Instagram made me buy it

I am a self confessed Instagram addict. Since joining around 3 years ago I've gained so many wonderful followers (thank you) and I follow so many beautiful inspiring profiles and blogs now that cheer me up every day. However, let's not deny that following those home accounts, beauty bloggers and YouTube tutorials make us spend like crazy! It's literally a case of "Instagram made me buy it"

it started off gentle with a nice Emma Bridgewater mug from TKMaxx half price and then it escalated to those pink boxes getting bigger and bigger and more frequent and then before you know it, you're obsessed. 

Those bloody ALDI candles

Anyone else with me on this? The latest craze for me which made me step back and take a long hard look at my life was when I was franticly searching the isles in ALDI for these badboys:

These candles sent me into a frenzy and when I couldn't get them instore and they were always sold out online I felt as though I was missing out. The smelt lovely for £3.99 but the hysteria was ridiculous! I have the giggles just thinking about sat ordering 4 candles because they finally came in stock but ALDI would only let you purchase 1 of each scent. Come on... we're crazy! 

Aswell as home accessories think about that MUST have make up that YouTube make up artist recommended and when she sale at Emma Bridgewater hits all hell breaks loose on the Facebook members page with people actually arguing over plates and teapots.The scenarios pan out like this.. Sue and Carol have un-friended each other because Sue said her sponging was wonky and she is demanding CS get back to her with a replacement. Carol is disgusted because so much time and effort went into making that piece of pottery she feels Sue needs to be more grateful with her purchase. Can we take a moment to appreciate how funny this is? We've all seen it. 

Disclaimer* Sue and Carol are fictional characters I swear (insert  a string of laughing emoji's)

We all know I will be following the latest Instagram must haves - damn you IG. Love you really.

Hugs,

Laura-Amie xx

Those Little Touches

Home accessories are the perfect touch for any room. A pretty clock, a lamp, vase or jug and candle sticks can completely change a shelf or windowsill. As everyone who follows me on Instagram now knows I love Laura Ashley and Emma Bridgewater so they are featured in almost every room, however there are so many purse pleasing home stores to check out for pretty house buys. My faves are:

These three places have the most gorgeous home items and I shop there regularly. Not forgetting vintage shops, charity shops, Antique fairs and small local businesses. Also, family and friends who are downsizing or moving home usually have boxes of stuff they no longer want. Ask for a rummage, one persons trash is another persons treasure, right?

This gorgeous frame was from a sort out at Lucy's grandparents house. It now has pride of place in the lounge and it's none other than Laura Ashley. I am in love with it. It's always worth checking out charity shops for art work because the price difference is insane. 

Colours and Patterns

The minute I put a colour on a wall or buy a bold wallpaper I hate it within a week. I've started opting for whites, creams and silvers in all my decorating and then adding pops off colour in vases, picture frames, cushions and throws. That was I can mix and match with the seasons and I don't get bored of a room. For me, if I choose a wallpaper it's usually a white base with a silver or pearl pattern. I guess I just don't like colour commitment. (that made me laugh as I typed it - I am ridiculous)

Accessories 

My favourite items to purchase at the moment has to be lamps and candles. If my wax melts and candle stash run too low I can feel my pulse speed up. Having two cats and chihuahua's in the house I am very conscious about it being clean and tidy always and smelling fresh. There's nothing worse than the smell of dog in a house. (sorry fellow animal lovers) I would fill my house with rescued animals If I could but the smell of them isn't exactly delightful. The  pet beds and blankets are washed weekly and I love a nice dog perfume every now and again to get those pooches smelling wonderful! 

Thanks for reading, I am enjoying a Sunday blog as of late. Let's hope I stick to it this time. 

Hugs,

Laura-Amie xx

Before and After Home Pictures

I absolutely love a before and after picture of a home transformation. We've only been in the house a little under 6 months. We started with the livingroom / dining room as it needed a complete overhaul including flooring, lighting etc. We then moved onto the garden, office and the bedroom. 

THE LIVING ROOM / DINING ROOM

It seems to look bigger with our furniture in it. I think it's all the light colours and textures. 

THE LOUNGE 

The lounge / open plan kitchen area was already gorgeous, just needed some new furniture. It will eventually need a lick of paint.

THE GARDEN

The previous owners were amazing gardeners and the whole garden is bliss. The only thing we did was paint the shed, the wall, steps and added some furniture to freshen it up.

THE BEDROOM

A fresh white wallpaper on the feature wall and pale apple green walls. I don't like colour on walls as the minute I paint it I want to change it. But opting for a pale shade means I can chop and change the accessories, bedding etc.

Will keep you updated as changes are made. :-)

Hugs,

Laura-Amie xx

New Home

It's been a long time since I last blogged about anything - I lost all interest in truth. 

I continued to post on Instagram though and in the mean time we've bought a beautiful new cottage. So what better way to kick start my blog than with some Before Pictures. 

NOBODY PREPARES YOU 

Seriously though, you think about the overall cost of just purchasing house thats expensive enough with all the fee's etc. We knew there would be changes to be made but we didn't budget for what was to come.  Once you get the keys, all the stress and worries melt away. Although, they did for two nights! When we got in the second bedroom was soaked, the walls were dripping with water. Turns out the beautiful chimney was leaking but was in a state of disrepair. That had to be knocked down and tiled over to avoid any further damage. The blistering plaster and walls had to dry out (this has taken 6 months) Then we had a leaking roof vent, a potential slow leak in a pipe in the ceilings. More cost to check them out and fix. 

OLD HOUSE PROBLEMS

We had mysterious water marks all over the walls but THANK THE LORD these turned out to be condensation. Old stone houses need to breathe! And since the previous owners hadn't lived there for months it hadn't had a chance to do so. Along with condensation comes mildew. I spent 6 weeks worrying over the awful black marks appearing everywhere. I found some amazing techniques on getting rid of these (which I will share in a different post). Once I tackled them and understood the importance of opening the windows and doors as much as possible when the heating is on in the thick of winter -things got better. No more leaking and I learned to manage condensation! (a de-humidifier in the winter is a saviour - we bought one on sale from Amazon around £30 and it worked a treat) Since keeping the house aired, it has been much better - hoorah!

COTTAGE TLC

The weather was brutal when we moved in, lashing with rain, high winds knocking tree's down and pickings of snow and frost. We looked into stopping any penetrating damp and the best solution to protecting the old stone in the front was STORM DRY paste. This will go on, seep into the stone and stop any rain penetrating the stone. If you can buy it and do it yourself, it'll save you around £1,000. 

We also had the back of the house (that is already rendered) painted with weather shield in Country Stone and the sills and garage door painted Willow Green. I love the combination so much.

Since the weather has dried up and we've had little bits and pieces patched up and sorted we've had no problems (touch wood). Everything has dried up nicely and we're hoping to be sorted for winter!

Just remember to keep window's open where possible to allow the stone to breathe and tackle any condensation marks with some JEYES mould and mildew cleaner so it doesn't get out of hand in those wet and cold winter months!

HINDSIGHT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING

I wish I hadn't spent 4 months of worrying over things that I couldn't change overnight. Settling into a house can takes weeks and months and I feel like 6 months later I know the house now and it feels like home. Damp, condensation, leaking roofs and everything in between can't be helped, so just need to be fixed and learnt from. On a positive note - things are now looking wonderful in our cottage and I can't wait to spend the next how ever many years, bringing it back to its former glory with sash windows and a wooden cottage door. #housegoals

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES, WILL BLOG SOME "BEFORE AND AFTER"

 AS THEY ARE MY FAVOURITES.

Thanks for reading,

Hugs,

Laura-Amie xx