All Work and No Play ...

Gosh it's been a while since we've seen any blogger malarky business going on here.

Exactly why has Kitty taken to sequin-licking?

Of course, there's a story behind every picture.

Showgirl headband - DIY

Sequin top and bangles - op shops

Vintage tutu and earrings - Etsy

Leggings - Black Milk

Creepers - Dolls Kill sale

 Earlier yesterday, I was demurely making bunting for the back deck in preparation for our housewarming party.

 With preparations well underway, The Stylist successfully dodged the harried activities by snapping off a ton of her wonderful, signature arty pics.

 So much weirdness going on and as our friend Paul, who was visiting us from Hong Kong said, "there's nothing normal about this house".
It was my first time entertaining a medium-sized crowd in five years and it was moments like these that kept me laughing.

 Meanwhile, #2 Son slumbered deeply at 5pm.

 "It's time ladies and gents."

Juli and Kitty.  Woof! 

The Phoenix sporting his haircut and wedding tie. x

Helen the Luscious.

Mental much?

 This afternoon we waved off Paul, who flew on to Sydney to holiday with his family, The Stylist dyed my hair and we looked very, very tired.
So I'd better link up to Sacramento's "Flowers" theme then hadn't I?
Love D. x

At Least You Won't Have Time to Be Bored

Well commuters had some free entertainment as the traffic snarled past this afternoon.
The Stylist snapped off our first outdoor pics at the new house and there was much slack-jawed staring and shaking of heads.
I was pretty impressed with our neighbour who's a paramedic and seen it all.
He just smiled and said "party time?"
Actually he's bang on there.
Today I'm celebrating being alive after carting a 15kg sack of potting mix home about 2km.
Then I did it again (sans sack) at a much brisker pace to pick up the lassie from school.
Funny though, we had more energy after our hot, humid walk home than we used to when we drove.
She did star jumps, I may have done three.

The scales tell me I've lost five kilos.
So do my leggings.
Hopefully I'll be able to wear them again this winter.
I rapidly gained weight when I was prescribed lithium late last year, but aside from that, the drugs knocked me for six.
Couldn't drive, finish a sentence, remember words, stay awake, hold any kind of conversation.
My brain had a "holiday" that's for sure.
It's nice to be a bit more switched on and active again.

1940s men's top hat - De Mille Vintage, Melbourne

Jacket - gift from the amazing, talented Georgie at Retro G Couture

1950s cotton bra - DIY dye-job

Tutu skirt and belt - op shops

Flamingo earrings - gift from Vintage Pip

Leggings - Black Milk

Shoes - market

Necklace - second hand

Clock - The Stylist

I'm linking up with some awesome wenches:

Citizen Rosebud's Shoe Shine, and 

I'm a bit ahead of myself, but I'll be linking to Sacramento's Share-in-Style: Watches, which runs from Saturday.

I want you to know how grateful I am that you pop over here to visit and I really, really love reading your comments.
I'm feeling the love!
Molto baci,
Desiree xxx

How Soon Is Now?

Do you know what's really great about decluttering?
Aside from the obvious benefits of sorting through shite to separate things into "keep" and "biff" piles, one finds much-loved treasures.
I rediscovered this butter-soft leather vest, weird petti-skirt thingy and gorgeous sparkly blue belt.
In fact, everything I'm wearing here, including the bag, was taking a break from the public eye.

These things weren't hidden away, just resting, waiting for me to re-visit them.
The belt was a gift from Clare of Miss Simmonds Says.
I've worn it more often in the past year, than any belt I've ever owned.  
I have a small collection of belts, but they're slowly ending up in The Stylist's wardrobe as I find them uncomfortable to wear ... except for this sparkly sequinned number.
Oh by the way, don't worry, The Stylist is getting her fair share of bits and pieces put away for her during this period of clothes sorting ... probably not for long, she's getting very tall!

Leather vest, Amy Winehouse rosary - Etsy

Earrings - Bones Couture

Rubber bracelets - DIY from The Stylist

Skirt, bag, granny beads, bangle - op shops

1950s hat - gift from Nelly of Vintage Wishes

Shoes - second hand market

Bodysuit - retail sale

Gosh look at all that wonky cropping!  I'm linking up to Citizen's Shoe Shine today.
Our tree is finally up and surprise, surprise, no presents are wrapped.  
What are you up to this weekend?
Baci, D xoxo

Damn It Feels Good To Be A GaNg$Ta

A dear friend told me yesterday, "You don't realise how strong you really are".
I think she's right.
She looked me in the eyes and said it straight.
And that's how it really is for so many of us.
We don't always realise when we're strong because we have to be tough all the time.
There are those like me who should probably have it tattooed inside their eyelids.
That's GaNg$Ta.
I've been feeling like a GaNg$Ta all week after casting off body ageing hangups like a python sheds its skin in spring.
Thank you, all of you for sharing your thoughts and helping us all to be strong.
Fuck anyone who tells a woman how she's supposed to feel and look at any age.
Darling Bella of Citizen Rosebud bared her heart in her Pin Up or Shut Up post on our celebration of the body beautiful while privately harbouring prejudices about our own body shape.
And Vix of Vintage Vixen had a wonderfully heated rant about how feeling awesome and sexacious is simply a state of mind.
At any age.
GaNg$Ta.

Vintage tutu, earrings, pink and silver bird ornament - op shops

Vintage fur cape, bow headband and shoes - second hand market

Necklace - custom made by Phussy

Tights - Sock Dreams

It seems the stars were aligned for friendship and love this week when this GaNg$Ta Goddess was spoilt rotten by fellow hard-arse, soft-hearted wenches, some of whom have shared health ups and downs on their blogs.
First up was Sarah Misfit who snapped up this amazing, huge 1970s cake tin for me from an op shop and stuffed it full of goodies, including a scrumptiously warm, 1980s velour jumpsuit.
The Stylist and I have been haggling over sharing the jumpsuit and she won out this week, wearing it to bed every night!

The adorable Vintage Bird Girl and I fiiiiiiiiiinally met up for coffee and a yarn.
She is precious, kind and compassionate and I just wanted to hug her all the time ... of course we both wore green because we understand the power of the best colour of all time.
She spoilt me with scrumptious gifts, including an amazing granny bag made from a bath mat, bling-bling and a fab print of Deborah Kerr which immediately joined the Wall of Wenches in our lounge room.

And then out of the blue, look what arrived from Sarah Misfit's bestie, Miss A!
She sent me this INCREDIBLE 1970s maxi with semi-sheer lace daisy bodice and sleeves.
And it's a perfect fit - GAH!

She also sent me a beautiful 1950s purple veiled cocktail hat, gifts for The Stylist, books for the lads, and bling-bling, including a fecking amazing GaNg$Ta-sized lion-head necklace.
I nearly died.

And check out the red stitching and rose embroidery on this fabulous 1970s black jacket for The Stylist.
Swoon...

1940s frock - gift from The Hornbag aka Helga

Earrings - gift from darling Miss A

Bag - gift from lovely Vintage Bird Girl

Belly dancer's belt - gift from sexalicous Sarah Misfit

Vintage necklaces - Etsy

VW Melissa shoes - NYC Melissa sample sale

I jingled about doing my Friday chores and medical supply pick-ups, much to the surprise of locals who stood stock-still to stare at the weird noisy lady in the 1940s frock with all the Eastern jewellery hanging off her.
That's GaNg$Ta.

I'm calling this 1980s gown The Dingbat, due to its fabulous wing-like appendages highlighting one's derriere.
I snaffled it up from a Facebook friend who was selling off some gear to, of course, make room for more pretties.

Vintage lucite bangle - a gift from The Phoenix

Awesome lion necklace - from Miss A

Evil eye earrings - Etsy shop, Bones Couture

Feather cape - second hand

Don't bury yourself alive, be fucken GaNg$Ta.

And stay GaNg$Ta baby.
Love Desiree xxx