Wedding Ideas: Polka Dots, Teacups and Jam Jars...

We haven't set a date yet, but that just give me more time to dream about the possibilities for our wedding... and find ways of achieving them on a budget! So far I'm really liking the idea of lots of polka dots (naturally!) teacups and jam jars for flowers. I think the trawling of charity shops for old teacups and saucers, cake stands and jars will have to start now!

Flights of Fancy! New Cath Kidston Print... British Bird!

How very exciting! Cath Kidston have created a gorgeous new print, entitled, "British Bird". Here's what the lovely folk over at Cath Kidston have to say about the newbie in their collection of beautiful prints... "Bird prints make their fashion debut this season with a stunning new print from Cath Kidston featuring a "British Bird" on a selection of must have accessories. Available in a contemporary charcoal colour palette and adopting a vintage wallpaper style, these are the perfect accompaniment to any outfit".

The Beautiful British Birds messenger bag - £40.
This is my favourite in the new collection!

British Birds Holdall - £85

Bird Stone Clasp Purse - £12

British Birds Walking Umbrella - £30

British Birds Printed Shawl - £48

Bird Needlepoint Frame Bag - £65

Which is your favourite?

Currently Craving Cupcakes...

I've been rather busy of late, what with final year exams, preparing for my trips to Gambia and Poland and sorting out the house ready for the big move back down South... and all this stress is driving me to cupcakes! All I'm craving right now is a pretty little cake smothered in butter icing! I've recently started up a Tumblr blog and there are so many inspiring little blogs out there filled to the brim with gorgeous, and tempting photos. If you're on Tumblr please drop by and say hello! But in the meantime I thought I'd share some of the lovely cupcakes I came across on Tumblr...

(sources: via Tumblr)

There's More To Tea Cups Than Cups of Tea!

There is more to tea cups than just cups of tea... I love tea cups, but I cannot stand tea - I know, how very un-British of me! So, for me, any excuse to have tea cups around the house and not have to drink the stuff is a bonus. After the event at Rokit Vintage where the Vintage Patisserie provided jasmine tea and prosecco cocktails served in gorgeous mismatched china tea cups, it got me thinking about other uses for the humble tea cup!

Dessert in a tea cup!

Tea cup lamp shades

Jewellery storage

Flower Pots

Tea cup candles

Antique tea cup magnetic jewellery holders

*I'm Walking on Sunshine and Don't it Feel Good!*

What absolutely glorious weather we are having! I don't know about you but all this sunny weather puts me in such a good mood! I've got endless amounts of reading, essay-writing, exam revision, job applications and interviews to prepare for, and yet I've still got a smile on my face as there is sunshine and a big blue sky! I hope you are all able to enjoy it? What better way is there to enjoy the sunshine than take Rufus out for a walk in the beautiful country park. Here are some of my photos from our walk...

Rufus loved his walk, especially when we bumped into a lovely golden retriever, I think Rufus made a new friend :)

One of my favourite views in the country park. It makes walking up all the steps and steep hills worth it!

The white blossom and yellow gorse flowers were beautiful!

It still makes me sad to look at the poor burnt-out pier :(

I love living in the Old Town, everywhere is so pretty and the perfect walking distance from shops, bars and restaurants.

How have you been enjoying the sunshine?

Painting - Tea, shoes, and above all else, polka dots!

I've had a day off from university and the house completely to myself for two days so I decided to have a lovely relaxing day (after the boring household chores were done) painting! I had gone out and stockpiled some canvasses the last time I felt the creative urge, so all I needed was some good music on and a little bit of inspiration!

I raided my kitchen cupboards and decided to paint my teapot and my gorgeous little polka dot vintage tea cup that a good friend got me for Christmas one year. I also raided my wardrobe and came across some of my favourite Simple shoes, a flower brooch and a bow hairclip... This is the result!

Polka Dot Lcae Up Shoe - $25 (£16)

Polka Dot Tea For One - $25 (£16)

Summer Garden!

I have been inspired by the beautiful weather to write a summer garden blog post. To prepare for the summer weather I have given our garden a good tidy and sort out. I started thinking... there is definitely something missing from our garden... colour! For me summer is about bright colours and sunshine. But my garden, (lovely as it is) is green, green, and more green. So I made myself a little visual wish list on Polyvore to help brighten up my garden this summer.

Summer Garden by abbiehayden on Polyvore.com

I love the mini BBQ perfect for a garden that is short on space, and of course no BBQ should be without this gorgeous floral apron!

Garden tea party by abbiehayden featuring Dahlia dresses

What I am looking forward to most is tea parties in the garden this summer, and what tea party is complete without cupcakes, tea pots, cake stands... and bunnies!