Hygge Nook

Thursday Three

+My favourite blog post of the week is, hands-down, Shoeperwoman Amber's roundup post of her shoe challenge. The idea was to wear every single pair of her shoes, with one of the rules being to jettison those that were left untouched. Amber has opened up the year-long challenge to other bloggers and you can find out about participating here. It's just a bit of fun with a very practical purpose: to get unworn shoes worn. I'll be dragging out my heels and having a go so do expect the occasional fashion post.

+My daughter bought me this necklace for Christmas. It was very, very sweet of her.

+I went in to Banana Republic for the first time last weekend. This is no news for US readers, but we haven't had the store for long in the UK so it's still a new thing here. I picked up a couple of pairs of work trousers for a song in the sale (about 75% off). Really nice clothing for an effortless smart/casual look.

 

 

Thursday Three

+My latest iTunes download is The Baseballs. This German trio do utterly amazing rock'n'roll covers of Rihanna, Katy Perry and the like. (Amazon.)

+I adore Lainey & Nella's room via Ohdeedoh via Enjoying the Small Things. I think it's the curved white shutters that clinch it for you. Gorgeous.

+Gilmore Girls Season 1. I nearly have the whole set now and can't wait to hunker down and just watch and knit and sink into Stars Hollow.

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+ My latest obsession is Gossip Girl. Once again, I'm late to the party but now I have three series to look forward too.

+ This butler tray stand would look super cute somewhere in my house. My daughter's room perhaps? Or as a new nightstand for me? It's very affordable too at just £30.

+Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen is on my summer reading list. The author was recommended by my friend Claire who writes a great plus-size fashion blog. Would love to know what your top books are for this summer? Glitzy bonkbusters? Racy mysteries? Historical tomes? Do tell.

xoxo

Thursday Three

+ I'm a lot in love with this swallow-print tunic that I bought last week. It's perfect over leggings for a pretty, but cool, outfit for the balmy summer days we had in London over the past weekend.

+ My new iPod Touch. Not only can I send and receive email from it, Tweet, browse the web and listen to my music but I am working my way through a bunch of apps. I've downloaded Ikea so I can browse the whole catalogue just by tapping the screen, order my Lovefilm rental list, identify music with Shazam, read with Kindle, check out computer files with Dropbox and even play Thomas the Tank Engine. Ok, the last one is really for Gabriel! 

+ I am totally in love with the black and white chairs in Leah's home and will be keeping an eye out for some thrifty chairs to make over for my dining room. Find Leah blogging at The Way We Are, via her house tour at MadebyGirl.

Thursday Three

+I saw Alyssa Bonagura sing support for Jace Everett last week and was pretty impressed. She's got a bluesy-country voice and there are stories behind her songs. She's not huge yet, but I hope she will be.

+MyDeco interviewed SATC set designer Ondine Karady about the TV and film interior styles. I'm a big fan of the interior styles and it's great to see some kudos sent over to those behind the scenes - expect to see interior shots all over the blog world come end of May.

+Speaking of blogs, I'm getting rather fond of A Change of A Dress, a fab blog all about dresses. With High Street finds mixed up with pricey frocks, I'm yearning for a whole new wardrobe - this Ardice tunic dress (£90) is top of my list.

Thursday Three

This week it's all about books for me, so...

+I'm heading to Keris Stainton's book launch party on Saturday evening. Keris' debut book Della Says: OMG! is out now and I can't wait to grab a copy and get it signed - you can read her books blog Five Minutes Peace here.

+My copy of The Carrie Diaries was read in a single day last weekend. It's great hearing about Carrie's senior year pre-SATC and I think the book and title are open ended enough to indicate a book series in the offing. The writer is often the last person to make any money out of a successful show, so I hope Candace Bushnell enjoys the success of this prequel.

+The Rough Guide to England. I love visiting parts of Britain that I've never been too and revisiting those that I have, not to mention the planning process so I get the best out of jaunts away. This book will be essential for our summer trip to the coast and in the future too.

Let's not forget it's election day. Are you voting? Let's honour the people the world over who don't have the right to vote by using our democratic rights today.

Thursday Three

I've managed to entirely bypass the whole Twilight phenomenon... until now. Last week I decided to pick up the book and see what it is all about. Since then I have...

+Read all four books in the saga
+Watched the movie (again) but have yet to see New Moon and have looked at far too many 'behind the scenes' clips on YouTube.
+Considered buying the soundtrack (and probably will).

Don't judge me. It's good escapist fun, I tell you!

Thursday Three

+ Crochet Adorned - new crafty book to add to my collection. The author also blogs at Linda Made. Lots of lovely, colourful, crafty things.
+ The True Blood books boxset, by Charlaine Harris, I got as a Christmas gift. It has books 1-8 so you'll need to snag book 9 too. All it took was one bite and I was addicted.
+ Malteser cake - as soon as I saw Helen's recipe, I had to have a go. It's similar to rocky road and terrifically yummy - I added a handful of chopped up mini marshmallows to mine (pic, above)

Thursday Three

 
+ Living etc - one of the best interiors magazines on the market and I treated myself to a year's subscription.
+ Boots No7 skincare - I have super sensitive skin and can't wear many products but this brand has been my mainstray for years. There's currently a 3-4-2 offer on, so now's the time to stock up.
+ Gilmore Girls - I have no problem with being so late to the party with this show, which ended two years ago. I'm midway through season one and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest.

Thursday Three

Sometimes I just want to share fab finds that aren't particularly house and home related. A gorgeous piece of jewellery, a musician that has captured my interest, a cool blog. I hope you'll indulge my sharing and perhaps you'll share some of your cool finds with me?

+ Camilla Kerslake singing Take That's Rule the World in Italian. I stumbled across this singer whilst searching for something else and only clicked on it as we share the same first name. My OH calls her 'the shrieky lady', I do not agree ;-)
+ Pale & Interesting's sublime vintage jewellery. Designed by Atlanta Bartlett, each piece is unique so they're sure to be a winner. I couldn't pick any one piece (well, this and this if you insist).
+ And, of course, a very Happy New Year to you. I hope your 2010 is filled with joy.