Telling it like it is...THE big 4-0

I worry.

I worry about what people think about me.

Quite a lot.

It's my weakness.

I've been saying for ages that I would show you guys my revamped kitchen floor...

But I have procrastinated- I'm very good at that.

In my warped mind, I would rather show you my floor when it's looking bad. Then I figure you won't judge (as we all agree it looks bad) Lately I've been taking a long hard look at myself. Another thing I have noticed is I really avoid putting pictures of myself on here. I look at other blogs I follow and people have pics of themselves and their outfit for the day etc and I am in awe of their confidence. I convince myself people would be picking me apart. I need to stop that.

Tomorrow, I turn 40. I think this is a really grown up age. An age when I should be comfortable in my own skin. Caring less about the things that don't matter. So in honour of the occasion...

Welcome to my kitchen...

I'm honestly not angry or upset in this picture, I just find it really difficult to smile without looking like a total goofball! Also, I was cooking an omlette and burnt the pan - doh!

I think the floors look so much better that the old laminate. The house was built in 1840 and these are original boards - very cool.

My new photo wall is getting there, I do need more pics though. I would like to cover alot of that wall. The heart on the right I made with assorted red buttons.

As you can see, the hearth were the cooker goes has been uncovered and needs to be stripped and then painted bright red which is what it would have looked like originally.

I love this gorgeous big window, I can look out at the barn and the garden while I'm doing the dishes. Excuse the mess on the side...I was cooking my omlette remember!?

My favourite hand towel on the left by PIP Studio.

I got this R from a charity shop, they had sold out of B's!

                                                                    See...total goofball!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Hugs,

B x

Spring is in the air!

Went for a lovely walk in the woods this morning... freezing cold, but I found my ray of sunshine under a tree...Spring is coming!

Happy Sunday!
Hugs,
B x

Tea, with the Queen, in my kitchen...

Ah...I may have exaggerated...ever so slightly...

Just wanted to show you a few little things that I picked up recently on my visit to my local flea market. And I felt sure the title would reel you in! And it's not a lie...well not exactly....

Isn't she lovely? What a gorgeous patina. I think I paid about 1 pound for her! You may find this a little gross...she still has the loose tea inside. I can't bear to part with it. It kind of feels like it came as a package and so I have to keep it that way...am I weird? I also picked up these little beauties...

So pretty! And although I blogged last year about taking the colour out of my kitchen, it seems that slowly but surely it has been creeping back in. It's funny, I swoon over pictures of white kitchens. I go weak at the knees for that pale Scandinavian chicness. But when I try to achieve the look at home, I always feel like I'm not 'done'. And so the colour creeps back in...a touch of blue here...a splash of red there, until before you know it, I'm back to a more 'English Country' style.

I'm thinking I should just go with it. After all, style shouldn't be forced. I must be a true English country girl at heart. I'm sure Her Majesty would approve!

Hugs,

B x

Freebie Alert!

Hello sweet friends!

I have been having a grand old time blog-hopping lately and on my travels I came across the most amazing site called Indiefixx.com. The site is run by Jen Wallace, here she shares her love of indie design, crafting, diy, gardening and cooking. Jen also runs a project called 'Feed your soul: free art project.' The idea of the project is to feed our souls during these hard economic times with some beautiful free art work donated by various artists. Every Monday there is a gorgeous new free picture for you to save and print. I saved these beauties...

Too cute. Yep, my soul is definitely feeling better for those little nuggets of joy! Go get yours...

FEED YOUR SOUL!

Hugs,   B  x

Torie Jayne/ Hampton Blue Giveaway

Since my visit to Copenhagen (almost a YEAR ago now) I have become a huge fan of Lisbeth Dahl products. Gorgeous feminine pretties!

Well, one of my blog favourites Torie Jayne has just introduced me to Hampton Blue a fab website where you can get your fix of  Lisbeth Dahl, along with  Azuni, Disaster Designs, East of India, Moulin Roty, Nadia Minkoff and Paper High. Torie is currently running a 30 pound giveaway.

Hop on over and give it a go!

Hugs,

B xxx

Bath weekend part 2

Hello.

How are you?

Did you have a lovely week? Nice Valentine's Day? I really hope so.

As promised, if a little late, here are the second lot of pictures from my trip to Bath.

On the Sunday morning we woke up nice and early and headed to Shepton Mallet.

I'm going to stop nattering and let you enjoy the view...

What a delight!

I would love to say that I came home with a carload, but I didn't. I was in a cautious mood and already had my chair to transport so I just *Oooh'd* and *Aaah'd*...a lot!

Well, that's it for now ladies. Although I must pop back and show you my new old kitchen floors. Soon.

Hugs to you,

B x

The Daughter Meeting, Shabby Chic-ing, Antique Seeking Weekend Part1

Hello friends, I hope you are well. Are you all waiting expectantly for spring? I know I am. It feels like it's just around the corner and I, for one, cannot wait! We catch glimpses here and there of the joys to come; buds on the trees and pretty snowdrops in the flower beds. As always spring is a terrible tease! I come with pictures of my recent trip to Bath. I went to Bath originally for 2 reasons.

1. I found a great opportunity to do a one day course on how to 'Shabby Chic' your furniture.
2. Bath is a short drive from where my daughter is at uni.

Perfect. I was all set to go. Then I realised that the weekend of  my course was also the weekend for the Shepton Mallet Antiques fair. That was settled. I was bound for a 'Daughter Meeting, Shabby Chic-ing, Antique Seeking weekend'!

The course was on the Saturday morning at a place called THE MAKERY in Bath. It was a great course and the tutor, Jane was incredibly informative and helpful.
(They didn't pay me to say any of that by the way!)

 That's my chair on the table, it was a charity shop find and cost just 20 pounds - I don't have a before I'm afraid. They also do an upholstery course which I'd like to do next so that I can cover my chair with linen.

 This is Jane our tutor working her magic!

 The pupils were all really friendly ladies. We all got on straight away and helped each other out. We had a chance to chat over many cups of tea and some gorgeous sandwiches.

My finished chair - I just need to varnish it now!


As I've never been to Bath, once the course was finished I decided to take a walk around the town...

 It's so beautiful, and such a relaxed place...

 Love the use of space here.

They have built gorgeous structures over the River Avon.

After my full day, I headed back to the hotel to freshen up and Jess and I headed to a noodle bar for dinner - perfect!

Well, I'm off to get the kids from school after that photo overload. But I'll be back soon with part 2; Shepton Mallet Fair.

Have a great week won't you?

Hugs, B xxxxx