Off To London

This morning I am catching the train to the city of my birth - London. I will be spending 4 days there and hope to come back with loads of goodies for you to share.
My youngest daughter, Charlotte, is catching the train from Paris to join me for 2 days which is an extra bonus.

Monday evening I am having dinner with Karine and her husband Steve of Bodie and Fou. Believe it or not we have never met even though Karine and her sister Elodie bought wheredidyoubuythat.com from me over 2 years ago. I am thrilled to at last come together with them.

I have been invited by the fabulous Petersham Nurseries in Surrey for a tour of their amazing shop, garden, cafe and loads more. I have posted about Petersham Nurseries before but to see it in the flesh is a thrilling prospect.

I have been invited to a big party at TShirt Patisserie in Brick Lane in the East End if London. They have just relaunched their truly amazing website and are having a big bash to celebrate. What a fabulous mix Cocktails and Cupcakes.

I promised myself long ago that I would visit Anne Shore's shop in Spitalfields - Story4 and now I can do just that.


Here are some of the other shops I intend visiting and hopefully will fall across many more by happy accident.
I will be back on Friday with stories and new links for everyone to enjoy.

The Best Ever Summer Giveaway

I often visit Paris Hotel Boutique just to drool over the items for sale there but now you can actually win some of their products. Just go to their blog - Paris Hotel Boutique Journal - and leave a comment on this post. You could win a real treasure. Simple eh?
Open until 31st July 2008. Good Luck.

Thank You, Merci, Grazie, Dank U, Gracias etc...

I just want to say how proud and happy I was yesterday. My Birthday Party was a huge success and my guests were some of the nicest people in the world. Lovely compliments, beautiful gifts and best wishes poured in and I feel so thankful that this crazy medium called blogging has brought me such special friends. Whatever you nationality let me just say to you - THANK YOU!

A Blog To Die For

Yesterday Shawn of Country French Antiques gave me a wonderful birthday present. She awarded me The Brillante Weblog Award. What she didn't know was, I had already put together this post to show you all her fabulous blog. This is serious eye candy and more. Shawn posts the most amazing massive images that you just want to climb into.
Owner of European Antique Market in Louisville, Kentucky she has an eye for French antiques that is second to none. The first 2 pictures here show her stand at an exhibition - wonderful isn't it?
Thank you for my award Shawn I will deal with it next week and award others.

Eugenio Recuenco - Photographer Extraordinaire

I know just how difficult it is to set a photographic scene and Eugenio Recuenco is a master of that art. I hate to think how long this shoot took.

How To Make A Flower

It's a brave thing for a designer to tell their customers just how they create their product. This company - Legeron in Paris - does just that and I applaud them for it.

Just a Beautiful Picture - No19

Another beauty from Ilva at Lucullian Delights

The Rest of Those Cushions

Yesterday at my Birthday Party I gave everyone a beautiful Macaron Cushion to sit on. Here are some images of the rest of the collection from Lab 2 Design in France. Some fabulous stuff on their site and some fabulous images on Yatzer. Well worth a visit to both.

Welcome To My Birthday Party

Welcome to my Birthday Party. There's lots to eat and drink and the weather is beautiful.

Today I have reached the grand old age of 57 but as they say - 50 is the new 30 - so that makes me about 34 so that's OK.
The cottage is not fit for a party today as the builders are crawling all over the place, so I have chosen an idyllic but quirky venue down by the river.

This is a sheep fold for humans.

Take a seat. These seats are made from local stone so they are a bit hard but do not fret I have come up with a cunning plan.

Each one of you can have a gorgeous Macaron Cushion to sit upon. What could be nicer?

Time to crack open the champagne methinks. Pink champagne in Baccarat crystal glasses and lots of fresh fruit.

Take in the views over the river.

I even had a tiny meadow planted on an island just for you.

I can't let you leave empty handed so go and grab one of those Fortuny Pouches as a momento before you go.

Thanks so much for coming I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have. Please shut the gate on the way out in case the sheep get in.

Look Up

A fabulously creative use of mirrors. I just hope they are fixed properly. Can you imagine having a meal and one of those falling on your head, not to mention the 7 years bad luck.
At Bella Italia in Stuttgart West, Germany. Via Yatzer

Just a Beautiful Picture - No18

It's the colours that do it. By Ofilde

If You're Going To Print On Something Be Imaginative

and you can't get more imaginative than this from Suge

Always Imaginative - Atypyk

I used to stock Atypyk's designs on wheredidyoubuythat.com. I always looked forward to viewing their new imaginative designs.
Top - sugar cubes that look like chocolates
Middle - top hat tissue dispenser
Bottom - A mug that's a vase

Ooh Very Nice

What a fabulous Rug. From Top Floor Rugs found at Brocade Design's blog.

Mexican Delights

These are really clever designs from Joel Escalona in Mexico. The Wavy Plates, a Chair that looks like a wine goblet and those USB Bombs. Just love it all.

Our Cottage Extension - Yet Another Progress Report

Look it's getting bigger. I actually risked life and limb this afternoon to climb through that scaffolding to get a picture of the inside for you all to see.
That stone wall at the end of the downstairs room is coming out which I have to say I am not looking forward to. Have you heard the saying - couldn't see her for dust - well that'll be me.

Just a Beautiful Picture - No17

Hey you forgot to put your knickers on.
By Annabel Mehran

Cult Sofas and a Rug

Love these Sofas with jewels for buttons and the Rose Rug, very clever. From Cult Sofa

Rings From Silver Teaspoons

I know it's been done before but I think these rings made from /silver teaspoons are particularly beautiful. By Forkometry