a house in the hills: April 2013

Monday, April 29, 2013

The Week that Was

I have been popping out quite often down to the op~shops lately to just get away from cleaning and tidying the house and garden, which is officially up for sale this week

I found a Royal Albert Old English Rose plate to add to the couple I have ( now all I need is the rest!)

I have a collection of vintage handmade evening bags and I especially love sardozy bags from India~ made in the 30s to the 50s from real gold and silver thread on black velvet . They should have hand woven Made in India labels in side if they are old

These 3 worked out to about $5 each. The Taj Mahal bag is padded to make the design 3 dimensional

The photos for our house brochure were taken and I think I drove him mad following him around and taking pics of him!!

Linking up with :

A Treasured Past
Cap Creations

A Living Space
Knick of Time
Apron Thrift Girl
French Country Cottage
Ivy and Elephants
Common Ground
The ColoradoLady
Shabby Art Boutique
The Thrifty Groove
Chic on a Shoestring
Old Time Farmhouse
Country Farm Home
My Romantic Home
Sir thrift-a-lot
Rose Vignettes

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Finds and Foofing

*Thank you to all my blog friends for your wonderful messages and kind thoughts regarding my father, it is much appreciated by me *

A long rummage was needed this week at the Salvos to de~stress

I found a few useful silverplate pieces in the same box cutlery box that I have been having luck with lately

A nice weighty embossed cake server

A sweet pickle fork

A little silver sherry decanter label - yet to be cleaned

We are franticly cleaning still as the photographer is coming on Wed to for the internet shots and the first house open is on the 4th May. I bought some tulips for one room and more bunches coming

I want the house smelling beautiful ~ I hate most candles and diffusers,they are always sickly ~ so I was thrilled to find Glasshouse ~ I can't describe how divine the Positano fragrance is ...it's lemon verbena and basil. I splashed out on the candle and diffuser

I spent a lot of time in the garden just enjoying our last Autumn in it

Monday, April 15, 2013

Life's Challenges

Taking a brisk walk to the op~sop sometimes is a great way of de~sressing from life's problems and this week I found a few bits and pieces after a good rummage

A set of Portmeirion spice jars ~a bargain at $5.99

2 sweet vintage boxes of Irish Handkerchiefs for my collection

Really thrilled with this cushion I bought online from Lazybones (who supply Anthropologie)it is the most gorgeous blue

Mr VL bought me home from work a beautiful Moth Orchid for the bathroom

You may have noticed I have been on a buying spree with new homewares....we have come to the painful decision to be morgage free and to put our home on the market this week,which is going to be quite stressful and a big challenge, and difficult to leave our beautiful garden and recently decorated home.

I am constantly foofing and faffing the house for the photo session which is happening shortly, and then opening my home to the public.

My father is in the last stage of terminal cancer, suffering greatly, and faraway from us so I am

feeling greatly challenged at this time of my life, and the next few months are not going to be easy ones.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

A Rosy Morning at the Salvos

I was thrilled to find a Royal Albert "American Beauty" cup and sandwich plate for $1.99 . I couldn't believe the price but it didn't have a saucer...PERFECT...as my collection had a set with saucer but no sandwich plate and I'm happy to have a spare cup. I couldn't believe the price but admittedly I was there first through the door and it wasn't even out the the shop lady's trolley yet before I grabbed it.

THEN......I rummaged through the cutlery and found this little teaspoon and checked out it's mark and noticed it was German silver YAY!

Sighhhhh....my morning was complete!

Linking up with :

A Treasured Past
Cap Creations

Monday, April 1, 2013

This Weeks Finds

While I waited for the Salvo's to open - I like to be there at opening time for the best buys- I could see this cushion on their dispaly bed in the window. There was NO way anybody else was going to get it. !!

I LOVE it!! It's damask and soft and squishy

(I have sold a few things recently on Ebay so I was able to order a cushion I have been hankering after for a LONNNGGG time . Can't wait to show you when it arrives!)

A vintage cranberry jar is for my white dressing table for a pop of colour and to store my 1950's jewellery, found at the Animal Welfare shop