Project Annex, Part one: Demolition

i’ve been eagerly planning this build since the back end of 2013. after convincing my dad that i needed a place of my own to live with my cat & boyfriend and save up for our own home, he agree’d on building an annex in the garden behind the double garage, on the premise that it would increase his homes value. this is project annex!

at the moment, there’s just a huge hole. yes, that’s where the annex is going to be. it’s hard to believe that above that ditch, used to exist a family patio, BBQ and rockery area. the ground has been unearthed 4 foot or so below, to drop to street level and the rockery sleepers have been re-installed to create a retaining wall against the garden.

measuring only 6 meters by 5.5 metres, who’d have thought that a bedroom, living area, full sized kitchen and a wetroom would fit here?! it seems like a tight squeeze, but after months of developing the ideal floorplan, it’s certain to fit just perfectly.

Project Annex, Part one: Demolition | A Living Diary

Project Annex, Part one: Demolition | A Living Diary

Project Annex, Part one: Demolition | A Living Diary

Home is in the North…Again!

Home is in the North...Again! Trove Homewares | A Living Diary
photographs: trove homewares

Home is in the North...Again! INKinc | A Living Diary
photograph: INK inc.

Home is in the North...Again! Knit Me A Stitch | A Living Diary
photograph: knit me a stitch ceramics

it’s back! following their successful launch back in april, the independent crafts & interiors show ‘home is in the north’ will be gracing the opulent setting of halle st peters in the heart of ancoats, once again!

perfect for those with a passion for handmade and unique pieces, this travelling event will host an eclectic mix of designer-makers, spanning from the west midlands to the north west, celebrating artists who specialise in re-defining traditional crafts.

exhibitors will showcase their work from a variety of areas of design including textiles, glass, ceramics, metalwork, paper and wood. with all work from the exhibitors on sale, it provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to invest in unique objects while also understanding the stories of the people who made them.

visitors with an appetite for learning more about contemporary craft and interior design, can look forward to creative workshops, masterclasses and inspiring talks from industry experts!

date: saturday 15th november
time: 11am – 4pm
admission: £3.50 and can be purchased at eventbrite. for further information visit the social butterfly.

exhibitors include: tinker and faff, beth johnson ceramics, INK inc, double thumbs up, quilts by lisa watson, trove homewares, natalie laura ellen, claire murray designs and knit me a stitch ceramics to name but a few…

not another bill ‘HAY & herbs’ subscription box

not_another_bill_subscription_box

the blogging world has been taken over by subscription boxes, especially beauty; but that’s not something that i’m into. not long ago i came across not another bill, my thoughts on subscription boxes quickly changed! they deliver beautifully collaborated products from up and coming designers, as a pleasant surprise amongst the usual bills that get delivered through our letterbox {hence the clever name}; it’s a great way to be introduced to new brands and artists through receiving their products.

hay and herbs
this month is my first subscription, it’s a pretty damn impressive box to be introduced with! this box was all about cooking, which contained a little taste of lavolio’s boutique confectionary, daphnis and chloe artisan hand harvest oregano and finally my favourite – a HAY jade stone rolling pin. {they must have seen me coming, HAY is one of my favourite brands!}

toast of the town cocktail event

classiccocktails
classic mojito and bramble

last month i was invited to a cocktail making event, at the copthorne hotel at salford quays; where i met up with other manchester bloggers to take part in learning to create classic cocktails, and invent my own as part of a competition, to represent manchester; #toastofthetown

this was my first blogger event and i was actually panicking at the thought of meeting other bloggers – but a friendly introduction from james at joeblogsnetwork and a raspberry bellini on arrival calmed me down! once settled, everybody split into groups and were taught to make the four classic cocktails! my team was so nice, i joined bloggers anyonita (anyonita nibbles) and charlotte (gin & ginger) as we all collectively made a bramble, kentucky storm, mojito and a cosmopolitan. i’m not adventurous when it comes to alcohol, i’m not keen on that alcoholly taste so i keep it mainly sweet or refreshing. when i made my mojito, i was far too giddy to keep up with the mixologist and poured 2 servings too much sugar syrup into my glass! a happy accident, infact an amazing accident as it was the nicest mojito i’ve tasted.

lets not go into my competition cocktail, it was a forced effort and didn’t go very well. but my team did incredible, anyonitas drunken vimto and charlottes curry mile (which won her a booby prize, well done!)