Paper Pocket

Princess Jasmine trousers and a cute true story.

2012-01-17T20:07:00.000Z

So I'm walking down the home baking aisle in the supermarket and I pass a mother with a young daughter sitting in her trolley.

"Mummy?" says the little girl. "Why is that lady wearing Princess Jasmine trousers?"

The little girl is referring to me. I am wearing very hippy, green trousers gathered at the ankles that do indeed look like Princess Jasmine trousers. Her mother tries to shush her, aware that I am in earshot. Then I hear the girl whisper something.

"She looks like a Disney Princess..."

I smile. It makes my day.

xo

Tuesday/Wednesday

2012-01-13T01:16:00.002Z

1.Sorting through my vintage collection. 2. A loaf of bread gone wrong! 3. Invitation to my brother's wedding. 4. A wee bit of writing.

5.Tea cup from my mama's collection. 6. Dried bridesmaid bouquet. 7. Finding somewhere for Alice. 8.Stone.

A week of phone photo's: Monday

2012-01-09T18:14:00.001Z

1.Brick pavement 2.Welsh humps 3. Derelict house 4.Trolley on the beach(!) 5.C'est moi 6.Pebble feet 7.New fave jumper/compass 8.Sick bed

Today was one of those none days. I had so much planned. I went for a stroll in the morning to a local beach, got rained on and then felt sick so I've spent the rest of the day sleeping and stuffing my face with comfort food.

I'm going to read a book and hope for betterness tomorrow! :)

xo

An unfortunate turn of events.

2012-01-08T16:50:00.000Z

You know when you get all in the bloggy mood and suddenly something happens that scuppers all your plans. Yeah? Uh huh...THAT. So it turns out the Mister has promised some friends of ours that when he sees them next weekend he'll film a music video for them and since our video cam is out of order my DSLR steps up to the plate and since he's going to London for work right this second...it'll be a long week ahead. I'm having a difficult time coming to terms with being separated from it and I'm feeling particularly huffy right now. I had a week of baking and photography adventures to the old Victorian pier where I live and I really wanted to document it all on my nice camera.

So let's do an about turn and create something positive out of my lack of decent camera, making next week...

Oh yeah!! I'll document everyday next week with my lovely Twitter machine/phone. Kind of getting more excited about this as I type so perhaps this is a good turn of events. And I'm not afraid to pull stupid faces and make an ass of myself (well documented in the photo above?!) Perhaps I'll throw in a vlog or two for good measure too.

I'll see you tomorrow, Bloggeroo's.
xo

Upcoming and quick catch up.

2012-01-06T17:58:00.000Z

Yes...you are right in thinking the blog has changed AGAIN. I liked the last design but I thought it was sort of cold with just mint and white so I've tried to warm it up a bit! It's still in progress. I'm trying to get little bits of design done every so often.

I'm finally getting to a calm place after the craziness of the Christmas/New Year period. Productivity shall prevail. The Mister is away for work next week so I'm planning on doing some cooking practice in between the more boring task of sorting our accounts. Accounts are a necessary evil! (I can't spell necessary...I had to google check it! Ha!)I've been looking through some recipe books and have come up with a list of things I want to try out...

*Root vegetable crisps
*Scotch eggs
*Breaded scampi
*Cornish pasties (food of my homeland!)
*St Clements cake
*Earl Grey Tea Loaf
*Scones
*Welsh cakes (food of my adopted homeland!)
*Smashed honeycomb

I actually made these scones over Christmas and they were yummy! Looking forward to making them again and eating them with strawberry jam and clotted cream. This is making me so hungry so I'm going to run off and make foooood.

Later, Bloggeroo's
xo

Who loves to boogie?

2012-01-02T19:08:00.000Z

Twelve things to do in 2012

2012-01-02T13:10:00.000Z

This year is going to great because I am going to make it so! I thought I'd share some things I want to achieve in 2012.

1. Climb Ben Nevis (a mountain, for those not in the know :P)
2. Finish the first draft of 'The Migration of January Finn'
3. Submit some poetry to magazines
4. Learn to play the Ukulele
5. Vlog
6. Learn xml for Blogger templates
7. Re-read Great Expectations
8. Write and record some songs
9. Work on freelance writing
10.Share the little details of life in photographs
11. Be present in the moment
12. Make lovely memories

My main umbrella goal this year is about making healthy choices and working hard.

What are your goals for 2012?

2012-01-02T00:17:00.001Z

Happy New Year, Bloggeroo's! I hope you all had a wonderful time with family and friend's over the holiday's. My Grandma and I had a little NYE party for just the two of us: biscuits, Baileys, fizzy wine and a bit of dancing to Jool Holland's Hootenanny. We stayed up 'til past 1am which is a miracle for my Grandma as she's usually in bed by Ten at the latest and at 7pm that evening she'd already been dosing off in the chair!

I know I'll treasure the memory of this NYE party of ours. This year I want to make a whole lot of memories.

I'm going to sit and make a list of my New Year resolutions and will try to post them either later tonight or tomorrow.

Here's to 2012. Let's make it great.
xo

Swan Lake (photography)

2011-12-19T23:28:00.001Z

It's been a great few days. One of my best friend's came to spend the weekend and we took our camera's out to a local country park to practice our photography skills. We spent quite a while taking photo's of the wildlife and I've discovered a real love of photographing animals. The swans on the lake were so friendly and it seemed like they and the other birds were posing for us! Here are a few of the photo's I took:

It was so cold out I could barely feel my toes afterwards, but it was well worth the trip, plus I got chatter time with my Best.

What's your favourite thing to take photo's of?

Today.

2011-12-16T15:07:00.000Z

1. Vintage dresses waiting to be repaired. 2. Soap and water skincare. 3. A note of appreciation for my Mister.

What are your plans for the day?

Inside on a rainy day.

2011-12-14T14:45:00.000Z

It's been a day stuck inside the apartment so I've entertained myself by watching the final episode of Being Erica (ob-sessed with that show!) and looking for new blogs to read. What's a rainy day without taking silly photos on your phone?! I'm getting a bit excited over Instagram coming to Android phones. I use Vignette at the moment which is good but I love that Instagram is connected to it's own sharing site. I just hope they hurry up we've been waiting forever!

During my internet travels I came across the site ThoughCatalog and found this funny video. I say all these things! *cringe*

 

"Did I lock the door? ..........YES."

Consider my day filled.

What do you like to do on a rainy day in?

Staying up late/ The story of my Christmas tree

2011-12-13T03:53:00.000Z

Up late in my cosy blanket 'cause my body clock's all wonky after last night's work fest. It's warm in here but outside the wind is rattling the windows. Feeling very Christmassy and atmospheric, I've got the tree lights on and everything!

Normally I don't put up a tree until two weeks before Christmas day, but since we're heading to France this year I figured if we got a really small one and put it up early it'd be okay. So the Mister and I set off at the end of November to find a little tree to fit on our coffee table.

We picked the worst day to go tree shopping. No one else was out. It was raining. Not just a bit, but hard. I, stupidly, was not wearing sensible clothes. Not a coat or scarf in sight. So off we set in our campervan, windscreen wipers on full whack, and we stopped at a place not far from where we live.

We sat in the van for a while, hoping the rain will stop long enough for us to pick a tree. It didn't, so we had to make a dash for it after my Mister insisted that I go with him. The Mister quickly told the man that we wanted a small tree. The man showed us a variety of big trees. I stand there getting drenched. He pulled out an even bigger tree: fat and bushy and expensive. My makeup started to slide down my face. By this point my shoes were leaking and I wasn't sure if I was standing in a puddle or if the puddle was inside my shoes, or whether, in fact, there was no puddle and I'd miraculously been transported to the movie 'Water World'. I was not impressed. I stared into the soul of my Mister, straight faced.

"It's too big."

The rain ran down my Mister's face and he said nothing, then...

"I think you should go wait in the van."

I squelch back to the camper, full of 'bah-humbug' spirit. Soon after, I hear the Mister stuff a tree into the back of the van. Now, the fact that he had to stuff it into the van should have been a warning to me...

The "little" tree that my Mister had chosen for our coffee table swamps it. We can't use our telephone anymore. It's at the back of the tree, so our Christmas tree rings and rings and no one answers because I can find it beneath all the branches. And to make things worse there's a goat on my Christmas tree; the Mister swears it's a reindeer. I politely make my case for its goat-ness...

"It's wicker and has curly horns, why would it have curly horns if it's a reindeer?"

Then my Mister makes a good point.

"...Why would anyone make a goat to go on a Christmas tree?"

Point taken, but the tree is still huge.

Poet Heart: #1

2011-12-12T15:38:00.001Z

NIGHT - Louise Bogan

The cold remote islands

And the blue estuaries

Where what breathes, breathes

The restless wind of the inlets,

And what drinks, drinks

The incoming tide;

Where shell and weed

Wait upon the salt wash of the sea,

And the clear nights of stars

Swing their lights westward

To set behind the land;

Where the pulse clinging to the rocks

Renews itself forever;

Where, again on cloudless nights,

The water reflects

The firmament's partial setting;

- O remember

In your narrowing dark hours

That more things move

Than blood in the heart.

I studied Literature at university where I was taught to analyse, critique, and tear open poems and novels to get to the heart of what they truly meant. But never has one spoken so directly to me than the last few lines of this poem.

"...more things move than blood in the heart."

It reminds me to look beyond myself to nature and also to live well.

There is a little bit of regret in me that I didn't get to study Bogan's poetry, but then when we look so closely at things doesn't it remove a part of the magic that made it great in the first place? So perhaps it's better to enjoy the words simply for what they are.

The poetry I read at college left me cold, but delving into my giant anthology of poems from across centuries of writing, I find myself picking out the ones that speak to me and that is what poetry was always meant to be. A poem to the heart of the reader.

Do you have a favourite poem that means something to you? I love for you to share it. If you'd like to share yours here on the blog, drop me an email--> paperpocketblog@gmail.com I'm going to be sharing more poems in the coming weeks and I'd love for you guys to get involved.

Peace and Love, Bloggeroo's

Back a bit...Back a bit more.

2011-12-09T15:20:00.001Z

Talk about a blast from the past! I just logged in to my Polyvore account after a very long hiatus and instantly I am in love again. It's cold as cold can be here so I thought I'd re-share some of my cosy winter faves from Fashion Forward's past. Those were the days! Me, Clair and the rest of the gang picking our most loved fashion each week...

i'd chose you by paperpocket featuring a knit trapper hat

i heart comfort by paperpocket featuring high top canvas sneakers

lets not over complicate things... by paperpocket featuring a black bangle bracelet

I'm in shock that this was two years ago. Wow. Where has all the time gone?! I shall deliberate on this while I wait for it to snow. Come on clouds, let go of the fluff!

2011-11-17T12:00:00.000Z

I think it's been well documented here over the years I've been blogging that I am not a natural cook so let's not recover the many disasters that have occurred, I'm sure you can imagine...

These past few weeks have been a turn up for the books. It turns out that if I actually follow a recipe (I'm the kind of girl who makes it up as she goes along) the food is edible and I come out of the situation looking pretty darn good. My chosen recipe book of the moment is Jamie's 30 minute meals and in an attempt to prove to my Mister's mother that I can feed her poor, poor son who seems to return home every few months lacking in nutrients, I've been sending photographs of the results!

Full of peas, broad beans, asparagus, cheese and some sort of weird version of a white sauce it was actually quite yummy, despite my reservations of it having no meat in it and kept us going for a few days with leftovers. You know, I think I'm gradually becoming a vegetarian!

I'm so enjoying trying out these recipes. Do have the book? If you're trying them out too I'd love to hear from you! Email me! paperpocketblog@gmail.com

A return from hibernation

2011-11-16T15:03:00.001Z

Ah hello, hello, hello. Many of you will know from Twitter that I've disappeared off the face of the internet for a good while due to illness, but I'm back and feeling so much better. I was bed and flat bound for a bit and this past weekend I was able to get out for the first ramble for a month! Fresh air and nature, finally!

It's odd coming back to the world when you've been absent for a while. My head has been stuck in books and I no longer know whether it is Autumn or Winter. Does anyone?!

I get a little lost in the moss and ferny undergrowth. The Mister is always having to wait for me while I take photographs and get dreamy about shrinking down and wandering beneath it all. Sometimes he makes me walk ahead so when I stop he can push me along to keep me going...can't complain, it saves my legs from getting too tired :P

This stone at Lower Blaen Y Glyn, is a complete mystery to me. It's placed at the foot of a waterfall and I can't find any information about it. There's nothing like a little bit of history on a walk; a reminder that there were others here before us.

Back to reality. I'm working on getting on track with the projects I had started. I got a stash of vintage dresses that need sorting and websites that need designing and building.

Come say hi on Twitter! @paperpocketxo

Head in the clouds; House in the trees.

2011-10-07T22:42:00.001+01:00

"I want to live in a treehouse."

This was the beginning of an argument with my dad. I was 5 and adamant that I was ready to move away from home or to the tree at the bottom of the garden at least. He reasoned with me that the tree just wasn't the right kind of tree for building a house and sleeping in, that it was much more comfy inside our home and I believed him. But I am taking it back right now.

Sorry, Dad.There's nothing you can do, I'm in love. In love with the simplicity of the decor and all the natural light. Just look at those windows will you!

I think I could cope with that.

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

2011-10-05T14:04:00.000+01:00

I have a desk. There's not much on it, but I think I'd like to keep it that way.

1. The white rabbit picture shows my utter fixation with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It keeps me inspired to write and be creative.

2. My Kindle, also known as The Reading Machine. Couldn't live without it. I am an e-reader convert, although I still buy proper books if they are good enough to add to my bookcase.

3. Notepads are always handy when I feel like writing down a sentence or paragraph that's been buzzing round my brain all day. Otherwise...tomorrow I am likely to forget it and I will be cross with myself!

4.Old lady phone with HUGE buttons. I feel like such a grown up with a real landline number again!

5. The Blog Machine. All my electronics end up with a name along this line :P

6. List of appointments and things to do, pen (very important!!), my one and only hair tie, and usb dongle stick for transferring data between The Blog Machine and the The Edit Machine (my Mister's desktop).

7. Howard. Enough said.

8. Bunny earrings that I wear all the time. I have to take them out to put my headphones on lest my little earwigs hurt!

A-Z of Katherine

2011-09-22T12:00:00.000+01:00

I saw this little meme over at Diana's blog and you know what it's like: you're bored, there's nothing to do except eat an entire packet of shortbread biscuits and this just might pause this process for a few minutes.

A. Age: 25

B. Bed size: King
C. Chore that you hate:Taking out the rubbish. I'm always afraid I'll find something nasty in the wheelie bin.
D. Dogs: None, but I want one. I have a name picked out already...Odin aka Mr Wednesday.
E. Essential start to your day: From last this week before I drink coffee or eat breakfast I go for a quick 30 minute run.
F. Favorite color: Blue. Every single shade.
G. Gold or Silver: I was always a silver girl, but gold is growing on me...slowly.
H. Height: 6 whole feet.
I. Instruments you play: Does a few lessons of the recorder count? If not, none.
J. Job title: Free spirit.
K. Kids: None that I know of.
L. Live: Cardiff, Wales
M. Mother’s name: Jane
N. Nicknames: Beeksy...The Beeks. My friends and I have a last name thing going on, although we do tend to call each other by our full names quite often. Ok, everytime we see each other!
O. Overnight hospital stays: Zilch
P. Pet peeves: Plug sockets left switched on with nothing plugged into them. *shudder*
Q. Quote from a movie: "Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast." Red Dwarf, not a movie but it was one awesome tv series!
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: One older bro.
U. Underwear: Yes...I wear it. Thanks for asking.
V. Vegetable you hate: Beetroot.
W. What makes you run late: Me
X. X-Rays you’ve had: One of my back and several of my goofy teeth when I was a teenager.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Chicken Pie!
Z. Zoo animal: Penguins. They look funny and they're not always asleep like some of the others.

Stormy seas

2011-09-21T12:00:00.001+01:00

My Mister and I went away for a little holiday and ended up in the midst of a storm. It was quite incredible.We walked along the coast until we found a spot to sit a while and watch the waves crash.

Right by that stretch of coastline is our favourite campsite. No fancy, schmancy shower blocks with hairdryers, no shelter from the gusts. Just a field...on a cliff top. Safe to say I didn't sleep much that night! Honest to goodness I thought we'd wake up flipped on one side!

Congratulations, it's a pie!

2011-09-20T10:09:00.000+01:00

Uh huh. I baked that pie all on my lonesome. Got a little snappy in the process, but hey, I was just trying to concentrate on the task at hand! And that pie is chicken. Chicken and mushroom and mustard, oh my! The recipe is from the 30 minute meals book by Jamie Oliver and although it certainly took a lot longer than half an hour, I tasted and it was goooood.

Now, Bloggeroo's, this is a little bit of a victory for me. Why, I hear you cry from behind your keyboard...well I've said it before and I'll say it again. I am a terrible cook. I know nothing about what goes well together and I have about as much patience as some one who has none. I burn stuff. ALL. THE. TIME. This is a sore point for my poor Mister who has had to shoulder a majority of the cooking as my efforts...aren't really all that edible...

But this time. This time it all came good. "A pie! A real pie!" I keep squealing to myself. And it was not just chicken pie. Oh no. There were French-style peas. Uh huh... and carroty mash. There was also pudding. Berries mixed with elderflower cordial and lemon juice, topped with creme fraiche all whipped together with a wee bit of icing sugar. Creme Fraiche. I didn't even know what that was! I had to spend 20 minutes looking puzzled in the yoghurt aisle before someone told me it'd be with the cream. Who'd have known?!

