For Mike xxx

This post is dedicated to my cousin Michael who lost his battle with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 25, on Thursday 12th August 2010.

Mike was my favourite cousin. We were incredibly close in recent years, as you will already know if you're a regular reader of my blog because I often mentioned him in my posts.

I still can't believe he's gone.

I love these photos. I wanted to post dozens of them but restrained myself.

I can really remember Mike looking like this... so cute!!

My favourite photo from Mike & Claire's wedding day, Sept 2005

Mike was at his happiest with Claire

Best Man duty at big bro Tom's wedding, December 2008

Mike bugged me to listen to this band because, as he said, it's "much better than the crap you like". Just for you dude, because it's your favourite song :) xx

....

I'm sorry that your new lungs never came Mike. I'm sorry the life you deserved and wanted so badly wasn't to be. You were so brave right to the very end and fought so hard to stay. I'm so proud of you. You never gave up even when the odds were repeatedly stacked against you.

You had the biggest will and desire to live out of anyone that I've ever met. If it was down to that alone you'd have lived to be a million years old.

You were the kindest and most caring person out of anyone that I know. If only you could see your facebook page! So many people leaving you the most amazing tributes. We're all so proud that everybody saw you as that same incredible guy that we knew - a true testament to your Mum, Dad and Tom who raised a wonderful son and brother. They love and miss you so very much Mike, but are taking strength and comfort from how much you were loved by everyone.

I'm privileged that you were not just my cousin but a very dear friend too. You understood me better than most. Thanks for always being there for me despite your own struggles. It was you who I first confided in last year when depression hit me like a ton of bricks, and you persuaded me to go to the doctor, then later, to give counselling a try. Thank you Mike for helping me get my life back. I'm so glad I always told you how much you meant to me.

I asked you once if you wished that you never had CF and you said no - without CF you wouldn't be the person that you are, you wouldn't have met so many cool people and you wouldn't have met Claire. (Claire also has CF and had a double lung transplant in 2004).

You never once complained and are a true inspiration.

I miss you (and your wicked sense of humour!) so, so much dude. Give Nan and Grandad a big cuddle for me and have a ball up there :)

I love you Mikey. Breathe easy now xxxxxxxxxx

*Photographs are either owned by myself or taken from Mike's facebook.
It's ok. I know he wouldn't mind.*

This is me, now (July review)

Listening... Ne-yo (love Beautiful Monster), Muse, Example, Plan B, Twilight movie score, Alicia Keys, Big Band / 40's stuff.
Reading... New Moon has come to a bit of a stand-still again! Think I ruined it by watching the DVD the evening before I went to see Eclipse. I've mostly been burying my head into magazines this month to be honest. Honourable mentions go to Heat (as usual) and Your Home.
Watching... EastEnders (as always!), Big Brother, Who Do You Think You Are?, Father Ted repeats - genius tv!
Buying... This is a bit of a cheat as I didn't buy much at all in July. It's now August and I've just purchased lots of Lush goodies!! I've finally used everything that I bought at Christmas (see here to see everything I got then!)
I'm very proud of my restraint when it comes to Lush actually. I don't let myself buy anything new until I've used up all of my existing Lush stash.
Wanting... My cousin Mike's operation to go well tomorrow (Thursday 12th). That is all I want.
Trying... to remain positive about everything.
Loving... witnessing Gizmo cat fussing the vet when I took him for his annual jabs (he never fusses anyone except me and my Dad). He's such a tart (aaand we're back to Gizmo now, not my Dad). And a creep. But he got the jab anyway, the vet wasn't falling for that one. Also loving the vet cooing over Gizmo. I always knew that Giz was beautiful but once again this has beeen validated by the vet calling the veterinary nurse in to admire his sweet little face. I was such a proud mum :)
Planning... My holibobs, woo! We go next week (to the North Norfolk coast) and I can't blimming wait! We're only going Monday - Thursday as my friend Lou is coming over from Germany and staying at mine on the Thursday night - reunion of the old gang with lots of good food and partying planned! - I think the break from work and my usual routine will do me the world of good.
Making... house and garden plans (still!)... everything would be so much easier if I wasn't so reliant on other people to help with the manual work all the time. It's so frustrating :(
Writing... not enough! Am shockingly behind on my Mass Observation assignments, must must must get scribbling... (hmmm, this hasn't changed from last month. Or the month before that...)
Cooking... well apart from ordinary eat-to-live daily cooking I've been baking some yummy treats this month, namely butterfly cakes, lemon drizzle cake and apple crumble... mmmmmm! Baking / desserts are definitely my thing.
Inspired by... hmmm, well I have been browsing through my old cross-stitch boxes that live under my bed - I've found lots of things that I forgot I had as it's been 5 years since I last stitched anything! I'm hoping to start again on holiday if we get any rainy confined-to-caravan days. Are there any other cross-stitchers among you lovely readers?

*photo from weheartit*

My first two Blog Awards!

