Renaissance Vintage Notebook

Thursday! It can’t be! It’s too gruesome!

2011-10-05T15:44:00.001-07:00

Holly GoLightly, "Thursday! It can’t be! It’s too gruesome!"

Paul Varjak, "What’s so gruesome about Thursday?"

Holly Golightly, "Nothing, except I can never remember when it’s coming up."

Vintage fashion from Pan Am

2011-10-05T00:41:00.000-07:00

Pan Am is the lates series to be compared to Mad Men. Set in the 1960s it revolves around the pilots and air attendants of the airline Pan Am.

'It’s a great comparison to get; Mad Men is a great show and I’m a huge fan. But that does focus more on a man’s experience of that time period and this is much more about these women,' Christina Ricci says.
'These were really women who were taking control of their lives and living in a very feminist kind of way. They weren’t the average women.'

Back just like Doris Day

2011-10-03T00:17:00.000-07:00

Over a year since I last posted, how on earth did that happen I really didn't mean to stay away so long. Anyway now I'm back just like Doris Day.

Have you heard?

Doris Day is launching a comeback with the re-release of of the album My Heart you can read the full story of Doris Day's return here. Though other than the re-release of her album she has no plans to perform in public or make films again.

Agatha Christie's The Pale Horse with Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple

2010-08-31T00:33:00.000-07:00

I watched ITV's Agatha Christie's The Pale Horse last night, it was thoroughly enjoyable and I finally felt comfortable with Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple, she was excellent.

Odd that when you consider that Christie's The Pale Horse wasn't a Miss Marple at all.

Anyway it would appear that Julia McKenzie also feels that she has grown into the part,

“I feel pleased with the way Marple has been received and I’m enjoying it a lot more now.

“I think I was rather in shock in the first couple of films because I did take over the role very quickly. I was just so surprised to get the part, added to which was the trepidation of taking over such an iconic role. I feel now that I’m much more secure in the characterisation of Miss Marple.

“I feel I’ve settled into it and would like to play her for the rest of my working life if there are enough stories to go round.”

(Julia's quote from Sunday Mercury.Net)

So what do you think?

Umbrella day?

2010-08-16T01:57:00.000-07:00

A quick look out of the window this morning shows another grey day,

we may well be needing those umbrella's again.

Oh why, did it have to rain on St Swithun's?

Image from The Musical Umbrella a vintage childrens book by Friedrich Feld

Kirstie's Homemade Home

2010-08-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

'KIRSTIE'S HOMEMADE HOME is about a journey I made into a world which I thought I knew, but didn't. It's a world full of dedicated and talented people in this country who make beautiful things, both traditional and modern that support the wonderful crafting heritage we have in the UK.
If, like me, you have ever been caught at a car boot sale or antiques market and can't keep control of your purse, or if you're curious and want to have a rummage for the first time, then this book is for you. It's my take and experience of a world which is as vast and varied as you can possibly imagine. It's about women and men who are ensuring that handmade British things are here to stay. And it's packed with their expert advice on creating your own homemade home.
If you enjoyed the TV series, then the book takes it one step further with my advice on interior décor, plus the shops and websites that have transformed my life. If you didn't see the show, then welcome to my world. This is what I think is fun for the whole family and hugely informative.
It's a book for mothers and daughters, and trust me, sons. If you're looking for a new hobby, there is nothing more manly than blacksmithing or glassblowing, and few projects more satisfying than flower arranging or mini cake decoration. (You'll soon discover that it's just as much fun to decorate cakes as it is to eat them). Or if you just want a moment to yourself and something lovely to look at, then this book will not disappoint. Try it - you have nothing to loose but your flatpack furniture!'
Available to preorder via Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/ref=pe_30651_21207561_pe_31Q3/?ASIN=1444704087

The Village Show

2010-07-27T03:52:00.001-07:00

If you like heavy horses as much as we do pop over to Renaissance Life to see the photographs of the village show. You'll find lots of Shires and Suffolk Punches as well as sheepdogs and vintage cars.

Beach towel by Ralph Lauren

2010-07-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous Ralph Lauren beach towel in the style of a1920's /1930's travel poster

$75.00

Victorian Pharmacy

2010-07-15T04:31:00.001-07:00

On BBC2 tonight

Victorian Pharmacy

"In a unique experiment, historian Ruth Goodman, Professor Nick Barber and PhD student Tom Quick are recreating an authentic 19th-century pharmacy. The team discover the world of the pharmacy at the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign in 1837; a world where traditional remedies, such as leeches, oil of earthworm and potions laced with cannabis and opium, held sway. After sampling some of the old ways, the team venture into new discoveries, such as the Malvern water cure, the bronchial kettle for curing coughs, and the invention of Indian tonic water."

Should be worth a look don't you think?

Vintage Fashion Exhibition - HORROCKSES FASHIONS: OFF THE PEG STYLE IN THE '40S AND '50S

2010-07-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

"The company are best known for their full-skirted dresses ..."

Sounds wonderful doesn't it?

For full details visit HORROCKSES FASHIONS: OFF THE PEG STYLE IN THE '40S AND '50S

Picnic Cabbages and Roses style

2010-07-10T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hope you're enjoying the sunshine.

Image from Cabbages and Roses Homeware Lookbook

If you like vintage - Treevoole Farm

2010-07-09T02:09:00.001-07:00

If you like (love) vintage as much as we do then get yourself over to A Mermaid's Tale, Christine has the most wonderful photographs on her blog of a visit to Treevoole Farm. You're going to love it

A Mermaid's Tale - Trevoole Farm

Continental Market

2010-07-06T01:16:00.001-07:00

Not vintage - but don't these look delicious?

More photographs of our visit to The Continental Market can be found at Renaissance Life

Vintage 1940's Sewing Pattern Misses Long or Short Pajamas

2010-07-03T13:58:00.001-07:00

Make your own vintage 1940's PJ's,

so cute,

vintage sewing pattern from Patternshop

Free Vintage Book Illustrations

2010-06-29T03:28:00.001-07:00

I found these free vintage illustrations at Brocante Home

Aren't they lovely?

And you can just help yourself, better still there are more so pop over to

Brocante Home and take a look.

Midsummer Roundup

2010-06-26T03:27:00.001-07:00

We're at Midsummer and what a glorious week it's been hasn't it?
Last night we were at Houghton Hall for a concert and we picniced on the lawn, the evening was just perfect.
What a wonderful setting this would be for a Vintage Party, and what a perfect place to sip homemade elderflower cordial or champagne.
Our Midsummer flower of choice this week was the wild honeysuckle it smells devine especially in the evening.
The roses are marvellous as well right now giving us the perfect excuse to blog a favourite poem, You love the roses - so do I.
And whilst we are on the subject of flowers we've found a delightfully pretty necklace for little girls called the Annabel Necklace of course we blogged about it at Renaissance Children's Notebook.
Not much blogging going on at The Chicken Daily but rest assured that the girls are all fine and enjoying the sunny days, we'll catch up with them again soon....

Vintage Party

2010-06-24T15:07:00.001-07:00

If you've ever wanted to host a really special vintage party but didn't quite know where to begin then take a look at Vintage Party

They have everything you need from vintage crockery to hand tied table seating labels.

Mood Board Creator

2010-06-21T07:03:00.000-07:00

Just found a mood board creator over at olioboard.com looks like it could be fun / useful, anyway it's free if you're interested.

Royal Ascot Dress Code

2010-06-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

"Her Majesty's Representative wishes to point out that only formal day dress with a hat or substantial fascintor will be acceptable..."

Click here to view dress code images on the Royal Ascot website.

And here for the actual Dress Code.

Vintage Book Inspirational Use

2010-06-16T02:26:00.000-07:00

As you probably know we are always on the look out for gorgeous photographs showing different ways of using vintage books and we love this one from Atlanta Bartlett ' s book Easy elegance, found via Hardaker and Pope.

June

2010-06-09T06:33:00.001-07:00

Are we really in the 6th month of 2010?

How did that happen?

Where has the time gone?

Image from the Homes & Antiques magazine's free 2010 calendar.

There are times

2010-05-26T03:45:00.000-07:00

There are times

To hold open a door

To surrender your seat

To thank someone in writing

To let bygones be bygones

To remember your parents

To listen with care

To surprise with a gift

To mind your table manners

To honor tradition

To give voice to your heart

Found via The Tao of Dana

Wow B & Q wallpaper

2010-05-24T04:02:00.001-07:00

Can you believe it?

Yes it's really B&Q, and only £19.98 a roll.

Found via Home Shopping Spy.

WENDA AND OSTRICHES, SOUTH AFRICA, 1951

2010-05-21T02:47:00.001-07:00

(Norman Parkinson)

Whatever you are up to this weekend have fun!

LADY RENDLESHAM WITH HER DAUGHTER, ANTONIA, BY THE SERPENTINE, WALKING TESS D'ERLANGER'S DACHSHUND, 1959

2010-05-20T03:29:00.001-07:00

Norman Parkinson

ANNE GUNNING OUTSIDE THE CITY PALACE, JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA, 1956

2010-05-19T03:52:00.001-07:00

Pure glamour

Norman Parkinson

The Art of Travel 1951

2010-05-18T04:59:00.000-07:00

And yes it is another Norman Parkinson

these vintage photographic prints are so gorgeous

I just can't help myself.

Maybe I'll post one a day for the rest of the week....

More Norman Parkinson Vintage Prints

2010-05-13T04:48:00.000-07:00

LISA FONSSAGRIVES, PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, 1949

this one has sold already but one could always purchase

YOUNG VELVETS, YOUNG PRICES, NEW YORK, 1949

a FUJI CRYSTAL COLOUR PRINT, PRINTED 2010 it measures15 X 16 1/2 INCHES,

is a limited edition of 21 and costs £3000

www.chrisbeetles.com

NORMAN PARKINSON Defining 'The Look' London 19 MAY - 12 JUNE 2010

2010-05-11T04:39:00.000-07:00

A major new selling exhibition of over 50 prints, mostly vintage, opens tomorrow at Chris Beetles Gallery . The show has been curated in conjunction with both the Norman Parkinson Archive and the archive of Angela Williams, Parkinson's assistant during the early 1960s. Thanks to this unique collaboration, it will be one of the most comprehensive exhibitions of Norman Parkinson's photographs since his retrospective exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in 1981. http://www.professionalphotographer.co.uk/Exhibitions/May/Norman-Parkinson-Defining-The-Look

www.chrisbeetles.com

Chris Beetles Ltd.

8-10 Ryder Street

London

SW1Y 6QB

A fully illustrated catalogue can be bought here for £10.00 = p & p.

020 7839 7551

VE Day

2010-05-08T09:06:00.001-07:00

Today is the 65th anniversary of VE Day

Anyone going to a street party?

Home & Antiques May Calendar

2010-05-05T03:44:00.000-07:00

Amost forgot this months' lovely image from the

Homes & Antiques magazine's free 2010 calendar

Better late than never!

Patchwork Sofa

2010-05-04T12:03:00.001-07:00

Patchwork Sofa's seem to be all the rage these days

I like this one which belongs to Aurelie Mathigot

image Marie Claire Maison found via http://thebeatthatmyheartskipped.co.uk/

This week ...

2010-05-02T09:25:00.001-07:00

This week we've decided to post a spring flower everyday on our other blog

Renaissance Little Green Book

maybe you'd like to pop over and take a look?

Today's post is Plum Blossom

Vintage & Handmade Fair

2010-05-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

Today is the day of the Vintage & Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire.

Unfortunately it's too far for us to travel this weekend so we won't be there but we're looking

forward to seeing lots of it on various blogs. We're pretty sure some of the following exhibitors will be telling us all about it:

Jayne - Country Cottage Chic
Michele - Cowboys & Custard
Lizzie - The Washerwoman
Sal - Sal's Snippets
Lucy Bloom
Nicky - The Vintage Magpie
Niki - Nostalgia At The Stonehouse
Sue - Vintage To Victorian
Leonore -International Quality Kitsch
Kathy Jobson
Clare - Daisy Darling
Hen - Henhouse
Claire - Elfie & Me
Christine - The Sea Garden
Elaine -Kitsch & Curious
Jane - Jane & The Happy Crow
Daniella - Acorn & Will
Viv - Hen's Teeth
Donna - Donna Flower
Jayne - Slimbridge Soap
Louise, Amelia & Amanda - Vintage Inspiration
Emma - The Orchard Studio

Cracking Antiques

2010-04-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

Have you been watching Cracking Antiques ?

It's a BBC 2 show presented by interior designer Kathryn Rayward

and antiques expert Mark Hill.

I suppose in a way it's a bit the 2010 equivalent of Changing Rooms.

The team go in and show people what their room could look like with an

almost limitless budget then take the stuff away and

proceed to style the room on a budget with vintage, antique and hand me downs.

And the results are great.

If you've missed the show you can catch it on BBC i Player

Grace Kelly - Style Icon

2010-04-28T05:21:00.000-07:00

So the exhibition is in full swing now, anyone been yet?

And did you know there are "Grace Kelly" workshops

where you can learn how to draft a jacket, suit or dress pattern and

explore methods of pattern- cutting, toile making and stitching in the

vintage style of Grace Kelly.

Or design and produce a silk screen "High Society Scarf"

Details of these and other Grace inspired workshops can be found here.

Weekly Roundup

2010-04-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

For the first time we took part in Today's Flowers which is such a nice idea that we think we'll make it a regular post at Renaissance Little Green Notebook

Another first was the rather ludicrous photograph of one of our Silkie Bantams at The Chicken Daily and talking of firsts our eldest son exhibited some of his photographs in a gallery for the first time. There is a photograph of his photographs on the website http://www.renaissanceshop.co.uk/ in the What we are doing section.

