Through the windows at Chenonceau

Today I thought it'd be fun to look out the windows of Chateau de Chenonceau and in doing so make the most of it's unique selling point, which is of course that it's a chateau that spans the river. Which makes for some unusual and unexpected views. On our visit it was an overcast day and light rain had just started as we locked up our bikes. It held off, but just imagine how spectacular the views over the River Cher would have been on a gloriously sunny day, and equally how they might be on days much worse than when we visited.

There are windows on every level, even in the kitchen which is on the lowest levels. The windows do get more fancy, as you'd expect, as the rooms get grander. The simple window above gives a great view over the river, but the patterned window below is much prettier to look at.

In the Gallery the windows are much more grand. And arched into alcoves. I like how the panes here pick up the pattern of the classic black and white marble floor. Simple but very effective and demonstrates how repeating patterns just works.

As we entered the chateau, I'd spotted people standing on a small balcony above the front door and made a mental note to find our way there. And that happened just as we finished walking through and admiring Katherine Briçonnet's hall, and from the small balcony you can look down to the entrance and over to the Marques tower. The forecourt in front of the tower traces the medieval fortress.

Katherine Briçonnet was the wife of Thomas Bohier, who in the 16th century demolished the fortified castle in order to build the chateau. The fortress belonged to the Marques family and all that they left was the keep, the Marques tower, which they renovated in Renaissance style.

From other parts of the chateau there are great views of Catherine's garden on the left, and Diane's garden on the right.

CATHERINE'S GARDEN

DIANE'S GARDEN

And before we leave, there's just one more window to show you. Remember that grand front door? Well above it is an arched stained glass window, which as we left we got a great view of

So plenty of windows, with great views and lots of detail. I hope you've enjoyed a closer look at this pretty chateau.

I've been to the shops...

Last week I headed over to Canary Wharf one night after work, as MOH had promised to buy me dinner, and well he knows me well. He's been putting the hours in lately and if he's buying dinner then I'm there. After hitting the shops, we ate in Sticks'n'Sushi, which was brave for a fish-phobic like me. 

It was nice though, we took the guess work out of it and ordered a platter, the Table for Two. And enjoyed it all. Even MOH who normally says sushi doesn't fill him up, was full. I'd looked at their picture menu before our visit, and well, usually I'm not a fan of picture menus but this one worked. But that wasn't the point of this post, i thought I'd share what I bought that night, along with another recent purchase.

1. Being seen at night

I still haven't got around to cycling to work and now the evenings are getting darker, I've been using not having the right clothes as an excuse. MOH offered to lend me some of his neon cycling gear and that's when I knew it was time to buy my own. So I'm now the proud owner of a neon yellow and cerise trimmed lightweight top. It's quite bright, but as that's the point that's ok. 

It's lightweight as I don't feel the cold (thanks overactive thyroid!) and cycling uphill is going to warm me up anyway isn't it! To complete my outfit I also bought some black, white and grey very snazzy leggings. They've got some reflective strips, so there'll really be no excuses. 

2. Four candles

And two candlesticks. My plan was to position the two candlesticks together so they looked like one complicated structure. They look great on the table and remind me of one of those games where you have to move a wand along without touching the metal parts, to avoid it buzzing. 

These are part of the Loop Maison range by black+blum and available in John Lewis, we eventually settled on the shiny chrome finish over the matt version and some dark grey candles to use with them. I'm very pleased!  

It's only since then that I've realised they're by the same people as the iconic James the Doorman. And there's a whole Loop range, which could be dangerous...

Seriously though these are a great design, look fab and where just what we were looking for - although had you asked me beforehand I wouldn't have known what that was.

3. Sycamore cheeseboards

I bought these on my recent visit to Woodfest at Wisley from a local craftsman. And they are so, so smooth. They're very reasonably priced too, with the smaller boards at £5 each and the larger one a little more at £7.50. 

And they have a story, which I like.  

These boards originate from a felled sycamore tree in Nonsuch Park, Surrey. Some of you may recognise that as a well known netball venue from years gone past, or my years gone past at least. It backs onto the Nonsuch School for Girls which is where I played my first Surrey County netball game, and was somewhere where I've played a lot of netball. Occasionally parking in the park and nipping into the school through the side gate, but rarely actually venturing further than the car park, sadly.  

Now, I wonder why, but of course at the time I was probably running to get on court. But now, I like to think I'd have more appreciation for the surroundings. I'd probably still be running late or cutting it fine as I prefer to call it, but maybe after the game. And so, it's nice to have these boards, especially with our shared background as I'm pretty sure I've fallen over many times in that part of Surrey too!

They are the creations of Dr Tim Lawson, who after the 1987 storm retired as a GP to became a wood turner. I saw Tim and his wife at Woodfest earlier this month and it was great to talk to him about what is clearly his passion. Tim sells his products through some National Trust shops and on his Stormwood 87 website. They are stunning, and beautifully crafted and I knew I wouldn't be leaving Wisley without something from his stall.

These boards are suitable for culinary use, and despite the fruit on them in these pictures, I bought them for use with cheese. One is purposefully larger so it can accommodate those larger pieces of cheese without it melting over the edge. But like cake, cheese in this house doesn't last as long as fruit, which I think is normal, right?

And half-eaten pieces of cheese wouldn't make for such a pretty picture!

So quite different purchases, but each of them make me happy and fill a different need. What have you found in your shopping basket recently?

Christmas decor with TK Maxx and Homesense

Yes, I know. It's only October and I just said the C-word. Christmas. There I said it again. It is early to mention it, but I'm going to anyway. You see I've been sitting on these lovelies - not literally, obviously - since July. Yes July, that's when the lovely people at TK Maxx and Homesense invited me to their Christmas in July event up in town. It was in the very cool Ice Tank Gallery near to Shaftesbury Avenue, a great blank space, but as I later discovered not necessarily quite so good for photos. 

But I did want to share with you some of the glitzy gems I discovered, and am now seriously considering. I loved the bugle covered bauble, with its geometric designs. The other thing I think you'll be seeing more of are the sparkly word decorations, whether that's Joy, Hope or Peace.

There were also more warming and traditional reds. Everyone needs a stocking don't they, and candles. The scented candle, full of spices and richness is just made for Christmas isn't it?

There were wreaths with feathers and fruits, and a mantelpiece full of candles, stars and a snow dome. Hands up, and top marks, if you've already got a snow dome.

The tableware had a metallic theme too. And I loved the plate that told me to "Save room for dessert." It's good advice and something I always aim for. At least once. Sometimes twice. Yes it has been known. But occasionally that's ok.

I think you'll see lots of feathers this year in Christmas decorations if the TK Maxx and Homesense ranges are typical of other stores. And that's really no bad thing. Especially if they've got a touch of the metallics at the same time.

The thing that'll be going on my Christmas decor wish list, is the jingle bells. I don't know how I've managed without them for so long. That's a cue for MOH to roll his eyes, and no doubt he will. But it's ok, I'll tell him you all said it was ok. That's a deal, right?

So to me, I think this year our Christmas trees, tables and more will have the metallic look. And I think that's ok, as we all need some sparkle in our life.

Have you started to think about Christmas yet, or are you very much a Christmas is in December kind of person? Leave me a comment and let me know.

* With thanks to TK Maxx and Homesense for inviting me along to see their Christmas ranges.