A Nostalgic Visit

Yesterday was my Birthday and so hubby took me out for the day so that I didn't spend it doing housework or sewing...Bless him!

We thought we'd try a place that we hadn't been to before, which we had read about in a tourist brochure...It's called Oakham Treasures and is just the place for a nostalgic girl, or for those who'd like a trip down memory lane. It's situated on a farm near the coast at Cleveden.

Just as we were paying to go inside I noticed a large sign which said cameras prohibited...Oh poop, I thought, now I can't share my day with all the lovely Blogging ladies...

So hubby and I wandered around the vast collections of packaging, advertising boards and merchandise, oohing and ahhing at all the lovely graphics and remembering some of the items from way back when...with twitchy fingers that wanted to be clicking the camera button!

It would take a whole day to really study and take note of all the items in the smart old shop display cases and counters, but we whiled away a good couple of hours. When we finally got to the exit, I was still feeling slightly miffed that I hadn't been able to take photos, so wrote a comment in the visitors book that they had left out - The gist of which went something like this; 'A lovely visit, but such a shame that you do not allow photos to be taken. For what it is worth, I would have included some on my blog on the www, which could have led to some free advertising for you'.

Hubby and I then headed off through the foodie farm shop that they have on the premises, where I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder! The owner had come running up to me and asked if I had just left the message in his visitor's book. I said 'I had', and he explained that as of yesterday, they had decided to allow photography, but they had not had the time to take down all of the signs forbidding it!

So, being the good girl that I am ;-)), I asked if I could go back in to take some photos and I would upload them onto my blog when I got home...He happily let me back in and here we are...lots of nostalgic lovelies are now on this post! Hope you enjoy them...

*

(One of the local yokels!)

The amount of beautiful advertising boards and enamelled signs on display is phenomenal...I rarely see any at the antiques fairs and flea markets these days...probably because they are all in private collections or museums!

Just look at this mind-blowing selection!

Wouldn't you just love to go shopping here?

**

Even the cigarettes look tempting! ;-)) Well, I'd like the poster at least...

And I thought of Lizzie whilst I perused the lingerie dept.! ;-)) I could just picture her having a field day selecting items to add to her fashion fair stalls.

*

Look at that gorgeous advertising corset mannequin.

So there we are, I left Oakham a very happy bunny after all and would certainly recommend a visit to any vintage-lover.

We then headed off to Cleveden for a bite of lunch and a sea view-fix...Two 'fixes' in one week can't be bad - first the bluebells and then the sea...I do love to see the sea every now and then...

We came home via Bristol as I wanted to call into a shop on Christmas Steps.

*

(When hubby and I moved from the SE to the SW too many years ago now to mention; the steps were the first place that we visited when we we getting to know the area of our new home.)

I had read in a copy of 'Homes & Antiques' magazine last year that there was a shop called 'Shop' on the steps which sold vintage fashions and hats. The search for vintage hats is what brought me here, but on entering the shop there were none to be found. It was very retro and 'not me', so we left, called it a day, and went home.

*

When I got home the girls had already started baking a Birthday cake and they had taken delivery of several bunches of flowers for me. They also spoiled me with boxes of chocolates and a bottle of wine.

*

And can I just show you some of my other pressies?...

This is the adorable Violet that hubby bought at the V&H from the very talented Nicky (of course!)

She's such a lovely violety shade and will sit comfortably in our living room.

Hub also bought me this beautiful vintage lace necklace from the V&H from 'Tiddly PomPom' aka Louise Taylor-Bowen.

I had this stunning 1940's hat for my collection from my Mum and Dad...

Sue knows of my love of the sea and so she treated me to a coastal breeze scented candle, shell mobile for our garden beach hut, and some packets of seeds.

Lizzie gave me these two miniature celluloid cuties, both with matching real china mugs (rose decorated, no less!) - all of which will be moving into my dolls house shortly....

Maggie had been busy with her needle once again and made me a flapper girl hat stand and the wonderful toadstool pincushion. Isn't the hand embroidery lovely? (I think that I should try and persuade her to make some of these for my shop! ;-))

I'm so lucky to have such kind and thoughtful friends.

Helen surprised me with this dreamy framed print, which does have a little tale to go with it. You see, Helen has exactly the same one, which was her Grandmother's.

I have always admired it and wrote about it in my book telling of the nostalgic story that Helen conveyed to me. I feel so lucky to have my very own one of these delightful pictures and will treasure it and all of my gifts for ever.

Teena wrapped some pretty vintage china pieces which she posted off to me too. OK, I know I'm spoilt!

Finally my friend Debbie had just returned from Bruges, where she found this fabulous sign for my shop. How perfect is that?!

**

Things were back to normal again today and I've been back at the shop...

I did pick up a copy of 'Homes & Antiques' though. As some of you have already noticed (thank you kindly for your comments!) our home is featured in this June issue. Sadly they printed our home address as my shop's address, which was a bit annoying, as I could do with some extra promotion for my shop. I've been in touch with Nicky the journalist, who argued my case with the editor (apparently they were extremely appologetic) and so hopefully something will be done to rectify in a future issue.

I'll add some photos of the magazine article tomorrow, if I have time.

Have a lovely evening,

Niki x

PS: Hope you've made your mark today :)

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

Abraham Lincoln.