Nature in the home - a series...

Image from here

Image from here

Hello
After my post at the weekend, I thought today I would share some ideas we can steal for bringing natures treasures into the home.
I love the leaf garland. And not just for Autumn either.  Why not try making this with Spring daisies and fresh lime green leaves too.
The glitzy acorns are my nod towards the shimmering season...yes people it's not long now.  Time to start making!  I am hoping to make some of these to decorate my Christmas Market stall - gorgeous aren't they.  Perfect for adding a natural sparkle.
x

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Shop love - From my bear hands

Hello lovely people!
Every Tuesday I am lucky enough to work in Paper Scissors Stone Volume 4 - an artists temporium here in Bristol. You might remember I mentioned it here.
So each Tuesday I leave my 2 boys behind and scurry over to the most beautiful of shops... I really do love being there.  Gorgeous artwork, ceramics, jewellery and clothing - fill the shops shelves.  The best artists, makers and creatives that Bristol has to offer.  It really is a shoppers heaven.
On a Tuesday afternoon I am joined by the lovely Sally Haysom who illustrates and makes the most beautiful jewellery.  You can see some of my favourite pieces above.
Lovely aren't they?
You don't have to live in Bristol to buy Sally's work she has an Etsy shop too!  Go see.
If you'd like to pop along to Paper Scissors Stone - we are open every day from 10am-6pm - this Volume will end on 25th November. The shop is in Quakers Friars (Near Cabot Circus), next door to Howkapow!
Come and see us.
x

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forest school...

Last weekend Rufus was invited by his good friend, Wilfred, to celebrate his 5th birthday party.  Wilfred's  party, just like Ru's, was held up in Leigh Woods.  Unlike our crazy Indian adventure, Wilfred's was an organised party - all about woodland survival.
Set in the Forest School clearing - the children made their own tribal jewellery, followed a treasure hunt to find the food, made goblin dens, and had the perfect morning.
Rachel , the leader, gave them each a  potato peeler so they could whittle their own sticks for the fire.I loved watching these small boys bond over sticks and marshmallows.
Woods, 5 year old boys and a fire - what more would they want?
x

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on my table...

I love that little squash - sadly his days are numbered. Only 3 more days til Halloween when he will be carved into all his spooky glory and then devoured in a roasted vegetable soup!

The leaves in the bottle are from our conker trip, we love to collect the pretty colours, but once home I struggle to know what to do with them.  They soon crisp up and turn brown.  Ah well it's an excuse to find more.  I will try to make this beautiful garland one day - I just can't seem to find the time at the moment!

How do you bring the changes of the season into your home?

x

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conker hunting...

Yesterday we were on a mission - to find conkers!
The boys and I visited my parents, as the park close to their home has huge old Horse Chestnut Trees. For years we have gone to these trees to find the shiny brown conkers, they usually have plenty, but this year there were hardly any. I have been told this quite common all over the country, but nontheless Charlie was determined to find some.
Rufus loved picking up the pretty yellow Ash leaves and flinging them into the air.  He suits autumn, his strawberry blonde hair just glows in the watery sunshine.
Charlie found a huge branch - and with help carried all the back to my parents home for the fire.
He must get his squirrelling ways from me!
x

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insects...

Hello!

My neighbourhood here in Bristol was lucky enough to be awarded funding through the Mary Portas - Portas Pilots scheme.  It's basically funding to help develop shopping areas which have closed down due to the recession.  Help is given to shop owners to develop their business and bring a vibrant community back to run down areas.

Part of this funding is given way to the arts.  There is a theme 'insects', where local artists can show their work in local shops and business forming a trail for people to follow.

Here is my application.

What do you think?

Vintage images, re-worked using textures and brushes with digital geo shapes added.

I hope they get selected!

Shall I also put some in my shop?

EDIT - These prints are now available in my BigCartel shop! 

x

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Nature in the home - a series...

Hello!

This weeks Nature in the home belongs to the quite simply beautiful blog Le Dans La.

I have to admit I am a huge fan of French blogs - and although I can't understand French to read and rely heavily on google translate - it's the light and the simplicity of the images that draw me in.

Je ne sais pas. 

Maybe it's just that timeless French chic.

Le Dans La has just this... a beautiful home, a dreamy colour palette and oodles of style.

This image above is a case in point.  The grey table, pastel hues of the ceramics and the bunches of mixed wild flowers is just simple and astonishingly beautiful.

Have you discovered any French blogs?

Here are a few more which I really love:

MyMobilHome

Mamzelle Titoo

Dans Un Petit Village

Madame Doute

x

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Shop Love...

This weeks shop love isn't really a 'shop'.
It's a website called MrPrintables.
I LOVE it.
Free, amazingly illustrated, and fun printables for Kids.
There are cool flash cards, Halloween masks, colouring pages and fun posters.
Go see..!
Oh and you probably need more ink for your printer too whilst your at it... :)
x

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House love...

Hello lovely friends!

Hope you are all doing great... and the weekend was a good one. Mine was wonderful... a mix of woods, friends, great art, family and home - perfect!  I love weekends like that!

But another week is here - and thankfully it's a short one, as Half Term starts this Thursday - Hurrah!

This morning I've been snooping around Bo-Laget once again. I do love a snoop, I am just a bit nosey! Anyway I spied this little beauty.  It has the herringbone flooring which I love, teamed with white walls and pops of colour.  I am really like the paintings above the sofa, a mix of vintage and home made it seems.  Yep - I like this one... very pretty!

Do you like it?

More images over here.

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life lately...

Life lately has been about enjoying simple pleasures...

Making the most of the sun when it shines.

Noticing big clouds in the autumn skies.

Playing football with friends.

Stopping and smelling the roses that are still blooming until the first frosts.

Doing a little decorating and sorting.

Making countless cups of tea.

How is your life lately?...

x

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Warming clothes for adventuring...

After spending last Saturday in the woods, I came to realise even more our love of adventuring.

As a family we are happiest romping through woodlands, visiting National Trust properties or walking on deserted beaches in the winter. 

One thing that did bother me was not having clothing that was practical, warm and stylish too.  My old knackered sweatshirt just made me feel depressed and dowdy, I could really do with something that is just for my days outdoors. But where do I get one?

There are plenty of outdoorsy shops around selling fleeces but they tend to make my hair static and fleece isn't the most beautiful of clothing is it!. I need to look into somewhere that sells womens hoodies that is stylish and doesn't cost the earth.

Howies has a great range.  As does Joules.  I want warmth, comfort, style and low cost.

Any suggestions?

x

this a sponsored post.

photo by Margaret Durow via Flickr

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Nature in the home - a series...

I love this little collection of plants.

As much as I love this beautiful canvas print of flowers in a jug. It's just so simple and beautiful.  This  collection of natural ephemera belongs in the home of the quite brilliant blog Old Brand New.  A source of much beauty and inspiration, I can tell you.

If you know me, you will know my love of nature and how I have bought it into every corner of my home.  My mantel in the dining room has shells, a star fish, deer antlers, a small pumpkin and a pink geranium in a terracotta pot - not even mentioning the vintage oil painting of flowers in a vase on the wall.

So... yes this small sideboard with all it's plants, vases, antlers and stones really does appeal. I love it.

Do you?

Do you collect natural objects too?

x

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Tuesday treasury...

Mittens No. 18 SarahMcNeil $68.00	FLOWERS postcard oelwein $2.00	Vintage Striped Blue Woven B... Hindsvik $60.00	Geometry No7, limited editio... EloiseRenouf $25.00
Mod Blue Daisy Platter WesleyAsher $14.00	Handwoven Ikat Pocket Dress HarrietsHaberd... $62.00	6x6 Original Painting / Abst... Brenna $38.00	Apple shaped cushion/soft to... studiomeez $42.00
Odysseo Yokoo $100.00	Rose Lip Balm, Natural Lip B... WinsomeGreen $5.25	Feather Rubber Stamp Handcra... brownpigeon $11.95	SALE Porcelain plate - cabin... kimslittlemons... $15.00
1950s Fine Day to Sail Blous... littledeervint... $23.00	Insect Study Postcard Set f2images $9.00	Light blue Triangle geometri... VividByEsther $28.00	Vintage apron for a retro co... SoYesterdaySoC... $30.00

Treasury tool 

Hello!

This weeks Treasury is a mix of pretty warming pastels for autumn and cooling pastels for spring (for the the southern hemisphere lovelies!).

I LOVE those mittens - they might have to come home with me very soon.

Have a wonderful day!

x

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