Monday 3 December 2012

I want to be good, is that not enough?




It's been a busy weekend, but a good one.




Judging by the outfit, you would be forgiven for thinking I've been auditioning for Principal Boy in Jack and the Beanstalk.

Well, we are approaching panto season, after all.






The big highlight was going to see Squeeze last night.


There was a big crowd of 40 and 50-somethings, all of whom sang along and knew every word to all the old favourites (and yes, Vix, of course they played Up the Junction!)


The songs they released from 1978 to 1982 are full of such memories of my teenage years, I played the East Side Story album to death.


Might have had a teeny crush on Glenn Tillbrook too...





It looks worryingly like I have forgotten to put anything on under my coat... how unseemly!

But I'm not even going to ask if this mini dress is too short for me. It's too late now anyway, I wore it out to see the band, and I didn't notice anyone laughing.

Check out my new woolly beanie - it's from Vix!






The postman is working on Sundays now, in readiness for the Christmas rush, and it felt a little as though Christmas had come early when a parcel of deliciousness from Vix was delivered on Sunday morning!



A super-groovy 1960s dress, which Vix had pimped up with extra bling-y braid, a beanie, a gorgeous little fur collar hand made with love by Vix herself, a quilted waistcoat, and Linda Grant's book The Thoughtful Dresser, which I have been meaning to read for ages but never quite got round to it.




Oh and some nail varnishes too, which are awaiting a little clean-up operation after a lid came loose... Vix had the presence of mind to send them in a plastic bag, so the damage was limited!


Thank you, Vix, I love my gifts. 



Mini/tunic dress, Doreen Shuttleworth, beaded pendant, bangles and leather bag - charity shopped
Suede jerkin - gift from Lucy
Leggings - jumble sale
Boots - retail 



See, I told you that jerkin is never off my back - I'm a bit obsessed with it!




Apologies to those of you who are unfamiliar with Squeeze, because you are;
a) too young;
 b) too cool;
 or c) live in a country where the band's quintessentially British observations of life and relationships achieved no airplay or success!

Here they are in their youthful 1978 days, and a more recent version of Goodbye Girl, which might just be my favourite Squeeze song. 



Oh the memories..
 














Linking up over at Patti's, check those lovely ladies out!


 xxxx


44 comments:

Fiona said...

Oooh I love Squeeze, so that makes me both old and uncool eh? Yeah that's about right then! I've got one of their LP's in the loft but I'd be hard pressed to come up with a favourite song because they are all so fab.
Luuuurve your mini dress, the print is psychedelicious. How fab to have a parcel from Vix too, all in all it sounds like you had a top weekend.
x

Kylie said...

Oh Curtise I love Squeeze. They were referred to as U.K. Squeeze here (just like the Beat were referred to as the British Beat) They were a big part of my teenage music listening years. "There's a stain on my notebook where your coffee cup's been..." "I never though it could happen with me and the girl from Clapham" I could go on and on. I love the stories in their songs. Love. What an awesome way to spend a Sunday evening. I'm going to hum those songs while I do the dishes x

Vix said...

Thank goodness for Up The Junction, I still know all the words off by heart! Does Jools Holland still do the occasional guest slot or is he too famous these days??
You look entirely fabulous in your jerkin and Doreen's dress. That beenie looks gazillion times better on you, too. The lack of fringe makes me look like an escaped loony!
Love ya! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Vintage Bird Girl said...

Can't say I've ever heard of Squeeze. I'm rather pleased if that makes me sound youthful! She's got legs...she knows how to use them!!!!! You look amazing, jerkin, mini, tights & boots all on that bod with that hair. Fab Fab Fab! And squee to another parcel of joy from Vix. Her parcels are legendary! Xx Jerkin always makes me think I'm saying gherkin wrong.

Ivy Black said...

Well slap my thigh...well your thigh, though you can slap my thigh if you want...
I love Squeeze, top musicians and poets I always think. Up the Junction is perfection and Cool for Cats is one of my favourite songs of all time. Fecking brilliant. I'm glad they were as good as they should have been.
No that mini isn't too short...not for those pins.
Big wet ones,
Em
xxxxxxx


Anonymous said...

I never heard of Squeeze and not because I'm cool, but because I live in a foreign country, I'd love to sing along all their songs in a trio with you and Vix!!Her presents are all beautiful and I like how she revamped the dress!Talking about dresses I love the one you are wearing, the print is great and the lenght is perfect on you and with those great boots!
Have a wonderful week!!
xxxx

Melanie said...

Does she look like a principal boy? Oh no she doesn't!
You look just lovely and I'm glad you enjoyed the gig x

Patti said...

