...Like A Fool In The Rain...

Jake Likes Friends...

2011-10-02T21:09:00.000+01:00

xxx

Just To Let You Know...

2010-12-12T17:17:00.000Z

I have been sooooooo busy with my day job, doing overtime for my day job, preparing for Christmas, bla bla bla.....so I haven't blogged for ages!

BUT I have just started a little sale so I thought i'd spread the word to let you guys know :)

For 48hrs (5pm Sunday until 5pm Tuesday) all my Bird & Cage/Bird & Tree Necklaces will be £6 each!

That is a saving of £3 on each one! A third off! And to make it even better, all UK P+P is free!!

So why don't you have a look!

(different colour combinations are available too, so email me if you want something slightly different!)

---> PURPLE SHMURPLE 48HR BIRD NECKLACE SALE <---

(Also, if you aren't sure - in the shop go to Wood > Birds and ta-da!)

xxx

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful....

2010-11-04T21:32:00.000Z

...don't worry, I'm not going to burst into festive songs. The weather really is frightful outside! Cold, wet and dark. Bah.

Luckily, I have been busy, busy, busy lately so I almost hadn't noticed!
Last night I took Purple Shmurple to the Pamper and Purchase Evening at Wellfield School, Leyland. There were lots of lovely people there including some of the beautician students who were giving out free manicures amongst other things! Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to go see what they were doing because it was lovely and busy so I was (happilly) stuck behind my stall. I also donated one of my lovely rose rings to the raffle, so hopefully that has gone to a very thankful owner :) Unfortunately the only picture of me behind my stall makes me look fed up! So I will just share some others with you haha...

On the 24th October I also took Purple Shmurple to the first Astley Park Arts and Crafts Fair. It was organised by local crafty mums but I managed to sneak in a place, and I'm glad I did! We were incredibly lucky with the weather, it was cold but dry and sunny which brought lots of people to the park and therefore to us! It looks like we may do another one in the future because it went a little better than we expected so fingers crosses for future events!

I've also just added some great new Vintage Dance Tickets to the Purple Shmurple website:

xxx

All The Fun Of The Fair!

2010-10-21T21:27:00.000+01:00

Right you lot! Now I know not many of you are local (to me, up north) but for those who are - do you have plans this sunday? No? Well you do now! I am going to be at an Arts & Crafts Fair at The Coach House in Astley Park, Chorley from 10am-3pm and you should all be there! Its free to get in and there is even a lovely cafe across the corridor (who do the most yummy cookies!).

Myself and the lovely Sarah have been promoting like crazy to get people to come so hopefully there will be a good turnout.
For those of you who want to find out a little bit more, here is the event on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=109943535735587

We are hoping that if this one is a success we will do more in the future, so if you know anyone at all in and around Lancashire who might be interested then please let them know :)

In other news, the opening of the new Purple Shmurple Website has been great! I've had some sales and even a repeat customer so I am very chuffed that all my hard work is paying off.
Not only that, but for some amazing reason I have gained almost 200 more fans on the Purple Shmurple Facebook page this week AND I won an advert in the Creative Crafting Christmas Issue too! So if that doesn't bring me some good business I don't know what will!

Right i'm off to relax, brew anyone?

xxx

New Website!

2010-10-18T12:16:00.000+01:00

Well ladies and gents, this weekend I opened my brand new Purple Shmurple Website!! Have you seen it? What do you think?

I'm very pleased with it, it took me ages to work it all out and get everything listed so thank god it's done.

The best thing is, anything ordered from my website comes with FREE UK DELIVERY! So if you are looking for early Christmas presents then look no further.

xxx

A Grand Honour..

2010-09-22T20:51:00.000+01:00

I'd just like to share my joy at being awarded the Tea Army's 'Medal Of Honour'!

I was awarded the medal for Mission Mugshot with my vintage style radio mug.

Now for Mission Two - 'Who's In Your Brew?'...

xxx

The Tea Army!

2010-09-19T14:12:00.000+01:00

Good afternoon all :)

Today I joined Turtle's Tea Army!
I am officially a member of the 10th Biscuit Today Brigade, hurrah! Check out my Regimental badge on the right...
And my first mission? To share my favourite mug with the world! This gave me a chance to try out my Vignette camera app on my new phone too :) ...

(I know, it says coffee on the mug. Drinking tea out of it is just my little form of rebellion :P)

Oh, and don't forget to check out my shop Purple Shmurple :D
xxx

I'm Still Here!

2010-09-12T12:59:00.000+01:00

Well I think I deserve a bit of a telling off. I have completely neglected my blog lately (again!) and I am disappointed in my self! To be honest I have had a complete week away from doing anything with my shop so that is my excuse...

I thought i'd update you all with some of the new items which have gone up in my shop :) I have begun moving in a slightly new direction with my jewellery, I guess 'natural' is a good word to use. Along with vintage. I have also just started work on designing new branding for Purple Shmurple with a great graphic designer Bonnita Moaby too so keep your eyes peeled for a new image in the next few weeks or so.

So here are some of my lovely new items:

Fun At The Fair Necklace

Bird & Cage Necklace

Flying Grenade Necklace

What do you think? All suggestions and comments welcome :)

Oh and just to remind you, there is still a SALE on in the shop too!

xxx

Please Say Hello..

2010-08-22T15:52:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

Just a quick note to introduce you to a new blogger! Say hello to

Jack Of Love

He's only been blogging for a short while but i'd say he's already been giving some very sound advice :)

Please pop over and say hello, he would welcome a few subscribers, and any feedback you could give him!

Thank you, oh lovely people :)

Camera For Sale

2010-08-05T20:47:00.001+01:00

Hi all,

I need to raise some funds. I have two cameras but use one way more than the other, so I have decided to part way with the least-used (and more expensive) one.

I am selling a Canon EOS 1000D.

*It comes in its original box with a Canon 18-55mm Lens and all its original accessories (leads, charger etc). I will provide a 4GB memory card and it also comes with a carry case that you can fit the camera in, a couple of lens, and anything else you need!*

I received it as a gift at christmas so it is only about 7/8 months old and is in absolutely fantastic condition, it still looks new! I have even got all the little packaging bags from when I first opened it, it’s been well looked after! I have only properly used it about 6 or 7 times, I just don’t have enough time to use it and it really should be going to a good home where it will be more appreciated :)

If anyone needs more information on the camera, here is the specification on the Canon website – http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_SLR/EOS_1000D/

I am looking for about £400 ONO for it, all in all it was about £550 brand new.

If anyone is interested or would like more information, please leave me a comment or email me at lynseywilkins@hotmail.com
Quincifer x

Finding A PenPal

2010-08-02T11:48:00.000+01:00

Hey everyone, did you all have a good weekend? Mine was sufficiently boring, I spent most of it in my PJs watching tv re-runs and DVDs. I'm not complaining because I do enjoy lazy days off, but I kinda miss the days of having a manic social life....I guess i'm just getting old now haha (25! I know, not old at all yet)

I have been itching to write letters lately and haven't got anyone to write to, anyone that lives away from me I keep in good contact with via phone/text/Facebook. So I have decided to look up that wonderful thing we all did when we were at school - getting a penpal. It used to be so easy, you wrote a letter talking about yourself and it got sent off to some other random child in the world and they wrote back. There are a few websites knocking about which are supposed to be for finding penpals, but to be honest they seem to be more like a cross between social networking sites like Facebook and online dating sites! Within an hour of registering I had received messages off middle-aged men who really should have known better, and men in their 20's telling me I was beautiful in very bad broken English.
So does anyone know of anywhere I can register for an ACTUAL penpal? I want to write to someone similar to my age, and definitely in another country. Now I am old enough to know about the world I want to find some more out about it, so someone from a different country and culture would be fantastic.

While i'm here too, let me remind all you lovely people of the SALE I have going on in my shop Purple Shmurple. No one has took advantage of these wonder offers yet... :(

Playing Catch Up

2010-07-23T19:49:00.000+01:00

Hey you guys!

Ok, i'm sorry...I know I have been pretty sucky at keeping up-to-date with my blog lately. I've just been so busy! Back and forth to Scotland, busy at work and allsorts.
But here I am! And I have a picture to share!
I finally did my first craft fair last weekend, the Super Duper Itsy Bitsy Craft Fair in the gorgeous Stanley Park, Blackpool. The weather was awful, it poured with rain for alot of the day and was very windy, but it was still very busy! I had a fantastic time, both personally and from a business point of view - I sold 57 items!!, it has definitely given me the confidence boost I needed to carry on with Purple Shmurple :)
I also got to meet a few fellow Folksters while I was there, so it was great to put a few faces to names. I really hope the Grundy Art Gallery (who organised the fair) arrange another fair soon because I will most certainly be there!
I was going to put up my photo of my stall, but Kerry (from Grundy) got some great ones so here is one of her pictures of my stall -

(I have no idea what I am doing haha!)

So now I get to buy lots more lovely things to make lots more lovely jewellery!

To help out with getting my new supplies, I have decided to have a little sale, so please have a look - SALE!!!

