For Esmé, With Love

What's the time? I don't know, it's a button!

2010-03-06T12:05:00.001-08:00

Milo had a strip on fabric from his plaid shirt that he cut off and i snatched up because it was a perfect size and shape for a wrist cuff. With a thread and needle and an extra button, I turned this cute bit of fabric into a fake wrist watch.

Now I'm just daydreaming about someone stopping me on the street asking the time and me shouting "I don't know! It's just a BUTTON!"

xo

Images from the collage

2010-02-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd post some of the images from my collage because my printer is running out of ink and it's not always clear what the photo is of. Scroll down below to see the finished collages. xo

Inspiration/Goals Collage

2010-02-02T07:02:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling the need to give myself a visual of my goals for the next few years.... of where I see myself and where I want to be going.... what I feel like I need more of in my life... and what is important to me. I've made a series of collages each sheet representing something like professional dreams, travel, love, spirituality, fun and home. I've been thinking a lot about creating a home recently, wanting to be in a place that feels 'right' and is a source of inspiration. Where Milo and I can let ourselves be free... and something that we can build from hand. Eco-conscious and out in the wilderness.

I need to be free.

The real wild things!

2009-12-26T19:04:00.000-08:00

Bowling Night Fun!

2009-12-22T17:25:00.001-08:00

Christmas date with Mom and Stephie at Chickie's and Pete's and then off to bowling!

Today's album love

2009-12-20T14:55:00.000-08:00

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Panda Bear/Person Pitch= wow!

Snow + glitter= Beautiful, shimmery things

2009-12-19T19:53:00.000-08:00

Here's what happened when I threw lots of glitter on the snow. Within minutes the new snow had completely covered up the glitter (a shiny surprise for a snow shoveler tomorrow?)

Sibling love

2009-12-19T19:49:00.000-08:00

Yes, my sister is carrying me and my brother on her back!

Night-Fun Snowy Pictures

2009-12-19T19:32:00.000-08:00

MORE snowy pictures!

2009-12-19T18:20:00.000-08:00

Snow days!

2009-12-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Things to do...

2009-12-18T19:32:00.001-08:00

Citizen Scholar

Ringing the bells for the holidays!

2009-12-18T13:31:00.001-08:00

Another lovely and inspired video from Improv Everywhere

I'm under a pile of work and unpacking

2009-12-17T16:20:00.000-08:00

I've finally arrived in Philadelphia and I'm a busy busy bee unpacking and getting ready for POP Fizz launch party and teacher training on Saturday!

So excited!
So busy!

Listening to Grizzy Bear's "Southern Point" on repeat today.

here

Sunday in the countryside

2009-12-13T07:20:00.000-08:00

Eye candy

2009-12-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

I <3 Kurt Halsey

2009-12-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

Kurt Halsey

Mantra

2009-12-11T06:35:00.001-08:00

found here

Fun with photo filters

2009-12-10T08:50:00.000-08:00

Using TTV filters for photoshop, I played around some photos on my computer-- some are mine, Milo's and others are friends. I'm really pleased by the way they've turned out. I want to send off to get some large, square prints and frame them

Today I wore...

2009-12-09T08:35:00.000-08:00

Blue maryjanes (??), wine colored tights (Primark), thrifted jumper dress, t-shirt and bandana (boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ)

I <3 Jane Eyre

2009-12-08T04:08:00.000-08:00

I'm on a classics kick and am in the middle of re-reading Jane Eyre. A favorite book of mine when I was around 17, I was a bit scared to start it. Nervous that it wouldn't hold the same magic that it once did for me. I've been pleasantly surprised, it's a great as I remember and I'm going to be extra early every night to have more reading time.... "I wondered why moralists call this world a dreary wilderness: for me it blossomed like a rose"

Painting inspiration...

2009-12-08T03:15:00.000-08:00

Today I'm wearing...

2009-12-07T06:37:00.001-08:00

[Hat and sweater dress H&M, black skinny jeans Wet Seal, Airwalk boots] + festive wreath I made with multicolored yarn

Plus "Bud" our fuschia plant, all decked out for the holidays!

Today I <3 Innocent Smoothies

2009-12-07T02:09:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Just thought I'd share with you something that makes every morning special for me. A glass of innocent smoothie mixed with soy milk-- so yummy and so good for you!

20 Questions!

2009-12-06T06:06:00.000-08:00

This post took my ages, but I'm really happy to be able to get a little more personal in my blog and it was a Sunday afternoon treat for myself before I settle down for the evening and do lots of POP Fizz related things!

1. Show us the inside of something cute

My Christmas Tree!

2. What's the last home cooking you had?
mmm... I'm lucky enough to have home cooking a lot. Milo and I both really enjoy cooking and it's rare we heat up ready-meals. Last night we have really yummy vegetarian savoury pies, broccoli and potatoes. I can tell it's wintertime because I'm craving really heavy foods like potatoes, stews and warming winter fare.

Last weekend we made an almost-vegan Thanksgiving dinner with tofurky, gravy, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots and parsnips,cranberry sauce, so so much stuffing, rolls and butter and the most delicious brownies that were wheat, gluten and dairy free. I know they sound a bit boring, but trust me-- they were so delicious. At the end of the week, when the try of brownies was finished Milo informed me the one brownie he ate on our Thanksgiving. I apparently finished the whole tray during the week-- what a brownie monster!
I know it's not Halloween, but how cute are these brownies? I'll have to keep this in my memory for next Halloween!

3. What do you miss?
I miss so many people in my life, it's the trouble with having a traveling lifestyle.. I have friends all over the world. Here are a few people who top my list of most-missed!

and this little boy :o)

Some things in particular I miss

Camping
Summertime, traveling and being in the sunshine!
Yandara yoga center in Mexico.

