Hey Ho, Hey Ho.......

Back to work yesterday following my three month hiatus post hysterectomy. It was strange. Strange because a number of people have gone in that brief period away. Redeployed to other areas of the NHS due to decommissioning of services. A number due to go in the next couple of weeks, people who I have loved working with for the last four years.

On my desk waiting was a small gift from a work friend, one whom I shall miss greatly ;-)

This beautiful votive with hand knitted sparkly cover.

I was touched by the words, both in the card and little tag attached.

 

Beautiful! I sat by candlelight watching the dancing patterns on the wall.

Wishing you a wonderful week wherever you are,
XX

Spring Updates

Spring has finally arrived - and with it showery weather, gggggrrrrr...

Although my home is for sale, it is still my home and like many I like to update and change my home around with the changing of the seasons.

New bedding and towels in lighter materials, candles with lighter fragrances, updates to rooms happen quickly with a lick of paint :-)

With lighter mornings I hang darker curtains. 

These are from Next, lovely velvet material, lined and the drape is lovely.

The bedding chest below I bought to store all our ski equipment, rather than having it in different places all over the house.

A new small painting, which I love - more on this later, but there is nothing like artwork to add a breath of fresh air! :-)

Move things around, give things new homes, shake things up a bit!

The rug below, thrown over the pew is a Flokati Rug from John Lewis. Bought to keep our bottoms warm whilst we eat, but also for Sebastian to play on. 

These are gorgeous rugs, made from lambs wool - 

Flokati rugs are handmade of shag wool rug, traditionally made by the Vlachs peoples of the Pindus mountains. The natural colour of a flokati rug is off-white and entire rug is wool, including the backing from which the tapered shag emerges. After the rug is woven, it is placed in the cold water of a river to fluff the shag.

& of course there is nothing like flowers to make you smile on a spring day!!

How do you welcome Spring into your home?
Happy Spring!
XX

Towels from The White Company and bedding & candle from TKMaxx

Snow Day

& this weekend has been all about keeping cosy! Layering - the bed, the sofa, me!

White Company faux fur throws for our beds bagged in the sale....sumptuous & warm

Hush roll neck jumper perfect for cosying up! Bag it now 71% off :-)

Cushions, sheepskins.......perfect for early morning blog reading ;-0 

 Scented Winter candles.......

 More layers for me - this wrap I live in when it's cold outside! 
I live in an old, draughty house, built 1650, I need layers!

 Tea - copious amounts of tea, caffeine free where possible - these are my faves

 & a warming tot of Disaronno before I go off to my cosy bed :-)

How do you keep warm?
Hope you've had a lovely weekend & big thank you for dropping by!
XX

A Gift Just Because

I bought myself some pretty candle holder's from The White Company in their sale.

An eclectic mix I then decided I would like to group them together on a tray - cue lots of internet searching to find something simple yet attractive & sensibly priced.

Nada - nothing - zilch!

Mentioning my hunt to my gorgeous friend 'C' (you know the one - bestest ever ever!!) she announced that she had one on her stall - Lily Goat at Bygone Times.

So, yesterday when I returned home there was a package waiting for me :-)

& it was exactly what I was looking for - *perfect*

It's made my December!! Thank you sooooo much 'C'

I just love lighting these & feeling festive, enjoying the flickering & twinkling, the glow and reflection - a candle gives hope & warms hearts.

Wishing all who drop by warm hearts!

XX

Awesome Autumn

I LOVE Autumn - my favourite time of year - & now definitely fully fledged!

I have had my camera with me constantly over the last couple of weeks, 

wanting to capture the things that say Autumn 

has REALLY arrived for me.

Sad that photographs cannot capture the stillness & chill in the air, 

warm breath in the cold air, leaves crunching underfoot 

& the smell of warming alcohol beverages - YUM!

Here's what I'm loving this Autumn :-)

Real fires

Building wood stores

Cosy cushions

The evening ritual of lighting candles

Last flowers of Summer clinging on...

My AGA, the heart & soul of my kitchen - 

she knows everybody's secrets - sssshhhhssshhh

Downton Abbey - ooohhh it's been 'Nitty Gritty!'

Loving Sunday Evening's :-)

Leaves crunching underfoot

Cheeky chilly day warm-ups ;-)

Film marathons - 60p each bargains!

Reading books that have been on my shelf oh, too long...

An Autumnal colour feast everywhere you look :-)

Pumpkins - soup, roasted, risotto...

Boots & cosy socks or even leg-warmers!!

Hot chocolate (& chocolate :-0)

Scarves in varying shades to mix it up a bit!

Sheepskins

& of course Fairylights!

What are you loving about Autumn?

XX