Making me happy...

* My wellies arrived from Joules, and I almost didn't want to open them as the packaging was so lovely.

* Persephone Books have a brand new forum . It's like an online book club. This month, William : An Englishman by Cicely Hamilton.

* I went to Waitrose yesterday, and unlike most supermarket shopping that is a process of getting what you need without thinking and leaving as soon as possible - a trip to Waitrose is a real treat, and a true pleasure. I love looking at all the lovely packaging and finding new products by artisan producers and having a hot chocolate and croissant in their cafe afterward.






Just some of the lovely things to buy. I could resist taking some snaps on my Blackberry as I went round.

* I've been thinking about trying to grab a holiday in my (very short) summer holiday this year, and I have a yearning to go to Wales. My Grandmother was Welsh giving me my middle name of Olwen, and I feel a very strong affinity to it (plus...the Toast outlet store). The Welsh tourist board have been advertising on TV with these lovely, lovely little short films featuring a real family and it's really sealed the deal for me. They are everything a lazy, hazy summer holiday should be and the direction, art styling and music used are excellent.

I'm going to hop in the car and go, probably not having such a varied adventure as the Darkes family though.

I want to visit....

I recently saw a programme on Red or Dead designer Wayne Hemingway's new design company Hemingway Design and his passion for re-designing/re-imagining the way we use buildings . Of great interest to me, as I've recently learn he's tackling an eyesore in my home town. His most recent achievement is the Boscombe Overstrand project near Bournmouth.


Take a 1950's sea front building with no particular use or modern appeal and transform it into a retro inspired modern beach front facility with showers, a restaurant and most interesting of all, 'pods' to replace the classic beach huts.



Each 'pod' looks out into the reef and is available for the day (and now a weekly stay - sleeping bags ahoy!) and contains just the bare essentials for a day at the beach, but with some fantastic retro touches such as large 50's inspired murals and deck chairs. There is also the Urban Reef restaurant whose light and simplistic design I really like:


The menu looks delicious with local ingredients and classic British fayre.

The prices are so reasonable too - a week long stay (albeit of a camping variety) in a pod is only £150 in season! I think I may have to treat myself for a few days in the summer as a.) it's in my budget and b.) POD'S!