Hidden Treasures

Now I have mentioned this savvy eye of mine, and Easter weekend’s finds are perfect examples of me finding gold...in the sticks! I ventured home to Dorset to our little thatch in sleepy Compton Abbas (one of my all time favourite places) for a dose of home cooking and home comforts, so shopping wasn’t strictly on the agenda. But, as an avid huntswoman I am always on the prowl for charity, vintage and antique shop bargains so when Mum planned in a Vintage Fair at Larmer Tree Gardens I squealed with excitement and donned my haggling hat.

Little stalls run by little old ladies and very gentle men, grey haired, tea fuelled and on the button with selling and schmoozing. I won't be fooled by even the sweetest of this crowd though, despite them chocolate lacing their stalls! Oh so Hansel and Gretel.  I like the rusty and rustic items that have journeyed and have a story, but I won’t be fed a ‘story’ that you can’t shimmy back to life with a spruce and shammy! 

As we perused each stall dotted amongst the stunning grounds I set to work sifting through tat, crap and the mass of china cats (serious crap). Much to my delight there were a few things that caught my eye. 

Namely the following, oh I am an easy please: a brass candle holder (heavy and very handsome), some teeny old postal scales, a Queen Elizabeth mug (Mum and I are collecting for these along with any old memorabilia for this summer’s Jubilee paaarty), a old wooden measuring rule (yes I will use it!), now this one is a tad out there: a hand held grater contraption (probs won’t use this one, but he looks brilliant on my shelf of ‘wow’ slash WTF items), a wooden ‘TEA’ crate and perhaps my favourite: a tin paraffin lantern. 

In addition to these seven wonders, my Easter pressie from Ma and Pa was AMAZING!! I spotted one of these months ago but could not warrant the hefty eighty quid price label. So I ecstatically unwrapped this fabulous Schweppes soda pump that Mum clocked for a bargain on one of her hunts. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!! Take a look at my snaps lovingly if you please...

The old postal letter press drawer you spy in the top photo is a recent win from my beloved Ebay. Always, always give Ebay a glance if you’re after buying/ selling something cool/ quirky. If you’re lucky you'll find a total steal, although at times items go for crazy money. Play the game, be the sniper. 

My drawer was an ok price, £30 including postage. Actually, a bloody good price. And in the light of day it's more beautiful than ever, full of character and in perfect situ on my window sill. Worth every penny and ideal for homing all my newspaper/ magazine/ material cut outs. So should have been in interiors, maybe next month. Look out Suzy Smith! 

On par with this, Ebay has also brought me my awesome Olympia Splendid typewriter and after trawling for weeks- my very own mannequin! 

Yes I am rapidly running out of space in my little bed sit, yes I am slightly out of control but each find is making my hub an Aladdin's cave of wonders slash junk in the making.