...makes the most of not being snowed in like everyone else.

So last week when everyone else was complaining about the snow, Mr. D and I took advantage of London's less arctic weather by a long walk to Morden Hall. Its a National Trust property in south London (Last stop on the Northern Line.) Google maps told us it would be about an hours walk so we thought a bit of exercise and a cup of tea in Morden Hall cafe would be just right. We even made ourselves a packed lunch to save some pennies!
Our journey took us through many south London high streets all of which appeared to be filled solely with hairdressers and takeaways. Although there were a few clever takeaway based puns...

I also like this classic launderette sign...

We popped into a charity shop where we found this cutie hidden at the back...

I wanted to steal him but Mr. D convinced me not to.  He did look rather cosy.

We eventually made it to Morden Hall Park where after a quick wander round we realised everything was closed or closing.  So we sat and ate our lunch like good day trippers and then decided to take the train home.

We had the unusual experience of being on an empty underground train.  It was weird. I had the urge to run from one end to the other in childlike giddiness.

On our way back we stopped off at Tooting Broadway to go to a rare find in south England...

Yes, Wilkos!  After living in Brighton for six months where Wilkinsons has never been heard of, finding one so near to home is an absolute joy. Where else can you buy novelty stationary, miniature chandeliers, bicycle inner tubes and demi-johns all under one roof! 

That evening we did a bit of experimental cooking vaguely based on a recipe I found with a twist of our own. Mini polenta pizzas with bacon, spinach and tomatoes...

Nom!

xxx

...is spending too much time on the internet.

So I've had one of those weeks where I can't really remember what I've done although I do remember getting to friday and feeling I'd achieved something.  I did do some rather lovely things at the weekend like celebrating my grand father's 91st birthday, watching the rugby (well done Wales), and eating an epic cantonese buffet.  However I failed to document any of this with photos and as I'm one of those people who looks at blogs with pictures, I'm not going to write about any of that.  Instead I thought I'd try doing that thing that lots of other bloggers like to do of posting random stuff I found on t'interweb.

So here goes...

First off I've been looking at the work of illustrator Robert Samuel Hanson who designed the latest cover for Creative Review magazine.

Image courtesy of Creative Review

I really like his clean, colourful style and clever use of composition.

Image courtesy of Robert Samuel Hanson

I would very much like my own house one day simply so that I could cover every wall with wallpaper designed by Miss Print. This is my favourite...

Image courtesy of Miss Print

Also if anyone fancies buying me a random gift then this would be perfect...

Image courtesy of Paul Celentano

...because who doesn't want a ukulele shaped like a snail, or a shark, or a jar of gerkins?! (no really.) Thanks Celentano Woodworks.

In other news, Happy Birthday Daddy!

xxx

...can't think of a good title that involves Mother's Day and Marmite.

Post number 2 of 2013!  Go me!  And I've done some creative stuff too.  Mother if you're reading this and haven't opened your Mother's Day present yet, turn off the ipad and open it.
Every year I make my Mum a card for Mother's Day and its always a challenge coming up with new ideas.  This time I was inspired by one of my Mum's favourite things, Marmite.  On a recent trip to Selfridges Food Hall I discovered this...

Image courtesy of Selfridges.com

No Noise Marmite. Follow the link to read the blurb but basically Selfridges have taken some well known brands and removed all the writing to celebrate "the power of quiet in a world bombarded with information and stimulation."  As Mum keeps all the limited edition Marmite jars it seemed like the perfect gift, and to go with it a specially designed card made by me!
I just have to explain first of all that my siblings and I call my Mum, Dearest Mama, in a Enid Blyton sort of way hence Marmite becomes Mamamite (because I'm clever like that)

Check those skills! (I used pencil crayons like a child)

In other news, Mr. D and I saw Argo at the Ritzy in Brixton on Wednesday which I highly recommend, followed by some yummy mexican food at Casa Morita.  We also took a trip to Shoreditch where we found this amazing creature...

And a billboard that should be on the side of my house...

We also went to Ikea on friday where there were no horse meat balls or poo cake.  Not a bad week really

Laters taters xxx

P.S. Thank you to Jamie for being the second person EVER to leave a comment on my blog. It made me feel special :)

...is apologising again for a rather large gap between blog posts as I really have no excuse other than I'm a bit lazy and disorganised. Sorry.

So I think the title just about covers it.  Yes, I am rubbish at blogging.  I was feeling fairly proud of myself this time last year for having started this blog, but clearly as with most new bloggers my life has got in the way.  My aims when starting this blog were to encourage myself to write more and to do at least one post a month.  To be fair I did 13 posts last year but given the 6 month gap it doesn't seem that much of an achievement.  

So without making any promises I am going to try to do better.  Starting now-ish.  Might have a cup of tea first... and reorganise my jewellery box... and do some washing.

Anyway you get the idea. Here's what has be happening for the past six months...

I've moved again! As of 11 days ago I am now a London resident.  Although Brighton was wonderful it just wasn't near enough to my lovely Mr. D, and as my tenancy was nearly up it seemed like the right time to make the move.  Here's my new house...

Its in south London and along with Mr.D I have two new housemates called Natalie and Nanette.

Here is my room...

It seemed like a good idea to have my own room just because I have quite a lot of stuff.

Here is Mr.D concentrating in our front room.

I'm currently a lady of leisure, or at least until I find a job but lets not talk about that.  So apart from moving house I've basically spent the last 6 months working, or at least it feels like I did.  It had its ups and downs but I made some lovely friends who I'm sure I'll stay in touch with.  Here's a picture of us all at my leaving dinner...

From left to right: Kerry, Kate, Chloe, Becca, Me and Katie at Bill's cafe. 

I made lots of other friends but I don't seem to have pictures of any of them! But I will miss them all, especially you Laura B!

Anyway that's all for now.  Hopefully there will be a new interesting blog post soon.  Who knows?

Laters xxx

... Is alive!

So I know I haven't posted in a while but I have a very good reason.  After much thought and very little planning I have moved to BRIGHTON!!
My bestest friend Laura of Illustryous fame has lived in Brighton for several years and has been asking me to live with her for quite a while.  It seemed now was the time to make the move so on the 11th of July I packed my bags and headed south.
So far everything has gone pretty smoothly but so I don't rabbit on too long, here is a brief summary of what has happened:

+ I spent three weeks sharing a bed with Laura before moving into my new house where, after much maneuvering I have ended up in my room with very little furniture.  I share the house with Laura, Hester, Dave and Kiki the dog.

+ After five days of exploring I found a job at the truly charming Blackbird Tearooms where I get to work with a bunch of lovely people serving proper tea and yummy homemade cakes.

+ I have been going to weekly life drawing classes at Draw Brighton where laura is one of the many models.  (I now have more naked pictures of my best friend than any normal person should have!)

+ Even though I have only had my own room for a few weeks I have already bought/acquired a wardrobe, two chairs, a mattress, two dresses, a bean bag, a curved mirror, a wooden writing box, a parasol, a chaise lounge and a pile of vintage fabric.

+ I have made several trips up to London to see my lovely Dan Hodgett.  One of the many reasons for moving down south :)  (In ten days we'll have been together a year! eek!)

That's about it for now.  Apparently the Olympics were on too but I wasn't paying attention.  Here are a few photos to fill in the gaps...

This is a view from my house of the South Downes.  Not exactly the bustling metropolis of Brighton but its not too far away.

A bit of Brighton poetry...

...and a bit more.

Brighton station.

A bit of vintage goodness. There's a lot of it around Brighton.

A bit of Brighton artiness. There's loads of that too!

Laura's room that she has just finished organising and now looks like a fairy grotto.

My room which is a mess.

So that's it for now.  I'll keep you posted with new developments.  Hopefully get some creative stuff on the go soon!

Laters xxx

p.s. One of the lovely ladies I work with has a super blog called Yours Truly.  Check it out if you know what's good for you!

...Says thank you.

This one is for you Papa...

and this...

and this..

Happy Father's Day!

Thanks for the need to take photos, the taste for good ales and the squiffy vision 8-) xxx

...is on the market.

So last Sunday Big Sister Bertie and I took part in The Worcester Flea, an outdoor vintage/craft market in the heart of Worcester.  This is the second time we've given it a go the last being in March when we had wind, rain, sleet and snow.  Unfortunately we didn't make money back on the stall and we spent our float on tea and pasties.
This time however the weather was much better and with a bit of forward planning we came up with ways to make our stall more appealing.  The main attraction (which we were rather proud of) was a "gallery" made by tying garden mesh (found in a charity shop) to the posts of our stall that we pegged prints, clothes and other lovely stuff to.

Pretty nifty huh?  We also had a table of lovely things we'd made including some mini hot water bottle covers made from felted woolly jumpers (made by Bertie).  There was a washing line of vintage clothes and lots of fabric bundles courtesy of Dearest Mama who came along to help.  The weather held out, we made a profit and there was tea and pasties.  

Miss Bertie in her handmade flamingo dress (commissions available)

Dearest Mama making labels

Me looking very pleased with myself

All in all a good day :)