Last few hours of freedom

It's my last few hours of freedom of what has been my laid back Bank Holiday weekend

My friend left after lunch so I was able to pick up the knitting needles

I'm quite pleased that I remembered what I was doing quite easily!

Shortly I'll be running myself a bath and then off to bed by candlelight from one of my home made candles 

Candle Making!

Today I finally had the energy and enthusiasm to complete a few tasks round the home, the most noteworthy being some candle making

A few weeks ago I had a free weekend and decided to tackle some crafts and whilst this did not happen I had purchased all the supplies now sitting around waiting for me

This tutorial  made teacup candle making look so simple and they were not wrong! 

It really is as simple as weighing the wax, popping in the microwave to melt and pouring the liquid into whatever container you have to hand, in my case teacups

All I can smell is lemongrass (my fragrance of choice) on my hands! 

If you fancy trying this yourself my supplies were ordered from WhicksnWhacks

Approx 200grams of wax + 20mls of fragrance will make one teacup candle 

This evening I'll be watching Scott & Bailey the new ITV detective drama series and preparing for a friend coming to lunch tomorrow. It's time for another appearance of my roast chicken!

For those of you interested in my film choice last night I'd wait for it to come on TV!

Movie Night

My laziness has continued today and I'm still lounging about at home only managing to pop round to see mum for a cheese sandwich and sort through some paperwork!

In a moment I'll be jumping into a luxurious bath and changing into fresh pj's and heading round a friends to watch Morning Glory

I don't feel guilty about my laziness as the next few weeks are jam packed so I'm going to take the peace and relaxation whilst it lasts!

It's the Weekend!

I decided to extend the long weekend even further by taking today off work!

I started the Bank Holiday fun with a McDonalds brekkie

So far there has been very little other activity than laying on the sofa watching TV but I do intend to get motivated soon!

Hopefully there should be a trip to the cinema this evening, a movie night with a friend tomorrow (pjs mandatory!) and an opportunity to visit some boot sales - what do you have planned?

It's not just any food.. it's Marks and Spencer food

Sometimes I can't bare the thought of "proper" cooking and the mess it'll make and that's where good old Marks and Spencer comes in

Sometimes it's good to cheat!

You have to kiss a lot of frogs....

to find your prince they say so this little guy is the perfect bedside companion

I love these trinket boxes and the frog prince has found his "bird" to keep him company!

The bird can still be found in some Monsoon stores, the Frog Prince however was picked up in a local gift shop but a google search found them available here - if only the real thing was as easy to find!

Making a Change

I made a small change in my bathroom recently by changing my bathmat

I'd always admired these bathmats from BHS and picked one up for my bathroom

Whilst I had always liked them it was the pale pink version I'd really wanted but too impatient to look for an alternative meant I can home for one anyway!

I didn't ever feel it looked right so decided a pale pink bathmat was to be looked for! 

Sainsbury's offered the answer!

The right colour and smaller it fits in much better with my bathroom!

It's so nice to be able to make these small tweaks in my home

What I'm Reading - Week 21

Once again there hasn't been much reading from me the past couple of weeks but today I'm starting Russell Brand's Booky Wook

After watching him on Piers Morgan's Life Stories recently I decided to read a bit more about him - I think we all know he's had an "interesting" life!

And here's a quick photo of my ribs from yesterday

They were delicious!!

Slow Sunday!

Last night I went out for dinner and drinks with friends and knew the possibility of a hangover meant I'd be tempted to reach for takeaway menu's for today's meals!

Instead I reached for some reduced ribs and a Nigella recipe and planned ahead! 

Left to marinate in the fridge overnight all that is required from me today is to throw them in the oven and enjoy!  

Even better I don't actually have a hangover so I can enjoy a lazy Sunday watching TV, reading magazines and browsing blogs! 

It's the weekend!!!

Hope you all have some fabulous weekend plans!



Thirty Day Challenge - Question 7

How you came across tumblr, and how your life has changed since joining

I picked up the 30 Day Challenge from Tumblr and whilst I enjoy Tumblr it's not really changed my life like blogging has so that's what I'm going to talk about!

In 2007 I discovered blogs was sitting holed up in my brothers old bedroom where our computer lived searching for various vintage "stuff" websites and images

I didn't really understand blogging in the beginning, most of the blogs I visited were by American ladies and heavily focussed on crafting

On 9th November 2007 I created my first blog Vintage Tea

You can read my first post here and see the comment from the lovely Alison of Vintage Amethyst who has been with me since then as has Priscilla of Priscilla's Cottage a few posts in!

My ground breaking moment came when I Alison of Brocante Home fame shortlisted this post in her Puttery Treat Challenge! Sadly I didn't win but to be featured on Brocante Home was an honour after such a short spell of blogging!

