Victoria's Paperie

Is this not the loveliest wedding invite ever? Designed and made by the talented Victoria, it makes me want to have a party just so I can ask her to create something this pretty for me! Can't wait for Rebecca and Paul's wedding.

Check out the lovely wedding and social stationary designs created so far at Victoria's Paperie.

Picture used from http://www.facebook.com/victoriaspaperie#!/victoriaspaperie

Just keep swimming...

I'm now half way through a refresher course in swimming and I wish I'd done it years ago instead of being so hung up on what I look like and how good I am. I'm enjoying it so much and I'm actually better than I thought. I know its one of those things that you supposedly never forget how to do, but you'd be amazed at how much your technique improves when you have coach.

I can't wait to get to Marrakech now and take advantage of the pool!

I knitted an actual something!

I learnt to knit as a kid but finding crochet easier, never really stock with it. However, last week I did a course at the very lovely Nest knitting shop, and I actually accomplished a finished pair of wrist warmers. They aren't perfect, but I'm proud of them.

Next stop; ravellry.

Beautiful bunting

Lot's of lovely handmade bunting for lot's of upcoming W.I. events!!

http://stroudgreenwi.webs.com/

Now we can all be Ariel...

....and we don't have to trade our beautiful* voices with an overweight octopus.

Ever wanted to go out dressed like an Aristocat but have been deterred by the irritating fact that its not really socially acceptable (and a bit ridiculed)?

Probably not but, you will just adore this tumblr blog Disneybound. It pulls together fantastic looks inspired by all our favourite Disney characters (plus some you've never heard of). It is sheer genius and wont have you looking like a 'kooky' try hard teenager.

I'm not talking Gaga kermit dresses or anything, just subtle ideas that channel our childhood princess heroins.

They even have a Prince Eric look hmmm. Yes, I am aware that it's wrong to have a cartoon crush but Prince Eric is CLEARLY the exeption to the rule.


I could spend hours on this website.

*yes that's right, beautiful. In my head.

Extreme Makeover: Nice edition

Hello, it's a been a while but ATN is back with a new look. Do you like what we've done with the place? thought it was about time we tried on something new!

Big thank you to Steph Anne at Yellow & Savvy Design for making us look all nice and sparkly again.

Fishs Eddy has crossed the Atlantic!

Very excited that my absolute favorite New York Store Fishs Eddy has opened a department within Liberty. I ADORE this shop, I found it by accident whilst shopping in Union square 4 years ago, and ever since then it is the first place I head when in NY (after starbucks for a green tea lemonade of course).
Last autumn I took my parents there (pic below) and got my mum hooked on it's fabulous homeware too. My favorite purchases are my brooklyn 'cawfee' mugs and my leaf shaped cookie cutters, but if i could kit out my kitchen with everything fishs eddy then i'd be a happy lady. The only store in the UK i've ever found remotely similar is Utility in Brighton. The sad thing is I fear this will be another Anthropology situation, whereby I waited years for the store to open here, and when it did, prices were beyond extortionate.

Find Fishes Eddy in the dining section of Liberty, I can't wait to check it out!

oh the Good Life...

Whilst I love living in London, I do really appreciate having an outdoor space to grow things in and over the past year we have completely transformed our little garden from what was little more than wasteland, into a little bit heaven. I’m mostly proud our vegetables, it’s so nice being able to pop into the garden for some fresh herbs or the odd courgette. Soon our tomatoes will be ready to enjoy, along with lots of lovely new potatoes.


All we need now are some Chickens, a couple of pigs and maybe a beehive. Yep, just call me Barbara.

A crafty pint

My local pub the Stapleton Tavern has started to do monthly Craft afternoons, this pleases me! This Saturday it is Fabric printing which I've never tried before so should be interesting. I also heard a rumor they are starting knitting nights, which would be nice to sit by their fire as the autumn nights set in making pretty things.

I'm trying to get back into making things again, yesterday I started to make a crochet ballet cardigan for my friend Kat who is expecting a little girl later this year.

My Favourite Childhood book, explains a lot.

I just found my favourite childhood book on Amazon, Sally's Secret. Sadly over the years I lost my copy, having lots of sisters generally meant our books were handed down, so lots got lost, many drawn all over (i remember my mum having to replace a rather defaced copy of Robert the Rose horse) or if they were particular favourites, simply fell to bits.

But Sally's Secret was my most favorite of all. A story about a girl who hosts a secret tea party in her garden it's no suprise as an adult I am obsessed with garden parties.