4. What makes you laugh often?

Flight of the Conchords

30 Rock
5. What's your favorite word?
Right now, it's Enthusiasm!

6. What are you trying to quit?
7. What's your favorite commercial right now?
Not exactly a commercial, but I watch the Where The Wild Things Are Trailer, alot!
(ps. it's finally coming out in the UK Friday, Dec. 11th!)

8. Whose style do you dig?
The lovely Zooey Deschanel

Sienna Miller

and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen

9. Link to a great blog you've discovered lately...
Color Me Katie's blog filled with inspiration and photos

10. What's the last craft you made?
A painting for my Mom's birthday

11. A photo of the last happy mail you got :]

12. Something you've got lately?

A new studio!

13. What are you looking forward to?
Seeing my family and all my Philly peeps!
POP Fizz Burlesque launch party and my dream of running my own business coming true!
POP Fizz Burlesque

14. Post a recent snapshot of yourself.

15. Recent Favorite Movie?

The more recent ones

The all-time favorites

16. Something you're working on right now?
A set of fingerless gloves

17. Albums/artists you are playing on repeat right now?

18. What gives you goosebumps?

This guy...
19. Share a new obsession.

Veganism

The song "Roslyn" on the New Moon soundtrack, by Bon Iver and St. Vincent

20. What's the meaning of your life?

if you'd like to play along, please do! and please post a link to your 20Qs here in the comments here, if you'd like. :) oh, and don't forget to check out Elsie’s blog where this quiz came from.

Beautiful, indie wedding inspiration...

2009-12-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

I'm not planning a wedding, but I stumbled upon this website looking for places to advertise POP Fizz Burlesque. So beautiful and inspiring.

The mantra

2009-12-03T02:33:00.000-08:00

Here

Improv Everywhere

2009-12-03T02:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to Lucy Bartfoot for connecting me to Improv Everywhere! The skits and pranks that they pull are always sweet and always seem like they are having so much fun! I want to bring more silly fun in my life :o)
Found here on Color Me Katie's website

<3

2009-12-02T13:20:00.001-08:00

here

mmmhmmm... today's pretties.

2009-12-02T03:41:00.000-08:00

Found here on Gemma Correll's illustration website.

Ps-- I have no batteries in my camera!

The cutest thing of my morning.

2009-12-02T02:05:00.000-08:00

I want a kitten so badly!

My Christmas Wishlist

2009-12-01T02:59:00.000-08:00

1. Yoga Clothes
2. Photo developing kit, to develop my own Diana prints
3. Boyfriend cardigans-- lots of them in all different colors!

4. Light grey skinny jeans

5. Everything at LUSH
6. A bicycle
7. A juicer
8. Lots of headbands a la Blair Waldorf
9. iphone

10. The success of POP Fizz Burlesque!

Wintery days and obsessive organizing

2009-12-01T02:55:00.000-08:00

There are few things I love more in life than a highly organized and efficient closet. Yesterday I used a few connected wire racks to create some closet organization goodness! I love now that I can see all of my tights and scarves (these are the things that usually sit in the back of the closet that I never wear).

Yum!

YEAH!

2009-12-01T01:58:00.000-08:00

Moustaches and speech bubbles

2009-11-25T10:14:00.001-08:00

For the ever-so-cute Elsie Flannigan of A Beautiful Mess has placed these download-able cupcake toppers on her webpage, but I'm thinking about other things I can do with these and cute scrapbooking type things!

Go here to download the sheet

xo

Today I wore...

2009-11-25T03:38:00.000-08:00

Sunday Wintery Walk

2009-11-23T02:28:00.000-08:00

Rainy days

2009-11-21T07:27:00.001-08:00

Ah. Rainy days.

photo
photo
photo
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Today I wore

2009-11-21T07:16:00.000-08:00

I've just come from a Burlesque workshop where I was actually a student and not the teacher! It was so nice to just relax into the workshop and not have to be "on".
I wore:
Airwalk boots
Wet Seal wet look leggins
New Look dress
Thrifted red mackintosh
Thrifted zebra print scarf

Today I <3 New Moon!

2009-11-20T10:08:00.000-08:00

Oh. yes. I. do.

photo
photo
photo

Today I wore (Friday)

2009-11-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

H&M denim summer dress
Airwalk graffiti shoes
Primark tights
Forever 21 cardigan
Charlotte Russe mock football t-shirt

Today I found....

2009-11-19T08:22:00.001-08:00

Holly branches in a bin! Just in time for Christmas decorating!
.... I did scratch my hands up trying to get all of this out of the bin though.

Yogasara

2009-11-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

I took some photos of Yogasara before I taught my ** successful ** yoga class today! I had some new students and a few recurring students. Woohoo!

What I wore today (Thursday)

2009-11-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

hmm... it's difficult to remember where all of these pieces come from, but I'll try
boots- Airwalk
legwarmers- Primark
leggings- Rave
pattered shirt- Peacocks
necklace- a hippie shop in Northampton
scarf- a market stall in Barcelona

Writing samples on Ehow.com

2009-11-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

I've be spending my evening collecting my writing samples that have been published on Ehow.com over this past month. My evolution into the world of a freelance writer has been fun, educational and I've made some money along the way!

Here's what I've been doing so far...
Yoga for Special Needs Kids
How to Make a Yoga Bolster
The Different Types of Yoga
Low Glycemic Index Vegetables
How to Heal a Pinched Nerve with Yoga
Homemade Herbal Heatwrap
How to Make a Massage Cream
Flower Remedy for Exhaustion
Teaching Dance Rhythm to Children

I feel proud and accomplished!

