The Merry Magpie

Mirror make-over

2012-01-28T14:45:00.001Z

I was inspired by a few mirrors I've seen in books and online recently and decided to try my hand at a mirror make-over.

Here's the before....

A pretty ugly gold frame and dirty, old mirror. After a little imagination, some vintage fabric and a few coats of paint, here's the after...

I'm pretty pleased with it, I love the fabric and the mirror is now very flattering!!

And a close-up...

I hope you like it, I'm thinking of doing a range of mirrors to sell on my website. This one will be available to buy later today. I can also do custom orders, re-do a mirror of your choice, or use a fabric of your choice or your photos. Email me for details mail@themerrymagpieshop.com

Have a nice weekend!

Etsy shop & facebook giveaway

2012-01-25T14:39:00.000Z

So, after all the name confusion yesterday I decided, why not mix things up a bit more and open an etsy shop?! I have only got a few things listed on there at the moment but I'm planning on adding lots to the website and Etsy shop this weekend so watch this space!
I am also doing a little giveaway on my facebook page. If I can get to 100 likers by Friday then I will put all the names of my likers into a hat and the lucky winner can chose between a parcel for themselves or one for their home. I'm thinking a candle, vintage postcard and lavender heart for the home parcel and maybe some earrings and a hair clip for the 'you' parcel.
Here are some treasures I have found over the last few days.....

Embroidery, oil painting, floral bowl, 2 jugs, sugar bowl, silver plated apple preserve pot and cups and saucers. All vintage and all so so pretty!

Trinket box, flower clips and large flower corsage. All of these goodies will be added to the online shop very soon!

It's all change!

2012-01-24T15:09:00.002Z

Hello all, I thought I had better explain all the name changing! When I first started selling online I called myself the Merry Magpie and had a little online shop. I then decided to open my 'real' shop and changed the name to May Blossom for several reasons. I didn't want to change my blog or twitter so I left it as Merry Magpie. For a while now I've been thinking that this is probably a little confusing and I have been regretting changing the name to May Blossom as I have big plans for the online shop this year and 'Merry Magpie' is a much better suited name for my new ideas!
Today, I finally decided to take the plunge and change the name. So, my 'real' shop will stay May Blossom, my new online shop will be called 'Merry Magpie', my blog will stay the same as will my twitter, my facebook name has been changed and I am opening an Etsy shop in the Merry Magpie name! Phew...it's all change! Thank you to those who left comments and gave me feedback on facebook and twitter. My new online shop will be changed in the next few days and I will be adding lots more goodies too!
Here's a little preview of the etsy banner I've just designed!

Help needed

2012-01-24T10:34:00.000Z

Ok, I need your help, everyone who reads this blog, please, please leave a comment and help me! When I first started selling online my shop was 'Merry Magpie' that's why this blog and my twitter are still merry magpie. When i opened my shop I changed the name for a few different reasons.
Now, I have big plans for the online shop this year and I'm doubting my decision to change the name as 'Merry Magpie' is better suited as I really am a magpie, collecting pretty, shiny things.
So, what do you think, it wouldn't be hard to change my website as I've only just launched it so do I stick to May Blossom or go back to my original name, Merry Magpie? Please leave a comment!
Here's a very pretty image from Rachel Ashwell's facebook to inspire you!

May Blossom shop is now live!

2012-01-21T11:06:00.000Z

After lots of hard work, the May Blossom online shop is now live! It's still a work in progress, there's lots more to be added, lighting, small pieces of furniture and some pieces made by me that I'm currently working on! Here are some of my favourites....

Ebonised and hallmarked silver trinkets box

Antique Wedgwood 'Hague' sandwich platter

Vintage soda syphon

Royal Doulton egg cups made for the Savoy hotel in London

Elegant sun hat

Vintage bobbin egg timer

1930's French hand-worked quilt

Victorian carafe

Antique Coalport cake stand

French gift set, vintage ribbon and gift tags

There is much more in the shop and more to be added soon. I hope you like it!

Holiday & website!

2012-01-15T23:16:00.000Z

I've just got back from a very relaxing week away and I'm now finishing off the website, I'm hoping to launch it on 20th January. I'm really pleased with how its looking so far, very different from the old one and with a much bigger emphasis on buying online!

Here's a photo of my lovely hotel on the canary island of La Palma....

I'm trying to remind myself of why I came back!

And here's a sneak peek of the sort of thing that you will find in my online shop....

Antique cake stand, I'm sad to see this go, it really is so pretty and its over 100 years old! There will be plenty of vintage goodies on the website and I'm trying to get a real mixture of unusual things too. I will be keeping you all posted!

2012

2012-01-02T12:52:00.001Z

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a lovely New Years eve and are enjoying the bank holiday!

I love this little postcard, the little girl is so sweet and the flowers are so pretty!

I'm now busy working on my website, I'm making a lot of changes and the main focus of the website will be the online shop! It should be launched around the 20th January but I'll keep you all posted.

Here's a little sneak peak of some of the things that will be for sale....

I have tried to pick the best things for the shop and I really hope you will like them, I love them and I'm struggling not to keep them all!! I'm also going out over the next few days to look for more goodies so hopefully when i launch the site there will be lots to chose from! I will keep everyone posted on my blog and my facebook page!

Happy 2012!!

Christmas Wishes

2011-12-24T11:10:00.002Z

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you're all having a lovely Christmas eve and enjoying spending time with friends and family. I will be in the shop until 5pm and then relaxing with a mince pie! Lots of Christmas wishes to my readers, I hope everyone has a lovely day!

See you before the New Year!

Life at home with Ikea

2011-12-21T16:17:00.000Z

I discovered that Swedish Ikea has a blog today, life at home or livet hemma, it's in Swedish but i google translated it into English and it's got some great inspiration and ideas as well as gorgeous photography.
I do like Ikea, in small doses, I would never decorate my whole house with pieces from Ikea but I think a lot of their storage ideas are great and really affordable and once it's mixed in with vintage and one-off pieces, you can't tell!!

Here are some of my favourite images!

What a lovely apartment, if I lived in it I would have to add a bit more colour but the white background is so fresh and clean and I really love the touches of greenery everywhere, the mini trees, planted bulbs and daffodils look great in the office setting and really break up the white!

I love these Christmasy images too, the table display is an example of how Ikea can mix really well with vintage and one-off pieces and the white and red cabinet looks so festive and makes me smile!

Take a look at the blog for some lovely inspiration!

Rachel Ashwell

2011-12-20T14:45:00.000Z

I have written about Rachel Ashwell before, she is so inspirational, I absolutely love her style, she keeps everything very well edited and surrounds herself with things she loves. I was reading her blog today and saw that you can now buy her range online. It's sad to admit but I am very excited about this, I don't have time to get to her London store and I have never found anywhere that sells her things and ships internationally before, now, she has her very own online shop! Here are some of my favourites.....

Heirloom baubles, tablecloths, corsages, table lamps, petticoat shades, vintage florentine box and union jack wall hanging.

To me Rachel Ashwell is a constant source of inspiration, she is an author, designer, artist, entrepreneur and she manages to reinvent herself and maintain her appeal whilst always staying true to her design aesthetic.
Her online shop is truly Shabby Chic, not like all the imitation stuff you see everywhere today. Most shops you go into now and full of 'shabby chic' things and, maybe I'm the only one who feels like this, but sometimes it seems that calling things shabby chic really means they are just shabby and not chic at all. People think if they put the label shabby chic on something it will cover the fact the item is mass produced, bad quality or badly painted. I think it's a real shame, as when you read Rachel's blog and look and her website you see true Shabby Chic, even if it is a little expensive!!

Everyone is feeling the pinch this Christmas so why not just take a look for some extremely pretty eye candy, oh and she does have a sale section too....enjoy!

A few photos from around the shop!

2011-12-17T12:40:00.001Z

The shop is looking really Christmasy now so I thought I would show you a few photos! I will be serving mulled wine and mince pies next week, it should be a lovely atmosphere and great run up to Christmas!

My handmade fabric wreath, a set of 4 Staffordshire Chefware jugs, a Christmas arrangement in a lovely vintage style bucket on mirrored glass plate, my window display, tealight houses, inside the shop and outside the shop!

I'm still working on my rosebud topiary and a little driftwood project so I will show you some photos next week! Have a nice weekend!

Crafty Christmas!

2011-12-12T16:59:00.001Z

I have really got into making things this Christmas, there is something so pleasing about making something you really love from things basically lying around the house or garden! Today I have been making some paper star garlands from old french manuscripts, putting together some mini trees in urns and starting a dried rosebud topiary!!

I'm afraid I dont have many photos of the making process as I was too keen to get started!

To make the star garland I first drew a template onto some tracing paper (you can find templates on the internet) then using the template I cut out about 20 stars for my first garland. I used some old french manuscripts I found on ebay ages ago, but you can use coloured card, pages from old books or even old cards you have been given. You can do any shape, I did a star because of Christmas but you can do circles, hearts, butterflies, anything you like really!!

Once I had cut all my stars I got the sewing machine out! I used a long, straight stitch, leaving a long thread at the start of the garland to tie it, sewing into the first star, back-stitching a few stitches. This bit is quite easy to keep straight as you can use the points of the star to guide you! Then leave a little gap of thread (so just keep sewing) and then add the next star sewing along the same points, carry on until you have used all your stars, you can leave whatever size gap you want between the stars, overlap them or leave a lot of thread, I kept mine quite small. Then back-stitch into the last star and leave some more thread at the end to tie and its done! One paper star garland!

You could also do this by hand sewing, just keep a straight line, it would take a lot longer but its something that could be done in front of the tv!!

Once I had seen how easy it was to make my first garland, I just had to make another! I made a long one for my bed using about 20 stars...

Then a smaller one for my mirror using 6 stars...

I really like them on the mirror, they work really well reflecting in the glass!

I can see myself making a lot more of these! You could also sew down the star so the garland can hang vertically.

I have more of the French manuscripts and I can make these garlands to order if anyone wants one for Christmas or to have up all year round, as mine will be! I can do circles and hearts too! Please email me if you're interested! mail@mayblossomshop.co.uk

Once I put the garlands up I started to feel quite Christmasy and started on the tree! There were a few branches hanging lose on the bottom so I decided to cut these off and do something with them. I bought a pair of vintage urns ages ago and thought the branches would look great in them. I used some oasis to hold the branches in the bottom and kept adding until I had a mini tree!

I then tied them with ribbon, just so they looked a little neater, and used one of my wired ribbons I used on my wreath to add a finishing touch!

They're now sitting on my window sill waiting for the rest of my decorations!

