the thrift list

Although the majority of times I go charity/2nd hand and online shopping I have no real focus, I do have a "thrift list".  The thrift list consists of things that for one reason or another have become a must have  for my life.  Usually inspired by something I came across on the internet the day before or most likely something I have just imagined in my head, which doesn't really exist and I am just expecting to find it one day waiting in a shop for less than a fiver (I can only hope). 
So basically these are the items that rarely get a 'check'. 
In no particular order

• stylish danish arm chair for lounge
• a large grey 3-seater tufted sofa 
• extremely over-sized gold ornate mirror
• a traditional hat stand
• some industrial lockers
• 60s glass cocktail set
• piles of vintage fabric (for sewing needs)
• a wardrobe full of madmen inspired outfits
• a massive area rug for the t.v hub
• some original art for the walls
• large shabby chic chair for the magazine nook

Just earlier this morning I spotted in a charity furniture shop window two Habitat esc' lamps that I really think I should own so are now added to my thrift list. It wasnt open for two hours so I couldnt get them. I like the idea of having a matching pair on the bedside tables (if I have the room). They are large, with an angle-poise style chrome base but a white cylinder lampshade. £10 each. Which is a bargain really, might have to go back into town...

kitchen plans: decoration

So once layout is sorted and I am planning a room, I think of three key elements.

1. Theme
2. Basics
3. Feature

I showed you my kitchen inspiration in the previous posts pot rack and knife strips and open shelving. This is how I'm planning to make it work.


Theme: Eclectic Retro - A collection of mis-matched styles of kitchenwares and an usable look.


Basics: The kitchen as a whole will stay the same except the elemants I add shown on the previous layout post.  If you look back at the layout the wall on the left is the only wall without any kitchen features attached. It on has the door that opens to the right and thats it so it can afford to take something to utilize space more. Although I'm planning to add a couple of items to this wall, I would really like to balance the black worktops and add a sleek feel by using black chalkboard paint. 

Please excuse awful editing. I don't have a professional editor or the skills to use the program. My skills are like a child using plastic scissors and pva glue. 


So this will be my wall (door is on this wall to the left) and it has a tiled floor that will have a runner down to break up the 'terracotta'. 


Features: This wall will hold the additional shelving rack and a butchers block. Similar to examples shown below. 

I have already bought a retro cream clock too. Mine was £8 from Wilkinson's but this example is Tesco. 

Retro clock via Tesco Direct.

I have seen a small butchers block down the 2nd hand shop hidden in the corner for months now and Im hoping no one will notice it so I can buy it in a couple of weeks. Its approx 40X60cm so can fit nicely against a wall and not over power a small kitchen.

Butchers block via four corners trading. 

The magnetic knife rack will sit above the butchers block ideally for easy access. I have to work out Knife rack via deglon.

kitchen plans: layout

As soon as i walked into my new flat I already had a hundred ideas of what to do with the place. I'm trying to avoid getting carried away before I can really show you what I am working with but I can't help myself.  


So I will be starting with the kitchen (as lastest posts suggest). Which is the most important room to me!


What I am working with;

• black faux granite worktops
• beech wood units
• magnolia walls
• cream and pale green tiled back splash
• white 4 ring gas hob 
• white oven below
• large terracotta colour floor tiles
• built in spotlights on ceiling 

Its a boxy room with fairly large window and units on two walls forming an L-shape surface. 


Floor plan:

Basic floor plan, not quite to scale but close.  On the left is the Kitchen 'as is' and the right shows the 3 elements I will add to the small space. 

This poor layout design belongs to me, I have no fancy editor - excuse it.  

1. I'll add a free standing 4 shelf unit that comes to less than 150cm high. So it won't over power the space. This will be used for extra storage for regularly used ingredients stored in jars etc and over-sized dishes that won't sit in a cupboard. I bought the LERBERG  shelf unit in white. 


