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)

Wallpaper of the Week - Marimekko Bo Boo aka Lots of Lovely Bright Cars

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/products/brewers/bo-boo/74629

I have the builders back in on Tuesday (again) the last room to receive its first coat of Barnes' paint ! Its small1's bedroom that he's had to make-do with being decorated with a bit of bunting until now. He wants blue - he always wants blue...remember the disappointment when the 'white' bath turned up for the blue bathroom ? He's already asked whether the original Edwardian green glass panels in his windows are going to be changed to blue - I'm trying to manage his expectations !!

So... I'm on the hunt for a wallpaper, when I came across this fab primary coloured cars, vans, lorry, buses wallpaper. Its from Marimekko and I fell for it instantly - its everything that I love in a paper - clean, crisp, bold but doesn't take over (bit like the wine I'm drinking while I write !)

But here's the dilemma...he's 4 years old, if I show him this paper he'll love it (anything with wheels). Two years ago and I wouldn't have thought twice, (well I probably would have cringed at the price £54.95 a roll for a child's bedroom) but at 4 and starting school in September I can practically guarantee that by this time next year he'll think of it as 'babyish' - the realisation hit - I've missed the boat...I no longer have a toddler to appreciate it !

So, I'm off to carry on my hunt, but if you have a toddler please take a look at it - I'm sure that someone out there can give it a loving home !

Wallpaper of the Week - Calm, relaxed and a little bit of prettiness

http://www.johnlewis.com/Home+and+Garden/Home+Decorating/Wallpapers/SubCategory.aspx

Its very delicate so I have had to temporarily change the background to the blog to ensure that you can see this week's paper.

I was flicking through one of the multitude of interiors magazines that appear on every surface of our house (usually accompanied by a Cbeebies version) and I came across a lovely pretty 'Rosa' wallpaper from John Lewis. I knew that they had increased their range of wallpapers but wasn't aware that they were also now selling their own range.

I've had a quick look and I am really impressed. Its subtle in design and the range of colourways are gentle and although there are some stronger colours the majority is light and fresh rather than strong and heavy.

The design above is Butterfly Blossom, £20 a roll and one of their more expensive patterns. I would recommend taking a look at the range if you are after a modern take on a traditional idea, something that is unobtrusive, light and pretty.

Wallpaper of the Week - Love a bit of Disney (with taste)

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/collections/kids-home/disney-kids-home/573

It could be said (as we pack our bags to set sail (volcanic ash permitting) on Disney Magic around the Med) that the Barnes' are a bit partial to Disney. I was a sceptic but they just know how to 'do things' and they generally tend to do things with bells on. I came across the new launch of wallpapers and my initial thought was 'Urghh how cheesey is this going to be', followed by 'I must remember not to let Small1 see this or he'll be desperate for it'. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Yes, they have character and colour overload, but alongside the bright imagery above (most of which are one off stickers rather than very busy pattern repeats) they have a great range of co-ordinating paints and more interestingly wallpapers. I have been searching for a blue based stripe for weeks and faster than you can type Miska Mouska Mickey Mouse ...there is it - with no indication what so ever that its linked to the Mouse Man himself. Alongside the traditional character wallpaper each 'brand' has its own plain, stripe, maxi sticker and then a variation on the original wallpaper that is a bit more subtle and stylised. Yes, its aimed at the children but there has been some consideration for the parents that also have to live with it.

My advice would be don't be put off by the fact that its Disney, give it a chance and it may be that there is something that would fit every one's plans. (Just for the record, I wouldn't recommend it for the living room)

Wallpaper of the Week - Black and White

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/collections/brewers/black-white-vol-ii/589

A whole range this week, from Brewers its their Black and White Vol II range. They have their usual marketing blurb to describe the mix of patterns and styles that have been put together, I personally think its a bit of a random mix of black and white papers, but I like it all the same.

The official line is "Oscar Wilde quotes in flock finish, cityscapes, bold florals and stylised contemporary road maps. A little different, very special" Its quirky and unfortunately the detail can't be seen from a tiny internet image. Things like the road map is actually printed on high gloss black paper with the matt grey blocks layered on top, finished with pale grey road names ...yet again I need to invent a touchy feely blog page to get across why they are rightly using the word special to describe them - its in the finish daarrrhling !

Due to the complete cross section of designs that they have selected there is pretty much something for everyone from a masculine tartan (which I actually think is my favourite because of all of the silvery bits) to the girly spotty print.

