Hey friends,
I had a much needed day off yesterday!
We’ve been so worn out recently & I’m so thankful to my husband for deciding to take the day off work so I could have some much needed time & space to myself. I have a good man right there.
I decided to spend my day in the ancient town of Sherborne in Dorset.
It’s a town I’ve visited many times over the years & love. We chose a hotel in the town for our Wedding Reception in 2008.
This visit I wanted to take my time, cherish the day all by myself & also regain some inspiration which has been abit lacking recently! So I decided to go off the beaten track & explore a bit. I found some new little gems & learnt some lessons I want to share with you today.
O N E – STOP & LISTEN
I don’t normally stop & listen to people busking on the streets.
I don’t know why I stopped this time. Maybe it was because the sun was shining & I was free to stop; but something in the sound made me pause & listen & I’m thankful for it.
The sound was blissful. I listened to one song, called Together Free. It got me right. in. the. soul.
I went & spoke to the guy after he’d finished & he told me was his name was Victor & I could search for Victor’s Tunes to find him. which I did as soon as I got home. Turned out he has 5 albums, & he chose to sing for me yesterday. You can listen to what I heard HERE.
Victor Chetcuti – A true talent in my opinion.
Etiquette with listening to buskers on the street? If you stop & enjoy listening to their song you owe them a coin or two! Just sayin’!
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T W O – EDWARD OLIVER VINTAGE FURNITURE
I went exploring down some side streets I wouldn’t normally wander down. Aside from that, isn’t just ‘wandering’ a great thing? I don’t wander anywhere, usually I dash!
Anyway I’ve digressed. I wandered down Trendle Street through an archway & into this lovely vintage furniture place. It had a cool, young & calm vibe. Old fashioned & restored furniture & vintage pieces carried out with thought, design & obvious experience in every piece. Set in an old stable I wanted to buy everything in there!
My eyes came upon a large painting of Pulteney Bridge in Bath in a repainted frame tucked in the corner. I saw it & I bought it! It now hangs in my kitchen & I know it will give me joy for years.
Think you know a town? Go down the side streets you’ve never gone down before, you never know what you might find.
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T H R E E – GATHERED HANDMADE
I saw a sign in the street saying Champagne & Macaroons, come upstairs! How could I refuse an offer like that?!
I went up the stairs & found myself being warmly welcomed by the two girls of Gathered Handmade situated on Cheap Street & being offered a glass of pink prosecco & an English macaroon.
I instantly liked the style the shop offered for babies, kids & cool lifestyle. Since I’m gathering ideas for a mood board for a playroom for my littles, I asked if I could take pictures, which they obliged. I must say I didn’t expect to find design like this, I love these lights! I’ll be popping these on my Pinterest Play Room Ideas Board.
I also fell for these bright, dotty cusions!
Pop in for a browse & get a warm welcome or visit them on their website
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F O U R – LUNCH ON A BENCH
Lunch on my own in the sunshine? Oh if you insist!
I popped into Waitrose & treated myself to sushi, Pellegrino & a lemon yumyum & sat on a bench with the sun shining & just watched the world go by for half an hour.
My sushi was delicious & my yumyum pleasantly surprised me by having lemon curd in the middle.
Lunch usually consists of a soft cheese sandwich & a packet of Quavers which are hovered up asap, so you can see how this is a different league luncheon.
This was my view from the bench.
F I V E – BUY A PLANT & LEARN HOW TO LOOK AFTER IT
I was driving home after my lovely day & remembered that I saw a plant cutting for sale outside a house last week. I’d not seen a plant like it in this country before it’s shocking pink! I knocked & asked what it is, it’s a Bourganvillea I’ve mostly seen in France & Spain, not cold & wet England!
We don’t have a conservatory or green house, so I may need you to join me in praying this beautiful shocking pink thing stays with me for longer than 5 minutes, because I really want this plant to live & thrive.
I’m thinking that maybe I haven’t done so well with plants before because I haven’t taken the time to learn to look after them. So I’m going to do my research & look after it as best I can. If you have any tips for me, comment below! I sure could use the help.
Is there anything more lovely after a great day, than rounding it up buying a plant or flowers for your home? I’m not sure there is.
I went in search of inspiration yesterday & found it in the most unlikely places. Where will your adventures take you today?
Thanks as always to April, Christina, Darci & Natasha.
With my inspiration & positive socks well & truly back on, I hope you have an amazing weekend!!
Lizzie XOXO
As always this post is not sponsored, all opinions expressed on this post are entirely my own. LS xo