Pink - White and Roses.

 

l know Spring is still a way off so l'm trying not to get TOO excited about the gardens everywhere that are now waking up...magnolias, blossoms and tulips are just some that are already blooming ....soon EVERYTHING will be bursting with life....BRING IT ON!!! 

The lovely roses came from the market, there were so many colours it took forever to choose a bunch.

 

 

It's been a while since this corner of our bedroom had any attention so l set about redressing my torso and put together a few of my recent finds to take some photos.

l was really happy to find this repro Victorian shawl for a couple of dollars at the opshop...it looks 70's to me.  

  

 

Sunday was bitterly cold so l rugged up well for the market. At some point l overheard that it was only 3 degrees and with the wind belting across the surrounding paddocks it felt more like MINUS 3, and it got me wondering what "madness" drives ME (and l suspect many of YOU too:-)) out of a warm bed so early on a Winters' morning to hunt for some elusive item.... that's (hopefully) waiting just for YOU, that we may or may not find, and l couldn't really come up with anything remotely logical, but l'm guessing, it must  have something to do with creativity. 

   

 

You see l find myself almost always buying things that can be either revamped, repurposed or reworn and am totally excited when l have some kind of project on the go that l believe is going to breathe new life into something that may have been tossed to the tip, or relegated to the back of a cupboard or garage somewhere. l guess too, us junkers have an affinity with the aged, the timeworn and the unusual and hope in some way to preserve, restore and safeguard a slice of history for the future.

 

 

.....and even if we find an amazing item that's truly perfect in it's imperfections and needs no "fixing" whatsoever, it may inspire us to arrange a little vignette, or rearrange an entire room... or maybe even convince us to undertake major works in our home or garden depending on just HOW special and authentically that item resonates and "fits" with the vision we have for our world.   

 

Whether or not it's reason enough to rise at 6am on a Sunday each week l don't know... but hey l'm not complaining;-)) 

 

 

Last years' Spring blooms.....All the roses are just sticks (with teensy buds) at the moment. 

 

This is how our front bedroom looked a couple of years ago....quite a few changes since then:-))

Pretty and girlie....jenneliserose. via pinterest.

Beautiful Florentine dressing table...shabbychicinteriors. via pinterest. 

 

 

Hope you're all having a fantastic week so far....thanks so much for stopping by.

 

Til next time,

 

Bron. 

 

 

 

Top Tips for Flea Market Success.

 

 

About a month ago Mum and l drove a couple of hours up the road to the little country town where her Sister lives..... she's just as mad keen on junking as we are, so a trip to all the opshops (the whole 3 of them:-)) was in order. At the salvos l found this fantastic plastic ruby coloured cup from the 50's. It shows the Queens' coronation in 1952. 

The hellebores are pretty much the only thing flowering in the garden at the moment.....SOO can't wait for Spring.

 

 

It'd be a stretch to call myself a collector....l'm more an opportunistic finder, however there are things l CAN'T resist if they catch my eye and the price is right....and the odd vintage frock certainly fits that category, most of the ones in these pics cost less than a fiver..They span all the decades from the 50's on, l'm not at all pernickety about which era they're from....Even the one with the big fergie bow from the eighties didn't escape my adulation....haha!! (check it out a few pics below).

 

 

You might like the idea l came up with to decorate the coathangers. Using old doilies l layered one over the top of another, by pushing the hanger hook through the centres.  I didn't want to make (new) holes in the doilies so l selected ones that already had (lace) holes in the centre. Beaded milk jug covers were used for the second layer....easy peasy..... and since clearly there wasn't enough going on here..hehe.. l decorated the display with wreaths, pearls, faux flowers and fringed scarf.

  

 

Anyway all this talk about treasure hunting got me thinking about sharing a few tips that have helped me and might also help you when heading off to the market..... Here's my top five. 

 

 

1. If you see something you LOVE and you can afford it... BUY IT 'cos if you love it, so will someone else and it'll sell.......Having said that don't lose your head with excitement over what you consider a bargain. While it's YOUR option and especially if it's pricey check it out WELL, if it's made of glass or ceramic....give it a ting on the side, a nice ringing sound should mean there's no damage. Also feel the item all over with your hands it's often easier to FEEL damage than see it. Although damage may not matter to you, the price should reflect the quality of the item you're buying. Sometimes the dealer may not even realise that something is damaged, but if it is and it's brought to his attention you may be able to negotiate a new (fairer) price. 

 

 

2. The best stuff will always sell early as you know, but l've noticed that private stallholders (who often have the interesting, previously unseen stuff) often come a bit later than the regulars, so timing is key. Things to consider are the weather, daylight savings, and time of the year. (Usually somewhere around 8-8.30 works well in my neck of  the woods). Dealers are earlybirds and are everywhere with their torches and (sometimes) pushiness, often earlier than 5.00am and hang about til 8.00ish, which is hard to compete with, nevertheless just by being that little bit later you can often pick up what they've missed in their haste to make it to the next stall.   

 

3. If you go to the market a lot, like l do .... it's great if you can foster relationships with the regular stallholders....that way not only does everyone get to enjoy the fun, friendship and positive vibes of the market (which is prob'ly the best thing) you'll also find that when they get to know the type of things you consistently buy, they'll actually source and bring these things along for you to check out, and always give you their best price.



4. l know everyone says you should haggle at the market and that it's generally expected, however l rarely haggle....if l think something's a fair price (and it usually is) then l'm HAPPY to pay it.. Having been a stallholder myself on a number of occasions.....at the pointy end of people haggling over 50 cents and then pulling out a tenner (or worse a fifty) to pay for it, struth you just gotta shake your head. It's important to be FAIR, after all you WANT the stallholders to make money so it's worthwhile them coming back again...If it's a really good price, tip them and make their day :-))

THE fergie bow. 

 

5.....and lastly in your handbag take a light weight strong (carry) bag...the nylon ones that fold into a little purse work well and if you were super organised you'd also take a piece of bubble wrap,(breakables) a plastic snap lock bag (jewellery/cards), a small packet of tissues and a tape measure.(and any measurements you might need). Dress comfy....especially your shoes. Since l'm always early and don't hang about, l never worry about water, snacks or sunblock but are things to consider if you're  having a big day. Most of all take an open mind for all those possibilities out there.... and HAVE FUN!!

 

 

Cute ballerina wool embroidery... 

  

Beautiful vintage party dresses. rachel ashwell via pinterest. 

 

 

 

Really lovin' these old soda syphons....jeannedarcliving. via pinterest.

 

 

 

In the new Romantic Homes they have a list of the top flea market collectibles at the moment and thought l'd include them for you.

 

1. Salt Cellars....Apparently formal dining is back

2. Cake Plates...Statement pieces

3. Keys.......Mysterious and romantic?Curtain tie backs

4. Wireware. Egg baskets and crates. For storage.

5. Vintage crate labels....... Decorating books, labelling jars and bottles.

6. Small oil paintings.....Group them or frame and hang them.

7. Ladders.......textile display, or use as bookshelf.

8. Birdhouses.........Use indoors or out.

9. Timepieces.......Useful and old ones add vintage appeal...pull apart and repurpose.

 

 

 

So there you have it....hope this post helps you out a little on your next junking trip:-))

Have a wonderful rest of your week, thanks so much for stopping by.

 

 

 

Til next time,

 

Bron. 

  

 

White on White.

 

l wonder if like me, you love an all white interior.....or at least l love the IDEA of an all white interior.... however having the discipline to achieve (and maintain) this in my own surrounds is pretty much NIL... in fact just stripping the colour from this corner for these pics was proof enough to know that it'll never happen round here....haha!!

 

 

 l really enjoy those white and light blog posts that show snowy, bright interiors... maybe with the odd neutral or item of black thrown in, but with colour definitely OUT, l DO wonder at the incredible discipline it must take, even when it comes to choosing a coffee cup or a tea towel....l mean l totally GET that.... but don't think l could actually LIVE it.
 

