Friday 19 February 2010

Garden thinking..

It's the time of year when I need to get my head into gear about the garden and allotment. It's my first proper spring for the allotment and the garden has been in need of an overhaul for a few years and I'm determined to start it this year!

I've been thinking about the design and scribbling away for a few months - on and off and now I think it's settled. The hardest part starts now as I'm planning to do a scale drawing and planting plan to ensure I don't keep randomly buying plants I like the look of or feel sorry for at nurserys and to keep a close eye on the cost.

The RHS magazine this month came with loads of great inspiration and I'm very jealous of the borders at Wisley. I'm currently thinking of going for a perennial border mixed with vegetables like peas and french beans, blackcurrants - a sort of informal potager. Watch this space!

Thursday 18 February 2010

Vintage fever



Well, I can be a bit impetuous but when you fall in love, you fall in love. After all it is valentines week!

We have a lovely local vintage shop in Clifton Arcade, Bristol and I stumbled across the most gorgeous black 1940s evening gown. Unfortunately as is usually the case with vintage it wasn’t even nearly my size!

I continued browsing around the shop and came across a fabulous cocktail ring. Now my friends would tell you that I've been in the market for a glamorous cocktail ring for quite a while so when I saw it I nearly shrieked. Its silver with a lovely smokey brown quartz stone. The price also didn’t send me running to the bank manager. I thought I’d share with you the loveliness that is said ring.

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Crafting a success

I've been wanting to write about a particularly amazing craftsman called Eddie Doherty.  He is based in Ardara, Co. Donegal, Ireland, and in his words 'he is the last of a dying breed'.

Eddie has been weaving all his life and continues on his hand loom today.  Apparently he cant get an apprentice for love nor money and he is the last person weaving by hand like this in Ireland.

Picture courtesy of handwoventweed.com
However, that said - business is good.  He works and sells from his small shop/workshop on Main Street and has a vast array of products from tweed to hats to wraps to blankets etc.  Over the last few years he's made quite a name for himself with Irish interior designers who use his beautiful blankets in boutique hotels.  The blankets are warm, colourful and reasonable priced compared to what you are able to buy in the shops in the UK.  I bought a lovely raspberry colour blanket in the sale in August last year for 50 euro and decided a month ago that I needed another one.  We chatted and he said he was going to do another batch for spring and hey presto I received it on Friday being sent by Fedex for 77 euro.  The picture is of a more expensive thicker blanket and its about 120 euro.  These would definitely cover most of a double bed.

He loves giving tours and showing how his loom works, so if you are ever in the area - do pop in.  He gives you a proper Irish welcome!

The website has limited stock.  If you have something you are looking for give him a call, he loves a chat!  www.handwoventweed.com

Friday 12 February 2010

My first...

Gosh, that was easy! Welcome everyone (no one!) to my first blog.
I am not working at the moment and love reading everyone's blogs, so I thought why not do it myself. I am currently doing up my victorian house - on a budget. If i find anything thats helpful I'll let you know.

So... something about myself, so you can get a gist of where I'm coming from. I love good design generally (v. subjective I know - see more in About Me), gardening is a passion although my garden doesn't look like it is and I tend to overuse exclamation marks when I'm excited - so you will have to excuse me! I'll be posting things I see and love and things I see and hate. The other thing you should know about me is that I'm currently going through fertility treatment - don't panic and move on - this blog will not be a diary of where I am with it. I might mention it but to be honest this is more about an outlet for me to think and do nice things.

My other half has been laughing at me as I have just decorated the downstairs loo!  I've used Fired Earth Oak Apple which is a fabulous rich warm grey (recommended by an interior designer friend - thanks kate) and I love the look - however, what my other half feels is that it looks like a boutique hotel loo but with a washing machine and dryer. I've told him it just needs some accessorising to lighten it up a bit and a new light as I broke the one we have (oops).  I'll post a pic. once its finished.

Thanks for reading if you do and I'll post soon.