Bits and Bobs

I am sitting in my sitting room, I have to say feeling a little full after a lovely Sunday lunch, (the OH doing all the clearing up) thinking I really need to post more on my blog. I have been a little distracted with all this house searching – and not finding anything we like. I think I have mini square eyes from the computer, searching every house website day in day out looking for that elusive home. So this weekend I am giving myself a break. Half way through the week a surprise arrived in the post care of my son Alex a new book by Edna O’Brien,

I love this author and when I was in my teens I so enjoyed The Country Girls and August is a Wicked Month, this book is full of great short stories, all based in Ireland. A really good read, so I have added one of my favourite paintings its so beautiful, her dress is such a lovely vibrant yellow and of course she is reading! Although I don’t think it was  Edna O’Brien!!

Along with the searching for a home I have been sewing madly for the lovely Joasia at The Perfect Whimsey as well as a few more commissions via Etsy

 and of course the usual trips to Waitrose,

how did that get in my basket!
The weather here has been awful - dull grey and wet except for Thursday when we ventured into Topsham which is a lovely village just outside Exeter,

it was so warm that we didn’t even need a coat it was great also to see an old friend Teresa who has just opened up her new interior design shop – it looked amazing she should be so proud.


I know this isn’t a very exiting post this week but I just think it is the time of year, winter still seems to be hanging on and there is only a few signs of spring to come.


But there was a little highlight to the end of the week, I have to say that our whole family are great Rugby fans and as Sharon from My French Country Living said this was the weekend for LE CRUNCH, France V England, and triumphant we were especially when this man came on the pitch!!!

Now back to serious things My Giveaway,

just another little peep at the vintage confiture jar - fresh snowdrops I have masses in the garden this year.  I have been so pleased with all the comments left and wish you all luck, please keep commenting and adding my photo to your blog for an extra chance to win.
Have a lovely week everyone.

My long awaited Give-away

I know I promised I would do a giveaway when I reached 100 followers, but I have passed that so have been busy getting everything together so here goes.

I am giving away to one of you lovely bloggers, a cushion cover made with vintage fabrics, a pretty lavender filled (provence of course) heart using once again vintage fabrics and an old french confiture jar which I bought at a flea market in France.

 Sorry can't send the snowdrops, but it just goes to show how versatile the jars are!!
All you have to do is leave me a comment for one chance of winning, post my little giveaway photo and link on your blog for an extra chance.  I expect all you very experienced bloggers will see that I haven't done this before but heyho here goes.
Its been a little bit of an up and down week, looked at rubbish houses!!! had very sad and tragic news from a friend, and ran out of heating oil, thank god for open fires and Rayburns!!

So I look forward to hearing from all of you

On the move!!

I am always so surprised of the time between each one of my posts, where does time go! It could be the fact that we have been a little busy here We are on the move again, having just sold our house we are now busy trying to find a new home,

I know some of you will be saying why leave such a lovely home, and you would be right, but although I love my house I have to say that we have not been very happy in this part of Devon, I know the coastline around here is spectacular, but you can't live by views alone, and I do miss being able to walk around nice shops, having coffee out and just generally being able to live life a little bit more to the full.  We are not deserting Devon just heading a little more East!

Now on our quest to look for this elusive house we have been travelling around Devon, and I would love to tell you about this lovely village which nestles on the edge of Dartmoor, called North Bovey it has a lovely pub called The Ring of Bells and is ideal place to  nosy round the lovely village, as you can see by the photos.

The Ring of Bells

Lovely views of Dartmoor

Told you I was nosy

This beautiful cottage is available to rent for holidays its gorgeous and has been featured in lots of magazines

I haven't forgotten my give-away I thought I would have more time, but no I have reached over 100, so I promise that next time I post I will reveal what I am going to give-away.

Love all the comments you have left so please when you drop by I would love to hear from you.

Tantalising Glimpses

I love a walk in the country, or by the sea but one of my favourite walks are around lovely cities or pretty villages, most of all so that I can peep into beautiful houses and cottages.

I don't think I am being nosy, well maybe a little - its the tantalising glimpses into other peoples lives and lifestyle that I love I try not to stop and stare but just walk very slowly!  I love peeping down at basements especially in cities like Bath where the rooms are mostly made into beautiful kitchens - this to me is my favorite room, I have had quite a few kitchens, this is my present one

but I think my favorite was in a cottage where I had a lovely red Aga, I now have a very old Rayburn,

 but  I would love a pale blue aga but just can't see that happening very soon!!!

But I am wondering away from the subject which is looking through windows.
Where I live there really isn't much opportunity for this, but I have found another way to feed my curiousity - you can look at beautiful homes through websites that provide homes for location shoots. So I am going to share with you some of the beautiful kitchens and bathrooms that one day I would love to have!!

I love this kitchen, the combination of old with new plus of course a lovely big Aga!

And now for the bathrooms!

This is stunning with the Union Jack on the wall.

And to have a fire while having a bath what luxury!

A slipper bath lilac toile wallpaper it just looks so stylish! The only thing my bathroom has in common with this one is the painted floor and the little table!

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments on my last post The Perfect Whimsy. I still haven't reached my 100 followers but as soon as I do I will be putting together my give-away.  Have a lovely week.