And That Makes Us Three

Hey guys, I'd like you to meet Maisie.

Was debating whether or not to get a girl as I still miss my last one, Tilly.

Don't really talk about her or how I had to let her go as it brings bad memories and I can't help but get sad. Maybe one day.

Back to Maisie, she's absolutely adorable! Shouts out for me whenever I have to go into another room in the house. Not drinking yet which I'm looking out for. Any suggestions?

Already such a cat mum it's ridiculous! 

L x

I'm alive!

Its been a while since I last posted, I know.

Always something to get in the way and take control of your life.

1. We got married! Still in the process of getting things changed into my new name. Keep forgetting that I have a new signature now, so of course I sign things in my old one then realise. Waiting so patiently for our pictures. Still won't get them for a couple more weeks.

2. The house is coming along. Not quite there, but it will be.

3. We're getting an addition to the family, little Maisie. Can't wait to introduce her to you all! Such a cute kitty!

4. I got a job! Only in the past few days, and still don't have a starting date, but so happy about it!

Can I just quickly say my tongue is so small! Whaaa?!

L x

My Week in Pictures #7

This week has been absolutely full on! The house and wedding is taking up more time than I thought it would. Not long now, a month to go until the wedding... Eek!

In between browsing the internet to tick off my checklist (getting there!), having my back injury flare up, and doing bits around here, I'm glad to have found some time to myself. Whether it's doing a catchup on a challenge from @ellolovey's Instagram or trying out a clay mask, or catching an hour of sun in the garden. 

This past Sunday was a weird day. I don't do so well with Fathers Day, a black day as we may call it.

Even after 10 years it's not easy having that day to celebrate fathers when mine is no longer here. 

The service at church was a hard one but couldn't be missed... We had our last wedding banns read! 

Back to the service. They had a board up at the front for everyone to put notes on to say what makes them so special. I kept my post it note in front of me and had a little chat with him in my head (it's always helped me at times), and I remembered my dream of him. 

Came across a lovely poem on Pinterest and it spoke to my heart!

See what I mean?

Later on, when everyone else was busy doing their own thing, D (Phil's Dad) & I started making strawberry jam. He didn't just let me stand by and watch, but got me to stir and I felt like a little kid helping their Dad. Was a special moment. I stole a few strawberries, I say a few... Ha! 

I can't tell you how much I wanted to hug him, give a kiss on the cheek and just thank him.

Definitely feel blessed to be able to have him as my father-in-law. 

I love you Dads <3

L x

Currently Loving #3

Happy - Pharrell Williams

To do list pads.

These are just examples. (Top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right)
I do a To-Do list every single day so that it gives me a mental kick up the bum. There's so many out there! I did purchase an Emma Bridgewater weekly list from Ryman. Was a treat, as I certainly wouldn't usually spend £5 on a notepad!

Mario Kart on the Nintendo Wii. Need I say more? I did actually get it for Phil for his birthday but I'm ashamed to say that it's mostly been me playing on it haha.

Thrifty purchases. More on this another time!

L x

New Beginnings

We bought a house!
Yep, so close to the wedding, and it has limited funds.
But we're so excited!!!

This is the home we will start our married life in, possibly start a family in, and create memories.

It's so exciting!

We own 25% of this so we still pay rent. It's still over all cheaper than the rent for the last flat.

There is an open option that we can purchase more 10% at a time. 

Wahoo!

L x

Practise #1

As I've said previously, I'm going to be making my own wedding cakes. So obviously I need to make lots of prototypes until I've got what I wanted.

I have found the perfect recipe for a sponge cake and it's a hit with friends and P's family.

Recipe for sponge cake

5oz self-raising flour

5oz butter (I use margarine and it still works)

5oz caster sugar (although if you want to make it less sugary, just take 10% away)

3 medium eggs

Cap full of almond essence (although other essences will work but I only have almond in at the moment)

Beat the sugar and butter/margarine together until it's creamy.

Beat together the eggs in a separate container. Use a mug or jug. 

Pour in a bit of the beaten eggs a bit at a time, beat the mixtures together. 

Once all the eggs have been incorporated, pour in the flour in two batches.

I tend to stir, not beat. Gently folding in the flour never works for me and I always seemed to find clumps of flour after I got the cakes out of the oven.

I then add the essence, although you could probably add this between the eggs and the flour.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180oC for 25 minutes.

Leave to cool for a bit before transferring to a cooling rack.

For this, I added some cocoa powder. I didn't substitute any of the flour.

I attempted to turn the buttercream blue, not that well as you can see.

The inside of this has chopped chocolate chunks in the sponge. 

The yellow fondant, I bought pre-made from Asda. An absolute nightmare to put on the cake!

I am determined to do better next time! Not quite satisfied with these.

L x

My Week in Pictures #6

This was meant to be posted Sunday night, but it's been slightly busy.