The dried rosebud topiary is still a work in progress so I will save that for another day! Don't forget to take a look at my online shop for some bargains and if you're interested in a dried rosebud pomander or a paper star garland then please email me! mail@mayblossomshop.co.uk

My first wreath!

2011-12-11T19:56:00.001Z

I have been intending to make a wreath for a year now, I bought a big bag of ribbons and cinnamon sticks and fake berries last year and I discovered them recently whilst having a clearout so I decided I would give it a go! I love real wreaths but I wanted to make something I could bring out again next year and add to if I wanted to!

So I started collecting all the materials...

I need to apologise for the photos, my battery had dies so I was using an old camera! I used a double wire wreath base, some fake pine, some pine cones, apples, cinnamon sticks, wired ribbon and florists wire.

I started filling my wire base with pine, I used about 4 or 5 sections of pine, held them together with wire and then wrapped more wire around the base until the pine was really secure!

I kept going until I had filled the wire base.

I wanted to keep my wreath quite simple as it was my first attempt but obviously much more greenery could be added and real can be mixed with fake to bulk out the wreath.
I then decided which decorations to add, again, I wanted to go for quite a rustic, simple look, so I used 1 ribbon, some berries and some little bundles of sticks.

I then added a little bit of bling with some wooden beads and a silver, heart charm. I threaded them onto some wire and wrapped it around the wire base.

And a few more berries!

I thought about adding more but I do prefer simple wreaths and if I feel like a change next year I can add or remove some of the decoration!
It only took me about 1 hour to do, whilst watching the X factor and it cost me well under £10, so, for a first attempt, I'm pretty pleased! Next, I think I'll try a real one!

Don't forget I have reduced the prices in my online shop until the 20th which is the last day for UK postage, why not take a look and treat yourself or if you're like me, you will need to get some last minute presents!!

Christmas shop SALE

2011-12-10T18:50:00.000Z

Well, I promised a little sale and today, I have reduced the prices of my online shop till the 20th December which is the last day for UK postage. I have added some handmade beaded snowflakes, a handmade dried rosebud pomander and a handmade stocking. Great gift ideas, decorations or treats for yourself and it's only online!

Why not take a look and do some shopping from the comfort of your own home?!

The Original Christmas Pop up Shop

2011-12-09T12:46:00.003Z

Whilst reading one of my favourite magazines recently I saw a feature on a mother and daughter team who have set up a pop up shop for Christmas! The Original Pop Up Shop is run by interiors stylist Louise Rastall and her mother Carol. Between November 26th and Christmas eve they transform their family - run ice cream parlour in Newark into a rustic Christmas Wonderland. What a brilliant idea, making the most of Summer with yummy ice creams and the most of winter with a Christmas shop! They sell locally grown trees, festive wreaths and all sorts of decorations, some handcrafted by local artists.

I noticed the other day that they also have an online shop, it really is lovely, with beautiful photographs and original decorations and gift wrapping ideas! Why not take a look, there is still time before Christmas!!

If you're doing some shopping online then I have some great bargains in my online Christmas shop! I have a stocking filler page where everything is under £10, including soaps on vintage plates, candles, wooden hearts, a vintage brass and mother of pearl trinket box, lavender hearts, jewellery, scarves and more! I also have my dried rosebud pomander ball I made a few nights ago, it's £12 and can be made to order in different sizes and with different ribbon!

Oh and just a little heads up to my blog readers, I am planning on reducing a lot of my Christmas goodies online this weekend. The prices will stay the same in my shop but for anyone who supports me online I will be offering discounts!! So if you want to grab yourself a bargain then check out the Christmas shop this weekend!

I feel like since I opened my shop I have really neglected my blog, so my new years resolution is definitely to blog more and get back into making things. I enjoyed making the pomander ball so much, so it's something I want to start doing more of! I also have some big plans for 2012 which I will keep you posted about here and I also plan to start the new year with a new look website and online shop, so...watch this space.

Online Christmas shop

2011-12-02T11:24:00.001Z

I just wanted to write a quick post to tell you all that I have finally made a start to my online shop!! I have decided to get most of my Christmasy things on there so there are stocking fillers for under £10, jewellery, accessories like scarves and handmade purses and even cake stands and tea cups! I will be adding more later too! Then in the new year hopefully my online shop can be launched properly!

I hope everyone is enjoying advent and is getting ready for Christmas!

Wordle

2011-10-26T15:20:00.002+01:00

I am still working on my post that I hinted about in this post but in the meantime I thought I would tell you about a really fun website I found today....you can see how I keep myself amused when the shop's quiet!! Its called Wordle and here's the blurb....

"Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends."

I created one for my shop, which I love, I did a 'print screen' and pasted it into paint, I then cropped out all the edges so I was just left with the 'word cloud' and saved it as a photo. Here it is:

I really love this website, you can either paste some text to create your 'cloud' or write your own words, I just thought of words that came to mind when thinking about my shop, but you can paste poems, favourite quotes, songs, the list is endless and you have a 150 word limit so you can really get creative! There is a massive choice of colours, fonts and layouts and you can just keep playing around until you get the look you want.
Once you have got your cloud you can save it to a public gallery, print it or paste it into paint and save as a photo like I did!! I can now use my cloud for whatever I want, on bags, leaflets, printed as a picture and framed, and it's completely free!

Take a look at the website and have a go!

The Vintage Twist Company

2011-10-12T12:57:00.000+01:00

Before I write my next post, which i gave a clue to in my last post, I wanted to tell you all about The Vintage Twist Company. Based in Wellington, Shropshire Lou breathes new life into unwanted treasures, giving them a clever 'twist'. Please visit her blog to see some of her beautiful work...I am selling the telephone and lamp in my shop!

Shop opening hours survey

2011-10-06T13:59:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone, I'm sorry for the absence lately, I have been so busy with the shop, I have neglected my blog, and i'm afraid I need to ask for your help!
I offer a sourcing service in my shop and it has taken off so well, which is great, but I am struggling to find the time to look for things for customers as i am in the shop all week, so, I am considering some alternative opening hours.I have designed a survey online to help me make some decisions about my shop opening hours and if you could take 2 minutes to fill it out for me that would be great! It's only 5 questions with yes or no answers so it wont take long! Thank you so much! I will be back soon with some more blogging! I will leave you with a very pretty picture as a hint to what my next post will be about!!

The Dansant - 30% SALE!

2011-07-21T13:49:00.000+01:00

I have mentioned the dansant before but I wanted to let you all know that they are offering a 30% discount on all their stock until the end of July. To receive the discount just enter the code at the checkout: TeeDee30

Here are some of my favourites in their lovely little shop, take a look quickly before I buy everything!!

They have some lovely things and the way they style their products is just so pretty! Why not treat yourself today?!

Harlex

2011-07-08T14:23:00.000+01:00

I stumbled across such a chic Etsy shop today via the this is glamorous blog. Harlex is run by a husband and wife duo from Hong Kong and they sell personalied leather goods with every item hand crafted and stitched.They cover everything from handbags to ipad cases to luggage tags and passport cases.
Here are a few of my favourites!

I love how they style their products too, so beautiful! I'm really tempted by the luggage tags, might have to treat myself!! Take a look at their Etsy shop.

Items in the shop

2011-06-30T16:37:00.001+01:00

I have been taking photos in the shop today and I thought I would share a few with you! I am starting to build up a really nice range of jewellery, I now have everyday and bridal/prom/evening jewellery and it looks lovely mixed in with my vintage homeware!

Just some of the things I've got for sale, china, glassware, cushions, enamel jugs and kettles and some really lovely watercolour paintings painted by a local artist!
Please pop in if you are in the area, if you're not then I will hopefully have my online shop up and running next week!

Shop opening & website

2011-06-24T09:55:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone, once again I find myself apologising for lack of blog posts! I've been so busy getting everything up and running with the shop and planning the opening! I am now working in the shop and things are slightly calmer!
I thought I would show you some photos from my opening,it was a great success and I was really happy with how it all turned out!

The outside of my shop!

The cupcakes were very kindly made by my friend and went down a storm! I am in the shop tuesdays to saturdays so please pop in for a cup of tea and a chat, if you are ever in the Shifnal area! I have also set up my website, there will be an online shop coming soon as I'm still working on that but I have made a gallery of the shop and added lots of information so please take a look!

Inside the shop-after photos!

2011-06-10T23:28:00.000+01:00

My shop is opening tomorrow so I have been really really busy but I thought I would just show a few sneak peeks of the shop before my grand opening!

If you live anywhere near Shifnal, Shropshire, please do pop in tomorrow, there will be cupcakes, bubbly and 10% off!

Before and after shop photos!

2011-06-04T13:26:00.001+01:00

I thought it was about time I showed you all some before and after photos of the outside of the shop!

Before....

After...

And with my sign....

I'm really pleased with how it looks!

I'll be getting all my stuff in the shop this week ready for the opening next saturday so I can show you some before and afters of the inside too!

I have made a facebook fan page and I would be really grateful if you could 'like' it! You can do so by clicking the like button on the top right of my blog.

Getting nervous

2011-05-25T17:00:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you all know that I'm still here just very manic at the moment! I'm currently painting and trying to get things labelled and in the shop! I've had some cards printed to advertise my opening day, so there's no going back now! Saturday 11th June, May Blossom will officially open, I do hope if you live anywhere near Shifnal you will pop in!

See you soon with some photos inside the shop!

Saying hello and a shop update!

2011-05-16T14:13:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone, I'm back from my holiday in Turkey, I had such a good time, the weather was lovely and I went with three girl friends, stayed in a brilliant hotel and had a lot of fun!

I'm now in full 'shop mode', I'm currently looking into having some leaflets printed for my grand opening, which is June 11th, if you live near Shifnal please come along, and I'm frantically trying to put the finishing touches to inside the shop before moving my stuff in next week! Then I will hopefully have some 'after' photos to show you!

My merry magpie shop website is no more, as I'm calling my 'proper' shop 'May Blossom' so my website will be changing and re-launching in June along with my shop! My blog and twitter will stay the same so you can keep following my progress on here!

Sorry for such a short post but I am so busy, I'm off to do some research into press releases, any tips would be very welcome! For now, I'll leave you with a pretty picture from the Cabbages and Roses homeware style guide, take a look for some seriously lovely images!

Royal wedding bunting and flags

2011-04-28T12:13:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to tell you about a really cute project from Patchwork Harmony to make your own mini union jack flags and bunting! You can download the template here, why not use them as an excuse to have a royal wedding party tomorrow!

