Sunday 2 May 2021

The Distancing Diaries - 1st & 2nd May, 2021

Saturday is the only morning when Jon is first up and out of bed. He sees to the lads, makes tea and brings it back to bed where we lie and read, or in his case, snoozes, until hunger or a cat get us up. This weekend was no exception and, as usual, once Jon was back downstairs, I stripped and changed the bed and filled the bathtub with houseplants.

It was grey and chilly outside but, buoyed up by the previous evening's Gardeners' World, after our sausage sandwiches we did some more work outside. Jon pulled up the leeks, emptied out the compost bin and dug the contents into the soil ready for more crops. I'm glad he did it and not me, I'm not a huge fan of worms!

I swept the patio, planted some patty pan seeds and transplanted more nasturtiums and then gave everything a thorough watering. 





After a break for Ryvita and cheese, we walked around the block delighted to note that there wasn't a scrap of litter to be seen anywhere. We liberated a euphorbia and a couple of other interesting looking plants from the cracks in the pavement and back at home we potted them up. 


The sun had made an appearance and we sat outside with a coffee, thrilled to see that our visiting pair of collared doves had returned from their winter break. 

Tea was a Higgidy pie (spinach & aubergine masala for me, meat for Jon) with Charantais carrots, peas and jacket wedges. We watched our Saturday evening guilty pleasure, The Hit List and thought about giving The Killing on BBC4 a go (maybe next week) but ended up sticking with Waking The Dead. Needless to say, rum was consumed and we were both struggling to keep our eyes open by 10pm.

The Way You Make Me Teal - Barry M


On Sunday morning I had a wander around the garden while the tea was brewing, taking it back to bed and reading until just gone 8am. We had toast for breakfast, I painted my nails and we watched some of The Andrew Marr Show before losing interest and wandering off in search of stuff we could donate to the charity shop - I filled a bag with books we'd read, an unopened roll of vintage wallpaper and the boring Levi jeans I'd worn in the garden a few weeks ago while Jon boxed up an old hi-fi system that Tony had given him.


Leaving the house for the weekly charity shop trip, if that's not an occasion to dress up then I don't know what is! I'm wearing a vintage 1960s Krist Gudman of San Francisco patchwork maxi dress (a gift from ex-blogger Krista back in 2012), my Lamani crescent necklace (India), original '70s purple suede platforms (charity shop) and some vintage Tropical sunglasses (eBay).

 
As I felt like being a bit fancy, I gave my £1,045 Victoria Beckham navy leather Quincy bag its first outing. Needless to say, I didn't pay that much - it was £3 from the charity clearance shop back in October. I think the last time I carried a bag was back at the beginning of 2020, they're pretty obsolete these days. 


We drove into town and handed over our donations then had a joyous rummage for 45 minutes, the shop is enormous, the other customers are well behaved and the soundtrack is fabulous. I'm not really a fan of Abba but they suited the mood on a laid-back, sunny Sunday morning. After popping our purchases in the car we walked down to Wilko before driving back and having a coffee in the garden with Liz & Al who were returning the wheelbarrow they'd borrowed last week. 


What did we come home with? A rather snazzy tailor-made gents vintage tweed jacket & a groovy tie-dyed Fruit of the Loom tee shirt (both destined for the stockroom), Jon found himself an old school Adidas bomber jacket, a western shirt and a pair of River Island suede boots and I snaffled a brand-new pair of suede-lined Rockport leather for pottering around the garden in. There was also a gorgeous Seasalt, Cornwall green linen artist's smock but Liz is an artist and, as she'll be exhibiting her work at an exhibition in St Ives next month, so it's only right it went home with her! 


How cool is my £2 planter from the chazza? It started life as a promotional tin for Benefit cosmetics but I knew it would be far better suited with a trailing plant in it. The greenery - a variegated Ficus, a tray of petunias and some honeysuckle were all from Wilko.

My find of the morning had to be this beast! A vintage terracotta lion's head planter for a bargainous £3. I love him.


It reminded me of the one I'm forever taking photos of whenever we visit Packwood. 


After our noodles, the MyHermes man arrived with a parcel containing the amazing thing I'd bought on eBay before 6am on Friday morning. Talk about speedy!


