James and the girls in the garden

Wednesday was an unusually sunny and mild day, and the garden beckoned.  The girls went out to enjoy the unseasonal warmth, and conversation ranged 

from pull-rings

to shoes (don't ask)

DB and Jonquil disappeared into the garden to look for a wubba chicken that had got "lost" a few days ago (lost in this sense means flung from an upstairs window in a fit of not wanting to share - again, please don't ask...!)...

...leaving James to enjoy the warm sun moving across her face

and soon her eyelids grew heavy

Sleeping Beauty

Hark!  A prince - or his trusty steed?  No, it's just Chilli

deciding to share the evening's warmth

Get away from me Catzilla - I'll biff you on the nose!!!  I will too!

just playing .... with the last of the summer flowers

and then joining the others in a game of hide-and-seek

Here I come

DB falling off the trellis she'd rather over-enthusiastically attempted to climb

 and just because she's GORGEOUS!  

(James, I'm not ready to say goodbye to you little one).

(Window) Shopping in London - Part 2

Still in Fortnum's - one of my all-time favourite stores. There's so much to look at and the atmosphere is so relaxing, with a calming sense of permanence.

A delight amongst the Turkish Delights

"You're sure that's not a real arm?"

"I JUST WANT TO DANCE" shouts DB

James looking right at home

Ede & Ravenscroft - tailoring since 1689

A captivating display in Anthologie - those paper cups have been made into ceramic cups (only £300 for an artist's original)

Of course our trip included a visit to Hamley's Toyshop!

"Gosh, you're very big."

"And you're very small." "Look at the bubbles!"

"I LOVE Paddington Bear, I WANT Paddington Bear...I DO love him"

(Window) Shopping in London

James, DB, a friend and I set off for London.  Our journey began with a train ride.

DB and James (looking effortlessly glamorous, as she does in all the pics to follow)

We're here

Self-explanatory

Then a bus ride down to Piccadilly

and a look around theatre-land

The girls wanted to see Phantom (intrigued by the mask, but we didn't have time on this trip)

James loved the blue on this bus!

So many window displays

Eros on Piccadilly

Looking down the Mall with Buckingham Palace in the distance

Fortnum & Mason - quintessentially English and a reminder of times past

There's no-one behind me, is there?

We chatted to the woman who works here who told us about her daughter's Sasha doll which she's had for 40 years

He stands here holding lights on the stairway ALL this time?

James' hair providing the missing colour in this display

Resting tired model legs on the chocolate thins

Our day isn't over yet...more to follow on the next post.

A Visitor from Germany...

...arrived today.  Jonquil's been getting restless, looking out for James.

Looking out of the back window (into the garden)

Looking out of the front window

The Postman dropped off a card, I popped to the Post Office to pick up a well-wrapped parcel, then called a friend who'd wanted to be at the unveiling and.....

A stylish traveling box

and a box of goodies

James asleep after her journey

Who are you and why are you wearing my hat?

and James.  

James is such a beauty.  Her colouring is so delicate and subtle.  It's the first time I've seen a custom and the workmanship is awesome.  Her lashes are to die for and the sleep eyes are amazing.  I really like her natural colouring.  Her little mouth is gorgeous and I love her eye-colours.   And as for her hair.  It's a beautiful, vibrant blue and oh, so, so soft and shiny.

I heard Jonquil's voice - follow me, it's coming from here

You're about to meet the others, I hear their footsteps

A very enjoyable evening ensued for my girls.  James was the centre of attention.  The girls hung on her every word, thoroughly entertained by her travels so far.  They were especially keen on details of James in the dinosaur's mouth....exclaiming at her bravery.  They swapped hats ....

...and Iolanthe had to be bribed with the promise of a smart hat of her own before she'd give back James' AMAZING bowler hat.   I'm not able to equal a bowler hat but we'll see what we can do!

It's such fun and a privilege to have special James to stay with us.  We're the second hosts on her epic journey.  We've got some fun planned over the next few days!  

Do click on the button in the sidebar to find out more about this incredible journey.

Dolly Shelf Sunday

...actually more like Dolly sofa Sunday.  So far I keep forgetting about this enjoyable tradition on Flickr, and it's not until late (dark) evening that I sit down to browse all the latest uploads with a cup of tea and I realise I've left it too late (again) to add mine.  So tonight I thought hang the appalling lighting for evening photography in our house - and hang the lack of well-lit shelves - I'm going to post mine anyway!  So there!   With some help from a very handy teenager and little computer editing - here are some of the girls:

L-R:  Paige (PDWW), DB, Solange (SD), SMF, Meredith (SS), Peony (TBL) and the newest girl, PDP.

I can't believe I've had DB listed to sell for 2 weeks on both eBay and Dolly Adoption.  I've had her permanently downstairs and have been walking past her every day and really noticing her...(I thought we hadn't bonded)...but we were bonding.  Then an interested party asked for some extra pics and when I photographed her I saw just how delicately pretty she is.  And as for that mane of dirty blonde hair....    She's not going anywhere soon - except to Blythecon UK.  Yaay - I'm getting so excited - I have no idea what to expect - I just know it's going to be wonderful to be with fellow dolly enthusiasts. 

All the way from....

...the other side of the world.  What can only be described as a little parcel of shoe heaven!

Thank you JemgirlCreations!  

(Love, love the Doc Martens')