Amy Elizabeth

The end of Frugal February

2012-03-01T07:25:00.000-08:00

As Frugal February ends, I find myself wondering how many of you have triumphed in saving yourself some extra cash over the last month. Everyone will have different levels of success depending on their income, their outgoings, and ultimately, their personal views on money. Having a fairy average rent to pay with my below average London wage (according to Ken and Boris) I was quite strict with myself, resulting in quite a nice surprise...

Earlier in the month I calculated I'd save around £30 with squash, and as usual, I packed lunches for work, with the exception of London Fashion Week (which I set a budget for). My only slips ups included a £6 nail varnish, and a skirt for £3 which I got from a charity shop - but hey, at least I didn't buy any new shoes! Other than that, I've been practically saint like, with my frugal entertaining and cost effective grocery shopping - I even managed to make £60 by selling unwanted items on eBay!

My amazing new/old Snoopy skirt!

In total, this months savings came in at just under £100 (not including the extra money from eBay) which definitely put a smile on my face yesterday. I'd love to be able to say that I could easily keep up this level of frugality for another year and have a shiny £1200 in my savings, but I'd hate to put that pressure on myself without knowing I could commit to the challenge 100%. HOWEVER, I am determined to save more this year, and Frugal February has been a fantastic inspiration! Did you save more than you thought?

My CQ adventure

2012-02-28T04:30:00.002-08:00

Want to hear about my first ever London Fashion Week experience? Head over at Catwalk Queen for all the details!

Pinterested?

2012-02-27T10:08:00.001-08:00

Today I joined Pinterest - hit me up if you have an account!

A week of Instagram

2012-02-26T11:25:00.000-08:00

LFW

2012-02-16T12:42:00.000-08:00

I might be a little quiet for a few days, but don't worry...it's because I'm covering London Fashion Week! You can watch the shows unfold and read all of the teams fashion and beauty reports over at Catwalk Queen.

And yes, this is a photo of me holding show invitations like a massive geek.

How To...Entertain on a budget

2012-02-14T14:33:00.000-08:00

If you're taking part in Frugal February, I think it's important not to spend all of your evenings and weekends wishing you hadn't. Just because you can't go to some 'fabulous' party that your friend is throwing - "the drinks are only £6 each darling and the music is so on trend and that cute boy you like will be there and everyone else you've ever met will be there and it'll be the best night you've had in aaaaaaaaages" - does NOT mean you can't have a good night. What ever happened to making your own fun? Invite your friends over and get creative! After all, it's far too cold to go outside...

Bring and Bake
Rather than going out and spending your money on over priced coffee and cupcakes, ask all of your friends to bake something, raid the tea cupboard, and have a good old fashioned catch up over a variety of yummy treats! Chances are there will be a few left overs to pop in your lunch box too...

You can find my cheap and cheerful recipe for fairy cakes here!

Dinner and a movie aka date night
No, I'm not talking about splurging on take out and sticking a movie on whilst you're in bed, falling asleep half way through and waking up at 3am with your glasses sticking into your face. Put him to work in the kitchen whilst you freshen up. Sit down to dinner, light a few candles, have a conversation - make a little effort! Afterwards, get some popcorn in the microwave and watch a movie neither of you has seen before (or pick one each if you fancy staying up late). My point is, even if you can't afford a fancy restaurant, you can still make time for each other.

The girls
Grab your closest girls and have a night in. Who wants to be out in this weather, shivering to death in painful heels, spending money on cocktails that will only leave you with a headache in the morning? All you need for a great night is a couple of films, one large bar of chocolate, a range of nail varnishes and a cheap bottle of wine.

The boys
Now, boys night for me isn't that dis-similar to my girls night. Swap the nail varnish for video games and the wine for cider and black - the banter and jokes won't be far behind!

Jumble sale
Sort out your wardrobe and have a night of listing on ebay - you might make more than you'd think. Bag up anything you can't sell for the charity shops, or go one step further and invite your frugal friends over for a swap shop (you could even combine this with your bake off and make a real night of it).

Not taking part in Frugal Feb? Head over to ebay and buy my stuff!

Make & do
Do something different and start a craft project. You could make a card for someone special, teach yourself origami, or just write a letter to a friend. If you're already a crafty person and fancy throwing yourself into a bigger venture, then take a look at A Beautiful Mess for some beautiful and unique ideas.

I love Sundays
Get everyone involved and host your own roast! Divide the responsibilities between the group (one person brings the potatoes, another the vegetables/dessert/wine etc) and enjoy the end of your week in style.

Tea & Truffles

2012-02-13T12:57:00.001-08:00

This is the first time I've ever made my own truffles, and it is SO EASY! This recipe on Dollymix is for Earl Grey infused ganache, but you could add anything - chilli, raspberries, nuts...I'm definitely going to make more soon. If you make any, please let me know!

How To... Bake like a bad ass

2012-02-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

Head over to the Dollymix kitchen to see my newest contributed recipe and find out how to make these bite-sized treats!

Broke(n)

2012-02-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

So my foot decided to have an argument with the pavement, resulting in a diagonal break to the proximal phalanx in my hallux. Which to me and you means, I've broken the big toe on my right foot. I have to tell you, if you've never broken your big toe before...I ENVY YOU! We all break our little guys from time to time - we throw out a few choice words that would make our mothers blush, rub it furiously, and that's the end of it. The big man however, is a little more annoying/painful/complex. For a start, he supports all of your body weight. If you lose him, you have the learn to walk again. He's pretty important. He is also super lazy when it comes to healing, so I'm now sporting some beautiful grey accessories and any time that I don't have to be on be on my feet, I have to spend on my back *cue round of applause from men everywhere*

In light of this (and to stop me from going stir crazy) my next Frugal post will be centred around keeping yourself entertained in the evening, without breaking the bank. Or your toes.

Squashing bad habits

2012-02-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

We're all guilty of buying something we don't need on a regular basis. For a lot of people it'll be a cheeky trip to the coffee shop before work, a cup of something to keep you going through the morning. Before long it becomes a normal part of your every day routine and you never stop to consider the consequences of a small scale spending habit.

At the start of the year I started to take a packed lunch every day as apposed to doing it occasionally, which cut the cost of my grocery bill. But what about that little guilty buy? Despite shopping for cheaper food I was still throwing money at fizzy drinks, getting my sugar fix, and not really thinking of the price.

Emily Smucker

Then
It might not feel like a lot of money at the time, but it soon adds up. The average bottle of pop these days costs £1.20, which is a massive £36 when purchased every day for a month. That might be extra money in your savings, a night out with the boyfriend, or even a new pair of shoes.

Now
A bottle of double concentrated squash (2 for £2.75 from Tesco) an empty bottle, and water from the tap. Easy!

Total savings over February £33.25

What Do You Wear?

2012-01-30T03:27:00.000-08:00

Do you remember when I wrote a little post about red velvet cake for Isle of Tea? Well, last month they asked me how I style my tea dresses during the winter. Read it here!

Mixing It Up

2012-01-27T15:13:00.000-08:00

Fancy learning how to make some awesome Russian Doll biscuits? Come and check out my post over at the Dollymix kitchen!

How To... Be Frugal

2012-01-23T12:55:00.000-08:00

We all feel the guilt set in after the hurricane that is Christmas shopping. For some it isn't instantly identifiable (that knot in your stomach can easily be mistaken for an over indulgence of food, not money) but it IS there. With most of us having to wait 5 weeks for the next pay check alongside every store tempting us with sales that are impossible to avoid, it's a dangerous time for even the thriftiest of shoppers. Unfortunately for me, it's also my birthday in January, so by the time February rolls around I usually want to curl up under the duvet and sob over my diminishing funds and nonexistent savings.

Matthew Hunt

There are a few events in particular that I could use some extra cash for this year - and it would be nice to kick start the saving now rather than doing it all last minute. Frugal February began last year as a way of saving money and stopping unnecessary expenses - you can read about it in more detail over at the lovely Big Girls Browse (there's also a list of other bloggers taking part so you can see how everyone else copes!)

So here goes.
I vow, for one month from 1st Feb, to avoid shopping for anything other than essentials.

No clothes, no accessories, no shoes, no magazines, no makeup or beauty products, no DVDs, books or music, no bottles of wine at the weekend, and absolutely no expensive cupcakes...I'll be documenting my month here, keeping you up to date with any tips and ideas to keep you all smiling through the challenge. Good luck!

Birthday Snaps

2012-01-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

A Quarter

2012-01-15T01:21:00.000-08:00

I think my birthday this year will reflect the year ahead - it'll be quiet, frugal, and spent with my closest friends. It'll be exactly what I want. No compromise, no drama, no vomiting on my Dr Martens (again). Most people shy away from growth. When the candles on the cake start to look more like a small bonfire, they regress. I know I'm wired differently, but there must be others out there who look forward to getting a little older?

