One overworked postman, two spoilt girls and a very understanding husband................

I came across this, this morning when cleaning the house.

"When did this come?"

"Oh, sometime last week"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You know why!"

This is why..................

And this is just the t-shirts!! Don't even get me started on the trousers, coats, dresses...

I did however think whilst laying them out for your perusal that they would make a very colourful quilt. I then remembered that I''ve even got a boden duvet cover! a beautiful appliqued cat!!

I've got my eye on this green dress for Imogen as she looks great in green. She however thinks that the pink flowery one is prettier. She's yet to realise that pink clothes and red hair just don't mix!! Don't even ask where the red hair comes from! With no red hair that we know of in the family you can imagine my sheer astonishment when I managed to produce not one but two red headed children!

I feel an appliqued t-shirt purchase coming on..................... Then of course I'll need the hat and gloves to match!

Now, I just don't understand how my right index finger can't stop itself pressing 'Confirm Order', in that little box at the bottom of the order page. There must be a self-help group somewhere?

Whenever I place another order, I justify it to myself by saying that I'll sell it on eBay at a later stage. To date items sold - zero. I haven't even started eBay trading! Now if I could stop blogging and sell a few items, I may be able post pictures of our 'round the world' tour paid for with the proceeds.

I've tried my hardest to come to an understanding with our long suffering postman Steve, to hide all parcels addressed to me when he sees my husband's car on the drive, but apparently it's against Royal Mail's policy! Bugger, I'll just have to hover in the front room around 9am instead!

Now, if like me, you love the idea of being able to crochet a beautiful colourful blanket (like many of you lovely talented bloggers out there), but come out in a cold sweat every time you pick up a crochet needle, then get yourselves to Ikea quick smart.

Look at this lovely, lovely throw for only £18.00, 100% cotton AND washable at 40 degrees. I know it's cheating and not as pretty, but I couldn't resist! I've told my daughters it's mummy's ONLY, however they're desperate to steal it from me as you can see.

The above picture was taken in Beatrice's room. I love my daughter's rooms. I purposefully painted them both white to keep them tranquil and calm. I love the little details scattered here and there; thought you might like a nosey!

The beautiful hand painted mirror, above, was a present from my very generous mother.

The butterflies have hung over her bed since she was a baby. She's always loved to watch them swirl above her. The stereo is a necessity I'm afraid, not very pretty I know, but required to play "In the Nightgarden" to her each and every night whils she passes into dreamland. Imogen on the other hand has managed to acquire my sparkly new iPod Classic, and falls asleep listening to whatever she fancies. Her favourite at the moment is Colbie Callait, so she has very good taste I feel. If you haven't heard her album then take a tip from Imogen and I and have a listen!..............

Now back to that Mini Boden catalogue...................................

We're going on a pig hunt.......................

I woke up this morning looking for inspiration as to how to fill the remaining 12 hours that lay ahead.....

Then I saw it, my daughters favourite story, "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Micheal Rosen.

I know, I thought, with a little imagination and by changing the main character of this story...the bear! (maybe they wouldn't notice?!), we would go off on our own little jaunt around the city of Bath on our very own 'Pig Hunt'!!

Now for those of you that are thinking I've totally lost my marbles, I'm not talking pigs of the smelly, intelligent variety, I'm talking about 100 stunning, creative works of art, that make up the Public Art event held during the summer of 2008. This event celebrates Bath, its origins and its artists with one hundred life-size pig sculptures.

I thought you may like to see a few.

'Emily' Artist - Charlotte Moore

'Walterloo' Artist - Natasha Rompley.

This wonderful idea was thought up by Gitte Dawson, inspired by the storks in Germany. She involved artists in all forms consisting of painters, sculptors, ceramicists, textile designers, graphic designers, photographers and illustrators.

.'Pigasso'... Artist - Susan Hunter-Jones.

'Abi'... by Annette Smith.

'Pigissimo'... Artist - Margaret Peckham & Claudia Phipps

On 31st October 2008 each pig will be sold at auction in aid of the two tunnels project, with each artist receiving 25% of the price achieved.

'Goldie'... Artist - Jane Robinson.

The girls had amazing fun, peering around each and every corner in search for another rainbow of colour in the form of a pig!

'Hogsnort'... Artist - Bronwyn Williams-Ellis

'Vidar the Forest Warrior'... Artist - Bronwyn Williams-Ellis

'Roger'... Artist - Josh Wiley.

Each pig was sponsored and named jointly by the artist and the sponsor. 'Pigissimo' by Languages United, 'Walterloo' by Wessex water, 'Abi' by Bath Abbey etc etc. They must have had such fun thinking up the names.

Of course along the way I just had to pop into Cath Kidston to make a couple of purchases. The girls chose a purse each and I chose this pretty little tin for all those spare buttons that I find every time I open a drawer or look in a bag! I'm sure they multiply when I'm not looking.

I couldn't resist these snaps either, a little bit of loveliness on such a grey summers day!

Then I noticed this.....

Oh heavens above, how am I going to lose weight now? Thankfully Imogen had what she calls a "Bendy legs" moment! (translation - Mummy how many more shops do we have to go into?/I'm tired and want to go home). Cupcakes purchased - zero, Calories saved - 1000!!

On our way home I just had to stop the car and make the girls stand in the middle of this field full of sunflowers. Their 'Omi' (German for grandmother), passed away late last year and loved sunflowers. I thought it was a wonderful way for them to remember her, standing there with the beautiful flowers towering above them, brightening up their lives as she did for the short time she was in their world.

So there you have it...A fun activity introducing my two daughters to the world of art in an fun and unusual way. They adored their 'pig-hunt'.

Imogen now however, has decided that she would quite like to attend this auction with her pocket money saved in her new Cath Kidston purse. She quite likes "The blue one with a broom on it's head. I'm sure the artist would be so pleased with her description! With a reserve price of £1,250 per pig I think the auction may be well and truly over by the time she's saved her £2 a week pocket money!

If she does manage it however, I personally think that she should buy this one for Auntie Rachel, an avid Gloucester Rugby supporter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'Bath Rugby Pig'...Artist Elizabeth Knott.

10 pigs down, 90 to go.................How many more weeks is this on for????

Frome..... rhymes with broom!

Four years ago I stumbled upon this small corner of the world quite by accident when my husband announced that he'd got a job in Bath. Oh, what a hardship I thought having to move near to such a beautiful Georgian town, full of stunning boutiques, wonderful architecture, great restaurants and somewhere I could see myself spending many an hour pottering about, slowly emptying his bank account..... Great plan!

What wasn't quite as good, was having to look for houses 6 months pregnant with our first child! It became my mission to find us a house and move in, preferably in time to give birth! So one Saturday morning we climbed in the car, or in my case hauled myself in! (Unfortunately I've never been one of those lucky, lucky women that manage to produce a wonderful, tiny, neat bump, or in fact a tiny neat baby for that matter)! And set off to view about 12 house's in one day ranging from Gloucestershire to Somerset!

Now for those of you old enough to remember Annika "Stop the clock Kenneth" Rice, in her gregarious 'jumpsuits' (Oh, weren't the 80's a wonderful time for fashion?), Our day of viewing houses became like a re-make of their programme 'Treasure Hunt', hauling myself in and out of the car trying to make the next viewing on time. If only I'd had her helicopter!

Nine hours later we decided on our new home. How did we decide? simple...it was an old cottage, in a country lane with fabulous views to wake up to each morning. At this point I must confess to my background...Estate Agency (Did I really just admit to that?). Criminal really, I had no idea what the area was like, (Number one rule..location, location, location), didn't even think about glancing at an ofsted report for the local school (Number two rule - always buy near to a great school), I just thought it looked pretty!! I totally blame the hormones. Such an irresponsible parent to be! Parenting was this whole undercover world that I was yet to delve into!

September 2004, I delved into that 'undercover world'...I wanted to give birth in Bath because the snob in me thought Bath Spa would look so much better on my daughters passport! However the reality of being in labour made me head for the nearest hospital. Well , that was after screaming at my husband to; "GET IN THE CAR" when I found him busily making himself a packed lunch in the kitchen (He'd read that it was a good idea in some parenting magazine, as labour can last a long time), whilst I was bent double in pain over the armchair! Sod the wife, I may be hungry......

So, that's how I discovered my nearest town and why both my daughters will spend the rest of their lives saying "Frome, rhymes with Broom", when asked there place of birth.

What an absolute gem and sheer luck that we somehow managed to buy a house near to this mini metropolis. A vintage lovers dream. Cobbled streets, listed buildings, water flowing through the streets and beautiful boutiques many of which are vintage, selling many lovely, lovely things......further emptying of bank account!!!

Farmers Markets, blossoming spiritual-therapy and alternative health industry, theatre, concert venue and the beautiful Mendip Hills on the our doorstep, makes for a town full of interesting, colourful characters some of whom I now have the pleasure of calling my friends. Add to the mix the fabulous 'Babbington House' and Frome becomes a wonderful place for a weekend away. tempted anyone?

I was so desperate for the man in the shell suit to leave the above shop but my loitering to take this picture was starting to cause concern!!

I'm still trying to get Garden Girl to visit...I'm sure lovely, lovely husband won't mind booking the jacuzzi suite at Babbington House for a week-end of retail therapy and total relaxation prior to the grand opening of No.9 !!!! He's such a lovely man.....In fact my own husband grits his teeth and snarls every time I mention another wonderful week-end he's planned or thoughtful gift he's purchased!!

Anyway, just in case I still haven't managed to convince her.......

A bead shop.............................For when she has a spare moment for bead-making!

Plus for all you crafters out there, a beautiful new haberdashery opened recently, an Aladdin's cave of beautiful buttons in china dishes and clear jars, ribbons galore and stunning Vintage and Amy Butler fabrics. I also noticed the other day that Clothkits has been added to the shelves!!!

So there you have it, my local town, stumbled upon quite by accident and the cause of many a sorry looking bank statement!! God, I hate shopping...............................