This old thing?

Is is just me, or has anyone else out there been glued to Channel 4 for the first series of  'This old thing'? Dawn O'Porter did a sterling job at looking every inch the embodiment of all things 60's! This series aimed to convert high street shoppers  into more adventurous, vintage loving, vintage wearing fashionistas. Now, I for one have always loved vintage, and I have been shopping for vintage for a long time now. I do not EVER turn my nose up at a pre-loved frock from the forties, or a 70's blouse that has already lived the high life. Oh no sirree! I believe, just like the very lovely Ms O'Porter, that there is much life left in vintage garments, and the magic lies in seeing the potential in something that is unique and completely different from anything anyone else is wearing. Where do you stand when it comes to purchasing clothes? Do you roll your eyes at the mere thought of wearing 'second hand', or does the idea of finding one-off gems from the past get your pulse racing? 

Today, I am featuring my first 'outfit post'. Inspired by the recent television show, I thought I'd share an oldie, but a goodie, something which I had found on the hanging rail of a pre-loved shop. I fell in love with it at first glance...

Yes, this old thing! This skirt wolf whistled at me from the other side of the shop! When I spotted the yummy, colourful stripes, it was all I needed to frog leap across another shopper, all whilst crossing my fingers that it would be my size! That is the one unfortunate thing about shopping for vintage...The ladies from yesteryear had tiny little waists, and this does not always fit my size 14 frame! The sizing of vintage garments are very small in comparison to modern sizing. All this means, is that you have to look and dig a little deeper, and with an open mind! But, the sun was shining down on me that day, for the skirt was a perfect fit!

Perfect for a sneaky cocktail evening...

Perfect for work...

...or play?

To top it off, I found this cheerful embroidered bag at the same time!

Yes, there is much live left in 'this old thing'!

Blessings

Let it shine!

Today...a little lamp make-over...

This lamp used to sit on my little man's bedside table. He has a new one now, so said lamp was banished...banned...forgotten...to the back of the cupboard it went. It spent a long time in the wilderness of 'The Forgotten', but it has been called back for duty! I need a new lamp for my work desk. One that shines bright at midnight and into the wee morning hours...A light that doesn't fade or shy away, whilst I make and create, sewing little stitches and  craft new creations. This is the lamp in it's 'forgotten state'...

Armed with a can of spray paint, a fresh retro apple green, I set to work. Once it had a couple of coats, it rested...it sat...it waited...was almost a second time forgotten...

It needed a little depth, a little something new and brave! I found some transparent stickers, and decided that was 'IT'!

Now, it has to be a big, brave light. Not a shy one that hides under a shade. Oh no sirree! So of course only a big, brave, giant bulb will do!

'Hide it under a bush? Oh no! I'm gonna let it shine!'

I love my new brave lamp. I look forward to it keeping me company late at night whilst everyone else is tucked up in bed, and I'm beavering away at the sewing machine. And best of all...it didn't cost a penny! Just using what I already had! 

Hope your weekend is a jolly one!

Blessings

A Fishy Farewell...

Hello m'dearies! The past two weeks have seen blissfully happy days, and then days with mixed emotions too! Very dear friends of ours are moving on to pastures new. They are undertaking a great adventure by relocating (for now) to a continent far-far-away from us, and although I am so very excited for them, I can't help but feel the nagging void that their absence is creating! Sometimes in life you meet new people, and before you know it they have tread deep footprints all the way deep into your heart. They become your dearest friends, the kind who catch you when you fall, and build you up when something feels broken. They encourage, listen, advise and forgive, and if you're very blessed, they always see the greater in you. Above all, they laugh with you, sing with you, dance with you, until your belly hurts, and you loose your voice. They reminisce with you. Oh, how I will miss this precious family!

We decided to have one last supper before they left. As they're embracing a whole new culture on their travels, we thought it only apt to give them a typically British send-off...a 'fishy farewell' in the shape of a 'Fish-and-chips dinner party'!

As fish and chips was traditionally served in newspaper, I decided to use newspaper as a table cloth instead, and teamed with red and blue it looked cheerful indeed!

Then, a few typically British touches to dress the table...

