Vintage Flourish

Seaside Holiday Inspiration!

There's something about the seaside that always calms me down and leaves me feeling refreshed and we were lucky enough to have 2 weeks by the sea this summer. Our first week we spent in North Yorkshire in beautiful Runswick Bay before heading down to Cornwall for the second week.

Runswick Bay is a small village clinging to the cliffs looking on to an amazing stretch of beach.  There's a warren of little pathways with picture perfect fishermen's cottages.  All this and a beach cafe and cosy pub which makes it pretty much perfect for me, except perhaps for the weather.  But then if it were completely perfect it would be over run and that would be no fun.

 

 

Just look at this stretch of bay ... you can't see any of it til you come over the top of the hill and  then it literally takes your breath away (and if you attempt to walk back up the hill you are breathless once again).

 

 

 

We stayed in a lovely little fisherman's cottage and spent the week exploring the surrounding towns and villages (and dodging the rain). Just round the coast is the village of Staithes, once home to Captain Cook and popular with artists, it's another old fishing village built around a small harbour.  

 

 

Always keen to try a local speciality we found this "Coble Cake" at the cafe on the harbourside.  Named after the traditional fishing boats used locally it was a spiced sponge laced with apple puree and nuts and served with cream.  They told me it's made only by them and the recipe appears to be a bit of a secret ... think I'll experiment and try and make my own version!

 

 

The village also has a lovely little craft cooperative in what I think was a church hall, lots of little stalls with work from local makers ... was very inspired by the driftwood boats and painted pebbles.

The seaside town of Whitby was only 15 minutes away, a lovely traditional town with a friendly feel. The ruins of Whitby Abbey overlook the town and there's the link with Bram Stoker's Dracula. It was also the centre of the jet industry so popular in Victorian times ... indeed jet can still be found on the small stretch of coast around the town, but only if you know what you are looking for and are very patient!

 

As the weather wasn't the best during our visit we spent quite a bit of time trying out the local cafes. One of my favourites was the lovely Marie Antoinettes Cake Shop which not only had the most delicious selection of cakes but was decorated so that when you went upstairs it felt as if you were sitting in someone's parlour

 

 

 

Whitby is full of old world charm, there's fish and chips, lots of fudge/sweet and rock shops and many small independent shops, many of which look like they haven't changed that much over the years

 

 

Robin Hoods Bay is another little seaside village not far from Whitby, again a warren of higgledy piggledy little streets and postcard worthy fishermen's cottages, painted in a range of jaunty colours. Couldn't resist showing you what is possibly the cutest sweet shop around, Dollies in Robin Hood's Bay.

 

 

The North Yorkshire Coast is not the best known tourist area but it does have a lot to offer, especially if you're after that old fashioned seaside experience.

Finally I thought I'd share these photos of some of the gardens that caught my eye, there's just something about the whimsical style of many seaside gardens that I love 

 

Love the yellow door and the sedum planted on the roof!

 

So week one over we packed our bags and headed to Cornwall and the beautiful Sennen Bay, just 5 minutes from Land's End. Will share some of my Cornish photos in my next post.

 

From Giant Cupcakes to Chintz China

Just haven't had the time to blog over the last few weeks ... the end of term is such a busy spell, the kids have lots on and are tired and emotional, the shop is busy with teacher gifts and there's been an eighth birthday too.  Now school is finished and the pressure is off a little, except for my yearly urge to try and clear my laundry pile before we go on holiday.  Let's just say household chores aren't my strong point and I did indeed find some of last years summer clothes at the bottom of (one of) my ironing pile(s).

My little girl's birthday fell the week before school broke up and she enjoyed a fabulous painting party at "I Heart Art" in Aberdeen.  They spent a couple of hours decorating a canvas each and had lots of creative fun ... much paint, glitter and sequins later they all had a work of art to take home and better still I didn't have to clean up!  I did however go home and attempt to make the cake of her dreams, one of those giant cupcakes.  I bought the silicone moulds from the supermarket and gave it a go.  I had to estimate quantities as the recipe that came with the moulds was for packet mix plus I didn't have the non stick spray it recommends you should use (I used oil).  However apart from the very top sticking a bit and cracking (which you don't see when it's iced)  I think it turned out well.  I used white chocolate fingers for the base.  She was certainly delighted ...

