My week #2

So I don't really walk to work as I live in that annoying in between area where it only takes 15 minutes to drive but it would take over an hour to walk. And I'm not doing the London to Brighton trek this year as Topher has a hernia so I'm just going to casually skip this topic for an update of what I've been up to.

*Shopping on in the Northern Quarter with my cousin *Shopping continues *Blog on Mosi * Drawing with cats around *Glitter flowers at my grandmas *Church yard car boot * Selling my stuff * My office

*Voting *Pickles is startled *Work evening out with the epic cheesecake *Hobbycraft haul

How has your May gone so far?

My week returns #1

My macaron addiction has returned!

Part of my moving my blog over to Wordpress has involved the painstaking process of changing all my photos to Flickr links. This has allowed me to see how my posting style has changed over the three years I've been blogging. I completely forgot that I used to do regular update posts. The reason why I stopped was down to my 365 project last year which took over. 

Now that that project is finished, I'm going to start doing my bi-weekly roundup posts again as I miss them and realise looking back at this year so far that I don't know exactly what I've been up to each week. So I'm bringing it back. Deal with it! :) 

So the biggest things over the last couple of weeks included participating in the Bloggers Market MCR. I made a decent profit - enough to go and buy a few new pieces for my wardrobe - and hope there will be another in the future. I've still got an overflowing wardrobe of clothes that don't fit!

I really didn't need to go to the trouble but I wanted to make my own collage tags to put prices on my clothes for the market. I had a blast making them. What do you think?

One of my inbox regulars is the email from Groupon advertising deals on anything from spa days to cat tree's which we couldn't help ourselves but purchase this week. I was in the market for a new scratching post as the kittens are way too big for theirs now and saw the deal on this cat tree. Yes, that did escalate quickly! 

But considering a scratching post is around £15-£20 for a basic one and a cat tree of this size costs around £70 from the high street, we couldn't refuse the price of £40 for this one below. 

It's 5ft tall and the kittens love it. Especially now that the sun is out. Now the only thing is sharing the parts that the sun hits! 

It's been awhile since we had a meal out, but we needed to celebrate Topher getting a job with more hours and much closer to home which will save him commuting for at least 2 hours a day. Woo hoo! So it was to Yo Sushi, followed by macarons (of course!). 

This was at the Trafford Centre where I got a couple of things with my market money which I will show very soon! For now, I can only show you the Zara bag that Pickles claimed! Not for sale. 

So that was my fortnight. How was yours?

Lately

What I've been up to:

*Got specs (see full post here) *Being healthy

*Underground love *Being not so healthy at the pub

*The hobbit fan event *Being nerds at said event

*Andy Serkis! (Gollum) *The glorious tube

*Pinned it made it party *Ladurée - yum!

My chevron nails! I don't care if it's winter, I'm wearing bright summer colours.

What have you been up to lately?

My week: 40 & 41

Week 40

*The library

*Snow!

*Polystyrene fight

*Re-watched season 4 of Ugly Betty

*Birthday celebrations of a friend at The Pub in Manchester

*Vintage Village Valentino fair

*My rail

*Yummy maple syrup pancake cupcake!

Week 41

*Pancake day - lazy style

*The good one

*New necklaces for the shop

*Raspberry Mojito at Chiquitos with the parents

*Sunday lunch at the Horse and Jockey in Chorlton

*Managed to win 3 different games 5 times! This NEVER happens :)

How was your week? 

My week: 38 & 39

There is hope for Spring arriving - I actually saw the sun this week!

* Mr Blue Sky

*Manchester Museum

*Lunch at The Blue Pig

*Drinks at the Alchemist

*Finally went to see Le Mis

*Loving my owl print dress

*Messed up dominos pizza for superbowl - still pretty tasty though

*More blue sky - I just can't get enough!

What have you been up to the last couple of weeks?

My week 36 & 37

Has January been going on forever or is it just me? Here's what I've been up to in the last couple of weeks:

*Glitter nails!

*Went to Yo Sushi with the bf to celebrate him getting his student loan

*Watched the entire first season of Once Upon a Time that I got for Christmas. Love this program!

*Went to Vintage Village

*Got a wall taken away from my shop so it looks much better now. More open.

* My professionally printed flyers and magazines arrived.

*Got a breakfast freebie on the way to work the other day.

*Claire made Katsu Curry. So yum :)

What have you been up to?

My week: 35

The first week of the new year is over. Can't believe it's 2013 - I keep writing the dates wrong on paperwork, ha ha. Here's what I got up to:

* New Year's Eve antics - ooh aren't we a wild bunch?

*Up never fails to make me bawl in the first 20 mins

*New blog layout

*Box antics

*New stock for Affleck's shop

*A sneak peek at my car boot finds this week - full post in next few days

How was your first week of 2013?

P.S Only 3 days left to enter Random Quirks' 5th Birthday GIVEAWAY!

My week: 34

It's been one exciting week! Mainly because of my new shop in Afflecks but also because it's almost Christmas! Woo! (feel like such a kid!)

*My shop!

*Claire multi-tasking like a boss! Thanks for all the help!

*Claire almost broke her ankle on Wednesday which lead me, the bf and Ant on an adventure to 3 hospitals between 11pm & 1am to find her. We found her. 

*Affleck's Xmas party. I won a bottle of Chardonnay in the raffle. Score!

*The bf with our GIANT gingerbread man. They're only £2.50 in Greggs. 

*A new Charles doodle

*Dominos feeding the bf's pizza and lord of the rings addiction simultaneously 

*Ikea gingerbread house that advertised on the sign next to them "coming with everything you need"...open the box late last night to find only pieces of gingerbread house. Nothing to stick and nothing to decorate. Needless to say we just consumed the thing in it's collapsed state. Mmm gingerbread. 

Happy Christmas Eve everyone! 

How was your week?

My week: 32

I am shattered! 3 fairs this week, a hen/stag party and for the first time in 3 years I have a cold. All fun and games.

*Altrincham Twilight Market - so cold!

*Flaming drink with no name at Lola's in town - literally never found out its name.

*My Lola's punch at my friend's stag/hen party

*Crafters Alley in Stockport - again, so cold!

*Put up the Christmas tree on Wednesday

*Eggnog cupcake at Vintage Village

*Iron man guards our tree

*Pretty sure I got this chocolate in my Hello Kitty advent calendar last year and I still have no idea what it is

How was your week?

My week: 31

I can't believe it's only December now. It feels like Christmas has been going on for ages. I blame my facebook feed for bragging about finishing their shopping weeks ago. Personally, now that it's December it's officially Christmas season. Let the fun begin!

*Experimenting with my new laminator!

*I love this laminator far too much.

*Getting caught up on tv (Choccywoccydooda - yes this cake is made of chocolate)

*A clockwork orange - one of the bf's films

*Laminated necklace

*Mince pie - my first of the actual xmas season

*Chocolate orange cupcake

*Did a craft/gift fair in Wigan today

So if you follow me on twitter then you may know about the challenge that me and the bf decided to where we basically watch each other's films. He's a horror film fanatic and I'm a scaredy cat who like's Fred Astaire films....this should be interesting. We're watching them in alphabetical order and are still on the A's at the moment. This week I watched all 4 Alien films. I liked the second one best and was not a fan of the fourth one at all. I got him back with my Audrey Hepburn films though. Ha ha. We were thinking since it's quite a funny challenge, we might record the experience on a blog. What do you think?

How was your week?

My week: 30

A grey, but cheerful week in photos:

*Work and a coffee.

*Healthy smoothie

*Started making a rug which is one of the things on my 25 before 25 list.

*Bought and watched A life less ordinary. Love this film!

*Bailey's truffle chocolate - bought for me from the bf.

*My happy nails and experimenting with jewellery making

*A grey outfit post

*My job lot of scarves arrived

Next week marks the beginning of me getting a proper routine together. I think I've done quite well keeping on top of both my blogs and both my shops, but I need to be more productive generally. If I'm going to be self employed I need to power through my to do list. Especially with 2 fairs at the weekend. Bring it on!

How was your week?

My week: 29

So it was quite a big week for me this week. Last day of work and living my first few days without a job. Unusually fun I have to say. I finally got to tidy the house and I've really been enjoying working on my shops. 

*Well wishes from the co-workers - thanks for being so supportive guys! They got me an awesome notebook and necklace. 

*Animal biscuit - any clue as to what this thing is? Myself and the crew reckon it's a deformed bunny. It's almost as cool as my hello kitty darth vader chocolate .

*Dotty tights

*Finally got to tidy the house

*The joys of shopping in home bargains. How bad is this furry phone? 

*Boot necklace

*Meatballs, gravy and mash potato. Thanks Claire!

*Claire bought a newer version of the Game of Life when we were bargain food shopping. Charity shops are fun. 

So now that I've settled myself after the whirlwind that was Friday - Tuesday, I'm ready to start my first full week of working full time on both my shops and both my blogs. Yes that's right, 2 shops and 2 blogs. This week was about tidying the house, sorting myself out and dyeing my hair purple. That and I got paid a bit more then I thought I was and I got a tax rebate (amazing timing!) so I don't have to panic about money for a little bit. 

