It’s the boy’s birthday on Friday so I’ve got to try and be romantic and creative in the next few days, ready for the big day. Presents are a secret for now, just incase he reads this. I’ll be sure to let you know what treats he gets and what culinary delights I whip up (ha!).

To keep you occupied in the meantime, here’s some Colleen Corby (I don’t think I’ve featured her on the blog before, but she’s one of my favourites). This magazine piece I found did make me chuckle…After all, though beautiful, she has the same emotions as any other girl.

New stock they did indeed have, my dress being amongst it. Love at first sight. It’s hanging on the outside of the wardrobe (where all things must hang until I’m over my crush – only then can they move into the darkness of the other side) and I’m rather chuffed that it’s mine. Perhaps you’ll be wonder what all the fuss is about, but trust me, it couldn’t be more me if it tried.

I’m desperate to tell you about something that happened last week, but I thought I would hold off until I had photographic evidence. But I’ve decided that I can’t wait to tell you, so I’m going to. Hopefully this will heighten your anticipation for the photos (I know, I’m deluded). So, here’s the thing. You know Retro Rehab, vintage shop extraordinaire? They had a sale last week. Not just any old sale, but a sale of clawing insanity. Basically, the idea was that you could buy a bag (just their ordinary plastic carrier bags) for a tenner and then fill it up as much you wanted (or as much as you could, as most interpretations went). They had filled the shop up to the brim with all their back-stock and devised this idea to get rid of it and make some cash.

Well, it worked. I had expected maybe a few other faithfuls when the shop opened at 11. Instead, there was a queue down the street. (Yes, I queued.) Vintage shopping makes us girls competitive, doesn’t it? Feral, even. I didn’t get to go in the shop in the first batch. Gutted. I had to watch through the window as girls greedily grabbed whatever fabric they liked and rolled it up tight and stuffed it into their bags. Some girls even had their boyfriends with them, for the purpose of holding the bags, of course.

They let the first batch of girls basically empty the shop in about half an hour. All of us stood out on the street were traumatised by the fact that there was nothing of any value left and wondered if there was any point waiting. But then! When the shop emptied they came out and announced that they were going to spend 10 minutes filling the shop back up! Yes! When they had done this, they let the next batch of eager girls in (me included). I couldn’t get close enough to the rails to look properly, so I decided upon the cunning technique of running my hand along and searching out any item that was not made of a static-shock-inducing material. I pulled out the item and if I saw any potential, kept it under my arm. I worked this process all around the shop. Then I bought a bag for a tenner and shoved them in, in order of importance.

In the end, I came out with 8 dresses. I have to say, I’m mightily impressed with my choices. I can’t show you them yet, because I need to do a major job with the fabric scissors and some bondaweb (all the dresses are much too long). If I had been truly cunning, I would’ve taken the fabric scissors with me and cut the excess material off there and then, thereby freeing up space in the bag for perhaps a couple more dresses. Alas, I am not made of such cunning. But I reckon 8 dresses for a tenner is a bit of a billy. I will take great pleasure, when anyone asks where the dresses are from (which I’m sure they will, they are that nice!), in telling them, “It was £1.25 from Retro Rehab!”

So, I need to get busy with the scissors. What better time to give my wardrobe a spring-clean too? In the meantime, here’s one of my favourite Parkinson photos. Would you believe me if I told you the girls in this picture are talking about the Retro Rehab sale?

I once bought a jumper in Retro Rehab and noticed a little pull on the back when I was at the till – woooosh! Out came the needle and thread and it was corrected in a flash! Now, that’s what I call service. It smells like sweeties in Retro Rehab. It’s painted candy green outside. It’s easy to understand why every beautiful item has been chosen. There’s plenty to choose from, but not too much so you don’t feel like you’re rummaging. I’ve never seen a dress in there for more than £26 – it’s cheap as chipshopchips. I always head straight to Retro Rehab when I want a guaranteed treat. You can pay on your card (handy!) and the girls in there are lovely. They have a wonderful sale rail all the time where I have bagged many a £1 piece that has gone on to dazzle.

I could probably say more about this wonderful shop, but suffice it to say it’s the perfect vintage shopping experience and you should all definitely go. It’s one of those shops that you try to keep secret at first; you want as few people to know about it as possible to ensure it doesn’t lose its sparkle. But, in an effort to be a better person, I’ve decided to spread the word today. Take the word and make use of it, I bid you.

So yeah, I popped in today. They’ve got bundles (the bundles aren’t bundled in any way, but arranged in perfectly neat rows according to style and colour and era (in that order)) of new stuff in for Spring. Eeeeeep! My knees literally went weak and I immediately feared for the safety of my bank card. There were lots of whites and creams and pastels and things perfect for summer weddings. I might have accidentally bought a dress which would do fabulously for said summer wedding, so if any of my friends fancy sorting one out pronto or if anyone who has already got one sorted fancies inviting me along, that’d be great, ta. It’s really beautiful, this dress, and was completely capable of transforming my mood. What a difference a dress makes, eh?

Also, can you feel it getting lighter? Can you feel it?? It’s past 5 o’clock and it’s still properly daylight. Daylight + perfect new dress = the start of something very, very good. Something tells me I’m into something good. I’ve got Herman’s Hermits on the go – can you tell? How lovely and playful and apt. I just can’t wait for the boy to come home from work so I can show him the dress and bounce up and down with glee.

this is one of my favourite sleeves.

and as for the song.

well.

find/listen/love it.