Bangers & Crash Anyone?

 I never quite appreciated the importance of a kitchen, until ours got demolished at the beginning of this week. We've been living in this house for ten years, and the kitchen has always needed 'doing', but because it's such a huge job, it's always been benched as a job that will be done 'when the time's right'. Turns out it's never the 'right time' to invite a bunch of burly strangers into your house, navigate the placement of a large skip, and retreat to the loft where the banging and crashing doesn't quite sound like the apocalypse is nigh.
However, everyone's taking it in their stride and getting on with things quite admirably. The kitchen's reached the point where turning back is not an option (see picture), so the only thing for it is to plow on, and retreat to a safe distance.

I am quite looking forward to when it's finished and i can do a 'before & after' post.

Photo'clock

Last Christmas i got given this photo clock, and it's taken till now to get it up. I still haven't decided on what photos to put in it yet,  just though i'd share.

Move In, Move On

Forwards hopefully. It's been a long long summer (i use the term loosely). I haven't been at university since May, and feel very caught up in village life. At first it was nice to move out of the busy studenty town, back to my parents' house in the countryside, but now i'm starting to feel the itch to get away. I miss rushing around, having an active week, making last minute plans because most places are open at all hours.  I miss the neon lights of the Curry Mile, and catching buses without having to wait longer than 5 minutes. I miss living with friends, who are open to impromptu dressing up games, drinking, going out yomping, or even the odd face painting. I've noticed that during the last few weeks i've spent in the countryside, i've found myself agreeing to do mundane things at silly hours in the night, just because i crave the freedom, not because i particularly feel like doing anything. I miss having the option. This week i will move back to my university flat. I can't wait. 

 
the park outside my flat

Here's to a good week.

Kitchens

I spent a nice afternoon wandering round the kitchen section of Selfridges yesterday, picking out my future china and glassware (as you do). I have a feeling i may one day own a rather organised kitchen with lots of jars filled with herbs and spices in neat rows. I'd love any of the images below to be part of my future kitchen.

cups on pegs is a pretty idea.

I love how upsettingly organised this kitchen is.

I would like a big kitchen table with this kind of wood finish and a selection of table runners and flowers to go on it.

Home Again

I have returned home from a whirlwind tour of my new favourite city, Rome. We had perfect weather, and got to see everything we'd hoped to in that space of time, eaten far too well, and drank some rather nice vino. The best thing I learnt is that if you give the language a go and look like you're trying to make some effort, the locals enjoy this and are extra nice, and in our case, throw in a load of free stuff. I think my favourite bits of the holiday were the coffee and pastry breakfasts, and the day we did the Colosseum and ruins. I would very much like to return one day.

For the time being, i really must get on with the vast amount of work that's built up over the Easter hols, it's hanging over my head like a rather threatening looking cloud that seems disinclined to shift. Right, off i go.