Monday 11 July 2016

Cornbury, 2016 - A Bit of Posh




Last week we trundled off to the beautiful Cotswolds with Gilbert, our trusty VW Camper, groaning under the weight of vintage clothing. Although the festival didn't kick off until Friday we had to be on site two days before so Wednesday was spent setting up and Thursday doing little more than reading, sipping cider and lazing around. I can't remember the last time we had a day of doing absolutely nothing and it was bloody brilliant. By the time The Cornbury Festival 2016 officially opened we were fully rested and raring to go.


With a pop-up Waitrose, a Pimms bus and regulars that include David Cameron  & Jeremy Clarkson, Cornbury might be nicknamed Poshstock but after trading there for the first time last year we loved it enough to come back. The festival goers are friendly, the location gorgeous, the line-up impressive and the traders are really well looked after with our own trader toilets, water supply and free electrical hook-up....


And the other traders are fabulous. We squealed with delight when we discovered Mandy & husband Or were our neighbours for a second time.


Despite a double G&T being a whopping £7.50 the Gin & Tonic bar was heaving.


With trading hours from 9am until midnight comfort matters and the inflatable settee we treated ourselves to out of some of last week's profits was a lifesaver.


Happily ensconced I held the fort (and a large glass of Morrison's finest Rose) while Jon nipped off to watch Soul II Soul tear up the main stage.


At midnight the arena gates closed, we shut up shop and collapsed into bed knackered.


Saturday morning was bright and breezy and I was happy I'd packed my Mongolian Lamb boa to keep out the icy chill.


One of Friday's first customers was this dapper chap who'd snapped up a vintage tailcoat and a couple of our handmade Steampunk clock-face badges. He wanted to show us how happy he was with his purchases.


With afternoon temperatures hitting a balmy 22 degrees our rail of crazy patterned Hawaiian shirts was in serious danger of selling out.


Last year we'd found the Cornbury Festival goers mostly a conservatively dressed bunch but this year we were amazed at how so many of them were embracing colour, glitter and animal tails.




We'd arranged a girly date with the Tall Tails crew to see a bit of All Saints but missed the first couple of songs not having the heart to disappoint tiny children desperate for tails.


I can't say I was blown away by the 1990s girl band's performance and when they covered a Coldplay track enough was enough, I took it as my cue to leave and headed back to work.



Bryan Ferry was headlining but, as neither of us are particular fans, we listened to his set from our pitch from the comfort of our inflatable sofa.


Who gets up at 9am on a Sunday morning? Cornbury festival goers, that's who! And we were up and ready for them.



Three days in and most women (me included) were suffering from chronic festival hair so my handmade wired headbands went down a storm.


The circus tent and arts and crafts area were packed with early risers looking for entertainment before the main stage opened.


For over a decade Newton Faulkner has appeared at loads of festivals we've been to but to our shame neither of us has ever seen him play. This year I made the effort to catch some of his set and was I glad? He was fantastic.


...And not too unpleasant on the eye, either!


Talking of easy on the eye Mandy and I left the menfolk in charge of our pitches while we watched Seal headlining later. Other than Killer I can't say I'm a massive fan of his music but he's definitely got incredible stage presence.


What is it with Cornbury and people dressed as animals? We've no idea but we like it.


What a weekend! We met some fantastic people, sold even more than we did last year and, despite a punishing 45 hours of trading packed into three days, had an absolute blast.



Next stop Truck! Two days to rest up, restock and find time to make more headbands and crop tops.

See you soon!


Linking to Patti and the gang for Visible Monday.

96 comments:

  1. that blow-up sofa is very posh, so is the train dress you have on.

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    1. Thank you! I do like to fit in with the posh types! xxx

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  2. Your post didn't show up in my Bloglovin' feed, I thought I should let you know.

    I'm so happy that you had another great show!

    I adore that you are able to work with bare feet.

    Your customer with the hat and tails looks fab!

