Little Italy

I've not been feeling very inspired of late and was looking through my archive to find something to post today. I found this photo, which I took in January. The reason I photographed this building was due to the columns at the top, I thought they looked interesting. As I've looked more closely at the shot I've realised the building is in fact a hotel (I had no clue it even existed!) I typed in their web address and found Strozzi Palace - a real hidden gem. This quote from their site says it all - "We're chic and boutique - with modern Italian flair. Built in 1894, our amazing Grade 2 listed 'Palazzo' façade is based on the beautiful Palazzo Strozzi – one of the most important examples of renaissance architecture in Florence." Visit Strozzi Palace here. Its posh, even for Cheltenham!

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Dragonfly Dress

Today's post is for all you wedding fans out there or for all you old romantics out there. I'm not sure that the two go hand-in-hand! Anyway, this posh wedding dress shop is in Suffolk Parade, an area of Cheltenham with an eclectic mix of independent shops, bars and cafes. The shop stocks dresses from several different British designers, with designer price tags to match!

Although I've posted the photo in black and white, with a bit of romantic haze, the colour of the shop frontage isn't that different and I thought the lack of colour focused the photo, if you know what I mean! Not much more to say other than if any of you ladies out there are planning your nuptials the Dragonfly website is here.

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Into The New Century

This is the controversial Century Court. It was built at the start of 2000 and was completed in 2001. It replaced some old office buildings and was hailed as an impressive brownfield redevelopment, but it wasn't without its critics due to the design. At the time it was quite a departure from the usual style of buildings being put up and the Borough Council actively sort out a contemporary design. Century Court was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley architects and cost around £12 million. The complex has 87 apartments, 9 townhouses, inner courtyard gardens created by a Chelsea award winning designer, a gym and underground car parking. And just to stop any unwanted visitors it has gated access.

This view is from Bath Road but the view from the courtyard is much more interesting. At each end are two drum shaped buildings with apartments within, but I couldn't show them to you due to the gates! The main feature of the homes in the photo is the view from the balconies. They overlook one of Cheltenham's most famous institutions, and this makes these homes some of the towns most expensive (£500,000 for 2 bedrooms!)

Come back tomorrow to see what they see...

Naughty But So Very Nice!

This has got to be one of the most expensive ways there is to buy sweets, but the choice is huge! From fudge and jelly beans to hard gums and white chocolate mice there is something for any one with a sweet tooth. This Pick "N" Mix is a new addition to the Regent Arcade shopping centre. You can walk right round the stall and take in the sight of all these sweet treats. I had a small selection in my bag and it came to nearly £6 ! But they were sooo nice! Yummy....