DREAMY ARTWORK

A few weeks ago, Josephine and Ben got messy in the bathroom (our painting room of choice...it's huge and has easy to wipe clean laminate floors!) and created some amazing pieces of artwork. One is hanging in her bedroom and the other is still taped to our living room wall while we find a frame big enough to house it forever.

Phiney got so many amazing crafty bits and bobs for Christmas and her birthday, she created this piece using some foam stamps and to begin with we just loved the colours. Then, after we taped it to the wall, we realised it looked like a tree on the left. A few days later, it occurred to us that the bit on the right hand side looked remarkably like a man and woman, flying away from the tree; her wearing a bonnet with a trailing skirt, and him in a suit, both wearing sunglasses. Fairies, in the forest; Titania and Oberon.

Can you see it? I hope so! It's such an amazing piece. We will cherish it forever.

ON THE WALL

I've been the lucky recipient of some pretty awesome artwork over the last month or so. Now I have the tricky decision of where these gorgeous pieces should be hung...

Firstly is a shout out to my sister Dora's brand spanking new Etsy shop, The Wright Art Company. She paints the most incredible landscapes (that one up there being my personal favourite) and has them for sale at insanely good prices. Please go take a look and...you know....buy!! 

Next is the sweetest print from my friend Jenny. I am in love with this. Another awesome artist, this lady has a shop, Little Life Handmades, filled with things you'll want in your house. Check out her blog too if you haven't already. Her baby love, Marlowe, is the sweetest creature. 

Thirdly, I've been wanting this print for so long. I adore the simplicity of it, the modernity and the amazing colour that just pops (this photograph does not do it justice). You should check out Jo's blog and instagram feed too. The girl takes pretty, pretty pictures. When we finally get round to repainting our kitchen, this will be the first thing up on the wall, no doubt. 

Finally, Vertbaudet contacted me recently and asked if we'd like to try out there new downloadable personalised posters, commemorating a special occasion in your little ones life - from their birth date to the day they took their first steps, you can choose whatever you want, along with an array of sweet designs. And the best bit? They're only blinking free! What more could you want?

ps. We're off on holiday next Saturday (Cornwall here we come!) and so I'll be closing the shop for a week or so on Sunday evening. If you were thinking of placing an order, now's the time to do it because I'm offering a cool 20% off in the spirit of all things summer holiday. There's still a few sample pieces (all in perfect condition, but half the normal price) on offer, plus a couple of vintage bits and all the normal loveliness. All of which will be posted out before we leave, of course :) Just enter the code "SummerHoliday20".

THE WISHLIST: mama

When we were kids my brother used to keep a scrap of paper in his wallet with the titles of films he wanted so that when he had some money and could afford one, he knew exactly what he was going to buy. At the time, I thought that was pretty lame. But now, now I see the genius in it. I spend the whole year swooning over things in magazines, on blogs, in other people's homes, yet when it comes to my birthday or Christmas I can't thing of a single thing I want. 

In three weeks exactly, it's the last birthday of my 20s. And this year, on the super tight budget we're currently surviving on, I want to make sure that I really put some thought into what I ask for. Because there ain't no money in the bank to be buying myself anything at any other point over the next few months. 

So I'm taking a leaf out of my brother's book and am starting The Wishlist. A place I can add links to clothes, books, tableware and art that I'm coveting. And I'm going to set one up for Phiney too - 'cause there's plenty I'm wanting for her too right now. 

WANT
a home is made print
scandi flowers print
triangles tape
NEED
fjallraven kanken bag
moomin tray
vintage platter
WEAR
american apparel skirt
READ
kinfolk

What's on your wishlist right now? 

NEW

Some pretty, new pieces have found their way into our home lately...

1. A lovely vintage tin and gorgeous paisley eiderdown courtesy of my sweet friend Laura. With baby number two on the way her nesting has kicked in and she's having a big clear out. Luckily for me.
2. The beautiful scarf Ben bought me from a little boutique when we were on holiday. I love him and I love presents.
3. An awesome find of a jumper that has been patiently hanging in my wardrobe for many months now, waiting for autumn. And now it's here...hoorah!
4. Another holiday purchase in the shape of a little woven bracelet. It reminds me of sweetcorn, which is always a good thing.
5. I love finding pretty postcards in art gallery gift shops...these were the only good thing about an otherwise disappointing trip to Tate St Ives.
6. My sister and I became addicted to visiting Cornwall Soap Box when we were on holiday. So many delicious smells, so little time. It's hard for me to resist the fragrance of Christmas though, so this candle was a must. I can't help but take off the lid and inhale!

*

We're back! Apologies for the rather unscheduled absence over the last couple of weeks. Firstly I was preoccupied with sorting the house out in preparation for birthday celebrations, then came the parties themselves and then came the illness. The coughing, runny/blocked nose, gunky eye, sore ear variety. It hit us all and, four large boxes of balmy tissues later, we're still trying to shake it. I blame the entirely shite weather we're having here. It's mid-May for crying out loud and I'm still wearing a winter coat and scarf.

Thankfully, birthday treats and surprises in the post have kept my spirits up. The softest leather wallet, Orla Kiely a-plenty, beautiful books, Seventy Tree goodness and pretty magazines (both courtesy of the always divine Bianca) are just some of gifts that are piled high on our dining table.

