Collaborations, INTERIORS

Back Door Transformation (In Collaboration with Quarry Store and Stephen Gibson Paving)

Hello there!

Anyone who loves a good transformation…you are in for such a treat with this blog post! I have been bursting with excitement to share this with you all as I know you will love it as much as I do….

First I want to introduce you to the 2 amazing local, family run businesses who brought the magic to life!

Quarry Store

With over 50 years in business, excellent customer service and high quality products, the Quarrystore is hard to beat! They are based just outside Ballymena, but deliver all over Northern Ireland and the UK.  Their amazing online store is so easy to navigate and purchase from, and they have recently opened a picture perfect display area, where you can view all of the products available.  This area is great for giving you ideas and to see what is possible in your own home!  It really is a ‘one stop shop’ for all home improvements, DIY, landscaping and gardening projects.

Stephen Gibson Paving

Covering a 40 mile radius of Ballymena, Stephen Gibson Paving has over 30 years experience.  They provide free quotes and are porcelain and granite specialists.  They have a display area which can be visited via appointment, where their work can be viewed.

 

For anyone who has been following our Rose Cottage renovation journey, you will know transforming outside has been on the agenda for this year.  Feeling totally overwhelmed by the size of the area and the job in hand, Luke from Quarrystore was able to give me clarity and a vision for the space.  He chatted through the options available and showed me various samples of the materials which would suit Rose Cottage.  The display area at Quarrystore was a fab way to see all the different styles and helped both Ash and I to really visualise what it would look like outside our own home.

Before: 

After a lengthy chat with Luke, we decided to go for the Walnut Porcelain tile for the top of the step.  (Available here)  This is a really hard wearing, durable and non-slip surface; perfect for a step, especially if you have little ones.  We framed the tile with a granite kerb. (Available here)  This is a sleek, beautifully coloured kerb which compliments the porcelain tile just perfectly.

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The beauty of shopping with Quarrystore is that you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home if you don’t want to.  You can create a step just like this while sitting on your sofa watching The Bake Off! Visit the website here where you can see all the materials available, pop in your measurements and get it delivered right to your own doorstep!!

Luke recommended Richard from Stephen Gibson Paving to complete the work.  Richard was a total joy to have at Rose Cottage.  He was so friendly, listened to my requests, and was such a clean and tidy worker; I could not speak highly enough of his work!

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I hope you agree that even this small change to the exterior of Rose Cottage really has made such a difference!  I’ve been opening and closing the back door non stop since it was done, just for another nosy…And I can’t quite believe its my step!

Here is the Contact details for both of the businesses involved in created the most perfect step for Rose Cottage:

Quarrystore

Website https://www.quarrystore.co.uk/

Phone 028 2589 2488

Mobile 07866692071

Email luke@quarrystore.com

Email info@quarrystore.com

 

Stephen Gibson Paving

Website https://stephengibsonpaving.com/

Phone 028 2588 0140

Mobile 077 1123 1541

Email info@stephengibsonpaving.com

 

As always if you have any questions, please get in touch!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

Jill

 

Collaborations, LIFESTYLE

Sleeping Soundly in Collaboration with Future Weighted Blankets

Hi there!

When Future Weighted Blankets got in touch to ask me to review one of their blankets, I absolutely jumped at the chance!  I first came across weighted blankets around 7 years ago when I worked in a school for children with disabilities.  I supported kids in the advanced support unit of the school where needs were high and complex.  We used the weighted blankets regularly in this setting to provide calm, reduce anxiety, focus abilities in the classroom and avoid outbursts where possible.

Before I got the blanket for myself, I was hoping that it would reduce my anxiety, help with restless legs and promote a good nights sleep.  (Not asking for much was I?!)  Fast forward to today, I have now slept with the weighted blanket for 2 weeks.  Firstly, can I just say I am totally blown away by the effects.  I honestly could not have wished for anything more from this blanket.  It has given me the feeling I am getting a big hug all night long!!  The sense of security and tranquility it has provided has really helped sooth my everyday stress and anxiety and improved my sleep.

Ash is forever “commenting” on how restless I am in bed and how this also affects his sleep (I mean, dear love us all if a man doesn’t get his 8 hours!!!); and even he has noticed how uninterrupted my sleep has been.  I really feel the quality of my now uninterrupted sleep is much better which has allowed me to have a more restful night. Studies on these blankets show they trigger happiness hormones and I have to say it really helped relax me.

The quality of the blanket itself and the 2 covers it comes with are high and it is constructed really well.  The covers are made of eco friendly silky bamboo, soft cotton and one is textured which would be perfect for a little ones sensory needs.  The small pockets in the duvet keep the beads in place and I didn’t find the beads shifting at all when using it and the duvet stayed in place within the cover.

If anyone else out there is struggling with sleep like I was, you will know how it affects your daily life with keeping focus and concentration (queue Jill putting TV remotes in the fridge and butter in the tumble dryer!!!).  As a working Mummy sleep is so so precious to me and vital to functioning effectively.  I am looking forward to reaping more benefits from this blanket in the coming months/years and so are my family!

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To find out more about investing in a blanket please check out Future Weighted Blankets on Instagram here

To buy a blanket click on the link here

If you have any other questions, as always please get in touch!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill

 

Collaborations, INTERIORS

Spring update (In collaboration with Sainsbury’s Home)

Hello there!

With Spring officially just around the corner, our living area in Rose Cottage was in much need of a refresh!  As we spend the majority of our time in this room, I like to change it up every season.  We try to keep it cosy and inviting, with everything having a country cottage theme as far as possible.  When I first saw the press release for the new Sainsbury’s Home Spring/Summer 2019 range- I knew it would fit Rose Cottage perfectly!  The products pay homage to Springtime with their delicate, hand-painted floral designs and pretty pastel colours.

