Monday 30 September 2013

Bloggers In The City - Six Go Wild In Brum



Perplexed by that tricky between-the-seasons transitional wardrobe? Simple. Give away one of your favourite coats to a friend so you feel justified in buying a second-hand replacement, put said coat on over a summer dress and swap your boots for sandals - sorted. 

1960s velvet opera coat worn with Dollyrockers silk maxi (£2.99, eBay), Helen brooch (made by Tania) and Office velvet boots (£9, 2011 sale) 
I fell in love with this velvet opera coat last year but walked away and spent the evening crying into my beer. When I revisited the shop on Saturday, almost a year later, and it was still there. My £15 was out of my purse and over the counter in the blink of an eye.


It wasn't the only fabulous thing to happen on Saturday either. Forget Peaky Blinders, Birmingham got a visit from some perky bloggers in the form of darling Curtise, Gisela & Fiona (I'd never met either of them before but loved them immediately) and Liz


Forget your preconceptions. The decaying industrial city littered with 1960s concrete monstrosities that was the Birmingham I knew for the 15 years I worked there has long gone, the UK's second city has evolved into a cool & funky metropolis boasting the largest library in Europe and shed loads of high end shops and fancy eateries....not that we bothered with any of that.


Who needs bank-busting Harvey Nicks and Selfridges when you can laugh at gigantic knickers,  gasp at outrageous fancy dress costumes and marvel at fabulous fabric and cut-price cosmetics at Birmingham's world famous Rag Market?


After rifling the stalls we invaded Digbeth, Brum's vintage and second hand quarter. Here's Curtise in Credit Crunchers, a bizarre mix of cut price vintage, life-sized wooden pirates and Peters & Lee LPs.


91 Allison Street is amazing, it's cheap, chock full of fabulous stuff and Sue, the owner, is an absolute darling. Nearly all of us came out with a bag of swag - including me with my coat and this insane poodle scarf from the £1 box.


Can you believe Fiona didn't buy this gorgeous £15 maxi?


Poor Curtise was struggling with a virus so we headed for the nearest boozer (Hennessey's) for liquid refreshment and a sit down where we were joined by Pippi who got along with us a treat. We raised a glass to Em who'd had a crisis and had to cancel at the 11th hour & Clare who couldn't afford to come - they were missed.


A pint, a goat's cheese and chutney panini and chips later and we were ready to hit more shops.


People knock Cow Vintage for being Eighties-centric, but that's what the hipsters love. If you hunt carefully there's some incredible 1960s and 1970s vintage at good prices (although at £35 this Vix-tastic bag was sadly a bit too much for me).


But at £6 this backless lurex top was a definite yes.


Urban Village is probably the coolest vintage emporium in town and the rack of 1960s and 1970s sale frocks kept us happy for ages. Frankie, the owner, let me pose on his precious scooter whilst some sharply dressed passing mods obliged by taking our photos.


I bought Jon this crazy Nathan Williams 1970s shirt. I had to, the label said 1966 and that's the year we were both born - a sign, surely?


Gingermegs specialises in high-end clothing from the 1930s and 1940s. Gisela fell in love in an incredible rose print day dress for a not-too bank busting £45 but restrained herself.


This Flamenco coat reminded us of dancing queen, Veshoevius. Made in Torremolinos, no less.


My mate, Daron, recommended the Big Bulls Head so we popped in for a swift one before heading back to New Street Station (being papped on the way!)


Spoilt? Moi? In addition to having a fan-bloody-tastic day (marred only by the hour-long delay for the train home due to vandalism on the line) I got presents. A funky St Michael top, teeny poodle and Maudella pattern from Curtise and a peacock print maxi skirt and some beautiful handmade cards from Fiona.


After a quiet Saturday night in, we were up at the crack of dawn and selling our arses off at Pelsall's Autumn vintage fair yesterday.

Wearing my me-made acetate pants suit under my trusty 1960s velvet maxi waistcoat along with a Mongolian lamb boa and a stack of bastard jewellery

Now I've got to unpack the van.

See you soon!

80 comments:

  1. Wow, that opera coat is brilliant!! So lucky you that it was still there one year later! looks like a fun blogger meeting!

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  2. What a fantastic day out!

    I do love your coat - what a great find : )

    Enjoy your week xx

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  3. Wow tht was a lot found and fabulousness to take in. Your opera coat is simply amazing and I am smitten over Curtise's maxi too.

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  4. That coat is shopping fate. Love it!

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  5. Wow!! I think I need to visit Digbeth the next time I'm in Brum. What fantastic finds

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  6. I do see why could not forget that opera coat ! Its freaking amazing !!!
    what luck to have that many places to shop in !
    xxx

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  7. I remember that blue velvet coat! So glad it waited for you. It's made for you.
    The poodle scarf and lurex top are fab finds and I can't wait to see what the others bought.

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  8. Hi there! What a fun and fabulous day out, you all looked lovely and how good most of you managed to get a bargain too! xx

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  9. You've pinched my post title altho I was going to say 'mad'. You look fabulous as ever in that gorgeous coat, now I won't have to worry about you getting cold. Wasn't it a great day ? Forgotten you had taken a pic of me in that dress. Did Jon like the shirt? Do hope we can do it again sometime? Sorry to hear you were delayed, I left on time but then got delayed into Euston waiting for a platform. It was so bloody cold on there Scandi-cardi came in handy. Hope you took loads of dosh yesterday.
    lots of love xxxxxxxxxxx

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  10. A perfect run-down of the day! I don't think we'd have let you leave without buying that fab coat! Hopefully we can do it again soon x

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  11. That coat is just amazing! Love the colour its gorgeous. You had to buy after leaving it for a YEAR! I can't believe it wasn't snaffled up.

    Sounds and looks like you all had a right laugh. Shopping boozing and I would suspect laughing makes a perfect day.

    Hope you sold loads at the fair yesterday and you have had time for a rest today.

    P x

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  12. Oh my...that coat is perfect! The colour is stunning. You must feel like a baroness wearing it.

    Seems like such a fun day. Everyone looks fabulous and I love that floral maxi dress one of the ladies was wearing with the jean jacket.

    And hey! We were born the same year : ) 1966 was a very good year ; P

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  13. missed the pelsall fair yet again , we were walking our doggy around the arbo yesterday in the sunshine. love the perky bloggers :-)

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  14. First off, I don't understand how you could have left that gorgeous coat in the store, and obviously, it was meant for you and you only, if it was still there after a year!!

    What a cool group of women you are - I am always so envious seeing these posts of your UK blog meetups. It's fun to get mini photo tours of places like Birmingham, which I may never see in real life. Looks like vintage heaven to me.

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  15. you have such a cool blog! loving all the vintage!

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  16. You have such a hectic social life Vix!looks like you all had fun, good luck,with the unpacking.

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  17. Ah, that coat, it didn't get all huffy with rejection first time around; it waited for you... What a coat too. Surely it has "I was made for Vix" stitched all over the lining?
    Envious of the lovely Saturday you describe too AND of the Sunday vintage fair (which I'd hoped I might get to, but was away). Hey ho. Will content myself with scrutinising the photo of your stall to see what I missed.

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  18. Oh that coat was so made for you, my darling! It was waiting for you to come back. I reckon, knowing only you could do full justice to its beauty!
    Didn't we have a good day? Apart from the bits when I thought I might faint... But once the chips did their therapeutic job, I was up for it!
    So pleased to have met everyone (I'd never have forgiven myself if I'd missed it), Birmingham was a delight, and so were you, as ever.
    Good to know Jon approved of his shirt, and that you had a good day's trading at Pelsall.
    Where and when is the next trip? I'm having withdrawal symptoms already! xxxxxx

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  19. I have fallen in lust/love with your coat, It Is Divine! and perfect on you, I'm having a marathon chazza shop tomorrow and hoping I find a little magnificent number or 3.
    Looks like another fabulous blogger meet up! all glamorous ladies finding the best places to shop! hope you have a relax at some point today!! x x

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  20. What a grand bloggera meet up amor!The vintage shops looks amazing.
    Shit!! that turquoise opera coat was made for you. Now tell me you sang opera to Jon. I have yet to meet the lovely Curtise.

    Besos

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  21. What a gorgeous bunch of bloggers! I love seeing Curtise up there shopping till she's dropping- what fun looking shops! And you and the coat were meant to be!

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  22. What a nice selection of vintage shops, guess i have to visit england for some 2nd hand finds. Looks like you gals had so much fun!!! Your coat is divine and what a luck you got it that long time later! xxx

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  23. The blue opera coat is quite beautiful on you & look at all those vintage furs behind you in the 91 Alison boutique photo!

