London Calling.

Well the 'Princess' has departed...she is winging her way back to Australia as I write this post. But before she left we had one last 'fling' in London...shopping...browsing...dodging puddles and deluges!

Our first stop was her favorite haunt...'Top Shop'...

 

This shop is definitely for the younger generation...but all the same I really loved seeing the latest styling and merchandising evident throughout the store...

Everywhere I looked there was amazing displays...I thought this one was very 'Lady Gaga'.

What can I say...

I really loved the props..ladders..french chairs...old dress forms...

Then a quick stop off at Liberty of London...

to find a couple of interesting chairs...

There is always a gorgeous array of flowers at the door...

Then around the corner into Soho and a visit to 'The Cloth House'...

Another favourite, this store is choc full of a variety of fabrics...a great place to find old style ticking's and sack cloth...

 

buttons, trims and gorgeous vintage props and fittings.

Of course we couldn't miss a visit to Anthropologie...

and as always it didn't disappoint...

Robx

England in 12.

Before I launch into a concerted effort to address my travel destinations on this blog I thought I would pick out 12 of my favourite photos taken over the past year in England. They are mainly local with a few others thrown in. The shots capture for me the things I love about being on this funny little island and especially living in a village.

In no particular order...

Village - first snow

Village - more snow 

St. Ives, Devon - April 

Village - Spring

A robin in Devon - April 

Autumn 

Chelsea - November

Village - November

Village - Autumn 

Village - December

Village postbox - December

My little friend.

Friday Flower.

Finally fresh flowers in the supermarket...last week was slim pickings being straight after Christmas and all. Today I found some lovely creamy white roses...nice and fresh...

These are for my sis Jan who is holding down the fort at home...looking after our elderly mother and my two older children. She is fiercely protective of my kids and I know that they are in safe hands should they need help whilst I'm on the other side of the world.

She's been a bit "off" this week, and some might say that's nothing unusual...no really she's had a bad back as she's "getting on" a bit! However, apparently after a glass of wine or 3 she is now feeling a million dollars...or nearly!

Cabbages and Roses.

Today I received a gorgeous parcel from Cabbages and Roses. As well as beautiful homewares and soft furnishings this lovely company also has a clothing range, which is a little unique...and as they were on sale...

I recently visited the new Cabbages and Roses store in London...it's small but cute...

with an impressive facade...

a lovely warm and inviting interior...

where you want to just curl up on a chair by the fire and watch the world go by...

Last summer, I visited the Cabbages and Roses store in Chelsea...

where it was quite a different story...

lovely and light with painted boards...

lots of old wood...

and gal...

and great vintage bits and bobs...

I also have a couple of Christina Strutt's books. She is the creator of Cabbages and Roses and through her books shows the possibilities in regard to craft and decorating, with her fabrics and furnishings.

"At Home with Country" cleverly displays many of her products in real homes. There may only be one Cabbages and Roses cushion in the room but it will be shown off to great advantage proving that the range can fit into more than a 'country' decor. Of course the 'country' style decor is divine, with Christina's home prominently displayed at the beginning of the book....you will just want to visit with her!

There's a lovely black toile cushion that I am lusting after at the moment...also one in natural meggernie in black, with the matching table cloth and napkins....

Lounging around.

I spent the first couple of days of the new year just lounging around...feet up...

watching t.v....lurking around various blogs...

reading interior books and mags...

I wasn't 'lounging' on my new present...rather I was admiring it 

from the other side of the room....

 

I did tidy up the window ledge of all the Christmas paraphernalia...

and thought briefly about taking down the tree...

but then Harrison Ford was on telly in 'Patriot Games'...

but I did eventually get up off my chair to get the camera to take a shot 

or two before the tree goes out the door...

and all the decorations are wrapped up and put away 

until next year later this year!

Happy New Year.

Well another year has dawned and words from a song keep ringing in my head..

time keeps on slippin...slippin...slippin into the future....

Happy New Year!
Robx