Photo an hour: 22nd April 2017

Hi All,

Hope you are well.

I have been rather busy this week. It was CBC's birthday this week. On Monday, we went to London to watch 'The Glass Menagerie' by Tennesse Williams in London which was fantastic and then we were at orchestra last night so no blogging!

Anyway, I took part in Photo an hour on Saturday so here's a photo diary

8am:  getting dressed.  Adding birds to my 'Prisoner' blazer!

9am-ish (actually 8.40ish but I was going to be flitting between trains).  The postman dropped a whole load of parcels for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee through the door! I decided to wait and open them slowly over the weekend so to have something to look forward to!

10am:  Now on the train on the way to Ipswich to meet up with lovely blogger friends! Reading my latest Edward Marston charity shop whodunnit find!

11am: At Applaud Coffee in Ipswich with Sophie and Hazel having er- tea!

 12pm-ish:  Exploring the many charity shops in Ipswich!   I did well in this shop with a jacket and a blouse.  Sophie had a handful as did Hazel! As well as them- I decided to include the bizarre diver-suit style dress which perplexed me!

1pm-ish:  Stopping for a post-lunch selfie with the girls!

1pm-ish also:  I always seem to be the last one out of the shop! Following behind as usual!!!

 1pm bonus:  After the scuba-diving dress, Hazel found a classic number!  We quipped that it was her dream dress! Panto Cinderella  rag outfit methinks!

 2pm-ish bonus:Fox lantern!

2pm official: Subtly or not so subtly ogling Hazel's dreamy glittery shoes under the table!

3pm:  Cake and tea in  a place beginning with A??? 

 Lovely ladies!

 4pm:  Saying goodbye loaded with bags!

4pm proper:  Staring out the rapidly-moving train window back to Essex

5pm ish: (check clock on platform for true time)  Waiting for my 3rd train...

 6pm:  Back home home at last! Going into the garden to try and spot which bird was the skilled singer!

 7pm:  Eating Tyrell's Sweet chilli and red pepper crisps!

8pm-sulking about not being able to watch #Doctorwho series 10, episode 2 because of not having a TV license, so watching random Who compilations on YouTube

9pm-shoddy photo but I can't be bothered! PAELLA, left for me by my husband! 

10pm ish:  watching Ella Enchanted which I bought today. Prince Char IS very cute and I love Anne Hathaway!!

11pm and 12am did exist but weren't photographed!

xxx

My 12th Blogiversary!

What do you know?  I missed out on writing about this Auspicious day two days ago!

Yes, I can proudly announce that two days ago was my 12th Blogiversary! I began on April the 6th, 2005- you can see my post here.

This means I have actually been blogging a whole THIRD of my life!

It all started twelve years ago when I was a PA to the Head at the Royal Academy of Music with much time on my hands.  In my spare time, when I wasn't at rehearsals, I wanted to write and when I saw that my University friend Rachel (at this time PA to the Head of a Bible college) was writing a blog, I was inspired to have a go as I do love writing and it seemed an ideal incentive to write.

Over the years, things have changed in the blogging world (sorry to do the whole retrospective but it's rather obligatory on such occasions, rah, rah, rah...): the friends I first had blogging- Rach, Amy, Chris at the Chrlog, RJ, have mostly stopped blogging but a few still persevere (looking at your Stephen/ven!).  In around 2009, I gained some lovely new blogging friends such as Sophie (in the Sticks), Laura at Daisychaindream, Lauren at Someonelikeyou, The Two Birds and a few others who are still blogging.  Later on, I met the lovely crafters, the amazing Ang Almond, the fabulous Dinoprincess Char and others.

Then for quite a few years, there have been some of you wonderful, wonderful stawarts who I have met through here and I value greatly and love their blogs still to this day. I apologise if I have missed anyone- the list includes: Julia, Tasha, Vintage Vix, Louise, Lisa at Jumble and Jelly, Anca, Nevena, Gretchen Joanna, Alison Dormouse, the Julies  Hazel, the Jans, Donna, Ivana, Linda, Denise, Fil, Ally, Anna, Bev, Melanie, Pom Pom, Imogen, Salazar, Maggs, Susie, Lizzie, Corinne...

