Once a Duckling

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Once a Duckling > This is me!

This is me!

Hi there!  Thanks for finding me!  I’m so pleased to see you here and really hope you like this site and all the projects I’ll be sharing with you.  Are you looking for ideas for home decor, easy DIY & craft projects or furniture makeovers? .. , go on, I’ll wait – go and stick the kettle on, have a cup of tea and make yourself at home!

So, I suppose you would like to find out a bit more about me? Who is girl behind the blog?  I mean, why would you have clicked on this page otherwise, right?  Well, my name is Marianne and I’m married to my very supportive (he’d tell you “long suffering” but don’t listen to him!) husband Rob.  We’ve been married for 26 years (27 this year). Apparently you get less for murder .. or so Rob tells me!

Who else loves the Mediterranean vibe? We just need the weather, right?

Together we live in Southend on Sea, Essex (which is clearly not shown in the picture above!) and we have two amazing (I’m biased, .. I know!) young adult children, Danny and Sam.

I think it’s fair to say we’re a pretty nutty family and there is never a dull moment in the Fairhead household. And that’s just how we like it! Who has time for dull stuff, right? Life’s too short!

More about me

After 26 years working in the NHS I have been given the opportunity to work on this blog and business full time from home.  I know! .. How lucky am I?!  I’m a real home bird and when I’m not doing the daily chores (you know the boring old stuff..!), I am decorating, crafting or browsing on Facebook Market place looking for the next thing to upcycle.  And let’s not forget spending time on Pinterest!  

In a nutshell, I’m always looking for the next thing I can get my hands on. I just love creating things. (Or as my husband calls it, making something out of nothing.  I’m pretty sure it’s the projects he’s talking about…) 

Whether you have a large mansion or a small flat, it’s so important that you feel happy with your space. To have a home that is as unique as you are. And the BEST thing is that it does not have to cost loads of money.  Isn’t that the greatest?! I hope this site will help you to find some ideas for your space. You don’t need a lot of experience – you just need to start. Just go for it and see what you can achieve. I promise you, you’ll surprise yourself!

Want some fun facts?

Well alrighty then, here are some random facts about me and our little family.

  • In addition to the fur-baby on the photo above, we adopted another dog from Thailand. Long story, but she pretty much adopted us when we were on Koh Tao on our family holiday. We just could not leave her on the beach after we found out she was likely to end up in the meat trade. Sooo, meet Thai (..what else would we call her?:)) and Simba. the nutty Goldendoodle. Don’t be fooled by the cute faces! It took soooome doing for these 2 to tolerate each other 😉
  • I met Rob in a home for the elderly. Now how’s that for romantic?! I was working as a weekend receptionist and he was visiting his grandmother in Holland (Yup, Rob’s half Dutch!). We became pen pals – this was before mobile phones remember because, well .. we’re old :), and the rest as they say is history! We got married a few years later.
  • I love dancing. In my younger days I did ballroom dancing and really miss it (doing Zumba once a week is not quite the same thing!) I secretly dream of being on Strictly one day .. well, a girl can dream!
  • I’ve got an obsession with trays. I just love them. Big trays, small trays, wooden, galvanised, tiered, .. you name it, I’ve got one .. in fact possibly more than one!
  • I use far too many emoji’s and exclamation marks in my writing!! (see what I did there?) .. Yup, guilty as charged 😉
  • Facebook Market place would go bust without me I’m sure. I’m forever buying stuff that is great for a project. Not kidding – I’ll always spot something.
  • I can’t go without popping into the Range at least once a week.
  • I’m from Holland originally (Hallo aan al mijn vrienden en kennissen in Nederland) and so you may see this come through in some of my decor pieces. (and no, I don’t wear clogs! …but I do love tulips!)
  • I love colour. Nice bright, happy colours. My absolute all time favourite colour is turqouise. I just adore it – probably because it reminds me of being on holiday. It just makes me feel happy.
  • I’m going to be 50 this year .. when did that happen?? No time like the present to have a complete change in career and do something I truly love doing 🙂
  • My favourite film is “The Greatest Showman”. It always cheers me up. I love the music, the dancing, the singing. A very close second is “Mama Mia”, for all the same reasons.
  • I’m scared of heights. I try not to let it control me, but it took me half an hour just to step on the glass floor on Tower Bridge. Have you seen those people who walk on the glass bridge in China? .. No .. well watch below – that would sooo be me!!

Anyway, that’s a bit about me 🙂 If you have any questions, you can always contact me at info@onceaduckling.com – it would be great to hear from you!

Primary Sidebar

Hi guys!  My name is Marianne and I’m so pleased you stopped by!  I love decorating on a budget, as well as sharing fun, simple craft & DIY projects to turn your house into a gorgeous home.

But most of all, let’s have some fun along the way – it’s great to see you here!

Find me on social media!

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Easter breakfast is one of my favourite family mea Easter breakfast is one of my favourite family meals 🥰. This was our table before the troops descended and caused chaos 🤣

Hope you’re all having a fab day too!! Happy Easter everyone 🐣❤️ #easter #eastertable #eastertabledecor
One thing missing from our Easter decorations (can One thing missing from our Easter decorations (can you believe it’s only 10 days??😳) was a bright Centrepiece for our table.  And I think I’ve achieved it!  It’s bright, bold and colourful and I think it’s going to look lovely on our breakfast table on Easter Sunday 🐣 

Details on how to create your own are on my latest blog post @onceaduckling  #easter #topiary #topiaryeaster #eastertopiary #eastercenterpiece
Do you follow me on Facebook?? Catch me for regula Do you follow me on Facebook?? Catch me for regular Live craft sessions!  Here’s one we made earlier today 🥰. What better way to welcome Spring?? 🐰🐰##livecraft #springcrafts #springiscoming #springishere
One of my absolute favourite things to do for each One of my absolute favourite things to do for each season is making some kind of drinks bar.  And this year is no different!! Not being able to get to the shops means reusing some of my items from last year. BUT with a bit of creativity you can give it a whole new feel!! 

Details of where I got my items, as well as some #freeprintables (so you can have your own tags and Cottontail sign), are on the blog @onceaduckling 

I’m secretly already looking forward to creating the summer corner (which will be featuring something completely different than hot cocoa!!🍓 

#eastercoffeebar #easterdecor #coffeebar #cottontailcafe #springdecor #freeprintable
Morning everyone!! It’s another day closer to th Morning everyone!! It’s another day closer to the clocks changing to summer time and I for one can’t wait!! Who else is ready for some Spring and Summer vibes? ☀️💐☀️

And talking about vibes ... how CUTE has this country vibe wreath turned out?  I hadn’t planned to make another wreath but this one just kinda happened naturally!  The bunnies from @therangeuk were just meant to sit on their little swing tucked inside this straw wreath, watching the world go by.  Check out the blog post on @onceaduckling for all the details. 

#springvibes #summervibes #countryvibes #strawwreath #springwreath #springwreaths
Happy Wednesday!! In between painting our newly pa Happy Wednesday!! In between painting our newly panelled bedroom wall (which we hadn’t planned BUT that’s a blog post story for another day 😜), I’ve had time to sneak in a few Easter projects!!

And the beauty of this project?? It’s  suitable for ALL occasions!! See the coasters?  They’re  plain gloss tiles covered with a napkin.  When you can’t find the perfect coasters .. get creative!! All details are on the blog @onceaduckling 

Have a great St Patrick’s Day!! 🍀🍀

#easter #eastercrafts #coasters #coasterset #modpodge #modpodgecrafts
Oh my .. the weather is doing ALL sorts of things Oh my .. the weather is doing ALL sorts of things here today!! But we’re all set for Spring indoors .. and Easter is only about 3 weeks away!! Still .. that means you’ve got PLENTY of time to add some bunnies to your home 🐰 

This little lady has pride of place back in our lounge 😍. I got her on Market place last year and she still makes me smile 😊 

Do you have a favourite Easter decoration? 

#easter #easterdecor #thumper #eastermantle #springiscoming #springisintheair
Meer the latest member of our family 😜🤣. I c Meer the latest member of our family 😜🤣. I completely forgot I made this little cutie last year and found him among my Easter decorations. 

I’ve been adding all our Easter/Spring touches to our home and I’m SO ready!! Roll on blossom, longer evenings and sunshine !!☀️ 

#easter #easterdecor #easterbunny #modpodgeproject #modpodgecrafts
Outside it may be back to rain this week, inside S Outside it may be back to rain this week, inside Spring has definitely sprung!! I’ve added Spring colours in most downstairs areas and I’m loving this latest addition to our hallway.  Sign from @hobbycrafthq and letters from @therangeuk 🥰

I made this fun floppy ear 🐰 sign on a FB Live and the details are now on the blog too.  Head over to @onceaduckling for details how to make this fun simple sign for your home! 

#easter #eastersign #springiscoming #easterdecor #easterdecorations
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