I'm Still Here......(with a little home update thanks to Laura Ashley)

Oh gosh my little blog really has been neglected this year.  It's not because I haven't wanted to, just the pure exhaustion with what life has thrown my way the last 12 months.  Cancer, operations, seizures, family bereavements, dodgy builders, angry tradesmen, rare bricks (!), the list goes on. You name it, we seem to have had it.  I've constantly had blog posts in my head, desperate to put finger to keyboard and tell you all about things I've managed to buy along the way but time really hasn't been on my side.  I write whilst currently sleep deprived - who else tends to be more on fire when they are seriously lacking in sleep?!?!  Odd isn't it.  So, I can't promise I will be regular, but it's not because I don't want to.  My home really is my priority right now, it needs to be a proper one by Christmas as I'm hosting!  

So whilst I'm sourcing granite/quartz and flooring, I will share with you a little post I did for Laura Ashley.  I've so enjoyed writing for them, their homeware never fails to inspire me and it's these small touches that really have kept me going whilst we have been renovating our house.  Before you click on the link below, here is a before and after of my front door.  We extended out and up (there was an old porch there originally) then added a new door and knocked through the old one, opening up our hallway.  It's all still a work in progress as other areas became more important but the extra internal space is brilliant.  

To see all of the extras above, follow this link to read my full article over at the Laura Ashely blog.

PS A little heads up, there's up to 50% of furniture and upholstery from tomorrow with them! 

My 'Work In Progress' Home

*Apologies for the mini sabbatical, I've been playing 'nurse' to my eldest whilst she recovers from an operation and it's left me more tired than normal so I've been having lots of early nights!*

When I was approached by Laura Ashley to pick some items to write about for their blog, I was over the moon. A long standing brand I have adored and the chance to work with them - wow. Only issue, my home is currently a building site! Where to start. Not one to admit defeat, I started plotting angles of shots for the only room in the house that won't be structuerly affected and is semi presentable; the lounge. We bought a run down old property in a gorgeous village, it was also known as 'the ugliest house in the village' but the potential was great and plot of land more than the house we left behind 7 miles down the round. However in the short term we have downsized and taken on a hell of a lot (still no dishwasher 15 months on....). The asbestos fencing was gone and central heating installed within the first 7 months before building work commenced. To say this is a project would be an understatement, oh and all whilst living in it. Madness yes but needs must and my husband talked me round.

So there's the start of our little journey and here's some progress. Let me show you the 'nearly finished' result first. Since these photos were taken, a log burner is now in situ and my beloved mirror up (how hard is it to drill into solid old walls!). Then we aren't far off done for this room - I'm not allowed a new sofa until all renovations are complete apparently!

Lewes Rug 

So this is where it all started from below - a very old style park ray log burner. It had to go! The wallpaper had several coats of paint on and there was still the original plug sockets and skirting.

We un-earthed this......there was a fireplace in there waiting to see the light of day. 

Someone didn't want this old surround, a friend was taking it to the skip so we rescued it.  My husband patiently sanded and sanded it.  It does still need another light sand and wax and I have also come round to not painting it now we have different flooring.

The walls beneath the wallpaper weren't great, they were an absolute mess. This was supposed to be an easy room! A quick strip of paper, rip out the fireplace but no. All the walls had to be re-skimmed. Oh and then, the novices that we are had all the pipework cut into the freshly plastered walls as the central heating was coming into the house via this room. Oops. A mistake but £100 rectified it with re-plastering where needed so it was a small price to pay for the lesson learnt. 

I was adamant the brickwork needed to be exposed and not covered up but it was in poor condition.  We had it re-pointed then had to fill in the front to make the walls flat.  

Whilst ripping it out and lifting the carpet we discovered parquet flooring.  It was old and orange but we decided to restore it.  Luckily there was more in the hallway and under the stairs so we pinched some bricks from there to fill in the fireplace area as it was very deep and I wanted to get some flooring back.  

And after the restoration!  At this point below all the furniture was in the kitchen/diner with the sofa on it's side in the hallway.  The dust was immense.  This end window is where the internal doors will be to my new kitchen/diner.  Initially I wasn't keen on the flooring but it has really grown on me, especially with a puppy on the cards!  I love the new rug from Laura Ashley and the deeper new skirting made a huge difference also.  

