Yum!!

Mmmmmm......how long do you think the cupcake lasted after its photo shoot?

;)

My Mantra

This is what I keep telling myself, when I cannot find a certain ribbon...the right wire....my lovely pinking shears....a simple needle....argggggg.

I cannot wait for my studio to be ready....not that I'm wishing my sister to leave... but why does buying a house take so darn long!

Birthday Girl Cocktails!

A Peartini

A Birthday weekend is never a good one without a lovely cocktail...or two!

The darling birthday girl enjoying a french Martini.

Happy Birthday darling sister!! I wish you lots of love, happiness and for all your wishes to come true in the next year.

XXX

Another tranformation...

...Well of the home decor kind!

Before

After~ TA DA!!!

It was given to me by a lovely lady, purely because I wouldn't stop asking her if I could buy it from her!! She came up to me the other day, just after I had decided to stop hassling her, and told me if I could get it out I could have it!!! Exciting!!

I think it looks fab after it's make~over... it's in our hallway waiting for my new workroom to become free.

In case you want to know the paint is Homebase Sanctuary soft feather in matt. It took just one of their tester pots at £1.79...a bargain all round!

Talking of workrooms, I packed up the nest yesterday...I was a little sad about it...but after having a lie in and painting my chest today...I'm happy again!

Happy Weekend my lovelies xxx

A Tranformative Moment...Forgiveness

Steven over at The Golden Fish is having 'A Transformative Moment' Meme. He is asking readers to tell each other about a moment that transformed you, your life, your views.

I have been thinking about this for some time...I know the moment...but do I dare to share it? Do I dare to open it up in my lovely happy blog? Then I read Titusthedogs moment...

She was my inspiration...

This piece of writing was written on a secret blog...somewhere I could express myself personally... it was my therapy.

"Can you forgive and forget? Will forgiving a person make you feel better? or is forgiveness a form of weakness?

I was in a relationship with an older man, who was at the start wonderful, things were rosy. He seemed like a fun, handsome, run of the mill type of guy. We moved in together quite quickly, and all as good. But once you scratched the surface, all was dark and worrying.

He had spent 15 years in the Army, and fought in Iraq. Seen things no-one should have to see. But like too many people who have seen war, didn't get, or was offered any help after to help him understand or cope with the horror.

He would have vivid dreams, wake covered in sweat, screaming, the pain relived in sleep. There was no escape. I tried to help, but as I have now come to understand, and with a great deal of hindsight, I could never really help. He needed to get help - He needed to want it...In simple terms the boy was messed up.

He went into the army to escape and he had been running from his problems long before I ever set eyes on him. No amount of me wanting to help him was going to make him change. He just hid behind walls of secrets and stories.

It turns out he was controlling, hurtful, but most of all he was angry. Angry with himself, angry with his life,the lies, angry that he was just like the man he despised. He didn't know when to back down, he had no control, and the anger was always present when drink was. Take away the drink and you saw a glimpse of the kind, quiet, sensitive, loving man - the man I fell in love with.

A lot happened in our relationship, most not so happy, but I hoped he would change, that I could help him change, and with time things would get better. Until you have walked in my shoes you wont begin to understand it - how love can make you blind.

Things came to an end, when my family saw and experienced the angry man lurking behind the wall. All my family saw what was going on behind closed doors. I was humiliated, and so very sad, but I knew no amounts of "sorry's" would work, and that I could never take him back. He had worn me down, but I knew I would be a fool to not see this as the moment to walk away.

It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. but I couldn't carry on being in this abusive environment. I was bombarded with calls, text messages, letters. He would follow me home from work to try and talk to me. My mobile constantly on silent because it would ring off the hook. True to form he got angry, threats were made and the police called, it was all so ugly. Then one day it stopped, it was like he vanished into the night, which to be honest is a nice way of saying that he ran away, from the pain, the heartache, off to be behind that wall again.

Even though he had put me through pain and suffering, the only way I could move on was to forgive him. If you forgive you can get over it, move on with your life. The weight lifted, the pain eased.

I understand that it was him, not me who did wrong. He was still this messed up little boy, who never got over the horror and pain of his childhood, who went on to live only more horror. I feel sorrow for that boy, sadness about his inability to accept and seek help. Therefore I forgive him. Thank him for showing me that first you must love yourself, before you can love anyone else.

So Thank you. I wish with all my heart that you are now happy. I forgive you and I understand. Thank you for teaching me this wonderful lesson; I can't change anyone but myself....... I only hope you have learnt it too. "

That was my life changing moment...I transformed...I faced the moon and thanked my lucky stars.

I need some advice

As I have told you I have been seeing some changes lately.

Life is moving on, sometimes quicker than I thought possible.

My darling sister is moving out. She is able, in the current market, to buy herself a lovely little flat by the sea...I am slightly green around the edges, but more happy for her than green!

This means that I have a lovely, light and bright room which has Vintage Magpie written all over it. This is where the change comes in. Due to this The Nest in Lewes is having to be packed up and yet again moved back into my flat, which if you remember I, only 6 months ago, moved out of said flat!! Who says life should be easy....or as my Ma says ....it would be boring if it was easy!

So my days of making pretty window displays are again put on hold!

But to be honest, I'm looking forward it immensely. Plus me and The Wonderful Dutchman get a huge big bedroom...Oh the joy...a bed we can walk around!! Bliss.

So as my personal life is having a move about, Vintage Magpie is following closely behind. Which in true Emma Style...got me thinking....

...I need some advice....from you my blogger friends...I hope you can help me out.

I want to test the waters with an idea I have...

... What would you think if I offered a 'DIY bride silk bouquet' 1 to 2 day course...would anyone be interested?

I feel I would love to help those brides out who maybe want to make their own bouquet have all the vintage goodies, but are unsure on how to do it.

This is not a course designed for people who, like others, are trying to...COPY! But one to help and guide a bride through a totally satisfying process, one which will see her making a unique item for her day.

I really want to share my knowledge and skills with others, and to be able to give a Bride a smile on her face knowing she has made her own, beautiful, and personal bouquet. Something she can be proud of...and that has an even more wonderful story to it.

I really would love to know what you think of this idea. I would love for everyone to comment on this post...you don't have to have a blog...you can do it anonymously, with just an email address...so nothing should be stopping you!!

I really appreciate your words, and input. Thank you so much for your help. xxx

A Spoonful of Sparkle, makes for a Happy Bride!

This bouquet, has a bundle of family pieces in it, a spoonful of crystal, a measure of pearls and heap of silk....do you like the recipe?


It is simple yet so stunning...it has a gorgeous dress to contend with...but I think they will both shine....but the brightest star will be the bride, as it always should be.

Do you see the super lovely vintage map bunting? It will be over the big, big sea, as I write! I wish I was with it!

Enjoy Stacey...I really cannot wait to see the photos! xxx

Etsy Parcels...

I'm a very happy girl. Vintage Magpie has had its first sale on Etsy!!

I sold my super cute Vintage heart treasure map bunting.... and my sea~shore vintage map bunting....YAY!!

They are flying over the big ocean to look gorgeous in California!! Lucky them!

P.S there will be more of this bunting on Etsy very soon.

Thank you

What a lucky girl I am to have such a lovely email waiting for me the other day!

I just wanted to say a massive thank you for my absolutely gorgeous, totally unique bridal bouquet . . . I loved it and it made me feel a million dollars on the day and was worth every penny!

My friends and family all thought it was gorgeous and very unusual and it was certainly a talking point!

I gave you a very vague brief as to what it was I wanted and you designed a perfect bouquet for me, so thank you, thank you and thank you again!! You are one very talented lady!

I've just had a quick look at your blog actually and I saw my bouquet on there and it made me feel very happy - and strangely proud! You'd actually uploaded it on the very day that we got married . . . you must have known!

We had a such a magical day and it's lovely that I still have my bouquet to remind me of the best day of my life so far.

And look at that gorgeous wedding car...a white Fiat 500.... ohhh I just adore them so much!

Thank you Kay for your lovely email, it was a pleasure to help create something for your special day.

Her photos were by Patrick Photographer ~ thank you.

Blushing Peony Pinks

This is a soft, dreamy and romantic Vintage Magpie bouquet...her bridesmaids are having the most glorious summer bouquets, peonies, roses, hydrangea's...hence her colour choice....I think her Vintage Magpie bouquet will out sparkle them, but then again I possibly think that was the idea!

Enjoy Seet xxx

Changes...

Do you ever get the feeling that ideas, and inspiration comes in waves? Sometimes I find my brain runs away with me... and then I get excited and want to tell you lovely bloggers everything...but then the reality hits... maybe I need to work this out before I go promising something I cannot deliver.

There are a few things that are changing around here...its exciting...but I'm not quite ready to tell you.... will you be patient with me? Will you wait with baited breath?

I know...it's like Christmas... do you ever want to give a gift early...see their face...'I hope you like it!'

A strange place for wisdom

"the appearance of your flesh wont affect the treasure of the spirit, but the spiritual status will affect the destiny of your whole body".

Written on a beach cafe wall...there was more, but this one was the best...

this is the reason I love living in Brighton. Someone has felt so strongly about something that they wanted to put it out there to all the Sunday strollers... It was my church service via a wall..... It made me think.... isn't that what life is about?

Start speading the news.....

...I got a surprise today. Reading my blog comments I got a from Jen who photographed Kindal and Bo's wedding over in the USA.

She has had one of her photos, of one of my bouquet published in 'Well Wed' magazine New York issue!!!

So exciting.... go to her blog to take a peak....

I would love some more gorgeous couples like Kindal and Bo...they were super cool, lovely, kind, and sweet.