Red Boots & Golden Years

Before I begin I should quickly state that yep, I'm still pregnant.  Due this Saturday but as you know time and dates mean nothing to the littluns.  Just trying to enjoy my last days of relative freedom and sleep.

On Saturday afternoon I went to a vintage 50's tea party in celebration of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary.

This is me trying to discreetly pose for some outfit shots with my cloudy lemonade while everyone mingled around with their Pimms punch.  I kept getting collared.

As you can see I didn't go with the 50's theme.  This dress has been seen on the blog before because I have practically lived in it these past few months.  It's about as much effort as I can muster at the moment.  Plus I wanted to wear my new babies which match it perfectly...

These bad boys

I got them for a song on Amazon.  I think it was a pricing error as they were advertised as a size 7D as opposed to a standard size 7, which were about £25 more expensive.  I took a gamble and it paid off.  I handed over my £46 and they arrived at my house the next day, a standard size 7 not a 'D' in sight.  Turns out Dr Martens don't even make a 'D' fitting.  Go figure.

I also lacquered my nails with several layers of turquoise glitter

Dress - Asos Maternity
Boots - Dr Martens
Owl bag - Ebay
Cardi - supermarket
Brooch - charity shop
Typewriter necklace - Etsy

My niece organised the party and it was held in the very pretty house she lives in with her mum and step dad.  She stepped in and organised it within a few weeks after the idea we'd had of a big kick butt rock n roll themed party fell through due to my health issues and inability to organise it.  She did a stellar job.  A relatively small affair with close friends and family.  Everything looked so dainty and charming that I couldn't resist walking around snapping a few pics before everyone got there

I really wanted to play in this outhouse but it was temporarilly home to an old bathroom suite

The weather was glorious, spring was in the air.  The music ranged from The Andrew Sisters to Little Richard with a little bit of The Inkspots thrown in for good measure.  There were sandwiches with no crusts, tea and fairy cakes - perfect.

Gonna try and blog again before I pop but if I disappear for a while you'll know what's happened

xxx

Four score and seven years ago...

Well hello to you!

This is a bit of a tribute post to my mister (not the greatest post in the world - just a tribute) who has long since been an American Civil War geek, in no small part down to his admiration of this gentleman

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He's read anything he can get his hands on about the subject, most notably 'The Civil War: A Narrative' by author Shelby Foote and many others.  Our bookcase is practically collapsing under the weight of history books.

Obviously he was chomping at the bit to see 'Lincoln' the critically acclaimed biopic of the man himself.

We went to see it on Friday night and it didn't disappoint.  Daniel Day Lewis was absolutely mesmerising in the lead role. 

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He completely inhabited it to the point where you stopped actually seeing the actor.  

Other notable performances include Tommy Lee Jones (always good value) as Thaddeus Stevens, the radical republican from Pennsylvania and James Spader as the rather corpulent, not altogether above board, but likeable, 'fixer' Mr Bilbo

 I thought of wearing something in keeping with the civil war theme, but, oh my, those necklines and sleeves do me no favours...  also I'm just not sure about the bonnets!

Pauline Cushman, Union spy

Love this gown though

 

So I played it safe with a black dress, lace collar and some Victorian style boots

and of course, stripey tights

Not the best quality shots, just some phone snaps taken when we got home

Here I am posing with the book that the film was based on.  It has sat on our bookcase forever but I have finally lifted it out and added it to my reading queue.

Thank you Mr N for your contagious enthusiasm for history and for introducing me to this fascinating era and this remarkable character, so troubled and so old for his years. 

I would heartily recommend the film 

Of course one of the other great things about the cinema is getting to eat like a 9 year old 

xxx

Up the rebels, and to hell with Burgundy

Apparently a reference to the Hundred Years War between the kingdoms of England and France, but if you're anything like me, you'll recognise the above quote from Carry On Doctor 

When I saw these suedette lace up boots on Ebay I knew I had to have them.  Everyone needs burgundy boots don't they?  I've had loads of comments on them, but most people think they're red.  Either way, I'm good with it.  Anyway, I thought I'd team them with my newish charity shop acquisitions, floral gypsy style dress and longline burgundy cardigan.  I also wore my new favourite lipstick by a well known, affordable British brand fronted by a well known skanky supermodel.  Shade 107 (burgundy of course) in the matte variety.  I rather like it but it could do with being a teensy bit deeper in colour.

Dress & cardigan - charity shop

Tights - high street

Boots - Ebay

Pendant - Groupon deal

Brooch - high street

For all of you who commented on my last post, I send a massive 'mwah'!  Your comments were so reassuring and made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  

Onwards and upwards my friends 

xxx