Beat a Cold in style

Today I have that evil tell tale sore thoat and general icky feeling that signifies a cold coming on. For me, the worst thing about having a cold is not so much feeling ill but feeling messy, disheveled and generally disgusting. Aside from reaching for the flu plus tablets, here are my personal 5 ways to cheat a cold in style.

1.Clear house = Clear head
As soon as I have the feeling that a cold is coming on, I blitz the house while I still feel well. Carpets are hoovered, kitchen and bathroom are scrubbed and washing is done and put away. Being ill is bad enough but having a mess around you too is only going to make you feel worse. A lovely clean house is half the battle won in my opinion.

2. A bed you would pay to sleep in.
Rest is best for a cold so ditch the duvet that hasn't been in the wash for over a week and make a point of changing your sheets as soon as you can (even if they've just been done the other day). I know that being bunged up will keep me awake so I mitigate the risk as much as I can by making my bed as comfy and lovely as possible. I'm a bit OCD with this one, I'll even iron my sheets with vaporess so they feel even fresher and put a few drops of olbas oil on the pillow. For me, the sore throat is replaced the next day with evil blocked nose and achy body. But with my lovely bed sorted the day before, it's leah 1, cold 0!

3. Put something good back in.
Our bodies are good at fighting colds but give them a helping hand by feeding it with tasty healthy food instead of junk. Spicy soups and curries work a treat for me. Firstly they unblock your breathing momentarily and secondly when you're unable to taste much, spicey food still gets through your numbed senses. I try to avoid dairy as it makes you more mucussy (sorry, I couldn't avoid the word). Instead for a hot drink I either have good old honey and fresh lemon juice with a bit of fresh ginger or one part fresh orange with one part boiling water.

4. Dont be a slob.
Obviously,  i'm not saying you shouldn't take it easy if you feel lousy, but wallowing in your ill misery won't help. No matter how ill I am (and I'm not talking about anything more serious than a cold people) I still try to get up, get a shower (menthol shampoo works wonders), and put clean PJs on. Also, keep a waste paper basket by your bed for all the tissues. Waking up with used tissues around you isn't pleasant.

5. Binge on a boxset.
Dont get sucked into daytime tv and endless accident claim adverts. Indulge in some back to back episodes of your favorite show or that US drama you've been meaning to get into. Its not often you can enjoy so much tv, guilt free!

Of course in a perfect world id employ servants, but in the meantime, the above helps me get one over the lurgy!

Felt Decorations

I'm a sucker for Scandi style decorations most years but this year the trend seems to be huge. Now that I've finally given everyone their christmas presents I can post pictures of my attempt a felt decorations...

Need this in my life!

Carnival Dress | Hobbs Mobile

Is it time for peonies yet?

I've not seen them anywhere yet!

Victoria's Paperie

Is this not the loveliest wedding invite ever? Designed and made by the talented Victoria, it makes me want to have a party just so I can ask her to create something this pretty for me! Can't wait for Rebecca and Paul's wedding.

Check out the lovely wedding and social stationary designs created so far at Victoria's Paperie.

Picture used from http://www.facebook.com/victoriaspaperie#!/victoriaspaperie

Just keep swimming...

I'm now half way through a refresher course in swimming and I wish I'd done it years ago instead of being so hung up on what I look like and how good I am. I'm enjoying it so much and I'm actually better than I thought. I know its one of those things that you supposedly never forget how to do, but you'd be amazed at how much your technique improves when you have coach.

I can't wait to get to Marrakech now and take advantage of the pool!

I knitted an actual something!

I learnt to knit as a kid but finding crochet easier, never really stock with it. However, last week I did a course at the very lovely Nest knitting shop, and I actually accomplished a finished pair of wrist warmers. They aren't perfect, but I'm proud of them.

Next stop; ravellry.

Beautiful bunting

Lot's of lovely handmade bunting for lot's of upcoming W.I. events!!

http://stroudgreenwi.webs.com/

Now we can all be Ariel...

....and we don't have to trade our beautiful* voices with an overweight octopus.

Ever wanted to go out dressed like an Aristocat but have been deterred by the irritating fact that its not really socially acceptable (and a bit ridiculed)?

Probably not but, you will just adore this tumblr blog Disneybound. It pulls together fantastic looks inspired by all our favourite Disney characters (plus some you've never heard of). It is sheer genius and wont have you looking like a 'kooky' try hard teenager.

I'm not talking Gaga kermit dresses or anything, just subtle ideas that channel our childhood princess heroins.

They even have a Prince Eric look hmmm. Yes, I am aware that it's wrong to have a cartoon crush but Prince Eric is CLEARLY the exeption to the rule.


I could spend hours on this website.

*yes that's right, beautiful. In my head.

Extreme Makeover: Nice edition

Hello, it's a been a while but ATN is back with a new look. Do you like what we've done with the place? thought it was about time we tried on something new!

Big thank you to Steph Anne at Yellow & Savvy Design for making us look all nice and sparkly again.

Fishs Eddy has crossed the Atlantic!

