I think that 2020 has been something else than that we all had anticipated,

Covid-19 has had a huge impact in all of our lives.

In terms of work and definitely also on a personal level, and onfurtunately it's still not over yet.

At the time of writing this blog post we're heading to another lockdown for at

least two weeks, a situation I think you can all relate to.

                    

    

 This year started really positive with our shop featured in

 the 'Brocante Living' (see previous post)  

I couldn't have imagined how much impact that would have and still does.

So many people have find their way to our shop and I'm so grateful for all your 

support, despite the fact it's such an unsettling time for all of us 🙏  

 

That's one of the reasons I haven't been around here much.

I've been very busy with the shop and sadly no trips to my beloved England and France to share here.

But also on a personal level time was precious, especially in the second

 half of this year because what we were all afraid of happened ... 

My dear mother-in-law tested positive for Covid and sadly didn't win this very unfair battle 😢 

She will be sorely missed but she will live on in our hearts where we keep such happy memories. 

During all these eventful times we managed to have a short family 

break in our own country and again we were so very lucky with the weather.

And on another positive note, again I've got some excited 

news according the shop!

I'm so very happy to share that we've become

 a stockist of another gorgeous english brand, namely 'the Stitchery'

From now on you can find several Kits designed by the lovely 

Nicki Franklin on our Website

  

I'm so very honoured to bring these wonderful Embroidery Kits to our customers ...

Haven - under the Pear Tree

The Stitchery Seasons - Autumn

Mini Kit Blackberries

Vintage Christmas Wreath Embroidery Kit

Christmas Goose Mini Embroidery Kit

Because we all can do with some cheering up and our

 shop also celebrates its 4th Anniversary I thought all the more 

reason for having another Giveaway!

So if you would like to have a chance (just like last year) to give your Christmas

a little bit more sparkles with this cutie below on your Christmas Cake, 

then hop over to my Instagram or Facebook Page to participate!

It would be your last chance to have this little one at your home

 because sadly it's no longer available.  

But luckily there are still enough other festive items to shop on our Website  

Fingers crossed we can all celebrate Christmas with our loved ones.

Take care, stay safe!

Anita

~xo~

 

New beginnings ....

First of all I want to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2020.

That all your wishes may come true in this fresh new year!

Ours has set off with a wonderful start, 

because our little shop is featured in the first edition of 

the Dutch magazine 'Brocante Special' 

by the makers of Ariadne at Home 

(another well known magazine in the Netherlands)

I felt so very honoured and the response have been overwhelming 💗

When I share this post January is already over.
Makes you realise even more to enjoy every day to the max.

 Last year I was forced to take a step down due to the condition of my eyes.
After my last visit at the eye doctor this past month,
I had to make the decision to quit my part time
job at the hospital.
Although my sight has improved, the remaining side effects will
 keep me from an eight hours day filled with computer work.

But when one door closes another one opens ...
It will give me time to give our Webshop my full attention
and there are still plans to create a Holiday Let in our annexe.

Last year I had some second thoughts about the whole idea because of my sight,
but now feeling confident enough.
The renovation has therefore been delayed, but there is no rush.
Except for those lovely followers on here and Instagram
who asked if it was already finished because they already fancied a stay 😊

Apart of the stress of having to quit my job, January was a good month.
I did a bit of pottering in the garden, and now in love with my kitchen view ...

You can find the Wooden Trug here

Still have to clean my little Greenhouse to make it look like this again ...

We already made a good intention come true (making more time for friends)
 by having a dinner party ...

You can find the Bottle Light here

Not to mention the Big Garden Birdwatch 2020

You can find the Bird Silhouette Robin here

Although we still have some Winter left I'm already in a Spring mood ...

You can the Photo Frame Evi here 

You can find the Jane Hogben Jug here

You can find the Glass Vase Daisy here

You can find the Circular Woven Basket here and the Embroidered Tea Towel here

And already some new (Easter) stock in our shop ...

You can find the Hanger Rabbit here 

Which means items in our Sale like this Miniature Greenhouse ...



But also cosying up indoors with this handy portable light ...

You can find the Portable Wooden Led Book Lamp here

 

"While it's February, one can
taste the full joys of anticipation.
Spring stands at the gate with
her finger on the latch"

                         Patience Strong

You can find the Jane Hogben Espresso Mug Snowdrop here

Hope to 'speak' you soon again.
Happy new month, happy February!

Anita
~xo~

The Peak District second time around ....

Due to my reduced vision (which takes almost six months now😔) 

I still didn't wrote a blog post about our annual escape to the English country. 

Because computer work isn't really possible at the moment I write this post on my phone

 (which is not the most easiest way🙈) so it will be a short one. 

But I just had to document this lovely trip before we leave for our next holiday.

Again we had our first stop in the wonderful city Cambridge where Spring was at its best!

For the first ever time we booked the same location for the second time and it didn't disappoint, 

because it really felt like coming home at The Wee House on the Hill ....
You can read more about our first stay and see indoors photos of the cottage here

Gorgeous Bluebells at Lea Wood

We had a lovely walk at Dovedale

Our daily walk into the little town Wirksworth

The lovely Secret Orchard Nursery

Serious Wisteria envy 💜

At the cottage a view that never bores ....

And also the same breathtaking view on the little enclosed terrace next to the cottage. 

Not only the cottage gave us a wonderful week
 but also provided me to take some photos of the new Hogben stock
 we picked up during our stay which you can find on our website.

In two weeks time we will leave for the Provence

 to have some family quality time.

Hopefully an eye operation will be on the cards when we return.
Who knows, maybe next time I will be able to write a proper blog post again.

Until then!

Anita
~xo~

Autumn styling ....

Despite the feeling Summer had a revival this
past week, Autumn has really made its appearance.

For me the more reason to cosy up my home,

especially my 'new corner' in our living room.

Now all our boys have flown the nest, a very large
dining table wasn't necessary any more. 

At least not all the time, so my husband made me a new one, 

keeping the large tabletop standby when they are all at home.

I do love to make something new from an old piece of furniture.

We already established that the top of our garden table had its
best time, but the iron frame was still good enough as a base for a
new smaller dining table.

We bought some scaffolding wooden boards and
my husband made a new tabletop out of them.

He did exactly the same with the frame of our
garden bench.
With the two new dining chairs we also bought, all this
gives our dining area a whole new atmosphere. 

I'm so very happy with the end result.
Although I have a lovely working space upstairs, this new corner
and my birthday present (a very fast laptop) makes that I hardly use it nowadays.
This is now my favourite (working)spot!

The mirror behind the table is something I never get tired of but I've
added hooks on it, to make room for some (autumnal) displays.
At this point throwing all my good intentions to declutter overboard,
but I just can't help myself.

You can find the Hanging Basket here on our website

I made the little Rosehip Wreath myself, you can see below how ...

The French Linen Table Runner is also available (in two different sizes) at our Shop which you can find here

These are not the only new items on our website, here are the other ones ....

I love this Mini Butler Tray , not only to display Autumn at its best, but also a handy accessory in the kitchen 

Another lovely item for your kitchen is this Wire Iron Egg Basket

And when the nights are drawing in, this Knee-table to have a hot chocolate
 or meal in front of the TV.

In the meantime I enjoy everything the garden still has to offer

You can find the Bellied Jug and Country Diary on our Website

And in anticipation for the real life friends of this one
to make a regular appearance

You can find the Wallsticker Robin here

I also added some items to our Sale
in order to make room for the 'C' word 🙊 

But let's enjoy Autumn first, have a lovely weekend!

Anita
~xo~