You are so fabulously ready for a concert, looking fab. The package from Vix, wow- treasures! Let's see the new dress on you. Thanks for sharing the musical memories with Visible Monday.

thorne garnet said...

What? You guys get mail on SUNDAY!!!Damn, what a civilized country you live in. If my legs looked as good as yours, I'd be wearing my skirt short, too.

Anonymous said...

"Tempted by the fruit of another......"

Love your jerkin and mini outfit--look at those LEGS!!!!

OOOOOO goodies from Vix--can't wait to see you rocking them!!

Fran said...

Yeah,mail on Sunday, wow - how logical at Christmas time. That outfit is perfect for a concert. So envious of your ability to wear outfits like this. Gorgeous jacket and boots.

Unknown said...

Im hopeless with music well groups anywhere i love it and listen to radio 2 all the time but i was never into anyone really oh except i loved duran duran and earasure ;-) when i was in my teens. Loving your outfit you look well fit. Gorgeous goodies from Vix love the red hat your need that at the moment its blinking freezing. dee xxx

Unknown said...

Im hopeless with music well groups anywhere i love it and listen to radio 2 all the time but i was never into anyone really oh except i loved duran duran and earasure ;-) when i was in my teens. Loving your outfit you look well fit. Gorgeous goodies from Vix love the red hat your need that at the moment its blinking freezing. dee xxx

Krista said...

Wow Curtise you are a statuesque beauty this morning! This is a totally rocking concert outfit, you are HOT!!!! That waist will see so many miles put on it from you and what a ride it will be.

Your parcel from Vix is is all sorts of cool, I can't wait to see you in the dress! I love the part she added too. I am part of that group that never heard of squeeze but after a listen it is quite catchy. I'm glad to hear the weekend rocked!
xxoo

Connie said...

Squeeze. Hmmm...not familiar but I love the acoustic vid. Sounds like a way fun evening. I haven't been out in ages! You look so cute in a mini. I can't even imagine what panto season is!
Connie*

Anonymous said...

Mmm don't think I know Squeeze, being a Canuck, and age 12 (and very uncool) in 1982! Though my hubby, also a pianist, says Jools Holland is one of the best pianists out there for Boogie Woogie.

Love the saucy dress, and no, how could it be too short when your gams look so great? And how lovely to get such nifty pressies in the post. xoxo

Anonymous said...

P.S. Hubby just introduced me to an 80s video of the band on Youtube (funny) and also listened to the more recent Up Junction - I like that folksy sound!

Dawn said...

Curtise you look great, I was hoping that you wore this out and you did!!! Long, thin, legs deserve to be shown off. Love the dress on you...did you get squeezed by anyone? dawn suitcase vignettes xo

lucy joy said...

A well-deserved grown-up weekend for you, brilliant. Just the ticket as an interlude between school Christmas chaos and home Christmas chaos.
What an exquisite print on that dress,very good fit I say.
Jerkins work because they add a bit of warmth without hiding the rest of your outfit, I think.

Squeeze - wonderful stuff, excellent lyricists and musicians - must have some very fond memories of listening to them.

I'd say more Pan's People than Panto with those legs Curtise - get 'em out more!

Lucy x

lucy joy said...

A well-deserved grown-up weekend for you, brilliant. Just the ticket as an interlude between school Christmas chaos and home Christmas chaos.
What an exquisite print on that dress,very good fit I say.
Jerkins work because they add a bit of warmth without hiding the rest of your outfit, I think.

Squeeze - wonderful stuff, excellent lyricists and musicians - must have some very fond memories of listening to them.

I'd say more Pan's People than Panto with those legs Curtise - get 'em out more!

Lucy x

Thrift Bee said...

I'm another old and uncool one so.
Cool for Cats an all time favorite for me too. Brought me right back.

Great outfit. Loving the gerkin/jerkin?.....waistcoat not pickle.

Russ sends kisses.

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

I never thought it would happen to me and a girl from Clapham.....
My mum confiscated that single when I bought it - she thought it was too graphic!

Anonymous said...

You look fab in your short skirt. Why would anyone laugh? Bet they were envious.
Lovely goodies from Vix and a Squeeze concert - what a weekend!

Sarah Jane said...

Well, of course I have heard of Squeeze so I supppose that makes me both old and uncool. Who could forget that milk advert from the 80's with 'Cool for Cats'. I used to live in 'Clapham Street' so Mr N used to joke that he'd fallen in love with "the girl from Clapham"! :)

I do like the jerkin but I am especially enamoured of your coat. If you ever get bored of it just let me know and we can do a swapsies!!! ;) xxx

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

I like it better when you be bad. Wicked, wicked cool boots, you sexy thang. I thought you were wearing a tunic and skinny jeans, so was a bit surprised when you worried your dress might be too short. Which it isn't.

