I love shopping for antiques at the markets. There is something extra special about buying something that has a history, a personal story behind it. Most of the time though, unless you encounter a particularly informed and chatty salesperson, you can only ever conjure up this story in your imagination.
That’s why those little hand-me-downs from my own family are so valuable to me. That’s the tea cup my mother filled after putting me down for a nap when I was a baby (to enjoy while watching Days of Our Lives), the stools my great great grandfather made for his young granddaughter, the brooch my Nanna wore when she was embarking on a nice day out, the beer mugs my grandfather displayed with pride in his own makeshift bar at home, and my Dad’s records that are responsible for my taste in both music and comedy.
The beer mugs from my Poppy’s bar that don’t have naked ladies/mermaids on them.
Nanna Rosie loved Snow White almost as much as I do. Any doll or ornament that bore even the slightest resemblance had to be immediately obtained.
My Nanna’s brooch and little pillbox and my Mum’s beads that go perfectly with my favourite yellow dress.
Mum’s very cute and retro tea set that she was going to get rid of! I rescued it from a dusty box.
My Nanna knitted this owl tea cosy. That’s her very well used teapot too. It’s more than a little stained inside. She had a big family to make tea for.
My Nanna Rosie had a huge doll collection and left them to her granddaughters in her will. These are the two I chose. They’re small and strange but almost look like brother and sister, or sister and sister if you note the lipstick on the doll in the suit.
5th generation stool. Do I dare stand on it to reach the top shelf? Still seems pretty sturdy…
Future generations: this simple combination will get you through your angsty teenage years. Guaranteed. Thanks Dad.
