Happy New Year!

Goodness, that week's gone quick, hasn't it??  I have taken a bit of a break from blogging which honestly, has been fantastic - I feel like my batteries are recharged and I'm ready to take on 2012 and everything it may bring.

And it promises to be a good 'un - I've got some very exciting news so can't wait to share that with you all so stay tuned for that!  In the meantime...

Hope you have a fabulous New Year's Eve and Big Smoochie Kisses for 2012!

via pinterest

Happy Christmas from Swoon Worthy!

I was going to do a couple more posts on last minute Christmas decor and gift wrapping and such but I realised that it's probably more important for me to be spending time with my friends and family than putting together blog posts! ;)  I mean, the mince pies aren't going to eat themselves, now, are they?

So, instead, I just wanted to say a very big thank you to all my readers, commenters and fellow bloggers who have continued to provide amazing support and inspiration this year - Goodness knows I would never have carried on blogging this long without it!!  It has brought me so much joy and satisfaction to connect with so many of you this year and for that I thank you with all my heart.   Even to those who simply lurk, it means the world that you stop back at my little corner of the blogosphere to read my rambling thoughts and witness this crazy journey we are all on to make our homes the sincerest reflection of ourselves.

There is so much more to come in 2012 and I'm so looking forward to sharing that future journey with you.

As I can't wrap up big smoochie kisses to you all, this will just have to do ;)

Merry Christmas Everyone 

from W, Pablo, Senna and of course, me, Redlilocks!

via Pinterest

Off Your Trolley: Bar Cart Art from Ministry of Words

Social media can be a wonderful thing... I was lucky enough to be followed on Twitter by the lovely Martin of Ministry of Words who has recently launched a shop showcasing his fun and eclectic prints.  I followed back and an exchange of tweets lead to Martin offering to send me a free print!

I know, RIGHT?  Seriously, this just made my whole week.

And of course, never one to turn down someones blatant generosity, I chose this rather fabulous print called 'Synonyms'... I couldn't NOT, really... as I had the perfect spot in mind.

You know where this is going, right?  Of course you do, clever clogs.

Ignore the terrible state of the floors.  2012 is the year they are tackled!

Of course it had to go there.  That space was crying out for something and what better way to encourage your guests to let their hair down?

Hello, full bar cart!  Why, yes, make mine a Cuba Libre!

 
Don't I keep saying that every room needs a sense of humour?  We aren't really alcoholics.

Hey kids, don't drink!  Stay in school!  

See?  I'm still a responsible adult, mostly.

I really love my new print and if you want to check out more of Martin's prints, go to his shop and tell him I sent you!  He's offering a 15% discount right now so get them while you can as they are all limited editions.  He also wraps them rather nicely which, ya know, shows he cares :)

Thank you so much, Martin!!

In other dining room news, I made a couple of other small additions over the last couple weeks which I might as well share with you while we're having a look around!

 

For the eagle eyed among you, there are two new ones in that picture, both from the rather eclectically wonderful Rockett St George.

The first is a little zinc match dispenser that has a fantastic antique look.  I thought the colours worked well against the grey wall.

Tada!

The second is the First Class Waiting Room sign.  I thought it was rather appropriate for a dining room - sure the food is first class, but you'll be waiting a while for it!  Ha!!

It's in a distressed wood but I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to leave it that way.  I'm really tempted to paint it in something like bright yellow.  I know, I know, I'm odd.  Time shall tell whether I have the guts to do it.

So those are my three new additions to my dining room.   As you can see, I still haven't done a thing with the bar cart - taking your advice to 'live with it' for a while as I'm still unsure what I want to do.

So anyway, I hope you liked the new bits and now... back to Christmas!!  Goodness, are you as exhausted as I am?  Feel like my head has been in a spin for 3 weeks now!

P.S.  My gorgeous new faux bamboo dining chairs should be complete this week - I'm just waiting for the cushion covers to be completed but they're no longer that terrible green colour and are just awaiting the final steps of their makeover.  Can't wait to show them off so stay tuned for that!

Room Lust: Swoon Worthy Dressing Room

This image has been the most popular one I've ever pinned on Pinterest by far.  It's obviously provided inspiration far and wide and for very good reason.  The lovely grey chest of drawers with stainless hardware, the rows and rows of beautiful clothing and bags, the light fixture (OH MY GOD THAT LIGHT FIXTURE.  I'M DYING.  ARE YOU DYING?) the mirrored top, the beautiful flowers, candles and accessories...

I reckon even Carrie Bradshaw would swoon over this one.


Would this be your dream dressing room?

 

I'm a bit of a pin-aholic by the way.  Want to follow me on Pinterest? Just click on the link below or in my sidebar!
 
