Life is a picnic

Popped in to the Indoor Picnic boutique today and came across Anna's handmade Liberty fabric jewellery. Beautiful pieces which are versatile, making excellent gifts for friends and family alike. Or just to indulge yourself in a little treat.

The Indoor Picnic boutique is back in the original spot in the Antiques Centre on Ely Street - open Tuesday to Saturday. Do pop in and say hello to the talented Ms Barnett and enjoy browsing and buying!

Cross my palm with a silver charm...

Anna Barnett is a wonderful and talented lady, owner of Indoor Picnic. I had the pleasure of being a schoolchum of Anna's back in Shakespeare Country where Anna's boutique is located, within the Antiques Centre.

Anna not only sells vintage crockery, but she also makes her own jewellery, using silversmithing techniques by casing oddments of china in silver with stunning results, and also with her handmade Liberty fabric pieces.

The whole shop is a trove for gifts either for a little treat for yourself (and why not?) or with the season for giving just round the corner, finding that perfect present for those friends and family that are difficult to buy for. You are sure to find something to make someone smile.

Just a little kick...

Hooray for exciting new discoveries! This one came at work when an email went round the fifth floor at Thomson Reuters Towers saying that there were pots of chilli jam in the kitchen for our delectation. However, horror of horrors, I was tucked up in the dining room working on my laptop when the message came in.

Mr Cross and I are big fans of chilli jam, so I was keen to find out where this jam came from and how I might go about sampling some. Chill& is a family business, which came about as my friend's mum started making the jam for friends, who came back begging for more. This evening, I sampled the chilli and pepper jam with some pâté and toast. Simply delicious, with just the right amount of kick that gives heat without overpowering the flavour of the jam.

Jams and preserves in four flavours. Chilli and pepper jam, chilli and kiwi jam, chilli and lime marmalade and chilli and chocolate spread. Makes for a nice chilli Christmas hamper if you ask me! If you would like more information, do drop them a line through info@chilliand.co.uk.

Catch the Chilli& team at Highams Park Station farmers' market on the last Sunday of every month. In December, the team will be at the market on the last Sunday before Christmas (Sunday 21 December) so you can be sure to get a few last minute presents!