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Where on earth did the last week go? I swear it's only been a couple of days since last posted!
Last Thursday Jon and I caught the train over to Birmingham and met up with Nikki at New Street Station. We walked across town to the Old Crown which, at 650 years old, is Birmingham's oldest pub. Here we met up with Nikki's boyfriend, Steve and the band whose tour he's currently managing, The Subways.
After dinner and a couple of beers we headed to The Institute, where they were playing.
Their support was British punk duo, The Meffs. Citing Joan Jett as one of their major influences, they had the most incredible energy and the sound was amazing.
After replenishing our drinks at the bar, it was time for Steve to start work...
Normally obsessed with all things string, Jon was blown away by the talent of drummer, Camille Philips and is still banging on (!) about her almost a week later.
We had a seriously fantastic night, thanks for inviting us Nikki and Steve!! (See you very soon for our joint birthday day out.)
Here's what I wore....
As usual, at this time of year, the weather's making taking blog photos a near-impossible task - the video option is a bit clearer hence my regular TikTok posts. Any dry days and I'm outside photographing my Vinted stock like a woman posessed. By the time I've finished, its so dark indoors that my photos look like I've applied a weirdly hazy filter.
This is the book pile I've demolished over the last couple of weeks, since donated to the charity shop. Knowing what an avid reader I am, several of my swimming mates bring me books. John Marrs and Lisa Jewell are two writers I've not read before and finished both books in a day!
Whilst Jon's continued to crack on with the decorating, I've been moving stuff around and cleaning (always a sign a trip is fairly imminent - I'd hate to fall out of the sky and leave a mess behind).
@vixbrearley #over50women #vintagestyle #1970saesthetic #secondhandfashion ♬ original sound - Naruto 🇸🇬SG
Here's the guest room (aka my dressing room).
@vixbrearley #antiquejewellery #tribaljewellery #silverjewellery #victorianmourningjewellery #over50women ♬ I Wanna Be Adored - The Stone Roses
By the way, don't believe the nonsense the knuckle-draggers would have you believe, Birmingham is fantastic!
See you soon.
Birmingham is great. Your outfits are stunning, as always. I am quite a slow reader but enjoy reading so much, I have just finished Sisters and Other Lovers by Esther Freud, loved it. Carole R.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carole! Birmingham is great, there's so much to see and do. I loved Hideous Kinky, I must look out for Sisters and Other Lovers. x
DeleteI'll second that Birmingham is a great place! Arilx
ReplyDeleteYay! xxx
DeleteI've only been to Birmingham once and that was for about half an hour to drop in on the John Lewis that my SiL was structurall engineer on! I want to go and try a Chaat attack there one day!!
ReplyDeleteThe gig sounds super! Looks like you had a cracking time! I love the house coat!
Well, fancy that, Kezzie! Back in my corporate career I worked within the old John Lewis building on Corporation Street for many years and because it was adjacent to the law courts we were forever being evaculated under armed guard because of IRA bomb threats! Never a dull moment....
DeleteWe had a fab night and so nice to go out in November without a coat on, they're always a pain when you're at a gig. xxx
Beautiful outfits! I'm not familiar with this punk duo, but I love what you wore for the concert.
ReplyDeleteThe pile of books is very impressive. I love reading, too!
Thanks, Ivana! If only I could write book reviews as well as you do! xxx
DeleteI’m a slow reader. It’s not true really, it’s more that I run out of time. I’ve just started The Snowman by Jo Nesbo. It’s been on my pile ages. That little brown waistcoat is so cute and I love how all of your jewellery is out to see xxx
ReplyDeleteI loved The Snowman, Jo Nesbo is a fantastic writer! You've got a job and a child, I'm not surprised to find it hard to squeeze reading into your busy schedule! xxx
DeleteHello Vix,
ReplyDeleteMany years ago now, Birmingham was the place of work for one of us. It is a vibrant city of so many parts and, for many, we believe that they do not even scratch the surface of what is on offer.
We were intrigued to see that the Subways will be coming to Budapest. We know the venue, very central and generally buzzing with activity. From what you write here, that should work very well indeed.
Gosh, what a dressing room! It resembles backstage in a theatre....amazing.
Hello Jane and Lance! I'm glad that you liked Birmingham during your brief visit. I wasn't hugely enamoured by it when I worked in the city centre and had to commute every day but now I love it!
DeleteThe area in Budapest where The Subways are playing sounds great. I look forward to hearing all about it next time we catch up with Steve! x
Hi Vix. Brums a fantastic city and has a great vibe. Long overdue a visit.
ReplyDeleteWe used to frequent a little live music place in the centre. Think it was called the Yard Bird or similar but not there now. Did you ever go? Just look at your beautiful jewellery collection! Louise (Mids)x x
Hi Louise! Was that the jazz club near the old Central Library? That went a while ago, didn't it? I don't think I ever went although some of my memories of big nights out were very hazy to say the least! xxx
DeleteHappy travels, wherever you head to for a bit of sun and warmth, x
ReplyDeleteOn the book front, have you come across Less by Patrick Grant? I'm about half way through and it is splendid :-)
Thank you! It's only for a few days but anything to escape this depressing gloom, today's been truly dreadful!
DeleteLiz has recently read Less by Patrick Grant and absolutely loved it. I shall see if I can track down a secondhand copy or a cheap download - I could take it away with me! xxx
Birmingham is fab. So much to see and do. My Dad after many years on his own after my Mum died very young married a West Brom girl who was fab and her family were the loveliest, kindest people you could ever meet. My sister and I were in our teens when he moved up there and we used to visit all the time. I won't hear a bad word about Birmingham or its people. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely, Sue! Everyone always says that we're a friendly lot up here and I'm happy that you and your sister were made so welcome after your dad remarried. I have a soft spot for West Brom and often visit, it's only 4 miles away and the bus stops at the end of the road! xxx
DeleteHow exciting to be hanging out with those talented musicians - I wondered if it makes an old hand/expert like Jon feel inspired to write a song or two/pick up one of his many guitars! They've certainly got energy. The outfit you wore is lovely and very similar to an Audrey dress I have lined up for my forthcoming trip to Mauritius. I don't doubt Birmingham has lots going for it, Ive never been, but would like to. Tomorrow I'm off to Brighton - my favourite shop has put by a velvet wrap top for me to try (like yours) - they are so lovely there, friendly and don't mind sending stuff from online over to the tiny little shop to try on (saves postage and if I needed one, an excuse for a day out!). Betty x
ReplyDeleteHello Betty! Jon's still writing and playing although he just does it for himself these days. They're a fantastic band, I can understand why they're one of Steve's favourite bands to work with.
DeleteMauritius again! You won't regret buying one of those velvet wrap tops. I bet I know the Audrey dress you're planning totake away with you, I've been hoping it turns up on Vinted! I'd love to visit the shop, the only time i ever look at IG is to check out her window displays and flatlays! xxx
Such a great night out! Awesome band! Looks like good times with music and friends! Oh, what a monumental guestroom! Love the pictures. Fantastic wardrobe and love the shot of the vintage boots! All the best to your November. Thank you for your comments. Thank you for being so inspiring from your wardrobe to your fantastic reads 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛Such true treasures!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellie! We had such a good time, I love seeing live music at festivals but being indoors in an intimiate venue makes it even more magical! xxx
DeleteI have never been in Birmingham and I love this kind of concerts. After reading your post I had to check the music of this band. So cool.
ReplyDeleteHello Carolyna! Its lovely to meet you. Birmingham is a fantastic city and The Subways are incredible! xxx
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ReplyDeleteOh, they're performing in Vienna on December 5th.
I like your videos on TikTok and
your boot collection is so cool!
The Vienna gig is a sell-out! The Austrians love their rock and roll! xx
DeleteThe gig sounds absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing you on it being too dark for proper outfit photos. It'll be holidays and weekends only for me from now on :-(
Love the TikTok videos - you're a natural! - and the peek into your guest room aka dressing room. It's good to know that like me you definitely don't do minimalist! xxx
Winter is such a trial for us bloggers! I loathe these endlessly dark days. I bet your sharing this horrendous weather we're currently being battered with...roll on December and a few days of warmth and hopefully sunshine!
DeleteThe Subways and The Meffs were so good, you can't beat a bit of loud rock and roll! xxx
Hi Vix, you can't beat the feeling of a live concert with talented and experienced musicians wherever the genre of music. It looks like you had a great time. Your outfit for the concert was fab but your beautiful blue embroidered dress ( Mexican?) is one of my favourites of all your many many stunning dresses. Returning to a favourite dress never gets stale, does it? It's more like popping round to see an old friend you haven't seen in a while. I look forward to this time of year when I can get out my many winter coats of different colours, styles, lengths, materials etc. I can't remember the last time I bought a ' new' coat. The quality of a great many of the coats on offer on the high street now is abysmal, it makes sense to buy second hand/ vintage every time.
ReplyDeleteHello Alysia! You can't beat live music especially when the band absolutely love what they do, the joy is contagious!
DeleteMy blue dress is Indian, I've also got it in white. It belonged to the mother of a lady who doesn't blog anymore, she bought it in the 1960s. It does look very Mexican with those vibrant embroidered flowers, doesn't it?
Like you, I love getting reacquainted with my Winter clothes when the seasons change and they do feel like old friends. My Mum always used to treat me to a new coat when I wsa younger but like you say, the quality and style just isn't there unless you want to bankrupt yourself! xxx
I loved Joan Jet. First heard of her when a boyfriend brought his Runaways LP over to play. That was a very very long time ago.
ReplyDeleteShe was fantastic, I loved her voice, attitude and style. Have you seen her now, she's still got it! xxx
DeleteThat looks like a really good night out. Wow, you do read fast, I seem to have slowed down these days ... I MUST practise more!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fab night out! I do love seeing live music and even more so when spent in good company. I do read quickly and I'm so grateful for my swimming buddies bringing me books, I have nightmares about running out! xxx
DeleteWhat a fantastic night you had! It's been ages since I went to a live gig. Time to rectify that, me thinks. Xx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, Jules! You can't beat live music! xxx
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