The week & weekend has been full of Mario Kart, seeing the nieces & nephews, reading, Netflix, to do lists and even an art a day challenge inspired by Lyzi. Haven't followed her exact 'Creative Prompts', mixed it with some challenges from Pinterest but I have sure enjoyed it so far!

L x

Fingers Crossed!

I applied for a job at Yours Clothing today. 

They're opening a store in a nearby town and I'm so hoping they get in touch! 

It's got me thinking to create a wishlist. 

Coming soon!

L x

Pinterest Picks of the Week.

Thinking of trying another way of wearing scarves. Came across this.

Isn't this cute?! According to the pin, it's a Russian wild kitten. A manul?

Coconut milk in your hair for an hour makes your hair grow faster and thicker.

Coconut, olive or almond oil helps to keep it smooth and healthy looking. I'd be more than happy to try this out! My hair is seriously lacking at the moment.

Definitely need to try this!

Thinking of having something like this for my wedding hair. The braid part.

LOVE!

Love the bouquet. One of the flowers I'm having. May end up doing this!

Has anyone tried the white wax crayon & watercolour paints?

L x

My Week in Pictures #5

Mr Tigger! Poorly lately, but he's doing pretty good for 16/17 years old!

Had a pretty good night on Thursday even though I've been feeling ill myself. 

The big event of the week/month... Baby Nell! So happy for V & E! Everyone was expecting a boy, but nope... Don't be surprised that I've become broody!

Phil & Nell! Oh I love this picture! <3

This is Phil & V's Mum... The pride & love was absolutely pouring out of her. You could hear how happy she is now she has two granddaughters. And yes, turned to me and told me it's my turn next. Some day! 

L x

My Week in Pictures #4

It started to snow! Oh the excitement! Then to see it stopped & the sun started to shine.... Boo! :(

LOVE this man to pieces. Dress with hearts on for a relaxing Valentines Day. 

He certainly takes care of me. Come down poorly today so he's let me stay in bed and have a DVD day.

We went searching for wedding cars on Saturday! Sorted, and excited!

A relaxing Sunday evening!

Homemade toad-in-the-hole! All of this cost just about £1 for both of us. Quite impressed, and makes me want to try and challenge ourselves.Deeelish!

L x 

My Week in Pictures #3

Having a pretty day and hoping I'm getting the hang of drawing my eyebrows!

I'd love to say I loved this movie, but sadly I didn't. Best thing about it was the music. 

Love date nights with P! <3

This was absolutely delicious! The chips were like fluffy roasties in the shape of chips, and big! Definitely recommend The Tinhat for those in the local area! 

Tig! 

One of my favourite kitties ever. His human happens to be one of my bestest friends so I get to see this fluffiness often. 

Don't be surprised if he pops up!

One afternoon while food shopping, this was discovered. 

A delicious strawberry & vanilla yoghurt ice cream that tastes like the milkshake from McDonalds! Mmmm! Hopefully Asda will keep this stocked in.

One of my favourite hot chocolates ever from The Upton Barn Inn. 

We went to sort out the menu for the wedding meal. Eek! Exciting!!

Radox Muscle Soax. Heaven.

L x

A Little Note to Say I am Here!

As you can tell between my last few posts, I'm not on as much.

Camera broke and not had the chance to buy a new one. From what I've realised... I need a camera! 

Hopefully it's not too long until I can get one.

Major news coming up soon.

No, I'm not pregnant. But it is fantastic!

Tomorrow, we're also going to the reception venue to talk about menu options for our sit down meal. It was originally going to cost about £8-£10 per head... But thanks to just working with the menu they already have, saving more!

Another thrifty wedding post coming up soon too!

L x

10 Years

Today marks ten years of my Dad passing away...

I feel so strange. Feeling empty yet not as unhappy as I feel like I should be. Does that make sense??

Lately I've been having visits from him in my dreams...

I'm not sure if I've told you all about them?

But I seem to find myself in this amazing garden, sun shining, birds calling, flowers blooming from afar.

I can't begin to describe it.

Anyway, I'm in a white summer dress, and I look up and see my Dad in white linen clothes, holding out his hand for me to grab and get up.

First time, we walked down a path and under a couple of verandas? (Not sure of the correct spelling or even if that's what they are.) Flowers that aren't already, bloom as he walks past them. Oh his smile <3

That was quite a short visit as I like to call them.

The second time? We just sat there on the grass talking about Phil and the rest of the family. Talking about my brother L & his fiancée A and their little bump.

Whenever I try on my wedding dress I see my Dad.

Of course I'm sad, I'm missing out on my Dad! I think about all the things he won't be there for, and I'm heartbroken.

I have amazing support from my friends & family.

I just can't help feeling like he's still there somehow <3

Thanks for letting me ramble on.

L x