Fort Nottingham Highland Games

If you are fortunate enough to be in the Natal Midlands area this weekend, remember the Fort Nottingham Highland Games takes place at my new premises, Hamlet of Fort Nottingham, on 16th April. This is an annual event which is not to be missed, so don anything tartan and come and taste a bit of haggis and enjoy the festivities. Look out for a large white barn, which is where I will be moving my shop at the end of April.
http://www.fortnottinghamhighlandgames.com/

Less -40% on all Vintage & Antiques til the 'big move'

We are moving at the end of April to an exciting new venue, so take advantage of some fabulous savings at Simply Sam Trading. We are having a less -40% sale, on all vintage and antiques, until the big move.
www.simplysam.co.za

Simply Sam Trading is on the move to a place where time stands still

Sam invites you to discover “The Midland’s best kept secret”…and her new shop and dreams at Fort Nottingham Hamlet….

When Samantha Mc Donald and her husband enjoyed a gorgeous lunch at the old Café la Fort approximately seventeen years ago they had no idea that it was their destiny to live in Fort Nottingham and actually own the wild, overgrown property, that the little restaurant was built on. But something incredible happened that day which sent the ‘McDonald Clan’ on a beautiful  journey which meant leaving their busy lives in Pretoria behind and starting a new dream for their family in the Midlands.

While they renovated the tumbled down house, built in 1893, Samantha opened up her shop: “Simply Sam Antiques Brocante & Gifts”  (currently located next to Café Bloom) and quickly became known to many locals and meanderers as ‘the pretty friendly lady’, passionate about French antiques. While she has enjoyed a very successful four year stint at Country Courtyard, it has always been her dream to move her shop back to where it first originated, in the Hamlet of Fort Nottingham ‘a beautiful piece of the past - where time has stood still’ which has remained undiscovered by most Meanderers. You will now be able to enjoy the Midlands best kept secret and Sam’s new showroom which will be located in the beautiful old barn, created out of old horse stables belonging to the late David Fox who founded the Highland Games. Fort Nottingham has one of the best 'micro climates' in the Midlands, often having stunning weather, which can differ quite significantly to other parts of Nottingham Road.

The new shop: “Simply Sam Trading” will be opening at the end of April. “My wish is for folk to enjoy a little escapism in the Hamlet of Fort Nottingham, away from the city madness – and for us to be able to share a piece of our tranquility with others whilst they browse the stunning items on offer, visit our quaint little museum or take a stroll down our lane to Roy’s restaurant – the infamous Els Amics,” Said Sam

Simply Sam Trading offers a unique and interesting selection of beautiful Antiques, Vintage clothing and collectables, custom-made Oregon doors and windows as well as gorgeous local handmade South African Gifts. In collaboration with Lara Edmonds of “Just Boutique” and various merchants, the Simply Sam showroom plans to expand its offering to showcase beautiful items hand made by local people, providing a platform for boutique businesses to sell and market their wares. These will include ceramics, art, crafts, crochet, foodstuffs and gifts, with a focus on the ‘job creation’ element. Unique and exciting plans, include recreational cookery courses, as well as featured “Boutique Events” at the end of each month. The vision is that eventually all items can be viewed and purchased over the web store at www.simplysam.co.za, gifts beautifully wrapped, and that country-wide deliveries be undertaken.

Anyone interested in selling their hand-made items can contact Sam on 0726059909 or email: simplysam@telkomsa.net. Tel: 0332666940

Simply Sam Trading can be visited at the old stables Barn, next to the Fort Nottingham Museum, in the Hamlet of Fort Nottingham, opposite Els Amics restaurant. Follow the signs west from Nottingham Road. Webstore:  www.simplysam.co.za Just Boutique http://www.justboutique.net


Remember the Highland Games is on this Saturday 16th April, from 9am - all welcome. Follow the signs from Nottingham Road. This is an annual fun filled event not to be missed.

