Monday 22 June 2015

I'm Sexy And I Know it



So sang the inebriated bloke as he danced up and down the aisles, stumbling over the empty cans of Red Stripe and the Malibu mixers, falling on to the laps of my fellow passengers on the train back to Walsall after a fabulous day spent in Nottingham with Curtise & Tania.  I shall think of them every time I hear that song now. Sorry, girls! 


And what a day it was! Saturday started off with, what Tania dubs The Curse of Nottingham, the grey skies and incessant drizzle that plagues us whenever we visit the East Midlands, but our optimistically bright Summer maxis turned out to be a wise choice as, within minutes of arrival, the rain let up and the sun broke through.



After a cappuccino and a catch-up at the station cafe we strolled through the city centre and caught a bus to Sherwood, an arty suburb a 15 minute ride away.


The bus driver told us that he loved our dresses and gave us a discounted family ticket, saving us a few quid.


Sherwood had charity shops galore, the Sunshine Vintage Bazaar and an annual arts festival. The lady from the WI who'd help coordinate the yarn bombing told us that a quarter of the exhibits had vanished since they'd been put on display. Well, who wouldn't want a woolly carrot adorning their dashboard or a glittery hedgehog on the mantelpiece? 



Forget the goody bags, makeovers and brand sponsorship normally associated with blogger meet-ups, with us its frisky pensioners, mobility scooters and Wetherspoon burger & a pint deals.


Mexican gourmet vegeburgers, ice cold lager and a white wine for Tania ('cos she's a lady) demolished, we exchanged presents, took the obligatory selfie in the loo (top photo) and jumped on the bus back to the city.

Pressies! Indian dancing girl, wooden gazelles and the 1970s St Michael nightie I'm wearing in the last photo from Curtise. Tenerife key holder, Madeira espresso cups and Portuguese cockerel from Tania 

We hot -footed it to Baklash, Nottingham's legendary vintage shop, where we browsed the bargain basement (with only Tania making a purchase).



We visited the charity shops but although there was plenty of reasonable priced vintage on offer none of us were tempted to buy.


We loved the grumpy lion. 


Charity shop, My Sight, had some interesting gear. I tried some Shelley's platforms that were too big and a vintage sequin embellished velvet coat too brown whilst Curtise's 1980s-does-the-1930s Astrakhan jacket was a bit snug around the boobs & Tania got stuck in the towelling beach dress she tried on but it was good to catch up with our friends Jackie & Richard.


Sue Ryder Vintage had a bit of an artsy display but I think this bear with the blooming gut would give small children nightmares.


After a goodbye pint in a canal side pub we made our way back to the station and said our goodbyes. Tania's got two jobs, Curtise starts hers this week and I've got ten festivals lined up. Could be a while before we meet again.


I wore the psychedelic silk maxi bought from Gem at Stockport last weekend along with a Moroccan enamel pendant (also from Vintage Village) and a 1970s St Michael bag (courtesy of Clare who used to blog as Miss Simmonds Says). The dress is a bit creased as I'd had it on for twelve hours by the time Jon snapped this photo.


With a whole weekend free I spent yesterday making a couple of short dresses to wear at Glastonbury just in case it rains (best to be prepared!) The green Kenyan printed cotton was 50p at a boot sale and the 1960s orange Tricel was 99p from a charity shop (I've even made shorts to go underneath as the festival goers of Glastonbury don't really need to be seeing my arse).


Talking of Glasto it's one more sleep and we're off. Today will mostly be spent packing my clothes but where on earth do I start?



See you on the other side!

72 comments:

  1. Love the nightie ❤
    Looks like you had a great time and I hope you have oodles of fun at Glastonbury xxx

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  2. Looks like you had a grand ole day out! Love the fact that the bus driver gave you a discount and you get the Wetherspoons pensioners frisky - that made me laugh!

    You all look fabulous in those vintage creations - have fun at all those festivals you're going to :)

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  3. aahh you all look fabulous glad to see you all together again haven't seen Tanya for ages anywhere good to so her looking so well and Curtise to. Have a fabulous time in Glastonbury typically its raining here today lets hope it lets up for the music. Love the dresses you made you look fabulous as ever. Have fun guys, dee xxx

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  6. And as usual you seem to have so much fun when you meet. Looking forward to festivals - the Vixen-way.

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  7. I got the Tom Jones song ear worming in my head with your Tania wine comment. Great little dresses you made and I give matching shorts a yes.

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  8. Hopefully we can meet up this year Vix! And I can swoon over your festival fab wardrobe. Those mini's are beautiful.
    Looks like you had a lovely adventure with some lovely ladies. And I would give discount to you to with those frocks. :)

    Hair Advice & All Things Nice

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  9. Have an amazing time at Glasto, and I look forward to seeing all the pictures on your return. xx

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  10. You ladies must have been a welcome sight everywhere you went, wearing your lovely colourful dresses and bright happy smiles. I loved reading and seeing pictures of your adventure together. Your new Portuguese chicken is very cute!

    The two dresses you made are excellent. I especially like the sleeves on the green one.

    A great post that made me smile and even laugh out loud -- frisky pensioners. lol.

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  11. Lovely maxi's, lovely smiles, lovely ladies! But how on earth did tiny Tania manage to get stuck in a towelling dress -- and how did you and Curtise un-stick her?

    (Got stuck in a fuzzy wuzzy woolly mini myself 40 years ago. Sobered up in a rage, found a seam ripper and let 'er rip!)

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  12. That Portuguese cockerel looks an awful lot like the Nandos logo!
    I love your maxi! and the little matching bag
    And i love your two Glasto dresses! they are the best - such wonderful colours and prints! you'll drive all those boho wannabes mental at Glasto. You dont need a blasted kimono to dress for a festival!
    You gals look like you had a fabulous day too!

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  13. Your new maxi looks great on. Have a safe trip and a wonderful time at Glastonbury! xxx

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  14. You all look gorgeous and seem to have had a brilliant time.

    Perfect gifts ♥

    Have an amazing time at Glastonbury! xx

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  15. Color!!! Fabulous!! What a cheering up - thanks gals!

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  16. Ah the fabulous-ness of it all - beautiful women, shopping, drinking and everything good. xox

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  17. Love that little leather bag in your home photo. I love seeing these blogger shopping hang outs. It would be especially thrilling in England. Someday...

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  18. How cool is it to meet other bloggers Vix. I have never met other bloggers since I started but its still early days for me so hopefully I will organize something in the future. Elsie

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  19. I'm sat in a service station somewhere on the M5 with Mr Dapper diving into a massive chocolate affair and coffee. I see Tania was sporting our matching yellow jacket, you all looked gorgeous.
    Tricel is my thing of the month m, I'm loving everything Tricel, cardi's, jumpers, frocks love the lot. Second best to crimplene.
    This clothes packing for holidays is a major thing and needs careful planning. I changed my stuff twice before I decided on all my Tricel gear. Of course I've kept all my charity shop labels in as people don't believe what I've paid for things.
    Will be keeping an eye open for your festive news. Enjoy Xxxxxx

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  20. My sons adopted city - recognise most of those places now! He has been living in Sherwood - so guessing some of the yarn bombed bits now live with students!

    Have a blast at Glasto :)

    We're off festivally in a few weeks - cant wait :)

    Ps - toes being dipped into blogland again :)

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  21. How I would have loved to be with the three of you, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Soooooooooooooo jealousssssssssssss.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  22. 10 festivals? Holy cats!

    Another pretty city. Who the heck is Brian Clough? ( I know Order of the British Empire)

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  23. Looks like you had a lot of fun!
    ... Have tons of fun at Glastonbury!!!!

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  24. Love that pretty nightie/dress. It looks like you gals had a lovely fun time and blogland is surely envious of such a great outing in great company. Grumpy Lion is quite endearing. I'm looking forward to the Glastonbury photos. Have an awesome time! xoxoxo

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  25. Yarn bombing! I love it!! I must learn how to crochet and make yarn carrots!

    I'm very impressed that you whipped up 2 beautiful dresses. I really like the sleeves on the green one.

    Ooh, can hardly wait to see your Glastonbury post. I'm sure there will be lots of great bands.

    Happy thrifting ;)

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  26. What a great day out - and now crazy festival season - you best rest up tonight!

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  27. You ladies are indeed looking hot. Your dresses are lovely. Nice to see some colour about the place. Fab sewing too. I like the dress and shorts combo. I am sure that no one at Glastonbury would bat an eyelid at seeing your derriere. I once bought a t-shirt from a stall populated by a lady wearing nothing but a bumbag and DM's. Festivals, got to love 'em. Have an amazing time and come back with lots of pics and stories. Xx

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  28. What a Great day with fab ladys !
    xxx

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  29. That silk maxi you have looks like it was made for you!
    and you look absolutely stunning in both of those mini dresses, but I must say the green one is my fav...love those sleeves!

    So lovely the driver gave you girls a discount---it pays off to be stylish:)

    It is only natural that you have such fabulous and stylish friends...so nice to meet them (at least in virtual space)! looks like you had a blast!

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  30. Awwww, what fun!!!! How nice is your new maxi, so demure!!! Love love lice the green mini too!!!!xxx

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  31. Lice?????? Bloody predictive text!!!x

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  32. Ooh, your photos of Nottingham bring back many happy memories of the two years I lived there in the mid-nineties. The charity shops in Beeston (just past the main University of Nottingham campus - I think it's on one of the tram routes (didn't have trams there in my day)) used to be fantastic. I've still got a quite a few household items I bought in those chazzas nearly 20 years ago. I also remember a particularly spectacular scout jumble sale I went to in Wollaton one freezing cold January Saturday - ah, happy days in a wonderful city.

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  33. Also meant to say hope you and Jon have a brilliant time at Glastonbury. I've never been despite it only being just down the road (relatively speaking) from where I live.

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  34. Ahh, we had a good day, didn't we? You seem to have plenty of photos - I was rubbish and have very few... I'll have to pinch yours! The photo of me and Tan striding into Wetherspoons is hilarious - it looks as though we are desperate for a drink, when in reality, we were running to the loo. THEN the bar.
    Yep, we brought the sunshine, at least some of the time, and we certainly had a good old rummage and a lot of chat! (Still think you should have bought that little lurex jacket in Baklash...)
    Your Glasto minis are fabulous, and shorts to match? You think of everything, though actually the festival goers would LOVE a flash of your arse, darling!
    Have the most fantastic time, you'll look amazing in whatever you pack, and hope the weather is kind.
    Love you! xxxx

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  35. You all look like you are having so much fun, I sure wish I could join you! And you made a very well dressed group! :)

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  36. Gorgeous three ladies and great pictures ! have a good week Vix xxx

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  37. The Dresses are adorable ,beautiful <3
    kisses

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  38. wouuuu, always loving your blogger meetings, you're Fabulous Ladies (with a F*ck*n' capital F) and you make me smile just looking at your colorful maxis and cute bags and your delightful attitude!, you rock!!!!, love that the bus driver was so kind!
    And obviously, love your short dresses and also love that you made some shorts, perfect when you're going to sit on a blanket on the grass!! comfy&cool!!!
    besos & lots of fun!!

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  39. Oh this made me laugh. I have exactly the same photos! Can I just copy and paste your post into my blog? :) Yep, we definitely had fun, we're getting really quite good at it now. Mind you, might be a while before we get to have another one. You looked amazing in that beautiful dress, like a rainbow. I loved it when that man said 'ooh, the station just brightened up' when we walked in and the bus driver was lovely telling us about that discount. So exciting that Glastonbury is just about to start. You'll be best dressed there for sure with these new dresses, and shorts are a great idea. Have a blast! Xxxxx

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  40. you all three look fabulous in the colorful dresses!!!
    best proof are the female passersby who have a expression like that stone lion ;-)
    you girls know how to have a nice day!!! pretty pressies too!!!
    wish you a gorgeous festival!!!!!! xxxxxx

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  41. Love your little festival dresses ... I'd wear them in a flash :0)
    Have fun :0)
    xx

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  42. Fun X 3 and Gorgeousness X 3! Love your green and yellow ensemble and a naughty smile, the selfie of the three of you, and the title! Pictures are beautiful, and those yarn masterpieces really are adorable, I think I might need a hedgehog in my life. :) xxx

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  43. Haha, looks like a grand time. Well done getting that discount, every little bit helps. Love the Selfie in the loo. x Enjoy!

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  44. If I came on an outing with you three I am not sure the conversation, eating and beer drinking would stop! I would more than likely get engrossed in all of the above, so shopping would have to take place first. You always look like you are all having a grand time!! Enjoy your festivals and another catch up will happen, you three will make time for that for sure!!

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  45. What a fabulous day out! Gorgeous ladies :-)
    Have a blast at Glasto... and come back and tell us all about it! xx

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  46. Glad you had a good time in nottingham , I love the style of the green mini dress , It would make a nice maxi too if it were longer , Have a great time at glastonbury xxx

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  47. The driver of the bus is right: you look sensational, discount absolutely right!
    The two short dresses you wear are beautiful, my favorite is the first one, the green one, I can only say: I want it too !!
    You, beautiful girls, you go into places for me, I'm a child of the 80's in love with "Robin of Sherwood", are legendary!
    Thanks for these photos and to this post!

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  48. And shaaaake what yer mother gave you!!
    You all look divine and sunny and no wonder the bus driver gave you a discount. How much lovelier would day to day life be if everyone put on some colour and smiles?
    Glad you had a fab time. Bloody work getting in all our way! I hope we can get together in the autumn some time. I'll go a bit mad if I can't see you all from one year to the next!
    Have a terrific Glasto ...have a pint and a dance for me.
    Loves ya!
    xxxxx

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  49. I always enjoy seeing photos of your blogger meetups, especially when Tania and Curtise are there! The three of you are a joyful explosion of colour against the grey skies - no wonder the bus driver gave you a deal! I would have swiped one of those little yarn bombs too.

    Have a great time at Glastonbury; we know you will be the best-dressed (that green one is delicious!!) dame there.

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  50. What lovely, glamorous ladies! I like the green mini you made - it will look great with wellies if it's muddy. Have fun at Glastonbury. Betty

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  51. you certainly know how to live life to the max!!

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  52. I really enjoyed visiting Nottingham last year, must go again. Your festival minis are fab - especially the green one! Have a wonderful time at Glastonbury, hope the weather is good. x

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  53. Oh what fun! You all looked stunning, I'm not surprised you got a discounted fare for the bus. Next to everyone else you three would be drenched in technicolour while they are stuck in the dark ages of black and white.

    I am dying over that Kenyan printed green dress you sewed! WOW! So gorgeous!

    Have fun at Glastonbury! But I don't need to tell you that. I know you will.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  54. It looks like you all had a great fun on your meet up. I just love the two mini dresses that you made for Glasto, I hope you and Jon have an amazing time! x

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  55. Ladies, you all look amazing. A real breath of fresh air. I love love utterly love that green top you have for Glastonbury

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  56. Looks like a fantastic day. Both you and Brian Clough are legends!

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  57. And that's the truth! Luv you mini dresses with shorts. The perfect combo. You guys are so prepared. Have a blast. I'm always in need of a nap after Vintage Vixen blog reading. So much high energy.

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  58. Mexican gourmet veggie burger! YES! And I am soooooo in love with your green African mini dress!!!

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  59. So, from frisky pensioners and mobility scooters to Glastonbury packing and planning, looking fabulous at every step.

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  60. Haven't been to Nottingham in years, it looks great! Beautiful dresses, those you-made ones are lovely, it's so nice to find vintage fabric. Enjoy Glastonbury!

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  61. Oh my gosh, if you ever decide to sell the green African please let me know! I love it. I have a similar maxi (that I bought in Backlash in Nottingham of all places, about 10 years ago!). What a beaut.

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  62. You must be delirious with Glastonbury happiness at this moment. Probably your fellow festival-goers would indeed like to see your arse, but best to wear the shorts. I love the dresses you made.
    It looks like you had a fun time out. I enjoy the shopping but when I see food I forget everything. Heh. How lovely that the driver gave you a discount!

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  63. What wonderful outfits you all had on - and I love to read about your shopping adventures. Enjoy Glastonbury and bring us back many tales. x

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  64. Family discount bus pass woop woop!!! Love u ladies---looking fantastic as usual. Totally into those mini dresses!!!!!

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  65. Have an amazing time at Glastonbury, can't wait to see the pics!

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  66. The best!!! I get such a vicarious charge from this post, from the weather, to the scenery, to the shopping, and of course the libations! I love your sewing projects and hope you have a fabulous time at the festivals. Love you forever. XXOO

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  67. A marvelous gathering of beauties and the perfect way to celebrate as you all begin new adventures. Your ensembles are stunning, as usual. Love the silk maxi with large clutch, Vix! Have a wonderful time in Glastonbury!

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  68. i swear you are the most beautiful blogger! thank you for sharing your beautiful life with me. your style and personality brightens my morning. xo

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  69. Haha, can just picture the bloke on the train. A fab account of your lovely day with the girls and no wonder the bus driver gave you a discount, colour does wonders for one's spirits especially on such a grey day. The yarn bombing is very impressive, those carrots and hedgehog are works of art.
    Your Glasto outfits are triumphs, is there anything you can't make?
    x

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  70. I love Nottingham. I used to love a wander around the vintage shops their when I was studying at Trent. In the whole time I think I can only remember one day when it didn't rain. Xx

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Lots of love, Vix