New clothes

 I invested in some new clothes in the last wee while, can't wait for warmer spring weather to wear them!

 The skirt is from Primark, and is nice because it's shapely but with the split (that only goes up to the knee), it doesn't restrict walking in the way that maxi skirts can do. I got the stripy jumper from Fat Face and it is super comfy, new favourite jumper. And I have a lot of jumpers.

 The blazer here is Karen Millen (I'm a huge Karen Millen fan) but I found it in a charity shop, for £10. Can't wait to wear it over floaty summer dresses.

This tunic is so so soft. I think Fat Face have perfected that thing that Hollister do to all their clothes that make them go super cosy. This is certainly cosy, but still floral, so I feel I can wear it in the season that-isn't-quite-spring-but-is-sunny-so-you-want-to-wear-spring-clothes-but-you'll-freeze-if-you-do.

I also got a pair of fake suede fringed shorts from Primark and a hat, in the Accesorize sale.

Come on spring! We need you!

52 Lists: List the things that make you feel healthy (Week 7)

This is an important list at this time of year. I have got in to the bad habit of being super healthy in the summer, running, swimming, cycling, eating well, and then crashing in the winter, hibernating, being cosy, living off hot chocolate and cheesy comforting things. This is not very good for my body. But the problem is, I have no motivation other than, I know it's good for me. I'm a naturally lean build, which doesn't seem to change no matter how much rubbish I shovel in, so it's not even like I can say 'I need to fit in to that dress' and use that as motivation. In saying that, I love feeling healthy, and I love the buzz you get after exercising, but that is small motivation to me sadly.. However as Moorea points out here, there is also a health of the mind and of the soul too, and these are important all year round. It's something I struggle with too, forcing myself to put down my work, not get involved with the stress thing that goes on in class, and take a break. So this is a highly advised list for all who are like me in this!

52 Lists: List the ways in which you can love others. (Week 6)

My favourite kind of list! I'm hoping to order this book, The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman, soon. I love the idea of everyone loving and receiving love in a different way, and I want to be able to understand all the languages so I can love a wide variety of people, well. In the meantime, here's my list.

If you can't see the words, please comment and I'll write them on the post. 

Have a LOVEly day! 

52 Lists: List what you are grateful for. (Week 5)

It was probably a good thing that this one was left until this week. I've felt this week that I need to stop moaning and start being grateful for what I do have. And writing this list made me feel so much better, how can I appreciate anything if I'm too busy complaining? I'm one lucky girl. 

A squinty photo of my bedroom door... 

I hope this post inspires you to be thankful and brighten your day! 

To see the start of this 52 Lists project, click here

Three at a time.

The past two to three weeks I have been absorbed by work and life, and I simply haven't had the brain space to either write my blog, or contact people. So, as a result my 52 Lists are behind! So here's the three together and I'll post each separately in a minute. 

Lurrve

Happy valentines day, one and all!

Making sparkles!

Last week was a busy one, as I said before, so here's a wee peek at what I was up to. 

I've been doing a project on medal making using the lost wax casting process (which means you carve it out of wax, make a plaster mould of it, melt the wax out and pour the metal in), and this is my final piece (above). The text on it says 'When someone makes you suffer, it is because he suffers and his suffering is spilling over'. Which I really think is true by the way, think about it the next time someone hurts you. I really enjoyed the wax carving actually, although I really didn't expect to and I'm pleasantly surprised with the way my medal turned out. 

My hand in sheet for the end of the project, including some artists research which inspired the shape of the medal, by Heinz Maier. Worth a look!

Then, last week we had some intense stone setting workshops with Brigitte Bezold, and we were taught how to set round stones with a bezel. (SO MUCH FUN)

This is a quick photo of my ring and two other classmates rings too, at a party we went to last weekend, which I also want to post photos from later..

We were also taught how to set round stones within a tube, so almost like cheating at stone setting. Who knew you could cheat?

This is the more traditional form of stone setting, as a claw setting, but because it's used to set diamonds so often, it's also known as a diamond setting. I had so much fun actually making things for myself that I can wear, and I'm so excited for when people ask me 'Are you wearing anything you've made?' and I can say yes!

This is part of a new project I'm working on, which unfortunately I can't talk too much about as it's for a competition, but I'm so excited about it! I don't think I've ever worked on or created a project that's so me. It'll be up soon!

Much love..

52 Lists: List your future and current goals

This post is a tad late due to a busy week last week, but week 5 will be up later this week, never fear. I also discovered you can join in on Instagram with the hash tag #52lists2013 today, so please get involved! I am finding this very therapeutic, and I'm looking forward to posting week 5's!

Busy bee...

The last week and a bit has been stressful, for both work and personal reasons, which is why I'm slightly behind in my posts. However, I have lots of exciting things to post about my work and 2 lists already! They'll be up soon! Today, I had a day off, so I went on a very long walk to a bird reserve, and stopped off at Starbucks on my way back. So for now here are today's photos.