What I Wore

It was a lovely sunny 4th of July weekend here! I put on my new Cath Kidston skirt and the sweet little moccasins he surprised me with and went out on a date with Mr. Michie.

(P.S. My skirt was ironed, but I started doing things around the house and got it crinkly before we left, so please excuse the crinkles)

Sunny Sunday Surprises

This weekend the weather was extremely gloomy on Saturday, but extremely SUNNY on Sunday. Mr. Michie had been away on a school trip for Friday night and most of Saturday, so Sunday became our "weekend".

He woke me up early and told me to get ready he was taking me out. Off we went in the golden sunshine to the train station and waited for a train to take us into central London.

We had so much fun, wandering around. I saw the latest goodies in Anthropologie, but I was very good and left without letting anything jump into my hands. I wasn't so good however when I went to Cath Kidston, they were having a clothing sale and I never never look at her clothes, but I did on Sunday and a beautiful skirt, jumped into my hands.

Then, Mr. Michie took me to Topshop to look at their jewelery stands. One of my favourite places to hunt for unique pieces and this little lady jumped into his hands and was purchased for me:

Isn't she sweet, I wore her this week on a Spring green Boden jacket that I have and she was just a piece of happiness on my blazer all day!

Oilcloth Lunch Bags

I love oilcloth. I love the feel of it. Especially the really nice oilcloth, that is like waxed fabric, I used to work in an interior design store and we had the most scrumptious Swedish oilcloth that had that lovely "waxed fabric" feel.

I adore the vintage oilcloth that is available now, reflecting the quaintness of 1940's/50's kitchens. I can just see June Cleaver now with her adorable cherry and polka dot oilcloth or her summer fruits oilcloth with its vibrant blue background laid out on her kitchen table, can't you?

In honour of going "back-to-school" and to pay homage to oilcloth I am doing a feature today on "Oilcloth Lunch Bags" I found on the Martha Stewart site. So, gather your materials from my class "handout" and get ready to just have fun:

You will need:

Oilcloth (pattern of your choice)
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Thread
Velcro or a clothespin


Lunch Bag How-To
The same oilcloth that covers your kitchen table can transport your children's lunches -- or your own -- in leak-free style. These reusable bags will cut back on waste since they can simply be washed with a damp sponge (oilcloth is not washing-machine safe). Use a single print for the whole bag, or cut out complementary patterns or solid colors for side panels. You can attach small Velcro tabs to hold the bags closed, or clip the tops with colorful wooden clothespins.

Cut main piece 29 1/2 by 8 inches and two side panels, each 12 1/4 by 5 inches.
1. Fold long panel, inside out, into U shape with 5-inch bottom.

2. Make 1/4-inch cut at bottom corners of side and middle pieces so bag folds smoothly. Sew-in side panels, leaving 1/4-inch seam allowance.

3. Turn right side out and top-stitch all around, 1/8 inch from edge.

The most important thing to remember while doing this is to use your imagination and just have fun!

I have my eye on some Cath Kidston oilcloth in my beloved "Provence Rose" pattern and as soon as I can get my hands on it, I plan to make my own lunch bag, perhaps with a vintage button to close it with!

(All images and directions are copyright Martha Stewart, for the original article please click here)

The gorgeous Oilcloth.com store are one of my favourite supplies and they have a whole variety of patterns to choose from!

What Will it Be?

Just working on a few sewing projects today, what will some of this fabric become?

The possibilities are endless, but I have something particular in mind. I think I will use the Cath Kidston Pairie fabric for this project, I can't seem to get enough of those happy flowers lately.

What will it be? You'll just have to wait and see....

We are Living in a Technological World

We headed into Central London yesterday morning and as the train rolled down the tracks I looked around me. Okay, the day wasn't perfect, there were some rain drops falling, but at this moment the sky was clear, the sun was shining, everything looked lush and green, a few blooms along the way showing that Spring could be on its way...

Everyone in our car section was talking away or sitting silently, concentration furrowing their brow. They weren't talking to each other though or concentrating on reading a book; they were all, every single one of them with a phone in hand. Even my adorable red-head, was finishing off a game before he tucked it away to talk to me.

I could just feel the bangle, diamond, dripping lace cladded Madonna singing "We are Living in a Material World", however I am not a Material Girl. I say this with a grain of salt because I know that I am a Blogger. But, I have my limits. Here was a perfectly beautiful day, the train was on time (sometimes a rarity) and not one soul was talking to each other or looking out the window.

