Wednesday 25 April 2018

Goin' To A Go-Go


Whenever I wear this insane vintage Shubette of London fringed Go-Go suit I can't help but dance. I reckon it used to belong to Cher, or at least a Walsall woman who was just as cool as she was back in the 1960s.

Rain, rain, go away!

For something that makes me feel so good I'm ashamed to say that I haven't worn it in ages. I bought it eight years ago fully intending to wear it to the Glastonbury Festival but as 2010 was the hottest Glasto on record it was gauzy maxis all the way. I've worn it to work at numerous vintage fairs but in recent years it had started to get a bit snug around the waist - that's until I said no to stuffing my face with rubbish and now it fits me better than ever. Junk food or go-go suits? No competition!


Here it is on the blog back in June, 2011. I was amazed to see a seller selling exactly the same suit on his stall at Moseley on Sunday. His asking price was £80, almost eight times what I paid for mine! As I often tell people, vintage clothes are an investment - buy new and the value depreciates on the first outing, buy vintage at the right price and you'll often get your money back (and more!) if you ever decide to sell. No chance of wearing nothing underneath today, last week's heatwave is but a dim and distant memory, it's back to sunshine, showers, hail and more showers - a sure sign we're trading outside at the Classic Car Boot Sale in London this weekend. (Check out their photo gallery from last year, you might spot me as well as a few celebs!)


It's shopping day today and here's this morning's charity shop finds. Clockwise from top left: French-made bush hat; Block printed Indian cotton kaftan; 1960s St Michael purple nylon nightie (but far too pretty for nightwear); 1970s Linda Leigh day dress; 1950s St Michael navy tie neck blouse; Handmade cheong-san; 1970s Canda blazer; 1990s reissue of 1970s classic, the Simon short sleeved skinny shirt; West German-made leisure shirt.


And what of the doll's house? I've just got to add lights and I'm done and, as I'm wearing a wild print here's the final room to show you, the bathroom with its crazy jungle wall.


I was so excited to win my avocado bathroom suite on Ebay that I shared it on the blog a couple of weeks ago.

Before the Vix makeover

As I mentioned before, the seller had given the suite a shabby chic makeover which just wasn't me (or my doll's house) so I replaced backing with a bright orange mosaic tile instead. I found the Moroccan tile-effect floor paper for 36p a sheet in the clearance section of a doll's house website. The laundry basket was also on clearance and was £1.45 but as it was a modern piece I had to trim it down to size as vintage doll's houses are 16:1 whereas modern ones are 12:1 (something I didn't know until recently).


The details:
  • Bathroom scales made from white tack painted with blackboard paint.
  • I made the bath mat by gluing trimmed down lollipop sticks together and edging them with toothpicks. I stained it with diluted instant coffee. The slippers are lolly sticks and carpet left over from the playroom.
  • The mirror came from an old compact, the frame from a huge lot from a charity shop.
  • The shower is a bent hatpin and a military button. The soap dish is half of a blister pack of painkillers. The soap is an out-of-date hay fever tablet and the transparent shower screen the packaging from a box of grapes.
  • I made the towel rail from off cuts of wood and cotton buds.
  • The shampoo bottle is a straw covered in sellotape. The soap is another hay fever tablet.
  • The towels in the unit are off a dish cloth, the toilet rolls are a single piece of tissue cut into small strips and wound around a straw.
  • I made the macrame plant holder from garden string.


The pendant light fitting is half a cat toy.


That orange electric shaver is still the cutest doll's house thing I've ever seen, I had to make a can of Old Spice shaving foam to go with it . All the other mini toiletries were me-made, too.


I am kind of matching, in addition to my wild go-go suit I'm wearing bright orange lipstick, green eye shadow and posing in front of tangerine dream, Gilbert. There's even a spiky leaf plant (Yukka?) peeking out behind me!

WEARING: Vintage Shubette of London fringed Go-Go suit (Second To None), flared sleeve top, floppy felt hat, Jeffrey Campbell Lita boots (all charity shopped)
Fingers crossed for a dry day tomorrow, I wanna go car booting!

See you soon.

