After Two Years...

We finally found her after two years of searching. Any antique shop that we have ever been passed we have stopped in and enquired if they had any Paper Knives. From Northumberland to Suffolk, all the places we could think of in Norfolk to places in Derbyshire, Wales and Dorset - all over the places. But to no avail. You see  I have a particular aversion to opening envelopes, I just don't think how it feels. Strange as that may sound, but hey, it's just one of my things. So a couple of years ago, my Husband suggested we look out for a Paper Knife. We decided we wanted something old, preferably before 1920 and something with an ornate handle. Little did we know how hard it would to be to find one...We have seen plenty, and I mean plenty of button hooks but very view Paper Knives.

And then, after a hard search we found one! We went to Tenterden in Kent on a bit of whim and in the second antique shop beautifully called the Antique and Silver Vaults, they had no less than five paper knives, more than we had seen total in the last two years.  I felt spoilt for choice and new one would be coming home with us. After a little debate we decided upon this little Victorian number. It was made in Sheffield in 1854. That means it's158 years old - 158 years old! The handle was just perfect, so pretty and feels good in the hand. There is a little damage, but it just adds to her character. Now every time I open an envelope it just makes me smile! She was well worth the wait!

Rochester

We often head for Kent of a weekend to visit my Mum. There are quite a few places in the Garden of England that we really like, but none more so than Rochester. It really does have everything I love about a town. A terrific high street with truly adorable speciality shops. Lots of history with the Castle, Guildhall, Cathedral, Corn Exchange, Eastgate House and Restoration House. I really like how all the buildings in the high street are unique. The Cathedral is wonderful and very peaceful. The Cloisters and the Crypt were my favourite places and it was very accessible for my Mum who is in a wheelchair.

They have some fab jewellers, one of which sells the most gorgeous Kit Heath Beachcomber range which I might *just* be receiving, humbly, for my upcoming birthday. Denis Green feels like an old school Jewellers with proper service. They fixed my Mum's old watch and put on a new strap pronto and they took lots of time helping us when we were looking at their Kit Heath range.

Looky! Beach hut goodness! Such yummy colours and beautiful designs. Kit Heath is a wonder. I just love that the beads are called Pebbles and each has a beachy themed name such a Pool, Drift, Beach Ball and Kiss Me Quick!

So many of the shops are beautiful, the window displays are stunning like this one at Kiss Kiss Heart.

They have some really great charity shops too - if you are ever in Rochester you need to visit the Demelza Boutique. It's a specialist vintage shop all in the good name of raising money for Demelza Houses which are Children's hospices to support children who are not expected to reach adulthood. Their window displays are also beautiful and we bought a wonderful cardigan for my Husband. He also tried on an old school RAF uniform but unfortunately it was too short in the arm. My he did look handsome in it though.

Last but not least, they have one of the nicest fabric shops ever, Hometown. LOVE! Every time we've been, there has been a different quilt in display.

The shop is so beautiful inside with so many yummy fabrics, trimmings, buttons, books and supplies. I generally spend an age in there and thank goodness they have a loyalty card. I wasn't brave enough to take some photos of the inside, plus it was super busy, but courtesy of Flickr, take a look inside;

Hometown Quilting, Rochester, a photo by azmiat on Flickr.

Hometown Quilting, Rochester, a photo by azmiat on Flickr.

P.s. if you visit you just must choose a cake from Lorenzo's! There Lemon Meringue Pie is divine!