This months Country Style

I am a magazine addict. There, I've said it. Some people have cigarettes, some people have alcohol, I have magazines (oh, and chocolate). It all started when I was about 15, and I read my first Cosmopolitan. Then it was Dolly, then Cleo (my favourite magazine for years!!). Then I went through a fitness craze, and it was every fitness magazine known to man. Now it is interiors magazines, and one of my very favourites is Australian Country Style. It has the most stunning photography, and believe it or not, was one of the reasons I moved from Sydney to Cessnock.


Back in 2004 I think it was, an article featured a store from Cessnock called 'Queen of Tarts', which is a gorgeous little cake shop here in town. At the time, my partner and I had just bought a house which we were renovating as an investment, but the area appealed to me so much that I convinced my partner to move here. The house we were renovating became our home for 4 years, and it would have to be the smallest house on the planet, but I loved that little house!! We have recently moved on from it, but I'll always remember that little house, and my love affair with Country Style continues. I became friends with the owner of that little cake shop (she has since sold it) but I have a little chuckle to myself everytime I see her, and think that the story about her was one part of the reason I moved here. It was the best move I've ever made.


Anyway, this months issue of Country Style is out in the newsagents, and it is a gorgeous one. I particularly love the article on Belinda Seper, she is such a stylish woman, and she is a flea market fiend like me! Below is a picture I have had in my file for ages, but I never knew where it came from. As I was flicking through the mag I spotted it - it is from Belinda Seper's Southern Highlands home. Do youself a favour and buy this magazine - it's gorgeous.

Image source unknown

Updating a Bathroom

We (my family and I) have just moved into a lovely new home, but it is not 'new' new, it's an old Federation, and I just love it. What I don't love though, is the bathroom. Someone in their infinite wisdom, decided in a renovation not so long ago, to change the entry into the bathroom from originally coming in from the dining room, to now entering from the hallway, so that you can see the toilet straight down the hall from the front door! whatever possessed them to think that that was a good idea, I will never know. So I am yet to come up with a plan to combat that problem, but my other major hate is the colour.

I'm so sorry if I offend anyone that loves maroon and cream country style bathrooms, but I can't stand it. There's too much maroon, too much cream and way too much gold in this bathroom for me. My only plan so far to update the bathroom without a major renovation is to lay black & white lino over the tiles on the floor, like the photo below, and paint the wall tiles white. I'd then have to change the gold taps etc over to silver, but at least I'd have something i like looking at each day. We have a roll top bath, but unfortunately it is plastic, not cast iron, and maroon & cream in colour as well....blah!

Black & White Lino for the floor

Our tiles go halfway up the wall like this one below, and I've always wanted black walls

These lovelies below would replace the hideous gold ones we currently have

Image 1 - One Pery Square via The Laurel Hedge, other images source unknown

The Big 4 - 0

Allison Riley, my very capable assistant here at Pretty Birdy, turns 40 tomorrow. A very Happy Birthday to you Allison, and may you not fall overboard as you celebrate with your friends and family!! I need you here in the shop! (Allison has headed off on a 3 day 'cruise to nowhere' to celebrate) I am very miffed that I can't go, but leaving my 17 month old for 3 days would just break my heart. So party hard girl, and have one for me!!

Allison with her daughter (right) and niece

Loving.....

Image via marley&lockyer

this bedroom from this months Real Living Magazine

I'm a sucker for hot pink

I just love this foyer, which I found via In My House

I am definitately a sucker for hot pink, I think it is one of the happiest and most uplifting colours around.

Just a reminder, our store sale finishes TODAY, so make sure you pop in and take advantage of the lower prices! We're clearing out stock for all the fabulous spring/summer stock that is on its way. I can't wait, loads of fantastic bright colours - a nice change after the blacks, reds, purples and greys of winter.

Have a great weekend - see you next week!