I'm thinking I should work my way through this recipe book and blog the results. This should be very interesting. Let's hope this wasn't a fluke!

Do you prefer to follow recipes or make it up as you go along?

Vintage culottes and a little surprise.

2011-09-19T14:37:00.000+01:00

Today has been quite a fun one so far...it always is when you have an early morning run to get little happy's dancing round your bloodstream. I've acquired quite a bit of vintage over the last few month, and I'm so loving incorporating it into my everyday wardrobe. That's the test of a vintage item to me: Can I wear it everyday with my high-street basics?

I found these culottes in my fave vintage shop, but there happened to be a stunning 70s suede skirt and waistcoat set that I couldn't bear to separate... So these got left behind on that shopping trip. Then one morning I woke up to a tweet that announced the closure of the shop and I RACED into the city to snap them up. I'd actually been dreaming about them, but thought they'd probably been bought by some other stripe loving lady. But as you can see they were still there on the rail waiting for me to own them. Best part: They were in the sale...£10. A tenner. Ten squids.

And that's what the smile's about!

Oh boy. I love them.

The rest of my Monday is going to involve sorting out blog posts for the rest of the week and sorting through vintage dresses... that will eventually be listed in my new little venture!

Yup. I finally found something I love with enough passion to give an online shop a go. There's so much excitement inside me about this that I could just burst into a big glitter explosion.

*throws glitter*

Later, Bloggeroo's.

Trek Days: Bannau Sir Gaer, Wales

2011-09-09T19:00:00.003+01:00

Welcome to a little ridge in the Black Mountains of Wales, Bannau Sir Gaer. I think this is as much introduction as it needs. Just look...

Told you. These three peaks are know as one of the wildest places in Wales and they are breathtakingly beautiful and full of mystery and wonder. The Mister and I went walking there a few weeks back and it was quite a day, but just as we approached the lake and began to ascend, a nasty little bee came and stung me right on the neck. I've never been stung before...and it hurt...and I sulked 'til I reached the top!

The view made it worth the sting though. :)

As we came back past the lake we took our boots off and waded in the water for a while. I'm sure you can tell from the look on my face how cold it was!

And a final glance back to the ridge. Heaven.

Autumn. Fall. Moments.

2011-09-07T19:34:00.000+01:00

Whenever the seasons turn I always announce that the new season is my favourite although the truth is that, more often than not, boredom leads me to think this. Sometimes we linger a little too long and sometimes not at all. In Britain we tend to dip in and out of good and bad weather and now it no longer represents the classical ideas of our seasons.

1.cloud cocoa 2. gracefully we've fallen

But on Sunday evening a gust of wind whistled down my street and I knew that Autumn had arrived. I spent quite a lot of time gazing out of my window, watching the rain that night. There were probably better and more important things for me to be doing, but I did enjoy the smell of the mountain air rushing through this city.

It was suddenly classic; being wrapped in an quilt, drinking hot cocoa, and finding a book I thought had been lost in the boxes I left in my Dad's garage. There's no other moment quite the same.

There's a secret link hidden in this post (not that secret really!) to help you get in the Autumn mindset.

p.s There's a little bit of blog construction going on still. Go drink cocoa and be warm.

The wedding reading

2011-09-05T04:00:00.000+01:00

Now let me tell you how emotional this reading was! The registrar asked me to step forward to read during the ceremony, facing the bride and groom...and I very, very nearly lost it! Being nervous any way didn't help and the fact that I was teary because my Best was getting married just all came together in that moment. I had the shakes, but I managed to get through it. I hope all that feeling made the reading a little bit more special.

xo

The best friend's wedding

2011-09-04T16:14:00.001+01:00

Last weekend was the most fun: one of my best friends got married and I got to be one of an awesome set of bridesmaids! Think black and white, vintage lace and peals and you'll get an idea of how gorgeous it was. It was one of those weddings that got the right mix of formal and informal and the result was a relaxed, fun day for friends and family.

It all went by in a flash which seems to happen when you look forward to something for so long. We got ready in the morning, ate a pasty for breakfast, drank champagne, ran a little behind, laced up the wedding dress and before we knew it we were walking down the aisle, bouquet's in hand, I read the poem I had written for the occasion, vows were exchanged and Steve and Hayley became husband and wife.

That's me and my two very closest friends with our heels sinking into the grass. Trying to balance on that slope wasn't easy and I took my shoes off when Hayley threw the bouquet...What can I say...I meant business...I didn't catch it though!

And we finished the evening off with dancing and festivities. One corner of the marquee was designated for the "guestbook" which was a chalkboard speech bubble and a photographer! Such a sweet idea. Guests were popping over all evening to leave the bride and groom little messages of luck and comedy :D And as darkness fell we released lanterns into the nights sky. Just the prettiest sight.

I feel so lucky to have shared such a lovely day with my friends.

Pop by tomorrow to read the poem I wrote specially for the ceremony.

Peace and love my Bloggeroo's.

xoxo

2011-08-18T19:24:00.000+01:00

Hello, World. Just took some time away to re-evaluate life and some things are changing.

Only in my life would getting glasses be news! I've had the same old glasses for years and a few weeks back they literally fell apart. Metal broke away from metal and snnnnap. My glasses were no more. A lovely chap at the opticians helped me pick out a new pair, told me what looked good and what didn't and together we found a pair with a very subtle retro twist.

I've also been busy wrecking a journal! When I bought it I didn't quite get how difficult it would be to destroy a book. I love books. Books must be protected! I actually put it on a shelf for a few days before I realised what I was doing, promptly stuffed it in a plastic bag and swung it around a bit! It's really tough, but once you make a rip or a scribble, it's not that nice new book that can't be damaged any more.

And the very last bit of news, which isn't really news to those who follow me on Twitter... I have quit my cleaning job. There are numerous reasons why, which I can't detail here, but I am leaving amicably next Thursday. I have nothing to go to, but this is the kick up the rear that I need. I'll be taking Paperpocket a lot more seriously too because I've spent too long faffing around when actually I have a pretty awesome platform here. Blogging is cool and awesome and I love it. I'll also be working on my web design skills. I can do it. And perhaps I'll come up with few of my own Blogger templates for you guys to use :D

You know, for the first time in a long while I feel really excited about the future.

Here's to us, Bloggeroo's.
xo

My goldfish wants to take over my blog. Help!

2011-07-11T20:33:00.001+01:00

Yup. That's a fish. Not just any fish, it's Colin.

Colin is a complete nerd. Whenever I am blogging I usually sit facing away from the fish tank, which is right next to the sofa, and if I look over my shoulder I can always see Colin hovering at the front of the tank trying to get his opinion into my posts.

And if you ever have trouble organizing your blog stuff there are some handy thoughts on the subject over at Kam's blog, Campfire Chic. Of course, myself (and Colin I suppose) are featured in the post! >>>>>>>>

xo

Trek Days: Nash Point

2011-07-11T09:03:00.001+01:00

Nash Point and St Donats are seriously beautiful places in Wales, I could sit and gaze at the cliff faces forever because I find them fascinating. (About to start working on one of my 30 things I want to do...Study Geology!) We spent the afternoon stopping and starting along the coastal path, sometimes to catch some rays; mostly to take photographs.

We walked through a woodland that lead to the first beach and found this ruined house. Just think of the people who used to live here.

This place is so breathtaking. Emerging from the woods and seeing the flash of sea... be still my beating heart.

Afternoon walks like these make my weekends. The working week really takes it out of me, cleaning is pretty monotonous with very little space for creative thinking. Coming to a place like this helps me recharge. :)

To get to the second beach there were two quite sizable ladders to climb down. I'm such a scaredy cat but I did it!

The Mister went in for a swim. He said the water was warm...but I do NOT believe him! :P

And... home.

I'm putting the finishing touches to this post as I should be getting ready for work, I just want to keep a hold of this past weekend. While I'm here, a big hello to new readers that have found me via Campfire Chic and Tea Talk. Really excited to be sponsoring two of my favourite blogs this month. July is great so far :)

Surf Days: Porthcawl

2011-07-10T22:12:00.001+01:00

How are you doing down there?

The Mister and I headed out on Saturday evening to our "local" surf spot, which is hit and miss at the best of times and today was no different. There were no surf-able waves. It was, in short, crap and because of this I stayed on land to take photos. A blessing in disguise!

The clouds here are always epic and usually look like they are about to pour rain on top of you at any minute. I think the weather in Wales is very volatile and I love it! It means awesome cloud photo opportunities all the time. *high five*

And suddenly the light changed. The dark and dreary beach became shrouded in a golden glow.

More beach photos tomorrow from a Sunday trek. This time we were in glorious sunshine all day and the pictures are spectacular! Don't miss it :)

What did you do this weekend?

That vintage dress

2011-07-02T16:44:00.005+01:00

Today was an excellent day. I got up early to go shopping in Cardiff and picked up a few bits and pieces, but the best find was a vintage shop called Looby Loo's boutique. I nabbed this 1960s dress in perfect condition for £20.

Isn't it cute! So excited that I've got my first official vintage piece for my wardrobe.

Do you shop vintage? What was your first buy?
xo

To Munch

2011-07-01T22:03:00.003+01:00

Photo is sourced from my camera. Click click.

I like reading books. Old books, new books, books about airplanes, books about geology, children's books... There's nothing like learning from a book. I like my gadgets too. I own a Kindle and it has changed how I read and improved the comfort of reading, but there will never be a replacement for opening up a really old book and smelling that bookish smell.

So here's a quick catch up of what's currently on my 'To Munch' list:

* The Cry Of The Go Away Bird -Andrea Eames
* The Oz Books- L. Frank Baum
* Mrs Beaton's Book Of Household Management- Isabella Beeton
* The Anubis Gates- Tim Powers
* The Somnambulist- Jonathan Barnes
* My Name Is Memory- Ann Brashares

And the list just keeps on growing! What's on your list right now?

Beginning July.

2011-07-01T08:50:00.002+01:00

Oh my. Welcome to the first of July! This new month warranted a new hair colour. After an entire age with two tone, roots and red, it was time to go dark again. Dark dark..Black. I've tried to cover the bleached red before and it just wouldn't stick so I figured, go as dark as humanly possible. Maybe it's a bit too black but it'll fade a bit!

Hopefully I'll get some time to really test out the camera this weekend. Let's find me a forest or a mountain to wander around and yes, I will probably take Howard the owl with me. Who needs a real life pet when you have a little porcelain owl? :)

Later, Bloggeroo's
xo

2011-06-26T19:47:00.000+01:00

Ahhh the new camera is here safe and sound after a great debacle at a local electrical store which involved a scratch on the screen, a refund and disappointment. It was all meant to be though as at the place I finally bought from they stocked these awesome satchel style camera bags and, well... I just couldn' t resist!

Howard insisted on modelling it for you. I let him 'cause I know you love him so.

Into the wild.

2011-06-21T09:09:00.006+01:00

I'm still trying to catch up with sorting all the camping photos we've gathered on the Mister's computer. Here are a few from a wild camp we did on the side of a little mountain back in September last year. It was a very interesting camp...started out sunny and by the time the evening came it was gale force winds and a lot of rain. Quite scary and we didn't get much sleep that night for worrying we'd need to suddenly pack up the tent. When we woke up in the morning we were shrouded in cloud and still buffeted by wind. I could barely stand up! We had planned to continue to another mountain that weekend but, well, the weather was CRAP.

Just looking at these pictures makes me feel cold! It was epically beautiful though. What you can't see is the view from the top of the mountain. Luckily since I'd climbed it before, I already knew what it looked like and I think i've posted some from that hike before...somewhere in the midst of this post.

Best get to work. I'm blogging instead of getting ready. See what you do to me, bloggeroo's.

Have a wonderful day
xo

P.S. In fact I believe this trip was the one that broke my good camera...Alright, alright, I'm going to work!!!

Quickly.

2011-06-20T19:49:00.000+01:00

My Mister is way too sweet. I was just sorting through the photograph folder on his computer (an on going project) and found this picture of me at a leavers dinner at my university. He'd saved it from FB and renamed it 'Katherine is beautiful'.

How much do we love him?! <3

Little wrinkle.

2011-06-19T20:05:00.001+01:00

There's a wrinkle right here. *points to forehead*

Uh huh. Yup. I got my first wrinkle. At least I think it's my first, maybe there have been wrinkles before but I just haven't noticed them or maybe they were just super duper small and barely noticeable but still a wrinkle all the same...

Don't get me wrong. I don't really care about having wrinkles. It's just how life goes. But Saturday morning when I looked in the mirror and NOTICED it, it was a reminder that the clock is ticking and that I should probably look after myself, including my skin, better. I just caught myself frowning at the computer screen and immediately thought to myself...Don't make more wrinkles! Is this how my life will be from now on? Constantly fighting against the natural process of time?! Nuh-uh. No thank you. I don't want to be a woman whose entire life is taken over by anti-aging products. Growing old gracefully will suit me fine. I pointed out aforementioned wrinkle to my Mister and he said that he finds women who look a little "weathered" attractive and that it shows they've been out adventuring. I'm not sure about looking weathered, but I don't mind an adventure.

So let's be all Famous Five and go seeking adventure!

Later, Bloggeroo's.

On writing for a wedding...

2011-06-18T00:00:00.001+01:00

So, my best friend, @bondybaby on twitter, asked me to write a poem to be read at her wedding in August, which was so sweet of her and a vote of confidence in my writing skill. I've been working on it for a while and for the longest time the pressure got to me and I came up with trash, all of which ended up in my recycling bin. Finally, I've got something I'm happy with though it's still being worked on. If you ever have to do this, here are some words of advice:

Invitation made by @bondybaby.

Know the people.
Chances are if you're asked to write a reading or poem for someone's wedding you'll know them quite well. I started by listing the things they like, what inspires them, thoughts and feelings about the couple. This will help form the tone of the piece. Also, knowing the theme of the wedding helps.

It doesn't matter what form it's in.
If you like to work in certain, set forms of poetry, great. For me, I write in free verse most of the time and for those of us who aren't natural poet's it works really well. I start by writing a paragraph which i'll chop and change until i'm happy. Then i'll split the paragraph into lines on a page and go back and edit again. Once I have one section i'm really happy with I find it inspires me to keep going.

It doesn't have to be about True love, finding "the one" and "knowing instantly".
Sometimes we feel it poems and readings for weddings have to be about true love. They don't. Another friend of mine who is getting married next year asked me for advice on finding a special reading for her ceremony that wasn't lovey dovey. I suggested looking through her favourite books for paragraphs about home, family and the things that her and her fiance really cherished in life. Things that are important to you make a better statement on the day. Of course if you or your friends did know instantly and did find "the one", there's nothing wrong with that, but only say it if it's absolutely true!!

Ease the pressure.
It's difficult to write something for someone you love dearly especially when it's going to be read aloud as part of the most important day of their life so far. I set it aside for a while and only wrote when I had something to say and tried to forget who it was for. Focus on the writing, and forget about the performance...for now!

I hope this helps a little if any of you find yourself in this situation!

Good night, bloggeroo's.

Words from my notebook

2011-06-15T22:50:00.000+01:00

Dust Jar

The corners of my eyes,

Full of dust and sleep,

Are shaded by old blankets

With ladders where the edges

Were loved too much.

Hiding between the dark matter

And the strings that join,

Quiet in the folded linen.

The sheets possess secrets

While I dream and wonder;

Keeping still and hush about the location

Of my mind:

Stowed in a glass container

And left to the stars.

You're never really lost when you're following a river.

2011-06-14T22:11:00.000+01:00

The other night, amid a cloud of gloom, I considered letting go of this blog once and for all. For a while I've found it hard to find things I think are worth posting about and also struggled with my own little mind monsters that make me overly critical of quite a lot of things I do. It all stems down to the fact that a few years ago I lost every scrap of confidence I had, even though I am excellent at faux-confidence. Suddenly I understand why I've not been able to hone down one specific career path, because I just don't know what I'm good at. I have a sort of idea but I hate that "Jack of all trades, Master of none" thing. I want to be really, really good at something.

So I'm trying to figure it out. I'm about to venture down a path and I don't know what I'll find at the end. It's scary, exciting and if you don't push me I'll run back the way I came. I emailed some of you to ask for advice on how to get to where I would like to be. I still haven't decided on how I'll get there. Sometimes I feel like I'm floundering a little...a lot!

I decided to keep blogging because I couldn't bear the thought of giving up this wonderful community of people who are so darn helpful. Bloggeroo's, I think you are awesome.

Apologies that this is a me, me, me post! We've all got to get this stuff out and ask for help, right?

The colour of water.

2011-06-04T22:35:00.000+01:00

So, there's a theme emerging. Watercolours are high on my list of beautiful things and inspiration this week. Take a peek at these wonderful paintings by Cate Parr.

(click the pictures to go to individual source/etsy pages)

Super talented, right?!

I get the feeling I'll be hanging round the blog and internets tomorrow. I might even throw in a few emails to make you smile. Am going to my follower list to see who I shall email...

Watercolour Pencils

2011-06-04T21:27:00.001+01:00

I love those words together.

watercolour pencils.

So today I bought some watercolour pencils and some watercolour paper (also excellent together). The sun was shining and I walked for quite a way to find a little independent art shop which I was sure would be in my town.

It wasn't there.

I must of imagined it because where I thought would be one, was actually a bookshop so I had to slope into a high-street chain... and no sooner had I bought everything, the sky burst and rain poured. Then comes the realization that I forgot to bring a jacket or anything that could shield me. So I scurried into the nearest coffee shop, which just happened to be a Starbucks.

*Cue more rain.*

I sheltered for a while, sketched and drank a rather questionable Chai tea latte... (Someone at Starbucks HQ obviously said, "Get a normal cup of tea, quickly dip a stick of Cinnamon in it for a few milliseconds and no one will ever tell the difference. Don't worry about the rest of the ingredients!")

But eventually I made it home and that, I suppose, is the end of the story.

xoxo

The birthday.

2011-05-26T19:08:00.000+01:00

Twenty five. Twenty-flooping-five.

Me, post birthday celebrations on Saturday.

This is my new age and I sort of like it! Monday through Wednesday were more or less spent in a "getting to grips with being half way to thirty" stupor, but in the midst of the birthday blues I made a decision, a small one, but still a decision. I need to read more. I used to love reading and although I still read, it's become a bit of a chore and I'm not excited about it anymore. So to remedy this I've ordered myself a Kindle, 'cause you know how much I love new technology!

When it turned up today it wouldn't fit through the letter box and my Mister didn't hear the doorbell, so it's been sent back to the sorting office! Now I have to wait 'til the morning to pick it up.

*sulks*

There is an empty space where my Kindle should be...

While I wait for my ereader what thoughts do you have on books I should read? I feel like reading something a little whimsical; nothing too depressing. Is there anything out there you think I might like? Suggestions please! Old books or new. I'm not a fussy girl.

Oh hi, Monday.

2011-05-16T07:30:00.000+01:00

Good Monday morning, Bloggeroo's. Up early to bring you lots of sunshine to start your day.

*sprinkles sunshine* If it rains...I had nothing to do with it. 'K?

Kate over at Kate's Irrelevant was sweet enough to ask me to be part of her "Getting To Know Your Favourite Blogs" feature a few weeks back and I thought you should all go and get to know me a little better!

Click here to read mine------> <3

Or here to see who else was featured-----> <3

And to finish let's have some pictures that inspire me...

I tried to credit these pics but it seems after multiple tumblr-ings the original photographer's have been lost. If found please return to my email box so I can credit properly :)

Be spectacled.

2011-05-15T10:48:00.000+01:00

When they were new I loved my glasses. I had two pairs, one red and one black, although only the black pair survived the days of student living in one room with everything on the floor. Yes, I stepped on the red pair and snapped them in two... These frames have seen me through a lot and I've seen a lot through them! But they are scratched, quite badly and look kinda shabby now. Plus I haven't had an eye test in three years. So, I'm seeking out new frames.

Noting a colour theme... and a definite leaning towards the vintage style. The upswept sides are so sweet, but for everyday? Not sure if I could pull it off. I really like the first pair. They've got a vintage look without going over the top. I do REALLY like the third pair though... What do you think?

2011-05-14T11:15:00.000+01:00

2011-04-06T12:00:00.003+01:00

This trio originally took my eye with their name as it features on of my very favourite words: Catapult. I could ramble off into a history of why I like this word so much, but I won't...

Elizabeth & the Catapult, are a band I can see myself listening to through the sunny days of Spring. They've a definite indie edge to their sound. Lyrically deep without taking themselves too seriously, I am so excited to have them in my music library! Check them out and let me know what you think in the comment section.

2011-04-02T13:52:00.001+01:00

Apologies for not being around the blog this past week. I've been working hard and doing extra shifts at work to keep us going while the Mister is out of work. It seems I've exhausted myself and I was sleep walking until Thursday afternoon when I totally crashed, went to bed for a 15 minute nap and slept for hours! It didn't even stop me from having a good sleep that night! So this means I'm a week behind on my Spring music list...Let us call this Spring break and I'll be back on track for next Wednesday :P

On a twinklier note, I did some gardening earlier. There's not a garden attached to my flat, just a very small Juliette balcony that just about fits a planter on . Last year I planted rocket, which I didn't actually use, but it's still growing and currently shooting little buds. I may have killed it this morning by digging up all the rocket plants and putting them in a smaller pot... I have a tendancy to kill off plants! Whoops. Here's hoping it's still alive in the morning. In the big trough I planted some assorted seeds of flowers that attract butterflies. They should start sprouting in 2 weeks so I'll keep you posted. I keep going to the window to see if they've grown yet :D Sooo impatient. The packet doesn't say what types of flowers are in the packet so I'm going to have some fun trying to identify them!

After gardening I attempted the first of the Grimm's Fairy Tale videos. It was a DISASTER. I will get around to doing them once I update my broken laptop. This thing is about as useless as a brick with a keyboard attached :P

Does anyone have any ideas on making hanging baskets? Know of any tutes? I want to make my little balcony super pretty this Spring/Summer!

Tape strips by PuglyPixel

2011-03-27T22:47:00.003+01:00

Yup. That's me up there looking a STATE after being swilled around the Big Blue. The Mister and I meant to go fishing today, but our plans were thrown into disaray when we woke and realised the clocks had gone forward and lost an hour. (I wonder why we are allowed to mess around with time in this way?)

I ended up running this morning, having proper coffee with my favourite man and then a little surf this avo. I took my fins and went out for some body boarding. There's nothing like the rush of the sea and the sting of the moisturiser you put on in the morning as it mixes with the salt and runs into your eyes. Ouch. Don't make that mistake twice!

As you can see it was a bit of a gray day and there wasn't great light for photography, plus it was cold... So since I've been sorting through my photo collection this evening trying to organise all the random albums I have gathered I thought I'd share a few pics from a previous surf day. I think I posted a few from this album before but there were so many of them I had to be selective!

I'm still backing up all my photos. I could be here all night at this rate!

Toodle pip, Bloggeroo's.

(Medallion from puglypixel)

2011-03-26T12:15:00.000Z

It's the weekend (in case you haven't noticed) and I'm spending Saturday lounging around the flat doing blog things and catching up with laundry.

*man unplugs keyboard and hoovers it*

Seriously, I can't do anything round here without being dusted or wiped or vacuumed!

For those of you who own an Android phone and don't have the opportunity to use instagram, the iphone camera app that it seems everyone is using, I've been using one called retrocam, but haven't really liked it all that much and yesterday I found a new one to try, Vignette. I'm actually really impressed with the amount of options and the filters are awesome and it's only the demo version! I made Howard sit for a while so I could take pictures. He's sulking in these photographs...

Ooo and some exciting news! One of my best friends (@bondybaby on Twitter) is getting married in August and she has asked me to write a poem to read as part of the ceremony. I am so honoured that she is trusting me with such a special thing :)

I have lots of love in my heart today <3

2011-03-23T12:00:00.002Z

The Pierce sisters have already made three albums, but after having several songs featured on hit tv shows they're starting to get the recognition the pair have worked so hard for. Having grown up listening to Joni Mitchell you just know that their song writing will reflect that and it does: a twang of folk blended with a smidge of 1970s groove. More than that though, there is something about them that reminds me of early 90s indie pop. Oh, let's just build a time machine and take me back to my youth! Seriously, I really love these girls and I will definately be chilling to their latest E.P on Sunday afternoons.

2011-03-16T09:00:00.003Z

For me, Spring means weekend driving in the first sunshine and what better to listen to than a little ukulele and a voice to melt your heart. Misty, 16, cites Elvis and Bob Dylan among those who inspire her song writing and has just finished recording her debut album. Listening to 'Bones', this girl has definate grit, but isn't afraid to show her soft side. Certainly one to watch; certainly one to have on standby for surf trips! Click the photo above to go to her Myspace page or check out the video below...(I think it must have been inspired by Where The Wild Things Are!)

Come back next Wednesday to see the second on my list of new music artists for Spring :)

Housekeeping

2011-03-15T21:37:00.001Z

Hey bloggeroos.

I have come up with three new regular features to keep a sort of structure around my otherwise completely random blogging! I made a pact with myself months ago, that I would only blog from the heart and completely unplanned. The straight from the heart still stands, but I think I need a little scaffolding to cling to, although the written part of my posts will probably still get done in 10 minutes flat! I'm imprompto like that :D

a) 10 weeks 10 artists: Music to live by- My Spring soundtrack (Every Wednesday, starting tomorrow! Make sure you check it out.)

b) 52 (The weekly version of 365!) Message in a bottle. Perhaps this is a good excuse to collect wine bottles :P

c) A weekly vlog reading of the Grimm's fairytales. There are 210 stories so that should keep me going for a while.

What do you think? I'm really excited about the Spring music list, as I love discovering new bands. If there's anyone you're loving at the moment then leave me a link to their myspace or just tell me their name in the comments. Eee exciting!

As always, I think you're awesome. xo

P.S You can now subscribe via email, just have a look in the sidebar. (Diana from Our.City.Lights finally convinced me!)

2011-03-14T09:00:00.001Z

Good Monday to you!

Those pics are from last evening's imprompto photoshoot in my bathroom. Note the dressing gown hanging on the back of the door!

If you think back a week or two, I mentioned that I was going to pick up my sewing machines from home, and I did...one of them at least and I got going with making a doll. I cut out all the pieces and embroidered the face because I'm waaay too impatient. I threaded up the machine and went to stitch...

And I suddenly remembered that I hadn't picked up the foot peddle or the cable for it! So i'm stuck with a half finished doll and a sewer that can't work. It looks all sad, sat there in the corner all ready to go.

This is TYPICAL me. *sigh* :P

Shell study.

2011-03-13T14:06:00.000Z

cred

I pick up shells when I go to the shore and I follow the same steps each time.

1. Pick up all the shells or pebbles that interest you.

2. Sit crossed-legged on the sand (very important) and sort through the pile, making two catagories: Maybe and No.

3. Discard the No pile.

4. Take another look through the Maybe's and only pick out the prettiest, most interesting shells or pebbles.

5. Make up your mind. You are only allowed to take one home to add to your collection.

6. Go home, put the new shell in your jar and wonder about all the ones you had to leave behind.

2011-03-13T12:52:00.002Z

How true are the words of Mr Disney? Very.

Let us dream big and chase them.

I've had a wee shake up here on the blog. It looks all sparkly and new! I'm planning on getting a new camera soon, some kind of SLR...maybe a Canon? (Any suggestions?) So I'm excited to get out and take some pretty pics in a month or two. Until then I have to make do with my little phone camera :)

It's hard to blog when your bf is dancing around the living room like a complete loon, singing into the plug end of his headphones.

He's dreaming of being a rockstar.

Dream. Dream. Dream.

Show your face, wallflower

2011-02-20T12:00:00.002Z

It's Suuuunday!

Uh huh. Yup. It's Sunday and I'm feeling very bloggy and creative. I really want to get some paints out and do pretty watercolours, but my paint set is far away at my dad's house. Hopefully I'll be going south to pick them up next weekend. Also being collected are my sewing machines, all three. My two antique ones that don't work and the cheapy that stitches like a dream. Roll on, next week so I can start making my own clothes!

Pretty sea inspired watercolours by Kerri Shipp

Have a lovely Sunday :)

Fort.

2011-02-20T10:00:00.001Z

Oh Howard (and other stuff)

2011-02-19T13:37:00.000Z

Howard is fresh in my mind lately. He sits with me on the arm of the sofa while I write and has quickly become the subject of a children's story. Whether or not this story will ever see the light of day remains to be seen, but I'm finding it much, much easier to write for children than for adults. Less pressure.

I'm blogging from the kitchen today and got the munchies all of a sudden so I've raided the cupboard to find some jam doughnuts that were going out of date soon...they had to be eaten...ALL OF THEM. Yum. Note to all self-confessed foodies out there. Never blog from the kitchen unless you are sure you need to eat.
Anyhoo. The bf is away this weekend so I'm enjoying peace and quiet. Radio 6 Music is on, the notepad is out and catching up with laundry, housework and blogging.

I am Tree

2011-02-15T17:04:00.000Z

"I can look at the knot in a piece of wood until it frightens me."

-William Blake

A stroll round the grounds of a local church

There is nothing like a strong tree. They have always fascinated my eye; the lines, the grain, the knots. That strange way that trees like to grow with negative space peeping through branches. I love trees most when they are living and growing The men in my family have always dabbled in carpentry, dollhouses, bookcases and such. I grew up around piles of wood shavings in the workshop and trees that were allowed to grow far into the sky.

I still have dreams about the trees at the bottom of my childhood home, the same dream I had from when I was very small. I would take off from the back door and try to fly over the tops of the trees but would always fall into the branches until, at 22, I finally made it over the tree tops and flew across a beautiful river, landing in a gentle glade where some kind of fairy folk had a tea party waiting for me.

Ah yes. This is the stuff of dreams.

2011-02-02T17:13:00.002Z

I would love to learn to make marionettes like these!

Who'd have thunk

2011-01-31T10:00:00.000Z

Looky here! You magazine did a spread featuring some of Monsoon's SS collection and guess what? It's really, REALLY pretty. They've kind of out done themselves, in my opinion.

I'm particularly partial to that floral mini dress. Not at all convinced about the crochet dress with nada underneath, but open minds ladies, open minds.

*Hyperventilates at the thought of not being able to wear knickers, and comfortable ones at that!*

Still the dress is pretty and the roses covering her boobaloobs are doing an excellent job. Round of applause for the florist!

See you tomorrow, guys.

A 'sit down and write what ever's in your head' blog post

2011-01-30T17:08:00.000Z

Ahhhh Sunday. A day for fishing, baking, defrosting the freezer, and reading Anna Karenina. Oh and an excellent tennis match. Today has gone incredibly slowly and I'm pleased I've got tonight's dinner prepared because I can focus on doing the important things...like sitting down...and blogging.

I so look forward to the weekends now I'm working. The week days seem to to fold into one another and quick as a flash there are two lovely days to myself. They pass far too quickly though. If I could, I think it would be nice to stay at home, looking after the house, cooking and kids. Ha! Yes I'm feeling broody! I don't say this because I think it would be an easier way of life, it's certainly not, of that I am sure, but I actually enjoy doing that stuff.

It's funny how posts turn out. When I sat down I didn't intend to write about wanting to be a housegirlfriend. I guess it's on my mind that all my friends seem to be settling down. Don't get me wrong, I'm settled with my man, but I'm coming up 25 and before you know it i'll be 110 still dancing round, shaking my thang on the dance floor.

My brain is nuts. On one hand I want to remain as childlike as possible and on the other I want to be all grown up.

I suppose what I was trying to say was that it has been a good Sunday... *sigh*

Sunday

2011-01-16T16:24:00.001Z

This just goes to show how slack at blogging I've been over the past year. I was rifling through some old photo files as I was trying to do up my blog a bit and I found pretty pics that I've never posted...I don't think, anyway.

I must have been going through a floral phase when I took these!

And as always, my obsession with all things 'sea' shines through...

It's been a fun Sunday, guys. What did you do today?

Words from my notebook

2011-01-14T20:40:00.003Z

Find me here amongst my possessions,
and I will show you everything I have gained.
Each jewel; each scrap of paper;
each mark on my body can tell you where I have come from
and where I am headed.

They all have a tale of lost times and lost boys
that moved on without thought or care;
passing through as lovers have always done.
They take me to the beautiful days
when men whistled in the street at a glimpse of my calves,
the saffron glow of tea dances,
stolen kisses, weekends at the lake.

And when I am satisfied with my remembrance
I carefully wrap each piece in fragranced tissue,
protecting them from the wear that time
will inevitably bring.

Good morning, campers.

2011-01-14T10:18:00.000Z

You know I love camping, whether it's in our little campervan or wild in a poky tent. I just wish it were as magical as these pictures make it seem...or maybe I'm just doing it wrong! (Who am I kidding, it's always magical.)

1.2.3

And I'm loving the styling of Tay Tay's new video for Back To December...

I'm looking for inspiration to look at later on today so if you're passing, pop you're blog link or etsy shop in the comments. I'd love to see what you are up to.

Love love love
xoxo

Howard says,

2011-01-04T12:00:00.001Z

Back to December (Picture heavy)

2011-01-03T15:36:00.000Z

Last year I went on so many hikes and never got around to posting many of the pics so here are a selection from December's walkies.

xoxo

I wonder what 2011 will bring

2011-01-03T14:34:00.000Z

(photo taken with my own fair hands.)

At New Years we always make resolutions that we usually don't stick to so I have no goals to reach this year. Instead I am continuing to work on my 30 things list of stuff that I really want to do and I'm making time to focus on art in what ever form it might show up in. I neglect you far too much, creativity.

I've just come back from my lil' Christmas holiday in the countryside, just my bf and I in a campervan for a week has been bliss. Not looking forward to returning to work tomorrow, but it's got to be done! We've spent most of the time being all creative, my man with his guitar and me with my pointy sticks, designing things. Things like this sweet little bag...

Howard the owl says hi, btw.

I want it to sit across the body with a hemp braided strap, just got to find some twine to finish it off.

Happy New Year, little ones.

xoxo

(There'll be some pics up later from the hiking that i've done in the last few months. Check it.)

Animals hide in my teacup all the time

2010-12-21T15:11:00.000Z

"Animal crackers in my soup

monkeys and rabbits loop the loop"

rakuten

I used to sing that animal cracker song all the time as a kid, usually while I was swimming in the bath, pretending to be a little mermaid. (It's easier to do that when you're little, I need a much bigger tub to splash around in now)

These teacups are so sweet. A bear, an owl or a little fox. Seriously if I owned these I'd drink tea all the time and what sucks most is that I am voluntarily abstaining from tea, coffee and all caffeinated beverages. The bear wouldn't mind if I drank herbal tea instead, would he?

xoxo

Sketch city

2010-12-01T19:02:00.002Z

Got a little arty after watching a zillion of those handmade portraits over at Etsy. I knew something was bursting to get out; I tried writing but that didn't help and I still felt antsy. It seems that the pencil and paper I grabbed have done the trick.

XOXO

(Covered in snow)

2010-11-30T18:05:00.002Z

cred

It's raining white frost again, making the British temperature drop to silly, silly cold and icing up the pavements so pedestrians walk in the cycle lane, and cyclists are in the road and no one very much is driving. This kind of weather always gets me thinking about the things that I pop in a little box, in the corner of my mind, marked "FOR WHEN IT SNOWS" in big black letters just like that. This morning I began pondering over whether I should go back to university and take my Masters degree. Either creative writing or publishing... or maybe Geology, then I could tick it off my list. I also thought about quitting work and taking a year out to finish writing the novel I started, but then I could have done that before I got this job and I didn't so what would be different? There are no guarantees that after having taken a year to finish and perfect it, the manuscript would be published or picked up by an agent. These are risky times and risky thoughts are running round my head screaming "Put me on paper!".

In my head I have a wonderful image of my immediate leave to France, where I would rent a small cottage and live and write there until... Until what? Until it stops snowing. Until I have an entire manuscript. Until my dreams come true.

Yes, these are all the things in my head, but there is nothing quite like my imagination.
XOXO

PSSSSST... This song by Laura Marling is spectacularly snowy.

Little Red

2010-11-21T20:57:00.001Z

My little hands have been busy. Very busy. Red wool and pointy sticks. I followed this pattern for a slouchy hat to teach myself the magic loop technique and it turned out quite well! I'm now working on a few of my own patterns as well as some little princess crowns for my two twin nieces.

Check out my poor attempts at modelling... ha!

Hope you likey :)

XOXO

Style Crush: Taylor Swift

2010-11-16T15:13:00.000Z

xoxo

Sneezles & wheezles

2010-11-07T16:35:00.002Z

Nope, i'm not ill, i'm reminiscing. Again.

You must have noticed by now that I am slightly in love with my childhood and want it back, pronto!

This is part of one of my favorite poems from when I was little. I actually knew most of the poems by A A Milne by heart when I was three. Child flipping genius over here. (Kidding!)

and yes, that is Piglet in the background...with his friend Parsley the lion... What can I say... I'm 24...Don't judge me!

xoxo

EDIT:

Do you know when to stop?

2010-11-07T15:08:00.000Z

'Cause I don't! Yesterday was a shopping day and my Mister and I may have gone a leeeetle crazy with the British currency.

I went thrifting and found this lovely embroidery...

My Mister bought a new guitar and amp...

and I may have spoilt myself with a new jumper (It's coooold!!)

Really starting to feel those Winter nights creeping in. Last night I ended up creeping into a sleeping bag because the duvet just wasn't enough to keep me cosy. Hopefully my new jumper will help! Hehe.

Sorry for the quickly done, wonky pictures. I will do better. *smack hand, naughty blogger* :P

xoxo

30 things I want to do.

2010-11-05T14:31:00.000Z

cred

At the recommendation of a certain Gemma (here and here) I've been reading The Success Principles by Jack Canfield and trying to read myself into successfulness. Just thought I'd share one of the exercises with you...

30 things I want to do.

1. Learn to do handstands

2. Paint pictures of imaginary landscapes

3. Sail a yacht

4. Go ghost hunting

5. See a clairvoyant

6. Learn to cook

7. Speak French

8. Raise a family

9. Decorate my own home

10. Write

11. Understand the web languages (html and the rest)

12. Write and record an album

13. Set up a writers retreat in France

14. Publish a novel

15. Walk around London looking swish with a coffee in one hand and tweeting with the other...ha!

16. Live in Germany

17. Travel New Zealand

18. Bend the ear of Emma Thompson for writerly advice

19. Read all the important books of the last century

20. Publish an article in an academic journal

21. Take more photographs

22. Love <3

23. Grow my own fruit and veg

24. Trek the Great Wall of China

25. Take ballet class again

26. Make a film

27. Knit a whole cardigan...not just an arm

28. Act

29. Walk the entire Southwest coastal path by myself, camping along the way

30. Study Geology

Better start getting some of these done!

What do you want to do?

xoxo

I have a drawer...

2010-10-28T15:22:00.000+01:00

...a very special drawer,

where my mum collected all kinds of things from my childhood.

necklaces, baby teeth, christening gifts...

birthday bits, good luck cards, dance show programmes...

...and things that were owned by people I never knew.

Do you have a place where you keep special things from your childhood? (Apart from your heart <3)

xoxo

12 Days Class Meme

2010-10-27T12:00:00.000+01:00

:: It would be amazing if my house really was a shop like . . .
Something from the 1930s,40s, 50s.

:: But at the moment it's probably more like . . .
A cross between a mountain trek shop and a big mess.

:: The best-stocked area of my house has got to be . . .
My mister's side of the wardrobe. He has more clothes than I do :O

:: But I'm not sure I would dare do a stock-take of my . . .
Freezer. It's vvvvvery icy.

:: I could actually open my doors right now and sell off most of my . . . and I'd still have plenty left.
I could sell off my Mister's stuff...but I don't think he'd be very happy :P

:: If I could go shopping in someone else's house I'd choose . . .
...I have no idea! I'll let you know when I've looked inside more people's houses!

:: With the money I'll save by shopping at home for my supplies, I could buy . . .
A house!?

:: The best thing about shopping at home will be . . .
SHOPPING!

:: Shopping at home will mean I can get away with wearing . .
Pajamas. All day, everyday.

Kirsty and Julie are hosting another 12 Days class this year, starting on November 4th. Check it out!

xoxo

2010-10-26T17:44:00.000+01:00

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Where the trees meet the track.

That is where I am going

and there will be no turning.

Kick up those leaves and there will be nothing to cover you

when you sleep among the roots,

wanting warmth from the only orange you can find.

Do they burn?

All I know is that I'm free.

- From my notebook, Oct 2010

xoxo

Currently reading...

2010-10-25T18:02:00.002+01:00

(someone credited this to the tumblr home page...if you know whose work it is let me know <3)

Oh holy moly, it's getting frosty here in Wales. My car was completely frozen when I left for work this morning. Yes you did read correctly. I have a job! Have I already told you that? Ah well, it's worth shouting from the rooftops! Don't get too excited, it's not dream job material, but a job is a job. Let's all jump up and down in unison.

I'm using my spare time more carefully now I don't have much of it left. Hopefully I'll be blogging more often now i've got a usb keyboard for my laptop. Yes, guys. My laptop is royally frakked. The upside of the situation is that I can sit on my bed with the laptop half way down it and me curled up all cosy with the keyboard, typing away without worrying that i'm going to burn the skin off my thighs or set fire to the bedspread...the latter has never happened but you never can tell.

This week i'm planning on catching up with my bedtime reading. First to finish is Stephen Fry's new autobiography, then Eat Pray Love, and after all that i'll start the monster of a book called Beginning HTML, XHTML, CSS and Javascript.

Ignore the dozy look in my eye! Looks like it'll be good bedtime reading, sending me right off to sleep :P

What's on your bedtime reading list?

XOXO

EDIT: full of typos today...blame it on the new keyboard :$

Why cats are awesome

2010-10-25T17:08:00.000+01:00

cred

There are many reasons cats are awesome, some are outlined in the picture above. My particular favourite is floppy, but they are by no means the only reasons why cats are the bo-dizzly.

1. They can squeeze through small spaces making them perfect for ninja adventures.

2. No need to buy a winter wardrobe, my friends! If you are a kitty you will grow one automatically.

3. Naturally humourous. Ever seen a cat chasing it's tail or swinging from a door handle... exactly.

4. Strutting. They know they were born with awesome inside.

cred.

I want a kitty. A big fat one. With fluff.

Please.

XOXO

Clock Week

2010-09-28T22:42:00.002+01:00

This week has suddenly become clock week and I am obviously beginning to show my obsessive colours. I don't have many collections. I had quite a few china ornaments as a child and the usual toy collection, but I wouldn't say i've collected stuff since.

I hear my family scoffing at that last sentence. Apparently I hoard things. It's completely untrue.

Just don't open the wardrobe at my dad's house. It may or may not be stuffed full of things I might need one day. And don't go in the attic. It's jam packed with lions and tigers and plastic teapots, oh my!

It seems I have a tough time letting go.

I have to let go of this because I never had it in the first place.

XOXO

Update: Clair reminds me that I have jars full of teddy bear eyes in a cupboard...I also have teddy bear noses. ...shhhh

My etsy hearts

2010-09-28T17:18:00.001+01:00

I know it's sold, but just look at it.

XOXO

Current Obsessions: Braids

2010-09-28T17:13:00.000+01:00

Yeah, you know it. I'm obsessed. All this week i've been rocking a braid across the front of my hair on one side. For years i've tried to do french braids and failed miserably. Suddenly I can do it...JUST. It's the same rush I got when I practiced basic plaits on my Sindy doll and finally got it! Eeee. This is great! The best part is that on Saturday I'm in a wedding and the bridesmaids are having a braid incorporated into the hair. I am THE most excitable bunny you can imagine right now. Hop hop :)

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If you're wondering why i'm in such a hoppy/happy mood, I have a job interview on Monday! Not my dream job, but it's a job! A job! An actual job that will pay me money to do stuff. An actual job that will allow me to pay for real internet. A real job that will let me buy awesome clothes! Hurrah!

XOXOXOXOXOXO (you get extra kissy-huggs today.)

Hide me Heidi braids

2010-09-24T14:14:00.000+01:00

No money to spend on cute clothes? Express yourself with awesome hair!

This is my attempt at Orchid Grey's Heidi Braids.

xoxo

2010-09-24T11:46:00.002+01:00

Forget Me Not - Air Scheme Channel 4 from Mew Lab on Vimeo.

xoxo

Little Red in the forest of tree pencils

2010-09-09T14:58:00.001+01:00

Looking a little sinister there aren't I? Those colouring pencils just smelled so good it reminded me of Little Red, wandering through the forest, not realising the crazy haired wolf was about to pounce. Tree pencils. Love them. My mister bought them for me 'cause I did the whole cute face thing..."If I don't own these I'm going to cry"...Yeah, you know the face.

During my daily tweet beat, I discovered Gabrielle of The Green Gal blog has had one of her pretty bunting bags featured in Red magazine. This is cool. Wait... Extremely cool. Waaaaaaaaay cool. Congratulations :)

Woke up this morning with wild hair going on, but I figure, hey it goes with my sinister, tree pencil sniffing, mindset. Wild hair rules. Ch-ch-check it...

Big hair!

Now, on to getting some work done. Sinister face, over and out.

xoxo

Owl be seeing you

2010-09-08T22:04:00.000+01:00

How cute? CUTE! I'm in love with this sweet owly planter that's on the front page of etsy. Some time soon I should go thrifting and pick up a few pretties.

It's not long until i'm bridesmaid in a family wedding, so i'm starting to think about gift ideas for the bride and groom. I've got an idea of what I want to do, hand embroidery, but i'm open to suggestions. Have you ever made a sentimental, handmade gift for a wedding? Let me know :)

xoxo

If lost, follow the breadcrumbs

2010-09-07T14:15:00.002+01:00

At least one thing from the list has been completed...

I.am.breadmaker.extraordinaire. Ready for the recipe??

Quick Loaf

You'll need...

- 500g of self raising flour

- 1 tsp quick yeast

- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- Half a pint of warm water
- A bit of whatever oil you have laying around the kitchen

1. Preheat the oven to a medium/high heat.

2.Mix the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar together and then add in the water until it forms a dough.

3. Add a little oil.

4. Knead like crazy for several minutes. (It helps to think of something that has recently annoyed you!)

5. Put the dough into an oiled loaf tin and leave in a warm place for 20-30 minutes.

6. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.

7. Eat it with JAM!! Yum :)

Who'd have thought I'd ever post a recipe on here. My RL friends will think this is a scandal!

xoxo

2010-09-07T12:18:00.002+01:00

cred

Take me to the beach

2010-09-06T15:50:00.000+01:00

Is it possible to suffer from beach withdrawal symptoms? 'Cause I think I might be. The mister and I spent the weekend at Llangeneth which is quite possibly the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Talk about windy though. I went for a run, yes...don't look at me like that...and the sand blowing off the dunes was stinging the backs of my legs. Beautiful but incredibly fierce. (And of course, the surf was up too.)

After working my butt off this morning on a few articles, I've come to the conclusion that I am bored. Damn that action packed weekend! Now my computer is my only window to the world. (I'm also sat in the kitchen which makes for terrible hunger pangs.)

found via Kirsty and Clair:

listening:The sound of cars driving through the rainy street.
eating: Egg salad. Mmmmm, it's so tasty...*end sarcasm*
drinking: Water.
wearing: My fave jeans and mustard coloured tee.
feeling: BORED.
weather: Rainy, windy, cold...the usual.
wanting: A treehouse or a den made of sheets to hide in.
needing: The above.
thinking: About hiding in a treehouse...
enjoying: Blogging.
wondering: How the heck do I move forward?

xoxo

Words from my notebook

2010-09-06T14:36:00.000+01:00

I've pulled it out of the darkroom

In an attempt

To reclaim what was taken.

That box of snapshots

Sitting on my floor,

As I scatter these images, memories

One by one.

I'd never looked

At her beauty 'til now.

Her skin is mine;

Her hair,

Her essence.

I would give anything

To capture her again

But she belongs to me

Only in photographs.

xoxo

It's Knitty Time.

2010-09-03T16:23:00.000+01:00

It's Autumn.

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And this means the pointy sticks are out again. Sheep, beware. I am coming for your warm wooly coats!

To me, Fall means cardis, hats, cosy socks, and a nice glass of cider. So you won't be surprised that I got all excited over the Fall issue of Knitty. *Cue looks of pure shock that I got super excited over knitting stuff*

Ch-ch-check out some of the stunning free knitting patterns they've got.

I think this is my fave

but I like this one too...

xoxo

Settle down, tired heart

2010-09-02T13:11:00.000+01:00

cred.

I'm one of those people who like to know precisely what is going to happen prior to it actually happening. Of course, this is mostly impossible, but a little warning makes me feel more comfortable with change. You'll remember that it wasn't long ago that my Mister and I moved to Wales for his work, but we've quickly realised that the chances of me finding work here are slim to none. London has been placed in a jam jar and set out on the table for discussion several times. While London is...nice to visit...ish, I'm not sure if I want to live there.

Even just thinking about London makes me think of negative things. Time to change my mindset. If it is a possibility that I might move there I have to see the good side of the place. Good things about London...Good things about London...Good things...

1. Culture- All the things I love are there: Art, shows, music, vintage!
2. Creative people- I'd probably fit in quite well...'cause i'm a bit weird...
3...

And that's all I got folks. Someone help me fall in love with London, please!

cred.cred.

xoxo

I knew I liked the name Colin for a reason.

2010-08-16T23:45:00.000+01:00

Exsqueeze me while drool a little.

xoxo

I am a bit of a thought nomad.

2010-08-16T21:50:00.000+01:00

Unlike the female stereotype i'm not at all very good at multi-tasking, so when I focus my attention on one thing, something else slips. Something else being the blog. You know I think you guys are awesome, if a little nutty, but hey who am I to talk.

Just lately I've been focusing on other writing which you can see here on page 45-48 ----> <3<3<3
It's kind of fun but a lot of hard work and i'm trying to decide if I want to use my press pass and go to London Fashion Week and write an article...I know it sounds cool, right?

We'll see.

Just wanted to pop in and give hugs. I'm still here!
xoxo

Rawwr. (I drew a blank for good titles okay?! ha!)

2010-07-22T07:50:00.002+01:00

This is what my Mister has been doing for the past two weeks...making the videos, not skating.

And he's back home tonight! Yay!

xoxo

Style crush crush crush: On the fringe

2010-07-13T14:09:00.000+01:00

The last time I wore a garment with fringing attached, I was 10, dressed as a Squaw and was waiting in the wings of a fancy dress competition. My costume, lovingly made by my mother, was complete with feathers, braids and a cuddly bunny wrapped in a tea-towel. I strode up on to the stage, proud to be in the final group. I had the best costume, but they'd seen it a thousand times before. The kid dressed as a box of cigarettes won. Apparently it was...unique. I never got over it. I scorned fringing through out my teen years, so imagine my shock when I was looking at British Vogue earlier today, to see bags and shoes covered in the stuff and worse still...I liked it.

Marc Jacobs

The whole country and western trend has come and gone for years and all of those times I hated it, so why is it different this time?

The thing is that it's simple and unfussy. I don't need to wear hefty suede jacket with tassles swinging to and fro; neither do I need to don a cowboy hat. I can go about wearing my normal clothes and sling on a pair of fringed heels and wam: super fashionista at your service! Now we all know that I'm not one for heels in the day, mainly because i'm giantly tall...

but a pair of sandals and a fringed bag, I can cope with.

xoxo

A little tutorial round up

2010-07-10T20:12:00.002+01:00

I've been doing a bit of freelancing lately and this past week I've been lucky enough to be working on some craft related titles. I was working on a round up of tutorials that used up old or vintage handkerchiefs. I'm probably not supposed to do this, but I wanted to share two of them with you guys 'cause they were far too pretty to not tell you about.

This super cute rosette is made using the outer edge of a vintage hanky. I'm planning on making lots of these...once i've collected enough handkerchiefs, of course :P

...and these sweet little hanging vases with little cases. Seriously, when I get married i'm going to make these to hold flowers. Not that i'm getting married. Although, after two and a half years...*ahem* I'm just sayin'! I might even make some of these for the flat 'cause...just look at them!!!

Cute.

If you make either let me know, I wanna see!

:)

xoxo

EDIT: I'm using mobile broadband for the foreseeable future and for some reason it won't let me comment on Blogger. I promise, i'm not ignoring you, it won't let me talk to you :( Hopefully (when I earn enough moola) I can go back to regular broadband and everything can go back to normal. Comment city!