tuesday..

Source: flickr.com via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Another night of lack of sleep.
Another day of fighting bugs and cuddles on the sofa.
Any more of this I think I will definitely be needing a medal....
Children's TV is sending me bonkers.
Thank goodness for good magazines, lovely blogs, & strong coffee.
x (those are the grateful's...)

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monday morning blues...

Source: scraphacker.com via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Good morning all.
Have you had a good weekend?
I do hope so.
We have had a testing weekend to be honest.
The boys have the flu.
High temperatures, aches, coughs so hard they can't sleep.
Very grumpy, tetchy and hysterical at times!
Last night I slept on the floor patting Ru's back as he coughed most of the night.
I was worried he was going to choke.. he didn't obviously.
So... as the snow falls outside, we are all snuggled under a duvet watching children's television.
And here we will stay until it's bedtime again!
x

p.s. the picture had no relevance to the flu, I just thought it looked sunny and happy - and I love a lacy doily, me!

Gratefuls:

1. Calpol

2. Coffee (again)

3. Understanding boss!

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baby shower

A glorious day here in Bristol, this Saturday.
We had huge plans to go to the Mshed to see in the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, then onto our friends Baby Shower.
But no.
Charlie developed the Flu over night.
Poor little man has been up since 5am (as have Dan and I).  He has achy bones, high temp and a hacking cough.
*glum*
Dan and Rufus have taken this lovely Jane Foster cat  as our gift for the yet to be born baby... I am sure he/she will love to chew it's ears.
(I secretly wish it was staying here with me!).
Charlie and I are snuggled on the sofa, with the log burner blazing, watching Horrible Histories and eating crisps.
Hope we have a more productive day tomorrow.
x

Gratefuls:

1. warm fire

2. Cool local shops

3. Loving parents

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a stroll upon the windy prom..

Last Sunday we met up with family for the second part of Charlie's birthday.
The boys scooted along the seafront at Weston-super-Mare... enjoying hanging out with their older cousins.
The wind was so strong, I could hear the howl in my ears for a long time after.
Look at these dudes... I can remember feeling that camaraderie with my cousins at this age.
x

Grateful:

1. thick cosy duvet

2. calpol - after Rufus waking with a cold last night

3. strong coffee

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etsy shop love...

Source: etsy.com via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

I have just discovered this gorgeous vintage clothing shop over on Etsy.
5678vintage
I think I could have everything there... lovely lovely clothes.
Just need to save some pennies and then my spring wardrobe is having some of these pieces.
LOVE that multicoloured striped dress.
x

Grateful:

1. for pink tulips in my vase

2. early morning cuddles in bed from my sons

3. water to quench my thirst

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grateful..

Last night I went to my first WI meeting.
We had a speaker from Happy City who talked about being Happy and how our happiness and behaviour can have knock on effects to the people we are in contact with during our daily lives.  Not just our friends and family, but the people in the local shop, the sale person on the phone etc.
By being nice, happy and mindful of ourselves we can make positive steps to make the community/world a better place.
Which makes sense right?
She invited us to make a daily grateful diary.  Saying that it is a proven fact that people who daily write down what they are grateful of, can actually make positive steps to a happier life.
So...I am going to try and do just this. I hope to write down on here 3 grateful's at the end of each post.
Just little things that made me stop and think and realise how thankful and grateful I am.
You can join in too if you like.

Today's grateful's:

1. meeting such inspiring, open, friendly women through blogland who I can now call friends.

2. the sunshine after the downpours

3. a neatly stacked woodpile (by my lovely man) so lighting the burner and warming my boys is a breeze.

x

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happy wednesday...

Good morning y'all!
Just a few images from around the home.
Charlie's birthday cards, bunting and Happy Birthday banner are still up.
Such cheery colours I can't bare to take them down at the moment.
And can anyone tell me how to make my kitchen shelves look neater, yet still function with all our stuff?!  It always looks a mess.
So it's nearly the end of Jan - only 1 more week to go.  Great isn't it?
I saw my first snowdrops at the weekend.  Spring is coming early!
Right, off to buy some Seville Oranges to make some Marmalade this afternoon.. my little Orange helper will be home from pre-school then.. it's turning into a little yearly tradition!
Have a great day.
x

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front page of UK Etsy...

Handpicked Items

See more

Picked by Charmaine

• 
  Pillow Cover - Cushion Cov...

  Sweetnatur...
  £14.52 GBP
• 
  Modern Stripe Bottle Vase

  dahlhaus
  £29.03 GBP
• 
  Brooch Geometric Enamel tr...

  finestimag...
  £6.27 GBP
• 
  Pug pocket valentine totem

  HandyMaide...
  £21.11 GBP
• 
  Big Wheel - blank greeting...

  littlegreens...
  £2.00 GBP
• 
  Knit Kids Hat Cotton Handm...

