Friday 7 June 2013

I Found Love In Chesterfield



It was lying next to the wash basin in Wetherspoons' toilets and it seemed a shame to leave it behind.


Yesterday I left the Black Country, hooked up with Annie at Birmingham's New Street station and hopped on a northbound train to Derbyshire to meet Curtise and Tania for a rummage around the legendary Chesterfield flea market.


After Curtise blogged about one of her weekly trips I was desperate to go and experience the wonder of the Thursday flea for myself and I wasn't disappointed, a mix of vintage fair and car boot sale set in the heart of a fabulously vibrant Victorian town.


This lady had some incredible vintage and antique jewellery and really knew her stuff.


Everything from everyday bric-a-brac


Soft porn


Retro tat
(I was very tempted by this groovy Pifco salon hair dryer but didn't fancy lugging it back on the train).


Fruit and veg


Cow bells


and cutlery!
Check out Annie doing a bit of cheeky haggling.


The owner of this stall is a hotelier in France and crosses the Channel once a week to sell her French and Belgian vintage textiles and artefacts. I can't stop thinking about that boar's head - I wish I'd bought it now! He'd make a great hat display.


We had a brilliant time chatting to and bantering with the traders. Even if I'd bought nothing I wouldn't have cared, I just love Curtise, Tania and Annie's company.


No blogging day out would be complete without a trip to Wetherspoons and Chesterfield's The Portland is a particularly grand one (and it reminded us of Krista). We ordered pitchers of cocktails, swapped parcels and caused a sensation amongst the regulars. 



Here's my pressies!  Obligatory blogger ceramic deer, crystal swan, Ganesh charm, Umberto Giannini hair sparkle, incense and Volver from Tania; Biba bag & a retro Cheese tea towel from Curtise and some VW bookmarks from Annie.

I finally managed to sew my Dollyrockers dress back together.

I'm happy to report that the Wetherspoons pensioners are just as frisky up north as they are down the road in the Midlands. As he couldn't take his eyes off us I got Dave (with the knuckle tattoos and trackie bottoms) to take a group photo as we failed miserably on our last day out.


The toilets were some of the swankiest we'd ever seen (and the only place to get a break from hoards of gawping blokes). 


After a whizz round the fine array of town centre chazzas (where I scored a 1960s leather duffel bag and a vintage gent's Liberty cravat) we stopped off for an ice cold lager before heading back to the station. 


The time just flew. We had a fantastic time, a right old laugh, found bargains galore and the sun even made an appearance. I love my blogging buddies.

Yesterday's lime green leather bag (£3.99, Age UK, Chesterfield) & Curtise's floral maxi worn with 1970s denim swimsuit (Maisie's Closet Vintage), denim waistcoat (courtesy of Lucy), Orange enamel pendant (the sweetest Squirrel), Ted Lapidus vintage sunglasses (given to me free by the charity shop manager when I bought my white ones 4 years ago), New-to-me River Island orange suede cork wedges (a present from a friend)
Curtise also gave me this gorgeous maxi skirt which got an outing today when I nipped into town for an obligatory trip around the chazzas (I came back with a sackful of bargains!) 

Stay tuned - I'll show you my favourite Chesterfield find very soon, it's definitely worthy of it's own post.

Have a fabulous weekend!

72 comments:

  1. It looks as though you had a wonderful time. That hair dryer is wonderful, it's times like this when you need a bona fide Mary Poppins bag to pop things in xxx

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  2. What a great day, wish I could join in! I was thinking of you guys yesterday, you found some wonderful things x

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  3. This sounds like a lovely day! The market looks great too, I''d love to get the boar's head and some of that jewellery xxx

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  4. Looks great. I would've had to buy some of those things on that jewellry stall.

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  5. How envious am I that you got to go to the legendary Chesterfield flea market? Looks like you had a ball and got some first rate bargains. Your new skirt from Curtise is so Maxtastic and I love how you put this outfit together. Great photo of the Wetherspoon bogs!
    xx

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  6. I have been waiting to see you ladies I couldn't take off without having a peek. Ah these photos are wonderful you actually made me feel like I was having a wander with you all. LOVE that second photo, there is your group shot! The prettiest bunch that what's you ladies were so sure, why look at all that color and vintage goodness!

    That market looks just stocked full of something for everyone and if you left the boar head but got something worthy of its own post, what could this be!!!! TEASE!!!!! Always leave us wanting more:)

    I'm smiling that you went to a grand Wetherspoons called portland and thought of me. I love the shot of you glass on the landing waiting for the train in the sunshine. These pictures didn't make me sad at all, I miss you so much but my god you guys took us all along.

    I love you Vix! Your comment about my gladiators reminding you of my first post got me a bit teary. You are such a genuine sweetheart. I also need to say you are looking foxy in that maxi skirt from Curtise. Sun kissed is your best look.

    Can't wait to see more and can't wait to join you ladies .....someday.
    XXXOOOOXXXOO

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  7. Brilliant! Simply BRILLIANT!!

    Love that Dollyrockers dress on you. You did a great fitting job on it; it looks amazing on you.

    Thanks for sharing those great pics and good times with us. :)

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  8. Ah ladies you all look so exquisite in your heavenly dresses! I adore your white number Vix, you're a total Aphrodite goddess in it... of course you found love in Chesterfield!
    p.s. I'm excited that there may be more 10 maxis on the website by the middle of next week, will keep a good look out for them :) I so want to get myself a Kinky Melon dress.

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  9. Vix, I'm so jealous!
    It looks like such a wonderful and fun outing and you all look ready to bloom with all of the flowers prints and colors!
    The board's head would have giving me nightmares, I would taking the textiles instead.
    Have a lovely weekend,

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  10. What an amazing looking place. My friend Melissa has been and raved about a particular book stall (once a librarian always etc!)never mentioned anything else about it!

    Oh and I shouted out 'I can see an elephant!' about the 5th picture, sad, very sad.

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  11. The market looks amazing! Looks like you had a wonderful time.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  12. You all looks so beautiful! Love how you attract the oldies in the pub (frisky pensioners, eh?!)

    That boar's head would look lovely sporting a pink 70s wide-brimmed hat wouldn't it?! :)

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  13. I know you all delighted the pensioners!! That's always good. Glad your weather was so pretty, that helps too! I could drone on and on, feeling sorry for myself that I can't join you, but I'll be a big girl and just say I'm green with envy. You had the day of my dreams, friends and all.

    Also want to say I'm madly in love with that vest from yesterday. Love everything about that post, actually. Xxxoooo

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  14. I know you all delighted the pensioners!! That's always good. Glad your weather was so pretty, that helps too! I could drone on and on, feeling sorry for myself that I can't join you, but I'll be a big girl and just say I'm green with envy. You had the day of my dreams, friends and all.

    Also want to say I'm madly in love with that vest from yesterday. Love everything about that post, actually. Xxxoooo

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  15. Your posts are always mind blowing! Especially when they feature your wonderful clothes, makets and beautiful and colorful bloggers!! Since Curtise wrote about this amazing antique market I dream to visit it everyday, those stalls are enchanting ,the atmosphere is magic and everything is so interesting!! I apprecciate the sneak peek at the erotic books, great publications!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Love xxxxxxxxxx

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  16. Oh I remember Curtise's post and how it made me want to visit the very same Chesterfield flea market. Damnit, I am so jealous! Looks like an amazing time was had by all. And some flippin fabulous treasures scored. looks like you had great weather for it too. I need that market in my life:( xxxx

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  17. What an awesome bunch of stuff. What an awesome bunch of BABES!!!!

