For Now

Please excuse my somewhat whingey post ref. Valentine's Day and my recent 'get me the flock out of here' post. It's been a strange start to 2011. Taking Baby Boo back to school after 3 glorious weeks having her home damn near broke my heart. I'm bereft without her. She takes my heart with her every time she goes. She's at boarding school for those of you that don't know. A life of travelling here there and everywhere with me and the Army has meant that before she reached the age of 10 she had been to 6 schools. She's such a bright little button that messing with her education really seemed unfair. She had also reached the age where leaving her 'bestest ever friends' every two years was soul destroying for her. As a result, Baby Boo and I made the very difficult decision  to send her away to school. Did I do the right thing? For her, YES! She loves it. She has new best friends that will stay best friends all through her school years, she goes horse riding on the beach every Saturday, goes to Karate lessons, singing lessons, craft club, history club and the private education she is getting is second to none. She is blossoming. Something I am so so so proud of. Unfortunately, for me, this is the worst thing I could have done. I miss her so much. She's my little partner in crime and, since the day she was born, it's been me and her against the world. Without my Baby Boo around the house is too quiet and I have no one to giggle with. This, coupled with an awful row with my sister last week that is still not resolved and then returning to Germany alone has left me feeling rather sad and blue. I'm also not happy with this blog. I don't think it's properly representing me and it's not what I imagined when I first started writing. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and get so frustrated when things aren't exactly how I want them to be. For this reason I'm going to stop writing for now. Thank you to those that have followed, commented and read. I appreciate it, I really do. I wish you all the best for 2011 and, hopefully, I'll be back later on in the year when I'm feeling a bit more positive and can safely type posts without worrying that I may drag someone else down with me. Auf Wiedersehn, pets.

We heart it

Love, hugs and a sniffle or two


Loola xxx

This Friday....

I want to get on a bike and ride to nowhere...

Love, hugs and wheelies


Loola xx

Let me at least get over Xmas!!!

In the last hour Cosmo has informed me what meal to cook on Valentine's Day for my man, what knickers to wear whilst cooking said meal and how to then seductively lead my, now full-bellied, man to the bedroom and give him the night of his life. What Cosmo hasn't told me is how many biscuits I can shove down my throat to try and soak up the misery of not actually having a man, how long I can refuse to get of my pyjamas for post Valentine's day, whether it's socially acceptable to cry like a baby in the middle of the town centre having bashed  my head on yet another pink heart and whether I can drunk dial the ex after two bottles of wine and beg him to please just pretend to love me because it's the 14th February and being single feels pants!!! Sigh. I've barely packed away the Xmas decorations. Lay off with the pink decorations will you? Maybe I'll be lucky enough to wake up and fine one of these in my post box.... 

From here

At least then I'll have something to throw around....


Maybe I should be more proactive in finding the one? Time to get some of these?

God bless Etsy

Love, hugs and Valentine's Day grinchiness even though it's only January...


Loola xx

My Fwiend the Illustrator!!!

Ok, so a bit of a plug here for a good friend of mine, Faye Durston. Faye is an unbelievably talented artist and illustrator. We were at school together a few moons ago and she has always had an amazing arty talent. Take a look at these:

This one is my fave! It's called Sky Painter and
I am the proud owner of this lovely print!

These were just to get you warmed up. Faye has recently had a book published! I give you, The Wychwood Fairies!! It is, without a doubt, the prettiest, whimsiest book you will ever own.
  

The following is from Amazon:

'Outlandish adventurer Harriet has been hired by the illustrious Fairy Aerodynamic Exploration Society to track down the elusive Wychwood fairies. No one, so far, has been able to find them. Will Harriet and her faithful pet dragon Eric be up to the job? Find out in this breath-takingly beautiful and imaginative book.

Young readers will love joining Harriet on her quest as they read her removable letters and postcards, search every inch of Wychwood and camp out overnight on a midnight hunt for fairies. With stunning artwork, a wittily recounted story and a whole host of inviting novelty elements, this book is the perfect gift for all fans of fairies.'

Now, Faye is extremely modest, shy and would never boast or brag.... so I'm going to do it on her behalf! I'm not proud!! Currently boasting a 5 star rating on Amazon, this book is breath-taking. The illustrations are out of this world, the detail enough to make your heart jump a bit and, honestly, you NEED TO BUY THIS BOOK. And I'm not just saying it cos she's my friend. Nuff said. Except that you need to buy it. Did I say that already? To see more of Faye's work go here. To read her blog go here.

Love, hugs and fairy kisses

Loola xx

Professional Putter-together needed...

I can literally spend HOURS looking at pictures of other people's homes and, whenever I find a picture I love, I store it away in my 'Inspiration Folder' on my laptop. I have hundreds of them and a lot seem to have a vintage/retro theme. I'm not a fan of the show home look. I think homes should look lived in. That they should tell a story. That's not to say messy. I'm obsessively tidy when it comes to my house but I love my photos and trinkets that remind me of a special time, place or person.... I just make sure that they are dust free :P One of my biggest problems is that I am crap at putting things together and, though I'm often very creative in my head, I struggle to practically apply my ideas. VERY frustrating!! Here's a few of my favourite pics that make me feel a little bit sick with jealousy (and have me counting out my penny jar to see if I can afford to get the professionals in):

From Design Sponge

From here

Spotted here

Apartment Therapy

Anh-Minh

Design Sponge

Design Sponge

Love, hugs and penny donations


Loola xx

Operation Nice

I stumbled across this today whilst looking at pictures of handbags on Google images (I was bored, ok?!) and I am SO glad that I did!! Operation Nice - what a totally fabulous concept! It focuses on the little things we can all do for each other - things a lot of people seem to have forgotten. Hold the door open for someone, tell someone on the train you love their outfit, give up your seat on a crowded bus. There are also NICE stories, NICE news articles and opportunities for you to share your own NICEness. Get over there now. I guarantee you'll be smiling in a matter of seconds. In the words of the author:

'Operation NICE was initiated to remind you that a     little NICE goes a long way'

Three things I'm going to do this month:


1.  I'm going to leave a book I've enjoyed on a park bench with a little note tucked inside so that someone else can read it too.


2.  I'm going to throw my biggest, cheesiest smile at someone in the street who really looks like they need it.


3.  I'm going to buy a load of these:

From this lovely Etsy Shop

And then I'm going to tie them to every single bike that makes me go green with jealousy.


Now it's your turn to pick the three things you're going to do to bring a little more sunshine in to the world this month :) 


Love, hugs and niceness


Loola xx

Happy New Year (a day late!!!!)

So here we are! 2011.... you had better be nicer to me than 2010 which, on reflection, was a bit sucky to be honest. I can't say I'll be glad to see the back of you Mr 2010. 


So did everyone have an awesome New Year's Eve? I spent the night dancing away with my best friend 'S' to my fave local band who are some of the nicest, most talented blokes in the whole wide world. I made new friends, laughed til I did a little wee in my knickers and boogy woogied til I thought my feet were going to fall off. Undoubtedly the best NYE in YEARS! 


Thought I'd start off January with a little fashion post because I've just been shopping and saw these everywhere!! Peter Pan Collars. A little bit of scrumptious, vintagey-looking gorgeousness!! 

From ModCloth

From Asos

Topshop

New Look

Urban Outfitters

And if you don't like any of these.... follow this tutorial over at 'She's got a passion for fashion' and stick a collar on every top and dress you own!!


Love, hugs and pretty collars


Loola xx