Thursday 27 December 2018

Baubles and brooches

It's pretty scary how time is racing by! One minute I'm in my parents' attic, staring in disbelief at my Mum's green coat, and before you know it we're more than one week later, with this year's Christmas a thing of the past. How did that happen?

I've been meaning to tell you about the flea market we went to on the Sunday before last, but I've been procrastinating again. No, that's not strictly true. As I've finally got some time off, I have been enjoying these rare leisurely days, living life at a slower and more spontaneous pace than the manic hamster wheel madness that so determines my working life.



But let's get back to that flea market, which was our last one this year. As I'd already hinted in my last post, I just had to wear my Mum's green coat. 

There, you see, a perfect fit! 

I wonder, was its colour dictated by fashion? Was it my Mum's first choice or did the seamstress lead her gently into its direction? I'll never know. Come to think of it, I don't even remember which was my Mum's favourite colour, but I'm pretty certain that it wasn't green. 



For its first wear by me, I chose mustard and purple as its companions. They seemed to get along rather well. How peculiar that my handbag is in the exact same shade of green. 

And look at those buttons!

I also love its furry collar, which can even be put up and fastened with a hook and eye closure, making it perfect for those colder, windswept days.

Here's a look at the pristine green lining, edged with decorative, braided binding.


Underneath the coat, I was wearing a 1980s shift dress with a mad green, pink, purple and turquoise print, accessorized with a green beaded necklace. The brooch I pinned to my sage green cardigan looks like a little wreath of pearls. A Christmas wreath, perhaps? I do wear it at any time of year, though.



There was quite a turnout of stalls at the flea market, but strangely enough it wasn't very busy. We were told there had been more visitors on Saturday but, with most of the city centre shops being open in the run-up to Christmas this particular Sunday, I guess that would have been where most people preferred to spend their hard-earned money hunting for presents.




Such a shame, as there was certainly something to cater for all tastes and budgets here ...

We were both feeling a bit tired and were quite overwhelmed by all the choice! Consequently, I only bought one brooch. Not a vintage one this time, but I simply couldn't resist this gorgeous large cat brooch.


There was a lady selling boxes full of vintage buttons at very economical prices, which I spend some time poring over. These are the ones I've added to my collection.


Jos pounced on this 1950s robot game, which he'd coveted, but never got, as a child. The game includes a small robot figure holding a pointer. It is placed in the centre of a circular pattern of questions. The robot is rotated to a particular question and then lifted from the question area and placed in the centre of the answer area where it automatically rotates to the correct answer.



We'd only reached the end of the first aisle when we made our biggest purchase: a small, antique chest of wooden, glass-fronted drawers, the kind which was used to display sewing threads in haberdashery shops. This particular one is from a Belgian company called Filature & Filteries Reunies, which were based in the town of Aalst, or Alost in French. They were in business from 1886 until about 1970.

I'd been looking for something similar, but the only ones I'd come across so far were eye-wateringly expensive. As its top is cracked, this one was affordable, and what's more, the seller even gave us a reduction.

What was I going to use it for? I think those of you who have been reading my blog for a while will be able to make an educated guess!


There was still another week of work to get through before my 12-day Christmas holiday and as usual it was hectic as hell. Plus, my commute home got worse every day as hordes of tired shoppers needed to take the tram at the same time as I did.

There was a highlight when one day a luxury bar of soap arrived all the way from Tina in Germany. 

I'd actually won it, and I can tell you it smells absolutely heavenly, a fact which was confirmed by Phoebe, who went a bit crazy with the tissue paper it was wrapped in!


And then, finally, the weekend and ensuing holiday arrived. 

Christmas is a quiet affair here at Dove Cottage, but we do like putting up some decorations. Our faithful old fake Christmas tree comes out of the basement, to be decked with our retro and vintage ornaments, some of which are family heirlooms. The blue 1950s style cloth wrapped around the tree's base is a family heirloom too. It's one of the tablecloths I recently brought home from my parents' house!

Uncharacteristically, Phoebe managed to break one bauble, but fortunately it wasn't a vintage one!

We never used to have a nativity scene, until a few years ago, when Jos came across the very same manger they used to have when he was a boy. We've improved it with a battery operated string of LED lights. 



It rained all day that Sunday and it was dark and dreary outside. We even had to resort to taking outfit photos indoors, but I couldn't very well not show you my outfit. I was wearing a wide teal new-to-me skirt (with pockets!) combined with a black vintage blouse with a teal, beige and brown flower print, which I think came from Think Twice. Both the gold belt and light blue beads were charity shopped.


These dark days actually do suit Dove Cottage, its rooms dotted with a collection of small vintage lamps providing cozy pools of light.


But I didn't have time to sit around all day. In fact, I had a date with a certain chest of drawers!


As I'm sure you might of have guessed, I am using them to store brooches, replacing two charity shopped sets of plastic drawers I'd been using as a temporary measure. 

Needless to say, I had fun sorting through all my treasures, reorganizing them at the same time.

Below are the contents of four of the cabinet's five drawers.



Apart from this set of drawers, I'm also using some shallow polished wooden drawer boxes, a gift from one of Jos's friends. I took the opportunity to reorganize these as well.

These are just four of the six drawers. I had no idea I had so many different butterfly brooches!



Finally, there's this hinged black lacquered box with ten deep compartments. They were a gift from the same friend, but I hadn't used it until now. They are holding some of my most delicate and precious brooches, which are only worn very occasionally.


The last thing I did was try to count the number of brooches I've currently got, but unfortunately my mind went numb and I lost count at some point. However, I can safely say there are more than four hundred ...


* I'll break another bauble if you don't put me down this instant!

I'm leaving you now with a photo taken in our garden on Christmas Eve. I grabbed Phoebe who was about to dash past me. Not sure she enjoyed it very much. As a matter of fact, I know exactly what she is thinking.*

I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas, whatever you've been up to!

* Sorry, Sheila, I just had to do this!


42 comments:

  1. Wow you have sooo many amazing brooches! :) You are the brooche Queen ;)
    I love you in your green coat from your mum. He is in wonderful condition and looks great. So cute this cat brooche and your Phoebe playing with soap paper :))
    I wish you a wonderful weekend, with a very huge hug Tina

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    1. Thank you Tina! And to think it all started with one brooch ... xxx

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  2. The green coat is perfect on you and I like the dress you wore underneath! The drawers are so perfect for your brooch collection and I really like your Christmas outfit too :) Stopping by from Sasha's blog!

    Christmas was a busy but fun one here as I hosted it this year for my family. Now we are enjoying some quiet time at home and eating lots of delicious leftovers, and I'm doing a little bit of blog reading after my break from blogging for a few days!

    Away From The Blue Blog

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Mica! We had a quiet Christmas but had people over on New Year's Eve. Have been eating some leftovers too ;-)xxx

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  3. 400+.... thats a lot ;-D
    the gren coat is a perfect fit indeed. seeing the lining it was not often worn by your mom - maybe the seamstress/a friend talked her into the color? both facts are fortunatly for you - a pristine coat in your fav color - you even have the perfect bag already!!
    pheobe is not amused - but she´s the sweetest black hole in your colorful universe :-D
    @x-mas: i was relaxed like buddha himself - it went past me without getting recognized - ooooohhhhhmmmmmmmm*****
    hugs! xxxxx

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    1. Christmas was pretty relaxed here at Dove Cottage too. Just Jos, Phoebe and myself. Usually this is Pyjama Day, but the weather was too nice, so we went for a walk - not in our pyjamas, obviously ;-) xxx

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  4. Firstly, that green coat is a fabulous piece and fits you like a dream! it's particularly cool that your bag is the exact same shade of green!. I'm in love with your psychedelic dress! such a fabulous print in fabulous colors and groovy attitude!!
    Glad that you bought those vintage buttons, so useful and cute, and the display chest of drawers!. A girl can't have too many drawers, as I'm concerned. And it's so delightful to see your (magnificent) collection displayed so nicely! this kind of things put a smile on my face!
    And totally agree on having some leisure days, slower and more spontaneous. Have a fabulous time, dear lady!!
    besos

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    1. Glad to have brought a smile to your face, Monica! You wouldn't believe how many times I've been opening those drawers just to look at my brooches. It's so nice to have the all together ... xxx

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  5. What an amazing collection of brooches you have! I'm sure it was delightful sorting through all of them and the memories they hold.

    I'm loving that sheath dress. All kinds of groovy!

    Wishing you and Jos a wonderful New Year.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. I always feel amazing wearing that groovy sheath dress. People have even asked me if I've lost weight, which I haven't (quite the opposite!). And yes, I spend a few happy hours sorting through my collection! xxx

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  6. Whoa! That shift dress has vibrant colors. Does it plug in or use batteries. :)

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  7. I love your Christmas tree, it's so similar to mine, I love getting all the memories out of the box!
    I had a bit of a drool over your brooches, they look fab in the drawers and beautifully well arranged.
    Hoping you, Jos and Phoebe are all having a lovely relaxing holiday xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! I love a tree full of heirlooms. I especially love the little candle and clip-on candlesticks which came from both sides of the family! xxx

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  8. First up I had a little tear in my eye when I saw you in your Mum’s beautiful coat. It fits and looks lovely.
    Next thing then my eyes were popping at the set of thread drawers and of course I knew instantly what you would do with them. I want one now xxxx

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    1. Thank you darling! I hope you find what you're looking for. It did take me a while to find it, though. Now I wonder how I managed without those thread drawers ... xxx

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  9. Well would you believe it I have also just acquired a set of drawers to use for my brooches! you put me to shame with the brooch count though.

    Your Mum's coat looks even better on. xx

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    1. Oh, do show us your set of drawers, Gisela. And I'd love to see your brooches too! xxx

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  10. The coat is absolutely beautiful on you. I loved both your outfits and the accessories. I also loved your Christmas decor and your bookcase. Did I spy some Persephone Books on the shelves? I love them! If so, I have two duplicate
    copies if you would like them? 'Few Eggs and No Oranges' and 'Tea with Mr. Rochester'.

    Now to the brooches and their storage. How simply magnificent those drawers are and as for the contents I could spend hours poring over them! What a fabulous collection you have. And know you can see them all together! I remember those drawers so well from Haberdasher shops in my youth and in fact my second Saturday job was in such a place.

    Hope you have a lovely New Year!
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you Veronica! Although I have heard about Persephone Books, I do not own a single one. In fact, would you believe that that bookcase only has CD's on its shelves? But thank you for thinking of me! xxx

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  11. Brooch madness! I know it well ;)
    Something tells me you'll be looking for more storage, but the thread display is a great piece.

    The dress you are wearing is so wonderful it is leaving me at a loss for words so as the kids say, "WOW!!!!"

    A very Happy New Year to you and Jos.

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    1. Thank you Goody! Yes, I am sure I'll be looking for more storage, but it'll do for now! xxx

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  12. You have the most extraordinary brooch collection darling, more than four hundred is really quite a number! And the new chest of drawers is the perfect home for it...
    I wish you had a Happy Christmas and are enjoying your holidays
    Funny photo with Phoebe: she is a very big cat!

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    1. Thank you Dan! And it all started with one brooch. Before I knew it, I had a whole collection! xxx

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  13. You look amazing in your Mum's coat, Ann! It fits you perfectly and is definitely your colour! ;) I love that your bag is the same colour! Love all your brooches! Is that new one from Erstwilder? It's so cute! Phoebe is absolutely adorable! Amber says hi! ;) XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha! Would you believe I initially thought the cat brooch was Erstwilder too? But it's not signed, so I don't believe it is ... xxx P.S. Phoebe says hi back ;-)

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  14. Great portrait of you and Phoebe!

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dear Ann! I loved your Mom's green coat, it is so special to wear it! I loved how you paired the purple beret and ochre gloves with it. Your collection of brooches is fantastic, and the new chest of drawers is so perfect! I need to put all my brooches in order, and I like the idea of a felt lining.

    Dove Cottage looks so charming with all the beautiful lights and vintage details all around. Our home is dark as well, and like you we love little lights everywhere, it feels so cozy!

    Warmest wishes and lots of love!

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    1. Thank you Natalia! You've well spotted that felt lining. Some of the original boxes I own have felt dividers, so I just bought some sheets of differently coloured felt and put them in the drawers. It does make all the difference! xxx

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  15. I love that photo of you and Phoebe! Nice job, Jos!
    That coat looks absolutely perfect on you, a splendid fit and your colour. The dress you wore underneath is an absolute beauty, all my favourite colours!
    Your brooch storage is an absolute triumph, If I ever come and visit I'd get great pleasure from opening those drawers and admiring the contents, just like I used to with Grandma's button collection!
    I had the same Magic Robot game as a child - they made a plastic version in the 1970s but mine was the metal original, how I loved it!
    Sending you, Jos and Phoebe lots and lots of love for 2019 from me, Jon and the boys. We can't wait to see you in the Summer! xxx

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    1. You're welcome to come and visit any time! I loved playing with my grandmother's button collection! Jos never had the Magic Robot game, sadly ... Can't wait to see you in the Summer either, but first: India! I'm sure you're beyond excited by now! xxx

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  16. Christmas at Dove Cottage looks very cosy indeed.
    You Mum's green coat is gorgeous! How strange (and lovely) that is seems absolutely perfect for you.
    I could look at your brooch collection for hours, each one like a little piece of art.
    xx

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    1. Thank you Hazel. Sorting through my collection did make me look at them all with fresh eyes! xxx

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  17. LOL at Phoebe! She is obviously on the same wavelength as Vizzini, who welcomes another kitty with "cat-itude" on the blogosphere!

    Your Christmas decor is lovely, and I'm agog at all your brooches! What a fabulous box that is for storing them and organizing them!

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    1. Thanks Sheila and Vizzini! I love a cat with cat-itude! xxx

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  18. Lovely Phoebe! Maybe she just doesn't want to get black fur all over your clothes...

    That green coat looks fabulous on you - and so cosy.

    Your brooches are very well-organised. It must make picking which one to wear a lot easier.

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    1. I'm getting black fur on my clothes anyway. I just have to sit on the sofa ... xxx

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  19. I'm drooling over the brooch collection and WHAT a wonderful way to store them! They look fabulous!!!
    The green coat is marvellous! That's my Mum's favourite colour- she had a dress in that very shade in the 80's when I was growing up and she is a green, purple and turquoise addict nowadays!!! Phoebe is a darling, even though she breaks baubles (thank God it wasn't the precious ones!)x

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    1. Thank you Kezzie! That's certainly one collection that got a bit out of hand ... but I love them all! xxx

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  20. I'm just so jealous of your brooch collection and what a great way to store them .

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    1. It wasn't easy to find a good way to store them, especially as I wear most of them, so drawers were the perfect solution! Glad you enjoyed seeing them! xxx

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  21. Your mum's coat is lovely, just look at the finish, they made things to last back then. Glad you found the haberdasher's drawers you'd been looking for at long last, so handy for organising your amazing collection of brooches. Such a lovely photo of you with Phoebe! xx

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    1. Thank you Fiona! I'm really amazed by that coat's finish. I don't think my Mum wore it much ... xxx

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