Unfortunately the paper also has a 'special' price to match with prices ranging from £41.50 a roll up to ...wait for it ....£117.50 !...ouch

Wallpaper of the Week - Diva by Barbara Hulanicki

http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/product/18103/Diva/15?show=

We've got a day with sunshine ! A first for 2010, so I set about trying to find you a nice light spring wallpaper. This cream and silver (vague I know, remember to follow the rules and ALWAYS get a sample and a big one at that - you need to see at least one pattern repeat..I digress..) geometric paper is from Barbara Hulanicki, founder of Biba the fashion retailer back in the 60's and 70's. She's designed a couple of ranges now for Graham and Brown and I think this one has to be my favourite.

The colour was the first thing to catch my attention, so fresh and light just what is needed to finally drag us out of what has seemed to have been the winter that went on forever ! Then the pattern, on reflection I would say its actually quite complex but you only really discover that given time and a bit of daydreaming in its general direction. First impact, for me anyway, was that its clean and got enough going on but doesn't take over everything. I think you could happily put another patterned item alongside it without it dominating.

Another 'safe' wallpaper that would be suitable for using in pretty much any room and a £30 a roll its not too pricey for a designer paper.

....As a slight aside this week if anyone has a particular room that they would like me to try and help out with a wallpaper for please just get in touch and any comments are always gratefully received ....

Wallpaper of the Week - MetalXGlass by Brian Yates

http://www.brian-yates.co.uk/wallcoverings.shtml?pageNo=15

Isn't this lush ? I made the fatal mistake of taking a trip down to the Chelsea Design Centre last week. I did actually have some 'proper' work to be doing there sourcing fabrics and wallpapers but I just get so distracted by all of the beautiful things I really am a kid in a toy shop. Among some of my favourite finds were these wallpapers by Brian Yates.

They have such an amazing texturised finish, with parts appearing to be 3D and parts actually being 3D where they have been embellished with amazing glitters, velvets and in some cases glass beads. The problem is that you really do just want to reach out and touch them - not ideal in real life as even my 4 year old has been heard telling the 1 year old "no hands on Mummy's wallpaper" and the glass beads did take me back to the 1980s and the temptation to pick the woodchips out of the wallpaper at the side of my bed - oops ! Beautiful though ! (The glass beads not the woodchips)

The wallpaper that I have shown above also answers another interior design problem that I frequently come across. Which metallic finish to have in a room and how to get away with combining a few different finishes - I'm talking brass this, chrome that etc etc... By using a pewter base with a metallic finish you can never really be 100% sure what colour it is. Nature will take over and dependent on the direction of the natural light source, which angle you view the paper from and at what time of day you will get a variation on the colour that you are looking at allowing you a little bit more flexibility.

But let this be a lesson, if you are wanting to co-ordinate ...get a really good size sample piece, hang it exactly where its going to go and live with it - I'm not talking hang it up long enough to get your other half to say 'yeah like it' I'm talking a week, look at it before you leave the house, when you get in, when you are around at the weekend - its not cheap, its not one that you want to be taking down and doing again !

Where would I use this ? Master bedroom or a dining room - it seems a shame to hide such a beautiful thing away but an element of practicality needs to step in - its not one for a family room ! One of my favourite finds to date, you'll definitely be seeing more of this range to come...

Wallpaper of the Week - Bloomsbury Scarlet

http://www.villanova.co.uk/collections/bloomsbury-wallcoverings/scarlet

What a way to start March with the sun making a welcome appearance after what feels like months of grey drizzle or mushy dirty snow. I can yet again believe that there may be other seasons of the year that don't make me want to hibernate. Even if today's weather is just a cruel reminder before another week of hail, it does act to give hope that we may in the near future move into Spring. So, to celebrate this I have selected a nice bright, fresh 'bloom' for this week's wallpaper.

From Villa Nova's Bloomsbury collection this is the Scarlet colourway of this subtle, pretty, delicate pattern. Its unobtrusive yet the colours are quite strong and the scarlet sits perfectly against the turquoise (reported as 'the' colour of 2010). Also available in other colours such as Kelp and Cayenne there is plenty of choice if you are after a more neutral schemes. And as you would expect from Villa Nova there are a whole host of fabrics to complement, contrast and co-ordinate with your scheme, taking away any chance of 'getting it wrong'.

Wallpaper of the Week - This isn't just wallpaper, this is Marks and Spencers wallpaper !

