Hoarder!

No sooner did Dad utter the  words "we're sorting all your Grandad's things out that were at the back of the cupboard" then I was jumping in the car up to his house. I love a good rummage through old things and whats better than the items belonging to family members.

Grandad left us 12 years ago, so there was nothing I haven't seen before in the suitcases and boxes, but my interest in vintage items has increased during that time. We came across WW2 knuckle dusters with daggers attached, old swords, various large wooden wall clocks, pictures, vases, goblets, a huge range of things. Each wrapped in pieces of retro curtain fabric! I was in my element.

I came home with a few pieces that match my living room, cut glass ashtrays (ideal for my crystals!), trinket boxes, a silver 'thing' that I have no idea what it is but I liked. The Terror asked if it was for her pudding! lol.
My favourite item is the copper kettle. I actually inherited this when Grandad was still alive as I used to play for hours with it at his house, so now it sits proudly on my hearth. The most hugely special and sentimental item is the wooden barometer. The glass has a crack in and Dad suggested I get it fixed, but I simply recoiled in horror! It had a crack in when Grandad was alive and as long as I'd known the barometer and that's the way it shall stay. Every time our Grandad would walk to the front door to say good bye and see us out, he would tap twice on the barometer to see what the weather was like. Ive no idea if these things actually work, but its going to have a very proud place on a wall in my house, as soon as I can find a suitable wall... Yes, my name's Zoe and I am a hoarder.

Chasing rainbows...

I'm so behind on my blog posts so I've decided to stick a few days worth all on one post to catch up!

Saturday - Not too hungover, just tired after a 2am bedtime and a bathroom still to scrub this morning for Mam's arrival. As it happened she didn't arrive until 3pm so I could have spent the morning in bed rather than back and forwards to the window with 2 hyper children "Is she here yet? Is that her car?".

Top - Primark, Trousers - New Look, Shoes - New Look, Necklace and Ring - Primark

Sunday - I'm struggling with my colour today, I have 2 yellow tops and both are unsuitable for today's planned activities.  Strolling along the sea front, a trip to the market, ice skating and then the funfair! (The only solution was my ever faithful sunflowers.) Yes we were all totally exhausted by the end of such a fun day.

Jeans - Next, Hoodie - Primark (Men's! Women's are never thick and chunky enough), Boots - Dorothy Perkins, Sunflower headband - Primark

Monday - Magical Maxi! Hides a multitude of sins and is also my colour for today, marvelous! I ended up layered in 2 cardigans, a pair of slipper socks and a fair of fluffy slippers by late afternoon. These temperatures or lack of them are not normal for this time of year surely.
Been practising my Reiki at Dad's house today (after bio Mam went home). My brother and his wife were keen to give it a try then Dad jumped up and said "right, its my turn!" (he was the skeptic from 2 weeks ago....). I laughed but asked if I could at least have a cup of coffee in between treatments!

Mam (bio) and I. Dress - Boden (less 40% discount from a friends party)

Tuesday - I've been dying for a pair of coloured skinny jeans for ages so I treat myself to these last week. Might even get myself a green pair. It's my Mam's birthday today, OK this is where it gets confusing, not Mam who has just visited, but my step-mam who I often refer to as 'mam' as shes the one who has brought me up from being 1 year old. So really she's the mother in my life. My bio mam is still my mam, but I don't, can't and probably never will hold the same respect for her as I do for my step mam. So for J's birthday I treat her to a fish pedicure. We've been once before but I still cant get over the weird feeling of it!

Jeans - Primark, Boots - Dorothy Perkins, T-shirt - Primark, Cardigan - TK Maxx, Head scarf - Ebay

My mam (step mam J) and I.

Wednesday - Too cold for the dress I wore last week so I found another 'back of the wardrobe' item to help me with my indigo day.

Top - Apricot, Leggings - Miss Selfridge, Boots - Dorothy Perkins, Bracelet - Dorothy Perkins, set of 4 beads - Gift, Earrings - Table top sale.

Thursday - Keeping it simple. Violet days are easy... they can be white or violet! So Violet earrings, violet nail polish and a plain simple t-shirt. I haven't been very well recently and took a trip to the doctors today, so I was dressed for comfort. Turns out she thinks I have some kind of cyst/lump/'something' and is referring me for a scan as soon as possible. :-/

Jacket - New Look, T-Shirt - Primark, Trousers - TK Maxx, Earrings - Dorothy Perkins

Day to Night

Friday was such a busy day for me but I was determined to keep in with my 21 day colour theme. My birth mam was coming down to stay at our house for the first time ever. The children didn't think twice to invite her for a sleepover and helpfully told her we have a spare room that my best friend from Belfast stays in when she visits....

Trousers - Matalan (sale), Vest - Matalan

Saturday morning was the time she would arrive, and given the state of the house after our flooded cupboards and 6 weeks of children being off school there was quite a bit of tidying up to do! I'd been invited out for my sister in law's birthday on Friday night, my eldest had her friend around for the afternoon and the hoover was attached to my hand all day. Does anyone else have to spend 2 days cleaning before guests or are you all domestic goddesses? I really need to organise myself better.

So the first pictures are very rare and probably never again will you see me without makeup, unless I have my sunglasses on ;o)
Roll on to Friday night.

Dress - Thrifted (unknown brand), Double ring - Primark, Bangles - Warehouse, Leather cuff - Primark

Time to let my hair down. Well I would have if I had any to let down. I'd planned to rummage amongst my summer frocks to try and get some final wear out of them but with one look out of the window to the clouds that had produced a crazy amount of rain all day long, autumn fashion was the way forward. I was secretly pleased, I always feel more glam in autumnal clothes.

Dress - Thrifted, Tights - Dorothy Perkins (sale), Boots - Dorothy Perkins

Loads of people commented on my dress, asking where I had got it from, "oh I can't remember, its been at the back of my wardrobe for agggggggges". Well OK, between you bloggers and I it was purchased in a charity shop 2 weeks ago! There are some people you can proudly tell about your thrifted purchases, but the crowd I was with on Friday night were not that type...
Sometimes it pays off to be different and stand out from the crowd. As I sat among the group of over done perma-tans it was my paleness that they were all cooing over and wishing they had skin like mine. One particular lady said "I would kill to have skin like yours" then started prattling on about how she ONLY has 6 minutes on a sunbed each day... A smile and nod and say nothing moment from me.

Here's my new toy! I've been after a DSLR for ages and could never afford one but my best friend was upgrading her camera and sold me a bargain. So far its never left the auto switch, I have no idea what I'm doing with it, and I cant even find the timer switch so my eldest is currently taking all of my blog photos. Shes enjoying being paparazzi though as the button has continuous shooting so its like a fashion show when she has it in her hands!

DSLR - Cheaper than usual off best friend, Double ring - Primark, Bangles - Warehouse, Leather cuff - Primark

Indigo!

Dress - New Look (sale), Necklace - Dorothy Perkins (sale)

I have 2 items in my wardrobe this colour and the dress that I chose to wear had been another item with the tags still attached from last year. I love the detail on the skirt part of this dress and as its a lot heavier due to the ruching I'm slightly more confident that it won't flip right up in the slightest breeze!

Something borrowed

So now my eldest is growing up at a super fast rate, it has its advantages. An extra wardrobe ;o)

Tshirt - Next (borrowed), Jeans - Next, Headband - Primark

She occasionally borrows a t-shirt or vest off me but now the roles have reversed. Desperately seeking something green (for my rainbow days...) I found the perfect top, managed to squeeze into it and think it might accidentally find a way into my wardrobe a bit more often lol.

Lurking at the back of the wardrobe...

So I've found a new way to investigate the items of my wardrobe and lure myself away from the usual items. I've been given a challenge (well it was a suggestion) as part of my Reiki course. Over the 21 days following my attunment each day represents a chakra clearing and to recognise this the teacher suggested carrying something in the colour, or wearing something in the colour of that chakra each day. Chakras are represented by the 7 colours of the rainbow. Ive tried keeping my blog posts in order but a few are mixed up. If I was more organised Id have liked to see the correct order.
Today is the throat chakra, colour blue/cyan. Well I hunted and hunted and finally found this top lurking at the back of my wardrobe. I bought it in the Next sale 3 years ago, in the teen section and have never worn it yet. Its beautiful and floaty, covered in tiny beads and a few sequins. I just removed the satin blue belt to update it slightly. During my shopping trip the lady on the till told me I looked striking and it was such an eye catching colour, made my day :o)

Top - Next (sale), Jeans - Next, Belt - New Look (came with trousers), Shoes - Barretts (thrifted)

Blog Faux Pas

Vest - M&S, Waistcoat - New Look, Maxi skirt - Primark, Floral headband - Primark, Bracelet - Dorothy Perkins.

That will teach me not to keep up to date with blog pictures and posts. I can honestly say I have not wore my denim waistcoat every single day!

So the sun began to shine once more today and I'm not totally convinced it will last, I decided to entice it with a bit of sunshine in my wardrobe. Amazing how chirpy yellow makes me feel, though I hope 'chirpie' does not compare me with a budgie too much!

I have a huge To Do list to battle though and a new camera sitting waiting for its first outing. So many techy functions to figure out and even my 'For Dummies' book is too techy for me. I think I'll just stick it onto auto for now. Well I'd best get the kids sorted and decide where to go for the day. How are you spending today?

Back to school....?

Well not quite school, but back in a learning environment again. I'd signed up for a Reiki course a couple of weeks ago and finally came the time to start learning. So armed with my book I set off to my 'Sensei's' home to begin my new journey into the world of Reiki. I was given this book, a large manual, a CD of relaxing music, cleansing spray and a large Amethyst crystal to help me with the work.
I don't have much to say on this as I'm very aware people fall into two categories, the interested who understand or would like to know more about it and the people who have no interest and basically think its a load of tosh. Each to their own, I'm not one to preach my views and I respect the views of others. Whether Reiki works I personally have to wait and see for myself, but I'll continue the practise and attend the groups and if all else fails I've met some new friends and interesting people along the way, which is always a bonus.

Dress - Topshop 'by Laura' (thrifted), Waistcoat - New Look, Leggings - Primark, Shoes - Primark, Cat - Lula!

New hair!

Dress - New Look, Shoes - Thrifted, Necklace - Grandma's original

Ok so its not technically new having had it cropped short for a few months now, but I decided to loose the assemetric sides and even it all out. Havent decided whether to keep it short or long, I'll just wait and see how I cope with it. Having waited 7 weeks since my last appointment its amazing how quick my hair actually grew and I spent the last 2 weeks mostly in hair scarfs or tied up in a million kirby grips.

Ive realised when Ive mentioned my drastic change in the past Ive never included a 'before' picture so Ill pop one on and show you the curls I said goodbye too.

I seem to look very strawberry blonde here, its just bad lighting, the colour hasn't changed much.

Getting things back on track

Well its been a little while since I last blogged and so much has happened! So please excuse a heavy picture post whilst I get up to date.

Dress - Asos, Waistcoat - Miss Selfridge, Head scarf - EBay

Started off by slipping into quite a dark place emotionally though I'm lucky to have such a fabulous best friend who could see it growing and booked herself on a flight from Belfast to here to basically give me a much needed kick up the ass and a hug too. She spent 4 days with us and luckily it fell at the same time as my eldest daughters birthday.

Dungarees - New Look, Vest - Primark, Headscarf - Primark

With my bestfriend Jaime.

The birthday was an 'eventful' day...

"Happy Birthday to you..."

Started off with 4 of us in the shower one after an other ready to go out for the day. Birthday gifts, cards, wrapping paper and grandparents filled the living room, unfortunately the 4 people's shower water also filled the toy cupboard, walk in shoe cupboard and the hallway downstairs! Frantic early morning call to Dad "the damp patch we had in the cupboard downstairs... well i think I know why...". Turned out the pipes were so old and badly joined together by the previous owners and a gradual slow leak suddenly took a turn for the worse when the pipe fell apart and the shower/sink ran right down our inner wall. Once Dad pulled the floor up and wall down, we also found an old central heating vent, filled 2ft deep with water! A neighbour told us many on the estate have had the same problem.

Meet our 'toy cupboard'

So a full house of people, a guest staying over, hyper kids wanting to go out for the day and shoes/coats/camping gear and more toys than Toys R Us filled our whole downstairs! My angel in disguise Daddy stayed to fix our leak whilst we went on to the fun fair at the seaside to enjoy my daughters birthday along with her best friend too.

Packed in many trips to National Trust places, trips to the park, cinema, cat sitting, put up with rainy days with bickering kids, even stumbled across a job vacancy for a Sunday (fingers crossed!) and booked my place on a training course in Reiki. Hardly any time to even think about what I wore let alone having time to photograph it. August life is moving swiftly but slowly looking up :o)

Dress - Topshop 'by Laura' (thrifted), Leggings - Primark, Jacket - New Look, Bag - Fiorelli

At one of many National Trust places

Butter wouldn't melt....

Ah, thats why I call her 'The Terror'

Busy times!

Hi everyone.
Had such a busy week. My best friend came to stay with us for 4 days, we've had a flood downstairs from the shower, and an emotional rollercoaster of a time too. Will be blogging again soon. Hope everyone is fine and well. xxx

"Mammmmy we're bored!"

Day two of the 'fabulous' six and a half weeks school holiday. Hoorah! ....

So those famous words were muttered, moaned, whinged and stropped on more than one occasion. The weather is pretty bland and I don't have the energy for huge day long outings just yet so I fell back on my bag of face paints. An hour well spent, you see, they can't talk or move when I'm painting their faces, that's the rule ;o) Bliss.

As I was painting The Eldest I heard an excitable voice "mammy look at me!". Turns out The Terror is taking fashion to another level and she stood beside me in her straw hat, bracelet, and her 'Build a Bear' shoes... It was one of those "DO NOT MOVE whilst I get the camera" moment!

I have a bit of a reputation in my neighbourhood....

Yesterday as I sprawled on the sofa in my flu-like stupor, Lemsip in hand and about to doze off, there was a knock on the door. My neighbour's mother-in-law stood in front of me beaming with excitement. "Our <enter name> says you do up old furniture and I have an old telephone table that's just going to the tip, its yours if you'd like it". Needless to say those words worked faster than any Beechams and I was following her out to the parking bays faster than you can say "Bless you"!
I didn't have the heart to tell her I had just recently sent my telephone table to the charity shop after deciding it didn't match the decor, but it wouldn't harm to take a look.

OMG. This was nothing like the piece I threw away with sagging fabric seat, flimsy legs... This was amazing! Solid dark wood, a carved lion arm, a huge storage box under the seat (ideal for Barbies!), shelves and a mini pull out desk. The tip?? It was going to the tip?? No way! Now all I have to decide is whether to leave it dark wood, scratches and all, as it matches the TV unit (a half Ercol dresser base) or whether to sand and paint it. There is something I'm loving recently with these dark wooden pieces and the pistachio coloured sofa as a contrast.

So it just goes to show, in the last 3 years of living here, the neighbours have watched me drag random bits of furniture from the car, I've sat outside in all weather sanding pieces (by hand! ouch...) and painting them, my kitchen looks like a furniture warehouse with numerous unfinished projects (hence no blog pictures in the kitchen...), and it has paid off. I'm the nutty girl who takes everyone else's junk whilst they fill their homes with the latest Argos additions.
 
Does anyone know anything about this piece? Is it really old or just a look a like? Not that it matters to me, this little fellow is here to stay.

Lazy Bones...

Cheating a bit today. This is an outfit picture from Friday daytime, but as I wore the 60s dress that night I chose to post those pictures instead.  Yesterday was spent mostly in joggers whilst laying on the settee. I made a slight effort when I took The Terror to her swimming lesson this morning and I pulled on my favourite maxi dress, along with huge sunglasses to hide most of my swollen and tired eyes. As this damn cold made a huge effort to make me feel really rotten I decided to have a 'nap'. Only to wake up 4 hours later and missed most of a beautiful sunny day! It worked though, and besides having a sneeze-athon I'm starting to feel not so bad.
This picture is a far cry from how I really look right now, think joggers, vest, nil make-up, Rudolph nose and a stylish (ha!) slanket....