"I Killed a Guy With a Trident"

I'm about as gleeful as Brick Tamland when he regaled his street fighting skills on Anchorman.
Why?
Because Number One Son is in town.
We went to the movies together for the first time in seven years (we saw Gangster Squad).
We ate sushi and raspberry liquorice and hard jubes.
We drank much coffee and ate burgers together.
We went op-shopping.
We talked rubbish and giggled like old mates, just the two of us.

We can still watch Anchorman, Stepbrothers and 40-Year-Old-Virgin after all these years and still laugh like a pair of idiots.

Oh and he didn't mind me dressing in my "squalid glamour" style.
The lad told me as we walked out the door, "I love how you just throw something together and it looks great".
Bless.

1960s beaded top - Etsy, Niddie's Rag and Bone Shop

Edwardian petticoat - Etsy, Auvergne Memories

1950s tapestry bag - gifted by my lovely sister

Green velvet bow - gifted by Glitters for Dinner

Jewellery - thrifted and Etsy

VW Melissa Mary Jane's - shopped by lovely Idee Fixe

At the oppies I picked up a baby book, which #1 Son decided he needed it for his coffee table, while Unreliable Memoirs is one of the funniest books I've ever read and re-read.
I swear that's gotta be Ron Burgundy printed on the boys' Funky Trunks I bought at an op-shop.
Surprisingly, when I tried them on I did not repeat Ron's words, "I immediately regret this decision".
Oh and what are the Chupa Chups for?
Sugar-loading supplies.
Because #1 Son, The Phoenix and I are off to jump around like loonies at the Big Day Out on the Gold Coast tomorrow - WOO HOO!!!
The first and last time I went to BDO was on my 40th birthday and since I'm turning 45 on Tuesday (oh yeah - you all got it right, spot the Aquarius!) I thought it was time I saw the Red Hot Chilli Peppers LIVE!!
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!
See ya in the First Aid tent - hahahaaaa!
Baci,
Desiree xoxo

The Pretty Things are Going to Hell

No don't look at the hair, I had no idea the wind had blown the bejesus out of it.
But I must say it was a welcome cool breeze, so I wore the delicious 1970s nylon frock Mrs D of Hello the Mushroom sent me last week.
A perfect fit.
And gosh, a bit of tan-action going on there with all the swimming we've been doing this summer.

Summertime also means mosquitoes come a'flocking and I end up a'scratching, resulting in delightful join-the-dots scabs and scars.
Hmmmmm.

Evidence of lots of sea and sand: peeling toenail polish.
Meh!

Frock - gifted by Mrs D of Hello the Mushroom

Crochet bangle - art gallery bargain

Anklets - gifted by reader, Tra-la-la

All other jewellery - thrifted

Bag - craft market

VW Melissa wedges - Melissa sale

Well that was a few days ago.
Today I found this gorgeous print in the Salvos for $10, it's called The Ice Cream Vendor, by Huldah Cherry Jeffe (1901-2001).
I did a wee search on Huldah and many of her beautiful paintings depict exquisite red-cheeked Parisian lassies with huge sparkly eyes and bright red lips.
So charming.

I even love the crumbling frame.
I have a "thing" for imperfections, they convey warmth and a life well-lived.

The latest treasure joined my wall of portraits of women.
I've been collecting pictures of interesting female faces for about a decade now, I ran out of wall space long ago, yet I can't give it up.
I'm not interested in landscapes.
I love faces or paintings of furnished rooms: evidence of humanity.

My two Madonna's chat, debate and bicker constantly.
I bought the Vogue single from Nelly of Vintage Wishes.

This rather old and faded patchwork quilt covers up the sofa cushions that are getting tatty - just three bucks from Vinnies.

There seems to be an abundance of lovely old aprons in the op shops and I love this one of Australian wildflowers.
I picked up both the apron and gingham tablecloth for a couple of bucks from Vinnies.

No time for make-up today.
Not a scrap.
Only time to slide on this glorious 1960s slip I snapped up for a song from The Slipperie's Boxing Day sale.
It has embroidered flowers on the bodice and frill **faints**.

Another Etsy bargain, this time from Niddiebone; a 1930s fine silk bed jacket for just five bucks!
Yes I did scream with joy when I unwrapped it.

