The Big Day

So the bunting went up, the only house in the row and maybe the only house in Shepton Mallet - I certainly haven't seen any more and was met with much embarrassment from my 8 year old son!!

But I'm glad I did - because whilst watching the television coverage of this wonderful occasion all morning, I felt extremely proud to be British and despite everyone else in the house hold being uninterested from the outset, by 11.00am everyone was watching!

We even had Royal Wedding sweets to celebrate!

1. 

The wedding was, as my daughter summed it up 'magical' - they both looked truly happy and very much in love.

And of course it was all sealed by 'the' kiss.

The Royal Wedding

(Cath Kidston Wedding Date)

So whether you like or loathe the upcoming Royal Wedding on Friday, there certainly is no escaping it.

I honestly do think that William and Kate make a lovely couple and wish them every happiness together.

But will you be celebrating with them?

I will put up a little bunting - not on the scale of Regent Street (above) and I will watch some of the television coverage, probably on my own, as the rest of the family aren't that bothered.

We will of course enjoy the extra day off together as a family and toast the happy couple but I haven't been tempted to buy any of the memorabilia that's out there. If I had, here are a couple of my favourites.

Granny Knits

Delightful Living



Taylors Type

Enjoy the celebrations on Friday, I know I shall!

Inspiration

So what inspires you?

I have 8 files full to bursting of images that I have collected over the years,


well since 1999 to be precise!

Each file holds a collection of scraps of paper ripped out of magazines before they got thrown away or passed on.

They are full of images and stories that inspire me. It might be a success story,


or an interior photograph in someones home.

It might be an article about a business and the story behind it.

There are images of gardens, seasons, celebrations.....

.... recipes, products or just lovely images.

I wouldn't be without these files for the world - they chart my design channels, the way my ideas have developed and styles have changed and evolved over the past 12 years.

I tweeted that I was sat, about to go through my magazines and I was met with tweets from like minded souls who either do just that - rip out and store their favourite images or those that keep the whole magazine because they couldn't bare to part with them!

It was then, that I was introduced to a way to store the wonderful images that I now stumble upon on the web. I had often wondered what was the most efficient way to keep an inspiration bank of images I find daily and Pinterest is the place to do just that.

I must confess that I have become a bit of an addict over the past few days but it is, a truly amazing visual collection. You can store your images in collections on 'boards' so that the images are easy to collate and subsequently easy to find. For example the above board is the red and aqua board and below, the bunting, wreaths and garlands board.

Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by other people.

What is even better is that you get to see what other people are 'pinning' and they get to see what interests you too!

You just sign up, add the pin icon to your toolbar and pin away and what's even better is that it does the technical bit of storing the source web codes for you.

I have honestly spent hours enjoying this visual feast that is Pinterest.

So now I have two places to store all those fabulous images that inspire me!

To check out my page and boards click here!

More Flea market finds...

Today, another of the fantastic Giant Flea Markets was being held on the Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet. It was a beautiful morning and despite getting there a good 20 minutes before it opened, the queue was the longest I've ever seen it.

I can't really put over the scale of it but it was the busiest that I've ever seen it - row upon row upon row of sellers.

I didn't need anything at all but there were too many tempting stalls today and bargains to be had!

I was first tempted by this lovely spotty plate (from Lottie Loves Vintage) and these lovely tins.

But then on the next stall there was this desk and the chairs were only £12.00 for the pair! So the desk has gone over to the premises for when/if we ever move to a bigger house!!

and the chairs have replaced a couple of rickety ones at home.

I couldn't resist this lovely round mirror and at just £22 I ended up bringing it home too.

And then there was this......... a 1950's retro kitchen cabinet!



I've wanted one, ever since I fell in love with this one from

Ruby and Bettys Attic

It's not on the same scale but I'm desperately trying to find a home for it - it can't live in the hallway forever. It needs a little clean up and the shelves need to be lined but as it was under £100, I thought it was just crying out to be bought - not sure my husband agrees!!!

Happy Easter

Tomorrow we will be busy so I thought I would find time this evening to wish you all a very Happy Easter - yesterday we enjoyed the traditional Easter Egg hunt over at Grandpa's.

The children love to meet up with their cousins and the Easter eggs are of course an added bonus!!



It was lovely to sit out in the garden.

As we have done again today at home - what unseasonably good weather we have had.

The paddling pool even made it out today.

Everywhere has been bathed in beautiful, warm sunshine.


This was the garden last year on the 28th of April, so a week ahead.....

...and this was it this evening - so much further on! I am just hoping the weather hasn't peaked too soon and this isn't actually our summer! With the beautiful sunny weather set to continue over the Easter weekend, I hope you all have a lovely time.

Happy Easter

My favourite little shop

If you are a regular blog follower, you will already know about my little shop of lovely things - furniture to be precise - but lovely old, country style furniture.

I thought I would share with you today some of the lovely bits and pieces I have collected over the years. They do not have much value in monetary terms but I love them all.

This was one of my first pieces, bought nearly 10yrs ago - I wanted/needed a piece of furniture to house the TV that wasn't modern and could hide all the gadgets, DVD's etc from view.

This lovely old chest doubled up as a seat for many years but houses all my rolls of wrapping paper - yes I like wrapping paper and yes, it's full to bursting!!

This little desk/table has been acquired by Sophie as a little dressing table - the mirror was also bought from Anne.

This set of drawers fits perfectly beside the computer desk - it's as if it was made to measure and of course was crying out to be bought.

This little chair was only £5.00 and sits nicely on the landing.

This old cupboard lives in the sitting room - it is shelved inside and is home to all the children's games and puzzles - bought for only £60!

This other wardrobe was only £75 and hides away all my bags and any pressies for the children as it can be locked!

But by far my most favourite piece is this little larder cupboard - it was green originally and I asked her to paint it cream.

I've lined all of the shelves with red and white spotty oilcloth and it houses all the food. If we ever move and it no longer has a need in the kitchen, it will be finding it's way into my studio!

Of course there is also the little blue dresser I use for my shows and now I have the premises, I may well be able to start to squirrel away other little bits and pieces.