Deck the halls..

I'm a bit late in posting this but I made my flat all Christmassy this week as I invited people round for a festive housewarming!

Any excuse for fairy lights :)

Lovely cards by the stairs

I love decorating the tree, it makes me super happy!  
This year I went for red and white and silver, with lots of handmade decorations and yummy peppermint candy canes  :)

Over the years I've gotten a lot of inspiration for Christmas time from my mum,  she always makes the house look really cosy and festive. 

Here are some photos from my parents' house to show you what I'm talking about...

Mum's Christmas cake. Unfortunately not my cup of tea, but looks very pretty!

Dusky orange roses were the centre pieces on our table for Christmas Day

I gave my mum some red 'berry' lights a couple of years ago and she uses them on the stairs weaved in and out of banisters and Christmas tree off-cuttings.

Mum always decorates the mantlepiece above the fire. this year she went for a gold and red theme.

Mum used gold spray to decorate the pine cones and nativity figures, Christmas tree off-cuttings, red glass baubles and red and
gold ribbon to match!
Love the log fire, ahhhh :)

Hope you all had a very happy Christmas!

Peebreeks xxx

Feeling festive...

Finally went back to work this week and despite still feeling unwell, I have been getting in the mood for Christmas!! Here are some of my favourite moments from the last couple of  weeks. Photos were taken with my phone so sorry if quality isn't brilliant :(

Went out to choose my Christmas tree - luckily there were still some beauties left!!

My class made some beautiful Tudor pomanders.  Really easy to do :)

1. Put two pieces of tape on an orange in a cross pattern to mark where the ribbon will be.
2.  Draw dotted design of where the cloves will be in felt-tip. 
3. Use a cocktail stick to go over the dotted design to make holes for the cloves, watch out for orange juice! 
4. Gently push the cloves into the oranges. 
5. Finish by tying 1 or 2 pieces of ribbon so that pomanders can be hung up. 

(You can also sprinkle sandalwood/ frankincense oil on if you like, but we skipped this part!)

Father Christmas passed through the town, he was in such a hurry, I hardly had time to get a photo :)

 Peebreeks xx

Scarf time!

As we move into colder weather, I have been trying to knit more.  Last winter I made 3 chunky scarves (lilac, maroon and grey) for some friends, no photos, sorry :( Have been working on this scarf for a while now, but as I've been ill, have managed to do a bit more!

I'm using old Jaeger no.1 wooden needles which are equivalent to 19mm. I cast on 12 stitches in garter stitch. I use 'Seriously Chunky' acrylic made by Cygnet.  I buy this from Dorothy House charity shops as they regularly sell it and obviously the money goes to a good cause!  I have used 1206 Bright Red, not true colour in photos for some reason... It is a pillarbox red, really bright. Tried to show colour in comparison to my nail!

Will try and post more photos when it is finished with tassels. 

Peebreeks xx

Chest infections suck..

So have been off work since last Monday with a chest infection which isn't nice :( 
Am bored out of my skull... Not a lot of energy and pretty drowsy most of the time.  So I decided I would paint my nails, inspired by Caggie (Made in Chelsea.)  I went for some paintbox bright colours to lift my mood!! 
Will try and write on what they all are later, in case anyone wants to know :)

 

Caggie's nails (cuppateaandtoast-Tumblr)



My nails- a bit bodged but still fun!

My nails

Caggie looking sad :( but fun nails

Peebreeks xx

Those were the good ol' days..

On Sunday I went to Bath Vintage and Antiques fair, held in Green Park Station every last Sunday of the month.  There was lots to see and bargains to be had!!

Here are some highlights from the stalls and neighbouring shops...


 

Lots of gorgeous BT telephones which have been restored to their former glory.  I have a couple of the cream ones at home already so didn't buy any more!

 

Extremely heavy hairdryer! As I remember, one of my sister's Sindy dolls had a mini pink hairdyer like this!

This made me laugh out loud, I love the fact that you can hang tinsel on one side and cheese and olives on the other!

Bring some food and you're all set for a lovely picnic :)

Kitsch mini-LP Player, I want want want a record player...



Pretty retro dress, great shape :)

Comic desk by Mr Moustache furniture (Warminster), awesome idea!
Was also v. tempted by a yellow table with moustaches..... 




My latest decor obsession is 50's style kitchens- so fun!

My sister had to drag me away, I could have quite happily played 'house' all day!!

Visit the market if you get the chance and enjoy retro style, definitely worth a look.

Peebreeks xx

Things that made me smile this week! (Things I love #5)

Finding it tricky to put up on the same day each week! 

Anyhoo, here's some things that have made me smile this week..

