Recycling Ideas For Pretty And Useful Storage

      It started off  as a horrible rainy day today so I decided I would sort through some new storage ideas. I am an avid collector. Whether it's books, vintage toys, old tins, or vintage costume jewellery I collect it. I only have to buy two items and that's it in my mind it is the start of a collection! As I am not selling on ebay at the moment I have promised myself when I buy items at car boot sales or jumble sales it will only be if I can display it, store it easily or an item I can find use for and adapt into everyday life.
     When I am out searching for bargains I always look out for some retro storage ideas to keep my collections in. I love the look of them around the house and it just seems to me sensible to recycle old items into useful storage. Two items I have found recently have given me lots of storage with a 60s and 70s look and at a price that can't be beaten really.

     One is this 1960s or 70s LP record storage case I bought at a car boot sale for £1. It still has the original key and I keep lots of my 1970s LPs in it next to my lovely record player my family bought me  a few years ago. You can't beat the sound of a 70s vinyl record! I'm always on the look out for more but at about £25 each on ebay I think I'll keep scouring the car boot sales.

      The other great storage find was an Air India 1960s vanity case I noticed under a table at a jumble sale and also cost me £1.

     It is in lovely condition and has the original Air India logo of The Maharajah which was the mascot from 1946 until 2015.

      The inside is still lined with some beautiful 1950s or 60s Christmas wrapping paper. So neatly done I wonder if many people today would take so much trouble and look after an item for so long. I have put it on top of my wardrobe with a collection of some of my vintage toys inside and I love the look of it. New storage would be ten times the price and not nearly so much fun!

    I was out feeding the aviary birds and hens this afternoon and the clouds gradually started to clear. I decided to try and fit in an hour tidying up in the garden. 

     There is so much to be done after a few months of neglect but I'll keep pushing on so the garden looks half way decent by the spring. It was lovely being out there I enjoyed it ever so much. There is a lot of  pruning to be done and I feel as if I have made a slight start. I was thrilled to see there was the beginnings of blossom on the plum tree. I know we still have a long wait until Spring but the signs are there! By the time I had finished my hours work the clouds had almost disappeared. 

After such a gloomy start the day has certainly brightened up.