I returned to Bristol yesterday from a very lovely weekend in rural Dorset. My family had a reunion/get together at the beautiful Dove House - a 7 bedroom holiday home complete with an indoor heated pool and games room, situated at the end of a mile long tree-lined drive. I had intended to spend the weekend reading and relaxing - but there was too much to do! And instead discovered a talent for croquet - and an inability to play tennis.

One thing on my weekend to-do list that I did manage to achieve, was a trip into Dorchester to check out Wellworths - the old Woolworths store that has since been taken over by it’s old manager and been brought back to life.

Within minutes of being inside the store’s doors - I was picking up bargains! Palmolive shower gel and Colgate Toothpaste for just £1 each (depsite walking in and saying “what are toiletries doing in a shop like this?”). The gardening section also came in very handy, and I thought each “department” was laid out very clearly and neatly; no amibuity as to where something should be. 

The girl who served us was extremely friendly and the shop was buzzing with customers (as was Dorcester as a whole on that day), so all in all - depsite forgetting to get some Pick ‘n’ Mix - I rate Wellworths very highly and wish them continued success!

Of course, I am a true domestic Godess - always managing to prepare amazing meals and keep the house imaculate whilst running a business. Well - sort of.

But to help me keep things looking amazing and tasting fresh, Tom got me a Nigella Lawson Cake and Cheese Dome in Cream for my birthday (above, £39, John Lewis). Whilst we both like cake stands with added height, like this one from LSA at John Lewis for £24, the dome on this one made it much more practical. And it looks fab!Now I just need to get Tom to make his amazing carrot and ginger cake again… oh, did I say Tom? I meant “I need to make my amazing carrot and ginger cake again… ahem”.

Also available in black.

If you want to give the gift of chocolate this Easter, but don’t want to spend a fortune on a big hollow egg, then why not get creative?

This Easter I bought some friends and family a small glass jar from IKEA for 99p, and filled it with some Cadbury’s Mini Eggs and Aero Eggs.

And to the pub for a girlie-get-together I’m taking an egg box which I recovered with a Happy Easter wraper, full of other individual eggs. An egg for everyone, for just 35p - 40p, imaginatively presented!

We found the most delightful tea shop in Redland, Bristol when we were driving around at the weekend. Attic, situated on Coldharbour Road looks from the outside like a very lovely place to go and have a drink - and it is… but it just gets better and better!

Besides offering an incredibly vast array of teas, they also have the most equisite tea makers - that just really make your visit something different. Yeah, so it’s a plastic jug and an egg timer, but it’s a fantastic novelty and something I’d definately recommend!

You simply get served your tea in it’s pot, which sits on top of your cup, and then the time’s up, your tea will be perfectly brewed! Definately worth a visit next time you’re in North Bristol.

Did you participate in National No Make Up Day yesterday (26th March?)? I did! But then that isn’t that unusual for me - if I’m just busily typing away at my desk I do tend to not wear any make up.It doesn’t take many days of being presentable in public for my skin to feel dry.

I’m currently trialling a few different make up remover wipes… so I’ll report back when the results are in!

I’d heard Bristol’s new shopping centre was good - but when I first went there before Christmas I wasn’t expecting the beautiful shiny shopping paradise that greeted me when I got there! The architecure - considering it’s modern - is elegant and impressive, with a multi-curved roof and plenty of space for fresh air. The shop fronts themselves are sophisticated and inviting, and the Quakers Friars area, which is home to Brasserie Blanc, is a lovely “courtyard” which just makes you wonder what on earth was there before!

Anyway - I divulge. The reason for this post is that it was on my first visit to Cabot Circus that I experienced first hand the joy that is AWear -with clothes that range from fun to formal, and that are all seemingly much better made than across the street in various other highstreet fashion outlets. I particularly fell in love with (but didn’t get) a fabulous purse that was big enough for all the cards and photos you could wish for - whilst still only being £8! Nicer than my accessorize one that was £12, and much nicer than one I found later in UrbanOutfitters for £24. I get the impression their website isn’t as good as their shop - as in, they don’t always have as much good stock available online, but I’m sure they’ll get there!

Awear at Cabot Circus.

Big feet? Have problems finding elegant or desirable shoes in your size? Well then you need to check out Large-Size-Designer-Shoes.co.uk - as it does exactly what it says on the tin!

Plus - Feb 09 saw the launch of their exclusive collaboration with renowned shoe designer Rupert Sanderson, bringing 4 new designs to the site.

The site, which also features accessories, jewellery and hosiery, gives you 10% off your first order and allows you to search for your shoes by size. The Ireland based company display all prices in Euros, and shipping to the UK is from €13.00. Clear your payment by 4pm and they aim to dispatch the same day, with delivery aimed for 24 hours.