Friday Free For All: Why Being a Girl is So Cool

I had to share this ridiculously over the top feminine glamour with you today. I can't really imagine living in a home that was quite this full on but I do admit to really finding it rather fabulous.

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And just because I'm all about the fairness in my little Swoon Worthy world, I'm going to show you this dressing room too.  Mostly because it's very different but equally as sensational.

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Ohhhh sometimes it's good to be a girl.

Which do you prefer?




By the way, this is when Gwen Stefani actually rocked, before she went all Lady Gaga Harajuku Girl weird.

Happy Friday my lovelies!

Deck-o-Rate: Small Outdoor Space and Deck Inspiration

This year, we've decided that we'd like to spruce up the back garden a bit seeing as we've not really touched it at all since we got our fence done and added a few pretty flowers and a hanging basket last year.  So we're looking into building out the deck to make it large enough for a bit more seating, putting in some railing and buying a nice wooden shed for the bottom of the garden to store our bits and bobs - generally just doing a bit of a spruce up.  It's not a large garden by any means (the house was built in Edwardian times - 1906 was not a year of large outdoor spaces apparently) but it's cute enough and we don't want to spend a lot of money at the moment anyway as we're still saving to finish the kitchen.

If we had loads of money to throw at it, I'd be digging up the whole thing and starting from scratch, but alas, sometimes you just have to work with whatcha got!

Anyway, as Spring is just about ready to sprout, I thought you might like to see some of the inspiration that's floating my boat at the moment.

This first pic gives me hope that even if you have a tiny space, you can dress it up beautifully.  Doesn't hurt if your view is spectacular as well.  Sigh.

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I just love the bright, happy textiles.  Combined with some pretty blooms, the whole outside area just comes to life.

I think the first image that really got my mind working overtime was seeing CocoCozy's fabulous deck makeover that she did in a WEEK.  With the addition of some gorgeous fabrics, lovely accessories and a few painted pieces, it was transformed into a lovely outside space that anyone would be happy to spend time in.

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This next image proves you certainly don't have to use bright colours to really zhush up your outside space.  The simple graphic cushions, lots of white furniture and a seagrass rug create a serene environment, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine on a warm summer evening.

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This cute retro deck uses a large hedge like a wall to hang artwork upon - it really makes the whole space look like an additional room.  I would love to curl up with a book in the sunshine and just chill out!

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Here's another small outdoor space that I love.  A brick wall and a concrete porch could have proved challenging but the cute turquoise chairs, touch of red and the graphic cushions add a bit of punch and the many pots add a lovely eclectic vibe.

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I really love this fun, colourful outdoor rug.  While they are near-on impossible to find in the UK, it seems that Habitat has cottoned on and are finally offering outdoor rugs on their site!  (Thanks to Rachie of A Chi Chi Affair for that bit of a heads up!!)  Lets hope more companies follow suit!

And lastly, there is something so incredibly relaxing about this naturally gorgeous space.  I love the rustic elements and the black and white graphic cushions.  Isn't it beautiful?

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Ya know, I found so many gorgeous images in my hunt for inspiring outdoor spaces and whilst I'd love to share them all with you today, I'm going to wait until a future post where we'll look at easily adoptable ideas you can use in your own garden!  How's that for a tease?  I know, I know, I'm terrible.

So, tell me, are you going to be making any changes to your garden, porch or deck this year?  Maybe you have just a little patio or a balcony and you're feeling a bit challenged by the lack of space?  I hope these images have given you a few ideas that you don't need a huge space to make a big imact.

I have to say as well, I'm having fun looking at outdoor fabrics at the minute and deciding what my colour scheme is going to be!  Can't wait to share that with you as well!

In related news, we spent 3 hours in our garden on Sunday tidying it up and clearing out the fallen leaves and weeds and dead plants and throwing out some of the rubbish left behind by the previous residents as well as from our own DIY projects.  The good news is I feel like we now have a lovely blank canvas to work with.  The bad news is I was still sore days later from all the bending and lifting.  Oh dear, is this what getting old is all about?

Colour Wash: Spring Style in the Living Room

With Spring finally within reach, I have been itching for some colour in my home.  While I do really love subdued tones like blacks, greys and white mixed with natural colours and textures, lately it seems I've been drawn to vibrant shades.

I reckon this new direction has a lot to due with the lack of colour during the grey Manchester winter.  Happily, the sun has been shining the last few days, despite the still rather chilly temperatures outside so I decided I needed to bring some of that sunshine indoors by shopping my house and adding just a couple of colourful accessories.

The black embroidered cushions I used to have on my sofa have a new home in the master bedroom (where they tie in quite nicely with the black wall, I'll have to show you another time) and grabbed some brighter cushions for my sofa.  The eagle-eyed may recognise the cushions from my shop - the berry diamond link cushions and lime fretwork combine nicely to brighten up the sofa and compliments the yellow wallpaper.

(If you want cushions like this, you can still get 20% off by quoting SWOONFF12 at checkout when you visit my shop Swoon Worthy Homewares!)

I've added some peachy-orange cheapy roses (ooh yes, as a cheapskate, they are my speciality) to add a bit more colour in the 'hole' where the fireplace would be.  Um... no.  I still haven't pulled my finger out and purchased the decorative wood pieces for this spot so a few flowers will have to do for now.

