THE HOMEMAKER SERIES: SPACES

Over the last couple of years, Josephine's room has grown as she has. And, when after Christmas, she moved into her 'big girl's bed', her room changed again. Not only did the cot get taken down and replaced with a secondhand steal of a bed (thanks eBay!) but we moved the sofa into the kitchen and created a huge play area for her. With a new baby on it's way we wanted to ensure a space downstairs where we could hang out more - Josephine in her room and me in the kitchen - so it made sense to create a second living space in the kitchen (more of which to come soon) and a bedroom with a playroom feel for Phiney. That way I can get on with doing the housework or feeding Coralie, without leaving Josephine with nothing much to do. 

The space left after we moved the sofa was huge, and allowed us really sort her toys out. We're pretty picky with her toys, and I make regular trips to the charity shop with gifted toys that just don't interest her. Still, after Christmas and her birthday, we were left with so SO many toys that she (and we) loved that we needed to get organised. These Ikea shelves are perfect for Josephine - the ideal height that allows her access to her things without Mama or Daddy's help, and a clearly dedicated place for each thing, ensuring tidying up is easier than ever. 

We're not bothered about how messy her room gets during the day - if she's having fun and is happily occupied, who cares about things covering her floor - but before nap time and bedtime, this Mama likes to have a place to put everything; and it makes engaging Josephine in the tidying up process much easier. 

Her books have been divided into those we read together (special books, older books and vintage books - because I can't bear to think they may get a little ruined!!) that still sit on the window sill and then books she loves to read herself that have a special cubby in the new shelving unit. Her toy basket has random bits in, the box is fill with Duplo and building blocks and the vintage house is easy to get to, as is the garage and her abacus. Her other toy boxes are now dedicated to puzzles, dressing up and teddies. Each with it's own box, each easy to access and clear away. 

The picture on the window sill of my Dad and Josephine is one of my favourite corners of this room. I completely love this picture, for so many reasons. I truly feel that my Dad is with Josephine, and all of us, the way he is here; holding her, and our, hands - looking over us, protecting us and walking alongside us, listening, whenever we need him. Josephine and I blow kisses to this picture all the time, and tell Grandpa how much we love and miss him, and cool he was :)

I'd spotted Josephine's bed a while ago and when my friend Amy bought one for her little boy Bertie, I fell in love with it. Before we made the trip to Ikea, I checked out eBay on the off chance there was a bargain to be had, and I found one for about a third of its original price. Score! For bedding, my Nan made the duvet and pillow cover from a vintage sheet I found and my Mum created this amazing quilt for Josephine for Christmas. It will sit on her bed always, and will be treasured forever. A true heirloom and so beautiful. 

Sweet postcards we decorated Josephine's room with before she was born have now made way for another washing line to hang paintings, pictures and postcards from her buddies on (idea stolen from here) and the huge painting above her door was created by Daddy and Phiney one rainy crafternoon; it's massive and awesome! 

Of course the arrival of her new kitchen has occupied a bit more space (again with a handy space for everything...anal Mama much?!) and her little vintage cradle and pram created a sweet little house for this little wannabe Mama. 

We all love this room. It's light, bright, fun and relaxed. And the perfect space for our little girl to grow.  

The Nursery
Changing Spaces

^^^

When I was pregnant with Josephine, I searched for little leather moccasins everywhere, but could only find ones made in the US with huge P&P charges. As soon as I saw Amy & Ivor's amazing handmade moccasins, I knew they were a must for Baby. 

Designer and Maker Alice is the sweetest lady, and the craftsmanship involved in her handmade leather moccasins is nothing short of incredible. Coming in the most beautiful colours (new season shades are just making their way into the shop and it took me ages to make a final decision on which to order...in the end I choose soft grey and cinnamon for Baby and this amazing pewter for Josephine) they are super soft and I know will only get better with wear. 

I can't wait for springtime and for Josephine to be able to wear hers outdoors, and for teeny toes to fill those little ones. Josephine and I were equally floored by the absolute cuteness of the little grey ones - I forgot how small babies feet are! 

Josephine was pretty reluctant in taking hers off before nap time and only gave them up with the promise of them sitting on the floor at the end of her bed whilst she slept. They'll make perfect slippers for now, and when the sun starts shining they'll be the ideal alternative to bare feet when little stones and spiky sticks litter the garden. 

Most definitely one of the best mail days ever when these arrived at our door. Thank you so much Alice :) 

WHAT PHINEY WORE: birthday girl

WHAT PHINEY WORE: Dress c/o the little plum // Hair Bow h&m // Tights la coqueta // Necklace two little vikings // Bag italian market circa early 1990s

Nearly a month after her birthday, I'm finally getting round to posting the pictures of What Phiney Wore, the party edition. Every little girl needs the perfect vintage dress to wear on her big day, and this adorable one came from lovely Etsy shop, The Little Plum. Josephine wore it on Christmas Day too (because tartan is a must at Christmas time!) and I can't get over the sweet lace cuffs and collar. 

Her amazing lion necklace was our birthday present to Josephine, which I managed to score at one of Two Little Vikings' sales of the #pray4trax necklace. I've tried to buy one before but they all sold out in just a few minutes. Second time around I was determined to get one, and Ben and I loved the colours of this design. As soon as Phiney opened it on her birthday, she put it on and hasn't really taken it off since. It's worn with PJs in the morning, every new outfit and not much else before bath time. The cause is an amazing one (raising money for a little boy in America with Cystic Fibrosis) and the necklaces are made my a very clever Mama and her little boy. Make sure you check out her Insta account (mrs_paulie_) for details of the next sale - I'm so tempted by the matching Mama/child versions...

