The Princess Prudence Diaries

Cardiff - Street Photography

2012-01-28T20:49:00.000Z

Today hubby, step-son and I went off to Cardiff to visit step-daughter. It was an impromptu visit spurred on by the fact that it's a rare weekend where there isn't work being carried out on the house.

As some of my long term readers know, I used to have a passion (and a skill) for photography, and then like most of my hobbies it kind of fizzled out. I recently bought a new camera which would allow me to experess my photographic creativity, without burdening me down with the weight of the SLRs which I've previously taken along with me. So, bearing in mind that I've already told you about Cardiff in previous posts on previous visits, today I decided to take my camera along and treat it a bit like a photography trip instead. I shot in black and white, and purposely used either ISO 800 or 1600 to create the grainy, noisy effect I was looking for. It wasn't always easy shooting in such a high ISO in such bright sunlit conditions, but given my absence from photography for such a long time, I'm pretty pleased with today's results and feel a passion reigniting.

Enjoy.

Hubby

Step-son in a cafe

Hubby in a cafe

Busker

Interesting reflections in shop mirrors

Another busker

Happy couple

Cardiff library

A girl sketching

St. Davids.

Sarenza Brand Ambassador Competition Entry - Pamphile by Georgia Rose

2012-01-27T09:51:00.000Z

With 314 brands of women’s shoes on the Sarenza website, I actually found it quite difficult to decide on a favourite pair. In the end I plumped for these beautiful Pamphile leather loafers by Georgia Rose.

Photo Courtesy of Sarenza

Why? I hear you ask. Well, I was searching for a shoe that had a timeless classic quality, but with a modern twist. It was important for me to find something that would translate as well with my beautiful vintage frocks as it would with a smart pair of trousers. Something to wear to a job interview that I would still want to wear to go for drinks with friends too. In these shoes readers, I found exactly what I was looking for, a versatile shoe that would really earn its keep.

Photo Courtesy of Sarenza

I know that some ladies don’t particularly like brogues, and that is largely about the androgynous styling of them. For me, that’s an attractive feature, but if androgyny doesn’t float your boat, these stylish loafers with brogue detailing are simply the perfect option. With their unmistakeably feminine style, they will work effortlessly with any outfit, modern or vintage. A much smarter and long lasting alternative to the flat ballet pump so favoured in recent years, and with regular trips to the local cobbler these will see you through many a season to come.

Photo Courtesy of Sarenza

Made from gorgeous quality leather, and priced at £135.15, these shoes are available here from Sarenza in a choice of 3 classic and easy to wear colours. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Also in Grey
Photo Courtesy of Sarenza

Also in Beige
Photo Courtesy of Sarenza

Secret Sunday

2012-01-25T12:21:00.000Z

So, I know, I'm writing a blog post on Wednesday about my night out on Sunday, but the thing is I was a bad Princess on Sunday night, and I drank way more red wine than I should have done, which resulted in a very poorly me on Monday, and a none too clever me yesterday... although I still made my second dance class with hubby yesterday.

So, Sunday I finally finished making my dress, and with little time to spare I pulled it and my delicious new shoes on just in time to be picked up by the delightful Mr and Mrs. R. It's the first time I'd seen Mrs. R since she had some pink put in her hair, and she looked fantabulous. It makes me want to dye mine mega red.

Anyway, we arrived a little early and so parked ourself in what was possible the worse pub in Birmingham. Seriously, it was like something out of a bad spaghetti western and they didn't even have lemonade for Mr. R's shandy. Anyway, we weren't in there too long before we were setting off to 'The End' at Birmingham Ballroom for the Secret Sunday Burlesque show. We were meeting Mr and Mrs. W there, and soon we were all perched (literally perched, those were some high and pretty uncomfortable stools) waiting for the show to start.

It was a good show on the scale of Burlesque shows. They can be really hit and miss and whilst this wasn't the Candy Box, or necessarily as good as the one we visited in Derby, it was still most definitely one of the better ones. The acts were really good and we all had a great time. During the interval there was a music set by the Rockabilly group, The Voodoo Kings. They were great, I had a right bop, which I'm really surprised about given the new shoes, maybe it was because I'd had rather too much red wine.

By the time we left both hubby and I were totally drunk and very jolly. We'd all had a fantastic time, I just wasn't expecting the almighty hangover that hit me on Monday morning... all in a weekend's work.

I have nothing to wear!

2012-01-22T16:22:00.000Z

Tonight I am off to a Burlesque show with hubby and some of our friends, and I so desperately wanted to wear the new shoes I bought the other day. I only have one green dress to my name, which is the beautiful Jasmine Guiness one Mr & Mrs R bought me for my birthday, which I wore out over Christmas. Nonetheless, it dawned on me that I had this, half finished in my stash box and started about 5 months back. It was meant to be the practice version of my party dress (you'd never believe it was once a pair of curtains would you?). Anyway, I dug it out and decided to finish it, which I did today, just in time for my night out. What do you think?

The Casual Problem

2012-01-21T10:08:00.000Z

Do you know what I've discovered? I've discovered that I have a difficulty with dressing casual. It's true, yesterday I was putting this outfit together to nip over to Leamington for a meander around the shops, and it took me an absolute age to try and figure out what to put on. In the end I managed to take a waistcoat from a Joules suit and pair it with this little lot. It didn't help that it was torrential rain again though, it's hardly inspiring.

Anyway, apart from a beautiful jumper that I bought for hubby, and a new top for me, Leamington was fairly fruitless. It got me out of the house though.

Today we have more work being done on the house, and I'm going to attempt to finish making a dress that I started back in August. It was meant to be the practice version of my birthday party dress, but I never finished it and it will go beautifully with my new shoes, for a night out tomorrow night.

Have a good weekend folks.

Exploring other options

2012-01-19T20:59:00.000Z

Well quite, I didn't know what SEO was before. I'm sure lots of you guys knew it was search engine optimisation, and indeed what that means, but no, I'm a simple girl and had no idea. That was until today when I attended a free workshop aimed at people interested in starting their own business. I've toyed with the idea of starting a business before, I have lots of skills and interests that I think I could turn into profit making ventures, but whether I'd be brave enough to go for it or not is a whole other matter. Nonetheless, I had the time free to attend, and thought it might be useful to go to, just in case finding a job is harder than it already appears to be. It's common in times of recession for more people to set up in business isn't it? I can see why.

Anyway, with a casual dress code I thought I'd take the opportunity to wear this bright but comfortable Next dress that I bought earlier in the month in the sales, and off I trotted to Birmingham. It seemed odd going out in the commuter rush, it felt kind of nice being part of the rat race again for a morning.

The course itself was quite useful, I thought. Largely it covered selling online, or at the very least online marketing, and covered everything from selling on Amazon, to building an inexpensive website for yourself, to making sure you feature highly in search rankings. If I do ever come to be self employed it would certainly be useful information to know.

After lunch (I was at the end of the lunch queue so what was left wasn't that nice) I decided that the afternoon's programme, centred largely of exporting, would be of no use to anything I would ever want to do. So, I took it upon myself to take a wander around Birmingham. I was trying to avoid spending anything as I really need to be more frugal... at least until I nail an income, and so when all I'd bought was £3 worth of jersey to make a skirt, I was quite smug. Then you see, it all went down hill. I went into Schuh. I've always wanted a pair of Irregular Choice shoes, their crazy designs just appeal to my sense of fun. I always find them so expensive though, even on eBay they always seem to go very expensive in my size, but Schuh had the last of the sale items in, and there were a pair of Courtesan heels in green in my size. The sequins and sparkle screamed at me, I tried them on and fell in love and the rest is history. I hope to wear these for a night out on Sunday, aren't they lush?

Now, these really do need to be my last purchase.

Quick, Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow

2012-01-18T10:55:00.000Z

So, what a busy old day I had yesterday. I did think that being unemployed I would struggle to fill my days and would be going out of my mind by this, week 2 of unemployment, but actually I don't think I've stopped. It's been one thing after another.

Anyway, Monday I was contacted regarding a possible job opportunity. A 3 month contract with a local employer in my first choice area of expertise, so naturally I jumped at the chance. It was through a recruitment consultancy, and it wasn't one I had registered with, they had found my CV online and thought it suitable. They invited me yesterday to pop along to their offices for an interview with them, and to do some competency tests. As you can imagine, I was quite excited by the prospect since it's the only ray of hope I have had on the jobs front in all the time I've been applying. Ironic that it wasn't a job I'd applied for.

I opted for a smart but warm neutral look to go to the interview in. It's funny, I wore this Fever dress here a couple of weeks back, and it had been in my wardrobe waiting for an interview as I thought it was the perfect interview dress. I got fed up waiting for interviews, wore it anyway, and soon after have an interview to attend... do you think that's luck?

After the interview I had a potter around Nuneaton town centre. There was a vintage flea market on, where I bagged a cute little Beswick Airedale figure, and I also managed to find something in a charity shop that I've been looking for for ages, a denim skirt. only £3 too, which can't be bad. What with the early start for the interview I was back home by mid-afternoon. to walk the dogs and change outfit.

It was mine and hubby's first dance class. We'd signed up to West Coast Swing classes a couple of weeks back, both eager to dance and of course to get a bit of exercise, with our love of Blues, Jazz and all things vintage we picked this one out as being pretty perfect. So, off we trotted to our local college for our lesson. It was great fun, ok so despite having done dancing before I did have a bit of lead foot syndrome, and also I kept trying to take hubby's role and lead the dance, but these are minor things... I'm sure I'll sort them out. Hubby on the other hand got complimented by the dance tutor for his moves. Of course this is a fact he is never ever going to let me forget now, but there you go. A secret Fred Astaire all this time, and I never knew.

We both enjoyed dancing immensely and can't wait for lesson 2 next week.

The Artist

2012-01-16T22:00:00.000Z

Last week I spent at least an hour on the Internet trying to find this film playing at a cinema near us. I'd read some great things about this very intelligent film, but none of the huge multiplex cinemas in the vicinity were showing it. Obviously not enough car chases, violence or animation for the locals. Anyway, yet again I had to resort to Twitter, and someone recommended The Electric Cinema in Birmingham.

I'd never heard of the place, but it's an independent cinema, and is apparently the oldest working cinema in the country. It has a very art deco vibe, and that alone without the fact that they seemed to be the only cinema in the Midlands showing 'The Artist' made me curious.

So, yesterday hubby and I put on our glad rags, and headed over to Birmingham for the 5.45pm showing of the film. We found a nearby carpark and found the lovely little cinema only to find out that the showing was sold out. Never mind, we bought our tickets for the 8.15pm showing and went for a wander around nearby China Town and The Arcadian in search of a bar for some drinks.

It was a bit stark around there, 100s of Chinese restaurants and a handful of soul less bars. Maybe it was just because it was a Sunday, but it seemed a bit deserted. Anyway, eventually we found a nice little pub that was just opposite the Hippodrome, and was quite obviously the theatre bar.

We took up a seat in the corner, and sat with our drinks. Then we took advantage of the scenery, and the lack of punters to take lots of photographs of our outfits. As you can see, I couldn't wait to wear all of my newest acquisitions, my Monsoon dress and the hat and bag which Dr. W brought for me on Saturday. I love this outfit.

Hubby was working the 40s vibe too, and looking mighty dapper too.

After an hour or so, we wandered back to the cinema and took advantage of the lovely little bar in the foyer of the cinema. Hubby was driving, so he could only have coffee, but I plumped for a delicious blue cocktail, the name of which escapes me. It washed down the nachos just nicely. Another great thing that this cinema offers is the ability to take your glass of wine into the lovely little auditorium to sip while you enjoy the film. Can you tell I'm enamoured of The Electric?

Anyway, soon enough we were watching the film, the one we'd travelled all the way from Coventry especially to see. I hadn't realised that it was a silent film until I had read the leaflet in the foyer, so this was going to be quite an experience. Unless you've been under a rock today you've probably seen that the film has received a couple of Golden Globes today, and it is well worthy of them. It was witty, funny, the photography was astounding and it really did invoke the feeling of a bygone era. It was a really charming love story, an I have to say that the dog was truly astounding. He reminded me a little of Alfie, and now I'm desperate to try and teach him some of those tricks. It was a really glamorous film, and I think if you have any interest in times gone by, or even just in fantastic photography and clever films then this is one you must not miss. I'm just glad that we found somewhere to watch it.

Hubby and I haven't been on a date night in some time, and the visit to see this film at this cinema was lovely. We really had a great time.

Dr In the House

2012-01-14T20:32:00.000Z

I had a really nice day yesterday. For one, the weather was grand, and secondly I didn't have anything in particular on. My most onerous task was a need to visit the bank in the afternoon, so I thought I'd take advantage of what could possibly be our last mildish day for the forseeable future to don the beautiful vintage tartan skirt that hubby bought me for Christmas (and which he takes great pride in telling everyone, he chose himself without my input) and my floppy (don't wear it in the wind) hat.

I pottered into town and sorted out a little bit of stuff at the bank, and then had a meander around the shops. I bought a nice new necklace in Monsoon and some bits in Debenhams, as well as picking up the Ed Sheeran album for hubby as I know he wanted it. I was home shortly after hubby and unexpectedly we didn't have step-son. We usually do have him on a Friday, but he wasn't very well. Hubby suggested an impromptu night out, and when I asked for suggestions on Twitter, lovely Roisin invited us over to Leamington to meet up with her, Nic, Lauren and loads of other lovely people in the pub. Nic was celebrating having achieved his PhD, which let's face it is huge reason to celebrate.

After a quick visit to the inlaws, we were in Beryl and off to Leamington to meet up with the crowd. It was such a lovely evening, we got to meet some of Roisin and Nic's other friends, and it was a lovely laid back kind of evening spent chatting and laughing until it was time to head home. Sometimes an impromptu night out can be one of the best.

Today we've been having some work done on the house, and aside from a trip to B&Q for more decorating supplies, we haven't been anywhere, which given the sudden drop in temperature, I'm not too disappointed about. The highlight of the day though was a visit by Dr. W who popped in for a cuppa, and brought me two lovely gifts, a vintage leather handbag and a fantastic pill box hat. I think I might wear these tomorrow because they are just too gorgeous.

New Goodies

Hope you're all having great weekends.

January Inspiration

2012-01-12T20:52:00.000Z

So, I know, we're almost half way through January, it's a little late for me to start posting inspiration now. It's my blog though, and if I want to post inspirations for a month when half the month has gone, then who's to stop me.

Much of my January so far has been spent either around the house, or out sale shopping. The weather is changeable, some days it's lovely, today it's pretty bleak, and I just feel the need for comfort clothing. The route of my inspiration for January are comfortable fabrics like jersey, wool and tweed. Laid back, and yet warm casual outfits with just a hit of colour to brighten them up.

January Inspiration by princessprudence featuring skull jewelry

Here's how my slouchy set looks. What's your inspiration for January?

A Right Scrubber

2012-01-10T17:48:00.000Z

What a hectic day I've had. I had intended to spend the morning cleaning the kitchen, and the afternoon applying for jobs. It didn't quite work out like that though because I got carried away with the kitchen and ended up cleaning out and reorganising all of the cupboards too. I've decided that keeping house is much more difficult than office based work, and I'd quite like to go back to office based work now ... for a rest.

My only breaks were to walk the dogs at lunchtime, and a trip over the road to the laundrette (how old school) to dry some bedding I'd washed. We don't have a tumble dryer at home, the kitchen is too small. The kichen is looking pretty damn good though, so that's mission accomplished. I think I'll just kick back and relax tonight. What fun plans do you have?

Happy days

2012-01-09T20:54:00.000Z

Today I failed miserably at my first day of being a stay at home housewife. Hubby was home from work before I was home from shopping, dinner was late and I still haven't done the washing up. Never mind, tomorrow is another day.

Knowing I had so much to do today I wanted to be warm, but bright as I think I have got into a habit of not wearing bright enough colours.