 Image via Redlilock's Pinterest via Clementine & Olive Blog

Ho Ho Home Decor: Animal Print Tree Skirts and Glittery Reindeer!

Well, we are now in the final stretch to Christmas and it's been a busy one!  Last minute meetings in London, Office Christmas parties and scrambling for Secret Santa gifts has meant terribly early mornings and late nights.  So by nightfall, sinking into the sofa with a cup of tea, television and Christmas lights twinkling away is about all I want to do!

So despite my decorations being up since early December, I'm only just getting to show you the rest of my Christmas decor!

You saw my dining table last week, but here's the rest of the dining room, specifically the mantle.

More of the same  - black, white, silver, gold and leopard print...

With a little greenery thrown in for good measure of course.

I bought the faux fur Christmas stockings from Graham and Green last year and they work really well with the scheme.  Also, they are HUGE.  All the more room for pressies.

The black reindeer is from John Lewis (£6) and the gold one was part of a set of 2 for £3 at Home Bargains.  If you are okay with fighting off all the chavs and scroats that unfortunately tend to populate places like Home Bargains, you can actually get some really cheap and cheerful things*.

Moving on to the living room, I kept things a little more simple in here...

A simple candelabra and a cheerful little reindeer tea light holder lights up the corner...

The fireplace 'hole' is a Christmassy vignette with gold velvet stockings I bought years ago from M&S along with a garland of white flowers and berries...

And then on to the tree...

I'm not into packing my tree with loads of things... I like my ornaments to 'breathe' a bit.

I bought the tree skirt at B&Q.  I couldn't resist really, it's just so cute and helps to tie the theme together... 

My favourite addition to the tree this year is my black crow which I bought from Rockett St George.  I love that the first time W saw it, it scared the crap out of him because he thought it was real!  *falls about laughing hysterically*

How can anyone be scared of this little guy, really?  Even the cats weren't fussed.

You lookin' at ME?

So aside from a few little bits, that's pretty much the extent of my holiday decorating!  Hope you are looking forward to a fabulous week ahead!  I am going to wrap all my presents today (just bought the last one today!) so the bottom of my tree will look a little less empty.

We're also going 'Booze Shopping' today to get all the alcohol for Christmas.  I know that sounds a bit like we are alcoholics but we are expecting 12 people on Christmas day (not all for dinner though, thank goodness) so making sure we've got everything to hand is always good.  And then we can concentrate on the food shopping later this week.

Also, I got a new print that sits right above my bar cart that I can't wait to show you later this week and it'll look all the better with lots of full bottles underneath it.  It's all about the stylin' baby.

What have you got planned for the last weekend before the big one?

Forgot to turn the fairy lights on for this pic.  Whoops.  Trust, me... lots of lights.

*No chavs or scroats were harmed in the making of this post.

Christmas Inspiration: DIY Christmas Decor Ideas

Everyone is in full-on Christmas mode and I've come across quite a few lovely ideas for homemade decorations.  Does that mean I'll be attempting many myself?

Hmmm.

Well, let's say, I have managed to do just one which is about as simple as it gets but finding time for the others continues to be a challenge!  That doesn't mean I can't share, though, right?

So, I'll show you mine first and then some others I've come across in blogland you may like to try.

A clear vase full of baubles always looks really festive but I decided to add a ribbon trim to mine just to give it some extra zshush!

Here's some other lovely DIY projects to keep you busy!

Everyone can use a little more sparkle around the holidays so I'm loving these sequin ornaments...

via Made By Girl

Blue Cricket Design created this vignette a couple of years ago but they look absolutely gorgeous and simple to recreate!  The DIY even includes the paper mache ornaments included but you can easily use store-bought ones if you are lazy like me ;)

via Blue Cricket Design

Meera's adorable Washi Tape Reindeer is so simple but gorgeously effective.  I love something that takes so little time but makes a big impact.

via First Sense Interiors

And how cute are Katie's owl ornaments?  They would look so cute attached to holiday parcels as well.  Love the mix of patterns!

via Craptastic

This isn't exactly a DIY tutorial but how difficult would it be to recreate this with a branch from your garden, a bit of silver spray paint, candles and a glue gun?

via Westelm

Hope you enjoyed our little DIY extravaganza today!  I have to admit, I'm better at buying than I am at creating from scratch but that's what the interwebs are for, right?

What kinds of DIY projects have you attempted this Christmas? 

Christmas Table: Black and White and Leopard Print all over

In my post about gorgeously decorated tables, I discussed how much inspiration I've had from some of the beautiful settings in blogland.  Strange as it may seem, I've never been one to go crazy trying to create beautiful table settings.  I guess because nice table settings only come out when you've got dinner guests and I'd rather spend my money on things I get to enjoy every single day.

