Star Map for my blogging room

I have a fondness for the stars, for staring up at the inky night sky and the constellations, trying to name a few, spotting Orion's Belt, Cassiopeia, finding the signs of the Zodiac and wondering about those that used them to navigate. There's a mysterious feel to the stars, how they've been viewed before and what symbolism was made of them. 

I have a few stargazing related items around the house, they add a vintage scientific feel and I'm always on the look out for anything with a celestial style. However, it is hard to come by so I was really pleased to hear of Custom Star Maps by Modern Map Art who produce posters of the night sky on a special date to you, so perhaps an anniversary or your birthday, which is what I decided upon. You can have the place name added and choose a title and in addition can select between black or white, navy or grey posters in a variety of sizes. Such a cute way to commemorate something and a lovely gift.

I have put my poster up in my new blogging room, hopefully it will be the start of more starry home pieces to create a bit of twinkle. Totally loving how it looks against the white walls, the poster is good quality and has a gorgeous matt finish to it. I have a few ideas gathered on a starry Pinterest board of vintage space posters and rocket cushions to add to the room. 

*I received a Star Map for the purpose of the review, thoughts and opinions my own.

Buxton Winter celebration

 Down in Pavilion Gardens Buxton, was a light extravaganza, aliens had landed and the unearthly sounds of extra terrestrials lurking around every shrub and frost hollow was an eerie accompaniment to our winter's walk. A quick blast of freezing hail had us running for cover but then the drum beat started and we couldn't help but follow. A bright lantern trail of colourful characters led by Creeping Toad, the Ice King and the Snow Queen appeared from over the bridge and the lit procession weaved its melodious way around the park past the Peak Paddlers all lit up like Christmas trees on the chilly lake. Wallflower Dance performed with umbrellas aglow and with the lanterns by Buxton Sparkles it was all just unbelievably beautiful and creative.

Back at the band stand, the music started playing traditional carols and the town's lights were switched on. A Grand Bazaar sold gifts and there was food and drink aplenty. 

We had a quick walk around the town, past the Opera House and the creepy silhouetted windows of The Crescent. Whilst the building is under development, over the winter holiday period the Glow project will illuminate the windows with silhouettes from archived images. 
   The pictures just don't do it justice so do watch the video as it will put you in a nice festive mood. A new tradition now, Buxton's Winter celebration will be in my calendar every year for a most creative and unique show.

Star Gazing Big Night In

If I could wish for the perfect family night in, it would be a starry soiree. This time of year always heralds the start of cold and clear nights, perfect to look up to the stars, so if we had a telescope we could all gather outside in our natty bobble hats and stripy scarves and gaze up whilst drinking warming hot chocolate with pink flumpy marshmallows.
 A chance to talk together, a little bit of magic in the air and enjoy some treats and seasonal food.

Source c/w - http://holidayhelpings.com/sweet-poppy-studios-photo-shoot/, http://wildflowersphotos.com/blog/, Telescope - John Lewis, http://society6.com/product/Look-Up-More_Print?tag=typography, http://www.anangelatmytable.com/garden-lanterns-7406-p.asp 

The garden would be decorated with twinkly lights and lanterns flickering.
Sparklers tracing shapes and names.
Some starry face painting and grabbing a woolly plaid blanket for extra warmth.
Deep, dark sky with glimmering stars, looking for constellations. The Plough. Orion.
Telescope - my turn, my turn!!
Waiting for the the International Space Station passing, amazing. Silly waving 'hello'
Learning, wondering, talking about comets and UFO's. Laughing.

Items from John Lewis. 

Getting a bit later and much chillier.......time to go inside.
Fun onesies and warming bed socks. So snuggly.
Vegetable stew with suet dumplings, in the shape of stars of course.
Cakes and jelly beans, posh containers of sweets.
Glitter.
Cappuccino with a dash of something extra for Mummy and Daddy Bird.
Stack of new board games. No television tonight please.
Little Bird enjoying a space sticker book, Junior Birds playing with the Lego Space Centre
5-4-3-2-1 Blast Off!

Sources  where known - Constellation tarts http://www.diamondsfordessert.com, Kigu is from John Lewis 

Camping downstairs, telling ghost stories. Anecdotes of time travel and celestial beings.
Why do the constellations have these names? Pondering.
Squishy cushions to hide behind, shining torches around the room.
Moon light filters in, tucked in, goodnight hugs.
Giggles.

