Retro inspired trends for 2017

As we move forward into the New Year for many that means changes, motivation, goals and possibly a new you? Its also a time we start to spring clean, get rid of the old and bring in the new, we look forward to the new trends and the long-lasting ones too and one of those trends that is staying around is embracing all that is retro with a modern twist. Simple stylish Scandi-inspired interiors mixed with a touch of mad men and minimalism and this is also reflected in the clothes we are wearing with more and more people upcycling and recapturing that sense of the 90's but today. I thought I would put together a fun little post of all that is retro but still on trend for 2017 including interiors and clothing. Firstly I know I am planning to update our dinning room tables and my love for Eames has never faded and year on year their simple and retro design have become both iconic and timeless. Another big trend in the coming year is focusing on lighting. Creating rooms that ......

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Loft living inspiration

How amazing is this Loft inspired room at the Wythe Hotel As with most things in my life, I take inspiration from different countries, cities, places visited, cultures experienced and try and inject the things I love into my home and life. Both John and I like the idea of living in a loft, or artist studio or disused factory such as the amazing rooms at Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn and although in Wales properties like this are few and far between that doesn't mean we can't take the vintage and retro elements of a loft space and bring in to our own home. We both love the industrial feel that combines materials such as metal, brick and wood and even though we are not sure what kind of property we are going to move to next we would love one that would suit a feature exposed brick wall in either the kitchen or bedroom without it seeming to out of place. Although you don't have to go to such lengths to get a little bit of loft living style in your daily lives and living spa......

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A little kitchen list

Loving this simple kitchen styling by H&M We are hoping to list our house on the market within the next month and I really want to bring a sense of simplicity to our kitchen and their are a few keys pieces I want to have to dress the space up as well as take with us to our next property. The one thing I learnt from my mother is to never leave things to chance - you need to show each space off to it's full potential and picking up a few key pieces can really do that. I have been eyeing up a classic flip clock for a while as well as this honeycomb style wine rack . I also plan to do a little bit of upcycling and these dipped painted stalls have given me some good ideas for our kitchen island seating area. Other small kitchen accessories I am loving at the moment and all cost under £10 is this simple ceramic mug , slate heart coasters and simple fabric storage box. What is on your wishlist for your home? ...

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Room for change

We are finally nearing the end of our current property journey - the house we bought two years ago was always going to be an interim project, not a full renovation like our last home but a project none the less. To be honest even though the proportions of the house are good it's never been our taste of property and we have done what needs to be done to sell and get the best price we can and have managed to detach ourselves from getting to personally involved.  Being an interior lover this has been at times hard to do as I am now really looking forward to moving onto a more long-term project and home that will see our personal tastes come into full effect and my mind is already racing with ideas. In the ideal world we will be able to purchase a bay fronted Victorian property with exposed wooden floors and original features that we can inject some Scandi style and simplicity into as well as our love of travel and have taken inspiration from various places we have stayed ov......

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Friday Interior Finds - Call Me

We have been meaning to get a "proper" phone for a longtime, especially since our Juno hamburger phone was too tempting as a toy for Mr A and really I had had it for years and needed or a more grownup replacement. As some of you may already know we are huge fans of retro and vintage interiors and we did actually have a phone from the 60's for a while but they don't have touch dial and if your calling anytime of number that requires you to "press one" it simply does not work so this Wild and Wolf phone from Red Candy has all the retro features but is as practical as any modern phone today. I thought I would also put a few of my favourite interior picks for Friday Finds from Red Candy as they have such a great selection of chic, quirky and unique products and I absolutely love this round light fitting and sorbet bowls and as soon as we move later this year I have my eye on a few pieces I would like to pick up for the new home. 1. Umbra Tr......

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Street Style Sunday - Boys be bold

So this weeks Street Style Sunday is all about the little ones. I have been waiting to be able to put this beautiful retro print Powell Craft baby grown on baby G since one of our lovely Home Ed friends gifted this to him after he was born. I love all the vintage machines and forms of transport and it's just so different to what you normally see in high street stores. Mr A has also been going bold this week with some strong colour blocking with his yellow Mama's & Papa's rain jacket and RL trouser When it comes to picking up new clothes for the Boys I do find there is often less choice in comparison to the girls departments which always seem twice the size. Although I have to be honest and say sometimes we actually mix and match - Mr A has a tiny waist for his size and these trousers are actually from the girls department as they fit slightly better for him - but as I say whatever works. Here are a few staples I am loving at the moment for little ones ......

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For the home

I love this print from Cardboardcities for £10 I thought I would put together a little Monday interior inspiration gift guide  post showcasing three independent shops as when it comes to this time of the year I think support local and independent is really important and plus you can find some really amazing and unique pieces. I really love Cardiff based Illustrator Laura from Cardboardcities who creates some quirky and colourful collages, prints and notebooks. Fritha from TigerlillyQuinn who is Bristol based has a very cute online shop that stocks an array of homeware, jewellery and other cute bits and bobs, in fact I picked up a lovely little paint yourself crocodile for Mr A's birthday earlier this year. Lastly Polly, a blogger and small business owner of Cariadon who is based in North Wales hand makes the most wonderful bath and skin products out of natural ingredients and her products would make perfect stocking fillers. 1.  Set of 3 pastel retro suitcases ......

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Street Style Sunday - Short Hair flashback

I have been thinking a lot about what to do with my hair, I am too busy to sort it out most days as having an active toddler running around and another one on the way means I really don't have much time to blow-dry straighten and all that jazz and for so many years I had short hair and I am thinking more and more that that is the best option for me, as you can still look stylish and chic but in a quarter of the time as it's much more low maintenance and I like to be able to get up and go. I have also been looking back over some of my favourite outfit posts on the blog and put together some of my favourite ones with short hair..... So as always I am joining up with the wonderful Natalie from Style Me Sunday and together we bring you Street Style Sunday - the linky about everything fashion related - you can join in with mood boards, inspirational posts or what you, your children or partner/husband are wearing, come and join in the fun An InLinkz Link-up ...

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Sleeper train interiors and slow travel

How beautiful is this photo? ( image ) I have to hold my hand up and say I really love trains and train travel. There is something very relaxing about it, my favourite experiences have always been in central Europe, on trains that in any other country would of been shelved for newer models. I have been lucky enough to do a few sleeper train trips, my favourite being an over night from Zurich to Zagreb, Amsterdam to Prague and Vienna to Venice, of which I mainly stayed in the basic couchettes. The Zurich to Zagreb passed through Slovenia and the landscape was beautiful, as was the wooden panelled interior of the train with velvet style seats, something straight out out of the 1940's with a ticket conductor dressed top to toe in a smart baby blue suit with a conductor hat, chain smoking the while stamping tickets (something you don't see in Western Europe). Luxury on the Orient Express I think people today are always rushing from A to B and not enjoying the journey. I......

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