Sargent and Fashion at Tate Britain

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Sargent and Fashion at Tate Britain

Recently I was lucky enough to spend a wonderful afternoon at the Tate Britain’s current exhibition ‘Sargent & Fashion’. It is on until the 7th of July so there is still time to catch it if you can. Aside from being a feast for the eyes with a collection of wonderful late victorian and edwardian costumed portraits, there are also some of the textiles that inspired the paintings with a smattering of original costumes and period pieces to highlight the fashions of the time.

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City Threads : Paris

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City Threads : Paris

“Whatever one is doing in Paris, it is necessary to do it in style. There is also no doubt that Paris holds within it’s City limits, everything you can imagine to help you find your own style and embrace the love of fru…fru and all that jazz. It is always the place to be.”

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Visiting the exhibition 'Crown to Couture'

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Visiting the exhibition 'Crown to Couture'

Having just returned from a visit to London, I wanted so much to share with you a wonderful day spent at Kensington Palace to see the current exhibition ‘Crown to Couture’. The exhibition is billed as the ‘fashion show of centuries’ and it is.

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Postcard from Devon

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Postcard from Devon

The thing about having a National Trust membership is that you visit places that might otherwise slip through the net and oh how sorry I would have been to have missed this one. It is quite simply one of the best houses I have ever visited, probably because of it’s 1930’s vibe, but it also is part of a much bigger story that is filled with great ambition, great wealth, great success and ultimately great sadness.

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Postcard from Hereford

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Postcard from Hereford

As summer fades, we arrived home from holiday on the day the Queen died. I didn’t expect to feel such a sense of loss at this news and yet…probably like most British people who have lived all their lives with her as a constant, it is hard to process. Before all this happened though, we had been on a little road trip on a southern westerly path in search of sunshine, seaside and perhaps in some measure, for me at least, a literary pilgrimage too. I hope you will enjoy a few journal postings about our travels and that his little series of ‘Postcards’ will give you a flavour of some great places to visit.

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Visiting Edinburgh and a new 'Hiking Days' embroidery pattern try out

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Visiting Edinburgh and a new 'Hiking Days' embroidery pattern try out

Edinburgh! This was not my first visit to this wonderful city, but after all the months and months of not going anywhere, I seem to feel the need to let the words tumble out about the last few days and have a lot to write about this trip and not least because it is a city full of surprises.

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Making a fairisle cowl, Beatrix Potter at the V & A and a Cumbrian weekend

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Making a fairisle cowl, Beatrix Potter at the V & A and a Cumbrian weekend

This post sounds all a bit of a mouthful…and it may turn out to be a bit of a ramble, but several things that began separately all seemed to conspire to form a whole rather lovely adventure.

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Festival of Quilts 2021

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Festival of Quilts 2021

Exhibiting at the Festival of Quilts is usually the highlight of Ruby’s year and after the cancellation of last year’s show and the uncertainty about what and how it would be this year it all felt rather a daunting prospect. For a long time, I wondered whether it would even be on. As it happened, I think it has turned out to be in many ways the best show ever! Now, being home for a few days I have had time to reflect on the whole show and the new people I got to know and to look at the bits and bobs I bought too (because let’s face it, there were always going to be some of those).

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Visiting Salt's Mill - a UNESCO world heritage site in Yorkshire

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Visiting Salt's Mill - a UNESCO world heritage site in Yorkshire

I was so happy this weekend to finally get to venture out to actually visit somewhere and especially happy because it is one of our absolute favourite places in the world to go…and what’s more it is right here in Yorkshire. Salt’s Mill remains, for us, a surprising gem in the textile heritage of the Yorkshire landscape.

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A week in Lisbon - the patchwork city

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A week in Lisbon - the patchwork city

It was a late decision to go….but it was a great one. Lisbon is a magical coastal city infused with influences from all corners of the world. With an epic history that includes, a moorish invasion, an earthquake, seafaring adventurers and colonial treasures this city is a patchwork of many cultures and flavours. It is absolutely charming and for a city break it proved surprisingly relaxing. Here are just a few of the highlights from our trip.

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Christian Dior Exhibition at the V&A

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Christian Dior Exhibition at the V&A

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to go with my daughter to the Christian Dior exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. All I can say is that it is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Not only is it way larger than I was expecting, it is presented in a such magical way that carries you away into the very special world of couture clothing.

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A trip to the Isle of Wight

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A trip to the Isle of Wight

There is something so deliciously Enid Blyton about going on holiday to an island….you just know it’s going to be full of adventures. We have just got back from the most glorious week on the Isle of Wight. I know we were exceptionally lucky with the weather, but honestly…. it is the most charming island. There is a lot to do and see, fabulous sandy beaches and endless cream teas.

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