Post Comment Love & Blogger Showcase 14-16 September

Hello there and welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo - if you were here last week, it was great to see you. If you’re new here this week, then you’re very welcome. Don’t forget when you link up if you tag Morgan and I we’ll happily retweet your post, and we’ll usually share your post when we read it too.

This week has been a busy one so far, and there’s still more to come, but there’s been time for socialising with friends too, so it’s not been bad at all. This stint of busyness has an end in sight though, and that’s good, because it’s been pretty full on. Then I’ll be spending time trying to catch up with myself, doing the things I’ve neglected both at work and at home, and here too.

There’s not been many, if any photos this week and so rather than go photo-less like last week, I’ve jumped back to last September. This pretty pebble door stood out, partly for its attractiveness but also because we’ve started tackling our own front door. It’s taken a bit of a battering from the nice weather, and when we took the sofas out and some brute force was needed.

We have the paint, and it’s not too dissimilar to this colour, but now we just need the time to make it happen. Just the painting, we’re not going for the pebbled look. That might be quite weird in London.

Blogger Showcase: Alina from Fairytale Pretty Picture

1, Who are you?

I’m Alina Ghost and I’m an interior blogger at The Fairytale Pretty Picture and podcast founder & host of SEO with Mrs Ghost. 

2. How did you discover blogs/blogging?

I discover blogs through attending events, social media and definitely from friends’ recommending their favourites too. I enjoy the blogging community and the support everyone gives to each other. 

3. Why did you start blogging?

I was reading blogs for inspiration and always found that there was a pretty picture I fell in love with. I wanted to inspire people too and document my crafts and redecorating projects. It then evolved very quickly.

4. What do you find most challenging?

Having enough time to do everything I want to do. I work full time and so blogging and podcasting is a hobby. Doing it on the weekend and fitting it all in with life-admin can be a real challenge but it’s all worth it!

5. What is your favourite topic to write about?

Interiors. So homeware, DIY, furniture makeovers and the like. It’s a load of fun to see a crappy corner of the house turn into an Instagram sensation. 

6. Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?

A mix of both. I did have goals for years and it helped me grow and focus my attention on particular areas. Most recently however I have moved away from blogging frequently in order to spend time with my dying nan but she passed away the other day so I’m sure I’ll plunge back in no time. 

7. What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The community and the support that it offers. Everyone so far is has been absolutely lovely and it’s great to hear feedback about your own work too. 

8. Have you ever attended a blogging conference and if so, what did you think?

Yes, there was plenty to learn and great people to meet. It was also a good opportunity to speak to brands and get the blog name out there. 

9. What are your 3 best posts?

I love fairytales and so I put together this post on the 9+ interiors that would look like a fairytale in the real world and if you had the design in your home. 

The second article I’d say would be 10 ways to decorate a rented place. As less and less people are able to afford a property I think these tips are really important to people.

Last but not least my how to make wardrobe sachets is the most visited post every week. People LOVE it because it’s super easy and super helpful.

10. Describe yourself in three words!

Enthusiastic, friendly and vibrant. 

11. Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?

ALL of the above. I’m a feeder at work haha. I love biscuits and cake and I’m always drinking tea and coffee... yup, even when it’s 30+ degrees. 

12. What's your idea of a perfect night out?

I would say a girly night out with food and cocktails would be perfect after a busy working week. It’s great to relax and enjoy great food as well as company. 

13. Your perfect night in?

With my husband and pup watching a sci-fi or horror movie. I would also add a glass of red wine in with that if I may…

14. What would your best friend/OH/mum or kids say is your best quality?

I think they’d say I’m helpful. I enjoy aiding others and would go out of my way to go above and beyond what a family member or friend would do. Hopefully they’ll agree!

An InLinkz Link-up

Apple and pear sculptures

Not stone roses, but slate apples and pears. And giant ones at that. But totally stunning.

I saw these at Chelsea and had to restrict myself to admiring their form and taking pictures for an emotional distance. The sculptures are by James Parker, who on his website says he enjoys taking unrefined materials like slate and creating something that captures the imagination of the viewer. These certainly captured mine, and not just for the largest fruit bowl ever.

I think the squirrels in our garden might be quite confused by them too, although they probably have the same level of ripeness. Even though this appears to have been our best year for pears for quite a while, we’re not holding out much hope for actually eating any. The squirrels have had a few bites, and I’m sure the birds have had a peck or two. There are some that remain untouched, but I think even cooking them so they soften would be a challenge.

Maybe it’s just an ornamental pear, but on the other hand they’re nowhere near as ornamental as these.

A luxe dining room

When I saw this dining room at the Ideal Home Show, I was struck by how one thing - or six of one thing - can make such an impact on a room. You’ve heard about having a statement piece, but these pastel pink chairs really are the eye-catching feature of the room, aren’t they?

The rest of the room is very “together” with its black, gilt and glass, even the table top looks to have a smoke feel to it. And with more normal, or traditional chairs I’m not sure you’d give the room much of a second look.  I mean, it’s still beautiful, but those chairs... 

When you looked more closely there was much to see.  This side table, which is beautifully presented and is how, in my head I arrange things (though in reality it’s not quite the same!) is stunning. I’m a fan of the table itself too, its simple and classic design is understated and is a good reminder that not everything needs to be fancy and ornate. 

The lights too work well as accent lighting, but it’s the paint effect that too is subtle but effective. It shows how how quite simply you can add “depth” to your space, and give the illusion of alcoves, or just add some interest to a plain space.   

It’s a simple idea and with patience should be achievable with a few toning pots of paint and some masking tape. 

Looking back over these photos, I realised this roomset may have influenced me more than I first realised, and the cake is a bit of a clue for you - and for once it’s not the actual cake! 

The drinks trolley, or as it’s styled here afternoon tea trolley is quite similar to the drinks trolley we bought back in the summer, and which I’ve yet to share here.  MOH is sneaking more and more drinks paraphernalia onto our trolley, and I’m making it look a little less”plonked” there, I hope.

But its first proper use for me was for a relaxing proper tea one afternoon, strange hey -and what’s worse I didn’t even have any cake, even though I’m not sure you’ll believe that.

So, what do you think - is it for you, or not?