New Seasons

Normally at this time of year as one season blends into another, the days get shorter, and the nights draw in earlier, I have a little wobble. I'm definitely a spring/summer girl and as these colder, darker months creep upon me, I tend to want to hide, to hibernate and pop out again come spring! Ok, ok I physically don't hibernate to the outside world but the want is certainly there. I do however feel Autumn is a beautiful month with the change-over, and to be embraced, so I have decided to soak it all up and help make the change over that little bit easier.  

First some inspiration from one of my vintage Ladybird books!

And here is what it says...

"There are many, many things to look for in autumn, just as there are at any other time of year. You will, of course, soon find such things as blackberries and hazel nuts, but if you know where to look you might also find the nests of the wood wasp hanging from twigs, or a bumbles bee's nest in the bank - in which you might even discover a field-mouse curled up. You can look for the large flocks of various kinds of birds, some in their young plumage, others fully adult, and some still half-and-half; and sometimes you will find all the males together in one flock, and all the females in another. This book will tell you about many other interesting things that you can see, and will greatly increase the pleasure of your country walks." 

Gosh what's not to love! I shall enjoy dipping in and out of my little book. To get me on my way, I took a little visit to the library to seek out any other inspiring books. I found a great Selina Lake one called "Winter Living".

It has some great ideas for transforming your home into a welcoming haven inspired by the romantic charm of winter. I'm really into the Hygge movement and so anything that helps to create a pretty, calm and inspiring space I'm all up for! There is a great little piece on winter florals and creating a pretty backdrop for the home.

 I really liked the idea of drying out some pretty hydrangeas and having friendly neighbours with an abundance of the pretty flowers, kindly let me have some. There were so many pretty colours and I looked quite the country girl collecting them in my lovely Freecycle wicker basket. 

A couple may have been just past their best for picking but lovely all the same and I couldn't wait to get displaying them. 

I'm yet to remove all the leaves and so am enjoying the very best ones before they start to dry out, which they are starting to do.

I'd like to find other ways to display them once they have dried out so if you have any ideas please let me know. For now I'll enjoy looking at my little arrangement which sits on a recently painted little table I found on Freecycle. I just love Freecycle and I don't think there is any room in my home that doesn't have a least a couple of Freecycle, or Freegle as its now called pieces in it. Very often a piece that I have up-cycled. 

The little rose gold  'Dream' sign was a 99p bargain from Aldi from their clearance sale. We're also in the middle of a re-decoration in the lounge and whilst browsing in Laura Ashley found this lovely wool blend rug in their sale. A real bargain at £38 from £125!

It's possibly a bit too small for the room, but I couldn't resist the cheery check and it'll be a great addition to any of my other rooms. I had seen another stripey bargain (ex-display) rug at the same time, it was bigger, but I couldn't make my mind up which one to get. The next day I realised the stripey one was probably a better fit for the lounge being bigger, so I dashed back to get it. As I went through the the shop door I saw someone at the till buying it. Ha! I wanted it even more then ;) So the hunt is still on for a larger rug that isn't going to break the bank. 

For now I shall enjoy dipping into my inspiring library books to help me get into the changing season mood! 

X

Pink Delights From Flamingo Gifts

I love pretty, I love pink, so when Flamingo Gifts sent this perfectly pink parcel of pretty delights for me to have a little play with, I couldn't wait to dive right in. Flamingo Gifts offers such lovely, cute and quirky items, including home accessories, party ideas, fun books and all manner of delightful things that one wouldn't normally find on the high street. 

Although I had given a little hint to Flamingo Gifts as to what items may float my boat, I couldn't have imagined the gorgeousness of this pretty parcel. Whoever selected the items must secretly know me very well, as it really couldn't have been more pink.

Princess Pink Telephone

I just adore this vintage style telephone, based on the famous princess style of the 1950's. Its a beautifully compact style and the pink is a lovely sugary shade, perfect for girly chats ;) It was so easy to set up, just pop the line in and then plug the other end into your telephone socket and away you go.  

The bell ringer only adds to the charm, and the fact it is a push button means it is compatible with menu options, and which is super handy as most of the company customer services I ring often have about 9 different options to get through.

It has some great other features too.

