THE LAST OF THE HEAT

On the 18th September we headed off for a much deserved family holiday to Spain. We haven't been on a Summer holiday during  term time since the girls were tiny. It was such a treat, as the queues were non existent and the airport was virtually child free.

Blue skies, lovely temperature, fresh fruit, a swimming pool, a good book and a gin and tonic.  What more could you want?

While we were there, we celebrated Harry's birthday with a meal at Siete De Julio (The 7th July) (the day of the running of the bulls.) Not for the vegetarians, this restaurant speciality is beef, which arrives on the table ready for you to cook as you require on coals. Accompanied by some tasty tapas, including cod omelette, jamon and chorizo all washed down with as much free cider as you can manage from the barrels.

Temperatures were still in the 20's in Valencia in the evening. It was so lovely to enjoy wandering around the city watching the world go by, visiting some new bars, eating tapas and a night at the Hotel Reina Victoria

After our homemade Sunday paella we took the girls into Valencia. Unknown to us it was no vehicles weekend, which made wandering around the city so much more pleasant. We were lucky enough to come across the Valencian Orchestra, who were playing film score music in the square. (look at the colour of that sky at 9.30)

Back home and the start of a new season of dresses.

Sunshine & Showers fabric made up this range of skirts and sleeveless and long sleeve dresses 

Unique Spiderman fabric dress

Original 70's bright flower fabric sleeveless and pinafore dresses

Surf dress, Save Our Forest pinafores, dinosaur skirts and Rock Chick dresses

treatment update

I had another pump up before I left for holiday, I've just got another small one left which I'm having on Tuesday. I had my three month heart check, which confirmed everything is good with my heart so I can carry on with the herceptin injections, (I had my 5th one on Friday)   Although I seem to be a regular visitor to the hospital, the appointments don't fill me with fear like they used to, waiting for results was something I dreaded, and hope thats all behind me.

HOLIDAYS END.

It's been over two weeks since we returned from Spain, and the weather has generally be good to us. We've been missing having the space and warm late evenings. We've had various days and nights out in the remaining weeks of the holidays, and feel very fortunate that we live in a beautiful part of the country where we can continue having good times. 

When the tide goes out on the River Teign we go cockling, the tradition says that you can only do this when the month has an R in it so it was really our last haul, and a good one it was too.

We took the girls with us to Ikea in Bristol to buy them both new beds,we were planning to go onto the Bristol Science Museum but like any trip to Ikea it took far longer than it should (so we'll have to save that for another day) 

Last week we were in Amersham in Buckinghamshire for the house warming of friends Heinz & Jenny's beautiful house. Designed by Heinz it has won it's section in the RIBA Awards and goes onto the final in November.Great evening catching up with old friends 

We also booked a two hour mackerel fishing trip, minus Bella who a heightened dislike of boats since our crossing to Spain on the ferry. Great couple of hours in the sun, with a good catch of fish to take home for tea.

Bank Holiday Monday we packed up lunch and wine and headed down to the back beach for the day.  The Back Beach Music Festival was on and during the day friends and family came along to join us. We left after watching the beautiful sunset. 

We live about seven miles from Torquay (a popular holiday destination) and a town I spent a couple of years in before moving up to London. Today we took my in laws to see the show Cats at the Princess Theatre. With a couple of hours to kill we had a walk around the marina, went for lunch and spent some time in the amusement arcades.

And before we knew it I was thinking about "Back To School" and the fact I hadn't made my usual quota of school book bags. 

Very excited by my new dress design.  Many,many years ago (over 20) I bought a dress from Top Shop in the sale before going on holiday. Loved wearing in then, and still love wearing it, because it was made in linen, it's virtually falling apart.  So I've recreated it, firstly so I could carry on wearing it, and secondly to sell.  The reaction has been amazing and they will be available this month.

New makes as we go into Autumn and the sleeves get longer 

Vintage Style Flower Print Fabric Dresses 

Vintage Star Wars 

Dinosaurs

For The Love Of London 

Thomas The Tank 

Mickey Mouse and Pluto

And to use up some of those left over pieces, some little bags

And that is really the end of the Summer holiday of 2016. 

It's been fabulous, and we've all enjoyed it very much! 

2016 - THE BEGINNING

It's been quite a while since my last post, and Christmas has been and gone, and business has reopened and got off to an amazing start. I'm not going to back track on our Christmas festivities, but just want to say what a lovely Christmas it was, with a good mix of family, friends, dinners and parties. No New Years resolutions to live by and no dry January to adhere to. Really looking forward to 2016 and all it has to bring. 

The first upcycled fabric dresses of this year have been very popular. Starting with Star Wars 

Snoopy 

Mabel's back on the modelling, with her fees now gone up to £1 a dress!

Upcycled dinosaur fabric pinafores

Minions 

Although this is definitely not my favourite time of the year, (cold ,wet and grey) I have managed to capture some varying weather.

Extreme waves on the beach which turned the skate park into a swimming pool.

On a walk to school across the bridge, this lucky double rainbow was on one side of us and a silouhete view of the river as the sun tries to come out from behind the clouds on the other.

PREPARATIONS & CELEBRATIONS

With three Christmas Fairs behind me, and my sewing machine and debris packed away, it was time to get down to getting Christmas organised. I've put up the tree and decorations.

I've even designed and made our own family Christmas cards. 

I

and a personal one from Mabel to her class mates.

In my pursuit of Christmas presents I even accompanied my Mum on the WI Christmas shopping trip to Cheltenham. We shopped and browsed and finished the day with some pasta and pressecco. A very enjoyable day, but no I won't be signing up.

The girls have been busy with various shows and concerts.

Felt a little nostalgic as this was Bella's last Christmas in Primary School, I could not be more proud of her and her achievements. Starting life at Shaldon Primary as Mary and finishing in year 6 as head girl. We are achieving what we left the city for, a good start for our children in a safe and happy environment.

As usual at this time of year we have to make sure we don't let the Christmas festivities get in the way of Mabel's birthday. This year our little Mabel turned 7. 

It is still all about dinosaurs, including a dinosaur cake made by my Mum, and two big dinosaurs toys from the Jurassic World film, and a magical visit to Santa in the caves at Kents Cavern - Torquay

Big sister Bella is no longer a believer but keeps up the magic as big sisters do.

To celebrate Mabel's birthday My Sister Mabel are offering 25% OFF all dresses on the website this week.  Just enter the code LUCKY7

Always lovely to be recognised and appreciated by other people. I was recently featured by Charlotte on her lovely blog Charlie & The Pirates. Charlotte like me, has two girls who would rather wear dinosaur, Marvel or Star Wars print then princesses, butterflies and pink. 

And finally I would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported My Sister Mabel throughout this year, I couldn't have done it without you. Keep sending in the photos!