Step into my shop with just a £5 note in your purse, and I can offer you a huge array of treasures and keepsakes that could be yours, often with some change given too!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_MMR8UkTa3h6xNu5e9uQ-ej14QwjnfjYHc7jo9zRY_mF-xkou5TP8mIZ_5PXf_aZbsxVj9yIsrx2c_NaqxX6y8zmN-lvImu4n6g5avLYv9cl-jcn3dwXlQQS8LPQErqemMLZ/s320/exeter+021.jpg)
Antique lace collars fluttering from coat hangers on high...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0NYv2wdket1NElpWOviQr1RoLGbHfO1RKLPn8UsuNDkFxHfnsaR9TjO2MqnnAXZh-h931ElDmWxMjcCs4wCLb5G-pN8o8abJpVamKntNNVQgwkGbjVsACOep5M5P-WPsohtw/s320/exeter+025.jpg)
Sparkling glass bottles that make the perfect impromptu vase on a windowsill...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtkbxOp7ofxu0XToC9f21WWK5XBoBoXib40Q6p3OWp-ITLay0zA4y9quI4RfrOOQY3Ef7crI5zK0mHcvM_J_BRKp1UiSTjkukKNcseFd1Vh2_rN5LtzLdwyimffjqbM1MD7d8/s320/exeter+026.jpg)
Postcards with their intimate messages and stories to tell (most at just £1, so they won't break the bank)...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxkptk_RiRG6_cOs5cDlT2AF7iv-oWzrmDY5-pbQcGnKdld7YQxszsNav2uUtrKDwp_TOidhctVcoVlOHOiAmKv2IkEGirQcjGgRvwwS4bDpXpkLZPJhkFbCFGXf5HUfWZYcT/s320/exeter+027.jpg)
Fragrant French soaps - an affordable indulgence...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapt-YSktE1SnMNrGLBAmtHzOU7aveP_ZoyJrWl1nvjhkL122SFk0SoWunqV-pTCNosTQqPDYPmmVImaV1D9-bBJC4jcRIspgDMyr8rE3ZCDTNydI2RI6iMTxgt0x0gyfheVZa/s320/exeter+028.jpg)
Handmade hearts of fabric and lace, cradle the dried lavender flowers of summer...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Wmzrpu4nGOSf34eqxQ6-CZ-5Rmtf_MJ0RyWQF_wZdlAov7UM_vk8_TMsGHW39gjQjqUqR2IZ696cAwQ8XQpxwaFrT0kaUH0q3d9yRpUkObF1U_X9Yp3gjmjSHrZLzFV9hIqt/s320/exeter+029.jpg)
Bygone books with charm and character...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexwXgbl78cBYcn_ECufsRPw92IPUpEMRWxkK7VLudpyJTzG5_CXycEF9CIwnxSLNdK575hAQ6TNbRfYVfw8ytKFXdPB8_lBVOlGq7LxDk7AeQcUOfGtvbq8SmFPg3soxfm2Xs/s320/exeter+030.jpg)
A last minute gift idea to treat a friend or loved-one...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXleW38TBvHzyX-PDI-0FRzHnG20pIDa2NmUkGyf5HifNdq2eSbBxh6Dw73Zc6Ro8xTG1Ei-eqqwCIIlJLUDBARb8OcTtwU2p1rzJgRqJcuKVTfggMMmhTGNmGofdF49bArer/s320/exeter+031.jpg)
Hand thrown clay pots from the Victorian era which could offer a home to violas or auricular...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0XFJkU0C-G7tjLtGVQ0R8UKCtvtWZz6tWQ6ImMJpGR6UgqNbA_W9y-_UoqjVOcXb_Dp4ODw7eBV0t1EGmaAgxT1r0vxXOdfYrQ-68E-AcpswsZt8g0Je4CblMCYSzgjELHTS/s320/exeter+032.jpg)
Sets of pretty buttons to improve a tired cardigan in your wardrobe?...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgq0uxaHgJRZu2uXm5HBi0W0wEe-DxisrNiZApNfDOayXB0Sda1m0Iil9QI-tWG8hOC9R3wuIwNeY2hxXUMm2i7B41nCaMBMADMF_eU0DloIA7WaYwbxnCLXXkidMnjwJ-lGX/s320/exeter+033.jpg)
Glass chandelier drops to send rainbows dancing across your ceiling...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EgD51o_5Ihi-lkb2lULqSmKhkcf8YfEBSGC21RjNjXhgFg06YcSzpVumgUDlJeQMT5CklxoqyWVb9zTjTXNgiwA4C_pcsKtaE_N5aROCPoEfRwpEHQIpTdrG_94AmRqXTUHH/s320/exeter+034.jpg)
A teeny framed miniature to tempt you?...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FT9PWFzHcJ4aZUsmG5cJ9lmrw2CIWK1HjIf5NkO_wND4Sv4yX4JT-S7ZDUW3MsvJ0qfJJXTJA-QTOy_nSyM5W4FBz9wIY2-A3BWuHs_xbt8g9Vi9Mu0Ss6-PpmVLd7dakiPC/s320/exeter+035.jpg)
Two scoops of buttons and you'd still have change for the meter...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7-M1HE_BrhF0fNG-hjssPTYehBdAzOnU6z3o0IuBzrk6FWiG3pbDTx4n0-q10s_oTqRnE0rNPGRzBzbfZmmuB9jZOuOOwGUhgHThARk0tpWgmj69AQ3kd2l2X14sJa2XjGWF/s320/exeter+036.jpg)
Tins to make baking day a little more fun...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CXIco64hjdFl1XTV0xpf_HlNehd2_ioDS1aZIF-CnHq2J1T58AE7Fbwe8ojvsmGa3Spsfplhg43olNB5sUZ6PaSoQ3ice2FMsKHK-saRslm08ESoqvcIhmK4b59Io4eWJpnr/s320/exeter+037.jpg)
Silvery tongs to serve sugar cubes to guests during afternoon tea...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIfHOR6fh3rJiFXW1y3FMsCocDI6rbc87MmGN3R4jtMYsOqUJlPaI3gsbJRzcRbkfpW8zxTOnGX5CrnzBsG0al-x1eNnR3WKClBONE0BKMzQ_ONUV-Q-pn_dokWr0koCos5Gx/s320/exeter+038.jpg)
Starched white handkerchiefs to wipe away a tear...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwLUlz2knAhHH5v35qF1r-wnfmzjDToNzLXh9p4O_9q80DrRbZKQ7QSYSPCjaCJNGs7SmW1B87bf3cayLjZW-JW2Tt7dgH6dhAGvJSrjWX_PUe4tj8bEE8OwCJ9hs9CMcVzym/s320/exeter+039.jpg)
Dainty doilies dress the table with an authentic nostalgic touch...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSB9urNzEDjsx7sENifU-8BNw0m4ycd_3YdzRrSWhfIj_zuTjVJNJs4D6v0uKuLCAhDDdI5thB4IGHP0M79kxeEeTdoH-cwIjX_Emr0vl6uIqU6iCtpQpPeuqE_DidAWk7TVI/s320/exeter+040.jpg)
Photographs from times past with the secrets they keep...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt49-SDWW4nMEjZahcMWzuqC4OqekriGOi1MT-0ytvZdE1Ut1H8gx2nwgWXZqsDTr7LNTIhf-bKEsQHl7daPl-8zK75iwGIbRbCu2hy72bmX816hBxOz6cAe7SF1caR9Ogz_WK/s320/exeter+041.jpg)
Dress patterns to document the style of the time...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ii3FtmF-mbzksqieRLMqyKycaDAS1SmQJpPWnxbzSNnMvrypH0zpT-Z7Po1SwtDYG1LMtMXOvFrSxBm6va_Wf1QDTYHsTzvqjmmLaI8rBoJSY51DiBTcl6ss_uzc-gNQKw7c/s320/exeter+042.jpg)
Frivolous flowers to brighten the day...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnSTPTXoaZAnQ0y7X66T5uzzDvO3Rt5zLOSf0TetdChCaIgpoX1k1Sz3IzMY_JhFcCIxCAxIgWw6Pyd1z61Cnp1QjKK-3kKaiQPYhD1L8MS0F9aKenbddpum_VOvUsnPqdp1w/s320/exeter+043.jpg)
Ribbons and lace will tie a gift, a posy, or braids in your hair.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNVOAFQkHldxmSs9ebiGJjYyQpimBSEjX_5hmBTzvALCR02pznP05dZWiWcR3dN5Ba0sBSc00jMMLyA_V4T5ZfV-QfuNJezfwQ7HlVWpU5YOg18r3VTPLHVl1pbl4XjSmIo4a/s320/exeter+044.jpg)
All lovely things to treasure and keep...
