Friday, 13 June 2025

Here Comes Summer


We've finally got heat and sunshine!


On Wednesday, for a day mostly spent gardening, I wore this me-made dress I made from a vintage 1970s Kenzo dressmaking pattern and some Grace Sullivan Treetops screen printed curtains (which originally retailed in hip London store Heal's in the 1960). I can't believe I made this nine years ago. Where does the time go?


Despite starting off sunny, Thursday ended up being disappointingly gloomy and overcast although thankfully, still warm. I donned my cowgirl gear (my me-made Western skirt and a 1960s suede waistcoat Liz bought for my birthday 14 years ago) to walk into town to collect a parcel.


It was a day spent sorting out the rest of our Glastonbury health and safety stuff - completing our online safety inductions, updating risk assessments, wet weather plans and fire safety questionnaires.  


No matter how mundane the activity, I always feel I perform better when I'm dressed up.



This Australian cowboy hat was part of a mixed lot I bought from the relative of a hat collector. They were all fabulous & I was very restrained by just keeping one (the rest are all heading to Glastonbury!)


I did have a sari wrap blouse over this dress when we went to the baths this morning but it was stripped off and shoved in my bag on the walk home later. Unlike the outfits I'd worn the previous couple of days, this maxi wasn't made by me, its a 1970s India Imports of Rhode Island, but I've taken up the hem so many times in the seven years that I've owned it that beginning to feel like it was! 
 

 I've future-proofed my beloved Teva granny square crochet flatforms by buying a replacement pair - this style is now discontinued and I was lucky to find them reduced by 75% online. I'm still wearing my original pair but I'm prepared! 


The nails are still looking good despite a day of gardening!


My glamorous friend Dawn tipped me off about a new charity shop that had opened in town when we bumped into her after swimming on Tuesday. We popped in this morning and I bought a brand new  lipliner and two necklaces, spending a total of £3. This yellow pendant was one of my buys. I didn't like the beaded necklace it was attached to so remade it using one of my vintage Lamani dowry necklaces bought in India decades ago. It's a great match with these butter quartz earrings, isn't it?  


This week we finished Season 4 of Yellowstone and also watched co-director, Taylor Sheridan's Oscar winning Neo-Western Hell and High Water so I'm more obsessed than ever with cowboy shit. 



I nearly died when these boots popped up on Vinted's Recommended for You a few days ago. They're handmade in Mexico and retailed at £499 - mine for £25!!!


We're currently binge watching the excellent BBC second series of The Gold, the story behind the Brink's Mat robbery and, much to my excitement both the Spanish and British Virgin Islands scenes are filmed in and around North Tenerife. I'm glad we've already booked our flights for my birthday celebrations as I have a feeling that once everyone sees just how gorgeous it is the prices will go through the roof! 


Right...it's Friday, it's rum o'clock and I have a pressing date with Jack Lowden. See you soon! 

41 comments:

  1. Those boots!!! They are absolutely gorgeous. Isn’t this weather divine? Long may it last. You’re very well organised, I haven’t even got my summer holiday totally booked. Looking amazing as always Vix. Xx

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    1. Hello Louise! I'm delighted that the sun's reached the North! Its gorgeous. I wasn't expecting it to be around today and it's making me very happy!
      I can't get over those boots, I kept expecting the seller to cancel the transaction! xxx

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  2. Your self-sewn dress is beautiful. I love the colors and the pattern.
    You're pure summer in all your clothes. It's obvious you're enjoying the sun. :)

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    1. Thank you so much! The fabric and the pattern went together like magic!
      I love the sun so much, U can't bear to miss a minute of it! xxx

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  3. Your Kenzo patterned dress is stunning! The textile is also so special, just a WOW garment, Vix. I love your new yellow pendant too - I'm envious of those gorgeous earrings! Friday!

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! That Kenzo pattern needed fabulous fabric to do it justice, I'd like to think he'd approve! I was so excited to find the perfect butter quartz earrings, I've been hunting for some for ages! xxx

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  4. I am back

    Your wardrobe is pure magic vintage with soul and stories! That Kenzo dress from curtains is genius, and those boots? An absolute steal!

    By the way, I love how each outfit reflects your joy and creativity.

    The charity shop finds, cowboy vibes, and Teva flatforms make it all even better. Rum o’clock with Jack Lowden sounds like the perfect endingcheers! 🥂👗

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    1. Thanks so coming back, Asep! Have a brilliant weekend! xxx

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  5. I always love your curtain-based fashion, and that dress does not disappoint! As for those boots, it must've been destiny. They were asking the Shoe Gods to land in a home with matching jewelry. They couldn't be more perfect for you :-)

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    1. Thank you! When I bought those curtains someone commented on my blog and suggested using them as window hangings - weirdo! xxx

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  6. Your jewellery makes me swoon. Love the yellow pendant and earrings really give a pop if 🌞. The Mexican boots are amazing what a find. Gold is good isn't it? Regards Sue H

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    1. Thanks, Sue! I do love a pop of yellow, its like wearing the sun!
      The Gold was excellent, superb acting and I loved spotting parts of Santa Cruz and Las Palmas (in Gran Canaria) which we'd wandered around in the past! xxx

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  7. I vote Jack Lowden for the new James Bond! Just watched Dept. Q which I thought was excellent. It was interesting recognising certain parts of the city. One bar scene was shot in the last ever pub I was in after my friend's funeral a few years back and it was not Edinburgh, though it was supposed to be for the purposes of filming licence! Those boots were made for you!Good weekend to you. Xxx

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    1. I loved the Danish Department Q, I'm guessing this is a remake. I shall have to investigate! I get really finickity when I know a Tv/film location isn't where it should be!
      Those boots are so comfy, a major bonus!
      Have a lovely weekend, too! xxx

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    2. Is Hell or High Water on Prime? Just got another week's free trial. I'm watching 'The Better Sister' at no but could do with some cowboy action!!x

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    3. Yes! It's very bloody but its an incredible story! xxx

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  8. Have to say this... you make everyday life exciting!! And gorgeous.

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  9. So many amazing outfits. I love your shopping sprees! You are always inspiring! Awesome boots. Adoring your summer feel with your wardrobe. Thanks so much! Great to see those nails survived the gardening too! Such a splendid post.💛💛💛💛💛☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️Wishing you lots of sun and fun! & thank you so much for reading and your comments!

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    1. Thank you so much, Ellie! Your comments (and your fabulous blog pots) always make me smile! xxx

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  10. Oh gosh, those boots were destined to be yours, what a good buy!! So many 'me-made' and 'me altered' clothes creeping into your wardrobe these days. You're turning into a proper seamstress. ❤️

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    1. Thanks, Sue! I'm not quite Sewing Bee level but I love tinkering with vintage fabric when the fancy takes me! xxx

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  11. Hi vix. Those Cowboy boots are spectacular! I am loving the cowgirl look and have been looking out for a suede jacket with fringes for a couple of years now. Your sewing skills are so inspiring! Betty x

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    1. Thanks, Betty! They're really comfy, too. There's some beauties on Vinted, you'll have to look when you get home. xxx

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  12. I'm glad you're finding wins. I can't help think you'd need extra suitcases for thrift store still good and useable country and western wear here.

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    1. We certainly would. Several of my friends scored big time in thrift shops in Texas! One of my favourite pairs of cowboy boots were bought from a woman who'd found them in a thrift shop in Houston in the 1980s! xxx

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  13. I'm glad to read you got heat and sunshine without the need of us bringing it over from Belgium!
    Whilst I'm loving all your outfits, the Treetops dress is a particular favourite, closely followed by the 1970s India Imports of Rhode Island one.
    Great idea to future-proof those delightful granny square crochet flatforms. I once did the same with a pair of wicker-panelled ankle boots.
    I'm loving the yellow pendant and how you upcycled it and those Mexican boots are magnificent! xxx

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    1. Hello Ann! Thank goodness the sun managed to find her own way over here without you and Jos having to drag her over kicking and screaming!
      I don't think I wore that India Imports maxi last year, it made wearing it last week all fresh an exciting.
      I know Teva release a new style every year but I don't think anything could be more me than brown granny squares, it had to be done! xxx

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  14. I thought you'd be happy. It's my perfect temperature at the moment. Excellent upcycle with the beads. Arilx

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    1. Thanks, Aril! It's been a gorgeous few days, hasn't it? Long may it shine! xxx

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  15. As always I love all of your beautiful clothes and jewellery, just stunning. Just something I noticed while looking at the photo of your lovely necklace 6th photo from the top, is that you have a large freckle with uneven edges. I have to say that coming from Australia we are very vigilant about checking any weird spots and I know you are a sun lover so if I were you I would go get it checked out. I’m sure it will be fine but it’s always good to double check xxx

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    1. Hello Susan-Jane! It's lovely to hear from you and I really appreciate your comment. I have had that freckle for most of my adult life but maybe it wouldn't do any harm to get it checked out, we Brits can be rather lax about things like that. Much love to you. xxx

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  16. Aren't the boots glorious! I'm at the Suffolk seaside for the sun and heat though in concerts for a lot of it! Your outfits are beautiful to behold as always! Xx

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    1. Thank you!! I'm so excited about those boots, Kezzie- even more so tat they're really comfy! I'm glad you've had sunshine in Suffolk for your concerts. xxx

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  17. Not only do you manage to look absolutely gorgeous while doing the gardening, but your nails remain unchipped?! ;)
    Your new boots are fabulous! Xx

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    1. Ha! Thanks, Jules! That dress is do distinctive nobody notices the state of my face or hair! xxx

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  18. Wow, look at those cowboy boots. Everything you find seems to have a hint of yellow in them lately, like the boots and earrings. I love that you are in your cowgirl era. X

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    1. Thanks, Jess! I love that bright, zingy shade of yellow! X

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  19. That purple blue dress is my favorite. A Jack Lowden fan huh.. we watch him in Slow Horses. Very good.

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    1. Thanks, Hena! I loved Slow Horses, I didn't think the series would ever be as good as the books but it is! xxx

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  20. Lovely to see that curtain-couture fab dress (so beautiful print) and the cowgirl style combo you rock!. But my favourite outfit is the last one, not only because of the lovely 70's maxi but also because of those necklaces you recently found. Great idea to remade that necklace to make it more interesting!
    Also great idea to stock up on your favourite Tevas!. I should have shop an extra pair of some favourite sandals which were unfortunately discontinued! (I'll do it next time, for sure!)
    besos

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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