Flurry of flavour and colour.

Here's the first batch of photos from my trip to Turkey. The weather was insanely hot, we were out and about in temperatures of 45 degrees celsius everyday. The food out there is absolutely amazing, everything is so colourful, and the flavours so fresh. I took so many photos of the beautiful edibles that I've dedicated a single post to it.

The local weekly market.

I'm a fan of the chilli. People were buying these by the bag load.

I know this isn't food, it just amused me to no end just how far the Twilight fever has spread.

No idea what the black things are, fried bananas maybe?

The Turks make this cheese in particular which looks a little like goats cheese and has the same consistency yet its make from cows milk and tastes creamy. I'm not sure how else to describe it but I'm definitely endeavouring to find something like it in the UK.

I didn't managed to snap a photo of the native spirit Raki either (I'm hoping that's how its spelt). Its a spirit close in flavour to that of Sambuca, aniseed; yet instead of being sweet and sticky its sour and almost dry tasting.

xoxo

I'm going away on holiday for a week. Heres a 'heads up' as I plan to photo blog a little again like i did over Easter this year. Yes! For sun, sea and sand, good food and trashy music! xoxo

All for wool and wool for all!

Popped into town today for a bit of shopping. It was mostly mid-season items and the ends of sales so all I ended up buying was an oversized shirt. Altogether it probably wasn't the most successful shopping trip in the world (especially after a mini 'tiff' with the lady in WHSmith), however, I did achieve one thing, I'm beginning to look forward to A/W 10.

I love autumn and winter clothes; the big snuggly woolen jumpers, warm scarves, boots, trench coats and bodywarmers. This year's selection of capes are growing on me, albeit I think I'll be feeling very courageous on the day I purchase and wear one, they are little too close to ponchos for my liking, and I am NEVER going there again.

Another thing I love about autumn are the colours, I love deep scarlet reds and yellows the shade of mustard, all the colours of the leaves falling in the breeze off the naked trees and the deeper, darker nights when I like to lie curled up inside my duvet warm and cosy.

There are too many things to miss about summer, by far my favourite season. In autumn and winter, all is not lost, there are still so many things to look forward to. I'm not quite ready to let go yet though..

xoxo

Violetta please, and a nice strapping Tenor to go!

I wrote this entry ages ago just never got round to posting it... this blog has been pretty slow recently, sorry! I couldn't get the videos up so I've posted links instead. xo

I spend a large amount of my time learning music. I am a classical singer mostly, and so it should come as no surprise that I am in love with opera. At the moment I am particularly taken with two performances. Anna Netrebko's invigorating singing as Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata and Diana Daurau's haunting Queen of the Night Aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute.

This performance of La Traviata was staged at the annual Salzburg Festival. I love how every year they modernize and produce opera in such an interesting way. The stage is so simple yet evidently far more interesting that a more traditional opera setting. One day I will go.

This aria has literally been described as 'killer music' and its not difficult to hear why! I love the costumes, the lighting, the acting and the soprano's AMAZING voice. The vocal range and control required in this song is immense yet she appears to sing effortlessly!

Not enough people realise how amazing opera is, its diversity and history. Watch these!

xoxo

Dreaming to Inspire

When I'm bored I wish I had something to write about. Not just blog about, actually write an article, a play or a story. Something that will interest and inspire others on a bigger scale than just blogging. Maybe I'm not blogging correctly or maybe I just have too much time on my hands (but there is always some Law, French or Music study I could be doing) but I wish I could write like I once could.

Once upon a time, before A level English Literature and Law warped my writing style and creativity (or perhaps just maturity), I used to write. I would write stories just for the pleasure of it or articles just so I could type them up beautifully and 'publish' them. Today I think I associate computers, pen, paper and writing with work. The pleasure has been drained a little. I want it back. But how?

I know writing is an integral part of me. I keep a hand-written journals as well as a blog, I read for the pleasure of good writing, I adore quotes and I love buying fresh untouched notebooks. My 'documents' folder stores many of my attempts at writing something more mature or creative.

