healing yellow buds & tea...

This past week I have been feeling unwell.  An eye infection, that caused my face to swell, terrible headaches - then strong tablets, not sleeping and weeping eyes.

It has been horrible.

But with the help of Dan, his constant care, cooking healing foods, big hugs, taking me for slow walks in the watery sunshine, being the main parent with the care of the boys - I am now on the slow mend.  This weekend he came home with the best healing gift a girl could wish for - bright yellow tulips and soothing smoky Da Hong Pao tea.

I am feeling much better now.

Thank you Dan.

This is my contribution to Nature in the Home.
Tea Cup is by my friend Laetitia and you can find it in her shop: Mamzelle Titoo
Traditional Chinese Gaiwan Teapot from here.

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13/52

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

Charlie:  Growing, his legs are getting longer, his face changing. I see the older boy, almost teenage. The flick of his hair, the tone of his questions. Never to be fobbed of with an answer - always searching for more.

Rufus: The joker, the comedy maker, the hugger, the dare devil. This week I watched you interact with your friends at the theatre. Totally absorbed in a game - lost in a world of 5 year old boy.

Playing along with Jodi and the 52 portraits.

x

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Easter break...

Image via here

Just popping in to wish you all a wonderful Easter Weekend.

Unfortunately this Easter holidays I have been stuck in bed, with an eye infection and swollen face.  Taking strong antibiotics and sleeping. Generally feeling a bit sorry for myself!

So no adventuring at the wonderful campsite, but I shall be going in a couple of weeks once my eye has recovered.

Whilst feeling incredibly housebound and stir crazy this image above is really a reminder for me, that this infection will pass and I will get out there and explore soon.

Wishing you guys a wonderful family filled Easter, and happy feasting on all the chocolate, cake, and buns.

x

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Nature in the Home - a series...(week 5)

Hello!

How are you doing?  I'm enjoying my little blog break, but I am popping in today with Nature in the Home.

This weeks image is by my lovely friend Lottie of Oyster & Pearl blog.  I love this image, I can smell those Freesias from here.  The way black background really makes these pretty flowers stand out.  Gorgeous!

Last week there was an amazing 32 contributors!  I am overwhelmed by the support and the beauty you guys are bringing into your home at this time of the year.  Please do keep them coming, it has been wonderful.

If you'd like to join in this week please click on the button below, I can't wait to see what you have been up to.  Oh and if you would like a Nature in the Home button on your blog, please click and save the button over there on the right and add it to your layout.

x

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Weekend...

Hello,

Its Friday and I am mightily thankful for that.  It's also the start of the Easter Holidays - hurrah!  Two whole weeks of chilling.  And chilling we are going to do.  Charlie was up last night with an ear ache, crying in pain.  And Rufus is still drained from tonsillitis last week.  So this holiday I am going to enforce rest, good food and building of strength.

Speaking of food I love this film above.  Such gorgeous details and her take on life is so inspiring.  I need some big pink blousey blooms for my table... I couldn't take my eyes off them.

So what are your plans this weekend?

This evening we are off to Bristol Zoo for a special preview of the DinoZoo2 - it's going to be exciting!

Saturday night, Dan and I have a night together as the boys are staying at my parents.  I am feeling relaxed just thinking about it.  We are staying close to home and going to enjoy a slow relaxing time, lie in, coffee and papers - bliss!  I must remember not to drink too much on Saturday night, I tend to get a bit heady at the thought of not having children in the house!!! Memories of a fun misspent youth still come back to me when I have no responsibilities!

Easter Weekend we are off to West Wales for a very special stay here - I cannot wait! (I am of course hoping it doesn't snow!).

In other news - I am planning to take a 'blog break' over the next two weeks.  I will of course pop in with 52 portraits and Nature in the Home - but that's about it.  So see you on the other side!

So, have a lovely weekend and if you are having a break over Easter, have a wonderful one.

x

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House Love...

Images via Ikea Family Live

Cor!
Have you seen Jane Fosters home on Ikea Family Live?
Over the years of following her blog, I have seen little sneaks of her house.  Bright white with her trademark pops of red.  Lots of mid-century ceramics and delicious fabrics.
It is rather beautiful, bright and oh so happy.
More of Jane's home over on the Ikea Family Live website.
Along with a little cushion DIY clip too - thanks Jane!
x

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A room of my own...