    Glad to hear your hip issues aren't debilitating.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I've noticed a few blogs I follow do that, too! Thanks, I reposted and it seems to have done the trick.
      I love working with bare feet, how many jobs allow you to do that? xxx

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  3. I had written such a good comment and I lost it, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    hahhahha
    So glad to see your shop growing and looking so profesional while having fun.
    Good to know that the weather good too.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. Thanks Sacramento! Sunshine makes the world a better place and encourages spending, too! xxx

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  4. Love that new couch - and don't you look like the true beautiful royalty you are, sipping your Rose. Glad you had success and fun! xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thanks, Patti! We enjoyed every minute of Cornbury, hope they have us back next year! xxx

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  5. what an amazing time you must have had, those animal heads are brilliant,, I love them!!

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    1. Aren't they fun? I wore one of those tails last year and loved it! xxx

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  6. You've sold the festival to me especially if I get to sit on your new sofa.
    Did you hear that Speke has been cancelled due to waterlogged ground. Good job you aren't doing it this year.
    Hope this weekends good for you.
    Stockport was quiet but we loved it xxxx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. It's fate, isn't it? I must have known!
      You found some great bits and pieces at VV. I bet all the sport fixtures didn't help with trade! xxx

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  7. It sounds like a great festival and it's good that the crowd are embracing colour, those animal tails are too cute! x

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    1. It was very strange, last year it was mostly white, grey and navy linen and this time it was bright dresses and ethnic pieces - xxx

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  8. Vix-Love the tails. Vintage customers for life not with those little ones.

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    1. Great idea, aren't they? Everyone seems to rock a tail! xxx

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  9. You look gorgeous!! I love that boa and that inflatable sofa is EVERYTHING!!!!

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  10. Ah it looks an amazing, albeit tiring weekend! Looking fabulous as always my dear. :)
    x

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    1. Hello Kelly! Very different to Glasto but still with a wonderfully friendly vibe! xxx

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  11. Inflatable furniture is the best (unless you're a smoker, and accidentally put an end to your sister's clear red vinyl chair...) and you look so happy and relaxed sitting there.

    Coldplay? Who the hell *Covers* Coldplay? Geez.

    I tried the fancy Fevertree tonic water...it tasted like tonic water. Guess I'm too unsophisticated to know the difference. The stuff is about 3x the price of Schweppes.

    Glad you had a good time and successful trading.

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    1. Eeeek! Bet that smoker wasn't popular!
      I wasn't sure if Fever Tree was the gin or the tonic but I bet I wouldn't know the difference either. I stuck to my pre-mixed G&T's - five for £4! xxx

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  12. Whew! 45 hours of trading in 3 days. I reckon you two are the most productive people I know.

    Love that gorgeous, yellow halter dress!!

    Happy thrifting :)

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    1. Ha! We're both like zombies now. You get a great buzz from working those long hours but I reckon I'm speaking complete nonsense to our customers by closing time! xxx

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  13. Sounds like a blast! Glad you did so well! :)

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  14. That inflatable couch is such a great idea! If your hip hurts just sit their royally and direct people!

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    1. That was my plan! much more comfy on the joints than a deckchair, too! xxx

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  15. Awesome Vix, glad you and Jon enjoyed it and had success. Your Mongolian Lam boa looks great! I haven't been to a concert or live gig for a few months now, and I'm itching to go!

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    1. Thanks, Jess! We're so lucky to see so much live music. It can be tricky to leave the stall but we try and take it in turns to see a couple of songs. xxx

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  16. Love, love, love your blog. Admire your ethical approach to fashion, and how much you enjoy your life. Keep it up, I love checking in.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment, Lynette. xxx

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  17. Hey Vix: Oh how wonderful that you had a day of rest and relaxation, and that the weekend was rain-free and not freezing! Hahaa, now are those true-blue Furrys or just folks dressed w/tails!?
    That settee is fabulous!! xoxo

