Simply Sam Trading - Antiques.Brocante.Gifts

We stock a variety of vintage, antique and hand-crafted items. Available on our web store simplysam.co.za or select antiques and beautiful 'proudly South African' hand-made Gift items on sale or to view at VinLee Art Gallery Hilton College Road, Natal Midlands. Hilton off-ramp, N3, Kwazulu Natal

Friday, May 28, 2010

Moonlight

Driving home last night the moon was so bright it could have been mistaken for the sun peeping through the clouds. It was so beautiful. Later I looked outside and saw the moon directly above my head, like a great big torch beaming down on me. This morning it was no where to be seen. The earth had turned, and I hadn't felt a thing!

The weather has taken a turn this evening and if feels like snow is on its way. We've had a big roaring fire going to keep the chill at bay. This weekend we have the festival at our local school, Kings, so i'm praying the weather is going to warm up. I'm sure many runners who are participating in Comrades on Sunday are feeling the same way. So to all those runners, keep your head down and don't pick it up again until you see the finish line .... good luck!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Dragontree Challenge & Festival at Kings School, Nottingham Road

If anyone is in Nottingham Road this weekend remember the Dragontree Challenge & Festival at Kings School, just off the Loteni Road. It is sure to be loads of fun. I am closing my shop for the day and exhibiting some of my items for sale at the festival. I am looking forward to being in the sun, because my shop is like a fridge in Winter.

Tomorrow is the last of my 2 day stock clearance sale, where all furniture is less 40% to make way for new stock. I have some stunning items on the way. My favourite is a 19thC French Oak Parlour suite, as well as two matching 19thC Flemish Oak Court Cupboards. I'm still trying to decide if the cupboards should go home with me!

See you at the Dragontree Challenge. I'll be the one sinking on the raft at the dam....

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I'm back! At least I think I am . . . .

I've not written since 16th April so I have a bit of explaining to do. I was away in the States for just over two weeks in San Fransisco, New York and Atlanta and I loved it! My favourite shop was Anthropology, by far, and gave me loads of ideas for improving my own shop. I was happy to see Mick Haige & Mud ceramics in this delectable shop, flying the flag for South Africa. Why can't we have Central Park, the New York Met and Starbucks just down the road from where I live, then I could have the best of both worlds!
I was sent this link today which made me think about our own down shifting choices. Have a look, as its well worth a read.

http://www.moneyweb.com/mw/view/mw/en/page295022?oid=310410&sn=2009+Detail&pid=287226

The Midlands looks stunning in its new autumnal and brown outfit and the weather, though cold in the morning and last thing at night, is at its best.This weekend I went on a pilgrimage to a little place called Ngome in Natal and I was given time to reflect on all the things that are important to me. I got to wondering why it is that humans generally take whatever they have for granted, including me, who would rather lay in bed with a coffee instead of  an early morning walk with the dogs. Well guess what? I now get up an hour earlier and I think soon the dogs are going to be so used to their early morning walk, that they'll be scratching at my door and waking me up! I have to say though, watching the sun rise in the morning in this beautiful nature reserve takes some beating!