Friday 30 July 2021

The Last Days of Disco (and other outfits)


Hooray! Lynn's Auntie Gladys's sunflowers are blooming and aren't they magnificent? Jon's six feet tall so they're not only gorgeous but they're whoppers. Our passers-by love them, too. A few have stopped to ask if they're hard to grow, they're not. I planted my seeds in individual pots in March and left them on the kitchen windowsill until the risk of frost was over, planting them out at the end of May. Some of the leaves have been nibbled by slugs but it's a small price to pay for such golden cheeriness. 



Thursday was warm, sunny and dry and such an occasion called for Summery gear. Jon went for an African wax-print cotton shirt and shorts and I reached for a cheery block-printed frock, my Dilli Grey "Farah" dress via eBay, teamed with my gold Lottas although you'll have to take my word for it, Jon chopped my feet off. You can't get the staff, can you? 


Our last-minute trip to the neighbouring town's chazzas proved fruitful although, after finding nothing in the first couple of shops, we were starting to wonder if we'd be going home empty-handed but the chazza goddess was on our side and by the time we got back to Young Kim our bags were stuffed with treasures.


What did we find? A vintage Swedish Art Glass bud vase; 1970s Palm Spandex disco pants; Brutus rude boy shirt; Namaste fair-trade jacket, handmade in the Himalayas; 1980s silk and sequin cocktail blouse; Bally of Switzerland 1970s leather heeled loafers; a Warrior, a British Ska label, button-down shirt and a vintage 70s Indian silkscreen print scarf. 


Vintage 1970s sequinned boob tube; 1980s The Warriors vest (we both LOVED that film back in the day); Unworn 1960s Empire-made white vinyl gloves; a vintage Made in Portugal glass bud vase; a Lambretta button-down shirt; 1980s Lady at Lord John blouse and a pair of vintage etched brass bangles. 


A Brook Taverner satin backed moleskin waistcoat; an Autograph leopard print jumpsuit with £65 store tags still attached; Another Warrior button-down shirt; A basket and the first pressing of UB40's iconic Signing Off album (when they were young & cool). 





Released in August, 1980 on Black Country indie label, Graduate Records, Signing Off reached number 2 in the UK album charts and made UB40 one of the most popular Reggae bands in Britain. The politically-charged lyrics struck a chord in a country with widespread public divisions over high unemployment, the policies of Margaret Thatcher's recently elected Conservative party and the rise of the National Front, while the record's dub-influenced rhythms reflected the late 1970s influence in British pop music of West Indian music introduced by immigrants from the Caribbean after WW2, particularly reggae and ska. This was typified by the 2 Tone movement, at that point at the height of its success and led by fellow West Midlands act The Specials, with whom UB40 drew comparisons due to their multi-racial band line-up and socialist views. Food for Thought was an attempt to publicise and condemn the famine in north Africa, comparing it with the Western over-indulgent celebration of Christmas, nearly five years before Band Aid brought the subject to widespread attention. 


I was delighted to spot the gold sequinned boob tube as I owned an identical one in the late 1970s and unbelievably, in the next shop, I found the same Palm Spandex disco pants I used to wear with it! Yes, my Mum was one of those women who dressed her 11-year-old daughter in the same clothes as her. Thank god she wore cool clothes and not the conventional frumpy "Mum" clothes favoured by most of my friend's mothers or I'd have been doomed!


I occasionally read blog posts and online articles saying that women shouldn't wear clothes they wore the first time around. Apparently, it's ageing and of course, women have to look fashionable and relevant or else they're invisible or a laughing stock...yawn! 


And here I am, wearing almost exactly the same outfit 44 years on from my school disco gear and not giving a toss as to whether they (whoever they might be) think it's right. I had such a laugh deadheading the dianthus at the front of the house and waving back at everyone on the bus.

After washing our goodies & pegging them out on the line, we spent the afternoon in the garden getting on with staking, watering, sweeping and weeding. We had halloumi and roasted veg for tea, watched back-to-back episodes of The Antiques Road Trip before I retired to bed with my latest read, a gripping spy novel by the stupendously good Mick Herron. If you haven't read anything by him I recommend This Is What Happened, a shockingly good, stand-alone thriller.


Friday morning lived up to the BBC's promises and absolutely pissed it down. I braved the rain to gather some strawberries for breakfast and to dash to the Kinky shed to retrieve the stock I'd sold overnight, wrapping it after my Wii Fit workout. 


 Jon was due at the dentist to chat about a possible implant and while he was out I finally got round to taking up the hem of my Indian Imports of Rhode Island maxi skirt, a task I've been meaning to do for over two years! Typically, after putting it off for so long it only took me an hour.

I cracked on with another task, ironing the shirts we'd bought on our charity shopping expedition yesterday. I'd just finished when Jon got back, drooling and mumbling incoherently. It turned out that our lovely dentist, PK, decided to have another go at reattaching Jon's crown and also mended a tooth he'd broken the previous day but hadn't told me as he knew I'd nag him about his evil Black Country pork scratching habit (don't ask me, Google is your friend). This involved an hour in the chair and three injections. I shouldn't laugh but it was hilarious watching him trying to eat his lunchtime noodles.



An exciting week for parcels! Sarah sent me an amazing Indian cotton skirt and embroidered tunic she'd found on her travels and Katy sent me this Alan Warner book (I love the cover). I read These Demented Lands a few months ago and I've noticed the film based on his book Morvern Callar is currently on the BBC I-Player, I've not seen it for years and it might make a change from antiques.


I managed to snag Jon a pair of Bank Robbers aka Clarks' Originals Desert Trek boots in a beeswax finish. New, they're well over £100 and even the secondhand ones command crazy prices. Someone put these on as a Buy-it-Now for such a great price that I think they might have missed the zero off the end and I snaffled them straightaway.


They're known as Bank Robbers in Jamaica after someone likened the tooling of the hiker on the back of the boot to a criminal carrying a bag of money. The Clarks' Desert Boot dates from 1949 when the crepe-soled boot became the staple of rude boys and others considered society’s outlaws. The Clarks Wallabees model quickly became just as popular, particularly in the hip-hop culture of New York and among musicians in Jamaica. The Wu-Tang Clan and Ghostface Killah wore the Desert Trek in the 1990s.



We had a brief respite from the rain and I was able to dash outside, photograph the shirts and upload them to eBay before it returned with a vengeance. I checked for any plant damage but thankfully everything was still holding up and looking rather lush.



It had been ages since I'd cleaned the spare bedroom so I swept, mopped and dusted both that and the landing. When I shared my Lotta collection the other day Jem asked where I kept them all so this is especially for her, they're neatly stashed on the Utility bookshelf. My flat sandals live in the Ghanian basket. My boots are under the bed and at the bottom of the wardrobe (hopefully I won't need them for ages!)


Jon's face had gone back to normal so he cooked fish & chips for his tea and a spinach and Feta parcel for mine. 


It's rum and coke night (again), cheers!

60 comments:

  1. What a fabulous post.
    I love that disco ball in the trees and why shouldn't you wear the same clothes second, thurd or fourth time around!
    It rained here all morning. I went into Liverpool for a coffee today and it was so lovely to see the city buzzing again.
    I popped into the Oxfan shop in Bold Street and saw a few things I liked but resisted buying them. Now of course I wish I hadn't been so strong!
    You've just reminded me I have a lot of veg and halloumi in the fridge so thats dinner sorted.
    Have a great weekend. X

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    1. All gardens need a disco ball, don't they?
      I never understand the need for all these rules, just wear what makes you happy and stip worrying about the whys and wherefores.
      That's great news that Liverpool was buzzing but fancy walking out of Oxfam without treating yourself! Get back and buy it all! xxx

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  2. Love the Lottas. I've checked their webshop and now I know what I'm getting myself for the next birthday. Good prices, too.

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    1. I've bought from the website and had fairly quick delivery to Canada. The postage isn't too bad.

      I'd suggest checking out Etsy as well. They have a shop there and it advertised free shipping, so double check before you buy.

      They really are comfortable. Says the woman who had wound up with three pairs.

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    2. Lottas rock but be warned, one pair is never enough! They are so comfy and lovely to look at, too! Great info from 50 and Counting. I follow them on Facebook and occasionally they'll have a flash sale. xxx

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  3. So fascinating about UB40. They were and still are, really big here in New Zealand, and, reading about what their lyrics spoke of - yes it's no wonder that we love them. We're heavily into social justice, and people, here. Well, most of us.

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    1. It's amazing how big UB40 were, I know the Russians and the Indians love them, too.
      There's a fantastic documentary about them, Promises and Lies. They were young, ill-advised and despite the massive sales the band found themselves bankrupt and penniless, causing a feud that remains to this day! xxx

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  4. Oh my gosh, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your disco outfit, Vix! You look incredible in it, and I laughed at your delight in waving at folks driving by while you were out working in the garden in it. I say, "Sod off! and F**k off!" to the mysterious "they" who think we should all be dressing like little old ladies. You are rocking this look!

    You look stunning in your pink gown, and love the pretty pink and purple skirt too.

    Poor Jon and his dental adventures. I've had 2 implants and a crown in my life...and my periodontal cleaning includes a minimum of 12 needle jabs to freeze my entire mouth (and I also have a lovely dissociative happy pill on top of that!), so I completely feel his pain. It's not fun.

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy the rum and cokes! Big hugs to you, Jon and the Lads (VICs Frank and Stephen), from me, Logan and the Vizzmeister.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sheila! I looked at myself in the mirror and thought that my 11 year-old self would be so impressed with me in my disco pants at 54 and a half!
      Oh yes, "they" are so joyless and dull, their lives must be so boring if they have to concern themselves with how total strangers dress.
      Jon's always been terrified of dentists but thankfully we've found a wonderfully kind man in PK and he's a lot better than he used to be. You're very brave! xxx

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  5. Commiserations to Jon. I loathe the dentist.

    Spousal unit had four teeth out the other week and is waiting for his bridge to be made.

    Life is so glamourous

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    1. He's a brave boy!
      Sorry about your chap, four teeth is major. I hope the bridge doesn't cause him too much stress. xxx

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  6. Lots of hoorays and chuckles coming from me at your super post. Auntie Gladys sunflowers are magnificent, I can’t tell you how chuffed she’d be at seeing them. I can see her now telling anybody who’d listen about them haha.
    As for the disco clobber, brilliant I love it. You’ve cheered everybody up both online and in real life.
    I’m going back in now for another read so I can check out a thing or two.
    Have a fab weekend. Love from a soggy Lake District xxx

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    1. I love Auntie Gladys's sunflowers so much. I keep telling everyone who mentions them that they're Auntie Gladys' - she's becoming a legend in our neighbourhood! xxx

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  7. Ahrgh, poor Jon- I HATE the dentist appointment- Everything is so awkward and painful!
    I love how the disco boob tube and leggings look on you! And gardening in it is a great idea!
    You did well in the chazzers.
    The leopard jumpsuit is striking but all look amazing on someone! I owned a Morgan de toi leopard print skirt with a lace panel as a teen which I thought was very cool!
    The desert boots are gorgeous! I'm super envious! Rather glad I managed to get a pair of Red Clarks originals desert boots for £7 in the charity shop
    A few years ago!
    Hope you are well.x

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    1. He was so brave, he used to be scared to death of the dentist but since I introduced him to mine he's a lot better. It didn't help that he'd pointed to the wrong tooth so he got injected in the wrong place!
      I couldn't leave that leoprad jumpsuit behind, too big for me but I can see someone looking absolutely fabulous in it! You did so well with your Clarks' Originals, I love the ones I found. You should always grab them if they're going cheap, they command £££ on ebay! xxx

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  8. poor lord jon!
    you look so very cool in the disco gear!!
    as for "what should we wear": all things we feel fab in it! i say. just re-sewed a style of dress i wore in the mid-80s to death..... stay tuned :-D
    as always the chazza-gods are with you - and i´m happy to hear that the selling goes as fast. thanx for the lovely memories the UB40 song brought back.......
    love the highness the fennel brings to your beautiful border!
    xxxxx

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    1. It's such a shame for him but at least he's escaped the implant for a bit longer!
      You're right, the only rule is to wear clothes we feel fab in, nothing else matters. I love that you've kept so many of your favourite garments and have the talent to revamp them and keep them interesting. xxx

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  9. Lynn's Auntie Gladys's sunflowers are showstoppers indeed! I'll need to put sunflowers on my list for next year.
    I'm swooning over your Dili Grey frock and the Indian Imports of Rhode Island maxi, noting with some satisfaction that I'm not the only one who's been procrastinating on the mending front :-)
    The chazza goddess did smile down on you indeed! Who cares about not wearing things second time around? The Spandex disco pants and sequinned boob tube look magnificent on you. The perfect deadheading outfit!
    The Bank Robbers you snaffled for Jon are fabulous and I'm sure they made up for his ordeal at the dentist. Poor Jon - although I can imagine the hilarity of seeing him trying to eat his lunchtime noodles! xxx

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    1. You do need sunflowers in Dove Cottage's garden next year. Have you seen those trendy red ones? I'm rather fancying growing some next year!
      I do love my Dilli Grey dresses and that skirt is so much better now it's no longer trailing behind me.
      I've never understood this "rule" about not wearing something the seocnd, third or fourth time around. I'd draw the line at school uniforms but other than that wear what makes you happy! xxx

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  10. Sunflowers are so easy to grow and have such a positive effect on everyone that walks past them. I can see people from my kitchen window stopping to admire them and it makes me so happy to have planted something people enjoy. Our soil isn't great, but I just plant the seeds directly in as soon as the frosts are done and the grow. You might have a few self-seed for next year if you're lucky.

    The disco outfit is great. I'm sure the passengers on the bus had great stories when they arrived home.

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    1. I love how happy sunflowers make people, they're such an icebreaker too, lots of passers-by chat about them and ask how to grow them. I hope some of ours self-seed, the beeds are loving them.
      I think the people on the bus think I'm slightly derranged as it is even without the full-on disco outfit! xxx

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  11. Ohh, forgive me, but am compelled - given my weirdo experience with metal implants - to ask something which is none of my beeswax: has Jon had metal implants of any type before? If not, he might seek a metal allergy test prior to getting one. Such testing is standard in the Jewish hospital system, but rare elsewhere (at least in the US). How do I know this? It was my fate to get a metal dental implant weeks before breaking my leg and getting a metal implant there too. My body forced out the dental item (excruciating and surreal) and the one in my leg caused visible poisoning reactions until a kindly old doctor agreed to order it taken out. That it took years to find him may have caused the effects I still live with. Anyhow this blood test - https://melisa.org/dentists/ - in advance would've changed the game, and did confirm a variety of metal allergies, if after the fact. The skin test administered while the leg implant was doing me ill was deemed inconclusive, but the blood test was definitive. FWIW.

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    1. Hello, Elizabeth! That sounds like a horrific experience. You poor thing.
      I'm the one with an implant (my prosthetic hip) Jon's metal free. The dentist has glued his broken crown in for now (again!) and hopes it may stay in place for a while. Implants aren't available on the National Health Service so it will be an expensive job if the crown doesn't hold in place. Fingers crossed and thanks for sharing your knowledge! xxx

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  12. Your boob tube and spandex pants look great on you, and made me smile asin the 70s me and hubby worked at hammersmith Palais and the girls in the Tony Evan's band wore sparkly boob tubes so my hubby asked about them and was given two for me, a multicoloured sparkler and a silver sparkler, I remember they were very scratchy! Poor Jon and his Work on the old 'railings' he must be glad it's over.

