dancing eyes

We've had a few nice sunny spring days around here. I get really excited, making plans for our little garden. I'm hoping to grow lots of herbs again this year; dill, parsley, chives, basil, mint...I have lists..
We have two vintage white Belfast sinks, given to us by our neighbour, to grow them all in.

 I can't wait to get started on that, but for now, I've just potted up these pretty pink flowers in terracotta pots to go on the living room window sill and then with a cup of herbal tea I sat enjoying the sunshine and admired my easy hard work. 

These words by James Seaton of Toast sum up everything...

I was sorting through all my books the other day to take to my local charity shop when I found this one by Sophie Dahl- The man with the dancing eyes,  I had forgotten how nice it is, love the illustrations by Anna Morris, Definitely a keeper.

Enjoy your weekend

everyday things..

I hope you are all enjoying a lovely bank holiday weekend. It's been a gorgeous day here today, I've been at work but looking forward to Sunday off. What have you been up to? 

I've had a few stressful days recently, so it's nice to find simple pleasures in everyday things...
Here are a few photos from my recent days, picking daisies and forget-me-nots from the garden, presents from my mum's trip to Spain; Spanish Vogue, dark chocolate and sweet tortas. An old floral painting I found whilst tidying up, that's now pinned up on my bedroom mirror. Hanging out, drinking coffee at my boyfriends shop '2 North Parade Produce Store'
Pretty violas from my window sill, if you keep cutting the flowers, the more they keep flowering. I'm looking forward to planting some herbs soon, dill, chives, mint and thyme are my favourites. 



 

the ethicurean & barley wood walled garden

Last Sunday the sun was shining so my boyfriend and I went on a little road trip to the Ethicurean  restaurant and Barley wood walled garden near Bristol. We've wanted to visit for ages and as you can see it's a pretty amazing place. We spent the whole day wandering around the gardens and through the cider orchards, taking photos and drinking tea on the lawn and then enjoyed a delicious long lunch in their restaurant.

Love this idea of vintage cutlery hung up with brown string.


The best welsh rarebit...I could eat one right now..

time out

I love the Botanic Gardens in Oxford, especially this time of year when the sun is low in the sky, casting light through the trees and the garden is still and quiet, with just the last  few flowers still in bloom.  It's the perfect place to go when you need a little time out.

 

My favourite welsh wool purse which I bought at Blighty Bazaar and my cosy Toast gloves.



This glass house was full of scent from these beautiful white Narcissus, it's nice to think spring isn't too far away.

sunday bits

What a gorgeous day it's been today! One of those perfect sunny autumnal days that you want to last forever....
This post is a bit of a catch up, as finding time to take photos seems difficult at the moment, but I'm hoping to get back on track soon. It's been interesting reading how people find time for their blogs and I've been getting some tips here. I'd love to know how you all fit it into your day?

I'm reading this lovely Cath Kidston book, which also looks pretty on my sewing room shelf amongst the jam jars of buttons.
I've been busy sewing away and my desk is currently covered in floral fabrics, ribbons and sketch books.



Blue stripy bunting that I made for a new shop opening... (more on that soon)



...Cup of tea with my mum in her sunny kitchen, don't you love this pale blue teapot. And finally picking lots and lots of cooking apples. We are storing some for the winter and I've been making quite a few apple crumbles. x

this & that...

 

A few photos from the last few days, a summery display of vintage bits on my mantelpiece. I absolutely love the marigolds oil painting by Pauline Vincent, one of my favourites artists.

The Pink Carnations are from our local farm shop, I seem to buy a bunch every time we visit as they are really cheap and last ages.

 

A cup of tea while I'm reading Pretty Pastel Style, I've finally got myself a copy.

 

Do you remember those garden flower cigarette cards I found in a charity shop, well they were featured in the lovely Pretty Nostalgic magazine this month. It's a great magazine full of vintage inspiration.

 

These Hollyhocks grow by the side of my mum's house, they remind me of summer in the garden. I think I take a picture of them every year.

in the garden

The weather has been lovely over the last few days, so we finally get to be outside in the garden. I could spend a fortune buying pretty flowers and plants. I have just bought a flowering thyme and some white Veronica, their flowers smell like vanilla and when it's warm the smell drifts though the house.

My mum bought me this Better Homes and Gardens book, which has some great retro pictures from the 1950's. Maybe I can get a few gardening tips...

We have been eating lots of salad from our veg plot, I can't wait too pick some French beans and Courgettes, they still have a while to go yet.

What nice things have you been up to in the sunshine?