On 13th May 2009 I decided to say goodbye to Vintage Tea and moved to Florence & Mary

Blogging for a year and a half I learnt a lot and wanted a more "professional" look for my blog and that's where Happy Loves Rosie came in. My blog now had a name that reflected me and named after my grandmother's

I was also out of the blogging closet with friends having kept it private and friends Kelly, Rose, Jan, Jill and Ben all saw what fun I was having and created their own blogs!

So to the actual question in hand how has my life changed since I started blogging.... immensely!!!

I have met fellow bloggers like Joe and Teresa and not forgetting the lovely Michela who last Summer travelling to Blighty to stay with Kelly (and many others I haven't mentioned!!) so we could take her round the sights

Many bloggers have been great friends... this one in particular has been a much appreciated agony aunt of late and I love my "off blog" emails with many of you too

Blogging is also to blame for the hole in bank balance from the book recommendations and gorgeous products in the shops as well as a huge source of inspiration of baking and crafting ideas!

Blogging is the best and I couldn't imagine an evening without the laptop and google reader!

As a final note if there are any lurkers reading this post - STOP - register a blog right now and jump in and join the fun!! You won't regret it!!

Sweet Sausages!

A recipe for maple glazed sausages and a packet of sausages in the freezer meant last nights dinner was decided

I intended to cook all the sausages and then have some for leftovers but they were sooooo delicious I demolished the lot!

I highly recommend you try them!

Cook sausages as you wish (I roasted mine with some onion)

Mix equal parts of maple syrup and brown sugar with a couple of tsps of mustard powder

Pour over the sausages and then return to heat for approx 3-4 mins or until done

Local Loot

After giving the flat a good clean yesterday I headed into town to get my nails painted and couldn't resist popping into a couple of charity shops en route!

And I'm glad I did... look at my haul!

I don't usually find I have much luck in my local high streets charity shops as often the prices are too high but all these goodies were reasonably priced

Of course more pictures for "the wall" 

(I'm slightly nervous about hammering nails in the blank side of the wall as there's a plug socket in the middle!)

I wasn't sure whether I "needed" all this gorgeous utility wear but knew I'd regret it later if I didn't!

The various bowls are Johnson Bros' Rosedawn, Meakin's Rosa and Peach Petal by Grindley and in my defence the price was good and I do use serving bowls often for entertaining

I seem to be on a thrifty run of luck at the moment!

Lighten Up!

As you know I've spent the past few months decorating the flat and buying new furniture, cushions and things but the one problem I had was finding the right light shades to compliment my lounge

In the end I turned to Not On The High Street, specifically The Old Lamp Shed and purchased 2 Cath Kidston shades

Before

After

I was worried they were a little small for the room but everyone tells me they look great! They weren't cheap but they're handmade and I hadn't found any budget alternatives on my search so I'm happy!

I have another day off work today (I love not working on a Monday!) so it's time for some housework and then off to town to have my nails done!

Wishing you all a lovely day

Home Sweet Home!

I arrived home a few hours ago from my brother's having had a fantastic time!

Thursday we packed up the picnic basket and headed to Walton-on-the-Naze

The weather wasn't completely on our side but at least it didn't rain and scones with jam and cream are good in any weather!

Brody enjoyed walking on the beach with his dad

And dad enjoyed some sand drawing!

I managed to spy some charity shops on the walk back to the car and came home with these two framed pictures

And we ended our day with pizza purchased with funds supplied by my mum whilst watching the latest Harry Potter film (which my SIL & I were very disappointed with!)

Friday it was off to the zoo where I fed an elephant!

Brody chilled out watching the animals 

and dad discovered elephants were heavy!

We had lunch in McDonalds (and I was happy to discover the Oreo McFlurry is back!) and later that evening watched another film comfy in pj's on the sofa

Saturday was less activity and more laying around at home in our pjs. My SIL did sneak out for a few hours to visit my favourite vintage shop down the road where I sensibly only purchased some cake forks

A BBQ that evening accompanied the Eurovision Song Contest and an end to a lovely weekend!

I had a lovely time and it really did feel like a holiday as my brother and SIL are great hosts and thoroughly spoilt me with good food, company and things to do! I didn't have to lift a finger the whole time I was!

Mini Break!

With no holidays planned for this year I've decided to spend some time away from home and work staying with my brother and his family

my brother and I some time ago!

My brother and SIL are taking my visit very seriously with lot's planned for me; there's been talk of a trip to the seaside, a hunt for the right picnic hamper as well as their local boot sale and some shopping at my favourite vintage shop!

I'm also looking forward to lot's of fun with these cuties

It does feel like a holiday when I visit as I get limited mobile phone reception at their home and due to being up early with the children early nights are more regular so I come home very rested!

Naturally I will ensure lot's of photos are taken and tell you all about it my mini adventures!