Here I am coming out of the my cloak of invisibility, sorry about my absence…so what’s brought this on? Thanksgiving of course.

I have always been intrigued by the American tradition of Thanksgiving, the story and history behind the traditions, the wonder of sweet potato and marshmallow and the delightfulness of Pumpkin Pie!

So here I am jumping on the bandwagon, I won’t be cooking up a turkey tonight or having the family round for a celebration but I will take today to think about what I am thankful for, I’ll even share a few with you:

• A hot cup of tea in a thermal mug on the way to work and the considerate loving husband who made it for me
• Skype for keeping a good friend who is far away closer
• Encouraging, supportive friends and family

I could write a list as long as my arm but I’ll not bore you with all of them, I’ll take some time today and write a little list for me to look back on. Care to tell me a few things you are thankful for?

Lots and lots of love and thanks

Gemma x

We are kicking off this week with a rather big announcement! You may have noticed I disappeared for quite some time, only posting again in the past 2 weeks. Well, I know I told you things at home were busy, but that’s not quite true. I was struggling to keep my eyes open and my dinner down… yes, I was going through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy – I’m having a baby!! Yaaay!!

Image Source

I’m 15 weeks gone tomorrow and all I can say is it’s FLYING by!! Part of me wants to press a big pause button as I’m loving being pregnant and want to enjoy every second – but if I pressed pause I wouldn’t get to meet my little chick in 25 weeks – that’s 16 April 2013 for those of you who aren’t great at Maths. I’ve been pretty lucky and had a relatively easy pregnancy – the first 12 weeks I felt like I had a constant hangover and the tiredness was pretty intense but I have heard horror stories of vomiting from morning to night so I’m thankful that wasn’t me. I’ve definitely hit the “blooming” stage in the past 2 weeks – I’m not sure I look blooming but I’m full of energy and feeling great! And my bump has appeared which makes my heart swell every time I look down.

We had a second scan last week and saw our little of bundle of joy kicking and jumping – we even saw it’s fingers and toes. I am completely head over heels in love already in a way I didn’t know possible! It’s just amazing, and so nice to hear that all is well in there!

So, a whole new chapter begins for me. My day is now full of thoughts of nursery furniture and maternity dresses and my dreams are of tiny feet in little booties and a button nose I will kiss all day.

Image souce

There’s so much I plan to do around the house before the big arrival – I have a serious case of nesting and I love it! I’m also taking a leaf out of the lovely Hollie’s book over on Tulips and Tea and having a date night with the man once a week (or maybe once a fortnight) to make sure we don’t get too obsessed with all things baby and forget to make time for ourselves.

But apart from that I think I’m going to sit back and enjoy every little second of this magical time. Oh, and try not to think about the birth until it’s too late.

Lots of baby and bump love

Mrs A

xx

It’s been a while since we showed you some insta.love. So today’s post is short but sweet with a collection of all that we have been up to over the past few weeks.

As usual we both picked our fav’s of the bunch.

Mrs M celebrated her 1st year anniversary last month so her fav instagram has to be this little’un of her wedding day.

Mine is of Autumn leaves, cozy coats and suitable footwear for a walk in Crawfordsburn with my Skin and Blisters this weekend.

What have you all been up to these past few months? Are you on instagram? Please stop by and check out our feeds?

gemma_tpwx

theperfectwife_kerry

Mrs M

xo

On Friday 5th October, bloggers are turning their blogs pink in support of Breast Cancer Care. Join them by turning a Friday pink this October!

Dress pink, eat pink, party pink or work pink. How you turn your Friday pink is up to you. It doesn’t matter how pink you go, we just need you to join the thousands who’ll be raising money during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And if a Friday doesn’t work, just pick a day that does! It doesn’t matter if you raise £20 or £200 at your Pink Friday as every penny will be helping us support more people affected by breast cancer today.

SIGN UP NOW to receive your free Pink Fridays fundraising kit and help make 2012 the best year yet!

To see which blogs are turning pink for Pink Fridays, visit A Safe Mooring or follow #pinkfridays.

If you would like to support Breast Cancer Care but can’t throw a Pink Friday of your own, you can donate here.

The blog looks a bit different today, that’s becasue we’ve gone pink in aid of Breast Cancer and so have a few other amazing blogs. We we’re blown away by Rebecca’s @ Florence Finds amazing DIY breast examination found here. Make sure and check it out and then go cop a feel

Source

This subject is something that is close to my heart and I am sure to many others. So lets turn our Friday’s pink in October. Bake a pink cake, get your girlies together for a pink night, make some pink cocktails (cosmo’s anyone?) or just wear a pink wig to work (everyone has a pink wig stashed somehwere right? No! Just me then!)

So have I persuaded you to go pink? Have you something already planned?