This morning I had to hot foot it up to the doctors. I've had a sore throat for such a long time, like about a week. It feels like I'm swallowing glass, so I finally succumbed to the urges of hubby and Mum to go to the doctors and it turns out that I may have a bacterial throat infection, and so I'm on penicillan for the next week... all of a sudden no booze January kicks in again.

Beryl

From the doctors I was off to collect Beryl, and then I took her for a day out to nearby Solihull. Whoever knew that town centres were such laid back and enjoyable places during the week? Heaven knows they aren't at the weekend. Solihull was great, and I hadn't intended to buy anything but remember the dress I fell in love with in Monsoon before Christmas? Well, they had reduced it to £20... how could I say no?

Photo from http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/

All in all today has been a pretty excellent day.

Just for Vix, here are the shorts I bought on Saturday. I'll get a better picture as soon as I get a chance to wear them.

Photo from http://www.stylecompare.co.uk/

Sunny Cardiff

2012-01-08T19:25:00.000Z

Well, it's been a manic week of filling skips and tearing parts of the house apart in order for some household maintenance and decorating works to be done over the coming weeks, it's all been go, go, go. Nonetheless, yesterday hubby and I took a day out to take step-daughter back to Cardiff for the start of term.

We were up bright and early, so early in fact that I got to witness some lovely sunrises over the motorway. As much as I protest at getting out of bed at ungodly hours like 6am, I do actually love travelling really early in the morning because I think the views that you get of the world at those times of day is just magical. Alas, the photographs which I took through Granville's dirty windscreen don't really do it justice, but you get the idea.

We stopped off en route at the usual truckers cafe that we always do, and enjoyed a mega fry up. I had trouble finishing mine though given that I have a really sore throat right now. We arrived in Cardiff around mid-morning, but unfortunately I didn't get to enjoy all of the journey as I spent so much time on the phone to Churchill in order to try and chase up the insurance documents for Beryl (who I collect tomorrow). I have to say, by the end of that I was getting quite irritated. Anyway, we arrived mid-morning, and unloaded all of step-daughters supplies into her house. After time for a brief outfit shot outside in her street, we were setting off into the town centre.

Wales, as many of you will know, has a tendency towards rain, but we were so lucky yesterday. Admittedly, it was cold, but then again it is January, you can't have everything. It was beautifully sunny though, so we got to see Cardiff in a light that we haven't enjoyed yet, enjoying street performers and street art as we wandered. We did our usual thing of going to the vintage shop which is set in a lovely little arcade (I must get the name of the place on my next visit). I didn't find anything to buy, but hubby got this fabulous knitted waistcoat. Afterwards we enjoyed a milkshake in the tea rooms opposite, and then set off to explore a bit more of Cardiff.

I was scouring the sales, and despite trying on a couple of dresses in Laura Ashley, I wasn't really finding much to buy... well apart from a beautiful cake stand in their sale. I did come away with a few bits from the accessorize sale, which rarely disappoints, and then we took a turn along a road we hadn't visited before. Here we found some different eateries, and opted to have dinner in Henry's, which had a really nice vibe.

So much for booze free January though, I succumbed to a gorgeous Cosmopolitan to wash down my chilli prawns and pasta, but I didn't feel too guilty about it... for one the vodka seemed to numb the glass like sensation I have going on in my throat right now.

We took one last turn around the city, taking in the pricey but nice to look at, Flannels, where my handbag caused quite a stir, and then onto Cath Kidston (why don't their Blackberry cases ever fit my Blackberry?) and finally Reiss. Reiss was possibly the most successful stop of the day. In there I found the most beautiful pair of Kingfisher blue shorts, a very retro high waisted pair of shorts to boot. They were reduced from £95 to £28, and I tooed and froed about them for ages. I don't really have much in the way of shorts, and I don't tend to wear them a lot. That's why I bought them because in the end I thought it might be quite nice to have something that bit different to play with when the mood takes me. They are quite heavy too, so I don't think I have to wait for summer as they'll look just as nice over tights in the winter too.

By early evening, after dropping step-daughter back at her house, we were setting off on the drive back to the Midlands. The weather and the traffic remained good and the journey was not too bad.

Today we've been doing more work around the house, ripping up carpets, clearing driveways and getting quotes on some urgent work that needs doing around the place. Tomorrow hubby goes back to work, and I think that's when the fact that I'm unemployed is really going to hit me... I just hope that I can manage not to stress too much this week, particularly since I have already bitten all of my nails down to the quick.

Have a great week everyone.

Errands

2012-01-05T21:41:00.000Z

So, today hubby and I had some errands to run, including posting stuff from the post office, and popping to the bank and stuff. The weather is still brutally grim here, but I'm not complaining because I quite like winter and was feeling a bit cheated out of my bitter coldness during our mild Christmas and New Year.

Shoes - Deichmann, Trousers - Heyday, Bag - Barcelona,
Coat - Vintage, Cardigan - Vintage, Top - Hobbs

Tomorrow we have a skip being delivered. We'll be pulling up carpets, dumping old furniture and clearing the garden mess from the back, making space for Beryl. I'm tired just thinking about it, and actually it would be quite nice if the weather softened just a touch for that task.
Vix, I hadn't even thought of Amazon. I'll have a look, you are probably right.

Krista, I just looked up My Dying Bride having never heard of them. Doom metal? I had never heard of that either. Apparently they are popular at Whitby Goth fest, and that's something I've always wanted to go to. You'd love Whitby. It has lots of Goth cuture because it's associated with Bram Stoker's Dracula, being the harbour that the Demeter sailed into, laden with a coffin and the crew all dead. I've been once and wanted to live there ever since.

Beryl

2012-01-04T20:01:00.000Z

Just before I start my post, I want to pass on thanks from hubby for all of your kind comments on his guest blog post. They were very well received, and he may even do another guest post at some point, so thank you.

This week has been my first week unemployed. I can't say it's got to me yet, since hubby has been off work too and doesn't go back until Monday. It's been a week of pottering, organising, crafting and buying really... as well as trying to shelter from the sort of gale force winds that could quite easily blow your head off. Ok, so maybe they couldn't blow your head off, but you get what I mean.

We started the week with some major clearing out. We've cleared 2 huge bookcases in the dining room that were filled with books, CDs and DVDs. The majority of the stuff lies about our house, waiting for the dining room to be decorated, but we did send a pretty impressive pile of books off to the charity shop too, and I have a pile of old text books to put on eBay.

Books for the charity shop

During the evenings I've been doing some little bits of crafting with some scrap fabric from my stash and made some lovely lavender bags. Once hubby's back at work I'm hoping to have some time to work on some larger stuff with the aim of doing a craft fair later in the year.

We have been trying to figure out the best solution to store the masses of stuff we have accumulated. After nipping out yesterday evening to enrol on some West Coast Swing dance classes (starting in 2 weeks), we stopped by at the local DIY shop to price up wood for shelving.

Once home hubby put up a new CD shelf, and we were forced to organise our CDs. Based on this, there's about 4 boxes of CDs which are fairly unloved which also have to be taken to the charity shop (we're definitely doing our bit for charity shops this January). At least the ones we have kept are now organised in a manner that means we can lay our hands on music when we want it.

Finally, today we popped out car shopping. Remember way back when I wanted a Morris Minor? Well, as much as I love those I decided I needed something a little more reliable to get me to work every morning (this is on the assumption that I can actually get a job. Given I've had 2 rejections without interview today my confidence on this is a little dashed). Granville, our Rover 75 estate is now classed as a future classic car, and so I decided to look up other 'future classic cars', what should come up but the cheap and cheerful Ford KA. I've been looking for a while for a fairly inexpensive one, and today I was lucky and stumbled upon Beryl. Isn't she beautiful? I'll not be picking her up until next week, but I'm happy that's one of my 'things to do' ticked off... now I just need to find a job.

Ridicule is nothing to be scared of

2012-01-02T10:00:00.010Z

Well blog readers, today I have a rare treat for you. A couple of weeks back I invited hubby dearest to write a guest post for my blog on a topic of his choice, here it is, and don't forget to let us know what you think in the comments section below, or tweet him directly @majoreejit

When my wife, the lovely Princess Prudence, asked me to consider writing a guest blog post recently, my first thoughts were what could I write that could possibly be of interest to her many followers.
Now…I could wax lyrical about politics, current affairs, photography, art; all topics that get me exercised and which invite opinion. However, one topic seduced me above all others – the topic of men’s fashion, or to be precise, how men are induced to conform to someone else’s view about what they should be wearing.

I can fully understand the need for young men, in particular, to feel that they should conform and fit in. Staying on trend is the safest way to avoid making mistakes. To err is to invite ridicule and, when one has not got the confidence of years, ridicule is the mother of inferiority, exclusion and prolonged virginity.

Safety in numbers. Better fashionable than celibate.

I wonder how many ‘gangstas’ today realise the origin of their ‘jeans below the arse’ look? In the US penitentiary system, guys who preferred Arthur to Martha advertised their ‘availability’ to potential suitors with underwear at full mast and trousers at half mast!

Kids eh – what do they know? Surely an older man could not be enticed so easily by the fashion industry? Well, where I live in Coventry, England, the obligatory short-sleeved shirt (or football top) over jeans with trainers is an absolute fanny magnet to the herds of bleached blonde, perma-tanned, bare-midriffed debutantes with special papal dispensation to wear the thick part of their legs below their knees and the humped parts of their chests on their backs.

Those with more money than sense read the gospels of GQ and Esquire for enlightenment. In such publications, one may see a suit (a mere snip at £1,000) or a watch for the paltry sum of £30,000. Such staples are no longer the preserve of Tory toffs, bankers or Colonel Gaddafi’s extended family (or at least the magazines would have you believe that you too could afford such trinkets).

Surely the internet provides the solution for Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece-jacket? Style Gurus with style bibles – what could possibly go wrong? I checked out a few. Oh dear! Yet more advice on how to get laid (read conform) by wearing the right clothes. This priceless gem came from one of the sites – apparently these are the staples a man should have in his wardrobe:

• Plain white boxers and plain black socks
• Blue jeans that fit well
• A plain white t-shirt
• A black turtleneck sweater
• A white shirt
• A good navy blue suit
• A pair of black shoes and a pair of brown shoes
• A dark-coloured thick wool overcoat.

There you have it – very black and white (well, except for the blue suit and brown shoes).

Perhaps the answer lies with the fashion industry? Hmmm. Some designers have clearly mastered the art of how to make a man look like a dickhead (take a peek below):

Admittedly, some designers do get things right but with a price tag to match their egos. What is a man to do? Is old the new way? Why be a sheep when one could be a wolf? Vintage!

So I will leave you with this thought - if you want safety in numbers, choose number one. Individuality is the Golden Fleece.

As Adam Ant once said – “ridicule is nothing to be scared of”.

Portrait of an Individual

Hello 2012

2012-01-01T14:21:00.000Z

So, here we are, 2012... According to the Mayan prophecies we only have until December 21st this year and then we're all done for anyway, so I intend to make the most of it before planet Earth gets sucked into a black hole. Shame I didn't realise until now that last week would be the last Christmas ever!

Anyway, I'm not going to make any resolutions this year because at the end of last year I had the life changing event of redundancy, and so this year is anyone's guess. What I do know is that I enter the year with a feeling that home and family are the most important things to me... and that's always a good mind set.

Lastnight hubby and I saw the New Year in quietly at our local pub. It was a nice and unseasonably mild night so I got to wear one of the dresses that hubby bought me for Christmas, and I really like its effortless glamour. So, 1st January and my first outfit shot of the year, not bad hey?

We stayed long enough to see the New Year in, then walked home and went straight to bed to the backdrop of fireworks going off everywhere.

Today I'm roasting a gammon joint, and Mum will be coming to join us for dinner. In the coming week hubby and I are going to do some decorating in the dining room before hubby has to go back to work the following week, and that's about it really.

I hope you all had good New Years, and I look forward to keeping up with all of your exciting events in 2012. Cheers!!!

Goodbye 2011

2011-12-31T21:00:00.000Z

In true blogger style I thought that I'd make my last post of 2011 a recap of some of my favourite outfits from the year. I know it's not a fashion blog, but I don't care... these have been my favourites this year.

Have a fabulous New Year my lovelies, hopefully I'll see you on the other side.

Puddings, fancies, fun and frolics

2011-12-30T21:43:00.000Z

Firstly I want to say thank you for your concern about my 'little turn' the other day. I did used to do that regularly in my early 20s, but haven't since until the other day. Hopefully it's a one off fluke, and as you'll see from the rest of this post I've been feeling much better.

Hubby and I have had the step-children since Tuesday, and had decided that one day this week we'd take them up to the Peak District for a day out. Initially the plan was to go hiking, but given I hadn't been well we decided just to visit one of the many Peak District towns for the day, and actually the weather turned out so abysmal that it turned out to be the right choice.

I have a thing about Bakewell Tarts, and for that reason alone I decided I wanted to go to Bakewell and try an actual Bakewell pudding (turns out it's nothing like the tart but equally lovely). So, yesterday we were up bright and early to set off up to Bakewell. Given the poor weather conditions there was no glamour to be had, but the new hiking boots certainly came into their own at keeping my feet warm and dry. It was raining so bad when we first parked that we could barely leave the car. I'm glad we did though, Bakewell seems to be a lovely place. First was the breathtaking river which you have to cross on a bridge in order to get into the town. It hinted at the beauty that might be in the town during more pleasant months.

Bakewell itself is like a rabbit warren of little winding lanes, but it was no time at all before hubby and I found our favourite things... charity shops. I managed to bag a gorgeous pair of Banana Republic trousers in one of them. It's rare that I come across a nice fitting pair of trousers, so I didn't hesitate to hand over my £4 when I did find them.

As we wandered about the beautiful lanes, looking in boutiques and admiring the eleventy million 'original Bakewell pudding shops' the weather became even worse, and soon we were looking to take shelter in that wonderful British institution, the pub. It was time for something to eat anyway, and luckily we chose well with the Red Lion pub which served reasonably priced and humungously portioned dinners. I had Steak and Ale pie with potatoes and veg... I could scarcely finish it so there was little chance of me sampling a Bakewell pudding.

After dinner we took to the streets again. The weather had improved slightly, and at least enough for us to enjoy antiques shops, craft shops, boutiques and the most enticing little curiosity shop I think I have ever visited in my life. There were so many things in there, antique, vintage and vintage style, mostly for the home and every direction we turned there was something else to take our eye. We came away with a new soap dish for the bathroom and lots of ideas of how to display some things around the house. Don't you love robbing ideas from things you see in shops?

We finished off with tea and I finally got the chance to sample a delicious Bakewell pudding, then it was time to go home and we were all completely exhausted but the vote was unanimous, Bakewell is definitely a place we all want to revisit in the better weather.

Up early again this morning, it was time for the step children to get collected and then hubby and I were off to Bicester Village to check out their sales. The weather was appalling again and we spent much of the day sheltering in shops. I usually love Bicester Village but the sales weren't as great as they usually are. Nonetheless I managed to get some outdoors trousers at an absolute bargain price from Helly Hansen, a pair of shoes from Clarks for £10 and 2 things that I have always wanted but not been able to get, and which weren't necessarily bargains but I've waited such a long time for them. The first is a Le Creuset kettle. It's a proper whistling kettle that you heat up on the stove, and the tea is so very hot from it, it's fantastic.

However, the piece de resistance, the jewel in the crown, the item I have wanted for so very very very long and finally have was a Vivienne Westwood bag. Look at how happy I am in this photograph holding it just after I've bought it.

I just keep looking at it... I can't believe it's mine. I think I have to agree with Vix's assertion, I am most definitely a bag lady, I should just give in to the lust. It's most strange, I used to be such a shoe bird. Anyway, here's a close up for you all to drool over... I know I am. Whatever you have planned to see in the New Year... have an amazing time.

Who would be up at 10am on Boxing Day to buy hiking boots?

