Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Red Balloon

It's hard to move on from that Caravan post. I loved being there so much and showing it to you that I'd like to leave it here right on top of my blog like a favorite magazine in a stack. Ah, well, I have to move on at some point, and last night I found a good reason to do so (two actually, the other one comes later--saving the best for later).

Last night, after dinner, it was extremely hot in our apartment because I had the not so bright idea to make chicken noodle soup on one of the hotter days in London in a tiny apartment with no AC. Our windows just crack open, and they were cracked, but it wasn't enough. It was hot. Very hot. We have one door that opens to a railing, a sort of fake balcony, but it's too dangerous to have it open with the little one crawling around. After having our hot chicken noodle soup (that I made homemade from a chicken we roasted the night before, yum), I was sweating and thirsty for a lemonade. I opened the balcony door and yelled, "someone bring me a lemonade!" I don't think anyone heard me, and Andrew just laughed at me.

As I looked up the sky was beautiful, and I saw this one red balloon lifting up and up into the air. I lunged for the camera and almost tripped over Lois and fell over a chair to do so, but I grabbed it, and snap. I had no idea what settings the camera was on and didn't have time to check. I knew I would miss it if I didn't just take the picture. So, here you have a picture of a random cherry red balloon in a cotton candy pink sunset. It was one of those magical moments that went by in a flash, which might also be the top reason to always have a camera handy. You never know when you might see a red balloon. Maybe one day another red balloon will come along and follow me.


Sunday, August 23, 2009

Caravan

Yesterday I paid a visit to Caravan, a shop I've been looking forward to visiting for quite sometime now. Stylist Emily Chalmers, the very talented and lovely owner of Caravan, wrote my top favorite interior design book, Flea Market Style, which I love so much and have read cover to cover at least a dozen times. I can't even express how excited I was to visit her shop and meet her in person! The white-washed shop is warm and inviting with curated touches of vintage treasures, candles in delicate votives, and fresh flowers tucked here and there alongside the store merchandise. Caravan features a variety of delightful merchandise, some of which is quirky and fun like the Lou Rota bug plates, some pretty and elegant like the brilliant silver and gold metal roses, and some modern and functional like the colorful Jielde lamps by Jean-Louis Domecq. And much of what Emily carries is exclusive to Caravan, like those Jielde lamps--Caravan is the primary UK representative for them. You can also pick up a signed copy of one of Emily's books: Flea Market Style, Contemporary Country, or Table Inspirations. If you see something pictured here that isn't in the online shop, Emily would be happy to email more pictures and information. Head over to the shop and get some Caravan Style, and don't forget to pick up you own cute little Caravan!
















Caravan
3 Redchurch Street
Shoreditch
London E2 7DJ
United Kingdom
‎
+ 44 (
0) 20 7033-3532‎
Tuesday - Friday: 11-6:30pm, Saturday & Sunday: 12-6pm
info@caravanstyle.com