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  18. What a nice bunch of bloggers you are! splendid day you had!
    So happy for you girls and bit jealous:)
    Have a great weekend

    Ariane

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  19. wouuaau, lovely bunch of ladies rocking the fair!!, you're fabulously gorgeous!, and love watching that pretty meetings to thrift and fun!
    besos & colorful ladies

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  20. Didn't we have a fabulous day? The good folk of Chesterfield were very excited to see you, darling, you could have pulled several times over, so you definitely found love. Or lust. Or both!
    It was a joy to be able to show you round the market and I am delighted that every one of us went home with some treasure. You definitely are keeping the best till last - I've seen that special find, and I cannot WAIT to see it in action!
    Love the pics (I don't seem to have many, too busy talking as usual), loved the day, love you in that maxi (sorry about the hem coming down...) and the denim waistcoat, love that you got a souvenir from the Wetherspoons' loos, and most of all I love YOU! As does half of Chesterfield now...
    Can't wait till the next time! xxxxx

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  21. You certainly did find love! I've never seen anything like it, it was a phenomenon! They'll be asking you back to turn on the Christmas lights! You looked a million dollars. It was so much fun to be a part of it all.

    I can't believe you had the appetite for more shopping today, that is hard core! That skirt from Curtise is perfect on you. I am such a sieve brain I can't even think what your best buy was, but that's good. I can look forward to finding out like everyone else. This is what it must feel like to be a goldfish! :)

    Looking forward to the next trip already! xxxxx

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  22. Geniales fotografías!El colgante precioso!
    Saludos y buen fin de semana.
    http://judithbysucre.blogspot.com.es

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  23. As much as I adore your clothes I envy them bad..Wish could HAVE a quarter of your wardrobe* wink wink*

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  24. What a great day and how i wish that i had bene there ...
    Xxx

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  25. Fab! You lovely lot rocked Chesterfield I can see! Love the finds and the sights and I ca't wait until Cardiff gets Vixated!
    Have a fantastic weekend.
    Only bloody loves ya.
    xxxxxxxxx

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  26. That Chesterfield post of Curtise's was enticing, wasn't it? So glad you all had a fun-and-treasure-filled day.
    You all look so bright and happy and colorful. It's no wonder that the pensioners were hot to trot for you four.

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  27. These are the best kind of days...hanging with girlfriends, shopping and a few cocktails! You look so happy and I can relate! Looking beautiful as always! XXX

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  28. what a great day. iam drooling . i'd love to go to that car boot sale. / by any chance vix is the black bag with the yellow flowers your?if so is it for sale? a friend of yours came to my shop today. small world. lucy

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  29. I just read about this day o Curtise's blog.
    I feel so left out.
    You all look so happy together.

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  30. No wonder you had to retreat to the loo - you all are babe-alicious. Wish I could've joined you xoxoxo

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  31. Holy hotness, you all look AMAZING! Your Dollyrockers frock was worth the revamp - it's incredible. I love Curtise in that gorgeous green number and the other ladies look beautiful too (the hot pink floral maxi is FAB!).

    Wow - I would LOVE this market! And I love what you love: the jewellery, the hair dryer, the SOFT PORN! The boar's head makes me feel ill, however.

    So glad you had such a fab day - Curtise's maxi skirt the following day is GOOORGEOUS and I can't wait to see you big purchase du jour!

    Love you more than pitchers of cocktails!

    Sarah xxx

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  32. I love that dress!! You all look amazing-- looks like so much fun!
    Becky :)

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  33. what a fun day. I've been cooped up for weeks, my fingers are going numb! Only 2 more weeks, then look out, the Salvation Army just relocated near my house.

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  34. I have really enjoyed reading the posts about the the trip with Curtise - you all clearly had a great time. I believe in the finders keepers rule with anything found on toilet basins, especially cool jewellery. The maxi skirt Curtise gave you is just fabulous. Looks like you are having wonderful sunny weather, hope you are enjoying your weekend, xx

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  35. Oh your pics of your meet-up are simply divooooooooon darling!!! What I would give to have been there in the sunshine, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the glorious treasures, haggling for treasures, languishing with you gorgeous wenches and engaging in much screeching!!!!! Your Dollyrockers frock has turned out beautifully and I love that you all wore maxis and had every male in the town on red alert!!!!!!! Ooooh and the skirt Curtise gave you needs a post of its own! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful day out with us here:). xoxoxoxoxoxo

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  36. OMG I love the photo of you all in the round mirror. Sunshine, I miss summer. Please send her back when you are done with her!!

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  37. You gloriarse, gorgeous bints!!! O, what I would give to have shared this day with you all!!! You all look sublime, and I am bedazzled by all the goodies that were on offer! (In more ways than one...)
    And sunshine!!! Scrumptious.
    Can't wait to see your best score!
    SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  38. Sounds like a great day out, whoo Im not far from Chestefield we go shopping there oftern. You all look like you had a great time, loving all your outfits :)

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  39. That Dollyrockers dress is absolutely lovely on you Vix, and by all accounts all of Chesterfield thought so too! You look a right happy bunch and your day out sounds great fun. I'm intrigued to see what your find is now, especially Curtise saying about seeing it in action, it does stuff? xx

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  40. Sounds like you had a fabulous time! You all look so glam! Everythings more fun in the sunshine isn't it? xxx

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  41. What a fab day you all had!
    And the sun shone always a bonus!

    I just love that jewellery stall a fair few things caught my eye. If only I lived closer.

    Hope you have a fantastic weekend.


    P x

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  42. Looks like the perfect day! food, friends, shopping and fancy frocks. No wonder the locals couldn't stop staring at your fabulous ladies!! Also "big book of breasts" made me giggle....

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  43. What a fabulous day out, you all look great. Love you in your denim waist coat and maxi.

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  44. Oh boy, does that ever sound like it was a fun day out! You all look terrific. It's no wonder you had to hide from the men in the washroom.

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  45. Very cool pics - you all look great!

    Today, I have a town carnival and classical concert to go to... think I might dress up. You've inspired me!

    Your new follower, Dx

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  46. I love all these photos! You all look gorgeous! That lime green bag just had to be bought, I hope you'll be showing us what else you bought. Come to Wycombe Wetherspoons and experience the sexy old men that lurk within. They just flock to you don't they? You know I'd head to the soft porn book stall. I@m so jealous that it's all too far away for a day trip! THat floral maxi is bloody gorgeous!! xxxxxx

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  47. I love the description of the wetherspoons drinker! They're the same down south too, why are the loo's so posh? I went in one that had a red suede sofa and a jade coffee table, better than my own front room! Your trip looked fantastic and good girly day out x

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  48. Wow Chesterfield Market looks awesome and I am not surprised you were all being gawped at as you look fantastic. Such a lovely opportunity to meet up xx

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  49. Days out with blogging buddies are the best, and once again you look to of had a glorious one. I know so many of us say but goodness I'd love to join in that fun with you ladies. Your Dollyrockers looks fabulous and I am smitten over your maxi skirt. I love a gorgeous maxi skirt.

    Looking forward to your finds post and just quietly I'm even more excited now for my blogging get together this coming week and then another the following they're the best. X

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  50. What a great day! Looks like so much fun!

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  51. It looks like you four had such a fun day. I bet you caused a sensation because they had never seen a group of such fabulously dressed people. I love your maxi. In fact, I love all your maxis.

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  52. I just wish I could have joined you, the fabulous four, in that market,ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.Great find, Vix.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

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  53. Looks like you had a great day! You all look fab so it's no wonder that you caused a sensation in the pub. I think it must be a Wetherspoons thing as I always find them full of pervy men! x

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  54. What an amazing market and day out! You all look super as ever.

    I think when they build a wetherspoons they install strange old men with the furniture! I've been in for brekkie coffee before and they are there before they're even serving booze - they must put them away in the evening and bring them back out in the morning!!

