The Goose's Rear End And Twinkling Lights

Well hello you lovely little thing!

So my plan for a post last week fell through, I was far too busy and had to have my mind on work - But now it's playtime, want to come outside with me and jump in puddles?

But if you want to stay inside, all warm and dry, then fine. I'll stay here with a cat leaning against me and gazing at the tree lights.

Did I say tree lights? Why yes, I did! The tree went up thirteen days ago... Because we could, that's why!

Things are still up in the air, so we don't know if we can stay in the house. I was hoping it would be sorted by now, having that hanging over you at Christmas is no fun. We thought that last Christmas might be the last one if this house, but we're here for another, and hopefully many more. Some news on that front would be a present in itself. But never mind, not much I can do about that at the moment, so decorate, bake and be merry.

The 7 footer is back! I love this tree, I love not being able to reach the top without stepladders, which is why the angel is still in need of adjusting! Her arm was just left like that when she was popped up there... Oh dear, time to brave the dizzying height of the ladders! She's actually a really special angel as I think she was one of Mami's dolls which my Gran made a dress for, for their tree when Mami was a wee thing.

I love getting the house decorated, all those twinkling lights. Oh and being in the kitchen for something other than everyday dinners (I cook everyday, it gets a bit boring sometimes) - The home-made Irish cream, veggie sausage rolls, mince pies and the chocolate truffles, the one thing Ma makes! Oh, I should point out she makes most of the Christmas dinner too.

Speaking of food and decorating, my fridge is in on the act...

After getting out the festive DVDs and books, they needed somewhere to live - Step in corner sewing box/shelving unit!

I also enjoy a little chocolate with breakfast, oh and the cat likes his calender too! Mine's the Hello Kitty one, and Ma as the Peppa Pig one... Who is Peppa Pig?

Ah, go on, I'm going to just fill up on festive snaps now. Don't like it? Best go and make a cuppa, this is going to take a while!

I really love this swag over the Rayburn, Mama braved the ladders to do it - Mind, she's taller than me so it's as scarey for her!

A few weeks back Ma had picked up some cheap snowflake lights in a charity shop, they were all bundled up but she planned to pop them on the tree. After unwinding them at home we discovered they were those icicle lights. After mulling it over, they were put across the arch. However, they are above my head, yet most normal sized people smack their face on them... Oh, how I laugh!

Did you all watch Nigel Slater's 12 Tastes of Christmas? Tut, if you didn't! I love that man, he has a cat and he can cook... I really don't ask for much! Anyway, I happened to press the pause button (on the iPlayer) and this is the oh-so-awful moment I caught, so I had to take a snap. Nigel (yes, we're on first name terms) has his hand up a goose's rear end, but the look on his face has me in giggles... Maybe you need to see it to understand. The program is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03mjxh6/Nigel_Slaters_12_Tastes_of_Christmas_08_12_2013/

I would've popped a link into the word "here", but would Blogger allow it? Oh no, why would they let me do something so obvious...Sorry, back to the goose...

Oh dear, I've just seen the time. It's almost time to feed the cat, then I have to go and sort out dog food and if I've time, pop into the charity shop - I've managed to pick up 4 presents in there so far, fingers crossed they'll have some more vintage decorations too!

Next time we'll maybe have a chat about that saucy book I read - I swear I didn't realise there would be so much graphic content when I started! But anyway, that's for another day!

Bye for now my lovelies

Jennie xx

The Spectator And The Slipper Slops

Hullo!

I know, it's been so long since last I spoke (thank Gawd you say). Well, I've found myself 40 minutes to spare and it's all yours!

First up, thank you for filling out that shoe survey I'd previously posted - Very helpful indeed. I forgot to photograph other shoes as the thank you, however, I did take some awful snaps of a pair close at hand. I'll give you the goss after this snap.

I fell in love at first sight with these lovelies. Oh go on then, you've talked me into it, here's another.

I'm not sure the laces are original though, or I've just never seen subtantial laces on vintage shoes? Anyways, the goss about the shoes? Well, I fell in love with them and duly bought them and fussed over them at home. Then I had to go out and left them, came back a few hours later and had another look, and discovered something delightful...

