So what's the point of robbery when nothing is worth taking?

There is a lot to do this week as we head towards Saturday's jumble sale. 

I always have some anxieties about whether enough jumble will come in, but so far, the mountain of donations looks good, and there are two more days to go. Can't vouch for the quality, but there sure is quantity.

It seems to work for Primark...

Look at me, all Little House on the Prairie.

After chilly starts, the last few days have been beautifully sunny. I've had washing on the line, the garden is blooming in a modest sort of way, the cats are racing and chasing, and a heron came to visit, to check out my neighbour's pond and the eight fish therein. 

I wonder if there are still eight now?

Already, there are butterflies, the occasional bee, and ladybirds.

1960-70s Just Jane maxi dress - gift from Lucy

Suede waistcoat, bangles and necklace - charity shopped

Boots - Ebay

Joanne and I popped to Doncaster on Monday. She'd bought a coal scuttle on Ebay, and invited me along as navigator. This was an ill-advised move, since I am the world's worst map reader, and am usually far too busy talking to take any notice of where we are or where we are going...

Thankfully, she had had the foresight to write out directions. 

Those, I can read. 

There is an impressive indoor market...

 ...and a whole host of charity shops, although I didn't buy anything.

Adam Ant, Henry Winkler, Eddie Waring, and Bruce Forsyth, all reduced to the chazzas.

 How the mighty are fallen.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every charity shop will have vintage and modern glassware galore.

Plus copies of The Da Vinci Code, several items of Per Una clothing, a box with knitting patterns in it, and at least one record which you catch sight of and say I used to have that!

Stand and Deliver is a case in point.

We might hit Chesterfield tomorrow, and Friday is earmarked for baking and setting up the jumble; then all systems are go on Saturday morning!

The really important question is - what shall I wear?!

xxx

The heat that sails across the love ocean

Thank you thank you thank you!

For all your happy birthday wishes, and Facebook messages, and cards and gifts.

Truthfully, I was - am - a bit overwhelmed. 

But very grateful and appreciative too!

 

 

 

 

My birthday on Tuesday was a lovely day.

I'm not going to do a look at my gifts post, for fear of sounding like a acquisitive contestant on The Generation Game reciting items from the conveyor belt. And anyway, I didn't get a cuddly toy or a fondue set.

But I can happily show you this beautiful 1960-70s maxi dress, which was a gift from my dear friend Lucy, and which demanded to be worn immediately.

 

 

 

The prairie styling and pretty floral cotton look a lot like late 1960s or early 1970s Laura Ashley, but the dress is in fact by Just Jane, a label about which I can find no information.

 

 

 

No matter. I love it, and wafted about in my garden feeling like a Timotei or Cadbury's Flake girl.

 

See?

 

 

The kids had all made cards for me, but Littlest added an extra note;

 

Spelling... hmm, not so impressive, but you can't fault the sentiment and the poetic sensibility!

So while I was out with Jo for a birthday cappuccino on Tuesday morning, we saw a poster advertising a charity vintage sale the following day. Needless to say, we returned to see what was on offer, more in hope than expectation.

 

I found;

 

 

 

a beautiful 1960s Jinty's metallic mini dress (too small for me so destined for Ebay);

 

two lovely Victorian micromosaic brooches (dated thanks to the Youtube video which Clare shared a while back);

 

 

and a mahogany butler's tray with brass corners (don't know the date but I would hazard a guess at 1920-30s maybe?) and a hand-embroidered tray cloth (because it fitted perfectly.) 

Now the other items are today's Chesterfield flea market haul.

It looks like that parlour game where you are shown a tray of items to memorise, then one is secretly removed and you have to recall what's missing.

1960s patterns

1960s pressed glass vase (it looks like a Dalek when it's upside down)

1950s New Hall tea bowl

four 1960-70s stainless steel rings (I keep finding them!)

1930s hexagonal Woods Ivory Ware lidded tureen

The vase, tureen and bowl were from Joseph's 3-for-a-quid box.

The rings were £3 for all four (from Joe's Mrs, Wendy).

Patterns - a quid.

I love the fact that I can spend a fiver, and have a little collection of pretty, useful, interesting vintage items. Beats shopping in Primark any day of the week.

 

I seem destined never to have any decent photos of the Ladies Purse in action.

 

We performed woefully at the pub quiz last night, but had a huge laugh.

 

But goodness knows what happened to the pics...

We've gone all blurry and weird; it was a work/school night so honestly, no one was over-indulging. If only - then we could blame our shambolic performance on the booze.

 

 

1970s kaftan-style dress (I think it might be a nightie actually) - Ebay

Bangles and necklace - charity shopped and gifts

Hair flowers - retail and gift

Sandals - retail

Mexican woven tie belt - jumble sale ( I know it's Mexican cos my mate Ruth spotted me wearing it and said she had donated it to our last school jumble, and that she bought it while travelling!)

I hope your week has been excellent so far.

What are your plans for the weekend?

    xxxx