Gorgeous Open Gardens

There have been lots of nice village events going on recently – everyone has trying to pretend that it is really Summer.... and this weekend could just be the start of something wonderful!!

Sooo, If you happen in live in Norfolk (UK) then maybe you might fancy a pootle to Acle for the Open gardens. Acle is about 15 miles from Norwich just so you can get your bearings. Now this event is not just promising a wide selection splendid gardens, great weather, gardening experts & enthusiasts but homemade cream teas at the cute village hall. Yum! The date is Sunday 27^th June 11am to 4pm. I’ve had a sneek preview at one of the gardens & it really is fabulous & very inspiring. I think I should get advise on my slightly neglected garden.

The image is actually from East Ruston Old Vicarage which is not too far away from Acle & 30 or so acres of pure heavenly relaxation. Check out the website, these two uber talented guys have spent years perfecting the ultimate gardens. A visit you will not regret - oh and the tea rooms do very good homemade cakes. I recommend the lemon drizzle with lavender sprinkled on top!

Have a fabulous weekend whatever you are up to xxxx

Breakfast blogging

Well I was spending a lovely 1/2 hour perusing the latest blogs over coffee whilst sitting in the sun... yes it's finally sunny in Norfolk hurahhh. Anyway after learning lots about the latest fashions, new ranges of make up, celeb coffee table books, exciting craft events... I ended up at Birdcages & Butterflies blog. Ooooh the new background for the blog is yummy. So I nipped onto The Background Fairy, no time like the present to update eh? After my dull attempt yesterday I needed a little za za zou Carrie Bradshaw style. Now I think there is much more to be added, and what fun I shall have choosing pretty pictures to adorn my page. The Background Fairy has a fabulous blog which is essentially a cornucopia of images, patterns & general loveliness. Oh and did I mention, really easy to follow!!!!!

A little Jackie O influence

Did I mention that I purchased another vintage outfit??? Well this was at the Woodbridge Weekender. The lovely Kathy& team from "My Vintage Wardrobe" had some scrummy delights which I tried to resist. Obviously I failed. I am now the proud owner of a 1960's dress suit which is rather Jackie O and maybe a little Audrey Hepburn oooh I'm dreaming.

The reason for the purchase (other than me having a dress addiction) is that I might have a really exciting spin in a vintage car in a couple of weekends. I'm keeping it a little quiet as it's very much weather permitting & I don't want to get my hopes up too much. Ok, so we can ignore the fact that I have purchased an entire outfit for the event.

Please excuse the photos, the jacket looks rather crumpled in the image. It's really gorgeous though. It's a lovely powdery blue colour & in great condition. The collar of the dress has little fabric bows with lilac faux pearl flower details. Yes I have some vintage clip on earring to match!! I also have some white gloves (is this taking it too far?? - please advise!!).

Yesterday i found some pinky lilac satin shoes - pretty T bar with heels. they were a complete bargain for a pound!! Yes it was a car boot heavenly find. I also snapped up a pair of 80's red & white Charles Jourdan shoes (never worn) for £3 originally over £100 (apparently).

Anyway I just had to share the dress & jacket with you. I was so excited when I tried it on & it fitted - I saw it as fate ha ha - had to have it!!!

Now must do some research on how to have my hair....

oh dear!

xxx

Dress Addiction

Might as well face it, I'm addicted to dresses.

What happened??? I never wore dresses unless I went to a ball & now I seem to have collected quite a few. I can't seem to stop buying, clearly I need another distraction.

Ebay makes things too easy & before I knew it I was bidding on 5 Laura Lees frocks.... (I didn't win them all thankfully!

Then I went to visit lovely Emmie before the Woodbridge Weekender… this always involves the purchasing of nice clothes. This trip was no exception & I tried on this dress that I had passed over before. It was so lovely on, a real party frock which will be so cute with ballet pumps. It has a lovely pink underskirt with mesh polka dot overskirt. I don’t doubt it will be long before I get to wear it, even if I’m overdressed for dinner ha ha.

See I'm hooked & turning into a girly girl, whatever next... chick flicks oooh noooooooo. Do the Twilight Series count?? ha ha xx

Wonderful Woodbridge Weekend

Well what a lovely weekend we had. Mummy butterfly & I decided that we would stay over to save the driving, early mornings & most importantly sample some of the local cuisine & fabulous restaurants. We went to The Cross for dinner Friday evening for some scrummy vegetarian delights (poached eggs & asparagus for dipping = yum!) & great service in an eclectically cool surroundings. Saturday was The Crown which has had a huge make over & is stuff of décor magazines! The service was exceptional & food was lush. Another good evening.

