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I'll be taking part in the Decorative Living Fair on 6 October at Chelsea Old Town Hall. It's a great fair featuring beautiful vintage and antique housewares. I've attached the flyer for the fair. The organiser has kindly offered 10 tickets as a giveaway for me to offer to residents so I thought I would share that information here in case some of you would like to attend (it's a ?5 entry otherwise). In order to receive a ticket, the first 10 people to write Caroline, the organiser will receive tickets. I will remove my post after she's given away the tickets. Just email her at [email protected] and let her know you've read about her giveaway on the ED forum from Leigh. https://www.facebook.com/decorativelivingfair Leigh

I wanted to ask if anyone knows of any good options for group accommodation for 12 people in one house in London. I've looked in a variety of places online but wanted to ask if anyone has any particular suggestions here. Rooms can be shared but each person needs their own bed (that is the tricky part) and we need use of the kitchen so it has to be self catered. Thanks, Leigh

Thank you! I prefer the sound of the second option as I'm in lightroom more and usually export from there. Thanks for your help. Leigh

Any lightroom and photoshop users available to help me with a question? It might be easier to explain via private message or over the phone. Ideally, I'd love it if someone could come to my house or meet me out and show me on my own computer how to do what I want to do as I'm not having a lot of luck with tutorials and videos online. I use lightroom and photoshop often, but need to use it for a purpose that I'm not used to. Basically, I want to open multiple files in photoshop from Lightroom and batch edit them with an action in regards to printing preferences CMYK, uncoated FOGRA29, etc. I understand how to create the action, I just don't understand how to apply them to many photos at once (or at least a handful at once). If anyone is up for helping me, I'd greatly appreciate it! Feel free to PM me.

I purposely walk on the other side of the street with our daughters because this junction has given me so much stress trying to cross it in the past. Something really needs to be done. I've seen many near misses. A few months ago we saw a cyclist hit by a car and today my husband texted me when he witnessed today's horrible incident. I hope the woman is okay.

In June this summer I'm assisting cookbook writer and photographer Beatrice Peltre to host a food styling and photography workshop in East Sussex. We have a few spaces left so I thought I'd pass along the information in case there are any aspiring food photographers out there who might be interested in sharpening their skills. The workshop will be held at a lovely farm, Hawthbush Farm http://www.hawthbushfarm.co.uk/, from 28 June to 4 July. Lessons by Beatrice will be interspersed with local visits to places like a smokery, the beach, and a pick your own fruit farm. Here is more information in case anyone is interested: http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2014/01/08/a-food-styling-and-photography-workshop-in-england-summer-2014/ Feel free to PM me with any questions as well. Leigh

Thank you for the replies! Leigh

I've signed up our daughter for Nimble Arts holiday club during half term (http://nimblearts.co.uk/?page_id=537) and was just wondering if your child has attended before and if they enjoyed it? I looked on the forum for any recommendations or info on it (besides info on the actual workshops) but didn't see any feedback regarding their program. It sounds really fun for kids and she's already signed up but I was just curious. Thanks, Leigh

If you're interested in crafts... http://www.craftyfoxmarket.co.uk/

I also need one before the weekend due to a guest arriving. I called a few places but haven't had any luck finding anyone with them before this Friday, so I'm also interested if anyone knows of any local x-mas trees available now.

Thanks for that!

I'm interested in finding out if anyone has recommendations of things to do in East Sussex that are food related (farms, breweries, food markets) or just anything interesting to see and do in the area, especially for a small group. Specifically near Gun Hill or between it and Lewes. Also I'm interested in beach recommendations, on the quieter side. Thanks! Leigh

Thanks for letting me know!

I guess I should have mentioned also that we were weren't able to attend the stay and play sessions earlier this summer as we were away so we'd love to meet some other reception children if possible before September.

Our daughter starts reception at Goose Green in September and we're hoping to meet some other fellow classmates before starting. Unfortunately all of her nursery school classmates are going to other schools. If your child will be starting reception at Goose Green in September and you might want to meet up for a playdate, please let me know. I'd even be happy to have a group playdate at a park if anyone is interested! Leigh

Yes, they stood so close they could see me enter my pin. I guess they watched me enter it in while they were standing just behind me. She was sort of on my left, while he was sort of on my right. There were people in line at each of the 3 HSBC cash machines so I knew people were around me but didn't realize they were purposely watching, of course. After I entered my pin, she startled me on the left saying "that machine just took my card don't use it!" Or something like that, and in the second that I looked over at her, he had hit cancel and my card ejected and he slipped in in a brochure in his hand. He had said something too, like "don't use this machine," sort of pointing to it, though really hitting cancel and swiping my card. They both kind of stood there to help, saying things like "maybe we should go in the bank to get ours out" (the bank was closed of course). I started to argue with him telling him I knew he took my card and grabbed his hand as hard as I could. But then he cussed me out and walked off while she was distracting me. So cover your pin with your other hand over it! I always stand super close to the machines, but I guess I wasn't close enough and didn't cover my hand. I'd recommend putting your bank's phone number in your phone as well just to save time to try to cancel your card very quickly.

I'm ok, thanks! I just feel like an idiot! It's frustrating to have someone do this right under your nose! And they took out a big chunk of cash on the very next block. I'm sure our fraud protection will cover it, but still someone pays for this. Plus most of us want to assume the best in people, not the worst, but I guess you have to assume the worst sometimes, especially at cash machines! This machine had eaten my card before legitimately and the person in front of me did not get cash, which I noticed. I figured he just checked his balance. So when they pulled the, "this machine just ate my card" number, for a sec I thought maybe it did but quickly knew I had been had! The police came right away though, which was good and I rode around with them for a bit looking for the thieves at various cash machines in the area. No luck catching them today though.

Yes, the police said this is a regular occurrence. I don't know that they are targeting branches with branches close by so much as just trying to see your pin number and using machines where there are other machines nearby (though not necessarily the same branch in this case). And believe me, it was very smooth, like a magic trick. I can't believe someone swiped my card right in front of me! To RockyZool, it was a man and a woman, darker skinned. He is a bit of a blur unfortunately, but he was about 5'6" with short dark brown hair with a stocky build. She had a pony tail with dark hair, big round sunglasses and a green wallet in her hand.

I just had my bank card stolen at the HSBC cash machine on Lordship Lane about an hour ago. It was a team of 2 people, one man and one woman, who were working together. Others may be aware of this scam, but if not they are looking for your pin number and then fool you into thinking (or try to anyway) that the machine ate your card. I called the police and made a report and called my husband asap (called my husband quickly before phoning the police). Within in 2 minutes of calling my husband and having the card canceled they had already taken out a large sum of money right on the next block at the post office cash machine. Please cover your pin number and be very aware of people around you! I knew he took it though he was trying to tell me the machine took it. He had a brochure folded in his hand that he slipped it into, I tried to grab his hand and feel for the card to get it back, but of course he cussed me out for doing that and the woman tried to distract me saying he was just trying to help and that the machine took her card too. So please be aware!

I'm interested in having custom curtains made for one window. I have the fabric and am now looking for someone to make them for me. Just 2 simple panels, nothing fancy. Please let me know if you sew custom curtains and send me a PM regarding coming to have a look to measure, etc. Thanks, Leigh

We had ours done at Shot by the Sheriff on Northcross Rd. Fast and easy. Leigh

I have 8 people on the list to come next week, so unfortunately I won't be able to accomodate more! So if you were not at the first meeting and haven't yet replied, I'm sorry but I don't think more people will fit comfortably with babies and buggies in tow! But if you would like to be a part of the group, please still send your email address via PM and we will figure out how we might be able to accomodate everyone (having meet-ups on separate days or in a bigger venue possibly). Or some of us could meet in pairs or smaller groups too. Leigh

Hi everyone, For those who were able to make it, had our first crafty meet-up and had a lovely time. The next one will be next week, Tuesday, 22 Jan, 10-11:30ish. It will be at my house in East Dulwich. We're going to give crochet a whirl so bring a crochet needle and yarn if you have some (if not, just bring another project you're working on). If you are able to come, send me a PM and I'll reply with my address. If you're not able to make it but want to keep in touch regarding future meet-ups PM me with your email address so we can add it to a private mailing list for this group. We are going to try to meet twice a month, alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays at various people's homes for now and see how things develop. Looking forward to next week! Leigh

Thanks for sharing your blog link! I love your quilts! I do basic sewing, but I'd also like to learn to make a quilt. This is my blog where I also post some things I make. www.foundnowhome.blogspot.com. Leigh

I'm out of town till 28 Dec. but happy to meet up anytime after that. :)