Daydreaming// Kitchen Table.

I had this idea when I was a little girl, largely influenced by the american videos I used to watch at my best friends house, of what makes a family home. It was of course the huge american detached house with a large wrap around garden, two large cars on the front, a family dog and a huge dining table. Space is expensive in England. Large kitchens come at a price. My ideal set up is an open plan kitchen, dining space with room for friends and family to sit while we cook. We're working on that ha. But I haven't let go of my dream of the big dining table, full of people I love, eating good food. 

Last Christmas there were six of us sitting at a 4 person table sitting on a hodge podge of fold down chairs. I couldn't decorate it because there was only just enough room for the plates and drinks! But I had a whole host of ideas ready for next time. With the way our selling is going, as mentioned yesterday it is unlikely that we will be in a new home by December. Therefore we'll be snug once again I imagine. However I haven't let go of the table dream. And rather than worrying about the Christmas table that may not be, I'm thinking about spring decorations for a housewarming next year. So much so I want to host a last one occasion here before the cold really hits inspired by above. Though we won't be sitting down to eat, it will be a lap occasion!

On my list, pretty glasses to be filled with fun drinks. A gold and pink theme, with new cutlery (ours is mostly broken or bent, and only two forks and knives actually match!)

Maybe next year we'll have the table to go with ;)

*This post was sponsored, as always all opinions are my own. 

On moving and decorating

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Jamie and I are currently in the process of selling up/looking for our next home. We'd like some more space. So, naturally I'm obsessing over decor, pinterest inspiration, rightmove and furniture. This might be the year we do it folks, this might be the one!
SO anyway..
I'm in love with this bed, it's so beautiful. And this time we move (hopefully the last, maybe) we will have a wardrobe area large enough that means I won't have to fill boxes with underbed storage like the current get-up we have going on.
These stairs.. oh how I dream of a banister this crafted, and tiles. Jamie and I found 'the one' just before we went on holiday, except the garden was in no way private and way too open and with a little one you just can't have that. But this 'one' had a staircase to die for like this and stunning original tiles. Makes me want to weep.
I am in love with this home tour. The spacious feel. Though it would not be cosy enough for British Winters, this daybed reading nook is on point.
The rug dreams are made of. On sale. I wish I had pennies, but I can't justify actually buying anything for our imaginary new home yet :(
It's all happening though. Despite a slow start of viewings, it's all happening. Good vibes this please. I'll be doing lots of homely posts I think.. sorry for that. Ha.

*This post was sponsored, as always all opinions are my own. You know how fussy I am with decor ;)

Reflections of a dog owner// Klaus at 21 Months

I haven't mentioned Klaus much really in the past year? Other than the dog bed palava. We just got him a beautiful new one that he's managed to eat.. anyway. 

Liking my dog has taken me a long time. I mean I loved him from the moment he squeaked at me at the breeders house, he was the runt of the litter what wasn't there to love!? (I'm definitely a bit of a runt/underdog-lover). But we just didn't gel. Maybe it was the weeing, or the lovely things he insisted on chewing, or maybe the fact that our personalities weren't matched (I am a cat person through and through) but the bond really took its time to form. 

I took him for walks, fussed him, kissed him and was a good pet owner, but I just didn't get the connection "dog mama's" seem to have. It was nothing like my bond with Molly, though I never expected it to be, but still I thought I'd at least you know, like him. Anyway a year went by and many of my things got chewed, and I was on my knees a lot cleaning up smelly dog wee when I felt I should be making Molly's breakfast and my morning brew. Then suddenly he stopped weeing at night, and the cloud lifted. He calmed down, I mean I still have to put him in the kitchen when my Nain and Taid come to visit but when family members he sees regularly come over there's no fear of him stressing them out or having to clean up his protest wees from the kitchen.

I think you really have to give it time. To be honest, stubborness is what made me so insitent that I wouldn't get rid of him. I mean it would have broken Molly and Jamie's hearts but as I was at home with him 5 days a week and it was me who was finding it hardest; a few times Jamie did half-heartedly offer to let me give him up for adoption. But what stopped me was the saying 'dogs are for life' and if I couldn't put up with him, who else would have our terrible dog!? And I am SO glad I stuck by him. He may have taken his time potty training, but he has a heart of gold and he is so so gentle with Molly. Their bond is incredible to watch. And I think Jamie loves him more than me.. so there's that.

AND... I love my dog!! I mean I always loved him but he quite often made me cry, but now, now I LIKE him! And I haven't cried in frustration in a good six months! Whoo. I don't know how it happened, or when it happened, or why. But I fell in love with him. And now we're best buds. 

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that being a dog owner is not all photo ops, despite my pet pinterest boards. It's a nightmare for the first few weeks in between dog naps and to be honest with you I'm not always sure how I got through the first year, but it is so SO worth it. He's our family dog, our second baby. He'll be two in October and I must say watching him get out of the puppy stage has been a pleasure. If you do get a dog, remember that he/she will be an absolute terror while they're a puppy. No one tells you this. For some reason I think it's the biggest kept secret.. like why wouldn't people warn others!! I went through a small phase of thinking everyone must hate their dogs but are saving face because puppies are an absolute nightmare. 

Tips for keeping your dog and keeping you sane in the process:
- My biggest piece of advice in hindsight would be to let go of the toilet training. It will take time with some breeds and that's that. Keep using puppy pads if its not an easy surface to clean (buy in bulk). It won't magically happen in a month, or even in 12 ;)
- Buy a pretty dog bed, it's much nicer to look at a pretty bed being ripped apart than an ugly one :P
- Lots of dog toys and chewable treats, they teethe for two years, and although it won't stop them from eating your favourite hand knitted blankets it does help.
- Oh yeah, hide the nice blankets for two years..
- Good pet insurance, vets bills are insane. We have had platinum cover since we got Klaus.*
- Regular walks, I'm talking twice a day if you can while they are a puppy, we went about a week once not giving Klaus a long walk due to business and it was a week of hell. Always find the time and if you can't don't get a dog or get yourself a dog walker which is what we will be doing once I am working full time.
- Scented candles, dog shampoo and conditioner. A lifesaver in the winter!!

*This post was sponsored. All opinions are my own. We have in fact been using and paying for Argos Pet Insurance since we brought Klausey home so I thought this was an ideal endorsement.