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  55. oh the soft porn books look awesome! :P
    love the LOVE necklace and other things..flea market shopping is a delight!

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  56. Looks like a brilliant day out! You all look so lovely! Blogging buddies, sunshine and flea markets, sounds like a perfect day, the boars head is class, think you should go back and get him x

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  57. The fea market is great and I so wish I could have visited Chesterfield. Cool ladies out looking for wonderful treasures!
    What a lovely find and very kind of someone to leave you some love. The necklace was meant for you and the stone is even your colour as well.
    Your long maxi skirt is gorgeous, almost a William Morris pattern... Me want it! :-)
    xx


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  58. This looks cool. I seriously don't remember the last time I've been to a place like this.

    7% Solution​

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  59. Wow, you look like you had a lot of fun!! What lovely stylish blogger ladies!!! I met a lovely blogger today too! Was tres exciting!x

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  60. Of course you all caused a sensation - just look at how stylish and sassy you look! What a wonderful market. I would have come away with a sackful of treasures - can't wait to see your find of the day.

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  61. Agreed, you should have bought the boar's head. You know what they say, hindsight is 20/20. Maybe the next time you go it will be waiting for you. Looks like you had a wonderful time with your girls.
    Following you via "bloglovin, found you via Visible Monday.

    Barbara @ www.allmylivesnow.com

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  62. Maxi magic and a grand adventure! As a lover of flea markets this one looks like the top of the line and the perfect place for the four of you. Waiting for the appearance of your Chesterfield find.

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  63. That skirt is gorgeous and looks fabulous on you and thanks for sharing pictures of your outing looks like you had a great time!! So many things to look at and all the more better sharing it with friends Love Heather

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  64. What a wonderful day! You look stunning as usual & I love your new maxi skirt. How I wish I could teleport myself over for one of your blogger meetups! Xx

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  65. What a wonderful day we had! You looked absolutely stunning in your Dollyrockers dress. I'm still thinking about all our fun, and I'm thrilled with all my treasures.

    Those Wetherspoons blokes were cards, weren't they? I could hardly keep a straight face when Dave was taking our group photo and they were all gawping at us. I felt almost famous!

    It was fab to see you, and I can't wait till next time.

    Love, Annie xxx

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  66. Great that you got to hang out with the ladies. I see some great stuff from the past - my grandmother's SINGER sewing machine, the heating machine for hair that I used to see my mom sitting under while I had to wait with a box of sun-dried raisin to snack on.. I love little market/bazaar like this.. brings back wonderful memories..

    GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES (a fashion and life-style blog)
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/

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  67. What a fab time you must have had. I love all those wonderful necklaces.

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  68. This looked like a competition for the most gorgeous vintage maxi dress - no wonder the old blokes were getting frisky! Looks like you all had a ball!

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  69. Gasps and gawking and the sounds of shattering glass I'm sure - it's a wonder stall-owners didn't charge you for all the items dropped in amazement as you all strolled by. Like a spring breeze - all the good things in life so close to their grasp. How many dreams did you inspire and sighs as women gazed into their beige closets? What a fantastic day!!!!

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  70. Vixcita,
    You gorgeous ladies look like you had a wonderful time.A vintage and car boot market, how super cool! I be at the soft porn stall.love Adorar you in your Dollyrockers frock and prosti eyeshadow.

    Besos

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  71. i love this post ... great pictures!
    hopefully the weather stays a little dry this weekend, we want to check out two flea markets around our holiday home.

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  72. Thanks for taking us along on your super fun blogger outing! I'm not surprised about all the hoards of gawping blokes, you hot gals all look right out of a 60's fashion spread!!!

    Would so love to have been there with all the lovely Blogging Goddesses! That market looks like a blast, and I love the stalls.

    And dang, wouldn't we all regret not buying a mummified boar's head to bring home to entertain or perhaps scare the guests! Yep, you could place it on the coffee table, and surrounded it with lots of those fake glass grapes and have quite a display!;)

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix