Frock on a Friday - cheongsam

Hilariously, while I was away I found out I'd been shortlisted for a BiB award. I don't quite know how this happened, as it wasn't in the 'Mildly humorous Drivel' category, but 'Fashion'. Supposedly once you're nominated someone on the panel takes a look at your blog, so I'm not really sure how no-one twigged I'm not a fashion blogger. I mean, I love clothes and all, but hate having my photo taken, so it's not really a match made in heaven. And if you look back through my archive, there's only a handful of posts featuring me [although I have stopped cutting my head off. And my profile picture is now me. That's progress, people!]. Anyway, I didn't bother confirming my blog and getting a badge because it just seemed a bit weird and frankly made me think less of their selection process anyway. It would make about as much sense as Rihanna being voted Miss Modesty. However, I did figure it was time for another awkward outfit post.

So, on to the dress. I found it in a charity shop for £4. It looks hardly worn. And it's purple! Yay! I had a cheongsam years ago but it met with an accident so I'm really pleased to finally find a replacement. [It only took a couple of decades]. Possibly it needs removal of another rib/5lbs to be completely flattering - shiny satin not being the worlds most photograph friendly material, but  I swear that is just wrinkles in the fabric, not flab. Mostly. Possibly it would look better inside, in the gloom. [Gosh,I'm really working this fashion blogger angle].

Breathe in! Grin! Stick your elbow out in an unnatural fashion

I got the straighteners out - big hair wasn't working

Cheongsams are possibly the world's most impractical clothing - you can't really sit down, or eat, or um, breathe - but hey, respiration is overrated!

And finally, here's my contribution to the 'chronic Bitchface' archives:

Yup, nailed it.

Lakota x

Linking up to Magpie Monday over at Liz's

More stuff to painstakingly pack in a box and then not open for months when we get there...

Despite all my protestations about not buying anything else, as I'll only have to pack it and then find a place for it, I did succumb to the charms of this coffee set recently. Well, it was only £3 for the pot, 3 cups and saucers, 3 side plates, sugar bowl and milk jug. It would have been rude not to, don't you think?

I love the retro pattern and colour, although I haven't been able to find out what it's called. I also realised when I got it home that it reminded me of a print we have by Sally Elford - you can see more of her screen-prints here.

I'm off to see a new school for Boy2 in a minute. Sadly they don't have a place for Boy1 yet, but he's so sweet and eager that it won't be a problem to have him at home for a while. I told him we'd have to do a bit of work together, and he immediately said "I'll make a schedule!". He came back 5 minutes later with a timetable, saying "I've given myself a fun day on Fridays - art and Spanish!". Sadly all I can currently teach him in Spanish is rude words and how to order beer and tapas, but I can't fault his enthusiasm...

Lakota x

Linking up to Magpie Monday

Magpie Monday - How to be beautiful

Just a quick Magpie Monday post to show a few books I've found recently. This Warne's Pleasure Book for Girls was published in 1933 and makes a nice addition to my collection. It was £3.00 from a charity bookshop in the Lake District.

What's that Lassie? Gertrude's fallen down an abandoned well?

The stories include 'The Unlucky Hockey Stick', 'Barbara's Speed Boat' and 'The Queer one of the Family' and suggest the usual mix of school shenanigans, high drama and unintentional hilarity.

I also found this 1988 Bunty annual for 40p, which contains a rather alarming story about a group of school boys attempting to obtain their (foxy) matron's vital statistics so they can buy her a new dress. When they're not hiding in her wardrobe, they're 'accidentally' bumping into her so that someone can sneak up on her with a tape measure! It's all a bit Benny Hill.

[click to enlarge pictures]

Finally a few extracts from a book I found at a carboot sale. It's called 'What Every Woman Should Know', and is a collection of clippings from the Daily Mail of the 1930s. 

Liz Jones: how to look snooty

There are plenty of handy household hints -  "sour milk makes a good cleaner for gilt picture frames" - recipes, and indepth analysis of the latest fashions; "blouse jackets are trumps for Autumn". I think my favourite part is the beauty pages though - woe betide the fashionable 30s woman who attempted to wear the latest 'tip-tilted hats' with 'the least suspcicion of a double chin' or with 'sagging cheek muscles'. Charming phrases such as 'bingo wings' and 'cankles' had yet to be invented, but it seems there was no shortage of imaginary flaws to focus on. Do you know anyone who suffers with "that fleshy lump at the back of the neck that is so disfiguring"? If contorting yourself between two mirrors proves that you are indeed afflicted - don't worry. 'It can be eradicated by the right exercise'.