Today I wore (Wednesday)

2009-11-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

Did you ever wear an outfit and think "I LOVE THIS OUTFIT", when everything just seems so adorable? Fortunately for me, I get this feeling about a lot of my outfits and have decided to blog photos of some of my day-to-day fashion loves. Starting now!

Sweaterdress from Rave
Thrifted Jacket
Primark tights
Airwalk boots with sneaker soles (so comfy!)

THE STUDIO!

2009-11-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

As promised- photots of the new studio. I feel so productive in my little artistic cave, writing, blogging, painting, decorating and doing odd POP Fizz related jobs. So inspired!

Today and most days I <3 Sufjan Stevens

2009-11-18T07:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks for helping me work!
Image 1 Image 2

Creative Life Map

2009-11-16T09:50:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Lucy for giving me this idea through her blog

For The Love of It (info collected from Lucy Barfoot)

2009-11-16T04:56:00.000-08:00

The Love of It: Bucket List

Here is a lovely thing, www.theloveofit.co.uk is set to launch on 1st Jan 2010, It will be the source of all knowledge on good wholesome fun: a calendar of fun events and a place where you can share ideas, plan events and get involved. All for the love of it.

In the meantime, they are looking for writers, photographers and events organisers to jump on board. If you have an event or project you want The Love Of It to list, or if you would like to find out more and get involved please email loveofit@googlemail.com You can join the Facebook group here and find them on twitter too.

Barfoot and Duggan are involved in a list-collecting exercise. Take part!

Project 2010 #1 Write a Bucket List.

Put aside an hour this week and write down your ultimate ‘things to do before I die’ list. You can be as specific, as vague, as random as you like.

Email your lists to loveofit@googlemail.com or, better still, send it to:

The Love of It Bucket List

Barfoot and Duggan

Stokes Croft Studios

Top Floor

77-79 Stokes Croft

Bristol

BS1 3RD

Your lists will star on www.theloveofit.co.uk on 1st January and also form part of Barfoot and Duggan’s exhibition There’s More to Life Than Lists (nearly ready website: www.barfootandduggan.co.uk)

Fashion Monday! I've been shopping...

2009-11-16T04:39:00.000-08:00

Swishy, nude colored dress for POP Fizz Launch Party... yes! £30 at H&M and a tax write-off for "work uniform". I envision wearing it with lots of pearls, brown fishnets and my brown feather boa. Can't wait

Purple sweater dress H&M £14; jean leggings £12

Wine and bright blue tights, Primark £1

Mustard yellow Converse £10 on sale at Office (!!); Bright purple tights Primark £1

Hmm... I've been doing a lot of shopping recently (especially loving things from H&M)
Some common themes:
Bright Jewel Colors
Color Blocking
Comfort Yet Stylish

I'm on a mission to make-over my wardrobe with staple pieces that I really love. Things that I can mix and match and be comfortable in. With a new hair color, I'm getting to experiment with wearing new shades and styles.. I'm finding as a brunette I want to dress up more

Free Beats!

2009-11-16T01:15:00.000-08:00

I love this video that I stumbled upon on... Stumble Upon.

Sunday self portrait

2009-11-15T04:51:00.001-08:00

Things I love today

2009-11-15T02:29:00.000-08:00

01. Gossip Girl and Blair Waldorf fashion sense. I know it's embarrassing, but I'm loving Gossip Girl at the moment and loving all things prep school inspired. School uniforms, peter pan collars, thick dark tights, penny loafers, cardigans, headbands
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02. The sun is shining through my window, it's been the first time I've felt the sun on my face in what feels like weeks. Can't wait to get outside and feel the sun on my face and bracing cold. I love cold and sunny weather!
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03. I'm going shopping for Christmas decorations today in town. I'm decorating for Christmas and putting up the tree early early this year because Milo and I won't be spending Christmas together and I'm missing out on Thanksgiving, so I want to start the decorating festivities early this year-- like now!
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04. Baking vegan chocolate chip cookies today when I get home from shopping, lunch and organizing. Probably meeting up with Sam (new yoga and vegan friend in Bristol) for vegan lunch at Cafe Kino. I'll let you know how the cookies turn out, the last batch I made my amazing, but possibly it was vegan beginners luck!

05. Moving into my new studio/office/workspace today at Hamilton House! For those of you non-Bristolites, Hamilton House is a refurbishment of an old, ugly office block into to a canteen/bar/live music venue and offices/artists studios/workspaces. The atmosphere is creative and buzzing and I can't wait to get my things in. I'm sharing a studio with 2 other girls, but have enough space for a bookshelf, big desk and an easel that I've been coveting from Ikea. Eek!
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05. This poster for an event at Street Yoga in Portland, OR. I love to colors and the slogan "Fall into Gratitude"
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06. I love Green Apples, especially the tartness of Granny Smith Apples!

07. Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavillion.... such an amazing album to craft and work to... always puts me in a good mood!

08. Autumns flowers and colors... yellows, browns and reds
09. Blackboard paint! Going to get some to paint my desk in the studio, so I can write myself notes in chalk and draw inspirational pictures and phrases allllllllllllllllll over!

10. Re-kindling my love affair with blogging!

xo

Back to blogging!

2009-11-15T02:21:00.000-08:00

POP Fizz Burlesque

It's wintertime again... spending more time indoors and wanting to show off things that I love/am inspired by/make me happy. Thus, a return to blogging. I've returned with a color scheme and some nifty blog badges on the side-- please help me advertise for POP Fizz Burlesque by placing a badge on your blog, myspace or facebook.

