Friday 25 March 2016

The Hippy Trail - Vintage Hunting in The Cotswolds



When Jon suggested a day trip to Cirencester in The Cotswolds I was excited.

Joan and Reg on holiday in The Cotswolds in the 1970s

My Grandparents holidayed in The Cotswolds every year and always brought back the coolest souvenirs, including Jacob my pet tortoise, going strong some 41 years later. There must have been a lot of shops specialising in imported Indian-made crafts back then as coming home presents would consist of carved wooden toys, papier mache curiosities & embroidered wall hangings for my brother & I and block printed hippy dresses and tribal jewellery for Mum. Dad used to get a Toblerone as he wasn't into trinkets.


After a bit of research (The Association of British Charity Shops website tool, Find A Shop) we discovered Cirencester had loads of chazzas and, remembering the stuff Grandma & Grandpa used to bring us back,  I was hoping for lots of original hippy gear but Jon gave me a reality check. Unlike Walsall (this week ranked as the 4th most deprived place to live in the UK), The Cotswolds is posh. The charity shops might either be stupidly expensive or ransacked by rich hipsters like Kate Moss & Pearl Lowe (both live there) who've snapped up anything remotely interesting or they might just be full of the kind of stuff favoured by the affluent; decent quality but inanely bland, conservative and drab. No matter though, even if we came back empty handed it would be a chance to escape to somewhere pretty. 


The last time I'd visited Cirencester was as a fifteen year old school girl with the rest of my O Level Latin classmates in 1981. Known as Corinium in Roman times, it was then the second largest city in Britain with a thriving wool trade, the first known reference to it was by Ptolemy in AD 150. There are still Roman remains scattered around the area including two villas on the outskirts of the town. To make the 72 mile journey from Walsall we drove along Watling Street and down Fosse Way, originally built by the Romans and still major traffic routes almost two thousand years later (blows your mind, doesn't it?)


The Medieval St John The Baptist church was built by Henry I in 1240. The tower, dating from the 15th Century, dominates the town's skyline. Previous to this a Saxon church stood in the same location for almost 400 years which replaced one nearby which was built by the Romans and destroyed in 577 AD.

The South Porch is said to have one of the most elaborately decorated porches of any English church. It was built in 1490 by the Abbey, which was dissolved following The Reformation, only joined to the church in the 18th Century.


Cirencester hosts a Hare Festival each year. We spotted loads of statutes dotted around.


 Testament to how gorgeous the town is, even on a day as grim as yesterday it still looked beautiful.The buildings are made from Cotswold Stone, oolitic Jurassic limestone, which varies in colour between the north and south of the area. The stone around Cirencester is golden.

Jon carrying the booty!

As you can see, the weather was filthy. There weren't that many people around but everyone we did meet was lovely. Strangers smiled at us and charity shop helpers struck up conversations, one manager even offering us the use of their staff room loo when we enquired about public toilets . Unlike back home we didn't have to dodge mobility scooters, pick our way through discarded fast food wrappers, or turn down dodgy blokes trying to sell us meat, fags and knock-off perfume out of grubby carrier bags. We didn't see a boarded up shop, a wolf fleece or a pair of grey jersey jogging bottoms all day.










And the charity shops? Whilst not as cheap as our local ones, the condition & quality were infinitely better and neither of us saw anything ridiculously overpriced. We even spotted a gents' cashmere & wool Pierre Cardin overcoat for £30 which would be an absolute bargain for somebody, I doubt if you could get a coat from Primark for that (I've still never been in one). Jon said it was a nice change not to see clothes with someones dinner ingrained down the front.


We found loads of great stuff , excluding the cat, she's just doing quality control.


Clockwise from top left: 1970s ski goggles; Janet Moira of Covent Garden 1980s shirt; A pair of Akco bow ties & Canadian Bolo tie; Roccola city shirt; Janet Moira of Covent Garden 1980s cake print shirt; 1950s "Snuggle" car coat (now in Jon's wardrobe); Crazy 1970s checked leisure trousers; Hector James wool overcoat with tags still attached.



Clockwise from top left: Vintage boxed brooch; Original 1960s Afghan; Mid-Century Atomic print jacket; 1950s wool coat by Lachaise of London; 1970s embellished waistcoat with tags attached; Polyester midi dress; Suede & crochet waistcoat; 1950s basket; The Bishopston Trading Co. 1970s Indian jacket; 1980s cotton bra-let; Nepalese fringed sash.

Indian block printed dress & tapestry bag worn with tan suede boots (on-line sale, 2016), violet opaques (Topshop, 2009!), Vintage Lamani torque (India, 2010) and a heap of Indian silver bangles and rings.

I did find a few bits of hippy gear including this Indian cotton block printed tent dress and the English-made leather shoulder bag adorned with a Medieval tapestry that I'm carrying. A Roman Blue bag bought from a Roman city with a Medieval church, what a coincidence!



The details:


This was an absolute bargain at £1.50! A Marimekko curtain featuring one of the most iconic prints of the 1960s, Unikko. I feel a bit of curtain couture coming on.


It's the Easter weekend which, if you're a normal person with a job who eats chocolate or believes in God is probably exciting. As self-employed, non chocolate eating atheists we'll just be making the most of having a weekend free from vintage fairs!

Have fun whatever you do.

Linking to Patti & The Gang for Visible Monday.

95 comments:

  1. That's a really pretty place , Some great finds there , What is it about cats and baskets /boxes etc our Nikki's cats are always the same as yours especially when she is wrapping presents etc xxx

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    1. You'd love it, such a gorgeous place with lots of great shopping opportunities, interesting buildings and independent places to eat and drink.
      Polly Piglet would sit in a matchbox if she could squeeze her fat little body into one! x

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  2. Way Out! Love it.

    You did really well with the clothes, AND the curtain. Can't wait to see what you make from it.

    Roman all over the place, weren't you?
    -Be getting my hat now...

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  3. Way Out! Love it.

    You did really well with the clothes, AND the curtain. Can't wait to see what you make from it.

    Roman all over the place, weren't you?
    -Be getting my hat now...

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    1. Haha! Love a good pun, me!!
      Mini, maxi, dress, skirt, cushion, bag? I really don't know what to do with that curtain. xxx

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  4. What a beautiful village. Say "English village" to most Americans and that's what pops in mind. A 2,000 year old road? Yes, mind blown. Love the dress

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    1. Thanks, Thorne!
      The Cotswolds is really popular with Americans and you can see why, it is like the England of most non-Brits' fantasties. xxx

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  5. I particularly enjoyed this post. I saw the news about Walsall this week and a post on your take on it would be interesting.

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    1. Thanks, Vicky! Walsall's not such a bad place to live but when I visit places as beautiful as Cirencester, litter-free with so many original buildings perfectly preserved I do get down about how my home town has deteriorated. xxx

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  6. this trip was well worth it - sensational!!!
    and the town is very pretty! and unbelievable clean :-) and you look totally fab in the blue dress with purple legs and chic booties!
    can´t wait for the curtain couture!!! xxxxxx

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    1. So clean and pretty, Beate. Why can't all towns be like this?
      I'm dying to crack on with some sewing, I'm Googling Marimekko images for inspiration and finding too much lovely stuff. xxx

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  7. That was a good trip, Cirencester looks worth a visit. I love the orange suede waistcoat - think it needs to creep into your wardrobe. Easter these days means feeling a bit spiritual on walks in the woods, I only visit empty churches these days, but I do like chocolate and have a cute white chocolate lamb from Lidl for Sunday, yum!

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    1. The waistcoat's a bit too roomy otherwise I'd be seriously tempted to keep it.
      Empty churches are great to visit, I love the smell of beeswax.
      Enjoy your Lidl lamb and walking! xxx

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  8. Dear Vix, as a Finnish long-term fan of your fantastic blog, I was delighted to read that you had found Marimekko's Unikko curtain. :)

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    1. Hello A-M! Lovely to meet you. I'm very excited to find some Finnish design. I've always adored Marimekko. xxx

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  9. Replies
    1. Jon said they reminded him of The Wicker Man and didn't fancy hanging around Cirencester after dark! x

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  10. What a beautiful place Cirencester is. I'll have to put it on my list of places to visit that I haven't yet visited. The stone is beautiful - we have a village called Turvey here in Bedfordshire that is predominantly this type of stone.

    It was pleasant to hear the charity shops weren't ridiculously over priced and what amazing things you found! I love that new with tags man's coat and that 50's jacket with atomic print. I never see anything like that in the charity shops but I haven't developed 'the eye' - yet. I'm working on it!

    Your outfit is beautiful and you look lovely in it. I think you really suit blue. Amazing necklace and bag as well.

