Finally an update

I know it's been a couple of months and I guess my few followers have given up waiting but I am now up and running and planning on regular updates.  The last few weeks have been busy, we have had  family from Hong Kong staying which, in case they are reading this has been fab; this was  followed by a short holiday and whilst I've been enjoying myself good old Mr P. has been soldiering on making our new 'home by the sea' into something very special.  Of course I have been behind the scene giving advice on the correct shade of white paint to use, should it be All White, Great White or maybe Wimborne White, all great Farrow and Ball colours. I have spent many hours  scouring second hand shops for some great furniture finds and  there have been numerous visits to good old John Lewis for the extra special touches.

Although we still have a fair amount of jobs to do I am happy to introduce you to our lovely 'Home by the Sea'

This was taken on moving in day, watch this space for more before and after shots, but let me start with the porch, unfortunately I have no 'before' shot as Mr P. was desperate to get started but this is how it looks now,

It is now a lovely bright space with a cool 'beachy' feel, just perfect .

I hope you like my first official blog and please continue to follow if you like what I like

white stuff

painted furniture

dotty stuff

a lovely old door, this will become a major blogging feature 

and Nellie, the cutest dog ever, 

Happy days,  Pauline x

Exciting update

Feeling very bad that I have not updated my blog recently but the good news is we have now exchanged contracts on house by the sea and due to complete 18th May.  As soon as we are there I will add lots of new photos.
You will be pleased to here that my collection of furniture to be refurbished (ok painted white) has increased. We are very fortunate to have a lovely neighbour who is allowing us to store these purchases in her garage.  Currently includes and Ercol painted unit, a painted glass front dresser, 2 Ercol armchairs, an oak chest of drawers, shelving unit, kitchen chair and numerous beachy/coastal look accessories.  Promise I will show you some pics soon.
Oh Happy Days.
Best Wishes Pauline x

Enjoying this lovely weather

We have been enjoying some lovely weather over the last few days in the South East, it's been absolutely glorious.  The garden has come alive, where there was bare earth there is now fresh new green growth, the buds are emerging, Spring is finally here.   Some plants only have a short glory moment, blink and you could miss it.

The Magnolia's this year have been stunning but already their blooms are beginning to fall. 

Blink and you could miss it.

This is a lovely time of year to be out in the garden, everything is coming to life; so full of hope and promise, before the pests and disease take hold.

One of my favourite is Viburnum Mohawk, it's scent is divine, in the last few days the shrub in my garden  has gone from this

to this

Other favourites are Snake's head fritillary, if you look closely you may be able to see a red lily beetle which was quickly squashed.

Chaenomeles Japonica, stunning in white

I could carry on but don't want to bore you all.

Update on 'Home by the Sea' to follow shortly, there has been quite a few new furniture purchases, now all being stored not just in our garage but our neighbours too.  Watch this space.

Best Wishes    

A very busy month

March was a very busy and exciting month for our family.  Its started with a family gathering to wish our son farewell as he went off on an exciting venture to Uruguay, where he is now living, teaching, learning spanish, making new friends and generally having a great time.  It was sad saying farewell at Heathrow but being able to speak with him on skype on a regular basis makes him not being here a whole lot easier.  We miss him but so happy that he is able to have this amazing experience before life's committments take hold. 
Then it was farewell to his lovely girlfriend who is now in Calcutta, working in an orphanage and making a difference to the lives of the young children there.   We really admire her for partaking in such a challenge, we know it's not always easy living away from home and we are very proud of them both.
For those of you who know me, you will know that we are in the process of buying our 'home by the sea', and this has taken up a lot of my thoughts over last few weeks.  Mr P and I are both so exciting about this and looking forward to the next chapter in our lives together.
The month ended with our daughter celebrating her 18th birthday.  Another family and friends get together followed by her amazing birthday party last night.  I know I'm her mother so I'm allowed to say this but she looked absolutely fantasic.  I think she is such a lovely girl (young lady now) and after talking to her friends and people who know her I know that they think so too.  We had such a brilliant evening celebrating, many thanks to all the staff at http://www.thehouseandterrace.com/ who helped make the evening run so smoothly. 

Our beautiful daughter on her special day

And with her very best friends

and her very proud mum

Farewell to March.   Hello April.

My daughter is 18!

Yesterday my lovely daughter Alissia celebrated her 18th birthday

Yes, eighteen

Really, she was 18

It doesn't matter how I say it, she is still 18. (which seems impossible), where have those years gone.

She had a great day celebrating with all her fantastic friends and kind and loving family and received lots of lovely cards, messages and thoughtful presents.  What a lucky girl.  

 

She is also fortunate to share her birthday with her dad, my Mr P. who, as always helped make the day very special for us all.  Happy Birthday Mr P, I gave you the best present 18 years ago when Lissy was born, don't you think ? 

As is the family tradition, her Grandad gave a beautiful speech, (for family members who were absent we have it on video!)

.

 we drank champagne, sang happy birthday  and celebrated together as Lissy is now 18.

Yes 

And we love her to bits x x x x x x

Painted Ercol Unit

Mr P and his brother set off very early this morning to collect my recent e.bay purchase.  Very nice it is too, although me thinks is needs a little bit of TLC , a little bit of sanding and some painting here and there but otherwise its great.  That lovely Ercol shaped top that is so, well Ercol, it even has the cutlery tray.

The weather has been good this week in the South East and the gardening is coming to life.  Lots of fresh green growth emerging from the ground and buds on tress.  I'm now not only thinking about what furniture/accessories to take to 'home by the sea' but also thinking about what plants to move as well.  Will my peonies transplant ok? what about my favourite viburnum.  I can't wait to start my veggie patch, maybe some fruit trees, oh just to have more space for all the plants I can't fit into my existing garden.  What joy!

Table completed

After much sanding, undercoating, painting, re-sanding and re-painting and  then giving up.My beloved Mr P. took over and made a fabulous job of painting my little round table in  Farrow and Ball Wimbourne White and wow it looks fab.  Think this will look lovely in my 'home by the sea'.  Pictures to follow. Thank you Mr P.

I've kind off stopped blogging for a while, as thought it best until we had at least exchanged contracts; which hopefully will be soon
I have seen some lovely furniture and fabrics, not sure if I want a 'retro', 'cath kidston' look or a 'beachy look' for 'home by the sea'.  Recently found a new blog to follow www.abeachcottage.com  and and I'm loving that look, also John Lewis have a great range of 'coastal' accessories in at the moment which would fit in well with the beach theme but so love the 'cath kidston' look.  Just can't decide.


Lovely Mr P. successfully bid on a painted ercol unit for me last week, which he is kindly going to collect tomorrow. Hope its nice.