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!

Sunday Afternnon Photoshoot

Paul & I had an unusual afternoon on Sunday doing a spot of modelling for the photoshoot of our house. Although as usual Gert was the star turn, when she could be bothered to drag herself from her box.
I had laid the table with or Organic Ochre & Ocre table linen, as well as some jugs of our Herefordshire Homegrown flowers in the different rooms.
We were lucky with the weather and the rain held off so we were able to grab some pictures outside.
The photographer was David Giles, who has done loads of interesting interior pieces, check out his website. Pat Garratt was the stylist / free lance journalist, who had first made contact with me at The Country Living Fair last March.
Paul & I have built the house in the back garden of an old cottage, that we had bought at auction a few years ago. When we bought the plot it already had planning permission - so we were able to get going quite quickly with some small amends. I was actually in Hong Kong at the time of the auction. I remember sitting in my room, watching HK harbour at about 3 in the morning, nervously waiting for the phonecall from Paul to find out where we were going to live next! He was bidding on 2 plots that evening, so it was a really nail biting time waiting to see which one, (if any!), we got.
We moved in last August, after just over a year building it - still work to be done at the front, but it is a lovely home.
Fingers crossed they are able to sell our house and story to a magazine in the near future - we will keep you posted.
Don't forget to come and see us at The Good food show if you are at the NEC this week!

Dressing Up

I suddenly realised yesterday I'd better find something appropriate to wear for the photoshoot tomorrow - so did a quick scout around my favourite websites at lunchtime, and came across a really nice range by Caro.
Described as dressing up for winding down, the edited range has some nicely cut pieces, with simple wood block prints. The ethics behind the company aren't bad either.
Working with a small factory in India, Caro has been able to build a good relationship with her team of tailors and has been keen to make sure that good working conditions are maintained. On the ground floor, a breakfast and after school club exists for local children and is funded through charitable donations. The workforce in this unit has grown as Caro has become more established and the small business has provided more employment opportunities in the area.
It is small businesses like this, that have more chance of changing peoples lives, than larger firms, who work with the bigger factories.
Anyway don't just take my word for it, check out their website, www.carolondon.co.uk