64 comments:

  1. Art's becoming life (or life's becoming art). The whole house looks wonderful.
    I love the Go-Go suit and the happy dance!
    I checked out the photos from the vintage fair and spotted you right in the middle, have a great weekend, my fingers are crossed for good weather for you.xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Sally!
      Sadly the weather didn't play nice last weekend, I'm only just thawing out! xxx

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  2. your doll's house is getting more and more fabulous. Love the miniature purple slippers next to a green tub, great colour combo. Where did you find that tiny bar of soap for the bathroom? or it is DIY?

    Your vintage outfit is simply perfect, love how you paired this set with a black flare top, it looks so good.

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    1. Thanks you, Ivana! The soap is an out of date hay fever tablet, the shape struck me as being perfect! xxx

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  3. Fringe & tassels were having a moment not too long ago. Apparently this season they're sticking ruffles on everything.
    Lurrrrvvv that go-go suit!
    My heavens, that dollhouse looks decorated to perfection..NEXT!

    Goin' to a go-go, do you wanna go? go?

    xox

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    1. Tassels and fringe were big in Mumbai when I was there, I'm kicking myself for not stocking up on cheap tassel earrings from the Causeway now! xxx

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  4. I'd probably die a gruesome death caught on something if I wore fringe as I am the clumsiest oaf alive-but you're more graceful and careful. What a fun outfit.

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    1. Haha! I'm surprised I haven't got myself tangled up either! xxx

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  5. I'm loving your dollshouse more and more!, this avocado bathroom is absolutely amazing and all those cute details you made are really fabulous!, this tiny slippers and the electric shaver are my favorite things ever!
    And you look particularly gorgeous in your go-go suit, and the blouse underneath is a perfect layer which adds fabulousness! You totally rock!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much! A lot of doll's house people think that avocado bathroom is ugly but I've changed a few minds with the orange backing - I hope! xxx

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  6. Thanks for the earworm! Your Go-Go suit is fantastic, and it's just perfect with that top underneath, which I'm sure you needed now that it's been going horribly cold again. Your doll's house bathroom is utterly fabulous. Look at all those little details: the toiletries, the scales... and what a genius idea to use out of date tablets for soap! You're getting more inventive by the minute! Keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow, and hopefully the weather will improve by the weekend ... xxx

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    1. Horribly cold isn't the word, it's been appalling here! Brrrr! xxx

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  7. Yes I've got that earworm too and keep humming it...but I'm at work!
    Has Gilbert had a paint job? Don't remember him being two-tone before.
    Hope it stays fine for the bootfair.xx

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    1. Sorry about that, Stones songs are very catchy, aren't they!
      Gilbert is the same shade of orange normally, I hadn't noticed the weird two-tone look in those photos until you pointed it out. How very strange! xxx

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  8. Oh gawd I’ve got that tune stuck in my head now. I used to dance to that in my bright orange bibbed hot pants and white knee high pull up boots. Don’t know how I managed to get out the house without my dad having a fit haha xxx

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    1. I'm liking the sound of the outfit you used to wear! I bet that's around the same time as you owned a similar green suede fringed dress like the one you had from us all those years ago! xxx

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  9. Woo, I love this fringe-tastic outfit - how do you keep the cats away from it? Vizzini would be all over his "personal cat toy". And how does Mr. Stephen feel about his cat toys being used in the doll's house. Does he go after them?

    I love your groovy 70s bathroom. Your cleverness knows no bounds!

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    1. Funnily enough the cats don't bother with the fringing, it's cat nip bananas and mushrooms all the way (oddballs!) xxx

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  10. Love the go go suit. Im posing on the beach in hoi an wearing jaeger brown and gold kaftan charity shop buy, you cant beat vintage for value and style!

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    1. Very envious! Your outfit sounds extremely glam! xxx

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  11. Dress suits you good. Avocado based bathroom fitting looks beautiful...

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  12. super stylish bathroom!! perfect! especially love all the small accessories you made from bids & odd ends....
    and you look a stunner in this go-go suit!!! WOW! cher would be green with envy ;-)
    xxxxx

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  13. Another amazing transformation , Its brilliant , Loving the outfit , Its unusual to see you in black but it does suit you xxx

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    1. Thanks, E!! I'm not one for much black but I make the exception for a wild style! xxx

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  14. i have always craved that colour bathroom suite , no idea why it just calls to me...lol

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    1. I don't know if I'd want one in real life but I love the mini version! I've just managed to buy another one, it was too cheap to refuse! xxx

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  15. Such fun looking at your blog. You must spend many hours doing all those tiny things. Love it.

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    1. Thanks, Sally! Doll's house making is surprisingly quick - once inspiration strikes! xxx

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  16. Oh the purple nylon nightie would’ve been perfect for Kenzie’s recent cosplay!

    Rolling up teeny tiny loo rolls really shows your dedication, that must’ve been so fiddly! I enjoy reading what you’ve made things out of, I take a second look and says ‘oh yes, I see it now!’

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    1. You're right, that purple nightie would have been perfect!!
      I've found a Facebook page dedicated to making miniatures out of everyday items, it's amazing! xxx

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  17. Groovy baby!

    I am not having the luck you had with your diet. The first 2 lbs came off easily ( I have a feeling that was weight I put on while in Jamaica) but now it is a serious battle with no progress. It is frustrating me like crazy. I already don't eat meat, most fish (aside from some salmon), bread or dairy and yet I cannot get this tire tube that has formed around my waist to budge. Now I'm giving up sugar while adding extra exercise. Soon I will only be eating paper. Literally.

    Those avocado bathroom suits bring back so many memories.

    Suzanne

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    1. That's annoying for you! You look fabulous in your photos. xxx

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  18. I love the dolls house. My daughter had a similar basic design, but converted hers into a hamster house, like you do. The hamsters have long gone to the great hamster heaven (actually got eaten by her ferret) so I'm wondering whether to get her to re-convert it back to a dolls house and then I can go mad and fill it with glorious bits and pieces - although I doubt it will ever be as glorious as yours!"

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    1. Thank you, VM! I think you need to reclaim your daughter's dolls house and get playing! I'm amazed at how much fun it is making things to go in them! xxx

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  19. I'm just in awe of all the things you have made for the dolls house Vix. It is beautiful.
    Hugs-x-

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  20. Love your style ... I have been following your blog for a while.
    I love the dollhouse project.
    I didn't even think of doing one myself as I never see any around but this morning I walked into my local Salvos and someone had just dropped off a beauty .. complete with furniture! And it only cost me $12.50 AU (about 6.50 GBP)
    The hilarious moment was when I told staff they couldn't carry it to my car as I had taken a bus and had to call my husband cos I'd bought "something I couldn't carry"
    I am so inspired by your house ... it will be a nice indoor project coming into the cooler weather for us. (I'm in South Australia) It even has a fab plastic kitchen dresser with orange oven and yellow trim and a yellow sewing table with lime green sewing machine and orange floral fabric!
    The house has been fitted with a doorbell that rings too. I may have to hide that feature from my nearly-2-year-old grandson haha
    I also picked up a fabulous vintage, brown pure wool long coat with red satin lining (getting ready for winter walks to school)

    you're an inspiration!

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    1. Hello, Amanda! How lovely to meet you. thank you so much for taking the trouble to comment.
      Welcome to the doll's house club! What a bargain you had. The kitchen dresser sounds like the stuff of dreams and fancy it having a door bell, too! Be warned, you might become seriously addicted - like me! I've found some amazing groups on Facebook dedicated to all things mini as if I need any further encouragement.
      I love the sound of your snazzy winter coat! xxxx

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  21. Your bright orange tiles are much better than the shabby chic backing - yours looks like it actually belongs with the suite.

    I always end up giving my vintage away, so I've probably 'lost' a fortune over the years. Ah well, still cheaper than being into new fashions. Never owned anything as fab as your go-go suit, though.

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    1. Thanks, Mim! I'd never dream of having an avocado suite in my real house but I love the mini version. I love how the orange backing transformed it. I've just found another one on eBay going for a pittance with the original green tiles but I think that'll have to be changed, too - far too plain! xxx

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  22. Details, like spices, make the dish authentic! Only a true 70s vintage devotee would know that avocado green fixtures and a jungle pattern wallpaper demand! a macramé plant holder in the shower. I'm in awe of your ingenuity in crafting the shower fixture and the soap dish with pill tablet of soap!

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    1. Thanks, Beth! I've been pouring over my stash of vintage Homes & Gardens magazines, as if you couldn't already tell! xxx

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  23. Ooooh, purple nightie, pretty! I was talking to my mum the other day about those gauzy Indian dresses that are going for obscene amounts. She used to live in those and is flabbergasted at the prices people are paying! xxx

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    1. You and I do love a vintage nightie, don't we?
      Mum had loads of those gauzy dresses, too. I suppose if everyone had kept them they would be worthless - I wish she had though! I love them 'cos they're beautiufl not for their value! xxx

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  24. You had better be careful - people are going to start asking you to decorate their full-size houses! I wish my bathroom looked like that ;)
    I can't imagine anyone other than you and Cher rocking that fringed outfit half as well. It is true what you said about vintage appreciating in value, but cheap retail crap being worthless.

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    1. It could be a whole new career move - although I wouldn't be quite so fast and I'm not sure that cardboard, matchsticks and glue would be very hard wearing! xxx

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  25. I'd love to have such a funky bathroom in real life! And I had an avocado bathroom suite when I moved into this house almost 27 years ago. The attention to detail in the bathroom is magnificent - those slippers are just brilliant and the toothpaste and shower gel and shaving foam.

    Wonderful chazza finds as always. You look lovely in your go go suit!

    Hope the weekend weather is clement for your trading...
    xxx

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    1. That bathroom is making me reconsider my lifelong love affair with white bathroom suites! I bet your original was amazing! xxx

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  26. You really lift my spirits every time I read your blog. Oh how I wish I had an ounce of your confidence to be different and not give a **** The dolls house is just wonderful and should be on display. Is there such a thing as a dolls house gallery?

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    1. Hello ALT57 and thank you so much!!! It's true, I dress only for me although I do find it very touching when strangers compliment me or ask to take my photo!
      I've found a couple of doll's house groups on Facebook. I was a bit scared to share mine with people who'd bee making them for a lifetime but they were really welcoming and kind! xxx

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  27. You are such a genius when it comes to design! Your doll house is divine! I want to move in!!! And your go-go outfit is gorgeous on you!!! Enjoy your weekend, dear! I know you will! Lots of love.

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    1. Thank you, Natalia! Come on over, I have wine! xxx

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  28. What a fab catsuit, such a fun piece. Your doll's house obsession is so entertaining for us blog readers! Do you dream about the doll's houses?! Xx

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    1. Thank you! It's one of those pieces I'll keep forever, I'll be wearing it in the nursing home when Jon gets sick of me!
      I wake up at night with doll's house ideas! xxx

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  29. Hi Vix, I'm thinking of starting up a blog or instagram posting photos of myself in my vintage/vintage inspired outfits. I've never done it before so I'm not sure whether I'll actually do it or not. I've loved reading your vintage blog and instagram, as well as quite a few other people in the vintage community and I'd love to join in myself. Do you have any recommendations as to whether I should start an instagram or blog?

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    1. Lovely to see you on Instagram, Jess! Glad you plucked up the courage to post a photo, people are lovely on IG! xxx

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  30. Cher should've been so lucky. Your dolls house is fab - looks like a real party pad! x

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    1. I'll let her borrow it if she asks nicely!
      The house is in the bedroom and all lit up with fairy lights now, I love flicking them on and looking at it for a few minutes before bed (does that sound odd?) xxx

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  31. Oh my Cher's cat suit with Vix swinging it. And the latest doll house renovation. What could be better?! Am I minimized yet? I saw an old dresser turned into a doll house just be removing the front of the drawers. That way you could have as many floors as you wanted and even leave a bottom drawer or two for storage. Interesting...

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    1. I've seen a tutorial for a chest of drawers dolls house, I'm also rather tempted to turned a guitar into a house (but probably not Jon's Gibson Les Paul!) xxx

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  32. Vix your doll house miniature creations are absolutely amazing! They really are something else! I can't believe the creativity behind some of them - the shower from a button! I adored dolls houses when I was young and never got bought one so used to make my own for my Barbie dolls (though they would be far cruder creations than this work of art!) but I was fascinated with the miniature world you could create. My Barbies would have been in doll house heaven in a house like this!

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    1. I never thought I'd be any good at something so intricate but I'm absolute besotted with the world of miniatures now. I found an incredible book at the car boot sale last week with instructions on how to build everything from an Arabian tent to a speakeasy in an old wine box - mind blowing! 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