Thursday 14 January 2021

The Distancing Diairies - 13th & 14th January, 2021


 After my Wii Fit session on Wednesday morning I caught up with blog reading before joining Jon for our fruit & yogurt breakfast. I mopped the kitchen and utility room floor, which I'd only done a few days previously but trudging back and forth into the garden to take photos had left its toll on the quarry tiles. I washed Jon's white tee shirts - I wait for them to mount up to make turning the machine on worthwhile -and hung them up to dry in the utility room.

Continuing with my Wear: Sleep: Repeat challenge, I rewore Tuesday's Renjoy maxi skirt, this time combined with my ivory Ayesha Davar blouse & a Reiss wool felt fedora (both from eBay), a 1960s lace-up suede waistcoat Liz bought me for Xmas 10 years ago, Snag 80 denier tights and my Gohill's exotic snakeskin boots (bought by my favourite teacher in 1966 and passed on to me, blog post HERE).





The details: This huge silvered African brass bangle belonged to my Mum, the agate bracelet was a 21st birthday present from my workmates when I worked as a sous chef at a private golf club back in 1987 (thirty-three years ago! Where did my life go?) and the mirrored Banjara earrings were bought from a roadside stall in Goa in February, 2020.


Here's my exotic snakeskin boots in all their glory. The photo was taken a few years ago but they're still as lovely.


It was a wet, gloomy and thoroughly miserable day which scuppered my chances of taking any stock photos outside. I swept and mopped the stairs, dusted the Wall of Misery frames and sorted out the dressing table drawer in the spare bedroom, donating a top to the Kinky Shed and relegating two ancient pairs of leggings to the duster pile.


After lunch Jon received a text message to say that the bedding we'd ordered from La Redoute was ready for collection at Ajay's, the convenience store opposite the Guru Nanak gurdwara, so we combined picking up the parcel and buying some peppers from Johal's with our permitted daily exercise. Des Pardes, if you're wondering, is a Punjabi language newspaper. After English, Punjabi is Walsall's second most widely spoken language. Quite a few of us throw in the odd bit of Punjabi into our day-to-day conversation.


The Victorian-era Whitehall Infants School, opened in 1899 as a mixed school. Until 1893 all schools were single gender so boys and girls being educated together was still relatively new although segregation remained within, hence the separate entrances. The school was forced to close on several occasions when the military requisitioned the building during WW1 and attendance dropped dramatically after the infamous Black Country Zeppelin Raids in 1916. With echoes of today, in 1918 the school closed for two months due to the Spanish Flu epidemic. During WW2 air raid trenches were dug in the playground and some of the school's staff were seconded to help with rationing and evacuations. Whitehall School moved to new premises in the late 1980s but the school is still used as an adult education centre (or would be if we weren't in lockdown). The building is now Grade II listed but back in the 2000s it was scheduled for demolition. Whilst I'm delighted that it was saved I can't help but be a bit disappointed as we'd originally been given first dibs on the contents by the director of the company tasked to tear it down.


For most of my life this building, directly opposite the bus stop to West Brom, was a TV repair shop (something I only ever see in India these days). It's since been converted into a house but the Victorian owl plaque has always fascinated me. Isn't he fab?


Tea was the usual Wednesday one of halloumi with roasted vegetables followed by several rum & colas. On Tuesday we'd discovered a Nordic Murders we hadn't seen so Rebecka Martinsson:The Arctic Murders was our viewing choice for the night along with the first installment of Death in Bollywood, an investigation into the suspicious death of British actress Jiah Khan. Despite the serious subject matter it was good to see our beloved Mumbai on the TV especially the glimpses of Chowpatty beach where, eleven months ago to the day, Jon & I posed for this Valentine's Day photo.


The torrential rain that had started the previous evening was still lashing down when I got up at 6.30am on Thursday. The Lads did their stuff outside and rushed back in, soaking wet and disgruntled. After my Wii Fit session I put away yesterday's laundry and started a blog comment catch-up before our breakfast. I wrapped my ebay sales and Jon whizzed them round to the Post Office. I keep my packing supplies in Jon's music room, this is what confronted me when I opened the door this morning....


By the time I'd updated my business policies on eBay, answered a couple of potential buyers' questions and ironed some stock it was lunchtime. After a bowl of noodles we noticed that the rain had stopped so grabbed our coats and took ourselves off for a walk around the block. 


Jon discovered this 1980s C&A wool & suede bomber jacket in the stockroom and decided it would be far better in his wardrobe than in anyone else's. I'm inclined to agree.


Continuing with my Wear: Sleep: Repeat challenge, I'm wearing Wednesday's lace-up suede waistcoat with my vintage India Imports of Rhode Island block printed maxi dress (eBay) & an embroidered polo neck jumper (from East). 


The details? A pair of silver, carnelian and turquoise Turkoman earrings (eBay), my cherry red Doc Marten Darcie boots (Facebook selling site), several of my Indian & Tibetan bangles plus a metal bangle which was handmade in Laos using aluminium recycled from bombs dropped during the Vietnam War (a present from Liz).


I spent the afternoon photographing men's dressing gowns ready to list over the next day or so. Although nothing beats selling face-to-face the good thing about selling online is not having to listen to someone telling you that My Dad/Mum/Grandma had one of them every five minutes.


Tea was pizza and salad, just by way of a change. Tonight we'll be watching Death in Bollywood and whatever else takes our fancy. 

Stay safe and well & see you soon!


Thanks to Hazel who suggested a photo montage of my Wear:Sleep:Repeat outfits so far.

65 comments:

  1. I used to let white T shirts and the occasional pair of white undies mount up, until a couple of weeks ago when the whole lot went in the machine with a big tub of Dylon. So much easier now and they came out a fabulous colour ☺️

    Not surprised the lads are disgruntled, the weather has been foul here too. Wet, gloomy, lights on all day - but it's better than the sheet ice of last week.

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    1. We have a mass dyeing session once a year as well. It's all Jon's stuff, I haven't worn white undies since I was a schoolgirl. It's very satisfying, isn't it?
      I'm excited that I've woken up to a dry day, I shall be going on a walk in a bit! xxx

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  2. Haha, does the mannequin move around the house of its own free will?!? Rockin’ boots and jewellery Vix. Did you have some tasty food and a head massage on Chowpatty beach? Wise of Jon to keep the jacket, one of my favourite old woolen coats was 80s C&A…I wish I still had it. It was actually from the men’s section… and much to the horror of one of my male school mates, we had the same coat. It was not an issue for me, having grown up in oversized boy hand-me-downs from my older brother. Have a great evening. Lulu xXx

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    1. It wouldn't surprise me, Jon swore he had nothing to do with that mannequin helping himself to a guitar and doing some naked strumming.
      Although we've been to Mumbai loads of times last year we signed up to do a street food walking tour and six of us along with our Mumbaiker guide stuffed our faces at Chowpatty beach with belpuri and pav bhaji. I still salivate now at the thought of it.
      C&A did some really cool stuff, I was amazed to discover that it's still trading outside of the UK! xxx

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  3. Evening there Vix! loving the new "stuff" close ups your beautiful jewellery and enjoy all the history of your wardrobe like the boots beonging to your favourite teacher. I can't get over how great your outfits are in this wear sleep repeat challenge. I ahave a give away pile that cannot make its way anywhere at the moment so I am going to challenge myself to wear each piece again and decide whether its a keep er or not. Need something to amuse myself at the moment eww hate it when your in a funk. I must stay motivated. You and Jon are always inspirationalin this department. More enjoyable history of your area again. So interesting. Well lovely lady back to sit by the fire. Keep warm and safe. Shazxx

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    1. Thanks, Shaz! I love your plan to give all the clothes in the donation pile another go, sometimes we're a bit too hasty at getting rid of stuff so its a great idea to give everything another chance.
      It's actually dry and not frosty here this morning, which makes us both very happy. We're off for a walk in a bit before the forecasted sleet arrives later. Much love to you. xxx

