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And that's just my weekend reading!
I've always been a prolific reader but when the sun's out I'm positively solar-powered and get through books at an alarming rate. Thank goodness for the three for £1 shelf in the charity shop and those generous people with similar literary tastes to me.
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| Maxi dress by Greek boutique label, Blu (purchased in Rhodes, 2022), rayon & filet crochet cover-up (originally River Island, £2 secondhand find), Mexican fair trade fedora (Shilpa Silver, 2018) |
Much to my joy, the record-breaking British heatwave continues with temperatures reaching the heady heights of 33°C over the weekend - almost as hot as Greece! What makes me even happier is that I can wear all my flimsier summer clothes, several of which haven't seen the light of day in years.
At 7am on Friday morning it would have been warm enough to wear the strappy maxi dress on its own to walk down to the pool but I was keen to give this pretty block printed cover-up its first outing. Dressed heat-to-toe in white with a straw hat I felt like an extra in a Merchant Ivory film....Heat or Dust or maybe, in anticipation of our post-swim Spoons' breakfast, Feast of July?
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| Vintage 1970s Adini sundress (gift from blog reader, Helena in 2019), Teva crochet flatforms, 1970s Polaroids (car boot sale, 2011) |
Keen to spend all day in the garden, on Saturday morning we walked into town early to pick up a few parcels and to get some rum & cola from Lidl.
I bought this block printed scarf in Goa 25 years ago from a boutique named Happily Unmarried, a highly controversial choice of name a quarter of a century ago. Back in those days Jon and I had to pretend we were married when we were travelling as many guesthouses refused to rent rooms to unmarried couples.
Here's Sunday's outfit. I found this pretty cotton dress on my friend, Mollie's £5 rail at End of the Road four years ago. If it had been a more "normal" size I have no doubt it would have been snapped up immediately, it really is a beauty and, like the Adini dress I wore the previous day, it has pockets!
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| Vintage 1970s cotton sundress (Vintage Relics), Teva flatforms and 1970s French sunglasses (Moseley Vintage Fair, 2013 |
Before I became a part time mermaid I'd ever have entertained the idea of wearing small earrings but as I can't be bothered putting earrings in after my swim so I wear studs which fit beneath my cap. On Sunday I wore Evil Eyes and Mermaids Tears, tiny moonstones set in silver.
My hair's at its best a week after washing it, I can twist it into a topknot, skewer it with a single pin and it'll stay like this all day.
Browsing Vinted the other day I spotted this maxi dress. I didn't really need it but with the proceeds going towards the Red Cross Gaza Crisis Appeal, I thought it'd be perfect for throwing on over my bikini when we nip into our favourite beach bar for an afternoon beer.
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| Red Haute maxi dress worn with Fly, London platforms and prescription sunglasses (Specsavers) |
The lovely seller failed to mention that the dress was 100% silk or list the make - which turned out to be a pricey American hippie-chic label with their Indian-made maxis retailing at between $170 - $210. Not bad for £6!
As always, I came back from Glastonbury with a new pair of Mexican silver earrings from Shilpa Silver. I struggle to find the right shaped earrings to wear with my 1970s Sheffield Stainless Steel choker - these are perfect!
Anyway, I road-tested the dress when I went charity shopping this morning and I felt amazing in it, it's definitely coming away with me although it feels slightly too good to be just a beach cover-up!
I found these Fly, London leather platform sandals in Banardos this morning. I detest wedges but will make an exception for these - they're supremely comfy, the cut-out vamp reminds me of Moroccan tiles and I adore metallic footwear plus the £4 price tag helped make my mind up. These Yuti sandals retail at £119!
I couldn't resist this either! Designed in Paris and made in India, this Barok "Bohemian People" tunic with the labels still attached was a very reasonable £5 (and £90 less than the RRP).
I know a lot of you enjoy my traveling light posts so stay tuned, there's one coming up before the end of the week!
See you soon!
I need to pay attention to your travelling light post. Another incentive to lose some weight...smaller clothes are lighter to pack. Beautiful dresses and accessories. I keep an eye out when in our thrift stores for Vix approved items. Most is that as you say.
ReplyDeleteI'm all about travelling light, it takes a while to figure out what to take but I don't think I'll ever go back to travelling with a hold bag. I love being able to carry my own bag and not have to rely on Jon! xxx
DeleteLove all the dresses, especially the pink one! I have six pairs of different colored Teva sandals. They are so comfortable especially with my very high instep. I wear them almost all year round here in North Carolina!
ReplyDeleteHello Carol! I'm very envious that you can wear your Tevas all year round! My feet take ages to adjust to boots after a Summer spent in sandals. Six pairs?! That's impressive - it's very easy to get addicted to buying them especially when they launch new colours! xxx
DeleteWonderful dresses and even better that they're so cheap! The blue one is lovely - I adore a silk dress! Your Sheffield steel necklace is gorgeous, Vix!
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling you'd be off soon for a post-fest vacation!
Thanks, Sheila! It's scary how cheap some of the clothes on Vinted are, charity shops seem almost expensive in comparison these days! xxx
DeleteYour fashion finds are always a delight can't believe that silk dress was only £6! Loved the nod to Happily Unmarried too. And yes, totally agree sunshine fuels the reading frenzy!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your travel-light post!
Thanks, Asep! xxx
DeleteYou are a prolific reader indeed. I'm happy to hear you're enjoying the hot weather. Beautiful summer dresses dear Vix. I love all of these summer outfits!
ReplyDeleteThe vintage dress from the Happily Unmarried Goa shop is adorable. I love the story behind it, too.
Loveky to hear from you, Ivana! Hope things are good with you! xxx
DeleteI'm pleased for you that the record-breaking British heatwave continue, as I know you absolutely love these +30°C temperatures. And you've definitely got the perfect dresses for it.
ReplyDeleteThe 1970s Adini sundress is gorgeous, and so is the £ 5 one from your friend Mollie. My favourite though is the blue 100% silk one. Loving the Evil Eyes and Mermaids Tears studs, as well as your new silver earrings, which are a perfect match for your Sheffield Stainless Steel choker indeed. You've really got the best jewellery! xxx
Oh yes, you now me and my love of sweltering heat so very well! I didn't expect that silk dress to look as lovely as it does on - it's almost too good to wear to the beach!! xxx
DeleteOOH! That Red Haute maxi is just gorgeous - the back is perfection and as you say - too good for a cover up. You can't beat a bit of wafty silk :) Top scores as usual and the tiny earrings are delightful. I'm stuck with what I have at the mo as I can't get in the attic to get to my 'very summer' stuff - however, I have got a bag of linen swag and some 'almost summer things' to get by with ... arm crutches do cramp one's style - also NO BANGLES eek!!
ReplyDeleteElaine Anon
Thanks, Elaine! I didn't expect that silk dress to look as good as it did - it seems a shame to get it sweaty and covered in sun cream now! I love silk, it's like wearing nothing. How frutsrating that you can't get to your stuff in the attic. I hope you're getting stronger and healing - no bangles would make me very cross! xxx
DeleteI absolutely love your Friday dress -- and those Sunday earrings. Actually, lots of great earrings! I often don't wear any to the pool as I am afraid of losing one. I have started wearing an extra silicone backing and feel a bit better about that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find on that silk shirt!
I read your post about silicone backings on your earrings a while ago and meant to investigate further - my tiny studs have been okay so far but now I've typed that I'll probably lose one when I wash my hair later! xxx
DeleteHi Vix, your taste is impeccable! I just love the block printed cover up and the Barok floaty top, just gorgeous. You can't beat a silk sundress for keeping one's cool either. I rather fancy being an extra in a Merchant Ivory film, they are some of my favourites. Your 70s stainless steel necklace made me smile, I remember going to stainless steel ' parties' as a young girl back in the 70s and feeling quite grown up. The white appliquéd sundress too is really lovely. Great pieces for keeping ones cool.
ReplyDeleteHello Alysia and thank you so much! I'm excited to wear that Barok floaty top, I nearly packed it for my next trip but thought I'd save it for September when the nights can be a bit cooler!
DeleteI was obsessed with Mrachant Ivory for years, the costumes were always sublime!
I didn't know about Stainless Steel Parties - I bet my Mum didn't either, she had so much jewellery she made my collection look pitiful! xxx
Hello
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read it just like you, but I have to save my eyes! I love your eccentric looks, but my favourite is the pink dress! Did you know that Fly shoes are made in Portugal? I wish you a happy week, hugs!
Thanks so much, Marisa! I'm very impressed that Fly, London are made in Portugal - I hope they care for their workers! xx
DeleteLove the silk dress and the white Greek dress which goes great with the cover up... your sandals are lovely too - I like wedges as long as not too high. I went swimming today, have had some stroke improvement lessons which have helped a lot. We are looking at Greece at the mo - with the tips you gave - I suspect you're off to Greece - can't wait for your packing post. I had better post my paris packing - Betty
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betty! I'm so tempted to get a few lessons to improve my front crawl and to learn how to dive properly - you've inpired me to ask at the baths next time I'm there!
DeleteI hope you get to Greece very soon, I'm beyond excited to go back- I've not been for 10 months and we've got withdrawal symptoms! xxx PS I'm dying to hear about Paris!
ReplyDeleteThat pink dress is magical. You look amazing in it.
It's really true with long hair. A few days after washing it, you can create the most beautiful hairstyles. And most importantly, they hold really well.
Thanks, Andrea! I do love pink, I don't wear it often enough!
DeleteLong hair gets better the dirtier it gets! xxx
Oooh, yes! I love your travelling light posts :)
ReplyDeleteI've also been wearing my hair in a topknot this week, as it's been far to hot to be blow drying. Xx
That's the downside to hot weather - dealing with hair that clings to you like seaweed! xxx
DeleteYes to silk and cotton dresses! Fly shoes just do not work on my feet - I've tried so many pairs!
ReplyDeleteA big yes to silk and cotton, Sheila! A friend gave me a pair of Fly, London shoes a while ago and I just couldn't get on with them but these wedges are so comfy (I wish I'd not looked at their website though, I've seen a pair of platforms I can't stop thinking about!) xxx
DeleteI had been thinking of you reveling in the heat in all those gorgeous dresses and here they are, you look just wonderful in each and every one of them. Look forward to your packing post. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jill! I was made for the heat, such a shame I was born in Noerthern Europe! xxx
DeleteYou look stunning in all these outfits. That silk dress was an absolute steal it is beautiful! I love the neck and back shape! The new Shilpa earrings are gorgeous! I always like a packing post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kezzie! I do love a halterneck! xxx
DeleteLove the first outfit the best, but they're all fab. Also big score on the fly London wedges - so jealous.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! A thumbs-up for Merchant Ivory wannabe, eh? Those wedges are so comfy, what a crazy thing to donate to a chazza! xxx
DeleteLove all the dresses!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pilar! x
DeleteWith that title I thought that you had had a REALLY exciting weekend. Oh well it was just books, which are almost as good. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou really suit that blue dress, what a perfect find for you, and a bit of a saving from it's original price!!
I live vicariously through books!! xxx
DeleteSo many pretty outfits!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I find it much easier to get dressed when its hot and sunny! x
DeleteYou look stunning in your cream outfit, Vix! I also love leather shoes made in Portugal, they really make some of the best shoes there. X
ReplyDelete