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

Modern Rugs Room Challenge

A little while ago I was sent a lovely rug as part of a blogger challenge. The challenge being, how best to incorporate it into a stylish decor within the home. Well, we all know I love a home design challenge and so I eagerly got thinking where best to have the rug. It is a stunning rug, a lovely vibrant red, with a low cut shaggy pile, and with mixed textures that give it both a silky and soft feel.

There was one room that I thought it would be perfect for and would look great in. One of the attic bedrooms and that 8 year old Master P resides in, is also the room we use when sleepovers take place as the room has two beds in it that can be made into a full length size. Master P normally has his funky Cath Kidston 'Boats' bed linen on his bed. However it is so quick and easy to recreate a different look by just changing some accesories. The Cath Kidston wallpaper goes well with a boyish style, but I think it also looks just as good with more feminine accessories. 

I had a little play, (with Master P's consent) and as I thought, the rug looked lovely and it can stay put as the rug goes really well with his room. It is a perfect colour match to the red lighthouse's in the Cath Kidston 'Boats' wallpaper. As it is nearing valentine's, I couldn't help but give the room a temporary rosy, love theme.

Do come in..

The white laminate flooring certainly gives the room a light, bright look, but I was of the thinking the red rug would create some lovely warmth.

  

And the other side of the room...

Can you tell I am somewhat of an Ikea Rosali fan :) So in the rug went, and as the rug is a slim size (80x150cm) I thought it would look best central and vertical to the room.

Of course I had to include some pretty valentine's accessories and Home Bargains as usual has come up trumps offering some gorgeous items this valentines. I fell in love with the retro 'Be Mine' bunting. 

And I HAD to have this sign...

The paper heart bunting just fell into my basket too.

As did this lovely bunting sticker set, a bargain at less than a pound.

To create a rosy glow, I also picked up a red valentines heart candle...

And flowers, there has to be flowers.

I'm really happy with how the rug has been incorporated and as for Master P, he won't admit it, but I secretly think he quite likes it too. Of course the flowers shall have to be swapped back over to his 'Boats' soon, and the girly accessories back to my room but for now its his/our little valentine's room. 

X

Valentine's At Poundland!

I have to say I don't really go in for all this valentine's lark, love for a partner should be declared every day of the year I think ;) Though of course who doesn't like a little treat on Valentine's day, and if you only have a couple of pounds in your pocket, you could pop into Poundland for a little something. Being a Poundland Ambassador I was sent a small selection of valentine's treats to tempt me into feeling the love and I have to say they really do have quite a cute valentine's range on offer....

I do like to get a little something for the children on Valentine's day and Miss.Poppins would love this ickle bear....

I think the pretty heart shaped lights could bring a little romance to any room, and as for the sweet cupcake set, they would definitely get me in the mood....for baking....

So with all these items priced at just being £1 each you really can afford to treat your loved one's this valentine's.

Happy Lovin' 

X

Do You Do It....

Valentine's that is....

It drives me crazy sometimes the high street commercialism of it all. As soon as Christmas is out of way and we are spent up, Oh no, we need to get our hard earned pennies out again and spend it on some tat, for the ones we love. I do wonder if I am a little hypocritical, as of course I sell pretty wares, and of course I promote certain items on a seasonal basis, so am I not a part if this commercialism. Though of course I would certainly like to think my items are not tat, and they have in no way been part of a manufactured run of things that just have no purpose whatsoever ( red, cheap looking plastic roses spring to mind )

I do think some of the Valentine's items available in stores are quite laughable, ( chocolate willies) though I guess if it does make one laugh then maybe that is alright. Laughter they say is good for the soul, and I do lurrrrvve chocolate :0) Though with Christmas, and my poor husband's wallet barely being closed, he then feels he has to dive in and get his money out, yet again for Valentines, and then of course soon there shall be Mother's Day. Do we WANT to do it, or do we feel we HAVE to do it, would it appear mean if there were no gifts upon Mother's breakfast trays, no valentine's treats declaring our love.... I think a sweet hand drawn painting , a big squeeze from the children, perhaps a little inexpensive handmade with love gift, means so much more than anything one could buy in a high street shop.

