What to listen to?

Vintage Magpie has a dilemma... Should I listen to my heart or my head?



This is something I always ponder. My heart talks to me so softly it is sometimes drowned out by my over cautious head.



A decision needs to be made. Is it better to tread gently or go running into a future idea, which may or may not work to help VM's success? I hate to listen to the hype and constant scary news about money and business...but its playing on my mind.



Is a risk always worth it, even if you just end up learning a lesson in how not to do something?



Can it work, even in these tough times?



All I know is that my head hurts with all the options and ideas...



I think a Gin & Tonic is needed!

The wonderful Dutch man told me he thought his 'Sweetpea' needed these... be still my beating heart! I wish I could share the scent with you, it is beautiful.

Double Dutch

We have the wonderful dutch man's sister over from Holland for a visit at the moment.

She came bearing gifts.... this is an attempt to help me learn Dutch....

It is my aim to learn, but it is such a tough language. I have been reading Li Li M's blog, and I asked for some advice. She told me I should start with children's books. So it was a lovely surprise to be given these!

So wish me luck!

A week since Valentines Day and my ranunculus are still stunning. What a lucky girl I am!

Have a sunny weekend. xxx

Happy St Valentines Day!!

Oh what a lovely surprise I got this morning.....




The Wonderful Dutch man is a florist, and to be honest, I should have expected flowers, but I really didn't!!

Then these beauty's turned up... need I say any more? Utterly gorgeous.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

I hope you all had wonderful surprises awaiting you today. If not; go and treat yourself, spring flowers can only make you smile! xxx

A delight in Mink

Vintage Magpie has designs some new and totally gorgeous 'ready to wear' bouquets!


These bouquets are designed so that brides who have a limited budget or time scale can still have a little bit of Vintage Magpie style on their special day.

They are not bespoke, so cannot be changed or added to. They will be in a traditional colour schemes, white, ivory, and still have the trademark vintage crystal, faux pearls, silk and vintage buttons, etc. If you have fallen in love with one of these bouquet, they wont be around for long. So feel free to email me and reserve.

This Delight in Mink is £125, and is tradition hand-tied shape, without a drop.

I will have more to show you soon. So keep watching this blog.

Upcycling and drain driving

Wikipedia says..."Upcycling is a component of sustainability in which waste materials are used to provide new products. It is generally a reinvestment in the environment. "Upcycling is the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value."

I think this 'new' word shows just how far we are coming in the world of recycling. Like my Eco-Warrior friend, I have a hoarding habit, and never throw anything away. A trait I have discovered that my Dad has also. Having to move him into a new house last week, I now understand who I get it from!

But saying that, a few of his junk items I could have used yesterday, when I found that one of our drains was blocked and the water level was rising rather rapidly. We have an enclosed drain and the only way to get to it is through a window in the kitchen. The water was about 2 foot away from the window still.... and I could see it rising with the horrid rain...

Panic....Panic...Panic!!

I tried everything to unblock the drain, but couldn't remember exactly where the drain was!! frantically trying not to break my neck in the process, I has a long umbrella, a broom, and my bread bin holding the window open.... it was at this moment I wished I had dads galoshes, his long steel, heavy spike. The need to unblock this filthy drain was very high on my to-do list!

But the equipment was nowhere to be seen.

Drain driving was not an option... but would have been with Dads faithful galoshes!!

The call was made to my Wonderful Dutch Man. With me holding his legs while he dangled himself out of the window. He managed to poke and prod, and save the day! He is my Hero!!

We hoard things for a reason, and Dads words echoed in my ears "you never know when it will come in useful".

So I have to thank my Dad, if I didn't have his trait Vintage Magpie, might not of happened.

Remember if you have items that are tucked away in a drawer, broken, unused. Vintage Magpie can use them, making your bouquet more personal, and cheaper in the process!

Re-Use, Recycle, Re-Make. xxx

The silence of snow

I woke early today, and the silence hit me, Snow was my first thought.....

I was right!

There is nothing like the sound of a dusting of snow under your foot. Even better though, as I was drinking my morning cup of tea, standing outside taking some photos, the starlings were twisting and turning over head.... a true delight.... the noise they make is something I cannot describe... but it was magical.... they swooped low as if to say 'Morning Ems' then disappeared....

I hope the snow doesn't ruin your day, remember it's magic, take time to look at the beauty it creates all around you.