December 2013 Instagramy post

I tried to take a picture of my local Brora store for 

Dani of DaniBP Mop Philosopher a few weeks ago but forgot that it moved to Westbourne Grove proper. 

I rarely go on that very stretch as 

I go to Ottolenghi on the back roads.  

It's in a dangerous cluster of Whistles, Heidi Klein, and Diptyque among others!

I went inside to have a look at the goods of which 

Dani is a huge fan.

 

I was looking at some throws and a lovely lady helped me through the choices and different types of fabrics.  I did think she really knew her product knowledge.

Then she said things like, "I went through the archives of patterns and chose this color.  I decided that this should be part of a permanent collection and next season I might design..."

I looked at her quizzically as I thought she was just an extremely skillful sales associate and asked her, 

"What do you mean you will go through the archives? 

Do you design for Brora as well?"

"Yes, I do. In fact, I founded Brora." 

I was a little embarrassed but punchy simultaneously.

"No way!  You started the company?  I am here browsing but also taking pictures for Dani - you know Dani the blogger right?"

Victoria Stapleton then said she thought Dani was wonderful, 

looks great, and is so supportive and it was fans like her that 

makes her so proud !

She was so stylish, incredibly attractive and so amiable!

She wanted to take a picture of us two but 

I was not presentable...

So this is Victoria modeling a throw she was showing me.

There are a few more throws in the left hand side that were so soft.

So that's for you Dani!

December is not just full of holiday year end festivities but

 also a few birthdays. 

My friend had his birthday lunch at the Bibendum where I haven't been in ages and it didn't disappoint.

Love that butter dish.

I went to  Santa Lucia drinks at a friend's home 
who decorates so beautifully.
Don't you just love the pine cones and pine on the banister?

My friends who I normally spend Xmas with decided to chase the sun so we had her scrumptious delicious Xmas lunch a week early.  She brines her turkey for two days.

It works because her turkey is the best I have tasted.

Trimmings included bread sauce! 

My friend has pugs so they were great play mates 
for my brother's new puppy.
They are all getting trained by another friend in charge of entertainment.

I love glitter but don't know if it suits drinks...

I went to a freighbour's house for Xmas lunch.

I don't have my usual amenities on hand so 

had nothing to wrap up her pressie.

Forget what Martha Stewart would do.

But you know I am the very much diluted version of her right?

Tin foil came to the rescue - as it has a few times in the past.
Doesn't work so well for birthday pressies 
but the tinsel effect really works at Xmas.

There were more friends for Millie, the new puppy,
 who I was babysitting as my brother had another Xmas lunch to go to whose host was afraid of dogs.
My freighbour has two sausage dogs who were in holiday gear.

This is for you Tabitha!

Still made time to go see the Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings exhibition at the V & A which was amazing!!
The Prosperous Suzhou scroll was worth going alone.
But have a look at the V & A Xmas tree for 2013...

I haven't been ice skating this winter due to the renos but doesn't the ice rink in front of the National History Museum look so pretty?

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year and may 2014 bring you lots of joy!