And finally, recent new friends: Ann, Fiona, Johnny Jumps up, Thriftdeluxe and anyone I have missed out (I am sorry if I have- just thinking off the top of my head!)

Anyway, it is to you I say thanks. I am quite sure I might not have continued for so long if it wasn't for your lovely comments, support and friendship.

I thought it might be quite nice that if you wish to leave a comment- rather than doing a giveaway in the usual sense, if you leave me a comment and I will pick one person to make a card for to send it to you! And if I think I can just your taste, I might possibly send something little with it!

Thanks for reading and do leave a comment- I'd love to make a card especially for someone!

xx

BEDM #6: 10 brilliant blogs

'Share the blog love' was Elizabeth's brief for Blog every day in May today.  

I recently introduced a new blog feature where I highlighted a particular blog I like and listed posts that were favourites from their blogs.  I do think, that since blogging can come across as a very introspective concept, that it is important to ensure you highlight other people for their attributes.

Today, as part of BEDM, I’m going to highlight 10 bloggers or blogs in a nutshell who I think are particularly good at a particular ‘thing’. 

There are undoubtedly many people who either have a niche or are generally great bloggers and I like both types of blog.  Indeed I have many more blogs I could write about for a specific reason or just for general love but nonetheless,  I wanted to highlight 10 blogs I enjoy for particular reasons in a nut shell.  10 is a nice round number!  I have still got a lot of people I want to talk about over time so please don't feel left out, I love you all!

1. Brilliant for historical, informative writing but with a personal edge.

Louse AKA Fundy Blue writes a wonderful weekly post using letters sent by her Father when he was living in cold Canada in the 1960’s.  You get a wonderful contemporary perspective on what his life was like there and Louise painstakingly locates images to help illustrate his points or finds contemporary photos of people or maps from either her own sources or others. It is SUCH an interesting read and so unique in the blogging world. You really feel like you are there with her Father.

http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-lansdowne-letters-big-bang.html

2. Brilliant for an expert on Wildlife and its effects on life.

Louise at Ramblings of  a Roachling is SO knowledgeable about wild life and she takes magnificent photos of natural phenomena, flora and fauna, taking you along on her walks.

http://roachling.blogspot.com/

3. Brilliant for zany fashion experimentation and downright hilariousness

AKA Miss Bagz, the wonderful Melanie at Bag and a Beret makes me laugh everytime with her hilarious (and very stylish) way of writing about what she wears. 

http://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/

4. Brilliant for the perspective of a musician

Fil’s place, old songs and memories

Fil is an Irish singer and folk musician who often writes about her time on tour and her life back home, running choirs. She sometimes includes recordings of her music and I think she has the most wonderful voice.

http://fil-campbell.blogspot.com/

5. Brilliant for eating out drooling opportunities

Helen at Positive Fridays, who I met through Lakota’s Faith, Hope and Charity swap a few years ago has evolved her blog into a wonderful description of places she eats out in Birmingham. You can tell she loves food and I drool everytime she posts!

http://www.positivefridays.com/

6. Brilliant for wonderful blog outfit post locations

Sophie in the sticks is SO much more than just outfits, but aside from her beautiful dreamy natural photography, Sophie takes her outfit shots in the most evocative and beautiful locations, taking an outfit onto another level.

http://www.sophieinthesticks.co.uk/

7. Briliant for your daily fix of Daleks

Is that just me? Well,Daleks of the Day always has some fun cosplay, Dalek cake or image to amuse! I even featured on there once dressed up as a dalek!

http://www.daleksoftheday.com/

8. Brilliant for general joie de vivre, loveliness, interesting facts and shoes!

Denise at Denise’s Planet is SUCH a nice blogger (one I’ve met!) and she posts only weekly, thus meaning you can really take the time to read and love her posts, and she always links interesting facts with nice places, really interesting fashion outfits and shoes.

www.denisesplanet.com

9. Brilliant for Vintage wisdom and awesome outfits and no nonsense

Vix, AKA Kinky Melon or Vintage Vix is the absolute Legend of the blog world. She is the Black country’s Vintage queen and finds the most incredible vintage in charity shops and car boots. I honestly don’t know how she does it! She can sniff out vintage like she’s fitted with  high-spec radar, has an absolute photographic memory for vintage labels and gets them for a song! I can rarely find anything vintage but she was born with innate vintage knowledge.

http://vintagevixon.blogspot.com/

10. Brilliant for hilarious chatty blogstyle and hilarious crafts

Katie absolutely makes me giggle the whole time- though she’s been a little absent recently, her blog has always made me snort with laughter. She loves experimenting with crafts, especially round the home and hands on heart, is so much fun! She even managed to get a terrible fox plushie toy into a ‘’Craft fails’ book!

www.hooklineandsinkher2.blogspot.com

Who else should I know about as a blogger?

Kezzie xx

Meeting Melanie!

I was really fortunate last week to meet up with my lovely blog friend, Melanie, AKA, The Folly Bird.   Melanie was my original Doctor Who inspiration with her wonderful Doctor Who style inspirations which prompted by own early days, pre-TARDIS Tuesday, as well as being lovely Vintage styled lady and fellow bunny-girl (she actually has rabbits so earns the title more!).

Last time I had been to visit my friend E, Melanie had mentioned she didn't live all that far away so I remembered and asked if she wanted to meet. Luckily, she was more than happy so we arranged to meet on Monday.  I headed to the pretty town not too far from where she meets. When arriving at the station, I was thinking, "Oh, no, I'm going to have to trail round with a suitcase!" and hoping I wouldn't get too shy, I can do with people I've not met before.

Luckily, she was just as I'd imagined her and even prettier in real life! It was totally surreal to see this lovely person I'd only met on screen walking towards me! There was absolutely no shyness and we got on straight away,she is as lovely in person as she is on screen. Beautifully softly spoken, I felt very loud as I burbled away! My husband tells me it's apparently like I want the whole world to share the conversation! Oops.

We walked through town and like all good bloggers, went to the local Wetherspoon for a drink- tea of course in my case! We had a huge natter,it's SO nice to be able to discuss those things in real life that you've often thought about blogging and also getting beyond the screen to find out more about that person!  We had lots of laughs too and found we thought similarly about lots of 'Blog things'!  I couldn't quite believe it when we'd been there almost 2 hours!  Apparently, this Wetherspoon used to be an inn stayed at by Admiral Nelson at one point.

We headed towards a beautiful secret in the town, the wonderful Physic garden, which I could imagine sitting reading in all afternoon.



Of course, we did what bloggers also do well- take photos of each other!  Melanie took much nicer ones than I did- I cannot avoid selfie-double chin sadly.









The blossom was beautiful and the sun casting a golden happiness onto everything.


I was rather gutted that, because I'd arranged with my friend to meet at another station at 4pm, that I had to leave too soon in order to be there in time. I could have happily stayed chatting to Melanie for hours longer.

As we meandered towards the station, we had a quick nip into a few charity shops and I gladly picked up the Hunger Games book 3 which I had been dying to read but not found in any charity shop or library near me!

We said goodbye but that's the beauty of blogging isn't it, you get to stay in touch with your lovely friends. Nonetheless, I definitely hope to meet Melanie again soon.

Do you know Melanie, The Folly Bird? Please go and say Hi if not. She also wrote a post about our meet-up, more succinctly!

xxx



Oh and since I am wearing a TARDIS blue skirt, I might as well say Hi to TARDIS Tuesday and any Hat Attack that is coming around!
x

Blog meetup with Someone like you!

Whenever I read of Blog meet-ups, there is inevitably a lack of photos, which always surprises me! I think that for many of us bloggers, photos are our essential extras that help us tell our story and surely the excitement of a meet-up would mean lots of photos! But now, I kind of get it! Last week, I went up to London to meet American blogger, Lauren of Someone like you.  I've read Lauren's blog for at least 4, if not 5 years.  I was beyond excited that I would get to meet one of my favourite bloggers, one of the sweetest, kindest and one whose journey I have followed with interest! She has such a beautiful style, is genuine and open. She's studying in Florence and happened to be coming here as a study trip.

Unfortunately, this was the only time I could really meet as I was at school so I was grateful she made the time to meet on the Saturday of half term.  We met at Queensway tube and it was surreal to meet her in real-life!! She is as pretty and sweet and kind  in person as she is in her blog. We laughed lots and I was surprised at how much littler than me she was! I always imagined her to be really tall! I always think everyone is taller than me (which is ridiculous as I am tall).  She hadn't seen all the iconic sights in London, so we decided to do a walk to take those in.  First up was Big Ben.  I took some photos of Lauren but it seemed kind of silly to take photos myself (and this became the thing of the day, I was too busy talking and explaining things to really take many shots and since this was Lauren's holiday,  I wanted to take photos for her where I could for her)  Besides, as Ally said in a recent post, you're there to enjoy that person's company, not to take photos of it! That said, I had a few photos from the day to share here.  Mmm, I'd really like an SLR now, after using Lauren's one!



Here we are at Buckingham palace.  There were lots people around and we saw a large procession of horses go past.  We also had a puzzle over the changing of the guard. the sign said the next changing of the guard wasn't until 11am Sunday and Lauren asked, surely one guard wouldn't be on guard all that time. Which made me wonder about what happens and when they change duties?






We saw a couple of these structures around- they are a bit like the decorated benches.  Lauren said that London was clearly her town as there are so many red items around and it was inevitable that she needed a picture in a red phone box. Luckily, there was no shortage in Westminster.



We wondered at how this sculpture was constructed and how the gold leaf was applied. Was it done in situ? Was it all one piece which was carved or various bits added. But surely it wouldn't be too stable if so.

I couldn't resist catching the 'blogger taking photograph' shot.  The concentration!




I was delighted to add this graffiti No entry sign to my collection- I hadn't seen this one before nor had Lauren and they have plenty of these in Florence.


Luckily, the horse didn't do either!

Leaving Trafalgar square, we caught a bus and paid a visit to Oxford Street so Lauren could visit some shops and luckily we saw the delight that is the Selfridges Christmas window displays.  I also introduced Lauren to British Smarties!

Yves St Laurent tree.

Possibly the scene of the Golden Goose

Rumplestiltskin

Rapunzel

Large amounts of trees.


Originally, I had hoped to take Lauren to afternoon tea but it was a push trying to fit it in so we had tea at the National Gallery Cafe.

Finally, after our visit to Oxford Street, we got the tube and Docklands light railway to Tower Hill to try and take a look at Tower Bridge and the poppies at the Tower of London.  They were So impressive.  The crowds, however, were truly unbelievable.  Tower Bridge was literally at a standstill.

It was a bit of a last minute panic for Lauren to get back to Kensington to catch her bus. The District line wasn't working, the Docklands had a massive delay so we jumped in a taxi to St Paul's to get the Central Line back.  Luckily she didn't miss her bus! We said a quick goodbye and I headed to Carnaby Street to peruse the shops a bit. It was a fleeting visit but I was so happy I was able to meet Lauren, since she lives in America, I wasn't sure we'd ever meet! She is just as lovely as she comes across in her blog and so positive and pretty!  Thanks for meeting me Lauren, it was an honour!




Meeting a blogger friend, what to wear? CBC made me change my clothes before I went out! Apparently what  I was wearing was not up to scratch for meeting my favourite, fabulous fashion blogger! I didn't take any photos out sans Coat but here's what I wore, Cath Kidston clock skirt with claret tights (bad lighting) and an aqua cardie! Oh and a green hat!

The Brunette's questions

Lisa-Jane at the Brunette Diaries- she of floaty light-coloured prettiness has nominated me for a Liebster blogger award so I am thanking her graciously for it: "Thank you Lisa-Jane!"

The Rules:

Share 11 things about yourself.

Answer the 11 questions that your tagger gave you.

Choose 11 other blogs to nominate.

Think of 11 questions to ask the bloggers that were nominated. 

Thank the person that nominated you and link back to their blog 

Well, I'm probably not going to nominate anyone- sorry but I can't decide who, computer too slow to find links and you probably have already done it, and probably don't want to, but feel free to nominate yourself!  I always enjoy answering questions so I thought I'd do that bit!

1) Have you already broken a new years resolution?

Well- I didn't formally make new year's resolutions- every day has resolutions in the sense of trying not to do the things wrong that I have done previously and I fail at this regularly.  But, in my mind, I decided a couple of things- which meant phoning family and friends more regularly, particularly my Grandad and Dad every week and whilst I have done that- I haven't actually got to speak to my Dad these past times- I've talked to my stepmum and sister but not caught my Dad. Also, we decided we were going to go Lindyhopping every Wednesday, despite school work and stresses because you have to have something for you. However, we've not managed until this Wednesday- the 29th- we decided to go and I phoned up to check the class was happening and it's not happening at the moment- typical!! Anyway, we went to an East Coast Swing class instead and that was fun!

2) Did you celebrate on new years eve?

I'm not really that bothered by the new year, since every day is a new year technically but this year, we did actually do some fun things- we drove out to Mersey Island in Essex and went to the Company Shed for dinner- we had fishcakes, baked oysters and salt and black pepper tiger prawns and they were delicious!! Nice location too.  Pity the weather was awful! Must go back.

We then went round to CBC's old flatmate's house and we ordered pizzas from Papajos and then played Cranium, drank some prosecco (I didn't) and I slept in a chair whilst they watched the fireworks on TV etc!!! Get me- such a party animal!

3) Do you worry about what the New Year will bring?

No- why worry about tomorrow- tomorrow takes care of itself- just look at the birds in the air, they don't worry and they cope and find all they need (paraphrasing Jesus!) - I worry when worries occur- not about what might be.  Always happy to plod along in my life and have sudden stresses rather than a long-term anxiety.

4) Are you booking a holiday sometime soon and where to?

CBC and I contemplated Spain- maybe Barcelona at Easter or May, but not sure.  We'd like to visit a Greek island in the summer maybe.  Oh, and applying for Music Camp!

5) Was 2013 a good/bad year for you?

2013 was an excellent year for me- I got married in August, moved into a rented house with my husband and obviously planned a wedding. The house finding was ideal- we didn't have to look as our friends were moving out of this house, round the corner from CBC's current house and the dates lined up perfectly with ours.  I wont deny that wedding planning was very stressful- in the sense of agreeing on budgets and things but the year was great. School was also very successful and I enjoyed many occasions, a wonderful honeymoon in Die Schweiz and lots of fun.  Moving house- the actual process- not so fun and I still have a black lumpy toenail from the bookcase that was dropped on it accidently!

6) If you could buy one thing now with £20.00 what would it be?

Accck- can I have £35 please and I'll buy one of the lindybop dresses on EBay! With £20.00, maybe I'd buy a knee-length tulle petticoat- a black one or a blue, to go with my swing dresses.  Wish I could buy a more expensive one though, so it's not itchy! (ha- edited since beginning: And now, I'll have the Greater Plains Velo dress that Char wickedly put into a blog post!)

7) If you could buy one thing now for £500.00 what would it be?

Not a clue- I never spend that much on one thing! If it were school, I'd buy a really nice Bass Metallophone chromatic and diatonic sets combined- they cost about £500 or more! 
(Ha- also edited because I just ordered one from Music Village in their special offer section for £138!!! Hope it's a good one and not some rubbish!)

8) What month is your birthday?

In the month of leaps

9) Have you ever been to Devon/Cornwall?

Yes, been to Cornwall- Penzance to IMS Prussia Cove with my orchestra and family holidays when I was young- that's where my name comes from.

10) Have you got a best friend and why are they your best friend?

Sadly, I don't have a best friend currently, not had one since I was at Uni really. I just have friends. I guess CBC is like my best friend, but I'd love to have one again. I adore my Uni friend Kathy and wish she lived nearer as she's my ideal best friend. Also my church friend Margaret is a good friend I value highly!

11) Do you like your job?

I count my blessings every day that I work in the school I work in, with (most of) the colleagues I work with, with my unique job.  I love so many aspect of it- my choir, orchestra now the children behave, my recorders, my lovely year 6 recorders. I get so much delight from my job.  And yet, despite all that, I still dread going back after the holidays, wish I didn't have to, and count the wake-ups until the next holiday!  Funny, isn't it!

If you'd like to answer my questions, please do and leave me a comment with a link, saying you've answered them:

1.  What is the meaning of life?

2. Favourite sweetie?

3.  Princess Jasmine or Belle? Why?

4.  What do you like most about blogging?

5.  And what do you like least?

6.  Who was your favourite childhood stuffed/cuddly toy and why? Do you still have them?

7.  Favourite board game?

8.  Would you rather be a sheep or a cow? Why?

9.  What word do you have issues with spelling?

10.  What pet would you love if you could have something?

11.  What question would you like to answer that you've never been asked?