Wise Words | No.5

Image courtesy of Color Me Katie

"I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod. My shadow does that much better."

Plutarch

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The Weekly Musing - 21.08.11

I can't believe we're coming up to the end of August already! I had so many things I was supposed to be sorting out this month, and just haven't...
It's time to bring back my organiser I think!


I bought this awesome cookbook off Amazon this week, called Cake Days by The Hummingbird Bakery. I haven't made anything out of it yet, but some of the recipes look ah-may-zing, so watch this space for some of my cookery disasters exploits. 


However, these didn't turn out too badly...

Also, dream house alert! Daily Dream Decor posting this fabulous creation. Can I move in now please?


How has your week been?


xox

Beautiful Blogs// Charade

I'm kick-starting a brand new series today which I hope you're gunna love! Rather than just leave you with my little 'Daily Reads' click-list in my sidebar, Beautiful Blogs is going to showcase the best of the blogging world and why I love them so much. 


Seeing as 'Charade' is celebrating 'Archive August' at the moment, and is busy flaunting her best bits, it seems suitable to start here! 

Charade is run by the glorious Megan. She's an English Literature and Creative Writing Graduate and lives in Bristol, probably surrounded, by pink, sparkles, with a pretty inspirational wardrobe! I've been reading Charade for a couple of years now, and I still get really excited when I see 'Charade (1)' on my BlogLovin screen.

Charade is chock full of Megan's awesome budgeting tips, travel stories, outfit posts as well as honest and well thought out articles which hit the spot each time and never disappoint. She also comes up with some pretty fabulous series, including The Dream Style Series, Make-Your-Life-Amazing, and her Learn To Love Living Podcasts. 

I heartily recommend you have a browse through all of the above, but here are some of my personal favourite ever posts. 

o  How To Get Over a Break-Up

o  Creating a CV of Who You Want To Be

o   Dealing With Unpredictability

o  How To Pack For A Warm City & Beach Break

I think what I love most about Megan and her blog, is the privileged window you get into her life. You feel as though you're genuinely making a new BBF week by week which is a huge accomplishment as a writer as well as making her especially endearing. 

She's just launched Charade's latest make-over to celebrate her blog's Third Birthday, so pop on over, devour over a nice cup of tea, leave a comment and make her day!

xox

For The Love of Lists - No.3

Things I Wish I Knew More About

1. How to start my own business. This is something I really want to do one day. I'm thinking a sweet little clothes boutique or a themed cafe with lots and lots of Primrose Bakery style cupcakes. I don't really understand what help is own there for me, especially start-up funding wise. Seeing as I'm hoping to move to the Bath/Bristol area some day I guess it'll end up being there!

2. Plays and the Theatre. When I tell people that I'm an English Literature student more often that you'd think I get asked 'Have you seen/read this play?' Which always throws me, because I actually know very little of this side of literature. Script writing was really my weak point at school and so I guess I've just avoided the entire genre. I may have to squeeze a space for 'read more plays' in my to-do list.

3. The Origins of Language. I love finding out little gems about how we came to use some of the words in our language as well as how they're linked to other languages. Especially how much of out language is derived from Greek, Latin and French. I love it. Maybe this is why I love QI so much...

4. Moving Abroad. I would love to live in Paris, Wellington, Sydney or maybe New York... Anyway, the idea of leaving everything behind and starting anew in a strange culture sounds fantastically exciting to me! I so admire Sarah Von from Yes and Yes for how she floats around the world with such elegance. 

5. What To Do. For those of you who are in University, have finished University or are already climbing the career ladder, do you really know where you're headed? Because I sure as hell don't. I have a vague idea of the kinda work I'd like to do in the future, but I don't think it's enough. And I really so hate not having a plan! So, do I set up my own business, become a novel writer, become a freelance journalist, become a magazine editor, a high school English Teacher, a full-time Mum? Or all six?!

Anything you wish you know more about?

Delectable Design - Bedrooms

I've been dying to decorate properly the flat that I share with my actor Boyfriend for a while now, but have never really had the money to do it. However, I figure that anything's possible on a budget right? 

So, step one, gather gather gather little gems of inspiration. In other words, drool over Design*Sponge for a couple of hours. Sound familiar? I'm not alone. Thank god. 

However, Carrie's Bedroom is SATC - heaven right?

Our room is a little too petite for such a rich colour though I think, so I may well have to pick a much lighter choice. Maybe a dove grey. That dusky light blue, are you with me?

Something like this maybe....

However, I am quite loving this throw atm from Urban Outfitters. So maybe I could have a light boldness after all.

Along with this mirror...

And some pretty hanging stars.

I'm all excited already! Bring on payday and a trip to B&Q for paint supplies.

Wise Words | No.4

"It's very important in life to know when to shut up. You should not be afraid of silence."

