Swan Lake

A couple of weeks ago I finally got to see Swan Lake.

It was a small production at the Pavilion here in Bournemouth but it was magical all the same. Of course I couldn't go in jeans so I decided on the classic black dress

Coast halter-neck dress

Alexander McQueen scarf

Kew red leather belt

Zara shoes

Seeing the dancers filled me with awe. The grace and power combined is really something to marvel at.

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2010/01/24/dd-swanlake_0501101351.jpg

I also started work at a new concession this week, LK Bennett. It's a great concession full of beautifully tailored pieces (which will appear regularly in this blog I'm sure!). It's situated in House of Fraser here in Bournemouth so if you are in the area pop in and say hello.

Here's a take on my classic ballet outfit taken from their collections and currently selling on-line

Harriet Dress

Pia Scarf

Poppy Belt

Danny Sandal

Have a great week and if you can, dance at least once like no one is watching!

A little love for 'Made.Com'

So Spring has finally sprung out of it's slumber and I'm itching to get the flat finished.

I'm 60% there on the interior decoration since moving in last August but there are still some key pieces that i have my eye on to finish the over all aesthetic.

I've done plenty of shopping around and research to find the pieces i want and to be honest 'Made.Com' is the best site that I've come across.

Here are some of their pieces on my wish list

http://www.made.com/

Take a look and tell me your favourite pieces

I've also been working on some new art projects, some for the flat and some to sell. I'm not quite sure where the motivation has come from but I'm glad it's there, after quite a long dry spell it feels good to have pen, pencil and brush in hand once more.

Stage 1

Stage 5

This requires a lot more work yet but it's moving in the right direction

Experimenting with a new idea. This one is rough round the edges as a draft but i like the concept so i will be doing more of these.

A constant favourite

We all have one don't we - a favourite dress that never fails to cheer you up the moment you slip it over your head.

This is mine. It's by Day Birger et mikkelsen (a couple of seasons ago).

http://www.day.dk/eu/en

It's been a bit of an up and down week on the emotions front so it came out last night for an evening with the girls. We headed to '1812' where, in between jumping up and down to some fabulous music, a chap commented on it being a lovely dress. Seems it makes other people smile too!

http://www.eighteen-twelve.com/events-1812-bournemouth.htm

What things in your wardrobe bring a smile to your face?

How do you eat yours?

There's something about Ginger Bread Men and Jelly Babies that bring out my wicked side; I always have to eat the head first. How do you eat yours?

Music, music, music

A little music to share, if you haven't checked out this amazing voice yet you're definitely missing something!

Through Adversity

So far this year has been kind to me, which is a blessing after the last 18 months. The challenge that lies ahead is learning to be kinder to myself.

I was trying to think of how best to describe what I have learnt. It is something I have often talked about with friends over the last couple of months and I thought I should share those thoughts here:

When you build the bridge back from adversity, strength is not measured by how long it takes to build that bridge or in the physicality of moving heavy loads by yourself. Strength is in the ability to ask for and accept the help of those around you; the people who love you want to see you get to the other side and their help is a gift not a criticism, accept it as such.

It has taken me a long time to learn that I can show vulnerability. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sure I will ever let go completely but I do now accept those parts of myself that are vulnerable and I no longer hide them so readily.

I am what I am, battle scarred but someone that made it back to the other side. I thank god for those who have travelled with me and who see the scars as points on a map rather than something ugly.

I still have a long way to go but the road doesn't seem so daunting these days

Here are some other quotes that never fail to inspire me

Times of great calamity and confusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm.

'Charles Caleb Colton'

Look up and not down; look forward and not back; look out and not in; and lend a hand. 

'E. E. Hale'

In the midst of winter, I found there was within me an invincible summer.

'Albert Careb'

Happy Days

Sometimes the best holidays are the ones spent close to home with friends and family.

I've just had the best week catching up with my beautiful friends and my family so i thought i would share some of the photos with you...

Teaching Milo how to trolly surf

Enjoying a country walk with the Houghs and their friends

Rupert sneaking in to get some of the camera action

How to work the camera to look exceptionally cute!

Leo showing us his 'Strong Man' in the Wantage museum

Not sure about the Stocks though

Baby Eva having a cozy snooze - wake me up for the fishing!

Leo and Penny doing a bit of flemish brick work

Fishing for ducks - flippin brilliant

Baby Eva showing us how it's done

Local Thai - yom, yom, yom

The week was over so quickly, i can't wait until my next visit home!

2012. New Year - New You?

How many resolutions have you started the New Year with; 5, 10, more?

I started my list as usual putting down the same resolutions that i have written year on year because i never did quite manage to cross them off the original. Half way into the list i realised i was writing as if i could miraculously become a new person (which unless i get serious amnesia or witness protection is never going to happen).

It doesn't matter how much i resolve to be more organised with my time, i know i will still be hopeless at it because I'm just not programmed that way. I won't suddenly be able to do the splits or speak fluent french within a year because genetics are against me and i don't have the patience to study that hard.

So what did i conclude from all this navel gazing and inner wisdom?

The answer, I only need one resolution, to Try Harder. That's it. No grand wish list, no impossible task list, just me spending the year trying harder. If i try harder at everything then i know i will have achieved something by the end of the year and who knows, it may just be getting that vegetable patch I've long dreamt about.

How are your New Year's Resolutions looking?

Image courtesy of mysassypants.blogspot.com

All that glitters....

Christmas. It's here.

Carols and other Christmas songs are playing in the shops and the streets are busy with shoppers looking to tick another gift from their 'to buy list'.

So far my only concession to Christmas is a table mat with little robins on it. No tree. No glitter. I do love Christmas but this year I'm just not feeling it yet.

I know I'll enjoy Christmas day, the UK based family will be coming for dinner and we'll get to walk along the sea front. I've made most of my gifts so there will be presents to open and laugh over.  The true spirit will be with me on the day it just hasn't arrived yet.

Pondering my navel, as i am prone to do, i started making up a dream list of perfect Christmas locations. Hard to describe in words what pulls me to these fantasy locations but essentially i have long craved a tropical get away and a winter wonderland. Polar opposites but then why have every Christmas the same. Here are some images that say it better than i can.....

A Tropical Christmas Retreat (Barry Manilow Esq)

A winter wonderland get away (think Wham and Last Christmas)

I would so love a husky ride!

Closer to home, I've just had my works Christmas meal. It was very nice and very civilised. Had i of known that everyone was going to wear black (apart from the one girl in green) i might not have been brave enough to go out like this. Still there are worse things than looking like a snow ball against the night sky..... it is Christmas after all !!!!

p.s why do legs always look nice and slim in the mirror yet chunky on photographs. Answers on a postcard to the North Pole please.