what makes me tick?

heaven is a high high heel

2010-04-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

{kurt geiger, eden, £160}

these will be my, "i'm a grown up - look how sophisticated i am" shoes

and oh, how i will love them

a very happy birthday indeed

2010-04-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

{happy 50th birthday sharon x}

{a thai themed evening to mark a very special birthday}

{a room full of empty chairs just waiting to be filled}

{the cupcakes were among the most delicious i've ever had}

{doorway to fun}

the thai themed evening extended to every aspect of the night and of house. all the rooms were dressed accordingly and were lit with dozens of tea lights. rooms were filled with close friends and family, and chefs were brought in to create a delicious, authentic thai feast. after dinner we retreated to the after party - the casino. roulette and blackjack have never been so fun...although i'm soooo glad that we were only betting for fun, not for money or i would be in serious trouble by now!

happy happy birthday sharon xxx

girl-a-doodle

2010-03-12T02:55:00.000-08:00

I've done quite a few of these girls for myself and when my mum came to stay a few weeks a go she helped herself to a nosey around my sketch books and demanded one for herself. I tried to choose which one to part with but couldn't - when i offered her a print of one, the look she threw me suggested that i'd better hadn't dare!

So for mothers day this sunday she'll be getting a huge bunch of flowers delivered, and a little surprise in the post - her very own girl-a-doodle.

I hope she likes it.

my guilty pleasure

2010-03-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

i hate myself a little bit (or alot) for liking. ...wait...thats a lie. for loving the hills. i'm too old, they are too bitchy - the boys are as bad as the girls - and its a load of old crap, but for sheer escapism and the handbags...oh lord, the handbags, i can't get enough of it. add to the mix that ms montag (the blondest one) has seemingly checked her senses at the door of season 5 and is hell bent on turning herself into a manequin and that they have added a new baddie in the shape of ms cavallari and its tv that i cant miss. except i do miss it, because i live in the uk and don't have mtv...so i had to get the box set....eeek

now that i've purged of my deep rooted shame, i'm going to go and watch the next one.

and i'll love it

secretly.

today i......

2010-03-05T10:32:00.000-08:00

....got up early and made the most of every part of this bright, sunny (cold) day
- started a new sketch book
- made homemade cream of leek and potato soup with warm crusty bread rolls and crispy bacon
- and ate it with a good friend

- ran around like a loony after my 18 month old godson, Taylor, who is so cute i could cry
- enjoyed the view from my window
- drank a glass of wine in the middle of the day
- cursed that i have to work all weekend
- made plans to get dressed up all fancy and treat my boy to dinner out on the town

a very good day indeed x

happy weekend

perfect patchwork

2010-03-03T04:29:00.000-08:00

{blanket by tracey emin, hate and power can be a terrible thing,2004}

i've just finished reading an article in vogue about tracey emin and her collection of patchwork blankets - she never calls them quilts, as they were, in the beginning, made with the intention of going on a bed. the first one she sold, she sold after being in bed with it at the gramercy park hotel in 1994 and she cried when she had to let it go.

not only does love, work, blood sweat and tears go into these blankets but also memories. she collects and hoards fabrics like i frame meaningful photographs. she has a general box of fabric scraps and, if the pieces are especially sentimental, special or rare, then they get promoted to a box referred to as the "high alter memorabilia fabrics". "these fabrics are worth more than gold to me. but when i use them only i know."

i think that's lovely, small pieces of your heart being incorporated into something you can hold without ever knowing what they might have meant to the person that held it before you. even though her pieces are provocative, there is no doubting they are beautiful.

pay day

2010-02-26T01:28:00.001-08:00

it's my favorite day of the month again and it has inspired another wish list....

{carvela auberge booties £150, mmmmmmmmm}

{socks - vivienne westwood}

never mind the fabulous shoes, i'm all about these ridiculously fantastic socks by vivienne westwood. they may not be new but my god i want a pair. i will not rest until i find a similar pair, might be time to get the old knitting needles out!

{unknown - DAM IT....}

i saved this picture on my desktop a while ago and i have just rediscovered it today. so, while i am unwrapping my new booties, i am wearing my new vivienne westwood (or look-a-like) socks and drinking from this FABULOUS mug that holds your biscuits for you. no need for a side plate. they are all there and ready to be dunked! stupendously brilliant. if anyone knows where i found this image....pleeeeease let me know.

also wishing for....

sunshine, or just no more snow.

a voice (i've lost mine - the boyf is practically giddy with glee!)

a miracle cure for adult spots

for little sophia to be brave and safe while travelling round south america

for that last box in the corner to unpack itself

a chanel 2.55....sigh

super stylish mum and dad

2010-02-24T04:24:00.000-08:00

for my mum and dad, ridiculously young, impossibly happy and very very stylish - especially mrs b. (i'll neglect to mention the photo i've seen of you both wearing matching his and hers ben sherman checked shirts and denim flares!!!! no no no no. glad that was a one off.)

love to you both xxx

if santa came all year round......

2010-02-23T01:38:00.000-08:00

{swallow earings, £24.00 tatty devine - tattydevine.com}

{5o's glasses necklace, £33.00 - tatty devine}

{price ticket cufflinks, £24.00 - tatty devine}

....i'd want these. and much much more. the london based jewellery designers website is overflowing with fun, funky designs that are stylish and have a sense of humour at the same time. find them at www.tattydevine.com i suggest a visit immediately.

while you are there check out the new cocktail umbrella designs, perfect for a silly, sunny look this summer.

summer.....sigh....hurry the f**k up if you please!

channeling audrey

2010-02-22T13:52:00.000-08:00

{picture from creolewisdom}

{vintage champagne glasses- the redhouse interiors}

these vintage champagne glasses are so elegant. if i had some, i'd wear a mans white shirt, a beehive, and drink milk out of mine a la the gorgeous audrey in breakfast at tiffanys. my all time fav film. ever.

it was showing at my local cinema on valentines day but we didn't go. my most special date ever, was the first one i went on with ross. we went to the aldwych hotel in london. they were screening the film after dinner and we watched it in arm chairs while we drank delicious cocktails. best film. best date. best boy x

winter vs spring

2010-02-21T05:13:00.001-08:00

i am not green fingered. at all. everything i touches wilts and dies. i don't know what i do to them? its not that i don't want to care for them. its not that i don't want a flat full of lovely living things. i do. i really really do. the amount of money that i have spent on plants is testament to that. so you can imagine my concern when i recieved several plants as house warming gifts. not only will these have to grow...they will have to florish. my mind was rested somewhat on hearing that said plants cost less than 4 pints of milk, but still, the challenge was set.

i don't think i've done too badly so far! the hibiscus has even flowered..WoW. i am very proud of myself, now if i could only keep them alive! and i especially like the chinese dragon i bought from the chinese new year celebrations last sunday as a decoration for my little indoor garden. looking at these flowering and thriving plants made me feel positive that spring was coming, and that the long dark, freezing cold nights were coming to and end, and that all we had to look forward to was sunshine. and then i looked out the window.

