Thursday 17 July 2014

Hotter than Hawaii


Oh all right, it probably isn't, but the UK is basking in some high temperatures this week, and what better way to celebrate than with a vintage Hawaiian frock or two?


Colourful, cotton, and with prints bold enough to invite you in for coffee on a first date - what's not to love?


The green dress is 1950s, found on a three-items-for-£5 table at the flea market (which means it cost £1.666666666666667, according to my calculator).

The pink dress is 1960s, and I think it cost £5 on a sale rail at a vintage fair because it had a hole in it. Which I fixed.
 
 
 
 
Naturally, a frock with a loud print is just the thing to wear for the annual extravaganza which is Park Night.
 


Liz, Joanne, Karen, me, Sue and Chris.
Excuse the gurning - can't take them anywhere.
 


Respectable Ladies getting pissed up in the park. 
Naturally.
 


Camouflaged!

I had a lovely potter around the flea market in Chesterfield today; Jo and I haven't been for a while, so it was great to be back.
 

I bought a 1960s curtain for the fabric, and a 1970s crochet hippy top for the fabulous sleeves. It needs taking in to prevent anyone thinking I'm pregnant.
£3 and £1 respectively. 
Hey, Big Spender.
 






The kids break up from school for the summer holidays tomorrow, and I confess I am looking forward to it immensely. 

One last push though - I will be sticking labels on hundreds of books at school tomorrow. I rather like cutting and sticking, there is something oddly soothing about a repetitive menial task. And our Head Teacher is retiring, so I have to dash to the florist for a bouquet to add to the gifts we have already bought, ready for the presentation in assembly.
 
Don't worry - these are tasks I am undertaking happily and voluntarily!



Who knows what the summer will bring?

I am hoping for lie-ins, sunshine, sewing, clearing out the Cupboard of Doom, and some trips out and about.
 


 
Thank you for all your very encouraging and positive responses to my previous post. I do appreciate you comments very much!

Have a great weekend.

xxxxx

56 comments:

Mother of Reinvention said...

Wow, First comment (unless anyone else beats me to it whilst I am typing). I know what is hot. You in those dresses. You look amazing and they are perfect for this weather. Aren't the School Hols great? Brilliant for doing stuff together. I hope that you get loads of fun stuff done (plus a little sewing). xxxx

Miss Piggy Bank said...

Love the green dress

Vix said...

You know I love a Hawaiian frock and those two are absolute beauties - what a bargain they were, too. Have you seen the insane prices they command on eBay? The pink dress positively glows on the fabulous picnic shot!!!
I was rifling through the books at the jumble today and a Quantas airline ticket fell out of a Jo Nesbo I'd already read stamped Honolulu to Sydney. How exotic!
Love the gypsy top - you just need a bastard massive pendant that finishes below the boobs to anchor the floatiness down.
Hope you get all your chores done!
Love you! xxxxxx

Kezzie said...

Wow, you really so do a vintage maxi magnificently! I never manage to find any gorgeousness like this, wish I did!!!
What was the lovely pink millinery?? Close up please!!

Our Head is also leaving and also about 5 REALLY valued staff-It's amazing as that has never happened before! We rarely have anyone leaving and I am so sad about it. Oh how I wish things didn't change. I'll especially miss my Head teacher! X

Kezzie said...

Wow, you really so do a vintage maxi magnificently! I never manage to find any gorgeousness like this, wish I did!!!
What was the lovely pink millinery?? Close up please!!

Our Head is also leaving and also about 5 REALLY valued staff-It's amazing as that has never happened before! We rarely have anyone leaving and I am so sad about it. Oh how I wish things didn't change. I'll especially miss my Head teacher! X

Kezzie said...

Wow, you really so do a vintage maxi magnificently! I never manage to find any gorgeousness like this, wish I did!!!
What was the lovely pink millinery?? Close up please!!

Our Head is also leaving and also about 5 REALLY valued staff-It's amazing as that has never happened before! We rarely have anyone leaving and I am so sad about it. Oh how I wish things didn't change. I'll especially miss my Head teacher! X

Kezzie said...

Wow, you really so do a vintage maxi magnificently! I never manage to find any gorgeousness like this, wish I did!!!
What was the lovely pink millinery?? Close up please!!