2011-12-28T21:26:00.000Z

Boots - Doc Marten; Jeans - Burberry; Cardigan - ?
Jacket - Christmas present off Hubby; Beret - Miss Selfridge

Me, that's who. Boxing morning we were up early, again, as some time ago I put my eye on these hiking boots in Go Outdoors. They were £125 at the time, and I knew that if I waited long enough they'd be reduced, and they were. £60. I was sure that no other person on the planet would be waiting to get into Go Outdoors at 10am on Boxing Day, but as we arrived at 10.03am, the car park was full and there wasn't a space to be had. Hubby parked up anyway and I dashed in to the pile of Berghaus boxes that were being strewn everywhere, and actually managed to bag myself a pair of the boots... queue happy me.

After a mammoth sale shopping morning in Go Outdoors we set off to a local shopping park to go to Boots. Tell me, does anyone in their right mind actually buy any of the Boots gift sets before Christmas? No didn't think so, the shelves were full and I managed to get a nice little selection of half price sets. I didn't buy more than I needed, but I did buy a lantern I'd been waiting for and some makeup kits. I always restock my makeup from Boots in the sale, you know it makes sense.

The lantern I waited for

Boxing evening we'd been invited to Mum's for a Boxing day buffet and a DVD night. We watched Vampire Lovers, which was one of the DVDs we'd bought her for Christmas. She does love her hammer horrors.

Tuesday morning we were picking the step-children up, and the plan was to visit our inlaws. On the way we passed a sign for an antiques and collectors fair, and so off we went. The hall was packed and very very hot and soon I started feeling unwell. I was happy perusing though and managed to bag myself a vintage brooch and a candle snuffer. Alas, with not many more stalls to see I started feeling rather ill and passed out on hubby. It's been a great many years since I have passed out, I think the heat got to me, but I am quite run down at the moment too. Of course, that put paid to the visit to the inlaws and instead it was home to bed for me, until I got up at about 4pm and watched the entire TV series of Pride and Prejudice back to back, followed by the new BBC adaptation of Charles Dickins... and then went back to bed.

This morning I didn't get up... I had a lie in until early afternoon and then we went to Hobby Craft to see if I could get some supplies for a craft project. Unfortunately they didn't have what I was looking for. Then it was off to visit the inlaws as we had planned on doing yesterday... I managed to get there without passing out on anyone, thankfully. Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel a little better as we've got a nice day out planned.

Christmas Day

2011-12-27T21:13:00.000Z

So, Christmas morning we were all up bright and very early to see what Santa had brought for us. I'd bought hubby a new Kindle, some books, a vintage tweed jacket and a vintage leather flying jacket. My gifts were wonderful. A vintage Basler tweed three piece suit, a vintage white dress suit and a reproduction navy wiggle dress, my own vintage leather flying jacket and some wonderful books a fabulous Past Times magnifying glass necklace and a new cake stand and bits. I was a very lucky girl.

Around midday the inlaws stopped off bearing more gifts and I served out tea for everyone on some of my vintage china. The inlaws were heading off for Christmas dinner though, so took slices of this years' beautiful homemade Christmas cake with them. It was lovely.

Before long though everyone had gone and it was just hubby and I left at home. Hubby got stuck into his kindle while I got stuck into preparing the beautiful Chicken for dinner.

During the afternoon hubby collected Mum and we all enjoyed a huge dinner together, followed by trifle. Afterwards we all sat in front of the TV, vegged.

In the evening hubby and I put on some of our new clothes (check out my vintage Scottish shawl and tartan maxi skirt in the photos above) and walked the dogs in the uncharacteristically mild air.

After serving up mulled wine in my new punch bucket, mum left for home and hubby and I cosied up for an early night having had a lovely family Christmas day.

So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, goodbye

2011-12-26T18:09:00.000Z

So, I promised that I had a lot to update you on, and I'm not one to let you down. I won't get as far as Christmas day today... well not unless you all fancy falling asleep midway, but that's for another day. On the subject of Christmas Day though, I hope you all had a good one.

Friday was my last day in the office, and not my last day until New Year, but my actual last day working there, and after 8.5 years. I had thought it might be a bit of an emotional day, but it wasn't at all and for that reason I'm convinced that my moving on has to be a good thing, despite the fact that I have nothing to go to as yet. Hubby's looking forward to meals on the table when he gets home from work for a while... 50s housewife style.

Anyway, Friday morning I turned up to the office wearing my beloved Dirndl that I bought in Munich earlier in the year, and bearing a bottle of Cava. Once everyone was in work, my team and the legal team went down to the staff restaurant for a delicious full English breakfast to set us up for the day. Once back at the desk (before 11am I might add) I cracked open the fizz and applied it liberally to anyone who cared to stop by my desk and wish me farewell.

By 1pm I was heading into town with legal, and to The Squirrel. I really like The Squirrel. It's one of those pubs you tend to forget about but actually it's really good and has a nice atmosphere. We were in there by about 1.15 and some of my lovely (now ex) colleagues were already in there waiting for us. Despite it being a really busy day in there it wasn't long before we managed to nab a table.

I was drinking mulled wine, and soon more and more people were joining us. We were having such fun, giggling and laughing and it was the most magical end to what has been a fantastic time working for the organisation. By mid-afternoon, we were well oiled, and hubby had caught up with us. He'd left the car at home and was out to celebrate my last day too. We stayed there drinking and chatting for the whole afternoon and such fun was had.

Soon people started drifting off, and with time pressing on I was getting increasingly hungry, so hubby and I made our escape to nearby Pizza Express for some post drink grease to soak it all up.

We had a lovely time sitting in a window seat, laughing and having fun and reflecting on how good my last day in the office had been.

Next morning we were up quite early, and after picking up the step-children we set off to Mr and Mrs W's house to drop some pressies off. Mr and Mrs. W have the most lovely dog, but on Christmas Eve there was another one, Lily, and she took quite a liking to me, even falling asleep on my lap, and I have to say I'd have been quite happy to take her home with me because she was just too cute.

After that we went to visit the in-laws and then off to town for some last minute shopping. There were no gifts to buy as they had all been bought and wrapped by now, but we did want a peruse. I have to admit that I spent a fair bit on household stuff in the myriad of sales, a fabulous new cushion from Past Times (is it just me who thinks you can never have too many cushions?) and some new bedding. I did also treat myself to a new Lancome mascara as it seems to be the only thing I can wear without my eyes watering profusely. I also bought some weird nail wrap things.

On the way home we stopped off at Mum's so that her and the step-children could exchange gifts since they would have gone home by the time she got to ours on Christmas day, and there were smiles all round.

During the evening I managed to fit a lot in, including making trifle for Christmas day, introducing step-daughter to the joys of snowballs, and we both had a play with the nail wrap things I'd bought in town earlier. It was a lovely relaxing Christmas Eve with us all sitting round watching crap TV and enjoying eachothers company, a lovely pre-cursor to the day that lay ahead.

Finished nail wraps

T'was the night before Christmas...

2011-12-24T21:47:00.000Z

I have some bits and bobs to update you all on, but in 2 hours time Santa will be coming down my chimney, and yours too if you've been good girls and boys, and I suspect you'll be so engrossed in spending time with important people and having fun that the last thing you'll want to be doing is reading my blog.

With that in mind I wish you all a joyful and restful Christmas, and I'll see you on the other side.

God bless. X
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

13 Dresses

2011-12-21T22:37:00.000Z

Picture from www.debenhams.com

I'm sure you're probably all fed up of hearing about this Friday being my last day in this job forever? Nonetheless, there's still a couple more days to go, and today it all started feeling real.

Shortly after lunch a little crowd started forming around my desk and my Director gave a little presentation for me. It was a nice little speech, which made heavy reference to my individual sense of style (glad it doesn't go unnoticed) and my happy disposition.

I've worked for the organisation over 8 years, so it's a giant leap into the unknown. I am pleased to say however, that I've enjoyed my work and met some very dear friends whilst there.

A collection had been made and I was given a Debenhams gift card, so straight after work I took advantage of late night shopping and went right there. I found a beautiful pair of boots, and tried on a total of 13 dresses that I'd found in the sale. Eventually I came away with the beautiful Jasper Conran one above, but there were several I was tempted by. Hopefully I'll still get to socialise with my old colleagues and I'll have to wear this out when I do.

Brooching the Subject

2011-12-19T21:36:00.000Z

I seem to very much have my crafting mojo right now, and I've been thinking that with a little time on my hands in the New Year I might try making some things to sell on Etsy and at local craft fairs.

Anyway, alongside some of the bigger items I intend to make and sell, I thought it never hurts to have a few smaller items too, so tonight I got my stash out and made this romantic brooch. I love it and think it would look great on a bag or a dark blazer. Now I just need to keep up the momentum and make some more pretty things... I'll be keeping you all informed of my progress.

Party, party

2011-12-18T22:15:00.001Z

It's taken me such a long time tonight just to upload a few photographs to my computer, that this blog post very nearly didn't happen.

Now, where do I start? It's been a busy and exciting few days, topped off with a busy and not so exciting few more days. Thursday (that seems like a long time ago now) it was my work Christmas party. The plans were the same as every other year, a meal in a nice restaurant and then an evening of pub crawling for those who wish to. Unlike usual years however, this will be my last ever Christmas party with this team since I'll be redundant in the New Year, and as such I really hoped it would be a good one.

I frocked up in the delightful dress that Mr and Mrs R bought me for my birthday along with my homemade fascinator, and by 12.30 in the afternoon we were all enjoying the Christmas meal at the restaurant in our local theatre, the Belgrade. It was really nice, I haven't eaten there before and I was pleasantly surprised.

I was quite sensible through dinner, drinking white wine topped up with water due to the early hour, but by mid-afternoon I was heading off with some of my colleagues (who I'm lucky enough to be able to regard as friends too) to the first pub of the afternoon. The pub, the Spon Gate is a Weatherspoon, so nice and cheap and so I started on the brandy. From here we continued going around various City Centre pubs, chatting, laughing, witnessing the regulars getting carried out paralytic drunk and generally having a really good time

By about 8.30pm there was a really good crowd of us out and we decided to move onto The Castle, because they do cocktails. Here we were drinking Ginger Mojito's by the jug full.

It started to get messy, and lunch seemed such a long time ago that I couldn't resist topping up on delicious curly fries. Eventually we managed to talk hubby into coming down town to meet up with us (he knows most of the crowd since he used to work at the same organisation). The night was pressing on and the drink was flowing. We were all laughing and being silly and it really was a very memorable last Christmas party. I'm so glad, I'd have hated it to be a wash out.

Friday I was in work and remarkably untouched by the vast alcohol consumption of the night before. Nonetheless we all went down to the staff restaurant for a post booze up fry up, and the day passed pretty quickly.

Friday night I had another night out planned, this time a Christmas get together with the girlies. Hubby was at his Christmas party over at a conference hall in Meriden, while I drove over with Mrs. R to meet Roisin in Leamington. After a few drinks in the Jug and Jester we were all off to The Assembly to enjoy the 60s/70s/80s disco. Mrs R and I hadn't been before but Roisin assured us it was a good boogying night.

We were in there fairly early since I knew I had to leave at 12.30 to go collect hubby, but that was ok because we were only slightly ahead of the crowds. In no time at all we were all up dancing to fantastic songs from those decades, and we weren't the only ones, the dancefloor was packed. Can you believe that I was having such a good time that I didn't get an outfit shot? Which is a shame as I was wearing a new frock from eBay, but I guess that's more reason for me to wear it again sometime.

It was a fantastic evening out and all too soon we were heading off. By the time I'd picked hubby up, dropped Mrs. R home and got me and an all too jolly hubby home it was after 2am, way past my bedtime but so worth it.

Saturday's plans weren't quite so lively. We were up in the morning to go and visit our inlaws, which was a nice relaxing way to break in the day, and then it was home to get my haircut. In the evening hubby and I were starting our pre-Christmas clean up scrubbing the fridge, cooker and microwave. I hate housework with a passion, but it has to be done. Once it was all done we settled down to watch a great oldie, The Lady from Shanghai, but since I fell asleep before the end of it I'm still not quite sure whodunnit.

This morning was a relaxing start again, and then we went off to a local shopping park to waste an hour in TK Maxx. I happened to pop into Gap, which is something I never really do, and it was lucky I did because I bagged a gorgeous new jumper dress which is just what I've been after with a great reduction in their sale. Can't you tell that the high street is suffering when they have the sales this early before Christmas? Then it was home to do yet more of our pre-Christmas clean up, this time the living room.

Tomorrow it's back to work for my last ever week with that organisation.

P.S. Krista, I will try to sort out a fascinator tutorial in the New year
P.P.S. I've now reached 100 followers, so to mark the occassion I'll sort out a blog giveaway in the New Year too.

Another string to my bow

2011-12-14T09:12:00.000Z

Folks, I've really taken to making fascinators. Lastnight I talked my mum into helping me with this creation, largely because I have no self control where feathers are concerned. We fastened feathers to a sinamy base, and then finished it off with an ornate gold button. I'm so very pleased with the results that I know I will be making more of these in an array of colours to match different outfits, it's addictive.

Unfortunately my camera flash has distorted the colour of the green feathers which are more of an emerald green and not the lime that's depicted here. I'll be wearing this tomorrow for my work Christmas party, so hopefully you'll see more photos of it then.

God bless us, everyone

2011-12-13T13:01:00.000Z

Despite having an unquenchable thirst for books, and having studied English Literature at school, I've never actually read any of Charles Dickins' work until now. We're all familiar with the stories, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol etc, etc. I think we'll all be getting a little more familiar with them over the Christmas period too, given this is the time of year that they usually show them all (and I for one am eagerly awaiting th BBC adaptation of Great Expectations).

Anyway, I've been keeping my eyes peeled for 'A Christmas Carol' and finally found this beautiful hardback edition in the works which I've just finished reading. I won't regale you with the story since you must've heard it a million times. What I will share though is how shocked I was at this book, so much so that it has left me with a desire to read more Dickins. I'd expected something a bit dry and a bit long, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. The story was fast paced, it would easily hold the attention of young and old alike, and it was littered with humour. In the end the book teaches a valuable lesson about humanity and despite its age it's as relevant today as it was to Dickensian Britain.

If you're looking for a touch of classic Christmas magic then you could do worse than to grab yourself a copy of this, I promise you will like it.

A Film, a Function and Some Lovely Christmas Carols

2011-12-11T21:02:00.000Z

So, another weekend closer to Christmas, and this weekend was very much one for spending with people. It's been tremendously busy, in spite of the appalling weather, and tremendously enjoyable.

Yesterday, after the usual visit to the inlaws we took a potter into town. We'd intended to spend the day there perusing, but on our way in stopped off at the cinema to see what was showing. We hadn't even realised there was a remake of 'The Thing' out there, so when we saw it on the billboards we were keen to see it. Alas, our local cinema, being the kind of multiplex that caters more to the overhyped crud that the masses want to see was only showing the film once a day, at 9.15pm. We agreed that we still wanted to see it though, so decided to only spend a couple of hours in town.

Really I was just buying tights and things, so nothing exciting to blog about, but there was a nice atmosphere in town, particularly with Hazel O'Connor singing in the lower precinct. Nonetheless, I couldn't stand about all day admiring the voice of Coventry stars, I had to get home and get a snack and a bath before heading back out into the bitter cold.

Finally we got to the pictures to see 'The Thing' which was altogether a nice night out. We haven't been to the pictures in such a long time, and the film was good too. There was a decent amount of gore, but it wasn't so far removed from the original as to be completely unrecognisable.

This morning we were up bright and super early (well super early for a Sunday) because hubby and I had been invited to be Godparents to besty's Mr and Mrs R's son. It was lovely, and was the first time we've been asked to be Godparents. The ceremony was held at a local church which I remembered fondly from childhood, and it was lovely to catch up with Mr and Mrs R and their family too.