All my Rose Rings and a few Necklaces are now £3 each!

xxx

Folksy Friday - Money

2010-07-02T13:38:00.000+01:00

Morning all!
The theme for this week's Folksy Friday is thanks to all the ups and downs i've had recently financially. My OH lost his job and I have been put in charge of all bills (thats mine, the household AND his bills!) which is fun. However things are starting to look up and I am finding things alot easier, not to mention him having a new job that pays brilliantly! So this week's theme is something we all want more of, we love it and we hate it - MONEY!

xxx

Folksy Friday - Fruit

2010-06-18T12:24:00.001+01:00

Man, I have been so slack when it comes to Purple Shmurple related things lately! I apologise to you all. I didn't do a Folksy Friday the last 2 weeks, and I have hardly promoted myself. Tut tut.
My FT job has been really busy lately, as have I in my personal life too! Its been go, go, go so unfortunately my shop took a back seat. I have, however, been slowly planning for my stall at the Super Duper Craft Fair in Blackpool in July. Recently I have printed up all my little receipt sheets, started writing out my price tags and made lots more jewellery. I'm trying to decide whether I should/need to buy any more stock to make things beforehand, there are things i'd really like to make and sell but i'm not sure if there is time (mainly due to international shipping times)....hmmmm.

So anyway, enough about that! Here is my Folksy Friday for this week - FRUIT!

xxx

Folksy Friday - Post

2010-06-04T12:37:00.000+01:00

As you may or may not know, I work for a music memorabilia company. We sell all sorts of stuff so understandably we buy from all sorts of suppliers too. One of my favourites is Disaster Designs. They sell bags/purses/wallets and other similar things, and every time they bring out a new range we get a catalogue through...I spend quite a bit of time browsing!! They did an awesome range of bags/purses/etc last year which was 'Postal' themed, it all looked like envelopes and had stamps on and stuff - so cool. So I thought I'd have a look through my fellow Folksy shops to see what I could find of that theme! So here it is, this week's Folksy Friday - 'Post':

xxx

Folksy Friday - Science

2010-05-28T12:03:00.001+01:00

Hi all, I didn't do a Folksy Friday last week because I was super busy at my FT job....but this week I am on it!
So, if you didn't know... i'm a bit of a geek. I was the best in my year at Maths, I love Science (in particular Chemistry) and totally buzz off working out structural formulae. My favourite chemical compound? Potassium Permanganate, because it turns bright purple when you dissolve it in water :D

So anyway, In honour of my love of Science I have decided that this week's Folksy Friday theme will be *Science* -

Have a great Bank Holiday my lovelies!!
xxx

I Played!

2010-05-26T10:17:00.000+01:00

Morning all!

I didn't have time to do a Folksy Friday last week (boo!) so I apologise... but worry not as there WILL be one this week!

I just thought I would let you know I was featured on a blog today! :)

The lovely OddSox from The Sock Garden let me play their 10 Questions Game and here are my answers!

xxx

Folksy Friday - Flight

2010-05-14T11:37:00.003+01:00

Its that time again!
On Wednesday night I went to one of the best gigs i've ever been to. Ever. I went to see Flight Of The Conchords at the Manchester Apollo! For those who don't know, they are a comedy music duo from New Zealand who have been massively successful off the back of their self-titled TV show in which they play parodies of themselves. This is them....(taken very sneakily, you weren't allowed cameras but I snuck mine in!)

So in honour of their wonderfulness, this week's Folksy Friday theme is 'Flight' -

Hope you all have a lovely weekend :)
xxx

Folksy Friday - Sleep

2010-05-07T09:53:00.000+01:00

Maaaaan, i'm tired today! We llive next-door-but-one to a pub and I thought i'd got used to the loud music and chatting/shouting outside...but last night it was full pelt until 2am!! Thank god its Friday and I can have a lie in tomorrow. So in honour of my lack of sleep last night, this week's Folksy Friday theme is SLEEP -

Now if only I could sneak back home for fourty winks...

xx

Folksy Friday - Bows

2010-04-30T10:05:00.000+01:00

Morning all! I made a few little Bow Hairslides for my shop last night...

So I thought i'd use it as the theme for my Folksy Friday this week :) There are so many lovelies to choose from! So here are 6 of many lovely Bow items...

Now, off to the last day of work before the Bank Holiday Weekend, yay!
xxx

Preparation

2010-04-27T19:59:00.000+01:00

So i'm doing my first craft fair in July, in Blackpool and I'm soooooo super excited! Its called the Super Duper Itsy Bitsy Handmade Fair (I know, how cool is that name!) and will be held in the gorgeous Stanley Park next to the boating lake, there will even be a band playing! However I figure that I should probably start planning now so I don't turn into a loony panicky woman nearer the time. I had a few lovely sales last week so have used them up to buy more supplies...but now I have no money and want to buy more things!! I keep finding more lovely supplies but I can't afford to buy them yet *sob!*
My favourites/wish list is a million things long so lets hope I get some more sales soon :)

Talking of my shop, I have now opened it on Facebook too! Which means for those of you who don't really want to go through the process of registering for a site like Folksy or Etsy - you no longer need to! If you just click on the link below it will take you to my 'Purple Shmurple' Fan Page on Facebook, all you do is click on the 'Shop Now' tab and away you go! You still get the security of paying through PayPal too. Nice and Easy and Secure!

Purple Shmurple On Facebook

Even better is that if you 'like' the page (become a fan) and buy through it you automatically get 10% off EVERYTHING!! So go check it out :P

Three In A Row

2010-04-20T20:45:00.000+01:00

So today i'm in a wonderful mood! Much more so than normal. Lots of good things have happened recently and it's really helping to keep my head happy.
Jamie started a new job yesterday. No more awful 12hr shifts in the care home, no more having to work weekends, and no more minimum wage. Not to mention 20% off on the Very website (he now works for Shop Direct). He is happy and that is rubbing off on me - one less thing to worry about!

After a 3 week sales drought I have had not 1, not 2 but 3 SALES in my shop in the past 3 days :) I know it isn't huge amounts of money but a sale is a sale and it certainly gives me faith that i'm doing something right!
I also got paid for the custom white rose hairslides I made for my friend's wedding...

So today is a good day. It seems like this week is a good week too :)
Lets hope it continues! xx

Folksy Friday - Telephones

2010-04-16T17:55:00.001+01:00

I am really at the end of my tether with my phone right now. It's a beautiful Sony Ericsson and it has done me proud, but by god I can barely contain my anger with it lately! It freezes for no reason, turns itself off, doesn't recognise me pressing some of the buttons when I'm texting....bah. Thank god for my contract upgrade in June!!
So in honour of my awful phone, this week's Folksy Friday theme is Telephones!

xxx

Purple Shmurple Weekend Sale!

2010-04-16T12:05:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to let you all know that my shop Purple Shmurple is having a Weekend Sale!

10% off everything in the shop (not including P+P) until 8pm sunday... so get in quick!

(10% will be refunded back to you via Paypal)

To check out the shop - Click Here!

Quince xx

Featured On...

2010-04-12T16:56:00.000+01:00

I'm pleased to say that my lovely jewellery shop Purple Shmurple has been featured in TWO places in the past few days!

The first is this - Cuteable
My gorgeous Purple Glitter Sorbet Ring was featured on Cuteable today, much to my surprise!

And the second is this - Turtle's Parade

My Nautical Necklace and Pirate Earrings were featured in Turtle's Monochrome parade, yay!!

I'm quite pleased with myself!

Look What I Got!

2010-04-10T16:02:00.000+01:00

Just had to show you what came in the post yesterday!
I won this on a blog competition held by the lovely Emma Ferguson, its such a cute purse :)

Anyway, i'm off to watch the Grand National now!! xx

Folksy Friday - Junk Food

2010-04-09T09:27:00.000+01:00

I'm trying so hard to be healthy. I really am! So in order to show myself I have will power I have chosen Junk Food as my Folksy Friday theme this week!!
*I'm not hungry, I'm not hungry...*

Enjoy! Now where is that apple?...
xx

My Loves...

2010-04-08T13:58:00.000+01:00

Just a quick one...

Inspired by Bitsy, here is a list of my loves (or at least the ones I can think of right now!) in no particular order:

* Saturday and Sunday lie-ins
* the way he looks at me when he tells me he loves me
* bacon and mushroom butties!
* Fowey and all its nooks, crannies and wonderful memories
* my Dad
* the way music makes me tingle
* laughing until I can't even make a noise and I just sit there in tears
* the satisfaction of cooking an amazing meal
* my addiction to tea
* the way he smells, especially his hair
* Jelly Bellys and Mountain Dew (not together)
* excellent cliffhangers in books
* films that really make me think about my life and the world around me
* learning new amazing things
* travelling and discovering the world (slowly....)
* waiting in airport departure lounges
* picnics
* taking hilariously awful photos
* taking amazing I-can't-believe-I-did-this photos
* writing and receiving letters from my grandma
* making things for my shop :)
* spending all day in my PJs
* Disney!
* all-you-can-eat buffets and pigging out in general...until the food baby kicks in
* Sitting all warm and cosy inside, listening to the rain

There are so many more things, but I cannot empty my brain right now!
What are your loves?

xx

Folksy Friday - Houses

2010-04-02T13:05:00.000+01:00

Afternoon all!
It's taking me a while to find the time to get back into doing my blog (now that I work full-time and make things for my Folksy shop in my other time), so for the time being I will be just doing Folksy Friday posts...

I recently branched out into non-jewellery for the first time by making felt keyrings and my feedback has been good, so in honour of my newly listed Felt House Keyrings I have decided that this weeks Folksy Friday theme is 'Houses' -

Right, i'm off to make use of this 4-day weekend! xx

I'm ACTUALLY Back! ...And Its Folksy Friday!

2010-03-26T15:53:00.001Z

Well then. I am finally properly back on here! Since my last post so much has happened but it'd take me forever to tell all and I don't want to bore you all, so I will do a brief re-cap:

Me and J moved to Flat 3, the bigger better flat next door. It rules.
We had a good Christmas, New Year and all that
We celebrated our One Year Anniversary ♥
I turned 25 (old lady now!) and we went to see the Cirque Du Soleil to celebrate. It was amazing.
J switched over from night-shifts to days. Thank the lord!

The most recent bit of exciting news however, lies here - PurpleShmurple
Thats right people, I've opened my own jewellery shop! :) Everything is made by me and I'm dead chuffed with it so far! *Please do have a look*

In honour of my shop and the wonderful world of Folksy that I have been welcomed into, I will be doing Folksy Fridays! Each friday I will pick a theme and showcase a few lovely items from the Folksters.

I have recently had a bit of a hankering to go to the Zoo, so that is this week's theme - The Zoo

Photo From Emma In Wonderland

Penguin Brooch From Hollowbourne

Boy's Elephant Applique T-Shirt from Sweetpea4Kids

Sock Monkey from OddSox

Pop-Up Crocodile Card from Pop-Up Zoo

Giraffe Card from It Belongs To Turtle

There were many more items I could've used, so why don't you have a search too!

Right, i'm off to start the weekend (well.. almost), please don't forget to check out MY shop too -

Exposure Earrings from Purple Shmurple

Thanks xxx

I'm Back!

2009-12-13T23:36:00.001Z

Thank the lord - I am back online!
Jamie fixed the computer (god knows how - I didn't even need a new hard drive or anything!) so he is massively in the good books and I am back in touch with the world!

I don't want to blah on about whatever has happened recently, mainly because not much has....but here's a round up:

* Me and J went to the Manchester Christmas Markets again yesterday. This time we went on the big wheel and it was ace. It didn't rain either which was a bonus and it's made us mega-festive.

* We're one step closer to moving into the bigger flat next door. Rachael, my estate agent lady has got a target date of 20th and no later. Fingers crossed the keys might get passed to us within the next week...

* I only have 2 more present to buy and that is Crimble all ready for me! (except the veg for dinner obviously)

* I am abcess and antibiotic free, although there is still a teeny tiny lump there....I'll be keeping my eye on it

* J bought me an ace cuddly grey Crimble zip-up jumper - and its furry inside! :)

See, it hasn't really been that eventful. I'm just slowly building up with festive excitement. Eeeeee!!

xxx

Damned Technology....

2009-12-10T10:17:00.000Z

This can only be quick...basically, I have nipped on here at work to give the sad news that my PC has died :(
I therefore haven't been able to get on the internet and that means no blogging for me!
I've ordered a new hard drive and god knows how I'm going to fix it on my own, but I will try and hopefully be back and running before the festive season. It totally sucks though.

So here's a quick update -
I'm moving to the (bigger) flat next door at some point before christmas yay!
All I have left to get for christmas is cards and like 2 presents yay!
I'm getting a pay rise in the new year yay!
My abcess has all gone and I can sit and lie down again yay!
My complaint to the bank a few weeks ago worked and I got a £20 charge refunded yay!
Jamie has a bleep test for a Retained Firefighter tonight - wish him luck!
We're going to the Manchester Christmas Markets again on saturday yay!

So I apologise for no blogging, no reading, no commenting and (this apology is to me) no competition entering! I hope to be back very soon!

xxx

Simply, Having....

2009-12-01T14:21:00.000Z

As far as I'm concerned - Christmas Is Here!!!
Me and Jamie went to the German Christmas Market in Manchester on sunday and it was fantastic, it really got me all festive and in the mood for mince pies! Yes - it was raining a little bit, and no - I didn't take an umbrella, but I enjoyed every minute of the 8 hours (you heard right, 8 hours!) we spent wandering around enjoying the atmosphere. It was absolutely rammed full of people and there were soooooo many stalls - I just wish I had more money! As always, I bought a £10 bag from the salami man (I know that sounds weird but you get like 9 different yummy salami sticks, its a bargain!) and some toffee waffles, yum yum! We ate hotdogs that were too big and drank ALOT of tea to keep us warm, and even managed an explore around the Selfridges food section (with a sneaky purchase of Jelly Bellys and Hersheys chocolate). We had a lovely pint or two in the Oyster Bar to warm up and then took silly pictures with the window displays heehee. We were going to go on the MASSIVE Manchester Wheel but it was £6.50 each and that was just a bit too much money. We have agreed we're going to go again on 12th December when J has been paid so maybe we'll go on it then instead.....and maybe we'll buy some more goodies too! Here are some pictures of the day:

I finally got my christmas tree! Turns out it was left with the opticians next door but no one told me. Luckily the woman next door works there and when I bumped into her the other night she told me! It was a little weird walking into an Opticians and saying "Hi, i'd like my Christmas Tree please!" but hey, at least it is here!....I am so excited about putting it up!

This week I am off work, joy of joys - I have an abcess.....on my coccyx (thats the little bone at the bottom of your spine). So I pretty much can't sit down or lie down without being full of anti-biotics and pain killers. Fun. Please give me sympathy - it's painful and embarrassing!!

xx

xx

Reflection...

2009-11-27T21:48:00.000Z

This week has been really weird. There has been some good things and also some bad things going on so i'm not sure whether its been good or not.

Good Things:

A good week at work

Got my work Christmas bonus

Had a laugh with my mum round last night

Much more prepared for Christmassy things

Bad Things:

Jamie finding out he has to work right through from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day

My beautiful black Christmas Tree being delivered to the wrong address yesterday, what a mess!

Looked like crap when I saw my ex in the shop last night....he looked smug, urgh.

At least me and Jamie have the weekend off together, and that means we are going to the Christmas Markets in Manchester on sunday, yay!!! I took my mum last year and she loved it (even though we were dying of cold), and J is excited about going (so am I!) so I'm looking forward to it :)
You may have noticed above that J is working over Christmas....which totally sucks. We can't do anything about it (he has pleaded with work to get one of the main days off but to no avail) so we are just going to have to work around it. We've agreed to open presents when he gets home from work Christmas Day morning, then he is going to sleep all day and I have promised him I'll cook him anything he wants for dinner before he goes to work again. We're going to have our proper 'Christmas Dinner' on the 27th because we both have that night off.

Right, I'd better go do something useful.

Hope all my US readers had a good Thanksgiving and aren't busting your guts on Black Friday!

xx

In A Rich Man's World...

2009-11-25T21:57:00.001Z

Hurray for Pay Day!....It's all being saved for next week's bills though, boo.

I forgot to say the other day - I went to the dentist on monday (boo!). I used to not mind going at all, but after having a mega accident 3 years ago (where I got dropped face-first onto a kerb and had to have my jaw re-set and lips sewn up and all sorts...bleurgh) I've had to have alot of work done and I don't like it one bit :(
When I have some money I am saving like there's no tomorrow for veneers or implants or something because I totally can't hack it! Although, I have to admit my dentist is very sympathetic, he offers me anaesthetic for everything and he got me into a sedation clinic to have some teeth out because he knew I would freak being awake. So big love to my lovely greek dentist man!

There are two big stories in the news at the moment here in the UK -
First is the ongoing flooding issue in Scotland and North West England. Thankfully I am not quite north enough to get it - I'm just getting alot of annoying rain, but it really isn't nice to see so many people having lost their businesses, homes and livelihoods. The government has pledged some money to help out...but they can't really do anything until the rain stops, and it's been going on for a week now..
Second is the result of the British banks being taken to court. Basically, if you don't know - the British banks got taken to court to because the charges they raise for customers going overdrawn is extortionate (currently standing at around £35, regardless of how much you go overdrawn by). The court case has taken two years and today the Supreme Court ruled that they didn't have to do anything about the charges at all! So that leaves over 1 million UK people a little bit annoyed because they had put in claims to get the charges back and now they won't get a penny.
I'm split between both sides - On one hand I can see the customers point because £35 really is too much, especially when it doesn't matter whether you go 1p or £100 over, and the banks make literally billions in profits already. However, the banks make the charges so high to try scare people into not going overdrawn without asking - at the end of the day they are spending money that isn't theirs and if all we had was cash we'd not be able to do it.
Its just annoying that this can happen while we're still feeling the sting of recession, and while the banks get bailed out by the Government and the Bank Of England because they can't manage their funds right, the consumer gets no help at all. Not to mention the VAT is going back up from 15% to 17.5% in the new year!! Pffft.

Anywho, enough depressing news talk!
A couple of you have requested I put pictures up of my christmas tree this year - Don't worry, it will be up here like a flash! I'm currently waiting for it to be delivered and it'll be up in a week or so maybe....I think I might wait until 1st December. So i'll let you know when :)

Right, i'm off to watch Bruce Almighty with a nice cup of tea :)

xx

P.A.R.T.Y

2009-11-24T19:10:00.000Z

Firstly, wow I really need to buck up my ideas with this - I haven't been busy, I just haven't been giving myself time to get on here and do my thing. So apologies to the 11 lovely people who like to know whats going on in my life!!

