Reflecting on my week #70

As it was turning colder I thought I’d look out my fluffy slippers - I know, how rock and roll? But could I find them? And so I’ve come to the conclusion that in a spate of tidiness and uncluttering I’ve got rid of them, that or put them somewhere very safe. But neither of these were good for warming my feet, and so some replacements were sought. They arrived this week, and are quite bright.

BRIGHT, BUT EVERSO TOASTY

As soon as I saw this neon pink and electric blue colour combination I knew they were for me. I’m less sure about the double fluffy pom pom, the two previous iterations had a single pom pom in the centre, but they’re definitely doing the job.

They also reminded me of a dress I once had, which I loved, and was much better than my description of it will be. Bear in mind it was the 1980s and fluorescents were a thing. This dress was these colours, with a diagonal strip of about a centimetre, it had a square neck and buttoned up off centre from the neckline to the hem. I think I bought it in TK Maxx and wore it with bright blue stockings, yes not tights. I had a cerise coat - with shoulder pads (obviously) that I’m sure was also around at the same time. I loved that dress, but I’d forgotten all about it until I saw these slippers. But my, what’s come of me - from a sassy dress, to brightly coloured slippers - oh my days!

But happy memories.

There’s been more post this week to, and the promise of more to come. Our 2017 photo book arrived and it was great to see MOH’s reactions to the photos I’d chosen. One thing that was clear though was that he remembers different details of our trips away; he’ll remember what he ate where, whereas I have no idea what I ate, but I’m much more likely to remember the decor. But the book, like the year, was a big success with us both. Now I need to work on 2016 and 2018, and editing photos from both years - which I’m sure my laptop will approve of.

The post that’s promised is a competition win, which when I received the email I had no idea what the prize was. But looking back it’s a set of Emerald patterned Fat Quarters, which I can’t wait to receive. I’ve no idea what I’ll do with it, but at the moment it seems that every time I’m on Facebook I see another variation of Pat Sloan’s Oh My Stars quilt, so that might be a contender.

Habit tracking

Using the app seems to be working - I’m drinking more water, taking lunches to work more and using it to encourage myself to walk to and from work every day. Which I’ve impressed myself with, especially as my work days this week seem to have been long with quite a few later-than-I-should nights, which in turn has meant little domesticity during the week and a blitz over the weekend.

I think I might also need to set up a new habit to watch some of the many, many episodes of Salvage Hunters we have recorded. It’s a recent discovery, and wow - how did I not know about this show before. We’re both hooked, and just have the 30+ episodes to watch…

And I’ve finally opened the Bendicks Bittermints that somehow got missed at Christmas, be warned, they may not last long - and it’s almost a miracle that they’ve survived this long.

Big Ideas: A pastel pink kitchen

I seem to be having a pink phase here at the moment, with three of my last four posts definitely having a rosy theme to them. Which bizarrely is completely unplanned. These type of happy coincidences are the kind of thing that completely fascinate me, strange how they can happen unexpectedly and then suddenly you’re very aware of them.

I’m back sharing the Big Ideas from the Ideal Home Show last year, when I stumbled across the extra room sets. So here’s the big ideas for this pastel pink kitchen:

1. Neon lighting: a fun way to add atmosphere and highlights to dark areas

2. Pink walls: a way to add warmth, and easy to make the change in your own space

3. Wall art: because kitchens deserve pictures too, and provide a great space for a personalised picture

4. Stylish sofa: oh, velvet, need I say more…

5. Grey cabinets: a modern handleless design, which provides a sleek line.

What I like about this is the mix of textures, from the natural warmth of wood through to the classic marble and what looks like the modernness of corian for the worktop, something that works really well on these large types of islands. And a material that we seriously considered for our kitchen, but as you know, opted for a composite and glittering worktop instead, and one that was influenced in the end by the price. But it is gorgeous.

I’m also a fan of handleless cupboards, while there’s plenty of handles to choose from and the handles you choose can change the feel of a kitchen, not choosing handles also does that and allows for your eyes to skim over the cupboard uninterrupted. The other thing to bear in mind is the drawer-line. We opted not to have the drawers on show as our kitchen designers suggested having just two drawers would mean having faux drawers all around our kitchen. Which sort of goes against the clear, sleek lines. We have ‘hidden’ internal drawers, in just two base units, and those drawers have very defined uses, so our drawer of junk has migrated elsewhere! Everyone has one right?

What else is nice is how kitchens are becoming more social spaces, with furniture to match. We spend so much time in kitchens - there’s a reason that they’re the heart of the home - that it makes sense for it to be comfortable as well as practical.

And I’m a fan of those side tables too; the colours, the shape, especially the lip that prevents things being knocked off easily - but also their style and the fact that it looks as if the smaller one slides under the larger one for easy storage. Practical and pretty, that’s a win for me - what about you?

A She Shed - yes please!

She Sheds, garden pods, home offices, or whatever you want to call them - they’ve become a big thing haven’t they? It’s easy to see why, the idea of having somewhere dedicated for a specific activity, work or fun, definitely appeals. Having that outside the house appeals too, unless it’s the worst (or best) kind of snow day which means being cut off from your crafting, I guess.

They’ve come so far, that at the Ideal Home Show last year, this quadrant pod, was alongside the infamous ‘houses’ - and I think it’s definitely a She Shed in the making.

As its name suggests, it’s quadrant shaped so cue curved walls which almost cocoon you from the elements, but yet provides a window on it too.

Yes, those lights - aren’t they great? In fact the whole space is full of great lights and fantastically furnished. It’s definitely the type of space you’d be happy to work in and which should provide just the inspiration you need.

I’d love my own space like this, but know it’s not practical for us. The thought of getting it into our garden, where it might go and even just getting electricity to it and the disruption and redecorating this will most likely bring with it, rules it out. But never say never, it’s something that in the right space could really work all round.

And everyone needs an escape space, right?