tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55655036643529727652024-03-19T05:39:48.356-07:00CissyfaceCissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-66897311614367953562012-11-11T08:18:00.001-08:002012-11-11T08:18:39.023-08:00crochet: just go for it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Crochet has always perplexed me a bit! It is just another one of those crafts that look so simple, but with no "Yoda" of the crochet world on hand to guide me and any pattern looking like gibberish I always gave it a wide berth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">It was something I had dabbled in once before, but it was so many years ago it seemed that nothing I was taught had stuck. My granny was able to crochet and once showed me how to add rows onto a granny square. The 2 photos below are of the exact piece of work we did together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRt-6DPsrV1Guny0lYABJm7T6k-ptOhpWKC8ZmiyGedRAszXQDZOTM1sfSWplDQBVSYcGq3BLXldsG9_ozgW2IkEi5GzOab_ROSJ1TBVCyDcJ0qf9dk_kDWB_Mni9p7IGr41KgliJVoKg/s1600/467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRt-6DPsrV1Guny0lYABJm7T6k-ptOhpWKC8ZmiyGedRAszXQDZOTM1sfSWplDQBVSYcGq3BLXldsG9_ozgW2IkEi5GzOab_ROSJ1TBVCyDcJ0qf9dk_kDWB_Mni9p7IGr41KgliJVoKg/s200/467.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dtu75BFFwmpZzjpYT1RT0PpPFX2ICqRfAH9jeYbQhP_4CDB-JQeejgAYBZahzYtLLNHlAYieyCT_RuxYMe-hUXcHc5Va9k6FbuKh3FLE21n0CYukE5fmVz0wtBtdCwfKV79x4QK1618/s1600/468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dtu75BFFwmpZzjpYT1RT0PpPFX2ICqRfAH9jeYbQhP_4CDB-JQeejgAYBZahzYtLLNHlAYieyCT_RuxYMe-hUXcHc5Va9k6FbuKh3FLE21n0CYukE5fmVz0wtBtdCwfKV79x4QK1618/s200/468.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">It might be quite a weird thing to say, but this little square of crochet is one of the most precious things I own. It is a lasting memory of a woman I was very, very blessed to call my Granny. It brings back wonderful memories, just as photographs do and it is something I want to turn into a cushion cover so that I can have it out on display everyday to make me smile - the thing being, I am too scared that I ruin it to even attempt anything with it, so it has sat for years while I build up the courage!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I'd also like to point out at this stage that the hideous flourescent orange and the ridiculous dark green rows were my contribution to the piece and yes - it looks very odd and not at all in keeping with the beutiful colour scheme my Granny had been working with, but that is the whole point of the square. I remember choosing the yarns, I remember talking to Granny about it, I remember where we were... it is honestly so dear to me because of the memories it brings back. I love my Granny and miss her always x</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Anyway!! Enough of that or I will be blubbing....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Back to the point of this blog. I was scared to try crochet again and I didn't have a Scoobie Doo on where to start because all the books I had on the subject didn't help. My biggest piece of advice to follow, if you are in the same situation as I was, is to get on Youtube! I searched for a simple granny square tutorial and I found one that I could follow and hey presto....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_a_j0nr5dg2NN8Rj70awesLExsV8vl1gb7T37NHQubt82q8Lo5HB8iX8ZZIKd6V2eBQrVhCrAUSL6QBsM1g4t9YDJoSGRiqzwryXkLRmPaXWBiCKy8iT_-V3wVh08M8x06T9dht-33f8/s1600/crochet+examples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_a_j0nr5dg2NN8Rj70awesLExsV8vl1gb7T37NHQubt82q8Lo5HB8iX8ZZIKd6V2eBQrVhCrAUSL6QBsM1g4t9YDJoSGRiqzwryXkLRmPaXWBiCKy8iT_-V3wVh08M8x06T9dht-33f8/s320/crochet+examples.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The photo above displays some of the fruits of my labour! I think watching a demonstration of a physical act is far easier to learn from, rather than photos and words. Something with me just clicked anyway and I was off! Something also good about choosing granny sqares is that it taught me a chain stitch, a double crochet and a triple/treble crochet in one fell swoop, which I now realise was rather handy. These little beauties can also be combined together to create so many different things that if your crocheting ability stops at these - you could still fill your home with lots of crocheted lovliness!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The other point I would like to make is that once you have understood the basics... JUST GO FOR IT! If you try something and it turns out more like matted spaghetti than a crochet masterpiece, who cares?! Just unravel it and start again. I am not just telling you blindly to do this, without myself first diving in and giving it a go! I did this, <strong>this week</strong> and I am so strangely proud of myself and my finished article!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I bought this book and fell in love with the "recipe" (as it calls it) for a crochet string bag. I threw caution to the wind, grabbed some cotton yarn and my crochet hood and just went for it! I have to be honest, the way crochet patterns are written are quite back to front to me sometimes because I am used to knitting patterns, but if you take your time and think about it logically - you can get to grips with it. I think it also really helps to have photos of the finished project so you know what you are aiming for. This way you will understand instantly if you have strayed! haha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I didn't have much faith in my skills to complete the bag, but not only have I completed it, I am really happy with it! I even made one slight adjustment to the pattern to make the handles slightly longer so I can wear the bag on my shoulder! Hoorah for just giving something a go!! Here is a little photo diary of my bag:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">P.s. please excuse my photography and my funky pjama bottoms in some of the shots! haha! It is cold here just now and most of my crocheting time was at night in front of the fire!</span></div>
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<br />Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-6827130731460624042012-09-01T13:54:00.001-07:002012-09-01T13:54:15.667-07:00outfit post - random trip to Perth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeYqbi6hcF3nUtPvtvvDIMqRtQCjMtP7LjPzU1Cn0DnfeFJ-H-HwC0K8RD6oPaFVYz56tjC3vTQy6qS9e2ZPCDnwd_CYS9dr6Bzeajd0Q_kpDKlqumpZHH8QA3GbAu9kjZEf207RMvLI/s1600/7907953200_3e8f10b6d2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeYqbi6hcF3nUtPvtvvDIMqRtQCjMtP7LjPzU1Cn0DnfeFJ-H-HwC0K8RD6oPaFVYz56tjC3vTQy6qS9e2ZPCDnwd_CYS9dr6Bzeajd0Q_kpDKlqumpZHH8QA3GbAu9kjZEf207RMvLI/s400/7907953200_3e8f10b6d2_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today, my morning was spent at the sewing machine and sitting at my desk doing some paperwork. This afternoon I decided to head to Perth with my sister for a look-see and this is what I popped on for the trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I'm kinda loving the colder edge to the weather that is creeping in as I love my collection of boots and can't wait to get back into them all. It was definitely cool enough to dig into my boots and I have missed wearing these! They are LK Bennett, the softest leather ever and so comfy! The turn downs at the top can also be worn up so the boots are more thigh high and extra warm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I teamed them with one of my favourite dresses that I bought years ago from a sale rail in Primark for £5!! I also have this dress in blue by the way, which was in a previous outfit post. The cardigan (George at Asda) looks like a dark blue in this light, but it is actually a rich purple to match the dress and one of my Lola Rose blue magnesite necklaces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The scarf was thrown on in haste because of how chilly it was outside (it was much nicer in Perth) and of course I am wearing my amazing Miu Miu Coffer bag in burgundy.</span>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-89101190754417540712012-08-25T08:28:00.000-07:002012-08-25T08:47:15.209-07:00the WEST HIGHLAND WAY adventure<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej5_qY6QUuQe31OuETGpkz2Xf1mXYdI4vq3mO4NZMtSjfRb6Hneay64V0Ikx1dcvJ5W_UHQd-RZY8Qj_-7f2P1zPojYqpKubD8Hvj7WGRnxTobOAyMFUDzhKVah1tIaLcaQl9KgCH8Fg/s1600/whw+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej5_qY6QUuQe31OuETGpkz2Xf1mXYdI4vq3mO4NZMtSjfRb6Hneay64V0Ikx1dcvJ5W_UHQd-RZY8Qj_-7f2P1zPojYqpKubD8Hvj7WGRnxTobOAyMFUDzhKVah1tIaLcaQl9KgCH8Fg/s640/whw+map.jpg" width="234" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">As some of you may already know, a group of friends and I walked the West Highland Way at the start of August. It was all to raise money for charity and although money is still coming in and we don't have a final figure yet, it is going to be in the region of £1500! Anyway, my plan is to write a post for each day in detail and take you through our adventure. To begin with I want to give a brief overview of how we split up our journey, things we learned along the way that weren't in any guide books and anything else I can think of that may help people wanting to walk the WHW and then I will break down the days and go into more detail. All the blogs I've read about walking the WHW have been rather dull and not really filled with any info that I would want or need (how many times can people tell you their feet hurt and they stink at the end of each day??? that is a given my friends) so I will TRY to make it slightly more entertaining, if not at least more relevant. Firstly (and most importantly) I'd like to say this: <strong>we paid for this entire trip out of our own pocket and no money raised for the charities was used to fund the trip</strong>. It has been surprising how many people have asked about this - surely no one would use sponsor money to pay their expenses??? Maybe I am just too trusting of humankind, I guess it must happen. So here is some basic info about the trip:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We chose to walk the WHW over a period of 7 days and so all of my timings and breakdown of days are tailored to this. I would say that none of our group were seasoned hill walkers and I think some of us could have managed the trip in maybe 5 - 6 days so think long and hard about how tough you want it to be, if you like long lunches and getting to where you are going to stay later in the day or if you want to pack in as much distance as possible each day. Everyone will be different</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We got our luggage carried - as did a lot of the other people we came across along the way. We used AMS who were friendly, reliable and well priced at £40 for each bag (under 20kg) for the entire trip. They pick up your bags every morning from where you are staying and drop them off to wherever you are headed that night. This would factor into timings if you were going to carry all of your luggage with you. This will also depend on if you are camping or staying in the many hostels/b&bs/hotels along the way as we were.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I personally found most places along the way quite expensive for food/drink. Now, some places were WELL WORTH the money and some were charging such ridiculous prices because they obviously know they have a captive audience. Basically, if you are doing as we did - plan for a good £20 - £30 each day if you are buying your lunch and dinner, picking up juice and snacks and whatever other bits and bobs you might need. I will let you know where is good or not in relation to food when I break down the days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We did the walk in August and I brought far too many layers of clothing I didn't use. PACK SENSIBLY! I also brought walking poles that I ended up never using because I just found they got in the way rather than helping. The girls I was with all used their poles so it just all comes down to personal preference so I would say try and have a idea of what you like/don't like and will/will not use.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We are not seasoned hill walkers. We don't do this kind of thing all the time. If you are after a blog more about the hills, the scenery, camping etc etc etc then this blog is not for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I used the Footprint guide map below along the way, which I really loved. It is simple, easy to use and the only thing I really used it for was to see how many miles we had done/were left to do each day. It was really nice to know and the map has each mile marked along it. The WHW is really, really clearly signposted so don't worry about getting lost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The midges weren't actually that bad and I didn't use my mosquito net or repellent once.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">We walked South to North, from Milngavie to Fort William: stopping in Rowardennan, Inverarnan, Tyndrum, Kingshouse and Kinlochleven.</span></div>
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Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-81604445232758570972012-08-22T12:56:00.000-07:002012-08-22T12:56:27.370-07:00outfit post - day at the sewing machine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today was earmarked for sewing, sewing and more sewing so all I want is to be comfortable with room to move my arms freely. I have been rediscovering some pieces from my wardrobe after losing some weight and this top used to be a favourite of mine and it's so great to be able to wear it again! It is a label called "The POP" and I got it shipped from a Japanese website years ago. I have no idea what it was called I'm afraid, but I am sure there will be great websites out there if you look hard enough and make sure they ship internationally. It looks more purple in these photos, but it is actually burgundy. I love dark colours and I tend to wear a lot of them because A - I'm a mucky pup and light colours show all marks and B - I find them quite comforting, slimming and safe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have teamed my top with my New Look TALL range dark skinny jeans and one of my many blue magnesite Lola Rose necklaces. Lola Rose work with natural, semi precious stones, are a British company and I have countless pieces that are all of incredible quality. I really recommend that you check them out!</span></div>
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Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-77465993027084803662012-07-14T08:58:00.000-07:002012-07-14T08:58:39.961-07:00today's little...<h3 class="r g0">
<span style="padding-bottom: 14px; padding-right: 15px;">wan·der</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: smaller/normal "Doulos SIL", "Gentum", "TITUS Cyberbit Basic", "Junicode", "Aborigonal Serif", "Arial Unicode MS", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Chrysanthi Unicode"; padding-bottom: 7px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">/ˈwändər/</span></span><div id="sound_flash" style="display: block; height: 0px; position: absolute; width: 0px;">
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<tr><td>Walk or move in a leisurely, casual, or aimless way<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In all honesty, "wander" is perhaps not the correct term because it was a lot more <em>brisk</em> than aimless, casual or leisurely, but either way I went for a lovely walk today and as a departure from the routes I have been walking regularly, I made the most of the beautiful beach near where I live and just let my feet carry me as far as they wanted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It is Saturday and I was quite surprised at the lack of other people! It was rather chilly in the wind and there were some showers, but I still expected more than a few birds for company! I did see a few dog walkers on the way back, but they all stayed quite close to the end of the beach near the town. Shame, because further along is really pretty and if our little pooch would walk that far I would definitely take her. Unfortunately, Little Miss Tiffany is far too much of a diva to get grubby on the beach very often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I shall be off out later for another walk, hopefully with some company and a different route. Not long now for the West Highland way... 18 days and counting!</span></div>
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</div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-49162832213035763682012-07-08T07:08:00.000-07:002012-07-08T07:08:26.250-07:00my new healthy outlook on life<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">OK - a confession: I have found the first half of this year challenging! I won't go into details, but it has been a bit of a serious drag. I found myself looking into a metaphorical (and real) mirror and not liking what was looking back at me. The realisation: if I don't like who I am or what I look like, why would anybody else? The solution: a major lifestyle rethink. I don't mean to say that I had turned into a bad person, but having confidence issues (body and mind) and having negative experiences giving me a negative outlook was really starting to take its toll on my personality. So, what to do...?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Well firstly I had to decide what I wanted to change and how I wanted to achieve this and when I thought about it, it boiled down to a little saying that I have since repeated to myself daily: <strong>healthy body = healthy mind</strong>! I believe the two go hand in hand and to be truely happy you need to think about both aspects of life. Are the choices I make in my life enriching my life or the lives of those I interact with? If the answer was no - that was the wrong choice and wrong action for me to take. Something as simple as what I am fueling my body with came to my attention - is what I am eating giving my body everything it needs to keep me healthy and give me energy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Now, I have never been good with this! I have always eaten what I want, when I wanted - whether that be pizza for breakfast or a donner kebab and chips at 1am! I gave no care or attention to what this was doing to my body and unfortunately I was feeling the effects. I now eat a full variety of food, at sensible times of the day and there are a few specific things that I used to love which are now out of my diet completely. It's not about being really strict (I want to make that clear), I have the odd treat and there are still things which I can't force myself to like, such </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">as salad or fruit, but there are ways round this issue such as pure fruit smoothies and eating a full range of other vegetables and sneaking some salad veg into cooked dishes! </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">That is one key part of my new lifestyle. The other is how I spend my time. The biggest changes I have made are getting out of the house a lot more (be it exercising or just experiencing new things) and giving some of my time to support a cause close to my heart. I walk for at least 1 hour a day, <em>every</em>day! I really enjoy it, it clears my head and gives me time to think about things and mainly I just think the fresh air revitalises me. I was also having trouble sleeping and since I started walking I have been sleeping much better - so it is definitely a win:win situation! I think we all tend to forget how beautiful Scotland is and when I am out walking I regularly notice little things that put a huge smile on my face! People travel the world (rightly so) to see beautiful things and meet beautiful people, but where is the harm in looking on your doorstop for those things? One of the best days of my life was spent with a good friend of mine, up in the hills just spending time having a good old chat and exploring a little patch of this Bonnie land!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The last piece of my lifestyle puzzle is giving 4 hours of my time, once a week to a charitable organisation that is close to my heart. I don't really want to go into details or harp on about this because I am not looking for a pat on the back or any kind of recognition for doing it. The experience itself and knowing that I can have a small positive impact on those people I encounter is enough to make me very, very happy about doing it. I know it is not a lot and I know some amazing people that do a lot more to help others and support charities, but it is a start and a very positive thing in my life! As you may also know, my sister and I like to take on new challenges to gain sponsors and raise funds for charities (the West Highland Way being our next adventure) and we plan to continue this and find new and interesting ways to raise money for charity. Cheryl and I are already eyeing up a MASSIVE challenge for next summer, but I will keep that under wraps until we return from the WHW in August! Needless to say it would be the hardest physical activity either of us have <em>ever</em> undertaken... and I used to be a national athlete, so that's saying something!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I hope everything I have said makes sense and perhaps even someone reading this can take some comfort (if they were feeling low like I was) in knowing that they are not alone and that sometimes you can be proactive in making your life happier and healthier, instead of waiting around for something or someone to come along and change things for you. I will always have confidence issues and things in my life that I struggle to be positive about, but even identifying that and dealing with it in a positive way is hopefully a huge step towards being happy and content with simply being me. No one is perfect, I just have to make peace with who I am and try to be the best Cissyface I can be :)</span>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-41075342762198169692012-07-01T11:27:00.001-07:002012-07-01T11:27:23.271-07:00little vintage project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here is a little project of mine I picked up from <a href="http://www.marthascloset.co.uk/default.asp" target="_blank">Martha's Closet</a></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">! It was in the SALE section because it has some discolouration and damage on the bottom half, which meant I got it for the bargain price of £10 - it was originally £35! Woop woop!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Anyway... I wouldn't have ever worn it as a full length kaftan and instantly liked the curved bottom edge of the design which flows from the sleeves. It is absolutely huge and drapes nicely so my instant thoughts were to make it into a loose fitting top that are so popular just now. You can see in the bottom photo that I have crudely lopped off the part of the kaftan I don't need and when I get the time I am going to neatly hem this part and then sew two seams from under the arms to the bottom at each side of my body so that the top sits slightly closer to my body and the sleeve parts still billow out when I move my arms (if that makes sense??!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It will all become clear when I actually get time to make the changes and I will show you how it turns out. The neckline is really wide and it sits just on my shoulders so I thought a nice necklace some oversized gold hoop earrings and my hair piled on top of my head would emphasize the neckline and of course finished off with some skinnies for a very laid back, summer look :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">What do you think? I don't know about anyone else out there, but the modern high street is boring me at the moment. Nothing is new or fresh anymore and half the fashion is ripped off from vintage anyway so why not get an original at probably around the same price or CHEAPER if you do your homework and shop about!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vv-j1KBkKCtQ_Zv3YYc7vRlQRgu4CQ_h_-rjj5rn51SLvgPfdonASL0oy6ELEzxYMV0JcQ4onmpcpi2ESTw8XziI8nT302YRc_dOXv2jWctN1xx1SreiwoJVAqNkl-_oMagAIrwbUis/s1600/7460403746_1db7d1dfb7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vv-j1KBkKCtQ_Zv3YYc7vRlQRgu4CQ_h_-rjj5rn51SLvgPfdonASL0oy6ELEzxYMV0JcQ4onmpcpi2ESTw8XziI8nT302YRc_dOXv2jWctN1xx1SreiwoJVAqNkl-_oMagAIrwbUis/s320/7460403746_1db7d1dfb7_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-51738680165158249622012-06-25T13:48:00.000-07:002012-06-25T13:48:57.402-07:00Vintage Liberty Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmaCXr1Ul5wGttacxBmOporFQ8PC3EUwQfyrQkT-SAT_UQ1H36HbqQB06RVsG-JPINn2kAct57Y6uLwpYgrUX-0JYEtZoocG9UDuNufx3P_ZP9Axq8cGXceZq21ZYLZ1q87UxgVT_BvY/s1600/7442699542_82431e015b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmaCXr1Ul5wGttacxBmOporFQ8PC3EUwQfyrQkT-SAT_UQ1H36HbqQB06RVsG-JPINn2kAct57Y6uLwpYgrUX-0JYEtZoocG9UDuNufx3P_ZP9Axq8cGXceZq21ZYLZ1q87UxgVT_BvY/s400/7442699542_82431e015b_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOOXCnLzdQGBNAuqtZ-OvFDA-TMvsis0LJVL9N_sKzSZN7UVZ3sKfg6hO_5YxHlwfQHXxCx0ZLHW_tkxDtQ_rbjq5DcSlinSX0wR_xcIcgBMBD2P4WNBL505nVoiaUAW1xCShYkkrg3w/s1600/7442701704_0601c1e076_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOOXCnLzdQGBNAuqtZ-OvFDA-TMvsis0LJVL9N_sKzSZN7UVZ3sKfg6hO_5YxHlwfQHXxCx0ZLHW_tkxDtQ_rbjq5DcSlinSX0wR_xcIcgBMBD2P4WNBL505nVoiaUAW1xCShYkkrg3w/s320/7442701704_0601c1e076_o.jpg" width="158" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few photos of another one of my recent vintage purchases - a lovely late 70's/early 80's Liberty cotton and wool mix shirt dress. I bought this recently from online vintage retailer </span><a href="http://www.marthascloset.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Martha's Closet</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. Another one of my favourite online haunts, Martha's Closet is one of the best vintage websites in the UK (in my humble opinion) and is very reasonably priced. I like how you can browse by decades, their descriptions are always VERY detailed when it comes to the designer, condition etc and I have snapped up a fair few bargains from their "Special Offers" section. Another massive plus for me is the reasonable delivery charges - I refuse to pay over the odds for delivery no matter what I am buying!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I loved this dress the moment I saw it! I have a real "thing" just now for Liberty prints, dresses are a staple of my summer and winter wardrobes and the mix of colours make it very easy to wear. I have already had this on with some pumps and a cardi, but the great things is because of the heavier weight of the fabric it will be great coming into Autumn and Winter when I can layer it up, add some tights and any of my knee high boots! Winner! It has got great wee side seam pockets and I like the fact that it doesn't button all the way down, because dresses like that always seem to gape open on me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-90045124607136480492012-06-15T04:28:00.000-07:002012-06-15T04:28:21.273-07:00you can never have too much tartan!<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today I am going to share with you one of my favourite vintage websites! Not only is it a Scottish website, it is merely "up the road" from me, so to speak - based in Forfar! <a href="http://www.frockery.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Frockery</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">stocks an eclectic mix of vintage, retro, recycled and quality contemporary clothing and accessories, it is VERY reasonably priced AND the service is second to none! Being as impatient as I am, I love speedy delivery and The Frockery never disappoint - trust me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Over the years, I have picked up quite a few pieces from The Frockery including a boho summer dress, a great winter jumper </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">and the most favourite dress I own which you can see <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cissyface/7374461028/in/photostream" target="_blank">here</a>! That is a photo of the back of the dress, where all the detail is. I wear it again and again every summer and always get lots of compliments about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Below are some photos of my latest purchase from The Frockery and it was love at first sight! Anyone that knows me well will be familiar with my <em>slight </em>obsession with tartan so to find a shirt featuring <strong>5 different tartans</strong> was just meant to be!! Not only that, but I love the embroidery that features across the front and back - it really adds something to the crazy mix of colours that is already going on!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I know it might be seen as a bit of overkill to add one more tartan and wear it with my <a href="http://folksy.com/items/3344306-FREE-DELIVERY-100-Cotton-Royal-Stewart-Tartan-Summer-Circle-Scarf" target="_blank">Royal Stewart Circle Scarf</a>, but I couldn't help myself! I certainly don't do things by halves! I am wearing this with my black "I <3 Cissyface Vintage" tshirt and some dark was denim skinnies for working today. Much warmth and comfort needed for this awful, rainy (supposedly Summer's) day!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwgUIvTU6xoODaRI_0UR1mJvh9gLbXpkVJosdy2KbZHQlSfRt5m4L4W3fRm4ibul41o_AH1oLakbk_r6601U9PLTE2-r46rANtTA4ksswCda6_n7HoUdj4zpV2NNTjiLsdTPMnajltXc/s1600/7374280420_0bb0d0f714_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwgUIvTU6xoODaRI_0UR1mJvh9gLbXpkVJosdy2KbZHQlSfRt5m4L4W3fRm4ibul41o_AH1oLakbk_r6601U9PLTE2-r46rANtTA4ksswCda6_n7HoUdj4zpV2NNTjiLsdTPMnajltXc/s320/7374280420_0bb0d0f714_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-55940927189375040802012-06-12T13:14:00.002-07:002012-06-14T03:29:32.888-07:00new charity shop find...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I think anyone that shops second hand/vintage regularly will agree that things go in waves. There are ups and downs. You can go for weeks finding nothing you like and then all of a sudden you can pick up a plethora of beautiful things one after the other!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Well, it seems I am having a good run of it just now and here is another one of my little gems! I bought this poly/cotton mix summer top from a charity shop in Dundee for £3.80</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have put this through a gentle cycle in the machine and I think it has come up lovely and fresh. I am going to wear it with dark wash skinnies and perhaps a nice long pendant necklace - definitely nice and breezy for a warm day! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fybJNePa2n_aTClfby9L3pJvQV2zYL7avYjqNvzCY-2xfY4z5cuTNO1jT8YKlFJcz1tRmpI1CoNTVBHOuu8t53f9HZf2XXBUrebAcTwxnnJXw80s40JYlaEiZWe6698qol5H0-BejFs/s1600/7180925699_9fcf833ea9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fybJNePa2n_aTClfby9L3pJvQV2zYL7avYjqNvzCY-2xfY4z5cuTNO1jT8YKlFJcz1tRmpI1CoNTVBHOuu8t53f9HZf2XXBUrebAcTwxnnJXw80s40JYlaEiZWe6698qol5H0-BejFs/s320/7180925699_9fcf833ea9_o.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-32919710541723589372012-06-09T04:03:00.000-07:002012-06-09T04:03:12.815-07:00My amazing new orb watch...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Hello all! How are we today? I just wanted to share with you guys another amazing little find of mine!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">My sister and I like to make regular trips to the Abernyte branch of the <a href="http://www.scottish-antiques.com/map/abernyte/" target="_blank">Scottish Antique & Arts Centre</a> and lately we have found a good few lovely pieces! I still have my eye on a few things, so I won't tell all or one of you might swoop it and buy something before I get the chance! These days, as soon as you label something "antique" the price seems to take a massive hike, but I do honestly find that most of the pieces are very reasonably priced. I was looking at a 1920's beaded evening bag the other day and it was a mere £18!! You couldn't even buy the modern equivalent on the high street for that! It was truely beautiful, handmade and something others would undoubtedly covet when you used it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">It is an amazing centre to have pretty much on our doorstep and really is somewhere you can lose hours and hours looking at the masses of beautiful things on display! I very rarely come away from a visit empty handed because if you see something you love, you need to snap it up before anyone else does! There is also a "new" wing of the centre which has a great clothing/accessories/jewellery room (which I obviously LOVE) where you can find anything from <a href="http://www.joules.com/en-GB/Homepage.action" target="_blank">Joules</a> clothing to <a href="http://www.joey-d.co.uk/" target="_blank">Joey-D</a> bags and <a href="http://www.billskinnerstudio.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bill Skinner</a> jewellery!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Below is my most recent purchase which is a mens wind up spinning orb fob watch. This was in the antique wing of the centre although it is not particularly old. I loved it none the less and had to have it! It came on a leather thong, which I have changed for a dark gold chain of my own and it has now become my favoutire necklace!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I love how it spins freely, it catches the light and also because of its clear back when you wind it up you can see all the parts of the mechanism moving! It's a bit steampunk and apparently it is something like a watch that's mentioned in Harry Potter??? Not being a fan myself, I would have no idea!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">As you can probably see in the background of the photo - I have it on today over my newest charity shop dress! I can see me wearing this necklace A LOT over the next wee while as when I fall in love with something, I rarely take it off! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have also recently ordered two new vintage dresses online, so when they come I will tell all and upload some pics! Watch this space!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JtoPBNr1mTy1m3oxIGEOpoUfhfkw66Tv3nju_CxHKTxxxksGZJTKekaXw6kUHib549XMNGqHFonroADW7nf1fIJ1dBdBfx36Gm1j-0mqpTcQVathQe3QKMYPB5OT40DFN0JO3dpAXKM/s1600/7353930230_1fa79a958b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JtoPBNr1mTy1m3oxIGEOpoUfhfkw66Tv3nju_CxHKTxxxksGZJTKekaXw6kUHib549XMNGqHFonroADW7nf1fIJ1dBdBfx36Gm1j-0mqpTcQVathQe3QKMYPB5OT40DFN0JO3dpAXKM/s320/7353930230_1fa79a958b_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-71813702986203817842012-06-01T11:35:00.001-07:002012-06-01T11:37:24.481-07:00Charity Shop Find<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I was having a rummage around the charity shop in Broughty Ferry the other day and came across this little number! One of my new favourite dresses I think - very "me"!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I really, really want to style it up with some Jessie J/Pat Butcher esque, over the top jewellery and some high heels, but for working - teaming it with a comfy cardi and a vest underneath (so it's not too low) was great!</span>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-47903527938943894072012-05-11T06:09:00.001-07:002012-05-11T06:09:34.331-07:00Scrumptious EASY cookie recipe<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">As I write, I am sitting in my kitchen with the yummy smell of cookies baking wafting around me. I have some already cooling on a rack and some more in the oven... HEAVEN!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I just thought I'd share with you a recipe that I came across for truely easy cookies that I came across online and have baked twice now - both with great results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The recipe I have used is: <a href="http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/310732/Jasmine-s-easy-choc-chip-biscuits" target="_blank">Jasmine's Easy Chocolate Chip biscuits</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here is a photo of the first batch I tried last week. They don't LOOK massively enticing, but trust me - they TASTED amazing and didn't last long at all. I gave some to my parents, my sister snaffled a lot and I hid 5 to give to my friend for a taste test. I think it's safe to say they went down a treat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The recipe is slightly vague about things like temp. and how long to bake so I read some of the comments and went for Gas Mark 4 and just baked until golden around the edges, which ended up being anything from about 15 - 25 mins. I prefer to have my cookies with quite a bit of bite so you might want to bake for slighlty less time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I used the exact amounts from the recipe, I ignored the "cup" of this and "cup" of that and just followed the grams and it worked brilliantly. Don't be scared at how stiff the dough is before you add the egg (it didn't look right to me) because one the egg is added it loosens up a lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The only other thing I changed was to leave the chocolte chips out till the very end (after the egg was added). I did this so I could split up the batch and make different flavours from the same dough. You can make anything from 25 - 30 cookies from this recipe, so splitting it still gave me a good amount of each flavour and let me try new things without wasting a whole batch if it didn't turn out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So far I have tried:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Milk Chocolate Chip</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New;">White Chocolate Chip</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Milk Choc Chip & Peanut Butter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Oats & Cinnamon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Milk Choc Chip & Hazelnuts</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">They have all been very yummy and approved by my expert panel of testers! haha! My personal favourite is the Milk Choc Chip & Peanut Butter!! I always love that flavour combo anyway and it just works so well with this recipe. I didn't use measurements for the flavourings, I just added what felt right. It is really easy to see what looks/smells right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">If you have any other suggestions for flavours I could try or if you give this recipe a go and love them as much as I do - let me know!</span><br />
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<br />Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-58371746683474125852012-05-06T05:33:00.000-07:002012-05-06T05:33:04.601-07:00My Saturday Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am being a bit lazy today - I can't really be bothered writing a step-by-step guide to what I did so here is a photo version! It is all pretty self explanatory. What I will say is that:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A - it did take a lot longer than I expected to strip it back to the bare ottoman because whoever had it befor me was lazy and kept putting new layers of material over the old grotty one beneath! It was rather disgusting! Safe to say that I found 3 layers of material, a million upholstery tacks/staples/nails and the wadding could have crawled into the rubbish bag with no help!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">B - I should have bought a spray primer to layer underneath my matt cream spray paint, but I thought I would have enough cream to completely cover the pink. It was 90% there, but I could still spot bits I wasn't happy with. That being said - to most people it probably would have been ok, but I am a perfectionist. I used a spray paint because I wanted to keep as much of the detail in the weave part as possible. I used normal paint on the inside because it was a lot cheaper and I didn't have enough spray paint anyway. If I had had any spare spray paint - I would have given the inside a light coat to finish to hide any hints of brush strokes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">C - I would have preferred to use a big piece of foam for the wadding instead of loose fibres, but I didn't want to wait another day to finish the project and I didn't have foam in my studio. It doesn't really matter either way, but to make the top more of a seat I think it would have been preferable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So... I had all the materials (apart from the spray paint, which was £7) already and I bought the ottoman from a charity shop for £3. Do you think it was worth £10?! The only thing I haven't yet replaced was a little handle for the front which I doubt will cost me much, but will finish it off nicely. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4h6Th3sbQSL428PxexTotsRDebodwJsM7CSxzOjtuT_V979H6nLUnsOD6Uqc38XMr486hJZmWVyyAKe8VKcyRBaGJ5ce2NHVZWlay7rutYqHqR99kv2fGCAgTMfH6JaqbVBmLfQnK34/s1600/100_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4h6Th3sbQSL428PxexTotsRDebodwJsM7CSxzOjtuT_V979H6nLUnsOD6Uqc38XMr486hJZmWVyyAKe8VKcyRBaGJ5ce2NHVZWlay7rutYqHqR99kv2fGCAgTMfH6JaqbVBmLfQnK34/s320/100_0371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-61176091732518877342012-05-04T13:10:00.002-07:002012-05-04T13:10:49.479-07:00One of my FAVOURITE dresses...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Anyone that knows me, knows I love a dress... or two... or hundred! I have built up quite a collection over the years with anything from charity shop finds to vintage, high street to designer making appearances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">This is the first of my favourites from my collection. I will also be showing you an amazing Vivienne Westwood number and a vintage gem when I can find the time to photograph them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This little number is actually a high street buy from the Pearl Lowe range at Peacocks. I have to say that as far as celebrity endorsed high street ranges go - this was definately a winner in my humble opinion! I have many dresses from the range, but this one in particular works for me everytime. It is a very 40's looking tea dress which is beautifully cut and has lovely little floaty sleeves (hidden by my cardigan), a waist cinching belt and has a ladylike length.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I think the main thing I like about dresses in general is how the outfit built around the piece can completely change the overall look of the dress. This dress I have worn everywhere! I have been to job interviews in it (which were successful I might add - perhaps its a lucky dress), been shopping in it, spent lazy days in it and also dressed it up for a few nights out. It can look anything from quirky retro to quite edgy with the right styling! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I love how you can were dresses with bare legs and sandals in the heat of summer or layer them up with tights, knitwear and scarves for winter. Belt them, add jewellery or change your accessories to update your look and I genuinely find the right dress THE most flattering and feminine outfit a woman can find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So here you go - a dress that I love... what do you think?</span><br />
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<br />Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-69962817495554366942012-04-28T04:26:00.002-07:002012-04-28T04:37:25.897-07:00One of my favourite photographs<span style="font-family:courier new;">This is a photo of my sister, which I believe was taken at her first day at school. I love how shy she looks, the positioning of her feet and the conforting hand popping into shot.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">My sister and I don't look anything alike now, but I have a drawing of me from when I was around this age and we look spookily similar.</span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 250px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736412310926919970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijny9PbiJvOQtqrxbOBfil8f2B1H5Lb6ycbwg-bzGxZ81p7o11S9xf76yKkDFUWnQuZQmAp4urJ6O_8BttCN2YPjgFgTyOXetU2dsrwJCTI3Z3qzDgV52TqO-uaXwcZ2MfYQXUDy2glC0/s320/Scan0001.tif" />Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-59622698770112132562012-04-01T11:26:00.003-07:002012-04-01T12:05:20.918-07:00Hill walking a go go...<div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">Today I went out for my first hill walk of 2012! It also marked the start to my preparation for The West Highland Way which I am walking in August.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726510005145916818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gQ_DD8mj-zbaRQeeTZE-jp7bB9kQDZfSHrI4q-wPFNS0dyLzapN1YRQG0U6Oydqy9KAGwHnxz0qsH6OcZTGiJWKFBVa1Yd9iw6g56YlOIgCrqalW6QDYygJfnxXaBd9FodDa249IipQ/s320/100_0988.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Just a gentle walk to kick things off, but with the lovely weather and lots of other walkers it was a great little jaunt. Cheryl and I had planned to take on 2 munros (Mayar and Driesh), but because of time constraints we changed plans and went into Fife to go up the wee East Lomond. We parked down in Faukland and took the steepest ascent we could find which seen us taking on a seemingly NEVER ENDING wooded staircase. This opened out and then we went up the steep side of the hill, above the forest area to reach the summit. It only took about 45 mins to get up, but it certainly got the heart pounding. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726510015113675426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfJfSq_u0TxnuhzM4fTn1qPIjTqPNCQBuFM6PpKv8e3OiRHgqVXpMEdmySmlvnpJZGmvBGlUgGi8zhSwqyQB3mnyO2M6kMPb1qeC-oyIh9LJBvacvEY22GSFX75UyfNY3mAQ3bfI9ovI/s320/100_0998.JPG" /></div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;">It was a nice way to spend a Sunday morning and there were lots of friendly doggies to keep us happy - including an adorable Jack Russell puppy which was a mere 8 weeks old! Cheryl spied it on our way down as it was being carried up in a make-shift sling made my its owner. Basking in the sunshine and enjoying the ride, it looked very relaxed and was super friendly! I wish I had snapped a photo as it really was beautiful, but didn't think until I was further down the hill and I certainly wasn't going back for a snap!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726510023442667938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0iBtM1U0bsaKlWSyMAAASGoIgDUrlPyKhDuYDSev7iTWfN8vnK4X0ndrI9ucsOWmQkYL-QpQAcRFmwCiWz1dkS4noyP5MjF5PcOm2qs3aP66EcjUB8MwA5gGoVktpbfTZA9L4DwOeUo/s320/100_1002.JPG" /></div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Driesh and Mayar are still on my hitlist for the near future, so I will keep you posted and let you know when I have been. One thing that became apparent today though was a slight issue I might have with my knees. I will get it checked out before I know for sure. I have arthritis in my hands thanks to my basketball days and I just think that maybe my past has taken its toll on my knees also. Fun, fun, fun! :/</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Enough of me moaning...</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;">As I mentioned at the start of this post, I am walking The West Highland Way this year with Cheryl and some friends. Most of us are raising money for MS Society Scotland and Cheryl has stayed ever faithful to Cancer Research UK, who she has championed for many years now. If anyone would be interested in sponsoring us, please have a look at our Justgiving page at: <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/claire-crystal-jane-katie-nikki/">http://www.justgiving.com/claire-crystal-jane-katie-nikki/</a>. Anything you could spare would be so much appreciated! It is over 95 miles and we have chosen to tackle it over a 7 day period. I cannot wait to be honest - it is by far the most challenging thing Cheryl and I have undertaken for charity yet!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Here is a photo of us and some of our good friends when we walked Ben Nevis for CRUK a few years ago. Unfortunately it wasn't very clear at the top so you can't see much! I promise we were there!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726510029679915730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPMgaBwlfemA-pQTvzsRXmLiU9aWVlOZXzdtGBqNdeDjxEvBOrQ6Vbf1ACowuQLP4BPQAsYTXGdj8inR33oWs-E1SMuDJzYAL7DFuHbLgg7Ss_cTv3cVtGvotVKiQ_rNeO6Ux76ajet0/s320/100_0613.JPG" /> </div></div></div></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-24155813800754540472012-03-21T06:25:00.007-07:002012-03-21T07:28:24.900-07:00A girl after my own heart...<div><div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">Browsing through my Facebook news feed last night, I came across something from the Etsy page which caught my eye... One of a continuing series of interviews with artisans and makers who have managed to "Quit The Day Job". This particular designer was specifically inspirational to me because of the nature of her work. Andi, of Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/hoakonhelga">hoakonhelga</a> recycles vintage leather jackets into ever so lovely handbags!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722342124855939474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_z8dIpZtydI_04HqAKPRUaGvHmb7kzEc5p8Vfh0SRzoYnsxRfG2vaKr9D0uc8MXAsDwqGYm0Y8nTghknjuvEESj4SUDiLErapNvyWqDtSWuh6cRv8bGJcnlikYQaF9uTfY3Na9gvZUkc/s320/AIMG_5208_jpg_0x675_m9cwca7jhn8tcsoryia2lidabf647vi.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Image: Nicole Irene via the Etsy interview</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">I have to admit that even though I recycle materials myself, I find it hard sometimes to find other recycled goods that I fall in love with. I think the finish on upcycled products can lack and I don't necessarily enjoy the whole aesthetic created by sellers in their shops or online spaces. Having said that - Andi's bags are simply to die for and her outlook on what she does, her passion and the visual representation of her brand are a breath of fresh air! I found reading the article very inspiring!</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">What I also loved about Andi was her honesty. Following the creative dream is not by any means a bed of roses (as I well know!) and to hear about someone's journey - the good times AND the challenges faced - was reassuring to say the least. Sometimes it is easy to believe that you are the only one who experiences bumps in the road! Please read the full article here: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/quit-your-day-job-hoakonhelga/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Internal&utm_campaign=Community">http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/quit-your-day-job-hoakonhelga/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Internal&utm_campaign=Community</a></span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">One of my favourite designs (of which there are many) is this bag below. A camel brown version of the Tundra design, with the amazing colour of the navajo fabric accent. Priced at $225 (which is roughly £145) I really do think it offers great value for money. Is it an investment piece for some budgets?? Yes, of course. But look at it as a unique piece of quality fashion from a designer which has been handmade with love, a wardrobe staple with character, a bag that will look better and better with age and one that you can dress many different ways/wear year after year!</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Whatever you do today, take 5 mins to go and have a look and see what you think! And if any friends/family are reading this... feel free to spoil me with a little gift from Andi anytime!! ;)</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"> </span></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 264px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722352707406156482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2dMrHEDXA8vO3suM-Wrnq9l2Ic8XAobnnlhJvUvxAwAdqbuzPNetwgsJtIJJEmEggu0HgDTg8KLPSihgG1a4b9VLFQvoB8qAY25TZBXsvKb66ziM6krlKPOvk-G_apKXogcBxBtI8U8/s320/il_570xN_321951288.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Image: Camel Brown Tundra with Navajo fabric via Hoakonhelga Etsy Shop</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span> </div></div></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-13483452324190233922012-03-15T03:56:00.003-07:002012-03-15T04:12:56.834-07:00Folksy offer for 50 FREE Moo cards!<span style="font-family:courier new;">For anyone out there with a Folksy shop, there is a great deal just now with MOO to get a batch of 50 business cards FREE if they have the Folksy branding on them. <a href="http://uk.moo.com/partner/folksy?utm_source=folksy&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=trial">Click here</a> to be taken straight to the page which explains all about the offer!</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I ordered some the other day and they have already arrived! Almost a WEEK earlier than they should have! Hooray! I chose to get the recycled card stock and they have a beautiful matte finish. With postage charge and VAT they cost me a total of £3.30!! What a bargain! </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720076389720470898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBlV_bWmTNgQSiqi4UDehxPlhUBFNk0Dr6GnXgBZHQSNoVjC8jBdJUlVzDtOREX9wfcAga09UrrVREZBHqR422O2PGuYLq4jNT0RdRlK3-5vwNbvfyAfFviUwS10Wu554wb9MCUCHcD4/s320/6984279481_158aefeb7f_o.jpg" />Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-91123564266211199452012-03-15T03:25:00.004-07:002012-03-15T03:48:49.192-07:002012 so far...<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Well, well, well. What a year 2012 is proving to be already. Here is a quick round up of what has been going on in the world of Cissyface...</span></div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">...being abandoned in a city I didn't know with no money, a dead phone, severe winds and no way of getting home - heartache - a family friend's amazing wedding - my sister's redundancy - learning to ski - Tiffany (our dog) getting a whopping 8 teeth taken out - new toys (car, laptop, tv) - steps forward with the business - a lot of drama and this little incident...</span></div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720070385314495538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHq40TZPDVqxmq7kWSQqriIbmb_TkFghAvaOtPJ_KrAzLRJ6XBMNF_QIAMkSPtSoXOlMLS8DHayILg6ZpvL21QdTJmE1o4UrrVUfMfnwAUksIYqoOi8FsduGNEGMnjmvMuoWIjXrIwoc/s320/399808_10150594554985673_593515672_11011560_453653177_n.jpg" />Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-25249787556805950762011-10-27T15:18:00.000-07:002011-10-27T15:29:13.269-07:00Ummmmm... outfit post??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLRGgmCStEl2S3vyQEujFYMEnnNSqOKzYc3m9-cCXL0ParY_udwz2BJ-sAHm1I51I65lVsbL0BuULL7ZDAyaAR6820knhQVfWGEuGCpcU7XrthRL_JjRDrdEeu9H0QIyICAwGnHwl9Io/s1600/6286897569_e43a8b9598_o.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668300381814959970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLRGgmCStEl2S3vyQEujFYMEnnNSqOKzYc3m9-cCXL0ParY_udwz2BJ-sAHm1I51I65lVsbL0BuULL7ZDAyaAR6820knhQVfWGEuGCpcU7XrthRL_JjRDrdEeu9H0QIyICAwGnHwl9Io/s400/6286897569_e43a8b9598_o.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> So...today was supposed to be an outfit post day as I had popped on a new dress, some fab wee accessories and had added some of my favourite shoesies. Unfortunately, I didn't like any of the photos I managed to take so instead all I have for you to feast your eyes on are my shoes! They are lovely shoes tho!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Leather, heeled brogues in tan with patent chocolate detailing. Yummmmmm! I also have these exact shoes in black and white and they are just as scrumptious.</span>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-87839334913863475182011-10-22T09:29:00.000-07:002011-10-22T10:05:48.095-07:00Looking forward to winter...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5V-T6zU7Nrfmji7XEA7w0-3w46llFp9Y22GgPgqShEa24OaPtzHoV_7QfkBHw1oOVDpM81QrKxhvZYU-Tbsixku-e74nmfsoSFoKUZoFwgMoOhhQDzYADgJnEQ7MkRZP6Q9luTZdfyI/s1600/4219646635_635bf112fb_b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666355162323002818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5V-T6zU7Nrfmji7XEA7w0-3w46llFp9Y22GgPgqShEa24OaPtzHoV_7QfkBHw1oOVDpM81QrKxhvZYU-Tbsixku-e74nmfsoSFoKUZoFwgMoOhhQDzYADgJnEQ7MkRZP6Q9luTZdfyI/s400/4219646635_635bf112fb_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftvYM0yOpVtVfaIRwY4PigONhiZjlyOwQrbjhRz02EyvPKl8mQTDhr7blabx7-UaZoTy2qFCfOqINuw5SUwub_NdzDpsLlJ93YEV2Iids9sWwPnk-vZfg-WS8uuJiKUEI5bgsUwsuaWk/s1600/4219627983_5691ac9092_b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666355160619655378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftvYM0yOpVtVfaIRwY4PigONhiZjlyOwQrbjhRz02EyvPKl8mQTDhr7blabx7-UaZoTy2qFCfOqINuw5SUwub_NdzDpsLlJ93YEV2Iids9sWwPnk-vZfg-WS8uuJiKUEI5bgsUwsuaWk/s400/4219627983_5691ac9092_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPlXykVo520iQA95akLejPqP0wEMSpuBpq_V3J68Xv2qObzienyYkJdzEht1WYRYDvEFlFHSur4AROwLVRwVn3QuDUD_zcpQXAb42dm1C72xf61ajHaM02HHo78vYgbl8yEeNhRs428I/s1600/4429592232_10187281bc_b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666355147027883506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPlXykVo520iQA95akLejPqP0wEMSpuBpq_V3J68Xv2qObzienyYkJdzEht1WYRYDvEFlFHSur4AROwLVRwVn3QuDUD_zcpQXAb42dm1C72xf61ajHaM02HHo78vYgbl8yEeNhRs428I/s400/4429592232_10187281bc_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokNUvLzEa00JlvbkjKeJmLJtDTtqF_g_D_V1ucB65alamBms3xZbrpyzU8xv0NdMOEm4pVLG6WzpWXDLixifJ9FuZj4EOLAUmtQBwm4wDKfzYFJR9G12V5NVPOtQH0_alpIrR11SxeYk/s1600/4219637431_25e256933e_b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666355147689053778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokNUvLzEa00JlvbkjKeJmLJtDTtqF_g_D_V1ucB65alamBms3xZbrpyzU8xv0NdMOEm4pVLG6WzpWXDLixifJ9FuZj4EOLAUmtQBwm4wDKfzYFJR9G12V5NVPOtQH0_alpIrR11SxeYk/s400/4219637431_25e256933e_b.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I know most people hold onto every last glimmer of summer possible and dread the nights coming in and the temperatures dropping, but I have to say I do look forward to winter. </span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I do agree that there is something quite morose about waking up to darkness and having but a few hours of light each day. That being said, what about all the good things about winter...?</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I love cold, crisp days where your nose feels like it might just drop off any second. I love being outside in the fresh air to come home to a roaring fire, peeling off layer after layer of winter woolies and curling up in a blanket with a good book and a cup of tea. Company is always desirable, but for me it is currently only available in canine form - with our little dog Tiffany being more than happy to waste away hours snoozing while I read! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Fashion can take on a whole new level in winter with many more layers and lots of winter specific accessories to add to your wardrobe staples. Pattern and texture come into their own and I have to admit that I have a slight obsession with anythig fair isle each and every winter! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We also have all the good holidays just around the corner. Halloween, Bonfire night (my personal favourite) and the event that puts panic on the faces of mums all over the country... Christmas! I like to think of winter as a time for gatherings, good humour and when we all put our friends and family before our own wants and needs.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I have included some photos from the area where I live from a few winters ago, because doesn't everything look more beautiful when blanketed in snow? I do actually live in quite a picturesque little nook of our Bonnie Scotland (not that I like to admit it very often!) and in winter it truely is breathtaking. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Hope it inspires you all to look forward to (instead of dread) the coming months!<br /></span></div></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-65132677803704951912011-10-20T05:52:00.000-07:002011-10-20T05:59:24.419-07:00Outfit Post - warm and comfy for shopping<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A_HBwEKMLaFvRS0y1Sn1utcObxozccfhDJx6xWDCmmly_ted5TVmQxAzeGOD5spbvLycZo7dfMn5Mp2vCWK6dDsXiscrZ0GJUGPhyphenhyphenqWFB_f2Xf23r870bUZcHyTWIqk_aN54IZwgmgU/s1600/6263077887_f425221378_o.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665556466104409394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A_HBwEKMLaFvRS0y1Sn1utcObxozccfhDJx6xWDCmmly_ted5TVmQxAzeGOD5spbvLycZo7dfMn5Mp2vCWK6dDsXiscrZ0GJUGPhyphenhyphenqWFB_f2Xf23r870bUZcHyTWIqk_aN54IZwgmgU/s400/6263077887_f425221378_o.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> I'm off round the shops to see if two dresses I noticed yesterday in the sale are still there in my size and to have a browse for Xmas inspiration! Not a very thought out outfit today, just old reliable pieces that I wear again and again. Shall be topped off with my Joules quilted brown jacket and my everlsting Miu Miu Coffer bag. Hoorah!</span></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Grey top - Zara</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Dress - Primark, past season & bought in sale (absolute bargain!)</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Scarf - H&M, past season</span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Boots - Dubarry</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:courier new;"></p><br /><br /></span>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-74402400951424440872011-10-16T03:27:00.000-07:002011-10-16T04:36:32.802-07:00A wee craft project<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeZEwfoAOrk82ibAFpGs0Kccyl_aIkdKV49CablLFF5DEQj5aqNVxAZgqMl7pfF9Hmv7Ga3YSBxqfjnmhVoEl2AvsVOflz8_rQPk6mwXl0SA4FbamBurRoxaMzyRTUZJri0Dbi1ctk5s/s1600/6248880493_fbe7fbb7f6_b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664042851825299202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeZEwfoAOrk82ibAFpGs0Kccyl_aIkdKV49CablLFF5DEQj5aqNVxAZgqMl7pfF9Hmv7Ga3YSBxqfjnmhVoEl2AvsVOflz8_rQPk6mwXl0SA4FbamBurRoxaMzyRTUZJri0Dbi1ctk5s/s400/6248880493_fbe7fbb7f6_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKk4WYxTruxzdFQgdQ934YSVTLnLM7OVpVDhKQCI62MEsebgnXfU2zXLSduysB3Rn7aXP8ELEhSmTsJfH10OtUHCGyJzdWOcwSn98Av5GuO8Do3CJL3fX9peDKI_E8zSSCYhOjvgcTNs/s1600/6249440252_7342385c81_b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664042847906816546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKk4WYxTruxzdFQgdQ934YSVTLnLM7OVpVDhKQCI62MEsebgnXfU2zXLSduysB3Rn7aXP8ELEhSmTsJfH10OtUHCGyJzdWOcwSn98Av5GuO8Do3CJL3fX9peDKI_E8zSSCYhOjvgcTNs/s400/6249440252_7342385c81_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZR6d5ODwtXvsR-gy5XbFtJL8SnSpmO6sVmGXyxFK8KoOR1kFvhKLLd1XZW40EdGWbMPSII431zVf817rZKSNKW0mm45J4GboS4Kf6R73Z_k2yLkvP3WLBHurRLx5_O_R_R0X8Jn7m-s/s1600/6248866291_8c5d3ec984_b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664042833980871218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZR6d5ODwtXvsR-gy5XbFtJL8SnSpmO6sVmGXyxFK8KoOR1kFvhKLLd1XZW40EdGWbMPSII431zVf817rZKSNKW0mm45J4GboS4Kf6R73Z_k2yLkvP3WLBHurRLx5_O_R_R0X8Jn7m-s/s400/6248866291_8c5d3ec984_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuzV0CKS8_AE-fmuExQVjfFMtW8iawOjGpKnzYlT_6msbFd7xTiJWcszHC4VOCNEcL-xSNWLpOSY0i9IDlkBSAZmYP2-0SUQ74uvPW7Rh383nHIzvbTLchzmQAg20i8ldK-hFNqHFaD0/s1600/6249396382_9e682cf2b1_b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664042827288613666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuzV0CKS8_AE-fmuExQVjfFMtW8iawOjGpKnzYlT_6msbFd7xTiJWcszHC4VOCNEcL-xSNWLpOSY0i9IDlkBSAZmYP2-0SUQ74uvPW7Rh383nHIzvbTLchzmQAg20i8ldK-hFNqHFaD0/s400/6249396382_9e682cf2b1_b.jpg" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664042829946530674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KvLBpS3EnlbTBOoByDrbJz_Vwi8BeqK4RQY_XodQW6KSuVNGpfdGnzHQaHPrz_oVMc6JSsqoA2cIyhe9Cjg9Dy97NwjzsKOKYlvbWd60BSl35IykACKJgkWORPPRJPwuuyCLg6_PEsQ/s400/6248869533_3c42e2027c_b.jpg" /><span style="font-family:courier new;">As promised, here is a little photo story of my attempt at a project from HOMEMADE GIFTS VINTAGE STYLE. I supposed I took the easy way out, because it was probably the simplest project in the book. Having said that, there isn't any of the projects that look intimidating or complicated.</span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">The project was for a layered corsage which you could then use in a variety of ways. Basically, layer up some fabric shapes of your choice, add some decorative bits and bobs and either attach a brooch pin, hair clip or anything else you fancy. I kinda deviated from the guidelines in that I used a different shape, added on a wee bow and used a proper brooch pin instead of a safety pin like they used.</span></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I think one thing you have to remember about this book is that the photography and the materials they have used are beautiful and have been carefully selected for that purpose. I have a huge stash of vintage materials, homewares and other bits and bobs and even I would struggle to recreate the aesthetic they have created. I think this book is perfect for people looking for inspiration who can adapt and change the ideas to suit what they have available. It certainly would not be a good present idea for anyone who likes to follow instrustions to the letter and end up with item after item that is exactly the same. There is a great wee introduction at the start of the book which basically explains this.</span></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Bottom line is that this is a great coffee table book to flick through and look at the pretty photos and take inspiration from, but it does not have great substance when it comes to craft techniques. I am glad it is part of my ever growing library, but I don't think I will be referencing it very often other than to ooohh and aaahhhh at the photography.</span></p>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5565503664352972765.post-89616627450714002262011-10-11T14:53:00.000-07:002011-10-11T15:17:38.426-07:00New book crush...<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHg5iydFoBskWYdIg9PdkTaZ8w1UjVmrjRwSfxxBQhziMRpPxjOfX8SFqudBtemafQ7q5DVMhmpLSCOWqHiDnuR8UnssPKjNY_bZPPOb6O7udccUZtahpOasZR_xuokpS6GLSEmNqrKk/s1600/6235894244_0714260b1e_o.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662361204497480786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHg5iydFoBskWYdIg9PdkTaZ8w1UjVmrjRwSfxxBQhziMRpPxjOfX8SFqudBtemafQ7q5DVMhmpLSCOWqHiDnuR8UnssPKjNY_bZPPOb6O7udccUZtahpOasZR_xuokpS6GLSEmNqrKk/s320/6235894244_0714260b1e_o.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">I bought this book today and I have to say it was love at first sight. I am a sucker for any craft book, but add a vintage twist and some beautiful photography and I'm sold! I haven't had time to really dig into it yet, but I have a quick peek at Amazon and it has seven, glowing 5* reviews.</span></div><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I think I will save a proper review until I have been through the book and perhaps even tried one of the projects. They don't look overly complicated or difficult, but I like that in a craft book as I usually use them as inspiration and take ideas off on a completely different tangent myself.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Perhaps a good idea would be a book review, with some step-by-step photos of my attempt at one of the projects included???? Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?! </span><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span></div>Cissyfacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08901810918902952193noreply@blogger.com0