Friday 9 September 2016

Inner City Blues




Of all the dresses I own this embroidered Indian cotton maxi, which belonged to Sabine's mother in the 1960s, has to be a favourite. Scared to wear it to death, I've been on the hunt for a back-up for ages. Waiting for Jon to get his arse in gear for a day of charity shopping I did my weekly trawl through eBay, finding "Long blue 70s dress" listed in a non-vintage category (the best stuff often is). The dress had a starting bid of £5 or a Buy It Now option of £8. I saved it to my watch list, went to clean my teeth and had a word with myself. You want to risk missing out on that dress for the sake of three measly quid? What on earth's the matter with you? I ran downstairs, clicked Buy It Now and less than 24 hours the postman handed it over.

The Ebay auction photo
Listed as having a few marks I chucked it in the sink with some warm water and a couple of squirts of Lidl's liquid hand soap, leaving it to soak for half an hour. I rinsed it out, folded it inside a bath towel, got Jon to help me wring it out and then hung it to dry on a coat hanger on the washing line in the shade.


When I put it on this morning it suddenly dawned on me that I'd tried on an identical dress in Dolly Mix Vintage in Leicester when Curtise, Tania & I visited back in March. I loved it but couldn't justify the £35 price tag - good things come to those who wait. 


As it's a bit on the long side I had to wear it with boots to go out this morning, not the best option as we're having a hot spell this week (hooray!) but luckily fortune was on my side and just look what I spotted in one of the chazzas we visited, 


Yep, a pair of brand spanking new £120 Jeffrey Campbell suede flatforms (as the hipsters call 'em) for a bargain-tastic £3! I'm beginning to think the Black Country is home to a legion of Imelda Marcos wannabes. 


...and just as I was handing over my three £1 coins I spotted this engraved brass perfume bottle pendant hanging up next to the counter and priced at 25p. I bought a silver one from a hippy shop in the back streets of Sliema in Malta back in the 1980s which vanished into the ether years ago so it's a timely replacement.

1970s cheesecloth maxi (£8, eBay), Vintage "Simran of New Delhi" quilted waistcoat (£1, car boot sale), brass pendant (25p) & tooled leather belt (50p) , Jeffrey Campbell flat forms (£3)
My whole outfit cost £12.75. Whilst not as cheap as my End of the Road ensemble, it proves that it's  still possible to find affordable vintage on eBay and that all charity shops aren't full of overpriced Primarni/George @ Asda tat.


Time to introduce you to Frank, a stray tom who's been visiting us for ages. He was extremely timid and very skinny when we first met him but over the months he's piled on the pounds and even allows us pick him up for a cuddle. Don't ask why he's called Frank but it's definitely a better option than Adolf, after a few people pointed out that they have a remarkably similar hair style. I didn't think shouting "Adolf" down the avenue when it's tea time would have gone down well with the neighbours.


Amazingly Polly Piglet (aka The Queen of Sheba) and Stephen Squirrel don't seem to mind him dining on the door step. 


A whole weekend off. We're dining in tonight,  I've toasted a blend of spices (using THIS recipe) for a Sri Lankan-style green bean curry (recipe HERE) and the house smells incredible. Tomorrow we're out on the town, watch out Walsall!

Whatever you're doing have a good un!

Linking to Patti's Visible Monday.

123 comments:

  1. Awwww.......Frank doesn't have the right mustache to be an Adolf. Stevie & Polly look very content.
    I had a crinkly cotton maroon colored dress with similar embroidery when I was about 11 yrs old. I bought on a trip in the mid 70's to Baja with my mom & dad in the VW van. Wore it for Cinco de Mayo & to the beach through my teens.
    Lovin' those suede flatforms, very Ibiza indeed.
    Your garden is looking fab too!
    Bibi
    xox

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    1. Your cotton dress and its adventures sounded very cool. My Mum always used to buy me cheesecloth dresses and flares and it still love those styles now.
      We're having a bit of an Indian Summer, the plants seem very happy! xxx

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  2. The charity shop Gods were smiling on you today, Vix! The new dress is gorgeous and is a good back up for the other one, which has to be one of my favourite dresses ever.

