Good stuff going on

The last wee while has been busy but like everyone across the country we have been enjoying the fab weather!

The top pic is a lovely sunny pic of my mum (She is on the right, complete with flower in her mouth!) on a girls holiday abroad when she was about 17. By its tattered state you can see I love this picture and have kept it in a wee wallet with my other old pics since I left home. Its just such a happy, sunny picture and so totally the essence of my lovely Mum. To celebrate the sunshine this week it is currently residing on my favourite print from Kerry at Seventy Tree, bought for our re-decorated bedroom and so kindly customised for my colours (I have tried to photograph the whole pic but they didn't come out well- will keep trying!). So Kerry thanks again- we really love it.

The second pic is me and the kiddos fab Friday afternoon at a dear old friends house. It was a lovely catch up instigated by my bestie Richard. The kids and I had a ball in the sunny garden, great company, food and maybe a wee bit of wine for the adults!

The last pic well it wouldn't be a post from me without a weekly thrift shot! You know I saw this handsome Wade pair at the start of last week and only bought the wee bowl as my own words  from previous posts echoed in my head and well, like I needed another milk Jug........But I just fell in love with the James Borsay designed Raindrops pattern and by an amazing stroke of luck the wee jug was still there this morning and the two are reunited again! The blue green glaze is unusual and beautiful.

Hope you are having a great weekend,

Jo xx

The one about Ikea Family Live Magazine....

It was really, really nice to get some kind comments about this room yesterday- thank you all very much. And they have prompted me to post these pics again which I put on here at the very start of my blogging journey. We did this extension a few years ago and I can't tell you how much it has changed our lives for the better. It replaced a small projection on the back of the house which would have been the original wash house. It had a solid floor, no insulation and was running with damp. We now have a big, open space where the kids can scooter about- straight outside if they want (West coast weather permitting!).

We were really chuffed with how this family room, cum kitchen/dining room (you can't see the dining room here) turned out. So much so that it a fit of excitement I sent these pics to Ikea Family Live magazine. Then I totally forgot about it until a few months later I got an email saying they were considering my house for a feature. Well I was excited but my heart dropped a bit when they asked for pictures of the rest of the house. Firstly the rest of the house is a turn of the century semi, quite different from this modern room, although my usual mixy- matchy decor, and well secondly I was putting myself and my home out there to be judged. I guess a bit foolishly I sent off more pics and never heard anything until eventually I got a rather sheepish email telling me that my home wasn't 'strong' enough to be featured after all.

I was quite upset about this and felt really stupid to have been so arrogant as to send the pics off in the first place! I suppose I felt like I had forgotten what my home is, its a repository of the things we have pulled together from our separate lives and then what David and I have created together- a happy home for our family. So a lesson learned- I won't be sending off any pics to magazines again. And I am showing it here on my terms because I am proud of what it is. Sometimes you live and learn. We love it and its a happy, bright, muddled, creative space. We think its a 'strong' family home and that's what matters isn't it?

Jo xx

Sunny Sunday!

It was a really sunny day here in Glasgow today. Very, very warm. The boy and I started the day forming part of his local nursery garden work party, lots of potting of plants which made me feel a bit shamefaced about the state of our own wee garden. We spent the rest of the day in our garden or thereabouts and we all loved how happy the sun and the outdoors made us feel.

David cut the grass and we kept the doors open till the evening. The kiddos are a bit scared of the lawnmower so watched it from the safety of the house.

The top two pics are of glass lampshades which were another cheeky charity shop buy in Crieff. I have plans for them and couldn't resist photographing them in the sun! Despite them only costing a few pounds I think the more pink of the two is actually quite lovely- maybe a bit older than I originally thought!

I swear we heard that fairy bell ring!!

Jo xx

Finlaystone

We had a great family day out today at Finlaystone Country Park. The kids had a ball- it was warm and sunny, lots of things to play on, the first outdoor picnic of the year and lots of signs that spring is here. Hope you are all having a fab weekend. Jo xx

Sunshine

Thank you Lou for a lovely sunshine award. Its been great to meet you online and I do love your blog and covet your artwork!! 


Oh I just realised that Rebecca at Littletree Designs also gave me an award! I just found her lovely blog recently- check it out.


Ladies I do appreciate this- I am just a bit slow at it all!!


Here are my answers;


Colour: Green- from celadon to neon!
Animal: Oh kiddos put paid to animals! My dog Ella though!
Non-alcoholic drink: Yorkshire tea.
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook
Getting or giving presents: Getting is always nice but giving to the kids is lovely.
Flower: Rose
Pattern: 70's floral everytime!
Passion: My wee family, our health and anything 70's retro (and can I say Courtney Love too!)
Number: 4


I want to pass on sunshine to the following ladies I love reading;
(my usual disclaimer- sorry if you have been inundated- I just think its nice to spread a wee bit of kindness and appreciation- we all need it ! No pressure to carry this on, Jxx)


Scrumdillydilly
Little Buckles
This Girl is
Sunken Treasure
Betty Crafter


Jo xx

A small bit of shopping!

So you didn't think I went away for a few days and didn't venture to check out the charity shops did you!!!! I managed to sneak away on my own for an hour and can report that the shops were chock a block with nice stuff in Crieff. The top three pics, although all fab stuff I DID NOT BUY- primarily as I am trying to practice what I preach and not buy anymore of things that I already have lots of. The bottom two pics- a wee set of lovely retro patterned bowls and the flowered tea towel- yes they are now mine!!

Jo xx

{and yes that set of plates in the top pic was £20!!!}

Hydro - Therapy!

We had a wee break Sunday/Monday night. We went to Crieff Hydro. I grew up in Perth and the Hydro is a bit of an institution in central Scotland. It was originally a Hydro spa but has evolved into an amazing family hotel, with lodges, lots of activities for the kids and if you want it free childcare for the kiddos for a few hours a day.

It was the kids first time staying in a hotel and they were high as kites! We all had a great bit of r&r and are back home today re-charged and looking forward to Spring, that is definitely on its way!

1.Stop off at my folks en-route- my boy.
2. Play park fun.
3. Mothers day pressie.
4. Practising writing at High tea!
5. First necklace!

Jo xx

Ps that Urban Outfitters cardi is very rarely off my back!