Loola Loves Books!!

Finally arrived in the UK after a long and weary ferry crossing. Was a little on the grumpy side by the time we arrived at Mum's. Five of us plus luggage in one car ain't funny! Luckily all the books I recently ordered from Amazon and got sent to my Mummy's had arrived. Not so grumpy now. I love books, me!


I bought:

Prudent Advice - Lessons for my baby daughter

Journal Bliss - to make my new journal all pretty and floaty-like.

Life's too short - You bet your ass it is!

200 Crochet blocks - still working on it!!

Crafting a Meaningful Home - Hooray for moving house soon!

Today is Super - a little diary for organising your life.
With cute stickers!

I love the smell of new books. I love the smell of old books too but these are brand new and shiny shiny! I'm off to flick through each and every delicious page. You can head over to Amazon and spend all your pennies whilst I'm reading.


Love, hugs and fresh, sparkly pages
Loola xx

Man... I'm on FIRE!!

I had to quickly post this. Just about to set off for the UK!


Baby Boo was fiddling with her hair last night and wanted a pretty clip to hold back the twiddly bits she was playing with. Mummy to the rescue! I figure if I can make shortbread I can make a clip with some felt we found in her craft box and some ribbon I found in a drawer. They turned out pretty well I think. All it took was a turn on the old Google (thank you Google!) some clips we already had and some mega strong super glue. Took me awhile to pull a couple of my fingers apart post production but we live and we learn, right?

I used this tutorial here from Lydia's Treasures. She makes the most fabulous stuff. I'm not jealous. Nope. Not me.


Making these also means that for the first time I can link to one of my favourite blogs ever, Tea Rose Home. They hold a linky party for all creative types every Wednesday and, dammit, I want to be one of them!! My clips are probably going to look fairly pathetic compared to the rest of the submissions but we all have to start somewhere! Made something? Want the world to know? Head on over there and join me.

Love, hugs and super glue (damn, it's sticky!)

Loola xx

You'll never believe it!!!

I BAKED!!!!!!! I swear on all that is pink and glittery, I actually baked!!! Wait.... it gets better..... I DIDN'T BURN ANYTHING!!!!! I didn't burn the biscuits I made, I didn't burn myself and I didn't burn my kitchen down. This baking lark is easy peasy.

I made shortbread which both looked and tasted like shortbread. I have never been as stunned as I was when I pulled the baking tray out of the oven and my lovely little biscuits were a beautiful golden brown. Ok, so I sat on the floor in front of the oven thingy for the 25 minutes they took to turn a beautiful golden brown but if I'd wandered off I'd have got distracted and would have been wrestling the battery out of the smoke alarm to silence the inevitable wailing that normally accompanies any attempt of mine to be all house-wifey and bakey. I feel proud today. I'm even going to give myself a little round of applause. What I really need is one of these...

Or maybe even some of these...

Anyone care to join me for a quick happy dance?


Unfortunately, I didn't take pics of the actual biscuits because I'm a bit blonde like that. Plus Baby Boo demolished them in about 8 seconds flat. S'ok... I didn't want one anyway..


Love, hugs and shortbread (baked by ME!)


Loola xx

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!

Loola and Baby Boo would like to wish everyone the most awesome of Christmases and we hope next year is everything you dream it will be. Thank you for reading my ickle blog. Hopefully, in 2011 it will become exactly want I want it to be - somewhere to store and share pretty pictures, an interesting read and somewhere to make new friends. We love ya!!


Love, hugs and turkey sandwiches.


Loola and Baby Boo xxxxx

You complete me.

Dear Baby Boo.


Ever since the first moment they placed you in my arms I knew that I was complete. You have brought sunshine in to my life, made me appreciate tickles and giggles and cuddles more than I ever thought I would. You see the wonder in everything and I love that you make me see the wonder in everything too.


When you laugh it makes me laugh and, often, anyone else in earshot will laugh too. When you cry I want to cry with you but I try to be strong because that's what Mummy's do.


