Monday 10 June 2013

The Constant Gardener



I've created urban oases in past homes but despite all good intentions this garden remains a wilderness, choked to death by bindweed, decimated by slugs or, more usually, by the pair of us buggering off to India just when the growing season kicks in.


The glorious weather (and Miss Magpie pointing out the weeds behind me on a previous post) have spurred me into action yet again. There's tomato and cucumber plants already flowering in the window boxes, a thinned-out herb plot and a stash of second-hand pots scrubbed and ready to be planted out with whatever I can find going cheap on the market in the morning.

My 1970s high-waisted denim "Huggers"shorts, tooled leather belt, flowery gardening gloves,1960s Polaroids & broderie Anglaise blouse are all second-hand, the leather sandals were bought NEW from a roadside stand in Tamil Nadu, 2011

I've had great planting advice & ideas from Miss Magpie, Tania, Clare, Emma Kate and Nikki so watch this space. I wouldn't hold out that much hope though, our Glasto tickets arrived on Saturday so there's 6 days of neglect on the cards already.


Here's my favourite find from Chesterfield flea market - a set of snazzy 1960s red nylon pyjamas with deliciously naughty built-in frilly knickers. I loved them on sight and got a generous discount when the gorgeous stall holder, Darcey, and her cool daughter, Hannah, recognised me from my blog. Curtise's fabulous yellow frock came from the same stall.


It's perfect for slipping on after a bath and chilling with a rum and coke in front of Poirot after a hard day on my knees, trowel in hand, laughing along to the millionth passer-by to suggest I come and sort out their garden next.


All this manual labour may do wonders for the sun tan but it doesn't half play havoc with the Barry M.


Have you seen the latest edition of VOGOFF magazine? Forget airbrushed celebrities, style Nazis and pre-pubescent stick insects, this is the real deal. Check out Madame Vix's article right HERE.

I'm off to water my tomatoes.

See you soon!

85 comments:

  1. OMG, could I possibly be FIIIIIRST?!

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  2. YES!!!
    Right, I freakin' love that red nylon delight, it's sheer (boom boom) perfection!
    Gawd, I loathe it when everyone thinks they're an original comedian, if the assholes just gave you a dollar instead of blithering such rot, you'd have been able to go off for a chazza fix!!!
    I have been bleating for YEARS about growing some veg...the reality is that G will end up doing it whilst I watch with a cocktail in hand.......bugger. I fail as a domestic goddess AND a gardening guru. O well, you are a winner, clearly, PLUS you look mega HOT in those denim shorts! PHWOAR!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  3. Love those pjs. You look so elegant while gardening, I look like farmer jo!

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  4. I am in love with the red pajamas, it's so chic and beautiful, and you must be the best dressed gardener ever!! :-) x

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  5. We left all our pots behind when we moved house and now I have to replace them :-(

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  6. Denim hot pants & sheer nylon negliges....is there nothing that doesn't look amazing on you??!! Xx

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  7. So basically you look fabulous in everything right? Shorts and floaty red numbers (although who wouldn't look fab in a saucy red number!). I have to admit, I've never had a garden of my own...I'm not sure if it would thrive or die, I'm worried it would be option two. Although I do like the idea of growing my own veges :D

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  8. You even manage to look fab while gardening! Wow, to the pyjamas - isn't red Jon's favourite colour? ;-) We have a 'wildlife garden' too, my excuse is small children! We just about manage some raspberries and a few apples, but that's all down to Mother Nature!

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  9. Get you being an outdoor domestic goddess!

    That red number is so deliciously saucy (and comfy I reckon!)

    Have a good un!

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  10. Those pyjamas look fabulous! I knew they would! That was a fab stall, it's where I got my poncho from too. (I must do a blog post!)

    I'm very impressed with your garden, it's full of interesting and pretty plants. I love that 3rd photo of you with the trowel, it looks the epitome of summer, with Gilbert in the background.

    Not long now till Glasto!

    Love, Annie xxx

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  11. I sometimes feel a bit like this with the allotment, I don't spend enough time there, as I never seem to have enough time. I finally sorted a shed out this weekend and it's so good.

