Wednesday got off to a gloomy, grey and drizzly start but, with temperatures well above the seasonal average, the lads had a fine old time looking for mice in the rockery whilst I did my Wii Fit. I did a bit of a blog catch-up before Jon came downstairs and joined me for breakfast.
Although Jon's day for the post office run wasn't for another couple of days, I made a start on wrapping our eBay sales to stop being overwhelmed on Friday morning.
Wear:Sleep:Repeat saw the return of Tuesday's India Imports pinafore dress, this time worn with my vintage Ayesha Davar cheescloth blouse and a 1960s Annacat waistcoat I'd had for so long I'd almost forgotten I had.
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| Images: Patrick Lichfield with Janet Lyle (Get Some Vintage-A-Peel), Patrick Lichfield with Janet Lyle of Annacat (left) and Michael Fish (centre) circa 1968 (Dandy in Aspic), 1960s advert (Get Some Vintage-A-Peel), |
Known as the Biba of Brompton Road, Annacat was formed in 1965 by good friends Jane Lyle and Maggie Keswick and was backed financially by fashion photographer Patrick Lichfield (the Queen's first cousin). Annacat was "in" with the swinging London scene of the 1960s who loved their historically-influenced sexy shapes and extravagant finishing touches and was also a firm favourite with British Vogue. In addition to their own line, Annacat offered pieces by other designers (including Lichfield) and was the first London outlet to stock Laura Ashley designs in the late 1960s. In 1968 a New York branch of Annacat opened on Madison Avenue, the label began designing for wholesale in 1970 but the venture failed to take off and led to Annacat's demise.
The details: Clarks' clog boots (outlet sale), Turquoise bird earrings made by Afghan refugees (eBay), Nepalese pendant (India)
Due to the on-off rain it was another morning of kitchen photography. This time my stock theme was boots - I'm pretty sure that we haven't seen the last of winter yet.
After a break for noodles I uploaded them to eBay, selling two pairs within 5 minutes!
As the rain seemed to have stopped, Jon suggested we walk down to Johal's as we were running low on incense sticks. It was so mild that we didn't need coats (we'd even put Jacob in the garden earlier). I took my grab stick along and by the time we'd returned home I'd managed to fill a sack with litter including a box of used masks dumped in the middle of the road and a disassembled chainsaw. We got back to discover some skanky sod had left their McD****** wrappers on our drive.
I spent the rest of the afternoon crocheting - only to take it apart as I wasn't happy with the finished result but my time wasn't wasted as I'd mastered the tweed stitch.
Tea was pizza with salad including some Mizuna salad greens we'd planted in the cloches before we went to Crete in September. Well worth growing, they're delicious.
Later we watched three episodes of Deutschland 86 and drank rum & cola.
On Thursday it was bright enough to peg the washing out on the line at 7am. I did my Wii Fit workout, put out a box of books for passers-by to help themselves to and had just caught up with emails when Jon got up. After breakfast I wrapped up the overnight eBay sales ready for tomorrow's post office run.
It was a gloriously sunny and warm day. Jon got stuck into tidying the garden and I took stock photos outside. With several festivals now announcing plans to go ahead, my theme for today's eBay menswear listings was Festival Staples.
After a break for lunch - Baxter's Sri Lankan sweet potato soup (yum!) we both cracked on with our jobs.
Wear:Sleep:Repeat saw the return of yesterday's Ayesha Davar blouse, worn with my new-to-me vintage Anokhi skirt I'd scored off eBay last week. I need to take the waist in but couldn't resist wearing it anyway, assisted by a couple of strategically placed safety pins.
I've signed up for priority booking when my hair salon (hopefully) reopens on 12th April. After three professional trims last year I no longer get exasperated by my hair, now noticing the slightest change - one side grows a lot faster than the other hence the reason my left plait is almost an inch longer than the right. I could get Jon to level it off but I think I'll just sit tight and wait for six weeks instead.
Is it just me or are the crocuses particularly plentiful and vibrant this year? Our lawn is full of them.
The daffs keep coming, there's signs of tulips, snakes head frittileries and alliums, too. I even spotted an occupied nest up in the London plane tree when I was getting the washing (and tortoise) in.
Tea was veggie sausages, roast potatoes and parsnips, sprouts and carrots, accompanied by half a bottle of ale. We've got one episode of Deutschland 86 to watch before Deutschland 89 kicks off tomorrow night and then there's a choice of Adam Curtis's Can't Get You Out of My Head (which we still haven't got around to) or Janina Ramirez's Raiders of the Lost Past.
