the starting point

I've been wanting to share this ever since we moved, since before that actually if I think about it. I think as anyone who has ever moved house will know, the urge to put your stamp on a place is big. I'm undecided as to whether the fact we already knew our new house made this worse or better. In many ways it was nice to move in and know that we didn't need to rip out the fixtures and fittings of a random stranger we didn't know (anyone else just find the whole toilet seat and carpet thing a bit yucky to think about, or is it just me?), our home was brand new when my Nan bought it, and then we bought it from her, so we knew what we were getting into and there was something very comforting about that. But on the flip side, we knew the house.... and it was my Nan's, so it felt very strange for quite some time to be here without her, and to sleep here, and to get our heads around the fact it is now ours. Such a weird and unique and fun situation.

But the place is starting to feel like home more and more now. We are gradually making it our own, with a lick of paint here and a make over there. Don't get me wrong, it's going to be a long time before we are anywhere near "finished". In fact I doubt we'll ever be, because I'm sure we'll always be finding new things we want to do to improve and change where we live. But I am so excited to share some of the changes here on this blog; the room makeovers, our DIY adventures and everything in between. And I feel like, in order to paint the fullest picture, it's nice to see the beginning, the starting point; which will hopefully highlight just how far we've come.

0

happy place blanket

I've been itching to show off this blanket in all it's glory since before I even started it. I have shared little glimpses of it along the way as a work in progress on my instagram (you can find all the photos by searching #happyplaceblanket), but now I'm indulging in all the details of it here for anyone who is interested in the pattern, the colours and my inspiration for making it in the first place.

16

a boy and girl bedroom

My kiddies share a bedroom, and luckily this works really well for us. They are both pretty good sleepers, and they seem to genuinely enjoy sharing their bedroom space.

As they get older, their bedroom is increasingly becoming their haven; a space they run off to together, to giggle and play and hatch plans. And as they get older, it some how seems more important for them to have ownership of their room; for it to be really theirs.

22

keeping summer memories

I'm all about having things in your home that mean something to you.

I want to come home be surrounded by familiar and special things,

full of our stories and memories.

Summer is my favourite time of year,

and we have already made some absolutely amazing memories this year,

some of which I wanted to display as a little daily reminder.

A little corner of our home dedicated to our love of the beach,

and to some amazing days spent at various beaches this summer.

A hurricane lamp full of shells;

little treasures collected from our day at Barafundle Bay

and our weekend on Mersea Island.

Little wooden beach huts and a light house

from our special weekend in Scarborough,

there is even a little seagull there,

which will always remind me of those bruiser seagulls that Scarborough is full of.

More beach huts on some beautiful drift wood,

and where would summer be without a spot of bunting too.

And a perfect summer smell to top it off;

Yankee Candle's Coconut Bay.

It might seem a funny time of year to be lighting candles,

but I tend to light them most evenings all year around.
I just love a scented candle
and I have far too many.

This scent is so perfectly summery,

it reminds me of tropical beaches,

sun tan lotion

and a pina colada in my hand.

1

their space

their space

17

pj days

There is something about this change in the weather lately

that makes me far happier to stay at home.

The chill in the air,

the darker mornings,

the earlier evenings,

the dampness.

It is just so cosy and warm being together at home.

16

inspired - tablescaping

I will confess that until fairly recently

I was unfamiliar with the term 'tablescaping'.

It's something I came across on one of the interiors blogs that I read,

and basically it's all about laying the dining table to look all pretty.

6

pretty.little.things - a place to relax

My home is most definitely my haven.

Since we have lived where we do now

I have turned into a real homey girl.

I love that feeling when you walk through your own front door.

You know where everything lives,

everything is yours.

And breath....... You're home!

I love that feeling.

3

inspired - displaying photographs

I absolutely love photographs.

I love that you can capture a moment

and keep it forever.

However I am very bad at actually making hard copies of my many photographs.

I have had grand plans to make a book of the little guy's first year

but am yet to do it and his birthday was nearly two months ago.

3

inspired - words

It shouldn't really come as a surprise

that someone who spends a large amount of their free time writing a blog

would quite like words.

When you enjoy writing words are beautiful things.

Words can be powerful.

They can bring you to tears

and make you laugh

or do both at the same time.

And I for one, find words really inspirational.

5

inspired - a dreamy living room

Last week's first ever inspired was a feast of colour.

Very unlike me I'm sure you'll agree

because I am the lady who loves white.

So this week I'm going back to what I know and love,

the bestest, the beautifulest 

and quite frankly 

the only colour to really rock my world;

white.

5

christmas in our house

Anyone who follows me on Twitter will have noticed a serious amount of excitement 

building up in my tweets this last week.

Because I've been building up to an exciting occasion.

The arrival of the Christmas fairies.

11

the kitchen

My kitchen and I have an interesting relationship.

I like it to look tidy and clean and pretty.

I like buying gadgets and utensils for it.

I love looking at.

I don't love using it.

7

if i had just one day to myself...

I should probably start of by saying 

that since reading this week's BritMums Blogging Prompts 

I have been fantasising about my ideal day down to the smallest details.

The result being that I spent a whole day of my weekend

thinking about how perfect a day good be,

if only......

4

home sweet home

Home is where the heart is,
so they say.
And I completely heart mine.

It isn't perfect.
It could be bigger.
It could have nicer furniture,
and a larger kitchen
and better parking.

But it's home.
And like I said,
I love it.

13

seeing your home and meeting your big brothers - february 8th, 2011

We had spent the months leading up to your arrival getting everything ready 

for you so that you would feel at home. 

Despite the fact that all you really needed was milk, nappies and lots of cuddles, 

we wanted you to have the best we could give you. 

0

coming home - february 8th, 2011

Daddy rung Mummy from home before coming to the hospital.

He was worried that the ward was a long way from the car 

and whether he should bring your pushchair so you would be safer.

He was worried that it was really cold out and that you might need an extra blanket.

He was worried.

He was a parent.

0