Why I Love Second Hand Books
July 22, 2011One Look, Two Ways
July 27, 2011Last year I went to War & Peace for the first time.
Despite me having lived in Kent for years I’d never been, but I loved it and swore to come back this year and bring Mr Chick along with me.
A lot of the bits that I particularly enjoyed last year (like the living history area and Kent Photo Archive) were exactly the same, so next year I think I’ll try and make sure I have more time to spend watching the shows in the main tent, though to be honest it’s kind of worth the entrance fee for the shopping, if you’ve got some money to spend!
What WAS different from last year was the weather. Last year I was hot and dusty by the end of the day. This year I was cold and muddy. The ground was significantly slippier underfoot, but I am counting my lucky stars that it didn’t rain!
I popped in and visited Shona from Heyday VS and while I was there tried on one of the new Mary dresses. I have one in green, but the cut has changed very slightly, with a larger waist and slightly fuller hips, and the fabric is now has a lovely matt crepey look, making it much easier to wear for day. I’m hopefully getting my mitts on another one in peacock blue soon, but my size wasn’t on the stall, so I’ll have to wait a bit!
Shona was having her hair done when I arrived (sorry Shona)
When I went back a bit later she was transformed with the most amazing Victory Rolls! P.S. if you like her suit keep an eye on Heyday come the autumn.
We’re both a bit squinty because it was one of those overcast but bright days.
So, anyway, what did I BUY?
Well, I didn’t buy this suit.
I love the suit, but I noticed a price tag on the hat that was over £300, and I suspect it was unlikely that the suit was the cheaper of the two pieces so I ceased looking. It wouldn’t have fit anyway.
I did get 2 books, a pair of glasses, some rain bonnets and some wave clips.
The wave clips I’m sure I will post more about when I’ve had chance to play with them properly. I’m quite excited! I also have a new setting lotion/gel to trial so I shall be needing some quality time alone with my hair over the next couple of weeks (life is hard)
The glasses were a bit of an impulse purchase and I need to get my prescription lenses put in them. Currently the lenses in them are strong and I can’t see myself in a mirror, so an emergency iPhone photo to check they suited is all I have (complete with price tag!) ! Apparently Specsavers can do the lenses, I just hope they don’t break them as I will be sad. I need another sight test first anyway, so I imagine I shall procrastinate for months before I do it anyway!
I’ve already had a nice flick through the Good Housekeeping book. It’s a selection of pages and articles from the magazine throughout the 1940s. It’s fascinating, though if I have a complaint it’s that often full articles aren’t reproduced and you get engrossed only to find the words “continued on page 141” which it isn’t. Boo.
Lastly, I bought a hat. It’s actually on my head in the 2 photos above, but you can’t see it as it sits at the back, so here it is:
It’s a little brown felt beret style hat with a stand up stalk, and apparently it “goes well with my hair” I agree, as it covers my roots which are currently appalling.
Just in case you have formulated the opinion that I went to War & Peace specifically to go shopping and look at people’s hair I will leave you with a few photos from the Living History area.
13 Comments
It was my first W&P this year and I shall certainly return next summer. Maybe for 2 days so I can actually see it all! I only saw some tanks shifting about – and heard to booms for a way off. Needed to get me to the arena to actually *see* something!
Ooooohhhh! SPECS! They really suit you! I had a good haul on the stall opposite Shonas – most things reduced to a fiver! WIN!!!
I was a bit annoyed with the stall opposite Shona’s. I asked for a discount if I bought a cardigan and a hat and she went off on a bit of a rant about how expensive it was for her to be there! I felt irritated, and a bit put out, so I only bought the hat as I couldn’t really afford both at full price. Humph.
If you got a blue cardigan for £5 that’s MY blue cardigan 😉
Awww MEAN photo!! Geez! That is Natasha from Lipstick and Curls who came down and did my hair, she knows I don’t get away from the stall much so I got a special treat.
The hat and glasses look fab on you Gemma, and it was lovely to see you!
Now, just a wee correction, the Mary dresses have a slightly LARGER waist now, not smaller. But it is ONLY slightly… Just wanted to squash any rumors!
Shona
PS: I didn’t see the blue cardy in the £5 pile, methinks it sold before then.
Ugh, I knew that, I was obviously being an idiot! I shall go fix!
Oooh! Lovely spectacles, great hat, sounds like a good day. X
Looks like a fab day out. I must keep an eye out for next year. And the glasses are great shape on you!
I’m not sure there’s any excuse for a stall holder having a bit of a rant, if she could do you a discount for two items, I’m sure just a polite ‘I’d love to but I can’t sorry’ would have sufficed! The pics are super, I’d love to get to this next time. x
That looks like a fun day out. The glasses look fab – hope the new lenses go in okay.
Shona looks amazing with her Victory Rolls and suit, like an Andrews sister!
Sigh, a bit gutted I didn’t make this. Will def get there next year, and like LG I might take a day off and go for a couple of days. Love the hat and specs x
Looks a fantastic day out! I will have to venture outside-the-M25 for next year’s.
Those specs are lovely.
I’m also loving the plastic camel in the living history area. Superb!
Like? No, I LOVE the heyday suit!!! Searching for a suited 2-piece in a good size is a never ending story…I hope that might be my happy end 🙂
Very nice bargains, I´m just a little bit jealous now 😉
I really must get my bum to this next year, it looks wonderful!
You look wonderful in that dress, and I love the little hat you picked up! Doesn’t Shone look delightful in that suit too? xxx