IQ84...

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I'm going to get this out in the open right from the start, I did not come at IQ84 with a completely open mind, I'm a huge Murakami fan, and with all the hype, yes, I was expecting them to be the greatest books known to man. Which would explain why I feel like an absolute traitor to be writing this...I didn't think they were very good.  They were no Dance, Dance, Dance, no Norwegian Wood, and certainly no After Dark or Underground.  They were by no means bad books, the characters were interesting and the premise of the plot was good, the writing was wonderful and they had all your usual Murakami traits. But for me it just didn't happen. The romance was unbelievable and underwhelming, the sexual violence of the cult was unnerving and made very uncomfortable reading, and at nearly a thousand pages long you never really felt as though they got off the ground. The humour in the surreal was not there, nor was the romance of isolation. I think I feel better for having got my treachery off my chest now, I can go back to reading all the other books and gloss over the existence of these three, like I do with Persuasion. 

Here's One I Made Earlier...

I'm feeling v festive and with time off work, I've decided to indulge myself and make some very cute, handmade decorations for my christmas tree.

Pomanders are about the nicest, most christmassy smelling things ever!

Ice Cream Dreams

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I know I should be dreaming of roast chestnuts and gluhwein, but right now all I want is this gorgeous Tim Walker ice cream chandelier...

November Beer Outfit

Topshop Jumper, Vintage Laura Ashley Dress, Office Boots and  Fat Face Bag

Decided to venture out of my short skirt and DMs comfort zone and try something practically unheard of for me...a long skirt! Mum's old Laura Ashley dinner dress was the perfect option, the floral pattern goes awesomely with my cable knit jumper, and was just right for a beery evening.

I've had an exciting few days, spent a lovely weekend in Belfast. I don't think I have ever been to a place which has more delicious places to eat!

Home Girl

Oi, knitting!

Its been a lovely and much needed day off work, I'm nursing what can only be described as  a serious case of man flu. But thanks to the wonder of olbas oil tissues I reckon I'll pull through. I've spent my day knitting, reading the new Murakami and dandering round the charity shops of Macclesfield as always I unearthed some true awesomeness. Including the greatest hat known to man which will feature at some point, as well as the results of my knitting. It's a first attempt at a scarf, but it's turning into more of a cape...

Charity shop awesomeness...and some Flying Dog

Isn't this the most perfect tea cup ever? Don't think I'm physically capable of resisting gold stars and red edging!

Mitford Mania!

I admit it...I have complete and utter Mitford mania. Not only have I read almost all of Nancy Mitford's novels, I've also read  her biography of Madame Du Pompadour and books of Mitford letters, as well as numerous biographies. And yes, people will be snooty. Certain 'literary' acquaintances have raised eyebrows at my love of 'Love In A Cold Climate' and 'The Pursuit of Love'. But really, they're awesome. Witty, glamourous and romantic. That's not even taking into account the fascinating lives of the Mitford sisters themselves. I'd probably count a Mitford biography as essential reading for anyone with any interest in, not just, modern British history, but fashion and politics too. They fully represent the spectrum of society in those times and the ways in which politics and chance can create such vast differences in peoples lives. But away from lofty investigations of the social strata of the thirties and the hidden ways of the fading aristocracy, there is no better form of escapism than a Mitford book. 

Just Don't Tell Alfred I said so...

I'm A Girl Of Means, Of Slender Means...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/67/TheGirlsOfSlenderMeans.JPG/200px-TheGirlsOfSlenderMeans.JPG

There's absolutely nothing like losing yourself in a book,particularly if you find yourself feeling particularly impecunious (it's the week before pay day) and your local library is well stocked.  Muriel Spark's The Girls of Slender Means has shown itself to be the perfect cure for pre-pay day blues.  What with a dashing anarchist turned Jesuit, a Schiaparelli dress, and escapes through windows onto a roof for romantic trysts. All combined with Spark's wittily raised eyebrow, suspicion of religion and disregard for sensitivity towards those with fat knees. Perfection.

It's Churro Time!!!

Non, nom, nom churros!

Ah weekends, is there anything better? Saw Art Brut on Friday night and then spent Saturday dandering round Manchester. Which obviously included hitting up the Food and Drink Festival. And my snack of choice? Churros! Delicious cinnamon-y doughnut sticks, with melted chocolate. The perfect way to celebrate getting Primavera tickets!

Everyday Is Like Sunday

T shirt stolen from boyf, vintage skirt, black bracelet fromTopshop, other bracelets from boutique in Eastbourne.

Another lazy Sunday of the best kind. Finally seeing the Grayson Perry exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery, buying books, getting lost in Manchester and finding hidden building with lovely old signs (Manchester is the best for this), eating ice cream and drinking delicious beer. All topped off by making the stodgiest cheese risotto ever. I wish everyday could be like Sunday...

And the outfit, well, what can I say. My absolute favourite vintage skirt, not only does it go with everything, in particular my DMs, and is spectacularly comfy. Comfy is, in my humble opinion, tragically underrated. Baggy t shirts, slouchy tops, skirts with waistbands that don't dig in and shoes that don't pinch. Call it old lady style if you like, but I prefer to think of it as a casual take on the androgynous look. Its a non tacky version of boyfriend dressing. Not so much 'I got caught short and this is my walk of shame', more of a Kooples style 'share my home, share my wardrobe'. Baggy t shirts, well, they're the new baggy trousers.

