Leather and yarn, a dangerous discovery

The nicer weather is one of the things that encourages me out of the office at lunchtime, the other is of course not bringing lunch from home. I’ve a simple need, which includes food at lunchtime, but that’s probably a whole other post. Although I will say, bringing lunch from home has quite quickly become habit and one that’s easy to do, and obviously much more cost effective.

After having my nails done the other week, I’ve set myself a new promise to get myself out more at lunchtime. There’s plenty of shops to mooch around in Greenwich town centre, and my plan was to head to the bag shop to have a browse and replace a bag I bought from there many years ago, which has sadly now stained. But before I got there, I got distracted. I’m not sure what caught my attention but I soon found myself in Coco Barclay, a shop I don’t think I’ve been in before.

It’s main purpose is for handmade leather bags and purses, but there’s plenty more. And it was the plenty more that caught my eye. The bags were lovely, but there was so much more. The leather tassel nearly came home with me, and now I know where to go when I need a bag to go with almost any outfit. In fact I think that should be any outfit, as I think if they don’t have what you want, they’d relatively quickly be able to find it and no doubt do exactly what you want.

These caught my eye, the multi-coloured one especially. But as I was on my way around the corner to the bag shop I resisted…

There were cards too, which is always useful to know for those card emergencies. There is a great card shop in Greenwich, but sometimes having something a little different works well, and these hexies on a card blank are just that. It’s also a great idea, which I’d never thought of before.

It was they type of shop that had something to see everywhere you looked, especially for me the lover of colour and patterns. Patterned eye mask anyone?

Or a pile of wraps or shawls?

And remember that tassel from earlier, there was more. Leather tasselled jewellery. I do like a long necklace, and these were gorgeous.

MOH has just asked what I would like for my birthday, I didn’t know - but maybe now I do. I also remember what caught my eye and enticed me in. There was a small sign that said there was wool, so of course I was going in.

The small basement was full of wool and shawls, and that’s why this shop was a dangerous discovery. So close to work, and so much loveliness.

But on the plus side, it should get me out of the office more!

Community spirit on show in Delacourt Road

Bravo, to the businesses of Delacourt Road in Blackheath who've added some floral cheer and community spirit to the small parade of shops with their Gardening Group Project. I walk down this road, with its small parade of shops each day but as I've had a few days off I've not been up and down the road so much, so it was a lovely surprise to be greeted by the floral adornments as I popped to the local shops earlier today.

Wondering why the garage had left some tyres out I took a closer look.

TYRES AS A PLANTER OUTSIDE THE GARAGE

The card reads: MHA Gardening Group Project for Delaware Road, please respect and enjoy.

And a little further along there was more, a pair of legs relaxing in a garden chair outside the MHA Trust charity shop, who I suspect are behind this, I'm sure.

TAKING IT EASY OUTSIDE THE MHA CHARITY SHOP

Outside the taxi office, a storage crate or chest.

A STORAGE BOX OUTSIDE THE TAXI OFFICE

Outside each of the shops was an item that reflected the nature of their business, the baby shop had a basket which wouldn't look out of place in a nursery, perhaps without the flowers.

And outside the Natural Health Clinic, what else? A torso.

AND OF COURSE, A TORSO OUTSIDE THE WELLBEING CENTRE

On the corner of the road, the newsagents and corner shop were also taking part, using a wooden crate for their display.

Walking back along the road later I spotted one I missed the first time round, and one that uses a tyre, that's been on the fence for a while (I've no idea why either) inventively. 

Sometimes the most unexpected, but simple things can really bring a smile to your face can't they?  Let's hope these little arrangements of community spirit and cheer are respected, I'm pretty certain they'll be enjoyed.