Welsh National Museum

Me and Ben visited St Fagans on Monday.

Its a museum portraying welsh history through the ages with a variety of rebuilt houses from around Wales.

We didnt see all of it as it was so big and only went for the morning but its a great free day out so we are planning to go back and start with the bits we missed this time!

The Celtic Huts!

these were fab, very smokey though and the fire wasnt even on! Imagine living there!!

There was an old photo studio, they take your picture using a daguerreotype! This was not free becuase its an expensive process to do so again this is something we will do next time we go when I have been paid! Before camera film was invented photos were taken onto pieces of glass that had been made light sensitive by a coating of chemicals (its much more complex than the way I explained ha!)
anyway thats a daguerreotype.

Lots of lovely woodland and gardens also and an indoor museum with exhibits welsh life (again didnt see this bit in full!)



This is ben at the old fashioned fairground


It is just 15mins from Cardiff city centre, and well worth a visit plenty of things to do and can be as cheap or as expensive day as you like with gift shops and cafes all over the place!

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!)

History of Sunglasses

It has been sunny today in Wales so I thought I would post a summery blog.

The first glasses made to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun were invented in 1929 by Sam Foster. The Foster Grant company started to produce sunglasses for retail in 1930.


Sunglasses became all the rage and we havent looked back ever since!

With 1937 came the first ever Science Fiction convention and Ray Bans. Ray Bans are at the top when it comes to sunglasses, the Wayfarer, the Clubmaster, the Aviator all majorly popular styles copied by the highstreet.
The Wayfarers style is very popular at the moment with many celebrities such as Kate Moss, Kelly Osbourne and Joey Madden wearing them. They are expensive to buy as are all designer makes but if your clever you can get some cheap replicas from Topshop and Primark at the moment.
Here is Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud in a red pair


Look on the Ray Ban website it's a lot of fun you can try on their selection of shades virtually (if you have a webcam) and browse the available colours.
http://www.rayban.com/UK/

Ever seen Lolita? the Stanley Kubrik film based on the novel by Vladimir Nabokov. Well the film's iconic poster image is Lolita in her heart shaped sunglasses.


I got a pink glittery pair from Topshop last year paying £15, only to see them in Primark this year selling for......£1!!! One Pound!
So this year I bought a pair of red ones just like Lolita's. There is no difference in the sunglasses at all so I would recommend you pick a pair in every colour from Primark!


Here are some more novelty shade - we're getting onto Elton John territory here.
I saw these on google images and they look GORGEOUS!
from Miss Selfridge, but again look around!

While I was searching for things to but in this blog I stumbled over this site,
http://www.klasik.org
There are hundreds of beautiful vintage sunglasses from the 1920s onwards and next to each one it tells you the era, make, condition of lens etc.

Im lusting after the clear pink 1930s pair by BOLLE, and the glittered frames of the 1950s. The sunglasses on sale here are great because they are cheaper than modern designer shades and yet they are on trend today.Most for less than £100.
But for you desinger fans there is a big selection of designer Ray Bans too :D

In the 1960s Ray Ban did well again with the 'Aviator' also known as 'pilot glasses'. The key features are the reflective lens and thin frames.


You can buy these all over the place, as expensive or as cheap as you like. I got a pair for £5 from a skate shop :)


White frames are also a popular choice, Grace Kelly and Audrey (who never seemed to be without a pair!)



Sunglasses were never more popular than in the 1960s
Audrey Hepburn again in here iconic role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffanys.

and a funny pair from the 1960s


Thats all for now, I have to pack for a weekend in Oxford with my boyfriend!
Now which sunglasses do I take?
Remember with Sunglasses, BIGGER is always BETTER ;)

bye x