Behold the fabulousness of my Anokhi block-printed cotton jumpsuit! As you'd expect from my favourite maker, it's beautifully made with French seams, mother-of-pearl buttons, adjustable shoulder straps and side pockets. Look at how perfectly aligned the print is, too.


There was a gorgeous yellow, cotton-lined French Connection maxi dress included in the parcel so I emailed the seller asking her if she'd made a mistake and needed me to return it but she replied to say it was a free gift! 


Despite the forecast being a bit rubbish, Sunday afternoon turned out to be dry and fairly warm. Jon planted his spuds in bags, watered the garden and topped up the pond whilst I dealt with our new plants before lying on the lawn for a couple of hours, repositioning a button on my new-to-me jumpsuit and reading more of Heresy.

Tea was pizza with ready-made potato wedges and, in a bid to steady our nerves for the series finale of Line of Duty at 9pm, we had a bottle of ale each.

See you soon! 

51 comments:

  1. I love that colorful maxi dress and you don't need a bag to be fancy - you are always fancy! It was so nice of that seller to send along the yellow maxi dress as a gift. Jon is always such a hoot. I do really like the lions head, nice score too. Enjoy your evening Vix. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I wish I always was fancy, sometimes I feel like the Wreck of the Hesperus! xxx

      Delete
  2. Im always amazed at your charity shop finds. Especially the clothes and extras - you just don't get them here in New Zealand. The euphorbia plant - is that milkweed? If so, it's used as a home remedy here for skin cancer - the milk inside the plant. I'm picking up some today for a friend. And the lavender and rosemary you're growing? Well, the rosemary is fantastic for a hair final rinse for dark hair. And the lavender makes a great face spray - just steep the flowers, then strain. Doesn't last long but is so luxurious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder why the pickings in NZ cahzzas aren't as rich as they are here? maybe you're not so wasteful as the Brits.
      Eurphobia is also known as spurge and is poisonous so I don't think it's the same family as milkweed. I love the idea of using rosemary as a hair rinse. Our bush is ancient and we have more than we know what to do with. I shall investigate lavender as a face spray. I'd love it if you shared more herbal tips. xxx

      Delete
  3. I think that Anoki jumpsuit is gorgeous and how kind of the seller to include a gift. I haven’t braved the charity shops yet. I think it’s because they are all small and crammed, which normally is a good thing. You picked up some good stuff. I’m after some new to us dinner plates and have asked Pat to keep an eye open for some. We’ve had our previous ones of her and as you know her prices are really good.
    Philip is measuring up for replacement glazing on a couple of windows and the patio door. We can’t see out of some of them. I’m getting an anchoring for revamping the kitchen now the other rooms have been done.
    Enjoy Line of Duty, we are not followers of it but are going to watch the last one xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the jumpsuit, I can't wait for the Summer to arrive and to dig out my red clogs and a big straw hat and basket!
      Our joiners are making us a new front door, they measured up ages ago but there's a waiting list until mid-Summer. It's going to cost a fortune but it'll be lovely not to have a rotten front door that loses more wood everytime we open it! xxx

      Delete
  4. What a pretty Anokhi jumpsuit, I haven't seen that pattern in their range before and it's such a lovely style for you :) The yellow dress will suit your colouring well, what a kind seller. I made a start on Ancestry and found my paternal great grandma, whose locket I own... and that's without even signing up yet! on my to do list but so much going on at the mo and need some days off work to focus on it. I like your lion - he will look even better as he ages and weathers - your Chazza's are good opening on a Sunday, none of ours do. I have not tried a higgedy pie yet - they look really nice. Just watched Line of Duty, nodded off and missed who H is -so I still don't know lol!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a lot of those William Morris-style prints in the Jaipur branch of Anokhi. They do a particularly gorgeous poppy print which I've been hunting for on eBay for ages.
      YThat's brilliant to find your great-grandma already. I managed to go back quite a way before opting for membership. Isn't it addictive?
      Jon wasn't sure who H was at the end and he hadn't fallen asleep. I think we need to rewatch every episode for the last 10 years for clues! xxx