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  24. So much fun you had with the girls and what marvels you found and got, too cool!

    Lucky girl!

    Arianexo

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  25. so much fun and fabulous-ness! I adore that peacock printed skirt. xox

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  26. Obviously fate with the coat, it's absolutely stunning and suits you to a tee! How can you keep saying your a shortie when everything long line always makes you look so fan-bloody-tastic!!
    Sounds like you had an awesome weekend! Bonanza! :)

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  27. p.s you sent me the knife pleated dress, vintage waistcost and the 50's skirt - they arrived and are absolutely bloody gorgeous! I was dancing around like a loony in everything driving my pup mad! you have amazing taste! thank you for the A* service! x x

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  28. Looks like a fabulous day. So sorry I missed out this weekend.
    I am so excited about meeting up with you all in the flesh.
    Such a lovely coat - perfect colour for you.

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  29. WOW--that coat is traffic-stopping AMAZING!!! And you of cousr are totally rocking it!!

    What an amazing time y'all had--and !'m sure were a SENSATION to the locals!!

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  30. WOW--that coat is traffic-stopping AMAZING!!! And you of cousr are totally rocking it!!

    What an amazing time y'all had--and !'m sure were a SENSATION to the locals!!

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  31. Sorry I missed you all, but I'm so glad every-one had a fab day in my fair city. Your vintage finds are fab, especially the glorious opera coat. Catch up with you on the next one.
    Love Annie xxx

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  32. Curtise is forever making me want to visit the UK and the description of this shopping spree does not help! Love the photo of you on the 'scooter.'

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  33. The Opera coat was destined to be yours, clearly.
    Looks like you had a fab day out! I hope can come next time!

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  34. Fantastic! I'm glad you had a wonderful time, looks bloody brilliant and I'm sorry I missed the fun. Won't miss the next one defo.
    Love that opera coat, what a lovely blue.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxx

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  35. Fiona left that frock behind?! Bloody hell, she looked divoon in it!
    YOU are the Ultimate Goddess in that scrumptious opera coat! SWOON! Fancy leaving that behind, but there it was, waiting for you! That just happened to me recently....only I didn't wait a whole bloody YEAR!
    Feck,it's all too gloriarse....what a splendid day, just the sort of day I love. I'm crazy for Liz' necklace, and am goggling at that amazing lurex top-so glad that came home with you.I'm well impressed with that poodle scarf!!!Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  36. A year later and it was still there, good thing I didn't spot it or it would have left with me! I love your new coat and also love seeing all you ladies out having a shop, a chat and a drink! All looking lovely! That scooter is crazy with all the mirrors I would have been afraid I'd knocked it over!

    I love the top you got Jon he will look right at home in it! Busy weekend for you and your new kitty can't wait to hear more about that. What day can we talk?!?!?!!? I miss you!!!
    XXXOOOXXXOALLMYLOVE!

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  37. Holy hell!! That coat and Jon's shirt!!!!!!!!!!!

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  38. Gorgeous coat, what a lucky find! You two were meant to be, after a year of waiting :)

    I love your attitude towards dressing - I can completely relate to a person who doesn't fuss about what to wear. I mean, most of us do have full closets, don't we, so it's silly to say 'Oh dear, I've got nothing to wear'. I mean, really.

    You're an inspiration, for sure :)

    P.S.: You were born the same year as my husband. Great year, must have been!

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  39. Oooohhh! The coat!!!! I couldn't pull it off but I"d hang it in my living room! Absolute perfection on you, too! The shirt for Jon....I was born in '58, but my hubby is 10 years older than I. Our first fancy date he wore almost the same shirt to a night out.
    Love it!
    xo
    d

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  40. Oh I hope you weren't delayed too much longer! The train home was mental with footie fans everywhere. I had such a fab day thank you for asking me and the coat was just meant to be.

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  41. oh wow! what an exciting day! I really need to plan out a vintage shopping day with some of my besties soon. we have some good shops here but they are all owned by as previously mentioned hipsters who add a "coolness" tax onto everything and then vintage just becomes way too expensive. Gah!
    Oh Vix how i wish we could hang out!

