My vintage heart

A few weeks ago browsing through Instagram something special caught my eye, and less than a week later it was with me, and I had the challenge of working out where to display it. Of course, I’m talking about the vintage heart, and it was total love at first sight.

When it arrived, there wasn’t a plan of where it would go. I wasn’t actually sure how big it would be, so didn’t want to fix on a place and then need to rethink. If I’m honest there isn’t much space for thinking right now, as my head feels full, so having to do it twice felt like something that could wait.

I was fully asking MOH to ask where when it arrived, as well as one other predictable comment. And he didn’t totally disappoint. He mentioned, just in passing, that it was a little rusty…

I think I’ve found the perfect spot for it though, and I’m trying to keep my blinkers on while browsing Instagram, as I’m now following many more similar accounts, who are all selling items I’d happily own.

A rum with a view of the garden

We’re hopping over to Barbados for today’s post, and back to Hunte’s Garden - the place that quite literally took my breath away. As is the well tried tradition, there was a shop, but not just any shop. And reassuringly it was a leave by the shop either.

When I say not just any shop, it was one displaying artwork which I’ll agree isn’t that unusual. But how many gift shops have a sideboard laden with rum?

Exactly. And it was there for sale - either by the bottle, or by the glass. And while it might have been relatively early (though I’m sure it was 5pm somewhere) after a look around the shop, we succumbed. You’ll have to wait for your glass, we need to take a look round the shop first.

I quickly fell in love with much of the artwork on the walls. You know how much I like colour, so it wasn’t really surprising was it?

The green shutters provided the perfect backdrop for yet another colourful plant picture.

There was also plenty of nik-naks, including a photo of Cilla Black - a visitor it seems - and a collection of Royal memorabilia, including a Charles & Diana mug. The verandah was where the rum was, and that too a pleasant - and welcome - addition.

Well, it would have been rude not to enjoy this view, so we happily sat for a bit and enjoyed our rum. It was good.

And so was the view.

And the artwork? I couldn’t resist leaving without some for myself. These two cards are somewhere in my house - I wish I knew where, I think I’ve put them somewhere safe, but right now that’s still a secret (even from me) - but I wish I’d bought a third for no other reason than we have one of those three aperture frames, and we agonised over which to have. It would have been easy to have more, and as it turns out sensible too.

Now I’ve told you I can’t find them, I’m hoping they’ll turn up. Keep your fingers crossed…

Books and bed...

So now we know our post-lockdown tiers. For London it’s tier 2, which is what I expected really, and hoped that it wouldn’t be tier 3, I do feel for those that have unexpectedly found themselves there. I think it was probably close for London, and to be honest with the amount of people out and about on ‘essential’ trips, it could quite easily escalate.

And so, books and bed is quite apt. That feels like a very sensible option. So I thought it was a good time to share the bedroom in the holiday cottage we stayed in last month, ahead of all these tiers. It was a small, but perfectly formed space.

So small that it was mostly the king size bed. The ‘room’ itself had two ‘doors’ or rather curtains across each entrance. There was no walking around the bed, and the bed was high. So high, that there were small stools to help you climb in. But it was a fab space.

The alcove above the pillows held plenty of stylish looking books. Carefully arranged, but books that were clearly well used. As books should be.

The colours drew me in. And then the books did too.

The childhood memories from these Observer’s books came flooding back. I’m sure we had a similar series of books, if not these.

Definitely a world of information at your fingertips.

I told you the room was small didn’t I? But one stuffed full of character.

And despite the decorative approach to the wardrobe there was plenty of inbuilt storage space. Under the bed. That’s why it was so high. The pull out drawers were large enough to hold our travel bag. That alone was worth climbing into bed for.

I hope you’re coping with the latest announcements and the restrictions they bring. I’ve a busy few weeks at work ahead, but the thought - and promise to myself - of books and bed will get me through it.