Spitalfields Market

On my return to the UK I had the chance to visit my favourite market in London - Spitalfields market in the East End. The whole area around Spitalfields including Brick lane, Cheshire street and Columbia road has a fantastic mix of vintage, original design and independent shops. There is a vibrant and eclectic mix of artists, designers, jewellers, bookshops, homewares and second-hand treasures - and it's great to shop away from the dominating high street department stores.

I visited Spitalfields on the antiques and vintage day - it was a good job I was limited to a suitcase or the day could have become very expensive! Just check out the retro white moulded chairs above with the blue and red seating, plus vintage military and naval uniforms below - brilliant!

Of course what I was really interested in was all the ceramic and kitchenware items...

So many dinner and tea-sets in mint condition, servingware from the 1960's with coloured handles, decorative enamel ware and patterened storage jars - all so colourful and pretty.

Richmond and the Thames

I have been spending the first few days of my trip to London in the beautiful area of Richmond which is situated alongside the river Thames. Richmond houses a vast array of stunning old buildings and architecture, and with its location next to the Thames and Richmond park it has a casual village feel - and you would have no idea you were just outside of bustling London!

Richmond centre with the old red telephone boxes and of course a local pub!

A local pigeon in Richmond park


Taking it easy on the Thames

A British classic - the ice-cream van!

Off to the big smoke!

I'm off to the UK for a few weeks - hooray!

Whilst I will be getting the chance to catch up with friends and family (plus a wedding) I will also be making the most of getting to some second-hand shops in London and the burbs! Can't wait to be back in London and don't think the above pound notes will last very long!

Second-hand shop crockery

I am always on the hunt for second-hand shop plates and crockery - and I love collecting a mix of colours, patterns and styles! I am quite selective with what I chose to buy - but it's always more about the pattern rather than the maker or period of the plate. I always love it when I find new second-hand shops to explore and come back with an assortment of plates, cute cups and saucers and silver flatware to boot!
Some of these items will be used within our home, whilst others will form the basis for a jewellery range or piece of artwork, it's always exciting to see them transformed but there are some that I just can't bear to part with! Here is a selection from a recent trip - check out the beautiful engraving detail on the silver knife, fork and cake slice. So decandent!

Me Old China - stockists!

I'm really pleased to have the Me Old China jewellery range now stocked at the following boutiques;
i dream a highway, Northcote
Lulamae, South Melbourne
Ruby Patootie, Brunswick

Second-hand shop book finds

Finding books on second-hand shopping trips is always a treat! I picked up this book 'The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady' a few weeks back - and I was delighted to find it in such good condition.

The book is an illustrated diary of an English naturalist (Edith Holden) during the year 1906. It is full of beautiful illustrations depicting the English countryside covering each month of the year.

The hand-written diary entries include poems by Chaucer, Coleridge, R.L. Stevenson and Tennyson for example relating to each month, and personalised observations on either her subject matter or the weather (so very English!)

But most of all it is her gorgeous watercolour illustrations of the local flora and fauna that I just love!