As you would probably expect, I have my favourite haunts that I return to in search of that next wallpaper design. Some places are like the Topshop of the wallpaper world, no matter what it is that you go in looking for you will come out with something. Some days its exactly what you went in for, other days its the complete opposite. But this morning, I thought I'd open my eyes a bit wider in search of the wallpaper of the week.

I thought I'd do the most basic of googles and see who pays the most for their advertising slot - there were two sponsored links, Laura Ashley - lovely, not very user friendly to hang, so I'm reliably informed, but lots of great choices in a massive number of colourways. The second one threw me a bit - Marks and Spencers. Now I'm in there pretty much every other day and I had been completely unaware of this range - OK so they are probably not going to stock it in their petrol station branches but I think you could say they haven't been telling the world about it.

Its quite a good little range actually. There are 9 designs with a few colour options on some of the styles. Pricing is from £15 to £20 per roll so where you would expect really. Their target, as you can see from the images above is clearly to have a go at Laura Ashley. The traditional damasks and neon colours, alongside a bold stripe and more traditional floral trailing designs and the high street pricing strikes of "well lets guess what their best sellers are, dip our toes in and see how it goes".

Good luck to them, I'm all for making beautiful wallpaper accessible to all and although I would expect it to be a niche sales area for them (are they going to do pastes etc ?) I would think if anyone could give it a go then it would be M&S. Can't wait for the TV ad...Take That doing a bit of decorating perhaps ?

Wallpaper of the Week - Clean and Crisp Romo

http://www.romo.com/collections/wall-coverings/kenzan-wallpapers/simonii-wallpaper.html

You will no doubt have seen this wallpaper around over the past few years, however, its one of my personal favourites that I thought would be worth a mention. Its fresh and crisp and I would probably describe as a non fussy, non feminine floral.

From Romo, its become a bit mass market with the fabric being used for ready made cushions that are available on the high street. However, there are 12 colourways available so using one of the not-so-mass-market options alongside the complementing fabrics from the same collection (as shown above) will enable you to create your own individual scheme.

The image shown above is the linen/charcoal option that I came across when short-listing designs for a dining room scheme. The room is to retain its existing traditional dark oak furniture, with the chairs upholstered in a dark red leather. I believe that the use of this linen paper will keep the room quite formal but will make the room appear more modern in styling and more welcoming.

Its a very versatile design and yet again is one that I would recommend in one of the paler colours as a great paper to choose if its your first attempt at feature wall wallpaper. Its not going to take over a room and yet will add character and personal style. The other room that I would suggest this paper is ideal for is the bedroom, highlighting the wall behind the headboard.

Wallpaper of the Week - Masquerade Collection

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/collections/vymura/masquerade/565

Such a lovely vibrant (aka loud) collection to brighten things up on this cold, grey February morning. New from Vymura it the Masquerade Collection. The image above is of a pattern called Orianna available in three stunning colourways, deep purple, hot pink and silver. All of them laced with iridescent inks and glitter for stunning visual effects.

They are classic in design just brought bang up to date with the colour choices, enabling them to be used to maximum effect in both a traditional or modern setting.

Other papers within this collection include a large scale intricate damask, Adalia, a bold stripe version of Orianna and a Filigree which I have to admit that I personally question its cohesion.

All very reasonably priced at £16.99 a roll, if you are looking for a feature wall to add a bit of life to a drab grey day then this is definitely a collection to consider.

Wallpaper of the Week - Fashion

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/products/ferm-living/fashion/71618

A quirky one for you this morning, its from a collection by Ferm Living and is called Fashion. Featuring rows of models with a whole host of accessories, striking various 'catalogue' poses !

The black and white makes an ideal focal point for a monochrome scheme that I would keep to a modern property. Ideal for a hallway or those rooms where you can get away with it....the good old downstairs loo springs to mind. On the flip side, it would look stunning in a modern double height room where you would be able to drop huge long lengths. Also to be considered would be commercial use, whether that be in an office, reception area or shop....quite versatile really...

Wallpaper of the Week - Playtime Collection

http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/collections/casadeco/playtime/558

I find children's wallpaper can be quite tricky to select. There are lots of cars and fairies around but this new range from Casadeco caught my attention initially because of the little Japanese Harajuku lady (she reminds me of the lovely Momji collection). On looking into it further, I found that not only did they have 'tasteful' papers and boarders for girls but also for boys.

