Catching up, Christmas & Chilling out!

Eeeek I have neglected my blog sooo badly over the last few months. This past few weeks I haven't even been keeping on top of reading all my favourite blogs either! It's crazy how easily you can fall out of the blogging loop and quite overwhelming too... I'm looking forward to see what everyone has been up to!

We stopped work on the 23rd and don't go back til the 4th so I still have a few days left off. Ant & I are our own bosses now and this week is our only proper time off (apart from bank holidays) so I have spent it doing absolutely nothing! We still have to do some work on our accounts and some other important bits for the shop, but I am holding it off for as long as possible!

So christmas was as uneventful as always for me, I missed big sis terribly and was super pleased we could get a little chat in on christmas morning. I got some lovely gifts from my nearest and dearest - my favourite has to a Mitford Sisters book from my aunt as it is something I have wanted to read for an absolute age and hadn't spoken about it to her or anyone come to that, she must have read my mind. Both myself & Ant got a copy of the Keith book, as did everyone else I know!  I also have a copy of the Bowie book I've been pining for on it's way (snow delayed!) from Ant, so that'll be a lovely treat to look forward too when it eventually turns up! 

Mitford Girls Book, Kitschy Breakfast Set, Celia Birtwell Hot Bot, Gorgeous Fortnums Smelly Cushion thing, Owl Candle

Nails Inc Set ( I looooove Nails Inc - best varnishes I have ever used), Fashion Book (has a pic of a pair of 70s Quant shoes in that I have!), Weird Eyelash Enhancer Stuff from my friend who swears by it (I'll let you know if it works!)

Very fab Funk & Soul Cover Art book, Smellies galore, Keith (who didn't get this for christmas?)

I'm really looking forward to New Years as a dear friend of mine is holding a party and I'm planning to wear a champagne satin Biba number which has only had one outing before (at Snowy Stylista's wedding no less!). Random Geek Fact - the same dress is in an early (I think 1971) episode of The Liver Birds - it is worn by their posh friend Victoria who has come to visit from London, and for the life of me I can't find a clip of it online anywhere - I'll make sure I get a couple of snaps of it on Friday. 

Some more things...

...I am currently loving listening to, watching, using and pining for.

 

1. Zara Camel Wool Flared Skirt   2. Nite Flights by The Walker Brothers   3. No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara  

4. The Walking Dead on FX   5. Gucci by Gucci Eau de Parfum   6. Marie France Dress from Vintage-a-Peel  

7. Dents Silk Lined Gloves in Charcoal   8. Young Americans by David Bowie   9. Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate

Treasured Possessions - David Bowie

My other half and I have been overdosing on David Bowie recently, which to be honest is pretty normal for me anyway, and I personally don't think you can ever listen to too much Bowie. Firstly I decided to get the great Labyrinth on DVD, which was just fab to watch, I don't think I've seen it in almost 20 years! The only disappointment for me was that the bit with the Fire Gang in where they throw their heads about, I always found this terrifying as a kid, now looking at it the graphics are pretty shocking by todays standards. The Henson puppets are amazing tho! 

So whilst on my Bowie trip I'd thought I'd share one of my most prized possessions with you all. This is the programme from the infamous Ziggy Stardust Tour 1973. This obviously belonged to my Mum, who was lucky enough to see him in June 1973 in Chatham Central Hall. I'm pretty sure I have the ticket stubs somewhere too, and some 70's fan club items, I must try and find them!

You should be able to click & enlarge.

Front Cover

Inside Cover & Page 1

Centre Spread

Last Page & Inside Back Cover

Back Cover

Wish List - Winter Boots

I have been such a bad blogger lately, I just haven't been able to think of a single interesting thing to post about! I guess I have been a bit distracted as I have just given up smoking. I smoked at least 20 a day (!) and I haven't had one for almost 3 weeks. I'm very proud of myself! I've still got a way to go I know, but the patches are doing their job quite well at the moment..... 

So I think it may be time to treat myself and if there is one thing that always gives me plenty of inspiration it's shoes of course, and in particular I need some new boots. If you have read any of my old shoe posts or if you know me, you will know I used to be devoted to 60's and 70's footwear but their age and dried out glue makes them very tricky for daily wear. I have found that finding shoes in that style is quite easy at the moment, there are still plenty of low heeled mary janes and also fantastic platforms too. But boots is a whole different matter. The sort I have been after really need to be 60's styled, I'm talking round or almond toe, and a 1-2" matchbox heel as I want them to wear to work and drive in. I have trawled all the usual shoe stores and all I see are 80s styles or very pointed toes and stilettos, and that just isn't me. 

One brand I have admired for sometime is Chie Mihara, they do really lovely shoes and some stunning boots, unfortunately even when they go in the sale they are out of my price range, but just have a look at these suede lace up granny boots, they are just perfect, especially in purple.  

Quecha Boot in purple from chiemihara.com - €338 / Quecha Boot in black suede from Toast - £325

My next stop was Yoox, upon browsing I found two brands which both carry some rather delish boots. First up is CAFe'NOIR, they are very reasonably priced and I love the moddy look to the black ones too, I just wish they were in leather. This is an italian brand I think, the rest of the range is not  very exciting. I really love the heels and toe shape on the brown pair. Luckily for me they are both only available in size UK4.

Black Suede & Patent £98 / Brown Leather with Studs £54

And finally we have L'Autre Chose. Just look at the perfect, perfect little heels on the pink/blue & green pairs, over the knee too, LOVE. Hello! grey suede platforms, thank goodness they only have size 2 left, or my credit card would have to be taken away from me! Aren't the snakeskin detailed ones just divine, I don't know which I prefer, probably the brown, I always buy brown clothes and footwear for some reason. Once again most of these are too pricey for me, if the first brown leather pair were in black they would be my perfect day boot.

Brown Leather £148 / Grey Suede £140

Suede over the knee in pink or blue £148

Black suede with snakeskin £195 / Brown suede with snakeskin £195

Green suede £180 / Plum Suede £225

I still haven't seen anything in black leather, oh dear.

RIP Reg King

I was terribly sad to hear of the passing of another 60s legend. 

Former lead singer of mod icons The Action, Reg King died earlier this month aged 65. 

You could do a lot worse than to have a listen to his 1971 self titled solo album which is one of my all time faves.