All The Nice Girls Love A

 

 

Rosy, from Sewingadicta has been, in conjunction with other bloggers, hosting "Share in Style" this summer.

I am very behind, I know!

 

But fresh from the joys of "PlaidUrDay" organised by señora Allnut I did rather fancy joining in again with this too.

 

These bloggers are the ladies who I never felt quite brave enough to follow or converse with. Sassy, amazingly dressed and all with that indefinable quality - style.

 

Maybe I'm just getting braver!

 

So, my 'sailor' style comes and goes over many years. I have an original pair of sailor pants from when I was a student and slim enough to fit 'em. I made a slightly bigger pair in London. Bright red cotton seersucker with brass buttons for the fold-up frontage.

But the picture I choose is from when my mum still lived on the South Coast and I'd taken Mr B down for a visit.

 

 

My stripey 'deckchair' dress, already old when gifted to me from a mate when we were at college together, (my, it must've been big on me then!!), and still comes out every summer. Patched with zigzag machine-stitching where it ripped under the arm, but, other than that, still going strong. And worn with the bestest of 'sailor' deck shoes, which, if memory serves me well, (and believe me, that seems to be getting less and less well!), were bought from Red or Dead when still running as a stall at Camden. Those I think have ultimately hit the refuse bin! (But not before I removed the laces!!).

 

So....let's party!

 

A little starter, or 'dish of the day', Crayfish and avocado salad.

A Nottingham special

To take care of the drinks-side of the party, may I offer up this...a rum-based cocktail.

 



Old Cuban1.5 oz. Jamaican rum
1 oz. 1:1 simple syrup
¾ oz. lime juice
6 mint leaves
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 oz. chilled champagne or dry sparkling wine

Shake all ingredients—save for the champagne—with ice in a cocktail shaker.
Double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass and top with two ounces of champagne.
Garnish with a small mint sprig.

 

 

Eve: Here ya go, one champagne cocktail.
Adam: Oh, thank you.
Eve: I thought only hookers drank those things?
Adam: Well, I know mom sure likes 'em.

 

The Champagne Cocktail—a drink for hookers and old ladies.

(check out the mannequin legs 'table')

The band, as it is now, a mix of old and new members, (sons of an original member), can be booked for your party or function here.

Overtheshoulderboulderholders



aka bras!

 Me 'n' Caroline, from Putting Your Life In Order went on a little road trip on Monday.

A la Thelma and Louise as Mr B said.

 

With the wind in our hair air-con on in her husbands' hybrid car, we drove off to Desborough, where there is a factory outlet for  whose ranges include Fantasie, Freya and Elomi.

Think lingerie (and swimwear), think glamour.

umm, the shop

 Do not be alarmed! Inside you are greeted by these two lovely ladies and a collection of stock that will take your breath away.



Marie and Louise

Marie got the short straw, me, to look after and she was fabulous, not only managing to get me into a 38 size bra(!), but explaining her choices with regard to the way each bra was constructed.

 

Fantasie make several styles of bra with a sort of crescent shaped piece on the outer side of the cup, so the lower part of the cup is made of 3 sections as opposed to 2, which makes it much better support for a larger cup size.

Even if you aren't buying a bra from them, check out their shape fitting guide here.

Lots of top tips if you are looking to buy a new bra.

the offices

I did end up going up a size, (though still a smaller back size than I thought...but bigger cups), in as much as I wouldn't have Marie at home to help me get dressed in the morning(!) and probably would've struggled to do it up easily. I got 'Susanna' in teal and 'Elodie' in purple.

 

But I know what I have chosen fits properly and gives me a better outline underclothing. Again, another top tip, try your clothes on over a bra in the changing room; you'll be amazed at the difference a good fitting bra gives.

 

Thank you gurrlfriend, for taking me out on such a fun trip!

Zxx

Summer Ruffles

Little round buttons and rouleau button loops, ruffles, sleeveless and crochet hem and trim.

A lovely, ruffly, flimsy Summer top.

 

 

Worn with my pre-loved Christmas present from Mr B, found at our village Christmas Fair.

A lucky 7 ring necklace.

Apparently each ring stands for something different -

 

life, love, longevity, friendship, health, wealth and happiness

 

or, depending what you read -

 

1st ring-Long Life.

2nd ring-Good Friends.

3rd ring-Health.

4th ring- Love.

5th ring-Wealth.

6th ring-Peace.

7th ring-Happiness.

 

or, even the seven days of the week.

 

Take your pick, but it is a lovely item to wear and I love to touch and roll the rings around.

Very tactile.

 

Do you have a 'special meaning' piece of jewellery?

Zxx



New Vintage On My Doorstep

A new experience for me; Lou Lou's Vintage Fair, held in my hometown in the most amazing building, The Guildhall.

 

 This must be the most exuberant setting that I can think of. Isn't it stunning?

 

Lights and tiles



A tearoom too!

coffee and walnut cake

carrot cake



Mr B chose blueberry and vanilla

 Phew! So much to look at and then cake too! Totes knackered.

Am now the owner of a black velvet 'drape' coat and furry aqua blue beret!

 

 

Below is a list of the various stopping off points of this happy band. Even if you only have to two quid entrance fee, pay it, and enjoy the most amazing collection of vintage clothing and accessories you could imagine! Think of it as an amazing travelling clothing museum and if you spot something you really fall in love with, you have the opportunity to buy it and take it home with you!

 Have a great weekend. I'm off to catch some zzzz's.

Zxx

 



Make The World Better With A Sweater

It was 'wear your Christmas sweater to work' day today apparently. 

 

 

So, having 'youtubed' one of Ditsy Sprinkles fave Chrimbo songs that I didn't know, (The Chipmunks one, if you're wondering), I found a whole heap of 'go-go' songs including this wonderful version of 'Boots'.

 

Well, if they're not wearing a rather snappy collection of Christmassy jumpers, (and very little else!),

well, I'll eat my....sweater!

 

a waxwork version...can you believe it?

(I do think they mean a festive number a la Bridget Jones; but look at all that shimmering going on. Let alone the shimmying!)

 

Personally, I'd prefer an invite to Penny's Best Christmas Jumper party in Miranda! The greatest TV that Patricia Hodge has ever done IMHO!!

 

Such fun!

Z xx

Un-packing List

I always write my 'packing list' after I've come home. I put down what I took, adding in if I didn't wear it. 

*Gold coat is not as gold as it sounds! But I know which coat I mean

I've got these lists going back years; they don't change much. Plymouth in March is pretty much the same as Plymouth at the end of October!

Most of the time!

 

I remember when Vix was doing her last trip abroad and I commented her she had got it down to such a fine art that she could fit all she needed for 3 weeks into a wash bag! A slight exaggeration, I know, but as she replied, it is SO awkward packing for the UK. You need to cover all bases...wind, rain, sun and, on our earlier return trip this year, snow! 

 

I try and sort out 'little outfits' than can be layered up and down depending on the weather. I need to try and pack something smart-ish for going to see the show; can't let the side down and go in looking like a tramp.

 

That happened once to me and I felt really uncomfortable!

I'd gone to 'The Wells' to drop off a costume I'd been working on for a friend for this gala he was taking part in with Diana, Princess of Wales, as Guest of Honour. I'd turned up in sweatpants etc and then was asked if I wanted a guest ticket. Well, I wasn't going to say no, was I?

So, there I was, tucked in the audience, looking like a bag lady, surrounded by bods all dressed up to the nines! It's funny now, but I did feel a bit mortified then!

 

Who'd have thought, a couple of years later I would be stitching stuff for PoW, (as we called her), myself?

Certainly not me!

 

Funny, this thing called Life, eh?

Zxx