Day Four - A favourite book

***Nostalgia alert***

I know, I know.  This is where I tell you about an adult book that you can all buy and relate to on an adult level.  But the truth is, when I was thinking about this post earlier, the very first book which popped into my head as my favourite was this one.

A - marvelously written and illustrated by May Gibbs - world peopled with small creatures (the gumnut babies), who are on the ultimate adventure of life whilst trying to avoid the evils of the world in the form of:-

The big bad banksia men.  How scary for a child?!

My sister and I had a copy of The tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie when we were about 6 (me) and 8.

I read and read it, till I imagined different ending.  Till snugglepot and cuddlepie were grown up and were fighting Mrs Snake;the ultimate baddie, with swords.  Till I pretended I was a 'bush' dweller and out on holiday with my bush family.

During my teens I forgot about the book, relegating it to the 'childhood' memory pile.  When I met M we were talking about our favourite children's stories and I happened to mention S&C.

About a month later I went to stay at M's house one weekend and there was a present for me on the table.  When I opened it I was stunned with happiness.  It was an original second hand copy of The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie which was printed in 1986.  He'd been on a mad treasure hunt to try and find it, eventually settling for one that had to be shipped for 3 weeks.   

I've got a thing about second hand books.  I love the fact that someone has treasured it and loved it before me.  There is an inscription on the inside of the front page which reads "To Bob and Fiona, love and kisses for your first Christmas together, we'll be thinking of you always, love Phil, Mary and Bizzy xx."

I wonder if Bob and Fiona made it through their first Christmas without killing each other.  And I wonder why they decided to part with the book.  I'm glad they did, it means I can look at the beautiful illustrated pages and pretend I am 6 again.

If you have a child, I implore you, get this book.  They will love it and you will enjoy reading it too.

Day Three - A favourite TV Programme

Shameless. The only programme that makes me howl with laughter and collapse in tears of sadness whilst watching a single episode.

If you haven't already seen an episode, give it a go - although I'd recommend starting from series one.

Day Two - A favourite film

I loved Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless mind from the first time I saw it.

A process of erasing some of your loveliest memories, to forget an ever worsening relationship, but only through the process of losing said memories, you discover what you had to begin with.

There are many gorgeous elements to this film and not only because it's directed by Michael Gondry who always adds a dreaminess to most things he touches.

The sense of loss, the fading memories (falling like blocks in a room), the marvellous hair colours of Celementine (Kate Winslet) and the fact that although I appreciated his comic value - I never really appreciated Jim Carrey as an actor until this point.

Mix that in with Nietzsche quotes, midnight trips to frozen lakes and train rides to adventures and for me, it's a winning formula.   

Although there are many films that I love, this is the one I always go back to.

Day One - A favourite song

Note how I've changed the title from 'the' favourite to 'a' favourite.  I sometimes feel like I wouldn't be able to exist without music.  And as such there are many songs which move me or remind me of a time in my life, making them all favourites.

This particular song reminds me of my grandma.  She used to live in Blackpool and I (alone) or with my bro would stay with her during school holidays.

My grandma is an amazing lady and it was always so lovely to stay with her as a child.  She was so warm and affectionate, happy to cook and take us on little adventures on the bus.

If she heard creaking of the floorboards at night she'd jump out of bed and offer to make a cup of tea and a biscuit stopping to tell stories of making my mum drinks of tea after she'd been on nights out as a teenager.   

Anyway I digress.

She used to have a record player and we'd put the songs on and listen to the lovely lyrics.  This particular song was my favourite of the selection.



I always felt there was a certain sadness with grandma.  Not that she'd let on but in those moments listening to the song with her gently humming along, I'd feel sad for her.  Sad that she was on her own, as in the song.  And sad that she might never experience that love again.   

30 days of me

Admittedly I probably should start this at the beginning of the month in a few days but I had a very busy week and weekend so I'm starting this now, rather than do a proper update.

I've seen this on a couple of my 'regular reads' and it's a great way of getting to know someone better.  This is how it works.

Day 1:  Your Favourite Song
Day 2:  Your Favourite Film
Day 3:  Your Favourite TV Show
Day 4:  Your Favourite Book
Day 5:  Your Favourite Quote
Day 6:  Whatever tickles your fancy...
Day 7:  A photo that makes you happy
Day 8:  A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9:  A photo that you took
Day 10: A photo of you taken over 10 years ago
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently
Day 12: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13: A fictional book
Day 14: A non fiction book
Day 15: A Fanfic
Day 16: A song that makes you cry
Day 17: An art piece
Day 18: Tickling Fancy Day
Day 19: Your Day in Great Detail
Day 20: A Hobby of Yours
Day 21: A recipe
Day 22: A Website
Day 23: A Youtube Video
Day 24: Tickling Fancy Day
Day 25: Your Day in Great Detail
Day 26: Your Week in Great Detail
Day 27: Your Month in Great Detail
Day 28: Your Year in Great Detail
Day 29: Hopes, Dreams, and Plans for the next year.
Day 30: Final Tickling Fancy Day...


I'm going to run this along side my usual stuff because I have lots of exciting news, it's just too late and I'm mega tired.

See you up there at day one in a jiffy.

If I knew you were comin I'd've baked.......a tray of fudge.

I've been meaning to make something with the marshmallow fluff that I bought a few weeks ago.  I decided to try the fudge recipe that is on the side of the jar.  This is the part where I show you one 'I've made earlier' and tell you how delicious it is.  However, it's still cooling in the tray.  Double however, I can tell you it looks divine.

I'm going to take some into work tomorrow for my colleagues to sample.  Hopefully I don't poison them. 

Although I might just offer some to the smelly cleaner man that came in this morning to empty our bins.  Periodically through the day people from 'estates' come and empty the black bin bags in our areas.  I've got no idea why he came in first thing though, there was nothing for him to take away and he just left me with a stench of stale cigarettes and booze and an image of him chewing on his gums (clearly he forgot his teeth today).  Ugh ugh ugh!

Speaking of work I forgot to tell you about the funny(subjective) things that happened last week.  I was over at another site for a meeting and was waiting for M to pick me up right next to the maternity ward.  I happened to look over at the door and saw a whole family (mum, dad, sister, pregnant daughter +boyfriend and another child) and I am not lying when I say they were ALL in pyjamas, no really.  I was most shocked.

Then, as I was sitting there I was listening to a cleaner woman chat to a couple who were sat looking uncomfortable.  It transpired the woman from the coupling was overdue and they were 'right sick of it now'. 

Anyway, the woman was empathising with them for a while, talking about children in general.  The man then proceeded to tell said cleaner they already had two and three kids was enough now, thank you very much.  The cleaner paused and then said she only had two.  She carried on cleaning for a good 5 minutes before remembering actually, she had three children!  How the heck do you just forget you've given birth to one of your children?!  Perhaps she'd disowned the 3rd child and didn't normally talk about him/her.  Either way, it was uncomfortable I can tell you. 

This week so far I have mostly been buying pretty things for my hair, I think I have a problem in that respect.  I would like to add in my defense that the pretties were very reasonable. 

I bought:-

Russian Doll hairband

Rose and skull hairclip

Of course, I can't stop myself getting excited about Russian Dolls and Skulls, they are in my blood now.

They are both from Yama Yama Pretty Mama - awesome lady (with very awesome red hair) with lovely designs, and very reasonable too.  There is a facebook page, you should join it.

I need to check on my fudge now, toodles for now.        

Yo yo yo, baby-pop, yeah you! come and gimme a kiss

I'm excited about the weekend.  I am P A R T Y-ing with the boro lasses.  Yee hah! (note I'm not a cowboy but felt that was an appropriate expression).  It's Helbos birthday and we're going for a meal followed by dancing and hopefully a bit of:-


Still haven't decided on what I'm wearing.  However, I found these acemazing facinator/hairbands during the week and I wish I'd see them sooner, I would have snapped one up to act as a tasty extra for my outfit. 

Pink pop art inspired headband.  

Facinator with royal blue butterfly. 

Aren't they just amazing?

Check out Janine Basil's Etsy page, I will be getting one for the Polish wedding we're off to in September. 

I'll be back tomorrow with some funny hospital stories from today, I'm just a bit too tired to make my fingers work now.

Music Go Music

My new favourite band.  

Their album Expressions is out now and you'd be crazy not to get it (yes, they are a bit abba-esque but once you get past that comparison there's a whole world of excellence to discover).

Fashion...turn to the left....

So last week I did rather a lot of shopping.  Probably a little too much but I got carried away on pay day.

I got some two tops and some rather special embellished jelly shoes from River Island.  I would at this point add pictures of them but I haven't prepared any and the River Island website is all flash and won't let me right click, how rude.

I also got a Chanel nail polish in vendetta.  It's positively glorious.  The shade is a little bit like rouge noir but with a nice purply metallic fleck to it.  I am wearing it today and I'm pleased to report it's marvelous.  I prefer to pay a bit more for nail polish that really stays in one place and doesn't chip so easily.

And - although I'm not being seen favourably by M because of my next purchase - I bought another pair of Havaianas (they are the gold logo black ones, third row down).  Yes I already have about a bizillion pairs but what happened was....I was in town....my feet hurt...I had to save them (my feet - you can never been too precious when it comes to your feet) so I bought some shoes that I could slip on right there and then.  What?  That's ok isn't it?  

