SHABBY CHIC - NESS ........

Yes, yes, I know that Shabby Chic is thought of as 'old hat' and rather passe but, I still love it, so call me old fashioned !!

There is an article about Rachel Ashwell in this month's U.K. Country Living so, maybe I am still on trend !! As you all probably know, Rachel Ashwell IS Shabby Chic. She finds wonderful, discarded treasures in flea-markets and mixes them with faded floral fabrics and produces a beautiful romantic look in every room in the house.
If you want to see THE most wonderful home from a fellow blogger, then go over and see Maria @ Dreamy Whites . Her home is absolutely beautiful and she will give you inspiration by the bucketload !! Maria only started blogging a few months ago and she has got nearly 1500 followers. She has obviously got something very special.

I think that the beauty of this look is that it doesn't have to be expensive. An old wooden table sanded down and distressed could give you a look like this one.

An old shelf displaying some of your favourite things looks wonderful.

I have seen this image all over blogland and it's one of my favourites.

You can even do shabby chic in the garden.

How's this for a chandelier ? I think that it is the Vivienne Westwood of chandeliers or I could imagine it in Miss Havisham's house.

Oooop's, I told you it was my favourite !! So good, I showed it twice !!!!

Well, I think that a nice sit down in this cosy, romantic spot , lit by the glow of the fire is called for. After my exertions this month, I think that I'm owed that much.

Thanks to everyone who has popped in to see me this week and to all of my new followers. You are all stars !

Jackie

EDINBURGH ..........

I'm definitely not having a good month ! What with the oyster incident. I went to give my neighbour the key, as we were going away for a few days, and fell flat on my face onto the brick drive !! I cut the inside of my mouth, thought that I might have broken my wrist, which fortunately was just a bad sprain, bruised my nose, had black and blue eyes, grazed my face and have a bruised knee !!!! We were going to Edinburgh the next day. The following morning, I was getting ready. I was sitting on the toilet when I came over rather faint and thought, I must get to the sofa and lie down with my feet above my head. I ran down the hall with my trousers round my ankles (knickers had been pulled up, thank goodness!!) and fell over in the hall !!!! Mr.Home came running down the stairs and immediately rang the ambulance but, I told him that I was O.K. We finally made it to Kings Cross Station and began our journey to Edinburgh. Not the best start to a few days away !

Anyway, enough of my woes. The train is the nicest way to travel to Edinburgh. It runs along the coastline and has some wonderful views. I took the next few photos through the train window so they aren't very good but, you get the idea.

St. Giles Cathedral, with its famed crown spire, stands on the Royal Mile, between Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse.

I got told off for taking this one !! I didn't know that you weren't supposed to take photographs inside !! Naughty me.

In Scotland, a window tax was imposed by William Pitt, The Younger, in the 1780's, in the financial district of Edinburgh and, to this day, ' Pitt's Pictures' ( blacked-out windows with white painted cross frames ) can be seen in Charlotte Square. It is said that the phrases, ' the pitts ' and 'daylight robbery ' originated from this tax.

This is the Scottish Parliament building, which was supposed to have cost £50 million but, ended up costing £500 million !! I wasn't overly impressed with the architecture of the building.

We were allowed to sit in on Parliament, debating the volcanic ash from the Icelandic volcano and knife crime in Scotland.

Next, we visited Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, which stands at the end of Edinburgh Royal Mile. The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and as the setting of many of the dramatic episodes in her turbulent reign. She was married there and witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary, Rizzio, by her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, in her private apartments.

In the grounds of Holyroodhouse are the ruins of the Augustinian abbey, Holyrood Abbey, built in 1128. It is the site of many royal coronations and marriages. The roof collapsed in 1768 leaving it as it currently stands.

A few views of Edinburgh.

The rock on which Edinburgh Castle stands, has been lived on as long ago as 850 B.C. There has been a Royal Castle since the reign of David 1st in the 12th century.

The Governor's House.

Standing within the walls of the castle is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. It is St. Margaret's Chapel, which dates from the early 12th century.

You can be married there today fro the rather exorbitant price of £1,000 but, the chapel only holds twenty people.


The castle is now in the care of Historic Scotland. There is still a military presence at the castle, largely ceremonial and administrative. It is also the backdrop to the annual Military Tattoo.
There is also a great deal more to Edinburgh Castle but, I don't want to bore you.
We also visited Gladstone's Land, where you experience what life was like in the Old Town before the New Town was built. Then it was over to the New Town to experience The Georgian House.





If you ever get the chance to visit Edinburgh, please do not hesitate to go. It is a beautiful city, full of history, great food and wonderfully friendly people.
We had a great time, even though my hand was in a support and, I looked as if I'd been ten rounds with Mike Tyson !! .......... and, did you see the blue skies in the photographs ? We had the most glorious weather.




Jackie

OCH AYE ..... I'M OFF TO EDINBURGH .....

We are off to Edinburgh, Scotland, for a few days so, I just thought that I'd let you know, in case you thought that I'd gone off of you, as I won't be commenting for a while. I get a touch of the guilt's when I don't comment. I wonder why that is ? I don't mind when you don't comment on mine, as I know that you are all busy and have many other commitments. I always feel mean, because I know that you have been to a great deal of trouble to write a post and therefore it deserves some recognition

Anyway, I digress.

See you all in a few days, with tales from Scotland.

Jackie

Oooops, ......I DID IT AGAIN ..........

Once again, I am filled with guilt and remorse, as I haven't thanked lots of wonderful people for their generosity and kindness. Over the last few months, I have won numerous giveaways and received a couple more awards. I apologise profusely and hope that you will all still play with me in the playground at lunchtime !! When my report comes from the Head Blogger.... he who must be obeyed .... it will say that she could do better !

The first giveaway that I won was this photograph from Cassia Beck Photography, entitled New Year in Paris. It was from the lovely Lynn @ Paris Hotel Boutique Journal
Lynn has an online shop and has been selling vintage and antiques for over 15 years. She has beautiful items and is, indeed, beautiful herself, inside and out. There is also fashion, searching for antiques and travel . Go over and see her and tell her I sent you.

The next giveaway that I won was from Michelle @ Petit Coterie

Michelle is so generous and kind. She has more giveaways than I've had hot dinners. Her giveaways are her own creations and are beautiful. She makes the BEST cushions. They are gorgeous and affordable..... I have quite a few ...... so go over and have a look. You wont be able to resist.

Next ..... OH YES !! THERE'S MORE !! ..... was this beautiful, gorgeous, feminine, softest pink scarf from the amazing Janet @ French Blue
If you haven't been to Janet's blog then, you haven't lived !! I personally think that it is THE most beautiful blog in blogland. The images and text are stunning and she herself is kindness personified. It was one of the first blogs that I found and I'm so pleased that I did. Go and see and enjoy.

.......... oh, I forgot !! The giveaway was not only the scarf. First of all, it was wrapped SO beautifully, you would have thought that it was a present for The Queen of England herself ! Inside the box was a little top hat as, Janet knows I love top hats. Then, there was a Ralph Lauren canvas tote bag, that it HUMUNGOUS ! The scarf was in a beautiful bag and there was a delightfully written note on the most lovely card....... but, to top all of that, Janet had put in some old lace that was wrapped around a vintage piece of card and, slipped between the lace was the most gorgeous antique card of pink silk thread that Janet had got from Paris !!

I think it was at that point, a few tears welled up !

Next, yes, next, I've been very lucky, was from the Bon Bon Rose Girls.

It was from Modcloth and is the Madame Bovary Ring. I really do love fashion and have always tried to keep up with what is 'en vogue' so, I do know that, big rings are very much in fashion so, I am now up there with the best of them !!

The blog, Bon Bon Rose is fast, furious and fun. It is full of fashion and Kristin and Megan are always giving great stuff away. From jewellery to clothes and, much more. Go and have a look. You might get lucky.

Oh yes.......... there's more !!
From Anna @ Lona de Anna, I won four of the most delightful little books you ever did see. They are from Ariel Books and consist of,

A Little Book of Roses

An Angel is .....

Angels

Aromatherapy

Anna herself is studying Interior Design and her blog is inspirational. Image after image of beautiful interiors to look at and get ideas from.
Another gorgeous blog for you all to go and peruse.

I won the above from the painter, Fifi @ Fifi Flowers.
They are her frameable note cards. I had to send her my favourite image of Paris, and she would paint it and make it into note cards. Aren't they wonderful ?

This is the photograph I sent Fifi. Didn't she do a great job? If you want a painting done of any photograph you have or of anything, really, she will do it.

...... and finally, yes we have nearly finished, I won these cute little bird cage earrings from Federica @ Sweet as a Candy They are made by Christina @ Down and Out Chic. My daughter has already tried to prise these from me AND the scarf !!
Federica lives in Bologna Italy and studied law but is a wannabe decorator and fashion shopaholic. She shows the most wonderful interiors and you will love her. Recently engaged, she will be sharing her wedding plans with us soon........ they make the most beautiful couple too.

I have also been honoured by Anne @ Decor Naturel
She has bestowed upon me the Beautiful Blogger Award and I am truly honoured as her blog is indeed, beautiful. Anne shows all that is white and neutral ( it does what it says on the tin !! ). She loves Swedish, French Country and cottage gardens. Her taste is eclectic and she loves rooms to include many elements: neutral backdrops, aged furniture, objects d'art. I am quite new to Anne's blog but I already know that I love it. Go and be new too !!

Lastly but DEFINITELY not least, Kerry @ A Tranquil Townhouse gave me the above award. You really must go and see Kerry. She has the best sense of humour and will always make you smile. She has a cat called Buffy the Vampire Slayer who lives up to the name !! Go and make friend's with her, she is really good fun.


So, as I contemplate how to punish myself for such unforgivable rudeness, for being so late saying thank-you, I wish you all a wonderful and lucky weekend.

Oh, and although I did win rather a large amount of giveaways, please don't throw my name out if I enter one of yours, will you ? After all, all's fair in love and giveaways !!

P.S. I am the most RUBBISH blogger in the world. I meant to thank everyone who was kind enough to leave me a message and send me an email, enquiring how I was after my 'oyster incident '. You all gave me lots and lots of sympathy which helped enormously ! I am fine now thanks, and will probably eat them again, so don't be suprised if I get laid up again !!!!


Jackie