Brand new POP Fizz Burlesque website has been unveiled yesterday. Big thanks to Milo for helping me turn the logo I drew into something wicked through photoshop! I love the way it looks and feel like it's a real business now that I'm using a .com instead of blog to host my website. Spread the word--- POP Fizz is coming to a city near you!

I've hired 7 teachers so far, 6 teachers in Philly and 1 in NYC !!gasp!! It's all real and it's all happening. Official launch party and first teacher training on December 19th, 2009. Hoping to send out some press releases this week and get some press interested in covering the launch party.

Ice skating madness

2009-01-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

What with the holidays and going abroad and such, I haven't had much time to write. It's been ages since I've crafted and I can't wait to get back into the creative aspect of my life. I'm settling back into Bristol life and will be back soon with a complete New Year's recap!

Return to cookie mountain...

2008-12-13T11:20:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas is well and truly here... I'm baking cookies, making and wrapping my Christmas gifts and exchanging presents with Milo early because we aren't going to see each other over the holidays. Is anyone else getting into the holiday spirit? What are you getting up to?
Tomorrow night is the crafty ladies holiday party and I'm so excited! We're exchanging crafty secret santas. I can't tell you what I've made or else I might ruin a crafty ladies' secret suprise.

Milo got me the Sex and the City movie and mango & berry sorbet for Christmas. So sweet! That's how we'll be spending our evening tonight (with a bottle of wine too)

xxoo

Carboot Circus

2008-12-11T12:54:00.000-08:00

I'll be selling some goodies at my friend Lucy's table at Carboot Circus on Saturday... if you're in Bristol, come join us!

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you...

2008-12-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

yes yes.. you know it... without a dope beat to step to!

Hello, hello.. I'm back again! It's been a crazy few weeks and I needed to stop blogging while I immersed myself in other things. Where to start though, I initially became really busy right before the craft fair on 29 November, so put my head down and put the finishing touches on my crafty products. It didn't actually go as well as I would have liked, but no one around me was making any money either so I didn't take it personally. I wound up getting a lot of positive feedback about my earrings (particularly the paperclip and button earrings).
Here's a few photos of my table at the Bath Craft Fair

Milo and I are so broke right now because I didn't work for the month of November, so broke that we can't even afford a Christmas tree. So in the can-do spirit, I decided to make my own Christmas tree out of Milo's keyboard box
Isn't it just the cutest tree you've ever seen?!

In the past two weeks I've...
1. started and quit a rubbish job
2. studied my bum off for the GRE
3. took the GRE and did really well (California/Oregon grad school here I come!)
4. Found a new job nannying with a really lovely family

I've decided to go home to Philadelphia for Christmas, as I'm in between jobs at the moment and won't start my new job until January. I'm so excited to spend Christmas with my family, eventhough I'll miss Milo soo much. It's been ages since we've even spent a night away from each other. Can't wait to see these pumpkinheads! (My little sister and little brother)

Heartspark dollarsign

2008-11-25T12:27:00.001-08:00

In the heart of winter, I get out my knitting needles and become Nikki the good witch of Bristol

Art Journal pictures

2008-11-25T12:18:00.000-08:00

Ruby Tuesday.... Some photographs of the front and back covers of my art journal, as well as my journal entry for week one. If you are interested in starting an art journal, I've been taking inspiration from Emily Falconbridge's blog.

AND! A bonus magic mushroom to cheer you up throughout your day!

Today had an amazing yoga class with Chris fromYogasara (where I'll be teaching in a few weeks... it's finally coming together) and am feeling very inspired.

Good morning!

2008-11-24T00:54:00.001-08:00

What the sun was doing to a wine bottle's reflection by the window. Yes, I said the sun... it popped out for a few minutes
I'm off to yoga class & then to do a bit of work at the yoga studio. Just wanted to post a little blog to say heeeeeeeeeeeello. Today will be a day filled with job hunting (still), studying for the graduate exam, and making lots of things. The craft fair is in less than a week and I need to get my little bum in gear. I'm thinking about signing up to sell at the Southbank Centre market bazaar on December 13th. I'll see how it goes this weekend in terms of what I sell, but I get the impression that the Bath fair might be a bit more granny-ish, but the Southbank centre might be a bit more artistic and more of the crowd that I'm looking for.

Xmas Cards

2008-11-23T15:02:00.000-08:00

Bristol graffiti hunting...

2008-11-23T13:29:00.000-08:00

On Friday I went graffiti hunting in Bristol with Milo's camera and here some photographs of what I was inspired by. Afterwards I went out a-walking with the lovely Lucy, took some pictures, walking on Brandon Hills, ate yummy (yet expensive Thai food) and went to the art museum. I felt so inspired when I returned, but a combination of procrastination and running low on supplies made me give up on creating anything for the weekend.
Today Milo and I went to Hobbycraft so I could pick up some new blank cards and while I was there I picked up a few chipboard albums, one of which I'm using to create my art journal for the 52 week deck of me challenge.
This weekend I've been feeling like I've gotten nothing accomplished... no creating, no studying, no blogging....

Art Journal inspiration

2008-11-20T01:29:00.001-08:00

I've been finding tons of inspiration over at this blog here , especially with the art journal challenges. I've decided to start the art journal 52 week Deck of Me challenges, which requires you to answer a question per week for a whole year in an artistic way. This weekend I want to get a nice spiral bound notebook to journal in. I'm planning on taking pictures of the challenges to show what comes out of my mind and on to the paper.
I've also been spending some time look at this website Imagination Prompt Generator , when I need something to write about. The prompt for right now is short and sweet "You have to bring some food for a party? What is it going to be"
Answer: I'd probably bring some yummy Mexican food like beans and rice and tortillas with some guacamole on the side. Yummmmmmmmmmmmm! I want some right now but it's only 9:35am.

