It's a wrap


 

Super effective and cheap finger print wrapping paper from Pinterest


Every year I promise myself I will get more

Deck the hall (and everywhere else)



 I LOVE Christmas ! I love the anticipation, the excitement and the decorating.  I love the decorating!  This year as I'm no longer self employed I'm not so tired and distracted and it has become a pleasure again. We were really lucky to be sent a Christmas tree to review from Pines and Needles so the decorating started earlier than our usual week before Christmas, but today I finished it all off and I LOVE IT !

Christmas Tree - Pines and Needles






There has never been any discussion when it comes to Christmas trees in our home.  It always has been and always will be "real is best".  I love the look, the smell, the whole experience of going out each year and choosing just the right one.  So I was thrilled to bits when the lovely people at Pines and Needles contacted me and offered to send me one of their best selling Nordman Fir Christmas trees.

Knocking down walls







Taking inspiration from this picture I found on #Pinterest, I always wanted a wonderful bright spacious kitchen come family room in my home.  Unfortunately we never

Happy Halloween


We love an excuse for a good party in our house, especially if it involves dressing up.  Over the past few years with the help of the internet and the high street shops there are more and more free

Ugly House - New Channel 4 programme



Recently hubby and I have had discussions about taking down walls in the house and extending out the back of the house.  I won't settle for the ordinary and predictable but

Front Door




We live in a classic art deco house - large, painted white with a flat roof.  Our house has been classified as

Outfit of the day

Holiday Outfits

Dickins Jones print dress
 - houseoffraser.co.uk (Purchased in the sale for £19.50) Whoop !

Miss KG orange shoes (love these, perfect for my holiday, cool and stylish)
 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Lauren Ralph Lauren orange purse (oh be still my beating heart - Adore )
 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Kate Spade Ladies Cooper Watch 1YRU0189 | the Watch Hut
 - thewatchhut.co.uk   (Stunning and very this season )





Taking part in The Mad Blog Awards Outfit of the day competition in association with The Watch Hut 

I already have the dress and similar sandals, would DIE for the watch and the handbag to complete the outfit.

Fingers crossed.  

Cabbages and Roses






I've lusted over the Cabbages and Roses brand for many years, it always seems

Etsy Picks




Since discovering Etsy about 6 years ago I regularly pop over there for a browse, shop and inspiration.  I thought it might be nice to have a regular feature of some of the unique items I come across.

The hall stand




I love 1930s hall stands, they are usually both well made and practical.

Hidden History




Out treasure hunting I am always on the lookout for old picture frames I can upcycle into

Polyvore


Relaxed beach chic
A few years ago whilst browsing Pinterest I kept coming across pins which included

My Happy Place

The Mad House


Can't beat a good old fashioned (did I say that ! how times have moved on so quickly) MEME.  Great idea by the very Lovely Jen from Mum in the Madhouse who tagged me in

Turkish Towels




A couple of my towels hanging up in the bathroom.


Many years ago whilst on holiday I admired a couple who wore beautiful sarongs around the pool, they also used them as towels and they were perfect palest blues and grey stripes.  When I returned home I was determined to track them down.  Unsure what they were called and not seeing anything similar in UK shops I was stumped.  Then one day out on a visit to a small town in north Devon I came across a shop selling beautiful bathwares and there on the shelves were my towels.  I immediately asked the shop assistant about them, who told me they were called Peshtemal .  





Traditionally used in Turkish baths the Peshtemel is a thin towel made from 100% cotton but with high absorbency.  They are really lightweight and are therefore perfect to pack to take on holiday.  Even though they are really thin, they are incredibly absorbent and get softer and better with every wash.


I also wear them around the pool or to and from the beach.  Some of the larger, thicker sizes also work perfectly as a wrap or a throw on the sofa for chilly, snuggle nights.  You could even use them as table cloths or as picnic blankets.  They come in an array of colours (usually striped)  and also plain white which I love in my home.  People always comment on them when they see them hanging up, a really stylish alternative to the traditional fluffy towels we are used to in this country.


pictures from Pinterest






They are also really good value for money, very affordable and continue to look wonderful for a long time.  The best place I have found to buy them is of course that well known auction site !