Sometimes you have to compromise...

I know that all I have been posting about lately is the move to the new unit. That is all we have really had time for apart from also getting Miss P's new bedroom ready now that I have vacated it. It has been pretty much work, work and work recently. We have not had a day off for a while!

My choice of colour for the workroom room was a calm off white colour by Farrow & Ball called "Pointing". It is a shade that I have used in other areas in the house.


Miss P had very different ideas on how it should be decorated. The emphasis was on getting rid of the "boring old" vintage look and the floorboards! Miss P knew exactly what she wanted, two walls in electric blue, two walls in pink and a bright green carpet.

Being in to vintage and favouring more subtle colour schemes I was somewhat apprehensive at the thought of such bold and bright colours and having a bright grass green carpet instead of painted floorboards. I'll be honest, I was not too enamoured by the idea.

However, I recognised the importance of children having a room that they can feel is truly theirs and reflects their personality and tastes. It would be all to easy for me to go in there and turn the room into my vision of the child's vintage bedroom but it would not be fair on Miss P. It would be what I liked and not what Miss P liked.

I have seen many dream vintage looking children's bedrooms in magazines, books & websites and wonder how many of those children had a say in it?.... Do those bedrooms reflect the Mother's tastes or the child's?


Miss P adding her personal touch


This is fun!




After a first coat and I have to admit that it is looking better than I imagined.

I will post the final look when the green carpet has been fitted on Wednesday.

It is Alan's birthday tomorrow and we will be having our first day off in ages. I am looking forward to taking him out for a much deserved lunch at a nearby pub.

Have a lovely weekend!

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

Ooh, not another year older!


Oh well I can't do anything about it so I might as well enjoy it!


That's me on the left wearing a white top and a patchwork skirt, it looks like I was about to blow out the candles. You can guess when this picture was taken, look at the wallpaper and tablecloth...all very 70s, lots of brown and purple!


Dressed as Marie-Antoinette at a fancy dress party around the mid 1970s (France). My Aunt Suzy made the dress. I was so pleased with it. I still have it as well as the wig!


I would have been 15 or 16 years old and living in Affpuddle, Dorset. The grey cat next to me was called Misty. He was a wonderful cat and was very dear to me.


Aged 18 years old (Affpuddle Dorset) and dressed to go to an interview, I think.


Aged 21


and 23 years later... (most recent picture of me, taken in Devon in May 2010)
Yes you've done your sums right, I am 44 years old today!


Busy weekend ahead! Today: My birthday, a family wedding (one of Alan's cousins), drama & dancing practice for Miss P and on Sunday: We will be watching Miss P performing in a show organized by her drama school.

I wanted to give you a laugh with some of the bad hair days I had over the years. Unfortunately, the box with those photos is not easily accessible in the loft so I will dig them out some other time. My worst hair days were in the mid to late 1980s...and perhaps one or two in the 90s.

Whatever your plans are this weekend, may you have a good one!

I'll leave you with this photo of me on my 1st birthday (Love the hat...)


A bientôt!

Isabelle X

Steaming through the Somerset Countryside

The Birthday Girl

I have just returned from a lovely day out with my daughter, she will be 9 years old on Saturday. As she will be away with her Father on that day, I took her out on a Mother & daughter outing today. We went to East Somerset Railway at East Cranmore where Thomas the Tank engine is visiting. Over the past couple of days we have seen it go past our house and Miss P has been running out to wave to it. This time we were the passengers.


East Cranmore village. It has a very good pub called the Strode Arms which we go to from time to time.


Entrance to East Somerset Railway


Platform from a distance






View from the platform as you arrive


How different today's suitcases look...not as lovely as these



East Cranmore platform




I love the red telephone boxes, I do hope that they are never phased out.


The inside of the telephone box.


Such character!






Time to hop on to the train for a ride





Miss P is very excited! "Look, our house" she shouts out


Scenery on the way



We stop briefly at Mendip Vale Station to watch Thomas go to the front of the train, ready to make it's way back to East Cranmore

The show is about to begin


Miss P watched the Punch & Judy show (something I never took to, I still don't always get the British sense of humour sometimes...)


Wheee!!!!


Just had to come back with a little something to remind me of the day out. I look forward to trying out some of the lovely West Country recipes.


I really like the covers of this range of books by J. Salmon


I had a great day out!

We both enjoyed the day, weather was good. The only down side were the wasps! They were everywhere. That time of the year...


Thank you for all your lovely comments on DEVON BLISS posts! :0))


A bientôt!

Isabelle X

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!!!!

Tomorrow (Friday 10th July) is my birthday and to celebrate, I am having a giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post please.
The winner will be picked using an online random number generator. I will post worldwide so the giveaway applies to all!

The draw will take place on FRIDAY 17th JULY 2009 at 12 noon (UK time).

The winner will receive these items.



72 Pink Heart paper doilies, union jack notebook, VV Rouleaux blue crystal buckle


Vintage millinery leaves, Roger & Gallet carnation soap, vintage fabrics
Vintage trimmings and buttons too...

Events have taken over of late, Larry (cat) needing a little operation (He is fine now), water leaking in lounge (carpet has to be pulled up). There is more... but I won't bore you with the rest! It has been a strange couple of weeks!


A bientot


Isabelle X

An un-expected blogging break!

Hello!

After an absence of almost 3 weeks, I am back again. Computer & Internet problems have been the main cause. I have also been extremely busy generally. I have changed computer and am up and running again. I was going to feature The Vintage and Handmade Fair after having taken several photos of the lovely events but that evening is when all the troubles started.

I had a fantastic time there, it was so nice to meet some fellow bloggers for the first time and others whom I have met before. Here are some of the gorgeous things that I brought back home with me.

Knitting bag from Amanda (Shabby Chic -Totnes market)

Plate from Lucy Bloom and cup mauve tea set x 4 from The Vintage Magpie


Pink embroidered cushion from Amanda (Shabby Chick)

The two gorgeous bunnies from the The Vintage Magpie

The green coat hanger from HenHouse

Decorative picture with 2 girls from Sal's Snippets

Vintage dress from Liz The Washerwoman

I finally placed my order with Cath Kidston using the Easy Living Magazine discount and here are some of the goodies.

Tablecloth and two pillowcases

Plates, bowls, jug, pink (not shown) and blue glasses


Two more pillowcases (As if I didn't have enough... I am a bit like Posy when it comes to pillowcases)

During these past couple of weeks, I have started learning how to do crochet at Marmalade Yarns in Frome. They run courses, mine started 2 weeks ago and runs for 5 weeks (1.5 hours a week). I have had 2 lessons so far and love it!

Inspired by Attic24, Julia Crossland, HenHouse, Posy and other blogs. I decided I that I really wanted to have the satisfaction of having crochet things made by me instead of buying them. The whole process and very therapeutic (once you get the hang of it!)

Marmalade Yarns shop interior

Taking notes and learning how to make Granny squares

On Tuesday, my way back to the car, I popped in to The Golden Goose to buy an oilcloth tablecloth (another passion of mine, I can't stop collecting table cloths) and some paper lanterns.

More news on how I am progressing with my crochet next week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Lilly and Larry who are 1 today!

Off to Bristol (Clifton) tomorrow to do a spot of shopping.

A bientôt!

Isabelle