Love this pic, the contrast between the perfect ballerina and the slippers strung everywhere is great!
Via Pamella Santiago on Pinterest




Gorgeous peacock locket,  supposedly peacock feathers are unlucky but I have always loved the colours in them.  My nan used to keep some in a vase in her lounge so I have admired them from a young age!
Via pinmarklet on Pinterest

  


The pastel furniture and pin-up girl in this 50's style diner. 
 I'm not so keen on the white lights and cars though!
Via Kirsten Yanke on Pinterest.

  

Was really pleased that my clever mum made me this beautiful cupcakes skirt for work. 
 I got lots of compliments!  Hope to make some more skirts soon...




Loved making some moustache mugs for a friend's birthday recently. 
Really easy to make and good for a giggle!
I originally got the idea for Christmas pressies last year from
Kandee Johnson on http://www.kandeej.com









Really like flying birds tattoos lately, small but really cute!

Via Itzel Mdero on Pinterest



Via Gwen Powell on Pinterest.



Have listened to Daughter this week.  I heard 'Smother' last week on the radio and furiously hunted down the song!

Not the most upbeat music, but really soothing if you are feeling down and beautiful vocals. You can find them on Spotify. 

Photo via Vivoscene

Hope you like my choices this week :)

Peebreeks xx









Smiling Monday! ( Better late than never?) Things I love #4

Some bits and bobs that have floated my boat this week..



Cutesy 'ice-cream' balloons, these are v. girly but I like them.
Via www.ittybittyideas.com



Have been listening to a lot of 'Flight of The Conchords' this week, probably look peculiar to anyone driving by as I giggle to some of their classics! This artwork is lovely and has a retro feel that I really like.
Via www.tokyobunnie.blogspot.ca



As anyone who knows me will tell you, I love stars! These shoes are no exception, I could bust a few moves in these.... Haha!
Via www.animate-shoes.org



How cosy is this lantern? I love the sketch drawing that has been cut out to create a lovely shade :)
Via www.rebeccasdiy.blogspot.com




Loving this library, could spend a lot of time daydreaming in here...
Via www.oldhousedreams.com

Mason jars painted with glow-in-the-dark paint apparently.  I hope this actually works, they are amazing :)

Via www.simplycreativeinsanity.blogspot.com

Smiling Sunday!! (Things I love #3)

It's been a busy week...

First up, I love illustrated lyrics and think that this Mumford and Sons sketch is really cute.  The more observant amongst you will notice that his guitar doesn't appear to have any strings! Despite that, I really like it!  The lyrics are from the song 'White Blank Page' from their brilliant album 'Sigh No More'.  I listen to that album a lot and think they are incredibly talented musicians. I've been lucky enough to see them perform live twice and they definitely didn't disappoint.  Looking forward to their new album, out on 25th September.      

Via www.s1favin.com

I love this 'Dance like nobody's watching' vid in a Laundromat.  Like the way the random ladies just carry on with their washing!
Via http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVVXtknZVf0 

Really fancy trying out some map candles like this one- lovely idea! 
Via  Evelien Gebler on Pinterest.

I firmly believe this, you can't live with any regrets. 
Via pearls-curlsandasoutherngirl.tumblr.com

Really like this simple idea- Fairy lights poking through a plain canvas- soooo pretty!  Would be lovely in a bedroom or lounge.

Via Christian Stordahl on Pinterest 

How cool is this beautiful driftwood sculpture? :)
Via  Gwen Christie on Pinterest.

Yum yum! Ice-cream sprinkles stored in spice jars- wish these were in my cupboard! 
Via www.beneaththerowantree.blogspot.com

Peebreeks xxx

Smiling Sunday!! (Things I love #2)

Okay, so things I'm loving this week....

Beautiful unicorns and rainbows, I wish I had the patience to ice cookies like these...
Via Ellie Rose on www.pinterest.com





This is such a fun way to write out a recipe, I am a big chai-lover so will be making this ready for the autumn chilly nights!



Amazing mehndi tattoo, so pretty :)




Cute goldfish wallpaper designed by my friend Jen Moules, clever girl :).
Via http://pinterest.com/jenmoules/.



Prince Harry without a stitch! The 'Saltburn Yarnbomber' has left another cute knit for people to admire. Haha! Via www.saltburn-by-the-sea-blogspot.co.uk

 

Amy Winehouse- I'm still obsessed with her voice.  Love this photo of her, really shows off her style. 'Back to Black' is such an iconic album of our time and I think it's such a shame we won't have any more music from her.  There were always rumours of her doing a Bond theme, which would have been amazing.  'Love is a losing game' is that kind of epic song, which makes me think she would have been well suited to the job. 

Via http://pinterest.com/aamanda10/

Really like the craziness of this fabric by Ikea, makes me think of Heidi in the mountains! 

Hope to pick some up soon.

Via http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20163468/

Peebreeks xx