Friday 19 November 2021

Getting the Jab Done

Tuesday morning's sunrise was so beautiful that I temporarily abandoned my Wii Fit workout to dash outside and capture it on camera. 

After breakfast, we walked down to the town centre vaccination centre for our Covid boosters. The doctor in charge (and a couple of the nurses) went into raptures over all the South Indian textiles I was wearing. The Hindu Kush dress & coat are both from Afghanistan, the zardozi work bag hails from Pakistan and my jewellery is Indian, Nepali, Tibetan and Turkomen.

Booster vaccines are mix and match so, as our first two vaccinations were Astra Zenica, our boosters were Pfizer. Previously as soon as we'd had our jabs we were free to go but, this time around, we had to sit in the observation area for fifteen minutes. It was quite busy and I'm glad to report that nobody keeled over!

We called into the cobbler's to collect the boots I'd left on the way to the pub on Friday, had a bit of a chat with him and were back home drinking coffee at the kitchen table by 10.30am. 

My vintage lace-up boots, reheeled by our friendly cobbler for £5.99

I had to pose by these gates on the way back, they're in the next street and have been on my blog before. I just love the patina. If the homeowner who lives here ever gets them replaced I'll be straight in the skip hauling them out!


We'd heard numerous reports of ill-effects from the booster but both felt absolutely fine. As advised by the medical staff at the vaccination centre, we took a couple of paracetamol and then spent the afternoon photographing and listing stock on eBay, wrapping the sales and whilst Jon cooked tea, I lounged on the chaise reading Rummage, the book Vronni had sent me. I spoke to Liz for the first time since we'd lost Disco and Frank. Hopefully, we'll see each other next week.



The evening was spent in an equally lazy fashion, drinking rum & cola and watching an episode of Fake or Fortune we'd not seen before, featuring this gorgeous painting by the celebrated Orientalist, Jean-Léon Gérôme, Arab at Prayer.


On Thursday morning we went into town (again!) to collect the dress I'd left with the tailor last Friday. It had needed a new zip and, as I've yet to find a Treacy Lowe dress for less than £400, I was a bit scared to do it myself. Just like with our lovely cobbler, it feels good to support a local, independent business.



It goes without saying that we had to pop into the clearance charity shop whilst we were in town. We left with three early 1960s handmade, back fastening blouses and two 1980s midi dresses as well as a couple of cool bits of vintage kitchenalia - a 1950s Nutbrown "sandwich toaster" and a 1970s Hamilton Dale "snack cooker". I was keen to try them but we'd got no bread in the house so it'll have to be a weekend project.


After 48 hours of drying on a rack over the bath, my new-to-me chazza-shopped merino wool jumper by Hush was finally ready to wear. I teamed it with a vintage '70s Anokhi shirt and maxi skirt and my uber posh Masscob for Liberty velvet jacket. My hair's had a bit of a growth spurt!



With the weather set to turn colder at the weekend, I cut down the last of the dahlias in the pot outside the front door, planted a pack of allium neopolitanum bulbs and covered the lot with compost. Hopefully, they'll look like this in six months' time!


The postman arrived with a parcel containing the two hand-printed, Indian cotton, ethically produced dresses I'd won on eBay last Friday and they were every bit as lovely as I'd hoped! Not bad for a fiver each.




While I photographed and listed some stock on eBay, Jon looked out his soldering iron and had a bash at repairing my Mum's bangle. 


When I was a baby I teethed on the coin, which hung from this silver bangle Mum always wore. I never knew its origin and had always assumed it was something Dad brought back from his time in the Middle East. A couple of years ago I posted some photos on an ethnographic jewellery forum and nearly passed out when I was told that the silver coin dates from the Moghul era, cast during the reign of Aurangzeb (1658 -1707), the son of Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal (which we visited in 2018). It's definitely the oldest thing I've ever worn.


In other news, Lord Jon got a mention in this week's Guardian (HERE). Thanks for sharing, Annie!


On Friday, after my final Wii Fit workout of the week, I swept & mopped the downstairs floors & rugs and watered the houseplants. Whilst Jon did a tip run I took advantage of his absence and cleaned the kitchen.









After lunch I ironed some stock, Jon photographed it and I listed it on eBay. Needless to say that despite only going as far as the postbox I still got dressed, giving one of the dresses I'd bought from eBay it's first outing.

 
This dress features the ancient method of dabu, mud-resistant printing which can be traced back to the village of Akola in Rajasthan as far back as 675AD. The fabric is first washed to clear off surface impurities then the printing blocks are dipped in natural dyes and hand-printed on the plain fabric. A mud resistant mixture made with black clay, gum Arabic, lime and wheat husks is applied to the fabric and then dried. After drying, the fabric is dipped in a vat of dye, followed by a wash to remove excess dye and paste.


Oh look, there's me having a go at block printing at the Anokhi Museum in Jaipur, back in 2019. I can't wait to get back to India - fingers crossed for 2023!



Why have I not seen this video by Wales' finest, Goldie Lookin' Chain, before today? I've been crying with laughter all afternoon. Flat Earthers, look away now.....



Have a fabulous weekend!

45 comments:

  1. Glad you have no ill effects from your booster.

    Thanks for all the gorgeous photos of your kitchen, really cheered me up on a dull, dark, drab afternoon.

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    1. I'd heard differing reports of people feeling a bit under the weather after their boosters, I'm glad we escaped unscathed!
      I'm glad the kitchen photos cheered you up, it's been the same here, we've needed the light on all day it's been that gloomy.
      Have a lovely weekend, Jayne! xxx

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  2. So much beauty and color in this post! I just love visiting here. Glad you had no ill effects from your booster; mine's not for weeks yet, but had no problems with it the first go 'round. I bet Jon was tickled by that blast from the past :) Thanks for posting so often Vix, it's appreciated. Karen

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    1. Thanks you so much for your lovely comment, Karen! It's lovely to know that you enjoy my posts!
      Jon was surprised (and pleased) to read the article.
      Yes, no problems with the booster or the previous two, I'm sure it'll be the same for you when yours rolls round.
      Have a fab evening. xxx

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  3. The video was brilliant!

    Good luck to Jon and well done for The Guardian shout out - let's hope the royalties start coming in thick and fast.

    I loved your new boots, the very expensive dress and the e bay bargains - all fabulous and all your outfits looked wonderful. I hope Jon was able to mend the bangle; what a fascinating story behind it and you cut your teeth on it!

    It's a great feeling when you've just cleaned the kitchen. I was admiring your collection of gluggle jugs. When we went out for our family reunion meal in Norwich recently they had a sage green Gluggle jug of water on every table and you could buy one for 35.00 if you so desired...

    We had to wait for 15 minutes after each of jabs and after the booster jab. Maybe it's an age thing? Astra Zeneca don't make a booster jab so most of us, if not all, will have the Pfizer one - who cares as long as we're jabbed!

    Have a great weekend.
    xxx

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    1. Hello, Vronni! I'd watched those dresses on eBay for a week, I couldn't believe nobody else bid on them.
      That video had me in stitches. I keep playing it and laughing. I've sen Goldie Lookin' Chain a few times and loved them, now I love them even more!
      I inherited those jugs from my grandma. They've become really trendy in recent years, I love them, don't you? Not sure I love them enough to pay £35 though!
      You're right, we're happy with any booster we get. There was a man on the Tv the other morning refusing to get a booster unless it was Astra Zeneca, if they don't make one he'll be in for a long wait, the fool!
      Have a lovely weekend! xxx

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  4. I'm glad to hear your boosters went well, and that nobody keeled over :-) We had the 15 minute wait too with jabs 1 and 2, but I gather even those who got AZ had to wait. I'm not surprised the doctor and nurses gushed over your outfit. You're looking fabulous as always!
    You're absolutely right: a good cobbler and tailor/seamstress are worth their weight in gold. While we have a good cobbler, finding a decent seamstress seems to be nigh on impossible. There used to be one in our village, but I hated the fact that she was so indifferent, and didn't seem to care about the clothes I brought to her.
    Snap, I've got that Nutbrown sandwich toaster too! To be fair, we never used it, although we've had it for years.
    Your new eBay purchases are both equally stunning!
    The Goldie Lookin' Chain video is hilarious indeed, although the sad truth is that people like that actually exist and with their behaviour are jeopardizing all of our futures. xxx

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    1. Liz had to wait after her first couple of jabs because of an allergic reaction in the past but we were free to go, funny isn't it? Those medical staff are so lovely, they couldn't have made me feel more welcome. One nurse saw that I had a December birthday and wished me a lovely birthday on the way out!
      I've been using our cobbler's services for over twenty years but the tailor is a fairly recent discovery, he's even sourced me vintage zips so my dresses retain their authenticity. I hope you find someone as helpful!
      Do you know, I saw ther brand name Nutbrown and wondered why it seemed familiar. I bet I saw it in your blog! Hamilton Dale made those Bel Cream Makers in the 1970s, I bet you've got one of those in your kitchenalia archive!
      I know a couple of people in real life that think David Icke talks sense and think Covid is all down to phone masks - it's quite tragic when you think about it! xxxx

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  5. Just saw your comment, Vix, and not to panic Jon, but I AM in BC! However, I'm in Victoria (the southern tip of Vancouver Island), and although the recent floods/landslides have affected elsewhere on the Island, I haven't been directly affected. Many of our up-Island farmers, chicken/egg farmers and dairy farmers have lost most of their livestock, sadly. We had a month's worth of rain in two days. We also had the main road on the Island (connecting Victoria with the population up-Island) washed out - it's a steep, curvy mountainside roadway.

    Love your dresses and wonderful textiles, and thrilled to hear you got your boosters already! Your home is so gorgeous. Sigh!

    Take care and have a fun weekend - off to read that Guardian article. :)

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    1. I dsidn't realise that, Sheila. I need to study Jon's collection of maps more. I'm glad to hear that's all well with you. The news footage on the BBC was horrific, as if Canada hadn't had enough to deal with this year what with forest fires and extreme heat.
      Have a fab weekend! xxx

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  6. That video made me laugh! and yes I remember David Icke when he had his moment! You have some beautiful dresses on the blog this week Vix and your hair is looking spectacular :) I would want those garage doors too - they would make a very nice bit of fencing for my garden :)

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    1. Thanks, Betty! I was really happy with those two dresses and thought spending £15 on having a new zip was well worth it to make that dress wearable agian, I kept getting trapped in it!
      Isn't that video funny? A couple of people I know still think David Icke is some kind of messiah. I remember that TV interview and his claims that the world was being run by reptiles.
      I reckon one of those doors would make a wonderful headboard, I could reacreate Jodhpur in the bedroom! xxx

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  7. I'm glad you had your boosters and no ill effects. I only felt bad after the first. By the third I felt like an old pro. Supposed to go back for another in 6 months but they'll probably change their minds by then.
    Such gorgeous dresses you snagged off ebay.
    Our cobbler does nice work too but not at such affordable prices. Still, it would be a shame not to keep those boots going.

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    1. I'm glad you had no ill effects either. Like you, a few people we knew felt a bit rough after the first one but like Annie said in her comment, it's better than being in ICU with Covid.
      I'm amazed at how reasonable our cobbler's prices are, I've been visiting him for 25 years and his reheeling services have only increased by £1 all that time. xxx

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  8. Those boots!!! My dream ones since 1970S? Love love love your furniture, it's how I always wanted my home to be. I've heard some weird reaction stories of the pfizer vaccine too - its the one we have in NZ, BUT I do believe those stories are from anti vaxers (tons of them here for some reason), and untrue. Because I have not met one single person who had an adverse reaction.

