Friday, April 25, 2014

A shop in the village

It's the end of a week again already, the sunshine has left us today and soft gentle rain falls on the new born green leaves. Here the ash is still tightly in bud, therefore 'The oak is out before the ash'  so hopefully this year, it will only be a splash?  What about where you are, have you noticed which was first?
I'm still steadily, quietly working away on the hangers, so today I will take you out of my work space and down the road, a quick visit to somewhere quite beautiful, that looks as if it would easily fit into Hogsmeade.

When I was small  there was a shop in the village with a stable door. I have always loved doors like this. This shop sold groceries and I remember going in there to buy sweets sometimes, but mostly sweet supply was bought at the old post office. The shop is still here and so is the gorgeous door. It doesn't sell groceries now, but other wonderful things. I thought I'd share it with you.
'Quintessentially English' is my favourite shop in Lacock  It creates and sells, here in this old shop the most beautiful handmade natural beauty products, luxurious toiletries and organic soap that looks good enough to eat and almost too pretty to use.
Inside it's centuries old walls, blue bottles line up like an apothecary and the air is perfumed with scent of Goddess, Lavender fields, Sunshine, Moonbeam, Buttercup Meadow, Breeze, Enchanted wood and  Angels rest. 
The handmade products have an ancient philosophy behind them, which I also love...
                        ~*~ When you touch a flower you disturb a star ~*~
I'll let you read in their own words below...                                              
                                                                    ~*~    
 "Behind our products is an age-old philosophy: When you touch a flower you disturb a star. It’s an idea that goes right back to medieval times when herbalists combined the sciences of medicine and astronomy – and flowers, linked to the stars, were used for their healing properties. Like these early sages, we believe there’s a connection, between earth and air, fire and water
 – Quintessentially English
                                                                       ~*~
Just look at this divine soap! When I look at this I can almost imagine myself decadently laying among it, sniffing it, touching it, sort of  as Monsieur le CurĂ©  did among the Chocolate display in Joanne Harris' film Chocolat. ;)
In the back room by the huge old fireplace there is an interesting mix of eclectic gifts for sale, a selection of enticing tea, candles, and bowls of mysterious smelling magical incense that you can buy by the ounce. Upstairs hidden away in the attic there is more treasure, all manner of vintage bits and pieces.  
There is always something different to see whenever you visit here. Sometimes you even get to see  some of my things popping up here from time to time. :) 
If you are in the area, then it really is a must to visit.
 If you aren't, then don't worry, as they have an online shop just here.

Have a great weekend!   
Karen x                                                                     

16 comments:

  1. My kind of shop! I love the star saying.
    The soaps are too beautiful to use.

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  2. This shop is a treasure, those soaps look like sweet treats. I especially love the back and attic rooms and the rustic ceiling. I would like to visit there.

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  3. I would love to take a smelling stroll in this shop. Enjoy your visit :D

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  4. A treat for all senses and there's a lot of poetry in this beautiful shop. Thank you for sharing, Karen!

    Stephanie

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  5. Beautiful, this shop, just right for your Dream-Cards!

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  6. So thrilled to read your post because I actually can go and visit this lovely shop and beautiful village. This time next week me and my husband arrive in the Cotswolds for a weeks stay!Thanks for sharing Karen and have a great weekend, Anita xx

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  7. What a wonderful looking shop. Soaps look so beautiful. Your blog is delightful.

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  8. What a gorgeous shop. I can almost smell those gorgeous soaps as your evocative photographs have grabbed my senses! I am off to browse online! :)

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  9. I have always wanted to see inside this store after reading about it in Country Living ages ago. Thanks for taking us on a tour. Your cards look perfect in the beautiful interior.

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  10. Beautiful shop..thank you so much for sharing it with us....x

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  11. Ooh, what an amazing shop! I love old, quirky places that sell beautiful things - and the flower/star quote....what a lovely way of looking at things. Reminds me of the old Culpeper stores - sadly these days, they are all modernised and for me, lost their apothecary like, magical atmosphere.
    Thank you for sharing :)
    Have a great trip away and say hi to Pendle Hill for me, if you pass by! x

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  12. Woweee... such an enchanting place!! And, in answer to which leaves came out first, I'm still waiting for the first leaves to come, so I'll be sure to take note once they do.

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  13. What a lovely shop and such treasures.

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  14. That's my favourite shop in the village too. I can almost smell it again by looking at your pictures. :) I didn't realise you'd lived there as a child. The other thing I didn't know was their philosophy, although I could have guessed really, as their products are so natural. The old building holds such magic, what a lovely place to stock your work.
    Jess x

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  15. What a magical shop! I'm sure one cannot leave it without buying "a treasure"! I like this long-standing tradition... It must be very exciting to look round about and feel all the sweet scents!

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  16. I'm going to be visiting Laycock in July so I must pop into Quintessentially English! I can conjure up the fragrance of all those wonderful soaps from here. x

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It's great to hear from you! :-)