Autumn Will Soon Be Upon Us

I have to say that normally I am getting in the mood for decorating the house for Autumn. These are examples of last year's decs. In the first the book I am using is a copy of Pretty Nostalgic to which I used to subscribe. I still love to use the books for seasonal decorations and inspiration so take a look at my other posts if you get five minutes.
 

The book in the picture above is an old copy of A Diary Of An Edwardian Lady which I found in a charity shop for £1. It is great for paper crafting and, again, as a decoration as the illustrations are wonderful.

However, because of life being as it is just now I am not even thinking about it but I have to say the onset of Autumn is one of my favourite times of the year. I love the changing of the leaf colours, the crunch when you kick though them and that I will soon be able to cosy myself in my lovely wrap I keep downstairs when the evening start to get a little chilly. 

What time of the year do you prefer?

Pretty Nostalgic, me and mine.

After a fairly turbulent time recently, the newest issue of Pretty Nostalgic will very soon be hitting the doormats of its new Society members all over the country. 

 

  
The changes being made by the wonderful Nicole and her team are so exciting and I for one cannot wait!

So in celebration of this fact I have been looking at just a few of my favourite articles and features, going right back to issue1. (I was lucky enough to get my hands on every back issue and my book case looks all the better for it!)

As you know I have started sewing in the last few months and the regular A-Z feature in issue one was about haberdashery.  

There is just something about the idea of adding some nostalgia into a new project, I use these kind of items for things other than sewing, too. Vintage buttons and bows, fabric and fasteners. If you are looking for something special for your next project here are a couple of wonderful websites offering this type of sewing paraphernalia, Pocket and Pin and The Old Haberdashery. 

I have again chosen the A-Z feature in issue two as this is about afternoon tea. 

As you know I love baking and nothing beats a full cake tin when you need something yummy to go with a brew. One of my favourites has to be lemon drizzle, maybe because my boys and husband love it! Another regular bake is wholemeal banana muffins, often to be found in the boys' snack boxes on the afternoon school run with extra sometimes for friends at the park.

I am an established member of the #PostCircle scheme, thanks as always to the wonderful Anna from Tea with Miss Beatrix.

 I chose this feature in issue two about letter writing as I love writing to the eight or so people I have been regularly corresponding with for the last six months or so, due in part to Anna. I so enjoy opening my post box knowing the envelopes beautifully decorated with Washi tape, labels and stickers are from my #PostCircle and #happymail pals. We have great fun sharing our news and, as some of us are creative, we talk about our latest projects and I much prefer this to social media. I have no Facebook account and am seriously considering cancelling my Twitter account; only the other day I as explaining how I felt life is so instantaneous and there is no anticipation; that is what I love about getting a letter!

And lastly I chose an issue nine feature about Medical Memorabilia. I, too, have been collecting some sort of medical items because I bought a fantastic vintage first aid box. 

Since then I have been gathering things to pep it up a bit. Thanks to friends gifting items to me and buying some items from places such as flea markets, boot fairs and a website called
Vintage Purveyor I have amassed quite a collection as you can see. 

This is a really effective addition to my spare room.

I hope this vintage ramble gives you an idea of what you can expect as you turn the pages of this wonderful, soon to be, book. Join this Society which is helping us appreciate what went before, bringing it into the present and hopefully making our lives just a little Pretty Nostalgic!

Catch ya later. xx

Catching up, again.

Hello!

I have really been neglecting my little blog for a while so here I hope to make it up and that you enjoy catching up with me.

The first news I would like to share is that of issue 13 of Pretty Nostalgic. It was in trouble for a while but they have had a reprieve thanks to new subscribers and much support so the latest issue goes to print as we speak and here is a sneaky peak of the front cover.

This is such good news and we hope it will continue to inspire and encourage us to spend wisely, waste less and appreciate more. I did all I could with a mini Twitter campaign and if it helped at all I am very grateful - one for my Journal of Gratitude!

I have finally completed one of my unfinished sewing projects and here it is! I made this bag not sure when but if you could see inside you would witness a beautiful French seam! I have now added the panel of embellishment and the buttoned handles and I love love love it!

I recently met a lovely new friend, through another friend at school, and she has a wonderful blog called Little Bohemian Butterfly. Don't you just love the name? If so why not take a look for some sewing, crochet, up-cycling inspiration; it's beautifully laid out and has a wonderful feel to it.

Talking of new blog finds, words fail me in how to describe it but you MUST visit the wonderful world of Susan Branch.

Our dog, Jake, is now becoming a real part of the family and is 15 weeks old tomorrow. We had a lovely time yesterday, Bank Holiday Monday, walking him around our local beauty spot, Hollingworth Lake. He made lots of doggy friends along the way, had a paddle and we had coffee, cake and ice cream!





















I am sneaking in this slightly hurried blog post as both the boys are fettling in the shed with Jon so apologies for the roughness round the edges! I know I will not be called for anything, apart from my coffee that is in the microwave warming as I can hear it beeping at me!

I hope you enjoy my blog; I really do need to find some time to make it more attractive but I just seem to have other things to do! Hey ho, guess I'll just ramble on!

Thanks for stopping by anyway and catch ya later! xx

Call To Arms - Pretty Nostalgic Needs Our Assistance!!!

Pretty Nostalgic, our favourite British, independent magazine needs our help, immediately!!

To keep this wonderful publication going we are encouraging people to take out their lapsed subscriptions or a brand new one. 

Think of somebody with a birthday coming up, would they love it as much as we all do? This would make an ideal gift and you could also be making a donation to charity at the same time.

Nicole and Rae work so very hard, along with all of the fantastic contributors and subscribers, sharing theirs and our passion for all things well loved, vintage and up-cylced.

Please, please pass on this message via Twitter, Facebook or any other social media and keep alive, what is in my house anyhow, a beautifully British institution.

Thank you in anticipation.xx

My ramblings in Pretty Nostalgic - No Way!

Hello. This post is partly to cheer me along with the fact that the weather, quite frankly, is pants today!

I'm blogging about something very exciting which happened a couple of weeks ago. You know very well I am a huge fan of Pretty Nostalgic, the magazine about "creative and sustainable living inspired by the past". Well I sent in some of my non-blonde ramblings along with a picture of one of my vintage finds. Whilst emailing an order for more back copies, nearly have a full set now with just one to go, Nicole told me my letter would be printed in the next issue! Here is my published piece. Eeeek!

I should explain that Nicole is Editor-in-Chief and an owner of Pretty Nostalgic, along with Rae Edwards, and her very own home is also featured in the latest issue. Take a look here at her beautifully decorated mantlepiece. 

    



There are so many wonderful things to look at but I especially like the bunny in the tea cup and the hyacinths which are one of my favourite flowers in Spring.

I find Nicole's arrangement so very inspiring as I love to decorate my own mantle at all times of the year, and here it is just now! (It changes now and then but loving it right now.)

 

So I hope you enjoyed mine and Nicole's show and tell, but before I go, you still have time to order a subscription to Pretty Nostalgic to make your mum's day on Mothering Sunday - check out the link here on all of the subscription options for this lovely, lovely publication!

Catch ya later. xx

Random ramblings - nothing new there then!

Good evening. 

Today's post is inspired by Pretty Nostalgic (PN) magazine again. Sorry, can't help it! Whilst reading the latest issue, subscriptions to this delicious magazine are available here, I scribbled down, there I go again, a few things which inspired me, reminded me of stuff or just gave me ideas.

I have recently purchased a good supply of soda crystals, commonly know as bicarbonate of soda.

 

I have been using it for cleaning various things around the kitchen as I am in the middle of a kitchen deep clean. This involves cleaning out every cupboard and drawer, vacuuming those hard to get at areas, dusting cupboard tops and having a general de-clutter. So, making a paste of the crystals and a drop of water I have cleaned out most cupboards and they have come up shiny like a new pin. I think I will use it next time with a drop of lemon juice; this can increase the cleaning power and, of course, it smells lovely. I've put aside items which other people may want, that which is beyond the pale plus items for the charity shop. I always have a look round when I drop things off hoping that I see something the shop will trade for what I am taking them instead of crossing their palm with silver. Still yet to manage it!

