Paper Changes Everything

I love how decopatch papers can totally transform a tired looking item
The chest of drawers that I previously used as a counter in my gift shop really needed updating as there were going to be my new display furniture in Vintage Fleur

I found some pretty floral and leaf paper and set about transforming the drawers to give them a lift and new lease of life
It was messy (I split the glue all over the floor for starters!) but it was worth it

Grannies on the Go!

I've got a few blankets on the go at the moment, some have stopped as waiting for more wool others are growing nicely, some will be for sale but the chunky mustard one is for our bedroom! I will get it finished...

Where the wild things are

My lovely friend is a little mad on Where the wild things are so to be honest its her fault as she got me started on it!
I saw this book at the vintage retro shop Vintage Fleur that I sell in and had to buy it, I've put it up for little man for christmas but thought it just needed something else! So I got my coloured felts together and came up with a couple of character stick puppets for him

And as a gift for my friend the cutest plushie ever! (even if I do say so myself)

 We're loving the story as I especially could eat him up I love him so x

Wall Cabinet

I got hold of a wall cabinet that needed a little paint job to brighten it up a little, once done I knew its new home would be in my den in Vintage Fleur to show off some of my makes

After giving it a good clean and sanding it back, I used a couple of coats of Annie Sloan Old White chalk paint and a couple of coats of clear wax for protection
I used some offcut of brown polka dot oilcloth to cover the shelves which really match the paintwork

I really enjoyed updating this and I've got many more projects in the pipeline...

Home Storage!

Theres not many storage cubby holes in this house! I have nowhere to hide my larger cleaning items!

As part of my simpler living I decided to totally declutter under the stairs and make it into a useable space for what I needed!
Everything came out! The cupboard went back in which has all of our dvds and cds in (ones that we seriously cannot bear to part with!)
There was so much in there that I quite literally did not know where to start! but I started with bags! donate, rubbish and keep!
It worked! only what we needed went back in with plenty of space for my hoover, ironing board and happily the ironing basket too

Dont get me wrong, its not a pretty space! but it is a pretty darn useable space and thats what matters isnt it!

I've been using this new space for some weeks now to make sure it really did work before I posted it on here, well its certainly worked for me so now I wont be getting stressed falling over the hoover and mop bucket all the time will I!

Therefore helping towards my simpler lifestyle, and believe it or not I had a large recycling bag of rubbish, and two bags of home items for the charity shop just from this small space!!!

What a month...

January is always a busy month, this year has been tougher I feel
We've had our boys birthdays, turning 13 and 8 are huge milestones and i'm still in shock at how quick the time is flying with my babies

I lost my moggie which in all honesty hit me really hard especially as his brother is still showing his grief by constantly meowing

We've had a really good sort out of things that are no longer needed and either donated, ebayed or tipped them
I've had the dreaded tax returns to do which are taking up so much of time due to still having to deal with the partnership of my gift shop
and then daily goings on added on top of all of that

February will see things getting back to normal hopefully! also the start of our hallway been redecorated (cannot wait its been prepped for over six months)

Wreck This Journal...

My friend was posting a few pictures on instagram of her mess it journal etc and I was so intrigued by them and thought I must find the time to start one of these
Well as a surprise she bought me the wreck it journal 'everywhere' edition
I've been playing and I love it, this is only the beginning!

Do you have one!

Chicken Casserole - 4 syns

Sometimes I'm at a loss what to do for dinner, even though I meal plan I may not be in the mood for that
This is one of our family favourites, a chuck it in out of the store cupboard and fridge and see how it turns out! no weighing no measuring just cooking!

If you are doing Slimming World the dumpling mix from Tesco is 4 syns, the meal is free without them on the extra easy plan

This dish serves 4 easily
Preheat oven at 180c
Cube potatoes and chop onion and using frylite fry a little in the pan

 Add a small tin of chopped tomatoes (we dont like it too tomato-y so thats why I only use a small one)

 Add a mug full of stock (I used a chicken stock)

Add chicken (I used cook from frozen) and some garlic italian seasoning
Season with pepper too, cook for a few moments until the stock is boiling

 Add a saucepan of par boiled vegetables and mix in

 Add it all into a casserole dish and top with dumplings (make up with packet instructions)

 Cook for about 15-20 in the oven at 180c

 Serve and enjoy

Book Review - The Fault In Our Stars

Well, this book takes me back to France, our family holiday, a must read my dear 15 year old niece said to me!
She was right, I was gripped, I was also blubbing my heart and soul out on the ferry returning home and tried my best to hide myself behind the book to no avail! It was very obvious I was blubbing as my face was dripping wet with tears!

If you havent heard about this story then I'll let you have a brief introduction, two teenagers are brought together through their fight with cancer, their journey to find the author of a book that has no ending! the book highlights how one teenager is living with this awful disease, and thats where I'll stop, there are twists and turns that will have you reaching for the tissue box, so make sure its handy
Most of all, let it into your heart and enjoy...

New Years Round Up

New Year was full of relaxing, movies and just much needed family time

We said goodbye to my neice today so she could get herself ready for going back to school (her final and most important year at the grammer school she attends)

...and so the New Year begins! the boys are back to school in two sleeps! im treating them to bowling and lunch out tomorrow to take their minds off it!
I have a months plan of ideas to kick start my business again properly!

but first a good strong cuppa x

Today I had to make the most difficult decision ever!
My beautiful tabby cat Louie became obviously ill on New Years Eve evening, I kept him wrapped him a blanket or my dressing gown on New Years Day and to be honest havent slept either!

We took him to the vets early this morning and it was kidney failure so far gone that it was kinder to say goodnight than let them poke and prod him
He gave me 16 wonderful years!
He was a proper lap cat! a loud purring cat! an adventurer (if you remember he disappeared for four months) beautiful and pretty all at the same time. He was also a brother to Gizmo and Apollo who for the last few nights have practically slept on top of him keeping him warm and loved

We will have his ashes home in a little casket as I promised myself the boys (cats) would never be apart again
My heart is totally broken for now

New Year Wishes and Dreams

Making resolutions dont really work for me so I thought I would aim to achieve some more family and personal goals, which you can read all about here

My word for this year is BELIEVE, because if you believe, anything can happen

One of my treasured memories from New York (believe lighting on Macys department store