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!  

Homeware Inspiration & My Bargain Pieces

I warned you last year my blog was going to open up a little more and has done since then so it's about time I bought you a little homeware post.  Being in the midst of huge renovations and sales it's pretty hard not making major purchases right now but space is limited so I'm refraining!  It hasn't stopped me browsing though.  I've been a long standing fan of Laura Ashley, you really do get what you pay for, their quality is brilliant.  I was lucky enough to go to their press day last year which was so inspirational.

I am desperate for one of these love/snuggle chairs! 

How cosy does this set up look.  That chair so has my name on it.  

I love the whole look and feel of this lounge.  The navy sofa's are very tempting based on having two black cats and children that fail to keep sticky fingers off my nice furniture!

I'm a huge hook freak.  I love them and have them everywhere to help organise and make use of dead space.  I like the simplicity of this flower against a coloured wall.  

This Hydrangea hook is currently online for £5.40 (original price £12)

When can I move in!  The feather lamp shade is a firm favourite with my 10 year old for her new room. 

The feather cloud pendent was £70 but currently on sale at £44.10 so be quick!  

Continuing along the home front I was gifted some gorgeous table linen from a new brand Claribel London when I went to the Spirit of Christmas fair last year.  I was super impressed with their ethos and use of natural fibres.  The ladies behind the brand have created some amazing, unique pieces that are well worth a look.  

Too pretty to use in my building site of a home right now!  These have gone in my special tote full of saved up nice pieces for when our building work has finished. 

If you read my blog regularly you will have seen I purchased this chair last year (for the bargain price of £55 in the Bargain Basement section of Ikea!) - how good does that cushion of theirs look on it!  That's definitely one for my wish list.  

"SOURCED FROM RESPONSIBLE PRODUCERS, OUR PRODUCTS ARE MADE OF 100% PERUVIAN COTTON, HAND-DYED, CUT AND SEWN TO BESPOKE SPECIFICATIONS. NEVER MASS PRODUCED, EVERY STEP HAPPENS AT A DIFFERENT WORKSHOP - FROM THE INTRICATE STITCHING AND INDIVIDUAL EMBROIDERY TO THE ARTISANAL PRINTING. OUR 100% BABY ALPACA PRODUCTS ARE ALL HAND FINISHED AND WOVEN FOR THEIR SIGNATURE SOFTNESS. EVEN THE ALUMINIUM FOR OUR NAPKIN RINGS HAS BEEN HAND-FORGED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CLARIBEL.

Now my love of animal print doesn't just stop at my wardrobe, I'm known to throw in a few pieces around the home too. I'd been after a pouffe/foot stool ever since I'd seen these in Ikea however refused to pay the £200 price for one. I looked at all options, even considered buying a rug and making my own with an old coffee table but in the end I knew I had my heart set on these. Again, I saved a search on eBay and eventually one came up. I contacted the seller to ask re the condition and found out there were two. I paid £140 for both in the end and was going to sell one on depending on which I preferred (one more fluffy!). However the whole family loves them so much we're keeping both and will put one in the kitchen/diner when it's built. Thank you eBay!

The bench is also a second hand find via a lady I've met who restores furniture.  This old bench set me back £50.

I can't wait until my house is finished, I just love finding unique pieces to mix and match to furnish my home.  I've had to stop as we have now run out of space but this side table was another pre-loved and refurbished item but this time from a shop in a neighbouring town.  My parents ended up getting it for me for Christmas as I just loved it so much and couldn't get it out of my head.  I do the same with homeware that I do with clothes, I just fall for pieces and work them into my life somehow!  This glass top hexagon table was £65.

Please excuse the missing skirting - the back wall/window is going to be knocked into internal doors so there was no point fitting any yet.  Oh and the chocolates aren't all mine!  We didn't know there was parquet flooring in the house until after we moved in.  We've had it restored professionally but I'm struggling with how easily the pine dents so I don't think it will be forever but it makes a nice change and the carpet covering it was manky anyway.