2. A small 60-40cm butchers block. For a little extra work space that can be moved around when ever I need it. Also go plans to store fruit and veg not suitable for fridge 


3. A runner. Its a tiled floor so will be cold on feet, plus really 'slippery when wet'. so I bought a couple of these SIGNE rugs from Ikea (SUPER CHEAP) that can wash easily. I bought them in yellow, cream and black but they don't seem to have that option on the site. 

scone based pizzas

When I'm on night shifts at work I like to take something nice to eat for 'dinner' as I don't want to end up eating 6 rounds of toasts through the 12hour shift. Today I decided on scone-based pizzas as we had everything. Self-raising flour, butter, milk for the base and then tinned tomatoes and cheese for the topping. Obviously those are the basics and you add ingredients to suit your taste. 

 I like to add mixed herbs to the savoury scone mixture. After the butters blendid in to the flour, I add the milk and beat round together with the knife 'til it binds. Today I pressed it out on some ground polenta for more of an authentic taste plus practically it doesn't sick to the pan. I pre-cook the base for 5-8 mins, not even to colour but it will just start to puff up. 

 I then cooked down some chopped tomatoes with onion, 1 dried chilli, mixed herbs, balsamic vinegar and seasoning. I always add a little sugar to tomatoes to take out the tang. 

I then went for tuna and olives (as that was in the cupboard) and sprinkled with cheese. Then cook for 10 mins, medium high heat.

easter weekend dinner (pre-roast)

On Good Friday we had our fish supper and the first choice was fish cakes. They were very tasty, the classic white fish and potato mixed served with chunky homemade potato wedges and mange-tout & sweetcorn. 

Something was missing though, it needed a dip of some sort and was craving something tangy so fridge tartar sauce it was! 

I used 2tbsp mayonnaise, 2tsp salad cream, chopped 8 mini pickles and then mixed it all together. Sounds gross but It was exactly what I needed. 


Then Saturday I was fancying something with an Asian vibe so with through the freezer and found some plain shredded pork. I made a light Thai style satay and pepper curry. I cooked some sushi rice to go with (my favourite type of rice) and again some mange-tout (got lots of it cheap on the market). 

Was cheap and easy fridge food, and tasty too - the way I like it. 

jamie with living

 I wasn't planning a post on my magazine subscription but I always get so excited when it arrives through the door, and today I let out a little yelp when I noticed this months freebie. I mentioned my love for Jamie Oliver as hes a great cook despite what people think of his work in other areas. Anyway it was a free Jamie Magazine BBQ recipe book. The weather has been great at the moment and I keep smelling the smoke through my window when I'm trying to get some 'fresh' air. 

I only subscribe to one magazine and obviously its a home and living one. I went for what I think is the best Home magazine out there for design, tips, real homes and high street and designer buys. I love other magazines but they don't have the balance of Living Etc and I will be using there advice loads throughout setting up my house. They have some great high street tips for renters. Cant wait to try out some of these recipes. 

kitchen: pot racks & magnetic knife strips

More inspiration from pictures I have sourced from apartment therapy and design sponge. My new kitchen is a fairly small kitchen but has enough room to take a shelving rack and a pot and knife strip. I honestly think having all you equipment out will encourage you to cook and clean in your kitchen more. 

  Love this chalky grey way and the lime green shelf stand. Think I'm goin t go with this look. Plus if im not allowed a cat I can just draw one. This is in the kitchen of Kirra & Dane design sponge sneak peek.

  I will be living in a rental which means there are very limited options to what you can do. I did think about buying vinyl blackboard paper to cover the units to match this look but its pretty pricey.

 I like this kitchen because it looks like it belongs to someone who really loves to cook and I want a collection of knives like that!

  Theres no room for a ceiling pot rack in my kitchen plus i think that gives more of a country kitchen vibe whereas I am going retro. So wall rack it is. 

Love the look of this rustic wood sleeper wall and the retro tin collection. Image sourced through Design Sponge Nancy Niel's sneak peak.

kitchen: open shelving

I will definitely be attempting some open shelving in my kitchen and maybe a  little butchers block too.. might be pushing it for space though! Heres a few looks that inspire me; the more attainable to the dream like kitchen. 

Erin & Danny's small 500ft home, their house tour was great and made me realise i don't need a lot of space or stuff. Love this layout and im a fool for glass jar food displays. 

An image from apartment therapy about how to display items decoratively on open shelving. 

 Although I do love the look of open shelving, I do like a cupboard door. These are perfect, efficient and still tidy.

Love a retro looking kitchen. Open shelving next to the cooker seems to be popular and makes sense having your pans at your side rather then lost in the back of a cupboard.

I want this look badly and have for a long time been collecting many shaped jars and containers. Being a foodie they may not stay full and decorative like this but the advantage is its good for keeping up with stock and being more creative with ingredients

pictures sourced from design sponge and apartment therapy 

i've done it

The 1 Bed, 1 Bath challenge is over! I found a 'little' place to sleep, store and live. And the nice bonus is I have managed to find a 2 bedroom place, not just 1! Its a very affordable price (less than most 1 beds I was looking at). This also gives potential for halving my money via a flatmate one day. But for now I am going to indulge my self in my own space!
 Its a conversion property turned into a few flats. I will be living in the road side of the property, I have my own lovely front door and hallway that leads off to all the rooms. All the main rooms are on the ground level but this high ceiling property has many mezzanine levels that made me love it and one of them leads to a large study space which will see many of my projects. 


So whats next? (the To Do list)

• finalize the tenancy
• arrange a move in date
• get a man with a big van
• go through my mums attic and shed for all my forgotten property
• organize the layout of the flat so the move in can be fast
• visit the 2nd hand shop down the road and make friends with the owner!
• update my coffee table
• source double-bed that wont break the bank (quick)
• set up kitchen open shelving
• start saving for a 3-seater sofa
• think of the best way to add storage
• find a couple of (cheap) large rugs as theres laminate flooring every where 
• and finally organise my house warming party! (Theme: Spanish- tapas, beer, mojitos and sangria)

a rainy day needs tea

 I saw this book and had to buy it straight away only based on the cover! Its a book about things to do with the kids when you have ran out of ideas on a miserable day. Full of lots of creative ideas, contributed by many different authors. 'The rainy Day Book' edited by Helen Brooks. I got this in brand new condition for £3. I think i will try some of these and do a post on them. I LOVE ginger beer!

The shape of this teapot reminds me on the one in Beauty and the Beast. I got this 4 cup teapot for £2 in great condition. 

charity shop finds

 I'm not sure exactly what it is but I assume the little cut out on the lid is so something can be placed there and still shut the lid which is to me is perfect for a small spoon. I decided this will be my salt pot for next to the hob. 

 Now this is going to sound really sad but I have been looking for a bowl like this every since I watched Jamie's 30 minute meals. He frequently used a small cracked porcelain bowl to mix dips and little marinades in and I just thought it looked really rustic and cute and I had to have. I know a lot of people hate him but I am a big Jamie Oliver fan. Heres a little video by him talking enthusiastically about serve-ware (you can see my inspiration for this bowl). BTW that is pretty much my dream kitchen right there!

I also for this small DIY A-Z that talks about a wide range of household stuff that you may just one day need to know how to repair... like the common household item, the piano? 

dirty diana

Today the post woman knocked the door which can only mean theres something too big to get through the letter box (always a nice thought). I was so excited as I remembered my recent eBay purchase.
My sisters 18th birthday was a couple of weeks ago and I had failed yet to buy her anything worth while. But knowing shes very enthusiastic about lomography I thought there would be nothing better to start with than a Diana camera, cliche yes but they just look so 'cool'. First thought was Urban Outfitters, as I know they sell hundreds of the retro replicas but I thought they are good but not cheap. 
So eBay it was and I was very lucky to find and have the winning bid for an original 1960s Diana 151: 16 colour, 120 roll film camera. The ebayers just described it as "old camera diana" and started it at 99p, could not believe it. They also said they inherited it 30 years ago and it appears never been used. After a little bidding war I WON for £14.50 which is a steal. My sister is very pleased but not as much as me!

I'm not sure if it will work and it needs a good clean (as you can see from the last picture) but my sister will enjoy finding out!