lucky month!

Remember my resolution to enter the competions I come across? well it's lapsed a bit in the past few weeks and i'd completely forgotten about the ones that I had entered.
So this morning I wake up to find that I've wone 2 competitions in Cosmopolitan!! whoop! I have one a mascara and a mont jeunesse face mask! I love suprises!!

Anyone for crochet?

My blog has been severly neglected for the past few weeks and I'll tell you why;

I'm addicted to crochet right now! Call me an old lady if you like, but it is seriously theraputic, I do it on the bus to and from work and I swear I'm less stressed for it (usually I would be tempted to kill someone after a packed, noisy bus journey.) I don't even care If I receive strange looks a plenty.

My mum tought me a few weeks ago and since then I have been trying to make a large afgan throw, which will probably take weeks more but I am determinded not to shelf this project.

New Cupcake shop alert!

Research will be carried out ASAP

I want one now!

How amazing is this birdcage umbrella by Lulu Guinness?! I'm a big fan of all things birdcage at the mo anyway so this get's a big thumbs up from me! Shame they are completely sold out though, one for the xmas list perhaps?

Carving pumpkins no longer cuts it

As a Brit, I would say that we don't celebrate the autumn season nearly as well as the US do. Here, you carve a pumkin for Halloween and thats where it ends. But the first time I went to New York in Nov 07 i noticed that the season is much more celebrated. Houses and streets are beautifully adorned with dried flowers, painted sparkly pumpkins and bunches of indian maize. The west village in particular was trully my favorite, these Glittery pumpkins on Charles street stopped me in my tracks. How fabulous are these?

I'm dying to try this myself and this year i've noticed i'm not the only one, this year i've seen painted pumpkins appearing everywhere. These ones at tales from an OC cottage are bling perfection. I don't know, maybe you're reading this in the US and thinking 'where has this girl been? we've been doing this for years' but as I said earlier, we British don't do Autumn well (in my opinion) and I can't understand why. Although we do have bonfire night which is one of my favourite celebrations.

Anthropologie - At least Ideas don't have a hefty price tag!

I'm a HUGE fan of anthropology so I could not wait for the London store to open, I have been counting the days as you well know. So it pains me deeply to say this:


I paid a visit as soon as I could in the store's opening week and I was so so annoyed about the pricing compared with the US! devistatingly so in fact. Some of the prices are simply not justified, especially in a recession. I did go there with the intention of blowing my budget but I really could not let myself. What made it more annoying was the numerous 'IT' girls filling there baskets to the brim. This is a shop that in the US was a little pricy but not too so, here in London, it is extortionate!
 
However, the store had literally just opened and it was packed so I will give it another go at a quieter time so I can have a proper wander round in a more relaxing atmosphere. I also can't wait for the january sale, as the Union square store does fab sales!
 
Your can't deny that the store looks amazing though!! and one thing I did leave with was lots of ideas, and they don't cost a thing!

One day to go...

October BPS.

I recieved my second Benevolent postcard yesterday! This month my lovely card came from Laura, all the way from Texas! I'll post a picture later.

image via http://lobsterandswan.blogspot.com/

oh christmas tree...

I know it's only October but i'm already excited about Christmas!

Can you believe i've never had a real christmas tree?! my mother didn't like them and since moving out years ago, i've just never had the space. However, now I do and this year I can't wait to decorate for christmas!! So be prepared for many many tree related posts.

I've slowly began to collect decorations, (my first purchase being some vintage glass baubles on ebay) I want my tree to have random decorations (not matchy matchy) I love these felt creations by Rosy little things I'm also a big fan of scandinavian decorations (which I hope to find in Norway next month!!)
I may too try and make some of my own, there are so many things which I think look cute, like threaded popcorn and gingerbread men.

Eeeh I can't wait to trim the tree whilst drinking mulled wine and listening to cliff richard!

Origin Craft Fair

As mentioned earlier I visited the Origin Craft fair this week at somerset house. There were around 150 stalls ranging from jewellery to ceramics, with some amazing pieces of sculpture and art. One stall was even teaching people to make baskets so me and a friend had a go at making some out of magazines, and actually they turned out quite cool.

Below are some of my other favorites, if you get the chance, your should definately visit!

Annie Banian's amazing teacup inspired jewellry:

Rebecca Appleby Ceramics

Hanne Rysgaard Ceramics

Back with a new look

Sorry I haven't blogged for ages, I blame back to back episodes of Trueblood entirely! if you haven't gotten into this series I strongly suggest you do!

Aside from that I've had a busy week;

The lovely Freya has redesigned my blog, hope you like. Check out her website for details of her services.

Wednesday I attended a work conference and got to have lunch with James Cracknell. An amazing man!

Thusday I went to the Origin Craft Fair at Somerset House, But more about that later!


photo via laura marie scott

The best guide to London ever! - Notes by Naive

I just stumbled across this website and had to share!! what a fantastic guide to london! I'm already filled with so many ideas for my weekend!!

My Apartment, 60 years ago!

I live in quite an old building and i've often wondered about it's history, particuarly as right above the entrance it says 'BOOTH' in large writting. So today I googled, and I nearly died of excitement when I found this picture below. It's a still from a 1949 Richard Attenborough Film 'the brown boys' the building in the background is my flat!! (the window underneath 'auctioneer' is my kitchen!) This picture explains the 'booth' sign too. Apart from most of the signage no longer being there, the building hasn't actually changed that much. I really want to try and find the film now! It's so interesting to know what the building used to be, I wasn't expecting to see it in a film though!

image found on reelstreets

Something to pass the time on a rainy evening

I was tagged by Becky at Teacups, cupcakes

1. What books are on your favorite shelf?

I tend to pass on my favorite books, so not a lot
The Alchemist, paulo coelho
The Five people you meet in heaven, Mitch Albom
Sex and the city kiss and tell.
2. What DVDs are on your favorite shelf?

I only own about 5 DVDs! (and I wouldn't say these represent my favorite films) but my favs out of the 5 are Marie Antoinette, and Steal Magnolias.


3. What are your two favorite cookbooks?

I have a chocolate cookbook and a cocktail recipies one (do cocktails count?)


4. Select 1-3 recipes you will cook for your special guests:

Chili con carne!

5. What will we be drinking that's available?

cocktails
And  to keep this going, I will tag:
Lindsey at Pretty in Pink
Tasha at Nattybumbum
and Jenny at Stitcher Scribbler

It's a photo swap!

Miss out on the Benevolent Postcard Society? Well here's your chance to take part in somethinq equally exciting!

Rhianne at 'For the easily distracted' is organising a photo swap project. It sounds so much fun!, I'm definately signing up!

click on the picture below for more info;

Monday project

Yesterday, I picked up some fabric sample books from the most amazing charity shop on camden high street for £2.50 each. One book was a baroque style and the other one coloured velvet.

So today I decided to cover the dated chairs in my flat. I'm quite please with the result, much better than the horrible brown fabric.

Before

After

I'm feeling crafty

For years I have watched and admired my mum crochet the most wonderful things and wished I could do it too! so today she has tought me some basic stitches and i'm actually getting the hang of it! I'm trying to make a throw for my bed, but finding wool in London is not as easy as I thought.

Whilst I'm on the the craft subject, look what I found in a charity shop today for £5 each!!! all this kath kidston fabric! there's about 2 meteres of each pattern (it's usually £18 a metre) Jackpot!!

So now my head is swimming with ideas of what I can use it for!

I'm in love with Brighton

Today my mum and I went down to Brighton, it was the first time we'd ever been and I am in love with the place! we started of wandering around the North Laines area and discovered Snoopers Paradise, the most amazing junk/antique/vintage warehouse - the place was enormous and we spent hours in there. I bought some cute babycham coasters.

What I loved most about this town was it's vibe, so chilled and laid back. When we headed down to the beach we saw hundreds of VW camper vans, they just summed up the whole Brighton Beach lifestyle.

I want to live here!

BPS posting day!

I'm really enjoying being part of the Benevolent Postcard Society. This month is the second posting and I have made a card this time! ok, so my stitching may need a little work but I hope Nelda in Canada like this little bit of Brittania!

A winning resolution!

My Friend Amy (not her real name) is a lucky person. I've never known anyone this lucky. I'm not talking about love, wealth or looks (although she's very pretty and lovely) I'm talking about random winning. If there's a competition, Amy will win it.

As a kid, she was the one in your school who won a years supply of Mars Bars (really!), now as an adult she wins everything from a years supply of soap powder to £500 to spend in Diane Von Furstenburg! A month ago it was a free trip to Paris and last fortnight it was tickets to a champaign reception and seats to see Hello Dolly (which she very kindly invited me too!)

So, from this you will see that this girl either has a very lucky charm or knows how to cheat! So i asked her, "how are you this damn lucky?!!" Her answer was simple; "I'm not, I just enter a lot of competitions."

Surely though, it's not that easy? Is it? If it were we'd all be winners, all the time. But then when I sat down and thought about it I realised how many competitions I pass up the chance of entering everyday. Tons! we're bombarded with them! and how many times do we complain about never winning everything? Amy isn't lucky, she's just very savvy and takes an opportunity when she sees it. A lesson we can all follow.

So, two weeks ago I decided to take a leaf out of Amy's book and start entering more competitions! But, I have certain rules:

1.  I only enter competitions for things that I actually would love to have, wanting to win so you could sell it is greedy greedy greedy!
2. Only enter competitions I stumble upon. Don't go looking for them.
3. Don't give my life away, If a competition is asking for way too much personal information, be very wary!! you could either end up with an inbox full of viagra emails or worse, have your identity stolen.

This morning I turned on my computer to find I had won my first competition of this experiment!!! and i'm not kidding, it's one that I really really hoped to win, it's a free unique web design for this very blog! The talented Freya will be giving my blog a makeover so watch this space!! the competition was hosted by Mel at 'so about what I said...' I can't wait!

So next time you flick through a magazine and dream about winning that luxury spa break, ENTER IT!!!


Photo via minianna

I love Glee!!

If you haven't caught this amazing new teen comedy, check it out now!!

This clip in particular had me in stitches!!

Followers - Have you met each other?

It's so nice having people to share my ramblings with! but do you know each other? if not, follow the links below. Go on, have a good old stalk...

Lindsey - Pretty in Pink
"Introducing my online dream box. I created a 'dream box' a few years ago which features cuttings from magazines of all things i like, fashion, hair styles, furniture, wall colours, shoes etc. This is my cyber version, hope you like x"

Tasha B - NattyBumBum
"The ramblings of a me - an easily excitable girl with a love for all things cute, tasty and pretty. With a small concentration span, not very much patience or skills :-/ But that is set to change... "

Jenny S - Stitcher Scribbler
"I'm Jenny Shaw, a self-described Stitcher and Scribbler. I like to make my thoughts and ideas become real, through scribbling, stitching and discovering new things. Questions, comments and conversation are always welcome! "

Niki - B.U.T (Beauty) Blog & Niki's Make up Rehab
"Hi Im 23. I went to school for environmental studies but am now channeling more creative energy and wish to get into the wonderful art of make up and cosmetics. "

Becky - Teacups & Cupcakes
"I like my tea milky, no sugar. I enjoy cooking and baking, but will always try to get out of the washing up. Home is London, in a fourth floor flat with red geraniums in the window boxes, a cupboard full of second hand china and an old dressing table that I sanded down and re-painted myself."

Yogi Tao Tea...

Today at work my lovely friend Piotr gave me some Yogi rose tea to try. It was delicious but what I loved most was the label on it. Every teabag has a 'fortune' or message on it!

Mine read: 'A persons greatness is measured not by their possessions but by their gifts.'

ahhhh so true...

So does this mean i'm going to get a gift? hehe i'm kidding of course. I can't wait to buy a box...

The great cake debate - Hummingbird Bakery Vs Candy Cakes

Cupcakes. We all love them, that, I do not question. But something has been troubling me, Candy Cakes.

This bakery is quietly taking over stores across london with it's cutsy designs and acid lurid colours. Candy Cakes is getting rave celeb reviews from Madonna to Kate Moss (like a cake has ever passed her lips!) yet I really do not like this bakery.

Call me a traditionalist but I like my cupcakes simple but with amazing buttery icing and pretty glitteryness. Not the nasty bright colours on offer at candy cakes.

Let's look at the evidence shall we;

Candy Cakes

Pros: Fun designs, celeb following, good locations
Cons: Lurid colour icing, pricey (£3/cake), more 'muffin' shaped than cup cakes, taste dry and horrible, revolting flavours.

Hummingbird Bakery

Pros: Simple yet pretty designs and flavours, good value (£1.50-£2.00/cake) Great location on portobello rd
Cons: Small shop gets very busy

I think Humming Bird wins hands down. But I'm bias in this debate. What do you think? check them both out by following the links below and decide for yourself.

Where is your favourite cupcake shop? I feel an 'A-Z of cupcakes shops' post coming on....

Humming Bird

Candy Cakes

Yey it's Friday!

Not that i'm wishing my life away mind, but I am pleased the weekend has come. I have lots of tidying to do and lots of new pictures to hang.

Some weekend insperations:

• Tasha B's revamped decorated drawers look beautiful.

• 
  
  This jumper with the designers diary as inspiration is soo amazing!
  
  
  

• These inspiration boards inspire me to make one now

Primark chain shoes

For the past 18 months Primarks chain ballet pumps have been a staple item in my wardroabe. I love them to pieces, quite literally in fact, I actually bought two pairs in one colour so as to have a 'standby pair.'

Since last year I have bought 8 pairs in all different colours. Yes I'm obsessed but who wouldn't be?! I mean £8 for something that screams Chanelo!

Boots Original Beauty Formula? Yes please!

Is anyone else loving the devine vintage packaging of the Boots Original Beauty Formula collection?

i'm a sucker for pretty packaging and I'm just in love with this range! The pastel colours, and clear glass bottles would look pretty on any bathroom shelf and what is even better is that these beautiful products don't come with the hefty price tag you might expect, in fact prices start from under £5. Bargin!

My Geek ranking just went up a notch....

...and i'm loving it!

This evening was my first proper web design class, and I learnt how to write HTML!! I'm so proud of myself, it's like i've opened the door to a whole new world that now makes sense to me!

I'm a long way off yet, but I'm at least one step closer to my dream...

(my dream is not to be a geek. just so you know)

My First Benevolent Postcard Society card!!!

I was thrilled today to come home and find that my first BPS card had finally arrived!!!!!!!!!!

My card (which was Van Gogh's 'Girl in white') had travelled all the way from Atlanta, Georgia! and was from Rebekah, it included a lovely note.

This has really brightened up my day!

I can't wait until next month to send and recieve another card!

If you haven't heard about the Benevolent Postcard Society, you can read about it here.

I heart Mass Market Art...

I just love the paintings of JH Lynch. Everyone has seen his 60s prints at some point, yet no one really knows about the Artist. Apparently he destroyed most of his work before he died...

I've had Tina (above) on my wall for a few years now, I got her for £1 at a car boot sale! Unfortunately I'm not having so much luck finding Nymph (below) for less that £60, and alot of the prints advertised on Ebay are reproductions. Have you seen Nymph or Tina anywhere????

Aren't they just fab?! They are also the insperation behind one of my favorite bars in Newcastle, Mr Lynch

Wednesday 'pick me up'

There's something about Wednesdays.... I don't know about you but I start longing for the weekend at this point.

So to keep us all going, here are a few of the things inspiring me in the meantime....

• I'm a big fan of all things teacup related, and this pin cushion by the very talented Tasha B is simply delightful.
• Aren't old suitcases just wonderful? I love these ideas for converting them into something new!
• I've never been a fan of 'matchy matchy' and that's why I love these mismatched vases.
• I'm going to find this house and move in to it!!

 

photo by Rockie Nolan

Completely balmy and oh so cute...

I have a serious addiction to lip balm. I have tons of the stuff, I just can't help myself. There doesn't seem to be an indicator in my brain that tells me; 'stop, why are you buying this, you have enough at home!' I'm just instantly drawn to it's pretty packaging and delicious smell!

So my obsession was delighted when I recently discovered Andrea Garland's website. I'm in heaven!!! She sources vintage compacts, tins and pillboxes and fills them with the most divine natural balms. Each product is a one off, and what's even better is that when you've used it all up, you can get your tin refilled for a fraction of the original price!

Marvellous!

I'm in love with these little gems..

A study in Anthropologie...

I CAN NOT WAIT for the opening of Anthropologie in London!!


I will be first in line when the doors open, and look, I've already done my homework......

Shopping list: