Tuesday 15 October 2019

Winterising My Wardrobe


Living in the UK there's no real need for a dedicated Autumn/Winter wardrobe, apart from the odd blip here and there, we never really experience the extremes of temperature my blogging friends in other parts of the world have to cope with. Despite the incessant rain, the past couple of weeks have remained a steady 17°C, pretty much the same as we had throughout August. Whilst my skimpier dresses and bikinis have been stowed away in the suitcase on top of the wardrobe in readiness for January's Indian adventures (which we booked last week - yay!) and the peep toe clogs & sandals packed away in my straw basket at the bottom of the wardrobe, with a bit of creativity there's no reason on earth why I can't keep wearing the rest of my wardrobe all year round. I love my vintage clothes far too much to mothball them for six months.


At the height of the summer I wore this 1970s Rumak cheesecloth dress, which I found in Oxfam, with clogs, sunglasses and a vintage straw basket.


Fast forward two months and I've added a 1970s deadstock skinny rib polo neck (eBay), my vintage lace-up boots and tooled leather bag (both car boot finds), a charity shopped wide-brimmed wool hat and a tooled leather belt from out of the three for £1 basket in the charity clearance shop. I bought the enamel Rajasthani earrings in India. 


I swapped this vintage Phool block printed midi with a trader friend the week that Slow Fashion Season kicked off back in June. 


Showing uncharacteristic restraint I decided to wait until I was back from Greece to wear it - which cheered me up no end.


I teamed the dress with an early 1970s Phool quilted block printed waistcoat (EyewoodWake Vintage), Aldo wool trilby hat (charity shop), a late 1960s Pakistani mirrored velvet bag (jumble sale) and the chazza shopped olive green velvet boots I acquired the same day, they seem destined to spend their lives together. I'm not a typical blogger in that I get no pleasure from wearing tights and I'll prolong the agony of having to wear the hateful things for as long as possible. I spotted a basket of brand new TopShop lurex lace-trimmed ankle socks in a charity shop last year and, at three pairs for £1, bought the lot. The lace trim is perfect for filling that annoying gap at the top of the ankle boots.  


This gauzy Indian cotton dress was a £10 bargain from eBay back in March and worn with clogs was a go-to dress for much of the Summer. On closer examination, it appears by the ginormous hem that she's actually a maxi dress but I'm keeping her midi length, I think she'd look a bit nightie-like if I mess around unpicking it.


This morning I've popped a bodysuit and a pair of leggings underneath and treated her to an exciting visit to the builder's merchant!


The 1950s leather bag was a jumble sale find and the lion buckle leather belt another bargain from the 3 for a £1 basket. The silver Turkoman earrings were a lucky eBay discovery as were the Doc Marten oxblood Darcie boots. I've been kicking myself not buying these boots when they were launched back in 2006, I've only had to wait 13 years to find a pair within budget! Of course the best thing about buying your Docs secondhand is that someone has already gone through the agonies of wearing them in so they're insanely comfy!


During Slow Fashion Season I made a decision not only to refrain from buying new clothes, which as like-minded women, I'm sure you'll agree wasn't really that much of challenge, but not to buy any new cosmetics, instead using up what I'd already got.


Talk about good timing. Just when the challenge came to an end my beloved Barry M launched their new 70% organic Green Origin nail paint, so I splashed out on three classic Vix colours.



Apart from wearing clothes, booking flights to India and embarking on a DIY project (more on that soon!) life's pretty much as normal as our life ever can be. Now that the festival season is over we can go back to buying our fruit and veg from the market - look at all this for less than £10! There were actually three cauliflowers but I couldn't fit them all in the photo....


We've found a few proper vintage gems in the chazzas. Last Tuesday BBC's Bargain Hunt did a feature on the desirability of 1950s Horrockses dresses (HERE) and the following day I found one in a charity shop, talk about a bizarre coincidence.


On Sunday we traded with the fantastic Pop-Up Vintage Fairs in London's super posh Hampstead. Both my late 1960s psychedelic maxi dress and Jon's Leon Patton 1970s wool blazer were charity shop finds during the week both of which we decided needed to be in our wardrobes rather than on the Kinky rails.

