Suzy's Blog

Tinsel and Turkey

Having survived Christmas,

Well not quite Christmas , but this was Christmas Eve at home , glass of wine and a log fire

 I'm now in the recovery period, and whilst I wouldn't go so far as to use the word 'fast', I am certainly trying to resist the last of the trifle, chocolates and mince pies....(sooooo hard!)
All in all Christmas with my parents wasn't too bad, apart from Dad losing his hearing aid battery and trying to train the cat to sit, (he's more a dog person, my Dad!)...We even managed a boxing day walk around Matlock, although we missed seeing the raft race, because I got the time wrong!...
Talking of walks, I enjoyed a lovely refreshing day out at Chatsworth today with the dogs, they loved getting wet and muddy.

With the fantastic Chatsworth House in the background and the equally beautiful Bru with me

And from one Blast From The Past to another , if you see what I mean !

Looking forward to new year now. A nice relaxing quiet one for me this year, I think.
A happy, prosperous and healthy 2013 to everyone...
Sue x

Suzy's Blog

Christmas panic and bathroom disasters....

Well, Christmas and the big holiday is almost here and I'm trying desperately not to panic.  It's all turning out to be last minute again, just like last year and, come to think of it, the year before that, and all previous years.  In my defence, I have to say this time it's not all my fault, the blame definitely lies with a bathroom....It all started several weeks ago when I rather rashly insisted my parents stay with me for Christmas, despite the guest bathroom being short of a few essentials, (namely a loo, washbasin and shower).  Not to worry, I thought, full of optimism, I'll soon get it fixed, and in less than a week...course I will!!.....And guess what, I did!, I'm not saying it was without problems, the plumber shouting down for a bucket and towels was a low point, not to mention the expense, ouch!! and probably the most serious of all, running out of time for my hair appointment, (a do it yourself fringe cut is not a good look for Christmas!).
Any way here I am, a couple of days left to sort my self out, relax and, best of all, ENJOY!...Crikey, I'm even starting to look forward to it, especially starting on the bubbly at 10 am on Christmas day, which somehow seems perfectly normal!, (Christmas does have its good points)...

Talking of Christmas !

And every girl needs a little black dress at Christmas .....so with that in mind a little Christmas present ....

And of course a little Christmas past ........

Have a wonderful time everyone...
X

Suzy's Blog

Hi from a chilly Derbyshire,
Well it's all log fires and snow showers here, very seasonal and festive, Christmassy even!, There I've mentioned it, the dreaded word, CHRISTMAS!!..I'm trying desperately to ignore it all, in the vain hope it might pass me by, (I know, bah humbug and all that!) If only for the sake of my bank balance. After all, it's only just recovered from last year, but no, here we go again...
It sort of all started last weekend with the ' Victorian Christmas Shopping' event.  A festive experience of shop assistants in full Victorian costumes handing out complimentary glasses of mulled wine and mince pies, (I have to admit to a fondness for both!)
all very nice, but if it were a true victorian Christmas, then it would be an apple or an orange and very little else.
Anyway, enough of all this, I'm sure, come next week I'll be in the thick of it and (hopefully) enjoying every festive minute, even the dreaded supermarket shop!..(well maybe that's a step too far!)..
Talking of steps, needless to say I'm hoping for shoes in every colour from Mr Santa, (baby!) or failing that a few diamonds might be nice! Ummm! (Whoever said girls were difficult to buy for clearly had no idea and was probably male!)
Hoping to meet up with a few rather neglected girlfriends soon, I'm desperate to catch up on all the gossip. Rumour has it that my newly single friend has found luuurv, (the real thing this time apparently)....Poor bloke, unknown to him she's already arranged for us all to meet, and at his place naturally! (a house she's yet to visit herself but of course has already googled!)...I almost feel sorry for him!..
Well to come back to the beginning, I feel quite pleased with myself, in true country wench style, I foraged in the woods for some logs for the fire, (well kindling actually), laid them nicely on the hearth to dry and guess what!....the dog thought I'd brought the woods home for him and wee'd on them!..Great!!
Talking of dogs ....on a visit to the beautiful Felley Priory, A fave haunt of mine I met the most gorgeous male ....all four legs and fur and a wet nose ! What more could a girl ask for .....apart from the fact he is soooo Grumpy....Well you can't have everything ....Meet Mr Grumps

See I said he was beautiful !!
And whilst I was there I managed a quick snap ,

And I know you enjoy a Blast From The Past so here goes ....

Taken in Sweden , thank goodness for warm studios ( occasionally )
OK , well bye for now and happy Christmas shopping


Sue x

Suzy's Blog

Chimney sweeps and Sing Something Simple....

It's only 1230 pm and I'm feeling like an afternoon nap is called for.  My morning started at an unreasonably early hour, 730 am and there I was awaiting the arrival of the man formerly known as the Chimney Sweep, (he's now a Chimney Technician, apparently.)
Anyway apart from the job title and the acquisition of an assistant, (I shudder to think what's expected of him, he is rather small after all!) nothing much has changed, a flurry of activity,brushes everywhere, several cups of tea. Then the grand finale!....an invitation/command to 'go outside and look at the brush sticking out of the chimney', (why?!)....It's pouring with rain and here I am standing in the garden not knowing what he's expecting, from me, a round of applause? Clapping? Cheering? Jumping up and down with excitement?.....After a few minutes I decide on a rather unenthusiastic 'um erm, it's there!' and head back indoors...A few minutes later, it's all done and he's heading off in his van, (fully liveried with website details and the words 'follow me on twitter', emblazoned in bright letters!) Ancient meets modern, I guess!
All this made me feel quite nostalgic, I remember my Grandad, a miner all his life and quite an expert on chimneys, always cleaned his own, (Awww, Bless!) Another nostalgic moment was when I read something about Sunday Radio and how dire it was back in the 'good old days', before tv.  How right they are. I remember vividly, (but not fondly) my Mum uttering the words guaranteed to sink me into gloom, 'It's time for Sing Something Simple'....Please, No, I'm depressed enough, already, It's Sunday evening, nothing but school in the morning to look forward to, anything but S. S. S!......Even Jimmy Clitheroe!! Those were the days, eh!!
Talking of old things, I have spent most of this week at my concession in the local antique centre, I now have all the stock arranged perfectly, (a bit like home from home!).. Slightly worried about  'child in sweet shop' syndrome though, so, sell, sell, sell not buy, buy, buy, has to be my new mantra!!...
Anyway enough of all things old and dusty, I'm looking forward  to a spot of shopping for some nice shiny new things, like shoes.....Now have I mentioned shoes recently? ... If not I'll mention them again, shoes!!...My Mum even says my first word was.....Yes, you guessed it Shoes!...

Thought I might start with a Blast from The Past as I was discussing all things antique !! errr I heard that !

And a new one !! and before you start , no lady driver jokes  !!

I'm working on a Christmas picture , all tinsels and bells ....but until then ...

Cheers .......have a lovely day .
Well that's about it for this week....Soon be Christmas, then Easter, then summer....Yippee!...
Bye for now....x

Suzy's blog

As I'm still still trying to get to grips with my new phone, (note to self, avoid phones cleverer tham me in future) I have decided to keep this blog short and sweet...Not a bad idea as this is my third attemp at writing this, the first two were accidentally deleted just as I got to the last paragraph....(a few unprintable words were flying about I can tell you!)
Anyway, what I'd like to say is how relaxing June has been so far, (apart from aforementioned phone) compared to a hectic May.  Plenty of time to catch up on a few things  that I've been putting off, new window display at C&C, a bit of buying and a revamp of my website, maybe even a you tube channel,  (blimey, sound and vision..eeek!)  So lots of things to get stuck into.
Hope you like the two recent photos,  no cartoon this time, a bit too much for my basic grasp of this phone..
Well I seem to have made it to the last paragraph again...Try to press the right key this time...Here goes!!!
Sue x
...

Suzy's Blog

Hello again,What a frustrating time ....No broadband !, so apologies for not being around for a week or so . Anyway with the trials and tribulations of that now sorted I  can get on with things , and one thing in particular my Blog !    Recently  has been all about Page 3, starting on a very sad note with the death of Beverley Goodway, the Sun's Page 3 photographer. Beverley was, without doubt as important to the image of Page 3 as the model. A lovely and immensely popular person, he was highly regarded, very kind and a true gentleman...All the models loved him. At about the same time yet another debate has been raging as to whether the concept of our 'national institution' is relevant in today's society. Two ladies, (it always seems to be the female of our species who hold such high opinions on the subject) battle it out on breakfast television with the same old arguments back and forth whilst the presenter tries desperately to appear interested. It is even gaining momentum overseas. I myself have even been invited by a Canadian publication to 'share my thoughts'. This I find to be reminiscent of the spats we had with Claire Short back in the 80's. Oh happy days!... Talking of happy days, I haven't enjoyed many of those this last week, more like frustrating days, what with dropping car keys down a grate, (the only grate in the entire car park incidentally) and having to be rescued, and then on dog walk I was, quite literally, dragged through a hedge backwards, (best not dwell on that one!).. I have decided that my dogs, bless 'em, are to blame for my need for physio. I attended my first session recently and whilst completing the medical questionnaire, couldn't help smiling at one of the questions....'Are you pregnant (ladies only)'......Now I know we've made fantastic medical advances, but..... I was of the opinion that 'fantastic advances' had also been made in the world of communication, (warning, rant alert!) but clearly was wrong. Having moved house recently, I am having to wait till mid December for a broadband connection...grrrrrr!! I find myself spending far too much time in places like Costafortune trying to catch up. If I see many more floating leaves looking at me from my coffee cup, think I'll go mad!!...Oh, and just for the record I think the recent tv ads for Costa are absolutely bizarre. Someone somewhere must have had one too many flat whites when they dreamt those up....Tea anyone!!... Well it's a lovely sunny day here, so I guess it's time to get out there...Come on dogs let's get going.....No hedges, though, please!!
Now , I have no idea of his name , but he was so handsome and very aloof ! But I simply couldn't help saying hello , I couldn't imagine for one minute this one dragging me through a hedge .....take note my two !

Looking forward to my next trip to The Felley to say hi again.....That is if he decides to say hello back !
Now my passion for antiques and all things vintage is only exceeded by my love of animals ( even if like this one they do run the other way ) and have spent much of this week getting my new shop ready ....very exciting .Note to self though ....sell more than you buy !
Here I am putting a few finishing touches to it .....

And continuing with the vintage theme erhum ....This is a Blast From The Past , taken in New York .....I wonder if I still have those ear rings, necklace  and gloves  .....I know just the shop for them ! Although I don't think I will be modelling them like this .....oh spoilsport I hear you say !

Bye For Now , Sue X

Suzy's Blog

Hi everyone,
It's me again ...
I have to start with an update on the weather, yes I know it's boring but it's what we brits do, (unless of course you happen to live in a fabulously sunny climate!) All I will say on the subject is today is a 'two brolly day'....Enough said, I think!
Well it's been a funny old week, I've stood an antique fair where, sadly, as expected, I bought more than I sold, but then a girl can never have too many vintage handbags.  Can she!?... I've enjoyed a 'relaxing spa day' ( not as healthy as it should have been, due to an  over generous lunch) And last but not least, rather ambitiously, tackled a spot of long overdue painting and decorating at home, (note to self, next time hire a professional)...
Talking of shopping, which I wasn't really, but my mind sort of wandered in that direction, I'm a teeny bit concerned about the amount of time I seem to be spending in Tesco.  I really need to organise my grocery needs a little more effectively!....Anyway food shopping can be quite entertaining, as I discovered whilst perusing the wine aisles recently.  I spotted a rather gorgeous looking man with sexy long dark hair in the midst of a heated exchange of words with a formidable looking 'lady of a certain age', who was determined to have the last word...'Young man', she exclaimed loudly, 'Might I suggest you get a haircut!'.....'Madam', he retorted 'Might I suggest you get a balaclava'!....Priceless!!
Sadly, although I have been 'loitering with intent' along the wine aisle hoping to catch a glimpse, I have yet to see him again....
I have to finish on the subject of horse racing, something I know nothing about, but I am absolutely smitten by Frankel and, of course, his half brother Bullet Train.....I want to kidnap these two!...But I'm informed he will have a fantastic retirement ...
Well....did the clocks going backwards catch you out .....if you have dogs like mine , they pay no attention to the clocks going back.....6am they dive bombed me .....oh well , you have to love them .

Now , its nearly Poppy Time something I am always very proud to wear ....Here I am in Cyprus on an official visit to meet the Dragoon Guards. So , if you have not as yet bought your poppy , then go out and get one !!
Well Cyprus takes me back and with that in mind here is a Blast From The Past

Has anyone seen the New Bond film yet ....I'm very keen to see it. I was more of a Piers Brosnan fan, but I must say Daniel Craig is a great Bond.
This was Page 3s Bond day pic , I think supporting Die Another Day

And right up to date with this one ...

Have a lovely week .....Bye for now

Sue XX

Suzy's Attic

Hello again from a very rainy and cold Nottingham.....Autumn is clearly here , in fact after venturing out today I think winter is upon us.Muddy walks with the dogs, although splashing puddles is still great fun, me not them ! Made all the worse by the column I write for SpainLinked. Which reminds me of sunshine and Sangria . But, I really enjoy the writing ....Liz Jones watch out !!

Talking of sunshine 

This is a blast from the Past but taken on a modelling trip for German Lui magazine in Kenya .Scorching weather , not sure about the fashion ! 

Now believe it or not I have a favourite poem .....This is it

When I am an old woman i shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go , and doesn't suit me
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals , and say we have no money for butter
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other peoples gardens
And learn to spit

.....Now there are 3 more verses, I shall save those for another time.....but here I am practicing in purple 

One more maybe ?  

Suzy's Attic

Spent some time at the beautiful Felley Priory , once  favoured by Lord Byron , or at least the owners daughter was !

