Hitchen Lavender

What a shame it's not scratch and sniff. Took my Mum, 93 years young, out to Hitchin Lavender in Hertfordshire this afternoon. We came back with big bundles of Lavender that we cut ourselves. Really can't think of anything nicer to do on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

How do you like to spend summer Sundays?

xx

Avoca

Like me you've probably seen the pretty Irish Avoca clothing range in John Lewis but maybe not realised that they also do homeware too, which is just as pretty. I was in Belfast last weekend and spotted an Avoca store there so couldn't resist a look inside. 

My son was with me on this trip. The poor boy has had to haul back bags full of Anthropologie goodies from US trips for me in the days before they had stores here in the UK. He sighed as we walked through the doors of Avoca, "do they ship?" ...

Yes if you love Anthro you will adore Avoca! Here's a few pics to give you an idea.

Upstairs there is a beautiful cafe where you can indulge in a slice of '15' - a yummy Irish delicacy!

We wondered why it was called 15. The recipe tells it all!


15 digestive biscuits, crushed
15 walnuts, finely chopped
15 glace cherries, chopped
15 coloured marshmallows, chopped
1/2 can sweetened condensed milk (a bit more, if necessary)
3/4 cup desiccated coconut



1  Mix the first four ingredients.
2  Add enough condensed milk to bring all the ingredients into a ball.
3  Divide the ball into two and make two sausage like rolls.
4  Scatter half the quantity of dessicated coconut on the worktop.
5  Roll one'sausage' over it to coat well.
6  Scatter the remaining half and roll the other'sausage' as well.
7  Place 'sausages' on a tray and refrigerate until firm- about 2 hours.
8  Cut into 1/2 inch discs.
9 *Note:Can be made in large quantities and kept refrigerated in zip lock bags.
10  Lasts for weeks.

xx

A G Hendy & Co Home Store

This week I was at A G Hendy & Co Home Store in Hastings Old Town. LIke stepping back in time...

xx

Vintage shopping in Arundel

I took these photos some weeks ago on a jaunt to the lovely town of Arundel. It's a small town near the coast and perfect for a day trip. I stayed overnight in nearby Pulborough in a lovely little hotel and a first for me - sleeping in a four poster bed! Not the comfiest bed I have ever slept in but an experience.

(You don't see the warning at 3am when nature calls...ouch!)

Some of the antique stores in Arundel had closed since my last visit, a sign of the times, but there are a satisfying number of vintage and interior shops to happily browse in. 

 

I particularly loved this new vintage and salvage shop spread over two floors of an amazing old barn.

If you tire of vintage shopping (never I hear you say) then there's always the castle to visit.

Are you enjoying the sunshine as much as I am? I'm planning another vintage expedition this week while the weather holds....

xx

Finally, my new bathroom!

After years of cutting out pictures from magazines, saving, deliberating and salivating, not to mention weeks of builders dust, I have my dream bathroom! 

Step inside and have a look...

Paint: Lime White Fired Earth and Bone Farrow & Ball

Bliss!

xx