December 2014 Insta Part 2

The blog turned two this month and I am so glad to have made that decision and stick to it.
My original resolution was one year no matter what. 
I have done that so now the rest is just gravy to me.  
I have met so many interesting people I would never have met not only on the web but in real life. 

Assouline bookshelves

The latest fellow blogger turned friend is Meg from the engaging and informative blog Pigtown Design.  I am sure most of you know her as she was one of the earlier bloggers. What you might not get from the blog is just how funny she is in real life! 

We had a great afternoon going to the museum, browsing at the Assouline bookstore chatting to a very handsome book restorer, lunch and a peek at Ham yard house.

After going to the Cecil Beaton exhibition at Colefax Fowler, 
I also went browsing for fabrics in their showroom in what was Nancy Lancaster's home. 

Isn't this fireplace with folding screen,throws and luggage rack just perfect?

The showroom in Mayfair is so quiet and I think a lot of people are a bit intimidated to walk in but the staff there are so polite, welcoming and helpful! 



 Meanwhile I have the hump with John Lewis. 
For those who are not familiar, the employees are mean to be shareholders in the business.  It is also the first pit stop of middle England.  I like to go to their haberdashery as they have a bargain bin where I like to collect bits of fabric.

The service that I wasn't even asking for was so terrible and I got eyes rolled at because I had too many bags on the floor which weren't even blocking a route and it was 10:30 in the morning and I was one of only 3 customers on the whole section. 

I apologized ( I've been here too long) and the sales attendant kept rolling her eyes and shaking her head and mumbling things that were audible. 
So uncalled for that I wrote a proper letter.

The holiday windows were okay but the best ones go to Tiffany.

The brand may be getting a bit mall-y but they know how to do a great eye catching window.

The worst windows go to Bvlgari.
( There goes my sponsorship deal!)

How on earth do they think that display is enticing?
Flat, boring, one dimensional, no color, no story. Then just when you think it's bad, they didn't even bother steaming out the scarf that has a fold that ruins the fall of the fabric.

Most of you don't get this but sometimes 
I feel like an immature and overgrown freshly graduated student when I go to some homes where the people are the same age as me but they live like proper adults.

I went to a party with probably one of the best views in London.
Sorry for the blur but I had been a bit tipsy by that point.
I can't drink anymore for at least three months!

Went to the winter wonderland in Hyde Park with Mr CSW as is our tradition. This house was festive/freaky.

I love amusement park rides and Mr CSW hates them so he waited for me while I got on this.

The views up top were unbelievable! You have to go on it.

Went to Bristol for Christmas for a few days.

The sunset on the M4 was a treat.

Bristol has some of the best examples of Regency architecture in the country.

It gets forgotten because most tourists just go to Bath but the cliffs of the city add a very dramatic dimension and a contrast to just architectural beauty.

The village of Clifton has hills, parks and a massive cliff hence the name - Cliff town which becomes Clifton for short.

 I am considering moving here in the future.

But I am also considering Vermont, Arizona, and Argentina so don't expect me to exchange contracts on a house soon.

This is the view from the other side of the 
Clifton Suspension  Bridge looking towards Clifton that was built by the famous engineer Brunel.

It used to be a major port to rival Liverpool so there was great wealth and the houses were impressive but now are headquarters or split into flats.

The weather albeit cold has been sunny and perfect for walks in the park.

I hope you are all resting and recuperating from the festive eating and drinking. I am excited for 2015 aren't you?

If I don't post again until next year I wish you a heartfelt and happy new year and hope 2015 is a memorable year for all xx