5 Ways to a Happier Day

1. Go for a run- it's so true that exercise lifts your spirits, not only does it get those endorphins flowing, but every time I run a little further, longer or harder I get a buzz.  I love that!!!

2. Read a good book.  Obviously.  A hour or so immersed in a good book can take away your troubles like nothing else.  Personally, I love adventure and fantasy stories, which do you like?

3. Have a cup of tea, preferably, in the largest mug in the house.  A cup of tea really does solve anything.  And combine it with a good book and you really can't go wrong!

4. Organise Something.  Bringing order to some chaos can help no end.  I find it difficult to think straight in a mess, so, especially in my work space, I need some kind of order in my home.

5. Paint your nails.  When all else fails, take 10 minutes of 'me time' and paint your nails! I love painting my nails, I love all the colours you can choose from, I love the smart look they give, and I love how forgiving of bitten nails paint can be!

Freya May

Quilting Tiny Quilts

I had my second venture in to quilting this week, the first being a quilt I made for my sister for Christmas and forgot to take any photos of, meaning I didn't bother blogging about it.

This time I had a go at making a 'doll quilt', you know, one for children to play with when playing house and putting their dollies to bed.

What do you think?!

I actually love it though! I personally, think its beautiful and am kind of saddened I can't use it as a blanket myself :-(

The colours are fab, and I made it, and, although its not perfect, it was a great starting project as I can't wait to make another!!!

I'm going to have a go at another small one like this because I think it's a great way at having a go without spending loads on materials- this whole quilt was made with stuff I already had in!! Then I plan on moving up a size, to lap quilts, and taking it from there! :D In the long run I want a purple quilt for our bedroom, and a Christmas Quilt to bring out in winter. And any others that get made will just be a bonus!!!

Freya May

Found on Pinterest #9

Plates!  And plate walls! Check out these prettys...

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Source: fingerprintsonthefridge.com via Freya on Pinterest

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Source: simplypix.tumblr.com via Freya on Pinterest

I LOVE the plate wall idea- and I'm totally planning on stealing it for my own home.  But, first I need a good collection of beautiful plates!  12-15 seem to be a good number.  Now, I don't want any old plates on my wall, I could easily walk in to any charity shop and buy plates galore! No, I want to put time and thought in to this collection and just buy ones I really love and mean something to me.

Lucky for me, I actually found the first plate for the collection at the vintage fair last week!  I really love the colours used in this, and now I've got the first one, it doesn't feel so weird buying them- again, only going to buy special ones!

cost just a single pound! get in!

Do you like it?

Freya May

Pancake Day :D

Happy Pancake Day!

Hope you all enjoyed tasty tasty treats:D  I had a great selection, I started with classic lemon and sugar, then went on to Nutella, then finished off with a maple syrup one- yay!

(is three too many?)

Freya May

* I know this was late, but Blogger was playing up :(

Mirror Make Over

I've had this mirror for years and years.  It started out yellow, and I painted it pink when I was about 14, I think, when I redecorated my bedroom.

Now, it looks like this!

Much more sophisticated, don't you agree? :-)  I love how simple it is to totally change the look of picture or mirror frames with a lick of paint.

I'm so happy to finally have a full length mirror up in our bedroom- it's been one of these projects that has needed doing for ages.

Freya May

All the Fun of the (Vintage) Fair

The Vintage Fair was back in town today! Yay!

David and I took a wander round and enjoyed our selves some tea at cupcakes in the little vintage cafe. 

There wasn't anything that really grabbed my attention, clothes wise, this time, which I was disappointed about. Then I remembered I haven't much money at the moment, so it was probably a good thing!!!

Still, it was such a fun atmosphere and filled with beautiful home wares and handbags and jewellery and funky jumpers and many other lovely things.

Do you go to the vintage fir when it hits your town?  I would recommend it for the simple fun if it all  (and the cake was pretty good too!).

Freya May

Found On Pinterest #8

A look at organisation- Pinterest style 

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Source: gardentrading.co.uk via Freya on Pinterest

Source: thelettercafe.blogspot.com via Freya on Pinterest

Type 'Organization' in to Pinterest and thousands upon thousands of pins will come up giving examples of beautiful and immaculate cupboards, pantries, work spaces, children's bedrooms, wardrobes and everything else you could imagine.

I personally love the inspiration, I constantly work towards clearing out and organising our home to make it a nicer place to live.  I hope my mum wouldn't mind me saying, but I get my hording tendencies from her.  But it is a habit we are both trying to get out of.