Photo courtesy of Pop-Up Vintage

The venue had changed since we'd last traded in Hampstead and our hearts sunk when we were told that we'd be trading on the fourth floor! Luckily the ground and first floors were below street level so the fourth floor was actually the second floor and with a ramp, two lifts and our trusty sack truck (bought after Jon injured his back last year) we were set up and ready to go in less than an hour and a half. Phew!


We had a fantastic trading day selling to vintage enthusiasts from as far afield as Canada, Australia, Japan, India, the USA, Italy and Spain and, of course, the Horrockses dress was one of the first things to go. We chatted to film makers, Helena Bonham Carter's next door neighbour, Johnny Marr's best mate and spotted a few celebs. As always I was thrilled to see these two incredibly stylish women and, as always, they found a few pieces to tempt them on our rails.


Thanks so much for all the 10th blogoversary wishes and all your lovely messages and emails, I promise to reply individually as soon as I can!

See you soon.

57 comments:

  1. I just love all the pattern and colour in your closet. When we went to Salt Spring Island I found a fair trade bedspread that was pieced together and it looked very much like that pattern/colour mix. Unfortunately it was way too expensive so I had to pass but so pretty

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    1. So much work goes into those pieces you can understand the pricing but it still hurts when its out of your budget! xxx

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  2. That little video on the Horrocks dresses was very interesting. How cool that you spotted one the very next day.

    You guys both look like a million bucks.

    Our temps have cooled down here. We are only getting up to around 12 C now. The older I get the less I'm able to tolerate the cold. I fear my big coats are coming out a month earlier than normal and I need to make the time to switch over my closet.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne. I was amazed to find a Horrockses dress hours after seeing them featured on the TV. I have found a few in my time, the 1950s isn't my thing tho' so they always have to go!
      I'm so happy that I haven't resorted to a coat yet! xxx

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  3. Your dresses always looks so great when displayed or hung up, but so much more so when you're wearing them.
    I never received the email about bloggers wearing tights! I'm not a fan either. X

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    1. Thanks, Jules! Yay to another tights non-fan, I read so many blogs about how excited women are to be wearing them again - yuk! I had to wear them for work for years, I try to keep tights wearing to a bare minimum now! xxx

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  4. tights? nasty things. i´m nacked legs or thermal leggings :-D
    and i stuff my cotton dirndl skirts with warm pettycoats and top the cotton blouses with wool cardies or fur waistcoats... but as we will have a real winter here there is no way around woolen dresses, skirts and sweaters....
    i´m drooling over your indian dresses and your fabulouse styling with boots and hats and those ultra chic bags!
    xxxxx

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    1. Same here! I manged to find two nude coloured full slips this week (one vintage, one modern), ideal for adding a bit of warmth under my dresses. xxx

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  5. What a flippin huge coincidence about the Horrocks dresses! I loved the look of the Ashtrakan (?) silver grey coat in the photo; have you still got it and is it a 16 by any chance?

    I loved all your dresses, accessories and wonderful jewellery. Such beautiful colours and patterns - a visual feast for the eyes! Jon, too!

    I always feel the need for warmer clothing at some point in the autumn and I don't put all my 'lighter weight'clothing away; but like you layer up and wear them all year round. It's because I have so many clothes I have to rotate them as they don't all fit in my wardrobes. How lucky am I?

    How exciting you've booked to go to India - January will be here before you know it!!
    xxxx

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    1. I know, what are the chances, eh? I think all three of those items must have come from the same home, all 1950s vintage size 12 (more like a modern size 8!)
      I feel a lot lighter having sold so much of my collection over the summer, everything I own fits into two wardrobes, a drawer and a suitcase - hooray! xx

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  6. Love the Phool dress and 60s maxi!!! And the Docs--- what a find!!! And the lacy ankle socks and nail polish!!!

