In A Most Delightful Way

Good morning Petals!

Today I thought I'd shine a light on the marvellous Vintage Emporium in Stockport, more locally known as Pear Mill. Not only does this enormous converted mill showcase local talent, including my mother Bliss by Karen x, but it's also a treasure trove for set designers and folks wanting to add a little je ne sais quoi to their home. They also send the cutest mail.

Add some character to your home with statement pieces possessing a rich history, such as old post office shelves or a school gym vaulting horse. The mill is also popular with mothers wanting their child's room to resemble the Banks kids nursery from Mary Poppins!

Why not add a little fun to any room by using a roller skate as a door stop?

My mum recently got her mitts on the old letters that hung above the iconic department store she is visual merchandiser at. The letters have been around longer than me and my mum curated a few to spell out a word that gets us all through the day. How poetic.

I've always adored tall porter chairs as there's something so decadent about them.

Found on one of the stacked vintage suitcases...

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

What's your favourite cereal? I'm torn between curiously cinnamon and coco pops rocks!

Fragrance Direct Haul

I recently discovered any beauty junkies nirvana - Fragrance direct! I thought I was onto an underground, up and coming website, but soon realised I've been living under a rock. Well, in the words of Lana Del Ray, later's better than never. 

The website is full of makeup/skincare/haircare from drugstore brands at a fraction of its retail price. As their selection is so vast, a little overwhelming and at the time I was down in the dumps, I made a rather sizeable purchase. The thing is, items are so cheap that you can't afford to NOT buy them! All in all, I bought *gulp* 15 products, yet spent a feeble £31. Here's what shopping with the blues leads to...

I don't know about you, but I had no idea Calvin Klein had a makeup range. Their lipstick's were only £2 a pop, so I opted for these three:

L - R: Eros, Cosmopolitan & Ethereal

They're from CK's delicious luxury crème lipstick line and I have to say, I'm seriously impressed with how moisturising they are!

When I first began reading blogs around six years ago, I remember reading about the elusive Jemma Kidd, but could never get my mitts on any. I was over the moon to see a few of her infamous products available so jumped at the chance! I picked up a lipstick duo and two stardust crème shadows.

L - R: Titania, Orion & Galaxy

There's something so magical about her sleek noir packaging and cosmic inspired names. The lipstick duo was £2.50 and is a 'my lips but better' shade and incredibly pigmented - I'm also obsessed with its name, which is derived from the queen of the fairies from Shakespeare's A Midsummer night's dream and is also a moon in Uranus! The two STUNNING crème shadows were £2 each and are practically identical to the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Frozen Quartz and Bronze Moon - which retail at a staggering £29! 

Sticking with the whole dupe / frugal Fran theme, I spotted this shimmer brick which looks conspicuously similar to Bobbie Brown's! For £1.50 I had to give it a whirl. I was umming and ahhing between the two shades Beyoncé and Rihanna, but opted for the latter!

As I expected, it's quite sparkly and a little goes a long way. I used this as a highlighter the other night, but best leaving it at home otherwise tipsy touch-up's will leave you looking like a disco ball - learn from my mistake!

I read a Buzzfeed post a few days ago and my mind was blown - did you know that on the back of most makeup products there is a number which let's you know how long the product is good for?!?!

Although Rimmel is an easy access brand, I was past the point of no return and snuck these into my basket:

L - R: Luna & Mercury

I actually used to own Luna and would rave about it, but lost in somewhere between Berlin and Amsterdam :'( I've never tried any of Rimmel's scandaleyes eye shadow paints, but have heard they're a dream.

I've been eyeing up L'Oreal's glam shine lip glosses for months. In store they're £8 but on fragrance direct they were just £2.50, so I went to town!

L - R: Juliet, Lolita & Romy

I finally picked up two Essie nail polishes as they were only £2.50 each and I adored the spring shades - eternal optimist and urban jungle.

I was naturally a little sceptical when I first discovered the website as the prices seemed too good to be true, however all items were in mint condition and sealed. I only had one issue which was that I ordered a fourth vampy red Calvin Klein lipstick called Venus which won't roll up - but luckily, lipstick brushes exist! 

If there's any products here that you'd like a more thorough review of or want to see in action, just badger me!

On a bad day, there is always lipstick.

Bliss by Karen x Showroom

As you may remember, last year my mum launched her upcycling business Bliss by Karen x and has been thriving ever since. Her latest venture is market stalls and her own showroom at a treasure trove in Stockport called The Vintage Emporium, Pear Mill. The historical building has recently been revamped and cultivated into an Aladdin's cave where hippies and mad hatters can showcase their oddities and marvellous creations. 

Here's my mum's groovy pieces...

I can't stress how huge and quirky this venue is - if you're ever in the area, pop by have a gander. While you're at it, nip into Debby's café on the ground floor for a cosmic hot chocolate - epicureans thank me later! Here's some photo's of other artists spaces to give you an idea of the range and scale - the lady next door to my mum has an incredible hanging rattan chair that I've got my eye on! 

Serious Holly Golightly vibes...

                               My kind of wine glass/goblet!

I've always dreamed of owning a peacock chair à la Morticia Addams. The chair that commands attention!

I had to squeeze in a selfie or two!

 

Forgotten to buy a birthday card? No worry, I've got a cymbal you can use!

On the last Sunday of every month in a neighbouring town called Macclesfield, a Treacle market is held and last week my mum ran her a stall. The venue was a delightful church at its 'rent-a-pew' event. It was a wonderful experience and hopefully one of many! If you're also nurturing a small business, my mum wholeheartedly recommends getting involved in local markets and networking with your community!

 As my mum's pew space was limited, she only took a few select pieces of her Bliss by Karen x collection, such as the Buttercup footstool below, and the remainder of her stock was brick-a-brac she'd sourced from all over the world. Funnily enough, the music played at the event was a little surprising considering we were in the Lord's house, but I wasn't complaining, in fact I was in my element throwing some shapes to Diana Ross - I made a 'now that's what I call rent-a-pew 15' playlist for anyone who's curious (my brother gets full credit for the INGENIOUS name).

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Strive and thrive!