Sunday 4 September 2016

Can't get it out of my head

This blog post, which is all about what we did two Sundays ago, was planned for last week, but my dad suddenly passing away made me put it on the back burner.
Here's a big thank you for all your lovely comments. You kind words mean a lot to me, much more than I can say.

Now, back to that particular Sunday! We had plans of going to a flea market but unfortunately the weather let us down and we woke up to lots of wind and rain, exactly as predicted.

This meant that we were at a bit of a loss, so for want of something better to do, I tackled some ironing, and rearranged my growing collection of scarves ...


... and brooches



We then had the brainwave of visiting a big cavern of a shop, selling all sorts of reclaimed things, big and small.

Although it isn't too far from our home, this was only our second visit.


Maybe it was the fact that on our first visit it was freezing cold, inside the shop, which is more of a half-open hangar, as well as outside, or that we didn't find anything worth buying ... In fact, we both completely forgot about the shop and couldn't even remember its name.


Now we know the shop is called "Oud & Nief", which basically means "Old & New".

It is quite a fascinating shop, well worth a visit even if you are not intending to buy, with many unusual items, some with eye-watering price tags.



I almost fainted when I saw this cupboard full of 1920s-1930s hat mannequins, as I had been lusting after one for ages, despairing of ever finding one at the right price.

They were almost all men's heads, though, most of the women's heads having been sold long ago, but there she was, lurking in a corner:


She just had to come home with me!


Now, with Twiggy and Angelica already being part of the family, I still need to christen her with a suitable 1930s name.







I think she does look a bit like Idina Sackville in this photo, but I'm not totally convinced she is an "Idina", so any suggestions are welcome!









I will now leave you with some impressions of the rest of the shop:

Bottles in all shapes and sizes

Boxes and an intriguing metal chest of drawers
Michelin men, a sleepy stone lion and a brown-shoed boy mannequin

A vintage projector, a child-size car (probably from a merry-go-round),
a rusty tin and some old photographs
Oh, and this is what I wore:


The dress is deadstock and I was wearing it for the first time, the material still being a bit scratchy.

It will be my dad's funeral tomorrow, and although I'm certainly not looking forward to it, I do hope that we will do him proud, and that there will be laughter as well as tears. It will be quite emotional, so I will be taking a mega box of hankies.

On Tuesday, we are going on a short holiday in Belgium's beautiful west country, near the coast, leaving one day later than planned because of the funeral.

To say that we are looking forward to it is an understatement.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some packing to do ...

See you on the other side!

30 comments:

  1. My goodness that is a pretty dress!! I hope that you have a wonderfully relaxing time on your little holiday.

    And the mannequin....Maria?

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    1. Thanks! The little holiday was great, and we had some lovely weather. xxx

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  2. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow and after that wishing you a nice few days away.
    Hope you are okay xxx

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. It all went fine, but I'm still feeling a bit unsettled ... xxx

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  3. i think your new hat model is a "greta"!! :-)
    exiting shop! the bahnwärter was looking over my shoulder and asked where it is and commented the pictures.... belgium is famous for its fleamarkets etc. in germany!
    pretty new dress! love border prints!
    i´ll thinking of you tomorrow!
    and i wish you some gorgeous holidays! xxxxx

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    1. I've actually been thinking of Greta (as in Garbo) myself. I'd no idea Belgium is famous for its flea markets in Germany ... I guess we are lucky that there are so many. xxx

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  4. Could your new model be a 'Ginger'?

    I hope today goes as well as it can. I've found comfort in funerals and wakes in the past, being with people who feel the same emotions. I hope today is able to give you a little solace, in its way.

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    1. Ginger definitely is a contender! The funeral went as well as could be expected, and I'm sure my dad would have been pleased with what we did ... xxx

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  5. That shop is my idea of heaven! How about Lavinia for your hat mannequin? She looks a 'top drawer' sort. Thinking of you today. x

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    1. Thank you Fiona! Mmm, Lavinia, doesn't sound bad at all ... xxx

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  6. it looks like a fab shop, even if it didn't look this way first time you went (that's something is used to happen!)
    And love your outfit, amazing dress and cute & elegant accessorizing!
    besos

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  7. Your model is a doll, right enough. I rather like the one with bare breasts, although I'm not quite sure what I'd do with her. Your scarf collection is really beautiful. Dead stock always fascinates me. How did it escape? Good luck tomorrow. I hope you have a good turn out that does your dad proud. Xxx

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    1. Thanks Tania. I liked the bare-breasted one too, but she was a bit more expensive ... Oh, and I'm sure my dad would have been proud ... xxx

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  8. I always loved those old manequin heads

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    1. Thanks, I always loved them too, and I'm quite happy to finally own one. xxx

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  9. I hope the funeral went okay and wasn't too much for you Ann.

    Love your dress and new mannequin head, I like Mim's suggestion of Ginger xxx

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    1. It all went well but it was of course very emotional, and I'm still feeling a bit blue. xxx

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  10. I'd want all those mannequins, I admire your restraint for just leaving with one of them! The shop looks utterly wonderful.
    Hope the funeral goes well and that you get some love and relaxation on your break away. xxx

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    1. Oh, it wasn't restraint, really, rather a lack of funds ... The funeral went well, and we had a really relaxing little holiday ... xxx

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  11. Your vintage mannequin head is truly breathtaking! What an incredible find! I have a vintage inspired one that I use to photograph some of the items for my Etsy shop, but haven't yet hit upon an affordable vintage version either. Huge congrats on doing so and on being able to add this dazzling item to your home.

    She has quite a refined air to her, if you ask me, so I see a very classic name such as Margaret, Elizabeth or Cecilia suiting her well.

    xoxo ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thanks Jessica. I'm very pleased with her. I agree she should definitely have a classical name, and I'm rather liking the sound of Cecilia ... xxx

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  12. I'm so very sorry to hear about your dad, I hope the funeral went well and wasn't too difficult for you. I love your collection of scarves, and those mannequins! Those vintage shops always look great don't they!

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    1. Thank you Claire! All went well, but as expected it was very emotional ... xxx

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  13. The mannequin head definitely had to go home with you, Ann. It is lovely!

    May my hug reach you tomorrow...

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  14. I think she looks like a Millie (short for Millicent). She is rather darling and I love the place you visited.
    Your deadstock dress is rather beautiful. What does that term, "Deadstock" actually mean?
    xx
    I am so sorry I missed these posts and wasn't able to send my condolences earlier. I've struggled with blogging commentary recently.xx

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    1. Oh, I quite like Millie! I've got so many lovely suggestions that the choice is being even more difficult ;-) Deadstock means goods that never got sold before being removed from sale, so actually in a way they are old and brand new at the same time!
      Keeping up with blogging commentary can indeed be quite a struggle, especially if you have been away ... , so no problem! xxx

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