Sunshine and friends and Agatha Christie...

Today's post is more of an update really.  I am smiling once again; thanks to sunshine, friends and Agatha Christie.  Not necessarily in that order.

My best friend who lives in Madrid was visiting for the weekend, and what a weekend she picked.  How amazing was the weather?  I had Friday off so we met for lunch and then headed over to Brick Lane for a rummage through the vintage shops.  I was very restrained and treated myself to just the two tea plates.  After exhausting ourselves with the spoils of the East End vintage scene we headed back to our pied a terre (our friend Russ' flat in Kensington!).  A glass of vino and an olive or two and we were totally refreshed.

Friday evening was spent at the V&A, there was an open evening on with cocktail bars and live music.  It was such a beautiful evening that we sat in the courtyard and chatted until hunger got the better of us and we gorged on burgers at Byron Burger.  Have you been?  If not then go immediately.

Taking advantage of the continued sunshine we spent Saturday in Richmond Park, wandering along the streams and eating ice creams.  Thai food for dinner then home to bed.

On Sunday we jumped in our battered car and ventured into sunny Surrey to celebrate in the christening of friend's baby.  It was very nice to catch up with lots of people who we haven't seen for an age, the lunch afterwards was super and the biggest plus point was that I had an hour each to listen to my Agatha Christie audiobook!  Is that wrong?

So all in all I am of a much cheerier disposition, and am ready to face the week ahead.  How about you?

Charity begins at home...

I had a rare morning with nothing planned and nothing pressing to do, so I took myself into Twickenham for a browse around the charity shops.  I always enjoy having a nose to see what's new and am constantly on the look out for vintage tea plates to add to my collection, old lady handbags and battered paperbacks. Today was particularly successful and I am very pleased with my finds.

I've been on the look out for a navy blue skirt for a while to add to my winter wardrobe staples and this one fit the bill perfectly.  Pleated and just on the knee it looks as if it has never been worn.

Next was a cut glass dressing table dish.  It is lidded and is engraved with fern like leaves.  It has already been filled with cotton wool and joined my collection of vintage glass.

I love an audio book and was pleased to find an Agatha Christie set.  It is a Tommy & Tuppence mystery, now they don't quite rate as highly as Poirot or indeed Marple but I am sure that they will keep me entertained on my next car journey!

Finally I bought a mug for a friend at work.  It reads "I'd rather be with my cat".  I think that it will make her laugh and cheer up a dull afternoon in the office!

And the best part?  I spent a grant total of £15.

Just a little something...

This is not the post that I intended to write, but as I have managed to delete the photos I wanted to use I thought I would take this opportunity to share some lovely plates I bought at the weekend.  I am a sucker for charity shops, flea markets, antique shops...I think you get the idea!  I found these two in Oxfam for the bargain price of £3!


Now I just need to bake a cake so that I can use them!