Dining room

Firstly, thank you for the interesting comments on my last post. I didn't want to keep it up long, thats why i've posted again now. I just felt , here was a good way to vent.

------------------


The dining room is pretty much the only room in our house that is almost complete. We were really lucky that we liked the decor in this room. Would it be my choice if we were starting from scratch? No, but i'm more than happy with it.

I have been following Flyladys 15 minute plans for a little while now and last week i completely cleaned and tidied this room.

So come, let me show you around:

This is a nice big room, that fits our 8 seater dining table, with room for a seating area looking out on to the garden as well (This is where i escape with a book when the boys are driving me mad!).

We quite like the Laura Ashley wallpaper and curtains in here, it gives the room a warm, cozy feel.

My favourite feature is the orginal french doors. This room has windows at either end, so it is always very light.

We have mostly used things from our old house in here. I lovely my comfy ikea armchair and all my cheap cushions. We also bought a sofa bed from Next, so we can have guests stay here as well as in the guest bedroom.

The fireplace isn't my favourite thing, but i don't mind it. We put the mirror from our old lounge up, and i like the big sleeper mantel.

 The Ikea dresser came from our old house too. I love it, especially at night when i switch the fairy lights on. Some of my favourite possessions are in here. (I actually still have a few things in boxes to unwrap to put back).

I love my Southend on sea print (Somewhere we go often). I put it in a cheap frame.

 I love bargain cushions. Some of the blue and cream ones we have had for years. They are a bit shabby now, but i like that. I always buy cushions that have removable covers so they can be washed regularly. I bought the round turquoise cushion in the H and M sale for £3 and the diamante cushion was about £5 from The Range.

 I have had this candle stick , from an antiques shop for a few years. The Marilyn bracelet was bought a long time ago from Liberty. I don't think i've ever worn it actually, i hung it here and thats where its always stayed:

 This side unit was actually in our bedroom, i decided to put it here. It is full of photos and fabrics. The orchid is a cheap but very good fake. I put it in the pot, infront of the real one when it isn't in flower.

My husband kept asking for a clock, so i found this lovely retro looking one. It is on my bureau at the moment. We will actually be inheriting my husbands grandparents drinks cabinet soon, so the bureau will go upstairs in the study.

My final projects for this room will be to change the net curtains to Less grey/lacey ones and to change the wall lights which are a bit old, brass and ornate for my liking.

xx

Rant, Rant, Rant

One of my biggest pet peeves is people (especially children) who use mobiles/ipods/ipads/hand held consoles at the dinner table. It is just downright rude in my opinion.

So i was DISGUSTED last night when we took the boys out for dinner to see a little girl of about 2 years old in a highchair watching The Simpsons (Why was she watching the simpsons? shes 2?!!) on an Ipad on a stand, all the way through dinner, even while she was eating. 

My hubbie had to almost glue me to the seat to stop me going over and saying ' What are you doing to your child???'

I really worry what this generation of children is going to grow up like.

Are we going to have a generation of zombie children, who don't know how to socialize, don't know how to entertain themselves, all need glasses, have no manners, get all sorts of cancers/illnesses that we don't even probably know about yet from using so much technology, can't write, don't talk to their families, have hearing problems, are overweight, have no concentration, are more violent, don't know who to talk about their problems, are robbed of real life experiences?

I don't agree with any age using technology like this is social situations, but a 2 year old?? A 2 year old does not even need to know what an ipad or The simpsons even is. She should be at a table talking with her parents, learning how to use cutlery and to say please and thank you to the waiting staff. Why come out to a restaurant if your not going to talk to each other?

Dinner is a perfect time for families to interact. Keep your child busy with small toys or colouring if you want to keep them at the table.

How it should be

N.B I don't have a problem with kids using these things from a certain age and in moderation at appropriate times.

Thanks for listening

xx

Writtle - a walk and lunch

I booked lunch at a lovely restaurant in a pretty town called Writtle for our Anniversary (Thank you for the lovely comments, we had a nice day, although i ended our lunch in agony. I have never ever had such pain in my ears before!!! i went to the doctors in the evening and am now on antibiotics for a ear and chest infection). We hadn't been there for a while and i forgot how lovely it was. We arrived early, so we had a little wander. 

There is a fantastic gift shop with little tearoom too, but sadly it was closed for refurbishment over Christmas.

There are some beautiful houses in the village - can you spot the outside shower in this picture?

It started to rain a little:

 What a wonderful bird box:

Have a lovely weekend

New post here too ' Making me smile'

xx

Anniversary

Today is mine and my hubbies 8th wedding anniversary. This is the first year that he has taken the day off work. We are both actually feeling ill (i even have a doctors appointment later) but we are determined that illness will not spoil our day. We took the boys to school and then went to Costa for a hot drink and a read of some Magazines - Home ones for me and fishing for him.

We are off later for Lunch and will be spending the evening infront of a film eating cheesy nachos from the same pot like we did when we were teens.

We recieved some lovely cards and as always we get each other presents in the theme of the anniversary year. This year is Bronze. Depending on what we find we can spend a little or alot. This year i made him a bronze certificate for a car driving day and he got me and him a pamper weekend and this gorgeous bronze fairy:

 Yesterday i flitted around the house with my camera and took some pictures of things that remind me of 'us' to share with you.

The book my Mum bought us on our first Anniversary and my rings - engagement, wedding, i love you ring from Tiffanys in New York and My 30th/eternity ring:

 Cushions that are still on our bed - a wedding present:

 A picture i made once - this will go above our bed, along with others, when the bedroom is decorated:

 The bag i used at our evening reception:

 A photo on my dressing table taken at our civil ceremony:

 My tiara, also on my dressing table:

There are lots of bits in these printer trays, like, a pink heart bought when we got engaged, a small envelope and card that i gave to him when we were about 18, and a little angel pill box that we got at The Vatican with a chocolate wrapper ring in it:

This post is dedicated to my husband and best friend.

I love you 

xx

Live Simply

Every year since i started to read Sarah Ban Breathnachs Simple Abundance and Brocante home, i have had a word for the year.

This year i have two - Live Simply.

Live Simply to me means: to make authentic choices and to create a life you love – free from clutter of all kinds.

Ideas to live simply:

1. Eat simple - i want to eat more fresh fruit and veg from local farm shops and markets. I want to eat more naturally using fresh ingrediants.

2. Shop simple - Do i need it? do i love it? will be my mantra.

I want at least 50% of things for my home, clothes and gifts to be second hand or handmade.

3. I am going to declutter. Flylady has been helping me with this.

4. I want, as a family, to spend more time together and outside. I have plans for more walks, picnics, and visits to interesting places.

“Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply, Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.''

Whats you word for the year? I'd love to know.

xx

Goodbye Christmas, Hello January

New Years Day

I spent New Years day taking down the decorations like i do every year. Goodness me its borring!! I much prefer putting them up. It looked very bare when they were all down. But once i had tided i actually liked my new clean canvas, ready for decorating this year.

I did keep a few Christmassy things out. Like Candy canes from the tree in my lovely blue second hand vase.

And the pine cones went in a bowl as a centre piece for the table.

Our front door is original, its painted a lovely bright blue with gorgeous stained glass. It is very very drafty in the winter though, so we bought a big thick curtain from Ikea to keep out the cold just before Christmas. I was going to buy a big tassel tie back from Laura Ashley but instead I found a nice piece of lace to use.

 We had a Christmas dinner (using leftovers) including cranberry sauce and crackers. It was lovely.

My calendar is up. This is the one i am using for the kitchen. I also have one for my study. The other free calendars (from magazines) are going to be cut up and put in my inspiration scrapbooks.

My word (or words) for this year are Live Simply.

More about that later.

xx

There is also a new post at A year of 30.

A morning stroll by the sea

We spent the last morning of the year at our favourite breakfast haunt and then went for a walk along the beach, where i took photos and the boys skimmed stones.

 

 xx