Then - do you remember that awesome cherry necklace and  those eyeball hair clips that I saw last week?  You'll never believe it, M only went and ordered them for me!  I had no idea either.  We went to the post office on Saturday for him to pick up his package, and actually it was pretties for me. ♥ he's the best.

This week I am using every ounce of strength in me not to buy buy buy from the wonderful online boutiques that keep tempting me to look at them.

My favourite things this week:-

Made by the lovely SheDraws 

definitely worth checking out, so cute and so reasonable (made by a lovely lady to boot)!

So Peacocks have a new collection endorsed by Pearl Lowe.  It's great they are getting a bit more popular because they do some fab bargains, I remember when it was a bad thing to be seen in there.  There's not much of a collection as yet but I like the detail on this dress. 

I haven't yet decided if I love these till I can't breath or if Iregular Choice have gone one step too far with these. Hats off to them for always keeping us talking though.


A rather lovely vintage pair of earrings by the wonderful Chain of Daisies.

 A box?  Shaped like a skull?  I'll have two please.

A couple of newly deads. 
Both skull and salt and pepper pots from Plasticland. 

Right, I think I better get to bed before I turn into a pumpkin.  Although that would probably be quite nice because it's so hot and they're always cold aren't they? 

And it's you and me in the summertime, we'll be hand in hand down in the park

Yikes and cripes!  Where does the time go?

One minute it was Friday and the whole weekend was stretching a head of me like a beautiful wave of excitable energy.  Then, it was this week.  The week after a bank holiday weekend. 

Yesterday was a terrible waste of a day in which my head decided it was too busy to wake up and my eyes decided they wouldn't open properly.  Oh and the particular trousers that I wanted to wear decided that they didn't want to dry in time for their 7am deadline so I had to wear them with a wet waistband.  Ugh.  Serious bank holiday Tuesday FAIL.

No matter, we had a lovely weekend.  On Saturday we decided to scope out a few areas for potential house buying.  There are so many places to look at, it's hard to pinpoint a particular place that will be just right.

Because I'm in town now, I'm quite easy in terms of getting to work but I suppose the closer to town we live the busier the roads get.  There are some lovely spots in North Leeds, but again we're not sure on particular areas and all the other things you look for, nice neighbourhoods, parks, schools etc.

Some how, we ended up on an adventure drive and because we were at the top of Bradford we decided we'd go and have a 'morbid fascination' look at the 'Crossbow Cannibal's' flat.  I've never actually seen a real life crime scene before.  It's so weirdly close to the actual centre of Bradford, we've parked near there loads of times to go to the theatre and IMAX.

There were loads of police raking through bushes and guarding the abandoned factories that are behind the flats.  I do think it's really spooky round there anyway, there are so many dark alleys and scary back streets, it's like stepping back in time.  I hope this whole experience will make the council step up and regenerate the area a bit quicker, although in reality it probably won't make much difference.

Anyway, I'm happy to report we didn't see any crossbows or cannibals, luckily.  The rest of Saturday was spent chilling and watching Eurovision, ahh bliss.

On Sunday we did a spot of shopping (I will blog about my purchases separately) and then came home and had a lovely Sunday dinner.

Yesterday we went on an exciting trip to Castle Howard.  It's a wonderful place because there's a lovely balance of inside and outside parts and lots to see and do.  I can't believe I've never been before.  I actually went there because I wanted to check out the Artsmix craft market that I knew was on so we were lucky that the crafty bits were in such a beautiful location.

The market was at the front as you walk in so was perfect to have a quick browse and then proceed on into the house and gardens.  There was some lovely stuff on sale. 

Penny Masquerade had an absolutely sensational selection of cute jewellery.  And most importantly there were cards out so I could take one and browse the collection when I got home!  The jewellery looked so well made, I will definitely be purchasing some as soon as I can justify more jewellery - although it is all rather reasonable.

Anyway - we browsed around for a bit longer and then proceeded into the grounds of the house.  I personally think it was very reasonable to get in - £12.50 for the house and gardens.  I can't really put into words just how lovely it is.  England at it's very best.  Fantastically well kept gardens, wildlife, an awesome historic house to wander round and lovely lakes to sit next to and watch the world go by.

A couple of snaps:-

 A corridor lined with busts.

Another corridor, are you seeing a theme here?

The magnificent great hall.

  Three guesses as to who took this picture.

Hmmm.  More boobs.

The awesome Atlas Fountain which has been in working order since 1853 - how amazing?!

So the son of the current owner is a little young for me but I'm thinking of a 'way in'.  Watch this space.

All in all, a great day was had by all and I'd love to go again on another sunny day.   

I have fashion buys and other such pretties to blog about but I'll do that in a separate post.  Hope you're all marvellous.