Period Features

Old and Unusual...

We've had lots of customers coming in this week with very specific requests from old sinks to church doors. If you're in the market for old and unusual, then try one of our favourite reclamation yards www.cawardenreclaim.co.uk ....you won't be disappointed!

Boasting one of the largest and well-stocked yards in the British Isles. Whether your requirements are for 100,000 bricks or a period doorknob. Cawarden is the place to visit .

Deck The Halls

Well we've gone and put our Christmas tree up in the window! The shop is filled with the aroma of   oranges and cinnamon...not from our own pomanders, I hasten to add,which are still drying in the bottom oven, and we're tying all sorts, from tin toys to honey drizzlers,  with ribbon to hang from the tree! A lovely website to look at for some quirky and rather beautiful decorations is www.tobiasandtheangel.com. Everything is handmade in small quantities and we particularly like the Turkish Slippers. Maybe the mohair tree would have been an easier option for the window?!

Make Your Own Christmas Pomanders

Our customers are fabulous and a rich source of information. Today we have been given a Tudor recipe for a homemade Christmas pomander which will not rot! Start off with an orange and sellotape a cross on it ( where the ribbon will go); then fill each quarter with cloves. Mix together orriss root, ground cloves, cinnamon and ginger...to your own liking....take off the sellotape and roll the orange around in the powder. Wrap in a paper bag to cure for about 2-3 weeks, or if you're impatient like me, place in the bottom oven of the Aga or somewhere warm like the airing cupboard for about a week. Once dried out, tie on your ribbon and for a bit of Christmas sparkle, pin beads amongst the cloves. We can't wait to try this out and there's going to be a prize for the best staff pomander!

Sourcing the orris root may proove a little difficult but we suggest www.baldwins.co.uk ...good luck!

One For Me... One For You...

Solve all your gift dilemmas with this lovely Christmas Gift Parcels selection. Place your order before 1st December and you receive a £10 pound voucher to use on bbr.com so you can treat yourself too. Last-minute shopping may mean some of the gifts will have already gone and we would hate for you to miss out. Just take a look at www.bbr.com at the gift collection, which comprises exquisite gifts including both delicious wines and luxury foods or exceptional wine accessories.

The Day Suzy Got Stuck In The Loo...!

Having spent the first half hour of my most recent birthday stuck in the staff toilet I'm reminded of the need to check grub screws on all door knobs from time to time to avoid having to call the fire brigade on your mobile to be freed! It might also save lingering guests at Christmas...

Seriously though I was rescued by Tracey when she turned up for work as my mobile was in my handbag on the other side of the door. Emergency spindle has now been installed!

Have You Made Your Christmas Pudding Yet....?

Well, if you're like me the answer to that question would be no! So this year I've decided to buy one from Meg Rivers. They like a lighter taste to their Christmas pudding so they use fine French brandy, rather than the dark, heavy beers more commonly used. Local Bramley apples and whole, fresh oranges and lemons give extra juice and zest. Once again this year, for every pudding sold, Meg Rivers will donate £1.00 to Marie Curie Cancer Care - another great reason to buy yours this year! Visit www.megrivers.com to order.