Me n' Him...

 That's me.

New Dress :)  Loving the mass of cotton and crazy TieDye.

Feeling Over Tired but sort of serene.

 Crazy hair - 3 months since it was last cut.

*must take better care of Oneself*

 ...and that's Him.

(he is sat at my feet as i type)

 Who'dve thunk it - me living with another Boy!

I had said "Never Again" (to another Boy, not a dog)

 Welcome Scottie!

(We didn't name him, The Dog's Trust did.

It seemed cruel to change it, even if it is a naff name for a Scottie Dog)

There he is, hiding in his 'Safe Place' because little dogs need a refuge.

Much like their Grown Up owners...

We all need a little Snuggle Space now and then.

Vintage Me...

There is no need to 'beat about the bush' here. I needed a Vintage Fix - and i needed one today.

I had 2 children with me on saturday day and night. They were up, washed, dressed, fed and dropped with Grandma by 9.30am. I had a window of 2 hours, during which i wanted peace - imaginings - shopping and a coffee..... i deserve it. Everyone deserves things that make them feel better about their world.

Royal Leamington Spa *sigh* i lived here in my heady youth. For a few years in a student house (a nice one you know, no squat) and then i had my own bedsit for a year or so - bliss. Such a pretty place to live.

So i parked up beyond the bandstand and took a Sunny walk round to the Old Pump Rooms. A perfect venue for a Vintage Fair.

I like it when a fair has Bunting outside, It sort of feels right and proper. It is a good beginning to any fair.

I dabbled and browsed. Going for a quick 'recon' past every stall quickly... before taking a second slower look at the goodies.

 Excuse the lack of stall photos. I was at the fair in my capacity as a needy, tired middle-aged hag, rather than as a journo-bloggist-wannabe-something.

This was a dandy stall. The lady knew what she was dealing in and what was contemporary taste (if that is such a possible thing? contemporary vintage? what an oxymoronic phrase)

Her pricing was spot on. Somethings were really expensive - but they were worth that money. Her goodies were desirable.... i wanted the fat green bread bin - see it up high in the middle? it was fantastic. It was £44. Even with a quick haggle and a deal, my life is not one that allows me to indulge £40 in a bin... for my bread... you understand.

I did desire this Flour bin though. So much that i did indeed buy it (twas much cheaper than the bread bin). It is a funny thing but i have been looking to get a flour bin for a while now. I could have held out for a good Car Boot to find my treasure but i neeeeeded to come home with something today. I needed a 'pretty' in my car, to help me feel good and soothed (pathetic? yes, i know)

Then, i managed to have a brief coffee. Alone. In peace. With an eldery gentleman beside me eyeing my Flour bin - most probably bemused at why i was sharing a cup of coffee with it on a Sunday morning.

Aaaah Thrifty Lovers - you'll know how this was. How sweet it was to be alone and browse and dream. I am very guilty of forgetting i am a person - outside of being a mum and all those other stressful weekday demands.

I fully intend to start treating myself better.

And not feel too guilty about being an indulgent Vintage Me x

Details of a Party...

Saturday Night was the Christmas Ball.
An annual village event with a new 'theme' each year.
This year was "Art Deco" ~ Vintage / Black / Sparkles a-go-go... Vintage Dress from Etsy.

Sepia photos to set the period feel.

Pearl and diamante necklace ~ thrifted some years back and worn, worn, worn. Suits all occasions.

Diamante Brooch ~~~ hmm, i can't remember... maybe it came on a jumper that i bought in the January Sales? but it was a long while ago now. "Sparkles"

Funny, messy, scrunchy hair clipped bed hair.

Didn't mean to repeat that photo but can't seem to get rid of it now.

Individual tables with seating plans and each table is dedicated to an Old Time Movie star.

Caterers getting the run-through from the Chef on order of table service and all that Jazz.

Evening begins and Lots of my favourite people all talking, laughing, eating (drinking!)

There was a Champagne Reception and Bellini Cocktails. There was a magician and a Live Band. There were tears and some early home time... but that is the party itself and these were just some little details xxx

Happy Christmas Parties people. December arrives....

j'adore vintage....

Life might just be complete.... Sunday morning spent at a Vintage Fashion Fair, followed by a perfect italian Cappucino... *sigh* (of course, having MrsB with me would have been the cherry on top *sends you kisses*) I was on a mission - i had a list of items i was looking for, but.... at the same time, you need to enter these places with an open mind, a creative heart and a wallet full of cash. THAT perfcet item *might* be in there and one must be prepared.

Open doors at the Northampton University (not a pretty place) but OH the treasures inside!! I was shocked that it was so 'not' busy in there - fantastic for me, i hate fighting elbows through the rails of clothes.

Bird entrance stamp... now i really want a wrist tattoo. I never thought about having one before, but having it sat there made me yearn for a full-time wrist birdie x

Rails of wonder - so much to see. I did have the ManFish and SmallFish with me, which brings it's own rewards (man carrying bags) and difficulties (SmallFish is a slippery one) and joys.... look at her in that hat! Everyone falling in love with her....

SmallFish actually has a really good eye for the vintage. Not a fan of shopping generally, the vintage markets and local carboots really suit her energentic personality. She had £5 to spend and managed to come home with 4 pieces of jewelery and a lovely fan. Results all round.

I could go through and list EVERY item i wanted from this leather stall. But i like to *think* i know when to stop. The case right at the front of that table... i wanted it so bad but i did not need it. For £45 it was a stunning bargain but too small to be of real use. And, don't get me started about the delicious little handbag sat on the back window...

I did buy a suitcase - it was a huge one! for £18 - i thought it was such value, i didn't even barter on the price. See me in my BEST purchase **THAT DRESS** aaahhhh, i changed into it there and then at the fair. 100%Cotton, full skirt, belted waist, calf length, stand up collar - H A P P Y -

Price...? £6...... yes, £6. I would have paid so much more.

ManFish bought me the above red / white / blue apron style skirt with the cutest pockets (i'm wearing it today)....

And we left the fair as a team of happy shoppers....

"the ones that got away".... the topdress below was super cute BUT these are the battles you have with vintage and secondhand. The stall holder tried to start the bidding too high. I think she thought i 'had money'. I later stood next to her as she offered a similar item to a customer at HALF the price she quoted me - bad luck lady, you do yourself out of sales by being cheeky. I loved it but i am holding the back tighter as it was quite loose fitting. SO, it didn't make it home with me today...

and.... THIS was so close. From the same naughty stall as the dress above... it is really The One that 'got away'. i should have bought it BUT again, it needed some work and i couldn't see how i was going to alter it without ruining it entirely. Ah well, you win some - you lose some. There will be other dresses / other fairs....

These are the shoes and bag that i bought at this very same fair back in March - the shy glimpse of a petticoat below my new dress... a petticoat was on my list of 'things to buy today'. It was perfect in every way and some foolish man sold it to me for £1 ... why? i would have paid so much more!

Then into my favourite DOLPHIN CAFE on the route home. A coffee and a sandwich x

I can understand if you're not a vintage fan. No other person in my family 'gets' vintage. They think i am mad. Maybe. But i know a good thing when i see it.

j'adore vintage. It makes me happy x

Ebay Joy...

Ebay is truly Love / Hate for me...
There are items that take a month to arrive - clothes that aren't what they seemed - furniture not fit for use - dvd's that don't work... (the mistake buys go on and on)

And THEN you find a gem **BLING** >>>>>>> Oh Yummy Yummy 1970's dress.
You can see i had trouble photographing it to it's full effect!

It is much brighter than it seems here and sets off a gentle tan with it's neon pink.

Fits very snuggly (especially after a gentle handwash - i was scared i'd have to sew myself into it after it met warm water)

It is floor length with a sort of fish tail at the back.

£12.00 ebay treasure - i wore it on Saturday night... (and well in to Sunday morning... for which I am still paying the price with a soft head averse to noise) for a "Summer of 1969" party. You know me, i'd wear it for a non-themed event, vintage clothing gives me so much pleasure.

And i had to share with you: ManFish and MotherFish who threw themselves into the idea of a 1970's Festival Theme with such enthusiasm... i don't know where i get my sense of colour and fun from.....?

Colour and Fun!! (remind me to show the photos of us all dressed as the AntHill Mob)

I love sharing my world with you x enjoy the sunshine my friends!

Inside Out Days...

If you are a UK blog reader - you will KNOW how I'm feeling...
Sunshine!?*!
There are 2 major lovely things that can happen during our rare days of sunshine...
#1 My house goes Inside Out:

#2 White dresses are suddenly appropriate, where as when it's raining....

they look ridiculous ...why is that?? Happy Sunshine my darling friends x x x

Queen for a day...

What real commentary do these photos need?
You require only one vital piece of information...
I shopped today at a FANTASTIC vintage clothes Fayre (Northampton University) Mary Jane beauties £8

Leather bag to die, and live for! £20 (i call her 'envy', she is the envy of my sister who missed this treasure and IF i had missed it too, i would have 'envied' the new owner in a painful way)

Please also note cute little orange resin ring on my pinky £3 (thanks sis for that photo!)

The dress 'furthest' away is a Cath Kidston i might wear to a birthday lunch this weekend. I am worried it is a bit casual though. The middle is a navy print 60's dress from todays spree. The nearest is a negligee type dress in anticipation of a warmer Summer - again, found today.

I confess, there was more, but these were hurried x

The Fish Family. A fragmented and unusual family where sightings as a 'group/trio' are rare...