And I am having fun trying to organise our home, inspired by the above images and more from Pinterest AND so far, I'm super pleased with my efforts.  This week yet another large box of stuff is being donated to charity, and I'll start going through another one when we get it out of storage. 

I intend to post a little before/after blog about the office/spare room, as this is hubbies work space (in theory) its needed to be functional as well as pretty.  Stay tuned for that, ok?

Freya May

Funny

Well, it made me laught... :D

Freya May

V-Day

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

1 John 4:16 (NLT)

Happy Valentines Day everybody! 

I have had an amarzing couple of days!  I have finally cashed in the gift voucher I was given for my birthday last May for Tea at the Ritz in London!!!

OMG.  I have never been in such luxury in my life! The resturant was just beautiful.  Only pictures can discribe.  We were seated in the Palm Court, at a beautifully laid table, offered the tea menu and a three tiered cake stand was swiftly brought to the table.

Then the food decended.

Finger sandwiches, scones (with jam and cream), pastries, tea, coffee. Refilled regularly as we ate.  We were stuffed. Boy, genuinely, so much food! Then, we were given Cambridge Creams (still no idea what that is) and offered a slice of Bakewell tart or orange and pistachio cake. What?? We had to say no, we were just sooo full!!!

It was probably the best present anyone has ever given to me, I loved every minute.

Thank you Hubby!!!

Freya May

New Printables

Hello! 

This month I've been a little bit obsessed with organising my home and my time, and I wanted to share with you my new 'To Do' list and cleaning schedule.

I had previously printed off a daily schedule from Pinterest which had lots of useful categories to help organise my time, but I found that I just wasn't using it daily.  So, I thought to my self, what if I just have to fill it in once a week?  And seeing as some things on my 'to do' list tended to roll over each day any way, this system should work much better!

Then, I had my cleaning schedule, which worked perfectly (when I remembered/ could be bothered to follow it- naughty Freya) so I just changed the design to fit in with the 'To Do' as I'm a little anal about things matching as much as possible.

Pretty new things to laminate and hang in my kitchen- yay!!!

And, both of these will be copied in to my brand new Family Folder- another Pinterest inspired project I'll share with you all shortly.

Freya May

*Both printables are free to use- enjoy*

Work, eh.

Source: someecards.com via Freya on Pinterest

So, half term is now in just two days! I'm so excited! Time off from work, a trip to London, some home DIY projects, parties and time to relax with hubby (and I wont let him do school work at the same time).

The last 5 weeks have actually been quite enlightening.  Kind of.  I've finally found my step as 'Receptionist' at work, but now the challenge of learning the ropes has gone, I feel...bored.  Basically, I now know for sure I don't want to be a receptionist my entire life.

And it's not just 'its work, of course you're bored' bored, but 'ready to move on and find a new challange' bored.  Not that I have anything to move on to as of now, so I'll probably stay at school until the summer.  No point in quiting a perfectly good, income bringing, job just yet. 

But this is forcing me to realise that I really do want to find a job/career that challenges and stimulates me, sooner rather than later.    And I kinda miss studying (I know, I'm a geek, but knowledge is fun!).

So, decisions must be made, and applications must be sent for experience and training. I know now isn't the best time to be picky about work, and I just thank God that I have a wonderful husband who has the stability in his work to give me the oppertunity to go after what I want too. 

Source: livingasimplelife.com via Freya on Pinterest

Watch this space, I hope soon there'll be more to report.

Freya May

Awkward Gym Moments

*Pic

Except when your in the gym, going about your business on the rowing machine, working hard and feeling good, then you hear a banging noise that coincides with your movements. 

You look up and notice your jumper is now behind you, not next to the machine, where you could have sworn you put it. 

Then you spot it.  You've moved. 

The effort you've put into rowing has shuffled the rower forward and you are now a good four foot from where you started. 

And the noise?  That you banging up against the wall. Yep.  Everyone is looking at you as you move it back to where you started and walk out.  Yep.  Awkward. 

Done anything particularly embarrassing today?

Freya May

Found on Pinterest #7

Today, my 'found on Pinterest' brings you 'Quotes and Such'.

Source: Uploaded by user via Freya on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Freya on Pinterest

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Source: madamecupcake.tumblr.com via Freya on Pinterest

Source: motivationintohabit.tumblr.com via Freya on Pinterest

Feeling all happy and inspired? I hope so :D

Freya May

Dumpster Diving...

Kind off.

Look what I found in a tip on the way home from work.

I can't believe these were just being thrown out.  There was a few other plates and saucers but most were broken :(

I have a small collection of miss-matched cups and saucers, so I'm always looking out for new (and CHEAP) pieces to add to it!

Happy freebies :)

Freya May