And Teeny Phiney, the clever little possum, surprised me with a voucher for a full body massage. The kid's been a trooper while she's been ill, with smiles between every coughing fit and giggles despite the river of bogeys that have been streaming from her nose. Unbelievably, she turned four months on Friday; I'll post her monthly portrait pictures tomorrow.

Just like Em, this weekend was spent not spending. We're on a bit of a budget drive right now and so free canal walks will most definitely be on the 'ways to enjoy the weekend without splashing the cash' list. Despite a rather chilly wind, it was lovely to get out and about after days spent indoors getting better; just me, my boy and my babe.

ps. I promise we're back now with regular posts. Thanks for sticking around xx

*

We’re currently up to our eyeballs in packing and boxes and more packing. There’s another bag by the front door waiting to head to the charity shop and I’m with Kristi. We won’t have much more to pack if I keep up this rate of sorting. But, we’re getting there. Good job really as we pick up the keys to our new flat in two days.

All this moving malarkey means that computer time has been rather limited of late, and any time I do find at the keyboard is currently spent looking at inspirational images for our new flat. Blimey O’Riley, I could spend hours doing this. Heading from one blog to another to another, each bursting with yet more ideas for what we can do with our new space. Or I’m getting distracted looking through interior books while I’m meant to be packing them away.

My current obsession? Picture walls. I can’t wait to design one to go over the 1960s sideboard we managed to score.

Our new flat already feels like home. This time next week we’ll be there, settling in, and I can’t wait.

sources: one, two, three, four, five, six

*

I’m back. Back to work, back to blogging and trying to get back into a bit of a routine after ten days of 2am bedtimes, lie-ins until 11am and trips a-plenty visiting family and friends.

It was such an awesome Christmas break, starting with the arrival of my new camera. I love this camera. Love. It was such a manic Christmas I hardly got any time to figure out the settings, but even on auto it takes some wicked pictures.

Christmas Day involved some amazing presents and the yummiest of dinners, which B cooked using the vintage Le-Creuset pans and this heavy 1970s pot I found him for Christmas. There were 9 of us for lunch and more food than you can imagine.

B gave me these awesome yellow Converse and this fab necklace from one of my favourite Etsy sellers

The two little love birds my sister drew for me

My second pair of brogues. These are from my brilliant Mum.

In the afternoon we visited the rest of my family and spent a few hours being silly, playing board games and eating chocolates at my Grandparent’s house.

We also caught up with some teeny folk. And I worked out how to use the monochrome setting on my camera.

Beautiful Amelia

Sleepy Austin

So, here’s to the New Year. I wonder what it’ll bring…

*

I’m a girl who loves her crafts. This is a well-known fact. But there’s one thing I wish I could do and that’s draw. I’ve recently developed a passion for illustrations and I’ve maybe spent a little too long scrolling through Etsy looking at some awesome prints. My current favourite has got to be Pop Pop Portraits.

Husband dearest if you’re reading this, your wife thinks that a couple’s portrait by the seriously talented Helena would be the most perfect first anniversary gift. Plus it goes rather well with the tradition of receiving paper, don’t you think? I’m letting you know now so you have some time to save the pennies.

Luckily for me, creative juices run throughout my whole family and my sister is one talented sista. These are some of her drawings. They decorated my hen party invites, our cake table notice and of course our wedding invitations. Which were just so so cool. I’ve asked her to draw me something for my Christmas present and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with. Having more artwork around our house is one of my aims for next year. More of which to come next week.

ps. Happy Thanksgiving to all the Yanks out there, including my Papa who’s currently in LA. I hope you all had a lovely lovely day x

Our flat is a little bit mis-matched. The shelves are lined with books and records and pictures and trinkets and vases and any other random bits and bobs we’ve collected over the years. But that’s the way we like it.

These awesomely bizarre papier-mâché figures and prints are some of our favourites. My Dad found them at the Festival of the Dead in Mexico and I adopted them when he moved house. Originally we were looking after them while he found somewhere new to live, but he soon realised he wouldn’t be getting them back so they’re here for good. My favourite is the little bride and groom.

This weekend we plan to finally frame and hang the prints. They’ve been in a carrier bag in a cupboard for too long so enough is enough. They’re a freaky kind of beautiful.

*

We had such a fun birthday weekend. Or Birthday Eve, Birth-day and Birthday Boxing Day as B likes to say. On Saturday we had a long lie in and cups of tea in bed. And a few little presents, of course. Then we met B's brother and his girlfriend for cake and coffee in the River Cottage Canteen. Lemon cake with lemon icing. It was good. I forgot the camera though. That was annoying.

After a wander round town (and a new griddle pan for B!) we headed to the art gallery B's mum works at to see Shaped by War: Don McCullin. A simply amazing exhibition featuring McCullin's war photographs. Harrowing but beautiful. We've been wanting to see it, so were really glad we managed to actually get there. Sometimes these opportunities come and go before you realise it, don't they.

We enjoyed an afternoon nap (we're old now) and headed to our favourite pub to catch up with some other lovely people. It was fun and lots of cider and Guinness was drunk. Oh and then we had chips. Good times.

I forgot the camera. Again.

This morning I did a bacon sandwich run to one of our favourite cafes and after some lazing around, we headed out for a Sunday walk. Autumn has most definitely arrived and it was beautiful to see. An awesome weekend, only fitting for my favourite person's birthday.