Spring Fever

It’s the most wonderful of wonderful times of the year … time to Spring Clean!  Well, officially (depending on which official you ask) it’s not spring yet, but it can’t come quick enough for a neat-freak like me and because I sell baskets I have plenty of good storage and ways to keep things organized.

I love putting everything in it’s place and having a good sort out … dusting down the cobwebs, opening the windows, letting the fresh air indoors and best of all cleaning out some of the clutter which seems to have accumulated during the winter.

Anyone who knows me, either via this blog or in real life will be familiar with my on-going dilemma regarding trying to live a simple, clean and tidy life without the clutter, and still enjoying my home comforts and luxuries.  One of the main reasons I love the baskets I sell is that they are so versatile.  I have baskets for towels in the bathroom, and storage of magazines in the living room, and if I want  bit of floor space back in the garage I hang the baskets up and use them to store small garden tools etc.

I am always finding new uses for them and I’m looking forward to the good weather when  I can really get stuck into my cleaning and sorting … have a good throwing-out session and not feel guilty at all, because it is Spring Cleaning time after all!

New Year healthy start

We all seem to make the same resolutions at the start of every year … and I’m no exception.  Top of my priorities is to stay healthy, and this means eating well and taking plenty of exercise.

I go out for fresh air even on the darkest days of winter!

Even on the darkest days it’s still good to get outside for some fresh air, and I’m lucky enough to live somewhere with great walks and cycle paths.  All of the villages in the area of Hampshire where I live are picturesque and a walk restores my spirits and even in the rain (as today) it was great to see signs of the coming year with the new buds on the trees and the bulbs sprouting above the soil.

 

Winter walks are a great way to get inspired by nature

I always take my notebook and pen to jot down any ideas I get, and today I have been inspired by all the garden gates that I have seen.  I think that will be a project for me this year.  I took one of my baskets with me (one of the perks of selling them)!  I picked up some more fir cones to decorate the house and a beautiful branch from a tree which had broken off in the wind.  I am going to it as supports for my hyacinth bulbs.

Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year … and an inspirational January.

 

I always have fresh flowers, bulbs or berries in the house for decoration during the winter

Happy Christmas preparations!

There is not long to go until Christmas, and it’s time to make sure I have got all those little extras that make the house look amazing for the festive season.  I like to have the house smelling delicious and so I always have bowls of orange slices and cinnamon sticks dotted around.  There is nothing so inviting as coming home to the smell of spices,  and mince pies are an absolute must every year preferably eaten in the evenings when we also have mulled wine which just smells (and tastes) fantastic!

It can be a time of visual overload at this time of year – I certainly feel like that when I go shopping and see all the dazzling images and displays everywhere – and so home is the place to keep it simple yet festive, with some classic stars, a few fairy lights and candles,  and a selection of natural materials such as mistletoe, holly and of course a real Christmas tree.

We love to encapsulate all the things we love about Christmas into our home decorations to make sure we have the best time and the most attractive things around the house to make us feel happy!  This is a picture of my Christmas tree this year which I decorated with white decorations and light.  The wooden birds and willow stars and hearts are decorations that I sell on my website http://www.comfortandjoyshop.co.uk and the wooden birch star in the background is also on the web.

 

I don’t like to have too many colours all over the tree when I decorate it and this year I have stuck to a simple palette of grey, white and cream with a hint of sparkle on some of the white willow hearts.  If you are lucky enough to have more than one tree in the house then it’s a good idea to separate the decorations into colour categories and have each tree with a different colour code (and this is something I have seen a lot of this year on Instagram).  It seems to be all the rage to have more than one tree, and it I think it is an excellent idea.

 

 

 

 

If you can’t find it … then design it yourself!

So often my motivation selling certain things has been that they were hard to track down!   Let me explain…

If I couldn’t find an item easily I became more and more frustrated,  and ended up so elated once I actually did find it that I decided to sell it myself.  One example of this is the metal crown tea-light holders which I spent ages and ages trying to find all summer.  Everytime I saw it available online and tried to make a purchase I was told it was out of stock.  Shops I went into said “ah, yes – we USED to sell them, but sorry, we are out of stock and can’t get any at the moment”.  When I did at last find the lovely little crowns I was so delighted that I bought 50 and started to sell them on my own website http://www.comfortandjoyshop.co.uk and they have been very popular (and yes, I have nearly sold out).

A similar case is with my lovely Comfort and Joy tea-towels – you see, I have a clean-line and fairly minimal style country home, and I don’t like anything too fussy or over-complicated when it comes to home accessories.  I’ve been looking for some time for a good tea-towel – 100% cotton, and with a white background – but maybe an attractive pale grey print.  The answer was obvious … design some myself!

The result; my two tea-towel designs featuring our very own cat and dog logo.   One is a multi-print image of our signature logo, and the other is a bespoke design which we made especially for the launch of the tea-towels, and it shows Comfort the cat and Joy the dog surrounded by the words “Love is all around us”.

 

I hope you like them as much as I do, and please let me know what you think.  info@comfortandjoyshop.co.uk

The finishing touches

It’s the finishing touches that make all the difference – whether it is to you or your home or garden!  Those little extras can be used to create the effect that you want and turn the look into the one you are seeking.

We have spent a long time selling gorgeous things for the home and garden, and more recently we decided to branch out and sell lovely scarves and jewellery too.  Our brand has evolved and our cat and dog logo have become an important detail in all of this – we have endless complements about our cat and dog!  They are now not only on our packaging but also on some of our products!

The first product with the cute little cat and dog on are the tea-towels, which retail at £7.00 each or two for £12.00.   The tea-towels are 100% cotton and are made for us in India in a carbon neutral factory.  Our design based on Comfort the cat and Joy the dog is exclusive to us – and perfect for cat and dog lovers!  We would love to know what you think so please have a look on our website and get in touch and give us some feedback!

We are launching our own label!

