Tuesday 30 August 2016

Shoot That Poison Arrow - Tales From Camper Calling


In a move which could hardly be considered financially astute I booked to trade at Camper Calling simply because I wanted to see ABC headlining. If I was a candidate on The Apprentice my business acumen would probably reduce Sir Alan to tears.


It wasn't just 1980s legends ABC that had sold Camper Calling to us, Dodgy, The Hoosiers and The Magic Numbers were also appearing on the bill. The organisers (the people behind CamperJam) had assured us that the toilets would be plentiful and spotlessly clean (which they were) and that this first time event was going to have more of a music festival vibe than the usual feel of a V Dub show.


With the rain beating down and Gilbert stuffed to the roof with vintage stock we headed to the Paladian gloriousness of Ragley Hall in Warwickshire, set up shop, cracked open a can and prayed that the weather would clear up in time for the festival's official opening.


For once the Beeb had got their weather forecast spot on. Friday was glorious. We basked in the sunshine, hung out with other stallholders who, like us, had traded at CamperJam for years, but due to the size had never managed to chat properly.

Wearing: Psychedelic 1970s maxi skirt by Prova (BHS's own label), gypsy blouse & pompom choker (made by me)


For a change there was no night time trading so, after tea, we shut the shop and headed to the main stage to watch Midlands band Dodgy who, virtually unrecognisable from how they looked at their peak in the early 1990s, were on top form.




The Camper Calling crowd were pretty laid back, preferring to watch from the comfort of their camping chairs and blankets....


I've no idea who this lot were but they seemed keen to have their photo taken.


Meaning that us and our mates, Claire, Gareth and their son Caleb of Voodoo Street, were able to watch the The Magic Numbers' set up close and personal.




Their set was beautiful, pitch perfect and wonderfully harmonious.


Saturday started off okay but the blue skies rapidly were replaced with torrential rain, thunder and lightning. Whilst the weather wasn't great for business it gave Claire and I a chance to rummage through our rails and plan our evening outfits. The weather did eventually cheer up and business was fairly brisk so we didn't feel too bad about closing at 7pm (an unknown for us, we're usually the last stall to shut.)


Yes, our outfits of choice were disco unicorns which caused quite a stir.


Is that an Ozzy Osborne photobomb?

Gaz & Jon's jackets and our disco dresses all "borrowed" from the Kinky rails! We reckon this photo looks like a weird version of the Abba Arrival album sleeve.

The Hoosiers - once renowned for their on-stage animal costumes - never batted an eyelid at us going wild in the mosh pit to Worried About Ray.





Next up were headliners ABC and even without the infamous gold lame suit Martin Fry was looking damned fine at 58 years of age and with a brand new hip replacement (a man after my own heart!)


Jon recognised the first note of one of his favourite ABC hits and switched the camera on to record. Just listen to what happens next.....



We were giddy with excitement, not only did we get a mention but Martin Fry dedicated Poison Arrow, my favourite ABC song, to us and Jon caught it all on camera! I'll be banging on about that for years.



Sunday, traditionally a slow day for sales, remained just that....slow but, still on a high, all I kept thinking about was how, only a few hours previously, we'd gone out dressed as unicorns, Martin Fry sang to us and it wasn't even a dream.

Claire when she's not dressed as a unicorn. Instead she's wearing a 1950s novelty print cotton dress she bought from Kinky Melon last year.
Choosing to trade at an event just because I liked the bands wasn't too bad a decision in the end. Although we didn't break any sales records we were more than happy with our takings and MARTIN FRY FROM ABC SANG POISON ARROW TO US.....I might not win any awards for businesswoman of the year but we had the time of our lives and you really ask for better than that, can you?


We got home on Sunday night, set the alarm early to hit the Bank Holiday boot sales and spent five hours hunting for replacement stock, leaving Gilbert packed, blissfully thinking that we'd got a couple of days until The End Of The Road - that is until I checked my emails before bed last night and realised that we've got to be on-site at the other end of the country tomorrow. Gawd help us!


You can read Claire's version of events on Voodoo Street's blog HERE.
Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday ,  Natalia's Rock That Vintage and Judith's Hat Attack #38

See you soon!

PS Here's another ABC clip Jon managed to capture. My friend A-M Ellilä (and fellow ABC fan) might enjoy this!


95 comments:

  1. Wow! So impressive! : ) AND caught on video : ) ABC sounds just like I remember it.

    Disco unicorns was such a great idea!

    Sounds like a super fun weekend.

    I hope you manage to organize and get ready for the next one. Sounds like you're pushing it.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. ABC sounded brilliant, it's always a gamble watching a band you loved way back when.
      I definitely recommend dressing as a unicorn. I might try it next time I'm having a dodgy skin day! xxx

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  2. What a blast! The unicorns are so awesome, and I love the shot of you and Jon close-up. And the music - takes us back and makes us sing along! xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Ha! It was ace. I'm loving the 1980s far more now than I did when I lived through them. xxx

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  3. I do luv the disco unicorn twins. There's going to be a special calling for them at all future trades, ya know. You do have some kind of weather going on over there. Like dial-a-weather in a 24 hour period. But as always, you guys are ready for anything!

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    1. I'm thinking we should wear unicorn heads on a daily basis, it would save money on razor blades and hair dye. xxx

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  4. MARTIN FRY FROM ABC SANG SHOOT THAT POISONED ARROW TO YOU!!!!!
    Does it get any better than that?!
    ABC - always a severely superb band.
    The Fryster - still looking hot!
    Yee-haa!!
    xxx

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    1. Phwoar! isn't he just? I would have said that it made my entire summer but then I went and met Devendra Banhart! xxx

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  5. sometimes you just need to do things for fun

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    1. You do. All work and no play makes Vix a dull girl. xxx

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  6. A glorious post. How exciting that you had one of the most amazing experiences possible. Brava! Your unicorn costumes made my day and the photo of you and Jon is one of the best yet. Congratulations to you both!

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    1. Thanks, Judith! We felt like celebrities! xxx

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  7. Wow! That was amazing! I always do love that song, and ABC really sounds just as good as they did back then. Glad you had a good outcome! :)

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    1. Don't they sound great? I loved them! xxx

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  8. Well your unicorn outfits were 'the right combination' to catch Mr Fry's attention! That terrible weather completely missed us - you need to come over here to the East. Love the little red mini, my first car was a 1969 red mini - oh how I loved it. x

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    1. No way! I'm clearly living/trading in the wrong places! It's lovely today though, all sticky and humid, just the way i like it! xxx

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  9. I just cannot get over the fact that not only you have seen ABC headlining, but they dedicated Poison Arrow to you! I would have been shouting it from the rooftops too. Oh, and I love the unicorn get-ups ... xxx

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    1. I know! You couldn't make it up, could you? xxx

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  10. Hooray for disco unicorns! I loved everything about this post!!!

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    1. We need to form a band - shame I can't sing! xxx

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  11. the arms gave you away as the disco unicorn xxx
    Frida & Gilbert could make beautiful vdubs together if they weren't so old haha xx

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    1. My freaky bendy arms - the stuff of nightmares!! xxx

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  12. With video proof too! What a blast.

    I suppose having fun doing something with less money made is better than making a killing miserably-at least once in a while. Disco Unicorns. LOVE it.

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    1. Yes, if I wanted to earn money I'd get myself a proper job - all day drinking and dressing as a unicorn is far more fun than being a bored boss (like the bad old days!) xxx

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  13. I used to love Dodgy! I didn't know they were still going. You do gad about the country Vix, I hope your travels go smoothly. x

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    1. I'd forgotten that Andy Miller (the guitarist) used to go out with Denise Van Outen. They were great but you can tell they've done a lot of partying - I hardly recognised them! xxx

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  14. Love it! The white unicorns costumes rocked and so did the music! Being self employed is not always about the money, sometimes it is about doing things that make you happy and look at it this way - you had a great time and got paid to do it!

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    1. You're dead right there, we're only here once, much better to live on the cheap and have an absolute blast doing it. xxx

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  15. HAMMER!!!
    (as we say here)
    genius idea to went as unicorns and then ... BAAMMMHHH!!! totally cool! beyond words.
    and thank the gods jon captured it on camera!!! good boy!
    claire looks beautiful in her 50s dress and lace up espadrilles!!
    xxxxxx

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    1. Craziest thing ever!! I still keep laughing about it now.
      Claire's a wonderful model for our clothes, isn't she? xxx

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  16. Wow, what a fabulous time you had. I love ABC too, they're one of those distinctive 80s bands! You look fabulous as always. Xx

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    1. They really were flawless, try and catch them if they're touring, you'd love them! xxx

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  17. Wow, love it, a vodou cauldron of disco surrealism and retro fantasy with a touch of sentimentality. Great couple of unicorns, who sprinkled the hippy pixie dust ��

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    1. What a wonderful comment! Thank you! xxx

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  18. Loving the disco unicorn ensembles and I's be hitting that Pietanic van!
    Woohoo!
    xox

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  19. Fecking brilliant!! That Martin Fry is bloody great and still has it. Bang on Jon, for recording the best dedication I've heard in years. Looks like a brilliant, laid back festie and glad you had such a fab time.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxx

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    1. He's ace, isn't he? Jon still can't believe he captured it on film, what luck! xxx

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  20. It looks like you had an excellent time. And how lovely to have your favourite song dedicated to you!

    So, do you think it's a good idea to see bands from decades past? Every year the Neph tour, and every year I think, "Should I?..." and then I don't because I still have memories of seeing them in 1990 and am terrified that if they have a bad night it'll spoil the memories! But then now you have a memory of a faourite song being dedicated to you, which must make things even better.

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    1. Do it, do it! Jon's the same about PiL, he's scared to see them after all these years but I think he should. Blondie, Morrissey, Echo & The Bunnymen and Siouxsie & The Banshees were every bit as good as they were when we saw them back in the day. xxx

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  21. You are looking beautiful,sparkling and full of life and I adore your blog

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  22. Even if you'd only broken even, STEPHEN SINGING POISON ARROW TO YOU was PRICELESS!!
    Brilliant!
    Zxx

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  23. Two firsts I imagine? Dressing up as a glam unicorn and having a world-wide hit dedicated to you by the original artist. Fan bloody tastic.
    Loving the vintage Citroën pie van. xx

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    1. Yep, two firsts! Although I once went to a strange bar in Malta and the Chris De Burgh tribute act sung Lady in Black (instead of Red) to me. Arghhhh! xxx

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  24. Definitely a good decision. This wad fun to read-you having so much fun.

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    1. Thanks, Sam! I'm glad it was filmed for posterity, if I'd told anyone that had happened they'd probably have accused me of drinking too much gin! xxx

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  25. Its great the way some Artists have it and some pretend to still have it Martin Fry still has it without a doubt , Lol you do make me laugh only you would of thought of unicorns , What a great thing to happen for him to dedicate the song to you two , Like you said well worth the drop in sales xxx

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    1. Doesn't he just?! He looks so good, doesn't he? xxx

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  26. Glad you are having such a fab and groovy time, it's what life should be about and you know how to love life. Must admit I miss you when you are away but you come back with some lovely tales to tell ..............Keep smiling on xx

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    1. How kind! Thanks for the lovely comment! xxx

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  27. No wonder wonderful things come your way, my dear - you are so full of life!! Such beautiful disco-licious unicorns you are! I also loved your pompom choker, it's brilliant! Thank you for joining Midlife Fun! Love you!

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    1. I must drive people mad with my bouncy optimism! My pompom choker has seen lots of love this Summer, not bad for something I made on a whim. xxx

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  28. You amazing unicorns! So awesome to have Poison Arrow dedicated to you and that Jon caught that part in his video. Way to go. Must have been so much fun.

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    1. Best thing ever! I keep playing it and driving Jon mad! xxx

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  29. That's so cool that ABC dedicated a song to you! And so lucky that Jon caught the moment on camera! The Hoosiers sound great, I'd wondered if they were still around. I loved their first album when it first came out and still listen to Worried About Ray now.

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    1. Worried About Ray is such a fantastic song, i still love it too! xxx

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  30. Off-the-charts cool across the board. The song dedication, your fab disco unicorn costumes (have you seen the Netflix cartoon series Bojack Horseman? They remind me a bit of the look of the lead character in that), getting to spend more time outdoors while summer is still here. It all rocks - and so do you, dear Vix.

    Big hugs & many heartfelt thanks for all of your terrific blog comments this month,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Bojack Horseman! I'd never heard of him until I googled him, he's brilliant. thanks for the introduction. xxx

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  31. That's it, you're world-famous disco unicorns. Genius idea, those costumes and Martin Fry clearly agrees! That's my favourite ABC song too, brings back some great memories of being young. I actually think that's a good idea, to go and trade where you'll enjoy yourself and you made a few bob, so, job's a good'un. You must be on the last stretch now? A friend of ours, Wolfgang Buttress is playing at the End of the Road. I think it's called One play Be, what he's performing, I wonder if you'll see it. Anyway, hope it wasn't too much of a mad dash and have fun! Xxxx

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    1. Boo! I didn't see your comment until I got home. I'll have to track him down on You Tube!
      I think you & Curtise need unicorn heads for our next trip - not that we need more attention than we already get! xxx

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  32. Wow! You guys are awesome! And I love that photo of you and Jon together, just beautiful. The "Russian" hat, suede jacket, maxi skirt, unicorns... wow (do I need to say more??!!!) xx