I'm actually about to leave for my yoga internship/yoga class. Yesterday I went walking around Gloucester Road here in Bristol with Katie and I picked up some amazing multicoloured wool that I want to use to make legwarmers and some bits of scrapbooking paper with Xmas themes. I was a xmas card making fool yesterday and started thinking about how nice it'll be to decorate our flat for christmas.

xN

I'm thinking....

2008-11-19T13:57:00.000-08:00

Get 'em while they last!

2008-11-19T04:48:00.000-08:00

On November 29th, I'll be taking all of my goodies with me to the Bath Christmas Craft Fair to sell, that's why I've been holding back on putting new items on my Etsy shop. This is just a little reminder that if you see anything on Etsy that you are interested in buying, get it now because I can't guarantee that after the 29th any of the items will still be available.
x Nicole

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
ForEsmeWithLove.etsy.com

Today. What I Love....

2008-11-19T04:18:00.000-08:00

Today, it's sunny outside and I feel rejuvenated and alive. It always amazes me what a little bit of sunshine in my window will do for my mood. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night to get some water and opened the blinds and the window. The sky was so clear, I could see the stars and a bright, bright moon. I opened the window and stuck my head out breathing in fresh, clean, moon charged air. As I got back into bed, I just watched the light from the moon spill in through the window into the bedroom and I didn't want to go back to sleep. I just wanted to stay up watching this beautiful night scene that was playing out in my bedroom. It's made me realize how much I've been missing my communion with nature, being immersed totally in the nature that's around me, being in an environment that totally inspires me. Sleeping outside in a tent, so close to the earth. Feeling dirt and earth on my fingers, feelings the sunshine on my face, looking at the moon and stars, swimming in the sea. I know that I'll have this all back someday, it's just that I feel so out of touch with myself at the moment and I know that part of it is not being inspired by what surrounds me. So I took some photographs of what inspires me around my flat.
Baby mung bean sprouts.... the magic of creating life from dried beans that were sitting in my pantry.

Our plants that we've recently recovered from Milo's parents', aloe vera and cactus from his sister and Mr. Bud Pleasedontdie, a fuschia plant given to me from his mom as a little present. When I first got Bud, he was so tiny and fit in a little planting pot. Over the summer I've moved him three separate times and he's grown so big and strong. I can't wait to eventually plant him in the earth and have him grow to the size of a bush.

Today, I love my colored pencils and I love that my colored pencils say "The Spectrum Sings" on the side of them.

I Heart secret blogs!

2008-11-15T14:08:00.000-08:00

My bestie Emma just created a secret blog for the two of us to share our creations and private thoughts. It's like passing notes back and forth in grade school <3 <3 <3 I can't actually share the blog with you, but I had to post my love for the idea.
Here's my homage to my Fantastical Fried Egg from Gummi Bear Girl... Long live Moussaka!

Fun with photoshop

2008-11-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

I've been stuck inside for most of the day and Milo's been gracious enough to give me some Photoshop tutorials, as I'm quite the newbie. I've been taking photos out of the window of the trees across the street that have lost their leaves. It's my inspiration for the day.

I want these stamps....

2008-11-13T10:21:00.001-08:00

How amazing is the angry cloud!?! Found these through Bam Pop's website
xxx

New week, newness

2008-11-11T04:33:00.001-08:00

Ay yi yi yiiiiiiiiiiiiii! So the crafty ladies brigade went so well & I was buzzing all night afterwards from the energy that the 8 amazing ladies who showed up created. It made me so happy to see everyone crafting away and chatting to each other :o) I can't wait for the next one! Now I wish it was every week instead of every other. It'd be nice to get a few new faces to add to the group as well. There were some knitters, scrapbookers, card makers, origami, beads & wire, & jewelry makers. Yay!

I'm going to a lecture tomorrow with a new academic lovin' friend from Bristol, Katie. The lecture is about the history of Bristol and should be really interesting. I'm so happy that I have someone to go along with!

I'm sad to say that I haven't been getting a lot of crafting done lately, because I was away for a few days at Milo's parents house and also I've been applying to graduate programs in Counseling Psychology, so have been shifting my focus a bit to a more academic me for the time being. I have a few entrance essays to write & have been studying for the GRE's which I'll take in London in a month (eeek!) Although, the Bath Christmas Fair is in 3 weeks, so I need to be making an arsenal of crafting goodies to sell! Not enough time!!

It's all a bit sketchy in terms of the job at the moment, so waiting on a phonecall.... Have done a sweet deal with a yoga studio here in Bristol (Bristol City Yoga) to work as an apprentice/intern, trading admin skills for free classes & teaching tutorials. :o)

Here are some things I have been working on.. new journals & I've been making lots o' bookmarks with my new laminator.

How is everyone's November so far? What's keeping you motivated during these dark & cold nights that seem to stretch on forever? For me it's 1. lots of tea 2. watching The Wire on dvd (soooo good!)

Crafty Ladies Brigade starting tomorrow!!

2008-11-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow night is the very first Crafty Ladies Brigade meetup. I was feeling down here in Bristol when I moved in because I didn't have any friends and Milo is at university most days so I put out on ad on Gumtree searching for like minded ladies. Turns out there are a bunch of crafties here in Bristol, so I started a bi-monthly meetup at my flat where we can make things, drink tea or wine, eat snacks, chat and laugh. I can't wait!!

Xmas gifts and cards

2008-11-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

Ive been a busy little bee recently, making things for the craft show in a few weeks and I've been selling some of my crafts through Etsy and just word of mouth and have needed to replenish stock. Email me at daeturajupiter@yahoo.com if you are interested in putting in a order to homemade christmas cards, earrings, journals, or anything else you see here or in my Etsy shop. Christmas orders can be special orders, so anything you fancy just let me know and I'll give you a price list. Free shipping ( both international and domestic) on orders of more than 10 cards. Now is the time to start thinking about your gifts and homemade gifts are the way to support independent artists :o)

His and hers notebooks

2008-11-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

I bought two 5 subject notebooks for Milo and I and customized them both... here's the finished products

Pancakes, new jobs, crafts, overworked mind...

2008-11-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

Hello, hello hello!

It's been awhile, I know. Things have been really crazy recently with job interviews and settling down from having friends over last weekend. It was so nice to have great friends around me, especially since I've been a bit lonely here in bristol trying to settle in and make friends, it was amazing to have besties around me for girl chats and long walks. I posted photos below from our weekend of myself, Emma and Jess. It was Jess' last weekend in the UK before she moves back to Australia to enjoy the warm summer.

Well, nix the pancakes actually... haha! Milo was in the kitchen making us some pancakes for dessert, but using rye flour instead of wheat, but it unfortunately didn't work out. It's alright though because we have a semolina like cereal for breakfast tomorrow instead. :o) Milo's been giving me Photoshop lessons so I can start making digital copies of my cards and print out larger amounts, making them look more professional and much easier for me instead of hand drawing every detail. I hope to be able to buy a nice printer if I make a bit of money from the Bath craft show.

Good news! I went for a interview at Bench clothing, sort of funky street wear just to see if they have part time xmas positions, but wound up getting hired for an assistant manager position (starting off as a sales assistant and then getting trained up as a supervisor) Yipeee!! Pluses are 1. a good wage 2. getting to wear jeans 3. able to walk to work 4. should be quite busy so the day will go by quickly. The only downside is not being able to go home for christmas like I had planned :o( Gutted.

I'll be teaching yoga soon here in Bristol and also will be teaching my dance class once a month. I'm looking forward to bring yoga back into my life in a big way, teaching what it is that I need to learn, bringing myself back into my body.

I've applied to take my GRE's in London in December so I can apply for graduate school next year. I'm really missing university life and being a student and it's been so difficult to be here in Bristol around soo many students with their books, off to classes and having coffees with school mates. Soooooooooo jealous! I'm looking at schools here in the UK, but also in America in Philadelphia, NYC, Portland, Miami, Seattle, San Fran, San Diego. I'm planning on rolling the dice and I'll see what the universe sends back to me....

Love these girls... Love this city

2008-10-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

Some pictures of the weekend, when some of my bestest buds came to visit Bristol. Spent loads of time having girl talk and dancing around!

At long last

2008-10-29T15:10:00.001-07:00

My internet is finally working! I arrived home from work and found my wireless router and welcome letter sitting in the hallway. Also, my soapmaking supplies have arrived so I'll be cooking up a storm.... and I have a new laminator and have been making laminated bookmarks like it's nobody's business!

Soooo much to write about now that I actually have the internet. New crafts, new friends, new beginnings in Bristol, a weekend with my best friends from afar, the Crafty Ladies Brigade...

but it's bedtime for me...

I promise a huge Etsy and blog update this weekend because the next two days are super busy with work & then out to an open mic night with Milo and two job interviews on Friday plus work and a doctor's appointment. Phewwww.

Quick post before work.

2008-10-29T01:05:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I felt the need to wake up this morning and post quickly before I leave for work just to say hello... and yes, I am still without proper internet. I'm told that it should be hooked up in the next few days and can't wait.... ahhh.. the joy of laying in my bed, snuggling up under my duvet with my laptop on my lap

xx ugh. off to my boring receptionist job, "goodmorning, how may I help you?" type of thing.

The world is full of love. The world is full on love.

2008-10-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

hmm. Found out today that I won't have internet until 28 October and am not quite sure how I'll cope until then. At the cafe and I'm being swept up around, it's annoying me. I'm annoyed. It's one of those days where everything is annoying me and I'm not quite sure why really. I've actually had a spiffing morn', went to the farmer's market on Whiteladies Road and got myself a huuuge leek (now I need to figure out what you actually make with a leek), a yummy chocolate brownie and some other farm fresh goodies and all for under a fiver (thanks Jamie Oliver!) Then it was charity shopping, tea, and other afternoon niceties with Milo.

I feel like I just need more internet time, as I'm rushing through everything and I miss the good old days of twice, even THRICE daily blog posting.

Maybe a list form would be best for all of this information then... clear, concise, to the point
(plus my pie from the market is waiting for me)
What happened this week
1. I'm going to start teaching yoga twice a week and a fun and playful yoga dance class once a month at Yogasara studios in Montpelier. I found the owners to be so lovely and welcoming in a time where I had been craving some real communication here in Bristol. I can't wait! I'll be posting the class times and dates on my yoga blog Spiral. Yoga. Dance
2. I have a new job... yes, it's temporary and yes it's quite boring work as a receptionist at an engineering company, but it'll will pay for my rent and it's only 2 1/2 days per week. It's mostly guys, but there's a really sweet, cool girl Lauren who works there. My time speaking with her was really balancing for my social sensibilities which I feel like have been out of sorts recently. I think that I have a "talking quota" that needs to be filled everyday and the less that I speak, the more I feel out of balance and unhappy. I don't like to feel lonely and my first week or so here in Bristol was exciting, but was peppered with that gnawing feeling of loneliness.
3. I wrote an ad out to gumtree looking for crafty ladies and lo and behold, actually found that a few have replied. Happy days! Now to actually be a proactive person and make sure that we actually meet up. If I put my mind to it, maybe I can even organise a craft night for everyone interested.
4. Spoke to home today, felt like it had been ages with the move and the time difference and the phone not being hooked up... it was great to speak to my Dad and Trish (stepmom) and I even got a grumpy hello from my 3 year old brother Ryan. I hope to call my sister tomorrow and my Mom on Monday and then start to tick of a list of American West Coasties that I've been itching to speak to because I have... drumroll please... free international weekend calls!! Be still my beating heart. Now if only they would hook up my internet I would blow kisses in Tiscali's direction.

