Ooohhh ladies, I have such a scrumptious evening lined up! As you know, Mr Carl is now working in London, and tonight he is going out for a works dinner, so I will have the whole of our darling little flat to myself. When I get home I am going to run myself the bubbliest bubble bath, and jump in with my Bathina Bath Hat and an aromatherapy face mask and a cup of rose tea. When I am done soaking, I am going to snuggle into my fluffy dressing gown, and have some dinner. Dinner tonight is going to be dreadfully decadent- a dinner from Marks and Spencers and one of their lovely chocolate pot desserts. I am going to light some tea lights while I have this, and watch a dvd. I have Doris Day Young At Heart to enjoy, and while I watch that I am going to be sticking and glueing some more wedding invitations.
Hope you all have a scrumptious evening too!
Thursday, 26 April 2007
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Enchanted April Tea Break
One of the things I love most about April is the unpredictability of the weather. On Sunday, I got a sunburned nose whilst watching a St George’s Day Joust, and today I had to catch the bus in to work to avoid the fat, heavy raindrops!
And happily, often the weather in April suits my mood. Today I am in the mood to blast the hairdryer under my sheets before I snuggle down to bed, to peel satsumas and eat them whilst reading a book, and to properly enjoy a rainy day. I am lucky enough that my library is in the basement of a big building of council offices. Even better, on the top floor is a staff restaurant. I don’t normally venture up there, but the view is so good, and you can see the rain clouds rolling about, so today, up I went. I planned to sip a cup of tea whilst browsing an old Country Living magazine, but when I got there I discovered they are doing cream teas! So I had a cup of tea, a heavenly light scone spread with strawberry jam and proper Cornish clotted cream. I find a proper tea break restores the spirits just as much as it quenches your thirst. Utter bliss!
And happily, often the weather in April suits my mood. Today I am in the mood to blast the hairdryer under my sheets before I snuggle down to bed, to peel satsumas and eat them whilst reading a book, and to properly enjoy a rainy day. I am lucky enough that my library is in the basement of a big building of council offices. Even better, on the top floor is a staff restaurant. I don’t normally venture up there, but the view is so good, and you can see the rain clouds rolling about, so today, up I went. I planned to sip a cup of tea whilst browsing an old Country Living magazine, but when I got there I discovered they are doing cream teas! So I had a cup of tea, a heavenly light scone spread with strawberry jam and proper Cornish clotted cream. I find a proper tea break restores the spirits just as much as it quenches your thirst. Utter bliss!
Today I Am Wearing...
....Another new dress, I am afraid!
Ah, but you see, I have reason. It was pay day, and it is a Peacocks dress, so not a great many pennies. And it is so very me! In fact, it is such a scrumptious little dress that I think I should stop excusing it and try to win you over with the deliciousness of it!
The bodice is boned, and it has two little shoe-string straps. It ends just below my knee, and is white with a beautiful black print of flowers and vines all over it, with a large bold border of flowers. It should have a big thick black belt with it, but I didn’t quite like it- perhaps I shall buy some wide silk ribbon instead. I am wearing it with my little tight black Nigella cardigan, and my darling black high heeled sling-back peep toe shoes. For a splash of colour I am wearing green eyeshadow, and today I feel like I should be sipping cappuccino in a street café in Rome.
Ah, but you see, I have reason. It was pay day, and it is a Peacocks dress, so not a great many pennies. And it is so very me! In fact, it is such a scrumptious little dress that I think I should stop excusing it and try to win you over with the deliciousness of it!
The bodice is boned, and it has two little shoe-string straps. It ends just below my knee, and is white with a beautiful black print of flowers and vines all over it, with a large bold border of flowers. It should have a big thick black belt with it, but I didn’t quite like it- perhaps I shall buy some wide silk ribbon instead. I am wearing it with my little tight black Nigella cardigan, and my darling black high heeled sling-back peep toe shoes. For a splash of colour I am wearing green eyeshadow, and today I feel like I should be sipping cappuccino in a street café in Rome.
