Monday 2 April 2018

Cool In A Kaftan


I bought this crazy 1970s cotton kaftan for a song in a charity shop last week. In an ideal world I'd be wearing it with a massive straw hat and over-sized sunglasses and be swanking about in the sunshine but it's Easter in the UK so I'll have to settle for boots and a thermal vest instead.


People have very short memories, Snow at Easter! they exclaim in amazement, posting images of white gardens and impassable roads on social media. Looking back at my blog from five years ago this week, you can see that it's not so unusual.




Luckily for us none of the dreaded white stuff we were threatened with has materialised, instead we've experienced rain of biblical proportions. Our avenue was so badly flooded on Saturday morning that we had to phone the council to send an emergency team out as the water was too high for the postman to get to the house and when you're anxiously awaiting your latest eBay purchases that just won't do.


Easter's a bit of a non-event in this household. Into neither God or chocolate the only notable date this weekend was yesterday, 1st April, our 26th never-had-a-wedding anniversary. In true Vix & Jon style we celebrated by exchanging homemade cards, watching brutal Scandi Noir and toasting ourselves with supermarket own brand white rum and diet cola. The photo above was taken in Goa by a man we've known for eight years and secretly call Mullet due to his terrible 1980s hairdo. He's a shopkeeper in a tourist season and works as a wedding photographer back home in Kashmir the rest of the year, hence the cheesy composition. Which reminds me that I still haven't blogged about our time in Goa, I must see to that soon.


I've spent a large part of the weekend Spring cleaning to justify spending most of today messing with doll's house stuff. Whilst tidying I came across this chicken and egg necklace my parents bought me when I was eleven as an alternative to getting me an Easter Egg, which invariably used to sit in the cupboard until the end of May when my Dad would end up eating it for me.  


Yesterday I popped over to The Cottage as I wanted to peel some of the wallpaper off the bathroom walls before the new buyers moved in. Sadly it's as firmly attached as it was when Dad put it up in 1971 but I've taken a couple of decent photos and shall print it off and paper the doll's house walls with it once I get the next restoration underway.


I've been finding some great things for my next doll's house lately on eBay. Not being the type of people who eat big Sunday dinners means that any auction finishing at lunchtime can often be won for very little money. This '70s avocado bathroom suite was last Sunday's buy. I added the orange tiled background myself as the seller had given it a bit of a naff shabby chic makeover which wasn't really my thing. That tiny electric shaver is the cutest thing ever. 


Today's make is this chaise longue which I made from a 1970s fabric covered diary, a cat food box and some beads from a charity shop necklace. 



Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday and the Modish Matrons; Natalia, Beate and Tina for No Matter The Weather.

See you soon!

79 comments:

  1. What an absolutely amazing kaftan and it goes beautifully with those boots. I always remember the weather at Easter being freezing. You and Jon look great in your matching furry hats and I love the colour of your cape. It's so cheery against the grey. Congratulations on your anniversary, 26 years is quite an achievement but you guys make such a lovely couple. That little chicken and egg necklace is so cute. Xx

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    1. Thank you so much! I think the UK is more likely to see snow at Easter than Xmas but nobody seems to remember that. It's been so cold this year and the weather we've got this week! Miserable to say the least! xxx

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  2. I love your tie die kaftan, definitely a winner and would look fab at one of your music festivals in the summer. That chaise lounge you made is great...perhaps you should start designing full size people furniture.

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  3. I actually grew up in a house with an avocado green bathroom not too unlike that one. It had metallic silver, acid yellow, and safety jacket orange floral wallpaper.
    The tie-dye caftan is wonderful!
    XOX

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    1. Lundby were the first doll's house maker to introduce contemporary interiors - their furnishings from the 1970s are amazing down to Egg chairs and leather recliners! xxx

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  4. Love the swanky caftan! You look very Eastery, if one goes for that sort of thing. Purple is a great colour for you! The wee bathroom set is so fun (I used to live in an apartment with fixtures that same avocado green). Happy anniversary to you and Jon! You look so cute!

