It's that time of year.
Everything is circular.
I have bought all the hula hoops in town for some exciting wreath commissions.
and made oxtail from this recipe, although the star anise has mysteriously disappeared so i chucked in ras-el-hanout instead, and now i can't eat the flour or drink the wine, so nothing like this recipe really
and I have been looking at long johns.
Ever increasing circles
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This post will turn around and bite me in the ass
I am normally at my most stressed at this exact point every year.
The endless making of wreaths, and the checking of the clip to see how many there are to go
the panic over whether or not I will be able to attend my own birthday dinner
and the endless debate as to whether or not you sacrifice an hours production time to tidy up, you know in the long run it would be sensible, less
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Foliage is king
en ce moment.
for the wreaths, I love walking through town and seeing my handiwork on peoples' doors.
In other news, I am having problems with The Hound, mainly that he is permanently hungry. He is trying all the tricks, randomly sitting nicely and giving his paw, howling, leaning, and the doe-eyed look.
Is it the cold?
He's even eaten a dental stick, own brand as well.
These
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Peonies and magnolia
Today is my birthday.
There was a lovely dinner last night
but for now it's all about the work, it is going to be a late night at the coalface.
but between the hours of 5pm Saturday and 9am Tuesday
I have big plans
big
huge.
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Tokio Rose
Thank you to everyone that made my birthday so special.
It was a blast.
I ate in a restaurant that did not have game pie on the menu, a rarity round these parts.
It was one of the best meals i have ever eaten, and in the best company.
11 days and counting
there is a lot to do........
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Mr and Mrs Beard got married
and London Wedding Photographers Cara and Nye were there to capture it all.
Happy days.
Mrs Beard has written a guest blog post for us on honeymooning in Paris.
Coming up later in the week.
How are you all? Presents purchased? Bird ordered?
We haven't done Christmas at home, but The Mother Hen has done enough for everybody.
You can pop over to the London Wedding
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This is the rhythm of my life
There was meant to be a "Happy Christmas" post on Christmas Eve, but the day got out of hand.
It started well, Melchior, Balthazar and Gaspar* brought gifts of Chanel, chocolates, and pigs in blankets.
but then it descended into chaos, as people came with desperation in their eyes, frantically searching for that last minute gift and bread sauce?
Since then it
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U sure make me feel like loving you
There are flowers in the shop once again.
and plants.
Camellias, hellebores, Narcissus Paperwhite and Ice Folly. Pale things are soothing in January.
and some new furniture via sale rooms, charity shops and the tip, that is in dire need of a hot date with some Nitromors. Although having just googled nitormors to ascertain exact spelling and stumbling on a forum of DIY
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Roasting aubergines in the snow
It has snowed here.
It is cold.
I have been forced into buying proper thermals, the best money I have spent for a while.
and now is the time for soup.
Adapted from a recipe from Ottolenghi's newest book, Jerusalem.
His is burnt aubergine, which involves wrapping your gas burner with foil, and burning the skins in the flame, and who wants to faff about with that? and his
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Just saying
There is a chair in the shop now
for customers to sit in whilst they wait for their flowers
instead of standing at my shoulder, telling me how to make a bouquet.
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In the shop today
Crates have been screwed to the wall
and a ladder
to which i have looped ribbon in suitably chichi colours
its quite a good way of putting a colour scheme together
there are only so many times you can raid the paint chart strips at Homebase.
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Outside Inside
Same bunch
different light
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I knew you were trouble when you walked in
so shame on me now.
A weekend of delicious hibernation.
I have discovered you can rent films from i-tunes, and there is a whole section on documentary films.
Fact is so much better and far more obscure than fiction.
and I have stumbled upon a wonderful blog that is neither floral, nor wedding, nor hound.
It's so easy to get bogged down reading blogs within your own industry,
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Tales from a shop window
Due to the nature of it's shape and depth, you have to physically climb into the window to make any changes.
This leads to all sorts of hilarity and helpful comments from passers by.
The Valentine's Day window is going in.
I am going for the usual mix of romance and mischief.
Heavy on the mischief.
A small glimpse here
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The winter blues
I want to sit on a terrace shaded by flowering honeysuckle
eating ripe peaches
with slices of prosciutto
and perhaps walnuts
and picos blue
I'm over it being cold and bloody "seasonal"
and people saying things like "there's no such thing as cold, just inadequate clothing"
The lily of the valley are helping
but i always forget I'm allergic to hellebore.
The move to Beverly Hills is
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Name that film
Valentine's Day 2013
it is interactive
to engage the men
10 quotes from 10 films in the form of banners in the window
and stickers for bouquets, or vases or men.
We will be delivering locally or you can pop in and purchase a bouquet, and deliver it yourself.
It is a Thursday this year so you can arrange for something to be delivered to her work. Make her colleagues
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Scene stealer
I swear I spend more of my day talking about The Hound than I do flowers.
I know he's adorable but be a darling and buy some flowers too yes?
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Within these walls of grey
There is a school reunion this summer, June 28th this year girls.
This year is a big number, too big. I feel old.
We have recently been asked to proffer information on what we are now doing. Which is enough to bring out ALL your insecurities. Especially when you were at an all girls' school.
If you look at the alumni section of the girls' and boys' school, there is former Mayor of
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In the shop
Floral head dresses of muscari, hellebore and clematis
double up as dog collars
versatility right there.
my wood fetish continues
and red and pink seem to the prevalent colours. This clearly says something about my mood.
Documentary of the week is this, for geeks only. I found it fascinating, and am obsessed by signage.
and we have debated whether or not this is the greatest
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Lately and in no particular order
Pancakes of a Paleo nature.I know, I've gone there, anyone else? Cook them on the lowest heat imaginable leave for 10 minutes on one side and then flip them over for 2 minutes. Otherwise they will burn and fill your kitchen with smoke. Really. I also added a spoonful more of ground almond, but probably you could just leave the mix to sit for a bit like the recipe states, and not
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