I've been blogging for almost two years and had never received a Blog Award (sob, sob) but like buses, you miss out and then two come along at once!!

I'd seen cute awards on other people's blogs and had always felt a tiny twinge of sadness for my little blog... but now I can proudly display a little bit of love (would it be very wrong of me to display both?!)

Huge thanks go to Lisa and Helen who both awarded me this:

Thanks so much girls, I really appreciate it! Right back atcha :) xx

As I'm new to Blog Awards, it's lucky that it came with instructions. This is what you do, should you see your name below:

****

1. Post the award onto your blog.

2. Link the person who has given you this award.

3. Pass the award to 15 other fab blogs you've discovered.

4. Let these 15 people know that you've given them this award.

****

If you don't follow that many blogs don't worry, I'm sure it's ok for you to pass this on to fewer deserving blogs :) And that's all there is to it. You've sucessfully made another blogger smile!

Hmmm, you know what? This is tougher than I first thought. I love all of the blogs I follow, otherwise I wouldn't be following them!

After much deliberation (seriously, I'm a Libra!), we have in alphabetical order...

***Sprinkle of Glitter***

*Nicola-x

BeautyInTheMaking88

Christopher And Tia

It Makes Me

Just My Cup of Tea...

Laura's Bloggy Blog $

Penny 'n' Pounds

..R May A..

Rants and Ramblings

Reaching For The Stars...

She does other stuff 2

vaguely in vogue

Zoella

♥ Hanna Elouise ♥

Congratulations lovelies! Thank you for making my dashboard a brighter place!

Not all of them are beauty bloggers - as they say variety is the spice of life! Show them some love :)

xx

I won Rach's Blog Contest!

I've followed Rach's blog for ages now (I'm sure you've seen me mention her name a few times because her blog is FAB and she has become a really good friend), and I know I posted to say that I was one of the three lucky winners of her contest....

.... well, this post is embarrassingly overdue - I'm so sorry Rach! It's been sitting in my drafts folder for weeks - yes, that's weeks. Plural. Patiently waiting for me to shift my bum and take some photos *hangs head in shame*

I won!! I never win anything so I was sooo happy!

*Photo courtesy of Rach's blog*

Without further ado, here are the beautiful jewellery pieces that Rach made for me - I'd chosen to have a necklace and bracelet but each winner could choose from a necklace and earrings, bracelet and earrings, or necklace and bracelet.

I couldn't believe it when I opened the parcel as Rach had made them in my favourite colours, teal and purple! She'd also included stars on the necklace and purple bracelet - and I love stars too! (Psychic Rach???)

I love this delicate necklace! I've tried to capture how it catches the light.

Silly camera - I need a DSLR in my life!!!

Lots of sparkly beads and teeny-tiny stars!

I love the purples in the matching bracelet, with the stars continuing the theme :)

This bracelet is a wee bit darker in 'real life', a lovely teal green

Regular readers of my blog will know that I love handmade jewellery. I really like the fact that nobody else has the same item and it's lovely knowing that I've had jewellery made especially for me - and that doesn't happen every day!!

Needless to say I was over the moon with my prizes and have worn everything several times since :) I think every girl should own some custom-made jewellery... thanks again Rach!

Do any of you guys love handmade jewellery like I do?

xx

Where have I been?

Hello lovelies!

It's me! Remember me??

I really want to apologise as I've been away from blogging for ages - how are you all doing? I hope you're well!

Thank you for reading my blog in my absence and leaving me lovely comments, it means so much to me. I'll try and catch up everything as soon as I can!  I also can't believe that I have so many new followers since my last post! Thank you :) xx

I haven't been away on holiday or anything (sadly), but I guess the ordinary cycle of work-swimming-housework-friends got in the way of blogging... you know how it is I'm sure. I've also been trying to cut down on my internet browsing and general laptop use... but wow I've missed it!!

I've been tweeting from my phone and sending the odd facebook message, but apart from that NADA. Am quite impressed that I managed it for so long!

So what's going on in this girl's life? (See what I did there? Haha!) Weeeell...

Emma Bridgewater tweeted me following my EB blog post! I tweeted that I'd blogged about my collection and was so happy when they replied!

I've developed a bit of a crush on John James from BB11... anyone else with me on this one?

I'm still swimming twice a week and swim 40 - 50 lengths each time, which I'm really proud of. When I first started swimming again back in March it almost killed me to swim 10 lengths! On the downside, I ache really badly the following day :(

My friend Louise is coming to stay with me later this month - Lou and I have been best friends since we were 9 years old and she lives in Germany now. I can't wait to see her!

I'm going away for a few days with my Mum and sister Olivia mid-month and I'm really looking forward to it. We haven't spent quality time together for ages! We're going to the North Norfolk coast :)

My good friend Hel from shedoesotherstuff2 is working on a sketch of my darling Gizmo cat, woop! Check out her facebook page here to see some of her work - she's an amazing artist!

