It's Christmas... in a WEEK!!

I am ashamed

...ashamed that I've left it so long ot write up a blog post.  This was not the plan!  Weeeaaly sorry about that.

But hey i'm here now...

Seeing as christmas is a week away and I'm in a panic (still!) about what to make, do and buy I thought I'd help myself and you guys out with a few hints on how to get all christmassed up in this last week.

But first a bit of this>>>

and this

and here's some more
http://www.hiphoparchive.org/prepare-yourself/christmas-hiphop

Right here's this list of sites that might help you out over the coming week.

 

Idlewife.blogspot.com - Wrapping Ideas



curbly.com - Modern Perforated Christmas Trees



Ackee and Saltfish Canapes

 

Guardian Christmas Cocktail Recipes



Guardian Interactive Christmas Gift Ideas

   

Smilelikeyoumeanit.net Mini Wreath Tutorial

  

Zara Home Christmas Decorations





ohhappyday.com - Mini Presents Garland



 **** update ****


Free printable gift tags - blog.heylook.fi



Free printable Christmas giftags and others -
epherielldesigns.com

Full details can be found on Kandee Johnsons site.

I'll try and add to this as the days go by.



Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night xoxo





Time To Relax...

This is so beautiful and addictive. 

It's just a simple melody maker from Lullatone for you to make your own little tunes to relax to.  I think it's meant for kids, but who cares.  Click below to redirect.

If you've enjoyed playing there's an app for your iPhone!

Enjoy
xoxo

ps The music maker is free but they do sell their own albums and currently all proceeds are going to the Red Cross for Japan to help with the current tsunami devestation in Japan.

Calling All Ikea Snobs

I love Ikea. Yeah I know, it's cheap and cheerful and everybody recognises their products.  But, because their products are so cheap it allows you the courage to get a hammer and paint to them and turn them into something a little more personal.

Ikea Hackers does just this.  It's full of 'Ikea lovers' tips and ideas on converting their items into something new.

For example, ahem...


Dorothy Draper Chest How To



Rounded Bathroom Wall

Table Head Cabinet

The site is even easier to use now as they've added categories by product!

Take a look and get inspired.

xoxo

It's All In The Name

God I love Twitter (#justsaying) .  It has lead me to discover 'Nutrition Rocks'.

The name speaks for it's self. The brain child of Meg Mathews and Hala El Shafie, Nutrition Rocks is a mix of all things health, beauty, fashion, lifestyle and advice.

These seven glamorous girlies and 1 lucky guy say no to size zero and instead promote health, body confidence and well being.

The site only launched in June 2010 but there's enough on there to get you going.

It's only been a few days but I feel inspired already.  Please do not quote me for now, as this is a habit of mine.

Have a look and let me know what you think.

xoxo

Back to the Future

This is pure genius.  This project completly tunes in to my love for nostalgia.  Photographer Irina Werning recreates old family photos with the same people as they are today.

It took me a few looks to realise the faces weren't photoshoped into the original photo but that the whole scene had been recreated.  I want to post the whole project but it makes more sense to go take a look, PLUS it's an ongoing project.  Sooo clever. (Click the images for a closer look.)












I love that this picture shows that some parts of the world haven't changed that much at all. I like that.



I want to play!  Have you done anything similar?
xoxo

One day this will be mine

I absolutely adore this canvas by French artist Anouchka Potdevin.  Inspired buy the Louis Vuitton Spring 2010 catwalk show in Paris.

The hair is vintage buttons and the bow is vintage satin.  Gorgeous!

Image courtesy of Getty Images

It's The Weeeekend

Lets gooo

alternative

Currently Cyber Snooping (the friendly kind)...

...Reggie Yates

I've been a fan of Reggie Yates from way back when he used to present saturday morning kids tv with Fearne Cotton and another guy - don't judge, I was probably old enough to know better but it was ideal hangover TV. Since then the two friends, Reggie and Fearne, have been paired together on and off through their careers (bit like a really cool Ant and Dec) but are both equally very succesfull in their own right.
But what I'm really surprised and impressed by is his photagraphy - who knew?? I came accross them while on the Graham & Brown website looking for wall art inspiration.

The best images are on his own site reggieyatesphotography.com. There are 6 categories of photography, ranging from music to reportage.

It was really hard to choose the pictures to show you because they're all so amazing but here are some that stood out for me.

You should also take a look at Reggie's site reggieyates.com.  It's a real mix of culture, design and music all rounded with regies's undoubted humour.

xoxo

Show Some L O V E...

... If only for the fruit in your life.
 

Loving these cute fruit stickers from Twig & Thistle.  There's still time to use them on your valentine, but they're cute enough to be used for any occasion.

Click here for the free download from Twig & Thistle.

And They Said I Was Crazy...

... but I knew better.

Remember my Record Bowl post of all of a week ago?  Look! People sell them!

Here's a few I liked the look of online.   Click on the images to go to the link.
 

The Contemporary Home - £24.99

  

The Mad Planter - approx £19.14 



 

I Bake Cake- approx £3.19

       

Eye Pop Art - approx £37

Get the oven warmed up, there's money to be made!

xoxo



Chunky Pearl Necklace

I've discovered this site called PS I Made This. It's full of ideas and cheap alternatives to help us look uptodate and gorgeous!

The founder, creator, and author of the site, Ereka Domesek's motto is “I see it. I like it. I make it.“ I couldn't agree more.

I'm going to give this simple necklace idea a go, just need to get myself off to Primani for some pearls' and I'm away.

Follow the link for full how to.

xoxo

It's the weekend!

Have a great weekend and Dance!

xoxo

Mix & Match Dining Chairs

A friend was complaining to me about her need to get a new set of dinning chairs because after hosting a dinner party, to her embarrassment, it had only just occurred to her that her current set were mismatched. I've seen them, there are 2 or 3 different styles in the mix but hey, they all had a similar theme. I tried to convince her that it's OK now to have unmatched furniture as long as there's something in there to pull them together. She wasn't convinced. ping! an idea for a post was born...

Some of her chairs have upholstery but luckily they are all a country kitchen style pine chair,so adapting them should be quite simple.  I'm hoping to convince her of this with some fabric samples and some paint...  a 'Before and After' post may follow later...


dwell.com


apartment therapy


Divine Consign Oak Park


Divine Consign Oak Park


Decor Demon

I love the last three images in this post.  Having the same colour palette brings out the individuality of each of the chairs.

Have you got a similar scheme happening in your home?

xoxo

Record Bowl

 

Quick cheap and oh so easy (not me, the project).

 

 

  

What you will need:

1. One old vinyl record or if your brave enough a vintage classic would be ideal for a unique gift.
2. A heat resistant bowl or a empty tin can and baking sheet for ease.
3. An oven - set at about 150 degrees
4. oven mits

What to do:

1. Heat oven for a few minutes.
2. Place record on upturned bowl or can on the baking sheet and place in oven.
3. Take a look after about 1 minute and keep checking until desired meltage.
4. Remove et al from oven with mits and leave in place until hardened again.

Fill with what ever you see fit (I've used it for collected business cards).

 

xoxo

Word of the Week

TRYST

tryst(tryst)
Pronunciation: trist
literary
nouna private romantic rendezvous between lovers:
    a moonlight trystverb
keep a private, romantic rendezvous with a lover:
(as noun trysting)
    a trysting place

Where has this word gone?

I want to use this word, I want to do this word. I love this word.

I tried to find an image for this post but everything was cheesey and blurgh... until...



The dog peeking in the background does it for me! lol.  Thank you icanhazcheezburger.com.
xoxo

My Little Plot part one

Part of me fancies myself as super healthy cultured person, BUT unfortunately wine, smoking and cake puts pay to that! So to balance this I'm a bit of a glittery eco warrior trying to live off the land (8ft x 3ft raised bed and some pots to be precise) and be all natural.

Last weekend I started off some seeds in a mini propagator and promptly ignored them.



A few days later when I tripped over the tray... Look, growth!

So impressed.

I probably should tell you how I got this little bit of magic started, just incase anyone is foolish enough to take my advice??!!

1. Get a copy of 'Grow Fruit and Veg by Carol Kleine or like me have a great friend who knows your ambition well enough to surprise you with a copy.  Fantastic book. Simple information and instructions for growing every possible vegetable.
2. Mix together 50/50 compost and horticultural sand (not normal sand, I think it has chemicals in it).
3. Press into seed trays or small pots.  I do two thirds compacted then sprinkle the last third and lightly compact.
4. Add seeds (see individual packets for instructions) and add cover with more compost if instructed.
5. Important - Label your seeds even if it's a tray of one sort you will forget, although it could be a nice free suprise for you come the summer.
6. Water gently - the best way is to soak pots or tray in water for a about 1/2 hour or until compost is moist.
7. Place somewhere warm until you see some shoots. If you've used a propagator remove the lid once the shoots appear other wise they sweat then rot - attractive thought!

xoxo