Pale and Interesting

I recently discovered Pale & Interesting, a beautiful interior company from husband and wife team Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote.

From the website:
"It is a life-style shopping experience. Inside this site you will find furniture, accessories, jewellery and books all chosen or designed by Atlanta and Dave, inspired by their love of the functional, beautiful and out-of-the-ordinary."

Portobello tea cups

I recently went to the famous Portobello Market early one Friday morning and bought the adorable tea set above. The colours were so me and I love how you can mix and match them!

The above set are from The Colclough China Company from the Harlequin range.

The Colclough China Company was founded in 1890 by Herbert Joseph Colclough, who was an ex-Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent. Mr Colclough was a very conscientious man who loved his pottery and was known on occasion to stay up all night next to his kilns, which he had packed, so that he could be the first to see the new designs when they emerged.

After expanding his company, he moved to the Vale potteries in Longton and was honoured when in 1913 he was visited by King George V and Queen Mary who gave royal licence for the company to produce Royal Vale china.

In the 1930's Colclough China Limited was expanding fast and it was then that they started to produce the tea and dinner ware that we know today. They were the first company to produce fine bone china for the every day market which was marketed by the piece, ruling out the need for large sets to be purchased first.

In 1948, Colclough China Limited took over Booths and Adderley and then in the early 1950's merged with the Ridgeway Company. Colclough and Ridgeway became part of the Royal Doulton Group in the early 1970's. However, in 1996, Colclough production discontinued and manufacture ceased.

You can buy Colclough Chinaware online from Focus on Colclough. They have a similar set to the above called "Ballet", which is £35 for a 21 Piece Set.



I bought the above to keep trinkets in on my dressing room table, which match some lovely pink glass dressing table pieces my dear Nanny left me.

Red Direct - Fall '09

I recently got my new copy of Red Direct come floating through my letter box. They do some lovely interior and fashion pieces that are a 'a bit different' to the High Street. I've got a thing for old wooden crates at the moment so am loving their basket version, which would be great for storing herbs in. I am also loving bunting and want to hang some on my garden shed.

From the website:
"Started in 1999, we launched Red Direct following numerous requests from Red magazine readers who were desperately looking for that ‘hard-to-find’ boutique style buy for themselves, their homes, their children, their friends and family."

Pretty faded

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you a soft dreamy pastel colour palette, with these gorgeous pics. Check back soon for some more of the most inspirational photographers on Flickr.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites (clockwise from top left):

• The pretty dreamy colours in dragonfly by Laney Butler
• The crochet thread and pearls in Texas treasures by Suzanne Duda
  
• The beautiful Blue bird pin made out of polymer clay, metal finding and a glass bead by Elsita
  
• The close up in Fabulously Vintage: lace crochet by littlebird 2009

Have a great day! x

Some announcements!

Amy Butler fabric is now available from John Lewis and Liberty. How great is that!



Hush are having a 'Nothing over a fiver' sale!



The following sweet girls gave me the "I think you are an awesome girl" award. I am honored to have received this award from such wonderful bloggers. Thank you so much for your kindness.

Happy Simple Life from the amazing Laurel
A little of this that and the other from the sweet Tamerie
Dust Jacket Attic who has the most inspirational pics!



The creative Rachel from A little bit Vintage bestowed upon me a Friend award! Thank you!

This award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. deliver this award to six bloggers who must choose six more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award. I will pass this award to some of my bloggy friends that I find exceedingly charming…

Happy Simple Life
Dust Jacket Attic
A little of this that and the other
The bottom of the ironing basket
French Charming
Sweet as Candy

Check these lovely ladies out! You will not be disappointed!

Have a sweet day! x

Toast Summer '09

As Summer draws to a close...

How cute is the first shot?! I adore the vintage feel of these shots from the Toast Summer catalog.

Toast is a British company that sources exquisitely stylish clothing, crisp bed linen and beautiful accessories. They work with artisan producers that live up to Toast's environmentally friendly policies.

I am also loving the 1920's style finger waves hair like the new Autumn Noa Noa photo shoot.

Matilou

Let me introduce you to the wonderful French illustrator Anne Cresci who lives in Lyon in France with her two kids Matis and Lou. Their names combined create Matilou, the name of her Etsy shop where she sells her beautiful illustrations. You can buy her prints, mirrors, cards and jewellery all of which are adorned with one of her beautiful illustrations.

Have a sweet day!