Yipee! A utility mark on the soles. When I'd first found them I thought they were late 1930s, but this has latened (if that's a word?) them a bit. At least I loved them before I discovered they're utility and didn't buy them just for that mark, like I have before. It's a bit like falling for a man, and then finding out he's a muti-millionaire... No, it hasn't happened for me yet either!

The shoes aren't the best of fits for me however, they're rather narrow, and my feet are rather average. Wouldn't these be great reproduced? I'd buy a pair, would you?

What else has happened... My afternoon camomile tea smiled at me.

I caused myself great injury laughing, seriously, you know when you laugh until your tummy aches? I carried on long after and was in agony all night - I don't have any photos of that though :)

I've been undertaking the November Vegan Challenge... Though I discovered just how little dairy is in my regular diet anyway, but in the past few days I've begun to really miss eggs, not in cakes or pancakes or anything so fancy, but boiled egg sandwich. I think Ma has really enjoyed me not eating eggs, she hates the smell of eggs cooking.
Ma was also on the challenge, though managed to slip up when she forgot that a potato & cheese pasty has cheese in it... And then again when she has her weekly cappuccino with her friends-wot-don't-lunch, and then with the slice of cheesecake she has whilst out shopping with her friend - I don't know how she does it!

I'm already fed up with Strictly, how has Mark been saved so many times? Especially when it was between him and Fiona! Grrr, it makes me so angry. I gave up watching a few years ago because I realised it must be fixed when I heard that Alesha Dixon was going to be a judge on the next series before she'd even won it. So I gave it up and decided to give it another chance this year.
Anyway for my tuppence I'd say Natalie will win it, she can do no wrong with the judges. If she doesn't win, I'll go a day without chocolate as punishment!

I got new slipper-slops - Not vintage at all, but so cosy!

Very unflattering to my calves this snap, but thankfully I'm a practical(ish) girl, I put comfort above looks at home.

I'll have to go soon, my back is aching. Being perched on a sofa with a laptop isn't comfy.

I was thinking of moving my blog. I'm constantly having problems with Blogger, it won't allow me to edit anymore and I'm just fed up that I can't dip in and out. Is WordPress any good? Would you follow me there? Do you love me enough?

If there are any spelling mistakes I can only apologise, I can't edit it!

I'm off to make dinner in a minute, then it'll be all done and I can have a sit down with a film. What's for dinner? Carrot, butternut squash and chickpea stew with cous-cous.

Ah, go on then, one more snap, then I've got to go. It's not a good snap, but I like how bad it is, and it has a shoe in it!

Anyways, bye for now. I'll be back shortly, and by shortly I mean within a week, not my usual 2-3 months!

Jennie x

Shoes Glorious Shoes

'Ello Biscuits,

Happy September! Back to school this week - Yipee!

So much has happened since the last post, but I won't bore you with all that. How would you like to see some nice shoes? Yes? Alright then, but I want a favour...

Could the ladies please fill out this survey? It's all about shoes, so don't worry :) The survey is here: http://jenniecharm.polldaddy.com/s/reproduction-footwear-1

So, as a reward, here's some shoe porn... phoar!



Those were all utility models.

I should point out, these shoes aren't half as filthy as they look - I swear my shoes are kept clean and tidy... my camera just want to show me up!

So what do you think of the shoes I could find to photograph? There is a box full of shoes somewhere... How on Earth do you loose a box of shoes? Madness!

Anyway, if you could fill out the survey I would be most grateful to you, and might even show you some more shoes to thank you!

Thank you lovelies, I'll be back soon

Jennie xx

P.S. The survey closes on the 15th September at 23.45 (that quarter to twelve at night...)

Not More Tat! She Cried

Hullo Ducks!

Where has the time gone? I'm just going to tease you today, I've been busy since the end of July and seem set to continue in this manor until well into Autumn. Not that I'm complaining, I love what I'm doing and hope it can continue.

On the subject of busy, could I beg you a favour? Next week I'll be uploading (if I can work out how to do it!) a survey. It'll be interesting (ish) and I'll try and keep it short. Would you be able to fill it out for me? And if possible, pass it around you chums too.

T'other week, when t'sun was t'out (it's one of those days!) I had a very unusualy afternoon with Ma. We sat out in the yard and watched Wimbledon on a portable player - That being Wimbledon the film, not the actual tennis matches (I don't have a TV, so can't tune in, though I do use the ketchup (catch up) services). With strawberries and clotted cream and drinkies. It was a really hot day, so that might account for watching a film outside in the afternoon.

I also picked up a new pair of shoes, well two actually. I got these striped flats and another pair of the same style in a red paisley pattern. Not vintage, but perfect shoes for running errands, and they seem to go well with vintage outfits - Hurrah!

The skirt is fairly new too, from the charity shop in the kids section - Still the size of a 12 year old! It's actually a dress, I was going to cut off the top as it a red and white hooped jersey, but it's so easy to throw on in the sun... Well, the top is safe for now! Plue, it matches the shoes!

Anyway, enough of that for now. I had no plans for another post of finds, but here we are again!

A few weeks ago, or was it last week? Anyway, sometime in the past, Mama was given a cabinet from her friend. It was intended for my sewing room, so we hauled it upstairs. Fast forward 24 hours and Ma thinks it woul look good in the living room - Yes, I did grumble! So we got it downstairs and it's now living in the corner being well used. It's stuffed with records, and the modern record machine is up top. I put a handful of my books on the bottom shelf, just to fill it a bit. Wish I could tidy up all my books... Then again, I'm not a tidy person!

The same friend also gave me a bag of vintage buckles, very tasty little numbers. I don't have a snap of them, but I'll have to be back with one as I can't work out how one of them works! I should probably ask a 5 year old, they'd know!

Then at the flea I picked up quite a few things, again, I just didn't take snaps of most of it, though I do have one of this little hankie. It needs a iron, but I couldn't wait to get a snap for you. It will has the original price tag sewn on!

It's dated 1937, in case you couldn't read past the creases.
Yesterday I was in a new-to-me antiques shop and was faced with what must be well over 50 coronation/jubilee mugs! I managed to leave most of them, just one came home with me! This is an 1887 jubilee mug with Ickle Vicky:

And yes, that is the mother of all cracks. It also has a few old chips (not the potato variety!). But she was cheap, and I thought I'd give her a home as there are plenty of people who won't touch damaged tat, fussy bu.. people!

Also in the same lovely (it's really the best!) shop I saw this ring. I walked away, I came back. I said that if it came out of the cabinet for a look, I'd end up buying it and was about to walk when the lady called over and said that the cabinet was open if I wanted a look... Darn it! She didn't realise who was on the ring, which probably accounts for the price! It's also teeny tiny and only fits on my ickle finger. This is the best snap I could get:

Nice, huh?

Anyway, I think I'm done for now, but I'll be back to annoy you with survey if that's alright?

See you soon, and in the words of my dear Desmond, Bye for now

Jennie xx

The Haul

Hello Lovely People!

As promised, I'll show you my recent haul. This is from a boot sale and a few charity shops.

A month or so ago, I didn't find anything at the boot sale, until I came to the last stall, I kid you not!
This isn't a find in the realms of a diamond brooch for 10p, but still, I didn't have one, now I do!
It's a 1951 Festival of Britain guide.

Then fast forward a few weeks and once again, I'm not finding anything, then half way through this beauty catches my eye and the lady selling was lovely. She said she found it at the back of her Mother's wardrobe when she was clearing out. What is "it"? A 1953 Coronation moneybox of course!

Then, when Ma was rummaging through a box of jewellery looking for another watch (seriously, how many does she need?) I noticed this brooch. It unclips at the back to become two clips! It's a bit tatty, but isn't she lovely?

