August 30, 2011

Sock it to me...



This isn't a post I had planned. I spent today sorting through my clothes and I fear I have inherited my mother's clothe hoarding skills. I moved here with two suitcases and now have enough stuff to fill two huge closets. EEK! I guess its mainly because I have to have a whole different wardrobe just for winter stuff. But anyways, back to the sorting. I noticed I had a few shirts that had turned grey in the wash and I googled a way to get the white back. After watching a video on adding baking soda to the wash, the video continued on teaching how to fold clothing. What!?! Doesn't everyone know how to fold? Duh.

Well let me tell you my sock folding world has been blown away. I learned today how to fold my socks so that they aren't annoying bulging balls that take up loads of space. Instead they are square bundles that can be stacked! Wow. I know this must sound really daft but I have such limited space so I quickly refolded all of my socks and then was enjoying it so much I did some of my husband's too. So if you want to revolutionize your sock drawer here's the video link.

August 26, 2011

The English Countryside


Part of my new job working for regional newspapers and magazines takes me out into the countryside. I went to shoot an event near the sea side today and on my way I found a store that sells "Shabby Chic" furniture. I popped in on my way home and found loads of old farmhouse tables, which I have been looking for to add a touch of old to my modern home. There was also a Victorian school desk for only £60! I really want it but I have to get the okay from my better half ie my half that is actually responsible with money.

A few days ago I went to photograph a fatal train accident and afterwards found two amazing antique shops. The first one had an amazing old police bicycle and a vintage body form in amazing condition. In the second shop there was a beautiful leather bag and a set of 6 chapel chairs.

Now I didn't get any of these amazing things but I hope to find more things once I have some moola!

August 24, 2011

Almost there...

I can't believe it's almost been a month since I’ve posted anything. Tsk tsk me. I finally have the essentials in life:

*a sofa
*a mattress (no bed frame yet because IKEA recalled it for “quality” reasons)
*internet
*Sky (essentially its cable but you can pick different packages- we chose culture and music)
*all of my things from my Edinburgh flat (more on that in a bit)

There is one essential I don’t have though… MY HUSBAND!! Billy got a job! (Yayayaya happy dance) His job is in London and he starts on September 12. So at least I know I will have my husband soon.

On Saturday we went and picked up our moving van and had to upgrade because we underestimated the amount of stuff we own (I moved over here with only two suitcases and that was only 2 ½ years ago). I loved loved loved driving the metal mammoth around which makes me rethink the kind of person I am. I guess it’s the redneck in me coming out.

It took us 3 hours to load all our stuff from our 2nd floor (3rd floor if you’re in the states) Victorian tenement flat (i.e. loads of stairs). We got on the road at 1pm and got into our new place at 9pm. Phew and if that’s not enough we (meaning mostly Billy) unloading half of the truck right then. I really do have a superman husband.

So now our 2nd bedroom has a futon and loads of boxes that I need to sort through in time for our first visitor in October. Now I have to figure out how to decorate my lovely new home. We have tripled the size of our lounge and halfed the size of our bedroom but we also have a balcony which we love. It’s so nice having an outdoor space all to ourselves.

I really desperately want to furnish the rest of our flat in antiques found in this incredible English countryside. I want an old farm table for our dining area to break up the inevitable IKEA furniture so there’s a good mix of old and new. I am however feeling very overwhelmed when I look for ideas online and see such incredible décor creations. I am crafty but I am also impatient and get bored very quick. So we’ll see how long it takes. Oh and we’re still renting so we have to be delicate with our multitude of frames so I’m trying out the Command adhesive hooks (fingers crossed).

I don’t have any photos yet of the before so instead I put up a random photo of my hero.