PRINTER'S TRAY

OK, so strictly speaking this not an actual printer's tray but it's the nearest I have to it (bought on eBay last year). The dark brown wasn't showing off my mini collectables well, so I spray-painted it white, with rustic results. And rearranged the stuff a wee bit and added some new bits. I think it looks better now.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

A CHINESE POT

I was in Shanghai last month but the only markets I saw sold mass-produced tat. I managed to buy a blue and white ceramic pot full of tea leaves at the airport on the way home (while very wobbly with food poisoning) but otherwise, not much. But why go to China when you can go to your local charity shop?? This wee pot showing fishing baby buddhas was €2 today in my hometown. Sweet :)

And here it is with a buddha from a Lisbon
flea market who sits beside my bed.

THE STOREYARD - AGAIN!

I blogged about The Storeyard before, a great antiques and vintage shop in Portlaoise. We stopped by there yesterday on the way to visit friends in lovely Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford. It's as fabulously eclectic as ever. And as pricey. We wanted to go to the café but it was closed - waaaaah. Still it meant we discovered somewhere new in Portlaoise - The Pantry. Fab choc chip scones. Fab pear and vanilla scones. Yum.

This is new: a lucky dip table for charity.
You pop money in the box and take your pick...

...my pick: a Japanese plate. The most 'me' thing there:
it's blue, red and it has a bird. Love it. 

Juno found it cold so I shawled her into my scarf

Half of each: choc chip & pear and vanilla scones. In The Pantry, Portlaoise.

Beautiful Tinnabearna Strand in Wexford

Mamó and Daideó's #2

I inherited my collecting bug from my parents. They always collected and still do and their house is a treasure trove of the good, the beautiful and the odd. A few pics.

Dawn window

Teeny paw in a jug. Aw.

PARIS MARCHÉ BUYS

I was in Paris for the Emily Dickinson Conference and, of course had to go shopping, most especially to a marché. We went to the one at Porte de Vanves and it was large and pretty expensive. We wandered for ages (we arrived late) and the vendors were packing up by the time I bought anything. My purchases:

A blue lidded Japanese pot for €10

Clearer view of the pattern on the pot in this pic
(lid propped against Buddha)

The orange faceted vase is from Maisons du Monde, and cost 39c in their sale.
Love that shop!

A pendant with turquoise and opalites, by Miracle, for €15

An enameled brooch by Breteaudeau, Paris for €5

And here are some market scenes:

Busker

Snowdrop cup and saucer for my birth month

Clown twins

Two of my darlings, strolling the marché

Beautiful Buddhas

Aw!