.png)
What a week! I've spent most of it outside, hence my absence from Blogland. With temperatures in the low 30s, similar to those in Greece, it's been the perfect weather for road-testing my potential holiday wardrobe.
On Tuesday, to drop a parcel off at the lockers, I wore this old favourite, a vintage gingham-trimmed cotton blend maxi dress, made in England by Uninhibited, which I bought from a charity shop back in 2011. 'Scuse the bare face, I'm in pretend I'm already on holiday mode and don't wear makeup during the day.
As soon as I got home I changed into a bikini and spent the rest of the day basking in the sunshine. My solar powered reading continued with me starting (and finishing) Go Set A Watchman, Harper Lee's long-awaited sequel to To Kill A Mockingbird. Watchman brilliantly captures the political unrest and civil tensions of the era although I found myself shaking my head in despair, wondering how society has, in many respects, hardly moved on. If, like me, you idolised Atticus Finch in Mockingbird, if you read Go Set A Watchman be prepared to be disillusioned.
On Wednesday we tore ourselves away from the garden for an early morning swim. After our pub breakfast we headed straight back home so I could meet up with Liz. We were catching the bus to Birmingham (which leaves from the next street) to visit the Portrait Prize 2026 exhibition at the RSBA (The Royal Society of Birmingham Artists).
It was another day of scorching temperatures and therefore the perfect opportunity to test out this vintage 1970s maxi by the sought-after British Boutique designer, David Silverman. His clothes often command prices in the £££s and I've been exceptionally lucky to find a couple of dresses under £20 on Vinted.
We couldn't resist a look in the BHF charity shop in the city centre where I scored the cutest 1970s C&A cat jumper ever....
The exhibition was incredible, so much talent! Admission is free and the exhibition runs until 13th June, details HERE.
We ate at Morridge, an uber cool independent cafe in the Great Western Arcade with a groovy 1970s-inspired interior and a fantastic menu. We ordered goats cheese salads and pots of tea and had change from a tenner!
After a mooch around Monsoon & Accessorize, drooling over some incredible clothes (the embroidered maxi dress I fell in love with was £180...I shall be stalking Vinted!) we caught the bus back home. Thanks for a fab day, Liz!
Whilst I was out Jon had done a tip run and of course, couldn't resist the lure of the Tip Shop, coming back with two 12" singles and two albums; David Essex's All The Fun of the Fair (1975) and Sonny & Cher Live (1971). I'm not sure about David Essex but who doesn't love Cher?
Thursday was tree day and our huge London Planes finally got a haircut. As most of the trees in our garden are subject to TPOs (Tree Preservation Orders) we'd had to apply for permission from the council, this was granted last year but it's taken months to find an approved arborist prepared to take on the work.
Leaving the five-strong crew to get stuck in we headed over to B&Q. I wanted to plant up our Victorian chimney pots so I needed some plastic liners and a variety of colourful flowers and trailing plants. As luck would have it there was 20% off everything and it worked out cheaper to buy a couple of ready planted pots than to buy everything separately. We noticed that the offer also applied to the plants in the 50% clearance departments so we also bought a Scabius, a Fashionista Salvia, a pot of Thyme (the smell of Greece!) and some Hidcote English Lavender for a fraction of the normal price.
By the time we returned the crew had finished. We watered the plants, left them in the shade and spent the rest of the day in the garden. I'd run out of books but luckily I'd recently downloaded some in preparation for our trip so I started The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou, a gripping political thriller about George Manolis, a charismatic Greek-Australian detective, sent from the city to investigate a grisly murder in the Outback. I loved it!
Despite a mixed forecast for Friday, I dressed in a 1970s Hawaiian print halterneck maxi for our early morning swim and although there was a brief shower, the rest of the day was another cracker.
After a brief look around the charity shops we spent another day in the garden. Jon spotted this Cutlery Drainer by TG Green, it's not vintage Cornishware, it's from their contemporary range but a real bargain at 50p!
On Friday night we watched Ken Loach's The Old Oak on the i-player, a film about a struggling pub landlord in a deprived, former-mining town, the community divided after Syrian refugees are placed in empty houses. I've loved Ken Loach ever since I saw Up The Junction in my early teens and this didn't disappoint. A film that shows the best (and the worst) of the British.
Later we watched another film, Mud. Two teenage boys take a boat out to a deserted island in the Mississippi attempting to make a treehouse, but find somebody there, Mud, a tough guy who becomes the boys' secret friend, but back on the mainland they see Mud's face on a wanted poster, and their secret becomes more and more toxic. Matthew McConaughey is such a great actor and an admirable human being in real life.
On Sunday morning I had another parcel to drop off - my exercise for the day! This was the day that weather was supposed to break but it was good enough to spend outside reading. I'd started another ebook the previous day, Ascension, a spy thriller by Oliver Harris. Frustratingly, the battery in my Kobo went flat during the denouement, so I had an impatient half-an-hour waiting for it to charge.
After we'd caught up with Widow's Bay and Criminal Record we started watching For All Mankind, a stylish alternative reality series about the Space Race. Sci-fi usually bores me to tears but I'm really enjoying it.
.jpg)
Kobo (my ereader) has hundreds of free books on their website, so I had a browse after tea and downloaded a few including The Executions, which I started reading last night. According to the blurb, It’s 1892, Indian Territory. A war is brewing in the Choctaw Nation as two political parties fight out issues of old and new ways. Caught in the middle is eighteen-year-old Ruth Ann, a Choctaw who doesn’t want to see her family killed. I'm a huge fan of the Netflix series, Dark Winds and am fascinated with the Choctaw (but I'm a little concerned that the book is classed as Christian literature).
As it's Monday we started the day with an early morning swim (blissfully quiet) followed by breakfast in Spoons. In one of the charity shops we noticed that someone had got rid of all their Philippa Gregory collection and I managed to find three I hadn't read - although I could be wrong - at leat I've got an alternative if The Executions gets a bit too god-bothery!
As it had been almost a fortnight and I still hadn't heard from the hopsital, I did as the radiologist had advised and popped into the surgery where the receptionist told me that they'd got my X-rays but they'd yet to be read. I was tempted to ask her to let me have a look as, in my dim and distant past, I used to read X-rays and write referral letters. She's booked me in for an appointment in a fortnight's time so I suppose I'd better just be a patient patient (something I'm not very good at!)
So many people stopped and complimented me on my outfit today, I even got told that I was the only only person in the world who could make a walking stick look cool! The dress is one of several Mrs Kaur of the haberdashery stall persuaded me to buy off her £5 rail last year.
I managed a teeny bit of gardening before the heavens opened hence the reason I'm indoors writing a blog post! I'm so sorry I've not replied to your comments and messages or visited any blogs this week, I shall endeavour to catch-up over the next few days (sunshine permitting).
See you soon!!
Hasn’t it been glorious? So rare that good weather like this coincides with half term! Shame it’s broken now (up here at least) but hopefully not for too long xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's been amazing, Louise and incredible that it lasted throughout half-term, a lot easier to keep kids entertained when its not raining, I'm sure! What a difference this morning. Up until mid-afternoon yesterday it was still warm and dry, not so much now! xxx
DeleteThe waiting to learn next steps has to be frustrating when you have big plans to live a good life each day. I'll have to check out Mud. Much farther north of course, but as a child that grew up on the Mississippi River, the islands dotted, and offshoot "lakes" with islands were great for imagination of adventures setting up camps. I think a neighbor kid or two attempted. At my great nieces grad party, despite the weird change to cool and rainy, the girls mostly had cute little sun dresses, but one teen looked fab in her sari inspired long skirt and big swoopy earrings and bold rings. We chatted a bit...shes on to a universiry design major. I directed her your blog way.
ReplyDeleteYou're not wrong there, Sam! Its so frustrating, I can't bear waiting, I just want a diagnosis so I can make plans.
DeleteWe really enjoyed Mud. Living on those backwaters seem so exciting , probably why I loved my tme in Kerala, there's something other-worldly about that environment.
I hope you had fun at the party, that girl sounds very cool! xxx
We actually had heat here in west Wales!!! A massive 26 degrees and it was glorious. I actually wore a sleeveless dress for the first time in a year! I love your first two dresses especially and you look stunning make up free - your skin is beautiful ❤️ Rachael
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm happy that you got some of the weather, Rachael - I hope your summer frocks got an airing in between renovations! Thanks for the compliment!!! xxx
DeleteAh, how cool and pretty you look in your summer dresses! So far as Greece-themed media, it's an oldie, but how I absolutely loved Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières. He became my favorite author for many years. The novel had such an impact on me, I even remember buying it. It was the summer of 1994 (good lord!), and I was in Humbolt on a day trip. Stopped into hippie-ish co-op (you know the simple looking/expensive costing kind), bought a perfect avocado and a lemonade - then was struck by a small display of books. Even back then, I never bought anything new. But I couldn't help myself. I had to have it. Read it in a meadow that afternoon. Anyway - if your reader has it, you could do worse! It's full of love, and war, and magic.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Elizabeth! I do love my Summer dresses!
DeleteYes, like you, I bought Captain Corelli's Mandolin new although I don't recall the circumstances being as cool as yours! I loved it so much I started it again when I got to the end and have wanted a pet pine marten ever since. I've seen the film a couple of times, it's okay but not a patch on the book. Jon & I visited Kefalonia the year before last! xxx
On a different timeline, we were probably friends. It doesn't surprise me at all that that crashingly romantic story was in your youthful awareness as it was mine. I did give the film a watch, but it left little impression. Have you see Zorba the Greek? This film, above all others, holds a particular space in my imagination. I never knew my father, only that he was possibly Greek. There's a tale about lookijg for him l, but that's not this. The film, to me, is perfect and has been deliberately rationed.
DeleteIt's a shame we're so far apart, Elizabeth, I'd love to sit and chat face to face. Yes, the Corelli film wasn't a fraction as moving as the book was, there was so much omitted and it felt very frivolous and lightweight.
DeleteAlthough I know the song, played on repeat throughout Greece to this day, I've never seen Zorba The Greek - set in Crete but filmed in Rhodes, I think. Anthony Quinn actually bought land on the island whilst he was filming.
I'm intruiged about your quest to discover your father. Your search puts me in mind of Mama Mia, a film I was appalled by the first time I saw it but over the years I've learnt to enjoy it for its pure joyfulness. xxx
Love that you can test out your holiday wardrobe, you always look so happy in the Sun. I will hunt around for that book "The Stoning", it sounds really good. Probably what we call Outback Noir, (like Scandi Noir but hotter). I think you have watched Mystery Road - which is classic Outback Noir and absolutely fabulous TV. If you can't imagine the Outback then watch this movie and that's what it is. Stay cool babe.
ReplyDeleteHi DianeS! I love the sun. I was up at 5am every morning of our mini heatwave, I couldn't bear to miss a minute! Its good training for Greece.
DeleteI love anything Outback related, I think it started after I read A Town Called Alice! Mystery Road is fantastic, one of my favourites. I saw that the cover of The Stoning described it as Outback Noir, a term I'd never herad before but I'll take that over Scandi Noir, too cold!
Rain and grey skies today...back to normal! xxx
I love A Town Call Alice, read that when I was a teenager. If you can find it there is a miniseries with Bryan Brown and Helen Morse filmed in the 1980s.
DeleteOh, thanks for that...I'll see if I can find it! Xxx
DeleteI've been looking for that 80s version for years. Never been on Region 2 DVD release as far as I could find. Dif once see a vintage Oz region one but it was £84!!!
DeleteI love your high summer dresses. You look just as gorgeous without your usual makeup, youthful in fact! The cat jumper is so darn cute.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks so much, Lise! I don't know what i loved most about that jumper, the puffed sleeves or the cats! xxx
DeleteI feel 10 years younger in the warm weather and get a lot more done than in the dreary winter months. I'm obsessed with A Place in the Sun and in particular when they're looking for.property on Greece and in France. I can but dream! You could probably still use your Kobo while it's plugged in and charging. Glad you're chasing up your hip appointments. My sister recommended a book to me last week 'Anil's Ghost' written by the author of The English Patient and one of my daughters-in-law has just read Muckle Flugga (named after a Shetland island) by Scottish writer Michael Pedersen. Think I've already recommended The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.There endeth the book reviews! Have a good week.No sun here but still warm. I'll take that!xxx
ReplyDeleteMe, too! I feel so much more alive, I can't stay in bed after 5am, I don't want to waste a second.
DeleteI go through phases of A Place in the Sun, I love the ones where they're looking at crumbling old places they want to do up in rural France and in Greek villages, too.
Thanks for the book recommendations. Michael Ondaatje is such a brilliant writer, I absolutely loved The English Patient, I've not read Anil's Ghost. I shall see if I can track any of them down.
Like my phone, I can use the Kobo when it's charging but didn't want to miss a second of sunshine. It generally holds its charge for ages but caught me out on Sunday.
It was hot and sunny enough to sit out yesterday afternoon , I'm hoping for the same today but the sky is looking rather ominous at the mo! xxx
I thought of you potentially basking in the hot, hot weather last week, I knew you would love it. I was hiding indoors trying desperately to keep cool. I hope Widows Bay comes to one of the streaming services we've got, I don't have Apple, but I really want to see it. The exhibition looks amazing, as did your lunch ... what a bargain.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that's me, OI think I wsa a lizard in a past life! Our houes is usually cold but it felt hotter inside than out last week!