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth! I sold a proper Russian military hat at the weekend and keep asking myself why. I've worn this one so much this Summer I'm going to need a back-up soon! xxx

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  33. I love ABC, fabulous that MF noticed you! This looks like my kind of gathering, a bit less manic and no mud :D

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    1. They're brilliant, aren't they? Just as good as they were 30 years ago! xxx

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  34. Disco unicorns! That's the way to get noticed! xxx

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    1. Most people loved it although one lady just kept saying "why are you dressed as a unicorn? I don't get it" over and over again. Why on earth would anyone need a reason to be silly? xxx

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  35. I used to love ABC and Martin Fry in his gorgeous gold lamé suit! Like that photo of you both - and your maxi/Jon's t-shirt. Nice Kinky Melon's sign, too. Hope you're well! x

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    1. Hello, stranger!! I was a bit disappointed that Martin Fry didn't wear his infamous lame suit but his new one was pretty cool! xxx

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  36. OMG you took me back in time!!!
    Thanks for posting this. I found you through Tasha. I hope you'll come link up:
    http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/08/purple-passion.html

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    1. Gah! Sorry, I missed it. I'll try and join you when the festival season finishes and life isn't as mad. xxx

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  37. Martin. Fry. Dedicated. A. Song. To. You.

    And it was frickin' POISON ARROW too! That is beyond awesome.

    You and Claire totally deserved that, wearing your outstanding unicorn duo outfits xxx

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    1. I can't believe it. What can top that? Claire and I are already wondering what to dress as next - we're trading next to each other in a fortnight! xxx

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  38. Wow! you really can't ask for better than that!
    Sounds like a perfect weekend, and it just goes to prove that the memories are worth more then the money x

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    1. Too right, Hazel. I'll be dining out on my ABC story for years to come! xxx

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  39. Sounds like you had a blast! Getting a song dedicated to you - can't beat that.

    The unicorn outfits were weird in the nicest sort of way.

    Hope you were able to restock Gilbert....

    Have a lovely weekend

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. Weird but nice - funnily enough that's not the first time anyone's used that phrase to describe me!
      We restocked and sold out! It's a never ending (but massively fun) life. xxx

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  40. Yup I'd be pretty damn stoked for the next half century if that had happened to me too!!! So glad you got some lovely sunshine and time to enjoy the music while looking fabulous and fit! xoxoxoox

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    1. Even if I was into all that bucket list rubbish I'd never have dreamed up dressing as a unicorn and being sung to by a 1980s pop superstar! xxx

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  41. How I wish we had a festival season as cool as yours to follow around for an entire Summer. Looks like the best fun ever. Love your Unicorn look and a dedication from ABC, why not bang on about it!!!

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    1. There's a lot in the Uk we moan about - politics, the terrible weather, the cost of living but our music festivals are absolutely brilliant. xxx

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  42. What an awesome weekend! Disco unicorns forever!

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  43. Royalty of the festivals in England!

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    1. I'm not sure if we'll ever be able to top that! xxx

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  44. Hi dear Vix! I haven't lately been feeling too well due to a flu, that's why I'm commenting only now. Wow, you and Jon must be ecstatic for ABC's performance! ! Talk about proper music and proper show! Martin Fry's voice is still ace. I guess you've been listening over and over to Poison Arrow. :) I'm so happy for you and Jon! ! xxx

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    1. Hello, my dear A-M! Hope you're feeling much better now. Isn't Martin Fry in great voice? we were so impressed! xxx

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  45. Noted the Hawaiian shirts on the gentlemen's rack: has the Tiki craze reached the UK? Alluvasudden those Tiki bars in basements are back! So are the "exotic" drinks in Tiki mugs with umbrellas.

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    1. They're huge here, too - I don't know what's started it but even the cheap shops are doing Tiki party packs with plastic palm trees and pineapples. I've sold so many loud Hawaiian shirts this Summer it's ridiculous! xxx

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  46. Ooops. I think my comment might have gone into spam as I wasn't signed in as me. xxx

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    1. I'll go and check! Thanks for visiting anyway! xxx

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  47. Watching that video gave me such an intense 80's flashback! I was working in a record store when their album came out and we played it over and over in the store (I also bought the 12" single of that song - remember those?). Your disco unicorn costumes are brilliant!

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    1. I'm glad ABC brought back some great memories! I can totally see you as the cool chick behind the record shop counter, have you got any photos?
      12 inch singles - I've still got all mine and Jon's still always buying them! xxx

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Lots of love, Vix