Wander around any Mediterranean village early on a summer morning and you will see housewives in floral headscarves brushing their steps and paths with a vigour I have never applied to anything…
There is something deliciously ritualistic about this greeting to the sun that I adore. Essential housework acknowledged without fripperie or fuss. And while I try for the most part to stick to a routine, it isn’t done with quite the same earnest nod to tradition and necessity as these women seem to apply to their morning tasks. As if a dusty path would be unthinkable. As much a part of their morning as brushing their teeth.
But even here, Summer mornings compel upon us a scrumptious eagerness to get through the dullest of domestic tasks if only so we can allow ourselves to bask in the mid-morning sun, swing from the garden gate or build a castle of enchanting gothic grandeur in the frog shaped sandpit while the kids are at school….
And so my Darlings I hereby present to you a little list of puttery treats only to be considered when your path is spick and span and thus, unlikely to bring shame to your family doorstep…
Fill a basket with mis-matched china, vintage lemonade bottles and a pretty tablecloth ready for impromptu picnics…
Spritz areas prone to ant invasion with an equal mix of white vinegar and water. Keep a bottle handy for disinfecting decking and outdoor tables.
Pop unprecious flowery saucers under little terracotta pots around the garden for a spot of vintage decoration.
Sew yourself an oilcloth tote, fill it with sun-cream, towels, flannels and kids hats and hang it somewhere sheltered so protection is always on hand…
Oh I know it isn’t fun (and can hardly be considered a treat!) but spend an hour or two disinfecting all outdoor bins and recycling boxes because there is nothing stinkier than household waste smouldering in the midday sun.
Steep garden herbs in water Laura Elsewhere style for a natural route to glossy hair…
Junk shop portraits look divine leaning against garden walls and providing a back drop to a collection of gloriously decadent plants….
Cover pulp fiction, chick lit or cheap historical fiction with pvc backing paper in one of the scrumptiously retro patterns they sell in Woolworths, and then and only then are you permitted to leave them around the house in delicious little stacks or carry them into the garden where they are at mercy of all manner of spills and suncream (Otherwise they must live under your bed and receive their marching orders the second you turn the last page…)
Make blueberry and raspberry smoothies and freeze them on lolly-ice sticks. Yum.
Sit in the shade and turn lonesome vintage pillowcases into adorable handsewn little girls dresses.
Mix up a big batch of home-made coleslaw.
Paint lolly-ice sticks in a pretty palette of pastels, store them in an old tin and use them as plant markers…
Make some paper pin wheels to decorate the garden and keep the birds away from your precious plants.
Add ribbon or twine loops to all your hand held garden tools so you can hang them somewhere convenient.
Mix three drops of peppermint oil into water and decant into a spray bottle for use as a cooling insect repellant in the garden.
Tack a fringe to your garden parasol. Takes minutes. Looks fabulous.
Make a habit of hanging quilts and duvets over the washing line to air in the morning…
Swing a vintage birdcage from the branches of a tree and light a candle in it early evening time…
Decant witch hazel into a pretty jar and keep close in summer heat. Nothing cools hot skin like it.
Age or fade fabric by leaving it out in the sun for the summer. Leave it over the line or peg it to the branches of a tree.
Create your own Brocante Life Book, plan Christmas, set up routines and rituals or live life the BrocanteHome way with my guided workbooks and planners.
If I ever grow up enough be considered a font of wisdom, this is what I shall say: Wait. Just wait. But live a life worth talking about in the meantime. Live it wholeheartedly. Live it so wonderfully, scrumptiously, deliciously well, that…
I must have been a wretched wicked old witch in a former life. This morning my hairdryer spontaneously combusted and sent itself to a long overdue grave and a couple of hours later while enjoying Miss Potter with a teeny tiny mozzarella…
My sad little attempts to stich and bitch keep falling off the needles and then I have to put myself through the ordeal of casting on again… What can I do? Other Things To Do At BrocanteHome Browse the Bookstore Discover a…
Get the prettiest accessories made up in Celia Birtwells gorgeous "Isabella" print by Lavenders Alresford (who also offer a very reasonably priced monogramming service, tres chic). If only because dear little Isabella is so utterly Darling and deserves to grace the homes…
I know! You all think I’ve spent the weekend with my feet up, puttering past myself and having a fine old time. Well I was. But I was also busy behind the Brocantehome curtain working on bringing you a sensible, manageable solution…
Believe me, I do know it is undignified to rave about, well, anything really. Because if we are to pretend that we are too cool for this vintage school, then it serves us well to maintain our composure in the face of…
6 Comments
Oh, Alison! I just LOVE these puttery lists. They really brighten my days. THANK YOU!
It's the middle of winter here in oz, but i feel like it's a balmy summer day after reading this list. Alison i just love, love your blog, it really is the best blog in the world, thanks for all the inspiration. Thank you so much!
I live in an Italian village and floral headscarves are a bit impossible to find! The modern housewives dress is more on the lines of a not-quite-respectable-for-shopping-anymore T shirt or pullover and a straight skirt. I am, however, converting them to jeans.
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Oh, Alison!
I just LOVE these puttery lists. They really brighten my days. THANK YOU!
But, can't we skip the household work first? I think that I would rather have the treats today. They are so much more delightful!
Some brilliant ideas – some I already do occasionally and now I have lots more to do!
Sounds absolutely wonderful to me! By the way, where do you get all these wonderful vintage graphics?
It's the middle of winter here in oz, but i feel like it's a balmy summer day after reading this list. Alison i just love, love your blog, it really is the best blog in the world, thanks for all the inspiration. Thank you so much!
I live in an Italian village and floral headscarves are a bit impossible to find! The modern housewives dress is more on the lines of a not-quite-respectable-for-shopping-anymore T shirt or pullover and a straight skirt. I am, however, converting them to jeans.