I enjoyed last Thursday’s Open House, so much, everyone. Thank you for popping by. I hope you’ll be over again today?
You may have noticed that my virtual home has been redecorated. I’m not really one for change, but fancied a little bit of colour.
Now, I only use free WordPress templates, currently, so I’m limited in what I can do to the place 😉
But it’ll do for now.
I also struggle a little with IRL (in-real-life) decorating. I have the very best of intentions. But as a patch of wall in my kitchen shows, I tend to put it off. Last October I painted a patch, with a test pot, and that’s as far as I got. Photo on Instagram.
But as I am participating in Helen from Clutter Rescues #springorganisingchallenge I’m hoping that by decluttering and thoroughly cleaning my kitchen, I will feel inspired to pick up a paint brush next week.
Watch this space.
It’s that time of year when I suddenly have a surge or energy to get sorted for…
here it comes…the C word….
Christmas!
And talking of Christmas, I have made my first purchase.
We’re very much into ‘making our own’ here, but I just could not resist buying some wonderful Christmas decorations from Kirsty Fanshaw Gifts. Below is another of my favourite of Kirsty’s creations – The rosette card.
I’d like to introduce Kirsty to you, and suggest you pop over to hers. Kirsty is running a giveaway this week – well worth a look I’d say.
And finally, I’m currently reading North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell. Did you know many of the classics are available to download free of charge on iBooks?
I just could not put it down last night. After watching the BBC dramatization (here’s a trailer) I was hooked! And as expected, now reading the actual novel has heightened the experience further as it fills in all the gaps, that no dramatization (no matter how well done) can fill.
(oh and being a bit of a languarge geek – I’m finding the vocabulary fascinating! I never realised that ‘factory’ is a shortened version of ‘manufactories’ from ‘manufacturing’. Now I type it I see it’s pretty obvious).
What’s happening in your world? Anything goes here, let’s talk!
(feel free to link to your own posts, others or pretty much anything legal!)
I’m working my way through 3 of Michael Palins travel books (all bought at a charity shop) that went with the programmes (many years ago!) Have read ‘Round the World in 80 Days’ and ‘Pole to Pole’ and have just started ‘Full Circle’. Makes me want to watch the series again – and go traveling – however my passport has expired and I don’t like flying – so it’s all imagination at the moment!
We have those books but I must confess I haven’t read them. The Hubby has though.
That’s the beauty of reading you can be transported to a time and a place. And although watching the programmes are great, they do not seem to have the same effect. when you read it really embeds itself in your imagination.
Just been over to yours – great bag!
Dropped your latest blog post link in – http://lessismoreihope.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/lately.html
I’m working my way through 3 of Michael Palins travel books (all bought at a charity shop) that went with the programmes (many years ago!) Have read ‘Round the World in 80 Days’ and ‘Pole to Pole’ and have just started ‘Full Circle’. Makes me want to watch the series again – and go traveling – however my passport has expired and I don’t like flying – so it’s all imagination at the moment!
We have those books but I must confess I haven’t read them. The Hubby has though.
That’s the beauty of reading you can be transported to a time and a place. And although watching the programmes are great, they do not seem to have the same effect. when you read it really embeds itself in your imagination.
Just been over to yours – great bag!
Dropped your latest blog post link in – http://lessismoreihope.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/lately.html
Love the new look! I’ve been at a conference all day talking music teaching. Great fun! Looking forward to some serious decluttering next week, but we are off on holiday for a few days so it has to wait 🙂
Anything can wait when a holiday is calling. have a lovely lovely time!
p.s – Night!
Love the new look! I’ve been at a conference all day talking music teaching. Great fun! Looking forward to some serious decluttering next week, but we are off on holiday for a few days so it has to wait 🙂
Anything can wait when a holiday is calling. have a lovely lovely time!
p.s – Night!
Hi Jo! I LOVE the Scrabble design–so cute! And your kitchen is quite pretty as is, I must say. We have the same color scheme in our kitchen and I find that a little shot of red does wonders–just a cheery red dish towel or a little pitcher of flowers. My decorating 2 cents, for whatever that’s worth! 🙂
Thanks Joy – I’ll be changing the colour scheme on the walls to olive green soon. But I so agree about the red accessories. I love a deep red (hence see backdrop of blog). Thanks for popping by, I’ll head on over to yours now!
Dropped this link in for you http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2014/09/12-ways-to-pull-yourself-out-of-a-creative-rut-1.html
Hi Jo! I LOVE the Scrabble design–so cute! And your kitchen is quite pretty as is, I must say. We have the same color scheme in our kitchen and I find that a little shot of red does wonders–just a cheery red dish towel or a little pitcher of flowers. My decorating 2 cents, for whatever that’s worth! 🙂
Thanks Joy – I’ll be changing the colour scheme on the walls to olive green soon. But I so agree about the red accessories. I love a deep red (hence see backdrop of blog). Thanks for popping by, I’ll head on over to yours now!
Dropped this link in for you http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2014/09/12-ways-to-pull-yourself-out-of-a-creative-rut-1.html
I love your kitchen! It looks so inviting. Makes me think about sitting down to a nice cup of tea. Of course, I think of that quite often on my own, lol. Can’t wait for Christmas! I homeschool my 10-year-old, and we have always taken the entire month of December off. The first year was an accident, but all the rest have been planned.
That sounds perfect to me! December is such a magical and memorable time for Children. In the UK schools stay in till very close to the big day. But they do have a lot of fun activities during that month so it’s not so bad.
As for that cup of tea (it’s after 9pm here now) – It’s wine I’m enjoying at the moment!
Awesome, I bet they do a lot of cool stuff! I need to think of some semi-educational activities for us to do this year.
And I could drink tea anytime of day, lol. I definitely have English in my blood.
There’s a very good chance you do (have English blood) I would imagine?
Dropped this link in as I know you feel it’s important!
http://amyleebell.wordpress.com/2014/09/25/a-new-writing-idea-for-visual-thinkers/
Thank you so much!
I love your kitchen! It looks so inviting. Makes me think about sitting down to a nice cup of tea. Of course, I think of that quite often on my own, lol. Can’t wait for Christmas! I homeschool my 10-year-old, and we have always taken the entire month of December off. The first year was an accident, but all the rest have been planned.
That sounds perfect to me! December is such a magical and memorable time for Children. In the UK schools stay in till very close to the big day. But they do have a lot of fun activities during that month so it’s not so bad.
As for that cup of tea (it’s after 9pm here now) – It’s wine I’m enjoying at the moment!
Awesome, I bet they do a lot of cool stuff! I need to think of some semi-educational activities for us to do this year.
And I could drink tea anytime of day, lol. I definitely have English in my blood.
There’s a very good chance you do (have English blood) I would imagine?
Dropped this link in as I know you feel it’s important!
http://amyleebell.wordpress.com/2014/09/25/a-new-writing-idea-for-visual-thinkers/
Thank you so much!
Good Evening Jo, Love your kitchen looks so welcoming and homely. Wasn’t gonna talk about Christmas, but seens as you mentioned it first it would be rude not to….. Preparations have already begun and we have a cheeky little trip planned to New York in November for son number 2’s 18th Birthday and i plan to have a zero-ish waste christmas done by then! I want to source some homemade cards (being of the non-creative, perfectionist type 🙁 ) So would appreciate any pointers to someone who sells them?!!
I’m have a week off so have lots of sorting out and decluttering planned for the next ten days. I have also been saving the scrag ends of candles for about a year now so gonna attempt some homemade candles for pressies. have you ever made those?
Sharron x
Sharron – your trip sounds so wonderful! What a fabulous time of year to go to NYC.
As for Christmas – I would expect no less than you being organised. Zero-waste Christmas sounds good to me also. My order with Santa has already been placed for a handful of ‘Strictly’ tour tickets – the actual tickets can be recycled (I believe!) but the memory *should* last forever. Regarding cards – I do send some, but tend to make a Christmas decoration instead. This year (because I am so busy and because they are so nice) I have ordered some handmade decorations from Kirsty Fanshaw Gifts. I haven’t put them on this post because they are a surprise for family members. But to be honest hardly any of my family know about/read this blog anyway. But still.
I’d definitely take a look at Kirsty’s site. She has a giveaway running for a gift voucher off her products.
Enjoy your decluttering! I know you will 😉
As for the homemade candles, I know two people who have attempted them – but alas they didn’t have much success. However I think it’s a fab idea – particularly as it’s from already used wax. Please let us know how you get on.
And by the way – when are you going to start blogging? 😉
Good Evening Jo, Love your kitchen looks so welcoming and homely. Wasn’t gonna talk about Christmas, but seens as you mentioned it first it would be rude not to….. Preparations have already begun and we have a cheeky little trip planned to New York in November for son number 2’s 18th Birthday and i plan to have a zero-ish waste christmas done by then! I want to source some homemade cards (being of the non-creative, perfectionist type 🙁 ) So would appreciate any pointers to someone who sells them?!!
I’m have a week off so have lots of sorting out and decluttering planned for the next ten days. I have also been saving the scrag ends of candles for about a year now so gonna attempt some homemade candles for pressies. have you ever made those?
Sharron x
Sharron – your trip sounds so wonderful! What a fabulous time of year to go to NYC.
As for Christmas – I would expect no less than you being organised. Zero-waste Christmas sounds good to me also. My order with Santa has already been placed for a handful of ‘Strictly’ tour tickets – the actual tickets can be recycled (I believe!) but the memory *should* last forever. Regarding cards – I do send some, but tend to make a Christmas decoration instead. This year (because I am so busy and because they are so nice) I have ordered some handmade decorations from Kirsty Fanshaw Gifts. I haven’t put them on this post because they are a surprise for family members. But to be honest hardly any of my family know about/read this blog anyway. But still.
I’d definitely take a look at Kirsty’s site. She has a giveaway running for a gift voucher off her products.
Enjoy your decluttering! I know you will 😉
As for the homemade candles, I know two people who have attempted them – but alas they didn’t have much success. However I think it’s a fab idea – particularly as it’s from already used wax. Please let us know how you get on.
And by the way – when are you going to start blogging? 😉
It’s funny to hear you say your kitchen needs redecorating; whenever you post a kitchen pic I think, Wow, what a lovely kitchen! We bought a fixer-upper house and our kitchen is one of the last rooms that we will do… so I’m waiting and being patient until it’s gorgeous… :-). I know it’s always different when it’s one’s own space tho (no one knows when a update is due like you do!), plus pics always make things look
better than real life, I think.
I’ve given little thought to Christmas so far. I’m having our second baby tomorrow, so we’ll have a newborn and I’m just not sure what I’ll be able to pull off this year. I love giving thoughtful gifts but I don’t want ro expect too much of myself too soon. Maybe everyone will get gift cards this year (although I don’t think my Hubby will go for that)!! 🙂
Your redecorated blog looks great! Having an open house is such a cool idea… haven’t seen it on any of the other handful of blogs that I follow. 🙂
Hi Sarah – to be honest the kitchen is okay. But last year I saw a picture of a very similar kitchen to ours, against olive green walls. Since then I have wanted to change it. And it has been 6 years since it was decorated, so it’s probably time.
I can’t hear the term ‘fixer-upper’ without thinking of the song in the Disney film Frozen. Hope it’s going well. Our last home was a renovation and it took a long time, but we got it exactly as we wanted it. Good luck!
And more to the point GOOD LUCK for tomorrow – how exciting! Yay! Gosh if you get chance pop by again next week and tell us all about it – now that’s what an open house is for! Celebrating!
Very exciting!
It’s funny to hear you say your kitchen needs redecorating; whenever you post a kitchen pic I think, Wow, what a lovely kitchen! We bought a fixer-upper house and our kitchen is one of the last rooms that we will do… so I’m waiting and being patient until it’s gorgeous… :-). I know it’s always different when it’s one’s own space tho (no one knows when a update is due like you do!), plus pics always make things look
better than real life, I think.
I’ve given little thought to Christmas so far. I’m having our second baby tomorrow, so we’ll have a newborn and I’m just not sure what I’ll be able to pull off this year. I love giving thoughtful gifts but I don’t want ro expect too much of myself too soon. Maybe everyone will get gift cards this year (although I don’t think my Hubby will go for that)!! 🙂
Your redecorated blog looks great! Having an open house is such a cool idea… haven’t seen it on any of the other handful of blogs that I follow. 🙂
Hi Sarah – to be honest the kitchen is okay. But last year I saw a picture of a very similar kitchen to ours, against olive green walls. Since then I have wanted to change it. And it has been 6 years since it was decorated, so it’s probably time.
I can’t hear the term ‘fixer-upper’ without thinking of the song in the Disney film Frozen. Hope it’s going well. Our last home was a renovation and it took a long time, but we got it exactly as we wanted it. Good luck!
And more to the point GOOD LUCK for tomorrow – how exciting! Yay! Gosh if you get chance pop by again next week and tell us all about it – now that’s what an open house is for! Celebrating!
Very exciting!
Thank you for my shout out! … I can relate to the IRL decorating. In my head I have a beautiful navy and off white dinning room … One day! X
And thank you for my wonderful items that I received yesterday. Perfect!
I’m sure with your painting talents that dining room isn’t far off. Maybe we should have a painting party? 🙂
Thank you for my shout out! … I can relate to the IRL decorating. In my head I have a beautiful navy and off white dinning room … One day! X
And thank you for my wonderful items that I received yesterday. Perfect!
I’m sure with your painting talents that dining room isn’t far off. Maybe we should have a painting party? 🙂
It’s never too early to start mentioning Christmas!! My favourite time of year is Christmas! I love the shopping, the decorations, the lot!! Thank you for letting me crash your site! I’ve been reading through your posts and they are so cool! I’m new here! Introduced by my lovely cousin Clare!
Well, I have my own blog and YouTube channel and that is going really well. I’m just heading into my 4th year of Uni overall but into my 3rd year of my degree! I am bricking it! This is the first year where I will be blogging, vlogging, YouTubing and doing my degree all at the same time. The blogging and Youtube keep me sane though so I am in two minds whether I should slow down or speed up with the blog and Youtube!
If any of you are interested here is a link to my blog: http://amyhackslife.blogspot.co.uk
and the link to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/amyhackslife
Amy 😉
Hi Amy – so you are Clare’s cousin! Ahhhh I didn’t know that. I did know there was a connection. Clare had mentioned it. Good luck with the degree, it’ll go well. I started blogging to keep sane also (among other things) and it kinds of works 😉 Thanks for the links – I’ve been over to the blog, but not YT yet!
It’s never too early to start mentioning Christmas!! My favourite time of year is Christmas! I love the shopping, the decorations, the lot!! Thank you for letting me crash your site! I’ve been reading through your posts and they are so cool! I’m new here! Introduced by my lovely cousin Clare!
Well, I have my own blog and YouTube channel and that is going really well. I’m just heading into my 4th year of Uni overall but into my 3rd year of my degree! I am bricking it! This is the first year where I will be blogging, vlogging, YouTubing and doing my degree all at the same time. The blogging and Youtube keep me sane though so I am in two minds whether I should slow down or speed up with the blog and Youtube!
If any of you are interested here is a link to my blog: http://amyhackslife.blogspot.co.uk
and the link to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/amyhackslife
Amy 😉
Hi Amy – so you are Clare’s cousin! Ahhhh I didn’t know that. I did know there was a connection. Clare had mentioned it. Good luck with the degree, it’ll go well. I started blogging to keep sane also (among other things) and it kinds of works 😉 Thanks for the links – I’ve been over to the blog, but not YT yet!
A bit late to the party this week, but had to say how much I love the changes on your blog. And also to say that you aren’t the only one with Christmas on the brain. I take part in an arts and crafts fair in early November, and I’m terribly behind (because of my eye surgery in July) so … I am frantically trying to get enough done 🙂
I do love your kitchen. Sigh.
A bit late to the party this week, but had to say how much I love the changes on your blog. And also to say that you aren’t the only one with Christmas on the brain. I take part in an arts and crafts fair in early November, and I’m terribly behind (because of my eye surgery in July) so … I am frantically trying to get enough done 🙂
I do love your kitchen. Sigh.