Mrs M

xo

I got talking to a friend at the weekend about TPW, he turned to these very orange and turqouise pages in hope we would provide some inspiration for a present for his wife’s birthday, alas we didn’t! So it gave me an idea for a post and an excuse for some online window shopping. I must also mention it’s a certain person’s birthday next month (ahem …me), if the Mr is reading I would love any or all of these

So without further ado…

1. Art Prints
A little print or art can make for a very thoughtful gift.  Blanca Gomez is my fav at the moment along with our very own Stephanie Parker. Framed and wrapped I’d be delighted to get one. Etsy is a treasure trove for art and prints.ps. I see Blanca Gomez art is also available at BHS and the Yard Gallery Holywood.

2. Orla Kiely Anything
I’m having a bit of a love affair with Orla Kiely at the moment along with the rest of the world. Her vintage inspred prints are awesome. I would happily welcome any of her creations into my home. These candles keep catching my eye and they come in 3 beautiful scents, not only that but they would make great storage jars or vases once you’ve finihsed with them.

3. Gold Disc Neckalce
These simple little gold disc necklaces from etsy have been seen on some on the most trendiest celebs this year. They are just so simple and elegant and by adding the initials of some of your favourite people they make for a very special yet fashionable gift.

4. Hunter Wellies
Maybe not the most romantic of gifts but certainly the most practical, especially if this rainy weather is to keep up. Hunters will last a lifetime, I have the bog standard green ones and they are still going strong 6 years later! Surely there is something romantic in worrying about your loved having wee wet footsies..No?5. iPhone Case
I was at a Hen party at the weekend and noticed one of our friends had the most loveliest iPhone case with a photo of her and her son on it, I thought it was adorable. Photobox offer this service for a very reasonable £21.99. If you have any special photo’s of family, holidays or friends that you wouldn’t mind adorning your phone with, I think this makes for a very sweet gift.

What little gifts have you been coveting recently? Any one else celebrating a birthday in October?

Lots of Love

Mrs M

xo

Well, it looks like it’s finally here. Wet, grey and miserable. Yes, it’s our old friend Autumn/Winter! I’m just back from a wedding in England where the sun shone for 6 days. I even brought myself back a little tan. But it was back to reality this morning when the wind and rain on my window woke me from my sleep.

Here at The Perfect Wife, as Mrs M said last week, we actually quite like the change in season and always secretly look forward to getting out our chunky knits and winter boots, wrapping up warm for a walk in the park and home to a delicious stew on the stove. The only downside of winter is the dreaded cold. Not a winter goes past when I don’t catch some bug, regardless of how much Vitamin C I stock up on, so you can imagine my delight when I recently came across some great tips for fighting that cold at soon as it hits.

Image Source

1. Coughing? To ease a dry cough, make a syrupy gargle with honey, sage and cayenne pepper: add fresh sage leaves and a pinch of cayenne to a mug of boiled water and leave for 10 minutes; add 2 tbsp of honey and leave to cool before gargling.

2. Get spicy! Ginger stimulates your circulation, helping white blood cells whizz faster around the body to tackle any infection. Ginger’s spicy oils have anti-inflammatory properties too, which reduce that bunged up feeling. Grate some fresh ginger into hot water with honey and lemon for a warming drink.

3. Sniffles? Chicken soup has been used a cold remedy for centuries. It’s both comforting and nourishing when you don’t feel like eating, and its anti-inflammatory properties will help see off sniffles.

4. Boost your Vitamin C. While Vitamin C can’t fight a cold, it can help fend off complications such as pneumonia. Good sources include chillies, bell peppers and green veg such as broccoli and spinach as well as fruits such as kiwi and oranges.

5. Get steamy! Steam will help clear a bunged up nose, while the warmth is comforting for your whole body and will help you feel better generally.

6. Zinc it! Zinc may help shorten the duration of your cold and can be taken as a syrup, tablet or lozenges. Talk to your pharmacist for advice on the best form to help treat your particular symptoms.

7. Grab some garlic. Garlic contains a substance called allicin, which has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Peel, chop and leave for 15 minutes before cooking to activate the immune boosting effects.

8. Raise a glass. A hot toddy before bed to ease congestion and aid sleep. Add a small measure of whisky or brandy to a cup of herbal tea; a teaspoon of honey will add sweetness and soothe your throat.

9. Prop up. Raising your head while resting will help mucus drain from your nose and relieve congestion. Simple, eh?

10. Keep it clean. Cold viruses can survive for hours on surfaces that we can’t avoid touching, such as door handles, so wash your handles regularly with warm soapy water.

I love all of these quick and easy ideas (especially No. 8). How fab and easy are they all and they don’t mean you need to spend a fortune on medicines and tablets!

So, TPW readers, here’s hoping we can all keep those nasty colds at bay  with these simple tips and concentrate on looking super chic this winter… our pick of the best winter knits are coming later in the week!

Anyone know any other great ideas for keeping healthy in the winter months? Please feel free to drop us a comment and let us know….

Lots of love

Mrs A

Sourced from Good Ideas Magazine

For me there is nothing more delicious than Autumn. At this time of year I’m almost giddy with excitement for the new season and this year is no exception. I’ve been pinning like mad, anything and everything that will get me in the mood for Autumn.

I thought I would share a few of my favorite Autumn inspiration images to get you in the mood too:

My autumn wardrobe basically consists of knee high boots, jeans, shirts and jumpers. Although I am definitley hankering after a pair of been boots this year, think they might make their way to the birthday wish list

I think everyone now knows I’m a foodie and Autumn is the perfect weather for cooking big batches of stews and soups, sipping on warm cider and saying cheerio to the summer detox’s.

I don’t know about any one else but I find in Autumn I have more time, or maybe it’s just that I make more time to do the things I love. Packing the car with a picnic, getting ’happed’ up and heading out on a drive with the hubster and dogs is my idea of a good time.

And last but not least, Halloween. A little secret is: that my birthday falls around Halloween time, I have some very happy childhood memories of Birthday/Halloween parties at home, bobbing for apples in fancy dress, firework displays and toffee apples so hard you could crack a tooth. So on the 31st I will be embracing the big kid that I am, carving my pumpkin and sitting it outside the front door while I cozy up inside, watching Hocus Pocus with some hot chocolate.

All images are from pinterest, original sources can be found on our boards.

Any one else love Autumn as much as me? What’s your favourite things to do?

Lots of love

Mrs M

xo

Yes I said fart!

Sorry we have been so quiet of late wifey’s! Life is getting in the way of us lavishing time on this lovely blog and it keeps getting shifted down our to do list! How imperfect of us!

What have you all been up to?

I’ve mainly been doing colossal amounts of ironing! Apparently I just forgot to do any the whole month of August, I don’t think there is anything I detest more than ironing! Except for maybe …..Sharon Osborne or celery!

Along with ironing I’ve been trying to finish decorating our bedroom, working like a good un in my day job and ralking ( I can’t really run, so I ralk, walk a wee bit, run a wee bit..it’s good!)

Also I am having trouble tearing myself away from the TV at the moment! There is lots of good telly on, just in time for Autumn. I’m a bit in love with Parade’s End, I can’t quite put my finger on it but I think, THINK, that Benidict Cumberbatch is HOT!

Mrs Biggs is starting tonight and Great British Bake Off is awaiting me on Sky Planner. No wonder I can’t get anything done!

I’ll be back tomorrow with some Autumnal inspiration and a little travel post.

Anyone else watching Parade’s end? Am I the only one who hates ironing? Or celery?

TIW ( the imperfect wife)

xx

In an effort to spead the love we are taking a leaf out of Astra’s book over on a journey to a dream and starting a happiness revolution. She makes a list of the top 10 things that make her happy each month and spurs every one to do the same…. So here goes…

1.The Sun, after a little holiday he’s back again, to make our days brighter and our moods lighter
2. Family visiting from England and Scotland, getting to spend some QT with our nearest and dearest, reminising and catching up.
3. Vow renewals – Seeing good friends renew their vows, Congratulations Tasha and Karl xo
4. Berry picking at Oaklands farm
5. The Olympics – Who knew we would actually ‘like’ watching sports..go Team GB and NI
6. Early moring walks with the dogs before work - this almost trebles my engery levels during the day.
7. Revisting our wedding photo’s after a few months, I’ve decided I like them after hating them for so long!
8. Choc ice’s breaks instead of coffee breaks in work.
9. Finding cute shoes in your size in the sale.
10. Weekends off work with absolutely no plans but to relax and take it easy!

Last month we talked about our new found love of Instagram and gave a glimpse of our month through our instagram pictures, we’ll such was the success of that post we are back with July’s rundown and hope to make it a monthly slot here on TPW.

As a side note we use webstagram to view all our images on instagram online. It makes it easier to compile the below collages.

Andyway, ere’s what we got up to in July:

My fav photo is of these 3 bud vases filled with hydrangea sitting on our window sill in the hall. The hydrangea grows in our front garden and it’s just so hardy and easy to look after. Every year it produces these huge pink blooms. During the months of July and August I hardly ever by cut flowers as I have these little beauties right on my front doorstep. Coming to the end of the season I dry them and put them in these vases as a pop of colour over the winter months.

Mrs A’s fav is of her new shoes which she picked up on sale at Primark for …£3! Can you believe that! They are beautiful in real life, brightly coloured and made of a soft suedette material. I’m green with envy

What did your July consist of? Anyone else shopping the sales or cutting fresh flowers?

TPW x

Pssst… remember to enter our competition for a chance to win the pretty ‘You Make me Happy’ print. Good luck xx