And so I question why so many of us 'um and ah', and then walk away empty handed...
Often straight to the nearest cafe (I've seen it done so often), where, unquestioning, the £5 is handed over in exchange for tea and a cake...
Which, in 10 minutes, is all gone...
But for the evidence now sitting on your hips! ;-))
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzptT51ZF2bCsnlORaqUjC4qY0mLGUGSD5HP30I6GBaQUs02GCP-GRWDJgcAtf2qwLa_FX6JikTKkT5fFTDUGVtq6aO4kOa4bj_bp5v4sYY1ksHxE4SfHK46XGm6FDwausLB4/s400/cake.jpg)
Although I am partial to the odd cuppa(!), I think that's well known amongst my friends, I do know where I'd rather spend my 'fiver'...
My collections are testament to that...and not a indulgent calorie in sight!
:)
Have a lovely weekend - Keep warm!
Niki x
Niki x
I so agree ... I would much rather buy something gorgeous that has and will stand the test of time, that I can gaze at for years to come or use to create something beautiful.
ReplyDeletehaha Niki this me giggle :) brilliant post! me and Steve are really naughty as we normally find treasure and then have our cake and eat it too ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures of your shop...hope you are wrapped up well,
Love Krissie XxX
I agree to Niki
ReplyDeleteI would rather spend my fiver on a treasure that I would have for ever. I usually take my own tea when I go out :-) If I lived in the UK I would love to visit your shop & spend the odd fiver or two.
Your Friend
Elizabeth xx
Keep my fiver for a tip from a heavenly massage or to have a lunch with a friend, although it takes a bit more than a fiver for lunch now adays.
ReplyDeleteI would so love to see your shop. I have not thought of lace collars in...forever. I crocheted some years ago.
ReplyDeleteGreat, great post, Niki! Love it! And who knows? Maybe one day I could be one of those regular customers of yours that come in with my £5 to spend in pretties!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you and your family.
Hugs!
Hi Niki.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I prefer to buy from you instead than go for a coffee! :):)
Wonderful your store, we are too far away, sigh...
Best regards, Maria.
(with translator)
You make a good point! It's how I shopped when I came to you, really - lots of lovely little things. And they do indeed look great in my collections - thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow, such treasures Niki. I wish I lived nearer, I would be handing many fivers over to you. Beautiful bargains!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Niki, i have also been stocking up on beautiful affordable treats in my unit,I also have reasonablly priced individual furniture which will hold it's value, but......M&S or Next.....ugh!I also like to visit a cafe, but rather than buying cake I have gone back to baking!!
ReplyDeleteWhere is the logic?
T x
Oh what lovely vintage treasures! I'm not that far away in Stroud. I am going to make a special effort this year to visit Shepton Mallet and your shop of course. And I will definitely have at least a fiver in my pocket!! Lovely blog. Maggie xx
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Niki! And you are SO spot on. You have a delightful array of treasures (love that idea of scooping vintage buttons). We own a family business as well, and I say you couldn't have worded this any better. I suppose coffee and danish can become too enticing as "instant gratification!"
ReplyDeleteHi Niki.. great post and I want to buy loads.. good points made.. well said. Take care. Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx
ReplyDeleteTreasures every time!
ReplyDeleteJulie x
As you know, I did it, Niki. Popped in and bought, not only for a fiver. Those clay pots had a nice journey and will be shown on my next post :-). Thank you again for your kindness and having opened earlier for us!
ReplyDeleteOne day I'll get to your shop with some £5's clasped in my hand. Your prices are so reasonable, I can't understand why people wouldn't indulge - a treat for themselves, a gift for a friend (a kind friend bought me one of your hearts last year). A fiver in exchange for something to treasure for ever, bargain.
ReplyDeleteCarol xx