Stay Smart.

So, when payday rolled around at the beginning of the month I treated myself to a couple of pairs of new shoes - in addition to a bargain £3 pair of leopard print Primark pumps. I wanted some shoes that were a little smarter than the trainers I've been knocking around in (but they had to be kind of ugly too).


Left:// Red or Dead, Schuh
Right:// Office

I've been after a pair of schooly sandals for ages but hadn't seen any that had really made me want to part with my money, this green pair from Red or Dead were a great decision though. They're so comfortable and didn't need any wearing in, which I'm so glad about due to the price tag. I always find it's a bit of a bummer when you spend a bit more money on shoes than you would like only to have them rub your feet for weeks. I'm really looking forward to wearing these minus socks if it ever decides to get warmer(!)

These tapestry flatforms were a real steal at just £13.50, they are a tiny bit bigger than advertised but I still really like them as they're completely different from any other pair of shoes I own. Are flatforms still a big deal? I've found it pretty hard to find a pair that have the right balance of ugly and neat. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that once I wear them in a little more they won't slip so easily off my feet when I'm walking because that's a bit of a problem at the moment.

Have you picked up any pretty ugly shoes recently? I'm a big fan.

Tuesday Tabs #34

I'm quite happy to make this something that's every so often rather than every week. I don't usually get a lot of time to browse nowadays, let alone post about it. But here are some of my favourite finds this week. I think this will be perfect to refer back to come payday.

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[via It's Nice That]
This is from the series, 'Perhaps Finally Alone' by Photographer, Elisa Noguera, this is my favourite but I think the whole series is really neat. Plus I bet it was a great excuse to spend some time with cute critters.


[Swanky Catz Baseball Shift Dress, Drop Dead]
Definite appreciation for Drop Dead's latest cat-centric collection.


[Cat Rabbit Plush]
How sweet is this scalloped necklace?! It's really different from anything I own and perfectly represents how I think I'll be feeling as the nights draw in, it also comes as a twin brooch set, which I have my eye on too.


[Rebekka Seale]


[Stash]

I am in desperate need of a more robust, 'proper' camera bag, as I'm a terrible snapper and just pop my cameras in my handbag at the moment. I don't want to compromise to much on the look of the bag, but it will ne nice to have something that is better at protecting my cameras as autumn and wintery walks become more frequent. I still have my eyes firmly in the direction of Jo Totes, but the pattern of this pag is lovely I like that it's fabric rather than leather.

I always leave Dry the River gigs feeling overwhelmed and I know I've been talking about them a lot since forever but particularly recently, but I just think they're wonderful. Every time I've seen them, Pete's vocal on 'Weights & Measures' gets me, it's so desperate and beautiful. Obviously this isn't a recording from when I saw them at Gathering on Saturday but it's one of my favourite recordings of this song that I've heard.


[via FYeahArtStudentOwl]


[Clare Owen Illustration]
How sweet is this simple, splodgy cat illustration?!


[via This Is Colossal]

I've been dying a little over these adorable outfits worn by 'Trotter' taken by Sonya Yu. I've been even more animal-crazy than usual in the last week or so, I think mainly thanks to a short bout of cabin fever, but also thanks to Moon's, 'well I wouldn't mind a smaller dog' quip, which he probably won't ever live down now.

I can't decide if this is a good advert for this car or not, but the cat is nice.

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Link Love: ♥

The Fake Books from The Royal Tenebaums — A lovely list of large images of the books from The Royal Tenenbaums, it would be really cool to have a couple as posters, as if I haven't littered the flat with posters enough already.

Scrimshaw Dessert Plates from Supernice — I spotted these when peaking into the window of Supernice when I was in Rye the weekend before last and thought they were really pretty. A little too pretty to eat off of but we have a little thing for seaside things.

Lampshades from Laura Oakes — One of the very few downsides to our little flat is that we don't have much need for lampshades, when we finally get around to moving somewhere else or buying somewhere, these will be perfect.