      Delete
  5. That's so nice when a seller includes something extra just because.
    That lion's head planter is incredible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's going to look even better with nasturtiums in his mane! x

      Delete
  6. What a wonderful free gift that was!!!! How lovely your new Anokhi jumpsuit is! I love the colours and shape!
    I remember those fruit of the loom t-shirts so well! They are synonymous with my teenage years though I didn't have one- not really my thing!
    Your jacket weedges in the Higgedy pie picture look really tasty! I am such a potato fiend these days- ever since Lockdown 1 last year and we got a sack of potatoes from the wholesaler near the airport- they were the most delicious potatoes and lasted AGES!
    My mum has been watching Line of Duty as she was going on about H and some Jesus Mary and the little donkey quote!
    I'd like to find a Euphorbia along the road! I quite fancy one. Nice to hear you've planted a Patty pan squash- I have germinated ONE seed - I had a whole packet but I only really have the room for one in my raised bed- it's doing ok so far. My courgettes are out of control- I planted them way too early (a month too early!) - apparently, according to my mum, Monty only did his this week. They are desperate to go outside but this weather is so awful, I don't dare put them out yet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I was thinking of how fabulous your Anokhi trouser looked when I put an offer in for that jumpsuit!
      I've never worn teeshirts either.
      I'd be happy with one patty pan. I hope something grows. We used to have masses of euphorbia in the garden on the last house, now I have to steal it from the roadside.
      I'm jealous of your courgettes although we do seem to have a million peppers and tomatoes! xxx

      Delete
  7. The family tree stuff is astonishing! My goodness!
    I love hearing about the gardening stuff. It seems everyone is cutting down Holly Trees- My dad was tackling one in their massive garden. I feel bad about trees going if it means habitats are lost for some creatures but there's no denying that the spiky buggers aren't the most helpful of trees in the domestic garden!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does seem brutal chopping down trees but this one had no nests - theres another three they seem to prefer! It didn't half mulch well, the shredder seems to love the texture of the branches. xxx

      Delete
  8. ....er, not sure why this comment ended up on THIS post rather than the William the Conquerer one!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No worries, I knew what you meant! x

      Delete
  9. This comment is completely unrelated to your post, but since you are a reader, have been meaning to point you at a riveting novel thrifted just before the shut down my way: Madness of a Seduced Woman. It's a wow of a period story, romance(s), and a psychological story - the details feel true, and the yard unfolds at breakneck speed, despite the length of the book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Elizabeth. I looked up that book you suggested and it sounds right up my street. I've managed to track a secondhand copy down on Amazon for 88p! I'll let you know what i think. xxx

      Delete
  10. Your garden looks lovely. Still much to cold to do much of anything with garden.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Still cold in your part of the world? I hope Spring gets a move on! x

      Delete
  11. I love that planter it’s fab!! as is the jumpsuit, such a pretty pattern, mum has managed to pick me up some bargains from the chazza, including a Disney Kath Kidston bag which I cannot wait to get my mitts on. I want that vix beckham bag. If you ever think of selling it let me know fist.
    We are currently watching a crime drama about the yakuzza it’s very erm macabre! But I can’t stop watching it!!
    I have started reading a couple of books but lately I cannot get my head into them, so I have just put them into the book off pile as someone else might have a go. Take care love and huggs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Allie! Two lovely things in one day, I reckon it was karma for giving them some donations!
      I do like dark, crime series, I must have been a serial killer in a past life - I haven't found any in the family tree yet, though!
      Life's too short for boring books! xxx

      Delete
  12. That jumpsuit is lovely and some good charity shop finds. D is only in school till 11.15 tomorrow so I think we will go into town and have an hours browsing around the charity shops. She usually always finds something she likes at a good price whereas I am not usually so lucky.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I haven't visited any high street charity shops since March 2020, I might give them a whirl soon although I'm not sure how many of our local ones survived lockdown! Good luck! xxx

      Delete
  13. I love your tin with the plant in and the lion's head planter, what good finds. I think I'd be selling that VB bag on Ebay and investing the money in more plants, I'm just not a fan of celebrity designer things, I'd rather have an unknown but brilliantly useful bag instead.

    Wow, a free gift of a maxi dress is a very special touch on Ebay, I love the Anokhi jumpsuit that you had originally bought, it's very you, you're going to look amazing in it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like dthat bag as it has my name on it, albeit discreetly, although it'll be moved on when I've had my fill of it.
      I can't wait to go out in my jumpsuit, I'd need flippers with it today, sadly! xxx

      Delete
  14. a whole, totally chic dress as a gift with an already very fabulous anokhi jumpsuit?!!
    what a nice seller!
    your description of the workmanship of the jumpsuit makes me happy.....
    and great finds at the chazza too. the lions head planter is fun!
    hear you on handbags - mine are gathering dust too - the more as most of my dresses & skirts have roomy pockets for lippy, handkerchief, mask and the car is stuffed with sanitizer....
    gorgeous outfit!
    xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wasn't she kind? I didn't expect freebies!
      I was very excited when I found that handsome lion, he's going to look very smart with nasturtiums tumbkling from his head!
      I either use a poacket or a cross--the-body bag these days to accomodate my mask and camera, I'm like the queen, Jon carries the money! xxx

      Delete
  15. There is definitely a family resemblance in those lions' heads! But how odd to see a *new* item in your historic garden patch. Have you tried spraying terra cotta with plant food based on fish -- to encourage the growth of a mossy patina? Saw it being done on new bricks being used in a repair-and-repoint project where it seemed to work.

    Good luck with the patty pan squash! My squash usually attract an amazing variety of beetles and I finish buying them at the farmers' market where one learns 314 "secret" ways of repelling the bugs. Pfui. (But what is yours, by the bye?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like your ageing suggestion, Beth. I think Jon might have some fish and monemeal soil improver in the greenhouse, I wonder if that would do the trick?
      My squash is the patty pan variety, they came free with a magazine so no real loss if they don't take bit I hope they do, they're delcious in South indian curries. x

      Delete
  16. I know nothing about the bramd, but the jumpsuit seems a change from others you've shown. Was the dress same brand?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anokhi is an Indian fair-trade, ethical label who have been hand-making block printed cotton since 1970. The dress is French Connection, a British higher-end fashion brand - I can only assume the seller sent me the dress as it's a smaller than average size which are often difficult to sell. x

      Delete
  17. Well, not even going to mention LOD! I was at the chazzas last week with a sister but couldn't find anything to buy, mainly because I'm trying to sort out my own piles of crud which are beginning to overwhelm me. I've found a great local site on FB called 'Buy Nothing Project'. It's district specific (they have them globally so ought to be one in your area). It's a give and take site and you have to wait 24 hours to find out whether you've been lucky to receive anything you put your name down for but I think that's quite a fair system. So far, I've got rid of some tomato plants, house leeks and some fabric from my craft cupboard that I'll never use again. I'm being decidely ruthless in my quest to minimise (of course, that doesn't pertain to food, unfortunately!).I love all your home and garden acquisitions. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'm going to have the entire thing all over again and see what clues I might have missed.
      I love the idea of the Buy Nothing project, I'll investigate and see if there's any groups near us.
      I'm pretty good at getting rid of things but knowing we're off to the charity shop evry week inspires me to fill a bit with bits and pieces every week. xxx

      Delete
  18. I love your new planters! I've been after a terracotta 'Green Man' wall plaque for the garden for ever. They're either too small or too expensive but I'll keep looking!

    What can I say about the Anokhi jumpsuit except how gorgeous it is and what a lovely surprise the yellow striped maxi was. What a thoughtful seller. Your 60s patchwork maxi dress was lovely and the boots were such a good match. The VB handbag was the bargain of the century, surely? I know what you mean about the bags; I've got rid of most of mine and just use cross body bags now which leave my hands free.

    Are you saying you haven't watched 'The Killing'? It's what got OH and I into Scandi Noir 10 years ago. We're watching a Dutch/Flemish thriller at the moment called 'Floodland'. Very good and the female lead is a funky Black woman with a kick ass afro.