Secondly, the November 'No Sweets/Desserts Month' kind of faded away. I did really well....until I went to Scotland and me and Jamie had a lovely meal out with his family and I had some ice cream with butterscotch sauce...and it just kind of stopped a little bit. I haven't started eating mountains of crap again, but a few things have slipped back into my cupboards. I have to admit, it has cut down my intake of sugary wonderful goodness, but nothing stopped me having strawberries drizzled with condensed milk for dessert tonight :P

So, lets catch up. Friday night was Jill's Birthday Party.

(Jonni and Jill)

It was a joint for her 22nd and her brother's 40th so there were loads of people I didn't know. There was lovely food, a cheap bar, a dance-obsessed DJ, but best of all Karl (Jill's boyfriend) wrote a song for her and sang it infront of everyone!

(Karl Singing)

It was so so sweet, she cried (she was quite drunk) and we all cooed at how lovely it was. Me and J spent most of the night chatting away to Karl's mum and sister, they were so lovely!

(Jamie, Me, Karl's Mum and Sister)

I spent the weekend fussing around not really doing anything. Wrapped a few christmas presents but nothing else important. I'm trying not to do much if I can help it, I need to save my pennies! I have managed to finally buy my christmas tree though (thank god). I've gone for totally none-traditional this year, black tree with purple decoration :)

I got my first christmas card today off my Dad. He sent it early because it had to come all the way from Cyprus, but luckily for me they are spending christmas in the UK at my grandparents so I don't have to send their stuff abroad.

I didn't really have much to say really so it seems a little bit like an anti-climax haha. Oh well, no news is good news!!

xx

You Won't Let Those Robots Defeat Me...

2009-11-19T20:16:00.000Z

So today I bought another christmas present, yay! I also managed to get tickets to see Muse next september in the presale. They cost a damned fortune but it'll be worth it! 10 months isn't that long to wait right?!

I think I am almost up to date with everyone and everything now after my busy few days, it's taken me a while! So I will now pop up a couple of things to sum up my time...

* Everyone loves a gorilla to sit on.

* Everyone loves a singalong.

* Not everyone loves being surrounded by hungry ducks.

* Everyone can laugh at trees shaped like this:

And more than anything, I love moments like this:

♥ ♥ ♥

xxx

The Will Always Negates Defeat

2009-11-18T23:51:00.000Z

Wow. I have been such a busy bee that I haven't been able to get on here and let you guys know whats been going on! I'll try to make it short so I don't drone on about nothing...

* Me and Jamie went to Kilmarnock to visit his family. We had a lovely meal out, spent more time than we would have liked sorting out money stuff with the bank, went bowling and had lots of takeaways.

* I had the day off work on monday and we went and fed the ducks in the park. It seems the weather has stopped so many people coming down so they were literally ravenous and we got pretty much surrounded (and I almost had my finger snapped off by a duck AND then by a swan too!)

* We went to see the Flaming Lips on monday night in Manchester :) It was wonderful as always with lots of balloons, streamers, confetti, bright lights, loud singalongs and a fantastic atmosphere. The best band I have seen live (for the 3rd time) ever:

* Tonight my best friend Jill had a photography exhibition on at her university so I went with her to check it out, it was cool. She had a photo on display (as did the rest of her course mates) and was almost the only one to not do a fashion-style one. So it stood out alot, making it super good. Yay Jilly!

Right, I can't be bothered trying to make more of this, I'm tired!

xx

Negatives (the photography kind)

2009-11-10T21:22:00.000Z

Thanks for my comments about my Stress Relief Tips, i'm glad they were appreciated! :)
Also, I hope you will all be using my exclusive discount code for Love Hearts And Crosses to buy the ladies in your life something special.....no idea what i'm talking about? Check it out here.

Today is Jamie's payday (yay!) and this month that means two things. One - time to pay the rent. Two - Chinese for dinner!! It has been so long since I last had chinese takeaway, and damn it was good. Not to mention the fact that I got home to him having set out the dining table with candles for it :) (photos to follow...)

I have been scanning ALOT of negatives at work today. I quite enjoy doing it but it takes up alot of time, previewing the roll, selecting each individual image and then scan, scan, scan. I love how you can never quite see whats in a negative until it's been scanned in and enlarged - its like an unveiling....except not as exciting. Although, I do quite like seeing how ridiculous a poser Marc Bolan was (thats who the negs were of today). It still amazes me how good the quality of photography was 30-odd years ago too, the photographers back then were REAL photographers with actual skill to it...not like the myspace generation we have in music nowadays. Don't get me wrong, there are some cracking people out there...but there are just alot of lazy ones too. Digital photography allows mistakes, film photography doesn't, or does but you need a hell of alot of film! (I only have a digital camera myself by the way, I'm one of the lazy ones!)....Anyway, my point - give me a Mick Rock photo any day! -

(photo courtesy of the Syd Barrett Trust)

My mood is good this week so far, one more day of work until my long weekend in Scotland and more importantly only 5 days until I see the Flaming Lips again!!! They are my favouritest live band ever and I've been waiting all year for this gig. Roll on the best live show a band could ever give!

I said last week that I was going to do Post-It Tuesdays.....but I have too much to say today so I reckon i'll try to do Post-It Wednesday instead! (if I can....)

I can't talk anymore, I have wine to drink...... :P

xx

P.S. Oh I forgot to say, along with my candlelit takeaway dinner, I got 3 more Blue Nose Friends! That brings my grand total to 9 little guys....and again, there will be a photo to follow soon!

Love Hearts And Crosses

2009-11-09T19:37:00.004Z

Today has been so cold! Radiators blaring at work, jacket for wearing in the stock room, I get the point Mr Weather - ITS WINTER!

So its the start of the week and back to the early mornings and work for a few days (i'm off thursday til monday haha!). I know i'm not the only one who finds it stressful now and again, especially with Christmas looming so I thought I'd share my Top 5 Tips for Relieving Stress:

1 - If you can afford it, spend a bit of money. No matter what anyone says Retail Therapy is a sure fire hit when it comes to relieving stress. Whether its buying a CD or a whole new wardrobe, we all know how good we feel when we've bought ourselves a little something (or a big something).

2 - STOP...and relax. Give yourself 30 minutes every day to just sit down and relax (preferably with a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits). Watch a bit of tv, listen to some music, have a bath, anything you can think of! We all work extra hard this month to prepare for the festive season but sometimes its hard to give yourself the time of day - so try!

3 - Get enough sleep. Nothing starts the day badly like 6 hours sleep followed by an early morning. Try to go to bed an hour earlier than normal, it'll make a world of difference. I am also a big fan of putting lavender oil on my pillow, two drops every 5/6 days and my sleep is much better.

4 - Plan ahead. I don't know about you but my life becomes a million times easier when I know what my plans are for the day, what i'm having for dinner, etc. And at this time of year writing a present list is crutial! Buy things early and you'll have nothing to worry about come December.

5 - Last but not least, try to enjoy yourself. Enjoy your job! Make the most of time with your family and friends! And if all else fails, do something really silly to make yourself laugh! Laughter is the best medicine and it will make you feel tons better.

I have a special gift for you all, and its just in time for Christmas too!
Love Hearts and Crosses have given me an exclusive discount code to give to all my lovely followers and readers! Yay!
Just enter 'quincifer' in the discount voucher box at the checkout and you will get 10% off your order!!!
This code is valid until 1st Jan 2010 too so if you want, you can save it until after Christmas to buy yourself something nice! They ship internationally and the website is updated all the time so go check it out!

Right, i'm off for a(nother) brew!

xx

The Park

2009-11-07T22:46:00.005Z

Not much to report or talk about today. Me and Jamie went to the park today....in the rain....to feed the ducks :)

It literally rained all through our walk there so we went to the cafe to dry off a bit and have a brew, during which it stopped raining. Then we left to walk home and the heavens opened again! I swear the sky was watching us, waiting.

My little Wall-E comes with me to alot of places and he is so photogenic (and a poser!) so I have started up a little photo blog just for him! Its called 'Wall-E Explorations' - please check it out!

Time for a brew in bed, Jamie is at work so its up to me to provide my own heat for the bed tonight!

xx

Snap, Crackle, Pop

2009-11-06T21:34:00.011Z

Firstly, wow 8 comments on my last post and 9 followers! Thanks guys, I must be doing something right :)

I went to the local Bonfire & Fireworks display tonight at Chorley Cricket Club. There is usually one on the big park but they couldn't get enough volunteers so the cricket club got alot more spectators. It was dead good, check out my fireworks camera skills:

Hold My Breath

2009-11-03T15:17:00.009Z

Following on from what I said about my up/down/up/down thoughts in yesterday's post, today would be a perfect scream, moan and stamp my feet day. I have been royally f**ked over by the bank...yet again...BUT, I'm going to refrain. I don't want to get a reputation for being a moaner, my life isn't always this bad. I just seem to be going through a bad patch financially. So I am not going to talk about it anymore, it just brings me down and I really need things to keep my head up at the moment...

