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.