Friday 3 November 2017

Little China Girl




If you only fill your wardrobe with clothes you love they'll all go together. That's my theory and I'm sticking with it.


It's not rocket science. However eclectic we consider our tastes, there's always several common factors linking our sartorial choices, in my case rich jewel-like colours, bold prints and an abiding love for Asian textiles.


I've got a magpie's eye when it comes to charity shopping and can spot a desirable piece from a few hundred yards away, like today's Chinese brocade jacket. It's not vintage (River Island with the shop labels still attached) but I loved the opulent shade of peacock blue and the fact it was £2 helped twist my arm - as if I needed any encouragement. As usual, it's a couple of sizes too big but nothing a couple of strategically placed safety pins can't sort out.


As with any new wardrobe addition I'll pick it up, hold it against the rest of the clothes hanging on the rails and the perfect thing will pop out and the colours on this Collier Campbell wool maxi dress seemed just right. With the blues perfectly matched, adding gold-tone jewellery would be a step too far so, as I do 99.9% of my life, I piled on the tribal silver bangles and rings, adding a cheap and cheerful tassel, coin & turquoise necklace from off the market and a pair of home-made earrings.

My latest earrings - the bastard lovechild of a broken 1970s scarab pendant and some metallic embroidery thread. Made in half an hour for the grand total of bugger all.

Three blog posts in a week? Get me! Anyone would think I had loads of time on my hands (I haven't). Truth is that for the last week I've been working from a list and I've achieved so much I've surprised myself. Tasks ticked off include emptying, tidying the garden and finally putting the parental home on the property market, photographing and listing over fifty items on the Kinky website, three days of vintage hunting & washing said finds and pricing, ironing and packing for tomorrow's vintage fair. The most exciting thing though, is that I've booked internal flights and accommodation for the first seven days we're in India. I know....after visiting India for 20 years its probably the first time we've ever had a plan.

.


Be still my beating heart! For a whole week a small part of this century-old haveli in Gujarat will be our home. Voted by The Guardian as one of the top ten places to stay in the world, the Devpur Darbarbagadh Homestay has featured in the Huffington Post and has been awarded Trip Advisor's certificate of excellence for the last four years. I don't want to wish my life away but, man, I cannot wait! 

WEARING: Collier Campbell maxi (part of a set, last seen HERE), Brocade jacket and purple suede platforms - AGAIN! (both charity shopped)

I don't do close-ups so you'll have to take my word that I'm wearing red lipstick for the first time since the 1980s. As a twenty-something I was told off by one of those Colour Me Beautiful nazis reps that as a cool summer, red was definitely not my colour, made me extremely unattractive and that I should go for a flattering frosted pink instead (over my cold, hard, dead body). The other day I bought something from Superdrug and this Roving Rouge lip crayon from Sleek came for free. Minutes after trying it my lips started to tingle and I thought I was having some sort of a turn - turns out it's a tingling sensation, supposed to accentuate your pout. That'll teach me for not reading the small print.


There's one final thing to tick off the list for this week - sort out my work outfit for tomorrow's fair in Walthamstow (HERE) - so I best get on and do it.

See you on the other side, unless you're in E17 tomorrow!


59 comments:

  1. Mmmm, tingling lips, must get me some......

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    1. Maybe not!! I don't understand why, it feels very wrong! xxx

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  2. Blue, blue my love is blue......
    Looking fab & that haveli is divine!
    This is our peak tourist season so we're bizzy bizzy bizzy here in Nepal too!
    xox

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    1. Thank you!! I bet you are busy, the first time I ever went to India was in November - nice and cool! xxx

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  3. Your India trip looks like it's going to be a little bit different this year, the accommodation looks really out of the ordinary, that's for sure! Red lipstick is definitely you.

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    1. We've done homestays before but never anything that gorgeous. Gujarat will be very different, I can't wait! xxx

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  4. I love that haveli! Sometimes you have to plan to make the cool stuff happen :)

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    1. I'm beginning to see that! I've also managed to get a really cheap room in a hotel in Mumbai - that never happens! xxx

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  5. I'm like you in that I can spot a desirable piece from a mile off! That jacket matches your maxi dress perfectly. I love how you piled on the silver and turquoise jewellery too. Tingling or not, I think red lipstick is for you after all! Frosted pink surely is the most unflattering shade of lippie ever. Wishing you the best of trading in E17! xxx

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    1. I don't even need to flick through the rails, I can spot something good without putting any work in sometimes!
      That woman did me a free makeover and I looked like a reject from a 1970s porn film - all blue eyeliner, thick foundation and shimmery lips! xxx

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  6. I like your red lips, they pop perfectly against all that blue and gold. 'Sumptuous' is how you look! Sounds like you have quite the trip to India lined up xx

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    1. Thank you. I was a bit worried red lipstick made me look a bit serious! I'm won over now I think (even if some "colour expert" decides to stick their oar in again!) xxx

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  7. Funnily enough I found a frosted pink lippie this week. It's not me either, I tried it on and yuk, it went in the bin. Red though I love, I've always liked to wear it and I think it really suits you. Makes a night out feel more fun I reckon!
    I like your earrings and necklace, turquoise is another great colour.
    Your holiday plans sound amazing, I bet you can't wait. xxx

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    1. Frosted pink, along with blue mascara it's so dated, isn't it? xxx

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  8. looking fab! Love the blues. I wore one of those throbbing lipsticks once and can't say I fancy that palava again. Who needs that hassle?!