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  12. What fab jammies!
    We used to have a raised vegetable plot when we were buying a house but the neighbours made it impossible for us to use our own garden which was a shame (and ultimately drove us out of the village). Andy's mentioned us growing some runner beans in a container so that will be nice.

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  13. Oh I wish I had your garden, mine is the size of a postage stamp. Looking sexy in red :)
    V
    xxx

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  14. VOGOFF! The best magazine ever! thanks for the reference. I have a balcony garden and i like to get all fancy for gardening too. Gumboots - even though there is not enough dirt to justify it, sun hat and smock that has a giant pocket at the front. Luckily i don't get any smart-alecs when i garden but i did look up one day to see someone in the apartment across from me taking a photo! Bastard! I shouted a few nasty words across the way to assert myself and went back to gardning

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  15. You may not be the most constant of gardeners, but you ARE the sexiest! Look at you, all down-in-the-dirt in gorgeous hot pants and off the shoulder broderie anglaise, of course passers by wanted to chat (even if they weren't funny or original...)
    Your flower bed look so pretty - and no, that isn't a euphemism following your spectacular Vogoff appearance, love! Looking forward to seeing what you find on the market to go in your pots.
    The red pyjama set was destined to be yours, you look amazing in it - of course! The built-in knickers are just fab. Bet Jon like it, doesn't he?!
    Yes, the Winter Gardens will be on the agenda when you visit Sheffield - just say the word!
    Can I place my order with Madame Vix for a Bastard Bikini please? One with large leaves for extra coverage. I'll pay later.
    Love you! xxxxx

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  16. You are utterly adorable in your sexy gardening garb dear Vix, I love that broiderie anglaise blouse and wowee look at your amazing pins! As for the red see-through pjs, total heaven and oh so seductive!
    May I congratulate on your incredible appearance in Vogoff - I want that bikini!!

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  17. Those pyjamas are seriously amazing. You look so stylish in the garden. After I've been gardening (which, admittedly, is not often), I look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards.

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  18. I'm so jealous of your garden! For now I only have plants in pots to take care of but one day I shall have a beautiful garden too!
    Amazing pyjamas! They look so fresh and comfortable, perfect for the summer! xxx

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  19. You really are one hot vixen no matter what you wear. I veggie bed and pots ave all been stripped back and we need to replant and rethink. I love growing my own goodies when it's all going well.

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  20. "Off to water your tomatoes" - I'm sure that's a euphemism for something naughty.
    Those frilly sex kitten pajamas were made for you, no wonder you got a discount on them.
    Do Madame Vix's Bastard Bikinis come with vinaigrette?
    I did not even ask the price of the resuscitation dummy. It wouldn't be fun explaining it to Customs :)

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  21. Love the Vogoff spread, leaves are the new ________.(fill in the blank)

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  22. Loooooove your blog!! I hope you're garden is a bloomin' success!!

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  23. You even look amazing mucking around in the weeds and dirt - how DO you do it? I just look like sweat, plain and simple, when I start ripping out weeds :P

    You make me want super glamorous pjs. And a rum and cook would be just the thing right before a 5 hour flight!

    Love, peace & grace,
    Lynne

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  24. I used to grow vegetables in my old house, there was so much to do but when I ate my own vegetables, I felt so proud!Sooner or later I want to do it again! You look lovely in your gardener outfit and the red pyjamas is breathtaking!!Congratulations for your editorial in Vogoff,you are awesome!! I'm loving every page of this issue!
    Have a wonderful week!!
    Love xxxxxx

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  25. Hi my dear! The pyjama set is gloriously frivolous and fantastically stylish, you look gorgeous in it!! Your blogger meet up looked amazing too, all of you ladies looked so stylish and lovely!

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  26. Is there anyTHING you don't/can't do in your incredible Vix style?

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  27. Hand on heart you are the most glamorous gardener I know and those jimjams are just mind blowing.

    weeds what weeds? *goes off whistling*

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  28. The pyamas! I swoooon! You do understand that I love that one, don't you!

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  29. Life indeed fun does get in the way of the gardening! lol.

