Come Rain or shine (but mostly rain)

Another Sunday morning, another rainy day !  When is this awful Summer going to end ? 

Unfortunately I have a serious affliction, I just can't stay away from boot sales whatever the weather. So out we popped with a pair of grumpy twins in tow.

Not too many sellers but as usual MASSES of desperate traders all looking for bargains to sell on !

I did manage to find a few lovely pieces.



Wonderful Salt and Pepper tins. I couldn't find any for sale in this country but they do seem to be available in America.  I think they probably date from the 1960/70's .  Great condition and sold as soon as I put them on Facebook *happy face*



Hard to find these days, gorgeous mint green enamel Saucepan in great condition.   Just enough small rust and chips to make it look *authentic French chic*  For Sale £16 plus P & P.  Message or comment if interested.




If you follow my blog regularly you may remember some months back I mentioned the *ranty* man who regularly shouts at customers (he has a wonderful manner)  He was back again today and as I cautiously approached his van I noticed a very interesting box on the floor.  It was full of this :



Absolute shabby chic HEAVEN ! Hand painted Adams Calyx Ware !  There is a mixture of patterns (I think the previous owner must have been a collector)  I particularly love the one above which I think is called Lowestoft.  It is English Ironstone and is totally Divine.  Perfect  if you love the Vintage French style look.  Over 22 plates, 3 soup cups with plates, 2 large Singapore Bird HUGE platters and a Lowestoft small platter!












I actually walked away the first time around as the box was large and bulky and as I didn't have too much money I didn't want to spend it all on one lot.  I went back THREE times to check if it was still there and take a peak inside.  He noticed me *scared*  obviously in a good mood he made me an offer I couldn't refuse to take them away. YIPEEEE.  Poor hubby had to lug the box all the way back to the car.  All home safe and sound now. 










Finally for today (because my camera hates me and its taking ten times longer than it should to get this post finished)

A selection of china.  A girl can never have enough mis- matched pieces of china.  These are the staple "money maker" when I sell at Topsham on a Friday.  Just £1 per piece people can't get enough.  Comment or message if you are interested.



Many thanks for popping by

In other news I have an amazing lady working on a new look blog (and possibly website) all coming soon.  *EXCITED*

linking up with Lizzie over at Magpie Monday

Tots 100 & Homebase Storage challenge - After

It's taken a while longer than I had hoped but I did have some valid excuses.  My 50th Birthday, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and Half Term sort of got in the way. 

I was thrilled to be asked to be a founding member of the Tots100 Home club in association with Homebase  . The first challenge being "storage".  As you may know I work from home (out of my dining room).  I have to admit that "stock" had taken over the room to the point of not being able to see any surface and the family eating meals on their laps in the living room !  Here is the before post
How the room looked
Hubby has promised to build me my very own office *shed* in the garden this summer, if it ever stops raining, he can get enough time off work and we can find the funds ! so in the meantime I continue to work from what is now a lovely, tidy and organised space in my dining room.

These days I love a bargain, I particularly enjoy utilising things that you wouldn't normally associate them with.  For example I have stacks of vintage suitcases and wicker picnic hampers which I use for storage.  So for this challenge I wanted to try and find something in Homebase that would suit my taste, but which you wouldn't normally think of for indoors in your house.

I chose this :


The Homebase timber potting table.  Available at Homebase at the moment for £29.99

In fact I loved it so much I bought TWO one is going in my shed/office when it gets built !

What do you think of the end result ?




Hubby put it together for me, as it was made from timber it was rough wood, I rubbed it down and  gave it a few licks of paint with another Homebase great find; Sanctuary Matt Emulsion in Chalk White.  A tip, just because it says its suitable for walls and ceilings doesn't mean you can only use it on those surfaces.  This is my new favourite flat, chalky paint and I will be using it on my furniture projects.  It comes in a gorgeous array of colours.  Perfect for my Shabby chic lifestyle and reloved furniture projects.




















It's so lovely to have a tidy room back again.  Just hope I can stay disciplined and keep it this way. 

 Although I loath plastic storage boxes I also purchased several of the Rolling underbed storage boxes.  I have them under the sofa in the living room, perfect for storing books and magazines.





If you have enjoyed reading this post, you can follow what we get upto on the Tots100 Home Club 

 You might even like to put together your own mood board with the great app available on the Homebase Facebook page

Here is my moodboard  The White Approach

I'm off to start on the next project making your bedroom a sanctury !

London Eye

A different perspective on St Paul's. 

I took this last month whilst on a short break in London.  For a photograph taken on a phone I think it turned out well.



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