More stuff to painstakingly pack in a box and then not open for months when we get there...

Despite all my protestations about not buying anything else, as I'll only have to pack it and then find a place for it, I did succumb to the charms of this coffee set recently. Well, it was only £3 for the pot, 3 cups and saucers, 3 side plates, sugar bowl and milk jug. It would have been rude not to, don't you think?

I love the retro pattern and colour, although I haven't been able to find out what it's called. I also realised when I got it home that it reminded me of a print we have by Sally Elford - you can see more of her screen-prints here.

I'm off to see a new school for Boy2 in a minute. Sadly they don't have a place for Boy1 yet, but he's so sweet and eager that it won't be a problem to have him at home for a while. I told him we'd have to do a bit of work together, and he immediately said "I'll make a schedule!". He came back 5 minutes later with a timetable, saying "I've given myself a fun day on Fridays - art and Spanish!". Sadly all I can currently teach him in Spanish is rude words and how to order beer and tapas, but I can't fault his enthusiasm...

Lakota x

Linking up to Magpie Monday

The future's orange

It's been half term and I've not been feeling that great recently, so I haven't really been doing much in the way of second-hand shopping. Also, I've got to be honest and say when I have looked, very little has really jumped out at me. If anyone could send me some thrift karma I'd be very grateful. However, I did find this  - which given the fact it's bright orange, with lairy 70s flowers on it, even I couldn't miss.

Tala Bread Bin

It cost me £3, and doesn't have a chip or a dent on it. Not only that, but it matches my nails.

Pretending I've got a Lamborghini 

[Matching your nails to your bread-bin proves you're in advanced stages of housewifery]

By happy co-incidence the tea-towel which lovely Loo sent me yesterday is also sporting an eye-popping orange floral, reminding me of my parents' bedroom wallpaper when I was tiny. Loo's parcel cheered me up no end, wrapped in the tea-towel was also a Habitat canvas shopping bag - I love the peacock and fox design - a birdy brooch from Acorn and Will and a rather marvellous 'build your own' cardboard crocodile. I made him immediately and he is currently guarding my earrings. She also cleverly made the box for the brooch herself - using orange origami paper.

Also on the orange theme - check out what I found when we were getting suitcases down from the loft recently. I bought these trousers round about 1996 and wore them not only clubbing but just generally out and about. I like to think that these are future vintage. It's no wonder I wore sunglasses almost permanently then...

Mid 90s skin-tight kick-flare leggings

Sadly I don't have any photos of me rocking these, I will have to ask around.

I'm not sure how many of you will appreciate this - but I'll leave you with club classic The Orange Theme by Cygnus X. Happy nights days...

Lakota x

Linking up with Liz for Magpie Monday

Church Fete Finds...

Just a quick post today to finally show a few retro kitchen bits and pieces I've picked up recently, some bargain books and a couple of pieces of jewellery sent to me by the lovely Jem of Beautiful Clutter. I popped to a church fete a few weekends ago, and in addition to winning half their tombola prizes I had a quick look at the bric-a-brac stall and spotted this vintage 'Nutbrown' rotary herb chopper. [At least that's what is according to ebay. The woman who sold it to me for 10p seemed to think it was an egg slicer]. I think I bought it remembering that someone collects red-handled kitchen implements - is it you Loo? And if so, do you want it?

Metal fish mould, mini forks for pickles and h'or d'oeuvres and an erm, implement.


Early 80s Readers Digest British nature books

The book stall was worth a rummage too. As well as a few paperbacks for 20p each, I found these beautifully illustrated guides to birds, flowers and trees of Britain. They were a bargain at 50p each, but I'm not sure about the wisdom of using them as 'Field Guides', a trio of hardbacks would be rather a hindrance to any country walking I might be inclined to do. Perhaps proper ramblers think nothing of filling their rucksacks with several kilograms of encyclopaedia.

Finally I found this 'spooky skinny arm' (as Mr FHCS refers to it) in a charity shop in central Croydon. It's currently displaying a trio of bracelets made from a broken vintage necklace (restrung by Jem) and a brooch with a white cabochon stone and marcasite sparkles. Thanks so much Jem. [Do check out her blog, she has beautiful photographs and some lovely finds.] The picture is one from my stash of family photos - and shows Artie and Belle posing together in 1929. I'm not sure exactly how we're related, but I do think Artie is a fantastically dapper chap, I'm loving the hankie and pocket-watch chain, and he is rocking that moustache, eh ladies?

Bella and Edward
Belle and Artie

I've managed to resist the lure of the laptop a little better this week so haven't done quite as much blog visiting as usual, but normal service will no doubt be resumed soon. After all, St Swithun has decreed we're in for another 40 days of rain, so doesn't look like any of us in the UK will be getting out much. I think I'm finally ready to send my swap parcel to the very patient Amy at Blighty Boutique, so I will at least have to brave a trip to the post office. Someone suggested that I try and do a linky post so everyone can share their swaps, so  if anyone has any tips on how to set that up please let me know!

Lakota x

Linking to Flea Market Finds
Magpie Monday