The range has 5 options in total Deers, Huts, Hills, Hearts and Japanese (as shown above) with supporting papers to complement such as a delicate all over floral design and a simple stripe. All equally desirable that I have failed to choose one as a wallpaper of the week and instead gone for Wallpaper Range of the Week. Its the attention to detail that makes it for the me, the bird sat on the Deer's antlers and the little ducks swimming in the pond on the hill.

It goes without saying that I would suggest using them in a children's bedroom or playroom and don't really think they would work any further afield. Pricing wise they are £20 per boarder and £21 per roll for wallpaper, not the cheapest but would probably have a longer life than a more specific character wallpaper that may get grown out of sooner.

New Years Resolution ..2010...

Its late I know (what are we about the 9th January ?) but that is kind of in keeping with my 'Resolution'...note the singular... for 2010.

In the run up to Christmas we were mad busy, doing the things that people who work in retail do and transforming our house back from building site to family home. Christmas Day arrived (was fab - ate turkey in PJs) then we packed up and went down to Torquay for a few days into the New Year.

All this time I had a niggle at the back of my mind that I hadn't had chance to do 'my plan'. I'm a control freak ...I quite openly admit it ...I need to know what's going to happen and when and therefore, I need to plan. I needed to get straight in my mind what it was that I was going to focus on at the the start of the new year, start of the new decade. I was mentally conjuring up a resolution list that would resemble more of an update on the business plan with my life splattered around the edges.

It got to New Years Eve, we had left the small people with M-i-L (thank you x) and we had the whole afternoon to ourselves...TIME...The others were hitting the local tourist shops but instead we got on the tiny ferry across the very cold and choppy River Dart and wedged ourselves into the corner of a very lovely, very busy, very tiny pub (in the daytime !!) "Right" I thought "GB can hit the papers, I'll attempt my plan" But, it was just so lovely having time to sit there and talk about nothing important (why SJP is striking in appearance and who was too skinny in Grazia), munching on ham, chips and egg and drinking me'spritzer, that I didn't want to plan, I wanted to enjoy the moment, enjoy the time.

It goes so fast, I know there are so many cliches about it going quicker when you get older, have kids etc etc but I had struggled over the course of 2 weeks to find 20 minutes to sit down with a pen and paper. It struck me that the priority had to be to sort out my time balance.

Sunday 3rd January about 10.30pm I got round to it...I (while keeping half an eye on Daniel Craig on the TV) split out my average week allocating the current time split that I have across work, children, housework and me. An eye opener and a bit of a pathetic picture to tell you the truth...all housework and no fun making Sarah a very dull, boring and fed up person. But at least I had my plan of what I needed to change.

Tuesday 5th January, playing with the children after they had got home from school, childcare potentially over for the week due to weather forecasts and me still not getting round to achieving the me part of the revised time schedule and I thought what am I faffing about for ??? ...why don't I just lighten up and enjoy myself ?

So that's my Resolution ...I know my current balance is wrong I should be having fun not planning. I know I'm lucky and I don't always appreciate it (cue huge test of being snowed in for 3 days with 2 small people on my own not even able to get the pram out never mind the car). I know I feel better if I have lists going left, right and centre ...but I've decided I've got to challenge myself and every time I feel the need to list or plan or organise I'm just going to stop and enjoy myself instead. Life is passing by way too quickly for my liking at the moment and I want to make sure that 2010 is my happiest, longest year ...

(sooo tempted to add in 2.get fit 3.drink less Starbucks 4.increase business turnover by 50%....but am off to beat my 3yo on Super Mario Carts instead)

Words, Words, Words ...

I'm a fan of words...words to provoke thoughts, memories, smiles...

I was browsing (should really be drooling) over a whole host of new ranges that have launched recently and I couldn't help but pick up on this company. These are vinyl pieces that are added over the existing wall covering. I love the scale of these designs, as you can see from the entrance hall image they are not for shrinking violets... but they are removable (hmmm not sure I ever really trust that something is 'really' removable). There are a range of standard quotes or a bespoke service if you have something specific that you are looking for. They are also really adaptable to different rooms -"Rub-A-Dub-Dub" "Kiss the Cook" (sorry cheesey I know). Finally, the pricing, I always go on about what good value feature wallpaper is in comparison to wall art but it definitely deserves a mention in this case, ranging from £20 to £30 I'd say worth a try.

www.wallworddesigns.co.uk

I can't do a post about words without mentioning a personal favourite site The Keep Calm Gallery. (www.keepcalmgallery.com) I came across them in a Sunday Times editorial after they were the first people to relaunch the WWII print of the slogan Keep Calm and Carry On. I have then gone on to purchase numerous screen prints that are adorning the walls of Ivy House. Sitting here at my desk, I'm surrounded by their Eye Charts quoting various things from 'Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder' to 'Hindsight Is Always 20 20'. At one point I think I did have an addiction but they are 'different', lovely and so flexible to their surroundings.

