Skittles Legs At Last

The other day was so chilly it called for tights, at last! Out of my skittles-rainbow collection I opted for mustard coloured tights to go with this dress of mine. Perhaps I should have picked something a little more flamboyant though as a few people at University said that the colour of my legs had 'tripped' them out momentarily until they realized that I was actually wearing tights! I am also wearing a 'new' vintage bag that I bought whilst down in Bathurst (something else I had to somehow stuff inside carry-on luggage for the plane trip home along with all these). 

Because my studies have recommenced, unfortunately I haven't had many opportunities to go out hunting for vintage treasures. I did though the other day spend the afternoon having a snoop in some of the local antique stores and charity shops. I found this black vintage bag for $5.00. Call me a complete cheapskate, but I will always try and refrain from buying a vintage bag unless it is below this price. I do have reason for it though. I have a lot of vintage bags, and plenty more than I've ever shared on this blog. For me, sticking to such a strict limit prevents me from bringing home hoards and hoards of vintage bags and purses, and makes the buying process a lot more selective. It also helps me stick to a controlled budget, especially since vintage handbags are quite prevalent in my local area.

You most probably cannot see it but the bag pictured has beautiful woven detailing upon it. The handle is very soft and very comfortable, yet sturdy, and as I tend to carry my handbags at my elbow this ticks all the boxes for me! I also purchased this beautiful vintage suede coat that reminds of something that Brian Jones would have worn for only $5.00 as well, and two 45's. David Bowie's "Drive In Saturday" single and an EP by The Who. You can see more of my record collection here.

Do you set yourself any 'rules' while out hunting for vintage?

Flowers

Here is the record I was talking about in this post. "Flowers" by The Rolling Stones, an American compilation album that was released in 1967. I've had my eye out for this LP for a while. But it was my mother that found it. She rang me up one day not long ago whilst she was up the coast and said she had stumbled upon a record fair with some brilliant stuff. She brought this one home for me for only $10.00!

The record isn't in the best condition, and nor is the cover. But I don't mind, things like that don't bother me very much. I think it is so groovy that I want to have it out on display in my room but me being me I've already covered pretty much every space on the wall. What also made me happy was that when I flipped the cover over I found that someone had written "Brian". And me being the Brian Jones fan I am, I like to think that someone wrote it there not because they were claiming the record as theirs but because they were a Brian fan too. 

I must say though, that this cover always makes me just a little sad. If you are a Rolling Stones lover you may know that Bill Wyman claimed that when the cover was designed Mick Jagger and Keith Richards deliberately removed the leaves from the stem underneath Brian's face. Whether this was a subtle attack on him or just a little prank, it reminds me of the difficulties that were being faced between Brian and the other Stones at the time. 

The Rain, The Park and Other Things

Finally things are beginning to cool down here! About time! We've been getting little showers of rain almost ever day and I am just reveling in it. I'm looking very forward to the day when I can start wearing my polo neck sweaters and big fancy coats again!

Lately the boy has been teaching me some photography theory and how to operate his camera. Yesterday I used my newly acquired knowledge and went about the house with the camera taking pictures and experimenting with ISO, aperture and shutter speed. I also did some messing about with the macro lens which was quite fun. After lunch we planned to go to a nearby park with a lake for me to take some more pictures and experiment with different lighting and the macro lens but upon arriving it unfortunately began to rain. Either way, I still learnt a lot from what a did around the house. I have taken pictures here and there on his camera before but I've never operated it manually, and I must say I am very proud of myself. We both agree that I got some pretty good shots for my first attempt. Hopefully I'll be able to share some of them with you soon! Anyway, this is what I wore that day. When I came home my sister said I looked like Abra from "East of Eden". Ha!

In other news! I've been struck with luck yet again!

A few weeks ago the man that sold me these records left me a voice-mail. He said that he would keep an eye out for any early Pink Floyd records and hold them for me if he came across any, particularly their first two LPs with Syd Barrett present, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" and "A Saucerful of Secrets". They are really quite hard to find here in Australia, so I was very pleased to discover that he had found this and was keeping it for me!

Pink Floyd's "A Nice Pair" is a compilation album that was first released in 1973 and consists of the band's first two albums. And so, it is exactly what I was looking for! Its release would introduce new Pink Floyd fans at the time to the psychedelic sounds of their earlier period with Syd Barrett. The album art was designed by Hipgnosis, which you may know were responsible for designing many other album covers for Pink Floyd, and consists of unused ideas for past cover art. 

Because this man's record store is quite a few towns away from me I have to set aside time to travel up their and have a visit. I had been quite busy and unable to go up there to buy the record from him, and for a very generous price of only $70.00, and was beginning to feel awful for him holding onto it for so long for me. But kindly whilst the boy was up in there area he picked it up for me and surprised me with it upon seeing me next, also expressing to the seller how thankful I was for him finding and keeping the album for me. Now I am almost there in having all of Pink Floyd's albums in my collection! I know some collectors will not consider this album as enough to cover the first two from 1967 and 1968 but in reality this is the best I can do for now and I am very grateful for it!

I also picked up this LP recently too from a record booth inside one of our local shopping malls whilst waiting to see a movie: "The World of Marianne Faithfull". The man at the booth asked me to mind his store for a little while and for that he kindly gave the record to me for $7.00 instead of $10.00, as well as a lovely compliment, telling me that he thought I looked a lot like Marianne. How nice!

And these here be my latest 45s, some bought from the gentleman who sold me the Pink Floyd album, and some a surprise from my mother. She is always on the lookout for records for my sister and I. 

Has there been anything new that you've tried out lately? Or a new skill that you are interested in learning? I'd love to hear!

Title: "The Rain, The Park and Other Things" - The Cowsills

Lucky Me and Walter Mitty

This week I've been a little busy doing things here and there. And my goodness, if you live in Australia too you'll know it's been hot! Is it too much wishful thinking to hope for a little rain?

On Saturday the boy and I had a day at the movies, seeing two films in a row, and a planned third if it hadn't already started in the next theatre. Just something that we like to do every now and then. When buying the tickets for the second film the lady at the counter was quite confused to see me already munching on a half eaten box of popcorn. The first film that we saw was "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", and my goodness I enjoyed it. Based on the short story by James Thurber first published in The New Yorker in 1939, and directed by Ben Stiller, the film is definitely one worth watching with it being a master mixture of action, adventure, drama, comedy and awe-inspiring cinematography. 

"A day-dreamer escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, he takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined." 

- IMDB

"To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life." 

- LIFE Magazine

When coming out of the theatre I spotted a photo booth. Having never seen one before we had to have a go. And so this is my amazing boy that I've spoken of so many times yet you've all never seen before!

I've also being having a lot of luck lately with my second hand shopping. Even more additions to my collection of vintage nighties and brunch coats! You can see my growing collection here. I think I'm becoming addicted. A few lovely dresses too. I shall be posting a few pictures of them soon.

Speaking of lucky, I've also had a lot in the record department! A couple of weeks ago I went up north and visited the record store of the man who sold me some of my very first records years ago. His collection is quite huge, there being approximately six thousand LPs in his store alone and another few thousand out the back to be sorted. It is quite the treasure trove! Being passionate about his collection he always seems to know exactly what he has and what he hasn't. Whilst in there I asked him if he had ever come across any Syd Barrett LPs or 1960's Pink Floyd LPs. Once or twice he had but they are really quite rare over here. But yet, kindly he said he'd keep an eye out for them, and hold them for me to come and buy from him if he ever came across them. 

Yesterday I popped into his store and, after coming out from the back, he handed me "Opel" - Syd Barrett. In pristine condition and for an incredible price too! What a nice man. I also picked up David Bowie's "Hunky Dory", another LP I've been on the lookout for. Lucky me!

Have you had any luck lately - finding something that you've been on the lookout for?

Or have you seen "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"? 

What did you think?

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Single and Looking Good at 45

Here are some single sleeves (and a couple of EPs) that I find absolutely gorgeous. I hope you do too!
























(Images: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. )