Friday finds

I thought I would show you some of my latest finds.

Such a pretty little tin, now all my buttons are in there. I found this in a local charity shop and it restored my faith that there are still some good finds out there that are not at silly prices. This was 50p.

A long sort out addition to my bedroom. Somewhere to store all the out of season clothes. Although at the moment I'm not sure what should be in there!! I found this at a car show and it was a lot cheaper than they are going for on Ebay these days.

Lovely glass bowl just crying out for a trifle in it. a mini tea cup and saucer for Little Miss. Another long sort after item, a toast rack and little butter knife. Oh and some lovely Cath Kidston ribbon. All from charity shops and antique shops in Rye. Oh and I nearly forgot the two lovely pieces of fabric.

I did manage to get some other lovely things there but they are for presents.

~x~

Found treasures part two

Here are the rest of the lovely goodies that we managed to find in the charity shops the other week.


A great little DIY book, a mug stand which will be used to hold my bracelets and a couple of gorgeous plates.


Also found a lovely tablecloth and a crocheted blanket. The blanket has some how made its way onto a certain Little Miss reading chair, ready for snuggling with.

Found Treasures - Part One

I'm always on the lookout for special items for my home. But being a single mum I certainly cannot afford to buy new items. So it's good that I love all things vintage and retro.


Since moving into our "house on top of a shop" we have added some wonderful items of furniture. None of these items have been new, they have all been preloved. These items have come from friends, friends of friends, eBay and carboot sales.


We have also purchased a number if other items from eBay, carboot sales and of course charity shops.


I have decided to start showing some of those wonderful items that we manage to find on our weekly jaunts.


Last weekend I found this lovely book that I have been after for ages in one of our local charity shops.


It's a 1974 edition of Mrs Beetons book. Nearly as old as me!! It makes a fantastic read. I am still after a much earlier version of her book. Who knows what I might find At the car boot sales and in the charity shops this year.

Recent charity and car boot hunts

In the last couple of months we have managed to find some great bargains. Mainly at car boots sales as the charity shops seem to have put up all their prices again!

I know they are raising money for very worthy causes but it does annoy me when you see certain charity shops selling things for more than you can buy them new. 

A lovely little cupboard that is currently being transformed into a bedside table. An old puzzle, scrabble and some lovely material.

A beautiful little table with lift up lid, waiting to be transformed. An old map book and a silver jubilee tin. The tin now holds my washing tablets so much better than those plastic boxes. 

But this tin is a prime example of bad pricing in the charity shops. I had previously seen this in the charity shop for £3.50. They had not managed to sell it so it was relegated to the box outside the front of the shop with a sign asking for a 10p donation! Well I snapped it up and gave them a lot more than the 10p they were asking for. 

I have been after a larger Fred for ages, he matches my little cruet Fred's. Pretty china, more material, a cute little basket and my marvellous old little set of steps. 

I was looking for a step ladder and had seen the modern ones in the shops, all plastic and metal. Then at the boot fair the other week I saw this lovely set of ladders. I wandered over and asked how much. One pound! Well that money left my purse so quick it was unbelievable.

~c~

This month part 3 - Charity finds (oh and car boot finds)

Well we have had plenty of trips out over the last month or so and this means new charity shops to check out.

The absolute bargain was this chest of drawers. This was in a local charity shop that I don't usually do because they are so expensive. Little Miss wanted to go in as she wanted to see if they had a certain book she was after. We went in and she headed to the books while I wandered around. The chest of drawers was in the middle of the shop. It was the perfect height for what I wanted but had no price on it. The manager could see that I was interested in it and said I should buy it if I liked it. I said I would if it was a good price. He said it was £5! Well that money was out of my purse so quick. Then it was getting the chest of drawers back home! I really should think about that before I buy these bargains.

I've been wanting a celery pot for ages and this man was perfect.

All of these lovely plates and dishes have been added to my collection.


I hope that you have all had good finds recently.


~x~

May Roundup

I have found a few photos from May that I have not included in my blog. But I have decided I do want to include them. 

I spotted this post Happy little hooker & other new skills! by Vintage Vicki.

She was saying about mosaic photo programmes which are great, but that Picnik is limiting unless you pay. I have loved playing around with Picnik but I have now been converted to this company. Thank you Vicki.

Here is what I have created from my little play on their site. 

Breakfast using leftovers from dinner and a couple of eggs. Little Miss came back for thirds of this.

Banana Loaf, new recipe was very yummy.

Coronation beaker from Ebay. I wish people would wrap things up properly then they wouldn't end up damaged when they arrive!

Pretty cupcakes.

Charity find set of lovely tea plates.

Another batch of cupcakes before decorating.

Cup cake decorated by Littke Miss.

I picked this picture frame up a couple of months ago at a local jumble sale. Then just painted it up and put in a piece of lovely wallpaper.

Little shelves to be painted up and decorated one for me and one for Little Miss. These are to keep odd trinkets in.

Another little shelf to be decorated.

New special cup and spoon, perfect for hot chocolate.

Plate of delicious strawberries.

Flowers sitting on my desk at work, picked by Little Miss to make my desk pretty.

~x~

The Pleasures of Friendship

Found this lovely little book of Frienship Poems in the charity shop the other day.

So many beautiful poems about friendship, but this had to be my favourite.

The pleasures of friendship are exquisite,

How pleasant to go to a friend on a visit!

I go to my friend, we walk on the grass,

And the hours and moments like minutes pass.

Stevie Smith

~x~

Weekend catchup

At last some Easter presents arrived at their destination. So glad they were liked and got there eventually.

On Saturday I did a great workshop in London (please see the previous post).

Then on Sunday we had the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers St Georges day parade. This had been delayed due to Easter. It was a shame Little Miss did not see it.

We had a fantastic view from our window.

Lovely charity shop find, again in the 10p bin! It may be nearly as old as me and some of it not really politically correct with the comments. But I love it and it gives some great descriptions of places.

When Little Miss came back she wanted to play with her marble run and get out the ice boats we had made previously.

~x~

Oh what a wonderful week...

...we have had so far. 


School holidays and the juggling of childcare. Little Miss off to friends and Granny while Mummy works. But I have managed to get a couple of days off this holiday and I am so looking forward to them.


Monday walk up to Granny's the sun is out and we notice our shadows as we wander up the road.

Caught Little Miss next to a bit of graffiti. But it is nice graffiti as it is a lovely saying and very apt for her.


Spent a lovely afternoon with Little Miss watching Dr Who DVD's. She has now decided she prefers David Tennant to Matt Smith as the Dr. I don't mind I just enjoy watching any of the episodes (especially if John Barrowman is in them).


Off for a wander around the town, and into the charity shops.

Pretty jug and two Ikea shadow boxes (ideas for presents already with these), and a couple of books one for me and one for Little Miss.


Then a wonderful find in the newsagents!! I could not believe it when I saw these. The last time I had these I must of been about 10 and we were living in Leicester. Had to buy a few packets for me and my sister. Yummmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyy.

Final goodies for the day were these Union Jack/Flag paper chains. Absolute bargain!

Hope you are all enjoying your week.


~x~

Pretty Flowers

Pretty flowers around the house. Loving these gorgeous flowers.

Daffodils bring sunshine into the place, in an old teapot found in the charity shop 10p box.

Hyacinths bringing a beautiful springtime scent into the room.


~x~

Country Living Fair 2011

I purchased tickets to go to the Spring Fair with Mum as part of her birthday present.


What a beautiful day we had, the sun was shining as we set off. When we arrived at the show Mum could not believe it so many pretties to see. We both fell in love with these gorgeous cushions and hanging hearts.

Then we came across Made in Pixieland and I knew Little Miss would just love these.

Then more wandering and we saw these lovelies.

And finally the parasol I would love to have on my patio.

It was then time to stop and have some refreshments. But just what do you choose!

One of each and share, oh they were so yummy.


So what did I get, well I was very very good and I only got a few items.

Pretty cupcake box, little wish sign, some pretty pink gingham ribbon, badge and tiny bunny. The bunny was for Little Miss and the badge was one of two. The other is on its way to a special friend. The little flower pot was purchased in the charity shop nearby.

This is a set of eight hanging night light holders and I have the perfect spot for them on the patio. Oh I do love twinkling night lights.


We both had a great but tiring day, I hate to think how far we walked. Thank you for a lovely day mum it was  so good that we had a day out like that, just the two of us.


~x~

Treasure Trove

Oh how I love a good old fashioned jumble sale. Everything just piled up and you have to rummage. Piles and piles of clothes and materials. Boxes of crockery and books.

On Saturday the local Scout group had a jumble sale. I had limited money so had to be very careful. This was my haul.

More vintage books.

A gorgeous picture frame that is currently in the process of being transformed.

A lovely little jug and some side plates, I have managed to break three side plates recently so needed some more pretty ones. Little Miss has decided that she wants the one at the front.

Three lots of gorgeous material.

And this lovely set of flowers.

All of this was purchased for the grand sum of £5!!! Now what bargains.

Not to be out done Little Miss also purchased a Jacqueline Wilson book and Polly Pocket house, she spent 50p.

Now I like my bargains and there were plenty at this jumble sale, with all money that was raised going to the Scouts. But why do people still have to argue about how much they were being charged. One woman had a black bag full of clothes and did not want to pay the £3 they were asking. What is wrong with people these days? But I thought that the helpers response was great. "If you don't want to pay that for them I am sure that someone else will". They then emptied the items out of the bag and back into the pile, the woman was fuming but everyone else around was smiling.

~x~

Charity Finds

Oh now what do you do when you walk past the local charity shop and they have these gorgeous books sitting outside waiting for a home. 

Well you just have to take them home with you. 


~x~