Whilst we are on the subject of photographs isn't the one above adorable?It's of Charles the baby red squirrel who fell from his nest.

Red squirrels aren't the only wildlife in need of a little help so we were pleased to be able to use the Renaissance Newsletter to help promote a WDCS Walk for Whales in nearby Hunstanton.

Over at Renaissance Vintage Notebook we seem to have spent quite a lot of time at the V & A looking at vintage inspired quilt fabrics and enthusing about the Grace Kelly exhibition.

We're always on the look out for beautiful ways to display vintage books, we are vintage book sellers afterall, and we found a rather lovely photograph whilst blog hopping which of course lead to the discovery of lots of new, to us, blogs

Maybe you'll find the time to visit them?

Lovely blogs we've only just found

2010-04-14T04:42:00.000-07:00

The Beat that my Heart Skipped

Roddy & Ginger

Teacups, Cupcakes

Tea for Joy

Have you visited them yet?

Do you have any newly found blogs that you'd like to share?

Displaying Vintage Books

2010-04-13T05:12:00.001-07:00

Vintage books displayed with vintage toys on a gorgeously styled mantleshelf.

Image from the locations company 1st Option, found via the very stylish Jeska.

Grace Kelly - Style Icon

2010-04-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

"17 April - 26 September 2010
Sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels
Fashion, Room 40Admission charge will apply
The spectacular wardrobe of Grace Kelly will be on display at the V&A. Tracing the evolution of her style from her days as one of Hollywoods most popular actresses in the 1950s and as Princess Grace of Monaco, the display will present over 50 of Grace Kelly's outfits together with hats, jewellery and the original Hermès Kelly bag. Dresses from her films, including High Society, will be shown as well as the gown she wore to accept her Oscar award in 1955. These will be accompanied by film clips and posters, photographs and her Oscar statuette. The display will also include the lace ensemble worn by Grace Kelly for her civil marriage ceremony to Prince Rainier in 1956 and 35 haute couture gowns from the 1960s and 70s by her favourite couturiers Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Yves St Laurent."

(London's V&A museum )

Vintage fabric - more from the V & A

2010-04-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

Shells

this time with a sea theme

Seaweed

Coral Leaves

All available to purchase online at the V&A Shop

Vintage Inspiration - V & A fabric

2010-04-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Loving the fabric inspired by the Quilts: 1700 - 2010 V&A exhibition

To celebrate the exhibition, the V&A Shop and Liberty Art Fabrics have collaborated on a limited edition collection of 18 quilting fabrics, vividly bringing to life designs from quilts in the V&A.

This one is Hearts a fabric design taken from a patchwork coverlet composed of block-printed cottons of the 1780s and 1790s, 1797 and as you can see it's available in red or green.

You can buy them online at the V&A Shop

We'll post some more of our favourites during the week.

Happy Easter (& a Weekly Roundup)

2010-04-02T03:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week getting ready for the Easter hols at Renaissance HQ with little being uploaded to the website http://www.renaissanceshop.co.uk/.

It didn't start well with the news of Elspeth Thompson's death, so sad.

But we've had a reminder of new life with our quail starting to lay again, very seasonal.

We went all Eastery over at Renaissance Childrens Notebook with Easter Gift Bags,

Flowering Bulbs for Easter and How to Make an Easter Chick.

And all wistful here at Renaissance Vintage Notebook with a sort of if we had a real bricks & mortar shop we'd stock:

Flowers in vintage containers & Crochet Blankets, Bags & Cushions.

And now of course it's April ,we had to mark April Fool's Day with a little joke or two,

and Easter is upon us.

We'll be spending it together, the whole family is home this weekend, bliss.

Wishing you all a very happy Easter.

Homes & Antiques April Calendar

2010-04-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

Lovely image from the Homes & Antiques magazine's free 2010 calendar

Crochet Blankets, bags & cushions

2010-03-31T02:03:00.000-07:00

Love these crochet blankets,

they'd be perfect to snuggle up in on a wet and dreary day like today.

This cushion would add extra comfort

and if you had to go out I'm sure this bag would make you smile.

Sometimes I really wish I could crochet.

All products available to purcahse from Moxy Crochet.

(And yes if I had a bricks & mortar shop I'd love to stock them).

Flowers in Vintage Containers courtesy of Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart

2010-03-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

If I had a real, bricks & mortar shop

I'd definetly sell hand tied posies

in gorgeous vintage containers

of all descriptions.

These fabulously styled and photographed flowers are from Nikki Tibbles

Wild at Heart

2010-03-28T05:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a wet, wet week here at Renaissance HQ causing endless frustration with pruning and animals.

