This weeks offerings ...

Well the second week of January sees me still eating an array of left over festive food. As I type I'm munching on Christmas pudding with a dollop of vanilla yogurt on top, both have their expiring dates imminent. We all intermittently disappear off into the kitchen, rummage around for a snack and return with some bizarre, random concoction of food that only seems to enter our home in December. So far today my family have combined salmon terrine with the biscuits left over from 'cheese and biscuits' and a stuffing and mint sauce sandwich all in the name of snacking. I'm almost craving bland, normal, boring everyday sensible food, man I must have OD'd on luxury festive food!!

~ ~ ~

Do you have an item that you really, really, really want but know it's a lot of money for what it is?

My really, really, really want item for at least 6 months has been a book called Perfect English Farmhouse by Ros Byam Shaw. It has gone from being on my birthday wish list to my Christmas wish list and then on to my 'must sell stuff to buy' list. The reason this lovely book is still not in my life is because its £30.00, that's a lot of money for a book (especially as I don't even own a Perfect English Farmhouse and have more like a 1960's English Bungalow). After selling an array of stuff (I know, sob) I now have my really, really, really want item and I'm oh so happy. Now I can actually turn the pages and hold the book instead of squinting to see a handful of pages on the 'look inside' part of Amazon. Here are just a few of my fav pages ...

 Heaven 

~ ~ ~

Lego, it's something I accidentally stand on then hop around in excruciating pain whilst reminding myself I'm in a no swear zone or hoover up then rummage through the hoover bag trying to fish it back out again, find under the furniture and prize out of our puppies mouth.  I never thought of it in this way ...

Designer shoes and handbags ... now that is my kinda Lego!! ;)

~ ~ ~

This week has seen me join a caravan forum ~ yep you did read that right a caravan forum. (I know, I know ~ I can hardly believe it myself. Bye bye life, hello anorak's and jumpers with caravans on). I have to say, fellow caravanners are a really great bunch. They have been so helpful in offering help, advice and great tips to get us ready for our maiden voyage. I feel like I've joined a community and us and Hermie are now one of the gang. My new friends have even suggested taking Hermie to a caravan rally ... hum now there's an idea, may be that's where I can find me a lovely caravan stylie jumper!! 

~ ~ ~

Being the tight thing I am, recently I've been amazed at the price of wrapping paper. It's a hard thing to strike a compromise with as it dresses a present and makes the art of giving and receiving that little bit more glamorous but ... once received it's ripped into pieces and thrown in the recycling bin. For a while now I've been racking my brains as to what I can use that doesn't cost the earth. I've tried making my own using A3 sheets of white paper and using a marbling effect with paint, brown paper and spraying with glitter or using ink stamps to create interest but these are VERY messy options. I think I may have struck upon a answer ...

Wallpaper!

I bought a roll of pretty paper in the Laura Ashley sale for £4.00 which will last me years, literally.  I chose a neutral cream so I can use different colour ribbon for a change and as and when I come across pretty bits they will always match.

I thought it would be too thick for sellotape to work but its actually fine.

Fingers crossed the recipients are as pleased as I am with my new wall wrapping paper.

~ ~ ~

Until next Sunday, Bye y'all X

Well hello there 2013 ...

* !! * ^ * !! * ^ * !! 2013 * !! * ^ * !! * ^ * !!

Yay, a spangly new year is upon us.
A full set of 365 brand new days laid out in front of us to enjoy (plus a new quota of Bank Holidays ~ yippee).

I know for some January is their lest favourite month of the year, describing it as dull, drab and un-exciting. For me January is a chance to start afresh, to reflect on the previous year and progress ever onwards and upwards with a clean slate and new aspirations.  It's exciting being able to make plans and dreams for the new seasons and adventures waiting to unfold.

We saw the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 in with a retro vibe. All things kitsch was on our menu and we raised a toast with a Snowball in hand ...

Very tacky chic!

2013 in the Chinese calender is 

Year of the Snake
which will begin on February 4th. I'll be off down my local Chinese take-a-way for a curry and an all important free snaketastic calender ;)

New year also brings a whole new set of good intentions/resolutions. I got bored of the "lose weight" one years ago. By the end of the first week I'd eaten 'forebidden' food, regretted it, felt a failure and dashed up the Co-Op to buy tonnes of comfort food to cheer me up!! This years good intention/resolution is to be more sociable. We have so many lovely friends and people in our life but we only ever seam to bump into them either in Sainsbury's, in the local Co-Op or to give a passing wave to as our cars wizz on by.

 It's just not good enough and we will fling open our door to being more sociable this year ~ let the good times roll
(and the Snowballs are on us ~ whoop)!!!

~ ~ ~

We bought a new chair this week and I'm sooooo excited about it that sorry y'all your just gonna have to hear all about it.

This perfect sitting implement wooed me as I innocently walked past. It called out to me saying in a Barry White stylie "well hello there Louise, wouldn't you like to snuggle up with me, park your bottom on my ample cushions, drink tea and read magazines while I cocoon you in crushed velvet, come on, come inside out of the rain and take a closer look. I'm on the extra large side you know". That was it, I was mesmerised and before I knew it I was saying "hold on a mo, lets just pop in here quick". An hour later we emerged, my husband wishing he'd left me at home and complaining and muttering about our bank balance.

After a lot of Ooh and Aah's and sitting down, getting up and sitting back down again many times over my husband agreed that, yes it is a lovely chair and joy of all joys ~ the man from Del Monte, he say yes and we bought one.

I've chosen Plum crushed velvet fabric, it doesn't go with any of our existing furnishings but as nothing about this purchase has been based on sanity I thought I may as well go with my fav colour!!!

Also, we have overlooked the fact that this chair should probably be described as a 'cha'fa'. It's enormous! The size is in between a chair and a small sofa and is aptly named Burlington Snuggler. I'm not too sure how on earth it's going to be squeezed into our living room ~ still that's a minor detail, blah ;)

♥

~ ~ ~

It was this time last year that my husband and I decided to spend what ever money we could muster during the year on home improvements. First on the list was a new front door followed by a new back door. Two weeks in to 2012 our Bertie Boy Greyhound dog was hit by a vehicle and left for dead. It took 11 months and just short of £6,000 to make him better (nope, sadly he wasn't insured ~ grrrr). All dreams of doors (and everything in between) were shelved and we struggled hard to make ends meet and keep up Bert's daily treatment.  Man how I'm keeping it all crossed that 2013 will be 'doortastic' for us. (Although the impromptu purchase of a chair the first week of the new year has set this plan back once again.) However, whilst sat in my new chair my attentions can turn to styles, colours and how on earth I'm going to incorporate the Edwardian stained glass window I picked up at an auction (yep, another one of my random purchases that my long suffering husband didn't feel my enthusiasm for and asked "what are we going to do with that?" to which, as usual I had no real reply other than the good ol "one day I'll have a good use for it")~ until that time it's one more thing that lives in/clutters up my husbands garage.
Anyway back to doors *dreamy sigh*, paint colours? Shall we go classic black, quirky aubergine, muted duck egg tones or timeless cream ~ ahhhhh decisions! That's before my brain moves on to a door knocker or door bell, handle or knob, chrome, brass or black letter box, etc.

I know it's only a door but it's the threshold into our home and a barrier to keep tea leaves out so it needs proper consideration.
Blimey, thank goodness I've got a long while to ponder on such decisions!!!
Any help or advice you can impart would be gratefully received. X

~ ~ ~

Our Christmas decorations have now been taken down and packed away but I'm having to ween myself off glitter, glitz and sparkle. My mini weeny disco balls have been moved into the kitchen and now beautify our shelves fulfilling my sparkle fix.

~ ~ ~

With the passing of all Christmas festivities and the return to reality and routine (ie setting my alarm for 5.45am and leaving for work at 6.30am ~ yawn) I'm feeling a bit dazed and confused at the mo, all 'up in the air' and not really grounded. I think the main reason is the mild and wet weather has confused me and I have to remind myself that we are in one of the coldest and darkest months of winter. The two previous Winters we've seen snow by now and have had gloves, hats and scarfs on radiators and cold children sat in front of the fire thawing out. In contrast, I've been walking the dogs with no coat on it's so mild.
I feel I need a reminder of where we are in the seasons, something that evokes 'Winter' and grounds me back to the here and now. Bring on the Holly ...

Whilst walking the dogs I took some clippings of the hedgerow and gave them a quick spray of gold and glitter.

Each time I glance at the Holly it does it's job and evokes that winter feeling and brings me right back to the here and now.

~ ~ ~

Until next Sunday, bye y'all X

Hello Christmas, goodbye 2012 ...

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Clement Clarke Moore - 1779 - 1863

~ ~ ~
 

So, Santa has weaved his way across the land spreading yule tide magic. Christmas day has come and gone and another year of Christmas day memories have been made.

It's a good job Father Christmas is a sensible, wise chap and wears large boots whilst doing his rounds Christmas Eve otherwise his toes would have been very wet this year.
 
This is the iconic Christmas image that warms hearts and evokes that Christmas feeling ... 

 

and here is reality this Christmas Eve ...

 Fields have become waterlogged.

 Boundaries showing where river banks end and land begins are

un-recognisable.

 And crisp, winter walks have been replaced with squelchy, mud drenched affairs.

 Dreams of a snow covered Christmas winter wonderland have sadly remained dreams. 

This years wonderland is a very brown and very wet one!

 

The Met Office have officially recorded Summer 2012 in England as the wettest in 100 years and it looks like 2012 is set to be the wettest year since records began.

 

Dreams of looking out of the window Christmas day to see a crisp white snowman glistening in the garden have been dashed.

Below is a more realistic image of what would be staring back!

 

Bring on 2013 is what I say!!!

 

~ ~ ~

 

Christmas time for me holds the promise of two exciting days, Christmas day itself and the first day of the sales ~ whoop whoop.

Oh the sales, how I dream about this joyous day *dreamy happy sigh*

 

 

 During the weeks leading up to sale day I plan, make mental lists over and over, day dream of what I hope to buy and the night before make a 'wish list' of my dream purchases.

(I know I take this irrelevant day way too seriously).

 

These dream buys are not the norm, ie luxury coats, shoes, handbags, jewelry, etc ~ no siree it's simply just pretty glittery bits / stuff / things.

 

I'm happy to say this year my heart has been filled with glee as I managed to find the most pretty, glittery, shiny things I could ever have hoped to buy ...

 

Beautiful glass ornaments that shine and twinkle,

 

Shiny diamante baubles that remind me of the prettiest disco balls,

 

Glitter, glitter, glitter ~ oh how I love thee

 

Stationary ready for a handwritten letter.

 

The prettiest birds of paradise notes.

  

Ahhhh, my glorious tree! 

How I wish this could be our yearly tree but sadly I don't think I'll be allowed to get away with that.

A black tree that I have adorned with the most glitzy

multicoloured tinsel fulfils all my post Christmas needs ~ I love, love, love it. X

 

Cute stickers ... now what is not to love about these

sweet lil creatures.

 They now live all over our place.  On my lap top, the lids of my make up, mirrors, note pads, and cheeky hiding places like the inside of the tea bag tin. They crop up everywhere brightening up

our day and raising a smile.

 

Neon pink honeycomb paper balls, no home should be without them!!

 

And these are a few of my favourite Christmas money purchases :D

 

~ ~ ~

 

My fav photo of the week is of our lil Bessie Bear Puppy Dog and her bestest friend, my father-in-laws puppy dog Emmy, both tussling over tinsel.

 

 

~ ~ ~

 

Sadly, this weekend Lisa and I emptied our unit of lovely things and ended our lease. It has been a great 6 months in which I have learnt a great deal and have a lot of fun in the process. I think it's the wrong environment for us to sell in and in the new year we will explore a different avenue. With my final months earnings I treated myself to this bowl ...

It has been for sale in the unit next to ours from day one and it was love at first sight. It has been glued over and over again, cracks have been repaired and chips have been patched up but it all adds to the charm. Lisa and I would pass it during every visit and it became aptly named 'Louises bowl'. On our final day of trading the last thing I did before we settled our accounts was buy 'my' bowl. This pretty thing will remind me that Lisa and I had a shot at our dream and have come away with no regrets just more determined than ever.

 

~ ~ ~

 

I would like to congratulate my lovely Cousin Katie on her engagement to (the also lovely) Louis. They make such a lovely couple and their happy news is a perfect way to end 2012.

X Congratulations X

 

~ ~ ~

 

And on that happy note I would like to wish you all an extra special 2013.

Thank you for reading my ramblings and may the new year bring you happiness, health, fun and ever lasting happy memories.

Until next Sunday, cheers and bye y'all

 

 

X

 

Third week of Decembrrrr ...

This week welcomed Winter Solstice on the 21st December. It's the shortest day of the year and in days gone by much merry-making took place with a midwinter celebration to welcome the return of spring.  Traditionally bonfires were lit to encourage the return of the sun and celebrations took on a Springtime theme. I like this idea. I may even hold my very own merry-making midwinter celebration next year ... I'm all up for a bit of making merry!!

