I Met My Idol!!

Yesterday was undoubtedly THE best day I've ever had in Brrringland. "Why?" I hear you all ask. Well you all know that my favourite home design style is shabby chic, and I only met the Queen of Shabby Chic herself, Ms Rachel Ashwell!!!!!

But I'm getting ahead of myself here. Let me start at the beginning.

It was a dreary Saturday morning as usual, with the rain falling and grey clouds all around. All I could see ahead of me was another boring old day in boring old Blundon.

I was having my morning coffee and surfing the web when I decided to click on www.shabbychic.com. I sometimes check out Rachel Ashwell's website to keep up with what she is doing and to look at the beautiful photos she often posts on her blog. I knew she was opening a new shop in Blundon, but had no idea when that would be. Imagine my surprise when I saw the opening hours under the Blundon shop address. As soon as P woke up up, I told him that I wanted to check it out.

I have been following Rachel's story for a few years. She originally started the shabby chic craze in the 80s when she scoured flea markets for pieces of furniture. She would then refurbish them in her distinctive style by painting them white and distressing them. These pieces sold like hot cakes and her business expanded rapidly. Her decorating palette uses mostly pale colours and imperfect items are perfect to her.

She was successful for many years until the credit crunch hit a couple of years ago. To my (as well as many of her other customers') dismay, she had to close down her shops for some months. However, she is back in business again with three new stores, including the one in Blundon.

P drove me the 12 miles to her shop and we parked up. When we walked into the store, who should I see sitting on a big comfy sofa in the middle of the store but Rachel herself!! I was like,"Oh my god, you're here!!!" ha ha. Playing it so cool...not! Anyway, she was really friendly and said that she spends most her time in her other two shops in the Land of the Free but she happened to be in Brrringland to help set up this one.

I was so excited but tried not to gush too much. We looked around and although we didn't buy any furniture, I did pick up two copies of her latest book. She signed one for me and the other one for my stepmum. I also got my photograph taken with her. She was actually wearing the same pink top as the one on the cover of her book.

Her furniture is expensive but very high quality. After we move house later on in the year, I will definitely go back there and pick something up.

When we got out of the shop, I finally let rip and jumped up and down, squealing, "Oh my god I can't believe I met Rachel Ashwell, OH MY GOD!!!!" P could not stop laughing. He knows that I am never going to have an affair because my only passions are jewellery, Chynna, property and of course, shabby chic. :-)

I could not stop smiling all day and even when I think about it now, I am still very happy. I feel extremely inspired. She was so lovely and meeting her really has made my year. Actually never mind that, it has made my entire two year stay in Brrringland!