BOWTIQUE AND LYDC

During a recent rip to Blackpool I stumbled across a lovely little shop called Bowtique.  It sells stunning handbags, purses and fashion accessories, for those of you that (like me) refuse to grow up and love a bit of glitter and bling.  I bought this stunning changeant hologram purse, which shifts from greeny-blue to bluey-pink in the light.  Wonderful!

I've seen this matching bag on Ebay and I might just get it- at less than £20, it's my kind of price.  The range also comes in a kind of silvery-white colour, with a small or large stud effect- take your pick.

 Bowtique also sell bath bombs and gorgeous smelling soaps that would make great gifts.  Some of the soaps looked like they had Catherine Wheels or Liquorice Allsorts welded inside.  Think Lush but with a more consistent and reasonable price tag.  I would love to work for Bowtique, in a head office capacity, but I checked them out and their head office is in Blackpool.  I may end up living there one day- who knows- although it would be a better place if they kept the Illuminations lit all year round, but for now it's a bit too long a commute.

I did, however, check out the makers of my purse, the London Young Designer's Connection, and it turns out that not only do they make my kind of clothing as well as accessories, but they are also situated just up the road from me in east London and are actually recruiting for a couple of roles that I am more than experienced at doing.  I have sent them a CV and hope that they have the good common sense to meet up with me- having a passion for a particular company is a very good start.

QUENTINS by MAEVE BINCHY

QUENTINS

BY MAEVE BINCHY

THE BLURB:-

Every table at Quentins restaurant in Dublin has a thousand stories to tell. The staff and customers all have tales of their own, and the restaurant itself has had times when it looked set for success, and others when it seemed doomed to failure. Presiding over it all are Patrick and Brenda Brennan, who have made Quentins such a legend- but even their life is not all it seems.

Now Ella Brady wants to make a documentary about Quentins but as she uncovers more of what has gone on, she is forced to confront a devastating dilemma in her own life.

THE REALITY:-

This was the first Maeve Binchy novel I've read. I saw the film adaptation of the excellent Circle Of Friends, starring Colin Firth and Minnie Driver, so when I saw Quentins sitting there on the charity shop shelf I had to give it a go. I read this during a very long National Express journey to Blackpool. The coach travel was part of a package deal and- note to self- in future take the bloody train. It's quicker and less painful.

The best thing about this book was the in-depth descriptions of the various characters that are involved in some way, whether as patrons or more directly, with Quentins. There was a great mix of individuals here and it's interesting to see how they all tie in. I liked the fact that the novel was set in Dublin (somewhere I have visited) and New York (ditto) as I personally could compare experiences, although not that much outside of Quentins was discussed. I also liked the fact that the novel was anti stereotyping the Irish as a bunch of pissheads. I have met a fair few that are like that but I suppose that's true of any race.

For me, the book revolved around Patrick and Brenda, and their story was probably the most heartfelt of all. I also loved Ella's friends, Deirdre and Nuala, who added some ooomph to the story. I have to say, though, that Ella didn't do that much for me and Don was predictable, and it was easy to work out that he'd faked his own death (no spoiler intended- I found it painfully obvious).

I did enjoy the way the story progressed, but Ella's final showdown with Don was just plain weird. With a bit of a nondescript ending and tying up of everything, this book was alright but not spectacular. Having said that, I am certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.