A handmade cottage

Friday, 14 March 2014

Pretty notepads

Notepads. I love them. I love using them as travel diaries, crafty fings and shopping lists. But I'm not talking any old notepad, they have to be pretty notepads. I know this makes me a notepad snob but my reasoning is, if it's pretty I'll want to use it! What's appealing about a regular ole A4 WHSmiths jobbie?? that just takes me right back to school * shivers * no thanks, pretty notepads all the way! which leads me to showing you these little beauties ....

This week I found these gorgeous little notepads by Lau & Home on t'internet. There are 4 in a pack (which is very handy) and they're perfect handbag / shopping list size (17cm) The paper inside is even a lovely old fashioned natural brown. Worthy of ink and quill I'd say!

For all 4 notebooks it's a mere £6.50 + P&P

Buy from amazon HERE

JM x

Thursday, 13 March 2014

AHC craft column in the Herts and Essex Observer.

I've love writing a blog. It's nice to keep my crafty adventures in one place ... a scrapbook if you like? or scrapblog! I thought it was about time I added a few clippings from my offerings as craft columnist to the local Observer (Herts and Essex). It has been a pleasure writing for them, and I've really enjoyed connecting with my local community through it. I even get spotted in town now and again, which isn't ideal as I often leave the house looking an absolute state! Thankfully Hubby occasionally intervenes before I reach the street, pointing out the jogging bottom and posh top combo isn't really working. Perhaps I need a disguise? : )

JM x

To read article click here

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

Make your own cleanser: The oil cleansing method

So my soon-to-be babyfaced lovelies! Last week I showed you what I think are the best natural beauty cleansers available on the market. However, like a lot of women I don't always have the money to splash out on lovely posh cleansers. So today I want to show you how to make this excellent homemade cleanser. The 'Oil cleansing method' has been around for decades and it's just lovely. In fact I much prefer this recipe to the Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser (Shh I didn't say that!)

Here are the facts ...

* It only contains two oils so it's super easy to make *
(and takes all of two minutes to make )

* It removes the toughest of mascaras but is still ultra kind to your skin *
(stripping the skin of oils doesn't do our crows feet ANY good)

* It 100% natural and organic *
(and makes you feel like a baby-faced Grecian goddess!
and if it's good enough for Cleo it's good enough for us Oui?)

Akamuti's Castor oil is perfect for this. Just
make sure you get the balance for your skin type right.

Organic & cold pressed

Castor oil

THEM: 'For thousands of years, castor oil has been revered for its therapeutic properties and has remarkable skin caring qualities.'

AHC: This is the star of the show. It's a fantastic oil that dissolves dirt, impurities and make up and has a highly bacterial nature. This one is from Akamuti, I really like and trust their products.

COST: £5.50

BUY HERE

Friday, 7 March 2014

Seasonal decoration - Bringing the blossom in

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL out there people?! The BLOSSOM is out. I don't care what anyone says, that signifies Spring to me. Even if it snows ... it's Spring snow (?) So for today's 'Favourite Fings' I wanted to share a few photos of my foraging adventures this month ... and show you how to save pennies (and the planet) by adorning your house with Spring.

Thursday, 6 March 2014

The BEST natural cleansers I've found are ...

Don't be thinking I choose natural products just because I'm a bit of a
hippy (ok I am a bit of a hippy) but I choose them because they work!

Lets get one thing straight. While I am a bit of a hippy-esque earthmother, when it comes to my skin I'm just as vain as the rest of you. I want soft, smooth, blemish-free skin and since I'm not getting any younger I also want the BEST wrinkle-preventing ingredients drenching my face at all times. I have now tried most products under the sun. I thought a chemical-heavy cream would be the ticket to ironing out my crows feet, but after much trial and error it appears to be quite the opposite. My skin has never been better and it's all down to our lovely, very potent mother nature! Note: I'm not getting paid to say this ... I wish I was, but I'm not.

Friday, 28 February 2014

Organised ribbons on wooden dolly pegs

When you live in a little house you have to be organised, or charm quickly turns to clutter. When it came to ribbons no matter how hard I tried they'd always end up in a massive tangled mess.

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Crochet spring blanket and granny square cushion

Crochet - I've rambled about it before and I'll ramble about it again because it's just so lovely! It's quick, easy AND I can do it while watching 'Call the midwife' without making mistakes :-)

I've been itching to share my latest project with you. It's still ongoing but I didn't think you'd mind. I saw these beautiful yarns and immediately thought of spring ... new growth, buds and bluebells!

Friday, 21 February 2014

Patchwork house bunting

I love all things patchwork.

In fact I'm planning to do a post or video soon showing you just how easy it is! But today I just wanted to share this lovely bunting with you. It's from Sass and Belle, though my mum found it for me on a little crafty market stall (bless her little cottton socks!)

Sass and belle patchwork house bunting

Isn't it lovely?! it's such a simple idea and would be very easy to make ... perhaps we could do it together, another day perhaps?! It seems to be discontinued on the Sass and Belle website but it IS available from amazon.

Have a lovely friday munchkins,

JM x

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

My thrifty finds - When Hana met Jodie

Today I discovered ECCO, the fabulous new GIANT Charity shop in Bishops Stortford. Hubby is distraught because he knows what this means. However, I only walked out with TWO things today ... a new tray and a new friend!

ECCO in Bishops Stortford - my new fave haunt!

Friday, 14 February 2014

The importance of romance

It's easy to pick a fight with Valentines day. I've heard the phrases "it's just an excuse to make money out of us" and "I don't need an excuse to tell me wife I luv 'er" more times than I've had hot dinners.

Valentines day is a day to celebrate the love we have in our life, and it's no time to be stingy.

We all need romance. It's not just reserved for young people, it's at the heart of every long-lasting happy relationship. Romance means different things to different people, but whether it's a trip to Paris or simply holding hands it generally stands for thoughtfulness, companionship and attention. If you think your relationship doesn't need romance then you are probably heading for the rocks my friend, and you need it now more than ever.

Pages

Friday, 14 March 2014

Pretty notepads

Thursday, 13 March 2014

AHC craft column in the Herts and Essex Observer.

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

Make your own cleanser: The oil cleansing method

Organic & cold pressed

Castor oil

Friday, 7 March 2014

Seasonal decoration - Bringing the blossom in

Thursday, 6 March 2014

The BEST natural cleansers I've found are ...

Friday, 28 February 2014

Organised ribbons on wooden dolly pegs

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Crochet spring blanket and granny square cushion

Friday, 21 February 2014

Patchwork house bunting

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

My thrifty finds - When Hana met Jodie

Friday, 14 February 2014

The importance of romance

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