Wednesday 23 July 2014

Just An Ordinary Day



I got a sweet email from Anthony this weekend, a Brit living in China. He follows my blog for a regular fix of British life and says that its giving his boyfriend a good insight into what to expect when they visit later this year.


With them in mind I thought I'd take my camera along when I popped to the market to capture a few shots of day-to-day life.


Isn't it funny how even the most ordinary of places become interesting once they're captured in a photograph?


 Walsall market has existed since 1219. Up to 15 years ago it was a huge, bustling event, legendary throughout the Black Country with regular coach trips bringing in shoppers from around the UK. Sadly, unable to compete with the vast 24 hour supermarkets that dominate both ends of the high street, it has become a shadow of its former self. Walsall's fighting back though, with a bustling once-weekly flea market and a host of specialist fabric stalls every Monday.


Sari lengths, vibrant fabric, ready made clothing, even Indian fast food.


As I've always lived here its easy to forget how wonderfully multi-cultural our town is.


You won't catch me bleating on about being given the side eye, the local ladies love wearing colour, I'm just one of the crowd.


How gorgeous are these salwar kameez? A bargain at £10.


Waiting for their wives.


Fabric from 50p a metre.


Here's my favourite place - the trimmings stall. Its where I get my pom-poms!


A girl could go mad here and my visiting blogging mates frequently do! 


I'm off for another typically British slice of life later - a trip to the pub. Its been ages!

Wearing: 1960s silk culotte suit (the divine Desiree), Vintage St Michael Shopping bag (Miss Simmonds Says Clare), Suedette platforms (£5, local retail), Huge pink sunnies (99p, Banardos)
Right, better get back in that garden and work on the tan.

See you soon!

73 comments:

  1. Oh wow what lovely images the colours and candid style is what I love. I would go mental at that trimmings stall :)

    http://hayleythrills.blogspot.com

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  2. Awww Vix, that looks amazing. I totally need to pay you a visit now that you've been up here! I'm sure that fabric stall could tempt my sewing mojo back in action.

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  3. the trimmings stall! I want it all! I do love seeing everyday life, it's funny how interesting it is when it's someplace else. I've lived here for so long I think that's why I forget to pull my camera out when I'm running around town. Thanks for the slice of your town

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  4. You're so lucky, we used to have lovely markets too, but now our town is quite dead, as a new shopping complex, with all the huge chain shops has opened up nearby.

    I used to love visiting the fabric stalls with my grandmother, picking up a bargain and getting home to the sewing machine. We quite often used to sew together, and the majority of Amber's clothes were handmade when she was small. My grandmother made all her own clothes too.

    Thank you for this little peek into your home town and beautiful market xx

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  5. Oh how i wish that we could have such markets here ! Looks amazing and i so wanna come over and visit ! You look so amazing , and you always do .
    Xxx

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  6. A wonderful day in the life. I would go crazy over the gorgeous fabrics and trims for sure.

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  7. Ive looked into sewing classes £££££ surprised by how much they cost but hole in the wall seems the most reasonable so I may give it ago. Then I can hit the trimmings stall !

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  8. Wow the colour and variety in the market is amazing. The half does visit Birmingham often though only goes to the centre I must arrange it so I can visit the wonderful fabric stalls.

    You are right your photo's do make the market look exotic particularly with the sun shinning.

    Enjoy the pub it sounds good to me.

    P x

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  9. What a great market Vix, I wish we had one here, but you are right, I would probably go fabric (and trimming) mad lol. I swear you are getting younger in every photo woman, you look amazing.
    V
    xxx

    http://mamawasborninthe60s.blogspot.co.uk/

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  10. That culotte suit is fab, what a gorgeous summery colour. I dream of Indian fast food, there's not a curry shop for at least 10 miles of where I live... The things you take for granted. I'm grabbing 1 hour snippets of sun in my lunch break but I still look pastie xx

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  11. Oh! The fabrics! The saris! What a wonderful market. There's nothing that fun and inspiring here for hundreds of miles in any direction.
    You look radiant!

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  12. Wow, something like that never ver would happen in a small town here in germany! what an amazing market!

