JJ Markets

I recently discovered JJ Markets here in Chiang Mai. If you love orchids and waterlillies or any other tropical plants for that matter, this is heaven. Market stalls upon market stalls of flora and fauna......I've seen more variety of orchids here than at a flower show.

New Look

I needed some new business cards and a friend referred me to a fantastic printer who does digital printing with matt finishes. It took 1 afternoon for them to print, cut and varnish 200 cards. Voila!

Approving the colour.

You'll never believe me if I told you how much I paid for these!

Pop Up Card

I bought this cute handmade pop up card when I was in Vietnam last year. Perfect for M's birthday last week.

Bug's Life

I was sitting in a cafe having a mango shake (my favourite drink in the heat) and I was looking at this massive tree wondering what type of tree it was. And then I looked closer and noticed all these ants walking around on the branches, onto the roof and flag line. They're busy little creatures but I thought isn't life just fascinating when you take a moment and just stop to look around you?

Messages for us all

Whilst walking along the streets of Vientiane, I found these painted 'billboards' which I thought were quite charming.

Talad Sao Markets

Laos has a rich history of woven textiles. A morning stroll around the Talad Sao Markets and I was in textile heaven. I am still deciding whether to buy a particular piece or not...

Treasure troves of textiles

Silks and cottons in a myriad of wonderful colours

I think these are the shuttlecocks which are used for the weft if
my memory from university serves me correct?

Aren't the colours just stunning?

Textile Addict

I seem to have no control when it comes to looking at beautiful textiles - whether it's new, antique, woven, printed, embroidered. If I love it, I just have to have it. Here's some things I bought today in Vientiane:

Embroidered cotton on silk

I love the colours and naivety

Breakfast

How cute are these egg cup warmers from The House?

I love the embroidered cherries on gingham.

Pom Poms

Pom Pom fever has hit Chiang Mai - everywhere we go, they seem to be on everything from cushions to bags etc! I think they're lots of fun.

All photos copyright Jo Buckley

Party Pics

Thank you to everyone for your lovely birthday well wishes. 40 is not so bad after all. My party was amazing and I felt so blessed to be surrounded by family and special friends. We all dressed in white, the weather was perfect....it was just a magical night!

Drinks at sunset on the beach

I don't look 40, do I?

Everyone looked fabulous in white!

Fantastic dinner

I love fireworks, I figured you only turn 40 once!

and cake.