Tuesday 12 April 2011

From Russia with love...

My husband has been working away quite a bit recently - and when I heard he was going to Moscow, well, what else could I ask him to bring back? Yes, Matryoshka dolls. [Shame on you for thinking vodka. I have plenty of that]. He was able to meet up with a good friend of ours who lives there, and whilst she was rather scathing at my desire for 'traditional tourist tat', her assistance did mean that he was able to get a good set without paying the sky-high price he would have been charged as a non-native! I have actually been to Moscow myself some years ago, but foolishly gave all the dolls I had bought away as gifts, without keeping any for myself. Anyway, here is the set he chose - there are ten in all, and the smallest is only 6mm high! Aren't they lovely?




The two largest and most glamorous ladies


Weeniest miss in giant pea shock

He also brought back these on Elena's recommendation - I don't know what they're called, but they're fresh cranberries in powdered sugar - like a bonbon, but with a fruity burst in the middle. Sounds odd I know, but they're amazing. There's not much better than discovering a sweet that gives you one of your 5 a day!



The week before Russia he was working in Barcelona, and he treated me to these lovely silver earrings. Very well chosen I thought, although of course I'd rather he didn't have to go anywhere (or at least was able to take me with him).




Finally I need to say a big thank you to one of my earliest followers, Carole, who read my moan about disappearing crochet hooks and very kindly sent me several. I promise to look after these ones!

35 comments:

  1. Gorgeous dolls :) My collection was started by a Christmas pressie from a russia based work collegue :)

    I missed MrVV going abroad for work - I loved getting pressies ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh love your Russian Dolls, I have a foxy red lady set which my late father brought me back from Moscow when I was about 10 - there is something very magical about seeing how small they go :o) Earrings - beautiful! Scarlett x p.s More competition hits please - still not winning *wink* x

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love those dolls!Somebody in this household is a bit too tight to buy them as a present for me :(
    x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh - you have taken me back to my childhood and the memories I have of playing with 2 sets of dolls that my mum had. I must see if she still had them :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. They are lovely and arent you lucky he goes all over you would be able to put all sorts of orders in Well I know I would lol

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful! I *love* Matroyoshka dolls x

    ReplyDelete
  7. What lovely long eye lashes your new dollies have Lakota...I'm jealous! Gorgeous earings too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, Lakota, they are possibly one of the most beautiful set of dolls I've ever seen.

    I've always wanted Russian dolls, like Scarlett says, there is something magical about seeing how small they can go.

    Yup, gorgeous earrings too. Lucky you.

    Mr J and P never gets to go anyway exotic but when he does get to go somewhere exiting like Reading or Coventry, I always insist he pays a visit to the charity shops. Oh yes!

    ReplyDelete
  9. whoaa...what a gorgeous silver earrings from Barcelona! i've counted 10 matryoskha dolls from Russia and I can't believe they even do the smallest one the size of a pea!! the cranberries powdered in sugar looks yum yum though i've no idea as well what the words say on the box cover hahaha. Lucky you! x Susan

    ReplyDelete
  10. The dolls are so cool, I love the blue :) an easy way for 5 a day, I'm there! save me some!

    Bee happy x
    Have a delicious day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is such a gorgeous set of dolls!! Kudos to your husband on those and the earrings, he clearly knows his audience! :-) The cranberries are making my mouth water!

    Jem xXx

    ReplyDelete
  12. I should just say something nice about the lovely dolls, earrings and unfinished (not as greedy as me?) sweet treats. Unfortunately, all I can think is 'WHY DON'T I EVER GET PRESENTS?'

    ReplyDelete
  13. You have an award from me :o) Scarlett x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Loving those dolls, you lucky lady. x

    ReplyDelete
  15. It must be hard being separated from your mister but he does have excellent taste in the gifts he chooses to bring back for you! The earrings are beautiful and I definitely have a soft spot for nesting dolls too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh I love these Russian dolls - the colour is quite unusual, I think? They're so pretty. I also love the sweets and their packaging - everyday things look so glam in Russian!

    Its sad when your husband has to go away, but at least he goes to some fab places where top presents can be bought :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi my dear-the Russian dolls are beyond cute and authentic ones too, how lovely!! Your silver earrings are just gorgeous too! x

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the blue nesting dolls, so unique!

    craftycrafteen.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love the dolls, especially that tiny one. Answer to your question - it's Bedford with 16 charity shops. Not to far from London!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lucky you those dolls are so cute and such a pretty color, and wow they go and on and on did i count 10? i think ;-)) And lovely earrings to your husband knows you very well. Enjoy the rest of your week, dee x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello there! Funny,I had been meaning to check you out because Lakota is such a gorgeous name!!! And,you're into charity shopping!Hurrah! And crochet-I'm aiming to conquer the world of crochet,just have to get a hook and bloody learn!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love Russian dolls. What a beautiful set! I love her curves. I saw 27 in a shop window in Scotland once. Along witj a notw saying 'there are 27 - please dont count them, we are fed up with wiping finger marks off the window!'

    ReplyDelete
  23. The dolls are SO beautiful! And it sounds like you and your husband have a sweet relationship.

    And now I totally want those cranberries. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful Dolls, and what a sweet honey... I bet it is hard when he travels, but he is thinking of you while he's gone... proof in the pudding~ I am your newest follower~ Hugs, from Diane in California

    ReplyDelete
  25. I think you should email me those rabbit photos! lmao! I have no eggs in the house (bad mummy) but when i go food shopping im so going to try the shot glasses as egg cups - fabulous idea ta hun. Scarlett x

    ReplyDelete
  26. i think he has good taste - the dolls are fab - love the colours and i love cranberries (especially vodka and cranberries... xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am in love with dolls, I bought my mom some wooden ones. these are fantastic.
    thanks for visiting amor.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow! Those dolls are gorgeous - what a lovely gift (even if you did have to instruct him ;=D).

    The earings are gorgeous! I bet they look great on - definitely my taste!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's a shame your hubby is gone so much, but those fabulous gifts surely ease the pain! I am lusting after the earrings. They are beautiful!

    You asked where our cars live since they don't fit in the garage. Well, they've always lived on the driveway because the garage was so full. I've never heard a single complaint from them, so I figured they mustn't mind!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Congratulations Lakota, you won the Guess The Mystery Object competition on my blog! Yay! Please email me asap so I can get your prize posted off to you. xxxx

    MrsExeter (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love Matryoshkas and your dolls are
    fab-u-lous. When my other half went to Moscow, all I was brought back was some freebie thing he'd been given at the conference he was attending - it eventually ended up in a charity shop bag!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh my gosh, I found you on Trashsparkle's blog...Your two write very similarly. Cracks me up! I'll be back!

    ReplyDelete
  33. They're so gorgeous, the teeny tiny one is so cute! Your pea comment cracked me up, love your blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Lakota. Great blog - and thanks for your lovely comments! I bought the sister of your russian doll the other week, at a vintage market, only she's pale blue. Reminds me of some vodka ad posters in the 90s that I used to have in the loo. Don't ask... Don't usually buy whole sets; I like the "orphans" left straggling on charity shop shelves.
    Love the breakfast comment in your about me bit! And the "give up and open the wine"!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comment - it's no fun unless I know what you think!

If you ask a question others might want answering too I'll reply here in the comments - if it's personal, I'll reply directly by email if you're set up.