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! I do love me some purple! xxx

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  5. That mini chaise!!! Love the chicken and egg necklace! Congrats to Jon and you for 26 years <3

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  6. The wallpaper behind the chaise is identical to some sheets we had until they finally fell apart a few years ago.
    Happy Not-A-Wedding Anniversary.

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  7. Is there no end to your talents darling Vix? Your dolls houses are true artistic talent along with the reat of you.
    I saw a gorgeous dolls house at an auction some years ago I would have loved but didn’t know where I could put it.
    Have you seen Queen Mary’s dolls house I think on YouTube? Of course you have but just in case.xxx

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    1. Thanks for the link, Sally! I've heard of Queen Mary's Doll's House (made by Tri_ang like the one I inherited from my mum) but haven't seen that clip before - it's fabulous! xxx

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  8. The avocado bathroom suite is a top find...as for the chaise, wow! Your kaftan is beautiful and has given me a vague flashback to something I once owned, it might come to me later!
    It's pissed down all day today here too! Xxx PS Happy Anniversary.

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    1. I reckon this kaftan was a holiday buy, don't you? I often see hot and bothered ladies buying similar stuff in India and wonder if it will ever see the light of day again when they go home! xxx

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  9. The colours in the kaftan are simply gorgeous! What a find. It would make anyone smile just to look at it.
    Happy UnAnniversary. JanF

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    1. Thanks, Jan! I squealed when i spotted it in the charity shop - as my friends will testify! xxx

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  10. What a lovely and thoughtful Easter not chocolate egg present, the chicken and egg necklace.

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  11. Wow, that wee bathroom is amazing! Your new caftan is gorgeous too, and I'm sending you thoughts for warm, sunny days, xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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  12. I'm drooling over that avocado bathroom suite, and I love it even more with the orange tiled background. And how fabulous is that chaise! Your new house is going to be superb! What a shame you couldn't peel some of that wallpaper of ... Your kaftan is a fantastic find and that necklace you're wearing with it is sublime. Happy Anniversary to you and Jon! P.S. I've lost count of the times I'm posting and then see that you've just posted as well ... xxx

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    1. I was so excited to spot that bathroom on eBay and even more so when i was the only bidder. I'm having so much fun decorating with stuff i wouldn't dream of having in my real house.
      We're having a bit of a psychic thing at the moment, aren't we? xxx

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  13. That is a very African looking kaftan, very pretty. I just love your dolls house posts and the chaise is superb, a really clever make. Can't wait for your Goa posts it makes my week when you blog about India. Re Vietnam, the luggage allowance on all flights is 30kg which is ridiculously unnecessary, but I won't be managing with hand luggage alone, we have had to line up a couple of small suitcases so my 'what i'm taking post' may disappoint :)

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    1. I still haven't done that Goa post - sorry! I couldn't bear to look at those sunny photos when it's so miserable here. I'll do better next week!
      I'm sure your packing post won't disappoint, I love your choices and bargain finds! xxx

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  14. congratulations to your 26. anniversary!!
    kaftans are made for you - you look very cool in the new one. and that necklace is gorgeous!
    i always roll eyes about people who seem to think that spring has to start right after x-mas and nature is in full bloom at easter - but this is happen only in the advertising media - totally shifted perception.
    pretty new furniture for the new dollshouse!
    xxxxx

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    1. I agree, I think people are brainwashed by TV and magazines all in a bid to buy new stuff! xxx

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  15. Easter was watching season 2 of Lemony Snickets on Netflix. I do love me some chocolate, but the Doctor "forgot" to buy some when he went food shopping on Saturday

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  16. Happy Non-iversary, from one Easter non-celebrant to another!

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  17. Love the Kaftan and your Dollhouse Furnishings... Happy Never-Had-A-Wedding Anniversary!

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    1. It certainly does - luckily not here this time! xxx

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  19. Love the pairing of those purple boots with the kaftan although I do agree that straw hat and sandals would be a perfect look too! The chaise long is a blast - how clever are you!

    Anna x

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  20. Hi Vix, I'm loving your orange coat, you look like you stepped straight out of the film 'Almost Famous'! I love that movie! Xxx

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    1. Wow! Thanks, Jess! I know the lady who provided the costumes for Almost Famous. She's lovely. xxx

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  21. I do love your kaftan, such a magnificent piece, the print is fabulous!, and you rock in it!. Sorry that the weather has been so typically cold, people don't remember that March is used to be snowy!. But you always look fab!
    So lovely that you celebrate your 'never-had-a-wedding' annyversary, mwahaha, that's really nice. We're not used to celebrate our wedding annyversary, we considered it as a formality (our wedding cost exactly 20 cents) and I don't remember the date. So we celebrate our own living-together anniversary, and other significant dates!
    That avocado bathroom is absolutely stunning!, love it!
    besos

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    1. A 20 cent wedding! that's brilliant! I bet you dressed in something amazing, too! xxx

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  22. Happy anniversary, scandi noir and rum and coke sounds great to me!
    The kaftan is lovely, so good to be reminded of summer. It poured down here too. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Sally! I'm longing for Summer, it feels like November here! xxx

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  23. Being not that many miles away from you....we got the biblical rain too and the flooding. Seriously I am so ready for some dryer and warmer weather even though I'm not a fan of summer.
    Gorgeous kaftan and that chaise long is just awesome.
    Happy 'never had a wedding' Anniversary.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Its endless, isn't it? Apparently we've got heat on the way - I'd happily sacrifice that for some blue skies, though! xxx

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  24. My Mum had a kaftan just like that one!!! Ahrgh, love your avocado suite- looks so super!!

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    1. You need to steal it if she'd still got it. This'll be perfect in Greece (if we go there this summer)! xx

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  25. Ohhh, genuine avocado green bath fixtures! My tub was authentic Harvest Gold until I was finally able to replace the entire tub and surround in a brilliant white. Avocado was even more difficult to make less dreary in a small dark room. Let me guess: the shabby-chic make-over involved a floral with green leaves that matched...?

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    1. Beth, I think you are psychic! You've described the shabby chic makeover to a tee!
      I'd never want a coloured bathroom suite in real life. I think Devpur was the only place I've ever stayed in India with a white bathroom suite, burgundy and petrol blue are particularly popular! xxx

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  26. Vix! I have some of that pink 70s wallpaper!! I even have a tiny strip leftover, about 12" x 4", will that do for your dolls house? (I have been LOVING your adventures in 70s-miniature land!). Yours if you want it. Email me your address & I'll pop it in the post. sarah@sarahstar.co.uk . xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for the generous offer of the wallpaper, Sarah! I shall reveal what I've done with it very soon! xxx

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  27. Looking so good in your kaftan - those colours really suit you. Glad the snow stayed away for Easter , pity the rain didn't. Happy non-wedding anniversary to you both.
    Your skill and imagination are on overload - love the avocado green bathroom suite, takes me back. Hope some sun appears this week. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Jill! Still no sign of the sun. We'll be building an ark soon! xxx

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  28. I love the avocado bathroom suite.

    Nope, I can't see you being a shabby chic sort of person at all... I'm kind of surprised that trend is still hanging around, to be honest. My love of dark wooden furniture meant I never went for it.