I don't have a lots of recipes of my mums and I was not that interested in baking when I was younger so don't have an old exercise book of recipes like I think my oldest sister probably does. However, since becoming a fully-fledged fan of baking and cooking I have acquired a few more books. I think my current favourite recipe is cheese and sweetcorn scones, just yummy - I plan to add this to the Foody Fun page of my blog. I am, however, an avid fan of collecting recipes for all food be it savoury or sweet; this means I am continually increasing the size of my recipe folder!

I am keen to sew more, for myself, the boys or the house but need to find a way to fit it in with the other things I like to do. It occurred to me the other day that I could re-purpose and make do and mend something which only sees the light of day for the month of December. That item is my Christmas draught excluder. I think I should find some fabric with which to create a sleeve so I can use it at other times of the year. I don't think this would be a difficult sewing project and I really should get myself organised and do it very soon!

So, there we have a few ramblings from your friendly non-blonde blonde. They were inspired by PN so maybe you could also get inspired by them or just let me know what inspires you? I would love to know.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to hearing what inspires you.

Catch ya later! xx


 

A Little Catch Up On A Monday.

Hi. Thanks for stopping by - I really do appreciate it and look forward to you letting me know how you like my blog and its ramblings. Don't forget you can become one of my Friendly Followers or get my ramblings straight to your email box. Just check out the left hand side of the page for detail.

So, yes, time I let you know what I have been up to. Well, in the last week or so I have sent for, received in the post and replied to lots of lovely things. I received four letters from #PostCircle buddies and other friends then managed to reply to three of them whilst having some lovely me time.

One of the things I received in the post was something called a Weekend Box.  

This is a collection of activities to help occupy your little ones on a weekend. I know I never liked Sundays when I was young so this is a fun way to enjoy that family time. I am normally great at setting up activities for my two; a trip to the library and a quick (?!) internet search and I can normally come up with anything from a hospital role play set up or printables for an airport check in! I thought this would be fun and I did actually get a promotional code from a friend (thanks Jocelyn), who has a wonderful blog called The Reading Residence, so thought why not give it a go in readiness to use them when one of the boys has a birthday after this coming weekend?

I did a really dumb thing and bought a poor substitute for my regular calendar for this new year of 2014 and it just shows that false economy is a waste of time and money. I am waiting for delivery of a copy of my usual one, see here. It is by Sandra Boynton and the best planner/calendar I have ever had - as a bit of an organising freak it is just the job for me.

Something I am about to order in just a few minutes are the next two back copies of my new obsession Pretty Nostalgic. Being a subscriber means you can order these fab back copies for just £5. I  have sold one of my embellished journals so am using the money for a little treat. 

Talking of treats, I am stashing £5 when I go shopping each week to use as a treat for me and hubby. Not sure if I will make it two treats for the year or save it for near the end of the year or one every couple of months - have to see. Eeeek!

 I am currently doing really well with my Journal of Gratitude that I began at the beginning of January. See here the unfinished front cover which I MUST get done!

I am managing to keep up to date and I am grateful for that! as I would hate to waste a lovely note book with lots of lovely blank pages to fill with yet more of my ramblings! One positive quote I found which I tweaked for my Journal was "Always be happy with what you have whilst you are working towards what you want". So so very true. Loved that. For more of the same follow @the_speakmans on Twitter.

Today I began my Spring/deep clean around the house. I love the website called Orgnanized Home. I take some of my Household Notebook printables from here and when I saw this challenge I thought this was just the thing for me. This week sees me concentrating on the living room and today have made a great start with paintwork, curtain rails and lamp shades. The biggest job will be the sofas but I am up to the task, I  know it! 

Well, seeing as I lost the first draft of this earlier I think I will not tempt fate and just let you read this. Thanks again for stopping by; not sure why anybody would like to read my ramblings but at least I have a record for myself of the day to day life of me and mine. 

I am trying to do  some new things with my blog this year so watch this space.

Catch ya later. xx














 

What began as a magazine review....?!

 I began this piece of writing with the intention of it being a magazine review because today I received the first issue of my Pretty Nostalgic (PN) subscription.

However, as I gradually turned the pages it also turned into a wonderful trip down memory lane.

When I first enthusiastically tore off the plastic wrapper the first thing I noticed was the smell of the paper. Mmm. As I  meandered through the pages I noticed my #PostCircle was mentioned. (This was set up by Anna from Miss Beatrix, a lovely vintage-style blog I follow.)
 

 I was also reminded that when you subscribe to PN you will be helping a charity through a philanthropic £12 donation from the magazine. Also, when you buy a subscription you have the chance to buy the back issues for just £5 - I currently have issue 1 and 2 on order!

The article entitled 'Ready For My Close Up' was about vintage make up products. My memory was nudged about such things as 4711 Eau do Cologne in that distinctive blue and silver bottle. 

 I discovered kirby grips are called as such because they were made by Kirby, Beard & Co. Ltd! I was lead back to school days when, too many years ago, a boyfriend bought me some Norman Hartnell "In Love" talc. 

The images of talcum powder in tins reminded me of my paternal grandmother, as did the bath salts cubes. And while we are at it, can you actually buy perfume funnels anymore?! A men's grooming kit was featured and my husband and I recently bought something very similar for a family member as a gift. 

***Light bulb moment!! I think vintage beauty products would fit perfectly in my spare room!**

The next article which brought back memories was 'People Who Came To The Door' , about pedlars who, in days gone by, sold their wares from trays or bicycles offering anything from ice cream and haberdashery items to muffins and household products.

 It reminded me of Mr Crowson's corner shop when I was young with wooden floorboards and shelves behind the counter, but he would also come around the village on a Saturday with his van selling various items. Underneath the base of the van's shelves was a big, wooden drawer which, when opened, revealed a plethora of sweets and treats on which to spend our pocket money.

The 'Live By Our Motto' pages are something I am really trying to keep to, along with the PN pledge. 

I have mentioned in a previous post about having milk delivered, buying produce from the local market, making bread and writing letters. (You get the idea.) I have a small number of pen pals who live in places from Cornwall to Carmarthenshire - and I received two letters just today! On a family note, when my two boys are on their individual activities after school with dad me and the one staying at home play Battleships on paper and draughts instead of watching TV.

I hope you have enjoyed my little nostalgia trip. Each issue of Pretty Nostalgic is indeed a collectors item and should be treasured as much as the memories it evokes. This is exactly what happened when I read my copy today, and I have yet to get the most out of it by any stretch! I cannot WAIT for the next issue and I very much hope you buy your own copies to enjoy and treasure.

xxx

I've taken The Pledge!

I pledge to Pretty Nostalgic!

You may have realised that I am a great fan of Pretty Nostalgic, the fairly new publication I mentioned in my post yesterday. Well, I have taken my love of the magazine one step further and signed up to their pledge. Fancy doing the same? Visit their website at here.

Happy New Year!

 

 
I love the way that New Year' brings a fresh start for everybody. It can be a second, or third, chance to start again. I don't like making resolutions but always strive to try harder at what I do and improve a little. I love the first, clean page on a notebook and that is exactly how I feel about the beginning of a new year. (I started this post a day or so ago but some how it got deleted - arggghh -  so here I am again! Breathe.

I read an article about a couple who have shopped supermarket-free for a whole year, here is their blog. They are using local produce and supporting local suppliers and making from scratch with the ingredients they buy instead of buying what they need. I like the idea of this very much and so today I bought all of my fruit and veg for the week from a local greengrocer, the same one where I bought my cheap chutney tomatoes, I am waiting to find out if I can have my milk delivered, yesterday I made bread which I proved on the top of our wood-burner in the living room and today made four wholemeal pizza bases, complete with tomato paste and cheese, to go in the freezer instead of buying them. I love the idea of having bacon or sausage sandwiches with good door step bread slices for breakfast. Wish me luck and I hope to share some more of my exploits here with you.