 

 

Parties and school over, this last weekend I even managed a little vintage hunting and came up with a few lovely bits and pieces which are destined for the shop

 

 

The tin tea caddy will be added to my hire collection, there's also a vintage Stratton compact with a beautiful floral design, a deco style dressing table trinket pot and a cute glass milk and sugar set with the sweetest floral decals. 

Last month I was lucky enough to get a box of old linens at auction, it turned out to be a really lovely collection of hand embroidered tablecloths, with some napkins and traycloths too. They've washed up really well and some will join my collection of tablecloths that we hire out, some we'll sell in the shop and one or two might find their way into my linen cupboard.  I'll show you a few of the highlights

 

 

 

Lately I came apon a few lovely pieces of Royal Winton Chintz and if the price is right I can't resist.  I love chintz china and have a small collection.  It can still be quite pricey but not as bad as it was 10-15 years ago. So most of my collection is made up of little pieces most of which have a chip or small crack and non of which matches ... and that's just how I like it.   Here are the new bits I bought along with a few of my other pieces and don't they look amazing together

Now the kids are off for the summer all we need is some slightly more seasonal weather ... I'm not looking for a heatwave but an end to the constant rain would be nice!

Jubilee Fun

The Jubilee weekend turned out to be good fun, we had a little "Cocktails and Cake" party at Flourish on Saturday afternoon which went really well and then we had some friends round to the house for a tea party on Tuesday afternoon.  In between we managed a day in Glasgow to see our new baby cousin (well my nephew) Charlie which was lovely.

I made these jubilee marshmallows for the shop party and they were very popular so I made another batch for Tuesday.  It really is the simple things that often work the best - don't they look jolly ... and very patriotic!

 

 

I also made up some raspberry gin fizz which went down very well ... again so easy to make - buy a bottle of Belvoir Raspberry Lemonade and add copious amount of gin and that's it.

I couldn't miss the opportunity to use our vintage tins, especially cause I had this one with the queen on it ... filled them with some retro carnations and I think they look rather splendid ...

 

 

 

You'll remember my kitsch swan posy vases ... well couldn't resist using them, especially with the royal connection.  Jury is out; retro fun or just plain naff!!!  I'm loving them!

 

Also put out one of my vintage typewriters to encourage people to leave little messages ...  and again it was the kids that were really hooked

 

 

 

Spent a couple of hours baking on Monday which was nice, especially since everything turned out well, nothing worse than working away for ages only to find the cake hasn't risen or you've burnt it.  Here's our Jubilee spread

 

 

I bought these fab cake toppers, aren't the corgis brilliant! 

 

 

Thought my little vintage skittle soldiers looked fab on my mantlepiece ... love them so much I'm leaving them there for a while, on guard ...

 

 

 

Beautiful Old Boxes

What is it about old wooden crates and boxes that is so appealing ? ... For me it's their rutic look, the quirky lettering, the fact that they have survived ... they've served their initial purpose and are still here ... The problem with them being in fashion is that they're harder to find and more expensive.  There are many reproduction examples around but somehow none of them quite have the same look.  Anyway I already had a few and lately I've been lucky enough to find a couple more.  This weekend I took advantage of the nice weather and took some photos of them filled with plants

 

 

 

I think they'd look great at a rustic style wedding.  They add that vintage feel but are not too formal. Here's hoping someone walks into the shop looking for just that feel for their wedding ... being involved in someone's big day (especially when they are after a vintage look) is just such a creative buzz that I can't wait to do it again.  

I've also acquired another vintage typewriter ... you'll remember the little Imperial portable that I got a few weeks ago, well here's the latest addition

 

 

It's an Erika 105 and seems to be in very good condition, just needs a new ribbon which I have ordered from ebay.  My husband is now worried that this is the start of yet another collection, I protested that this is only the second one I've bought and he muttered something about that being how it always starts.  To be fair he's probably right!   I'm not sure yet if I'll keep it for renting out as a wedding prop or whether I'll sell it in the shop.

Well only a few days to go until Jubilee Weekend ... yesterday I picked up these super retro juice jugs - should come in handy for serving drinks

 

We're having Jubilee "Cocktails and Cake" at the shop on Saturday afternoon and then we're having some friends round for a Jubilee Tea Party on Tuesday afternoon ... whether you're a royalist or not it's a fantastic excuse for a get together!  

Finally, can't resist showing you the jubilee inspired finger nails that we came up with for the school fair this weekend.  Myself and 3 other lovely ladies sat for a couple of hours and painted the nails of many many little ladies 

 

Vintage Gems and other Treasures

 

At last spring seems to have arrived and we're enjoying some sunshine.  I was luck enough to find two wonderful retro double duvets and (although they look never to have been used) I thought I'd take advantage of the weather and give them a bit of an air ... don't they look fab on the line!

 

 

When I was out vintage hunting this weekend I found the gentleman below, now I'm not a bear collector, but there was just something about him, plus the "Merrythought" label means he's seriously good quality. Merrythought bears are handmade in Ironbridge, Shropshire and they were established in 1930. My bear is more recent, but is fully jointed, his coat is made of mohair and he's just so well made ... looking at their website I'd say he's a 14" curly gold bear (but I'm no expert) and there'd be little change from £100 if you wanted to buy him new - not that he'll be going anywhere (the kids would kill me if I tried to sell him!).

 

 

I can never resist a crochet blanket and when I met a lady this weekend who makes and sells them and donates the proceeds to charity I was only too delighted to make a purchase.  I love the zig zags and the bright colours and it's cosiness ...

 

 

Couldn't resist sneeking in this photo of some cute little coffee cups and saucers I found, they're destined for the "Jubilee Tea Party Table" at the shop.

 

 

This beautiful wooden heart "VINTAGE" bunting arrived this week, handmade to order from Kirsti at www.storminavintagetcup.co.uk, she can make any word/name/phrase that you want 

 

I have hung it against an old picture frame that I've stretched some floral fabric over (old sanderson curtains actually - same as I used on the ottoman if you remember) ... It forms the background of our jubilee shop window... 

 

 

Looking forward to going to the auction this week, I'm hoping we can get some tea ware and glasses to restock the shop after a busy week  ... maybe it's the jubilee, but people are certainly looking for pretty china and glass at the moment ... let's hope we are lucky!

 

 

Typewriters, Swans and other Treasure

Typewriters with their vintage styling and nostalgic charm are, it seems, back in fashion.  It's not that anyone is ditching their computer with it's auto formating and spell-check, typewriters are instead being used more as props and "set dressing".  Brides are setting one up at their wedding for people to type messages on, it adds to the vintage vibe and provides a touch of novelty.  

So I thought I'd look out for a suitable example and add it to my collection of props that we rent out for weddings. This is the cute little portable I purchased this weekend

 

 

It's had a clean and an oil and is good as new.  It's been a huge hit with my kids too.   They look on it as some sort of museum piece, some ancient technology, and they've spent ages tapping away at the keys. There is something special about typewriter font ... and that little "ding" when you come to the end of a line!

Once we started talking about typewriters my mum produced this from her shed

 

 

It's obviously way older (and in much worse condition) but it has a certain old world charm ... just look at those round keys.

 

These are not the only vintage treats I've unearthed lately ... look at this amazing picnic basket, part wicker part plastic and so well made.  Very similar, might I say, to the reproduction baskets that are for sale from a certain high street brand that is famous for it's florals ... and theirs cost about £40 each!  (Having said that one of their floral flasks would look great in it - so I might have to purchase one with the money I saved on the basket!)