I hope you all enjoy the extra long bank holiday weekend and lets hope it stays sunny! I'm off for a weeks holiday in Turkey on Tuesday so I shall be back on the 11th with some photos of the shop and some of my holiday, see you then!

Another Etsy favourite Restyleshop

2011-04-27T16:13:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone, I hope you've all had a nice Easter! I'm sorry the blog has been so neglected recently but the shop is really starting to take shape now, I've got the inside painted and cleaned, I'm having some shelves made this weekend and my shop sign and logo is currently being designed!
It's all very exciting but before I start to show you some more 'finished' photos I thought I'd share a new (well new to me) Etsy shop I found via the dansant.
The shop is called restyleshop by handz and is run by Jan Skácelík who is a graphic designer/photographer/composer from the Czech Republic and she designs and prints lovely posters inspired by mid century modern Scandinavian design. Below are some of my favourites!

Those are just a few but really I like everything on there! Check out her Etsy shop, you won't be disappointed!

Oh and just a quick request from me I'm running race for life in July, it's the third time I've done it and I would like to raise more than ever this year, so if you wouldn't mind sponsoring me, just click on the 'sponsor me' icon on the right! I would really appreciate it, even just 5p would make a difference! Thank you!

Inside the shop!

2011-04-19T12:24:00.000+01:00

I thought I would show you a few photos from the inside of the shop. I have to admit, it looks a little uninspiring in these photos but I am currently giving it a new lick of paint and a very good clean and have plans to pretty the place up so I can show you some 'after' photos when it's done!

The outside woodwork is now painted a light blue and looks so much better and I'm starting to get really excited now it's all coming together! Hopefully I will have some nicer photos to show soon!!

My Shop!

2011-04-06T14:19:00.000+01:00

I'm sorry for the absence from the blog recently I have been very busy signing contracts and organising my new shop!

It's finally happening, I'm opening a 'proper' shop, I have wanted one for so long, I'm very excited but very anxious as well! I have two months to get the shop up and running so I am currently sorting out boring things like bank accounts, credit card machines and phone lines before the fun part of making the shop look pretty can begin!

I don't have very good photos of the outside or inside of the shop yet but here are two photos I quickly took the other day to give you an idea! I will take some more later in the week and obviously you can follow the shop development right here.

The outside is soon to be painted a lovely blue colour and then I will be starting on the inside, so...watch this space!

Sunny house

2011-03-19T15:52:00.000Z

Seeing as it's such a lovely sunny day here in Shropshire I thought I would share a house that I think looks happy, sunny and light filled. I found it on light locations a website I have mentioned before and one I regularly visit as I love the mix of houses and find it really inspirational. Here's my latest favourite!

I love the mixture of styles in this home, it's very eclectic, a bit of old, a bit of new, some french influences, a few feminine pieces with some masculine furniture and an ethnic and bohemian feel too!
I think all these contrasts make a house a home, you don't just go out and buy everything you need for your home in one go, from one shop, items are picked up here and there over time and as your tastes change and evolve so your home becomes more eclectic!

Take a look at the light locations website for some more lovely homes!

Shabby Chic Couture

2011-03-08T13:04:00.001Z

As you will know, if you read this blog, I am pretty obsessed with Rachel Ashwell and her whole ethos "Comfort, the beauty of imperfections, the allure of time-worn objects, and the appeal of simple practical living these are the cornerstones of the Shabby Chic® brand" (taken from her website).

As I am still in the process of seriously considering renting my own 'bricks and mortar' shop, I thought I would take a look at some images of Rachel's Shabby Chic Couture shop in London. I only found a few but I think they give an idea of how lovely the shop would be and I'm hoping to visit the shop in the near future!

If I do ever get my 'real' shop I would love to sell things like old china, glassware, cutlery, candlesticks, lamps and shades and bigger pieces like upcycled furniture. Take a look at Rachels blog for more inspiration!

Popping in

2011-03-03T14:12:00.001Z

Just a quick one from me today, I've still got loads going on with my shop at the moment but, to be honest, it's not looking very likely as the owner will not budge on the rent and I just don't think I can afford it. But, I may have something else in the pipeline so it's not all bad.
Whenever I feel stressed or down I like reading my favourite blogs as they cheer me up! Whilst reading the dansant blog today this image and text cheered me up, and reminded me of the smaller pleasures in life!

Take a look at their blog, it really is lovely!

My 1st Birthday

2011-02-26T09:51:00.001Z

It's my blog birthday today, I have been writing this blog for exactly 1 year today! It's gone very very quickly but at the same time I feel like I'm still learning so much.
Thank you so much to everyone who has read and followed my blog over the last year, I hope to have many more birthdays on this blog and I have a feeling 2011 is going to be an eventful year for me so stay tuned!!

Gorgeous cake from Eddie Ross.

Have a nice weekend and I'll see you next week!

More apologies and some exciting news....maybe!

2011-02-25T21:59:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I find myself apologising again for the lack of blog posts recently. The reason for this is that I am in the process of negotiating something quite exciting at the moment. It's not definite but I may be opening a shop in my home town, I'm still in the talks process at the moment but I have fallen in love with one particular shop and I admit I already have so many ideas swimming around in my head! So, I've been busy the last few weeks viewing shops and doing a lot of talking, thinking and working out finances!
I will keep you posted with all the latest developments of course but I may be a little neglectful of the blog and shop for a while.
If I do eventually get my shop, which would be a real dream, I would want it to look a little like the images below from Decorative Country Living.

Pretty, pretty, pretty! I would love my shop to look like this, but I would like a bit more of an eclectic feel with a few more industrial and rustic items mixed in too, here's hoping!

Saying hello and a lovely new blog!

2011-02-16T21:57:00.000Z

Hello! I'm sorry I have been so rubbish at posting recently, to tell you the truth I have been finding it really hard to get back into blogging after having a break over Christmas and New Year.
I think this has been for a few different reasons but I think the main reason has been not feeling very well. Since Christmas I've had sinusitis and it's been really horrible, I've been to the doctor several times and have had antibiotics and sprays and all sorts and I think I'm on the mend finally! I've been feeling run down and tired for the last few months and I think, touch wood, I'm starting to get more energy and feel better about my blog and my shop.
I have also had quite a few problems with my website, it was due for renewal (as I have had my shop for a year now) and for some reason the payment didn't go through properly and my website disappeared which, as you can imagine, gave me a bit of a shock! I'm sorry if anyone has tried to look at the shop and has found a 'maid service' website instead!! Anyway that problem seems to be fixed now and I'm raring to add my new goodies to the shop. I have lots of nice vintage treats to add and I'm hoping they will be trickling into the shop in the next week so I will keep you updated!

Whilst trying to get some inspiration today I was reading all of my favourite blogs and found a lovely image on the dansant blog from The cherry blossom girl blog. I thought I would share some of the gorgeous photography and images on the blog written by Alix. Below are photos of her apartment.

I love how romantic and whimsical all the images are, I think I would like this apartment, especially the vintage phone, I'll have one of those please!!

Getting back into the swing of things!

2011-02-03T15:24:00.001Z

Well, I'm back from my holiday and I'm in the process of sorting through everything, emails, post, photographing new things for the shop, etc etc! I will be back posting properly next week when I'm a bit more sorted!
In the meantime I wanted to tell you all about my friend Sadie's pop up vintage party. It's this Saturday at the Harte and Garter Hotel in Windsor, Royal Berkshire, there are still tickets left and there will be some available on the door if you fancy just turning up.
I can't go unfortunately as I'm working all weekend but it sounds like I'm going to be missing a lot of fun. There will be vintage home wear and fashion with a fashion show, as well as a beauty parlor and photographers studio plus much more.

Check out the website for more information. See you next week!

Eclectic Home

2011-01-20T12:43:00.000Z

I have a bit of a confession to make, I'm going away on holiday again on Monday! I'm going to Gran Canaria with my boyfriend. I know, I know, I am very lucky to have two holidays, one with my family in Morocco and one in Gran Canaria with my boyfriend. I promise I will get back to normal blogging when I get back! I have so many things to add to the shop as well, a gorgeous floral embroidered picture, two tea cosies, a French letter rack, a little brass duck...the list goes on! All of these things will be added when I'm back.

I have loads to do before I go away and I'm working all weekend so I will leave you with a gorgeous home I saw on sfgirlbybay. Since I got back from Morocco I feel really inspired by the bright colours and patterns I kept seeing everywhere and this home reflects all the contrasts that I love, old and new, white with splashes of colour and a really ethnic, eclectic vibe, you really get the impression the owner is well traveled. The house is a 1970's townhouse renovated by a Swedish interior designer, those Scandinavians always have really good taste!

See you all when I get back!

Morocco

2011-01-17T13:19:00.001Z

I am back from my lovely holiday in Morocco and I must admit I have the holiday blues! I had such a brilliant time and we managed to cram a lot into a week!
We stayed just outside Marrakech and we had a brilliant guided tour of the city, as well as heading into the mountains in jeeps and visiting the coast. I've wanted to go to Morocco for a really long time and I'm so pleased I finally have, it's such an interesting country with so many contrasts and so much going on. I thought I'd share some of my photos, they might inspire your next trip!

H&M Home and a holiday!

2011-01-05T11:44:00.002Z

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year and spent lots of time with family and friends. I was ill over Christmas unfortunately and had just started to feel better and I've got a cold AGAIN, so my to-do-list has been put on hold for now!

So, I thought I would share some of the new H&M spring home range with you, the 'sheer romance' set is really lovely and very reasonably priced too!

I just love all the colours, whimsical touches and ruffles, they cheer me up on a dull day when recovering from a cold!

Another thing that's cheering me up is the last minute holiday I booked yesterday, when I say last minute, I mean last minute, we're going on Friday! I'm going to Marrakech for a week with my mum and brother, staying in a lovely hotel and I'm very excited! I can't wait to wander round the market stalls and souks and soak up all the sights and smells! It's going to be a real change of scenery after the cold winter we're having!

So I shall see you all when I get back with some holiday photos and hopefully normal blogging shall be resumed! Have a good week!

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T11:54:00.000Z

Happy New Year to everyone! Thank you to all of you who read my blog last year and I hope 2011 will be great for the blog and all my readers!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T20:53:00.002Z

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm sorry I haven't managed to write more posts, Christmas is so distracting!

Anyway here's a couple of photos of some of my Christmas decorating...

I set up a little Christmas scene on my window sill, you can just see the snow outside! I love my house lanterns and the stars I bought from Cox and Cox!

And this is a wreath I made really quickly and easily with a piece of wire and a few beads in front of the TV.

I think this one might stay up all year round though!

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and New year with your family and friends and I will see you in 2011!