Nation of Amanda's 'I Want All The Cats To Love Me The Best' T-shirt — I'm certain that I've mentioned this before but I keep coming across it and it's becoming more and more of a must-have, it's too cute.

This Dino Skirt from Drop Dead — I wish this was a midi-skirt rather than a tube skirt as I'm not 15, but I feel my wardrobe is distinctly lacking in dinosaurs.

Gemma Correll's Ampersand Print — I'm so happy to have found this again on The Curious Pancake as I thought it was gone forever when it sold out on Gemma Correll's Etsy shop.

Daily Dishonesty — A wonderful Tumblr blog filled with perfect typography and things we should perhaps be more truthful about.

Tuesday Tabs #24

I think I've actually been a pretty good blogger in the last week or so and have managed to really keep on top of things, with more posts lined up for the rest of the week before I pop off and away. I'm so excited for it, and this recent weather isn't doing much to make me wish I was sticking around. I am a bit sad that we'll miss the Olympic torch passing through Newbury but I probably would have had to work anyway so I don't think I'm actually missing anything.

So here's some nice things from this week that I've found and liked.

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Grey Daisy Midi-Dress, £32, Dorothy Perkins
The colours and cut of this dress are so dainty and feminine, it's so cute. The length is so flattering too, I'll definitely be keeping my eye on this one in hope it pops up in the sale in time for my birthday (A month and a half isn't so long away is it?).


Abbey Tabby Heel, $124.99, Jeffrey Campbell via Modcloth
It's not that I don't like Litas, I just would never be able to wear them, high high heels and I just don't get on. So these marry the lovely cat tapestry Jeffrey Campbell print and a Ruth-friendly heel perfectly.

(via The Cookie Button)

DIY: Dip-dye Ombre Ballet Flats
Such a simple and pretty idea, I just wish I had the time to try it out.

(via The Cookie Button)

Crocheted Cat Nest
I don't think Doll would quite appreciate it if I made one of these as much as the kitty featured in the above post likes theirs. In fact Doll and I would probably arrive at the above stage and that would be the end of the project...


London Map Tee £25, Tee & Cake for Topshop
You may have noticed last week that I blogged about and bought a similar t-shirt. I don't think I could justify getting this quite so soon or probably at all really, but I just like to keep myself aware of these things, plus maps are awesome.


This cracks me up but probably shouldn't.

(via The Animal Blog)

I like this photo a lot because the cat kind of looks like a larger, angrier version of Doll, but there's also a nice story behind it.

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Link Love: ♥

Miss Cross-Stitch's Street Embroidery — This is just about the neatest thing ever, and definitely something I wish I had the ability, let alone the patience to do. Some of the work featured on this blog is wonderful and just makes the world a better place.

Matthew & Me on Soundcloud — I've been listening to these guys pretty much non-stop for the last five days, now I don't need to bother with their Soundcloud as much as I've managed to get my hands on a copy of their EP but you should definitely check them out, it was definitely love at first listen for me.

Holly Exley's post about things that stir her imagination — Sometimes I forget that I'm following such a wonderful blog, but then I have a peek and she's posted the most lovely things. I love Holly's illustrations anyway, but the visuals of this post got my creative juices flowing as well, I guess that's the wannabe picture researcher in me.

BBloggers Unite: Summer Nail Art Challenge — I think this blog is a really good idea, and I'm looking forward to really feeling like I'm part of an online community as it's been a while. One reason I'm looking forward to my holiday is that I'm looking forward to painting my nails so I hope to share some designs soon, the prize is also pretty nice.

Lady Ties in Action — After talking about my lady tie from Flapper Girl yesterday, the lovely Christine who runs the store has pinned the images to her Lady Ties in Action Pinterest board, which is nice :).

Type Casting: The Deco-Inspired Typography of Lena Dunham's 'Girls' — I love all things 'Girls' related and I wish the season hadn't ended already but this post about the concept of the title artwork is actually quite interesting. Once I'm back from my holiday I've got a few things I want to start doing and drawing both digitally and on paper is one of them.

