Aztec pastels (+DSLR query)

Yay gnomes!

 Shirt- H&M, Shorts- New Look

The past few days have been so lovely and wonderfully sunny! I apologise if I've been going on too much about the weather but it's so rare that I want to make the most of it! This pastel combination seemed a no brainer to match the relaxed mood of a lazy summer day! With the diamond jubilee looming next week, as well as it being my grandma's birthday the day after, I'm a little bit addicted with celebratory bunting at the moment, so stay tuned for some bunting inspiration and DIYs next post!

P.s For a long time I've been considering buying a DSLR, and I would really appreciate any advice or hints and tips you have. Do you have any recomendations or warnings? Thank you!

'Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.'

Playsuit-Joy, Bag-Vintage, Necklace-Market

The sun has finally decided to stay for a while, and I'm loving every moment. In between revising buckminsterfullerene (fun fun fun!) I've been eating ice creams, swimming outside (rather than 'freezing' I like to say 'refreshing'!) and having a BBQ! I'm trying to get outside as much as possible, which is miles better than being cooped inside trying to remember the names and dates of past Russian leaders! Somehow Pythagoras seems easier outside accompanied by a cooling lemonade and Magnum!

Back to the '40s.

On the weekend Isabel and her family took me to Brooklands Museum, where the first race track was built, and where they now have vintage planes, cars, buses and even horse drawn carriages! We went along to their '1940s relived' day, where there were vintage stalls, an outside swing dance class (which we obviously joined in with!) as well as the option to dress up in 1940s fashion. Unfortunately we didn't dress up as it was a bit late notice, but some of those who did looked incredible! It was mad walking around watching members of the home guard on iphones and women dressed up with  DSLRs slung round their necks! 

Have a brilliant day!

Lemons and daisies.

Hat- vintage, Black top- Uniqlo, Lemon top- Dorothy Perkins, Shorts- Warehouse

Yellow always manages to brighten up a dreary, cloudy day. There isn't a much happier combination than lemons and daisies, so they are the perfect mix to counter act the dullness of revision! I'm a week into my GCSEs and so far haven't broken down from stress, which is a good sign! It feels so odd to have finished school (no more uniform!!!) and to be able to sleep in! I cannot wait until they are all over- I've been planning lots of holidays, days out, BBQs and general crafty loveliness for the summer! 

DIY sewing needle case.

My sewing box is so unbelievably unorganised, I can never find anything when I need it, especially needles. Up until now I've been keeping needles tucked into cotton reels, in little boxes and other random little places that seem like a good idea at the time, but usually turn out not to be. So, I made this very simple, very sweet way to keep all my sewing needles organised in one place. This is such an easy project, the most time consuming part is finding the needles!

You need: a small, thin book (I used an old Mr Men book!), sewing machine (or you can do it by hand), felt

1) Take out the pages of the book

2) The felt will act as the pages, so fold it in half and cut out a piece a little bit smaller than the book cover.

3) Lay the felt over the cover and sew down the middle

4) Slot your pins into place!

Yay!

Cutty Sark.

Jacket and hat- Vintage, Shirt and skirt- H&M

I spent yesterday morning wondering around Greenwich with my family, walking through the market which looked and smelt incredible, admiring the art in little galleries along the way, and then stopping by the Cutty Sark for a drink and a donut- the best combination!

I hope your weekend was magical xx

We take care of our own.

Dad's are so difficult to buy birthday presents for, so a brilliant substitute is to make something special. This year for my dad's birthday I made a photo album with a twist. Instead of using regular captions, or just leaving it blank, I wrote out the words to 'We take care of our own' by dad's favourite singer, Bruce Springsteen (we're going to see him later this year- I cannot wait!) alongside and over the photos.

I had so much fun doing this, and will definitely do it again in the future. Wouldn't it also be fun to do using a poem or extract from someone's favourite book?

If you'd like to know how to make your own, then follow these simple steps:

1) Choose the photos and song you want to use.

2) Choose the size of paper you want, I used a square of old sheets of music and made it big enough for photos to fit on horizontally and vertically.

3) Cut out two squares about a cm bigger than the other bits of paper. Lay them out next to eachother and use a piece of sellotape to seal them on the inside. If you want it to be visible you can put colourful or patterned tape on the other side. 

4)  Glue on the photos and write over them

If you do decide to make on, please send me a link- I'd love to see!

*We take care of our own- Bruce Springsteen*

Happy birthday dad xxx

Red, white and blue.

The sudden (but well overdue) appearance of the sun has made me think about this summer, which is making me feel very patriotic! What with the Olympics and the Jubilee, all eyes will be on London, so naturally all the shops are going crazy with bunting, cupcake cases and crockery, covering everything with the Union Jack! I have to admit to eyeing up the bunting, but might try and make my own instead! This post is a little warning that over this summer there will definitely be a few DIYs, outfit and recipes inspired by the London 2012 spirit! (Actually I already started, remember the napkins from this post? Shhh!)

(My grandma knitted this jumper while recovering from an operation to stop her going mad with boredom, and called it her 'sick jumper'- not the most appealing title!)

Jumper- Knitted by my wonderful Grandma (thanks!)

Bag- Vintage Shorts- Vintage Tights- M&S

Have a fantastic long weekend!

'A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in'

Top- H&M, Cardigan- M&S, Skirt- H&M, Tights- M&S

The weather has been having major mood swings lately. These photos were taken at a very rare period of sunshine, although that didn't neccessarily make it any warmer! This faux fur crown warmed me up though! Whenever I wear it I can't help feeling a liiiiiitle bit like a mix between a rabbit and a princess! There is something about it that immediately conjures up images of little bunnies hopping around bowing down to their bunny queen! 

No? Just me?

'And all your future lies beneath your hat'

I've always loved painting, but ever since I started art GCSE all my art has gone into books and been for school. I finished my exam on Friday (FINISHED!) and gave in all my coursework (arghh!) and although I've loved it, it is incredibly liberating to be able to not worry about refining that drawing of a sweetcorn or making sure the tone is perfect on that portrait!

Last weekend I was feeling fed up of coursework, art homework and revision, so decided to drop everything for a while and do a painting. Sometimes you can feel like painting but don't have the slightest idea of what to paint. I felt like painting something in front of me, so picked up my beloved trilby and plonked it on the table. I love the result and am very tempted to do another painting of a different hat, and possibly one of an umbrella to put over the coats and shoes in our hallway!

Have an amazing Sunday!