Tea with Ruby

Everythings Coming up Cabbages & Roses …

Jane — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:09:20 +0000

I have a huge soft spot for Cabbages & Roses. Over the years my home, wardrobe and book shelves have accumulated more and more of their lovely cushions, clothes and beautiful books.

I whole heartedly agree with the Cabbages & Roses 5 core values ~

“beauty, simplicity, longevity, integrity and sustainability“

This seasons clothing range is soft, fresh and everlasting, their short film evokes a slower pace of life, one that all of us crave, the lookbook makes you want to own every garment .

Images ~ Cabbages & Roses Spring Summer 2012 Lookbook

Christina Strutt’s books are most definitely a favourite of mine, I go back to them time and time again. The restful interiors and sublime photography have a calming effect, showing you that mixing and matching well loved objects and time worn linens create a warm and welcoming home with a nod to reusing, recycling and environmental ethics.

My copy of the Guide to Natural Housekeeping lives in my kitchen, I have taken to using many of the recipes for cleaning products for my home, lemon dusters are fabulous and it’s amazing what a bit of bi carbonate of soda can do!

Their fabrics, wallpaper and furnishings are timeless …

Cabbages & Roses ~ Website

Cabbages & Roses ~ Facebook

Cabbages & Roses ~ Pinterest

“LIVING LIFE BEAUTIFULLY. Cabbages & Roses is a British retailer of beautiful fabrics, homeware and clothing”

Enjoy

Jane x

The Sunshine Came ….

Jane — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:24:53 +0000

… and I decided to skive, play hooky, commit truancy!

Amongst the daily tasks I set myself I put aside time to write and construct my blog, some weeks this is easy, sometimes other events take over and time changes.

A long weekend, and an extra Ruby day approached, then the sunshine came to enjoy the fun and I stopped, went outside and indulged in precious time with my family, read books, drank wine and didn’t regret a single second.

Image ~ Pinterest

Sometimes you just have to be ….

Wise words from Stornoway ~ Have a listen you’ll like it ….

Enjoy the weekend, stop for a moment, leave the laptop and soak it all in ….

Jane x

A First Outing ….

Jane — Fri, 03 May 2013 07:45:07 +0000

The meanderings and wanderings lead Owen and Hunter to a small colourful affair with a matrimonial flair to spend a fun day in a quaint old school house by the seaside ….

The blackboard came along and found a place to perch along with their magpie finds …

A contented smile crossed the lips of the two like minded souls as the plotting and planning for bigger fish to fry started to take shape ….

Jane x

Floral

Jane — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:23:47 +0000

I didn’t think I was that much of a floral girl but it crept up on me over the years. Maybe it has been due to tending my own garden and filling it with my favourite flowers, or not being able to resist all the ditsy flowery dresses for Ruby when she was small, either way I love floral!

I am very chameleon like mind you; I also get giddy at the thought of ticking, pale linens, white walls but there is always a flower of some sort just there in the corner of your eye.

You can wear them ….

You can pile them up ….

You can cover furniture in them ….

Hang them on walls ….

Whether it be a simple stem to a full bouquet, the world is your florally oyster ….

Jane x

Farrow & Ball

Jane — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:01:50 +0000

I have a book that I went back to over the Easter holidays. It’s sumptuous, rich and full to the brim with wonderful images all regarding Farrow & Ball and the passion it brings to those who use it in their homes. From city chic apartments to country houses and cottages it shows you the depth, character and charm that colour can create in very individual homes.

Their colours are so unique every wall in my house is covered with their paint, from pea green to blackened and few more in between.

All images taken from Farrow & Ball ~ Living with Colour ~ Ros Byam Shaw

Are you a Farrow & Ball aficionado too?

Jane x

A Grand Entrance ….

Jane — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:07:49 +0000

I have a dream of a large entrance hall with oodles of space to place lots of furniture and seating. In reality my hall is the size of a postage stamp, I don’t even think I can call it that either, maybe a turning spot to get up the stairs and the front door that we never use!

So I shall carry on dreaming (I love my little house really) one day ….

All images from here, go take a peek at all the other lovely halls I covet!

Have a lovely weekend

Jane x

A Post with Two Images ….

Jane — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 07:55:50 +0000

I’m not one for posting about myself and I don’t often like pictures featuring me either but today I am making an exception.

It’s the school holidays so I get to spend time with my Ruby which is a joy as you can see …

…. and this is me laughing like a drain (which is rather frequent) I got to spend two whole weekends with my friend which was also a joy!

caught on camera by the ever so lovely Sally Crane

Normal services will resume next week …..

Jane x

Book Launches & Easter Treats

Jane — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:37:24 +0000

We went, we unpacked, we saw, we nattered, we giggled, we had a super day at Selina Lakes Pretty Pastel book launch, we packed away and then had to drive home through sleet and snow!

Find the book here

The Linen Garden

Sesame and Lily

Love Lane Vintage

All in all the weekend passed in a fuzzy blur of lovely, many new friendships forged and gorgeous things admired. I treated myself to a few bits and bobs and arrived home full of inspiration and joy.

Flower Corsage & Lavender Heart ~ Bird Brooch

…. and around the corner Easter crept up quietly on me, thank goodness for mini eggs!

Happy Easter

Jane x

Owen and Hunter

Jane — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:51:35 +0000

As you all well know I am a bit of a tumblr addict alongside trusty pinterest, I soak in the images and delight in all the wonder that I come across. Like a sponge I absorb every detail and put them to good use within my work, my knowledge and style is growing on a daily basis.

I happened upon this lovely brand spanking new tumblr and what a lovely one it is too. Owen and Hunter or OH to those in the know is a new venture, slowly slowly starting to put the pieces together.

First with imagery, some theirs some others, then to dabbling their creative toes in fabulous fairs across the land selling their beloved collection that has been gathered together from here and there.

A quote to give you a taste of what the intriguing pair are all about …

“OH is a coming together of two like minded souls with a thrifty nature and a magpie’s eye. Together on their wanderings gather pieces from days gone by. Spinning a tale and creating beautiful items to give as gifts or to fill your home with charm.”

Go and take a look and let me know what you think, as I find it all rather beautiful …

Jane x

Pretty Pastels ….

Jane — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 07:33:39 +0000

I have a busy few weeks ahead of me, not that I’m complaining as the things I am getting up too are rather marvellous.

Since starting Tea with Ruby I have met lots of wonderfully talented new friends and this weekend a group of us are meeting up in Derbyshire for a girlie get together. Lots of laughter and tea drinking in the most charming farmhouse.

Then a quick turn around for me, hellos to my family and lots of cuddles then back on my travels to attend this Pretty Pastel Style Book Launch!

I have the honour of being Vicky Trainor’s travelling companion, other pair of hands and good time girl. She will be exhibiting her wares (as well as being featured in the book!). What a day we will have.

I happen upon Selina Lake’s work through the magazines and books I read. A stylist that I admire greatly.

All these images are her’s, they do make you feel warm and fuzzy inside don’t you think?

All Images ~ Selina Lake

Have a super weekend everyone whatever you are doing be it with your girlfriends in Derbyshire, or all warm and cosy at home.

Jane x