Jill Collins

Every morning I go to my local Starbucks to get an iced 6 shot espresso to get me going and pretty much every morning I have been watching this young guy draw as I waited for my drink and I noticed he was giving away his art. I started talking to him him day about his work and he gave me one of his drawings and then another and so on as the days went by. It got me thinking how cool they would be as cards and I asked him what he thought of the idea. As you can see he came up with the goods!!! I received the first 20 this morning. Each one is an original piece of art that is quite unique!!! I am going to carry them in my stores as alternative cards for any occasion. They can be viewed horizontal or vertical depending on how you interpret them. They could also be framed. There are no messages or greetings inside. That is left up to the person who buys it. I am all for supporting local artists and I believe Justin is very talented and I hope you do too!!! #localartist #greetingcards #uniquegreetingcards #originalgreetingcards #wehoshopping https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck987XdL4eS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I VOTED because it is my privilege which I am thankful for. Please tell me why you did in the comments below. #vote2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkuBdofvKIq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Last night’s sunset was stunning!!! I am hoping for a repeat performance tonight. Don’t forget to look up and capture the beauty that nature creates!!! #sunset #sunsetinweho https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckls1X0Pr_F/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A day late but…. This postcard was sent October 30, 1912 from Brooklyn Station. It was addressed to a Miss Esther M. Hay at 80 Winthrop Street, Brooklyn. I looked up the address and it is a building located in the Prospect Lefferts Gardens neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. It was built in 1927. The message reads “Look out or the witch will get you if you go to movies again when you should be at church. From one who knows and not the black hand either” B. Not sure what that means exactly but it sounds ominous!!! I hope everyone had a spooky Halloween!!👻🎃🧙‍♀️ #halloween #halloweenpostcard #vintagepostcard #designer #decorator #setdesign #vintagedecor #wehoshopping https://www.instagram.com/p/CkcCJamvXfT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I went out for a little excursion to get gas and go food shopping late this afternoon and stopped into one of my local haunts. I found this copper plate with hand enameled flowers. It is quite heavy and it appears to be from the 1970’s. It has such a quirky feel to it. Just a little something because…why not? #1970s #1970sdecor #vintageenamel. #vintagedecor #designer #decorator #setdesign #wehoshopping https://www.instagram.com/p/CjzIKU_LPgQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Last photos featuring the gardens @arundelcastleuk with @danpaulflores and @sergiorodriguez1969. This is only a small snippet of the grounds as there is a lot more to see. It closes for the winter on October 30th until the spring so if you are in the UK and are planning a visit please check the schedule for opening days and times. There are nearly 1,000 years of history at this great castle, situated in magnificent grounds overlooking the River Arundel in West Sussex and built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel. Apart from the occasional reversion to the Crown, Arundel Castle has descended directly from 1138 to the present day, carried by female heiresses from the Albinis to the Fitzalans in the 13th century and then from the Fitzalans to the Howards in the 16th century and it has been the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 850 years. From the 15th to the 17th centuries the Howard’s were at the forefront of English history, from the Wars of the Roses, through the Tudor period to the Civil War. An interesting fact: The Duke of Norfolk is also the Earl Marshal of England, a title the family have held for over 500 years. The Earl Marshal organizes major ceremonial State events such as the opening of Parliament. The building we see now owes much to Henry, 15th Duke of Norfolk (1847-1917) and the restoration project was completed in 1900. It was one of the first English country houses to be fitted with electric light, integral fire lighting equipment, service lifts and central heating. The gravity fed domestic water supply also supplied the town. I meant to post info regarding the bedroom from my previous post that Queen Victoria (1819-1901) stayed in. She came from Osbourne House with her husband, Prince Albert, for three days in 1846 for which the bedroom and library furniture were specially commissioned and made by a leading London furniture designer. So much history here to see and learn about!!! I find all of this so fascinating!!! #arundelcastle #arundel #england #westsussex https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjn1FuMJ3B9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Today I have some interior highlights to share with you @arundelcastleuk. The library is my favorite room in the castle!!! It is incredibly beautiful and actually comprises a few rooms divided off by heavy velvet curtains. I could just imagine myself curled up on a sofa with a book and a cup of tea by one of the three fireplaces with a fire crackling away. (photos 1-4). The library consists of two floors and is used by the family as are the bedrooms for guests. There are bottles of water by the beds, towels in the bathrooms and books along with personal photographs scattered around on tables throughout the castle. The ropes come down in the evenings and the family accesses the rooms. Can you imagine? The sedan chair was used to carry royalty (photo 5) and in the following two photos are a child’s cradle and a sleigh. (Photos 6-7) In the next photo (8) is one of the many religious pieces found around every corner of the castle and the bedroom pictured was slept in by Queen Victoria when she visited and she signed the guest book with the quill in the display case. (Photos 9-10). There is so much more to see!!! #arundelcastle @arundel #england https://www.instagram.com/p/CjlRbkLp21Z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Here are some interior architectural photos of Arundel Castle. Sorry to bombard you with endless shots but there are just so many amazing detailed elements of the castle. As you can tell I am slightly obsessed with this place!!! Hope you enjoy!!! #arundelcastle #arundel #englishcountryside https://www.instagram.com/p/Cji6YdZBJ7f/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It is hard to believe it was only yesterday that @danpaulflores and @sergiorodriguez1969 and I were exploring #arundelcastle. It was a last minute decision to go as I still had packing and other things to do around the house but I thought what the heck and went. I am so glad I did as the weather was glorious and the castle is so beautiful. They had never been which I find hard to believe as it is so close by. I took so many photos I will have to post them all in stages. If you ever get the chance it is a must see in my opinion!!! #arundelcastle #arundel #englishcountryside https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjg9oNqMLct/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

