New Friends and Old Finds

I don't know about you, but I find that as I get older it takes alot more effort to make new friends! People lead such busy lives it's difficult to make the time to forge and maintain new friendships... sad I know!! However, since my boys have started school I have met some fantastic ladies who have become wonderful friends and I am so grateful for the new friendships I have formed. One such friendship (with a new friend, Lilius) has lead to a mutual enjoyment of not only spending time together with our kids and partners but also for the love of vintage books and illustrations. A few weeks ago we decided to go out for dinner with our partners and have some much needed "me" time without the kids. After dinner we all went back to Lilius's house, the men went off into the kitchen for some male bonding (as they do! lol!) and Lilius and I took a look around her house, as I strolled into her dining room a whole bookshelf of vintage books stared back at me... that was it!!! the rest of our evening was spent oooohhing and aaaring over old books and their illustrations, well, I was doing most of the ooohhing!!

And then in the last week or so my lovely new friend has bestowed me with a few gorgeous books and some vintage paper dolls that she has given to me as gifts.... how wonderful is that!! And here to share with you are photos of the pieces I have received.

Apparently, Lilius's parents are moving out of their family home and downsizing, so Lilius has been busy helping them sort through their possessions and discard anything they no longer need. These items were part of Lilius's childhood and rather then discard them she has passed them on to me..... lucky aren't I??

There were so many clothes for these dolls that I didn't photograph them all as I'd have been behind the camera a good while!! But here is a snapshot for you.

The books I received were so pretty, the Old Rhymes book below, had the most gorgeous pop up sections.

And then there was the old "Wind in the Willows" book below, the illustrations plates in this book are by Arthur Rackham and are just stunning...

So, as the title of this post says..... I have found a new friend and in doing so discovered some old finds.... Thank you Lilius. xx