Teamed with our favourite tights (I don't think i'll ever buy tights from anywhere else again), her red velvet hair bow and my old little bag, and Josephine was most definitely the belle of the ball :) 

GIVEAWAY: all about heidi

Way back when I had a big ol' belly, and didn't know if it was home to a boy or girl, I remember seeing this beautiful girl sporting some of the sweetest shoes I'd ever seen. I knew that if we were to have a girl, purchasing a pair would be a no-brainer.

When Phiney decided all she wanted to do was stand a few weeks ago, and it became clear that some little shoes to steady her wobbles were a good idea, I knew All About Heidi was the place to go. Soon after Josephine received a parcel from the ever so kind and lovely Manuka. One pair in cherry and one in olive, Phiney has been wearing these divine shoes every day since.

Crafted from one piece of the softest leather, these beautiful creations have been getting compliments wherever we go. Available in velcro, laces or mary-janes, the unique and adjustable flower petal design not only looks sweet but ensures a bespoke fit for every foot from 3 to 18 months. And don't get me started on the choice of colours. Honey, olive, cherry, plum and blueberry are all delicious, while gold and silver offer something extra special. There are even organic vegetable dyed leathers available in sumptious pumpkin and apple. Your head will be spinning trying to decide which to order.

Not only did Manuka send these lovely treats for Josephine, but she's also offering one lucky reader the chance to own a pair. That's right, you can get your hands on some of these beautiful shoes for your little one. Just head to All About Heidi on Facebook and like their page, then head back here, become a follower (if you're not already) and let me know the colour, style and size you'd like to win.

I'll draw the winner next Thursday at 8pm and the competition is open to all readers wherever you are in the world, so get entering! And thank you again lovely Manuka xx

UPDATE: The winner is the lovely Ashley. Congratulations lady :) Email me your address and I'll forward the details on to the girls at All About Heidi. Thanks for entering everyone.

DRESSING UP

Over the last couple of weeks we've been enjoying a little bit of girly retail therapy round these parts.

Now Phiney is 6 months old she has, over night it seems, grown out of nearly everything. Luckily there are a few thrifty finds stored away that I've loved rediscovering, and a visit to this shop as well as the H&M sale has replenished her drawers. Plus my Nan has also taken the fabric I bought months ago and transformed it into a awesome collection of bloomers, with a couple more pairs still to come.

On top of all that, my lovely friend Amy text me on Saturday morning urging me to head into town to a sale she'd heard about. Offering pre-loved and vintage French kids clothes and antiques, I rushed to the car and scored some real treats for Phiney; some for now, some for the coming months and years. The very wonderful lady who ran the sale plans on holding them a few times a year, so I can't wait for the next one and the treasures we'll find. Plus I got my hands on a few extra bits and bobs that I'll be telling you more about soon, so tune in for that little announcement.

As for Mama, last week I shifted those last few pesky pregnancy pounds. Hoorah! I'm ready to ditch the joggers (well, in the majority) and have been scouring the shops for the 1950s style skirts that I love and complement the return of my waist. Thank you local markets and charity shops. I've been having a trying on session or two trying to decide what to wear for our visit from this lady on Saturday, but I'm changing my mind every five minutes. Thankfully it looks like we're about to get some sunshine. Fingers crossed!

ps. I've drawn the winner of the Hello Canvas print and I'm really happy to announce that the lovely Mama-to-be Jenny is the winner. Go check out her very sweet blog and watch her belly grow. Congratulations Jenny - pop me an email and I'll send you all the details of how to claim your prize. Thank you to everyone for entering. We have another amazing giveaway next week so watch this space...

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I have a love for all things vintage. A serious passion. It's a dream to make it my job one day and I have a pretty good collection of crockery, jewellery, furniture, books and plenty of clothes to prove it. But it's nothing compared to Josephine. Already the girl has several more awesome pieces than me, each better than the last. And it's thanks to charity shop finds (a heap of dresses that were 50p each and I bought on the off chance everyone was wrong and we had a girl. Thank God I did!), brilliant Etsy shops and lovely bloggers around the world.

Each and every piece is beautifully made, in the styles I think little girls should be wearing and in fabrics and prints that offer something so different to what's on the majority of the high street. We want Phiney to grow up understanding that being unique is a wonderful thing, and that extravagant consumption and expensive shopping sprees aren't necessary. That instead it's better for the world to recycle, shop locally or support charity and cherish things from the past. Plus it's obviously more stylish too, dahling.

Most of the above is hanging ready for Phiney to grow into over the coming months, and in some cases years. I can't wait to see her rocking such beautiful pieces and hope it instills the same love for vintage that I have. Scouring charity shops and vintage stores with my little girl is just some of the fun I am so looking forward to us sharing. In the meantime she can rely on me to track down more treasures for her wardrobe. I know. It's such a burden.

Some pieces from here and here and gifts from this, this, this and this awesome Mama. Oh and this lady deserves a mention for keeping her eyes peeled for awesome finds/being such a bad influence. Josephine is sending you all thank you kisses xx

ps. 180 followers? Wowza! Hello to you all, new and old. Thanks for stopping by x