Nature in the Home - a series...

Hi!

How are you?  It's nearly March!  Last day of February is tomorrow... hurrah!  Spring you are so close I can practically touch you.  I love the transition months... Spring & Autumn are always so much  more inspiring and uplifting than summer and winter.

I've been writing this series 'Nature in the Home' now for 8 months. Can you believe it? 8 months of feeling inspired to bring flowers to  my table or water my plants a little more.  Plus I love to see how others place plants in their homes too.  Not just a pot stuck in the corner, but draped from shelves, arranged around doorways and hung from pretty baskets and pots.

I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.  Seeing all these homes with plants and flowers has totally inspired me to make room for a small succulent or a vase of blooms on the table.  I hope it has you too.

So do you remember my post on Sunday?  I do hope you will join me.  I am really looking forward to seeing your tulips, succulents and palms!

To join in just add your link to the button below.  So please don't be shy, show us all your Nature in your home too.  I know you are a creative bunch.

Thank you!

Also here are a couple of button's to add to your blog, if you feel like it.  First one is 250px and the smaller is 170px.

Edit:  I've added a html coded grab button over in the sidebar for those of you who have requested it.  I hope it works!  Email me if you have a problem. x

x

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Nature in the Home - A Series...

I know this should be part of my 'Nature in the Home' series.. well it kind of is.  I'm popping in here today to give you a little heads up.

I've been writing this weekly series now for 8 months!  Yikes, it really has been that long (I do hope you aren't bored yet?!).

Well as we are all wishing for Spring here in the UK / Autumn in the South Hem, I thought I would open this series out to everyone, and start a little linky.  Each Wednesday I thought it would be fun if we could all hop around and see your images of flowers, plants, cacti in your home.

What do you think?  Do you want to play?

I hope so!

So, gather your blooms and get snapping!

I cant wait!

See you Wednesday.  (if it takes off I will make a button).

x

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out of focus home...

*sigh*
In February it is so difficult to take a good image.
Everything is blurry and grey.
Best wait until Spring truly arrives.
I went to the local flea market today, and bought a pretty mirror and a small painting of the pinkest roses.  I will show you when I can.
x

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8/52...

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013

Charlie:  You dressed up as Isambard Kingdom Brunel this week for the opening of your Brunel museum at school.  You proudly showed us your bridge made of mechano, and your museum hand book.  Dan and I were so happy our hearts burst with pride.

Rufus:  Another poorly week.  Come on Spring give this little guy a break.  I love to see his 'tiger' eye (the brown streak in the blue of his eyes).

Playing along with Jodi and the 52 portraits.

x

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whole food living...

Image via here

I've been feeling so ill this week.  Listless, splitting sinus headaches, holding my body in a bad way, and not having an ounce of energy to give to anyone.  I can't hug - or be hugged.  Now that's bad!  It's a virus, I know, and hopefully this weekend it will come to an end... I just need some rest.  But feeling this way it has made me think about my diet, and what I am giving my body to help restore my bounce.  And beyond.

For Lent I have given up bread.  I am not a deeply religious person and have never given anything up for Lent before, but this year I felt like I needed to change the way I eat.  For decades I have reached for the loaf for a comforting marmite on toast after the school run, or pick at the crust whilst cooking, or grab a quick sandwich in between working and kids.  No more - it had to stop.

I think I was addicted to bread.  It made me bloat, put on weight and feel sluggish, but I just couldn't stop.

Until now - STOP EATING IT, LOU!

Ahhh that's better.  So it's been just over a week and although I feel poorly (could it be withdrawl symptoms?) my stomach has gone down and I am getting over that need for snacking.

I've been looking at some amazing blogs with recipes for Wholefood.  This blog My New Roots is giving me a great source of inspiration.  I am starting to change my old habits and turn over a new dietary leaf.  Today I am making my own Granola, this recipe looks delicious and super easy.  It is going to be long journey and one that I hope will become a way of life.  I want to equip my children with a better understanding of food and change their tastes too.  Goodbye Mr Waffle and Mr Fish Finger!!!