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  42. What cool shops, love the look of the market and I spied some UK fabric there, I never managed to get any when we were over, never managed a lot of things really :( Ah well. Like all good walks, all good shopping sprees end in the pub. ♥

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  43. Geniales fotografías!!
    Saludos

    http://judithbysucre.blogspot.com.es

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  44. That sounds lime it was a blast! Good for you. I sure love the poodle scarf find.

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  45. I cannot believe that fabulous coat sat there for almost a year without anyone buying it. And £15? What a bargain. I'm glad it went home with you because you look amazing in it. It looks like you had a great time with the blogging ladies.

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  46. What an incredible coat....so obviously meant to be yours. Looks like you had a super day. Vintage shopping plus great blogger company makes for a perfect day. Xx

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  47. I am sooooooooooooo jealous not to have been with you all, ahhhhhhhhhhhh
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  48. You had me at "largest library in Europe"!

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  49. You always brighten my day ;) next outing I'm coming hehe, see you in the week xxx

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  50. What a great day out! I've only been to Birmingham once and that was when I was still at school. I was visiting family friends in Dudley and we went there for the day so I could get my prom dress! x

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  51. I can't believe that coat was still there, what a stroke of luck (and what a bloody amazing coat!)

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  52. It looks like you had a great time. Fiona looks beautiful in that dress! Jons new shirt is wonderful. I wish my other half would wear such cool stuff. xxx

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  53. Well, wasn't that a blast? I would LOVE to come next time you "hit the town". So nice to know the address of a vintage place. I usually only go to the Birmingham market and buy too much fabric and too many shoes. I'm SO WEAK!

    Glad you all had fun, and hope to come some other time.

    Cheers, Rosemary from
    www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com

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  55. Vix, it is always an adventure when I come to your blog. Action, vintage, beauty and more! AND I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU WERE BORN IN 1966! That number '66' haunts me regularly. I see it everywhere and it was bugging me a lot yesterday and now today I see you are born in 66... I am tripping on this. There is some strange cosmic connection here and I lerve it. :-) xoxoxo

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  56. Beeeyuuutifuuul coat. I had the same thing happen once, with a teal velour blouson jacket that I didn't buy and it was still in the shop months later -- at a reduced price! Funny thing is I haven't worn it or even *thought* about it for ages and I actually cleaned it this weekend to wear it again...

    I love the area around the Custard Factory -- my friends got married there a couple of years ago, some of the building interiors are lovely. And I picked up some pretty scarves from the £1 bin at Cow when I was there, I don't remember it being full of 80s clothes, but I do remember an amazing vintage 60s mini skirt covered in hand-appliqued golf flags that I would have loved if it hadn't been too small... :)

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  57. And to think I just hit the Salvation Army and the grocery store. What a fun Saturday you all had! And, yes, that coat is so you!

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  58. Gorgeous coat. You were so lucky it was still there.
    What fantastic shops you have in Birmingham. Glad you had such a good day.

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  59. You guys look like a conglomerate Force of Nature ... a pack of Valkerie ... a slew of Muses ... all descending on the shops! Must have been so much fun.
    You look wonderful, of course! Would have killed to have your figure at any time in my life up to the present!
    Just below the picture of the lamp and butterfly (moth?), in the same group as "the Depot" sign ... note the picture of the Asian lady with the green oxidized skin and red lips?
    She gets around, that one. She's as familiar over here, even in the middle of Bumfuzzle, Nowhere, as she is there, it seems. Who'd a' thunk it?
    Have a great week!

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  60. I love that opera coat!! :)

    Shopping looks fab in Brum just tipped the scale in my decision to add Birmingham to my UK thrift trip!

    Please anyone feel free to check out my blog http://hayleythrills.blogspot.com

    XOXO

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  61. I can't believe that amazing coat was still there after a year!!!!!This would never happen here!
    I have to move to your town, I guess!!! LOL

    Love,
    Masha

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  62. Vix, you have the most amazing energy, and it shows up in every photo. In every outfit. The opera coat is delicious!

    More blogger fun. The shops, the shopping, the stories, the gorgeous women. And you on the scooter - priceless.

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  63. Oh Vix ... thank you for sharing your blogger escapades... You and Curtise in one afternoon's adventure....lucky, lucky ones I say!