I am also beginning the new year with a new magazine subscription that I have been absolutely dying to get. I have mentioned Pretty Nostalgic magazine before but if you are new to my blog check it out here. It is a wonderful magazine with a vintage feel which celebrates all things brilliantly British, gives you a guide to sustainable living and how to make do and mend. I love it! I also subscribe to Country Living magazine and these two just fuel my dream, but hopefully one day a reality, of wandering around in my apron and wellies feeding by chickens on a small holding with my husband somewhere in the Lake District.

Having issues with Blogger so better post this now before it disappears!

Catch ya later and thanks for stopping by. xx

Sunflowers can brighten anyone's day!

Today I bought some sunflowers after finding myself very envious indeed when I recently saw a front garden with around 10 of them soaring into the air for about eight feet! Mine are NOT quite that big but I love them - you just can't help smiling when you see them. I have used them in my decorations for autumn and am happy now with the result so thought I would share them with you. My plan is that as I have cut between five and six inches off the stems the water will not have so far up to go hence they may last that little bit longer?

A microwave is a microwave is a microwave so you have to make the best of it I suppose.

I do have some spare hessian/burlap, whichever you call it, so I my tweak this one. I bought a copy of A Country Diary Of An Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden from a charity shop for £1 a while ago and it comes in so handy for displays, card making and general crafting. (Much to my mother's dismay that I cut up any book at all!) The wood chips are from, well I can't remember where, and you can't go wrong with a spool of string. I am taking much of my inspiration from Country Living magazine - now all bow in unison!

Now, the front window flowers I sort of miss out on in the daytime because I like to have them facing out, but here they are in all their glory.

The little red dahlia is from my front garden, I thank you! Chuffed to be able to add something I actually grew myself. However, my little patch at the front of the house is in need of a certain amount of weeding, as are the boxes in the back yard, but that is for another day.

Finally, I love to decorate the mantle piece at any time of the year so autumn is no exception. Was looking for a mix of colours and textures again and quite happy with this.

The open-paged book is called The Magic Apple Tree by Susan Hill. It is just a wonderful look at the seasons of the year with the odd recipe, gardening tips and general goings on of country life. I have loved this book since being young and never fail to dip into it without finding a little gem of countryside-inspired prose. I love earthenware anything hence the plant pot and the flowery tin was found in "the shed".

Finally, and partly to cover the scaffolding from the pointing that is going on around that side of the house at the moment, this is the other window in the living room. This book was produced by the ladies at Pretty Nostalgic magazine. Much like the charity shop find, I use this wonderful 12 x 12 inch book for the things previously mentioned. Plus it is a wonderful source of ideas and lots of old and beloved things from the past that help you make your modern home just that little bit different, or that is how I feel anyway.

So, there you have it - my autumnal decorations. I am planning a scout around a few charity shops on Saturday I hope so may find a few more goodies then. Catch ya later! xx

Let's Get Pretty Nostalgic - Pretty Gorgeous, too!

Only recently did I discover, where have you been, the wonderful publication that is Pretty Nostalgic. 

This is a simply delightful celebration of our past and reminds us to Make Do and Mend, Count Your Blessings, Waste Not Want Not and lots of other advice! The newest edition is now on sale in WH Smiths and independent stockists such as vintage retailers.
 

So, check out the website and you can also find them on Facebook here.

 
I have also bought a copy of a book they produced which is called "Home - Happy Days From Vintage Ways".  

As a paper crafter I have been using images from the book to help create some of my journal embellishments.  

It is like the most wonderful pack of 12 x 12 scrapbooking papers with inspiration that helps me create wonderful paper craft lovelies, and because it is so packed with gorgeousness it will last me an age!

This is my latest journal using extracts from this amazing book.

 Come on everybody, lets get Pretty Nostalgic!