Why wait to discover your dreams?

Wearing: Black pattern flatforms - Office, Black tights - Marks and Spencers, Denim Mini Skirt - Topshop, Black belt - Primark, Oversized cream blouse - Urban Outfitter's, Necklace - Etsy

I hope all my readers had a lovely Easter! I come from a non-religious family and I'm an atheist myself so it was never a big thing in my family bar chocolate. Now I'm older (and vegan) I didn't get any chocolate, apart from two eggs I had from Jonathan's Mum and Aunt when I was in Northern Ireland last. I did buy Phoebe the Lion King on dvd as an Easter present and I think it'll turn into a tradition now that she gets a new Disney dvd for Easter. She gets alot of chocolate from family already so I'd rather give her a little gift that lasts! I might look for some Easter crafts next year as she'll be two and able to do more. Though she did make an Easter card with my Mum for me! However you celebrate Easter or not at all then I hope you had a good weekend. 

Easter chick card made by Phoebe and my Mum. 

Since I have had three weeks at home before jetting back to Northern Ireland for Jonathan's birthday I've been wanting to work on some projects I keep putting off. I'm not the best person at always finishing something I've started because my mind and imagination are always jumping off to the next thing but I'm trying to remedy this habit. As a result I've been working on some sewing projects that date from Christmas. I've made my sister and my niece each their own cushion, my first ever go at quilting! I finished all the machine sewing yesterday and then tomorrow I'm going to do the fastenings and they'll be finished. Mum's helping me with some other projects that are a tad more complicated for my current skill level. 

 Wearing: Black shoes - charity shop, black tights - Marks and Spencers, Black PU skirt - River Island, Thin belt - Primark, Batwing jumper - Republic

When I get home, probably after my holiday to Devon with the family, I want to start work on a fabric covered noticeboard for my room with some of the pretty bird material I bought. I've also decided to paint my feature wall in my room cream like the rest of my room instead of wallpaper because I want to carry on my collection of pretty paintings and prints of animals and things. I currently have two owl paintings that my Mum created for my birthday, two owl prints I got for 50p each at a market and a vintage style painting of finches by my Gran. Plus I need room for my hockey jersey! I'm not a minimalist person in style as I like lots of trinkets so I'm learning to balance that to make practical spaces without overcrowding - I can't wait to have a whole house to decorate! 

Finches Painting by my Grandmother. 

Another experiment of mine was a baking experiment. It being easter weekend I needed to make something sweet and yummy to celebrate and I was entranced to make the mini pineapple upside down cakes from A Beautiful Mess. Obviously, I would need to adapt the recipe to make it vegan so I used my now trusty cake batter mix (it's for a red velvet cake but I just leave out the chocolate and food colouring and it makes a gorgeous batter that has tricked many into not knowing it was vegan!). I also changed the whiskey in the recipe for amaretto as I'm not a big whiskey fan and we didn't have any in anyways! The results were the best pineapple upside down cakes I've ever made! I've made them before but never thought to put a caramel layer under the pineapple and it makes such a difference. These are now my go-to party cakes and I'll be whipping up a batch for Jonathan's work colleagues next week! 

My vegan mini pineapple upside down cakes.

Currently Reading: Syd Moore's 'Witch Hunt'

Currently Listening: Deftones - Koi No Yokan

I've had three outfits here to show you as I've been a tad behind. I'm trying to brace more spring attire despite the cold temperatures for the UK. Today it was actually sunny and a lovely 8 degrees which was very welcome! It's not quite at the stage where I can not wear tights but my cute summer dresses will be hopefully be making more of an appearance now. The only things I want to buy clothes wise this spring/summer is a new swimming costume for my Devon holiday (probably not ready confidence wise for a bikini yet though with my latest weight gain) and some pretty walking around sightseeing sandals. I want some decent long lasting sandals that are going to last from May until the end of September when I go to Athens so any suggestions of brands are welcome (no leather or suede or flipflops though!).

Wearing: 

Tan brogues - Urban Outfitters, Black tights - Marks and Spencers, Green retro bow pattern dress - Primark, Tan belt - New Look, Pink Lace top - Urban Outfitters, Owl necklace - Accessorize. 

Ps. I'm selling some of my old or unworn clothes on eBay. 

Less than a day left to bid but any that don't sell will be auctioned again. 

Can't make time stand still, but you can make it run

I am the worst person at finding time to update, but in all fairness I have been really ill and busy the last week!
I had a wonderful 6 weeks in Northern Ireland with my boyfriend. It's painful how much I miss him now but less than 2 weeks until I'll be back there for his birthday. :) He's a very special person and I would be totally lost without him at the moment. He also got me my first hockey jersey for Valentines. With the Belfast Giant's team member 'Walton' on the back, my favourite player. :)

I had an adventure last weekend visiting my Grandparents in the Midlands and seeing 2 good friends, Nick and Davy. My Mum, Gran and I also went to the Sewing For Pleasure show at the NEC and I now have several gorgeous new fabrics to work with. The great thing about it was that I was able to get companies websites that I now can say in confidence I can get decent fabric from at good prices rather than hit and miss with ebay. I'll do a comprehensive list on another post for anyone who is also on the search for good fabric! :)

The weather while I was in the Midlands was TERRIBLE! I was so unwell on Thursday when we left I literally just threw clothes into my bag without paying much attention to what it was or even looking at weather reports (like I usually do) so getting a few inches of snow was not expected! I had my tan brogues and dark green loafers with me... both of which have NO grip at all. I packed clothes-wise, a maxi skirt with some tops and a dress. Again, NOT snow suitable! I managed to get through this disaster though without getting too cold, wet and didn't fall over once! :) Despite this I had a good time and was feeling much better by the Friday so the weekend wasn't ruined.

Outfit Details: 

Black Maxi Skirt - Exhibit (NI), Aztec 3/4 sleeved top - Charity Shop, Beatles Crop Tee - H&M, Hamsa Necklace - Internacionale

On coming back I had some medical appointments Monday and saw my sister and niece  Phoebe can say my name now! It was beyond adorable and I was almost in tears, just seeing how much she'd grown and developed since I saw her a month and a half ago was astonishing. Her language skills are really developing and it makes me proud as her aunt that she's mastering these skills.

Yesterday was a rest day as my various medical problems were starting to play up so I took the initiative and spent most the day sleeping and reading. Today's a similar kinda day but I've done my physio and adapted yoga (omg my legs HURT from not doing it in so long!) and I'm planning to spend the evening reading and just taking it easy. I also got some new shoes I ordered (I've had some bad news I don't want to talk about and I'm really disheartened and sad atm so I bought shoes). They're gorgeous colourfully patterned flatforms from Office for £10 reduced from £35. I've never worn flatforms before and they're surprisingly comfortable and easy to walk in! I'm actually finding it easier to keep my balance in these compared to my normal shoes! I've also donned my wig today as I've missed it, and my roots are atrocious. Mum and I are going to dye our hair this Easter weekend so just a few days left with icky blondeness!

Currently Reading: CJ Sansom's 'Revelation'
Currently listening to: Doll & The Kicks (amazing band that sadly never made it. Bargin album for £5 on itunes. Highly recommended!)

Outfit Details: 

Wig - eBay, 'Konichiwa' oversized shirt - Urban Outfitters, Bleached denim jeggings - new look, Flatforms - Office. 

We won't let the sun go down, We're gonna chase the demons out of town

I'm finally out of hospital! Well truth be told I've been out since Thursday night but I'm still far from being well, though slowly getting better. I've used an entire inhaler for my asthma in less than 2 days which isn't so good but the consultant said it could be a few weeks until it's back under control. Which sucks. 

I've spent all weekend in bed in my pjs. I've had hardly any energy at all and I've needed to catch up on alot of sleep. However, I'm a little more perky today so I got up, dressed and even put make up on! It's amazing what a difference a bit of personal attention can make to your mood, I feel so liberated. Plus I finally have chance to wear my new zebra dress!

So during my weekend in bed I watched Wes Anderson's 'Moonrise Kingdom' which is fantastic. If you like quirky, creative films then this is one for you! My Mum thought it was strange but I was totally enchanted and I can't understand why it's taken me so long to watch it. The cinematography is stunning and now I want an adventure in New England! I'd like to watch more of Anderson's films as I've only seen a handful and he's firmly planted himself as a favourite director of mine. 

I also spent alot of time reading, I'm reading my third Patricia Cornwell book in a row. Though I prefer the work of Kathy Reichs for forensic crime novels, Cornwell's novels are still fun to read. It also brings in a little more of the legal side, which is something I don't know alot about, as well as the forensic pathology. I also like her books cos they're quick reads, usually I can finish them in one day or two nights. This gives me a break between heavier stories or the classics, as even though I adore them they can be draining. Any crime fans out there with some new suggestions?

Outfit details:

Zebra dress - h&m, black opaque tights - marks and spencers, cowboy boots - eBay (new look), pearl collar - Miss Selfridge, Belt - came with another dress, hat - vintage from my Mum, Cream and gold bracelet - too old to remember