Books and a 30 Minute Project :)

I promised to return soon with some books I've been enjoying and here we are today! Here's part of one of my two stacks of books that live on a shelf in the sitting room, looking pretty and ready for a browse any time.

The new one here is At Home With Country by Christina Strutt, who is the founder of the company Cabbages & Roses. There are lots of beautifully styled and inspiring interiors inside, just the sort of thing that makes you want to rearrange your own home and pay attention to the little details.

It has the chintzy, colourful style that I love but there's plenty of more pared down schemes for those who prefer life a bit more simple.

The only problem I have with it - if you can call it that really - is that it does start to feel a bit like an expensive catalogue as although the fabrics are lovely they are shown in almost every scene, and I'm not sure any household is quite that loyal to one company ;)

The next one is Nigella's latest, Kitchen, which I suspect many other bloggers have already got their hands on! This was a surprise pressie from my hubbie and it was a good one!

I have all Nigella's previous books bar Nigella Express (for some reason that series just didn't do it for me) and her Christmas one, and I would have to say this is my favourite after How To Be A Domestic Goddess. Huge book with loads of ideas written in her chatty style and some lovely sounding recipes. Once the new cooker is fitted I will trying lots of them out!

There is some of her traditional comfort food type recipes but lots of other inspirational ideas too.

The last one I wanted to show you is one I am really naughty for taking a peek at as it's my Christmas pressie from the girls (I found it for £9.99 in a local book shop, I never pay the RRP for books ever!). This is lovely, and I think probably a lot of other bloggers' favourite too. It's the Homemade Home by Sania Pell.

There are fifty projects throughout the book and templates at the back for many of them. I'm not normally "into" instructional books as I prefer to make it up myself but this seems like a good mix of ideas, pictures and clear directions. It would be a really nice gift for a beginner or a more experienced crafter I think.

Love the photographs! Can't wait to have a proper read when I'm officially allowed!!!

In the spirit of gaining a homemade home I made a little something yesterday that I thought I would show you. I've been sorting through the clothes lately as both girls seem to be growing faster than I can keep up suddenly and I've been passing a lot of things on. I'm sure most mums can relate to those one or two things that are so hard to part with, and yet it seems a bit pointless keeping them hanging about. For me one of those things was this T-shirt, which although not expensive or glamorous (I got it second hand from ebay myself) has seen both my babies through the terrible twos and onto preschool.

Yes, we all love parties, puddings and pink ;)

Awful picture as the light was fading yesterday afternoon when I took it I'm afraid. Anyway, I paired it up with a cheap and cheerful piece of stripey cotton from my stash and got inspired with the pink button jar.

I cut out a rectangle where the logo was and sewed on a couple of pretty buttons, I chose a big mother of pearl one and a little glittery one... strategically positioned to hide an ancient stain!

I sewed it together with the stripey cotton and made it into a self contained mini cushion. I would probably pin the fabric if I did it again as I discovered T-shirt fabric is a bit of a bugger for stretching and moving in odd ways! So it's just a little pretty that's now in my youngest's room. But it was such a relief to make something cute and not have to bin or give away a T-shirt that was definitely past its best, but of sentimental value.

In my view that's what homes are all about, keeping familiar and comforting or beautiful things around you to create a place where you feel happy and safe. It it makes you happy, then go for it :)

Thanks so much for all the very kind and generous comments on my previous post, I do so appreciate all of them. Sorry I'm not much cop at getting back round to everyone but I am thankful that you take the time to read and reply. Lots of love Mel xxx