And then the sun shone once more

I have made it oop north, after one false-start, and a rather long journey on the M6, but it was well worth it. The moors, the house, the open fire and the beginnings of a little artists' colony at my sisters house have been all the inspiration I needed to get back on track after a busy half of term. Today we worked at the Gibside Farmers' Market, where I was a little distracted by the wonderfully landscaped estate - and took a walk through the grounds. It is now a National Trust property and beautifully cared for and complemented by the family-friendly approach to days out. I felt as if I had been transported back to the 1890s when the house had only just begun to fall into disrepair. Woodsmoke floated around the stable block, and the sun made an appearance once more to light up the spring morning.



The highlight of the day was most definitely the trip to RE in Corbridge. I have been dying to visit this emporium of fabrics, interiors and vintage finds since the aforementioned sister gave me a stoneware jug and pressed glass goblets (with bees on) for my birthday last year. It was a trip worth waiting for. Tucked behind the garage in an old warehouse-like building, the outside felt unassuming... but walking in was a dream! I am a total sucker for anthing vaguely French-interiorsy, and anything that mixes a little glitter with the softness of indian quilts and crispness of starched linen...



As I move ever closer to my dream home, this was a gooood place to add to my address book. While I struggle for space, I will have to make do with the crab-shaped cookie cutter that I treated myself to.

Out in the Snow

Who can believe it?! What a difference a week makes. The soft blanket of snow that fell around our way was beautiful enough to hide all the cracks and make our corner of Oxford feel like a winter wonderland. We stomped accross the meadow and stopped for hot chocolate, loving every minute of our 'snow day' off from school... what a treat!