Monday, June 29, 2009

Thrifting: Veddy Proper

Finding myself in a rare moment of being alone AND having nothing I needed to do, I decided to go drop off some stuff at the thrift store and poke around.

The minute I walked in, I felt better. Some people find thrift shops depressing. I find them exciting and inspiring. You can have a lot of fun for $20 at the thrift store. Heck, you can have a lot of fun for $10 or $5. Which is another reason why I love the thrift store. Cheap, creative fun. And shopping! All in one!

And every once in awhile, you get really lucky. Today was one of those days.

A brief history about me and tea things: my grandma had a large collection of beautiful tea cups, all different. When I would go to visit her, one of our rituals would be that we would wash all the teacups and saucers, and then sit down and have a tea party. I always got to choose my teacup, and what a decision that was! I *loved* doing this. Eventually I inherited the teacups. Sadly, they are in my dad's attic, as I have no place to display them.

So anyway, I kind of have a thing for teacups, teapots, etc. I try *very* hard not to indulge this little passion because, again: no room. However, I did need a teapot. I have had a few teapots over the years and either they weren't quite right, or they met an untimely end when one of my shelves crashed down a few years ago. And so I found myself without a proper teapot.

Until today. Behold:

Oooh, ahhhh. Yes, oohs and ahhs are in order. Isn't it pretty? It's all crackly and creamy with pretty gold-and-teal wild roses. It's a Gibson, which apparently means something (it means nothing to me -- as long as it's pretty and doesn't leak, I'm happy).

It was a little more expensive than I'd usually pay at a thrift store: $16. However, it's perfect. I love it. As soon as I picked it up, I knew it would be coming home with me. And, it goes quite nicely with my set of 'good' china, don't you think?

Of course I had to come home and have a proper cup of tea. Veddy proper. Since I now have a lovely dining room table (and dining room) AND a teapot, I will be having morning and afternoon tea more often. Even if it's just a tea party for myself. Although you are certainly invited.

(I think I may have to attempt making crumpets! I don't believe I have ever had a crumpet. I love experimental baking...)

7 comments:

D'Arcy said...

The teapot is PERFECT with your china! I wish I could pop in for tea with you :(

Lara Starr said...

So pretty! I'm not a huge fan of tea, but I love tea things....

Anonymous said...

its gorgeous!

ive never made crumpets either. or scones. i need to make both. soon.

Daphne said...

D'Arcy: I wish you could too!

Lara: thankfully I love both tea and tea things. When I lived in Finland I had 4 o'clock coffee/tea every day; it was lovely. I need to come up with some good tea snacks.

Tammie: thanks! mmm. scones.

Stefanie said...

I love your teapot! The spout on my teapot broke a few months ago and I've not found a replacement yet. I loved my teapot. It was nothing fancy, only a plain bright white ceramic but it had a lovely shape to it. Crumpets sound lovely, though I have been having a scone craving of late. Must talk to James about that :)

Daphne said...

Stefanie: We get attached to these little things, don't we? Sorry to hear about the demise of yours... Mm. Scones. Crumpets. With my new teapot, I must do some baking!!

The Queen of Fifty Cents said...

A truly beautiful teapot. And you will love crumpets! You bake them on a griddle, it's a rather thin batter and you need some rings to bake them in. I'm sure you can buy crumpet rings somewhere, but I always used small tin cans with both ends cut out (like a tuna can). Dang, now I'm getting hungry for some.