Have you come across a good whole food recipe blog, can you let me know?

Do you eat whole?  Have you kicked bread or sugar in to touch?

Let me know... I need some help!

Also I will start to post some recipes here too.

Have a lovely weekend!

x

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Spring finds...

I cannot wait for Spring!  I've had fresh flowers in the house weekly since mid January... needing their sunny colours to brighten a grey cold day.  Recently I've been looking at chalky pastel hues in home wares, minty greens, pops of pinks, sunny yellows, echoing the spring blooms and new leaves that I crave.  Remember my post of yesterday, that pink vase!

You might remember last year I took part in the Most Wanted Autumn Home Styling Challenge, when I found cosy home wares for under £80. You can see my Autumn ideas here.  Well, VoucherCodes have once again asked me to come up with ideas for updating your home for Spring.. 

What is more Spring like than pastel shades.  I've had my eye on that Moose Coat Hanger for a while.. it's pretty special!

I hope you like it!

x

1. Black Dot Tea Towel by Oelwein via Etsy, 2. Pink Eames Eiffel Chair via Ebay, 3. Aerial Pendent Lamp, Habitat, 4. Grey Apple Cushion by Studio Meeze via Etsy, 5. Moose on the Loose by All Lovely Stuff, 6. Abstract Art Circles 3 Print by Ammiki via Etsy, 7. Stripe Hamman Towel by Toast, 8. Circus Triangle Cushion by Butterscotch and Beestings vis Etsy, 9. Cloud Cutting Board by Snug.

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How do you start your day?

Image via here

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  If this is the case, then why am I not thinking more on variety and flavours just as we would an evening meal?  I must admit I am stuck in a rut and opt for the same variety of Bran flakes with bananas, the boys usually have a selection of 'kids' style cereals and Dan has toast.  Dull isn't it?

So recently I've been thinking of better ways to enjoy my first meal of the day.  The people at Jordans Cereal kindly sent me some of their Super Berry Granola to try.  It is packed with crunchy pieces of oatmeal and delicious blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries and crunchy almonds.  Over the past few days I've mixed it up a little having it some days with milk and other days with natural fat free yoghurt and banana chopped up.  I am converted!

Dan on the other hand is still enjoying his toast (that man loves marmalade!) but he is also taking to work an Absolute Nut breakfast bar.  A treat he says!  Poor love have I been neglecting him! 

My next project - is to get a juicer.  

What do you have for breakfast?  I need inspiration!

x

this is a sponsored post.

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Nature in the Home - a series...

Image via here

Pops of pink!

I've been feeling under the weather these past few days.  Just a cold, but it does half make me feel down and grumpy!  I am no use being ill - too busy!  

When I feel like this, I crave pink.  Yes I live in a colour coded world!  So, I've been wearing my pink scarf, buying pink tulips, and swooning over this image.  Pink - the colour of positivity. 

This vase is stunning and the blooms - swoon!  I need some big flowers in my life, perhaps I should grow some on my allotment this year - then I will have hundreds.  How about that!  Now there's an idea.

x

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Sanna Annukka...

POHJOLASSA from jasper goodall on Vimeo.

Sanna Annukka's latest collection for Marimekko. Breathtaking! x
Thanks Beth for the heads up.

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Snowdrops in the sunshine...

Friday was a glorious warm spring like day.  A day to spend looking at carpets of white snowdrops.

We jumped in the car and headed to the Cotswolds, to the National Trust house - Newark Park, close to Stroud.  

The sun was wonderfully warm, we wandered through the gardens peeling off layers of coats and scarves, noticing the small differences between clumps of white belled blooms.  The boys ran through the trees, discovering the ruined folly (jail as they called it), before stumbling across a shimmery blue Peacock basking in the sunshine.  Spellbound they stood for ages marvelling at it's deep blue colour, before the bird became bored and flew up to the high wall, away from curious boys.

