The Antidote

Spotty

I really do feel compelled to share my latest little bargain today as I know there will be a like minded knitter/crocheter out there who will appreciate this.  This perfect wool stashing bag was snapped up at the weekend from Primark for a mere £6.

It is so right for carting my yarn around to my knitting groups and zips up to stop my sisters puppy dragging everything out.  There are just the right amount of pockets for notebooks and a little mobile phone pocket.  I think I prefer it to my Cath Kidston knitting bag, there is more room and no need to fold books and patterns.

Whilst I have issues with some of the ethics of these bargain shops,  Mrs K would happily charge me £50 for such an item.  I have issues with that too!

My new crochet bag is perfect and I love it so.  Go buy.

Off It Goes

I have so enjoyed taking part in this swap, although, as ever I never quite managed to make the deadline - fortunately I had a very understanding and forgiving swapee.

I adored the old fashioned brown paper and string parcel wrapping which Nicola used for my parcel, so I decided to return a similarly wrapped package to her.  My cute little mary jane stamp is from here.   I suppose the good thing about being a little late is that I have had more time to collect lots of little bits and pieces for Nicola.

I might do a little peek inside the parcel later on in the week (because I love to have a little nose at peoples swaps) but I don't want to spoil Nicola's surprise.  Hope you love your things Nicola x

Welcome June!

And all of your Summer loveliness!

English Strawberries

The Next month on Ivy's calendar

Blousey Roses..

..and Sweet Williams

Potting up

Cooling down

Summer toes..

and Summer toes in Summer shoes!

I Can Smell Heaven

I have had a long love affair with this little plant, so when Bluebell Woods was suggested for our weekly dog walking group, I was made up.  Unfortunately it rained, so there was not a big turn out, but Becca (Rolo and Alfie) Laura (Stanley) and Myself (Biba) braved the drizzle and set out anyway.

And it was soooo worth it!

Just like when Cassandra enters the fancy department store in "I Capture the Castle" the scent of bluebells truly took our breath away.  It absolutely smelt like "heaven".  This was fairly impressive as within 10 minutes Rolo had rolled in fox poo!

The bluebells were completely enchanting with their little nodding heads and looking like magical blue haze of fairy dust misting over the woodland beauty.

The dogs had a ball and I think this is the most beautiful walk we have had this year.

My Aunt Vera used to bring my sister and I to these woods when we were little and it bought back some lovely memories.  I wish I had taken the Babies, too late now, bluebells don't last forever...

Unless of course you have a sweet bluebell candle, or even a bottle of the delicious scent Stuart buys my for my birthday most years.

Or even a pretty new "Bluebell Dress" from Cath Kidston (a little bargain from last weeks sale).

 

And while I am having a bluebell moment, I may as well confess that I need to learn how to make these,  I actually think then, my life would be complete!

Things that I have loved this weekend

My pretty pink roses looking even better than they did last week.

A walk on Friday evening to pick Ivy up from Brownies, still light and warm enough for just a cardi

 

Waking up on Sunday afternoon (post night duty) to hear that Stuart and the Babies LOVED the film

Wearing summer florals, albeit with tights and slippers (and coordinating my crochet with my skirts).

My little pile of crochet books...

...And planning my next (already) blanket.

Lighting a new candle.

Opening a new bar of soap, my little soap dish is actually for used tea bags but perfect for kitchen sink soap.

 

Listening to the Babies organise their game while Stuart and I enjoy a beer on the kitchen doorstep.

Loving the warmer days, but also being able to snuggle in cosy PJ's and lighting the log burner in the evening.

 

A Colourful Weekend

What a lovely relaxing bank holiday weekend.  We didn't really do anything special, lots of playing and planting, eating and drinking and just enjoying being together.  I have come out the other end feeling very rested, best of all, I am not back at work until tomorrow night.  I really meant to post this on Friday with the rest of the May Day stuff..

Ivy made me a calendar for Christmas, and I have no idea why I have not shared this before, but May is one of my favourites.

Some beautiful pink roses.

More pink roses on my favourite PJ's (which, thanks to the bank holiday I spent a lot more time than usual wearing).

Lilac if full bloom, with some cheeky Wisteria peeking over the back.

A makeshift ocean.

Lemons, in fairy cake icing, drizzle cake, salad dressing, curry and gin and tonic!

And new crocs, not may favourite children's footwear, but essential for kids who spend most of the summer on the beach.

Doesn't colour look better when the sun shines?

Ballet Shoes

 

I love this picture.  I think it looks so restful, and yet it was taken at the end of such a busy busy day.

It started with a brisk walk/scooter to school.  Then our regular coffee and catch up at our local deli. 

I have a very stressful (albeit very part time) job, maybe one day I will divulge it, but who really wants to hear about work?  Anyway it seems that as a stress relief maybe a dozen of us have acquired puppies over the last two years.   We all meet about once a fortnight and take all the puppies for a walk, they love it, we love it, we always picnic afterwards and it is something everyone enjoys hugely.  We go to all different places, this week it was Hadleigh Castle, which is very close to where I live.  It was a bit chilly this morning and there was a lovely mist rolling off the Estuary and enveloping the castle ruins.  Darn, why didn't I take my camera?

At top of said castle I remembered I had left a scooter in the coffee place.  Quick phone call, yes they would watch it for me, thank you coffee lady.

Next, a phone call from my sister, Yes of course come round for lunch but only if you bring it!

Do the biggest pile of ironing while chatting (mostly about old friends on Facebook) then drop her off before quick trip to chemist to stock up on hair grips, nets and bands.  Collect scooter.

Collect children from regular school then dash to dancing school for Ivy's ballet exam.  Now I am really tired.

At this point I couldn't resist a quick snap of baby girls dancing toes!

I don't even remember shoving a chicken in the oven and putting washing on the line, but apparently I did!

Got back from exam and find that S has not only found the chicken, but bought some lovely Mediterranean veggies roasted them and made a lovely dinner.  Thank goodness I have not had to do that.  He has also fixed me a drink and put some gorgeous Freddie Hubbard on.  Do not think I will move all day now!

Actually, I am going to have a very hot bath and then I am going to dig out my crochet hook, I think I have a promise to keep x

New Shoes?

 

I have been obsessing about these shoes since I saw them here.

These are truly shoes of loveliness.

Of course, I have much fancier shoes, but these will be shoes which will see me through school runs, shopping trips, a quick trot to the shops for a pint of milk, maybe with a pretty floral skirt over coffee with friends.

I really love them.

So having seen them, lusted after them, figured how I was going to pay for them, I went with my mum into town only to discover that Clarks was closed for renovations, what a disappointment.

Luckily their website is great, so I ordered them and waited.

Even the waiting was fun!  I used the tracking devise, "my shoes are in the depot" "my shoes are on the lorry" (I told you I was obsessed with these shoes!).

They arrived so quickly, now all I have to do is accessorize my lovely shoes with sweet socks and cute outfits!

Only problem is, while shopping for these, I found these. Surely, the sun is shining, I need new sandals, right?