The trinket dish. . . . . . .

Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral.

London's famous sightseeing venues. . . . . . . all joined together on a 

sweet little china trinket dish from Anthropologie. 
Dainty, delicate and so useful. 
See my precious Queen Victoria ring in its new home when not on my finger.
How adorable is this!

Do you have friends or family who know exactly what gift will make your heart sing?
Thank you dearest friend Mary Ann, you always pick the perfect gifts. 
They bring a smile and much happiness.

A chill in the evening air. . . . . . . . .

Midtowne, Raleigh, NC 

Last evening the sunset was amazing.

Walking to a restaurant, then doing a 

little shopping in our neighborhood, we

at last felt a difference in the air.

Bring on autumn. . . . . . . sweaters, jackets, harvest moons,

pumpkins, goblins, falling leaves, warm and fuzzy friends, 

~ via Anthropologie ~

~ via Anthropologie ~

A few words about wall murals. . . . . . . . . .

Here's a follow up to my previous post about the new bold wallpapers

 used to make a feature wall in a room.

If you like wallpaper, or even if you don't, perhaps a mural

will get you excited. I found the first two at Anthropologie and love them.

The enlarged antique maps of Paris and London, each one used to cover

 a wall, are available at Restoration Maps and are really amazing.

Again, I have no walls here in the cottage where these large 

installations could fit - but I know some people who do!

fig. 1

fig.2

fig. 3

fig.4

I did find something new for a wall over the weekend - but it found
 a home some place else! I'll show you next time.
Have a wonderful week.

~ fig. 1 & 2 ~ Here at Anthropologie
~ fig. 3 & 4 ~ Here at  Restoration Maps

 

Anthropologie - home and gift shopping . . . . . .

I was at Anthropologie a couple of weekends ago.  

Having a branch of this shop just a couple 

of minutes from the cottage is fantastic. . . . .but 

dangerous!

When it opened a few months ago I could hardly contain 

myself, however I waited a couple of weeks before 

visiting because I was just back from Europe and there 

were bills to pay and more important things to do than 

'go shopping'.

Just walking into Anthro' is a joyful experience.

Their creative crew do decor like no other.

The clothing is of course beautiful, often unusual, and 

always expensive. I usually leave that part until last 

as I don't buy much of it other than if I spy a real 
bargain in the sale room.

However, the items for the home are wonderful, many of the

small things are quite affordable. Their plates, bowls,  

cabinet hardware, and candles are fabulous. Their selection 

of books is legendary - fabulous cookbooks, photography 

and decorating books from around the world.  

On this visit I immediately fell for the tiny salt 

and pepper set(first pic). Although a modern, simple design, 
I think they look good with my antique pearl-handled silver servers. 
Unglazed china outside with beautiful highly glazed bowls 
in shades of aubergine, a must have for a small dinner 
party, at just $5 each.

The plates with free-form edges and writing - 

I love anything with words - are special at $14,

beautiful glazing and unusual design. I bought two 

for dessert or teatime treats with a friend.

The sugar bowl, same unglazed exterior, with beautiful 

green glazed bowl and the sweetest tiny spoon, just $14 

for the set. A small gift I think anyone would enjoy.

Do you have a favorite store for gift shopping? 

Is it a national chain or a local one-of-a-kind shop,

such as the fabulous Oxford Green I shared with you 

a couple of weeks ago? Yes, I plan another visit there 
soon - I know Shawna will have plenty of gorgeous gift 
items for the coming Holiday season. 

Just because………………

Anthropologie's latest window dressing with reflections from surrounding 

shopping center streets - via iPhone - whilst strolling and awaiting a 
restaurant table last evening.  

Talk about pretty!

The art of design ~~~

If you're there too late to enter, window shopping at an Anthropologie store is akin

to visiting an art gallery. If you appreciate creativity, the window displays are always

awesome.

Leaving an adjacent restaurant Sunday evening after celebrating a family birthday, 

the shop had already closed - granddaughter Jasmin sighed in disappointment, me 

silently thankful I would not be shuffling through my bag for a credit card!  

Any serious shopping was impossible. 

BUT the windows, as always, were a treat. If you look closely, 

you will see that the butterfly wings are made of hundreds of individual butterflies cut

from paper, really sensational.

Jasmin fell for the dress and I know she would look great in it!

We both loved the wings…and more art in other windows.

This is our just opened neighborhood Anthropologie, I know we'll be spending

a lot of time here.

Many very creative people decorate this company's stores, and those who have moved on

to open their own business in the world of design and art are doing very well.

Australian designer, author, and Sydney shopkeeper Sibella Court, and American 

Leslie Oshmann of SWARM, now residing in Amsterdam come to mind.