Friday 16 October 2015

Let's Talk About Spex


With all the grown-up stuff I've done it's felt like a long week and there's still almost a fortnight to wait until the funeral, but things are beginning to move along and I've made a sizeable dent in my daunting to-do list.

WEARING: Dress handmade by me from a vintage curtain and some braiding ripped off an old lampshade.
I've given myself a break today. A morning spent charity shopping with the afternoon divided between washing the latest purchases and attempting to crack on with some sewing.


I did say attempting to crack on with some sewing. That's if Polly Piglet would shift her arse so I can start cutting up this Mid-Century curtain. Good God, that bloody thing's even older than me Said the bemused car boot seller as I handed over my 50p piece. 


 These feisty felines aren't called Naughty Torties for nothing. 


I thought it was time I got another pair of London Retro specs from Glasses Direct. These are Fitzrovia frames in Marble, an authentic 1970s style. I used my webcam to scan a 180 degree image of my face and tried on every pair in the collection. If I'd seen these glasses in an opticians I don't think I'd have considered them but was surprised by how much I liked how they looked when I tried them on virtually.  With the amount of form filling and signing on the dotted line I've done this week if I wasn't an atheist I'd call them a godsend! 


My mantelpiece is like some kind of hallucination without the acid - daguerreotypes of long-dead Victorian ancestors, Indian dancing dolls, art by friends, OBDs* and Poundland pom poms.

*obligatory blogger deer


Another lazy evening in front of the TV for us. Isn't there some great stuff on at the moment? I'm loving River, Beck, Asian Provocateur, Unforgotten and, of course, The Apprentice!

See you soon.


48 comments:

  1. I love your new specs - they definitely suit your face. Beautiful as always - plus getting some much needed kitty love I see.

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  2. They look fab , The cats not bad either , I love all those tv programs except the Apprentice , Glad you have had a break from the grown up stuff today xxx

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  3. You look great in your new specs, loving the outfit too

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  4. Fabulous specs! The real star of this post though is your beautiful moggy, she is so lovely. Enjoy your night in. I'm opting for one too, it's terribly chilly here so the fire is lit and the wine is about to be opened! XX

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  5. Ooh, looking good, Spexy! Just goes to show you have to try things that don't immediately scream your name, since sometimes they suit you perfectly.
    You've had a full-on week of Sorting Stuff so you are more than entitled to some sewing and TV time. (I'm still chuckling about Manly Moist and the over 45s being scared to try new things...) Now what are you making with that fab curtain? Hopefully you will show us soon, if Miss PP ever shifts her arse!
    I think people's homes should reflect their personalities, so if your mantelpiece is a trippy blend of Indian ladies, OBDs, art and family photos, then that sounds about right!
    Enjoy your night in, good luck for Sunday, and I'm hoping you will be back for more stressful X Factor nonsense on Sunday night. Love you! xxxx

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  6. It's good to see Polly Piglet is taking care of you by distracting you, and to know that you're giving yourself a break.

    Your mantlepiece looks very cool. A bit Victorian Traveller, a style I love.

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  7. So glad to hear you're managing a bit of relaxation amongst all the stressful responsibilities of the past week.

    The glasses do look wonderful as does your handmade dress. The colour is fantastic.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  8. Your specs are great - I am just searching for some new ones myself so will take a look at your supplier. thanks.

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  9. That tunic is so beautiful!!! I.love it! You are inspired!. I.hope the funeral goes ok and all the form filling wasn't too arduous.x

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  10. if only cats could be taught how to work. Lovely glasses and peacock feather necklace

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  11. Looking lovely sexyspecs! Funny how styles you wouldn;t have given a second look at do suit at treat. I love that style. My first specs when I was a little 'un were similar. I felt very grown up in them.
    Glad to see that your cats help when you are sewing. That curtain is going to look fab after the Kinky Couture treatment. Also pleased to see Yvonne in the background watching proceedings...she's a bit slack though so she won't offer to help!
    I think a mantlepiece...or mentalpiece as I call ours...is best filled with wondrous and personal things. Yours is perfect.
    have a lovely evening. I'm taken with Unforgotten. I have a bit of a thing for Sanjeev.
    See you in a bit!
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxx

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  12. Great eyewear, I wouldn't mind getting a new pair myself. And your kitty cat is so adorable! :)

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  13. Gorgeous specs. I'm enjoying River, Unforgotten and the Apprentice too x

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  14. Haha ... Polly really doesn't want you to get on with your sewing! Looks like she'd much rather be cuddled. So cute.

