Back in the room, back in the room. And we're back to a Friday Five. What's been happening around my parts then?
Friday Five (1 of 5) Baggu
I've always loved a tote bag and never more so than currently whilst we've been in lockdown. They're just brilliant for taking on a supermarket shop and you just stuff them with all the other bags you need for your actual shopping. Thing is, I've always used them as an accessory rather than something just useful - go through my Instagram feed and you will find many a tote bag dotted here and there. I have them in different colours to lend a little something to lift an outfit usually. And I have way too many but I can never say no them. I have a few of the regular Baggu shoppers but not had an actual Baggu duck bag as yet. I'm quite liking the green one up there - it feels quite fresh and statement and besides which I don't think I have a green tote bag. I'm also liking the Olsen Twin vibes for the summer - loose shirts and big bags - I think I'll be running with that look for this summer but with a Baggu bag.
Friday Five (2 of 5) Over to the Dark Side
We've had our garden table and chairs for probably about twelve years? And we started painting them about four years ago as they were in definite need of some TLC. I originally had some Valspar garden paint mixed up at B&Q in a shade called Mountain Ridge which was a greyish green. It's lovely and every time I'm on Instagram stories giving my table a bit of a touch up, you can guarantee there will be some enquiries about what colour it is. But four years on, I'm ready for a change and I've decided to go over to the dark side to compliment the garden sofa set we've got ourselves this year. Anyway to cut a long story short, after to-ing and fro-ing and trying lots of different colours, I worked out in order to get the colour you want - you need to go several shades darker than you originally intended as it always looks different outside in natural light. We have used Farrow & Ball's Moles Breath inside and that looks a lovely deep grey shade inside but outside - it becomes that pale grey on the left of the table. So I took a deep breath and said to the lady in the store, I'll take the Little Green Lamp Black which is a very deep grey almost black. Fingers crossed it doesn't look like an undercoat when I finish.
Friday Five (3 of 5) Little Spoils
In Yorkshire, there are some stores called the Yorkshire Trading Company. I love 'em. They have all sorts in them - you want clothes pegs, they have them, you want freezer bags, they have them, you want haberdashery stuff, they have it, you want a plug for your kitchen sink, they have it, ping pong balls - they have them! They have stuff you don't even know you want till you see it. That's my little haul up there.
I have a few heavy garden pots so I snapped up the Move It Triangle Dolly when I saw it. Pop a full plant pot on it and roll it along to where you want it! And I treated myself to some new secateurs. How good they are, I don't know but they've got to be better than the really bad ones I've got to do my Laurel hedges with. And heel grips! I need those for a pair of suede espadrilles which are just a little loose around the back and I figured it was time to finally get those sorted out. And then I spotted the Artist paintbrushes! At £1.50 they're not that good but I'm not painting masterpieces, I'm using them to get into the tiny bits when I'm painting between the slats on the garden table I'm planning to paint. And last but not least, I couldn't leave those ironing board fasteners - very useful when you've got a slightly too big ironing board cover which needs tightening up. I don't know how I managed this long without any of that lot up there!
Friday Five (4 of 5) The Marlow Murder Club
I thought I was going to love the The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman but I found it a bit of a slog actually. I can't quite put my finger on it but on paper, it was everything I liked - a cosy murder story i.e. not too gory with a few little twists and turns. Took me over a month to read it. The hubs used to ask me how far I'd got with it on a daily basis and I was only ever two pages further and I always found something else to do. However ... The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood - I read that in two days. Started before I went to bed one night and finished it the early hours of the next. Loved it and love the characters in it especially Judith Potts - bonkers and brill. Can't wait for the new book coming out when it does!
Friday Five (5 of 5) Blunnies
It was my birthday on Wednesday and I finally got my Blundstones. Hubs had ordered them a few weeks ago and they've been sat in his office taunting me since they arrived as I've been itching to get them on and break them in on my dog walks with Mags. I went with the chisel toe 1306 style in rustic brown which is what I said I originally wanted, a few Friday Fives back. I went for my usual size and they come up a little roomy but not hugely which means I've been able to put some sheepskin inners in them for a little extra comfort and bounce. I wouldn't have gone down a size I know that. I think some ladies may also struggle a little with the narrowish ankle even though they are elasticated but I think they will give a little with wear over time. Having talked to Lou who had ordered two Blundstone styles to decide between, it turns out that the chisel toed are a little more feminine and longer on the foot but the tread on the sole on the regular round toed boot is more pronouced and maybe better if you're more of a trekker than me.
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Have a good weekend you all!
Hi, I'm reading that book too, it's great x
ReplyDeleteGlad you're enjoying it! It's just such a fun read.
DeleteDenim dresses are one of those wardrobe staples that I've always admired on others but never quite dared to try myself. Excited to learn some expert tips for pulling off the look!
ReplyDelete