Like Kids in a Sweetshop!

On my recent trip back to England I roped my poor friend, Sally, into visiting a museum in Eastbourne packed to the gunnels with vintage fare.  I had previously sweetened her up by introducing her to a super little café, Jasper Woods (see earlier post), but had failed to mention my desire to visit the Museum of Shops next door.

Having entered the museum I don't know whether it was the heady mix of lemon drizzle cake and the knowledge that Sally didn't really want to go in or the strangely posed mannequin's hands that set us off. Whatever it was we quickly regressed back to our teenage years and became very giggly (let's just hope the poor girl who sold us the tickets couldn't hear the snorts of laughter emanating from the basement).

I think it's safe to say that the lemon drizzle cake was starting to kick in

Having eventually recovered from the hilarity of it all (we're both in our mid forties and should know better!) I found that I was actually quite impressed and thought that the objects compiled were fascinating.  In fact the contents of most of the scenes they had created would have kept my Etsy shop stocked up for many a year and if I bought the whole lot I would never have to go out shopping for trucs again (what a terrible thought!)  

I just loved the vintage wedding dresses but sadly at my current size they would never fit... the curse of the lemon drizzle cake strikes again!

A typical wartime kitchen complete with housewife at the stove with a fag hanging out of her mouth and the toast inspector... I mean air raid warden.

An authentic Post Office from yesteryear (I'm not saying a word).

The chemist shop was very evocative of times past and I coveted all the wonderful pharmacy bottles that would once have contained potions to cure all ails.

We were reminded of a shop from our childhood that wasn't so very different from this place -  I'm happy to say it was rather old fashioned then (we're not that old!)

The Admiral Lord Nelson pub was very atmospheric but I did feel sorry for the barman as he appeared to be struggling to pull a pint!

All joking aside I must say "Chapeau" to the dedicated owners of the museum who have created this enchanting labour of love over many years and if, like me, you adore bygone trucs, social history and period design I really can't recommend highly enough a trip to the Museum of Shops if you are in the area.  

Inspiration from across 'La Manche'

If you are a reader of my blog you will know that I have a long held dream to open a coffee shop/brocante in my home town of Cognac alongside my chef husband, Spike. So whenever I get the chance I try to find other businesses of a like mind.  

Unfortunately this does entail lounging around in tea rooms, coffee shops and cafés where I am obliged to sample many a cake (all in the name of research you understand).

During my recent trip to England I was especially keen to visit a particular coffee/vintage shop based in Eastbourne that I had read about online.  

The coffee shop in question is called Jasper Wood and along with my good friend, Sally, we set off with the arduous task of checking it out.

The lovely eclectic interior was instantly welcoming and it wasn't long before we had installed ourselves on a comfy sofa.

All around there were interesting things to look at and to buy ranging from hand-made jewellery and vintage clothes to antique bric-a-brac.

I particularly loved our black lacquered chinoiserie table as I thought it would be just the thing for my office (plans of an opulent room of my own are ongoing) but judging by Sally's reaction I think it is perhaps of an acquired taste!  And yes, to my shame, the deluxe hot chocolate complete with floating marshmallows and a tower of squirty cream was mine!

I was impressed that the presentation of the objects for sale illustrated beautifully how striking they could look in a domestic setting - oops I seem to be punning again, I honestly don't even know when I'm doing it now!  

I was having such a lovely time I didn't even think to ask how much the stunning gramophone was... looking at it again I really wish I had!  There were lots of little touches that being a fan of all things vintage I really appreciated such as the little silver plated salt and pepper pots that were brought to our table when we ordered lunch (a yummy panini by the way) and the vintage crockery for when we had tea and lemon drizzle cake (once again I had eaten the cake before I remembered to photograph it... must try harder!)

All in all I can't think of a better place to while (or wile... there seems to be something of a debate about that) away a few hours and catch up with an old friend (sorry Sally you know what I mean)... except perhaps the 'Museum of Shops and Social History' that is handily situated next door - but that's most definitely a story for another day!