    Have a good break and recharge your batteries

    xxx
    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. I haven't been to Bedfordshire, Vronnie. I'll see if Jon fancies a trip in the Summer!
      The chazzas were great in Cirencester. It helped that there were plenty of higher end shops in the High Street so lots of Monsoon, East & Jaeger. All we've got here is Primark, Asda & Tesco so the charity shops only have cheap (and invariably tatty) stuff.
      Getting the eye comes to us all with dedication and experience. You find some fab stuff, you're nearly there!
      xxxxx

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  11. As I do celebrate Easter, I remember the childhood days of getting something new to wear to welcome spring and wear to Easter service. I'd love to raid your closet (though all would need to be taken out considerably-I like chocolate eggs too much me thinks) or your store stalls for a new spring frock to wear. What a lovely city-the church architecture-unbelievable to American eyes.

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    1. You're not the first American blogger mentioning new clothes to wear at Easter, what a nice tradition. My Grandparents were church goers and we'd go to the Good Friday & Easter Day service as children before being treated to a packet of crisps and a bottle of Pepsi at Grandpa's club.
      Like nearby Bath, The Cotswolds is very popular with Americans. xxx

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  12. Oooooh. The atomic jacket is beautiful! I love it! The hares, as much as I adore hares generally, are quite scary! Beautiful architecture I must say xxx

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    1. I was amazed nobody had snapped it up already.
      We thought the hares were a bit scary, too. Apparently they auction some of them off for charity, I spotted a lifesize one through the window of a pretty terraced house. Fancy having one in your lounge! xxx

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  13. I always enjoy coming along with you on journeys. The photos were wonderful. You scored some great loot.

    I'm glad you got a close up of the tapestry bag.

    I'm enamoured with that orange vest.

    Sometimes it is really worth it to check out different towns for thrifting.

    We headed out to an estate sale this morning...too late apparently even though we were there at 8 am and they opened at 9. Some 40 people were ahead of us in line and snagged up the brass bar cart well before we even made it in the door.

    Just so I didn't feel like we made the trip for nothing I bought 4 vintage handbags for $5 each. I'm mad about the damn brass and glass cart though. It was in a rare oval shape and perfect condition. Ah...another one that got away.

    Enjoy your weekend!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. That vest is too big for both of us, unfortunately!
      How frustrating. I hate not being at the front of the queue, I can feel myself getting anxious at missing the good stuff.
      The cart sounded amazing but I bet those handbags are cool. You've got brilliant taste and vintage bags are like gold dust! xxxx

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  14. I absolutely love that picture of your Grandparents! Wow, great finds in that town. I love that dress you are wearing, one of the only women who can pull off a tent dress beautifully.

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    1. Thanks, CC! It's a style I'm liking a lot lately, great for layering.
      I think I spotted the hotel my Grandparents were pictured in on the way to Cirencester yesterday. Jon thinks Grandma looks like the Queen here, all posh and refined! xxx

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    2. That is what I was going to ask, Vix - if you found the place where that photo was taken!

      And I also laughed about Jon saying Wicker Man!

      Am drooling over that block print dress. Have a lovely weekend!! xox

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  15. Oh, brilliant! I've never been to the Cotswolds, but the architecture and little cottages are simply stunning. I love all your vintage finds and especially love the quality control kitty ;)

    Have a perfectly restful weekend xx

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    1. You'd love it, Yvonne! You should treat yourself to a road trip in the Summer. Have a fab weekend! xxx

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  16. Brain dead Welders and out of work bum artists ( they are our pet names for each other) don't normally recognise weekends or bank holidays but we've managed this one.
    However due to a rotten weather forecast we've decided to stay home. As today is the only good day we are rejigging the garden. Kikki's garden has been given a makeover and the rusty bike has been given a new location.
    Tomorrow we are off to the vintage/retro market up the road and then over the moor into Yorkshire to my favourite spot Todmorden where we will be hitting the chazzers and the local sit in chippy where all the towns characters go. Love it. Might even venture into Spoons for a swift one.
    Enjoy your weekend and I'm mightily impressed you've still got your tortoise after all this time.
    Lots of love xxx

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    1. You do make me laugh, you out of work bum artist!
      The forecast looks atrocious. I reckon you've made the right choice, sorting the garden today and vintage shopping & 'Spoonsing tomorrow. We're off on a trip out with some mates with proper jobs and I think we'll be doing the same!
      Jacob's out of hibernation and has had a couple of hours in the sun today.
      Have fun! xxxx

