Dragon Muck

I promised myself I would not go back to Dragon Mart the first time I visited there and I broke that promise today.  Two reasons, first I need some really cheap bamboo blinds, the simple kind, no frills just bamboo blinds, secondly I like to double check when I suspect other people are talking crap.  You see everyone raves on about Dragon Mart, you can find anything and everything they say.  Yes you can, anything fake, cheap, vulgar, badly made and probably toxic.

Don't get me wrong it is the perfect place for downlighters, sinks, loos, pipes, screws and washers and if you look hard, very hard maybe a mao costume.  You will not however find a repro emperor chair or lacquered wedding chest, pretty chinese lanterns, chinatown bowls and chop sticks, or anything charmingly chinese nor will you find bog standard bamboo blinds.

Above images from www.easterncurio.com and definitely not available at Dragon Muck

Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas

Let's face it Christmas is not a desert thing is it?  Christmas is mountains and skiing for me. 

Having said that Paris does do Christmas very well

In haste, because it wouldn't be Christmas without a little panic, here is my pick of the more charming and sometimes unusual Christmas decorations around

Fortnum and Mason

Crate and Barrel

Pantone from jonnycampbell.com

Crate and Barrel

The White Company (sold out of course!)

Tiffany

 And of course let's not forget the crackers

Asprey

I always buy a few new ones every year, my favourite purchase of 2011, surprisingly, is from Debenhams, who would have guessed it?!

Christmas cheer to one and all!!