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  4. your wear:sleep:repeat challenge is turning out very interesting - it really shows how different a single garment can be styled...... and how fabulous!
    i know you miss india - but for us readers the 4 weeks of radio silence in the middle of winter were very dull.... so i´m secretly happy that you are at home and airing lovely and cool pieces of your daily life. thanx!!
    lisbeth woke up to 20cm of snow this morning - jumping around in the white stuff like a snow bunny :-D but in the end she did stay outdoors until noon......
    xxxxx

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    1. You are kind! I do miss India but I'm delighted to have my fabulous virtual friends to keep me company.
      20cm of snow? I bet it was funny to watch Lisbeth leaping about. No snow or rain here this, the lads are having the time of their lives. xxx

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  5. Wednesday outfit is lovely and quite a different look on you. Your wear, sleep, repeat regime is working well.
    I’m into comfort clothes apart from shopping days when I get dressed up. I’m looking forward to warmer days when we don’t need big coats and brollies.
    Jon’s bomber jacket suits him. So much nicer than the boring ones all the men are wearing now.
    Looking at that shop that has been turned into a house reminded me of Philip’s mum’s cafe being made into their house. I’m sat here thinking of all the local buildings that have been converted for other uses.
    A local funeral directors was once a pub I used to drink in and another was a former bank. The one I used for auntie Gladys funeral was originally a mill owners home then offices before becoming a funeral parlour.
    You’ve set me off now, I’ll be wracking my brain now for more buildings haha
    Lots of love xxx

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    1. Thanks, Lynn! I don't think I've worn a white blouse in the winter since the days of corporate employment and morning suits! I make myself get out of my exercise gear after breakfast or I'd probably stay in it all day (not a nice sight!)
      Isn't it interesting seeing repurposed buildings from our youth or those ghost signs painted on the sides of old shops. It would be a brilliant blog post. xxx

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  6. Hi Vix, I've been browsing around your blog and I have to say I absolutely love your style! Not only your personal style but your home and your style of blogging too! It's so nice to "meet" you!

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    1. Hello Martha! How lovely to "meet" you, I'm popping over to yours right now. xxx

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  7. weather has been so dull and depressing here, but as always it is a tonic to come and read your blog. Can't believe it's nearly a year since you went to India, feels like so much longer somehow.

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    1. Thanks for popping over, Julie! Hasn't it been grim? I can cope with cold when there's sunshine but this endless gloom really does sap my enthusiasm! xxx

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  8. I so want that owl...I would have been unable to resist taking a photo of it too! Arilx

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  9. Is Jon sporting more than just a few days of 5:00 shadow? It looks quite becoming on him. I'd love to hear/read the story of how you received your favorites teacher boots. I haven't picked up tracking my days since I moved to my December blogmas posts, but I am fascinated by the dinners folks put together-what a boring person I have become, but I love the style you even pu ton you tea plates. I scored another brick of haloumi, so now I have two, and will enjoy some tonight with salad greens.

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    1. Well spotted, Sam. That's his lockdown look!
      I've just added the link to the story behind my boots to my post.
      I think we're all interested in those mundane details about our virtual friends' lives, a welcome distraction from the madness around us.
      Well done for scoring more haloumi. Our corner shop is now selling the chilli infused variety, it's delicious. xxx

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  10. I really, really must add a bobble hat to my wardrobe! Both you and Jon look so smugly snug in yours! * And, no, I won't claim my male relatives owned elegant dressing gowns. Mine were purchased in the local charity shoppes -- in the ladies' sleepwear departments.
    I'd happily buy any book with that Victorian owl tile on its cover, or any album with the Union Jack, the mannequin and his guitar of modesty on its cover. Please write and/or record these at your convenience, preferably during the next full moon...

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    1. You must! I've become a convert to the bobble hat of late, much as I love my fedoras they're a pain when it's windy and don't keep my ears warm. Jon's always been a fan. Looks to see when the next full moon is......