Sources where known c/w: http://favim.com/image/27847/, http://shop.craftingconnections.net/product/story-stones, Sticker book - John Lewis, Emma Bridgwater Star Mug

Kids asleep. Tired out too. Couple of drinks and making Daddy Bird laugh telling fortunes. Quick check of the stars - a different sky. Chatting philosophically and checking upon sleeping, little campers snoring. Tidy up tomorrow. Good night to all who lie under the stars. A perfect night of family togetherness.

Sources unknown except for the star lamp - eCRATER

Telescope - £170
Space Books and stickers - £20
Board Games & party bits 'n' bobs- £40
Star Projector Lamp - £25
Outside fairy lights - £20
Lanterns - £30
Lego City Space Centre & shuttle- £60
Lovely woolly hats and socks - £100
Owl Kigu - £35
Onesies for the rest of us - £150
Blanket - £50
Food goodies - £50
Total £750

This is my entry into the Little Stuff  'Big Night In' competition with Two Little Fleas and how I would spend £750 on an amazing night in with the family.

Loft Space

The loft room in our house pretty much sold it to me, it reminded me of a tree house, a secret space and I loved it. It would be my study. However you cannot predict the future and here I am years later with a partner, a child of our own and his two children of 8 & 12 years old. It's now a room that creates a bit of a problem but one that could be rectified. It has rather steep stairs to climb - space saving stairs I believe and I have painted them white as before they were a honey pine colour and rather dismal. But that is not the issue.

The main pain with this room is that it has two purposes which are currently not very harmonious. It is a bedroom when the boys stay each week and during holidays BUT it is also our dumping ground, as you do with your loft. I mean where else can all the Christmas decorations go, the suitcases, the baby paraphernalia that you're hanging onto IF you are lucky enough to have another child......It also has a ton of books up here and the boy's games, items in transition waiting to be car booted etc. Just stuff! Family stuff or personal stuff that you might need at some point not things being hoarded as such. I regularly clear out anything we really don't need but the whole area is becoming disorganised and chaotic.

I have tried to create some storage under the eaves by suspending a curtain across on wire but that was a temporary solution and it's looking all rather shabby now. It's a shame for the boys as it is their bedroom and their space for playing, relaxing, reading and feeling welcome, unfortunately, the space still feels very much like a typical loft/attic. I have always had it in mind that we would get properly built in cupboards that would house all the aforementioned articles that have importance within family life and would also make the room pleasant for the children. If we had cupboards and shelves that items could sit nicely on it would make organisation so much better and stop the constant spillage of items and discourage clutter! However, such bespoke items come at a price.

The room has an amazing view across our town, you can see beyond the River and up across the nearby farms. It's lovely to see the season's change from here, see gardens buzzing with life in summer and in November you can see town's firework display. Peering out from the loft window is also great to see the stars and we have seen the International Space Station, meteor showers and satellites whizzing across the night sky many a time. Sadly, the window is a little high for the boys to currently safely reach and I worry about standing on things to reach up to look. 


My idea is to change the room by having white cupboards and shelves underneath the eaves so items have a place and make the room feel more peaceful, spacious and less cluttered for the boys. I'd very much like to have the eaves on one side of the room as a reading nook with comfy cushions and throws for quiet time and lounging around. The boys need an area to do homework and with one now in Secondary School he will of course be having exams and need a quiet area for revision so perhaps a small desk area built in. Perhaps a built in bed would be lovely too, a bit like a den. There is something about lofts that are magical, hidden away from the rest of the house and I'd like the design to reflect this and be an exciting place to be.

As the room is primarily for the boys I'd have a grey/blue tone to the room and an outer space feel with reference to the room being a great place to view the stars and moon from. I vision some sort of safe way to look out of the window rather than standing precariously on a stool! Perhaps a couple of steps with a rail either side. I have found some gorgeous star related, spacey accessories and would paint the stairs up the loft with numbers and stars.


Credits{Storage: Eaves shelving, Eaves Shelving 2, Space Junk, If you need me I'll be in space,  Nook: Kids Reading Nook 1, Reading Nook2, Bunk Bed Nook -unknown, Alcove Nook, Dream: Stars song, star cushions Etsy, Midnight Blue Star Egg Nightlight, Vintage Rocket Science Chart - Etsy, Star Bedroom - H&M, Rockets & Stars Garland, Climb: Painted stairs - unknown, Vintage Star Gazing Boy}

I love vintage so finding old posters would be great and team up with star cushions, handmade items, throws and trinkets. 

I have a Pinterest board of all my ideas around the room and inspiration for making this area a place that the boy's can feel is their own when they stay but also we can access those items that we need from time to time.