Gran is so 2014

What could be more refreshing than taking down the Christmas decorations, and spending the time cleaning and freshening up the house? Enjoying the space and freedom a post Yuletide house gives, reflecting on the past year and looking forward to what the future holds and the present is rewarding. 

New Years resolutions - a tricky one. I'm not going to aim high, except just allow changes in my life I wish I could do more of. One is making the time to read more books. Our bookcase is brimming with stories I'm yet to even try, such as the Harry Potter series. I'm glued to the first even though I know what to expect I'm really enjoying picturing my own version of events.

There's others, such as restricting the amount of time I spend on my phone. Leaving it in my handbag with a friend, only to check it if it actually rings. Allowing more time to enjoy a conversation without any distractions. How technology can often distract and interrupt just being. I've found myself taking less photographs in the moment, especially at important events, immersing myself in the now and take a mental picture instead. Private pictures tend to be of little things around the house, flowers, the fireplace, the messy kitchen.

January also means there is a lot of preparing in the house at the moment, as the plan is to bring a puppy into our home at Easter. Watch this space!

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Christmas time equals no time

Late night decorating the tree, inbetween cooking christingle making and panic sketching greeting cards - it is most definitely the season to be jolly.

It's rather comforting, transforming the lounge which is used to pale blues and stone shades into accepting bold reds, glitter and extra foliage from the garden. 

Ivy, holly and mistletoe are all making an appearance, as is the fire. We've finally stocked up on kindle and wood so we can enjoy a warm and toasty evening Nd marvel at our first, real, Christmas Tree. 

A real spruce has more character and a better smell than the fake ones, and we are learning how to care for it and keep the pines off the carpet as best we can. 

A further signal that we are approaching winter is that we have finished the bramble jelly made in September. I am looking forward to seeking out more berries next autumn, and perhaps be more prepared and make a larger batch.

For now, it's time to make the Christmas preserves and puddings, with only weeks to go we better find more hours on the clock.

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Layers of leaves, layers of clothes

Putting extra blankets on the bed, starting up the fire, placing towels on a radiator before showering, cooking stews and making hot chocolate have fully replaced the habits of summer. 

A welcome change. It's an ideal time to experiment and play in the house, getting to know it more. It feels different when it's colder, relying on it more to help you through the frostier season.

We can't wait to buy our first real Christmas tree and bake spices treats for gifts and piggy moments. A month today and it will be that time again, time to reflect on how fast the year has gone by when at points it felt so slow. 

We're very lucky and still in awe that we have managed to move into our home, and fortunately both have had promotions in our positions which will help us on our next quest for 2014, the arrival of a puppy.

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The rise of the hemline

Has the supposed housing boom affected the hemline of skirts?

Seeing as the property industry is bright and busy with house prices on an incline, I wonder whether the wider influence its having on the economy could be having on the receeding hemline of our skirts.

As we know, the longer the length the more troubled our times are, the shorter the more carefree.

The early 1990s was a prosperous time and it's making its firm appreciation once again in our high street. Now officially registered as 'vintage' this era brought with it the reincarnation of the mini skirt, crop tops, masculine structured jackets and boxey leather shoes. Punchy and grungy, not a flowing floral in sight.

Have you been noticing the slits introduced to our maxi skirts? The skater swing skirts or the skort style items back into the shops? Could this be a sign recovery is on its way? The hemline is rising, and so could be the economic outlook. 

Just a thought. X

Home sweet home

What does it feel like?

It's been a month since we moved in and no one has revealed that its actually a cruel joke thus pointing us in the direction of our old haunts.

We often feel a little like naughty children, someone surely is bound to take our new favourite toy away, so we are on our best behaviour making sure we run the house like clockwork. 

If nobody notices, or notices we are doing it well, than maybe we can keep it. I hope we can as its very difficult to imagine not living here, it's our home.

There's so much to look forward to. The garden needs another couple of seasons to really heal and grow. The discovered apple tree is one example. The vegetable patch is starting again from scratch, so not expecting any goodies until next summer. It's exciting to realise our decorating plans, but we are quite good at this patience malarkey, it will all come in time we know.

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Moving day is 3 weeks away

Rather excitingly moving day is only 3 weeks away. I realise I haven't posted in a while, but to sum up the past couple of months since our offer was accepted, we've basically been sitting very patiently. Part of the perils of being in a chain is waiting for your sellers to find their home. Luckily that happened in early May, so we could really kick start the buying process.

After sifting through many confusing documents, posting our personal information and sitting through lengthy insurance meetings answering the same 'what would you do if this happened' questions, exchanging on the house could happen any day now. It was meant to be last week - but in true house buying fashion, delays are common and we are more than prepared for these. One thing that won't change is the move date - 18th July we will be collecting the keys!

I've started packing up my bedroom, it's unnatural the amount that I own. Granted, most of it was things stored away for the house.. The kitchen is safely kitted out that's for sure.

Now to wish the next 3 weeks away. At least I have some exciting weekends to look forward to, next weekend is Henley Royal Regatta, and the weekend after we are travelling up to York for an end of year ball. Oh and of course, spending my days with my friends cutest miniature dauchaund puppy, Bennie is always the best.

(Update on 1st July, we finally exchanged!)

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Offer accepted!

On the 11^th March, an offer on our dream house was accepted. We smiled and literally jumped for joy for five minutes, until we realised that the hassle of moving will now cast an angry looking cloud above our heads for the next few months.

Like most people, buying is house is not something you do everyday or know exactly how it’s meant to work. I’ve found that the key elements to get you through it and most importantly learn how to do it are, speaking to family and friends. The next is Google. Oh what a valuable tool Google and Martin Lewis’ website is. (Because who knew how complicated mortgages and surveys could be?) The final is gut instinct. Listening to yourself on what is right just helps solidify any (ir)rational thoughts or reasonings, and it works almost everytime.

To keep myself busy during this tense period, I’ve been expanding the bottom drawer of ‘bits for the house’, which means it’s now bursting from under my bed, and into the garage and shed. I can’t quite fit everything in, so if the move was to happen sooner, practically it would be happy days. Luckily most furniture is second hand, which is a blessing for the wallet and much more fun and gratifying than walking into Ikea. Each item is lovingly handed down with history, discovered in a charity shop or bargain bought online.

Oh and of course - bridesmaid duties, such as shopping with my friend looking for her wedding dress, what a way to keep you distracted!

One thing that is repeated often to us, so it must have some truth is that ‘if it’s meant to be, it will be’ - so fingers crossed this house is. 

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