Christmas inspiration from Cox and Cox

2010-12-21T12:50:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I'm so sorry I haven't written a blog post for a while, I've been so busy buying and wrapping presents and getting everything ready for Christmas that the blog has been a little neglected! Anyway, although it is too late to actually buy anything from Cox and Cox I thought I would show some of the lovely images from their website just to get us in the Christmas mood!

Ahhh I love the Christmas product photos on the Cox and Cox website and their range of goodies is brilliant! I have actually bought the white cardboard stars above and I will be showing you a photo of those along with some of my decorating tomorrow! Until then why not check out the Cox and Cox website and get prepared to drool!

Some new favourite shops

2010-12-07T16:54:00.000Z

I keep finding new shops to ~~obsess over~~ browse, and at the moment, they all have a handmade theme as I'm really trying to get back into crafting at the moment and trying out new things like making wreaths for Christmas! Two shops I have discovered recently, I think, demonstrate how you can make the loveliest decorations and things for your home and yourself from bits and pieces collected over time. I love this idea as, obviously, it's cheap and also its also brilliant for recycling things found, bought, and collected, into treasures.

At the moment I can't get enough of the Looking Glass House Etsy shop, it is full of vintage and handmade treats, here are some of my favourites:

Festive candy dish.

Raw edged farmhouse garland.

French antiques book.

Angel wing lavender sachet.

Pale pink rag balls, Christmas decoration.

French inspired paper decoration

I love how romantic everything is and how all the products are styled and photographed, it really makes me want to buy everything! Alice also has Etsy shops selling jewellery and fashion and an Etsy shop for her romantic photography, as well as a great blog too!

The other blog and shop I have recently discovered is The Dansant. I really love this shop, I can't quite put my finger on what it is that makes me like it so much, it has a really French feel and the way they style their product photos is really inspiring. The shop is run by two Belgian sisters and it sells a mixture of vintage, one-off items and handmade goodies. The shop is quite small, but I think this adds to its charm, these are my favourite of their pieces:

Owl salt and pepper shakers.

Hand painted black stain milk jug.

Frame picture.

Vintage spoons in test tubes.

Mademoiselle Anna Necklace

Mademoiselle Lysbeth earrings.

As you can see there is a similar theme, both of the shops have beautiful, romantic styled photos that really encourage you to buy their products but they also really inspire me to get crafting and I love shops and blogs that inspire! I definitely want to try and make a wreath and I have ideas of a garland forming from bits and pieces I've collected, so hopefully I will have some Christmas crafts to show you soon...stay tuned!

Bringing the outdoors in for Christmas

2010-12-03T11:53:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I'm sorry for not blogging much this past week but I've had a horrible cold! Everything has been put on hold and I'm starting to feel a little stressed thinking about what I need to do next week, the list is growing and nothing is getting ticked off! Anyway to calm myself down and to gather some inspiration for Christmas decorating I've been catching up with all my favourite blogs this morning and I am really loving all the greenery I keep seeing.

A lovely dining table arrangement from Me and Alice

A really simple yet chic Christmas table setting from Stylizimo blog

This wreath from Yvestown is fake but I think it looks really pretty with the twinkling fairy lights and hand crocheted stars.

A candle and pine cone centrepiece from All about You. I will definitely be making something similar to this next week!

Christmas wreath ideas from Martha Stewart

I am really dying to get out and about this weekend and find some greenery to start decorating with next week, I'm going to have to brave the cold and dig beneath the snow!
I think bringing the outside in is a brilliant way to decorate this Christmas, it's free and all you need is a little imagination!

Christmas decorating ideas from Canadian House & Home

I am getting really excited about Christmas now and I can't wait to start making things and decorating. I'm planning on starting this weekend so hopefully I will have lots of things to show you next week! I also have a few last things to add to the shop before Christmas so I will be doing that next week too. See you then!

Gorgeous Swedish Villa & Chritmas shop

2010-11-24T17:07:00.001Z

I saw this beautiful Swedish villa on two of my favourite blogs recently, 79 ideas and Me and Alice and I immediately went onto the Skona Hem website to take a look. I just had to show you some photos! As you will know if you read this blog, I am obsessed with Scandinavian style and this house sums it up for me.

I don't think I could live with as much white in my home, without adding more colour, but it's very pretty to look at and I really admire the way they have such clean, uncluttered rooms.
Even the rooms that contain a lot of furniture and bits and bobs are kept looking really calm with the use of colours like white and grey.

I also really like the splashes of red in some of the rooms, like the cover on the bed and the matching cushions and rug, they really add warmth to the villa.

Another thing I always notice in Scandinavian homes is the use of greenery, a lot of window sills will contain plants in lovely simple pots, I really like this effect, especially the way they are formed into a circle shape, I presume with wire, I would love to have a go at this myself! All in all I just love this house and wanted to share!

On the shop front I have added some Christmas goodies, there are a few things on there at the moment and I am hoping to add some more things in the next few days and anything else I see in the run up to Christmas! I decided against the Christmas packages this year as I just don't think I've left myself enough time to get them ready as I was really pondering over what to put in them and I think I needed to plan this a lot earlier! I really like the idea though and it's something I will definitely do next year and I'm thinking of possibly trying out throughout the year, collecting vintage pieces and making them into sets.

So, for now, I'll keep you posted as and when I find Christmas decorations and gifts and I'll see you on Friday with another spray paint make-over!

Plant holder make-over

2010-11-22T17:47:00.000Z

It's official, I am obsessed with white spray paint, I'm painting everything! Over the weekend I found a lovely wire plant pot holder and terracotta pot for £8 in a local garden shop....

I really liked the wire holder but I wasn't keen on the black so, what did I do? You guessed it, sprayed it white!

I'm happy with the wire work but I'm not so sure about the white terracotta pot, I didn't like it in orange as it's a modern terracotta pot and it didn't look right, but I'm not sure about it in white either, so I think I will have to find a plant for it and see what I think, I'm sure we have some old terracotta pots in the garage so I think I may be digging those out! I'll show you when I have a plant and have decided on the pot!

On the shop front, I am in the process of photographing my Christmas pieces and putting the packages together so I will be adding things over the week, I'll keep you posted!

A large lavender heart, pottering & candle holders

2010-11-19T18:05:00.001Z

Whilst reading one of my favourite books, Simply Scandinavian (blogged about here) I was drooling over my favourite house in the book, in the 'vintage inspired' section of course, and I spotted this picture...

I really liked the large heart hanging in the window, I don't know what it is about Scandinavian style but they just seem to make really simple things in plain colours look really elegant and chic.

I really liked the heart because it's bigger than most you see, they are normally quite small and I liked the fact this heart was oversized.

I haven't done any sewing for ages so I decided to get my sewing machine out and have a go at a large lavender filled hanging heart. I'm really impatient so I grabbed a pencil, drew a large heart on some white fabric and cut it out. I then sprayed on some of my new favourite product, starch spray, and gave it a good iron, this made it crease free and a lot crisper and easier to work with.
I then measured a half inch seam allowance all the way around the heart and penciled it on so I would have something to follow when sewing.
Once I'd sewed the heart I trimmed the seam allowance all the way round making sure not to cut through the stitches, this is because the fabric is white, a large amount of seam would show through the fabric.

I thought the heart looked a little boring in a plain white fabric so I decided to applique on part of a fabric and lace placemat I'd bought in an antique shop (I felt bad cutting it up but I thought it was better to use it than leave it sitting in a drawer).

I then stuffed the heart with a mixture of toy stuffing I'd bought on ebay, and had in the cupboard for ages, and some dried lavender. I'm sure you're not supposed to just pour dried lavender in but as I said I'm impatient and it seemed to work!

To finish off the heart I sewed a loop of rustic string and a pretty white button on to the top so I could hang it.

I'm quite chuffed with how it's turned out and I think the end of my bed is the perfect place for it so I can smell the lavender as I'm falling to sleep!

As I was pottering around in my bedroom deciding where to hang my heart I decided to light some candles I've bought for ~~myself~~ the shop, they were so lovely I just had to keep a few for myself!! They do look very pretty lighting up my dressing table.

The candle holders will be in the shop on Monday as part of my Christmas goodies. I have added some lovely things to the shop over the last few days, two antique butterfly prints, some vintage letters, a chrome insulated teapot, a tea caddy and some tea cups and saucers, why not take a look!

Have a nice weekend, I'm off to potter some more and I'll see you on Monday with a few small make-overs!

Fleamarket Chic

2010-11-16T13:51:00.000Z

Just a quick post to let you know that my friend Sadie of Fleamarket Chic, who I've blogged about before, has now opened her online boutique, Sadie Boon Vintage. She sells a lovely range of homeware and apparel including a Wedgwood vase, 1950's champagne glasses, vintage rose prints and a gorgeous 1950's tole rose ornament as well as an impressive collection of vintage hats and sunglasses.

Why not sit down with a cuppa and have a browse of her shop, she's also offering 10% off to her blog readers!

Oh and also please take a look at my post yesterday on my Christmas idea for my shop, stop being lurkers and leave a comment, thanks!!

Getting excited and a question!

2010-11-15T12:51:00.000Z

I know it may seem early but I am starting to get really excited about Christmas!
I've been collecting vintage and new decorations and Christmasy goodies for the shop and it's making me really quite excited!!
As it's my first Christmas running the shop I've been trying to think of some new ideas and I came up with mix and match Christmas packages; different boxes containing various vintage and new decorations and festive treasures. The packages will contain everything you need for a vintage, recycled and eco-friendly Christmas.
I like this idea as it's something I would be interested in myself but I wanted to know what you guys think? Is this something that you would consider buying?

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

For now, I'll leave you with a photo that makes me feel very festive of a felt stocking advent calendar made by Cherry Menlove.

Blanket box - before and after

2010-11-11T13:07:00.000Z

Do you remember the £20 blanket box I won at an auction? Well, it was a long time ago so here's a reminder!

After much deliberation about what colour to paint it, I decided to go for a light blue/grey, here's the new and improved blanket box....

Ahhh much better, if I say so myself! I'm quite pleased with the colour, I was a little worried as it was made by me by mixing various left over paint! I gave it a sand and a good wipe clean, then I used a primer and one coat of white paint before using two coats of my mixed paint.

I then wanted to lift it a little so I gave it a wash of watered down grey paint and wiped it off, this makes it look slightly 'older' as the grey paint stays in the nooks and cranny's and gives it a more used look, this hasn't come out that well in the photos but it's the first time I've tried the paint effect and I'm really pleased with it!

