You may or may not have noticed, but I have been a little distracted this week from all things social media related.

Home and work seem to be getting in the way of blogging but with good reason.

Here was my week. 

As a family, we are going through a period of turmoil. A time when there is no certainty to put your trust in, only faith that you can support each other through whatever lies ahead.

I am so grateful for the loyal readers that check into this blog every day or read through the emails when they pop up in your inbox, and I know you won't mind if over the next week, the content may be a little sparse. I've scheduled a couple of posts and have a few adventures this week that I am looking forward to sharing next week, including my first interiors shoot for Pretty Nostalgic Magazine.

We are going through lots of changes at home and at work, all good, but all happening at once. I'll share more later this week so look out for a special #MeandMine post on the 30th.

But for now, take a minute to tell someone you adore that you love them.

My brother, who lives in America, will be celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend and more than ever, I feel so very thankful for everything and everyone I have in my life.

I found these free iPhone wallpapers you can download here that just seem perfect for life at the moment.

Last weekend I posted my regular feature Weekend Discoveries and whispered about a new Artisan Emporium that had just opened in Clevedon.

Well today I am shouting aloud about the beauty of 19 Alexandra Road.

It's wonderful when you meet two individuals like Victoria and Becky, who are so passionate and so driven that they have taken their vision and made it a reality.

19 Alexandra Road is the most serene gallery style emporium, showcasing local artists and selling handpicked vintage pieces.  

I gasped when I opened the door, because from every picture displayed on the carefully thought through display boards to the unique finds laid out with space to pick them up and feel the history behind them, the attention to detail of two inspired shop keepers, shines through.

Every where I looked there was tiny details that piece together like a beautiful jigsaw. Vintage kitchen tables, wallpapered and painted for individual shop furniture, pictures displayed on giant boards as if in your home as a gallery wall display and flowers. Lots of flowers by the very talented Daisy Lane Floral Design.

19 Alexandra Road is quite different from a lot of vintage shopping experiences. Clutter free so you can really see everything that is for sale, every item has been polished and cleaned and displayed in a thoughtful and considered way, and you come away feeling special.

I loved the little touch of a bow wrapped round the awkwardly shaped tin box I bought and the tray and gold rimmed plate will be featuring in lots of Christmas blog posts! 

If you are local to the area then take half an hour to have a browse. It's wonderful to see a local independent business supporting local artists and sellers.

I am going to do my very best to squeeze an extraordinary amount of photos into this post, because quite simply you need to see them all! 

I was completely honoured to be invited by the team at Pedlars to visit their Central office and tour their warehouse, Charlie's studio, the farm on the estate and Farm Shop. I was giddy when I saw it was an overnight stay at no less than the only Prime Ministerial Library in the country, which the late Prime Minister (and Charlie's great great grandfather) Gladstone, lovingly founded with his own personal collection of over 20,000 books (with handwritten notes in the margins) and tried to contain my hysteria when we arrived for lunch to find who I was sharing the trip with.

The editor of Domestic Sluttery and her friend, the founder of Pretty Nostalgic, the well respected My Interior Stylist from London, the Entertainment Editor from Wallpaper Magazine and me. Me?! I felt like I was in blogging and journalistic royalty. And then, within seconds of sitting down for lunch, I realised that we all shared a common interest. A passion for vintage, alternative and creative ideas and instantly I was, too, a valued part of the group.

There were too many moments that I wanted to take a photograph of. Picking fruit straight from the trees and watching a bevy of pheasants fly by, brainstorming in Charlie's rustic barn studio complete with neon painted steps to what would have been a hay loft, and sat chatting, (almost without pausing for breath), with Nicole before we all met for dinner about a magazine I adore. To the founder!

It was a delight touring the beautifully and eclectically decorated Glynne Arms in the village, goldfish bowl glass of wine in hand, that is part of the Pedlars empire. A pub that is more like an interiors photo shoot set but with an atmosphere that makes you want to tease out your drink or dinner until closing time. The food was tremendous.

I even had to take a photo of my packed lunch we were all given for our train journey's home from the farm shop!

The best thing about the different facets of the business and the buildings they encompass is that the styling is all the team's own work. Their passion, their style. And the genuine and authentic purpose and love of each carefully selected and placed piece, shines through.  

Pedlars is true to their word. They do indeed sell wonderful stuff for your home. And vintage. Bone fide (every piece comes with a guarantee of authenticity), hand picked by Charlie and beautiful packaged, their vintage collections available on line are like viewing the gallery pages of a museum. Charlie takes several buying trips each year across the globe, shipping container loads from America and India. He has little moles and has built relationships with selected suppliers who can source him the most wonderful range of pieces that makes Pedlars a unique shopping destination. 

Every Friday morning they launch Pedlars Friday Vintage and on a number of occasions I've tried to click through and buy in the afternoon and someone has beaten me to it! There aren't hundreds of each product. These are genuine vintage items that need to be snapped up. To be saved and admired by their new owner.  

I have never felt more inspired in a group of strangers.  

And what was lovely, was it was obvious everyone felt the same. 

If you are ever in the vicinity of Hawarden you must visit the Farm Shop and the Library. Two totally different experiences. One bustling with shoppers and families stocking up on their fruit and veg and buying speciality foods from local suppliers, perhaps stopping for lunch in the thriving cafe and the other a serene yet commanding venue with an air of understated grandeur and elegance. The Library will take your breath away when you prise open the heavy door. I felt like I wanted to tip toe around whilst running my fingers along the spines of the books but only recently the Library was full for a successful first ever literary festival Gladfest!

And if you haven't clicked through to the Pedlars home page yet, do it now. You won't be disappointed!  This is on my Christmas list if Father Christmas thinks I've been a very good girl this year!

Thank you to Sophie, Charlie and all the team, it was THE MOST fantastic 24 hours! 

I came home to three Heath men waiting for me at the train station looking like a packhorse laden with goodies. The icing on the sweetest cake!