Yearly Archives

2017

3 days in new york – Day 1. The story of the photographs

February 10, 2017

Oh dear, I had trouble narrowing down the number of photos of New York to include to make it a reasonable length blog post! We did a hell of a lot each day, so I had to include enough to illustrate that, and I managed to get it down to fifteen photos, which I thoroughly enjoyed preparing. By the way, I should explain that this is the first post about the epic holiday our family went on last July. (I’ve had so many blog post ideas that it’s taken me this long to get to it!) I’ve decided that pictures speak a thousand words, so these are mainly going to be photography based travel blog posts, rather than tonnes of information provided. However, if you’d like more information about anything I mention, please just ask in the comments – I’ve got a box full of leaflets and tickets and a detailed diary to refer to.

What shall I get him for Valentine’s Day?

February 8, 2017

Men are so difficult to buy for aren’t they? I’ve been with my guy for twenty-five years now, and trying to think of something to buy him for Valentine’s Day doesn’t get any easier. I was pretty impressed with myself last year as I bought him a nickel skate-board (well, a cheaper version of the real thing anyway); I thought it was something a bit different and he’d mentioned he’d quite like one. This year, I’m a bit stumped. He doesn’t want any novelty or display items because he’s run out of places to put things like that in his study. So while I was looking around, I thought I’d share some of my favourite gift ideas that might help you out as well…..

Late January Sales shopping – Next, New Look, Joe Browns, Joules & Weird Fish

February 6, 2017

I don’t like crowds; particularly in the shops when the January sales start. However, I absolutely LOVE a bargain! So, if I have the funds, I would sometimes go shopping the first week the kids had gone back to school, so at least I wouldn’t be fighting with them along the sales rails! Lately though, I haven’t specifically gone out of my way to go shopping in the sales, but I passed by New Look the other day and bought a couple of things. Then I was seduced by the Joe Browns catalogue that appeared on my doorstep, so I bought a couple of things from there online. Then, I was at Clark’s Village in Street to look for boots for Chris, when I ended up buying a few things there. Ooops!….

Monthly Memoir – January ’17

February 1, 2017

We’ve done it! We’ve successfully reached the end of January! I hope it hasn’t been too bad for you all, and you have managed to stay warm enough through that cold snap! We’ve been piling on the logs in the Rayburn, but have been topping up the heat in the evenings with electric heaters and layering on the jumpers and blankets! I actually like the beginning of January; I allow myself a little time to get over Christmas and make plans for the year ahead. Planning is fun. It’s when the actual work begins things start feeling a bit crap. Don’t get me wrong – I love my work – well, I love 50% of my work. Unfortunately the other 50% is admin, advertising and accounts, which I don’t love. So it’s more important than ever that I look back on my highlights, favourites and things I’m grateful for this month……

Weekly Wardrobe – floppy hat & maxi skirt

January 30, 2017

Hello everyone! There’s one good thing about all this crappy weather: it’s great for portrait photography! The misty dreary drizzle diffuses the light beautifully and makes me look amazing (even if I do say so myself) haha! Seriously though, if you’d like a nice outdoor photo of yourself, now’s the time to do it. I love it when you remember something in your wardrobe that you’ve forgotten about for a while. I can’t believe I haven’t worn this floppy hat all winter, but I thought it would go perfectly with the rest of the outfit and also add some much needed colour…..

10 ideas to help you get through the day

January 29, 2017

I’m writing this on the dreariest January day ever with rain pouring down and freezing cold hands; it’s barely surprising that we are likely to feel depressed at this time of year. Some are lucky enough to only feel low in spirits every now and then, while others suffer with melancholia so bad they lose hope of never feeling that way again. The best way to deal with those times is usually distraction. By all means, take a little time to yourself if you need it, but then I think the best thing to do is find something else to keep your mind occupied. Here are some ideas…..

Lensbaby Trio 28 lens Review – The story of the photographs at Tyntesfield Manor

January 25, 2017

This was the biggest surprise Christmas present I’ve had! I didn’t even know about this lens, so I was amazed that not only it exists, but it fits my little mirrorless micro four thirds camera, the Panasonic GM1! One of my favourite photographers is Emily Soto – I adore the soft focus effects of her portraits, but without the equipment, I’ve had to try and emulate the style in post-processing, which I haven’t had the time yet to learn properly. Now, I have a lens that does it for me, and even better, there are three lenses in one!….

Weekly Wardrobe – Pink & lilac

January 23, 2017

On Saturday Chris and I had a look round Clark’s Village in Street on the hunt for boots for each of us – preferably in the last of the January sales! We were unsuccessful, but did come away with a few things we hadn’t intended on buying! We also stopped for a quick Weekly Wardrobe photo-shoot – I’m sorry if I look freezing, because I was!….

Jonathan Creek Christmas special, Daemons’ Roost

January 23, 2017

All too often I circle programmes excitedly in the Christmas double issue of the Radio Times, only to get carried away with goings on with the family and totally forget to look at it. If you’re the same, then one of the programmes you might have missed is the Christmas Special of Jonathan Creek. I don’t normally review telly, but this one was due a mention……

Matte eye shadow palette comparisons and reviews – Boots No. 7, Ulta, e.l.f. & Hard Candy

January 22, 2017

I don’t know whether it’s my age or personal preference, but although I think shimmery eye shadow looks great on other people; I don’t feel it suits me, so I’m always on the look-out for eye shadow palettes in matte – particularly if they’re not nude colours. As make-up is usually a bit cheaper in America , when we were there on holiday in summer, I bought a few to try …..

5 Positive ways to make your resolutions and goals actually work this time!

January 18, 2017

This point of January is the most depressing time of year for me. Christmas is already a distant memory and it seems winter cold and rain endlessly stretches ahead of us. It’s easy to see why so many give up on our enthusiasm for changes and goals that we vowed we’d do at the new year. In the past I’ve failed miserably at the things I set out to achieve, but I think I’ve since worked out why they went wrong and what I need to do to fix it and make them happen….

Weekly Wardrobe – Tweed steampunk

January 16, 2017

We were invited to visit the home of the Gibbs family at Tyntesfield Manor in the year 1891. (It was a National Trust event.) Of course, we took the opportunity to go for a theme with our outfits that day! I didn’t have much in the way of late Victorian clothing, so I decided to go for a bit of a steampunk look instead. It was an early start to ensure we could get tickets into the house, so in the hour we had to wait our turn, it was the perfect opportunity to wonder the grounds and take photos….