A look around my London, favourite places...

A beautiful window display at Rachel Riley on Marylebone High Street.

One for you crafters/sewers, a John Lewis window display.  Don't they do it well?

Lego London at John Lewis, almost as impressive as the real things.

Monsoon, the most adorable kids clothes EVER. Their dresses would give a bride a run for her money, absolutely beautiful little dresses, perfect for flower girls or other special occasions.

Sadly they don't ship to NZ.  But here's a few that do:

Next

Marks and Spencer

Cath Kidston

Iconic and beautiful Liberty store.

Cath Kidston Piccadilly

Neals yard, Covent Garden.  One of my all time favourite London streets.

and a couple more from my old stomping ground.

Love this view!

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Spitalfields, you didn't disappoint!

Sarah x

Portobello Market, Notting Hill...

I've just returned from an incredible two weeks in Europe with my sister, it was total bliss! We had four days in London, showing her the sights, exploring the shops and reminiscing.We then headed to France for the main event, my brothers wedding, which was a beautiful, perfect day in an idyllic french village. We finished up with a couple of days in Paris, sightseeing, shopping and working our way through the delicious patisseries. Again, total bliss. Throughout the trip I took loads of photos with my blog and it's followers in mind. I'll share them over a few posts, starting with this one on Portobello markets, Notting Hill.  The sheer array of vintage goodies is just incredible, and although I wanted to bring SO MUCH home, my suitcase and the often exorbitant prices kept me in check. The atmosphere is fantastic though too.  We got there early and wandered with ease before the crowds descended.  The aroma from food stalls, great people watching and GORGEOUS buildings makes it one of my favourite experiences, which is why I spent many Saturdays during my OE roaming the market and why we booked our flights to arrive the night before!

I had to bring one of these wee trays home.

The street food, fresh produce and flower stalls were amazing. Oh to be local!

Oh, to live in one of the gorgeous pastel houses too!  I suspect my husband wouldn't be too keen on painting our home pink, somehow it works so well in Notting Hill, New Plymouth? Probably not.

And for those Cath Kidston fans out there (I know a few of you are!), here's a peek inside her Portobello road store, my first visit to one of her shops.  I loved the way genuine vintage props are used throughout her stores, I only wish they'd been for sale.  She had the cutest tins, baskets and chairs.  Check out the yellow kids chair in the last photo.

A few treats for the kids came home from here, love the ballet range!

See you back here soon with some pics from France, including a peek inside the cutest kids shop EVER!

Sarah x

Who loves vintage?

Clearly I'm a tad obsessed myself.  I love the history of vintage items, imagining the owners over the years, the games played with toys, conversations over tea from vintage china... the tales they could all tell!  If Beths vintage caravans could talk they'd have a few tales to tell I'm sure.  

Some of you may have seen the gorgeous Mary-Lou, I shared her trademe link on facebook recently.  But did you check out the rest of Beths gorgeous restorations on her website, Love Vintage Caravans?  If you're wanting to recreate a little bit of her style at home, visit her wares page, it's beautiful, but you'll have to be quick, she sells out fast. The gorgeous vintage thermos will be under my Christmas tree courtesy of my (instructed) husband.  I've been wanted one just like this for ages!  

I'll be selling some of my vintage treasures shortly too (well, realistically it may not be till the new year), so keep an eye out on my trademe page or follow me on facebook (be sure to change settings to receive notifications) as I'll announce listings then.  Included will be the enamelware collection spotted above oven here. 

If you liked the pink shelf (also spotted here) then you'll want to check out the other listings from the woman I bought it off.  She sells under juliesgirlshed on trademe and has some cute listings on at the moment, my faves being these two...

Would love this for Bens room!

I'm presuming this is the same colour as used on my shelf and it really is the perfect pink.

All the best if you decide to bid, I'm sure you'll love your purchase from Julie, just as much as I love mine.

If you're eyeing anything up in my store, don't miss out (a few items are down to the very last ones for this year), but please be aware all purchases placed from Saturday 30th November till Sunday 8th December, will be shipped on Monday 9th December... when I return from my holiday!

See you back here then

Sarah x

My creative space...

I recently made up the bag from my Cath Kidston sew book, after receiving the book for a birthday a few years back!  The motivation to do so came from my antique coat rack, a lucky trademe purchase.  It's from an old train carriage and the hooks fold in, making it very discreet if lacking space.  I recently painted it in my favourite periglacial blue by Karen Walker, and needed another accessory for it.  My husband tried hanging a black jacket on it, only to have it quickly whipped off, poor man clearly didn't realise I hadn't put it there for practicality (yes, he's very patient). Anyway, I really enjoyed making a bag for a change, and made a few adjustments to it.  I squared off the strap ends and stitched the strap to the bag, I lined it in a pink polkadot fabric that I had left over from Poppets curtains, and put a reddish button on for a bit of contrast.  I'm very happy with the result and it looks great on the coat rack.  You never know, it may even get used!

I've also been busy making some new styles of baby shoes and bibs, you can see these on my facebook page.

For more creative spaces, pop over here.

Sarah

Cute, cute Cowboys!

How cute is the invite?

We recently received an invitation to celebrate a first birthday, cowboy style! I loved the invitation and thought I'd share it, and a few other favourite cowboy items with you (I am a bit obsessed).

I whipped up some bunting, which was destined to be the worlds shortest as I only had a small amount of fabric left, so I spaced it out along my favourite striped binding. I also had a bib for him, so he doesn't spoil his wee cowboy outfit, and I found some sheriff badges at a gold coin shop.

Cath Kidston cowboy bag for my wee boy

a favourite garage sale purchase, LOVE the illustrations

MissMollyCoddle Cowboy Shoes

Belle & Boo prints

The Pretty Baker

free printable available here.

I got thinking about my wee darlings birthday and did a bit of internet browsing. I came across these super cute biscuit cutters, am thinking they'd be great for fairy bread.   For a fun activity, get your party guests to hold the wanted sign in front of themselves, makes a great snapshot of his friends.  CharlieHorseParties not only had a great selection of cowboy themed products(excellent selection of biscuit cutters), but also great ideas (some free) for the party.  Just as I was finishing up this post, a friend sent through a link to this gorgeous cowboy party, check it out, you'll love it I'm sure.

Let me know if you know of any other great cowboy products, party or otherwise, thanks.

To see more creative spaces, pop over here.

Sarah :)