Our week that was: Fizz, flowers and a haircut!

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This week is the first time this year when it has felt like summer has finally arrived. We’ve been out in T-shirts and the sky is still bright on our evening dog walks.

Bottle of Castillo De Sierra Rosado rosé cava

Drink

With the onset of long, warm, sunny days, we’ve started eating our evening meals al fresco. Outdoor This week, we discovered a delicious pink fizz; Castillo De Sierra Rosado Cava from Morrisons. It’s really dry with hints of strawberry and cherry… and best of all, it’s really affordable at just £5.99 per bottle. In fact, we like it so much, we’ve just returned to buy six more bottles – and we saved 25% for buying it in bulk, making it £4.49 each!

Welsh poppies in our garden Lilac shrub in our garden
Red campion in our garden 'Korresia' rose in our garden
clockwise from top left: Welsh poppies, lilac, rose Korresia, red campion

Flowers

Again, because of the warm weather (and preceding weeks of rainfall) our garden is suddenly blooming this week. The first of our roses, Korresia, is coming into flower.

My 3rd haircut

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by RICHARD ✂️ WELSH CURL SPECIALIST (@cyrl_cymru)

My 1st haircut

Hair

For over 30 years, I didn’t go to the hairdresser… without having my hair cut. When we moved to Wales, I noticed that there’s a curly hair specialist in Aberystwyth town centre. After the end of lockdown, I contacted Richard – aka Cyrl Cymru – to make an appointment. He told me that his book was full and that he wouldn’t be taking any new clients for the rest of the year… that was more than 6 months away!

Anyway, he eventually contacted me to see if I was still interested in having my hair cut… I was! I’ve now been to him 3 times in the last 5 months, the condition of my hair gets better and better with each visit.

Auction alert: Special sale of alcohol

Boxed Dimple de luxe Scotch whisky

Often, in this Auction Alert series, we’ve featured bar accessories, bar carts and drink cabinets. This week, we’re highlighting a two day auction of Collectables, Antiques, Jewellery, Furniture, Vintage Items, Tools etc. as it includes a special sale of alcohol.

Many of these lots would look fantastic displayed on your vintage bar set up. Included in the sale is the iconic Dimple whisky bottle, Dubonnet (allegedly the Queen’s favourite tipple) a fantastic wicker-wrapped bottle of rare port and something we’d never come across before – Boomsma Beerenburg, a herbal liqueur from the Netherlands.

The auction is being held by Ashley Waller Ltd who are based in Lower Withington, Cheshire and takes place on Wednesday 6th July 2022 from 10am.

The catalogue isn’t available on the auctioneer’s own website, but it can be viewed on EasyLiveAuction. Ashley Waller Ltd levy a commission of 20% (16.66% plus VAT) on each hammer price.

Live bidding is offered via EasyLiveAuction where their 3% or £3.00 flat fee will be added to all won lots. Alternatively, you are able to bid via The Saleroom, I Bidder and Bid Spotter.

DUE TO THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR GOODS TO BE PACKAGED AND POSTED WE NO LONGER OFFER AN IN HOUSE SERVICE, HOWEVER WE WORK CLOSELY WITH A COMPANY CALLED MAIL BOXES ETC WILMSLOW WHO CAN ORGANISE THIS FOR YOU.

A 1967 Real Vinicola vintage port

Lot 351: A 1967 Real Vinicola vintage port bottled in 1973
75cl 20% volume in an unrelated wooden box
Estimate: £40 – £60

bottle of Boomsma Oud Friesche Beerenburger

Lot 352: A 1 litre bottle of Boomsma Oud Friesche Beerenburger
Estimate: £20 – £40

1970s bottling of Dubonnet Rouge

Lot 355: A 1970s bottling of Dubonnet Rouge
Estimate: £40 – £60

Boxed Dimple de luxe Scotch whisky

Lot 357: A boxed Dimple de luxe Scotch whisky
70 proof 26 2/3 fl.ozs. proceeds to be donated to East Cheshire Hospice
Estimate: £150 – £250