    You look lovely though with trowel in hand in amongst the mulch. And then you turn it round after a bath with your fab P.J's! I can just see you wafting about your gaff with drink in hand.

    Great minds must be thinking alike today with our post titles. And its funny because I did take some piccies of our garden the other day to post about soon! Spooky we must be mind sisters or something!

    P x

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  30. Your garden and hell, the whole damn house is gorgeous. I love your fresh and breezy gardening outfit, too. I gave you a shout-out on the blog today, found a stool much like one I was lusting for in one of your posts :)

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  31. So hot in your gardening shorts!! And I love the red frillies too - thanks so much for sharing with Visible Monday and stay fabulous xoxoxo

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  32. After seeing VOGOFF, I'm thinkin' it's a good thing you can grow some leafy things! You're a perfect Eve in your own Garden of Eden!

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  33. fab PJs but beware of ciggies....look like they might go up in pne puff!!x

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  34. This is the perfect followup to your fab foliage fashion in Vogoff. Holy Cow, you are the poster girl for "going back to nature". Let me know if B.A.S.T.A.R.D starts a line of one piece swimsuits and I'm in.

    That is the cutest gardening outfit ever. The pyjamas render me speechless except for one word...WANT!!!!

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  35. Vix, you have got a rockin' hard bod! I must place an order for the Bastard Bikini - will it cost extra for a few more leaves?

    xo, Bonnie

    PS - I love wild gardens

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  36. Oh well don't you look gorgeous in your shorts and broderie anglaise top! Mr D takes care of the garden, he has the green thumb, not me! The red lounge wear is amazing, love your lovely long hair -

    Ariane xxx

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  37. Alright sexy? :) Of course all the passers by talked to you, that's your destiny, to attract people to you. And when they asked you if you would do their garden next, they meant for you to wear that gorgeous little outfit too!

    Ah now, this is the moment we've all been waiting for. I remembered after I left that last comment exactly what the star buy of the day was and here it is! You look so incredibly adorably cute in it! What a hotty!

    I noticed you managed to nab some cosmos. Hope they do really well for you. Your little patch of heaven looks lovely, and I like the wilderness of your garden. xxxxx

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  38. Bonito jardín,a mi me hace falta un poco de espacio.
    Besos
    http://judithbysucre.blogspot.com.es

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  39. Those pyjamas are ace - and I like the red & turquoise combination!

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  40. I want to be gardening with you in the sunshine all day! The yard is looking fantastic as are you in those denim shorts and sexy peasant blouse. Your even adorable in the garden! I about died when I saw this sexy ass nightie set, SCORE baby! You look incredibly gorgeous and I wish we were neighbors so we could sit outside in our sexy jammies and have tea and gossip!!!! I miss you bunches and now I'm off to see this sexy spread you did. I'm trying to pull my head outta my funk this weekend was pretty awful, I just want to move as far away from it as possible. I hate feeling like this.
    Sorry.
    XXOOOOXX

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  41. How can a woman look so glamourous while weeding the garden? Amazing ...
    Xxx

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  42. Wow--you look fabulous toiling away in your garden!1 I'm sure you stopped traffic!!

    OMG those red pyjama's are AMAZING!! So chic and sexy!!

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  43. How's yer Gherkin? I rather love weeds, especially those that flower and you can stick some of the others in salads (buy "Food for Free" if you see it cheap). I love those naughty pjs! Very Carry On!. The colour is perfect on you too The high waisted shorts are rather fab and you know I'm a sucker for broderie anglais! You lucky devils off to Glasto, don't worry about the plants, there's usually a high chance of rain that weekend! unless it's one of those scorcher years! Looking forward to more photos from the garden, I've got a single Nasturtium t show off.

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  44. Love your gardening outfit. So funny that everyone who passes makes the same comments! We have had lots of problems with garden over the last 2 years, too much rain and not enough sun and all the veg seem to rot. When I say we, I actually mean Mr S as I can never find time for gardening.

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  45. You look so amazing in your gardening outfit Vix! x

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  46. Well done on the garden - I must say the closest I get is hacking back the hedge and attacking the mad grass with a flymo!