    Have a great week,
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish the car boots were still on, there's a lady at one of our regular ones who makes Green Man plaques. I think I bought three off her a couple of years ago for £9. If she and the boot slaes come back I promise to get you a couple!
      Like you, it's pockets or cross body bags these days. I wonder if companies liek Hermes are suffering due to the pandemic?
      No, we never watched The Killing. I read a couple of the books and found them really pldding and slow. We got into Scandi Noir with Wallander (the Swedish version although the Kenneth Branagh one was excellent). Maybe we should give The Killing a try.
      I like the sound of Floodland, taht could be our next watch! xxx

      Delete
  19. Hail hail to no litter being found!! Now that would make for an absolutely GLORIOUS day!! ~Andrea xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you believe it? Either my signs are working or there's more litter pickers! xxx

      Delete
  20. I'm not the biggest fan of worms either, but at least they're good news for the garden! When Phoebe was young, she sometimes used to bring worms inside as a trophy. The mere thought is giving me goosebumps. Good news about the non-existent littering. Your signs must be doing their jobs! Loving your patchwork maxi, and I can't remember ever seeing you carry such a posh bag! Great finds at the clearance chazza, my favourite being the terracotta lion's head planter. And how fun is that promotional tin used as a planter? I can't get over the fabulousness of that Anokhi jumpsuit. What a great find! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fancy Phoebe bringing you worms as a gift, what a funny girl! Frank delivered a mouse to the doorstep last week, fortunately as he hasn't got any front teeth the poor thing wasn't harmed - jusr stunned - and manged to run off!
      It felt very strange carrying a big bag and wearing heels, something I used to do all the time a few years ago!
      I'm so excited about the lion's head planter, if this rain ever stops I shall get it up and planted! xxx

      Delete
  21. The Anokhi jumpsuit is gorgeous, what a find. And the free gift is a bonus - lucky you!
    Great news about the litter. Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jules! I'm so happy that the littering seems to have stopped, I hope this is nationwide! xxx

      Delete
  22. Yes, purses and bags seem to be a relic of the past! What a bargain on that VB bag! Those are the kinds of treasures we look for when thrift-hunting! I'm so pleased you found so much good stuff on your trip, Vix (and love your purple shopping outfit too). That lion head is amazing.

    I exclaimed out loud over your Anokhi jumpsuit! Wow, what a spectacular piece! Will you keep the French Connection maxi? It's really cool, but not sure if it's your thing.

    Happy weekend, here's to more fun in the garden this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are, aren't they? I feel the same about high heels, too - I look at the racks of skyscraper heels lined up in the charity shop and wonder if anyone will ever feel the need to wear them again.
      You're right, the French Connection maxi is a fab colour but the style is a bit too "wedding guest" for me. I don't like that the lining only goes as far as the top of the knee either, so I shall pass it on. xxx

      Delete
  23. Not a fan of the over priced Beckham bag, it doesn't seem to fit your look. Love your lion head though, it will look grand in your garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I rather like my £3 bag, but I can always sell it on if I feel the need to! x

      Delete
  24. I love that jumpsuit from Anokhi how wonderful.
    I had a successful charity shop mooch last Friday and will be showcasing this week.
    I agree with Poppy Q about the bag it just isn't up to your fabulous style. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I love that I can carry my charity shopping home in a £1,000 bag, it makes a change from my usual Ganesh shopper! x

      Delete
  25. Your garden is looking more and more fantastic and I feel grateful to enjoy it vicariously!. Love the old ceramic pots everywhere and your cool lion's head planter!. I think I have to visit our local charity and search for any tureen to plant some coriander in it!.
    I'm loving your patchwork skirt with purple!, such a fabulous ensemble! and such an amazing bag!. Your finds never cease to amaze me, as your Anokhi jumpsuit looks magnificent!, and it included another dress as a present! (so kind seller, totally lovely!)
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Monica! I'm glad you're enjoying our garden. I was thrilled to find the lion's head planter and hope you find something suitable for your coriander! xxx

      Delete
  26. I don't like worms either, but I'm fine with snakes, oddly enough! Ooooh, your Lion head planter is magnificent!! Love the Anohki jumpsuit - I am all about jumpsuits this summer and have about half a dozen in my closet that are in heavy rotation. The yellow dress is a lovely gift - a beautiful colour and style, although not necessarily something I would have imagined your wearing. I bet it will look gorgeous on you though.

    ReplyDelete

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