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  17. I haven't been to Cirencester for over 20 years; mates of mine used to live there and we had some lovely weekends visiting them. The stone is such a soft warm colour, and as much as I want to avoid cliches, the town and the whole area really are delightfully pretty. It seems those chocolate box manufacturers of old really did know a thing or two!
    I'm glad to see the two of you went chazzing in a posh town suitably well-dressed, and I'm also glad that despite the rain, it was time well spent. You found some fab stuff, as always, and hurray for an Indian block printed score! Kate must have missed that one... Love the bag too.
    Mid century? You hipster!
    Have a wonderful weekend off, you've both earned a pint or several and a curry! Love you! Xxx

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    1. Knew you'd spot that! Who needs contact lenses, Eagle-eyed Monk.
      I'd be quite happy to live in Cirencester, good chazzas, nice people and quite a few curry houses. didn't spot a 'Spoons though. Not sure if I'm hipster enough to live next to Kate Moss, more hips replacement.
      Have a fab break, darling! xxxx

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  18. Treasures indeed! You saved the best til last. I LURVE the tent dress and tapestry bag. It looks so pretty there. I love nothing more than chazzing in different towns. It drives my family mad.

    Have a peaceful Easter break. xxx

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    1. I thought of you when I found the bag, you tapestry bag making queen!
      Have a fab weekend, Emma. xxx

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  19. I haven't been since a school trip either...history as I recall. Lovely buildings and I may have to go back for the Festival of the Hare. How British is that?
    Top haul from the chazzas. Love the atomic jacket and the basket. The Marimekko curtain is beyond a baragin! Totally fab and I can't wait to see what you do with it. Have a great weekend.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxb

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    1. I think you do need to go back for Festival of The Hare. I found those splendid specimens loitering outside the public conveniences.
      I need some Em magic to get me started on the Marimekko, I'm scared to get the scissors on it! xxxxx

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  20. Although I've been to and love the Cotswolds, I've never been to Cirencester. Have pictures of Stow-on-the-Wold in exactly the same weather though. The moody weather really suits that glorious golden stone. I'm glad to hear the chazzas were up to scratch, as I didn't expect them to be. I see that you had quite a haul, and of course cats always have to do a quality check. Love that Marimekko curtain! xxx

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    1. The good old British weather, keeps us going, it does.
      Cats know best, it's a fact. xxx

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  21. Great haul from Cirencester. I've found some really nice clothes in the chazzas there and bric-a-brac too. I think most people go in looking for the designer gear so totally overlook the vintage stuff. P.S. If you're ever in Glos'shire again and fancy meeting up, FB me - it would be great to catch up with you xxx

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    1. That sounds like a date. How long have we been virtual friends now?
      I think you're right, the posh labels get snapped up and the vintage gets neglected. xxx

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    2. Excellent! I'll keep you to that! :-D xxx

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  22. Wolf fleeces....fond memories of my mother in law , the worse the fleece the happier she was , im sure she was well aware how dreadful they were , she had an evil sense of humour

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    1. Dressing to piss you off! I'm sure that's the reasoning behind those saggy grey trackie bottoms, nobody in their right mind can possibly put them on and feel great about themselves! x

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  23. I've seen Cirencester signs on many occasions (and I always think about the Pronunciation every time!!!! Sirensester sounds great!). It looks rather nice. I'm very glad you found some lovely Vintage. I love the cake shirt and the turquoise coat, they look fab! I almost bought a vintage Laura Ashley in the charity shop last week, it was on the sale rack but then I remembered I need to stop buying clothes! It won't last long though!!xxx

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    1. I thought about the pronunciation, too. Almost impossible to fathom if you're not a native!!!
      Too many clothes? Never! xxx

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    2. The REALLY locals pronounce it 'Sooster'...

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  24. Fab finds, and love the colour of your block print tent dress. OH is in love with the Cotswolds and his new thing is charity shop shopping (at last!) so it looks like a day trip to Cirencester is on the cards :) Hope you got your camera lens dry!

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    1. That sounds like a trips on the cards, then! I loved Cirencester so much that I looked at property there. I was amazed to discover that one of those pretty town centre terraces with a garden wasn't prohibitively expensive. I can dream! xxx

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  25. glad you find all those things, such a fabulous booty!, and it's even better if it was not expensive!, sometimes posh picturesque places are not so expensive than expected!, good news!
    Lovely that you went for an outing to a place where your grandparents were used to go on holidays, really lovely!
    And I'm loving your dress, your pretty bijouterie, that Marimekko print and your cat into a basket!
    besos

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    1. Thanks, Monica! Hope you had a fabulous weekend. xxx

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  26. I'm guessing you didn't encounter the ignorant bint in the British Red Cross shop! Eee she was one of the rudest people I have ever had the misfortune of finding in a charity shop. I'm looking forward to the next round of curtain couture.

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    1. We didn't buy anything from the Red Cross but the lady on the counter said hello and smiled at us so I'm guessing it wasn't her.
      I couldn't bring myself to chop the Marimekko curtain but did get some sewing in. watch this space! xxx

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  27. I love this post! What a lovely place Cirencester is. It's always so hard for me to get my brain around how very old buildings are in Britain.

    Took me a moment to spot your funny girl amoungst your purchases, but of course, she would have jumped right into that tempting basket.

    Great finds at the shops too!

    xo

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    1. Those torties are almost camouflaged, Polly Piglet can hide in almost anything undetected! xxx

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  28. I'm always so in awe of the rich history you have in there! Glad you have the weekend off, we are going to the annual flower show this weekend.
    Enjoy the rest of your break! :)

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  29. Cirencester looks beautiful, I shallI have to go one day. That atomic print jacket you found is awesome - and in my favourite colours! I can definitely make the bethnal green fair so will see you next week :) x

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    1. I honed into those incredible colours immediately!!
      See you next week, I hope. xxx

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  30. Both you and Jon are setting excellent examples of how tourists with brains and taste should undertake their explorations! You've kitted yourselves out in style for The Hunt, and you've spent your budget on a handsome haul of loot for your business and your personal wardrobes. The tapestry bag will always hold pleasant memories of your visit!

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    1. Brains and taste!Thanks, Beth! We do our best! xxx

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  31. Hey Vix!

    Sounds like you had a lovely trip; I adore the picture of Joan and Reg!
    I really like the haul you found, too! Interestingly the Bishopston Trading Co is native to Bristol, it recently folded unfortunately after many decades of successful trading. I always think it's funny how things end up across the country! I found a pair of Celine shoes in a Devon chazza once; you wonder who would have given them up as that particular area (Barnstaple) is the home of the wolf fleece!

    Enjoy your free weekend!

    Amie xxxx

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    1. I Googled the Bishopston Trading Company when I picked up that jacket as I've got a couple of other things with the same label. Sad to that its no longer around but they did some incredible work, providing employment & education to an entire Indian village.
      Celine amongst the wolf fleece, what a result! Well done. xxx

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  32. I've never been to Cirencester, my it does look posh! I did laugh about not seeing boarded up shops and jogging bottoms, our area is historically deprived and has the cheapest property in Wales, so I relate!! You found great stuff xx

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    1. I was surprised they didn't follow us around the shop like they do in snootier parts of the Midlands! The Black Country and parts of Wales have a lot in common with our mining communities (sadly now gone). xxx

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  33. Hi Vix, I love that town, Cirencester, from what you have shared. The architecture is amazing. Oooh and the Hare Festival; love that!!

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    1. Hi Cherre! Glad you enjoyed your trip to the posh part of the UK!! xxx

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  34. What a marvelous haul you returned home with. Any time one's finds are in the double digits, you can call it a successful shopping adventure. :)

    Awesome ensembles throughout, dear Vix - very much including your cheerful blue nail polish (fab touch!).

    Many hugs & happy holiday weekend wishes,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. I really wasn't expecting such good finds, Jessica! Definitely a successful shopping trip.
      Hope you had/are having a lovely weekend. xxx

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  35. Ah, the food-stained clothing comes in by the bagful in my thrift shop! Love these getaway pics, you're both fabulous. And how great is it that you still have your tortoise! xox

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Eurgh! Aren't they the worst? I'm not particularly squeamish but vintage gravy turns my stomach! xxx

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  36. Ah, I've heard the Cotswolds mentioned often in British films and they look as I had imagined they would! Nothing like a day trip to scope out some new thrifting territory. The Afghani vest with fur trim is sooo cool, and I like the tent dress you found, which is a very different shape for you (looks good though). Great score on the Marimekko curtain!!

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    1. They symbolise the ideal British village we see in period dramas, don't they?
      Midi length and tent shaped aren't my usual thing but the other day I was a chatting to someone who worked in fashion design for years and he told me that if you try something on and immediately feel comfortable and happy then it's a keeper. xxxx

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  37. I live quite near Cirencester but haven't been there for ages. I definitely need to plan a trip there soon. I can't believe how much amazing stuff you found.

