Rollercoaster

The past few months have been a bit of a rollercoaster and hence my blogging schedule (if you can call sporadic, unplanned posting a 'schedule') has all but completely vanished.  

Our English Springer Spaniel Zara has given us quite the scare recently and so I've been a bit all over the place.  Allow me to explain...

Zara was coming up to two years old and we decided to get her spayed.  The operation went smoothly and she was allowed home the same day.  However, the rest of her recovery has not been quite so straight-forward.  There have been several rushed trips to our vet, the emergency vet and in the end a referral to The University of Liverpool veterinary school where she was seen at the Leahurst campus in the small animal teaching hospital.  They found out that she had an internal bleed caused by a dislodged suture which resulted in her requiring an emergency operation.  After this second op we thought she was on the road to recovery, unfortunately we were wrong and nobody quite knew why.  She underwent lots of tests and several potential diagnosis were mentioned.  It was thought that she had a genetic blood disorder which prevented her blood from clotting.  The treatment for which was intravenously fed plasma.  After a couple of weeks at Leahurst and close to 10 bags of plasma her blood results were still not improving.  The vet called us in.  Arriving in that consultation room was a bittersweet moment.  We were delighted to see her after what felt like forever but the news from the vet was not good.  They said that they could not stop the internal bleed and that she was not reacting to the treatment.  There was nothing more they could do.  They advised us to take her home and make her comfortable but that she would deteriorate at an unknown pace and eventually need putting to sleep.  

Poorly pup

My husband and I were complete wrecks.  We might not be parents to human babies just yet but our pets are our family and feel like our children.  We brought her home and decided to make sure she enjoyed whatever time she had left.  The first thing we changed was her diet, no more kibble for Zara, oh no.  She dined on steak, black pudding and liver as well as many other fine doggy treats.  We took her on small lead walks and captured a ridiculous amount of photographs.  

It was difficult to remain positive during this time.  Every day I expected the worse.  I couldn't concentrate at work.  I found it difficult to eat and was almost constantly nauseous.  Zara hadn't quite finished shocking us just yet.  The vets in Liverpool had sent her bloodwork to a specialist in America.  When we eventually got the results, everyone was shocked.  They were normal.  

The vets still don't know what or if there's something wrong with Zara's blood but she is currently happy, healthy and as bonkers as ever.  Her swollen blood-filled stomach has completely vanished as her body has reabsorbed the blood.  She looks and acts exactly as she did before the operation.  We're baffled but in a very good way.  

Happy pup

We understand that she might not necessarily be entirely out of the woods yet but we're certainly feeling much more positive than we did a few weeks ago.  We keep counting our blessings.  

I'd like to say a massive THANK YOU to all our friends and family that have really been there for us during this extremely stressful time.  I'm hoping with a bit more stability at home I'll be able to hop back on the 'blog-waggon'.

CB x

good vibes

Have a great bank holiday Monday!  

CB x

Source

Sunday Sharing 7

Not every blog I read makes me laugh out loud.  This is probably because I don't choose to follow blogs for their ability to make me laugh but for the content that they share.  Anyway, A Cup Of Jo by Joanna Goddard manages to tickle me nearly every time I pop by.  Case and point --> this disturbing yet hilarious post.  

Joanna with her adorable family - photo by Julia Robbs

A Cup Of Jo is a hugely popular blog which has a ginormous worldwide readership.  Just look how many comments each post gets.  (I am not at all jealous - hello, anyone out there? ;-)  

Joanna and her husband, Alex - photo by Julia Robbs

The blog shares a wide variety of posts from fashion and beauty, to food and drink, to motherhood.  As 'motherhood' is not really something that interests me just yet, I tend to skip those posts.  But there's still plenty of content to keep me intrigued and entertained. I particularly love the 'Have a lovely weekend' posts which occur every Friday afternoon. Where Joanna shares some of the most interesting links into the world wide web.  

The reoccurring theme with the blogs I love is that their authors are all honest and open in their writing.  I hope that I'm achieving a similar feeling here at Happy Little Places.

Love CB x

twenty seven

Today is my birthday and I am now 27.  

Quite recently I actually forgot how old I was.  I couldn't remember if I was 26 or 27, in the end my brother had to assure me that I was 26.  I was quite relieved because I couldn't recall what I had done to celebrate entering my 27th year on this planet. Phew! 

Celebrating last year with a trip to Formby Beach - cheeese

So at least I do get to celebrate turning 27.  It will most likely involve food, drink (hopefully something bubbly) friends and family.  

Little one-day-old me - photo by my father

Have a great day!

CB x

Light time

Whilst updates on the master bedroom progress will continue to be slow. I thought I'd show you some new additions to our hallway...

A new light fitting can help transform a room.  With this in mind I wanted to find a budget-friendly update for our hallway.  My search took me to Next where I discovered an on trend array of well priced pieces.  

First up is their Islington 6 Light which twinkles on the landing at the top of our stairs.  I say twinkle because the 6 crystal-like bulbs of all different sizes do create a twinkly feeling.  I love this light.  I'd like it to sit a bit lower, the length can apparently be adjusted, so I can appreciate the interesting design a bit more.  Will have to get the husband up those ladders again!

Islington - shot from below

Islington - profile shot

To continue the sparkly theme I selected the Ritz Easy-To-Fit Pendant.  I felt that the antique-look of this lampshade would fit well with the above Islington.  Even though the light fittings are on different floors I wanted to create a continuous theme through the hall and stairway.  

Ritz - profile shot

Both lights were up in a jiffy and we're rather pleased with them.  

What do you think? 

CB x

Photos by me

Home Is In The North

The countdown is on to the next event I've been working on with Rachael Adams of The Social Butterfly.  

Home Is In The North is taking place on Saturday 26th April, 11am-4pm at Halle St Peters in Ancoats, Manchester.  

We've been working hard to bring together an amazing selection of designer-makers all from the North of England and all with beautiful and unique pieces just perfect to add to your home. 

Home Is...Where? - photo by Stella Photography

There will be lots going on throughout the day including a furniture restoration demo by Sian Astley from Moregeous Design Studio, a create your own art workshop with Kimberley Hughes from Swoonworthy and a cushion cover class run by sewing bee specialist My Craftea Day.  

On the day there will also be a dedicated Future Design Showcase supported by the event partners Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Northern Quarter concept store Fig & Sparrow and online marketplace What I Always Wanted.  This area has been created to act as a support network for emerging designer-makers and will offer advice on how to build your brand and get it stocked.  

If you're an interiors or homewares enthusiast (like me) and you live in the Manchester area (or even if you don't) then this is a must-attend event.  Advance tickets can be bought on eventbrite or skiddle for £3 or you can pay £4 on the door.  

As always, I am extremely proud and excited to be part of such an innovative event.  I love interiors and will be lapping up the whole experience, as well as undoubtedly treating myself to a purchase or two.  

Do say hello if you pop down :-)

CB x

Sunday Sharing 6

The blog that I'm sharing today regularly melts my heart when it pops up on my reader. Junkaholique is the blog written by Artemis Russell a jewellery designer and maker who has recently moved to live on the Isle of Wight.  

The beach near their house on the Isle Of Wight - photo by Artemis Russell

She runs their jewellery shop RUST along with her husband Nao.  Their pieces are perfect so do go and take a look.  The blog documents their life and work through beautiful photography coupled with lovely, honest anecdotes.  The FAQ page is a pleasant introduction if you want to become acquainted.  

I've really enjoyed following their recent transition into parenthood.  It certainly helps that the photos they publish of their little cherub, Pehr, are simply stunning.  

Cutie - photo by Artemis Russell

Reading Junkaholique is inspiring and calming.  The blog inspires me to become a little more creative and to also appreciate the small things in life by slowing down to a less hectic pace.  

I highly recommend that you pop over for a snoop around.  It's just lovely!

CB x