I've still to make a pompom for the hat.

I'm a messy worker.

I've been googling how to do different stitches on Youtube and chain stitch looked nice and easy. So I popped to a local crafts shop, had a natter with the lady there who advised on one of those embroidery hoops when I told her what I was up to and I've been practising on an old jumper. If it all works out, you can see the fruits of my labour on here soon.

Friday Five (5 of 5)  Saltwater Slides

Saltwater Slides

Golden Goose (old but new version here)

Everything else R.I.

1. Silver Leopard Print Backless Loafers

2. Black Embroidered Floral Backless Loafers

3. Khaki Cross Strap Studded Sliders

4. Silver Ankle Ribbon Ballet Flats

5. Pink Chain Backless Loafers

6. Silver Diamante & Pearl Backless Loafers

7. Khaki Green Embellished Plimsolls

8. Black Velvet Bow Backless Mules

9. Red Pom Pom Sliders

Essie Treat Love and Colour in Laven Dearly

I've been on the Dior Nail Glow for years now - I did a post on it a few years back here. It's the best thing ever for a cack handed person like me who can't paint their right finger nails neatly with their left hand. The struggle is real. So whilst having a browse through Grazia a couple of weeks ago, I spotted the Essie Treat Love and Colour polish in the must have shade of Laven Dearly. I thought it might be the perfect colour for summer and would give the nails a slight wash of colour. I promptly went to hunt it down and five shops later, I found a bottle. I painted it on my nails and took pics. The hubs watched on in a bemused manner before saying "I don't like it". Well, I have to admit I wasn't that keen - it probably wasn't my colour. I wasn't that keen on the slightly milky finish and it didn't wear as well as I would have liked either. It might be what you're looking for but it wasn't for me. I'm sticking with my Dior Nail Glow. #theoriginalandbest

Lisa's Home

Friday Five (3 of 5) Selective Hearing

Basil helping out with the flatlay.

Did you know I'm as blind as a bat? I wear contacts and am totally lost without them. Anyway, I was overdue for an eye check and took myself in to Leeds. Whilst I was there, I picked up my five free pairs of lenses which you're entitled to each year if you're on a Lensmail scheme with Specsavers -don't be missing out) and was asked if I'd like to have a free hearing test. I was in a good mood so humoured the young chappy who was looking after me.  Turns out I have perfect hearing. It's just selective around certain members of the family. My boys can confirm that. ;o)  #mummymummeeemummmmeeeeee

Friday Five (4 of 5) Pyjamas

Jigsaw Phoebe Spot Print Pyjamas

When was the last time you wore nice pyjamas? When was the last time you actually wore a proper set of pyjamas? I'm guilty of grabbing a £5-6 pair of Primark jammy bottoms when I see a pair I like and pairing with any tee I've got going spare. It's done me fine but sometimes I think it would be nice to have a nice pair of pj's where the tops and bottoms matched. I've been keeping my eye out on Jigsaw's sale as they had some lovely ones in the sale recently and they all sold out and then I just spotted the above pair of Pj's half price in the sale and in stock. I think it's time to up my pyjama game! #yousnoozeyoulosethepjs

Friday Five (5 of 5) Paper Planes

Paper Planes Trailer Here

This comes recommended by my two boys who found the film on Netflix and I thought you might like a little something to watch whilst whiling away those half term hours (if you are whiling away half term hours that is) with kids. It's a film about a boy who makes paper planes. I know, I know, it sounds dreadfully exciting doesn't it? Not. Stick with me and hear me out. It's a feel good movie and without giving any plot away, it gives you the warm and fuzzes at the end. It will also make you tear your hair out when your kids go on a paper plane making frenzy which mine did as they were so psyched and buoyed up by the film. And if nothing else, it will get them off the techy toys and doing something different for a couple of hours. Infact my eldest entrepreneurial son even managed to sell a couple of his super duper finely honed paper planes to some of his class mates. #notawordofalie #getyourA4ready

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Last Note :

Autograph Cashmere Rollneck (old)

The Kooples Parka (size down)

New Look Bag (old but similar here)

H&M Jeans (old)

Seven Boot Lane Honey Boots (past season but similar here)

Bella Freud for Fred Perry (old)

Sorry, you can't buy that jumper up there. It's an old one from a previous Bella Freud for Fred Perry collection. Love that little gold laurel wreath on the sleeve too.

However, you can get the one below and isn't it the most perfect jumper for Valentines Day!  And it also has a little laurel wreath embroidered on the sleeve too though you can't see it on the picture. #ratherhavethisthanroses 

Fred Perry Bella Freud Lovers Jumper

Hades Wool Jumpers

I had to include this because I just love a pretty top. The Monsoon one doing the rounds at the moment is gorgeous but a little full on for me but this broderie style one means it's a little more daytime which suits me down to a tee. I also think it has a bit of an "Other Stories" vibe about it doesn't it? This is exactly the kind of top I love and resist because the high necklines usually garrotte me. But I'm a trier and I took it in to the changing room just to see if my luck was about to change and amazingly, it fitted and didn't strangle me and the sleeves weren't overly long. Oh and I found out when I got home, they also do it in white. #blackorwhite

Friday Five (3 of 5) Stuff That Works

I just couldn't bring myself to photograph a bottle of Dr Beckmans

so I've put up a picture of a stain free rug and a cat and child instead. 

The big boy had a nose bleed and managed to get to the bathroom with the carpets relatively unscathed bar one big drop. Boy that's annoying. I did a quick wipe of it with a wet wipe which looked okay at the time but when it dried, it was clearly still there. The hubs found the Dr Beckmans Carpet Stain Remover that I picked up in Aldi during one of their recent spring cleaning week offers and had a go at the offending mark. "This stuff is seriously good" the hubs told me. "The stain was disappearing before my very eyes" he said. "I didn't have to even scrub it", "It's amaze balls!" Well maybe he didn't say "amaze balls" but he was pretty impressed. So just incase you have some stubborn marks on your carpet - give it a go. #stainwhatstain

Friday Five (4 of 5) Maranting Around

M&S Diamond Striped Scarf

I still have a bit of a soft spot for Isabel Marant stuff. It's one of the few designers I take a look at when the new season stuff comes in. However it's usually quite easy to find a replica or a homage on the high street if you have a little snoop around. I spotted the above scarf in M&S which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Marant Clemence scarf. I have to try scarves on to get the measure of them and see how they tie, if they drape well or if they are going to give you a hard time and be awkward beggars. The one below is a good one as it's a good size, soft (but not too floppy) and also square in shape which makes it easy to fold in to a triangle shape to drape super nonchalantly like the French girls do! I have one similar but I struggle with tying it - this is my replacement.  #goodscarf

M&S Woven Border Jacquard Scarf

Friday Five (5 of 5) Peg Board

Peg Board

George has a birthday party to go to tomorrow and I don't know about you but by the time they get to the age of 8 and over, it all gets a little tricky as to what to buy them. Well going against the grain of the traditional boys presents whatever they may be, I've bought the birthday boy a peg board. I thought it could be quite interesting to see what little gems, 8 year old boys could come up with on a daily basis. It will probably be something like "poo smell bum". We are talking 8 year old boys here. Oh and I believe they are quite popular if you've been looking at the housey IG accounts recently. #poosmellbum

Have a good weekend y'all! x

Little Deets

It's serious stuff this talking handbag business.

Jules has been working hard focusing on the new designs which she says is more representative of her own laid back style. A little more contemporary and a little more tomboy and edgy. But it's not all about designs, there's been a lot of cogs and wheels in the background over sourcing the perfect hides/leathers for the bags and setting up a new UK factory. I wasn't lying when I said she's been busy.

And on first impressions the new designs do look a lot different from the previous but look carefully and what you will notice is that some of the shapes still hark back to the original Village England designs but just had a good old 2017 tweak. If it ain't broke .... 

My eyes were immediately drawn to this bag.

It's an updated version of their Haworth bag which sold out previously and I have a feeling this one will do pretty much the same. Both Michelle and I made a beeline for it - the not too OTT stud detailing and the neat shape made it a winner. Not too big but roomy enough for all of life's essentials. And it's soft and squishy. Jules gave it a punch or two just to prove the point - the bags are made for everyday life and not just for showing off. And I know not everyone will be all over studs and fancy straps, you'll be glad to know that the traditional ranges associated with Village England will still be running alongside. I carry a Cranleigh and it's a brilliant design for me - no awkward zips, a good strong magnetic catch, enough detail to take it above the everyday ordinary and a good size. It's also a classic.

And talking about designing for everyday, one of the biggest bone of contentions is for ladies who don't or are scared to mix the metals. Am I carrying gold or silver hardware today? Carry both. It's covered with this bag.

Best of both worlds.

And moving on to the summer range, we have warmer tan and nude shades.

Lovely whipstitch detailing.

Jaeger Boyfriend Coat

H&M Jumper Hoodie

Jaegar Boyfriend Coat

H&M Jumper Hoodie

New Look Side Stripe Jeans (H&M Version here)

Adidas Superstars (past season)

And I don't know about you but I'm loving the "slightly" warmer temperatures of the last few days. It's meant that I can get the ankles out and the cropped jeans back on. Those side stripe jeans up there,  I picked up in the New Look sale last year and they've sold out since. I'm only just resurrecting them again but it's nice to see that H&M have only just put out their version so maybe I'm not quite out of fashion just yet. #phew

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Primark Top (instore)

I reckon I can finish before the end of Feb if I get off social media.

Jaeger Boyfriend Coat

Accessorize Bag (other colours here)

Adidas Superstars (old)