English Life

One of my first purchases as I have frequented the English fleamarket world was this little box of horse shoes. And while life has thrown out the usual frustrations and hurdles, luck has graced my daily life.

Proof of luck being on my side is how I stumbled on this white "everything" flat. (Not such a common find in the grey wet world of London). My bedroom view looks out onto an English garden square surrounded by the backs of many houses.



I can't help but believe at night Peter pan and Wendy are flying past my window. My imagination is very alive.





Portobello antique market is literally on my doorstep. I am fed with inspiration everyday as soon as I open my door.



Still so very affordable I am able to pick up vintage pitchers and cups that I scatter through my temporary nest. Toothbrushes, flowers or gravy for Sunday dinner is well housed.

But I have also gone further afield from my doorstep.

My favourite so far is at a racetrack called kempton park. Funny because sometimes I forget where I am and realize I could just as easily be in Marburger, Texas or Brimfield, Mass.

Treasures and tales of discovery are the same the world over.
Even with the freezing cold rain and snow the "shows go on".



While I have continued to be quite busy getting the London Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture store running I have stolen a few weekends to go to my beloved English countryside.



Cotswolds.com
This beautiful town doesn't particularly embrace my "beauty of imperfection" value.

But its perfection is pretty close to perfect. Local honey coloured limestone is yummy. Gorgeous homes, landscapes, grazing animals make distinguishing a postcard and reality quite tricky. I connect better with wilder and more rugged surroundings, but somehow the Cotswolds is an exception. Worth going to if you ever pop to England.

Amongst all my travels and excitements of events, wherever I am, I have a little artists corner of a painting I love, and a space to create new...........for now this is occupied with a painting my friend Laurence gave me. (similar ones are available at my shops.)