Urban Gardening

Last weekend we finally got around to cleaning and sprucing up our balcony. We've planted lavender, sweet pea, honeysuckle and lovely trailing plants and ivy. It's all coming together and should start settling in properly soon.

I've been painting more pots and we got some mini chimineas to put tea lights in, which I obviously also took the opportunity to paint.

I also did some experimenting with macrame as I'd seen some tutorials online about making hanging baskets for plant pots and always wanted to give it a try. It was fairly successful and I love they way they look, I want to hang plants everywhere! I think next time I'll use some more heavy duty string so I can put them outside.

Painting Pots

We've been growing and planting lots of flowers and vegetables recently for our balcony and I always find it hard to find nice plant pots that aren't horribly expensive. We had lots of old pots lying around, however as terracotta truly offends me I had to paint them. 

 I used tester pots from my local paint shop, which were fairly cheap, and a huge bucket of white wall paint (always useful) as an undercoat. I also bought some gold spray paint which I think has changed my life. I am resisting the urge to spray EVERYTHING gold.

Our balcony looks much more colourful now and I'm planning lots more pots. I like having such a confined space to work on and have a sketchbook full of patterns...

Coconut Oil Toothpaste

Having been on a bit of a health kick recently I thought I'd try making a homemade toothpaste recipe I found. There's lots of bad things in shop bought toothpaste that I tried not to think about too much - until I found this alternative. Little did I know that I would become obsessed with coconut oil. It does EVERYTHING and is good for your insides and outsides.

To make the toothpaste simply mix:

6 tbsp coconut oil
6 tbsp baking soda
25 drops essential oil (eucalyptus is nice and minty)
1 tsp stevia (to sweeten)

And scoop into a jar.

Raw virgin coconut oil is best to use but is solid at room temperature. I placed my mixing bowl in a large pan of warm water to melt it before I added the other ingredients.

Coconut oil and baking soda are naturally whitening and I can honestly say my teeth have never felt so clean.

I put my toothpaste into a nice little jam jar I found for 10p at a bootsale (sadly I am not a jam fan so don't have many jars around). I have a love of Letraset and take any opportunity to label things with it (wonkily).

Here's where I found the original recipe: http://familysponge.com/health/coconut-oil/homemade-toothpaste-coconut-oil

And here's some of the many uses of coconut oil: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/natural-health-tips/using-coconut-oil

Nothing like a good jumper

Knitting is one of my favourite things to do, better than therapy AND you have something at the end of it. I've had my eye on this lovely Erika Knight maxi wool for a long time, it costs a small fortune but is the most perfect light pink, it had to be done. 

I'm making the 'simple sweater' which looks like it'll be super cosy. The good thing about such thick wool is that you can knock up a jumper in no time at all (especially if, like me, you prioritise knitting above pretty much everything else). 

There's something so satisfying about wearing something you've made and putting on a hand knitted jumper is like giving yourself a big hug. 

Pom Pom Party

I recently acquired a pom pom maker and things will never be the same. Pom poms are now infiltrating almost every part of my life. Making them is incredibly satisfying and an excellent TV watching activity. I made this garland for my bedroom and it has made a boring corner far more exciting. 

I added little beads too as I've got so many hanging around and never know what to do with them.

I also made a pom pom hair band which I'm VERY excited about. I'm planning lots more.

Spot On

Spots are my favourite. It's hard for me not to wear them everyday. As I literally can't get my hands on enough spotty items of clothing I've had to resort to making my own.

I made this simple dress (which I will be wearing as soon as it stops raining).

A few weeks ago I found this wonderful dalmatian spotty material on eBay and had to have it. I copied the pattern from my favourite simple skirt, which has nice tie details on the hem, and made a little crop top from the left overs to create a SUPER spotty outfit. I like the idea of matching prints, and of course it's always best to DIY.

And finally these are my most favourite spotty dungarees, which I am mildly obsessed with.