As for animals our little menagerie has increased by two Silkie bantams who are now settling in nicely with our tiny Seebright and Nankin bantams.

Of course the weather has given us plently of time to enjoy vintage film : The Innocents , look at books : The Flower Shop and wonder what to do with all those books we've read but know we'll never read again , maybe the answer is Green Metropolis. But I rather suspect they'll go to the charity shop as usual.

We've watched The Delicious Miss Dahl on TV and spent quite some time looking at the kitchen Sophie Dahl used. We even found a seller of vintage items whose wares would fit wonderfully into the kitchen: Jolie Trouvaille.

Talking of vintage we continue to add new items to the shop and there is now a rather nice selection of vintage prints there.

We've also continued to post over at Renaissance Childrens Notebook.

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.

The Delicious Miss Dahl - More Kitchen Pictures

2010-03-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some more photographs of that delicious kitchen.

It could be yours, along with the rest of the house, for a cool £1.45 million

that is if you fancy living in Crouch End, London.

Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights, Sophie's book can be yours for a cool £8.99 from Amazon.

In the shop today

2010-03-25T04:09:00.000-07:00

A lovely vintage print of two 17th century little girls just waiting to be framed.

Who styled Sophie Dahl's kitchen?

2010-03-24T03:18:00.001-07:00

Of course it wasn't exactly practical but it was beautiful in that vintage, beautifully styled, little bit twee kind of way.

But then of course the kitchen actually belongs to a photographer not Sophie Dahl.

Did you watch the show? What did you think?

I liked the kitchen, that is all I'm saying.

Jolie Trouvaille

2010-03-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

If you wish you could have attended the French Brocante in the previous post

you'll love Blandine's shop Jolie Trouvaille

"Jolietrouvaille means "nice find" or "nice discovery." Jolietrouvaille is a French store where you can shop when you wish to, from France, or from anywhere around the world. In this shop, there are some things which were used in the past in French houses, and more especially, in kitchens.Most of them were simple things, but very decorative, and were used everyday. Now, many of them have disappeared and there is a little nostalgia. Perhaps we need these things sometimes to find our roots.A nice enameled coffee biggin, some canisters, a simple basket......and go back into a past which is not so far away. Then, sometimes, a thunderbolt happens, so unexpected and irresistible. " Jolie Trouvaille website.

It's a delight.

Brocante

2010-03-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

Why is it

that French Brocantes

look so stylish?

Images from Tara Bradford's blog Paris Parfait.

Weekly Roundup

2010-03-19T05:17:00.001-07:00

Vintage print of M. Le Comte De Hertford by Corneille De Lyon from the Wallace Collection

So this week we have had the sad demise of Hetty the ex battery hen, now of course we are contemplating additions to our little flock.

Inevitably after joining Lovefilm we've been watching films Kinky Boots and Mr Blanding Builds His Dream House.

Outside by the sea we've been walking on Cromer Pier and the joys of country living continue with pruning in the orchard. After a hard days work outside it's nice to come into a supper of something warm and filling like Pork & Bramley Apple Bake especially when you've grown the apples yourself.

This week in the books to read and keep section of Renaissance Newsletter we've looked at a book you're all bound to love, Home by Anita Kaushal in fact we bet some of you already have it on your book shelf.

We must have spent a long time browsing the internet because we've found several blogs new to us, all well worth a visit:

Elspeth Thompson's Gardening Against the Odds

The Flower Shop Stories written by Sally Page

and

Charlie and Caroline's Blog written by the owners of Pedlars

Browsing blogs has given us a date for the diary with Donna Flower's Open House Sale definetly one for lovers of all things vintage.

We've also been inspired by Alicia Paulson and Cherry Menlove to start posting over at Renaissance Children's Notebook for the first time since January.

It hasn't just been browsing on the internet we've also manage to load some new items like the vintage print pictured to the Renaissance shop .

By the way we'd still love to hear your opnion on the Shovel Birdhouse

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Charlie and Caroline of Pedlars

2010-03-17T07:03:00.000-07:00

Still on the subject of other peoples' blogs.

Did you know that the owners of Pedlars have a blog?

It's called Charlie & Caroline's Blog

and it's well worth a visit especially as they are going to give readers

a chance to

" TO MAKE AN OFFER FOR SOME PRODUCTS" on the blog. "Proceeds from these SALES WILL GO TO CHARITY, AND YOU CAN NOMINATE THE CHARITY. The idea is simple; every day for ten days we will offer different products on our blog. Followers can make an offer for these products and the best offer wins. So you might buy a mug for a few pence or a French lamp for a fraction of its value."

