Battersea Decorative Fair

Everyone's been talking about how miserable the London weather has overall been this spring, so when handed a gloomy, wet day, we are always looking for something to do indoors. Such was the case a few weeks ago, when we headed to the Battersea Park Decorative Fair--an indoor antique fair situated in the lovely Battersea Park just across the Thames River from our house.

We were greeted by a topiary in honor of the Queen--it is her Jubilee year, you know.

Just inside the door, my eyes were drawn to these angel wings. Such a beautiful accent piece.

I loved the booths with the rustic touch and

any outdoor garden accents.

Could have seriously bought many items at those two booths, if time and money had been more fluid!

Crowns were a popular decorating motif.

And vintage kitchen items always draw a lot of interest.

Chests, or "commodes" as the French call them were given places of prominence.

I would have liked to have had all three

of these commodes. As you can tell, I'm drawn more to French, and sometimes Swedish antiques, more than the English antiques, and this fair offered a few of those items that really were beautiful, such as this 18th century French commode with its original painted finish. £5950

Another French piece---this incredible armoire--beautiful!

And if I could have been more decisive, this table would have gone home with me. I left thinking I would come back the next day with hubby after he flew in from his overseas flight, but that was not to be, since his flight was delayed enough to miss the show completely.

Guess that was a sign that I didn't really need it, but I have to admit I think about it every now and then. 

Dating from the 1860's this "bureau plat" with drop leaf sides boasted a seaweed marquetry that was exquisite, and the top when raised revealed a ladies mirror framed in gold bronze. The front drawer opened up to a writing top in its original velvet.

Have you ever left a purchase behind that you dream about and wish you had grabbed it when you could?

Olympics This and That

With my visit to Olympic Park so fresh on my mind, I thought I would share with you two of my favorite photos that came out in The Evening Standard recently. 

Looks like the anticipation is building!

And in honor of all the mothers out there, a special tribute by Proctor & Gamble to the Olympic moms for all the sacrifices they have made through the years. 

It's a real tear jerker and will drive home the point:

The hardest job in the world is the best job in the world. Thanks to all the moms out there. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Try to view this on full screen if you can....

London Prepares

It was one of those lucky surprises, that come along when you least expect it, that are sometimes the most fun! When a friend's husband couldn't join her for the water polo event at the new Olympic Park last week, I gladly stepped in to fill his shoes. 

You see, it's the time when London Prepares--the warm up events that are testing the facilities of the Olympic Park to make sure that all the glitches are out of the way before Opening Ceremonies on July 27.

Did I mention that July 27 is my birthday, and what an amazing celebration it would be to attend the Opening Ceremonies, but alas, tickets are nowhere to be found?

Maybe the birthday fairy will come through before then, but I'm not holding my breath.

The giant Olympic Arena is ready (told you the weather has been miserable lately) and we could hear the rehearsals going on while we were there, but of course, it's top secret and only rumors are going around about what is really going to happen. Seating 80,000, it will be the home of the opening and closing ceremonies and the track and field events.

The Orbit has recently been completed, and now stands at 115 meters high as the tallest art structure in Britain. Designed by the world renowned artist, Anish Kapoor, the Orbit will not only be a work of art, but an active experience. Visitors will be able to ascend to a viewing platform near the top via a glass elevator, and then opt to take the spiral staircase coming down for views all along the way of the Olympic Park and the cityscape of London.

We headed to the Water Polo arena for our event, and our first exposure to the sport. My friend and I were a bit clueless about water polo, but we were anxious to check it out.

Playing that night were Great Britain versus Australia, and the fans were really hyped for the local team.

The British girls were ready for a challenge,

but the Australians came out on top that night. Probably the visiting kangaroo brought them the luck they needed.

We were excited to see the US team play against Hungary that evening too.

I was surprised to learn that water polo was actually the first team sport played in the Olympics (Paris, 1900.) I had never stopped to think about the skill and strength it took to play--just treading water for the length of 4 eight minute quarters, amidst swimming the length of the pool back and forth (imagine soccer/football with goalies)

combined with the strength it takes to propel up and out of the water for passing the ball, somewhat like dolphins spin up and out of the water, as well as the dexterity it takes to "palm" a wet ball coming at you.

It was amazing watching these gals, and I have a whole new respect for the sport.

We were fortunate to sit with one of the US athletes' moms, the mom of Kelly Rulon, who helped us with some of the logistics of the sport.

Final score USA 11-- Hungary 6. A great chance to cheer on our "home team" in our home away from home land. Just this hint of watching our athletes play and seeing the layout and design of the Olympic Park has made me ever so more excited about the fun coming in just a couple of months.

Hope you're a bit intrigued by this dress rehearsal into giving water polo a bit of your viewing time. It's

going to be an exciting summer!

Tale of Two Cities Clutch

Kate Spade has A Tale of Two Cities clutch available this spring for $325.  Cute, isn't it? Which poses the question, does a blogging gal like me need a purse to match her blog??

So off I went with a friend to the Kate Spade store on Sloane Square to take a peek.

But when the salesclerk heard I was from Texas (the accent always gives it away,) she went to the stockroom to give us an advance peek of a purse that will make its debut in a couple of weeks.

She thought this armadillo purse might be more my style!

This is Kate Spade, mind you! In Texas, armadillos are road-kill, not a fashion statement.

But if I had to choose, this little shiny gold coin purse might win me over a lot sooner than the straw purse. 

I doubt it though.

But if it speaks to you, I understand there will be a necklace in the collection too. Let me know if you decide to purchase one--I'd love to see a photo of you  sporting the latest trend!

Singin' in the Rain

I've been back in London for a week now, and I promise you, in that amount of time, there have been very few moments when it has not been raining. 

And, no, we are not Singin' in the Rain like the West End show, but are actually growing a bit "rain-weary."

The news is reporting that it's been one of the rainiest April's in recent years, and I believe it.

When everything around you is grey, you have to start looking out of the box to find some color. I decided I should trade in my black umbrella for something cheerier,

and I began to look out from underneath my umbrella as I walked, and saw some beautiful wisteria down the block,

and these beautiful flowers blooming overhead.

Flowers at the vendor on the corner,

no blue overhead, but a spot of blue on the For Hire bikes

and "black cabbie."

Personally, I can pass on sitting at a sidewalk cafe under an umbrella,

but I did pause for a minute to wonder what I could buy at the Superdry Store to make life a little more bearable.

Probably if I took the time to read this book I found at Waterstone's, I might be able to solve the mystery of British weather.

Maybe.

Proof that it won't rain forever was just outside my front door one afternoon for just a brief moment, and that was enough to give me hope that brighter days could possibly be ahead.

But I'm not holding my breath...

Just waiting and watching,

and waiting and watching some more, and being the seasoned Londoner that I am,

never leaving the house without the brolly.

Ultimate Chocolate Brownie

Time for a chocolate blog!   Paul A.Young is one of the finest chocolate artisans in the UK, and I'd had it on my bucket list for sometime to check out his shop, so when we found ourselves in the Soho area, we popped into his newest shop on Wardour Street,

where we were greeted by an unbelievable aroma of chocolate upon opening the door,  and then temptations at every step.

My primary goal was to try his chocolate brownies which have been awarded the title of the best brownie in all of London. These were unlike any other brownie I've ever eaten, fudgey, gooey and almost like baked ganache. More like fudge than a brownie. In fact, when I went back through security checks at Heathrow Airport, my purse was flagged, and after a lengthy search and much puzzlement on the part of the staff there, they finally concluded it was my half eaten brownie that triggered the x-ray since it was so, so moist.

I dared them to try and take it away from me!

And if one brownie is not decadent enough, then The Brownie Box should fit the bill, since there will be plenty to share.

All the chocolate is made by hand in the kitchens of his three shops

by Paul Young and his team, who

offer a wide selection of flavor combinations that are sometimes innovative and creative.

How about a cuppa' hot chocolate

or chocolate fudge dessert sauce to spoon over your ice cream or puddings...or maybe just to eat straight out of the jar?

Or perhaps you're a do-it-yourself kind of gal/guy who would enjoy one of his award winning cookbooks

or baking box with all the ingredients for your own chocolate fest!

How much better can it get than platter after platter of chocolates to choose from--imaginative flavors

and traditional favorites. The day we visited the most popular flavors were blood orange martini and banoffee pie, but you could also select from jasmine tea ganache, blackcurrant and Dijon cassis, peanut butter and raspberry jelly, roquefort roast walnut and honey, or salt and pepper marzipan. 

Told you it wasn't your ordinary flavors! Now what would you take home from a visit to Paul A. Young?