strange_complex: (Me Half Age party)
strange_complex ([personal profile] strange_complex) wrote2007-08-03 10:28 am

Loafing, shopping, chatting - what more could you want?

Well, that was an absolutely lovely birthday.

I spent the morning loafing around in my dressing gown, opening presents, responding to LJ comments and setting up a Scrabble game on Facebook. My sister had sent me a Porpora CD from my Amazon wish-list that I'd wanted for ages, so I'm really happy about that although I haven't listened to it yet, as well as a brilliant book on Art Deco houses, which wasn't on my wish-list, but was a really excellent choice. I spent ages sitting on the sofa, poring over it wonder and awe, and occasionally getting to say things like, "Ooh, my window catches are like that!" It's great, and will be a very handy guide to choosing the right sorts of rugs, light-shades and so on.

Mum and Dad had also sent me a couple of CDs, but they weren't my 'real' present - just copies they'd made, in fact. No, my real present is this lamp:

 


It's stood for years in a pub in the centre of Birmingham, where my Dad likes to go on a Saturday afternoon to mark people's PhD theses, and whose landlady he has become good chums with over the years. So of course he told her about my new house, and she'd already said that if he ever wanted any of the nick-nacks in the pub, he just had to make an offer. And he did! It's not here yet, but it looks like Dad will be making another visit late next week to help me sort my curtains out, so he will probably bring it with him then.

After lunch, I finally got dressed, and headed into town for some Serious Shopping. Two pairs of shoes, innumerable hair accessories and biscuits and a large roll of fabric later, I arrived in the Swan so laden down with packages I was having trouble getting through doors, to be joined by no less than six lovely friends. And since I'd only decided to do anything on my actual birthday at 1pm that day, I was touched beyond belief that so many people were willing to come out and join me with only 4 hours' notice. I think that's a real sign of being properly settled in here now, if I have friends who'll do that.

Finally headed home at about 7pm, and then just whiled away the rest of the evening eating my dinner, watching House and working out how to use the staple-gun I've bought in order to re-cover my dining chairs. Just perfect, really.

[identity profile] my-mundane-life.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
Happy birthday - sorry I wasn't with it enough to post an entry when I got home yesterday!
Sounds like you had a great day and the presents are so thoughtful - especially the lovely lamp :)
ext_550458: (Purple and black phone)

[identity profile] strange-complex.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 10:27 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, and don't worry - you've got quite enough on your mind at the moment! Hope the phone rings soon...

[identity profile] my-mundane-life.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 10:29 am (UTC)(link)
Me too -I honestly feel like I might throw up if they don't phone soon!

[identity profile] kantti.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 10:26 am (UTC)(link)
Have you got a search set up on ebay for art deco furniture? This (http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&satitle=art+deco&sacat=20091%26catref%3DC6&a23718=-24&a26220=26234&a54=-24&a44=-24&a56=-24&a10244=-24&alist=a23718%2Ca26220%2Ca54%2Ca44%2Ca56%2Ca10244&pfmode=1&reqtype=1&gcs=1553&pfid=3745&pf_query=art+deco&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D3&sadis=200&fpos=SO238DB&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ga10244=10425&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=2%26fsoo%3D2&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=)
would be a good starting point. A lot of is mislabelled (including stuff which is clearly art deco being labelled as something else, like Arts and Crafts), which is a bit frustrating, but there is still some good stuff. It's much more efficient than hunting around antique stores, and I've got myself a beautiful coat hook, a kitchen table, and a set of chairs that way so far. I've also fallen in love with lots of other pieces which I sadly don't have room for.
ext_550458: (Computer baby)

[identity profile] strange-complex.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 10:30 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, that is handy. I've been hunting for some individual things on an ad hoc basis so far, such as an Art Deco mantel clock, but haven't got a regular search set up. Although I am feeling a bit depressed about Ebay at the moment, because the mantel clock I bought (this one (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180141904157&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=008)) ended up arriving in 11 different pieces! :-( The seller is being very helpful and arranging compensation, but the clock is still broken...

[identity profile] kantti.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 11:04 am (UTC)(link)
Oh that is sad. It looked like it would have been really nice. I think with ebay there's a definite risk but I think it's usually worth it in terms of the price savings relative to a shop-shop and also in terms of the selection available.
I think. A few more bad experiences and I may reverse my opinion. :)
ext_550458: (Janus)

[identity profile] strange-complex.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I'm still pro-Ebay overall, mainly because of the convenience and range of choice. You just have to accept as part of it that there will inevitably be a few bad experiences.

[identity profile] big-daz.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 10:49 am (UTC)(link)
T'was nice to see you. The bottled beer in Swan's is rather nice too :-)

I love that lamp- I'm reet jealous now!

[identity profile] gillywoo.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 10:58 am (UTC)(link)
Glad you had a good time - sorry I didn't make it, I got caught up doing other things : (
x

[identity profile] themonkeypolice.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 11:07 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds like a lovely day and it's wonderful how thoughtful your family were with their presents. Enjoy!

[identity profile] huskyteer.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 11:11 am (UTC)(link)
That's a great present from your folks. Thoughtful, unique and appropriate!

[identity profile] rentaghost31.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 11:11 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh! Happy birthday. Gorgeous lamp of joy!

[identity profile] ingenious76.livejournal.com 2007-08-03 12:20 pm (UTC)(link)
That lamp is amazing! Happy (belated) birthday, sorry I didn't comment before now.