I was also pleased to have to opportunity to wear the vintage dress I'd bought at the Coventry vintage fair a few weeks back, and hubby was cutting a dapper dash in his vintage ensemble. Our vintage collections were the main subject of conversation with Mrs R's family after the service, and before long we were heading off to the pub for Sunday lunch.

I'm going to call this outfit for the Shoeperwoman shoe challenge, I think this is the first time I've been photographed wearing these shoes.

Sunday lunch with everyone was great. So nice to spend time chatting and enjoying the relxed company of good friends.

After lunch the weather had taken a turn for the worst, so hubby and I had to make a beeline for home to let our dogs in, and truth be known I had to change my shoes too. I do love the Choos, but truth be known 5 hours is the maximum I can manage in them and I'd been in them since early morning.

Anyway, once the dogs were in the warm and my feet were comfortable, we were off again. This time into town to go to a carol service at the Salvation Army where Mr and Mrs R's little girl was singing, dressed up as a character from Toy Story. It was magical, for me it was magical because I think the sound of the brass band really does signal that Christmas is coming, and there was plenty of brass band action at the service.

Once the service was over we bid farewell to our lovely friends, and head home to snuggle up in front of the TV, and get ready to return to work tomorrow, only 10 working days left.

By the way, I've joined what I wore today, if you're on there then you will find me here.

Craft-a-long: How to make an earring holder

2011-12-08T20:50:00.000Z

Folks, I've been after an earring holder to display my earrings, and keep them in easy reach, for some time. I love earrings, but having them heaped in a knotted pile in my jewellery box is not conducive to me varying the pairs I wear. I've been checking out the shops for a while, and whilst I have seen some nice offerings, I'm not willing to part with £16 to buy a stand to hang my earrings from. In fact, that £16 would be far better served buying me more earrings to put on the stand. So, what did I do? I decided to make my own earring display frame using items from the charity shop, and frankly I was so pleased with the results that I thought I would talk you through it, in case you wish to make one of your very own, or even for a Christmas gift for an earring loving friend.

This one is very simple to make and took me about an hour to do. The frame was £1.25 and the lace is an old lace shirt that was £3.25, both from the charity shop. You could use any lace though, nets, doilies, table cloths... the list in endless.

You will need:
1 picture frame, any size you desire depending on the size of your earring collection,
Enough lace to comfortably cover the internal aperture of the frame with some overhang,
A staple gun,
Fabric scissors,
a length of ribbon,
2 eyelets,
pair of pliers.

Step 1:
Dismantle the frame, remove any pictures, the backboard, mounts and glass. If there are any staples or tacks in the back of the frame it is best to completely remove these carefully using a pliers to prise them out. Dispose of the glass carefully in your recycle bin, or stow it away for use in some other craft project.

Step 2:
Lay the lace out on a flat surface, place the backboard removed from the frame on top of the lace as a guide. Using the fabric scissors cut the lace around the backboard, leaving about half an inch all the way around to work with.

Step 3:
Starting at one corner and using a staple gun, staple the lace along the inside edge of the back of the frame. Ensure that your staples are not coming through to the front of the frame, and also ensure that the lace is pulled tight but if patterned, is not being distorted by your pulling. Continue in this fashion around each of the four sides of the frame until the lace is secured the entire way around.

Please ignore my chipped nails

Step 4:
Using your fabric scissors, trim any excess lace around the back of the frame.

Step 5:
Screw 2 eyelets at equal points on opposite sides of the back of the frame. Tie a piece of ribbon between the 2 eyelets, ensure it is fastened securely and trim off any excess.

Step 6:
Hang your creation on the wall as you would hang any other picture, and use the gaps in the lace to hook your earrings. Ensure that heavier earrings are hung closest to the bottom as these will pull on your fabric.

Now you can admire your handy work, and your earring collection at the same time.

Say, What's up Doc?

2011-12-04T19:18:00.000Z

So, the end of another weekend is here again, and it's been a really nice one. Relaxed, laid back and fun, just how I like my weekends.

Saturday morning I was up bright and early as Mum's dog, Bailey, was booked in at a pooch parlour for a hair cut. It was an offer we'd booked some time ago through Groupon. He doesn't usually have his haircut, he's a bit of a scruff, so when Mum was asked what she wanted doing she pointed to a picture of a Shih Tzu and we left him in the capable hands of the groomer, while we went off to the local town centre for a cuppa and a peruse. I know I really shouldn't be, but I'm already weighing up the things I want to buy in the January sales, and I found a delicious dress in Monsoon that I'd quite like to add to my wardrobe if the January price is right, and which I would show you if the Monsoon website was working.

Anyway, after a couple of hours we were able to go and pick Bailey up, and he was looking absolutely beautiful, and smelled like a newly washed baby. My Mum was overjoyed with the job that the pooch parlour had done, and Bailey is getting all sorts of spoiled now because he looks even cuter than usual.

The rest of the day was spent doing not a lot of anything really, until the evening when we hopped on over to Leamington to Nic and Roisin's pad (which I have to add is a very lovely flat in a very lovely Georgian building) for our film night. Whilst there I had the pleasure of seeing inside Roisin's wardrobe, where I was greeted with an array of colourful dresses peeping out. If a few of those are going to get an airing I think Dressember (which I'm not doing incidentally) is going to be very interesting.

Anyway, film night was fabulous, they had made for us some delicious mulled wine, and vegetarian chilli, along with my favourite thing, nachos, and we watched a Bugs Bunny cartoon, a Laurel and Hardy and a Roddy Doyle film called, The Van. I hadn't seen that before, but it was terribly funny and I found myself chuckling away all the way through it. Between films we chatted and listened to jazz, and to be honest I found myself being very nosey surrounded by such a wonderful collection of books and DVDs. I am awful aren't I?

This morning I woke up with a sore throat for some random reason, but nonetheless we went to visit the in-laws. It was a nice visit, drinking tea and eating mince pies while having a general catch up. I love my in-laws dog, he's so inquisitive and I always try to take photographs of him, but ordinarily he's far to energetic to capture. It just so happens that my luck was in this morning.

After a lovely leisurely catch up, and the use of their immaculate garden for my outfit shot, it was off to town to do the last of our Christmas shopping.

I hate weekends in town at this time of year, it's manic, but since we didn't have much to get we'd done our main shopping within an hour and were able to relax and enjoy a snack before pottering around the centre. We took a stroll through the international market that was there, and I was tempted to buy a tagine, but didn't as I'm not going to get to use it before Christmas and at £20, it was more than I have going spare right now.

As luck would have it though, we popped into the British Heart Foundation furniture shop where we found the perfect dining table, just in time for Christmas too. You may remember a few months back we sold our dining table. Beautiful as it was it was just too big and underutilised. Ever since we've been looking for a little drop leaf table, and the one we got today was solid oak and just perfect, and not an awful lot more than the tagine I'd decided against only moments earlier. I don't have a photograph at the moment but as soon as I do I will show you all.

Right now we're back at home, trying to stave off the cold with big woolly jumpers and the heating on low whilst we wait for dinner to be ready. Then it's an evening of relaxing in front of the box and getting ready for another week at work.

Many Happy Returns

2011-12-01T21:01:00.000Z

Yesterday was hubby's birthday. We were up bright and early, hubby had to go to work but I was on strike (I'm a Civil Servant, at least for the next 3 weeks until I'm made redundant). Being at home all day I decided to catch up on some chores, but also made a beautiful birthday cake for hubby. The base was made using the chocolate sponge and the eggless chocolate custard recipe from the Brooklyn Blackout cake I'd made the other week, but I'd been planning this cake for a few weeks and had equipped myself with these most delicious chocolate cigarelloes to make a real showpiece of the cake.

When hubby was home from work, he opened his presents from me. A new shirt, some new pyjama bottoms and his surprise... a telescope. He's always been on about how much he'd love a telescope and it just so happened that I saw a beautiful one in Jessops the other day and managed to get it for him. He was overjoyed, as he tore open the wrapping paper, his face lit up, it was fabulous.

Hubby and Hubble

Once he'd opened his gifts we set off to pick up my Mum and step-son and to head off to the in-laws with the cake. We arrived around 6ish, and hubby got to open some more presents and we all had cake. It went down really well and everyone loved it (we left a whole quarter of cake with father in law, he loves my cakes). After about an hour there we set off, dropping step-son back as he didn't want to come for the curry that hubby, me and Mum were going for.
We set off to our favourite curry place, the Coundon and filled ourselves with Poppodums, lime pickle, mango chutney, chicken tikka masala, pilau rice, peshwari nan and cobra beer. By the time we left we were like weebles, we couldn't move, but that really is the nicest curry place in Coventry, and the staff are great too. Ordinarily hubby and I would experiment with different curries, but last time Mum had the tikka masala and it was so nice that we thought we'd all have it this time.

Me at the curry house

Once we'd dropped Mum off, and hubby had opened his presents from her, we came home to lots of fussing from our dogs before heading off to bed having had a wonderful evening and being totally full of curry.

Big City, Little Town

2011-11-28T22:07:00.000Z

So, following my frankly appalling day on Friday where I missed curry night (and no, I'm not over that yet), I did wonder whether I was even going to be fit for all we had planned for the weekend. I woke up bright and early on Saturday morning, and whilst I most certainly didn't feel back to normal, I felt well enough to make the journey with hubby over to Cardiff to visit step-daughter.

It's the second time we've made the journey in as many months, and I'm growing quite fond of our routine which involves stopping off at a great little greasy spoon off one of the A roads for a fry up. Alas, I wasn't up to a full fry up (complete with door stops of fried bread) for a change, so settled for a delicious bacon and tomato butty, which set me up for the rest of the day, even if it did make me look like a right lightweight amongst all of the Welsh trucker patrons.

Once in Cardiff, we picked step-daughter up and ventured out into the cold greyness as step-daughter informed us that it was the first break in the rain since... well forever really. I quite like Cardiff, we set straight off to the vintage shop we'd visited the last time, and although I tried on a lovely faux fur coat, it just didn't seem to suit me. I have very broad shoulders and I have to be so careful with bulky coats, particularly ones with expansive shawl collars. Hubby found a suit though, and then I dragged them both around every department store and underwear shop in the city in search of some shapewear for wearing under my recently acquired wiggle dresses. I'm going to have a rant about shapewear, can someone tell me why shapewear manufacturers assume that you're happy to put the most beautiful Joan Holloway style dress on over something that looks like the saggy skin of saveloy? Yes Spanx, I'm talking about you and all of the ilk you have spawned... they could get it right in the 50s but apparently attractive shapewear in the .... whatever decade this is, cannot possibly look nice too. (rant over... for now). Anyway, after scouring many shops I did finally find something, it wasn't the corselette I was hoping to come away with, but nonetheless it's an impressive bit of engineering and seems to do the job. Good work Maidenform.

After perusing a few more shops, and buying an impromptu pair of shoes we settled down for some dinner at one of the city's Weatherspoons. Following a hearty meal (perhaps a little too hearty considering my stomach still wasn't 100%) we wandered back through the dark, coloufully lit wet streets of Cardiff and back to the car to drop step-daughter home, before heading home ourselves.

Sunday morning I had a delightful lie in, watching Gok Wan repeats from under the warmth of my duvet with hubby. Around midday I set off to pick Mum up for a bit of a girly shopping trip to nearby Leamington Spa. Leamington was packed, the Sunday Christmas markets are out in force and so are the shoppers and when I got there I didn't feel too well. We had a little potter around the markets, but then set off to our favourite coffee bar, Bar Angeli. It's not even the coffee (which is delicious) that I love in this bar, it's the pancakes. Seriously, they are so simple, and yet so delicious. Lovely Lauren came in while I was in the middle of polishing off my pancakes and peppermint tea, obviously having similar thoughts of idling part of the afternoon away in there. Ah, Sundays.

After the pancakes and tea I was ready to take on the world, and managed a pretty hardcore shopping session picking up birthday gifts for my besty, a new moisturiser, some much needed hosiery and some beautiful earrings (I lost one of them on their first outing today).

I headed home, arriving back in the dark to find hubby and step-son engrossed in an art project. I managed to get roped in momentarily, but actually quite liked the results... well, minus the pink fluffy slippers.

Sunday evening was spent lounging and relaxing, just how Sunday's should be and whilst my appetite has certainly not fully returned, I do feel somewhat improved today.

Elementary my dear Watson

2011-11-25T20:14:00.000Z

(This blog post is dedicated to my dear friend Mrs. P-J, who having lived away from the UK for around 6 years gets very nostalgic about all things Christmassy)

Me with Mrs P-J back in the summer in Malvern

Yesterday evening hubby and I headed over to nearby Warwick to visit the Victorian Christmas evening. We've been to similar things before in the Cotswolds, but this is the first time we went to the Warwick one. We'd arranged to meet up with lovely Roisin, Nic, Lauren and Andy, and after having a tremendous struggle with finding a space to park Granville, we were there shortly after the lights switch on.

About half an hour before leaving work I'd decided that I was going in fancy dress as Sherlock Holmes, and with a bit of improvisation between my own wardrobe and hubby's I came up with a Holmes kind of look. I was over the moon when Nic overheard someone pass by and exclaim 'Was that Sherlock Holmes?' and then equally overjoyed when I gentleman passing by while hubby was taking photographs said 'Sherlock Holmes I presume?' Talk about mission accomplished.

Sherlock Holmes I presume?

By the time we got to Warwick it was packed, but we could really have done with arriving a little earlier. Nonetheless we had a nice time wandering around the Christmassy feeling centre, eating pork and stuffing batches and perusing the antique shops, since all of the shops were staying open late for the occassion. There was a beautiful carousel in the centre of the town, and smells of food and hustle and bustle everywhere. We were all particularly drawn to the ferret racing, and enjoyed getting to stroke them afterwards... even if they are a bit smelly. I like ferrets, I'd have one as a pet.

Nic and Hubby near the ferret races

Lauren and Andy had to leave a little earlier, but the rest of us set off to a small cafe bar for coffees at the end of the night. It was so cosy and with a beautiful view onto the gorgeous church, and then we all left to head home, having had a lovely evening out.

Searching for clues

Alas this morning when I woke up I felt terribly poorly with a bad stomach. My initial thoughts were that it was the pork batch, but that theory was proved wrong because everyone else who had had one was absolutely fine. I think it could be because I'm running off a lot of nervous energy at the moment and perhaps running myself a bit too much. I think it's caught up with me. It's most unfortunate though because hubby and I are meant to be out for a lovely curry with friends tonight and we've not been able to go. Hubby brought me back some of my favourite white roses to cheer me up, but I'm still gutted I'm missing that curry... I'd even made a fascinator to wear. I just hope I'm well enough to go out tomorrow.

Fascinating

2011-11-23T21:27:00.000Z

On Friday evening hubby and I are going out for a curry with some friends. I know what I want to wear, but didn't have any suitable head apparel to go with it. Monday night I attacked my scrap fabric stash with the intention of making myself a nice little complimentary fascinator. I've never made one of these before, so I was kind of winging it on this. It's fairly easy to make and I'm pretty pleased with the result. So here's the first headpiece crafted by my own fair hands.

Clash of the Tartans

2011-11-20T15:43:00.000Z

Sunday afternoon has rolled around yet again, so before I settle down to watch the Elizabeth Taylor epic, Cleopatra, that one of my friends bought me for my birthday last month, I thought I'd share my shenanigans.

This coming week is my Father-in-Law's birthday. Since I hubby and I work all week it's virtually impossible to go visiting during week nights, so last week I thought I'd give a new recipe a go, the Hummingbird Bakery Brooklyn Blackout cake, and take it up for Father-in-Law on Saturday morning.

It was a fairly work intensive cake to make, and I've recently been suffering what I think may be RSI in my elbow, so the excessive whisking of the eggless custard really took it out of me. Nonetheless the hard work was worth it in the end because the cake was absolutely delicious. Everyone loved it and I think I might use the recipe as a basis for hubby's birthday cake in just over a week.

