A bit of Christmas cheer - in white !

I actually deleted my last post where i was so down in the dumps over the newly revamped computer that i could not get to do a thing! I must be getting old and set in my ways or something but hate change with a passion. Anyway what better way to cheer myself up but to start a little Christmas decorating! This is my favourite tree - my white "stick tree" as i call it ! Have had this tree for years and each branch has a fairy light at the end - its been used as an Easter tree, Halloween tree and just dragged out at any occasion !

This year have decorated with all white and must admit that i do love looking at it twinkling at night. Also have decorated another beachy stick tree with pale blue and red and will do some photos over the weekend or when i next get to it ! Yes i am a bit early with the Christmas decorating - do the same thing every year as just cannot wait!

Mel xxx

p.s am slowing working out the new settings on the computer and coming to grips with it... i think...

How i would love to be this girl !

Halloween preparations begin!

I have been looking at my Halloween photos from 2008 trying to get a bit of inspiration and enthusiasm happening! Yes, we are doing it all again this year. I tried to begin decorating the deck yesterday but it got way too hot and humid and i could not continue. Rain is predicted for the first half of this week so i think i will just get up very early next Saturday and go for it! I have a few more bits and pieces to add this year - my favourite is of course the spider web .. a little goes a long way! Will post some photos of Halloween 2009 and then next on the agenda is...you guessed it...Christmas!!! Have noticed nearly all the stores have their displays and decorations out and think this year i am going to keep it VERY simple (well that is the plan!).
Last year i was working part time so had time to do all these things - now its crammed into the weekend and even then with children's to-ing and fro-ing (they have a FAR BETTER social life that i do!) it leaves very little time for my passion which is decorating, pottering and re-arranging lol ! Until next week, take care, Mel xxx

Chairs finished..almost

Well Miss 14 is back at school after coming out of hospital on Monday and life is getting back to normal = thank you for all the well wishes!. A week ago or so I finished painting the chairs and have re-upholstered them. Sorry the photos are a bit grainy - there was so much light here this morning i could not get a good clear shot somehow.
I had dragged in a big farmhouse style table we have on the deck but one of the legs is wonky and i was worried the whole thing might collapse on us and we do not want any more hospital dramas. So, for the time being I have put 4 of the chairs at our round table and the 2 carvers in the bedroom. I am pretty happy with this arrangement to be honest as the chairs match the bed and it also gives us more room without that big 8 seater table.
I have not managed to tackle the table that came with the chairs and am debating whether to sell it on ebay untouched or paint it and see how we like it. Its very heavy and big !
The chairs i sprayed with esp first (now comes in a spray can) and this avoids sanding and then 3 coats of Antique White usa paint in the Dulux Aquaenamel range. This paint is great as its as tough as an enamel but is water based and washes out in water. The chair pads i covered in...wait for it...a drop sheet from Bunnings. I was painting on an old one and had a light bulb moment and realised it was a really nice slubby type linen so bought another and am very happy with the result with my good old staple gun.
Just need to actually screw the chair pads back on. If i can do some more creative or lovely photos over the weekend i will try ~ take care for now, Mel xxx

What a week!

What a week dear bloggers ! Have Miss 14 in hospital with a perforated appendix - well actually the appendix is now gone but the trouble it caused remains and we are looking at almost a week in hospital for my poor girl! Life as we know it grinds to a halt it seems but things will be normal again soon! Take care for now and I'll be back soonish, Mel xxx

Wedding blogs

what about having your wedding in this divine treehouse?
look at those beautiful chairs and the detail on the table..
Just love the venue and the small details on this one..

What a beautiful colour scheme and oh that china!!

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I think i have just discovered a whole new world girls!!! (ps click to enlarge the pictures above if you need to and i think you need to to see some of the beautiful detail)..


http://www.stylemepretty.com/
http://www.greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/

check out these links above...


Well no i am not getting married (already am) and no i dont have any forthcoming weddings ! BUT... we got talking tonight about a wedding i had seen on a blog once and do you think i could find it? No...but i did find this whole new world of wedding blogs / links/ unbelievable beauty and ideas not just for weddings but for any event.

I could literally spend hours and hours looking at these pictures ! The flowers, the table settings, the beautiful personal touches, the dresses, the shoes ! Oh i could go on and on..see for yourself, pure eye candy! There are inspiration boards, links galore - like i said a whole new world...
Many of the weddings feature vintage inspiration and are so unique and special.

Its unbelievable the creativity, love and style that is out there! I really encourage you to scroll through the photos and ideas on both of these blogs as there are some fantastic ideas ! I feel like turning my house into a wedding venue as we speak!
Have a great week, Mel xxx

Rachel Ashwell chair obsession...

Ever since I opened up the first Shabby Chic book I have been obsessed with these rattan backed chairs. I even picked up a lovely set of 6 with an extension table at a garage sale some years ago and gave them the white/shabby treatment. They have been inside/outside/front deck/back deck and have had plenty of use (you can see a peep of them in my Girls Night In post and Events post)! They were not quite as shapely as these ones and I suppose i have always been still on the look out (as you do!).
When i got the latest Rachel Ashwell book a month or so ago, there were several shots of these chairs and i find i am still obsessed and thinking about them and how i want a setting in my back room. Found a set on ebay (bottom picture) and hope to collect this weekend and start painting and letting the process of a new project begin!
Am feeling quite excited as havent done any furniture revamps or bought anything new for ages! Will keep everyone posted with an update of the finished project.
Mel xxx