I'm going to Scotland next weekend. Its going to be slightly weird because I got so used to the 3hr train journey on my own (visiting J before he moved down here with me) - I used to just go into my own world on the train....but now we'll both be going up to visit his family for a few days so I will have to be fully social for the journey and more importantly awake! I figure a pack of cards will sort it....anyone else have any ideas for time-killers on the train?
I'm looking forward to going up there but at the same time it upsets me a little. Not because I don't want to be there, I totally do!....its just that it makes me wish I could see my family too. I have my mum up the road but we aren't 'close'. It makes me think back to family christmas's when I was younger, when my parents were together. Both sets of grandparents would come and stay and we'd have such a good time - lots of board games, watching films and a huge dinner with us all squashed round the table. It was even still good when it was just me, Dad, Max (stepmum), Dan and Adam (stepbrothers). I guess Christmas gets a little quiet in that stage between leaving your family and starting your own.
It'll be good though, Jamie is taking me out for dinner with his brother, cousin and mum to this gorgeous restaurant called Elliotts and I have a lovely new purple dress I got from ASOS a couple of weeks ago to wear for it. Did I mention I love purple? I love purple.

Oh before I forget - as of next week, I will start doing Post-It Tuesdays
One of the guys I follow, Meeko does it every week and it looks a fun challenge so I'm up!

Oh and P.S. - Day Three of No Sweets/Dessert Month, still ok......for now

xx

Find The Perfect Mix

2009-11-02T20:16:00.002Z

See this is how annoyed I get with my own brain - yesterday I was moaning about debt and money and stuff, today I am totally ok! I am planning more christmas presents, working out in my head what my wages are going on this week. I need to get a hold of my thought scale!

Day Two of No Sweets/Dessert Month - doing pretty darned ok. Had a can of Vimto at work and half a spoon of sugar in my cup of tea earlier to keep me going haha. It doesn't feel too hard to be honest but I might not have hit withdrawal yet. A guy I used to work with tried to stop drinking Coca-Cola after averaging 3 cans a day and it made him really ill :/ I haven't cut out fizzy drinks so that helps (although I don't drink them very often anyway), but I realised this afternoon that Bonfire Night on thursday is going to mean cotton candy....and I really will want some! I might get Jamie to buy some and then have a tiny mouthful. I'm not planning to cut sugary stuff out of my diet completely, I just want to make sure I'm right in thinking that its the main thing that is making me feel fat and bloated alot. I mean, as far as savoury food goes I eat pretty well. I cook alot of proper meals with good amounts of vegetables, not too much carbs....so hopefully its the flipping sugar-based goodies and I can learn to cut down!

Talking of Bonfire Night...yay! We're going to Worden Park, Leyland this year because there isn't going to be one in Chorley (weirdly). I love it so much, its like the night of the year that really says "hey guys, its totally winter out here!" Big coats and scarves and gloves and hugs while watching fireworks :) Can't wait.

Right, J is at work tonight so that means one thing for me - time to do some washing! (joy.) Chores make the night go faster so I don't have to sit on my own (i'd go out but pay day just isn't here yet!)

xx

Where Do I Go From Here

2009-11-01T22:05:00.004Z

"Money, if it does not bring you happiness, will at least help you be miserable in comfort" - Helen Gurley Brown

Do you ever get the feeling that you aren't really getting anywhere?
I've done alot of things in my life that I am proud of, pleased with and are happy to have done. I have my independence, a stable job, a wonderful relationship, and I'm slowly getting myself out of my debt. But thats the problem...the debt.
I might sound like a moaning minnie alot but being in debt really does get me down. I know its my own problem, I spent money that wasn't mine etc etc....I just feel like i'm taking baby steps to walk out of an eternal canyon of payments and bad credit. I reckon almost a quarter of my wages goes to paying debt, and when you take away the more-than-half that covers rent and bills then it doesn't leave me with much money to live on.
I'm not a material person, I appreciate what I have in my life and know that I'm lucky to have electricity, running water, clean clothes, right up to sky tv and a pc. I guess I find it hard to live without something to keep my mind off my long struggle with money. Funny really, when I need money to take my thoughts away from the hold that money has over my life.
I really need to start planning alot more. I know I have more money at my disposal now that I don't live on my own, I just need to work out how to spend it right.

Anywho! I guess its a little bit related....its Day One of my "No Sweets/Dessert Month" diet and man am I finding it hard!!! I really took for granted how often I had a treat. The odd biscuit here, a packet of sweets there....
Right now, I am craving cake. Big, soft, fluffy victoria sponge cake. Urgh, 30 days is a long time!!!

I'm usually a moaner when it comes to rain and wind, but words cannot describe how fantastic it was waking up to horrific weather this morning. Theres nothing like a rainstorm to make you feel snuggly in bed :)

Dinnertime

2009-10-31T17:27:00.002Z

A quick one today before dinner, not much to report on this weekend.
This week has been weird at work. Busy, not busy, weird atmosphere, comfortable atmosphere. Its probably just all in my head, I have a tendancy to think about stuff waaaaaay too much and for too long, and before I know it I've come up with some mega elaborate and exaggerated reason for things and it all gets too much. Ha!
Its getting cold more often now, and darker earlier - I love it. It makes the house feel so cosy and comfy yet nothing has changed about it. Bring on the blanket!
My christmas present list is growing slowly but steadily...although I'm not looking forward to sending the parcel to my dad in Cyprus. Their postal service sucks mega ass.
Anyways, time for pizza and lots of tv :)

P.S. I figure I need a pre-christmas diet/cut-out so from 1st-30th November I am cutting out sugary foods. Basically I am cutting out sweets, chocolate, cake, biscuits - anything that makes me think "ooooh I fancy a treat".....just thinking about it is depressing, but I am determined to do this to get over my sugar reliance!!!

xxx

Celebrate Good Times

2009-10-27T09:48:00.006Z

So i'm having a party.

I'm sorry, but it won't be a virtual party....nor will it be accessible to anyone outside the UK (or anyone outside Chorley really).

I'm going to have a Buffet Party. So, I don't want it to be like a dinner but I also don't want it to be like a party either. Small group of people, bit of food, bring your own beer etc. I have a problem though, who the bejesus do I invite? I don't mean that like I have no friends, errrr.......what I meant was how do I narrow it down? My best friend and her boy are obviously invited but otherwise I'm having trouble with the 'guestlist' for this shindig. I guess deciding roughly how many people I want over is a good place to start, but whats a good number for a buffet? I don't have a big flat for a start....nor do I have a big oven for lots of food. Bah. Any ideas?

I have to end this on the sad news that this evening my Great Aunt Ida passed away. She was my Grandma's Auntie and although somewhat of a distant relative as far as generations go, she was pretty much 'head of the family'. She looked after my Grandma when her parents passed when she was young, looked after my Dad and Uncle when my grandparents needed a break, and looked after me and my cousins when our parents needed a break too. She turned 100 this year and I can honestly say her passing was a long time coming, but we are all sad to see her finally go. Ever a trooper, she was still boisterous and funny in her final months, and never have I heard such a strong cornish accent in a woman. She was an inspiration and I will miss her dearly. (pictured L-R Dad, Auntie Ida, Grandma)

Ida Lanyon 31.05.1909 - 27.10.2009

Relaxing

2009-10-25T11:57:00.006Z

"Lay My Head To Rest
Lie Down, Lie In, Drift Away
Sleep Away The Day" - Lynsey Wilkins (Me!), March 09

I wrote that haiku above as a challenge by a friend and I think its very fitting to my weekend. With Jamie having all weekend off for a change and me having all weekend off (like I do every weekend), we took full advantage of having nothing to do.....by doing nothing. I am in no way exaggerating when I say that I did not get out of bed yesterday until 5:30pm. Yes, I went out on friday night and yes I had enough to drink to keep me up until 3am (at which time I fell asleep mid-conversation), but normally I get restless staying in bed too long. I didn't sleep the whole time, I'm not that lazy! I just had no motivation to get up, so didn't.
We went to Karl's last night (Karl being my best friend Jill's boyfriend) for a 'Wii and Wine' night....except the Wii wouldn't work right, so we watched some IT Crowd and then somehow got onto the subject of scary stuff and spent hours talking about horror films and disused mental hospitals and the like. Jeeeeeez, walking home scared the crap outta me! When you've spent 3 hours talking about murderers and ghosts and scary things in the dark, walking home at 1am is not a nice experience (not for me anyway). I had a good night though :)

In fact, I've had a very good weekend :)

The clocks went back an hour last night for daylight savings time or whatever the hell it is, but that has brought me further joy from waking up and realising I was entitled to an extra hour in bed! It's only midday! If I wanted to, I could actually go make something of the day.....I'm not going to, but the option is there!
Now I say that, I've looked outside and the weather is actually quite nice. It was raining yesterday but today its a little windy and cold, but crisp and sunny. Hmmmm, a walk in the park might go down well.....

xx

Poisoning The Minds

2009-10-23T15:49:00.008+01:00

Hurray, its friday! I love how everybody loves fridays. Even the people who work at the weekend love fridays. I think its because there is some deeply hidden mentality which makes people see the weekend as a time for relaxation (unless you are working), so it calms people down. I am one of the lucky majority who only work monday to friday, and for the first time in ages I have enough pennies to go out for a few drinks tonight! I'm hoping my lack of alcohol over the past few months will have lowered my tolerance, and therefore it won't cost me much to have a good time hehe. No idea what I'm going to wear yet, I have 4 hours still to decide....

For those of you who are not from the UK, I must excuse my need for a little 'vent of frustration' due to the BBC...
Last night Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party (BNP), was on Question Time. Now I normally enjoy watching QT, its very topical and you get a chance to hear MPs and other people involved in politics talking about current affairs etc. There are usually a few different opinions so it always makes for an interesting debate. Last night, however, was just annoying. For those of you who do not know, Nick Griffin and the BNP are notoriously racist and their main policy (pretty much their only policy) is that they want to stop immigration into the UK altogether and then reverse it, making immigrants and assylum seekers leave. Griffin is pretty much one of the mosted hated people in the UK and alot of people protested to him being on QT, saying that he had no right to discuss his views on anything when he is nothing more than a nazi and a bigot. The thing is, he recently became a MEP (Member of the European Parliament) and to get there over 1 million people voted him in. In my opinion, regardless of his racist persona, he has a right to discuss current affairs as much as the next MP...but it seems that now even the BBC disagree.
QT is usually varied as far as opinions go, they try to get members of all 3 main political parties (this doesn't include the BNP) on the panel to get an idea of all angles. As far as i'm concerned, last night's programme was an absolute disgrace as far as the BBC is concerned. I support them bringing Griffin onto the panel, but I DO NOT support them then allowing the rest of the panel and the audience turning the programme into a "who hates Nick Griffin more?" competition! Almost all of the show was filled with questions regarding the BNP/Griffin and their reputation for racism and the only 'current affair' (if you can call it that) which was talked about was Stephen Gately's death!
I agree....that the BNP and its leader are racist and fascist
I agree....that the BNP should not have any say on the running of the country, based on their policies
BUT! Nick Griffin was voted into parliament fair and square and he therefore is entitled to his opinion on current political issues just like any other MP. He was treated very unfairly and it really annoyed me! ARGH!

Anyway, enough of politics! It's a friday so that means I'm actually leaving the house! To go here:

Have some drinks with some people and hopefully end up like this:

Happy Days xx

Ever-haunting Melody...

2009-10-22T15:10:00.005+01:00

Do you ever get a song stuck in your head so much that you wanna rip your face off and pull the song out of your brain??!!.......just me then? Ugh.
"I left my heart in Tokyo, down by the river don't you know...." - SHUT UP!

So I pulled my head out of the sand/bucked up the courage/stopped being a complete wuss and spoke to Jamie about my 'problem'. I didn't enjoy the conversation and felt like a bit of a tit to be honest, but I'm glad I did because he totally understood. I feel so much better, he was glad I told him, so all is good again in my wonderful land :)

Talking of J, he has all weekend off for a change so we are going to actually go out for a drink tomorrow night and socialise. I'm starting to forget what people look like and how cider & blackcurrant tastes....

I have thrown myself fully into the christmas preparations. I have bought 4 things for J so far, have 2/3 more in mind, I know what I'm getting my dad and am in the process of picking a tree. I'm looking forward to decorating and planning it all alot more that I thought I'd be. It's so exciting having someone new to spend it all with too! I think I will miss the whole 'Rennison Family Christmas' thing as I got very used to it and I did enjoy it being so family-orientated because it was something I lost very young when my parents divorced....but now I no longer go to my parents for dinner it means I have the responsibility of making sure it goes right, so it will start to lose it's sparkle a little I guess. I am excited though.

I don't have much to say today, because.....well, nothing has happened! I have been at work. I've watched tv at home. I've slept. Oh what an exciting life I lead!

So I will leave you with a thought for the day....

"in order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different" - unknown

xx

Bloggers Block

2009-10-16T23:59:00.009+01:00

Hey, so for some reason I'm having mega trouble thinking of something to write about. I mean its not like I have done nothing at all the past few days...but I think I need to start writing it all down. My memory has got beyond horrific in the past 12 months or so and I feel a notepad in my bag is in order.

I'm going to try to remember as much as I can and to save waffling too much when my memory comes back I think I'll bullet point it...

* I have absolutely no memory of what I did on sunday. Like, at all.

* Monday and Tuesday I was off work because I've been a little run down recently (probably why my memory is shot). Jamie wasn't working monday-wednesday so he looked after me and made me feel better. If you remember a bit ago I bought myself Bert and he is sooo cute. Well to make me feel better while I've been ill Jamie bought me some more 'Blue Nose Friends' and they are just adorable!

These guys accompanied with some chocolates, lots of tea and lots of hugs made me feel so much better!

* Work was kind of quiet this week. My boss is on holiday in Cuba until the end of next week so it all slows down a bit.

* The Cake Fair is in town for half term. Its ace because it smells of candy floss and hot dogs when I walk through town.....although it isn't the nicest smell at 10 in the morning. And I really have no idea why its called the cake fair because theres no damned cakes!

* I finally got to buy some 'proper' food this week. Me and Jamie did an online grocery shop and it felt soooo good! Now I have fruit and vegetables and fresh meat and ahhhh its wonderful! Makes me sound like a weirdo, but its been ages since I could afford to buy fresh food.

* I almost lost my nerve with the bank again, charges and payments and stuff but luckily the girl there was amazing and sorted it all for me.

* I've bought some christmas presents already! Yay! I'm in 'list mode' at the moment, trying to come up with gift ideas. I had my first mince pie of the year tonight and it was yummy :)

* I also bought myself a nice new dress :) Me and Jamie are going to see his family next month for the pre-christmas visit and he said we might be going out for dinner so I am prepared-wardrobe wise at least.

* Its the weekend which means I get two lie-ins woopwoop! I damned well need it this week, my sleeping pattern is in ruins.

Talking of which, I reckon its bedtime about now (12:15am) x

P.S. How cute is this necklace? My dad and step-mum sent it me, it was handmade by this guy in Paphos Harbour (and thats my real name by the way...)

Adventureland

2009-10-10T23:25:00.002+01:00

So i've had a bit of a film day today. Jamie was asleep til like 5pm and there was nothing else I had to do so I thought i'd catch up on some filmage. I watched Marley & Me this morning and my lord I cried like a baby! I knew it was going to be sad but I so didn't expect to get so upset over it, but when I think about it I guess it had alot of similarities to when I had my dog when I was younger so it must've touched a subconscious nerve. Despite the sadness I really did think it was an ace film, although people have said the book is better (the books usually are).
Then I watched Night At The Museum 2. It was as I expected, I enjoyed it but wouldn't have gone to the cinema for it. Loved the cameo by Jonah Hill (he is so creeping up my favourite actor list, the top guy still being Steve Buscemi) but nothing surprising.
Then lastly I watched Adventureland and I most certainly ♥ it! I'm a bit of a sucker for teen-mid twenties indie films and always have been so this ticked all my boxes. It was a little annoying how Kirsten Stewart was almost the same character as she is in Twilight though, I dunno maybe its something she does in normal life but she always looks awkward and grabs her hair....anyways, so yeah I totally loved it!

I don't know why but I have an urge to talk about myself today (tonight, technically its 11:30pm here!). I guess that sounds a bit arrogant but I often find myself talking or thinking about other people or things so it feels like a 'me' night. I wasn't really sure what to say though so I thought I'd post one of those survey things that get passed around myspace, facebook, etc. They usually have interesting(ish) questions in so why not!

---------------------------------------------------------------
Here goes:

Who was the last person you rang?: My mum
What does the 6th message of your phone say?: "Mandy is running the London half marathon tomorrow!"
Who was it from?: My step-mum, Max
Who makes you smile?: I make myself smile alot :) Jamie makes me smile every day, my best friend Jill makes me smile all the time!
Who puts you in a bad mood?? Usually myself
Who's your loudest mate?: Jill, especially if she is with me hehe
Has your heart ever been broken?: Yes, but in the long run it was the best thing that happened to me
Where do you wanna get married?: I used to be dead set on Fowey (a little village in Cornwall, UK) but now I don't care as long as its to who I want it to be :)
Where would you get your 1st tattoo?: I already have my 1st tattoo (followed by 3 more), 1st was the letter Q on my lower back
Who do you fancy?: My Jamie obviously......and I have teeny tiny crushes on Jake Gyllenhaal and Jared Leto - man, I like people with J names!
If you were being chased by an alligator, what would you do? Run to the side, not straight forward
Have you seen anyone lately that you don't get along with but you said hi anyways? Not that I can remember

DO YOU PREFER:
Scary or Funny?: If its movies then both
Shower or Bath?: Usually shower, a bath once in a while to relax
Rollercoaster or Merry-go-round?: Rollercoaster all the way
Chocolate or Vanilla?: If its ice cream its a dead 50/50, can't decide
Summer or Winter?: Summer for the park, Winter for snuggling
Silver or Gold?: Silver
Text or Ring?: Text if its quick but long phonecalls are ace
Hot or Cold?: Hot if i'm on holiday, cold when I can snuggle
Singing or Dancing?: Dancing!

WOULD YOU EVER:
Go sky diving?: Probably as a tandem yeah
Go scuba-diving?: I'd like to
Go travelling?: I try to when I can afford it
Get married?: Yes yes yes yes yes!
Have kids?: Totally, I can't wait to be a mummy
Move to a different county/country?: I guess so, why not
Kiss a stranger?: Totally not now, I am perfectly happy with kissing J!
Use someone?: No, I'm usually the used one!
Have sex?: I would indeed!
Kiss your mates boyfriend?: Ummmmm no!

