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It's been all about the blouse this week!
The Lee black denim Western number I found in the British Heart Foundation charity shop on Tuesday ended up a keeper and added a new dimension to my trusty vintage Anokhi maxi skirt bought from eBay back in 2020. Along with the Proper Topper fedora, another ebay find, and a vintage Spanish coin belt passed on by my friend Cheryl, this was Wednesday's outfit for a morning of charity shopping and an afternoon of eBay listing.
Like my great-great-grandma, Elizabeth Adams (1854 - 1933) of the Adams pottery dynasty (more about them HERE) I'm rather partial to a brooch pinned at my neck. Along with the framed photograph, I also inherited the actual brooch she's wearing in the photo below but haven't worn it for a while.
Instead I'm wearing my antique ceramic brooch, made by Ruskin, a Black Country pottery who produced glorious Arts & Crafts ceramics between 1898 and 1933. The Wednesbury Museum & Art Gallery has a very impressive collection of Ruskin Pottery if you're ever in my neck of the woods. My brooch came from a jumble sale decades ago, you can find similar on eBay but buyer beware, if it's not stamped Ruskin then it ain't Ruskin.
Thursday's blouse is a vintage Indian block print by Alpnani, an eBay find four years ago. I worn it with my Dilli Grey cord maxi skirt, chazza shopped waxed leather Timberland boots and a Greek fisherman's cap. The day started with swimming and Spoons and the rest of the day was spent photographing stock and embarking on a new stitching project.
I wore one of my three pairs of Frida Kahlo earrings I've bought from our festival trader neighbours, Shilpa Silver over the years and the vintage lion's head belt snaffled from the 3 for £1 basket in a charity shop eight or nine years ago.
I'd been stalking this Levi's denim shirt for a couple of years so, when I spotted it reduced to half price, I pounced and subsequently donated the cotton chambray one I was procrastinating over to the Kinky Shed.
I'm wearing it with another of my Dilli Grey maxi skirts, Monsoon fedora and a charity shopped vintage tooled leather belt and cowboy boots (more on those shortly) and this was Friday's outfit for a morning of charity shopping and an afternoon of eBay listing and more stitching.
It's cracked but I wasn't going to pass up this whopping great banded agate brooch, set in gilt, for 75p when I spotted it in a chazza about ten years go.
Talking of charity shopping (and when don't I?) here's this week's finds...
Clockwise from top left: 1980s green velvet jacket; Russell & Bromley blue suede boots; 1980s Planet cropped wool jacket; 1980s leather bag; 1980s green velvet braid trim jacket; Noa Noa midi dress with £95 store tags still attached; Run & Fly cactus shirt; 1970s Jasmine of Shanghai embroidered cotton kaftan; Vintage Rockmount of Denver cowboy hat; DH handmade wool fedora; Vintage Gorgon Fraser of Thurso Fletcher tartan kilt; 1970s hand knit cardi; 1990s graphic shirt; Woven leather belt; Levi's denim jacket; 1980s glitter cardi; 1950s worsted wool waistcoat.
And the keepers?
A boxful of Anchor embroidery thread (hence the stitching project) for £5
Another Atomic cat!
I'd rather have an adventure in Greece but this fantastic book is the next best thing! Abebooks have some reasonably priced secondhand copies HERE.
I was almost hyperventilating when I spotted these boots in the clearance chazza - a super funky mash-up of cowgirl cool and Edwardian chic. £3, my size and so comfy I might have to be buried in them!
I don't always bother with the trouser rail but Cancer UK was playing some fab Nineties dance tunes and I was reluctant to leave.The quality of these cargo pants stood out a mile from the usual lacklustre array of Primarni and George at Asda. They're made in California by J Brand, the style is Houlihan and the original retail price was £200 (but £2 to me.) I reckon they'll look good with one of my Indian block printed blouses and my Morris & Co espadrilles - when it's warm enough to take my socks off, obviously!
The fit of this 1960s Pierre Cardin jacket - sold through John Temple - is so good Jon's holding on to it for a while - it's really heavy and thick, more like a peacoat than a blazer (you can't beat a ticket pocket...or a brass button stamped with a unicorn!)
This weekend one of us will be playing guitar and the other continuing with this.....
And binge-watching Tokyo Vice on the BBC i-player. I've no idea how we missed it when it was originally aired but it's fantastic.
See you on the other side!
You continue to make each item shine and give it life Vix. Enjoy your weekend Doll.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, lovely lady! I hope you have a fantastic weekend. xxx
DeleteI loved Tokyo Vice. Had catastrophe written all over it from the get go but really drew you in. In your honour, I picked up Victoria Hislop's book 'Cartes Postales from Greece' today at library. Might as well imagine being there since I'll never actually get there, although I did buy a Lotto ticket from Aldi today as well so you never know! My youngest son's birthday tomorrow as well as my grandson's so I was feeling lucky! I never normally buy any! Also my eldest son has his latest directorial effort being shown on BBC Scotland tonight so triple excitement this weekend.Have a great one you two.xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your youngest son! I hope you strike gold with that lottery ticket and you can squander your winnings on flights to Greece. How exciting about your eldest son's directorial debut, I'd love to know what it is, we often find good stuff on BBC Scotland.
DeleteTokyo Vice is so good, I was amazed to discover that it's based on a real life story, too. I hope you enjoy Cartes Postales from Greece, I found it such a lovely, heart warming read. Have a fabulous weekend. xxx
Loving both the black denim Lee shirt and your gorgeous new Levis one, and I took love a brooch pinned at the neck. How fantastic that you've got your great-great-grandma's brooch, although the Ruskin one and the banded agate one are seriously swoon-worthy too!
ReplyDeleteAs are those chazza find boots! I can't believe you found another Mid-century cat, and how cool is Jon's new guitar! Sometimes it's definitely worth paying a bit more, as you're still ending up with a bargain! I'm loving the sight of your embroidery, and now that you've got a boxful of threads, I'm sure there won't be any stopping you! xxx
Thanks, Ann! Pinning a brooch to my hat or collar is the only way I can wear them, they're just another thing to get tangled in my hair otherwise - probably a good thing or buying them would become another obsession!
DeleteI was surprised to find another cat - I wasn't looking for one and now i'm amassed three in less than six weeks, with any luck they might have kittens.
Jon's been after a twelve string guitar for ever so that was a happy find! xxx
I shall be wearing my one and only Anouk skirt tomorrow when I'm up in your neck of the woods working! Love the stitching. Have just caught up with the Frida Kahlo series. I remember reading at the exhibition about her in London that you could tell what mood she was in by the way she had braided her hair. Arilx
ReplyDeleteI love your Anokhi skirt, Aril! I hope it makes your weekend up in my neck of the woods a good 'un!
DeleteThat's funny about Frida and her hair, I think the same could be said about mine! xxx
Good find on the threads and container. I have a bad habit of bringing home other crafters UFOs and bits of their stash. As a result, anything I embroider is multicoloured and the variations in shades are minimal.
ReplyDeleteHe who thinks he's in charge has said I have enough tea towels to outlive both our sons! But there is always one that calls my name. I guess that's my must check.
Jayne (who commented below) explained what an UFO was, I was scratching my head at that term! There's something fascinating about other people's half-finished craft projects. I ponder on why they got donated - boredom or death?
DeleteI was amazed find an identical Anchor thread container and contents sold on ebay recently for £45 - I put it down at first thinking £5 was a bit pricey. It's kept me quiet all weekend.
I've had to reign-in the tea towel buying but I understand your love for them. At least they'd be a useful inheritance, who doesn't need a tea towel? xxx
Get you with the incredibly organised box of thread! Isn't it lovely how just what is needed turns up at just the right time 😆. It looks like you've got a box of 6-strand cotton normally sold as cross-stitch thread, and it's quite OK to use as many (or as few) strands as you want depending upon how thick you want your stitching line to be.
ReplyDeleteAs for those boots, OMG. I would endure the pain of heels for them . . . are you sure they're not for sale? 😂 😂
You are a fount of knowledge, Jayne! I hadn't a clue that cross stitch and embroidery required different thread. I like the suggestion of using two strands, that would save stitching two rows!
DeleteAren't the boots insanely good? I did some searching over the weekend and found them! https://www.amazon.co.uk/QAZW-Cowgirl-Vintage-Western-Embroidery/dp/B09FZC5V75?th=1
Ah, it's great finding a quality instrument in a charity shop. One of my best buys ever was a Pearl brand flute for £55 in BHF. It was in super condition and the RRP was £550. It also came with fluffy padsavers inside which retailed at around £30 alone. I needed a good flute for school and it obliged!
ReplyDeleteYour denim shirt looks very much like my Oliver Bonas shirt that you coveted! I wore it yesterday!
