of cabbages, kings and lots of pretty things

Whilst tripping through the charming streets of Stoke Newington in North London last Sunday, what should I see but a sign for arts and craft fair- well a girl doesn't need asking twice and we snuck in smartish.
Organised by the owners of a shop called Of Cabbages and Kings, they host a monthly market at Abney Hall, Stoke Newington Church street, showcasing everything from vintage style knickers made from silk scarves, fabulously eccentric illustrations, little birds made from London clay, children's picture books to jewelry and decorative things essential to a pretty home.

Amongst my favourite spots were canvas bags by Doje especially the one with this print on it. I think Lina and I could be eligible for the Victoria Park tea ladies society, don't you? You can also buy their bags and prints here. Love the clever use of pen and ink illustration with a twist!

The chap and I were particularly tickled by this bag, the invented Hackney Guild of Taxidermists, compete with motto and emblematic zebras and owls!

At the next table were some great birdy items from Eskil Design, chopping boards, trays and also cute weather brooches, like this thunderstruck one- very 70's weather map!

She has an online shop too.
My wish list was growing with every step- a gorgeous hand painted bird box from London Clay Birds, and one of the smooth little birdies,made as the name suggests from that heavy clay found in all of London gardens, to perch on my windowsill. How about that for giving someone a piece of London? Have a peek at their folksy shop

More tweeting objects were oohed over at Heart Zeena's very pretty table. Supersweet textiles and illustrations with a folk art feel.
Teatowel too pretty to use and fab screen printed cushions found on etsy and folksy

An apple a day and this one is a cushion called fred!

There were lampshades covered in vintage fabric by Midnight-Bell  and the cutest sleeping sets from Sannapanda complete with fuzzy feltie hot water bottles, closed eye sleep masks and, something I have been searching for, ear plugs with tassles! Just like in Breakfast at Tiffany! Have a peek here.

And By Louise was one of my most favourite stands as she creates brooches, rings and pendants from pieces of vintage china, you can imagine how much I loved that. I was very taken with a bee design but had not a penny to rub together having cleared my purse out at the boot fair that morning.
(picture taken from Louise's flickr set)
And have a look at Trompe L'oeil on facebook for pictures of the silk shorts/knickers I was coveting.  Made from vintage scarves, totally pin up and perfect for posing in!

You can see who else was there on the Of Cabbages and Kings website.

The next market will be on 10th and 11th of June, highly recommended and there are tons of vintage clothes shops and delish cafes nearby to keep you happy.

Tootle pip!

One fine day

Haven't you been in raptures with the burst of pink cherry blossom lining the street this last week? Clouds of pink and the breeze carrying confetti.
A few days ago I  discovered a perfect spot for a cherry blossom tea party under an arbour of three trees whose branches filled the sky and we have some gorgeous photos to share with you very soon. It was gasp-makingly beautiful!

I thought I would dig out some of my favourite vintage cherry blossom finds.
This vintage tea set is by JG Meakin and is decorated with pink blossom and birds, mountains and bridges.

The design is called One Fine Day, after the aria from Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, which was set in Japan and written when the obsession with Japanese and Exoticism was at it's height. Have a listen, it's such a romantic pieces of music.

This influence is apparent in the design and dates from the 1950's, the curved cherry blossom branches sweep gracefully round the curve of the plates and saucers, and the oval sandwich plate and shape of the milk jug are so distinctive.

There are even two birds inside the cup and  swooping off the edge. Love a teacup with birds, don't you?

I've been filling pots and window boxes with these pretty violas, and they are the perfect size for popping on cupcakes!

This Cherry blossom watercolour is one of my favourite finds, found at a car boot fair a couple of years ago, it still has the date it was framed on the back- 1945 in a printing shop in Dartford.

Enjoy the blossom, our wedding present cherry tree is fading fast. In a few days all we'll have left is the pink petal snow.