Greenock Sunrise

I was up and out early this morning and managed to get a few photographs of the sunrise.

Hope you like them.

Love, Liz

Red Queen

Have you noticed that postage stamp images are on everything at the moment - fabric, wrapping paper, greetings cards to name a few.  I recently saw a cushion with a stamp image on it.  The image of Queen Elizabeth is everywhere!

Had a look through a few stamps to see what I could find for Rednesday.

Absolutely love these old Australian ones - especially the first one - it looks so ... perfect!

Canadian postage stamp of Queen Elizabeth, not sure what the symbol in the top left hand corner is.

Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

Perhaps these are more orange than red.  Love the Scottish version with the lion.

Love, Liz

Doors Open Day - Bridgeton Heritage Trail

I absolutely love Doors Open Days.  This year a friend and I decided to go on the Bridgeton Heritage Trail in Glasgow.  It was absolutely fantastic - not just for the wonderful architecture, but also for the marvellous insight into life in Bridgeton in the past.  Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic which made the tour even more enjoyable.  Bridgeton is to the east of Glasgow Green.

Here are some highlights.  This is the fountain erected in memory of Bailie (Scottish civic office) James Martin in 1894.  Looks like lace, doesn't it - amazing workmanship!

This building is absolutely amazing and I'm glad it was such a beautiful day for taking photographs.  It was built as a private residence for a mill owner in 1846.  In 1859 it was converted to a school with money from Glasgow merchant James Buchanan.  Named the Buchanan Institute for Education and Industrial Training, it took in destitute boys and gave them the chance of a better future.

The pediment was added in 1873.  Wonder how many boys benefited from this establishment.

Right next to this is the former Logan & Johnston School of Domestic Economy (1890).  Love this sculpture of a beehive - symbol of industry.

Great sculpture on Bridgeton Public Library - still in use today.  In fact, on our tour was a woman who had worked there years ago then left for America.  She was visiting for the first time in ages.  Think it was quite an emotional tour for her.

Perhaps one of the most famous landmarks of the area is the Bridgeton Cross Shelter, or the Bridgeton Umbrella as it is more commonly called.  It really is quite striking. 

The area seems to be undergoing a bit of a facelift.  Its very encouraging when councils recognise the importance of their heritage and ensure that it is saved to be passed on to future generations.

That, I think, is one of the most important aspects of Doors Open Day - local people exploring and revisiting what is on their doorstep and learning to appreciate it through the efforts of local heritage groups and volunteers.



Let Glasgow Flourish



You can actually follow the Bridgeton Heritage Trail on the Glasgow City Council website.  There's lots of other interesting articles there too.

Love, Liz

Roslyn Tea

Have a look at the lovely tea set I found in a charity shop this week.  I think that it is so pretty.

It has been very well used, which to me just adds to its charm, because it means that it hasn't been sitting in a china cabinet or at the back of a cupboard.

I like to think that it was some lovely old lady's everyday china.  Sentimental - I know, but I occasionally like to make up little histories for my favourite finds.  Does anyone else do that?

I asked the lady in the charity shop if I could collect it the next day, as I had shopping to do.  When I eventually opened the package to wash the dishes I discovered a wee added bonus.

One of the saucers didn't match - but it was this beautiful Roslyn China Azalea pattern saucer.  Somehow it just added to the tea set's charm.

This tea set if my first find for ages!  The charity shop shelves have been a bit sparse and over-priced recently.  Hopefully things are now improving.

Love, Liz

I'm linking with Sophie at Her Library Adventures for Flea Market Finds.

Martha for Tea Cup Tuesday

Terri at Artful Affirmations

Early Australia

I found this old atlas from the 50s in a charity shop.  I love the colours in these old maps.

Recently I read Sara Dane by Catherine Gaskin.  It is supposed to be a romantic novel about Sara, who is sentenced to be transported to Australia.  It details her romantic adventures, but what I found more interesting was the descriptions of early settler life in Australia.

I also learned that William Blyth, of Bounty fame, was appointed Governor of New South Wales in 1805.  A bit of research shows that he also managed, after the mutiny, to navigate successfully for 47 days to reach Timor with the loss of only one man!  They had only been provided with the bare necessities in supplies.  He had also sailed with Captain Cook to the Pacific in 1776.  You can read about his amazing life here.

Sara Dane is worth a read, it is quite gentle as far as romance is concerned, but good on Australia's early days - I actually learned quite a lot and it made me go and investigate further!

Love, Liz

Viva Biba!

BIBA - perhaps one of the most iconic fashion looks

of the 60s and early 70s.

All these pictures are from the October 1973 edition of 19 Magazine which I wrote about yesterday.

Biba's founders were Barbara Hulanicki and her husband Stephen Fitz-Simon.  Barbara started designing for the mail order business and rapidly became very popular. 

Click on pic to enlarge and have a look at the prices!

They opened a small boutique and called it Biba.  Unusual for its time, it was painted black and contained vintage items used for display, mood lighting, music - all the sorts of things we are used to now.  This was unusual in a time when most boutiques tried to be as "modern" (plastic) as possible.

The company grew rapidly and the Dorothy Perkins group put money into the expansion.  At the peak of its popularity, Biba took over the old Derry & Toms department store on Kensington High Street and expanded into home ware and children's wear - becoming a lifestyle brand.

Kitsch!?!?

Unfortunately, due to financial problems, the store closed in 1975. 

Recently, House of Fraser have re-introduced the brand.  I had a look at their website and the look is still as distinctive as it was in this 1973 edition of 19 Magazine!

For more information, and pictures of Biba's fantastic "vintage" clothing - there is a good website called The Biba Collection.

I'd be interested to know if any of you have found Biba items while out thrifting!

Love, Liz

Remember 19 Magazine?

Do any of you remember 19 Magazine from the 70s?

I found an old copy from October 1973 and spend ages reading through it - what a nostalgia-fest!

Loving those "trendy trousers"!

Look at some of the prices!

I actually had this jacket in cream - it was so warm and cosy, I kept it for years!

Had this hairdryer too!  I remember in the days before we had central heating I used to put the hairdryer on and put the hose under the covers of my bed to heat it up!  My mother would have had a fit if she had known!!!!!! 

Great frilly apron!

Something for you Pyrex girls!

Great illustrations.

Wonder what I did with the free animal buttons ...?

As you can see from the cover there was a special Biba fashion article, but I'll post those pics tomorrow - they are incredible!

Love, Liz