11/52

 "A portrait of Josephine, once a week every week in 2013".

Mischief-maker, caught in the act. She is the sweetest creature but you can't take your eyes off her for a second.

Taking part in Jodi's 52 Project.

ps. don't forget to enter the giveaway. I'll draw a winner on Tuesday :) 

GIVEAWAY: felty goodness

So, earlier today I realised that my last post was my 350th. Wowza! To say thank you to all you lovely people who stop by this space and leave lovely comments, I thought I'd offer one of my colourful felt garlands as a little giveaway. These have seriously been flying off the shelves since I launched them in the shop, and they really do look awesome hanging on the wall. Just check out the one hanging in little Emma's nook (thank you for the lovely picture Carine!)


All you have to do to enter is...
^^ leave a comment below
^^ become a follower (if you're not already one)
^^ head over to Facebook and 'like' the Happy Circus page

I really do appreciate your support and thank you for taking the time to say hello round here. Every comment makes me a very happy blogger :)

Good luck to you all - the winner will be drawn next Monday xx

This giveaway is open to all our readers, near and far.

UPDATE: I AM VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE WINNER IS KAREN :) DROP ME AN EMAIL WITH YOUR ADDRESS LOVELY LADY AND A HAPPY CIRCUS GARLAND WILL BE HEADING YOUR WAY XX

10/52

"A portrait of Josephine, once a week every week in 2013".

A happy soul.  

Taking part in Jodi's 52 Project.

PARK LIFE: t-bars

 

On Monday my Mum and I set off to buy Josephine her first pair of proper shoes. Boy oh boy is that a harder task than it should be. Firstly, the reason it's taken so long to buy them is because she has teeny feet and they just didn't make any shoes to fit them. So wellies it was. And that was fine, until the sun started shining and she decided that she really only wanted walk everywhere. 

Then there's the fact that unless you want pink shoes plastered with butterflies and flowers you're, well, screwed. Seriously. Thankfully Startrite stocked some English Classics that were glitter free and our local store actually had some to fit Phiney's little fat feet. 

And finally....bloody hell they're expensive! Thank goodness for Nannies who want to buy their granddaughter's first shoes ;) 

Yesterday as the spring sunshine shone down, Josephine and I took her new shoes for a test drive at the park. To say that she loves these shoes is an understatement. She must have stopped and looked at her feet about 15 times. It was the sweetest thing. 

PARK LIFE: wellies

HAPPY CIRCUS: grab yourself a bargain

I just wanted to pop in and let you know that, after a serious hit to the vintage section over the last few weeks (thank you lovely customers :)!!) there are just a few pieces remaining. To make way for the new stock I'm planning on listing soon, i've heavily reduced these last few gorgeous items to ensure they find their way to a good home. So head over here now and find a bargain for your little one xx

THE HOMEMAKER SERIES: SPACES

When we decorated Josephine's nursery, she was still nestled in my belly. I'm so glad we finished her space before she arrived because, despite not even knowing whether she was a boy or girl let alone what her likes would be and what toys she'd love, I'm not sure when it would have got done otherwise (it took me at least 6 months after Phiney was born to clean the whole house in one go let alone decorate).

But as the last year has gone on, Josephine has gathered notes and postcards from penpals, photos of her buddies and certificates from her swimming lessons; she's been given a whole bunch of toys and books, and has created some spectacular artwork. So, we decided it was time to make a few little changes in her room; to reflect her personality and to store all the lovely things she's gathered since she's been here.

^ Toy storage was a serious must after Christmas and her birthday, and while we're very happy to choose secondhand and vintage pieces for the vast majority of things in our house, for this piece we headed straight to Ikea (thanks to my Dad and some of the money he gave Josephine for her birthday). Not only do these drawers come in sweet colours but they're light weight and perfect to get out each morning for Phiney to access her toys as she wants, and quick and easy to put away each evening. Being the anal person I am, the top green box stores wooden puzzles, building blocks and dominoes, the pink box holds random toys and the large white one all the teddies and dolls. We also bought a second green box to slide under the chest of drawers with her cardboard books in. I adore that it's the book box she normally rummages through first. 

^ Empty bowls and shelf space has now been filled with Josephine-related artifacts. Hairbands, clips and bows sit on the chest of drawers in the sweet bowl Ben bought the bump when we were in Cornwall the summer before Josephine was born, and I framed a photo from her first birthday of the three of us to sit pride of place on the window sill next to her ever-growing book collection and her rabbit night light. 

^ Finally, I hung a simple piece of string from two little brass hooks to display sweet notes and pictures that are special to Josephine. The paper heart garland was a little gift from her  penpal Poet and my sister made me the tissue paper flower at least 15 years ago...I love that it now sits in my daughter's room. 

As always, we wanted to create this more personal space on a serious budget (ie. free!) but I'm really pleased with how it's turned out. It's such a lovely place to be and we all spend very happy times in there. 

9/52

"A portrait of Josephine, once a week every week in 2013".

Just up from a nap, complete with pjs and crazy bedhead curls, and already on the look out for adventure and mischief. 

Taking part in Jodi's 52 Project.