The post that needs no title.....

My husband is the man I never in a million years dreamed could be mine; his intelligence and social awareness move me...his rugged good looks weaken me. 

I knew I would marry him from the very moment I met him.

He has a wicked glint in his eye and a sense of humour like no other. His hands are strong and capable, and can fix anything that needs a' fixin. His smile melts my heart each time I see it and the way his eyes crinkle as he lets out a belly laugh stop in my tracks. My husband is very much a man. He does not suffer fools lightly which lead to awkward social situations and yet his tenderness and patience with our daughter is awe inspiring. I strive to be more like him. To be as attached as him. I feel so LUCKY and so GRATEFUL that he is mine and more importantly, that he is Avalon's Daddy. He plays the guitar with passion and ease, composing songs for me and his baby girl. I have captured forever in my heart the day he sung a Bengali lullaby to our girl as she drifted to sleep. 

He has helped make my dreams come true, first and foremost by giving me Avalon and secondly for ALWAYS encouraging me in whatever it is that takes my heart's fancy with a reassuring, 'You can do anything." This man loves me without condition.

I could not possibly be more in LOVE with him. 

His hard work and dedication to our family are evident in every minute of his absence. 

I respect his work ethic and his strive for balance; to be a present Father and Husband, yet still provide for us in a way that we do not want for anything. His girls deserve the best. We couldn't ask for more.

There is little for me to say that hasn't already been said to him in the whisperings of just... 'us'... but I want the world to know, that there has never been a better father, partner, lover or friend than this man I call mine.

One person's trash is another person's treasure..

Did I tell you I love charity shops? Well, truth be told, I LOVE a bargain... and this way I feel I am getting the best of both worlds; something cheap, quirky and one-of-a-kind... and also it IS charity (karma points!) and better for the environment than the throw away, mass produced Hight Street.

When I lived in Australia I used to go to the charity job regularly as I always found the most amazing jewellery. Even to this day, one of my most favourite pair of earrings are from St. Vincent de Paul and cost me the phenomenal price of 20c in 2003. I could always snap up a bargain clutch purse ("It's vintage, daaarhling!") and it was the fastest and cheapest way to collect my beloved Stephen King Hardbacks.

When I moved to London in 2005, charity shop trawling took a backseat for a number of reasons.
Firstly, believe it or not, central London does not have a huge amount of charity shops, you have to sort of head out into The 'Burbs to find an Oxfam, British Heart Foundation or Marie Curie...

Secondly, I worked in fashion, so I was pretty happy at that point to take my 200 quid bi-annual shopping allowance for our store instead (and of course it was policy to wear the clothes we were selling).

So since moving  to the country in 2008, I have rekindled my relationship with the charity shop. I have bought everything from writing paper to children's toys, to (more) jewellery and (even more) books.

That brings us to today, and the perfect example of why I like these treasures so much.

En route to getting my afternoon of pampering (maybe another blog entry?) I stopped by the afore mentioned Oxfam and British Heart Foundation in beautiful Farnham, Surrey. Of course, as always, I really just intended to browse... well....

I got a lovely fair trade writing set (made lovingly out of elephant dung no less)... an edition of Jane Austen Compilations in pristine condition AND a red corduroy dress for Avalon at the bargain price of 6.99 GBP when it retailed for 40.00 GBP (Oh yes, I had eyed it in Trotters many a time) which I shall pair with her own red patent mary janes.

This is a love affair I shall continue that is as close to guilt free spending that I think I will ever get. Little do my frineds and family know that this years Christmas gifts will either be handmade, lovingly purchased from a charity shop (thinking GREEN) or from Oxfam Online