Saturday 14 March 2009

Discover some of Bristol's hidden gems


A taster of my day out in Bristol......

IT WAS ALAN'S BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY!
Phoebe & I find baby Alan's expression really funny!
What was going through his mind at the time?...


Alan on the left, sitting with one of his brothers
(I like this picture)


My lovely vintage husband, today.

Yesterday, we decided to go to Bristol as Alan needed to go to a particular shop in Clifton.
I had not been to Clifton for some time so after his purchase, we decided to have little look around.
As you will see from the photos we came across some very interesting shops.

On our way back to the car, I spotted a shop I felt would be right up my street and I was right! Cotham Antiques is full of lovely things such as dolls houses, jewellery, pictures, old toys. The atmosphere is lovely. I spent ages looking around in there and here are some of the things I saw:

(For a better window shopping experience, click on the photos to get a larger picture)


Cotham Antiques, Pitville Place, Cotham Hill, Bristol


Susan Miller from Cotham Antiques particularly enjoys buying
and selling dolls houses.

I took a shining to that little chap (Sylvac)!

They are so lovely, it's nice to see that over the years they
have been looked after well.



This is so sweet, I had not seen that before.

We then made our way to Clifton Arcade in Boyce Avenue


The architecture of the inside of the arcade is well worth seeing
Clifton Vintage Boutique at No 5
Cleo opened this boutique about 2 weeks ago


I spent quite a while looking there


Beautiful vintage dresses


1920's Czeck glass necklace, stunning!

A couple of doors away, I popped in to Bees & Graves. A must for lovers of vintage jewellery!They have been featured in Vogue Magazine. (See photo)
Beautiful entrance & shop front





I like the mannequin heads they have in the shop.


Although a bit over the top, I love that necklace!
Spotted anything that takes your fancy?

Just before leaving, we popped in to this deli. A mouth watering experience!
Spoilt for choice...
The cakes looked so tempting!

As you have already probably guessed, we had a really good day there!
A bientôt!

Isabelle x

35 comments:

Clare said...

Ooh looks lovely! I haven't been to Clifton for such a long time but your blog has convinced me that I really need to go. Love the baby pic of your husband, very cute but also very funny!Have a good week.

Carole said...

OMG! what beautiful places you went to. The jewelry shop was amazing. I've never seen such ornate jewelry. Everything was just so lovely. Thank you for letting us enjoy the adventure with you.
Oh and Happy Birthday to Alan!!! your vintage husband...I like that.

Ali @ Betty and Violet said...

Wow - I don't know how you managed to contain yourself! I think I would have been so tempted with all those lovely goodies...especially the cakes...

The dolls houses were beautiful ~ I aspire to owning an old dolls house and making another hobby for myself of kitting it out!

I've never been to Clifton, but it definitely looks worthwhile visiting!

Happy B'Day to your husband (he doesn't look that vintage!)

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hi Ali
Thank you for your lovely comments. Yes it was hard not buying loads of things today. I came away with 2 which I will show in one of my posts soon.
The vintage bit a bit of a joke between us. I agree, Alan doesn't look vintage, he has somehow managed to defy the ageing process. His looks don't reflect his age, he gets away with looking about 10 years younger than he really is! Genetics comes in to it but I am also sure that his positive outlook on life has a lot to do with it too.
Take care
Isabelle x

Unknown said...

oh Isabelle
....thanks for the mini vaca..
all our love
mona & the girls

yes.. the cZech vintage '20s nec..
wowowowow we want that...
xoxoxo&more hugs
love your blog
& your life.. is it real??........
toooooomuch fun

Curlew Country said...

Hello Suzy, thanks for your lovely comments on my blog. How lovely to discover a gorgeous new vintage blog. I've never been to Bristol but I feel a trip coming on, what fabulous vintage shos, I've fallen in love with that Czech necklace - beautiful. I love the boutique at No 5, hope it has lots of success.

Your were asking about my fairy lights, well the good news is that I bought them only a couple of weeks ago from the Homebase website. If you put Christmas into the search box on their website I think they came up on the 2nd or 3rd page. They were a bargain, about £4 I think but the postage was £5, bit pricey. Hope they've got some left.

Thrilled to discover your blog full of fantastic vintageness, I shall pop back very soon!
Have a smashing weekend.
Stephx

Redwoodhouse said...

Ohhh what a fabulous day you had, I too haven't been to Clifton for an age and I feel a trip coming on after reading and soaking up your lovely pictures. It's the parking that puts me off Bristol but I will make the effort now and go.
Jan

Hollypop's said...

Hi Isabelle, looks like you had a great day out. I love the 20's glass necklace - stunning.
Those cakes, bet they were delicious too.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Nickyx

Stephanie said...

Isabelle - I am blown away at how beautiful it is where you live. It's like a storybook. And these shops look amazing. I wish I could go there! Love those vintage dresses.

-Stephanie

Monica said...

Hi Isabelle! Your virtual tour is so fabulous I think I'd have to go, too!!
I love that area...
I LOVE- I mean L*O*V*E*, those dollshouses...:))
Don't work too much rearranging furniture! Hope you had some time to relax, too!
Take care,
Monica.

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

There is some very serious eye candy on this post. First off, Happy Birthday to your hubby!

Now I spotted the words "Antiques" and "Jewelry" on the same shop banner. My kind of place! And Cleo's shop looks like a must see!

I am glad your goodies reached you safely. Enjoy! =)

Salon de Sucre said...

Wow those are amazing places and shops!! I love the experience of walking before a shop and promonading along the streets then enter the shop.. its all tied up so pretty well in your photos!
Oh and send Alan some Happy Birthday wishes from Kuwait !

A Bun Can Dance said...

Hi Isabelle, thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. This is my first visit to your attic and you have a very fine blog indeed! I shall be visiting often that is for sure. Thanks for the tour of Clifton, I haven't shopped in that part of Bristol for years and you've encouraged me to go there soon. Wonderful dolls houses and jewellery! Have a good week. Happy days to you. Denise

The sewing room said...

Hi thanks for visiting my blog its great to meet new people,you have a wonderful blog and what a great place to visit plenty to see and do i have never been to Bristol but it looks very interesting, have a great week best wishes Pat

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Amazing! You could spend DAYS there! What fun just looking at the photos was! Hope you get to go back soon!

The fabric of my life said...

Thank you for sharing your lovely day out Isabelle. I haven't been to Clifton in ages either. I used to have friends there but since they moved I haven't been back.

I hope you can come to my sale. If you are coming to Ilminster you can pick up an invitation then. Hope to see you x

Bleudelavande said...

Oh lucky girl what beautiful place where you live. Tank you for sharing it.
Kisses Mate

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Bonjour Isabelle
We share the same love of Clifton.... It is always a treat to go there and my favourite haunts are the arcade.. I love the atmosphere and the buzz of Clifton.. It is a little bit more sparky than Bath.
Of all your fine vintage finds.. I think your husband is the finest of them all! Happy Belated Birthday ..

With love
Michele x

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hi Michele,
Thanks for your lovely comment. I would definately agree with you there. By the way, you've made my husband's day!
Isabelle x

Hollypop's said...

Hi Isabelle, look on by blog there's an award for you.
Take care.
Nickyx

Julia said...

Hello!
Looks like you had a real treasure of a day!
I think the last photo did it for me - those cakes are just sublime!

Have a lovely week xxxx

BusyLizzie said...

Hi Isabelle
Having palpitations on seeing those dolls houses.. and mannequin heads.. 2 of my favourite things!
Lizzie x

Country Cottage Chic said...

Baby Alan looks rather alarmed - perhaps it was the photographer shouting "cheese"?

Clifton is always fun to visit - I love the thatched cottage style doll's house.

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Oh my goodness! What a beautiful place....thank you for taking me along on your shopping trip!...and thank you for leaving such kind words on my blog!

Stephenie said...

OMG, what amazing stuff. Your pictures are amazing. I would be in just so much trouble if I was there...I would spend way too much money. Those cupcakes look so yummy.. Love the baby picture of hubby, his facial expression is funny..
Hope you have wonderful week.
Stephenie

Carol said...

hi Suzy, this is my first visit to you and must say what a lovely blog you have. I share your love of all things vintage, especially that car with Alan perched on top!
You have some beautiful pictures on your sidebar!
Carol xxx

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Isabelle,
Lovely to see Clifton Village through your eyes!
We were there a few weeks ago, but I don't think Cleo's exciting shop was open then...I feel a trip back there may be on the cards!
That rose necklace is amazing, isn't it? - I found the same one on eBay recently, its a Michal Negrin, isn't it? Amazing price tag too!

Hope your hubby enjoyed his special day!
Niki

julie said...

Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog. It's great to get to see new people, and I love your blog. Sounds like you had a lovely weekend, and many happy returns to your hubbie. I loved the pictures of the drawings your daughter did, in your earlier post - so sweet - and such a good idea to photograph them for posterity - I've loads of 'artwork' from my son around - I think I will have to do the same. x

Unknown said...

good morn Suzy..
pop in for a visit
& feel our love
mona & the girls
we love your beautiful blog...

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

Nice to meet and welcome a new friend blogger!

Debbie Moss

SweetScarlett said...

Oh I must go and see all of these gorgeous shops! What a lovely time you must have had!
I love your pet name for your birthday boy - 'vintage' LOL! I must borrow that for my own husband - although he may need to be called, Mr. Vintage as he is more senior than Alan!
Thanks for sharing these delighful places with us!
There is a little award awaiting you on my blog . . . xxx
Maggie

Sal said...

I came to Bristol about three weeks ago and we wandered around Clifton..it's a fascinating place and I wish I'd had more time to spend, browsing. I'd love to go again soon!
Lovely pics!;-)

Anonymous said...

oh my -those cakes look wonderful , such unusual flavours. and I really like the look of that vintage jewellary shop.

Happy birthday to vintage Alan.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful day! The photos were great. Warm wishes, Esther

Beth Niquette said...

What an absolutely gorgeous blog! I enjoyed every picture. I loved walking with you along streets and visiting shops I will most likely never see in real life.

Thank you for capturing such rich and interesting photos of your trip.