Once we'd finished at my inlaws, hubby dropped me and Mum at the train station to head for nearby Leamington for a peruse of the shops. I'm totally broke after all I've spent this month at vintage shops and fairs, so it really was just a peruse for me. Nonetheless I did find a vintage dress pattern for a mere 50p in a charity shop, and even broke me can afford that.

Whilst in Leamington Mum wanted me to choose my Christmas present. I'm so indecisive that it took a whole day for me to come back and buy the first thing I saw, but there you go. We enjoyed a lovey coffee before getting the train home to Coventry, where the train station was filled with louts following the football match.

Back at home hubby and I decided to catch up on Pan-Am since we'd recorded it, but not watched it yet. I was expecting good things given the buzz on twitter and blogs, and I have to say I am not disappointed. The costumes are totally droolsome, and I wonder if Springs catwalks will be an array of early 1960s fashion? Just a hunch.

Today I've had a wonderful day which included a deliciously long lie in, and a fry up courtesy of hubby. Now we've just settled down to watch Cleopatra and have a lazy Sunday afternoon. Ah, bliss.

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Away to London

2011-11-18T18:59:00.000Z

Shoes - Deichmann; Trousers - Heyday; Cardigan - Fever; Top - Hobbs; Coat - Fever; hat - Royal Navy; Bag - Louis Vuitton

Pictures: hubby in Chelsea, me admiring a christmas tree, my outfit, Westminster cathedral by night and drinks in the pub.

Way back, at the beginning of the month and before I'd spent all my wages on vintage frocks, I'd booked a Megabus ticket for me and hubby to spend a day down in London. Today we were up ridiculously early to get our bus and got to London bright and early. We didn't really do any shopping, but one shop we did look in was the iconic Philip Treacy. I fell in love with so many hats. It was so nice just to have a day off work and spend it with hubby, and the weather was kind to us too.

Right now, we're on our Megabus home, and I'm marvelling at modern technology that allows me to post a blog while on a bus. Little things.

Have a great weekend whatever you do.

Frocks, Friends and Bonnets for Dogs

2011-11-14T20:32:00.000Z

Hello folks, did you all have a nice weekend? I had intended to give you the usual Sunday evening installment of what I'd done over my weekend, but I was cooking this Lemon Drizzle cake again, and I have to say it turned out much better than last weeks. Still not perfect, but most certainly getting there.

Anyway, Saturday was something of a whirlwind. In the morning we had to nip to Earlsdon to pick up a mount for a photograph, before heading off to The Vintage Fair that was being held in St. Mary's Guildhall. We'd arranged to meet the delightful Roisin at the event, and we got there a tad early and joined what was already a growing queue. I'd decided to go all out vintage for the event and wear the 1940s dress I bought at the Criterion vintage sale last week, my turban (which I adore) and the vintage coat I bought in Bourton-on-the-Water a couple of weeks back. Hubby went all vintage too in his favourite 1940s look, but we realised once we were inside the sale that actually we really didn't need so many layers.

Hubby and I rocking our 1940s look

What's under the coat

The sale itself was great. I've been to St. Mary's Guildhall before for a Christmas meal, and it's a lovely venue. It's a medieval banquet hall and the perfect location to cram a load of wonderful vintage sellers into. I have to say I've been to a couple of vintage fairs in Coventry, and this was head and shoulders above them all. It catered to all tastes, whether your a 1940s lady, or a 1980s party animal, and it had plenty to buy for men and for women.

Busy shoppers at the vintage fair

Prices were, on the whole, reasonable. I came away with this beautiful late 1950s/ early 1960s pink wiggle dress, which while it doesn't look much on the hanger is extremely Joan Holloway on (I have something about wiggle dresses this month).

Hubby got this beautiful tweed blazer and a pair of brogues.

Dapper hubby in his new to him Daks jacket

Roisin didn't buy any frocks but had a right old rummage through everything. Then we retired to the vintage tea area for lovely cupcakes and tea in vintage china. It was while sitting here that I spotted Angie from Redressing join the queue. Although we've exchanged many a twitter conversation I hadn't met her before, and I always love to meet new people, so we had a wee catch up before me, hubby and Roisin set off to the Transport Museum to visit the Christmas Craft Fair and have a chat with the lovely Mrs. W.

Lovely Roisin and I taking advantage of the lovely
surroundings of St Mary's Guildhall

We met Mum at the craft fair, and she was the only person who came away with something... a knitted bonnet for Bailey her dog.

Bailey's new bonnet

Afterwards, we had a potter around town and I found the most gorgeous 1950s hat in a charity shop, but you'll have to wait for a photo of that. In the same charity shop Roisin was asked if we were sisters. I should add here, I'm 6ft tall, and Roisin is lovely petite lady. Hubby found this hilarious.

Lovely Roisin in my turban

Something I was totally surprised about whilst walking around town was the reactions I recieved to the way I was dressed. I had a couple of people tell me how lovely I looked, including a lovely young lady in Waterstones. The girl who worked in Blue Banana got very excited by my totally vintage look and an elderly lady in the charity shop wanted my turban. I don't think I've ever quite had such reaction to my appearance... so I think I'll start dressing like that all the time, I quite liked the attention lol (big head).

Anyway, before long it was time to say good bye to Roisin and head home. We'd had a lovely day.

Saturday evening, after a quick change (sorry I didn't get an outfit shot), hubby and I nipped out to a local bar. We didn't stay out too long though.

Hubby and me on Saturday night

Sunday, I had a really lazy day applying for jobs, popping to TK Maxx and baking cake. Now I have all these glamorous dresses I need to arrange some glamorous events.

Looking Back

2011-11-09T19:25:00.000Z

Taken in my first 1950s phase

Poor old hubby, he's been in bed all day. I mentioned yesterday that he was unwell, and today he's just go worse. Without my resident photographer in action, there's no outfit shot for today, but that's ok because I was just wearing something I've worn before anyway.

Even so, I wanted to treat you to some photographs. A little known fact is that hubby is actually a professional photographer. I know, we both work salaried jobs now, but we both have our own creative personalities too.

Yep, that's me.

While hubby was studying, he took lots of photographs of yours truly. Beautiful photographs, and photographs which over recent weeks he's been playing with on various iPhone apps. I just thought I would show you a few of these images, all taken whilst I was in my mid-twenties and with me sporting various guises. All of the outfits were my own clothes, and the shoots were based largely on the looks I was sporting at the time.

This on location shoot in Oxford remains my absolute favourite of all of the shoots.

I'd like to think perhaps we could get into taking some photographs again as he's really good. I hope you enjoy them.

Pouting, again on that favourite Oxford shoot

This one always reminds me of Clockwork Orange

Picture Fail

2011-11-08T18:47:00.000Z

Following the failure of my new photo app on the phone earlier today, I thought I had better make it up to you with some better photographs. I got hubby to take some photographs when we walked the dogs (Hubby's been poorly today, so it took a lot of effort for him to head out, let alone take a photograph). The outfit is the same one I was trying to show you in my last blog post.

Baby, it's cold outside.

2011-11-08T09:26:00.000Z

Shoes - Deichmann, Trousers - Next, Cape - Vintage, Bag - gift, Hat - Gift

I thought I would do a proper outfit post and show you the cape I had on Friday, properly. I love capes, I've got so many layers on under the cape, I would never have managed to get a coat over it all.

The lovely hat was a gift from Caroline (www.secondhandshopper.wordpress.com) and the lovely vintage style handbag was from Mrs. J.

Tuesday and I'm already counting down to the weekend, is that so wrong?

I've been playing with a new photo app on my phone too, I hope it has the desired effect.

A Very Vintage Weekend

2011-11-06T20:12:00.002Z

Well folks, I have had a lovely weekend, even if it was a bit busy. Those are usually the best ones though aren't they?

Lovely cakes at Marjoriedoo Vintage
(Courtesy of Marjoriedoo vintage
Facebook Page)

You may remember in Friday's blog that I mentioned I was off the opening of Marjoriedoo vintage, which is a new vintage shop in Coventry. Well, after an almighty drive back to Coventry, hubby finally picked me up from work and we were at the shop for about 6pm. There were already some people there, and hubby and I were greeted with the warmest of welcomes as one of the lovely owners, Jo, recognised us from Twitter. The shop was formerly a pub, but when we went inside you could see that a fabulous transformation had taken place. The shop was roomy, and scattered with interesting little bits of vintage memorabilia (radios, clocks, pictures etc) to take your eye.

As it was opening night there were delicious cakes and wine to be had while perusing the rails for a lovely vintage gem. The range of items is great too, Marjoriedoo stock both men's and women's and seem to have a good selection of both. I was quite taken with the extensive range of coats, some with great names such as Mary Quant and Aquascutum and all of them reasonably priced at around £40ish to £75ish depending on the coat in question. I also put my eye on a couple of faux furs on the rails.

Me and Hubby
(Courtesy of Marjoriedoo Vintage facebook page)

Dresses ranged from about the 1950s (see my purchase further down) through to the 1980s, and accessories to boot.

People getting stuck in at the rails
(Courtesy of Marjoridoo Vintage Facebook Page)

I really enjoyed trawling through the rails, and was initially going to buy a little jumper at a mere £9 (the price range is really good), but then something caught my eye. In fact, the something had caught my eye before I saw the jumper but on the hanger I thought it was going to be too small. Hubby made me try it on and it fit like a dream.

The picture doesn't do this outfit justice, but I can't wait to get it on because it's pure 1950s glamour. Remember that episode of Mad Men when they base a whole ad campaign on the fact that most women wanted to be a Marilyn (Monroe of course) or a Jackie (Kennedy)? Well this dress actually makes you feel like both, it hugs the curves like a Monroe and has all the style of a Jackie.... but that's enough of me waxing lyrical about the frock (and to think I was able to buy it in my hometown).

Needless to say we both really liked the shop, and I can see us visiting on regular occasions... not least because the owners were all just so very friendly, chatty and welcoming.

Saturday morning we were up bright and early, and had lots to do. Firstly we were having freesat installed in the bedroom so that we can pop the breakfast news on in the morning before work, or snuggle up and watch a film under the warmth of the duvet on these cold winter nights. After that, it was off to opticians to pick up my new 1950s style cats eye glasses, what do you think? I got the frames from 'Jeepers Peepers Retro Eyewear' and I think I like them so much that I'm going to buy the tortoiseshell ones too.

Before long though we were heading to nearby Earlsdon for a vintage sale at the Criterion theatre. These theatre vintage sales can be somewhat hit and miss I find, ordinarily I don't come out with much. It just so happens though that this weekend I was able to find not 1 but 4 dresses worthy of trying on. In the end I only came away with one though, a beautiful silvery coloured 1940s style tea dress for a mere £10. (I don't have a photo, it's hanging up drying after I handwashed it). After a potter around Earlsdon and the customary drink and toastie in Zafiris we spent the evening watching DVDs. I know, it was bonfire night and we should have been out at a display, and were meant to be out at a display, but I'm suffering terrible with my wisdom tooth at the moment and I'm too coward to have it removed. Anyway, I didn't think that standing out in the cold watching fireworks would assist my throbbing face at all.

Today we've had a pretty chilled day of visiting relatives and meandering around a sunny town centre, before coming home where I got hubby to put up a new shelf in the kitchen for my cookbooks, what do you think?

Right now, my Christmas cake is in the oven cooking and I'm off for a bath and a brandy... in that order... or maybe even at the same time. Have a wonderful evening folks whatever you do.

Frock on Friday

2011-11-04T08:21:00.000Z

Dress - Vintage, Hosiery - House of Holland, Shoes - ?

It's a real pain having to take photographs inside because it's dark and miserable outside. Such is the plight of the blogger I guess.

This dress was another purchase the week I got married, again from Edinburgh. Edinburgh is fabulous for vintage, and even more fabulous for tweed.

After work hubby and I are off to the opening of a new vintage shop in Coventry. Yesterday one of my lovely commentors asked for more info so, the shop is called Marjorie Doo (you can find the owner on twitter @marjoriedoo) and it's opening in what used to be the Hand and Heart pub, Far Gosford Street, Coventry. The opening starts at 3pm, and goes on until 8pm this evening, so plenty of time for popping by after work. It's so important to support these local businesses I think, so hopefully I'll run into some local readers there? If not, then have a great weekend whatever you do.

Unaware

2011-11-03T09:09:00.000Z

(New) shoes - Deichmann, hosiery - ?, skirt - ?, top - Gap, Waistcoat - vintage

So, what do you think of my new shoes? I was in need of some winter suitable treads, and got fed up spending lots of money on boots only to wreck them in 18 months. I've got big feet, so buying vintage shoes is virtually impossible, but I found these shoes in budget chain Deichmann yesterday, and I think they look very vintage with their faux fur trim. In fact, I think I'll call this outfit for the www.shoeperwoman.com shoe challenge... I can't remember how many that is now, but I think I'm doing well.

I love this Welsh Tweed waistcoat, can you believe I was totally unaware of Welsh Tweed until I started reading Vix's blog? That lady is so educational I tell you.

Anyway, I'm feeling chipper today because I have some things to look forward to, my new trousers have been dispatched so they should be here soon, hopefully my new glasses will be ready to collect at the weekend, tonight my friend Miss F is coming around for tea and biscuits, tomorrow after work I'm off to the grand opening of a new local vintage shop and Saturday is Bonfire night of course. Phew, I'm pooped just thinking of it all.

Drizzle

2011-11-02T09:30:00.000Z

Once Autumn starts drawing in I find it really difficult to motivate myself for sewing, but not so difficult to motivate myself for baking comfort food. On the whole I'm a pretty good cook, I've been told that my bread pudding is to die for, my Christmas cake is the best anyone's ever tasted (and possibly the most intoxicating) and my staple Victoria sponge is the first choice for all of the family. Lemon drizzle cake however, my own personal favourite, is my nemesis.

Last night was no exception, despite adding cornflour and baking powder the cake wasn't light and fluffy, it was dense and fatty. Why? Is it the flour I'm using? Is it because I'm using stork instead of butter? I'm determined to find out and to bring this cake up to standard before I move on, bear with me, this could take a while but I'll definitely be revisiting this cake again next week.

Back in the Saddle

2011-11-01T08:07:00.000Z

Shoes - New Look, Hosiery - Charnos, Skirt - Vintage, Jumper - Wallis, Scarf - vintage (Jacqmar)

Hi folks, remember me? I'm that girl who used to blog regularly about what was going on in life, and sometimes even post some outfit shots. Truth is I think I got a touch of change of season blues, and I wasn't feeling well, so that's what the pause was about. I'm back in the saddle now though, and look, even an outfit shot.

I love this tartan skirt. It was bought from a vintage shop in Edinburgh the week of my wedding and it has no slit, so it makes you totter. Very 1950s, don't you think?

Last night I started the week off well by going out for a delicious curry, after having collected the egg coddler I won from eBay from the posty. The clocks have gone back here meaning everything's darker, but I have lunch with Roisin to look forward to today, hoorah!

Have an excellent Tuesday whatever you're doing.

Happy Blogday

2011-10-30T18:49:00.000Z

Well folks, I didn't really get up to much very exciting this weekend, and certainly nothing worth blogging about. What I have just noticed though is that 3 days ago, on the 27th, my blog was 2 years old. I can't believe I missed it. 2 years on my blog has come such a long way with so many followers and friends it's kind of taken on a life of its own... which is good. So, in the absence of anything more material to put in my blog this weekend, Happy Birthday Princess Prudence Diaries.

from http://www.solidrecipe.com/

Choccywoccydoodah's

2011-10-24T19:07:00.000+01:00

Well folks, that's Monday under the belt, another day closer to the weekend.

Since my organisation is shedding lots of staff at the moment, there's rarely a week goes by that someone else doesn't leave. Today though my partner in crime, vintage lover and Friday charity shop companion Miss F celebrated her last day in the office. She's off to a far more suitable job in vintage fashion, but she'll be missed.

Anyway to mark the occasion I wanted to make her a gift of cupcakes. I made these chocolate orange ones, iced them with her name (because I'm not great at decorative icing) and put them in a gift box wrapped in ribbon.

She was pleased with the effort and I was pleased that she was pleased. Now I'm off to eat my homemade veg soup, and try the white chocolate mocha recipe in my Vintage tea party book. Noms. Night folks.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

The Last Trip to Bourton

2011-10-23T19:37:00.001+01:00

So folks, how has everyone's weekends been? For my part it's been surprisingly good, I say surprisingly because for about a week I have felt really unwell. I've been unable to get warm, had a constant niggling headache and been tired and at times nauseous. Friday I had to take the day off work and stay in bed it got so bad, thus missing my Friday lunchdate with Roisin too. Pants.

Anyway, Friday evening hubby was trying to come with ideas of places we could go on Saturday for step-son to take photographs of running water for his school project, and we decided on a day out at one of my favourite places, the Cotswolds. Usually we only visit in the summer, but it was such nice weather on Saturday that I was content to wrap up for our last hoorah before the real winter sets in.

I couldn't wait to get my new turban out for the daytrip... even if Mum did ask me to read her fortune.

En route we spotted a sign at Moreton in Marsh for an antiques fair, so we stopped off for a little peruse. There wasn't an awful lot at the antiques fair and I was horrified at some of the prices, £35 for salt and pepper cellars in cut glass with non-hallmarked, not even electroplated metal lids?

Soon enough we were back on route to the delightful Bourton on the Water, my second favourite of the Cotswold villages after the Slaughters. The sun was shining and our first stop was the baking supply shop, where I bagged a Tala icing set to use on my cupcakes, and a pastry brush because I've lost mine. I was hoping for a tea pot as mine's started leaking, but alas nothing really took my fancy.

Thereafter, we left hubby and step-son taking photographs outside of the transport museum, while Mum and I escaped to the local charity shop. It was in there that Mum spotted the most divine vintage coat for me. It was priced at a mere £14.95, weighed a ton and was made of top quality black wool. I wasn't familiar with the RODEX label inside, but the Harvey Nichols one that accompanied it assured me it was good quality. It fit perfect, and I couldn't leave it. A spot of research on returning home reveals that RODEX is an AQUASCUTUM brand, so I've done really well there... I'll show you as soon as I wear it out.

We pottered around the village, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and stopping in a gorgeous little tea room That's really what you go to the Cotswold's for, scenery, tea and antiques... it doesn't get much better.

Ah, tea shop

While pottering around we stumbled upon a little antiques emporium that I hadn't been into before. Imagine my joy when I found exactly what I had been looking for, an egg coddler. It was beautiful, and the jovial shop owner (who had a hat that matched hubbies on) was more than happy to show me. Unfortunately, when he got it out of the display case, he noticed it was damaged, and certainly far too damaged to coddle an egg in. It was ashame as it was such a lovely Royal Worcestor piece. Instead of throwing it away though, the shop owner said I could have it for nothing as a gift to start my coddler collection. I was so pleased because, it's still in good enough condition to use as a little jam pot or something, the damage is around the top on the inside.

After a bit more perusing, and a bag of chips, we were heading off back home. I was glad to get home I can tell you because, as lovely as the day out was, I was feeling a little tired, and still had the headache.

Today, I have been pottering around doing some grocery shopping, fixing my other coat and baking cupcakes (I'll show you those tomorrow). Hubby meanwhile, so impressed with the brandy decanter I got for my birthday, dug our yellow glass art deco decanter out from the back room, cleaned it up and filled it with Whisky (his tipple not mine). This is how our booze station is looking now, pretty isn't it?

Anyway pop pickers, I hope you've all had lovely weekends, time to start the countdown all over again.

Working the 40s

2011-10-20T09:23:00.000+01:00

Shoes - New Look, Skirt - Bon Marche (via charity shop), peplum blouse - vintage

Earlier this month I was pondering whether I should narrow my vintage obsession down to one era, namely 1950s (my all time favourite). It was soon decided though that I am far too much of an indecisive chameleon to do such a thing, and I'm glad I did or this 40s look I'm sporting for work today wouldn't have had a chance.

Sometimes it can be difficult to do vintage or vintage inspired for the office (not always of course), but imagine my joy last week when I visited one of my regular charity shop haunts and managed to bag both skirt and blouse for less than £5. Vintage inspired glamour at a perfect price. You can't really see the detail of this gorgeous peplum blouse in the photo, it has beautiful wee flowers all over it and the most divine pearlised buttons as well as a matching little belt. This is about the only 40s inspired outfit I own, but I'm very pleased with it, hence I couldn't wait to share it with you.
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Many Matrioshka

2011-10-18T21:58:00.000+01:00

Last week the lovely Krista showed us her new Matrioshka doll. After I'd bragged a bit (I know, totally out of character) about my collection, Krista asked me to share. I meant to do it over the weekend, but just didn't have time. Here it is now though, better late than never.

WARNING: This blog post contains nude matrioshka boobies!

This wall unit sits in our living room and holds all of our Matrioshka dolls. We bought this from eBay last winter when we were decorating, and I remember having to drive to nearby Sutton Coldfield in a blizzard to collect. Nonetheless, I'm glad we did because I do love it.

My love of Matrioshka started many years ago when I was a very little girl. My grandfather was from Lithuania, and on a trip back home he picked this very first set up for my Mum. I can remember these being in our house forever. These are around 30 years old now, I know there was another one once, but it got broke.

When I got a bit older, I bought this beautiful relgious set from our city's Cathedral shop as a gift for my Mum.

When I left home and got married, Mum was keen that I took the Matrioshka with me, and that is when I started to continue the collection. The rest have been bought mostly from one of two places. There is a toy shop in nearby Stratford-upon-Avon which has a whole section dedicated to marvellous Matrioshka, and that is where we got our more quirky ones including Baba Yaga, and the stripper.

The others have come from the Moscow State Circus when it has been in town. I love the Moscow circus and go whenever possible, and whenever we've been we've picked up more Matrioshka.

The smallest set were a gift I think.

So there you have it, my Matrioshka collection. What do you collect?

Stresshead

2011-10-17T16:09:00.000+01:00

Today has been one of those days. A variety of factors have contributed to me grinding my teeth and fidgetting and quite frankly, I'm looking forward to getting to that decanter tonight. Is it wrong to be wishing for the weekend already?

In fairness though, I did have a nice lunchtime, I spent my River Island gift voucher on the most divine, vintage style turban with a big jewel on the front.

The weather's definitely changing and I've been staying warm today in a gorgeous green M&S skirt my mum gave me that makes me feel like a Saloon girl, and one of my new Jacqmar scarves.

One down, four to go!
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Time for tea

2011-10-16T22:09:00.000+01:00

I've had such a lovely weekend, albeit it's been a hell of a lot more busy than I expected it to be. Saturday morning I was keen to make hubby a nice breakfast because, well, he'd been away for most of the week and had been having a hectic week himself. So, I whipped up a nice breakfast of coffee and toasted chocolae brioche hearts, using the recipe in my new vintage tea party book that Roisin bought me for my birthday. That went down a real treat, and was surprisingly filling.

During the afternoon I popped into town with my Mum to spend my gift vouchers that I'd got for my birthday, but the afternoon extended into the early evening when for some reason my bus decided it wasn't going to turn up. Eventually I got home, cold and tired, but decided that would be a good time to sort out my underwear drawers. It's a good job I did though, because aside from throwing away a load of useless undergarments and odd socks, I also discovered lots of pairs of socks and tights to get me through the winter, that I never knew I had, yey, I can spend that money on something else now.

I spent the rest of the evening chilling.

Sunday morning, I was hoping for a lie in, but alas hubby was up watching the Rugby... do other people's husbands get very vocal at the TV during sports? Mine does, I need to invest in a soundproofed sports room just for him. Anyway, once I was up and about I did a spot of housework (don't pass out, it's not something I do that frequently) and then wrote out some recipes into my new recipe box that Vix bought me for my birthday.

Then the in-laws came to visit. In my Stepford wife mood, I decided to get the full teapot and chinaware out, but found out my teapot is leaking. That's not cricket folks, I need to be looking out for a new bone china teapot it seems. (check out the lovely cups and saucers, my colleague gave those to me a couple of weeks back)

No sooner had they left than my Mum arrived as I'd invited her up for dinner earlier in the week. I decided to try my hand at a special dinner, slow cooked pork in cider with mustard mash and caramelised red cabbage. I hadn't tried any of it before, and it turned out delicious. I'll definitely be making that red cabbage again, yum.

Once Mum had gone, and we'd walked the dogs I decided to wind down with a wee dram of the brandy which I got for my birthday, and which I'd decanted into the vintage decanter I got from my aunty for my birthday... isn't it just lush? Or perhaps I'm just a lush ... either way it's all good.

Just before I leave you though, I wanted to show you something. When visiting my gran during the week I found this photograph of her and my great aunt during the 1950s (my gran is the tall blonde). Isn't it fabulous?

Have a great week everyone.

Do you like Demis Roussos, Ange?

2011-10-13T10:00:00.001+01:00

What a week? It's been really bizarre, and a bit dull really following the mammoth excitement of the past few weeks. Ever since Monday evening, I've been home alone. Hubby had a residential course in London, which he's had to stay down there for, and which has left me trying to amuse myself, which in all fairness I've managed to do pretty well. Nonetheless, I'll be extremeley pleased to greet him from the train station this evening and get back to normal. To top it off... I own a Blackberry. Now, unless you live under a rock, you'll understand the gravity of that last statement. Blackberry's the world over have decided to go AWOL this week, leaving me pretty much unable to tweet, unable to Facebook, and most importantly, unable to keep up with my favourite blogs. I can tell you I've felt cut off.

Anyway, Wednesday was the last day for one of the girl's in the office before she went on Maternity leave, so on Tuesday evening I opted to make some Red Velvet cupcakes from my Hummingbird bakery cookbook, and decorate them with little sugar baby decorations. I can tell you, they went down a treat in the office. They are mighty heavy though, I'm not sure you could be eating those all the time.

Wednesday evening, Mum and I went to a local village hall to watch an amateur dramatics production of Abigail's Party. I don't know if you've ever seen that film, or a live performance, but it's so darkly funny. I love it, I've seen it a few times on the stage. I have to say though, the amateur dramatic's group really did do it justice, it was more than worth the £6 entry fee, which in fairness is less than going to the cinema nowadays.

I've got nothing more exciting planned for this week, other than greeting hubby at the train station later today, can you tell I'm looking forward to it? So on that note, I'll leave you with a clip from Abigail's party.

Spoiled Rotten

2011-10-09T21:01:00.002+01:00

So, last night was my long awaited 30th birthday party. Held in the upstairs function room of a local pub, and with a wonderful group of friends and family in attendance, I had the most amazing of times. I actually got my dress made on time, and felt a million dollars wearing my own home made creation.

I won't bore you with too many words in this post, it's all about the photographs. I danced, chatted and generally had a rather wonderful time. Some friends couldn't make it, which was a shame, but I'm sure I'll be able to catch up with them all really soon.

Hubby looking like he's stepped off the set of the Quiet Man

Jiving with father in law

Wonderful friends

My cousin

Party people

I don't know what I said but it looked funny

Glamorous ladies.

My besty and Me

Glamorous couples

Me and hubby dancing

Lovely friends

Crazy Cousins

My other besty

In addition I've been totally spoiled for the last week, and mostly lastnight with an abundance of beautiful and thoughtful gifts.

Rose Gold cross of nails from Hubby

Paul's boutique bag from Mum

Beautiful new frock from Mr and Mrs R

Check out this card that Squeezegut alley made for me

Today I've mostly been eating sweets and trying to learn how to tie a scarf in my hair as advised by one of my gifts, the Vintage Tea Party book.

I hope you've all had excellent weekends too.

Turning 30

2011-10-06T20:17:00.000+01:00

So, Sunday was our last full day in Germany, and also happened to be the day I was turning 30. We woke up bright and early, and went for our usual breakfast at the onsite cafe, and then out to the car to pick up a couple of bottles of water to take into town with us. As we approached the car I noticed something stuck to the windscreen... my heart sank because I knew what it was going to be. In our ignorance of German road signage, we'd managed to park in the wrong place and had fallen foul of a parking ticket. The people in the campsite said we were lucky with our 15 Euro parking fine, usually they just tow your car away. Obviously they took pity on the GB sticker on the boot.

So, anyway, as outlaws we set off into the town centre. I was so excited when the tram stopped to let the world famous Paulaner horses pass in front, on their way down to the Oktoberfest with barrels of beer.

Borrowed from www.noordinaryhomestead.com

From the tram I saw the police station only 2 stops before our usual, so we hopped off the tram and went to pay our parking fine. Then we walked into the town centre.

Wearing Dirndl - Vintage; Shoes - Converse; Bag - Paper Plane

The shops weren't open, the majority of shops don't open in Germany on a Sunday, but as we walked along a pedestrian area, I realised that we were coming towards Marienplatz just as Die Glockenspeil was about to start. We broke into a jog, and got there in time to stand looking up with the rest of the tourists as the spectacle. Die Glockenspeil is great, the tower of the Rathaus has these automotron type things and they play a Glockespeil and enact a jousting scene. It goes on for ages, every now and again the music would pause, the crowd would clap thinking it was over, then it would go again. It was quite amusing.

We carried on wandering, finding an Irish bar that the Scots in kilts had told us about the night before, and just in time to catch the final 10 minutes of the Ireland rugby match for hubby. That made him happy.

We carried on just wandering around the town, despite it being mostly closed it was also very bustling. We looked in souvenir shops and dawdled, and just then heard very loud German pop music blaring from a tiny dark little bar. A peer around the door revealed that this was a locals joint, and so we went in. It was crazy, 11am and everyone was jumping around and singing along to the loud loud music, drinking beer and generally having a great time. We were taking photographs when the manager of the bar (who judging by his slurring words, really enjoyed his job) pushed us in behind the bar for our photograph.

We spent a while in there talking with locals and really soaking up the atmosphere of the local bar. After having dinner in an English restaurant (where corned beef hash is nothing like corned beef hash here), we carried on pottering, enjoying the beautiful scenes against the blue sky.

Check out that blue October sky

Rathaus on the inside

Sat at a pavement cafe enjoying a coffee, and talking to some people from Holland we got to see Die Glockenspeil for the second time, before wandering to an end of town we hadn't yet visited.

This well heeled end of town, littered with designer shops was beautiful, opening up into a big square with beautiful buildings and statues we admired all points of the compass before finding a beautiful park. The late afternoon sun was falling over the park, and the bizarre October site of people sunbathing greeted us. Inside a pavillion, a dance group were jiving and we stayed for at least an hour just admiring them all dancing, and secretly wishing we knew how to join in.

Before it got too late, we caught the tram back to the campsite and started packing away some of stuff, before enjoying the last night on the camp and anticipating another epic journey home the following day.

Campsite fire

Another extensive journey through Germany, Belgium, France and England before arriving home exhausted beyond belief on Monday night.

Finding vintage Dirndls and Oktoberfest

2011-10-05T20:53:00.000+01:00

So, on day 2 of our break we woke up to glorious sunshine. After a shower and a continental breakfast at the onsite cafe, we were on the tram and en route into Munich. On the tram I overheard a local girl talking about which tents to frequent, which were too touristy and which ones were more German filled, so we decided to ask her where we would find a vintage shop in Munich. She was so helpful and took my phrasebook to write the name of the area in the back.

Off the tram, we set off in search of the vintage shops in the gay area. There were a few, and the majority were selling dirndls. I hadn't bought a Dirndl before leaving England because they were so expensive, and I didn't want to buy the Dirndls that a lot of the main shops in Munich were selling because their quality wasn't great, and they looked a bit fancy dress like, but all of the vintage ones I was coming across weren't fitting me. Then I stumbled on a beautiful purple Dirndl, that the shop owner told me was a 1970s one. She didn't have any blouses left though, so directed us to another street called Tal where we would find shops to buy the rest of the outfit in.

The Market Square
Dress - Vintage; Bag - Paper Plane

So, we set off, walking through a beautiful market square and along to Tal where the ladies in the shop helped me to complete my outfit with a low cut blouse, a petticoat and an apron. We spent ages in one particular vintage shop, it was great and hubby came away with a beautiful waistcoat. Meanwhile, I changed into my new Bavarian dress in the changing room, I didn't want to miss a minute of wearing it.

With that done, we did a bit of sightseeing and then set off to another one of the kellers for a few beers.

Rathaus

Hubby enjoying the sites

Post outfit change in the beer keller

Before long we were heading off to Oktoberfest. We didn't know what to expect, but putting thousands of people from all over the world in a field full of beer will always have interesting consequences.

We walked the police lined streets, and I have to say one of the highlights of the evening was the German police playing Falco's Rock me Amadaus through their loud speakers and onto the street.

Me with a German police officer

As we approached the field containing all of the tents it was bustling, but it also smelled of sick. People had been in the tents drinking steins since 10am, and the consequences were apparent. It really was bustling inside, thousands upon thousands of people milled around the super impressive tents, in fact they don't even look like tents, they look like buildings.

We headed to one of the less touristy tents, and queued with the crowd out front until one of the stern guards allowed us through. We couldn't get inside the tent, you have to have reservations for that, but we were given seats on the benches outside which were equally packed, and enjoyed the huge glasses of beer that were put on our table.

Hubby in Oktoberfest

As we observed the rowdy scenes, in the space of 1 hour 3 fights broke out. We decided to head off. We explored more of Oktoberfest, before leaving the field behind and heading back to Augustiner... which was full of Scottish men in Kilts.

It had been a wonderful and full day, I'm glad we could say we did Oktoberfest, but it wasn't as good as the beer kellers.

Road Trip

2011-10-04T22:21:00.000+01:00

Just in case any of you have been wondering where I've been all weekend, the answer is Munich, yes, hubby and I travelled all the way down to Bavaria to partake of the world famous Oktoberfest, all in celebration of my 30th Birthday. Of course I would have updated you earlier today (we only got home yesterday) but I'm having such issues with my internet right now, I'm typing at super fast speed to try and get you at least updated on day one.

So anyway, on Thursday, having dropped off the hounds at the kennels, we set off towards Folkestone leaving Coventry around 6pm. I drove the whole way to the Eurotunnel, and then we got quite excited, neither of us having been on Eurotunnel before. What a feat of engineering that is. Anyway, 35 minutes later, just past midnight on the continent, we were arriving in Calais. I'd swapped the driving duties with hubby and we emerged into total darkness, driving on the opposite side of the road on unlit motorways.

The journey was seriously harsh. We drove through France, and emerged into a dark Belgium. As I tried to follow a sat nav (I hate those things, give me a map) I took us off in all directions, getting lost in the early hours of the morning in an urban Belgium. Despite 5am approaching, daylight wasn't coming, so we decided to pull over into a service station and sleep.

Waking an hour or so later into daylight, we pushed forward into Germany. Hubby seemed fresh, I couldn't stay awake so my navigating skills weren't great.

Bavarian views from the passenger seat.

Germany was a great drive as we passed Cologne, Stuttgart and down south into Bavaria. We hit traffic outside of Munich and by now, around 20 hours after we'd left our home in Coventry, hubby was flagging. Don't ask me how, but we arrived in Munich, albeit unable to find our campsite, the tent.

We pulled over at a local fast food restaurant, where a German man in a van programmed the address of our campsite into his sat nav, and lead us straight to the road we wanted. That so wouldn't happen in the UK!

Anyway, arrival at the campsite was about 4pm, the sun was still shining and the campsite seemed really nice. The only downsides were that it was obviously aimed at a younger, backpacking type of person, and you couldn't park your car on site. We checked in, and then found it was so packed that we struggled to find a space to pitch our humungous tent. Nonetheless, we succeeded eventually, had a beer and then crawled exhausted into our sleeping bags for an hours kip. It was noisy on the campsite, but we were so exhausted, that wasn't going to stop us.

Standing room only

After an hour or so kip, we crawled out, pulled some different clothes on, and headed for the tram into Munich town centre. All around were Frauline in the their Dirndls and Herren in their Lederhosen. We jumped off the tram a stop too late, and walking back towards our stop found the Augustiner Brauhaus. One of the many beer kellers that fill Munich. It looked buzzing, and so we decided that was our stop for the night.

We took up a table in the bustling beer garden, had a couple of steins, and I had this most delicious meal of roast pork, red cabbage and potato dumpling. Seriously, I'll never shut up about that melt in the mouth pork.

You need strong wrists to hold them there beers.

At the next table were a group of Americans, they were really friendly and before the night was over we were sat at their table discussing everything from life in Ohio, to the misconceptions about the English (all bad teeth and stiff upper lip) to the misconceptions about the Americans (all plastic surgery and vanity). They were really nice, and we had a hoot chatting with them all.

His n Hers knitwear

By 11pm we were wrecked. We staggered out of the brauhaus, and back to our tram stop, off to the tent for our first night's kip.

"I saw a sausage and it was this big!!!!"

Miss Marple

2011-09-26T20:50:00.000+01:00

Typical isn't it? I packed all of my summer clothes away lastnight, let loose the tweed, and we're predicted a heatwave this week.

Ah well, before it got too warm, I was keen to get this, my other vintage cape, on. The look I was going for with my Aquascutum hat, and Gladstone bag was Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Van Helsing at a push, but alas I was likened to the wonderful Miss Marple 4 times. Ah well, it's not such a bad style icon... Is it?

Lucious Leicester

2011-09-25T18:10:00.000+01:00

Despite the fact that my Mum keeps insisting we've been to Leicester before, I think it must've been so many years ago that a) I can't remember it; and b) it's all been regenerated since then. So, Saturday afternoon, hubby me and Mum decided we'd pop along to nearby Leicester for an afternoon of shopping. I'm getting really fed up with the overpriced charity shops of Leamington and Solihull, and fancied a change of scenery anyway, so off we went.

Getting into Leicester is a bit of a pain, and I have to say when (not if, when) we go back, I'd definitely opt for the park and ride. Nonetheless, we did get there, and get a parking space relatively easily. Within no time at all we'd found a lovely cafe called 'The Crumblin' Cookie' where we were able to stock up on delicious cappucino and scones before setting off to find 'The Lanes'.

The Lanes were great, winding little alleyways with multitudes of independent shops. I found one, Maya Rose Boutique which sold all sorts of lovely little things, but I was good and just came away with a beautifully wrapped soap. I adore these little wrapped soaps, I never use them, they just sit in a delightful little glass bowl on my bathroom windowsill looking pretty.

We continued along the lanes because we'd done our research, and knew that we'd find vintage shops this way. We were right too. There were a couple, all close together, but the best was Dolly Mix Vintage. Over 2 floors, with one dedicated to men and the other to ladies, this was really an emporium. Hubby left Mum and I to peruse on the first floor, while he made his way upstairs to the men's bit. The ladies was fab. Dress from the 1940s through to the 1970s, an astounding array of hats, bags, shoes, everything the discerning vintage lover could want, and actually, it wasn't that expensive I thought. Again, I was controlled, largely because I know I have an expensive month coming up this month, and when we return I will not be as restrained, but I did buy a lovely little pink cocktail hat, modelled here by Ted (Ted was my Mum's bear when she was little, now he lives with us).

I did see the most beautiful hat, but it was genuine Russian mink, and whilst I'm ok with vintage fur, I know that hubby isn't, so I resisted out of respect for his views. Hubby also loved this shop though, and came away with a gorgeous Aran knit jumper for the impending winter.

After perusing The Lanes, we set off amongst the rest of the town, through the market where we bought some cheap DVDs, and onto what seemed like an enormous never ending international market. It sold everything from Dutch pancakes, to Icelandic jumpers and Baltic Amber and was bustling. I don't think that's there every weekend, but it was a great atmosphere.

Of course, we didn't do Leicester without visiting the new Highcross shopping centre, and scoffing at the amazingly high prices in John Lewis (don't they know there's a recession on?) before trying to find our way back to the car.

Leicester was a great city to visit, and I'm sure you've noticed that I've not mentioned any charity shops. Despite the fact I know there's a lot there, I never actually got to them, in fact, in our entire afternoon I don't think we got around half of Leicester, it's vast, and every turn reveals another great and bustling bit of the city. They've got the mix of big names, markets and independent sellers so very right that I can't wait to go back again. Next time though, I'll be sure to get to the charity shops.

Lastnight, we were so tired after our busy day, we watched Hitchcock's Rear Window, which was one of the DVDs I'd bought from the market, and drank beer and ate crisps. Yey.

Today, I've all but finished my party dress, but I'm afraid you will have to wait for a whole fortnight for the big reveal.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

2011-09-22T14:11:00.000+01:00

Wearing: boots - duo; bag - RI2K; Skirt - vintage; Jumper - Hobbs; Coat - Vintage; Hat - M&S

I think Autumn is well and truly here now, and I'm trying to fit in unpacking my winter wardrobe. I've not succeeded so far, but always keep enough warm clothes to hand for emergencies.

I've had a good week. I've done loads of work on the party dress I'm making for my 30th, and got some really nice things including a tea set from my friend at work, and a new light shade for the landing from today's lunchtime trip to the charity shop.

My friend has just got a job in a Midlands vintage shop, so we celebrated at Subway. Rock n Roll, that's us.

Anyway, have a great rest of the week.

Old friends, nights out and selling my wares

2011-09-18T21:35:00.000+01:00

Well folks, I hope you've all had a lovely weekend.
Yesterday was my high school reunion. Since I left school some years ago, I've managed to avoid going to any of these set ups and just carried on my merry way. I always figure, the people I want to stay in touch with from school, I do, and those that I don't, don't matter. Anyway, my friend Mrs. B. had called me a few weeks back to tell me about the reunion, and asked if I'd go. Since she was going, I thought I'd give it a whirl, and when bestie Mrs. R agreed to come too I figured that, even if it was just the 3 of us, it'd still be a good night out.

Anyway, yesterday came, and so hubby and I set off to pick Mrs. R up. I stopped off for a bottle of wine on the way and found what can only be described as the worlds most ill thought out design for a sandwich bar.

How not to design a sandwich bar

Anyway, Mrs. R and I arrived at Mrs. B's for some drinks and a bit of a get together, before heading off to the bar which the reunion was arranged at. When we go there, a few other girls (thankfully, ones that I like) were already there. We got the drinks in, had a boogy, had fun... but no one else seemed to turn up, not the people who organised it, no one. Despite it having been publicised all over facebook and suchlike, there were only half a dozen of us.

Me, Mrs. B and Mrs. R

We decided, bugger everyone else, and we all jumped in taxis to head off to nearby Earlsdon, where we drank more, danced lots, and generally had a giggle. I was more than a little tipsy when Mrs. R and I left, and when hubby picked us up I decided to sing along to half the songs on the radio.

Me and Mrs. R - I've already had a few too many by this point.

An impromptu cheeseburger (classy) and a glass of squash and I was all set for bed. I have to say, it didn't really matter that the others didn't turn up. The girls who did made it a great night out.
This morning, I woke up surprisingly hangover free, but I've spent the entire day listing lots of things, from Jimmy Choos to Burberry Macs, and from dining tables to handbags on eBay. No matter how much I clear out, there's always more so get rid of. Anyway, why don't you check out what I'm selling, you never know, there might be something you like.

Have a good week everyone, I'll try and pop by for an update if I can.

Mistress le Scarf

2011-09-16T08:20:00.000+01:00

Many of you know that I have a weakness for vintage silk scarves. I've documented my collections before, and the odd time I've even been tempted to buy brand spanking new, if it's right for the collection. This week however, I've been having such tremendous luck as far as silk scarves are concerned, and it all seemed to culminate yesterday.

On my way back to the office at lunchtime, following a lunchtime coffee, I decided to pop my head into the charity shop. I always look at the scarves as I often find Jacqmars in charity shops. Anyway, a colour caught my eye, and as I pulled it out folks I discovered, it's BULGARI. I almost started hyperventilating I was that excited, and couldn't get the £1.99 out of my purse fast enough. I'd checked eBay before I even got back to office, and discovered that these are usually around the £100 mark. Further research reveals it's the Gondola scarf. Isn't it lovely?

Anyway, when I got home, still elated by my purchase, I found that the postman had been. He'd delivered me another scarf. This vintage Liberty was bagged from eBay only the day before for a mere 99p. I'm not sure quite why it didn't garner more interest, it's very pretty. Again, how lucky am I? Now, if I can just find a Hermes...

The Fog by James Herbert

2011-09-15T12:52:00.001+01:00

The fog (1970s version with Jamie Lee Curtis), is one of my absolute favourite films. When I saw the book in a local charity shop then for 30p, my heart skipped a beat; I’ve never come across the book before. As is always the case, however, I was worried that reading the book would ruin the film for me, so often they do don’t they? I need not have worried, the book is nothing like the film whatsoever, but is really good in its own right.

First things first, if you’re offended by graphic sex and violence, then this is most definitely not the book for you. I was shocked that it was as extreme as it was really, but then I didn’t feel it was too gratuitous, although there were a few cringeworthy moments.

So, if you’re used the film, you probably want to know what the main differences are. The book is set in England, the film is set in America; The book is sci-fi, the film is horror; The whole story line, whilst I can see it has influenced the film, is completely different. Bearing all of that in mind, the book is definitely worth a read.

The book follows the lead character as he goes investigating MOD operations in Wiltshire. He ends up in a strange earthquake, and soon after, a large bank of fog is found drifting around the South of England, infecting everyone who comes into contact with it, with a murderous insanity. As the greatest scientific minds around struggle to find a way to eradicate the fog before it wipes out at entire nation, will the hero and his lover survive?

The book kept me interested throughout, I wouldn’t say it was fast paced, but it was exciting, with a couple of twists and turns thrown in for good measure. Funnily enough, I was reading this book about a fog going about the Dorset countryside, whilst I was camping in the Dorset countryside, so that somewhat added to the atmosphere.

The good news is you can still get the book from Amazon for a mere 1p (that’s even cheaper than I paid) so if you fancy comparing it to the film too, then hop along there and grab yourself a bargain.

Had a little time

2011-09-13T20:49:00.000+01:00

Folks, I’d intended to do you a blog post about my relaxing weekend, yesterday, but I wasn’t really in the mood for blogging. I won’t get you down with the details, but many of you know that come January I’ll be jobless, and that I’m trying to pursue a career in property. I’m in the position now where I’ve had a couple of rejection letters, and a fair few ‘nothings’ and folks, I can tell you, it sucks. Lastnight I hit a wall of worrying what others think, and worrying that I’m doing the right thing. Thankfully hubby was there to speak some sense into me, so hopefully the only way is onwards and upwards now, it’s not often I get a wobble, but it’s a major life changing event when you’ve worked for the same organisation for 8 years and you face the prospect of going out again into the big wide world of job hunting… especially in such a poor employment market. Luckily I have a great support network, and I know that my friends and family will always make me chuckle, no matter what.

Anyway, enough of that, I know that really you want to know all about my weekend. I had a really nice and relaxing weekend, so I’m surprised actually that I did get so stressed on Monday, but there you go.

Saturday morning we had lots to do. We had the usual visit to the in-laws, but then we had to sort out lots of household things to send off with Step-daughter since she’ll be leaving this coming weekend to begin her degree in Cardiff. It’s all very exciting for her, and seems to have come around so quickly, but at least between the whole family we seem to have been able to set her up with lots of good stuff to take with her, to set up a comfortable home.

