Delaying tactics

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I don't know if anyone else has this problem or maybe its just me - but when it comes to doing something I don't really enjoy, I manage to find 101 things to do instead.
I dread getting the Bank statement through the post, as it means I need to update the accounts, and tackle SAGE. I don't mind analysing sales, best sellers etc, but somehow just entering numbers doesn't do it for me, so I seem to find lots of other things to do - hence writing the blog now. Well I did need to update it!
We are not so much winding down for Christmas at the moment, as gearing ourselves up for a 2 day photoshoot next week. I went and met our new photographer on site yesterday just to check the layout and lighting levels, and to go through the shot options and styling. Then a quick trip round Sainsbury's to get some food props - if anyone had looked in my trolley they would think  I had a strange diet of red onions, cherry tomatoes and garlic.
Luckily when it comes to the ceramics I have lots of prop options - from my time as Kitchenware buyer at Allders to  Gift Buyer at Wedgwood - I've always had a penchant for nice ceramics. Add in a few cookbooks, pestle & mortar, and pepper grinder and we are good to go. Apart from the one vital ingredient; the new samples themselves.
It has been a frustrating week, rearranging dates, chasing Portugal for information, and now waiting on TNT to deliver the goods. A true Virgo, I like to be organised, and had started work on the new range months ago, but my attempts have been thwarted at every turn. The danger with no time between the samples arriving and the shoot itself means if they are not quite right there is nothing we can do.
Fortunately Rachel Spivey our photographer seems very organised, and judging by the shots on her online portfolio a great eye as well.
So another delaying tactic from the accounts at the moment is to keep checking the TNT site for delivery updates...........
Ok - I'll get on with the accounts, but I might just check the weather forecast first!

Sunshine!

After a lovely relaxing weekend, its life back to normal at Ochre And Ocre. The empty hamper boxes arrived last week, so I am spending this week planning the perfect Christmas Hampers, calculating the costings, and writing the text. After years of working as a buyer, you would think I would be used to working a season or two in advance, but it does seem particularly surreal at the moment, given the gorgeous weather.
I've finally relented, and dragged my laptop with extension cable outside, along with the bulldog and her box. It is baking hot, the screen isn't that clear, but at least I can enjoy the weather, without feeling guilty!
The labels for our new hand wash and hand lotion are also nearly ready, so I will need to start bottling soon!
As you know I like to share my secrets with you when it comes to great online companies, and I have just come across a lovely website called; Sage, inspired by life. The site has a great mix of unique gifts and things you would want to buy for yourself, mainly sourced within the UK. I love their quirky "knitted" porcelain pots, as pictured above, as my friends know too well, I love nice ceramics, but that's because you can take a girl out of Wedgwood, but you can't take Wedgwood out of the girl!