Friday, 20 June 2025

Heatwave!


Time for another jungle photoshoot and with temperatures exceeding 30°C this week I've been wearing as little as possible.


 I was going to save this amazing Indian cotton tassel trimmed maxi (bought second hand!) for my next holiday but couldn't resist giving it an outing to the swimming pool/ Wetherspoons on Tuesday morning.


 

 On Wednesday morning we bagged up the stock and packed the van.


 

I seem to wear this 1970s Anokhi co-ord (bought from the original owner) at the same time every year. Its decorated with Bandhani, a 5000 year old Indian tie-dye technique.


I had this turquoise necklace custom-made in Rhodes Town in 2022. The silver fishtail earrings were from our festival mates, Shilpa Silver.


We'd booked two for one cinema tickets for what we thought was the 15:15 performance but when I checked the confirmation email at 13:13 it turned out that we'd booked the 13:15 performance, cue a mad dash into town, arriving seconds before the film started.


Described as a windswept Samurai Western set in apocalyptic Scotland, it follows Tornado, a young woman seeking vengeance after her father's Samurai puppet show is ambushed by a notorious gang. It's beautiful, bloody and brilliant. Catch it if you can.




Jon loves a wafty shirt on a hot day. This was a £5 find on Vinted (it retails for £95)!


William's been spending most of his time under the ferns, joining us on the lawn in the late afternoon. Its a hard life! 


On Thursday morning we took down the Gala tent and squeezed it into the van.


People are amazed by how we can fit a 6 X 4 metre marquee, over 1000 items of stock, our awning, carpets, drapes, lighting, shop signage, coat hangers, rails, freestanding mannequins, a changing room, fire fighting equipment, bedding, chairs, a fridge, shelving, a gas hob, gas bottles, three tables, enough food and drink to sustain us for eight days , toiletries, kitchen utensils, a tool kit and enough clothing to keep us cool/dry/warm and f*cking fabulous for the duration.

I don't know how we do it either!


I changed out of my workout gear into a Indian cotton Star Mela embroidered maxi dress (£5, Vinted and last seen in Corfu back in July, 2023) to walk down to Lidl a bit later.


I don't bother washing my hair for the duration of Glastonbury, wearing it braided for the first half of the week. I usually do French braids but I've been practising my Dutch/Boxer braids this week, that's when the front and back sections of the plait are pulled over, as opposed to under, the centre section.


More Mexican silver earrings from Shilpa Silver. I bought the Tibetan silver back from India for my Mum in 2000. 
 

This morning started with a swim, our last for a while.


It's official, parts of the UK are having a heatwave...yay! I usually only wear this vintage 1970s maxi in Greece but, at 7am it was warm enough to leave the house wearing it.


Today I got my Glastonbury manicure. This is Twister, named after the iconic ice lolly. I love it! They also do Calypso, an eye searing orange, I might go for that next.



Before getting my nails done I sorted out my Glasto wardrobe. I usually take the same clothes so I was excited to try out a few recent additions , a vintage liquid bronze halter neck maxi (£4, Vinted)


A 1960s silver lurex maxi (same Vinted seller, same price!)


And a glittery silver crop top (a Xmas present from Liz)


Ta-dah! There's also a bikini, a horned headdress, wellies, cowboy boots, flatforms, slides, thermals, a sheepskin hat, beer mittens, a nightie, knickers, socks and my trusty bum bag. 


Gordon's been sharing Jon's ham today, he wouldn't stay still long enough for a decent photo! 





Those of you who are friends with me on Facebook will already know that we lost Jacob on Wednesday. We thought he was getting over the rat attack but it turns out it was just too much for him. Thanks to everyone for their kind words. RIP Jacob (1975 - 2025)


 As usual I'll be posting Glasto updates on Facebook. If you're not on there I'll see you in July. 

PS: Apologies for not responding to comments and falling behind on blog reading, that's tomorrow's task! 