Then coming to the end, I met a woman who I think is a star, not only were her prices reasonable, she even accepted my a-little-bit-silly offer! I'd noticed some brownish pattern envelopes in amongst piles upon piles of 1970s sewing patterns. I dragged them all out and this was my find:

Whilst I was cooing over them, the lady said they'd belonged to a seamstress and some of her magazines were on the next table... I grabbed the patterns and made a dash for it. Yes, a pile of 1930s magazines! I left the childrens, out-size and ones I already had (I'm thinking of heading back, don't worry!). One of the magazines doesn't have a pattern, one was missing the pattern, but the rest have their patterns! Yipee!

This is my favourite, the 1937 Coronation issue, add it to the sewing pile!

Then out and about round the charities, it's been a poor year for decent finds, or at least, ones I can afford! Is it just me or are the prices going up? Ma did find Series one and two of Upstairs, Downstairs for me the other month though (costume love!) - Thank you Mama!
I did find this on me holiday though:

I've never seen one like this before, so I'm a happy bunny. On the back is "Llandyssul". I was paying for this when I spotted my next item. I looked at it but didn't have enough money on me. So I continued round town having a think, then got the money out and made for the shop in question - It was still there, and now it's mine!

Not in the best of conditions, but it's a 1937 Coronation compact - Happy Jennie! The inside is a bit tatty too:

Then, last week I had a wander into my favourite antiques shop to annoy the chap in there! He'll usually charges quite a bit, but sometimes I'll get a bargain. Anyways, this little stunner was under the counter:

I know it's got bits missing, but isn't it lovely?

Then on Saturday I was given this box of knives by the lady Brother Elder lives with, I think they belonged to her parents.

I'm not usually one for collecting cutlery, and I'm sure Ma is praying I don't start! But I wonder if the rest of the set is out there somewhere...
I'm in complete love with this box though, the packaging is wonderful, but each knife still has his little paper sleeping bag!

Anyway, that's me done for the day. Off to do some work then get the polka dot dress of doom out to work on! Then I'm going to treat myself to a read of the ghostly tales book I picked up the other day.
Happy Bargain Hunting!

Jennie xx

Holiday At Home - June 2013 - Part Two

Hello fellow holiday enthusiasts!

So, last time we covered Monday and Tuesday... here

Wednesday (12th):

Before we'd even set off, this was the weather!

Off to Narberth, it's not too far from me and is a really lovely town. They occasionally have vintage fayres (unfortunately it's more candles in tea cups than proper vintage), but never mind! We went to the museum, which for some reason, we'd never been to. The staff in there are wonderful and the exhibits are really interesting. The collection of vintage shoes are a favourite, as are the samplers.
Like a plum, I didn't get any photos of the museum, but it really is lovely.

Narberth Museum

Then we headed to Newgale for lunch, I'm learning to love rabbit food (I'm a rubbish vegetarian, I'm just not a fan of leaves!) but this was a lovely salad, Thank you Mama.

And this was the view:

Then off we go again, up the coast road, eventually finding ourselves at the Solva Woollen Mill... I must admit, I was expecting an olde worlde mill chattering away. What we found was a tea room and shop. The mill does work (according to their website), I think that was the extension they're still building. It was all a bit confusing! Good points though; A family were taking a photo of their toddler (maybe 3 years old) wearing jeans with turnips and a tweed jacket, he was so adorable! And the mill had a cat, we named him Tiddles.

Did I take snaps of the mill? No, but I did take one of their sign! Their website is here

The off we went again, a bit down but not quite out! Off to St Davids. Now, I've been to St Davids once, a bit shameful as I used to live just down the road! I had never been to the Cathedral or the Bishop's Palace, so that was the aim.

We had a lovely look round the Cathedral with the little map provided, it really is stunning. One part of the ceiling is like York Minster, though not half as bit - The painted bits I'm talking about. Can you tell, I don't have a clue what the names are for everything! My teachers are probably have fits right now!

