The Tale of the Bees and the Greyhound

 

 

All that black and white had me craving some bright colour, so giving this dress its first outing was timely. 

Pink! Very pink. 

I won't go on again about how I don't really like pink - it's creeping its way into my wardrobe and my heart, there's no point denying it.

(For further proof, look here.)

 

 

 

 

I have had this dress for a while, and not worn it.

I think the shape put me off more than the colour, I thought I might look pregnant in it...

And if I keep it, I will have to open up a split in the back hem so I can take my usual size of stride - the bottom of the dress is narrow, and dainty little pitter-patter steps just aren't me!

 

 

 

The back has a little button-up tab to pull in the waist.

 

 

 

 

 

I was pottering about in the garden taking photos, and caught a bee making its way into one of the foxglove bells. In fact there were loads of bees around today, which is A Very Good Thing.

Did you know that all bees have names, and they all begin with B? 

Of course you did, everyone knows that.

And doubtless you also know that scooping up a cat and burying your face in its fur is one of life's great pleasures.

For the human, if not the cat.

 

 

 

 

1970s The Switch by Martin Emprex maxi dress and Clarks sandals - Ebay

Bangles and hair flower - charity shopped

Peacock pendant - local vintage market

Miracle cross pendant - car boot sale

 

Red and pink garden inspiration.

 

 

Another visitor to the garden this afternoon, apart from the bees, was a large handsome greyhound.

He appeared at the back door, much to the indignation of my cats, wearing a collar but no tag with a phone number. A discussion with my neighbour (also a greyhound owner who recognised the dog from walking in the park) led to him being returned to his family up the road, who were mystified as to how he had got out. 

I am completely and utterly a cat person, but Seve was beautiful and very gentle. I could be persuaded that greyhounds make rather adorable pets.

Jess did not agree.

It's been a quiet kind of day, can you tell?

Chatting, taking photos, Ebay listing, pottering, hanging out washing in the sunshine, bee watching, dog retrieving, cat cuddling - all Good Things. 

 

Oh and cooking, but that's not such a good thing.

 

 

How's your Tuesday been?

   xxx

Skin deep

How has your weekend been?

 

Good, I hope.

 

 

 

I spent Saturday working hard at our annual school Summer Fair.

I think it went OK; I spent all my time on food and washing up duty, so I didn't really get much of a look around. A few glasses of sparkling rose with fellow volunteers afterwards were in order and much appreciated!

 

This week, the lovely Tamera has been wearing black and white, and invited her followers and friends to a Black and White party, in support and recognition of those who live with chronic, long-term health conditions, and their loved ones and carers.

I had a couple of attempts at monochrome outfits, and predictably couldn't choose between them, so I am including them both here.

This isn't a vintage dress but I like its 1970s-referencing-the-30s vibe.

Dress, bangles, sandals and shorter pearl necklace - charity shopped

Sunglasses - gift from heavenly Helga

Longer pearl necklace - gift from party girl Tamera

 

Look - trousers!

We all know about me and my trouser issues, but I do like these silk palazzo pants a lot.

I look as though I am sneaking off for an illicit assignation, hoping no one will recognise me!

(I didn't, honest.)

 

 

 

 

 

 1970s peasant blouse and 1960s Chinese silk waistcoat - Ebay

Silk palazzo pants and hat - flea market

Bangles - charity shopped and gift from dearest Tania

Black beads - gift from darling Helga

Bastard massive Cancerian pendant - gift from beautiful Vix

Sunglasses and shoes - retail (old)

1960s vanity case - charity shopped

Tamera's call resonated with me.

My youngest daughter has a rare and severe skin condition, Bullous Ichthyosiform Erythroderma (BIE) or Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis (EHK); the name depends on where in the world you live.

But whatever you call it, it's a bugger of a condition to live with - uncomfortable, visible, difficult to manage, and incurable. 

Live with it she does - we all do - and despite it being technically a disability, Littlest doesn't see herself as disabled, and neither do I. 

She's Nina. She's so much more than a mere medical diagnosis. 

She's a budding actress, or Drama Queen, take your pick!

(Previous rants on the subject of Littlest, disability and difference are here and here, if you care to read them.)

Whatever you or your loved ones may struggle with, know that there are people out there who understand.

Thanks for the party, Tamera!

I'll be linking up with another Hostess with the Mostest, Patti, at Visible Monday, though I'm sending Clementine in my place this week. I do hope she behaves herself.

   xxxx

My darling Clementine

My alter ego, Mme le Derriere, is rather a monster. 

She's rude, egocentric, a hypocrite, a snob, and a bully.

Is it bad that I rather like being her, now and again?

My Clementine photo shoot for this month's amazing edition of Vogoff  (thank you, Melanie, you did a brilliant job putting it all together) was done on location at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, seat of the Duke of Devonshire. 

I cavorted about in the grounds of the estate, much to the incomprehension of the resident sheep, passing dog walkers and ramblers, and the coach parties arriving for their visit to one of the finest stately homes in England. 

I blame these two...

 

... Joanne and Sue, chauffeur and PA respectively.

Sue brought a bag of props...

... made me do this face repeatedly...

 

...see?..

 

...and played her role as the hapless Jacinta, downtrodden and put-upon PA, to absolute perfection.

 

 

That's right, dear - once you've kissed my arse, you'd better dust it.

Clementine is a strict and demanding employer.

 

Ahh, what it is to have a country retreat where one can escape the rigours of city life and enjoy the rural idyll.

 

 

 

I posed on the folly...

 

...pulled faces while using multiple props...

...with many feathers...

...and made Art, darling.

Clementine does like to toot her own horn.

We had such a good laugh, despite the freezing cold and windswept conditions.

See? 

No one really knows how hard it is being Clementine.

The Dream Team in the Tunnel of Love.

Thanks, ladies, I couldn't have done it without you.

1950s brocade jacket - Second to None

1980s taffeta maxi skirt - gift from fabulous Cover Girl Shelley 

Shoes and bangles - charity shopped

Mini hat - gift 

Feather boa, parasol, telephone receiver, frame, horn and peacock feathers - loaned by Sue

Feather duster - Clementine's own

 

The End.

  xxxx

You may not be an old-fashioned girl, but you're gonna get dated

 

After all the excitement and treats of last week, things are a little quieter around here.

Which is OK. I need to get my breath back.

 

Of course, there is the new edition of Vogoff to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

So many wonderful contributions. 

Melanie, hard working assistant to the tyrannical Editor-in-Chief Miz Bagg, has done an amazing job; check out the awesomeness, marvel at the beauty, style and great foolishness!

 

I did enjoy doing my photo shoot as Clementine, I laughed so much that half the photos were unusable.

 

I might even show you some of the outtakes, wouldn't that be a treat?

 

 

 

 

1950s Hawaiian dress - flea market

Sequin top - jumble sale 

(Total cost of these 2 items - under £2!)

Pendant and bangles - charity shopped

Sandals - retail

 

 

There's my garden goddess statue. My blogger pal Secret Squirrel asked me if she has a name, but she doesn't. 

 

I googled goddess of the garden and came across a Roman goddess called Horta; I could go with that, but it sounds redolent of other, less horticultural connotations... 

 

 

I went to nine charity shops this morning with my mate Jo - count them, NINE - and only found one little thing, which is intended as a gift for someone. 

How did that happen?

 

 

 

Yesterday was slightly better.

I found a third 1960s vanity case - in the same charity shop as the other two - so now I have a red, white and blue set. They were all different prices, which made me laugh (£3, £3.50 and £4, if you're interested).

The pressed glass jar with a silver plate lid (1930-40s, maybe?) just appealed and has a little collection of hat pins in it. (£2.)

The patchwork print fabric is a 1970s homemade dress which has lost its elastic and looks rather odd, but I have hopes of being able to fashion something out of it. Don't know what yet, but the fabric was too good to leave behind. (£3.)

Our lawn is scattered with dandelions and daisies, I like them.

 

And that's all I've got.

See, told you I was feeling quiet this week. 

Linking up with Max's Op-shop Show-off.

xxx