a bouquet of scented stock and Penhaligon's

We returned from a wonderful trip in Mexico last week to more snow and cold here in Northeast Ohio so flowers were on the grocery list yesterday.  I found this bouquet of peach stock at Costco. I love the old fashioned feminine flower whose spicy but sweet scent comes alive at night. This soft peach shade is so lovely. Perfect for a bride or a spring table setting. 

The scent of stock is so unique.  

 We sampled favorite London perfumer Penhaligon's Night scented stock Eau de Toilette the last time we were at Harrod's. It had a lovely aroma. Spending time at the Penhaligon's counter or at one their London shops is a heady experience that can be overwhelming because there is a delicate clean quality to all of their scents. They are all very appealing and it can be confusing!

I consider Blenheim Bouquet to be one my favorite fragrances ever even though it is sold as a men's fragrance, I think it suits women as well.

Are there any lovely scents filling your home on these chilly spring days?

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

this week on etsy...handmade flats

London seller The White Ribbon creates these beautiful soft leather ballet flats for the very reasonable price of $65. They are made with recycled leather and are intended for outdoor daily use. Very pretty and versatile!

Shop The White Ribbon here.

Wimbledon 2012

The elegant Roger Federer still has it! He just beat Novak Djokovich to reach the finals of Wimbledon against either Andy Murray, with tons of pressure on him from the British fans or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is so much fun to watch. Visit the official site here.

this week on etsy... British canvas carryalls

Shop Bravura here.

need a good laugh?

Then you need to tune into Graham Norton's chat show on BBC America. He is very funny, sweet, lovable and charming.  Well known guests visit him, all on a couch together chatting. Last night we watched two episodes on the DVR... Sir David Attenborough, Cameron Diaz and British director/actor/comedian Kathy Burke and then Gerard Butler, with two British actors, Karen Gillan and Martin Freeman (about to be well known as the lead actor in The Hobbit). Much more spontaneous and irreverent than American talk shows. We laugh out loud throughout each episode, something rather rare!

Check out  Graham's show on BBC America here.

time to celebrate the Jubilee!

Don't forget to watch. CNN and BBC America will provide coverage of the June 3 events celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. 

Visit the official website of the Jubilee here.  Here are a few keepsakes from some creative Etsy sellers to mark the occasion.

tea towel

a stylish pillow

a cute pincushion

a journal

bunting

greeting cards

a tea cosy

Have a great weekend everybody!

Chelsea Flower Show is on

London's world famous show runs through May 26th.

Visit the official site here.

Visit The Guardian's coverage of the show here with panoramic videos of the award winners gardens and lots of articles and photo galleries.

Petersham Nurseries

What a fun place to spend the afternoon. Petersham Nurseries in the exclusive West London borough of Richmond, is a great destination for gardeners. A cafe and teahouse with food prepared with produce from their own gardens, amazing large scale topiaries, beautiful displays and plants, this nursery is a must see when visiting The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Hampton Court gardens  or Wimbledon. 

Visit their excellent website here. It features the work of several photographers that have been inspired by the style and beauty of Petersham.

the roots of keep calm and carry on

lovely video!

Barter Books, Alnwick, Northumberland, England

Happy St. David's Day....it's daffodil season in Wales