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  47. Loving the saucy pjs! Can't wait to see what you do with your planting! xxx

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  48. Ooooh I'd love a potter in the garden with you. I've just come in from the garden meself. Mind you, I don't look half as gorgeous and I trod on a slug in bare feet which is always a treat.
    I love your PJ's ....very Fenella Fielding, darling.
    VOGOFF is sublime! What a stunning bunch of lovelies and bloody funny as well.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxxxxxx

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  49. I love your gadening look - no wonder you got lots of offers of work!

    I can just imagine you chilling in front of Poirot in those red pyjamas.

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  50. Cutest gardener ever! Funny about your neighbours suggesting you come and do their yard too.

    And wow, those pjs. What a find.

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  51. Those red pyjamas are very glamourous. What an amazing find - I don't know how you do it.
    Gardening really does play havoc with nail polish - I'm too lazy to keep replacing it so I do without now - toes only!

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  52. My way of dealing with weeds is to rechristen them wildflowers! You are a most glamourous gardener Vix! And I love your boudior outfit - those pyjamas are the stuff of Hollywood starlets' dreams! I had a similiar pair when i was a girl - they were hand me downs and I adored them. I was so gutted when I got too big for them.

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  53. Jean shorts, leather belts, and sandals-- one of my favorite styles ever :)
    I am a horrid gardener. X-Man does it all.
    Those sheer red pjs are spectacular!!!
    Becky

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  54. Somehow I don't manage to look so hot when gardening. And these nylon PJs... To die for!! xo

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  55. You look lovely I love your outfit. I am not great at gardening I am afraid x

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  56. Love your red pjs, I need to do some gardening my garden is so boring...

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  57. Oh Vix.... you must be the sexiest gardener ever to grace these shires :-) My garden is rather neglected most times as we too tend to bugger off somewhere warm just when growing season kicks off! Hubby has decided this is the year of growing our own veg and has been at it great guns... reckon the novelty will wear off soon..
    Loving the red lounge number too and the VOGOFF mag article is a scream!

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  58. Thanks for introducing me to VOGOFF what a ruddy brilliant read it is! As everyone says you look amazing in your gardening outfit. I found a frugal slug repellent recipe the other day, it involved putting half a cup of slugs and two garlic cloves into a kitchen blender, then spraying onto your veggies. I mean, what sort of advice is that. It might be frugal but it's also crazy! Thought i'd share with you, Sam@Thriftpop x

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  59. Is there NOThING you can't do or look good in? Even a fig leaf, Madame. EVEN A FIG LEAF!

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  60. Only you could look like a sex-kitten even whilst getting down and getting dirty amoung the weeds!!! My gardening is rather lame - I am good at buying punnets of veges/flowers but shit at planting them and then the poor buggers die a slow painful death!!! Wow Vix, that little red nylon number is a hottie and you in VOGOFF is the perfect morning pick-me-up!!! Glasto - look out!!!

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  61. Congratulations on the leaf bikini pose and on looking so amazing in anything that you wear: from the high-waisted shorts to your new red nylon pyjamas.

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  62. Suntan, pink lipstick gardener beauty! Oh, and the red pajamas were made for you! HOT HOT HOT in the leaf bikini! XXX

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  63. I love your red pjs tho they do look rather flammable. Absolutely L-O-V-E you in VOGOFF! Vix, you are really something!

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  64. I've never seen such a fetching gardener! And the red pyjamas, oh yes, perfect.

    Also, thanks so much for your VOGOFF contribution, Vix. Your photo and your writing are brilliant!!!!

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  65. Gardening in the sun! Oh how I miss the sun!!

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  66. How pretty are you in broderie anglaise and cut offs Vix, and then you're all scarlet lady at bed time in your glam jams. You and Curtise did very well off that stall, and I want to see the poncho Annie got too! Pat's the gardener here, I'm the kiss of death to plants but I think daisies and buttercups are very pretty and I'm always a bit sad to see them go when he cuts the grass. xx

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  67. I loved your VOGOFF article, Vix :-D Cheeky little number there!

    Those nylon jammies are a total delight and doesn't the colour go well with the nail varnish?

    This year I've tried to get on top of the gardening from the start and its looking better than my gardening worn hands. Yup, gardening sure plays havoc with the mani! xxx

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  68. You even look stylish when you're mucking about in the garden repotting plants!
    The pajamas are absolutely crazy. I have back in Lisbon a nightie in the same material that looks like a flamenco dress because it has frilly sleeves. It used to belong to my mum in the 60's. I totally forgot about it, thanksw for reminding me of it!

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  69. i love it!!!and it is so great that they recognised you from the blog..i wish i looked like that after a shower or lounging at home!
    and i have always said that in my home if i ever have a garden there will be more herbs/vegetables than flower plants..my mum has a garden and i love those ones in her collections much more

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  70. Amor,
    Your such a gorgeous gardener and so nice to see the sung shining in UK.
    Love the see through sexy elegant pajamas.

    Besos

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  71. Is that a dibble your holding in the third photo? I love the look of your off shoulder short puff-sleeve broderie Anglaise blouse. Your red nylon pyjamas look delightful. Your innovative and sexy number 1 Top Style Trend beachwear outfit featured in VOGOFF magazine is fabulous! Bravo!

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  72. I'm just learning about gardening, have never had a garden before! Don't look as glam as you mind!

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  73. Wow vix, you look like such an eye candy whilst your'e gardening, no wonder people want you to come and fix their gardens too!

    And that magazine article is you at your hilarious best.

    Love,
    www.shubhisrevels.com

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  74. I love flores and gardens, but couldn´t be bother to pot about, so I leave it to Victor who water the few pots that suvirve the heat in summer.
    You look soooooooo glamorous in the garden, dear Vix.
    Are you wearing that red attire to Gladstonbury???, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.
    You will be the show then.
    Much love, my GORGEOUs friend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  75. Vix I love you in those denim shorts and simple white top. You look so cute.

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  76. Your contribution for VOGOFF is bound to get you plenty of exposure! Those jammies are the stuff of dreams, of course, but you always look darling in denim.

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  77. The high waistedd shorts are perfect and I love that you are a gardener! the pj's are really amazing, really made for you!

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  78. I love the lusty red pajamas and you look super cute in your garden with your jorts!

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  79. EIGHTY FIIIIIIIRST MOTHERFUCKEEEEERS!!!

    Well, since I have recently kept six succulents alive for more than a week, I consider myself something of a gardening expert. Your lovely garden is beautiful and absolutely puts mine to shame - bindis, prickles, thistles and now six succulents in tea pots, and that's all I have. So yours looks like a luscious green oasis to me...

    and YOU are exquisite, as always. LOVE those shorts and belt and OMG the red pyjamas are absolutely AMAZING!!!

    Lov you more than Glasto tickets!

    Sarah xxx

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  80. your white blouse from the first look is totally adorable ... this is something i'm looking for some months now ...

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  81. I love your garden Vix! "Weeds"...isn't that just one of those wild naturalistic English gardens!;)

    I must say I love your gardening outfit and bet they all just want to talk to you but are stunned so can't think of anything too original!

    I think you'd love to know that my fav shorts to garden in are leather biker shorts. After being disappointed that my great ebay Harley leather short shorts were knit on the back...well now I know why they're called biker. But, they were perfect to garden in. I always get a few side eyes from the neighbors...that's right Harleys and gardens-know you'd approve!;)

    And, SWOON, those pjs OMG-LOVE! I'm a big fan of those permanent pleat fabrics! You look so perfect in front of your vanity...and, I can Krista's pic there too.:)

    YAY, the tickets have arrived, I'm sure you're counting down the days like a kid to Christmas!:)

    And, I can't leave without saying Clare cracked me up so much with all her Gherkin talk, hope it's hanging well!!!;)

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  82. I had to come back for some more Vix. I missed this post and I'm so glad I'm getting up to speed. I love the outdoorsy version of my girl, and then the behind the scenes red-pegnoir (almost) version. Barry M should give you free nail polish for life. Vogoff is brilliant, and I loved your segment. Love you!!!!!!

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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