Wee surprises.

Don't you just love it when you stumble across something that makes you gasp with surprise and delight? My Mum and I were out doing the charity shop circuit in a small market town near where I'm from. Having dug through the rails I was wondering about one particular shop, arms loaded with potential buys when I noticed a door at the back with the words 'Retro Room' above it. I'm a sucker for the word 'Retro'. I'm also a sucker for adventure so in that room I went! Felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland if I'm honest. What greeted me as I stepped through the door actually made me gasp out loud. An absolute treasure trove of vintage wears. What I loved most, though, was the obvious time and effort that had gone in to the display. It was gorgeous! I don't know if it's the same everywhere but in the UK charity shops are staffed by volunteers and someone has poured their heart and soul in to this one. And it was just so unexpected! I spent ages in that room. I didn't want to leave that room. I felt like I had gone back in time and, honestly, I was bit reluctant to return to the 'Real World'. Unfortunately, return I did, but I can't wait to go back.

My New Obsession...

Whilst being a lazy moo the other evening and skim-reading Google Reader my eyes honed in on this little beauty....

Erm, hello. Will you look at those colours?! And that bag.... oh my, that bag. I wanted that bag. I had my credit card in my hand, I wanted it that badly. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I realised that if I wanted it.... I was going to have to make it. I've never done any kind of needlepoint or embroidery, really, but, having stared at it, imagined it in my hands and then imagined being asked in the street where I got it..... I convinced myself I could do it. And, for probably the first time in my life, something I'm making actually looks like the tutorial I'm following. This does NOT happen very often. I'm much more arty and capable in my head than I ever am in practice. I love it. I can't believe I've never done it before. It's so relaxing!

The tutorial can be  found over at Craftzine and was designed by the wonderful Danielle Thompson over at Thompson Family Life which is one of my most favourite kitschy, vintage blogs ever. Danielle is one of those people that make you want to redecorate every time she posts a new photo containing new, gorgeous colours that you'd never have put together. I'm kind of in awe of her actually. And eternally grateful for the introduction to my new obsession.

Miracles....

Well, have we had some drama over the weekend. In our house, along with Baby Boo and myself, we have a dog, cat, a few resident spiders and, of course 'A Hamster called Ollie'. Ollie is such a little character. We've had a couple over the years but none have nibbled their way in to our hearts in quite the same way as he has. Whenever Boo comes home for the holidays her first port of call is Ollie's cage (read 'palace'. I still wince when I think of how much it cost). She then proceeds to prod and poke at his bedding until he pokes his twitchy, little nose out thus enabling her to reach in and proceed to hug him to within an inch of his life. On Saturday when we arrived home for half term, Boo headed for Ollie Pops and I headed for the kettle. It took a couple of seconds for me to realise that she had gone very quiet and I turned round to find her sobbing that Ollie was dead. I'm ashamed to say that, at this point, I also fell apart and we spent a good ten minutes crying all over poor Ollie's cold, little body. We then rang MY Mum and sobbed down the phone to her. She suggested that we lay him out in a shoe box ready for his burial and we began to scoop his bedding from around him so we could gently remove him from his cage. Still crying, Boo reached in, placed her wee, little hand around Ollie...... and then screamed and promptly dropped him. 'He moved, Mum! He did! He moved!'. Further inspection resulted in a knowing nod from me, a shout of laughter from us both and the realisation that, in the 24 hours I had been out of the house, Ollie must have taken it upon himself to try this hibernating whotsit. I have to say, the room he's in was freezing. I felt awful. I can only assume he'd got so cold that his body told him it was time for a loooooong nap. Poor thing. Two hours of cuddles in front of the fire, some cheese and lots of kisses and Ollie is back to his naughty, cheeky self. He is also now known as 'Miracle Boy'.... which we felt was quite fitting in the circumstances. Welcome Back, Ollie! We loves ya!

Via

This Wednesday.... I want.

A Smeg fridge! And not just a little bit but a LOT. Unfortunately they cost a LOT and I don't have a LOT so now I'm sulking. A LOT....

I suppose I've got three options really.....

1.  Get over it.
2.  Start putting away a little bit of moolah every month.
3.  Paint current, crappy fridge a pretty colour and write 'Smeg' on it.

Oh what to do, what to do.

Think I'll just stare at these for a while whilst I ponder away...

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T Shirt Yarn

I have a pile of t shirts in the bottom of my wardrobe that taunt me every time I open the door? Why? Because they were collected for the sole purpose of making t shirt yarn some weeks months ago and I've yet to do anything of the sort. I have various tutorials bookmarked, it doesn't look particularly complicated but it's just one of those things I never quite find the time to do. Ahem. Anyway, the other day whilst browsing through Etsy I found some lovely multi-coloured yarn that put my pale, boring collection of clothing to shame. So I bought some. Instead of making it. I know, I know...

As soon as it arrived I fell on my crochet hook, desperate for that rug I have been dreaming about and saving a spot on my bedroom carpet for.

Um... I kind of love it so far. And I'm gutted I waited this long to start it. Such is life, eh? I haven't bought enough to make a decent sized rug so my reasoning is that I will be FORCED in to cutting in to my own little supply if I want it finished and in place as soon as possible. Which I do. Isn't it funny the things we put of for no apparent reason?!

Want one all for your very self? This is the best tutorial I have saved. And if you need help with crocheting in the round try here. My 'go to' for all things crochet.

Disney Love

Have you all seen the outfits inspired by Disney characters that have been flying around? They've been all over Pinterest and I soooooo love them! They're from Disney Bound and I could spend hours and spend millions if I wasn't in the middle of my 'I've got no money because of Christmas and the Boxing Day sales' phase I seem to go through every year! These are my favourites (so far):

Aren't they fabulous?! I want to go shopping but my purse seems to be empty. Sigh.

Much Love Monday - A crisp, new page.

I love the feeling at the start of a New Year. That feeling of being able to start again. It seems to be a fairly common theme that 2011 pretty much sucked for a lot of people. Family, friends, fellow bloggers... I've seen and heard so many comments along the lines of 'Well, thank God THAT's over. Moving on!'. 2011 was a hard one for me and Baby Boo. A lot of sadness, a lot of upheaval, a lot of readjusting. I'm glad it's over but I won't forget what I learned from it. Here's to a fresh start and a crisp, new page.

Via