It is the end of yet another month in 2013 and I am reflecting on some of the things that I have discovered, used or done, which have made me smile over the last few weeks in my monthly round up of things I love!
De-Cluttering
Now that spring has almost arrived, I am thinking about projects that I would like to do to my home. We decided that this is the year that we are going to reclaim space in our house that has previously been given over to the accumulated clutter generated by having had five children. So last week I blitzed my wardrobe, clearing out six sackfuls of clothing. I was pretty ruthless deciding that if I hadn't worn it recently or if it was looking a bit tired, it had to go. It felt quite therapeutic sorting out my wardrobe space. I had had so many landslides in recent weeks as my irregularly arranged piles of t-shirts, vests, jumpers and nightwear slid over one another as they vied for freedom from their fabric prison. Making rows of neatly folded articles of clothing and removing the dozens of empty coat hangers from my hanging rail has given my wardrobe a new lease of life. I found long forgotten clothes so it felt like I'd been on a shopping spree! Now I just have to apply this principle to the rest of my house!
Springtime
I love that we are finally beginning to believe that the UK has another season other than winter and there are a host of seasonally themed products appearing in the shops to remind us of this fact. For instance, you can make your washing-up chores fit in with the season by using new Spring Blossom Persil Washing Up Liquid. Featuring hints of freesias, white rose, vanilla and dry fruits, the pretty pink washing-up liquid has the perfect aroma to welcome spring into your home. With its burst of fragrance it makes the kitchen smell fresh, and the sparkling results make cleaning up less of a chore. It is especially pleasing if your husband is the one who does the washing up! It retails at £1.00 for a 500ml bottle making it great value too.
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| I was sent one to try! |
Window Blinds
I have always been a curtain-person. I have only ever had blackout blinds for the kids' rooms and have never previously thought of them as being anything beyond functional. However, curtains are quite frankly a bit of a pain. They are a nightmare to hang, the hems fray, the fabric billows in the breeze knocking things over and they are such an all or nothing method of light control. Recently I have begun to covet the array of blinds that adorn the windows of my neighbours' houses. They look so stylish and modern with their clean lines that I am thinking that this is the way I should go when I revamp my bedroom. I love the way that they allow in as much light as you want and they give you privacy. (I'm forever flashing the neighbours when the curtains are open and the bedroom light is on.) I really love these Dark Chocolate Vertical Blinds from Web-Blinds which can be bought online made to measure. I always enjoy adorning my home with things that are named after food. I have Pecan paint in my living room, Toffee Fudge in my kitchen and Mint in my hall. It sounds utterly delicious but is totally calorie free.
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| Dark Chocolate Vertical Blind #sp |
Birthdays
In our family April is a month of celebrations as both Ella and I have birthdays two days apart. This year we had a weekend of chaos and fun when everyone descended to help us celebrate. Then to continue the birthday fun we have had cakes, meals out and made favourite dinners at home.
Ian took me on a date to see The Evil Dead at the cinema! He is such a true romantic!! Even Google got in on the act giving me a personalised home page on my special day. This really made me smile :)
TV Finales
Two of our absolutely favourite TV series are coming to an end and we are both excited to see how things pan out and feeling bereft that we will be losing them over the summer. Dexter and The Following have both had us totally riveted for the last few weeks. Ian, Ella and I have our weekly dates where we join together on the sofa for our fix of our favourite serial killer and our favourite FBI agent who battle it out in their own respective shows. How will they end?? I can't wait to find out. I hope some new shows come along to fill the gap. I have high hopes for Hannibal which starts on Sky Living soon!
Five People You Meet in Heaven
Ella bought me this book for my birthday. It is by Mitch Albom. The story follows Eddie, a fairground maintenance guy who dies while trying to save a little girl from being crushed by a ride that has malfunctioned. He is sent to heaven where he meets five people who significantly impacted his life. I read it in one day because I didn't want to put it down. It is a beautiful and powerful book that made me think about how everything that we do impacts on others and reminds us what is important here on Earth. I highly recommend it for comforting the soul and bringing a little faith and light into your life.
