New Item Friday

Sorry for the silence yesterday. Myself and the other half were in Bournemouth visiting his grandparents and didn't get back until 11pm. But I have a couple of lovely cheerful items for you today. The theme is yellow, to encourage the sun.

What do you have planned for the weekend? I am visiting a friend and his new baby on Saturday (I will take lots of photos to show you I promise) and have a new market in Frome on Sunday. If you are in the Frome area then come and see us at the Frome Flea in the Market Yard car park from 9:30am.

Have a lovely weekend.
xx

Cheering Me Up

So I have been feeling a bit blue lately. I think we all go through stages in life that we find tough. At the moment mine is a combination of new job, trying to start/run my own business, trying to find somewhere to live, planning a wedding....

I don't want to sound sorry for myself. I'm not sorry, mostly I'm just tired a lot of the time. I seem to have so much to do in such a short space of time. But I do recognise that I need to keep pushing through these feelings, and give myself some time. After all what would be the point in setting a goal that could be achieved in a heart beat? I know once I get through the touch stuff that I will appreciate the success even more.

But we all have our down days and I needed cheering up. That's when Cherry Menlove came to my rescue. Please check out this post - HERE. It gives you a little perspective and a few good tears.

Image courtesy of Cherry Menlove

Thank you Cherry.
xx

Retro Style: Vladimir Tretchikoff

I was looking over one of my favourite blogs and spotted a post on Oh So Lovely Vintage all about Vladimir Tretchikoff. You may not recognise the name but you are sure to recognise the images below.

Images Courtesy of Oh So Lovely Vintage

For a lot of people these images sum up the entire style of the 70s. I love the use of bright colour and the ladies serene looks. The women are so beautiful and I love the fact that they are the focus, no elaborate backgrounds are needed. I also know that a friend of mine loves these paintings. I wish I could buy him one, but I don't like him enough to spend that kind of money (no offence, lots of love heading your way). But I'm sure my budget could stretch to one of the merchandise that has off shooted from this much loved collection of images (his images are reproduced in such large quantities, only second to Picasso!).

Coasters £4.99

Shopper £4

Mug £6.96

I might have to get me some coasters!
xx

Bath V&A

Yesterday myself and the other half popped to the Bath V&A (that's Vintage and Antique not Victoria and Albert) market to see its potential for a possible Springy Beard stand. If you haven't been to the Bath V&A before it is in Green Park Station, undercover so great for a rainy day and free entry. There was a great selection of stalls there and I even managed to pick up some vintage fabric for myself. I definitely think it would be a try in the future. There was also a shop there that caught my eye - Source Antiques.

The main reason for my attraction was the kitchen units above which they source and restore themselves. I just can't resist that soft green colour! But lets be honest, I wouldn't turn down a red and cream one either, check out the web page all about it - HERE.
xx

New Item Friday

I am feeling green today.....its not easy being green. So gives these guys a fighting chance by visiting the shop.

xx

Pie

Today has been another rainy day in June. I must confess I got tricked by a small ray of sunshine first thing, did a load of clothes washing, and then couldn't put it out to dry due to it tipping it down. So the kitchen is currently rammed with washing on the airier and radiator, and the damp mood made me feel all autumnal. So for dinner this evening we had pie. Linda McCartney vegetarian pies, with chips and peas. My favourite pie would be sweet and sticky but savoury will satisfy on a rainy evening.

With pie on the brain I started a google search - pie dishes - and I found some little gems.

 images courtesy of http://antiquaria.bigcartel.com/

These dishes are gorgeous. I love the fact that you get a recipe with them as well. Unfortunately these particular dishes can not be purchased by UK buyers, but there must be more out there in the world. I think I will have to go on the hunt....
xx

Kitchenaid

The Kitchenaid. Surely this has to be on every ones wish list!

Head over to www.kitchenaid.co.uk

This is the must have kitchen gadget, not only is it a gorgeous mixer, but you can buy all manner of different attachments, making it so very useful.

Sausage Stuffer                                      Ravioli Maker

Ice-cream Maker                                   Citrus Juicer

This is one of those items that I really, really want. But I'm afraid my budget will not stretch that far. I think I might have to print off a picture of this, and stick it on the wall to help remind myself to save my pennies, and then maybe......

Which colour would you have it in?
xx

Painted Glass Table

Hello.
Apologies for not posting yesterday, I had a particularly bad day. The kind of day where you are in your pyjamas by 8:30pm and curled up in bed - a combination of work stress, wedding stress, technology breakages, etc. But today I am better, with a better frame of mind. And to cheer me up I did some web surfing and found a great 'how to' courtesy of Design Sponge.

image courtesy of Design Sponge

This coffee table looks fantastic and believe it or not it started life as a plain glass table. The glass has been painted using spray paints, and you can find the 'how to' - HERE. I think this table looks great as a little coffee table, but image the colours and design on a grander table in the kitchen, it would look fab!

Thank you Design Sponge for cheering me up.
xx

New Item Friday

I have some lovely new items for you today so head over to the shop to check them out.

