it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..

Now those of you who know me well know that I am of an excitable nature, ESPECIALLY when it comes to Christmas! So in order to prevent myself from going overboard and irritating my nearest and dearest with my enthusiasm I have devised a simple yet effective plan a few years ago:
do not begin getting excited until after your birthday.

Now that's out the way I refuse to feel guilty. Plus as a consumer I'm being encouraged by shops to feel this way. Take my last trip to the Metro Centre... I mean how can you not feel excited when faced with a giant light-up reindeer? Come on!!







and yes, I know I'm still being rubbish but please cut me a bit of slack.. I have literally spent a good 8 hours on an application form, which reminds me by the way: if anyone would like to know how to modify a PDF, I am now a bloody expert!!

Also you may have noticed the appearance of other bloggers buttons, if you want to trade buttons with me you can find the link to mine on my 'About Me' page and feel free to send me yours!

Two little ducks..

First of all thank you for all the birthday messages!! I am now officially 22!
Had a brilliant birthday, spending Saturday evening with some of my favourite people (although some of my best friends couldn't make it up). We started the night with Teppanyaki at Fujiyama before heading to bars in Newcastle. Far too many cocktails and tequila shots later (as you can probably see by the deteriorating quality of photos) there were a lot of sore heads yesterday..

Ok I know and I'm sorry..

..for being a bit rubbish this last week with my blogging and blog reading. I promise I will get on and reply to everyone who has contacted me as soon as I can! The last couple of days have been a little crazy. I'm a firm believer that if the universe throws you a metaphorical bone you should run after it as fast as your bloody legs can carry you. After weeks (well if I'm honest months) I'm beginning to feel like I'm moving forward and I am extremely grateful to the people who are showing me support right now. And of course to the ones who let me moan and whine and talk their ear off when I haven't been in such a positive place. Kinda seemed like a suitable time to be doing a post like this what with our lovely friends over the pond celebrating their thanksgiving yesterday!

Hello motivation, it's nice to have you back.


p.s. It's my birthday on Sunday and I've found my dress for tomorrow night... I'll share a sneak peak of it soon!

current favourites

Book: Roland Barthes Travels in China, jumper: H&M, leather iphone wallet: boutique in Copenhagen, scarf: H&M, nail polish: Nails Inc: Basil St, watch: Michael Kors


Just a few of my favourite bits and pieces at the moment.

The book is one that I haven't had a chance to start yet but really looking forward to reading. It was a freebie from my boss (perks of a publishing intern) and is an uncorrected proof of the diary notes kept by Barthes during his travels in China in 1947 with a small delegation of French philosophers. I love looking at people's notebooks and scrapbooks, there's something slightly voyeuristic about it, and I like the way that the text is scattered including lists and sketches along with his intimate notations. I don't want to pick it up yet though because I'm taking part in the book group on Twitter, so currently reading Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey. Are any of you getting involved? If you want more info you can find it here.

Let there be light: Lumiere Durham 2011

For the last few days Durham has been lit up by beautiful light installations from a number of talented artists for Lumiere 2011. Having visited the first Lumiere back in 2009, I was eager to visit this year. Having been an underrated attraction a couple of years ago, this year's Lumiere definitely had a better PR campaign. I don't think I've ever seen so many people in Durham, for a small historical city the amount of human traffic was slightly overwhelming. These are some snaps that I managed to get on the night but there are lots of (much better quality) photos on the website if you want to see more.






















My favourite piece of the night was the installation by Tracey Emin, a single phrase scrawled in blue neon lighting on the side of a church: 'be faithful to your dreams'. I didn't get any great shots of it but you can see it here. From the giant snow-globe in Market Square to the light show that was projected onto Durham Cathedral, the Lumiere was a beautifully tongue-in-cheek spectacle.

The Nutcracker Ballet

Spent an elegant night at the ballet with Mam, having bought her tickets to see Northern Ballet's The Nutcracker for her birthday. The Tchaikovsky score is beautiful and the dancers were amazing. I have to admit that it was Martha Leebolt, dancing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, who stole the show. It was a gorgeous night and now I'm feeling more festive than ever...

feeling festive

It's my birthday next weekend so I'm searching for the perfect party dress. All the glitter and sequins in shops at the moment is making me feel so festive! Think I'm going to opt for something with a bit of sparkle...







Now I need to go and get ready- I'm taking my Mam to the ballet tonight to see The Nutcracker.



Collage one:
Ella Luna silk sequined dress from farfetch.com
Aldo Safko glitter bow ballet pumps
Valorie glitter evening clutch from Style Passport
OPI Christmas glitter collection

Collage two:
Cluster sequin top by Vince
Ted Baker Feopora sequin hem skirt
Warehouse sequin shorts
Aldo Mcintyde glitter bow heeled shoe
Dune Luckie glitter loafers
Models Own glitter nailpolish

The Row

I've always been a fan of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's still and I can remember back in 2007 when The Row was launched I was excited to see what they would come up with. I love that their collection is more about the clothes themselves than trying to create a flashy brand that screams OLSEN TWINS DESIGNED THIS. In fact I think the clothes do scream Olsen in that their simplicity and wearability means that they can be just thrown own (particularly their range of t-shirts as modelled by Cupcakes & Cashmere's Emily for StyleMint, see here). I'm a big fan of this year's collection. The pieces are still in keeping with the minimalist and modern style of the brand, and I love the elegant and ladylike lines that are being used. The yellow coat and grey Yetrull dress are my definite favourites..

think pink

pretty flowers, warm knits, a statement clutch and furry hats: a little bit of colour is always nice to brighten up the wintery weather.

classic English ghost stories

Last night I went to see The Awakening with a couple of friends and I think it's reignited my love of horror. I loved scary films when I was younger but after lots of disappointing endings I find that I prefer thrillers or dystopian films to farfetched horrors... I blame The Unborn and it's stupid ending! Anyway, The Awakening is set in post WW1 Britain and follows Florence, a well educated young lady and supernatural sceptic who sets out to expose spiritualist fraudsters. Carefully constructed and beautifully shot, this is a chilling and ambiguous ghost story. With her elegant but practical wardrobe filled with her beautifully crafted engraved silver cigarette case to her plain brogues, clean cut shirts and long masculine coats, I couldn't help falling in love with the style of the chic protagonist Florence (played by Rebecca Hall).

Lest we forget

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.




In 1918 on the 11th Day of the 11th month a ceasefire at 11am marked the end of WW1.
I don't want to become political with this blog but WW1 was a war (like many others) which saw the loss of too many lives. In England we wear poppies as our mark of respect to the dead, and to show that the ultimate sacrifice they made will always be remembered. However, it wasn't only the British soldiers who gave their lives on Flanders Fields; I wear my poppy today as a mark of respect and remembrance to every soldier who lost their lives not only in the Great War but in any war. Please remember everyone whose lives have been lost in war today.


Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye - 1932

happy one hundred posts!

Well after sporadic posting I have finally managed to reach my 100th post! I should probably write something relating to that but since I've spent the past two days at my new internship in a publishing house I decided I wanted to write about books. One which I've just finished reading and another which is one of my favourite reads...



Just before I started interning, my boss gave me a copy of a couple of the books in The Art of Living series. The company I'm working for is called Acumen, and is a publisher of academic texts on philosophy, history and classical studies. The Art of Living is a series which they have been publishing since 2008. When I first researched the company it was something that really interested me, and in my chat with the editor I asked a lot about it because I think it's a great idea. Philosophy is such an interesting subject but people are intimidated and frightened away by the idea that it's too highbrow and middle-class. The series is perfect for changing perspectives. Whether you're a public thinker or a member of the thinking public, they are designed to be read and understood by anyone. You don't have to be a graduate or an academic or have any prior knowledge on the topic. Each of the books tackle different philosophical debates from clothes, to our attitudes to marriage and commitment, fame and death. One of the copies I received was Clothes. Having read it whilst in Copenhagen, it was interesting to learn about the history of philosophical debates about clothes, and what the things we wear say about us. It put me in mind of one of my favourite books- Justine Picardie's My Mother's Wedding Dress. It's a small memoir made up of stories and memories that are held by clothes. Picardie looks at how our garments contribute to the fabric of our lives. Each chapter focuses on a different garment and the memories which this item of clothing holds. It's a very touching and beautifully written book.


Thank you to everyone who has asking about my internship, it's going really well and I'm enjoying learning more about the publishing world! As well as philosophy for that matter...

If you don't already remember you can follow me using blogger, bloglovin, or twitter.

Copenhagen

Hello everyone! Thanks for all your comments, I got back from Copenhagen last night and was too tired to do anything but eat! I had a brilliant holiday although the last couple days were a bit stressful as one of my friends hurt herself quite badly, but we're all home now and still in one piece, just.

Today I've been busying writing a piece for The Crack Magazine for the Legally Blonde Musical, which will be in Sunderland in Dec. Cue lots of coconut biscuits and watching clips on youtube, before my French class tonight. Now the rest of my evening will be all about reading. I've managed to score an internship at a publishing company in Durham and it's my first day tomorrow. Wish me luck!