Thursday 9 October 2014

A Year in the 1930s' House

We recently celebrated our first house anniversary!  A year ago we moved out of the city of Cardiff and headed up the Valleys to our new home, in a truly beautiful location.  We dressed up to celebrate, and raised a glass of bubbly to the four walls that have brought us so much happiness.

House anniversary

House anniversary


Dress: Peacocks
Brooch: vintage
Shoes: Clarks 'Bowes Palace' 1950's style

House anniversary

Over the last year we've tackled some DIY projects (that you can read about here), but have plenty more to do, in fact the list is never ending.  I've had a baptism by fire in terms of gardening, and I'm pleased that I didn't kill the roses, they've been wonderful.

Before we moved, I had a stereotyped idea in my head about The Valleys, in fact I think I said "I'm NEVER living up The Valleys" when we were househunting.  Like anywhere else, of course there are pockets of deprivation and some less desirable parts.  Health in The Valleys is some of the poorest in the UK and there are problems with literacy and employment.  The legacy of deprivation from the closure of the mining industry lingers on.  But, now that the coal faces have disappeared, it's also an area of outstanding beauty, neighbour to the Brecon Beacons National Park.  There are bustling towns that are full of independent shops, and there are some nice people.

I'll leave you with some photographs of our valley, taken when we moved in last year on atmospheric Autumnal mornings.

Rhondda

Rhondda

Rhondda

Rhondda

Have you ever changed your mind about a place?  Are there things about where you live that you've learnt to love?


24 comments:

  1. You are so stunning, you suit vintage SO well .. absolutely gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  2. I never wanted to live in the town where I am, and now I'd never leave. it's a bit rough, and a bit deprived (though not to valleys standards; the decline of mining hit hard there), but it's got character.

    Congrats on a year in your lovely house!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that's the ingredient, character. You've hit the nail on the head! Thank you for your congratulations x

      Delete
  3. You are living in a beautiful spot, look at those wonderful views. I think you have to give places and people a chance, you never really know a place till you live there.
    Pretty dress, love the 50s vibe, and congratulations on a happy first year in your home! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right - it has made me more open-minded and better able to find the positives in a place. Something that is really important in life - with people as well, not just places! Thank you X

      Delete
  4. I does look lovely there.

    I think there are pros and cons with living anywhere. Having moved many times and lived in many different houses and areas of the globe and Canada I always try my best to look at the pros. I find it is the hardest if the people are unfriendly or you don't get along with your neighbours.

    Very pretty dress.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can imagine that is indeed very hard when the people are unfriendly - people make a place don't they? X

      Delete
  5. That first picture you look so gorgeous - and I'm glad to see the brooch make an outfit appearance! Your surroundings are pretty idyllic so I'm glad it worked out for you. Before I moved to Cambridge a few years ago people kept telling me if I didn't ride a bike I'd hate it as I wouldn't be able to get around anywhere. Apparently these people have never walked before as I manage to get most places on foot, quite happily, in 20 minutes! And driving a car is totally possible. The same people also told me the small size of the city and fact there's 'nothing to do' would bore me - glad I didn't listen as it's the best place I've ever lived!! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw I'm glad you're happy where you are! Funny how the things we like most about a place are sometimes the reasons other people wouldn't live there! Thank you for your sweet comments, can't wait to hear about your hols x

      Delete
  6. Well you are meant to give a garden a full year cycle ;-) happy Anniversary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh gosh the garden is out of control!! So much to do still!

      Delete
  7. I used to live in a red light area, it helped me to get on the property ladder when house prices were mentally high as nobody else wanted to buy there. After a while the kerb crawlers learnt to steer clear, the girls all knew me and would hurl abuse at anyone daring to harass me.
    Love the view from your house and that pretty print on your dress. Happy Anniversary! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are pretty fearless aren't you! Though I have a friend who lived in Copenhagen's red light district as that's what all the young trendy people were doing. I would much rather that than one of those horrid gated communities with their false sense of security x

      Delete
  8. Congratulations on your house-iversary! You look beautiful celebrating. I love that dress, and the martini brooch is absolutely perfect here.
    The area where you live is so very pretty. With the issues in the area, I can understand why you were hesitant to live there at first, but it seems like taking the chance has really paid off. When I first moved to Chicago, there were swathes of the city that I wouldn't visit, much less live, because people told me they were "scary." Now, I live in one of the areas of the city that people used to tell me was dangerous, and have fewer incidents than I did when I lived in the nice part of town on a college campus.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that the irony? I too have lived in desirable areas, and those were the places that I had bits pinched off my car, got followed home etc. My first reality check was working in a different valley, in the 'worst council estate', where I could happily leave my car all day as the nice group of chain-smoking unemployed men sat on the sofa in the street would watch it for me!

      Delete
  9. Oh my word, how time flies! I swear, it feels like mere weeks ago that shared the news about your new house. Congraulations on this great anniversary. Tony and I (and my mom - because she was so thrilled to have us finally living in the same town) celebrate when we moved into our current abode as well.

    ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jessica! I am glad you celebrate your home too, I think little landmarks like that are important to reflect on and be grateful for! X

      Delete
  10. Oh wow, you live in such a beaaaauutiful place! It looks so pretty, but it's sad that the employment situation is poor. It's poor where I live too, but this is the place I like the most. I'd love to stay here, but I know eventually I'll need to move away if I'd ever like to get a proper job or any job at all. It's sad the most beautiful and wonderful places are always the one that are in "trouble" workwise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do hope the situation improves for you and your area too - I guess it's too far to commute to work elsewhere? I commute about 45mins by train, so it's actually really doable. I can imagine in more rural places it being much more difficult x

      Delete
  11. Congrats on your one year anniversary with your house! It's been wonderful seeing what you've done with it!

    Oh my! That brooch is simply to die for!! It's absolutely adorable!

    xoxo
    -Janey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Janey! I am in love with the brooch too, it's such fun. I feel I have to have a drink in hand when wearing it though! X

      Delete
  12. Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary in your home! I hope it will bring you both many many more years of happiness! I always enjoy seeing pictures of your house and of your surrounding area. So lovely!!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, nice to hear that you like my house and area photos too xx

      Delete

Comments from readers make my day!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...