Now is the time see snowdrops in their full glory.  For more information have a look here for properties close to you.

x

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7/52..

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013

Charlie:  You are so like your Daddy.  Loves nothing more than spending the day in the woods, and playing with the fire.  He is in his element.

Rufus:  Still in the Super Hero stage and long may this continue.  Batman comes with us everywhere at the moment.

Playing along with Jodi and the 52 portraits.

x

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Wildabout Forest School...

 

Yesterday we we spent the whole day in the woods - a beautiful sun drenched, adventure filled day.

Wildabout Forest School invited us to spend a taster day with them.  The boys built dens, dug out a stream, toasted marshmallows, popped corn in a sieve over the fire, feasted on toffee apples and bread twists.

Jackie, the camp leader, showed the boys how to build a fire, listen for bird song, and gave them the time and space to explore the camp, to fully relax into the woodland.

Charlie spent most of the day digging out the stream and changing the course of the water, whilst Rufus made friends and became the mud monster from the lagoon.

It was blissful sitting next to the warmth of the camp fire, listening to my kids laughter and shrieks echo around the hillside.  As the parents chatted, our children made firm friends.

After 5 hours in the woods we left feeling relaxed, happy and with the smell of smoke in our hair.

A wonderful day out.

Wildabout Forest School runs courses for kids aged 8-13 years in a special forest camp just outside of Bristol.  For more information please visit their website. They can also do birthday parties too!  I am going to sign Charlie up for the summer camp.

x

This a gifted post.

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For him....

Love you!
x

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Nature in the home - a series...

Image via here

Hello!

You probably already know of my love for succulent plants, At home I normally have one type in a pot (like house leeks), but I found this image on Pinterest  and loved it!.  It's like a little tropical rain forest or magical island.  An island of green on your table - I like this idea a lot.

And the beauty of it, it won't need much attention either, bonus!

Do you like it?

x

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Bat Boy...

So it's Half Term.  

Days have become slow.  We like it like that.  Mornings are spent playing Lego, drawing, or dressing up.

I love the holidays. I love how happy my boys are.  They love spending time as they please.  Fixing themselves a drink, having an apple, designing a new space station out of Lego.  Becoming Bat Man.

Today we spent time with a good friend, Rufus' bestie, Jasper.  He is a boy much like my own, loving Lego and Superheroes (what boy doesn't).  The days when my children's laughter and squeals fill my ears are the best.  Good times.

Rufus has been dressed like this ALL day.  He scooted down our local high street in full Bat Man costume, oblivious to the smiles from passers by.  I love him for that.

Hope you are enjoying the holidays too.

In other news, I've discovered I have been nominated in the MAD Blog Awards.  Thank you, I am over the moon.  If you would like nominate me (blush) or any other blog you can vote over here.

x

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House Love...

All images are via Freunde von Freunden

Morning!

It's half term here at the moment, and whilst the boys are busy upstairs playing with their marble run, I am stealing a little solitude.  I am sat at my dining table with a cup of green tea, with the smell of Hyacinths filling the room, it won't last long!

Spring is almost here, or is that wishful thinking?  A few miles North of Bristol there is snow.  Friends in Gloucestershire have woken to deep drifts, I bet the kids are happy! As much as I love playing in the snow I am longing for warmer weather now.

I came across these images on the blog Freunde von Freunden a few weeks ago and thought I'd leave them until I really needed some sun. And today is that day.

Celine Saby's light filled Paris apartment is unique and beautiful. I wish it was me sitting there in that window flicking through a magazine.  And that green wall!  Amazing colour isn't it?

Keep warm dear friends.  

x

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6/52...

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013

Charlie: This evening we had tea at the Thali Cafe.  Charlie ordered Thali chicken curry, something he wouldn't have contemplated trying in the past.  I feel we have reached a new chapter in our lives.  A bigger, wiser, chattier son who loves the world and wants try everything.  

