Holidays!

Just when most people are probably thinking about the holidays being over I'm just starting a week off work. Hooray! I haven't had a week off since April, and I can tell you I'm really ready for it.

I've had a pretty stressful summer what with splitting up with my boyfriend which left me living here alone, and a few minor health issues. But I really feel like I'm turning a corner these last couple of weeks. Having initially felt a bit wierd about being in our flat on my own I am starting to see it as an opportunity to turn it into a girly paradise! As I've already said, I'm a huge fan of all things vintage, floral and pretty, but I had to slightly curb those tastes when I was living with him. It took me a while to get started but now I have all sorts of plans to make this flat into my own pretty little nest. I started off last week by painting this little table.

My Godmother gave me it last year when I didn't yet have a kitchen table. It actually turned out to be a bit low for eating at so I used it as a side table, but as it was supposed to be an out door table it was stained a not very attractive orangey colour. So for the past year it's had a cloth on it which looked nice enough but somehow not quite right. So last week I got my paintbrush out and painted it while watching TV one evening. That's very much me actually. No careful planning or doing the painting in a sensible place. No, I just painted it right here in the sitting room. I'm quite impatient and when I decide I want to do something I just have to do it right then!

I'm really pleased with how it looks. Somehow it just looks fresher, and although it was nice having a cloth on, it does look good being able to see the space underneath. Also, my pictures and ornaments look nicer against the matt white. I bought the lamp the other day. It's very plain but I may decorate the shade in some way. I'm thinking about a ribbon trim around the bottom edge which is what I've done with another shade in the room, or maybe a row of buttons. A little more thought needed I think.

The little glass bottle and tiny vase used to belong to my Nanna. I love the little bottle as it is full of memories. Despite the fact that it is nearly 30 years since Nanna died, when I open the top, I can still smell the perfume. I can't actually remember her wearing the perfume, as I was only five when she died but somehow the smell makes me think of her. The little vase is perfect for one tiny flower.

The cup and saucer belonged to my other Grandma and is part of a set which I have. Unfortunately there isn't the whole tea set, but I have a few plates and cups and saucers, and the milk jug. I always use the plates when I have cake as it reminds me of eating cake at her house. She always made coffee and walnut cake for us. It's funny because I remember thinking how horrible and old fashioned the set was when I was a little girl, and now I just love it and wish she hadn't broken quite so much of it.

I'm going up to the Cotswolds this afternoon to visit my parents as it's my Birthday tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it as it's such a change from London. As I write this there is a plane overhead coming into Heathrow, and it will be so lovely to get away from that for a couple of days of peace. I will take plenty of pictures to post, and I'm hoping for a bit of shopping in some of the lovely shops up there.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with a little book recommendation. This is a new and current favourite of mine. Full of gorgeous pictures and ideas.

Happy Weekend!