Paperwhites

 

For Christmas I'm having a go at forcing some Paperwhite bulbs to give as personal, home grown  presents to friends and family and to use as Christmas decorations. I think the Paperwhites on the fireplace below look beautiful!

They are meant to be easy to grow...fingers crossed!

          1) Arrange a layer of pebbles at least 1" deep on the bottom of the pot.

          2) Place bulbs root side down.

          3) Pour water to the top of (but not above) the pebble line.

          4) The bulb shouldn't be touching the water or it will rot. The roots will eventually 'find' the water.

          5) Water every few days.

          6) Roots should sprout and shoots grow and flowers bloom!

 I was given some forced hyacinths last Christmas. They were such a lovely present!

I'm going to add some new bulbs to the vases I was given last year. (Cox & Cox). It's so lovely to be able to re-use a Christmas present, and they look so pretty when they flower.

Good luck little bulbs!

(Images - Martha Stewart & Cox and Cox)

Ikies

It's a cold Autumn Evening, the fire is lit, I'm snuggled up with the dog on the sofa and Mr. Cooper is STILL watching the Ryder Cup Golf...if only I could fall asleep and wake up here! 

(Photo - Ikies Traditional Houses)

One Day...

I would love to enjoy a relaxing weekend at Babington House in Somerset with Mr. Cooper. It's just a shame about the huge price tag! It really is the ultimate in English Country-Chic. Just look at the glamour injected into the bedroom below by the beautiful chandelier. So romantic!

And there is a Cow Shed Spa! Bliss!

One day!

(Photos - Babington House, Telegraph, Vougue Magazine)

Wish List

(Neo -Traditionalist)

I LOVE this pink sofa! It is on my wish list...

The sofa above is called 'Bluebell' and is from sofa.com. It's very similar to the pink beauty at the top. Sofa.com have a huge range of fabrics to choose from OR you can have a bespoke sofa made up in your choice of fabrics. Having visited their showroom, and through knowing a few people who have purchased from them, I can vouch for their quality and value. A three seater Bluebell starts at £890...for once something on my wish list doesn't have to cost a fortune! Woohoo!

Stripes

I am starting to think about how we are going to decorate our office. I am really loving the idea of simple stripes in either horizontal or vertical to create impact in the room. We have started to collect a few pieces of art and I think the contrasting background of stripes would help to show them off well. Take a look.

TORI MELLOTT'S APARTMENT (DOMINO MAG) IN NYC

I LOVE THIS LOOK - SO STYLISH!

STRIPES IN ELLE DECOR MAGAZINE...

AND STRIPES ARE USED BY THE FIRMDALE HOTEL GROUP - MY FAVOURITE HOTELS EVER!

OUTSIDE AT THE CHARLOTTE STREET HOTEL IN LONDON...

AND IN THEIR INTERIORS!

 (IMAGES ALL FIRMDALE)

SOME OTHERS I LIKE...

 (LIVING ETC)

 (LONNY)

(HOMES AND GARDENS)

 (HOUSE BEAUTIFUL)

 (HOUSE BEAUTIFUL)

Lots of ideas! What do you think?

North Yorkshire Coast

Yesterday Mr. Cooper had a meeting in Scarborough, so I took the opportunity to explore the coastline of North Yorkshire. I was really surprised by how beautiful it was and how busy everywhere was. Scarborough and Whitby were packed, even on a Thursday! Wilf and I had a really long walk along part of a coastal path called The Cleveland Way...it was lovely and the sun was shining which made it perfect! I've been busy searching for a little holiday rental around Robin Hood's Bay/Whitby so we can have a weekend away. I haven't found 'the one' yet but I'll let you know when I do.

I made some Lime curd this afternoon as a little treat for Mr. C. It was really easy to make and tastes delicious! Yum, yum.

Lime Curd - makes 1 x 350ml jar

75g unsalted butter

3 large eggs

75g caster sugar

4 limes, juiced

Zest of 1 lime

Melt the butter in a pan, add all the other ingredients and whisk over a gentle heat until it forms a custard. Fill the jar and allow to cool before putting the lid on and putting in the fridege. Yum! 

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Walk-in wardrobe

I have longed for a walk-in wardrobe for as long as I can remember. Inspired by Carrie Bradshaw and her amazing closet on the equally amazing Sex And The City, we have turned our small box room into a wardrobe!

If only I had some of Carrie's clothes to fill it!

My wardrobe was built by my dad,

with a little help from Wilf!

We undercoated it in white and then painted it in Farrow & Ball's Oval Room Blue, for which I used the blue used for Carrie's closet as inspiration. We have a his and hers wardrobe on opposite sides. The wardrobes are now finished, I just need to buy some storage boxes and baskets for the shelves, and have some draws built!

The finished product!

Photo's -  Grazia Daily and my i phone.