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  7. You are the perfect muse to model all your gorgeous dresses. Great how you're able to add a skivy and boots to your cheesecloth dress and instantly make it ideal for cooler weather. Your block printed midi dress is stunning. Wish it was mine! Accessorized perfectly with the olive velvet boots and that gorgeous bag. Love those oxblood ones too. Love your new nail polish - favourite colours of mine also. As the too often designated dishwasher in this family, I'm afraid my nail polish doesn't last more than 1-2 days. Glad to hear you decided to keep the psychedelic dress. The 3 of you ladies look gorgeous in your frocks. Going to bow out on the tights bit though - I love them.

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    1. Hi Suzy! Skivy? Is that an Australian word for polo neck? Love it!!
      My heart skipped a beat when my friend showed me that Phool dress. The same one is currently on eBay for £199 - madness!
      I'm the washer-upper in this house, too (Jon cooks) - I've finally started wearing rubber gloves to do it and it's made a world of difference to my nails! xxx

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  8. I been visiting your blog and I would think that rain coat would be a big fashion there. Am I right or wrong.
    Coffee is on

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  9. I would keep all my clothes out all the time if I had the space! I like the defined seasons we have here, although I'm happy that it doesn't get too cold here (unlike the rest of Canada).

    I love the idea of winterizing summer dresses with layers, Vix - it's so much more interesting and complex, isn't it? I am a tights gal, but I do adore those ruffle-topped socklets! How amazing! I would feel like my legs were blooming out of the boots.

    Love your 60s psychedelic dress and Jon's striped blazer. Snazzy! Wishing you a lovely week, my dear!

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    1. I'd love defined seasons, mostly the UK is grey, drab and neither warm nor cold - mediocre and boring! xxx

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  10. I love that peek into your wardrobe! You look stunning - as usual - in all your outfits, but I'm especially in love with your Phool block printed midi. The vintage maxi you wore to the fair is fabulous too, and Jon's outfit gets my full approval (and Jos's) as well. Aren't you guys the most fabulous couple? I would happily keep out my entire wardrobe all year round, but I'm simply lacking the space - or does that mean I've got too many clothes? And as you know, I am one of those mad bloggers who actually likes wearing tights ;-) xxx

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    1. Too many clothes. surely not!! I must admit I'm loving having less in my wardrobe than I used to, I can even fit my coats in there now which means I give everything a fair chance of being worn (I feel bad if I neglect anything - dresses are like children, only better!)
      I know I'm in the minority with my feelings about tights - colourful ones look lovely, I just don't like how they feel on my legs! xxx

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  11. I love that first look on you. You always layer your dress so well. I like the idea of wearing summer dresses in autumn and winter. Often it can be arranged with adding more layers. I don't really keep my winter and summer wardbrobe separate, they sort of merge into one in my closets, without any particular order.

    The second outfit is so fabulous! The printed midi dress paired with those heeled boots is a wonderful combo and I love how you layered with a vest and added more print with the bag. Fantastic look! The photo of you and Jon is lovely and I think I remember the Asian girls from your previous posts. These two girls have such a great sense of style, don't they? I love that photo of the 3 of you. You're all dressed to perfection.

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    1. You're a master (or should I say mistress?) at getting the maximum wear from your wardrobe! It's such fun, isn't it? I love experimenting with layering and seeing what combinations I can come up with, hours of fun without spending a penny!
      Those girls have incredible style. a lot of vintage enthusiasts try and recreate a certain era and take it all too seriously, I love how they mix up different decades and look absolutely sensational. xxx

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  12. Hi Vix

    Read often but seldom comment as Blogspot hates me lol.

    I love reading your wardrobe posts as you're the only person I 'know' who has the same kind of/volume of clothing as me!! You've inspired me to only keep favourites and the best/most 'me' stuff - I'm refining!

    Thank you (and Jon) for constantly reminding me + my mister, to keep to the path!

    Lots of love

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    1. Thanks, Elaine! You're not the first person to have trouble commenting on Blogspot, thanks so much for persevering.
      "Refining" - that's the word. I'm constantly doing that. If I'm tempted with a new (meaning vintage) addition I always ask myself if I already have something similar and if so, is it better meaning I have to get rid of the original piece. Tough love! xxx

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  13. Those garden shots are lovely, the clothes and the verdant backdrop.
    I love your Doc's, I've never seen those before.
    My wardrobe space means either doing a changeover or having few clothes, so my summer stuff is put away now, the good thing is that I store things I might wear through season in a dresser so it's easy to get to.
    Jon's jacket is so fab, as is your dress, such a good photo. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Sally! I'd love to take outfit photos when I'm out and about but sadly most of the places we visit are concrete jungles! My garden photos encourage me to keep it orderly! xxx

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  14. I thought it was just me that didn’t do the wardrobe swap. I’ve never got into the packing away of clothes at the end of summer and winter, preferring to add cardies n petticoats n tights when needed.
    The boots and tights are back on Vix so I’m back in my comfort zone heehee. It must be colder in my neck of the woods than yours as I’m going out in jackets n coats most days.
    You both look fabulous at last weekends fair and your customers look amazing too. You don’t see anyone like that around here.
    I was in rochdale town hall where they film Peaky blinders yesterday attending a literary event and out of maybe 80 women only one person jumped out at me for her individual style. Sad is isn’t it.
    Here’s a little chuckle. While in Lymm, Cheshire on Saturday a lady stopped her car and shouted out the window how much she liked my dress.
    Lots of love to you both xxx

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    1. Yes - it's far more fun to be experimental and play around with what's already in our wardrobes, isn't it? Finding that bargain polo neck on ebay had me trying everything I owned on top of it, everything looked so different!
      I saw your Rochdale photos on that "story" bit on IG but wasn't sure how you comment on it. What a stunning town hall. isn't it amazing how much money the Victorians & Edwardian spent on municipal buildings back in the day?
      That lady who stopped her car obviously had excellent taste. xxx

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    2. Next time you are up this way we will have to take you to the Town Hall, it really is special xxx

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  15. such lovely Phool/Anokhi items - the midi dress/waistcoat look like they were made for each other - I hate tights too. I try to get skirts over the knee and wear with long boots but there's nearly always that bit of knee exposure! I might try over the knee long socks this year.

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    1. Thanks, Betty! I'm on the lookout for those knee length sports leggings women wear in the gym or for jogging, they'd be perfect under dresses to avoid the dreaded tights. There's always loads on the rails until I decide I need a pair! I'm a huge fan of over-the-knee socks! xxx

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  16. What a treat to have a peek at all your glorious dresses . Glad your can add warmer layers so you can wear them year round. Each of your outfits look stunning , loved the Phool dress and vest. Co-incidently I had seen a clip of the programme showing the Horrocks dresses as I follow Norafinds on IG, what a find for you, sure it found a good home. Your London day sounds a good one, great shot of you and your cuolourful customers. xx

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    1. Thanks, Jill! I shall have to track Nora down on Instagram, she came across really well on bargain Hunt, enthusiastic, stylish and interesting. xxx

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  17. lovely to see your fab dresses being 'winterised' in such a great style!. You look gorgeous in them, so cool with boots and lovely accessories!. And those nail colors are so delightful!
    I do love a good layering and I'll keep on wearing most of my summer clothes as long as possible. I still resist wearing tights, I don't feel like wearing them!. Anyway I'll surrender soon and embrace colorful tights, which make a great layering for dull Winter days!!.
    Glad to read that you had a fantastic trading day and looking so Fabulous!, love your dress, those colors!!, you actually bring me JOY!
    besos

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    1. Monica, you're the queen of extending the seasonal life or your clothes with all your clever layering and inventive remakes. xxx

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  18. You are really rocking those clothes Vix. It's a proper treat browsing your blog and I love it when a post pops up on my feed.

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  19. The clothes are magnificent but I can't take my eyes off the size of that cauliflower! And you bought three?! Total vegetable envy. We only get sad, rubbery cauliflower shipped in from god knows where.

    That giant doctor's bag and the tooled purse are incredible.

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    1. Thanks, J! Our cauliflowers are impressive but the ones I see on the markets in India are incredible. xxx

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  20. Massive envy at your wardrobe. I love the way that you use your amazingly beautiful clothes and accessories. I too think that clothes can (in most areas) be worn year round, just adding and subtracting bits and pieces. But why, oh why, did I biff all of my beautiful ethnic clothes years ago? And bags and earrings? Sigh.

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    1. Aww, thanks so much Ratnamurti! So many women say the same to me when they see me wearing mine - I'm glad they did though, if they'd kept everything there wouldn't have been anything left for us secondhand shoppers! xxx

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  21. Great post Vix i love your jumble sale bag! "it's right up my strasse" as they say. I am looking forward to visiting one of the fairs soon, I will check out the dates.XX

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    1. Thanks, Shelagh! I do hope I get to see you again soon. xxx

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  22. Mine eyes gleam green at the sight of that gray Persian lamb "swing coat" with the portrait collar! Body suit, leggings beneath; (my newly acquired royal blue) opera length gloves extending from those regal sleeves; suitably warm headgear above -- bring on the gales!

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    1. Isn't it gorgeous? There was some old 1950s newsreel footage I saw last year about those furrier-made fake fur coats, they were quite revolutionary at the time as they enabled working class women the luxury of fur without the price tag. xxx

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  23. Your wardrobe is certainly never dull, I love all of the patterns and colours. Cheery all year round! It's a great idea to keep wearing your favourite pieces and layer them up. In the past I've bought things that are too 'summery' or 'wintry', forgetting that our seasons are more like a constant Autumn/Spring...

    What a funny find with that Horrockses dress!

    Glad to hear your January escape is booked. It will come around fast!
    xx

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    1. It's taken me the best part of my adult life to face facts, we get so few hot and sunny days it's daft to fill my wardrobe with clothes I can only wear once or twice a year. It's so much easier to invest in vintage dresses I can wear all year round. xxx

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  24. Vix, every outfit in this post is DIVINE, especially the first wardrobe shot!

    You've got such great tips for winterising wardrobes. I do a lot of the same - layering leggings and turtlenecks under clothes. Although I do wear tights a lot, especially brown, maroon and purple ones - I don't have a problem with them.

    Looking forward to reading your next DIY post. X

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    1. Thanks so much, Jess! Tights - like bras - are just so constricting. I'm just a hippy at heart. xxx

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  25. Hoorah for booking a trip to India! I look forward to the next instalment of your adventures.

    Those two ladies are splendidly dressed, aren't they? They make a well-dressed trio with you.

    i'm trying to use up some of my cosmetics and toiletries (the latter before Christmas comes, bringing gift sets). I have a habit of buying souvenir soaps, and have enough soap to see me into 2021! Those nail varnishes you've got a perfectly you.

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    1. I'm excited already!
      Those two ladies are gorgeous, aren't they? I love how they mix their eras and styles yet look so put together and perfect. x

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  26. Oh that Horrockeses dress is dreamy! I would have bought that if I had been at your stall (and it fitted!) . I've got lots of old nail varnishes kicking around which I donated to the After school club at school so when the kids want to have a go at manicures, they could use them! I might have more around too as I never wear them now!
    I'm SO gutted I didn't just brave the rail replacement bus last weekend to visit you as I had a really dull Sunday in the end and it was a waste of a day (apart from Cat time!) x

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    1. That Horrockses was a beauty - I kept having to stroke the corduroy!
      We're in Walthamstow on Saturday 9th November if you're not busy! x

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  27. I never swap my wardrobe around, I just wear cardigans or jumpers over my dresses in the winter or a thermal vest underneath!

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    1. That makes far more sense than a separate wardrobe. Knowing our crazy weather we could be in short sleeves next week. x

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  28. The fresh fruit and veg looks nice, what are you making? My wardrobe doesnt change much between summer and winter I just sort of add another layer lol xx

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  29. I do like a good bit of winterising, or seasonising actually. Apart from shorts nothing in my wardrobe really gets stored for another season - layers are a girls best friend :)
    Good to hear about the Barry M nail polish. I stopped wearing polish after finding out about all the chemicals in them so I'm going to find out more and maybe my nails will be adorned once again! Yay!
    xx

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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