Insert Nautical Pun Here

Little known fact about me; once upon a time (not so very long ago) I was obsessed with pirates. We're talking perhaps five years ago. Drinker of ALL the rum and future Mrs Jack Sparrow (I had a mug to confirm it) I couldn't get enough of all things sea-bound.

Today that obsession is somewhat quashed. I've grown up, I rarely drink and I've given up all hopes of meeting my very own Johnny Depp
but I still have a strange affection for all things nautical, and will always gravitate towards them.







I may as well give up and just live in this Zara skirt full time.



Perfect finishing touch thanks to Vix (excuse the awfully dry skin, nothing will combat it)

What do you have planned for this fine Monday? I'm sailing off to the doctors shortly, followed by some retail therapy (most likely) as today is payday! Shopping addiction, me?

What were/are you obsessed with?

WHERE is my rum?

xxx

so close now

FINALLY, we've had a couple of decently sunny-ish days and it feels like the end of Winter could be approaching,
don't you just love those first signs of Spring? They fill me with hope!

Got some colour going on for Yesterday's outfit in honour of the burning yellow ball in the sky.





Do I look tired and haggard?



Necklace says yes!

Fairly chilled out day, amongst the invasions of four 20 something males taking over the house. They are a nice, if somewhat...quirky bunch of guys and super talented.

Today is going to be all about chilling out, I think. I've a fairly busy week ahead, so I shall just potter about and go and see my Grandparents.

((the money spending continues..I bought *gasp* trousers!))

(((this is the best stuff EVER)))



trust me.

Anddddd, last but most certainly not least

WINNERS!

Thanks to everyone who took part in my giveaway, I love holding them so look out for more soon!

The winners are
*drumroll*

MARIA for the main UK prize

and Blue Eyed Night Owl will receive some edible goodies as my overseas winner.

Happy Sunday All xxx

Got to Shop - Astley Clarke

This week my GOT TO SHOP isn't quite as attainable as last week's...but I have so much love for these pieces of jewellery that I had to share.

Astley Clarke

(I'm going through a jewellery obsession lately, amongst other things!)

Amethyst Snail Pendant. I have a strange affection for snails. If anyone is talented with er...paperclips, fancy having a go at making something like this?!


Fiji Peace Bracelet. I love simple sleek designs as much as I love unique and detailed. I also love the word peace. It indulges my inner hippy and battle with myself. I want this please.
Marcato Rhodolite Ring. Fancy name, cute and simple design.


& necklace because I am a Language geek at heart.


Love Bird Earrings. Just too stinking cute!

So there we have this week's top shop...though if I'm honest I could do at least one of these posts a day!

What are you craving?

xxx

LAST DAY FOR GIVEAWAY

Fresh as a Daisy

Oh come on guys, you KNEW today's post would feature the daisy dress, right?! I just had to be.
It's a little on the short side, but that is part of the parcel of being tall I think, so I'm doing to rock it regardless with my dignity just about intact.







(hi there Flash, attacking my feet, again)



The ring up close. It's adjustable so perfect for everyone. I have chunky fingers and often find it hard to get rings to fit so this is A++



A pair of Mum's old earrings. And by old, I mean older than me.



I just *love* early mornings. Yeah.

Happy Friday Guys, what are you up to this weekend? We're having our house invaded by Richard Parker for a couple of nights (The Croft. Sunday. 7:30pm. Tickets on the door. BE THERE) so it's gonna be a mad 'un.

xxx

P.S. In honour of it being Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I've been featured by butterflyshapes on her blog. Check this girl out, she is the sweetest.

I've been cloned

Style cloned that is!


A huge thank you to Style Clone for featuring me!
I LOVE this site, so much inspiration.
For more style tips, check out Style Clone now!

What do you think?
xxx

uh-oh

Someone has been indulging in retail therapy! Well deserved I think as I got some good news about work this week!

Sneak preview ((everything will be shown properly when I wear it))

Matalan were kind enough to send me a gift voucher so I dragged Dad along to spend it today after work!

I GOT THE DAISY DRESS, I had little hope of my local shop having it, but they did, and in my size. Happpyyy! They didn't have the spacey printed dress I wanted but I found this fabulous floral one and happily made off with that.

Blouse, I've been looking for some nice blouses for work, and this one is lined, too which is an added bonus. I'm thinking it'll also look rather snazzy with my denim skirt.


Feather ring...just because.

That little lot came to just under £50 I think.

Noticing a flower theme here...I won this dress super cheap on ebay.

Not really a purchase as it's on contract (my first ever contract phone, eep). My Nokia died on me so I decided, after much tweeting for advice to go for a Blackberry curve.

And the cake?

Is.No.Longer.

R.I.P. Delicious sponge.

xxx


OH and Bristol peeps, if anyone is around Sunday night, my bro's band, Richard Parker is playing at The Croft from 7:30pm, I'm not going (boo) but the band are crashing with us this weekend so I'll try and get some photos etc.

About a Cake

Thanks for the fantastic comments on yesterday's post, glad I made so many of you giggle (and that you did the same in return!)
As I mentioned, and as some of you would have seen on facebook and twitter by now, I made a birthday cake for my second mum (does anyone remember the hot pink star covered one from last year?) and as promised, here are photos.

