HAY FESTIVAL 2009
A rather unexpected trip to the Hay Festival this year means I'll be listening to Kevin McCloud talk about sustainable building and the pleasures of contemporary architecture...and sadly, a few days late to see Sophie Dahl talk about her new cookery book.

Flowers for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show opening it's doors today it got me in the mood for...you guessed it...flowers! I adore these gorgeous images from top interiors photographer, Holly Jolliffe...good enough to frame.

Was honoured and absolutely delighted to meet Lucy Fraser today, an artist based in Bristol that created a lovely piece of artwork I bought in St Ives last summer. I've never made such a quick purchasing decision which took all of five minutes when I saw 'Instinct' hanging in 'The Gallery on the Square' in St Ives and adore it more every time I look at it.

She says of her work, 'I’ve long been fascinated by the work of the great natural historian and collector, Darwin and much of my work references his theories of evolution. Birds and insects, their flight patterns and behaviour and our emotions towards them are subjects that particularly excite and inspire me to make art. I am especially interested in depicting British species and frequent visitors to the British Isles; our ‘home-grown’ beauty.'

Check out her website for more inspirational art, www.lucy-fraser.co.uk.

SANCTUARY SHOPPING: BAILEY'S HOME & GARDEN

After a trip to the NEC last week, scouring the design shows for the latest hot interiors products, we stopped off at Bailey's Home & Garden for a mooch around and to purchase a few essentials...after all...who can live without their soothing 'Fig Candle' or incense sticks to restore calm to a busy family home at the end of the day? Certainly not me...although I also have to admit that the pleasure of wandering around Bailey's in the quiet but oh so stylish ambience that it offers is pure relaxation in itself.

As we were on a mission to meet the children from school, Alex and I didn't extend our stay this time to stop in the highly recommended organic cafe to sip cappucino's and enjoy homemade cake. Instead, we used our 'child free' time wisely, scouting for must have products that we could tell you about, as well as advising you not to miss the fantastic January sale with many reductions.

And, if like us, you simply adore this chic Aladdin's cave of wonderful interiors treasures from past and presnet then take home a more permanent reminder in the form of their book, 'Recycled Home', by Ryland, Peters & Small, £19.99, for the perfect anti-dote to coffee table magazines full of bling and plastic.

GORDON RAMSAY´S CHRISTMAS TONIC

Every magazine we pick up this month seems to be full of words of wisdom for those domestic goddesses out there, fretting about the ´big day´ as the festive season approaches, and we thought we would add our two-penneth in!

No, we haven´t written you a column on how to deck the halls here at Wales at Home, (that will be coming next month), but instead we´ve managed to get our hands on two pairs of tickets to visit Gordon Ramsay himself at his annual ´Taste for Christmas´ event at EXCEL, London, from 4th to 7th December.

So let us take just a little stress out of the run up to Christmas and enter our exclusive Wales at Home competition to win a day out full of Gordon´s festive cheer.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER and visit the Wales at Home website.

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UBER COOL CHILDREN'S PARTY CAKES

Always on the look out for gorgeous girly treats for our little ones, we were so excited when we heard about a brand new cake company making delightful designs for birthday treats.

Just launched, Lu Lu & Grace, www.luluandgrace.co.uk, is the brain child of owner, Lucy Brierely, who spotted the gap for tasty treats that weren't covered in cartoon characters. 'I just wanted to create something attractive to children without playing on the themes that you find in the shops. Children love bright colours and these appeal perfectly to their senses.'

Lu Lu & Grace also design cakes for other special occasions such as Halloween, Christmas, Christenings or naming days and can discuss with you how to tailor your very own designs.

We've already placed our orders for all the children's birthdays in our homes. Click here to visit the Lu Lu & Grace website.

WALES AT HOME NEWSLETTER

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