When in the UK my trip would not be complete without a visit to @spencer_swaffer antiques. What a joy it is to behold!!! It is a virtual feast for the eyes!!! The quality is astounding!!! Visiting with @spencer_swaffer and @freyajaneswaffer is such a treat!!! Thank you as always for your hospitality and friendship over all these years which are now too many to count!!! I may have come away with a few treasures for myself. How could I not??? #spencerswafferantiques #arundel #antiqueshoppinginengland #antiques #designer #decorator #setdesign #ressurectedoddities #wehoshopping https://www.instagram.com/p/CjfMrwwsW1U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

You may think upon first glance that this is an ordinary stool but it is anything but ordinary!!! In fact it is extraordinary!!! This is an Elizabeth ll limed oak coronation stool with a blue velvet seat and chamfered legs. Made for the coronation of Elizabeth ll which took place on June 2nd. 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London. Elizabeth was 25 years old when she was crowned Queen. The invited guests were offered the opportunity to purchase their stools after the event and this is one of them!!! I am so thrilled to own this piece of history!!! I bid for this the other day @tooveysauctions and was so excited to be the one to get it!!! I have bought many treasures over the years here and enjoy wandering around and seeing everything. I especially love catching up with old friends like Rupert and Nick Toovey!!! Thank you for your hospitality, tea and cake and most of all your friendship!!! Until next time…. I can’t wait!!! #tooveysauctions #coronationstool #queenelizabeth #royalmemorabilia #antiquinginengland #tooveysauctions #designer #decorator #setdesign #ressurectedoddities #wehoshopping https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjc1fdyLv-4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Yesterday @danpaulflores and I took a trip up to Battersea Park to The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair. Some very interesting items!!! The 6ft 2in carved wooden Angel from the 1700’s was my very favorite! Truly beautiful!!! It was a fabulous opportunity to see the best of the best! Old is very old over here!!! It is a whole different ballgame! We really enjoyed meeting the antique dealers and learning from them. I actually didn’t come away with anything purchased but I did get some ideas and education. In addition I made some good connections which was worth the visit!!! #decorativeantiquesfairbattersea #antiques #antiquedecor #designer #decorator #setdesign #antiqueshoppinginengland #ressurectedoddities #wehoshopping https://www.instagram.com/p/CjaPddGMH-p/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

This is what I am looking at right now! How incredibly beautiful is this? Sunsets in the English countryside are so beautiful!!! The birds are quieting down as the sun gently sets. #sunset #sunsetintheenglishcountryside #countrylife https://www.instagram.com/p/CjQr3PfMpk0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Madame Wu, famed Southern Califirnia restauranteur passed away at 106 years old on September 29th according to the Hollywood Reporter. Madame Sylvia Wu, whose iconic restaurant, Madame Wu’s Garden served Hollywood A-listers for decades! Taken from an article written for the Los Angeles Times by Christy Pina: “ When Wu, her husband and three kids moved from New York to Los Angeles, she was shocked to find inauthentic Cantonese dishes in that city. And she wanted to change that. So, she opened up her first restaurant in Santa Monica in 1959, once her children went off to boarding school and she had some free time on her hands.“ “Madame Wu’s Garden began in a small location and then upgraded to a much bigger site once it picked up steam. According to the Times, Wu drummed up business for her new restaurant by writing a letter to members of her church and asking one of her friends, who was a studio executive, to spread the word. It paid off.” “Wu’s restaurant quickly became known for it’s celebrity clientele, which included stars like Cary Grant, Mae West, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Walter Matthau, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg , among others.” “She closed the restaurant in 1998 as hipper and more casual Chinese spots opened and tastes in the city shifted. At the time, she also spoke of wanting to spend more time with her grandchildren, but it didn’t take long for her to come out of retirement.” “ The restaurateur opened a new spot, Madam Wu’s Asian Bistro & Sushi, in the then-new Grove shortly after, but it didn’t last nearly as long as the first, though people still had affection for her.” “Wu is survived by her two sons George and Patrick and numerous grandchildren. Her husband died in 2011.” I bought this sign a few years ago which is displayed proudly in my store. I wanted to pay my respects today to a woman who was a visionary restauranteur. RIP…Madame Wu. #madamewusgarden #vintagesignage #vintagedecor #designer #decorator #setdesign #ressurectedoddities https://www.instagram.com/p/CjNqcNsu9QV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A shoutout to this fabulous shop @tallulahfoxhome in Petworth!!! I always have to stop in and take a peep at the new arrivals. I timed it perfectly as a container had just been unpacked!Fall colors were ablaze inside. Check out their Instagram for more deliciousness!!! #tallulahfoxpetworth #petworthantiques #antiquinginengland #decor #vintagedecor #designer #decorator #setdesign #treasurehunting https://www.instagram.com/p/CjINIsEuIJC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

WOW!!! Another EXTREMELY #proudmommoment @lilyjcollins. Your hard work ethic and positive spirit has touched and inspired many!!! Congratulations for being the best you can be!!! XO❤️ #lilycollins #emilyinparis #time100 https://www.instagram.com/p/CjFulhVsYz3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I found this really sweet lead bird circa 1930’s today @petworthantiquesmarket. It may have to live at my house for awhile as it has already settled in. Today was one of those perfect fall days where you can feel the weather changing but it is still crisp and sunny. #leadbird #petworth #petworthantiquesmarket #antiquinginengland #vintagedecor #designer #decorator #setdesign #ressurectedoddities https://www.instagram.com/p/CjEBUzXsVDt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=