~ ~ ~

This week also welcomed my Mums birthday ~ whoop whoop.
I have been lucky enough to buy her a birthday present that she'll be over the moon with, a ring set with three Yellow Ceylon Sapphires and four diamonds ~ a very lucky auction purchase :)

Happy Birthday Mum X

~ ~ ~

I'm keen to find a new crafty way to recycle this years Christmas cards. There's the good 'ol making gift tags/cards or cutting the fronts off to use as scrap/note paper but I was hoping to find a new, fresh idea for this years crop. So far I have come up with stencilling letters on the front, cutting them out and using them as personalised gift tags next year. Tracing around a jam jar lid, cutting out pretty scenes and gluing on to jar lids then filling the jars with sweets, toy soldiers, etc and using these as stocking fillers. That's it, I'm all outta ideas so if any of you clever folks have any please, please share them by commenting below. Thank you x 

~ ~ ~

It's really starting to feel that Christmas is just around the corner. This week has been time for the Sloes we picked, prepared and been happily fermenting in Gin for months to be decanted into bottles ready to give as Christmas presents.
Just the colour alone, deep deep burgundy, evokes a warming Christmas feel.  

Hopefully these will be received with joy and go down a treat.

Cheers!

 

~ ~ ~

A quick crafty tip ...

The above decanter has been tucked away in our cupboard taking up valuable space for a while now, the reason being it isn't air tight.  I love it but sadly any liquid we have wanted to keep in here would not benefit from being exposed to air. I've been loathed to take it to our local charity shop in order to make way for something more practical so it has ended up living at the back of our cupboard redundant. I decided the only way to be able to use it was to make it air tight and a cork was the logical solution as the hole is small and not a standard size. Cork is notoriously hard to cut to shape due to flaking and splitting.

By soaking it in hot water for a minimum of ten minutes (or exposing it to steam for the same amount of time) makes it much more pliable and easier to cut to any shape.

For the sake of boiling water and a cork our decanter is now air tight, full of olive oil and is used every day ~ true make do and mend stylie.

~ ~ ~

This weeks bargain buy putting a smile on my face is this beautiful cheese knife.

Over the last few months I have been looking out for a nice cheese knife, especially with a view to Christmas coming. We have always used 'any 'ol knife' but I like the idea of being grown up and placing a 'proper' cheese knife on our cheese board. I have looked in our local kitchen shops and have been surprised how much a reasonably good one costs. Anything that's a decent size and stylish costs from £20.00 upwards and anything £15.00 and below tends to be very small and so blunt that cutting through butter would be a challenge let alone cheese.

Once again vintage wins the day and has come up trumps (pharp). Whilst dropping off our latest offering to our local charity shop I spotted this beautiful butter knife in their locked cabinet.
 It was tagged up as silver plate with a mother of pearl handle ~ all of this for just £3.50.

I know I keep championing vintage but I'm always amazed at the quality, craftsmanship and style all on offer for a song. Where else could you buy such quality and craftsmanship for less than a fiver? Not only have I found and bought my sought after item but it is prettier than I could have hoped for and my money has gone direct to charity. Happy cheesy days :D

~ ~ ~

Each year I take on the mahousive task of making our Christmas cards which usually consist of a favourite wintry photo stuck to a blank card with a few embellishments (a mount, etc).

Previous years cards have included ...

 

 

 

 

 

 This year is no exception. I feel that, with all that our beloved Bertie boy has been through this year his long beautiful face deserves to adorn our cards. 

Here is our family Christmas card this year ...

 

 

With the words to follow on the inside ...

 

Each year approximately 9,000 greyhounds retire from racing so thank goodness for the lovely people at The Retired Greyhound Trust (RGT), a national charity founded in 1976 who are dedicated to finding loving homes for greyhounds when their racing days are over.  They work tirelessly to find over 4,000 homes for greyhounds a year and the charity strives for the day when no ex-racing greyhound is without a good home.

Please help them to make a Greyhounds Christmas a merry one by simply paying a minimum one off fee of £2.00 to buy a dog a treat or by offering any type of donation that you can spare at www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk

Please spare a thought for these lovely dogs waiting for their forever home.

Thank you.

I find it funny seeing my boys face on work colleagues desks, my husbands customers mantelpieces and friends and families homes. My one hope was that at least one person would donate £2.00 to give a retired Greyhound treats for a week ~ my wish has come true. Jim in the Isle of Sky, a 9 year old boy who has been on the rehoming list for over a year was the first recipient and I am over the moon to say that several more Greyhounds from all over the UK will have an extra happy Christmas week full of treats which will help them along the way while they wait for their forever home.
Thank you
 X
 

And on that note I would like to wish you and yours a really extra special Christmas full of fun, happiness, laughter and a glut of food, sweeties and Crimbo booze.

With festive love and until next Sunday, enjoy y'all X

X X