We Are Resolute

January is such an odd time. Christmas feels like eons ago, the dark mornings leave us in a slump, and we're not all exactly dying to go out into the cold to get moving! In my last post I mentioned my own plans for 2013, but inspired by The National Media Museum's 'We Are Resolute' collection on Pinterest, I thought one more self-inspiration post couldn't hurt!

 1. Get Moving! (Women climbing a hill, c.1920, Unknown, National Media Museum)

2. Take Better Photographs (Two women war photographers with Graflex cameras, 1945, 

Jack Esten, National Media Museum)

3. Buy Less Food&Drink From Chains (Beatnik coffee bar, 1960, David Salt, 

National Media Museum)

4. Travel (Elderly country couple sit in car during London trip, 1937, Sayers, National Media Museum)

5. Socialise, don't rely on technology! (Woman demonstrating products at a Tupperware party, 1963, 

Unknown, National Media Museum)

I could go on! Hop over to their blog to see plenty more inspiration! If you haven't visited my Pinterest before, why not have a browse, It's quite a mixed bag of things! CLICK

Hope you are having a good January so far, we finally got the snow we've all been moaning about for a week then? Shocker!

Katie

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!

Having just returned from the seaside, I thought it was a perfect time to share these beautiful seaside theme photographs with you! I picked most of these up in my favourite camera and collectible shop in Bridport, which I blogged about last year - read about it HERE

I absolutely adore being beside the sea. Like many others, some of my earliest memories are family beach holidays, caravaning in Dorset, beaches in Bournemouth, dockyards in Portsmouth and many other piers, broadwalks and cliffs. Happy times, very happy times. That's why I enjoy collecting these photographs so much.

I hope you enjoy seeing these people enjoying their holidays of the past too, I'd love to know which are you favourites, and your own favourite seaside memories!

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came" - John F. Kennedy



Katie

"Jackie" the 1960s Cairn Terrier - Vintage photographs

June 1963, 8 Weeks Old

In 'Snoopers Paradise' in Brighton I chanced upon this set of photographs, obviously all torn out of the same family album, featuring an adorable Cairn Terrier, Jackie! I have a Cairn myself, so always am on the look out for more unusual memorabilia to celebrate this plucky little breed of dog!
As you will go on to see, the photo's are utterly charming, a very proud owner indeed! I also greatly appreciate annotations on photographs, gives me the briefest insight into their story, I'm thrilled we know this little dogs name at least. Regarding a previous discussion about favourite themes of photos to collect, vintage dog portraits are always popular, hope these don't disappoint!

December 65

December 65

December 65

Those last three images that project Jackie into colour, are particularly hilarious! The senarios of 'Dog on rug, dog in front room, dog on dresser" - i mean, the imagination needed! Quite amazing, and also quite surreal, 'domestic oddness' is another love of mine! It's great to see her all grown up! Jackie has the classic grumpy face of a judgemental Cairn, they don't put up with much silliness, trust me.

If seeing Jackie has made you think a Terrier could be for you, please visit Terrier Rescue, who have a great online forum to represent all the dogs who need homes, many foster homes across the south!

On the theme of cute canines, I had the pleasure of meeting a very lovely pup at the weekend, not a Cairn this time, but a beautiful (and rare!) Keeshond, Martha, who belongs to Bruce's Aunt&Uncle...just a tiny bit jealous!

Hope that post hasn't made anyone too "Puppy Broody" (as i call it, I'm a constant sufferer!), and hope you're having a good week!

Katie

In an English Country Garden - Vintage photographs

My collections of vintage photographs fall under only a few themes, one of which being "Garden Portraits". Here are some new favourites that i picked up at The Pantiles 40s Fair, and also Spitalfields Market recently. It can be quite overwhelming (in an exciting way) to find a box filled with mixed photographs to rummage through, hence why I only allow myself certain topics, or I'd be utterly surrounded with them! I hope you enjoy seeing these recent finds. If you too are a fan of the vintage photo, what subjects do you tend to look out for? I'd love to know!

Katie

Three Ladies from Lymington - Vintage photographs

Hello! Just a quick post of some wonderful photographs i found whilst on holiday in Lymington. We payed a visit to the Grandma's Attic antiques fair where all my family walked away with something (including an 1850's silver cigarette case and an Art Nouveau ring) but my purchases were somewhat more frugal! I must admit there was a near altercation on the postcard stand because one woman was hogging the boxes for no less than 20 minutes! And considering they were a bargain price of 10p/30p each, she was faffing far too much with her choices. Years of browsing antiques fairs has given me an eagle eye for my collections, and i can't stand people faffing about - if you take that long deciding on an item, you don't really want it! Despitecompetetive males aged 50+ (all looking for military history items/stamps) bustling about at these stands, I can always find what I'm looking for (Portraits including gardens or flowers, backdrops depicting nature scenes, British domestic family life and Aldershot related history - phew!!)

Here are the three lovely ladies I brought home from Lymington!

The posing with inanimate objects trend is just so fantastic - and odd! Two great examples here, shame the last photographer chose to focus more on the chair than the figure!

Hope the weeks off to a good start!

Katie

First Easter Blog! Vintage Finds.

Today is the first in quite a few Easter - related posts I have planned for the holidays. My collection of photographs usually relate to "People In Gardens" but i like to branch off into springtime/easter themes too, as it's my favourite time of the year (probably because it usually falls around my Birthday!)

The first of these photo's was found on Ebay, I still smile every time i look at it! These two just seem so proud of their pets they wanted to present them on a nice fluffy rug...which hopefully ISN'T made out of past rabbits! But a great example of an obscure Easter picture eh?

The second charming photograph was discovered in a book shop in Tunbridge Wells, I'm not usually fussed about childrens portraits BUT this one really caught me unaware! His little handmade outfit, wonky socks and cheeky smile make him an excellent Easter-gram! The daisies and flowers are the perfect springtime setting! Well done that photographer!

Just thought these two would brighten up a Wednesday! Plenty more vintage treats to come!

Hope you're having a good week!

Katie

War Horse

    18th Century Painting "Wounded War Horse"

    "Wounded Horse" Iraq, 2008.

I've been sitting on this discovery for over a year. Everything considered, I think now is the right time to share.

I will be putting up a related post soon, but for now, I hope these pictures just make you think, and feel.

Katie