 

Many of the "white" blogs l frequent are those in the Scandy countries where absolutely everything is white....not only the walls, but the ceilings, floors and all the furniture as well. l guess when so much of the year is spent indoors with precious little sun, an all white palette really helps to maximise the sense of light and space....they're certainly calming and serene spaces. (A GOOD thing during those loong Winter school holidays... haha).  

 

 

Anyway...you can't help but wonder at how everyone is different and has their own unique way of BEING in the world, and for those of us with the internet at our fingertips.....we each get to share in all these amazing ideas and styles and creations that are passed round this big old world of ours and hopefully are not only inspired, but are inspirational as well...which is pretty damn awesome isn't it!!!

 

 

Vintage lace details.

 

Much loved shell and mother of pearl necklaces. Plastic beaded dilly bag from the 60's.
White crochet cotton, buttons and buckle.

  

 

 

White Madonna l found at (St) Vinnies. White cyclamen from the market.....you know it's Winter when they're in bloom:-))

  

 

 

                      Beautiful.........zsazsabellagio. via pinterest.   

 

 

                          79 ideas. via pinterest.  

 

 

                           Also from 79 ideas. (what turquoise scarf and mat??).

 

                            thefancyfarmgirl. via pinterest.


Well l hope you enjoyed the white post, it was fun and interesting putting it together.
Have a wonderful rest of your week and thanks so much for stopping by.

Til next time,

Bron.
 

Moody Blues...Stars and Stripes.

Hope you enjoy the post(s) today
A bit of pretty.....some vintage finds and (hopefully) a couple of ideas for you.

 

 

 This old hatbox was found at the opshop last week and although it's pretty rose print is great, l really DIDN'T love it's dull old paper brown colour... Since it cost next to nothing l figured l'd try an experimental paint job on it.The result worked out ok, so just in case you come across one too, here's what l did:-))

l used blue acrylic paint which was watered down (about 70% paint, 30% water). This was then brushed over the box in sections and rubbed back with a dry cloth, the process should be done quickly to stop the cardboard from getting too wet which can cause bubbling. Rubbing the paint back has given it colour, but still allows the pattern to shine through....it also distributes the paint evenly across the surface. The brown coming through gives the box more of a green look.

 

This well worn tablecloth has been so intricately embroidered by hand that l didn't want to put it on the table and spill something on it (and believe me l soo WOULD), but  also didn't want to hide it away in the cupboard.....it might hang on the wall for a while:-)) 

 

 

The book covers were also painted in the same blue as the hatbox (full strength paint)....The spine was rubbed back to allow the title to show through. 

 

 

 

A washy watercolour sketch.....same bottles, different flowers. 

 

 

Vintage crown clip on earrings from the market.

 

 

 

 

 

 LOVE this room..... too cute things.

 

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY.

 

 

To my American blog-gals..... l couldn't let your special day just cruise by without a bit of nod. Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday:-))

 





Ages ago l borrowed a book from the library on vintage tattoos....Many of the images in the book were from the war years and being that tattoos were largely the domain of men, lots of these images were of women. l painted a collection of my faves in watercolour. These "old school" tattoos were done in solid colours with bold black outlines and very little shading. They certainly weren't the

works of art we see today.... but to me have a lot of charm in their own way.

I was reading that in America in 2012.... for the first time in history, the number of tattooed women exceeded the number of tattooed men. 23% of women to 19% of men. (ta wiki).

 





Have also added some of my vintage plastic collection. Laminated bangles, lips brooch, spangled star necklace and anchor charm.

Shown with vintage American flag levis from the 80's.

 

 War time embroidery........Rachel Ashwell  via instagram.

 



 

My inspiration pic. drewmaurylifestyle. via pinterest.

 

 

 Wishing you all a wonderful week, the kids are all on holidays again so take it easy and stay safe:-)) and thanks so much for stopping by.

 

Til next time.

 

Bron.