A little package arrived on my doorstep today with this little owl inside. I got him on eBay, just a funny little trinket to add to my bits and pieces! I think he’s very cheerful. eBay is brilliant for such things!
This birdie vase, £8 from Velvet Brown, is the sweetest way to show off your posies from the garden.
TWO BIRDS HOME ACCESSORIES & GIFTS
I have found a lovely new website for you, full of little wonders. They cover Home & Living, Seasonal (normally for Weddings) and a Pre-loved section, where you might find something even more special. It is not a website full of stuff, but that is sort of what is nice about it. It is plain that each item has been chosen specially, no rubbish.
Here’s a pick of my favourite pieces:
Bone China Mug with Birdville Design by Repeat Repeat, £8.50
Heart Shaped Pastry Server, £8.95
Vintage Oval Frame, £8.95
Antique Style Recipe Box, £11.95
Cream Cute Cate Bookends, now £6 (was £16.95)
BEESWAX CANDLES
This morning I visited the craft fair at RHS Hyde Hall and saw some lovely bits and pieces. My favourites were these two handmade beeswax candles. The seller assured me their scent is wonderful when burnt and the flame the clearest you will see. My owl was just £2 and the bear with the hive was £1.50. I was very lucky here, beeswax candles can be quite expensive but I am told are definitely worth it.
Facts!
- Beeswax candles are made from all natural ingredients made by honeybees. When bees eat honey, they produce this wax. Beekeepers filter the beeswax from the honeycombs, cool it and sell it for use in making candles.
- Beeswax candles are the most natural candles that you can buy. They are available as taper candles, votives, tea lights and pillar candles.
- For those with sensitive allergies (like me!), beeswax candles allow them to enjoy the warmth and beauty of a burning candle.
- You don’t need to add any scent to a bees wax candle because the wax is naturally scented with honey. Therefore beeswax candles rarely have any additives and this includes colour.
- Like soy candles, bees wax candles burn longer and cleaner than paraffin candles.
(Facts found at this link!)
Apparently it is easy to make your own at home, so I am going to give it a go soon and show you all. Watch this space!
TEA FOR ONE!
It is always special having your tea out of a teapot, but best saved for the special occasions when friends and family can join you. On one of my many shops to Homesense, I discovered a solution. I have seen them before, but never really appreciated the special feeling that comes with a tea for one teapot and cup with saucer. Mine is a Winnie the Pooh one, made of Fine China, and I got it for £7.99 from Homesense! (I’m a sucker for the vintage style A.A.Milne merchandise they are making these days, the nostalgia is too much to resist!) Here’s my pick of the best tea for one sets from around the web. (If you are wondering about the little cow milk mug, I got him on holiday in a kitchen shop and you can buy him from Willow and Stone for £5. Now, don’t I spoil you?)
One for the Jubilee! Long May She Reign, £35, Whittard of Chelsea
Carrying on the patriotism. London Calling, $20, Urban Outfitters
Dainty and delicate for a quiet afternoon tea. Portmeirion Secret Garden, £30, John Lewis
And why not carry on the theme of patriotism? Kitchen Craft Classic Collection Special Edition Tea for One Union Flag Teapot and Cup Set, £10.80, Amazon
Bargain vintage style. Rayware Pink Afternoon Tea Collection, £4.99, Dunelm
A shop around Homesense!
You’ve all heard of Homesense (if not, you must or you really are missing out!) For those who say no, it is a massive shop, many dotted around the country, full of discounted brands and household items, from furniture to stationery. Find a map here. The only thing is, the part that I find the best, is that because this treasure trove has such random things in it, you’re unlikely to find two of the same or in different stores. So be quick if you see something you like, there’s no room for ‘I’ll think about it and come back’!
Here are my latest finds…
The poshest birdhouse I have ever seen. It had two doors and appeared to have two floors. Any birds who nest here I am sure would be eternally grateful! Around £50, on sale now.
This tea caddy I saw while lining up. It actually has the most scrumptious little cookies inside so, once I have eaten those (it won’t take me long), I will fill it with tea bags or leaves for years to come! £3.95.
These glasses I love and actually saw in the two different branches I went to in 1 week (yes, it is bordering obsession). They had lots of different designs, all dirt cheap, but I loved the milk ones best. You can use them as kitsch vases or simply as drinking glasses! £1.95 each.
I am back. For good. I admit, I have been neglecting my blog in times of busy other goings on. But here I am, with plenty more treats for all you home lovers. And now I am branching out into crafts too, so keep a look out for those!
Yesterday, I was at the Imperial War Museum (wonderful place if you haven’t been, it’s a must). In the gift shop afterwards, the posters caught my attention…
I think that they are wonderful. After much deliberation, I think I have made my decision. I’ll buy them all! Make do and mend in my bedroom, framed of course, and I will find room for the rest! Somewhere, somehow.
Bicycle lovers (or just lovers of vintage prints), have a look at this. A gorgeous vintage bicycle advertisement about ‘Bicycle Safety’. Brilliant. I’ll not wait a moment longer in getting this. Dotcomgiftshop, £14.95. It will brighten up any room or face!
