Have a happy weekend

I'm having a long weekend, to visit my bestest girls in London town.

It feels like forever since we talked, laughed, danced.

Whatever you do this weekend, I hope it's a wonderful one for you.

xx

(image credit)

Today I am mostly loving.....

Dandelion wall sticker from here

Papaya Inspirational Post Cards Tin from here

Saucy Riding Boots Mr. Darcy Pride and Prejudice Locket Charm Necklace from here

Double-Edged on Lookbook. ah-maz-inggg.

You gotta share the love people!

x o x

Calling all Hen experts!!

My darling sister gets hitched this summer...(*begin impromptu Chandler Bing dance).

As bridesmaid I am organising my first ever Hen do (eek!)

So far so good....Friday night is 'Italian' night (wine, pizza, tiramisu, wine, old movies, wine)

Saturday is spa day (wine, massage, pedi, mani, wine) followed by a nice meal and cocktails in an elegant bar to dance the night away.

No 'L' plates, fairy wings, strippers or feather boas in sight!! (the only rules she laid down)

So you any other ideas, cute gifts, fun games? Have you organised a hen night/weekend before?

And more importantly, how do you (like Ron Burgundy) stay classy??!!

(Image from here)

We all need to be a bit Marilyn sometimes.

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

~ Marilyn Monroe

Happiness is.....A cup of T.

Instructions on the box of tea found buried in my cupboard:

1.Put the kettle on to boil. 2.Warm your favourite teapot. 3. Add one teaspoon of tea for each person. 4. Pour in boiling water and allow to brew for ten minutes, while you do one or more of the following:

Lie on the sofa like a great big slug.

Hug somebody.

Dance like you danced when you were five years old.

Rest.

Take off your shoes and wiggle your toes.

Sing like Pavarotti.

Shake like Elvis.

Help yourself to a huge slice of chocolate cake.

Call a friend.

Listen.

Remember the last time you laughed out loud.

Tickle somebody.

Sit where you can feel the sun on your face.

Smile.

Look out a window and drink in the world.

Run a hot bath.

Wrap yourself in a duvet.

Think about someone you love.

Light a candle.

Be still.

Be present.

Just be.

5. Stir and pour. 6. Enjoy.

Yup, I'll have a big cup of 'Happiness Tea' please!

(Nab yourself some from here) (Images from here)

Sometimes the best films only need a one word title.

I saw the new movie musical Nine last night.

It made me wanna transport back to the 1960's.

It made we wanna be a film star.

It made me wanna to dance, sing and drink cocktails.

It made me wanna be Italian.

Definitely one to add to my fashionable films list.

You seen it yet? You like it?

Liliane La Fleur ~ "You're a world class liar, darling. Go out there and lie for Italy. Lie for Italia"

Saraghina ~ " Be... Italian. Take a chance and try to steal a fiery kiss!
Be Italian, when you hold me, don't just hold me, but hold this...
Be a singer, be a lover,
pick the flower now before the chance is past.
Be Italian, be Italian...
live today as if it may... become... your last! "

(images: some from imdb)

It's that Sunny Sunday habit

My favourite thing to do on a Sunday is find a giant flea market, or antique and collectors fair - and wonder round looking at the amazing - and often random - selection of things people are selling.

From potion bottles to photography albums of the 1940's - I love the way every single item you see has its own story to tell. Its own secrets.

I am forced to restrain myself from getting carried away - and buying musketeer swords, old Beatles vinyl records and a dozen Victorian armchairs on a regular basis - or my house would literally be FILLED with utter nonsense!

What's your favourite Sunday habit?

Symbol of a new year - my love affair with cherries

New year..... meet my new tattoo!

I'm determined to make 2010 an inspiring, hard working, fun, free, lovely year after two years of feeling like I'm on a roller coaster!

So what better way to embark on this new start with me than my favourite symbol ever - cherries??!

Cherries have always been a symbol that made me happy. I'm not sure why.

They are the cheeky chapstick in a Katy Perry song.

The dusting on a 1950's retro diner milkshake.

They are 'pretty please with a cherry on top'?

The cute decoration on a yummy cupcake.

The name of my vintage boutique and this blog!

This is my 200th post and I'm so happy to have connected with all the fantastic people in blogland.

So, a big thank you to anyone who reads my blog, comments, follows, or simply smiles if they visit.

I find you all so positive, creative, kind, funny and I keep learning from you along the way.

So....I'd love to know....what is your lucky symbol??!!

xx

Now where in the world..?

So, 2008 - I saw Paris for the first time (beautiful).

2009 - I saw Portugal, LA and Brussels (awesome).

Where in the world shall my eyes rest upon in 2010?

I love to travel.

Too often 'real life', finances and time goes against you and you simply end up having an ever growing list of places to see at least once in your lifetime!

I wish I could call a 'time out', pause my life and travel the world before settling back in and pressing play again!

So tell me dear readers, are you visiting distant shores this year?

I want to go somewhere I have never been. I'm currently leaning towards....

NeW YoRk

JaPaN

CaNaDa

(images here, here & here)

Call me crazy but....

Do you ever wish you could go back to school?

I do, all the time.

Here is why......

Life is simpler.

You get to learn, everyday. Whether it's a lesson, or a lesson in love.

A bell rings, and you know it's time to eat. A bell rings, and you know it's time to go home.

Every morning, when you rub tired eyes and stretch lazily in front of your wardrobe, you simply reach out and put on the same uniform without thinking what will will suit the weather, if the colour makes you look pale, or what bag will match.

This uniform is stretched in the right places (cuffs - to cover the black nail polish you are not supposed to wear) and smells of home, just a little bit.

You see your best mates every day.

You admire some teachers. You despise others. You make fun of the eccentric ones but secretly respect them. You remember the best teachers for years to come.

You can gaze out the window mid-assembly and wonder who you are going to become in the big, wide world.

The girls toilets actually look better with graffiti in the back of the door.

Exams. I'm odd - I love exams.

You can have totally unexplainable, inappropriate crushes on boys you hardly know, and it is perfectly acceptable to daydream about them during math.

Oh yes, I miss school, all the time.

(images :teen vogue, we heart it)

should you require some comedy today...

By now I'm sure you have heard of Awkward Family Photos - a hilarious blog featuring the most bizarre, funny, embarrassing selection of awkward photos.

If you haven't yet - check it out anytime you require an instant, and somewhat inappropriate giggle.

Some personal faves....

Do you know Plumo?

Ever heard of gorgeous online boutique Plumo?

I'm in love with their snuggly socks, beautiful homeware and cute accessories.

Some cherry picked faves....

Isn't their stuff just adorable?

(http://www.plumo.com/)

The Year Ahead

So every year I make 'resolutions' and tend to stray from them or 'fail' in the first 3 months. Or 3 days!!

This year I am making a list of things I want to do more of this year, instead of feeling like I have 'broken' the promises I made to myself.

I hope 2010 is a year for....

Getting healthy once and for all

Filling empty photo frames

Painting. Like I did as a child.

Loving myself more

Do you make 'resolutions' at New Years?

(Images my own / weheartit)