'Natural Calico'

I have a talented friend, Marie McMillen, who is a stylist, an Interior Designer, and now owner of an online shop Natural Calico, selling lovely things for the home. Her blog has lots of really useful tips and advice on setting up home,  how best to display things, as well as a 'look book' containing lots of snippets of some of the beautiful homes she has styled and her business partner Ashley Morrison has photographed. You may even have come across their work on Pinterest. You can find her website here: www.naturalcalico.com. Here are some pictures of the sort of things she sells.

Her shop has a certain cool, elegant look as indeed Marie herself has. I hope you will find the time to pop in and visit her. She also has a facebook page.

I was frantically painting a large mahogany desk this week, which is now finished and in the shop, I was really pleased with the colour (Aubergine) which I hadn't used before, and it seems to be really popular with the customers too, as there has been an influx of orders of this colour.

I am planning to exhibit at a Craft Fair next Sunday, so will have a busy week ahead getting things ready, it is a new departure for me and I am excited about it.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, with love, Linda x

Lucky Buggers!

 Dear readers, I hope you are not offended by the title of my post? Let me explain....my sister-in-law has some good friends who have a family motto 'aren't we lucky buggers!' When they sit down to a lovingly prepared meal they raise their glasses and proclaim how lucky they are. This has always amused me, and greatly appealed to me. I think the family that can be grateful for small mercies and simple pleasures, is a long way towards making the most of life, and surely that is what it is all about?

I feel very much the 'lucky bugger', in having just returned from a lovely relaxing week in Corfu. My husband saw the holiday on Trip Advisor. I normally feel the urge to get my oar in, to be quality controller, researcher and general pain in the ass. This time I decided I would trust my man and to take 'whatever' comes and be grateful for it. It paid off big time! This year I was able to relax from day one, which NEVER happens. We all enjoyed the relaxed manner of the Greek people, the beauty and authenticity of the island and great food at sensible prices. We loved where we stayed, which was small and family run, clean and very friendly. I think we may go back. I am back feeling refreshed and ready to go again.

A beautiful looking hotel or villa we spied whilst out walking.

A monastery with Mouse Island behind.

A very beautiful statue of Achilles.

Bouganvillea in a beautiful Monastery.

Stunning views after a slightly scary coach journey.

Paul enjoying a beer!

It's good to be back. I am looking forward to catching up with you all . With love, Linda xx

My favourite snapshot, Allium growing wild.

Romantic Wedding Part Two.

The Reception of Kara and Niall's Wedding was held here , a beautiful Georgian Estate in Limavady, in a pretty white marquee in the old walled garden.

The entrance to the walled garden flanked by roses. Although the owners of this beautiful place still live here, a party of 16 fortunate guests can stay in the main house. I sadly didn't get to see inside, but if you click on the link above you will see how special it is. The mother of the bride told me that the Housekeeper really took special care of them, and they felt really pampered. (So much more personal than a hotel).

The marquee is all white and looks lovely even before the finishing touches. Kara had a 'World' theme for the tables, with a lovely big map at the entrance to show guests where they are to be seated. She had a sweet table for children and the young at heart with cute little bags as keepsakes. There was a Wishing tree so that guests could write a little message on a paper heart and hang it on the tree, and afterwards they will be put into a book to keep. There was a photo booth with fun props, to make fun and memorable photos. All very well thought out by the bride and groom, but I am sure worth the extra effort.

The flowers for the tables were simple hand-tied arrangements placed in jugs and matched the brides bouquet.

An old milk churn from my garden with a chalkboard added and some amazing blue delphiniums.

White hydrangea in a tole planter decorate the prop table.

My flower cart from the shop had a little wedding makeover, doesn't she look lovely?

A few props from home and the shop to help set the scene.

The quotes you see scattered about where from Leigh and Stuart's Wedding, where they were part of the table numbers, but it was great to see them being used again as they are so romantic and fitting.

A little posy and scented candle for the bathrooms.

Finally, this is nothing to do with the wedding, but I thought you would like it. A beautiful old table, on it's way somewhere. It is probably yew or sycamore and was perhaps made on the estate, isn't it gorgeous?

Thank you dear readers for stopping by. This may be the last post for a week or two as I am off to Corfu, seeking rest and relaxation! Love Linda x