CURRENTLY:
Listening to?: Friendly Fires
Singing?: along to Friendly Fires haha
Eating?: Nothing, I had a nice big dinner
Drinking?: Vimto
Online?: Errrr yeah, obviously
Nail colour?: None, I rarely wear any nail polish
On the phone to?: No one
Wearing make-up?: No, I never do
Hairstyle?: Up and kind of straggly
Jewellery?: None today, i'm in lazy mode
Touching?: The keyboard to type this
Feeling?: Quite good, a little tired as usual and missing J
Thinking about?: Everything and nothing
Wanting?: Wednesday to hurry up, I hate waiting for payday

RANDOMS:
Spell your name without vowels: LYNSY WLKNS
Are you single? Not in the slightest
Whats your favourite number? I don't really have one
What colour do you wear most? I suppose black, but its technically not a colour so I guess purple
Least favourite colour? Hmmmm, I don't really dislike any colour. I don't like orange that much...
Do you smoke? No! Bleurgh
Are you happy with your life right now? I suppose....its getting better and better :)
Do you regret anything? No, the choices we make map out our future and I am happy with the way things are panning out
What was your favourite class in school? Maths...yeah ok ok, I was a geek!
How do you make money? By selling music memorabilia wooo!
Where do you go to school? Hahahaha, ermmmm I WENT to Penwortham Girls High School in Preston (UK)...left 8 years ago
Are you outgoing? When I need to be....usually if I'm on a night out
Where do you wish you were right now? Nowhere.....anywhere. I don't know.
Do you have a crush on anyone right now? My Jamie! I totally still have a girly crush on him, he's a hotty hahaha.

ANGER:
Are you currently mad at someone? Not at all
Which family member has the worst temper? Hmmmm, I guess my step-mum or maybe my youngest brother
When you're mad do you prefer to stare angrily or yell? I do neither, I am a sulker. I don't say anything and just create tension in the room haha.

EXCITEMENT:
Has anyone ever thrown a surprise party for you? No, I wish!
If you won a million dollars what would your first thoughts? I know its boring but I'd be thinking how glad I was to be able to pay off my debt....then probably SHOPPING AHOY!
If you could have anything right now, what would it be? No debt....and my dad not living in another country

YOU:
Name? Lynsey Wilkins (I want a middle name!)
What's your main goal in life? Short-term to be out of debt, long-term to be happy and have a family
Do you want to have children? Totally :) can't wait
How do you want to die? Painlessly

OPINIONS:
Sex before marriage? Yes, why not!
Abortion? Tough one. Depends on the individual situation
Recycling? If I can

NOW:
What are you doing now? Answering this
What did you do today? Watched films

TOMORROW:
Is? Sunday
What are you going to do? Snuggle up with Jamie when he gets home in the morning, I don't know...probably more films haha

CURRENTLY:
Like someone? Yesssss
Do they know it? Of course he does, I tell him every day!
Is it a simple or complicated situation? It used to be hard work but now its simply wonderful! (god i'm a sap!)
Does someone like you? I damn well hope so!
Miss someone? Yep, I miss my Dad every single day :( I wish he'd move back
How do you feel? Tired and a little achey
Favorite Musician as of now? Hmmmm, I like ALOT of people right now. Loving Temper Trap at the moment.
What song is stuck in your head? Skeleton Boy!! :) (my fave Friendly Fires song)

SAD SECTION:
Have you ever really cried your heart out? Yes, god yes!
Have you ever cried yourself to sleep? Unfortunately yes
Have you ever cried on your friend's shoulder? Yes, and my mum's and dad's, and my brother's....
Do you cry when you get an injury? No I just moan alot. I'm a big moaner.

HAPPY SECTION:
Are you a happy person? Yes. And I am getting happier
What can always make you happy? Comfort is the main thing. A hug of Jamie does me wonders
Do you wish you were happier? I'd like to say no, but I know that I will be happier soon
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whoa, that was a LONG quiz thing! Sorry, I had no idea haha.
Right i'm off to make my bedtime brew ready for some reading.

Q xx

Work

2009-10-08T21:47:00.005+01:00

I actually wrote this last night, but wasn't going to post twice in a day! So anyways...

I just realised I haven't actually said anything about my job (well not really anyway) and its actually pretty cool so I thought I'd let you all know! I work for a company called Tracks - its a music memorabilia company. I do most of the website stuff , pack/send all the different memorabilia to our customers and take promotional photos amongst other things. Its pretty freaking cool because I spend most of my time doing something or other with music memorabilia from the 60s and 70s! Alot of it is The Beatles because that is our main focus but I have recently handled Rolling Stones, T Rex and Led Zeppelin stuff too.

But thats not the best thing about my job, oh no.

Not only is it a job I enjoy, being the music freak that I am....but it is also 5 doors down from my flat!!! Thats right, I get to literally roll out of bed 30 mins before I start work :)

So there you go. I enjoy my job and feel quite lucky with the whole set-up so wanted to share it with you guys. Check out the website!!

Q xx

P.S. For those of you I may have confused yesterday, this is what I meant when I said conkers

Cake Withdrawal

2009-10-08T21:02:00.005+01:00

Ok first off, please don't shout at me people....but is it really that bad to have 5 profiteroles and a cinnamon whirl for dessert? I was really hungry when I went to the supermarket and they were both reduced.. I had a normal dinner! With vegetables! Ok, ok my guilt is justified. I guess I'll just have to walk around the lounge a few times later :P

So I've been have a computer-free few days (outside work hours I mean) and I have done lots of nice things like seeing Toy Story 3D at the cinema last night (I looked AMAZING in 3D glasses haha), followed by Nandos for dinner (yumyumyum), ~~played~~ lost at monopoly and lots of snuggling with my Jamie.

Toy Story 3D is soooo good! You have to pay £1 on-top of the ticket cost for it but it was so woth it! All the adverts were 3D too, including one for Avatar which is a film I am highly anticipating. It had been so long since I went to Nandos, I had no idea that they now do those little handywipes! They did indeed come in very handy for J, as he had chicken wings and made a big mess haha. He'd never been before and he enjoyed it so pat on the back for me and my choice of dinner. I also managed to detour us to Asda for a look around before we got the train home and I just couldn't help but buy myself some DVDS! I have a weakness for Disney so how could I resist a 2 for £12 deal! So I came home with Pochahontas and Pinocchio yay :)

I'm trying to make as much as I can with Jamie's time off work and so far we have been doing well with it. Unfortunately he is back to work again tonight and will be until monday afternoon so cue 3 nights on my own again.

I'm disappointed to admit to it, but I think I have Cake Withdrawal Symptoms. After almost 2 weeks of eating the huge Wall-E cake I got J for his birthday there is now no more cake in the house...and I want some SOOOO much!!! *cries* Which is why I gorged myself on profiteroles etc earlier on, and I can honestly say now that my cravings have gone... for now at least.

I keep kidding myself that I will start a healthier diet soon, but it just doesn't seem to be happening. I partly blame it on money but to be honest I am just massively lazy. Its annoying because I really LOVE salad! If it was in my fridge and ready to go then I could happily eat it every singly day without fail, but I just cannot be bothered preparing it! Gah.

Talking of healthy eating, I am pretty sure that I have put weight on. On my thighs. My reason for this? Well, I discovered this the other day:

I have no idea how or when it happened, but for some reason my jeans have ripped (across-ways not down) and its the only reason I can give...

I'm going to end this with a tip for the coming months...
With the weather getting colder you tend to notice more spiders coming to seek shelter indoors. Wanna stop this from happening? Well supposedly they don't like conkers, and putting them around your window and door frames will stop them coming near. (I have no idea if this works, but I've been told by many-a-person that its true!)

Q xx

Jingle Jingle

2009-10-04T20:48:00.000+01:00

Ok so this is only a quickie tonight (oooh errr!) because I cannot let myself sit here for hours again! I get a bit caught up in the internet sometimes reading about people's lives and looking at things I can't or shouldn't buy - I need a break from it!
So as you can tell, i'm a little chirpier today and thats because I sorted my rent problem! Yay! I rang my landlord-contact-woman and said my pay was going to be a week late and she just said that it was all cool and I could just pay it a week later - HURRAH! So money is sorted, i'm back to normal and super happy :)
It also meant that I could re-plan my day out with my mum, so we went to Preston and had a *tiny* bit of retail therapy and it made me feel soooo much better. Buying things makes you feel great, it really does. I started buying my christmas things this afternoon - I ordered wrapping paper and a nice snowflake tablecloth and have been browsing for a new tree. I'm not sure where the hell i'm going to fit a tree but I will certainly try! It's making me a little bit excited about the festive season this year...
J is at work again tonight but he has monday - wednesday night off so we are planning more monopoly and hopefully the previously cancelled cinema trip too!
Oh, and i'm thinking of joining my local photographic society soon. I picked up a leaflet and have checked out the website and figure it'd be a cool place to meet some other picture people. My mum has suggested I join a Tai Chi class with her too but i'm not sure...could be good I guess? Anyone do Tai Chi? I dont' really know much about it.
I'm off to fill the kettle for a night infront of the tv, toodles!

Show Me The Money

2009-10-02T22:18:00.001+01:00

It seems very fitting that I am watching Jerry Maguire right now, as I have had a rather frustrating day and its all been because of money - i'll try not to ramble but here it is from the start...

Yesterday J spoke to people at his (new-ish) work and they told him he'd get paid on 7th october. *HURRAH* from me because our rent comes out on 12th so we will have enough money to cover it (we were previously crapping our pants because we were short this month). So we treated ourselves to a Maccy D's for dinner last night, I had planned a wine + Wii night with my friends, a day out with my mum tomorrow and Toy Story 3D at the cinema next wednesday. Yay! you say, what wonderful plans - me too, or so I thought. He went to work at 7:30pm as normal, I started getting ready for my wine + Wii night and he rings me.. "hey honey, I have some bad news...payday isn't until 13th"

THE 13TH!!!! Thats the day AFTER the rent goes out. I.E. we can't pay the freaking rent.

