It's Adventure Weekend in Northern Ireland!

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), in association with OutdoorNI.com, is challenging everyone to get out and experience Northern Ireland’s great outdoors by taking on an exciting outdoor activity during the annual Adventureland Weekend which takes place on April 5 and 6.

Northern Ireland Adventureland Weekend is offering families, friends, beginners and adrenaline seekers, over 55 fun outdoor events at a lower rate of either 50% off or £10pp.  Over the weekend, events will takeplace at locations right across Northern Ireland meaning there is something for everyone.

Find out which activities are available near you on the website & watch the blog for our trip on the Strangford Sea Safari.

 

A Yellow Submarine Sofa & a Shark-shaped Chair? It Must Be Rodnik Band's First Home Collection

I adore Philip Colbert's Rodnik Band label. I chose to wear a tunic from their collection to the Cosmo Blog Awards, and I'm also lucky enough to own their classic Yellow Submarine print rain mac.

Now Philip & co. have branched out into interiors, with a range to be available on Made.com soon. The launch is at the stylish Milan Furniture Fair. 

What's Your Favourite Colour? Would You Paint Your Whole House that Shade?

My favourite colour has always been green. Would I paint the entire outside of my home green though? Never say never.

If the whole building is a bit too much, you could always dabble with the shed or garden house. 

Green can really brighten up a room.

I also love the idea of an indoor plant wall, although I manage to kill most house plants.

So perhaps I would be best settling for a retro wallpaper mural.

Michael's Corner of Kitsch

Trying out a little now & then feature; sharing my son's style with you. He's six and a half & takes a bit of an interest in his clothing, so I thought it would be nice to make this a new category on The World of Kitsch.

Sunglasses from H&M Kids, summer 2013 approx. £3.99

Mod haircut in a mini-size, cut by Clare at Vintage Rocks, Belfast. I highly recommend the parlour, especially for making kids feel relaxed and very grown up. 

Army khaki, light, spring jacket. We call it a John Connor jacket because cool dudes with friends who are Terminators wear them. H&M Kids, Spring 2014 -in store now. £17.99

Limited edition, Sailor Jerry, Converse slip ons  Bought a couple of years back in advance on eBay, brand new. Can't recall what I paid for them.

Sweatshirt is Paul Frank. Again available from H&M Kids, Winter 2014, a few left in stores. I think I paid £12.99-ish

Jeans, guess where? Yes, H&M Kids winter 2014 again. About £9.99 and much nicer quality for that price than supermarket or Primark. 

Look What I Spotted in The Big Forest: Limited Edition Care Bears

The Big Forest are released a limited run of five of each of the classic Care Bears for £45 each. 

 The Big Forest Etsy Store has many more creations of all shapes and sizes.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas at the Ever Beautiful Creative Gardens, Donaghadee

Mother's Day in the UK is next weekend, Sunday 30th March. I visited Creative Gardens, Donaghadee for some gift inspiration. Why not visit this weekend and pick something up for your Mum, and enjoy a slice of giant lemon meringue in their award winning restaurant?

They have a wealth of ideal Mother's Day gift ideas at all price ranges, and even have a card & gift wrap section so you can get everything sorted in one stop. 

Creative Gardens have another branch in Bushmills, and a newly opened centre in Galgorm. If you aren't from Northern Ireland, there is a selection of items in their online store to browse.

How about an orange tree instead of the traditional bunch of flowers?

Instead of a box of chocolates, you could choose one of the many vintage print tins and fill it with retro sweets, or baking supplies.

There are lots of savoury sauces, chutneys and relishes if your Mum isn't a sweet tooth.

Creative Gardens has a beautiful home ware department with literally dozens of possible presents.

Gorgeous wicker picnic set

They have an excellent selection of Cath Kidston bags and kitchen ware. If you're a bargain hunter like me, get across this weekend and catch the sale items.

Creative Gardens also stock local crafts, like this pretty patchwork from Made Pretty.

Of course it also had a huge garden section. Lots of spring bulbs and plants which would make a more lasting gift than a bunch of cut flowers.

What about a little birdhouse?

A very unique gift- a topiary frame. I actually bought a squirrel version from Creative Gardens for my Dad last Father's Day.

If you really can't decide, there are gift cards available. These can also be used for the 150 seat restaurant, which will be giving away complimentary tete-a-tete for all ladies who are in for lunch on Mother's Day.

Something Beginning with i

Have you ever imagined an amazing room but had no idea how to even begin making it a reality?                

Then speak to Robin McFarland, founder of Belfast based interior design company, Little i Design.

Having had years of experience designing, making and dressing sets for film and television, Robin started up his own company to offer his skills and flair to anyone who wants their home to be individualised and, more importantly, to offer his services at a price which remains surprisingly affordable.

Take a look at what was created for clients who wanted a bedroom inspired by the distinctive visual style of Tim Burton.                

 

Excitingly creative, Robin made his clients’ dream bedroom a unique reality.

Robin enjoys creating children’s rooms as individual as the children they are for. Whether they want to sleep in a tree house, to go through the looking-glass, or to be right inside a Mario game, Little i delivers.

From straightforward painting or wallpapering, laying floors or tiling , to making a dream room become reality, Robin is happy to help.

See more of what Little I Design has to offer: www.littleidesign.com

Or contact Robin directly on: 07841013554

Rosy Lee's Jewellery Might be your Cup of Tea

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