What makes a house a home?

Something wonderful has happened in our home lately. Something which has given me the wonderful gift of time. And sleep!

Mmmmm, maternity leave. 

The bit before the baby arrives, where you go to bed knowing your restful nights are soon to be a thing of the past.

I have been having a few medical problems with my latest pregnancy which have caused me to take my maternity leave early. Despite the  bits of bleeding I have been having however, I must admit I am really loving having the time to get our lives organsied, and the house too!

We have been decorating our living room lately, and I have really got a bit carried away with good old pinterest. I no longer just see it as a website, but as a way of life. I have become a bit of a tramp with holding onto things instead of throwing them away. And my dream is to go skip hoarding (asking for prior permission, of course!) 

I have been putting a lot of thought into our home, and how I want it to look and feel. After all, a house is just bricks and mortar, until you add your personal touch. 

I mean, who wants an Ikea home? A habitat home? Don't we all want a home that is full of memories, and reflects our personalities? That's why I love to collect little decorative items from second hand shops and upcycle furniture. I like quirky.

I have been using up the fabric scraps in the craft cupboard, and had a spare wreath that I picked up from a car boot last year. So I kind of went down the same road as the rag tinsel.

 I bring you..rag wreath!

I was quite happy with the result, and now I have more space to hoard more fabric! Bonus!

And I also found I had WAY too many baubles left over from last year. I keep buying them..think I may have a bit of a fetish!

So I strang them together on a string..simples but effective!

I also made an adventure board a while ago but have finally got round to hanging it up. I love pinning new places we have visited..but get a bit sad when I see how much of the world we have unexplored (most of it)! I have thought about making ones for the kids too for their rooms. Not sure how Sam feels but Lizzie absolutely loves travelling and learning about new places. I am already thinking of making a 'before 10' list with Lizzie, of things she want's to achieve in her early childhood. I already know she wants to go in a helicopter..that's how she rolls!

And of course, we have put up the tree! And we may have put it up in November...(I couldn't wait!)

I had a little helper/destroyer of baubles and all things shiny...

She was quite chuffed with her tree.

But her favourite part was the cinnamon rolls afterwards. I'm not sure what she likes more..eating the ingredients or the sheer mess it creates...

It's getting pretty chilly outside guys, so remember to wrap up warm...

And drink plenty of the chocolatey stuff...