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.

Making me Happy...

1. I don't own my own home yet, but I am dreaming of when I do post-qualification in a year and a half and as ever, I am inspiration surfing for design and interiors. I tend towards a vintage/art deco/touches of Victoriana style with classic pieces and a cosy feel but I am beginning to be really drawn to a more minimalist style. I don't like extreme white, white, white minimalism but in the right airy property, I am swayed by a clean colour palate. I came across this house on FlickR:








and I really love the classic pieces with a sparse style and light, light, light. Gorgeous.

2. This is Naive's 'People at Work' post on the super talented Nadinoo. Beautiful clothes, and beautifully captured.

3. I stumbled on this site by accident but I am coveting so, so much.

Virginia Wolf parcel tape "Life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope which surrounds us from the beginning of consciousness to the end":

Go Away, I'm Reading book bag (in orange!):

Sylvia Plath, Ariel mug:


The book cover of *my* edition of The Catcher in the Rye as a poster:


and that's not to mention a I Capture The Castle quote tote and classic ladybird cake tins!

4. The spring sunshine. It makes such a difference to mood!

Making Me Happy...

~ My new Blackberry. It's wonderful. It doesn't seem like five minutes since I went and bought my first mobile phone the size of a brick and thought it was about the most exciting thing in the world.

~ The BBC's new two part drama A Passionate Woman. I thought it was beautifully done and Billie Piper was a revelation. I was particularly taken with the ubiquitous mustard yellow dress worn with the utilitarian blue, wool coat or jacket. It captivated me in the trailers and didn't disappoint.

More Here

~ I am in a real horticultural/ethnobotany phase at the moment. I've become interested in making my own make up and body care products without all the nasties in and so James Wongs' Grown Your Own Drugs on BBC2 is fitting the bill perfectly. This week it was Honeysuckle & Jasmine Jellies to cure sore throats, and Rose & Clove Sugaring for painless hair removal. Seeing as I have an awful sore throat at the moment, I'm wishing I had a garden more than ever.

~ The smell of my bergamont oil in my oil burner. Like walking into a Sri Lankan dream.

~ Finally having time to catch up on my scrapbooking.


~ Blanket Magazine. A gorgeous art, design and photography online magazine for the great value price of $2. This is new to me, but I am loving it. It feeds my magazine addiction quite happily.