I had thought about maybe adding some stencils to the top of the box, but, I like it as it is and knowing me I'll probable change my mind and paint over the stencils in a few weeks, best to keep it simple!

I'm really pleased with how it looks and I can't wait to give it a home, it's either going to have my TV on it or it will be a coffee table...I haven't quite decided yet!

I'm really going for it with painting furniture at the moment, I've got a chest of drawers, a bedside table and a bookcase left to do so I will be showing you those too. Here's one more before and after to show what you can do with £20 and some left over paint!

Stylizimo Blog

2010-11-09T16:35:00.000Z

I just wanted to tell you quickly about a new blog I've fallen in love with. Stylizimo blog is written by Nina Holst a Norwegian living in Los Angeles, and is packed full of inspiration. Nina writes about her lovely Scandinavian style home with gorgeous images of 'before and after' make-overs, crafting and decorating advice, it's well worth a visit!

Shaving Kit Supplies

2010-11-04T15:44:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I want to apologise for my lack of blogging the last 2 weeks, I have been busy buying and photographing new things for the shop as it is long overdue an update, I am hoping to start adding things next week so stay tuned for that! To help me clear some space for the new arrivals please have a look at my sale items, some as little as £3!

Anyway as I have mentioned before I am a BIG fan of Etsy and shops like Fruit fly pie and Modish Vintage, well, now I've found another favourite shop! Shaving kit supplies sells 'a mishmash of vintage goodies and repurposed handmade goodies'. I love how eclectic this shop is, selling homewares such as Christmas ornaments, animal figures and prints and also the odd item of clothing. Here are some of my favourites:

I really love these product photos, the unusual way things are displayed, the brilliant mix of items and the very reasonable prices! Unfortunately for me international shipping isn't offered on every item but it's always worth asking and I would recommend a look at the shop just for the lovely photos alone!

ALL papier mache half price!

2010-10-26T11:54:00.001+01:00

I have decided to sell off all my papier mache homewares in my shop. It isn't selling anywhere near as well as I had hoped and I think it makes sense to halve the prices and hopefully sell some or all of it to make room for some new vintage & antique goodies for Christmas!

I have to admit that I'm upset it hasn't sold better than it has, it's all handmade and hand painted in India and Nepal and is so well done. I have bowls, candlesticks, boxes and gorgeous sets of coasters all in different shapes, sizes and colours, I absolutely love it, so whatever doesn't sell will be staying with me! I think it makes great gifts, it's unusual, completely unique, handmade and environmentally friendly and perfect for Christmas, especially with 50% off!

Take a look and treat yourself or a loved one!

Pale & Interesting

2010-10-22T17:19:00.000+01:00

I know I have blogged about Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote's gorgeous online boutique Pale & Interesting before but I just had to share their Autumn look book with you! It is jam packed full of inspiration and beautiful photos. Their look books never fail to disappoint and after browsing their website my head always feels bursting with ideas.

These are just two of my favourite images, take a look at the website for some more gorgeous photos and loads of inspiration!

Rachel Whiting

2010-10-20T11:48:00.001+01:00

I stumbled across the website of photographer Rachel Whiting yesterday via one of my favourite blogs, sfgirlbybay and fell in love with her images of gorgeous interiors. Rachel is based in London and works as a freelance photographer specialising in interiors and still life and her work concentrates on shape, colour, simplicity and form.

I really love the above images, such calming interiors with neutral backgrounds and splashes of colour, just the way I like it!! Take a look at her website for some more gorgeous photos.

Another lamp revamp!

2010-10-14T21:59:00.000+01:00

I've been at it again, painting another lamp! I loved the lamp I made-over for my desk and I'm really liking the white gloss lamp bases I keep seeing and wanted to create something similar for my bedside table. This was my inspiration:

Unfortunately this lamp costs £99, which is out of my price range for a lamp! I found a base I liked the shape of in a bargain shop and although I actually quite liked the colour, I knew as soon as I saw it that it could look just like the lamp above with a few coats of gloss spray paint.

I masked up the chrome base, the bulb holder and the lead and then covered the lamp base with several coats of gloss spray paint. I couldn't resist another pleated shade and bought one from Homebase (I really love those shades) and voila!

I'm pretty pleased with it and I think it will look great on my bedside table!

Rue Magazine

2010-10-09T14:49:00.001+01:00

I've found yet another online magazine to drool over, as well as Lonny Magazine which I blogged about in August, I discovered Rue Magazine on sfgirlbybay.

Victoria of sfgirlbybay's home is featured in the first edition of this magazine as well as lots of inspirational interiors and decorating ideas.

Photos from sfgirlbybay.

I really love all the new online interior magazines that are around now, they are free to read and they feature real homes. It does mean I'm spending far too much time on the computer though! Why not grab yourself a cuppa and a comfy seat and spend some time browsing Rue on yours!

Empire Vintage

2010-10-04T16:23:00.001+01:00

I just wanted to write a quick post about Empire Vintage, a gorgeous shop owned by Lyn Gardener in Melbourne Australia. I stumbled across a post about the shop on Decor8 and immediately went to have a look on the website which is full of eye candy! Even though it's unlikely I will be going to Australia to visit the shop anytime soon the website has some lovely images including photos of amazing locations decorated by Lyn that can be hired. I've had to borrow the below photo from Decor8 so check out the website for more images and inspiration!

Lamp Revamp

2010-09-29T15:10:00.000+01:00

I've been looking for a lamp for my desk for ages, I wanted something like this Jielde desk lamp but it was a little out of my price range! After looking around for desk lamps and finding loads I didn't like and some I did which were very expensive, I decided to just go for a normal table lamp. I kept seeing high gloss white table lamp bases in magazines and on blogs and did a little google search, I came up with some of these....

But they were all either to expensive or from American shops like pottery barn, (they have really great lighting)! So I decided to try ebay, which is where I inevitably turn to online for a bargain, and still all the lamp bases weren't quite right or were too expensive. In the end I found a lamp that I liked the shape and size of but hated the colour and shade.

Sorry for the listing photo, I forgot to take a before shot as I was so eager to cover that base in paint!
I went and bought some white gloss spray paint and after masking taping up the cord and around the light bulb holder I covered that base!

I then needed a new shade, once again I tried the internet and ebay and decided I would really like a pleated shade, but, yet again, they seemed to be too expensive or the wrong size.
A few days ago I was in Homebase looking at shelving and I thought I'd pop into the lighting area just on the off chance....there, right on the end of the shelving, was a whole section of pleated lamp shades in several different colours, shapes and sizes! I decided to go for quite a simple grey/silver colour as I was trying to go for a sophisticated look!!

Here's the end result...

It's a very simple lamp in neutral colours but I'm really pleased with it and it means I can add quirky desk accessories....like my owl planter that I blogged about from fruitflypie, which doubles as a pen holder!

I'm really pleased with how my desk lamp has turned out, the total price of the lamp, shade and spray paint came to £20 which I think is pretty good for a unique lamp that I love! With this in mind, I seem to have caught some sort of a revamping lamps bug and am working on another lamp for my bedside table, so watch this space!

Etcetera

2010-09-23T16:01:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, I'm sorry for the delay in writing this post, I have been working on quite a few painting projects.... all to be revealed soon! Anyway I wanted to write about ANOTHER new book I bought, I'm sure I could keep Amazon going single-handedly! The book is called Etcetera by Sibella Court and I love it, it's a real change from most of the interior books out there.

Sibella Court is an Australian stylist and shop owner, if I ever visit Australia I would love to go to her shop, The Society Inc, it has different colour themes throughout the year where she changes the decor of the whole shop, including painting the door a co-ordinating colour!

Here are some of my favourite images from the book...

I love these translucent pages that are scattered through the book listing things Sibella Court loves and collects.

As well as being full of inspiration the book is also beautifully presented using brown paper and a typewriter font. The book really encourages you to consider the beauty in everything, it sounds a bit cheesy but it has definitely made me look at things differently, whilst on a walk at the weekend I found myself picking up things like pine cones and acorns as well as the obvious wild flowers.
This book has made me think twice about what to put in my printers tray with and Sibella's 'cabinet of curiosities' has definitely made me want to fill my printers tray with 'specimens' rather than the pretty things I would normally go for. I really love this book, it's a real coffee table book and I can see myself coming back to it for inspiration again and again!

Printers tray - before and after

2010-09-18T18:14:00.001+01:00

I have finally finished the printers tray I bought from Perry Higgins Antiques, after about 10 coats of white and cream paint here is the finished result!

Before....

and after....

I washed the tray thoroughly, treated it for woodworm, gave it a light sand and then painted it with a white primer and several coats of cream paint. I'm planning on hanging it on the wall with a selection of shells, driftwood, found objects and small nick nacks, along with a ship in a bottle I bought at Perry Higgins.

I'm really pleased with how it has turned out, even if I did start tearing my hair out after the fifth coat of paint! I'll see you on Monday with another book review, I just can't stop buying interior books at the moment! Have a good weekend!

Romantic Style

2010-09-14T16:40:00.000+01:00

I am completely in love with a new book I bought last week, Romantic Style by Selina Lake and Sara Norrman I've finished it already and I'm looking through it again as I just cannot get enough of the gorgeous photos!

I was drawn to the book by the front cover and also because I really love Selina Lake's previous book Bazaar Style: Decoratiing with Market and Vintage Finds and her portfolio. I was a little worried it might be a bit too frilly and flowery though, but I was definitely wrong, the homes featured in the book are really eclectic and have a sense of fun which makes the style feel fresh, colourful and modern. I really love this book and highly recommend it, there's only one problem though, you won't be able to put it down!

Perry Higgins Antiques

2010-09-09T15:21:00.000+01:00

I had such a lovely few days in Wales at the end of last week, it was very relaxing and I managed to get some treasure hunting in too, of course!!

I just had to write about the most amazing antique shop we visited in Penmaenmawr, North Wales. The shop was called Perry Higgins Antiques and it's supposed to be the biggest antique shop in North Wales! It was such a maze in there, but really fun as there was so much to look at round every corner. I have to admit that in all the excitement I completely forgot to take my camera so these photos are from their website.

It really was my heaven in there, I could happily spend a ~~day~~ week in there routing around! I was very good though, I only bought a few things, some for myself and some for the website (they should be added soon) and I did buy myself my next project....

An antique printers tray that I am currently, after much deliberation, painting cream to go on my wall to hold my (many) nick-nacks, I will show the 'after' photos next week as well as some reviews of my new favourite books!

New things in the shop

2010-09-07T20:09:00.000+01:00

After a very relaxing few days in Wales (which I will blog about soon) I have finally added some new things to the shop! I have more to add later in the week but here's a few new well, vintage goodies!

A vintage bobbin egg timer, a pair of vintage apothecary bottles, a pair of carved wooden owl bookends and a world globe. I really love the bookends, I was so tempted to keep them! I will be adding a real mixture of treasures at the end of the week so watch this space!

Fruit Fly Pie

2010-08-31T12:18:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a good bank holiday weekend, mine was very relaxing, I did want to try and get to some car boot sales but I didn't seem to get round to it!! I'm planning on going to an auction preview this afternoon so hopefully I will find some goodies there to make up for it!

Anyway I wanted to write about the most amazing shop I found on Etsy last week. Fruit Fly Pie is run by Wendy, a ceramic artist and graphic web designer who makes ceramics and embroidery in her home studio in Florida. I absolutely LOVE her pieces, some are hand moulded from raw clay, some are slip cast from vintage moulds and some are thrown on the potters wheel. I could buy everything in her shop but here are some of my favourites.

Forest owl spoon rest tray.

Mini turtle desk planter in vintage style.

Owl lantern in vintage design.

Ceramic deer figurine in vintage design.

Owl planter in vintage design.

Forest animal deer trinket box.

Cupcake cookie jar.

Frog scrubby holder.

Round owl candy dish.

And the ceramic piece I've ordered is....

Ceramic owl planter in vintage design in white.

I'm not quite sure what I'm going to use him for yet but I just love it!

I really would recommend browsing fruit fly pie, it's very reasonable, even with shipping and it's brilliant if you're looking for anything quirky or for an unusual gift. I can't wait for my owl to arrive and he will definitely be getting a mention when he does, so watch this space!!

Shelf

2010-08-26T13:13:00.001+01:00

I stumbled across a really lovely shop today called Shelf, I found it via one of my new favourite blogs, Tea for Joy. Shelf is run by jewellery designer Katy Hackney and costume designer Jane Petrie and they have a shop in London as well as selling some of their products online.

One of the things I love about Shelf is their diverse product range, they sell everything from stationary to prints to homeware as well as some vintage items thrown in too. Here's a few of my favourites.

I really love those gold paper doves and the recycled doorstops made from discarded laminate and oak. I highly recommend a visit to Shelf, the products are photographed really well, so it's great for inspiration as well as treating yourself too!

The magic of silver polish!

2010-08-24T15:14:00.000+01:00

I found a box of old silver plated photo frames in an antique shop last week and decided I would polish them up and give them a new home. It's a little sad but I actually really enjoyed polishing the frames, watching the transformation from dull to shiny! I didn't really take any proper before photos as I was too eager to get started but here's some mid polish!

I used Goddard's Silver Polish and a clean duster and I was really pleased with how they came out!

The round one is my favourite but it was so difficult to clean, now I just need to find some photos for them!

Bargain mirror, before and after!

2010-08-18T17:14:00.001+01:00

I found this mirror in a bargain shop near where I live, last week. I loved the shape of the mirror and the detailing on the frame but I wasn't keen on the terracotta colour, when I read the price tag I quickly decided I could do something with it, it was £2.99!

This is what the mirror looked like before I got the paint out!

I had already started to cover the mirror with masking tape when I remembered to take the 'before' photo! Here's a close up....

I decided to paint the mirror white as I thought it would bring the detail of the frame out nicely. After several coats of white paint, it looked like this.....

I have to admit that at first I wasn't keen it just didn't look right somehow, so I decided to sand some of the frame to make it look a little shabbier and to show some of the terracotta through the white.

This is the end result, I sanded it with a fine and a slightly rougher sandpaper and I'm quite pleased with how it's turned out!

This will take pride of place in my bedroom, not bad for £2.99!

Lonny Magazine

2010-08-16T14:58:00.001+01:00

I am in love with a new magazine, not just any old magazine though, an online magazine FULL of interiors and design! I discovered Lonny an American magazine, through a post on the sfgirlbybay blog and went onto their website to take a look at their latest issue. I was so excited when I realised they had the home of Cath Kidston featured in the magazine, it really is gorgeous and there's page after page on her home as the magazine isn't limited like a normal printed magazine so you get to drool over every room in her house. Then, I turned the page to find Rachel Ashwell's London flat featured in the magazine too, that's two of my favourite designers homes featured in one issue!

I've spent the whole weekend looking through their archive of previous issues and I really love this magazine! They even have clickable links to websites selling things featured in the magazine and they have interviews with really interesting people, showing many different homes. It's definitely worth a read, although you may need a few spare hours!

My new(ish) photo frame

2010-08-13T22:56:00.004+01:00

I was given this gold photo frame by my mum when she was having a clearout, I really loved the shape but not the colour so I decided to paint it white, I'm quite pleased with how it turned out!

Starting to take shape....

I think the white really brings out the shape of the frame. It took me a while to choose a photo but I decided on one I've had for a while of a beach I visited on a weekend away in Wales.

Everytime I look at this photo I'm reminded of my weekend away and it looks even better in a free frame!

Me and Alice

2010-08-11T18:35:00.000+01:00

I found such a lovely blog via Decor8 last week. Me and Alice is written by Susanne, a stylist and writer living with her family in Dalarna in Sweden. She posts daily about flea market finds and her home in general. I think I've mentioned before that I love Scandinavian style and I REALLY love this home, it's a mixture of a lot of the decorating styles I love, rustic Swedish country with elements of French chic too.

I find this blog really inspirational, it makes me want to paint everything white and it proves that with a little imagination you can make-over flea market finds and create a gorgeous home without spending a fortune. I really love the pale palette with touches of chrome and wood to break up the white as well as lots of greenery in interesting holders such as the dish above.

You really should check out this lovely blog, it's mainly in Swedish but there is some English text and the images are just gorgeous.

Thank you to Lost and Found

2010-08-05T11:43:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to say that I've been included in a post by the lovely Emily of Lost and Found Vintage Clothing, take a look!

I've written about Lost and Found before, if you love vintage fashion that is up-to date and wearable now then you should check out their ebay shop, they add new things every week. Thanks so much to Emily and I'll leave you with a photo of my favourite item in their shop this week!

Lampshade obsession!

2010-08-04T13:55:00.001+01:00

Ever since I re-covered my lampshade two weeks ago I've become a bit obsessed with transforming lampshades! I keep seeing really lovely images of slip-covered lampshades online and I think I've found my next craft project (after painting my blanket box of course!)

In my last post I showed you an image I love from a house in Sweden I found via the sfgirlbybay blog, I actually saved this image a long time ago in my 'inspiration' folder but I found it again last week. Here's the photo again, as it's so pretty!

I really love this lampshade, there's something really simple but pretty about it, I love the floaty material and the simple ruching with the ribbon detail.

I also really love this pendant lampshade, again it is so simple but yet so pretty, that's one of the things I love about Scandinavian design, they make everyday objects really appealing! I don't know if they bought this lampshade or made it, but I think it would be easy to make, all you would need is a lampshade frame, some fabric and some basic sewing skills!

I think these Petticoat Hanging Shades by Rachel Ashwell are lovely and would look brilliant in the right setting.

And I absolutely love these Gathered Shades by Kate Forman they would make a really basic and inexpensive lamp base look really special.

So with my new desire to re-cover every lampshade I own, either with glue or slip-covers, I was browsing through one of my favourite books, Homemade Vintage by Christina Strutt the founder of Cabbages and Roses and saw this:

Instructions on how to make a slipcover for a lampshade!

This is definitely on my to do list for the next few weeks (no deadline!) I just have to decide which fabric I want to use now, white or floral?! I think I will also add a ribbon around the top of the shade for added detail. I already have the shade in mind that I want to cover so you will have to stay tuned to see that!

P.s Any fabric suggestions would be much appreciated!

Deadlines are bad!

2010-07-28T16:43:00.002+01:00

I don't know if you ever do this but I seem to fall into this trap a lot, setting myself deadlines that, most of the time, are unrealistic. I really need to stop doing this! I have been saying for ages that I'm setting up an Etsy shop, and I am, I've got lots of things that I'm really excited about selling already but I always rush myself, sometimes you need to take your time with things for them to be the best they can. So, I will be opening an Etsy shop but I am going to stop setting deadlines, it will be in the next few weeks....watch this space!!

Now I've got that off my chest I will leave you with an image of a Swedish cottage that I love and that's the inspiration for my next post. It's from the blog frolic! via an old post on the sfgirlbybay blog, which is a really inspirational blog and one I would recommend reading!

Ah I just love this interior, so dreamy and white!

Oh and before I go, I still need some painting advice on my blanket box, it would be much appreciated! Looking at the image above makes me want to paint it white, what do you think?

DIY advice needed!

2010-07-27T16:01:00.002+01:00

Hello everyone, I need to ask you some DIY painting advice. I've been going to a lot of auctions recently, well I say auctions but I mean the viewing before the auction, and leaving bids as I know I would only get carried away if I went to the auction and would end up spending too much, I do this on ebay all the time!

Last week I left a bid for a pine blanket box/storage box and I found out the next day I'd won it for £20 I was really pleased with the price as normally these sorts of boxes cost £70 and upwards. What I really wanted and have been looking for for ages is a really old wooden trunk or blanket box as I am desperate for storage, but the only ones I could find were £150 and over so I settled for a more modern one.

Now I have the problem of what colour to paint it! My initial thought was white as I thought white would bring the paneling on the box out well. Now, though I'm veering more towards a light blue as I often paint things white and fancy a change. There are a few marks and dents on the box and I thought if it was painted blue it would have a shabby chic look to it. What do you think? I also thought about white washing it so you could see the character of the wood, what would you do? Your comments would be much appreciated!

My new(ish) lampshade

2010-07-21T12:23:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I finally got round to re-covering an old lampshade, I have been meaning to do it for AGES. I bought the lamp years ago and still really like the base but I never really liked the cheap looking white shade that came with it, so I decided to re-cover it. I had read in Cath Kidston's in Print book that you could simply glue a new fabric over an old lampshade, and I'd bought the fabric months ago and just never got round to it, till yesterday!

This is what the lampshade looked like before.

Plain white and a cheap fabric. I must apologise in advance for my photos, it's really hard trying to concentrate on making something and also taking photos!

I have to admit that I'm not one for spending ages measuring things and hemming things, I'm too impatient! Obviously sometimes you have to put the preparation in before a big project but luckily this was something I could do by eye!
I dug out my favourite fabric, Cerise Hatley linen by Cabbages and Roses I wanted something sturdy like a linen to cover the shade but I think cotton would work as well.

I then wrapped the fabric around the shade to see how much I would need.