Allow A Love Of Beauty To Be The Foundation Of Your Daily Life
On the homepage of Idyllic Days, there is a quote- ‘Allow a love of beauty to be the foundation of your daily life’ which really got me thinking. I am going to spend the next few weeks pondering over little ways to make life more beautiful. Like buying some more pillow spray, so I can breathe in peppermint and nutmeg as I drift off to sleep. Like buying a pen with fantastic green or purple ink, so my handwriting will make me smile, even if I am just writing out a dewey number at work.
And also, little ways to make life more…well I am not quite sure what the word is, but I will try to explain what I mean. I recently read The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlon. I can heartily recommend it, not least for the gorgeous black velvet flock cover! In part of the book, she talks about how, when she was a child in the 70’s her family did a lot of things that are very popular now. Things like reusing furniture, hand-me-down clothes, thrift shop finds and so on. Because it made sense and was economical, as much as being green. Using home made cleaning products, all of that. Carl loves to watch ‘It’s Not Easy Being Green’ each week, all about alternative energy and using what you have, and very practical.
Please bear with me on this ramble- perhaps now might be a good time to refresh your cup of tea? I don’t like the idea of being an eco-warrior exactly, but I do like the idea of living in harmony with the seasons, and doing as little damage as possible to our environment, and as much good as possible. To this end, we like to shop seasonally, and refuse carrier bags where we can. We shop at the local market and farmers market, and use the supermarket for the rest. We use local businesses and independent shops over big chains where we can. We recycle, and reuse, and I love, love, love charity shop shopping. (Or thrifting, as it is scrumptiously named in America).
And yet all of this, I do not know what to call it. ‘Green’ ‘Eco friendly’ …nothing seems to quite fit for me. This thing is very much entwined with my love of vintage housekeeping, vintage way of life as well. So, what to call it? I still don’t know. Perhaps it doesn’t need a name, but I feel it would be useful if I had a name to call it. If you go and visit www.vintagepretty.org you will see better what I mean, perhaps. Her website matches how I feel about these things. But I have digressed a lot. What I was trying to say is that I want to do little things to make life more beautiful, and little things to make life more…whatever word it is that I shall use for ‘green’. One of my ideas is that while we reuse carrier bags a lot, surely it would be better not to use them at all? So on my next day off that I get to visit Mum, I am going to ask her if we can play on her sewing machine and make some strong calico bags that I could use to put my shopping in rather than take carrier bags. I am planning a nice visit to the fabric shop, and what trimmings I could use to make them pretty. Perhaps a vintage flower print? Perhaps I could embroider veggies on one bag? Applique a hen and a cow on another? And when I have made them, as a special reward I am thinking of treating myself to a Cath Kidston oil cloth bag as well!
If you have stayed with my little ramble this long, I really do think you deserve a biscuit with your tea! Thank you if you have stayed with me! And do tell…what little things do you do to make your life that little bit more scrumptious, or ‘green’?
And also, little ways to make life more…well I am not quite sure what the word is, but I will try to explain what I mean. I recently read The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlon. I can heartily recommend it, not least for the gorgeous black velvet flock cover! In part of the book, she talks about how, when she was a child in the 70’s her family did a lot of things that are very popular now. Things like reusing furniture, hand-me-down clothes, thrift shop finds and so on. Because it made sense and was economical, as much as being green. Using home made cleaning products, all of that. Carl loves to watch ‘It’s Not Easy Being Green’ each week, all about alternative energy and using what you have, and very practical.
Please bear with me on this ramble- perhaps now might be a good time to refresh your cup of tea? I don’t like the idea of being an eco-warrior exactly, but I do like the idea of living in harmony with the seasons, and doing as little damage as possible to our environment, and as much good as possible. To this end, we like to shop seasonally, and refuse carrier bags where we can. We shop at the local market and farmers market, and use the supermarket for the rest. We use local businesses and independent shops over big chains where we can. We recycle, and reuse, and I love, love, love charity shop shopping. (Or thrifting, as it is scrumptiously named in America).
