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Tuesday 15 January 2013

Read all about it ...

Hello my lovelies! Now that all the fuss and kerfuffle of Christmas and New Year's over (and hopefully the coughs, cold and sickness that goes hand in hand with it!) I thought I'd share some of the lovely books I received for Christmas.


The first book, Junk Genius, may be familiar to some of you, as it was reviewed by Anna, and her review completely sold it to me!


It is written by Juliette Goggin and Stacy Sirk.  Juliette features in Super Scrimpers, one of my favourite tv programmes, and the book is full of practical ways of upcycling just about everything! It's full of beautiful pictures, has a very vintage vibe to it, and is just fabulous!


I don't want to show you too much or I'll spoil it for you ...


There are 80 projects and ideas, some very easy and quick, others a bigger project and more time-consuming.

The next book on my coffee table is Wartime Farm, as seen on BBC at the end of last year.  I loved this programme and my friend Kath turned up with the book last week (not even for Christmas, an unexpected present in January!) and said "I saw this and thought of you"


I wonder what it was that made her say that?


It is jam-packed with hints and tips about making something out of practically nothing ... around the home and in the kitchen and garden, but I think I may give the home-made shampoo a miss!


The photographs are extremely authentic with an amazing attention to detail.  The Baked Potato Pudding sounds very strange, but hey, don't knock something until you've tried it!


Times were really hard and a great deal of effort had to be given to use what was available and the inventiveness of the use of food was amazing to produce meals which were edible and tasty.


 This brings me on to another wartime book, The Diaries of Nella Last.  A film was made for TV of the diaries, called Housewife, 49, with Victoria Wood in the starring role.  Nella lived in my home town, where I've lived all my life, and the diaries are written from her home in Ilkley Road, which was the next street from the one where I grew up. I loved the film but am enjoying the book much more as it so detailed, and we are reading it as it actually happened to Nella. Her worries and fears, joys and triumphs are all chronicled in detail. Nella comes across as a very intelligent woman, quite opinionated, who has a great 'make do and mend' ethos, and is fiercely loyal and devoted to her family and home A great read, highly recommended!


 The last book is one that I hadn't heard about before I received it on Christmas Day from my eldest son, Oliver.  He was a bit worried that I wouldn't like it because it was sub-titled 'The Essential Guide to Modern Day Homemaking' .  It was the word 'modern' that caused his concern! He needn't have worried, because as all of us vintage-loving ladies know, vintage is the new modern! Not that being 'on trend' bothers me at all ...


It's written by Clare Nolan, the Lifestyle Editor of You Magazine (Mail on Sunday), and I always enjoy her articles as they are very aesthetically pleasing.  The book did not disappoint at all, and is full of beautiful photographs, very vintage inspired!


It mixes old with new, which is the most practical way of achieving a 'modern vintage' look, as I don't think I could live in a completely authentic vintage home ... although I admire those that are so dedicated to vintage, that it is a way of life to them ... I like my modern day comforts too much!


 A lovely, informative, coffee table book, to be dipped into time and time again for ideas and inspiration.


 So that's it my lovelies, book review over! I'd love you to share what you're reading at the moment, and what books you got for Christmas, as I have a birthday coming up in a few weeks ... Amazon's going to be very busy!

Have a lovely week, and stay warm!

Love, Claire xxx












61 comments:

  1. What a lovely selection of books.. Thanks for sharing. They all look great.. I especially like the little child's room and the suitcase night table.
    Magie x

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    1. Hello Magie, thanks for dropping in!

      Stay warm, Claire xx

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  2. I also have the Nella Last book, and the DVD of the film. I am a contributor to the Mass Observation Archives and have been almost since the day it started up again in the early 1980s, so knew of this book before it was published. I thought Victoria Wood made a great Nella Last.

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    1. Hello Maggie, wow, that's great to be a part of something like that! Who knows, one day there may be a film of your life and a book in the bestseller list ... I thought Victoria Wood was perfect for the part, and it is here I am imagining as I read the book.

      Love Claire xx

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  3. I've never heard of 'wartime farm' but I must look it up, sounds like my kind of book! And it was on TV... Must find it! Lovely gifts to be had for sure x

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    1. Oh it was really good Hazel, yes look it up, you'll love it!

      Claire xx

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  4. Glad you love Junk Genius as much as I do, and thank you for the mention :)

    How interesting that Nella Last lived so close by! I've seen the film a few times but never got round to adding it to my book pile. I might just do that now, thank you!

    Anna x

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    1. Hello Anna, thanks for the great tip!

      The book of Nella Last is a great read, you'll love it.

      Love Claire xx

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  5. Hello, Mrs!
    LoVe the books, Claire and must admit they are new too me!
    The Nella Last one to the exception, because as you know that is my home town too! hehe..
    ~ Always lovely things to share on here, Claire, that's what is so exciting about blogging....
    See you soon, Love Maria x
    Just about over the 'Lurgy' now and back into the land of the living! haha...

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    1. Hi Maria, glad you're feeling better now, these things drag on a bit, don't they?

      The books are all really good, lots of tips and interesting projects, and the Nella Last one is great especially as you will recognise all the places she visits.

      Stay warm

      Love Claire xx

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  6. Thanks for sharing these books...I'm definitely going to look out for Clare Nolan's book. My son (also Oliver!) and I watched the Wartime Farm series. It was good for Ollie as his topic at school that term was life in England in World War 2. That Ruth Goodman does seem to pop up on every historical programme though doesn't she?! Claire x

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    1. Hi Claire (2 Claires with Olivers, do you have other children, they may have the same names too!)my Olly made a really good choice because the book is perfect for me, lots of pretty pictures, but good advice too!
      My daughter did a project on WW2 when she was in primary school and we were all invited into school, given afternoon tea and listened to the children singing wartime songs. It as lovely!

      Clsire xx

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  7. Hello Claire!
    I now have book envy especially that 'junk' one...mmmm off to check amazon now....
    thank you
    d xx

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    1. Ooh Daisy I hope you got it, you'll love it!

      Claire xx

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  8. I can't have any more books Claire. We are overrun with them!In fact we overrun with everything! I will hopefully have time to sort through everything in March as I am reducing my hours in work to concentrate on our new business but in the meantime I'll look at Blogs like yours for inspiration! I have quite a little library of blogs that inspire me now - but I have to say yours is the best!
    Enjoy your reading!

    mrsmarsa x

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    1. I know the feeling well Julie! My bookshelves are groaning, the loft is full of boxes of magazines I can't part with, something has to go ... but I can't let them go! I must admit though, that I don't have the time to look at magazines as much as I did, as like you, I get a lot of inspiration from blogs and Instagram. And thank you for your last comment, it's made my day!

      Love Claire xx

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  9. I haven't read any of these but now want all of them! M x

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    1. Hello Jane, I have the same feeling after reading you post too!

      Love Claire xx

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  10. Hi Claire ... what lovely books ... I am particularly taken with the junk one ... off to check it out ... thanks for sharing ... Bee xx

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    1. Hello Bee, thanks for dropping in, always lovely to see you!

      Claire xx

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  11. A lovely selection! You lucky girl! x

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    1. Thankyou RubyRed!

      Have a lovely day

      Claire xx

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  12. Hello Claire, your books must be
    very interesting, I am now reading the life
    of Queen Victoria .... you know that I love all of England '
    and the Victorian period!
    Love Susy x

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    1. Hello Susy, that sounds interesting, my favourite period is the 1930's and 1940's, but Queen Victoria is very intriguing too!

      Have a lovely day

      Claire xx

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  13. What a lovely selection, very tempted to buy Junk Genius. We are still under the weather, early night for me!
    Take Care, Dawn xx

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    1. Oh Dawn, hope you're feeling better soon ... a new book will always make it better!

      Love Claire xx

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  14. love your blog Claire!

    I can totally recommend betterworldbooks.com - they have an enormous selection of new and used books at amazingly cheap prices. Money raised goes to literacy initiatives. They are USA based but I get my books in just a few days and postage is free!!
    I expect your next blog might be about "my new bookshelf" :)

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    1. Hi Eliz, thank you!

      I will definitely look at this site because Amazon isn't always the cheapest and as you know, I love a bargain!

      Enjoy the sunshine!

      Claire xx

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  15. Thanks for the book reviews! That last one in particular looks like my sort of thing. I do love a new crafty/interiors book, I must say!

    Gillian x

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    1. Hello Gillian, thank you and lovely of you to drop in!

      Love Claire xx

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  16. What super books and thanks for giving us a sneak inside, without spoiling the surprises! I loved Housewife 49 and didn't know it was based on a book. Might have to treat myself to that one. Amazon, here I come ...

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    1. Hi Adaliza, you're very welcome ... and I can't recommend Nella Last's Diaries enough!

      Love Claire xx

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  17. A lovely book review,I would love all of those books too!
    Sarah x

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    1. You'll have to treat yourself Sarah! (Or are you having a no-spend January too?)

      Love Claire xxx

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  18. Some great books there! I enjoyed that series too, it was a hard life but very fulfilling! :) x

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    1. Hello Ada, it was a hard life, but a great series!

      Thanks for dropping in,always lovely to see you ...

      Claire xx

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  19. Hello Claire
    I loved your little review thankyou.. I agree the wartime farm series was wonderful as were the other programes they did to..
    I just cannot imagine my life without books as you say it is a real treat just to dip in and out of them
    Stay cosy
    Thea x

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    1. Hello Thea, I can't imagine a life without books either, they would be top of my desert island list!

      Keep snuggly

      Claire xx

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  20. They look lovely books! I might have to put Junk Genius on my wishlist.
    Claire

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    1. Hello Claire, you never know it may appear in The Works before long, that happened with Granny Chic!

      Love Claire xx

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  21. What wonderful books. Your son has great taste. I just love the title 'Making a house your home'. They all look perfect for a cosy day in with a brew. I watched Housewife 49 and hadn't thought of picking you the book but your review has got me interested. Have a cosy week (freezing here).
    Ali x

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    1. Hello Ali, Olly did well buying me that one ... it was almost Kirstie's Vintage Home, but luckily he heard me ranting about the programme! Nella Last's Diaries well worth reading and buy one get one half price at Tesco!

      Stay warm

      Love Claire xx

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  22. I purchased Making a House your Home and love it. I will look out for Junk Genius, hopefully at my local library because I need to cut down on the amount of stuff we (I) have in the house.

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    1. Oh it is a lovely book isn't it? Junk Genius is really good too, lots of good ideas using things that you just have lying around really!I seriously need to reduce what I bring in too ... I used to have a rule that every time something comes in, something goes, but that rule seems to have gone awol lately!

      Love Claire xx

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  23. Lovely books. I have Wartime Farm.... such beautiful pictures :) x

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    1. Hello Jo, I agree it is very lovely!

      Thanks for dropping in, you're always welcome!

      Love Claire xx

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  24. Hi Claire ! Oh fabulous books ...I haven't heard of any of them but they look great...so nice to look through on dark winter's days...
    Gail x

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  25. Hello Gail, lovely to see you! xxx

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  26. Hello Claire,

    You got some lovely books for Christmas and thanks for sharing the reviews with us.
    Looks like some wonderful inspiration here and I enjoyed seeing the photos.

    Happy rest of the week and many thanks for visiting me
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  27. Hello Carolyn, lovely to see you, tans fir popping in!

    Claire xxx

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  28. What a fabulous book haul - and each one looks really tempting...Look out Amazon, here I come!
    x

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  29. Hello Alix, happy shopping! xxx

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  30. What a lovely haul of books. I am re-reading Cranford at the moment ... something light to snuggle by the fire with.

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  31. Hello Annie, just the right type of day to snuggle by the fire with a good book xxx

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  32. Sadly Claire I havent been up to reading anything this week, one word Flu! I have got loads of lovely books that I have to read when I get time but even my eyes hurt this week so I havent been able to read anything! Keep warm and enjoy the snow!

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  33. Oh dear, sorry to hear that Anne! You could listen to audio books, my husband swears by them ... Hope you're feeling better soon xxx

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  34. I enjoyed your book haul Claire!

    Have a lovely weekend!

    Madelief x

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  35. Hello Madelief, hope you have a great weekend too!

    Love Claire xxx

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  36. Mmmmm books!! I had a great one that I'm sure you'd like, for Christmas, called Granny Chic - it's great!

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    1. Hi Kim, I've got Granny Chic, I did the lampshades in an earlier post ... I love it too! And not many people know this, but I met Rachelle, aka Ted & Agnes, at the Country Lving Fair at Harrogate. Lovely if you to pop in Kim xxx

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  37. What a lovely range of books you have there. As it is only up the road we are frequent visitors to 'Wartime Farm' - though usually it is an Edwardian Farm! When we were there last summer part of the garden was closed off and there were the film crew and team all being filmed. At that time we had no idea what it was all about but I do remember being a bit miffed because we couldn't go into the old school room (where I like to stand behind the desk and pretend to be a teacher of yesteryear!). I have some photos of Manor Farm (Wartime Farm) so will do a little post about it some time
    Best wishes
    Jenny

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I love to hear what you think of my ramblings and value all your comments ... I will try and get back to you, but am sorry if I don't always manage this ... sometimes real life just gets in the way! Claire xxx