This week I cannot stop listening to Los Campesinos! new album, Romance is Boring. I was listening to it in my car on the way to work the other day and it is SO good, I did not want to get out of my car. I haven't been this excited about a new album since I was a teenager probably. The lyrics are so good, it's slightly less twee than their first album, which I loved, but is miles miles better than their second album, which I just couldn't get into really. There are so many quotable one liners that just keep getting stuck into my head and I feel like scrawling them all over my notes in Uni when I get bored, but then I remember I'm not in school any more. I urge everyone to have a listen to it on Spotify and then buy it if you love it like I do.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
2 simple outfits
This week I cannot stop listening to Los Campesinos! new album, Romance is Boring. I was listening to it in my car on the way to work the other day and it is SO good, I did not want to get out of my car. I haven't been this excited about a new album since I was a teenager probably. The lyrics are so good, it's slightly less twee than their first album, which I loved, but is miles miles better than their second album, which I just couldn't get into really. There are so many quotable one liners that just keep getting stuck into my head and I feel like scrawling them all over my notes in Uni when I get bored, but then I remember I'm not in school any more. I urge everyone to have a listen to it on Spotify and then buy it if you love it like I do.
Posted by Helen at 18:00 15 comments Links to this post
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Label love
Posted by Helen at 10:00 26 comments Links to this post
Labels: Fashion
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
My make-up essentials
I have a very streamlined make up bag. (Well, maybe more than some people but less than most I think!). I don't wear make up everyday, because as a teenager I had bad acne and the dermatologist drummed it into me not to wear make up everyday and I really do think it's good to give your skin a break. Some days I just wear a bit of lipstick, some days nothing. I think it's partly because I can be lazy too! I'd rather spend an extra 10 minutes in bed than applying make up. Still, in the past 2 years or so I have become more interested in make up than usual (especially lipsticks!). These are my make up essentials.
Clinique superfit make up in neutral
Clinique almost powder in neutral
Benefit some kind-a gorgeous
Marks & Spencer foundation & powder brushes
Posted by Helen at 15:03 31 comments Links to this post
Monday, 1 February 2010
Goodbye January!
Can you believe it's February already? I have completed one month of my 365 project and I am feeling quite proud of it! There are days of course where I don't do anything exciting at all and it results in a photo of my dogs or my room, but hey. At the end of the year I want it to be a true reflection of what I've got up to so I guess there will be some boring photos and some exciting ones too. Through my photos I see a theme emerging that represents my life somewhat: dogs, baking and books! January has been a strange month, it kind of went by in a flash but also changed me lots because of my placement in the libraries. I now feel even more motivated towards qualifying as a librarian and finding my dream job in a public library. How has January been for everyone else? I hope everyone is as optimistic about 2010 as I am now! After all, we've managed to say goodbye to the recession and a Tesco branch has banned people from shopping in their pyjamas, so things can only get better!
Posted by Helen at 14:27 26 comments Links to this post
Labels: 365
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Carrot cake
Posted by Helen at 13:00 28 comments Links to this post
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Floral dress
Posted by Helen at 19:30 34 comments Links to this post
Labels: Fashion
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
What's in my bag?
- Yellow leather gloves - because Liverpool can be very cold.
- Celia Birtwell flask for coffee.
- Red pocket moleskine diary for writing in my homework and assignments.
- A clockwork orange - essential to have a book for the train journey.
- New notepad!
- House & car keys.
- Cath Kidston pencil case
- Cath Kidston purse
- Miss Dior Cherie L'eau perfume
- Vaseline rosy lips & bodyshop lipbalm
- Hairbrush
- Cath Kidston rail card holder.
- USB stick
- Phone
Posted by Helen at 16:57 29 comments Links to this post
Labels: Fashion
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
I know I keep apologising for not posting, but whilst I am on placement, I am working full time in a local library and when I come home, I often don't want to carry on staring at a screen when I've been doing that all day too. So, my poor little blog has been slightly neglected. This is my last week on my placement though, so by next week things might get back to normal. It has made me think that when I do enter the real world of work, I may have to close the blog. That probably won't be a for a while yet though, so do not fear!
In between my placement, I have still been doing project 365 which is going really well. You can see it on my flickr here. (Feel free to add me on flickr, I update that quite regularly). On Sunday, for my 365 photo, I took a photo of myself all ready to go out to watch Scott's friends band support OKGo. They were superb. I used my new bag from Asos, that is wonderful and mustardy and such soft leather. I love it. I really want a proper doctor's bag now.


Dress - New Look
Shoes - Jones
Coat - Topshop Petite
Scarf - Cath Kidston
Bag - Asos
Posted by Helen at 20:26 28 comments Links to this post
Labels: Fashion
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
My desk



Posted by Helen at 17:24 56 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Snow!
I'm sure everyone is probably sick of snow photos now, but today was the first proper snow day we had in the north-west here, as the snow before Christmas never really stuck. Today we had about 6 inches all together! I had started my work placement, but got sent home early as the libraries all shut early and I'm off tomorrow too. I took advantage of the afternoon off and took the dogs out in the snow (they really love it).
I wore my new red wellies from Father Christmas and my trusty earmuffs to brave the cold. All afternoon is snowed really heavily. I enjoyed the snow for today but I hope it melts away soon - driving was so horrible - my car skidded and then stalled just as I was turning into my street! Scary! Luckily I escaped any bad accidents but I know others haven't been as lucky.
Posted by Helen at 20:35 24 comments Links to this post
Labels: Adventures
Sunday, 3 January 2010
365:2010
Happy new year! I wonder what 2010 will bring everyone. I've decided to take part in project 365 in order to document my year - I kind of wanted to do it from my 21st birthday, but then I forgot about it. New Years are always a good time to start a new project though. I will try to do a weekly round-up here, or you can add me on flickr to follow my progress.
Here are my first 2 days. On New Year's day, we had family round for a big roast dinner which is our tradition. I made carrot cake and it was very, very popular! No leftovers at all. Yesterday I went for tapas with Scott, then we went to the Playhouse to watch the 39 Steps, it was very good.
Is anyone else going to take part in 365? Good luck if you are! I hope I manage to keep up with it!
Posted by Helen at 18:22 27 comments Links to this post
Labels: 365
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Farewell 2009, hello 2010
Posted by Helen at 10:59 25 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
*
Of course, I haven't been too busy to bake some festive cupcakes.
I'm going to try to start catching up with your lovely blogs also and maybe squeeze in a few festive outfit posts too. Hope you are all well <3
Posted by Helen at 11:34 27 comments Links to this post
Labels: Baking
Monday, 7 December 2009
Apologies/Bath
However, now that I've finished my modules for this semester, I am beginning to feel rather festive! Tonight I'm going to bake some festive cupcakes and maybe put up my little tree in my room. I had a lovely time in Bath too, despite the horrible wet weather. The christmas market was lovely, there were carol singers, mulled wine and lots of pretty christmas lights.
The Christmas market had the most beautiful backdrop of the Roman baths and Bath abbey. The whole city is the perfect backdrop to a short christmas break. There are so many fantastic independent shops, but my two favourite shops in the whole of Bath are Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights and Gillards Tea & Coffee. I can't go to Bath without visiting either. I love supporting independent shops. Visiting Mr B's feels so much more personal and heartwarming than visiting a branch of Waterstones.
Posted by Helen at 16:20 23 comments Links to this post
Labels: Adventures
Friday, 27 November 2009
Bath!
Do you have any favourite cities? Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Posted by Helen at 17:43 38 comments Links to this post
Labels: Adventures
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Wearing on Wednesdays

shoes - m&s, t-shirt - zara, cardigan - topshop
Posted by Helen at 15:48 35 comments Links to this post
Labels: Fashion, Remix, Wearing on Wednesdays
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Mi familia




Posted by Helen at 10:48 25 comments Links to this post
Friday, 20 November 2009
Starred
It's a rollover! Yes, there was no 'starred' last week so this is a double helping of delicious treats, fresh from my Google Reader.
Calivintage is fast becoming one of my favourite fashion blogs. Can you believe I've only just subscribed? She is the cutest thing. This was one of my favourite recent outfits, the blouse is just too lovely.
Yes, I appear to be obsessed with book art. These wreaths made from pages of old books are just too pretty! They would be lovely for christmas decorated with some glitter and festive baubles. Found via Apartment Therapy.When I found out about Hygge, thanks to Harriet, I fell in love! I was so glad there was a word for making yourself all cosy in the winter and making the most of the shorter days. It's a Danish concept but I think even here in England we can all do with a bit of Hygge. It gets dark here at about 4pm now, and you even need the lights switched on from about 2pm, which gets so dreary and depressing, but if we try to bring a little Hygge into our life we can enjoy it more! Harriet lists some wonderful ideas, including long hot baths, baking cookies for friends and lighting candles.




I loved this post by Bug, of In Bug's Drawers. She demonstrates 3 different and interesting ways to wear cardigans. I love cardigans and pretty much wear one every single day, but it is usually just lazily draped over me. I need to start experimenting! This has definitely inspired me. I think buttoned up was my favourite, but they also look very cute tucked in.
A self-stirring tea cup!! Perfect for when you get those horrible bits of dregs at the bottom or ensuring there is no sugary-tea syrup mush at the bottom of your cup. However, as Bobby points out, it's only a matter of time before someone swallows that ball, plus it has no handle which is bad for hot drinks. Nice idea, could be better executed.
An outdoor library!!! I love this idea. Not sure how well it would work in England really, with all the rain and stuff. This library in Magdeburg, Germany, was originally an experiment but the locals loved it so much they made it their own. Found via That Unreliable Girl.
This weekend I think is going to be spent mostly working and catching up on uni work - a bit less exciting than the past 2 weekends but hey. Happy Thanksgiving to all your Americans out there too! Have a slice of pumpkin pie for me. Hope you all have a great weekend, anyone up to anything more exciting than me? Ha.
Posted by Helen at 18:30 33 comments Links to this post
Labels: Starred
Thursday, 19 November 2009
London - A Very Foodie Weekend

Then on Sunday we decided to head to the Hummingbird Bakery. We went to the Portobello Road branch because it was closest to Emma's house. After walking around for nearly an hour, admiring houses in notting hill and generally being lost, we finally found it! It was the first time I've been to Portobello Road and for a Sunday it was very lively. It was kind of like a more grown up Camden I thought.


I brought home a box of 9 cupcakes and they were all polished off by Tuesday, they were that good. Below is the red velvet one that I had on Sunday night, after the tiring train journey home. I then took the black bottom cupcake into Uni with me for my packed lunch and oh my! It was AMAZING! It is one of the few recipes I haven't tried out of the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook but I MUST! SOON! I'm starting to drool a little just thinking about it...

How were your weekends? I hope they were as full of lovely food and good company as mine was!
Posted by Helen at 17:50 24 comments Links to this post
Labels: Adventures, London
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Wearing on Wednesdays

boots - topshop
skirt - vintage
t-shirt - zara
cardi - zara
This past week has been a bit crazy - I had 2 assignments due in last week, combined with terrible cold which had me in bed all day last Tuesday and going to London at the weekend - I was feeling slightly frazzled. Still, on Wednesday I made the effort to actually get dressed (unlike on Tuesday, my duvet day). I did feel better, but I went for practicality over prettiness. I wore my trusty old boots to protect my feet from the rain (I HATE getting wet feet so much!) and my old vintage polka dot skirt which is the comfiest skirt ever. I carried myself along to the library to finish off my last assignment, still dosed up with cold relief tablets. I do hate this time of year because of all the colds I seem to get.
Anyway, yes. I am all better now, recovered from my cold and a busy weekend in London and today I'm going to spend catching up with blogs, sorting out photos, drinking tea and catching up with some uni work too.
What do you like to wear for practical reasons? Do you ever find yourself wearing less-pretty clothes in the winter? That's what I feel like sometimes because the weather rules out certain items of clothing! However, I know some people prefer winter because of layering. What do you prefer?
Posted by Helen at 11:26 27 comments Links to this post
Labels: Fashion, Wearing on Wednesdays





































