Saturday 30 March 2013

Mr & Mrs Morgan.

So, a while ago, and I mean a real while ago, like back in December-while ago, I was asked to help photograph with my friend Abbie at her cousin's wedding. I think overall, even though it's hard work and totally knackering, I think can finally admit that it's something I really enjoy doing. This wedding was quite different to the one I shot way back in October last year. Let's just say the weather really wasn't on our side, I still managed to get a few good shots and I was happy with what I handed over but working with such dull lighting was definitely a challenge.

The theme was beautiful, as it was so close to Christmas each of the tables were themed with the Twelve Days of Christmas and Kate's bouquet was filled with adorable vintage brooches and quirky finds. I think she was pretty nervous which did make photographing a bit awkward, even for Abbie, who knew her well but I definitely empathise with her and could see myself acting in a similarly anxious way. There was even a Gangnam Style flash mob - that's how long ago it actually was, remember when that was relevant?


I wish I hadn't got distracted with work and going to Florida, and generally being lazy and that I'd shared these with you sooner, but here are a few of my favourites from the day. I'm definitely hoping that the convenience of a car will make the next wedding I shoot (if there is another one!), a lot easier, if nothing else it will mean I'll be able to bring all the equipment I would actually want to bring rather than just what I can manage to carry on a train.











Friday 29 March 2013

Bespeckled.

I guess with Easter approaching it seems only fitting to feature a bit of nail art that mimics Easter eggs, not quite as fun as my efforts last year but still a neat effect and I've definitely found a couple of polishes that will see me well into summer.


Seche Vite Top Coat and Matte Nail Envy Nail Strengthener by OPI are two products I definitely couldn't do my nails without since discovering them, two fantastic finds that I owe to browsing beauty blogs.


I first saw these on Hello Terri Lowe and knew I had to have them right away, the packaging was so different from any other polish I've ever had and they were just so cute. I do like glitter polishes but I'm always put off because I feel like they're hassle to take off, these ones aren't really any different but each layer adds a lovely mixed glitter layer like a sparkly speckled bird's egg, and at just £3.50 they're an affordable dupe of Illamasqua Speckle Polishes.

I picked them up in 'Mintchoco' and 'Strawberry Stars Candy' (because I figured they were most ice creamy and springy) from this seller on eBay as recommended in Terri's post. I think I disagree with her in that it 'doesn't dry hard' as I found it was pretty solid. With 'Strawberry Stars Candy' I found a few coats did do the trick but being a bit of a nitpicker, I ended up doing around 6 or 7 coats just to get the combination that I wanted. I'm yet to try 'Mintchoco' but I must say that it looks like it provides a thicker coverage, either way I think they're a great find and the perfect polishes to perk up my collection which is in need of a good spring clean – if spring ever gets here.


*scuse the poor lighting, I ran out of daylight, I hope you get the idea that this polish is kind of a light milky pink, the photos don't show the tiny flecks of holo glitter that well though, but that's there too!



Thursday 28 March 2013

Photo An Hour 3/12: March


[via Designspiration]

I'm definitely making a real promise to myself to not pick a Sunday to do next month's Photo An Hour. I feel like this month's is particularly lazy, and I pretty much picked the laziest day I've had all month to do it. I did try the Saturday before but I got distracted, I still enjoyed doing it but it was a little more effort to take photos of my sleepy day.


11am – Sundays definitely warrant sleeping in, at least a little.


12pm – A spot of cat-bothering.


1pm – Almost lunch, but far too breakfasty.



2pm – Popping out for our first local swim, and picking up a weird combination of things we needed from Sainbury's on the way.


3pm – Overall I wasn't very impressed with this leisure centre, it was a little grimey, I'm on the hunt for somewhere nicer as it was pretty refreshing to go swimming.



4pm – Popping everything in the wash as soon as we got home, including me!



5pm – Chopping up fun vegetables and catching a film that one of Moon's work colleagues lent him, it wasn't terrible but it was so far from good.



6pm – Lovely Sunday roast of what turned out to be pulled pork, amazing.


7pm – Totally in love with Nashville.


8pm – Making a considered effort to catch up with blogging.


9pm – Catching up on In the Flesh, I've really enjoyed it, such a good twist on the zombie genre, and so very bleak, I wish it was a little more out there though.


10pm – Cosying up for part 2 of In the Flesh.


11pm – Already back in bed ready for another Monday and fully creeping myself out with my current read.

So yes, I think there should be less Sundays in this challenge from now on, not that my weekdays are much more riveting but at least I spend less time preparing and eating food.

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Pretty Little Lady.


This is a post dedicated entirely to gratuitous photographs of my favourite tiny white haired lady. It's not that she's been camera shy, it's more that I haven't take photos of anything, let alone her, so here's a few to make up for that.
Dolly has had a severe case of spring fever recently, even if the weather hasn't shown itself to be at all spring-like, there's clearly something in the air that's turned my sweet kitty into the naughtiest little madam. She's demanding and super sneaky at the moment and I'm not sure how happy I am about it, at the same time though, I can't resist her adorable face or her cute meow.


'I can has eggs?'


'OK, I has eggs.'


I love it when I manage to snap slightly goofy photos of her, makes me giggle against all the people who tell me what a beaut she is.



I think I can really see that she's very nearly a proper grown-up cat now, Moon's dad even commented on how much bigger she was looking, oh dear!

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Many Layers of March.

I would definitely say the above photo is pretty unacceptable for the tail-end of March. I don't actually mind wrapping up warm but it really feels like an age since I've felt a warm ray of sunshine, or since I've been outside without three or four layers on.


Coat: Gap
Scarf: Primark
Necklaces: Gift/Found
Handbag: Yucca
Dress: Primark
Bandeau: Drop Dead
Tights: Primark
Socks: Glasto
Boots: ASOS


This dress is one of my all time favourites and never fails me, as time's gone on I have felt like it's a little short, especially as I'm into longer dresses and trousers at the moment, but these thicker tights really made up for that and thanks to my cardigan and parker, I didn't feel too exposed.


Nails: A Pink Bev Ridge and Friends polish with Black Polka Dot Polish by Nubar and Sally Hansen Black Nail Art Pen
These didn't last long as I was too excited about the Ice Cream Etude House polishes I got, but I really do love the Nubar polish, it's so simple, I can't wait for it to be warmer so I can wear it over pastelly colours again.








Despite the sprinkling of snow in Newbury, it had mostly melted after we'd polished off our lunch of bacon and egg sandwiches. So it was super chilly and definitely boot-weather but it wasn't so bad taking in a change of scenery (and it was pretty fun showing off my 'driving skillz'). We've been to Winchester before but ages ago, it does feel like it's missing a little something and despite the pretty buildings there's not as much character as it seemss. I'm sick of going places that have the same high streets as everywhere else and I feel like Winchester is missing a trick when it comes to quirky, boutiquey shops - if I'm missing something, I'd love to know.

I've since made a little list of fun places to head out on day trips, some places we've been to, some places we haven't but it's quite exciting. I'm so looking forward to the long weekend already, I'm going 'home home' to see my Mum and Gran before going to Canterbury to visit my sister. I'm leaving myself two full days for something fun with Mr Moon, I'm hoping for something Bristol/Bath way, I feel so odd that I've never been.
Have you got any fun plans for the Easter weekend? I'm umming and ahhing about what kind of Easter cake to bake.

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