I am obsessed with old tea sets. The older, the kitschier, the daintier, the better. Whenever I step into a charity shop, it’s the first section I go to – that shelf with random pieces of china waiting patiently to be added to my collection. 

Quite some time ago I found this unusual shaped tea and saucer set {below right} and had to get it since it matched a set my parents have had since before I was born. The shape was so unusual, but perfect for my standard stack of cookies. Later when I was in the Arnott’s home department, I saw a tea set in the same shape, called a ‘housewife hostess tea set’, hence where I got the name for these. I don’t really know if that’s what this style is called, but I could hardly call my post ‘Thrifty things – tea set with a kind of charmingly wobbily abnormal shaped saucer’.

Later I found my second set {above left}. I must admit, fiance uses them much more than I do. I don’t actually drink tea, which is very unusual for this part of the world. But my love of dainty tea sets outweigh my dislike for tea.

First tea set €3 at Respect charity shop on Prussia Street, and second set €3 at Mrs. Quin’s Charity Shop in Rathfarnham. 

Wedded note: This is actually something along the lines of what we’re thinking for our big day – dark plum and burgundy tones, dainty tea sets, mulled wine, candles on anything that stands still, and a shit-ton of hydrangeas – obviously. So excited to get started!