Treasure Hunting

I'm so behind on blogging it's shameful - life has got in the way the last couple of months and blogging has taken a back seat. Over the next few days I'm hoping to get back into the blogging loop and tell you all what's been happening with me and my little handmade business. 

So, this weekend I decided to have some me time - but couldn't help go on a treasure hunt for china plates. I took a little trip to Matlock and invited my friend who's never been - also an avid treasure hunter! We spent the day strolling around the shops - theirs quite a few vintage ones!

I'm currently converting my dining room into my studio so I was on the look out for interesting storage ideas. I fell in love with these wire storage boxes from Bow Boutique - the coral colour is dreamy.

I picked up these cardboard cotton cones from The Vintage Rooms, a great way to display my bakers twine - I definitely feel like I need to get organised - making everything look prettier is my way of making things easier to sort out. 

Another purchase which came in useful for my washi tapes was this vintage fold up hanger - I'm addicted to buying these - you can never have enough washi tapes!

My home is mostly mid century finds, however, I feel I am being drawn to the 'floral side', my guest room has a wall display of charity shop floral finds. I noticed these stunners on my trip - I love the colours and they have inspired me to bring more of the outdoors into my home.

We also managed to sneak a car boot into the day - I try not to look for anything in particular. I feel everything has a second use and I'm a strong believer that someones rubbish is someone else's treasure. I came across these beauties - apart from being great props in my product photos I want to try and up-cycle them too, maybe a few pages into art prints and incorporate the illustrations into plate designs.

I couldn't resist picking these lovelies from the car boot field - free flowers!!!! what did you all get up to this weekend? find any treasure?

Vintage Matlock

A couple of weeks ago I visited Matlock for a spot of Christmas shopping. I've heard there is so many lovely shops to visit and I wasn't disappointed.

Here's a quick round up of the quirky independent shops I came across.

Magpie Antiques - 18 Dale Road, Matlock DE4 3LT

This little gem of a store sells vintage retro home decor, over two floors. There vinyl collection is well worth a look if you're a music lover. The staff with super helpful which is always a bonus, they pointed me in the right direction to find all the other shops I wanted to visit on my list.

The Vintage Rooms - 117 Dale Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3LU

I've heard so many fantastic things about this place, check out there IG, you'll be hooked! The Christmas window display is absolutely stunning, a mixture of a vintage dining room setting with handmade snowflakes and tasteful taxidermy. Instead the store is set out beautifully - I was like a kid in a sweet shop. I could have walked out with everything. A great place to visit for vintage home & wedding gifts. I will definitely be returning soon.

Riverside Vintage - 77 Dale Road, Matlock DE4 3LT

A delightful boutique selling some bloomin' lovely vintage china pieces. I couldn't resist purchasing some lovely vintage china dinner plates - which will be upcycled to make one off clocks in 2015.

Matlock Antiques & Collectables Centre - 7 Dale Road, Matlock DE4 3LT

Oh my goodness, this place is like an Aladdin's cave, three floors full of antiques, vintage & retro finds. I spent over an hour having a good rummage. There's definitely something for everyone in here.

Us Retro - Crown Square, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AT

A small but amazing little store is Us Retro. Full of lots of retro finds including advertising, kitchenware, pottery & my favorite -  the vast collection of rustic food crates. A couple of these made there way home with me. They will look fantastic in the yarden with some spring bulbs.

Matlock you definitely will be on my places to visit again soon, has anyone else been recently?