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  64. What a buy on your lovely Dollyrockers silk maxi! The floral print on Curtise's maxi dress is pretty. Fabulous photos of all of you out shopping for vintage and enjoying each other's company. I do like that gorgeous dress Fiona had on. I love the dressing room too.

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  65. i am going thrift shopping today..but will mostly look for shoes..as thrifted clothes usually run very small here..you guys all look lovely!

    The One About How To Choose The Right Underwear

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  66. What an amazing scooter! Definitely feeling inspired to do a spot of vintage shopping. Your outings look like such fun.

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  67. I'm the last, but I could not comment on this wonderful post!! I love the custom mod vespa and you look great on it!! I'm seriously considering to get one, but probabily I'll keep it a little bit more sober and I'd love to pick you up!! I like what you wore for the meet up, the orange suit is wonderful and so all the beautiful ladies in these photos!! Curtise posted an amazing picture of you seated on a a fabulous straw chair and it made my morning!
    The velvet coat is stunning too and the colour suits you like a dream!
    Love xxxxxxxx

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  68. I want an opera coat! What a devine colour on you Vix and this looks like the most fun day out - can we please have a day as equally fun when I visit? :D Also jealous of your Maudella pattern, I've decided these are my most favourite patterns in the universe (after you sent me that incredible Maudella pattern that I use all the time) and I snap them up whenever I have a chance :)

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  69. How WONDERFUL you all look - that opera coat is just MWAH! and I hope the Flamenco Coat was snapped up too - I love that chartreuse colour mmmm.

    We need a Blogger Tour to zing-up the UK lol!!

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  70. Mongolian lamb boa ... LOVE IT, perfect for a cart drive on a chilly day ! I love to dress up when I take the ponies out cart riding down the country roads brightens up my day ... brightens up life for the passer bys too ! Photo opportunities for their texting :)
    You look lovely on that snazzy scoot.

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  71. Thank the heavens and all the saints that the coat was there waiting for you. It was meant to be. Great colour and the maribou feathers are something else. Always love that silk Dollyrockers frock!

    I'm so pleased you had such a fabulous time meeting new friends. You can't beat a blogger's day out! And you are right, Birmingham is an amazing city nowadays.

    Ooooh claim to fame. I met Peters and Lee!! Ha! Can't believe I'm broadcasting it...

    Fiona, what were you thinking? You look beautiful in that dress. Vix, let's see you in that backless lurex number soon? xxxxxxx

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  72. I can't believe the coat was still there after a year, so glad you snatched it up this time! What fun, love all the pics! You and everyone else look so fantastic! The pic of you on the scooter is priceless, and I would've died had I seen that shirt you picked up for Jon (I have a fetish for those shirts, almost brought one to London but ran out of space in my luggage, oops!) Love XXX

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  73. What a great story about the coat so glad you had a second chance!! Looks like a great day with the girls!! enjoy all your new treasures Love Heather

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  74. You had to buy that opera coat Vix, it's so beautiful. And I love the shirt you bought Jon, it seems to ring a bell with me, I could imagine my dad wearing that back in the 70's. Birmingham looks like a great place for a day out, I've passed through it loads of times on the way here and there but never actually spent any time in it which I really should do, because any brummies I've met have been really good hearted friendly people. Your blogger meet up looks great fun as usual, Fiona did reaqlly suit that dress, hopefully it'll wait for her the way the opera coat waited for you. xx

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  75. i missed so many great posts again ... looks like you had a great day together, gals!
    ... and i always enjoy to look at your stall. it looks fantastic every time you unpack the van. :)

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  76. ooo so wish i could have come! I would have if i hadn't had kiddies throwing up here! next time my lovely...i was so close! I am only redditch...almost shouting distance to brum x

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  77. Oh Vix that stunning opera coat was MADE for you! The colour is gorgeous and how glamorous is all that feather trim on the sleeves and hem. I can't believe you showed such restraint for a year!
    Must make it up to Birmingham for a vintage shop one day. I'd certainly have snapped up that gorgeous Spanish forck coat!! What an amazing eye you have! Speaking of coats - the one thing cheering me up about an imminent return to wearing coats is that lovely pink coat you gave me! xx

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  78. Lovely meeting, and that opera coat - wow!

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  79. That opera coat story is amazing - fancy it still being there after all that time. It certainly had your name on it.

    You guys had a great time in Brum, looks like everyone's biceps had a good work out carrying those bags! xxx

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix