What I Wore - January Sunshine

Yo dreamers and weavers!
The sun did shine today and oh was it glorious, the weather was positively balmy for the time of year. I was out early to Weight Watchers (lost 5lb...oh yeyah), where I help out at the shop. It was supremo-ly busy today as it always is in January, and I was rushed off my boots.

I had my daughter with me today, and asked her if she would take some outfit shots for me, and she did...here they are:

 

 

 

 

We was just messin' about taking these but I really loved this outfit today, it's nothing special or fancy but comfy and cute.

Cardigan - charity shop £1

Buddah T Shirt - Cambodia $2

Skirt - Car Boot Sale 50p

Scarf - Artisans D'Angkor $4

Leggings - Primark £3

Boots - Ebay £5

Glasses - Specsavers Men Value Range £25

 

My hair has been fun this week as I have become super addicted to Pinterest, and have been looking at things to with my hair other than messy bun (standard hair-do for the past 8 years). I now love twisting and plaiting and teasing and pinning my hair into new styles. I might get it cut soon though so if you check out my 'Hair' board, you can see some styles I's be thinkin' of.

 

Liv and I had a lovely one, cleaned out flat all nice, watched a bit od Superscrimpers and went out to Wagamamas for dinner - oh Lord, if you have never tried the Chili Squid I can heartily recommend it to be divinely yummy. We came home on the bus, then spent an hour looking at English Degree courses for Olivia's future...so fun! I love a plan. Now I am typing this, sitting in my Christmas PJs in my lovely warm flat, looking forward to a snuggle up in my clean sheets - ah simple pleasures!

 

So how was your Saturday?

See you soon chumblies x

...Outfit Post...Louche Love

I is back! Ahhh tis good to be back on home turf. The seagulls they missed me. I know my cat missed me because he has NOT stopped meowing since I stepped in the door. It's good to be loved.

On a school trip to the V&A I wore a dress I bought last week in a Charity Shop, thought I might as well show it off here. The print was the first thing I noticed, then the detailing, then the price: £4.99 - you MINE, dress.
I got it home and checked the label, had not heard of it before (I am so uncool when it comes to labels, I still only get excited when I see an old yellowing label from the 70s). The company is Louche, a high street-designer label. And it seems I got a bargain as new it would have been £50 to 60! Yes! I am now saving up the pennies for this dress...and then practically all the other ones.
I love it - have a look:

Outfit Details:

Dress - Louche (£4.99 to me)

Cardigan - £15.99 Zara

Leggings - £4.99 Primark

Boots - gift from ma Mama

Skinny belt - £2.99 Primark (pack of three)

Bag - from a fwend

Glasses - £25.99 from mens cheap range at Specsavers haha

I do neeeed glasses all the time, but don't like paying lots for them *cough* or anything for that matter. The mens range has some cool frames that I like, so why not? Of course the staff there think I am 'challenged' but hey...

So, yeah. Did I mention this dress is a (hu-hum) size 12. I'm ok with you knowing that because I am well chuffed to be able to say it :)

The V&A was amazing by the way. We went to see this exhibition. The way it was presented, set up, was incredible; I've actually never seen a better exhibition (in terms of layout) in my life probably, except at the British Museum, all their layouts are breathtakingly awesome.

Some things I got to see at the exhibition that took my ruddy breath away:

The Calyx print by Lucienne Day.

This one by Terrance Conran.

This painting by David Hockney.

This stage costume designed for and worn by Sir David of Bowie. I was amazed by the construction - made from one piece of woven wool fabric!

And this one for Mr (sexy-although-not-in-this) Brian Ferry. Ok maybe still sexy in it. It was TINY.

Lots of other things too on this action packed weekend that I will share as soon as I have got over the stress and exhaustion of teenage girls high on sugar and Urban Outfitters!

Have you seen any good exhibitions lately?

a Spring Wedding

Hi again chums!
Following on from my travel tales of yesterday I wanted to share a few snaps I took at my cousin's wedding in Essex. It was such a happy occasion, full of love and laughter, hope and funky dancing. Weddings are such fantastic times to see people at their best and its great to catch up with family and friends sometimes from such a long time ago it is frightening! One cousin I saw there I hadn't spoken to or even seen since the 1980s, for flip-sake!

I had a great time. Here are some of my highlights:

Outfit details for me: dress (gift from Moma), tights H&M £2.99, shoes Ebay £10.00 = bargain! Nails by my Mum :)

Ahhh...wedding are great. I am a massive fan of positivity and I defy anyone to not be uplifted after witnessing two people declare their commitment to each other. I feel the same after a good rom-com...speaking of which I watched The Switch last night, and it is so lovely - I defo recommend you watch it. Especially since it is such a dreary day today. I got it through Netflix (which we are loving in our house)!

How do you like to catch up with family? Do you have giant get-togethers...I'd love that.

---Outfit Post - Sunday flowers---

Hellooooo friends :)
I have a new favorite outfit - and have worn it lots lately (I do this a lot, have a new favorite and then wear it over and over, kinda like watching a new favorite movie over and over till it gets old). Seriously. I don't think this outfit will get old!
I have been reading this blog, lots of advice on photography for outfit posts - very helpful. I had my trusty 12 year old take the shots as she is about the same height as a tripod, with the added bonus of being boss-around-able helpful :)

Outfit details:
Dress - handmade by me
Jacket - Charity shop sale rail £1 (vintage 70s M&S)
Belt - Charity shop £1
Boots - Birthday present from my Mumski

I love the short sleeves on the jacket and the crazy flower/ paisley design on the dress. If only my assistant could be bossed trained to take close-ups...

Please excuse the fact that I have just come out of a swimming pool session and look a bit bedraggled :) Otherwise, I love the backdrop. Elsie's advice is basically find a handful of cool backdrops near you that look good in outfit posts, this one wins for me.

So, if you see me in this outfit you know why...I am in love with it!
Do you know where this is??

What is your favorite outfit of the mo?
Love, me x

---Outfit Post: Walk in the Park---

It has been unseasonably warm so far this winter in Blighty. So far from last year's big freeze. This week we made it to the park for a picnic after a morning at the sales. We ate smoked salmon sandwiches and cucumber sticks, cream cheese crisps and satsumas - the most christmassy picnic menu I could put together.

This is what I wore:

Outfit Details:

Blouse - gift (Next)

Skirt - Charity Shop £1

Belt - Charity Shop £1

Cardigan - Charity Shop £3

Leggings - Primark £3

Boots - Christmas Pressie

Bag - hand-me-down

Olivia commented that I looked like a cowgirl. I guess she was looking through the lense and thinking 'woman on a ranch', I can live with that!

We have been in town a lot this week, as it is a tad rainy and we love coffee shops. I was so please today to find a stall selling gelato. I have been moaning on Twitter for ages that we don't have it here and all the American bloggers post Instagrams of delicious looking Gelato cups...I now know where to get me some.

Have you been to the sales yet, madly I quite like it.

Love, me x

Fringe Benefits

Against all better judgement I have attacked my own fringe. Every time I go to my hairdressers I say the same thing: please give me a thick blunt fringe. What do I get: a whispy graduated fringe!
I have taken matters into my own hands, obviously £45 isn't enough money to get the haircut you actually want.
I loves it!
Here I am sporting one of my elasticated headscarves (more of them below), and a new (old) cardigan that I bought yesterday for £3.00 at the Charity shop. I am actually in my pjs...but don't tell anyone!

This morning I took some photos of the latest work I have been producing for the Boscombe Art and Craft Bazaar and the It's All Been Done Before Vintage Festival, both in September. Both of which I am buzzing about, getting my stall ready for it's debut proper...nervous too. Make sure you come down and support me with hugs!

Below: elasticated headscarved, earrings, bracelet and brooch - all from second hand and RE:Loved fabrics.

This weekend is all about -

• making more of the same: stocking up on product whith whatever time I have!
• dressing up in my NEW vintage finds from the Charity shops (yes I have even more)
• working in my Art Journal (maybe post some pictures of this next week)
• hanging out with Olivia - maybe a beach picnic with a hot flask of tea (its a bit windy down there)
• plus an old, old friend has a plan to come and visit...but I will only believe it when I see her. Fingers crossed!

What are you up to?

Me x

Charity Shoppee!

Olivia is with her Dad for the day. What better thing to do than to go Charity Shopping. OF COURSE it was meant to be for fabrics for my work (more later about my involvment with the Boscombe Art and Craft Bazaar)...but it turned into a day to shop for Meeee!

Sometimes I go Charity Shopping and find NADA, and then...there are the sweet magical times when things are flying off the racks shouting 'Take me home!' Well, that is what they say to me anyhoo.

Anyhoo...
Sharing the joy here, as I hope it will encourage more people to get out there and rummage. I find it thrilling to say the least when I find something beautiful, my heart literally raced today when I found an old cigar box full of black and white photos and old postcards...sweet! Similarly my heart skipped a beat when I found an 80s Chelsea Girl dress...oh joy!

First up, the dresses I found:

Clockwise from top left:
M&S dress - £3.00
80s Dorothy Perkins dress - £1.00
Unidentified red number (not sure about this one) - £1.00
Unidentified Khaki number (for work probs) - £1.00

And some more:

Clockwise from top left:
80s Chelsea Girl dress (can't see detail but it is sooo pretty with belt and little turned cap sleeves) - £3.50
Zara tiny cress (need to be a tad thinner for this one me thinks!) - £1.00
Unidentified black tunic (for work) - £1.00
My outfit today - Dress Primark sale £5.00, Cardi - old Charity purchase with new buttons (all different colours), Asda shoes (again) - £4.00

And some Top Tops:


Left to right:
Polka Dot Banana Republic - for work £1.50
Next vest top - for travelling £1.00
Vintage Gap Tee (cute print) - £1.00
Wallis Blue wide neck top - £1.00

In total I spent £30, and there is more than photographed here; some 5 pairs of earrings and a bunch of bangles as well as one top which won't slide up my chubby arms (Grr). Oh, and 2 polka-dot ties that I actually WILL make into something for the Bazaar. So there you go, I spent one out of thirty pounds on what I set out to...sigh, I wonder if I can wear ALL my dresses to bed tonight!

I did plan to do loads of other stuff today but I think I'm gonna head out on my bike for a ride to the beach. Love me x