Birthday Picnic Joy

On Sunday Ella, Libby (sister), Charlotte (cousin), and I, took Anna (cousin and sister of Charlotte) on a girly birthday picnic, Luckily the weather was fantasic (which I was a bit worried about after how the beginning of the week was), and we had a brilliant day. Our picnic location was by the lake at Ashlyns Organic Farm in North Weald, which is where Anna and Charlotte grew up, and where Libby, William and I used to spend what seemed liked endless summers with them and my Dad used to call us the 'Famous Five'.

So we had a bit of a trip down memory lane and after the picnic, we drove to Anna and Charlotte's old house, and sat outside it in the car, with the neighbours giving us strange looks, then we went and got an ice cream from the shop and walked to 'the rocks' (a clump of concrete slabs dumped in the middle of a field on a hill) which as you probably know for yourselves if you have been back to a place from your childhood - looked a lot smaller!

Anyway, here are some pictures of our nostalgic afternoon.

Libby teaching Ella a move from 'Karate Kid', we also acted out a scene from 'Dirty Dancing' you probably all know which one I mean!

Anna and Ella on 'the rocks'

Libby, Charlotte and Ella under the parasol

and some lovely brown cows we met on our way to the lake.

Oh the Glamour!!

Although my house is decorated mostly in a cosy country cottage style, I sometimes need to indulge my magpie tendancy for a bit of sparkle, so my bedroom, as I mentioned in a previous post, is in the slow process of being redecorated (it's been the same as when we moved in nearly two years ago with disgusting purple walls) - inspired by my love for Art Deco glamour, in pale shell colours, with lots of silk, mother-of-pearl, and ideally some mirrored furniture.
So here are some photos to give you the general idea, including a picture of a few of my 1920's-30's beaded purses which I collect, I've got about 15 now.

This pretty little lace butterfly brooch I found in the house when we moved in, it was in the cuboard under the stairs, hooked onto an iron holder screwed to the wall!

I have finally finished the silk curtains for my room, hurrah!!!
Here are some pics, I had to take them with the flash, because the light coming through the window made it impossible to get any kind of definition, so it made them look a lot more shiny than they actually are. Also, ignore the purple walls trying to get into shot

Blog Award

I'd like to say a big thank you to Jayne at Country Cottage Chic for awarding me the *Nice Matters* Award last week!
Thanks so much for thinking of me!

The Nice Matters Award is the idea of Genevieve at Bella-Enchanted. This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.


So now I have spread the love, and nominate 7 other lovely bloggers to receive it too, It was very difficult, as there are so many lovely blogs out there, and I've noticed that some of you that I would have choosen have already have been awarded, so after much deliberation, i've decided to choose ....

Nesty

Buttercup & Roses

So Tread Softly

Country Chic

Hope and Faith

Louise Loves

Tiny Happy

Congratulations girls!!!

Giant Teacups, Pink Cup Cakes, and Summer Dresses......

Bonjour! I'm back, and feeling a lot better. Thank you to all of you for your lovely advice with regards to the ice-cream, it did the trick!

Yesterday I did two things that made me happy.........

number one........I made Ella a pretty summer dress, like I'd promised (my first one, so quite simple, but very sweet)

I'm thinking of putting some little patch pockets on the front, but haven't found the right fabric yet

number two........I made pink cup-cakes with Ella

and I actually made them with her, rather than her just watching while I did everything, I let her crack all the eggs (with a bit of mild supervision) and sieve the flour, sugar etc, but I did have to bite my tongue a couple of times when decorating them with icing and sprinkles. The best part was licking the bowl!

'Is that a giant teacup dwarfing the roberts radio?' I hear you cry...............

Noooo, its a very cute standy uppy gift bag from camden lock market that I just could not resist buying, I'm not sure I'm even going to use it as a gift bag, I'm just going to hang it from my notice board and look at it for a bit!
Have a lovely weekend everyone, especially you brits, get the barbeques, and the picnic paraphernalia ready, it's gonna be a scorcher!

Feeling neglected

It happens to us all, I have been neglecting my blog a little, I can't believe that it has been two weeks, since I last posted!
So the beautiful weather has arrived at last, but I, on the other hand, am feeling low, since sunday I have been feeling very achy and a bit delicate, and since monday I feel like I'm gulping down a golf ball everytime I swallow. So here I am drinking several cups of tea (as it seems to soothe my throat) I wondering what to type today, but I can't think of anything, so instead here is a catchy little number I heard on the radio on friday, that I liked and got the whistling bit stuck in my head so I thought that I'd share it with you. It's by Peter, Bjorn and John feat. Victoria Bergsman and it's called 'Young Folks'.