Parma Violet's Blog

All things bright and beautiful

parmaviolet01 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:48:06 +0000

… all creatures great and small. Well, actually only squirrels, foxes, pheasants, stags and the odd pigeon!

I am not sure why I associated Valentines with a woodland animals themed shop display but there you have it. The end result is a table full of gorgeous NEW Emma Bridgewater mugs (one of the pigeons decided to nest in my handbag and had to come home with me) very cute hedgehog, pheasant and daschund cushions by Helkat, plus a lovely mix of cards, porcelain tealight holders, angora socks (?!) and slate hearts/teapot notice boards.

Resident baker Katey, who trained at The Rose bakery in Paris no less, has also pulled out all the stops and we are delighted to be offering her beautiful little parcels of shortbread perfection which make a lovely add on to any gift, priced at £2.25. Or simply just with a beautiful card.

Please do ring/email asap in time for Valentines and we promise to do our best gift wrapping too!

xxx

Off Shopping and NEWS!..

parmaviolet01 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:51:06 +0000

Apologies to all, but as we are going off shopping to a trade fair for lots of lovely stock for the forthcoming year in Parma Violet, the shop will be CLOSED for one day on Sunday 15th January 2012.

The SALE continues until the end of this month (Jan) and then do try to pop in store to see all of our fantastic offerings for that very important time of year … Valentines. (we all need cheering up too!)

Until then, x Julie.

Happy 2012!

parmaviolet01 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:07:27 +0000

As I am feeling a tad guilty about the lack of posts towards the end of 2011, I am now making a fresh start for this year and promise to update you all with lots of lovely info, photos and general merriment each month from now on. Fingers crossed!…

With the Parma Violet SALE now in full swing (lots of lovely bargains to be had including half price Meri Meri Christmas decs and gorgeous Saltwater clothing!) I also find myself looking forward to the year ahead and anticipating the general look and feel of the shop as we go into what could be a challenging year for us all.

My intention as ever is to (hopefully!) be able to source an eclectic mix of fantastic cards and well priced toys (for all those relentless childrens birthday parties!) alongside beautiful homewares, vintage, clothing and hand crafted items …and don’t forget how absolutely fantastic Kirkby Lonsdale is, if you are feeling the urge to walk, drink soup and browse INTERESTING shops. Who wouldn’t?!

Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2012 to all, x Julie.

Saltwater Clothing A/W 2011

parmaviolet01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:52:26 +0000

We realise that it is definitely too early to hibernate just yet, but if you are feeling the need to slip into something more seasonal, then this seasons Saltwater clothing is perfect.

Gorgeous herringbone coats, velvet party dresses in blueberry, cocoa cord jackets and fairisle accessories are just right for updating your wardrobe for the forthcoming party season.

Ring to check stock availability or for mail order. (015242 72585)

Christmas Dresser 2011

parmaviolet01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:02:30 +0000

A little taster of our fabulous NEW Christmas range now in store…Don’t leave it too late to come and see us!

Je m’excuse!

parmaviolet01 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:49:09 +0000

Apologies to all for the lack of correspondence over the last few weeks…A lovely holiday to Paris was partly to blame, but also the dreaded VAT and of course all the hard work involved with pricing and putting out all of our lovely NEW Christmas stock! Further details to follow on that score, but for now a few arty shots of Paris will have to suffice!..

A reason to visit us!

parmaviolet01 — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 07:39:05 +0000

We were delighted to receive our latest delivery from the lovely people at Emma Bridgewater of 100 specially designed Kirkby Lonsdale mugs and have found that they are not only proving popular with our local customers, but also selling as holiday momentos.

Time to book yourself a Bridget Jones Autumn mini break weekend, we think and pop in store to buy one whilst stocks last…Gorgeous independent shops, cafes, pubs, hotels and great walks.

Need we say more!

Lampshades and Labradors are Best in Show!

parmaviolet01 — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:19:19 +0000

Just time to write this (before rushing off to enter shop dog Bunty in our local dog show!) to let you know about the MOST beautiful lampshades we have just got in store at Parma Violet.

Still searching for that extra SOMETHING to finish off a room or just have a penchant for stags, dogs (no labradors though), boar, foxes, viaducts (?!) and the odd tea drinking cat, then look no further as we can accommodate your every wish!

The illustration on them is truly gorgeous and with prices starting at £28, very affordable too.

Aprons, teatowels, tins and cushions are also available and make great gifts for Christmas.*

Do give us a ring/email for any more info on sizes and mail order.

**PS. * Yes, I REALLY do feel guilty about mentioning this in August!**

And in case you were going to lie awake at night wondering how Bunty got on in the Dog Show, suffice to say that despite a great deal of enthusiasm, (particularly in the Biscuit throwing competition) we came away empty handed. Or should that be, empty pawed.

