Around here

The sun just keeps on shining here in Sheffield.  It's been unseasonably warm these past few weeks - I think they call it an Indian summer.  Either way, we're loving it!  The collection of brass on my windowsill is looking lovely - I'm enjoying watching it grow, especially because it's for such a special reason (they're for the wedding).  I'm also working on a few Christmas projects - yes I'm starting early this year in the hope I'll not make myself too stressed nearer the time. Above is my little corner where I work away whilst watching my rubbish TV programmes and snuggling with Betty.  I think I'll go do some more of that now...

Month

(image source)

Ok, so it's been about a month since my last post... oops.  It's been kind of frustrating for me with the technical issues and what not, but I'll try not to vent on here.  I do have to tell you one thing though... now my photo software has been sorted, I went and broke my phone by dropping it in a glass of water this week - so now I'm sans phone.  Ugh!  For the record I never do stupid things like that, so I'm annoyed at myself as well as the world.

Please bare with me whilst I sort my shiz out.  I promise to be better someday.

Quiet

Sorry it's still been a little quiet around here - I'm having some issues with my photo editing software. I know I should just get over it and post anyway, but I like to share my best if I can and I'm more comfortable editing pictures before I put them out on this bit of the internet I have going on here. I'll admit, I've shouted at my laptop a few times now and it's probably just retaliating. I hate technology sometimes... grr!

Anyway, whilst I try and fix my issues (and calm my temper) please enjoy this short girly fashion-y film.

My city: Sheffield

I've said it before, but I feel so lucky sometimes to live where I do.  Sheffield is the city of steel and greenery.  So many contrasts... the industrial and the rural.  It really is the best of both worlds.  Depending on my mood I can walk the city concrete taking in the noise and the colours, or walk through the parks with Betty by my side breathing the fresh air and feeling the grass below my feet.

Yep, even Mr. Attenborough is a fan of the steel city!  This is just one of many impressive street art spots in Sheffield.  I'm forever stumbling across new treasures, but this one is definitely a favourite.

Where concrete and nature coexist...

And when I need some peace I head over to the Botanical Gardens... a stones throw away from our flat.  With Betty in tow of course!

The hours I've spent here... listening to the birds, taking pictures of all the different flowers and trees, laying on the grass with a book or a new crochet project.  It's also Betty's favourite walking spot.  Because it's so nearby I get to walk around here each morning and I never take for granted how lucky I am to have this beautiful space at my fingertips.

There is so much charm about this city.  It has a rich history and a promising future.  Whether you're looking for live music, vintage shopping, locally sourced food or a walk in the hills, Sheffield has it all.  There is just so much to share about Sheffield.  I feel this is just the beginning.

M.I.A.

I realise I've been gone a while.  I kind of had an accidental blog break... sorry it's been so quiet around here, but I want you to know that I'm back now.  It started because I was crazy busy preparing for Glastonbury, getting stuff sorted at work for my temporary move to another office (and job), and also getting ready for my first ever craft fair.  I was sort of stressing about it at one point, thinking "sh*t I've not posted in so long!  I've got no time to take pictures or think of content... sh*t!", but after a while it felt quite good to not have to worry about getting the best from the natural light after work, or capturing every cool thing that was happening in my life.  I'm glad I had a break because now I feel a new vigour to get back on this blogging business.  I also want to start taking pictures again, and get better at taking pictures... I'm feeling inspired and in love with photography once more.

I hope you're still with me.  I'm not sure what my next few posts will be, but I'm thinking I'll be blogging in a much more organic way from now on and stop stressing about creating content.  Instead I'll concentrate on capturing my life creatively whilst challenging myself to be better (this is why, of course, I started blogging in the first place).

Thanks for your patience, and I'll see you again soon.

Roshambo Rock // Free People

As I'm going to Glastonbury next week I've been trawling the internet for outfit ideas - the best for that boho-festival vibe is Free People.  Their May lookbook entitled Roshambo:Rock has everything you would need to look glam at Glastonbury.  After looking through not only am I extra excited to go to the most magical festival in Britain, but I'm really looking forward to this (sort of) holiday.

Check out the video that accompanies the lookbook and tell me you don't want to go abroad!

Hipstamatic diaries

Yay for summer!  It's this time of year Sheffield becomes it's greenest, so we take every opportunity to soak it all in whilst we can.  I also took this opportunity to take up one of my birthday goals and use my camera app - in particular the 'Hipstamatic' app.

Hipstamatic is definitely the app I've invested the most money in - I get pretty excited when they release new lenses and covers, but hardly ever get use out of it... what's that about?  Well I'm changing that, starting here.  Hello new feature!

Posing (with friends)

 

This posing malarky isn't getting any easier you know.  I still feel a bit silly asking Floyd to take my picture... I really want to get over this personal barrier, so I'm sticking with it.  I had a little help this time from my friend Dave.  He was pretty keen to get involved and made it a lot more fun!

As you can see the sun decided to show it's face.  It's feeling more like summer here in Sheffield.  I'm enjoying walking to work without a coat, turning my electric blanket off, eating ice-lollies and having salads for dinner.  I'm counting down the days until Glastonbury (2 weeks!!) - so excited, I can't even begin to tell you how much.  It's my first time, so I'm going with open eyes ready to take it all in.  Are you going to any festivals this summer?

Follow with Bloglovin

As you're probably already aware, Google Reader is shutting down on July 1st.  If you use Google reader to follow my blog, please consider switching over to Bloglovin.  I use it to follow all of my favourite blogs and it's a great way of keeping up to date with all the latest posts.  I've not been sponsored to say that - I just love Bloglovin!

Thanks, Lois.

Tuesday's Tune: Cayucas

CAYUCAS // CAYUCOS from Nolan Wilson Goff on Vimeo.
Here's a nice summery tune to get you in the mood. Enjoy.

The simple things... Jam on toast

The simple things in life really are the best.  Fresh white bread, Yorkshire tea in a porcelain cup, real butter melted on hot toast and a thin layer of hedgerow jam - you can't get better sometimes.

Taking pleasure in the small things makes me happy.  What simple things are you enjoying at the moment?

Lately on instagram

1. Picking out nail varnishes.
2. Hello.
3. Mushrooms growing in a house plant!
4. Another attempt at nail art.
5. Not quite warm enough for bare legs.

It's warming up over here and with the heat comes exposed flesh.  Therefore I've been upping my skincare routine, trying to catch as much sun as possible, moisturising like crazy and squeezing in some exercise when I can (and when I remember).  I love summer, and here in England it can become a bit of an obsession with the weather and whether we'll actually get a summer!  Each warm day is a blessing in my books.

Is it warm where you are?

Winkii hats

Recently two new cousins arrived in the world, so I crocheted them a pair of winkii hats to keep their little heads warm.  I can't wait to meet them.

Style crush: Emma Robertson

 

I've followed Emma's blog for a few years now.  It never fails to inspire me, as does her sense of personal style.  She doesn't post outfits often but when she does you can guarantee they're a great blend of simple, on trend monochrome with the odd pop of colour - and just that right amount of quirky.

You can read an interview with Emma on her style at Refinery 29.

Weekend snapshots

1. Taking my crochet projects to the park.
2. Betty soaking up the sun on our rag-rug.
3. Pretty blooms.
4. Current colours - fingers and toes.
5. My essential oil collection.

I actually did a lot more this weekend than these pictures make out.  We went to see The Great Gatsby at our local independent cinema, watched our friend dance in Matthew Bourne's production of Sleeping Beauty, ate the best burgers ever at a trendy restaurant in Manchester, got giddy on cocktails and met a puppy called Spider.  Yes this last bank holiday weekend was action packed - I had a lot of fun.  Sometimes I regret not documenting each special memory, but at the same time I was having too much fun living them.  It can be liberating sometimes leaving the camera behind.  Next time though, I promise to share.