Inspiration: Rachel Cave

Loving all of this from Rachel Cave...

xx

Allotment: Plant Markers

Things are coming along nicely at the allotment. We have one bed completed with fruits growing, the foundations for the shed complete and plans for the other beds ready and waiting. One thing I did realise I would need is plant markers - especially when someone plants a redcurrent and black current next to each other and then can't remember which is which! I decided to hunt the internet for some inspiration...

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I am torn between the bricks and the bottle, at the moment leaning more towards the bottles, mainly because I think it would be nice to have a drink in celebration to every plant!

xx

Bathroom Inspiration

Do you use pinterest??? I think I am addicted! Basically, you search the internet and when you come across an image that you like you 'Pin It'. The image gets saved to a board, basically like a digital scrap book - and being the girl who has been cutting images out of magazines since she was single figures and saving them in a folder - this is my idea of heaven.

When planning the look of rooms in the new house, I could not help but create a pin board for each room. With the Bathroom being the first to tackle, I thought I would share with you images that are inspiring me.

Please head over to my pinterest board HERE where you can click on the images and find their original sources. I will be adding more and more images to my boards so please come back and visit.
xx

Colour Inspiration: Pink

I decided the bedroom needed a little brightening up with spring being upon us, but as with most rented places, I can't paint the walls or hang too many pictures. Plus I don't want to spend any money, the allotment needs all my funds at the moment, so what to do?

I decided to change the bedding, I put a pink throw over the entire bed and used a nice stripey one as a footer. But I'm not convinced with the results. I'm not really a pink kind of person, and the jury is still out on my current bedroom arrangements, but it got me thinking about where pink can be a real asset in a room.

A soft pink can add a really nice 30s/40s feel to a room

Take a risk and go for neon pink statement pieces teamed with turquoise

How about a pink and orange floor - the bold paint colour
 and white accessories helps balance the room

Pink and orange can give a really exotic and luxurious feel - think
1930s glamour

Or what about a more subtle pink in the form of coral pink - although lets be honest,
there is nothing subtle about this room!

So my advice to you is to be brave with the pink, but for the cautious out there, maybe just a pink accessory or two can help brighten up that room.
xx

Windows of New York and Drain Covers of Wiltshire

As you are all well aware I love blogs. I have a big long list saved on my browser of sites that I like to check out whenever I get the chance. One of the new additions is thebeatthatmyheartskipped. This blog was drawn to my attention by an article in the guardian about the top rated design blogs. They certainly talk about a great variety of inspirational things but the post that drew my attention today was about a blog all of its own.

Windows of New York is Graphic Designer Jose Guizar's personal project observing and recording different windows that catch his attention as he travels about his life in New York City. Apart from producing some fantastic architectural images, this project also reminds us not to over look the every day things that we pass by. I remember when my Mum was studying for her degree (that's right, my Mum went back to school as a mature student - very Proud!) and she did a project on drain covers. If you take the time to look, you will actually find that there are various beautiful designs out there but it is something we over look, literally treading over them every day.

When you next head outside your front door take some time to actually look at the things around you. The colour and style of the lamp posts, the pattern of the tiles on the roofs of houses, the style of windows and the drain covers right under your feet. Who knows when inspiration may strike you.
xx

Corner Shelving Inspiration

I saw a fantastic post over at Apartment Therapy today all about corner shelving.

Image sourced from Apartmenttherapy.com

I have to agree with them that corners can often go to waist. But no more! Head over to the post HERE to get some inspiration.
xx

Valentine Card Ideas

I couldn't resist giving you some inspiration for your valentine cards this year. I always think it is nice to make a card but alot of the cards below you can buy.

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I seem to be on a 'funny sentiments' theme for this years valentine, rather than full on crafting projects. I think this adds a nice graphic and sophisticated touch to your cards but still has lots of meaning and love attached. Plus, some of them are just funny, and laughter is a key ingredient to a successful life together.

Which one will I choose.....well that would spoil the surprise, but I can tell you this, we are going out for a rather unusual Valentines dinner on the 14th. We are going to a Raw Food Restaurant!
xx

Dreaming of Some Sunshine

I have had so much fun over the last few days with the beautiful snow and rain we are having. I am always amazed at how a blanket of white can make everything so beautiful and the light seems to change. Plus, the moody sky of a proper rain storm is really very thrilling. However, with my sister back living in Australia and seeing photos of her all bronzed, I can not help dreaming of sun bathing and getting a tan (lets be fare we didn't really get a summer last year so I feel we are owed one).

When surfing the net I came across this great image....

Read the full article HERE

This article found over at kdhamptons.com gives you a tour of a family run bar in the Hampton's. I love the use of these vintage swim suits framed and placed on the wall. I wonder if you could adapt this to other vintage items - vintage lingerie in the bedroom! I wouldn't mind that white, red and black number for my summer holidays!
xx

Mid-Century Modern Freak

Oh my, I have fallen in love with a website - Mid-Century Modern Freak

You have to check out their archive. I love the way it is laid out with all the images visible in one go.

There is just so much inspiration I think I may have mid-century over-load. I think coffee cures that...
xx

Wedding Mood Board: 1940s Shooting Party

I'm afraid there is no New Item this week as next week I am getting married! (and have been completely distracted with last minute arrangements.

I have planned the who thing myself and it is a rather quirky non-traditional wedding. I am extremely scared and worried that I have forgotten something important. We have 3 different venues - our ceremony in a beautiful town hall with a jazz music drinks reception, a high tea at our favourite intimate tea-rooms and live folk music and pie & mash at a fantastic country pub. It was basically all the things we love fitted into one day! Organising 3 venues has been tricky but more complicated is the shepherding of 80 people from one place to the other (even though they are all only 2 minutes walk from each other on the same High Street)! I thought I would share my wedding mood-board with you which has helped keep me focused on our vision.

When I first started planning my wedding I found a website called Snippet and Ink. It is a US site which gives fantastic mood-boards and inspiration for different wedding themes. I got very inspired! And I couldn't resist creating one of my own when we finally decided on our theme for the day. I say 'theme' but really a mood-board is to held focus the way you want your day to feel and look. We wanted a vintage traditional English shooting party feel with a few library themed element in the stationary. Brown and green are our main colours. The stag and pheasant are a running theme throughout the entire day and there will be lot of tweed!

I am keeping my fingers crossed everything goes ok! I will be silent the begining of next week but will share the results very soon.

Wish me luck!
xx

Christmas Style Inspiration: Blue and White Paper

This design style is perfect for anyone on a budget. Generally all you need is a large pile of white and blue paper and you are set. You can also adapt it to other colour themes depending on your style. This style is also perfect for the family as you can get the kids involved in created some beautiful things to decorate your home. A real key to this style is learning some origami!

Create paper snowflakes for the window - Found HERE

Christmas trees made from tissue paper - Found HERE

Paper baubles for the tree - Found HERE

Why not even add a paper Christmas wreath, best to keep inside though - Found HERE

I am definitely going to be adding some of those white snowflakes on my windows this Christmas - save on the electricity bill and instead of fairy lights get cutting up some paper!
xx

Christmas Style Inspiration: Nordic Red and White

In the home magazines this Christmas I have seen pages and pages of Nordic Christmas style. This style can be summed up in simple red and whites, and can be adapted to every room in the home.

The perfect table setting - Found HERE

Bring retro and nordic style together in harmony - Found HERE

Rustic Nordic style - Found HERE

I love this style as it can fit to everyones own personal tastes - rustic cabin red and whites, clean and simple red and whites or even retro mid-century red and whites. To bring this style into your own home why not try decorating with red and white baubles, candles and pillows with snowflake, star and bird patterns. Or why not buy some of these wonderful treasures which can be found on etsy.

Red and White Tree Decorations - £11

Pot holders perfect for the Christmas table - £9.50

Printable Christmas cards - £6.25

Gorgeous table runner - £12

The perfect pillow to make yourself - £3

xx

Christmas Style Inspiration: Deco Glamour

For a more grown up Christmas style why not try Art Deco Glamour.

A modern twist to Deco glamour - Found HERE

A gold table with lots of volume - Found HERE

Make impact in the entrance hall - Found HERE

Gold and Bronze as festive warmth - Found HERE

I love this style! It still has those festive gold tones but by incorporating black you add a mature edge. When bringing this style into your own home combine colours of gold, silver, bronze and black. Try to pick items that have that art deco style of simple and stylish forms. Here are a few suggestion of perfect items for your style on etsy.

1920s Christmas card enclosures - £28

Bookend leaping deers - £17

Black and gold stockings - £19.50

Big bucks but big impact - £175

Art deco candle sticks - £14

xx

Advent Calender Inspiration

It is the 21st of November and only 9 days until the Advent Calender season is upon us. I am a big kid, at 26 years old I still have an advent calender! I just love the count-down to Christmas, all the anticipation and the lovely treat I get every morning to go with my coffee. I have a paper calender which I have used every year for as long as I can remember, but I can never resist buying a chocolate one. With the first of December rapidly approaching us I thought I would give you some inspiration on some fantastic alternative calenders out there - after all there is lots of eating taking place as it is, I probably don't need that chocolate every morning.....I realise I don't sound very convinced.

I love having a calender I can bring out every year, it is my little tradition. With that in mind, I have found some really lovely reusable advent calenders. You can fill them with whatever takes your fancy - chocolates, boiled sweets, candy canes, a Christmas activity to be completed....

Line up the houses - Found HERE - £89.95

Hang up some rusty buckets - Found HERE - £28.99

Warm up the walls with felt - Found HERE - £34.99

A beautiful house full of treasures - Found HERE - £60

And if you want some inspiration for alternative fillings or non-chocolate calenders, why not give one of these a try.

Calender with a kick - Found HERE - £149.95

Colour me in - Found HERE - £5.99

Nail it - Found HERE - Currently Out of Stock but gorgeous

Decorate day by day - Found HERE - £12

I think this is a great selection with something for everyone. I wander if I could have a third or forth calender this year.....
xx