Left on the Shelf

Having to work in the shop on Saturday meant the only day that I had free to visit the local antiques fair was Sunday. I wasn't expecting to find very much of interest left on the stalls, so I looked on it as a day to have a mooch with my friend in the lovely sunshine...
I was however pleasantly surprised to discover a few treasures yesterday...My favourite find was this little French basket with the special little details of a velvet ribbon ruffle and satin ribbon trim along the base...

Love the hand painted roses too!

Last week in the shop I sold an old Sanderson hat box - I hadn't banked on being able to replace it again...but ta-da, I will be able to, albeit with a slightly smaller size; a find I was very pleased to discover.

Love these old French catalogues full of fashions, home wares and furniture...Oh to be able to shop at these prices!

A fab 50's angora mix cardigan and the crinoline lady will be useful to hold my business cards.

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A good rummage through the stock of one of my favourite dealers turned up some gorgeous French fabric scraps and on another stand I bought some lovely diamante costume jewellery.

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Finally this little treasure was waiting for me inside one of the 'sheds' - such a sweet little thing, probably from around the 1930's; she has the teeniest little porcelain head with bead headpiece.

So shopping late at the fair can still turn up some exciting finds!

And another find that I am VERY excited about happened earlier last week...More about that another time, but here's a sneaky peek!

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Have a great week,

Niki x

Birthday Greetings

Please join me in wishing Sue a very 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' for today as its rather a special one!

I know that her family have lots of surprises planned, so its sure to be one she'll remember.

Many Happy Returns, Sue!

Niki x

A Host of Golden Daffodils.

I've been saving a few vintage treasures in order to create a special springtime window display in time for the Easter holidays.

This lovely linen tablecloth has been hand embroidered in each corner with a group of golden daffodils.

An original oil painting would be the centrepiece...

and a pale yellow china jug would be perfect for holding a bunch of the real things.

Have you ever seen such a kitsch doily?!

Three dimensional daffodils have been painstakingly worked in crochet cotton and dance in a circle - ideal underneath the jug.

A sweet linen tea cosy for the Easter breakfast cuppa.

To match, I found this adorable little c1930's bunny, and plenty of vintage postcards carry on the theme.

I took them all off to the shop this morning...

Bought some fresh daffs from the flower seller on the market first thing, and then set to work arranging everything in the window.

Hmmmm....I felt it was lacking something...Yes, an Easter bonnet, and I knew just the one...

A cheerful sunny yellow window to see off the clouds and showers outside.

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A few dashing red tulips crept into another corner too...spring flowers are so short lived that I like to enjoy them as much as possible whilst they are available.

Have a lovely weekend,

Niki x

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One of the side windows with a 'There'll always be an England' theme.

Spring in the Shop

Last week I sold the lovely green painted table and separate mirror, so had been on the hunt for something to replace it. Luckily I came across this very functional set of cream painted drawers, so was able to fill the corner quite quickly once again.

They could work well as a bedroom dressing table, or as storage elsewhere in the home, as their simplicity is their virtue.

I've displayed a large collection of coordinating vanity accessories on the top, from a lovely china dressing table set, to barbola mirror and a fluffy 30's powder puff.

The shop has been rather quiet this week, so I used the time to have a good sort out of the other 'boudoiry' bits and bobs on the shelves.

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I've sold some of the glassware this week, so will be looking for more of that at the weekend.

I've also been making some new hand bags - I used C19th French toile fabric mixed with antique lace fragments and I added a special vintage button to fasten.

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This huge Art Nouveau china bowl has been added to the bathroom area, along with some assorted sea shells.

And another recent best seller has been the colourful 1950's hats...

So I shall be on the lookout for some more Easter bonnets!

I've been collecting a few other Easter inspired items - mostly with a daffodil theme, so will show you those tomorrow when I add them to the shop - I intend to do a spring window display in the front window to try to attract the Friday market customers to pay me a visit too!
Niki x

The Shortest and The Highest!

I've just heard on the local news this evening that today was the warmest day since last November, and Hubby and I were lucky enough to be beside the seaside this morning - Strolling along the prom, prom, prom!

We went to Burnham on Sea, which is on the Bristol Channel coastline where they have some of the highest tides in the world (just behind Nova Scotia I believe).

As the tide was out, we were able to walk out to the marker at the end of the slip road where you can see the eight meter mark. Some tides further along the coast reach 15 metres!

In contrast to the highest tides, Burnham on Sea has the shortest pier in Britain!

Its a beautiful Edwardian structure and very much a part of the old fashioned feel of the town.

We took a brisk walk all along the flat sandy beach, enjoying the calm spring weather.

And then sat with some tasty sandwiches looking out to the land on other side of the estuary...

And we shared our crusts with some of the locals!

We also went for a wander around the town after lunch, where I found a few goodies, which I'll show you at the end of the post.

There was more gorgeous scenery to be seen, as we decided to come home via Cheddar Gorge.

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They've recently reintroduced goats to the area to keep down the vegetation. They are truly amazing how they manage to stay so surefooted on the rugged terrain, munching as they go!

And back home, my vintage finds seem to echo the old fashioned nature of our day - Lots of country cottages and traditional warm woollen blankets and mohair scarves.

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Hope you've enjoyed your day too,

Niki x