1960s rayon slip - Etsy, The Slipperie

1930s silk bed jacket - Etsy, Niddie's Rag and Bone Shop

Green skull necklace - craft market

1950s tapestry bag - gifted by my dear sister

Anklets - gifted by Tra-la-la

All other jewellery - thrifted

Shoes - as before

I hope you're hanging in there, you can do it, yes you can!
Love Desiree xo

Why Yes, I Did Cut My Own Hair!

Long story short, I burned my hair a few weeks ago when I was bleaching my roots.
I left the bleach in too long and it kinda sizzled both my brain AND my hair.
Truth is, I got really distracted reading fabulous blogs and couldn't tear myself away from the 'puter.
So when I got back from the Gold Coast early last week, I decided I couldn't stand living with a floor mop on my head and hacked most of the shite off.

I used barber's scissors to razor cut it like I normally do, but just hacked deeper.
Why didn't I go to a hairdresser?
Because I've never found one that gives good head (massage), can remain mute for the ENTIRE appointment and charges forty bucks instead of $280.

I'm sure even Limahl had a bad hair day/year/decade.

Carni gals haven't got time for freakin' hairdressing appointments anyway.
They're too busy adjusting their underwear, perfecting their routines, sewing costumes and flirting with the tattooed man.

Skirt and metal necklaces - gifted by Mrs D of Hello the Mushroom

Birdie anklets - gifted by soon-to-be-blogger, Tra-la-la

Headband, bag, green necklace - craft markets

Pink necklace - gifted by Vespa princess, Krista

Bangles - thrifted and gifted

Vintage bra - Etsy shop, Auvergne Memories

Pink sunnies - Etsy

VW Melissa Wedges - Melissa sale

Oh and there's the circus fan mail to stay on top of too.
The delicious Mrs D of Hello the Mushroom sent me a parcel of joy and I actually squealed at the sight of the goodies.
Well that's the response one expects from a parcel of joy isn't it?

Included was a gorgeous crocheted collar she made herself and lots of hair clips and badges for The Stylist - which she has snaffled and is making good use of.
There were VERY cute brooches that I adore!
Mrs D also sent me a 1970s frock, two skirts and a cotton shirt.
Happy dance!

Thank you so much darling woman!

But wait, there's more!
Tra-la-la has been a kind reader and hilarious commenter here on Pull Your Socks Up! for a long spell and informs me that 2013 is the year she's probably going to take the plunge and start her own blog - YAAAAAAY!
She sent me this freakin' awesome Vivienne Westwood Red Nose Day t-shirt and I nearly pee'd my pants with excitement!!

Miss Simmonds Says and I have been planning our "dream wedding", which includes her in a Marie Antoinette gown, me decked out in head-to-toe fairy lights and doggies running wild.
I think all the guests should wear Red Nose nipple pasties and ideally we'd have birthday girl, Helga von Trollop leap out of a giant cake and do her thaaaaaaaaaaang.
You're invited.

Tra-la-la also sent me these birdie anklets, which I've been wearing non-stop and adorable goodies including the "Perfect" prefect's badge.

Thank you adorable woman!

I had a wee window of time during the week to fly through the op shops and grabbed this  woven cotton bag ... 

... in which these two wee bags were housed.
Three for the price of one - bonus.
Snaffled by The Stylist.

Honestly, I nearly fell over myself to grab this two-meter length of 1970s cotton fabric for a buck.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeep!

I can't help myself when I see pure cotton vintage sheets.
They come home with mama.

One of my favourite junk shops had enormous crochet cushions for four bucks each.
Here are pics of both sides of the round one, it's soooooooooooo comfy and squishy!

It needed a friend and The Stylist and I both gasped and grabbed with snatching hands at this treasure.
Whenever I look at it, I think of Sarah Misfit and hope her beautiful beach shack remains intact in the midst of the wildfires that threaten her paradise home.

Wee lassie dressing up in mama's best gear, complete with giant bow and hair flowers - my kinda gal.
She really should be gracing a wall, not mopping up our dishes.

I've never been able to resist Kiwi kitsch and this tea towel is no exception.

Oh and I found this beautiful needlework evening bag with pansies on both sides.
That darling bag, she just thkweemed and thkweemed and thkweemed to come home with me.

I understand girly tanties.

Here's a lovely hair orgy for you to enjoy.
Oh c'mon you know you want to, no-one's watching.