Collect It

Like many others in Blogland I have to admit to being a bit of a magazine addict. I currently subscribe to four magazine - Homes & Antiques, Country Living, Horse, and Elle Decoration. I don't feel too guilty as I buy them with Tesco reward vouchers which means that they average £10 or £11 worth of vouchers - a bargain as far as I'm concerned! I do of course buy other magazines off the shelf if that month's issue appeals to me.

Over the years I have subscribed to other publications but have stopped buying them for one reason or another. One of these is "Collect It" which I used to buy some years ago but gave up on it as I felt it's main focus was on modern "made to measure" collectables & not the vintage items I love so well.

Anyhow, after having some recent contact with the editor of the magazine I thought I should have another look as it seemed that their interest in vintage was once more on the up.
On Saturday I picked up a copy in WH Smith's & was pleasantly surprised.

This month's issue focuses on tea & cakes so is full of articles & photos of vintage china, Cornishware, Emma Bridgewater, teapots & more. I am pleased that it seems to be including a lot more vintage collectables in it's pages & will be looking out for it again.

Meet Rosy

Just a quick post to show you my new mannequin who is now known as Rosy.

She is a modern girl but with a vintage look - I couldn't resist buying her from a vintage clothing dealer who is moving to the USA & was selling off her display items - she looks quite at home doesn't she?

In case you are wondering....the push along dogs are Rollo & Patch & will be making an appearance at the Vintage & Handmade Fair in November.

Shop Update

I have just been updating my online shop so as usual I am posting a few photos of my favourite things to share with you all.

This gorgeous glass jug has a very Cath Kidston look to it - it is in the Glassware department.


The sweetest little tin I've found in a while is in Vintage Tins



As is this unusual tin intended to be used as a glove box once the chocolates were eaten.




Linen & Textiles has a selection of pretty embroidered pillowcases.






The Library has a new pony book from the 1960's - one of my favourite childhood authors.



Just a little selection of what is on offer today!

Girl's Day Out

Friday saw Tamzin & I on a little trip to Bath to have coffee & cake with Michele as it was her birthday the next day. We met at a lovely new cafe/restaurant in Bath called Hall & Woodhouse which has such a lovely vintage feel that we have decided that it should be our new HQ!










Afterwards we had a wander around town & spotted lots of the Bath Lions.

Here are a few of our favourites including one decorated by Cath Kidston.

New Collection?

As usual, Sunday morning found us setting off for a car boot sale - it was a lovely sunny day & the sellers & buyers were out in force. I did find some lovely goodies but this has to be the bargain of the day - seven Woods "Utility" china cups & saucers in their pretty Jasmine colourway for 50p....that's 50p for the lot, not each!

I find myself becoming very fond of them so they'll be staying in my kitchen......could this be the start of yet another collection?

WI Flower Show 2010

Today was the day of the 50th Rangeworthy village Women's Institute Flower Show....50 years! That means they started before I was born & some people there remembered the first one back in the 1960's. Not very much has changed except perhaps the fashion styles of the villagers - there are still categories for knitting & needlework, jams & chutneys, fruit cakes & Victoria sponges, carrots & runner beans and much more.

One difference was that this year I was roped in to judge the craft category & it was quite difficult as I had to put aside what I personally liked & had to concentrate on the quality of the work.....so here I am with my "steward" Ffiona discussing the merits of the hand crafted items!

I have included some photos of the exhibits below.

These are my tomatoes which weren't placed...apparently the judge prefers traditional round cherry tomatoes & not these new fangled shapes! My carrot muffins received a respectable second though.




















Finally, a shot of "The Rangeworthy Hill Billies" who turned out in an 80 year old car & drove around the village encouraging locals to come to the show later in the day to admire the exhibits, have tea & cake & watch the prize giving which was presented by BBC news reader Ali Vowles who lives just along the road in the next village.