It's For You

I've always loved pretty wrapping paper, especially the designs from Paperchase but at £1 - £2 a pop for one sheet it was an expensive habit. That's why I was very happy to find these beauties at a local store called Tiger for 50p a roll!


Tiger also do a small selection of colourful tapes, perfect for presents and letters.


Speaking of letters, I ordered some kawaii writing paper from Japan and it arrived yesterday very prettily presented!

Car Booty

One of the best things about summer is the car boot sales. I've been to more than I can count in my years and have discovered many a bargain. The one closest to me holds between one and two hundred stalls on a good sunny morning. Until then it's a more humble affair but while I whet my appetite I thought I'd show off some of my favourite finds from past boot sales.

♥Above: Limoges apple pot 20p ♥ White rabbit 50p ♥ Musical jewellery box 50p ♥

I have a thing for oriental jewellery boxes. This is one of many!

Ceramic hands lamp - 50p. I've had this for over ten years. It obviously still works and I still love it!

Vintage lace dress £3

There's plenty more where those came from. I'll share some whenever I find the time to snap more photos. This Sunday I'm going to another car boot sale so who knows what I'll find! It's also Chinese New Year so expect some photos from the London celebrations unless I get snowed in...

Wrap it Up

Good wrapping makes a gift even more special. One of my favourite things is wrapping up presents. In fact, I enjoy it so much it's like an unbirthday presents to myself! Turns out I'm not alone in this. The Flickr group Nice Package! have a wonderful selection of images of wrapped up gifts and package swaps, something I'd love to try someday.








Wouldn't you love to receive any of these? I know I would! I like the idea of experimenting with different materials to wrap such as posters, paper bags, fabric, comic books, maps, the list is endless.



This was one of favourite 'wraps' for the birthday of one of my best friends. I found a lovely vintage mini briefcase at a car boot sale and used some Paperchase paper as well as some handmade gold paper to wrap the dozen or so presents inside. To decorate I used parcel string, netting, ribbons and stamps!

Are you... Bluish?

I took these photos a couple of years ago in the woods near my house when the bluebells were out. I still really like them. (Quite unusual.)

You Could Be My Flamingo...

Robots, bears, cakes, owls, elephants, teapots, origami and bees. Having themes makes shopping even more fun! Adopt a theme and go hunting for items that carry it. It makes finding a pair of robot knickers even more fantastic! (Just the one pair so far...)

A particular favourite theme of my friends and I is the mighty flamingo! My collection is pretty humble so far. Once I get a house with a garden I'll be after some of these babies for sure:


Lawn flamingos available at Get Flocked! and watering can from Love thy Space.

But who needs a garden when you can have a lawn flamingo chandelier?!

This whimsical creation is by Palmerschallon at etsy. And here I was thinking my conflicting love for pretty vintage and bright 'n' bold tack would never work.

If you're after something a little more subtle, how about these fab earrings by fellow Brit nelli D over at etsy.


I hope you'll forward me any fabulous flamingo finds (it's so easy to alliterate, and no, I won't apologise). I might focus on a theme a month, we'll see how it goes. Maybe I'll show my robot knickers one day. Probably not whilst I'm wearing them...

Past Presents

One snow day last week my folks and I opened a dusty box. This box came from my late Grandfather's attic and it contained photos and memorabilia from generations of my family. It was a joy to look through!

As you can see, a lot of it is Navy related - journals, souvenirs, logbooks and postcards.


And much of it is personal photographs, letters and sentimental items. Unfortunately not all of the photos were inscribed so unless we recognised the people in them, we were at a loss as to who they were. That didn't detract from the experience. Wondering was half the fun!

I leafed through this Navy Week Souvenir Guide from the 30s and found some great old school advertisements.


Typographically I don't think the fonts are that dated. I wonder if they come around full circle like fashions do.

A colour ad! Carlsberg must have been flush in the thirties.

Late for a Very Important Date

A happy new year to you! I must apologise for my absence. My only excuse is my terrible affliction - laziness. I hope to post more often this year but I make no promises. This week my inspiration has come from snow! Not only is it a beauty to behold...

... but with such an abundance of free building material it brought out my creative side, as well as my mittens.

Nessie

Waiting for a date...

Tea time in the igloo.

Farewell from the rabbit hole!