VINTAGE FINDS from France and Belgium PART 2

I hope that your weekend turned out well. It's been a lovely weekend for us, really warm. It seems strange to think that on the other side of the world it is autumn.

We did a boot fair yesterday and managed to get rid of quite a few things. We need to do a few more boot fairs this year and then the loft will be a lot clearer.

In part 2 of "Vintage finds from France and Belgium", there is a mix of Vintage religious items, books and some Limoges.
I like vintage religious statues, pictures, rosaries, benitiers etc.. but they are harder to find over here in the England. So when in France or Belgium, I buy buy buy when I see something that I like!
Mixed in are also some items which my parents found for me.









Given to someone for their first communion in late 1800s


These books are not that old, they date from the late 70's to very early 80s. I love the book covers and confess that I bought them for that reason alone! I bought 12 books in all. I think that they are romance stories, I might read one and see if they are any good. I might be surprised.
(I have just spotted a visitor on the red & pink paisley book above... can you see it?)



I found a set of 6 pale blue Limoges teacups and saucers, really pretty


This is a special gift from my Father, a bisque Virgin Mary and a missal. Something for me to treasure.

The missal is in such good condition and the detail is wonderful to look at. It dates from the very early 1900s.



I had a lovely stay with my family and appreciate the fact that I was able to bring back so many wonderful vintage treasures.

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

VINTAGE FINDS from France and Belgium PART 1

Hello everyone!
I hope that you have all had a good week. It's been a busy one for me, plenty of catching up after having been away. My ironing is finally up to date (hooray!) and I have almost finished putting all my vintage finds away. That was quite a job as I brought back a fair bit as you will see from the photos. I decided to split the photos in two posts. Although I tend to have quite a few photos per post, I decided it would be a bit too much to have them all on today's post. In fact the photos are only a sample of what I brought back. I didn't photograph everything as some have already been stored away. Anyway, it will give you some idea of what came back home with me.

I'd like to say a BIG thank you to my parents who are a HUGE help!!! When I arrived in France, they showed me a big selection of vintage goodies they had found for me since I last visited them at Christmas. Every time they go to vide-greniers or brocantes, they look out for things which they know I like/need. ;-)

I had such fun shopping for vintage items whilst in France and Belgium! Here is a selection of things which I found and things which my parents found for me.

In need of a bit of a clean. A bit chipped around the edges but I don't mind that.





My Mother found this lovely suitcase, the lining is beautiful.







Needs to be tidied up a bit and given a fresh vintage fabric cover




Buttons galore! Soooo pleased with this selection.

I love these buttons



I found 20 metres of 1950's pink lace (top left hand corner)


An unused corset in its original box


A selection of sheets

The weekend is here at last! It looks like the good weather is back. It's been a very wet week and I have been keeping my fingers crossed for good weather on Sunday as we are doing a boot fair. Every evening this week, we have been bringing things down from the loft. We need to make some space up there. A few weeks ago someone came to have a look at our loft as we had water coming through the roof. He was amazed when he looked around, his comment was : "I have never seen a loft as full as this in all my years of going in people's lofts!" In a way I wasn't surprised, as both Alan and I are hoarders...However, we both agree that there is a lot up there which has to go.

VINTAGE FINDS from France and Belgium PART 2 will follow within the next few days

I wish you all a beautiful weekend! ;-)

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

Back from France and Belgium

You may have noticed that I have been a bit quiet on the blogging front, as in not visiting anyone of late... Well, that's because I have been away for just under two weeks. I have just returned from staying with relatives. The last couple of posts were scheduled and I was relieved to see that they worked. I checked them a couple of times at an Internet cafe in France and Belgium.

I didn't take many photos in France, too busy catching up and spending quality time with my family. However, when we visited Bruges (Belgium) I was just like a tourist, snapping away! Even though I already have a lot of photos of Bruges as I go there two or three times a year, I always enjoy taking more. I love the architecture!

I can't recommend visiting Bruges highly enough, I never tire of going there.




Although it is a popular city, you can easily find places where you can get away from the crowds. Here, we found a quiet spot and sat on a bench overlooking this view whilst eating a freshly made waffle.



Heading to the Beguinage (Begijnhof), a very peaceful place where a group of Benedictine nuns live. I go there on each of my visits, I find it a special place. The Church and Museum are worth visiting.











Alan took some photos which he photo stiched in to a panorama


Votive candle which I bought in the Beguinage shop.



On our way to the Internet cafe we found several shops selling vintage and second hand things. Unfortunately some of them were closed. I did manage to buy a few things though ;-)


Through the Kruispoort City Gates (shown above), we discovered some windmills right by a canal.



View from the first windmill, it overlooks the city centre


















Market day is a colourful affair. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to flowers, fruit & vegetables, local produce and food to eat on the go.












A visit to Bruges wouldn't be complete without going to this shop, De Ark van Zarren. It is filled with beautiful fabrics, bed linen, kitchenware, scented products, a selection of vintage items, quilts etc...

Oh dear, Alan doesn't quite look as enthusiastic about this shop as I do...





For photos of Bruges in 3d click HERE (Need to be viewed with red & cyan glasses)

Back to France...

My next post will be about some of the vintage finds which I brought back with me. The car was packed on the return journey!

Meanwhile, I have a lot of unpacking, washing and catching up with emails, blogging and comments....

A bientôt!

Isabelle X