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    1. Boob tubes are really scratchy - I've got a sequinned bustier I always wear at festivals and I'm always glad to take it off at the end of the day! xxx

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  13. Well I absolutely love your disco pants and boob tube! You look fantastic. Let the fuddyduddys stick to their wolf fleeces. :)

    I love how you've stored your Lottas. They look so pretty, but how convenient for choosing which ones to go with your outfit.

    You've haven't half been getting some cracking Ebay bargains lately. It's such a great feeling when you can nab a bargain. I've never been the biggest fan of Ebay because of the stress of the auction, but I've noticed a lot of people are doing Buy It Now these days.

    I'm gradually (and carefully) getting back into going out more. It's still a worry to be honest, but I've been double jabbed. Baby steps, but hopefully I will be able to get over to Walsall for a good catchup and chazz with you soon xxx

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    1. Thanks, Annie and a huge yes to meeting up - I've missed your company so much! we used to have an absolute blast, didn't we (more drinking than shopping!)
      I much prefer Buy-it-now listings to auctions, the latter are so stressful and it's too easy to get carried away. xxx

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  14. I was a 70s teenager and had quite a wild time thankfully-Disco inferno several times a week-You look gorgeous in your boob tube and spandex-I couldn't do it now as my top half is not too bad but my legs shocking-You got it going on Vix x

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    1. Hello, Flis! You lucky thing being a teenager when disco was at it's height. I had to make do with the school disco and going to an all-girls' school wasn't much fun! xxx

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    2. I went an all girls too Vix and when I started work I went up town disco crazy x

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  15. Well Vix, your gardening outfits are just getting better and better! If I was sat on a bus and saw a disco diva dancing under a glitter ball by the ferns, it would completely make my day.

    Monsieur kept on going on about how he and his brothers loved watching The Warriors back in the day. We watched it together fairly recently and I highlighted how camp it was. Strange how they had never noticed this before. He phoned all his brothers up individually to tell them. (He says have you heard Pop Will Eat Itself 'Can You Dig It', with samples from the film?)

    He's watching another 80s shocker right now - Roadhouse. I can't watch it. Patrick Swayze's mullet brings back painful memories of my hair during the first lockdown. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Lulu xXx

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    1. It's never a dull moment in this house (or garden), I can tell you!
      Can you believe it? I was a huge Pop Will Eat Itself/ Wonderstuff Grebo back in the day, saw them hundreds of times and stalked them at many a Black Country/Birmingham indie night and own almost everything on vinyl and never realised "Okay, let's get down to it boppers" came from The Warriors and now I've got that tune in my head!
      No way did you ever have Swayzee hair! Roadhouse is appaling - I went to the cinema to see it but only 'cos it was £1 to get in! xxx

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  16. Fabulous. Dare I ask what a chazza is ? You are the only person I’ve heard use it. Also JOY . I had a relief cook who ROASTED me a whole plate of mixed vegs. My very favourite are parsnips. Hadn’t had a roastie for more than three years oh deprived me. I was in heaven. Still I’ll be drooling over your food pics again in no time. Loved the sun flowers. They are so cheerful. Just spent 2 hours on the phone to Apple trying to fix my iPad. Only to discover it was the other persons problem. Got so hungry, breakfast became an early pizza lunch left over from yesterday. When you get that hungry a dead horse would look good. 😫

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    1. Yay! Roasted veg is the best! I absolutey love parsnips, too. I'm growing some patty pans (I can't wait to roast them when they're ready - yum! Pizza for a late breakfast, a girl after my own heart.
      What a pain with the ipad - I wouldn't have a clue - I'm not even sure what one is!!
      Go on, guess! I only ever shop at three places, Wilko, the garden centre and the type of shop that starts with a CHA...! I started calling them chazzas on my blog back in 2009, I think it caught on, there's loads of British bloggers use the term these days! xxx