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I hope this post and my recent excellent attendance will make up for my absence next week. Only three more sleeps to go!

Tuesday Tabs #17

What an eventful week it's been so far, and it's only the end of Tuesday. I started my second job today, so I'm properly knackered, my poor feet! It's funny how I was at home for 9 months and never had one proper job, yet I have been here for less than a month and now I have two jobs, in that respect it was definitely a good choice moving here.

I took Doll to the vet after work today and she's okay, just suffering a bit from not eating or drinking properly for a whole weekend. She's been given some antibiotics so I'm hopeful I'll have my bouncy kitty back in a few days.

I'm super sleepy, but here are some things I've found in the last week.

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Passport cushion, £69, Dwell


ASOS Alibi Suede Chelsea Ankle Boot, £50, ASOS
I'm is such dire need of new boots, my poor River Island ones are no longer smart, I have my eye on a few that I'm hoping will crop up in the sale.


Jeffrey Campbell Black & Tan Cowboy Shoes, £75, Urban Outfitters
Sorry I'm a bit shoe-mad this week, I was on the hunt for some smart ones and I got a bit distracted. Aren't these Jeffrey Campbell shoes a dream?


Payton Table Lamp, £40, John Lewis
A side lamp is one of the last things we actually need for the house, as our living room has three lights and one is much cheaper. This one is so cute, I would hope that with the right lightbulb it would light up the room properly but I'm unsure. It would look so nice on our bookshelf.


Sign Language Tote Bag, £16.01, Lilli Mandrill


Paper Doll Cushion, £42, Chocolate Creative
These are so awesome.


Personalised 'Happy Birthday' Card, £2.90, Laura Skillbeck
This is such an adorable card, but no ones birthday is coming up soon. :(


Aqua Green Hi-Top Blazer Nike Trainers, £66.99, Office
Dream.


This is my favourite song this week.

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Link Love: ♥

Holly Exley's Ode to the Internet — A neat list of nice things that illustrator, Holly Exley likes to look at when she spends time on the Internet.

Mint lace collar blouse from Lavish Alice — I love things with nice collars right now and this one is one of my favourites so far, it's also a fairly reasonable price and in one of my favourite colours.

CMYK Embroidery from Evelin Kasikov — I love this idea, I wish I had the patience, they'd make such a good piece of wall art.

Exploded Flowers Series by Fong Qi Wei — Amazing yet simple series.

Vogue charts the Rainbow Queen — I definitely appreciate this from a picture editing perspective, who knew the Queen was such a colourful lady.

Never Seconds — A funny yet bleak blog by a primary school child documenting his school dinners.

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I suppose a part of me is sorry about all the shoes, but I'm proud that I've yet to by any, aside from work ones. I hope you have a good week, mine promises to be a busy one, I must make sure that I find time to update my CV in between working all the time. Thanks for the kind comments about Dolly ♥

NYEE2K11!

I guess that this will probably be my last post of 2012, so I thought that I would make it a big one.

(via HelloGiggles)

I don't think I'm really doing anything for New Year's Eve, as per usual, but I'm saving my energy for the whole year so it's irrelevant that I happen to be spending New Year's Eve just like most Saturday nights rather than with my spread-out friends as I would want to...

I suppose I should finish off this year the way that I would plan to start any new year, with my resolutions. I dislike the assumption that people who make resolutions end up breaking them (and therefore become depressed about it) within the first few weeks. Maybe I will break them or fail in the first few weeks, but it might be spectacular, and I have a whole year to come back to it and achieve it if I want to. So here are my goals for this time next year.

1. Get a job.
This one is a pretty big deal and integral to doing what I want ever, I don't want to be on JSA any longer than I have to. I hope that the New Year brings more prospects and the chance for both further work experience and the chance to earn some cash.
2. Make it so my someday home is just my home, i.e. move out.
Both this and the first are linked, as fine as I am with living at home, I would be happier with my own space, my own kitchen, my own lounge, it will be great and it will be mine with my things. Probably the worst thing about 2011 was moving home and back to just having a bedroom, which is fine for the holidays but not great for any longer than that.
3. Spend less, way less.
I'm coming to terms, hard and fast, with how important it is to save money and how I need to not live so hand-to-mouth. It's lame not having any money for big fun things like trips and holidays but more dresses that I will ever wear in a year, I don't even have anywhere to go because I spend all my money.
4. Do at least one creative thing every week.
I had wondered whether it would be a good idea to begin a '52 Week Project', but that feels a bit too forced and camera-centric. Additionally, I also think that I do need to keep myself creative in other areas, start drawing more, making things and even watching more films, plus if unemployment continues, at least it will keep me active.
5. Pass my driving tests.
With my theory test looming, I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I'll be able to pass and have a car by Easter, I'm still a bit wary of it but not nearly as scared as I was before I started driving. I need to do it and most importantly, I want to, it will be fun.

Other than the standard 'drop a dress size' that comes with the calorific season that was Christmas, I don't think I'm asking myself to do anything particularly unachievable. This is going to be the year that I turn into an adult, probably.

(via The Dainty Squid)

Awesome time-lapse/stopframe video of the view from Eirik Solheim's window. Captured in 2007/8 but still a pretty nice way to see away 40 seconds, and people are still reflective in 2011/2 are they not?

(via The Dainty Squid)

All the Buzz Satchel, Modcloth, $79.99


Bronx Lace Dalmation Brogues, New Look, £69.99
V. high on my wish list, other than those (now discontinued) Minnie Mouse creepers from Lazy Oaf, these are the most awesome shoes of this kind that I have seen. I think I need them and it's important that I have them.

This is probably the last 'new to me' film of the year that I will see and man, did I make it a good one.
I picked up on it thanks to Verbal Vomit's 'How to Be A Hipster' post. I figured that, apart from Garden State and Donnie Darko, that I liked all the other films mentioned so I may as well give this one a go too. URGH, it's too perfect, I've already downloaded the soundtrack and am keeping some serious tabs on Glen Hansard. Who knows? Maybe I am a hipster... #fangirlend

I think I'll round up this post with a final Verbal Vomit related recommendation. 'The Internet Owns Me' is v. relatable both to how I feel after using the Internet for extended periods of time and in relation to my 13-14 year old self, who totally 'had a website' which is definitely probably still discoverable in the deepest, darkest depths of the internet, not to mention the Myspace days; guess who always unnecessarily had the best one? Yep.
If you're willing to check out the above post you should definitely look at the rest of her blog, it's awesome and she posts some of the best links to things through the medium of her neat drawings. Run by Hannah Hillam, an American illustrator, it's probably one of my favourite illustration/lifestyley blogs at the moment.

Verbal Vomit.

Well, I suppose that's it. Finito, done and dusted.
Tomorrow I think Moon is making Mexican food and I'm going to be forced into watching Black Dynamite, something I probably wouldn't have any scruples about if it hadn't be quoted to death at me despite the fact I have never seen it. #goodjob
If I'm not going out, just as long as I get to watch the fireworks, I don't mind.

I hope that you have a very happy new year, and would like to thank you very much for reading. ♥

612.

The Job Centre messed up again today, putting my initial 40 minute appointment into a 10 minute slot, but I refuse to dedicate another post to them because the overall experience wasn't too bad - aside from their insistence that I use newspapers in my job search, what decade do we live in?

So I returned a few things whilst I was in Kingston today and also made a few purchases. I think I may have a problem now, I bought some hand cream from H&M, purely due to the packaging, but it was pretty cheap and I do need some new hand cream. I also bought a smart pair of shoes from Primark, to keep me ticking over while I wait until I have enough money for the pair I have my eye on from River Island. I always think it's such a shame when shoes have nice patterns inside and no one will ever see them.



Hand cream from H&M
Shoes from Primark
I'm off to Thorpe Park tomorrow, this week is so full, I have no idea how I've suddenly become so busy.

Starry and Stripey.

Check out what I snapped up from Sports House in Sha Tin yesterday! Just when I thought I had definitely been looking in all the wrong places for that much sought-after 'Hong Kong bargain', I spotted these.

New Town Plaza in Sha Tin is very much like all other shopping malls here, it's big and there's a diverse mixture of designer and affordable brands with the layout consisting of different products on each floor. I had already spied these shoes around various other shops but found the $360 price tag a bit much considering that it was similar to their already over-priced counterparts in the UK. Then I saw these at the front of Sports House, for $279, slightly more reasonable at around £21 and I've already checked and Office is selling the hi-top version for £44.99, so I'm very proud of myself.

It's not even like I needed new Converse as I only bought a turquoise pair a few months ago, but these were irresistible, not to mention a bit of a steal and star & stripes are very in, I'm even still seeing the older versions floating around. I love them and I can't wait to wear them somewhere neat where I can show off.

Beep!

Haven't done one of these in a while;

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FIVE things you wish you could say to FIVE different people right now:

Can't believe what a wanker you've turned into.

I don't know how to talk to you anymore.

I wish you the best but I don't care if I never see you again.

I wish we saw more of each other and we should because we're so close.

I hope I haven't seen the last of you.

TEN things about yourself:

I am terrible with money and don't even spend it on anything decent.

I've recently lost over half a stone.

I hate James Corden, so much.

I am desperate to go on a grown-up holiday.

I've only missed one day of my Project 365 since I started it on the 3rd January 2010.

My chat still isn't as good as I'd like it to be.

I could really get into photographing events, but I think I should start asking for money.

I cry even when I know it's over something trivial.

I'm quite a good judge of character.

First impressions mean a lot to me.

SEVEN ways to win your heart:

Smile at me with your mouth closed.

Pull faces with me.

Be interested in what I'm talking about even if it's not that interesting.

Don't keep your opinions to yourself.

Don't hold my hand if it's a hot and sticky day.

Eat dinner with me.

Let me touch your armpits.

SEVEN things that cross your mind a lot:

My bank balance.

What I'm going to do with my life.

Boyf.

People that are losers.

'That would make a nice photograph'.

The way I look.

Tasty food.

FOUR things you do before you fall asleep:

Wash my face and teeth.

Check the time.

Think about how the day's events.

Lie awake for a bit.

FOUR things you see right now:

Television.

Macbook.

Sofa.

Some of my birthday presents that I'm not to touch.

THREE songs that you listen to often:

The Cave - Mumford and Sons.

Superstition - Stevie Wonder

Are you satisfied? - Marina and the Diamonds.

TWO things you want to do before you die:

Have children.

Get married.

ONE confession:

I only really trust about 5 people, and I'm not one of those people that goes into that 'nobody loves me' rubbish, it's just how it goes.

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If I had these;

via, Sneaker Freaker

I would wear them to see Toy Story 3 and love them forever and ever. ♥

I've finally sorted my outfit for Saturday night, I'm very happy. I have a shrug and the nicest bag and an awesome necklace. I also bought some boaters, comfiest shoes, ever. I'm so excited right now. :)

I love my cat.

My cat doesn't love Whiskas, my cat doesn't like cat food, she'll eat it, but she'd rather have people food. She is basically a small furry person. Not in a weird 'cat-person' way though.

© Ruth Johnston, 2009

The snow is lovely but deadly, it's a bit too slippy to actually do much outdoors - I'm not sure much of it is snow anymore.

© Ruth Johnston, 2009

I have bought these boots specifically to cope with these situations though.
I hope they'll come tomorrow so I can actually finish my Christmas shopping.
No physical work has been produced since yesterday afternoon, I should probably get onto that. Although I have done a lot of reading for my essay.