I did pick up this pretty tray at Zara Home recently.  Though difficult to tell in the pictures, it really does pick up the greens, yellows and pinks in the rest of the room.

Here's a better shot of the tray - I love the colours and the tropical feel of it.  Yum Yum!

 Of course, a bit of sparkle from a bling-y chandelier doesn't hurt either!

I am considering swapping out the coffee table in here for something a little less 'heavy'.  I feel a wee bit guilty as it's one of the very few things that was originally from W's home (a hand-me-down from his mum, bless) which has 'survived' my critical eye.  But what I would really like is something like this...

I love the two small tables grouped together - it gives you that much more flexibility to move them around if needed.  And they look great together too.

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If I can't find two matching smaller tables like that, then even a  single one in this style, would be wonderful...  I'm keeping my eye on eBay!

But back to my nowhere-near-as-pretty living room...

I also purchased this tortoise shell effect glass vase from Zara Home - can you tell they recently had an offer for 20% off and free shipping?  Ooooh she likes a bargain this kid!!

Again, difficult one to photograph when it gets blown out by the bright window behind it but here's a better pic from the Zara website...

One thing I'm now considering is getting some colourful artwork for the wallpapered wall.  I'm so enamoured by the gorgeous watercolours I'm seeing all over blogville so it's a definite consideration.  I think when we first wallpapered, I just wanted to enjoy it as it was and not distract from the pattern but I now feel ready to add a bit of something fabulous for the wall.

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I'm also rather desperate for a cool geometric rug in here.  I've been considering the possibility of this one from West Elm which I can actually get shipped from the States (my only hope of an affordable geometric rug as they don't make them in this country)...

But as Spring is most definitely starting to spring already and despite whatever purchases I have yet to make, I'll have to live with a few pretty cushions to keep me happy for now!

Have you swapped around your living spaces to brighten it up now that winter is on it's way out?  Do you change your decor for the seasons?

Free For All Friday: Meet Jane and Julia, My Newest Discoveries

A blog post in two parts...

Firstly, have only just discovered the ridiculously stylish Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes and I already want to be her when I grow up.   

What do you mean I'm already a grown up and she's only like 20 years old??  WHY IS THE UNIVERSE SO UNFAIR?!?!

Ok, fine.  I'll just take her wardrobe.

Oh, and her flat.

 And her youthful gorgeousness.

Sigh.

Second discovery... some tunage (that's pronounced 'toon-ij' if you were confused)...

Julia Stone (sister to Agnus whom she normally performs with) is an Australian singer-songwriter and this song is from her solo album, Memory Machine.  Despite having a #1 record in Australia, I don't believe her and her brother are particularly well known in the UK - well, at least not on popular radio stations.  Have you heard of their music before?  If so, apologies, I'm behind the times!

This song is called This Love and the rushed intensity of the brush on the drums is perfect on chilly day...  her voice, feminine and ethereal, transports you.

I can hear your music from a million miles away,

The angels got it right when they made you the way they made you.

Sometimes I wonder if you're made from bones and skin

Or are you something for me to begin again, again

Anyway, just a little moody vibe for a Friday.
 
Want to hear more?  Julia's website can be found here.



 
Discovered anything new this week?  Share with me, I always like finding new cool stuff!

Have a lovely weekend my darlings!

WWED?: Snazzy New Sideboard Jewellery

It will come as no surprise to those of you that have been reading my blog for a little bit that I'm currently obsessed with all things gold and I've been adding it in small doses to anything that's not bolted down my dining room.

If you missed my post yesterday, I featured the lovely Erin of Clementine and Olive and it was whilst looking at Erin's gorgeous creations that started me thinking about my own antique sideboard.

So after a WWED (What Would Erin Do?) moment, I decided to email her to see if she thought the sideboard hardware should be given the gold treatment.  I had a feeling she might agree but I was actually a little scared to take the plunge without 'permission'. Happily, Erin encouraged me to most definitely go for it!  All systems were go!!

So I did it.  And I have to say, it's like my sideboard has had a little makeover with new pretty jewellery!

(Warning: There are far too many pics in this post and instead of deleting some of them, I decided to just post this warning instead because I couldn't decide which ones to delete and I like to make life more complicated than it needs to be.)

Here's the before...

I tried using Brasso to start with but the hardware was almost black as  you can see and, well, I like instant gratification.  After about 10 minutes of tedious polishing on the first handle with no budging of the antiqued finish, I decided I really couldn't be arsed doing this for each one of the handles.  So with the help of my lovely stand by, Montana Gold Gold Chrome spray paint, I got to work.  I also gave the front another coat of glossy white paint which is not entirely noticeable in this post but it just needed a bit of a refresh.

So here's the after...

I love the fact that it ties in rather nicely with the barcart next to it.

The result is subtle which I'm happy about but it's just enough to give the room a little push into the glamorous side.

So thank you, Erin for the fabulous inspiration and encouragement!

What do you reckon?  Do you think I should be certified for being slightly gold mad?  Or perhaps you think that I own stock in Montana Gold spray paint (I don't, I just really like it)?  Or maybe you think the sideboard looked better before?  Or perhaps you just want to say "hi" or let me know what you're having for dinner tonight?  Hey, I'm easy - the comment box awaits!