Come fly with me!

Hello my lovelies! How is your weekend treating you? Hopefully with long, leisurely lie-ins and time spent with loved ones? I am enjoying a rare few days off work, so I'm making the most of my free time to indulge in favourite things...cooking, playing with the kids (yes, I still play!), a spot of shopping, and catching up on a few bullet points on the old 'to-do-list'! One of those being a sort out of my wardrobe. Since I started work, I have been quite lazy with putting thought and effort into my daily outfits. I love dressing up, but the corporate environment of the office only allows for monochromatic black and white! How unimaginative! Those who know me, can tell you just how this goes against every fibre in my rainbow searching being! So today I decided to reach for that little red frock in my wardrobe that I had thrifted quite some time ago. Today, was going to be a red day!

Now, I put this outfit together, starting with the red dress, and adding  a wonderful vintage hat which I had acquired about two years ago. I adore this hat!

Does it remind you of something? Hubby calls it my air hostess hat! Hmmm? And now, having put the whole outfit together, I definitely understand what he means! There is a definite air of 'cabin crew' about it!

Just look at this 1960's air stewardess! 

Perhaps a quirky handbag and cheery shoes will add a touch of fun to the whole ensemble, and make it a little less 'come fly with me?'

I'll leave you with these archival gems...

Flying in the fifties...

Hmmm...now here's a change...

And they got shorter still!

Swinging sixties...Can't imagine these being discreet coming down the emergency shute...But then I suppose THAT would be the least of your worries!

I think me and my short pins will stick with the classy 1940's!

Hmmm...now, just need to find me a pilot! Till next time!

This old thing?

Is is just me, or has anyone else out there been glued to Channel 4 for the first series of  'This old thing'? Dawn O'Porter did a sterling job at looking every inch the embodiment of all things 60's! This series aimed to convert high street shoppers  into more adventurous, vintage loving, vintage wearing fashionistas. Now, I for one have always loved vintage, and I have been shopping for vintage for a long time now. I do not EVER turn my nose up at a pre-loved frock from the forties, or a 70's blouse that has already lived the high life. Oh no sirree! I believe, just like the very lovely Ms O'Porter, that there is much life left in vintage garments, and the magic lies in seeing the potential in something that is unique and completely different from anything anyone else is wearing. Where do you stand when it comes to purchasing clothes? Do you roll your eyes at the mere thought of wearing 'second hand', or does the idea of finding one-off gems from the past get your pulse racing? 

Today, I am featuring my first 'outfit post'. Inspired by the recent television show, I thought I'd share an oldie, but a goodie, something which I had found on the hanging rail of a pre-loved shop. I fell in love with it at first glance...

Yes, this old thing! This skirt wolf whistled at me from the other side of the shop! When I spotted the yummy, colourful stripes, it was all I needed to frog leap across another shopper, all whilst crossing my fingers that it would be my size! That is the one unfortunate thing about shopping for vintage...The ladies from yesteryear had tiny little waists, and this does not always fit my size 14 frame! The sizing of vintage garments are very small in comparison to modern sizing. All this means, is that you have to look and dig a little deeper, and with an open mind! But, the sun was shining down on me that day, for the skirt was a perfect fit!

Perfect for a sneaky cocktail evening...

Perfect for work...

...or play?

To top it off, I found this cheerful embroidered bag at the same time!

Yes, there is much live left in 'this old thing'!

Blessings

Let it shine!

Today...a little lamp make-over...

This lamp used to sit on my little man's bedside table. He has a new one now, so said lamp was banished...banned...forgotten...to the back of the cupboard it went. It spent a long time in the wilderness of 'The Forgotten', but it has been called back for duty! I need a new lamp for my work desk. One that shines bright at midnight and into the wee morning hours...A light that doesn't fade or shy away, whilst I make and create, sewing little stitches and  craft new creations. This is the lamp in it's 'forgotten state'...

Armed with a can of spray paint, a fresh retro apple green, I set to work. Once it had a couple of coats, it rested...it sat...it waited...was almost a second time forgotten...

It needed a little depth, a little something new and brave! I found some transparent stickers, and decided that was 'IT'!

Now, it has to be a big, brave light. Not a shy one that hides under a shade. Oh no sirree! So of course only a big, brave, giant bulb will do!

'Hide it under a bush? Oh no! I'm gonna let it shine!'

I love my new brave lamp. I look forward to it keeping me company late at night whilst everyone else is tucked up in bed, and I'm beavering away at the sewing machine. And best of all...it didn't cost a penny! Just using what I already had! 

Hope your weekend is a jolly one!

Blessings

A Fishy Farewell...

Hello m'dearies! The past two weeks have seen blissfully happy days, and then days with mixed emotions too! Very dear friends of ours are moving on to pastures new. They are undertaking a great adventure by relocating (for now) to a continent far-far-away from us, and although I am so very excited for them, I can't help but feel the nagging void that their absence is creating! Sometimes in life you meet new people, and before you know it they have tread deep footprints all the way deep into your heart. They become your dearest friends, the kind who catch you when you fall, and build you up when something feels broken. They encourage, listen, advise and forgive, and if you're very blessed, they always see the greater in you. Above all, they laugh with you, sing with you, dance with you, until your belly hurts, and you loose your voice. They reminisce with you. Oh, how I will miss this precious family!

We decided to have one last supper before they left. As they're embracing a whole new culture on their travels, we thought it only apt to give them a typically British send-off...a 'fishy farewell' in the shape of a 'Fish-and-chips dinner party'!

As fish and chips was traditionally served in newspaper, I decided to use newspaper as a table cloth instead, and teamed with red and blue it looked cheerful indeed!

Then, a few typically British touches to dress the table...

A few farewells...in Chinese of course as that's where they're headed!

With belly laughter, food and natter we said our goodbyes. Until we meet again.

Blessings

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside!

Hello my lovelies! It really does feel like summer has arrived in ALL it's bright and sunny, wondrous glory! We spent the weekend at the beach, and although it was only for a two day break, it feels like we had a week long holiday! We did not leave a rock (or shell!) unturned, and packed a tremendous amount of relaxing fun into two days!

We jumped out of bed with the chickens on Saturday morning, and hit the road with our buckets and spades before the cockerel even had a chance to announce the arrival of a new day! It was a glorious, quiet morning on the roads, and we reached our beachy destination of Southwold with nothing but a solitary fisherman making the most of the quiet golden stretch of sand. The children couldn't wait to dip there toes in the frothy waves, so we let them! A hearty picnic breakfast followed, and by 8:30 am we were ready for a stroll to explore beautiful Southwold. It is fast becoming my favourite English seaside town, full of quaint charm, and not a tacky amusement arcade in sight! If you're ever in that neck of the woods, you must go and experience it for yourself...

The charm of Southwold...

We flew our kite...

Sailed out to sea at Great Yarmouth...to see the seals. They turned up in great numbers, and did not disappoint!

We did a bit of dreaming...catching...building...

....and shopping...a little...

Also a little indulging in old traditions...'Fish and chips' at the seaside...

Just wish we could stay a little longer...or drive home in one of these!

What have you been up to lately? Also holidaying? Do share! I would love to hear from you. Till next time!

Blessings