Nineteen / Twenty

New blog: FINE SCENERY

2012-02-24T17:42:00.000Z

I'm always stumbling across amazing artists, whether it's online, in magazines or galleries, and planning to blog about them. Of course I always forget, don't get round to it, or wonder if this blog is really the place for it, what with being so hap-hazard n all.
So I've finally started a brand new blog, which already features lovely little illustrations by Brooke Weeber, and beautiful landscape photography by Carla Andrade, plus I have plenty stored in the drafts ready to go up over the next couple of weeks. I'm pretty excited :)
The idea is pretty much to keep rollin' out these interviews from artists who I've admired for a while. If that sounds like your kinda thing, take a look, have a read, and start following :)
finescenery.tumblr.com

Happy Valentines Day

2012-02-14T14:55:00.001Z

Scribbles for a loved one.

Midnight City

2012-02-10T16:01:00.001Z

For anyone else who was kinda obsessed with M38's Midnight City, but is now a bit sick of hearing it on every episode of Made in Chelsea. The Knocks just gave us another excuse to love it all over again. YESS.

...Alright, I lied. I love it in Made in Chelsea.

Forever in a Nutshell: The Sketchbook Project 2012

2012-02-06T19:38:00.000Z

Last week I finally finished my pocket sized sketchbook, said farewell, and shipped it off back to Brooklyn, ahead of the 2012 Sketchbook Project world tour.

There's no real running theme or style, I just used it as an excuse to try different styles and play with a few different materials. As it turns out, I've realised I quite like watercolours, fine liners, free style machine embroidery and paper cutting. And mountains, always mountains.

Here are a few of my more favourite pages, and I've uploaded the full sketchbook here, if you want to have nosey. Also, stop by the tour if you happen to live in America, Canada, London or Melbourne (it starts in April, dates here).

Adam Rabalais - Alternative film artwork

2012-01-25T17:32:00.002Z

Just thought I'd do a quick post on these amazing film posters by Adam Rabalais. I found these when searching for original film artwork as an extra Christmas present for Adam (my Adam that is), and after hours of scouring various blogs and etsy shops for the perfect design AND film, I went with this Inception print.

Hopefully this will be the first of a nice collection of alternative film artwork for our walls. Take a look at Adam's shop on Etsy.

A few more of my favourites...

Sketchy update No.2...

2012-01-15T22:39:00.000Z

A sketchbook in the making...

2012-01-13T19:07:00.001Z

I signed up Art House Co-op's Sketchbook Project 2012 quite a while ago, and in true fashion have kinda left it a bit last minute to get started. It's due to be posted back to Brooklyn Art Library by the end of the month, but thanks to some fast sewing, cutting and splashes of watercolour, I seem to be doing not tooo badly considering my late start.

My theme is 'Forever in a Nutshell'. I'm not overly imaginative, so I've taken the literal approach, with landscape scenes tied in with a few nutshells. I'll be sure to post more updates as I fill up the book, but here's a little look so far...

(please excuse my pack of chocolate digestives peeking in, plus my broken fingers in the bottom)

Bows, sequins, ribbon and stripes in one heart

2011-12-19T13:00:00.000Z

Such a cute little fabric heart from my friend Hannah which she popped inside my Christmas card :)

Season's Greetings from Rudolph and Squirelly

2011-12-18T16:13:00.000Z

Rather than spend hours labouring over my Christmas cards with prit stick and scraps of paper, glitter and fabric everywhere, I decided to try a different approach, and go with an illustrated design. I had a few others, but these turned out the best when combined with my crappy printer.

Maybe next year I'll even get my act together, sort out decent printing, and get them on Etsy (which was my original plan).

Merry Christmas from Mr Reindeer and Snowy the Squirrel!

Weekend Projects: Tree Hearts & Puddings

2011-12-09T13:00:00.000Z

Best carried out with a bunch of festive tunes, here's my Spotify playlist if you can't be bothered to compile your own - CHRISTMAS Playlist. Lemme know if I've missed any crackers! (pun intended)

I made these last year and can't wait to get them out again this weekend once we've been to pick out our tree. They're pretty simple and cheap to make, all you need is;

Ribbon
Brown felt (for the pudding)
Cream fabric (the the pudding sauce - I just used the same for the hearts)
Gold beads
Coloured thread
Stuffing

Obviously, use whatever fabric and ribbon patterns you want to match your own decor.

Make yourself a few stencils, something simple like these will do.

Pin them to your fabric, and cut out. Each decoration with need two cut outs, so once you have a pair, pin them together. Pick out your matching thread and start sewing together, I used a blanket stitch around the edges to hold them together a bit better. Once you're need to the end, remember to take a break from the stitching to stuff them before finishing.

For the puddings I stitched the cream piece onto one side of the pudding before sewing both circles together. I used a few gold beads dotted around, and added a loop of ribbon to the back.

The hearts also have one piece of looped ribbon on the back, and a small bowed stitched onto the front.

Dear Santa

2011-11-30T12:20:00.000Z

Compling my letter to Santa Claus used to mean sitting for hours at the kitchen table with an Argos catalogue trying to decide which games, dolls and novelty items we wanted. As the illusion of our letters being swept up the chimney with a gust of wind faded, so did the carefully complied wish list.

Christmas lists turned into a trip to the shops, to a scrap of paper passed around the family, to an email, to a few vague ideas across the phone. So this year I've taken back the fun of making my Christmas list.

(Of course I'm going by the rule of providing plenty of options, with the expectation of receiving only a few... this is just my wishlist.) You never know, it might even give a few ideas of what to buy your own girlie, crafty friend/ sister/ daughter/ girlfriend/ etc.

Clockwise starting top left;

What's on your list this year?

Sneaky Peek - Chistmas designs

2011-11-28T12:30:00.000Z

Excited to get my Christmas cards finished in good time for sending out this year. I still have a few more to draw out and pick my card colors, but here's a sneak peek!

Weekend Projects: Re-upholstered dining chairs

2011-11-26T14:30:00.000Z

This is something I'd never had a reason to try before, but since we recently moved to an unfurnished house, we decided to take a trip to a local antiques & junk yard to find salvageable pieces to fill the dinning room. We thought it'd be fun to have four mismatched chairs and each decorate our own... and here is mine!

Being the cheapo that I am, I picked this one merely for the fact that we could get a pair for £5. Bargain! Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of the original, salvaged chair, so you'll have to use your imagination - dark, chipped varnish with a sludgy green patterned seat, which probably wouldn't have been so awful, had it not been sat outside in the junk yard.

First off I sanded the whole thing down, dusted it off, then painted a base coat. I then spent an awfully long time wandering around the paint isles at B&Q, before picking out this Victorian 'Winchester Green'.

The fabric I used to re-upholster the seat was found after rummaging around in the cut offs bin at my local fabric store - never under estimate the scraps! Luckily the original seat filling was still in good condition, so after pulling out the old staples and fabric, it was pretty simple to cover with my new material, folding the edges under to keep it tidy before stapling down.

We've also just acquired a pair Arts & Crafts style chairs, which I'm in the process of sanding, so stay tuned for the results of those. Enjoy your crafty weekends!

Weekend Projects: 'a' letter tote

2011-11-18T16:00:00.000Z

My crafty friend, Alex Carruthers, always makes people the cutest birthday cards. So when I left it a little late to start on hers, I decided to make a belated birthday present instead. She's not one for fussy accessories, and lugging things around, so I went for a simple tote bag.

The letter 'a' is embroidered using crimson and dark plum coloured cotton, and is backed with two layers of fabric and appliqued onto the bag. I also made a little bow with left over fabric from my re-upholstered chair.

October Obsessions

2011-10-31T18:34:00.000Z

Website
Thought Catalog
So many honestly written articles which make me realise how I'm not alone in my twentysomething worries. Particularly 'How to make friends after you graduate' and 'Why everyone needs to just accept that they're a creeper on the internet'

Exhibition
The Grundy Art Gallery's current exhibition 'Mass Photography: Blackpool through the camera' is so worth a visit if you're in the area. Full of nostalgic images from the early 20th century British seaside to present day stag and hen hotspot, it makes Blackpool feel a lot more interesting.

Tim Brown - Blackpool Tram (1990)

Music
<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://kavinsky.bandcamp.com/track/nightcall"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Nightcall by Kavinsky&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>Which leads me to...

Film
Drive.
I loved everything from the silky scorpion jacket to the brutal head crushing and synth pop soundtrack.

Decor Insipration
Apartment Therapy is so full of beautifully decorated rooms and jazzed up furniture. It's pretty much impossible to not find home interiors inspiration.

Fashion
Getting cosy for winter with my new chunky knits courtesy of the Topshop sale. I'm going heavy on the darks and wine red.

Design
I love these movie poster designs by Alien Corset, which I came across in the Richard Goodall Gallery in Manchester.
Nosferatu seems rather fitting.

Tea of the Month
Roobios - OK I only bought it the other day, so it was a late entry to the month, but I feel it was a good purchase.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T17:00:00.002Z

Determined to make a decent effort this Halloween, I've gone all out on my pumpkin carving, with a full graveyard scene. I will be sad when the time comes to throw this baby out.

As self entitled 'head of decorations' for our Halloween party, I also made a huge family of bats and mice cut from bin liners to invade the house, along with plenty of spiderwebs and creepies for the bookshelves.

I'm now looking forward to cooking up a treat from all the leftover pumpkin insides...Pumpkin and pecan pie?!

2011-09-16T13:29:00.001+01:00

Apparently it's National Cupcake Week. I had big plans to bake a batch of Earl Grey & lemon cupcakes, but alas, I no longer have a cake tray/tin thing, so I've had to settle on a measly - but oh so tasty - stash of cornflake cakes. The lack of hassle and longer life actually makes them all the better.

BUT, I thought this is a pretty good excuse to share the perfect cupcake recipe which I discovered after a trip to St. Andrews a few months back, where Hannah took my to Bibi's Bakery. I try to make an effort to sample cakes on every visit to a new place - mearly in the interest of research purposes of course - and have to say, this place currently takes first spot on my list.

Bibi's Vanilla Cupcakes, Butter Cream and Chocolate Orange recipe - pay attention to the tips as well, always handy for future baking sessions!

P.s. The butter cream is insanely good. I could eat it alone. No lie.

Fear and Loathing

2011-08-18T17:09:00.000+01:00

...Marina & the Diamonds.

When I was in early high school, maybe Yr 7, we were asked to write about our ambitions and how we saw our future.

Amongst other things, I wrote about a bakery that I was going to open. I was going to pay my workers £10 an hour. I thought that was pretty reasonable, all things considered. I would smell fresh cake an bread all day every day, and wear a pretty litter bakers hat and pinny.

Been Better

2011-06-14T16:39:00.000+01:00

She's quickly becoming a new fave.

Walk Through Walls

2011-06-12T12:54:00.003+01:00

...Kyla La Grange.

I always appreciate photos of other peoples homes, seeing all the little nic-nacs they've accumulated, lovingly displayed as part of the décor. It generally fills me with a mix of envy and inspiration, along with a gentle reassurance, knowing that my favourites are a combination of cheap finds and a bit of D.I.Y. that I can copy.

While I don't have the cute country cottage, or rough walled NYC style loft, we've spend the past few months trying to make a modern Ikea furnished flat feel a bit more like a home, with a touch of floral, a few antique finds and hand made bits and bobs.

Lady Daydream

2011-05-04T12:09:00.007+01:00

...Twin Sister

I've been having a bit of a play around with various materials lately, taking inspiration from the likes of illustrators Kelly Smith aka Birdy & Me and Caroline Andrieu of Do you like my tight sweater?. Armed with a pencil, copy of Lula and a scanner, I started with the beautiful Eva Mendes, attacking her with a paintbrush and sewing machine.

Scans are a bit naff, but then my scanner is from last century. Literally.

I'm Sleeping in a Submarine

2011-04-15T19:25:00.001+01:00

...Arcade Fire

I may be a bit late here, but hey, why break a life long tradition. Submarine may well have stopped showing in cinemas, as it only had a limited release, but if you get chance I'd say give it a watch. I liked it a lot. Particularly the sparklers.

Also - since I've been rather slacking with my blogging, I missed mentioning a lot of other films that I saw around the beginning of the year which were also rather great. So yeah, if you like good stuff (defined by the same as what I like) Alex also recommends;

Blue Valentine - yeah, it's kinda depressing, but it depends who you're empathising with. I watched it with the view that, yeah she [Michelle Williams' character] is right and justified. When I'd finished debating this with Sherree (who thought she was a bitch), I had a realisation that he [Ryan Gosling's character] may have unknowingly slipped into this situation, which can also easily be done. I hope I do not also slip into that accidental comfort. (This will make sense once watched)

The Kings Speech - it was genuinely a good film. Aside from which, I particularly liked the composition of the shots in the speech therapist's room. Yes, this was one of my actual thoughts while watching it - can't shake off those film analysis classes just yet!

127 Hours - I saw two grown men who were sat separately in the theatre turn away as he attacks his arm. I saw this because I was also half watching through my fingers. But that was really the only gorey part, the sunny setting, little stories and funky soundtrack made it much more bright and enjoyable than I was expecting. (I hadn't watched any trailers)

True Grit - MATT DAMON. It's cool, he can carry off the southern accent.

The Fighter - I just like Mark Wahlberg okay? I think he's good. His character was a bit quieter than his usual, which is fine, I particularly liked all the white trash talk from the female family members.

The end. Can you tell I don't read many film reviews?

Sometimes I tie a hair to a piece of lint and I drag it around.

2011-03-29T10:53:00.003+01:00

Marcel the Shell with shoes on. Dir. by Dean Fleischer-Camp

I saw this the other day along with a collection of other shorts one evening at Flatpack Festival. By far my favourite, I watched it again last night and I. Just. Love. It.

Undertow

2011-03-03T18:42:00.001Z

... Warpaint.

Last post... 5 January!? Insanee.

This no internet thing is not doing my blog any favours. Add to those New Year resolutions - write drafts in Word ready to post. It's not like I don't have anything to say, I'm just writing them in my head and forgetting that I haven't actually posted anything.

In the meantime, here are a few photos from a recent trip to Brighton (it was our 1 year, awwww). Weather was v. windy and grey and cold - but it was great. Being used to miserable looking seaside towns I was quite prepared to get wrapped up, plus the fact that Brighton is so cute with all its independent shops, antique stores and cafes in pastel painted town houses made the greyness irrelevant.

(warning, there are no cute pastel pictures just yet, only grey. Little Dianna still needs to finish her film.)

I Belive in Nothing

2011-01-05T13:11:00.000Z

...Vivian Girls

As the last post suggests, I had intended to carry on with my homemade Christmassy crafts, with my tree decorations, snowflake and candy cane wrapping and cards, buuuut I kept forgetting and before I knew it, Christmas had been and gone, so to post now would seem rather wasted. Still, it means I have a nice dose of fresh material to crack out next year. Boom.

After a brief trip home for Christmas and catching up with old friends, I was back in B'ham in time for NYE celebrations. A change from the usual disappointment offered by new years in Blackpool, this year I opted to let the evening sort itself, and so I entered 2011 doing shots of tequila in a cosy tapas restaurant in Kings Heath before heading over to Selly Oak for party times.

At this point there is the inevitable question of new years resolutions, which I've never really made a habit of making, since I know that if we're really truly honest, I will break them. All my years in education I began the year with 'do work as soon as you get it', yet there I was with my final ever handin, left until last minute in the most spectacular fashion to date.

Now with a life free from deadlines and essays I'm making a few resolutions/ general things to make the most of being young.

Spend less. Seems obvious, but this definitely needs to happen in order for the others to even have a shot...
Learn to drive. Figured waiting for the right time might mean I'll be married with kids living in the suburbs before I can drive myself around.
Start a new course. Just because I'm no longer a full time student, doesn't mean I want to give up learning. In my quest to make up for ditching art, I have enrolled on a weekly textiles class. I start next week.
Sunbathe. I want a sun, sea, sand & pool holiday, it's been too long.
Travel to more UK cities. Bristol & Brighton are top of my list. Also must make use of student friends while they last. Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield & St. Andrews - I'm coming for you.
Travel someplace new and interesting. 2009 I did Toronto & NY, 2010 I manged Beijing. Where next??
Paris. There was talk of a group hosteling trip to Paris over summer. I would like this to happen.
Take more photos & learn to develop.

Organized Scenery

2010-12-17T13:22:00.004Z

... Au Revoir Simone. They always make me feel a bit festive with their slightly jingley songs.

I have been terrible with my posting since not having the internet. But since it's Christmas and I'm feeling pretty festive with crackers floating around the office, I thought I'd share what I've been keeping myself busy with.

I present to you, Alex's Homemade Christmas: Part One.

Last weekend Adam and I had a lazy festive weekend picking out his Christmas tree, building a mini igloo from icing (which i forgot to take a picture of), and making wreaths. Which, if I do say so myself, are pretty darn great.

If you're not interested in how we made them, stop reading now, but I thought I might as well share for anyone who is.

You will need:

A bag of moss
Some form of meshy wire
Sturdy wire
Leaves/ branches/ berries/ twigs
Ribbon

1. Cut a long strip of the meshy wire a few inches wide, and enough to make a big loop. Shape it so it makes a long tube and then attach each end. This is the basic structure.
2. Stuff it with moss.
3. Make a few loops with the sturdy wire and attach to the back so it holds its shape.
4. Stuff the front with your leaves and things. Can do it full all the way round in the same direction like the top one, or more rustic by using bigger branches to curve round, leaving bits of the moss on show.
5. When its full, use string or wire to fix any of the loose bits.
6. Add ribbon and berries for decoration.

The end.

Trick Pony

2010-11-12T10:17:00.003Z

...Charlotte Gainsbourg.

A few photos from Beijing's 798 art district, which is a neighbourhood filled with galleries, artist studios, cafes, art shops and street sculptures. Despite spending all day there, i'm sure there is plenty we missed.

With a bit of cash and dedication, this is what Digbeth could/ should be.

Also filled me with burning a desire for a white wash studio apartment/loft complete with plants.

Selfmachine

2010-11-11T13:38:00.003Z

...I Blame Coco

My camera popped out of hibernation this week for a quick trip to an aircraft hangar in Coventry, where Rosie Kay was filming her dance piece '5 Soldiers: The Body is the Frontline'. It all looks like it's going to be pretty great, there's lots of photos in Meshed Media's Flickr.

Fader

2010-10-27T14:32:00.004+01:00

...Temper Trap

Last night I went to an experimental drawing class at mac. I went armed with my pencils and sketchbook, not really sure what to expect, but to my delight ended up with a pallet containing brown furniture polish, coffee, vegetable oil, black ink and mud. Everyone was also given a big piece of paper and a photocopied image of a landscape - i picked a nice mountainy one - and for two hours had a go at creating a piece using experimental materials.

This was my result - in true me fashion, my final larger attempt only got as far as the mountains after taking too long on the tester, so I decided to bring it home and try it myself with various materials in my cupboards. Need to find something which I'll be able to use to do the water a bit better - clearly coffee wasn't my thing.

- oh that also just gave me a thought about substituting water colours for tea. Fab :) Now, what can I char in substitute for charcoal...

-

2010-10-15T15:16:00.005+01:00

... I'm getting real lazy with my titles lately. I have no excuse. Just pure unoriginality and lazyness.

Last weekend the girls came to visit, half because we wanted a night at Snobs, and half because it tied in nicely with Alex's birthday. So I made some more cakes :) Ditched the swirly icing in favour of these multicoloured cupcake-kebabs. Icing was yum, cakes a little dry, I have yet to reach perfection...

Oxford Comma

2010-10-07T13:02:00.005+01:00

...Vampire Weekend

It was Adams birthday yesterday, so I made him these yummmmy brownie cupcakes with peanut butter frosting, from a recipe posted by Dujour. Of course, I had in mind that mine would also look beautiful and perfect, and then got to icing and found that I have still not mastered the art of cupcake decorating. After my first few attempts looked like a tiny dog had actually trotted along and done his business on top of my little brownies, I did get a tad better. Ah well, I guesssss I'd better make more for practice :)

We also took a trip to Oxford, which obviously made me very jealous of everyone living there, and made me wish I'd tried harder (much harder) in school, so that I could be one of those casually smart and brainy students swanning around all those lovely buildings. Hmph.

We also stopped by Bicester outlet village, and I got some nice spotty wellies from Cath Kidston, adding to my seemingly growing collection of bottle green clothing. (This purchase was very justified due to last winter's weather and my lack of waterproof, grippy footwear. I have yet to think of valid justifications for my other purchases, other then I never have to reach far to tell the time, thanks to my new 'time piece' necklace.)

-

2010-10-07T13:01:00.000+01:00

The last few of China photos for now. The last of my film at least, (there's a few more on Flickr) still plenty of un-posted, un-edited other photos (mainly from 798 Project, which which is a great place as shall be seen in due course). These are from inside the Forbidden City, which is just pretty huge.

And of course, I do like lamp posts. And Beijing-ers do love their bikes.

Midnight Club.

2010-09-15T13:31:00.002+01:00

...Russ Chimes.

Love these. Parts 1, 2 & 3.

Sprawl II (Mountains beyond mountains)

2010-09-14T15:48:00.004+01:00

...Arcade Fire

Despite the swarm of tourists that congregate at Badaling to see The Great Wall of China, the view is pretty amazing. When we were warned about climbing the wall in such heat, I had no idea we actually had to CLIMB. Vertical slopes in flip flops meant I made it the closest high point, took a moment or so to poke my head out and catch some cool air, before retreating.

Opus 36

2010-09-14T12:53:00.002+01:00

...Dustin O'Halloran

A misty day at the Summer Palace. It rained all morning. Then it stopped and we took a peddle boat out on the lake. It was rather surreal, a mix between peaceful and eerie, I half expected a huge dragon boat full of warriors to emerge from the mist.

My Best Theory

2010-08-31T12:40:00.003+01:00

... Jimmy Eat World

Yes still a major lack of posts, but we've been busy making our own internet-less fun over bank holiday. Sherree and I made this choccie cake with our new heart tin, which we bought on our shopping spree to spruce up the flat. Also purchased a nice welcoming door mat (everyone has them, I felt left out) and some fake flowers from the cash and carry at the bottom the road.

It almost makes up for how upset I was at missing the farmers market, which has amaaazing cakes.

Also popped down to Ikon Eastside, which I've been walking past everyday but never had the chance to go in. The video installation on at the moment was a lovely break from the busy bank holiday crowds. Lazing about on bean bags gazing at Sergio Vega's paradise is a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

-------

Just so you don't have to listen on their website and have them sneakily post to your facebook at the same time.
Listening to this, plus all my old music which I've finally loaded on the mac, also reminds me that I haven't been festival-ing this year. Which is slightly sad. But a break from Leeds was needed, and as of yesterday I have a burning desire to do a different one next year, perhaps even abroad. Yes, I'm pretty crazy like that. Anyway, I have a year to plan.

Skippin' Town

2010-08-24T17:27:00.007+01:00

...The Drums

As usual my lack of efficiency has meant that I forgot to write about going to China, possibly the only exciting thing that would have made for good reading. But I did do a little post on the Meshed Media blog, so you can read that instead if you're interested.

Have slowly been working through some photos though, so can write a bit with those...

1. This was at a restaurant by the side of the lake at Houhai. It just so happened that this was the only resturant with a table free by the water, and it had the most beautiful turquoise sequined tablecloth, with pink cushions. Lovely.
2. At the end of a long day, David and I were too lazy to walk all the way back to the subway from the Forbidden City, so we risked our lives and took a ricksaw through backstreets and rushhour traffic. (even though it's always rush hour in Beijing centre) It was great fun though.
3. This day I walked around Beijing city centre for hours and ended up going in a massive circle. It was in the mid-late thirties. Very very hot. But this was a cute park I passed through.
4. This is the market street inbetween the University and my hotel which I walked through every morning and night, in rain and shine. Lots of people stared at me, but after a while I gave a smile and a wave to the street food vendors, and picked up some sweet bread from the same man with his little bread stand, yummeee.
5. Another little street, this one was by a great shopping street - so good we had to go twice, I cant remember the name, but it's amongst lots of Hutongs.

Carousel

2010-08-23T10:41:00.002+01:00

...Paper Route

Way back when it was the Christmas German Market, Sherree and I had a go on the carousel. We had a whale of a time, and laughed all the way round. Out of a whole roll used in my shitty supersnapper camera, this was the only photo which came out alright.

City with no children

2010-08-21T01:12:00.005+01:00

...Arcade Fire

I'm a bit of grown up now. I have a grown up apartment in the city (which doesn't yet have the internet, hence lack of posting). This is our view of the lovely industrial wasteland come creative canvas that is Digbeth. It might not look much, but it's kinda distracting when your just sat there.

Films of Colour

2010-08-04T13:33:00.002+01:00

A few months ago Alex, Jaime and I decided it would be fun to spend a day making an animated music video, amid a shed load of work. So we did. We roped in Jaime's sister Shawnee, who was good enough to lay in their freezing cold living room all afternoon and wiggle around on demand, as Alex and Jaime crawled about with props and I balanced on a not so stable chair above with the camera.
For a days planning and creating using the contents of our 'making baskets', we were pretty impressed with our efforts. But then time went by and we had lots of boring work to do. But finally Alex has found time around working in her burger van to edit the photos together.
And this is the result.

Films of Colour - 'Actions' from Alex Carruthers on Vimeo.

Young Blood

2010-08-03T16:10:00.005+01:00

...The Naked & Famous

I forgot to post this (along with everything else), but while looking for a flat last weekend, we popped into the BMAG Waterhall to have a look round the Steve McCurry exhibition. It was real good, well worth a look.
More than just 'man+camera+far east= oooo isn't that good', makes me wish I'd had more time and an adventurous spirit in China. Not that I saw any children with guns... just sayin.

On a lighter note....

the naked & famous don't seem to be on spotify, so here's a bit of youtube

Airplanes

2010-07-29T13:06:00.004+01:00

...B.o.B Feat. Hayley Williams

I just kinda like it okaaay.
Finally have photo shop, so thought it was about time to sort through my China photos. Also using this as an activity to avoid organising all my belongings.

Siberia

Goodbye Holland. Short but sweet

Dreaming of Another World

2010-07-19T17:43:00.005+01:00

...Mystery Jets.

Oh geeeeez. Would like to say Ive been so busy living my life to write about it, but whilst partly true, it's more that I've spent the past 3 weeks stuck behind the Great firewall of China. (I say stuck, it was my own free will)
No longer staring hopelessly into a bleak, meaningless life in Blackpool, I now have some loose form of structure to my life. And it's rather adult looking.

1. After spending a few weeks at Meshed Media, I was offered a job. Which obvs I took. I start in 2 weeks!
2. I went to China, joined a class of MA, PHD students, lecturers and professors for the CUC Joint Summer School in Beijing - a bit scary but a bit exciting too
3. Returned to find my results waiting for me. I am the proud owner of a First Class Honors Degree... Oh yeeah. Also pleased to find I am in good company, my friends are clever little peas :)

So am now lay on my bed in Blackpool, as it is the only section of my room not taken up with bin bags and boxes. Separating the junk from the important stuff is such an unappealing task. The question of where all this stuff is heading is still looking a bit hazy, as I have two weeks to find a place to live in Birmingham... Shit?! Homelessness is a definite possibility, but somehow the urgency has yet to set in and I seem to be feeling a bit too relaxed about the prospect.

Anyway, I expect you - the only reader of this blog- is DYING to see my photies from China. Well you're going to have to wait until laptop senior has been located so I can make them look presentable. So for now, here's a picture of me in rain at the Summer Palace.

So This Is Goodbye

2010-06-15T22:10:00.010+01:00

...William Fitzsimmons

Pulling tops, jumpers & dresses of their hangers, I remember them all. I remember when I bought them, all the places I thought I'd go to wear them, who I'd impress, the boys, the friends, the occasions. They all had a purpose. I'd convinced myself they'd all have their day and there was a place for them in my wardrobe.

And now they feel wasted, I'm throwing them into bin liners ready to go home, each one that's pulled out comes with a memory of old friends and places I'll never visit again. Some of these have made it through the packing up process so many times, I remember packing them 3 years ago, thinking about everything that I was leaving behind. Now it's the thought of returning, knowing that everything I left behind then has gone that's giving me an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach.
I'm wondering when I'll wear half of these dresses again. I literally can no longer picture an occasion for a short sequined dress. When on earth am I going to a dance night again in the near future? Long summer dresses that are too hot for summer, to bright for winter, with a memo attached telling myself to shorten them.

I've already filled 2 and a half bin liners and my wardrobe still looks full.

My hope is that these clothes won't make it out of the bin liners before they are out of Blackpool again. Let the job and flat search begin.

[ - At this point I would like to remind all that many of these garments were well under £10. I may be extravagant in quantity, but not in expense.]

Running On

2010-06-14T13:15:00.002+01:00

... Villa Nah

Oh I knowww, too long. Thought once I had all my work in I'd be posting all the time, however literally since handing in the production project - which seems like sooo long ago - I have been busy busy making the most of Birmingham and friends.

In between hanging about in the garden and park, knitting, visiting St. Andrews, and preparing for our final year exhibition, I have also been doing a bit of work at Meshed Media with Rhubarb Rhubarb along with planning my trip to China, yeeeah China.

SO now that our exhibition is over I have OFFICIALLY finished all university work (so long as I dont fail and have to re-take anything). Strange to think of so many people who I will never ever see again. But apparnely not strange to leave Perry Barr, since I find myself sitting in the photography room. Thought I would finally try out the negative scanners, but i dont think a tech is coming to help me so maybe I'll just never get to make the most of these facilities.

Anyway, have just been in to sort to fill out my visa application for China, where I'm going for the first 2 weeks of July for a summer school based on The Politics and Economics of Media Convergence. It will be hot, it will be busy, and I - the lone little english girl who cannot speak a word of chinese - will most definately be out of my element. EEEK. Trying to make a mental list of things I still need to sort out;
- Insurance
- Accomodation
- Money
- Cool / floaty / light clothes
- which cameras to take

Oh goodnesssss.

Ok not gunna babble on until I have useful things to write about. Giving up on this idea of scanning, going to pop over to adam's for a cuppa before having a nosy for summer clothes in town.

Kisses.

Knock you out

2010-05-16T13:54:00.004+01:00

...Tiesto feat. Emily Haines

I'm on a Twitter detox, so short posts...

1. I know I'm sat inside all the time, and my house is cold, and atm the curtains closed, but... WHERE THE FUCK IS SUMMER?

2. For this reason I resisted the gorgeous cord shorts in favor of a flannel checked shirt. Finally making the most of the Jack Wills outlet.

3. I cant wait for my trip to St. Andrews. But not the mammoth journey. Which I saved just under £80 on, score!

4. Spotify ads are getting so much more annoying. But I think I have acquired a public profile so people can nosey at my badly compiled playlists; http://open.spotify.com/user/alex-jones

5. Dissertation is IN. You'd think I'd be glad, but I would switch it for this production project anyday. I shall post a better post about my dissertation later in the week.

BYEZ

x.

Innovator

2010-05-08T17:33:00.001+01:00

...Plains

I love this.

Nun

2010-05-03T15:04:00.004+01:00

...I Am Arrows (A link for the none-spotifiers)

Oh dear, April blogging efforts have been poor. Lots has been happening, but with still sooo much to do, I really can't be spending time writing about it. So I'll sum up with the help of a phew pictures.

I took a trip to Liverpool. Myself and Phil went to visit Kerry and to watch her dance show for Uni. of Liverpool's Bodysoc, which she's president of and put lots of effort into organising. It was great and made me wish i was a cool sexy street dancer. Then we went out for numerous drinks, shots and cocktails about Liverpool. (which was also strange, as i'm used to going to big clubs rather than dotting around lots of bars all night. quite liked it, will defs have to go back for another round). Also bumped into old college pal Billy, which was v.exciting and surprising.

Next on my travels, was a Trinket roadtrip to London, where we (myself, Jaime, Jen and Sarah) were live blogging from Communicate Magazine's Social Media conference, which was held at Chelsea football club. I'm not going to write all about it, but if you're interested you can look at that here>> http://communicateconference2010.posterous.com
We were also lucky enough to have a great host, Tanya and her family, who let us stay with them in North London, which is a lovely lovely area, with lots of greenery and blossom it's more like staying in the country than a huge city. Besides our long long day at the conference, we managed to squeeze in a drink in Camden, pizza in Hampstead, milkshakes at Tinseltown, and dinner in Covent Garden.

There we are blogging from the fancy box they put is in for the day

Yesterday we thought we'd check out the opening of the new MAC centre over at Canon Hill park, which looks greeeat. They'd put on taster workshops for all the different courses they offer, which obviously is not something we were going to miss out on. While most of them were full up, we managed to have a go at the animation taster, batik painting and clay modelling.

Mine is that unfinished looking duck.

The Golden State

2010-04-18T16:54:00.004+01:00

...John Doe Feat. Kathleen Edwards

Wow, long time no post! So here I am, back in Birmingham. After a week of early mornings, lots of meetings, venue hunting, BBQing, finally being able to leave the house without a coat and living alone, I again have housemates and today decided to take the big step into the apple supported 21st century. Yes yes, helloooo macbook pro. Exciting stuff, but while it is without Office it's also proving a great distraction from dissertation writing, as i'm just toooo eager to start using it.
Definitely lots to get used to, no right clicking, no double tapping and still no idea what half of these keys do. Next distraction, read manual.

And so what else is there for a first time mac owner to do before they have any software installed?
HELLOOOOO

Like a prayer

2010-04-06T22:19:00.004+01:00

...Madonna
I'm not really a big Madonna fan, but I can't think of anything right now, and since it was #1 the day I was born, thought it was quite apt. Maybe?

Today I went to the Steals warehouse. Always a treat, always dangerous. I did manage to resit many of the lovely dresses since I know all too well that I will never get round to wearing them as much as they deserve. This one however, how could I resit? Black, lacey and Christopher Kane for Topshop... £3. Yesss.

As for my other treats, birthday pressies included Topshop summer sandals, Cath Kidston sewing box, apron, button tin and passport holder, a beautifully decorated scrap book ready for me to stick my numerous homeless photos, Lola by Marc Jacobs, and a lovely white coat stand (which for now may well have to reside in my room here, not sure I'll be able to get that on the train). All in all I can safely say I have received no useless presents, they are all perfect :)

The Weakends

2010-04-04T00:29:00.005+01:00

...Motion City Soundtrack.

Monday is my 21st Birthday. EEK. And last weekend was the masquerade party outing to snobs, surprisingly everyone made a great effort with their masks, looked great :)

Having celebrations early along with now being home for Easter also meant lots of early treats from my friends, including a beautifullll powder blue Jones sewing machine with white flowers on the cover from Beckie and Sherree (will post a picture when I get back), a floral Cath Kidston teapot from Adam, which is sooo pretty I love it :), knitting needles and lovely soft wool to get me started with my knitting from Jaime & Alex, plus various yummee chocolate cakes and this v. special chocolate-brownie-tart

Oh and I also made Ajay a Moomin/ butterfly birthday cake. Moonin is a bit of a podgey Moonin.

And now after a hectic journey - lots of running for buses and struggling with huge heavy cases - I'm back in Blackpool for the week. Before leaving B'ham I had Hannah to visit so used this as an excuse to visit all the art/crafty shops that are about, along with my first full visit around the museum and art gallery, which is seriously huggge. Today we popped into the latest exhibitions at the Ikon, and were rather disappointed, definitely not what either of us are able to define as 'art'.

Going to try and get tucked into my teeny bed now for the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy :)

Disappear

2010-03-30T20:48:00.005+01:00

...Motion City Soundtrack

I think my fave song of their new album. Which they played when we saw them at the O2 Sunday night, along with a whole load of classics. (But due to 5 albums, not quite as many classics as I'd have like. This is because they should just introduce a medley.) And they were amazing. Considering how tired/ slightly hungover/ bleugh I'd been feeling recovering from Friday and Saturday night, it turns out a lot of loud fun music that was just what I needed.

Photo courtesy of Jaime. Trust my battery to die as soon as I whip out the camera.

Her Morning Elegance

2010-03-29T14:00:00.004+01:00

...Oren Lavie

Only managed to make it to one of the Flatpack events that were on last week and the weekend, but it was a free night of short films screened by Short & Sweet at Vivid. They were all real good, but this was one of my faves. A stop frame animation music video by The Nathans, giving us much inspiration for the animation we're making on wednesday. Enjoy :)

Natural's Not In It

2010-03-26T19:29:00.003Z

...Gangs of Four.

I have two cakes in the oven. I need to do my hair and make-up and pick out an outfit, and I'm leaving for party time in an hour. You'd think I'd have more of a sense of urgency right?

I finished my mask today, ready for my 21st birthday celebrations tomorrow. Wanna seee?

Jump in the pool

2010-03-21T17:23:00.003Z

...Friendly Fires

Here I am on a Sunday evening, very numb bum after being sat here all afternoon trying and failing to get the first chapter of my dissertation written. Getting distracted by everything and anything.

This week we went mini golfing and laser questing. It was v. fun. Mini golfing, I'm not so great at (third to last. boo), but laser questing, it seems, I am much more masterful than expected. Had great fun running about, hiding round corners, jumping out to shoot the juvenile delinquents who we were sharing our session with. (Note, v. v. v. small boy with attitude + hoody + cigarette = scarrry)

This week I have written myself a long list of things to be achieved before I have guests to stay and disrupt my work flow at the weekend.
- DISSERTATION. No messing now, must stick to deadlines. eek
- Spring clean of house
- Make masquerade mask, atm mine is taking the form of spiderman. It must have a makeover
- Animation day, prior to which will be animation planning
- Tomorrow's first workshop for Media Talent Bank, it's Social Media. ooooo.

Alright, well after making that schedule, I guess I should give myself a break for tea time. Food = Fuel. Fuel = dissertation.

Will leave you with a bit of Gaga and her pinky pinky hair. Mine is not, nor will ever be this bright, do not fear.

Saturn's moon Enceladus

2010-03-15T23:14:00.005Z

David A. Hardy (Acrylics)

So yesterday we went to the West Midlands Open 2010 exhibition at the Gas Hall, which is currently displaying work by local artists. After carefully inspecting every piece, I left with this clear favorite, the one that made me stop and go 'WOOAAH' (aside from the perfectly detailed pink flower on canvas, argh lifetime love). It may not look as amazing in this image, but up close it is really quite stunning. The colours, the detail, the texture, just great! Trust me to pick out the one dedicated space artist from the whole room :)
Anyhow, it's worth a look in if your about Birmingham, there's some really great pieces.

Tomorrow

2010-03-14T01:07:00.003Z

...Ladytron

Basically, I think this video is beautiful. It is what life would be if our eyes could see amazing colours in everything. And is by Neil Krug. Who I have only recently stumbled upon, but his work is AMAZING. I love. All.

This is also another in the way of hair ambitions. But since I'm not willing to go white-blonde then it's a rather distant ambition.

Away Frm U

2010-03-12T13:32:00.006Z

...Oberhofer, for the none spotifyers

Hello dedicated reader(s?), this might be a big(ish) one since I haven't posted anything thing in agggges. Would like to say I have tones to show for this, but no, no I do not. Keep not posting because I think I have more important things to be doing them, but then I don't get those done either. But since I can't do anything until I've freed up enough space on my hard drive for files to open, and enough emails for my inbox to start sending again, I thought I may as well post.

So since my trip to York which was aggges ago, I had a visit from my sister, Tom and Jack. Usual events occurred, Jack got lost, we had a few drinks, ate a lottt of food, watched films and were really lazy.
Last weekend I then want to Manchester. My sister and I made mousakka, she's in first year so was kinda weird being in halls again, afraid to use anything in the kitchen without witnessing it being washed first and tiptoeing in and out of the teeny showers. Ahh freshers. Also weird hearing everyone with broad Northern accents, as oppose to everyone here where North goes as far as Stoke, and anything above is pretty much foregin.
Friday night was Passion Pit who were supported by Ellie Goulding. I tried to take pictures, but my camera is shitty so I failed. This is Passion Pit. This is the only picture I took that was in focus. BRAVO ME.

Saturday I spent the day with Ajay, Kerry and Phil, most of which we spent deciding what to have for tea and where to buy it. Over the years we have perfected the art of making an easy task very complex. Also visited the art museum, where we had great fun playing with coloured plastic tubes, making a landscape.
Sunday a quick shop and late lunch in Weatherspoons with Tom and Kerry before returning to B'ham.

So this weekend is the first one I've had on my own in quite a while, making saturday ALEX day. Great stuff.

Also had our first attempt at dying my sister's hair usuing hemp, which has a nice muddy/pooy/pesto consistency. So her hair is now orangey/reddy/brown, making me want to do something with mine. So I'm going for 1 of my two desired hair colours, a pinky tinge. Inspired by Kirsten Dunst in Marie Antoinette, Gaga and Rachel McAdams. Mine is not quite as great of course, but I'm working on it.

Knowing my now not so regular posting pattern, I will leave you with some good songs to make up for the recent lack, and probably future lack.

This is another great from Wolfgang.

Wolf Gang, "Back To Back"

Fyfe Dangerfield When you walk in the room. Another Neon Gold link. Spotify is being pretty neglected atm.

And finally, I am weirdly obsessed with this song. Like, a lot.

Home

2010-02-22T22:34:00.004Z

...Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.
As recommended by Miss Warren, tis just great.

So I realised I've not posted in a while. Seem to have been quite busy, but with very little to show for it. As usual.

This past weekend I went to York where my Dad had booked an apartment for my Nana's birthday, which overlooked the river and was right across from the city center. I'd forgotten how nice York is, it's been quite a while since I last visited, and as an embarrassed girl guide marching around in a long line of pairs, I don't think I really appreciated it then anyway. The shops really are the cutest in any city I've ever been, each street is crammed with cobbles and tipsy squiffy buildings what have seen every era we learnt about in history class, all the way from Viking times through to the middle ages, Tudors and Victorians, and unlike most cities -ahem Birmingham- York has preserved as much of it as possible.
History aside, the shops are just great, within 10minutes of leaving the train I found myself outside Cath Kidston and Jack wills, ahh just fabulous! Although I was only a window shoppper for the majority, I did treat myself to a dear little tea strainer shaped like a mini teapot - complete with a mini dish to pop it on (I say treated, I mean treated by my father). This obviously meant I felt the need to stock up on loose tea at Whittards. Darjeeling, Acai & Goji berry and White Pomegranate tea. Yummee.
Also took Diana with me, still have yet to quite figure out what I'm doing, plus that I forgot what half the settings meant, so am sure her first film will be rather hit and miss.
Hmmm what else. It snowed, again! Meaning everyone left early Sunday morning for fear of getting stuck driving home, leaving me to explore the city a bit more on my own. I wandered aimlessly around in the snow looking for my tea, bopping in and out of charity shops. I think the combination of snowy weather plus it being Sunday morning made people want to stay at home, but it was really quite peaceful out around the Minster, all quiet and dusted with white. Just lovely.

Okay I'm now going to have a look at my methodology, making no promises to finish it, since clearly that approach isn't working for me. Have found myself in exactly the same work position as this time last week, oh geeeez I need some structure.

Since your in love

2010-02-14T12:54:00.003Z

...Jesse Malin

When I was 8 I received a card on Valentines day, I was quiet a shy child, and so when I opened my desk to find it lying there I was more embarrassed than flattered. Without really thinking I screwed it up and slid it into the bin before anyone saw. Later that day the boy who sat next to me fished it out and held it out to me asking if I wanted it back, again I was too concerned at the embarrassment, so I hurriedly told him that no I did not want it, and to put it back. He looked a bit hurt. The card was handmade with glitter and really very cute. It must have taken him ages.
Well now I'm 20, and pretty sure that karma has a large part to play in my lack of cards ever since. 8 year old me may well have kept that card if she'd have known it would be the last one she'd be receiving.

Today is definitely a day to be spent with friends and alcohol.

2010-02-08T20:44:00.003Z

It's started snowing again.
Oh I want to wear floaty dresses and little shoes already!

L.E.S. Artistes

2010-02-08T17:57:00.002Z

...Santigold

Soo today has been another productive day. Meeting this morning led to us acquiring free tickets to Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake on Wednesday, which is absolutely brill and very exciting since I've never been to the ballet before :)

Then we gave up on the work, went for lunch at Bella Italia before heading over to the Bridget Riley exhibition. Have to say I'm not as mega into this style of modern art, although I can see there's an awful lot of work gone into the shape and illusions created by her work. I find myself more impressed at the neatness and managing to paint sooo many lines, whereas I would get bored after the first few. I think I just relate art to my own capabilities and taste, so I'm more impressed by really fine art or something more expressionist. That said I really liked her pieces like this one, mainly because yes I like the colours, but also I'm a bit more drawn to the flow and shapes, a little more interesting than blocks and lines.

Also had a little look at the Clare Rojas and João Maria Gusmão & Pedro Paiva exhibitions on at the Ikon.
I quite liked Clare Rojas' work, again because I was just SO impressed with her painting in the lines skills, but it also had a bit more imagination to it. I think that takes a bit more skill to conjure up these patterns and scenes, which again I can admire because it's not something I've ever been good at. Also, her pieces ranged from covering whole walls, to smaller detailed animals, and patchwork pieces, which of course had me all 'ooooo that's pretty', like it's something I would pop on my wall.

The other exhibition, by João Maria Gusmão & Pedro Paiva were silent video installations. I think these kinda freak me out, in the pitch black room, with just these strange images flickering away. This kinda art is definitely something you need to 'get', and I just don't. Like, I can appreciate some of them, and I did genuinely get drawn into watching them, waiting for something to happen. And then you remember, this ain't a block buster movie, nothing is ever actually going to happen. It's going to end, and then loop round again. All this said, I didn't dislike them, I'm just not artsy enough to understand them. And there was one that was quite interesting. It involved a man falling on the floor.

Anyway. That was a boring read I'm sure. I'm actually really tired, thought about taking a nap and then thought NO I'll make myself stay awake, and hopppefully fall straight asleep at real bedtime, rather than lie awake until 3am.

Sick Muse

2010-02-07T22:30:00.005Z

...Metric.

I don't know if I'm cursed or stupid or un-nurturing or what, but I seem to have a tragic inability to look after plants. My peace lily is sitting on the windowsill behind me, I moved it to the kitchen a few months ago because I thought maybe it was needing a bit more light, but now I think it's just dead. It's poor limp yellowy brown, with a hint of green, leaves are merely hanging on to their former glory.

Sensing the end was nigh a long time ago (really should have put it out of it's misery by now), I bought a hyacinth bulb a few months ago, which had been in dark isolation ever since, until I spotted its shiny green shoot and blooming flower and decided to take it out. That was a couple of weeks ago. The flower has since shrunk back into the shoot, and I'm pretty sure it's now dried up past the point of revival.

Oooooooh. It's things like this that make me think I should never get a cat.

Heart Skipped a Beat

2010-02-01T21:25:00.003Z

... The xx

Sooo thought I might as well post something, in the hope that I'll type a load and get my fingers used to it, and make them want to carry on and type type away at my dissertation, which btw has hit a rock. A big gray lifeless rock. Eugh.
Thought if I got myself comfortable and warm that would take my mind away from being uncomfortable and cold, leaving lots of thinking space for writing. Apparently not, because that was 6 and a half hours ago and I've got 1 more quote to add. There is no winning.

Needless to say that's 2 points on my list of things I was meant to do last week, which have yet to be achieved.
Did give blood though, which I love. Having a dull meaningless life, it makes me feel like I'm doing something that matters a wee bit. Finaaally ordered a replacement drivers license, making sure to tick organ donation (again, just to be safe), but not my eyes, because I still feel a bit strange about that.
Council tax, sorttted. Although did receive a court summons the other day, so should probably call them to make sure that we do not owe £800+, because that would not be cool.
In my one library visit (another failed dissertation attempt), after an hour or so of staring at and fiddling with my dried, knotty split ends, I decided to book a hair appointment. Another over priced visit, which I generally dread. I'm not sure if it's because I booked it on a whim, or I've simply become numb to the distress of hair cuts, but I'm still just not sure it was a great idea. I thought I wanted to get rid of the scratty long bits at the end, and I'm sure I did, but I now remember that I grew it so long to distract from how boring and fluffy the top half gets. Plus I didn't ask for anything exciting with my fringe, which means that's just really long and boring too, and I can't actually be bothered to put rollers in it every day. Pfff oh well.

Sherree and I took a bus ride to Kings Heath on Saturday out of our sheer boredom. Did the whole bunch of charity shops on the high street, managed to ignore and resist all of those garments made of nice prints that were too big and I would never have fixed, and returned with just one cream cardi with pastel beady bits on. Lovely. :)
We also stumbled up to a cute little alleyway cluttered with garden furniture and other decorative gardeny things, which also had a garden shop and cafe tucked away at the back. We sat there sipping our tea and iced tea, me with my potato and watercress soup, Sherree with her ham hock sandwich, admiring our matureness and wondering why we'd never ventured further than the high street before.
Saturday night however, we went to Snobs. Loves it, they never fail to play a few great hits, which we unashamedly dance and sing our hearts out to.

This week;
- DO finish lit review and methodology
- Proposal writing and meeting for Trinket Creative (has me way distracted browsing for fonts)
- Potential visit from the mother. Could maybe get her to take some of my unwanted crap home to it unclutters my room a bit
- Maybe paint something. Provided point 1 gets finished
- Book train to York for Nana's birthday

...Okay so this week has the potential to be lifeless. The joy of February. Which, I have decided is definitely one of the more crappy months, all the nice bits of winter have long gone, summer is still so far off, it's still cold and windy, I'm getting bored of wearing so many layers, I want to wear my new summer dresses, and all there is to supposedly jazz it up is valentines day. Which I will be spending with Sherree, again. Yaayz.

I have no pictures to make this loooong post more interesting. Sozz.
But here's what my face looks like when on the odd occasion, someone just comes out with something unexpected and nice... :)

Us.

2010-01-23T16:54:00.003Z

...Regina Spektor

Photos from snowier times.

Costume Party

2010-01-23T16:08:00.002Z

...Two Door Cinema Club

Who'd have thought the red squirrel, bat, panda, peacock, seal, tiger, cat, leopard, elephant and chicken would get along so great?
(me being the red squirrel. burnt browny face paint... not a particularly flattering colour though I must admit)

Staying in bed for half the day definitely seems to be the way forward for avoiding any sort of hangover :)
And now I am just a teeny bit bored, having finished all my assignments and had my one, LAST EVER exam. Now all that's left is the dissertation and production project (currently in the process of thinking up names for our PR company. As we have been for the past four months), leaving me with alott of free time, which I will no doubt manage poorly. Going to start some sort of list of weekly aims.

This week:
- Give blood
- Finish every bit of my lit. review
- Finish every bit of my methodology
- Start work on Lookbook ethnography
- Bake some sort of cake/ muffins/ brownie
- Adjust all the clothes that are too big/ falling apart that I keep putting off
- Hover house
- Get back to making new website... Maybs even buy web space
- Sort out council tax (! eek this is a must before they take us to court!)

Hmmm. That's all I can think of. I blame the uninspiring weather.

Come on be good

2010-01-17T21:43:00.005Z

...Dragonette.

So work is out of the way - finally! (I said this, blissfully ignoring the fact that I have a dissertation meeting on wednesday, and exam on thursday). All will be swell. The weekend has been spent yet again wasting an alarming amount of time on small tasks. Today a prime example, the 'morning asda shop' turned into all afternoon, scanning every aisle for necessary items, along with a few special treats. Treats including elderflower cordial, Pimms, rum, numerous muffin/ brownie/ truffle ingredients, fancy fruity twinning teas and frozen fruits. All of which amounting to not-so-surprisingly the most expensive food shop I have ever done, infact possibly the most expensive all in one go shop I have EVER done.
Not to worry, because this WILL last me a long time, and means i am no longer living off ready meals and soup. And from now on it will only be sensible - necessary - purchasing. By this of course I mean things that will contribute to my red squirrel costume for this friday's animal party. Going to be great, although I do fear that this will somewhat distract us from any form of revision before then.

Also. Don't have much to say, but will keep up with the weather updates. Snow is gone. This is sad because it means everywhere is no longer white, its back to gray and slushy green. But also slightly good because it means I can walk rather than slide, having no shoes with grip has been a bit of a set back, meaning I had to walk all round uni holding on to the nearest wall/ railing/ barrier, bringing back memories of ice skating parties that everyone seemed to have in our teens. Yes, great fun sliding around a ring, pulling myself along via the outside barriers, not moving my feet for fear of sliding right over.

Just love my trees and plants :)

Okay. Well I thought I had more to say, but actually I don't. Just gunna sip the rest of my now cold Earl Grey, eat more Roses (which tbh I;m getting kinda sick of. Might hide them so I stop eating for the sake of it, and save until I appreciate them), and think about opening some books.

All at once

2010-01-13T22:39:00.004Z

...The Fray.
Just loving them atm. Yeeah.

What is with Blogger's inability to upload and post images bigger than 400px ?? Annoying.

Moon & Sun.

2010-01-10T23:33:00.006Z

...Gomez.

So my journey back on thursday was an early morning coach, meaning i saw the morning for the first time in weeks. And not just the morning, the moon, the stars and the sunrise.
The coach took the annoyingly, needlessly long route to Preston along the prom, however since it's just so pretty, I guess it can be forgiven.

where is my mind.

2010-01-10T16:12:00.007Z

...Yoav.

Web work go away!
I am so so close to having it done, but without that ONE tiny bit of code it won't work. And I have no idea what to do. I have tried and tested and tried and tested and I am officially stuck.

Am however back in Birmingham. Its still snowy. Just been for a walk in the park. Its so white and fresh and peaceful. I never want it to end. My room's all cosy, and I've put fairy lights round my 'work' area which seems to be making it much more appealing to sit at my makeshift desk like a proper person, instead of slumped in my cosy bed.

Black & Blue.

2009-12-28T18:34:00.004Z

...Mike Snow. (Cus it's been snowy?)

Hohoho. Christmas is over and the snow's melted. How very depressing. But no fear, new year is just around the corner, and for now it seems there are plans. Not mind blowing plans, but plans none the less which is more than I can say for the usual.
Will be taking great care to drink sensibly, unlike the 'quiet one' for Christmas eve. So much for the a few drinks and tucked up in bed before the Tache closed ready for Santa. Instead I managed to get home by gone half 4 (well well over an hour since leaving), after failing to enjoy my Popeyes pizza, at which point Santa himself was probably tucked up in bed. Needless to say Christmas morning was definitely not enjoyed as it was as a child. Oh to be a grown up. It sucks.
My sister and I opted for a much smaller quieter Christmas this year, spending it round at my Nanas, where we had an afternoon of Cluedo and my annual dose of festive joy provided by Corrie & Eastenders. 1 murder, 1 affair, 1 cancer revelation, 1 rape revelation and lots of weepies. Lovely.

-Note. My mum just walked in. "Is this Vic Reeves?" "No." "Who is it?" "Editors" "...Vic Reeves?" "No. Editors" "...and Vic Reeves?" Weird. -

It's now clear I will definitely be coaching back to B'ham in the new year, together with an additional rucksack at the least to fit in all my new pressies. Highlights being my black lace up booties from Topshop, D&G the One, plenty of nail accessories, tights, make up, and my lovely cosy new hoodie. And yeah, yeah I did get it, regardless and regretless.
My cutey little friend Diana Mini is also here! Loaded and waiting to get out. Have a feeling it may take a few films for me to get going, but I cannot wait.

And as if this isn't enough, I went sale shopping yesterday... via Steals. This is after my "I really don't need anymore bits of clothes. I don't have enough time to wear what I have, and they really have no impact on my quality of life. No more"
And then there was this.

+ Spangly black & gold dress. + Summer dresses (can't have enough summer dresses). + Silver playsuit (don't have any playsuits, so really it's an all new addition). + Bargain of a skirt. I love skirts, and I love broken zips. So cheap because they think no one can be bothered to mend them. Hah suckers.
(I can't find pictures of any of these. Soz. Know y'al dying to see)
Probs won't go again for quite a while, so it's fine. fine fine fine.
Tomorrow is bead shopping day. Considering Poulton is such a cute little town, there is a considerable lack of haberdashery shops.

Also. I made these chocolate truffles the other day. Dark chocolate & orange & I added Baileys instead of Brandy. They were REAL good. Thanx Jamie.
Jamie Oliver's Chocolate Truffles.

Today was another lunch spent in the Cube with Hannah, Linzi & Kerry for our secret santa swapping, however since it was more a highly calculated santa, and my giver was absent, I must wait another day for my gift, meaning Christmas is not actually over! phew.
We then went back to Hannah's for some bowling, cycling, water skiing, canoeing and fencing. My first EVER Wii experience. Shocking I've managed to stay away for so long. I thought I'd hate it, all that moving around, but actually it was quite fun.

Anyway. I think that's quite enough of my dull life. Plus I just noticed the time and the past 2 hours have flown by. Eek.
Laterz.

P.s. Why do my neighbors talk SO loud. I swear they never talk this loudly. Sounds like he's pressed up against my wall while having his conversation.

2009-12-23T21:42:00.001Z

I don't know why I love this, but I really do.

Wait for it to kick in.

2009-12-23T18:08:00.002Z

So cute.

'Blood' The Middle East

the middle east |

What ever happened

2009-12-21T21:46:00.004Z

...The Strokes.

Take me to a ball so I can wear this dress.

Fallen snow

2009-12-21T21:00:00.005Z

...Au Revoir Simone.

Oops yes I failed to add another edit on the last post.
It would have gone something along the lines of...

Socially awkward males traveling alone, when spotting one other passenger on the carriage; you don't need to go and talk to them. A polite hello, ok. A passing comment or joke, acceptable. Taking a seat next to that one other person and striking up conversation at which the other person does not appear to want to engage in... no. Socially awkward to say the least.

But now I am home. There's a christmas tree, a fire, glass of Baileys... and SNOW. Actual snow in Blackpool, marvelous!

Cocktails for half price in Cube last night were also a great treat :)

Driving Home for Christmas

2009-12-19T19:15:00.005Z

...Chris Rea.

One of my favourite Christmas songs, it's always a sign that Christmas is officially here.

And here I am, on the 19:20 train to Preston, on my way home for Christmas. Since I've done nothing but pack all day, I'm pretty pleased that I got here way ahead of time, and managed to get all my stuff into my one suitcase (other than my camera bag, laptop and tripod, shh). Which is fine now since the train is dead, but on the way back I can see I'm going to struggle.

(ooooh we're setting off. good thing I've just had a travel sick pill as I'm going backwards. eek)

Thanks to the great National Express (coaches) not taking my card online, I decided to take a chance on the trains. And what a great call. So quiet, so fast, so spacious. Not to mention the FREE WI-FI in First Class. Oh Virgin trains, how fabulous you are. I'm hoping someone will be round to offer me a complimentary cup of tea as well soon.

So what have I been doing with my week off?
Well. Tuesday we had a Christmas meal at Weatherspoons, by christmas I mean most of us went for the steak special. Sherree and I then popped to the German Market for a ride on the carousel. For two twenty year olds, I'm not ashamed to say we had a ridiculous amount of fun, 'this is the only time it's acceptable to straddle a pole and get a way with it!!' oh sherree. Then we went home to polish off last years mulled with a splash of hot apple juice, and made jam tarts. Which we managed despite having no rolling pin OR cake baking tray. Yes yes, genius.
On Wednesday I went over to Alex, Jaime, Shiv and Ellie's for a little Christmas day, complete with crackers, yorkshire puddings and gravy. Ideas of chrismassy games quickly turned into watching home alone under the duvet, what a lovely lazy christmassy day :)
Thursday was christmas shopping day, Beckie and I managed to spend 6hours trailing round the city center, battling through the short but sweet blizzard to get our presents. While everywhere else in England is complaining about too much snow (England, despite having a slight bit of snow each year, is still surprised every time and the news reporters go skitz warning no one to travel), Birmingham remains snowless and living by the sea we rarely get any. This makes me not so excited for home.
And yesterday after watching everyone else leave, I spent the afternoon in the library. So quiet and depressing. I also made a start on making my Christmas cards, meaning I now have super glue still stuck to my nails.

Which brings me to now. The ticket man has informed me that there is no seat service today so I'll have to pop to the shop for my complimentary tea and biscuits. Oh I might just do that kind sir, I might just. I believe the next stop is Crewe.
I had a great idea that I might take a few snaps of my journey... I now realise it's pitch black outside, so that might be a bit boring.

I had a bit of a doodling & scanning sesh too.

Right, now that I've jazzed up what would have been a boring wordy post with some visual aids, I'm gunna see if virgin are so kind as so make spotify work too. oh wouldn't that be GREAT.
Can't wait to get home and see the christmas treee! :)

EDIT: Spotify does work. Delightful!!
I'm going to add another edit later...

No time to sleep...

2009-12-14T01:37:00.002Z

...Tina Dico.

I have just about finished my TV essay on how Scrubs plays with the conventions of the medical drama.
Feels like I've been hacking away at it forever. 3500 words is never enough, I haven't even started! And so it is free from deep and interesting arguments because there's just never enough room. But it is done, and whats done is done.
3pm tomorrow will be the last hand-in of full written pieces now until the dissertation. The only education left is the odd lecture and tutorials. It hasn't even dawned on me that I won't ever be in another class. 16 years of being in education and going to lessons... and I have sat my last.
I can't quite imagine how I'm going to structure my days for the next 6 months, but I do know this. There will be more photos and there WILL be more art. Starting tomorrow. I can't wait.

And for now I'm going to sleep. Or attempt to. I'm hoping that with the amount of drugs I've taken today I'll pass out as my head hits the pillow, and not be kept awake all night again feeling all sniffly and ill.
And maybe I'll dream another weird dream. Maybe I'll stay in bed for hours in the morning because I'm dreaming that I've actually already got up. And then maybe I'll be late.
Maybe there's something not right.

Walking on a dream.

2009-12-06T14:04:00.002Z

...Empire of The Sun

Winter

2009-12-06T00:56:00.005Z

...Joshua Radin.

Winter Pimms & hot apple juice on the German market = Soooo good!

It is now officially the run up to Christmas, getting frosty in the mornings, I've started Christmas shopping, and I've finally got an advent calender. Say hello santa with your beard full of treats :)

And now I shall resume my 'researching the medical drama and genre'... while actually getting distracted by the storylines and not wanting to re-watch old episodes. Oooh.

Hollywood

2009-11-30T20:09:00.003Z

Wish I had an endless array of sparkly costumes in my wardrobe and was a popstar so I could be in fancy glossy music videos. Or that I was an American cheerleader.
Gimme an M-A-R-I-N-A! MARINAAAA!

I Can Talk.

2009-11-27T14:03:00.003Z

...Two Door Cinema Club.
I loves it. Bloc-party-ish dingalingaling goin on.

Just tidied my room. Great.
Was going to paint the bathroom...but i can't find the white paint.
My dads coming this weekend to go Christmas shopping :)

Yo pops if yo still read.

Wishlish so far (as in my general wishlish for the all material things in life)...
Boots. (in such a puzzle of which ones to get)
Diana Mini. The little cutey.
J.Lo Still. Yeah its old. Yeah pretty much nowhere even sells it. But it smells so niiice.
Headphones. Wires are poking out, best replace before its too late!
Jack Wills fleecy woolly hoodie. Yeah...I know. But it just looks SOOO comfy. I keep checking eBay...but no. I have needed it in my life ever since the catalogue got acidently delivered to our house.

Really need to start my Xmas shopping soon. Have so many big ideas for my secret Santa present, but I just need more time! 4 weeks. EEK. 2 weeks to do 2 currently barely started assignments.

...K. I'm gunna start them now.

That is all.

Little Pieces

2009-11-21T17:55:00.005Z

...Gomez.

I like to dance around my room to this, like what they do on Grey's :)

SO. Today me and Alex had a jolly great day out in B'ham. We started off with the 'Seen' exhibition currently showing at the Gas Hall. Photographs and paintings of Birmingham over the past couple of centuries. Having never taken an interest in Birmingham's history before, it was rather interesting seeing some of the plans they had in the 40's, and then seeing what they actually did.

Now Birmingham does have a few nice old buildings, and then there are a few nice modern buildings...but there's a lot of what I consider 'lazy' buildings. Concrete blocks. Just lazy design compared to the beautiful buildings.
It was the 60's. And the 80's. The lazies. The we're-too-busy-having-a-funky-time-ies.

This is one of the videos that's showing atm in the 'Seen' exhibition. For anyone who lives in B'ham, it's the hideous library by the Paradise Forum.

Birmingham timelapse from 7inch cinema on Vimeo.
I just cannot beliiiieve they demolished those lovely buildings in favor of THAT. eugh.

On a lighter note, we also went to the vintage fare which was visiting for today only at the Custard Factory. Picked up a lovely tan leather bag, and then went over to the Flea market where I got a knitted cardi - so warm - and a knitted headband thing. And thenn we also went to the creative workshop for a nosey to get ideas for things we'll probably never make, and had a slice of cake which was YUMMEE.
And then we went home. Today's weather = wet and gloomy.

Don't forget me.

2009-11-20T20:31:00.003Z

...Way Out West.

Oh I am love loving my new playlist. Spotify+Greys=Amen.

Jaime linked me to a Tumblr blog the other day. Since joining I'd pretty much been steering clear of it, only going on to post on the Web & New Media blog. But now I've came across so many BEAUTIFUL photo postings.
And so my page is no longer a vast blank space. I've started some reblogging.

alexjonesyjones.tumblr.com

Means I can also get a head start on my Lookbook ethnography and start 'hyping' a bit. EEK.

Also. I've stretched. Was tired off having teeny tiny pictures and videos. Will need to be sorting out my lost looking title picture too. Hmmmmmm.

Life is short

2009-11-18T22:15:00.002Z

...Butterfly Boucher

Oh Butlins. From the family album.

I'm out of my pop phase (for now).

DAMN.

2009-11-16T15:52:00.005Z

...Girls Aloud.

What else...?

So last week I got a bit lost. Like when you have so much food but forget what meals you like to eat. And when I wake up in the morning and have my whole wardrobe to pick a good outfit, but forget what looks good together.
Well when you have the endless amount of music on spotify, I have pretty much forgotten when I like to listen to. So I made a shit hot playlist of Britney and Girls Aloud, J.Lo, Enrique... and general pop. Anyone browsing my Last.fm since last week would be pretty disgusted. But I just can't stop bopping about on my chair knowing ALL the words. :)

I took a lot of really bad pictures last week trying to do my 'concept' assignment. Mostly of ducks. My trip to the park for inspiration feel flat on its face, and I got chased off by a flock of ducks and a scarily tame squirrel (it was literally chasing me round the park. I was on my own...was a bit scary).

Also.
We have a new blog, as part of our production project;
ourcreativecluster.blogspot.com

Fishing for a dream...

2009-11-16T15:14:00.004Z

...Turin Brakes.

Self Portrait.

...the cast offs. Plus Miss Carruthers helping test the lighting with her craazy arms.

The King and all of his Men

2009-11-16T13:21:00.005Z

...Wolf Gang. Cutesy of Neon Gold.

Long time no blog. Sorry James Singer, reading from your Blackberry.

Last couple of weeks have been BUSSSY. Photography assignment was a major stress, but literally just got it in on Friday. Self portraits... I cannot do. Took 2 days to try and shoot what I wanted, resulting in Jaime, Alex and I trying to construct a dream-esk set in their garage. Result= A stressy Alex, full of regret for agreeing to assist. Ain't she cute!

So yet again I found myself running from a taxi far too near to a deadline - not to self: THIS CANNOT CONTINUE. Never again.

This weekend has been a massive chill out. Not a sniff of work or anything productive has been done. We had Tom and Jack down for a visit, so Friday we went to Gatecrasher for the first time this year. Ah how I missed it. DJ sets were from Late of the Pier and Russel Lissack (Bloc Party), along with pre-ring of fire drinking equaled to a pretty god night. Saturday we ventured to town for the German market - baddd move! Was ridiculously busy due to the council and BRMB's tragic failure to deliver that spectacular light switch on (see the news, it's been on every TV bulletin). So we returned to the warmth of our living room, where we spent the rest of the weekend, filled with Snatch, Forrest Gump, Four Brothers, Spiderman, Dr. Who, shit TV, hot chocolate, pizza hut, cookie dough, popcorn, marshmellows, cable sweets, chippie chips and blankets. Now time for the mammoth clean up and getting on with some work. GREAT.

WAH.

2009-11-05T18:06:00.003Z

I'm not usually big on nail art but WAH-ooow.

Might have to drop by Selfridges before Nov 11th.

Bonfire night, I'm off to the fireworks. In the rain. YAY.

Past in Present

2009-11-04T00:40:00.003Z

...Feist.

While I was home last weekend I raided the baskets of photos in my mum's wardrobe. I will post my favs now and agian.

That's my Nana and Grandad (Spencer) as far as I know. Oh how lovely it must have been to live in Blackpool back then.

Perhaps vampires is a bit strong but...

2009-11-01T22:01:00.003Z

HALLOWEEN. loves it. I'm beginning to realise what a good holiday it really is. Just creeps up (no pun intended), with not so much pressure as Christmas, and unlike the usual fancy dress themed nights, every seems to make the effort.
And so this year was another treat. All done up in our heavy black make-up, hairspray, wings, wigs and vodka we jumped (or scuttled in the wet windy weather) between Sarah's amazingly decorated house and the Union's Friday night regular - Bonkers. Managing to spend a grand total of £4.55 all night, I think this classes as a massive result.
It's official. Halloween is great.

2009-11-01T21:45:00.005Z

Hell

2009-10-26T20:13:00.000Z

...Tegan & Sara

Yeah. ANOTHER new video.

I need a new soundtrack to my shit life. this can be the start.

Under the sheets

2009-10-23T20:57:00.003+01:00

By FAR my favourite of the new videos out recently.
I've had this song on repeat for the past week or so, and still not tired. I LOVES it. Can't believe it's her first video. And hoooow much would I love to live in that setting? Lots.
Great.Great.Great.Great.

2009-10-21T22:19:00.001+01:00

2009-10-21T21:58:00.005+01:00

New viddds.

New 'Marina & The Diamonds: Mowgli's Road' video.

As we know, I'm a bit of a fan.

Also...

New 'Little Boots: Earthquake' video.

The kinda pretty spacey video I've been waiting for.

Empire State of Mind

2009-10-17T14:08:00.003+01:00

...Jay-Z feat. Alica Keys

FINALLY got my disposable developed.

Love.

This Modern Love.

2009-10-16T12:17:00.004+01:00

...which I have for Bloc Party

Bloc Party mark IV, at the O2 Academy last night in B'ham were AMAZING. As usual. For once I didn't leave with a shoe print across my face which is always a bonus. Picture courtesy of my phone, it doesn't have a flash. Booo.

Currently sat in bed with big rollers in my hair about to start another reading. Oh YAYS.
This past week have also acquired a lot of freebies thanks to discount nights at Urban Outfitters, Topshop & Cow. I'm all set for novelty ear indicators, foreign insult books, cool coasters, pink lycra leggings and mini toiletries.

Photograph.

2009-10-12T22:31:00.009+01:00

...Donora. From that Postsecret video which is awesome.

So. What's new?
1. Today Tanya and I went over this weeks photog ds, choosing our favourite of each others piccypictures. Those were mine. My bathroom & garden.

2. I'd been contemplating taking a pair of scissors to my wrists for a while now. And so the other day I let go of a few things which have been slightly weighing me down. Particularly the left side of me.

3. Friday was Alex & Adams birthday house partay. I made butterfly shaped cakes. They didn't quite look as beautiful as I'd imagined and the pipe bag burst - yet another example that no pipe bag is strong enough to do it's job.

4. I also had friends to stay this weekend, we Snobsed it Saturday night. Was much fun.
Okay. Enough blogging, must get back to work slash watch Being Erica whilst doing work.

There's no secrets this year

2009-10-04T16:30:00.006+01:00

...Silversun Pickups.

I have just discovered PostSecret after reading an interview with creator Frank Warren. I think I had probably already heard of it, but never really took the time to properly look. What a simple/ thought provoking/ heart warming&breaking/ genius idea.

Sleepyhead

2009-10-02T23:18:00.004+01:00

...Passion Pit.

So here I am, Friday night with my hot chocolate waiting for another episode of Greys to load. So cool. So saving money. So resting in preparation for ridiculously big night in Digbeth tomorrow, Block Party. 15 areas and a hella lot of people. Better be good.

So today I finally purchased a sequined blazer, have wanted one ever since seeing Rachel Bilson in that beautiful navy D&G one. Of course they are now everywhere, butt the plus is that I can afford a much much cheaper one :) It's silver. I like. Also have some new shoes, black suedey and will most certainly kill my feet tomorrow night.

Feel I should post something more substantial than this? Buttt I'm boring so don't have much else to say.
Oh. I had my favorite of my homemade inventions for dinner. It goes in layers of the veg I have lying about. 1.sliced potatoes 2.tomatoes 3.chicken 4.aubergine 5.more chicken if there is more 6.fine green beans 7.leeks (then drizzle cream so it goes all the way through) 8.breadcrumbs and parmesan. Deeeelish, I could easily have eaten twice as much.

A p.s. on the last post though, the whole of that Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson album is lovely. Break Up.