Having a birthday so close to Christmas pretty much sucks. Everyone is too poor to do anything, and after opening my Christmas gifts, I don't think, "Oh well I guess they didn't get those hints about the pug. Perhaps I'll try again in 3 weeks." I also have a mother who on principal, will not give me money just for the sake of it. Let's face it, I would probably pay my phone bill if she did. WOOOO! HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ORANGE!

When my Mother asked me a few days after Christmas what I would like for my birthday, I struggled to give her an answer. At 24, I have pretty much everything I need. That is to say, I have a roof over my head that doesn't leak, I've got a job that pays the bills, I have a small and solid group of friends, a boyfriend who will carry me home drunk, and too many clothes that I never wear. Sure, there are things I want, but I refuse to ask for a ceramic guinea pig salt and pepper pot set when I'm still in a house share with five other (clumsy) people. I could use a new computer, but thankfully Charlie's job involves him having two of his own, so I've 'acquired' his laptop. My hair straighteners stop working almost half a year ago, but I'm lucky enough to live with another girl who kindly loans me hers, for fear of being seen with me and my ridiculous multi-directional-natural-hair-state.

Unlike children today who get their first mobile phone at 5, my needs are few. I'd much rather DO something interesting than have a huge pile of gifts. Perhaps it's left over Christmas spirit, but I revel in spending time with loved ones, taking a day trip with the wife, curling up with a bottle of wine and a movie, or going out for dinner with the boy.

I can't wait for my 25th and the adventures that may come. Bring it on!

How To... Enchant even the biggest Harry Potter fans.

2012-01-11T14:33:00.000-08:00

My best friend Krystin loves Harry Potter. We write to each other a lot - I am addicted to stationary, and having a pen friend is a good excuse to buy even more! In my most recent post across the ocean, I made a envelope addressed to her in the style of a Hogwarts acceptance letter. This make and do is simple, doesn't have to cost the earth, and would make a lovely Birthday card or party invitation too.

You will need:
A plain cream or white envelope, medium size
A good, flowing ink pen (NOT a biro)
Sealing wax and wax stamp

When looking for wax, you'll find some great deals on Amazon. Alternatively you can buy sealing sticks individually at any good sized stationary store. You can pick from several official Harry Potter wax stamps on ebay, or you could have a go at making your own! I found this great tutorial courtesy of RageHaus and I can't wait to try it out for myself with another design.

I found an image of the typeface used for Harry's acceptance letter and copied it freehand.

I used gold for my seal, although red would give your letter a more authentic look!

10 Pretty Things

2012-01-10T15:01:00.000-08:00

Blogger Katrina Tan is perhaps best known for her enthusiastic design blog Pugly Pixel, but she is also the brains behind 10 pretty things - a simple concept where she shares, you guessed it, ten pretty things she's stumbled upon recently.

I thought I'd share a few things from work that I've been drooling over...

Moments

2012-01-06T14:10:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my favourite moments from 2011. This year is going to have to be pretty special to top the last!

Dancing all night in Nottingham with my girls

Being a bridesmaid at my best friends wedding (and having a pretty handsome date!)

Getting to spend more time in my favourite garden

Moving to London!

Seeing America with this amazing trio

Getting to know this girl, and having a lot of fun with her!

A fantastic spontaneous night out with the boys

Exploring Brixton Market with one of my oldest friends

Our Halloween Party (I love living with these guys!)

Faux Christmas with my adoptive London family

Getting to see this girl at Christmas before she flew back to Lisbon

The List

2012-01-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

If you've been following me since last year (thank you very much if you have!) you might remember me talking about New Years resolutions and why I think they're kind of...well, doomed from the start. I stumbled across Kathryn Sharman at Kat Got The Cream, and her idea of a 'Life List' inspired me to create one for 2011. Halfway through the year I revisited my list and was thrilled to see that I'd done remarkably well, despite having set my bar pretty high - I moved to London, learned how to bake, took a road trip across America for 3 weeks, passed my driving test, and paid off my overdraft.

Without a second thought I knew that the list would be something I wanted to do again this year, keeping anything that I hadn't accomplished last year in the running. What would be on your list?

Every day, I would like to…
Think positively
Live frugally and save every penny!

Every week, I would like to…
Crank it up at the gym
Have a really good conversation with a friend
Try something new
Learn more about photography, and take more photos

In 6 months time I would like to…
Have built my own website (or at least moved to WordPress!)
Be able to make mouth watering gyoza
Have made a considerable start on my savings account

Before next year, I would like to have…
Direction in my working life
Been to visit my best friend at her new home in Lisbon
Been to see the ballet
Achieved something I am proud of

How To... Make A Hamper

2012-01-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

Lets face it - parents often get the worst deal when it comes to presents. At Christmas the focus is usually on the children and grand children, brothers and sisters. Parents will over spend, spoiling everyone, and what do they get in return? £20's worth of vouchers and a cheap bottle of wine.

When Charlie and I started thinking about buying presents for our parents this Christmas, we hit this ugly brick wall and decided to do something different - we made our own hampers. It's an ideal gift, and not just for Christmas. You can spend as much or as little as you like (the bonus being that it'll look more expensive when it's finished) and you could even give it a theme, just be creative! Here's how we did it...

The insides. We took a trip to Borough Market to pick some unique (and well priced) items. We also hit up Harrods and Fortnum & Mason for stylish packaging to give the hamper a luxurious edge.

Our little hampers cost £9.99 for 3, which left us with a bigger budget for the gifts! Shop around for various sizes and shapes to suit your theme.

We filled our baskets with white shredded tissue paper, but there are so many options when it comes to padding out your hamper. Why not try a variety of different colours, packaging peanuts, or even newspaper for an original look.

Arrange your bits and pieces inside the basket. Then do it again. And again, and again...keep going until you're completely satisfied! Place larger items at the back and build around them - fill in any nooks with odd shaped packaging to ensure your hamper doesn't look too flat.

We went for a traditional approach with our wrapping. If you'd like to do the same, wrap the cellophane under the hamper and get someone to hold it tight and in an upright position. Tape the sides to avoid gaping at the next stage.

Twist the cellophane in a high knot, ensuring all of the gifts inside won't be hidden under the ribbon. Choose your ribbon to match the occasion -we opted for red to achieve a festive finish!

Drawing into the Night

2011-12-30T14:57:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are a few photos of the Christmas cards I decided to make this year. It was...arduous. But fun. Sort of. In the beginning, at least.

Faux Christmas

2011-12-20T14:33:00.000-08:00

For over four years at University, my housemates and I celebrated 'Faux Christmas' with each other before going home to spend the 25th with our families. We differed in a lot of ways to other shared houses - we all lived, ate and functioned together like a real family. Except in our family 'Mum' was a red headed girl called pickle, and her 'husband' was a 6'5 gay man from next door. There were no locks on individual bedroom doors (which, once or twice caused a few unexpected surprises...) and you wouldn't find any named labels on forgotten moulding cheese at the back of the fridge.

This year due to babies, jobs, and the small fact that Singapore is quite far away, the usual gang were unable to celebrate Faux Christmas together. I was however adopted by a new family, consisting of my boyfriend and his friends, and got to witness another version of this joyous, fictional holiday. I like to think that these mini 'traditions' we invent go someway towards shaping how we spend our Christmases in the future - and for me, it's just as important to spend the festive period with the unique family units we create for ourselves.

My Talented Friends : Toni Hawkes

2011-12-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

As well as sharing her name with a pro-skater, Toni Hawkes is a talented illustrator, a fellow baking fanatic, a display artist, and all round geek. We met almost six years ago through a couple of ex-boyfriends, banding together over mutual interests, our sense of humour, and eventually, our broken hearts. Toni has worked in creative retail display for ten years and has recently been busy creating her own company with friend and prop artist, Katie Forman. I managed to grab a few minutes with them both to talk about their new venture, Hawkes & Forman.

Hey ladies! Are you working on anything exciting today?
Hi Amy! Actually today we're creating neon animal heads... [laughs] I can't say too much about it, but all will be revealed at the beginning of January. If you keep an eye on the website, it'll pop up on there soon!

Tell me about Hawkes & Forman...
Hawkes and Forman is basically a combination of creativity provided by me, Toni Hawkes, and Katie Forman. We're prop makers and display artists, and we pride ourselves on the high standard to which we work. As a company we've only been going for four months, but we've already created displays for Harvey Nichols, Sweaty Betty, and Topshop. We specialise in hand-made bespoke pieces, so everything we make for our clients is unique!

Toni, how did you become a display artist?
I did a degree in Illustration at London College of printing (now London College of Communication) and it was during that time that I started working for the Topshop creative team. I've always enjoyed being creative, and it was amazing to be able to combine paid work with my degree. After six years with Topshop I moved on to work for a display company, where I got to meet a variety of clients and generate a lot of contacts - which have definitely become useful now I have my own business!

How does it feel working with Topshop again?
The team at Topshop were like a family to me, so working there again is like going home! It's different coming in with my own company, but it's a positive difference - it's great to have more control and creative input.

Were you nervous about branching out and starting your own company?
It was more excitement than nerves I think! Katie and I were both freelancing and we are used to the inconsistency that comes with this kind of work. With my contact book and Katie's model making background, we realised that we had a rare combination that could really benefit us. We were actually pretty confident [laughs] and to have achieved so much in a short space of time has been surprised and amazed us.

How did the collaboration between Katie and yourself come about?
We met working at Pinewood Studios - we were both making props for Clash of the Titans. Katie had been working in film since she graduated from her model making degree and we quickly became friends, realising that we shared a common interest. I was looking at branching out into new creative industry alongside my retail background, and Katie was looking to break out on her own and make props for other industries. after we finished working on the film, we put together a portfolio and branded ourselves Hawkes & Forman!

You both have a lot of experience under your belts - what's the most exciting thing you've worked on to date?

Definitely the mannequins we created for Topshop's Oxford Circus! They came to us with a concept from the Creative Director, and through samples we developed the idea. It was great for us to be able to have a hand in the design aspect as well as creating them. Each mannequin stands around 7 feet and is covered in hundreds of hand made paper cones, so it was a very labour intensive job, but the result was worth it, and they've received some amazing feedback.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become a display artist?

Oh god, you have to be prepared to hassle people! [laughs] Not just for work, but to sign off jobs and pay you. It's an aspect we didn't really think about at the start, but when you have no one else working for you then you have to do the dirty work and chase companies to pay you on time. Other than that, you have to learn to be good with numbers and estimating, as there's a lot of quoting and back quoting involved. For us, working together has been beneficial in more ways than one. We've found it helps to team up with another person as you can support each other, balance each other out and bounce ideas off each other. Creatively, having original ideas and an ability to visualise someone else's concept are important. Be aware of your competition, and try to come up with a unique selling point. Most of all, don't be afraid to put yourself out there!

If you can imagine it, they can make it...
If you need a window display, an installation, props for a photo shoot or props for a film, I cannot recommend these ladies highly enough. They're both extremely talented and hard working, with passion and creativity by the bucket load. You can contact Toni and Katie directly via their website, or if you'd like to keep up to date with their inspiring work, you can follow them on twitter, and on Facebook. If you live in London you can catch Hawkes & Forman's mannequins in Topshop Oxford Circus up until Christmas.

Just A Minute...in December

2011-12-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

'Just a minute' is a meme first posted on august street, which I found via Laura at make do and mend. Enjoy!

Wearing... A lot of new knitwear, and a surprising number of dresses. Rather fitting, as Dressember gets underway - read more about the cause here, and see Catwalk Queen's Gemma Cartwright take on the challenge! (I'd be crying for my jeans after a week).

Reading... The last book I read was 'How to be a Woman' by Caitlin Moran. It is fantastically funny and heartfelt, and if you haven't read it yet, I insist that you do so. I'm in the mood for witty female writers - my next adventure will be Sarah Waters infamous romance novel, 'Tipping the Velvet'.

Listening... to Ella Fitzgerald's Gold album. It never fails to make me feel wintery and nostalgic, especially when curled up alone with a cup of tea.

Going... to Cambridgeshire for Christmas! It'll be the first time that I haven't woken at my parents house on Christmas Day, which is quite a big deal in my family. Does this mean I'm a grown up now?

Eating... Ferrero Rochers. Holy shit, they are my weakness at this time of year.

Watching... Frozen Planet. Breath taking shots, emotional scenes, the brutality of nature, and David Attenborough's beautiful voice. What more could you possibly want from a TV programme?

Wondering... What to do for my 25th birthday next month. Perhaps afternoon tea and the theatre. Does anyone have any suggestions of fun things happening/to do in London?

Making... My own Christmas cards, hampers, decorations...yeah, I've set myself up for some sleepless nights.

Mostly photos of cats & food...

2011-11-27T05:41:00.000-08:00

A lot of my friends use Instagram, as well as a whole heap of lovely people I follow on the web. Oh yeah, and not to mention millions of people all over the world. One of the aspects of Instragram that I think makes it most endearing and most user friendly is that it's a quirky little social network - you can 'love' others pictures, leave comments and follow your favourites.

I thought I'd share a few recent snaps with you - if you have Instagram, come find me at amyandelizabeth!

My Talented Friends: Jack Shaw

2011-11-17T11:16:00.000-08:00

I first met Jack at University - we were both on the same Media course, shared a few mutual friends and I'd seen him busking around town. He did a lot of open mic nights back then, and after one particular performance at the on-campus bar, we starting joking about women, music and work. Fast forward six years and they're still the topic of conversation for Jack and I!

Hey Jack, what have you been up to today?
Today I've been moving cardboard boxes and booking gigs for the band in my lunch hour! Exciting I know.

Do you still do a lot of busking?
Yeah - we use it to promote our London gigs! Kamil and I were meant to be going later in Camden, but it's probably gonna rain, so we called it off.

Do you enjoy it as much as you used to?
I love it! I remember the first time I ever busked. I bought a Kazoo and used to hum songs on the high street in Hexham, then I got a guitar, and from there it just spiralled. If I didn't have busking I think I would have a melt down a long time ago! It's nice to have that alone time to practice songs, and to pick up the odd phone number from a lady. It also funded my University life style...

Be honest - you learnt to play the guitar to get laid right?

[Laughs] Damn straight! At school I was an overweight inner city kid in the country - I had to have an edge. It just so happens it worked well with my singing. It led to the longest relationship I've ever had, Lotus.

How's the new Dancing Lotus album coming along?
I can't say alot, but 2012 is going to be pretty special for us. The last 2 years have been progressive - what we were doing and writing back then [when we first met] has developed so much, and the second album was really when I began to understand what I was capable of as a songwriter. I knew that was what I should be doing. Dancing Lotus gives me the creative energy and output to achieve it.

What comes first for you, the music or the lyrics?

I have always been a lyricist first and a guitarist second, but sometimes being in a diverse group like Dancing Lotus, it doesn't work like that. We have always got new ideas, melodies, and tracks flying around. I fill up lyric sheets and scrap books like you wouldn't believe! I have a few lyrics that nobody has seen yet, and they are pretty exciting for me - I hope we get the chance to do something with them.

If you weren't a musician, what do you think you'd be doing?

Nothing anybody else isn't wishing they weren't doing.

What's the best thing about being a singer/songwriter?
My mother says "if it feels right at the time, just do it". I write a lot, I make music, I get into trouble now and then, but mostly I work hard to get to where I want to be. I am lucky enough to have two families - the Lotus family, and my mum and 6 brothers! Our friends and families have all been so supportive of what we do, and for me, that's the best part of it all.

Jack makes up one part of Dancing Lotus, a band I've seen play a hundred times and who never disappoint. As well as topping the itunes singer/songwriter charts this year with their single 'Spend Some Time', the boys also won a competition ran by the BBC which resulted in them playing the main stage at Summer Sundae in front of thousands. Why not check out their website (built by my awesome boyfriend!) and follow them on Twitter? You can also join them in London on Thursday 1st December for the Seven Dials 20% off Christmas shopping evening, where they will be smashing out a live set in association with the TShirt Store.

My Talented Friends

2011-11-16T10:23:00.000-08:00

I'm not afraid to say it - I have a lot of super talented friends. Some are so full of talent that they make me sick, but, they're my friends, they're awesome, and I'm really proud of them. I love surrounding myself with these amazing people because they know who they want to be, and they've worked really hard to get there. Others are just starting to figure out what they want from their lives - and they have so much drive, passion, and potential that I admire them and envy them in equal measure.

To highlight these fantastic guys and girls, I want to tell you a little bit about my talented friends. I want to show you their work, their hobbies and their achievements, in the hope that you'll find it as inspirational as I do.

The Queen of Catwalk Queen

2011-11-10T08:37:00.000-08:00

This photo of Gemma Cartwright and I comes from Aigua Media's Megazine launch party, which took place at the beginning of the month. The team hired a photo booth for the event, and it was so much fun! Even the celebrities got involved, using wigs, hats and several strange objects from the props box. Want to see more?

140 Characters

2011-11-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

Last night Charlie and I attended an event focusing on Twitter at Paramount, the restaurant and event space housed in the top three floors of London's Centre Point building. The evening, aptly named Twight Night was described as "a panel discussion with Twitter as the font from which the chat will flow" and follows the opening of Chris Floyd's latest exhibition, 140 Characters at Host Gallery.

The idea sparked from a realisation - Chris hadn't seen or spoken to any of his "best half a dozen real and actual friends" for over a month. Inspired by his more consistent interaction with photographers, editors and other creatives, the 140 portraits are of people he follows on Twitter. His work includes some notable twitterati, with the likes of the notoriously out spoken Lily Allen and witty feminist Caitlin Moran getting involved.

Alexis and Caitlin

It was a great way to spend my usually empty Monday evening - actually socialising with those I follow on Twitter as apposed to reading about it all later on that evening. The room was alight with candles and phone screens as tweeters from all over the country took to their seats to enjoy an hour of debate and Q&A. The panel included What I Wore Today's founder Poppy Dinsey and Guardian favourites; the very funny Alexis Petridis and charmingly sarcastic Grace Dent. Caitlin Moran, one of my favourite writers, was there to heckle and admits that in her first year on Twitter she "spent 70% of the time clubbing together with @gracedent to pick on @alexispetridis"

After discussing the reasons they joined Twitter, arguing over what it would take for them to leave, and if they had ever dated anyone they followed (cue at least 1/4 of the room shifting in their chairs) we drank more wine, mused over the evenings tweets and hashtags, ate some tasty hot dogs and bid farewell to some lovely people. Including this woman....

Amy the Intern

2011-11-08T06:52:00.000-08:00

As well as slaving away at my regular job, I recently spent two weeks working with Aigua Media and it's fair to say, I loved every second of it! With 13 unique blogs under their belt and an impressive 1.25 million followers, Aigua is fast becoming the only way to explore the world of fashion and beauty.

I've been asked by a few friends to write more "what I'm wearing" posts, so I thought I would kick start it by sharing with you what I've been wearing for my internship. Job interviews, internships and volunteering positions are notoriously difficult to dress for - most of us always feel under or overdressed, no matter how much research we've done. So what DO you wear on that all important first day?

I wore comfortable shoes as I knew I'd be doing A LOT of walking - why suffer in heels? I chose dark grey jeans as apposed to trousers as even in my mid twenties, black trousers make me feel like I'm back at school. The salmon oversized shirt has rolled sleeves, giving it more of a relaxed look. This coat from Paris is one of the key pieces in my wardrobe, and I accessorised with a satchel big enough for my laptop and lunch box! All in all, a logical outfit consisting of fashion favourites and comfortable classics.

Fancy a sneak preview of what I've been doing for Aigua's social shopping site, OSOYOU? Click me!

Halloween

2011-11-07T07:01:00.000-08:00

Being a bit of a fang banger, I decided to go as a dead Merlottes girl this year (if you haven't seen True Blood then the references I just made are pretty null and void - sorry!)

My outfit was fairly easy. I used a plain white t-shirt which I customised with the Merlottes Bar & Grill logo as well as some mud and fake blood. The black shorts came from my wardrobe, and the apron began life as a piece of material which I passed over to my friend Elizabeth who did the most fantastic job on her sewing machine! I purchased a waiting tray for £2 in a local shop, got myself a bottle of 'O Negative' from Forbidden Planet and wore my black trainers. The injuries were as follows: I gave myself a black eye, bruised cheek bone and bust lip, as well as some bloody knees and elbows from tripping and falling. My vampire bites were achieved by creating a little glue circle, some fake blood and some purple eyeshadow.

I also made my own paper banners and some zombie biscuits for the guests!

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

2011-11-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

The winner of my punning for Movember competition is Ian Carrington!

Congratulations Ian - Something's Hiding In Here will be sending their famous moustache on a stick to you soon! Ian is also taking part in Movember - please take a mo-ment (get it? HA) to sponsor him here.

Home

2011-10-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

When I first told my friends and family back home that I was moving to London and would be living a stones throw away from Brixton, their responses were mixed. The question I perhaps met most frequently was "But doesn't Brixton have a bad reputation?"

You may think that this is a fairly generic stance from someone living outside of London, however I've found more and more that a lot of people I meet here seem to have the same view.

For any faults the area might have, I love Brixton. It has genuine guts. You'll experience diversity in age, race and sex just by taking a few steps. The market is a particularly fascinating example of what happens when cultures mesh - the food variety, the languages, even the fashion, it's always growing and evolving. It is, unfortunately, becoming more hip even despite it's shadows - there's a notable influx in 'trendy' eateries and trendier cliental. If you've never been to Electric Avenue, I recommend you go now whilst it's still holding onto it's roots.

One Happy Kitty

2011-10-21T02:28:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not be aware, I recently won a competition ran by an awesome company aptly named Awesome Merch. My prize? 250 custom shaped vinyl stickers! SWEET.

After a super fast turnaround & delivery, they arrived on my doorstep this morning. And boy, do they live up to their name! They're incredible quality, the colours are sharp, and the custom shape is exactly what I asked for. To top it off, their customer service throughout the whole sale has been quick, friendly, and consistent.

Go check out their shop here - they do great deals on screen printed t-shirts, as well as badge packs, and of course, my 250 custom stickers!

Markets

2011-10-11T02:58:00.000-07:00

After the Indian summer faded and the wind began to set in, last weekend felt truly Autumnal - Saturday evening was almost bitterly cold!

Over the weekend I went to explore Borough Market with the boy and his parents. I LOVE food at this time of year; the deep colours of the vegetables, the heavy stews and soups with rustic bread, thick chunks of smoked cheeses, and that unmistakable smell of mulled wine. After fighting our way through the hustle and bustle, we picked up some pieces for dinner, drank a little champagne, ate a huge pork and stuffing baguette, and saw the rest of the afternoon out in the pub. Perfection.

As well as Borough Market I also went to Brixton's Indoor Market for the first time, and I was thoroughly impressed! I'll definitely be heading back there soon to write about some of the stalls.

Seasonal Treats

2011-10-10T02:16:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share a couple of nice things from last week - I got this great wool hat for £3 *cough* Primark *cough* and I'm loving that it's cold enough in the house to wear my thick tri-blended socks. I also made my first ever carrot cake - I still can't believe I'd never made one before as it's one of my absolute favourites. I had some left over cream cheese icing, so I whipped up a double layered chocolate Victoria cake too. Cake heaven! If you want more, you can follow me on Instagram at amyandelizabeth.

I'm totally fanTASHtic because I entered Amy's giveaway!

2011-10-06T01:41:00.000-07:00

You may remember some time ago that I wrote this post in which I pretty much confessed my undying love for the inspirational couple behind Something's Hiding In Here, Shauna & Stephen. They've chosen 15 blogs to host an amazing giveaway...which is where I come in!

What is this beautifully hand crafted prize I hear you gasp? It's their infamous moustache on a stick!

Stephen recently met with the guys behind "Movember", a campaign to raise awareness about men's health, specifically cancer. The mission is on that is close to the couples hearts, and so, they've decided to share their classic tash with as many people as they can whilst telling them about the cause.

A little bit about Something's Hiding In Here:
They made their first moustache on a stick over 5 years ago..."It all started because Stephen can't
grow one of his own (it's sad but true). Naturally, he dreamt of all the 'staches he wished he could grow and started carving them from wood. One day I came home to find his collection and immediately said "Stephen, put those on a stick". The rest is photo booth history - we've made over 2,000 for special events all over the world and still love seeing photos of them in use!"

A little bit about Movember:
Since its humble beginnings in Melbourne, Movember has grown into a global movement inspiring more than 1.1 Million people to participate. On November 1st, you can register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face. For the rest of the month, selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November.

THE GIVEAWAY
So, you want to win a totally awesome moustache on a stick whilst raising awareness for a completely worthwhile cause? Good. Here's your chance.

As some of you may be aware, my boyfriend Charlie is absolutely obsessed with puns, so this competition is all about getting creative with the topic of facial hair...all you have to do is follow three simple steps:

Leave a comment on this post with your moustache based pun (you can enter as many times as you like, just make sure it's original and don't forget to leave your name/contact details!)
Follow me on Twitter or on like my Facebook Page
Leave this comment on my Twitter or Facebook page "I'm totally fanTASHtic because I entered Amy's giveaway!"

No matter the city or country, Movember strives to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the risks they face, and to act on that knowledge, thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment. What are you waiting for? Enter now!

Closing Date: October 31st

Birthday Cakes

2011-10-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

Some more baking from a few weekends ago - I helped create a Hello Kitty birthday cake for the boys niece! We made a double layered victoria sponge and used royal icing and food colouring to decorate.

As always I made cupcakes too! As it was a children's party, the majority of them were a plain sponge. I was a little cheeky and made strawberry bottoms for the adults to enjoy. I creamed frosting in four pastel shades and decorated using chopped strawberries and a variety of sprinkles.

"When there's no more room in hell..."

2011-09-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

My house at University was like a sweat shop in the weeks leading up to Halloween. My friends and I would spend hours sewing, sticking, cutting, practising make up techniques, carving pumpkins, making themed cocktails and covering the house in cobwebs.

For a lot of girls, "Halloween is the one night of the year when you can dress up like a total slut and no one can say anything about it." (yes, that is a quote from Mean Girls) but I prefer the blood, the guts and the gore! It's much more satisfying to make an original outfit. Keep the money you'd spend on some generic costume from Ann Summers and get creative!

Below: Battle Royale victim (GEEK) Porcelain doll, beaten to death housewife, zombie nurse and patient.

This year we're having a haunted house party with parlour games, scary music, and of course fancy dress. I'm already looking at all that poundland and 99p store has to offer! I still have to decide on this years costume...any ideas?! I'd love to do more horrific make-up like this.

Not so well MADE

2011-09-27T04:45:00.000-07:00

I fell in love instantly.

After stumbling upon Made.com, the site that boasts "beautiful furniture without the High Street mark up", I found it - The Hollander. That curved frame, those long spokes...this bicycle was everything I could want, and at a fraction of the price! The RRP is usually around the £500 mark, so imagine my excitement when MADE promised to send her to me for £169! And only £15 delivery charge? There had to be a catch."It could take up to 12 weeks as it's being manufactured in Japan. Is that ok Miss Hill?" Ah. Well, it's a fantastic deal for something that will last me for years. What's a little wait time?

So, I placed my order and I waited patiently. At the 3 month mark, I began to get anxious. Sure enough, an email arrives along with an apology - they added an extra 3 weeks to the delivery time to secure extra packaging and ensure safety for the product. A little hiccup, but nothing to send a strongly worded email over.

Just my luck it arrived the day I flew out to New York. Charlie, being a lovely boyfriend, builds her ready to ride upon my return. Not wanting to ruin my holiday, he doesn't mention the problems until I get home.

The bicycle arrived in a box that had been obviously thrown around. Inside, the front brake was unusable - being too tight for the wheel meant that you either had to remove it completely, or fix it to the bike and never use the front wheel. The over all product was so poorly made, from the sketchy paint job to the rough frame work, on which Charlie cut himself putting it together. I have to admit, I was pretty close to tears by this point.

Customer services were slow and unresponsive - that was, until I decided to tweet them.

Within minutes a very apologetic Claire called me with a well rehearsed speech. I opted for a refund with a heavy heart, and Claire continued to contact me via email at every step until I'd received it. As unhappy as I was with the product, and the initial customer relations, I couldn't take it out on her. If it's one thing I can't stand working in retail, it's getting yelled at for a problem that's out of my hands.

Although the sting of this experience is still fresh, I'm looking forward to tracking down the perfect frame and having a project I can work on over time - creating my own bicycle.

Autumn

2011-09-24T02:58:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make. I LOVE Autumn. It's my favourite time of the year - that morning when you leave your house and there's a chill in the air, yet the sun is still shining brightly. Words can't describe how content this subtle change in the season makes me feel.

It's not that I have anything against the other seasons. Spring has it's moments when the rain is fresh and the flowers come into play. British 'Summer' as always, is 90% disappointment and 10% glory, when we all rush home from work drenched in sweat and change into shorts for a handful of hours. Winter is unpredictable and uncomfortable, giving us either bitter winds that bite or a wonderland of snow for a week, if we're lucky.

But Autumn...it's always reliable.

The sun is still there, we're just wearing an extra layer or two. When it does rain, we don't feel cheated like we did in the Summer. And the clothes - cardigans! Tights! Boots! The change in fashion is as beautiful as the weather. The colours, the fabrics and the layering makes my purse lighter than any other time of year. At the moment I'm eyeing up a burnt orange boyfriend coat with detachable fur collar. What are you drooling over?

America Continues...

2011-09-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

Two Weeks In Two Minutes

2011-09-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

We began our journey in Florida, home of oranges and incredible heat waves. The start of our adventure highlighted my childlike feelings - getting lost in JFK airport, feeling vulnerable on a plane, and screaming on roller coasters. We attended a strangers wedding, witnessed heat lightning jumping across the sky, and ate in an amazing 50's themed restaurant.

From Orlando we drove 280 miles to Savannah. It's a beautiful place - quaint, with a lot of thrift stores to supply the SCAD students with a heavy dose of retro clothing. We ate our weight in sushi, spent an evening in the hot tub and another on the water front drinking daiquiris.

After almost another 280 miles, we landed in Atlanta, where we were greeted by a lovely couple who had never met anyone from England before! We spent a very full weekend visiting an art gallery, the aquarium, CNN, World of Coca Cola, the largest drive through in the world, and the zoo.

A short drive and 87 miles later, we spent time in the North Georgia mountains at an amazing house in the middle of Blairesville. Imagine breath taking beauty in the day and a typical horror movie set by night! We went to a class at Young Harris College, went for a tasting at a local winery, and drank moonshine out of a jar on the porch of our friends place.

One 2 hour drive, 2 hour flight, and a half hour Hummer limo ride later, we arrived at our hotel on Time Square, New York. We ate pizza slices the size of our heads, explored the library, saw Pricilla Queen of the Desert on Broadway, and witnessed the weekend anniversary of 9/11.

Packing (like a girl)

2011-08-23T04:23:00.000-07:00

Having never been on a road trip before, I was afraid that I would succumb to the pitfall of overpacking like I usually do. Although I am a far cry from wanting to pack the kitchen sink or the cat, I will admit to being excessive when it comes to 'just incase' outfits and compulsive last minute additions.

Sensibility is key when it comes to long haul travel, and questioning everything you pack can be helpful. The one thing I've constantly asked myself this weekend is, "Do I really need to take that?"

If you're unsure of how to pack for a long trip, or you're struggling to condense your suitcase, here are some tips and ideas to keep your luggage light:

I've packed one pair of heels and if it wasn't for our last stop in New York, they wouldn't even be leaving the country. Do you HONESTLY need to take more than one pair?

Although I love stand alone pieces, I tend to buy the same things in a multitude of colours. Why not? If you like that little white top and you know you'll wear it to death whilst you're away, then buy it in the black too - especially if it will work with more than one skirt.

Mix and Match. This, above all things, is the idea I've embraced the most for this trip. Being much more visually stimulated, I started by laying out my bottom halves on the bed and then pulled everything out of the wardrobe that I thought I wanted to take. Doing this (and being honest with yourself whilst doing this) is a sure fire way to cut items out, and, if it goes with both pairs of shorts, you're guaranteed to wear it more than once.

Make a list of what you're taking as you pack. It's an easy way to track exactly how much you're putting in your case and it'll make you question your choices. Do you really need 10 vests in the same colour? Having said that...

...don't worry if everything you want to take is of a similar colour way. If anything, this makes mixing and matching a lot easier!

ASOS

2011-08-20T02:02:00.000-07:00

~~You can now buy my Breakfast t-shirt designed for Alberg & Austin here!~~

*UPDATE* Due to an internal error, some of the t-shirts (including mine, sadly) are currently unavailable through the Marketplace. I'm assured that this is being looked into, but for now you can still purchase your limited Breakfast t-shirt via the Alberg & Austin site. If you're more interested in bags, you can still buy my Alberg Tote over at ASOS!

Thumbs Up

2011-08-17T11:38:00.000-07:00

I've created my own page on Facebook as all I ever seem to use it for these days is to tell my lovely friends to look at my blog. Check it out!

The Collector

2011-08-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

I have small collections for a lot of things - cameras, jars, bottles and russian dolls to name a few - but the one collection that is constant in it's expansion and diversity would be my stationary. I LOVE stationary. I have boxes upon boxes, full to the brim with all sorts of pens, pencils, Sharpies, fine liners, watercolours and crayons. I buy journals and sketchbooks at every opportunity. I also have a slight sticker addiction which is only outweighed by my addiction to buying cards and gift wrap. I collect some cards for myself, but more often than not, I will send them to friends or save them for birthdays.

I love writing to people, choosing which stationary to use, which colours to put together, who would appreciate a card with a basket of smoking kittens on the cover and who would prefer a hand drawn letter with stickers of Japanese food in every corner. Writing a letter to someone is personal - you put effort into it, you think about what you're writing, you stamp your personality on it. At a time when social media, Skype and texting is the norm for communication, I enjoy emptying my stationary stash on the bed, curling up and creating something beautiful with more than 140 characters. I think what I like most about sending a letter is that is that you can touch it, smell it and carry it around with you. Letters can last a lifetime, tucked away in a draw to one day be found and poured over. Ultimately they're proof that we existed.

Staedtler fineliners, selection of illustrated cards, russian doll set, Cath Kidston envelopes, selection of stickers including map stickers, airmail set, I Was Here journal by Kate Pocrass.

Isle Of Tea

2011-08-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

Put the kettle on and check out my latest *guest post! You'll find it filed under 'Tea & Bakes' on the Isle of Tea website, where self confessed tea addicts come together to discuss everything from teas dresses to tea cups.

*warning - this post may give you a craving for red velvet cake.

Sundays

2011-08-01T03:20:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday Charlie & I go on a 'date' - we take walks, go somewhere nice for lunch, explore new places, and generally make time for each other (are you throwing up yet?) This week was extra special as our local pub Taylors held a kitsch Bring and Buy sale! With it's relaxed atmosphere, retro music and vintage bunting, how could I resist? We headed out early to catch the best bargains and dragged some housemates along for the ride, before heading back home to enjoy the glorious sunshine in our back garden. I LOVE Sundays!

Charlie sipping cider in the sun

Charlie (of the girl variety) spies some jewellery

Cupcakes, trinkets and bunting

Charlie and George showing off their records

Jewellery and more records!

Hippie

2011-07-29T02:10:00.000-07:00

The 1970's has been creeping into the high street since last summer, and to be honest, it's not my favourite look. It's certainly not my favourite era in terms of fashion - at least not where flares, bell sleeves and peasant blouses are involved. However, over the last few weeks, the 70's appears to have clouded my sub-concious. I have purchased not one, not two, but three items influenced by the trend!

The cushion will not come as a shock to those who know me. Yes, my name is Amy and I am a Cath Kidston addict. But espadrilles? A shirt with colour and stripes? I admit, the floral is just my cup of tea - small, kitch and not too bright. The same goes for the shirt - the colours are pastel and there isn't a pearl button in sight. To me, wearing something, anything that's 'fashionable' doesn't have to mean throwing out your own rule book. For example, I would never buy denim flares because a. I would look ridiculous in them and b. they don't appeal to my taste. These purchases are inspired by a trend, but they don't force it down my throat, which was part of the appeal for me. What do you think?

Storytime

2011-07-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

"Once upon a time there was a girl named Amy who loved to read."

I buy a lot of books from places like Amazon and Waterstones. I enjoy browsing the aisles for hours, even if the staff are in uniform and the lights are too bright. But nothing compares to finding a place where you have to watch your step for books - where you have to squeeze around the shelves, catching dust jackets with your skirt. Where you'll find inscriptions in all sorts of books, to friends and family, for birthdays, or as gifts. Where you can ask the owner a question and he'll know EXACTLY where that particular edition of a certain novel is, without searching a database. I love exploring, discovering hidden corners, seeing books of all ages piled against one another in absolutely no orderly fashion.

Around the corner from my home in London is Balham, and it's amazing secondhand bookstore. I delight in finding beautiful copies of the classics but I also have a soft spots for children's books (if anyone finds an early Peter Pan, let me know!) Here are some of my most recent finds...

From top to bottom: Love Letters of a Violinist, The Greek Myths, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Through The Looking Glass, Alice's Adventures Underground, Black Beauty, Peter Pan, The Myths of Greece and Rome.

Halfway

2011-07-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

At the start of the year, I blogged about resolutions and what they mean to me. I came across the lovely Kathryn Sharman who stated that "they [resolutions] always seem to involve unrealistic dreams and/or punitive measures of denial or restraint, which is never a good way to start a year and is invariably doomed to failure."

Instead, she advocated making a 'Life List' for the year ahead. Below is the mid year update of my aforementioned list, and I have to say that I'm rather pleased with what I've achieved!

Every day, I would like to…
Make someone smile and improve my eating habits. Both of these declarations can be attributed to moving in with the boy. He is a wonderful cook (I'm not ashamed to tell you that he is far better in the kitchen than I am) and perhaps this is a tad too cringe worthy, we make each other smile every day.

Every week, I would like to…
Do something creative - aka keeping up with the blog. Although my posts have been a little scattered this year, I think I've succeeded in posting more frequently. I also joined Tumblr which is home to my more aesthetic creations. As well as staying creative, I aspired to continue seeing my closest friends (which has been successful despite the extra mileage between us) and discover something new about myself. Well guess what? I actually LIKE going to the gym! I joined as a precursor to my summer adventures where I want to wear shorts without tights and not feel like that girl who should not be wearing shorts without tights.

In 6 months time I would like to….
Be living in South London (tick) and make the best cupcakes. I have been told that my red velvet cakes are yummy by numerous friends and family - and I've been bribed into making them for more than one birthday party! I also have a more extensive book shelf now thanks to combining my collection with Charlie's.

Before next year, I would like to have…
Paid off my overdraft - an unavoidable assertion but one thing I loved being in the position to do. I also passed my driving test a few weeks ago!

Overall, the list is pretty fulfilled, which comes as a lovely surprise at the half way mark. With my road trip across America in 5 weeks time I'll have crossed another ambition off the list, and I'd like to think that the rest will follow suit. You never know, perhaps the boy will treat me to the *ballet before the year is out.

*HINT

Lipstick

2011-07-08T00:59:00.000-07:00

Wild Horses

2011-07-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

Just a girl

2011-07-03T01:40:00.000-07:00

Too goth for this weather

2011-07-01T02:48:00.000-07:00

Refugee shoes

2011-06-29T03:06:00.000-07:00

Picnic in Green Park

2011-06-28T00:53:00.001-07:00

Weekends

2011-06-27T09:43:00.000-07:00

What are you wearing?

2011-06-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

Whether you're a fashion blogger, constant shopper or just plain curious, everyone likes to have an insight into other peoples wardrobes. How many times have you had a panicked phone call from a friend before an event asking, "Are you wearing heels or flats? Are you taking a coat? How big is the bag you have?" Men too seem to be more open to the idea of questioning what others will be wearing on occasion.

For the extreme hipsters there's Lookbook where the 'fashionable' youth can hype outfits and leave comments with too much slang and not enough grammar. Some choose to go their own route on Flickr and extend an invitation to their wardrobe in the form of a project. For those who prefer an illustrated view, there's Gemma Correll's group here where anyone and everyone can draw outfits and inspiration. Gemma's idea became so popular that she is currently picking the cream of the crop and making a book out of it!

Branches

2011-06-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

You can still keep up to date here on blog (I always have something to say) but if you prefer less talk more action, then follow me on my brand spanking new tumblr.

Make Do & Mend

2011-06-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this lovely little blog, Make Do and Mend. Laura has been blogging for a while about all things to make and do around Nottingham, along with inspiration bits & bobs along the way. She's has recently been delving into other peoples bookcases. This weeks featured guest? Moi!

Pinch, Punch

2011-06-01T06:25:00.000-07:00

Holla! So, I'm now into my second week of London life and it's showing no sign of slowing down just yet. I've been writing, sketching (sneak peaks to come) guest blogging (check back soon for updates) and having my picture taken by that guy Rick again.

Check out his work on Flickr & our coffee catch up on his 500px site!

Amy's first weekend in London.

2011-05-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, last week I moved to a little place called London.

Exciting yes, but pretty scary for a girl who feels most at home amongst the Derbyshire Dales. Admittedly, I was a little dubious about my first week. How would I feel? Would I be home sick for the rolling hills? Would I burst into tears if one more person barged me on the tube? I didn't have time to worry.

First, the boyfriends 25th birthday. A beautiful sunshine filled BBQ, with old fashioned lemonade bottles, bunting & home made cake (blue velvet this time round).

Then, I cleaned every inch of our not very small house. It very nearly killed me. The garden needs a little love, but at what point do you stop? I want a beautifully wild garden that isn't too wild, and I'm not sure that makes sense to anyone else. I also assisted in a spot of furniture building, as we soon discovered that merging our collection was going to require a much larger bookcase.

Not stopping to catch my breath, myself and my best friend (other wise affectionately known as 'the wife') made an early start to the weekend at The Natural History Museum. We spent hours laughing at bones and pulling faces at taxidermy. Afterwards, we headed to the river and strolled along South Bank for lunch, walking towards the Tate Modern to meet the boy and his family for the Miro exhibition. In the evening, the whole gang went out for dinner at an absolutely amazing Italian in Tooting Bec, where we all ate and drank ourselves into a happy coma.

Everything up to this point had been both lovely and 100% awesome. That is until I received a phone call from my sweet little housemate who works for The One Show. She tells me that the current Doctor from the beloved Doctor Who series is being interviewed tomorrow - would I like to go along? HECK YES I WOULD! 110% awesomeness achieved! And so, I went. I drank wine in the green room, watched a live broadcast and met arguably one of the loveliest and most watched actors on the BBC. And he signed my money box. Bless him.

Treats

2011-05-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

A friend recommended the camera+ app to me, and I have to admit that I'm pretty impressed with its user friendly 'yes-even-I-can-use-it' attitude. I've been using it fairly frequently to document the unusual things I always seem to get up to. Here are a few summery treats from previous weekends.

1. A £1 bunch of small flowers from the market displayed in a recycled jar.
2. The view in MANSFIELD on a long countryside walk. Yes, Mansfield.
3. A surprise Birthday garden party with bunting and balloons.
4. A tower of red velvet cupcakes made specially for the occasion.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

2011-05-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

In exactly two weeks I will be living in London with the boy, which is both exciting and frightening in equal measure. My Mother keeps giving me that forlorn 'my child is flying the nest and I shall be all alone' face.

Congratulations

2011-05-02T15:48:00.000-07:00

To my lovely friend Ella, who married her sweetheart James yesterday in a beautiful countryside wedding. Here's a silly photo of Charlie & I (after a couple of gin and lemonades!)

RED

2011-03-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

These red velvet cupcakes went down quite well with my friends today.

Kitty Countdown

2011-03-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

Having previously devoted a very snow filled December to a buried kitty, I thought I'd continue the theme and illustrate other occasions this year so far. I hope you enjoy them! (January still needs a little work...)

The Collection

2011-03-20T04:11:00.000-07:00

The latest edition of Oh Comely arrived on my doorstep last week, along with a new mix tape from the boy full of songs to enjoy in the sunshine. I also purchased this wonderful new hand mixer to make my cream cheese frosting extra smooth...

Cath Kidston'esque bedding (only £12 instead of £80)

A beautiful bottle for the expansive collection from a local charity shop

A Fashionable Evening

2011-03-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

So, Wednesdays event went without a hitch and was a lot more popular than I thought it would be with the help of a couple of promotion girls, Nottingham's infamous word of mouth and the internet, obviously!

Here's a photo of the eager audience, which included such Nottingham based talent as designer Nyssa Wheeler, hipster girls Harriet & Evie from Fashionstrand and Simeon Hartwig - the fresh faced entrepreneur behind Bantum Clothing.

Susie from Style Bubble & Stevie from Discotheque Confusion during Q&A

Cupcakes & Special Guests

2011-03-14T02:38:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday at Topshop Victoria in Nottingham we will be hosting a blogging masterclass with non other than Susie Lau, creator of Style Bubble. Every day 10,000 people read what Susie has to say on fashion as she details her own outfit builds or highlights an upcoming designer. As well as being one of only two bloggers invited to a prestigious Gucci show in New York, Lau has previously worked as commissioning editor for Dazed & Confused online, accepted tickets for Chanel and Lanvin shows, and has even constructed her own London based 'shopping map' (beginning at Topshop, naturally.) All pretty impressive for a 26 year old who confesses that her love of fashion originated as "an act of rebellion against my parents and the 'popular' people at school".

The masterclass will run from 6pm-7pm on Wednesday 16th March. Oh and whilst your in store, don't forget to pick up a free copy of the SS11 edition of 214 magazine - it boasts an array of pre seasonal treats, interviews with Topshop creatives and a lovely 'shades of summer' shoot.

Here Comes The Sun

2011-03-14T02:09:00.000-07:00

I love this kind of weather. Warm enough to wear sandals for work, cool enough to wear a cardigan. Warm enough to pick your 'small coat' out of the closet, cold enough to team it with a vintage scarf. As much as I hate to admit it, I just CAN'T dress for the summer. I love the baking hot sun on my bare skin but shorts? Vests? No cardigans? I am yet to find separates that excite me when summer hits full pelt.

Here are a few pretty purchases that I can't wait to take on my American road trip. Perhaps by August I will have found some clothing to match these items and the Floridian heat!

Handmade leather satchel from Portugal

Cream loafers from Topshop

Tan hoopa sandals from Topshop

Dead Inside

2011-03-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

My lovely friend Rick Nunn takes my photograph sometimes.

Colour Chart

2011-03-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

Check out my tote-ally handy limited edition tote bag for Alberg & Austin! It's a great size for carrying around your entire life (trust me, I know these things) you could probably fit a large cat in there too.

Briefly...

2011-02-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I designed a tote bag for Alberg & Austin which will be printed and sold on the website along with my illustrated breakfast t-shirt. Yay!

There's some new information about me in the Designers section too, such as what topping I like on my pizza. Important knowledge to have.

A Resolution...

2011-01-07T05:06:00.000-08:00

Upon revealing to friends at work that I despise new years resolutions, I have to admit that I received a few glares. Why do so many of us make these ridiculous of-the-moment promises to ourselves? The whole notion of doing something simply because time has passed just seems a little...distorted. I came across the lovely Kathryn Sharman on the Oh Comely blog and whole heartedly agree that "they [resolutions] always seem to involve unrealistic dreams and/or punitive measures of denial or restraint, which is never a good way to start a year and is invariably doomed to failure."
Instead, she advocates a 'Life List' which revolves around "bite-sized declaration of aspirations and accomplishments" for the year ahead. Being the type of girl who jumps at the chance to write a list, here are my personal goals for 2011.

Every day, I would like to…
Make someone smile
Improve my eating habits

Every week, I would like to…
Do something creative - take a photo/draw a cat/write a review
Make time to see a friend
Discover something new about myself
Go for a walk

In 6 months time I would like to….
Be living in South London
Own a Canon SLR
Be able to make the best cupcakes
Have a more extensive book shelf

Before next year, I would like to have…
Paid off my overdraft
Been to see the ballet
Passed my driving test
Achieved something I am proud of
Travelled to America

Snow Day #2

2010-12-02T05:38:00.000-08:00

Mittens for your kittens! I might be going a little stir crazy.

Snow Day #1

2010-12-01T05:31:00.000-08:00

Got Heart?

2010-11-29T10:20:00.000-08:00

Luke Leighfield is a pop star. He likes playing the piano and wearing my Alberg & Austin breakfast t-shirt.

Luke has recorded live sessions for Radio 1 and Xfm and his latest album, 'Have You Got Heart?' has received awesome feedback, as well as support from Tom Robinson at BBC 6 Music.

Why not check out his website for more information!

Drawing Fashion

2010-11-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, Charlie and I attended a members viewing party at the Design Museum for their new exhibition, Drawing Fashion. Sounds pretentious I know (but there was free beer!)

Drawing Fashion celebrates a unique collection of some of the most remarkable fashion illustrations from the twentieth and twenty first centuries. The exhibition showcases fashion illustrators at their creative heights from the collections of Chanel, Dior, Comme des Garçons and Poiret as well as Viktor & Rolf, Lacroix and McQueen. Film-clips, news reels, music and photography sit alongside original illustrations to reflect not only the spirit and the style of the decades, but also the wider social and cultural changes of the century.

You can see a little piece of fashion history up until the 06 March 2011.

Weekends

2010-10-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Charlie and I recently visited an antiques store I pass on my way to work - we purchased three amazing cameras dating from the 60's to the 80's. The picture of us together was taken at my cousins engagement party. Having mentioned Portugal in my previous entry, I thought I'd share the last photo of the holiday which I took on a very bumpy bus ride to the airport! The Algarve has some of the most beautiful sunrises I've ever seen.

Backyard Betty

2010-08-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Alberg & Austin began trading at the Backyard Market, situated in Brick Lane. Side stepping the hype of mainstream London shopping, the indoor market is one of the best places to pick up something fresh and exciting as it boasts independent designers, homemade foods and hidden treasures.

"Through a strong diversity and background of traders, the Backyard Market is ever-growing in new creativity and new encounters. This is very much a reflection of The Old Truman Brewery itself and we hope that this enriches one of London's already vibrant, bold and charismatic young markets."

To see more why not check out the Alberg & Austin blog?

Missed Connections

2010-08-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

Sophie Blackall is an illustrator living in New York. For the past year or so she has created beautiful pieces based on the website Missed Connections.

“I got completely sucked in. I lost about two hours of my life reading them and thought this is just an extraordinary mine of material, ranging from the lyrical, poetic to unintentionally hilarious. Many of them threw out ideas for images to me right away.”

Click here to see more.

Bottles & Baking, Blood & Bow Ties

2010-08-23T04:18:00.000-07:00

I've had a 'thing' for old bottles and jars for a while now but it wasn't until recently that I started to collect them. I've used them a lot too; they've been home to brushes, buttons and flowers. I've also managed to add yet another cookie cutter to my collection. I'm afraid I'm turning into an ever bigger hoarder than ever.

Fund Raiser soda bottle finds & rescued jars from Mother

Tea pot cookie cutter from Scarborough

To balance out all of the Yorkshire air and socializing, Charlie and I shut ourselves away in order to catch up on True Blood and Doctor Who. Although Season 3 of TB dragged in the usual places (early/mid season) it has more than made up the pace in the last few episodes. I really enjoyed Talbot, while he lasted. Eric and Lafeyette are still my favourite characters and I'm glad that their stories in particular are evolving. Best kill so far: Tara smashing in Franklins skull with a mace. And have you seen this months cover of Rolling Stone?!

Now, Doctor Who...we all know I loved Tennant. And granted, I felt a little guilty for taking so much pleasure in Matt Smith's interpretation of the Doctor for the first half of the series. But then, things started to change. Matt's Doctor is clumsy and funny. He has that "I'm a 900 year old time lord but I'm still young at heart(s)" personality. He thinks bow ties are cool. Performing emotional scenes, Matt has shown critics that he isn't too young to play such a complex character - and with the aid of some great new characters and very clever writing, the new Doctor has landed with success.

Gallery Girl

2010-08-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

For the past few weekends I've been a busy girl. Charlie and I paid a visit to the Design Museum and the Summer Exhibition. The SE was hit and miss; it show cased amazing pieces alongside some really shit 'art'. Pending artistic taste, obviously. The highlight for me personally was an oil painting entitled "Cowboy Joe from Mexico" by Angela Lizon. Just look at him! As well as taking a trip to Yorkshire, Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay, I finally got around to seeing the Diane Arbus collection at Nottingham Contemporary. I studied Arbus at college and seeing such a large exhibition of her portraits felt surreal, especially after revisiting an article about the final images she took before taking her own life.

The Diane Arbus exhibition ends 3rd October and all galleries at the Nottingham Contemporary are free.

Here's some he took earlier...

2010-08-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

Photos by Rick Nunn (of the internet)

I'm in love with the postman #4

2010-07-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

My boy knows a thing or two about the art of making a great mix tape. He also writes a mean letter, and always includes illustrations to make me smile. If you're lucky enough to live around the corner from your girl/boy, why not surprise them with something in the post this week? Everyone loves getting mail. It's one of the few upsides to being in a long distance relationship, and also a really simple way to show someone you give a shit.

August: Volume Two

Warm & Fuzzy

2010-07-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

This week I stumbled across the most wonderful blog in the world.

Somethings Hiding In Here is the brain child of adorable couple Shauna Alterio and Stephen Loidolt, both MFA graduates with oodles of talent and love between them. They create whimsical quirky gifts which they sell on Etsy, have created my dream space in their apartment which you can view on Flickr, and will often embark on brilliant projects such as their current bow tie adventure, Forage and the sickly sweet I Made This For You mini project in which the couple crafted gifts for one another.

They have exhibited in various museums and galleries across America, been featured in boutiques around the world and have produced work for Urban Outfitters, Design Sponge and a host of websites. As well as this, they regularly update their blog with all sorts of bits and pieces about bicycles, cakes, paper, photographs, get aways, prototypes, tools, fabric, letterpress...to sum these guys up; they're just so damn inspirational!

Pretty Purchases

2010-07-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

As well as finding furniture and bits & pieces for my bedroom, I've also begun to stockpile small items for my next home. I like collecting all things quirky, unique and secondhand so I decided to create Pretty Purchases. Click the link over on the right to see where my wages are going!

Ballerina and Eiffel Tower cookie cutters from a market in Germany

Owl and Pussycat painted soy dishes from China Town, NYC

Dessert forks with dessert toppers from Derbyshire

The City

2010-07-21T14:01:00.000-07:00

Last night I took a trip over to Lincoln to visit my super talented friend, Rick Nunn (of the internet)

He's got rad skills with a camera and the boy is a serious geek when it comes to all things strobist related. Rick is currently working his way through an inspired typographic project 50. Go look at all of his photographs on flickr and while you're at it, check out other awesome stuff on his website!

Weekends

2010-07-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

My sisters recently turned 21 and my aunt provided these amazing homemade deserts. One day I shall bake yummy things like this. We also let a handful of these awesome paper laterns go into the night sky and it was beautiful. Finally this cute fabric was given to me by a lady from the boutique 'Cow' in Nottingham; I've fashioned it into a hair ribbon to brighten things up.

Words & Pictures

2010-07-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

Just a little reminder that if you fancy wearing any of the awesome Alberg & Austin t-shirts this month, you'll receive 15% off if you use the promotional code, AAJULY when placing your order. Sweet deal!

I also thought I'd share a few more pictures from the wedding I shot a few weekends ago, now that the happy couple have approved them.

Ding Dong

2010-07-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I took some photographs at my friends Mothers wedding. She knew I was a little nervous (having never shot a wedding before) so I thought it best not to let on that I was PETRIFIED. Capturing images that sum up one of the most important days in someone's life is a huge responsibility. What if everything that could go wrong, does go wrong? What if the lighting is awful? What if all the children cry? What if I trip and fall down the aisle, ripping the brides dress and smashing the camera into a thousand pieces?

Feeling more than a little sick, I made sure that my shot list was next to perfect. "65 essential wedding pictures" (and specific photos the to-be couple want of certain family and guests together) later, I felt a lot calmer and after what seemed like an eternal morning, the day began to fly by. We couldn't of wished for better weather, the grounds were stunning and the bride looked beautiful. Congratulations again Lesley and Pete, and thanks for putting your faith in me!

a&a

2010-07-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

IT'S HERE!

The brand spanking new t-shirt company Alberg & Austin, brain child of my very cool friend Catty B, went live today much to the delight of all the crew and designers. All tees are limited designs printed on American Apparels finest. Click me to view the website and let me know what you think. Below you can view the behind the scenes video of the photo shoot. And a few pictures! Oh, and if you think you'd like to order my t-shirt or one of the other wonderful designs in the month of July, then use discount code AAJULY to receive 15% off your order. Aren't I nice?

Inspiration

2010-05-26T02:18:00.000-07:00

"I've been drawing something that I purchase every day since February 5, 2006. Obsessive Consumption represents a selection of these daily drawings. I draw objects that are rather ordinary: Coke cans, Post-it notes, toilet bowl cleaner-sundry items that a lot of consumers have a shared experience with; items that we interact with, but don't really think about. I love documenting the mundane and, in turn, putting a personal face on something that is mass-produced. I make work about personal consumerism, market economies, guilt, joy, excess, more guilt, gifts, celebration, repetition, and the community of these shared experiences." —Kate Bingaman-Burt

Owls

2010-05-25T04:48:00.000-07:00

"With her nose stuck in a book."

2010-05-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

This week marks a truly amazing celebration in my opinion - National Reading Is Fun Week!

I have been a little slack in all things recently due to working, traveling and being ill. Whilst drawing and writing blocks happen maybe once or twice a week depending on my mood, reading block happens once or twice a year and it baffles me as I love nothing more than curling up with a book and becoming someone else for a while. Nothing beats escapism, and I find it hard to relate to anyone who doesn't enjoy reading something. Anything.

In a bid to shake off my reading block, I have reverted to reading a couple of things this week, each as different as the next. I began the weekend with a little Victorian mystery in the shape of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as the stories are beautiful as well as being easy to pick up and read within 10 minutes. Today as I'm off work sick I wanted something dog eared, basic and fun so I pulled out Twilight. Continuing with the profoundly passionate, I have a rather thick collection of Bronte novels to drown in over the weekend (Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and Agnes Grey) which I've been looking forward to, especially as I picked it up for £1.50 in second hand store. What are you reading a the moment?

P.S I was most upset to find that today is Eat What You Want Day. Unfortunately I haven't been able to participate in this to my full ability as I'm currently fasting for a blood test! Somebody eat a cookie for me.

Cue the epic orchestral music

2010-05-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Star Wars Day. OH YEAH.

Honest To Blog

2010-05-02T02:56:00.000-07:00

Hello strangers! This week I've been busy settling into my new role at Topshop as well as spending time with my friends in Mansfield, resulting in less than frequent documentation. Sorry! I promise to be more vigilant with my task force this week. So, what have you missed?

The 29th of April was National Dance Day which I celebrated by partying all evening in killer heels, and my poor soles have yet to forgive me for such frivolous dancing. The 30th was a little less physically demanding as National Honesty Day came and went. Such an event passed by relatively unnoticed by anyone else besides myself as I spent the afternoon contemplating how different my life has been since moving back to my home town and spending more time in Nottingham. Over the past two weeks I've had some great conversations about life, love, work and friendship that have seen me take a much more honest approach to pretty much everything (thanks Elizabeth, Charlie and Stacey). All in all I feel, it's been a successful weekend for the project!