Fairy Lights and Geek Chic

I've said it before but I love fairy lights.  I have them all around the house.  In fact, I think there is some kind of fairy light arrangement in every room apart from the kitchen and the bathroom (must rectify that).    

These cotton ball lights were a gift from Santa.  I'm so happy with them and they are doing a grand job of putting a smile on this grumpy old boat race of mine at the moment.  

I am currently sporting a huge new wrinkle which I am quite certain is nothing to do with my advancing years and everything to do with me squinting and/or frowning for the majority of the day due to my gammy eye.   The second the Doc gives me the all clear, I will be back behind the wheel and whisking myself off for a Guinot 'lifting' facial.  That's a promise, sista.

I picked up these Belle & Boo postcards in Paperchase the other day.  I love these illustrations; absolutely fist-clenchingly LOVE them.  So I went online and ordered more, together with some gorgeous little notebooks.  I like having a nice pile of pretty, fresh new notebooks ready to use.  A stash of notecards and postage stamps in my desk drawer makes me feel super-organised and like an all-round better person.

This lovely little fella was another gift from Santa.  I know - it looks like my gifts got mixed up with a three-year old's.  In fact, I bought the same lamp for my nearly-3-year-old niece who is currently scared witless of the 'big mouse' coming to get her in the night (from The Gruffalo's Child, I think).  

Fact is, I'm a bit scared of the dark too.  I don't mind admitting it.  If I wake up in the night I like to put a light on and Andrew (bless him) wakes up with a bit of a start if I switch the bedside lamp on.  And then he tells me off.  This little rabbit gives a lovely low, warm light that I find comforting and doesn't disturb the sleeping beauty beside me.  (Plus I think it's cuuute.)

It would be remiss of me to exclude my lush pearly fairy lights that I've pictured before, given that this is a post about my fairy light addiction...

 

And here's my current 'Face Of The Day'. New glasses, bed hair and no make up.  I'm getting bored of this geek chic thing already.  (I realise that the 'chic' bit needs some work.)

I don't wear a lot of make-up but I do like a bit of black mascara and smoky eyeliner.  Can't wait to wear it again and give myself a proper blow-dry.  I've bought a few new things to wear for work (I really need to go into the office once or twice a week this year - I usually work from home).  I've got three pairs of skinny trousers, a few loose chiffon blouses, a smart new coat and two gorgeous pairs of nude patent courts that I can't wait to flounce around in.  

I'm not the only one with a new look - the pooch had a short back and sides last week.  She is now uber-soft and smells so clean.  The perfect snuggle companion right now. 

 

This post was only going to be quick but it turned into a bit of a novel.  Sorry about that.

I've got a busy time coming up - my family birthdays are all within the next six weeks and I have at least three cakes to make including a jungle-themed cake and matching cupcakes for afore-mentioned niece's 3rd birthday party.  It's my grandma's 80th and my dad's 60th so I really want to make something special for them too.  Ideas are running riot in my head but I've learnt from the hippo cake mistake last time (see previous attempts here) and will make my grandma something sober with flowers on this time!   

Thanks for popping by - hope you're having a lovely week.  

Nicki 

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Sulking in the Bedroom

We have discovered a serious case of damp in the dining room.  If I recount the full story I will crumple to the floor in a wailing heap so I'll keep it brief:  floor to be dug up, new granite fireplace to be 'prised off' [builder's words], 4 inches of concrete to be laid, approx 75 days for concrete to dry, must vacate premises for approx one week, all to be done urgently, enormous expense, moving in with mother-in-law temporarily, told off a bit by boss for needing to take time off at short notice, entire contents of kitchen and dining room had to be removed, whole house a tip.  Phew!  Other than that, everything's great!

In order to remain sane and keep the tears of frustration at bay I'm sulking in the bedroom with my Kindle, crochet and laptop.  (And a large bottle of Jack hidden under my jumper.)

I lit a few candles...

Switched on the fairy lights... 

And am ooohing and ahhing over my new CK bedding:

♥♥♥  Loving how it looks with my WIP blanket and the dotty cushions. ♥♥♥ Thinking that I could make a blanket especially for the bedroom and perhaps a couple of cushion covers... 

♥♥ Dreaming and planning... ♥♥ Love it ♥♥

Florals are gradually taking over my house.  It's an invasion that I am happy about. 

Something else that keeps making me smile is this photograph from a family barbecue I went to at the weekend.  It was lovely to see my great-aunt and the cousins I haven't seen since my wedding last year.  I had to take a photo when my cousin's little boy sat on dad's knee for a cuddle:

He is 14 and was born with a very rare chromosomal abnormality.  He is pretty well unable to communicate verbally but does so with sign language, facial expressions and, of course, cuddles!  I love that they are both wearing checked shirts and I especially like the photo because my dad just isn't one for displaying affection!

I'm off to finish my book now - it's so good.  It's called The Midwife's Confession and is by Diane Chamberlain.  I'm loving it and can definitely recommend.  What shall I read next?   Any suggestions?

Nicki 

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