Mary Poppins Round-up

Hello, today I thought I'd do a little round up of what Mary Poppins is up to these days...

When I first started this blog (back in the dark ages) it's main purpose was to log snippets of my family life, a bit of crafting, many makeovers, shopping for pretties etc, and has very much evolved into a kind of lifestyle type blog, a mixed bag and a bit of everything type blog. I'm quite happy to slot into this type and although sometimes I stumble along wondering where this blog is going, in reality it doesn't really have to go anywhere. I like to dip in and out and I am very humbled that anyone else would like a peak into my world too. So, what have we been up to? 

Well, I am now the mum of a 14 year old, how on earth did that happen. Miss Poppins is growing up to be a typical teenager (almost permanently attached to her phone) though very mature for her years. If she ever reads this, I want her to know you make me very proud. And Mummy, yes I am still your Mummy, loves you very much :)

Master Poppins turned 9 in August, and definitely keeps me on my toes. He is very much enjoying his sports and as many boys do, loves football and plays for a local team each weekend. He was barely a toddler when I first started this blog and it has been wonderful, especially after his very premature birth and Pulmonary Stenosis which was treated as a baby, to see him grow up so well and healthy. I can't believe we shall soon be thinking of secondary schools, if I had my way he'd be in primary school forever.

I can nag at them when things don't get done, but it's good to take a step back and appreciate what you have, they shall always be my little bundles of joy.

I too have turned a year older and was greeted with this lovely image when I opened my front door on my birthday.

I fell in love straight away when I unwrapped the beautiful floral radio...it's from Aldi I hasten to add and was somewhat of a best seller. I love it and doesn't it go well with my Cath Kidston wallpapered chest of drawers.

I always advocate following ones dreams, and having made many a lavender heart with those very words on. I thought it was high time I followed my own advice and followed mine. So, with my love of acting I am now back on the creative path of going to classes again, networking and well, just following my acting dream!

Of course I am still loving the sewing and makeovers. 

Lavender hearts shall always be one of my favourite things to make.

And my most recent little furniture makeover...

A tall chest of drawers that I purchased off a friend and knew I could do a little Mary Poppins makeover on. The storage is so useful and after a little Annie Sloan paint and distress now fits in perfectly with my décor.

I replaced the handles for some crystal knobs from Home Bargains, I think they add some lovely sparkle.

And as for any pretty shopping, well yes one or two little treats made their way home with me.

I adored this pink flamingo necklace...

And although you can't really see it all, the dog loves to cuddle up with me wearing my new furry hot pink cardigan.

Whilst in the body shop browsing their new seasonal ranges I was kindly offered some samples for myself and Miss. Poppins. I'm never normally afraid to ask for a couple of samples in store, so to be offered some was really sweet. The staff were ever so friendly and haven't they been packaged up beautifully.

That's my Christmas wrapping sorted thanks to M&S, so cute...

I'm afraid I am also one of those who like to bring in the Christmas cheer a little early. I couldn't resist these Santa Babies. Yum yum..

So, a little round up for you, shall catch up again very soon :)

X

Spring Is In The Air

Hello there :)

I am pleased to say that I am starting to get a little 'spring' in my step now March is here. I love how the nights start to get lighter, the clocks go forward soon and my creative mojo begins to gets into full steam. I have quite a few crafty/diy projects lined up around the house so now I'm finally feeling motivated to get going on them.

These pretty daffodils certainly bring a little sunshine into the home.

Of course, there always has to be some pretty pink delights too.

February of course had it's special moments, like valentines day. I do believe one should be sharing that love every day, not just the one but it is nice getting a treat on the special day. I had seen this Michael Kors bracelet a while ago, and a certain someone handed it over on Valentine's Day wrapped up all prettily.

He's definitely a keeper ;)

We spent the day with relatives on the day itself and popped to Beetham in Cumbria. We had lunch in the Old Beetham Post Office, which, at the top of some steps at the back, has the most delightful little shabby chic tea room.

I knew straight away I'd love it. Service was great, the food delicious and the surroundings so relaxing and pretty. I wish I'd taken more photographs inside, as it is so quaint.

Who could resist a pretty pink drink?

And the hot chocolate was yummy.

We sat on the big table by the cute little window.

And I couldn't help admiring their lovely dresser with all sorts of lovely food treats on.

Soon it was pudding time, my favourite time of any meal. How could I choose from this delicious selection of home-made cakes, all so very tempting.

In the end I went for the home-made brownies with fresh cream, definitely a good choice. After a lovely lunch we had a little walk around and visited the church, which was really pretty. Can you spy Master Poppins hiding in this photograph of the beautiful church.

                

I seized the moment and whilst the teenager was willing to have a photograph taken with her old 'ma, quickly grabbed someone to take it. There were many 'work in progress' photographs taken!

Eventually, we managed to compose ourselves.

She was about half the height of me when I started this blog and now she is officially taller than me. After our short walk, it was off to a garden centre for a little mooch.

Lots of things tempting me, but I was a good girl and just window shopped.

Once the mooching was done it was time for ice-cream and so took a drive to Arnside. It was a lovely afternoon, and the scenery was beautiful, which Master P here is admiring. 

Soon it was time to be heading home, on the way back I remembered pancake day was coming up so picked up some ingredients - (I always forget till last minute so took the opportunity whilst I remembered). We had great fun flipping our pancakes and think we must have had a good 3 pancakes each. Always lemon, a little butter and a sprinkling of sugar wins in this house. 

