Snow patrol

Winter's here - it's the last day of term, Christmas is coming and it's snowing.

Sort of settling.........doubtful if there will be snowballs, snowmen or sledging.

Rock around the clock

New in, Gustavian style longcase grandfather clock.

Congratulations

We celebrated Diane's birthday at Knit and Chat on Thursday with Madagascan vanilla crumble cake with blackcurrant and apple filling - there wasn't a crumb left!

We are still keeping Thomas Sabo in Cambridge in business.......Diane's winter birthday warranted some pretty winter wonderland charms.

Congratulations are also in order for Diane and Toby's new venture in Buntingford. The Cheese Plate opened their doors at the beginning of December to an enthusiastic response. They specialise in artisan cheese and also cater for parties and weddings. You can visit the shop and enjoy a glass of wine and guided by Toby's expertise, try some of the wonderful cheeses on offer. Thumbs up from us. The Cheese Plate, 26 High Street, Buntingford, Herts SG9 9AQ.

Tel: 01763 271533

Meet Mouse

Mouse (aka Madeleine) is a new member of the team and is now working at Jolie on Saturdays. She's a great little knitter too and currently working on socks and a Kim Hargreaves jumper in Rowan's Fine Lace.

A Paris

Linda and I took the Eurostar to Paris on Thursday night. We felt like we were already on holiday at St Pancras - the lego Christmas tree was fab and there was a great live band playing.

We went to visit Hellie in her new home in Suresnes, Paris.

Hellie hand embroidered personal guest towels. How gorgeous. Linda's was in red but she used it before I could take a pic!

We did some local shopping for breakfast. La Jolie Pause bar is on the corner of Hellie's street and popular it is too.

The appartment is lovely and we had breakfast by the French windows.

The view from the back.

Time for another petit dejeuner.

Paris is getting ready for Christmas - even the patisserie was festive.

We chose some gateaux to take home.

Lovely lunch with Robbie and Hellie in Versailles.

This shop was a real find. Can you believe we spent nearly two hours in here trying on some fab gear. Hellie bought a coat, Linda bought a beautiful blouse and I bought a sequin top. Chinemachine, 1oo Rue des Martyrs, 75018, Paris. Check out their blog http://www.chinemachinevintage.com/blog/

We climbed the steps to Sacre Coeur and looked over Paris by night.

Every hour, on the hour, after dark, the Eiffel tower is lit up with flashing fairy lights for 5 minutes.

It was so pretty and a magical moment.