Bang goes the wine + Wii night tonight.

Say goodbye to the day out with my mum tomorrow.

Don't even mention the cinema next week.

Its all not happening. BAH!

I now have to drag my poor self to the bank tomorrow morning and request/beg for a temporary overdraft for a week. I so don't wanna do this. At all. If that fails I have to lower myself further and ask my landlord if I can delay the payment. Urgh. The cause of all this trouble? - money. moola. cash. You can't get enough of it, its controls your whole life, when you don't have it you want it, when you do have it its not enough.

However, to lighten this entry (because lets face it, i've depressed myself a little with all this) let me introduce you to my new friend Bert:

He is the CUTEST little thing I have ever seen! Me and Jamie saw them in a shop a bit ago and when I went back they had sold out of these bees (there are like 40ish different animals), but today I went past again and he was back! So now he is mine and I have named him Bert and he is keeping me company while J is at work heehee.

Me and my beloved have had a nice few days while he's been off work. I kicked his ass at Scrabble and kicked his ass even more at Monopoly (in his defense, he'd never played it before!) and we had a snuggle night yesterday with the blanket in our PJs watching a film...talking of which Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus is hilarious!!! It was so awful it made itself amazing. So if you haven't seen it then get on it superfast!

You know when sometimes you have those moments where you feel like you've fallen in love all over again? I get that all the time :) I mean look -

I get butterflies just looking at the guy!

Tra la la. I've cheered myself up a bit now. Time for another cup of tea...

Dependancy

2009-09-29T11:41:00.001+01:00

Isn't it funny how you don't realise how dependant you become on certain things? Like, in the way that you don't think you use your mobile phone much...until you leave it at home by accident and have a mini panic when you realise you don't have it with you and today could be the day you receive the most important call/text of your life and you'll miss it.... no? just me then? damn.

Well luckily I didn't leave my phone at home today! Phew. However, I did almost lose the will to live when I had problems getting on Facebook earlier. Now I never thought myself to be a FB obsessive, there are plenty of people I know who are on it ALL DAY EVERY DAY (seriously!) and I most certainly am not one of those people. I tend to check it now and again when I get a free minute at work and then give it a proper browse when I get home to see people's pictures and stuff. Today though I couldn't even get on it on my mobile! *panic panic panic*

I'm not even sure what I panicked for - was I missing something important? (no) would I look ignorant for not replying to messages that I couldn't read? (no). I'm slightly annoyed with myself for feeling like that to be honest. What on earth did I do with my life before the internet and social networking?! I used to know people's phone numbers by memory for a start. I used to write letters to my grandparents instead of emails, and take my time capturing good photographs because I used film so didn't have a second (or third, or fourth...) try! God damn the progression of technology. I shouldn't complain really though, it makes me think how much I take it for granted that I have access to the internet and own a computer and a mobile phone and digital camera in the first place - and I think that i'm poor!

Talking of poor...i'm seriously considering selling my pride and joy to pay some bills - My Betsy (camera). On one hand I can't bear to part with her because she is quite simply my most treasured possession and I am so proud of her, but on the other i'm a little fed up of not having enough money. Any one got any insight into this dilemma? She is probably only worth about £100 now, if that, and thats a 3rd of what she was worth brand new....but then again £100 can go a long way....but what will I do without my camera?! Grrrrr I can't decide.

Lastly, I was reading Aubrey's guest post on 'Musings of Moi' earlier today and she was talking about pushing people's buttons and pranking and it made me remember a fantastic prank me and my colleagues played on a member of our team at my old job! It only started as a little joke where we'd re-arrange things on each others desks, stick post-its to screens etc but lets just say things got a little bit out of hand one night....and, well this happened:

hehehehe. She wasn't best pleased but luckily saw the funny side of things. I'm not kidding when I say it took 3 people about half an hour to do it, good job we were working late so the office was quiet and no one saw :P

My mood has somewhat bettered today as J has got 3 days off work now so roll on games night and whatever else we decide to do! Yay! xxx

Catch Up

2009-09-28T21:00:00.000+01:00

Whoa. I left this for a while didn't I. I guess I have..no wait, I HAVE DEFINITELY been a busy bee lately. I've gone past exhaustion and am now on that crazy road called sheer willpower.

Jamie has been living here for..*counts on fingers*..6 weeks now so I'd say we are just about settled. I managed to make room for all his stuff (god knows how!) and I can safely say we live together now so yay! It feels kinda weird sometimes, living with someone again. It's been a while since I had to share my space and I sometimes miss being in 'my own flat', don't get me wrong - I am so happy with my life right now, but you know I just get pangs of it now and again. He's working like a dog at his new job (carer in a dementia carehome) at the moment. 12hr night shifts just aren't any fun and he's been working 4/5 a week! He spends most of his time working or sleeping so we aren't getting much quality time right now, but I know it'll be worth it eventually. He's got 3 days off in a row this week so we're having a games night on wednesday (bring on the Scrabble and Monopoly!) and his shifts should settle down soon to 3/4 a week *i hope!* so then we can start spending some nice snuggly nights in together now that its getting nearer to Christmas. Yes I know, I said it! Duh duh duh!! But really people, it's only 3 months to go - thats only 3 more monthly pay days (or 12 more weekly ones if you are like me). I'm already on the lookout for nice wrapping paper but haven't even though about presents yet.

It was Jamie's 21st birthday last friday so I made a big fuss over him. I got him an ace Edward Monkton book and a Wall-E cake:
And I got him a 1975 Lynyrd Skynyrd UK Tour Programme in mint condition (go me!). Oh, and I took him out to a chinese buffet for dinner and the food was amazing! I am definitely going there again - Buffet@Preston if you wanted to know! So yeah, friday night was good. I like birthdays :)

I spent 10 days in Paphos, Cyprus visiting my Dad and Step-Mum a few weeks ago, it was so much fun! We didn't do alot of stuff (other than shopping the foodmarket, sunbathing and sleeping) but I was just glad to spent time with them. I hadn't seen my Dad since they moved out there last November so I was really happy to be there (and really sad to leave, we both cried!). Hopefully me and Jamie will be going out to stay next September, it was a good time of year to go - still hot but not unbearable and not lots of kids around.

Lets see, what else has been going on..... oh yeah! I worked at the Beatles Convention in Liverpool this year! It was held in the Adelphi Hotel and I worked a straight 17hrs (5am-10pm)! I was dying by the time I got home but it was worth it. A whole day listening to The Beatles and lots of tribute acts, and seeing all the obsessive fans buying all our stuff! This guy was definitely the best one - German, didn't speak a word of english, asked the price of EVERYTHING (in german) and fully dressed as John Lennon:

It was certainly an 'interesting' day to say the least!

Well, my brain is starting to shut down for the night so I guess I'd better go get some relaxation. Another night in, alone with only a cup of tea for company. What a life! xxx

2009-07-31T20:58:00.001+01:00

Well then, first blog ahoy...

I guess it makes sense to make this an introductory blog seeing as no one knows me (or is reading yet...). So erm, hello.

I'm not sure why I felt the need to make a blog. I guess I've always needed an outlet to stop myself exploding and all the things I've used before either don't exist anymore (such as freeopendiary) or I seem to have grown out of them (like having a diary I keep under my bed). Although i have recently considered buying myself a filofax.. not sure why, they always look so freaking cool though, right?

Anyway... so this is me:

I'm not a big fan of taking pictures of myself so I tend to look away, and I rarely like the way other people capture me so I'm a tough subject. However I relish being behind my camera Betsy. I rarely leave the house without her in my bag, if I wasn't so cool (ha!) i'd say she was my best friend...

Luckily for my sanity I do have a real human best friend:

Her name is Jill but I call her Jall or woman or ladyface or some other weird name that I like to think expresses my affections for her at that time. Me + Jill = laughs-a-plenty. She's helped me through alot (as I her) and I don't know what I'd do if she wasn't in my life.

I also have an amazing man:

His name is Jamie Clemie Dearie and he hates it (his name I mean, not the fact that he is my man!). Its funny because I spent 7 years in my previous relationship and it almost ruined my life so I expected myself to need loads of time to get past that point of my life, but I found my Jamie only a month afterwards and I have never felt happier. On sunday we will have been together for 6 months and it just keeps getting better. He's moving in with me in a month and we are both ready to begin the rest of our lives together...

So yeah, I live on my own (for now). Got a nice little flat right in the town centre on a business street so its never loud and I don't have to shush for neighbours :) I'm Miss Independent and have been since I moved out of home when I was 18 (man, that was 6 years ago now!) and I fully love it. Granted its damned hard work making sure I have the money to pay my bills and stuff, but it feels great to sit down in the lounge and think "yeah, this is mine".

My job is pretty sweet too... I work for a music memorabilia company so get to spend all day playing with autographs, pictures, posters and stuff. So much fun.

I listen to a stupidly-wide spetrum of music, sometimes I wonder whether it makes me look like I don't actual like music because I don't have a 'preferred' genre. But I can honestly sit and listen to Killswitch Engage one minute and, I dunno, The Counting Crows the next.

I guess thats all I have to say for now. I'm going to go watch Big Brother - I know, I know! But really, it's a full on soap opera at the moment and it keeps drawing me in......