Welcome to Retro-On-Sea!

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Here is blog No 4!

Life is busy here at Retro-On-Sea - a big thank you to everyone for buying items from the shop and coming back for more. Also for all the lovely comments that you have made. I am still having as much fun wrapping and posting these gorgeous retro seaside items off to you! This has included everything from flags to petticoats in beach hut and ice cream colours!

I now have a facebook page, so that you can keep updated with everthing I am doing at Retro-On-Sea. Take a look  and see what you think!

It may be getting chillier....

but this is not going to put off a trip to the British coast. You can get some wonderful skys and coastal colours at this time of year. I always find that a Harris Tweed jacket or Welsh Tapestry coat cannot only keep you warm but look just the part by the sea. I will have some of these in over the next few weeks in the shop.

It is half term holiday for many this week....

an opportunity for you to jump on a plane and head for sunnier climes. Lovely as this may be, here at Retro-On-Sea we know that you can have just as much fun on the British coast, yes, even in October!!

This gorgeous camper van was out there only last week, near to where I live. It is mid October, but this is the way to go.

It may not be bucket and spade weather......

but there are still lovely creative things that you can do by the sea. At this time of year the sea throws a treasure trove of gems onto our shores, driftwood, ground glass, ceramics and shells.  An hour at the water's edge can soon pass in your search for these wonderful pieces.

Collect even a few and put them in a ceramic dish or just a plain glass.It brings a coastal feel to any room. I have these in different rooms in the house. Bathrooms are particularly good for this!



 

 

 

Driftwood is also lovely as it is or thread it on a simple wire and make a heart. 

Speaking of hearts.....my husband and I always look for hearts on the sea shore and give them to each other..a gift that is special and hasn't cost us anything.. once you start looking...you will find them!

If you love mosaics, then make your own - a plain white tile, grout and some of your coastal finds is all you need. I made this one out of fabulous pieces of ceramics -all washed up on the same British beach ...

I can now think of that lovely holiday every time I look at it....

 Take a book to the coast this week.......

My recommendation for the week would be 'THE LEVELLING SEA' by Philip Marsden.


If you love Cornwall and Falmouth then this is a great read!

In my next blog I am going to share with you one of my favourite places to stay on the coast and why.....

Portscatho... on the Roseland down in Cornwall. I have been visiting this Cornish coastal village for the past 23 years and still love it as much as the first time I visited.

Speak to you soon, Ros.

Welcome To Retro-On-Sea!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Retro-On-Sea

...and blog no.3 !

Last week I was catching the rays on our local coast in Somerset, but as I write the skys are grey and it is what can only be described as mizzely outside.....

SO ENOUGH OF THAT !

Here at Retro-On-Sea in the coming week I have some gorgeous items to get you in the happiest of moods! So many of you have had memories brought alive by these items being posted to your door - thank you to everyone who has given me such great comments and of course for buying, not one, but two, but three and more!

YES, I said jolly.......          
    

There will be plenty of lovely colours in store for you this week to bring the sunshine in ... but in true retro style. Blankets and bed covers seem to be a favourite - so there will be more of those too - but in lovely beach hut colours.

Kitchen items for your beach retreat are also a continued favourite, so I will be adding plenty of these too.

BASKETS GALORE.......

Lovely 1950's baskets, which add style and jollity to any shopping trip....everyone will want a piece of your vintage style. So look out for these. They are equally good for a picnic for one or two - pack one and wrap up with a scarf (or six) and head for the coast - that bracing weather and a great walk is just what we all need. My parents did just that in Orkney last week, gailing winds, a bacon roll and magnificent waves to watch forever.

Autumn and winter on the coast can be just as magnificent as the summer - but in a different way..take the time to visit a coastline near you - you will not be disappointed and will feel quite invigorated..to say the least!

Dont forget...

.A thermos flask in the car or camper is perfect - hot coffee or tea to warm you up ...these lovely old thermos' also just look great in a seaside kitchen.

Create seaside themes throught your house or retreat, adding little details as you go. From the smallest room in the house to the largest, these retro seaside delights will be loved not only by you, but family and visiting friends.

I love collecting postcards to do with the coast and the sea and I have them dotted around my house as reminders of visits and things that I love.

If you have an office at home or even on a jolly notice board, these postcards transport you away to a gorgeous seaside world.

Photos of when I was young at the seaside area also a favourite.

They make me smile..here I am with my own grandmother down in Cornwall...special times that can still be shared through a photograph with so many people. Ask any family that you have for any they might like to give you or share..

Nostalgia is a wonderful thing...

Speak to you all soon.

Ros

Welcome to Retro-On-Sea !

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Retro-On-Sea

....and post No. 2!

I took these photographs this afternoon down on our beach at Burnham. If only this weather could last forever. The beach lighthouse is just amazing in all weathers though!

I have had so much fun in my 1959 Morris Minor over this last week...the hood has been down and the wind in my hair..headscarves of all descriptions are a must..speaking of which, I will be selling some lovely retro ones for the coast over the next few weeks. I will be adding in some items for the vintage clothing section of the shop.

Keeping the coastal dream alive is what it is all about...

I have some more gorgeous sheets and blankets, towels and cushion covers, to deck out your beach retreat. Lanterns will be there for atmosphere, as well as retro china, tablecloths, cake tins and aprons....and more!

Vintage beach fabrics are also a real favourite of mine...my small collection of genuine retro towelling has grown and keeps growing! During the autumn I will be making up some lovely things for you to buy out of this gorgeous fabric..so watch that space too.

You may have read in the paper this week about the winner of Britain's Best Beach Hut...Julie Lee-Delisle's red and white striped beach hut was voted the best - it proudly sits in West Wittering in West Sussex..she bought it as a refuge after her parents died and has created a speial place to go...I say...fantastic!

On my travels down to Falmouth this summer I came across this book '52 Weekends by the Sea' and I highly recommend it. It is a wonderful up-to-date book on some brilliant coastal locations to stay in all around the British Isles. There are some fantastic places included - from cosy to wild! It is published by Virgin Books and written by Brigid Benson & Craig Easton. It is beautifully produced with amazing photgraphs on every page.

If you love the coast and also like me love photography then I also recommend the October edition of Black + White Photography Magazine (I get mine in Smiths) as it has a 'Beside the Seaside' special article in it!

Wherever you are on the coast...enjoy the sun while we still have it.. I am back on the beach tomorrow evening to watch my eldest son power kiting with his buggy. A brilliant sport that is becoming increasingly popular. It is wonderful to watch them speeding along the straight.....

Speak to you all soon.

Ros.