Bye Bye February

Another month down, where is this year going?! And with an extra day this February it has allowed more time for fun and to be creative!

To sum up... February is:

Best Enjoyed with: Friends

Drinking: Cocktails - especially a Limoncello mojito

Listening To: Old School tunes mashed up with R&B beats (Gold Dust, Give It To Me Baby, Super Freak)

Wearing: an outfit inspired by Chanel

Having a: Party in the snow

Reading: A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Making: bunting

Sharing with: loved ones

February has been a short but very long month. Looking back I feel like I have accomplished more than I thought! Snow, birthdays, valentines, working away, visiting friends and family, making bunting - the lot! In February I have done it all!
What I haven't done however is write every day like I had planned. Unfortunately some days life just takes over and this month as got the better of me being a social butterfly and I am exhausted! This however will not stop me from Springing into March! That's right Spring is on the way! Bye bye snow and hello daffodils and baby animals.

Things I am most proud of this month...my bunting! This was so much fun to make and even though I was not able to see it in full glory being used at the party, there where plenty of pics for me to admire.

Football Frensey

My weekend often involves football, this weekend was one of the same. I watched my gorgeous fiance referee a 0-0 game, listened to football while driving in the car and then today watched my little brother play a full game of under 12s football. I have never been so proud of when he took a penalty 3mins from the end of the game, to score the winning goal! So woo hoo to the football spirit!

Moustache Gift Bag

It's my friend's birthday coming up and she has a crazy obsession with moustaches, so in true 'tash style I have created this mini bag for her present. I hope she will like it. If she doesn't then tuff...I think it's pretty cool!

Chanel Style

I have never been a true fashionista or a big follower of trends, thought  I do take an interest that is normally all, an interest. Tonight however I am channelling my inner Chanel and without even realising I was! 

 The beautiful Fearne Cotton was captured wearing this fabulous combo last night at the Brit Awards which I think has influenced my purchases today! 

C/O Glamour.co.uk

I have purchased the below vintage dress from a a store in Sheffield and also made sure to buy some new shoes to go with it. A girl can never own too many shoes and besides these are different to any I currently have.

I love Fearne's hair in this pic too but when I get around to wearing this outfit I might have to team it with a simple and elegant up do. I love these found on bklynbrideonline

A girl should be two things:

Classy and fabulous ♥

- Coco Chanel

Mood Boards

Sometimes words aren't enough to explain what I am thinking so here goes something else:

Working Weekend

It was always going to happen a quiet weekend with no blogging. However my weekend has not been as quiet. I have been working away at Moda, well and truly in my element. I love events and exhibitions, the set up, behind the scenes drama followed by a successful show!
I have only been to Birmingham once before briefly and didn't get chance to explore, this weekend however I was able to. My friend and I went wondering into the vibrant city to check out the sights. We also treated ourselves to tea in Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant one of the many first of the evening. In a beautiful industrial building with a rustic edge it was the perfect start to the evening. Words to describe it....mmmmm!! The food was to die for. Limoncello mojito, the world's best olives, wild truffle risotto topped with wine. Enough said. I would recommend and even go again!
Exploring further we went to the Jewellery Quarter, where I had my first Ameretto sours, again yum! Followed by some more regular mojitos and girly gossip! The perfect evening and a fabulous weekend. Even if it was work!
Today back in the office and feeling rather tired. After a winning game of netball, I'm knackered. To bed for me as another busy couple of days ahead! But I'm not complaining!

Getting on board

So working in the world of marketing, coming to terms with all these different online channels can be hard. So I have decided the best way to learn is give it a go. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Bebo, MySpace I thought I had them all, all very different but I love! I now have a new number 1 love - Pinterest. Wow! What a site, clicking on things I love, sharing them with others and finding even more things that inspire me. It's still early days but if you like what I say on here then maybe you will like what I post on there. http://pinterest.com/fay5/

I'm looking forward to creating some boards in the next couple of days and expanding my boards, likes and pins. 

If I'm missing a site which you think I might enjoy please let me know.

Challenge

I love challenges. Having goals to work towards is what motivates me to be creative and in a timly manner. Today I have been set lots of goals, many of these work related but I have also been set my first bespoke creative task. I have been asked to create a padded heart board, made of fabric, channeling Brigitte Herrod as a reference. The task is not easy, I have no idea even where to start, but I'm looking forward to what I can achieve.

Image from http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk 

- Brigitte Herrod

Brigitte Herrod is new to me as an artist. After some research from trusty Google I'm hooked and also a little shocked that I have not come across her sooner! Maybe I have but have just not realised who I was looking at. Note to self to make more of a conscious effort to find the creator of things that inspire me!

I will be calling on Google again soon for some help with this project but am looking forward to working on something on a bigger scale and out of my comfort zone! Here's to pushing the boundaries!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day 2012! ♥♥♥

It's official, the most loved up day of the year is here! How did I celebrate....well after a long day at work I came home and had green soup. Okay not just green soup but broccoli and cheese soup but it was green! Then me and my fiance went for a couple of drinks, how did the night end...well after 3 beers my fiance was sick at home. Green soup topped with beer is not the recipe for success!! Happy Valentine's everyone. 

I did however grow a stronger appreciation for Justin Bieber today...after watching his film it's fair to say he is a true talent and will be a success for years to come. 

So in the words of Bieber... Never Say Never!!

See I never thought that I could walk through fire

I never thought that I could take the burn

I never had the strength to take it higher

Until I reached the point of no return

And there's just no turning back

When your hearts under attack

Gonna give everything I have

It's my destiny

 

♡❤ Valentine's Eve ♡❤

So tomorrow is Valentine's Day, the most loved filled day of the year, that is assuming you are with somebody and are truly madly deeply in love! I am one of those lucky few who has found that perfect someone and am looking forward to celebrating our love for one another tomorrow. 

Although I love all the flowers, wine, chocolates, cards etc. I don't agree with how this holiday has become so commercialised, that however will not stop me partaking! So get out those pens and scribble an I ❤ U to that special someone. Who knows you might just get one in return! 

I would also like to pay tribute today to the late Whitney Houston, a true star and performer with a voice and talent I could only dream of.

Some of my favourite hits:

- Saving All My Love for You

- How Will I Know

- I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)

- I Will Always Love You

The last of these was a big part of my childhood, I would spend hours singing along to this hit and those from other stars such as Celine Dion, Shola Ama and Tina Arena on my microphone plugged into the CD player. Oh how I will always love the female greats and their fabulous power ballads. So warm up your vocals and give it a bit of (drum roll please):

And I will always love you.
I will always love you. 

❤❤❤

Pasta Perfect

Looking for a low calorie dish with lots of taste, try out this yummy recipe from Weight Watches:

Beetroot and goat's cheese twists

- 1 small onion, finely sliced

- 1/2 tsp dried thyme

- 120g dried pasta

- 50g cooked beetroot, chopped

- 100g low fat creme fraiche

- 140g baby leaf spinach

- 20g medium fat soft goats cheese. chopped

1. Cook the onion and thyme

2. Meanwhile cook the pasta in a pan of boiling water for approx 10mins (until cooked)

3. Add the beetroot and creme fraiche to the onion and thyme and stir 

4. Cook for 2-3mins

5. Drain the pasta and mix with the spinach. Add this to the beetroot mixture and stir until the spinach wilts

6. Divide between 2 plates and top with goat's cheese to serve.

A yummy and healthy dish with loads of flavour...enjoy!!

Stick to what you know

I'm a true believer in 'change is good' 'embrace change' this might be the case but not when it comes to restaurants! Tonight my fiance and I decided to have a early Valentines meal and go to a new Indian restaurant which has opened around the corner. After waiting for over 40mins in a very busy bar area we came to the conscious decision that we had been forgotten off the list and left. There was no acknowledgement or apology as no one noticed. I'm guessing from the length of the wait and the aromatic aroma that the food is good but I couldn't bare the thought of being spending an evening here if the service was anything to go by.

Instead we decided to leave and go to our favourite Indian restaurant. A small family owned restaurant where the service is always superb and food is delicious.  I felt almost guilty that we hadn't been to them to start with. I am a true believer in supporting local and small companies and this one in particular I love. We got a meal to go as it was a bit late but I was by no means disappointed, as always everything was yum! So if you are ever in Sheffield and looking for a good Indian restaurant then I recommend Kababish Original on West Street (previously Sahib).

Back to today! I have been piecing together my bunting on to the rare yellow bias binding which I have been searching all over for! I couldn't be happier with the results. My first attempt of making bunting and I'm cuffed to bits!! Take a look:

So to sum up today, service does matter in fact it matters as much as the food or the purchase and making bunting will always brighten up my day!

I Dream Of

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see them dancin'

(Ariel, Little Mermaid - Part of Your World)

I love testing out my princess hair styles, but if I could have hair like any princess it would have to be Ariel. To have think, volumised, floating mermaid hair would be the dream. 

Who knows one day my dream might come true as a 'dream is a wish your heart makes'

Summer Hues

When it's wet and snowy outside there is nothing than I like better than brightening up my wardrobe and look! And this season I'm in luck as colour blocking is in! From coloured jeans and playful pastel pumps to modern bold statements on delicate lingerie designs. These are looks you will adore! 

**Images c/o Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Asos, New Look

With this in mind, I have been experimenting with colour on my nails. Starting small but adding colour to my nails makes my hands become more dainty and delicate and I feel 'polished' I have started today with lush lilac, now the decision of what to team it with tomorrow....a contrasting blue or a coordinating deep purple. humm...decisions decisions. 

In the mean time I have found another up do which I adore. eBeauty Blog shows you step by step how do this elegant up do, perfect for work. I have decided to flaunt this look tomorrow and will add a jewelled clip for some extra va va voom!

Next step, to invest in some coloured jeans to team with my many pairs of pink shoes which I already own!

Be bold, be beautiful and embrace the seasons colours though all areas of your wardrobe!

Just Go With It

If you've not watched this film and are looking for a easy watching, light hearted, funny romcom then this is a film for you. One of my favourite moments in this film is the scene below:

Katherine: I love your sense of humor - every dirty bit of it. I love your stories - always entertaining. I love that you secretly have a huge heart - it’s filled with kindness and humility, and I’m sure there’s blood. I just think that you’re a really nice person and I really love spending time with you.

Danny: You know what I love? How you just do everything for everybody else and you never expect anything back. I just love that you’re the only person I’ve never lied to in my life. I just trust you more than anybody in the world. You know every secret about me. I love your smile. That smile is the magic. It starts my day - that smile.

Do something amazing and share your smile with someone today. Make someones day a little brighter or maybe even your own, and who knows what that smile could turn into....

Smiling is infectious!

 

Smile and the world will smile with you!