Favourites shops in Bath - Cath Kidston

Last weekend, I went to Bath. I brought my Cath Kidston gift vouchers along which I had received for my birthday back in July. I had purposely saved them for the new Autumn collection.






Their window displays are always so bright and well put together.

I never used to be one for bright colours but in the last 2 or 3 years I have grown to wanting/needing more bright colours around the house especially in the kitchen which I see as a lively and happy family room.

I generally prefer having vintage fabrics/curtains around the house. I don't like many high street shops/chains such as Next etc.. and don't usually shop in them. However, CATH KIDSTON is an exception, as a 'modern' shop I think she's got it just right for me. It's modern but with a vintage feel, the colours and designs I LOVE! When I walk in to a CK shop it always feels happy, cheerful and very welcoming.

In the 80's and early 90's I used to love LAURA ASHLEY clothes & home ware (I loved the flowery dresses, remember them?) but sadly after Laura Ashley died, I felt it all went downhill. The style changed, it didn't really feel like Laura Ashley anymore. They had lost their identity.

Although I still see the occasional thing that I like, it doesn't have the same appeal as it used to have. I prefer Cath Kidston for when I want that 'modern' touch around the house.

I know that Cath Kidston is very popular and the funny thing is that I don't usually like having what everyone else has, if it's very popular it usually puts me off or I just don't buy it (I like to be different and a bit more individual). However, it's clear that I have make an exception when it comes to CK. Why? Well, I really like her things and despite them being seen in several places, I don't mind for some reason. After all if I like it, that's all that should matter.

BACK TO MY SHOPPING TRIP...

Where do I begin? So many things that I like!...Very tempted by the paisley scarf at the bottom right hand side of this photo. I am a scarf person! I have a big deep draw full of them.


ooh those dresses look pretty...




Upstairs, more things to make my decision a difficult one


The rose cushion at the bottom is very pretty, just the right colours for my lounge..


More cushions, some of them in vintage fabric


The blanket caught my eye, I could picture it wrapped around me on a cold winter's night...


The duvet set, perfect for Miss P's room.


I went back downstairs to try on this pretty tea dress which I spotted as soon as I walked in to the shop.


The dots are pale pink, such a pretty feminine dress...

I came back home with the dress


and...the paisley scarf



I will have to wait a bit longer for some of the items that I liked such as the blanket, duvet set, sewing box...and other things....Looks like Cath Kidston vouchers will be on my Christmas list again!

A bientôt!


Isabelle x

RECIPE: Hawthorn and Artichoke Fruit Leather

In one of my recent posts, I mentioned that I had been berry picking. This is what I made with the hawthorns: HAWTHORN & ARTICHOKE FRUIT LEATHER

Fruit leather is fruit that has been dried using an oven or a dehydrator

The recipe is taken from the Grow your own drugs book
Click on the picture below to see the ingredients required and the recipe.





Fresh hand picked hawthorns


Artichokes







This is what it looks like when it comes out of the oven. It has a leathery appearance and I admit does not look that appealing at first glance BUT it does taste good! When cooled down it is cut in to strips.

A healthy tasty dried fruit snack, ideal in between meals!

I bought a couple of things online recently....from bloggers.



A pretty pink bird from Devina at The Granny Fairyglade



Two lovely lavender scented sacks from Hen at HenHouse Emporium

By the way, I went back for the jug that matches the glasses. Thank you for all your lovely comments about them!


A bientôt!

Isabelle x

Favourite shops in Bath - Susannah Decorative Antiques and Textiles

Let me take you on a tour of one of my absolute favourite shops in Bath which I visited again today. Yes, a day off from decorating at last!

I first discovered Susannah Decorative Antiques and Textiles shop several years ago (15 years ago approx) whilst living in Kent at the time. I frequently went on holiday to the West Country, I would usually break up the journey in Bath as I loved shopping there.
Apart from the fact that I absolutely love the beautiful antique textiles, quilts and handmade items etc., the interior reminds me of my Aunt Suzy's house in Belgium! The staircase in particular and stained glass here and there, as well as the general feel of the place.


The window is always so beautifully arranged. I love lace & crochet edging on a window or piece of furniture. A finishing touch that I have really liked and used throughout the house ever since first seeing it in Belgium many moons ago. That's why I was so taken by this shop when I first came across it, somehow it felt very familiar to me and yet very individual and unique.