Anyway we were there to sell our Butterflies & Hurricanes wares. The set up was in the quaint market square & it looked very pretty indeed. Candy striped roofs on the market stalls and bunting fluttering in the breeze. A great selection of lovely crafts, delicious food (the stall next to us had the best goats cheese, pesto & asparagus pasty) & tempting vintage clothes & homeware.

Of course I treated myself to a couple of vintage dresses which I shall post later this week – I may need some expert reader advice picking outfits for some events I have coming up!!

We met lots of lovely customers & caught up with super duper stall holders which is always fun. I think we could talk vintage for England!

Check out the knitted bunting! It's awesome & was displayed by St Elizabeth Hospice stall. Their stalls are dangerous as they are piled high with goodies... I am the proud owner of a large round vintage suitcase. No real need, just liked it!!

Apologies for the lack of photos of the rest of the market, clearly I was in a self absorbed mood - I shall have stern words with myself tonight.

Oh I also recently picked up some bits & bobs to adorn the stall. Old tins which sold very well, some picnic bits (I don't know why - memories? bright candy stripes? Magpie? all of the above!).

Oh I hope you like my denim bunting too, made out of old jeans & shirts. Not quite as effective as the knitted version but I like it. xx

Woodbridge Weekender

This weekend is the Woodbridge Weekender (in Suffolk, lil' ole England) and myself, Mummy Butterfly & my lovely friend Emmie are really excited.

2 days of vintage & cool handmade clothes, accessories, gifts & homeware - in the sun!! Yes I have put in my order for decent weather - dry at the very least. The Met Office has been listening & the report looks good ha ha.

Lots of my dear friends are also excited about this event. Last time a car load of us bizzed down there, had a little lunch out (with wine oooh) and purchased a few treats. We had a thoroughly lovely day out.

If you fancy something a bit different in a gorgeous town filled with nice boutiques and restaurants, then Woodbridge is for you. Oh did I mention free parking too??

What more could you ask for? xx

Little Miracle in Malvern

Well I don’t know about you but this weekend I just happened to discover possibly the best boutique B&B!

This year has been full of unusual events and this weekend I returned to the Malvern Hills for the second time in as many months. Not bad for somewhere I couldn’t have located on a map previously (yes I admit Geography is not my strongest subject!).

I had been to a wedding in Eastnor Castle the last time, where we drank (maybe a little too much) champagne whilst the firework display lit up the lake & forest below the stunning castle. Quite a decedent event & a fabulous wedding. The next day was not quite so fabulous as we were feeling a little second hand to say the least! We considered a brisk walk in the beautiful countryside & chose a nice drive & several pints of sugary soft drinks in a pub garden instead!!!

Anyway, this weekend was just as opulent (quite a contrast from my DIY & car boot purchasing weekends!). I was invited to an Aston martin DB7 weekend in Wales. It clashed with various vintage fairs and amazingly I was torn (I do love my Vintage). The decision was swung when I was told that I could drive the DB7 some of the journey!! The roar of the V12 engine does make me giggle like a small child offered the keys to a sweet shop. What a beautiful car & when there were 25 variations in one place it was definitely a little piece of eye candy heaven!!

On the way over I decided a stop off at the Malvern’s would break up the cross country trip & what a break it was! Treherne House was our destination – a boutique B&B & possibly the nicest, friendliest place I have ever stayed.

Relaxing, sumptuous, spoilt rotten, delicious cuisine ….. The décor was fabulous, attention to detail was incredible and the friendly & helpful warm welcome from the owners Mark & Alex made for perfection. We spent much of dinner chatting with the other (very lovely) guests, who were gushing with compliments about the place & wonderful owners. We felt like we were staying with friends. I was really sad to leave even though I had the rest of the weekend ahead – and a sexy car to drive too!

I could ramble on for ages about this place, it was so sweet & I’m definitely going back. I would have taken photos of the décor and detailing but silly me forgot to charge the camera battery! There was an antique wardrobe I would like to have taken with me – sadly the Aston didn’t have a tow bar & a trailer would probably spoil the streamlining ha ha. The room was filled with all sorts of useful goodies like a Cath Kidson knitted cover hot water bottle, we had (very nice indeed) wine in our room on arrival (always a winner with me) and a great selection of nice herbal teas & coffees (I think this is missing at many hotels and I like to have a cup of tea in my PJ’s!).

Anyway I had a fabulous weekend and I got to wear lots of sun dresses in the daytime & party frocks in the evening. We had a walk up one of the Malvern Hills in silly slippy leather shoes and unsuitable attire (floor length sun dress & clutch bag!!) much to the amusement of the hiking boot & trainer wearing visitors. Luckily the weather held out too, what a lucky girl I was. It’s very grey & wet in Norfolk today, but I’m indoors & I don’t really mind!!