Tuesday's Tune: Haim

Haim are my current favourite new girl band... they beat Girls Aloud any day right? They're playing at Glastonbury this year. Hopefully I'll get my act together and make it to see them amidst the crowds, the mud and the sometimes devastating decisions one has to make at these things. Even if I don't get to see them perform at Glasto, they'll be clogging up my playlist for the Summer to come - that much I can guarantee.

Shop preview... dot dot dot

Just a sneak peek at a couple of shop updates that are soon to be arriving.  As you can see, I've been getting enthusiastic with dotty patterns.

I really love this pattern so watch out - there's more to come!

Weekend

This weekend was a mixture of things.  Cocktails, green smoothies, long walks, roller skates, sunshine and sad news.  I won't go into detail - some things need no explanation.  I didn't really take any photo's this weekend, so above are some things found on various windowsills around the flat.

Orla Kiely: London Fashion Week

Orla Kiely Presentation LFW AW/13 from James Hatt on Vimeo.

I realise this has probably already done the rounds on the blogosphere, but I just had to share this presentation from style extraordinaire Orla Kiely. As the new series of Mad Men has started I find myself being drawn to 60's stylings and this collection is just soooo Mad Men - isn't it? Great stuff.

Stay Hydrated

Number 3 on my birthday list was to stay hydrated.  To help me stay focused on this task I had a look for an app and ended up downloading i-Drated.  I think this is a really fun app and has definitely helped me to up my water intake (when I remember to use it).  It sends me reminders when I'm due another drink and has an easy to use visual interface.  If you're wanting to set yourself a challenge to drink more water, I'd definitely recommend this app.

P.s. This is not a sponsored post.

Ballooning

As promised here are some (lots of) photos from our trip up in the air across the Peaks in a giant hot air balloon.  This was my birthday present from last year, so we only waited one year and two months exactly - not bad compared to some apparently.  I can honestly say this is one of the best experiences of my life!  I loved every second.  It is quite surprising how calm and serene the whole experience is - just magical.

Thank you Floyd for a wonderful experience.

Weekend plans

I'm really excited about this weekend because I get to hang out with friends I haven't seen in ages!  Our friends Jo and Martin are coming to stay with us tomorrow and on top of that we're all going to be enjoying a cheese and wine party to welcome home our friend Ali who lives out in Borneo for most of the year.  Cheese, wine and the company of good friends - can you see why I'm excited?  Yes.

Above are just some of the little things that are brightening up my world at the moment - pretty flowers given to us by friends last weekend in exchange for supper, one of my favourite magazines and the latest Anthropologie catalogue to flick through in those quiet moments... happy weekend!

New in the shop: Crocheted Collar

Visit the shop to take a peek at this sweet addition.

Tuesday's Tune: Nadine Shah

Nadine Shah: Dreary Town on Nowness.com
I've been stumbling across a lot of really cool music videos lately, ones that tell a story. I think I'm either pretty lucky, the internet is remembering what I like and showing me cool stuff or there's a trend - or all three! Anyway, here's another one of my recent finds for you... enjoy x

Bread

Floyd has had 'make bread' on his birthday goal list since last May.  He finally got round to ticking it off the list the other day, and I was the happy recipient of warm, homemade sourdough - yum!  I managed to snap a few photos of the kneading process, but got so excited by the end result (and the eating) that I didn't actually take any photos of it finished.  Oh well, I can assure you it was good - really good!

I'm now planning to make my own butter.  If I'm successful then between us we can be the bread and butter king and queen!  Watch this space.

Recently

1. It snowed, a lot.  It's all gone now (in the City at least) but it's still really cold.

2. I tried figs for the first time.  I'll definitely be buying them again - they were lovely.

just a couple of things that have happened around here lately.  I'll be back soon to tell you about an awesome experience I had this weekend... a long awaited birthday treat.

Yarn stash

One of the goals on my birthday list this year was to use up most of my yarn, so I thought I'd give you a little peek at a few of the yarn stashes I have littered around my flat.  Yep, yarn fills many a bag, basket or even open space around this place that I dwell in much to Floyd's annoyance - and I don't blame him!  I'm a total hypocrite because I would go crazy if he left so much stuff lying around.  Although I kind of don't mind creative messes... that's my excuse anyway.

I'm enjoying thinking of ways to use it all up though.  It's also the best excuse to do nothing but chill with my crochet hooks and some good tunes (and maybe the odd episode of girls).  If you know of any good ways to use up my stash then please leave me a comment.

Thanks all :)

Style crush: Lauren Soloff

I'm completely crushing on this woman's style.  From the hair to the jewellery to the cool, eclectic apartment... uughhh, I want it all!  I love how each piece she wears is slightly offbeat, and she's not afraid of a splash of colour either.  If I could pick one thing to have as my own it would have to be that awesome sheepskin jacket she's wearing in the third picture down - want!

See more here.