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    1. We reckon they were Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson and David Cameron incognito. Out on the lash now they're unemployed! xxx

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  18. Hi Vix! Such a cool looking festival! I haven't ever before seen an inflatable settee, marvelous indeed. :) That would often be handy. I love the pic of a child with a tail, somehow a touching pic. And people dressed as animals, it must be hot inside of the costume, but looking funny. With regards to your next stop Truck, I'd love to go and see Norman Jay MBE! ! xxx

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    1. Hello A-M! That little girl with the dino tail was so sweet.
      I love Norman Jay MBE, he was one of my reasons for choosing Truck, he's a real star. xxx

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  19. Hoorah for a successful festival. I like seeing the people all dressed up. Everyone looks like they're having a great time.

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    1. I love seeing lots of dressing up and silliness, too. Its proper old fashioned British fun - something we definitely need more of. xxx

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  20. Oooh Newton Faulkner is a feckin' god! He's on my CD player as I write this funnily enough! Wouldn't cross the road for All Saints though I might have for Ferry I the 1970's!
    Sometimes a bit of posh is just the thing and you two look bloody great on it. Love the inflatable settee (or is it sofa since we're being posh an' all?!) I was on about them for going inside the caravan until w make up our mind what we're building in there. It looks the mutts nuts.
    Have a fab time at Truck and give those Manics a big squeeze from me. I do love me Manics! I also bloody love Emily Barker who's tucked down there on the list. You can squeeze her as well if the fancy takes you!
    Loves ya!
    xxxxxxxxxx

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    1. Isn't he? He's been on the Wright Stuff a couple of times and he's so down-to-earth and lovely.
      Excited about the Manics and Rat Boy - missed him at Glasto. I shall try and give Emily Barker a listen. You were spot on with Christine & The Queens! xxx

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    2. Emily is like an aural version of a Scandi thriller! You'll know what I mean.xxx

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  21. you are color coordinated to your sofa and pillows with the steam train dress and stola!!! FABULOUS!
    sounds like a gorgeous gig! perfect after the dreaded last one!
    can i come with you to see the manic street preachers - secretly in one of the clothes bags??? ;-)
    much love! xxxxx

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    1. So good to feel appreciated by the organisers with clean toilets and our private water supply!
      Yes, I'd happily smuggle you in to see the Manics - pack a coat and wellies, though. xxx

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  22. Great photos, outfits and entertainment. I'm a Soul II Soul fan! I love following your during Festival Season. And every time of the year!

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    1. They're great, aren't they? We even sold some vintage gear to one of the band! xxx

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  23. Thank you so much for sharing your headwear and your beauty with Hat Attack! It means so much for me!

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  24. I love LOVE your inflatable settee. Best investment ever! You can definitely see from these photos that Cornbury is a more tame crowd than some other festivals you go to but I like seeing the full spectrum. The kids are so cute with their tails but I do like the steampunk tails better. I'm glad sales were brisk and you got to catch up with friends while taking in a few tunes. AND I love that they took care of their traders. Well done.

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    1. With David Cameron as a regular it's definitely a conservative crowd, at midnight we're usually the last to bed! Great festival though and that sofa is the best thing ever! xxx

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  25. A day doing absolutely nothing: I can't remember what that feels like. Your inflatable settee is fantastic and looks very comfortable. I'm loving your Thomas the Tank Engine dress. I bet that got some attention. xxx

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    1. It's a rare treat, I can tell you! I'm always amazed by how much love my Thomas dress gets, not bad for something I whipped up between festivals from an old curtain last year! xxx

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  26. The settee is perfect, you look all regal sat on it! LOVE your green boa! Glad they took better care of their traders, you deserve it x

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    1. Thank you! I felt very posh with my fancy sofa and backstage loos! xxx

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  27. OMG, the animal thing is bizarre!

    Vix, you and Jon certainly work hard for your money but you both look fabulous and the the photo of you on the blow up settee (what a fab idea) with your glass of rose is brilliant!

    I love Seal and Newton Faulkner and Soul II Soul - wished I'd seen them...

    I'd be fine at a festival hair wise - I just run my fingers through mine and add a bit of Argan oil.

    Hope the next one is just as great and I hope you get some downtime, too.

    xxxx

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. Low maintenance hair - brilliant. I know lots of women who won't camp at festivals because of hair issues. Isn't it a shame?
      The animal thing is weird, there was another creature I took a photo of that was seriously creepy but I edited him out, I didn't want to give anyone nightmares!
      WE've got next weekend off - I'm excited! xxx

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  28. The sofa is brilliant!!! You totally deserve it!I have an amazing moonchair that my mum gave me that is comfy and was a lifesaver camping last year- wish we'd taken it to Germany! Glad you sold well. The animal costumes are rather intriguing, aren't they!!

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    1. Camping needs some home comforts. Glastonbury is even better with our posh airbed! xxx

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  29. wouuu, your inflatable sofá adds even more glamour into your stall!, and you look gorgeous sipping your wine with lots of attitude (and a fab maxi dress with a lovely trains print!!!)
    Lovely to see you trading and having fun! and looking fabulous!!
    besos

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    1. Thanks, Monica! I was asked to pose for lots of photos, I felt a bit like a celeb! xxx

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  30. Spotted two frocks on the rails that would be useful in my life this summer -- but the stunner in this post is your Thomas the Train maxi with the green boa! And those gorgeous sunnies! One does like to purchase vintage from vendors who disdain "fashion" for fun: witness the Dapper Dan in the tailcoat and watch pins!

    Pimms in paw, I'd gladly park on the sofa and watch the parade with you (but I'd bring a small battery operated fan).

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    1. I'd recommend a hot water bottle rather than a battery fan, Beth, this summer is distinctly chilly!
      I loved how Dapper Dan accesorised his posh tail coat and steampunk badges with ripped denim and bare feet! xxx

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  31. Epitome of Glamor: Vix on inflatable luv seat wearing Tommy the Train gown whilst sipping rosa` from plastic wine glass. yeah bay-bee.

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    1. Yeah, who needs designer gear, Crystal champagne and swanky night clubs when you can sit on an inflatable sofa in a field wearing a curtain and sipping supermarket plonk from a plastic glass? Kayne would be much happier with our lifestyle. xxx

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  32. Wow, what a brilliant looking festival, and I love that you took an inflatable sofa :)

    I hope you have as much fun at Truck Festival ♥ xx

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    1. It's a sweet festival and so friendly. I couldn't resist that settee, it's so comfy! xxx

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  33. This all looks very civilised, especially with the posh G&T (I do like Fever Tree tonic!) and the inflatable sofa! I love seeing your festival posts. xx

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    1. I've never tried Fever Tree but by the amount of people visiting that bar I need to try it. I wonder if it's on the menu at Wetherspoons? xxx

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  34. Another fabulous festival! I'm loving this adventure with you. Thanks heaps xx

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth! It's pretty much our life at the moment, home comforts and normality seems a distant memory! xxx

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  35. Hi Vix, you and John really know how to live, I love it. Your inflatable settee was so cool! What a fun festival. I would have died to see Bryan Ferry, OMG, love him!

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    1. Cherre, I'm sorry we didn't see him now, I could have photographed Bryan for you. xxx

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  36. How nice to have a day relaxing on the Thursday, sounds like you needed it to get you through the following days! Glad you had a nice time, especially considering the the disappointment of the last one. Have fun at Truck! I hope it goes well.
    I love your Thomas the Tank dress!

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    1. Thanks, Hazel! A day of doing nothing was just what the doctor ordered. I read a book in it's entirety for the first time since India! xxx

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  37. Well hello Newton Faulkner! Thanks for the introduction, Vix! ;) The Cotswolds are so beautiful, you go all over. Mind you bet you don't get to see much of it, the way you two work. I'm glad it all went down well. I once won a blow up armchair and it was brilliant, so comfy, so I know that sofa is a very good investment. Hope you have a pump as blowing it up would make you light-headed. I love the picture of you looking so happy with your enormous glass of wine. Xxxxx

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    1. Newton's looks are as sweet as his voice and he seems a lovely chap, he's been on the Wright Stuff a few times.
      That's the only downside with working the festivals, you only get to explore while they're still being built. xxx

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  38. Yes! An inflatable sofa is so cool! The hair bands were a great idea.

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    1. We loved it - sadly it didn't cope well with bouncing teenagers at the next festival! xxx

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  39. Hot dang that looks like one stellar festival!! Your Thomas and Friends dress is the best! And for real, a gin and tonic bar? That's awesome!!!!!

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    1. It certainly was! Who doesn't love an ice cold G&T in the sunshine? xxx

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  40. Your new inflatable sofa is fantastic! Must be so comfy.

    This sounds like it was a really good time. I'm with you ... the animal costumes are great.

    I so enjoy your festival posts!

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    1. I love people who embrace fancy dress. I bet they have really ordinary jobs in the real world - a great escape! xxx

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  41. So glad you go some time to relax a bit in your busy festival schedule. I hope that you have an amazing time at Truck Festival. Sadly we are not going this year. We have been the last 2 years though and it was amazing!

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    1. I've always fancied Truck and were delighted to get offered a last minute pitch this year. Shame we didn't see you this time! xxx

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  42. So glad you go some time to relax a bit in your busy festival schedule. I hope that you have an amazing time at Truck Festival. Sadly we are not going this year. We have been the last 2 years though and it was amazing!

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  43. You look like the festival queen perched on your inflatable divan with your wine! Glad you had a successful weekend - those kind of hours would kill me, but you two obviously are way more energetic than I am. The animal outfits are kind of strange, but hey, to each their own, and they are definitely more interesting to look at than jeans and t-shirts.

    I would have loved to have seen Bryan Ferry - too bad you didn't snap a photo.

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    1. A fellow festival trader posted a selfie saying how tired she was after two festivals, I was going to sympathise until I remembered we'd done twice as many and were old enough to be her parents. They are a killer but such a laugh. xxx

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  44. We saw Soul II Soul at Common People in Oxford this year and they were absolutely brilliant! I'd love to see Newton Faulkner x

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    1. They haven't lost it, have they? Definitely try and catch Newton, he was worth waiting ten years for! xxx

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  45. You look fabulous in your Thomas the Tank dress relaxing on the blow-up sofa. Those kids look cute with their furry tails, but the prize has to go to the person in the badger outfit - they must have been sweltering in there! Loved Soul II Soul back in the day, reminds me of clubbing with my non-metal loving friends! xxx

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    1. Us traders keep saying one of those furries has to be David Cameron - it's the only way he'd get in without being booed! xxx

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  46. Ooohh, love the elegant, vibrant hues of your dress. What a marvelous maxi for a day spent outdoors and in such a creative, fun filled environment.

    Big hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thanks, Jessica! Packing for festivals is always tricky with our weather! xxx

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  47. SO the inflatable sofa is very different to the inflatable sofa we had in my flat in the late 90s! Yours looks very classy and comfy. This looks like such a creative and fun festival - I'm sure I'd drive all the people in animal costumes insane by asking to have photos with them all!

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    1. I had one in the 1990s, too - I bet it's still lurking around in an outbuilding somewhere. xxx

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  48. Tory Cameron *shudders*

    I want a Cheshire Cat tail! No idea where I'd wear it, but I did spend my birthday in London once in a long velvet dress, oversized fake fur coat and a cat tail and huge cat hood with ears! So never say never, hehe!

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    1. I'm so glad he didn't visit our shop, Jon would have thrown him out!!
      I'm quite tempted to make myself a fancy tail, wear it to Lidl and see if anyone noticed! xxx

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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