The perfect birthday treats!

We ventured down to the South coast this week to visit my husband's family all living on and around the Sussex coast.

I always look forward to this trip, as do the children. I love visiting my in-laws. There are hundreds of them, varying in age range, so the kids are kept well entertained throughout the stay! 

To add to this, I have to confess, I love the prospect of peering into the 'homes' of my lovely relis. My sisters-in-law all have undeniably (and enviably!) beautiful homes....architecturally interesting, full of character and each in their own way oozing effortless style. I hope they won't mind me saying (it is a compliment!) that they manage to achieve that balance of style whilst being very relaxed about the house being a place in which to 'live'. I may have to sneak a camera in on the next visit! I could definitely learn a thing or two!

It was my birthday over the weekend and when we returned home, I had a couple of nice surprises waiting for me from friends. I thought I would share them as gift ideas.

A large Garden Trading box housed these lovely planters. I suspect this friend had read a previous blog and knew I was on the hunt for herb pots. Perfect! Garden Trading is a great website for garden and home accessories.

My second perfect parcel was from another good friend and contained these 5 beautiful candles. They smell divine and look very pretty with the mother of pearl heart strung around them. The parcel also contained a Caroline Gardner notebook. Again, don't you find as you get a little older that these sorts of things make the perfect present? I even got excited about the spotty tissue paper they were wrapped in!

Homes come in all different shapes and sizes. Some houses are practical places, relaxed but not fussy. Some are chic, some professional...no children or animals...places where items can be displayed without the worry of breakages, fingerprints etc. I think it is important to live in a home in which you feel comfortable and relaxed, whatever the colour of the walls or the furnishings.