I love your wearing of the brooches. The agate one is a beautiful beast!
The new boots are amazing!
I just never find shoes like that in our chazzers! Can't wait to see them styled!
Great score on the flute, Kezzie! Jon's guitar came in a Stagg flight case which would have cost over £100 and there was a bag of replacement strings and other bits and pieces (which meant nothing to me but Jon got very excited about)
DeleteI loved your Oliver Bonas shirt, I think that what might have been uppermost in my mind when i had another look at the Levi's blouse I'd been lusting after for ages! xxx
I have read too much rubbish on how wearimg brooch makes you look like an old lady. I love them! At the neck, on a lapel or breast pocket, or grouped with a bunch of a belt loop. Your collection is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteGah! All those "how to look young" articles are so infuriating! Brooches are in - even Zara sell them now! The more the merrier! xxx
DeleteLove your blouses! The blue denim one is fab.
ReplyDeleteHow tidy is your box of embroidery threads? Mine is a mess, I have several boxes but never as neat and tidy as your box. I love embroidery, I am not the neatest nor the most proficient but I enjoy embroidery and have several projects on the go at present. Hand sewing is good for the soul.
Thanks, Carole! I was so happy when that denim blouse was reduced I'd been dithering about it for a couple of years.
DeleteRest assured,that box of embroidery threads isn't that neat after I've spent all weekend playing with them! I'm not very neat at embroidery either but you're right, it's a wonderfully mindful activity and I've lost hours on it this weekend! xxx
I have that cookbook! I bought it after we returned from our trip to Greece. I'll have to give it a look through, as I haven't done that for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI'm tempted to give the filo pastry a bash! xxx
DeleteYour embroidery project looks interesting and what a great find that box of silks was. I love your cat ornaments, hope you find another to even up their number. Does Jon write or publish his music? We had a fantastic Indian singer with guitar visit the hotel last night, he did the beetles, we were the only ones that clspped, I thought the other guests were a bit rude not to give some applause, it must be hard to sing to an unresponsive audience :) other news:the staff here called a waiter who worked here during our visit in 2019 then he came to see us here at marari it was a lovely surprise. I can't believe how much mileage my capsule suitcase has given me must do a post!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping those cats make friends and produce kittens although I like my ornaments to be displayed in odd numbers rather than matched pairs - it suits my odd brain!
DeleteI hate it when people ignore, talk over or leave during a performance - it's so rude. I bet you made the musicians' night by appreciating them.That's wonderful that your waister came to say hello, once seen never forgotten, eh?
Jon writes and records for himself these days - it's been a good few years for royalties which is pretty amazing considering how Some Friendly is over thirty years old! Here's to even more airplay and lots more holidays! xxx
I love your denim blouses! I haven't fell warm enough to wear mine yet this year! The brooches add even more Victorian/Cowgirl chic. I do love brooches, but never seem to find any I like when I'm on my travels. Yours are gorgeous and I'm always in awe of Ann's collection.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by the embroidery. I'm sure it's going to be amazing!
I bet Jon's chuffed with that guitar and who are these people who keep donating such cool cats to charity shops?!
I've not yet seen Tokyo Vice. I don't seem to be able to find the time to catch up on TV at the moment. Have a lovely weekend! xxx
Thanks, Claire! I've still got my thermals on underneath them. I keep hearing the weather people saying how mild it is but I've yet to feel a difference yet! Brooches are tricky - I'm lucky to have inherited a few, I'm not a fan of sparkly which are the ones I usually come across on my travels. I shall keep my eyes peeled for you.
DeleteTokyo Vice was excellent but finished on a real cliffhanger, I hope series two isn't too far behind! xxx
Definintely a blouse and brooch type of day here today. I used to have a lot of Adams pottery, you and Lord Jon are VERY well connected. :-)
ReplyDeleteThose boots are so you, and fancy them being in your size AND comfortable ... result!!
Aren't we just? I've no idea what happened to all the money, stately homes or pottery though! xxx
DeleteI love the puffy sleeved denim shirt (Anne Shirley aka "Anne of Green Gables" would approve) and the wonderful cowgirl boots! Finding cowboy boots that fit perfectly is a gift from the chazza gods - mine were like that too. The minute I put them on, it's like they were made for my feet.
ReplyDeleteLove your brooches - thank you for the close-ups! I gasped at the Pierre Cardin jacket, what a find! Gorgeous guitar, Lord Jon!