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  13. A decent market is a joy, isn't it? I'm pleased to say I have had the Walsall experience, so I know at first hand how colourful and interesting it is, especially the trimmings stall. I think I need another Black Country fix sometime soon!
    Anthony emailed me too, isn't that nice? You're right, everyday places do have an real interest, even a magic, if we look properly. We are so familiar with the life and things around us, it's easy to forget that they are either very different from other people's experiences, or a lovely reminder of home.
    The colours in that jumpsuit from Desiree are just divine, and a trip to the pub is most definitely called for - all this working at the weekends is playing havoc with your local social life, love! xxxxx

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  14. My flea market near me isn't as nice as the one that you show in the pictures. Granted, some of the newer sections of the flea market is better than most (IMO they need to fix up some of the orginal areas of it so it doesn't look so run down). There is about three or four sections that the Indians sell their pretty things (i.e.colorful clothes, jewerly, and other stuff).

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  15. I'd be in trimmings heaven at your market. Gotta get me to Walsall soon, so many brilliant things there...including you, as if it needs saying! xx

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  16. What a lovely post...fab photos capturing life in Walsall. I have to say, I love the place and I agree with Curtise, a Black Country visit is on the cards. Oooh trimmings,and fabric and Indian nosh to go. Wonderful.
    You look properly sunny and yummy, the jumpsuit is divine.
    Have fun in the sun, love.
    xxxxxxx

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  17. Thanks for the interesting glimpse into the local life. Love all the colours of the market.

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  18. I'm trying so hard to make my own clothes but I'm finding it difficult because of the prices of fabric down here, even in the bloody charity shops everything is expensive. If I could I would love to come up there and spend a day at the market.

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  19. Brill post, the market nearly looks as vibrant as you
    Twiggy x

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  20. I always love your posts when we learn more about you or your day to day life. Walsall in these pictures is the entire opposite to what I had thought it might be in my head. I love the colour, it's wonderful and who doesn't like an Indian food van. I love your outfit the neck line especially and the bag in the glorious bright green has me swooning like nothing else.

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  21. That is one of my favourite outfits, just love that fantastic jumpsuit, and you look the bees knees in it. In fact you are looking radiant, must be all this sunshine. This is a great trip around the market, made me feel the urge to come a-visiting! I could probably do with some more pompoms. You're right, sometimes I feel I can 'see' things more once I take a photo and everyday life is always fascinating. Those are the bits which are best about history, for sure. Your town is full of colour and life. I always feel your pride in it, which is lovely. Xxxxxxxx

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  22. I think the Black Country should be renamed the colourful country! That market looks fab, I'd probably spend a pretty penny or two there. x

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  23. The lilac sari and a hundred weight of trimmings, please!
    Zxx

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  24. What a wonderful eclectic market! Our local market has grown smaller and smaller as the years have gone by and barely has a dozen stalls now mostly selling out of date cheap biscuits and sweets - wish we had a trimmings stall, it's amazing! xxx

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  25. Beautiful! I could spend a few dollars and more here, on the fabrics and food. And you look smashing - have one at the pub for us Yanks. xox

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  26. This is such a lovely outfit Vix. Hope you have an enjoyable evening at the pub! x

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  27. Your culotte is gorgeous! and I'm loving all that trim, wish I could come and shop! :)

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  28. you look like a 60´s vogue cover in this shoots!!!
    did i ever say you are beautiful? you. are. beautiful!!!!!
    in berlin is a similar market - more turkish than indian influenced but with lots of other cultures/nationalities too. i bought most of my fabric and sewing stuff there and every time i came home with tons of fresh fruits and veggies and often with a colorful tunic or fancy leggings. and i had lunch there at the stall of mama africa - delicious african food. i miss this colorful life here in the east german province.....
    xxxxx

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  29. Lovely post - one day I might get to this market and enjoy its lovely offerings!

