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.

The post Project Annex, Part one: Demolition appeared first on A Living Diary.

photograph: INK inc.

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…

The post Home is in the North…Again! appeared first on A Living Diary.

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!}

The post not another bill ‘HAY & herbs’ subscription box appeared first on A Living Diary.

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!)

The post toast of the town cocktail event appeared first on A Living Diary.

summer wouldn’t be summer without an updated wardrobe! as much as i love layering on the clothes and hiding in my black threads, summer tends to arrive with a warm weather {if ever it decides to grace manchester these days} so as much as i love my winter wardrobe, it has to be pushed to the back for a while!

h&m cross strap sandals
i’d much rather wear ballet flats or trainers but this sweaty weather calls for sandals, and since everyone’s sandal game is on point i’m going to join in. this cheap pair of birkenstock/celine/isabel marant dupes have to be the most practical and perfect purchase yet.

asos cat eye sunglasses
headaches and premature wrinkles from squinting is not cool, so i bought this pair of sunglasses a few months ago ready for the summer, and they came in handy when i took a visit to stockholm earlier in april!

lush vanillary solid perfume
the nicest smelling perfume you’ll ever whiff! it’s hard to describe, i’d have to say it’s like an explosion of vanilla pods and creamy caramels. applied directly to the skin, this perfume is absorbed with your bodies heat and gives off a generously strong scent all day. i much prefer solid perfumes in summer, they lash longer and i hate the alcohol scent atomisers give.

michael kors chronograph watch
this is my only watch, so technically it’s essential to me not only in summer but all the time {i’ve worn it constantly since last march} i just love how versatile it is. classic chronograph face, silver strap with deployment clasp and it’s swimming pool friendly!

The post summer wardrobe essentials appeared first on A Living Diary.