  BabbidgePa...
  £14.52 GBP
• 
  Set of 3 Greeting Cards

  hellopenny
  £6.92 GBP
• 
  Orange beak light - gray B...

  TIMOHANDMA...
  £37.61 GBP
• 
  Mon Petit Notebook in Beac...

  juliakostr...
  £10.56 GBP
• 
  colour triangle

  oddpockets
  £0.75 GBP
• 
  Fox plate

  kokokoshop
  £11.88 GBP
• 
  Chunky Knit Hat

  ChiChiDee
  £24.00 GBP

Whoop!

Look my Big Wheel card is on the Front Page of ETSY!

What a great start to my Sunday.

x

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hair like gainsbourg

Ever since I first saw Charlotte I have had an obsession with having long dark hair and fringe. (and also I wouldn't mind having the French accent too!).
She is beautiful.
Just like her mother.
My girl obsession.
x

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Norman Parkinson exhibition..

 

Last night I was lucky enough to attend the opening party of the Norman Parkinson exhibition at the MShed.
Norman Parkinson was Britain's most significant fashion photographer during the 1950's and 60's.
The exhibition was fantastic, his photography incredible.  The dresses stunning.
I loved the Sanderson wallpaper which was used to reflect each change in fashion and style.
Many of the guests came dressed in 50's clothes, all very Mad Men.
The exhibition runs until April. If you are in the area it's well worth a visit.  As is Mshed, and it's beautiful location on Bristol Harbour side.
Thanks Mel for inviting me!
x

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Charlie Bean is 6...

A busy afternoon preparing for the party - luckily I had superman to help with the blowing up of balloons!
Ok, please don't laugh at the cake!
My icing went slightly lumpy.  Butter was too hard.
But it tasted oh so delicious which is the main thing.
Charlie loved the lego theme, which was great considering he had mainly lego for his birthday!
Last night after school we had a quiet family party with cousins.
We feasted on homemade pizza, played with lego, laughed at the daftness of young boys and recalled memories of birth (well mum and I did, she was there when Charlie was born).
As dusk fell the sky turned golden and we all stood outside to marvel at the most spectacular sunset.
As the sky grew darker we lit the candle and sang Happy Birthday to our boy as he blew out his number 6.
x

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clean bedroom...

I know I am supposed to be making a cake - slight procrastination going on here!
I've just cleaned my bedroom instead, and as it is normally a total mess I thought I would share it with you, whilst it's looking clean (for once!).
The hama heart was made for me by Charlie and hangs above where I sleep.
My current bedtime read is the brand new Bristol based magazine - Lionheart.
It is totally brilliant and I am very much in love with it.
You might recognise some 'famous' bloggers in there such as Hannah and Miss James.
Go get a copy!
The photographs on the wall are by myself and Cassia Beck - she does take some pretty images.
So there... my bedroom.
Best get on with icing a lego brick!
x

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charlie...

Look at this little man!
I get all emotional when I do.
Charlie was 2 years old here... he is soo cute. (slightly biased, of course!)
We were at the Greenman Festival and he has just been stung by a wasp on the cheek.
Stressful times... but look, he is still smiling - bless him.
And look how blonde he is!
Charlie will be 6 tomorrow.
Those years have flown by.
Charlie you are still a gorgeous boy, bright and confident.

This past year you...

* taught yourself to ride a pedal bike
* became school council for your class
* made new friends
* lost two front teeth
* and grew 4 more (including 2 back molars!)
* started going to Beavers
* can ride like the wind on a scooter
* learnt to read on your own
* have become a great illustrator
* was a greedy crocodile in the school play
* can make the best lego models
* have grown about a foot!
* surprise me beyond belief at your knowledge on the universe, lego and Brunel!
* still give the best cuddles
* make your mummy & daddy so very very proud!

We love you little man!
x

p.s. I am attempting to make this cake today... wish me luck!

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♥ Bristol

Fifty Fifty web advert 2012 - Korahn Gayle from GN FILMS on Vimeo.

Shows the beauty of Bristol from the street level.
I love it!

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boys bedrooms...

Source: thebooandtheboy.com via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Source: skeppsholmen.se via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Source: sofia.pulp.se via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Source: thebooandtheboy.com via littlegreenshed - on Pinterest

Hello how are you all this blue monday?
I hope you are all ignoring this dumb fact - I dunno why this day is the most depressing than any other!
Did you have a good weekend? I hope so.
This weekend I found a dried up banana skin hiding under Rufus' bed (ergh!), yes I know what does that say about my cleaning skills?!!  No comment.
But it made me look at the boys room with fresh eyes.
We only decorated it two years ago but my golly it has become tired.  The boys have rubbed their toys up the walls which have left coloured scratch marks. Plus their sticking up of pictures and pulling them down has left sticky marks.
I haven't told Dan yet, but a lick of paint could be in order!
I am loving trawling through Pinterest for inspiration.  My children's spaces board is here.
What do you think?  A climbing wall a bit much?
x

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