So, for me, I shall be looking here for an inexpensive gift for my man, and I shall be asking him if he really wants to spend his pennies to spend them there too. I remember being single and I used to quite dislike Valentine's, all these lovey dovey people holding hands and smooching and oohing and ahhing ( of which I am now perhaps, on a good day, one of those people )

Bless my mum, she always used to send me a card, even when I was living at home, would address it, post it and put a big ? on it....

I think to this day, she doesn't realise I knew they were from her ;0)

X

Valentine Gifts....

Hello lovelies, I hope you are all rested after the holidays, if you had one. I enjoyed our little holiday in Wales and had fun. It was lovely seeing the family. Mr. Poppins' mum is doing much better after her fall, and is having a little extra help at home to aid her recovery. When she came out of hospital there was a new friend waiting for her by the stairs, a stair lift. Well I think it has gone down a treat, we all had a little ride and as well as Mr. Poppins' mum, all give it the thumbs up.

So would you like to see some pretties, I have to say was thoroughly spoilt on Valentine's day and here is what I unwrapped on the special day. For the first and have to say very special gift I have to thank a lovely lady for pointing me in the right direction. The Daisy Button necklace Gem bought was gorgeous and I had to have one in a similar fashion. Those of you who know me, would know I have a thing for Daisies. So I emailed the lovely Folksy seller, Made By Kate D . Kate sent me a photograph of one she had not long made, slightly different to Gem's, and on a silver chain, though with one of those Ohooo so cute vintage Daisy buttons on and I fell in love. Mr. Poppins kindly purchased it for me. I hope you like it, it really does look beautiful on, and everyone comments on how pretty it is.

The children laid out a beautiful heart shape using scented rose petals, for me when I woke up, so pretty. Then they even gave me a couple of pretty gifts too, yes I have to admit we do go to town in this house on every occasion I am afraid.

Cute huh, then one more to unwrap. A beautiful hanging heart decoration in my favourite colours, I have to say my children are very wise ones indeedy if they chose these pretty gifts for me all on their own ;0)

Of course it was only right that they had a couple too.

They both really love Charlie and Lola.

Ohooo my goodness one more for me to unwrap. Hmmmm I likey Mr. P.

I also wanted to get something for my lovely Family that truly meant something, so for my husband of course it had to be a very special heart, I love you sweet Mr. P.

For Master P, well we all know he is a special baby to me, yes alright, I know he is 3, but aren't our children forever our special babies.

And for my precious Miss. Poppins, maybe you could take a guess at what her favorite sweetie is, and words I whisper in her ear, every hour of every day.

I plumed for the prettiest gift I could find for Mr. Poppins. He does like the occasional drink of real ale, or beer, however it is called. Some of the guest beers they have at our local village inn have all manner of names, some I deem to be quite rood ;0) So when I saw this pretty beer glass, I thought would be a nice treat for him, and no longer shall his beer go warm in his glass.  

For a beer glass it is quite sweet don't you think. And useful too I believe.

So some lovely pretties don't you think, I hope you enjoyed browsing our little family Valentine treats and shall leave you with a photograph of the Valentine's card Mummy and Daddy gave to our precious Miss. Poppins, with, yes you guessed it, a sweet perfect Daisy on it. Ohooo yes, we all get a card here too.

So I am back and shall enjoy blog hopping and seeing how you all are. I have been on a little jaunt to Selfridges today, and nearly came away with some cereal for breakfast, that is before I saw the price, £7.50, eeeek. I took a photograph too, so shall let you all see. I also did a little CK shopping, the bill came to I think £40.00, but I came out with not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5 but 12 pretty items. Happy days. Can you guess why I am known as the shopaholic around here ;0)

X