! It's you to the last swirl. Glad you had a great weekend, I knew you would do blinding business and how lovely to meet up with fellow bloggers.
    What about that slow cooker? Marvellous! I do love it when the Spirit of Vintage provides when we say 'What we need is...'.
    Have a lush weekend off.
    Loves ya!
    xxxxxx

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  14. I can see why that lady thought you were performing at an event, you always look like a star! I love crock pot meals, so easy and so yummy.

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  15. A wonderful blog post ,and what a great weekend meeting those lovely ladies , best wishes Vix xxx

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  16. So. Dull/ugly Days doesn't exist at all?

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  17. great to meet fellow bloggers!!! In person, in the flesh!!!!

    Your crock pot is lovely, probably last a lot longer then ones today as well,,

    that Maxi was made for you,
    fits like a glove beautiful!!
    , you always brighten my day!!

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  18. That 70s dress is fabulous! I love my crockpot, I use it a lot for soups! Yum! :)

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  19. You can't beat a slow cooker, they are miraculous! Sounds like a fabulous weekend but, I want to know, if you were going to be in that lady's show, what would you be doing? Any plans to trade in North Yorks any time? Xx

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  20. What a serendipitous slow cooker find, I wouldn't be without mine now. Not surprised to hear your weekend was a sell-out (almost) and hope you enjoy putting your feet up ...briefly. Your new groovy maxi is divine darling. xx

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  21. A soft towelling maxi, sounds so comfy after a gruelling weekend.
    Bet Brixton's changed a bit since I lived there in '87.
    Veggie balti...I need a scratch 'n' sniff laptop! Mmmmm...
    And you got to meet Kezzie; I'd love to meet her. One day, 'eh?
    Zxx

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  22. That maxi is epic!! I LOVE IT! It sounds like you had an incredible time in Brixton - I wonder who that posh lady thought you were, its obviously because you look like a rock star xo

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  23. that slow cooker looks very useful, particularly if you can have a delightful dinner after a long day trading!.
    And you look so gorgeous in your green psychedelic maxi, that's a glorious piece, glad you get it!
    Fabulous that you met so many glamorous ladies!!
    besos

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  24. You look great in maxi dresses!
    I have some of my own but hardly ever wear them because I easily feel a little "overdressed". But seeing you coocking in a maxi is just fabulous! I should remember it's always better being overdressed than underdressed ;-)

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  25. You look fab & I'm so sorry I missed you in Brixton. Please come back soon! x

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  26. I just KNEW you guys would be a huge hit! So very happy that all of your hard work is paying off. Also so brilliant you got to meet some more bloggers.

    You look fabulous in green!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  27. You in that dress!!!! Enjoy your curry and rum!

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  28. It sounds like a great weekend - and brilliant that you met Kezzie and some other bloggers :) She sounds lovely.

    Enjoy the restocking and time off -ish this week.
    Fil
    Fil’s Place - Old songs and Memories

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  29. Hungry here! I love the look of your dinner (fellow vegetarian). Your new maxi is fab. And your weekend in London sounds hectic and worthwhile - wish I could have met with you and Kezzie! Thanks for linking up, xox.

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  30. cool slow cooker. You must be magic, you say the magic words and the item appears. Can you chant "Someone buy Thorne's house"? Please?

    All 3 outfits are amazing

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  31. Eat, sleep, rave, repeat? Bwahaha! Great recipe. I think you need a fast cooker, not a slow one. Everything you do looks like it's from a magazine - especially in that insanely groovy towelling maxi. I'm glad you at least got to meet up with some pals to take a little heat off. I hope you put your feet up and they stay that way, at least until you catch your breath again.

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  32. What a fabulous time you've had this weekend despite all the driving and hard work. It's wonderful meeting virtual friends. We hit the charity shops in Bowness, Milnthorpe and Grange and got a few bargains as well as a parking ticket. I put the wrong ticket on the dashboard thinking the 2nd one was to remind you what time to go back. I've appealed so let's see if I win, otherwise it's £25 😞 xxx

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  33. I bought a slow cooker last year, boot sale bargain for £1, and it could probably feed about 8 people it's so big! I've not used it that much but need to get into the habit, as it's so cheap to run.

    I'm gutted I didn't make it to Bristol, but nice that you got to meet some other bloggers. Always fun.

    That maxi is so bright, it's like phosphorous?! Does it glow in the dark? Oo what a great idea for nightwear or lingerie, glow in the dark pants!

    x

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  34. Glad to hear that your journeys were successful. This new maxi dress looks fantastic, this shade of green is so very beautiful.

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  35. Isn't that green psychedelic fabric divine!!! How exciting to visit your stall at a market & have a squeeze. That would make my day. Xx

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  36. I had a cooker exactly the same as that.They were quite expensive new.Had it about 20 years,gave it to my sister who couldn't be bothered with it.It spent about 5 yrs in her garage,then she gave it back to me. Still working,but eventually I did give it away when I was having a chucking out session,ha ha.

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  37. you making cooking positively glamorous. you are so sweet and beautiful. congratulations on doing so well at sales. x

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  38. Slow cooker is my life saver. Everything taste good in slow cooker ;) The maxi is gorgeous! Very Emillio Pucci

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  39. You're made for each other - your new maxi and you! Love the vivid colors and whimsical pattern! So happy for you and Jon - it's such a rewarding feeling, isn't it, to have a successful working weekend, AND meet a bunch of online friends!!

