Birthday

It was my birthday and I went to London (again) and got excited (again)

We started off the day visiting an art gallery

This sculpture (Swarm by Tessa Farmer) is incredible.  Tiny skeletal fiends sitting atop all sorts of hand crafted insects.  I took lots of photos and youngest son Benjy thought it was hilarious to jump into view every time I pressed the shutter (and to be fair it was quite funny)

More swarm photos

over here

After all the arty stuff it was time to get down to some good old shopping in the west end.  I managed to find some inspiration for our shop, at Top Shop, of all places (how common)

You write a message and post it through the bird box.... I want one!

Hanging vintage tea cups.  I don't know why, or what for but I want this display in our window.  I may have to copy it.

Anyway that was a bit of my birthday

Cheers!

Take it away Clare

Looking Through The Window

Our windows got smashed which is such a complete and utter pain (no pun intended).  It isn't the first time. It's what comes with having a shop situated in the pub and club end of town. The good news, is that we have now had all of the windows and the wooden frames replaced.  They look very marvellous indeedy.  The bad news, is that we're having grills fitted over the windows to protect them from drunkards and idiots.  The plan is that we should be able to remove them each day, I'm not looking forward to that bit, on the bright side it will be good for the old arm exercises.

While I was clearing out the windows I found lots of treasures that needed a bit of a dust off and a new place to live.

Aah where would we be without the retro pineapple ice bucket 

Or indeed an apple ice bucket

 

Remember remember.......?

Just a small selection of our window wares.

While cleaning, photo-ing flitting and serving,  I listened to,  The Decemberists ,  Tunng,  The Kings of Convience and  Jose Gonzalez.   All a bit mellow but that's how I'm feeling at the moment  (and long may it last)

London Calling

I went to London this weekend.  It was very exciting.  Whenever I go there I become a bit like a kid seeing the sights for the first time.  

For lunch I had the most amazing meal at this cool japanese restaurant.  

I went to two birthday parties in one evening.

I scampered around the streets of London, record shopping (boring), retro clothes shopping ( I bought a denim skirt) and trying to take some photos that reflected my trip to the big city.  I'm not entirely sure I made a good job of it but here are a few pics anyway.

I loved this art supply shop.  It's the type of shop that is filled with all sorts of art stuff that I don't need but still really want. I don't draw or paint which makes it even weirder.

A happy sign

I'm going there again next week for my birthday with my family in tow, can't wait.

We may as well listen to this to keep the whole London vibe going

Baubles Bangles and Beads

I've been finding it hard to get my work head back on after my lovely Christmas holiday.  My mind is still having a lovely time over 'there', while my body is having to deal with shop stuff, school stuff, dog stuff, cooking stuff, housework stuff, grey weather day stuff......

On the bright side Emma at Silver pebble has been hosting her monthly Splash of Colour thing.  I must admit I struggled for a while, I mean we're not in Kansas anymore Toto, we're in gloomy old England and it's January for goodness sake.  Luckily for me I have the ever colourful Beatnik for inspiration.

The beads caught my eye

The last pic is a badge (70s possibly 80s) that I found in the shop while I was looking for colourful stuff, I really like it.  I love all our sixties beads too.  We don't seem to sell as many as we used to.  I think they have had their fashion moment, but it will return ( I hope so, we've got loads).

I found some more splashes of colour 




indoors....

And out.....

Take a look 

over

Here

For some winter

cheer

while listening to 

this

It works

It Never Rains in Southern California

I almost never made it out of heathrow to join my family on our Christmas holiday because of this

and when I finally made it out to California it was raining

monsoon type rain

for days

When the sun dared to show its face again it did so with a spectacular entrance

I didn't manage to do this beautiful rainbow justice on account of only having my iphone with me, but still, you get the general gist

The sun pretty much stuck around for the rest of the trip which was good because it meant that we got to go to the beach

It could be Brighton but it's Santa Monica, promise

That's better

I saw a snowman hoping for some snow

and a dog that looked a bit silly

I went to a secret guest only Foo Fighters gig, no photos allowed, so you'll just have to take my word for it 

I went for a nice walk around a silver lake

A sunset to end this holiday post 

Our soundtrack of the trip was 


this song at the beginning


this song to go crazy to


this song to set the scene


and this one because we all loved it




Thank you B B and B




Happy New Year


x