I have sinned...

I wasn't supposed to buy myself anything unessential this month, remember? And, I've been SO GOOD because I really started this when I blogged about it a while ago BUT (and you knew there was a but right?) I made an enquiry last month with the gorgeous sohomode and she listed a skirt especially for me....what was I supposed to do??? How could I deny such prettiness....it's like going to a cellar door and trying the wine but not buying anything (am I the only one who feels the obligation too, surely not?).

It was all I could do not to snap up several more dresses at the same time, especially this one and especially seeing as I have a few weddings this year. I know these aren't everyone's cup of tea but they are just SO pretty and I have had my eye on this store for a very long time - see here


But I resisted temptation and didn't buy anything else, just the skirt and I must admit I've never felt more wretched about a purchase.

I had to buy birthday and engagement presents for a variety of people too but Chantelle who is my febusave guru offered me absolution from sin and declared those as "essentials". Not that I didn't feel guilty about buying those mind you!

So, I'm seeking forgiveness. Can you please, please absolve me of my sin??? I promise not to do it again, really!

Operation; Think Happy

I too am jumping on board "Operation; Think Happy" thanks to the wonderful blog Mama Dearest/Domestic Goddess and Mum/Toddler/Babe that got me on the bandwagon. In the words of Mama Dearest, "every Thursday, I pledge to list 7 things that makes me happy, that makes me thankful, that makes me love life!"

I've already talked about how I've started a gratitude journal as part of being a more positive person in the Year of Me and this just fits in so nicely. So, today I am grateful for:

• Mobile phones and the mobile phone network that means I can keep my Mr involved in the crazy happenings of our life whilst he's away for work this week, especially because I can send him photos of the Bebito.
  
• I'm incredibly grateful that I have my health. I'm never more aware of how important my health is than when the Bebito is unwell (just a cold) which he is at the moment.
  
• I love my oven - we had a new one installed when we redid our kitchen and it works amazingly and helps me produce the yummy, tasty treats that nourish our souls. I love to nourish those I love.
  
• I'm incredibly blessed to have such a supportive Mama who really helps me spring forth into the world with confidence. She smiles in the face of my silliness and gives me a hug, push, applause when I need it most. So, so, so lucky.
  
• Living so close to the coast - means we are so much cooler in this crappy weather and that we have a beach playground for the Bebito who is growing more and more confident with the sand and "surf" (term used loosely) with every visit.
• That I've been so blessed with a young man who has such a zest for life - it's infectious and really helps me reconnect with my own inner child. I was always a serious child and I'm sure I'm more childish now than I was at age 2!
• The lovely feedback I got on my artworks posted last week. I'm going to keep plugging away at different ideas and thank you so much for your encouragement.

That's me for this week - how about you? Care to join in the fun if you haven't already?

xo

Blog love: Pacing the Panic Room

Have you seen the work of the loverly Ryan Marshall on his blog, Pacing the Panic Room? I had to share it with you (so apologies if you have!) because he has some beautiful, beautiful work.

I have a confession to make: I was a terrible pregnant person....I didn't have that wonderful glow at all. In fact, I was supremely confused by the whole process. That's about the best word for it actually, confused. I found myself very much dumbfounded by the changes my body was going through and through my fairly short labour and subsequent emergency c-section I kept thinking, "what the hell am I doing here?" Which is why I'm fascinated by people who seem to "do" it better than I did and brought me to a fascinated interested in Ryan's work.

He did a truly beautiful series of weekly photographic essays (that's about the best way to describe it) of his wife, Cole (a name we had thought of for our Bebito actually) whilst she was pregnant with their little girl Tessa. Here's a sample but for the whole series visit here. It's a truly beautiful series of growing love for their little ray of sunshine.


Ryan has started a new series that is just gorgeous cataloguing the weekly journey of a new Mama-to-be, Trisha. This one features a weekly photo of the expectant Mama's photo in front of a different house on the same street as a scroll along series (an art critic I am not so apologies for the hideous explanation). See below for a sample and here for the real thing:


Apologies re image quality, I can't seem to work it out better!

Don't you just wish you had someone this wonderful and creative to document your own pregnancy (past or future)?

I particularly love this blog because Ryan is one of those rare men who seems happy to share his thoughts and feelings openly and emotionally. There are a lot of us bloggy Mama's out there but not so many men and it's refreshing and interesting reading.

Different planet?

My bestie sent me a link to this most amusing article and I had to share it....I have summarised it but for the full article click here


Tesco ban on shoppers in pyjamas

Notices have been put up in the chain's supermarket in St Mellons in Cardiff saying: "Footwear must be worn at all times and no nightwear is permitted."

The signs are placed at the entrance to the store, on the city's outskirts.

They read: "To avoid causing offence or embarrassment to others we ask that our customers are appropriately dressed when visiting our store (footwear must be worn at all times and no nightwear is permitted)."

...

The spokesman said: "We're not a nightclub with a strict dress code, and jeans and trainers are of course more than welcome.

"We do, however, request that customers do not shop in their PJs or nightgowns. "This is to avoid causing offence or embarrassment to others."

Elaine Carmody, 24, a full-time mother of two young boys, described the ban as "ridiculous" and "pathetic".

She said she had regularly gone shopping at the store in her pyjamas until about a week ago when she was turned away when she went to buy cigarettes.

She said she had been "popping in for a pack of fags," but if she had been doing a full shop "then we obviously would have gone in clothed".

....

"I think it's stupid really not being allowed in the supermarket with pyjamas on.

"It's not as if they're going to fall down or anything like that. They should be happy because you're going to spend all that money."

She went on: "It's not as if you're making a show. If anything, they should be happy because you're spending your money in their shop, but obviously they're not, because you're not allowed in with pyjamas"

Seriously, what type of world is it where people are outraged they aren't allowed to wear the pj's to shop? Now, I LOVE my jarmies, don't get me wrong. I even have some loverly jarmies that I think are worthy of showing to the world but I would N-E-V-E-R consider going to the shop in them. I am noted for my prudish tendencies amongst those who know and love me but seriously this is just a little odd isn't it? Or is it in fact me who's out of step and residing on a different planet?

My creative space

Yay for Kirsty at Kootoyou's Creative Space sharing being back. I love seeing what everyone else is up to! It satisfies my nosey parker tendencies as well as serving my inspiration needs well.

I've been banging on about the ideas I've had to put together some little pieces of art for kids for months now and I'm sure you're sick of hearing about it. I haven't got myself together in time for entry into the Mathilda's Fabulous Finds Program unfortunately but I'll keep moving along with my portfolio.

So, here's what I've come up with.....

It's mixed media which is what I really had hoped for and I'm quite pleased with the way the stitching looks on the canvas although I still haven't decided if I should fill in the stitching on the name. I'm going to make one for a friend's little man next (with a different picture) and then give a girl one a run for my niece. I'm also yet to decide if the coffee/beige/light brown is the right way to go with the paint. I'm also keen to see how I could work some fabric into the mix down the track. I'm not convinced the blue is the right shade to match the brightness of the red but it's what I have and I am trying not to buy anything at all even though February hasn't yet started.

My idea behind these is that they'd be small so that they're not a main piece of art in a kids' room but instead for one of those small nooks...or even to stand on a book case or set of drawers rather than be hung which is why I chose the deeper canvas. I want to do something with a little bit of colour but not too much and also not too cutesy. I don't do cutesy and nor do most people I know which is why I never understand all the cutesy out there. The other benefit being small is that I can work on it easily and whilst sitting on the couch of an evening with the Mr and whilst the Bebito naps.

I've had a search and there's nothing I can see quite like these out there but if you know of any please, please let me know - I don't want to get into any copyright issues.

To add to these already in the portfolio....

This is one I did for my nephew. The words underneath the "swatches" are stamped on and are taken from the personality traits that he's "supposed" to have according to the Book of Birthdays which actually are quite uncannily accurate.

I'm going to redo this one soon actually as it's the major piece in the bebito's room and I never have been happy with the way the "writing" turned out so I'm going to start again although the sentiment is kinda there so I'm sharing it. Dr Seuss - source of all wisdom!


My Mr thinks my larger pieces will be more popular than the small ones but the big ones are very time and space consuming and wouldn't be that cost effective to produce but I'm thinking that they could be special commissionable pieces should anyone love them so.

So, what do you guys think? I'm open to your criticism....please!

ps. Yes, I love blue but I'm going to work in other colours too - it just hasn't worked out that way as yet.

Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty

Sharing some fabulousness that I've seen in the last little while. Gosh I love BlogLand.

Image from Pretty Little World and originally Around the Way Girl

Image via Simply Seductive and originally Fashion Gone Rogue

Image via Lovely Clusters and originally Karin MathildaImage from A Glamorous Little Side Project and originally Mackage
Valentino Pre-Fall 2010, from Souvenirs, (oh s-i-g-h) and originally Style
Doesn't she look like the most divine Barbie that ever lived?

Image Oh Joy! from H&M

From Souvenirs

I'm going to stop now...and subject you to more pretty at a later date! :)

Nine, the movie

I snuck out for a girly night last night - a bit impromptu - and saw "Nine" last night. Fabulous movie! Daniel Day Lewis is awesome (once I could get past the fact his Italian accent wasn't right I jumped on board). It's set in Italy in the 50s and 60s and had me pining for all things stylish, classic and most of all Italian. Ah, cute little cars, cobblestone streets, fountains, gorgeous clothes - you know the drill.

The central character, Guido, is a cad and I didn't find him particularly endearing although knowing he was based on Fellini (the movie is supposed to be a musical adaptation of Fellini's autobiographical movie 8 1/2) made me interested in him all the more and there's no denying Daniel Day-Lewis is outstanding playing him. I now have a resounding girl crush on Marion Cotillard. She was spectacular, as was Penelope Cruz. It's a great flick to catch with your gal pals but if you drag your men-folk along there is plenty of (raunchy!) eye candy for them so I'm sure they won't mind! :) Judi Dench is as always, amazing! Made by the same peeps involved in Chicago it's a similar style although the songs aren't as strong in my humble opinion.

Anyway, I'm no film critic so I shall stop trying to analyse it (badly) now...if it's your kind of thing you'll love it!