I cut away the excess fabric so I was left with the strip I needed to cover the shade, I made sure I used the end of the fabric so I could give a neat finish without hemming!!

I ironed my fabric strip so it was nice and flat and crease free, and I was ready to get the glue out!
I covered the whole lampshade with a thin layer of the glue, holding the can away from the shade so it didn't come out too thickly and forms blobs.

I gave the glue about 30 seconds to dry as I find it too wet to handle when it has just been sprayed.
I placed the fabric on the floor ready to roll the shade onto (normal people would probably use a table covered in newspaper!!)

I then placed my shade on the rough edge of the fabric (so it would finish on the 'hemmed' end) and started rolling. I don't have any photos of this as I couldn't hold the shade and camera, sorry!
After sticking the end of the fabric to the shade I picked the shade up and smoothed the fabric onto the entire shade, making sure to smooth any air bubbles and stick the fabric firmly.

Then I left that to dry before doing the edges.
For the edges at the top and bottom of the shade, I sprayed some more glue all round the edge and just inside the shade and then folded the edges of the fabric to the inside of the shade, simple!

This is what the finished lampshade looked like, I have to say I am quite pleased with it and it now takes pride of place on my bedside table!

I really enjoyed doing this, it was a little messy but I now have a revamped lampshade which will save me the money of buying a new one plus it's covered in one of my favourite fabrics.

I would definitely recommend re-covering a lampshade, it's such an easy and inexpensive way to revamp a lamp and therefore the dresser or table it sits on! All you need is some fabric and some spray adhesive glue which you can buy from any DIY or hardware shop, why not give it a go!

Upcycling and Baileys

2010-07-13T16:40:00.005+01:00

I've always believed in recycling and try my hardest to reduce waste, at home we hardly have any rubbish, we recycle all our glass, metal and plastic and we have an overflowing compost bin! This is one of the main reasons I love vintage and enjoy visiting things like car boot sales and markets, as as well as getting a bargain you're recycling too, one persons junk is another persons treasure!

If you read this blog you will know by now that I love the unique or unusual when it comes to interiors and upcycling is a brilliant way to make sure your home is completely individual to you and shows off your personality.
The definition of upcycling is, according to the Sustainability Dictionary, the process of converting an industrial nutrient (material) into something of similar or greater value in its second life. So, for example, turning a plastic shopping bag into drinks coasters, that's upcycling as you have given that item a new lease of life and increased the value. Another example would be re-painting an old chest of drawers, that has now been upcycled as the value has been increased and it can be re-used rather than thrown away.

For me, the the king and queen of recycling and upcycling have to be Mark and Sally Bailey. I have mentioned Baileys Home and Garden store and website many times before but I just cannot get enough of their style and their products. They now have a mail order section on their website and some of the things they have for sale are so inspirational, they make me want to raid the attic to find something I can re-use!

Selection of bobbin timers rescued from a Lancashire Woolen mill.

Bobbin spoon holder.

Shoelast doorstop.

They have a great selection of re-wired and re-conditioned lighting such as these gorgeous anglepoise lamps.

And this antique French crinkle pendant

Baileys also have a brilliant selection of interesting storage such as crates and trolleys.

There's also a garden section with recycled bird houses, candles, hand forged trowels and forks and vintage garden tools.

Mark and Sally Bailey have also written two books, I have read both of them over and over again and I always go to them for inspiration. Browsing Baileys website has definitely given me inspiration for my Etsy shop and I think I will start looking for things I can upcycle!

Bob and Blossom

2010-07-10T12:41:00.003+01:00

Do you remember that toadstool money box I bought in Columbia Road in London and love? Well I was browsing the latest copy of BBC homes and antiques magazine and COMPLETELY fell in love with one of the houses featured in the magazine. As I was drooling over the photos I noticed two things in particular, one was a toy campervan and one was the toadstool money box, as I am a very sad individual these two things confirmed to me that one day I could have a house like this too as we obviously had very similar taste! I don't know whether I've mentioned it before but I am completely obsessed with campervans, I've wanted a WV one for as long as I can remember and in particular a duck egg blue one, I have accepted that a toy campervan is probably the closest I will get to a real one but there's nothing wrong with dreaming! I then noticed a Bob and Blossom bag and remembered that that was the shop the money box was from. As I read the article I realised this was the home of Kirsten Harris, the lady who started Bob and Blossom, I know I should be a detective!!

Apart from adding a few more Cath Kidston florals and a bit more French shabby chic style accessories I could move into this house and not change a thing!

I love so much about this house, I love how quirky things are like the amazing desk with the compartments, can you spot the toadstool money box?! I love the union jack cushions, the laundry basket in the bathroom, the roll top bath in the bedroom, the metal lockers and the mesh compartments in the kitchen and so much more! Everything in this house is so personal and I love the original uses for things like the crates as shoe storage. I really love finding interiors that inspire and make you want to get creative and find original uses for things and this interior does just that. I love the enamel jug as well, it's very similar to the one on my website! I love the industrial feel and splashes of colour which contrast so well with the white walls and floors.

If you live near London then pop in and visit the shop in Columbia Road, it's full of treats for adults and children and the website is worth a browse too!

Recent finds and a 20% sale

2010-07-06T16:08:00.000+01:00

I've been wanting to write a post about some of my recent finds for ages but as per usual it has been a bit hectic with a busy weekend of a wedding all day on Saturday which meant dress shopping last week, and not feeling well (I wonder why) most of Sunday!!

As I am planning on opening a little Etsy shop I have been on the lookout for some goodies for a while now and I have to admit it's been a little slow. I am looking for some new things for the website and for my Etsy shop and I have been struggling recently at car boot sales and at my favourite haunts, I just don't seem to be finding quality stuff right now. I haven't given up and will keep searching but in the meantime I've taken some photos of some recent finds!

I love this vintage French organiser found at one of my favourite shops. The top rack is for letters, the second for invoices and the third for 'any other business' there are three little hooks for keys on the bottom and a hole for hanging at the top. I think this would look great in a kitchen, laundry or study!

I also love this vintage globe, I have a thing for globes and this one would look great in a playroom, children's bedroom or again in a study, I'd love to plan my travels on one!

I have a bit of an obsession with owls, I found these bookends in one of my favourite shops, it's a matching pair and I think they would look great on a bookshelf!

I found these at a car boot sale. The print on the left is an 1890's print of sediment from the water in the river Thames. I really like this print, I love imagining a scientist using this print and I think it would look great in a frame. I LOVE the pair of hand-coloured butterfly prints, they're from 1799, they came with the original descriptive text page and are gorgeous colours.

I found this Minton vase in my favourite antique shop but I'm afraid this one is staying with me! This would look so pretty filled with flowers and I think it looks great on its own too!

I haven't quite decided whether these items will be going onto my website or my Etsy shop and I do plan to have a bit of a move around. I am hoping to open my Etsy shop next week, so I've got lots of shopping to do before then!

Seeing as I have more goodies to buy I need to make some space, so I am offering a 20% discount on EVERYTHING on my website till I open my Etsy shop next week. You can either pay as normal and I will refund the difference through paypal or if you send me an email I will change the price and reserve the item you're interested in for you....happy shopping!!

Just saying hi!

2010-06-30T14:31:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone, I'm sorry for the absence and lack of posts, I've been busy sourcing things for my new etsy shop I'm planning to open! Thank you to Sadie for the encouraging comments she left and thank you to the people on twitter who sent me messages telling me to go for it! Everyone has been saying the same thing, that having a shop on Etsy is a good idea, so I will listen to them and take their advice!

I visited one of my favourite car boot sales last Sunday and have been scouring my favourite antique shops to find things for my Etsy shop, I am planning on having a bit of a move around and keep some things on my website and move some things over to Etsy. My tea sets and papier mache will stay on my website and a few bits from my homeware and kitchenware pages may be going to Etsy along with my new finds. I will also be adding new things to my website as well as this isn't a change in direction, I'm going to sell on both!

I will write a post about some of my finds so far tomorrow but one of my favourites is a vintage wooden pair of bookends with really sweet owls on!

So, I will see you tomorrow with a longer post, but for now I leave you with a photo of an apartment I'm loving from the Swedish website Alvhem via decor8blog.

I love this room, I love the globe, I love the blue painted table which makes me want to get my paintbrush out, I love the mismatched chairs, I love the floor, I love the light hanging over the table, oh I just love everything! If you feel like drooling over some interiors then I would recommend browsing Alvhem, unfortunately it's in Swedish but you can translate it on google or you can just look at the pictures!!

See you tomorrow!

Selling on Etsy

2010-06-21T13:37:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, hope you all had a good weekend. I was working all weekend so I don't get a chance to go to any car boots :( but I do hope to go to my favourite antique shop later this week, so it's not all bad!

I have also been collecting a few French inspired things for the shop, so stay tuned for that!

Speaking of the shop I've been thinking more and more that I might sell some of my vintage homewares on Etsy as well as my online shop. I've mentioned Etsy before it's an American website where people buy and sell ONLY handmade pieces, vintage goodies and arts and crafts supplies. I did consider selling on Etsy before I opened my online shop and now I'm collecting more and more stock I don't see why I can't sell on both! I can reach a wider audience on Etsy and if I keep my shipping costs low I don't think it will pose a problem being based in England. I think people living in America might like a bit of English vintage in their homes!

What do you think? I would appreciate some advice, does anyone out there based in England sell on Etsy and does this pose any problems? Does anyone out there living in America long for some English vintage?! I would love some feedback so go ahead and leave a comment, it would be much appreciated!

Beach Studios

2010-06-17T10:40:00.002+01:00

I know, I know I'm obsessed with Atlanta Bartlett but I can't help it, she has written three amazing books, sells gorgeous homeware online and runs a film shoot locations business with her husband Dave Coote, she's my hero!!

I was browsing Beach Studios various locations this morning, as I do far too often, and I just can't get enough of some of the properties, the mix of white, vintage and splashes of colour is exactly my sort of decorating! Here are some images to inspire!

Lavender Grove

My favourite, Foster House

Minimalist Chic, St George's Road

Ooh that clock and lamp! Ned's Cottage

I want that wall hanging! The Seaside House

Jake's House

There are so many more I could show you! If you want some serious eye candy and want to drool over some varied and eclectic interiors then I would recommend a look at Beach Studios, there's even a beach hut, airstreams and two Yurts!

Take a break today and have a look, be prepared for some serious interiors envy though!

Teacups!

2010-06-14T13:27:00.001+01:00

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a good weekend and the weather wasn't too bad for you!