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    1. Hello, Sophie! Lovely to hear from you and thank you! xxx

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  9. What a prolific blogger you've been this week, surprised you found time what with making bastard lovechild earrings (brilliant)and putting your folks house on the market.... not easy, I'm sure. I've also been working from a list this week and it's amazing what I can achieve with one, otherwise I'm a dreadful procrastinator. Your next Indian adventure sounds very exciting, no wonder you can't wait to get to that fabulous haveli. Great styling of the River Island bolero btw. xxx

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    1. I amaze myself sometimes - we've decided to decorate our house from top to bottom now in addition to everything else, I'll need that bloody holiday! xxx

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  10. Yep, that jacket was meant for your wardrobe. I've yet to meet anyone that doesn't look good in red lippy-you just have to find the right tone (I can only do orange-red, for example). It looks lovely on you.

    What an exciting accommodation you have lined up for India-I'll look forward to hearing about it when you return.

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    1. I wonder what kind of red shade my lipstick is, I'm not sure I can live with this tingling nonsense, I keep things I'm going to have a weird turn! xxx

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  11. Your next Indian adventure sounds even better than usual. No doubt you are pumped.

    I must check out your latest listings online. You always keep so busy.

    The red lippy is wonderful on you! People don't know a damn thing! Ha ha!

    Also your new purchase is gorgeous and suits that dress perfectly.

    Wishing you loads of sales this weekend!

    Suzanne

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    1. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
      I try and do so many things at once I don't know where I am. at least having a list helps me focus and I can reward myself with a blog post when I'v eticked a few things off! xxx

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  12. Good to see the red lippy. It has been one of my trade mark colours since I was 18 [along with a very dark plum colour]. I'm known for my love of strong colours and unusual knitwear. Not interested in footwear, but can spot a piece of clothing that I like in a charity shop at 100 paces. If I don't get that frisson of excitement I don't buy it as I know I'll never wear it. Fab news on your upcoming trip. Arilx

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    1. Red lippy was my thing for a while (although I still loved shade 52 by Barry M), how daft to be put off it by some stranger!
      Its all about the excitement, isn't it? Hence the reason my wardrobe's a riot of mad prints and colour. Nobody gets excited about a grey cardi or anything sensible, do they? xxx

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  13. Red lippy and that blue brocade bolero-----so amazing!!!

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  14. in love with that jacket. Someone I used to know (or maybe a family member) was one of those Color Me Beautiful reps. For the life of me, I can't remember what season I was. Like I'd pay attention to that. Vacation place looks amazing!

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    1. Ace for £2, wasn't it?
      I think they said a cool summer but it could have been an icy winter for all I'm bothered! All wishy-washy, shitty pastels and terrible make up anyway! xxx

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  15. Hi Vix, as always, you look fab! I love some Chinese style clothes too. And I've got to share something that I've been excited about recently. Last weekend, I found a patchwork skirt made from vintage materials! I have wanted one ever since seeing you wear one ages ago on your blog. And since buying the skirt, I was reminded of how Id always wanted to make my own patchwork lampshade, and I've finally done it! Now I want to make one for every room of the house, haha.

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    1. Hooray!! I'm so excited that you've found your dream patchwork skirt, Jess! It sounds like patchwork's going to take over your life, like it has mine! xxx

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  16. the indian homestay!!!! swoooon*********
    oh - and it´s my rule too!
    everything goes with everything - in house and wardrobe - if selected with love.
    fabulous bolero jacket! peacock blue and red lips are gorgeous on you - powerful colors on a real power woman - your to-do list sounds giant!
    happy trading for the weekend! xxxxxx

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    1. Who wants sterile 5 star all-inclusive hotels when you can stay with a family in a 100 year old house? Not us! xxx

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  17. i do think they may have to hold you down and surgically remove those blue boots ...lol

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  18. I always feel over done with more makeup than a spot of mascara but have been adding more lip color. I'm too dull for red so you rock it for me. Beutiful texture in the dress.

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    1. Thanks, Sam! I feel naked without lipstick! xxx

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  19. The Indian homestay - that looks amazing!
    What a fab outfit, it looks sumptuous (a very under used word in my opinion), those colours with the textures - wonderful!
    xx

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    1. I love the word sumptuous, it sounds like a feast in a maharajah's palace! xxx

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  20. Rock on, girl! Your Indian plan sounds wonderful, as is your Chinese jacket and that scarab pendant remade into an earring!

    I was too modest to wear red lipstick before I turned 40. Now it is all I wear.

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    1. Thanks, Natalia!
      I'm liking the red lipstick - it always looks great on you. how silly to be put off wearing it because of the words of a complete stranger! xxx

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  21. That haveli looks wonderful! Yay to red lips. xx

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    1. I might claim squatters rights and refuse to leave! xxx

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  22. I love a list and ticking off the items as they're completed. Mind you, I have to have lists now because otherwise I'll remember bugger all!

    The cropped jacket is just superb, the colour and pattern beautiful. River Island - I'm astonished. The jacket looks beautiful on you and goes so well with the lovely wool maxi dress - no need for leggings under that one!

    Your haveli looks wonderful; hope you have the most amazing time - it'll be time to board that plane before you know it....
    xxxx

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    1. I'm learning to love a list, too - not shopping lists though, I always manage to lose them before I go anywhere!
      River Island isn't bad at all, when we used to have one in town I'd often go and examine the merchandise. One of the few shops to align their prints properly!
      I can't believe I'm staying in that haveli. I've also managed to get a room in an ancient hotel in Mumbai I've wanted to visit for years but has always been full. Advance planning rocks! xxx

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  23. Personally, I don't think frosted pink lipstick looks good on anyone, except for Nancy Sinatra in the 60's. The red looks great with your dark hair. The various shades of blue in that outfit are lovely. I'm a sucker for Asian textiles too.

    I don't know how you manage to get so much done, and put up three blog posts in a week. You are a machine, Vix! The place you're going to stay in India looks so beautiful - how exciting for you.

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    1. I agree - vintage clothes are timeless, vintage make-up - not so much so!
      I'm loving the list making, blogging is my reward for being focused! xxx

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  24. I love this outfit! The little bolero jacket is so sweet.
    I agree, if we like it, somehow things all tie together.
    Your jewel colours go so well with your black hair.
    You are a little jewelled fairy peeping out of the garden foliage.
    I love the look of your Indian trip. So exciting! Must be getting near the end of the year. I time my year by your travels! ;-)
    xo Jazzy Jack

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    1. Thank you!! I've never planned a trip before, I'm so excited already! xxx

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  25. That jacket is really a piece of art.

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  26. Red lipstick is as necessary to my existence as caffeine and gasoline. (I could do without the "tingling", however.) It certainly suits you in this beautiful peacock-in-the-garden ensemble!

    Just thinking about the India trip must be energizing. This highly-rated destination seems much more upscale than your previous accommodations: are you planning changes to the wardrobes you and Jon pack? (I do enjoy peeking in your bag.)

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    1. I love your slicked back hair and red lips in your thumbnail photo, Beth, you're the epitome of glamour. I must find a suitable non-tingling alternative, the feeling drives me daft!
      I'm already puzzling over my packing - Gujarat isn't often visited by Western tourists and its a few degrees cooler than Goa. We're also having a couple of days in our beloved Mumbai, too. I need relaxed casual, glamour and modesty plus clothes for warmth and heat that won't take up too much space and to confirm to the 15kg allowance Indian internal flights require - tricky! xxxx

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  27. Jewel colours are definitely "you", Vix. That brocade bolero is an absolute bargain find and was just made to go with that maxi dress. You look fantastic and I love your repurposed earrings. Looking out of the window at the frost settling I can imagine how exited you are about going back to India. Your hotel looks wonderful. Frosted pink my fat a$$. You are rocking that red. Xx

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    1. Thanks, Kelly! That bolero seems to go with everything and its definitely a groovier alternative than a cardi!!
      That frost this morning was a nasty surprise. I think I'll have to print off a photo of Agonda beach and stick it on the window to make the next few weeks bearable! xxx

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  28. well, I'd subscribe your theory, because I think it's right (You Are Wise!). Everything goes together, when your wardrobe is full of jewel-like colors, amazing prints and lots of pieces that you love!. That's fabulousness!
    And I love your dress and the cool brocade jacket, and all that fabulous bijouterie! You're gorgeous!
    besos

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    1. Thank you!! My theory definitely works with you as well. Your familiar pieces look different every time you wear them! xxx

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  29. Oh my goodness, that Gujarati haveli looks amazing. You'd better take all the photos you can, because everyone who reads your blog is going to want all the details. How did you find it?

    You have a very clear style. I definitely have things that do not go with other things I like, I seem to have a split personality clothes-wise. Probably means I need twice as many things. Or explains why I so often go out looking like I got dressed in the dark.

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    1. Isn't it beautiful? I stumbled across it surfing some old Guardian travel articles. The owner is so helpful, kind and lovely I could cry!
      Maybe I should develop a more varied taste - then I could keep more of my stock! xxx

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  30. I definitely agree with your theory, everything goes together in my wardrobe! Sorry I missed you guys in Walthamstow - maybe next time I'll make it xx

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Lots of love, Vix