I'm really looking forward to the week ahead. I feel like I can actually put all of myself into doing the things I love and not feel tired all the time. Bring it on!

How was your week?

My week: 27 & 28

A fortnight in photos

*Halloween!

*Finally tried Cadbury's choc full of popcorn. Rather nice!

*Multi-tasking like a boss - peanut butter M&Ms are amazing.

*Bonfire night! Went to an amazing local display in Chorlton. I was very impressed.

*My free cupcake! Everyone loves a free cupcake :)

*Mabel - my vintage stall's mascot. The hat sold so though I am happy, Mabel would like a new hat!

*My first red cup of the season! Gingerbread latte, nom

*Had an amazing vintage weekend - two fairs baby!

So it was quite a standard couple of weeks. I had an awesome Halloween and Bonfire night. It was only on Friday where things came out of the blue. It was a weird day and not in a good way, but I had an awesome weekend to make up for it. I'll elaborate tomorrow. Just look at the pretty pictures :)

How was your week?

My week: 26

A colourful week in photos:

*Shoe a day calendar

*Spider cupcakes made by Claire

*Barburrito - my first ever trip.

*Vintage haul

*Candy corn came for me in the post (thanks dad!)

*Housemate Ant dressed as a gnome for his 21st bday outting. Full post tomorrow!

*Barbie shoes finally arrived. Earrings will be made :)

*More gnome fun

Lots of packages, food and fun. :) The nights are getting longer and the days colder but it was nice to get an extra hour in bed this morning.

How was your week?

My week: 25

My first week back. Post holiday blues? A tad but theres loads to look forward to! All my favourite holidays are coming up so its all exciting :)

*Autumn colours make me happy :)

*Determined parking. The van in front parked with a load of space in front of it so I squeezed myself in there. Boom.

*Popcorn - girls night in!

*Apparently this is how you spell Diane, lol

*My first Pumpkin spice latte of the season. Red cups soon!

* New stationary makes me happy

*Got my fringe cut

*Operation. Saturday nights in my house are awesome.

A nice week to ease me back into the real world ha ha. I also went to a car boot today so be ready for photos of me treasure arrr! Now, off to play the game of life.

How was your week?

My fortnight: 23 & 24

Since I was feeling a tad under the weather last week, I decided to make this post a fortnight in photos.

*Macaroons! I have a new addiction. 

*I love the wedge on this shoe - it's literally lots of little toys.

*Pink Polar Bear and Le Fizz cocktails at Kro Bar for a friend's birthday. Take my advice and stay away from Le Fizz. Tiny for the price and all you can taste is lime!

* Decorative fair

*New boots, new dress - a good day

*Olympics mascots chocolate - yummy :)

*My first football match!

Looking back over these photos, the first ones feel like ages ago! I had to get some macaroons when me and the bf went to Yo Sushi in Selfridges. Just a little treat to celebrate both us being paid. Another highlight was the decorative fair in Fallowfield on the 23rd. I had a great time and made a handsome profit (yes I did just say handsome profit). 

And finally, I managed to fully tick one of my 25 things to do before I'm 25. Go to a football match.I went to see Stalybridge vs Chester on Saturday with the bf and his step-dad, step brother and grandad. I had a great time. Even if you're not into football, you've got to admit it is quite fun hurling abuse at men running around in shorts!

We all also went for a Sunday roast at a country pub which was quite tasty. Though I have to say it wasn't as good as me and the bf's roast we did a couple of weeks ago :)

After a stressful couple of weeks of work I'm happy to say that I received my visa today to go to India. My parents pick me up on Friday. I can't wait! The adventure begins. 

How was your week?

My week: 31

I took way more pictures this week. I am officially proud!

*Aloe drink from the Chinese supermarket - thanks Claire!

*Panda biscuit from Chinese supermarket again

*Rainbow

*Jubilee biscuits at work - yummy:)

*Me and the bf met Pikachu!

*Me, the bf and Claire have started counting our pennies for our trip to Florida in exactly 1 years time - every little helps.

*Me and the bf made Sunday roast with Claire's supervision. 

*Lego store! I may have bought some to turn into jewellery :)

Last week was another busy one at work so I was really looking forward to the weekend where for the first time in weeks I had no plans whatsoever. Nice. It was payday on Friday so me and the bf went to town on Saturday where I gave my debit card a battering. Photos of my purchases to come!

Then on Sunday we made a Sunday roast while chatting endlessly with Claire about our Florida trip. 359 days to go! I'm not excited at all, ha ha. We even made a goal chart to mark our savings towards the holiday. Bring on the saving.

How was your week?

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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*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?

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).

*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?

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:

*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"?