Lovely Websites!

As I think I’ve mentioned before, I love the web. As well as being a font of all knowledge, it’s also a place where you can find unique, gorgeous and fabulous things and ideas. I love it and I love finding a new website to add to my favourites. A bit sad yes but if you’re reading this, the chances are you love the internet too.

Today I came across another gorgeous website whilst reading the April edition of Ideal Home magazine. What caught my eye was some lovely stickers. Now I’m a big fan of stickers having made my own (well Mr lovelybyhanna actually executed the designs) for my wedding last year so these really stood out. The idea behind them is to get organised in the kitchen – something I’m always saying I should do – and they’re so pretty, I can imagine having dozens of gorgeous jars adorned with these labels.

Pantry Labels courtesy of Quick Brown Fox of Dulwich

The website for these stickers is definitely worth a look and it turns out Quick Brown Fox of Dulwich also do loads of lovely baby stuff – something else I’m obviously very interested in seeing as though Mini lovelybyhanna is due in 20 weeks! There is some gorgeous bedding for little ones and more wall stickers which are a fab way of decorating a nursery – difficult however when you don’t know what flavour your little bundle of joy is yet. As soon as we know however, we’ll no doubt be back to order some…

I’ll no doubt be blogging about decorating the nursery soon so watch this space…

Love, lovelybyhanna xxx

Lovely Ragdale

It hasn’t even been a full working week and already I’m pining for Ragdale again.

For those of you who aren’t aware, Ragdale Hall is a glorious health spa located in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Believe me when I tell you it’s heavenly. I didn’t think I’d fall for it – my Mum has been going for the last 8 years or so and after every trip she’d be waxing lyrical about how amazing it was and how I should give it a go. I stubbornly said I wouldn’t enjoy it and I also couldn’t justify spending the money on just 2 days away. So for Christmas 2010, my Mum splashed out in true style and surprised my then pregnant sister-in-law and me with a 2 night stay to prepare me for my wedding day the following May!

Finally, in April 2011, off we all trekked to Ragdale (or Raggers as it is now officially known in our household), with the obligatory stop at Bicester Shopping Village to grab a bite to eat and lust over the still too expensive Mulberry handbags. When we finally arrived, we were greeted by some lovely Gentlemen who parked our car and whisked our luggage away to our rooms whilst we checked in and filled out our forms over a Latte (not skinny – we may have been at a spa but it’s not all about lettuce leaves and decaf-soya-green-tea frappamacchiatos)! As soon as we had slipped our swimming cossies and dressing gowns on, we headed straight down to the pool(s) and were blown away by all the choices – there was the main pool, a jacuzzi, a candle pool, an outdoor pool and various steam rooms to choose from. It was amazing. Coupled with incredible treatments (I had a manicure, pedicure and an inclusive fat blasting body wrap – I was on a crazy pre-wedding fat blitz after all) and amazing food, we left 2 days later feeling incredibly relaxed and chilled out. Wedding stress? What wedding stress?

The Candle Pool

So it was with huge excitement that last Thursday, my sister-in-law and 2 of our friends set out on another trip to Raggers. We had the sat nav, the tunes, the car snacks and our purses ready for a Bicester bashing (I ended up buying a sandwich!) and were looking forward to being pampered. We weren’t disappointed. We ate, swam, gossiped and were rubbed, scrubbed and polished beyond our wildest dreams and all came away just that little bit more in love with Ragdale.

The best bit is I’ll be back there in May this year (my Mum treated us again because she’s pretty awesome) and I’m already counting down the days. Oh and I forgot to mention you can eat your dinner in your dressing gown. Amazing.

Raggers – we love you!

Love, lovelybyhanna xxx

A Lovely Message in a Bottle

It’s that time of year again when love is in the air and those in love are desperately seeking that last minute gift to give their other half (or potential other half) on Valentine’s Day!

I started off with good intentions when my husband and I first got together 10 years ago and was so thrilled I could finally be a part of this love filled day which before I could only watch on and dream of one day being involved in. I’ve crafted scrapbooks, cooked 3 course meals, baked heart shaped cookies and trawled the shops for heart emblazoned gifts in my time but this year, I had left it to the last minute and was in a panic as to what to do.

Then I heard the song “Message in a Bottle” by The Police on the radio and I was suddenly inspired! This was only because just days earlier I’d been killing time on my lunch break in The Hambledon in Winchester and I’d seen some mini milk bottles which went with the mini milk crate I already had and I made a mental note to remember this in case I ever needed any replacements (I can be quite clumsy). So off I traipsed into The Hambledon yesterday afternoon to purchase one of these beauties for just £1.50! A bargain. Once home, I raided my craft box for tracing paper, ribbon and anything with hearts (luckily I had a stash of heart sprinkles!) and set about writing a slushy note to pop in the bottle.

My Own Message in a Bottle

The end result is simple and understated but I know Mr lovelybyhanna will be very touched.

Love, lovelybyhanna xxx