 

 

Now don't laugh but I've indulged in a bit of kitsch ... swan vases are not something I'd normally buy but after reading (well looking at the amazing photos mainly) the wonderful book "Vintage Flowers" by Vic Brotherson, I realised I could turn these into a cute little vintage arrangement.  Indeed one swan vase turned into two and then a bluebird appeared and next week I'm sure I'll add to the flock again.  

 

 

I'll post a photo of them when they're filled with flowers, something bright and clashing is recommended, and you can tell me if they're retro or naff!

 

You'll remember the union jack buttons I bought the other week ... I've made a start on the brooches and so far I think they're working out quite well, see what you think

 

Jubilee preparations are also underway at the shop where I've put together a "Tea Party" table full of lovely old china and glass as well as little extras like napkins, bunting and paperchains

 

Still haven't decided how we'll mark the occassion at home ... but I'm not one to pass up the opportunity of sticking up some bunting and baking a cake!

 

 

Vintage China Love

I don't know when it started, but I've pretty much always loved old china and the prettier the better. Thinking about it now I have clear memories of my grandma having a selection of old china cups and saucers and when it was time for afternoon tea she'd take out a little round fold-down table that she had and put a tablecloth on it and we'd sit and have tea. So maybe those happy memories are the root of it, indeed I think a sense of nostalgia is at least partly responsible for the growing trend for vintage. Since I was a teenager I've collected (unintentionally really) old bits and pieces and china remains one of my main loves.

Well who can resist mismatched china cups?

Since I've had the shop this has gone into overdrive, suddenly I have a reason to be looking at auctions and sales and inevitably my collection has grown.  Now I hire out my china for tea parties and weddings in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, so other people get to enjoy it too. Don't get me wrong I'm not entirely selfless, I can now buy more and not feel too guilty about it!

Here's a picture of a lovely vintage style wedding we helped out at last year ... we set up our china for afternoon tea ... it looked so beautiful and I think having tea and cakes after the service is such a nice idea. The beautiful surroundings of Pittodrie House were a perfect setting.

 

 

I was packing up an order of china for hire yesterday and I decided to see how many different patterns I had at the moment ... I managed to find more than 20 and I thought I'd take a minute and get a few photos

 

 

 

The problem is that it's not just cups and saucers, now my collecting has spread to milk jugs, sugar bowls, tea pots ...

 

And to think many of these have come from sets that were given as wedding presents and were treasured and kept in china cabinets, some for more than 60 years.  But fashions changed and they fell out of favour, replaced by more modern options, with even some charity shops refusing to take them because they didn't sell. Happily things have changed, and with the current fashion for vintage it looks as if they will be treasured again.

To Upcycle or not to Upcycle ...

Generally I'm a big fan of the current trend for upcycling ... I like the idea of taking something old and unloved, giving it a bit of TLC and a lick of paint and transforming it into something usable and attractive. To me it's the ideal way to create unique, quirky items for the home, and not only that, it's cheaper than buying new and it's environmentally friendly.

So when I saw this lovely little footstool going for next to nothing at a recent car boot sale I couldn't resist and was immediately thinking, "I'll paint the legs white and replace the trim and then it will look fantastic" ... that was until it was pointed out to me that actually it was already very lovely and indeed it suited it's natural wood coloured legs and it's faded trim.

 

A lesson to be learned I think ... sometimes things are perfect just the way they are! 

 

While I'm here I thought I'd show you some of my other recent vintage finds ... I'm currently on the lookout for pretty china, jam dishes, small glasses etc because at the shop we're putting a "Jubilee Tea Party Table" together ... full of the bits and pieces people will be looking for if they're throwing their own tea party to celebrate.

 

These "deer" liqueur glasses are very stylish

 

 

I'm finding this type of decal tumbler very popular

 

 

Black and gold retro glasses

More and more people are turning to vintage when they're looking for something quirky, unusual and affordable.  Buying preloved pieces is now very much in fashion, whereas there used to be a certain snobbery about "second-hand", "vintage" is very much in vogue.