Pashley Bottle Bar Bag

My father merrily cycles to work and back in the middle of London rush hour, but the thought of getting on a bike in the city terrifies me - those buses! 

He consequently loves saddle bags and satchels, and recently showed me the latest on his wishlist, a beautiful despatch bag by Pashley. Pashley actually manufacture the most beautiful British bicycles, the sleek English-gentleman sort with little baskets on the front, but their accessories collection is so great. Needless to say, I spotted a little bag that I liked:

How smart is that? I can imagine cycling on a dreamy summer's evening to a dinner party with a bottle of wine for the host safely buckled inside..

However, this will have to remain a fantasy, as not only is this almost £200, but I also value my life too much. 

Anyway, am off to South Africa for a month now, so I won't post until I return. Have an amazing July!

E xxx

David Austin Ceramics

David Austin is a rose specialist - he breeds and collects roses, and has been developing English roses for decades. I do love roses but am also fairly bad at keeping plants alive (I do have the best intentions though!), so the fact that he has also recently launched a 'home' line, is more exciting for me. I have utterly fallen in love with his Shropshire Rose collection. I'm such a sucker for blue and white china - I'm obsessed with it - and my little flat currently has a charmingly mismatched selection (so I tell myself) - this jug would make a welcome addition!

It also comes in pale blue:

Which do you prefer? I'd also rather like this little notebook: 

(All photos from davidaustin.com)

E xxx

iPhone Cases

I've had the same iPhone case for a while now, and it's getting rather battered and scratched - it's been dropped a few too many times, I think! So, time to look for a replacement...

There is an overwhelming amount of choice out there, but here are a few of my favourites:

Here is a pretty Cath Kidston one, perfect for summertime.

(photo from Cath Kidston)

My soul aches for this beautiful Rifle Paper Co. case!

This one too:

(Photos from Rifle Paper Co.)

I love this tromp d'oeil 'watercolour paints' cover:

(Photo from etsy)

and finally, a dash of patriotism from Emma Bridgewater:

(Photo from Emma Bridgewater)

Which is your favourite? I want them all!

E xxx

The Lifeboat

(photo from charlotterogan.com) 

I've just finished reading The Lifeboat, by Charlotte Rogan, and here I am, recommending it to you. Set in 1914, it follows the experiences of Grace Winter, a survivor of a sunken cruise ship, crammed onto a lifeboat that is dangerously over-capacity with dozens of other men and women. It's fascinating to see the power struggles, the rumours, storytelling and feuds that start and spread through the cramped boat as it floats for three weeks in the middle of the Atlantic. As it becomes clear that the only way for the boat to survive in the merciless ocean is by lightening its load, it leads you to question your own morals - who would you choose to go overboard? Would you sacrifice yourself for 30 others? Would you kill somebody?

My sister, who, in turn, recommended it to me described it as 'a combination of The Life of Pi and Alias Grace', an apt description indeed. The cramped boat is a wonderful stage for the action, and the narrator is deliciously unreliable!

E xxx

Botanical Garlands by Rifle Paper Co.

My exams are over! To celebrate, I'm holding a little garden party next week, and in a fit of excitement ordered this beautiful garland set from the Rifle Paper Co. to string up outside.

So, the box is super pretty - and you can already tell how exquisite the illustrations are:

There are 80 cards - 8 of which are just floral designs, and the rest are letters, in varying hues of pale pink, teal and faded brown. It comes with a 5 yard ribbon, so the words or phrase can be fairly long! I had a go with the title of my blog:

There was definitely room to spread the letters out, as I only used about 2/3 of the ribbon up. Now all I need to do is think up a suitably summery greeting for my party guests! Anyone for a Pimm's?

E xxx

P.S. I just LOVE everything the Rifle Paper Co. does! This card makes me smile, and this happy iPhone case is definitely on my wish list! Also, this stationery set would be a lovely present for a young horse enthusiast!