Blue skies, beautiful bricks and yellow flowers... Last week it was all about the pink blossom. This week I've been bowled over by the beautiful forsythia blooming all round the town. Normally we have lots in our garden, but sadly we had to cut our big shrub back last autumn as it wasn't very ...
Simple no-sew lavender bags
I got the idea for these no-sew lavender bags from my son's school. They're definitely simple. They're also really useful – lavender not only smells lovely, it protects your clothes from moths too. Here's what you need to do... Cut out some circles of fabric. I drew round a small plate with a ...
Things to do in April: visit an auction
You might not think you're the kind of person who goes to auctions. Maybe you worry you're not an expert on antiques and you won't be allowed in if you don't know a barometer from a bureau. But, actually, none of that matters. An auction is a great experience which is open to everyone – whether ...
Three things I’m loving this week…
Blossom... it's everywhere. Coupled with the blue skies we've been having, it feeling feels like spring has finally sprung. Every year, the fluffy clouds of pastel blossom take me by surprise. I find myself gazing at them in wonder as if they've never happened before. Amazing how a long grey winter ...
Our Easter holiday: chocolate, castles and an extinct volcano
Hello from the other side of the Easter holidays! It's been very quiet around here lately, as I've been spending time with my two energetic boys on their long school holidays. I hadn't meant to have such a long break from the blog, so this is a bit of a rambling post. The Easter weekend was ...
New arrivals in the shop!
First up are these beautiful Liberty print goodies... 100 cake cases £10 / stickers £6 / miniature crackers £10 There are also some fabulous new accessories... Layla Amber red flower necklace £11 Days of the week hair clips £7.50 And last, but not least, there are some lovely ...
When you own too many books…
I used to be a bookseller. Books weren't just functional objects, they were things of beauty – to be coveted and revered. Over the years my own collection of books grew and grew. Browsing bookshops and charity shops was a favourite pastime – rarely a week would go by without a few new ones creeping ...
Review: Jamie’s Pizzeria, Cambridge
One of the joys of your children getting older is the increasing spontaneity and flexibility. Meals out with babies and toddlers are hard: buggies, changing bags, wet wipes, sippy cups... Actually, we still need the wet wipes, but these days with two school-age children things are getting much ...
A good old-fashioned Easter egg hunt
Easter wouldn't be Easter without a egg hunt. Ever since our boys were tiny, we've enjoyed doing one every year. Each time, they're slightly different – from their first wobbly steps to elaborate treasure hunts. Last year we even did one in the garden of a beautiful Welsh holiday cottage – with the ...
Waving goodbye to winter
It feels like ages since I've written about the little things in life – what we've been doing, seeing, eating. It's long overdue! Getting outdoors It's still surprisingly cold here in East Anglia, but we're gradually emerging from winter. I love hibernating, but there comes a point when you ...
An Easter giveaway!
I've thoroughly enjoyed choosing the things for my shop and now I want to share a special treat with you – the chance to enter a rather nice Easter Giveaway. Just the thing to cheer up a Monday morning! The prize is the lovely bundle of goodies shown above – a Renu jug, a sweet blossom candle and ...
Flower bomb your bedroom this spring!
Did I mention how much I love flowers? If you're a regular reader you'll already know how much I love filling my home with flowers – in a jug, on a cushion cover or perhaps on the wall. One place in my home that I particularly love to fill with flowers is my bedroom. I may share the room with my ...