Gorgeous Gifts and Fabulous Finds!

I wasn't even aware that I had entered Karla's cottage charm giveaway! - she emailed me to tell me that I had won her gift; I had left a comment on her blog and my name was picked out - now that was a lovely surprise! Even more surprising, when the little parcel arrived, wrapped in a teeny envelope and a millinery flower decoration, was one of Karla's beautiful charms - hand painted with roses - I LOVE roses! Thank you Karla, the charm is so perfect. I have added it to a vintage diamante necklace and will wear it often.
(Karla is VERY generous with her giveaways - check out her blog and see!)

My hubby has been away on business in the States for two weeks. (He would pick the half-term holiday, wouldn't he?!) Well, he made up for things by bringing these two interior magazines back for me.

I really loved these inspiring photos inside...

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Other items to come my way recently include some wonderful finds at my local car boot sale:

This miniature metal rocking chair, probably Victorian and fashioned from a tin can! The seat is the round top of the can and the rest has been cut and twisted into shape from the outside of the tin - amazing! It has even been upholstered in a fabulous gold brocade.

I couldn't resist these pieces of etched glass from an old Venetian mirror. I'm not sure what I shall do with them, but I couldn't leave them there!

This tiny French epergne consists of an etched glass posy holder in a brass stand decorated with lily pads on a pool shaped base - very Art Nouveau.

And an Edwardian angel wall plaque made from bisque, with pretty hand painted details. These items were all from the same seller - I think we shared the sames taste - don't you just love it when that happens?!

I shall add all of these pretties to my dressing table...well its hardly a dressing table...there isn't an inch of space left for doing dressing table activities! Most of the things are pieces I have added over the years from Antique fairs and flea markets; lots of French items and even a few modern pieces that have been bought as gifts for me.

This fabulous antique tiara stand is another recent acquisition. I won it on eBay, being very lucky with a low bid - I have seen these fetch well over £100. This one is missing its glass dome cover, so I was able to buy it with the last of my Birthday money, at reasonable cost. They were made around 1880 and were used to display a Bride's tiara, corsages and other mementos from the big day. This one has the wax flower headdress and it is displayed on the red velvet cushion that is surrounded by gilded flowers and a dove, porcelain roses and 6 silvered mirrors.

They are completely over-the-top and so French in style, slightly gaudy and grotesque! But I have always wanted one! I was glad to have won it and so pleased when I opened up the carefully wrapped parcel, as I had been disappointed with other eBay purchases in the past.

It's such fun spending time hunting down vintage treasures, whether on the Internet, or out and about at fairs and markets......