Mary's Weekend in Winchester

Last Friday we dropped the kids at their grandparents (hoorah!) 

and headed off for a night at the original Hotel du Vin in Winchester







It was Mr Allium B's birthday so while he checked out the vintage bookshops I was on the look out for some lovely independent boutiques that might like to stock Allium B. 

First stop, one of my favourite boutiques ever - The Hambledon

While I do love the clothes upstairs, my favourite bit of the shop has to be the ground floor, a riot of colour and wonderfully edited books, stationary and homewares. 

Miller Harris perfumes in The Hambledon (my favourite the classic Citron Citron)

 I was also most excited to discover Hotel du Vin now has complimentary 

Miller Harris 'Terre du Vin' goodies in their bathrooms

I always end up buying something from The Hambledon's homewares section usually yet more glasses (which I really don't need) to add to the groaning kitchen shelves at home

And here they are below -  my gorgeous new star etched tumblers 

settling into my kitchen shelves nicely next to my vintage wine glasses

I also bought some fluoro pink gift tags, not entirely sure why (?) 

I think it was the effect of all the wonderful colour filling The Hambledon.

Still much much cheaper than a new pink jacket ....

On my way back to Hotel du Vin right across the road, I discovered a lovely new store that had just opened in a beautifully restored old building - Jane McIntyre Design

 

Back to the Hotel for a soak in the Miller Harris bubbles 

and a celebratory glass of Champagne (a gift from my very lovely sister)

Then downstairs for dinner wearing my all time favourite Allium B dress (Amelia) 

Should also mention it was very very cold 

but the hotel fountain did look pretty with ice on it

Lie in at last  ...

Yum yum, downstairs for a sumptuous breakfast after 

a very comfy night in between the egyptian cotton sheets.

Couldn't resist the croissants but did have all of my 5-a-day too.

Having dragged ourselves away from the breakfast buffet, 
 time for a stroll down to the river through the Cathedral grounds

On route back to Brighton we made a little detour to Poundbury

 near Dorchester to visit another gorgeous boutique Yard

- a real treasure trove of gift ideas and very lovely clothes

I was on the hunt for some little pressies for Clare's birthday 

and bought one of these cute birdy shaped lavender bags to add to the 

bird shaped blackboard already purchased ( bit of a theme here ...)

So where next - oh yes Isle Of Wight at Easter  

Fingers crossed for some sunshine

I hear the shops in Ryde are very good ... 

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