Sorry for the slight weekend diversion ...back to wallpaper next week...

Wallpaper of the Week - Frosty Morning 2010

http://www.cole-and-son.com/collection_detail.asp?collectionid=13

2010, Happy New Year !

It was difficult not to reflect back this New Years Eve to the Millennium and the amazing time that I had with my then newly acquired boyfriend, now Husband of 6 years in the sunny heat of Thailand. The climate was a bit different 10 years on, although spending NYE on the 'English Riviera' (always makes me chuckle, aka Torquay) was slightly warmer than the cold frosty weather that greeted me for the first school run of 2010.

As I drove my defrosted car, laden with small people bundled in coats, mittens, Father Christmas hats (he's become rather attached to it and it was easier to just go with it !) through the dark with the head lights glistening on the frosty roads and trees, I was reminded of the inverse print of one of the Cole and Son prints that I am continually looking to squeeze into designs.

No doubt you'll have seen this paper around in its original black-on-white colourway. Researching this morning, I didn't realise just how many variations they actually run, anything from reds and gold to various shades of beige. I'm sticking to the basics with my recommendation and this charcoally grey with frosted trees as it focuses on the pattern without overpowering with colour. Very adaptable and suitable for use as a neat little feature wall wherever takes your fancy from living room to downstairs loo and anywhere in between....

...wrap up warm and drive carefully..

White Chocolate and Cranberry Christmas Cheesecake

OK, I know 1. its been a while ...I'll update on that in a seperate post (hopefully later this week) 2. The image is strawberry cheesecake and not the afore mentioned Chocolate and Cranberry cheesecake. But anyway, why am I writing about cheesecake on the blog ?

...The explanation....earlier this year I was 'discovered' on twitter by a great networking group called 'Mums the Boss'. One of the key pillars of their strategy (as Argos would have said), amongst it has to be said lots of other fabulous things such as raising awareness of charities and supporting business set ups and Mums working from home, is baking cakes ! (Yum) To celebrate this, they are organising a Christmas Baking Carnival http://www.mumstheblog.co.uk/2009/12/07/christmas-baking-carnival/ , the idea being that everyone blogs about their favourite Christmas cake and da daar...12 Bakes of Christmas....

I never baked...end of .. whatever I tried it just wasn't right, they flopped, they burst and covered the oven with gue or I forgot about them and they burnt. Until the arrival of my trusty friend the Aga. As part of educating me into how to use the Aga I went on a number of demonstration days - they are fab (even if you don't have Aga I would recommend them as you get to learn loads of recipes and eat lots of yummy food). One of the demonstrations was 'Christmas Made Easy', this to me previously meant do an Ocado shop and anything they don't have buy from M&S...oh how my cooking life was about to change ! It actually was easy and not too time consuming and the things that were time consuming you enjoyed doing anyway. So here is my Christmas Cheesecake recipe that even has the approval of my M-i-L who doesn't do deserts, just has a mouthful of everyone else's, so it can't be that bad! Hope you enjoy !

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESE CAKE WITH CRANBERRIES

(Serves 6)

150g chocolate digestive biscuits, crumbled

50g butter

2 tubs of ricotta cheese

2 large eggs

200g white chocolate

300g fresh cranberries

120g caster sugar

1. Crumble chocolate digestives

2. Melt butter in a pan and add crumbled biscuits

3. Place biscuit mix into the bottom of a 20cm round spring form tin and pop in fridge to chill

4. Melt the chocolate

5. In another bowl, beat together the ricotta cheese and the eggs and then fold in the melted chocolate

6. Pour mixture on to of biscuit base

7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until or until set at around* 160 to 180 degrees or on the floor of a baking oven for the Aga

8. Whilst the cheesecake is baking place the cranberries in a pan with the sugar and cook gently until soft. Take off the heat and allow to cool

9. Pour the cranberry mix on top of the baked cheesecake and when cool release the sides of the tin

10 Serve with a little blob of cream - whichever takes your fancy...lush !

Wallpaper of the Week - Where has all the pink gone ??

http://www.lauraashley.com/Cerise+Pinks/TATTON-WALLPAPER/invt/3406700

"There's bound to be loads", I thought, what little girl has not at some point in time asked for a pink bedroom ? I was needing to source a wallpaper for above a dressing table - just 2 drops to add a corner of luxury to a functional dressing room. I was looking for something striking, something luxurious, something glamorous, something girlie ....it just had to be pink !

So I started with my usual haunts (as GB commented the other day on one of the rare occasions that he read this blog "looks like you're sponsored by Graham and Brown"...but they just have the lushest papers !) ...serious shortage of pink ! Various other sources tried but nothing that would tick all of the boxes. There were pale pink butterflies, pale pink spots, pale pink fairies but what about a serious pink - a pink that would stop you in your tracks, catching your eye as you walked through the room perceived to be no more than 'storage space'.

Then I found it, in Laura Ashley, a shop I try to avoid but keep getting dragged back into. (Bad delivery experiences, shocking customer service and a risk that you can very easily date your room based on their key design for the year that they do to death.) Anyway, that said, they are doing pink..."Cerise"... its the serious pink range I was searching for, its grown up, it makes an impact, in classic designs, with lovely iridescent inks that unfortunately its difficult to show off screen .... more to the point they had stock in store so I was able to collect immediately !

I went for their Tatton design, which I have to admit appears to be this years 'Do it to death' design but its for use in a secret corner, met all of my requirements and more to the point its on Save 1/3 as well as giving a donation to the 'Think Pink' Breast Cancer campaign. ....Bring on the glamour !

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/breastcancer/

Wallpaper of the Week - Vivienne Westwood Cut Out Lace

http://www.cole-and-son.com/collection_detail.asp?collectionid=116

I know its a while since I've done a wallpaper of the week so I thought it was time to update you on a new range that I have fallen in love with !

I made the mistake of discovering that there is now a direct train from MK to the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour - its one of my favourite places, I just get all dizzy and excited with the sheer volume of scrumptious fabrics, delicious wallpapers and don't even get me started on the trims ! If you haven't been I'd definately recommend it as its open to the public Monday to Friday - its just where do you start ?

I started with my favourite wallpaper showroom - Cole and Son - I needed to place the order for the flamingo's ! I was on the hunt for a paper to go behind an upholstered headboard to make a feature wall in a master bedroom - in my mind this had always been a dark paper, taupe, chocolate, coffee ...for no particular reason it just had been. I was so focused on the pink birds that it wasn't until I was walking out of the showroom on a mission to visit Romo fabrics and match some linen's that the Vivienne Westwood Cut Out Lace literally made me stop in my tracks !

I have searched and searched for an image of this paper that does it justice and I'm afraid that the ones I have shown just don't show it off to its lushest ! (On the advert above its the second dress in) As soon as I have it in situ I'll post a photo in the meantime the link above will probably be your best bet.

Its called 'Cut Out Lace' and is available in 3 colourways, Charcoal Black, Off White Linen (shown above) and Ecru and Taupe. The design was apparently first used in her Spring-Summer '07 I Am Expensiv collection, developed from a fragment of antique lace. Despite searching for a darker paper I was instantly drawn to the Off White Linen that had a full wall of the showroom dedicated to it.

The colours and shades representing the lace, give the paper a depth and texture that is almost 3D. From some lights the overall feeling is that this is quite a light coloured paper with a few darker accents but from other angles you almost feel yourself getting sucked in ! It was love at first sight. I did the usual, spend the rest of the day trying to find an alternative but there was nothing for it ...decision made !

...sorry I know its just a wallpaper, I'll shut up and go and do some measuring up or something !

"Shall I just keep out of it and put the kettle on ??" ...."ooh that sounds like a good idea !"

We are on week 6 of the works on IvyH. That's 6 weeks of sleeping in the spare room. 6 weeks of dust sheets on the stairs. 6 weeks of no wallpaper on the wall's revealing an interesting combination of pinky / lilac and chocolate brown in the hall that I've now stopped noticing ! 6 weeks of "water's going off" 6 weeks of battling to clear up any dangerous clips of electric cable, carpet grips, random nails that prove attractive to 3 year olds ! ...6 weeks of me getting the teas in !!

As I am now thinking of adding this to my answers in the 'What is your Profession ?' box....Interior Designer, Mummy, Tea Lady....I thought I would share my tips on 'keeping everyone suitably refreshed' ! So here goes :

1. Before they arrive do a shop, you will need the following items :

1. Tea bags - lots

2. Catering pack jar of coffee

3. Milk

4. Sugar - I can't remember buying the previous bag - I'm on my second bag since they started work !

5. A small plastic tray - its not good trying to lug around a standard size one when you are squeezing along a landing dodging the decorators scaffold and the electrician's hidden among the floor boards - there just isn't the elbow room ! Mine is about 15cm by 25cm cost a couple of quid from Ikea and can fit 4 mugs on quite nicely.

6. A selection of cheap multi coloured stoneware mugs. There are a number of reasons for this one :

(1) How many men do you know who could tell you how much an Emma Bridgewater mug costs and therefore, why it should be treated with a little bit of respect ? Don't risk your everyday mugs its just not worth giving yourself something else to worry about.

(2) If you get different colour random mugs you can assign each person a mug dependent on their coffee / tea / number of sugar combinations removing any confusion as to which cup has 6 sugars and which one has 4 - allowing you to speed up your making and delivery time.

I'm not talking about a major investment I got 4 different coloured ones (quite nice shades of taupes, creams, charcoals aka white, mud and grey !!) for £1.50 each in John Lewis so there are definately some bargains to be had out there if they can do them for that price.

2. Frequency of Refreshments : I've assigned the following times as a suitable balance of frequency and quantities of liquid :

(1) On arrival 8.15am

(2) 10am - keep those sugar levels up

(3) 12.30 to go with lunch

(4) 3pm who doesn't need a 3pm nudge !

3. Cakes ! Cakes are for Friday's only as there is no way that I could give out cakes and not join in myself ! The exception being birthday's - I don't go in for the singing but Small1 is usually happy to oblige.

This was supposed to be a blog about where the works are up to but it seems I may have been brain washed into having the same priorities as the builders...talking of which its 15.05 so I'd best dash back to the kitchen !

Ideas, Hints and Tips for Choosing Children's Bedroom Schemes

More than any other room, I get the most queries about children's bedrooms - must be the company I keep ! (A sign of a certain age bracket...the 1st houses are done....the hen nights and weddings slowing down ...time to join in the school run rather than the rat race !) So I thought what I would do over the next few weeks would be to come up with some ideas, hints and tips that would hopefully be a start at helping with these queries ..I say over the next few weeks I thought of this 3 weeks ago and it was my priority for Monday this week - its now Thursday and its dark outside !

So, first off a few thought provokers :

1. Think about how quickly they change their mind on favourite toys and how quickly they grow out of clothes ? The same could happen if your scheme is too focused. Choose an adaptable base. Go for neutrals, especially for carpets and probably the majority of the walls using your accessories to provide the 'story'. One wall of feature wallpaper or colour is easily enough updated without incurring a massive cost when all of a sudden your 4 year old declares that princesses are for babies ! (I daren't mention Hannah Montana !) Having a neutral base enables the room to grow with the child or change its function without too much upheaval, emotional or financial !
2. Think storage, storage, storage - Its Father Christmas, Birthday's, hand-me-downs etc etc they seem to be magpies when it comes to 'stuff'. Priority should be easy to use i.e. can you throw in toys from the middle of the room enabling a full room clear up during the time it takes for them to come up with the excuses as to why they couldn't possibly help you tidy up the mess that they have created because their belly button hurts / their teddy bear has not cleaned its teeth properly / they are listening to the nee nor going past / they are busy practicing their yoga tree ? The slide in fabric drawers are a fantastic option, a sort of easy-aim toy filing system. Never under estimate the amount of storage you'll need and always have some under-bed-on-wheels-boxes ...if nothing else it removes the option of them hiding under there when they are supposed to be getting in the bath !
3. If the child is old enough to speak they are probably old enough to have an opinion - you need to choose whether you are going to go along with it or 'tweak it' but remember if you have asked their opinion they will remember their answer. This could then go a few ways, they'll either stick to their guns until the end of time, probably when the answer didn't meet with your approval or change their minds on a daily basis....in our current building site I asked Small1 what colour he would like the bathroom to be ? Blue! The look on his face when the bath was delivered ..."but its white Mummy I'm having a blue bathroom"... Manage their expectations, if yours are anything like Small1 the whole world will get told the plans, rather like birthday parties ! Let them know that if they have asked for blue that there will be some bits that are blue but some bits that are other colours too !
4. Try not to be too precious about it - after all it is 'their space' and when they insist on lining up a row of dolls in order of 'which-doll-is-best-friend-with-which' rather than your 'predetermined-colour-co-ordinated-height-order' you may just have to learn to live with it! This said, there are some practical times when you need to stick to your guns ...when they decide that the dress-up clothes stand "needs" to be within arms reach of the bed so they can jump out of the PJ's into the Spiderman outfit before you've had chance to realise, then refusing to take it off to go to school / granny's / Tesco's ! All I'm saying is choose your battles wisely.
5. Choose where you spend and where you save - if you are reading this you are probably quite house proud (or my Mum, not saying that she isn't house proud too) - and yes its one of those great rooms to work on, you can really get your teeth into co-ordinating this that and the other ...before you know it you can spend a couple of hundred quid on 'matching accessories'...your 2 year old will really appreciate the £8 you spend on the light switch cover that has a car on it because it will clearly be him that can reach up the 5 foot to switch the light on and off ...however, you will really appreciate the extra investment that you made getting the curtains black-out lined, meaning that you get the extra sleep in the mornings when the clocks change ! (I know the blackout lining will cost more than £8 but all the £8's add up scarily quickly !)