Not sure if Byron courted Augusta around the gardens here , but they are pretty sensational 

I dont think Tarrantino has anything to worry about just yet , so how about a shot taken last night just prior to meeting some friends out for dinner....

I am getting some stock together for an antique fair next month which should be fun......as long as I sell more than I buy !!

So with all things historic in mind .................heres a Blast From The Past !

Was very proud to be the official pin up of the Royal Engineers and The Dragoon Guards and visited them in  Germany and Cyprus ....amazing memories and here I am on one of my visits .

Suzy's Attic

What a busy week ! have spent a lot of time at the auctions and talking to antique collectors . Still managed to have lots of fun with my dogs and a lovely meal out at my local Italian .

And keeping up with The Blast From The Past theme ...

And heres a variation on a Harrold Robbins book cover

Suzy's Attic

Rain ! Well I thought I'd start with the word on every ones lips and lots of it . I hope everyone has avoided it as best they can. Future fashion accessories will be what can you wear with your wellies and matching brolly !
Anyway , back to The Attic ....

This is a beautiful cup and saucer dated to around 1820 , painted in the Church Gresley Pattern on French porcelain. Very rare indeed ...

And dated from slightly earlier is this beautiful piece of Paris Porcelain , part of a set .

And from the turn of the twentieth century is this unusual bird in a gilded cage .

Thank you for the lovely feedback re my Blasts From The Past ....here is  another . Taken  in New York , I hope you like !

I agree I'm not likely to get an Oscar as yet !! but this is another slightly longer video , taken at the beautiful Beauvale Priory during a medieval weekend

Suzy's Attic

Well the summer appears to be over and autumn is on its way , which will mean a return to woollies and coats ....It only seems yesterday that I put them away .

Well to remind me of the summer here is a very short video taken recently on a glorious day . ( this is a first at posting at video so if it works I can try some more )

And continuing with the theme of A Blast From The Past

Taken on an equally glorious day in India

Suzy's Attic

Well, no Attic would be complete without a china cabinet ....

and this is mine .....full of Swansea , Pinxton , Flight Barr, 3 Star , Mansfield etc....so any Porcelain collectors out there .....let me know what you like ...

And  heres a Blast From The Past ....taken in Sweden 

And ....hopefully not the end of the summer .....but taken today ..

Suzy's Attic

Welcome to the first of a new blog or rather a blog a shop and some pictures old and new !! ...so really combining everything .
For as long as I can remember I have been an avid antiques collector and although the idea was to buy and sell ....I seldom did .....
But , after selling some items recently and helping a friend re design the interior of their property and source some furniture .....I thought this is fun and something I really enjoy doing .

So welcome to Suzy's Attic . Should you like an item or wish me to source something for you  just let me know.

Have so far taken 2 orders for this beautiful  Suzy Chair ...available in a variety of colours and as you can see , looks beautiful .

This is an absolutely beautiful Victorian mahogany writing desk ....If you are going to write your memoirs or your love letters , then write at something as stunning as this

Heres a new one .....catching I hope not the last of the summer sunshine ....

And for the Blast from the Past .......taken in Malmo

....
I hope you will Suzy's attic. I will update as regularly as I can , with new items , new design stories and lots of pictures .....enjoy x

Suzy's Blog

Really busy week buying and selling stuff , which as well as being tiring has been great fun . Here I am sat on one of those purchases a pair of gorgeous sofas .Which just might have re-kindled my passion for Antique buying and selling .

A Blast From The Past .....from the page 3 days !

So with the buying and selling bug back .....you just might might see a few new ideas and changes here on the blog .......watch this space as they say !

Suzy's Blog

Just been for my 3rd ! test drive of the day...had tyres kicked, engine revved , top und and down and no sale as yet !! on a plus point bought a new dress and found an antique bedroom set .

And another Blast From The Past from India

Suzy's Blog

Swimming today, apparently I should do a length for every year  ...!!!! Yeah right, I'm not sure I am that fit. But , I will keep at it and maybe I will achieve that soon.

And again continuing with The Blast From The Past theme.....this is quite unusual as it was not used for the actual Vladivar Calendar ...an out take ....!

Suzy's Blog

Managed to catch some sunshine today, am so hoping this is an Indian Summer . Looking forward to a nice Champagne dinner

And continuing with the Blast From The Past picture .....this one appeared on the much sought after Crossbow Calendar. The shot was taken at Donnington track . The Crossbow calendars featured two or three page 3 girls of the time and now command very high prices .

Suzy's Blog

A glorious day , so top down ( on the car) and a drive in the country for lunch .

And in contrast A 3 views for the price of one !! Blast from the Past , shot by Beverly Goodway for Page 3 mid 1980s