Family Sunday?

Sundays to me are a family day. And I adore them! 

The only thing that is a bit pants is that it is the last day of the weekend but it is so much better to be positive about this day! 

I love the lie ins (which I only have several left of before Jessica arrives) and the housework, cooking the other halves favourite meals and really making a fuss of him and making sure he is ready and relaxed for the week ahead. 

It's not a totally selfless task though, he is very helpful on Sundays doing a dump run almost every weekend while I have been trying to get the house ready for our little bundle of joy. 

I can really make an effort with dinners on Sundays, you always feel like you have more time to yourself. I never do a full roast as that isn't really 'my thing' though. Am I the only one that thinks that roast dinners are a lot of hassle for not enough enjoyment? You're always sick of looking at it by the time you sit down to eat it. 

I'm very much looking forward to tonight's dinner, spicy chicken (the technique unashamedly stolen) and handmade chips that gives the other half the excuse to get out his horrid deep fat fryer from the cupboard! And a lovely big salad for my plate!!!! 

It's also a day for me to take stock and think about my week ahead and the tasks that must be completed and any little projects I want to try and get completed. 

All of this could is a lot more difficult than usual. With a little wriggly monster using my skin as a Pilates band with her feet and the SPD restricting me from doing a lot, I have a lot against me. Luckily for me I have been in nesting mode for months so I have been very pro active doing the things that I need to get done. And those things that I physically cannot do I have had some amazing support and spare bodies around to save me from my frustration. 

I have so much to do next week already! I've painted the box to hold all the special bits to serve as a memory box for Jessica and I want to finish decorating that. I want to finish the crochet blanket I am making for her. I would love to make some little cafe curtains for the kitchen which should only take an hour to make, including measuring up and I'm desperate for a new battery for my watch too before I have Jessica. 

Add on top of this 6 months worth of filing which I have to do and I have also decided to completely re do my filing system, and my wedding folder that I need to reorganise which will all help me with my housewife duties once little Jessica is here! 

I love Sundays, they always make me feel so good about the week ahead and give me and my other half a real chance to catch up and plan what we need to do the following week and this week we have a midwife appointment where I can grill her over my induction and a friends wedding reception to attend so I need to start fighting out what to wear!!!

What's your favourite thing about Sundays? I'd love to know! 

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Had a bit of a broken day today

34 weeks and 2 days. 

I thought this morning that I was going to have a wonderful day but my lovely pregnancy hormones got the better of me. 

It's always the smallest of things that set you over the edge isn't it? 

I got up bright and early this morning and had my usual breakfast of yummy coco pops. And obviously I'm blaming the baby for my coco pops cravings..... And felt really positive about all my jobs I had to get done. 

Our poor lovely Tigger needed to go to his vet appointment this morning cos he had a poorly eye which was making him very sorry for himself so I jumped (as much as a heavily pregnant woman can) into the shower. 

First progress barrier: no shampoo!!!!! Surprisingly, this got me quite upset and panicky. I dived out the shower, dripping wet long and thick hair, and delved into my back up box. No back up bottle!!!!! Now what? I got back into the shower in tears trying to figure out what to do. I couldn't not wash my hair so I ended up using shower gel and lashings of thick conditioner to try and rescue my hair. My hair goes brittle within seconds if I don't use the right thing on it. So, mega disaster narrowly averted. 

Then after getting myself barely ready, I got myself and my dog, Jimmy ready. I had heard somewhere in the past that it is best not to put a cat in a travel box until the last second as it is quite distressing for them. 

Little did I know that it would be more distressing for myself than poor Tigger! 

Second progress barrier: He wouldn't go in and he was sticking his legs out and pretty much screaming at me. 

I let go of him and just started crying!!!!

I called my other half and cried down the phone to him. I wasn't sure what he would have done, but I called him anyway. 

He suggested I call the vets to at least let them know I was going to be running late. 

I called the vets and asked if they had a sure fire way of doing this process stress free and they did, and it was magic!!!! 

She suggested I tip the crate on it's end so the open door was facing upwards, then grab Tigger by the scruff of his neck and lower him gently but firmly, back feet first, into the crate. 

It was incredible. He went straight in and off I went to the vets. 

My poor Tigger has got conjunctivitis! 

After this all happening before lunch I was so exhausted. I just wanted to stay in and chill out after that. I just managed to do some housework but I have also done a few minor bits in the nursery too. It has made me feel so much better about 'being ready' for Jessica. 

I've got just 11 days left until I'm being induced. 

Next panic: my hospital bags!!!!!!!!! 

Vintage Hostess Menu Planning

Small Afternoon Tea

Cucumber Sandwiches

Petal Tartlets 

Hot Fruited Teas 

Crystallised Ginger 

Salted Nuts

Cucumber Sandwiches

Cut sandwich bread slices into rounds; lightly cover each with soft butter (about 1/4 teaspoon) or 1 teaspoon whipped cream cheese. Fill each 2 rounds with a thin cucumber slice. 3 rounds (2 inches) per slice. 

Petal Tartlets 

Sparkling 'flowers' to brighten your tea tray. 

1/2 cup shortening (part butter or margarine) 

1/2 cup sugar 

1 egg 

3/4 teaspoon vanilla 

1 1/2 cups plain flour 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 

Strawberry, cherry or apricot preserves 

Mix shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla. Stir flour, salt and soda together; blend into shortening mixture. Mix thoroughly with hands. Refrigerate dough for several hours or overnight. 

Heat to 400F. Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured cloth- covered board. Cut with 3 inch round scalloped cutter. Ease rounds into muffin cups. Fill each with 1/2 tablespoon preserves. Bake about 12 minutes. Cool a few minutes before removing from muffin cups. Set each tartlet on a washed green leaf, if desired. 

Makes about 18 tartlets. 

Hot Fruited Tea 

5 cups boiling water 

5 tea bags or 5 teaspoons tea 

10 whole cloves 

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/2 cup sugar 

1/4 cup lemon juice 

1/3 cup orange juice 

3 unpeeled orange slices, cut in half 

Pour boiling water over tea, cloves and cinnamon. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain tea; stir in sugar and fruit juices. Heat to just below boiling. Serve hot with orange slice in each cup. 

6 servings. 

So give the girls a call and get creating. This is an easy, no fuss recipe. And don't forget to pop over to our Facebook page and share your experiences of creating this fabulous afternoon tea. 

https://m.facebook.com/PenelopesVintageWorld

All recipes taken from Betty Crocker's Hostess Cookbook. First Edition. 1967. 

Vintage Fashion

Featured Vintage & Retro Fashion Retailer.   

Retro Daisy - Worthing, West Sussex & Online. 

So once a week I will be featuring a vintage fashion retailer of designer that I adore and this week, the first week I am doing this, I felt my obvious choice would be the fabulous Retro Daisy Vintage. 

This is a local shop for me and I feel so blessed to have the wonderful Shar and all her fabulous dresses so close that I can literally touch them! 

Shah is a massive Marilyn Monroe fan also which automatically makes her amazing! 

Her store is amazing, with fabulous stock. Dresses from Hearts and Roses, Collectif, Freddie's of Pinewood, Pin Up Girl Clothing and The Seamstress of Bloomsbury to name but a few. She stocks dresses, cardigans, handbags, shoes, hair accessories and even some men's rockabilly shirts! 

Some of the designers stocked at Retro Daisy Vintage, Worthing. 

You can even pick up your current issue of Your Vintage Life magazine! 

There is also a rail of some very exciting real vintage pieces for sale. 

Surely this is everything you could want from a Vintage Boutique?! 

Top this off with the friendly service you get every time you walk over the threshold, it truly is a space where you could return to over and over to, even for just a casual browse at the new stock. 

They are always adding new items to their website and Facebook pages too so you know exactly what is coming up for sale. 

Sales are taken in store at Warwick Street in Worthing and online via their website (please find details below). 

Also, they are currently running a competition to win a dress from the Hearts & Roses range. Please find the post pinned to the top of their Facebook page. 

Online store: http://www.retrodaisy.com 

Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/RetroDaisyVintage

Instagram: @retrodaisyvintage 

Let them know who sent you. 

Lots of love, Fiona xxx

Find me on Facebook for updates of more posts https://m.facebook.com/PenelopesVintageWorld

I feel like I have finally bloomed!

Today I am 34 weeks and 1 day. 

Yesterday we had our date of induction confirmed for 9th July 2014. I am so relieved that we are not going over our 36  week threshold. We have been told to 'report' to the hospital at 10am on that day and to bring a bag as I will be kept in as an in-patient. 

Today I went for a bit of a pampering session at a lovely little salon in Brighton who also specialise in vintage hair and make up. I will definately be going back there for more treatments once little Jessica has arrived. I need a good excuse to go and try their skills out in vintage up dos and make up too! Their website can be found at Www.betty-Lou.co.uk and don't forget to let them know where you heard of them. 

I then went and had a lovely cup of tea with my wonderful friend Sammi and her little princess Leah and her nan was also there too which was lovely. It was so lovely talking to her nan, she is such a lovely lady with so many wonderful stories! Perfect end to my afternoon. 

I then accompanied my other half to the VW Heritage Party, whom he works for, at their new premises in Shoreham. 

It is a huge premises and already looks very impressive inside! They have a huge expanse of space for all their wonderful stock and it was so good to see where the purpose built workshop was going to be for my other half to work his magic in. 

They had on display some of the work that my other half has done to date which was really nice to see, aswell as some of the incredible vehicles of VW Heritage's staff and customers. 

Their Facebook page can be found at https://m.facebook.com/vwheritage they are also on Instagram @vwheritage 

I also met up with some lovely people I have previously met and some new faces too that work for the company or part of the 'extended family'. It really is a nice community to be around. 

I really had a good day today and it was made all that much better by the lovely compliments I got on my bump! Like I said, I finally feel like I've bloomed! People keep telling me how neat my beautiful bump is and that really makes me feel pleased that I haven't let myself go too much. So thank you to those who said something nice about it! 

Don't forget to go and check out the Betty Lou website and the VW Heritage page and Instagram account. There is already some photos appearing from tonight. 

Xxx

Crafting

Furniture Painting for the Nursery

So, it feels like quite a while ago that I acquired a lovely large piece of furniture destined to be turned into the changing unit for my baby (due in 2 weeks- eek!). 

It was originally in good solid condition but in desperate need of repainting. Especially as it didn't quite work with my colour scheme that I had in mind for the room. 

I had planned to have quite a vintage feel to the room with bursts of colour where I could also. In my mind I am still not convinced that I have achieved it but working to a budget it is quite difficult so I am proud of my efforts to date!  

I wanted four colours all in one room which consisted of yellow, pink, blue and green. I have painted all the walls yellow, the changing unit is pink with blue drawer  fronts and cupboard doors, the nursing chair is pink but I have come to a point where I am to fit a green into the scheme apart from the curtains and the carpet that already existed in the room. Do you think this us enough or shall I add it change something? 

The cot will remain white and the crib will stay unpainted, along with the chest of drawers and single bed which belongs to the landlord. 

Finished nursery photos to follow hopefully very soon!! 

Xxx

In need of sleep......!

Gestation. 34 weeks pregnant. 

Why is it when you are pregnant, everyone spends the time reminding you that this is your last opportunity to get any sleep and that you need your rest because 'when baby arrives, you won't get any sleep at all...'. Yeah, apart from the amount of hormones coursing through your body permit that from quite early on in pregnancy! 

Add on top of that the need to pee constantly, being woken by the most wonderful kicks, the odd dreams and horrific nightmares you experience and sleep is a distant known luxury, one you won't reclaim for yourself again for a long time to come. 

As for resting, how do you rest when there is always so much to do? I admit I have made it a particularly arduous mountain to climb as I have spent my whole pregnancy spring cleaning, throwing so much out, just to replace it with new, meaning my ever tolerant other half has done a dump run almost every week for the last 8 weeks so far. 

I have also had my living room, bedroom and nursery all repainted. I have employed the assistance of a dog trainer to help prepare my beautiful boy for the change in his life. I have cleared the garden and made it pretty with lovely flowers, nurturing the bees nest I have tucked away in the lower eaves of my house. 

I'm 2 weeks away from being induced now and now is the time for that last little push to get things done. 

I have just started to organise the items in the nursery now that has been painted, I need to sort my bags for hospital and ensure the rest of the house is ready. Sort the household filing, tidy away all my craft items and finish the crochet blanket for my little girls pram. 

I also think nerves are setting in a tad too around the birth. We hopefully find out the date that we are going to get booked in for our early induction this afternoon. Please keep everything crossed that it is a good date and we don't get put off again.....! 

Xxx