Monday 15 August 2022

Beautiful Days



Much to our delight the great British heatwave continued throughout the weekend. On Saturday morning we popped out for some festival booze before another day of sun worshipping.


I snaffled this AND/OR embroidered, unbleached linen top for £1.50 when we'd been charity shopping the previous day which I wore with my TopShop "Mom" shorts and the Superga flatforms I'd also found on Friday (the whole outfit cost £4.50!) Jon wore a charity-shopped Pull & Bear shirt and cotton chambray shorts, both purchased from the clearance chazza earlier in the year.


I'd laundered, steamed and done running repairs on the charity shop stuff we'd bought on Friday and put it away in the Kinky Shed - ready to restock the rails after next week's festival.


There's a Superdry leather biker jacket (£179.99 on their website), a vintage 1980s Lee American-made denim shirt, a Polo Ralph Lauren seersucker riding jacket (originally £549), a gents' wool & cord waistcoat, a 1970s Bagcraft faux leopard bag (by appointment to HM the Queen), a 1970s Italian-made tunic by St Michael, a 1980s jumper (made in Cyprus), a 1970s fake fur, a Toast blazer (made in England from Yorkshire cloth), a camo jacket, mens cowboy boots, a corset decorated with hand stitched fake ivy leaves and a 1970s Safari shirt.


 I finished It's All Greek To Me, the book I'd started the previous day, and then got stuck into Gerald Durrell's Birds, Beasts and Relatives, the second book in the My Family and Other Animals trilogy.

We walked across town to Liz and Adrian's house, who'd invited us and Liz & Al for tea - great company and amazing food eaten in their beautiful garden. Unfortunately, I think I'd had too much sun and the evening came to a close far too soon.





On Sunday morning we dropped off a bag of donations at the clearance charity shop and - for a change - only came back with a handful of things, the Vietnamese tailor-made brocade dress seen in the top left hand corner of my collage, a couple of books and an enamel compost bin. Whilst there we bumped into our friend, Dawn, who's as obsessed with the place as we are and very kindly gave me this amazing vintage St Michael babydoll set which was her nan's.


At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it was another scorchingly hot, gloriously sunny day. Jon wore a psychedelic tiger print shirt bought from a charity shop the day before we flew to Crete. 


I wore this crazy cotton & metallic dress for the first time - it's by Sundress, designed in France, made in India and retailed at £159.99 in Harvey Nichols earlier this year - mine was new with tags from eBay and cost £20 including postage. The 1970s straw hat is by Bermona Trend, the necklace by Yasmin Le Bon and, along with the basket, they're all charity shop finds.


It's a very clever garment, it has an elastic top enabling it to be worn as a maxi skirt or you can unbutton the bottom layer and wear it as a mini dress (or a midi skirt) and there's a sash belt included, too. Perfect for holidays (or for lounging under a tree in the garden, like I did!)




I finished Gerald Durrell's book and started on Nine Perfect Strangers, which I'd picked up in the clearance charity shop earlier in the day.


After tea we watched the last couple of episodes of Black Bird, highly recommended if you like chilling thrillers. The screenplay was written by Dennis Lehane - an exceptional author and, if you're still not convinced, it was Ray Liotta's last ever role.


By Monday morning, it had cooled down to 24°C. We walked down to the baths for a half-mile swim and had breakfast in 'Spoons. Needless to say, we had to pop into the charity shops on the way home. Jon found this insane shirt from James Darby, Nottingham. Look at the perfect alignment of the lion on the front of the shirt (what a shame it's about three sizes too big!)


After pegging the washing on the line, I packed my festival wardrobe of psychedelia and sequins whilst Jon popped out for fuel and fresh produce.


Jon repeated last Monday's outfit, wearing the Zara Man cotton fine knit from the clearance charity shop and his organic cotton shorts.
  

I wore a Monsoon mirror embellished ikat maxi, bought from the clearance charity shop last year and rapidly becoming one of my most worn dresses, which I teamed with a metallic straw basket (bought from a charity shop years ago) and the Monsoon leather sandals I'd found in the £1 chazza on Friday.


I used up the rest of the courgettes and fresh ginger from last week's Lidl Waste Not box and made a spicy courgette cake.


I adapted THIS recipe - substituting the cinnamon with 2" of fresh grated ginger. I used self-raising flour instead of plain flour, halved the amount of sugar and chucked in 3oz of dried cranberries and almonds. We sampled a couple of slices with a mug of tea and will take the rest of it for a halfway snack on our 160 mile journey to Devon tomorrow morning. 



If you're wondering, we're off to Beautiful Days, an independant family festival run by legendary rockers, The Levellers. It's the first time we've traded here - and it's not through lack of trying, I've been applying for years. Even if sales aren't great it's a cracking line-up!



Bring on the wet wipes and the cans of G 'n'T. We'll see you on the other side!

50 comments:

  1. Oooh! Flogging Molly…. Love, love, love.

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    1. I wasn't familiar with them till I searched on YouTube - they're amazing! I ho9pe we manage to see them. xxx

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  2. Mmm, the cake sounds so good. I bet this weather might feel like holiday weather for you, but sorry you had too much sun and lost some friends time.

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    1. That cake was amazing - Jon always worries about tasting the courgettes but it's like carrot cake, they add sweetness and moisture! xxx

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  3. Too much sun? I don't think so, Vix....!!

    I loved all your outfits. The Sundress is so very clever - 2 dresses and a skirt from 1 garment is a real winner. You look fabulous in it. Loved the last dress lots and the fab sandals from Monsoon - what a bargain! Lord Jon also looked fab in his shorts and tops - it's so easy for men isn't it? Fab charity shop finds by the way; very taken with the seersucker riding jacket.

    Will look out for 'Blackbirds'. I can recommend 'Four Strangers' (Croatian) and 'Hide and Seek' (Ukrainian) both Walter Presents.

    Have a brilliant time at the festival...
    xxx

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    1. I know - you'd think I'd be used to it by now, old lizard that I am!
      Thanks for those suggestions - I shall add them to my list. We're watching the second series of State of Happiness (Lykkeland) at the moment which I don't think you were keen on.
      Thanks for the kind comments - that riding jacket is very cute, isn't it? xxx

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  4. Woo, another festival! Have fun! I know Flogging Molly, the Special, Dandy Warhols, Seasick Steve and of course, Billy Bragg (saw him live a few years ago).

    Love your looks here, Vix, from your casual shorts and braids outfit, to that convertible dress! I approve of Jon's looks (lol, like he cares), and I would have snagged that tiger shirt and the lion print as well. Must be late 90s - everything was 10 x too big!

    Glad you're enjoying your heat wave - I'll take whatever warmth the weather gods give us - it's been dipping down to 13 overnight here. I love the pic of you and your pals on the patio - that's my kind of afternoon!

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! I adore Billy Bragg and I've seen Seasick Steve and The Specials a few times, too. Maximo Park and Reverend and The Makers are two of my favourite live bands, I was gutted to miss both them and The dandy Warhols but I'd have been moaning if I'd got no customers! xxx

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  5. Sounds great - If I was there I think I'd go to The Little Big Top - Have fun Vix and Lord Jon xx

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    1. It was fantastic, Flis! I popped into The Big Top, too! xxx

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  6. That's a very clever dress and looks pretty long or short, I like the mini dress version a lot. Amazing what you find in chazza shops and thd retsil priving is just mad, ours don't seem to be changing stock ever. What a lot of books you get through! The festival looks fun, hope it's not all work:) Betty

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    1. Thanks, Betty! I couldn't resist that dress, the idea is genius, isn't it?
      We popped out to the charity shops this morning and were amazed with the amount of decent new summer stuff in them - people must buy a whole new wardrobe for their holidays, not bother wearing it and donate the lot when they get home. I won't need a new suntop for years now! xxx

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  7. More of The Great Life coming, festivalling. Of course, we have no idea of all of the hours preparing, washing and mending of clothes, packing, selling, etc. Hope you have a fantastic time -- lol - I know that you will :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Ratnamurti! I get a real kick out of mending and breathing new life into our finds but finding the right person to buy them is a real thrill! xxx

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  8. I clearly frequent the wrong charity shops. You always manage to find some amazing items.Have a great festival! X

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  9. What a great line up, sounds like a good time to me. Wet Leg were sensational when I saw them just after you'd mentioned their Glastonbury set.

    Love the tiered metallic dress.

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    1. Thank you so much! Aren't Wet Leg wonderful? xxx

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  10. Blimey, that's a cracking line-up! Dandy's were great when I saw them live, though that was some years ago. For a new female band, check out IDestroy they're really good.
    I love the tiered sundress, and the blue one is lovely.
    I'm sure sales will be great, but either way, it looks an amazing Festie, can't wait to see the blog! Xxx

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    1. I wish I could have seen the Dandys! Our friends said that IDestroy were one of the best acts of the weekend. I'm sad we only got to see three bands but it was an absolutely brilliant festival anyway! xxx

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  11. That's some line-up! Blue Rose Code (Scottish lad who sounds like Paolo Nuttini and who, against all odds and many demons, deserves his success) is worth a watch. Good luck with it all.x

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    1. Thanks for the tip - I love Paolo Nuttini! We didn't manage to see much but I shall pop over and see if I can find any of Blue Rose Code on YouTube. xxx

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  12. I'm glad to read that, while we are wasting away from the heat, you two keep relishing every minute of it!
    Loving both Jon's and your outfits. The Monsoon embellished Ikat maxi is a particular favourite, and I'm not surprised it is one of your most worn dresses.
    Also loving the St Michael babydoll set, and the crazy ruffled maxi/mini dress/skirt.
    Have a brilliant time - and trade, of course - at the festival! xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Ann! It was a wonderful week away and the weather stayed warm - yipee! xxx

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  13. I hope you have a fantastic time at the festival.
    That silver bag is (makes heart eyed emoji)!!!

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    1. Thank you! I love that bag, I've never seen anything like it! xxx

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  14. I like the summerhouse that looks like a giant birdcage and that dress/skirt that also changes length is so clever!

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  15. The "crazy cotton" dress is enchanting! My teen great niece wants one for her travels in Spain and Portugal this summer: "It's 3 outfits in a corner of a bag!" Great Auntie Beth wants the bag -- that faux leopard Bagcraft.

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    1. Hello Beth! Isn't that dress ingenius? It can be worn in so many ways! With the glorious weather Spain and Portugal get, that Sundress is all that your great niece needs for her travels. That bag is so cute, I love it when they have brass feet. xxx

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  16. Be careful of the sun, my friend. It can make a youthful woman look older than what she is, really fast! And it happens seemingly overnight. This happened to my husband's cousin and it was a sad thing. ~Andrea xoxo

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    1. Too late my friend. I've been a sunworshipper - like my parents - since I was a teenager! xxx

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  17. I followed your link for the courgette cake - it looks rather good!
    Enjoy 'Beautiful Days' - a lovely part of the world - see you on the other side 🌞

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    1. I highly recommend the courgette cake - it was demolished in no time!
      I've not visited Devon in 30 years, it was great to be back! xxx

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  18. Oh that skirt/dress is so clever. I have just finished a Liane Moriarty dress - The Husband's Secret which a friend gave me. I loved it. Enjoy the festival. x

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    1. Hello Jane! It's the perfect holiday dress, isn't it? I wasn't keen on Nine Perfect Strangers but shall try The Husband's Secret if it turns up in a charity shop. xxx

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  19. Oh that dress is SUCH a joy!!! I love the colours and the tiers!!! So beautiful!!
    The Monsoon dress is beautiful too!
    You did well in the charity shop too!
    Greetings from Sunny France!
    Kezzie xx

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    1. Hello Kezzie! I'm so glad that you're having a holiday abroad after the passport woes! isn't that ruffled dress a dream? There's some absolutely gorgeous frocks on their website - I want them all! xxx

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  20. Hated nine perfect strangers, awful stereotypical predictable characters and horrible story. I like her other books though.

    Gosh you just look like summer Vix.

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    1. Thanks, Julie! I wasn't keen on Nine perfect strangers - I picked it up as I wanted something non-taxing for an afternoon in the sun. The characters were really cliched and the plot was ludicrously far-fetched! Back to Philippa Gregory and some decent plotlines! xxx

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  21. Just having a blog catch up Vix. By now, you're probably in deepest Devon. Lovely outfits. I really like the unbleached linen top, particularly with the straps adding a little more support to that off the shoulder style...and that metallic dress is divine. Sorry to hear your evening was cut short. It's very unlike you to be adversely affected by the sun. It has been quite muggy though. xxx

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    1. Hello Claire! Hope you had a fab holiday, I'll p-op over in a bit and see how you got on. Isn't that unbleached top sweet? Those extra straps are often a bit of a pain but because you can tie the one side it stays on! xxx

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  22. Good luck at Beautiful Days, it looks like it could be a good festival and hopefully a brilliant trading opportunity. You REALLY suit that blue Monsoon dress, no wonder you wear it frequently.

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    1. Thanks, Sue! We had an absolute blast, I know it's been a great festival when I get tearful on the last day! I did put that Monsoon dress on our rail but, luckily for me, no-one could get into it - it's the best dress ever! xxx

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  23. The musical lineup at the Beautiful Days festival looks amazing! I would love to see the Specials, Billy Bragg, Beth Orton, etc. I love the ruffled strapless dress on you. I've been haunting the thrift shops here trying to find a couple of lightweight cotton summer dresses but alas, there is nothing but a sea of horribly ugly polyester ones. I so wanted to find something like that blue patterned Monsoon dress you're wearing but anything that nice is as scarce as hen's teeth here.

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    1. It was an amazing line-up, Shelley - it's a shame we only saw three bands but that's the joy of working at a festival! The charity shops are full of summer stuff this week, I think "normal" people come home from their fortnight in the sun and dump all their clothes at the chazzas, buying new next summer - more fool them! xxx

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  24. Hope you're having a fab (and successful) time at the festival!
    Lovely outfits, you totally inspire me to enjoy Summer properly!. You rock in shorts and love particularly that versatile dress/skirt, such a great idea!. But my favourite one is that ikat maxi!, those blue and silver shades are really joyful and very mediterranean style!.
    besos

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    1. Hello Monica! We had an amazing time at Beautiful Days. I can't believe that Monsoon maxi was in the clearance shop, if I worked out cost per wear I'd owe me money! xxx

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  25. You seem to thrive when the heatwave hits. You've got a nice tan too to go along with these lovely summer looks. Beautiful outfits!

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  26. Ha, I knew of all the people I know, if anyone loved the heatwave it would be you. It's lovely to see you making the most of it. The 'Sundress' looks really fun.

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Lots of love, Vix