and it was snowing. alot. there is no better feeling than being in a warm cosy flat, on the sofa, under a blanket and knowing that its miserable outside. although saying that, from these photos taken from my kitchen window...it looks rather romantic and victorian out there. not miserable at all.

i think its the chimmney pots and the lamp posts. there are not enough chimmney pots in the middle of a city. or if there are you hardly ever get the opportunity to see them. they remind me of mary poppins and peter pan. you just know that magical things happen around them on twinkly nights when noone is looking.

my friend

2010-02-17T01:25:00.000-08:00

love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love
there's nothing you can't do that can't be done.
nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game. its easy.
there's nothing you can make that can't be made.
no one you can save that can't be saved.
nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time - it's easy.

all you need is love, all you need is love
all you need is love, love, love is all you need.
love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love
all you need is love, all you need is love
all you need is love, love, love is all you need

there's nothing you can know that can't be known
nothing you can see that isn't shown
nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be. it's easy.
all you need is love, al you need is love,
all you need is love, love, love is all you need.
all you need is love (all together now)
all you need is love (everybody)
all you need is love, love, love is all you need.

to olly,

i wish someone could have helped you when you needed help, i wish someone would have listened when you needed to be heard.
i wish i could have done something.
i will think of you always and smile when i do...
with love

sweet dreams

cosmic girl x

todays wish list includes.......

2010-01-19T09:46:00.000-08:00

these shoes arrived in the shop today and "oh me oh my". so pretty, they have inspired a new wish list, if only i wasn't 7ft tall when i wear them.......

-kurt geiger, garbo sandals-

-pantone mugs-

also......

a cuddle

spaghetti bolognese

an hour in a bubble bath with my new book - the lollipop shoes by joanne harris

vanilla ice cream

chanel rouge noir nail polish

to have the strength not to open my new bales of fluffy white towels until i move into the new flat

ditto - new fen wright manson crisp white sheets

to sleep soundly tonight

jonny depp

suprises rock

2010-01-18T12:16:00.000-08:00

poached egg & bacon for him, fruit salad for me

my darling boy returnd from the gym this morning and after a quick shower, whisked me off for a very scrummy late breakfast at a little cafe called the scrumpy willow and the singing kettle.

all the food is cooked using organic ingrediants and sourced from local sellers. we hardly spoke two words to each other what with all the reading and the eating, but sometimes it's nice to be quiet with each other.

my world is upside down

2010-01-18T02:17:00.000-08:00

moving has got my head mashed. i can't find anything, i keep tripping over boxes that i don't expect to be there and i'm getting a little bit sick of my resolution not to grocery shop until my cupboards are bare and the freezer is empty (less stuff to move - and we can defrost the freezer etc etc) we've had some very uninspiring meals so far...tonight's menu - pickled onions with green beans and rhubarb crumble - we might be eating out!

how can such a small kitchen hold so much stuff???

the clothes are out and only the shoes remain (there's more in the spare bedroom!)

this hallway is a trip hazard!

bored of this now

also confusing me this morning is my mobile phone mysteriously changing the time overnight. since i packed all the clocks my blackberry has been the only source of time telling and morning alarm calls. then this morning we were woken up by the phone, ross's brother was waiting in the car downstairs. whoops - the alarm hadn't gone off but it was still set, and the bb said 8am. but it was actually 9am. i'm fairly certain that i didn't reset the time in my sleep as i can't do it consciously without the help of an instruction booklet - what the hell happened? hope it doesn't happen tomorrow when i actually have to be at work.

bagel love

2010-01-15T11:08:00.001-08:00

prepare.... to bake

i heart baking

sprinkes

mmmmm......

delish x

as i mentioned earlier today, on my to-do list was making bagels. a priority today as kneeding the dough is a great way to release the pmt mentalistic-ness that has me firmly in its grasp.

this recipie was pinched from miss jemma, a super mummy who makes all her own baby food and bakes and her son sleeps when he should....like i said - super mummy! its quick, simple and they look super impressive when you take them out of the oven. here's how......

ingredients

7g sachet dried yeast

4 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp salt

450g bread flour

poppy, fennel or sesame seeds

1.tip the yeast and 1 tbsp sugar into a large bowl and pour over 100ml warm water. leave for 10mins until the liquid becomes frothy.

2.pour 200ml warm water into the bowl, stir in the salt and half the flour. keep adding the remaining flour until your dough is soft but not sticky. *you may not need all the flour.

3.kneed for 10mins on a lightly floured surface until the dough feels smooth and elastic, shape into a ball and put into a clean, lightly oiled bowl. cover loosly with clingfilm and leave in a warm place until it has doubled in size - approx 1 hour.

4.heat oven to 22oC/fan 200C/gas 7. divide the dough into 10 pieces, shape into balls and use the handle of a wooden sppon to make holes in them. *i find it works best if you swing the dough around the handle to make the balls look like dough bangles as the hole with get alot smaller at the next stage.

5. meanwhile, bring a large pan of water to the boil and tip in the remaining sugar, stir well. slip the bagels into the boiling sugar water - no more than 3 at a time. cook for 1-2 minutes, turning over occassionally until the bagels have puffed up slightly. remove with a slotted spoon and place on a baking tray covered with parchment paper.

6. once they are all cooked, sprinkle with your favourite topping, then bake in the oven for 10 - 15mins. *this is a total judgment call depending on how hot your oven gets. go by the colour of them, yummy golden brown is perfect....jet black is not!

7.place on a cooling rack and eat as soon as possible. *i had mine while they were still scorching with butter and razzberry jam.

things to do today

2010-01-15T04:21:00.001-08:00

- stop reading fashion blogs and get dressed
- wash hair with new thickening shampoo and conditioner
- paint toenails psychedelic pink
- bake baguels
- sort through wardrobe and remove anything not worn or considered in last 2 years to make packing easy peasy
- think of something wonderful to cook for dinner
- smile through the pmt and don't be horrid to my boy

- change light bulbs

why does it always rain on me?

2010-01-13T02:03:00.000-08:00

grey, wet, miserable, cold, slushy, january must be the worst of months no? so instead of wingeing all month about it, i've given myself a deadline of until the end of the day to get all my misery out of my system and then i'm just going to shut the hell up about it.

onto better things-things worth talking and thinking about it. 2010 will be the year of creativness, i've got lots of ideas, and i will make them happen, enough procastinating...Nike had a point - "just do it"

pretty things, pretty delicate things, pretty delicate things that hopefully other people will like! stay tuned for them, it may take some time but i'll get there... inbetween all the sleeping, talking, laughing, drinking, eating and chilling out i plan to do this year. surely the easiest resolutions ever!?!

so although today may be a struggle, for me and those around me! tomorrow i will be better

We've come a long way baby.....