I have a feeling this next product shall be making it's way into the teenagers room.

 Hazel Nicholls You're Magic Make Up Bag

The make up bag is gorgeous :)) I love the magicians wand as the 'i' and the fluorescent pink is so on trend. My make up loving Miss. Poppins already has her eye on this so I doubt it shall ever get the opportunity to keep my make up in it, though I shall certainly be borrowing it every now and then.  

I am a big lover of quotes and sayings around the home, and like to be inspired in every room I step in. I think this plaque says it all, and features all the pretty things I love, pink, hearts and bows.

A real bargain too at only £3.10. 

Enjoy The Little Things Plaque

I'm often out and about and like to grab a bite to eat from the house to take with me. Often its just chucked into one of the children's tatty lunch bags and away I go. Now I have something far more stylish and can be happy to pull out of my bag.

Happy Jackson Lunch Box, Healthy Snacks

I love the quirky words on this lunch box and there is even a little cheeky "(no peeping)" once you have removed the black and white strap that keeps your lunch box in place. How cute is that.

The colours really pop out at you and although I'm not sure if my snacks shall always be very healthy, I am at least very proud to have such a beautiful lunch box to keep them in. I'll do my best to keep it more of the healthy variety.

At Flamingo Gifts there are also some great brands on offer, and finally we have a pretty pink item that again someone else has their eye on. 

Ted Baker Bento Box

Although perfect for lunchtimes, I think this hot pink little number would also be great as a little storage holder for all those pretty bits and bobs, jewellery, clips etc. It would look so pretty on a shabby chic style dressing table. 

The lunch box comes complete with two compartments and a beautiful elasticated band which has a Ted Baker gold bow. The elasticated band is really pretty and keeps everything secure inside. Once your lunch has been eaten, you can then pop the compartment back in and it closes to only 5cm, therefore taking up less space in your bag.

I think it may soon start to grow legs and wander off into the teens bag/bedroom very soon.

So, some really cute items on offer and if you haven't visited Flamingo Gifts before I would definitely have a mooch. I have been overwhelmed by the pretty selection they sent and so impressed with the lovely treats, I had to make a little order. The 1p first class delivery was also very tempting and a great offer. Amongst a couple of other things I ordered, I loved this case for our family ipad and at 50% off, a bargain.

So I shall certainly be making frequent visits to Flamingo Gifts, hope you find something pretty there too :)

X

On Location

Master Poppins really enjoys his expeditions out when he occasionally gets called to a job as a little fashion model. He has modelling for some fantastic brands, and seems to really love the camera. As he has to have an official children's work licence and school are for now supportive, I think until he no longer enjoys it we shall carry on. Education is of course very, very important, however he learns so many other valuable lessons in life when he gets called to a photoshoot, he can navigate his way around the London underground better than I, he socially has come on leaps and bounds and which was my main reason he got involved, and he gets to meet many very interesting people and places. Of course being his mummy, I am merely his chaperone for the day but I especially couldn't wait to go on location for a photoshoot he had this week. It was at a drool worthy home that I couldn't help but share one or two photographs with you. Whilst he had been whisked away to strut his stuff, I got chatting to the lovely owners, who happily let me have a little nose around their home....

The gorgeous Kitchen diner....

   Drool....

 
This bedroom was just yummy....

Oh my, the bathroom....

And here I am, pretending it was all mine ;)

This bedroom was so, so cute....

And the little corners of the home with pretty treasures on....

Flowers....

Gorgeous eiderdowns....

Oh it was just lovely. Soon it was time to go, Master Poppins enjoyed himself and I came away with much inspiration indeed. Infact I think this would pretty much be my dream home. It also got me thinking, about people who hire out their homes as such for location filming etc. I don't think anyone would ever fancy coming to my home. They would be tripping over lego, or falling over the loose floorboards we have, or even wondering if the bare plaster look we have in some rooms is indeed a fashion statement. But, if I had a home as beautiful as this, would I consider hiring it out? I know the pay is indeed a fantastic reward, but I think perhaps I would find it a little intrusive I don't know. Maybe it is simply the fact that a home as lovely as this just needs to be shared, and why indeed I am sharing a little of it with you....

X