Feeling in need of a colour injection.

Been wearing way too much black recently and now my flip flops are firmly planted back on my feet, I feel the need for a little colour. Just a bit mind you. These are my favourites from a little Summer blog surfing over at The Satorialist.

This picture of Sofia Hedstrom is amazing. I think i love her.
Kinda reminds me of Gwen Stefani huh?

The white blue dress and tan belt got me here. Not too sure I'd pull off the other combo though.

And this little beauty is exactly how i'd like to see Sebby dressed...if he'll keep a hat on that is.

Fashion Icon

In need of some inspiration here. I Bet Kirstie Allsopp has no problem getting dressed in the morning. She is cool relaxed and classic. I'm all over that. Just don't pull it off quite as well. Maybe its the fluro sunglasses?

All images from google

FAVOURITE BLOG FRIDAY

So I thought i'd go oldschool and show you the first blog i ever found and fell in love with a couple of years ago.
A Bit East

Keisha has a way of creating the most amazing beautiful scrapbook pages as if were a piece of art in its own right. They were the things that introduced me to scrapping and wanting to scrapbook my own pictures and memories. Not that i've actually got around to do that much...(and you wondered where 'procrastination mama' came from?!) They are an inspiration. I also totally love looking at her interiors and the best of all her studio.

I salivate over this picture (yep the one above NOT the dog!)

But her photos are pretty hot too.

If you want to see more go and check her out.

Happy Weekend folks!

TIN COLLECTION

Just some of my collection. I love these tins. The Prince and Princess of Wales tin has kept buttons in it for over 30 years and has done a damn fine job of looking good at the same time. The M&S cream tin i stole off my mother in law at Christmas and is housing some paintbrushes but not sure what to do with the French tin i bought a couple of summers ago in Saubriges, France. I love the colours. Any ideas you imaginary readers?

MY SEEDS ARE GROWING!

So excited to see these growing. My new veggie project is coming along nicely. I'm kinda an instant gratification girl so these coming up so quickly is keeping me a happy lady! And the kids too.

Children's bedroom is finished!

AFTER!

It is always hard trying to create a joint room for two different sexes that is feminine enough for a 3 year old girly girl and a 1 year old boisterous boy, and still give the room some time for them to grow into it, but this just seems to work. It was awkward trying to mix two rooms of furniture into one as they were different but until they are both in matching single beds it can be more of an eclectic look! Well there's always room for improvement but this is it right now!

Love this blanket Kitty had as a baby from Mamas and Papas

And how cute are the lion bookends?!

This colour combination is enough to make me smile.

Mr Stripy rabbit was bought in Canada when i was pregnant with Kitty so it has such a pride of place in their room with the Creative Thursday prints.

The blind is Ikea Fabler fabric.
My friend Karen made them up for me. It totally makes the room for me.

The photos are in painted Ikea frames. The 'Amazing' name prints are by Kal Barteski

Love my new Belle and Boo Print.
The Belle and Boo postcards i picked up in Paperchase for a steal!

I painted the old mirror yellow and the Ikea chair pink but nearly everything else we already had.

The BEFORE shot!

This was taken before we moved in when it was a spare bedroom.

A post for Liam

Recently i saw this. Thought its good karma to share others stories. Donate or not but just wanted to show you imaginary readers and tick off my good citizen of the week badge. Always makes me feel warm and fuzzy and that's a feeling i like.

You can link to the site and find out his story here : Liam

FAVOURITE BLOG FRIDAY

Hey all, I have been so inspired lately by all my favourite blogs I've decided to share a new one with you each week. This week its a new one for me that i've recently discovered.

Hus and Hem. This is basically a magazine blog. Now to be honest I have absolutely no idea what anything says on the site but that is irrelevant. If you like Scandi living you'll be in heaven. Don't they say a picture is worth a thousand words or something?! My favourite part on their site is the house tours (hem) and I think you'll see why. They are quite literally hours of inspiration.

Cakedy cake

This is a damn fine cake my friends and so i feel compelled to tell all you imaginary readers the recipe so you can go forth and make it for yourselves. It is the most moist cake ever! Go on, you'll thank me

imaginary readers response: "Thanks Tracey!"

And the beauty is its sooo quick because you don't even need to make buttercream to go on it.

From Nigella Lawson's 'How to be a Domestic Godess' (as if i need help..ahem...)

Easy Almond Cake
250g soft butter
250g soft marzipan
150g Caster Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Almond Essence
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
6 Large Eggs (free range please people )
150g self raising flour

25cm buttered & floured patterned ring mould/springform tube pan or i just use a circular 18cm cake tin. (And i just realised i have never floured my tin either! whoops.

Preheat 170 oc /gas mark 3
Chop butter and marzipan and combine with the sugar until smooth.
Add Almond and Vanilla
Break eggs one at a time processing each time. (this cake is easier if you use a mixer)
Tip in the flour, process again.

Whack the mixture in the tin.

Cook for 45-50 mins. Check from 40. It should be golden brown in colour then use a piece of spagetti or a skewer to check. If it comes out clean it cooked!

Leave in tin to cool before turning out.

Add icing sugar and edible glitter to decorate.
If you want to make it look fancy put raspberries on it (or in it, as you can make it in a ring mould too.)

Bob's your uncle...your done!

i love my blackboard

...the kids love my blackboard. That's all folks.

(This is the 'before' shot from before we moved in. The blackboard was the first thing we painted. Our kitchen is quite large and the black really brings the room together and makes it a whole lot more cosy.)

Weekend Action

Busy weekend with favourite friends, painting, laughing, sleeping, playing, making camps, building, getting mucky, digging, planting, cooking and just a bit of naked dancing/running/screaming/laughing/childsplay.