To read the full article I wrote for Laura Ashley and see the details of what I chose, click here.  I also accessorised with a few 'pineapple' features!

*Bargain Alert Over At Laura Ashley*

A really quick post tonight as I couldn't let this offer pass and not share it so my next post has been postponed in order to bring you this one!  Laura Ashley have a huge 40% off at the moment.  Yes, honestly.  I popped to a store today and grabbed a few bits (I think Mothers Day is in a months time - so I can't show what I've bought!) but wanted to share this breton I found as it's gorgeous.  It has the cutest little frills around the top of the sleeves.  Full price it is £38 but is currently £22.80 and is 100% cotton.  I sized up as I wanted a more relaxed fit.  

Now I'm sorry to follow on with bad news but I can't find it online - don't hate me, just pop to a store as it was current season and had loads in.  There is however this gorgeous red one that is £40 down to £24 and also 100% cotton.  

Roll Sleeve Top £24

Had I spied this shirt in store then I probably would have bought this too.  How gorgeous is this gingham with a tie at the neck?  It's selling out fast online so another store visit for this one too (and be warned, you will keep finding more bits and pieces to buy, I even grabbed some gorgeous Easter mini carrot biscuits for my girls!).

Gingham Blouse £30

I have just finished writing an article I have for them to go on their blog (I will post it on here soon too) however in the need to share the bargains I wanted to give you a sneak peek with this rug from them that I have in my living room.  As my whole house is under construction, I was desperate to make the lounge more my own.  We found parquet flooring after we had moved in so have had that restored but I needed a rug as missed the carpet.  This 100% wool rug comes in a variety of colours but I went for the grey.  I know the shaggy pile style is very now but sometimes I like to be different and I wanted something that wasn't fussy yet still added warmth through it's texture.  I went for the smallest size (140cm x 200cm) which was £200 but currently £120.  I really would recommend it.  

Lewes Rug from £120

So my tip is to head to store or pop online ASAP as this offer ends Sunday!  

Wardrobe Maintenance Client

So I have been helping the lovely T over the last couple of months (blog about that once finished!) and one of the things I really recommend is a hook somewhere where you can hang new items of clothing or plan an outift.  Visualising it is great however having something stare you in the face is unavoidable!  With new purchases I like to hang them first on my hook (placed on the inside of the wardrobe door) just to make sure I am investing in an item I need.  To help T do the same I found this lovely hook currently on sale in Laura Ashley for £6.30.

I also have the below on the wall next to my mirror from Dunelm Mill.  At £16.99 I think this is a handy bargain/  Not only does it look good even if it was just an arty piece but so useful to have next to my mirror when trying things on.

We are having a trip to Ikea soon to look at more organisation idea's for her wardrobes as we have made huge progress in clearing out, now we need to focus on making it user friendly and accessible!

 My hangers!

Spring Cleaning!

I don't know if it's the new life I've just bought into the world, the hint of Spring with all the lovely daffodils around or whether it's just time but I feel the need to have a really good clear out of the wardrobe. Out with the old and all of that. As most of my wardrobe has been in hibernation during my pregnancy, I want to wake it up, move it round and clear out the rubbish. I am going to be ruthless! I have already made a start and put 12 pairs of dusty old shoes in the car-boot pile! The more I clear out, the more I won't hear the words 'you don't need....' from my husband!

I have started making a few purchases. I'm not ready to invest in bottom half yet as PB (post baby!) am not ready, but grabbed this cute cardy from Laura Ashley of all places (popped in to furnish the kids rooms!.) It was £60, then marked down several times to £18 and 25% off everything the other week-end so £13.50 bargain! I know the karki colour may appear a little A/W (Autumn Winter) but the gold lurex wakes it up and I think with a nice crisp white Tee underneath I can get away with it for the coming months, black for now though!

Next on my shopping list is some hats for bad hair days on school runs. As it's been cold a nice wool hat has covered up my un-straightened messy hair, I need to find me a Spring/Summer alternative as with a baby to drag along too, even less of a chance to do my hair.

Popped into a Zara at the week-end - if I wasn't on maternity pay, I would say as much of my wage as possible would be spent in there at the moment. What a collection they have. Day/night/school runs,classic pieces, they have it all. Saving my pennies for a big splurge soon!