Greenwich goodies

Sooo, probably about time I did a Magpie Monday/Flea Market Finds kind of post. I haven't been buying loads recently, a) as there hasn't been much opportunity and b) because we're attempting to declutter before moving house. But there have been a few little bits and pieces that have found their way into my bag over the last few weeks. [I did pay for them, honest.That sounded a bit like I was shopping with a foil lined bag and five finger discount].

This necklace really appealed to me on an instinctive magpie level. [And cos I'm a big kid]. If I left it in the apple tree - check me out attempting arty shots - I've no doubt it would be adorning an avian abode before too long. I got it from a new local vintage and craft event called Concrete Market, and it's made of an old - sorry, vintage; marble. The market itself was held in a pub - the one they use in Peep Show, randomly - and whilst it's always good to be close proximity to beer and crisps when shopping, the pub's slightly gloomy traditional ambiance did make it a wee bit difficult to see some of the stalls properly. That said, there were some lovely goods on offer, and I hope they can expand and make it a more regular thing.

Marble necklace by Muna Zuberi

I've also spent a couple of Saturdays in Greenwich lately, and was able to pop over and say hello to a fellow blogger, the delightful Miss Ginger who has a fabulous fabric stall in the main covered market.

She has a really great selection, and very kindly gifted me a fat quarter of this funky Dia de los Muertos inspired fabric with dancing skeletons. Now I just need to think of something Halloween-y to use it for. 

Not Cath K

The main market is still worth a wander, but there is also the Clocktower Market for antiques, vintage and retro bits and pieces. It's not that large, but the stalls are packed in closely and there are plenty of clothes, jewellery and collectibles it would be all too easy to spend spend spend on. 

I came away with some pleasingly jangly earrings and a 1958 edition of The Borrowers Afield. I've really enjoyed re-reading the adventures of Arietty Clock and family - Mary Norton imagined their world so perfectly.

All very nice, but what I really wanted was a set of 1960s girly glasses. On the front the ladies were dressed in showgirl attire, but looking through the keyhole gave a whole different view! The stall holder wanted £40 for the five though, which I couldn't really justify. If anyone ever sees any for 40p at a jumble sale...

I'm not sure you can ever exactly describe girly glasses as classy, but they struck me as being far nicer than those where their clothes disappear when the glass is filled with cold liquid. What do you think? One day I will have my vintage bar and track down another set!

Lakota x

Have you signed up to the great Festive Charity Shop Swap? There's still time but sign up closes on October 10th so get in quick if you want to play. So far there are bloggers from the UK, USA, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand all ready to get shopping without any guilt at all.

Linking up to

Magpie Monday

Thrift Share Monday

 Flea Market Finds

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Thriftaholics Weekly

Why does it always rain on me?

I was tempted to title this post 'Soaking wet Booty' but chickened out after realising that I don't pre-approve comments and my blog is finally getting picked up by Google. I think anyone searching that term might be more than a little disappointed with this kind of junk in the trunk!

But at Sunday's boot sale I really did resemble a drowned rat.  I woke up to sunshine, but by the time we (me and my lovely friend Sarah at Home Made Gorgeous) got there the gathering clouds had opened and we got drenched. No umbrella and no shelter meant five minutes of exposure to the rain was no different to an hour, so we stuck it out for that long before seeking the sanctuary of the pub - and contorting under the hand-dryer in the ladies' loo in an attempt to dry our hair.

Unfortunately the crappy weather meant a lot of stall holders covered their stalls and retreated to their cars, so there certainly wan't as much choice as usual. China and glassware stands up ok to the rain (once emptied) but I wouldn't like to be the person who eventually bought the ancient Brevel sandwich toaster that had been left to the mercy of the elements. Also, those who did continue selling all appeared to be in a foul temper and were not at all open to haggling. One bloke launched into a positive tirade of bile when someone dared to offer him 50p for a brooch. Still, I did manage to come home with a few things in addition to a sore throat.

A silver plate butter dish, now redeployed as a dressing table trinket box. I love the aged look of the outside. £3.00

A couple of Poole Pottery jam pots (one 30s, and one 60s - I think). £2.50 each. I've still got loads of jam from last summer, and have just made marmalade [smug]
China spoon - 50p

3 1950s cockail glasses - 50p each.
1950s swizzle sticks via Mother in law

Child's mug 50p. It's cracked, but the bear's expression made me laugh.
 Sarah saw cute, I saw slightly perverse. That probably says something about us!
I might use it as a container for foil wrapped mini Easter eggs

I have some new clothes and shoes to share as well (hurrah!) but that's another post. I need to wash  l'eau de charity out of them first.

Linking up to these parties:
Junkin Finds Fridays
Thrifty Adventures
Flea Market Finds
Magpie Mondays
Thrift Share Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Newbie Party
Thrifty Thursdays

An interesting mix...

We had fruit salad for pudding this evening. I know, I know, hold the front page. But it gave me the opportunity to use some of my recent buys, and although they're all from different eras, I think they sit together perfectly.

The really heavy glass bowl was a charity shop find for £2.00, sitting unloved and dusty with various lonely pint glasses and cloudy pyrex on a bottom shelf. I'm not sure when it was made (similar things on Ebay are helpfully described as 'vintage') but would guess at the 1950s. I love the starburst in the base.

I have six of the little sundae dishes, which are helpfully so art deco that there's no doubt they're from the 30s. They probably deserve something more glamorous than some chopped satsumas. Finally, there's the fun and frivolous silver plated 'shell' spoons. At least, that's how I see them. My late Gran had a set, which I remember clearly from my childhood. For some reason, ice-cream or a banana split was a far more of a treat eaten with one of these. Anyway, I don't know what happened to hers, but when I found a set of six with a serving spoon at a boot fair, I was really pleased to pay £3.00. They might not be worth much, but I always think of her when I use them.

Vases

I think I'm probably breaking the first rule of writing about anything flower related by not titling this post something like 'Blooming Gorgeous'. Sorry. Anyway, as it's cold and miserable outside, I just bought some cut flowers to brighten the place up, and thought I would share some of the vases I've bought recently.

I got this little tank vase last week at St Christopher's Hospice shop for £1.50. I think it's really stylish and am at a loss as to why someone didn't want it. I cut these hot pink carnations right down so the heads are on the rim; I was going for the kind of arrangement you see in boutique hotels. I'm not sure if carnations have been rehabilitated enough to be allowed over the threshold of 5 star hotels, but I think they work really well here, a far cry from their 'petrol station' image.

The '4 leaf clover' edge vase was quite grubby around the base when I spotted it, but it cleaned up well with just some hot soapy water. It has a really pretty vintage feel to it, and the design makes it easy to arrange flowers so they stay where you've put them - I put just one flower per 'loop'. It's especially good for freesias but there wasn't much choice in the supermarket, so I put the remainder of the carnations in it.  It cost £2.00, so was cheaper than the bunch of flowers!

Above is my little collection of 1960s art glass bud vases. These were found in charity shops, on Ebay, and at a boot fair last year. None were more than a fiver, and the green and turquoise based ones were 50p each! These are ideal for a single stem picked from the garden - even a solitary pansy will look great - or when you accidentally lose the head of a flower from a bouquet. As the coloured glass is so pretty, they don't need even need flowers - just some light shining though onto a sunny windowsill. A warning though, they are prone to 'clouding' from hard water evaporation, which can be impossible to remove, so do clean them promptly.

I bought this little vase (or possibly a sherry glass?) at the same time as the tank vase and it cost me a pound. It's just right for keeping my make-up brushes in.

Finally, here is a little pair of silver plated rose bowls, bought for £3.00 at Age UK. I like to think these have a bit of an ecclesiastical look. Any ideas on what flowers would work in them? I think roses would probably overwhelm them, as they're only 3 inches high. Unless they're meant for pot-pourri?