Alice and her Band

I'm so desperate for Spring! The wind is icy here at the moment, I keep making the mistake of assuming its warm and leaping out the door to morning lectures without a coat. In any case, at least its not raining!

Today I found these pretty photographs of hair. I've become so lazy with mine, shoving it up in a bun before bed or whilst studying. The rest of the time I just let it do its own wild thing. My hair requires patience, I have absolutely none. Just to help you put things into perspective, the last time I had my hair cut and a few thin highlights put it it took well over 3 hours... trauma. These styles do appear less time consuming though, perhaps I'll give it a go tomorrow morning.

I've only just remembered that I bought this hair band whilst in Turkey over the summer, I still haven't worn it out.

If you're searching for something pretty to purchase have a look at these gems; for feathers, roses, and sequins!

xoxo

The Shoe Post

I couldn't help having a gaze at some of the new shoes on sale at the moment. I despise living on a student budget sometimes! One day if I'm really lucky I'll get a job that will allow me to buy beautiful shoes.There is an added cost with these Hunter Berkley Tall Wellingtons; I would need a dog to walk. Chocolate lab or a spaniel would do me just fine. I'd feel like Dorothy slipping on these beautiful Sindy shoes in red suede from Topshop. They would do well in the transfer from winter to spring as you could pair them with tights, ankle socks or just go bare foot. These ankle boots by Isabel Marant are just perfect everyday slip on wear. They are the kind of shoes I'd grab on my way out of the door on a Saturday afternoon whilst wearing some old skinny jeans, a motif tee and a causal styled blazer; job done! I love hiker boots, I absolutely fell in love with Erdem's hiker boots a/w 2010, however, this pair from topshop is also very lovely and slightly more affordable!

xoxo

Not such an Ugly Duckling..

I'm going through a mini swan phase at the moment. It all began after I photographed this family of swans by the sea in my town. I took this photo whilst on a walk last Saturday, the family of swans were bathing in the water. It was beautiful to watch that I couldn't possibly resist trying to capture the moment on my little compact digital. The cygnets cannot be far from leaving their parents, I wonder where they go? How do they choose another swan to pair off with?

Whilst searching for swans on the internet I was led to this poem. Apparently a silent swan is supposed to burst into a first and final song before its death. The song is supposed to be one of the most beautiful bird songs ever heard;

The Silver Swan who, living, had no note,
When death approached, unlocked her silent throat.
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more:
“Farewell, all joys! O death, come close mine eyes;
More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.”
The Silver Swan, Orlando Gibbons

There is this haunting pattern behind many of the stories and myths I read concerning swans. They are surrounded by darkness and tragedy and yet, in other settings, they represent gentleness and purity; such ambivalence is haunting. See this trailer for 'Black Swan'.

I think I prefer my simple photograph.

xoxo

Three Things

Good news! I have finally the ownership of a camera! The memory stick arrived in the post this morning and I have spent the last hour playing with it. I have my first university level examination tomorrow morning so forgive me for being distant as I have been trying to work hard! The weather is absolutely atrocious at the moment, its certainly living up to the stereotype! I am hoping tomorrow the sun will come out for a while so I can photograph my world a little.

Here's a little update post of my wall at university, I've had a little juggle around with the images though I'm still not 100% happy with the outcome.

Coloured pens save me from complete and utter boredom whilst revising. This and plenty of diet coke and hot chocolate!

As you can see I have begun another of my new year's resolutions (bar the camera); that is to read. 'Brideshead Revisited' is going well at the moment though I haven't been drawn in as of yet. Nevertheless I do love reading about freshman tales in Oxford its such a beautiful city.

The magazine needs no other explanation other than I hope it will help me study better, I am an awful excuse for a law student at times, for example, currently I'm sure it would be far more productive to be revising.

The third book is absolutely hilarious, a friend bought it for me for christmas as it reminds us of my own cat. Simon's cat has his own website, it is worth a visit.

Apologies for the blandness of this post. I will make an extra effort next time!

Now for revision!

xoxo

Happy New Year!

p.s. sorry the last post felt a bit rushed!

I even forgot of ex's and oh's...

Much Love!

xoxo

The New Year's Post

As promised here is my list for the new year! I've started with the most important, and probably the most boring. I'm also currently working on a new look so apologies for its slow progress, I'm not so great at web design, especially on a macbook!

1. Achieve a 2.1 in my first year finals (Work hard)

2. Get some work experience for over the summer

3. Run more

4. Improve my cooking skills and memorise a few recipes

5. Finish reading the books on my reading list for 2011 (see below)

6. Keep up-to-date with Damselfly

7. Purchase a camera and take photos of things that make me happy.

8. Listen to music more, and start writing music again.

9. Learn to Surf

10. Play hard.

Good for the Soul!

