Wallpaper of the Week - Bindi by Eijffinger

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/products/eijffinger/bindi/76490

A nice bright start to the week. The football may well be over for another four years (Guilty pleasure : the sneaky shots of David on the bench - enough said) but its still summer and believe it or not the sun is 'still' shining ! So this lovely cheery paper is hopefully a good match for your mood.

Eijffinger (please don't ask me to pronounce it - Dutch is not a strength of mine) have lots of lovely bold floral collections, but their Bindi Collection is inspired by traditional Indian designs, luxurious and rich in both in colour and texture. The striking patterns range from trailing florals to large bold paisley. With colourways as diverse as turquoise, lime, purple and silver enhanced by metallic finishes it is certainly a head turner.

Its not cheap, starting at £52 per roll and rising up to £75 for the metallic finishes, but boy is it going to look amazing ! Don't be scared of this range, it is bold but its beautiful and will enhance any room - simply add lots of neutrals and I would advise not accessorising just let the paper do the talking.

Its here - Business Mum's Blog Carnival

The responsibility !! Helen has entrusted me with June's Business Blogs Carnival ...I hope I don't disappoint !

My first major decision has been what image to use as the opener...I deliberated and contemplated and tried to think of something that represented June...sunshine (we've got some for once but didn't want to be responsible for bringing it to an end by talking about it), bloomin' football (David Beckham was up there believe me), tennis (not really in full flow yet) then it hit me...Pimms !

We have a great mix of articles for you this month so my suggestion is you pour yourself a lovely refreshing glass and sit back (preferably with your sunnies on and your feet in the paddling pool ...wifi permitting) and enjoy..... (now for the really scary bit I have to try and work out these links !!)

First up this month we have some brand new blogs, Marianne at BagPod's Half a Book ? Her plans to send 'virtual postcards from South Wales to the Philippines' and Jacqueline from Organic Baby Clothes Direct has written her first post about Organic Cotton Facts with some real thought provoking points.

Sam at Mumazing (host of July's carnival) has had a tough week with her business - would a walk in the park would lift her spirits? Find out about how parks are a budget-conscious mum's best friend over at Baby Budgeting.

On with business and Antonia from Family Friendly Working has written about the Implications for your business of the Coalition Government . 'She's Trying To Destroy Me! Coping with Competition and Flattery in Business' is this month's topic from Natalie at Self Employed Mum, and dealing with another potential business stress is Business Ethics from Karen at Learning Made Fun discussing honesty and integrity . Helen at Business Plus Baby talks in this month's article about the term 'Mumpreneur' and equality in childcare.

On to some more personal articles, two to feature for June, first up in celebration of Breast Feeding Awareness week we have Arabella from the Natural Nursery Blog with her very own inspiring Breastfeeding Story. Tracy-Jane has written a beautiful article about her Mum, One year on - Life without a loved one.

The children, we can't not mention them can we ? Seema at Kidz4mation has written about 'When little people go red with rage ! ' full of useful tips on how to cope with 'those' moments. And Jude at Artful Adventures has been in the presence of Mister Maker !! Read about his visit and Eldest Son's moment of fame.

Wow - nearly there ! (Definitely feeling in need of a Pimms now as having to apologise for not being able to get the links to look pretty like other people have - note to self go on a blogging course !!) Finally, this month a challenge ...Helen and Sam at Mums The Boss have set you a "It's all about YOU!" Daily Challenge, see if you can stick to it ?

Don't forget to get to check out www.businessplusbaby.com for details of July's carnival.

Wallpaper of the Week - Here's the science bit ....

http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/wallpaper-collections/Contour%20Anti-Bacterial

OK so the 'rules' state that you shouldn't use wallpaper in bathrooms and kitchens .... steam will make it peel off, it will go mouldy (urghh) and who would consider putting any fluffy design thought into these 'functional' rooms anyway ?....

Well you'll be pleased to know that there is now an easy solution to these long held beliefs. Contour have designed a range of wallpaper that is 'Anti-bacterial', "providing on going protection from harmful bacteria".

There are 13 designs available in 36 colourways, ranging from the 'cheesy' cupcake paper and equally as cliche'ed 'Dinner Time' featuring a lovely knife and fork design to the relatively palatable 'Groovy' (shown with roll top bath below). The papers are all £25 a roll and are paste to wall which I suppose gives you another reason to consider them.

So why my obvious lack of enthusiasm about this range that has been reported as potentially revolutionising design in kitchens and bathrooms ?

Well I've been rambling on about using wallpaper everywhere for ages...12 months I've been nagging the people who happen to stumble across my ramblings on this blog and even longer in the case of my nearest and dearest. This paragraph has not been checked by a lawyer so I'm not going to be held liable for any claims.. but with the right research and the right products (ie use the recommended pastes and varnishes rather than what you might have left over in garage from the 1970's wood-chip days) then the majority of wallpapers can be used in *any* room.

Just to prove my point the sink with the flamingo's is *my* en suite. I have used Cole and Son Pink Flamingo wallpaper on two walls of the room. Applied following the manufacturers instructions, using their recommended paste but ...here's the science bit... coated in a layer of Polyvine Decorators Varnish any wallpaper can be transformed into one suitable for using in bathrooms and kitchens. The varnish costs around £13.00 a litre and is available from any trade decorating centre. Use the satin finish and you can't tell that there is any coating at all, but, as I regularly put to the test, even toothpaste will wipe off it without so much as a smudge.

Apologies for this weeks rambling rather than recommendation but I just don't want people to think that they are limited to a range of boring wallpapers when in reality you are free to choose whatever takes your fancy ......I'll get off my soap box in time for next week.

(Apologies for layout have changed pc to mac this wk and still learning normal service on foramtting also to be returned asap)