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  17. Sunflowers are so cheerful and the dill look so wispy. I recall the disco age I was just getting out of high school and didn't get into much.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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    1. Sunflowers are fabulous - that's fennel though, not dill, they look very similar but fennel smells delicious!! xxx

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  18. Morning there Vix, you look fab in your disco attire, gardening yet. in a floaty sundress not a sparkle n sight lol but hey not got your figure that's for sure!! Bet you brightened up the neighbours day. Garden looking great as ever and the front entrance to your home just looks so welcoming. Love UB40 so that was an interesting read. You are finding some great things at the chazzas and I reckon it is the chazza karma working because you also donate a lot. Jon has my sympathy as I know what he is going through. Extra rum for Jon I say. Anyway lovely lady will away for a cuppa while the house sleeps precious me time Shazxx

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    1. Thanks, Shaz! I do love a daytime sequin or three! That gold boob tube will be stashed in my festival suitcase for when life returns to normal, it deserves more glamour than deadheading the border!
      UB40 were ace back in the day. One of their entourage, Rastaman Graham spends his winters in the same village in Goa where we stay (or used to) and has a DJ night once a week - he's just brilliant!
      I think chazza karma must be a thing, we never leave empty handed!
      Much love to you! xxx

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  19. Love the disco attire very 70s I love it , when I was young it was MC hammer harem pants I still rock them now with my pink hair. Thanks for the condolences Paul is glad it is all over with. He is with his wife now no longer in pain.
    My brother used to love UB40 I can remember ivory Madonna comming from his room then he got into Michael Bolton yuck!! I loved Fleetwood Mac and then metal. It’s still metal now.
    Love the finds . Keep safe off to feed the kids tea

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    1. Thank you! I didn't know you were a metal head and here's me living where it was invented! Rob Halford used to live at the bottom of my parents' garden! What a claim to fame!
      From UB40 to Michael Bolton? Weird! xxx

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  20. The sunflowers are definitely gorgeous. I love how tall they are. Sunflowers are one of my favourite flowers.

    Your disco outfit is absolutely fabulous. I love this golden top and black pants combination. You may not wear pants often but when you do, you always wear them so well.

    Thanks for the reading recommendation.

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    1. Sunflowers are lovely, aren't they? Its lovely to watch people walk past and to stop and admire them!
      The disco pants are really comfy, a bit like leggings but with a really high waist - ideal for gardening!!! xxx

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    2. I always find high waist the most comfortable option.

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  21. You would fit right in at Studio 54 back in it's heyday in your sequins and spandex! I am always envious of your chazza finds - pickings are very slim in the thrift shops here. I've given up on Ebay - apparently I don't know what to look for.
    Sorry to hear about Jon's dental visit - I've never had a crown or implants but I with my receeding gums and crooked teeth I've clocked more than my share of hours in the dentist chair.

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    1. Goodness me, I'd love to time travel for a night out there!
      Ebay is like a psychological challenge, you really ahve to think creatively for words to describe what you're after - I do far better with "hippy" or "festival" than using brand names!
      Jon was very brave and rather relieved that he doesn't have to prepare himself for an implant just yet! xxx

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  22. The sunflowers are glorious! Mine are just beginning to open up but they're facing away from the garden.
    What fabulous disco pants. And I'd love to wear a boob tube but my rucksack would chafe against my shoulders :D

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    1. That's a bit rude of the sunflowers, hiding their faces!
      My rucksack has padded straps, I'll be okay rambling in my boob tube! xxx

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  23. The sunflowers are so cheery. I' glad you and passerby's are enjoying. You look fab in your disco clothes. I fear I have moved into frump-but I dress for me, so I guess that aligns with your points. My daughters though save me agin myself so I apprecite that. Jon is looking fab with his new duds and shoes. I envy your rain.

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    1. Grow some sunflowers next year, Sam. They're so rewarding!
      Yes, dress for yourself, that's the important thing, not to fit in or please a partner.
      Jon's had that shirt for a few years, the dental nurse asked where he was going afterwards as she thought he looked far too smart for Walsall! xxx

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  24. wow, so fabulous post!, loving everything!, sunflowers bringing joy, your delightful Dilli Grey dress, Jon's wax print shirt, the fabulous finds in the chazzas, UB40 music... I'm still a huge fan of reggae and 80's music, we watched recently the documentary 'White Riot: Rock Against Racism', really interesting.
    And totally mesmerized by your sequins and disco pants outfit, woww, You Rock It and these photos posing under the disco ball are Fabulous. Love the idea of a young you wearing this outfit back in the last 70's! ;DD
    You know I love these Bank Robbers Clarks boots (and love to know about this name!), they're such a classic shoe, I think all we wore the locally made faux ones in the 80's ;D
    Hope that Jon's visits to the dentist go well. And thanks for the info on Black Country snacks, mwahaha, I'm sorry to tell that we have similar local specialties!.
    besos

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    1. Thanks so much, Monica!! We love reggae music too - especially on a hot day with an ice cold beer on the go. I'm liking the sound of that documentary, it sounds right up our street!
      I wish I'd got a photo of me in my disco finery back in the day!
      I bought a pair of fake Bank Robbers from Barcelona in the 1980s - they were wonderful, I wore them to death! xxx

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  25. Your garden is looking splendiferous! I find the rain either leaves the garden looking lush or battered but never both...

    You are rocking the spandex pants and boob tube look - I never wore either but remember the look so well; especially from the film 'Grease' which my kids watched thousands of times and knew the dialogue off by heart (as they did for Karate Kid, Gremlins, The Goonies, and a few more).

    My goodness you did so well in the chazzas. I love the Namaste Fair Trade jacket - what an interesting shape. Jon's 'Bank Robbers' are wonderful; I'd definitely wear those myself.

    Both you and Jon looked fab in your outfits and the sunflowers are stonkers all right! 'Signing Off' and 'Present Arms' were part of my 1980s soundtrack, too.

    I've just finished reading an astonishing book called 'An Education' by Tara Westover and will look out for Mick Herron books on my next rummage.
    xxx

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    1. Thanks, Vronni! The Crocosmia is looking a bit battered but the rest seems to have survived but I reckon the bindweed might have taken over by the end of the week!
      Ha! The Goonies, Jon has to watch it every time it's on TV and anticipate the dialogue (I've yet to see it all the way through!)
      That Namasre jacket was the nicest fleece I've ever seen, it sold super fast!
      I shall keep my eye out for An Education. Slow Horses has been made into a TV series with Gary Oldman - sadly it's on Apple TV (whatever that is!) xxx

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  26. Hi Vix,
    your garden shines in his full glory! Simply beautiful...
    Thank you for your interesting post. UB40 ahhh, we love it here in Germany too!
    Ant to the fashion rules... stupid! I only wear what I love and what makes me feel happy. My best time is now. Next year I will going to be retired and than... I banished all my office clothes. Away with it!
    Hugs from Cologne,
    Susa

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    1. Hello Susa! I love that UB40 was so popular around the world. Music really does unite us!
      I bet you're counting the weeks until you can banish the office wear forever and dress like "you" all the time! Loads of love to you. xxx

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    2. Do you sell your disco pants palm

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    3. Hello Anonymous, they're on their way to End of the Road festival! x

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    4. Hi there,if when the end of the rogad festival finish ,you want to sell the pants ,tell me best regards

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    5. Will they fit you? They are a UK size 6 - 8
      I'm not sure how I'd get in touch with you as you're showing up as "anonymous"

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  27. I'm so behind on my blog reading! I love your disco outfit I always aspired to some spandex trousers after Sandy in Grease but as a small round child it was never to be. Your garden looks so lovely I'm very envious.

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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