Topsham Vintage and Homemade fair

It's been raining for weeks (or so it seems)  I have missed two Sunday boot sales so I was doing my serious "no rain" dance last night in order to get my fix.  After an awful night's sleep I awoke to beautiful clear skies and the chimes of baby twin asking if he could come with me today to the boot sale.  But, but, but .....  I need to concentrate ! I need to march around at speed snatching bounty from beneath the noses of the less astute!  No problem.  The boot sale gods were looking down, hubby came with me and No 1 son assured me (after I shook him out of his slumber) that he would stay awake and look after Big twin when he woke up .

Off we rushed.  Here are some of my goodies all bound for the Topsham Vintage and handmade fair along with the stools and a few other pieces I have "reloved".

I've had this 1950/60's picnic hamper for a while but have finally got around to cleaning it up and sorting it out to take to the vintage fair tomorrow.

Lovely wicker hamper with a great greyish/white whitewash effect and grey handles, gorgeous. Shall I keep it, shall I sell it ?

Really beautiful palest yellow and white with gold stars English Bone china tea set

Lovely, ceramic Jelly/Blamange mould

You may remember a while back I mentioned about a gorgeous French glass set of tea cups and saucers I saw and didn't pick up (I already have a set myself) well the lady was back again today and she still had the set ! Mine, all mine ! Won't make that mistake twice.

Immaculate Enamel Bread bin, no real age to it, made in Poland, a beauty all the same .

Sorry but that's all I have time for today.  Hopefully most of the above will sell tomorrow.  If you are in Devon and fancy a treat of Vintage and Homemade loveliness please do pop down to Topsham (we are in the hall next to the Fire station) from 10 am to 4 pm.

The Jones Family Likes .....

Our home if full of paintings, pictures and vintage signs.  This is the latest addition to the collection.  I love it.  If you would like one for your family let me know.  Selling them for £28  including the frame plus P & P, you can choose from reloved vintage frames painted in aany colour of your choice or new frames in white vintage (as shown) modern white, black or brown.  Contact me for more information. xx

An invitation from the Master of Vintage Clothing & Magpie Monday

To my shock and delight an invitation popped into my inbox from the true Vintage Clothing King - William Banks-Blaney who is holding an event at the V & A Museum to mark the wedding of William and Kate Next Friday.    Sadly I will be attending a not so prestigious party at my next door neighbours house, otherwise I might just have popped on my Manolo's and jumped on a train to London. 

This did get me thinking though about my own love of vintage and thrifted clothes and accessories.  Bargains have been few and far between for this week's Magpie Monday so here are some of the beautiful designer items I have collected over the years and although most don't now fit, I just can't bring myself to be parted from them.

Emporio Armani Ladies dressing gown, purchased off Etsy and THE most gorgeous mink coloured silk.    I love the detail on the back.

Ralph Lauren Tweed jacket, totally too die for tayloring and wonderful buttons.  I adore Ralph Lauren and snap up jackets whenever I can from Ebay. 

Another Ebay 100% Silk Ralph Lauren Jacket in a beautiful soft cream, I wear this with wide legged trousers or the Silk Skirt below.  Only when there are not any children about though !

Devine Ralph Lauren softest of soft fluid sik skirt again another Ebay find and as new !

Palest Pink Silk Ralph Lauren.  This was advertised as a dress, but it is totally sheer and you would need nerves of steel and a figure like Kate Moss to get away with it.  I wore it as a nightdress on a few occasions! Sadly it no longer fits.

What girl doesn't want to own a killer pair of Carrie Bradshaw Manolo Blahnik shoes !  These are my totally gorgeous, too die for Sneaklo Porc Velour Rose Mules as worn by Carrie in Sex in the City.  Purchased prior to the birth of the twins they are rarely worn now as you can see but I take them out from time to time, just to look and stroke !

Finally, a PUCCI Bag again off Ebay and a total steal, appears brand new with all the tags included and the dust bag.  The lady who sold it must have been distraught at the price I won it for but bless her she still sent it to me, not so sure I would have been able to part with it if it had been the other way around.

A selection of some of the beautiful clothes I have managed to buy thanks to Ebay, Etsy and other internet sites.  As I have always maintained you really don't need a bank full of money to buy quality designer pieces, they last for years and if you stick to classic styles you can wear them again and again year in and year out.  Please pop over and see the other MagpieMonday entries.

Some Kitchen pics

I am duplicating this post from my All About The Boys Blog  as it shows how my kitchen looks now.  A detailed post on the before and after will come soon. 

I still think they sent me the email by mistake and will at any minute realise and withdraw the invitation.  Those who know me will know that cooking is not my *cough* strong point or rather something  I can, but prefer not to do.  I blame years of being waited on in the Army Mess.

Anyway until I'm thrown out of this exclusive and rather imposing club I will continue to masquarade as someone who cooks and reveal my kitchen as requested.

Can you spot whats missing ?

There it is !  The essential cooker and hob.  Apologies for the microwave, we really don't use it that often .  If you look closely you might spot the Marie Claire cookery books ontop of it, never use them, just bought them because they have pretty cover pictures that match the colour of my kitchen.   The sign on the wall ?  Says it all really : Coffee, Tea or ME !

I love vintage and thrifted household items.  Here are a selection I have out on display.   You can follow the progress of the renovation of our home on this blog with a post on before and after transformation coming soon.


So there you go.  My kitchen. Take a minute to pop over and like the WORLDFOODS fusion of flavours facebook page and you will also be able to follow us as we cook (or attempt to) our way to Asian cooking heaven !

Romantic Picnic time - Magpie Monday

The twins and I have been away for the week in Cheshire staying with Grandma but this didn't stop me having a little browse around an amazing Antiques Emporium up there.  Most of the items although fab, were priced out of my comfort zone so I only picked up a cup and saucer for £2 and a set of 3 plates for £2 (will post them at a later date) .  Back home and up early on Saturday as I had a mountain of customer orders to post and no food in the house.  (well can't expect hubby and No1 son to shop, clean etc for themselves when I am away)  !  I had the perfect excuse to "have a little look" in my favourite shop after the post office.

I must say I am finding less and less these days on my trips but I did find these pieces which follow a bit of a blue theme and make a lovely selection to include on romantic picnic for two. Hubby and I  don't get much "us" time these days and we both miss and need it.  So I dream if ever there was a chance for us to get away from it all,  I imagine us sat under a weeping willow tree, by a river, sipping wine and eating strawberries.......

Blue Celeste Meakin plates set of four  for £1

Blue pressed glass Cake stand ( used as a plate for the strawberries) £1.50

Two pretty pale blue candle votives for £1

Pretty Bluebells picked from the garden and popped in an old bottle. Simple, stunning and free.

and the song we would play .......

linking up to Magpie Monday  pop over and take a look at all the other great finds.