Country Living Spring Fair

A trip to Country Living Magazine's Spring Fair is a delightful way to end a sunny week off work. I always look forward to this event and come home inspired by all the beautiful home and garden stalls in particular. Despite the jostling crowds (do those Home Counties ladies sharpen their elbows especially for the day?) I managed to take a few photos with my iphone which I hope give you a glimpse of some of the gorgeous goodies on display.

Did I come home empty handed? By my rather extravagant standards I was remarkably restrained. I really liked this enamel shaker in the same shade as my new kitchen units.

I can't decide whether to use this metal utensil holder in the kitchen or summerhouse.

You need real stamina for the Country Living Fair let me tell you. After a few hours I had back ache and sore feet - despite the various fuel stops for tea and cake! So I'm back home with feet up and a cuppa reflecting on a lovely day and lots of new ideas for the house and garden. 

More tea vicar?

Why do I always reach for a mug when I have this pretty china tucked away in the cupboard?

Have a good week everyone xx

Tiles and tiaras

I have a long list of things I need to buy for my new kitchen which is being installed in just two weeks time and I'm so excited! I spent ages in Fired Earth last week oohing and aahing over their fabulous selection of tiles. Some of them are eye wateringly expensive but I finally settled on some lovely crackle glaze ones in tarragon and ivory. I really like these soft, muted colours.

My local Fired Earth is in Radlett at Battlers Green Farm http://www.battlersgreenfarm.co.uk/retailers.html, which has a courtyard of shops and a cafe. Its a lovely place to spend a few hours. The shops are all housed in barns and old out buildings. I especially like the farm shop which sells wonderful homemade cakes which I regularly buy when family come for tea - not that I would pretend I had made them myself of course!

Sometimes it's good to get away from crafting, kitchen plans etc. and it's been a great weekend for socialising. On Friday night I attended a birthday dinner in Berkhamsted at my favourite restaurant Gatsbys. The restaurant is in the splendid foyer of a beautiful original art deco cinema called The Rex. It's a great place for special occasions and the food is always delicious.

The Rex Cinema is a much loved venue and has been incredibly successful since it was saved from property developers a few years ago. Getting tickets to see a film here can be difficult due to its popularity but its always worth the 45 minute trip from home to revel in the glorious art deco splendour.

And finally, last night I was off to a fancy dress party for a friends 50th birthday. Those two words, fancy and dress, tend to fill me with horror but as the theme was 'ballet' it was a good excuse to don a tiara. I like it so much I think I might take to wearing tiaras more often - do you think it might be a little over dressed for the weekly trip to Waitrose?

Enjoy your Sunday xx

Romantic Prairie Style

This post should come with a health warning - it's crammed full of photos of the most swoon-worthy interiors. You have been warned!

I thought I had overcome by addition to buying interior design books but then I came across this gorgeous new book, Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neill. I just couldn't resist.

Ever since it dropped through my letterbox last week I have been pouring over every heavenly page. It's not easy to photograph book pages but I hope you find these a tempting glimpse of Romantic Prairie Style.

As if all these yummy pics aren't enough I also came across this gorgeous US farmhouse interior .

(photo source: http://nskwood.net/Design/House_interior_Farmhouse_Garden_uk_gb.html)

"Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day"