You have to pay to take photos inside... so we didn't. We were going to have tea in their tea room, but it was jammed - So I imagaine it's good stuff! Now, a bit personal, but I'm still amused by this (it really doesn't take much!) - If you visit, use the facilities - They're very plain, though very clean, but it amused me to think you can wee in the Cathedral and not get kicked out... See, simple pleasures!
Free to get in, but they do say it costs £2,300 a day to run, so have a donation box near the door, so pay however much you wish to.
This is what St David's Cathedral looks like from the outside:

It's down in a dip, and utterly massive. Their site is here

Then road the back is the Bishop's Palace, you do have to pay to go in... £3.50 for the pleasure! I really do hate paying to look at a ruin, there are some stairs and wheelchair lift and even those talking guide boards, but I was less than impressed, sorry.  I'm thinking it's probably much better on a nice day? But they do use the site as an open air theatre, which is a nice idea.
Anyway, partly why I'm such a grump about the place was that my white tennis shoes are now brown! It was very puddle-y, and my feet were soaked!
Here's how she looks (not me, the snap of me would scare Marilyn Manson!):

And the Cadw page of the Bishop's Palace is here

Thursday (13th):

Off to my "go-to" place when I want an afternoon out. The National Wool Museum at Drefache Felindre  is a wonderful place. They have various exhibitions on throughout the year and a craft fayre in November - No, I don't work for them, I'm just in love with this place!
They are currently displaying knitted bits by Kaffe Fassett, not really my sort of thing as I think they're a bit dated, but if you like his stuff, do visit!
In their display room they also have some stunning outfits, be prepared to swoon!
It's just up the road from me so a really easy place to visit, plus, it's free! Parking is free too! The reason for this is that it's a National Museum of Wales, like St Fagans - Yay!

We chose a good day to go (not realising it beforehand) as they had the mule going upstairs and they were weaving in the shed opposite. The mule is a gorgeous bit of kit, I'm on the look out for one on eBay now... Now, if I can just repair the barn...
They also sell their blankets in the shop - Swoon! I'm saving up. They also have atea room area, which is usually packed and everything smells so good.
The staff need a special mention, they are always good and don't seem to mind a numpty like me wandering around!
Oh, and the wheel!

A true action shot! The museum page is here

Anyway, after this we went off to West Wales Museum of Childhood and had lunch in their car park. Then we went in and paid to have a look around. The £5.00 entry fee is a bit steep, but upon meeting the couple who run it, Paul & Hilary, you will just hand over the cash - They are lovely.
So off we went, round the outbuilding packed with toys - I'm a collector, but this is something else!
Photos are allowed, though it's rather dark so good quality photos are hard to take...

This was one of my favourite cabinets, I would happily take everything in there!
Proof of their sense of humour was this sign:

I saw this and had to take a snap for Miss Tupney, (you do have some sailor dolls, right? I'm not thinking of someone else?):

It's such a poor snap, but that cheeky little sailor  asked me to take one anyway!
Anyway, go and visit them, look round the museum and buy a magnet, they're only 99p!

Their website is here

Then we popped off to Newcastle Emlyn, the bestest town around, though I'm not quite sure why I love it so!

Friday (14th):

We spent the day at home, watching DVDs and drinking cocoa, we were exhausted!

Saturday (15th):

We we popped over to Lampeter to visit the Welsh Quilt Centre, which seemed to be a shop downstairs are a display upstairs, which we had to pay to see! I can't remember how much it was, but I'll put it this way, I won't be going back!
They have an exhibition of Kaffe Fassett quilts right now, but what I went for were the vintage quilts, but there weren't as many as I'd expected.
I took a snap of the display room, there were some quilts in the stair well too, but this is the bulk of it:

Had it been free, I couldn've enjoyed it much more - I'm so mean! But this is the website

We then had a wander around Lampeter, which for some unknown reason, neither of us had ever visited before! But while you're there, do go into Calico Kate - This is THE shop if you're into sewing! She has a bit of wool too, but it's eight rooms of fabric! I could hardly breath. You'll need to bring a list of what you want, otherwise you will get carried away! Her lovely website is here

And that was that! I know you may not think it was much of a holiday, but it was the first holiday we've had in years! I picked up a few goodies during the week, which I'll show off with some other things I'd found the week before, and since.

So what have I discovered? I still love the wool museum, I've found another favoured place in St Fagans and I love Calico Kate!

See you soon!

Bye for now

Jennie xxx