Growing up in the Army has been hard for you. Moving every couple of years, countless schools, friends and bedrooms. But you have taken it all in your stride and reminded me that, no matter where we are in the world, as long as we are together everything will be ok. When Mummy has been away on deployment you have been brave and strong. I am so proud of you and the way you have coped with everything.


When you look at me with love in your eyes I wonder how the hell I got so lucky. When you wrap your arms around me I wonder what I did to deserve you.


I love that when we are blue we put on our favourite songs and 'dance it out' until we're both laughing so hard we can barely breath. I love when we snuggle up for movie nights and 'share' a bowl of popcorn (1 piece for me, 20 for you!). I love that your feet are always warm and you don't mind me putting my cold feet against them to warm me up. I love the fact that you love me even though I often get lost in a book and forget your dinner is in the oven. I love the fact that you then calmly hand me the takeaway menu. I love that you make me cups of tea after I have begged and pleaded for an hour and could've made it myself in that time! I love that when you are concentrating hard on something you poke your tongue out of the side of your mouth. I love the way you make lists of your favourite things and the way you throw yourself into discovering as much as you can about something that interests you.....frogs, dolphins, lizzards, Egyptians. I love watching you develope your own style and the way you put your foot down when I try to force you into something pink and girly. I love how when you get excited you talk so fast I can barely understand what you are saying. I love that you look like me and that there is no denying that you are mine and I am yours.


Thank you for being my baby. To the Moon and back.


Love Mummy xxx

The Waitress

With the snow falling outside and me inside in my snuggly PJ's I just spent a blissful two hours cutting paper snowflakes and watching one of my all time favourite films, The Waitress, starring Keri Russell. I love this film! It makes me feel all warm and gooey and even leaves me with this little bubble of hope that I can do anything and be anything (except a butterfly. That would just be silly). I love the ending, I love cute little Lulu, I love the clothes, hair and girly friends. I love Joe. I just love it. Time for a Waitress inspired wish list methinks. And if you haven't seen this film go rent/buy/steal a copy now. Oh, and now I want pie. Any pie. I'm not fussy.

Sigh. Lovely film.

Pear and Cranberry. Recipe here

50s dresses. So pretty! From here

50s style. In tartan! Be still my beating heart.
 Spotted here

Peppermint milkshake to wash down your pie. 
Recipe here

50s 'up do' as seen on actress, Evan Rachel Wood
(bone structure optional)

I feel like getting all dressed up now and doing some dancing! And I want a cute boy to share my drink with.

From here

This one is a wee bit too young so I'll take Chace Crawford looking like this instead. YUMMY!

My future husband on the cover of VMan magazine

Love, hugs and girly gossips


Loola xx

When I am the Queen of Crochet....

Ok so all I have at the moment are a few knotty, scrappy, squiggly attempts but I am ruddy determined to master this whole crochet thing. Despite my dismal efforts to date I'm actually finding it quite relaxing and I haven't thrown a single crochet hook yet!! As a person that normally becomes easily frustrated and disheartened this is a big deal for me. I was obviously meant to crochet. Ahem. So, without further ado, I give you the 'Things Loola will crochet before her 95th birthday' list. Ta-dah!


from here

from this cuter than cute website



Anyone want to make me one of these? Because I want it NOW!
From here



I just died a bit inside. From here

Anyone bored yet? Tough!

I know!! From here



Anyone care to Meet me at Mike's next Christmas?



Ok I'm done. For today.....

Love, snuggles and crochet hooks!

Loola xx

Humbled....

I just received another award. Seriously. The lovely Enigmatic Masked Blogger has put yet another big smile on my face! Thank you! This is it. So pretty and vintagey!

So in true blogging tradition I'll tell you five fabulous things about myself and then pass this award on to five other awesome bloggers :)


Me:


1.  I would happily eat nothing but Crunchy Nut Cornflakes every day for the rest of my life.
2.  I'm a single mum to the most talkative, beautiful, bright, opinionated, loveable 11 year old in the world.   And I love her lots like jelly tots.
3.  I started Irish Dancing when I was about 7 and still love doing it as much now at the age of 30.
4.  I HATE wrapping presents. I'm rubbish at it and get really cross when they don't look perfect.
5.  I'm a soldier in the British Army currently serving in Germany. Though a posting back to the UK is imminent!! Roll on March!


And now to pass it on (Hope it makes people smile and do a happy dance just like I did.).


1.  John over at Quilt Dad (because I melt a bit every time I see one of his beautiful quilts).
2.  Mel over at You are my Fave (I defy you not to read every blog post in one sitting).
3.  Disney at Ruffles and Stuff (because she has the cutest family, more talent than I will EVER have and because she is just a genuinely lovely person).
4.  Karen at The Art of Doing Stuff (because she's taught me things I never knew I needed to know!).
5.  Lily at LLYMLRS  (because I want her wardrobe more than I want oxygen).

Happy reading!

Love, hugs and blushes

Loola xx

Anthropologie say WHAT?!

I'm fairly new to this whole Anthropologie thing being a Brit but was chuffed when they came over here as I had heard so much about them. I've also seen loads of 'Anthro inspired' tutorials on the many blogs I read so knew they must be something special. What I hadn't quite cottoned on to was the reason behind the ever growing number of copycat tutorials.... the feckin prices!!! I mean, really?! Who can afford this stuff?! I earn a pretty good wage and even I gasped in horror and hid behind a cushion when I saw the price tags!! Now I know you pay for what you get but on looking through the website I reckon I could make half their stuff for a fraction of my hard-earned pennies. Check me out with my crafty groove on!

Take this for example....



from here

 Pretty, huh? It's £32!! Not so pretty now is it?! Hmph! I know, I know. I sound like a right old miser. I'm not at all. I like pretty things as much as the next girl and, if I think it's worth it, I'll pay it. So not forking out £32 quid on this, though, as much as I like it. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to the bead shop to see if I can re-create this for under ten quid. Oooh, I loves a challenge, me! If I manage not to superglue any of my appendages together I'll show you my efforts in the next couple of days.

Love, hugs and bubbles
Loola xx

My goosebumps have goosebumps...

Ok so we know I love shopping and we know I love clothes. And we also know that I love shopping for clothes!! I tend to head for the slightly quirky items or something that screams cute or at least something I'm not going to see my neighbour, neighbour's dog and thingy from down the road wearing...

If there's one look that's made me go 'Ooooooh' recently it was this one from the Autumn. Socks and shoes! Just like when I was little! Except without the heels...

So cute. However, I've just finished reading a magazine that declared that we will all be taking this look right through Winter and in to the Spring....at which point I though 'Hello! Do we not watch the news and weather forecast, people?! Said magazine article then stated that this Winter it's all about bare legs. Holy cow, where's my blanket. I'm turning blue at the mere thought. Bare legs?! In WINTER?! I think not. So I'm boycotting this one. Much as I wasnt to look like this:

I'm buggered if I'm going to do it in this:

A step too far for this little fashionista.

Loola xx

She's back people!!!!!

Wow, that was a rough few months but I am now fully discharged from hospital and back in my own home. No more visits or check ups. Sing with me..... 'I'M H-A-P-P-Y. I'M H-A-P-P-Y. I KNOW I AM I'M SURE I AM I'M H-A-P-P-Y!!!!! Now do a bit of clapping. And maybe a bit of jumping up and down.

Can't even begin to describe the loveliness of being back in my own bed. By God did I miss my pillows. I have about two hundred of them all stacked up so I can snuggle down in complete squishy comfort. Sigh. Bliss! Also back out running and training which is a blessed relief. Little difficult on the ice but I've only landed on my ass once and nobody saw it so it doesn't count.

