Today I am reading

It's 'Readathon' week at school this week, so lots of silent reading sessions for pupils and teachers, which suits me fine! This what I am reading today. The weekend seems a long way off, but I am loving this book.

Catkins

We saw these catkins on a Sunday morning walk through Aspley woods. It's lovely to see signs that Spring is coming!

Albion caff and bakery

We stopped at this most gorgeous place on Redchurch street for a pot of tea. I loved everything about it, and enjoyed the excellent use of these syrup tins!

White Cube

We cycled over to Shoreditch and loved so much about this area. The White Cube gallery is showing 'Most Wanted', an exhibition by Richard Phillips. It is a series of large-scale oil paintings of celebrities. One for the girls here!

Geffrye museum

We walked to this lovely museum. It shows the changing style of interior design from the 1600s to present day,  in a series of period rooms. This is a typical sitting room of the 1930s, in perfect detail.

Islington

We were so delighted to have the use of this beautiful flat for our short stay in London this week.

Kettle's Yard, Cambridge

This interesting house contains a wonderful collection of art, furniture and interesting collected objects such as these perfectly arranged pebbles.

Flowers and fabrics

A pretty page from Josie's sketchbook.

My first 30 minute meal

This is the finished meal: the 'steak sarnie, crispy new potatoes, cheesy mushrooms and beetroot salad'. It took me exactly 34 minutes,  and tasted amazing.  Everyone in the family is now planning their go!

Gerbera and pussy willow

I am pleased with these gorgeous but cheap and cheerful flowers I got yesterday . The Gerbera were half price and the Pussy Willow were thrown in as a freebie!  This bright orange works so well in the dining room.

Art Deco crockery

We enjoyed drinking our after- dinner coffee from these original Art Deco coffee cups.

Vintage roses

I had these beautiful roses and pussy-willow made into a birthday bouquet today. I enjoyed a lovely free coffee whilst waiting for my flowers to be arranged and wrapped. Fantastic friendly service in Frosts!

Life drawing

My Dad has been going to life drawing classes. I'm quite impressed!

An Angie Lewin print

This print is inspired by the beach at Aldeburgh. We love to walk there when visiting Suffolk.

Long legged dog

Although Peppa is a small dog, she has got extremely long legs in proportion with her body.

Porridge

I think a bowl of freshly made creamy porridge is one of my absolute favourite breakfasts. I like to have it with a little cream, maple syrup or brown sugar.

A magnum of wine

We were given this lovely magnum of red wine. It is twice the size of an ordinary bottle, but somehow it seems bigger than that.

Champagne and bubbles

We are drinking champagne to celebrate half- term. I absolutely love these wine glasses. They are made from Biot glass, which is a beautiful and heavy glass, filled with tiny bubbles. They were given to us by friends who live in Biot, which is just down the road from Nice.

Snowdrops in the garden

Snowdrops are suddenly appearing everywhere around the village. Sadly, we have only achieved one small clump in our garden, but they are sweet.

Tulips

I like the delicate pinks on these tulips. I wouldn't normally buy flowers from the Coop, but when I saw these yesterday I couldn't resist. They look lovely on my desk and have received many compliments.

Shy birds

We are pleased to see the bird food going down on our new bird feeder, but have been disappointed only to see a bird once! I was so happy today when I spotted a blue-tit on the feeder at lunchtime. Seconds later, it flew away.

New cook book

I have too many cookbooks, and had made a decision not to buy any more. However, when this new Jamie Oliver book was offered quite cheaply through our school book club, I had to buy it. I love the concept of a delicious meal in 30 minutes.

Swishing party

This afternoon we were swishing ( and drinking wine),  in the Art room. Swishing is basically a way of recycling unwanted clothes. In other words, clothes swapping. We had lots of fun and I came home with a few lovely items, including this olive green Zara jacket.

Pink chicken

This popular pink chicken lives in my Art room. I ordered her from a website when I was looking for inspiration for a recycling project. She was made in Africa, from recycled plastic bags.

Colour combination

I love the combination of turquoise and emerald green that I am wearing today.

Boden

I receive for too many Boden catalogues, and although they are very lovely, I try to resist the temptation,  and recycle them as soon as possible. I love this pattern on the inside of today's delivery.

My sketchbook

This book started as a sketchbook, but recently it has become more of a scrapbook/ ideas book. I am filling it with thoughts, inspiring quotes, snippets of useful information, and pictures of lovely things.

Angie Lewin collage

This beautiful collage was created with layers of thin Japanese paper on a small weathered piece of 1950s Formica, that she found on a beach.

Funky chocs

I love the look of these chocolate truffles, and I'm particularly looking forward to tasting the rhubarb and vanilla ganache.

Handbag essentials

My handbag holds a suprising amount. I have just taken out my purse, Starbucks insulated cup, and keys and there's still lots in there.

Messy art lesson

Year 6 were printing their lovely elephants onto tissue paper today.

Valentines day

My beautiful flowers.

The kitchen

We've been making chicken stock (always worth the effort), and apple crumble.

New shoes

I love everything about my new shoes. Or are they boots?

Emma Bridgewater crockery

I collect mainly the spotty crockery, but I love these sweet little espresso cups that sit on my kitchen windowsill. The cream ones have scented candles inside, and smell like gingerbread.

Dressed to kill

Suave and sophisticated in an original vintage smoking jacket, with soda syphon. Perfect attire for the party.

Soap envy

I want a cute poodle soap dispenser like this one!

Today I am reading

' The hand that first held mine' by Maggie O'Farrell. It is absolutely brilliant and completely unputdownable.

Meet Molly

She is an adorable Jack Russell puppy who lives at the Woburn gallery. Peppa suddenly looks huge!

Pink grapefruit

A refreshing breakfast this morning, followed swiftly by a warm chocolate brioche.

Out for lunch

Had a nice lunch in the local deli yesterday, and was delighted when my tea was served in this pretty crockery. Love the wallpaper too.

Tone on tone

I love the way Peppa blends in with the soft furnishings. We chose her for this reason, obviously.

Cactus

My lovely cactus has been growing successfully in the Art room for a few years. I bought the wicker balls at a church fete for £1 and love them. The dried pumpkins and shells look interesting in the Ikea bamboo bowl. Year 7 will be drawing them tomorrow as part of a texture study.

My desk

This is my workspace at school. It is somewhat cluttered, but everything I need is here!

Some more fabulous vases

Just wanted to include another photo of these Year 5 vases. I now have to decide who gets a praise-slip and who gets awarded the great honour of a Headteachers commendation...hard decision!

My new book

A page from this exquisite book 'Plants and Places' by the artist Angie Lewin. I would love to buy one of her original prints really, but bit expensive, so have treated myself to this beautiful book instead.