The Old and The New

My darling Nicka went away with her 'man' up to Mt Tamborine on the weekend. As they strolled down The Gallery Walk, Nicka tells me she spotted an RSPCA shop and of course she headed straight for it to see if there was anything of interest to buy.

 Inside the locked cabinet she saw this cup, saucer and plate. It had come in only that morning and it was priced at $10.  She said she'd take it. The worker wasn't sure about the price so went to see the supervisor. Nicka said the supervisor didn't look sure either, but since Nic had said she would take it, it sounds as though they felt obliged to sell it for $10. I think they realised it should of cost more. Oh well. Things happen to my lucky girl all the time. If it were me, then for sure I would have seen it at the usual $25 or $30 price mark.

I opened up my present from Nicka to discover this gorgeous red Queen Anne set and honestly; it's nicer than the blue ones. I love it. So another one for the 'real' vintage collection. Thanks my gorgeous girl.

Earlier that day, I received my package from Peter of Kensington. I ordered the Lavender Rose and the Memory Lane cup and saucer and large cake platters of the same design.

Now, I paid substantially more than $10 for each of these sets and they only came with the saucer. Whilst they are lovely, I don't think I'll be buying any further "new" sets. They lack something. They lack vibrancy and warmth. They lack character. They have no homely "history". They aren't from what I can see "made in England" which has really annoyed me. They are slightly chunkier than the fine bone true vintage cups.

So. With all the negatives I've just spelt out; the only option as far as I can see is; I'm going to have jump into that car of mine one fine day and set out into the world of roadside antique and vintage shops and do the hard yards to find my "real" and "old" and "genuine" vintage pieces. The new stuff simply doesn't cut it. Yes, I'm a fusspot and for me it won't do. I want pieces that are come with a story and if that means a slight chink in the china well so be it!

I found this teapot without a lid in my local op shop for $10.
 It makes for a lovely vase.
I'm delighted.