How I spend my days in Bristol...

2008-10-15T08:58:00.001-07:00

Grrrrrr and YAYYYYYYYYYYY!

2008-10-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Simultaneously feeling both grrr and yay today... It's annoying me that I am still without internet, because I find it very difficult to open up and write candidly when I'm sitting in a busy cafe with my laptop on my.. well.. lap. It's been a busy week that feels like a month. A week of settling in, unpacking and trying to find myself here in Bristol. It's the first time that I really find myself in a city not a student, and as I live in a largely university area chockablock full of students, I can't help but feeling jealous and feeling a tug on my heartstrings, missing school and being an academic. Milo's been busy at his music uni pretty much everyday with homework on the weekend, so I've been left to my own devices. I spent a few days wallowing in uncharacteristic self-pity thinking that Bristol has nothing here for me and wondering what I am actually doing here. But I'm happy to report that's all in the past, I've moved on and am now starting with a self confidence of "if you want something done, you have to do it yourself"... I'm stressed because I'm such a social person and I don't actually have any friends here, so I put an add up on gumtree here and here, in the hopes of meeting a few nice girls to spend some time with, drink tea and maybe share some creativity. I'm not sure where to start exactly with this update, since I have so much to talk about, especially my thoughts on Bristol after my first week here. So far I'm loving Bristol and all it has to offer, it's a young and vibrant city, distilling the best that London has to offer with a more manageable scale. I'm finding the people to be friendly and open and the city itself is stylistically interesting and beautiful. Bristol is a maze of hills and valleys and affords some really spectacular views, particularly in the area (Clifton) where I'm living. Over the weekend Milo and I walked to Clifton Village, which is about a 10minute walk, where there are cute little boutique-y shops, antique stores, listed buildings and a suspension bridge that over looks an amazing gorge and a green landscape beyond. On Sunday, we took advantage of amazing weather and went to the seaside (only a 25 minute drive away!)

I'm still planning on updating my etsy and folksy shops this weekend, with lots of new goodies that I've been working on and am hoping to do a freebie giveaway contest on Monday :o) I've been feeling so inspired here in Bristol, from the shapes, sounds, wall murals and art, fashion, and the bustling busyness of it all... and finally having a large desk certainly helps!

I'll give a few previews of what I've been working on and what will be available this weekend.

xo Nikki

To whom it may concern:

2008-10-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

I've spent all day applying for jobs with my computer perched on top of an ironing board, 6 books, a round tub and various pieces of paper to catch the one bar of free wireless by this window. Just wanted to say hello and that I should have consistent internet in a few days! I've been making things like crazy and will have a big Etsy and Folksy update by the weekend *hopefully* so maybe something might catch your eye....

Push my buttons!

2008-10-10T09:34:00.001-07:00

Hello all!

Yes, unfortunately I am still without internet and I'm feeling a bit crazy because of it. I'm not used to feeling so incommunicado and with the combination of moving to a new city where I don't know anyone, plus Milo in school pretty much all day everyday, I'm feeling a bit lonely and yes... I'm missing my overzealous blogging. I had a job for about... oh.... 5 hours, up until the time when I went to the bathroom, took off my apron and made a James Bond style duck under the bar to find my coat and jacket before putting my coat over my head in a sweet sweeping movement and hurrying myself out of the bar and home. Phew. I'll spare you the details of my awful few hours, but let's just say it wasn't pleasant. So now I'm on the prowl again-- job agencies, handing out CVs, yuck yuck, and all of that stuff.

On a very positive note, I was able to set up my crafty things on the desk and I've received my 1000 buttons from Ebay. Love! I spent last night obsessively putting them into groups and looking at them all, I think my favorites so far are the twin pair of mustard yellow Ferrari buttons. Meow! haha!

Why have only 2 people signed up for the CD swap?? Come on people, this is a chance to get cool mixed CDs in the mail from even cooler people! All you have to do is message me that you want to be a part and I'll send you the directions... it's very simple 1. make a playlist & theme 2. make copies of that playlist (I'll let you know how many) 3. post them to me 4. I'll organize them and within a few weeks you'll receive a pretty package in the mail with mixed CDs and probably some goodies thrown in from me :o)

The new flat...

2008-10-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

I don't have internet access yet here in Bristol, so I'm feeling a bit lost without it. Luckily there is a cute cafe next door where for the price of a peppermint tea, I can use their Wi-Fi. I wanted to try to upload a few pictures of the flat before I leave for my first day of work.

xx

Bathroom

Living Room
Kitchen

Ahh! Going to be late for my first day if I don't leave now! I'll post the rest when I get some cafe time :o)

What the rainy weekend has brought...

2008-10-05T02:42:00.000-07:00

It's a rainy, cold, dreary Sunday and I'm planning on spending it finishing my packing and probably making things with my goodies from Hobbycraft (especially the fake wood paneling scrapbooking paper I got on sale) with hot water bottle and a heater planted firmly on my feet.

Also, as a treat, I bought 1000 assorted buttons on Ebay yesterday for soooo cheap

International Mixed CD Swap... any takers?