Now, if only they’d had the same competition for me to enter with chocolate hobnobs!…

Dog Days # 3

parmaviolet01 — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:08:39 +0000

Another unsuspecting customer kindly agreed to be interviewed/interrogated for this, our third offering of ‘Dog Days’ where we basically get to be nosy and have a good chin wag with lots of stroking! (dog not customer)

Todays victims are Louise, with her 2 GORGEOUS Australian Shepherd dogs Amber and Henry…

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO IN KIRKBY LONSDALE? Kirkby is one of those feel HAPPY places that makes me smile every time I visit! Parma Violet is absolutely lovely at ALL times as there is always something new and exciting to find. I wish I could spend more time there but unfortunately I live a long way away which means when I do get to go there I have to go in every shop at least once and Parma Violet the most of all.

If you don’t like shopping (or your spouse doesn’t like shopping more to the point!) there is no need to panic for there are many other things to do in Kirkby – the river is a great place to go for a walk especially if you then follow it up with lunch or a drink in one of the great pubs or cafes.

The village itself is just a lovely reminder of how things used to be with a beautiful church and stunning views.

WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT PARMA VIOLET ANYWAY?… Any time you go into a shop where the owner and staff are proud and LOVE what they do it shows and Parma Violet is a prime example of this. The moment you walk in the door you are greeted with a warm smile and eye pleasing displays.

I do have trouble deciding between need and want in this shop because I do have a huge love of Bridgewater mugs and Cath Kidston tea towels and I am always in need of these items – especially the latter, as my eldest son keeps setting light to ones I already own, when attempting a spot of cooking!

The recent addition of clothing is a great touch and works well as Julie has great taste and it certainly shows in her shop… Good job Julie, you work so hard to make this little haven for us to enjoy each and every time we visit!

FAVOURITE EVER PURCHASE?.. A few years ago I got an antique French wire basket.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR DOGS.. Amber is a 4 year old red merle Australian Shepherd and Henry is a 2 year old black tri Australian Shepherd….there is nothing like a herding dog to bring life and joy to a home!

Amber is a bit of a couch potato but always up for a run, a play, a walk and a WOOF at anything that she feels like she should talk to. She is a total social butterfly, loves everyone (with and without fur). Aussies smile a lot and she always has the biggest smile to let us know she is one happy little thing, along with being a little stubborn.

Henry is a very special dog as he is by my side at all times. Loves frisbee, walks, runs, bike rides and his family, however he doesn’t really like other dogs.

Aussies do what is call the Aussie wiggle, when they greet us they wiggle and you get both a nose and a bottom at the same time. They are the only breed that does this.

WORST HABIT?. Amber: sock and flip flop chewing when given them by Henry who takes them outside!

Henry has a strange habit, he sleeps inside the office with his head out the doggie door so he can make sure all is well outside.

DREAMS OF?..

Amber: Sausages and running with rabbits

Henry: Sausages of course, sheep, frisbees

Many thanks to Louise – definitely a Parma Violet FAV customer!!! Check back next month for another fabulous doggie spectacular!

♥

BACK TO WORK!

parmaviolet01 — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:20:14 +0000

Apologies for the lack of posts written lately, mainly due to the fact that we have just returned from a lovely holiday in Devon with much fossil hunting, eating (pasties and cream teas mainly!) kite flying, swimming and walking to be had.

A local lady, from the little village of Beer where we were staying, asked me if I had got my ‘hill legs’ yet on the second day and I actually did have by day seven, but it was a painful process in between!

In case you were thinking of visiting this beautiful area at some point, these briefly were our Holiday Highlights:

- www.hanselundgretel.com (fabulous shop in BATH which we stopped off at on the way. Nordic delights with an apple strudel bar downstairs… heaven!)

- BLACKPOOL SANDS BEACH (not the one in Lancashire! Voted one of the top 10 best beaches in Britain) also the infamous Venus Beach Cafe where they serve the best organic burgers you can find.

- Walking from Beer to BRANSCOMBE on the cliff path with lunch at the lovely Masons Arms. We even had some Morris men to greet us on arriving. Surprisingly pleasant but only after a few!

- LYME REGIS beach, fossil workshop and The TOWNMILL BAKERY. Also The Mermaid shop (www.mermaid-at-the-tudor.com) where you can get a lovely portrait painted from just £45. I also recommend reading Tracey Chevalier’s book ‘Remarkable Creatures’ if spending time in Lyme – particularly if your husband becomes addicted to scaling the cliffs with fossil hammer in hand!

- BURTON BRADSTOCK beach and the HIVE BEACH CAFE…Yes, another eating establishment, but a great one! Sit back and enjoy crayfish tails with something cold right on the beach.

- DARTMOUTH for both quirky shops, cafes and its naval history.

- BAILEYS HOME AND GARDEN in Ross on Wye. A great stopping off point on the way back from the West Country. An amazing barn filled with fabulous vintage and gift items; also offers light refreshments.

PS. Now the hols are over we are very much looking forward to our exciting NEW AUT/WINTER STOCK to arrive….expect lots of beautiful pieces to update your wardrobe, give to friends and family and hang on your Christmas tree! More details to follow…