Northern Line at Home Barn

I spotted this on my recent trip to Home Barn. I didn't buy it there and then and as soon as I got home I was regretting it. 

Luckily when I called them it was still for sale and so I snapped it up. It arrived yesterday, I'm in LOVE!

Win a Photowall Mural worth up to £500

I haven't had a giveaway for a while but I have something pretty awesome for you...

The chance to give your pad a fresh spring makeover in the form of a Photowall mural.

The winner will be able to pick the design of their choice for their domestic dwelling, up to £500. It's an awesome giveaway and the most difficult part about entering (by far), is choosing from all of their awesome designs.

I'm loving Wander Trees Green from the Scandinavian Surface Collection.....

And just about everything from the Michael Mullan Collection but especially Spring Tulip (it's quite Charles Rennie Macintosh and I LOVE Macintosh).

So what do you need to do to enter? Simply follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below. Please note that Rafflecopter may not work on a mobile device.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's some more inspiration for you...

Is Morrissey Retiring?

I logged on this morning to see a Tweet from an old friend, with a link to a newly uncovered early The Smiths rehearsal tape. 

I obviously dropped everything and went for a listen, only to be met with an accompanying news story that Morrissey was hanging up his touring boots.

In an official statement, Morrissey writes, 

"It takes a lifetime to find the right words, and at the moment, I haven't got them. I've been a colossal pain where this continuously unpredictable illness is concerned, and now the physical limits have been reached. The tour had, in fact, been fantastic for all of us - a new slice of life full of concentrated power. The audiences everywhere have given so much, although I know that neither of us will ever receive our due. I hope this isn't the end, and I hope there will be other chances, minus the heavy burden of illness. Knots of grief today, but full of resolve for tomorrow."

All Morrissey fans knew that the time would come, sooner, rather than laster, especially after his last few tours have been plagued with illness, postponed gigs and cancelled dates. 

The sadness that I feel at the thought of never seeing him live again, I know is shared with each and everyone who has been shaped by his music over the last 30 years.

Loving Home Barn Antiques

I get a bit twitchy over the winter months when I can't get my regular Sunday morning vintage fix. Around here the boot sales shut up shop in October and don't reappear until Easter so any passing opportunity is too good for me to miss.

I was on my way to a meeting when I spotted a sign for Home Barn in Little Marlow.

Packed with the stuff that sets my heart racing. Drawers, plan chests, picture frames, carved letters, Ladybird books, London Underground signage.... yes, London Underground signage.

I seriously NEED those drawers in my life and the Transport for London poster and the school cloakroom bench - obvs.

You can find Home Barn just off junction 4 of the M40, in Little Marlow. If you're a lover of vintage / antiques, you really do NEED to make a visit. You'll love it.

Home Barn have an online store so you can feed your need from the comfort of your own sofa, www.homebarnshop.co.uk and you can find them on Twitter and Facebook.

I'm trying to reign myself in here but Home Barn is my new fave store!

See website for address and opening hours.

C is for Covent Garden : The Gallery

Blogger extraordinaire, Tara Cain has a spangly new blog... Yes she fought the dot.com switch over like a good 'un but she's finally made it to the other side and mighty fine it looks too.

Pop over for a visit and lose yourself in this weeks The Gallery : The Letter C...

Covent Garden - one of my favourite stations on the London Underground. Yes, I have favourites. 

Opened on April 11th 1907, I love the spooky 193 step spiral staircase. Never - ever think it's a good idea to walk when you've been on the cocktails. For more London Underground Geekery visit my little photography project, www.londonundergroundlover.com - it's a labour of love.

New Look plays homage to Geek is the new Chic!

I suppose it had to happen at some point - after all I've been saying it for years. Well now the high street are saying it too and the lovely people at New Look have designed a T-shirt in homage to my blog!

You see.... Geek really IS the new chic!

Available from New Look in grey or pink, in sizes 8 to 14, £12.99