Liberty of London create some of the most beautiful fabric designs, especially for their Tana Lawn range, and this spring their collection features designs by Lauren Child of Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean fame.

I think I feel a trip to London coming on!

Ali xox

Liberty Fabrics: Tuesday trees, Delfie, Helena’s Party.

Hello there! I’m back! – perhaps you thought I have been living under a stone these past few weeks months and that I’d given up on my little blog, and to be honest for a little while I think I did.

The end of last year was hard work, some dear friends suffered a great loss, we found that the world of a 7 year old can be hard and Christmas came far too quickly. It has been hard to motivate myself to come here when so much has been going on around us.  However, a blogging friend encouraged me to keep going and her words have been in the back of my mind for long enough.

A New Year has begun in earnest – and January is almost half gone already, so here I am, resolved and enthused!

So, a happy New Year to all who stop by, and I hope it is full of good things for you.

Ali xox

Yummy cake painting by Paul Ferney.

I bought a painting the other day from The Vintage Emporium. A sweet little still life of poppies in a vase. Gentle, restful tones that I like so much.

Although I like the painting very much, and It was a good price, what really drew me to it and persuaded me to buy it was that it reminds me of a painting we had at home when I was growing up. The artists are different, as are the styles of painting, mine is a quiet, gentle piece, whereas my childhood one shouted and was loud ( the 80’s for you).  However, despite the differences there is something warm and familiar about it.

Ali xox

Have you discovered Etsy yet?

Etsy is an online marketplace ( read treasure trove ) of handmade and vintage goodies from all over the world. Prices are all in US dollars but xe.com solves all my exchange problems. Many a happy hour can be lost somewhere in Etsy looking at some truly lovely pieces by very talented people. My wish list gets longer and longer!

lovely little dear earrings at Luckylife

lovely antique ring at Jean Jean Vintage

Beautiful engraved necklace at e Rosas Jewelry

Sweet bracelet at Brass lady

Ali xox

Christmas is coming and the Toast Christmas range is here!  As always lovely, with simple, restrained elegance, and beautiful styling. I’d love to know who styles for them.

A pair of the velvet slippers are on my Christmas list!

Ali xox

Puffin Classics have released some of their most loved classics are 70 years old and have commissioned six designers to illustrate a new limited edition cover. Iconic architect Frank Gehry and  Orla Kiely have each designed beautiful covers, but my favourite is by the wonderful Lauren Child, although sadly, all 1000 have already sold…

Ali xox

Via Ill Seen, Ill Said.

Autumn’s fireworks are at their most beautiful right now, fabulous reds and oranges through to bright yellows are everywhere, making driving most distracting!

I love autumn’s rich colours, conkers and seed pods…

Ali xox

Flick though this beautiful, inspiring scandinavian interiors magazine, By Fryd at issu by Jeanette who also writes the lovely fryd + Design blog, and you’ll be wanting a holiday cottage on a scandinavian island…

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Ali xox

I have been musing on beautiful groupings of different textures and tones.

Ali xox

All images: Light Locations

Looking at these lovely Pied-a-Terre apartments made me think – where would I like to have a second home?

Would it be within a few hours of home to allow for easy week-end getaways? Devon and Norfolk spring to mind with long open beaches that are blissfully quiet once the summer crowds have gone home…

Or, a little further away where blissful days in the sun are much more likely?

How about here on the Greek mainland? Away from the crowds and not an ‘English Bar’ for miles. Heaven.

Ali xox