Crinoline Robot's Vintage Overload
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| Come back to our screens, Beresfords, please! |
While I was poorly I did finish the knitting for my It Cannot Fail To Please 1930s jumper, though I still haven't sewn all the bits together. Perhaps the coming cold snap will encourage me to do that - being chilly is a good motivator for sorting out knitting, I find. Having rewatched Partners in Crime from last year on my sick days, I'm really hankering for some more deco-to-midcentury telly. I suppose I can always rewatch The Hour, I Tivoed that one.
I've got a couple of capital-E Events coming up. One is my mum's birthday party, and the other a work thing with Mr Robot. Not sure how much I can say about the latter as it's nothing to do with my work, but it will mean a night out in London. I spend this time of year flailing wildly about being fat and having no nice party clothes, so you can bet your boots I am doing EVEN MORE FLAILING this year. Like Kermit on amphetamines.
I really should get out my party-friendly clothes and try them on to check they fit; I'm probably resisting because I really fear they won't, and that's exactly why I SHOULD try them on now, to give myself the chance to buy a replacement if needed. That said, I'm thinking of wearing my green crimplene suit to Mum's party and I know that fits. My navy House of Foxy 'Hostess' dress will do for London. (They seem to have bumped that range across to Pretty Retro and halved the price, which annoys me rather as now I feel as though my poor husband wasted a load of money as they must have been overcharging. But it is a good dress, and I suppose at least now I can get the same style in other colours.)
And Christmas looms. I've done a load of my shopping already, so I can drop things off when I go to Mum's party. That works out well for me - now I'm back on a games magazine, I'll have two print deadlines in December and not much time for fighting through crowded shops. So I should stop whinging about being busy really, as I'll really have something to grumble about in three weeks' time...
I hope you're feeling better now Mim. Don't stress about party season! Jewellery gets you loads of points, and I know you've got some good stuff.
ReplyDeleteAs for your comment on House of Foxy versus Pretty Retro, I've recently been exploring the two, as much to satisfy my curiosity as anything! So, the price difference is because: 1) Pretty Retro is made in Europe, whereas HOF is UK made. 2) The fabrics are different (I felt their PR swing trousers, they are so much more lightweight than the HOF ones), and 3) There are some differences in cut and finish e.g. the PR pencil skirts are a few inches shorter than the HOF ones, so they're using less fabric and can charge less. That's my impression so far, but I'll be blogging about some of my recent purchases and will share any other insights! x
That's very interesting and good to know. I left a comment on your blog; I think I shall keep looking at the HOF pencil skirts.
DeleteI should just add 'party flail' on my calendar and set repeat yearly...
I know what you mean, now the dark nights are here I want some decent TV! Mind you I bought all those dvds last weekend and did I watch any last night when Himself was away? Nope I ended up watching an episode of Endeavor on TV instead.
ReplyDeleteThe downside of parties is finding the perfect frock, too too stressful.
I'm going to wear the crimplene and abandon all fucks, I think.
DeleteEndeavor's not bad! No point forcing yourself to watch something when you're not in the mood.
There's nothing to watch on US TV unless you have cable (we don't). I'd like to get some work done on Danny's yearly Birthday quilt, but I just can't seem to get motivated.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking-a fancy shawl or velveteen cape can go a long way to dressing up a plain-ish frock. They're typically inexpensive and easy to come by. Pin it in place with a gigantic brooch and no one will notice anything else.
You have beautiful hair that can be dressed-up with strands of pearls, etc. as well. I'm sure you'll come up with something stunning-you always do.
I do have one of my mum's old shawls from the 70s. She'd probably be really tickeled if I showed up in that.
DeleteI am akways home in couch with dogs cats and tv
ReplyDeleteIt's a good place to be. Though our cats like sitting on top of the Tivo box; I worry their furry butts will make it overheat!
DeleteCut with the flailing & wailing! It's time to buy stretch velvet I say! (Hides a multitude of sins & is sooo comfy too!)
ReplyDeleteThe holiday season is over here in Nepal now it's full tilt boogie tourist season. I really don't miss Xmas with all the frenzied shoppers and whatnot. Does that make me a Scrooge? Bah Humbug!
I love Christmas, but mainly because we've built up a lot of our own traditions and can hide at home and enjoy ourselves. Last year was our first without Pete's mum, which made things a bit tough. I guess we'll have to make new traditions.
DeleteI'm glad the green suit is getting an outing! Be brave and try your stuff on, you've got plenty of time to track down an alternative if you're less than happy.
ReplyDeleteIt's taken almost 4 weeks to get shot of this cold, thank heavens for TV! I'd forgotten all about The Hour, I loved that! xxx
The Hour was fab. The first series has never been repeated for some reason.
DeleteThe green suit gets plenty of wear. I've got the dress on today, paired with a boxy cream aran cardigan (knitted in the 1990s, but I suspect the pattern was from the late 60s/early 70s when that sort of thing was HUGE).
Really sorry to hear that you have been a bit poorly, Mim. That is so draining and annoying at this time of year and lurgies just seem to get recycled and passed back to everyone at work.(I am typing this sat in my jammies off work too as I have hurt my back again). It is super-stressful trying to find anything dressy to wear at this time of year if you are over a size 14. I have a formal Christmas party with work and told everyone that I am going to make my dress, so now I am stressing about that too as I have absolutely zero time. Your House of Foxy dress is gorgeous and you look stunning in it, although that is really annoying about the price drop. Wishing you fab frock-finding joy. Xx
ReplyDeleteIt's going to sound pathetic, but I get annoyed at the fact that all the dresses that go with strappy bras are quite frumpy. I can't wear strapless bras - even if I can find one in my size, they're so chunky they are visible over most strapless frocks anyhow - and it makes buying partywear a real chore. I should buy one of those velvet trouser suits; that'll be me sorted for years then.
DeleteGlad you're feeling a bit better Mim, but at least you got to finish your 1930s jumper. I'm dying to see it, so bring on the dark weather! I'm always stressing about party clothes as well and usually leave it until the last minute to try them on ... Oh well ... xxx
ReplyDeleteHaaaaaa, the jumper is still in bits. i'm terrible!
DeleteI was going to put very much what Sarah said about the different qualities of PR and HoF. The PR wide leg trousers I have are much more lightweight than my HoF ones, however, they both have their pros and cons. I think it depends on what you look for in clothing and I would, personally, choose quality and British made over price every time. xx
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd definitely prefer quality and British made.
DeleteI really love HOF's 'Jackie O' dress, but I'm worried about the waist, which is described as 'nipped in'. Damn my figure. I suppose I should just email them. And buy spanx.
Oh Mim, don't worry I'm sure you'll find something nice if you haven't already got a party dress.
ReplyDeleteI was feeling the same as you re my OHs Christmas work do and succumbed to Amazon, buying a long evening dress at a reasonable price. I only need to get it shortened and I'm sorted; I think.
Agree with you about long dark evenings and wanting something good on the TV. I'm waiting for my crochet mojo to kick in but meanwhile I keep on reading...
Enjoy your week
Veronica
vronni60s.blogspot.com
Yeah, the important thing is to enjoy the party, not to worry about the frock - people will remember the good time they had with someone long after they've forgotten what that person was wearing.
DeleteAre you feeling better, Mim?!
ReplyDeleteI hope that the bed-resting and TV watching days are behind you now - not that there's anything wrong with taking some rest, but I'd prefer if it does not involve you feeling ill.
*looks around*
Holidays are near?!
Gosh, this means I should really get my head out of all the house-work and pay more attention on potential present-material, right?
I can't wait for you to get all dressed up and spend a GREAT day with the Birthday Girl/Lady. Are you making her the cake? (over here, we all tend to MAKE CAKE for the one celebrating birthday - they make one themselves, but still.. we prefer to always have more than we can possibly consume)
Yes, firing on all cylinders again.
DeleteMy brother's girlfriend is making the cake. She's a keen baker, and lives nearer the venue. I don't think a fancy cake would survive the journey if I tried to take it up.
God you're organised! Christmas shopping already done? Mind you, I have very few people to actually buy for, money is preferred generally. You look great in the green suit so tick that one off the list. I remember that House of Foxy dress as being beautiful. I reckon you should take a deep breath and get it tried on then you stop doing your druggy frog impression, although actually I wouldn't mind seeing that! ;) I loved The Hour. Shame they didn't do a third series. Xx
ReplyDeleteThere was deffo room for a third series of The Hour. Stupid BBC. Stupid ratings.
DeleteGetting shopping done early helps me no end. December is a writeoff, largely, for me as I have two print deadlines. The second one is very short, so can mean working into the evenings.