Thursday, February 02, 2012

Escape to Exeter

Our youngest daughter had to be in Exeter for two days this week, so hubby and I decided we'd take her and make a mini-break of it!
Down by the quay the weather was sunny, but a bitterly cold wind blew, making our cheeks glow and ears sting! After visiting the antiques centre there...

We took refuge in one of the cafes that can be found in the arches at the far end of the quay...

and warmed up with hot chocolate by the fire.

Later we headed back into the centre of the city for some sightseeing and shopping.

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Not far from the quay is wacky shop, Otto Retro, which is crammed full of funky vintage goodies.

The young man behind the (huge antique!) till was very polite and helpful...
So I didn't come away empty handed...

I left with this brazen babe below!...
Well actually hubby carefully carried her under one arm for me, smiling and shrugging-off some of the glances he received from curious passers-by doing a double-take! ;-))

I thinks she's a beauty...but really she could do with putting some clothes on during this cold snap we're experiencing! ;-))

I bought these fab 1960's knitting and sewing pattern books from Otto's too.

The antiques centre on the quay had lots of of pretty postcards for sale, where I made this selection...

One, a 1970's photograph of Shepton Mallet's Market Cross, with my shop in the background! (During the 70's it was a barber's shop.)

Vintage suitcase from a charity shop in the city.

AND we were also able to cram in a visit to Ashburton, where I visited Ros again in The Snug - A delightful shop that I have mentioned many times on my blog before.

Ros always has tempting treasures for sale - This time I bought a set of mats with hand painted nature inspired designs on velvet as their centres. I may use these appliquéd onto special hand made bags or boudoir cushions.

A c1950's blue plastic, knitting yarn dispenser.

And two pieces of leather barbola work...

Which perfectly match an item that I bought from Lizzie a few years ago - Now happily sitting together in my dresser full of stuff!

Thanks for stopping-by,
Niki x

6 comments:

  1. Dear Niki,
    Lovely finds!
    June

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  2. I wish I could have had a yarn dispenser back in the 60's when I used to knit all the time.

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  3. How amazing to find your shop on a vintage postcard! Your cafes look so charming. Having a fire to warm up by is such a treat!

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  4. Gorgeous things Niki, love the mannequin she is a stunner! I love The Snug in Ashburton and Ros is so lovely. I used to love going to Totnes and Ashburton when we lived in Devon so now I have to squeeze in a visit when I go down to see my parents. Have you been to Cranks vegetarian restaurant in Dartington at the Cider Press centre? If not, I can recommend having lunch there.
    Have a great weekend.
    Jo xx

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  5. Love it all. Yeah, clothes would be appropriate for naked mannequin in this weather.

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  6. it's far too cold for a naked lady- even a French one!

    Aren't we lucky how mini-breaks, days out, jollies and excursions always manage to incorporate a tad of "work" which goes a way to at least paying for some of the petrol!

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx