The Big Reveal!

At last after a long time spent alluding to the fact I was decorating my front room and a few sneak peeks here is my (nearly!) finished work... 

but first the before...

and after....

As you can see I really have been de-cluttering!

I started with changing my sofa covers to grey ones as they are more durable!

I know it's just me but I still managed to get the white covers in such a mess!

I fell in love with these cushions by Barbara Coupe but couldn't justify their hefty price tag until I discovered they were available to purchase on Rockett St George using paypal and my eBay funds

The Kissing on VJ Day poster was a starting point for my new wonder wall and a gift for Christmas

A new console table to match my side tables sits underneath my window

A new bin (also a paypal purchase) sits underneath my window

And a close up of my window sill shows my King Charles dogs that came from my parents home, an Eiffel Tower from Homesense and fabulous photo of my nephew and I

Please note the tissue box will be hidden in one of these eventually since I've discovered the store will also take paypal so more eBay sales are required first!

I had envisaged purple to be the accent colour in the room but after I saw how fabulous my red Valentine's roses looked in the room I went for red which worked well to accommodate Yankee Candles new True Rose fragrance

Some red on the sofa and another Barbara Coupe cushion

Finally my Diptyque candle has a home

A cheeky sign to accompany my stash of booze!

I had originally wanted chandeliers but decided light-shades would be easier should I fancy a change at a later date

and of course my dining table is awaiting new chairs!

And that brings us back to the beginning!

There's still bits and pieces to do, a mirror and blinds to be hung but I love how simple it feels and can now enjoy picking up bits and pieces as I go along to add a little something here and there and more importantly - its so much easier to keep clean and tidy!!

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

What I Read on Holiday

I declined use of my mum's kindle on holiday instead taking a selection of library books with me - a brave step as usually I would read the books and then leave them behind but thinking it made as much sense as "buying" books online - sadly Ryanairs excess baggage charges didn't make this as thrifty a decision as I'd hoped and I had weighty hand luggage on the return journey to keep my case light in kilos! Note to self - take the kindle next time!!

In any case I managed to get through 2 books during the week using each chapter as my note to turn on the sunbed - yes I used the rotisserie chicken tanning method!

The books of choice were; A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde which was an easy read and perfect for dipping into when not the pool but I found it a bit far fetched in places, her journey made too easy and the ending simple and obvious and Fame by Tilly Bagshawe. I read this in about 2 days and loved it. I've read Tilly's other books and she's a Jackie Collins of the new generation and if you're a fan of the Khardashian types and E! tv shows you'll be a fan of her books I'm sure

And started on the plane was Lethal Seduction by the original Jackie Collins and it'll be my book of choice to keep me on the train to work today!

Back to Reality!

My week in the sun is over but what a wonderful time I had!

Wonderful weather, relaxation, cocktails and camel rides it was a week filled with laughter and I've gone from not being the sun's number one fan to loving laying out in the sun toasting my body

I was pretty bad taking photos so I don't have many to share at the moment but as soon as I get copies from my friends I'll share with you!

For now I have lot's of tv to catch up on my planner and a pile of washing to do before work tomorrow!

OSCARS

Regular readers of my blog will know I love Oscar night

I will have dark circles under my eyes in the morning as I sit up till the early hours particularly paying attention to the red carpet entrances

One of the first on the carpet was Milla Jovovich and she looked stunning, like the movie stars of old

Can't wait to see how many more stunning (and not so!) dresses make their way down the carpet!

De-Cluttering History

Whilst sorting through my sideboard during my mammoth de-cluttering sessions I can across a pile of old video tapes with various home movies etc on them

For years they have sat in the cupboards unable to be watched as I constantly intended to learn how to transfer on to DVD, buy a video or similar

This time I bagged them up and took them into the local branch of Snappy Snaps and had them all transferred to DVD

Now this wasn't cheap and I'm sure there are cheaper services etc but it was a fantastic feeling to cross this task that has been on the list for many years off the list