Hurrah!  After successfully selling a variety of garden and home products, we are now happy to announce we are going to sell our own brand Comfort and Joy tea-towels, greetings cards, mugs, aprons, oven gloves and coasters!

The first to launch will be the tea-towels featuring our logo brand duo – a cat called Comfort and dog called Joy.

Those of you who have seen us before at fairs and shopping events will already be familiar with our gorgeous cat and dog pals, who have been a fixture on our gift tags for a number of years – we are often asked about them; did we design the logo ourselves – yes!  Are they based on our own pets – yes they are!

Comfort the cat is based on our own feline – and it must be said that she shares many personality traits with our own furry baby.  Comfort is a self-contained and strong-minded girl – and she is very particular about what she eats, where she sleeps and who’s company she keeps – and if you share your home with a cat I’m sure you will recognize that these are traits of most cats.

 

Joy the dog bears a very close resemblance to a dog who belongs to a friend of ours – a devoted and loyal dog who is full of fun and enjoys long country walks and evenings curled up in front of the wood-burner.  Does that sound familiar?  Do  you have a dog like Joy?  We think that Joy embodies the very essence of a family pet – and everyone who has a dog will relate to Joy and her character traits.

 

We will keep you posted about their progress, and tell you more about their lives, and the things they love to do.

 

 

 

 

 

Get cosy for autumn

Our new scarves are here …. just in time for autumn!

In the pictures above I’m wearing the grey with gold hearts and in the other photo is the grey with gold dots.

A scarf is such an easy way to cosy up and brighten your look, they never go out of fashion and are so comforting when the weather gets cooler.

   

The pictures above show the white with grey stars.  They all look amazing, and the neutral colours mean are so versatile and go with almost anything -from jeans and a jumper at weekends, to a smart coat for work wear.

We love to use them in various ways; either wrapped around the neck twice for a short version or left hanging long and just tied once in a loop.  The gold hearts and dots add just enough shine to cheer up a dull winters day and the white with grey stars always look good – day or night!

 

Have a look on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter …. and of course our website.  www.comfortandjoyshop.co.uk

The little details

It’s often the little details in life that make the difference, and we definitely think this is the case when it comes to  accessories and jewellery.

 

Our jewellery is delicate and so easy to wear, it’s not huge statement jewellery and because of this it’s suitable for so many occasions; adding subtle sparkle and soft pretty style.

The bracelets are made with beads and pearls, and have flower and bee charms for an extra bit of shimmer!  They are elasticated and so have no fiddly clasps (which is great if like me you are always in a rush in the mornings).

 

 

We have hearts and birds, starfish and daisies, pearls and silver.  Each piece looks great on it’s own and we also love the look of multiple layers of necklaces at various lengths.  Either ways they look amazing!

 

 

Harvest Treats!

We love this time of year – with the slow closing down of the summer and the anticipation of the autumn, it’s definitely time to cosy up indoor and light some candles!  If you share our passion for attractive candlelight, then take a look at our new candle holders which are on the website.

 

Above is the round glass and willow candle holder, perfect for bringing a warm and golden glow to autumn evenings indoors, we also use it as a vase for displaying autumn fruits such as rosehips or blackberries.

We have crown-shaped candle holders which look so pretty and have proved to be really popular.  The one shown here is just one example – so be sure to have a look at our website to see others we have available.

Another ever popular product is our birch tea-light holder which can also be used as a small tabletop vase, as shown above, or with a tea-light as in the picture below.

Whichever one you choose for illuminating the increasingly shorter days, we know it will help brighten the autumn evenings in your home.

The Last Days of Summer

We are enjoying the last days of summer, and making the most of the warm weather – there is something I always love about this time of year, I don’t know what it is but I’ve always found it to be an exciting time.  I love the mild weather which is perfect for country walks, and I find this season quite inspirational and full of promise.

Whenever I walk around the fields and lanes of my home county – Hampshire – I am always reminded of the beauty of the countryside and villages and how lucky I am to live here.  Maybe it’s the familiarity of the places I walk or maybe it is childhood memories, but I feel so contented on my walks.  These photographs were taken in the gorgeous Test Valley near my home.  The fields and footpaths are on the edge of the beautiful village of Longparish.

As I have often mentioned on my previous blog posts, and on Instagram, I always take a notebook with me to jot down any ideas that spring into mind on my walks, and this weekend has been no exception.  I can recommend it, as I’m now full of enthusiasm and bursting full of ideas for the coming months in the lead up to Christmas!  I hope you have a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend and enjoy the countryside whatever county you live in.

Coastal Living

What could be better than being by the sea?

This month we have been to Marbella, Spain … in search of sun, delicious food, fun and laughter – and some gorgeous new products.  As you can see in these photographs I had some lovely walks along the sandy beaches, which was heavenly and very relaxing.  It gave me plenty of time to clear my head and chill-out before I launch myself into the hectic months ahead in the lead up to Christmas.

         

The wonderful weather gave us plenty of time for alfresco dining, and the gentle faded colours of the beautiful Spanish coast have inspired our new collection of scarves and accessories.  Take a look at our Instagram page to have a peek into our home and our lifestyle, or pop over to our website.  www.comfortandjoyshop.co.uk to see our new jewellery collection and some of our gorgeous baskets.

    

Strawberries and Cream

What could be nicer at this time of year than a bowl of strawberries and cream?

 

To celebrate the lovely month of June and the warm weather we are launching our new Strawberries and Cream basket, a practical and stylish natural palm leaf basket with leather handles and a pretty cotton lining in a strawberry design.

 

Take your basket to the market, when you go out shopping, on a picnic and of course to Wimbledon … where you can enjoy the tennis, eat strawberries and look stylish for summer!

 

 

 

 

 

Have a Spa Day … at home!

Pamper yourself at home and enjoy a luxury spa day in your own bathroom.

 

All you need a some fluffy towels, a bubble bath, some scented candles and gorgeous beauty products!

 

 

 

Towels from John Lewis, baskets and willow hearts from Comfort and Joy, Candles from The White Company and bath foam and bath oils from Bayliss and Harding and Aveda.

Picnic Time!

Summer is just around the corner and it is nearly picnic time again.  We love going out for a walk and finding a quiet spot for our picnics.  There is nothing as relaxing as lazing on the grass and eating delicious sandwiches and fruit – washed down with a glass of vino!  Deciding what to take is part of the pleasure, and picking the perfect basket to carry everything is part of the fun too. Our new basket collection perfectly fits the bill.  Whether you are just taking a drink and a book, or a full blow feast – we have the basket to suit you.

Get Inspired!

Get ready for outdoor living with Comfort and Joy.

Double Herb Pots, Watering Can Planter and Planter Bucket – all available from http://www.comfortandjoyshop.co.uk

Great planting ideas using the softest, most delicate pinks and creams, perfect for summer seating areas and alfresco dining.  Chic accessories for your garden.

The only basket you will need this summer!

The perfect basket for summer … from http://www.comfortandjoyshop.co.uk

 

At just £21 including postage and packaging.  Easy payment via PayPal.

There are few things more enjoyable that cooking delicious fresh food, and eating healthy, nutritious meals.  Here are a few great ideas for storage in the kitchen – displaying the wonderful ingredients before you turn them into mouth-watering delights!

 

Eggs, dried pasta, herbs and raw vegetables look amazing when on display, and if you have friends coming over for supper it adds to the ambiance of the dinner table … fruit and vegetables can look as attractive as a vase of fresh flowers or candles.  Be creative when you set out your table.

You can even match your fruit to the colour of your napkins or table runner, take time to make the effort and your dinner guests will appreciate it.  Restaurants do it all the time – and it enhances the experience of dining.

 

Good lighting, great food, fabulous displays of raw ingredients and great friends … Bon appetite!

To find out more about where to buy visit http://www.comfortandjoyshop.co.uk

Looking forward to summer…

We are getting excited about the warm summer days which are on their way, and we are planning a lot of National Garden Scheme garden visits this year to inspire us!

An English cottage garden in summertime is a wonderful place to enjoy a cool drink and sit amongst the flowers relaxing, and although it still feels cold and dark some days and summer seems a long way off, we are already busy making plans for planting.  Here are some photographs of our cutting garden last year which we hope will inspire you!

Hello Sunshine

What better way to start your day … than a “sunshine Breakfast”!

Add some bright flowers…

 

Set the scene…

Eat some sunshine-bright food – fresh orange juice and fruit

 

We love the sunshine!

 

Romance is in the air!

Are you ready for Valentines Day?

Celebrate in style with our heart shaped gifts.

Love Valentines?  Love Comfort and Joy.

Christmas decorating ideas

Set the tone for Christmas celebrations by decorating your porch with festive flourishes.  A natural wreath on the front door ensures an inviting welcome for your guests, while also highlighting architectural detailing for a spectacular focal point.  We have used a twig wreath, willow bell and willow star to create a traditional looking door decoration.  The willow stars also look really pretty when used as a Christmas tree decorations (see below).  All items are available from Comfort and Joy.

At Comfort and Joy we love decorating in a traditional English cottage style and the hallway is the first glimpse into the interior of your home, so conjuring up that welcoming ambience also means decorating hall with accessories, cards and other attractive items.  Shown here is our beautiful Christmas card holder, a delicate metal heart with a French grey finish.  It actually looks good all year round…. not just at Christmas!  Use it for storing notes and reminders in the kitchen, or as a pretty alternative to frames for photographs.

Here are some more great natural decorating ideas which are popular for either home or garden.  The willow decorations have a cute red gingham hanging ribbon so they are easy to hang on a wall, beam or on the Christmas tree, they instantly inject life and cheery colour on the darkest of winter days  – we find that opting for traditional accessories and decorations adds a charm, character and softness to the home at Christmas.

Three things we love about Christmas!

 

All the delicious food!

Decorating the tree.

Lighting the candles.

How to select great colour schemes for Christmas!

We just love Farrow and Ball paint – and as well as the bright cherry reds for cheery Christmas front doors, we also adore the neutral creams, such as Pointing, Matchstick and House White, which act as such a fabulous background for Christmas decorations.

They act as a perfect backdrop for glittering decorations or flickering candles.

Fireside moments leave us feeling all warm and happy, and we love country style decorations, with a modern colour palette.  What we really love about this scheme, though, are the hints of nature – the scattered pinecones and dried hydrangeas.  Simple decorations such as twig wreaths, rosehips, bowls of nuts and cosy candles on the chimney breast.

We are big fans of Scandinavian design which is renowned for it’s simplicity, utility, and beauty.  It is a timeless pure style that is centred around warm functionality, clean lines, flawless craftsmanship and understated elegance. The use of light is considered to be extremely important, so don’t forget those candles!

It’s time to relax…

The summer has finally finished, the hectic days of long, sunny, warm weather are over and it’s time to slow down, relax and enjoy the quiet cooler months of autumn.  It’s time to get out your scarves and jumpers, and think about some seasonal jewellery to add a touch of winter shimmer!

Our real leaf jewellery is a perfect look for autumn when the leaves are swirling around in the breeze, and we are all having to add a few more layers of clothing.  Simple and elegant jewellery looks great on winter skin; a sophisticated addition to layering clothes and accessories.

 

The jewellery is made by dipping real leaves into silver, the leaf remains inside and the shape is exactly as the leaf was when it was on the tree.  Each one is natural and unique; they are all slightly different in shape and texture.  Oak leaves, Maples leaves and birch leaves as well as tiny exquisite fir cones are all available.  This autumn add these gorgeous little leaves and cones to your look …. and some Comfort and Joy to your life!

 

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Add some Comfort and Joy to your life!

Comfort and Joy was established in 2004.

We offer beautifully coordinated collections of garden and home accessories to inspire and delight you, all are carefully selected to enhance your home and garden for all occasions.  Our  baskets are a popular best seller but we also sell herb pots, plant supports, garden trugs and real leaf silver and gold jewellery.