2010-01-12T02:48:00.000-08:00

its been a very long time since i posted anything, and yes, i have guilt. however, i have been very busy.
i have seen 2 promotions at work and am now running a store of my very own in one of the countries largest shopping centres and the rest of the time, i am spending time with my ross and sleeping because working so hard leaves very little time for anything else.

i have become a godmother again to a gorgeous little boy called taylor and he is charming, funny and very very loveable.

ross and i have continued to co-habit very nicely and are looking forward to moving into a new flat in 2 weeks time.

i won't go away again.........

south korea

2008-05-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

busan, south korea
busan fish market
street restaurants
our travels took us to busan in south korea. and what a shock. where nagasaki was warm, peaceful and unbelieveably clean, busan was noisy, smelly, dirty,cold and a total assault on the senses. it was also amazing. packed full of people, there was a distinct lack of westeners. as such, we drew rather alot of attention and i experienced a little of what it would be like to be a celebrity. i didn't enjoy it. being stared at all the time made me very self concious and i was sure i had food on my face, or my flies were undone or something similar. the fish market in busan is fantastic. they are all alive and freshly caught and i've never seen such weird and wonderful creatures. can anyone tell me what the pulsating pink headless things that look disturbingly like penis's are? i couldn't find anyone that spoke english well enough to tell me!

too cute

2008-05-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

these lovely little cuties performed local traditional dances for us on our last day in japan. they were so good for being so young, i'm sure my attention span wasn't this good when i was a child. bless them!

peace please

2008-05-06T01:49:00.000-07:00

visiting the site of the atomic bomb in nagasaki caused a mixture of emotions. peaceful, sad, still, shocked, angry. the sculpture in the top picture was made to go in the peace garden that now occupies ground zero. when the bomb was dropped, everything for miles and milea and miles was destroyed, everything disintergrated. in part of the park now, there are the remains of what used to be the prison. all that was left of the immediate area is a few bricks and a little bit of twisted metal. the sculpture reminds people that such an atrocity will not be tolerated again. you can see that his right arm points to the sky. he is pointing at where the bomb actually exploded - before impact with the ground. his left arm is poised over the earth with signals that he is ready, ready to defend his piece of earth, his country and his people.

it was really moving being there, you are forced to think about the horrors that occur, then and now and in turn think about the innocent people who lost and loose their lives. it's very sad but very peaceful. everything now is concentrated on peace. the origami peace doves that schools send for the memorial are so beautiful in their colours and precision and quantities and the gardens are so quiet that it's easy to forget what it all stands for.

light of my life

2008-05-03T04:20:00.000-07:00

the imperial hotel, osaka

nagasaki, japan
busan, south korea

as well as the traditional lanterns that you'd expect to find in asia, the chandaliers that were in the breakfast room at the imperial hotel in osaka were stunning. blown glass in beautiful colours made them cast colourful shadows around the room as the sunlight hit them. and i just wish that i had been around at night time to see these lanterns in the bottom picture alight. it's things like these lanterns that remind you where you are in the world, as it is definatly not something you come across at home.
i love them and wish for a garden big enough to fill with them on a warm summers night for a party....sigh.

2008-05-02T03:01:00.000-07:00

nagasaki, japan

how awesome to be able to walk down a high street and be warm and relaxed and peaceful. to be able to stop for a while and watch thousands of koi swimming about without a care in the world. to be able to (gingerly) walk across a stepping stone bridge and not fall in. and how if you take a right turn off that highstreet and walk up a hill for 30 seconds you come across the most beautiful temples imagineable. hidden deep in the hustle and bustle are quiet oasis' of calm and tranquility. in the top picture you can just see a buliding the the right of the gates of the temple. it's multi storey carpark!!! but once inside you'd never know the city was out there!

we're home

2008-04-29T02:10:00.000-07:00

Nagasaki, Japan

after a couple of weeks of trying to get back into the swing of real life (and cooking for myself!) i find myself back on my blog. i've thought about trying to tell you what the trip was like, but i can't do it justice so i won't try in any great detail. instead i shall post one or two pictures a day and add comments if necessary. all that can be said is that it was the holiday of a lifetime and i dream of going back.

johnny depp appreciation society

2008-03-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

2 johnny depp films in as many nights - and both of them picked by my lovely boyfriend.
mmmm, is he trying to sweet talk me?
last night we watched blow. very good but very disturbing seeing mr depp with a paunch and in a shell suit (only at the end)
and tonight it's donnie brasco. also very good, of course we've seen it before on more than one occasion. this was the film that inspired our visit to mulberry street in nyc last year. a very good day spent in old skool pizzerias with photos of the old days on the walls. old faces, friends and villains.
a very good day indeed.
tomorrow night - pirates of the caribbean!!! join me won't you?

yee ha bayyybee - i'm outta here

2008-03-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

and although i am using more conventional means of travel to venture across the globe - i'm definatly this excited. and excitable! i do believe i am starting to drive people a little mad!
OH WELL
let the last minute lists begin....
to do
1. get travellers cheques
2. get cash changed to local currency
3. buy travel insurance
4. pack suitcase
5. re-pack suitcase innumerable times
6. but ross some trousers and a new tie
7. toast the success of our narrow (waaaay t0o narrow) escape.

so cheers!
here's to the next 4 weeks!

hallelujah

we are still waiting for our visas

2008-03-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

another appointment at the chinese embassy tomorrow.
we won't know anything until tomorrow.
fingers crossed for tomorrow.
hope they aren't so bloody vague tomorrow.

a blip on the holiday horizon

2008-03-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

a travel visa.
seemingly obvious.
our imminent trip to the far east hangs in the balance of this piece of documentation.
next monday at 6pm we are due to fly out of heathrow, hong kong bound. however, as having had no part in the booking of this trip (ross's mam is kindly taken care of the booking therefore the financing - many many thanks necessary) i've been oblivious the the fundamentals. on receiving confirmation of the trip, she was told, in writing that we didn't require travel visas.
fast forward 6 months to 1 week before travel. a letter arrives in the post. a very scary letter. a letter that states if we do not have visas we will not be allowed into the countries we are desperately looking forward to entering. this letter is dated jan 24th. had this letter arrived on time there would be no problem. the letter did not arrive on time. the letter has had everyone on the hop for the past 36 hours.
cue a rush to the post office clutching passport photos and passports, throwing them at the post office assistant and demanding they arrive at the other end of the country within 24hours. no room for lost post on this occasion thank you. ross's step father has an emergency appointment at the chinese embassy in london first thing tomorrow morning. and until then, everything hangs in the balance.
we might not be able to go.
our suitcases stare at us menacingly from the corner of the bedroom. i can't bear to look at them. all my lists, written, re-written and then written and edited again are laughing at me for imagining that things might run smoothly for once.
a small blip.
my manager at work is on standby to factor me back into the rota at a moments notice because i might not need 3 weeks off anymore!
how depressing will work be if i'm there,at work, and not in hong kong? it'll be hellish. thinking what i should/could/would be doing instead. instead of smiling at people and telling them why they should part with their cash for beautiful shoes. if we don't go i can't imagine i'll be very good at my job in those 3 long weeks.
we have our fingers crossed.
ross's mam is understandably beside herself. i'd hate to be the person from the travel company who picks up the phone when she calls to complain about this monstrous fuck up.
we have our fingers crossed and tomorrow will mostly be spent waiting for the phone call that will inevitably come.
i'm not sure i'll be able to pick up the phone......
we have our fingers crossed.

the beauty of this man astounds me....

