Getting Ready for Christmas,

The snow finally arrived last week and we woke up to around 6inches of pure white snow. Everything was so silent, and I couldn't wait to get outdoors and get some pictures of the hills, fields and trees. I feel really lucky to live here in the Scottish countryside. I just love this old Beech tree covered in snow, it looks amazing.

The house looked so nice in the early morning sunshine. So cosy and warm inside, but freezing out here!

An open fire is so welcoming and I have started to put up some of the xmas decorations. I always get the tree and decorate it on the 14th as it is a tradition from when the kids were little and its my birthday too!

This year I have decided on a golden theme with this gold stag and tints of gold on the bauble wreath, very Christmassy! 

Aw i just love these Scandinavian hugging boy and girl decorations in their knitted red jumpers.  Looks like they cant wait for Christmas either. Only 12 more days to go. Gosh I haven't even wrapped any presents yet!

Awh this gorgeous little bird was looking through my window this morning. I think it is a Chaffinch. I have been feeding the birds everyday, food is scarce for them at the moment. For the last 2 days we had a Woodpecker which was such a thrill. I have never seen one so close before!

I have just found my Gorgeous vintage glass baubles which I will decorate my tree with tomorrow........cant wait. They are so pretty. I miss my little Poppy and Rose shop though because I loved the way it looked at Christmas. I will just have to hunt for some more Christmas things to decorate the house with, and put on my new website! Going to attempt to make some of my own decorations too ... so see you soon. 

Here's to New Beginnings!

Hello there, thanks for taking a look at my very first Blog. As with all things new, it is quite difficult and I am a little unsure what to talk about. However, people always say that as one door closes, another one opens... and for me that is so true!

In October 2009 I went to a property auction at York Racecourse. I have always loved looking at property, and enjoy the bustle at auctions, and had attended quite a few before. It has always been an ambition of mine to open a pretty little shop on a busy high street, and 'subconsciously' I have been collecting vintage lovelies all my life. However, one lot came up, an empty and unloved old estate agents that looked like it had so much potential, it was perfect! I decided to bid and either it was luck or fate, but in less than 5 minutes I was the highest bidder, and a very proud owner of my own little shop. Work began on transforming the it into a gorgeous boutique and finally in April 2010 I was so excited because I opened my little shop Poppy and Rose with my gorgeous daughter Suzie. Below is are pictures from the outside of our little shop.

We sold lots of vintage lovelies with gifts and cards, and I was smitten from the word go! We had so much support and great feedback from all the local community and immediately I felt at home.

But sadly in September 2011 we closed the door for the last time. Although I love York, I decided to move back to Scotland where i had lived for the last 6 years. There is of course a happy ending to this story because another door has opened and we are again looking forward to Poppy & Rose's next venture. We are about to launch our brand new website, www.poppyandrose.co.uk selling loads of painted shabby chic furniture, vintage homewares, textiles, garden accessories, kitchenalia and much more.

We are now in the finishing stages putting together the online shop, and hopefully it will be finally opening in the next few days, so I hope you manage to have a look around... I'll keep you posted!