Lovely to be asked by Amara Living to pick my favourite Christmas wreath look for 2015, but very difficult as there are SO many to choose from. I eventually plumped for this peacock extravaganza, luxurious and tactile and about as far from practical for my renovation as possible! I love the choices made by other... Continue Reading →
For The Wine Lover With Everything
Here's something different for the man, woman or couple who have everything - that very special bottle of fizz or wine turned into a hanging work of art! Mr M and I were at friends' this weekend and I was intrigued to see his very unusual wall display. Our host is a wine connoisseur and... Continue Reading →
Review: ‘Hey Clay’, Yorkshire 2015
Me : Darling, I fancy doing something sexy for my birthday this year, you up for that? Him : *Nods furiously* Me : *Plans homage to famous scene from Ghost. Sort of.*Now, ok, I know there are a few subtle differences, but you need to bear in mind that a) Patrick & Demi might have set the... Continue Reading →
Do Up Diary#70 Floor Collapse Imminent!
Gazing at my lovely, neat new joists in the extension, it's very tempting to pointedly ignore our reno-hell-section but those ignoring days are coming to an abrupt end as we start to get to grips with the old bit of the house. Here is my living room prepped for the forthcoming festivities:Suffice to say that as you... Continue Reading →
Renovation recipes: Ginger Pork Chop With Cavolo Nero, Goats Cheese & Toasted Seeds
Cavolo nero sounds pretty posh doesn't it, but is simply the Italian name for black kale/cabbage. Traditionally grown in Tuscany, it's now grown in Lincolnshire too, helping to keep down the food miles. This is healthy stuff, great in stews and hearty meals but also a good source of lutein, fibre and calcium, plus vitamins... Continue Reading →
Do Up Diary #68: Installing Your Own DIY Water Main
Feeing like death today from a stinking cold and it's WAY too cold in our heatless house! The Calor gas fire goes on as soon as we open our eyes, thermals are being layered already and it's only November. I'm day-dreaming of a wood burning stove and toasty winter days, at least in our second... Continue Reading →
Spring Bulb Planting at Withy Baths
What a brilliant turn out this morning for our Spring bulbs planting down at Withington Baths! A crisp clear day, no frost and yes, we know it's a wee bit late to plant bulbs in late November but when you're a community group running an Edwardian Baths, some things get shunted down the list when... Continue Reading →