2008-03-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

gratuitous letchery
happy weekend! and sweet sweet dreams (wink wink)

no pictures, no comments

2008-03-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

now as all bloggers know. we love a comment. you write something with heart and soul. you jot down something witty. maybe you post a photo that means something. anyway, we take the time to do it. and most of the time - for me anyway - i don't need comments to keep posting but my god do they make me feel good when i get them. just a little note of gratification so i know i'm not talking to myself absolutely makes my day.
now, i have a list of blogs that i read pretty much every day (drunkenness permitting) and i don't always feel that i need to say anything but i think i should. we should take the time because it might make someone feel better.
even if it is just to say 'hi' or 'i'm here and i've read your words'
it might make someones day
and thats always nice.

happy commenting!

summer lovin'

2008-03-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

for those of you who love a summery, fresh, crisp fruity drink that doesn't smack of alcohol, try Jacques. i was introduced to it last week in a bar and have since tracked it down to a supermarket. is this only available in the uk? served chilled, over ice it is gonna be an absolute stormer this summer. it's a sharing drink too, one bottle will fill 4 decent sized glasses.

brilliant. try it. (strongbow brewery)

really really good news

2008-03-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

a boy and girl wander down the street to work, he is chaperoning me and we are chatting about nothing inparticular. then the bombsell gets dropped. our lives will never be the same again (no i'm not pregnant) he is ready to seriously think about moving back to london.
thank the lord.
as you all know, if you have read my previous posts, i have been ready to move back to london since i left over a year and a half ago. but the boy was getting settled. in the pit of my tummy was the nagging dread that he wouldn't want to leave.ever. and yet i also didn't want him to leave a town up north that he loves just for me. he would need to really want the move too.
and now he does.
music to my ears.
"pet, we need to start thinking about going home"
home.
london.
all smiles.

new girls

2008-03-12T12:29:00.001-07:00

back to basics, simple cartoony girls. i'm guessing that these ladies will be the last bits and bobs that i get done before my h-h-holiday. and then looking into the future again i'm thinking that some geisha inspired ladies will be popping up in a couple of weeks time.

11 days to go! hong kong - here i come

i packed my bag and in it i put...

2008-03-04T12:51:00.000-08:00

...enough stuff to last me for 3 nights at mr & mrs b's house (thats mum and dad to you!)
before i ever go away on my travels, no matter how long for, i always see my mum and dad. i've never questioned why. it's just something that has always happened. because they live at the other end of the country i only see them 4 times a year maybe and one of those times is always before i leave the country.
and then today, on the phone to one of my bestest friends polly and she said "why? in case you never see them again?"
i was shocked, it never occurred to me that this could even be a possibility? how very morbid! making sure they see me in case i die! does anyone else have thoughts like this before a journey? or is it just my family??? (i wouldn't be surprised if it was)
but no matter! i'm over it (yeah righto) and very much looking forward to seeing the pair of them before i go to asia in 3 WEEKS!
woo hoo

the constant gardener

2008-03-03T11:28:00.000-08:00

i can't believe i've only just seen this film. where have i been? what on earth was i thinking? or more to the point....what have i been watching? now, even though it took me 2 nights to watch it (i fell asleep the first night but it was out of supreme knackeredness, not boredom) i absolutely love it love it love it. it's sad, violent, beautiful, sinister, haunting and mr ralph is looking gooood!
is it any wonder that this got ms weisz an oscar? i totally believe that this is her cause, and that she does live in africa. amazing. and more amazing... i want to watch it again, the very next day. i don't think i'll ever get bored of it.
see it
now

summer dreaming......

2008-03-03T10:47:00.001-08:00

jacket - me likey. from topshop so totally affordable and i love the colour, can you think of a colour that you couldn't match with this jacket? great as a match for a gorgeous floral frock with pretty sandals or a smart pencil skirt with killer heels or.....

.....casual jeans. these pippa jeans also from topshop (yes, predictable but can you blame me?) are super skinny ans are cut just on the ankle so are a little shorter than normal, bang on trend and great for showing off......

.....new shoes! by kg for kurt geiger.

list list list list list

2008-02-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

i am in list hyperdrive.
it is now 26 days until we fly out to Hong Kong and i am very excited.
of course about the holiday but also for all the planning to be done and all the lists to be made. i've got a list for everything and most of them are in their 3rd-4th draft. toiletries list. make up list. shoe list (i'm going for 3 weeks and so far i've narrowed it down to eight pairs. no thats a lie. it's actually nine but one is a small pair!) things to buy list. hand luggage list. how to keep ross busy for a 12 hour flight list.
i'm in heaven. sorting and organising and shopping!
one of my favourite ways to prepare for a holiday is the mad dash around boots/superdrug for all the fancy dan holiday luxuries i treat myself to.
my number 1 purchase today? my flight bag...it's mahoosive and light as a feather (without all my crap in it of course) and it's just the right shade of grey that looks awesom with my orla keilly scraf tied to one of the handles to funk it up abit. i'll add some sparkly reptile broaches as well and suddenly...voila.....super chic.

most wanted

2008-02-25T13:43:00.001-08:00

oh.me.oh.my
look what i've got my eyes on! a new season brings new stock and these kg mary janes are ticking all the boxes for me. they are similar to my current favourites but these are NEW and i don't have them so that makes them better.
they aren't uncomfortable and they look amaaaazing and are already proving to be very popular with the paying customer.
i love them
they will be mine
i'll probably need them for my holiday........

collage vs photoshop

2008-02-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

i completed these illustrations a while ago with a view to getting a publisher to buy the license on them but they never got sent out. they took so long and i got so attached to them that i just put them away in my portfolio and looked at them occasionally.
this is when the great photoshop or not debate hits me. these drawings were first sketched, then traced and duplicated. then coloured with watercolours and inks. this was a long process as to get the right tones, lots of layers of colour was needed. then she was cut out and laid on a piece of (in this case) leopard print paper. The leopard print background is a photocopy of a piece of fabric that i hand painted with inks to achieve the texture and colour variation that i wanted. i find the thing i 'm not keen on for my illustrations is the flatness that photoshop can create. i prefer the realness of a collage......but just think how much simpler these girls would have been if i hadn't been so bloody stubborn!

i still really like them and now i've freed them from the portfolio i might frame them and let them belong in my flat where they can be seen.
or maybe i'll put them away again!

new girl in town

2008-02-22T12:14:00.001-08:00

i'm loving drawing girls in their underwear at the moment. i think the minimal clothing works well with the simple style of the drawings. they're quite sexy but not slutty. and i think palest pink and blackest black is the best colour combination i've evr tried. these girls are going to form part of a series which i will photograph properly and post together when they are all done.

this time last year

2008-02-22T03:19:00.000-08:00

this time last year i was in new york.
what an amazing 5 days.
we stayed in the waldorf astoria and was astounded by the old glamour. getting dressed up and walking through the lobby to dinner was like a dream.
stumbling upon china town, magically on the day that town was celebrating chinese new year! so many streamers and confetti bombs and pig racing!!! buying cups of icecream with $10 found on the floor! eating icecream on one of the coldest days EVER!
visiting ground zero and feeling haunted by the ghosts of what used to be. reading peoples thoughts and prayers and conspiricy theories left me cold and upset and tired.
but then walking through central park and watching the iceskaters falling over cheered us up.
an absolutely amazing 5 days that i will never forget.

my very unromantic romantic day

2008-02-19T13:30:00.000-08:00

hello?
is anyone still reading?
i hope so.
it's been a while since i've written a post or visited my usual blogs but as i'm not especially keen on valentines day i figured it was time to step back. i seem to be the only person in blogland that dislikes it!?!
everywhere i looked was hearts and flowers. and it was driving me a little bit mad.
i'm not anti-valentine because i'm lonely or single or an anti-consumerist (is this a word?) but it's just that my idea of romance is different. any monkey can send a token of love when they're told to... and boy are we told! - restaurants,card shops,bars,the post office,supermarkets....PUKE
i like my romance a little more real. when my hunk brings me tea in bed, or cleans the bathroom when it's probably my turn, or gets up from watching the football and rubs my feet because i've got cramp (this happened 2 mins ago when Liverpool just scored their 2nd goal)
this is our valentines day...
i offered to do the late shift at work so finished at 8pm
get home via supermarket for provisions.
ate hotdogs
drank wine
ate ice-cream
drank beer
watched dirty sanchez
and i loved it.
and i still hate valentines day

i love a quiz - any quiz!

2008-02-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

I am a
Canna

What Flower
Are You?

i stumbled across this one at chocolate canary.
try this out - is it you?

mike - barman extrodinaire and shrinking violet!

2008-02-11T08:13:00.000-08:00

never one to be outdone - my best friend mike upped the style stakes with this fabulous handmade by himself jacket. i can't remember why he made it but when something looks this good - why ask???

long live london

2008-02-11T07:55:00.000-08:00

my trip to london was awesome. the meeting on regent street was excellent if a little spoiled by the bomb scare 2 doors down (no bomb thankfully, someone had cut through a power line apparently and caused an explosion - wouldn't want to be that person!) oxford circus was strung up with illuminated chinese lanterns and the weather was amazing. my old flat was very welcoming and the views still stunning from the balcony...

oh how i wish i still lived here!!!
when i go back i sometimes forget that it's not really my flat anymore! i just wander around like it's my own and slot right back into old habits. helping myself to stuff in the fridge, coming and going as i please and drinking far too many champagne cocktails laced with too much cognac. to make these matters worse mike has invested in a wine chiller which means there is a constant supply of cold champagne and hangovers!
a success indeed
long live london town x

i'm going to london - LONDON!

2008-02-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

woo hoo!
the day is finally here. almost. tomorrow i go to london for a meeting with work - well, i say 'work' but we just really get together and talk about shoes and fashion (it's absolute bliss!)
and then i'm not coming back. well not immediately anyway. i've torn up my train ticket for my return journey and i'm winging it. plans are to meet best-of-friend and ex flatmate mike for some drinks in covent garden and then who knows? hopefully i'll get to meet up with loads more other people as well but this decision is so last minute it literally was made 1 minute ago!
heavenly
i think mike and i are then gonna drive back up to newcastle (BOO HISS!) on friday night so he can spend the weekend up here with us.
oh good lord
i'm far too excited and will never sleep tonight now.
added stress? i have to style my new hair tomorrow early doors for the first time AND on a day that i want to make a good impression.
it's going to be a great weekend.

she is finished after all

2008-02-05T10:37:00.001-08:00

so i played around with a few ideas for her - maybe a background? possibly some butterflies around her head. but i bottled it.
these are the times that would be alot easier with illustrator!

hope you all like her! she might make an appearance in my etsy shop. i haven't set myself a deadline on getting this up and running yet because i'm not a big fan of deadlines (especially self imposed ones!) but i think as long as something is happening by summer time i'll be happy. plus that gives me loads of lovely sketching time.

to fringe

2008-02-05T10:32:00.001-08:00

to fringe or not to fringe - that is the question?

2008-02-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

so. i have a fear of hairdressers. a phobia. absolute horror at the thought of getting my haircut. palms that sweat. feet that fidget. and the worst thing? having to stare at yourself being hacked at for an hour or so.
tomorrow i am getting the first and only haircut in 1 year - almost to the day.
i can't put it off any longer
also - i have to go to london for work on thursday (WOO HOOOOOOOO) and i like to look my best for my city, my love.
i currently have very long very thick straightish brown hair (if you're curious i am pictured in a dec post) and i have done since i last tried something radical 8 years ago and ended up looking like a boy - hence....the fear!
so i think i'm gonna try something new.
A FRINGE (god - i think i'm gonna faint with nerves)
but my reasoning is that i've done my homework. i have the same face shape as the delightful Ms Jane Birkin (i only wish i had her handbag!) so why shouldn't i be able to pull off her fringe?
thats the theory.
and if i can look 1 x tenth as good as this?
i won't cry on the way home.......like last year.

i wasn't finished - my pen just kept going!

2008-02-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

does she look ill? i can't help but think that the black hair is to black? i know you can't really see her in this picture but thats because i think she still needs work. a background perhaps? maybe i'll stamp print a background on her tomorrow?? i can't bring myself to do anything more to her tonight because i'm scared i'll ruin her. you know if you look at something for too long you can't see it anymore? well i've looked at this bloody illustration for hours now and i'm sick of the sight of her.
tomorrow i'll probably see her differently

new girl in town

2008-02-01T07:24:00.001-08:00

this is my latest offering. she started life as just a sketch - something to keep my hands busy. but i like her legs - they're shapely and i think i've got the proportions right - limbs sometimes can look odd!?!
so anyway, i like her legs hence they are inked in. i like her overall - not sure about her face though, maybe she should have been faceless?
too late now!

The House of Elliot

2008-01-29T13:23:00.000-08:00

i implore everyone who was watching tv in england (or watching english tv in another country) between 1991 and 1994 to visit pia's blog over at pia jane bijkerk.
pia has captured perfectly how this program made me feel and for a tv program to inspire a 10 year old (me) and a 14 year old (pia) i reckon thats something rather special.

make sure you have a look - oh my god, nearly 17 years on and i STILL want to be evie!

china japan and korea - here i come

2008-01-29T04:13:00.000-08:00

my count down has started.
until last night when i was 7 interesting things about myself, my upcoming trip to asia didn't feel real. since posting last night, i'm now very excited and counting down......53 days to go.
it seems impossible that we're actually going ~ indeed we wouldn't be if it wasn't for my boyfriends incredibly generous mum who is paying for it!!!
we are very spoiled and extremely grateful.
i can't wait to see how this trip influences my sketches? i expect there will be a few geisha appearing from the middle of april onwards.....

TAG! i'm it!

2008-01-28T12:40:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by Beth over at Boatshedchic the other day to tell you some little known facts about me. Now brace yourselves pets - i've a feeling that i'm not as interesting as i think i am!!!!

Here are the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

So here we go...

1.) I've been homesick for London for 1 year and 6.5 months. it's true~ home is where my heart is. The man in my life is the only thing keeping me in Newcastle. I moved up here to be with him and i'm not leaving without him.....we will move back to London eventually though - thems the rules!

2.) i can write backwards. properly, with joined up writing and everything! and i don't even have to think about it! I don't know how i discovered this completely pointless talent - i never practised or even tried to do it - i just could! and the weirdest thing...sometimes if i'm making notes or writing a shopping list - i'll write it backwards by accident because it feels normal!!! i also prefer my handwriting when it's backwards!

3.) i love drinking tea (i was born in yorkshire) and all the rituals that go with it. some how i've ended up collecting teapots too! and i haven't bought a single one of them for myself. i've never asked people to buy me them - one day, i woke up and suddenly i had 6 of them! i love when people make tea with tea leaves and would never consider using bags. it's awesome.

4.) rhubarb and custard boiled sweets from sainsburys make me giddy.

5.) in 2 months i am going to China Japan and Korea for 3 weeks. i'm so excited to eat there! to see different people, to visit new places and hear new sounds. it's gonna be amazing. i also get to indulge my weird obsession.....

6.) .........supermarkets in different countries. i could spend hours in them. chemists too! last year in new york i drove my other half to distraction with my lust for duane reade. i had to go in every one i came across (and there are a few) just to look at the products that we can't get here in england. some other good countries for supermarkets are South Africa, France and Mexico.

7.) it took me until i was 25 to find a job that i love. it doesn't pay very much and i'm always skint but i wouldn't have it any other way. my boss is great, the hours suit my illustrating and as for the shoes....? there are no words. it's the best job ever and i feel very lucky that i stumbled across it.

so, thats all folks. hope it was a little bit interesting. thanks to beth for tagging me, make sure you all visit her blog - her home is amaaaaaazing. i feel blind rage sometimes that i don't live there! you'll see what i mean.

by way of reciprocation i tag some of my favourites;
chocolate canary
black*eiffel
a cup of jo
absolutely beautiful things
lola is beauty
{this is glamorous}
through my eyes

thanks guys, it's been real x

shes finished i think....?

2008-01-24T08:59:00.000-08:00

so i'm feeling pleased with my girls today - they both behaved themselves and didn't do anything to cause me to spoil them.
absolutly rubbish photography though for which i apologise!
the girl on top (ooh er~saucy!) is a bit of a mixture of everything. have i mentioned before that i don't photoshop anything? i'm trying to stay as organic as possible which can be difficult as it's easy to ruin things but it also improve my watercolour abilities and it also means that collage lends itself nicely for filling big spaces.
girl in chair might stay as she is - i haven't decided yet??? i rather like her! she looks kind of bored ~ like she couldn't be bother to be coloured in.
we'll see

screaming with frustration

2008-01-24T05:35:00.000-08:00

i've just spent 20mins writing a post and it has disappeared.
gone.
deleted.
vanished forever.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

the ultimate supermodel?

2008-01-23T02:44:00.000-08:00

seriously~how gorgeous is this woman? lets forget for a moment her 'indiscretion' a while ago and her terrible taste in men and instead focus on a long, very successful career and her ability to become different women... her calvin klein ads show a girl, not sexy but pretty sans make up and styled hair then we see the polar opposite in this agent provocateur shot. SUPER VIXEN or what??? and also i love that she (like me) is a quite tall and rather skinny girl and she still looks like the sexiest woman on the planet. being skinny can make me feel awkward and angular rather than sexy but she inspires me. and for anyone who is reading this and thinking "god how irritating, another skinny girl complaining about being thin-shut up you twat". well tough! there are two tales to every size.
rock on kate moss

sketching continues

2008-01-20T12:27:00.001-08:00

well. another day of drawing and some more success and more crashing dissapointment. but i carry on. i do find that it makes such a difference when you draw every day. it's feels more natural and less trying. when i walk away from my sketch book for a week, the next time i try to draw feels like the very first time. it takes a while to get back in the swing of things and that can be very time consuming - hence the importance of trying to be creative every day.
it is a struggle but i will do my best.

p.s i've had a bit of a make over with my blog. the pink was feeling a little sickly. maybe i'll change it back soon ~ or perhaps i'll keep on changing it? i do think it depends on my mood though. i'm still sliding into 'mean reds' territory and so i feel a little more stark (hence the white) perhaps when my mood picks up so will my colour scheme!

january blues

2008-01-19T15:31:00.000-08:00

i'm really feeling them at the moment. they seem to be coming through stronger and stronger every day. soon they'll be the january mean reds. today picked me up a little when i flicked on the tv for some background noise to sketch to (1 good sketch and 1 horrible one today!) and breakfast at tiffanys was on! at exactly my favorite part. the part at the beginning when she first meets paul v.a.r.j.a.k (like he spells it out to het at the new york public library) and she is getting ready for sing sing but she is late.
absolutely the most awesome film of all time.
ever.
and why are favorite films always better on the tv?
p.s - can anyone direct me to a really good picture of the half bath tub sofa featured in the film - i've been looking for hours and.......nothing! - thanks

delicious

2008-01-09T12:42:00.000-08:00

oh happy day

2008-01-09T04:18:00.000-08:00

the worst thing

2008-01-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

the worst thing.
is getting excited because you think you've achieved something no matter how small and then finding out you didn't.
and it made you feel so good and then you feel like a fool for being so excited.
a gesture made out of kindness is always a good and kind thing but can also hurt.
when seeking and needing advice, it hurts to feel palmed off onto someone else.
when first steps feel like giant leaps of faith
and they are not repaid.
but the worst thing
is receiving a compliment that you cannot trust to be true.
when you suspect that someone well meaning is behind someone else's false words.
thats the worst thing.

and hands...gloved hands! but hands none the less!

2008-01-08T12:25:00.000-08:00

back to basics - paper and pencil

2008-01-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

i do find that the worst and scariest part of drawing (apart from - of course - will anyone like it?) is making the first mark on the page. once that is done it doesn't seem to matter so much what i draw! when sketching difficult compositions or something that i know i'm not very good/rubbish at i draw that part first - purposely badly - and from then on things can only get better. like hands and feet. i abhor drawing hands and feet. it just doesn't come naturally to me at all, what i wish for the most is to be able to draw hands like the character jack can in titanic. that was the only part of that film that i liked.
so a decision.
i will practice and practice and practice until i don't even think about it anymore. when drawing girls - i won't hide their hands!!!
keep your eyes peeled for hands and feet people...they'll be everywhere this year!

a work in progress

2008-01-06T10:26:00.001-08:00

i can't decide what i think of this girl. i feel that i may have got a little carried away with the pattern!?! i might colour this differently. still in black and white but perhaps filling in the details rather than the negative space as i have with the illustrations below.... i'll keep you updated!

some things that i have been workng on.......

2008-01-06T10:13:00.000-08:00

i have been working on this series of pen and ink drawings for a while now. they do take a while but it's worth it when you see them completed. i had considered adding colour but i think it may take something away from the complex simplicity of them.
i plan on making these available to buy in my hopefully upcoming etsy shop.
please let me know what you think.

flutterby's are our friends

2008-01-05T03:25:00.000-08:00

enjoying a stroll through the www and stumble across this gorgeous ad for vespa. it's by a chap called boris matas and i think it's lush. the perfect recipie for an ad campaign. just enough measures of hippy. chicky. pretty. trippy and offset against the 'blue for boys' background it's not as overly feminine as you'd expect.
i'd love a print of this for my flat as the vespa appeals to the aspiring cool kid in me and i adore butterfly imagery~not in a creepy mariah carey kind of way but i find them peacefull and delicate.....the absolute polar opposite of me!!!!

just. gorgeous.

oh how i wish and wish and wish...

2008-01-03T01:55:00.000-08:00

let it snow let it snow let it snow

2008-01-03T01:28:00.000-08:00

woo hoo! and boo hiss! all at the same time today.
woo hoo it's snowing! not very much were we are of course because we live in the centre of town but ross has just come back in from work (he only left 20 minutes ago!) because it's a snow day!he can't get to work!-i don't have a luxury of that excuse unfortunately!
boo hiss we have no hot water! none. anywhere... so no showers, no clean hair, no getting warm on the first day of snow this winter in a nice hot bath full of lush xmas goodies. what to do?

i've been thinking alot about resolutions over the past few days of this brand new year. i hate making them because i find it so very difficult to keep them.one of last years was to always have beautifully painted red nails. this was fine and i was doing well until mid-february when i noticed that my nails seemed to be flaking away.literally peeling off. so not entirely my fault that i had to stop but still a resolution unresolved.
the thing is. why set a challenge that i'm likely to fail? so rather than promise myself (i never tell anyone else my resolutions) that i'll change the world and myself - i'll cheat.i resovle to do something creative everyday. thats my reslolution. it may sound simple but sometimes i get so distracted by real life. bills. rent. no hot water. eastenders. making dinner. clearing dinner. sleeping. ect ect.that i forget to draw. or sew. or do anything at all actually.

now i've got more ideas so here comes a list. (incidentally not the first one of the year)

~ i will do at least one thing creative everyday~
~ i will buy a big issue every month~
~ i will put some of my art in the singing kettle cafe asap~
~ i will sell a piece of my work~
~ i will show someone else this blog (ross doesn't count)~

this list - i'm sure will be added to and subracted from all year.
but i must try.

christmas dinner

2008-01-02T14:26:00.001-08:00

it was so good, we ate so much and we were very very grateful! shortly afterwards michal slipped into a food induced coma and ross and i had to go for a walk.perfect opportunity to try out the new ugg boots. then we came back and had champagne cocktails and profiteroles. a good day indeed!

happy new year - here is my christmas day

2008-01-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

so i know its time to look forward to the new year but i'm still loving my christmas with ross and michael. here's a few snap shots of our morning - the real fun came when making dinner! it was stupendous. a feast. and my happy(ish) helpers made for some amusing moments. thanks ross x

i seem to have got a little carried away with the time off!

2007-12-31T04:30:00.001-08:00

mmmmmm... so - like it says in the title it's been a while since my last post as i have been thoroughly enjoying my xmas holidays (although they have been peppered with the odd shift at work!)

here.is.my.tree.

i.love.it.

i'm.never.taking.it.down.

ever.

the weekend off...

2007-12-14T14:12:00.001-08:00

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! i'm soooo excited! tomorrow morning i am heading down to norwich to see my parents for my first of 2 chrismas's this year. as i have mentioned in earlier posts i'm unable to take time off work in december and so this is the first christmas that i am spending time away from my family. i'm really looking forward to seeing them - i haven't been back to the family home for a whole year!- and of course i get to see my darling friends some who i only ever get to see once a year at xmas. all in all it should add up to be a cracking few days. then when i get back my next day off is christmas day! i'm too excited, to see ross, to get our tree, to do the food shopping, to buy massive tins of quality streets and cases of beer. bags full of tangerines and bottles of wine.

i can't wait x

mmm....all i want for christmas is you!

2007-12-13T12:36:00.001-08:00

this is the best scent ever! i have worn it now for about 4 years and i'm still not sick of it. it's just delicious - it smells better as the day goes on, more subtle and i find that people think of me when they smell it. when ross and i first got together and we had our first sleep over, the next night he called me up just as he was about to go to sleep and said that he could smell my perfume on his pillows and that it made him miss me - that call pretty much threw me head over heels and ensured that for me there was no going back. i have a sneaking suspicion that it was 'a line' but hell it worked!
the jewllery and handbags aren't half bad either. jemma (my beautiful newly wedded friend) wore a westwood pearl bracelet on her wedding day - a beautiful gift from her husband-to-be.
so you see, westwood = romance. turns out, it's not dead! sometimes just hidden! x

the ongoing project.....

2007-12-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

i really can't wait to see all these sparkly pretties on our tree. i was going to give some away as christmas gifts but i cant bear to be parted from any of them! how sad hey? speaking of which, i know i'm posting an awful at the moment but it's because i'm in the flat alone all week as ross is working away. using the time to be super creative. all the ideas that might have got lost otherwise are now all having their day (although for some-the day isn't very long!!!)

my adventures in the kitchen!!! cinder toffee bexy stlye

2007-12-12T08:38:00.000-08:00

so with a little encouragement from my work collegues - who incidently get to try the first batch it's cinder toffee here i come.....

so i got my trusty nigella recipe (i say trusty but as i've never tried this before i have trust in ms lawson!) and my bicarb of soda and just went for it!

its setting as we speak and i hope it's yummy as i plan to pop some in a pretty jar with the recipe as part of my mums christmas box! - well nigella swears by giving food as gifts! (she would the smug so and so!)

important point. have you ever noticed how cooks on tv make all this beautifl food but you never see them struggling to clean their pans etc afterwards??? well, while my flat smells delicious now, the flippin' stuff welded itself to the (expensive) pan like cement. bexys top tip - once you have poured the mixture onto the baking tray get that dam pan into a sink full to the brim of the hottest water you can get your hands on with loads of detergent. don't try to scrub it off - you are wasting your time and manicure. keep the pan in the water and it will just dissolve off! fab.

tree decorations part 2

2007-12-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

i'm loving them - even if i do say so myself...still no tree but i'm counting the days till ross gets back so we can get one x

wait a minute mr postman...

2007-12-11T13:33:00.000-08:00

my christmas cards are all made and ready to be posted. nice and simple designs work best i think because as well as being pretty, they are simple to assemble which is all important at this time of year because i have so many other things to do and just not enough time to do them.
hope you like them x

it's coming along nicely.

2007-12-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

mad busy - mad mad busy! funny that even though it's always at the same time of year i still have to rush round like a mad thing in the weeks before xmas. mind you i didn't plan to be making all of my own christmas tree decorations but as this is my first xmas in my own flat (not at mum and dads) i want to put more effort in. plus the idea that i'll be using these decorations years down the line makes me feel really excited. it means i'll remember this xmas for all the right reasons and not just because i was homesick.just the thought that my mum,darling dad and sister are at the other end of the country makes me want to cry! on the other hand it'll be my first xmas spent with Ross and that makes me smile.alot.

p.s my lovely friend jemma got married today to a handsom chap called scott.she was beautiful.he cried.and they announced they're pregnant! wow!well done you wonderful people-love to you both. xxx (3 kisses-one for lambchop,one for scott and one for your fabulous suprise!)

deck the halls with handmade pretties...

2007-12-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

here are the first snaps of my fledgling christmas tree decorations and i'm quite pleased with them so far.one problem - as yet i am to purchase a tree!boy has retreated to the other end of the country for work and he has been so busy we haven't had time to get one yet.so many decorations - so little tree! he is due back on 18th(ish) so as soon as he is back it's ACTION STATIONS!

i bought some red and white candy canes as well today, some for the tree, and some to hide in the layers of wrapping paper rounds my familys pressies. oooh the xmas spirit has finally arrived.

more pictures to follow and of course as soon as the tree is up you'll be able to see it in all it's (slightly delayed) glory!

on your marks.get set.sew!

2007-12-08T03:34:00.001-08:00

well well well. here i am just about to get stuck into my box of treats and bbbrrriiiinnnnggggg bbbbrrrriiiinnngggg! it's the telefalone. boys little sister has put in her order for her xmas gift so i'm off to the shops before work to get them! hmmm, it'll just have to wait but i can't help but feel a little sad.....my ribbon box is just begging to be rummaged.seriously!how pretty?

oodles of doodles

2007-12-08T03:11:00.001-08:00

looking for inspiration and always finding it in sketch books of the past, sketched out on trains or a quiet moment at work or when essays were due for uni - but most likely when there was definately something more urgent to be doing!

but then...isn't this the point?

be inspired but please don't steal!

Happy Christmas Mummy Moo!

2007-12-05T14:35:00.001-08:00

As posted a couple of days ago - here is the finished bag that i have made mum for her christmas box. She requested a shopping bag big enough to fit most of her purchaces in... well i think i may have gone a bit bigger than she planned but hey - the more (room) the merrier! And it's fully lined as well so it's a bit more luxurious than most shoppers.

Hope she likes it.

Christmas Ornaments

2007-12-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

So i'm starting to make some xmas tree ornaments of my own and here are a few images i have found that are unbelieveably cute. I hope mine come out half as pretty! These hearts can be found at http://www.countryheart.co.uk/ - it' s definately worth a peek x

I'm making a list - I'm checking it twice...

2007-12-05T02:13:00.000-08:00

Theres nothing like a good list. I make them constantly then forget about them and have to start all over again. Finding old lists on the backs of envelopes or in one of the many notebooks that are lying around is such a treat. I find that i am able to remember exactly what i was thinking, why i needed a list and sometimes, exactly what i was wearing.
A TO-DO list is a personal favourite and the satisfaction of crossing things off the list is immense.
The guiltiest pleasure...writing something on the list that i have already done just so i can cross it out again!!! This is a particular favourite when working to any sort of deadline - it makes me feel like i am getting loads done when in reality i might just be going round in circles!!!

Things to do before christmas.

1. Get xmas tree - guilt boyfriend into making time to help
2. Sweep under bed
3. Buy 2 x tins of Quality Streets for under said tree
4. Start making decorations for tree
5. Get some xmas cards printed and sent
6. Start xmas shopping for lots of people
7. Make Cinder Toffee for Mum and Anne
8. Get out of bed - time to get ready for work!!! WHOOPS!

OH.MY.GOD - it's Christmas!

2007-12-01T05:32:00.001-08:00

I just realised it's December 1st - Woo Hoo! I need to get a tree - NOW! I was prattling on in my last post about how there are 3 weeks till christmas and it only just hit me! THERE'S ONLY 3 WEEKS TILL CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas Gift

2007-12-01T05:20:00.000-08:00

Today is Saturday and it's 3 weeks until christmas. And i am just about to embak on the dubious task of venturing into town to buy some fabric to make my mum a shopping bag for her christmas gift. I actually have 'THE FEAR'.
People are just crazy at this time of year - it should take me an hour to get into town and out again but i am adding an extra hour or so to account of not being able to get anywhere quickly! Oh the joys of the festive season.
Last weekend i purchased a digital camera so i am going to post some pictures to track my progress. I also plan to take pictures of the illustrations that i have done to get an idea of what they will look like when i set them up in an Etsy shop. I hope other people like them as much as i do!!!

2007-11-26T14:10:00.000-08:00

A woman poses for Alfons Mucha. I can't tell which is more beautiful, his actual paintings or the the photographs of the subjects? Women seem to be formed differently back then. More sensuous, fuller and infinately more sexy. (Not sure about the hairy armpits though!)

Trivia - Sarah Brenhardt commissioned Mucha on a six year contract to create all her posters, costumes and sets after he created the poster for her play Gismonda in 1895. He was an instant sensation and understandably so.

I love all of his work. I have 2 large posters in my bedroom that used to hang in the shop, Past Times windows - my mum kindly nabbed them for me. They make me feel calm. The fluidity of the subjects and the natural colours used are so theraputic and yet sexy at the same time.

Mary Janes

2007-11-26T05:07:00.000-08:00

Do shoes get any more beautiful than this? A/W 2007 has been a great season. Shoe Boots (or Shoots!) High heeled brogues and best if all - The Mary Jane. A true classic that will never go out of style. Whether in leather, suede, stacked heels or stiletto, it always looks good. But never more so than in black patent leather. I myself have a delightful pair of black patent Carvela Mary Janes from Kurt Geiger that i got at the very start of the season and thank god that i did. They are now completely sold out in the north east. Woo Hoo - I just love the compliments!!!

I heart NYC

2007-11-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

NYC is one of the most amazing places you can go to. I can't even begin to explain how special it is. I felt instantly at home there - like i knew my way around instinctively. Bizarre but wonderful. We came away with some wonderful memories, gorgeous photos and a need to return. I love NYC.

A new blog is born

2007-11-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

And like every new mother i'm feeling.... overwhelmed, weepy, frankly - a little bored already and more importantly of all TOTALLY out of my depth. But i will perservere because there are enough unwanted blogs and if my little sister can master the art of driving a car.....surely i must be able to do this???

(and to all of my darling friends out there that are dying of laughter that i have a blog before i even know how to turn on this laptop without help - screw you! but you can buy me a drink when i inevitably crash and burn!!!)