Have we become so technologically advanced in this world we feel we don't need anyone else, that we can shut ourselves off from everyone by hiding behind our technology? Now, I know I could talk the hind legs of a mule, but I am quite happy in silence, just watching, just observing. I hope that I never become so technologically advanced that I forget to look around me, to take in the sights, sounds and smells. To just sit quietly or talking hand-in-hand with my man as we ride on down the rails.

On a happier and less ranting note, Cath Kidston had the gorgeous material I have been after and so I stocked up on some, I have great plans for this: I am making a yoga mat bag, if I can bring myself to bring my scissors anywhere near this sweet pattern.


And we visited a store we have yet to discover, I LOVE this about London, no matter how long I have lived here and how well I know my way around the big streets, the side streets, the cut-throughs, there are still things to discover. We found La Fromagerie and I am in LOVE. Gorgeous cheese, Poilane bread, beautiful white bowls filled with candied fruits, fresh produce.

We slid back the heavy glass barn door to enter the cheese room, it was just everything you would have wanted! Walking in there was heaven! I could have just sat down right there on the floor with my fresh Poilane bread in hand, a knife to smear on goats cheese and lived in happiness for eternity.

(The image used was only an example, I have nothing against Apple, I am a Mac girl through and through, thanks to my husband, I have left the world of PCs and gone to the Dark Side...the images of La Fromagerie are copyright to them, since we forget the camera)

P.S. It must have been a truly foxy kind of week, because while entering Anthropologie and heading upstairs I found this vintage children's playing card made into a greeting card and he decided he wanted to come home with me, so he did....

A Shopping Weekend

This weekend, I never stopped. I must have walked 50 miles! I went into London on Saturday to run a few errands and pick-up some items for projects I am working on at the moment, as well as some other bits & bobs and a few gifts.

It was sooo cold and I headed out early arriving before any shops had opened. So I marched to Starbucks and five minutes later armed with a hot chocolate and my Ipod filling my ears with Django Reinhardt (it is really amusing to watch the world go by, to certain tunes playing in your head as you walk along!) I headed down to one of my favorite haunts: Marylebone High Street.

Daunt Books' (always an early opener) door was cheerily propped open and I had a wander around. I love the smell of this store and their beautiful built in cases. It is such a pleasure to linger within those walls. Next, another early opener, V V Rouleaux to get some ribbon for a Valentine's gift I am working on.

After that I headed to Cath Kidston for a new ironing board cover and a Birthday gift and to Rococo's for some Valentine's Chocolates (Shhh! they are a surprise!). After that, I cut through the Cabbages & Frocks Market and headed back into town.

I met a friend for lunch and after dining, I headed into Liberty's on a haberdashery mission, alas, no luck! So, off to Anthropologie to pick up another little gift.

Next, it was off to Covent Garden to get my watch fixed, but Fossil had closed, hmmm! I was not happy! But, I went into Paperchase and got some adorable back to school surprises for someone special and a Valentine's Card for my sweetie!


So my Shopping List was almost fulfilled, I still have a few things left to get:

Cath Kidston-birthday gift and ironing board cover

Anthropologie

Air-Erasable Fabric Pen

Chocolates
New watch battery

Valentine's Card

Back to School surprise

Fabric-for new cushions

Turquoise thread

Yesterday, was spent at the NEC marching along the aisles of the Spring Fair on a buying trip. It was tiring, but a lot was accomplished! So, today I am just going to put my feet up and rest! I am pooped and you must be too after reading about my crazy adventures!

(Since I stupidly forgot to bring my lovely camera along, all images are copyright to : V V Rouleaux, Rococo Chocolates, Cath Kidston, Belle & Boo and Anthropologie)

Making Me Smile

It is bitterly cold here tonight. My cutie pie picked me up from yoga and walked me home so I wasn't walking on my own in the dark.  Our breath came billowing out in front of us as we strolled, illuminated by the headlights of a car approaching behind us.

We were bundled up, but still shivering and as he kissed my forehead he told me this was true love -- freezing to death so he could walk me home....and for me, it is.  I know that, that simple act of kindness (coming to get me) was one of his many ways to say " I Love YOU!"

We had homemade Italian Wedding soup tonight and after doing the dishes, I plopped down on the couch (my first break today) for a little internet window shopping, and this is what brought a smile to my face on such a frosty frosty evening:

Cath Kidston Happiness

I had to run some errands this morning and just as I was locking the door my jolly postman came by and delivered this wonderful catalogue into my hands. After, doing the few things I needed to do, I picked up a coffee and a cupcake treat to enjoy while I poured through the pages of this little book of happiness.

I had some spending money I brought with me to Cornwall and did not really spend any of it, so I am treating myself to a Cath Kidston Christmas item. I think possibly a Christmas tablecloth, as I don't have one.

I have placemats and runners and fabric that I use but not an official Christmas tablecloth and this one is too adorably retro, I LOVE it! And, it will make my kitchen table look really cheerful.

I am now going back to cozy up on the couch, thumb through those pages one more time and then force myself to put it down and carry on working on my little bunny blanket.

Chilly Willy!

Brrrr! Today the weather has changed. It is blustery, cloudy and very cold. We were out running errands and upon coming back in the cottage, we knew it was chilly, because the radiators had come on by themselves and were humming away making the house toasty!

Today it feels like we might be skipping Autumn and going right into Winter! It is definitely pumpkin weather now. The perfect weather to get a hot chocolate on-the-go and take a nice crispy walk through the woods. I will have to get out my wellies soon. I will finally have a chance to use my gorgeous Cath Kidston polka dot green wellies I got for my Birthday. I can't wait for my first puddle of the season to go stomping through!

This is lit candles, wrapping up in cozy quilts and drinking hot chocolate weather.

(Image from Good Housekeeping, Jessie Wilcox Smith)

Better Gnomes & Gardens

I have a thing for gnomes; they are whimsical, magical, seemingly
happy little creatures. Usually dressed in bright clothing with pointy little hats. They are friends to woodland animals and charming decorators of their red polka dot mushroom houses.

In looking for some vintage ephemera I went to one of my favorite sources, D. Blumchen & Company and I came across a gnome village they had created with instructions coming soon to tell you how to make your own mushroom gnome men.

Although considered a kitsch object, gnomes have been around for generations. In Sweden and Denmark there are numerous vintage postcards and household items with gnome and pixie themes. It has carried on to the present; many of their Christmas decorations revolve around these magical beings. I, myself have a few Danish pixies that come out to play at Christmas and guard over the presents Santa has delivered.

Like Cath Kidston’s Miniature Garden (blog written 5/13/2009), this little model village is again something I find charming and enchanting. Another little world you wish you can step inside and wander around. A world where ladybugs pull your flower laden cart and cozy candles bring a warm glow to the soft inside of mushroom houses, where you sit, sipping tea out of acorn cups next to a crackling fire.

Click on the picture below to go to D. Blumchen & Company's Website.



"Better Gnomes & Gardens" Image by Artist Ken Brown, embellished by J. Michie

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Birthday IceCream

Today is my birthday! This year has gone racing by and it doesn’t seem right that it should be June already. I LOVE birthdays, whether it is mine or someone else's and I think they should carry on for more than just your actual birthday as well, like Alice in Wonderland’s “Un-Birthdays”:

“There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents ... and only one for birthday presents, you know.” - Lewis Carroll

In saying all of this, for the first time in my life I am not overly excited about this particular Birthday. I thought, like many of us do, that I would be in a different place right now, but that is obviously not in God’s plans for me at the moment.

Jack Byrnes’ wisdom tells me that you don’t always see the whole puzzle, so I am just waiting on some pieces to come together. We are blessed with a home, with food, with a job and most importantly with love, and that is all you really need. So, I continue to walk in faith and as Frank Sinatra sang, “the best is yet to come”. I’m going to hold to that and embrace the moment.

As my husband told me this morning, good things come to those who wait, and I have patiently waited for a pair of wellies for forever and amongst my birthday gifts this morning, sat a shining green pair with polka dots on them, just for me!

The Enchanting World of Miniatures

What is it that is so fascinating about a miniature world? A little place that makes you wish, like Mary Poppins you could jump into the chalk drawing and peek inside. I love Cath Kidston and today as I opened my e-mail, cup of tea in hand, I smiled as I saw a newsletter waiting from her.

In it are the details for her latest competition; to design a miniature garden. I scrolled down to see a vintage looking bowl filled with tiny “trees”, a tin foil pond with moss gently rolling down the hillside. Geese meandered around bunches of flowers, while a girl, red apron tied to her waist, stood not far away. You could imagine her dipping into her apron pocket to scatter grain for them. I was entranced like a child, I wanted to step inside and walk around this enchanting petite world.

It is these little things that don’t let me forget my inner child, something that is too important to let go of. In a world where things can often become too serious, these are the moments that take you back, make you smile. Suddenly, you can be 5 again, with the wind whistling in your hair as you pump your legs faster and faster; because you know if you get just a little higher, you will be able to reach up and touch the tree branch hanging over your swing.

Please note this image is copyright to Cath Kidston, London.