Very excited that my absolute favorite New York Store Fishs Eddy has opened a department within Liberty. I ADORE this shop, I found it by accident whilst shopping in Union square 4 years ago, and ever since then it is the first place I head when in NY (after starbucks for a green tea lemonade of course).
Last autumn I took my parents there (pic below) and got my mum hooked on it's fabulous homeware too. My favorite purchases are my brooklyn 'cawfee' mugs and my leaf shaped cookie cutters, but if i could kit out my kitchen with everything fishs eddy then i'd be a happy lady. The only store in the UK i've ever found remotely similar is Utility in Brighton. The sad thing is I fear this will be another Anthropology situation, whereby I waited years for the store to open here, and when it did, prices were beyond extortionate.

Find Fishes Eddy in the dining section of Liberty, I can't wait to check it out!

oh the Good Life...

Whilst I love living in London, I do really appreciate having an outdoor space to grow things in and over the past year we have completely transformed our little garden from what was little more than wasteland, into a little bit heaven. I’m mostly proud our vegetables, it’s so nice being able to pop into the garden for some fresh herbs or the odd courgette. Soon our tomatoes will be ready to enjoy, along with lots of lovely new potatoes.


All we need now are some Chickens, a couple of pigs and maybe a beehive. Yep, just call me Barbara.

A crafty pint

My local pub the Stapleton Tavern has started to do monthly Craft afternoons, this pleases me! This Saturday it is Fabric printing which I've never tried before so should be interesting. I also heard a rumor they are starting knitting nights, which would be nice to sit by their fire as the autumn nights set in making pretty things.

I'm trying to get back into making things again, yesterday I started to make a crochet ballet cardigan for my friend Kat who is expecting a little girl later this year.

My Favourite Childhood book, explains a lot.

I just found my favourite childhood book on Amazon, Sally's Secret. Sadly over the years I lost my copy, having lots of sisters generally meant our books were handed down, so lots got lost, many drawn all over (i remember my mum having to replace a rather defaced copy of Robert the Rose horse) or if they were particular favourites, simply fell to bits.

But Sally's Secret was my most favorite of all. A story about a girl who hosts a secret tea party in her garden it's no suprise as an adult I am obsessed with garden parties.

North East Coast

When I'm tired of life in the capital, I would love to move to the coast either Brighton or Tynemouth would be my preferences for different reasons.
I love the north east coastline, there are so many unspoilt beaches, King Edwards Bay and Durage Bay being my favourites. Being minutes away from the beautiful sandy beaches is something I miss when I'm in London, as even the nearest coastline is a train journey away and is mostly pebble beaches.
I remember summer evenings in my late teens spent heading to the beach and chilling out with my friend Sas, drinking cold beers, or hot summer days in the caves of Colourcoats (not usually one of my fav beaches)swimming in warm shallow pools left by the tide.

I went for a day out to Tynemouth with my parents the other week to explore the huge flee market and then for a nice drive up to blyth and whilst I was there thought I'd test out my vignette app.

I just bought this bike!

So excited! it looks just like the Raleigh Heather I had as a kid! I hated it when bikes like this were no longer considered 'cool'. I was not a fan of mountain bikes!

Now, this may have been the worst spur of the moment decision i have ever made as riding it might be an issue! i havent cycled since i was 17 :-s

Utility Chic

Nowhere inspires me to blog quite as much as Brighton and my last trip was no exception when I stumbled upon Utility.

This treasure trove of WW2 era functional kitchen/dinning ware is such a treat. Think Fishes Eddy NYC meets traditional hardware store. The owners are so lovely and friendly, and are clearly passionate about what they do and the little world they are aiming to create

I wanted to buy everything in sight but unfortunately would not have been able to carry everything back to London so I have wisely decided to wait for the launch of their online shop(which I am eagerly anticipating), so I can go crazy!

My favorites were the selection of Enamel dishes & mugs and amzing Tea towls.

I wish this was at the bottom of my garden...

http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2010/08/summer-pleasures-hideaway-house.html

Outdoor Spaces

From previous blogs of mine (Party in the Garden, I want to have a Garden Party) you will see that i'm in love with dreamy garden parties on long summer nights. Yesterday I discovered the book 'Outdoor Spaces' from the wonderful people at Pottery Barn (which begs the question, why the heck doesn't London have a Pottery Barn yet??)
This book is definately on my Amazon wish list!

I wish I didn't live with boys, they just don't appreciate this sort of thing!

Brighton Brunch and Snoopers Paradise

Off to Brighton on Saturday with the lovely Miss Whiteford! I can't wait to hit the Lanes! There is on one shop in particular that I'm really looking forward to, it's called Snoopers Paradise and basically consists of dozens of individual antique/vintage/junk stalls all under one roof. Last Autumn when I went to Brighton with my Mum, we spent hours in there!

I also can't wait (If Lindsey's up for it) to try out 'Table', recently voted one of the best places to go for bruch by Stylist Magazine! Mmmmmm pancakes and bacon....