In print...

BBC Homes & Antiques magazine January 2012.

I got my copy yesterday...and I'm in print! I love this magazine so am really pleased to featured in it ~ especially the Christmas issue... I won't bore you with all the photos here!

I have added some lovely new hand~made & festive stock to my website to coincide with the feature...

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?.....

Ali x

The Vintage Christmas Boutique

Here I go again....

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, in the lane, snow is glistening, a beautiful sight, we're happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland...

The second Vintage Christmas Boutique is almost here and the house is currently being turned upside down in order to transform it into a festive vintage emporium! I am comforted by the sight of my favourite decorations finding their familiar little spots in the house ready for the season. I can't help it, I love this time of year, a whiff of cinnamon & cloves and I am away with the elves...

I have been busy making some special one~off stockings, decorations and cushions using my favourite textiles and trims and have sourced some unique hand~made goods that definitely cannot be bought on the high street! Added to this will be an eclectic mix of antique & vintage treasures along with some exclusive Scandinavian pieces from Jeanne D'Arc Living ~ what more could a girl wish for? Well, maybe a home~baked cookie or two with a cup of warm chocolate?

All are welcome, please contact me for an invitation and further details ~ more information can be found at the Vintage Christmas Boutique blog.

Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd December 2011. 10.00am ~ 4.00pm.

Ali x

Angels Gather Here...

Angels Gather Here...

This Friday 4th November at the Cozy Country Christmas Fair held at the home of a very talented friend of mine along with some like minded souls offering vintage and homemade delights. Chris and Dawn will be creating a cozy Christmas cabin ~ take in the aroma of cinnamon and woodsmoke, evergreen and fresh apple pie, whilst shopping for unique gifts and decorations. Not to be missed! I shall be visiting late in the day and hoping that everything is not sold out...

Open from 8.30am until 6.00pm ~ entrance is free but donations greatly appreciated for the charity 'Williams Fund'.

The Warren
14 Oval Way
Gerrards Cross
Bucks
SL9 8QD

Other fairs this week...

I shall be having a stall at a private sale hosted by Little Mann Classics on Thursday 3rd November from 9.00am ~ 2.00pm. Lots of Christmas goodies, stocking fillers, childrens clothes, jewellery, cards & wrap, gifts and decorations. Held at Setherum House, 93 Benham Park, Marsh Benham, Newbury, Berks RG20 8LX. Supporting The Elizabeth Foundation (helping deaf children and their families).

On Friday 4th November I am participating in the Holiday Craft & Gift Fayre at Ascot Racecourse. Hand~picked Christmas shopping! Open from 9.30am until 3pm. Free parking, refreshments on site. For further information www.awbs.org.co.uk.

Hope that you can come along...

Until next time
Ali x

Jeanne D'Arc Living New Books

I have not made a secret of the fact that I am in love with the style and beauty of the Danish company Jeanne D'Arc Living ~ I have been selling their gorgeous magazine for a year now via my website and have a loyal following of subscribers to whom I am very grateful for sharing my passion!

This year, to whoops of delight, the highly covetable and collectable book 'French Atmospheres' was translated into English and I am the only seller in the UK offering this title along with 'Amazing Retreats' which was published just last week. I have just a few copies left ~ they are available in limited quantities only and printed in small batches (not available on Amazon!)


I also have a very small quantity of their softback magazine style 'Christmas' book translated into English from their original Danish book 'Jul' ~ jam packed full of the most gorgeous photographs of the festive season.


The Christmas issue (no.8) of the Jeanne D'Arc Living magazine is out on the 11th November ~ the most popular edition of the year, and I have just listed it on my website for those wishing to reserve a copy in advance!

All of the Jeanne D'Arc publications can be bought via my website at www.bettyandviolet.com along with a small selection of their Christmas decorations and homewares.

I will have examples of the books with me this weekend at The Vintage Bazaar in Frome ~ looking forward to this great event again!

Until next time, Ali x

Just a perfect day...

Hand~made brooch purchased from Viv at Hen's Teeth just as we were all packing up for the day at The Cotswolds Vintage Fair...it seemed very appropriate!

I don't think any of us were anticipating the number of visitors that found their way to our village hall in the Cotswolds countryside, but I am so grateful that they did ~ a big thank you to each an every one of you that came and supported us and made purchases!

The venue was a picture of vintage loveliness ~ every which way you turned was a fresh display of unique goodies from the past mixed in with beautiful hand~made treasures from our talented stallholders. Truly amazing...

Hand~made china label from Rosie's Armoire.

My thanks to all of the stallholders for taking part and making it such a unique event! Lots more pictures taken on the day can be seen at thecotswoldsvintagefair.blogspot.com.

I am inspired to make the next one even better ~ watch this space...

Ali x

Vintage Fair This Saturday!

Time to set off and join us if you can at The Cotswolds Vintage Fair this Saturday 27th...

There will be 35 sellers offering original vintage & antique goods alongside a carefully selected range of handmade treasures inspired by the past including homewares, fashion, furniture, textiles & trims, china, kitchenalia, books, toys & games, jewellery, ephemera and much more!

Lavinia's Tea Party will be creating a vintage style tea room offering homemade cakes and sandwiches, served on the prettiest vintage china and weather permitting all set up outside overlooking the most glorious Cotswolds landscape.

Doors open at 10.00am and entry is £1.00. If you happen to have a copy of the August issue of Homes & Antiques magazine, we have a special offer on their events listing page which means free entry ~ just bring the page with you!

Toddington Village Hall, Stow Road, Toddington, Glos GL54 5DU.

Full details of the event including stallholder & visitor information, directions to the venue etc. can be found at The Cotswolds Vintage Fair blog.

Hope that you can make it!

Ali x

Two day open house (one week to recover...)

I think it must be my age...but it has taken me almost a week to get the house back to normal and restore my energy after my open house sale last weekend...

I would like to say a big thank you to all those lovely customers and friends who stopped by, made purchases and supported me again ~ it was so nice to see some familiar faces and new ones!

Thank you also to the other fabulous, talented ladies who joined me in my home selling their own wares, for arranging everything so wonderfully and for making it such an enjoyable couple of days ~ much merriment and mayhem...

Angela Evans' whiter than white linens and English embroidery

The tea room (hastily arranged under a gazebo due to poor weather...)

Chloe Vintage ~ handmade bunnies made from antique textiles

Beautiful & unique clothing & textiles from Philippa Bowes

Flowers everywhere...

Lucy Bloom's eclectic mix of homewares...

Hesta Nesta's gorgeous quilts & textile treasures...

Some of my own collections of goods for sale...

My Mother's Vintage Costume Jewellery...

Watch this space to see if I am brave enough to have another event in my own home...!

Ali x

The 'Vintage Summer Boutique'...

Oh, what lovely summer weather we are having ~ who knows what Friday & Saturday will bring ~ sunshine or rain? Whatever the weather The Vintage Summer Boutique will be open, outside in the garden if the sun is shining, or indoors if there is the chance of getting wet! The house is currently being turned upside down in preparation (have always been told to have contingency plans!)

Whatever the weather, you are welcome to join us ~ here are the house rules:

1. Please turn a blind eye to all cobwebs that haven't seen a duster lately.
2. Please be patient with dear husband and father who have been roped in as caterers.
3. No squabbling with others over the gorgeous merchandise ~ once it's gone, it's gone!
4. Please understand that ours is a family home and there may be the odd piece of lego found underfoot or dry piece of toast under the sofa (but you shouldn't be looking under the sofa!)
5. Only those with a friendly disposition and highly developed sense of humour allowed. (Ours is still just about intact)

Looking forward to meeting you all...

Ali x

The 'Vintage Summer Boutique'...

I am hosting my first ever summer open house sale this month! Yes, I know I need my head testing and there are not enough hours in the day but sometimes a girl just has to do what her heart tells her. My heart and head love to talk vintage ~ and what better way to do just that with other like minded souls than at a vintage style garden party?

I shall be joined by a small gathering of talented friends with a gift for making, displaying and selling their beautiful vintage stock and hand~made creations. Lots of lovely goodies to be inspired by...

Tea and home~made cake served all day (on vintage china of course!) and the opportunity to browse, chat and enjoy a thoroughly (unashamedly) old~fashioned girls' day out. Shabby Lloyd Loom chairs on the lawn, a cottage garden, a bit of bunting and (praying for) sunshine, hope you get the picture!

If you would like to receive an invitation to The Vintage Summer Boutique, please contact me with your details.

I do hope that you can make it....

Ali x

The Avington Brocante

I am really looking forward to having a stall at this lovely fair on Thursday this week ~ the first time that I shall have been there...

Set in the beautiful house and grounds of Avington Park ~ there will be approximately 30 dealers offering decorative antiques, furniture, accessories, textiles, garden ware and more...

Entrance fee £5.00. Open from 9.30am ~ 4.30pm with refreshments available ~ do come along and say hello if you can!

Avington, Nr Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1DB.

Ali x

The Summer Cotswolds Vintage Fair

Last year I participated in a lovely new fair in the Cotswolds and recently learned that its current organiser was unable to continue with the commitment of any further events this year.  So, I stuck my hand in the air, waved it around a bit and offered to take over the running of The Cotswolds Vintage Fair.

I have made contact with all those stallholders whose details have been passed on to me, and hopefully you will have by now received an email with a new booking form and information.  It would be lovely to hear from you all!  New stallholder applications would be welcome too ~ please contact me via the link on the sidebar or take a peek at the new dedicated blog ~ The Cotswolds Vintage Fair. 

The date is set for Saturday 27th August and will be held in the original venue at Toddington Village Hall ~ set in glorious Cotswold countryside with views to die for.... weather permitting we shall have a vintage style tea room on the lawn...

I am prepared for more sleepless nights, making bunting in my dreams and putting on a few pounds tasting the sample bakes from the cakemaker ~ well someone has to do it!

Wish me luck...

Ali x

Jeanne D'Arc Living Magazine

It's here!

Issue No. 2 .... has arrived from Denmark.  Oh me oh my, this is like receiving a special gift from a thoughtful friend everytime the big white box arrives from Jeanne D'Arc Living.  It never, ever disappoints, each issue is fresh, unique and like no other magazine on the planet.  

Thank you to all the lovely customers that placed orders and reserved your copy ~ they have been despatched today, just in time for the weekend when hopefully you will find a quiet, cosy corner in which to squirrel yourself away and read...

or dream...

sigh...

 

 

wish for...

and sigh again...

There are just a very few copies left ~ available here.

Have a lovely weekend!

Ali x

Love Works Wonders

It really does, doesn't it?

Happy Valentines....

Hearts and flowers to you all...

Ali x

And the winner...

...of the January issue of Jeanne D'Arc Living Magazine goes to...

PG!

Well done! Please let me have your address details via the contact button on my blog or website and I will whizz it in the mail for you. Happy reading...I hope it inspires....

Ali x

Inspirational Giveaway ~ Jeanne D'Arc Living Magazine

I have been catching up with all of those lovely blogs that I follow ~ and it still continues to amaze me how much inspiration and creativity you are all willing to share. It seems that many of us find this time of year a time for renewal, with lots of energy ~ the imaginary lightbulb inside our head is busy flickering, dreaming up new ideas and putting them into action.

For others (me included) the New Year often is slow to start for bodies and brains, our creative flow takes a while to get, well... flowing....

Inspiration sometimes needs a helping hand ~ and the quickest, simplest and most gratifying source of this elusive inspiration is visual...

Don't you just love the feel and smell of a virgin magazine, silky smooth pages...

Just read back the words I have written and think I ought to stop as it is getting a bit risque...

Or is it just me?

I do hope that I am not alone in my love affair, as I am now delighted to announce that I am an official UK stockist of the... (drum roll please) most luxurious, delightful, original, dreamy and utterly inspirational magazine from Jeanne D'Arc Living.

If you haven't come across this company and their extraordinary publication before ~ it is the brainchild of two very talented Danish women with a very unique style. The magazine will be published 8 times this year and is available via my own website alongside selected items from their decorative accessories ranges. I also have a very limited number of back issues.

I would love to give away a copy of the January 2011 issue to share the inspiration...

To enter, simply leave a message on this post and the winner will be drawn out of a hat on Monday 31st January at 6.00pm (UK time). The giveaway is open to all, wherever in the world you may be.

In the meantime, here is a little inspiration from the magazine...