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    1. Thank you so much! I spotted those boots at a car boot sale (how appropriate!) ten years ago. They cost me £1 - I was thrilled that they were my size.
      I've never been keen on fitted kitchens, I wanted it to look like a room to enjoy spending timein rather than a sleek, purpose-built work space.
      Same here, Ratnamurti. I think it's important to share how painless the whole vaccination proces, silence those crazies! xxx

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  9. David icke a blast from the past i remember him all the time on telly when I was a teen what a prat. We have a few here not many. The police just cart them away. Love goldie loolkin chain . I go to the air base next week for mine. I have not had any problems so good to go.
    Your dresses are lovely I have been on a skirt buying rampage at 99p and then mum pays and I send the cash and I seem to win most of them so win win!! Love your kitchen it’s fab!! Just Nick the garage doors .
    There was a story in my mum and dads paper that some chav was stealing 10p Halloween decorations. How sad is that you wouldn’t dare do it here out of respect!! take care and keep safe

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    1. Thanks, Allie! Remember that interview where he claimed that the world was being run was reptiles? Why on earth would people listen to him? Madness!
      Goldie Lookin' Chain are brilliant, aren't they? They've got a track called Get the Jab Done with lyrics from well known rap songs - "I've got 99 problems but a jab ain't one" - haha!
      You have done well with skirts - they're really useful especially when you can win them for 99p!
      Nicking 10p decorations? There's no hope, is there? There's often people being wrestled to the ground outside Poundland in Walsall.
      Great news on the boosters! xxx

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  10. Those dresses are gorgeous! You really do have the knack of finding some amazing treasures online.
    When I read your last post I was thinking just how long your hair had grown. It's looking so glossy and healthy - Envious? Me? :)

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    1. Thanks, Jules! I couldn't believe that nobody else bid on those dresses, they're so pretty and really easy to wear.
      I'm not sure where all this hair has come from! I bet yours is gorgeous, I'm always envious when you mention your unruly curls! xxx

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  11. where to start?
    first - hooray to boosters and that you had no side effects.
    all your dresses from the orient are so very beautiful - anyway if new or vintage. and you are the perfect person for wearing them - very chic and cool. and if i were near you i would thake proud in repairing the beauties. maybe famous lord jon can see after the van then? ;-D
    i totally need a sandwich/snack maker for the gas stove in my life! fab things!
    xxxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate! You repairing my dresse in return for Lord Jon looking after your van sounds like a great deal. When are you coming over?!
      I can't wait to experiment with those snack makers, we love retro kitchenalia! xxx

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  12. Your kitchen is lovely, so many nice, colourful things on display.
    Your new dress looks good on you too and what a bargain price.

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    1. Thank you so much! Nothing like a bit of retail therapy especially at those prices! xxx

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  13. Hahaha, gotta love Goldie Looking Chain :) :) :) -
    'Everyone knows this hoax chinese virus
    was made up for bosses to fire us
    even though I'm already unemployed'

    No wonder the doctor and nurses were in raptures over your outfit Vix, you look super cool. The sandwich toaster and snack cooler look like good fun. Shame we can't have a retro foods party, and I'd bring my 70s fondu set. How extraordinary about your mum's coin and fascinating mud resistant printing.

    I'm off to read that Guardian article, as you know I'm a Charlatans fan! Lulu xXx

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    1. We do love Goldie Lookin' Chain in this house! BBQs are part of my civic rights!
      How fab would it be if we could have a retro dinner party. Jon's bought some bread now so we might have a old school toastie for a mid-afternoon snack to reward ourselves for all our leaf sweeping! xxx

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  14. That coin of yours is fascinating! I could not believe how old it is - makes you suddenly see it in a different light (I, by the way, teethed on a tin whistle in the shape of a Grenadier guard!)

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  15. That video is hilarious! They are such idiots!
    Your coin is amazing! What an exciting bit of knowledge about it!
    I do love your velvet coat! So gorgeous and what a bargain those dresses were!
    Your kitchen really is beautiful! Such lovely decor! x

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    1. Isn't it brilliant? Have a look at their other videos, they did a fantastic one in conjunction with the Welsh NHS. I know a couple of people who come up with nonsense like that, neither of them work and spend far too much time in their bedrooms searching for conspiracy theories! xxx

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  16. Glad you had no ill effects from your boosters. I will be getting mine (hopefully) in January. Congrats to Lord Jon on the Guardian mention. Your kitchen is so cozy and cheerful (like the rest of your house). I'm trying to find a good seamstress close to where I live. The dress you had the zipper replaced in is gorgeous!

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    1. I'm glad your vaccine isn't too far away!
      Lord Jon was very impressed with the article, you can always trust The Guardian. Lets hope it generates a few sales of the back catalogue, royalties are always welcome!
      We're so lucky with our tailor, I could do it myself but it's good to support small businesses especially after the last coule of years! xxx

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  17. That Treacy Lowe dress is beautiful - such gorgeous fabric.

    I visited Aurangzeb's tomb in Aurangabad - a very modest monument to such a powerful man. (Especially as his wife's mausoleum is the Bibi Ka Maqbara, a sort of mini Taj Mahal.) Your coin must have been through may interesting hands in all sorts of fascinating places.

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    1. Thanks, Mim! The print is incredible, isn't it? I reminded me of the hand painted wallpaper I've seen in Indian palaces.
      Aurangabad's been on the wishlist for a while. I'm missing India so much! xxx

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  18. Thanks for the video, all those American flags......
    Got our boosters the other week and had no side effects at all.

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    1. Great news on the boosters!
      So many crazies the world over! xxx

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  19. No wonder that the outfit you wore for your booster jab drew attention, it's absolutely beautiful. I love the dress you took to seamstress to replace the zip, so pretty...and yes, it's always good to support small businesses. Lovely outfit with the wool jacket. The dabu printed dress is amazing too. The dabu method of printing sounds fascinating. I hope you manage to visit India next year.
    P.S. How cool to know about the history of that coin...and congrats to Jon for the mention in the Guardian.

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    1. Thanks, Ivana! I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to printing techniques, I just love learning about how they're done! xxx

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  20. Vix saw this and immediately thought that you would be interested in this workshop !
    https://lovelygreyday.com/mango-mosaics-part-1/?fbclid=IwAR10hXncPS9DbEythwpiqAyvMNXYSKT_1KVBxARTvI1gKpok8l62E5lL7JY

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    1. Wow! Wow! Wow! Seriously tempted with that and in Brum, too! I might have to fire off an enquiry. Thanks, Elaine! xxx

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  21. Lovely to see you dressed up to have your jab, no wonder you received some compliments!, looking gorgeous in this burgundy colour and fab coat and accessories (wow, these boots and bag!). And your photo with the blue door background!.
    Also loving your Anokhi skirt and shirt and the velvet jacket, so fabulous ensemble!
    Always lovely to see your kitchen and delightful decoration and details.
    Thanks for the hilarious video! ;DDD it has totally made my day!.

    besos

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    1. Thanks so much, Monica! Ai think my jab outfit made a lot of the staff's day. Getting a booster does feel like an occasion to dress up though!
      Isn't that video brilliant? I think we all know one person with those views! xxx

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  22. You look smashing! there's so much to enjoy here, but can I ask about those chunky boots with pale soles, both make and fit? Those are cute and serious at the same time : )

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    1. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! The boots are Lotta from Stockholm's "Calou Moa boot" which I bought second-hand via eBay. They're wonderfully comfy and have a PU sole so really bouncy and like you're walking on air. They fit true to size (I'm a 40) and are generous width-wise so my Nordic socks fit perfectly. xxx

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  23. Fabulous new dresses I never cease to be impressed by your skills for tracking them down.

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Lots of love, Vix