Christmas has rapidly snuck upon us, I sure am going to relish the time I have to enjoy the festivities. I really do wish I had had more time to put together more thoughtful and decorative cards, parcels and posts, but time has been precious, especially over the past few weeks. Blogging has been a little bit haphazard for the above reason, but please know I’m still here. And will always find my way back.
This year it has been so lovely receiving so many cards from such lovely bloggers and friends. I really do appreciate the gesture of a card and sure do love filling my fireplace with them. I’m a total letter/card junkie so it’s been great receiving so much post lately!
It’s been quite hectic at home, we are without a tree this year, which makes me a little sad- but space wise it’s a nightmare (You know all those books I keep buying, the bookshelf that homes them unfortunately took the place of our tree). Instead I very naughtily invested in the larger version of my Ikea goat, he sure is a charmer!
Presentwise, I am just about sorted, admittedly the large majority of it was done online, I avoid the shops at this time of year the most. I am hopeless at crowds and loathe last minute shopping. As lazy as online shopping gets, I do think it’s easier to pinpoint exactly what you are looking for.
I was so overjoyed to receive my Second-hand Secret Santa parcel! I had anxiously been awaiting its arrival, and cannot wait to see what I have been kindly gifted. Ellie has always been such a fond blogger, and she always manages to engage with her readers so well, lots of love and admiration for this lady.
My Royal Doulton plate my mum bought me last Christmas has come out, and I am totally smitten. It makes for the perfect nostalgic thrill. The Noel sign cost one pound in this year’s January sales, I’d actually forgotten I’d bought it, so it was quite a pleasant surprise.
Happy Holidays All. Love and happiness this Christmas time.
♥
It’s no lie Wilko (or Wilkinsons) is one of my favourite budget shops when it comes to stocking up on toiletries, domestic supplies and home furnishings. It’s one of those shops I will forever find myself going into when passing. It’s cheap and cheerful, and there’s certainly no shame in shopping there.
I’m a stationery addict, there’s no denying that. There is always room in my life for an endless supply of notepaper and pen. Therefore I’m like a magpie when it comes to spotting a new range. Whilst wandering up and down the aisles, I was drawn towards this stand…
Instantly I felt a little taken aback, almost as if I could have been somewhere else. On closer inspection I was keen to check out the product range itself. Now yes I admit these are pleasing for the eye, I certainly have my own eye on that chunky floral journal, but what troubles me is that I feel a little cheated.
Admittedly the pricing is more than reasonable and more so affordable, but what concerns me the most is the quality. The photo album I picked up (and actually considered purchasing) was very poorly made, but at little more than a pound is that all you can expect?
The true essence of retro comes with the fact it’s from a generation gone by, and usually has proven the test of time with regards quality.
I really love the kitsch vibe and floral theme, but part of me feels almost as if retro has become trendy and mainstream, which makes any long-time lover a little bit sad.
What do you think?
Opinion may be divided on Primark quality, but one thing is for sure that it is always possible to come home with a sweet bargain.
I always do wonder what they do with all that reduced stuff, cluttering up the place... You know those 50p sunnies have surpassed there sell by date when there still on the shelf come winter time.
I couldn’t quite resist a few of these 50p necklaces. If only for the charms and nothing else, I am always partial to the odd bit of high street tat. I just know these lovelies will find a home in my collection, the miniature Eiffel Tower being my favourite.
♥
I am far too behind on times admittedly, and therefore I am hopelessly trying to devise my way around Twitter. I am a little bit more connected now, thanks to a new laptop (as ever aesthetics got the better of me) maybe just maybe it’s time to move forward with the times.
@pookiee
x
It was last weekend out and about we passed a car boot sale we often frequent in the summer months, to our complete shock we were greeted by signs advertising a very sale that morning. My heart skipped a beat, I was pretty sure I had seen the last of the 2011 boot sales.
The problem being it was now 11:30am, we were three hours too late.
A field half empty and not a steward in sight, we did not let this deter us, as after all there was still a slim chance of finding something.
As predicted, most stalls were packed up and driving away as we were coincidently driving in, but there were still a couple of dozen stalls still standing and I held out a little bit of hope...
Discarded on a stall, I found this cream ‘sweets’ jar which looks to be unused, I couldn’t quite resist its shabby charm and wondered why nobody had failed to snap it up all morning at 50p. As tempting as it may be to stash it full of sweets, I will probably rehome it in my craft room.
I then approached a woman in midst of packing up her stall, and knew she would be more than lenient on prices. I picked up this empty picnic basket, straight away I began thinking of ways I could put it to use. So when she told me I could have it for 5p, it would have been rude not to take it off her hands.
It may have been a flying visit, but the wise lesson learnt here is that you don’t always need to be the early bird at the boot sale. Those bargains you think will be snaffled by sunrise, are sometimes the ones sadly overlooked and left behind. Total spend: 55p
I have spoken about my love for Ikea before. Love it or loathe it, it is a brand that knows it’s USP like no other and will continue to thrive even in the toughest economic times. What makes it all the more special for me is the fact we only ever visit a handful of times throughout the year, so the feeling of new never wears off, and come a new season the store is always guaranteed to be bursting with new stock.
So if anything our latest trip was very much overdue.
I can’t help but deny the fact I am obsessed with interiors. I love pattern, print and colour the most, I’m always on the lookout for something a little bit quirky.
Furniture aside, I leave the flat pack stuff to the Mr. It is always about the market place for me...
On arrival, the store has quite literally been hijacked, by the cutest teddies. At 99p these little chaps help raise money towards UNICEF and Save the Children. I would be surprised if anyone didn’t leave without one.
These magazine racks are just what I needed to sort out my collection and manage to make a piece of cardboard look attractive, at £2.29 for a pack of four.
This cute dining bowl suits my bedroom more than my kitchen, and makes for a great trinket holder at £1.59.
As far as Christmas goes, this dinky straw goat was far too adorable to leave behind, and I just know he’s going to make a welcome addition this Christmas time. I did admire the larger version, but sensibly decided upon the smaller one for £2.49.
And last but certainly not least this octopus hanging dryer, now surely that’s going a little too far? But hey I’ve always loved a bit of tack. He was £4.49.
Above all Ikea always manages to inspire and excite me, which fits the budget and always surprises me, with such innovative and contemporary design.
