I've never really been a flash hotel kinda girl, and while where I stay when I go away is generally down to budget than anything else, I do still prefer the experience of a homely B&B than a flashy but souless 4 star hotel. I like it when a room has quirks and personal touches, I even liked one place we stayed in Ireland a few years ago which had a large collection of scary looking dollies and teddies staring down at us from the wardrobe! To me this is so much more fun that a uniform room which you know is exactly the same as the one next door.
But while B&Bs have their charm they also have the slight feeling that you're living with the owner, and can sometimes be a bit close for comfort. In one place we stayed in Cornwall recently, we came back to our room after being for a walk to find the owner had unpacked our bags for us, hung up our clothes, tidied my make bag and lined up our toiletries in the bathroom! slight invasion of privacy there! Another cottage we rented with friends one New Years, the owner lived next door, and spent our entire stay 'popping in' to see if we needed anything, or to ask if we wanted to go to the pub with his daughter?!! Again, there's being helpful and friendly and there's being annoying.
So this is why I am loving the latest trend for renting real peoples homes when you're abroad. You get that homely feel, but without the owner poking their nose in on what your plans are for the day. One company doing this in a very stylish way is
One Fine Stay - currently operating in London and New York. The homes they rent out are so stunning inside you may not want to go back to your own house! For example this one in Shoreditch, East London.... even though I live in London, I'm tempted to book it, just so I can pretend I live somewhere this cool for a few days! And lets face it, the staycation has never been more trendy.
a painting to add to my growing collection! 
and my top purchase of the day, this mini suitcase! its only about 20cm wide! so cute! 
If you haven't had a chance to check out our latest issue of the magazine - pop over to the website, and have a peek! You can also read all our previous issues which are on our Archive page. The next issue is well underway, and I can't wait to share it with you in December! 
Check out more of One Fine Stay's London homes and New York homes - it will have you drooling for hours. :) 
my new coat! and a top which was £8!
Next we drove over to the lovely little town of Auberterre. Here there were various stalls dotted around the streets and in the main square. Most were full of vintage wares, although weirdly I found that many of the items were just a tad too rusty for my liking! The only thing I spotted was an enamel splashback to hang spoons on, but I wasn't quick enough and someone got in before me! :-O
I don't think anyone will be going to far on this bike! nice colour though!
a slightly odd gaggle of folk....
Today was the first day I've worn my winter coat, so Autumn is most definitely here... I usually try and string out summer as long as possible, but it was just too nippy this morning! Therefore I felt the need for a touch of 'Fall' on the blog today. This beautiful print is by illustrator and designer Owen Gildersleeve. He made each individual leaf from paper, then laid them out and photographed them. It is actually an archival giclee print even though it looks 3D! The colours are beautiful don't you think? Available from Howkapow for £30. 