Just want to say another quick shout out the The Masked Blogger for her lovely comments. And a thank you for sticking around. Lots of ideas for future posts. Need to get those creative juices flowing again! Also decided that I need to learn to crochet. No idea why really. Just quite like the look of them granny square thingies. In lots of lovely bright colours! Oooh I'll make a blanket! And then I'll have to go and buy new pillows to match the blanket! Yeah baby!!!!!! Want to join me? C'mon....lets get tied up in wooly knots together and throw crochet hooks around in frustration! Take a look here and click on the Granny Squares 101 tab for one of the bestest tutorials I have ever seen.

Muchos love on route to all.

Loola xx

P.S This is how happy I am right now...

On the road to recovery...

After a long spell in hospital feeling decidedly unwell and sorry for myself I am finally back on my feet and almost back to full strength. I can't tell you how worried I have been about this blog. I know it's still new and there's not much on it yet but I have so enjoyed writing it and I have been ever so conscious that it was just sitting there stagnating. Please bear with me. I will be back as soon as I can. Thank you so much for continuing to follow and for not deleting me from your list due to lack of posts. If I could bake I would send a cupcake to each and every one of you. As it goes, a big smooch will have to do! MMMWWAAAAAHH!

Loola xx

Gonna think me some pretty pink thoughts....

I am thinking that on my return to normalisation and sleeping in my own bed I may attempt a bedroom and wardrobe over-haul. I'm also thinking the colour pink will feature heavily. I love pink. It makes me feel all smiley, giggly and girly. And cute. I am kinda cute even if I do say so myself. Kittens are cuter but who's going to fight with a little itty, bitty kitty? Exactly.....


Anyhoo in order to get in to the zone - the PINK zone- I decided some googling was in order and the following made my insides a little bit gooey. In a good way. Hurrah for girly glamour!!!!

How the hell did we cope before google?


Love Loola xxx

Gimme an 'A', gimme an 'I', gimme a 'D'......

Ok, so being in hospital at the moment (yes, I'm milking it - sympathy gratefully received) I find myself with plenty of time to watch all those DVD's I have been stock-piling for months. Normally I just pile them all up next to my sofa and use them to perch my tea cup on. Last night I sat and watched Sex and the City 2. I know everyone else saw it MONTHS ago but I just hadn't got round to it despite promising myself faithly that I would find a spare couple of hours to indulge. From the moment I became hooked on SATC I never really got the whole Mr Big thing. I used to sit and scream at Carrie in frustration from behind a pillow 'HE'S AN ASS!!!! MOVE THE F*CK ON!!!'. When Aiden came along I wept tears of joy. Here was a guy I would happily share my last Rolo with. And Carrie, bloody Carrie, was horrible to him! I mean I can be a nasty little wotsit at times but her behaviour in the face of such a lovely, handsome, caring bloke out-stripped even me! Imagine my joy come SATC 2 when Carrie happens upon Aiden once again. I was sure that Big would find himself booted out of bed and the warm spot he left behind quickly filled by the deliciousness that is Aiden. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Big wins again despite being an emotionally closed, big-nosed buffoon. I don't get it. I really don't. And if I ever find me an Aiden to keep all to my very self...... well, by God I am going to love that man til the cows come home. What about you? Team Big or Team Aiden?

Big thumbs down to Mr Big

Mine, mine......ALLLLLL MINE!

Love ya loads!!!

Loola xx

Hospital food sucks...

Still in hospital....... I know I know. No excuse. But, in my defense, it is difficult to think of things that you want to write about when all you can think about is how hungry you are (a prize for the first person that sends me a Big Mac) and how the cabin fever is REALLY starting to take hold. However, despite that, I WILL TRY HARDER. Got a few ideas for the next few blog posts so come on back in a few days.

For those of you that have not yet discovered THIS fabulous blogger..... get your lazy ass backsides over there now. I can promise you an excellent read from one of the loveliest bloggers out there. Having just logged in for the first time in a fair few days I find that I have received this.....

Ms Enigmatic Masked Blogger - thank you!!! From the bottom of my my Big Mac craving heart. Big smooches on route!!!

Loola xx

Sorry sorry and more sorry...

