17th Birthday Presents?

Hello everyone!

Slightly misleading title, I know, but I couldn't think of anything better haha. It was my sister's birthday last Wednesday so I thought it would be nice to show you what I bought her. I tried to pick things she'd mentioned the most so I knew that she wanted them. 

First off, I booked tickets for Hunger Games Mockingjay Pt.1. She loves this series and I like to watch the films too so that will be nice! 

Also, look at the beautiful wrapping paper. It's from Clintons and it was an eye watering £1.50 per sheet but it's so damn pretty and the left over pieces I've saved for a possible future craft project. 

Whilst in Clintons I saw some Jonathan Adler stationary which was all 20% off and I couldn't resist picking some bits up. The big red fox is a giant eraser, there is a fox notepad and a set of patterned pencils. All the items were adorable and I really had to reign myself in. I'm a stationary fiend. 

Next, I bought The Sims 3 Generations expansion pack from Amazon. Sophie is obsessed with Sims and she really wanted this version because you can apparently buy a push chair for the baby Sims? I'm hoping that The Sims 4 is out on Mac before Christmas because I'm counting on buying it for her haha.

Last but not least I knew she wanted some white-on-white Vans. This is the only kind of shoe she will wear so I knew she would get use out of them. Although I don't think they'll be white for long throughout the winter... 

Now it's time to think about Christmas presents! :D

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Thanks for reading, 

Leanne x

Thoughts of the day

• Anyone watching/just watched Despicable Me of ITV2? I am!

• I bought myself the Amor Amor Forbidden Kiss perfume from Debenhams in the sale. It was £30 for 100ml! I've been wearing it for work because all my other perfumes are boxed away still. It's gorgeous! What's your favourite perfume?

• I'm off shopping tomorrow so I'm hoping to get some Christmas shopping done.Still got no idea what I'm buying for people though.

• I was contacted by a lovely blogger called Bethany from The Busy Bee asking whether I'd like to write some guest posts over Blogmas on her blog. So I'm writing a Christmassy nail post and a DIY/Craft post too! Should be exciting :D

• THIS artist has drawn some of the Disney princesses in human form... how beautiful are they? 

Home Renovation - Loft Conversion Pt.1

Hello everyone!

How are you? Long time no speak aha. I know, I've been terrible lately at blogging but I do have a post for you today which may explain why...

Loft converting. Converting a loft.

I don't know about you, but I was under the impression that you tidy up a bit, put a floor down, whip some walls up and bob's your uncle. Two weeks, tops. I was so wrong. Turns out, it's much more time consuming and complicated than that. 

We've just come to the end of week 4 and I have been recording videos and taking pictures of the whole progress so I thought it would be interesting to show you where we're currently at. 

The first few pictures look like slow progress, kinda looks like nothing changes but you have to start with all the uninteresting, boring things like rearranging the current wiring, moving downstairs walls into different positions, etc. You feel like you're working your ass off all day and nothing is changing when, actually, a lot is. 

I can take about zero amount of credit for all the work you're about to see. I work all day so I don't get to spend much time helping. It's been down to my Dad who has plodded on with this project all by himself. 

Enjoy....

Panorama shot of the loft almost at the start. Before taking this picture all that orange insulation you can see rolled up at the back was laid out on the floor and there were remnants of the old owner's belongings still up there e.g. old curtains and deckchair cushions. There were also REALLY big tiles of dodgy insulation dotted about. No idea what it was made out of but they were sharp and heavy. They went on the tip. 

Overall, the loft was in pretty good condition. It was fairly clean (for a loft)... minimal spiders... just a bit messy.

Once the insulation had been removed, all the wiring for the house had to be dropped down below the beams. This took ages and has been moved several times since, too.

As you can see, some lazy plumber fitted a gas pipe right through the middle of the room so that had to be removed and reinstalled around the side. 

Next, there was a wall separating the living room from the kitchen downstairs which was knocked down and rebuilt giving the hallway several more inches in width to fit in some stairs. This took quite a while. And I stupidly forgot to take pictures so it looks like I've missed a chunk out. 

Here is my beautiful new flooring! Look at how good it looks. 

This definitely took the longest because all the beams had to be strengthened before the floor could be  put down as it was squishy when you walked. That took days and days of time consuming and awkward work. It was worth it though because the floor is really sturdy now which is ideal for all the junk I plan to put up there hahaha.

Here are the stairs! They're not as wide as normal stairs but other than that they're just as you would expect. My Dad ordered these off eBay from the seller TKStairs LINK HERE. These were around £200 and made to measure. They are excellent. Would recommend. 

Jumping forward quickly again, here is the structure of the first wall. I know it doesn't look straight but it is, once plaster board is on, you won't see that the horizontal pieces aren't straight, their purpose it just to hold screws.

Then the slats you can see at the top went in, this will make the ceiling flat rather than a ^ shape. 

This wall is the gable end and is next to be made into a wall! 

I've just been informed that we are over the half way mark now, however there is a lot still to be done. Allow me to make a list: internal walls to separate my room with the new bathroom and landing, wiring up new lights and plug sockets, insulating, plaster boarding, plastering, skirting boards, coving, decorating, carpets, fitting a new bathroom, fitting a banister. The list grows daily. I hope you will look forward to seeing part two of my loft conversion!

Wish us luck!

Thanks for reading and bearing with my lack of posts :)

See you next time, 

Leanne x

Thoughts of the day

• I went shopping today to buy some stuff for tea and I bought a cabbage instead of a lettuce :(

• 6 weeks until I break up for Christmas! 

• Started my new position at work on Monday and I'm enjoying it so far (touch wood).

• It's my sister's 17th birthday on Wednesday and I've bought her some lovely presents! I might write a post but just incase I don't, I've got her tickets to see Mockingjay Pt.1, white on white vans, Sims 3 Generations and some adorable stationary bits from Clintons. So excited for her to open them!

• Anyone started their christmas shopping? I haven't.. I need to get a move on I think.