Bottle of 2007 Barros port

Lot 362: A 75 cl bottle of 2007 Barros port
(considered to be the best year of the decade)
Estimate: £20 – £50

Bottle of Cockburn's port fine old ruby

Lot 372: A 70cl bottle of Cockburn’s port Fine Old Ruby
Estimate: £100 – £200

Bottle of Hooper's specially selected Rare Port

Lot 376: A 75cl bottle of Hooper’s specially selected Rare Port
Produced in Portugal
Estimate: £15 – £30

Get their look: Ultimate bar cart

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by | & (@daises.and.swallows)

Covid forced us all to stay at home, many folks tried to make the most of it by bringing ‘going out’ indoors. Miss going to the pictures? Invest in a large-screen TV and a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription. You can make your own popcorn for a fraction of the price of the stuff from a multiplex.

Miss going to the pub? Stock up on a variety of bottles of booze from your local offie, buy yourself a bar cart, some bar tools and a range of glassware and create your very own chill out room.

That’s just what Stefanie has done in a corner of her dining room. There’s even a Les Paul electric guitar to bang out some impromptu tunes!

What would be some of the essentials on your ultimate bar cart?

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

SKURUP floor uplighter
SKURUP floor uplighter
Palma yellow wine glasses, set of four
Palma yellow wine glasses, set of four
Wooden star base bar tools set
Wooden star base bar tools set
Gisela juicer jug
Gisela juicer jug
Bar neon sign
Bar neon sign
Percy wine rack
Percy wine rack
Rice cocktail cart, gold
Rice cocktail cart, gold
SKURUP floor uplighter
SKURUP floor uplighter
Palma yellow wine glasses, set of four
Palma yellow wine glasses, set of four
Wooden star base bar tools set
Wooden star base bar tools set
Gisela juicer jug
Gisela juicer jug
Bar neon sign
Bar neon sign
Percy wine rack
Percy wine rack
Rice cocktail cart, gold
Rice cocktail cart, gold

Get their look: Home cocktail bar

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Stephanie Milton (@miltonmanor)

Pubs, clubs and other social venues are beginning to reopen; life is feeling a little more normal again. Many of us over the past year and a bit have shifted our home life to compensate. Perhaps creating an outdoor barbecue kitchen or an indoor home cocktail bar such as this one.

For those of us not comfortable going back to busy pubs just yet, a cocktail bar at home isn’t hard to create. Start by getting a bar cart that suits your décor – Art Deco fabulous, vintage Tiki vibe, Mad Men mid-century… you get the drift.

Stock your cart with your favourite tipples – Aromatic gins, single malt whiskies, bottles of bone dry fizz… And don’t forget your selection of mixers – miniature bottles or cans of tonic, soda, juices.

Next, are all your tools & accessories – glassware, ice bucket & tongs, shaker, squeezer, strainer, muddler, stirrers, straws… I feel a cocktail party coming on! What’s your poison?

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Peony and bee light up bubble
Peony and bee light up bubble
Cut glass decanter
Cut glass decanter
Cocktails neon light box
Cocktails neon light box
Shakespeare’s timeline print
Shakespeare’s timeline print
Primrose accent chair
Primrose accent chair
Riya bar cart
Riya bar cart
Peony and bee light up bubble
Peony and bee light up bubble
Cut glass decanter
Cut glass decanter
Cocktails neon light box
Cocktails neon light box
Shakespeare’s timeline print
Shakespeare’s timeline print
Primrose accent chair
Primrose accent chair
Riya bar cart
Riya bar cart
Peony and bee light up bubble
Peony and bee light up bubble
Cut glass decanter
Cut glass decanter
Cocktails neon light box
Cocktails neon light box
Shakespeare’s timeline print
Shakespeare’s timeline print
Primrose accent chair
Primrose accent chair
Riya bar cart
Riya bar cart