DeleteWidow's Bay is brilliant. Apple do some great shows, Slow Horses is even better than the books and Criminal Record with Peter Capaldi would have you on the edge of your seat - you could splash out £9.99 for a month's membership (with a free 7 days) and have a massive catch-up in the Autumn! xxx
You are going to look splendid on holiday, as always! (It was far too hot for me; I hid in the house for a week.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mim! It's a lot easier packing for a holiday when the eather at home is similar! I hope you're a bit more comfortable now! xxx
DeleteWhat a cultural fest -fashion, art, food, literature... I love your summer dresses, especially the first two! I struggle in the heat, but have been going for the headscarves, oversized sunglasses and kimono look. The exhibition looks really fascinating and the goat's cheese salad looks delicious (my favourite tea room does an amazing goat's cheese quiche with salad). I'm loving all the recommendations and will check out Dark Winds on Netflix.
ReplyDeleteHello Tanya Eve and thank you! Your headscarf, sunglasses and kimono look sounds right up my street, cool, stylish and wafty.
DeleteI love goat's cheese, I've got a friend who hates it - weirdo! - it works so well with salads.
Dark Winds is so good, the plot is gripping and the cast are jaw-droppingly beautiful. xxx
The blue and white dress looks great on you, very summery and romantic with the hat.
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping my fingers crossed that you'll be able to buy the Monsoon dress at Vinted later.
Thanks, Andrea! I'd not worn that dress for ages, I'd forgotten how much I loved it!
DeleteThe Monsoon dress was incredible, there's also an embroidered tunic. The range is called Victoria which I think is a sign it was made for me! xxx
Your dresses are gorgeous, Vix. And I knew you'd be enjoying this hot weather. Even my bikini had an outing this week! X
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jules! Yay! I'm glad your bikini got an outing. Vinted were very naughty, they recommended a bikini I'd had my eye on last year but couldn't justify the expense, it was £4 with the tags still attached! xxx
DeleteI've been absolutely loving this weather. I haven't been in touch about coming over because it's just been too hot to sit in the car.!
ReplyDeleteI love the RBSA and that exhibition looks amazing so I suppose I should be glad of the cooler temperatures if I'm going to go.
Really sorry to hear you haven't got your results yet, it's so hard to be patient when it's affecting your day to day activities. Xx
Hello Annie! Don't worry, we've got ages before the first festival, this glorious weather had to be enjoyed, we don't get it all that often!
DeleteAlthough Liz has pointed out the RBSA when we've been in the Jewellery Quarter it was the first time I'd been in, it's such a fantastic and welcoming space. Birmingham is such a great city! xxx
Lovely outfits. The first one is my favorite. Must be frustrating having to wait for the xrays to be read.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Hena! I think the first one might be my favourite, too!
DeleteOur NHS is wonderful but waiting months for results is really trying! xxx
Our sunny spell ended with torrential rain. A month's worth in less than 48 hours. The winds were wild and there a couple of fences taken out by falling trees. Luckily for the fence owners the trees were owned by the City, so they are responsible for the repairs and removal. We found out by accident last year that the City actually owns a lot of trees on peoples property. One son has a massive tree that turns out to be a City tree. He has copies of that letter in multiple safe spaces, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe first photograph with a woman in a green frock reminded me of the Polyester Princess!
We had biblical amounts of rain on Monday night but nothing in comparison with yours. I found myself saying "it'll be good gfor the graden" and realised I sounded like I was 80!
DeleteYour son was lucky that his tree was owned by the city (and he's got the paperwork to prove it!) On the rare occasion we get permission to do anything with ours the costs are prohibitive!
That painting does look like Ann! xxx
I love Mrs Kaurs dress! I think it's good to go.bareface as much as possible. I do, let's our skin breath (and shed/renew). Now your trees are chopped back you will get more light in the garden. Betty
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betty! Much as I love the routine of applyimh makeup, it's very freeing when I don't bother.
DeleteI only bought that dress as I wanted to help Mrs Kaur out and ended up wearing it loads. It doesn't crease and has no fastenings so its perfect for wearing to the pool. I travelled to Corfu in it last July and the security staff at Birmingham Airport were in raptures over it. When I came back I went straight back to her shop and bought another couple!