You can find out more here

Sally Page

2010-03-17T05:51:00.000-07:00

I'm sure most of you will have come across The Flower Shop books by Sally Page,

they are so beautiful that they have become a great favourite with many bloggers.

But did you know Sally has a blog now, well two actually?

Flower Shop Stories

The Diocese

Just in - Vintage Romeo & Juliet Print

2010-03-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

New in the shop today this beautiful vinatge print of Romeo & Juliet.

Donna Flower 's Open House Sale

2010-03-15T06:16:00.000-07:00

Donna Flower has just anounced the dates of her next open house sale.

One for the diary? Well yes if you love vintage, fabric, clothes, homeware, toys etc. and can get to Devon in May.

In the meantime check out her blog The Fabric of my Life

Weekly Roundup and Giveaway Result

2010-03-13T04:31:00.001-08:00

The winner of our Georgette Heyer giveaway is Jeanne of Tales of a Cottage Garden we'll pop the book in the post to you Jeanne next week when we have your postal details.

Gladys and Annie sorry to disapoint but we do have other Georgette Heyer books to read so look out for another giveaway soon.

So what have we been doing, well apart from the usual horsey and orchardy things we've had to give the ferrets a bath which was fun if messy.

We've found some brilliant greetings cards with little gardens and we've joined Lovefilm ,we've even managed to add a couple of new items to the shop.

Oh and the chickens are laying....

Whatever you are doing this weekend - enjoy!

March calender

2010-03-09T06:59:00.000-08:00

As a follow up to this post we thought it would be nice to share March's calender picture.

Image from the Homes & Antiques magazine's free calender.

Remember you can still take part in our Georgette Heyer Giveaway over here.

Weekly Roundup and Giveaway Announcement

2010-03-05T04:12:00.001-08:00

So this week we have successfully rehomed (fingers crossed) our juvenile cockerel and been rather amused by a report from the Sun about chickens killing a fox , you should read it for yourselves the puns are really groan worthy.

Since the beginning of March it has felt really Spring like and we've turned our thoughts to window boxes, and displaying Spring bulbs indoors in vintage china pieces. We've also been looking at a tutorial for making floral necklaces.

Whilst in our dreams we've visited Pedlar's castle in reality we've spent some delightful time watching the boats on the North Norfolk coast.

Far more mundane but never the less worth a mention, we renewed our car tax online, it was very simple to do and personally I would highly recommend it.

There has even been time for some reading, I've been dipping into Gisele Scanlon's The Goddess Experience and I've finished the first of my Georgette Heyer dectective / murder mystery books. Which leads me nicely to the announcement of Renaissance's first giveaway.

Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer

I've finished reading it and would like to pass it on to someone else, so if you'd like to read it yourself please leave a comment over here at Renaissance Newsletter.

If there is more than one person interested in the book we'll do a little draw and announce the winner next Friday in our weekly roundup.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend and good luck in the giveaway.

Floral Necklace Tutorial from Miss Pickering

2010-03-02T05:38:00.000-08:00

There is a delighful tutorial "How to make a floral necklace"

over at Miss Pickering's blog.

She uses Chincherinchee, floral wire and pretty ribbon to

create a very lovely necklace.

A more grown up version of a daisy chain and certainly longer lasting.

Here's the link : How to make a floral necklace

Pedlar's Castle

2010-02-28T14:54:00.001-08:00

I know lots of folk are blogging about this
but with wonderufl images like this who can blame us?

The owner's of Pedlars are now offering their own holiday home to rent

Balbegno Castle

Doesn't it look fantastic?

Vintage Advertisement - The Princess Phone

2010-02-24T11:44:00.000-08:00

It's little, it's lovely, it lights

and it came in pink and blue.

Was the Princess phone the perfect girly accessory?

Thinking about the summer - holiday cottages

2010-02-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

A view like this looks most appealing

from a room like this

from a cottage like
Valetta, on the beach at Thorpeness, Suffolk.

What do you think?

Using vintage books the Cabbages & Roses way

2010-02-21T05:47:00.000-08:00

Or should I say the Christina Strutt way?

Don't they look gorgeous?

The photo is from Cabbages & Roses website where you'll find some gorgeous photographs of owner Christina Strutt ' s home. Go to http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/ - click on the Homeware lookbook down the side and you'll find 38 photos to look at.

It's been too cold for too long now

2010-02-20T04:17:00.001-08:00

my fav image from The Sartoralist

so far this year.

Currently reading - Georgette Heyer

2010-02-18T11:23:00.000-08:00

Not one of her Regency romances but a dective story

though I'm pretty sure there'll be some romance there

as well as things that go bump in the night.

Calender

2010-02-08T02:07:00.001-08:00

Where did January go?

I didn't even hang the calender and now we're already into February

Beautiful images from the Homes & Antiques magazine's free calender.

Miss Marple Weekend

2010-01-25T10:10:00.001-08:00

Blame the Daily Mail (which I don't usually read) for giving away Agatha Christie DVD's

but this weekend was spent watching Miss Marple and it was Joan Hickson's Miss Marple.

Don't you just think she was the best Miss Marple?

Joan Hickson that is.

Calender Giveaway at Foxtail Lily

2010-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

I like florists' blogs',

especially those that have resident dogs (and cats).

Foxtail Lily is written by Tracey Mathieson

who just happens to own a little barn shop of the same name.

It's a delightful blog and at the moment she is running a giveaway,

for your chance to win a copy of the Foxtail Lily calender pop over to the blog and leave a comment before the 28th Jan.

Time flies

2010-01-15T01:09:00.001-08:00

I find it hard to believe that it's a week since I last posted it really feels like a couple of days ago.

Where does the time go?

Well this week I've been sifting through last years photographs and I've come up with a

Remembering 2009 in photographs

you'll find it on the website in the What we are doing section.

If you take a look through the photographs you might begin to understand why time goes so quickly - too many animals!

Actually one can never have too many animals but my Christmas pressie might have something to do with it, take a look, her name is Maddie.

Mad Men Joan Paper Dolls

2010-01-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

Downloadable Joan Holloway (Mad Men) Paper Dolls found

Dyna Moe's Flickr

where you'll also find loads of fabby Mad Men illustrations.

Snow

2010-01-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

Snow - it's everywhere.

Lovely to look at but oh how I wish local councils would sed the gritters down country lanes!

Belated Christmas Greetings

2009-12-30T14:02:00.001-08:00

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas, enjoy the rest of the holiday

and may 2010

bring you all that you hope for.

(image from Niki Jones)

Kirstie Allsop buys secondhand, vintage, books for Christmas presents

2009-12-15T05:46:00.000-08:00

In last weeks Homemade Christmas we saw Kirstie Allsop purchase a 1970's cookbook as a Christmas gift for her sister.

As a vintage book seller I'd be interested to hear how you'd feel about receiving what amounts to a secondhand book as a gift.

Personally I think they can make wonderful, thoughtful gifts. A few years ago my eldest son was positively over the moon with the vintage Dennis The Menace that my brother sought out for him. It was his absolute favourite pressie that Christmas. And I remember a middle aged friend who was nick-named Dash-it-all Darcy, but had no idea why, being thrilled with a copy of one of Pat Smythe's Three Jays books featuring his namesake. I'm told it has become a prized possession.

Anyway what do you think?

Kirstie Allsop makes soap for Christmas

2009-12-10T09:42:00.001-08:00

Great idea

BUT

it takes 6 weeks to "cure".

So why oh why Channel 4 didn't you run this show sooner?

Answers on a postcard please .....

(The handmade soap shown isn't Kirstie's it's by Mapel Hill Farm)

Kirstie Allsopp's Homemade Christmas

2009-12-09T05:03:00.001-08:00

So did you watch it?

Will you be blowing your own glass baubles ?

(Definetly not one for me)

Making salt dough decorations ?

(Maybe....)

Anyway what did you think and will you be watching again tonight?

Ebay win - Vintage Fairy

2009-11-30T01:36:00.001-08:00

So now you know who will be adorning the top of our Christmas tree this year.

Displaying Vintage Plates

2009-11-22T14:44:00.000-08:00

Love this display of miss-matched plates

(image found via Home Sweet Home)

Christmas Fairies by Tobias and The Angel

2009-11-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

Which would you choose?

(Availabe to purchase from Tobias and The Angel)

Discount code for Graham and Green

2009-11-12T12:10:00.000-08:00

Just sharing, enjoy!

(visit Graham and Green before midnight on Monday to take advantage of the discount code)

Tobias and the Angel

2009-11-10T14:33:00.001-08:00

Imagine a shop that doesn't start Christmas befor Guy Fawkes...

Imagine a shop that closes for 4 days in order to get ready for their annual Christmas Show...

Imagine a shop where Christmas " is a celebration with all its delights – the candles, the baubles, the glitter, the cakes, the angels, the fairies, all of it!"

That shop is Tobias and the Angel

and this year their Christmas Show starts on 19th November.

Unfortunately we won't be able to attend because we're far too busy with this at the moment ,but if any of you do go please blog about it.

Miss Happiness and Miss Flower

2009-10-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

I seem to be having a bit of a Rummer Godden week, first I find

the Black Narcissus DVD then whilst browsing for vintage

children's books I come across a copy of Miss Happiness and Miss Flower.

Not a vintage copy unfortunately but I bought it anyway.

I started reading it as soon as I got home and was instantly enchanted.

It was magical

and now I wish I had a Miss Happiness and Miss Flower of my very own.

Black Narcissus

2009-10-26T05:55:00.000-07:00

Popping into Tesco this morning I noticed piles of DVD's of the 1940's film

Black Narcissus

being given away with the Daily Mail.

It was one of my Grandmother's favourite films and at the cost of 50p for a paper I'll be induging in nostalgic film viewing later today.

Crochet Scarf by Namolio

2009-10-23T02:46:00.001-07:00

Don't you just love this crochet scarf by Namolio?

Today - I'm making Sloe Gin

2009-10-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

The recipe's here

and it's very, very good!

Blog Action Day 2009 - Climate Change

2009-10-15T02:13:00.001-07:00

Today, 15th, is Blog Action Day and some 8,000 + bloggers from all over the world are blogging about Climate Change. Something that concerns us all. Renaissance has joined in with a post on our other blog Renaissance Little Green Book, do pop over, take a look and find out how you too can join in.

Lonny Magazine

2009-10-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

Just found a fab new online magazine (via sfgirlbybay ) Lonny Magazine.

Take a look here

Frenchified Vintage Phone

2009-10-06T02:27:00.001-07:00

We could go frenchified with this cream bakelite phone

at £110, again from The Vintage Wedding List.

What do you think?

Vintage Red Phone

2009-10-06T02:21:00.000-07:00

Like this one, we had one just like it when I was a kid.

Found at The Vintage Wedding List and at £50 much more affordable

than Pedlars bakelite phone

Vintage Phones

2009-10-06T02:07:00.000-07:00

Love this vintage Bakelite Telephone GPO 332, 1957 from Pedlars

but at £525 we think we'll be looking around a bit.

Will post more vintage phones as and when we find them.

Introducing Mrs Crosse & Hobb

2009-10-01T07:27:00.001-07:00

We are happy to announce that Mrs Millicent Ethel Smith will now be giving weekly vintage housekeeping advice in a new feature on our website Renaissance

where you will also find

Mr Frederick Stanley Hobb giving weekly gardening tips.

Find them under Vintage House & Garden Tips.

Like Joules?

2009-09-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

Did you know they have a blog?

You'll find it here

The Local Horse and Pony Show

2009-09-28T03:50:00.000-07:00

Hope you all enjoyed the last weekend of September?

We spent much of ours' horse watching at a local show,

more pics here if you're interested.

Enid Blyton & Plums

2009-09-24T02:46:00.000-07:00

(Enid Blyton's Story Time Book)

What is it about Enid Blyton's characters and plums?

If there is a picnic or afternoon tea to be had, it always seems to include thick slabs of fruit cake

and plums.

(The Rockingdown Mystery by Enid Blyton)

Well actually I can fully understand this obsession.

I mean who can resist a big juicy plum?

Those of you who have had a look around our website will know from the About Us page that we grow plums, our English plum season is now fast drawing to a close, so, I've posted some of our favourite plum recipes in a Renaissance Newsletter before it's too late.

Persephone Books on Blogger

2009-09-23T01:27:00.000-07:00

Fans of Persephone Books might be interested to learn that they have a Blogger blog-

The Persephone Post

find it here.

Dame Margaret Rutherford's Marple

2009-09-21T07:01:00.001-07:00

Agatha Christie Week was the perfect excuse to indulge in some favourite old films.

Not the most "authentic" Miss Marple ever but absolutely hilarious, she is described

"the maddest thing on screen ever, like a petticoat tornado"

here

Miss Marple - Julia McKenzie

2009-09-16T02:10:00.000-07:00

Well we've all had a chance to see the "new" Miss Marple, Julia McKenzie in action now

somehow she doesn't seem right. Not yet

but I suppose it takes time to get used to these changes.

What do you think?

Vintage Tablecloth with an Agatha Christie Twist

2009-09-15T03:06:00.001-07:00

One can almost imagine Miss Marple having had something like this in her bottom drawer.

Taking the box out from time to time, opening it and examing the contents,

napkins and tablecoth. Would Miss Marple have called the napkins serviettes?
Sighing softly as she packed it all away again.

What afternoon teas would have been served on this vintage table linen, if things had been different?

Available to purchase from our shop here

Agatha Christie Week 13th - 20th September

2009-09-14T01:28:00.001-07:00

Agatha Christie Week runs from the 13th September to the 20th.

Lots of events will be going on everywhere including blogland - MYSTERIES IN PARADISE are Celebrating the life and work of Agatha Christie with a blog tour where people undertake to put up a special post on their own site the tour will extend for 11 days. Find out more here.