Thursday 30 August 2012

Car booty looty

Yes I did just use the phrase "car booty looty". While I was away last weekend I finally got to go back to this amazing car boot I went to a couple of years ago. I wasn't disappointed!

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Am going to sell them at my next vintage fair. So many pretties. The bf also bought more books. We are literally going to need a library wherever we live next! 

Which one is your favourite? Have you scored any bargains recently? 

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Top picks: Week 19

September is approaching!

TOP PICKS



Since it's going to be September in a few days, I have completely accepted that it's time for autumn clothes. That means knitwear, boots and layering. Love it.

This panda jumper from ASOS is too cute! I fell in love with jumpers last year as they are so easy to wear. You can just chuck them on with a pair of jeans or with some smart trousers for work depending on the print. Another cute print is this dorothy perkins blouse. I saw it in Meadowhall last Friday but there was only one left. Will be on the look out for this one.

I don't usually include books or stationary on my top picks list but since it's going to be a new school/university term I think it's quite appropriate. Even though I'm not a student or a teacher. This Liberty journal cover appeals to my current sense of adventure and I've been wanting a "Wreck this journal" for a while. 

A couple of weeks ago, I included a pair of River Island boots on my top picks here. After seeing them in Meadowhall last Friday, I decided I don't really like them in person. Shame since they looked so nice on the website. Instead, I saw another pair of boots in River Island which I think I like better. They're real leather which is pretty good for Manchester's wet weather and they look better in person. Will have to give them another look next time I'm in town. 

Are you excited for Autumn clothes?

Monday 27 August 2012

A lovely drive in the countryside

Happy bank holiday weekend! I took a day off either side so that I can have an epic five day weekend so me and the bf headed to Nottinghamshire to see my family.

I love the drive between Manchester and Sheffield - it's so pretty. Since I'm the driver, I entrusted the camera to the bf.

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The cow has no head! OMG!

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I don't think he did a bad job at all!

We ended up at Meadowhall in Sheffield where we met up with my mum and grandma. 

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Meet Percy...

My new biscuit jar. Isn't he cute? I got him at Vintage Village a couple of weekends ago but didn't want to show you him until the bf came home off holiday. He reads my blog from time to time so I didn't want him to see it - I just love showing stuff, it's half the fun.

Anyway, back to Percy. He's from the 1950s and still has his sealer on him so biscuits stay fresh inside. I couldn't believe what good condition he was in and even more amazed at the price. £9! Bargainous!

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Yes that is Tigger in the background wearing deely boppers.

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I also managed to find myself an equally bargainous atomic magazine rack. I've been wanting one for years!

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This beauty was £5.

I also bought a beautiful cake stand for my friend's birthday, but that was it. Very proud of myself for getting sensible things. Yes, a penguin biscuit jar is sensible.

Have you found any bargains recently?

PS. T-minus 1 day until my epic 5 day weekend! Excite!

Monday 20 August 2012

My week: 28

I actually took quite a few photos this week. I'm quite impressed I had to go through and narrow them down. I hope to keep up this habit.


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my week 28 a>

*Drawing I did on housemate's t-shirt by their request
*Salmon, rice and courgettes
* Starbucks at the office
*One of my colleague's got some stickers and was very nice and shared. There weren't many left but I was quite pleased with the result. 
*My painting is coming along slowly but surely. The sky kinda looks more like the sea though....ah well - artistic licence. I meant to do that. 
*Went to fab cafe for my friend's birthday. It's a must for any sci-fi nerd living in or visiting Manchester. Every club needs a darlek in the corner and a mural including Spock. I'm loving that Zapp Brannigan was there as well. 
*Finally used my Lush fairy want from Christmas - smells like Snow Fairy!
* My outfit for the birthday night out. Dress is from Monsoon - picked up for £25 in the sale reduced from like £85
*My refreshing pint of lemonade at the Chorlton vintage fair. Explore More - wise words indeed.
* A little peek at my stall.


So for the last week I've been all by my lonesome while the bf and my housemates have been away but it hasn't been too bad. I've kept myself busy. I'm looking forward to having everyone back though, especially the bf of course. It's weird having the whole bed to myself - I keep waking up diagonal at the wrong side!

