Something to be said for a lie in

Since opening the shop I work 6 days a week.  Four in the shop and two days as a school secretary.  Leaving the only "day off" Sunday, to clean the house, catch up on the washing, spend quality time with the children and hubby and go treasure hunting of course.  Yesterday I was determined come rain or shine I would make it to the boot sale this morning but its been a particularly tiring week again and when hubby woke me at 6am I already knew there was no way I was dragging my tired bones out of bed to treasure hunt in the darkness and rain.

I turned over and went back to sleep for two hours.  I woke up feeling much better if not a little annoyed with myself that I had missed all that potential treasure at the boot sale.  Nothing for it I would have to go out searching "just in case".  The boys really didn't want to leave the house and hubby was happy pottering in his shed so off I went.  I have several places I like to visit on the Sunday and they certainly didn't disappoint today.

Here is a little taster of the goodies I found .

You might wonder what I could possibly want with this beauty, but I can tell you my heart skipped a beat when I saw it.  A genuine French Plum drying rack !  A what ? I hear you say...

 

A plum drying rack, a rack for drying all those delicious French plums from the sunny orchards of France.

Anything remotely French, vintage and rustic is so desirable at the moment.  I LOVE it and I have a great idea for using it in the shop (unless, of course I sell it first ).

Next up this great galvanised Herb and Flower drying rack, it has all the hooks too.  Would look fab hanging from the ceiling with herbs and flowers (obviously) or even pots, pans or cups etc .

Love the colbolt blue of these glass Salt and Pepper pots.

A large, silver painted wooden letter Y.  Just because I love collecting random large letters and thinking this could be the start of my YO, HO, HO for christmas.  Or maybe somebody called Yolander or Yvonne will buy it.

and finally for now because I have to spend some time with my family before I start all over again.

A huge ceramic bowl and platter in the most divine Mink colour.  So as it turned out, my little lie in today was worth it.

Linking up with MagpieMonday

The wood burner

The nights are drawing in and there is definitely a chill in the air.  I do love this time of year but I also dread it because of the cost of the heating bills.  We try to put off turning the central heating on for as long as possible.  Layering on the clothes and reminding everyone to close doors, put more clothes on, turn down the radiators etc etc. 

Recently hubby and I have spent more and more time discussing the possibility of installing a wood burner, we know several people who have them and apart from looking fantastic they are supposed to be really good value for money and super efficient.  As we live in a 1930's house we already have the fire places (with unblocked chimney's) in place.

While we discuss the pros and cons further I thought I would have a little day dream,  here are some I really like the look of.

How wonderful is this one in a bedroom complete with a full sized picture wall of a winter
 woodland !

 

We could do this in our living room as the layout of the chimney in the room is the same.

 

oh Rustic Love !

 

Now this one is really me !

 

Modern style

all pictures from #pinterest

Hellooooooo I'm back !

So I thought it would be a good idea to pop off and become self hosted, combining my online shop and blog.  I thought I was being a very clever bunny but it turned out it was far too complicated for my simple brain to navigate.  I had to rely on a very clever geek fairy to help me everytime I wanted to perform a simple task.  Quick blog posts and pictures were a thing of the past and as for trying to set up a workable postage system for my online shop ! FORGET IT !

Now a lot has happened in the last year to keep me away from blogging  (realising my dream of my own shop for one ) and to be honest I did actually loose my blog mojo  but now I have the shop pretty much up and running I feel I might have some time for the odd blog post or two.

I've no idea what has changed in the world of blogger or even if anybody will read my blog anymore but, well if you are out there.......

Waves hello.

Painting time

Day one as a shop owner.
The realisation of what I have taken on has started to sink in.
Only one thing for it, get the paint brushes out and start painting.  Luckily both hubby and Jacob were willing assistants today.
A lot was achieved.
EXCITED !

Jacob makes a start on the awful pine counters.  I was going to throw these but actually think with a little bit of a makeover they could be really useful to store paint and other essentials.

Meanwhile, Nigel makes a start on the wall outside the shop.  We are tucked away from the high street so need to make the space as inviting as possible for our customers.

First coat coming along well.  What do you mean, What am I doing ? I'm the boss!!

More painting....

bit more painting

Not a bad morning's work.  Think I need to go home for a rest.

I did it !

After years of dreaming about owning my own shop, I actually sign on the dotted line on Monday !

I received an unexpected call yesterday from the landlord of a property I fell in love with when I saw it recently.  The shop was newly up for rent but already had somebody else lined up to take over (luckily) for me the lady still has a property to sell in France and wasn't in a position to move as quickly as I was.

Today feels a bit like the morning after the night before.  I am feeling excited but really nervous too.  This is is not a decision I have taken lightly.  I've given it lots of though and looked at many, many potential shops spaces in recent years.

Can I make it work ?

Can I earn enough to afford it ?

Will people come and buy ?

What do I sell ?

How much do I rent space out for to other independents ?

How will I manage the childcare ?  Holidays ? Sickness ? etc etc etc

All I know is the space, although tucked away at the back of town (Exmouth) has so much potential.  Needs very little work to get it up and running and has a wonderful sunny outside walled space !   My instincts said go for it and so I have.

Here are some pics of how it looks at the moment.

I have big plans.

wish me luck .....

The entrance

Inside, looking from the back of the shop.  All the stock belongs to the current seller.

From the front door looking back into the space

My hubby with that "here we go again" look on his face.  He knows his considerable skills are just about to be called upon.

The outside "walled garden"  can you see it !!! can you imagine how it might look ???