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"

My first craft market in St Albans - pros and cons

Frankly I'm exhausted! After all the preparation, the early morning start and the excitement of the big day itself I am propped upon on cushions (a la Barbara Cartland) blogging from my bed. First, here's a pictures from the day.

Stall holders setting up. A lovely room in the Old Town Hall.

The Love & Lilac stall. I had lots of lovely comments.

Soap testers for smelling worked really well. The aroma on my stall was a great draw.

The dolly pegs drew lots of nostalgic comments and made people smile.

The old wooden crate worked well but I need some more props to give height to show off my goods. 

I loved the bunting stall. These stallholders looked smashing in their pinnys!

Talking to other regulars at this event yesterday was quite a slow day and there seemed to be more browsing than buying for many stalls. I made my first sale, some soap, before the market officially opened for business, and there were more sales throughout the morning. After a long lull in the afternoon a last minute wave of customers lifted spirits. I had covered the cost of my stall and made a little money on top of that. With other stallholders not even achieving this I think I did fine for my first time and I learnt so much. With that in mind here's a few of the pros and cons of running a craft market stall I gained as a first timer.

Pros

• The camaraderie of the other friendly stall holders
• The advice and experience of other traders
• The lovely feedback on my products from the public
• The oohs and aahs when people smelt the soap and the interest in how it was made
• That someone actually wants to buy something you have lovingly made
• Knowing that all the preparation has paid off and the day runs smoothly
• Selling one of my cowboy fabric cushions to parents of a lovely little boy - what a joy!

Cons

• The loading and unloading at each end of the day
• The lack of on site parking 
• The hidden costs - parking fees, coffee
• That a number of stall holders don't actually make the products they sell - I would have liked more of an artisan feel to the day.
• Keeping up morale during long periods when nothing sells
• That making money is jolly hard work!

All in all a fun day, tiring but worth the slog - I know the learning will be invaluable for the next one. Once I've recovered that is!

St Albans craft market tomorrow

After months of sewing and soap stirring I have my first craft market tomorrow in the lovely city of St Albans. After all the hard work will anybody buy anything? I've made lots of pretty gifts with Mothers Day in mind so fingers crossed.

So much soap to wrap!

Last minute dolly pegs painted

St Albans in home to a beautiful cathedral.

There's a vibrant outdoor market in the centre of the city.

The craft market will be held in the Old Town Hall - an impressive building

Wish me luck! Have a great weekend.

Retail therapy

Firstly, I must welcome new followers. You're so welcome here!

I can't believe how busy life is for me right now. I work in the NHS, a service that I love dearly, but unfortunately we are going through a terrible time. The coalition Government have decided to make unprecedented (and unnecessary) changes to the way the service is organised and many of us are facing redundancy or having to reapply for our jobs. It's a horrid time.

I haven't been shopping since Xmas - well girly type shopping anyway - and I was so feeling in need of some serious retail therapy. I have to confess that I splurged big style today!

I bought this lovely Orla Keily utensil holder as a gift for my new kitchen (being installed next month - so excited!). Even the box is came in had been 'Orlafied'. Isn't is gorgeous?

This lovely necklace is for my a dear friends birthday. I think it will look great with summer outfits.

Heavens, I have so many friends with birthdays this month. This vintage necklace is for a special someone who is celebrating her 50th.

My spring/summer wardrobe is in dire need of a lift. Sometimes I go clothes shopping and I can't find a single thing. I want something stylish, fashionable, that hides all those lumps and bumps that mysteriously appear post 50. Well let me tell you, today I was on a roll! This pretty cardigan from Mango was my first choice. I love the voile trim. Very feminine.

And then in Zara I found this gorgeous silk tunic. Casual over jeans and leggings, dressed up over white linen trousers. I'm going to live in it this summer!

Beautiful embroidered detail

Look at the back of this jacket from Wallis. So pretty, and only £25 on sale - how could I refuse?

and finally...shoes. Believe it or not these are from Clarks. Comfy and sexy in one!

So there you have it. Retail therapy success. Now will someone please hide my debit card.