A few farewells...in Chinese of course as that's where they're headed!

With belly laughter, food and natter we said our goodbyes. Until we meet again.

Blessings

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside!

Hello my lovelies! It really does feel like summer has arrived in ALL it's bright and sunny, wondrous glory! We spent the weekend at the beach, and although it was only for a two day break, it feels like we had a week long holiday! We did not leave a rock (or shell!) unturned, and packed a tremendous amount of relaxing fun into two days!

We jumped out of bed with the chickens on Saturday morning, and hit the road with our buckets and spades before the cockerel even had a chance to announce the arrival of a new day! It was a glorious, quiet morning on the roads, and we reached our beachy destination of Southwold with nothing but a solitary fisherman making the most of the quiet golden stretch of sand. The children couldn't wait to dip there toes in the frothy waves, so we let them! A hearty picnic breakfast followed, and by 8:30 am we were ready for a stroll to explore beautiful Southwold. It is fast becoming my favourite English seaside town, full of quaint charm, and not a tacky amusement arcade in sight! If you're ever in that neck of the woods, you must go and experience it for yourself...

The charm of Southwold...

We flew our kite...

Sailed out to sea at Great Yarmouth...to see the seals. They turned up in great numbers, and did not disappoint!

We did a bit of dreaming...catching...building...

....and shopping...a little...

Also a little indulging in old traditions...'Fish and chips' at the seaside...

Just wish we could stay a little longer...or drive home in one of these!

What have you been up to lately? Also holidaying? Do share! I would love to hear from you. Till next time!

Blessings

Throwback Thursday...

Well hello! It's been a while, hasn't it? Truth be told, it's not that I don't like your company, it's just that I have been manically trying to get through this last school term without losing my marbles! And now, finally, I can exhale as the summer holidays have finally arrived! Hooray! So today, just a short post...a quick 'hello'!
A few 'favourite things' for this Thursday...Looking back at old photos, and looking forward to doing more of the same!

I think there will be plenty of leisurely pancake breakfasts over the next few weeks...

There will hopefully be time to dive into a good read, peach in hand...

I aim to enjoy more of the simple things...like walks and picnics... 

...and picking some blossoms! (Ahem...or maybe a few strolls round the market for some lovely blooms!)

But whatever may be, there WILL be time for a little dressing up and a twirl round the dance floor!

Hopefully there will be time for making more of these too!

Happy summer holidays!

Blessings

Feel free...

'Nothing in life is free'...So the saying goes. Do you agree? Well, I for one will always try to challenge this, pushing the boundaries to try and squeeze a little 'free'-dom out of  life that will make my thrifty soul sing! In a previous post I shared with you a patchwork wall that I did in my daughter's bedroom, and it was what I would consider 'free', as the entire wall was done in wallpaper samples which I had collected free of charge over a period of time. Apart from the glue to stick the paper to the wall of course, which only cost me a couple of pounds. Well, this got me thinking....

I had requested some fabric swatches from several stores over a period of time, and inspired by a magazine feature, I thought I should create something from these. At first I thought I'd make a table cloth, then I set to work to make a little patchwork rug to place by the fireplace. The little patches of prettiness seemed a little lonely and disjointed on their own, but together they weaved  a canvas of indulgent colours, texture and interest that would cheer up a dull floor. Or so I thought...

Once I'd pieced it all together, I placed it on the floor, but for some reason the idea of little feet treading on it filled me with angst! The luxurious samples seemed to precious to step on with mucky toes! So, I hung it on the wall of course! a little bit of textured art...for free!

I decided that the fire place could do with a pick me up to. I wanted some accent colours to pop, so I spray painted an old oil lamp, photo frame and magazine rack in a fresh retro apple green. 

The oil lamp...

The frame...

A few more colourful finishing touches...an abundant country garden, depicted with buttons...a whimsical button tree...and fairy lights in a vintage vase...

All that remains now, is deciding if the retro magazine rack will be used as intended, or will it house my beloved vinyl records? Hmmm....What a dilemma!

Thank you for taking the time to read. Have you made, found or aquired a little freebie of late? Do share! I'd love to hear from you. Have a happy weekend!

Blessings,