The Magic Cafe and Comma

When I was trying to find a recipe and link to chef Anjum Anand's website the word Ayurvida came up again. I first came across it a little while ago on the Pukka tea website. Basically it's an Ancient Indian Science that makes a connection between what we eat and our well- being. I got hooked into the Pukka website trying to work out which my dosha, imbalance is. It's really tricky because I see aspects of my personality in all three dosha's! I initially thought of course I must be blessed with the vata dosha, I'm creative aren't I?....but then there were aspects of that dosha I didn't recognise in myself so looked at the others....I still don't know. But it really intrigues me....

...and then the lady sitting next to me in the Magic Cafe was reading a book all about it.....I should have asked her shouldn't I?

I'd gone there for a big mug of white tea (I've progressed from green...!) and a delicious piece of homemade fruit cake with a thin layer of icing topped with crystallised ginger..all for £2.50! I love the atmosphere in the Magic cafe....it's vegetarian and has a real 70's hippy vibe. It's always busy with a lovely homely, laid back feel. The furniture is recycled and I think the paint probably comes from Orinoco. The walls are bright orange, the ceiling dark blue and I think there's some burgundy somewhere. There is a real hotch-potch of furniture from sofa's by the window to big old dining tables and chairs ranging from horrible reproduction Victorian ones to office chairs....honestly.....It really is ugly, not at all cool....but that kind of makes it cool...it doesn't matter it's just a really warm place to go.

On Saturday lunchtimes they have live music playing from one until two by the upright piano. It ranges from really good to quite bad. You often have to share a table but that's half the fun you meet some really interesting characters in there of all ages. There are often lots of children and older people, retired lecturers and writers, young trendy people writing on their laptops or doodling and artists from the Magdeline Road studios which are just down the road.

Then I found a lovely new shop round the corner on Iffley road called Comma. They sell amazing printed stuff by British designers like Rob Ryan and Gemma Correll who painted an amazing mural for the opening in November. You can link to it here or watch her doing a similar one below

Some Nice New Things

I can't believe we missed out on getting the Christmas tree yesterday. I could happily accommodate one from the 1st of December......before then is a little bit too soon. I love bringing the outdoors in, having that amazing pine fresh smell in the house. Then the decorations that we bring out each year, especially the lights.... I just want to keep all winter. I love all those homely traditions and I don't even complain about the pine needles and keep the tree right until 12th night.


So the 12th of December was quite late for us to go tree shopping. We happened to pop into TK-Max first which was close by, just to pick up a few odd stocking fillers. But then I spotted a little short mac. Cute, double- breasted, boxy with button tabs at the back so you can nip the waist in if you like, and nice pocket detail. I had to try it on. It fitted perfectly. I lost a similar one at Munich airport the summer before last so it would be a perfect replacement. I checked the price an couldn't believe it was Calvin Klein and reduced from £189 to £49.99! I'm not a name snob, I really love homemade, handcrafted and vintage if I can find things that suit me, or have the time to make them. But I do like the simplicity of some of his designs. Sadly recently despite quite a bit of vintage rooting I haven't found anything suitable for me at all.


So I was doubly pleased to spot a lovely wintry checked dress/tunic in soft brushed cotton. It said size 16 which is much too big for me, but it looked smaller, so I tried it on and it fitted perfectly........I hope it still does after Christmas! A bargain at £5....and the best thing is that when I got home I discovered that it isn't size 16 but age 16!!! I can't believe it fitted me!!


Then on the bargain rail I spotted a simple grey knee length skirt with the best cut over the tummy (£11) and finally something I've been looking for in all the vintage shops for ages but couldn't find.....a grey granny cardigan....a nice big soft cuddly cardigan. I'm sorted.....let it snow......


...but not much....the jacket's really for spring....and the skirt isn't that warm.....


Oh and the tree? the store closed at 4am and we were too late....
Plan for after work tonight......tree shopping......

More Bargain Finds at KOA

I couldn't resist popping into the village charity shop again this morning. I'm so pleased with my finds, and all for £6! Three bundles of cotton lace that I think may be handmade, a little basket, a pretty little silk georgette handkerchief, a bevelled mirror, a brand new cooking pot, without a lid, but if I can't use it for cooking I can plant something in it, and it's a lovely shade of green; and last but not least a coronation tea tin made by E.I & Co Ltd in Shipley Yorkshire. I think it's circa 1936 and I love it. It's got George VI and all his family pictured on it. The Queen Mother and her daughters look so pretty. I'm not sure what I'll keep in it. Probably not tea as it smells a bit musty. Maybe paintbrushes.

Bead Games and 1001 Bohemian Nights

Possibly even better than the jerk chicken on Sunday was the opportunity to have a browse around Bead Games and 1001 Bohemian Nights at number 40 Cowley Road. The images don't give credit to the amazing Aladdin's cave of costumes, vintage clothes, accessories and of course beads that is Bead Games and 1001 Nights. If the intriguing window display hadn't been enough to entice me in, well then the teddy bears handing out invitations outside certainly would have.


I should have been patient. I found my perfect sun hat.....couldn't you just see Katharine Hepburn wearing that? 'A' offered to buy it for me but at £35 I thought it was a bit steep....but I did try it on and it looked really cute with black velvet ties.....and it would look lovely just hanging on the wall......but then there was the Chinese coolie hat too.........





I might be back, there was a beautiful antique Russian silk blouse that A insist I go back and buy......I'll keep you informed.....

Darn it & Stitch

I've told you about one of my favourite stalls at the Antique and Craft Market held on Thursday in Gloucester Green, called Darn it & Stitch. Well those clever girls have only gone and got themselves their own shop!!

Their absence from the market was sadly noticed last Thursday, so I was really pleased to get a facebook message inviting me to the opening next Saturday.....wild horses couldn't keep me away...... must remember to take the camera too.