2008-10-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

I wanted to see if anyone is interested in an International Mixed CD Swap? Kind of like pen-pals only more fun (got this idea a while ago from Miss Morgan) :o)
1. Write me a comment to let me know you're interested in swapping
2. Choose a theme for your mixed CD, pick the songs, decorate the cover, etc. -- be as creative as you like
3. I'll find out how many people are interested and let you all know how many cd's to burn/make
4. Mail the CDs to me, I'll send them all out
5. Enjoy the new mixed CDs that you receive in the mail made with love plus a free goodie!!

Yay!

Hours later..

2008-10-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

I'm still here... as the hours tick by and my hands slowly start to freeze because it is so cold today. I'm bulk buying supplies for vegetarian soap making and am so excited about the endless soap combinations and possibilities! Can't wait to start making soap :o)
So far I've bought a soap base, dried flowers, a set of natural soap dyes, and a set of gold and silver mica shimmer powders. The rest is up to my imagination oatmeal, poppy seeds, chamomile tea, lavender essential oils, turmeric power, coffee grinds...
I'll be dreaming of possible soaps and soap names.... "Mellow Yellow"

Etsy and Folksy updates

2008-10-03T06:29:00.000-07:00

I've added links to both my Etsy and Folksy shops and will be updating both shops with products in the next few days, as well as starting out freebie contests next week hopefully. I know that I need to start packing all of things (eventhough all of my stuff is still hanging out of a suitcase because the car we're driving is so tiny I need to relocate all of my things to black rubbish bags so we can squeeze as much as we can into the backseat), but instead of packing I'm updating my blog and thinking about taking some more photos of what I've been making over the past few days while holed up in a hotel room in Bristol. I'm in need of a stock up of supplies before we leave on Monday so I think I'll probably take a trip to Hobbycraft tomorrow and stock up on some new paper, glue, earring backs, and cardstock. I'm on the look-out for a set of cheap buttons because Hobbycraft is ridiculously expensive for buttons.

Updates about Bristol are as follows
1. I love it! and was gutted that I needed to come back to Milo's parents for the weekend because I was really getting used to the idea of Bristol as "home"
2. I got a job straight away, I'll be waitressing 4 nights a week at Rack's only a few blocks away from our flat

This weekend Milo's village is "A Village at War!" and is turning itself into a 1940's war-time village, complete with rationing and air-raids and a 1940's style dance. You're supposed to dress up in period clothing so maybe a pencil skirt and a curly up-do for me.

Music for when you get a crafty urge...

2008-10-03T05:48:00.000-07:00

I've made a imix playlist for itunes highlighting some songs that I like to listen to while making things, being creative and playing with paper and scissors. While it's true that this list isn't exhaustive in any way of what I like to listen to while crafting, it functions as a good overview and a damned fine playlist. I usually like to go for soft, singsongy music, preferably with girl singers like Au revior simone, but sometimes I also like upbeat, shake your tail-feathers type of music.

Speaking of... when is Kid Sister going to release her album because I just read a great interview with her from Venus magazine at a roller skating rink and have decided that she gets the thumbs up from me for being well spoken and cute.

Bristol bound...

2008-09-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

On our way to Bristol tomorrow for a few days staying in a hotel, while Milo starts his university course in songwriting at the Bristol Institute of Modern Music and I look for a job. We're moving in a week, so this is the intermediate step in between moving from Milo's parents to being properly by ourselves. Tomorrow is a new moon, so I feel that cosmically we are in a great position to start our life in Bristol. The new moon is supposedly the best time during the lunar month to begin new projects and phases, so it's a new move, a new moon and I'm just starting my "moon cycle".

Niceities for a fiver...

2008-09-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

I made this headband out of a stretchy brown headband and attached a brooch given to me by a friend of Milo's sister Sidonie.

For a few years now I've been dreaming about a pair of leopard print chucks and a few times I've almost come close to finding them online, only to realize that they were about 60 bucks, which anyone who knows me knows that I am a supreme bargain shopper. Imagine my surprise and whimpers of delights when I found these babies for a fiver in a basement Sports World shop in the bowels of Northampton town. Please don't ask me why I ventured into Sports World alone....

Cards and more cards

2008-09-27T11:18:00.001-07:00

She sells seashells, by the seashore...

2008-09-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

A few pictures of coral shell earrings that I've been making.
My best friend Emma sent me a white fringe with lots of these shells on it from a haberdashery shop in France to use for customizing. I've been creating lots of earrings out of these shells and twisted metal

Two best loves, Milo and my little sis Stephie

2008-09-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

Why I can't wait to move to Bristol...

2008-09-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

Just a few piccies to show my frusteration at how I've been living for the past few months (that is: out of two suitcases that are on top of Milo's bed which he's so kindly let me take over while we sleep on a futon on the floor)

The upside of this frustrating and confusing time is the beauty that exists all around me... here's what I see in the morning when I look out the window (that beauty of a plant is our fuschia plant Mr. Bud Pleasedontdie)

I have tons more blogging that I'd like to do, but after an epic but much needed conversation with my Emsy, I'm knackered and off to re-watch the first season of Weeds with Milo because the damn Vicar of Dibley is the only thing on TV right now.

The need for organization...

2008-09-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

I've made a calendar set to put on our fridge in our new flat that runs from October until June. Each page has a pocket in the front to keep little things like notes, water bills and tickets, etc. I think instead of attaching the pages together, I'm going to stick month by month up with magnets.

I apologize for the photo quality on the next few posts, because I've been using my shitty camera instead of Milo's upgraded version.

2008-09-26T05:14:00.001-07:00

2008-09-26T05:13:00.000-07:00

New cards

2008-09-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

I've been a busy, busy bee making lots of cards...