Dotty About...Pretty Pastels

Is it the arrival of Spring which has turned on the pastel loving fiend in me?

I don't know what has become of me lately, but I used to wince at the sight of a subdued, muted pastel colour, and now, put enough of them together, and I just can't get enough. Subdued! Pah! Delightfully lively I would now say, with expressions used such as:

Candy Floss

Sorbet

Sugary

Icing

I was reading an article in Country Homes & Interiors magazine about ceramics designer, Julie Pettitt who likes to incorporate all these things into her ceramics to make them look good enough to eat! They sure do!

Here are some pastel inspirations to whet your appetite for all things peach, lemon and teal:

Images from my Pinterest board "All About Peach and Pastels" for links to original items

Dotty About...Valentine's Day

I don't know about you, but I have started getting emails from a variety of companies, trying to entice me to buy something commercial and expensive for my loved one for Valentine's Day.

Unfortunately, my husband's feelings about Valentine's Day is one of well, I can't describe it as anything other than hatred actually..."commercial clap-trap" is a phrase that get's regularly pulled out at this time of the year!

As a lover, however, of all things romantic (it's true! opposites attract!) I am always on the look out for a nice gesture. In my opinion, Valentine's day was invented for men like my husband. Men who aren't always very good at saying things they feel, and who require an "love amnesty day".

Anyway, I have been seeking out some wonderful home-made gifts to avoid the "commercial clap-trap", but to treat your partner on Valentine's day to something special and personal.

Source: morganandkari.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: thehybridchick.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: wanelo.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: bestfriendsforfrosting.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: mysisterssuitcase.blogspot.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: athoughtfulplaceblog.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Now there is no excuse not to do something for your loved one on Valentine's.

Dotty About..."Chats"worth House

Dear avid fans of my blog...hmmm

I have to show you this. Obviously we took our dog with us on our travels over Christmas, but we couldn't take our cat, known in these parts as Lotty / Lotty-Lou-Lou / Lou-Lou / Chat McBain (by my hubby who says she is the bain of his life!) / Fatty McBain (because she is not only the bain of his life but a year ago she was very fat too!) and many other names!

Well my gorgeous hubby has a big soft spot for our (not-so-little) Lotty-Lou-Lou despite himself and he was worried about leaving her at home while we were away - especially with the threat of cold weather.

Short Interlude

The reason for this is because the naughty dog or cat - we don't know which - broke the cat flap this summer. It certainly has aided Lotty to finally loose some weight though so it's a bonus!

So, Lotty was unable to come in and out of the house whenever she wanted. (Don't call the RSPCA! we have very close friends who came in to feed her twice a day, let her out in the morning and back in, in the evening).

Anyway, the point is that on the back of all of this, here is what my big softy of a husband did for Lotty: he built her a house.

Double reflective insulation on all sides (and floor)

Hubby looking all official and manly with a pen tucked behind his ear!

Check out that insulation! snug as a bug in a rug!

Taa daa, in situ in the garden - we are waiting to find some freecycle roof felt for it, so bin liners had to do for now.

Well done Hubby! and, best of all, Lotty is actually using Chats-worth house, so I also have a happy Hubby :D

Dotty About...Mum

OK, so I was on twitter this afternoon, and I am very confused as everyone is wishing their Mum's Happy Mother's Day. Mothering Sunday in the UK was a few weeks ago now, but I am guessing from the way people are spelling Mum - Mom that it's Mothering Sunday in America today!

Happy Mother's Day American Mom's out there



Here's what I gave my Mum this year (sorry about the spelling!)