Brighton & Edward Hopper

This weekend we went to Brighton. My art group (it sounds very grand, it isn't!) had been studying Edward Hopper and there was an exhibition called the 'American Scene' at the Royal Pavilion. This is my favourite painting by Hopper.

It was very interesting and we also had a look around the museum there. I loved this art deco serviette holder

and this handkerchief vase.

Unfortunately, most of the photos I took didn't come out well because of the reflection of the glass cases. There were a lot of fashion exhibits. This dress was worn by a herb thrower at George IV's coronation.

Not a good photo but this dress was stunning.

I had some platform boots just like these but mine were maroon. I wish I'd kept them.

I had to take a photo of a Mod's scooter since were in Brighton.

We were lucky with the weather. It was a beautifully sunny day and everyone was out making the most of it.

The cafe on the beach here was called 'Oh So Social'!

New Stock

Oh dear, it's raining yet again and it's not exactly warm either. Never mind, I shall be sitting at my computer all day listing a lot of new stock onto the website. I have previously been listing lots of French linens. I just love these monogrammed sheets.

Today I am listing mostly kitchenalia, particularly enamelware. I love these storage jars and this pretty wash basin.

Of course I have to keep something for myself too, I can't sell everything. This torchon holder matches my allumette tin exactly.

I like the colour of this enamel bowl too but my kitchen isn't green. Never mind it matches the tea towel!

I think my favourite Farrow & Ball shade is French Grey; I would almost paint everything in it. This basket has had the F & B treatment.

After all that hard work I shall reward myself with a slice of Victoria Sandwich.

Back Again

It has been so long since I last posted and I have been sadly lacking in the 'leaving comments on other people's blogs' department too. I think we all have phases like this when life is just so busy and blogging comes way down the list.

One excuse is that we have been on holiday to France. Our first stop was at a the Mont Royal Chateau, Chantilly which was just wonderful. Our room was the top one on the left of the photo with a balcony.

We visited Chantilly Castle which had so many treasures to look at.

Did you know Chantilly lace is always black?

We also stayed with friends near Toulouse and relatives in Brittany. I did manage to do some buying, mostly linens but couldn't believe the high prices of everything - higher than we actually sell on the website! I was thrilled to find a monogrammed sheet with my initials 'RT'. But I shall have to completely redecorate the bedroom to match it!

On the way back to the ferry at Le Havre we visited Omaha beach, the museum and cemetery. Sadly we didn't have enough time and plan to revisit very soon. There are 9387 graves here, row upon row upon row of white crosses and stars of David. 3881 soldiers died at Omaha beach. Some graves had pebbles on them - does anyone know why? My guess is that each pebble represents a relative who has visited a particular grave.

Days Out

Last weekend we spent a lovely day on the Isle of Wight. I have always wanted to visit Osborne House where Queen Victoria holidayed but have just never got round to it. It was a beautiful day and the sea was very calm (I suffer from sea sickness just standing on a jetty waiting for the ferry usually!)

Our local pub where we live is called the Osborne View (because you can see Osborne House from it) so this is the view back to where we live on the mainland.

This is the bathing machine which the queen used when swimming. She was carried out into the sea in this so that she could keep her modesty and not been seen in her swimming apparel.

Because no cameras are allowed in any of the buildings I could only take photos of these which were in the restaurant. I love these shoes and the garden implements used by the children.

The gardens were beautiful. I particularly liked these foxgloves in the walled garden and these geraniums in the greenhouses.

We also went to Freshwater Bay and walked to this monument to Tennyson. Apparently he lived here and used to walk up to the top of this hill every day.

He was obviously very fit - it was a long walk up there!

The monument was erected by the British and American people. Towards evening we went to Yarmouth and came across a festival there with lots of stalls and a real carnival atmosphere. All the boats were decorated with lots of flags.

On Friday I went to Stansted Garden show which was fantastic. There was so much to look at (and buy). Apart from almost every plant you can think of (and at very reasonable prices) there was lots of gardenalia to look at and stalls selling other vintage items. I am definitely considering having a pitch there next year.

This was my favourite stall and I bought this plant support from them.

I bought a vintage fork and spade from this lady though there was a lot more I'd have like to have bought from her.

I also wanted this dovecote and this bronze water feature.

Here's a novel plant container!

I particularly like these driftwood 'bullrushes' too.

Baby Dresses

These two dresses were mine when I was a baby. I even have a photo of me wearing this one on my 1st birthday. So, having to give my age away now, they are almost 55 years old.

I also have my father's christening gown (which must be about 82 years old) and two of his nightgowns.
This beautiful pram pillowcase was given to me by my paternal grandmother when I was expecting my daughter in 1984. It had belonged to her grandmother (my great great grandmother). I had it framed over black velvet to show all the detail.

This handpainted plate is from a Coalport teaset which was a wedding gift to my great great aunt

who is pictured here.

Many years ago when I inherited it (and when pretty china was more in vogue) I took it to an auctioneer to have it valued. He dismissed it as being worth only about £25 and said I could find equally nice ones in Timothy Whites! (For you younger readers Timothy Whites was a shop which was taken over by Boots in the 70s). This auctioneer is still in business which I find surprising!