It’s surprising just what life throws at us, and how it changes our thoughts and opinions on so many levels. After a weekend that was pretty miserable (with the exception of Sunday night when I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to the loveliest lady-on-the-web, Mimi) I’ve gotten over the inital stress and the dust has settled. A weight has been lifted and I feel like I can think again.

I’m even up to posting about a couple of the loveliest vintage finds! These were both bought in the same shop in Horncastle in Lincolnshire. This particular shop, called Bijou is the loveliest of shops. Part treasure-trove, part lavender-scented ladies’ glove drawer, it houses the most wonderful old finds. Victorian camisoles made of silk sit next to flapper dresses and much-loved and faded hats share space with kid-leather gloves and embroidered table-cloths. I love the smell of walking in there, not a new smell, it smells of my grandmother, and of wonderful old times.

One of the first things I bought in that shop, when I was a-courtin’ Mr. VP – all those years ago – was a French jewellery box. It’s lined with the prettiest blue silk, brass details and a little lock which has no key. I fell so in love with it I bought it with the first money I ever earnt. I think it was that shop that first made me appreciate the delicate quality of an old tablecloth, well-made enough to withstand a hundred years use.

As for the title of this post, I really do have some hazelnut buttons and a faded floral hankie (see above photos)! Mr. VP found the buttons and handed them to me whilst browsing this wonderful shop, saying how unusual they were. Of course I had to have them, and a bargain the three of them were, too – just 50p. Now I don’t know about you but I’m a consummate hankie user, but you can’t get soft, lovely hankies anymore. New ones are poly-cotton and don’t feel nice when you need to blow your nose or wipe a tear away. If you can find a decent soft one, you’re onto a winner, however tatty it may be. Thankfully that shop doesn’t do tatty, at least not with their hankies, and I came away with the prettiest floral hankie, which is as soft as silk. I’m not going to say a hankie can solve world problems, but it is awfully nice to have in your handbag.