Knick-Knacks, Bric-a-Brac. We give it all a home.

 

Knick-Knacks, Bric-a-Brac. We give it all a home.

Blog Post No.10

21/09/2012.

Even the most beautifully organised and minimalists among us all have precious knick-knacks hiding in cupboards, on shelves and stored in the loft and bric-a-brac items that really should have gone to a charity shop long ago.

After all however ruthless we like to be when doing that inevitable spring clean (not necessarily in spring might I add, I usually do a spring clean at the start of summer, autumn and winter too! But that’s because I have some defective gene from my paternal Grandmother which means I have to keep my home organised in a ridiculously scrupulous manner) there are just some things that you can’t help but tell yourself they will come in useful one day no matter how battered and worn. You also keep things because they remind you of something attached to a pleasant memory. I’m not talking your child or grandchild’s baby clothes or a greetings card but something less precious such as a mug that you bought when you were a student or a t-shirt that you wore to a party when you first drank something a little stronger than cherryade.

In the most recent of all mighty clear out’s Mr N and me found several unusual items that don’t even belong to us. Amongst the pile we found a five inch, yes I said five inch, black and white plug in television complete with reasonably non-tatty box. I know, I know I am usually a vintage-loving, retro hunting kinda-gal but on this occasion it was NOT something I had carefully collected at a thrift store but something we found in our loft shortly after moving in. I can just imagine Betty sat watching early episodes of Coronation Street at her ferule legged coffee table complete with formica top. Betty lived here before us and being the softy that I am when nearing exchange of contracts and they told us they would completely clear the house as soon as they could I said oh don’t worry whatever you don’t want just leave behind and we will rehouse. So alongside the teeny-tiny t.v there was a G-Plan record player in a teak sideboard style cabinet- so groovy but far too seventies for my taste (still going begging should anyone wish to collect!) Also a teak-ish wardrobe with the door in the middle and the clothes rails positioned each side going from front to back and a five hook claw in the middle, it sort of reminded me of something you would see in the art deco era in a Fred Astaire film. But being the crafty homemaker that I am I decided to up-cycle this vintage piece and I have transformed it into a shabby chic style armoire with just a lick of porcelain coloured paint and some stylish Mr and Mrs accessories. It now looks most at home in our master-bed.

As for bric-a-brac our homes are filled with them, giant stacks of jig-saws you’ve done that many times you could do with your eyes closed, endless boxes full of lego and building blocks that the kids don’t really play with anymore. Teddy bears and soft toys that the whole family have accumulated which let’s face it you only ever really have one teddy bear that you will treasure for ever. Mine being a green hippo my older sister brought me back from a school trip to Germany when I was only one. He has been stitched back together more times than I care to think of his eyes have rubbed off and my Grandmother has replaced various parts of him over the years in particular his label which I used to put my little finger through and would only go to sleep should I have him and a dodey, on the odd occasion he went missing I used to take one of my brothers vests with me for a nap- so I could put my finger through the label. Strange you might think…But having recently discovered a new baby/toddler toy strange I am not. What I am indeed referring to is Taggies®

I could have been a millionaire if I have thought about it!

Photo Credit : http://www.myblankets.com/Taggies.html

 

 

 

To be continued……

-Mrs N x

'Charity Shop Chic.'

Blog Post No.7

29/08/2012

 

Up until a few years back I wouldn’t have been seen dead in a second hand shop or charity shop.

I used to have all the usual preconceptions that others alike shared. I thought only old biddies (I use the term with fondness not in the derogatory sense mind) with nothing better to do other than to spend their time perusing round each and every one buying out dated clothes, ancient home wares and endless jigsaws. But contrary to popular opinion or more accurately popular misconception, charity and second-hand shops are the place to shop!

  For a good while now I have been going in charity shops up and down the country, whenever we are away somewhere or happen to be in a different part of the country and come across a thrifty shop my feet just take me in there. I have bought allsorts from the weird to the wonderful and before shopping anywhere else I always scope out the local charity or second-hand shops.

Hardly ever have I seen any ladies with a blue rinse or solely gents old enough to be my Grandfather or Great-grandfather for that matter. My own Grandfather is actually a rather young sixty-six year old. He does at my recommendation of course shop at charity shops and second-hand stores.

He’s always on the lookout for a rare or unusual musical instrument to add to his ever expanding collection despite my Grandmother’s protests. He also is looking for a cheap pair of size tens clogs, preferably with a tap sole should anyone come across any!

When perusing these shops I regularly come across a whole array of different people from all walks of life, each of them buying something different which I find interesting and further adds to the charm of these fabulous thrift stores! So what I am trying to get at, is Charity Shops and Second-hand stores are for everyone not just the Silver-Foxes out there!

  My Aunty whom first got me into charity shop buying quite often comes across designer clothing and handbags. Personally I am always looking out for Chick-Lit novels, good DVDs, the odd item of clothing and vintage finds but mostly cute kitchenalia. These thrifty stores are filled with all sorts of brilliant finds. As for my Aunty she gets an array of things from toys for her children, fabulous clothes for her and the kids, things for their home. Much to her husband’s (my Uncle) dismay. You see he thinks as long as you have all the practical stuff and your home is clean and tidy you don’t really need all the extra bits and bobs that make a house a home, I think he’s a secret minimalist in denial. Don’t get me wrong their home is beautiful and decorated wonderfully but he likes things neat and incredibly non-cluttered. So my Aunt has to protest to get little knick-knacks and bits and pieces through their front door, I’m sure he likes these things really but men need to be men and they to like to protest a little about all the feminine touches when they feel their BBQ’s, tools and Topgear DVD's are being pushed out to make way for more candles and photo frames etc.

I have practically my own library at home (I wish- with chunky leather chesterfields, wingback chairs and dark book shelves filled from floor to ceiling with all sorts of books and light classical music playing in the background with cups of Earl Grey or iced tea on tap and a great big fat fluffy cat stat on a window-sill staring out into the countryside.) I do have the books for one, we are running out of shelf space and we occasionally buy Earl Grey, oh and I do own a wingback that I still haven’t gotten round to re-upholstering but as for the leather chesterfields and wall to wall bookshelves we don’t, as for the cat I’m working on it. It’s not our dog that would mind-he likes most animals –apart from horses and the occasional goose but it is Mr N I need to work on. He said maybe for Christmas …………. Note to self: add to Crimbo wish list and leave hints around the house nearer the time.

As well as buying from charity shops and thrift stores, I never throw anything away without first asking myself could my trash be someone else’s treasure?

 -Mrs N x