Ooops, just vanished down an Anne Shirley rabbit hole then! I've been after the right pair of cowboy boots for years, they're like Goldilocks's encounters, too big, too small, too pointy, too expensive! xxx
DeleteLooking so good in your skirts and great shirts Vix. The puffy sleeve denim is a stunner as are those boots. Love your brooches and the history behind each one.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your stitching project. xx
Thank you, Anon! I'm mad about the puffed sleeved denim blouse, if I'd bought it full price I'd have probably got my wear out of it rather than dithering about it for two years! xxx
DeleteOooh I can comment again - hurrah! My poor old laptop karked it and despite much taking off the back, swearing and fiddling with components it appears to be beyond repair. Boo!! It's taken some time to track down another of a similar vintage (because the carcass of the old one has a SSD and lots of lovely memory and bits and bobs to pillage). Well, my mister found (and bought) just what I was looking for. I now have the equivalent of a boy racer car complete with spoiler - quite how the most up-to-date OS is working on a system that wasn't made to accommodate it is beyond me. So many bells and whistles lol.
ReplyDeleteLoved your travel series and your FAQ - I'm a rarely-washer of clothing too lol; only anything that sits next to bare skin counts. I'm also an ardent clothes airer. So many textiles are fragile when wet (and not just silks et al) - I think that a vintage wardrobe turns you in to a laundry geek!
Please share details on those amazing boots - who made them?
Yay! I'm glad all's well with you, Elaine and that the reason for your absence was through computer woes rather than anything major. Well done to the mister for tracking down a similar model. Anything remotely computer related brings me out in a cold sweat!
DeleteI do love a bit of laundry geekdom. Clothes airing is essential, I don't get the need to chuck something in the wash each and every time it's been worn, no wonder so many modern clothes look so shabby - a mixture of poor quality and over washing.
The boots had no labels - annoying! After some research I found them here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/QAZW-Cowgirl-Vintage-Western-Embroidery/dp/B09FZC5V75?th=1 Nothing posh but dead cool! xxx
Also not washing clothes together randomly - hooks and zippers can abrade things horribly. Here's a lovely youtube link to Rajiv Surendra - a man who washes his white wool sweater annually https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5a48yClhqs
DeleteHe has his own channel here https://www.youtube.com/@rajivsurendra - awesome chap
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DeleteOooh! Ta for the heads-up ... I'm off to investigate your link! xxx
DeleteGreetings, Vix and Lord Jon! The aged gang here in St. Louie are almost all sick with some bug or another...no COVID at present, thank the Goddess. Now, they have several VERY IMPORTANT things to say and ask you...so I have four of them shouting through the phone line at me while I try to get something akin to what they are saying typed out here. 1) They all LOVE seeing your fashion stylings. Every single thing. 2) Even though they are taking some heat for being "horny old goats", two of the guys in the group would like you to know that they would prefer to see more of your swimwear modeled (ah-hem!) this spring and summer. 3) Also: none of us can post a comment for SHEILA (Ephemera). I can type it in, it shows up for about a minute in her comments section, and then POOF! it disappears! They saw in her comments to other bloggers that she could tell we follow her, but hadn't heard from us...so now they want me to tell her via this comment section (since "EVERYONE reads Vix's bog") that they do indeed enjoy her...but we just can't get a comment posted. [Now they are yelling at me not to take up too much room here, and to just say "HI, SHEILA! LOVE FROM K and the ANCIENTS!" ] (They figured out all on their own that you two read each other's blogs and comments!) and 4) The ladies (ALL the ladies) want to send special greetings to "that handsome Lord Jon". Done! Whew! And may I add how very much I enjoy your wonderful blog as well! Love from us all....Kathy and the Gang! (May the Goddess help me...the non-sick Ancients are coming over for a Vernal Equinox party tomorrow. I will try to take some pics! They have been sworn to NO dancing in the nude in my forest! Oy.)
ReplyDeleteHappy Vernal Equinox Kathryn and the gang! I hope you all have loads of fun and I'd love to see some photos if at all possible (email me!)
DeleteI've copied your message to Sheila and p[osted it as a comment on her blog today, I know she'll be so happy to hear from you all.
Swimwear shots! Goodness me, you boys. It's a bit cold for any bikini posing just yet but I'll bear it in mind when we go on our next sunny adventure (I'm counting the weeks!) Lord Jon says "Thank you ladies" - still no word from the Palace! Much love to you all! xxx
There were shrieks and giggles on the phone as I read your response to the gang's note...Aggie and Edna were SO thrilled that Jon sent a message! (Sorry to bother you with the Sheila connection snafu...thanks for sending the note on...you are a peach, my dear!) ~Cheers from your oldest fanclub! Hee!
DeleteAwww! Much love to you! xxx
DeleteYou have such a beautiful and eclectic wardrobe. That agate brooch is beautiful and that embroidery is coming along nicely.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! xxx
DeleteThank youfor helpin us say Hi to Miss Sheila...we love YOU forever...you are so lovely. from yur friend Aggie.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! xxx
DeleteOh Lord, another viewing recommendation! I'll need to watch TV 24/7 to catch up with all I want to watch!
ReplyDeleteFabulous outfits; I do like a blouse and you have some smashers. You looked gorgeous in them all. I loved your brooches and what a marvellous pair of boots you found. I think they have to be the nicest pair of cowboy type boots I've ever seen. The rest of your finds were brilliant - 2 green velvet jackets - what are the odds on that I wonder? Jon's jacket was amazing; I need a ticket pocket in my jackets; mind you, even a pocket would be good! What a beautiful box of embroidery threads and your stitching project looks fab. I'm guessing it's an embroidered blouse?
Roll on some warmer weather with sunshine!
xxx
I know - there's so much to watch and the list keeps growing longer!
DeleteI was so excited about those boots, I loved everything about them, I was terrified o look at the size, I'd have thrown a massive strop if they'd not fitted.
Isn't it weird finding two green velvet jackets? It's the hardest colour to find and two on the same day in different shops is mind boggling.
It's been mild today but so gloomy and damp.
The embroidery is finished, check out my next post! xxxx
Oh great looks here and loving everything you got at the charity shops. Loving the photo of your great great grandmother so cool. I love old photos and even better when it is a family member.The Frida Kahlo earrings are so cool. I saw an exhibit in Paris of her clothing it was SO cool.
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
I bet the Frida exhibition in Paris was amazing! xxx
DeletePeople have been mentioning Tokyo vice but I know what I will be doing compare and contrast. I have a bad habit of doing this. I know I should not. But force of nature lol.
ReplyDeleteThe sakuras are out in bloom and look wonderfull. I just wish they were here for longer!!
I love a good pair of cargos my sister sent me some goodmove from m&s she paid 99p!!
I live in them. Tried a pair of and other stories suede boots and man I have struggled with them. I feel like I have flat feet. Love and hugs Allie
I was wondering where you were, I've missed you Allie! Hope all's okay with you and the family.
DeleteHow lovely that the sakura is out. I noticed that the forsythia was out when I emptied the veg peelings into the compost bin this morning (my life is so goddamn glamorous!)
Decent combats are so hard to find, I used to love the military surplus ones in the 1990s but those fitted ones I found are a bit more glam and less like a reject from All Saints!
I bet it's the boots that are wrong not your feet. And Other Stories stuff looks lovely but the cut never feels right. xxx
Love the outfits . Sorry life’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Tokyo vice has been recommend but I will keep saying they don’t do this and that In tokyo you get the drift haha love and hugs allie
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear your thoughts of Tokyo Vice if you ever get round the watching it. It's a true story and set in the 1990s. Jon was there in 1990 but it was when he was with the band so they were out of it most of the time. xxx
DeleteGreat charity finds as always.
ReplyDeleteThe brooch worn as a necklace is agreat look.
Thanks Ivana! xxx
DeleteI love your new Levi's chambray blouse - the sleeves are scrumptious! Jon scored big with the Pierre Cardin blazer and the acoustic guitar. The stock at your charity shops is so much better than what we have over here at the chain thrift shops and the prices here are going through the roof - $20 for a crappy dress by the Gap???
ReplyDeleteI didn't need that blouse but couldn't resist those sleeves! Good old Levi's, hopefully it'll last for years. We have those silly priced chazzas but they tend to be in the posher places when the shops are laid out like boutiques with laminated floors and wooden coathangers, we prefer the rough 'n' ready where you have to search for treasure! xxx
DeleteOh, Tokyo Vice is great! I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI hope there's a series 2! x
DeleteNice 12 string guitar! Monsieur's been after one to add to his collection, which takes up half the living room! :0 xXx
ReplyDeleteTell me about it! It's like a death trap in this house with all the musical gear! xxx
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