this week.

1. Spring flowers - colour seems have to exploded all over London over the last week. I'm lucky to work over the road from a gated garden and the daffodils are amazing. The flower beds on the way to the supermarket are awash with colour too. Glorious!
2. New arrivals - one of my friends has just had her first baby girl. I'm so happy for her, it feels like she's been pregnant forever! She's gone for a Space Invaders themed nursery - that's all kinds of awesome.
3. My spring coat - I've put my winter coat away for the time being and have broken out my spring coat, complete with gingham and embroidered flowers.
4. Waking up to sunshine - it definitely makes the mornings easier!
5. Cardy, for buying the Nintendo 3DS - perhaps the best moment this week. When I got home on Friday Cardy came into the living room with a HMV bag and I couldn't help but do a happy dance. Not only did he get it in Aqua Blue (which is gorgeous!) but he also bought the version of Nintendogs that I'd been eyeing up.

this week.

1. The return of Being Human - myself and Cardy are both happy to see Series Three of Being Human on BBC3. A werewolf, vampire and ghost sharing a flat? Yes please!
2. Choir - one word. Madonna. My WORD I am looking forward to our concert!
3. My new haircut - I've got my Louise Brookes bob back and I'm loving it. I'm not having to sweep the hair out of my eyes anymore and it looks so glossy.
4. Nakd's 'Cocoa and Orange' bar - I decided to try this out as an 'on the Tube' snack on my late nights this week. It's delicious and strangely filling. Definitely going to become a firm favourite.
5. Cardy's bolognese - last weekend Cardy cooked up some bolognese for the freezer which we cracked into on Tuesday night. While it was defrosting he told me that he hadn't even tasted it. He didn't have to worry, it was brilliant, especially with garlic bread.

1. Skinny jeans - roller derby is excellent. I can buy skinny jeans! And I don't look like a beast!
2. Glee - namely the Britney Spears episode. 'I petted a snake'. Good for you Britt!
3. Desigual's new collection - especially this top and this skirt. I'm already saving my pennies.
4. Paramore - after last week's Glee I tracked down the original 'The Only Exception' and found Paramore's fantastic music video. I won't lie, I've been doing my usual trick of having my iPod on repeat.
5. The 'just ordered new dolls' feeling - I finally ordered my Luka and Chloe. Now the waiting game starts! I don't mind the long production time, I've got so much to organise before they get here.

this week.

1. The first thunderstorm of the year - the sky exploded earlier today. Thunder, lightning, torrential rain. Love it.
2. Lunabee Art - I recently received a Quee figure from Lunabee. I'm definitely going to have to add more of her pieces to my collection in the future!
3. Finding a choir - on Thursday I went along to my first choir practice in ages with an old school friend. Having been used to singing church music it was certainly different! We sang the theme from Flash Gordon and are preparing an Erasure medley.
4. Rediscovering an old wardrobe staple - I found a Laura Ashley jumper in my wardrobe that I'd completely forgotten about. Purple, pink, green and brown stripes. Gorgeous!
5. Mild weather - as much as I love the cosiness that winter can bring, I am looking forward to Spring.

this week.

1. Launceston Place - I've never done fine dining before, so going to Launceston Place this week with some girls from work was a real experience. I'm not usually good at trying new food but each of the courses I ate were things I hadn't eaten before. And the port... oh, the port. I'm already looking forward to next year's Christmas treat!
2. Paperchase's Christmas cards - their selection of wrapping paper is pretty dire this year but they have a rocking choice of cards. I am especially fond of the Eskimo card set - nothing says Merry Christmas! like a smiling narwal.
3. Wrapping presents - there is nothing that gets me in the mood for Christmas quite like wrapping presents. As most of my presents are already at my parents' house I haven't had much of an opportunity to get wrapping, so Christmas Eve is going to be busy!
4. My job - I don't think I've really felt this happy when it comes to my work life. I'm really loving working in HR (this is where I hear my Mum shouting 'I told you so!' from a few counties away) and the people I work with are so supportive and nurturing. There's even the possibility for post-grad study if and when I feel ready for it. Exciting! I passed my probation period on Monday so I'm now officially permanent. Hurrah!
5. Getting dressed up - I have a gorgeous silk dress from Monsoon that I don't really get to wear that often, maybe once a year if that. So going to a fancy restaurant this week was the perfect excuse to give it an airing. Just a shame that the only shoes I have to go with it stripped the skin off the top of my feet - no skating for me this week!

chill.

I bought myself a new winter coat a few weeks ago and then the weather turned positively tropical on me. Today, however, has been deliciously cold, the fantastic kind of cold that makes your fingers tingle and allows for some funky layering. And so I got to wear my new coat. This makes me far happier than it should...

this week.

1. My hair stylist - I'm extremely fussy when it comes to my hair. I've had some really awful cuts in my time, so when I moved to London I felt extremely anxious about trying a salon that I trusted enough to be let loose with a pair of scissors. Well, my hours of Google searching paid off and I'm now sporting what may become my signature look, a Louise Brooks style bob.
2. Miss Violet Lace on Etsy - I won't lie, as much as I love my natural dark brown locks I do on occasion wish that I had gone crazy with colour in my student years. Nowadays I wouldn't even consider colouring my hair as not only does the thought of coating my head in peroxide make me panic, but I don't think they would quite appreciate it at work. So I think that one day I may have to treat myself to one of Miss Violet Lace's fun wigs. You're never too old to play dress up!
3. My new winter clothes - although we're currently experiencing an odd warm spell, it has felt like winter is definitely on its way. I had found what looked like the ideal candidate for a winter coat on the Laura Ashley site, but when I tried it on it didn't feel like it was going to keep my very warm. In the end I decided to check out my favourite label and trotted off to Desigual. I bought myself a gorgeous thick coat and a cozy polo neck jumper, one that doesn't make my neck itch. My word I love that shop!
4. Discovering new blogs - A Beautiful Mess and The Dainty Squid to be precise. Wholesome crafty goodness with a smattering of cute interiors, yummy recipes and adorable cats thrown in.
5. Having time off work - I am loving my new job, but I have really enjoyed having two days off to recharge my batteries. It's always good to chill.

this week.

1. Skate Attack in North London - when I decided that I was going to be joining the LRG Rec League I searched for a shop in London that would be able to kit me out. I tried one of the recommended skate shops in Central London but they hadn't even heard of the training skates I was after. So I decided to travel that little bit further and go to Skate Attack in Southgate. Myself and Cardy went on Saturday as he had decided to get his own skates after watching the bout. He now has all the gear he needs including a swanky pair of Diablos, and I ordered some Vandals which arrived at work this morning. I'm really looking forward to trying them out tomorrow!
2. My fingerless gloves - we've had some really bitter mornings this week so I've been glad to have my gloves with me. I'm going to have to find some proper gloves for when it gets really cold though.
3. Buying my lunch in the morning - four words: pecan and maple yumyum.
4. Sitting by the radiator at work - pretty self explanatory really!
5. Roehampton hospital - I'm so glad that I'm lucky enough to be in the postcode range for Roehampton. They really are amazing.

this week.

1. My new job - I'm enjoying having more of a career focus and the people in my department are really warm and welcoming.
2. Wagamama's Ginger Chicken Udon - I'm sure they've changed the recipe. I had it for lunch on Tuesday and although it's always been lovely it tasted particularly divine.
3. Grey suit trousers - I've only ever had black trousers before for work but I'm really taken with my new grey and purple trousers from Next. It's nice to have something a bit different.
4. Dune by Christian Dior - my Dad picked me up a bottle of Dune years ago on a trip to the States. I don't know he did it, but he managed to select a scent that works really well with my skin. Cardy commented on me smelling good which is always a positive!
5. Sleep - after a full week's work after an extended holiday I'm in love with my bed.

this week.

1. London Roller Girls - I went to my first training session on Saturday morning and I am in love. I'll admit that I was aching for days afterwards, but I had so much fun and I'm so excited about the next practice.
2. My first BJDs - I took some photos of the Merchant Twins the other day and remembered just why I fell in love with Fairyland dolls in the first place. They still take my breath away.
3. The 'Love Lewin' Collection at T M Lewin - I'm starting a new job on Monday so went out to do some work clothes shopping today. I found the most amazing purple shirt. The ruffles!
4. My parents - when I was at university my Mum would sometimes come and stay with me for the weekend. We would eat ice cream in bed and watch a chick flick, then go to Manchester and eat Nandos for lunch. We had so much fun. Last night I got to play host to my Dad. He crashed at the flat as he had to attend a two day conference in London. He treated myself and Cardy to a Chinese takeaway, I treated him to some Polish beer and we watched The Thick of It. I love being able to socialise with my parents.
5. The Thick of It - Two words. Malcolm. Tucker. Google it.

peacock.

Last month my lovely Mother came down to London so we could have a girly day out. My Father was also in London on business, so we met up with him after we'd eaten lunch. That morning myself and Mum had found the most spectacular coat in my favourite shop, Desigual. Seeing as I'm such a fantastic daughter and all, they decided to treat me (thank you so much, if you're reading! I love you both to bits). Now I just need to wait for it to get cold enough to wear it!

This afternoon I decided to take some shots of the different textures and fabrics going on in this masterpiece. I did take more, but my Photoshop couldn't quite cope with the pretty.

You can see more shots on my Flickr.

this week.

1. Trikky by Kidrobot - I've been tempted to have a go at customising one of these for a while so I picked one up this week. Now I just need to decide what to do with it!
2. My new skating gear - I start training with the London Roller Girls rec league tomorrow. I'm feeling slightly apprehensive but I'm really excited!
3. Lego Mind Storms - Cardy has splurged and bought this fancy robot kit from Lego. So far we've built a robot that can shoot things and a robot that can boogie. Cardy has a grand plan to turn it into a prototype Tachikoma. I can't wait to see how it turns out!
4. Futurama Season Four - Futurama at it's best is absolutely magnificent. And I really want Lela's hair.
5. My Archaic Smile t-shirts - my Mum posted some of my old t-shirts up to me so I can wear them when I skate. I don't think they're quite 'me' anymore, but they'll be perfect for when I'm wearing all my gear.

wardrobe.

I often chastise myself over the state of my Pullips' wardrobe. None of them have what I would consider to be a 'complete' outfit and only a few of them have shoes. I did have a finished outfit for Lux, but then I Obitsued her and now her leggings won't go over her bum. Oh the shame.

This problem must be resolved. I will, somehow, find the funds to kit out my girls. I'm considering selling some of my Bleeding Edge Goth dolls - I've worked out that if I sold off my whole collection for around £10 a piece I could raise over £800. When I get the dosh I think that adequate footwear will be the first thing to tick off my list. I'm aiming to get all my girls a pair of Ixtee boots. If I could make them clothes I would, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to search further afield for those.

In order to make sure that my resin girls don't suffer the same fate as the vinyl gang, I've put in an order with Vitta Vera. Photos will be posted when the outfits arrive!