That's after I've decided which garment I'll be repeating tomorrow.
Stay fabulous and see you soon!
Happy Thursday evening Vix! wow your new skirt and the vintage cheesecloth blouse are a match made in heaven! You are organised putting your name down for hair appointment when they open! I love your blog for loads of reasons but one is you put me onto some good sites. & Keep looks interesting I am trying to swap over to more green products. They will be worth a peruse! also charity shops online! well lovely lady I too saw lots of crocuses and minature daffs today glad to say we have some just popping up where they like. Found the story of the Annacat label interesting. that was a clever way to style your brown dress! Take care and good for you being so community minded. Bet you make great neighbors Shazxx
ReplyDeleteEvening, Shaz! That skirt has so many colours in it but I did like how the black cheesecloth top made them all pop!
Delete&Keep is brilliant - they have some fantastic plastic free products and their washing up brushes, cellulose sponges and coconut scrubbers make cleaning all the more enjoyable.
I'm very excited about all the spring flowers and that it's light by 7am!
Thank you for your lovely words, as always! xxx
That red waistcoat from the sixties is a gem. I love how bright this red is. The second outfit is wonderful as well. You look so fab in that dress. Tea looks great and you've got some great gardening skills. I never managed to grow any salad.
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense to sign up for hair stylist in time, I imagine they will be packed once the hair saloons open. I would have never noticed if you hadn't written it but now that I look at your plaits (in that amazing dress) one plait does seem shorter than the other.
It's a really vibrant piececonsidering it's probably older than I am!
DeleteThose mizuma leaves are foolprooof, I'd forgotten I'd planted them and have done nothing to them at all - not ever watering them, it's a miracle! xxx
Those beautiful spring flowers look dead cheerful don't they. I love this time of year when the gardens slowly wake up.
ReplyDeleteThey gladden your heart, don't they? x
DeleteHasn't it been utterly glorious outside today? More pond clearing today, I will ache an awful lot tomorrow 🤣
ReplyDeleteI am deeply in love with your latest skirt, but it would get wrecked here . . .
Fabulous news that some festivals are going ahead . . . and much shock here too, as I also have a hair cut booked. Will we survive the excitement :-)
It looks like we might be getting more of the same today, it's thick with frost but the sunshine is almost blinding me. You deserve a day of sitting by your pond and admring your sterling efforts.
DeleteAnother date for our calendars, it's all a bit too much! xxx
How funny that your left side of your hair grows faster than the right. My hair at the front grows very slowly, but quickly at the back, hence I end up with a mullet if I'm not careful! You've got some fab heeled boots on ebay. I wish I could wear heels, but I walk like Tina Turner (according to Monsieur)or John Wayne (according to my dad). So, that walk, coupled with a mullet? Hot stuff.
ReplyDeleteYour mizuna looks so healthy! and slug free! Crocuses really are in their element at the moment. Anokhi dress looks fab Vix. Lulu x
Aren't bodies weird? I always assumed my hair being longer on one side being down to my home haircutting skills but the hairdresser said it was quite normal.
DeleteI walk weird with or without heels but I can't do anything higher than a 2" block heel these days (and don't have the life to justify them!)
I'm amazed that mizuna survived, we grew loads last summer but I thought I was being overly optimistic planting it so late last year. xxx
Who needs a barometer when you've got cats eh! Arilx
ReplyDeleteThey really do have magical weather detecting properties! x
DeleteI envy you your crocus! We still have snow and ice in the garden, with the wonderful news that the temperature will drop 20 over night, so back into the freezer.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I plant crocus or is it crocii, the resident squirrel eats them. It must be him because I've found little piles of earth where they been dug up. Even when in plant pots.
Stay safe, stay warm.
Crocus are such lovely things. I think the snow and cold temperatures have helped them this yera, every lawn in the neighbour seems to be alive with them. We''ve got frost this morning but nothing compared to yours.
DeleteI'm amazed that the bulbs I planted last year are starting to bloom, our squirrels usually get to them first although I've taken no chances this year and planted them right next to the house. xxx
I'm so glad you are having some nice weather and those beautiful flowers are a sure sign of spring! If I didn't know better from your last post I would have sworn the second outfit was a dress. What a perfect match!
ReplyDeleteIt's a real boost to get some warmth and sunshine this early in the year. I can't wait to go out with my rake later and tackle the twigs!
DeleteI was really pleased how well that blouse went with the skirt! xxx
The Annacat vest and Anokhi skirt - sigh - envy- gorgeous. I have finally stopped dyeing my hair. I just worried incessantly about getting hold of some more hair dye during our lockdown - that I finally got over myself and stopped dyeing and got a manageable bob cut. weirdly, people are now loving my hair.
ReplyDeleteThat's brilliant that you've stopping dyeing your hair and are loving the results! xxx
DeleteI've put Deutschland 86 in my Netflix queue. Seems to be the inly way I can find over here,
ReplyDeleteBoth 83 and 86 are fantastic. We're so lucky to have a free channel specialising in European dramas, there's so much quality stuff. x
DeleteThe weather was so good today that Grumble went and curled up on the swingseat!
ReplyDeleteNone of my new daff bulbs have surfaced (yet) and I think, like 50 & counting, the squirrels got the crocii in the swan planter. Cheeky beggars.
My eyes must be tired, I thought the new blouse and Anokhi skirt were navy blue.
Zxx
Grumble knows spring is imminent!
DeleteWasn't yesterday a beautiful day? It feels like today may be the same, the sun is almost blinding me.
Squirrels are so bad although I've got the better of them this year and kept all my bulb pots right next to the house!
My screen was doing weird things to colours recently, I think a cat had knocked the settings! xxx
The sleeves on those 60's clothes reminds me of theater apparel and van see with a velvet skirt or pants. No flowers here, but so warm and melty, the pup was quite muddy after our walk.
ReplyDeleteYou can see the historical influences in a lot of the higher end 1960s and 1970s clothing labels, can't you? That red waistcoat has an almost Elizabethan look to it.
DeleteI bet your little lad loved getting all muddy! xxx
Good to see the lads out enjoying the garden - I see Frank is supervising Jon like a boss, ha ha! I love your AnnaCat vest, Vix - thank you for the close-up detail on the clasp and the label (I love labels!). Your new Anokhi skirt is amazing - love the hem details. I've also safety-pinned the waistband of a skirt or two in my time!
ReplyDeleteI saw that Europe is having a heatwave! We've been having very high storm winds for days now. Here's to the weekend!
Frank is an excellent supervisor, no shoddy workmanship gets past him.
DeleteI've no idea why I'd neglected that Annacat waistcoat for so long, it's such an unusual piece and must have cost an arm and a leg back in the 1960s. That Anokhi skirt is due another outing today, I could wear it for weeks, I love it.
We've been so spoilt with the weather this last few days, I hope yours improves soon. xxx
What an amazing piece of the 60s you have there with that waistcoat Vix. You can do a lot with that! The Anokhi skirt of course caught my eye too:) By the way, Junglemall who you pointed me to on EBay for my earrings recently have been removed so I emailed them and they are now on Etsy with their Afghan jewellery in case you want anything. I am looking forward to the hairdressers opening too as they do a good trim and conditioning treatment with my temp colour and I can't do it was well as them at home :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a proper groovy bit of kit, isn't it Betty?
DeleteYou ought to be a detective, that's brilliant tracking down Jungle Mall. I hope they add those earrings to their Etsy stock.
I can't wait for a good trim, not a fan of the wonky plait, I look crazier than normal! xxx
Totally in love with your massive pendand and your Annacat waistcoat, love its color, texture and fab design!, and so cool fastener!. Also lovely to read about this groovy label!
ReplyDeleteLovely that your green salads are growing and ready to be harvested. Your food looks really Delicious!
And I'm also in love with your new skirt with this fab blouse and another stunning pendant. You Rock your jewellery, looking so gorgeous!
These amazing crocuses and daffodyls just make me smile!!
besos
Thanks, Monica! Jon twisted my arm into buying atht massive pendant, he loved that big chunk of yellow, it's like sunshine.
DeleteIt was so exciting hardvesting those leaves, I'd forgotten we'd planted them! xxx
Hi Vix - super gorgeous outfits - I think I have a version of your lovely rainbow Anokhi skirt in cream and pink shades - yours is much more vibrant and lovely. I've never found a top that sits well with mine - but now you've given me a kick up the bum to try harder lol.
ReplyDeleteYou did make me laugh re: walks with a litter grabber. I usually have a litter bag with me (in my bag or rolled-up in a pocket), when I'm out and about - for wombling old pizza boxes and drinks cans. It's a compulsion.
I have some winter/spring salad green seeds to pot up - thanks for the reminder!
Spring is back again this morning - more washing on the line - taking our coffee outside later! I've not thought of going back to the hairdresser yet - my DIY is good enough for now (I have all the chemicals!). Also, my scalp is still not fully-healed from a falling-over drama before Christmas - so I think avoiding bleach is a good choice!
I bet your critters are so happy to be outdoors again - I know I am lol
As Betty said - JungleMall are on Etsy OMG - I am going to be SO welded to the naughty step for budget-busting https://tinyurl.com/ym4dxbna I can't see any earrings, mind.
Right, I'm off - take care all and stay safe - Maryland, big love to you and toasted fruit teacakes xxxxx
Hello Elaine! I bet that more muted version of my skirt is a beauty. There's a twin to mine currently on eBay but the waist is elasticated (not that I need another one...or do I?!)
DeleteI feel a bit naked without my grabber. What has lockdown don to me? I no longer carry handbags, these days it's plastic sacks!
I tried to hang my washing out again this morning only for the dead tree I attach the line to snap in half, jettisoning pants and pillow cases up the lawn! That's a task for Jon this week.
You're very wise not rushing to book at the hairdressers especially as you know what you're doing with the dye.
Isn't it wonderful to spend time outside? That reminds me, the tortoise is still out.
Thanks for the Jungle Mall link! xxxx
Took mum to the park yesterday for a walk round and the crocus where like a carpet of purple. Absolutely stunning. It’s years since I’ve been there and I was amazed on how much money they’ve spent on it. It’s beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAs is your red waistcoat and the story behind it.
Folk have been asking about our garden gate displays and if we will continue with them. Now we’ve got less rain I could put our books out again. There’s always a flamingo or four propped in the privets to amuse the kiddies.
It’s great your eBay sales are going so well. I haven’t forgotten about the parcel I’m sending down to you.
Have a good weekend you two. Xxxx
It's funny, when we're abroad we always spend time in public parks but here we never do, I was amazed at Palfrey Park when we visited last month. How lovely to have a walk around your local one with your mum.
DeleteIt looks like these dry days are set to continue into next week, you need to gt your displays going again, it;s your public duty! xxx
wow - your garden is very colourful already! we must do with 5 teeny tiny snowdrops....... now.
ReplyDeletethe new skirt looks awesome worn by you - thankfully this kind is easy to change at the waist. that red waistcoat is such a glorious colour and thanks for the background informations - interesting!
cool boots stock!!!
one week ago i´d cut 5cm off from my hair - i have propper stylists scissors at home since 20 years - bought after traumatic experiences at several hair salons......
xxxx
I wouldn't mind a few snowdrops, our garden is lacking in those.
DeleteI really ought to sit down and take that waistband in this weekend. Those easy jobs tend to be the ones I put off the longest!
We invested in proper hairdressing scissors a few years ago after some terrible hairdressing disasters in the noughties. Now I've found a hairdresser who loves long hair I'm lost my fear of the salon! xxx
Lovely to see you wearing your ebay bargains.
ReplyDeleteI have just filmed myself planting seeds for my kid's yoga classes which I will come back to in a few weeks when hopefully they have grown.
It looks like the autumn bulbs I planted are paying off now with crocus and snowdrops and even hyacinths pushing through.
Have a lovely weekend. X
Awww, how sweet that you've filmed yourself planting seeds! We're all set to start ours, maybe next week. xxx
DeleteGreat idea leaving the books out. We're a bit out-of-the-way but I've given away a few via Freecycle. The staffroom at the school I work at has a shelf - this week I've borrowed an Andy McNab SAS memoir, and a 1987 book about table decorations - so quite eclectic! Heather
ReplyDeleteHello Heather! Well done for passing on your books. That is an eclectic reading selection, I remember everyone being gripped by that Andy McNabb book when it firts came out. xxx
DeleteThe clasp on the AnnaCat vest is very cool! It definitely looks like Spring has sprung over there with warmer temperatures and blooming flowers. We still have over a foot of snow covering everything but at least the temperatures are hovering around 0 so it's melting, slowly. Kudos to you for gathering up the discarded trash. People need to pick up their own crap!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that clasp a groovy thing?
DeleteI hope that snow evapourates soon and Spring isn't too far behind. The last couple of months with the constant darkness and gloom have fely like a long, hard slog to stay positive and motivated. xxx
I've been enjoying these well above seasonal average temperatures so much, and have been pottering around the garden to my heart's content. How lovely that you have clumps of daffs and crocuses out already. We only have the odd one here and there.
ReplyDeleteYour Annacat waistcoat is fabulous (that clasp!) and I loved learning about the label's history. The Nepalese pendant is gorgeous too! And of course you needed to wear that Anokhi skirt immediately. That's what safety pins were invented for :-)
The constant littering really does my head in. As if it wasn't enough that you filled a whole bag on your walk to and from Johal's, those skanky sods had to repay you for your efforts by dumping their wrappers on your drive!
I can't tell you how happy I was after yesterday's hairdresser's appointment. The first in exactly 4 months. xxx P.S. Frank supervising Jon made me chuckle!
It's been such a treat having a couple of days of sunshine and heat. It's still sunny here but very chilly. I hope your Spring blooms appear soon.
DeleteI think the clasp on the waistcaot sold it to me, it's such a tactile thing.
You should ahve seen the sack we filled today. I can't believe how many people must have gone out yesterday, treated themselves to takeaways and dumped it all in the street for us to pick up!
I bet you're on countdown till your hairdressing appointment! xx
You may just make some festivals this year, yay! (as might we).
ReplyDeleteThe lads look like two contented kittys.
Jon looks like he's getting down to some serious gardening, the weather is so lovely that we are hoping for a weekend out there...ours that is, fear not we won't turn up on your doorstep!!
Its Friday and wine o'clock, cheers, have a great weekend Vix. xxx
It's exciting if a little scary!
DeleteIt's been gorgeous today. That made me giggle about you turning up on the doorstep, in my dreams! xxx
I remember clogs and they were comfortable, but never heard of clogboots. Those green olives are making my mouth water.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
They've been around since the Industrial Revolution! xxx
DeleteWhat lovely signs of spring in the garden. Hottest day here today and autumn starts on Monday.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the heat! xxx
DeleteWhen I first discovered incense sticks back in the early 70's and still lived at home, my mother used to shout upstairs where I was ensconced in my little bedroom 'hope you're not smoking pasha up there?!', the smell was quite overpowering!Imagine being lucky enough to shop in the Brompton Road back in the day? Mind you, you're doing not too bad with the shopping. Your new skirt is delightful and really goes well with the black blouse. Have a good weekend.xxx
ReplyDeleteHaha! My Mum got me into the habit, a home isn't a home without clouds of fragrant smoke!
DeleteI'd love a time machine to travel back to the days of the groovy British boutiques.
Have a fab weekend. xxx
Do you know I don't think I had ever heard of Annacat? Your waistcoat was pretty fabulous and I just adore the new embroidered skirt; it's beautiful. Lovely accessories as always.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about the crocuses; they're resplendent everywhere. I bought some daffodils at the food charity and they all opened this morning, such cheerful little flowers.
Six weeks to wait for the hairdressers doesn't seem that long. It's weird your hair grows longer on one side than the other; but very little in the human body is perfectly symmetrical. I'm particularly noticing, these days, the asymmetry of people's eyes. David Bailey took a photo of Grayson Perry for Art Club on yesterday's show and the difference in size between the two eyes was very marked.
What buggers to dump Maccy D on your drive! Although I live on quite a busy street it's not that often people chuck litter over our garden wall...
Take care
xxx
Hello, Vronni!
DeleteI've only ever come across two Annacat garments, they sell for £££ so it must be quite a rare label. I bet the shop was amazing.
I'd forgotten about Grayson's show, I must watch it on catch-up, I love him. How interesting about the eyes, I do find assymetric faces a lot more appealing than those perfectly matched ones, they're just bland and forgettable.
There's so many takeaways in Walsall yet it always seem to be McD wrappers I pick up although there were masses of fish and chip ones this morning, Frank was sniffing them like a thing posessed!
Stay safe! xxx
My fav incenses to burn is Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa and Song of India. I use Nag Champa Essential Oil as perfume and so whenever my Grandchildren smell that Aroma they think of me they say.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading about your warm homemade bread and butter in a previous post, I had to make myself some hot buttered toast - not quite the same but nice enough :)
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to have some warmer weather, I was in the garden in a t-shirt.
xx