My Big Sisters Wardrobe

Hello again, I am back home in France now, even though I took my laptop with me on our recent trip to Britain I found I had very little time for blogging.  I was rushing around catching up with family and friends, wining and dining and shopping! We drove to Britain, 1000 miles taking the Channel tunnel so no nasty luggage restrictions we filled the car up with goodies including a pot bellied stove for chilly Spring evenings on the terrace we also hit Sainsburys big time and bought masses of Twiglets, Patacks curry pastes, Sharwoods Poppadoms, British sausages, Roses lime juice, Yorkshire tea bags amongst other things none of which are available in France.

I had a lovely return visit back to my home county of North Yorkshire even though we arrived to a cold, snowy Yorkshire and the sun only came out briefly for a few hours during the whole week, it was fabulous to see my nearest and dearest and run into friends that I have not seen for years.

As the weather was so grim any ideas of taking glorious pictures of Yorkshire and her landmarks went out of the window, instead I took some pictures of  vintage things in my big Sisters wardrobe.  Her wardrobe has fascinated me since I was a child, she has an excellent eye for quality and a bargain and looks after things beautifully, everything in her draws and wardrobe are organised and wrapped in dust-jackets, tissue paper and boxes, she even cleans her make up brushes regularly and all her cosmetics are like new and neatly arranged, not like me who tends to ram everything into the wardrobe, squash things in draws and I hardly ever wash make up brushes or organise my make up!

My big Sister is a few years older than me, she left home at seventeen and headed off for a life of adventure in London, throughout my young teenage years she bought me amazing presents from London, from the likes of Biba, Fiorucci and Harvey Nichols, she is really rather annoying whenever I make a new discovery I tell her about it, only to find that she already knows all about it.  These photographs were all a bit rushed as she was flying off the next morning to attend a friends fiftieth birthday party in New York.  We are at present thinking of pooling our talents and cooking something up, I will give you more details at a later date, soon she will be starting her own blog, so I will keep you posted on that too, in the meantime, here are some gorgeous vintage evening bags from her wardrobe...

This was the bag that started my Sisters love for all things vintage a beautiful tapestry evening bag, I think possibly circa 1919 that belonged to our Grandmother, she used this evening bag all her life and also kept things beautifully, obviously, my BS inherited this trait from her.

The quality of workmanship on the bag is beautiful.

My sister was especially thrilled to find this Elizabeth Arden miniature lipstick in one of the pockets, it still lives there.

And here is the original owner, my Grandmother on her Wedding Day, February 16th 1927, I wrote all about my Grandmother here.


  My sister bought the following bags from e bay, eagle eyed for quality at a good price.

Love this, circa 1960's from Beverly Hills

I adore the simplicity of this bag, circa 1950's with the loop to hook elegantly onto the lower arm, in pristine condition.

Another gem from our Grandmother, a sparkly wool vest top, fully lined it's such a classic, I am not sure when it dates from I would guess judging by the label some time in the late fifties.

Due to limited time that's all I have of my Big Sisters wardrobe for now, I will return unless she starts her blog soon and get's in before me!

When we returned home it was great to see this little guy again, we thought about taking him to the land of his forefathers but decided against it, it's a long journey for a small dog who loves his freedom, one of the joys of living in France is dogs are allowed everywhere, in Britain he would have been miserable couped up in the house, whilst we indulged ourselves, instead we sent him to stay with his favourite human, where he has clearly been overindulged, he currently resembles a barrel with four legs, now he is on half rations with a very strict exercise regime, which, after all our over indulgence benefits us too!

As I have not been around much, I am really looking forward to catching up with all of your blogs over the next couple of days.

I'm Back

I can't believe I have been away from blogging for over a week, so apologies for the post drought and not visiting, I am hoping to catch up with you all within the next few days.   I have to confess I have been away gallivanting, sans laptop, which is just as well as I have had no time for anything except pleasure!

 The Stray, complete with Victorian Promenade Shelter, Harrogate

 I went back home to dear old Blighty, where I spent a wonderful few days back in my home town, Harrogate, Yorkshire, catching up with family and friends, whilst there, I did lot's of wining and dining I was particularly impressed with Harrogate's newest restaurant Le Bistrot Pierre, which has great food and a fabulous ambience, I gather they have a few restaurants in various UK towns, check out the link, and if you find yourself  in any of the locations, where they have an establishment; Go!

I took my Mother down to London for a couple of days, my gorgeous and fabulous Brother treated us to a stay at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, my Brother always stays in this hotel when he is in London on business. 

The Views Of Kensington Gardens And Beyond From My Room

Wow, what a fabulous Hotel, not so pretty on the outside but the inside, more than makes up for it, it is a family owned hotel and it shows, most of the staff have been there for years and they make you feel like Royalty, nothing is too much trouble, I think it is one of the friendliest and most comfortable hotels I have ever stayed in and if you can secure a room overlooking Kensington Gardens, you will be privy to one of the finest views in London.  Major foodies had  informed me that they have one of the best Chinese restaurants in London; Min Jiang, I have now sampled it and can vouch for it, some of the greatest Chinese food I have ever tasted, with the emphasis on fresh. The restaurant is on the tenth floor of the hotel, so whilst you are tasting heaven you also have an awe inspiring panoramic view of London.

 Min Jiang Restaurant

Another excellent restaurant which has fabulous views over London is Babylon, just over the road, from the Royal Garden, on Derry Street.

I did cram a lot of things into my trip, I took my Mother to the V&A to see the Grace Kelly exhibit, I had heard a few negative reports, on this, not enough dresses, where was the wedding dress etc. Personally I thought it was very well done and so did my Mother, I also have to mention that my Mother cannot function properly in the morning without the aid of great coffee, we walked from the hotel to the V&A, on route there were no cafes, so we stopped off at The Royal Albert Hall's Cafe Consort for breakfast which was extremely good value for money with charming staff serving...wonderful.

 My Mother, after coffee, proving age is only a number (she is 75, sorry Mum!)

The only disappointment of the trip, was me, hotfooting it over to see the Leighton House Museum, which was at the other end of Kensington High Street, a brisk twenty minute walk from the hotel; closed on Tuesdays!  Never mind, my fault for not checking, will go on my next trip, I consoled myself by photographing the blue plaque.

 This Is A Typical Holland Park Property, It Was so Pretty, I Could Not Resist Photographing It.

Well here endeth my little jaunt, I must say I left a warm sunny Britain and arrived in cold and rainy France, apparently it has been awful here for two weeks, rainy, murky and cold... the grass is not always greener......

The Harrogate Trip

Gosh, what a whirlwind visit, we have now returned home and I can't believe it's all over.  We had a wonderful time in Harrogate and I managed to fit in nearly everything I wanted to do.

It was great to spend some quality time with my Mother, see my family and catch up with friends.  I shopped until I dropped, (I am saving the shopping details for another post!). We dined out for lunch every day, I went for a lot of coffees and early doors drinks accompanied by my mother and her ever increasing coteri of eccentric friends, and most importantly, we went to the pub.

It's interesting to return to your home town after a long period of absense, seeing what was once so familiar, with new eyes and also to see the changes. 

 Harrogate, has been hit by the recession there are a lot of empty shops and business's in prime positions (mainly estate agents) I guess the strain of the exorbitant Harrogate rates was just too much.  The shops and restaurants were very quiet during the week and nearly all of them were trying to lure customers in with exciting offers and discounts, which I took full advantage of, added to that, the euro is strong against the pound at present, so I got some great bargains.

Here are some photos of Harrogate and it's shops:

The cherry tree walk, on 'The Stray'. Most visitors to Harrogate refer to 'The Stray', as a park. Driving or walking through Harrogate is a joy, and it is like passing through a park. 'The Stray' is 200 acres of protected parkland, used by the locals for leisure activities, including picnics, dog walking, horse riding, kite flying and anything else outdoorsy you can think of.

And this is what it looks like in late spring.

Crocus on 'The Stray'. Spring has arrived in Harrogate.

An old vintage photograph of 'The Stray'.

It's good to see one of these, still in use!

I had never noticed before, the large number of these wonderful Victorian seated shelters in Harrogate, on the edge of The Stray, a real throwback to the time when Harrogate was a major spa resort and the promenading Victorians and Edwardian's used them, to rest, before they continued on their way.

Typical Harrogate property, overlooking The Stray, I love the conservatory.

 

And another, recently purchased, modernised and sandblasted.

Heading into the town centre.

Ahh, Betty's.

What's in their window? Mmm, hand made, decorated chocolate Easter eggs, badgers and bunnies.

Ogdens, The Jewellers, my mother would be overjoyed if MG took me in here to purchase a diamond engagement ring.

Woods of Harrogate for all your linen and interior design needs.

Another one of Woods triple fronted windows.

Brindley's of Harrogate, specialising in fabric and more interior design.

The Royal Pump Room, which put Harrogate on the map.

This plaque, tell's you all about it.

The Old Swan Hotel, Agatha Christie famously went into hiding here, A film was made about it called 'Agatha' with Vanessa Redgrave and Dustin Hoffman, all filmed in Harrogate.

Now, this is the Park in Harrogate, the entrance to the 'Valley Gardens' created for recreation and promenading in the Victorian era.

A Fleeting Return To Dear Blighty

We are going to England tomorrow for a fleeting visit, MG has business to attend to and I am going along for the ride, to spend some much needed time with family and close friends.

Sadly, it will be very fleeting, flying Tuesday to Stansted, hiring a car and driving up to Yorkshire to stay at my Mothers, only to drive back to Stansted on Friday night for an early Saturday morning flight,  I thought it would be for a whole week, or maybe even two weeks, I am longing to visit some much neglected friends in London.  But MG booked it, and, Hmm, Ryan Air (loathe Ryan Air) did not have the availability for a longer visit.

We will be staying in my home town, Harrogate, in North Yorkshire and whilst MG will be attending to business bit's and bobs, I am looking forward to having a girly time with my mother and sister, spending time with my father and hopefully catching up with my very busy brother. I am also hoping to fit in some close friends, but with only three whole days, to spare I don't know how I am going to fit it all in.

Here are some of the thing's I am looking forward to doing, with family and friends:

Err, Harrogate is famous for it's beautiful shop's, so shopping is high on my agenda.
Being a lady that lunches
Shopping
Walking through the town, and taking lot's of photo's
Shopping
Dining out, sampling some of  Harrogate's best Curry, Chinese, Thai and Fish and Chips
Shopping
Going to the pub
Shopping
Hope I can fit in a long walk in the Yorkshire Dale's, sadly Crusoe won't be with me. (He is going for his own adventure, staying with friends, who have two sheepdogs).
Shopping
Cream tea at Betty's
Shopping
A visit to the garden centre
Shopping
I won't have the time but if I did I would:
Get my hair done by my Mother's fabulous hairdresser

Go to Leeds, to visit the beautiful Victoria Quarter to do more shopping, Oh, I have to show you a photo....

 Visit awe inspiring  Salt's Mill in Shipley, to see David Hockney's latest exhibition
Shopping.

Well we will see, how much I achieve, once again posting and commenting could be sketchy, but I am taking my camera and laptop, so you are coming with me.

Dreaming of Bettys

I will be going to Blighty for a week in March to visit family and friends, I am already planning some of the things I want to do.  One of the things, will be to visit Bettys café tea rooms, which is a Yorkshire institution, it has six tea rooms, in Ilkley, Northallerton, two in York and two in Harrogate (my home town).

The question is, shall I go for lunch to have my favourite, Yorkshire welsh rarebit served with delicious tomato chutney or go for a Yorkshire cream tea with hot buttered scones, clotted cream and lashings of strawberry jam.

One thing is for sure, after dining I will be visiting the shop to buy goodies to bring back to France.

They now do mail order, so if you find anything on this post tempting, you can order it here or visit one of their cafés here

 

Bettys York

 

Bettys Ilkley

All photos via Bettys website