As well as our core products we also sell seasonal goodies – a selection of cute bird feeders, Christmas decorations, twig wreaths and willow bells, hearts and stars.

 

With friendly and informative staff we offer a relaxing shopping experience with excellent customer service.

 

Shopping with Comfort and Joy is easy – just email info@comfortandjoy.co.uk and let us know what you would like to purchase.  We sell through our website and eBay, and you can see all of our products listed on Pinterest.  Payments are made through trusted and tested PayPal.

 

If you would like to add some Comfort and Joy to your life then get in touch – we would love to hear from you!

Keeping the autumn chills at bay

Everything you need for a chilly autumn evening..

the perfect hot chocolate .. wrapped up warm in grey cashmere .. after an afternoon spent gardening ..

bubble bath in a contemporary spa bathroom .. filled with sumptuous towels and robes  .. the heavenly environment within our own homes ..

Apple Picking

Comfort and Joy

The apple picking continues! So many apples this year…. amazing! Now we just have to think of apple recipes – any suggestions?

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Blackberry Season!

Comfort and Joy

We have been picking blackberries – picked nearly three pounds without much effort at all – the hedgerows are just fully of the juicy, fat little berries!

Then we just had to think up some delicious recipes…

The apples we picked the other day have been transformed into delicious cakes and crumbles, and we still had loads of them left!

So I used the last of them up this afternoon for an upside-down apple cake.. mmmmm – yummy!

200g butter
200g caster sugar
sprinkle of lemon juice
4 eggs, separated
2 teaspoons baking powder
250g plain flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apples (peeled & quartered)

1. Melt 100g of butter with 100g of sugar in a large ovenproof frying pan.
2. Add lemon juice so sugar doesn’t crystallize but caramelize.
3. In a bowl, beat the remaining ingredients, except for the egg whites.
4. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites then fold into…

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Garden inspiration – white garden

My love of white flower gardens has recently been re-kindled.   I’ve always been drawn towards all-white planting schemes, but it takes a strong resolve not to add a bit of colour here and there.  Having just moved house has given me the opportunity to start afresh with the strict all white plan!

Stylish and dreamy, it combines traditional and contemporary –  making a perfect peaceful hideaway to enjoy.  My favourites for container planting are: White tulips, daffodils, lavender and snowdrops… and I’ve just planted some pansies too.

 

Black and gold

We are looking forward to Cowes Week, it’s such fun!  I used to live on the Isle of Wight and I still go back for frequent visits to see friends.

 

If you love the sea you will know all about the sailing at Cowes Week but even if you are not into sailing it’s still a great destination for socialising and enjoying the August sunshine.  This year I’m going to go for a black and gold look rather than the more predictable nautical style!  My wonderful black and gold sandals from Mode in Pele are super-comfortable and look great with white linen trousers or shorts.

Gold looks fab when you have a suntan, and black adds a lovely contrast.  This is my favourite Michael Kors watch – I think it’s just perfect for summer.  Finish the look with these stylist Chanel sunglasses and we are all set to go to the sunny Isle of Wight!  See you there!

 

All about us

Who we are:

Comfort and Joy started out in the South of England as a small independant company selling practial and stylish items for the home and garden.  We have grown quite a bit since then, and we are always adding to our product list and finding great gifts for seasonal interest – so keep in touch and find out what we are up to!

 

What we sell:

 

Our best selling French style market baskets have been so popular, and we now sell two sizes: medium £15 and Large £17.  We also sell decorative items and gifts – things that we think look beautiful.  Look at our website too! http://www.comfortandjoyshop.co.uk. We sell pretty silver leaf jewellery, made using real leaves, garden trugs, storage baskets, tea lights and gardening accessories, herb pots,planters, hanging baskets and willow wigwams.

 

Get in touch:

info@comfortandjoyshop.co.uk

Follow us on Pinterest too!

Comfort and Joy shop. Gorgeous gardening gifts.

 

 

 

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It’s one of our favourite times of year, with seemingly endless days of warmth and daylight.  The fields are bursting with life – just look at this lavender!

It’s sheer joy taking a walk through the footpaths and along the country lanes where we live.

 

 A walk in the countryside and a summertime picnic is a heavenly way to spend an afternoon.

We love England in the summer!

Comfort and Joy baskets available for sale at £15.00.  Contact us for more information – info@comfortandjoyshop.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I’ve been making the most of the warm weather and taken some time off of my gardening, so that I actually sit in it and relax!  I’ve enjoyed some reading and some delicious open sandwiches (and a few glasses of white wine)!

Recipe for a quick and easy open sandwich:

2 slices of thick cut crusty bread

Basil pesto

1 tomato

slices of cucumber

Mozzarella

Pine nuts

Balsamic vinegar

 

Spread a slice of chunky bread with the basil pesto and then cover it with slices of cucumber and tomato (add mozzarella, a sprinkle of pine nuts and a dash of balsamic vinegar for extra flavour).

 

A great idea to add a bit of gorgeousness to you drink is to make flower petal ice-cubes.  Simply add rose petals, lavender, mint, violets or any other edible herb or flower to the water in your ice-cube maker.  Pretty and useful. My favourite white wine at the moment is Cardetto Orvieto  – a really light and flowery tasting Italian wine …mmm!

I love everything about The White Company, and their clothes are dreamy and beautiful,  one of my favourites this summer is their white line tunic with a silver embroidered trim … ideal when lazing in the garden, or actually DOING the gardening!  Keeps me feeling cool and comfortable.

 

Finally …. you can’t beat a good magazine to inspire you as you sit in your garden on a warm summers day.  Perfect!  I must confess I spend a huge amount on magazines – my favourites are too many to mention – but this week I’ve been reading Gardens Illustrated, Elle Decoration and Country Life.  I read Marie Claire and Vogue while I was at the hairdressers, so don’t need to buy them – thanks Toni & Guy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summertime

Summertime in the countryside in England is a very special time.  Fields of wheat and endless days of sunshine…. what could be better!

Best of all … my garden is FULL of beautiful flowers, which seem to bloom and blossom more and more everyday.  I’ve been picking roses for weeks and have vases of fresh flowers all around the house.  In amongst the soft drifts of natural planting I also grow clipped box balls and standard bay trees.  The overall effect is relaxed and peaceful, and I can look forward to enjoying sitting in the garden all summer.

Fields of Gold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can’t have failed to have noticed all the fields of rapeseed growing in the English countryside at this time of year.  Love it or loath it…. it’s all over the place in Spring!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are a hayfever sufferer you almost certainly dread it’s arrival in our fields every year, and it’s also got bad press for it’s possible links to causing asthma and even heart disease.  All in all it’s not the most popular of plants, and it’s ever increasing spread of acid yellow in early summer as more and more farmers plant out this cash crop, mean lots of sneezing and wheezing for some (me included).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The oil with its high levels of good fatty acids, and low percent of saturated fat than olive oil  make it a popular crop not just in the UK but also in Europe, Asia and America – and so it looks like it is here to stay.  Enjoy the fields of gold!

Less Less Less!

In a world where we are constantly being encouraged to buy more, I am interested in less.  It’s not that I want to live in a Spartan environment with no home comforts, quite the opposite in fact.  I love my little luxuries – but I want to rid myself of the clutter and unnecessary rubbish which seems to follow me around!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So this year I have started a major overhaul of my possessions, which began with getting rid of clothes and shoes that I no longer needed.  It’s amazing how much you accumulate (there are no small children in my house and so can’t blame the clutter on them), and I’ve only just started – so there is still a lot to go through.  I’m finding it very enjoyable, and it’s not all about throwing things away as I’ve found quite a few things that I’ve forgotten about but would still like to use.  I’m already impressed with the results.  I feel a lot calmer and it’s easier and quicker to get dressed in the morning now that I don’t have to burrow through all the junk to get to the things I want.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“where do you keep all your stuff‘”  my visiting friends want to know.   Ah – the ‘stuff’.  Of course I still have lots of it – I can’t forego my little pleasures.  The kitchen cupboards are full of tasty ingredients and my dressing table houses some serious luxury potions (Chanel, Christian Dior, Bobbi Brown and Lancome to name just a few)!  But I’ve pared down the surface bric-a-brac and been quite ruthless about what I really need.  Good storage has been my goal in all this, and I’m always looking for attractive and practical ways to store the essentials which I still need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m trying to be strict – but of course some things will always be allowed:   books, orchids, baskets …… oh and the cat!

Why are market baskets so beautiful?

I’ve always been a fan of baskets and bags.

Ever since I can remember I’ve  loved them – even as a child – I matched my bag to what I was wearing, and always had a new bag or basket to take on my summer holiday every year!  My first basket was bright pink and had embroidered flowers all over it, I was about four years old and I took it EVERYWHERE with me!

Maybe these early childhood memories go some way to explain what first prompted me to start selling baskets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The simplicity and timeless elegance of the humble French market basket make it one of my all time favourites.  They are perfect for using on the beach, on holiday, at a market or for supermarket shopping, and I never cease to find new uses for them.  Everywhere I go people comment on how lovely they are, and ask me where I buy them.  In France they are widely used and French women of all ages (who always seem to look effortlessly chic) carry them on shopping trips to the local markets to transport their purchases of fresh bread, fruit and vegetables.

 

I also use them for storage in the house, garage and garden, and take them to the allotment to collect produce – and off course to collect weeds and carry tools.  When they ages they just get better and better, and they are so long-lasting and sturdy with strong leather handles which are riveted onto the main body of the palm leaf basket.

If you would like one of these lovely baskets contact me at info@comfortandjoyshop.co.uk

Lunar Planting

I recently came across a very interesting story – Old Wives Tales tell you to sow seed and to transplant only with a waxing, never a waning moon.  The scientists have now caught up with this, discovering the effects of lunar rhythms on the earth’s magnetic field which in turn affect growth.

They have established that all water everywhere, including that inside the tiniest living organism, moves in tides like the sea.  The moon also affects the earth’s atmosphere so that statistically it is more likely to rain heavily (just as you would like immediately after planting) immediately after a full or new moon.  They say that a potato grown at constant levels of heat and light under laboratory conditions will still show a growth rhythm that reflects the lunar pattern.

 

The Old Wife, without laboratory conditions or statistical tables, learned from experience how best to get her plants off to a good start!

Colours of Spring

It’s been a while since I got time to write on this blog – we have been busy moving house, and have been rushing around like crazy –  but now it is the end of winter we are really excited about what is to come, and are determined to relax and enjoy the coming months!  Just a few more weeks and it really will be warm and sunny,  but until then we are making the most of the early Spring weather and enjoying brisk walks in the countryside around the pretty village we have recently moved to, and cosy evenings by the fireside in the pub and at home.

The pub has been a perfect way to meet people and get some “insider information” about the local activities.  It’s a picture perfect country pub with lots of character and the friendly staff and a cheery landlord have made us feel really welcome – and best of all it’s a five minute walk away from our house!

We are enjoying living here and finding out about our new village, the gardens here are so pretty and it’s been really inspiring seeing the colours appear as the flowers begin to bloom.  I have never lived anywhere with so many bees!  It’s amazing to have them buzzing around the garden so early in the year, and the thing they have really been attracted to is Pulmonaria (Lungwort).

I think the one we have in the garden is Blue Ensign –  a strong-growing deciduous perennial with broad, dark green leaves and compact clusters of large, violet-blue flowers.  We have loads of it all over the place so I think it must be fairly free seeding – I’m going to do everything to encourage it because the bees are having such fun!

So many bulbs must have been planted in the past because new plants are springing up everywhere – great clumps of  narcissus and grape hyacinth keep appearing – and we also have some interesting shrub roses which have woken up after their winter nap.  I have no idea which ones they are – but watch this space, because as soon as I find out I will photograph them and give an update.

When we go on our walks the views from the hills which surround the village are really spectacular – and I can’t think of many places more  beautiful that the far reaching views across the fields to Salisbury Cathedral.  It’s such an unspoilt area, and so peaceful and quiet, we are so glad we have discovered this little piece of heaven on earth.

 

Bright New Start!

It’s a bit dreary at this time of year weather wise, but a bright new start in other ways!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As per usual at this time of year my list making has gone into overdrive, and I’m already thinking up party themes – tea parties for friends and family to cheer them up in the cold damp days of January and February.  Armed with my trusty Filofax organizer (yes, some of us still use them) I’m off to get a bit of inspiration on a tour of our local tearooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favourites is Stokes of Stockbridge – where they sell delicious club sandwiches and soups, and the most amazing sticky toffee pudding –  it’s reasonably priced and a lovely atmosphere; a great place to meet up for a girlies’ lunchtime gossip!  The service is superb and the staff are really cheery and lovely!  It used to be the garage in Stockbridge and so has lots of character and unique artifacts relating to the garage – such as old oil cans – which adds to the atmosphere of quirky charm!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another favourite is the recently opened Leckford Estate Farm Shop cafe where a cozy wood-burning stove creates a warm and comforting setting for a cup of coffee and some tasty cake!

 

 

 

 

 

Longstock Park Nursery is part of the Leckford Estate which is owned and managed by Waitrose. The nursery is set in and around a brick and flint walled garden, and is home to National Collections of Buddleja  (although at this time of year it’s better to stay inside the cafe and keep warm) but do come back again in the summer because it’s just the most perfect garden to look around, full of butterfly and bee covered lavender.   I bought several different Buddleja there last year and they are fabulous – such unusual colours and shapes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are in Winchester (and I frequently am) then you are spoilt for choice with all the tea-rooms and cafes, but Toms Deli in St Georges Street  is one of the best – a great little Italian coffee shop in the heart of the city, selling fresh juice, coffee, panini, panetoni and other snacks – yummy!  You feel just like you are actually in Italy in this small family run business which sells and cooks tasty treats.

 

 

 

 

Well – I must go and get back to my lists …

• What plants to grow and seeds to buy
• Clothes to sort through and replace
• Books to read
• National Trust days out in Hampshire,Wiltshire and Dorset
• Beaches to explore on the South Coast
• National Gardens Open visits

Let me know what’s on your list this year – and please send tips about any of the above named topics!

Happy New Year!

There are lots of decisions to make in the run-up to a New Years Eve party, from the venue and food to the guest list – it can get stressful at times, but it’s important to remember to enjoy it!  After such exhausting celebrations January comes as quite a relief – some quiet time to enjoy the peace of the short winter days and cosy evenings   Once all the festivities are finished it’s time to enjoy all the great things about a New Year.  Ahhh lovely – January 1st and a whole new year ahead, a time to start over and make plans for the next twelve months. It really is one of the best times of the year … a whole new blank canvas.  We love to freshen up our home with some flowers, herbs and narcissus  bulbs at this time of the year: they are such a cheery sight in the home when there is so little to enjoy in the garden during the short days of winter.  Our cream enameled double herb pots at just £4.95 are so attractive when filled with herbs and bulbs.

There are lots of fun elements when making your house look good when it comes to January.  We adore the willow hearts and bells which look equally good inside or out all year round – we use them at Christmas and then end up leaving them for the rest of the year because they look so pretty.  They are one of our best selling products.  At just £1.95 each they are an affordable treat for the home.

We have lots of ideas for pretty finishing touches, so that whatever happens, you won’t fret over the little things. All you need is a few well-chosen accents to make your home look beautiful.  Please don’t think that a willow or herb wreath is just for Christmas – we think they look just perfect all year round – and we keep our on the garden shed door right through the summer.

Choose from our many lovely products and match to your chosen colour theme. Many of our products come in chic french grey and cream colours which suit pretty much any house style, whether you live in a country cottage, or a town house.  We try to select beautiful products which enhance the room without dominating it.  Timeless and elegant accessories which fit in with any home.

Another popular product is our decorative watering can – which can be filled with fresh flowers or look great planted up with grape  hyacinth or snowdrops, if you are having a special evening at home and you want to celebrate with friends, then they make a great centre piece for the table.

We hope you have a great 2014, and look forward to telling you more about our lovely gifts and treats, but in the meanwhile please be sure to fill you home full of Comfort and Joy ….. and you can’t go wrong!

Festive entrances

I’m going to share with you some of my Christmas ideas to make the entrance to your home look amazing.  This is our best selling white twig wreath – we sell loads of them all year round, as they look great dressed up for Christmas or left natural for a pretty addition to the home or garden whatever the season.

Every year I go for a sophisticated and chic look for an understated contemporary yet country Christmas.  Tinsel and glitz have their place in the world – but not in my home!  It’s great when you have young children around to indulge in some over-the-top decorations, and to help them decorate the tree etc., but here are some ideas for a more grown-up look.

A great way to make your home look stunning over the festive season is to use natural materials – all the usual holly, yew,mistletoe, ivy and berries are brilliant, and they never go out of fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Herbs and berries gathered from the garden are an inexpensive way to add festive cheer to greet family and friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You don’t need to add much more to get a really pretty wreath- just twist and tie the leaves around a wire frame and hey presto!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hearts are as popular as ever this year – about half of the doors in our village are adorned with sweet little heart wreaths.  Plain or dressed with a cheery red bow they look beautiful.

Here is a  Christmas entrance which I think look fab!  Love the red ribbons against the grey of the door – so gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These wonderful decorations from  look just amazing.

Christmas decorating is fun whether you choose festive foliage, lights, baubles or bows.  Make your front door look festive this season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December shopping

Take your basket to the market….. or the shops, or work, or school …. in fact take your basket wherever you go!

An eco-friendly alternative to carrier bags when you go to the supermarket, o great as a general purpose basket when you go shopping, to the beach, on a picnic or to work …… practical, strong and best of all they are attractive too!

Chic and stylish – used by French women for centuries to collect their supplies from the markets.

Our baskets are for life – not just for Christmas!

Winter treats

What a busy time of year this is!  There are days when my feet barely touch the ground, but when it comes to making the most of my free time in the winter, I have plenty of experience packing it all in…

…whether it’s a walk in the countryside, a shopping trip to buy gifts or a meal out with friends.

If you’re a fan of plants like me, there’s always a good garden (public or private) to explore. The local garden centre is a great place to meet with friends for a coffee and have a good look at what is on offer.

I adore our local sculpture park. and the gardens at Houghton Lodge. They offer a great place to walk and to discover all sorts of unexpected and interesting things!

Farmers’ markets are a great place to sample local flavour and ingredients. You never know what you will find – from local spices and honey to cakes and unusual vegetables.  It’s the best way to get inspiration to prepare or bake something new.

Many of my favourite finds have come from wandering in cities I know well, there’s always a new bookshop or café to uncover.

Autumn jewels

We have been collecting conkers when we go out walking!

They look great for a table top decoration, and a bowl full of them on the hallways table is a cheery sight when you come into the house.  Our house is decorated in neutral shades of taupe, grey, cream and white, and we add seasonal touches of colour by using the things we find when we walk in the surrounding countryside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fir cones are another favourite – we have a large collection which we just keep on adding to! They are stored in a huge glass vase in our living room for most of the year, but in the autumn and winter they get used for all sorts of decoration around the house – for place settings on the table, decorations for the tree at Christmas, and bowls of them mixed with fragrant orange slices and cinnamon sticks.  At this time of year it seems wherever we go there are lots of them to gather up and bring home, and we use them outdoors to place around the base of pots in the garden as attractive and practical mulch for protecting our bay tree roots.

Fruits and vegetables ripen on the window sill and in bowls and baskets in the kitchen. Tomatoes, pears, apples and plums are good to eat and to look at too!

You can use dried leaves in so many ways – as gift tags at Christmas, as name place settings, for hanging at the window for Halloween parties and to line a bowl or basket filled with nuts.

Vases of rosehips and dried leaves add a comforting feel to the room when we are sitting next to the fire.

Cosy up and enjoy the season!

Sowing the Seeds of Love

Comfort and Joy

I have been collecting lots of seeds from the garden  recently… there are so many at this time of year!

It’s always a challenge to work out the exact time to gather them, and in previous years I’ve put it off thinking that it would be best to leave them just that little bit longer – only to be caught out by the unpredictable English weather and end up with soggy, damp seed heads which go mouldly and stubbornly refuse to dry out even when I bring them into the house and treat the little darlings to a nice warm sunbathing session on the window sills.

This year however, I have been lucky – and the sunshine has baked the seed heads to perfection.  I’ve gathered several different types, including  sweet peas, nigella and alium – as well as my all time favourite – aquilegia.

The seed pods

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Villages and favourite places in the Test Valley

The Test Valley in the heart of Hampshire is an area I have lived in for most of my life, and its many pretty villages with picture-book perfect thatched cottages and fabulous countryside are very familiar to me.

The Test Way is a 44 mile long walking route which takes you from its dramatic start, high on the chalk downs at Inkpen, following much of the course of the River Test to Eling where its tidal waters flow into Southampton Water. The route passes through some of the most picturesque villages in Hampshire, strewn with listed buildings, historic churches and houses. It is well sign posted, and horse-riders and cyclists can also use some parts.

Each village has it’s own character with village shops and churches and of course each has a cosy village pub or two!  Some of my favourites are The Abotts Mitre at Chilbolton,  The White Lion in Wherwell,   The Plough in Longparish and The Bourne Valley Inn at St Mary Bourne – but there are many others as well, too numerous to mention here.

One  place with a very special place in my heart  is Stockbridge –  the chalk streams of the River Test flow through this delightful Hampshire town, renowned the world over for it’s fantastic fly-fishing.  it’s wide street has an abundance of art galleries, gift shops, restaurants and of course  fantastic tea rooms.  The houses are mainly brick and flint, each one unique and full of character.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two ancient roads meet and cross at Stockbridge, one running east to west between Winchester and Salisbury, and the other running north and south along the valley of the Test.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I often meet friends here for afternoon tea and a gossip!  Try Lillies Tearoom, Thyme and Tides or Stokes for yummy treats.  I’ve had delicious meals in the pubs – The Three Cups and the Greyhound are particular favourites. My house if full of things I’ve bought in the shops there – a particularly good shop for flowers and garden related products in Garden Inn, and Broughton Crafts always had interesting gifts and cards for birthdays and special occasions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another place worth a visit is Houghton Lodge – a picturesque 18th century Grade II  house, surrounded by extensive grounds of formal topiary, informal planting, orchards, a lake and of course the beautiful River Test running through the garden.  Houghton is a pretty village and there are lots of footpaths and walks along the Test.

If you love gardening as much as I do then you will love the National Garden Scheme gardens open for charity in the Test Valley.  This year I have been to visit gardens in Stockbridge, Longstock, Crawley and Barton Stacey.  They all have such variety of planting and fascinating histories, and I always come back from a garden visit full of ideas!  I never tire of living here – it’s beautiful.

Take your basket to the market!

Join our campaign to take your basket to the market … or on holiday, or to work, or in the garden … in fact take your basket with you everywhere!

Take them with you to the supermarket – whether you shop at Tesco, Waitrose  or Sainsburys.  What could be more chic and useful than baskets for grocery shopping?

They add such a lovely touch to running your errands, and they are also very long-lasting, so you will be able to use them again and again.

Palm leaf market baskets with leather handles have been used by French women for many generations as grocery bags, especially when going to the farmer’s market.  In these eco-conscious days when we are all being asked to re-use our bags at the supermarket they make an attractive alternative to plastic bags.  Do your bit to help save the planet.  At just £15 and £17 our baskets are an affordable answer to the problem of reusable bags.

Our market baskets are a very chic way to carry your towels, sunglasses, sunscreen, picnic food and swimming accessories to the beach or pool.  They are incredibly tough and robust – in fact we find it quite amazing just how much you can pack into them.  You don’t have to take ugly bags and plastic carriers when you have a super-duper market basket, and because they are made of natural materials they are perfectly suited to the sea and sand.

Harvest time is another opportunity to gt the most from  your market baskets – we use them for collecting vegetables from the allotment and they are also very useful for carrying a huge amount of apples!  if they get a bit muddy don’t despair – a damp cloth rubbed over the surface of the basket will keep it looking great, and the older the get the better they look!  A battered old market basket will still be giving you great service in the garden as an easy way to carry small garden tools, and indispensable when taking those pesky weeds to the compost bin.

Market baskets in winter offer a very practical way of storing kindling wood or carrying small logs into the house.  They look great next to the fireplace.  They also look cute and very decorative during Christmas time to hold wrapped presents.

Take your basket with you wherever you go!  To the pub.  To the shops.  On holiday.  On your boat.  To school.  To work.  On a cruise.  On a train.  In the car.  In the rain.  To the moon.

Sowing the Seeds of Love

I have been collecting lots of seeds from the garden  recently… there are so many at this time of year!

It’s always a challenge to work out the exact time to gather them, and in previous years I’ve put it off thinking that it would be best to leave them just that little bit longer – only to be caught out by the unpredictable English weather and end up with soggy, damp seed heads which go mouldly and stubbornly refuse to dry out even when I bring them into the house and treat the little darlings to a nice warm sunbathing session on the window sills.

This year however, I have been lucky – and the sunshine has baked the seed heads to perfection.  I’ve gathered several different types, including  sweet peas, nigella and alium – as well as my all time favourite – aquilegia.

The seed pods look great too and so I always leave some for visual interest in the winter garden (and for the birds), but most of them I harvest for a bountiful new crop of flowers next year!

After all – why buy seeds when they are in such plentiful supply for free! Packets of seeds are outrageously priced, and even if you have only a small bed to fill the cost can soon mount up.   A few minutes of shaking ripe seeds into an envelope in the autumn can produce a summer garden next year that is filled with mallows, petunias, marigolds, and other favour­ites.  ­

Even prolific self seeders such as alysumm and fleabane are worth the effort of collecting seed and redistributing it around the garden to where you want it to grow! Apart from seeds from the garden I also collect them from the edges of the meadow (but never from rare wild flowers).  Many native plants in the UK can be successfully used in border planting in the garden, and I have used annuals such as corncockles and field poppies in this way for many years.

As any gardener will tell you – the easiest way to collect seed is to hold a paper bag under the seed head and snip it off with a pair of scissors.  Leave the seeds to dry out completely when you get them home – and then you can either save them in envelopes or sow them direct into the soil.

I always carry a pair of scissors and some envelopes in the car with me in-case I happen to drive past any interesting looking meadows (is that a bit sad)?!  Maybe it is but I am lucky enough to live in a very pretty area of North Hampshire and there are so many beautiful villages and country lanes – and wild flowers in abundance – I like to be prepared!

It goes without saying that I also collect vegetable seeds – tomatoes, beans, peas and courgettes to name just a few!

Some seed heads look so pretty they look good arranged in vases in the house during the autumn and winter months – honesty and poppies look great – and you can still sow the seeds afterwards!

Of course I also get given seeds from my gardening friends, who are more than happy to share and swap with me.  All in all I think I’m going to have enough to fill my garden with flowers, herbs and vegetables next year.

Caring for antique pine furniture

I have many items of pine furniture in my home.  Some I have inherited, some I have bought myself at auctions and some I have received as gifts.  Pine has a timeless appeal, and even though fashions come and go I still love some of the pieces I have had for many years, and would never part with them.

One thing I really enjoy about this type of wood it is that the older and more used it gets seems to improve the look.  You don’t have to treat it with too much reverence!  It’s great for a family home where it will get lots of wear and tear – the scars and scratches of age only seem to improve it!  Pine furniture is made of a soft natural wood which continues to breath, and when there are changes in the temperature and the environment where it is placed it affects the wood.

There will always be some irregularities, mostly natural, such as slight defects and small cracks on the wood surface and knots that enhance the general uniqueness of each item.

Pine is very forgiving and it isn’t high maintenance, however, it does respond well to a bit of basic care.  If you can, avoid placing it in direct sunlight, it changes the colour to a darker golden hue, and dries the wood out.

Never place a chilled or hot item directly on the surface (I know this can sometimes be difficult – and it’s not the end of the world if you do get a ring stain on a pine surface), but it is only wise to us a place mat because there would be obvious markings on the surface.

When cleaning pine furniture, never use soap, water or any detergents. For general cleaning purposes, I just use an almost dry duster or piece of cloth.

I never use any polish that contains silicon or aerosol sprays polish, as they just build up an artificial layer on the wood which eventually looks terrible. To help in maintaining the pine characteristic finish on the furniture, natural lemon oil is good or beeswax.  Re-treating can simply be done using unperfumed (blocked wax).  Ring marks and other stains on the surface can be removed with a light sand down before waxing the surface, then just rub the wax over the entire furniture, leave for a while to soak in and then lightly buff with a dry cloth.

Repairing pine furniture requires very simple steps.  For instance, if you want to fix indentations on the surface, simply boil water in a kettle and pour a small amount of the water on the dent, removing excess water with a piece of soft cloth. The area will to plump up back to normal. However, it may require a second treatment.  I don’t worry too much about the general knocks and bashes my furniture receives, and I never try to make it look too “perfect” and pristine.  The minor imperfections and the patina of age is after-all why I love it so much!