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Tuesday, 20 July 2010

WHILE THE CAT'S AWAY !! ..........

Well, there they go.......... the husband's were off to the Le Mans Classic in my brother-in-law's Morgan .......... A kiss and a wave and then it was off to Horsham town for us vintage car widows, for a bite to eat ..........

This is Tristan's, a wonderful restaurant, situated in one of the oldest buildings in Horsham ..........



Isn't it gorgeous ? Just right for lunch ..........well, the boy's were off to France, so us girls couldn't and shouldn't be left behind !!!!! ..........


A little ' amuse bouche ' to start off with ..........



Then we chose lamb with cockles .......... de-lic-ious .......... then a summer fruit sorbet and coffee, all of which was washed down with a nice Sauvignon Blanc and then, a little retail therapy was in order !! ..........


This is a delightful shop that I am devoting the rest of this post to .......... Oh, my week away has provided me with material for quite a few posts !!!! As you walk in, you just know that it is going to be a wonderful shopping experience. First of all, there are clothes !! A quick peruse and a try-on of a few garments, resulted in my first purchase !! A little something for my upcoming holiday in Italy. I'm sorry .......... it had to be done !! Trouble was, this was the first shop that we had been in and I had already made a purchase !! Note to self .......... try to go shopping before lunch and before drinking a couple of glasses of wine !!
We then climbed the first set of stairs ..........

At the turn of the stairs was this gorgeous, beautifully worn leather chair .....no, have a little restraint, it won't go in my car !!!! ..........


This was what greeted us on the first floor.......... silver votives, a distressed silver mirror and an angle-poised lamp ..... NICE ..........


A fabulous full length old mirror, vintage accessories, and a wonderful chair ..........


Fantastic whitewashed floorboards, vintage plates on the floor, a '40's dress and a beautiful piece of lace, casually thrown over another old mirror .......... oh, and I HAD to buy that piece of lace, I just HAD to !!!! ..........


Doesn't that bowl look brilliant with the hair clips in it ? It's the little things, isn't it ? ..........









Amongst the vintage dresses on the rail, was the most wonderful wedding dress. I forgot to take a photograph of it but, take my word for it, it was exquisite.










Up another flight of stairs to the attic, passing a great chest of drawers along the way, and into another fantastic room. It was like exploring someone's house, with precious items strewn all over the place. I just loved the way that they had displayed everything. The shop is owned by three sisters and they had all brought their artistic talents to the layout of the shop ............ and, nothing was particularly expensive ..........


Another old, distressed leather chair and an old screen. If I could have got them home, I would have bought them.


There were even rose petals strewn across the floor !



Well, there we are .......... our first half day on our own ! .......... and this was just day one !! See the carrier bag ? Well, that's mine, Suprise, suprise !! I was hoping that Mr. Home and Mr. Brother-in-Law were experiencing their own delightful pursuits ( within reason !!) Well, they were in France, after all. My sister and I were just trying to keep up.
To be continued ..........


Jackie






































Sunday, 4 July 2010

ARE THE SILVER STARS SHINING ON YOU ? ..........

First of all, many apologies for being AWOL for so long and not commenting on any blogs for a fortnight !! I have been rather busy with this and that !

One thing that took up a great deal of the fortnight was folding up over 200 pieces of white paper to find the winner of my giveaway !! I am going to use random.org next time !! haha

After tearing, writing on and folding said pieces of paper, and mopping up blood from various paper cuts, they were placed in my birdcage, shuffled about a bit and I can now tell you that the winner is ..............................

.......... Zaira @ Little Emma English Home. Zaira has the most beautiful blog with wonderful pictures of interiors and travel, so it's well worth your while taking a trip over there if you haven't already been. I'm so happy that you have won, Zaira ( and sorry that everyone else didn't, especially Mise !!) and I hope that you will enjoy them.



I'm afraid that I won't be around for a few days.....AGAIN !! I'm off to stay with my sister in Horsham in Sussex. Mr. Home and my bother-in-law are going to Le Man's, as they do every year, and I stay with my sister and we eat and drink and generally enjoy the good life, until they come back !!!!

Wishing all of my American blogging buddies a very happy 4th of July.
.......... and, before I go, thanks to each and everyone of you for entering my giveaway and to all of the new followers. It's lovely to have made lots of new friends.I think that I'll have to do giveaways more often !!
Have a lovely week everyone .......... I know I will !!



Jackie



Saturday, 19 June 2010

AN 'ABOUT TIME' GIVEAWAY, 100th POST and A YEAR OF BLOGGING ..........

Well, well, well.......... would you believe it ? I have been a blogger for one whole year on Sunday.........
Oh yes .......... one whole year ..........
12 months ..........
52 weeks ..........
365 days !!!!!!!!!!


Coinciding with that, this is my 100th post ..........
Yes .......... 100th ..........
2 x 50 ..........
10 x 10 ..........
20 x 5 ..........
How's that for timing ? One whole year blogging and my 100th post on the same day !!
Can you believe it ?
I can't !!
When I clicked on that orange button that says 'publish post', one whole year ago, I never thought that I would still be blogging, one year later. I didn't think that I would ever think of enough things to post about ( although, many of you clever things out there post everyday. I don't know how you do it. I am in awe of you )
Because of this 'Blogging Birthday' of mine, I thought that it was about time that I had a little giveaway to thank all of you out there for the support and kindness that you have shown . In just one year, I have made so many wonderful friends, from all over the world.
There has been so much laughter, a little sadness and some ups and downs. Many of you share your family celebrations, achievements, disappointments, milestones and your creative talents. I have loved every moment of this ride and I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for such an amazing year.
I have won some amazing giveaways and have been given many awards.



My giveaway consists of a silver mercury glass tea light holder, two white metal hearts ('cos I 'heart' you all !!!! I know I'm being slushy but the occasion calls for it !! ) and a silver bracelet from Bali, with a hanging silver cross. It's open to everyone and will close on the 3rd of July, which is our 34th wedding anniversary .......... oh, all these coincidences are getting boring now !!.......... and, please remember that I was a child bride !! haha
.......... and, all of you men out there, please enter and, if you win you can give it to a loved one !
So, usual rules,
Comment ..........
Follow ..........
Blog about it or put it on your sidebar ..........
which means that you get loads more entries and stand more of a chance of winning.
.......... and, a special mention to Mise @ Pretty Far West . I am keeping my fingers crossed for you as, I fear that therapy might be your next step if you don't win !!!! hehe
Once again, thanks to all of you for being so lovely and letting me into your lives and for your on going friendship and loyalty.
It's been a great ride and I am looking forward to more fun and laughter with my old blogging friends and to meeting lots of new ones.
HAVE A SHINY, SILVERY WEEKEND.

P.S. For all of you that I haven't got back to yet, I promise to get to you ASAP. As you all know, it really does take such a long time to comment on everyone who comments on a post, but, bear with me.



Jackie

Monday, 14 June 2010

TODAY is GREY ..........

THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S PALETTE IS A THOUSAND SHADES OF GREY .....
GREY RUFFLES .....
GREY PORCH .....

GREY LACE ..... I cannot function without this outfit....someone PLEASE find it for me !!!! .....


GREY MIRROR .....


GREY SARAH JESSICA PARKER .....


GREY TABLE .....


GREY CHAIR .....


GREY CUSHIONS .....


GREY CHANDELIER .....


GREY SPARKLES .....


GREY CUPBOARD .....

GREY LONDON .....


Beautiful shades of grey, but have a sunny bright new week.























Jackie

Saturday, 5 June 2010

BLOGGERS ROCK ..........

You bloggers really do rock !! I have been given more awards and won a couple more giveaways.
GIVEAWAYS

The first giveaway that I recently won was from the talented Aina @ Modern Country Aina is from Norway and, just the very mention of a Scandanavian country means that her blog is going to be beautiful ........... and, it is !! I won a stunning linen heart, filled with lavender with 'Cherish Forever' embroidered on it and made by Aina herself. A visit to her blog is a visit to beauty so please go and say hello.


My other giveaway win was from the lovely Koralee @ Bluebird Notes I think that, most people who read my blog read Koralees. It is happy, colourful and sometimes poignant and all written by the loveliest of women. Koralee is kind and gentle and I find her blog very calming. It will be another one to add to your blogroll but, I would be suprised if it wasn't already there !....... oh, and the giveaway was a Saky Sack. It's a really lovely looking bag that folds down to next to nothing and is always in my bag in case I need it.....you know, when you come across a beautiful mercury glass candlestick, a lovely picture frame or a piece of clothing that takes your fancy !....oh, and I suppose grocery shopping as well !! haha. In the unlikely event that you don't know Koralee, pop over and see her.
AWARDS

I received this award from my good friend, Luiza @ Feelings Please go and visit Luiza. She takes the most amazing photographs, really, really is the most kindest and generous person that I have ever 'met', and always has time for you.
I have to pass this on to 5 other bloggers and I am giving it to :


Flaviana @ Maison des Lilas
Federica @ Sweet as a candy
My lovely friend Anne @ Decor Naturel awarded me the 101 Award. I have to write 10 things about me but, I have done this a few times and am running out of interesting things about me !! I will have a think and do this one a little later if that's O.K Anne............ by the way, Anne's blog is not to be missed, either. She writes from the heart and shows us her beautiful garden and home.


The above award was given to me by the lovely and naughty Maggie @ The White Farmhouse
This one involves telling and showing 5 sexy men that tickle my fancy !! That deserves a complete post all of it's own, so watch this space !! I am going to pass this one on and will do that when I do mine.


I was then given the above by the wonderful Lori @ Wildflowers and Rachel @ A little bit vintage. Lori is just the kindest and loveliest and you must have a look at her blog. Full of beautiful images and lovely stories of her day to day life and Rachel has just had a new baby and I mean JUST, and yet she is still making things and blogging !! I don't think that I was half as industrious as Rachel when I had my children !!
..........and last but by no means least, The Versatile Blogger Award from Mara @ Home Shabby Home. Another beautiful blog that you must visit. Mara lives in Italy, my other favourite country, and her blog is full of inspiration and wonderful things.

I was also tagged by Zaira @ Little Emma English Home to write about my 7th follower and will do that ASAP.
I think that , on reading this, you all realise how rubbish I am at doing all that is asked of me, as far as awards go !!!! I will try to do better in the future and I am on my knees begging for forgiveness for being so late in thanking you all.
So.....many, many thanks to all of you. I am flattered and grateful . Every giveaway that I win always has a place in my home and, when I look at them, I think of the person that sent them to me. Each award is humbly accepted and placed on my blog with pride. I will do all of the things asked of me as far as the awards are concerned and pass the awards along soon.
Wishing you all a happy weekend, filled with sunshine.










Jackie