A blog post of mine wouldn't be the same without a little share of some shopping bits and bobs, and as usual home bargains was my go to store to find some treats. I have purchased some of these lovely and useful jumbo bags from there before, and seeing these new designs grabbed some. Perfect for laundry, storage, holidays all sorts. A real bargain at less than a couple of pounds each. 

Being an old romantic, I couldn't resist this romantic sign.

Drinking tea and eating cakes is indeed one of my most enjoyable hobbies.

There's always time to squeeze a little sewing in, and I enjoyed making these pretty lavender personalised hearts, what lovely names.

And if only my children's initial T-shirts came in bigger sizes I'd definitely be wearing this one ;) 

Right, time to grab that paint brush, these little diy projects around the home aren't going to get done by themselves, lets hope that sun keeps shinning, nearly time to get the flip flops out. YAY!!

X

My Pretty Christmas Gifts

Hello lovelies :) 

Although I am somewhat playing catch up in blogland, I thought, if like me you enjoy nosing at other people's pretties, then you may like a 'nose' at some of the lovely gifts Santa and others left me under the Christmas tree.

We all know Christmas is not just about the presents, but they do make a lovely and welcome addition to Christmas day don't they. So without further ado here are some of the lovely, special gifts from loved ones and of course, Santa himself ;) I love them. 

I thought I'd start with a big one. 

Oh my, I just love my mum who knows me so well, and always, always picks the perfect gifts for me. On a visit to my home a while ago, she could see our fire surround had a 'half painted' look to it - (due to running out of paint) and not a good look by the way. She discreetly asked what colour I had used, and I replied Annie Sloan "Old White". Now I do love to use AS paint - though it has to be said, occasionally on some pieces of furniture it and I do not get along, but mostly we do. However it is in my opinion quite pricey, especially for a thrifty person like myself who likes to spend her pennies in the wisest, thriftiest way possible. I was more inclined to live with a half painted fire surround and work myself up to going on a little Annie Sloan spree some time soon and after I'd saved some pennies up. 

Well, I was over the moon unwrapping these little beauties.  

Yay that surround can now get finished.

I am a big fan of Mark Jacobs 'Daisy' perfume and was delighted to unwrap this scent that I don't have for my 'Daisy' collection. Again from the lady that knows me so well.

The bottle is gorgeous.

Sticking with a Daisy style theme, this lovely necklace was worn as soon as I opened it. I love it :)

As was my (floral) Christmas jumper and I couldn't wait to get cosy in it. 

Of course, there had to be a little Cath Kidston surprise ;)

I'm quite well known in my little family for seeing little pretties before Christmas and giving a little hint here or there. I fell in love with this 'candy floss' pink raggy bath mat and hoped santa would be kind :) 

He was. It's the prettiest thing, perhaps too pretty for wet just got out of the bath feet to be stamping on. The raggy texture is just the loveliest thing to run your hands over.

 And its perfect for my our pink, girly bathroom.

Being a wordy person who loves inspirational quotes and sayings dotted around the home, I especially loved this East of India flag, perfect for next to my bed.

And for the kitchen diner.

Being someone who rarely wears foundation these days and if so, only for special occasions, have found this Maybelline one the most suitable for my skin type. It has a lovely silky soft feel to it and gives a lovely glowy look. I'd run out a long while ago and thought nothing of it. It was a nice surprise to get a nice new bottle. (Extra gold star for the husband remembering the exact colour shade) 

These had been on my wish list for a while and although I have a pink pair that I have had for a number of years, I find this brand has a certain shelf life and my pink ones were definitely past their sell by date. I pondered and pondered about what colour to go for and being a colour person thought it had to be a big bright colour. However my practical side won and even though not a 'fashion' boot per say many fashionistas can be seen wearing them about town as well as the muddy fields. As I like to wear mine about town too, I thought black gloss a good choice and would go with everything. A lovely treat from Santa.

I love pretty scents and these Morris & Co scented drawer liners smell delicious, too nice to be hidden away so am thinking of other plans for them. 

Being a Downton Abbey fan, I love this set of 3 signature soaps. Just lovely. 

These cosy boots were bit of a bargain, so Santa tells me...

I love notebooks, and this was a lovely sparkly number along with a pretty pen.

I indeed had some gorgeous gifts. 

Oh I have to share the present we got for Miss. Poppins, our ever growing up teenager. Buying for her was proving a challenge as ideally I didn't want to be buying items beyond her years but also knew she probably was a bit too old for play dough. She loves her music and singing, and enjoys uploading various songs on her ipod/iphone. She had mentioned she fancied some sort of music system that could play music in her bedroom. 

I saw the perfect, drool worthy, delicious thing, and I thought she'd love it. I know I do, I really do. 

Its a lovely Emma Bridgewater radio, in the Sampler hearts print, and perfect as it has a dock to pop her ipod/iphone in and listen to her music. It has DAB radio and an alarm clock feature. I have to say the dock is a good quality one judging by the music we can hear blaring out of her room. 

Isn't it pretty.

Do you think she'll share?

No, I thought not either. *sad face

It can be hard buying for teenagers, but this got the thumbs up and was a reasonable price too as a pre-Christmas offer.

I hope you have enjoyed your little moochy at my prezzies. Family, friends and Santa himself have truly spoilt me and I love everything. Please feel free to leave a little comment if you would like to know where anything came from, I'll get back to you asap. 

I have it on trust from Santa he'll know, well, he knows everything, doesn't he...

X