mixed bunch

I caught sight of myself this morning as I walked past the mirror holding a jug of mixed tulips. It made me realise two things; first, that the more tulips you have, real or reflected, the brighter you will feel and second, that our rug* goes beautifully with a mixed bunch.

I'm at the end of four weeks of school holidays and I'm a little weary. It's been a mixed bunch of a month, with two children off at the beginning, an overlap when all three were at home, then just the one. But I can see I am starting to consider the reality of them all being back at school next week - as evidenced by my decision to go for the merriest mix of tulips I could find in the garden today.

 

Having seen the tulips' reflections, I thought I'd play a little more with mirrors. I found it amazing to be able to see more than one view of a vase and a bunch of flowers at a time, and thus compare the effects of different lights (I, for one, am always twirling vases around as I can never decide which is the better 'side').

When I saw the photo below on the computer screen I was delighted to notice that there is even a third arrangement of tulips (in the base of the mirror) which made me think of several well-known paintings that feature convex mirrors which condense a scene into a tiny circle.

Now there's a fine mixed bunch of thoughts.             

               ***

I went to the London Book Fair on Monday. It's not an event for authors but I had to deliver some fairy cakes and have a meeting. Seeing Sebastian Faulks in the flesh stopped me in my tracks momentarily (very tall, very striking, very smart and absolutely no shabby tweed jacket with leather elbow patches or corduroy trousers), but as I couldn't stand there gawping all day, I carried on looking at the publishers' stands.

As ever, I gravitated to the display of Stewart, Tabori & Chang books. This is not just because my book will be published in the US by STC Craft in September 08, but also because they produce the most amazing mixed bunch of craft and interior books which reflect their authors' personalities and visions. There is nothing predictable about STC books, unless it's the fact that they all look wonderful and yet feel very different.

I particularly liked the look of Kim Parker Home and added it to my mental list of books to look out for. But it took a while (Monday to Friday) for the penny to drop. No wonder I was drawn to Kim Parker's style and palette - we already have her in our house. *The rug which goes so well with my mixed bunch is one of her designs.

I now see why this rug appealed when we bought it; it's like having a pressed and dried bunch of flowers on the floor all year round.

Plus, you wouldn't believe how much fun I have hopping and jumping from flower to flower when no-one's looking. And next week, when everyone is finally back at school, I'll be able to hop, skip and jump as much as I like.

Comments

[AS]

I think I would also stop and gawp if I suddenly came across Sebastian Faulks.

[Ühltje]

Thank you for yet another colourful post. This is becoming my favorite time of the year, because even when I look outside and it is grey and wet, I go to your blog and feel all cheerful.

[andylynne]

What a delightful fun post, I love your flowers, and your rug. I love book sales, and meeting an author is my idea of an all time good day. Thanks for your uplifiting musings. Hop to your hearts content:)

[emily]

i forgot how crazy jealous i get when i read your blog at this time of year. those tulips. they make me drool.

[Betsy]

Someday, when I have my own house and yard, I am going to have a bazillion beautiful tulips, too..and a rug very, very much like that one because I am in love with it..
And I'm soo excited about your book coming out the in the US this fall!!

[Monica]

Your photos are, as always, fantastic. You truly have an amazing eye and I never get tired of perusing your blog. Love the rug. Is it from The Rug Company? I was just at their store in NYC. Lovely stuff.

[Michelle]

I love checking into your lovely site every morning. Your tulips have inspired me to plant piles of them next fall!

[Michelle]

I love checking into your lovely site every morning. Your tulips have inspired me to plant piles of them next fall!

[Ana Antunes]

Really, beautifull colors and the rug wow! Love it! very nice pictures, you made my day with this post, i´m gonna buy some...

[Louise]

Hi Jane,
I saw your book in town at Dymocks(Bookstore)today in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. What a long journey! It's so beautiful. I'm going to buy it for myself for my Birthday.
Your post is lovely to look at today.... No Tulips in anyone's gardens in Alice, that's for sure!

[Sherry]

Those flowers are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing, although their candy colors suddenly make me crave something sweet.

And I would love a candy dress for the summer, in just those shades. Or a lovely scarf like that, creamy soft. And I think an umbrella with a panel in each tulip color would be the perfect thing to chase away a gray day.

[Sharyn]

What fun exploring reflections! The tulips are amazing, you can't help being happy just looking at them.

[Muriel]

I love your rug too! And the flowers look like candy.

[Christine Thresh]

You have a white rug in a house with children!
Beautiful, but it would not have stood my kiddies.

[Stephanie]

The tulips make me want to rush out and find some for myself. That rug makes me salivate. It is so lovely. Just beautiful.

[Patricia]

Thanks you for the flowery posts. I could hardly know where to leave my comment. The colors made my heart sing.