This weekend, I went to a vintage fair in Chorlton which was really fun and then I had to hurry home to get ready for my friend's birthday night out. Sunday was spent mooching around the house trying to get stuff done.

This week coming up is going to be good because it's only a 4 day work week for me. I took Friday and next tuesday off around the bank holiday so I'm getting an epic 5 day weekend. Then only a 3 day work week next week. Why can't it always be this way?

How was your week? Do you have any plans for the bank holiday weekend?

Thursday 16 August 2012

Vintage Village

I took a lot of photos when I had a stall at Vintage Village last weekend. Here's just a few of them (still a bit picture heavy just warning you...)

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I also took photos of my own stall which you can see here.

Have you been to any good vintage fair's recently?


Tuesday 14 August 2012

Top picks: week 18

Necklaces are probably my favourite type of jewellery to wear. They're so easy to just throw on with an outfit - especially long ones!

top picks necklaces


I'm a sucker for a cute charm and these all fit the bill!

What's your favourite kind of jewellery?

Monday 13 August 2012

My week: 27

One day I will do one of these posts on the Sunday. It was the Olympics closing ceremony though. Despite what some people said on twitter, I really enjoyed it - even if it was a bit trippy (I'm looking at you Fatboy Slim, yes you and your giant inflatable octopus).

my week 27

*Outfit post earlier this week
*Yummy brothers toffee apple cider
*I made chilli con carne!
*My awesome alarm clock teapot
*New earrings for Toast Rack
* I heart my Spock mug
*Editing photos for Random Quirks
*My stall at Vintage Village
*My cute froggie trinket box - still hasn't sold the poor thing
*Vintage Village
*Red velvet cupcake
*Parma Violet cupcake

It was a week full of food and preparing for Vintage Village in Stockport. I desperately needed to make more stock for Random Quirks so I knocked out a fair few new pieces during the week after work. 

Vintage Village itself was a lovely day. I sold a few things, me and Claire got some nommy cupcakes and I may have bought a few things... but that will be left for another post I think!

How was your week?

Thursday 9 August 2012

Outfit post: Is it Autumn?

The great thing about my new place is that I actually have the room to do a full length outfit post. Amazing! Plus I got to try out the tripod and timer on my camera for the first time. Felt a bit awkward but I'm sure I'll get into the swing of things. This is the outfit I wore to work a couple of days ago.   

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Blouse: New Look
Button up skirt: Dorothy Perkins a few years ago
Tights: Primark
Shoes: New Look

This was such an easy outfit to just throw on. Blouse tucked into skirt is pretty much my no brainer uniform for work. Plus, polka dots are always a winner. This was just one of those days where the weather wasn't behaving itself. Damn you weather. It seriously feels like autumn at times.

I don't tend to find many gems in the sales but when I do, they stand the test of time. I remember buying this Dorothy Perkins skirt for £7 in the sale when I needed something for an interview about 4 years ago. I love the fact that it's a button up so it isn't just plain and it's a great length. Though my size has definitely changed since I bought it, it's great because I can just wear it higher or lower on my waist/hips depending on how fat I am (bonus!).

These are definitely my favourite work shoes. I LOVE them. They go with everything and the heel is the perfect height to me. And I just love the lace up front. Money (and staff discount) well spent!

What is your go to outfit?

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Top picks: Week 17

For my top picks this week I started at River Island...and never left. I can't believe it was only a couple of years ago that I had never considered it as a shop I would like.

top picks river island
EDIT: There are links to these items below - just hover your mouse over the name of the item. For some reason you can't see them unless your mouse is on it.

The grey 2 in 1 dress is definitely in the "I would have to see it in person" category. I really like the idea of it, it looks like it would fit me well and the skirt part isn't too short. But it's the fabrics that are making me hesitate. 

I think the style of this cream studded collar cami is really cute. I'm not much of a cami person but I think I would have to make an exception for this. Plus, I think on a hot day you could pull it off quite nicely with a fitted blazer for work.

The size of the black cord tote bag looks the perfect size for a laptop. My ultimate bag size. This may have to sneak into my house! Shh, don't tell the bf! 

I really like these laser cut skull earrings (so cool) but it doesn't say the size of them anywhere. That makes them another to add to the list of "I would have to see it in person". I would want them reasonably big but not massive. 

The simplicity of the safety pin earrings make them a winner in my world. And for only a fiver you can't really go wrong. Very chic meets punky.

I seriously need a decent pair of black ankle boots. I currently only have a tan pair from new look which I wore at Christmas here. So a black pair would be an ultimate staple in my wardrobe. I like that the heel on these are small and chunky so I could definitely wear them all day and the gold zip doesn't make them look too plain. Perfect for Autumn. Now when is my next pay day...

What brand have you always avoided? Do you think you would ever change your mind?

Disclaimer: I have not been asked to write this review - I just like River Island! 

Monday 6 August 2012

My week: 26

Hi there. Would have posted my week in photos yesterday but I had the most ginormous headache that no amount of pill taking would go away. So instead of doing anything productive, I camped out on the sofa and watched Disney films like the child I am.

Apart from that, my week was mainly full of chilling out, good food and painting.

sexy bear. 

Apologies for the above. The bf's contribution since he stopped me from typing by tucking his head under my arm....he doesn't appear to be moving so it looks like I'm going to have to do the rest of this post one handed. And to think I thought I was free to type since we don't live with any cats now. Anyway, on with my photos from the week:

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food and painting

*Starbucks run at work. Lovely.
*Claire made rhubarb crumble from the garden. Yum!
*Ginger and chilli chocolate I got from a market in Chorlton.
*My 25 before 25.
*Claire also made cinnamon "bis-cakes". Not quite biscuits and not quite cakes, but quite delicious!
*Mexican chilli and chocolate sauce. Asda own brand (oh yes). An interesting taste. Not quite chilli and not quite chocolate. Not sure if I liked it.
* Painting finally. I was in the mood to paint hot air balloons. Probably goes with my current mood at the moment of wanting to travel.
*More hot air balloons in my sketchbook.

I am really getting itchy feet - I want to travel again. I totally blame my family. My parents can't seem to stay in one place and I get the same feeling from time to time - it's in my blood. I literally cannot keep track of my parents - I need their calendar synched to mine on my iphone. 

At the moment I simultaneously want to go to Disney World, drive across the USA and for October to hurry up so I can go to India (my holiday that's actually going to happen!). It's probably because of the crappy weather here. How British is that for an excuse? I just want to go on an adventure.

Do you ever feel like you just want to get away from it all? Are you going anywhere interesting this "summer"?

Saturday 4 August 2012

All the ice cream...

...in the world. A print I finished recently.

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I sketched it on paper, perfected it on my iPad, then tiled it on photoshop. 

I love it. I can look at it and pretend it's summer.

Are you pretending it's still summer or are you planning your A/W wardrobe? 


Thursday 2 August 2012

25 before 25

That's right, a month late but I finally finished my 25 before 25 list. I've been wanting to make one for ages after seeing them on other people's blogs. Plus, I can't resist a good old list. 

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Not the best photo - but I decided to map out my goals in my sketchbook. These officially began on the day after my birthday (27th June) so I've already started.

1. Visit India - going in October
2. Make a gingerbread house
3. Get to 150 online sales on Random Quirks
4. Be in a happier job
5. Go to The Alchemist bar - in Manchester
6. Get clearer skin
7. Loose weight - be healthier
8. Read 50 books - on my 7th book
9. Paint 25 paintings
10. Dye my hair a random colour
11. Get 100% on both my lego Harry Potter games (geek!)
12. Make sushi
13. Swim regularly - got my membership and have been a couple of times
14. Visit the Manchester Museum
15. Make a rug
16. Go indoor sky diving
17. Watch all 8 Harry Potter films in one weekend
18. Make a scrapbook with all the bits and pieces of memories I've been collecting over the years
19. Make a fort in the living room and watch films inside all day
20. Make a 3 course meal all by myself
21. One day, take a photo every hour
22. Take both my businesses to new heights
23. Go to a football game
24. Fill my sketchbook
25. Make a recipe book and cook the recipes inside. 

They range from easy to hard things to achieve and I can't wait to conquer them all. I'll set up a page on here tracking my progress just in case you're interested. 

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Bring it on!

Have you ever made one of these birthday goal lists? Link me to yours if you have one!