A new address

Lobster and Swan has moved and can now be found at www.lobsterandswan.com This blogspot will remain but will not have any new content added. So to see all the new frills and sparkle as they unfold, just click the image above or follow the link to say hi and visit me in my new home now.

Ps. If you used google friend connect to follow me here, please join my facebook page and twitter feed (both right) instead. You can also update your RSS feed using the subscribe button at the top of the new page.

Farewell for now, Jeska x

Moving day

Right, are you with me? Today we have to pack our bags and prepare to move to my new blog. So grab your best dress and shoes then fill your suitcase with tea, biscuits, candles, cushions and anything else you will need to settle in. What are the things you like to unpack first when you move?

Looking forward to see you over there, links to follow later in my final post x


Lovely images from The Light Fantastic.

What did you do?

I hope you have all had a lovely weekend, what did you do? I had such an amazing response to the cabbages and roses giveaway, thank you so much for all your comments.

I won't keep you hanging on any longer the winner is the super talented Emma from Vintage Magpie. Congratulations Emma! I can't wait to see what you make with a metre each of the Ships passing, Metro and Scoopy black fabrics. I am very jealous! hehehe

As another special thank you Cabbages & Roses are offering free postage to all their blog and Facebook friends on web orders over £100. All orders placed online from November 26th until December 11th are eligible – no matter where you are in the entire world!

Their sales team will contact you after you have placed your order to tell you if your items are in stock, so please make sure your email address and all details are correct. including your Country, area code and address.

Please quote CABBLOG when they contact you to redeem this offer.

the last of Autumn

I was woken early this morning by my door buzzer, loud and continuous like a swarm of angry wasps. I scrambled out of bed and grabbed my oversized cardigan to appear slightly decent as I ran down three flights of stairs to catch the postman before he left me a collection card instead of a package. He's fast that guy, only too keen to walk away rather than wait a couple of minutes.

Well it was worth being up with the lark to receive my perfect surprise parcel. It was my Autumn swap package from Liz at Hey we made it.
Sofia runs this swap every Fall. And I love taking part. I wonder if my partner has received hers yet?

Inside were brown paper writing pads, beautiful soft Alpaca wool, traditional string, yummy spiced tea and the highlight, a bar of Mast brothers chocolate. I have been wanting to get my hands on some since I saw it on design sponge ages ago, to receive such a thoughtful gift really has made my week. Thank you so much Liz.

Winter cupcakes

Jessica is hosting lots of yummy cosy winter and holiday recipes over at her blog Way Side Violet including my winter orange and amaretto cupcakes.

Cabbages and Roses Giveaway

Hi there, today to celebrate the launch of Cabbages and roses newest ranges Hobury and Gilbert I am one of four blogs hosting an amazing giveaway. Along with Maria, Tracey and Melaine I will be giving away a metre of each of the fabrics shown here. Be sure to go and check out the alternative designs that they are giving away for four times the chance of winning.

Being a long time devotee of Cabbages and Roses and their dreamy, vintage aesthetic, I really am passionate about these fabrics that are screen and roller printed in the UK and designed in London. All in delicate colours that suit all seasons and will effortlessly add a vintage layer to your interior. Living on the East Sussex coast the Ships passing fabric would look so perfect as cushions in our house. I can't wait to make some. I am also counting the days until I can visit their new Avery Row store too. My husband will have to drag me out by my ears.

So, I will be giving one lucky winner a metre of each fabric swatch pictured here from the beautiful Gilbert Range, 'Ships passing' 'Metro' and 'Scoopy'. To enter all you need to do is leave a comment here telling me what you would make with the fabric if you were to win. The winners will be announced on Monday the 29th of November. If you are the lucky winner I would love to see what you create at a later date.

You can also get an extra entry if you post or tweet about the giveaway and comment back with a link to the post here. Good luck and don't forget the other prints available at Dreamy Whites, French Larkspur and My Sweet Savannah.

