lost property finds

I had some fun finds this weekend. I can never resist an interesting book, particularly those full of helpful advice. The AA Members Handbook from 1963 will keep your car running, whilst Girls Growing Up will keep your daughters on the straight and narrow! Meanwhile, Ward Lock's Wedding Etiquette will make sure you don't make a faux pas at social gatherings - and it has a fantastic pink and white strip cover.

I also came across this sweet little toy ironing board, made by Triang, and a lovely Woods Ware teapot.

The Cadbury's chocolate tins are also great fun. The tin on the left is in the shape of a stack of books, all Charles Dickens titles. And I've not come across the Roses tin before - the design hasn't changed a huge amount over the years, but the colourful flowers are really pretty.

Most of these will be on my stall at the Stamford Jubilee Vintage Fair tomorrow!

Linking to Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures.

lost property finds - jubilee edition

Summer has arrived and I'm in such a good mood! It's amazing what a difference blue skies can make. This weekend is the Vintage Fair Jubilee Garden Party in Northampton - I'm all packed and ready to go!

I've even found a few jubilee-themed items for my stall. Amazingly, I've come across these all this week.

There are two coronation glasses (I love the blue) and an unusual biscuit tin. They'll both be joining me at the fair.

Linking to Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures.

lost property finds - new year finds

Happy New Year everyone! I've been off work for a few weeks, and have been enjoying doing nothing. That's not true, we have spent the last week getting organised - sorting out the piles of junk that fill the house, and moving furniture around. And it feels very, very good.

Of course I then had to fill the empty spaces with some new things. I spent a couple of days out exploring some new charity shops, which I will certainly be going back to.

This lady was my most exciting find. I spotted her hiding behind a rail of clothes as I was paying for something else, and snapped her up straight away. Judging by the clothes and hairstyle, I'm guessing she is from the 1930s. Isn't she lovely?

I also found these sweet cottage garden embroideries, with quotes by Patience Strong. There are a couple of similar embroideries on eBay, so I think they are from a kit.

I was strangely excited to find this green office tray for 20p. I've been wanting some vintage office supplies for a while (I've no idea why), but haven't had much luck until now. The mint green colour is perfect, and goes well with the jug.

And finally, a couple of old suitcases, which will make great display items at my next vintage fair.

What have you found recently?

Linking to Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures and Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl.

lost property finds - off to the fair

It's been a bit quie round here recently, and that's because I'm buried undernearth piles of boxes, preparing for my first vintage fair!

It's today (Sunday, 27th November) at Victoria Hall in Oundle, Northamptonshire. Drop by and say hello if you are in the area!

As well as some finds previously talked about here, I'll be bringing lots of new things. Including the Oxo tin above, and the accurately named 'little forks' below.

And if that wasn't enough, lost property vintage is now on etsy! More on that soon, but please have a look around.

Wish me luck!

(linking to Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures)

lost property finds

It's been a quiet year for vintage Christmas, but this week's find makes up for it.

This gang of Santa's and elves are about a foot high, and made of bendable wire. They are so much fun!

lost property finds - flea market find of the year

A special post for Sophie's Flea Market Find of the Year competition! Last week's jadeite bowls were certainly a special find. But I've chosen an item that I came across in the spring, just before I dusted off the blog and started posting regularly.

It's not often I find truely vintage pieces. Amongst the 1970s polyester, I discovered this Fifties cotton dress. It's full of beautiful details, from the buttons to the unusual waistline.

Around the same time, I came across this gorgeous black and purple floral dress. It's 1950s in style, but the design of the label suggests it might date from a decade or two later. No matter, it's a stunner. And I was particularly excited when I found this, because it was on the £1 rail!

I'm off to see what everyone else found!

lost property finds

I'm visiting my parents this week, which means not much time for thrifting. So here's something from a couple of weeks ago. A real piece of history, this is a field dressing from the Second World War. It only contains one of the two bandages in the little bag - I wonder where the other bandage went?

Believe it or not, it turned up at a jumble sale for 20p.

(photo by S)

lost property finds

This week I came across one of the best finds I've ever spotted in a charity shop. After a long day, I stopped off in a local town, which I nearly drove straight past. Waiting for me in the last shop, which I nearly didn't go in, were these...

...a set of three jadeite mixing bowls - Fire King no less! I couldn't believe my eyes, and scooped them up straight away. I've never come across Jadeite in the UK before. And best of all, they cost £4.50 for the set (about $7).

I also added to my milk glass collection. I had a flurry of buying milk glass a couple of years ago, but haven't come across any recently. These three all turned up this week.

And finally, a few pieces for the vintage fair.

lost property finds

It's been a fun couple of weeks thrifting. I've been exploring some new shops and car boot sales, and it's paid off. I've even braved another couple of jumble sales! Here's some highlights:

A set of small Pyrex bowls, a pretty print and cute little jug - all will be appearing at the vintage fair next month.

I love these 1950s glasses.

You don't often find vintage teapots in decent shape, but this one is in excellent condition.

And I've wanted one of these string dispensers for ages, but have only come across a pricy version in an antiques shop. This chap was 50p at the car boot sale. The handing bit on the back is broken, but he'll look great sat on my shelf.

What did you find?

Linking to Her Library Adventures and Apron Thrift Girl.

lost property finds

What a lovely week I had, catching up with family and exploring a new part of Cornwall. And the most amazing weather!

And, the big news is I've signed up to have a table at a vintage fair next month. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, and finally took the leap. You will find me at Victoria Hall in Oundle, Northamptonshire, on Sunday 27th November, from 11am to 3pm. Stop by and say hello!

Here are some highlights from my last few thrifting trips, some of which will be appearing at the vintage fair.

A fab old box - the kind you see a lot on American blogs, but I've never come across one before.