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  11. Always love your outfits and look forward to seeing them all. But the first one in this post? Serious envy here. You look so fantastic. had always wanted to live 6 months of each year in India but... sigh... it never happened, family responsibilities took over

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    1. Thanks so much! The first outfit was an experiment, I'd never worn all three pieces together and rather liked it.
      We used to spend 2 months a year in India although in recent years we'd reduced it to 5-6 weeks and squeezed in a trip to Greece as well. I miss it so much! xxx

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  12. Ooooohhhh that Victorian owl plaque is gorgeous, indeed.... as are those snakeskin boots, from your favorite teacher. Neither, however, take the cake as much as Jon's "friend" in his music room.... the white guy with the guitar!! :-D ~Andrea xoxo

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    1. The white man with the guitar gave me a bit of a shock yesterday morning!
      The owl is fantastic, isn't he? I'd love to know the significance, I've never seen anything like it before. Pink Floyd had a song in the 1960s called "I've got a pair of Gohill's boots", that's how cool they are! xxx

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  13. You Chowpatty beach photo made me stop and think of my friend Tripta. She usually spends the entire month from the middle of October to the middle of November with her family in India and then the middle of December until March in New Zealand staying with her daughter. This past year she has been able to do neither due to the darn virus. She is really feeling the cold at the moment.

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    1. Poor Tripta, not only having to miss out on seeing her family but enduring the English winter, too. Let's hope that next year we'll all be able to live a normal life again. xxx

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  14. I am so glad that school was saved from demolition. I love old buildings like that lots of buildings in middlesborough were knocked down and they were so beautiful. There was one it was near the new courts when I was young I used to love walking past it, but no the mayor flattened it !! For a car park!
    There are lots of thunder gates and shrines in the heart of shinjuku. And people stop and look and take lots of photographs.
    It’s like us when we go to 7/11 and it say English newspapers here it always gets me! And they sell out as well.
    Still looking good. My vintage docs have gone mouldy again!!! I don’t know how to stop them any ideas?? Jon looks good in that jacket as well. Take care and keep safe

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    1. I hate to see our old heritage torn down especially when it's for things like car parks. I bet the company that torn that school down by you never reused the bricks and the whole lot went into landfill.
      When we hire a car and drive through tourist places in Greece with English newspapers for sale outside shops we both know it isn't the place for us.
      Nail varnish remover with acetone in it - sorts out mouldy leather a treat. Pour some on cotton wool, give the boots a good coating and leave to dry for 24 hours.
      Look after yourselves. xxx

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    2. There is a lot of expats that live in Tokyo I can’t see many lager louts willing to pay the air fair as it costs more than accommodation! But yeah your quite right, plus they are generally how do I put it without sounding a snob not welcome and a bit of place , like the floor spitting Chinese who only demand their food , and quickly get turfed out ! I have seen that happen a lot!

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  15. Love your agate bracelet, Vix. What a treasure.

    Also enjoying your close-up photos of your jewellery. X


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    1. Thanks, Jess! My colleagues chose well, didn't they? They knew my taste! x

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  16. Another tour, another great post! Chuckling at the patriotic-guitar-playing-naturalist dummy. Love Jon's jacket, very stylish and practical. Old school buildings are often gorgeous buildings - too bad about missing out on the contents (what would your kitchen have looked like ...?) but another lovely old building lives on with a face-lift. Liking your new series of wear, sleep, repeat and admiring how you create completely different looks with the same items. Clever you! Yes, my dad and ex both had woollen and satin dressing gowns like that (yawn!!). Even though they looked old-fashioned even then, I loved the muted colours and the quality of the fabric and that's obviously why they last. About five years ago I took a Freeview recorder to a repair shop and it lasted another two years. I'll bet Jon would have loved this Aladdin's cave, stuffed full of tools, machinery and electronics. This throw-away society isn't good but, then, stuff isn't made to last any more (old fart sigh).

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    1. Thanks, Catmac! Jon's jacket looks good, doesn't it? It's not a style he's ever worn before but change is good especially now we're all getting stuck in routines. It's probably for the best we didn't get our hands on the school salvedge, there's still cast iron radiators, old doors and even a hundred year old Rayburn under tarps in the garden, it's like living in Steptoe's yard!
      At festivals the kids love the old dressing gowns, most of them have never seen the like and wear them over shorts and wellies! My Dad had a dark brown version of the beige wool one, made in Scotland by McGregor. No wonder he was never cold in our heating-less house.
      Jon would have been in his element in that repair shop, he'd have probably brought it all home. xxx

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    2. You've talked about the scum who have nicked stuff from you ..... have to admit, I would be tempted!!! What an amazing, if not unsurprising, cache!

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  17. You do add a splash of beautiful colour to an otherwise dreary day. That white blouse and tan waistcoat outfit is a change from the norm for you but it looks stunning on you.

    Ah, good old C&A, my bridesmaids dresses came from there. They were peasant girl inspired with a hint of Broderie Anglais at the hem ... very 1970s :-)

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    1. Thanks very much, Sue. It's proving to be a real challenge to re wear stuff without looking like I'm wearing the same thing.
      I bet those bridesmaids dresses were fab! xxx

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  18. all that lovely jewellery! Interesting to read a bit about your previous life - I have one too (pa in merchant banking, prior to that hairdressing) the older we get the more history we have! Your valentines picture on the Goan beach is beautiful, needs framing - enlarging even! wearing my favourite dress too.

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    1. PA in merchant banking! There used to be another blogger who did that, she took a couple of years out to train as a tailor in Jermyn Street but missed having the cash to buy Chanel handbags! xxx

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  19. I loved the story of your former teacher and read the blog post from your meeting. How did you feel when she said Victoria and Jonathan?
    She sounds like the perfect teacher.
    Are you still in touch>
    I was also born in 1966 so the idea of boots being walked in all those years later is amazing.
    By the way my dad's favourite song when I was a baby in 1966 was apparently These boots were made for walking by Nancy Sinatra and according to my mum he would stomp around the room with me and I would love it.
    X

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    1. One of our neighbours still calls us Victoria and Jonathan as her son was at infants school with us.
      Mrs Jones, fabulous woman that she is, became a Labour councillor after she retired and was absolutely brilliant, we went to her daughter's 50th a couple of years ago.
      I loved These Boots Were made for Walking! Your dad had great taste in music. xxx

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  20. I like your Wear, Sleep, Repeat challenge :) You should do a montage starting from Day 1! (You know how much I like a montage)
    The owl on that building is lovely. I wonder if we'll see more repair shops opening up with the make do and mend idea taking off? If I had the opportunity I'd love to open a repair shop like the BBC1 version, but not just for vintage pieces, anything that needs mending. I would need a team of relevantly skilled people but that's just a minor issue ;) We can dream right?
    xx

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    1. Montage done! Not as good as yours but it's a great idea, I shall update it for each blog post.
      Would it be lovely if more repair shops opened? I'll draft Jon in if you open your rival to the BBC one, I might even help out myself if you get Jay Blades involved.
      Did you see Elaine's comment on my last post linking to that Zoom repair session with Toast? I bet you would love that. I don't even have a webcam! xxx

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  21. Oooh would love to know more about that Owl - we pass this often en route to visiting my Mum (well, not so often because - Thanks Covid)
    https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=4&id=21763&gallery=Almond+Brook+Road+Standish&offset=0

    Men's dressing gowns are my charity shop catnip.
    The cream one looks wonderful (I'm guessing it's a woollen one?) - oh dear.

    Not much to say today - but HELLOOOO!!!!! Maryland xxxx

    Stay safe all.