The London Plane pruning hasn't made a lot of difference to the light in our garden sadly, there's still loads more trees to contend with. I'm endlessly dragging my throw up and down the lawn trying to get my body in the sun! xxx
Hi Vix, what a great collection of sundresses you have spanning the decades. I especially like the first blue and white one and the green and white one. Thank you for the Led Zeppelin too- always gets the blood flowing. I( like others) rather like the dress from Mrs Kaur's too- paired with your denim waistcoat. A goats cheese salad too- lovely. Do you prefer your summer wardrobe to your winter one? You seem to revel in the sunnier days.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alysia! I knew you'd appreciate a bit of Led Zep! I've been trying to whittle down all my dresses into a handful to take to greece with me, I'm almost there, I think!
DeleteI do feel more me dressing for the Summer even though I do love my Afghan coats, cowboy boots and hats! xxx
So frustrating to be waiting on that diagnosis! I hope you get it soon!
ReplyDeleteYou are wearing an incredible selection of dresses here- I prticularly like the Silvermann one and the green and white striped one! You defo make walking sticks look cool!!
Mircaulously I had a call not long after I'd posted this. Its not what I wanted but at least I can sort of plan my lofe a bit better now! xxx
DeleteMeant to ask you also, have you been watching Two weeks in Europe? We've been watching it- it's very intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI binge watched it last week! I didn't expect to like it as much as I did, it was really good! Thanks for reminding me, I meant to blog about it! xxx
DeleteAugust not Europe!!
ReplyDeleteGotcha! x
DeleteSummer is certainly your season Vix and look simply fantastic in all your dresses.
ReplyDeleteThe art exhibition was really interesting , sounds a great day out.
It is so frustrating waiting for X ray results , know it well . Best of luck with it all.
Keep on enjoying your early Summer.
Thanks so much, Jill! I do love the Summer, its a lot easier getting dressed!
DeleteI have my x-ray results, yipee! xxx
What a glorious week you've had. I could almost feel the sunshine coming through the screen as I read this. Between the garden days, the swimming, the books, the charity shop finds, and all those fabulous dresses, it sounds like you've been making the most of every minute of that beautiful weather.
ReplyDeleteThat David Silverman maxi is absolutely stunning, and what a bargain for a designer piece. I also laughed at your cat jumper find because it seems impossible for you to leave a charity shop empty-handed. The fact that Jon came home with records from the Tip Shop while you came home with clothes feels very on brand for both of you.
The Portrait Prize exhibition looked incredible. I spent ages looking at the photos, especially the portrait with those striking eyes and the "Hagitude" piece. It's amazing how a painting can stop you in your tracks and hold your attention for ages. I can see why you and Liz had such a lovely day out.
Your reading list has me taking notes as well. I've read To Kill a Mockingbird but never picked up Go Set a Watchman, mainly because I wasn't sure I wanted my image of Atticus Finch challenged. Now you've made me curious, although perhaps a little wary too!
I hope the hospital gets back to you soon. Waiting is often the hardest part, especially when you know the results are sitting there somewhere. In the meantime, I love that someone told you that you're the only person who can make a walking stick look cool. Honestly, after seeing your outfits over the years, I can completely believe that. Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts, and don't worry about blog visits. When the weather is that good, real life should absolutely win.
Thanks so much for the comment, Melody, greatly appreciated! Have a fab weekend! xxx
DeleteThanks so much, Ellie! i hop all's good with you and that you're coping with the humidity.
ReplyDeleteMud was an excellent watch, I'm not sure why the film had passed me by, I do love MM, I even follow him on Facebook! xxx
The Eyes in that Painting were kind of making me feel like my Eyes had gone wonky, but it was hard to look away from it.
ReplyDeleteI love Cher too. And recently read her autobiography. Have you read it? X
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous in your summer dresses! Simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteThe art you shared from the exhibition is gorgeous, too. I love the modern portrait recalling Sargent but with a modern lady sitting for a portrait with a Lego bouquet. Gorgeous!
Love the idea of giving a test run to your fabulous holiday wardrobe, love that gingham trimmed dress, love that striped one (particularly cool!) and the green gingham so summery one, but my favourite one are your collection of halterneck dresses. Looking gorgeous in them and totally in a summery mood!. Despite not being myself a huge fan of summer heat, love to see you rocking in your garden and looking so fab!
ReplyDeleteThat exhibition looks really appealing and some of those paintings are evocative and so interesting, love the 'modern approach' to something so classic as portrait paintings.
besos
Lovely outfits, all, Vix! What good finds you discover! I think you look even more beautiful at "factory settings" (my new phrase for no make-up). We've been having cool and windy days here. Glad your tree is getting trimmed!
ReplyDelete