Vintage Musical Chalets

While staying with my folks over Easter, my Dad caught me looking at chalet cuckoo clocks on eBay. The shame. Anyway, thank God my folks are hoarders, because the following day, my Mum and I unearthed my Dad's chalet musical boxes. And you wonder where I get my love of hoarding kitsch things from?

So, here they are. Purchased at a Sussex car boot sale in the 80's, and now on display in Oxford - some twenty years later. I think this could be the start of a budding new collection.





Aren't they pretty?

I would be interested to know if anyone else collects these, I recently noticed Kaylah aka The Dainty Squid, has an enviable collection - see here - wowza!

*wanders over to eBay*

Celebrating two years of blogging with a vintage giveaway

I can't believe I have been blogging for two years. On the one hand it has gone really quickly, but on the other I can't recall LBB (life before blogging!)

I will refrain from getting sentimental, and simply say THANK YOU, especially to those who leave blog comments, likes, tweets, retweets, messages etc on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Google+ pages.

To celebrate, I am putting a super cute, super vintage, super kitsch Avon pomander from Casa Candy Pop up for grabs. If you would like this beauty hanging in your bedroom, please leave a comment below (including your name). I will announce the winner next month, in the presence of an independent adjudicator!

Good luck!

Lately

A cuckoo clock arrived for me yesterday, all the way from Germany, to which someone tweeted on Twitter 'if you don't blog about it - it didn't happen'. So I will. Soon. But for now, here are a few Instagram photographs of the world around me.

I am going to Cybher next month woohoo! I am very excited about meeting A Thrifty Mrs and catching up with my fellow big eye print obsessive (and none other than the founder of Cybher) Sian. If anyone else is going, give me a shout, and we can meet for a cuppa!

This post is dedicated to my work colleague Lucy, who looked at my blog today, and told me I needed to post something.

Kiss Her by Bianca Hall

I discovered some amazing prints by Bianca Hall at Selina Lake's Book Launch and Market last week. I adored her modern treatment of vintage dolls, so much so, I bought Lulu - the pink one. My Mum has a few of these dolls - I am hoping she has a Lulu.

The prints are limited editions, so if you want one, you better move quickly.

Selina Lake's Book Launch and Market

Wild horses (or work) were not going to keep Zoe and I away from Selina Lake's Book Launch and Market on Friday. I met Selina in 2009 when she styled my home for a magazine feature, I have been an avid fan ever since. The afternoon (of which dreams are made of) resembled that of a craft, vintage and cake feast, all shared with like minded folk. Believe me when I tell you we did not leave empty handed. I quote the waiter in Wagamama, Spitalfields: 'wow - you have been shopping!'

Here are some snaps from the afternoon, which many of us hope will become an annual event. Pretty please Selina! Oh, and by the way, Selina's new book, Homespun Style is amazing.

Hello Spring Polyvore

I am back on Polyvore after a five month hiatus, I wonder if anyone missed me?

Good Friday Photographer ~ Found & Sewn

I met Vicki while working for agnes b. eight years ago, we used to chat about antiques, fashion, shopping and going to art college. I love meeting fellow ex-art students - they have stuck rubbish into sketchbooks and walked around art galleries until their feet hurt. They are a tough breed.

Vicki makes beautiful bags and purses from vintage fabrics, buttons, scarves and lace, she also makes pretty collage cards. She is ridiculously creative!

Vicki sells her work in and around Oxford, she is also on Flickr and has a lovely blog.