Posts

Ralph Lauren find

Image
 This is cute haul with a highlight of Ralph Lauren Polo shirt. My favorite is this tunic top. We have first really summery weather and I've been wearing it. It fits me, its color is fabulous and its cheering me up. I've also gotten some compliments. Love it, love it, love it.  It is by Danish "Pieces" brand. https://www.pieces.com/en-ie/folders/pd_pages/ABOUT-US.html When I bought it, it was brand new, never washed or warn. You can tell by looking at the tags, also how fabric feels in your hand. This is a cute platter based by Jana Kolpen "The Secrets of Pistoulet " book. https://www.pfaltzgraff.com/collections/pistoulet https://prabook.com/web/jana.kolpen/3743605 I could not resist its charm and had to grab it. This was fun find. I never saw anything like this before. So, these are stackable boxes that fit into the biggest one. Like Matrjoshka doll. These can be used as gift wrapping. Currently it sits in my bookshelf and is fun to look at.  This shirt I g

Its official, I admit, I have good expensive taste

Image
I came back from this charity shop being most excited about this pottery terrine, but...continue reading. Pottery terrine I don't know if this pots rustic and worn look has been intentional or it is old but it is a look that is so appealing to me. All it's nicks and few chips add to the charm. As if my grandmother would have given it to me. Its not signed so no idea who its by. Look at this beauty! 😍 Silk (?) scarf I am not 100% but I think its a silk (there is no tag ) and I think its hand painted because I can see that the lines are not perfect...it has done by loose hand. I love these soft muted colors and the Egyptian lotus flower kind of pattern. I also found an splash of color that most likely spilled when someone was doing it and might be the reason it was donated. I don't mind the spill...it even adds to the story. It could be used as scarf or layer the tablecloth to decorate the tablescape. My gut feeling tells me that both these necklaces are Natural Stone bead n

Ceramic Art London 2024 and UK trip

Image
 This post is about my last week trip to UK. I went specifically to visit CAL24 ( Ceramic Art London ) exhibition. But when I started to make bookings I was thinking that why not make a week long trip out of it. So, I did book tickets to CAL, couple nights in London and rest of the stay in Rye, Sussex. I am still buzzing. It was great solo trip with freedom to do what I wanted and go where I wanted. There is plenty to do in London and in Sussex. London highlights were for me CAL of course and Leighton House. I visited CAL first time but as I understood it is actually over 20 years running annual event. This year it was held fist time in Olympia, London. There were over 100 ceramist represented. That was such a treat for me. Below is my picks from the trip. Cleo Mussi At the CAL her booth draw attention with very large Mosaic woman covering big part of the back wall.  Because she uses a lot of clean white mosaic pieces the ones that have pattern on them pop out. Also it gives elegance a

My most expensive Charity Shop purchase, bargain galore

Image
  I spent about 70 EUR this time in Charity Shop. What you think, what was so expensive? Of course, when I see pottery...I have to grab it. This is tallest ceramic candle holder I ever seen. Very nice teal glaze and decorative stripe is left unglazed. Quality. There is sticker with makers name Marianne Klopp Pottery on it. She is born in Germany and found her home now here in Ireland.  https://www.theopenwindowgallery.com/marianne-klopp When purchased, this candle holder must have cost over 50 EUR for sure. Velvety skirt.  Gorgeous color, A line, inner lining and the textile feels silky velvety a bit like suede. Oddly there is no makers tag...only written that it is French textile. For some reason I have only two skirts in my garderobe, so this is welcome addition. Softwaves shoes Score! I am pretty sure that these shoes were on the shop for people try-ons and then donated. You can also still see reduced price tag inside 130 EUR, I wonder what was the full price then? Looking at their

Honey hole keeps providing

Image
 Really rarely I come back from that charity shop empty handed. I actually bought on lovely poncho style top from there too forgot to add to the haul pic. The mugs  5 of them...do you think one is missing? What color is missing? Anyway, I dont mind as I loved the large size of them, the shape of them and the colors. Great design looking mugs. "Essential Surrealists" by Tim Martin Coffee table, large size, art related book - of course I picked it up. Rocky Mountain real leaf earrings This was a great find I think. These are cute small Aspen leaves dipped into Copper. How they ended up here in Ireland...I am pretty sure, someone bought them as a souvenir and now donated. I am glad they did. Thank you stranger! Four enamel bangles Good quality bangles, where one is hinged. Somehow, when summer is coming I cant resist of bracelets and costume jewelry.                                                                  These are costume earrings ( I think ) but I loved the design and

Marina Hamilton ceramics

Image
  I am happy to own Marina Hamilton ceramics. I first came across her work at Gifted fair 2023 in Dublin. At the fair she had her bronzes (also horse) on sale and I fell in love with that in there but bronzes are extremely expensive. So I bought that cute penguin directly from Marina.  After that I kept close eye on her. When I saw her posting on Instagram a picture of her three ceramic horses of 2024. I could not resist. This horse is the most expensive ceramic I ever bought but I thought that it was worth it. I think Marina has achieved  https://thebluehorsegallery.com/about/  certain finess with her horses. The posture, the head and ceramic glazes all together create this look that make you feel that this piece is something special. At least I feel 😊 In addition I enjoyed my interaction with her. This horse is "My precious!" 😅

In highlight "Victorian Style" coffee table book

Image
 Again looking at the photo...does it seem to me or it is happening that my hauls turn out to be color coordinated? I swear, it just happens. Here I have items picked up from two charity shops. I love this coffee table book of Victorian Style by Judith & Martin Miller, Photography by James Merrell.  It covers all aspects of Victorian Style, architecture, interior, furniture, textile, china, glass, silver. Beautiful photos. I will spend many happy hours browsing and reading this one. Other aspect of buying used books is that you may find something from previous owners in between it pages.  Inside this book I found printed letter reading: "The Eurovision would like to say a big Thank You Gemma for putting in effort and hard work into this years show Eurovision 2000". It is dated 26.08.2000 and signed by Flynn.  How intriguing is that!? Two necklaces One long necklace has nice porcelain or ceramic blue and white beads, some lilac tones there and decorated with flowers.  Thi