From the monthly archives:

February 2010

Liberty of London…at Target

by Lorna Harris on February 26, 2010

Liberty at Target? Really? OK Target, you’ve finally got my attention.

I’m not a huge Target fan.  It’s too big, too overwhelming and I just feel completely lost when I’m there.  Plus, I end up buying a whole lot of cheap stuff that I don’t need.  It’s that ‘Holiday’ area that always gets me.  At the moment it’s Easter, last week it was Valentine’s Day.  I just can’t get by that section without the odd thing or too.

Target was somewhere I popped into now and then when I needed a birthday present for a child’s party.  Then they introduced a Boots section.  As I blogged at the time, I was so happy.  And that’s made me go in more often.  My bathroom is now full of Boots products, thanks to Target.  It’s a small thing but it’s a bit of home, which I love.

Last night, in between watching America dominate the Olympics, an advert for Liberty of London came on.  It was all lovely swirly florals, very Liberty, their classic prints whizzing across the screen.  It caught my eye immediately.  I love Liberty but have never seen it here in the States.  I was curious as to where this was going to lead.

Liberty at Target!  No way!  Apparently, coming on 14th March, Liberty clothes, home accessories and garden items will be available.  I’m assuming at fantastic Target prices too.  I’m so there!

If you’re American and haven’t heard of Liberty of London, take a look at their site.  It’s just the most beautiful shop ever.  Not only are their products amazing, their flagship store in London is just wonderful.   It’s a Grade II listed (ie very old and precious) Tudor building constructed from the timbers of two ships, it’s somewhere all visitors to London should pay a visit to.  Forget Harrods, go to Liberty instead.  By the way, I had no idea it was constructed from two ships but just did a quick search on wikipedia and found that out, fascinating!

I don’t know who the wheeler dealer person is at Target who is making these wonderful US/UK collaborations but keep it up.  I love it!  And will become a dedicated Target shopper because of it.  I will come into your massive store and get lost in your many aisles instead of giving up after aisle three, heading to the Boots section and then leaving, which is my usual behaviour.

And one hint to that person, could you have a chat to Waitrose?  If you introduce a Waitrose section to Target, I will come everyday.  I promise, without fail.  I will do all my food shopping at your store.

Waitrose at Target.  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Or Marks and Spencer even.

This is not just Target; this is M&S Target.

(That’s a very British reference at the end, my apologies to my American readers!)

{ 11 comments }

The surfing community

by Lorna Harris on February 23, 2010

There’s a group of people in Balboa who climb on things, hang off lamp posts, stand on cars and fences, jump on walls and railings.  This kind of behaviour would normally be frowned upon, be given a second glance and perhaps a glare.  But here, down at the beach, it’s accepted, it’s a necessity.  How else can you see and assess the surf conditions?

There’s a large, flat stretch of sand between the road and the ocean, there’s no time to waste walking down to the water’s edge. So, surfers stop their cars and climb up onto whatever is available to see what’s happening.

The ocean has various swells all along the peninsula.  There are areas with a sharp shore break and surfers want to make sure they’re surfing at the best spot for that day’s conditions.  Information is exchanged and handed on to other surfers to make sure they all know where the best swell is that day.

I always think that absolutely no work must get done on good swell days.  Surfers come running from all directions, sprinting across the sand in their wetsuits to get into the water.  At school drop-off, dads discuss swell and hurriedly kiss their children goodbye so that they can rush home and get their boards.

Maybe there’s just an understanding here.  Large swell?  I won’t be in the office for a while.  Offices must be empty when the ocean is full of surfers.

As we cycle to school in the morning, the truly dedicated surfers are returning to their cars in the car park.  Some leave large buckets of fresh water sitting on a mat at the back of their car, ready to change into work clothes.  This is a daily activity for them and they have their routine down pat.  Others leave the back of their car open, their dog sitting dutifully waiting for their master to return.  Some just sit and chat, wetsuit still on, talking swells, conditions and boards.

Then, there are the retired surfers.  A group of older guys that gather each morning, coffee and donut in hand, to watch.  They sit on a wall, huddled together, no longer able or wanting to surf but still needing that early morning connection with friends.

Me?  I have my wetsuit and my boogie board.  But I’m a fair weather surfer.  It has to be summer, the water warmer.  But I really want to join this community, I envy women picking up their boards and heading to the water.  It may be time to join in the Surf Camp this summer, but I said that last summer.  Maybe now that it’s in print, I won’t back out.

{ 10 comments }

Skiing, sledding, swimming

February 19, 2010

It is 10pm and my boys are still full of energy.
Today they skied for six hours.  And they didn’t just ski down runs.  They’ve discovered a liking for trees, moguls, terrain parks, anything they can find which will provide an obstacle or two.  I try and keep up but am resigned to the fact that [...]

Read the full article →

Pawn Stars: Visiting the Gold and Silver Pawnshop in Las Vegas

February 17, 2010

We visited a pawnshop in Las Vegas on Saturday.  We left our hotel and drove into a decidedly dodgy part of town.  The police had arrested someone and he sat on the curb as we drove by.  We continued on through the rough streets looking out for our destination: the Gold and Silver Pawnshop.
As we [...]

Read the full article →

Valentine’s Day preparation and a turtle

February 9, 2010

I need to offer a full apology to my husband.  After inferring that he wouldn’t be organised for the school Valentine’s Day gifts, he sat down last night  and within an hour, everything was labeled, in bags, ready to go into school on Friday.
So, we’re set, nothing else to do.
In the middle of our Valentine’s [...]

Read the full article →

Welsh Rugby vs Super Bowl

February 5, 2010

Everyone’s gearing up for the SuperBowl here.  Me?  I don’t know if Super Bowl is one word or two words.  Or who is playing.  Absolutely no idea.  I could type it into Google but such is my lack luster for the whole thing, I can’t be bothered.  I’m just delighted that the local mountains have [...]

Read the full article →

The faff factor

February 3, 2010

I taught my sons a new word this week – faff.
My husband and my youngest son faff about.  There is no other word that properly describes it.  They are incapable of walking out the door without faffing.  My oldest son and I do not faff.  We leave at exactly the time required and arrive at [...]

Read the full article →

Valentine’s Day in American school

February 1, 2010

I’ve been fired from Valentine’s Day duty this year.  Last year I failed, miserably.  I had absolutely no idea it was such a big holiday at school.  I dropped the boys off on 14th February, said goodbye and went home.
When I picked the boys up at the end of the day, they came sprinting out [...]

Read the full article →