Be Still My Heart

I've mentioned before that I have a dish "issue."  I'm completely and utterly addicted to dishes, or more specifically to serveware.  Platters, cake plates, you name it, if they are pretty I want them!  I have plenty of plates too, some with services for 20 and others just a few dessert plates in a particular pattern, but it's those darn serving pieces that draw me in like a moth to a flame!

As much as I love these pretty little wares, the lack of crisp bills overflowing from my wallet (ok I don't have a wallet I just shove stuff into a zippered pocket in my purse), keeps me from picking up too many of the things I really, truly want!  There are a few companies out there that make my heart skip a beat when I see their beautiful offerings.  Burleigh or Burgess Dorling & Leigh, if you want to sound highfalutin, is one of those companies.

It seems that everything I see on their website makes me want to pack a bag and jump on the next British Airways flight to London!  Sadly, that's not going to happen anytime soon, so for a long time now I've had to settle for gawking on the internet and imagining what a set of their bowls, dishes, or a platter might look like in "my" kitchen!

The other day, while on one of my fantasy "internet" shopping sprees I found IT!!!  There it was, right before my eyes...my heart raced, my pulse quickened, and I ran for my purse (and that zippered pocket) to buy it!  Today, when the UPS truck arrived I knew just what it was!  It wasn't my son's car detailing supplies, or something from my husband's work...it was for me and it was something I've always wanted but had never considered due to the price!

It was my perfectly packed, bubble wrapped Burleigh Burgess Chintz Platter from Williams Sonoma Home!  But wait, there's more!  This wasn't just any old Burleigh platter, this was my drop dead gorgeous dirt cheap Burleigh platter!

 Now that term "dirt cheap" is relative I know.  Had I been in Target and seen a large platter costing $25.00 I would have walked right past, but this was Burleigh...my Idol in the world of dishware!!  Originally listed on their website for $195.00, which was a "tad" overpriced by my estimation, it had been marked down to $29.95 and then I had received an email offering me an extra 20% off!  Can you sense me grinning like a Cheshire cat people...while ripping the packing to shreds?!

Ok, so here "she" is (why do I refer to all things dish'y' as "she"?)...in all her Burleigh glory!

And here's a view of her...umm pardon my French...derriere!

And her beautiful Burleigh Birthmark!

I knew right where to put her...on the hood above our range.

And then I stood back and admired her beauty, and the gorgeous chintz pattern, and the deep blue color.

And then...I rushed right back over to my computer and ordered some of the matching plates!!!

I'm linking up for Blue Monday over at Smiling Sally's wonderful blog!

The British Are Coming!

I've always been a bit of  an anglophile.  I think it all goes back to both my mother and father's love of Beatrix Potter, Wedgwood China, and Waterford Crystal.  Our daughter has also caught "UK" fever as I call it, and has spent all her free time and money traveling to England and Scotland over the last few years.

Although I love travel in almost any form to almost anywhere,  it's no wonder that I am drawn to British magazines and websites filled with pottery, linens, and accessories produced in the United Kingdom...and let's not forget Ireland!

Here are a few of my favorite kitchen related things from across the pond.  Many of the items I've listed can be purchased here in the US, but sadly some require you to visit in order to buy them.  That's not all bad though, I mean if you are going to go shopping, why not go BIG?!

This kitchen by Plain English has "Kat" written all over it, and look they even knew I was coming they have tea waiting for me!  

Photos:  Plain English

You may have noticed in a few of my photos some of Emma Bridgewater's darling pottery from her "Black Toast" line.  I would love to have more!

Photo:  Emma Bridgewater

These bespoke tiles from Wellbeck Tiles are all so beautiful, I can see them in an all white kitchen with black counters.  You could even frame them, they are truly works of art!

Photo:  Wellbeck Tiles

Burleigh ware has always been a favorite of mine, especially their "Natural White" ironstone collection.  The numbered pudding basins have been on my wish list for quite awhile now...are you reading this family of mine?

Photo: Burleigh

Of course you'll want to display all your new pottery and stoneware so why not get a pretty kitchen dresser to hold all of your new finds, like this one from Kit Stone Interiors & Gardens.

Photo:  Kit Stone

I could buy nearly everything I find on Pale and Interesting's website, like these beautiful linens.

Or this lovely table and those colorful tea label boxframes.

 

 Photos:  Pale and Interesting

And for my anglophile daughter "Angelfish" you'll want a few yummy British treats to stock your new kitchen.

And

 

Photos:  British Delights

And if you really want a more authentic experience, just dust off your passport, apply for a visa, and go live there for a while!  If you think that's not even a possibility, check out the latest post over at Pigtown Design to find out how to live in the UK on the cheap!