I’m Anne-Marie Smith – my passion is recycling, upcycling, design and craft. I have a studio (garage) full of vintage (or junk as my husband likes to call it). I’m a whizz at organising events (bossy). Oh and I love food whether that’s cooking, bottling, baking or eating it!

tea & toast & tapas is a lifestyle blog and online shop stuffed full of ideas, inspirations and handmade loveliness.

No 14 is the biggest upcycling and design project I’ve undertaken here. An original wooden chalet restored and updated but still retaining that seaside chalet feel with lots of vintage touches. Available to rent from Easter 2021 subject to campsite opening dates and Covid 19 restrictions (Contact for Details on Bookings)

The Pop-Up Artisan Market is a whole new venture. An online space for creative businesses based here in the Costa Brava to promote and sell their work to a wider audience. Particularly during these difficult times when the usual places like Arts and Crafts Markets and Events are cancelled and people who would normally buy their unique and original pieces for themselves, their friends and their families from independent traders have few means of seeking them out. Its been running since November last year and we are gradually building a following and adding to our traders all the time. Do get in touch if you think this is for you!

I’m Anne-Marie Smith – my passion is recycling, upcycling, design and craft. I have a studio (garage) full of vintage (or junk as my husband likes to call it). I’m a whizz at organising events (bossy). Oh and I love food whether that’s cooking, bottling, baking or eating it!

tea & toast & tapas is a lifestyle blog and online shop stuffed full of ideas, inspirations and handmade loveliness.

No 14 is the biggest upcycling and design project I’ve undertaken here. An original wooden chalet restored and updated but still retaining that seaside chalet feel with lots of vintage touches. Available to rent from Easter 2021 subject to campsite opening dates and Covid 19 restrictions (Contact for Details on Bookings)

The Pop-Up Artisan Market is a whole new venture. An online space for creative businesses based here in the Costa Brava to promote and sell their work to a wider audience. Particularly during these difficult times when the usual places like Arts and Crafts Markets and Events are cancelled and people who would normally buy their unique and original pieces for themselves, their friends and their families from independent traders have few means of seeking them out. Its been running since November last year and we are gradually building a following and adding to our traders all the time. Do get in touch if you think this is for you!

Bring back the patent

September 20, 2018 /

When I was little whenever there was a special occasion that we needed new shoes for, like Sunday church or a wedding, they were always black patent. Usually with a t-bar and always worn with lace topped white socks.

I’ve grown up a bit since then but am loving this seasons new penchant for patent, they take me right back and just make me feel special. Am not a high heel kind of gal anymore so the flats with a bow are right up my alley comfy and very, very shiny!

Obviously I’ve ditched the lace topped white ankle socks and would team up with thick ribbed tights in camel, a soft spotty linen dress, chunky asymmetrical cardi and yet more shiny black with this year’s favourite bag shape round patent. Totally yum going grown up for the autumn.

Sources: tights, shoes, bag, dress cardi – sadly the dress was from Kalimbaka but is out of stock (boo!) but plenty of similar and tights from Modcloth but they are currently not supplying Europe due to the new data sharing rules but plenty of outlets on line and the real world will do.

Images are not mine, unless specified, where available, links to originals and suppliers are provided, if any image belongs to you and is not credited please let me know so I can either provide a link or remove it.

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