    The 'flatforms' are amazing and the perfume pendant bottle a fabulous find and only 25p! Love it,love it, love and you look fantastic in your ensemble.

    What magnanimous cats you have!

    Have a fab weekend

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. They were. It was an impromptu trip, too - we needed a new mop! I could have easily missed out. xxx

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  3. You look beautiful in your new frock. Not so sure about the shoes! I'm not sure alcohol would be a good idea in those! It's mad, the stuff you seem to find.
    Have a great weekend! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Emma! It never ceases to amaze me what turns up, even in the grottiest, boarded up high streets there's always an unexpected gem in a chazza! xxx

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  4. How wonderful, Vix!!
    And that photo of Frank (hahaha "Adolf!!!") and you is spectacular.
    Well, you ALL are spectacular.
    Have a lovely weekend!!! We'll be watching the Manchester Derby tomorrow! xox

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    1. Thanks, Carol! Word's out, another cat turned up on the doorstep this morning. We should open a cat hotel! xxx

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  5. I hope you are enjoying your lovely food right now, I'm thinking about what to have. Tomorrow we are off Food Fest in Tod with friends and have booked our window table in The Old Coop. Can't wait.
    Youve got some great finds there missus and wearing them so beautifully as always.
    Have a lovely weekend xxx
    Stockport for us on Sunday

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    1. I can't wait to hear about Stockport! Sunday was glorious here yesterday so if it was the same up North it must have been buzzing. xxx

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  6. That is the dreamiest dress in the world! xx

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    1. Thanks, Laura! Never stop searching eBay, there's still some great stuff lurking in the wrong categories! xxx

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  7. I am not surprised Tom comes to you for love, lady of the many blue dresses.
    Mil besos, my dear Vix
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  8. ...but now I'm going to think of you yelling, "Adolf, time for dinner!" and burst out laughing whenever I see poor Frank.

    That's a great dress, and I like the belt and perfume bottle necklace-have you put any perfume in it? Something heavy on the patchouli?

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    1. Patchouli would suit it perfectly. I've worn Lush's Karma (a solid perfume) for years and love it. I'll have a look on the Asian stall on the market. xxx

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  9. Love both those dresses they are beautiful , And the cats are rather lovley too xxx

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    1. Thanks, Shabby! I think I've got an Indian blue cotton dress with embroidery fetish! xxx

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  10. lovely dress!, and I agree about ebay: there are still bargains, and it's particularly useful if you're looking for something specific!
    Frank looks adorable! so cute that he's not so timid yet!
    besos

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    1. It is! Great for the odd sewing supply, too. xxx

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  11. Frank seems to have a 'tude - at least you have welcomed him into your clan.
    It is true that good things come to those who wait. I mainly lurk on shopgoodwill.com and am hoping to score a reasonably priced turquoise squash blossom necklace (dreaming on ....)

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    1. I'd love a turquoise squash blossom necklace, too! You never know do you? I search eBay early in the morning when the rest of the world is getting ready for work, often things get listed overnight - maybe when people are tired and don't realise they've put them in the wrong category or haven't done their research on a label and stick a cheap Buy-it-Now price on. xxx

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  12. Walsall must be one of the last bastions of amazing charity shop finds. And that ebay dress too - ah - the thrill of tracking something down that hasn't been labelled vintage: SOOOO satisfying. Love your nearly-but-not-quite-moved-in kitty. Lucky Frank to have found you and Jon to coax him into better health.

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    1. There are some fantastic chazzas in the area, the pile it high, sell it cheap variety, staffed by people who don't feel the need to label something as "vintage" or have time to search the internet for labels. Hooray! xxx

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  13. I love the dress - how clever and lucky of you to find it. Also admire your thinking re the Buy it Now price.

    But most of all I like how you cleaned the dress with Lidl hand wash. Brilliant advice, thanks for the tip!xx

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    1. Thank you! Lidl's hand wash hasn't let me down yet. Their patchouli and lime scent, which is gorgeously subtle, comes highly recommended - I hate artificial, flowery smells. xxx

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  14. I love the dress - how clever and lucky of you to find it. Also admire your thinking re the Buy it Now price.