And yet all of this, I do not know what to call it. ‘Green’ ‘Eco friendly’ …nothing seems to quite fit for me. This thing is very much entwined with my love of vintage housekeeping, vintage way of life as well. So, what to call it? I still don’t know. Perhaps it doesn’t need a name, but I feel it would be useful if I had a name to call it. If you go and visit www.vintagepretty.org you will see better what I mean, perhaps. Her website matches how I feel about these things. But I have digressed a lot. What I was trying to say is that I want to do little things to make life more beautiful, and little things to make life more…whatever word it is that I shall use for ‘green’. One of my ideas is that while we reuse carrier bags a lot, surely it would be better not to use them at all? So on my next day off that I get to visit Mum, I am going to ask her if we can play on her sewing machine and make some strong calico bags that I could use to put my shopping in rather than take carrier bags. I am planning a nice visit to the fabric shop, and what trimmings I could use to make them pretty. Perhaps a vintage flower print? Perhaps I could embroider veggies on one bag? Applique a hen and a cow on another? And when I have made them, as a special reward I am thinking of treating myself to a Cath Kidston oil cloth bag as well!
If you have stayed with my little ramble this long, I really do think you deserve a biscuit with your tea! Thank you if you have stayed with me! And do tell…what little things do you do to make your life that little bit more scrumptious, or ‘green’?
130 Miles There, 100 Miles Back
This Saturday has been my favourite wedding activity so far. Dear Carl, myself and our Mums set off for Haslemere in Surrey to see lovely, lovely Sam of Idyllic Days (www.idyllic-days.com). Unfortunately one of the motorways was shut on the way down, so Carl navigated us through a myriad of tiny villages, which were oh, so beautiful, that I was secretly really rather pleased that we had been diverted. So much wisteria! And in several villages, all the eaves and window frames had been painted a delightful bottle green. It is much more hilly than here in flat, flat Essex, a thing which always pleases me.
When we got to our destination, Sam was so nice. Perhaps I should explain- Idyllic Days is a scrumptious company that hires out vintage china, glass, linens, deck chairs…you name it! And we are hiring cake stands and tea cups and so on for our afternoon tea wedding reception in August. We visited so we could chat about exactly how many of which things we would like to hire, and also to be able to have a look at her treasures. And oh, what treasures she had! While we were sitting in her living room, I noticed a bunch of dried hydrangeas which I took to be a very good sign indeed- for they are our wedding flowers!
After we had finished there, we went into the little town for a wander. I was very taken with it- there was an organic tea shop (unfortunately we did not have time to visit) and a health food shop that wasn’t Julian Graves or Holland and Barrett! There were lots of little independent shops, and also a gorgeous library. Small and like stepping back a few years, but in the best possible way. Before we went we had a picnic in the car, and it was divine sitting sipping coffee and just relaxing in the utter gorgeousness of it all.
When we got to our destination, Sam was so nice. Perhaps I should explain- Idyllic Days is a scrumptious company that hires out vintage china, glass, linens, deck chairs…you name it! And we are hiring cake stands and tea cups and so on for our afternoon tea wedding reception in August. We visited so we could chat about exactly how many of which things we would like to hire, and also to be able to have a look at her treasures. And oh, what treasures she had! While we were sitting in her living room, I noticed a bunch of dried hydrangeas which I took to be a very good sign indeed- for they are our wedding flowers!
After we had finished there, we went into the little town for a wander. I was very taken with it- there was an organic tea shop (unfortunately we did not have time to visit) and a health food shop that wasn’t Julian Graves or Holland and Barrett! There were lots of little independent shops, and also a gorgeous library. Small and like stepping back a few years, but in the best possible way. Before we went we had a picnic in the car, and it was divine sitting sipping coffee and just relaxing in the utter gorgeousness of it all.
Friday, 20 April 2007
Derelict Beauty
There is a house on my way to work that draws my eye every time I pass it. It is about half way down the long straight road that I walk down, on the left hand side. It is a large old house, yet curiously near to the street. I suspect when it was built it had a garden at the front which has now been eaten up with tarmac and concrete. It fascinates me because it is so decorative and beautiful, yet so faded and neglected at the same time. I have lived in my little flat for three years now, and the house was like it even back then. There are panes of glass broken that no one has repaired, but in a secret way I am a little pleased, because it affords a little glimpse of the rooms inside. I have daydreams of restoring it to its former glory, and plan what we would use each of the rooms for. I imagine getting rid of all the weeds and the nasty concrete in the front, painting the window frames and showing the house some love. Because that puzzles me- who owns this glorious building and yet cares so little for it? I know repairs and renovations are expensive, but surely it would be better to sell it than to own it and let it slowly die?
This morning bought the most beautiful sight. A wheelie bin has been blown or knocked over, and the lid has fallen open showing rubbish that has been waiting to be collected for how ever many years it is now that the house has been uninhabited. And around all this decay and neglect, there are the most glorious wisteria creeping over everything. They are the most wonderful lilac colour, all muted as though they don’t want to compete with the beauty of the derelict house, but complement it. I love how nature doesn’t discriminate, and will touch anything with its beauty.
Tomorrow we are off to Surrey to meet the lovely, lovely lady who has the most scrumptious business- www.idyllicdays.com She hires out the most amazing vintage china and such things- picnic hampers, glass, all kinds of lovely things. We are going to hire cake stands and cake plates and so on for our afternoon tea wedding reception, and she kindly said we could go and look at what she has got! I can hardly wait. Then on Sunday we are off to Cressing Temple for a St George’s Day celebration. There is going to be jousting and a medieval fair and so on. And then? Then it is back to Monday again! Hope you all have the most scrumptious weekend!
This morning bought the most beautiful sight. A wheelie bin has been blown or knocked over, and the lid has fallen open showing rubbish that has been waiting to be collected for how ever many years it is now that the house has been uninhabited. And around all this decay and neglect, there are the most glorious wisteria creeping over everything. They are the most wonderful lilac colour, all muted as though they don’t want to compete with the beauty of the derelict house, but complement it. I love how nature doesn’t discriminate, and will touch anything with its beauty.
Tomorrow we are off to Surrey to meet the lovely, lovely lady who has the most scrumptious business- www.idyllicdays.com She hires out the most amazing vintage china and such things- picnic hampers, glass, all kinds of lovely things. We are going to hire cake stands and cake plates and so on for our afternoon tea wedding reception, and she kindly said we could go and look at what she has got! I can hardly wait. Then on Sunday we are off to Cressing Temple for a St George’s Day celebration. There is going to be jousting and a medieval fair and so on. And then? Then it is back to Monday again! Hope you all have the most scrumptious weekend!
Monday, 16 April 2007
Today I Am Wearing
Well, tomorrow I will be wearing my new dress! I popped out at lunch time today to get some sun, and the most fabulous dress caught my eye. It was bright green with white polka dots, in a very fifties shape. It has a kind of ruched thing that could be a belt if it were not part of the dress, right under the bust, and then the skirt is really full and flarey. They had it in red, white, black or green. Although the green had caught my eye, I looked at the red (I have a lot of red, pinks and purples in my wardrobe) as I just don’t have any green in my wardrobe. Certainly not such a BRIGHT green. But then I remembered a friend talking about colour therapy, saying that sometimes you are not drawn to what might be your favourite colour, but to a colour that is perhaps missing in your life. And as the dress was only £20 I decided to go with it, and buy the green. So tomorrow I will be wearing my new bright green polka dot fifties dress, with high heeled black peep toe shoes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)