I'll be as quick as I can!

This afternoon on a drive through town I made an unscheduled stop.  I was on my way to the beach to drop Bell off at a sleepover.  There is an Op Shop I often drive by but never seem to stop at.  I pulled over and said to Bell "I will be as quick as I can", to which she replied "Why mum, you don't need anymore Crown Lynn"!  Little did she know, but I had Pyrex on my mind.

I wandered around and found 3 pieces.  THREE!  Was not expecting that.  So here they are.  A yellow snowflake divided dish ($8), a medium sized Carnaby casserole dish ($5) and my favourite one, the blue patterned (unsure of the name) oval dish ($4).

I hurried back to the car with my box of treasures, to Bell and her eye rolling.  Ha!

It's also a long weekend, and this Autumn weather at the moment is beautiful.  Happy Days.

Happy Treasure Hunting.  xo

Hello sunshine!

Despite being Autumn the days have been warm and sunny even if they start off a little chilly.

These three rays of sunshine are my newest Pyrex additions - found on Trademe, they had just been listed and with a Buy Now price of only $38, which for this pattern is a steal!  It was one of the first patterns I ever saw online and I have loved it ever since.  But never the prices that they were selling for, so I'm so happy with these, I never thought I would be able to own this pattern.  Happy.

The start of the Easter long weekend also marks the end of Term 1 and the start of our two week school holidays.  We are so ready for them, and the bonus that I work Term time only means I get to spend them with my kids.

So Happy Happy Easter lovely readers, stay safe, eats lots of chocolate and enjoy the time with your families.

xoxo

When you put your knee through the "new" granny cabinet

This is what you do when you get impatient and decide to move a heavy cabinet by yourself......like I did.  I put my knee through the (probably expensive to replace) curved side glass on my new retro cabinet.

Queue gasps, a scream, lots of OH NO's and tons of cursing!  I've been wanting one like this for ages and after a popping in and out of second hand dealers in town for a while now, I found this one.........in mint condition.  I should have taken a photo, but imagine a great big fault line through the centre of the side panel.

So after I broke the glass I decided to fill it and then after a bit more sulking I decided I needed to take action, so I got out my pile of retro wallpaper pieces and went to work on a bit of patch working.  A quote needs to be done on how much it will cost to replace the glass, but for now it will probably stay like this.  I really like it and may even properly stick the wallpaper pieces down (and move the phone and modem to another spot).

The original granny cabinet has been moved around the corner and now holds my Pyrex and big retro kitchen pieces.

So there you have it one newish but slightly broken china cabinet.  Happy days!

Weekending..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend I've...........

 

Started my retro quilt.  I have been collecting and cutting retro sheets and Fat Quarters.  I have a favourite blue flower sheet which will be my backing.  Tonight I plan on pinning and sometime this week I will start to everything together.  Can't wait to show you my progress.

 

Enjoyed dinner out with friends Friday night for cocktails and fresh seafood.  The very best of combinations I think.

 

My amazing friend Leigh gave me a Crown Lynn Swan.  She always gives me such beautiful gifts.  And this completes my set of 3.

 

Bell and I had a girls morning in town, cold drinks and warm pastries.

 

I op shopped and found pink Pyrex and retro spice canisters and salt and pepper shakers.

 

Our school gala was on Saturday afternoon, the boys had a great time and loaded up on sugary treats, as you do.

 

Reading old cookbooks, loving a particular one from the early 1980's.

 

And later on Mr H and I enjoyed a quiet night in.

 

Sunday we stayed in PJ's till noon.  I did a bit of gardening and then spent the rest of the afternoon building Lego with Tom.  I think I have earned my Lego Degree by now.

 

A laid back weekend after a busy week.  Even working "just part time" makes my weekdays full, not to mention the constant picking up and dropping off of children for kindy, school, swimming, appointments and errands.  I really look forward to my weekends.  There hasn't been a lot of time for blogging or visiting favourite blogs, but with the cooler months just around the corner I expect that will change when we start to spend more time indoors.

 

Have a great week! xo

 

 

 

 

Vintage kitchenware

Phoenix glass cookware was produced as an alternative to Pyrex using lovely primary colours in their heatproof glass cookware. 

Makers marks – “ Made in England Phoenix “

Thought I would share a bit of mid week eye candy with you.  Vintage kitchenware from the 1950's.   An early Birthday present to myself from a favourite Retro store in town.

In mint condition, I wonder if it was ever used.  It is the most beautiful turquoise colour, with quirky handles, thick glass lid and a beautifully moulded base.  Made to stand the test of time for sure.  I won't cook anything hot in it but may use it to serve up (cold) desserts or similar.  It certainly won't be going in the dishwasher either.  Gently, gently.

Happy week lovelies!

The Travelling Linen Stash has returned!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look what landed on my doorstep last week................The Travelling Linen Stash!

 

I sent the Travelling Linen Stash off on it's New Zealand Tour in October 2013.  1 year and 3 months later it has found it's way back.

 

Jam packed with all sorts of goodies - tea towels, table cloths, doilies, pillowcases, aprons, napkins tea cosies and even some pieces of retro and vintage fabrics.

The plan is to send it off to Australia next.  I will be in touch with those who signed up to make sure your addresses are still correct (a lot can happen in 1 year and 3 months) and make sure you still wish to participate.  To keep postage low I may look at sending off a couple of smaller packages - would be keen to know your thoughts on this or if you have an alternative idea.

I looking forward to having a good sort through.  Some of the stash will make it's way into my linen stash (I love the tea cosies) and the rest will be wash, pressed and sent on it's merry way.

If you are in Australia and wish to sign up, drop me an email with your address details to:

 

 alittlebitcountrynz (at) gmail (dot) com

 

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

 

*I will put my stash of linen that I am keen to swap into a travelling box and post it off to the first name on the list.

 

*For every item you remove from the box you will need to replace it with something.

 

*All items need to be clean.  And of course stain and hole free.  As with a lot of retro and vintage items there are sometimes age spots etc.  Some people don't mind this.  Just make sure you pin a note to your item so future swappers are aware.

 

*You need to be happy about paying the outgoing postage to the next person.  I will compile the recipient list so the next person to receive the Stash is as near to you as possible.

 

If everyone is still happy to go ahead - The Travelling Linen Stash will once again be on it's way!

 

Thank you to all the lovely ladies who participated in this swap - I hope you found some great vintage and retro linen to treasure.  xo