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    1. Hello you!! Wow, I love that cat house. How fascinating. I hope your Mum's doing okay.
      Dressing gowns are fab, as I mentioned to Catmac we sell loads at festivals to teens who've never seen anything like them before, same with cravats! Love to you, Maryland and anyone else there who could do with a virtual hug! Stay safe. xxx

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  22. I'm enjoying your Wear, Sleep, Repeat challenge, and the close-ups of your "stuff". Your favourite teacher's boots are stunning and must be excellent quality if they're still going strong after all those year. The agate bracelet is gorgeous too. I'm often wondering where my life went, and I can't get my head around the fact that I'll be 60 next September. How can that be possible?
    How fascinating that Punjabi is Walsall's second most widely spoken language! What a relief that the Victorian-era school building wasn't torn down - although I get your disappointed. I'm not sure when mixed schools emerged here in Belgium. Although I've always gone to mixed schools, most of the catholic ones weren't mixed yet back in the 1970s.
    I'm loving the owl plaque, and I think Jon was right to keep that C&A jacket for himself!
    Thursday's outfit is a sight for sore eyes on this grey January day. I was feeling a bit meh but its jewel colours (and those cherry red Doc Martens) totally cheered me up! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Ann! It's quite nice putting some thought into my wardrobe as opposed to dragging out whatever catches my eye on the day.
      It is scary how time flies. So, a special birthday coming up! I do you can celebrate properly, we've all had our share of lockdown birthdays.
      My secondary school was single sex, I can't say I was very keen although I think the addition of boys might have made me even less conscientious than I was already!
      I'm glad I've managed to cheer you up, this week has felt very gloomy and miserable, bring on the Spring. xxx

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    2. Hello Ann. I'm 62. I remember the angst of turning 60 and now it's a nostalgic memory!! As my sister says, what's the alternative>?!

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  23. I'm enjoyed 'Walsall Walks with Vix and Jon'!I love the owl. Would love to know his story from so long ago. The Nekid Strummer is funny. All he needs now is a bobble hat. I watched Death in Bollywood. That poor girl. As much as her mother wanted so badly to seek justice for her, I couldn't help thinking that she was partly to blame. Have a good weekend, both.xxx

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    1. Hooray! I've just posted another mini-adventure, all within a few minutes walk from home, Bojo won't be telling us off!
      That owl is fab, isn't it, such an angry looking beast.
      Wasn't Death in Bollywood tragic? I was sad for her Mum but totally agree with you. As a Bollywood star herself she must have known exactly what a terrible situation an already depressed young woman was getting herself into. xxx

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  24. Beautiful outfits all of them. I like this wear sleep wear challenge. That maxi skirt look fabulous worn with boots. I also like your waistcoat, it looks great with that dress.
    The C&A bomber Jon is wearing suits him really well. Definitely good that he picked it up from the stock room. That photo of the two of you on Mumbai beach is so romantic. Have a nice weekend ahead.

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    1. Thanks very much, Ivana! It's fun challenging myself to rewear stuff. As a blogger you often feel like you need to wear something completely different day and day, this requires a lot more creative thinking!
      Have a lovely weekend. xxx

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  25. Always nice to see the snakeskin boots again. They're timeless really, could have been made by Gohill or Gucci.

    For heaven's sake, but Jon a guitar stand :)

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    1. The one and only time I found another pair of those Gohill's boots they sold for over £2000! I blame Pink Floyd.
      Jon's just bought some wall mounted guitar hangers - they're still siting in the box they arrived in! xxx

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  26. I like your new challenge and it's nice to see a bit of Hazel and Sheila in the post as well as Vix!
    My stepdad (mum's second marriage) worked in a TV repair and rental shop in Dagenham- in fact, that's where my Mum met him- she knew the owner from the local Am Dram group and she was taking our TV in to repair! He had a successful business in the 80's- he drove my Mum and Step dad to their wedding in his Jag! I wonder what happened to him as people stopped getting things repaired and renting TVs- he was a really nice man and he used to pop round to see us in our teen years after my Mum and Colin split up.
    Jon's bomber suits him and I cracked up at the saucy Mannequin pic!
    I keep being tempted to get a man's satin smoking jacket or dressing gown (ideally in Gold and red) to wear for World Book Day (along with a top hat) to dress as my beloved Chrestomanci but I've never seen the right one, let alone even at the right price!
    The owl is cute! It's been a while since I saw the wall of misery!

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    1. I'll try to include a different blog friend in each post, I've mentioned another two today.
      Your stepdad sounds lovely, I do admire people who can repair things - the story of how your Mum and he met is really lovely, too.
      Dressing gowns are ridiculously popular at festivals, we used to sell loads of them! xxx

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  27. At least the guitar was preserving the mannequin's modesty! Does he have a name? If not may I christen him Herman? He looks like a Herman to me.

    I love your wear/sleep/repeat challenge and it's something I sometimes do; especially if I'm wearing jeans. I am really enamoured of your check/plaid maxi skirt. I am beginning to really miss rummaging and may have to resort to online charity shopping soon!

    I loved your Turkoman earrings and nearly bought a similar pair quite recently but they were bought by someone else...the men's dressing gown collection is wonderful and Jon's bomber jacket was very stylish and looked very warm.

    How fabulous was that owl plaque?

    Take care and stay sane,
    xxx

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    1. Thank goodness for the guitar, eh? He used to be Mr Kinky but I prefer Herman, it suits him!
      When the chazzas reopened after the first lockdown I really enjoyed looking at clothes that weren't mine. I didn't necessarily need to buy, it was just the excitement of handling new-to-me stuff.
      There's some cracking ethnic jewellery on ebay and a lot of it is really good value. I think those earrings were less than £10 including postage.
      Stay happy! xxx

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  28. The owl on the old TV repair shop is lovely, I wonder who put it on the house?
    Your wear, wash, repeat challenge sounds good. Did you read about the woman who wore the same dress for 100 days and documented how she styled it differently for different occasions. I love that people are generally becoming more aware of the need to reduce waste, it will take a while to move past the Primark era I expect but baby steps!
    I love the way you have styled your plaid skirt with tribal jewellery, it works really well and is unexpected.
    Hope you're having a good weekend over in your neck of the woods, it pisseth down here. xxx


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    1. I've yet to find out anything about that owl, he's not in any of the local history books. He's dated 1898 so I'm assuming he was installed by the builder but I wish he was on my house.
      I saw a link to that women who wore the same dress for 100 days and did it with aplomb. I do think people are starting to make more considered clothing choices since lockdown, lets hope it stays that way and they won't be queuing round the block when Primark reopens!
      It's been lovely here today, we've even had sunshine. I'll send you some over! xxx

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  29. Oh, I see what you're doing with your clothes, got it - very clever! I love your top outfit - my Loomed Lady coat would look fabulous over that ensemble. I'm in love with your giant bracelets there, including that 21st birthday gift one.

    A local high school has Boys and Girls entrances - I do remember being divided by gender in elementary school (c. 1973ish) to parade into the school after recess. I love the architecture - what a cool neighbourhood.

    Heeled Doc Martens would be amazing! I've never seen them before. Heh, I guess we customers tend to think we're the only ones who've ever had a relative that had X, Y or Z! I'll have to watch it when I'm shopping vintage! ;-P

    Blog comments can be very time-consuming - I took a week off, and it's taken me a day to get caught up!

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    1. You'll have to lend me the Loomed Lady, it would be perfect with my woven maxi!
      I suffered the indignity of going to an all-girls school from 11 - 18 years old, I'm not sure if I'd have been any more productive having boys around but it would have made for a much more pleasant atmosphere, 300 hormonal girls under one roof, you can just imagine the bitchiness and cat fights.
      The heeled Doc Martens are so comfy and it feels good to be a bit dressing but with added Doc attitude. xxx

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  30. Dear Vix, you're always inspiring!, love your challenge to re-wear some clothes and create some different ensembles. And also love to have a look at some interesting buildings in your neighbourhood. Nowadays many people have been reduced to daily walks to the groceries shop, so it's fab to share our own surroundings and make people enjoy a different atmosphere.
    Love to see your plaid skirt with the suede waistcoat and fab boots, and the stunning accessories!. And love your colourful maxidress with the waistcoat, really lovely colours!
    Catching up with your posts is putting a smile on my face!
    besos

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  31. Your wear:sleep:repeat outfits look fun.

    The owl plaque is intriguing - my first thought was of insurance plaques, but those are usually smaller and metal. Maybe someone just liked owls...

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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