TREE HOUSE LOVE

Since the Small's tree house (wendy house on stilts as we don't have a big enough tree), is in the back yard and part of the space where the MESSY STUDIO is - it needed a upgrade too. The interior was filled with baby stuff and home to a large messy hang of geckos so the Small no longer loved her house in the leaves. Together we stripped out all the baby stuff, cleaned it and put aside for donation. Scott painted the outside with a water based wood oil/stain and fixed the pieces that had come loose due to weather and insects. Swan then chose a beautiful blue for the interior, after a very cramped painting marathon by the big man all was new and exciting again.

VINTAGE POST BOXES LOVE

This is the first big piece of furniture for the MESSY STUDIOS in it's BEFORE stage. I came upon it when I went to collect a beautiful crocheted blanket that I had bought on BID OR BUY. It is a set of wooden post boxes that would have stood in the entrance foyer of block of flats. I dislike the red tinge to the stain immensely so it will be stripped, fill'ered and painted white as we may well not be able to rescue most of the veneer. I can't wait for this glut of storage space! Here are a few more lovely storage style pics I saw on the Google train this morning. Absolutely adore the pegboard wall.

REMODELISTA

HOMELIFE

KATE'S CREATIVE SPACE

LITTLE WILDEBEEST EYES LOVE

The Small has a tea at school today and she needs to take biscuits, we were going to make some Nutella ones when I came across this recipe in one of my favourite baking books MAKE GIVE SELL by Callie Maritz and Mari-Louis Guy. This is an awesome book because it is local, with great history and tradition but with a perfect modern presentation and flavours. They have the best name ever Wildebeesogies ( Little Wildebeest Eyes)! These little devils are just an excuse to have a ball of crispy cheese with some jam in the middle, we used the Woolies stripey cheese which is nice and strong plus we threw in some parmesan for good measure. I am too lazy to type out the recipe so I took a snap of it. Now if these were for adults only I would definitely add a large pinch of cayenne pepper!

CAMELLIA MAY LOVE

It's that time of the year again, when Camellia's bloom. I have a new one which is just covered in buds, the flowers are very romantic and have a delicious perfume. I prefer the Japonica blossoms which are like pom poms but they struggle to bloom in my garden, I have had more success with the single or double varieties.

LUCKY HORSESHOE LOVE

I have been collecting bits and bobs for when the MESSY STUDIO is finished, some are big pieces of furniture that are being renovated. (I will do some before and afters later). Some are amazing trades, that I am so excited about I might detonate! Some are small but full of whimsy and wishes. Bought this gorgeous rusty blue lucky horseshoe while we were in the Midlands. Also bought the print behind it, it is part of a collection that we have been amassing for ages and which will have pride of place on the left wall of the MESSY STUDIO.

LUSH DESIGNS LOVE

I am a spoilt little red head, my birthday present arrived from the friend of my heart, Carla, yesterday. It contained amongst other treasures two tea towels by the fabulous LUSH DESIGNS. Have a peep at their website, they make beautiful, folk art style stuff in lovely colour palettes. Oh how I love their line work. Thank you my sweet for my package of joy!

SAINT VERDE LOVE

The best part of our weekend away was it coincided with the massive succulent sale at SAINT VERDE. If there was ever a place that fulfilled every part of my childhood (and adulthood) dream of living in the country, it is epitomised by this haven of style and beauty curated my Neville & Sharon Trickett. In Googling just now I discovered a VIMEO that SAINT VERDE is for sale(????). To all those dear departed great aunts that I don't even know about in England, about now is the time for any bequests to come through or the lotto or gold doubloons buried in the back garden.