Unexpected trip = unexpected finds

 I got an unexpected call this morning from my friend Alison, asking if I fancied a trip into a local village which is mainly made up of gift/interior design shops filled to the brim with beautiful things. Of course I said yes (who wouldn't?) and off we tootled, looking forward to browsing the shops, mooching around the one and only newly opened charity shop (which was great - very good quality stuff, but priced accordingly) and having a cup of tea and scone at the cafe. We looked at some gorgeous things (mostly out of my price range - boo) and had a great time, deciding to pop into one last shop before heading back to the car. It was full of painted and distressed furniture and so so soft cashmere throws. It turns out that they run furniture painting courses and they use Annie Sloan paint, which I have been meaning to buy online since I read about it on a blog before Xmas. We have an ugly 1980s kitchen which needs ripping out, but whilst we are saving the money for a new kitchen, I am going to paint the cupboard doors to freshen it up. This paint is special as you don't need to prep the surface, apart from making sure it is clean. Sounds like my kind of paint. I will let you know how I get on. If it doesn't go well, it's likely I will never mention it again.

Once I got back I decided that I needed to go to Habitat to get some pots for my ever growing collection of herbs - I got the Jamie Oliver 30 minute meals book and have been buying herbs in pots to make some of the meals. Unfortunately I am not very good at keeping these herbs alive, they are looking a bit sad, even if they are in nice new pots. Must remember to water them more regularly.  Luckily the pots were half price so happy days.

Anyway, whilst I was in Habitat I had a quick look around as they have their new range in and found the perfect cushion for one of the garden chairs. It is called Exmouth and is very reminiscent of the old Railway posters that have come back into fashion. How much do you want to be sat in the sunshine on that beach right now? This cushion was a bargain and will just fit in nicely with the ideas I have for the chairs/sofa. I only wish they did it in another design so I could have two. I am so tempted to buy some wool and crochet a stripey throw in these colours to wrap round us on chilly summer evenings. I feel another project coming on...

Hope you have been finding some unexpected bargains too. x