Christmas

Hope you all had a great christmas!
I had a lovely day with my boyfriend and his family.


This is us 'kids' on christmas eve being merry.


Here is a few of the lovely things I was bought:

D&G L'Imperatrice is such a beautiful perfume you have to smell it next time your in a perfume shop.

I really cannot wait to get stuck into my craft books I think my new years resolution will be to pick one book and complete every craft in it...

I also cannot wait to watch Mr and Mrs Smith as you may know Carole Lombard is one of my all time favourite actresses and when I saw this in HMV I was cheeky and asked Ben to buy it for me!

Ben bought me the dvd and also the Lion King boxset! I havent actually seen the second and third movies but it will be interesting. He also suprised me by saying he is buying me a joint birthday (24th Jan) and christmas present but he needed to know my size first...

The ring I posted about! Ben saw the pictures and decided to get it for me! So as soon as it arrives I will have pictures to show! :D

Wreck This Journal

You know when you buy a present for someone and you love it so much you want to keep it for yourself?

Well thats how I feel about this book

WRECK THIS JOURNAL by Keri Smith

I mentioned in my last post that I had bought it for my sister for her birthday... well I bought myself one too, I couldnt resist!

To give you an idea of what its all about here is a glimpse of what I have done so far. It took me a while but Im slowly letting go of my urge to keep this book perfect, I was even spontaneous yesterday!

The best page is the one which says 'LIST MORE WAYS TO WRECK THIS JOURNAL' so far I have put:

1. Bury the book and dig it up later.
2. Run over the book with a car, bike etc

any other suggestions?



I first heard about this book on Claire Payne's fantastic blog have a look here for some great tutorials and cutesy crafts:

http://clairesblog.paynedesign.co.uk/

Historical Fiction

Without a doubt Phillippa Gregory is one of my favourite authors. She brings history to life in every book, with a fresh outlook and human approach which allows you to fully immerse yourself in the past.

I have read all her books from the Tudor court series (except The Constant Princess) and enjoyed them so much! I went into the novels knowing a lot already about the times having studied them at Alevels and having an interest which fuelled my own learning but the books had a lot more to offer. I have since begun the Cousins War trilogy which is set in the time of the Plantagenet kings and War of the Roses.

Ive always had a huge interest in British history which although I was taught a lot in school I always wish they had focused more on our county's history than that of American history. Until reading The White Queen I knew nothing of The War of the roses except that it happened! It is a confusing part of Britians past with many key players (all of which inconveniently have the same names!) Gregory makes it much easier to grasp and now I have begun to read the second book in the series The Red Queen I find I recognise names and remember their allegiances.

Although the book has a huge element of fiction with focus on the myth of Melusina it all helps the reader to understand the fears and beliefs forms a picture in your mind of how the wars started and why they continued for so long. I really enjoyed the book and I have gone from no knowledge of the period to knowing a huge amount and it definitly doesnt feel like studying!


I would recommend The White Queen, The Boleyn Inheritance and The Other Boleyn Girl (I was bitterly disappointed by the film version of this which was no way even remotely as good as the book so dont be put off if you thought the same!)

Wish List

Today I have been catching up with my favourite blog:

http://www.mypapercrane.com/blog/?cat=9

the best craft and kitsch blog ever. Tonnes of great ideas, lovely photos and yummy food!

I also have an amazon gift voucher and I can't decide which of the amazing books from my wishlist I should buy!

here is a selection:





Does anyone have any of these books to recommend?

The Seventies style book got a really good review and said it has lovely pictures which is always great. But I do love a craft book, I'm leaning towards 'Playing with books' it looks incredible, reminds me of the work of Brian Dettmer.(page from the book)(a book autopsy by Brian Dettmer)
I know the AranziAronzo Fun Dolls is a good book becuase I bought it for a friend. The last thing I really need is more books on making felt animals.....however I freakin LOVE them!

Speaking of craft, I made this for my mum so she doesnt miss Gerty (see previous post) too much


cluck cluck.