During the afternoon we had a trip to Solihull. Hubby and step-son went off to watch ‘The Inbetweeners’ movie at the flicks, while me and Mum went shopping (of course). I do like Solihull, but I do hate that their charity shops are more expensive than the high street. In one shop, I picked up a lovely vintage felt hat, but it was priced at £11.50, a similar one in New Look was only £9.50. I bought neither; both were out of my budget for this weekend. In fact, I came away surprisingly empty handed with only a reel of grosgrain ribbon to trim a hat, and a bottle of patchouli oil to treat a leather jacket with.

Saturday evening I began sorting out the hat. The vintage Aquascutum hat is one I got a couple of years back in a charity shop. For some reason though, I removed the original trim, and put a green ribbon on it, then I decided I didn’t like the green ribbon, and put pearls on it, now I’ve decided I don’t like the pearls, so I’ve put burgundy ribbon and a feather on it. It took me all night, and some of Sunday morning to get it done, but I’m pleased with the end result.

The rest of Sunday was spent doing more work on my party dress, doing laundry and generally getting ready for work the following day. Funnily enough though, I seemed to get an absolute ton of stuff done. We finished off by watching ‘The Cry of the Banshee’ which my Mum had lent to us, and had an early night ready for Monday morning.

Designated charity shopping days

2011-09-11T10:30:00.000+01:00

Wearing: boots - Duo boots; jeans - Tommy Hilfiger; T-shirt - Hooch; Shirt - Mulberry (hubby's); Jacket - Vintage Alexon; Bag - Jones the bootmaker; Hat - hubby's

It seems that Friday lunchtime is designated charity shopping time for my work friend Miss F and I. Each time Friday lunch time comes, we head off to our local charity shops and see what we can find. Miss F usually comes away with a stack of goodies, I usually just get one or 2 things. This week I was lucky enough to find a vintage fold up alarm clock, which is good, I've been after one of those.

So, do you have designated charity shopping days, or do you just go whenever?

Arabian Nights

2011-09-10T06:00:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday evening we all went to our local theatre, The Criterion as step-daughter was appearing in Arabian Nights.

It was a mad dash between getting home from work, and getting back out of the door to the theatre, but something I was sure of was that I wanted to wear the vintage hat I'd bought on holiday... I got some funny looks in this ensemble, which included the coat I wore on my wedding day, but felt fab. I'm calling this for the shoeperwoman shoe challenge, because I've not got these shoes into it yet.

Hat - Vintage; Coat - Wallis; Bag - from darling Helga;
Shoes - New Look

Anyway, back to the show. I wasn't sure what Arabian Nights was about, I knew it was short stories, but I didn't quite realise that some of them were so humorous. It really was great, and I really did laugh... a lot! So much so that when my step-daughter came out for after show drinks she said that someone backstage had commented that someone in the audience had a right cackle, and she knew it was me. That's terrible isn't it? Although, I do know I have a loud and uncontrollable high pitched laugh. The show shouldn't have been so damn funny though.
The great thing about that theatre is that all of the actors are amateur, and yet they put on such great shows. I'd quite fancy getting involved myself... in wardrobe of course. Talking about wardrobe, my Mum has taken to using my wardrobe as a theatrical department, coming around and putting hats on and going into character... I think I'll have to start charging admission seeing as it's that much fun.

Anyway, if you're Midlands based, you could do worse than to go to see Arabian Nights which has it's last showing on Saturday 10th September.

Great Malvern

2011-09-08T20:49:00.001+01:00

Last Tuesday (30th August) seems like such a distant memory now, but I got to spend a lovely day with my best friend and her little boy in Malvern.

I think I’ve told you about my friend Mrs. P-J before, and she’s currently visiting from where she lives in Bangladesh. Some time ago we arranged to meet somewhere around Worcestershire way, and I opted for Malvern, given I’d never been there, and had heard a lot about it.

I set out early enough, but unfortunately delays with trains left me sitting at Birmingham New Street for an hour waiting for a missed connection, and not arriving into Malvern until the afternoon. In light of my late arrival, we decided to dispense with a walk up the hills, and just enjoy the compact little town (which quite frankly, is a hill in itself).

The walk from the train station was delightful, the route scattered with the most imposing houses I think I’ve ever seen around the Midlands. They were like mansions, and with the beautiful views of the Malvern Hills, and what seemed like some of the freshest air I’ve ever inhaled, I could only dream of living somewhere like that.

Unusual little fountain in the town, I assume it emits spring water

In no time at all we were in the town centre, perusing the charity shops (of course) and looking for a place to have lunch. We found a beautiful little café, where we enjoyed a light meal before continuing our tour of the town. Whenever I’m somewhere new, I always like to check out the estate agents and see what the houses are like, not to mention the house prices. Thankfully Mrs. P-J shares that addiction, and we cooed for some time at the houses in the windows of the many agents.

One of the highlights of shopping in Malvern, for me, was the old fashioned independent department store, Brays. Like it had just stepped out of ‘Are you being Served’ with old fashioned tills and items displayed in glass counters, I could have spent forever in there.

Taken from www.roundabout-malvern.co.uk

Another place I could have spent forever in was this cute little vintage shop, which had not only the most beautiful beaded 1920s style dresses, but also these amazing vintage trunk dressing tables, the like of which I’d never seen before… and at a price of around £2500 each, I probably never will see one in my house, but I’d like one nonetheless.

From www.retrotogo.com

Further along, we wandered into the beautiful Malvern Priory. It looked huge from the outside, but inside was cosy and inviting and a lovely place just to sit and contemplate. Alex, enjoyed the church yard too as it gave him lots of places to play hide and seek as we wandered away from the church.

After a quick coffee, we were wandering back towards the train station so that I could catch the train back to Coventry, and it was no hardship waiting for my train in the beautiful old fashioned station. It had been a lovely day catching up with Mrs. P-J, I’m really going to miss her until she comes back again, and I can also thank her for encouraging me to sample beautiful Malvern… I suspect that will not be my last visit.

My Outfit
Hat - John Lewis; Scarf - Jacqmar; Jacket - Vintage;
Dress - Vintage; Bag - Jones the Bootmaker

Stonehenge

2011-09-07T22:28:00.000+01:00

On the morning we were leaving camp, the sun was shining brightly again. Despite this, 8 nights camping is plenty for anyone, and while I was sad to be leaving our holiday, I was glad at the prospect of a proper bed and a long hot bath.

Before setting off on holiday, hubby and I had discussed the possibility of stopping off at Stonehenge. I’d never been there, and yet I’m so fascinated by it. What is it? There are so many theories and thoughts, and so much mystery around the site that I have long wanted to visit. I felt the same about Tintagel castle, until we visited that a few years back.
So, we set off in the direction of Stonehenge with a packed car and tired people and dogs. We stopped en route to grab a coffee and a bacon batch, and as we started getting near to the vast expanse that is Salisbury Plains, I was getting a tad excited.

We arrived at lunchtime to massive crowds of tourists. I don’t think most people realise (I certainly didn’t) that Stonehenge doesn’t just consist of the stone circle, but there are land undulations known as barrows, and cursus and other henges all within short distances of this one fantastical site. We took a walk over to the barrows, what are they? Who’s buried beneath them and why? Will we ever know?

Hubby and step-son climb a barrow

Then we walked back to the main site. Because we had the dogs with us, we couldn’t all go inside, but since hubby had been in before, step-son and I went in for a closer look.

Inside the fences around Stonehenge, it feels really eerie. There are hundreds of people milling, but everyone is so awe struck by this huge stone structure that they are pretty much silent. You are also struck by how open the site is because the plains are so flat. There seems to be tons of sky in every direction. You have to question too, how did they get all of this bluestone all the way from Wales? And more importantly, Why?

I’d love to go back and see it at solstice when the sun is meant to shine through particular parts of the structure.

After Stonehenge, step-son and I went to the over crowded gift shop, where I bought several books about the structure (and which hubby devoured on our first day back at home). It really is fascinating. I did feel like slapping an Australian guy though whose exact words were:

“Well, it’s not Ayers rock but it’s all they’ve got”
I think he kind of missed the point somewhat… peasant!
After our interesting pit-stop, and me having ticked something else off my ‘things I really need to do’ list we set off on the long drive back to Coventry, arriving home in the early evening, tired but happy having ended a perfect holiday in the most wonderful way.

Wallowing in Beer

2011-09-06T23:06:00.000+01:00

Can you believe there's a place called Beer? No! neither could I, until I heard people talking about the dog friendly beaches there during our week in Lyme.

On our final day of holiday, we woke up to glorious sunshine again, and mentally sifted through a list of local towns that we could visit. In the end we ended up in a beautiful village called Beer.

Now, Beer is a tiny quaint little place, but in spite of this I'd happily go back again because it was just so beautiful. Once we'd parked up we found a fabulous little antiques shop where we spent sometime perusing. The real find, however, came in the shape of a fundraising sale at the local Mariners hall. Following the directions there of local people, we managed to get tea and cakes for less than a pound, but even better than that, they were selling off clothes. Not just any clothes, clothes that had obviously been donated by elderly locals, my favourite type. I managed to bag another cape, this one reversible, a massive wooly cardigan, and a reversible gilet type thing, all for less than £5. Can't be bad.

After such fun, we headed down to the pebble beach and took up a deckchair, looking out over the crystal clear waters at the boats going out into the cove. It's a delightful place and the waves make the most gorgeous tinkling noise as they break on the pebble shore.

As the afternoon bore on, the weather started cooling, so we decided to go off the beach and take up residence in a lovely little cafe (a common theme of this holiday). It was such a lovely relaxing place.

Then we were able to potter around the few little shops of the village, and see a stained glass artist working in her studio. Ironically she was a Midlander having been born in nearby Leamington Spa.

We finished our last day with a delicious meal in one of the villages pubs, before heading home to start the task of packing and to watch our final sunset over the camp, whilst having a right old rattle to the lovely camping neighbours we'd befriended during our week of camping.

This was by far the best camping holiday we'd had since we started camping, but despite this we all looked forward to getting home to our own beds and a nice hot bath the following day.

Then there was the day we caught the rain

2011-09-05T23:00:00.000+01:00

So, no British camping holiday would be complete without getting completely soaked through with rain on at least one of the days. It just so happened that we managed to get right through to day 7 before we did.

A few weeks back hubby had been on a work visit to Exeter, when he spotted some pretty cool looking vintage shops. Since we realised Exeter wasn't that far from where we were camped, we thought it would be worth checking out. Alas from the time we go out of the car, until the time we got back in it only a few hours later it rained... and when I say it rained, I mean it RAINED.

It wasn't a totally wasted visit, I did come away with a lovely cape and a pillbox hat from the vintage shops, and we also got to see the Cathedral, but on the whole, it wasn't the best day of our holiday.

I'll leave you will some photographs of Exeter Cathedral since it was far too wet to photograph anything else that day.

Picturing the Jurassic Coast

2011-09-04T21:18:00.000+01:00

So, I know what you're thinking... she's still talking about this damn holiday, after all this time... someone shut her up. Anyway, bear with me, I still have much to tell you about.

After a few days of gallivanting around the Dorset coastline, we were eager to take another day of rest in Lyme Regis. Hubby had packed his SLR camera anyway in the hope of catching a few shots, and step-son had some art homework (photography based) he was hoping to do too.

This time, we parked up at the usual Monmouth car park, and took a different route on foot from our usual, straight into town. The sun was blazing down again, despite the early hour, but it was windy too, so we took a wander along the harbour. Hubby and step-son were setting up photographs to capture some of the imagery around the area, whilst I was just enjoying the sun and the opportunity to sit down every few hundred yards.

We walked all along the harbour, right to the end where men were fishing, and just breathed in the sea air deeply. There was a hidden little beach behind the building on the end of the harbour, it was sandy and dogs were allowed on it, so we took them for a paddle, before taking to another one of the harbour walkways to watch the sailing boats head out to sea, whilst the early morning fishing boats were returning in.

We retraced our steps back towards the town, and followed our familiar route along the sea front to Lyme Regis. Instead of turning to go up the high street though, we opted to go past the Cobb Gate, and explore what was further along. The sea was wilder and windier at this end of the town, and with massive rocks jutting out into the sea it was lovely to watch the waves crashing and sending spray up into the air, whilst the sun glistened on the sea.

Still further along, we found a beach with massive stones all over it. Families were trying to break stones against others, whilst teenagers armed with small hammers and chisels were trying to chip away at large boulders. We figured that this must be the main beach for hunting for fossils. Without the first idea of how to hunt for fossils, we all descended onto the beach. Step-son taking photographs, hubby generally sitting on rocks and enjoying the sun, while I opted to try and find a fossil. The rocks were all smooth from years of the sea battering against them, and I figured that perhaps a stone with a line running through it might have a fossil in it. I began launching smaller stones against larger ones in order to try and break through to any would be find at the heart of the stone… but I was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, I’d love to go back and seriously try to find a fossil… I’d have it mounted on a pendant I think if I found one. An ammonite, yes that would be quite nice.

We came off the fossil beach, and walked back towards the town, stopping off in a pub garden along the way for some refreshment. Back in the town we visited shops we hadn’t been to earlier in the week, including an Aladdin’s cave of a second hand bookshop. There wasn’t a book conceivable that wasn’t in there I think. Then we paid another visit to Sublyme, before taking sandwiches into the hillside gardens over looking the beach to enjoy the view over a delicious light lunch.

We spent the rest of the afternoon moving from beach to town, until it was time to go back to the tent again. Soon, there were ominous clouds drawing in from the coast, along with strong winds and we knew that the tent was going to be the best place to be… but at least we’d enjoyed another delightfully sunny day on the seaside.

Bridport tres Bon

2011-09-03T09:30:00.000+01:00

Whilst we’d been wandering around Lyme Regis during the week, and talking to local shopkeepers, one lady had commented on how good Bridport was as a place to visit for vintage bits and bobs. We hadn’t really intended to travel around on this holiday, it was meant to be a relaxing on the beach all week holiday, but we’re terrible, we can’t stay in one place too long, so on day 5 we decided to go to Bridport.

Bridport is an interesting little town. I was most curious about it since I’d seen posters dotted around Dorset advertising the Bridport Hat Festival, and whilst that wasn’t on while we were there, I thought that anywhere entertaining a hat festival when I have a current hat obsession was ok by me. We arrived in Bridport early, and after a spot of luck with the car park, we stumbled upon our first charity shop. We didn’t come away with much, although I did bag an unused pair of vintage Dior tights in their original packaging, which is always a bonus, and we also got lots of cassettes to play in the car.

Bridport is a lovely town; it consists of one long high street which is littered with charity shops, antique shops, milliners (!), and a smattering of high street chains. In addition there are street markets selling everything from vintage record players to fruit and veg. In one of the antique shops I was quite taken with lots of chunky silver jewellery, and came away with a lovely pendant and a ring (I’ll show you all of my purchases in a blog post at the end because I bought so much on holiday). It helped of course that the sun was shining again, and as we walked the dogs up and down the high street they got lots of fuss from passers by. One American man in particular fell in love with Prudence, having his own Airedale terrier back in San Francisco; he loved her so much in fact that he pledged to name his next Airedale Prudence in her honour.

After a short time perusing, we stopped off for some chips at a pavement café (my diet goes all to pot on holiday), and continued perusing the larger charity shop offer on the other side of the road, where I managed to bag a whole stash of vintage dress patterns and the most tremendous Vintage Welsh Tweed handbag and matching purse… so beautiful it was that the old dears serving me on the till were quite taken with it. I can’t wait for autumn to come so I can use it.

After a few hours we’d done the whole of Bridport, and decided to head back to Lyme to catch the end of the day sunshine. It wasn’t very far to drive back, and we took a detour through the quaint village of Charmouth for a nosey too. Lyme Regis was busy as ever, and so we settled into our usual dog friendly tea shop for toasted tea cakes and pots of tea to rejuvenate ourselves, before pottering around the town and heading back to the tent for camp stew and bed.