The Joy Of Smoking

No I have not lost my mind...... There is one amazing byproduct of the tobacco industry worth coveting. These beautiful vintage cigar boxes are a visual feast. Their graphics and art work are 'little masterpieces' and the older and shabbier the more their appeal.

The combination of images, colours and graphics are superb.

Works of art that can stand alone or show beautifully when grouped together.

My Grandfather, Father and the Big Man have all enjoyed a good cigar 'back in the day' and so these boxes are treasured by this vintage girl for all the happy memories they invoke.

 Apart from being beautiful, visually, they provide eclectic, vintage storage which is both functional and fabulous - what more do you need.

So for once a big thanks to the tobacco industry for at least getting something right !!!!

Time

As the White Rabbit in C S Lewis's Alice In Wonderland said, " I'm late, I'm late, For a very important date. No time to say "Hello, Goodbye. I'm late, I'm late, I'm late".

 Where does the time go and why do we never seem to have enough of it. Thankfully at the moment most of my "work time" is taken up by hunting for 'that' vintage treasure and between antique/vintage warehouses, op shops,  Ebay, Auctions houses and the best place I know for vintage stuff...........no revelation..........." The place where you least expect it", time is a precious commodity. In fact so obsessed am I with time at the moment that vintage clocks seem to be catching my eye constantly. In particular French (Jaz, Japy) and American (Westclox - Big Bens and Baby Bens).

For once its not the time that they constantly tell me I am running out of, that makes them attractive. I am in love with their beautiful faces, fonts, numerals and casings. The shabbier the better. So this post is my gift to you - more time - albeit in the form of beautiful clocks in my vintage vaults waiting to grace someone else's home.

Some work, some don't. Some keep good time, some don't (I like the ones that run slow - suits my life). The alarms work on some, not so well on others (not a bad thing I hear you cry). But they are all beautiful and give a vintage girl great pleasure, not a bad way to pass the time (excuse the pun, couldn't resist).

So if like me, your time is precious, there is never enough of it and the White Rabbit is your pin up boy. Scroll back up. Enjoy the shabby vintage beauty of these keepers of our lives and make a little time for yourself today ..... after all we deserve that !!!!!

Vintage Merchandising

  

Am busting at the seams with new vintage finds and busting a gut to share them with the world - roll on the next Vintage Extravaganza - so much Vintage, so little time !!!!. In my hunt for all things vintage I have found some fab fellow vintage junkies around the globe willing to part with their vintage treasures. One way or another they find their way over hill and dale, through stormy seas and air space to my vintage vaults. Where there is a vintage will, there is a vintage way !!!!

At the moment I am loving shopping (I know for many of you of you who know me well this is a "and tell me something I don't know" moment) BUT what is a surprise is WHAT I am loving........ MERCHANDISING and the trend at the moment towards Vintage Merchandising. Shops are awash with gorgeous vintage props, it is enough to make a vintage girls heart sing (I know for many of you who know me well this is a "please don't" moment so I will spare you) BUT love, love, love your shop fittings guys !!! Of course when I think of vintage merchandising one name springs to mind, Ralph Lauren (You can take the girl out of New York BUT you can't take New York out of the Girl) and my god does he do vintage well !!!!
 



I want to live here......... Please !!

 

Love, Love, Love - Vintage, Quirky, Fab !!!

Sigh, Sigh, Sigh !!!!!!

So be still my beating vintage heart when I sourced some ex Ralph store merchandising goodies - Check these out ........

 These 'treasures' used to grace a Ralph store stateside - their loss is my gain.

And more ex Ralph -Vintage Trophies in all shapes and sizes

Gorgeous......

Gorgeous.....

Gorgeous !!!!!!

Sadly I now find myself coveting many stores merchandising display items more than the merchandise they are trying to sell. So thanks Ralph for the inspiration and the hunt goes on - Watch this space !!!


If you can't wait until the Vintage Extravaganza all the above goodies can be purchased prior, just drop me an email.

The Red Brick Barn

Just got back from country Victoria, Chewton to be exact, and the stunning Red Brick Barn. My two night stay was a prize I won back in June when I was voted 'The Best Stall' at The Vintage Extravaganza.

No your eyes do not deceive you this was going to be home for myself and the big man, child free for three whole days !!!!! Yippee - don't worry my children don't read my blog and if they ever do - Mummy and Daddy do love you very much...........Really !!!!.

 

Our own private patio ......

  

complete with out door shower and bath and only the donkeys as neighbours (get it 'neigh'...bours - god I'm funny without even trying  - and yes I know that donkey's technically bray but its poetic licence OK !!!!) 

Anyway what can I say - There truly is a vintage god and this truly is vintage heaven. 

The attention to detail is second to none with exquisite surroundings inside and out and  within a couple of minutes I had decided that I wanted to live here forever (what are squatters rights in Australia ?!?!?!?)

 

Anyway check out these images..... Gorgeous !!!

 

And everywhere you look you spot another vintage treasure - 'Eclectic’, ‘Colourful’, ‘Quirky’ and ‘Fun’ what can I say ........ so me !!! 

 

 Daniel and Glenny have truly created a home that shows who they are, a home to nurture the soul and that was just

what the big man and I needed.

  

Beautiful pieces, thoughtfully put together

 

And as every great stylist would say; there were 'stories'everywhere 

 

And I had to take this one for my 'quilting' girls !!!!! 

 

I was thrilled to see some pieces Daniel had purchased from me now part of this fantastic home

 

The little red phone - all the way from England

 

The little Bladon oil can - now a vase for beautiful spring flowers

And Queen Victoria - now living happily in Victoria !!!

So what does one do with three whole days in these beautiful surroundings, with the big guy ...... alone. Well readers don't get too excited we did absolutely NOTHING and it was bliss.We got to sleep in. We read the papers,cover to cover. We did the crossword together. We took naps,in the afternoon !!!!. We drank beautiful wine, ate delicious food, chatted and reminisced.

Most importantly we had the time to remind ourselves of the things that really matter.

 We adored our Red Brick Barn experience and can't wait to do NOTHING, all over again, really soon !!!!



Thanks to Daniel & Glenny for the use of photos and check out their website
http://www.redbrickbarn.com.au/