Wordless Wednesday

KitschenSink - not your average pretty things website

Well, before a couple of weeks ago twitter hadn't actually given me much in a physical sense.  Obviously it had given me lots of laughs, no joke. 

Then I found this amazingly funny and clever lady called Rowan Grant.  She owns an awesome Jewellery and Accessories company called KitschenSink.  

I noticed a few things that I'd like to have for my own on her online shop but the one that I liked the most was the necklace called 'He Called' which Rowan herself is wearing in her lovely twitter picture.  I couldn't see it to buy so after an enquiry I received a quick response to say she did have some in stock and I could have one, happy days!

I bought it via the folksy shop system which I'd never used before.  It was really easy - you can pay with paypal and it was super fast. 

A couple of days later and when I got in from work today a lovely little package was waiting for me.  The necklace is utterly gorgeous and really well made.  It's desperately great value and I'll definitely get something else when I can justify yet another necklace/braclet/pair of earrings. 

I think you'll agree, the necklace is quite something. 

And look at the ace box it came in! 

I even got a lovely sweetie too! 

If you need (and what girl doesn't) something pretty and new, I urge you to get something.  It will brighten up your day, and your wardrobe.

I know exactly why I walk and talk like a machine

Blah. I forgot to come yesterday.  Well actually that's a lie, I remembered - but my fingers just didn't want to do anything on this here paper.

So anyway, yeah. On Saturday we went on a little jaunt to a place called Fewston Reservoir.  It was a beautiful day and despite having only had a few hours sleep due to Poppycake jumping on my head/pillow/feet and M snoring his face off we had a really lovely walk.

I was quite alarmed by the amount of flies that were buzzing around though.  Anyone that knows me will know that I have a very strong aversion to flying things. 

In fact, I know Juli will recall the time when we walked out into our work car park to go home and she had to swipe lots of flying ants off my car before I'd get in it.  Yeah, flies DO NOT rock.  They seemed to be following us too.  But let me not dwell, everything else was hot.      

A few pictures from the event:-

Oh, boutiful views darwin.

Lots of pretty little flowers everywhere.

Was it you? Did you leave this bag of poo at this beautiful location? You should be ashamed.

On Sunday we chilled out in the morning, ate cereal leisurely (well me quick because I don't like soggy cereal) and then we went to Red Brick Mill for a meander. We went up to the nice cafe bit and had a coffee and cupcake, before surfing the floors for some nice nic-nacs. 

We noticed that our favourite bit of the shop - the lovely Japanese bit with traditional furniture/dolls/momiji stuff was closing down, noes! M told me that he wanted to buy me a new mug for work and had settled on a momiji one, luckily they had some there. He bought me two in the end, and a luscious teapot, so cute. I think you'll agree, I was a little spoilt.

Today I started my new job in the hospital and it was really good. I was nervous to start with and things are always really weird on the first day. You get so much information to digest and are introduced to too many names and faces. I will learn them all, in time.

The hospital is such an awesome place to work though. I love walking through the corridors. One minute you're next to the chapel, then the morgue, then you hear a baby crying. The full circle of life all around you. And it's so great for people watching, which I love.

I have more to talk about but it's a separate subject, so see you up there folks.

Youtube Video Various Tape (screen)

I'm not very good at listening to one type of music. Lots of different stuff for me please.

I need to do a various cd for my lovely Bermudian-boro friend who is without the 'latest' stuff (note to self, must do that soon) but first of all I'll do one for you lovely folks.


One of my favourite songs of all time. Never fails to put me in a good mood.


My lovely Ellie. ♥ I'm officially obsessed now. This one is only available when you download the album from itunes. (Or listen to it on youtube I guess).


I love She and Him. I was smitten with Volume 1, I'm glad Volume 2 in in my life now.


I wanted to link to the actual video but it was blocked. A slightly older song but nominated for an Ivor Novello this week so deserving of my various.


Another top album. She's a quirky lady, just how I like 'em.


Doesn't really need an introduction. I have already plugged them before. However I am realising I'm a folk lover more and more.


This reminds me of getting ready to go away..on holiday. I mean, I can't think where I'd get that from..strange.


On Friday someone on Twitter was having a 90s indie revival and it made me think of this.


I didn't like this at first but it's grown on me, she gets everywhere that lady. I think a few tracks on the album sound like Ace Of Base, that's not an insult - I LOVED Happy Nation.


None of my various tapes are complete without The Sundays. ♥

Late now, I have day trips to blog about from today. I shall be back tomorrow.