    I love your glasses on you. They suit you so well. Very nice.

    Thinking of you while you endure these difficult times. xoxo

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  15. There is a certain wonderful resemblance between you and Madame Polly in that last shot. The specs look great. I've never tried that trying-on-virtually thing before, but maybe I should. I laughed at the seller's remark. All the better for you at 50p. Great fabric. Congratulations on getting through your Grown-up Week. Enjoy the TV! With treats and drinks of course.

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  16. Very brave to 'try on' specs online. I might have to give it a go x

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  17. Very brave to 'try on' specs online. I might have to give it a go x

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  18. Those glasses look perfect on you, and I love your creative curtain dress. Polly Piglet is completely adorable. My girls love to sit and 'join in' with sewing tasks, too ♥ xx

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  19. Your house is like mine, full of curios. My crafty ladies live visiting as there's so much to see and always something different. Today they were made up with the new wall of pictures of started in the bedroom.
    You really suit your new spex, we've got the same ones. Your top looks gorgeous to, live it. We are watching Unforgotten, it's brill. There's some plonkers on the apprentice this year.
    Have a good weekend darlings xxx

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  20. I'm glad you have a mini me there as well as a moggy! And give how long it took me to work out that wee oval of different fabric was a pincushion I might need Glasses Direct myself.

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  21. Nice specs, but I'm loving the shiny peacock coloured dress with that peacock feather necklace.

    I'd somehow missed all those shows when I last looked at iPlayer (but I did finally watch Being Human, which I missed first time around...)

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  22. What a beautiful kitty. I love your hand-made dress. The colour, they style, the fabric all of them are wonderful. Hope that you managed to get your sewing done in the end. Xx

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  23. I couldn't imagine you with any other kind of mantlepiece! Loving the new specs x x

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  24. Those new specs are ace! They really suit you. I might try out that virtual trying-on thing, as I am in the market for a new pair of specs (my current pair are at least 10 years old as I wear contact lenses mainly).

    That dress out of a curtain is super fabric, it looks super as a dress on you.

    Been thinking of you lots this week and sending smooth-sailing thoughts with all the grown-up stuff. Glad my holiday wardrobe was more cheery than dreary for you! xx

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  25. I have some specs very similar to yours. Mine were from Selectspecs. Have you looked on their site ? The prices are hard to beat. Been getting them from there for a few years now and had no problems at all. In fact I have 2 pairs like yours. One pair of bi-focal and one pair just for reading. The reading ones were a tenner and the bi-focal were £35 cos of the lens. I've just had a red pair of readers ,same shape as yours ...£10. Can't go wrong.

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  26. I love, love, love your new specs and I'd love, love, love to be able to have a good explore around your fascinating house :0)
    xx

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  27. Love the new specs and good to see you have been able to have some time off from the grown up stuff. Bless your cats they keep you entertained that's for sure :-) Happy sewing lovely and see you soon, dee xxx

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  28. You look fabulous in your glasses and I agree some great TV and I love the BBC River drama ! Best wishes x

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  29. Your spex are nice, and so is your kitty. I'm watching The Apprentice, they all have big ego's. Claude is a bit tame, I'm missing Nick Hewer

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  30. What beautiful eyes you have, ladies! And how good it is to see you have the comforting presence of a proper pussycat to keep your fabric from slipping while being cut. (But does Miss Polly cast a golden-orbed glance toward the peacock necklace...)

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  31. I ordered new frames too and you inspired me. Rather than bland black or brown,I went with bright blue Ray-Bans. I had insurance that paid for the frames but will order a second pair and some readers on-line.

    I used to be a blend-in sorta girl and you have positively influences me to stand out rather than blend in!

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  32. Those frames look fabulous on you! Great choice!

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  33. Cats are perfect supervisors, when I start a work at home Nero & Cenerino must make an inspection, very long until I offer him lunch to get rid of them!
    Your Polly Piglet is severe and incorruptible or is a great glutton ?! ;)) -

    I really like the clothes you wear and even glasses, I need a new pair of glasses, when my optical see me enter the shop will change jobs, I'm so complicated with glasses! Vix Hello, good Saturday evening relaxing, we're assured, will start the cold, maybe go to the movies, perhaps on the couch as lazy cats ..

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  34. Loving the specs - I desperately want to update mine! However a very large dental bill means that's going to have to wait till next year now. I love the whole sewist vs cat battle, it seems to be a long running battle. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing out given I sew but I don't have a cat (too bad I'm allergic - I do LOVE cats). The fabric of the frock you are wearing is just lovely and I love the trim xox

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  35. There's no getting away from it, pussy cats love dressmaking. They always join in. They like doing artwork too. My old cat used to be particularly good with inks. One quick flick of his tail and my mediocre work was transformed into a Jackson Pollock. I love seeing you in your spectaculars. That's a great frock too, with your lampshade trim. I now have to wear goggles for tennis, although sometimes I forget and that makes for an interesting game. Grown up stuff, urgh. Sounds like you are ploughing through it though. Ooh yes, I love it when they start putting the good stuff on again. I haven't seen River, might try and cath up with that, but yes to Unforgotten, Beck and the new Arne Dahl. Xxx

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  36. love those new specs, Vix! And the fabric too. And of course the naughty tortie. I had a tiger cat that we called "project Kitty" - she would lay on anything that interested us. xox

    -patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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  37. Spex are bloody marvellous! You put them on and all becomes clear - especially good when they look good as yours do!

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  38. Love the specs Vix! You look wonderful and I can't wait to see how the curtain turns out! Xxxx

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  39. Your mantelpiece is just a microcosm of your house! I missed having a mantelpiece to display treasures. Your indian dolls would party happily with my Spanish and Japanese ones, I'm sure.

    Cats just sit where they want, no matter what you're doing. My neighbour's cat thinks that everytime I am on my porch it must be so he can sit on me. I really like the pattern on the curtain - can't wait to see what the Vix magic turns it into.

    The glasses are supremely flattering on you!

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  40. lisbeth loves to sit on the ironing board! dangerous habit! :-)
    new spex are fab! very elegant!!! your kaftan is a glamorous piece of art! well done. give that cute cat a hug from me and lisbeth!
    xxxxxx

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  41. So predictable, but of course I do like that you like Beck ... EVen more I like the green fabric, and maybe most of all, I like you and the cat. About cats - what is it with cats and when a pair of scissors show up?

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  42. Nice glasses, I am the only person in my family who doesn't wear them, but it's only a matter of time I know. Those dolls are the biz woman! Being part in Indian I am very partial to an indian dancing doll. I will get back to blogging at some point and I will post a few pics of mine.

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  43. Oooh I love those specs, Vix!
    And "River" - oh I hope it comes to the US - Walker AND Skarsgard!?! Yes!
    xox

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  44. Fab glasses! They really suit you x

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  45. Loving the new bins and that gorgeous peacock hues tunic. How sweet of Miss Polly to lend a helping paw, although you'd think she'd know by now that you are a dab hand with a needle and unlikely to need any assistance. Mantelpieces should reflect the personality of the homeowner and yours certainly does that. I don't watch much telly, 12 hour shifts put paid to that...BUT, The Returned has just returned (ha!) so I'll be glued to that every Friday night especially as there is a rather fit new gendarme! xxx

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  46. The glasses really suit you and the cat is just gorgeous! Shame to have missed you at the fair in Bristol, will have to keep my eye out for when you are next in the area.

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Lots of love, Vix