Guys and Gals,

I'm so sorry for the lack of blog posts. I'm in hospital at the moment.  For anyone who has ever been in a German hospital, you will know it's the complete opposite to the UK. In Germany once you're admitted it's almost impossible to get out again where as in the UK you have to beg for a bed! I promise I'll update this weekend. Bear with me. I'm so grateful to my lovely, beautiful followers.... please don't think I have lost interest!! I still loves ya all!! Hope everyone has had a fabulous Thursday. Muchos kisses.

Love Loola xx

My Bestest Book

I am a big reader. I always have a book on the go (sometimes two!). I would seriously be lost without something to read and on the rare occasion I run out of new books to read I feel like someone has ripped my right arm off. About ten years ago my Nana gave me a copy of 'The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood' by Rebecca Wells to read and it became one of my most favourite books EVER. I can't count how many times I've read it or any of the other books about the deliscious Ya Yas. It's a story of friendship, coming of age, making mistakes, accepting that you've made mistakes and piecing your life back together when it falls apart. It's become a bit of a security blanket for me and I turn to it whenever if feel the need for a bit of comfort and familiarity. I feel like I know all the characters and it's like re-visiting old friends as I read the first page for the umpteenth time :) How about you guys? Any books out there that you read and re-read and never get bored of?

Let me know. I'm always after new reading material. God bless Amazon!!

Loola xx

Back to Nature

Sorry for the long break in posts! I've been driving the length and breadth of the UK trying to visit all my nearest and dearest before returning to Germany. 

For those of you that don't know, I have my own little mini-me. She's ten years old, cheeky, sassy, head-strong and opinionated. Every inch her mother's daughter! I read a really interesting article recently on 'better parenting' and normally I hate things that tell me how to be a better Mum because I firmly believe that how you raise your children, what activities you do with them, where you take them etc are dependent on the child but one particular point did have me nodding in agreement. This little nugget below:

'Let your kid get muddy, dirty, wet, and yes, gooey even. Kids need to touch, test, push and pull stuff around. If you're always there stopping them from touching what nature provides us, they'll grow to fear nature, dirt, and getting all gooey.'

I love that my mini-me regularly comes back from playing out covered in mud and grass stains with bits of twigs in her hair and a big smile on her face. And when we're down on the beach she heads for the sea regardless of what she is wearing, what time of year it is and what the weather is doing. That's not to say that I don't sometimes look at my laundry pile and want to weep....

The more I sat and thought about it the more I thought that this should also be applied to us grown-ups and I use that term loosely. I'm 29 but honestly feel no older than when I was 16 sometimes!! So we are going to make a pact. It's the 'GET GRUBBY' pact :) I know there have been times I have avoided puddles because my shoes might get wet. NO MORE!!

Jump in the puddles!!!

Wellies on - get out there and get muddy!

Make mud pies - remember the hours of fun you used to have doing this?

Dance in the rain.....

Take your shoes off and get sand between your toes.

And most importantly live by THIS quote - I know you've heard it before but, if you're brain is anything like mine, a little reminder now and then helps...

Love Loola xx

80s flashback

Child of the 80s, that's me. Ok so technically I was a little young to experience the neon fashions, the BIIIIIIG hair, the rainbow eye make up but hey, I lived through it too y'know! And so, ladies and gentleman, I give you....... Little Loola's 80s Flashback!!

Hula Hoops. Were these from the 80s? I have no idea but I do remember being given a bowl of these as a special treat when I was ickle.

Care Bears. This here is 'Cheer Bear' and I used to go to sleep sucking on his ear. Lovely!

Oh Penny! Does anyone remember these? I LOVED them and had the camper, house, tree house, ice cream parlour and and and and EVERYTHING!! Image from ebay. And yes, I'm bidding...

Button Moon! Man, I loved these little guys. Happy Days.

And a little bit of music to round it off....

I played this record (yes, record!) until my Mum threatened to throw it out of the window.

Mel and Kim - Respectable (1987)

And this was the first record I ever bought. All with my hard saved pocket money.... I apologise in advance.

Actually, I so don't...this is till a rockin' tune!

Laters!!!

Love Loola xx