Write it a Hundred Times

Scrapbook Pt 1

2011-09-30T11:01:00.023+01:00

If recent conversations are anything to go by, buying my very own house is going to have to wait. However, that doesn't mean I can't keep dreaming! (Do I actually ever do anything else?!)

House tour Scrapbook Pt 1:

Buns & Roses, Leeds City Women's Institute

2011-07-26T11:56:00.005+01:00

So I thought I'd write a little post about Buns & Roses.
I have been attending the group since December 2010 - I am yet to buy my official membership and have only actually attended a few meetings, however so far, it's been fab! I have really enjoyed getting together with some new people to chat, drink tea, craft and put the world to rights! I am really looking forward to getting more involved with things and I hope to do so once my circumstances are a little easier to deal with.
After reading Ruth Bond's post, I thought it was important to give the ladies at B & R another shout out and highlight the fact that the ladies in attendance at WI meetings do not conform to stereotypes and do not take kindly to sweeping generalisations made by (you guessed it) the nation's most well-known newspaper full of bullsh*t! Who buys it anyway? Jeez!

Oh I think that was my first ever bloggy swear.

Go Buns & Roses!

x

Dreaming

2011-07-10T17:23:00.003+01:00

In recent times I've become really quite obsessed with DIY/Homewares. I may actually be a house-obsessed woman in her mid 40's underneath my 25yr old exterior. People do often tell me I am older than my years!
I have discovered that moving into a completely empty house is both scary and expensive. Furniture is notoriously tricky to find and afford... hmph.
Currently lusting after a dining area which resembles this one:

The Dangers of Mashed Potato

2011-06-03T13:52:00.001+01:00

My lovely friend Muffin (a.k.a Sarah) had a story published here.

Yay!

x

Return to the world of the blog?!

2011-05-26T15:59:00.003+01:00

I just realised I haven't written anything on here since November, where does time go?!
I am considering a more enthusiastic return to the world of blogging, my efforts so far have been fairly poor!
Hopefully I can share some of the things I'm upto, things I like and other people's exciting stuff too.
First of all I wanted to recommend you check out local review site Yelp, I have become a frequent Yelper in recent times, recommending my best Chapel Allerton and Leeds-based finds to the world! It's a brilliant site full of useful info, check it out.
I have just moved a bit further into Chapel Allerton and so I'm looking forward to trying out some more of the shops, restaurants and bars and sharing my thoughts!

To Visit:

2010-11-13T23:04:00.003Z

Amsterdam

Barcelona

Stockholm

Marakech

Moscow

New York

(to be continued...)

As of today...

2010-08-21T19:32:00.003+01:00

I am a hula girl!!!!!

Dunelm!!!!

2010-08-09T22:56:00.011+01:00

My friend Sarah (more commonly known [in my world] as Muffin) inspired me to have a peek at the Dunelm Mill website after posting a pic of a super cool woven stag cushion online earlier.

Here are more pretty things I found:

Whilst I am a true Yorkshire girl, I do love a red London bus. If I got one I might deface it and write LEEDS TOUR instead...
The spirograph clock is also amazing!

Betsey Love

2010-08-01T23:45:00.004+01:00

Finally, they are in my posession!!! My sunglasses collection is turning into an empire!

Happy

2010-07-26T23:16:00.002+01:00

Scarborough!

2010-07-11T20:45:00.003+01:00

July means Saz birthday times. This year, birthday times meant SEASIDE!

My Mr, beach, ice cream, chips, cocktails and sunshine = FUN birthday times!

Here is a photo from our visit:

Abigail Ahern

2010-07-11T20:29:00.005+01:00

I may be in love with this woman. I think these speak for themselves!

Lego Lovin'

2010-05-30T22:36:00.002+01:00

Possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen!

More here.

Blogging Madness

2010-04-09T15:59:00.001+01:00

It suddenly occurred to me today that there must be millions and millions of blogs in the world.
People I know have blogs that aren't talked about... until I randomly find and stalk them with the power of the 'Follow' button that is.

The internet really terrifies me!

Tablecloth

2010-03-27T15:02:00.003Z

I purchased the below shirt on the basis that I found it comforting because it reminds me of a tablecloth my grandma used to have:I am very glad I did because not only do I love it for its tablecloth-related properties, it is very comfy and also very flattering.
I may start making clothing decisions based on this reasoning more often.

Also, this arrived in the post for me today:

Which means I need to recover from my sewing machine related trauma, bite the bullet and admit to the pro's I'm a sewing machine n00b and I need hellllpppp!

Peanut Butter Fudge

2010-03-24T20:28:00.003Z

I just watched Sophie Dahl's new cookery show. Honestly, I find her to be even more gut-wrenchingly twee and lovely than Nigella, whose appeal and general 'I just can't believe she is a real person' factor has resulted in a complicated love-hate relationship in my mind.
However, she made peanut butter fudge - which makes her a winner.
(Please Note - she is also married to Jamie Cullum, who is 7 inches shorter than her and one of the most ridiculous men I have ever witnessed, she may be a winner in the kitchen but her other life choices are questionable.)

Anyway, here's the recpie, I can't wait to make some!

Peanut Butter Fudge

125g Butter
500g Dark Brown Sugar (That is a LOT of sugar!)
150ml Milk
1 Vanilla Pod or Vanilla Extract
250g Peanut Butter
300g Icing Sugar

Melt your butter in a pan and add the brown sugar.
Stir gently on a medium heat. Add your milk and simmer.
Remove from the heat and add your vanilla and the peanut butter. (If you use crunchy peanut butter you'll get nice chunks in your fudge)
Stir in the icing sugar and beat the mixture heavily. This will ensure you don't get bits of crystallised sugar in your fudge!
Scoop your mixture into a tin or dish and leave to set in the fridge.

Worrying Patterns.

2010-03-24T19:49:00.008Z

In recent times I've noticed my habits becoming more obsessive than before.
I have a new penchant for grey and feel that pretty soon everything I own will be grey and I will slip into a terrible state of non-commital nothingness because of the fact that it isn't a real colour.
However, until I reach that stage I am very happy with my grey (with black and purple) bedding, grey emulsion and newly purchased grey leather chesterfield sofas. La la laaa...
Also, looking at my recent purchases I am seeing a definite theme:

Maybe my need to purchase lighting related items is some sort of metaphor for what is missing from my life?

Hm... no.

This however, IS:

March Wishlist

2010-03-08T20:53:00.007Z

Operation Beautiful

2010-02-18T23:01:00.001Z

Operation Beautiful:

We all have our good days and bad days. But what if all it takes is one little encouraging note to turn someone else's bad day around?

The mission of Operation Beautiful is to leave post-its that have heartwarming, pleasant, smile-provoking messages on them. Write on a bunch of post-its and leave them anywhere: on peoples' cars, dressing room mirrors, whereever - you'll be able to brighten someone's day :)

Seriously, it's so easy:

1) Get some post-its;
2) Write a nice message ("You're beautiful," "Love yourself!", "Smile!")
3) Post it somewhere where people will see it!

Visit the website!

3 Grand Essentials to Happiness

2010-02-17T22:28:00.000Z

Love-ly.

2010-02-09T20:23:00.002Z

Something I would like to try my hand at:

The tutorial can be found here.

Somewhere Else I'd Like to Live...

2010-01-01T00:29:00.001Z

Revival

2009-12-31T23:22:00.003Z

Today over tea and peanut butter cupcakes, my friend Hannah and I decided we would like a cross stitch revival - spurred on by Hannah's discovery of tattoo flash cross stitch designs on etsy:
Hello Sailor Studio
My recent failings in the world of left handed knitting and a former love for cross stitch also fuelled this decision!

Some inspiriation:

Ok so perhaps not that last one...

The Joy of Christmas

2009-12-14T23:45:00.001Z

Tattooed Lady

2009-11-19T12:58:00.002Z

http://www.salonserpent.com/
Angelique Houtkamp

Pincushion

2009-11-15T22:58:00.000Z

modblog.bmezine.com

Today I Saw...

2009-11-14T21:52:00.000Z

http://jillstodayisaw.blogspot.com/

Myrtle

2009-11-14T12:10:00.003Z

Yesterday I met a tortoise called Myrtle. It occurred to me immediately that a tortoise (second only to a dog) would be the best pet EVER.
Meeting a tortoise on an otherwise unhappy day is enough to make the day a good one.

And now, a poem about Cedric:

Ode to a Goldfish
by Giles Brandreth

Oh Wet Pet.

Bat Dog

2009-11-07T22:41:00.001Z

We encountered one of these in the pub recently:

(My heart may now be melted.)

The Two Paths

2009-10-21T00:03:00.002+01:00

Choose carefully ladies!

DIY

2009-10-20T23:14:00.004+01:00

I am very proud indeed of my £2 mirror - transformed by my own hand and given a new lease of life!

You'll Sleep Tonight

2009-10-20T23:07:00.005+01:00

I would like to go and sleep here this weekend. Imagine the shock you'd get if you woke up in the night to go for a wee. Ah!

New Fave Dude.

2009-10-19T17:27:00.000+01:00

Seriously in the ZONE on saturday!!!! x

To Join, or Not To Join?

2009-10-13T00:30:00.002+01:00

http://www.bunsandroses.co.uk/

So Wrong.

2009-10-13T00:28:00.001+01:00

Halloween 2009

2009-10-08T01:31:00.001+01:00

Obsession(s).

2009-10-07T00:07:00.005+01:00

Laura Marie Walker

2009-10-07T00:04:00.001+01:00

http://lauramariewalker.com/

Wild Things

2009-10-03T00:07:00.001+01:00

Bandages

2009-10-01T00:40:00.004+01:00

Things that would brighten my day at the moment:

Don't Be Afraid

2009-09-21T20:20:00.001+01:00

Obsession?

2009-09-18T22:56:00.001+01:00

Cupcake

2009-09-14T21:24:00.001+01:00

http://iam.bmezine.com/?godelieve

This is such a lovely photo!!

Are You Happy?

2009-09-12T23:04:00.000+01:00

http://megpickard.tumblr.com/post/176956710/sound-advice

Unnecessary Wants List #1

2009-09-12T22:35:00.002+01:00

Because a purple velvet sofa just isn't enough...

Oh to have space to dance around in my perfect bathroom....

Jaguar E Type. If only I could drive one.

Amazing apothecary table to keep all my...apothercary stuff....in.

Vivienne Westwood bondage boots. Because of course I cannot walk in heels.

carrier bag + string =

2009-09-12T22:30:00.003+01:00

Well, not quite. But home made kites like these remind me of my own interesting interpretation of kites as a child, which involved tying the handles of a carrier bag together with a long piece of string, and then running around my grandma's garden as fast as possible in an effort to make them fly. VERY good times.

Paint Job

2009-09-07T14:32:00.000+01:00

Looove love love these purple drawers. Dreamy dreamy.

E is for Embrace

2009-09-06T23:01:00.001+01:00

www.paulthurlby.com

Teef!

2009-08-29T19:30:00.003+01:00

I love this necklace by Its Beautiful at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29140797

A Good Place to Read.

2009-08-17T19:06:00.000+01:00

I WANT TO LIVE HERE. NOW!

2009-08-14T21:15:00.003+01:00

Swoon.

One day, one day!

Energy Saving Reminder

2009-08-14T21:07:00.001+01:00

“If your power was supplied by your guinea pig, you wouldn’t let him run for nothing when you leave the room, would you?”

http://www.hu2.com/stickers_wall_design.html

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-07-31T21:31:00.002+01:00

Oh my GOD! I cannot WAIT for this! The characters look so great!!

Miko Design

2009-07-31T21:21:00.001+01:00

This little kiddy caravan playhouse is AMAZING. If I'd had one of these, it would have made my entire life.

http://mikodesign.blogspot.com/2009/07/little-tourthe-kitchen.html

Damn you Betsey Johnson!

2009-07-31T01:37:00.003+01:00

These are my PERFECT sunglasses. If I had them, I would be very happy indeed.
A few months ago, I saw a pair in TK Maxx. They were £11.99, but the bow was missing from the front, so I didn't buy them, even though they looked amazing.
I just located them online, for about $75. Even if I was prepared to spend about 50 quid on sunglasses (I am a serial sunglasses breaker), they are out of stock.

I am GUTTED.

Roll and Tumble Press

2009-07-27T22:41:00.002+01:00

http://rollandtumblepress.etsy.com

The Power of Advertising...

2009-07-24T13:20:00.003+01:00

Hmmm!!!

Also... check this out!

http://http://www.retrocomedy.com/2009/07/15-creepiest-vintage-ads-of-all-time.html

Apothecary

2009-07-23T22:55:00.003+01:00

The Thackray Medical Museum (http://www.thackraymuseum.org/) is a pretty cool place.
Also, in the cafe area they have some amazing apothecary chests. I VERY MUCH want one, and some cool jars like this to match!

Johnny Cash

2009-07-21T17:52:00.002+01:00

I really love Johnny Cash. I cannot stop listening!

I also really love Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line.

I bought it on Play.com for £2.99 - proper good bargain!

Now, I have to hope that the postman stops being a total shit to me and actually delivers my parcels!

ABC Valencia

2009-07-21T16:24:00.003+01:00

I want to stay here and go and explore!

brigette barrager

2009-07-21T12:47:00.002+01:00

I love this picture by Bridgette B, found at: http://olivettistudio.blogspot.com/

Tetra-Purse

2009-07-20T17:46:00.001+01:00

I think these little purses are a cute way to recycle tetrapaks:

http://en.espritcabane.com/recycling-crafts/tetrapak-coin-purse.php

Silhouettes.

2009-07-17T16:17:00.001+01:00

Added to my to-do list:

The coolest noticeboards ever? Maybe.

Betty's New Apartment

2009-07-14T23:11:00.003+01:00

If only Ugly Betty was real life and I could live in it.

WANT.

2009-07-12T21:06:00.003+01:00

Never Eat the Cherry Stone...

2009-07-12T20:52:00.002+01:00

I love the art of Dominic Murphy (http://www.dominicmurphyart.com/). Particularly his work on Alice in Wonderland, English Bull Terriers, Absent Heroes Homely Villains, and playing card art.

This one reminds me why I used to cry as a child if I accidentally swallowed an apple pip, grape or melon seed...

Jewels Ahoy!

2009-07-12T20:11:00.003+01:00

This week I will be trying my hand at jewellery making, soldering, and sourcing a huge spherical balloon to make my whirl-it lampshade. Watch out for photographic evidence!

Today, I completed a mini-project after Rememberer (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7519332) donated me an amazing vintage cameo pendant which I had offered to buy from her Etsy shop. Unfortunately she accidentally broke it, and very kindly gave me it for free!

The picture on the pendant had come out of the frame, so I spent ages today peeling and picking and filing off the old glue, so I could glue it back together! Tweezers and a nail file came in very handy for this job. It is now dried - and almost as good as new. (It seems to have suffered a bit of damage to the frame after its fall, however, I am embracing the damage as part of the vintage look!)

Also jewellery-related, I received lots for my birthday this week, including a black agate and silver chunky necklace from my mum, a huge leopard print heart pendant from my friends Nicci and Steph, and an Anna Lou of London 'Rock' necklace from my friend Hannah. Needless to say, I am a happy bunny indeed.

I also received one of Sarah Reid's (http://manynicethings.blogspot.com/) adorable russian doll felt plushies:

Whirl-It

2009-07-09T19:25:00.001+01:00

My next project will be one of these:

Found here: http://www.pickles.no/whirl-it-lampshade/2009/6/28/whirl-it-lampshade.html

You Look Marvellous

2009-07-09T19:20:00.001+01:00

If I walked into someones bathroom and saw this, I would be 100% stoked. I wouldn't even care about the potential state of my hair/face/general self and the lack of an actual mirror. So amazing! That is how sad I really am.

Pedal to the Floor!

2009-07-08T18:07:00.003+01:00

some dead exciting craft-themed tattoos I love!

Hooker Headdress

2009-07-08T17:54:00.003+01:00

I love this picture by Natalia Fabia . It makes me wish for Vivienne Westwood, and some artistic talent.

May 2009

2009-07-06T23:24:00.001+01:00

So, I'd like to rewind a few weeks and go back here.

All I need to do now is locate someone who has a time machine and steal it from them.

Perhaps learning the art of teleportation (my life-long dream) would be easier?