Much of the time I bake completely from scratch. I don't know why, but I prefer it (despite my thinking that box mixes are the same, just someone has done the weighing for you!) I saw this mix in TK MAXX weeks ago (when I should have bought a comic relief tee) and just knew it'd be perfect for the occasion, and being from the USA something Mum2 won't have had before.



The box doesn't lie...this does indeed seem to be a super moist cake...we'll be testing it later at work...and the smell when this was baking = doubly more amazing than usual baking cake! All it required was a 1 1/4 cups water, 1/3 cup vegetable oil and three eggs.



The dry mix.



The baked cakes, my oven was a bit too hot causing the cracked tops, but otherwise perfectly cooked!

For decoration I used a firm setting royal icing, some pink food colouring and the British Classic- Jammy Dodgers, which Mum2 is addicted too (and rightly so, they are delish, if you haven't ever tried one, DO IT)
The icing isn't perfect, it set too fast to get it neat around the sides, but overall I'm pretty pleased with the cake.





I'll report back on how it goes down!

What do you think of cake mixes? Cheating or not?
Any favourite icing recipes (I'm always looking for new ones)
and most importantly
DO YOU LIKE JAMMY DODGERS? If not...what's your favourite biscuit?

xxx

P.S. you have until Sunday to enter the giveaway!

P.P.S. if you want the flapjack recipe, shout and I'll post it.

These are ALL signs

Now I'm aware that I may well be regressing, I'm noticing proof everywhere...

- A need to nap at least once a day else I get cranky
- Ever decreasing road crossing sense
- Being attracted to anything pink, sparkly and miniature
- Getting overly excited about the littlest things "ohh YAYAY cute bird in the garden *Squuueeeeee*"
- An insatiable urge to tune in to Cbeebies.


Yeah.





- Wearing an outfit consisting of the two oldest pieces in my wardrobe. Both H&M from years gone by



- Craving favourites from my childhood





- Baking flapjacks (the first thing I learnt to bake) and neglecting to use an oven glove.

In fact my only saviour might well be this coffee.



Hands off kids,
this one is ALL MINE and I'm NOT sharing.

xxx


((and there ends the most random post I think I've written, and probably outfit posts for the week, however I am making a birthday cake for Mum 2 later, so expect baked good spammage!))

Red Nose Day Hits the Catwalk!

A lot of you will already know that Vivienne Westwood have teamed up with Comic Relief to launch a range of iconic T-Shirts for Red Nose day.
(and for those who didn't yet know...she has!)

For the first time, Red Nose Day T-shirts have hit the catwalk at London Fashion Week. Seen at Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label Autumn/Winter 11 Show last night, the Shakespeare and Hogarth T-shirts were styled up with the latest looks. Designed by Vivienne Westwood especially for Red Nose Day 2011, these T-shirts are an eclectic collection of striking black and white prints that represent a unique fusion of humour and iconic historical images. The designs feature Rowan Atkinson as ‘Edmund’ & Miranda Richardson as ‘Queenie’ from the Blackadder series,William Shakespeare,The Laughing Audience by Hogarth, a punk girl and a Louis XVI lady. To own a piece of fashion history, whilst supporting Red Nose Day, get your limited edition T-shirt now. Priced at £9.99 for unisex or £14.99 for the fitted styles with at least £5.00 going to Comic Relief. The T-shirts are available now from TK Maxx Stores nationwide and online at www.tkmaxx.com. Red Nose Day is on Friday 18th March 2011.

I love the designs on the tees! So quirky and oh so Vivienne! I think my favourite is the Shakespeare one. I don’t live near a TK MAXX so haven’t yet picked up a shirt for myself (but I plan to order online soon) but I’ve seen them in person and they are just awesome!

Which design is your favourite?

Shakespeare

Queeni


Punk
Hogarth


Blackadder

If you already have a tee, how have you been wearing it?

xxx

regression

Another "catch up" outfit, this is what I wore yesterday. Floral shorts from Clothing at Tesco and white long sleeve from New Look
(oh, and *those* shoes again).







Roll on spring and being able to wear these shorts more!

Those that follow me on Twitter or Facebook will know that I suddenly decided I simply MUST own an old school Polly Pocket. After some failed bids on ebay, I struck gold and today this arrived to the dismay of my father who simply exclaimed "oh, I see your regressing".
I don't care, LOVE.





I was then informed we might have some of my old collection up in the loft. SCORE!

xxx

What I Wore (weekend edition)

Happy Monday guys,
second post today (check below for the important one!)
Here's a quick round-up of what I wore over the weekend, sub-standard photos and all!

Saturday:

A Primark dress purchased when I went on my shopping trip with Mum and semi-forgotten about. Our house is warm, hence the lack of layers, when I went out a cardigan and jacket was added!
This dress will no doubt be everywhere in a few weeks but I couldn't resist the sweet print.







Oh hey there no makeup (= tired face). I love how the dress is longer at the back than the front.


Sunday:

Like I said yesterday, I wore nothing of interest, just some old re-found river island jeans that would be perfect if they were a couple of inches longer. And a tee given to me by a friend.
Ohh and Go Go Philip Necklace.





I hate my thighs, hence the utterly random pose and my usual distaste for trousers!

What does your weekend style look like?

((there may be a lack of outfit posts this week, shame eh?! dad's off work and looks at me like I've grown two heads when I try and do anything blog photo related...upside...we're hitting up Matalan on Thursday!))

xx