Our Head is also leaving and also about 5 REALLY valued staff-It's amazing as that has never happened before! We rarely have anyone leaving and I am so sad about it. Oh how I wish things didn't change. I'll especially miss my Head teacher! X

Gracey the Giant said...

I absolutely love the dress with the bright pink flowers! It's gorgeous!

I'm a huge fan of vintage Hawaiian dresses as well; they are the best to thrift!

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

You're hot stuff in your hawiian frocks! What absolute bargains.
We don't break up til Wednesday and have only five weeks off. Boo hoo. We cannot wait! I think the rest of the country finish on Friday. Enjoy the warm weather and the lie-ins. xxx

Fiona said...

Sorry Curtise but I cannot agree with you. I do a bloody repetitive menial task every day and I find it anything but soothing!
However, glad you are looking forward to the hols with the kiddo's, tis most refreshing to hear, most parents whinge about them. Park Night looks fun, Dorito's, fizz and pissed up mates, who needs anything more? Your Hawaiian frocks are just the thing for this scorchio weather and what a mad price! Excellent gypsy top purchase too. xxx

Shawna McComber said...

Top Two Responses in my Head:

You look fabulous in that pink!
I am green with envy over that crocheted top!

The outing to the park looks loads of fun. Here where I live, we are not legally allowed to drink alcohol in public places like a park, so I am curious to know if you are doing it legally or illegally. ;-)
xoxoxoxo

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

I know exactly what you mean about cutting and sticking - two of my favourite things to do (craftwise I mean). Flipping gorgeous frocks. Enjoy the hols. xx

Helga said...

Hey Big Spender indeed!
A splendid bit of Hawaiian splendor here! Fecking love both frocks, the pink especially, and don;t you just STAND OUT as the most styley and gorgeous one at the park thingy?! Aha! I would have graviated...no, LUNGED-towards you if I'd been about. Like the Millenium Falcon to the Death Star via a tractor beam of FABULARSE!
Taht is all.
Love you! XXXXXXXXXXXX

Krista said...

Oh how I do love a sweet Hawaiian frock, you know I'm in love with the pink and purple one BIG TIME! $1.66 can't be beat! You and the ladies getting pissed in the park, my kinda gathering. I love how you stand out in that bright ass frock and SMILE!

Summer is in full swing and even though all our cracks be sweating its better than our freezing our tits off!
LOVEYOUXXXOOOOO

Miss Magpie said...

Crickey moses that is a seriously pink frock! you do look bloody fabulous in it, even I will give you that ;-P

Have a fun summer holiday.

mondoagogo said...

Yes, I definitely do like your new photo spot. And that lovely barkcloth dress looks great on you.

I actually went to Hawaii once but it was the coldest weather they'd had for 50 years and I got a cold!

Kestrel said...

Your green dress is fantastic! What an amazing find x

diaryofapennypincher said...

Oh my, where do you find these vintage treasures? I'm particularly drawn to the green Hawaiian dress and that beautiful teal crocheted top, but it's all great stuff. What a blast you are all having in the park, but you outshine them all in your vintage frock. Love that new garden spot too!

50 and counting said...

I grew up on the wet coast of Canada and Hawaii was our Spain, if you know what I mean.

Those dresses weren't cheap back in the day! Not touristy type Mumus but actual dress shop dresses. I remember my Mum buy one back in the 70s and it was around $75 then.

The bluepink print colour scheme was very popular.

There are still a few makers around like Hilo Hattie but it's getting harder to find made in the US ones.

Unknown said...

You're gorgeous you are. Love both dresses, particularly love your garden and thoroughly recommend school holidays, they're fab! x

Patti said...

I love, love, LURVE, that style of Hawaiian dress - they are very pricey in the vintage shops here. Back in the day I bought one for about $10 and sold it on eBay for $150. And these two are marvelous!
I hope you enjoy your school tasks and lots of fun outings in the weeks ahead. xoxoxo

Angels have Red Hair said...

You look like the perfect beach babe ... A Hawaiian maxi beats a bikini any day in my book! Enjoy the holidays ... doing lots ... or doing nothing ... both are great ways to spend a summer break :0)
xx

Goody said...