If your face is OK but your figure lets you down - why not take up ice skating this winter? Personally I don't know anyone who puts on 8lbs in the summer which they then  lose in the winter - salad vs stew, I don't think so - but if this is your problem you'll be pleased to know that 'as you skate the flesh is actually massaged away between hips and ribs'.

 

Sadly I don't have much time for daily skating - am I doomed to be fat?

Yes.

Lakota x

Sharing this post with Liz at Magpie Monday and Thrift Share Monday

Don't forget it's Ta-dah! Tuesday here tomorrow.

Midweek pretties

I do love a bit of vintage jewellery. The boys and I dropped some clothes off at the charity shop, and while the eldest browsed the bookshelves for 'Beast Quest' books, I had a quick rummage through the saucer of  earrings on the counter. These were very tarnished, although I don't think they're silver, and one of the tiny pyrite stones is missing, but I thought they were worth £1.95.

A previous owner liked them enough to mend them, as they have different clips on the back.

I've been having a play with the photo effects in Picasa - trying to make a bit more of an effort with my pictures. I quite like this HDR look, what do you think?

I found this marcasite brooch in a junk shop a couple of years ago. It's a pretty good match for the earrings. Now I just need an emerald green evening dress and a suitable event to wear them all too...

Lakota x

Linking up with Favourite thing on a Friday

PS. The winner of my Facebook competition is Mary Lynn Riffe. Please let me know your address.

In which we raid the lost ark

I was up in the loft yesterday - something I try to avoid - as Mr FHCS insisted we start sorting out the cardboard city up there prior to the move. [I'd prefer to just ferry the boxes unopened to our new loft, like we did last time we moved. It's cold up there, and there might be spiders]. However, it was worth it, because in a corner of the eaves and covered in filth, was this suitcase, presumably left by the previous owners of the house. Or their predecessors' predecessors. We'd never seen it before anyway. Obviously I spotted it and went 'oooh, what's that?' whereas Mr FHCS rolled his eyes and attempted to dissuade me from making him open it with dire mutterings about tarantulas and dead bodies and wasn't it too grimy to bother with?

Grot of ages

It was a tense moment, but no bats or mummified corpses fell out a la Indiana Jones, just some rather anti-climatic bits of sawdust. Therefore I got my way and was allowed to take it downstairs to clean up.

Baby wipes to the rescue once again!

I gave it a bit of leather spray too, although sadly I don't think it's actually leather. It's quite nice though, don't you think? Especially for free.

So now we have more to put in the removal lorry than we thought. But it comes under the useful heading as I can pack things in it! Score!

Lakota x

Linking up to Magpie Monday
                     Flea Market Finds
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I've been an awful good girl...

Hello again, apparently I scared some of you with my last post [hey, I just find these people, I'm normal] and lovely Loo was traumatised enough to request 'a nice cosy post about charity shop finds'. I've actually yet to set foot in one this year - I know, the restraint - but luckily a lot of my Christmas presents this year were of the vintage variety, so I'll share those instead.

My lovely aunt and uncle are keen antique hunters and spend a lot of time going to fairs. They're always happy to have things to look out for, and when they heard I'd found some homemaker china at a boot sale they started tracking down some other pieces for me. When I got down to Wales I had a birthday present of cereal bowls waiting for me, then unwrapped this very cute pair of espresso cups on Christmas day. 

For when I'm in a girlier mood, I also received some pink floral china (various cups, saucers, sugar bowl and cake plates) which my mum had picked up at a flea market and bought for me on behalf of my Grandad. Mr FHCS had an attack of apoplexy at the prospect of a) stuffing this much china into our already dangerously overladen car to bring home again b) only to have to immediately pack it for the move, so it's still at my parents' house for now. It'll be perfect for when I finally throw a Vintage Tea Party using the Angel Adoree book MADQ bought me for my birthday. 

Also from my Grandad via my Mum (she'd be a great personal shopper) was this amazing dark wood box, which I love. It's designed like a louvred sewing box, but we think it is an 'apprentice piece' made by a  trainee carpenter to showcase his skills. It's not showy or fancy but Mr FHCS can vouch for its solid construction, having walked into it in the dark. I'm undecided what to keep in it yet.

Amongst the presents from my sister and her beloved (they got engaged just a few days before Christmas at their favourite Welsh beach) was this Pierre Cardin silk scarf:

and my sister in law picked out these beautiful unworn vintage kid leather evening gloves for me. They're gorgeous, but do leave black smears all over everything - including my face - which does slightly lessen the glamour factor. Does anyone have any suggestions? Would dry-cleaning them help?

Oh, and I should mention this gorgeous bulb atomiser of Vol de Nuit shimmer powder (from my parents). How glamorous is this for a dressing table? The original Guerlain fragrance was released in the 30s, but the powder has a light enough scent that you can wear it in addition to your usual perfume. I now have a glittering décolletage, Bella Cullen style.

I won't go into all my gifts as I feel horribly spoilt as it is, but suffice to say that this month I will also be having lots of fun with a variety of nail polish colours whilst finally watching the full first series of Mad Men. Rock and/or Roll. 

Lakota x

Linking up to Flea Market Finds
Magpie Monday
Thrift Share Monday

Greenwich goodies

Sooo, probably about time I did a Magpie Monday/Flea Market Finds kind of post. I haven't been buying loads recently, a) as there hasn't been much opportunity and b) because we're attempting to declutter before moving house. But there have been a few little bits and pieces that have found their way into my bag over the last few weeks. [I did pay for them, honest.That sounded a bit like I was shopping with a foil lined bag and five finger discount].

This necklace really appealed to me on an instinctive magpie level. [And cos I'm a big kid]. If I left it in the apple tree - check me out attempting arty shots - I've no doubt it would be adorning an avian abode before too long. I got it from a new local vintage and craft event called Concrete Market, and it's made of an old - sorry, vintage; marble. The market itself was held in a pub - the one they use in Peep Show, randomly - and whilst it's always good to be close proximity to beer and crisps when shopping, the pub's slightly gloomy traditional ambiance did make it a wee bit difficult to see some of the stalls properly. That said, there were some lovely goods on offer, and I hope they can expand and make it a more regular thing.

Marble necklace by Muna Zuberi

I've also spent a couple of Saturdays in Greenwich lately, and was able to pop over and say hello to a fellow blogger, the delightful Miss Ginger who has a fabulous fabric stall in the main covered market.

She has a really great selection, and very kindly gifted me a fat quarter of this funky Dia de los Muertos inspired fabric with dancing skeletons. Now I just need to think of something Halloween-y to use it for. 

Not Cath K

The main market is still worth a wander, but there is also the Clocktower Market for antiques, vintage and retro bits and pieces. It's not that large, but the stalls are packed in closely and there are plenty of clothes, jewellery and collectibles it would be all too easy to spend spend spend on. 

I came away with some pleasingly jangly earrings and a 1958 edition of The Borrowers Afield. I've really enjoyed re-reading the adventures of Arietty Clock and family - Mary Norton imagined their world so perfectly.

All very nice, but what I really wanted was a set of 1960s girly glasses. On the front the ladies were dressed in showgirl attire, but looking through the keyhole gave a whole different view! The stall holder wanted £40 for the five though, which I couldn't really justify. If anyone ever sees any for 40p at a jumble sale...

I'm not sure you can ever exactly describe girly glasses as classy, but they struck me as being far nicer than those where their clothes disappear when the glass is filled with cold liquid. What do you think? One day I will have my vintage bar and track down another set!

Lakota x

Have you signed up to the great Festive Charity Shop Swap? There's still time but sign up closes on October 10th so get in quick if you want to play. So far there are bloggers from the UK, USA, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand all ready to get shopping without any guilt at all.

Linking up to

Magpie Monday

Thrift Share Monday

 Flea Market Finds

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

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Crabby

Cookie cutters are great aren't they? Well, some are. Some are just a bit rubbish. I found this random selection in a charity shop a few weeks ago - yes, I know I already bought a load here, but I can't help myself, they call to me - however to be honest they're a bit of a mixed bag.

Hmm, lets see shall we? Heart - yes, yes very pretty, have several already, should have no excuse not to be presenting my loved ones with intricately decorated tokens of adoration on a daily basis, in practise make an appearance once a year for Valentine's day. This Christmas they are all being rounded up, having gingham ribbon tied round them, and being used as shabby chic decorations on the tree. Cox and Cox or RE: would probably charge a fortune for 'vintage upcycled ornaments' like that. Bell and Snowman, so far so seasonal. I have a feeling that once baked the snowman is going to look more like the Yuletide cello - the proof will be in the festive pudding. Egg has great potential for garish decoration with dolly mixtures at Easter despite its boringly functional shape, so also a keeper. The flat-footed rabbit and chick wearing Alexa Chung's brogues can keep it company.

At the top you'll see what I excitedly decided was a vampire bat - look at him dramatically swooping above the heart - but have sadly come to realise is in fact another member of the really crap dinosaur gang on the right. Aren't they hopeless? Boy1 went through an exhaustive and exhausting dinosaur phase a couple of years ago so I already have a set of prehistoric pals - far better and more terrifying than this shower, whom I only really identified because of the brontosaurus, which seemed more likely than manta-ray. Or mis-shapen orang-utan. Turn the 'bat' right way up and he's supposed to be a stegosaurus, although it could pass as a porcupine. The T-Rex looks more like a parrot, and God only knows what the other one is meant to represent. Boy1 suggested a chasmosaurus, and I bow to his superior knowledge. Anyway, if anyone wants the dino trio let me know - bat boy has had species re-assignment and is staying with mama for Halloween.

£1.95 for the above would have been a little disappointing if it hadn't been for the awesomeness below - the jewel in the crown of my cookie cutter collection so far. Ladies and gentlemen - I give you...the CRAB.

Mmm, crab cookies. Nom [as people inexplicably say these days]

Look at his mighty pincers! Now that's a cookie cutter. Perfect for grumpy old neighbours, Cancerian birthdays and meetings of the local STD clinic. And it has come all the way from the US of A, with Ann Clark's Crab Cookies recipe still tied to it. Of course, if I ever get round to dressing either of the kids up like this, they'll be the perfect accompaniment! I've not read my horoscope, but I predict an afternoon of crustacean based baking coming up very soon!

Over and out, crab fans!

Lakota x

Linking up again to Magpie Monday

Flea Market Finds

Thriftaholics Weekly

Church Fete Finds...

Just a quick post today to finally show a few retro kitchen bits and pieces I've picked up recently, some bargain books and a couple of pieces of jewellery sent to me by the lovely Jem of Beautiful Clutter. I popped to a church fete a few weekends ago, and in addition to winning half their tombola prizes I had a quick look at the bric-a-brac stall and spotted this vintage 'Nutbrown' rotary herb chopper. [At least that's what is according to ebay. The woman who sold it to me for 10p seemed to think it was an egg slicer]. I think I bought it remembering that someone collects red-handled kitchen implements - is it you Loo? And if so, do you want it?

Metal fish mould, mini forks for pickles and h'or d'oeuvres and an erm, implement.


Early 80s Readers Digest British nature books

The book stall was worth a rummage too. As well as a few paperbacks for 20p each, I found these beautifully illustrated guides to birds, flowers and trees of Britain. They were a bargain at 50p each, but I'm not sure about the wisdom of using them as 'Field Guides', a trio of hardbacks would be rather a hindrance to any country walking I might be inclined to do. Perhaps proper ramblers think nothing of filling their rucksacks with several kilograms of encyclopaedia.

Finally I found this 'spooky skinny arm' (as Mr FHCS refers to it) in a charity shop in central Croydon. It's currently displaying a trio of bracelets made from a broken vintage necklace (restrung by Jem) and a brooch with a white cabochon stone and marcasite sparkles. Thanks so much Jem. [Do check out her blog, she has beautiful photographs and some lovely finds.] The picture is one from my stash of family photos - and shows Artie and Belle posing together in 1929. I'm not sure exactly how we're related, but I do think Artie is a fantastically dapper chap, I'm loving the hankie and pocket-watch chain, and he is rocking that moustache, eh ladies?

Bella and Edward
Belle and Artie

I've managed to resist the lure of the laptop a little better this week so haven't done quite as much blog visiting as usual, but normal service will no doubt be resumed soon. After all, St Swithun has decreed we're in for another 40 days of rain, so doesn't look like any of us in the UK will be getting out much. I think I'm finally ready to send my swap parcel to the very patient Amy at Blighty Boutique, so I will at least have to brave a trip to the post office. Someone suggested that I try and do a linky post so everyone can share their swaps, so  if anyone has any tips on how to set that up please let me know!

Lakota x

Linking to Flea Market Finds
Magpie Monday

Rainbows...almost an outfit post

So, Saturday's Ebay post has taught me that most of you are as willing as I am to do very bad things with Lenny Kravitz - but that at least one person was offended by the butt enhancing jeans! I guess you don't see that kind of thing in the Cath K catalogue. Anyway, I shall keep it clean today, and as it's been pouring with rain since I got back, I thought I'd share a rainbow dress I picked up at the Frock Me Vintage Fashion Fair.

Darn it, my head's come off again. 


Strapless Marion Donaldson floral dress £15
orange wedges -  Faith - won voucher in online comp

Another rainbow photo to show you is my bargain flowers I grabbed in Tesco on Friday. Sweet williams, reduced from £3.00 to a yellow stickered 39p! I'm not sure what they thought was wrong with them, most of the buds were closed and they were just in need of some water. [Makes up for all the daffodils I've bought from supermarkets which refuse to open]. I have plenty of proper vases, but rather like them in this cleaned up tin can left over from our dinner that night!

Rainbow glass table mats Joseph Joseph via TK Maxx

Happy Monday all. And if I have an excuse for gratuitous pictures of semi-naked men, I'm always gonna take it! [Probably in the next Ebay post. I saved the best til last -heheh]

Lakota x

Linking up as usual to Magpie Monday

Thrift Share Monday

and

Flea Market Finds