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This is my favourite corner of the living area and is the perfect spot to get comfy on to read a magazine or catch up on some TV.  I picked up 2 throws from the new Sainsbury’s Home range.  Firstly, I added some warmth to our otherwise neutral decor, with a blush pink throw hanging it over the arm of the chair.  The other grey pom pom throw was draped down the middle of the chair – this one is super cosy and is perfect to wrap up in for the cooler Spring evenings.  I also added a neutral cushion which is really versatile and could be used throughout any season.

This little tray would be perfect to serve treats on to your Spring guests or else to serve breakfast in bed (cough, cough Hubby).  Also how pretty is this little cup and saucer with matching plate? They have a full range of this crockery which comes in white, pale grey and dark grey.  I think they would be lovely as a set with a mixture of each colour.

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Faux flowers are the perfect Spring addition to your home to bring the outdoors in. Sainsbury’s new range have a large selection of really life like flowers in cute little jugs and jars for any price point.

For me, accessories are the key items for really making a house a home.  They are also the cheapest option for changing up a room.  Frames, candles, peg boards, reed diffusers and potpourri are only a few of the items available in the range.

Your local Sainsbury’s would love a visit! Head there now to check out this stunning range and let me know how you’ve updated your home for Spring!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

Jill

Collaborations, INTERIORS

Spring Front Door Update (In collaboration with Village Green Signs)

Hi there!

How lovely has the weather been? We are loving that Spring is well and truly on route which has given us a little push to update the outside of Rose Cottage. We decided to start with the front door…This is the first thing visitors see when they come to our home so its important to us that it makes people feel welcome and want to venture inside!

I’ve put some photos of the update below and listed where everything is from, but as always if you have any questions please get in touch!

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Personalised Rose Cottage Sign (AD – Gifted) – https://www.villagegreensigns.co.uk/

Bee Knocker (I went for polished brass finish) – https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BUMBLE-BEE-DOOR-KNOCKER-SOLID-BRASS-MATERIAL-VARIOUS-FINISHES/263929178901?hash=item3d7367ab15:g:pQMAAOSwqsxblsSp:rk:1:pf:0

Door Wreath – https://www.fernandfoxglove.co.uk/product/large-eucalyptus-wreath

Branch Heart – Dobbies

Wicker Basket – https://www.fernandfoxglove.co.uk/product/hanging-basket-bouquet

Door Mat – Bought in store from Matalan, sorry cant find online!

Harry’s Boots – https://www.hunterboots.com/gb/en_gb/sale-kids-sale-footwear

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Let me know if you’ll be updating your front door for Spring!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

Jill

Collaborations, INTERIORS

Little Baby Room Make Over (In Collaboration with Søstrene Grene)

Hello there!

Søstrene Grene have just released a brand new children’s interior collection which is absolutely stunning! I had the opportunity to visit the Belfast branch last week to view the new collection and pick a few pieces for little Harry’s room.  This collection has made a big impression so far in store and I can understand why; The items are so different from your usual nursery decor and at such reasonable price points who could resist!  The neutral tones and animal graphics make it perfect for both boys and girls of any age.  I really struggled not to bring one of everything home with me and would encourage you all to get in store quick before it all flies off the shelves!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERATepee £41.28, Play Blanket £15.54, Toy Storage Bag £8.66, Zebra Cushion £4.76.

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Plate £3.28, Bowl £2.59, Cup £1.98, Cushion £4.76, Wooden Toys from £1.99.

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Frame £5.90, Wooden Toys from £1.99

Milestone Cards £3.94.

Its safe to say little Harry loves the new additions to his room!  All of the items shown above come in various patterns and colours.  This is only a small selection of the items available in the new collection – head to your local Søstrene Grene store to see the rest!  In Northern Ireland we have stores in The Quays shopping centre Newry and Ann Street Belfast; Alternatively you could check out their website www.sostrenegrene.com to view the full range. Let me know what you pick up, I’d love to see how you style it too!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill

Collaborations, LIFESTYLE

Weaning (In collaboration with Glenisk)

Hello there!

There is nothing more my wee Harry loves eating than yogurt; so when Glenisk got in touch asking if they could send us some of their products I jumped at the chance!

Glenisk, who are best known for their award winning natural yogurts, are a local family business based just outside Tullymore. They are celebrating an amazing 30 years of business and have just launched an Absolutely No-Added sugar Organic Baby yogurt range. These yogurts are packed with calcium, protein and nutrients making them a perfect first weaning food for babies over 6 months!

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From early on in Harry’s weaning journey I introduced yogurts and they are definitely a favourite of his.  I struggled to find a yogurt in the supermarket with little or no added sugar and it is really important for me to be giving Harry the healthiest option out there.  Glenisk is the perfect solution to this struggle as it has no-added sugar, nothing artificial and is a great source of calcium. This makes it the perfect snack, or to use as part of a recipe.  The little yogurt pots are full of organic milk, organic fruit and nothing else!

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Glenisk kindly sent us a range of flavours to try; these included: natural, apple & pear, apple & strawberry and banana & peach.  Harry has sampled all of the flavours now and you can see from his face in the photo below he loved them!

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Banana and peach is a firm favourite with Harry so I will be stocking up!  They are available in Asda and Tesco NI now so super handy to pick up when doing your weekly shop!  If you would like to try a sample for free use the link here to sign up: http://glenisk.com/win/new-organic-baby-yogurts

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill