We Are Stardust

My learned friend suggested a trip into space at the
Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park.
I was only too glad to tag along as I hadn't been before.

Honestly, it was one of the best things ever.

We sat in ever so slightly reclining airline style seats
in a dark auditorium so that we could look up at the
AV presentation of the night sky above us whilst a
(very funny) Royal Astronomer narrated.

It was mesmerising and poetic and made me:
a) want a telescope and
b) want to read something by Carl Sagan.

Gone Fishing

I went here for a browse.

I made a purchase which was very nicely wrapped.

This is what I bought.

These prints are from the
Liberty Art Fabrics/V&A Shop
limited edition collection which were
produced to celebrate the V&A's
quilts exhibition.
.

At £11.50 per metre they are a little

less expensive than the classic Liberty print range.

See here for the full set.

Close-ups of the ones I bought:

I will attemtpt to sew some of this charming fabric 

into something requiring only straight-line machining.
(Rookie seamstress.) 

I will - of course - post the results of my efforts.

Clothes Care

I'm so glad I found you.

Note:

Quality control has been in touch. They say this post is 'lacklustre' - no colour and no punch. It is without any of the necessary qualities that would make it an arresting blog entry and also - apparently - I 'know too much' about clothes moths and could I please illustrate with more interesting pictures.

I say - project yourselves forward a few months, wait until the temperature drops and feel the pain of that moment when you reach for another layer to put on but then discover that those favourite sweaters/scarves/coats are no longer the complete and useful articles you presumed they'd be but a series of holes held together by the threads of said garments and merely a suggestion of what they once were.

Feel it.

And then whisper - 'next year I won't be caught out. Next year I'm going to store my woollens in a John Lewis lavender scented anti moth bag (or similar)'.

Then it won't hurt any longer.

Hope Is The Thing With Feathers

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.


by Emily Dickinson

Bermondsey Blooms

I was called outside by the sunshine.

Below are some photos I took of the delicate Forget-me-nots that have colonised the back garden. I'm happy to let these little fellows meander through the flower bed as they please. Forget-me-not is such a sweet sweet name for a flower that's associated with love and rememberance. 

There is a medieval legend which relates the tale of an armoured knight who was walking with his lady-love along the banks of a river. As he stooped to pick some flowers the knight tumbled into the water. Before drowning he threw the posy of flowers to his love and called out, "Forget me not." 

Note: 

Norfolk-based company Old Town - see and read this over at  'A Bloomsbury Life' - have used a pretty floral print called 'Bermondsey in Bloom' which looks like it could have been inspired by the delightful Forget-me-not.

Hmm. Wooden Footwear

I remember seeing someone manage fast walking in clogs. 

Wearing tights also. 

This was impressive. 

I can say no more.

On Prescription

Some new additions to the bookshelf perhaps?

No - I jest. This handsome quartet is in fact part of a range of chocolate from New Zealand confectioners Bloomsberry & Co. They look lovely don't you think?

Here's how I happened upon them. Whilst out doing an earnest stick-to-the-list-don't-deviate-we're-time-limited grocery shop, a moment of weakness drew me to the chocolate section. Your Honour, there had been absolutely no intention to purchase confectionary but on this occasion I was unable to resist the pretty colours. And the packaging. And the name. Emergency Chocolate - What a brilliant idea! It tickled me so much that I couldn't fight the compulsion to purchase. In the spirit of its medicinal look, and to make right my wrong, I will dispense said chocolate to the needy. Please do not judge me harshly.

Note:
Although chocolate season is supposed to be over - it isn't. That's because ice cream season can't officially begin until it gets a bit warmer. As temperatures in the UK have not yet reached Ben & Jerry's degrees centigrade, the consumption of aforementioned confectionary may continue until over-(h)eating forces vest/coat/cardi removal.