    I use a slow cooker quite a lot, and there was a weird week or two when I was running into basically the same vintage Crock Pot 4 times in a row! I bought the very first one, my Dad fixed the cord - and it's ready to go. The smells are always maddening for hungry family. :)

    Have a happy time restocking - and resting! xxxx

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  40. Hard work rewarded! Clearly the Fates intended for you to discover the slow cooker and that splendid toweling maxi!

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  41. The photo of you in that marvelous maxi next to the "Cordon Bleu" slow cooker could be an ad from a 1970's magazine. I like my slow cooker (or crock pot, as we call them) too, but don't use it very often except to make a roast, or a stew.

    Looks like you did well for yourselves last weekend and deserve a break. A rum and a curry sounds like a good start.

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  42. A weekend off is definitely in order after all that trading - glad you were inundated with customers. And the maxi - yikes it's fabulous. It must have practically screamed at you from the rails. I would definitely have snapped up this beauty if I'd seen its like.

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  43. You've done very well! This dress is gorgeous, perfect! And I really like your kitchen, very pretty ... but not talking about food, at home I only fruit but I'd love a good Indian curry, I love Indian food but here there is no Indian restaurant, I go to Pisa. Actually I'm so hungry !! ehehhe
    I'm glad your market vintage went well, you have fun and you meet nice people, and above all are very good at getting up so early in the morning!

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  44. I'm so pleased that your weekend of hard graft was a success, and that you had some lovely blogger company along the way too! Of course your stock went down well - it's quality stuff, love, none of that repro shite on your rails!
    Oh good lord, that towelling maxi is heavenly bit of psychedlia, it's definitely got your name written all over it. (But backwards, so it spells DEVIL.)
    Cool slow cooker - 70s orange kitchenware is the best!
    Love you! xxxx

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  45. Curry, rum? I'm coming over! I love a good curry, and having a slow cooker has saved many nights that I didn't feel like spending a lot of time with cooking or prep. It's nice to come home to a finished meal. x

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  46. off to eat curry and drink rum? that sounds wonderful:)

    I was looking forward to this post and your weekend adventures:)

    and I was so happy to see Kizzy. I recently started to follow her blog and it is really sweet you two got the chance to meet.

    I absolutely love that long green maxi you have on!!! the green choker and the big cross necklace are a perfect match for it...and I do love the sleeves....they give it a sort of Morgana vibe that I love!!!!

    Thank you for your comment and I do agree with your ...life is for living...sentence.

    I also love what you say about creating sth from nothing....This month I challenged myself to do a diy every day...and it was so much fun trying to make sth out of nothing. Using old clothes or even home decor to create jewelry...I really enjoy doing it.

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  47. Aw, I'm sorry I missed you guys, but Sundays are at-home days for me due to health management and I thought you were going to be in London on Saturday! (luckily I realised my mistake *before* going to Brixton on the wrong day!) Glad you had a successful weekend though.

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  48. Glad you had a great weekend , The slow cooker is much nicer than the stainless steel ones you get today xxx

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  49. I can't believe you were in south london when I was on the south coast....still my day in brighton was pretty fab..... keep me posted next time your dan saff!!x

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  50. The joys of a slow cooker, and the smells that welcome you at the end of the day when you finally get home. I use ours alot in Winter!! You so should have told that posh woman you were performing and made up some fabulous story!! Lovin' your psychedelic frock!!

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  51. Good lord that's the exact same slow cooker my Mum had/has! As with every ever kitchen gadget she got it got used to death for the first few months and then got consigned to the cupboard where it languishes still for all I know.

    I knew London would love you! x x

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  52. No, you can't miss it! And you just might grow to luv that slow-cooker! I use ours All The Time. Your vegetarian dishes ought to do just fine in it!

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  53. What would you perform? Hilarious!
    Slow cookers get locked in the garage here. I can't stand the smell until it's time to eat. But then I'm weird like that!
    That green is sooo you. I want to snuggle up in that towelling gorgeousness.
    Xo Jazzy Jack

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  54. You do psychedelic very, very well :0)
    xx

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  55. absolutely gutted i missed you in brixton. hope london traffic doesn't put you off coming back soon! Would love to meet you and trawl through your stock!

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  56. Hi Vix, just been having a massive catch-up on all your fabulous adventures!

    It was great to see you in Brum. My mad hatscarf will be coming down to Cornwall with me next month.

    I love that towelling dress, completely amazing.
    See you soon,

    Love, Annie xxx

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  57. I knew you'd go down well in the trendy places. I don't think i've ever been to St Pauls, but I would definitely consider living in Bristol nowadays. I used to spend a lot of time in Brixton when I lived in London, but I hear it's gone mad trendy now. Hope it hasn't lost all its character. I absolutely love that towelling dress, what a great find. I might try that trick with the universe, although it could be just the Vix effect that makes it work! Xxxxx

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  58. oh how wonderful! meeting so many people. i love when my favourite bloggers meet up! you look so fabulous in that maxi! i actually thought they were maxi culottes at first

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  59. Oh, this post sounds like you had another great day out trading! Yeah!

    who the hell people think we are(vintage dressed freaks)?! Good question. On today's flea market I visited two midcentury loving gals selling at their booth ... during the time I spend there chatting ... almost 20 people tried to take pictures of us and asking questions like 'are you movie actresses?', 'is this an artsy thing you do here - performance' or 'oh, will you sing later?'.
    Yes, we will sing ... LATER.

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  60. When I was a kid I think nearly every meal came out of a slow cooker! Enjoy!

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  61. When I was a kid I think nearly every meal came out of a slow cooker! Enjoy!

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Lots of love, Vix