So, I've given 'Notes from the Underground' to my bedstand to look after, so my handbag now nurtures Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
Generally, I've found Anna Karenina a thoroughly enjoyable read, although that was until she met Vronsky, I know exactly how she felt in that moment, I've felt it many a time and it blows your mind and makes you question everything. and I mean everything....therefore I can completely sympathise with her situation but also, I have a sensible side that wouldn't risk what I have to lose for a one off, but I guess the point is that she has very little too lose, as far as she is concerned...
I'm currently 200 pages in and shall report back once I'm nearing the end, but so good, so far. Minus the day I lost to Tolstoy describing Levin's farm for 3 chapters...
Friday, February 08, 2013
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
My Year of Books: Notes from the Underground
I've started to read Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, it is basically a novel about someone who has been isolated from humanity for an extended period of time.
I really like Dostoyevsky's style of writing, but after 2 weeks of reading this particular piece on the tube, it's difficult; the writings are rambled, confusing and long. I've chosen for this to be my bed reading, as it is a little too complex for a 10-15 minute trip along a busy track.
I feel about this book, as I did about 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Gael Marquez, it's a beautiful book but needs care and consideration when reading. They both almost need reflection time, to ponder of the greater message...these are not books for public transport, they are books for tranquil holidays of reflection...
I really like Dostoyevsky's style of writing, but after 2 weeks of reading this particular piece on the tube, it's difficult; the writings are rambled, confusing and long. I've chosen for this to be my bed reading, as it is a little too complex for a 10-15 minute trip along a busy track.
I feel about this book, as I did about 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Gael Marquez, it's a beautiful book but needs care and consideration when reading. They both almost need reflection time, to ponder of the greater message...these are not books for public transport, they are books for tranquil holidays of reflection...
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
My year of Books: Of Mice and Men
Right, so mid last week, I finished Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, if only someone had told me how sad it was going to get.
Firstly, you can instantly tell why it's a modern classic, it's so well written and hits home emotionally instantly, as soon as I started reading it, I cared for Lenny and George, I wanted George to do all he could for Lenny; and to me, he did.
After meeting Candy, I could feel that he and George would have an affiliation; and after meeting Curley's Wife, I knew she was up to no good. I've met so many females like her, they can't see the harm they do due to their boredom. Oh, how mad I got reading about Curley's Wife, she isn't a girl's girl, that's for sure...
Ensuring I give nothing away, if someone had told me that I would end the book sobbing into the pages, my heart emptying with every tear that hit the page, I don't know if I would have read it. It was heartbreakingly beautiful. So incredibly beautiful, that I've recommended it to my mother, who has read everything twice...just to ensure that she has definitely read it.
This is the kind of book that leave an impression, the kind of amazing book that takes hardly any words to describe, it's all about the passion within 5 words: You have to read this book.
Firstly, you can instantly tell why it's a modern classic, it's so well written and hits home emotionally instantly, as soon as I started reading it, I cared for Lenny and George, I wanted George to do all he could for Lenny; and to me, he did.
After meeting Candy, I could feel that he and George would have an affiliation; and after meeting Curley's Wife, I knew she was up to no good. I've met so many females like her, they can't see the harm they do due to their boredom. Oh, how mad I got reading about Curley's Wife, she isn't a girl's girl, that's for sure...
Ensuring I give nothing away, if someone had told me that I would end the book sobbing into the pages, my heart emptying with every tear that hit the page, I don't know if I would have read it. It was heartbreakingly beautiful. So incredibly beautiful, that I've recommended it to my mother, who has read everything twice...just to ensure that she has definitely read it.
This is the kind of book that leave an impression, the kind of amazing book that takes hardly any words to describe, it's all about the passion within 5 words: You have to read this book.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Quilt No.2
I've finally sewn all of the squares for 'quilt two' together but I've now lost my quilting wind and therefore have frozen, I'm sure it'll come back, it always does. Probably during the height of summer, as there really is nothing worse then sewing a quilt top to the wadding and backing during hot days, but when the wind strikes, you just got to sew.
If the recipients of this blanket are lucky, they may get it before their first wedding anniversary, unlike the recipients of the First Quilt. It's not about the delivery date, it's about the love which is given while making it, hence the lack of energy and ability and the duration for making one, honest, honest it is.
OK, maybe I'm just impatient and like to change my projects often and due to that, I apologise to the lucky recipients, when it is finished. Along with the other three which haven't even been thought about yet...I'm going to stop giving them as presents, as I'm crap at quilting.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
My Year of Books: Animal Farm
Since dating Tom, it has appeared that I am extremely unread. I knew that I hadn't read most of the classic works but I didn't realise how truly hopeless I had been.
In the last three years, I've read most of Jane Austen's books, 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte and 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, but that is about it; and most of those were read over the last year and a half, since moving to London; it's amazing what dead time spent on the underground can cause.
I decided that 2013 is the year of books, I'm going to read the classics, or at least start reading the classics. In the last week, I've read 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell and have started to read 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck.
Animal Farm was brilliant, I know I'm teaching old people to suck eggs, I know that everyone who has read it knows all about it but still. I really enjoyed it. I knew the premise of the storyline and obviously saw the cartoon version when I was a child but I couldn't remember a thing about it. For a book of 110 pages it's concise and entertaining. I really felt for Boxer, who so wanted to trust in the "greater good".
Tom has informed me it is about Stalin and Lenin, so my next stop shall be a quick scan of the wikipedia page and probably miss the point entirely. I mentioned to Tom that the way that Napolean raised a mass fear by blaming Snowball for everything was very similar to how Hitler raised the general public to dislike the Jewish Community, etc., I guess it's the same in most Communist parties, the mutual enemy, and you've no choice but to carry on hoping and believing in the future, and your leader.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly for all ages, it's only 110 pages or so, where is the harm?!
In the last three years, I've read most of Jane Austen's books, 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte and 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, but that is about it; and most of those were read over the last year and a half, since moving to London; it's amazing what dead time spent on the underground can cause.
I decided that 2013 is the year of books, I'm going to read the classics, or at least start reading the classics. In the last week, I've read 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell and have started to read 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck.
Animal Farm was brilliant, I know I'm teaching old people to suck eggs, I know that everyone who has read it knows all about it but still. I really enjoyed it. I knew the premise of the storyline and obviously saw the cartoon version when I was a child but I couldn't remember a thing about it. For a book of 110 pages it's concise and entertaining. I really felt for Boxer, who so wanted to trust in the "greater good".
Tom has informed me it is about Stalin and Lenin, so my next stop shall be a quick scan of the wikipedia page and probably miss the point entirely. I mentioned to Tom that the way that Napolean raised a mass fear by blaming Snowball for everything was very similar to how Hitler raised the general public to dislike the Jewish Community, etc., I guess it's the same in most Communist parties, the mutual enemy, and you've no choice but to carry on hoping and believing in the future, and your leader.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly for all ages, it's only 110 pages or so, where is the harm?!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Basil Oil
Last year while unemployed I made Basil Oil as a birthday gift. It's really simple and delicious.
Buy, acquire, grow a basil plant. It needs to be bushy and full. Over pluck the plant until it's just stalks with small / little leaves on. Never pick the small leaves, only the medium to big ones.
Place in a saucepan (I used a sauce / milk pan and the amount of leaves I picked filled it a third full, approx. 2.5 inches deep) and add 75cl of Extra Virgin Oil. Put on an extremely low heat and leave until the oil starts to simmer (Do NOT let it boil). Let the oil simmer for about 5-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. When you return to it an hour or two later, the oil will now be a green misty colour.
Find the appropriate receptacle for the oil. I like to use old glass drinking bottles (but you could easily purchase some from here or use alternatives). Using a funnel and sieve, pour the oil in to the bottles, wrap with a bow and add a tag, stating when it was made.
I'd advise it be stored in a cool dark cupboard and consumed within 30 days - although it might need to be used way before this. I eat mine with freshly baked bread, on salads and it tastes great with anything parmesan based.
Photo to follow....
Buy, acquire, grow a basil plant. It needs to be bushy and full. Over pluck the plant until it's just stalks with small / little leaves on. Never pick the small leaves, only the medium to big ones.
Place in a saucepan (I used a sauce / milk pan and the amount of leaves I picked filled it a third full, approx. 2.5 inches deep) and add 75cl of Extra Virgin Oil. Put on an extremely low heat and leave until the oil starts to simmer (Do NOT let it boil). Let the oil simmer for about 5-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. When you return to it an hour or two later, the oil will now be a green misty colour.
Find the appropriate receptacle for the oil. I like to use old glass drinking bottles (but you could easily purchase some from here or use alternatives). Using a funnel and sieve, pour the oil in to the bottles, wrap with a bow and add a tag, stating when it was made.
I'd advise it be stored in a cool dark cupboard and consumed within 30 days - although it might need to be used way before this. I eat mine with freshly baked bread, on salads and it tastes great with anything parmesan based.
Photo to follow....
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Iced Spiced Biscuits
When I was a child, my family had this awesome cook book, which is ideal for children of all ages and I highly recommend it. I spent most of the younger years with my nose stuck in it, making all sorts of things from brownies (in fact this brownie recipe is a variant of the one from this book) to Welsh Rarebit, etc. It features very simple easy recipes, which are enjoyable to make.
Now, one of the most tortured pages in our copy of this book was the Iced Spiced Biscuits. I've no idea how many of these I've made over the last 30 years, in fact I dread to think. But here is my version of the recipe...
Ingredients required:
250g Plain Flour
125g Butter / margarine
125g Brown Sugar / golden caster sugar
1 beaten egg (I normally use medium)
2 teaspoons of Mixed Spice
A pinch of Salt
Measure out and throw all of the ingredients in to the bowl. Mix together until the dough is dry-ish and biscuit like. Sprinkle flour on to the side and roll out to your required thickness. Cut in to all sorts of shapes and put on to a tray covered in greaseproof paper, or grease up a tray with some butter.
Place the tray in to the middle of a pre heated oven, 190 C / 375 F or Gas Mark 5. Cook for 15-20 minutes, depending on their colouring.
Once out of the oven, place on to a cooling rack. In the mean while, mix up some icing.
125g Icing Sugar
1-2 teaspoons of tepid water
Food colouring of your choice
Decorate the biscuits accordingly, you can add Smarties, Jelly Tots, etc. and gorge away....
These are perfect for Christmas, as they have a lovely spiced flavour and can be decorated in all sorts of Christmas colours, etc. and hung on the tree. They also make great presents for your noisy neighbours who stomp around their flat at all hours of the night...I'm the only person who has this, oh I do apologise.
Now, one of the most tortured pages in our copy of this book was the Iced Spiced Biscuits. I've no idea how many of these I've made over the last 30 years, in fact I dread to think. But here is my version of the recipe...
Ingredients required:
250g Plain Flour
125g Butter / margarine
125g Brown Sugar / golden caster sugar
1 beaten egg (I normally use medium)
2 teaspoons of Mixed Spice
A pinch of Salt
Measure out and throw all of the ingredients in to the bowl. Mix together until the dough is dry-ish and biscuit like. Sprinkle flour on to the side and roll out to your required thickness. Cut in to all sorts of shapes and put on to a tray covered in greaseproof paper, or grease up a tray with some butter.
Place the tray in to the middle of a pre heated oven, 190 C / 375 F or Gas Mark 5. Cook for 15-20 minutes, depending on their colouring.
Once out of the oven, place on to a cooling rack. In the mean while, mix up some icing.125g Icing Sugar
1-2 teaspoons of tepid water
Food colouring of your choice
Decorate the biscuits accordingly, you can add Smarties, Jelly Tots, etc. and gorge away....
These are perfect for Christmas, as they have a lovely spiced flavour and can be decorated in all sorts of Christmas colours, etc. and hung on the tree. They also make great presents for your noisy neighbours who stomp around their flat at all hours of the night...I'm the only person who has this, oh I do apologise.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
2012 wrap up...
My intention at the beginning of 2012 was to write more frequently than I did during 2011, I've completely failed, due to work expecting me to actually work, and not only work, but work above and beyond.
2012 has basically seen Tom and I often get home from work, eat and then head to bed by 11pm, due to being exhausted. Tom spends all day being his most charming self on the phone and through emails, and I spend my days juggling eggs and running around like a mentalist, at least I never need to go to the gym, due to it.
We are finally getting to enjoy some relaxing time off, due to both of our companies being closed during Christmas. Today I wrapped all of my presents, I only have two presents left to buy, which surprised me, I thought I'd hardly bought anything. I also made a couple of final presents, see here. Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to cooking some biscuits and possibly some bread, although I'm fully aware that Tom's bread is better than mine, so maybe not...
I'm also celebrating Christmas this year with my first real Christmas tree (we always had an artificial one when I was a child), of course I had to find a fairy to go on the top and luckily my first Sindy doll came to the rescue, her dress is made out of some remnants.
2012 has basically seen Tom and I often get home from work, eat and then head to bed by 11pm, due to being exhausted. Tom spends all day being his most charming self on the phone and through emails, and I spend my days juggling eggs and running around like a mentalist, at least I never need to go to the gym, due to it.
We are finally getting to enjoy some relaxing time off, due to both of our companies being closed during Christmas. Today I wrapped all of my presents, I only have two presents left to buy, which surprised me, I thought I'd hardly bought anything. I also made a couple of final presents, see here. Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to cooking some biscuits and possibly some bread, although I'm fully aware that Tom's bread is better than mine, so maybe not...
I'm also celebrating Christmas this year with my first real Christmas tree (we always had an artificial one when I was a child), of course I had to find a fairy to go on the top and luckily my first Sindy doll came to the rescue, her dress is made out of some remnants.
Hopefully next year I might get to be more creative and have time to write the random brain waves of my mind down here, like the olden days. I knew moving to London was never going to be easy, I just didn't realise that it would be this tiring...maybe I'll just learn to survive on 6 hours sleep a night?!
Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Christmas Stockings
I've been extremely lethargic lately, work has been crazy and all I seem to do outside of work is sleep. Personally, I'm looking forward to a calmer time, if such a thing exists.
But, due to the beloved festive period being here, today I have sewn some stockings for my two god-daughters, admittedly they won't get to enjoy the splendour this year, but next year, Christmas should be pretty epic for them...yep, that is right, I am going to claim that these stockings will change their future Christmas experiences!
These particular stockings are made from Moda's 2011 Christmas range, with a plain white lining.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Chocolate Chip Cake Biscuits
While in the pub on Boxing Day with some friends, we discussed cooking / baking styles, I'm the kind of baker who throws caution to the wind and takes chances on not having the right ingredients, throwing additional things in or varying other aspects, it's drives Tom mad, as he is more of a precise follow the recipe kind of person.
This recipe is the perfect example; I started out trying to make cookies, adapted the recipe due to the lack of chocolate and ended up making some form of cake shaped like biscuits and they are delicious, so I thought I'd share them, enjoy!
Preheat the oven at 190 C / 375 F / Gas Mark 5.
Mixed together -
200g Drinking Chocolate
350g Plain Flour
3 tsp of Baking Powder
1 tsp of Salt
Cream together -
225g Butter
175g Caster Sugar
175g Soft Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Medium Eggs
Slowly add the dry mix to the creamed mix and add 6 tbsp of Semi-Skimmed Milk to ensure the mix stays moist. Once everything is added together please add 100g of crumbled Dark Chocolate (Try to make it epic dark chocolate, 75% cocoa content and up).
Place large dollops of mixture on to greaseproof papered tray spaced wide apart and put in the top of the oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, pull out of oven, allow to cool and serve with ice cream, double cream or eat plain.
I've no idea what the calories contents is, it's probably about 1000 per cake, I've eaten at least 5 in the last day, oops!
This recipe is the perfect example; I started out trying to make cookies, adapted the recipe due to the lack of chocolate and ended up making some form of cake shaped like biscuits and they are delicious, so I thought I'd share them, enjoy!
Preheat the oven at 190 C / 375 F / Gas Mark 5.
Mixed together -
200g Drinking Chocolate
350g Plain Flour
3 tsp of Baking Powder
1 tsp of Salt
Cream together -
225g Butter
175g Caster Sugar
175g Soft Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Medium Eggs
Slowly add the dry mix to the creamed mix and add 6 tbsp of Semi-Skimmed Milk to ensure the mix stays moist. Once everything is added together please add 100g of crumbled Dark Chocolate (Try to make it epic dark chocolate, 75% cocoa content and up).
Place large dollops of mixture on to greaseproof papered tray spaced wide apart and put in the top of the oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, pull out of oven, allow to cool and serve with ice cream, double cream or eat plain.
I've no idea what the calories contents is, it's probably about 1000 per cake, I've eaten at least 5 in the last day, oops!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Quilt No.1 Making
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| I've had to change the colours slightly, so you can see the pattern, as it's a light jade on cream. |
The thing about making a quilt is that it's a very personal thing. It doesn't just keep you warm, you can also dress your home, so you need to ensure it's in keeping with how the people you're giving it too, might dress their home. Or maybe I'm thinking too much?!
These two particular people have a Classic, Country, Parisian, Sleepy City Suburbs style. The girl is vintage and calm colours, the guy is good suits and shiny shoes.
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| My initial lay out for the quilt |
There are only 40 squares in a pack, at approx. £15, bearing in mind of the salvage, that only covers 2.5ft by 2.5ft, roughly. Which won't make a single quilt of 6ft by 4ft.
Luckily I had various flowery patterns in similar colours, so I cut additional squares up and started to lay them out in a satisfactory pattern, where none of them seemed to clash.
I started to sew my 4 squares into square formations and realised, I was going to need loads more material, bloody hell, it's gonna cost a fortune! I head back to Beyond Fabrics and found some fantastic new materials with little swirls on them...perfect!
So I started to make borders, 1 inch wide. They have great appeal and look fantastic, but, they are a bitch to cut, sew, press and sew! I also made 3 inch wide borders to go in between the squares. I would suggest doing bigger squares, but I had an experience, back in the earlier days of my sewing career, where I tried to make a double quilt with big 7 inch squares...huge mistake!!!I then needed to extend it length ways and found some neutral materials in my box, to add in. This is when I made a huge mistake, I mismatched two materials, then added a strip of plain either side, it looked shit! Cue lots of unpicking...the joys of sewing!
I set about cutting and sewing to break them all up and added my strips to the strip of squares and borders.
It's been suggested that I should have made a plan to begin with, or have used a pattern, but it's not how I fly. Yes it might have made life easier, but it wouldn't have been so much fun! If you've a logical brain, get an idea of what you'd like it to look like and set about it...I wanted squares, the borders were a last minute requirement that set it off nicely.
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| My lazy quilting... |
Also, I bailed on actual quilting, lazy of me, I know. I did little square stitches in the middle of the squares and left tassles on the reversed side.
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I will try harder in the future on the actual quilting part, as I'm soon to embark on another quilt. This time it's brightly coloured with lots and lots of squares, I'm still collecting the material for the quilt top, I'm worried that I'm loosing my mind, as I'm seeing every item of my wardrobe as potential material.
Here is a little taster of the next quilt...Saturday, September 22, 2012
The Strangest Day (a music diary)...
Today has been a crazy day. I awoke after a night of meeting a lot of people who I've heard about for a year. It was a really charming evening and the people who work with Tom are lovely, truly great people.
This morning, I awoke after a random drunk dream where I was 5 hours later for my plans today, a standard drunk dream, if my records stand true.
I eventually got up, after some re runs of Supermarket Sweep, showered and departed to head towards the South of Wimbledon...
I ended up stuck between Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon for about 20 minutes...at which point I was thinking of this song:
Mary J Blige 'Going Down'
Eventually, I met up with the ladies, we did tea, and then headed towards the bridal shop, for Hammers to try 1000 dresses on, at which point I was sensing this:
OMC ' How Bizarre'
And also this:
Charlie Rich 'The Most Beautiful Girl'
We found the one with jubilance, at which point we ended up in Wimbledon feeling like this:
Polyphonic Spree 'It's the Sun'
After some free cocktails and a platter of food, we headed to the home of Brian, at which point I tried to be mega cool and hip, so not to upset Brian, as he's mega awesome. FYI ---> This is Brian, he's pretty cool!
So I played this:
Calvin Harris & Rihanna 'We found love'
Then Vik's mentioned this and my life was changed:
PSY 'Gangham Style'
and Hammers made me watch this:
Sam and the Womp 'Bom Bom'
and all of a sudden I realised I was hanging out with Europop freaks and desperately craved East London indifference...
at which point I changed the settings of "the bar" and played this:
Wicked ' Defying Gravity'
We then had a musical moments, where I basically played the Phantom of the Opera from beginning to end, obviously singing along all the while...then came round and realised it isn't the 80s anymore, sad times.
So I ended the night singing along to this on my bus home:
Carly Simon ' Jesse'
and this:
Celine Dion ' It's all coming back to me'
and this (I had an epic 45 minute bus ride to fill, these are the girly highlights):
Meatloaf 'you took the words right out of my mouth'
Basically, it's been a fantastic day!!!
And I tried to get everyone to watch Queen live at Wembley, 1986, but they weren't game - sad times!
But most importantly, I tried to educate Hammers tonight, by leaving her with this album, and especially this song:
The Kinks 'Strangers'
This morning, I awoke after a random drunk dream where I was 5 hours later for my plans today, a standard drunk dream, if my records stand true.
I eventually got up, after some re runs of Supermarket Sweep, showered and departed to head towards the South of Wimbledon...
I ended up stuck between Colliers Wood and South Wimbledon for about 20 minutes...at which point I was thinking of this song:
Mary J Blige 'Going Down'
Eventually, I met up with the ladies, we did tea, and then headed towards the bridal shop, for Hammers to try 1000 dresses on, at which point I was sensing this:
OMC ' How Bizarre'
And also this:
Charlie Rich 'The Most Beautiful Girl'
We found the one with jubilance, at which point we ended up in Wimbledon feeling like this:
Polyphonic Spree 'It's the Sun'
After some free cocktails and a platter of food, we headed to the home of Brian, at which point I tried to be mega cool and hip, so not to upset Brian, as he's mega awesome. FYI ---> This is Brian, he's pretty cool!So I played this:
Calvin Harris & Rihanna 'We found love'
Then Vik's mentioned this and my life was changed:
PSY 'Gangham Style'
and Hammers made me watch this:
Sam and the Womp 'Bom Bom'
and all of a sudden I realised I was hanging out with Europop freaks and desperately craved East London indifference...
at which point I changed the settings of "the bar" and played this:
Wicked ' Defying Gravity'
We then had a musical moments, where I basically played the Phantom of the Opera from beginning to end, obviously singing along all the while...then came round and realised it isn't the 80s anymore, sad times.
So I ended the night singing along to this on my bus home:
Carly Simon ' Jesse'
and this:
Celine Dion ' It's all coming back to me'
and this (I had an epic 45 minute bus ride to fill, these are the girly highlights):
Meatloaf 'you took the words right out of my mouth'
Basically, it's been a fantastic day!!!
And I tried to get everyone to watch Queen live at Wembley, 1986, but they weren't game - sad times!
But most importantly, I tried to educate Hammers tonight, by leaving her with this album, and especially this song:
The Kinks 'Strangers'
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Pigeons
I have an issue with pigeons feet. No, I'm not sat in a restaurant staring at a menu full of them, I'm talking about those infamous flying rats, the very much alive ones.
Every morning I walk through Grosvenor Square which is full of them, now I'm not talking Trafalgar Sq in Mary Poppins, I'm talking modern day pigeon masses. And every morning I can't help but stare at every pigeons feet, it's just the gammy feet that make me sad, they make me want to stamp on their heads and put them out of their misery and I'm not sure why, as it's just a little impractical not life destroying, especially as I'm talking about pigeons who mainly rely on their wings, although some of the ones I've seen recently are possibly too fat to fly?!
I guess my issue is made worse by the colour and texture of their feet, I don't know! I know I'm being stupid but I can't really help feeling the need to stamp on the heads of pigeons with manky feet.
Every morning I walk through Grosvenor Square which is full of them, now I'm not talking Trafalgar Sq in Mary Poppins, I'm talking modern day pigeon masses. And every morning I can't help but stare at every pigeons feet, it's just the gammy feet that make me sad, they make me want to stamp on their heads and put them out of their misery and I'm not sure why, as it's just a little impractical not life destroying, especially as I'm talking about pigeons who mainly rely on their wings, although some of the ones I've seen recently are possibly too fat to fly?!
I guess my issue is made worse by the colour and texture of their feet, I don't know! I know I'm being stupid but I can't really help feeling the need to stamp on the heads of pigeons with manky feet.
Thursday, September 06, 2012
Wedding Decoration
Friends of ours got married recently and they asked for my decorative input. Over numerous nights I made 90 metres of bunting, mainly from remnants in my material basket, the bride came and joined me for some of these sessions, supplying wine and snacks to keep us fuelled.
The day before the wedding, we wrapped cleaned jars with raffia bows, made makeshift brackets from garden wire and hung them in trees with tealights.
Made numerous tissue paper peonies of various sizes and colours, and hung long thin streamers from a leafy tree, we tied numerous strings together and loosely looped them around the branches, so anyone removing them could cut them easily.
It was a lot of fun and looked great all day and night, even after a lot of wind and rain. If I could change one or two things, I'd have made the streamers much longer, they should look as though they are far too long, trailing on the floor even, that way, they blow in the wind at a height, instead of blowing up in to the tree. We live and learn.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Girls
I'm obsessed with a TV show, called 'Girls', written and created by Lena Dunham (who wrote 'Tiny Furniture', I recommend this film), it makes me feel sick that someone this talented is so young, full of such insight and so incredibly funny.
The premise is 4 ladies in their twenties living in New York, yeah let me guess you've heard it all, before in numerous sit-coms, chick flicks and, obviously, Sex and the City. The main difference being that they haven't all got their shit together, none of them are "unexplainably minted" per say and they're all still trying to workout which 'Sex and the City' character they're most like, basically just like the rest of us (that is if we ladies sat around worrying about such bull).
It's brutal, harsh, dry, hilarious and entertaining all in the while, being intelligent and slightly narcissistic. I think it's best to sum it up with one simple moment: Hannah, the main protagonist, and the other three characters (who are all well rounded and developed in their own right, but I can't be arsed in summing them all up right now) are at a book launch of a "nemesis" of Hannah's, from her writing class at college, when Hannah is criticising the book launch host's writing ability, she draws on the fact that "major tragedy" happened to her, at which point, Jessa (one of the "other three") states "your boyfriend should kill himself, you deserve it", at which point Hannah wittily retorts "well thank you, but you only say that because you love me". It's a poetically dry moment, which is so beautifully delivered that you can't help but titter, even the most reserved of people would let out a little chortle, you can't help but do so.
After 10 episodes, I love it and can't wait for the second series, here's hoping for some more intelligent female writing for the future.
Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a clip:
The premise is 4 ladies in their twenties living in New York, yeah let me guess you've heard it all, before in numerous sit-coms, chick flicks and, obviously, Sex and the City. The main difference being that they haven't all got their shit together, none of them are "unexplainably minted" per say and they're all still trying to workout which 'Sex and the City' character they're most like, basically just like the rest of us (that is if we ladies sat around worrying about such bull).
It's brutal, harsh, dry, hilarious and entertaining all in the while, being intelligent and slightly narcissistic. I think it's best to sum it up with one simple moment: Hannah, the main protagonist, and the other three characters (who are all well rounded and developed in their own right, but I can't be arsed in summing them all up right now) are at a book launch of a "nemesis" of Hannah's, from her writing class at college, when Hannah is criticising the book launch host's writing ability, she draws on the fact that "major tragedy" happened to her, at which point, Jessa (one of the "other three") states "your boyfriend should kill himself, you deserve it", at which point Hannah wittily retorts "well thank you, but you only say that because you love me". It's a poetically dry moment, which is so beautifully delivered that you can't help but titter, even the most reserved of people would let out a little chortle, you can't help but do so.
After 10 episodes, I love it and can't wait for the second series, here's hoping for some more intelligent female writing for the future.
Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a clip:
Monday, June 25, 2012
Dressing up
What do you get if you add 5 girls, a lot of fizz, minimal food, a camera and a warehouse of clothes?
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Sad Times
Tom has just let me down gently that I wouldn't make a very good James Bond, I guess it's back to the drawing board...
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Xanadu
I'm sure I've probably posted my love of ELO on here before, but it is deeper than deep...and let's be fair, when a girl, like myself, is sewing 75-100 metres of bunting for a friends wedding and the boyfriend is out at poker, what else should one do, especially after 'Pride and Prejudice' has finished?!
Enough said!
Xanadu - Olivia Newton John and ELO
Enough said!
Xanadu - Olivia Newton John and ELO
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Blonde Moment II
I never realised that Brown Sauce was made from Dates. Understandably I'd never actively gone out of my way (looking at the back of the bottle) to find out, but never the less...enough said!
I might have to consider bleaching my hair one day if this keeps up...
I might have to consider bleaching my hair one day if this keeps up...
One Year Londonversary
On Monday, Tom and I celebrated our one year anniversary in our flat. It's been mental, scary, fun and I'm loving everything about it. Even the week where Tom and I ate one slice of toast for breakfast and a small bowl of pasta and pesto every night for over a week - it was a beautiful time!
To celebrate our year, here are a couple of songs:
Pulp - Do you remember the first time?
LCD Soundsystem - Home
And finally, to honour my last home, Party Central, always remember what comes before part-b and always do it with Fleetwood Mac!
Fleetwood Mac - The Chain
Side note:
One other thing I've learnt since living here (obviously not the only thing, as that would be a terrible shame): 'Broken Arrow' is possibly the worst action film known to man, I thought my favourite 'Behind Enemy Lines' was bad, but 'Broken Arrow' is positively terrible! On the up side, I finally saw 'Tango and Cash', which is really rather super!
To celebrate our year, here are a couple of songs:
Pulp - Do you remember the first time?
LCD Soundsystem - Home
And finally, to honour my last home, Party Central, always remember what comes before part-b and always do it with Fleetwood Mac!
Fleetwood Mac - The Chain
Side note:
One other thing I've learnt since living here (obviously not the only thing, as that would be a terrible shame): 'Broken Arrow' is possibly the worst action film known to man, I thought my favourite 'Behind Enemy Lines' was bad, but 'Broken Arrow' is positively terrible! On the up side, I finally saw 'Tango and Cash', which is really rather super!
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Poirot
I had a dream at the weekend where I was staying with a wealthy family in a stately home, when Poirot showed up. I was the only person who knew who he was and what he did, everyone else just thought he was a family friend who happened to be a detective (in typical fashion).
I spent the entire dream wondering when something was going to happen, and then BOOM! the following morning, the two sisters were missing, at which point Poirot went to work and I woke up, damn! It was so good!
I questioned a good friend of mine whether this dream reflected whether I'd watched too much Poirot, but we agreed there wasn't such a thing. Definitely not a thing at all.
I spent the entire dream wondering when something was going to happen, and then BOOM! the following morning, the two sisters were missing, at which point Poirot went to work and I woke up, damn! It was so good!
I questioned a good friend of mine whether this dream reflected whether I'd watched too much Poirot, but we agreed there wasn't such a thing. Definitely not a thing at all.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Magazine Envelopes
Recently I had numerous thank you cards to send for my birthday, I had some amazing photos I'd screen grabbed and printed from Magnum Essays, I was originally going to make a suspended room divide from them, but never found the right room.
Instead I backed them with thick card and made postcards from them (for personal use only, of course) and sent them as my thank you cards. My only issue was that I didn't have any envelopes for them and instead of buying boring white envelopes that are ill fitting, I chose to make my own.
Here's how to make the template and envelope:
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Find a card you need an envelope for.
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Measure it 3 times height wise.
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| Draw around the three, add flaps to the middle section, and a triangular end. (It's good to measure it with a ruler, to check it's straight, etc). |
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| Cut out as instructed above, I normally use hardboard (for this, I simply used paper as a demo). |
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| Find an appropriate magazine image. High fashion magazines are good due to the elaborate photo shoots. |
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| Cut the page out, either draw around your template and cut, or use your template as the guide. |
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| Remember that the image seen on the front is the middle panel. |
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| Turn over and place your card in the middle position, to check everything fits well. |
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| Remove photo. Fold the bottom flap up, as so. |
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| Fold the side flaps in. |
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| You might need to cut the top of the flaps to line up... |
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| Fold the top over. |
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| Unfold and attach double sided sticky tape on both side flaps and on the top flap to secure the envelope with. |
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| Remove the cover of the tape on the side flaps and secure the bottom flap to the sides. |
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| Some times, you can incorporate the top flap to exaggerate the over all effect, when opened. |
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| Pop your card inside, seal, add a clearly written label and stamp. Pop to your nearest Post Box. |
And this is how you make free envelopes with a twist and a charming impact!
As you can see above, I even used ones with a body of type, basically, every page in most high glossy magazines can work.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Surprises stress!
Tom has taken on the awful task of organising my 30th birthday party. Poor thing.
I'm the type of person who starts organising my birthday, the day after my last one ends. I normally start to organise it about 2-3 months before, to give everyone enough of a heads up, I like to let people know, so they don't have to change their plans and so there is a good amount of people present. Also, I'm mental.
I hate surprises, in fact, I don't hate surprises, I hate knowing that a surprise is going to happen, but not knowing what it is. The worst thing you could say to me is "I've a surprise for you", that sets my mind wondering, and causes me a lot of craziness where I consider the worst and best possible outcomes. And this is the predicament I find myself in right now. I've known for a month that Tom was organising something, and now I've thought of 1000 different options. He's aware that setting up base in a pub all day, is perfect to me. But where?
I also gave him a list of people to invite, and he's used his intuition to invite those I've missed off, etc.
I know he has my best interests at heart and has organised something truly super, but I'm so intrigued to know what it is. It's driving me mad!!!!
I'm the type of person who starts organising my birthday, the day after my last one ends. I normally start to organise it about 2-3 months before, to give everyone enough of a heads up, I like to let people know, so they don't have to change their plans and so there is a good amount of people present. Also, I'm mental.
I hate surprises, in fact, I don't hate surprises, I hate knowing that a surprise is going to happen, but not knowing what it is. The worst thing you could say to me is "I've a surprise for you", that sets my mind wondering, and causes me a lot of craziness where I consider the worst and best possible outcomes. And this is the predicament I find myself in right now. I've known for a month that Tom was organising something, and now I've thought of 1000 different options. He's aware that setting up base in a pub all day, is perfect to me. But where?
I also gave him a list of people to invite, and he's used his intuition to invite those I've missed off, etc.
I know he has my best interests at heart and has organised something truly super, but I'm so intrigued to know what it is. It's driving me mad!!!!
March 2012
Recently, I've been a little inactive, due to being over active during Christmas, and I've also made another double baby mat for a friend.
But, I have started making two patchwork quilts, a huge task that I'm excited about undertaking. I'll post here, once I've moved past the having the squares cut out only.
I've also designed a simple pattern for a smartphone holder, which I'll also post here soon.
But, I have started making two patchwork quilts, a huge task that I'm excited about undertaking. I'll post here, once I've moved past the having the squares cut out only.
I've also designed a simple pattern for a smartphone holder, which I'll also post here soon.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
The 4th milestone
Two weeks this coming Monday, I turn 30. Now if life had gone to plan (according to 18 year old me), I'd be a window dresser for Selfridges, Oxford St. I'd have gotten married at 26 and be considering, or have started a family.
I'd have gone to Cardiff's University of Music and Arts, done Set Design. Maybe met the guy of my dreams, some pretentious public school guy with an edge, as he's seen the real world. He'd be opinionated and overly intelligent, well read and been classically trained on an instrument. We'd have an uber cool flat somewhere, I'm not sure what he'd do as a job, probably something edgy and arty. We'd be that couple everyone hates, as everything is always peachy and fab.
I'd be the gorky, slightly awkward, laid back female friend, the accepting of everything, chilled friend always ready with support, laughter and a bottle of wine.
In reality, I didn't go to college, I applied, in fact I applied to circus college instead of one of my chosen universities. I wanted to be a child for one more summer, which I was. I moved in to my friend's family home for a fortnight, we hung out and partied for most of the summer, it was awesome. I worked at Waitrose and had a laugh. After a year and a half, I left and got a fantastic job, where I stayed for 9 years. During this time, I worked at The Zodiac nightclub, which opened up the rest of my life. I met some of my best friends through this, worked at a couple of awesome pubs (even though I thought I was done with pouring pints after The Zodiac), have 1000 amazing memories from this time. It was like having a double life, working at the office in the day time and having a great time in Oxford by night
The way I see my life, is via these milestones:
At 15 I knocked on my new neighbour's door to welcome them to the village, I remember it, as it was halloween. I got a babysitting job due to that. I ended up babysitting for their friends. Meanwhile, I went to college to due Graphic Design, due to some software at school suggesting it, and I had no ideas. For two years I did graphic design, still life drawing and photography. At the end of that, I got to have an incredible last summer holiday. I got a stop gap job at Waitrose. I went through a horrid experience at Waitrose that caused me to leave, I bumped in to one of the ladies I babysat for in the village shop, the day I handed my notice in. I informed her of my leaving Waitrose and got offered an interview for my job of 9 years. Due to that job, I went to work at The Zodiac. I met some of the greatest people known to man. I moved out of my parents and in with three of my now best friends. I then moved from there in with two the best male friends/housemates anyone could ask for. I worked at a couple of pubs and got some more awesome friends in my life. And now, I live with my boyfriend, who I'd never have met unless those situations had occurred.
I'm not saying, I don't plan, I'm purely saying that I don't worry when I reach a milestone and I haven't got where I'd hoped I'd be at that age, when I was younger. It's not worth it.
I'd have gone to Cardiff's University of Music and Arts, done Set Design. Maybe met the guy of my dreams, some pretentious public school guy with an edge, as he's seen the real world. He'd be opinionated and overly intelligent, well read and been classically trained on an instrument. We'd have an uber cool flat somewhere, I'm not sure what he'd do as a job, probably something edgy and arty. We'd be that couple everyone hates, as everything is always peachy and fab.
I'd be the gorky, slightly awkward, laid back female friend, the accepting of everything, chilled friend always ready with support, laughter and a bottle of wine.
In reality, I didn't go to college, I applied, in fact I applied to circus college instead of one of my chosen universities. I wanted to be a child for one more summer, which I was. I moved in to my friend's family home for a fortnight, we hung out and partied for most of the summer, it was awesome. I worked at Waitrose and had a laugh. After a year and a half, I left and got a fantastic job, where I stayed for 9 years. During this time, I worked at The Zodiac nightclub, which opened up the rest of my life. I met some of my best friends through this, worked at a couple of awesome pubs (even though I thought I was done with pouring pints after The Zodiac), have 1000 amazing memories from this time. It was like having a double life, working at the office in the day time and having a great time in Oxford by night
The way I see my life, is via these milestones:
At 15 I knocked on my new neighbour's door to welcome them to the village, I remember it, as it was halloween. I got a babysitting job due to that. I ended up babysitting for their friends. Meanwhile, I went to college to due Graphic Design, due to some software at school suggesting it, and I had no ideas. For two years I did graphic design, still life drawing and photography. At the end of that, I got to have an incredible last summer holiday. I got a stop gap job at Waitrose. I went through a horrid experience at Waitrose that caused me to leave, I bumped in to one of the ladies I babysat for in the village shop, the day I handed my notice in. I informed her of my leaving Waitrose and got offered an interview for my job of 9 years. Due to that job, I went to work at The Zodiac. I met some of the greatest people known to man. I moved out of my parents and in with three of my now best friends. I then moved from there in with two the best male friends/housemates anyone could ask for. I worked at a couple of pubs and got some more awesome friends in my life. And now, I live with my boyfriend, who I'd never have met unless those situations had occurred.
I'm not saying he's the one, or my life is now 100% complete. I've stopped making those sorts of plans, or grand gestures, and even after two years together, I still check myself every time I speak about "our" future, I catch myself tentatively suggesting the future, not sure why "tentatively", I think it's more a learnt pattern, knowing that regardless of all plans and choices you make, you can count on nothing in particular. You can hope it comes to fruition but placing all your hopes and dreams on it, makes you question life more than it's worth.
I'm not saying, I don't plan, I'm purely saying that I don't worry when I reach a milestone and I haven't got where I'd hoped I'd be at that age, when I was younger. It's not worth it.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Big Kahuna
I recently watched 'The Big Kahuna' starring Kevin Spacey & Danny Devito. It's based on a play 'Hospitality Suite' and circles around two mature salesmen and a younger rep, hoping to land the big kahuna, as a client.
It explores interesting views, sales approaches and opinions on religion, but I think the entire film become a great work of production, from one of the final quotes by Danny Devito's character: "It doesn't matter whether you're selling Jesus or Buddha or civil rights or 'How to Make Money in Real Estate With No Money Down.' That doesn't make you a human being; it makes you a marketing rep. If you want to talk to somebody honestly, as a human being, ask him about his kids. Find out what his dreams are - just to find out, for no other reason. Because as soon as you lay your hands on a conversation to steer it, it's not a conversation anymore; it's a pitch. And you're not a human being; you're a marketing rep".
It explores interesting views, sales approaches and opinions on religion, but I think the entire film become a great work of production, from one of the final quotes by Danny Devito's character: "It doesn't matter whether you're selling Jesus or Buddha or civil rights or 'How to Make Money in Real Estate With No Money Down.' That doesn't make you a human being; it makes you a marketing rep. If you want to talk to somebody honestly, as a human being, ask him about his kids. Find out what his dreams are - just to find out, for no other reason. Because as soon as you lay your hands on a conversation to steer it, it's not a conversation anymore; it's a pitch. And you're not a human being; you're a marketing rep".
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Holidaying in Britain!
Stylist is a free magazine which is handed out on Wednesdays in London and other large cities within the UK. Recently, it had a competition to write the perfect 100 word travel review, 100 words, are they having a fucking laugh in the office??? The following is what I actually submitted:
A good holiday isn't about the location, it’s about the people and choice of spirit you arrive with; a group of friends and I recently rented a place for my good friend’s 30th, which was perfect.
The open plan barn conversion, in Devon, which meant we ladies could dance and sing to our favourite “guilty pleasure” songs, while the guys entertained themselves between the makeshift cocktail bar, and the games room.
Along with muddy/wet walks, pebbly beaches and Cornwall, what more could be the perfect 2 night break from London’s rat race.
No jetlag and no currency converter required.
What I wanted to write was:
I love going on holiday within Britain, it's not all I know, but it's all I want as a weekend break. I mini holiday, while saving on jet leg, cash and the hopes being spared on good weather. I adore Britain.
I might sound crazy, but once you get past raised hopes, raised desires and the "idyllic holiday accommodation", all you're left with is the perfect place to holiday. Don't get me wrong, I'm not delirious, I'm a realistic and I love nothing more than an out of season let.
A proper good holiday, isn't dependent on the location alone, it's down to the location, people and choice of spirit.
To me, a group of good friends and some randoms, a great selection of all the bad foods and a cracking selection of booze, is all you need for a good holiday, and that is all located within the British borders and all 100% perfect for a fantastic holiday. Take my recent visit to Devon for my oldest friend (in numbers of years knowing me, not actual years of birth) birthday and you've the perfect setting for a truly fantastic weekend.
6 couples set off to the South-West, by 1am on the first night, all of us had arrived and were prepared to party. My friend's who's party it was, isn't "party party", she's "funtimes", so we were all edging that way...it was the perfect setting, a secluded barn, open plan so we were all together but at least 10-15 feet apart, so the "cosy couples" felt close, yet we were totally independent. Alone enough to sing in a stupid fashion, and our counterparts were happy enough to drink onwards, instead of wondering at which point to interject?!
The following day, after a 4am ac-cappella version of Damage's "Forever" being sung "like sopranos" (who look like 90s kids within the dance routine and sounded like trees falling within an overly populated, well hearing public forest", we all sprang from our beds to our un-suite showers, as if from a musical, honest we did!
After some minor dramatics and wearing of sunglasses at the breakfast table, where under cooked bacon turned my stomach personally, we started on our potter to the nearby beach, only 20 minutes walk away?! 20 minutes if you're galloping on horseback.
(To be honest, the walk was perfect, as all walks are when you feel like you've fairies junping on your belly/windpipe and trolls squeezing your stomach as if they're bagpipes), as in, there were moments when we all felt like we'd fall over in the mud, we were all startled of the pheasants flying from the bushes, we met random dog walkers* who were nothing but charming, yet once on the beach the guys started enjoying the old game of throwing a rock at a rock and we ladies enjoyed, well everything, being alive and it all being so beautiful, and the fog of our hangovers finally lifting, after much futile pray!
There is something crazily incredible about holidaying within Britain, you feel as if you're 1000 miles from your own door, yet you could be no more than 10 metres down the road, counts as a holiday to me. The best thing about holidaying within the UK is, in no particular order: knowing the currency, a huge bonus, no preparation required. The travelling most of the time being the same time (any car journey can be fun, it's all down to you the passengers!), yet no time difference. And being in a different climate to your everyday life; grey countryside, is hugely different to grey city, trust me!
*One of the greater things, which you won't believe, is that one of us lost their earring on the walk and accepted it was a no brainer, only to get a knock on the door later that day, to ask if the earring found on a walk earlier was ours? Seriously, it happened, now I'm not promising that to everyone, of course, if you're thinking about a 5 mile walk, don't wear 5 inch dangly earrings - simple, but yet....no where else!
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Fizzy Evenings
Towards the end of living at PartyCentral, we ladies had become accustomed to Fizzy Fridays, which consisted of us gathering in the sitting room, drinking copious amount of fizz. It was a beautiful thing. It was one of the 'list of many' that I was going to miss terribly.
Since I've started temping, we've had three Thursdays in a row, where we've had events; book launches, parties and Christmas related events. And every single one has involved copious amounts of Champagne and canapes. I am not complaining.
So now I celebrate Fizz Thursdays! Which are amazing, as I get to drink fizz on my sofa, while watching 'Pie in the Sky', what could be better!
Tomorrow at work, I get to open my first ever magnum bottle. I am so so excited and even a little nervous!
Since I've started temping, we've had three Thursdays in a row, where we've had events; book launches, parties and Christmas related events. And every single one has involved copious amounts of Champagne and canapes. I am not complaining.
So now I celebrate Fizz Thursdays! Which are amazing, as I get to drink fizz on my sofa, while watching 'Pie in the Sky', what could be better!
Tomorrow at work, I get to open my first ever magnum bottle. I am so so excited and even a little nervous!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wall Paper Chains
To jazz up our first Christmas at home, I've made some paper chains, which obviously isn't something new, but I've learnt through the years, that using normal paper or wrapping paper, doesn't work, it's too weak. I noticed that the shop I'm currently working for, used wallpaper last year. Ding! I'm stealing that idea.
I couldn't find my stapler, even though I turned the entire house upside down, so I used double sided sticky pads, which were extra sticky. Although double sided sticky tape, a stapler, or paper fasteners would all work well.
In typical fashion, roll one strip in to a circle, fasten at the end. Get another strip, put it through the other one, and fasten, and so on.
Due to only having the two different types of paper, my pattern was simple, but if you're using the ends of rolls, etc. You could be funky, etc. and not conform.
To tie to the walls, curtain rails, light fixtures, etc. I then sewed some gold thread through each end, through the sticky pad, leaving quite a large loop, tying the ends together.
I've made three chains in total, but am planning on a forth one, for the corridor. My only wish, that I had more variety in paper, but I'm not going out to buy any, as this is more of a cost effective decoration.
Et Volia, cheap, easy and relatively quick decorations.
Primarni Christmas Wreath
I was in need of some cheap decorations, due to all of mine being in Oxfordshire, at my parents, and being skint. While on lunch the other day, I started to fret where to get some baubles, etc., everywhere on Oxford St is extremely expensive, where are all of the Wilkos of London?! I miss Wilkos!
I then hit upon an in genius idea, Primark! Although, Primark on Oxford St is a huge nightmare, possibly worse than New Years Sales, which are also something I avoid. I bit the bullet and took one for the team.
Now in Primarks defence, their decorations are relatively a-ok! I fell in love with these horrifically tacky glitter birds (this photo doesn't do them justice)! They come in various colours. They are totally worth the €3 (I can't find the receipt, so I've no idea how much they are in pounds, but I'm assuming £2.50-3).
Anyhow, I purchased some "Shatterproof baubles" = plastic! And these birds, they come in packets of three, and three different sets of colours. That night, I marked circles on to some pizza boxes, cut them out, marked some smaller circles on the inside. Glued the two sides together, covered them in foil, heated up my glue gun and got to work.
I took the tops off each of the baubles. and worked out how many I would need on the outside circle, and then on the inside circle. Tried to sort a general pattern, so that there wouldn't be lot of the same ones together, and set about gluing them in place. I then glued a string of beads in and around them, to disguise the foil. Well, in an attempt to disguise it.
Once that was all dry, I glued the remaining baubles on top of the bottom baubles, to hide the bauble tops. I left that to dry for a hour. Then I glued the birds in place, as a crowing glory.
The next day, once all was dry and set, I hooked some wire in place between the birds. So it's easy to hang.
It won't last forever, the glue in my gun is a little rubbish, but it'll last this Christmas, and everything involve, is easy to dismantle and reuse next year. This Christmas might be a cheap one, but it's going to be so so pretty!
Thursday, November 03, 2011
The Queen at 89
To the left is a photo of her and my Grandpa on their wedding day, many, many moons ago. Can you tell it was during the war? He was also, 13 years her senior, dirty old dog! Apparently there is a photo of my grandpa in the Imperial War Museum (in the 2nd World War section in the basement) sitting on a doogle-bug, that he and his battalion discovered in a woods in Germany, my grandma donated it to the museum, after he passed away, so others could enjoy it. I went there last summer and didn't see it, as I didn't know it was there. I'm going back, soon!
My grandma is a bit of a marvel. Fiercely independent, and stubborn as the most impossible mule. She often jokes that god is keeping her on the earth, as a joke. A bit harsh but very funny. It's safe to say that she's always had a very dry sense of humour. She's extremely witty and dark humoured, even at her age, possibly more so, now. And sharp with it.
She grew up on the outskirts of London, within a well to do family. One great uncle started the first department store in London and another was a Whittard. Her mother was of German descent, her father English.
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| With a caricature of herself in uniform, she got for her dad. |
After the war, once my grandpa returned from Germany. They settled in Blackheath. Apparently, she had the greatest garden of south England and the greatest dog know to man. Since then, she's moved around a bit. Worked way passed her retirement years and had my family running around her, like mentalists. So, I'd like to raise my glass of squash in honour of the old girl's 89th year, chin chin!
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