50 comments:

  1. I so love the braids! WOW..how you guys got that van packed! Wishing you a great time with many sales and many finds, as well. Take good care of each other! Jon looks spiffy, indeed! Thanks for the cat photos and much more. Awesome to see that last photo too. Wishing you a beautiful July!

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    1. Thanks, Ellie! Once I've got the hang of those braids they're easy, its very liberating not to feel my hair when it's hot! xxx

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  2. I saw on the news that it's so hot there.
    The blue dress is very pretty, the sunglasses match it perfectly.

    Have a safe trip, Jacob, RIP 🌈

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    1. Thanks, Andrea! One of our friend's sons was in Vienna this week and said it was sizzling hot there, too! xxx

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  3. I'm so sorry to hear about Jacob. What a lovely animal. I hope the cats give you lots of extra love. Stay hydrated and enjoy as best you can your festival. I'll be waiti g to hear. Oh, and every day you're just more beautiful than the day before. That wardrobe is killer.

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    1. Thanks, Sam! I think the cats have sensed that Jacob isn't around anymore, they do have a weird sixth sense.
      Its lovely to connect with you on Facebook! xxx

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  4. Oh, I am so very sorry to hear that about Jacob !!! I was SO worried when you wrote he was attacked by rats! That is so sad. He lived 50 years but he could have gone on sooo much longer! Well, hope you do great at Glasto and you have great weather for the festival and sell lots of your goodies!!! Dawn P. Albany, GA USA

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    1. Thanks, Dawn! You're right, Hermann's often live until they are 100 or more, the poor boy hadn't even reached sexual maturity. Who knew rat attacks were a thing? xxx

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  5. Sorry to hear about Jacob. You look great and I love your braids. Hope you and Jon have a great Glasto xxx

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  6. so so sorry about jacob. :( good luck at glasto. xo, kelly

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  7. I’m so sorry to hear about Jacob, he was such a lovely benign presence and I imagine a sense of continuity with your childhood. Good to see Gordon making his way into the Stonecroft menagerie though! Have a fabulous and highly profitable Glasto and may your van return with its load massively lightened due to sales!

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    1. Jacob's benign presence is spot on, it does feel very strange to lose another connection to my childhood, I was expecting him to outlive me. Thanks for the kind thoughts and well wishes! xxx

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  8. OH Vix! I'm so sorry to hear about Jacob. I enjoyed seeing his return each spring. He will besuch a loss to you both. This is Shelagh BTW xx

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  9. Oh, I am truly very sorry to hear about Jacob! Sending you both 💓!! He was magnificent!!

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  10. So sad to hear about Jacob. What an extraordinary history you had with him, never to be forgotten.

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  11. Oh, no, Jacob!! I'm so sorry, Vix and Jon, but he had a good long life and surely will be bragging about you to his pals in tortoise heaven (I'm sure such a things exists!).
    Lovely to see William and dapper Gordon, who reminds me so much of Vizzini. Glad to see him getting spoiled.
    Awesome shirt, Jon! Waft away, sir! Vix, your festival outfits are always so stunning. We'll be attending Rifflandia festival here for 3 days in September, and I'm already planning my outfits!
    Sending you good Glasto vibes!!

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! He was very young in tortoise years, we were expecting him to outlive us (we'd even made provision in our wills!) Tortoise heaven sounds fabulous though, long sleeps, sunny days and heaps of wild rocket, Quite fancy it myself!
      Gordon is very similar to Vizzini and getting just as cheeky, I keep finding him indoors stealing William's biscuits!
      I've had fun trying on clothes and creating chaos - it's a struggle trying to get our stuff squeezed into the van, I dread security checking our van when we get on site, I'd hate for someone to get taken out by a stray cowboy boot! xxx

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  12. I still find it the passing of Jacob quite disturbing. It was so desperately sad. Your braids are fab as, as always, are you glitzy How cute is Gordie when there's ham involved, eh?? Have a great week. Lotsa luv, Zxx ❤️ ❤️ gowns. Going in to wow the Glasto crowd!! The crowds are waiting in an-tissi-pation, to paraphrase Tim Curry.

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    1. Thanks so much, Z! Yep, Jacob's been a constant for most of my life, everything I walk past a Welsh poppy or a clump of dandelions I have to remind myself that I don't need to snaffle it! xxx

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  13. I think that comment hiccupped on itself!! Zxx ❤️❤️

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  14. Jacob had a good life with loving humans. He's free and roaming .

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  15. Too bad about Jacob's loss!
    How full you filled the truck!!
    I hope everything goes well.
    I really liked the blue dress and the green!
    Your jewelry is wonderful as always, so are the braids!!
    Have a nice and creative weekend Vix!

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    1. Thanks, Katerina! Much love to you xxx

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  16. So many beautiful outfits and dresses! I think the green striped seventies maxi is my favourite one, but all these outfits are gorgeous.
    You look cute in your work out gear, too!
    William looks very hot...or maybe just unbothered! It is either that or the heatwave is getting to him.
    I love that shirt Jon is wearing.
    I'm sorry about Jacob but at least he had a good life.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ivana! It's great to hear from you. That green maxi dress was a gift from an Australian blogger in 2010, she's no longer in Blogland but the dress always reminds me of her! xxx

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  17. So sad and sorry to read about Jacob, Vix : ( Wishing you a fabulous time at Glasto and lots of sales. Hope you've got a holiday booked to recover at the end of it. Louise (Mids) X xx

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    1. Thanks so much, Louise! Yes, we have booked a cheeky holiday - Jet2 had a big 24 hour flight sale and we couldn't resist. You know us so well! xxx

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  18. What a sad end for Jacob bless him. William and Gordon are fab. You look gorgeous as ever as does Jon in his great shirt. Knew you would be loving the weather hope it stays clement for Glasto. The packing of the van is a work of art. Have a wonderful and successful time. Regards Sue H

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    1. Thanks, Sue! I dared to look at the long range forecast for Glastonbury and it seems very promising, a bit of a dip in temperature on Monday which will suit us for building the shop! xxx

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  19. Go well and prosperously at Glasto. Sad to have lost a beloved pet

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  20. Love the van Tetris and you won! That's some achievement!Would dry shampoo help for your hair if you're unable to wash it, though the braids really suit you.Have a Glasto blast, which we know you will but I'm also super excited where the next holiday will be afterwards!(Too hot for me here yesterday, walked to the shop in the most oppressive heat but spent most of the day indoors keeping cool! Was nice to be outdoors in the cool of the evening though, repotting my geraniums and watering the garden. The sunset was astounding! This morning you can hardly see 3ft. in front of you for the haar!).

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    1. I never believe its all going to go in, its always a massive relief when it does! Not a fan of dry shampoo although it does smell lovely.
      Jet 2 had a huge 24 hour flight sale on Wednesday - talk about perfect timing!
      We were sitting outside at 11pm last night. Not lucky enough to see the sunset here but loved lying on the grass staring up at the stars! xxx

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  21. Your van packing is elite. Sorry about sweet Jacob, we know how well loved he was xxx

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  22. I don't know how you get all your stuff into the van either, but you do. Lots of lovely sunny pics here. Love all your outfits.

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    1. It's a miracle, Carole! Our crew usually take a couple of sacks of clothes for us, we've even managed to get those in! xxx

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  23. Oh no, I'm so sad to hear about Jacob. X

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  24. Hope you both have a safe journey and happy Glasto - so sad to hear about Jacob, bless xx
    Elaine Anon lol

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    1. Thanks, Elaine (who'll never be anon!) xxx

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  25. Jacob had the best life any tortoise could wish for being part of your family Vix - He will be with you in your heart forever xxx

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    1. Beautiful words, most appreciated. Thanks, Flis! x

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  26. Wow those nails are fun! I had mine done, thanks for the encouragement, it's worth investing, but went for safe and neutral marshmallow! Your braids are pretty and practical and your lurex dresses are going to put you in the spotlight, I'm glad that the headdress is coming with you. Have fun. Again wanted to add that I am so sorry Jacob didn't make it x Betty

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Lots of love, Vix