My amazing cousin Mike (I've blogged about him lots!) has an important operation scheduled in the near future - alas not his transplant yet - so please keep him in your thoughts, we'd really appreciate it xx

I received my blog contest prizes (handmade jewellery) from the lovely Rach, and they are beautiful :) I've received compliments whenever I've worn them and I shall show you in my next blog post!

While I've been away I've been tagged to do a "What's In  My Make-Up Bag?" post by ..R May A.. which I'll get around to as soon as I can - I love tags!! - and I've also received my first TWO blog awards (yippee!!) from Mybutterfly63 whose blog you can find here, and Helen whose blog is here. Thanks lovelies!

Sorry that this is a bit of a quick lazy post. As much as I like writing lists, normal service will resume shortly!

xx

*first photo is from weheart it, and the Twitter screencap is mine*

I heart Emma Bridgewater!

Oh, I'd love this table in my garden!

I've been collecting Emma Bridgewater's Polka Dot bits and bobs for a couple of years now after my Mum bought me a couple of pieces (gaaaah! I feel really old having a "china collection"!!!) and although I haven't got much yet considering how big the collection is, I adore it! It's so cheerful and girly, and you can mix and match a few of Emma's collections too to create your own personal shabby-chic/country-kitchen style mix, hurrah!

This is my dotty pottery collection:

 

I forgot to include these tiny candles with my scented candle collection post. You can see how small they are compared to a mug. (The candles' scent is Orange and Geranium with a burn time of 23hrs).

I keep these in my glass display unit in my kitchen, and the warmth from the cabinet lights makes the whole room smell lovely :)

And here are some of my other EB lovelies:

Tinware: Biscuit tin and caddy that I use to store hot chocolate sachets!

I like Owls :)

Starry Skies cup and saucer

I broke the cup's handle whilst washing up (so upset that I did that!)

and I have yet to think of a recycled use for it...

The Ex-Boy broke the handle on this mug (I'm still bitter about it haha!) but all is not lost - I've recycled it as a brush holder:

Here's a little tip for you too, because I'm generous like that ;) To keep your brushes upright and standing (mostly) to attention like mine, just pour some (uncooked!) rice into your holder of choice - around half-filled should do it - fill with your brushes and hey presto... cheap and cheerful and job's a good 'un!

MY JOURNAL!! No, I'm not going to let you peek inside ;) 

I received this as a Christmas gift from my lovely friend Gemma (Hiiiiii Gem!)... she knows that I love EB and writing so this was the perfect present!

Next on the EB wishlist are these beauties:

Square cake tins... enough for lots of cake!

Such a cute little watering can!

Robin 1/2 pint mug - I'd like a couple of these in time for Christmas :)

I adore this photo album! 

Do you like or collect Emma Bridgewater too?

xx

(Watermarked pics belong to me, others are from the Emma Bridgewater website)

This is me, now (June review)

Listening... Muse. I'm obsessed after seeing them (via good old TV!) at Glasto! Paramore. General chart stuff.
Reading... New Moon (still!) and have also dipped my toe into Just Henry by Michelle Magorian - one of my favourite authors.
Watching... EastEnders (as always!), Big Brother. I didn't watch last year but as it's the last one... ;)
Buying... Singstar discs!! Shiny new additions to my collection are Take That, 90's and Rock Ballads. I love Singstar!
Wanting... my back garden to be done now please. My quote came in about £3k over budget (!!!). I wasn't even expecting it to be anywhere close to £3k to begin with :(
Trying... to remain positive about the garden. It now resembles a jungle, it's a disgrace! It's not so bad because the front lawn is fine and passers-by can't see it, but I know it's really overgrown and it's really frustrating :( Hopefully my Aunt and Uncle are going to make it a peaceful haven for me now, fingers crossed!
Loving... SUMMER! Swimming, my blog contest prizes from the amazing Rach over at Rants and Ramblings - she handmade me some beautiful jewellery! Thank you so much hun!! (Blog post soon, I've been completely spoilt!) Also loving the fact that my cousin Mike is, after six weeks, finally HOME from hospital *big happy grin*
Planning... GARDEN..... garden..... garden.... oh, why did I have to grow up and be all responsible about things like gardens?!
Making... plans to decorate house. I have a real urge recently to put my stamp on the place. This could be a verrry long process however as I'm a typical Libran and can never make a decision on anything!
Writing... not enough! Am shockingly behind on my Mass Observation assignments, must must must get scribbling... (hmmm, this hasn't changed from last month. Or the month before that...)
Cooking... not a lot! It's been too hot (ooh I'm a poet but didn't know it!! haha!) so I've just been preparing nice salads etc
Inspired by... Weheartit. I've loved that site for a couple of months and have tons of amazing photos saved on my memory stick, but then my good friend Hel from shedoesotherstuff2 (she's a lovely girl and a great blogger, please do pop along and have a good read!) persuaded me to join and now I'm completely addicted! I'm still desperate to own a DSLR. One day...
 
Want to know what beautiful pics I've hearted? Find my weheartit page here :)
 

*Photo from weheartit*