It's a Classical Life

With the cost of living affecting people all around the world, the increased climate crisis, and the terrible abuse of underpaid workers in developing countries, buying second-hand can be the answer to these problems. I'm a big believer in shopping second hand, and have loved searching through op shops (thrift stores) and antique stores since I was a teenager. I loved finding something unique or knowing that I wasn't supporting fast fashion (yes, that was a thing all those years ago!) or compromising the lives of workers in developing countries who perhaps had made their products for a lower than acceptable wage.  However, there are many people who really don't like the idea of shopping second-hand or perhaps don't know where to begin. Not to worry, I'm here to help! Here's a list of some things to start looking for second hand. That can be in-store (which I highly recommend), or from online websites such as eBay , Poshmark , or  Gumtree . The joy of searching i...

"During the 18th century, art and design in the form of silk, lacquerware and delicately painted porcelain began arriving in Britain from China. Britons became enamoured with the exotic aesthetic of what was considered a mysterious, far-away land. The increasing demand for these Eastern goods led to the development of ‘Chinoiserie’, a desirable style which drew upon the imagery, patterns and textures of these imported goods. ‘Chinoiserie’ permeated many aspects of design, from crockery to wall coverings, furnishing to gardens and became an extraordinarily popular trend."                                                                                          From Museum of London Archaeology Today, I'd like to talk about a lit...