French Market Chic

After an exhausting few days selling at two vintage fairs on Friday and Saturday we had already decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather to clear out our cupboards and try and make a few pounds to put towards the Birthday Bash next Saturday.  This meant getting up at 5.30 Sunday morning (with all three boys in tow) to go to Exeter cattle market boot sale.  To be honest I wasn't in the selling or buying mood.  Made worse by the swarms of people who descended on us as soon as we parked up.  I really, really hate this aspect of bootsales, there is none of the normal British reserve as they dive into the back of your car or all start screaming "how much, how much " as soon as you plonk a box down on the floor.  Combined with over tiredness and sunburn from selling outside on the previous two days I was not a happy bunny.  Still sales were brisk and within half an hour I was able to go for a wander myself.  Although pipped to the post on several wonderful quilts, baskets and a particularly beautiful tea set I was  able to find one or two nice pieces.  Unfortunately four of them were chairs !  Hubby was really not going to have his happy face on when I rolled back up to the car with No 1 son and four chairs.  So much for going home with a clear boot.

Here is what the car looked like packed up to GO HOME ! 

As for that great lump of a table perched on the edge of the boot, in my excitement to unload my treasure from the car, I opened the boot and the thing fell out onto my leg.  Spent the rest of the day with ice pack and elevation unable to move it.  Nasty cut, swelling and bruise but nothing more.  One bonus, it meant I rested and hubby also made steak and chips for lunch ! Result !

There also seemed to be a bit of a theme going on this week.  I 'll call it French Market Chic.  A lot of the items I found were French.  Not that I am complaining.  French vintage is a big trend at the moment.

Really pretty French Limoges Porcelain Child's tea set in a hamper

Set of FOUR immaculate French Betjeman and Barton tea caddies !  You will see why I am so thrilled if you take a look at their website where you will see each tea caddy (without tea) sells for over 12 Euros ! Woop.

Tired but gorgeous toy doll high chair.  I am going to give this a lick of paint and turn it into the perfect shabby chic little girls play thing.

Wonderful 1950's Sirram picnic hamper complete with original contents.  Needs a bit of work and some serious cleaning but a fab find with China cups and plates not plastic . *big smile*

HUGE gilt and cream mirror.  Knocked the seller down to £12 from £15 for this beauty.  Don't be afraid to haggle especially if its a big item, they won't want to take it home again !

Now for the random piece.  Whilst selling on Saturday in Budleigh I remembered one of the lovely sellers from the last Crikey Its Vintage Event I attended had a shop there.  I thought I would pop along and take a peak.  What Katy Did  is the most wonderful treasure trove of Vintage items you will find anywhere on the planet.  I got talking to the lovely Katy and it came to light she rents out cabinets in her shop.  Result : I am now, along with my lovely friend Liz the proud renter of space in Katy's shop.  So when I saw the Brush Hall set above I thought it would be the perfect piece to fit right in with the style of Katy's Shop.  Wish me luck and watch this space for regular updates on how it goes.

Two teeny, tiny ceramic puppy dogs.  I saw them on the same table as another old child's tea set I purchased and though they looked so sad, I just couldn't leave them behind.

That's it for today.  I have lots and lots more treasure including four chairs but will save those for another day.

Linking up with the lovely Liz from Magpie Monday