Alex Trebek

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The Weekly Musing - 14.08.11

Hello there! How was your week?

I've been pretty busy working, but I had a job interview Saturday morning for a job that I really want. So wish me luck! I spend most of Friday shopping for it, and came away with a pretty swish outfit from Next!

I have also been wasting time playing the Mastermind online quiz. I adore quizzes and have been learning lots from this one.

I re-watched An Education the other day which renewed my adoration of french music. 

And seeing as everywhere is releasing it's Autumn/Winter collections and it has done barely anything but RAIN these past few days in Wales, I'm thinking about what coat I should invest in this year. I buy a new coat every other year and this year is New Coat Year! So exciting. 


Gives me an excuse to shop. Hurrah! So, anyone seen anything spectacular recently?
I have my eye on this little number from Miss Selfridges at the moment. 


xox

Playlist #1

Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly

Avril Lavigne - I Will Be

Colbie Callait - I Won't

Christina Aguilera - Show Me How You Burlesque

Kate Nash - The Nicest Thing

Alanis Morissette - Wunderkind

Taylor Swift - Long Live

Eminem feat. Rihanna - Love The Way You Lie

Gabriella Cilmi - On a Mission

Be Inspired By | Marilyn Monroe

Who doesn't adore Marilyn Monroe?

I have a thing for successful women who know they're beautiful and use it. Not in that 'aren't a wonderful, all hail me' type way, but in the celebration of one's femininity type way.

Mini Factfile

She was born Norma Jean Mortenson

She died aged just 36

She studied Literature and Art Appreciation at the University of California.

She was married three times.

Apparently she was a fan of Nivea Moisturiser.

I think most people come across Marilyn these days in the many quotes of her's that seem to get thrown around Facebook, of which there are some brilliant ones. 

Here are a few of my favourites.

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." 

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."

"Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."

How charming. She just makes me want to buy Cartier diamonds and move to California.

xox

Llansteffan, Wales

I thought we could all do with a little escapism, or in other words some pretty pictures of a beach. I went for a wander to our local beach at Llansteffan last weekend with Adam and our friend Josh, and here are a few snapshots. All taken with the camera on the iPhone 4.

LDN

I don't know if the news about the rioting and looting in our capital is international news yet. But it's certainly all we're hearing about home in the uk.

On Thursday 4th August, Mark Duggan was killed by a shooting incident from a Police firearms officer on Ferry Lane Bridge, near Tottenham Hale Tube. A peaceful protest was held outside a local police station that evening demanding answers as to how it occurred.

That night, against the wishes of the family, groups took it upon themselves to begin some of the worst rioting the UK has seen since the 80s.

The rioting has worsened every night since, and last night I was sat up watching the 24 news stations into the early hours while on the phone to many of my friends who live across London. They were terrified for their lives and the lives of their families. Considering how many flats, went up in flames along with the shops that had been looted and torched beneath them. A friend who lives in Lewisham had many of the rioters running straight past her front door, with rumours of looters turning on residential homes. 

I can't imagine walking outside and many of the shops and landmarks of my home area just having been ripped out of the community.

Unrest among the youths of this country has been swelling since the Winter when so many people I know headed to London to march in the protests against the rise in student fees. I think a long list of grievances, ending with the unfortunate death of Mark Duggan has resulted in this mayhem. 

Unfortunately, many of the people rioting aren't even doing it to make a point, more for selfish reasons hoping that they can loot something of value and benefit from the unrest.

For the first time ever, I am ashamed to be British. I hope that people wake up, and recognise that if they're going to stand up for a cause, do it with some dignity, so that they can actually make a difference and aren't met with disgust and disdain as they ruin innocent people's lives in the wake of their violence. 

RiotCleanUp

Drumroll Please!

Please excuse me for squealing with excitement, but I am wondrously flattered to have been given an award!

The very charming Miss Amy Forder over at 'I Like Smiley Faces and Books', has been kind enough to pass along the 'One Lovely Blog Award'!

So, as the rules go, here are seven facts about myself and some lovely bloggers that I believe deserve some lovin' too.

1. I love Rose Garden tea by Twinnings.

2. I enjoy a Martini Rosso and lemonade with ice.

3. My favourite book is This Is All by Aiden Chambers.

4. I want a minion, like the little yellow one's in Despicable Me.

5. I secretly love it when it rains.

6. I wish I was Taylor Swift.

7. I can't decide if I want to be a writer, or an interior designer, or an event planner, or a teacher, or a full-time mum or...

Some Lovely Blogs

Carrie's wishwishwish

Sarah's yes and yes

Megan's Charade

Helen's Afeitar

I hope you all had a good weekend off - I know I did.

 I'll be back posting tomorrow night!

xox