My blogs seem to have become a bit like London buses ... none for ages then several come along at once!!

Ah, boys' toys! Leo had a great time checking out all of the 'trove' from a recent buying trip! Lately it's become more difficult to find good 'stuff' at the sort of price I need if the shop is to remain relatively inexpensive ... that day was the exception though! Paul and I had a great time and have lots more goodies to bring in for sale in the shop and at 'Nostalgic Mix'. Mustn't forget the Vintage and Handmade Fair in November either. We'll be having a table there for the first time and we're really looking forward to it :)

As a retired teacher I feel able to describe my 'boy' Leo as having "a lively and enquiring mind." Maybe I'll find a few more miniature bits and pieces and take pictures of our 'giant' cat!

All of these pieces of 'trove' have disappeared into Paul's workshop for tlc ... and maybe the odd trip down memory lane?

However, when a lad's favourite sunbathing spot is filled with 'trove' it all gets a bit much!

Happy Days! ... Yes, before the unwanted and foolish efforts to turn Noddy and Big-Ears into some pc shadow of their former selves .. I could go on but best that I spare you more ranting about that!!!

... and now for a long overdue 'virtual visit to This'n'That ...

We always have a mix of plates, jugs etc for your shelves and dressers. In this picture you can also see our 'emergency Scrabble alphabet' ... so many customers have asked to buy ceratin words/letters having seen our labels around the shop. One gentleman came in on Feb. 13th and bought the letters YRAREMM

Babycham glasses are as popular as ever as well as Pony, Cherry B, Britvic, and so on. I often have long conversations with customers (of a certain age) about those early alco-pops!

As winter draws on ... the collection of pure new wool blankets and merino wool baby blankets grows .. more due soon!

The collection of vintage school posters has expanded to include some from 1930's ones as well as the ever poular Enid Blyton Nature Plates.

It's alwats a joy to have an original, vintage picnic box or hamper in the shop. This one even has it's original Brexton china and cutlery plus bakelite topped jars and pots. I always have some in stock but in the winter they are tucked away in our storage.

The swimming cozzie is a very slender "Slix" one from 1960's I guess. It is ruched and boned ... very elegant!!

The flowery li-lo is brand new but just like the ones from 1950's ... it even smells all rubbery like the old ones did! I have them with big roses and spots on the reverse and another design with small roses on one side and stripes on the reverse. They come from Denmark and are one of my favourite summer lines. No doubt I'll stock them again next year :)

I've started to sell china as 'trios' (cup, saucer, plate sets) so that the customers collecting to mismatch sets can build up a varied collection quite easily.

We've also been selling 'Tea for Two' sets with two cups, saucers and plates plus a two tier cake stand and sometimes cream and sugar too!

I'm so please that china is becoming popular again. When the shop first opened in 2004 we sold lots of sets and then suddenly it all slowed down.

Love Ragdoll cats!!

So, so sorry that it's been so long with no new posts for This'n'That. Summer has passed in a blur of visitors at home, busy High Street in Totnes (wonderful!) and preparations for the first Nostagic Mix Fair.
More of that later .... must share this with you (hope the link works).
www.guardian.co.uk/media/video/2010/sep/08/ikea-cats-ad
As followers already know I love my ragdoll cats. This handsome guy is Leo (you'll see him creeping around in the background of some of the 'stock' shots done in the garden at home.)
Well ... there I was watching goodness knows what on TV and suddenly it's the dreaded ads again but the screen fills with beautiful kitties, mostly raggies ... so sweet!