Coffee? I think the invite needs to be Pina Colada (or as my mum used to say, "Penis Colada.")Well there's a first date...

Oh my gosh do I love those Hawaiian prints, but more I love the curtain you came home with. I swear, we had that very print on bed-sheets a million years ago...never thought it would turn up hanging from the line in your garden.

Stay chilled, because you're already cool.

ArgentGal said...

The green barkcloth dress is amazeballs! What a find. Can't wait to see what you do with the curtain.

Unknown said...

Oh, I wish I could find a pretty Hawaiian dress! You look so fab in them too! :)

Sheila said...

Ha, how synchronous - I will be wearing my Hawaiian dress on Monday! I love the cut and quality of them, and the fabulous patterns. Most of them were completely handmade. We see a lot of them here in the vintage and thrift shops, as Victoria is only a 4 hour flight to Hawaii and there used to be a direct flight (hmmm, there still might be, I'm not sure).

Your weather is mirroring ours!

Suzanne said...

Oh my I do love that orange and green Tiki hut dress you are wearing. You always manage to find the best patterns. Also that carpet bag is gorgeous. Just give me five minutes alone in your closet ; ) there are so many things of yours that I'd love to borrow.

bisous
Suzanne

Becky said...

Gorgeous!!!!

Val said...

What gorgeous dresses! I especially like the pink one. I'd love to get me some Hawaiian prints - must do that soon. My mother was talking about how she wanted a muu muu to wear in the evening, and she found one somewhere. I'd like to wear a muu muu all day!

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

Your dresses are amazing and look amazing on you!! I love vintage Hawaiian print dresses and have 2 that I wear every summer. Despite the fact that they were a little tight this year, I still wore them and prayed i wouldn't split the seams.

Your picnic at the park looks like sooo much fun!! I love seeing you with your friends.

Have a glorious time with your family this summer. I loved those times. xxoo

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

It's the pink and blue Hawaiian dress for me! Takes me right back to my first trip to Hawaii, I think I was fourteen. I bought a pink and purple maxi dress with a very similar vibe as yours, although I specifically remember that mine had an elastic gathered empire waist, and gathered neckline and sleeves. I also bought these gigantic hibiscus earrings, LOL. Thanks for the memory Curtise...why I remember this crap and not today's date or that I promised to phone a girlfriend back I'll never know!

Trees said...

Both those frocks are so wonderful - I really can't decide which I love the most. The labels alone are just perfect!!

Olga Rani said...

Stunning dresses! Love them both! Those prints are something that I couldn't help but fall in love with: the first one is so bright and contrasting; the second one is so jungle-ish. You are right, on that photo in the garden you look literally camouflaged.

Pennyblossoms said...

Totally beauts!
Zxx

Melancholy and Menace said...

Those dresses look great on you, the perfect attire for our current weather. I do hope it lasts!

Have a perfect weekend xx

Bobbi said...

Great dresses! Perfect for summer. The picnic looks like fun.
The black top will look really cool on you.

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

The perfect weather for those lovely dresses. I hope you got well and truly trollied in the park. Your friends look like a lovely bunch.

silvergirl said...

OMG!!!! That pink and blue floral dress is amazing!!! Love the flower in the hair as well.
Have a great weekend
Brett

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Both are just gorgeous and I love the shoes you've got on with the green! I dream of being happily, voluntarily with you there in the park. :) xoxoxoxo

Anonymous said...

I'll come over and help you clean out your Cupboard of Doom. I'm sure there'll be treasures I'll want to have fly home with me.
Love that fabric you bought. It is one of my all time favorite patterns!!!

Diane said...

Hot hot hot!! We've been having stonking weather! Love the 70's hippy top. I may have to wag work one Thursday to get to ChezVegas Market xxxx

Asparagus Pea said...

So much nicer than hawaiian shirts - who knew. The summer holidays slightly fill me with dread because everything goes crazy at work - but never mind, i'll be having a couple of weeks off in August.

Sue said...

I love both frocks!! I do, but I guess if you made me pick one it would be the pink and blue, mmmmm!
The crochet top is bloody gorgeous, and yes we don't want those nasty are you pregnant again questions. Enjoy the holidays, lets hope that weather continues to behave.

Melanie said...

I'm mad for your bark cloth maxis in pink and in green. And the crocheted top is gorgeous. You do angel wings like no other.
There's nothing like getting sloshed in the park with your buddies and then trying to walk home in the dark with heels and being bold "with coffee" invitations. Glad you're celebrating life. I'll be a grand summer.

Ivy Black said...

Love those frocks so much and the green is delicious. If you can't don an Hawaiian frock in this weather, when can you? HOT!! You look fab.
Love the crochet top too you big spender, you.
Have a lovely weekend.
Loves yer sunny bits.
xxxxxxxxxx

citizen rosebud said...

I've always been an admirer of Hawaiian dresses- back in the day noone wanted them and I could scoop up beautiful prints in the softest cotton for $1 or $2 bucks. Those days are long gone but the plus side is that people finally are appreciating their beauty! As you, my dear make a perfect model for them. You look ravishing in your collection.

Peaches McGinty said...

Your Hawaiian frocks are gorgeous, and what cool prices! they both really are quite divine and perfect for the Respectable Ladies getting pissed up, I think this kind of behaviour is necessary and would instantly stop all the younger ones downing White Lightening and setting random fires ha! I'm with you on menial tasks, I like them too - enjoy the start to your lie-in's, aren't they bliss? no charging round for a few weeks is heavenly, Charlotte doesn't break up till Wednesday pah! x x x

bahnwärterin said...

here heatwave too......
your hawaii dresses are both beautiful - but the green one is spectacular on you - this colors flatter you soooo much!!!!!
wish you a gorgeous summer with your kids - your plans sound like something i would like to do too.
xxxx

Penny-Rose said...

WOW. Those dresses are gorgeous. You look amazing in the foliage and sunshine. Hope you are having a wonderful summer, and yay for school holidays (and sun and warmth).

Forest City Fashionista said...

Those Hawaiian frocks go for a pretty penny around here too, even though most people don't know what bark cloth is. Those ones of yours are two of the nicest I've seen, both in fabric and cut.

I have one, with a smocked top, but we haven't had many weekends warm enough to wear it. After reading Vix's post about washing vintage clothing, I'm wondering if I could actually wash my dress in the machine?

Beth Waltz said...

I do think if I had legs like yours, dear Curtise, I'd wear that blue 70s crochet top with the skinniest indigo jeans into which I could slither. And, in a tribute to Vix, I'd balance the toute ensemble on the highest heels I could handle. Of course, one requires armloads of bastard massive silver for ballast so as not to float away...

freckleface said...

Alright Big Spender? Oh I do love a Hawaiian frock, those prints are the best. I have to confess, my little selection haven't been bargains like your beauties, but they are regulars, so, like Edith Piaf, I have No Regrets. Last year i don't think we had any shots of your version of Park
Life, so this is quite a thrill to see you all in action. You look ravishing with your little hair flower and gorgeous smile. I love that new top, it's rather gypsyish. Summer holiday, eh? Super. The cupboard of doom sounds like something that needs working up to! Xxxxxxx

Vicky Hayes said...

I totally agree about a Hawaiian frock for this weather Curtise and have been sporting some pink flamingos and some turquoise parrots on separate occasions last week! Glad you enjoyed the annual booze-up in the park and your chazzing seems to have gone well too. Wishing you a fab summer with plenty of snoozing and trips and a Cupboard of Heavenly Bliss! Vicky x

PS Thank you for your congrats - I was so excited!

Caroline said...

I love the green dress. It's such a nice shape.

My youngest is still at school for another three days so that's 3 more mornings :(

Caroline
www.puttingyourlifeinorder.blogspot.co.uk

Vanessa said...

Those are incredible, I'd wear the hell out of those pieces. :D Tropical and bold is definitely my style as a latina Floridian. I hope I find pieces like these on my hunts someday.

Rachel said...

You have bagged some gorgeous items from the flea market again. Lovely dresses! I was there last week and managed to get two vintage tablecloths for a pound. I went home very happy!

Have a great holiday with the family Curtise. We break up tomorrow so some celebrating may be in order! xx