Louise Mc said...

I love your principal boy look, I always wanted to be the principal boy in panto when I was a kid. I spotted a suede jerkin just like yours in the charidee shop today, but it was too small for me, gutted! Xx

Rachel said...

Very very nice Curtise. like Lynne I am doing no length-questioning, it looks like a (great) tunic and leggings. You look damn foxy, if I may say so x

Unknown said...

Rock star mini for a rock star chick! You look so SEXXXY in that fab frock - you have spectacular legs, so why not show em off. I love the jerkin too - I say never take it off! You are MY UK Squeeze.

LOVE! Sarah xxx

citizen rosebud said...

Your mini is not too short- you look so freakin' gooooood! Love your hair, your hat, your sassy short hemline and that jerkhin. Yup. You are a juicy squeeze!

bonsaimum said...

Go Girl, you can wear ANYTHING.

silvergirl said...

love that you are wearing the jerkin again and that i get to say the word outloud again lol
your coat is fab btw
brett

Camelia Crinoline said...

There's nothing unseemly about showing a bit of leg. I love the coat and beret.

Trees said...

I LOVE that mini dress on you - so fabulous! Vix really sends the best packages doesn't she. I LOVE Mail! :D

CityScape Skybaby said...

Another old and uncool one here Curtise, I think Cool For Cats and Up the Junction sum up middle school for me, along with Oliver's Army and Baggy Trousers, and my friend Wendy's version of Too Much Too Young. Lucky you going to see Squeeze, had a little Glenn Tilbrook crush myself, though admittedly I've had a crush on just about every popstar going. Love your mini dress and your jerkin is getting lots of outings so Lucy obviously picked a winner, lots of loveliness from Vix too! xx

Miss Simmonds Says said...

I love Squeeze, Glenn was rather cute. Although Up The junction, beautiful as it is, makes me rather depressed. I love cool for cats obviously and tempted too. I'm sure they turn up in a young ones episode too.
You look stunning, definitely not too short - but have you noticed how you and lovely Joni are starting to look a like in your sexy but casual but sophisticated mini skirts? Love the jerkin. Wear it to death. Vix sends the best parcels, lets see you model the fur collar xxxx

Unknown said...

Nah ... if you have the legs (and you do!) go for it if the spirit moves. Beenie and all were a lovely gifts from your friend, Vix. Good for you both.

Vicky Hayes said...

Oh I do love a Principal Boy look Curtise and my hands are doing that grabby thing to your jerkin that the ringwraiths do in Lord of the Rings when they want the ring! Glad you enjoyed the Squeeze concert - coincidentally I was singing Up the Junction (or up the duff as we used to call it) only the other day! Thank you for your get well wishes. Hope you're better too - I think it takes a while to recover from a flu thing. Vicky x

Annie said...

I love your Principal Boy look, and that jerkin is proving an absolute winner.

What a great parcel from Vix, can't wait to see the dress. I've been wearing my faux fur collar all week, love it.

I knew you'd have a great time at Squeeze. Did they do 'Tempted'? That's one of my favourites. xxx

The Style Crone said...

Wearing a short dress with your great legs is a must! I love the pattern of the tunic and the parcel of gifts from Vix. Live music keeps us young and happy!

Forest City Fashionista said...

You look like you're ready for a squeeze in that sassy mini!! A big YAY for us over 40 dames in mini skirts. I am old, but not British, and I am familiar with the music of Squeeze - when I worked in a used record store (remember when they had those..) we got to play whatever we wanted.

Helga said...

Jerkin obsesses! Huzzah! And why not?!
Yay for parcels of joy,and legs peeping out sexaciously form a short frock! Squeeze! I remember them! Yeah! It's a bit of a feast of reunions lately,which is pretty awesome.I just need Siouxsie and the Banshees to get back together and come here,so I can die a happy lass!
Love you!XXXXXXXXX

Diane said...

If I hadnt had been in London Town I would have gone to the Squeeze thing - I saw Glen Tilbrooke at the 02 last year and I too have a bit of a crush!!! I Loved their songs - my all time fave is "This Summer" as it makes me feel like I am a teenager! You'd nhave loved the Human League, but I have to say we bought the tickets right back in Spring. They were fab though. x

Lou said...

Now I think I may have seen Squeeze when I was younger... My Dad used to take me to Guilfest and I think we saw then! I was either too young or thinking I was too cool to care! x

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Stupendous pins, lady! Such a groovy outfit, perfect for the concert. I love how Vix's gifted beanie frames your lovely face. Nice to see Doreen again too, and those boots are amazing!