    But most of all I like how you cleaned the dress with Lidl hand wash. Brilliant advice, thanks for the tip!xx

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  15. Love your new dress, such a bargain and you look fab!

    How cute are your kitty cats! My mother has a stray living in her garden, named Brian xxx

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    1. Thank you! I felt wonderfully comfy as soon as I put it on, which makes it a winner in my book.
      Brian's a fantastic name for a cat! xxx

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  16. That pic of Polly Piglet is making me laugh so hard, she looks *just* like one of those Victorian Orientalist paintings of the Queen of Sheba! As for poor Frank resembling Hitler, his markings look more like an emo teenager's haircut circa 2007 if you ask me :D

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    1. She does, doesn't she? She really is a ridiculous cat.
      You're right, Frank does have the look of an emo. I'll have to play him so My Chemical Romance and test for a reaction. xxx

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  17. great scores. I don't think I could walk in those "flat forms".

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    1. They're surprisingly light and comfy. Mind you, at £120 you'd expect them to be wonderful, wouldn't you? xxx

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  18. Brilliant finds, you look gorge xx

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  19. What a score on that dress! Especially when paired with the orange. I adore that little perfume bottle necklace. I've been looking for a similar one for ages but I'm normally so tired after thrifting when I get to the register I can't be bothered to look at the jewellery. I can see that is a habit I will need to rectify.

    What gorgeous eyes Frank has!

    Have a great weekend!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Thank you! I think jewellery often gets overlooked in charity shops, unless it's under the counter (and usually highly priced) its always tangled up and I can rarely be bothered to sort it out - I'm glad I had the patience this time. xxx

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  20. Brilliant finds, you look gorge xx

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  21. So awesome that you got the dress for such a bargain!!! Especially after trying it on at an earlier time and not getting it because it was too pricey!

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    1. I know! I wonder how many more of those dresses have survived, I've found two in a few months. there must be more. xxx

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  22. Frank's lovely. I used to have a cat who had a Hitler-style side-swept fringe marked out in the colours of his fur. Luckily he didn't have the matching moustache otherwise he'd have been called Kitler and not Fidget.

    There used to be a really funny website called something like 'my cat looks like Hitler.' If it's still around check it out, there are some hilarious cats on there.

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    1. Hello Elizabeth! That website is hilarious, thanks for suggesting it. Kitler - ha! Love it. xxx

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  23. Ah, sooo nice that you have a back up for your pretty dress! I love it! That blue one is one of my favourites of yours so I am glad you have a replacement! New cat is very cute. Oooh, do like the perfume bottle!

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    1. Isn't it good to finally find the one after months of hunting? Mind you, I wouldn't mind one in another colour, too! xxx

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  24. You mentioned Curtise and made me miss her, and hope she is well. Oh, and I wondered if Tanya has a blog? The dresses are so lovely, and so you. Yes, good things come to those who wait.

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    1. Curtise is most missed in Blogland, Sam. I've added a link to Tania's blog, if you click on her name now you'll go straight to her blog. You'll love it. xxx

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  25. LOVE the dress! You were absolutely right to grab it...and all the rest, too!

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  26. Blue always looks so fab on you. Great find on the ebay dress. And yes, Frank was much wiser than Adolf teehee!

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    1. Thanks, CC! Blue's definitely my go-to colour. xxx

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  27. Beautiful dress! I'm glad you found it! Say hi to Frank for me next time you see him! :)

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    1. Thanks, Laurie! I'll give Frank a tickle from you! xxx

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  28. Congratulations on the feline addition to your family! What lovely eyes!!!

    I hope I get re-incarnated as a cat with lovely humans like you and Jon.

    What a beautiful dress!! And great finds! Looking forward to seeing more of them in future posts.

    Happy thrifting ;)

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    1. Hello TP! We love cats but I do have to stop Jon feeding every single one that visits, some do have homes after all. He can't steal them! xxx

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  29. WIN! WIN! WIN! The dress, the shoes, and the pendant! Actually the biggest win is Frank...something tells me he'll be inside by winter! A lovely family of five!

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    1. Thanks, Sue! I agree, a cat is the best kind of find! xxx

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  30. It's so satisfying when you find a backup of something you've been looking for! Great find. And those shoes?! You're giving me the itch to get out to the charity shops today... x

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    1. It is, isn't it? makes you feel totally justified in having a splurge!
      Apparently TK Maxx (their headquarters are in Walsall) have donated a huge amount of their surplus stock to Cancer UK so that's why those Jeffrey Campbell's were unworn. Might have to pay another visit this week! xxx

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  31. What a brilliant find. You look incredible in that dress. I love the belt and your lovely necklace. The shoe gods seem to smile down on you a lot with those posh flatforms (a new one on me.). I haven't had much luck with eBay recently but I have had a couple of good buys from the Car Boot for the winter time. I do think that it is getting a lot harder to pick up good vintage but you are right, it is there if you look hard enough (and you are lucky). Green bean curry sounds fabulous. I am cooing over Frank and all your kitties. He is a very handsome boy. That is really nice of you and Jon to take him in. Cats seem to know who the kind people are. :) Xx

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    1. I still love car boots the most. I like how you can combine a trip out to the countryside with shopping for vintage and getting your fruit and veg, plants and car parts at the same time.
      Ebay can drive me daft. I tend to type in what I'm looking for, select UK only (saves on postage and you don't get loads of "Made in China" repro) put in a maximum price and search every category that pops up in the side bar. I've found bargain dresses in all kinds of unexpected categories.
      I could take photos of cats all day! xxx

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  32. Gorgeous dress, and you've styled it so well and you look fantastic in it. It really looks nothing on the hanger but it was certainly waiting for you to give it life. Love those flatforms too, and they actually look comfy (are they?) not that I could walk in them though! I've just upped my price range in the chazzas and you are right, so many good things to buy, even if you only have £3 in your pocket!

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    1. Thanks, Claire! They are surprisingly comfy and leather lined which means my feet don't slip and slide about, guaranteed blisters!
      Quite a lot of our chazzas are £3 or less clearance places which means wading through some absolutely horrific tat to find something interesting. I'm happy to pay much more if I love it or if it's going to look brilliant on the Kinky rails and at least the money's going to a good cause rather than lining the pockets of some dodgy millionaire businessman! xxx

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  33. Frank knows a good thing when he sees it, bless him...look at him posing, Prudy would never do that, I do miss her. Love the new frock and the old one is a favourite of mine also. That cornflower blue colour suits you so well and you've styled it brilliantly. I can never believe Black Country chazza prices, so incredibly cheap! High end shoes and necklace for £3.25, bloody fantastic. Enjoy your weekend off. Did you read about that Hollywood blockbuster they are filming in Digbeth? xxx

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    1. Dear Prudy, I'm not surprised you miss her. When Albert, my cat of 20 years died, we thought we'd never have another cat. It worked well for going away but we missed the feline company and ended up having our two after a year.
      There's a load of tat in our chazzas, you really have to dig deep for something good! xxx

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  34. the pic of you and frank is soo dreamy - pure art! thank you for not calling him adolf.....
    love your 12 bucks outfit - the new blue dress is a stunner on you!
    be careful with that shoes :-)
    xxxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate. I didn't realise Jonwas taking that photo of me and the boy, came out okay, didn't it? xxx

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  35. Hi Vix
    The spicy coloured waistcoat goes so well with the serene blue dress, and those are definately your colours.You,ve left me in limbo with your enticing description of roasted spices...........would love to know the curry recipe

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    1. Hello, EL! I've just updated my post to include links to the curry recipe I used and the spice blend I roasted to make the taste more authentic than using a generic curry powder. It really was delicious! xxx

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  36. Well after seeing Sabine's mums original frock I don't blame you for wanting a back up!! Both are absolutely gorgeous and the recent acquisition even has the long sleeves and embroidery! And Frank, the other recent "find" is utterly gorgeous - I'm pretty sure word's out that your place is the cat stray hot spot. I think I've missed out on what happened to Alan the ranga? xox

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    1. Now I've got a back-up blue embroidered maxi I'll probably develop an obsession with finding something else!
      Poor Ginger Alan. I found him in the garden unable to walk one day last Autumn, we managed to get him to the vets thinking he'd been hit by a car but it turned out that in his (short) life of living on the streets he'd contracted FiV and that it was too advanced to save him so he had to be put to sleep. Frank's a lot less wild (but timid) so we're hopefully getting him checked out this week to make sure he's okay. xxx

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  37. Love the outfit. I still manage to find good bargains on e-bay. Have you looked for Indigo moon coats and jackets? I have about 20 of them, some velvet, some linen and some chenille.
    I am always being complimented on them when I'm out and about. I will be 71 in November, but there's no way I'm ever going to stop being a 'hippy chick'. I love the look and always will. I still have some clothes from the 60s and 70s, and they still fit me!
    PS My neighbours' cat is called Adolph, and her dog is Marx. I don't know what they call their lizards...I don't like to ask. Their garden which backs onto ours has some beautiful tree palms and other tropical plants. plus animal skulls in the fence, a zombie clawing its way out of the ground, and a skeleton hanging on a gibbet. And people think I'm weird!

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    1. Hello Lesley, you sound like the kind of person I'd definitely stop in the street and spend ages chatting to. I've seen a couple of Indigo Moon jackets in charity shops recently and they really are fabulous, proper wearable works of art. Sadly both were really big, I'd have snapped them up if they'd been my size.
      It sounds like you found your style years ago and why on earth would you change? You're still the same person. What a shame so many women lose their confidence and feel the need to disappear into beige and grey. xxx

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  38. You and your lovely blue dresses! These two are gorgeous and so is the one you wore at End of the Road Festival. As others have said, blue really does suit you.Love the shoes too, I never seem to have much luck with shoes in charity shops, usually not my size but it won't stop me looking!

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    1. Thanks, Tanya! The shoes aren't my size but fit perfectly. It probably explains why they ended up in a charity shop, incorrectly labelled by the manufacturer. Keep trying! xxx

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  39. You really do have the magic touch when it comes to finding a gorgeous bargain and gorgeousstray cats by the look of it!

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    1. Years of practice with the shopping, not sure about the cats, I think it's more Jon than me! xxx PS I'm going to the Post Office tomorrow, expect mail this week!

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  40. I came to the conclusion many years ago that certain people belong to an era. I used to work with someone who looked wonderful in 1920s clothes we used to be in awe at how she looked like she had stepped out of that era. You too are another one who can just put on these types of clothes and they belong on you. Not many can pull this off I know I could not. To be able to do this for such a low price is remarkable. I also go to charity shops to search out bargains and find myself saying 'That's a vix dress' I bet your followers do also.
    You should have your own television programme, have you thought about approaching one of the channels. If I see another sickly Kirsties homemade I will throw up

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    1. forgot to add the fact you can walk in those shoes puts you up there. Please don't tell me you can walk to a from town in them

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    2. Hello Annie! What a lovely, lovely comment, thank you. A few people have told me that they'll pick up dresses in charity shops and say "That's a Vix" and quite a few charity shop managers and car boot traders think the same, popping them one side and giving me first refusal, which is unbelievably thoughtful.
      Funnily enough, I was approached about a slot on TV but I turned it down. I don't think I could bear to watch myself or hear my terrible accent. I'm with you on Kirstie, I cannot stand the woman. Why Channal 4 have such a love affair with her I'll never know. xxx
      PS Honestly those flatforms are surprisingly easy to walk in but I don't think I'd walk to Walsall via the Medieval cobbled "hill of doom" in them, that's just asking for a hip replacement! xxx

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  41. That is a fabulous find, the dress looks lovely on you. I hope Frank decides to make his home with you, he looks like a friendly chap. The shoes btw are great, I would love to wear them! I have seen about 4 pairs of platforms in random charity shops locally and in Brighton but none my size, all brand new! really annoying but my turn will come I'm sure.

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    1. Thanks, Betty! Believe it or not those shoes are labelled as a 37 (I'm a 40) and they fit perfectly. You'll find the perfect pair in the end. xxx

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  42. Hi Vix, hope you are enjoying your weekend. I have always admired your Indian cotton dress, so what a thrill to find one like it one eBay. Right now I'm off to search eBay, I've never actually bought any vintage clothing from eBay, I'd love to find a blue dress like yours, you look absolutely stunning. Give Frank a pat for me. That's how my family and I got our first cat actually, she was abandoned and we just kept feeding her, and she was with us for a long time. Can you keep Frank, or does he belong to someone else? Xxx

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    1. Hello Jess! In my reply to Mother of Reinvention's comment I've mentioned a few tips on how I search for things on eBay.
      It's easy to get carried away with bidding so I use "Goofbid" a free sniping tool that places a bid on your behalf, it doesn't guarantee you'll win the auction but it stops you getting carried away and paying over the odds. Good luck in your hunt!
      I never understand why people abandon cats, it's so sad isn't it? They're such loving creatures. xxx

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  43. Lovely dress. You had me reminscing. I used to wear those quilted Indian jackets all the time at the end of '70s and beginning of '80s. xx

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    1. Thank you! I used to wear those quilted jackets, too. They sell for silly money these days, so few survived! xxx

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  44. First of all, Frank is beautiful, has an expression so human! No, Adolf was not the right name (although I do not understand why an old Stalinist uncle gave his son the name of Adolfo, the great mysteries of life ...) .. and then your blue dress is amazing, then it is the color that I was looking to match a brown vest native American style .. still have not found anything .. you have got a great deal: the dress you're perfectly and it is beautiful, as well as the pendant-door fragrance !

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    1. He does have a supremely pissed off face. I gave him some cat food this morning which he refused to eat and just started at me in disgust for ages.
      Your native American style vest sounds incredible. I hope you're going to share it on your blog! xxx

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  45. That blue dress is so wonderful! Blue looks magnificent on you

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    1. Thanks, Sara! Lovely to hear from you. xxx

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  46. Fab dress!! Lidl hand soap eh... I must use that next time I pick up a chazza bargain. I'm well into embroidered 70s at the moment, I have a deadstock embroidered blue shirt I wear for work a lot.

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    1. Hello, you! That shirt sounds gorgeous. Lidl hand soap indeed, not only smells good but gently cleans, too. xxx

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  47. Frank is a suitable name for the new addition to the family. He must have known you two would take care of him. (We have an invisible sign that only strays, sickly, and drop offs only see, because we have never been without a pet that needed our care.) The outfit looks lovely as always!

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    1. I think there's a sign on the gate that only cats can see - eat here, all felines welcome! xxx

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  48. Whoa! Some serious bargains there! Love embroidered clothing and that dress is styled perfectly with that vest and very cool bottle pendant necklace. And photogenic Frank's posing is brilliant. Love kitties :)

    Theresa

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    1. Thanks, Theresa! Vintage wearing and cat loving seem to go hand-in-hand. xxx

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  49. Poor Frank, he doesn't look a bit like a Kitler - no moustache.

    Good things do come to those who wait - your maxi came to you in the end. I have recently learned how to shop on eBay, which I never used to bother with. Argh.

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    1. I was tempted to draw him one with a Sharpie. A few years ago someone drew eyebrows on all the sandy coloured beach dogs on Arambol Beach in Goa. The poor things looked utterly ridiculous.
      Oh no, eBay can be addictive once you crack the skills! xxx

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  50. Wow - those JC platforms are out of this world fabulous. Love the perfume bottle too, and of course the kitties. Polly looks like she may be queen of all cats. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. I was tempted to share her on Visible Monday rather than me, she is a bit of a diva! xxx

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  51. That dress is fabulous, Vix and that shade of blue really suits you! How great a find were those "platforms"! How lovely to meet Frank, he's such a cutie! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Ann! Hope you had a good break and are having a very Happy Birthday. xxx

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  52. The green-bean curry recipe will be tried: we're up to our hips in Chinese long-beans as the Midwestern summer finishes cooking our gardens.

    The blue dress is charming with and without the pretty vest, but I envy you those platforms! What a wonderful solution to the too soon for boots, too cool for sandals season! (I'd wear them with tights.)

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    1. Hi Beth! I found a pile of those knee high striped socks with the separate toes at the car boot sale, I was thinking they might be fun with the flatforms!
      The green bean curry was really good, we'll definitely have it again - although we have to buy our beans. xxx

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  53. How lovely the whole post and Frank is great.

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    1. Thanks Maureen! Franks been asleep on top of the wheelie bin for most of today! x

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  54. Frank looks rather ticked off about something - what a cool looking cat, and good on you and Jon for fattening him up.

    You do have the best thrifting/secondhand shopping luck! I've never been able to find shoes that fit me in thrift stores, only in more expensive consignment stores, and even then, only in New York (more stylish people with larger shoe sizes I guess).

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    1. He's supremely grumpy, isn't he?
      I seem to be quite lucky with shoes, I think size 40 is common, fortunately for me! xxx

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  55. Hi Vix, Stunning, stunning! You in your don't-want-to-wear-it-out dress. And I love the little perfume bottle as a necklace - and of course, the rings and bracelets!! I know what you mean when you have favourites and you want them to live forever but they're just not going to come to the party. Are "chazzas" charity shops???? We call them Op Shops (Op for Opportunity). Hallo Frank! Have a beautiful week. xx

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth! Yes, Chazzas are charity shops. I like how your "op" shops are named much better as there's always an opportunity to find something amazing every time you visit. xxx

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  56. That dress is amazing and I can't believe it was only £8! I shall have to start my ebay trawls again, I haven't looked properly on there in ages. The suit I wore to Goodwood on Sunday was an ebay find - one of my best I think! Hope you had a great weekend xx

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    1. I think I was slow in buying it as the price seemed too good to be true! I'm looking forward to seeing you Goodwood photos, the few I've seen on Facebook are amazing! xxx

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  57. Incredibly cool + lovely outfit. The denim maxi is a joy for the senses and that elegant perfume bottle necklace took my breath away - twice, really, as the second time happened when I read the amazing price that you landed it for (congrats all around!).

    Many hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you, Jessica! I'm so used to seeing these dresses for £50+ I think I lost my head at the bargainous price! x

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  58. Those are some awesome finds. The dress is wonderful!

    Here's to eBay ... I just made a purchase this morning. I do always include the word vintage in my searches, but will now try excluding it, to see what comes up. Because I want a dress just like yours!

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    1. Vintage often add $$$$ so, although it can take ages to trawl through everything, it's the best way to find a bargain! xxx

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  59. How I enjoyed this post as well! The photo of Frank "Adolf" (not) and you in the background is priceless! Congrats on your newly found favorite dress! And now you have JC platforms - wahoo! We're practically sisters! :)

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    1. JC! the shoes that brought us together! xxx

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  60. i love it when that happens. i found a maxi skirt in a charity shop earlier this year that i almost bought new a few years ago, only this one was a tenth of the price, and i've worn it a lot!
    both of these dresses are gorgeous.
    Frank is cute and how lovely that your two cats are welcoming, most wouldn't be!

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    1. I love it when that happens! I fell in love with a TopShop bikini before I went to Goa last year but couldn't bring myself to pay £40. I spotted one in my size at a car boot sale a couple of weeks ago with the tags still attached and the girl only wanted £1! xxx

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  61. I always think I don't like 70s fashion until I see you in something blue or purple and then I get a bad attack of envy!

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    1. Hooray! I'm so happy to change your opinion on 1970s fashion! xxx

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  62. Finding back up piece for a beloved garment you are afraid to wear to death too soon ... I know this so well: Most of the time the cheapest finds with the most hole and other issues turn into my favourites and I try to find replacements for the sad day my adored piece turns to dust(while wearing it out and leaves me naked.

    You fouond a wonderful long blue replacement dress. You are truly lucky!

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  63. I am so glad you found a replacement dress - good things do come to those that wait :) Also I can't believe that people could buy shoes for that much money and then donate them....yikes! Some people have too much money, but its a win for you :)

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Lots of love, Vix