A FISH SUPPER

Spent the weekend in Cornwall and had dinner at Rick Stein's Seafood restaurant in Padstow. DELICIOUS! Also managed to visit his gift shop and deli but too late for the patisserie. 

SHOPPING FOR TOAST

Lovely catalogue Toast is now in a shop. Great vintage fittings and the till was in a wardrobe!

TOAST AT CHRISTMAS

Unusual Christmas window displays at Toast in Guildford.

NOW ALL I NEED IS CAKE

It's amazing what you can do with a few vintage plates, a power drill and some handles. Vintage cakestands now available!

SUGAR PLUM FAIRIES

The tutus have finally arrived - everything is taking forever this year. The perfect party skirt for little princesses.

GRITTENHAM BARN

Getting ready for the annual Christmas Fair at Grittenham Barn. I remember the first one when there were holes in what was left of the roof and we shivered under patio heaters for two days. All that is now a distant memory as the beautiful barn at Grittenham has been completely refurbished and is a regular venue for weddings, parties, sales and workshops. Look forward to seeing you on Friday and Saturday 19/20th November.

FRENCH CHATEAU

More creative friends, Will and Karen - this time with a chateau in France. Chateau de Montoussel is situated in the Haute-Garonne region of the Midi Pyrenees. There are two gîtes available - a studio for two and a gîte for six, both stylishly designed by fashion stylist Karen. Toulouse is the nearest airport, squeezyjet goes there and the fantastic town of Carcassone is nearby. A place that's steeped in history and was a must on my list after reading Kate Mosse's 'Labyrinth'.

I LOVE THIS AT CHRISTMAS

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As always a beautiful selection from Daylesford

FROME SHOPS

Great shops on Catherine Hill in Frome

FINO OLIVE OIL

It always amazes me how industrious and entrepreneurial some of my friends are. These olive oils are made by Rupert and Susie Taylor from olives thay grow in Andalucia. They come in four flavours as well as blended and single variety - chilli, basil, garlic and lemon. They are beautifully packaged and available online at www.fino.org.uk.

SPANISH FINCA

And if you want to see where the olives are grown then this is the place to stay. El Pueblecillo, a Spanish finca located  near the whitewashed village of Casarabonela in Andalucia. Beautifully created by Rupert and Susie as their home in Spain, it is now possible to enjoy the peace and tranquility yourself. www.rsvillasandalucia.com

IT MUST BE IN MY GENES....

PLUM LAST CHRISTMAS

So why a shop? Having spent all those years designing packaging for other retailers I have spent a lot of time exploring them, and loving the search for something new. But it could also be genetic - my Grandfather owned an old-style cigar shop in The Hague, Holland and when I was about 6 we lived with my grandparents (Oma and Opa) for about six months. I would spend every afternoon with my Oma in the shop watching her gift wrap beautiful wooden boxes of cigars in dark brown glassine paper , finished off with a gold seal. How I wish I'd kept some of that lovely paper, I've never seen it since. And don't get me started on all the cigar boxes and tins I should have hoarded.....

Then my sister opened a shop about six years ago selling party goods and in 2005 I foloowed with Plum. The goal was to source wonderful things from all over the world that were irresistible - things you would want to give - or to keep.

To visit the shop website go to www.plumgifts.co.uk. It's just been redesigned so more stuff is being added all the time. 

MY FIRST BLOG POST

Well I have finally joined the 21st Century, and created a blog. Here I hope to share all the lovely and inspirational stuff I have collected over many years not realising that one day this would be possible.