EZ Combs - A Review

So as I was saying on Wednesday I've been sent some EZ Combs from JML to review for Fuel My Blog.  I've had them for a few days now and I'm eating my words in terms of their ability to 'pin' up my hair.

The pack came to me with two combs in - One silvery coloured, one brown and an instruction guide.

I was a little bit disappointed with the quality of the silvery coloured one - as you can see the elastic was coming out of it slightly already and without any use. 

No matter I thought, lets see how these babies work!  I set about trying some of the styles in the booklet.  JML say "EZ Comb are the exciting new way to create striking hairstyles instantly".

I fiddled about a bit at first, feeling anxious that the elastic wouldn't stretch across my thick hair and would never look right.

I was pleasantly surprised.  I tried the very basic classic style first which puts half your hair up.  It took a matter of seconds and once I'd finished it did look really good!  The brown comb was better for me as it blended into my hair colour and was quite complimentary.

They really are as easy to use as the ad says.  And they are very durable.  Even with the silver one, which had a slight fault I was able to twist, pull, and prod into the correct position and they still looked good.

They feel really comfortable, I forgot I had them in most of the time and they definitely live up to the promise of keeping your hair in place.   

The biggest result for me was the fact that I could pin the whole of my head of hair up.  Yes, that's right, my whole head of hair.  In all the clips, in all the land, in all the years of my life I have never been able to do this!

For me personally the downside of the combs would be that they are not really in keeping with my 'look'.  I think if I had a black one it might blend in more with my bright eyeshadows and loud jewellery.  However in my opinion, for a smarter look, they are great for all ages.

They cost £14.99 which seems great value and are available to buy from JML on the link above.

I couldn't finish without posting a picture of the said comb in my hair.  Have you any idea how difficult it is to take a picture of your own hair?!  Sorry for the feeble quality.

Catch the sun, before it's gone

So far, this week has been glorious. I've loved being relaxed away from work for a few days.

Pottering around, drinking tea, watching teen mom (oh my god I love that programme) and generally enjoying the lovely weather. Someone else who has been enjoying this sunny spell is Poppy.

She either just saw a bird or was being a diva and didn't want her picture taken. I'd say probably the later.

Yesterday I went for a little wander around the shops (without Poppy although she did let it be known that she was unhappy with having to stay in) and bought a couple of maxi skirts. There are some really gorgeous ones in the shops at the moment along with loads of lovely floral patterns again. I'm enjoying the fact that my being a hippy is actually on trend now.

Today I've been back into work to collect some cups and other stuff I forgot to get last week. It was very hard not to answer the phone when it started ringing!

Also today I have bought one of these:-

I saw one a while ago on a make-up video blog. She was using it to push her hair back off her face. I loved the idea of it. I'm constantly tying my hair in bands and I'm sure that creates split ends so it's perfect for keeping my hair out of my face when I'm either washing it or applying slap.

Speak of hair accessories I received a parcel today for the new EZ combs from JML that I'm reviewing for the lovely folks at Fuel My Blog. I will have a proper play with them and do a review in a few days.

First impressions are I am more than a little skeptical of them and whether they can withstand the thickness of my hair. I never 'clip' my hair up because of this very fact - the clip falls out. We shall see.

Now I'm off to put jacket potatoes in the oven and make jelly whilst listening to Passion Pitt. It's good to be me.

Do you want to go to the seaside?

Well what an awesome weekend we had.

We decided that we'd get up early on Saturday and go for an adventure. We drove through the glorious Yorkshire countryside and to Nunnington Hall. I wanted to go there because they have an exhibition of Beatrix Potter drawings throughout April and I love her work.

I have long been a fan of her illustrated stories but also the struggles and stories about the lady herself fascinate me. The love story between her and Norman Warne is so poignant and tragic - it really does make you feel like you need to seize the day when it comes to love and happiness.

The painting were at the top floor of the house and there were three rooms all displaying art work. It was really well put together for anyone, especially if you do not already know her 'story'.

On the same floor was a really extraordinary collection of miniature rooms. I've seen miniature stuff before but this really was out of this world, the level of detail in each of the rooms was remarkable. It kind of took me back to childhood and dolls houses but also allowed anyone to get a feel for how that type of house used to be.

As we were walking down towards the exit I spotted a book called Beatrix Potter - A Journal. It was such a gorgeous book, so cute and really nicely put together. It had little envelopes of replica letter she sent and samples of first edition Peter Rabbit books. I tried to rack my brains to think of any little girls I knew that would like it. Unfortunately all my friend's little girls aren't quite old enough yet.

I couldn't leave without buying it though so I released the inner child and handed over my cash. I'm sure I will pass it on to somebody one day but for now I will appreciate it myself.

After finishing in the house we went into the garden for a little wander. It was such nice weather I actually ended up with a slightly burnt nose and a reddish chest, yes, this is all I have come to expect from the sun now. I am an English Rose, I have learnt to live with it.

A few shots from the garden:-

The house itself. I'd like to own it, please.

Mrs Scarecrow. She was very scary! There was a Mr Scarecrow too but in another part of the garden. I just said how sad it was that they weren't together and M said they were, at night. Ahh right.

The awesomeness that is a peacock. I bet the female peacocks are all so gutted that the men look so much prettier than they do. I think I want to come back as a peacock. You just get to flounce around and be pretty, the WAG equivalent of the bird world.

After we'd finished at the house we decided to just keep driving towards the sea.

We first stopped off at Pickering and got a sandwich which we ate out in the sun, it was so lovely just watching the world go by.

When we got in the car I said I wanted to go to Whitby as it seemed a shame that we were so close (about 20 miles away). So that's what we did. By the time we got there it was about 4 o'clock and the shops were all shutting but the weather was still just as good so we parked up at the abbey, walked down the steps and wandered around the cobbles.

We checked out a few windows before making our way to the top of the cliff, just below the abbey. The views were breathtaking.

It reminded me why Whitby is one of my favourite places of all time. We finished up by wandering back up the steps and into the graveyard, heaven on earth - ironic really considering it's full of death.

A few shots from Whitby:-

View from the cliff, a seaside spectacular I think you'll agree.

The gorgeous abbey in it's full glory.

A seagull and some poo. I don't think it was fresh.

The bestest graveyard in the world eva. FACT.

I think this means mind the step but it looks like it's a man sliding into a step.

It was about 6.30 by the time we'd finished and we decided to head home. M took us the scenic way back along the coast and through Scarborough. It was the best way to end the day.

The last beautiful view of the sea as the sun was setting.

Having lived only 2 minutes drive from the sea and using the shoreline as a place to gather my thoughts, I miss it always.

A successful day trip with a good saturation of the seaside to keep me going for a bit.

Would you like to know more?

I saw this on Emma's blog Me The Man and the Baby (7 things you don't know about me) so here goes...

1. My great-great grandmother wrote poems for Queen Victoria. She didn't just do that, she had a couple of books published. I think that's where I get my love for creative writing and all things book related. I also realise I have some rather large boots to fill.
2. I hate clowns. It seems I'm not the only one as there are quite a few groups on facebook stating the same. I am yet to see a clown that I am not been completely petrified of.
3. I auditioned for Catchphrase once. I used to belong to a drama group and the producers came in and asked for people to audition. I dragged my dad along as it was a new concept for a 'family' edition of the show. We were completely unrehearsed as to what we would say. I was rubbish and told a ridiculously unfunny story about my dad. He then reciprocated by saying I did really funny impressions which I refused to do because of nerves. At the end we had to watch a video and guess the catchphrases, that was the only bit we didn't fail at. Suffice to say, we didn't get on the show.
4. When I was about 12 I won a drawing competition for an anti shop lifting campaign. My picture showed a woman in cuffs through the lens of a camera and the slogan 'Stop, Think, you're being watched'. What's more ironic is that at that particular time in my life (my rebellious phase) I used to 'hang around' with people that shop lifted. Oops.
5. I seem to move around the country depending on my boyfriends. When I was 18 I moved to Bridgewater in Somerset to live with my then boyfriend. I soon realised that was a big mistake and shortly returned back home, never speak of the incident again. I then moved away to Portsmouth when I was 20 to live with smerphf. This lasted slightly longer and I set up a new life there. After 8 years we went our separate ways and I met M. Shortly afterwards I moved up to Yorkshire. I guess I'm grateful for experiencing different parts of the country. I'm very stuck on Leeds though, it's ace. Although I would like to move abroad in a few years, watch this space!
6. When I was 16 my godmother was in a play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I spent the summer with her watching the play, learning the lines and being able to watch the rest of the shows in her particular theatre. It was a superb way to spend the summer. It seems like only yesterday but I realise that it was quite some time ago because during the play she used to light a cigarette and smoke it in the theatre - you couldn't do that now, eh!
7. I've had five operations on my ankle. I broke it by wearing very silly shoes and falling down the stairs. I wasn't drunk, just running and slipped. My foot went underneath me and my ankle was crushed. The doctors originally though I'd just sprained it. Then, after x-rays it was apparent I'd broken lots of stuff. I was in hospital for two weeks, and on crutches for two months. The worst thing about crutches was trying to walk across a newly washed floor at my dad's apartment in Switzerland. I was like bambi on ice, not pretty.

And there you have it. I will be back later to blog about yesterday's outings.

Toodles.

I've got the style and you can't cheat it. Stop! Don't copy me!

Evening to you lovely blogger friends. Apologies for my few days of absence.

Over the past few days I have:-

Been to Manchester.
We drove down on Sunday evening to have a meal with mum because they were up dropping bro back at uni. He's back a week earlier than everyone else so he can get some work done, in the words of Roy Castle, "dedications what you need!

So we ate at the City Inn where they were staying. It was a lovely meal, mainly for the company as opposed to the food. There was a mightily hilarious incident when we were getting desert. My step-dad asked for cheese and biscuits and added that he'd like some butter with that. The waiter seemed confused. Well, when his nice plate of cheese and b's came, it had a nice side order of....basil! Ha! How we laughed!

We haven't heard from bro yet, I told him to ring if he gets too bored and we'd go and get him, bless.

On the way home and driving across the moors we saw the most amazing sight. The moors surrounding the motorway were on fire. We came over the hill and the hillsides to our left were burning in a big line. I've never seen anything like it, it was just eery, hellish. I tried to snap it but the camera couldn't cope with the fast speeds and wind out of the window. According to a news article the fires seem to have been started on purpose, very strange indeed.

Been to work.
Yes, that's what working people do isn't it. Well, I'm very grateful at only have 3 more days of it! I mean, I've made some great friends there and it's been very informative learning all about eyes but I'm glad to be moving on to bigger and better things.

Been to Leeds City Centre.
Yes, you might think there is no real point to this particular item. I'll explain.  I came home yesterday and I logged onto twitter. I was there, minding my own business and @NMEmagazine said that there was a golden ticket a magazine in Sainburys in town. This golden ticket was apparently VIP tickets to Leeds Fest. Now, I'm not that fussed on going, I'm really over all that festival malarkey now. I much prefer a few cocktails and a decent gig. 

BUT, I thought because we're not far we could just go to the arena and watch stuff we liked and leave. Simple. Anyway, by the time I'd pondered all this about 10 minutes had passed. 

I decided on a whim to just get in my car and go to see if I could find this hidden magazine. I must add, I've never done anything like this before. I think I was being spurred on by fact that I was going to park need the Joy shop and I might pop in there to get some things. 

So, quelle surprise I didn't find the tickets. Shortly after I was in there a group of lads seemed to appear with all the copies of the NME in the shop. However, I have since discovered that the ticket wasn't in there on Friday last week either so maybe Charlie got it.

I took the opportunity to visit some shops and I did end up in Joy and I got the Clutch Bag that I blogged about last week. I also got a lovely mirrored deer necklace made by Titi Madame. So, you could say all was not lost. I bought a lovely card with lovely words on it for M, just in case he forgot how much I ♥ him, these men need reassurance don't they. ;)

Been trying out some new recipes.
Tonight I made Rhubarb Clafoutis which was featured by the lovely sluts over at Domestic Sluttery. It has yet to be taste tested. It sort of looks like a posh Rhubarb Yorkshire pudding, but it was fun to make and I'm sure it tastes nice, it has Yorkshire rhubarb in it.

Been finding some lovely things online.

How frackin gorgeous is the MAC: Give me liberty collection (which is now available in the UK). I really don't think I need anymore makeup I don't use half the stuff I own already. However, I might have to purchase some, just for the awesome packaging. Oh god, I am a slave to the trend. I hate myself, I really do.

Also, I found this article about the Top 10 Iconic and Influential Works of Art. It's amazing how recognisable images become. My favourite isn't in there.

Flaming June by Lord Frederic Leighton is one of my most favourite pictures of all time and is very iconic, in my opinion anyway. A long time ago I was lucky enough to see it in the flesh at a gallery in London. It was an exhibition of some of his greatest works. The size and scale of the paintings took my breath away.

I fell in love with it there and then. It's quite a popular image now but I still love it just as much. Painting is like music to me, it can transport me to a time in my life, a moment, a feeling. Magical almost.

Yikes, don't I go on.

Hope you have/had a delightful sleepy time. 

It's not what you've lost but it's what you find

Earlier this evening I went for a very lovely Indian meal at the Aargah in town with some classy ladies.

It was most delightful. The food was cooked to perfection and the company was just as grand.

Later on this evening I saw a wedding dress that I'd love to wear ♥ ♥

I'd like to wear it anyway, even if it wasn't to a wedding. I think it's perfect.

The girls were asking me tonight if I'd set a date yet. I said no but maybe I should have firmer plans in place - even if they are just an adventure trip away for M and I with a bit of a marriage ceremony attached; preferably somewhere lush like Portmeirion.

I can't believe that's the time. I need some shut eye.

Let's make some music, make some money, find some models for wives

MGMT are touring. WIN.

Joy to the world

So, when my magazine came through the post today I was happy to see I have a voucher for 20% off at Joy.

It's a marvellous shop and very reasonable too! I guess the voucher is only for the online shop but hey, I won't grumble.

A few of my favourite things:-

Also, they sell Stolen Thunder jewellery which I love. I have the Russian Doll necklace that I bought from the Leeds shop last year and I wear it constantly.

Now, what to buy. Hmmmm.

Adventures in April

Good evening fellows. 

It's been a busy Easter weekend!  I've loved having some much needed rest and recoup even if we did jam pack our weekend.

Our lives from Thursday have gone as follows:-

Thursday night we went to see Ellie Goulding at the Cockpit. It was awesome. She was awesome. She's a really likable person with great great songs and marvelous lyrics which transport you to times in your own life, I like musicians like that. The only negative was that I couldn't see her for most of the show because of a rather rude man in front of me with a rather large afro hair do, typical. Also there were loads of people talking at the back - does that happen now? I guess I normally see really noisy people so it doesn't matter but she's really softly spoken so we couldn't hear what she said a lot of the time. The main thing was the music was great and I guess that's the only thing isn't it.

We got up on Friday and decided to go on an adventure to the seaside. We originally decided on Whitby because we haven't been for ages. It's not as if we haven't been loads of times before - we've both been going there for many *many* years but it's somewhere that never gets old. Anyway, we programmed the satnav ready to go and it said there were delays of 2hrs. Bugger that, we thought. So, M suggested Southport - and as I've never been before we set off. The day started off quite bright but ended up rainy and miserable. Things we saw:-

A rather lovely Merry-go-round

A rather awesome Japanese taxi. Unfortunately I didn't have time to snap a clear view of it.

Some rather cute teapot lights. We went into The Vincent cafe to shelter from that fine rain that soaks you through and to get a bite to eat. It was yummeh food.

The pier was rather a washout by the time we went home, ram packed with people just hours before. 

There's something about the seaside in the rain. Very unforgiving and grey but yet the sea still makes me want to stay forever. We were going to go to the funfair too but it was just too wet by then.

On Saturday we decided to have a day at home. Do some washing and chores, a bit of wii action and baking. M went off to the local shopping centre to check out some new phones and he came back with a lovely Easter pressie for me! A cupcake recipe book to join my others. We've not done chocolate this year, not even one small egg has made it into our mouths. Go us!

It's a really nice book (apologies for the picture). It's got recipes but also a very good commentary from Cookiegirl who wrote the book and has been doing this stuff for quite some time.

I made the banana and cinnamon cupcakes which were delicious, however the picture doesn't really do them justice.

M also came back with a new compact camera which we have needed for a while. It's a panasonic lumix one but I can't remember the exact model. He tested it out and managed to get some great snaps of our black rat! She's not really very photogenic, she tends to look like she's wet.

It makes a very nice change to get some lush shots of her. I'll be trying out some actions shots soon, more to follow.

I also spotted these amazing Iron Fit wedges.

Want want WANT!  I might convince M to buy me them as a 'getting the job' gift.  Although he's already taken me out for a nice Italian meal to celebrate.  Hmm I could just buy them for myself. ;) 

Sunday we went to M's granddad's house for dinner. They live in a lovely bungalow which is on a hill and has great views of the surrounding area and a lot of the rolling countryside, a bit similar to my grandma's bungalow. It was lovely to catch up with them and share some stories. I drank a little too much red wine (read two glasses) and had that lovely merry feeling on the way home.

Which leads perfectly to today. We've had a lazy day today. We've watched some tv, mostly Pineapple Dance Studios which is HILARIOUS! We also watched a film called Zombieland it's a little like an American Shaun Of The Dead, really funny with token gore, I'd recommend to anyone that likes zombies and comedy.

Tomorrow is unfortunately back to work but only a few weeks left and then I have a few days off before my new job. Wahoo!

Sleep well peoplez.