Bedroom window problem...solved!

A while back (quite a while back now) I blogged about my window dressing trauma. I have a beautiful mini square window in my bedroom - one of two - that is just gorgeous, but was proving a bugger to dress, which meant this:

Well it seems I have a solution - and thank the god of Ikea for that! I had hunted high and low to find something simple, in keeping with the room and decor, and that actually fitted. I hadn't thought Ikea would provide the answer (silly really, as it usually does). And here is is...

Not amazing, just a simple roman blind which, if nothing else, can be a temporarary solution until I can afford to fit customised wooden shutters. Dream on...

Birds of paradise - Homemade wall decals and bedroom update

I've had my eye on some flying bird wall decals from the fabulous Supernice for a while. I've been umm-ing and ah-ing for ages mostly because, as ever, I have more pressing things I should be spending my cash on. So I decided to make some temporary versions for my bedroom, which I would stick to the wall while I decided.

The Boy suggested that rather than plain white birds, I should use (yet more of) my leftover Orla Kiely wallpaper, et voila.

I have to admit I'd neglected my bedroom for quite a while, but with help from The Boy, its now looking a bit more finished. I finally framed and hung my pictures....

....and have now added my lovely bird decals.

I'm quite happy with my my wall now - I really should have taken some 'before' pictures, but I'm sure it won't stretch your mind too much to imagine a plain beige-y (or Caramel Blush 4, according to Dulux) wall. Much nicer. Fly birds, fly!

(You can see the originals at Supernice)

The Joy of Charity Shops: Vintage jumpsuit and old leather wallet

I've had a very good run of bargainous finds recently. My two best recent purchases are an old (sorry, 'vintage') Marks and Spencer jumpsuit and a lovely old leather wallet.

First up, this jumpsuit which I thought was a dress, then realised was not. Either way, my initial reaction to it was "man, that is vile!". It resembes some sort of 1980's fashion monstrosity, but something was drawing me towards it...so I had another look. This time I thought "hmmm...maybe i can work with this".

I gave it a try on - the cross over style suits my figure so wouldn't need any adjusting. However the length was all wrong. Who ever thought that a mid-calf length jumpsuit was a good idea? That would need sorting. Was happy with the fabric - cotton jersey, and in good condition. Ok floral pattern, but the colour is in need of a kick up the arse. A dye job, perhaps....

For £2.90, I decided it was worth a risk and would be a nice little project over the Easter break. I sorted out the length issue, and it instantly became wearable. I'm still deliberating on to dye, or ot to dye...but looking good so far.

My other amazing buy, was this lovely old leather wallet - I think it was originally made for holding your cheque book and cheque guarantee cards (did people really carry around cheque books?)

I thought it was a Mulberry purse from a distance (cue: heart palpatations), and it does look very similar, but at £2.95, I wasn't too upset that it wasn't.

Thinking of making it my new passport holder - what do you think?

I made this! Ornate notice board

I bought this large ornate picture frame before I bought my current flat. It fitted in with the decor of where I was then, but since I moved and decorated, and it suddenly looked all....wrong. So it lay under the bed, stored with other items I love too much to give to charity, awaiting for inspiration for me to transform it into something altogether different.

A while later I had an idea. I had some white paint left over from the kitchen make-over, and a few coats later....

And rather than using it as a picture frame, I thought it would make a nice notice board. So off to Ikea, and a Stanley knife and some glue later, I had a new notice board. I added these beauties I found in the haberdashery store - (another great find in Barnett Lawson)

Gorgeous, colourful birds with bendable wire legs for 'perching' on hats, costumes, or wherever you like - such as an ornate notice board....

Nice, no?