Thursday 29 May 2014

Dream Dress


Have you ever seen anything so visionary?  This Edwardian dress from Cabbages and Roses is presently all I can think about.  I can't even think about anything else to write about it.  Apart from how much I want to get my hands on it.








Wednesday 21 May 2014

Nina Campbell and John Carter Summer Masterclass





It's definitely a sign you're getting on a bit when you start getting excited about plates and table settings. The pure happiness and excitement I felt  last weekend when I found a box of italian speckled plates - 45 of them for £30 - nearly sent me into an early grave.  So for anyone who feels the same way as me, you might want to sit down before you read what I'm about to tell you.  
On thursday June 5th, the legendary Queen of Interiors, Nina Campbell is hosting an entertaining masterclass.  And if you thought it couldn't get any better, it does; The class is being co-hosted by legendary florist, John Carter.  Nina will be talking about dressing the perfect summer table, picking the right linens and glasswares and John will be teaching which flowers to use and how create jaw dropping centrepieces.  And, even better still, is that are a few tickets left.  
If you need me, I'll be in the front row taking notes. 


Nina Campbell Table Setting

 John Carter Flowers


My speckle car boot finds


For more information and tickets on the masterclass visit www.ninacampbell.com 
or call 0044 (0)207 225 1011




Tuesday 20 May 2014

Basket Case







I love a straw basket.  Our house is bursting with them; they cover the walls, the floors, they're piled up under tables.  You can never have enough as far as I'm concerned.  Which is a relief considering I've just stumbled across these brilliant bicycle baskets.   How I hadn't thought of using them for this before now I'm not quite sure. 
They are made by artisans in West Africa for a company called House of Talents.  The aim of the business is to alleviate poverty by connecting artisans from developing countries with consumer markets worldwide.  So, the more you buy, basically the more helpful you're being.  Just in case you needed an incentive.















Sunday 11 May 2014

Dotty for Spotty





It's usually a stripe that sends my pulse racing -  my cupboards resemble some sort of  Breton t-shirt department.  But so far this summer,  it seems that spots are taking over.  I've fallen in love with two of the most heavenly dresses this year.  Both are white floaty, cotton dresses perfect for every possible summer occasion and both are completely covered in polka dots.  Or polka hearts.  And both are far too expensive for my liking.  




Mes Demoiselles Louise dot embroidered maxi dress


Mes Demoiselles Lina Dotty Top


Bamford Khadi hearts summer dress







Thursday 8 May 2014

Willow at Wilderness




I was so excited when the Wild Well Being team who organise the Sanctuary at Wildnerness Festival asked me to be part of their workshop team at the festival in August.  Wilderness is one of my all time favourite festivals - not sure if Ive actually been to many others - but it's obviously and definitely still my favourite.  And it's on my doorstep.  Doubly brilliant.



The tickets have just gone up on line so if you're planning on coming to the festival and would like to come crafting flower crowns with me, please sign up now, here - tickets are quite limited so get your skates on.  There are lots of other workshops and courses going on over the festival too - loving the sound of 'revitalising your mojo' with Vicki Edgson...







www.wildernessfestival.com







Friday 2 May 2014

Tulip Fever at Worton


My love of tulips is verging on obsessional.  Put them and Worton Organic Garden together and I can barely string a sentence together.  I think the fact that I can't seem to grow more than one tulip at a time makes Worton's abundance of them even more miraculous to me. Or maybe it's just because they are so unbelievably ravishing.  Either way, you know where to find me come spring next year...