A look around Liverpool

Last weekend I went to visit my niece who is at University in Liverpool. Now, it's not the first time I've been. far from it, but I decided to snap some photos whilst I was there. I apologise for the photo heavy post, but I was quite happy clicking away!

Walking past the Central Library I couldn't help but notice the book titles etched into the pavement. What a cool idea. Don't be fooled by the sunny pictures though, even though it was sunny, there was a bitterly cold wind blowing off the Mersey.

Alongside the Library you come across the Museum. This one is home to Natural History, Science and touring exhibitions. This time I noticed that there was the 'Colour of Science' exhibition on. I didn't go in as I'd already visited this up in Carlisle (We had taken my class on a school trip!) but it's a decent exhibition and quite fun too.

Walking back up past the Library ....

...you come across the Walker Art Gallery.

And I do like a bit of an art gallery, so in I popped!

 It was about 25 years since I'd last been in here and even though I vaguely remembered the feel of it, I looked at the gallery through fresh eyes. 

There were the design rooms, full of pottery, silver and clothes..

The statue room, filled with marble delights...I particularly liked the Three Graces statue and the cheeky cherub in the foreground:)

and then on to the main galleries. I could have looked at some of these paintings for hours.

There were quite a lot of famous paintings and lots of work by celebrated artists.

There was a temporary display of paintings from the 'pre - raphaelite' movement, which had I more time, would have loved to visit. But sadly time was of an essence so a quick walk...

led me back away from the imposing buildings and past St George's Hall,

And through the park

(You can just about make out the Liver Building towers in the background)

and down towards the Cavern Quarter, home of the Cavern Club and full of tourists playing homage to The Beetles.

I then made tracks towards St Patrick's Cathedral,

Affectionately known as Paddy's Wigwam' for its original and modern structure.

I loved the light that shone through the stained glass windows

And all the small side alters for thought and prayer.

There was some impressive tapestries

and Art work

but overall it just had a really nice feel to it. Now, I'm not Catholic, nor particularly religious, but I did feel it was a place of calm, reflection and contemplation,

And I'm glad to have visited it.

Next time I will have to visit the Anglican Cathedral to even things out :)

Then there's always the Tate Liverpool, the Liverpool History Museum, The Maritime Museum...

Definitely another trip beckons!

Bye for now.

Amanda x

More Vintage 10 Things

Another Tuesday, another ten things, another 10 more vintage things.

Just a few more bits of vintage that I have around the house. Not surprisingly there's a lot of blues and turquoise ..oh I am so predictable!

1.

A little dressing tale set, that's now cluttered with bits of jewellery.

2.

Various blue pottery pieces.

3.

I seem to have acquired a collection of cheese dishes, this just being one of them. There's also a pretty pink tea set.

4.

A few pieces of fine Japenese China. It was made by the Noritake company and had been birthday from my parents. Unfortunately the sugar bowl got smashed whilst it was being delivered and is now stuck up with super glue! 

5.

Another present, a few years back, from my sister. This also sits on my dressing table, again with bits of jewellery, odd buttons and change. 

6.

A more recent acquisition, picked up at an antique shop in Newark.

7.

I love this little blue jug, that's just perfect for putting flowers in.

8.

2 'new' yet vintage cookbooks.

9.

I'm getting quite attached to old tins. The bottom two had been lying around my parent's garage, full of nails and stuff, whereas the top one is mine. When I was little, the blue one was filled with dolls clothes. 

I just have to look at it and it makes me smile.

10.

A bit of a blue retro feel to this one!

So there you are, 10 more vintage things. But I thought I would leave with one more picture. Not quite vintage, but getting there...

A picture of my sister and I, double trouble! I'm the unsmiling one at the front. I never did like having my photo taken:)

Until next time. X

Six Word Stories-Enough

Joining in with Miriam to tell a story in 6 words.

One slice can never be enough!

Mmmmm

X

A few vintage finds- 10 Things

Love it or hate it, Vintage is in! I've always liked a bit of vintage...mostly because I can't quite bear to throw stuff away, but lately, not only have I dug out some of my own stuff, I've been buying it too!

It's strange to think I have a bit of a style choice when it comes to all things old, but I am drawn to things that are more retro than vintage ...more 60s and 70s rather than antiques....and somehow the more kitsch, the better!

So here you are 10 Things that are 'Kitsch and Kitchen'.

1

An enamel coffee pot!

2

A vintage 1950s Bella vista atomic magazine rack.

3

Some 'new' dinner plates -about 40 yr old!

4

A1960s/70s Wyncraft toast and marmalade rack that I'm using as a pen and Mail holder.

5

Another repurposed Wyncraft product! This was meant to hold some shot glasses, but for 10p in the local charity shop, the base was crying out to be used as a jewellery stand...that is, until I can find some shot glasses to fit!

6

I love this butter dish. It's from the 1930s and yet it's still going strong, doing exactly what it was meant to do.

7

Now onto the Kitsch and cuties! A little bunny pot.

8

A 1960s little dear pot.

9

A vintage terrier.

10

Some cute 1960s poodles.

They may be kitsch but I kinda like them!

x

Life lately

The days are just flying by. Whether it's because I've been around and about a lot more lately, I don't know, but I can't believe that I've had so much time off and still have no idea where the time has gone!

As it is I thought I'd fill you in with a glimpse of what I've been up to lately. 

First and foremost, I have finally moved into my house. Yes, I know I've spent an odd night or so here as I was getting it sorted, but now this is the place I come home to at the end of the day. Okay I admit...I may have spent an odd night or two back with my parents/ grandmother's houses...but after a year and a half of living there, I'm easing away gently.  :)

A little bit of decorating, resorting and organising chez moi!

A little bit of gardening! Now, you know I'm not a gardener, despite the years of constructive advice from the elders, but I've finally got to grips with some of the basics! I may not be green fingered, but at least I've got my hands in the soil.

Over the Easter holidays I had a friend staying with me, so I got to revisit some of the Lake District hot spots. Luckily we had some good weather too.

A good friend of mine got married earlier this month. It was a  lovely day celebrating and catching up with old friends.

More lovely days out. This one was a trip via Buttermere.

I had a very nice parcel from Ellie at 'Feltabulous' as part of an Easter Swap. It's lovely getting snail mail isn't it?

Entertaining friends may mean a lot of washing up afterwards, but it's certainly worthwhile.:)

I painted the side wall in the kitchen with blackbaord paint, just perfect for writing up menus and shopping lists.

More beautiful flowers. After lots of get well wishes in the flower variety a few weeks ago, now I have them as housewarming gifts. Very pretty aren't they?

The little things in life are sometimes the best. This time it's weekend breakfasts with a leisurely read!

So there you go. Just a few things that have kept me busy recently.

 Hope you've had some good times too.

Until next time x