Thinking about it, when you have passed through childhood and writing becomes a little more of a chore than a pleasure or simply exploring the written word, we need life experience and knowledge to capture the interests of others. Very few adults are able to continue to encapsulate the same creative ideas and stories that we do as children. I suppose that is what makes some authors like C.S Lewis, Tolkien, J.K Rowling and perhaps even Stephanie Meyer so amazing. There are also those who are able to get out into the world as adults, experience life and record it using their own personality, they are also great; writers such as Bill Bryson, political writers, song writers and even some of the women who write for magazines like Elle. I will never be a children's author but perhaps one day, after a bit of travel, a little more heart break and a lot more practice I can aspire to write like one of these.

... just maybe.

And what will I write about? Faith, injustice, poverty and most of all hope.

500 Days of Inspiration

Last weekend I watched '500 Days of Summer' twice. I have been hoping to see it for ages and it was definitely worth the wait. The film is described as a 'story about love but not a love story', and in short its certainly not your average romantic comedy. The movie draws on artistic techniques I associate with more 'world cinema' and indie films. United with a brilliant and unpredictable story-line, this movie was an absolute win for me. What follows is five things I intend or have been inspired to do since watching '500 Days...'. Don't laugh or judge until you've watched it for yourself!

1. Next time I am in Ikea I will play 'house' in all the rooms. Read the books, lie on the sofas and beds and cook dinner in the kitchen. I'm too big for a Wendy-house, but no one is too big for Ikea.

2. If I ever own a house one day, I plan to have a play room or even an office with one wall purely a black chalk board. Then I will buy lots of different coloured chalk and create a masterpiece every month. Plus I can teach my children the alphabet and how to spell on it.

3. I will decorate a branch with origami birds made from different papers. Using, metallics, floral papers, vintage inspired papers, tissue paper and card.

4. I will play 'penis' in the park with my friends and shout other playful obscenities.

5. I will explore vintage music stores for old vinyls. Maybe one day I will invest in a vinyl player and have it displayed in my living room.

6. I will sing karaoke more often. Just because.

Hope you enjoy it too! Ta ta for now.

xoxo

A Few More Days Near Paradise

My brother and I went to the fun fair. I find the lights and noise so exciting. I feel like a child all over again. Especially in the dodgems.

Power-kiting on beach (there is far less pain when you fall in sand).

Our German Shepherd, Kray.

There were some pretty shops in the town full of vintage items. I just had to take a couple of photos of this shop.

Walking Towards Blue

I love the sea and all the different shades of blue in this photo.

All the houses and bungalows are white, some have coloured details too.

I love the idyllic street names.

Gold bracelet from Accessorize, leather bracelet from New Zealand somewhere..

Floral Skirt from Zara, Bag from thrift store, Floral Top from Zara, vintage belt, Ugg boots from pureoz.com

playing with iphoto

Grandma's faux fur gillet, floral skirt as above, Gray Blazer from HandM, Ugg boots as above.

Pretty pink camellias I spotted whilst walking to the beach.

I'm staying with my grandparents over Easter, its so pretty here. I have never tried photo blogging before but this place inspires me. Maybe I'll post a couple more over the next few days. Today is Good Friday, tonight we are off to see a musical at the local church.

xoxo

This Month: Paperchase

I would be curious to know if America has a store like Paperchase. I love this store. I am addicted to buying notebooks, postcards and little accessories from Paperchase. The irony is I can never bring myself to send the postcards or write in the journals because they are just so clean and beautiful. Instead my collection just grows. A little sad maybe? Well everyone needs something ridiculous to hoard, I've seen much worse than notebooks and pretty postcards.

In other news, I'm off to Cornwall for the weekend. We're off in 30 minutes so I suppose I should go back my bag. I'm really looking forward to just relaxing and smelling the sea breeze. Maybe I'll be lucky and the sun will shine!

Happy Easter!

xoxo

Warrior Footwear

I am hoping to travel soon. Just check out some of the beautiful footwear available this spring. I think I'll be buying myself a pair of gladiators soon!

Hyacinth £28 Topshop

Rosenberger £45 Aldo

New Look £8

New Look £25

Rosenberger £45 Aldo. So good I'd like them in both colours!

P.S I'm sorry I haven't posted recently. Life has been very hectic. More posts will follow I assure you, I haven't given up blogging!

xoxo