Before the new year's eve and the completion of my list of goals for the up-and-coming year I nearly always write some kind of list of books I want to read. Sometimes it is lovely to put aside the legal books and much time for another type of reading, reading for the soul! It is more than likely I will read these and more but these 5 are key. I have just placed an order online for these books and I simply cannot wait until they arrive and I can get started!

1. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

I saw one of my flat mates reading a copy last November and suddenly longed for a beautiful edition like hers to read. Yes I know it sounds shocking that I have come this far in life still without having read 'Jane Eyre', I thought about reading it last year but ended up just watching the BBC adaptation instead. I did read Wuthering Heights last year and thoroughly enjoyed that so what is one more bronte novel to add to the collection?

2. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

I have just finished 'Jamaica Inn' by Daphne du Maurier; it is a book set deep in the heart of the Cornish countryside and I figured it would be nice to read something set in my home county. I touched on 'Rebecca' briefly during my study of Gothic Literature during A level English Literature but I cannot for the life of me remember the story. I am excited about this read.

3. Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert

I haven't watched the movie but its got fantastic reviews. I am very old school when it comes to watching movies based on books. The novel must always be read first. I did this with Dear John, The Time Traveller's Wife and My Sister's Keeper this year. Just so you know;the books are ALWAYS better.

4. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh

This is completely new to me, I know its a classic and that it literally about it. I'll let you know my thoughts after reading!

5. Appetite, Nigel Slater

So this is non-fiction. It is actually a cookery book, or at least a book about food. I have come to rather enjoy cooking whilst living by myself. I would like to improve and my father swears by this book. I had a flick through of his copy last night and I love the way Slater doesn't just hand over a book full of recipes, instead he encourages you to think for yourself and experiment.

Much Loves

xoxo

Food Baby

In typical fashion I ate far too much over christmas and the food seems never ending! Roast Goose, ham, mince pies, sausage rolls, cheese and christmas pudding with cream... I need to chill out and eat less again. I lost weight at university last semester, I don't want to lose the progress I made! I am so desperate for a run currently and a game of netball but its dark, icy and cold outside and during the day I'm working! Until that glorious moment when I can slip on a pair of trainers, stick on my ipod and jog out the door I will sit and imagine the flat toned belly I so desire for the summer!

Every year I write a list of goals for the year. I'll publish my list on here this year for all to see, lets home I achieve a couple, I completed a few last year. I have been jotting ideas down steadily for the last couple of weeks, the beach body will definitely be on there.

I love new year, don't you? Its one of the best feelings in the world when the clock has just struck 12 and I feel I have a whole fresh slate. Starting a fresh is such a lovely idea and moreover looking to the future, the new friends you're going to meet and the adventures you have to come.

Very much looking forward to it! Anyway... ramble over,

xoxo

The Images in my Mind

Images can have such a powerful effect on the ways we think or feel, the ways in which we create goals for ourselves or dream dreams. Here are some images that give me inspiration, hope and help me dream dreams right now...

When I was 16 my family had a reunion in the Lizard, Cornwall, we all stayed in this pretty hotel with its own private beach. It stood at the top of a cliff and looked out towards the sea. It was a beautiful weekend, perhaps one of my favourite memories of my extended family. On the wall of my hotel room was this photograph by Robert Doisneau, Le Basier de L'Hotel de Ville. I love it so much that I took a picture of it on my then mobile. I love the hustle bustle of life around a moment frozen in time in the lives of the lovers.

I have always been a fan of Tiffany. No matter what others say, it will always represent the dreamy elegance I long for. As I was flicking through copies of Elle magazine this christmas it was this advertisement that stood out. The Dress, the City, the early evening and the Man, it is a beautiful moment.
I love the paintings of Jack Vettriano they all tell stories of romance, passion and empowerment. I have this one on the wall of my room at University, its entitled 'The Road to Nowhere" but when I look at it I feel quite the opposite. It inspires me to work hard and the be the woman in the bold red suit walking bare foot on the beach beside her man.

xoxo

A Sincerest Apology

I am so sorry for not posting. Life has been so busy the past few months. Here are a few updates anyway. Yet another apology for the poor quality photos, still haven't got around to buying a proper camera yet so I'm using my blackberry to take photos!

This is currently my life at the moment, sad as it may appear. Law degrees are SO time consuming. It is far harder than I imagined it would be, I'm loving every second though... most of the time. Currently I'm working on my first piece of marked coursework, it is starting to drive me a little insane.

I have a massive pin board in my room, I've covered in it things that make me happy in the world and things that inspire me.

As its nearly christmas, my flat made our own christmas decorations for the Asda smartprice tree!

This is my home. When it is sunny we sometimes go down the beach and play in the sea.

Will post again sometime soon!

I can't believe its nearly the end of my first semester..

xoxo