DIY Diaries: The Master Bedroom Edit

Aloha! I'm back with another room makeover/ decor post and this time it's the master bedroom!

This post has been a long time coming, having finished this room in October 2018, however  I'd been toying with a few bits which I'll explain further on this post. So first, lets discuss the inspiration for this room!

I'd been struggling with knowing how to decorate this room to please two different tastes. I love girly style whereas Chris naturally despises it so we needed a compromise! I also wanted something that's cosy and Chris didn't want anything too fussy so we got to thinking of places we've stayed in the past and liked the aesthetic plus the wonderful world of Pinterest to draw inspiration.






A big inspiration for us was our stays at North Star Club (which you can read about here and here) as it made us feel cosy witht he fux fur soft furnishings and partly connected with nature through the rustic logs and wood of the rooms.

The Moon Suite at North Star Club

Naturally we'd have loved to had put logs at each corner of the bed for a rustic four poster bed look and cladded the walls but it just wasn't practical so instead we went with rustic wood style wallpaper and these faux silver birch branches which we pick up second hand from someone's no longer needed wedding decor and fashioned together a rustic piece to hang above the bed. The finishing touch was the wicker heart which came from our own wedding decor stock and I think it ties in beautifully.

Super king Bed- Dreams
Throw- The Range
Bedding- Hyde & Sleep

Wicker heart- QD

Faux silver birch- picked up second hand

Wallpaper- Wilkos

Bedside tables- IKEA Hemnes range (but picked up second hand)

Clock- Amazon

Lamp- IKEA (similar here)

Deer Artwork- iamfy

Cow Artwork- iamfy

Frames- The Range

Now you probably don't recognise this room from before but it was in fact my office when we moved in (see here.)

Before!

With the addition of a new bed, we needed a space free from built in wardrobes to fit this monstrous super king bed. You might be thinking we're mad for buy a big that big but honestly we've done the double bed, the king size bed and still I was bed hogging- so much so Chris didn't sleep properly for the first five years of our marriage!So yes we lost some wardrobe space to accommodate this mahoosive bed but the bed is an ottoman, meaning we have plenty of space underneath and with a hydraulic assisted lifting mechanism, it makes lifting up the bed a breeze rather than a ball ache and we can sleep soundly too.

The crisp white bedding was actually thrown in with the bed when we bought it and its actually lovely quality so we just chose to finish the bed off with some cosy cushions and a throw.

Chest of Drawers- IKEA Hemnes range (but picked up second hand)

Lamp- The Range

TV- Old and god knows where from!

Curtains- The Range

Blind- The Range

When it came to furniture, I was actually really pleased with myself for sourcing it all second hand, saving us a hell of a lot of money and giving unwanted furniture a second life. I'd always recommend looking to see if the furniture you like can be sourced second hand or if you can find something similar as you can get a  real bargain and you're helping to upcycle rather than condemning good furniture to landfill. I had been eyeing up the IKEA Hemnes range and picked up both the bed side tables from one person and this huge chest of drawers from another for less than £150!

So I'd been toying with painting the chest of drawers grey but after some careful consideration I decided against it as it might look too matchy matchy plus I quite enjoy this dark cosy corner.

Overall I am really chuffed with how this room turned out! It's definitely become one of my favourite rooms to relax in and the bed teamed with the tranquil, cosy cabin aesthetic means I've never slept better.

Would you go for this in your bedroom?

Lets take a walk and have a talk

Looking through these photos now I look over dressed for this freakish weather we're having! As lovely as it is to feel the sun on my bones I can't help but fret a little about the state of global warming. Is it just me? Alas the cooler weather will come again I'm sure...

The one thing I am extremely pleased about though is the lighter evenings- a phenomenon not linked to global warming but to the fact it's almost spring. Soon I'll be able to walk the doggo of an evening in the light rather than in the pitch black with a head torch on through fields- something that to be honest I'm too chicken to do so I leave it for Chris to endure! That and with working shifts he can walk Harry in the day but I do feel guilty that I haven't been doing my bit so much over winter.

With all this in mind I have been thinking about exercise recently... It's something I literally avoid like the plague because I despise it but I know it would benefit me massively with posture, flexability and general aches and pains that have been creeping in as the years tick on. Does anyone have any recommendations for fun exercise that doesn't make you feel like you're in hell whilst doing it? I tried running a while back but I didn't really enjoy it and I'm a shy exerciser/ I'm talking myself out of it just thinking about it! Either way I need to get my arse in gear and I think I'll try a spot of cycling to ease me into it. 

Coat- Boohoo

Shirt- M&S

Treggings- H&M

Boots- Topshop

Beret- eBay

Handbag- Kate Spade

So what's new with you? I've been trying really hard to be less busy this year and so far so good- I'm taking things in my stride and really enjoying spending lots of time at  home. Last year was so insanely manic that I've pretty much gone the opposite way this year and made no plans. I don't even know where or when I'm taking a holiday this year because I literally can't decide/ I feel really unmotivated to make plans! It's quite nice to enjoy the simple life and I've found time to do more of my hobbies and what I love so that's the main thing.

Anyway I'm waffling again about anything and everything so we'll leave it there for this week. I might don this outfit a bit more once the weather has calmed down and realised it's still winter! What are you wearing at the moment?

Writers block but I love this frock | OOTD

Dress- Topshop (Gifted by Queensagte Shopping Centre)

Polo neck body- Boohoo

Boots- Topshop

Necklaces- Clover Soul Handmade and Joma Jewellery

I've literally gone to write a post to accompany this outfit about three or four times now but I just don't have any words! I'd usually write about a topic and feature an outfit but I have nothing of great importance or anything I really want to discuss topic wise...

So lets just waffle a bit, talk about the weather and the clothes! This sudden burst of spring weather is making me SO HAPPY right now. Literally the feeling of sunshine on my face is doing wonders for my well being and sparks so much joy, making me excited for the year ahead. I'd felt a bit glum for the past couple of months but I feel like now I'm back on track and I've found my mojo again.

Speaking of my mojo, this outfit makes me feel terribly snazzy and cool. Now that I've hit 30  I was starting to worry that I would turn into a fuddy duddy middle aged person that favours comfort over style all the time. I mean don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a pair of leggings and a baggy tee around the house but if that begins to transpire into my out and about life please shoot me!

 I mean don't get me wrong, I know clothes don't define you as a person but I do feel like clothes are a great way to express ourselves and our individuality and if you can't have fun with fashion well...what's the point? Wear what makes you happy and for me that's a zebra patterned pinafore in leopard colours. Yup!

Anyway I've gabbled on for long enough about everything and nothing in this post but let me know what you think to this outfit and also what your favourite sassy pants outfit is at the moment!

A Double Date Night at The Brampton Mill AD- Gifted

I'm back with another restaurant review and this week its none other than The Brampton Mill in Brampton Cambridgeshire! This is one of my favourite places to come for dinner, drinks and celebrating so when I was invited to bring three guests with me to see the newly re-furbished pub, I was mega excited! Being close to Valentine's Day it seemed like the perfect excuse to make the occasion a double date so I took Chris and my two best friends along to help me try the new menu and enjoy the decor.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the re-vamp but upon arrival the decor just blew my mind...

The first area that caught my eye was the bar. It's swanky polished marble top with black and gold wallpaper felt very Gatsby and fabulous and before long I was ordering one of the many gins the bar has to offer.

If you'd told me beforehand that the decor would have zebra patterned chairs, mixed with blues and greens, blacks and golds I'd have been sceptical but the designers clearly had a vision and it really works!

Some cosy touches of the bar area have been kept such as the crackling log fire so there's still an air of cosiness in the stylish new surroundings which are perfect for cold winter days.

My favourite part of the pub had to be this area- dubbed as "The Greenhouse" with its gorgeous leafy foliage and a beautiful view of the working mill. It was an incredibly inviting and pretty setting and here we had canapes and cocktail to begin our evening.

If you're a long time reader you'll know been fortunate enough to review The Brampton Mill before (read here) plus I've been many a time before so I can vouch that the food is phenomenal and this evening was no exception! Our canapes consisted of  duck liver & port parfait with a gooseberry and Prosecco compote on toasted ciabatta, deep fried brie in panko bread crumbs and some roasted lentil falafel. Everything tasted divine and was a great way to sample several of the new menu options too.

Soon we were ready to head to the more formal dining area and again we were greeted with fabulous decor.

Our table was set on the third floor which is probably my favourite of all the dining areas with the high beamed ceilings. Again the tasteful modern decor has revitalised the place but is also in keeping with the traditional features of the 500 year old pub. The low lighting in the room made for a lovely romantic setting and atmosphere for our date evening. 

Now onto the important stuff- the food! We truly were spoilt rotten with choice as everything sounded incredible. After much deliberation we went for  Thyme-Roasted Portobello muschrooms in Cropwell Bishop sauce with rustic toast, Salt & Szechuan pepper squid, Scallops of the day and the Lobster and King Prawn pot in Devon crab crème fraiche with toasted ciabatta bread.

I was assured by my other half and my dining chummies that their starters were delicious but I can comment most on the Lobster and King Prawn pot. It tasted incredible with a drizzling of lemon over the top and the chef didn't scrimp on the prawns either- they just kept on coming from the pot!

To accompany your food The Brampton Mill has an impressive drinks menu to choose from and on this occasion we opted for the Vieux Chevalier Chateau Neuf Du Pape which was delicious and full bodied.

For mains we dined on 9oz Rib-Eye Steak with twice-cooked chunky chips, crispy onions, grilled mushroom, confit tomato, baby kale and a side of lobster and garlic butter.

 
Seared salmon fillet on Chorizo mash, tenderstem broccoli and Bouillabaisse sauce.

Chicken, leek and creme fraiche pie topped with ham hock crumb, served with kale mashed potato and buttered green beans.

 

Again I was reliably informed by my friends and hubby that their mains were delicious and they tasted even more amazing than they looked. I had the chicken, leek and creme fraiche pie which was small but mighty! It's deceptive size was definitely filling and the ham hock crumb topping made a nice change to a traditional pastry topped pie. The mash was incredible and if I can re-create it I definitely will because it tasted amazing! The mash itself was incredibly creamy with kale embedded inside for an added crunch and interest in texture.

We were so full and two courses would have easily been enough but then we saw the desserts and our inner piggies persuaded us to have a final course. Well, all but one of us who opted for an Old Fashioned cocktail to finish the meal- a refreshing combination of smooth, rounded woodford reserve bourbon, a swirl of aromatic bitters, a hint of sugar and a twist of orange peel served over a perfect sphere of ice to create the quintessential sipping cocktail.

Meanwhile the other three of us were in chocolate and cheese heaven with Ice cream and home-baked triple chocolate cookie. 

The chocolate and raspberry pudding filled with a raspberry compote middle and served with Bourban vanilla ice cream. I had this and it was epic!

And finally the British cheese board which contained all the cheeses- Shepherd’s Purse Yorkshire Blue, Lubborn Somerset Camembert, Belton Farm Red Leicester, Isle of Man vintage Cheddar with a selection of Fudge’s nut & mixed seed biscuits, grapes, celery and chutney.

What a meal. We were all full to the brim by the end of it and slowly waddled our way down to the bar for a nightcap. 

I was thoroughly impressed with both the food and the service at The Brampton Mill and the re-vamp has definitely given the place a new lease of life. I'm already thinking of other occasions to go for dinner such as Mother's Day next month and with the friends we dined with that evening, we've organised a dog walk and stopping by for pizza and beers in the garden over the summer time! The Brampton Mill truly is a treat and I'd recommend it to everyone.

Have you been yet?

I was invited to the preview night at The Brampton Mill after its extensive refurbishment and received a complimentary three course meal for myself and three guests. I was under no obligation to write a review or promote the refurbishment but I enjoyed it so much I decided to do a blog post so that you guys could discover it and hopefully go and enjoy it too!