We have a full packed weekend ahead of us; a birthday gathering tomorrow (for the future father-in-law) and then a market on Sunday in Bath. It feels like it has been a bit of a crazy busy week so fingers crossed I will get some down time next week. I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
xx

Jolly Pink Well

My cousin and her other half have been working very hard lately trying to set up their own on-line business. My cousin has been running her own business whilst juggling raising 2 boys for a while and it seemed to make sense for her to branch out into the on-line biz. But where as she was previously in jewellery and make-up, she has branched into home accessories!

Head over to Jolly Pink Well for all your home accessory needs. I sense people's presents will be coming from here....I wander if I get family discount....
xx

National Trust Benefits

So, I haven't really given you an update about my new part-time job, and can you believe I have been there 3 weeks already! Well, at the moment I clean, clean and clean some more. During the summer season, when the house is open, the Conservation Assistants job is to go in early and clean the house ready before it opens at 11 to visitors. It is actually very therapeutic to have this routine, and a nice way to ease me into the team. I know I can do the work, so it gives me time to work out the layout of the house, what equipment to use, what procedures to follow, learn everyone's names, work out my schedule and how to do it in the time frame.....

During the winter months it will get a bit different. When the house is closed the Conservation Assistants come out to play, doing more in depth cleaning and projects that we just wouldn't have time to do when the house is open. I like that you get this treat for all your months of routine. In normal jobs we always promise ourselves this 'indepth' time, to do the jobs we would love to do, but are not a priority. More often that not we never get the time, at least that was always my experience. So this splitting of our responsibilities is a real treat. I think me and the National Trust are going to get along swimmingly.

In all fairness I can't help but like my new role - they have given me free membership to the National Trust! And in my very first National Trust magazine they featured a house that is just my cup of tea.

Portland House is a 1935 gem built by Gerald Wellesley and Trenwith Wills for a wealthy young bachelor Geoffrey Bushby. The house, positioned near Weymouth in Dorset, is over flowing with Hollywood style and has recently been restored. What I would give to be lounging in that living room in my finest 1930s dress....in fact all I have to give is £2079! 

This house is not a visitor attraction in the traditional sense, this house is a holiday cottage! That's right, you, and 11 of your friends can stay in this beauty. Would it be too big as a honey moon cottage for me and my other half I wonder???

xx

Tutorial: Floral Wooden Tray

You often find old wooden trays at car boots, I even managed to pick some up myself a while back. The ones I had were a bit dreary, and the wood in a bit of a poor state, so I decided to jazz them up. This is a really simple thing to do and makes a lovely addition to the kitchen side.

HEALTH & SAFETY:
In the method I have used an iron. I realise this is stating the obvious, but if you do use an iron please be careful. We don't want any burns.

YOU WILL NEED:

• Wood tray
• Oil-cloth material
• PVA glue
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Pen
• Brush
• Beeswax
• Soft cloth
• Liquid gold (optional)

METHOD:

1. First of all you need to sand down the wooden tray. I used my small detail sander, but you could do this by hand. Might be best to do this bit outside as it can get messy. Once sanded make sure you clean the surface down with a damp cloth and leave to dry.

2. I then needed to treat my wood as it was in a bad condition. I rubbed on some wood feed called Liquid Gold. It helps to clean the wood and give it a better condition. This is purely an optional thing and if your tray was actually in a good condition before hand you can skip this stage.

3. The next thing is to wax the wood that will remain exposed to help seal it. I used beeswax as I feel it gives a great colour and soft finish. Apply a thin layer of wax with a soft cloth, leave it to dry and then buff up with a clean soft cloth. Only apply the wax on the sides and the underneath, the interior of the tray needs to be left raw so that the adhesive will hold.

4. Measure out the interior of your tray and cut out your oil-cloth. You might want to make it slightly smaller than the measurements so it fits in the tray without lapping up the sides, only by a couple of millimetres though.

5. To ensure your oil-cloth is nice and smooth I would suggest ironing it. To do this make sure you you protect the surface of the oil cloth with a thin tea towel. The heat from the iron could melt the plastic so please be careful.

6. Then smother the interior of the tray with PVA glue. To spread it evenly use a brush.

7. Then lay your oilcloth on the inside. Weigh the oil cloth down with some books until it has dried to ensure it does not curl.

Your trays and now ready to use! The great thing about oil-cloth is that it is wipe-able so no need to worry about any spills. And lets face it, these trays look so much more fun and attractive. Great for your summer parties!
xx

Winters Moon

So, how was your weekend? I have to say I had a fairly successful time despite the miserable weather. Myself and the other half manage to find a place in Frome that we like and we have put in an application to rent it - just a little 2 bed terrace but very cute. The only problem being that another couple have also put an application in so now we wait and see who the landlord would prefer.....I am not the most patient of people.....

In order to keep my mind off it I think I need some retail therapy, and I have found a great new website for you to check out called Winter's Moon.

All images courtesy of Winter's Moon

Selling a great selection of home accessories, as well as some gorgeous furniture, its worth heading over to find some treasures.

xx

New Item Friday

I have tried to go for a more orange theme today. I feel I am in an orange mood, not quite as bright as yellow but warm and cheerful. The weather is not warm, it is raining heavily and blowing a gale. But I am inside the house, I have a cup of coffee, a bowl of stew and I am warm.

Head over to the shop - HERE - for a closer look.
I am off to view houses to rent in Frome this weekend. Make sure you all keep fingers crossed that I find something that is perfect.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
xx