Carving pumpkins no longer cuts it

As a Brit, I would say that we don't celebrate the autumn season nearly as well as the US do. Here, you carve a pumkin for Halloween and thats where it ends. But the first time I went to New York in Nov 07 i noticed that the season is much more celebrated. Houses and streets are beautifully adorned with dried flowers, painted sparkly pumpkins and bunches of indian maize. The west village in particular was trully my favorite, these Glittery pumpkins on Charles street stopped me in my tracks. How fabulous are these?

I'm dying to try this myself and this year i've noticed i'm not the only one, this year i've seen painted pumpkins appearing everywhere. These ones at tales from an OC cottage are bling perfection. I don't know, maybe you're reading this in the US and thinking 'where has this girl been? we've been doing this for years' but as I said earlier, we British don't do Autumn well (in my opinion) and I can't understand why. Although we do have bonfire night which is one of my favourite celebrations.

Anthropologie - At least Ideas don't have a hefty price tag!

I'm a HUGE fan of anthropology so I could not wait for the London store to open, I have been counting the days as you well know. So it pains me deeply to say this:


I paid a visit as soon as I could in the store's opening week and I was so so annoyed about the pricing compared with the US! devistatingly so in fact. Some of the prices are simply not justified, especially in a recession. I did go there with the intention of blowing my budget but I really could not let myself. What made it more annoying was the numerous 'IT' girls filling there baskets to the brim. This is a shop that in the US was a little pricy but not too so, here in London, it is extortionate!
 
However, the store had literally just opened and it was packed so I will give it another go at a quieter time so I can have a proper wander round in a more relaxing atmosphere. I also can't wait for the january sale, as the Union square store does fab sales!
 
Your can't deny that the store looks amazing though!! and one thing I did leave with was lots of ideas, and they don't cost a thing!

One day to go...

October BPS.

I recieved my second Benevolent postcard yesterday! This month my lovely card came from Laura, all the way from Texas! I'll post a picture later.

image via http://lobsterandswan.blogspot.com/

oh christmas tree...

I know it's only October but i'm already excited about Christmas!

Can you believe i've never had a real christmas tree?! my mother didn't like them and since moving out years ago, i've just never had the space. However, now I do and this year I can't wait to decorate for christmas!! So be prepared for many many tree related posts.

I've slowly began to collect decorations, (my first purchase being some vintage glass baubles on ebay) I want my tree to have random decorations (not matchy matchy) I love these felt creations by Rosy little things I'm also a big fan of scandinavian decorations (which I hope to find in Norway next month!!)
I may too try and make some of my own, there are so many things which I think look cute, like threaded popcorn and gingerbread men.

Eeeh I can't wait to trim the tree whilst drinking mulled wine and listening to cliff richard!

Origin Craft Fair

As mentioned earlier I visited the Origin Craft fair this week at somerset house. There were around 150 stalls ranging from jewellery to ceramics, with some amazing pieces of sculpture and art. One stall was even teaching people to make baskets so me and a friend had a go at making some out of magazines, and actually they turned out quite cool.

Below are some of my other favorites, if you get the chance, your should definately visit!

Annie Banian's amazing teacup inspired jewellry:

Rebecca Appleby Ceramics

Hanne Rysgaard Ceramics

Back with a new look

Sorry I haven't blogged for ages, I blame back to back episodes of Trueblood entirely! if you haven't gotten into this series I strongly suggest you do!

Aside from that I've had a busy week;

The lovely Freya has redesigned my blog, hope you like. Check out her website for details of her services.

Wednesday I attended a work conference and got to have lunch with James Cracknell. An amazing man!

Thusday I went to the Origin Craft Fair at Somerset House, But more about that later!


photo via laura marie scott

The best guide to London ever! - Notes by Naive

I just stumbled across this website and had to share!! what a fantastic guide to london! I'm already filled with so many ideas for my weekend!!

My Apartment, 60 years ago!

I live in quite an old building and i've often wondered about it's history, particuarly as right above the entrance it says 'BOOTH' in large writting. So today I googled, and I nearly died of excitement when I found this picture below. It's a still from a 1949 Richard Attenborough Film 'the brown boys' the building in the background is my flat!! (the window underneath 'auctioneer' is my kitchen!) This picture explains the 'booth' sign too. Apart from most of the signage no longer being there, the building hasn't actually changed that much. I really want to try and find the film now! It's so interesting to know what the building used to be, I wasn't expecting to see it in a film though!

image found on reelstreets

Something to pass the time on a rainy evening

I was tagged by Becky at Teacups, cupcakes

1. What books are on your favorite shelf?

I tend to pass on my favorite books, so not a lot
The Alchemist, paulo coelho
The Five people you meet in heaven, Mitch Albom
Sex and the city kiss and tell.
2. What DVDs are on your favorite shelf?

I only own about 5 DVDs! (and I wouldn't say these represent my favorite films) but my favs out of the 5 are Marie Antoinette, and Steal Magnolias.


3. What are your two favorite cookbooks?

I have a chocolate cookbook and a cocktail recipies one (do cocktails count?)


4. Select 1-3 recipes you will cook for your special guests:

Chili con carne!

5. What will we be drinking that's available?

cocktails
And  to keep this going, I will tag:
Lindsey at Pretty in Pink
Tasha at Nattybumbum
and Jenny at Stitcher Scribbler

It's a photo swap!

Miss out on the Benevolent Postcard Society? Well here's your chance to take part in somethinq equally exciting!

Rhianne at 'For the easily distracted' is organising a photo swap project. It sounds so much fun!, I'm definately signing up!

click on the picture below for more info;

Monday project

Yesterday, I picked up some fabric sample books from the most amazing charity shop on camden high street for £2.50 each. One book was a baroque style and the other one coloured velvet.

So today I decided to cover the dated chairs in my flat. I'm quite please with the result, much better than the horrible brown fabric.

Before

After

I'm feeling crafty

For years I have watched and admired my mum crochet the most wonderful things and wished I could do it too! so today she has tought me some basic stitches and i'm actually getting the hang of it! I'm trying to make a throw for my bed, but finding wool in London is not as easy as I thought.

Whilst I'm on the the craft subject, look what I found in a charity shop today for £5 each!!! all this kath kidston fabric! there's about 2 meteres of each pattern (it's usually £18 a metre) Jackpot!!

So now my head is swimming with ideas of what I can use it for!

I'm in love with Brighton

Today my mum and I went down to Brighton, it was the first time we'd ever been and I am in love with the place! we started of wandering around the North Laines area and discovered Snoopers Paradise, the most amazing junk/antique/vintage warehouse - the place was enormous and we spent hours in there. I bought some cute babycham coasters.

What I loved most about this town was it's vibe, so chilled and laid back. When we headed down to the beach we saw hundreds of VW camper vans, they just summed up the whole Brighton Beach lifestyle.

I want to live here!

BPS posting day!

I'm really enjoying being part of the Benevolent Postcard Society. This month is the second posting and I have made a card this time! ok, so my stitching may need a little work but I hope Nelda in Canada like this little bit of Brittania!