So, now we've covered a few ground rules what do you actually put in the rooms....well that's next on my To Do List ...and I'll get back to you right after I've re-ordered the Thomas the Tank Engine Trains into numerical order!!....first up ...Girls Rooms....

"New, No Faff, Interior Design for Everyone"

http://www.hogstyend.co.uk/Images/Ivy%20House%20Interiors%20Oct%2009.pdf

Just thought I'd update everyone on a promotion that I'm currently running in order to trial a slightly different approach to Interior Design.

I've become very aware over the past few months after speaking to various people, that there is a perception that 'Interior Design' is out of most people's reach, generally for financial reasons. I have decided that my latest mission is to banish this myth !!

My first step was to come up with an offering that is straight forward, self explanatory and with absolutely no room for any concerns over hidden costs. I took some 'inspiration' from the high street and similar to the likes of Laura Ashley and Fired Earth I have put together a package based around a 'Room Scheme'. Basically you show me the room, tell me what you like and don't like and I'll produce you a board displaying a choice of paint colours, wallpapers, upholstery fabrics, cabinet furniture, accessories etc etc as required. Quite straight forward really ?!

Next step was to call on the help of our fantastic local trade handbook 'The Hogsty End Handbook' (Hogsty End was the original name for Woburn Sands) and I have taken a double page advert that you can see from the link above.

The advert is launching the scheme with a £50 saving for all enquiries made before the 31st December 2009 and I thought it only right that I offered it to blog readers too ...that's an entire room planned out for you with no weekends spent dragging the begrudging other half around the shopping centre looking for curtains or blinds, no Sundays spent in Homebase spending a fortune on paint tester pots only to come home and find that you already had most of the colours from the last room that you decorated ! Just hand over the room to me and I'll get on the case on your behalf !

Call 07711 293320 for more details, thank you, SB

Can't think of wallpaper ..only of mayhem !

First day back from holiday, mountains of washing, ironing etc etc oh and a houseful of workmen ! Its 9.40 and I've only made one round of drinks but feel the next one may be expected.

In a change from the norm I thought that I would forego another week of Wallpaper of the Week - sorry none last week either as I was in cloudy Greece ! - and bring everyone upto date on the plans for my current project as I'm bound to be wittering on about it enough over the next few weeks !

This project is slightly different to others that I undertake as its my own house. Whether that makes it easier or more difficult I'm yet to decide. When working on your own project its tempting to fall into the trap of tweeking things as you go along rather than getting all of your plans really really clear and sticking to them. I'm being a bit more take it as it comes with this job and that has already entailed an entire day trapsing round various plumbing suppliers looking for someone who stocks in a 3 way shower valve - lesson learnt !

So the job ... replace en suite, block in doorway that leads off the landing into en suite (random), replace family bathroom, block in window from bathroom onto landing (also random), put fireplace back into master bedroom, decorate en suite, dressing room, bedroom, bathroom - inlcuding flooring, curtains, blinds etc. Then because of the structural doorways and windows we need to do the hall stairs and landings (2 of them) including replacing 57 spindles and staining the handrail - a job I have decided to undertake myself. Add into this renovating the original 1904 sash windows - ahem note the renovators have yet to arrive ! - and the jobs a good 'en !

My personal jobs today have included dustsheeting my 8 foot high bookcases as I'm refusing to clear them and plastic sheeting over the children's bedroom doors to try and minimise the number of nights spent listening to wheezy children over the baby monitors.

....will keep you updated on progress and add a few piccy's along the way but for now the tray of empty mugs has been delivered back into the kitchen ...think thats a hint !