Have a happy Thursday, I hope the sun is shining wherever you are today.

Staying warm.

Hi, how are you? Did you find lots of great things to make in the Sweet Paul Magazine?

Today for me has been spent staying warm, wrapping an Autumn package and eating all my favourite things.

Stay close as I have another super exciting giveaway tomorrow. x

A decent meal

One of my favourite things about being at home so much is eating three proper meals a day. No more hastily grabbed snacks like greasy sausage rolls or cardboard tasting sandwiches that are laced with too much mayonnaise and cheap margarine. My fridge is also a happier place now that the greenery gets eaten before it wilts, and I get to see my husband for lunch too. An hour of daylight spent slowing down and spending some time eating home cooked meals at the table without our laptops is a simple luxury.

I am leaving for London now, excited to be meeting some other creative girls, we so often speak via email and twitter but rarely find the time to gather in one place, so it will be a treat to put the faces to the names I know so well.

Batten down the hatches

I hope you are all tucked up on this wild November evening. Nothing more satisfying than a hand made (not by me though) chicken and leek pie with a side of locally grown vegetables. I have been rain battered by leaving the house today but it made this dinner taste even sweeter.

Don't worry, in my haste to batten down the hatches and put my feet up with a box of chocolates, I haven't forgotten to select the winners of last week giveaways, so here goes . . . .

Mondays Farrow and Ball book and paint chart won by Jac of Coco Sunday.
Tuesdays Photographic prints won by Rimpsukaisa.
Wednesdays Make it pretty box won by Denise of A bun can dance.
Thursdays delicious Dorset cereal bars won by Jenny of Winni Briggs House.


Happy November to you x

Flavour up.

Thursdays yummy giveaway is this super lunch bag packed with delicious cereal bars from Dorset Cereals. I have been a long time lover of their delicious granolas, and new convert to the Tasty Flakes range, these are just another addition to my ever burgeoning shopping basket.

In order for these treats arrive on your doorstep all you need to do is leave a comment containing the three ingredients or flavours (for instance they could be regional or seasonal or just downright outrageous) that you would love to see used in a Dorset cereal bar.

To stop me rambling I will say go over and see what they are up to on their site, it's full of fun, exciting competitions, recipes and the lovely simple pleasures blog.

Paper me pretty

As you may have gathered, I am on a quest for two or three wallpapers, which will be used on the back wall of my kitchen. A very important decision as it will be heavily featured in my blog and shop listings and it is the most photographed corner of my home with the best natural lighting.

Thanks so much to those of you who commented with their suggestions so far. There are some amazing patterns available. The first round of outstanding contenders comes from Anthropologie. At this rate I may have to paper myself a feature house? I'll take a roll of each please!

Out with me

Hey there, hows your week going so far? Just wondering if you want to come on a virtual night out with me? I will behave I promise. Huge thanks to Kate of Coquette and Dove for featuring me. xxx

Perishables.

A perfect start for curbing winter chills this October was taking part in my sister Tamzin's cookie exchange. I was so excited when I received a box labelled perishables and opened it to find the delicious parcel from Alissa containing layers of chocolate, hazelnut and lemon biscuits. Plenty to share with friends and family and even enough left over to brighten a rubbish day at work. I wonder if they will actually miss me or just the baked goods when I leave?

Thank you again Alissa for such a s scrumptious gift.

something for the weekend

Inside the parcel was the perfect clutch bag, that completes my outfit for tonight on the tiles, I ordered it from Liz of lovely shop Seven Poppies, you can catch up with her and all the shop goings ons over at the Seven Poppies blog too.

All images Seven Poppies.

I have a friend who can draw good

I am rubbish at drawing so naturally I am way excited that I have a friend who is so good at it. Meet Mitch Blunt.

Have a great weekend!

Artful

I have an article in the current issue of Artful Blogging.

Thank you Jennifer.

12 from Gillian.

The final submission for twelve things, this time from Gillian of I heart crafts. I hope you enjoy her explanations below.

1. Mannequin Head - From my Grannie's Hair Salon - She was a very inspiring and independent woman.
2. The Wizard of Oz - This was a gift from my Mum a few years back - The film is a favourite and I just love the tiny size of this book.
3. The Eiffel Tower - A little kitchy souvenir from a perfect Parisian holiday.
4. Leafy Branch Brooch - Also inherited from my Grannie - This is one of my favourite pieces of jewellery.
5. Joe the Guin - Really sweet wooden penguin bought for me by my husband during some tough times last year.
6. Rose Scarf - Has skyrocketed to my favourite scarf since recent purchase at Urban Outfitters. I have a scarf for every occasion.
7. Glass Jug - Complete with swizzle stick - Inherited from my other Gran - perfect for Elderflower Cordial during the summer!
8. New Shoes - I bought these last year and have been keeping them for 'good' - but now intend to wear as soon as possible.
9. Ivor the Teddy Bear - Keeps all his prised possessions in his little bag - he has kept me company during exams for twenty years.
10. Deer Photograph - Reminds me of family members not with me anymore - This was my Grannie's 'pet' deer!
11. Wooden Box - Snaffled from my Mum's dressing table when I was small - has lived on mine ever since.
12. Orange Flower Facial Oil - Smells wonderful - A beautiful gift from my thoughtful friend in London.

Thanks Gillian! this will be the final entry and how I have loved peeking into all your collections feel free to continue the theme over at your blogs if you were too late to be featured. Now to start really paring down and cleaning out some of the unnecessary items from my home. Starting with two, yes two vintage style bird cages. Boot fair or Ebay?

Room for 12 more

Last 12 things with Briar.


1. Telecom Australia telephone from the early 1980's. As a props buyer, I am always coming across interesting things in thrift stores - this is one of them. We used the same model at home when I was a child - and whenever we have children visiting our home now, it's the first thing they go to.1.
2. Silver Horse. This is an original 'fun fair' prize from the 1960's - it was given to me by a colleague when I was working on the film 'Wolverine'. It reminds me of the laughter during that job. The horse were purchased from a retired circus ringleader in Sydney.
3. Smoky quartz ring. I have four sisters and two female cousins. All seven of us are very close, and all own the same ring from Jan Logan. We plan to pass the rings on to our daughters one day, so they are always kept in the family.
4. Timber Swizzle Stick. A memento from my wedding. These were used by guests to stir their pink mojitos.
5. Polaroid. The majority of photos from my 1980's childhood seem to be polaroids. This is one of my favourites. A photo of me and my cousin/best friend. We are five weeks apart and have always been inseparable.
6. Coral. I purchased this piece of coral recently...to me, it signifies our home at the moment. My husband and I have been living in Manly for two years, due to work commitments. (on the other side of Sydney to where we grew up.) I have slowly come round to our new suburb and now love the beachside life.
7. Vintage Rubber Stamp. I have a big collection of rubber stamps, and this would be my favourite - given to me by my very good friend from school, Rachel.
8. Timber Apple. This has been around me since I can remember - playing with it is one of my first memories. I have no idea where my mum got it from, but I like how it's in my home now.
9. Black & White Photo. This is my mum and her parents in the family car in the 1950's. I love how happy my grandma Olga looks. Up close, you can also see 4 year old mum grinning in the back of the car.
10. Perfume. My husband bought this perfume for me a few months before we were married. It's the scent I wore on our wedding day - I also love the bottle design.
11. Vase. I realise some people would find this a little garish. I have a few items in my home that could be described as garish! The vase was given to me by my grandma and I love the colour and texture. It looks great holding a few white flowers.
12. 'My Rainbow' Story Book. This is one of the little books I created when I was seven. My mum is a primary school teacher, so
she was always really encouraging. I remember thinking I could be an illustrator when I grew up. On reflection, it's lucky I chose a different
career path