Rufus: Is loving drawing.  Especially Dragons.  Not so long ago Rufus was drawing stick style animals, but now he has developed a beautiful colourful style.  Today he asked me for a scalpel (a cutting pen as he put it) so he could cut his dragons out.  

Playing along with Jodi and the 52 portraits.

x

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where is my mind?

I love this.  I love the original by the Pixies too.  But in this version by Trampled by Turtles its the banjo that I love.  God I need to learn how to play that instrument.  Remember this post?  I best get on with that!

School finishes today for half term - Hurrah!

10 days of my boys at home! Whoop.

What are your plans this weekend?  We are shoe shopping (for Rufus, not me sadly), bike riding and DIY (again!).

Whatever you have planned have a lovely one.

x

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collage...

FASHION FILM from Matthew Frost on Vimeo.

Hehehe
I like to think to myself in French!
I'm looking at you Fran!
x

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Nature in the Home - a series...

Image via here

Today has been such a lovely day.  My good friend Lottie asked me to join her on a trip to Ikea, now I know most people would hate spending the day there, but to us it was terrific. As we walked, shared and shopped, Lottie's small son ran around, climbing in to the beds and re-arranged the rooms. He was so sweet and very entertaining (we did tidy after him, we aren't that naughty!).  I love un-planned days like that, don't you?

So anyway, here we are again with another weekly image of nature in a beautiful home.  This week shows a collection of cacti and succulents on the windowsill of a light filled dining room. I love succulents, I've just bought myself the purple/lilac one of these.  It is so pretty sitting on top of my sideboard.

For more images of this most beautiful and stylish home please have a look here.  I'd quite like to move in.

x

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Half term planning...

So Half Term is next week... we are really looking forward to it in this house.  Long slow days filled with eating pancakes, lego building, and adventuring.  And we need it too. Charlie is exhausted, he's limping towards Friday, each morning is becoming more of struggle to get up.  But he is being so good, hardly any moaning.  Rufus is off home again.  High temperature and achy limbs.  I am seriously fed up with viruses!

So... onto some serious Half Term planning.  I like to mix up the days, some with high adventure followed by a slow lego and pyjama day.

Here are a few things we are looking forward to doing:

• Celebrate the Chinese New Year on Sunday 10th at the Mshed
• Attend the Bristol Zoo Wildabout Forest School for a day fire buiding, and playing in the mud.
• A romp in the woods at our local National Trust Tyntesfield
• Visit the Theatre
• A trip to the Cinema with friends to see Wreck it Ralph
• Make a mountain of pancakes for Shrove Tuesday (12th)
• Dig up the allotment and prepare for Spring (this will be me, the boys will just play probably!)
• Craft on cold rainy days - using the wonderful on-line resource Mr Printables

I hope this will occupy them!  What are you planning this Half Term, please share your tips on entertaining your kids... we could all do with as many good ideas as we can!

I am of course hoping for mild and sunshine filled days, we could all do with some of those.

x

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New cards...

I almost forgot to blog about my new cards!  How silly of me.  Since the New Year I've been dabbling with my water colours again, I quickly became caught up in painting bright and carefree blooms... dreaming of Spring I suppose!

So here is the result of many hours daydreaming.  Three new greetings cards.  The first two are suitable for Valentines, but can be sent at any time of the year to your beau.  And of course the bottom is perfect for a Spring birthday.

Available now in my Bigcartel, Etsy and Folksy shops.

x

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learning about bridges...

Charlie has been learning about Isambard Kingdom Brunel at school.  He has visited the SS Great Britain recently on a school trip, so this weekend as part of his homework we visited Brunel's other great engineering masterpiece - the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

On a beautiful day the view is incredible, stretching for miles across the city.

In the sunshine we watched the cars as small as ants drive underneath us, gazed out trying to spot our house. We also estimated the height of each pillar, counted the number of wires that hold the road up and spotted a love padlock.  Jacob loves Jenny - so romantic!

x

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