getting there, slowly...

An actual picture of the actual paint we are using

 OK, so nearly 2 months on and we still haven't moved into our new home. But it's coming, slow and steadily. As they say- good things come to those who wait and so wait we must.

 This morning I've been to meet with the fire guy, the nice man who's going to make our living room all cosy and warm with a wood burning stove (I'm hugely excited about this, could the reality of a wood burner live up to the one that exists in my head? Yes, I think so! It's gonna be awesome!) Haggling isn't as hard as I feared, in fact I may be a natural, you don't have to be forceful and hard, there is another way that involves being nice . 

(Hooray for all the nice people getting money off you don't have to be a dickhead after all!)

 Plus, my Dad got a little crazy with a sledgehammer and our kitchen and dining rooms are now a kitchen/ diner! Lots more space, lots more light and lots more potential. It makes me happy to see it all take shape, it feels more like our home now, I can imagine it filled with our things, or furniture and bits-and-bobs. 

 So, we're thinking that we'll be in in around 3 and a half weeks. Hopefully. Partially. Without a kitchen. 

 And I'm counting down the days.

a few good things...

This lady's art work is stunning.

27 ideas that make today better. 

Such cute swimwear don't you think? 

Conran at M&S, oh my.

Things We Say Today Which We Owe To Shakespeare - this list is just awesome!  

Emily Martin's greetings cards make me go oooo. 

I'm gonna try my damnedest to visit this shop/cafe when I'm in London next month.

Elsie's tips on photographing your home. To be honest, I haven't even read this one properly yet but I just know it's gonna be great. 

How do you deal with infertility? A great, honest and inspiring post on Sarah Wilson's blog.

(This made me feel warm and fuzzy.)X

Right now I'm reading...

...Luella's Guide to English Style

 'From the sheer rock and rollness of Marianne Faithfull to the 
epitome of English aristocracy, the Duchess of Devonshire, feeding her chickens in pearls and Wellingtons...'
Luella Bartley

 Finally getting around to reading Luella Bartley's Luella's Guide to English Style. So far so good. I've been making little notes on the pages in pencil which is making me feel very naughty (I've always been a good girl when it comes to looking after books) so I have lots of quotes and things to inspire me saved up. Like this one!

 'Money-is-no-object thinking comes at a price. Too much cash means zero creativity and none of the groundwork or lineage needed to figure out what makes a good status purchase. You're not going to find your true self poncing around Harvey Nichols until you've done your apprenticeship in the markets, high street, charity shops and jumble sales, experimenting, altering, and making proper, individual, out-there choices - and mistakes.'
Luella Bartley

 In that case, my apprenticeship seems to be taking forever.

 Here's another great quote that rang true with me (especially right now this minute with my rained on, tangled mess of a hair-do)-
 
'...hair is one of the most telling signs of true English style and the brush is it's worse enemy...'

 
 The book itself is gorgeous too, with an aged look and a bright pink elastic band to keep your page. Genius!

 This book does feel a little like a text book (that's probably why I feel the need to deface it with scribbles in the margins) but it's certainly got me thinking about the joys of style-individuality and the evils of style-globalisation. Luella's love of clothes and dressing up is clear and her excitement and enthusiasm are infectious. If you're a lover of fashion and style books like me then you could do worse than with this addition to the collection.

on the weekend

  Too much good food, a little too much wine, good friends, my Dad's birthday, the opera, after-show parties, wood burning stove shopping, rain, choosing paint colours, counting our pennies, spending our pennies, house warming gifts and one night with no sleep. 

 Today I'm tired. 

 Edie is growing up so fast, she's not quite 2 and a half yet but she is so knowing and funny and charming, she continually amazes me. She's blossoming and learning so fast it takes my breath away. I love to see her little idiosyncrasies and quirks show themselves as I get to know her better. 

 I look at her and I feel so lucky.

Back from the beach

 We had a lovely time at the beach. It was windy, we swam in the sea, we ate fish and chips, we lit the wood burner and drank wine, we picnicked in the sunny drizzle, we saw seal mummies trying to get their seal babies into the sea and swimming, we went vintage hunting and came home with a stash of pretties, we had our futures told, we saw the stars, we heard the wind howl through the cracks at night, we collected shells, we screamed on the ghost train, we ate tapas, we cheered when the sun came out, we were busy and happy and totally worn out at the end of every day but in a good way.

 

 Time to start planning our next trip, next month we're off to the city, to our old home, London. Can't wait.

A few good things

Fall In Love With You All Over Again with Hello Giggles, read it, it's ace. (Found via Charade). 

These free printable stickers would be great for kids books or for big kids books (like mine).

How to Improve Every Moment the Zen Habits way.

The Awesome Thing About Rejection Is - from The Daily Love. It makes sense.

Want ideas for wonderful dates in London Town? Look no further! Found via the ever lovely Sparkles and Crumbs.

This guy is awesome, WOW, inspirational or what?


Karen Elson, always cool, even when doing this. Especially when doing this.

We're off to the beach for a few days to say goodbye to the summer. X