Victory jigsaw puzzle, coasters, a little brass cat and a sweet pyrex-ish mug.

Souvenir cup and saucer from Lynmouth, and a plate from Lynton (both in Devon).

Fun plaid tie, and a souvenir scarf from London. And a big pile of vintage fabrics, one of which is serving as a backdrop to the photos.

What have you found recently?

Linking with Her Library Adventures and Apron Thrift Girl.

lost property finds

 

Another successful week of finds, including discovering a new city full of excellent charity shops! The mouse will be added to my collection of kitchy animals - although he is a money box and far bigger than his friends. The first aid tin is a rare eBay purchase.

Not the most glamourous purchase, but these plate racks are very handy - I already have a yellow one, but this blue and red version is much prettier. It's sat on a vintage Laura Ashley skirt, which will be lovely next summer.

Last weekend I attended my first jumble sale. I thought I was a hardened thrifter, but it was too much for me. There was far too much pushing and too many elbows! But I scored this lovely wooden coat hanger. The vintage wool coat was a charity shop find, and will be making its way to eBay shortly.

And it's not quite the right version, but this vintage Penguin copy of The Great Gatsby will make do until I find the perfect copy!

Linking with Her Library Adventures, Apron Thrift Girl and The Thrifty Groove.

my thrifting wishlist - part two

Do you have a thrifting wishlist? Items that, if you're very lucky, you will come across one day. Preferably tucked in a box in the back of the charity shop, or under a table at a car boot sale, just to make the find that little bit more special.

I've decided to put my wishlist out there into the universe, in the hopes that they will come my way.

Item 2 - retro bride painting
 

 
I came across this image in Living etc magazine a few years ago. The painting of the bride jumped out at me immediately and I was hooked. I love the colours, the style and the unusual perspective of the picture. Occasional eBay searches have come to nothing, but I live in hope that one day she will appear.
 
And isn't this room the perfect setting for her? The simple colour scheme lets her shine, with a hint of the colours echoed in the cermaics on the shelf.
 
What's on your thrifting wishlist?

lost property finds

It's been a good week or so of thrifting, with a couple of excellent car boot sales. These cheeky little Fisher Price telephones came as a pair - the lady selling them said she had to buy her sons two of everything to avoid arguements! (photo by S)

A selection of my favourite finds (with in a slightly blurry photo I'm afraid).

Up close, there is a lovely 1930s jug, which only cost 50p, the Good Companion jigsaw of a pet show (a very timely subject!), a tiny seagull to hang on the wall (only 20p), a stack of plates monogrammed 'Eglwys Sion M.C. Pontygwaith' (a church in Wales, I think) and a sweet little brass swan.

The little tapestry purse (made with Welsh wool) is now my 'car boot sale purse' (keeping a supply of pennies on hand), little Rum Butter jar and a miniature fiesta ware set.

And another installment in the category of 'the weirdest thing I have ever bought' goes to this reserved sign. I'm planning on putting it in the garden, peaking out from amongst the plants. I certainly got some comments walking round the car boot sale with this!

And finally, the one that got away. I missed out on a set of five blue Le Creuset saucepans, with lids, by mere seconds. It would have been bad enough, except the seller only wanted £1.50 for them! I've been kicking myself for the past week for not being quick enough.

Have you had any near misses lately?

Linking with Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures and Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove.

thrifting in france

And I'm back! It's been a busy summer, not least because of all the weddings I've attended. Having never been to a wedding before, three of my friends got married this year! All were lovely, of course, but the most glamorous took place last weekend in France.

And it wouldn't be a typical weekend for me without one little thrifting trip. I had been keeping my eye out for signs for brocantes or vide grenier, but not expecting too much (particularly as we didn't have too much spare time). And then I came across this...

Which led to this...

Most of it was your usual junk, but I did manage to find one item - another tin, of course. If you are headed to France, this website, Brocabrac, looks quite helpful for finding flea markets.

And the wedding? It was fabulous of course. We stayed in this lovely house in the centre of town, which had been converted into hostel-style rooms.

And it was a short stroll to the chateau for the reception, with cocktails on the lawn (the view is of the reception venue from the hotel)...

(linking to Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures and Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrify Groove)

from italy to africa

A lovely surprise in the bottom of a thrifted scrabble game, these postcards were sent to Joan Gorse in 1964. Joan lived in Kampala, Uganda, and it seems her friends were well-travelled folks too. 

Eastern Cataracts, Victoria Falls

Sat. 21st Dec.
Had a very pleasat trip. It is stinking hot here. Met Ann Fletcher and Rose Watson yesterday evening. We saw them off in the train to Billawayo after dinner last night. Hope Reg arrived, and that a happy time is had by all at Kabale.
Love Mirry

Firenze, Duomo and batistery

Dear Joan, here we are in Florence after a run of about 250 miles from Rome. Arrived about 3.30 and we have been for a walk to the Cathedral. Although it is Good Friday all shops open and it is like Xmas Eve here. Car running well but broke a headlamp with a piece of wood thrown up. Had 500 mile service in Rome yesterday. Hope to make Venice tomorrow. Getting colder as we go north. Cheerio from Kathleen, Les and Terry.

Jadini Hotel, P.O. Ukunda, Kenya

4/3/64
Dear Joan. We are all roasted nicely and now ready once more to resume our wandering and boarding the ship tomorrow. Very hot here and all we can do is eat swim and try to sleep. The food here is excellent. Our quarters are the ground floor of the smaller building, all self contained and very nice. We have not been into Mombasa but hope to have a look around tomorrow when we have settled aboard. We went to see a record sized shark which was caught along here, 650 lbs. Pleased it didn't catch me!
Love from us all. Les

Have you found any gems hidden in thrifted items?

Linking to Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures.