Yippee! November 19, 2009

 

I’ve won a competition! I’m getting some Cartolina gift and note cards from the lovely Huma at Her Little Place which has pleased and excited me greatly, especially as I was feeling grim with a cold and sore head. You should read Huma’s blog and her pieces in The Guardian as she’s a fount of knowledge about all things stylish and writes beautifully. And she runs great giveaways too! It’s actually the second time I’ve won a blog giveaway in the past three months so I feel very privileged. The last time I won a fab invite and thank you card set from Duet Letterpress from Nole at Oh So Beautiful Paper which I’m saving for a special celebration:

 

I’m (or rather, Jim, is) waiting to hear about some possibly good news which might necessitate a party but I don’t want to tempt fate by mentioning it and then it not happen so watch this space!

heart by ban.do November 18, 2009

 

I’m very excited. I’ve been in love with the beautiful headpieces and hairbands from ban.do for a while but have been too broke to buy any. But now they’ve launched heart by ban.do where all the items are $50 or less. I don’t know which to choose but here are some of my favourites (especially the red heart above – lush!):

 

 

The question is: can I get away with them? I’m not exactly Lily Cole and I might look like a fat girl trying too hard. But, you know what? I don’t think I care! They’re all so pretty that I don’t think I can manage without at least one. Choices, choices…

erinzam tag books November 16, 2009

 

Just how sweet are these teensy tag books by etsy seller erinzam? I like her idea of using one to record car expenses like petrol as I seem to spend a fortune at the petrol station and never seem to get many miles from it. I’ll be driving a lot more now as Jim has started a new job in Coventry so he needs a lift to the station every day (and on his way home) hence more expense. But it’s good to finally have money coming in and I may use some of it to buy these little books to keep track of the ins and outs.

Dee Beale Nordic Hares Print November 16, 2009

 

I’ve fallen in love with this gocco screenprint – Nordic Blue Hares – by UK artist Dee Beale. It would go perfectly with the blue print I bought from Sycamore Street Press. Here’s another shot of it:

As both prints are quite small, I need to do a grouping of prints together so I need to find some more in blue and white for my collection. Any suggestions?

 

Hiatus November 13, 2009

Oh dear. Oh very dear. I’ve been a bad blogger and somehow missed six months of posts! But, never fear, I am going to do my damnedest to make up for that over the next however-long. I’ve decided that I like sharing my random finds and silly ideas with the great unknown and am going to have another crack at this.

Firstly, my new coat:

Sorry for the teensy picture but I can’t work out how to put in big ones from the Next website. I haven’t worn it yet as I’m trying to work out how to convince my mother-in-law that I’ve had it forever. Hmm, tricky! I shouldn’t be buying coats as we’re penniless and living with the in-laws for a wee while but Next is on credit so it kind of doesn’t count (except it does!)

I’ve also fallen in love (deep, deep love) with this cowl from DollyKnits on etsy:

 

That’s the lovely Jo (who is the talent behind the shop) modelling it but I wish it were round my neck not hers. I’m going to request it from Jim aka Father Christmas as it would go perfectly with the coat, dontcha think? Right, must dash. Mother-in-law is requesting a lift to Waitrose. Now what delights can we buy today? Back later. Honest!

Bank in the Form of a Pig May 1, 2009

 

Not that I have much money to save, but I totally adore Bank in the Form of a Pig by Harry Allen for Areaware, seen here in situ in a shoot for Mod Livin’ and Winifred Ross Reilly’s home. It comes in several colours, including gold and hot pink, but I like the purity of the white. Apparently it was cast from the body of a piglet who dies of natural causes and can hold $10,000 in dollar bills. I wish they sold it in the UK as shipping from the US is extortionate (Areaware quoted me $125 before taxes!!). Selfridges do the gold, pink and copper but have no stock until July. And I want the white anyway *sulks and stamps feet*!!

Thanks to Design*Sponge

Happy Tape and Knitting May 1, 2009

 

I know it’s been all over the blogosphere and I’m very tardy in posting it but isn’t this Japanese masking tape from Happy Tape just gorgeous? I wish I could think of more uses than just sticking it to everything and making me happy but my lack of crafting ability lets me down. I have just bought another knitting book (second hand and cheap) so (with the help of three books and YouTube) I’m going to finally teach myself to cast on and knit  a scarf before it’s time to wear one again! Wish me luck!

Happy May Day! May 1, 2009

 

Happy May Day! I ought to have done this on May morning to go with the image of Magdalen tower (my old college where the choir sings from the top of the tower to, usually drunken, crowds at 6am on 1st May) but I’ve been a bit slack today. Instead of posting lively things for you to look at, I’ve been spending money I don’t have on dresses and bags! The dress is for my birthday from Jim and is on a four-week back order so I should get it in time for 5th June, if I’m lucky. It’s this one from Boden:

 

 

It’s principally for my holiday in Greece in August for my sister’s wedding though I’m sure I’ll wear it a few times before we go and lots when we get back maybe with some jewel-coloured cropped cardigans when the weather gets cooler. I’ve also bought a bag from Meringue on etsy. It’s called Tzatziki, to keep with the Greek theme, and it looks like this:

 

 

It’s to go with quite a busy dress for the wedding itself but it should go. Shouldn’t it? It was a bargain $15 and is winging its way from Melbourne very soon and I can wear it with lots of other things. Hurrah for shopping (but boo for my bank balance!)

Michelle Brusegaard Peacocks April 27, 2009

 

Peacocks are the most splendid birds and these peacock stationery items from Michelle Brusegaard are wonderful. The enclosure cards come in fuschia/teal or green and I like the personalised flat notes in curry/chocolate (I think they also come in fuschia and grey). She also sells lovely screen printed scarves which I may share with you at a later date – oops, spoilt the surprise now!

Maison Bengal Travel Bag April 27, 2009

 

I’m all for recycling and this Maison Bengal travel bag made from old cement sacks is perfect for both its looks and for its environmental credentials. It’s made by a fair trade women’s artisan cooperative in Bangladesh and is only £25 – bargain!