CELEBRATIONS ~ Halloween

We like to celebrate the seasons and Autumn and Winter are our favourites. Living in the countryside we are subject to the vagrancies of nature and the weather. Our thoughts go out to all in America who are currently suffering due to Hurricane Sandy. May you stay safe, warm and with friends and family.

The Emporium has some lovely Halloween decorations, we quite like these pumpkins and spooky plates.

Halloween goodies at The Emporium, Hungerford.

It has turned quite cold and rain is forecast but we do hope that it is calm enough for the little ghosts, witches and devils to come trick or treating in our village. We have made a Halloween wreath from the garden out of little lanterns.

Vintage Fairy Illustration by Hilda Miller

Zitella The Witch (a Katerine's creation) is in the window to welcome them. Mrs Black is a little shy of children but usually enjoys them in costume.

The incomparble Lord Byron, a splendid Witches hat, the perfect shoe,
and Helena Bonham-Carter in a magnificent swan adorment.

Perhaps one of the aspects of Halloween which appeals to us the most is dressing up, the ability to be, even for one night, someone else.

I think it gives children an opportunity to use their imagination - and why not continue as adults?

Once upon a time there were grand balls to attend where everyone dressed in costume.

These are just a few costumes we love, for both men and women.








Vintage clothes and costumes from the past are a great inspiration to the designers of today, and to the many people who like to wear vintage fashion.

Personally I am coveting this wonderful cape, it is an antique, one of a kind, and not for sale.

It is totally impractical, but that is the point. It is so special that few of us mere mortals will ever wear anything like it.

But we can dream. I  may have to get the pins and needles out before next Halloween to make one of these.








Dark colours are traditionally associated with Autumn and Winter but also brights which gleam and glisten as stillness arrives. I'm always tempted at this time of year to re-decorate. The usual reds, golds and black work, but so do purple and even more surprising, a certain shade of pink!

The Raven quote is available on Etsy.

Whatever that we do in our costumes and decorations, nature always does it best.




The Moon over our village last night.

The trees and leaves on our path.




MODERN ROMANTICS ~ The Violet Velvet Frock Coat

Parting is  'sweet sorrow', as I've said before. At least it is when you have found an item that you really adore, and you know it must be sold.

Photographs do not do justice to The Violet Frock Coat. But you get the idea.

Unlike modern fashion which skimp on fabric, vintage clothes were made to cover and flatter the body. This 'Once Upon A Time' frock coat had a vast amount of opulent fabric in it.  Deep pile violet velvet with rich mauve satin lining,a  nipped in waist and a peplum like skirt. It would have been magnificent on the right person.

It had been dry cleaned, of course, but the faint scent of L'Heure Bleue still lingered, like a whisper from the past. 

Who had worn it, what magical days and nights had it seen?

Made in London it crossed the ocean to America where I found it and brought it home. It was such an Object Of Desire it was probably worthy of starvation to fit into, but it was not to be. Not for me anyway. Instead I had a cup of tea and a few biscuits and put it up for sale.

It sold immediately. Perhaps I had the price too low. Or maybe someone just fell in love with it, and beyond all practical reasoning about where to wear it, or how to stay slim enough to get into it, bought it and took it home to dream.

I hope that whoever has it loves it as much as I did and wears it often. Maybe with L'Heure Bleue.

SHOPPE KEEPER ~ Hungerford in Spring

I love the architecture in Hungerford which has many variations. The Town Hall is a favourite of mine, and also this tall skinny green house next to it. You can see how blue the sky was first thing in the morning. To look at my photo you would never believe that an hour later it was darkly ominous overhead.

Spring  has been playing hide and seek with us here .... it comes, then hides, then returns just when we have given up hope of it,  and jumps out at us. There are yellow fields of rape, and delicate tree blossoms, yet it is decidedly nippy outside.

Yesterday I journeyed into Hungerford where we have our little stall in The Emporium Antiques and Lifestyle Shop. It was quite a refreshing day because it was a social visit instead of restocking the stall or buying for the shop. I had the time to look about the town and do a little treasure hunt with a friend. I feel very lucky to live close by and to have our 'shoplet' in The Emporium.

This fine Hound on a barge boat on the canal by Hungerford Bridge caught my eye and for a few minutes we watched each other. Many years ago I kept company with a hound, and although this was a very long time ago, I miss him still. I loved this one, perfect ears and keen eyes. If anyone knows his/her name please let me know.

The day began with sun, but suddenly the skies darkened into a deep grey and midnight blue confection which looked as if Van Gough had been at work with his brushes. And the rain came down in great torrents. But only for a few minutes. There was no rainbow afterwards, although I did look just in case! But the air smelled and felt so fresh, it is wonderful after rain.

I'd been to a favourite shop of mine, Below Stairs and found this handsome old teapot sitting outside in their garden area. It has a real Aladdin's Lamp look to it and although it's silverplate has all but vanished (except inside where you can see what it once looked like) I could not resist it. I'm not planning to pour tea from it, but I'm sure there is still plenty of use in it. I can water plants with it, or even put a delicate pansy in it. And maybe, just maybe I can summon a Genie with it!

There was an added bonus as Stewart Hofgartner, the dashing owner, loaned me one of the shop umbrellas so I could continue my shopping in town while the rain poured. Ladies, chivalry is not dead!

If you have not been there and you like unusual items pay it a visit. They always have unexpected items which capture my eye.

I could have taken home everything in this photo, the old table with the crochet skirt, the scales, the pine chair and the stained glass panel just in vision. They have an online gallery and their website is here:

Below Stairs of Hungerford

Last year they had hundreds of tadpoles! They were not for sale though they were being offered to anyone who had a suitable pond and could give them a good home. Their garden is full of frogs and the Spring rains had filled some of their gardenalia with water. The enterprising frogs had climbed into the urns and planters and left spawn, which hatched and thrived. They had to rescue them all and for a few weeks the tadpoles swam in a large, deep trough in which they were fed and loved.

I had time to window shop until I met my friend for a coffee at Azuza. The eating area is a 2 story high conservatory, with original brick walls which are perfect to display the ever changing gallery of art and photographs for sale. This fine Dragon is truly amazing!

As an avid collector of far too many things I have to wear my invisable blinkers when I deliver items for sale to my stall as passing through The Emporium is a delicious, but dangerous journey for me! I often come home with more than I sell. As our home is very small this is not a practical thing. The same applies to Hungerford Arcade where I am drawn to the bargain basement known as The Junk Shop.

New! Hungerford Arcade's own Blog!

I like broken things, I know it is odd, but often there is only a tiny scrack or chip and the price is much less than if it were perfect. Buying 'broken' items allows me to collect things I might not afford otherwise. Some of their beauty lies in their fragility so a little chip does not necessarily detract. I have a few items displayed which have seen better days, but they still have power to enchant and the chips and cracks are part of their long history.

Did I tell you I collect Dragons? So, this Tintagel Pottery dragon bowl (with a small chip on the rim) had to come home with me, and my friend bought a wonderful Louis Wain print of cats who happened to be artists. A fitting subject as she is a very talented artist herself and is often inspired by her muse, a large handsome cat.

If you want to know more about The Hungerford Arcade, this is their website, you can sign up for email newsletters:

Hungerford Antiques Arcade

And you can find magical creatures and enchanting art and jewel creations on my friend's blog. You must visit her Etsy shop - but be prepared to be tempted! ; ~ )

Joanne May Willow TreeFox