Whilst I was browsing through this months edition of the BBC Homes and Antiques magazine I noticed a lovely image and caption about teacups; how they have come back into fashion and finding new uses for them around the home.

I've always had a bit of an obsession with teacups and love to use them for different things as I think they should be enjoyed as much as possible and not shut away in a cupboard and only used for tea!
This image got me thinking about various ways you could use teacups around the home and garden and there really are so many ways!

I spotted this image in one of my favourite books, Homemade, by Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson, I really love the idea of filling a window sill with hyacinths planted in teacups!

This is one of my favourite photos from At Home with White by Atlanta Bartlett in this image teacups are being used as soap holders, I copied this idea in my bathroom! The teacups add a lovely splash of colour and a vintage floral touch to the mainly white bathroom.

Vintage teacups make brilliant candles, the one above is from Flea Market Chic who I've blogged about before. She has now opened a lovely Etsy shop selling her handmade scented teacup candles and other vintage goodies!

Teacups can also be used in the garden.

These teacup bird baths are such a good way to use up things that might otherwise be thrown away, the cups could be used on top of numerous things that would otherwise be in landfill, and you can use cups with missing saucers or chipped cups as this wouldn't matter in the garden, plus they look really pretty too!

I use a vintage tea cup very similar to the Queens coronation cup for sale in my shop, to keep my hair clips in, I also have one with bits of ribbon in and one I use as a pen holder and they also make great vases for smaller blooms or a single rose.

I cannot get enough of teacups, especially if they are vintage and floral! They can be picked up for very reasonable prices from charity shops and car boots so next time you see a pretty one pick it up and give it a new lease of life and new home!

Industrial Chic

2010-06-10T16:11:00.002+01:00

I am loving the industrial chic look at the moment. It's very different to the styles I'm normally drawn to which are very, what I call, Cath Kidston-esque, meaning I love flowers, floral patterns, shabby chic and romantic, French inspired decor. As I always say though, I love contrasts and I don't like things to look too pretty so touches of industrial chic just add a different dimension.

Storage crate on wheels from Baileys mail order.

I have written about Baileys Home and Garden before, when I visited their shop in Herefordshire. To me, Mark and Sally Bailey get this look spot on, they are brilliant at re-purposing factory and work place fittings and making them chic and really useful for the home. Their shop in a converted barn is really worth a visit!

Scaffolding plank hooks from Pale and Interesting.

Atlanta Bartlett who runs the online boutique Pale and Interesting, that I've blogged about before, really knows how to combine industrial items and pretty pieces to create a really unique home. Her website and shop are full of gorgeous inspiring images.

I LOVE these M.O.D tank signal lights from Skin Flint Design.

They are lighting designers who work in residential and architectural lighting and deal in reclaimed industrial lighting too. I cannot get enough of their lighting especially the vintage Angelpoise lamps.

Three Potato Four is one of my favourite online shops, it's run by Janet and Stu and is an American shop but ships worldwide. They sell a huge range of mainly vintage, industrial inspired items for the home as well as great things for kids rooms and nurseries. They have a really varied range and brilliant photos, their website and blog are really worth a visit!

Victorian writing slate/chalkboard in wooden frame from me, The Merry Magpie Shop.

I've got a bit of an obsession with chalkboards at the moment, this would be brilliant in a kitchen for memo's or shopping lists or children's room for them to doodle or practice spellings. I bought two of these and just had to keep one!

Vintage wooden letterpress printing blocks from me, The Merry Magpie Shop.

These are great for display, I'm also quite obsessed with vintage letters and I'm starting to build up quite a collection! These blocks look great on a bookshelf or side board.

I hope I've inspired you to get some industrial chic in your life! I will definitely be looking out for more things for the shop with an industrial theme!

Just saying hello!

2010-06-08T16:08:00.000+01:00

I just wanted to pop in and say hello seeing as I haven't blogged for a few days. I promise I will be writing a longer blog post tomorrow on 'industrial chic' a look I'm loving at the moment! It's very different from my usual floral Cath Kidston style but as I'm always rambling on about, it's these contrasts that I love!

For now I will leave you with a pretty photo! Have a good evening and I will see you tomorrow.

New things in the shop

2010-06-03T18:40:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't posted for a few days, I've been slowly but surely adding things to the shop and I've been having a lot of computer problems as well as not feeling very well, so I have been slowed down considerably! I really wanted to have everything added by the beginning of the week, instead it's the end!

I have finally added some of my mismatched tea and coffee sets and I'm really pleased with them, I think they look great, if I say so myself!! It has been a long time coming, but they are finally added and I'm still collecting pieces so I think mismatched tea/coffee sets will become a regular feature on my website!

Next week I will be blogging a lot more after Monday and I will be starting my long overdue craft of the month feature. I will be doing this on my blog though rather than my website as I think this makes more sense! I'm going to start with an easy idea but one I think is fun and very environmentally friendly as it's re-using and recycling and I love finding new uses for things!

In the meantime, here are a few photos of things added to the shop, I hope you like!

As you can see I've been using a lot of flowers in my photos, there are loads in my garden right now and they just look so pretty!

I hope you like the new additions. I will see you tomorrow with a post on an interior decor style I'm loving right now! See you then!

Glass bottles used as vases

2010-05-28T15:39:00.002+01:00

I'm really loving various glass bottles used as vases at the moment. I have always liked vintage glass bottles such as milk bottles but they are always so expensive, I found some old milk bottles in an antique shop the other day but they were £3 a bottle, which I think is pricey as I wanted quite a few!
So I've decided to collect various different glass bottles and jars in different shapes and sizes as they just look so pretty when grouped together, glistening in the light, full of flowers, they also look great full of beads or shells and pebbles!
I keep seeing glass bottles full of garden blooms everywhere, on various different blogs and websites.

This photo is from Pale and Interesting, Atlanta Bartlett's online boutique, which I blogged about a few weeks ago. I love the use of glass in various shapes and sizes, vases, bottles, jars with tea-lights in and apothecary jars. It really is such a lovely image, it makes me feel really summery!

Image from Leslie via her colour me pretty column on Decor8.

I love the simplicity of this image, all the flowers are blue and all the bottles are clear glass and similar shapes but it just looks so pretty and it's simplicity and the plain white background adds to this and really lets the flowers shine.

Image via abeachcottage

I love this tablescape, the mixture of bottles and flowers really transforms the table and makes a dramatic statement with the light shining on the glass and the petals scattered on the table.

The main thing I love about these images is that they are so easy to re-create and they are versatile, you could have a few on a sideboard or go all out and have several on the dining table. All you need are some glass bottles in different shapes and sizes, and you don't even need vintage for this, jam jars and bottles from the cupboard will do just as well, especially if they are an interesting shape and some blooms from the garden. Garden flowers look better I think as they add to the whimsical nature of the arrangement. You could do a simplistic arrangement and stick to the same flowers or you could mix things up and add whatever you think looks good, different coloured glass, some jam jars with tea-lights in, decorations such as butterflies and even a soda syphon and some apothecary jars too! It's cheap and easy and it looks brilliant, what more could you want?!

I'm going to be really busy over the weekend, visiting various car boot sales and antique shops and photographing the rest of the new things that will be added to the merry magpie on Tuesday, so have a lovely bank holiday weekend and I will see you here on Tuesday!

Wish list - homewares

2010-05-26T15:58:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I told you about Lost + Found Clothing my new favourite vintage clothes shop, today is about my new favourite vintage homeware shop. I have been introduced to this shop by twitter (again) and it's on Etsy, an American site where people can buy or sell handmade things, vintage things or craft supplies. I really love Etsy and it's definitely worth a browse if you have the time!

Modish Vintage sells a really eclectic range of vintage homeware, there's something for everyone from vintage things for nursery's or children's rooms to presents for dad!

I absolutely love everything for sale in this shop, my personal favourites are the utilitarian objects such as these below:

I love these sailing boats, they would really break up a floral country inspired interior, as I keep mentioning it's these little contrasts that I love in a home!
I also really like the little curios that are for sale such as these advertising piggy banks:

Modish Vintage adds things to her shop regularly and also has a really great blog where all of her finds are grouped into different categories with a sneak peak of whats coming up in the shop!
Obviously as this is an American shop shipping fees will apply but they seem very reasonable to me and some of the things for sale are so unusual and unique they're worth paying that little bit extra for!

P.s don't forget my 20% discount sale is on till Sunday. I am in the process of photographing all my new goodies which will be added to the shop on Tuesday after the bank holiday, so please check in then!

Wish list - fashion

2010-05-25T18:33:00.003+01:00

One of the things I love about twitter are all the sellers I've found that I'm sure I would never have known about if I hadn't joined twitter just a few months ago. I have always loved old things but twitter has introduced me to people selling vintage homeware and fashion that makes me love old things even more and has confirmed my belief that buying vintage both for your home and your wardrobe is environmentally friendly and adds an individual touch.

I wanted to share with you some of my latest ~~obsessions~~ finds!! Unfortunately most of them seem to be on American websites which means I have to pay shipping costs but they all seem to me to be very reasonable so I can shop away!

My new favourite vintage clothing shop is actually on ebay, I'm used to shopping on ebay.co.uk but I think I will have to browse ebay.com if this shop is anything to go by!
Lost + Found Clothing is a husband and wife team who sell vintage clothes and accessories that are modern and relevant to today's fashion. I LOVE the stuff they have for sale in their shop, I'm watching two of the items right now and it's only two because I am being VERY disciplined, I could easily bid on all of them! Their shipping costs are very reasonable too and I love that their clothing is fashionable now and not stuck in a time warp like vintage fashion can be. Their styling is brilliant too, the way they put the outfits together really makes you want to buy their items and re-create the look!

Oh that polka dot top...ahh!!

Enough of my day dreaming! Tomorrow's post will be on my homeware wish list! See you tomorrow and in the meantime check out Lost + Found's blog and their twitter page.

Sale extended!

2010-05-24T22:39:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to let you know that I have decided to extend the 20% off discount till this sunday evening at 9pm.

I thought Wednesday evening was a little too soon, and this way people have longer to browse and I have longer to clean up, polish, photograph and add my new vintage treasures to the shop!

Please take a look as there are some real bargains and my handmade and hand painted papier mache from Nepal and India really make great unique gifts (especially with 20% off)!!

Then I promise on Monday of next week there will be LOTS added to the shop, vintage mismatched tea and coffee sets as well as all sorts of vintage homeware and kitchenware. I'm sorry for the delay in adding things I just keep going out and finding things and I want to do a big unveiling of all the new things in one big go!

See you tomorrow with a longer post and my latest vintage wish list!!

My favourite papier mache bowl!