In the Pink

Is colour just a fashion do you think? Have I been brainwashed by the decor mags, yet think I have a mind of mine own! Its just that I developed a craving for a kinda dusky Pink. It couldn't be sweet pink, Marshmellow Pink, or even bright smartie pink. No, it had to be this kinda greyish dusky pink. Try explaining that to the man in the paint shop when it seems there are hundreds of shades of pink to choose from. But I settled, on this, well, um, pink. I have painted a wall in our showroom pink, a wall in my kitchen, pink! My bath (as you can see) is ..... pink. Even my coffee mugs are pink - I had the audacity to email my supplier who supplies me with the gorgeous red heart pottery to ask her if perhaps, maybe, she could send a few items in - Pink? Imagine my delight when I received coffee mugs, dinner plates, side plates, milk jugs ....... all looking stunning in my kitchen (though I have to confess they're displayed alongside red and lime green which I think make a fab combination). Imagine to further my delight when I discover my neighbour, ceramicist Mick Haige, had mixed his very own combination of this dusky pink - and I am now the proud owner of a 'Mick Haige' dusky pink pitcher jug. So to complete the picture, enter my 'work in progress' garden and right in front of your very eyes you'll see I have my very own vintage pink (not dusky pink though unfortunately!) bicycle. So have I been conned? Well, i'm 'in the pink' and loving it!

In the Pink - meaning - In perfect condition, especially of health

Would you 'settle' for a Monks Bench .......

I have to say that you either love the Monks Bench, or you hate it!  If you are the former then this is for you. I have been asked to sell two really lovely Monks Benches, one being light Oak and the other solid Teak. Though they are not antique, they are in excellent condition and make a wonderful statement in any boot room, entrance hall etc. 


Kindly follow the link below if you should be interested.
http://www.simplysam.co.za/Antiques-gifts-and-other-specialities?search=monk

A settle is a wooden bench, usually with arms and a high back, long enough to accommodate three or four sitters.

They are commonly movable, but occasionally fixed. It shares with the chest and the chair the distinction of great antiquity. Its high back was a protection from the draughts of medieval buildings, protection which was sometimes increased by the addition of winged ends or a wooden canopy. It was most frequently placed near the fire in the common sitting-room.

Constructed of oak or other hardwood, it was extremely heavy, solid, and durable. Few English examples of earlier date than the middle of the 16th century are extant; survivals from the Jacobean period are more numerous. Settles of the more expensive type were often elaborately carved or incised; others were divided into plain panels. They were commonly used in farmhouse kitchens. From Wikipedia

For all those 'self confessed' Francophiles out there ...

If you're a self confessed 'Francophile' then Simply Sam Antique Brocante & Gifts has something especially for you. The gorgeous new 'Papillon Diary/journal has just arrived in our store and is full of beautiful photography and stories to inspire. Papillon Diary 2011 is a full colour lifestyle Diary/Journal, with a French Flair, offering advice and guidance from various, successful Women who have walked the path of an entrepreneur. Sharing inspiring stories and insights from their own journey to enrich and inspire you. Offering an all encompassing guide to top and credible suppliers, services and products in South Africa and Provence.

Product: Papillon Diary 2011.

Price: R250.00

Link: http://www.simplysam.co.za/South-African-furniture-art-ceramics-crafts-and-books/Papillon-diary

Click the link below to see all our available French inspired books availablehttp://www.simplysam.co.za/s.nl/sc.7/category.9574/.f

Transforming a bathroom with a very ordinary Shabby Chic Shelf

What do you do with a shabby shelf when you're husband tells you it looks like a rotten tomato box? Tell him to look at the photos alongside this article. This shelving unit had been used at Simply Sam Antique Brocante & Gifts for many months as a little display shelf, when customers spotted it for their bathroom. They were looking for something quite simple, with a bit of shabby chic, and obviously had an eye for something unique, as these photos alongside show. With the right display items they have turned something very ordinary into a unique bathroom shelf unit with a bit of pizazz. Just makes you realise a bit creativity can go a long way and it doesn't have to cost a fortune.