Broad Street, Bath


Susannah's shop front


I was drooling over that window display


As you enter, you are greeted with a the lovely scent of lavender


Just look at that mannequin's waist line!


Such a pretty little face




I love this piece of furniture!!!







Moving towards the back of the shop now..

Yes, there is more to look at..


It reminds me of the staircase leading to my Aunt's attic, same layout same feel! I always pause there for a bit as it is the closest I'll ever get now to experiencing the feel of my Aunts house.
The shop feels more like a beautiful unique home than a shop. It feels intimate and inviting.


More antique treasures to be found at the back of the shop






Walking back towards the front of the shop
This part also reminds me of My Aunt's & Grandmother's house


So beautiful isn't it!


Susannah Decorative Antiques and Textiles features in Bath's Best Shopping & Dining guide

Last year I took my sister there, I wanted to know if it reminded her of our my Aunt & Grandmother's house in Belgium. After looking around and reaching that staircase, she agreed that it did.

I hope that you have enjoyed the little tour.

Hawthorn & artichoke recipe to follow soon, just had to get this post in today.

I hope that you are all having a great weekend!

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

BOUNTIFUL NATURE - Part 2 & THE TOUR OF BRITAIN 2009 IN 3D

Hello, I hope that you are all having a good week, it's been a very busy one for me so far! Following Sunday's berry picking with Miss P, I decided that we still needed more. So, on Tuesday evening, Alan, Miss P and I went berry picking. Unfortunately, the weather was not as nice as on Sunday. It was grey, cold and windy but I was out on a mission and the weather was not going to deter me.


Saved from the bed of stinging nettles. It was my turn next, Miss P and Alan insisted on it! Sorry, no photo!...thankfully ;-))


Miss P got stuck in to it and did a fantastic job


There were plenty of lovely looking hawthorn berries


The best elderberries were high up so a step ladder was required to pick the very juicy looking ones


Removing the berries from the stems (Fiddly job!)


The first thing that I made is ELDERBERRY LIQUEUR
1/2lb (450g) Elderberries
1 pint (600ml) vodka (Alternatives are Gin, white rum or brandy) needs to be a minimum of 40% alcohol
4oz (115g) Sugar
Put the the elderberries in a jar, add the vodka & sugar, seal the jar tightly and place in a cool dark place for 2 to 3 months. During that time shake the jar gently to mix the contents.
Strain the berries away and pour the liqueur in to a bottle.
Just multiply the amounts above if you want to make more.
Elderberry (Also known as Sambucol) has antiviral properties.



Next on my list was a ELDERBERRY THROAT GEL
Elderberries
Vegetable gelatin
Fill a small kilner jar with ripe elderberries, then cover with diluted vegetable gelatin.
Leave in a warm place for 2 weeks. Strain through muslin, squeezing well. Pour into a sterilized bottle.
Adults: Take 2 tsp, 3 times a day for coughs and sore throats.
I didn't have a kilner jar left at that time so had to put it an ordinary jar, will shortly be transferring to a kilner jar.

This recipe is from the book GROW YOUR OWN DRUGS by James Wong. Some of you may have seen the series on the BBC. Being in to natural remedies, I found the series and the book really interesting and full of great recipes for health remedies and beauty treatments.


I also made and blackberry & Strawberry compote made using Vanilla sugar. I will be having some with granola, yogurt, ice cream and in a sponge cake.

My next post will include what I made with the hawthorn berries. We did not manage to pick enough decent sloe berries so have frozen what we have and will try and find more at the weekend.

I went out for a walk this morning...


I had hoped to see the cyclists from THE TOUR OF BRITAIN go by but I missed them by a few minutes. By the time I had reached the top of the lane, they had just gone by. All that was left was a long queue of traffic trailing behind them.
Alan got up very early this morning to get a good spot in Frome (Somerset), the starting point of STAGE 6 - FROME to BIDEFORD. He has been taking 3d photos of the start and finish.

(See below for a link to some of the photos!)


So nice to see so many butterflies in the garden this morning.

It is a beautiful day today, I do hope your day is a good one too.

A bientôt!


Isabelle x

UPDATE: Here are some 3d photos of the event taken in FROME yesterday. Don't forget that you will need a pair of 3d glasses (red & cyan) to obtain the 3d effect when viewing them. More photos will be added to the website soon including ones taken in BIDEFORD.