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    1. Isn't it amazing? So 1970s!
      Shabby chic is known as shabby shit in this house. Very few people ever do it well, do they? xxx

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  29. It rained enough to sink a battleship here too. I had to work all 4 days of Easter and people kept saying what a shame, but being a non-believer it didn't bother me in the least - I do like chocolate though! Love the chick necklace and of course the kaftan being purple. That avocado suite is perfect for you. xx

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    1. I don't see why people get so precious about it - one of my friends opted to work as well.
      I'd never want a bathroom in this colour in real life - but in small scale I'm rather liking it! xxx

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  30. I know, the 'snow at Easter' comment made my brow furrow too, I can remember snow at Easter more than once.
    The rain was epic, we have a trench dug in the back garden for footings for a patio wall, and I've been calling it our moat since it was dug. The rain turned it into an actual moat it was so heavy! Now we just need a drawbridge ;)
    Love the chaise longue, and the fact that you wanted to pinch some wallpaper!
    Happy 26 years!

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    1. Ha! Fancy having a moat in the garden, it sounds very grand.
      I bet this weather's been a nightmare for farmers. xxx

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  31. You are wetting our whistle for the new dollshouse. That chaise is a work of art!
    I love the sneaky visit to the wallpaper :-)
    Caftans are sublime. I could live in them. Wishing you well in your wet weather caftan swanning.
    Happy 26th anniversary!
    Xo Jazzy Jack

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    1. I do love a kaftan - they're so freeing!! xxx

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  32. The wallpaper took me back as my auntie used to have the same in her bathroom and also on her matching laundry bin. Shame you couldn't peel any off, but at least you have the photos.

    Lush kaftan too, bet it'll get some wear at this year's festivals (fingers crossed for good weather!) xxx

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    1. You know, I think my parents had a matching laundry bin and even papered the bathroom scales with it as well! xxx

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  33. This kaftan is gorgeous on you - and so perfect for our April Modish Matrons! Definitely No Matter the Weather!

    Congratulations on your Anniversary! I thought you two look cute on that photo. And love your selfie in front of the beautiful wallpaper. Avocado green is so cool for your next doll house! <3

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    1. It's got to be done. If we waited for the weather to play nicely I'd never wear most of my wardrobe! xxx

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  34. I love that purple print kaftan. The boots you styled it with are pretty amazing as well. I dressed pretty warm for Easter too, opted for a leather jacket, as it was quite chilly.

    People do have short memories. Snow at Easter isn't that uncommon in Europe, unless we're talking about Mediterranean coastal cities, where it doesn't usually snow (maybe once in a blue moon) because of the fact that the sea keeps the temperatures more level- however, only a few kilometres from the sea and you'll probably find snow. It snowed here on the first day of Spring. Even in Italy, Spain, Greece there is bound to be some snow this time of year, especially in the northern or mountain regions.

    I love the avocado green bathroom in your doll house..and how cute is that sofa with the bold print.

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    1. Hi Ivana! Thank you so much. I braved a leather coat this week - along with a scarf, gloves and a vest! Brrr! xxx

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  36. We have had snow off and on here the last week, and it's not unheard of for April.

    Congratulations on 26 years together! I like the combination of avocado green and sunkist orange in the bathroom of dollhouse #2. Your inner child, and your current adult is having a great time playing interior decorator.

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    1. I'd forgotten how much I was into interior design, I find it far more interesting than fashion and, on a mini scale, it takes a couple of hours and a few quid to decorate a room - unlike the full-sized version! xxx

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  37. Happy Neverversary to you and Jon! That avocado bathroom would go well with my parents' long-lost 1970s avocado kitchen (RIP). We had great globs of slushy snow here in NYC on April 2; threatening the same for tomorrow. Here's hoping a real spring arrives for all of us soon xx

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    1. I hope the snow failed to materialise. This winter seems endless on both sides of the Pond.
      An avocado kitchen! I'd loved to have seen it. xxx

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  42. Utter fabulousness! I want that chaise longue....

    Congratulations on your 'not a wedding anniversary' what an achievement!
    xxxx

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    1. From one unwed bird to another! Thanks, Vronni!
      I wish it was as easy to make a full size chaise from a cat food box and some beads, I could set up a rival company to DFS! 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