Well, here we are. The end of another week. We’re thundering towards Christmas at an alarming rate, and autumn is fast turning into winter. I’ve had a hectic yet happy seven days – here are just some of the things that are making me smile today…
If you follow me on Twitter you might’ve seen my excited tweets about a new house at the beginning of the week. After nearly two years in our flat (the birthplace of A Little Bird Told Me, no less), the Mr and I are moving to pastures bigger and newer. At the end of the month we’ll be packing up our life and settling it in new surroundings – a place with stairs and a kitchen that’s not in the living room. Oh, the glamour!
This new house is like a blank canvas – all white walls, unfurnished rooms and bare floors. We have basic furniture already, so I’ve set myself a little challenge. I’m going to try my very hardest to furnish and decorate our new home entirely with second hand finds. And of course, I’ll be blogging about my progress as I go. The wonderful Vix is my inspiration for the project – she runs a truly homemade home, with the most fabulous vintage wallpapers (eBay), stunning Lloyd Loom furniture (car boot sales) and original wooden doors (rescued from a skip). I want to surround myself with the special and unique, so I’m starting with a current charity shop haul. Start as you mean to go on, right?
Silver candlesticks, £6.99
Vintage candelabra, £3.99
Leather musical jewellery box, £8
Aside from hunting down vintage trinkets in my favourite charity shop, I’ve also been celebrating the season in style. Friday the 5th, or Bonfire Night to give it its full title, was the night of the Aussie Take The Heat party. Now, my usual Bonfire Night celebrations involve tramping around muddy fields in wellies and a raincoat, so I was bowled over by Aussie’s fire-themed decadence. A party up in the air at Leeds’s Sky Lounge was a wonderful way to take in the fireworks exploding all over the city, and we ooohed and aaaahed as the colourful sparks cascaded down over the business district.
I didn’t take many photos on the night (too distracted by free food, and even more by the free drinks), so I’ve stolen a few favourites from the Aussie girls. Thanks for the most wonderful evening, Aussie!
The beautiful Miss Lucy and me
Stunning ribbon dancers
Myself, Katie and Catherine as finalists for Best Hair. I’m wearing my eBay leather skirt, an H&M tee, Primark polka dot tights and ASOS shoes. Lovely Katie won eventually!
View across the city
A wonderful performance from the dancers
So, that’s me done for another week. What’s making you smile today?
Such stunning photos – especially the ones of the performances!
I so believe in how great a home can look with vintage finds!! You’ve inspired me to get back to doing just that! 🙂 xx
GAH close up! I knew this would eventually come back to haunt me. Obviously you look lovely though. Loving the ‘homemade home’ concept a la Kirstie Allsopp. I imagine it’ll look amazing once finished and at these prices it’ll be an inexpensive solution to the blank canvas of the new home. When do you move? xx
All sounds so exciting and I cant wait for your posts. I love your outfit for the Aussie event I like this rock chick look on you looks stunning with your hair xoox
I literally can’t wait to see your new home and all the fabulous second-hand finds on display! Your new hair suits you soooooo much, Jen. Please tell me what lipstick it is that you are wearing, it looks gorgeous against your skintone. xxx
I cant wait to see how you accessorise your new place! Massive congrats Jen x
Looking forward to seeing how you decorate the new place? I’m already enchanted by that gorgeous jewellery box! Fab photos from Friday it was so lovely to meet you! xxx
Such a lovely idea to furnish it second hand! Looking forward to seeing how you go about it.
Oh, and the leather skirt looks fabulous on you here!
http://pookieloves.blogspot.com
Wow! Your Aussie night looks fantastic! I love your outfit there.
When I finally move into a bigger place with the boy, I too, will be decorating it with thrifty finds! I can’t wait to see your progress 😀 x
Oh that’s such exciting news about the house! I have every faith in your ability to track down second hand furnishings – can’t wait to see the pictures!!
Aww your new place is going to look so beautiful! xo
Wow, looks like you had a fantastic time at the Aussie Event, I went to the London one and it was just amazing! They really do spoil us!
Oh my goodness – I LOVE your candelabra! It’s incredible. If I had seen it I wouldn’t have been able to leave it behind, either.
I love your leather skirt, too. We had a fire dancer instead of a ribbon dancer!
▲ WOLF WHISTLE ▲
Ooh your Aussie night looks good fun (would have loved you to be at the London one!)
Love the outfit, great balance with the tee and leather.
That jewellery box is gorgeous!!
xx
Oooh, a new house? That’s exciting news! Wow, I’m loving the little challenge you’ve set yourself! You’re quite the one for challenges and being successful at them so I wish you well. I’m loving your charity hauls! That candelabra is gorgeous and I’m jealous of that jewellery box. The thought of seeing my boyfriend next week is making me happy (:
Oh those candlesticks are awesome. I love the twisty one. Can’t wait to see more progress on your new house!
You look fab in the pics at Aussie, love your hair like that. Hope you can make it to one of the London Aussie events, would be lovely to meet you!
I love your new hair! Looks like you had a fab time 🙂
I love seeing peoples charity shop and vintage finds, especially when it involves home furnishing…. my two favourite things! x
Your skin in that close-up photo is amazing!
Congrats on the new house! Can’t wait to see your progress with it.
And Aussie’s parties are always incredible. This one looks like so much fun.
oo how exciting a new blank canvas . our house is mostly filled with car boot charity shop and flea market finds with a bit of ikea thrown in here and there.. i find it so much more satisfying knowing that its an original house and not just somthing straight off the catalogue page!!
love the skirt with the t-shirt.. im gutted went to a clothes swap party in the summer and got rid of my leather skirt as i was a bit sick of looking at it.. wish id kept it now!!!
I applaud you miss jen! It will be incredible when you finish. I envy the thought of starting over with a blank canvas 😉
Good luck with the new house hun, I hope it’s decorated enough for a lovely christmas!
Gorgeous pictues too, those dancers almost look spiritual on the balcony – like angels 🙂
Thanks for sharing
Congratulations to the new house, Jen. I’m always amazed at the great things you can get 2nd hand – just bought 5 beautifully framed pictures for a few quid this weekend. Every frame was worth so much more! xo
Congratulations on your new home! I can’t wait to see this unfold, I adore Vix’s homemade home, and am so inspired by second hand treasures (as you know)
The leather musical jewellery box is to die for! I can’t stop admiring its beauty. What an absolute stunning find x
I love the idea of decorating your home like that. I try to do the same – one great thing is that you can get picture frames very cheaply in charity shops, which you can paint and put your own photos in to fit with a room theme. Looking forward to seeing your progress!
Danni
http://dannithegirl.blogspot.com/
Very exited to follow your progress! I love decorating posts- so full of ideas. Those candlesticks looks wicked, looking forward to seeing them in their chosen spot!xx