However, this year I thought I would take a bit more time over my Christmas table and I've found I've enjoyed it so much, I would share it with you - even though I'm about 2 weeks early!!  

I purchased a few things but I certainly haven't spent a loads of money with much of it from eBay.  I'm still missing a few bits and pieces (like place cards settings) and the table will be set for 5 this Christmas rather than 4 but, this was just a practise run for fun!  (I know you, my fellow interior-obsessed friends, understand this, right? Setting a table when no one is actually coming around?  W thinks I'm bonkers but at least he's accepting of my weirdness.)

So as you can see, I've gone with a simple 2 Metre piece of cotton/polyester blend fabric in a leopard print which sets all the gold off rather nicely I think and cost £15.

The leopard print was chosen as a direct result of seeing this gorgeous image:

I used the gold tray that was in my dressing room as the centrepiece and just layered a glittery reindeer, a mercury glass tealight holder, a gold church candle and some bottles filled with red roses (my £2 Aldi specials!). 

The black and white ribbon wrapped around the bottles and candle pick up the same pattern in the napkins layered under the side dishes.

Speaking of side dishes, I loved the gold pattern and oriental look of these dishes (even though they were made in Britain according to the markings).  I got 5 of these for £6.50 - thank you eBay.

I also like that the table doesn't really scream Christmas but the reindeer and the Christmas crackers are the only real nod towards the holiday.

Oooh and as you can see I got my gold cutlery!!  Again, eBay - brand new and never used - 12 place settings for £27.  Come to mama.

Both sets of gold glasses are also from eBay.  The smaller glasses (set of 4) cost me £6.50 and the larger gold rimmed goblets cost £12, including shipping.

The little mercury glass tealight holders are from John Lewis.  The website only appears to have them in red but I purchased them from the store in silver mercury glass at £6 each.  Even though it was in their Christmas decoration section, I really think you could use them all year long.

The gold chargers were from Sainsbury's for £2 each (although I've seen them in lots of places for a similar price).  The gold candle was from Ikea and under £2.  The black and white striped ribbon was from John Lewis as well (£3.50 used elsewhere as well) and the white dishes, napkins, bottles I already owned.   The Christmas crackers were leftover from last year!

What do you think so far?  It's my first attempt at a properly decorated table and I've probably broken a million rules so be gentle on me!!

In fact, I was going to look up proper table settings on the interwebs but I was quickly running out of daylight and didn't want to have to use the overhead light so just took a guess as to where everything was supposed to go!!  I'll probably make some changes on the day anyway...

Hope you like it and you are enjoying the run up to Christmas as much as I am!  I must apologise if I've neglected your blog the last week or so - it's just been mad busy as you can imagine.  In fact, just yesterday, I checked on bloglovin' and it said I had 476 unread posts.  Uhh.  Yeah.

I can't make any promises but I will do my best to get caught up!  I've got lots to share in the run up to Christmas, it's just fitting it all in around real life.  We all know how that goes, right?  Cool.

Anyway, later this week, I'm hoping I get to show you the rest of the dining room and my tree as well.  Stay tuned for that as it follows a similar theme to the table...

In the meantime... Can leopard print really look Christmassy?  Are you gaga for Gold Cutlery?  Trying something a bit different with mixed patterns?  How about good Christmas recipes - it's all well and good to have a nice table but we all know the food is where it's at!  Share and share alike in the comments!

Help Me!! My Bar Cart Needs a Makeover!

I bought a really awesome bar cart recently.  Now, I've been wanting one for ages and I've been scouring eBay and one fateful day, I saw my ugly duckling.

Well, actually, it was a swan.  Just not quite the swan I imagined.

This particular swan, well, it had siblings.  Ok, yeah, this particular metaphor isn't really working so let's just talk about the fact that it's very GOLD.   Not the good gold - the really shiny brassy style gold.

Lots and lots of bright shiny gold.

And the legs and the handle of the cart are like a marble-effect green.

"Hello?  1992?  Yes, we found your drinks trolley.  Mm-hmm.  It's in Red's Dining Room."

Oooh but look how pretty my new gold-banded glasses are!  My Christmas table is going to look LUSH (in my head only so far but one has to have aspirations in this life).

So, my dear readers.  I need some help here.  I do really genuinely love this ugly thing.  I know deep down in my soul this thing has potential.

But what should I do with it?  Is there a way I could perhaps antique the brass (if so, how? I've heard good things about Rub N' Buff but would it work here?).  What should I do with the horrible faux-marble handles?  I am thinking spray paint but what colour?  Or do you think I should just spray the handles and maybe the gold will look better as a result?

Or should I just douse the entire thing in primer and paint it a glossy colour and forget the whole gold fiasco?

I beseech you, my lovely readers... I need your wonderful eye and creativity.  What would you do with this ugly duckling?