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    1. You really should, the chazzas were great and there were some lovely independent shops, too. I spotted a grocers and florists and the fishmonger (even though I'm a vegetarian) looked wonderful. xxx

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  38. Thanks for the tour around Cirencester Vix, I've never been to the Cotswolds it looks quite lovely even in filthy weather....I found those hares a bit creepy tho'. Glad you scored so well in the chazzas and discovered the prices weren't sky high. Wishing you luck with your Marimekko research and look forward to seeing the finished article. I'm obviously not a normal person, been working all fecking weekend out in the pissing rain and no chocolate whatsover. Wondering where you went 'darn sarf' for the weekend??
    xxxx

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    1. I bet you've been busy with this mental weather, Fi. Hope you get a day or two off soon.
      We had a day in Bristol on Saturday. We've worked there loads of times but neither of us had actually visited it as tourists, we loved it, despite the rain! xxx

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  39. I'm not religious but I have been loving the long weekend. Free from the office! FREE!

    It's good to see Polly Piglet taking her assistant's job seriously. She looks very cute in that bag.

    I always have mixed feelings about the Cotswolds; they're very pretty but people there can be even more up themselves than in Bath, which is saying something. I always feel as though I should be carrying a leper bell in the Cotswolds to warn the inhabitants that someone working class is coming...

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    1. I remember how much I loved those four days of freedom when I was employed, too. Enough to make anyone go to church.
      I was amazed by how lovely and welcoming everyone was, no snide remarks about our accents or being followed round the chazzas with suspicion. Two very posh ladies even stopped and told me how they wished they'd got the imagination to dress as well as me! I need to move there. I just get told I'm mad here! xxx

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  40. Super cute finds & what a charming little town!

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    1. Isn't it pretty?
      Thanks for visiting, Lissa! xxx

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  41. We've been to the Cotswolds a couple of times and it certainly lives up to its reputation for pretty. I love honey-coloured stone like they have in the West country, it's so mellow and easy on the eye. I don't know if I've been to Cirencester though. It looks worth a trip out, that's for sure. Good idea, Jon! Yes, the history bit IS mind-blowing. We really are lucky to have so much of it all around us. Imagine if our whole built environment was only from the last 50 years. There would be no richness. That picture of you and Jon at the top cracks me up. So funny. He's definitely got something of my Grandad George about him. Mischief, delivered deadpan. Those leisure pants are fab, as is the 50s basket. Ooh, Marimekko! Get sewing! Xxxx

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    1. It's well worth a drive down there, we loved it. Didn't see a 'Spoons but there were a couple of decent substitutes offering cheap beer and veggie fare.
      Jon demands sweets before he makes a blog appearance, he thinks he's a supermodel. xxx

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  42. P.s. Joan and Reg! Oh! Bet that photo makes you miss them. They look lovely. Xxxx

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    1. They were ace, both really funny and had great taste in presents! xxx

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  43. Wow what a beautiful town it looks gorgeous. Love the photo of the little cottage with the blue flower pots. I also love the 50's blue wool coat its so cold here again and wet to I can just see myself walking down to do the chickens in my purple welly boots wearing that :-) Bit of glamour wont go amiss :-) Great finds and lovely to go somewhere different that has family memories to, dee xx

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    1. It was a lovely place, I even checked out the house prices and was surprised they weren't hideous!!
      It's definitely coat weather here, I wore two and a sheepskin hat to walk into town earlier. xxx

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  44. I would love a poke around that town (as in North American meaning, ha!). The history, don't get me started! You got an amazing haul! That 60s Afghan (new word for me), gaaa. I'm glad you had a good time. You look gorgeous as always in that dress.

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    1. Well you certainly can't beat a poke around!! That Afghan is more Jon's size than mine, sadly - I love it. xxx

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  45. Jon and Vix take a trip! Always such lovely shots and bit of history and some yummy purchases to drool over. I love the first photo. And Joan and Reg. How sweet. Quality control cat. So necessary. When I bring stuff home Pancake buries his nose in it and gives me his assessment. Emphasis on ass. That Indian dress is so beautiful on you. Do you ever think that 1970's style existed merely so that you could do it justice all these years later? I do.

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    1. Pets, no decorum, have they?
      You flatterer! I do love hippy gear. xxx

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  46. Marimekko! Of course I love it sicnce my mum's from Finland etc.

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  47. I laughed out loud at Wolf Fleece! Saw a girl in town the other day in a red fleece that had some burlesque style lacing on the back. It was... Special. ��

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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