Just A Girl

My absolute teenage icon, and anthem.

P.O.L.O

http://www.tallulahfashion.com/tops-12/knitwear-24/laurel-black-fitted-silky-polo-neck-2359-1207_zoom.jpg

My current garment du jour. For me, it’s all about dressing like Alain de Botton, or a sixties beatnik or with a dash of retro futurism. It’s the ideal garment, effortlessly sleek, stylish and intellectually sexy. Horribly undervalued and demonised for it’s nineties and neck ruining reputation. A ribbed poloneck…what more can a girl need?

Good Weekend

Nom, nom, nom Root Beer...
I think I may have discovered the recipe for a perfect Saturday, trip into Manchester, shopping for books and wool. Finished off with a delicious bottle of my new top favourite drink: Root Beer! It's like drinking fizzy, vanilla-y  deep heat...Or liquid cough candy.

Vintage dress and Primark Cardie

I love this dress, its a wonderful seventies/nineties cross. There's something about the shape and colours that make me feel like I'm in a Pulp song. Just the dress for clinging to the end of summer!

Bonjour Tristesse

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It may be pretty much the rainiest summer ever, however I can pretend I'm enjoying a languid, hot summer, doing nothing but sunbathing and coming of age. In a haze of whisky and philosophy studies. I've just finished reading Bonjour Tristesse by François Sagan. Admittedly a film version featuring Jean Seberg was a bit of a clincher in my decision to read it. Whilst I have to admit I found the majority of the the characters highly dislikeable by the end, I can't complain about being transported to a pine needle filled south of France, full of romance and social manipulation.

This is what my yoga is like...
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Sculpture obsession...

Anthony Gormley, Another Place

Sugar Cube Castles...

Currently I'm enjoying a nice summer break, which has so far involved a trip to my lovely south coast home town. Ah, Eastbourne, so much to answer for. Like the reputation it has for grannies, which is harder to shake than a lingering smell of moth balls...Seems unfair really when there's such treats as the pier (nothing nommier than a little polystyrene cup of prawns and vinegar) and the awesome Towner gallery. Last year there was the unmissable Mapplethorpe exhibition and now there is the ace Compulsive, Obsessive, Repetitive which is running until the 18th September. Once you have seen it you will never ever be bored in the presence of till roll again. Personally I plan on building a whole pink sugar cube castle in my living room!

Jill Townsley, Till Roll, 2011

http://www.townereastbourne.org.uk/exhibition/compulsive-obsessive-repetitive/

Navy Stripes and Ice Cream Nails

 An embarrassingly entirely Primark outfit.

Nothing says I'm feeling French like Breton stripes and dark denim, and nothing says I really, really want some sunshine like yellow tights...

Ice cream drip nails.

I'm beginning to think that words cannot express how excited I am about spring being on its way. By my first lamb sighting I may explode with joy, in the mean time I shall just have to wait and console myself by guzzling Jarlsberg!

Chocolate Makes You Happy

 Xiu Xiu T Shirt, Topshop Bracelet and Bay Jeans

 Topshop Button Bracelet

I do and so should you!

Friday's I have to go to work outfit, so dammit I'm going to break out the pink jeans. I feel no outfit can go wrong if it involves my Xiu Xiu t shirt, although I think it may have led to one very confused customer googling them, I hope they didn't come across their valentine!

A Welcome Sunny Day!

Vintage Blouse, Vintage Belt and Primark Jeans

So the frequency of my blogging is appalling and the camera situation is dire, but on Thursday it was sunny! And that was definitely worth celebrating with vintage florals, summery colours and an awesomely pointy collar. Was feeling a little bit of a seventies vibe, with the collar and the belt. Have been on a bit of a vintage shopping spree this week, culminating in a trip to a vintage fair today. These things definitely need to happen more often. Expect an influx of outfits featuring blouses.

Happy Burns Night!

Peacocks Top, Topshop Skirt and Tartan Tights!

OK, so firstly yes, I need a new camera. But lets focus on the occasion appropriate tights instead. Perfect. And with the worlds comfiest top, well what more could you want on Burns Night? Oh, perhaps just a wee dram... 

Not So Manic Monday...

Best evening: Liberty print pyjamas, apple pie, nice beer and Twin Peaks!

Blue Suede Shoes

Office Shoes, Topshop Tights

My favourite boots make a good addition to a day of job applications and Scott Walker...

Five Colours In Her Hair

Image courtesy of http://www.superdrug.com/permanent-colour/john-frieda-precision-foam-colour-medium-chocolate-brown-5b/invt/226768/

In an ongoing attempt to return my hair to it's natural state, I was once again battling with hair dye today. After reading good things about it (and finding it on offer in Superdrug), decided to try the new John Frieda Precision Foam Colour. I used Medium Chocolate Brown, currently am attempting to remove the red tones in my hair by covering them with brown. Although not seeming to be quite as easy as it promised in the leaflet, I was really pleased with this. The foam doesn't drip (it can flick onto your cream bathroom carpet though), and you don't need to mess around wrapping your hair up with cling film. I have pretty long, thick hair and yet there was still solution left at the end, so no worries about having to buy two packs. And, I'm not patchy, nor do I have purple ears! End verdict: best home hair dye I've tried, much less fuss than normal, and comes out of the carpet fairly easily!

Wrapped Up In Books

Topshop Jumper and Skirt, Peacocks Tights and Vintage Russel and Bromley Boots.

First Post!!!