Forget the fancy marble floored malls, Mum and I just had to visit the biggest secondhand store we have ever known when we were in America! Unique is about the size of my local B and Q!

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We went in desperate for a portable high chair that I had forgotten to get out of the garage and pack in the suitcase and found one with a tray for $1.99, unbelievable!

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There were all sorts of things I wish I could have stuffed in my suitcase including these metal drawers that I would have loved to have given a face lift for when I have my own little office, a set of vintage suitcases ($3 each - incredible) and lots of picture frames that were just beyond, what our already straining luggage allowance, would cope with!

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Mum couldn't resist buying this metal trike for big boy (excuse the fuzzy photo after all it was an action shot!) for $6 and luckily we were able to take that one home as a piece of Mum's luggage!

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It kept him entertained whilst we browsed through the aisles of bargains!

The store bags up, in what looked like big freezer bags toys, books and nick nacks. All for around $1.

I bought a few puzzles and play figures to keep the boys happy at Uncle Pat's house and Mum spotted the best find. A set of 6 old metal medals for 99c each - perfect for decorations for small boy's birthday when we came home.

If only our local charity shop was the size of a Homebase!

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Look how pleased small boy was with the trike! Poor boy can't even ride it yet!

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A transatlantic find for Magpie Monday!

After a disastrous journey (sickness in the car is never good!) we arrived in sunny Southbourne (which has quickly become soggy Southbourne)! But it was sunny on small boy's big day and that is all that matters!

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If you have read my blog more than once, you will know we are off to America next week, for my brother's wedding. I have been to quite a few weddings, now that I am the grand old age of 30, but they have all been traditional English affairs.

I have been reading up on the differences between the English and American wedding. We don't tend to have escort cards, (they would have a totally different meaning as in an Escort as in Pretty Woman!) the women don't wear corsages on their wrists, the ceremony is much earlier in the day, the champagne reception becomes cocktail hour in the US, (this sounds fab!) the newly weds don't sit on their own sweetheart table in England and we do not host a formal rehearsal meal the night before.

My mother is effectively hosting the rehearsal dinner (she's put up the cash!) but because the Groom has two small nephews they are having a rehearsal lunch instead, with the entire Bridal party and then we are off to see the Priest for the practise run!

I love the idea of everyone having a meal together to celebrate and discuss the big event with less than 24 hours to go! I think it will add to the excitement and build up of the wedding and it is a chance for the two families to socialise properly, as I am sure everyone will only have snippets of conversation on the actual day as that is how it goes at weddings!

I remember at my own wedding, I made a conscious effort to say hello to everyone, but for some that is all I said! Not on purpose but just because you can have so many people to get round!

I am making a few bits to have at the lunch, I can't put them on the blog unless the Bride and Groom promise not to look!

I have been researching bits and pieces and as is always the way, have found some great ideas but with only 4 days until we fly, I am not sure I will be able to do them all! Like this wishes bouquet from Petal Wishes!

Linking up my current crush for this week with Danielle at Framed Frosting

My perfect rehearsal! Of course it just has to be red white and blue! I can't wait until next week when I can show you some photographs of the real thing!