Image via here

When Dan and I moved into the house we live in now, it was the first home we ever owned. A place to call our own (not going to mention the massive mortgage!).

It was a complete wreck, the previous owners loved purple, swirly carpet and artex ceilings - yep it was a 'changing rooms' disaster zone.

We slowly began to gut this little Victorian Terrace, starting with the bathroom, lounge and bedroom.  Add the to chaos of building work, 5 weeks later I gave birth to Charlie.

Work stopped.

We lived in the badly decorated home, no carpets, a kitchen without a single drawer?!  But it was cool, we had our home and we had our baby.  Charlie grew and when he was 8 months we moved him into his newly decorated nursery in the box room.  Life started to get back to 'normal', renovations resumed, tackling the dining room and kitchen.

Within in months I was pregnant again with Rufus.  Our home improvements took a more urgent turn. Another child - oh my where is it going to sleep?  So we knocked through the kitchen/dining room and converted the loft.  

A 20 month old toddler, an 8 month pregnant mum and an exhausted Dad.

TIRED!

But, at the end of all this.  Dan and I have a lovely little home and two boys who now share our old bedroom at the front of the house and we have escaped to the loft.

Oh yes!  In the evening when all is quiet, we can retreat up two flights of stairs to our little piece of heaven.  Our space is sparsely decorated, white, wood floors and large VELUX® windows.  Dan chose the largest VELUX® windows we could afford to let maxium light in.  We can lie on our bed at night and stare at the stars, or close the VELUX UK blinds and listen to the rain gently tapping on the windows.  

The only downside is sometimes the hot air balloons fly over our house and once or twice the people in the basket have had a good view of me getting dressed!  ahem!

Yep - our loft room is ace.  Where do you go to escape?

x

this is a sponsored post

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Nature in the Home - a series... (week 4)

Hello!
My love of Tulips will never fade.  Even when the blooms are open and about to crash they are still gorgeous to me.
This past week 24 people contributed to Nature in the Home.  We saw gorgeous vibrant displays from down under from Milina of Little Red Vikings, Imogen and Allison of Just Underneath showed us that leaves can be just as bright and showy as flowers - that pink!

Closer to home I loved Beth's images of her Mother's Day bouquet and Caroline's (Patchwork Harmony) DIY tutorial on giving a simple teapot a geometric twist. She then filled it with pink tea roses.  Heaven.

Image by Caroline of Patchwork Harmony

Thank you to everyone who has been playing along, and for your lovely encouraging comments.  I am loving this series and it seems you are too! So - are you playing along this week?

x

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11/52

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

Charlie:  Oh my boy! This week you have been so poorly with a virus, yet determined to be in the sunshine and help me plant seeds.  I love how he loves life and engross himself wholeheartedly in everything he does.  It is a gift and I wish he never changes. 

Rufus:  Such a little faker!  Couldn't be at school whilst Charlie was home so he cried til he was sick.  His teacher called me to collect him.  Back home he became BatMan and thoroughly loved having a day off.

I am not sure if Rufus felt jealous that Charlie was at home or if he I felt lonely being at school without him there.  Although they are in different buildings and don't see each other on a daily basis during school hours - the thought that his brother wasn't there with him was all too much.  

Playing along with Jodi and the 52 portraits.

x

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Spring Look Book - a clothing update.

Wardrobe wish list by nikiwhittle 

Hi there!

I just want to start with a huge THANK YOU to all of you who left such wonderful and helpful comments on my last post.  It seems I am not alone in my desperate plea of finding affordable and on-rend clothes that suit women of a certain age, who still want to look cool, colourful, unique and stylish.  

Some of the suggestions were:

Toast

White Stuff

Cos

&Other Stories

Monki

Seasalt

Ebay

We seem to all have very similar tastes.

I was contacted by Niki a personal stylist.  Niki kindly emailed me out of the blue with a look book which she pulled together on Polyvore using the wish list on my previous post.  She came up with the look book above.

Pretty good eh?  Isn't she kind?

Niki offers her services as a personal stylist and is going to start a new feature on her blog - Hip Shapes and Bristol Fashion - where members of the public can email her their 'wish list' and she will pull together a look book for you, like she did for me.  Go do it!

I thought this looked like fun, so I had a go.  Polyvore, where have you been all my life!!!  

So what do you think?  To be honest there as so many different versions of this style out there that I could do a different one every single day.

Spring Look Book by lou-archell 

Why not have a go too.  Have a look at my Clothes Inspiration Pinboard on Pinterest for more cool looks.

x

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a little sunshine...

Hello!

Friday is upon us, I am very pleased.  I've not been feeling particularly great this week.  Tired, lethargic and bloated.  I dunno what is wrong with me.  I've stupidly been self diagnosing on the internet (bad idea!) which hasn't helped my mood.  Also Charlie has been off school the past few days with Slap Cheek.  Bright red cheeks and a mottled rash all over.  *sigh* when will we be healthy again?  One of us is always ailing!

So I am determined to shake off my funk this weekend.  If the weather stays sunny then I might dare to set foot up the allotment.  I haven't been there since last September! EEEEK  It is going to look a right mess.

I just want it to look like it does in this picture, full of veg and cut grass, I am feeling a little daunted about the task ahead, getting it looking like that again is going to take a huge effort.  But I realise there is no rush, a little patch at a time.

Yesterday (with the help of Charlie) I sowed some tiny seeds, Chillies, Sunflowers, Broad Beans and Sweet Peas. They are currently in little pots on my windowsill in the kitchen.  I am so looking forward to seeing little green shoots and signs of life.  Sunflowers and Sweet peas, if my plot is filled with these beauties I will be a happy lady.

So what are your plans dear friends?

Please tell me you are off on exciting adventures.

Oh and thank you to all for your comments on the clothes dilemma.  I am planning a follow up post with all that I have found!

Have a wonderful weekend.

x

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meet the newest member of my home..

Here he is, meet Merlin.  Merlin because he's a bit magic. (I could have gone with Derren or Paul!! (not) god am I going mad!?)

I think my little plant is rather cute, it looks like he's waving at me.  Hi!

In the bottom image is my succulent called Blue - Merlin and Blue together on the sideboard (with the dust).

Ok I'll shut up now.  

My new plant was given to me by my neighbour after she saw I had pinned one of these plants on Pinterest.  She took a cutting from a plant she had lovingly cared for, for many years.  Isn't she kind?  Nice to have such friendly neighbours isn't it?

This is my contribution to this weeks  Nature in the Home.  Hop over and see what everyone is doing.

x

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Nature in the home- a series...

Image via Laura of Circle of Pine Trees

What is going on with this weather?!  Here in the UK we thought Winter had disappeared, this week it has returned with vengeance, biting our hands and whipping our faces with blustery snow blizzards.

It's the poor spring flowers I feel sorry for.  Last week primroses and daffs opened their yellow faces to the sun, now they are bowing their heads against the ice.  brrrr.

Thank you to everyone who took part in last weeks link up.  It was an absolute pleasure hopping over to see your homes, plants and bouquets.

I love everything in Pippa's house EVERYTHING!  Her macrame, whoooo! And Andrea peeping her little growing babe into the shot, so precious.  To be honest, I just love seeing everyone's entry, it makes me so happy!

What did you love to see when you visited?  The image above is by Laura of Circle of Pine Trees.  Those tiny little yellow flowers in that stunning vintage blue bottle, it just sums up spring, Primroses and daffs.

So, what will you add this week?  I have a new plant in the house.  My kind neighbour has just given me a cutting from her plant which has had since she was at Uni.  Such a lovely gift, I must really look after it.  I will take a photo and post about it when we get some decent light.

For some inspiration please have a look at my Nature in the Home pinterest board.

So over to you.... have fun!  I am really looking forward to seeing yours.

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clothes...

Images above are taken from Closet Vist

Ok - so I have a little problem.  I am sure we all feel like this some time.  Not a biggie, I just need some help, some direction.

I need some new clothes.  I have spent many many hours on-line searching and searching for items that fit my criteria:

* stylish
* cool
* well made (i.e. not going to fall apart after a few washes)
* timeless (I want to buy now and wear it still in 5 years time)
* not too young (I'm middle aged don't you know! and no using the word mutton)
* yet good for my low budget

Too much to ask?

Most high street shops are either designed for the young, or are too dowdy or drab.  I cannot stand clothes from Next, Primark, or any of those other cheap brands.

Gap is dull as dishwater, and I am finding Zara is designed for tall skinny women (I am neither of those people).

It's my own fault - I've been skimming through the images of Closet Visit and I feel my wardrobe needs a dose of CPR after looking at these stunning women and their quirky, uber cool style.  I know the majority of what they have is vintage, but you need to have bags of time to scour the net or vintage shops for that perfect item.  Time I just don't have.

HELP!

I need a personal shopper.  A style guru to take my under their wing.  

I HATE MY CLOTHES!

My wish list of items:

1. A good breton top (loose fit, good quality fabric, traditional French in style)

2. An emerald green cardigan / top

3. A tunic dress with pockets (navy)

4. Denim shirt

5. Leopard print pumps

6. Swedish hasbeen ankle boots (I know, too much money, but I want a pair thanks to Jane Foster and her painted stairs!)

7. Several beaded necklaces

8. Blazer / Jacket
9. A long black skirt

Is that too much to ask for?

Where do you shop?  Don't make me buy from Boden!

If you own a vintage shop - please help me!

x

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10/52

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

Charlie:  Loves nothing more than a chocolate covered rice cake - it is a daily battle to get a proper meal inside you.
Rufus:  Engrossed in a dinosaur book in the library, you are loving your reading journey.

Last week I loved to see Elsa and her blue nail polish.  Who was your favourite?

Playing along with Jodi and the 52 portraits.

x

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Weekend...

Hello!

How you doing? Good I hope.

Yesterday whilst walking home from a day out, Lottie spotted these Violets growing in the garden of a run down house (squat) - pretty aren't they.  So we each picked a few to take home.  The glass I found in a skip a couple of years ago it's 1950's I think.  (I've just realised this makes me sound like I frequent squats and skips - I don't honest!).

This image is my entry for this weeks Nature in the Home.  I look forward to seeing yours.

So, it's Saturday, I love Saturday mornings, slowness takes over the house, hanging around in pyjamas listening to music, drawing dragons and drinking coffee - what's not to love.

But the lure of family fun will soon drag us outside.  I think as the weather is grey, wet and cold we are going here, and then soon after I am going here (I wish!).

Tomorrow it's Mothers Day... so we will be visiting grandparents to take flowers and homemade cards.  And then I am having some quality ME time (whatever that means?!)

So whatever your plans are - do have a lovely weekend.  And if you get some pretty booms take a photo, blog about it and add them to my Nature in the Home link up on Wednesday... I can't wait to see what you come up with.

x

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Nature in the home - a series...

Image via Georgie of Violet & Green

Hello!

How are you all this Wednesday?  Good I hope.  It is time once again for Nature in the Home link up.  Last week we hopped over to see some gorgeous homes and pretty spectacular plants and flowers.  

The image above is by Georgie, I love how she has arranged these beautiful orange tulips against that grey wall and by doing so highlighting the orange in the print above - simple yet really effective.  Isn't it wonderful!?

I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's posts, and thank you so much for joining in with me.  Each week I am going to pick one image (and with your permission) have it as the image for the next week's post.  Won't that be wonderful!!?  I am really excited.  So get your thinking caps on and get snapping.

So will you be joining me again this week?  I really hope you do.  If you would like to grab a button for your blog you can copy and paste the HTML coding over there on the right and simply insert in to the layout of your blog.  (if you need some help just email me).

So over to you!

Have a lovely week.

x

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Mothers Day...

Image via Here

It's Mother's Day in the UK this Sunday.  It comes round quickly doesn't it?

I seem to spend most of my time looking at lovely gifts for my own Mum, forgetting that I am also a Mother too.  I think it is because my boys are too little to actually go out and buy me something themselves (although that is no excuse as their Daddy could do it with them).  I will be happy with a hand made card, a cup of tea in bed and a good cuddle.  Saying all that, I will be self gifting myself something though!  I am so worth that!

My local Florist is incredible.  Daily on the school run I am seduced by small bouquets of pastel hued hydrangeas tied up with twine and jam jars filled with the happy colours of ranunculus grace the corner on my local high street.  The sun always seems to shine there, those nodding daffs waving hi as I pass.  Yes I will most definitely be treating myself to a some floral treats this weekend.

My own mum will be staying with my Nan on Mother's Day for the weekend, a good few hours away.  So I am thinking of sending them both something via parcelforce.  My mum and Nana both love plants and gardening.  The highlight of the gardening year is a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in May.  So with this in mind I have bought them both a pack of sweet pea seeds, pretty slate name tags to mark rows of seeds in the soil and both a garden diary to record what has been planted and where.  A pair of gardening gloves and a new trowel each.  I've packaged them up in a little baskets, which I found at the flea market the other weekend.  Altogether a lovely little gift for gardening lovers!

I chose Parcelforce as it worked out much cheaper than using normal postal services, and they will collect directly from my door without me having to queue for ages in the post office.  Perfect!

What are you planning to buy your mother for this Sunday?

Or do you self gift?  Please tell me it's not just me!

x

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Dreaming of setting up camp...

Image via here

As the weather is finally warming up (I actually wore my sandals out today!), I am dreaming of camping holidays and cooking over an open fire.

Last year when on holiday in Cornwall we had most meals on the beach.  A little barbecue, cooking asparagus spears wrapped in pancetta, corn on the cob and sausages... yum!

This year we are most definitely off camping again, possibly trying to get away abroad.  France maybe, now that would be an adventure!  I cannot wait.  I love the smell of woodsmoke and hearing my kids running wild around the tents.. (maybe my neighbours don't but I do!).

I've been looking at some recipes on-line and this one looks delicious, quick and easy.  I need to   cook  something that my boys will devour with gusto!

Campfire Fried Eggs with Potato & Bacon Hash

serves 4

Ingredients:

1lb of potatoes

8 oz of sliced bacon

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Extra-virgin olive oil

8 large eggs

3 spring onions, chopped

Directions:

1. Cook potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling water until tender, drain.

2. Cook bacon in a cast-iron skillet over a campfire or on a medium-high heat on a camping stove, turning occasionally until crisp.  Remove bacon, let cool slightly and crumble.

3.  Add potatoes to the skillet, lightly smash using the back of a spoon and cook until just starting to brown.  Season with salt and pepper.  Stir crumbled bacon into the potatoes.  Push the hash to one side of the skillet.

4. Working in batches, and adding oil if needed, crack 2 eggs into skillet, season with salt and pepper and cook until desired.  Stir in the spring onions into the hash.

5. Serve eggs with hash.

Recipe via here.

Enjoy!

What recipes do you love to cook over the camp fire?

x

This is a sponsored post.

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9/52

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

Charlie:  Your love of biking is growing stronger.  Yesterday you helped Daddy to fix his bike.  Learning how to change a brake cable.  Afterwards you both cycled to the City Library... enjoying your weekend rides together.  Returning with a Tintin book and DVD and huge smiles.

Rufus:  Every time I am in the kitchen, you come and offer me help.  Yesterday morning whilst still in your pyjamas, you helped me zest and juice an orange and whisk the mixture for our Marmalade Loaf.  I love having my little helper.

Last week I loved to see Phiney all bright eyed in blue.  And Ted and his enormous eyelashes!  Who were your favourites?

Playing along with Jodi and the 52 portraits.

x

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March ...

Image via here

Welcome March!

Oh I have longed for it, February has been really been a test of my strength, mentally and physically.  As it seems to every year and yet it still takes me by surprise at how rubbish this month truly is. As a family we have been struck down by lingering colds, bugs, ear infections and the more debilitating winter blues.  Money is tight (as always) so even when times are tough we can't 'treat' ourselves to a day out or some new clothes (this is me wishing, I'd love some new threads!).  Ho hum...

But as of today... I am shrugging off this veil of crapness and with my head held high I welcome Spring in my heart.  I am thinking thoughts tinged with yellow, daffodils are paving my way through the greyness and hope for brighter times ahead.  

March you better be a good one!  It has a lot to live up to!

I'd just like to thank the lovely friends who have joined me in celebrating flowers and plants and their ability to cheer up the most rubbish of days.  I will talk more on these next Wednesday.  There is still time to join in as I am making this a weekly link up.  For some inspiration do hop around the blogs linked in my previous post.  Such pretty plants and flowers!

Good news!  I am adding the finishing touches to my March newsletter, this should be winging it's way to you in the next few days.  If you'd like to sign up for one, please fill in the form over there on the right.

And finally my March Love List is up... enjoy!

Have an awesome weekend, dear friends.

We are birthday partying, eating this, and listening to this a lot (Charlie is learning to play this tune in his guitar lessons).

x

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