I think that 2020 has been something else than that we all had anticipated,

Covid-19 has had a huge impact in all of our lives.

In terms of work and definitely also on a personal level, and onfurtunately it's still not over yet.

At the time of writing this blog post we're heading to another lockdown for at

least two weeks, a situation I think you can all relate to.

                    

    

 This year started really positive with our shop featured in

 the 'Brocante Living' (see previous post)  

I couldn't have imagined how much impact that would have and still does.

So many people have find their way to our shop and I'm so grateful for all your 

support, despite the fact it's such an unsettling time for all of us 🙏  

 

That's one of the reasons I haven't been around here much.

I've been very busy with the shop and sadly no trips to my beloved England and France to share here.

But also on a personal level time was precious, especially in the second

 half of this year because what we were all afraid of happened ... 

My dear mother-in-law tested positive for Covid and sadly didn't win this very unfair battle 😢 

She will be sorely missed but she will live on in our hearts where we keep such happy memories. 

During all these eventful times we managed to have a short family 

break in our own country and again we were so very lucky with the weather.

And on another positive note, again I've got some excited 

news according the shop!

I'm so very happy to share that we've become

 a stockist of another gorgeous english brand, namely 'the Stitchery'

From now on you can find several Kits designed by the lovely 

Nicki Franklin on our Website

  

I'm so very honoured to bring these wonderful Embroidery Kits to our customers ...

Haven - under the Pear Tree

The Stitchery Seasons - Autumn

Mini Kit Blackberries

Vintage Christmas Wreath Embroidery Kit

Christmas Goose Mini Embroidery Kit

Because we all can do with some cheering up and our

 shop also celebrates its 4th Anniversary I thought all the more 

reason for having another Giveaway!

So if you would like to have a chance (just like last year) to give your Christmas

a little bit more sparkles with this cutie below on your Christmas Cake, 

then hop over to my Instagram or Facebook Page to participate!

It would be your last chance to have this little one at your home

 because sadly it's no longer available.  

But luckily there are still enough other festive items to shop on our Website  

Fingers crossed we can all celebrate Christmas with our loved ones.

Take care, stay safe!

Anita

~xo~

 

Goodbye 2018 ... hello 2019!

It's a cliche I know, but another year has almost flown by.

One of the privileges of having an Instagram account is that it isn't hard to look back.

This is a collage of my Best Nine of 2018 on my Instagram 

Although it's nice when so many people like your photos, 

they not always represent that precious personal memories, 

or those little moments to treasure. 

So I picked my personal favourites of each month.

January

One of my good intentions for this past year was to get more out and about and enjoying nature.

Sadly I haven't made so many walks as I intend to, but I started well in January.

  

 February

But luckily there was enough to enjoy in my garden, 

like this still life when we had a dust of Snow in February.

And of course my favourite bird.

March

In this month we had a little trip to the province Zeeland where we 

also visited the lovely town Domburg and its wonderful beach. 

April

A month of which I'd rather forget the first weeks.

Our middle son came back very ill from Guatemala which ultimately 

required hospital admission.

I took this photo when he made his first walk outdoors (feeling a bit better already) 

visiting the Cherry Blossom not far from our village.

May

The month of our annual escape to the English country, where we spent the first week

 in the beautiful Shropshire Hills

A real gem was this spot .... Lyth Hill 

The second week we celebrated (with almost all our loved ones) my
 husband's 60th Birthday in West Sussex.

It was so lovely to show them the places that feels like a second

 home to me, wonderful memories were made.

June

Was a month where ideas for the future started to take on more serious forms.

Now all our boys have flown the nest, the house feels a bit empty.

The next photo shows our annexe where we hope to receive our guests,

 somewhere in the second half of 2019  

A new business will arise next to the Webshop, our holiday let ... 'Stay at the Reed Warbler'! 

July

This year I finally got round to saw my own cutting flowers.

I felt so inspired by Emma Connolly and still picking flowers now, 

can you believe it in December!

This is one of the lovely bunches I picked at the end of July.

August

In August we went for a family holiday to the Provence and 

I had the most wonderful time with this lot.

September

Still picking flowers ....

October

And yes, these were also still from my garden, I'm planning to sow more varieties next year.

November

The month we celebrated our second anniversary of the Reed Warbler Shop 

 and so very grateful for the support for our small business.

We celebrated it with a giveaway of our best-selling brand Hogben Pottery 

December

It has been a good year and I consider myself very privileged with a lovely family
 and running a small business that I love.

This year's Christmas card was again a bit of a project,
which got a bit out of hand in terms of time 🙈

But in the end I delivered the last ones just in time at our neighbours yesterday evening
and now the only thing that's left is to share my good wishes with you ....

So from me to you ...

Wishing you sparkle,

wishing you cheer.

For a bright merry Christmas

and happy New Year!

Anita

~xo~

A family holiday in the Provence ....

Since we have been home for a couple of weeks now, it's high time for a post about our holiday in France.

Despite an unfortunate fall just before we left, which made our holiday look

 something different than we had in mind, we had a wonderful time.

Luckily we already booked a room halfway our trip in Dijon - where

 we had a lovely wander to stretch our legs and my injured back had a good rest afterwards ....

After another day travelling we arrived at our welcoming 'home from home' for the next two weeks ....

 

After some relaxing (and still a little sedated by painkillers ) days at our private pool .... 

I took the plunge to have a little trip to the picturesque commune Port Grimaud
where we also had a lovely meal with a view ....

A few days later we also visited the market town Lorgues to visit the weekly market ....

And it was in the same town where I found this gorgeous authentic french linen .... 

After a week we went (very early) for a visit to the wonderful city Nice to pick up

 our middle son who would join us for the second week.

After a super fast visit to the airport, we had Crêpes for breakfast at the beach ....

And afterwards a lovely visit to the old town 'Vieille Ville' of this colourful city ....

And the wonderful Place Masséna ....

Surrounded by the most beautiful flowers ....

After passing this wonderful wine estate several times, a visit to Château d'Astros  was a real must .... 

A lovely photo taken by my sister-in-law ....

Though we've visited the Provence many times before, we never been to the lovely

 town Sainte-Maxime ....

Overlooking the bay of Saint-Tropez ....

Beautiful white Oleander everywhere ....

Gorgeous doggies ....

Lovely squares ....

And where I bought my lovely dress from Blanc du Nil ....

And last but not least we visited the historic city Aix-en-Provence ....

With so many beautiful details on almost every facade ....

We had such a good time as a family, not in the least because of the 

lovely company by my-sister-in law
(the next photo also from her hand) and her husband.

All those precious moments and all the beauty around our holiday

 home was so hard to left behind ....

And now, back home again, we immerse ourselves

 with all beauty and cosiness Autumn brings.

Like lovely autumnal walks ....

On my new Boots ....

And having a cuppa in lovely company 

Getting cosy indoors with a warm Fleece Blanket ....

And outdoors with an autumnal display in this Zinc Container ....

Keeping the french vibes alive (and thinking already about Christmas)
 with this authentic French Linen Table Runner ....

The last few weeks have been very busy, adding new autumn items to the Website 

If you fancy a look, all can be found on here! 

Have a lovely Sunday evening, have a good week!

Anita

~xo~