I almost pulled out every hair on my head in desperation to find the plumber’s phone number. Typically just as the temperature drops, so does the pressure on my boiler, and I was in dire need of a man in the know when it came to my boiler. Green Fingers is a wizz with anything to do with the garden and DIY, but when dealing with gas I thought a professional was a little more reliable and have less chance of blowing the flat up!!
It was as I was rummaging through the third kitchen drawer and cursing how I always put important numbers in a ‘safe place’ and never being able to find them again, that I decided to sort out my ‘useful numbers and contacts’ and get things in order. Once the plumber’s card was eventually found and heat was restored again, I pulled out my trusty lap top and went straight to the fountain of all knowledge, www.sheerluxe.com. I thought that if I could get any ideas for somewhere stylish, yet useful, to store useful bits and bobs, that would be the first place to look.
Sheerluxe.com did not fail me. I came across a wonderful website www.bellemaison.com and found exactly what I’d been searching for…a stylish and pretty pinboard, which would not make my kitchen look like a student’s! The very thought made Pashminas and Pearls shudder. With a range of colours in gingham check with ribbon and button detailing, it was in my shopping cart as quick as my mouse would allow it, and I was already deciding where to hang it on my kitchen wall.
Once I’d gotten over the excitement of finding my purchase as quickly and easily as I did, I starting browsing through their online shop…the furniture is beautiful and the photography certainly helps you to imagine how fabulous it would look in your home – I’m already thinking of my next house and where I can fit their gorgeous Provencal dining room furniture!!
If, like me, you haven’t got the space for new furniture (be it on the credit card or in the house), the accessories are divine, reasonably priced and would make a fabulous treat for yourself!
Friday 28 September 2007
Wednesday 26 September 2007
D-Day...
The day had finally come when my sweet little flat was finally rid of builders and dust, and ready for Green Fingers and I to start enjoying domestic bliss together. However, I didn’t quite anticipate the stress ‘moving in’ would involve!
Pashminas and Pearls always takes great care with appearance - but this went out the window on the second trip up three flights of stairs, and too many broken nails to think about. (I was already wondering if the Nail Gallery on the Fulham Road could fit me in later today for damage control…!).
A birthday party the previous evening meant GF was feeling distinctly ‘average’ so rather than getting under my feet (and to stop him arranging too much boys ‘clutter’ around the flat) I dispatched him to Wandsworth Tip and Homebase to keep him busy for a couple of hours or so! I decided he was better off out of the way for the sake of both our sanity and our relationship!!
The hours passed quickly and by the time a tired, but excited, GF returned, you could almost have called the flat home. Thinking I had a more than ample supply of clothes, I was amazed by the competitive quantity that GF seemed to have, particularly when they started invading my side of the wardrobe! The bonus of being the ‘unpacking fairy’ is that the odd thing slips unnoticed into the charity shop pile – P and P is always one to donate to good causes!
I should’ve realised then that things were too good to be true…while emptying yet another bin bag (training has yet to begun…definite man job), the mobile and door bell went at once, just as the bottom of the bag split open – sawdust, wood shavings and rubbish everywhere. I think everyone within a three mile radius heard my expletives (which rarely happens I assure you!). GF went distinctly pale, while my mother was subjected to a torrent of abuse down the other end of the phone and was blamed for everything and anything that had gone wrong. It was a while before I realised the line had gone dead.
Deep breaths and a large vodka and slim line tonic later, the kitchen floor was clean (again!!) and D-Day was finally over. I’d planned to be the ultimate domestic goddess and effortlessly whip up a romantic dinner for two…but I’m ashamed to say that my trusted local Chinese friend, the fabulous Mandarin Star on Munster Road for you fellow Fulhamites, got an emergency call and we enjoyed our first evening together with a delicious Chinese take away and a bottle of fizz…Perfect!
Pashminas and Pearls always takes great care with appearance - but this went out the window on the second trip up three flights of stairs, and too many broken nails to think about. (I was already wondering if the Nail Gallery on the Fulham Road could fit me in later today for damage control…!).
A birthday party the previous evening meant GF was feeling distinctly ‘average’ so rather than getting under my feet (and to stop him arranging too much boys ‘clutter’ around the flat) I dispatched him to Wandsworth Tip and Homebase to keep him busy for a couple of hours or so! I decided he was better off out of the way for the sake of both our sanity and our relationship!!
The hours passed quickly and by the time a tired, but excited, GF returned, you could almost have called the flat home. Thinking I had a more than ample supply of clothes, I was amazed by the competitive quantity that GF seemed to have, particularly when they started invading my side of the wardrobe! The bonus of being the ‘unpacking fairy’ is that the odd thing slips unnoticed into the charity shop pile – P and P is always one to donate to good causes!
I should’ve realised then that things were too good to be true…while emptying yet another bin bag (training has yet to begun…definite man job), the mobile and door bell went at once, just as the bottom of the bag split open – sawdust, wood shavings and rubbish everywhere. I think everyone within a three mile radius heard my expletives (which rarely happens I assure you!). GF went distinctly pale, while my mother was subjected to a torrent of abuse down the other end of the phone and was blamed for everything and anything that had gone wrong. It was a while before I realised the line had gone dead.
Deep breaths and a large vodka and slim line tonic later, the kitchen floor was clean (again!!) and D-Day was finally over. I’d planned to be the ultimate domestic goddess and effortlessly whip up a romantic dinner for two…but I’m ashamed to say that my trusted local Chinese friend, the fabulous Mandarin Star on Munster Road for you fellow Fulhamites, got an emergency call and we enjoyed our first evening together with a delicious Chinese take away and a bottle of fizz…Perfect!
Friday 14 September 2007
Feeling broody...
When the new Autumn/Winter Boden catalogue dropped through my letter box the other day, I had to have all the restraint in the world not to put in a huge order and totally bankrupt myself (decorating the little flat ready for Green Fingers to move in to has cost me an arm and a leg)!With their fabulous signature wrap around dresses and gorgeous knits, it’s easy to see how Johnny Boden (a name well known to every Pashminas & Pearls girl) has become so successful.
Rather than flicking aimlessly through the catalogue, I headed straight onto their online shop; you can get straight to where you want to look rather than sifting through pages.
Whilst window shopping - so to speak - I stumbled across the new baby Boden range. It’s quite simply to die for, and if I had a little person I’d have been unable to resist the gorgeous selection they’ve conjured up.
Luckily for Green Fingers, I’ve got two adorable nieces that I can spoil....for now! And with a birthday and Christmas coming up I went to town on the Baby Boden range.
I feel in love with this A line pinafore and secretly wish they did a more adult version, and the Teddy Button Through was just too cute not to buy too.
A well dressed baby is an absolute must when walking in the park or lunching with the girls , and Baby Boden is certainly the place.
A one stop shop from romper suits to snow suits (yes, they even provide for the March holiday to Meribel or Verbier!) – if you’re anything like me you’ll be unable to leave the site without feeling just a bit broody!
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