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  30. Such vibrant colours! And you, a vision of loveliness in those gorgeous culottes :-)

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  31. What a fab local market ... taking photos definitely makes you see things differently!! I love the "waiting for the wives" one :0)
    xx

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  32. Jaysus you look a treat in that divoon silk number! Love the bodice style and fit. Schwing! The Indian ladies must bloody love you; you're such a ray of sunshine in an otherwise sea of bleurgh!
    Markets are lovely....I was just thinking that come Summer I'm going to try and be more regular at the few we have.
    Love Helga XXX

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  33. You are a vision in this dress that first picture omg you slay me girl! I remember Walsall fondly and just used my trim on a bag recently, such beautiful things! Best part is it's in walking distance to your house, so many cool things a walk away.
    Love you!
    Xxxxxxoooo

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  34. Wonderful photos! So interesting to see all the colorful Indian clothes at the flea market. You look crag in that oufit, so pretty.:-)

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  35. I love this post. One of my favourite aspects of blogging is to see where other people live. Your market is so interesting and not what I'd expected. The name of the Tikka Way is hilarious.

    And my goodness, you look stunning in that gorgeous silk outfit. Must feel dreamy to wear too.

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  36. Woah!! This RULES!! When I come and visit I want to go there and then can we go to the post office, because I'm going to need to post it - because I'm sure it will make my luggage over weight!

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  37. Love this post! Makes me want to take my camera out more often :)
    Hope you are well xx

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  38. Even better than Wolvo and Northampton markets for lovely material. Shame it's only on a weekday, I'll never get to go. :(

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  39. It looks a great place to visit!!! X

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  40. I love your frock and the colours. Thanks for the little tour of the market.

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  41. Aaaaaah , painful !! Why don't we have these kind of markets overhere ?!
    Brilliant pictures , just as you are Vix , love your luminous dress ...
    ~Multicoloured kisses~
    ~La Dryada~

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  42. What a great place to live and how lucky are you to have such a great market on your doorstep? I like that you don't take it for granted Vix, so many people don't see what's on their own doorstep x

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  43. I cant believe it i have been after some fabric for a while now to make some summer dresses cant believe I can get it from Walsall and i am amazed at the trimmings , i am doing up some lamp shades so those trimmings will be perfect xxx

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  44. It's interesting that the things we find very ordinary and routine can be considered very exotic and exciting by people living elsewhere. That is such a cool market; it's like a little bit of India right in your neighbourhood.

    Your silk wide-legged jumpsuit is just glorious. The colours are lovely, and I'm sure the women at the market think you're a kindred spirit.

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  45. Our wednesday market is not what it was either too sad. I love a big market I too plump for a Black Country fix soon seeing as I haven't actually been yet and all that.....

    Oh and is that Nana from Meet the Kumars?

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  46. I am just drooling over this market. All that fabric!!! It is true that seeing things through a camera lens can help us to really SEE thongs er I mean things. This has to be one of your prettiest dresses. You look so sunny and rosy cheeked. I liked your comment on Patti's last post. So true. Lately I have had several people tell me I'm too old for this or that! Augh! I'll decide when I'm too old .....which will be NEVER!!!!!

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  47. This portrait of you is just WOW! Sooo beautiful with the gentle breeze and your smile!

    I'll be honest - it is not as I imagined England! :))) Very unexpected! I am amazed how old is the market... It is wonderful, so many colorful pretty fabrics and interesting people! I'd love to go there for just people watching. Seattle is also a very multicultural city, of course - as many American cities are.

    Please do show us more of your town and just regular life - where you shop, where you go for walks etc. I love such stuff. :) xxxxx

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  48. Such a vibrant stunner you are! XOXOX

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  49. The trimmings stall! I'm open mouthed and very happy, isn't it gorgeous? your market is fab, the fabrics and garments are beautiful, 50p a metre? can't go wrong! and fast Indian food! all good! gorgeous pics of you, you are absolutely stunning, the Desiree culotte suit is magnificent! x x x

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  50. A Fabric Market, with such diversity is the stuff Dreams are made of!

    Dawn... The Bohemian

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  51. That market looks amazing. I would definitely go mad and buy far more trim than I would ever have the time to use. Love the colours in your dress. I think Eastern clothes and culture are a great source of inspiration when it comes to colour and prints.

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  52. OH woah my eyes are popping out on stalks!!! This looks amazing. Those trimmings, the colour!!! It's so funny how the extraordinary can become ordinary when seen everyday but as you say it's great to capture it sometimes and see it from a new perspective. XX

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  53. Bloody hell woman you look about 20 yrs old in that first pic! Living the life you do obviously suits you. I have to say that I do miss those kinds of markets and the places that you can buy things so cheaply. You don't get that here, I rely quite a bit on finding things like lengths of pom poms in the op shops. Can't find it cheap anywhere. when we were back last year Luton was next to bloody useless too! I knew I should have come up and see you! :D

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  54. You are officially on my unofficial bucket list Vix! Seriously...I could go a little crazy at that market. We have a huge Indian population in Vancouver, and I do find yardage in the thrift stores, but we don't have any outdoor markets that specialize in fabric that I know of.

    And, yepper, you totally look like a teenager! It MUST be your wonderful sounding life and lifestyle and outlook!

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  55. What a lovely and vibrant market and you definitively fit, you and your colorful and fantastic style -
    Tks for showing us that market
    We have an Indian neighberhood as well in Montreal, i never ventured there but i have heard they have a lot of interesting shops, i should go one of those days

    Have a great weekend Vix

    Arianexo

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  56. Wow those trims were amazing! I could get lost in those for hours!! You look fabulous as always!!

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  57. What a lovely post! That market looks marvellous. What I miss most about my old neighbourhood there is the food and shops. You look beautiful in your vibrant colours! x/Madison

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  58. you live in an amazing area, the sari fabric and the trims are amazing, I would love to see this in person, its all amazing, only 10 hours by plane away, lol,

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  59. This post reminded me how much I miss the markets I used to visit when I lived in London. Out here in the shires the markets just aren't the same. You look especially gorgeous in that first photo. xx

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  60. Gorgeous photos and nothing looks ordinary to me! Oh I would love to go to that market and I've always wanted a nice salwar kameez. Thanks for sharing these ordinary pictures! Such a treat!
    xoxo

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  61. You look stunning in the yellow maxi and that market looks fun!!!

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  62. Nice! I do love living close to Indian shops and people, it's always good to not be the most colourful person in the street, though there is still enough westerners to give me the side eye. I love your sunny frock too! Always so fab aren't you!

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  63. It's true - photos are sometimes an interesting way of looking at ordinary things to appreciated the extraordinary. Some of these photos could have been straight out of your holiday pics from India! Thanks for the tour!

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  64. Hi Vix! I just love your style!
    -Mia

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  65. wonderful, wonderful, wonderful post! thanks you so much for sharing! these pictures are really great!
    ... and so is you 60s culotte suit! this piece is to die for!

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  66. fabulous dress, love the color and fit, love that yellow burst of summery sunshine!!!, you're gorgeous!
    And you're also so nice sharing your local market's magnificence!, I would been fascinated by all those colorful fabric and trims and pompoms!, and delightful food!
    besos & fun

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  67. I do love the peeks and insights we get into your home and home town. And what better outfit to showcase Walsall market than this extraordinary silk culotte suit (even better that it is one of Desiree's finds).

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  68. Hi lovely, look at you looking so colourful and beautiful as always. You captured that market so well its a real mix of multi cultural society those colours of the fabrics are lovely I would love a moouch around there :-) dee xx

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  69. The colours of your 1960s silk culotte suit are wonderfully bright and cheery as is your smile. I had never seen a trimmings stall prior to seeing the photos of the one in your photo. It makes me wish I was even marginally adept at sewing (unfortunately I'm not). I love the variety of colours of the fabrics at the markets and those mini-tiered-ruffle frocks.

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

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  70. Oooooh you've still got that gorgeous jumpsuit!! It's so beautiful and I seriously think I was meant to buy it so when I finally "met" you it would find its rightful owner. You! I'm just catching up on reading about your summertime adventures and it's wonderful to take a tour through old Walsall market, talk about fab bargains! xoxo

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Lots of love, Vix