Sunday 30 December 2012

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Merry Christmas.

What a lovely time to reflect on the past year and to happily anticipate what is to come. Fairy lights and gifts to brighten the mood. Delicious food and treats to fill our bellies. Bright greeting cards with messages of love and well wishes from our loved ones. Scented candles to make for a cosier living room. New pyjamas. Great telly. Speaking to your family. My wonderful family. I love you all.
Merry Christmas.
xoxo

Saturday 22 December 2012

Present swapping.

With the big day fast approaching my friend Anna and I saw a window of opportunity to meet up before it was to late and have a little Christmas party for two. Well, not so much a party as we just drank tea but it was nice, we had dinner and swapped cards and presents. The waiter didn't think much of the cards on the table and wrapping paper all over the place, but we loved it. I gave Anna a pair of stripey panda gloves that even had little pom pom ears, you know the type of fingerless gloves that have that extra flap which can convert them into mittens? Genius. Anna gave me the coolest double finger moustache ring. I've been lusting over moustache jewellery all year but I never took the plunge and actually bought anything, I have no idea why. I'm completely in love with it.
So we didn't wait for Christmas Day, but we had our own little celebration and it made my week.
Thank you again, Anna!
xoxo



Saturday 1 December 2012

Sunday 25 November 2012

Boxing.

Today I learned that not only can I box, but that I enjoy it. I am absolutely aching, but I loved it.
My trainer at the gym decided to change my work out as after a few months your body gets used to the same exercise and the work isn't as effective. I think he must have gone easy on me the first time as this workout 2.0 was brutal. It really did feel like fat camp.
I'm quite an awkward person and I wasn't all that confident when he mentioned boxing on the new list of pain. I haven't got good aim and my strength is in my legs. After a few tips on stance and technique, I gave it a go. To my great surprise I didn't miss and fall flat on my face. Once you get a good rhythm going it's quite satisfying.
Needless to say, the aching has already started. I expect agony by morning.
I still don't think you should practise this activity on another person though.
That still seems a bit mental.
xoxo

Friday 23 November 2012

What a bully.

I wonder what thoughts I was having to attract being pushed into a puddle while it was pouring rain yesterday. I'd finished a very busy day in work, so I was a bit dazed. I had this huge umbrella and I was trying not to smack people in the face with it, which I thought was a bit inconsiderate of them. There I was not getting soaked clinging on to this oversized golf umbrella and these idiots were getting in my way, rushing through the monsoon trying to avoid drowning.
It wasn't raining when I'd left for work in the morning and I think my instincts were a little off as I made to grab my umbrella, but only wore slipper loafers. Honestly, not suitable footwear for a rainy day. 
So I'm hopping down the street trying to skip over the big puddles while poking people in the eye with my brolly and this man races past me in some kind of rush and he actually pushes me over! In the rain, little me. My umbrella whooshes off down the street, one of my shoes went flying and there I am, on all fours half kneeling in a puddle in the rain. He didn't even stop, or say sorry. What a douche. Thank you to the nice woman who stopped to make sure I was okay. 
Life doesn't wait for when you are ready. It doesn't care if you have had a hard day, or if you're not feeling your best. Shit happens. You just have to stand up, gather up your deflated ego (and your shoe) and keep walking. Safe to say I wasn't smiling on my soggy bus journey home. 


xoxo

Sunday 18 November 2012

Poached egg.

This morning I actually made poached eggs for breakfast! 
Boyfriend taught me how about a year ago, using nothing but a pan of boiling water and a spoon. No special egg holders. I am so proud of myself! Served on hot buttered toast. The yolk was perfect! 
I can't deny there was a bit of a mess in the kitchen though. 


xoxo

Saturday 17 November 2012

Fruity tea!


Say hello to my new obsession. 
Cranberry, raspberry and echinacea tea. It's absolutely delicious. The taste is not dissimilar to hot Ribena. Only less sugary. I've been looking up benefits of echinacea flowers and their uses but the facts don't seem very consistent. The flowers are naturally found in America and after a bit of research I've read that various native American tribes use them in medicine, for various reasons but mostly for headaches, colds, flu symptoms. They all seem to circle around the idea that it boosts your immune system, but again I can't find any sturdy science facts. Well, flower tea it is then. 
Oh and a box of 20 tea bags from Sainsbury's only costs 75p.
Slurp. 
xoxo

Friday 16 November 2012

Temp:Sec / Hero&Cape Giveaway Competition.

The lovely duo Temporary:Secretary and Hero & Cape have collaborated on a giveaway.
All you need to do to win a cute bunny rabbit goody bag filled with Temp:Sec jewels and a kick ass H&C tee is like both of their facebook pages (here for Hero & Cape and here for Temp:Sec) and share the link posted from Temp:Sec's facebook page. 
Easy peasy. Competition is open until end of day tomorrow. 
(Fingers crossed as I sense a heavy moustache theme).
May the best person win! 
xoxo


Fridays.

I have a very different type of Friday Feeling. 
It is not the approaching prospect of a weekend of play and rest. It is my ME TIME day. I have work tomorrow, the busiest day of the week. 
Fridays are my day off and as I know nobody who shares this phenomenon I get the day all to myself. From about 9 o'clock in the morning to lunch time I am extra lazy. I brew a whole pot of strong black coffee. 
I watch the new episodes of my favourite teevee shows which I've saved for today, How I Met Your Mother, New Girl and Glee. I might even get some new music and update my iTunes. 
I trail my favourite blogs.
This is my time. I hardly even get up. I have my pyjamas on and I have crazy hair.
Then lunch time arrives and I realised that life goes on and so does the washing, the dishes, the cleaning, the supermarket trip. 
As I have written before, I am the only one of my childhood friends who isn't a mother yet (cue paranoia) so I should make the most of this time, enjoy my lie ins, not worry about looking after anyone but myself. 
How can it be wrong if it feels right?


xoxo

Thursday 15 November 2012

The Paradise Edition.

ALBUM OF THE MONTH. 
I knew I loved Lana del Rey, but I didn't realise just how much until I listened to the new edition of her already released Born To Die album. It is a two disc feature, the first is her known debut collection and the second contains her new pieces. I think I have died and gone to heaven. 
You know you have found good music when you can put everything on hold, block the world out and just listen. I think I have found my perfect sunbathing music. You know when you need to lie down and forget about the world. Favourite tracks are Bel Air and Burning Desire.


xoxo

Saturday 10 November 2012

When did that happen?

When we are young, growing up seems so far away like it's on the other side of the universe. In my mind, I am still the cock sure teenager I always was. A little damaged over the last few years, mostly by my own doing. But still the same person inside. Still, the inevitable has happened and now I am... sigh... an adult. I don't know when it happened, but it did. I am not the skinny, fresh faced joyful character, naively stumbling through life with a grin on my face and a twinkle in my eye I used to be. I'm pretty sure my soul is charred and black and I have adopted a new take on my life focus. Still heading in the same direction as I always was, just a wandering soul enjoying the life I was given, but now I seem to hate people younger than me. Little urks claiming to have found out everything as if nobody has ever lived before they did. 

One of my friends said "the oldest story in the world, one day you're sixteen and planning for someday then quietly and without you ever really noticing, someday is today. Then someday is yesterday and this is your life". 

So now I'm left feeling like I've squandered my life. What do I want to do with myself? Time for a new direction. What do I love? What do I enjoy doing? 
- Photography
- Media
- Journalism
- Web design. 
- Fashion.
- Modern Art.
- Music. 
- Events management.

I think it might be time to go back to school. I work for a pretty big company, maybe it's time to pursue more job opportunities with them? I haven't wasted my life, I am clever enough. I have my hobbies and I have finally developed as sense of self.  I've found my soul mate. But I have kids making me feel out of date and waffling oldies telling me I'm naive and ill-informed about my decisions. If I didn't feel like the world was relentlessly caving in on me I'd probably be a little less dazed by the sea of chaos that stretches out ahead of me. 

Time to refocus. 

xoxo

Friday 9 November 2012

Do yourself a favour.


Yeah it does.
You can try and hide and pretend like it doesn't but you are only hurting yourself.
You can sit in self perpetuated misery or you can have a swift drink and move on.
By crying, moaning, lying in bed, staring out the window hopelessly you are only creating more negativity for yourself. So snap out of it. 
Put your favourite music on nice and loud, or nice and quiet if that floats your boat. 
Get out your photos of your favourite memories and cheer yourself up.
Have a hot shower and put on your favourite outfit. 
Go out for a walk somewhere nice. 
You attract that which you project, so do yourself a favour and be happy. 
Do us all a favour. 

xoxo

Image We Heart It 

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Geek chic.

Being nerdy has never been so cool and as a friend of mine triumphantly claimed IT IS OUR TIME! 
Awkward and practical are the new key looks and the tables have turned. 
Rucksacks. Turn ups. Fair isle. Big jumpers. Wooly hats. Vintage jewellery. Oversized coats. Sneakers. Creepers. Chunky boots. Galaxy prints. Tie dye. Leggings. Well, if anything else but a window of opportunity I see this trend as a sign that I should have just been true to my self all along. I've spent a long time trying to be someone I'm not and it has got me nowhere. In nearly all aspects of my life. The worst part is that I was lying to myself. 
I am a walking cliché and I have learnt a few life lessons the hard way. 
Don't live life for anyone but yourself. 
Do what you want, when you want, within reason.
Be honest, at least to yourself. 
Whether it's what you should be doing at work, how you should dress, how you treat your friends and family. 
Don't let people push you around, stand up for yourself. 
How has it taken 24 years to realise this?


xoxo

Images weheartit.com

Wednesday 31 October 2012

Happy Halloween!

My favourite costumes this year! 
I was out enjoying a few glasses of gin when I was swooped on by these scary monsters. 
Safe to say I was kind of freaked. Until my friends started laughing and screaming JILLIE IT'S MEEE. 
Caryl and Liz, you absolutely rock. 



xoxo

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Yeah!

Someone told me to grow up yesterday.
I immediately banned them from riding my unicorn. 


xoxo

Friday 26 October 2012

Happy head, happy hands.

It's pay day. I wanted cheering up so I headed for the city centre to gather some essentials that I'd been thinking about for a week. A new ring and nail varnish IS essential. Okay, so I didn't just go shopping for me, I have started looking for presents for Boyfriend, now that it's only eight and a half weeks until Christmas. Yes, I said the C word, so sue me. It's such a struggle to buy something decent and meaningful. He literally has everything already. So in my stress I ended up hanging out in Topshop by the make up and accessories. I walked away with a new nail polish (Queen of Green) and a headband sporting metal cat ears adorned with pearls. Yeah, like that doesn't make me sound crazy. I then took to wandering around the arcades in Cardiff. I walked in to a little shop called Ganesh, with embroidered tie dye throws and incense burning. I've been after a nice new gemstone ring for a while. When I got fat I could no longer wear the nice silver rings I own. They have a great selection of gemstone rings in Ganesh and they also offer a resizing service. The women in there were just lovely too. I've walked away with a beautiful moonstone and silver ring. 
SPOILER ALERT. IF YOU HAVE AN AVERSION TO CRYSTALS AND MEDITATION AND INCENSE AND SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE, STOP READING NOW. I've always preferred silver to gold. Nothing the matter with gold, we haven't had a fight or anything, we just have different opinions. It also really annoys me how much costume jewellery is all crap and isn't really gold or silver and just makes your finger green. 
Moonstones are one of my birthstones (they are basically talismans to your zodiac and I am Cancerian), besides emeralds (which I never knew about), rubies (for being born in July) and pearls. I have the most beautiful ruby ring which my grandmother gave to me, set on a bed of tiny diamonds on a thin gold band. I guess that explains the pearl cat ears headband.
So, back to Moonstones. Qualities.
Soothes and balances emotions.
Balance between heart and mind. 
Favoured for love. Nurturing. 
Considered protective while travelling over water, or swimming. 
Heightens intuition and perception. 
New beginnings. Rebirth.
Absorbs pain and illness. 
Well, that all sounds fine to me. Let the moon goddess throw her abundant power over me! It is ON. 
xoxo



Monday 22 October 2012

Falling on deaf ears.

I haven't done a post on my slight loss of hearing because frankly I don't quite no how I feel about it. I suppose it doesn't matter what I should feel. I just need to find a way to deal with it.
It's either going to get worse or stay as it is, as it seems to be a complicated nerve damage issue. We thought it was going to be a simple bone structure problem (imagine an echo bouncing around a cave and one of those angles send the echo off into nothing) or nerves in the ear (which means the sound is getting in there but it isn't registering), that would have been solved with corrective surgery or a hearing aid. But it seems to be the wires (so to say) between my ears and my brain. Which they can't fix. It means I have been referred to specialists who will help me understand the extent of the damage. If it will stay as it is or if it will get worse. If its a recent problem or if I've always been like this. I can hear simple clear sounds with no effort. I can't hear a thing when all sorts of noises are mashed together. Like when the engine is running in a car, I can't really hear the radio. So I just have to wait, trying hard to not feel helpless.
I have always said if we lost almost everything and could keep just one thing, it would be music. I guess I figured I would always be able to hear it.
Here's to finding out it won't get any worse.
xoxo

Friday 19 October 2012

My 'moth' orchid.



I have been caring for my new 'moth' orchid (or a phalaenopsis orchid) for two weeks now. It was a welcome home gift from Boyfriend after I'd been to Spain for a week. I can't get over how cute that is. 
Now, I have not been blessed with green fingers. I can kill a simple herb plant if left to my own devices. This is why orchids are my type of plant. They thrive on being left alone. I used to have one in the office when I was an admin apprentice in the south of Spain, which was the same species as this and I kept it alive for quite a long time. 
I keep it on my kitchen window sill, which is a round port hole style window so it looks quite cute. It gets light for half of the day as my kitchen faces north east, which is ideal. As far as watering is concerned, you don't drown orchids in pouring water every day. They should be potted in a cage like pot, soil, roots and all and then sat in a second water tight pot. You keep the orchid in the first cage like pot, removing the whole thing from the second water tight one, fill the solid pot with about a centimetre or two of tepid water, the purer the better and then sit the orchid back in the pot. The roots soak the water up that way. I touch the top soil every morning to make sure it doesn't dry out as this can be fatal. I have only had to top up the water once in two weeks. You can buy special orchid plant food if necessary, but my little plant seems quite okay. 
Do you know of any good orchid guides I can look up? 
xoxo

Saturday 13 October 2012

Law of Attraction.

Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right.

It's as much what you say and what you feel that determines your universe.

Time and personal opinion are little more than perceptions, accept that one perception isn't the rule. 

All you have to do is CHANGE YOUR MIND and you CHANGE YOUR WORLD. 

Wake up. Take charge. No excuses. 

xoxo

Friday 12 October 2012

Green Machine.

Don't be fooled by it's appearance.
This super food smoothie is delicious.
Packed with antioxidants and botanical extracts, it really tastes like kiwi juice. 

Ingredients: 
Apple, banana, kiwi, mango, pineapple, spirulina (protein, vitamin b12), chlorella (draws out toxic metals from the gut), broccoli, spinach, blue green algae, garlic, barley grass, wheat grass, ginger and parsley. 

I swear to god it tastes like tropical fruit juice. 
I usually grab one with a Boots meal-deal for work. It's quite filling too. 


On the side of the bottle it reads:
"We know it looks intimidating, but don't judge a smoothie by it's colour. It actually tastes good. No really, we're serious. It's got an arsenal of 10 super cool ingredients and is packed with vitamins A and C. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage by free radicals. So, go for it. And let the pink and orange smoothie drinkers of the world cower at your smoothie prowess.".

Fabulous stuff. 
xoxo

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Sparkly phone!

A few weeks ago my lovely Boyfriend was stood in the 'pre-ordered' queue at the Apple store, waiting to collect his shiny new iPhone 5. This meant that his iPhone 4 needed a good home - ENTER JILL. I have such a bad history with phones, it's unreal. From leaving them in really obvious places, like on the table in front of me, to accident drop kicks, water damage and the rest. That's with normal nokias and cheap phones from Argos to bide me until payday. This will be my third iPhone. The first was shattered as it was accidentally launched at the wall. This was a geuine accident and I did not throw it in a fit of anger. The second went 'missing' from my rather secure bag at a very noisy Chase and Status gig at Cardiff student union. I reported it as soon as I realised it had gone from my zipped up bag that was across my body, and the office pointed out that mine was the fifth reported missing that evening. Fml. 
So Boyfriend gifting me with his Looks-Like-New, Hardly-Seems-2-Years-Old, "hand me down" iPhone 4 is a rather extravagant gesture. I feel like I am holding life itself. A memory of someone distant echoes from my past "... more power and technology than the moon rocket...". My vision is blurry. Is it really mine?
I can't walk around with it naked, given my track record. I ordered this from Amazon and it's only cost me £1.34! Isn't it just dreamy?! 


xoxo

Sunday 7 October 2012

Spain.

So last week I was back in my old home, out in the middle of nowhere in the south of Spain.
You really know who your friends are when you all pick up the conversation wherever you left it, last year. This time was a little different, as I was finally able to meet my friend Mia's daughter, Alisha who is now 11 months! I was here last year for her due week and she was a week late. She is a little angel and is very funny.
Not at all stubborn like someone I know.
It was of course my baby brother's 3rd birthday too, so we had loads of food, kids all over the place, balloons strung up and a few cheeky drinks once the kids had all gone to bed. (Serious headaches the next day).
Thank you Saffron and Casey for making loads of delicious smoothies and saving my life!
I have also discovered that I love gin and tonic with a big wedge of lemon. 
Being at Dad's is like going on an extreme retreat, you are about 40 minutes away from the busy, tourist filled coast. You are up a mountain and the views are insane. It's amazing.
Here are some of my best photos, what a great end to a fantastic summer.
xoxo

Mia, Nyssa and Alisha.
Lunch made by Mia's husband, Mike.
The view from Dad's house.
G&T
Balloons!
Campo baby.
Mango, nectarine and ginger smoothies.
Flying home.

Saturday 6 October 2012

Double bobble hat!


I was helping a good friend of mine hunt for a decent winter jacket when we visited the new River Island store in Cardiff. I don't know whether it's the shiny new fixtures and fittings, but I'm sure the stock is nicer than any other branch I've ever been in.
While we waited for someone check the stockroom for another size I spotted this cute double bobble hat. I had to try it on. It was love at first try. I have an unusual taste for cute and odd hats. I have a rather large head, so I was extra pleased that this fit and felt right.
I look forward to turning up the cute on a few outfits this season with this bad boy. 
You can find it on on the River Island website HERE for a fair £13.


xoxo

Monday 1 October 2012

Cross earrings.


I just had to do a little post on these. I've loved crosses for a while but I've never been compelled to purchase any. That was until I found these while I was in Primark desperate for a quick pair of tights because mine had laddered.
These little gold coloured metal beauties were only £1! They also came in a dark silver too.
Well it would have been rude if I didn't buy them both.


xoxo

Sunday 30 September 2012

Calamity Jill.

So I always tell people I'm clumsy. But I rarely divulge the extent of my wobbly little problem. 

It's a daily fight with everything, moving and stationary.
For example, today in the airport, I managed to pick the only wonky table in the cafe which sent my scolding Americano flying. I was so embarrassed, but the nice bloke made me a fresh cup.
Queuing to go through security, the little clear bag with all of my small toiletries burst, scattering the tubes and bottles everywhere. Getting ready last night I managed to trip over nothing in my apartment and I ended up launching myself face first into my open suitcase.

I clearly have some kind of calamity death wish. 

xoxo

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Pay day girly meal.

Thank god for pay day!
I think it's okay to splurge on one little treat at least. 
I say splurge, we had vouchers for "2 courses for £10" for Prezzo! Hardly crippling. 
Just a spontaneous dinner gathering after work. 
I had a lovely time with the girls. 
Must do more often.


I went for the mushroom risotto and the chocolate fudge cake. 
Am I the only one who eats the mint leaf that comes with your dessert? I mean, if it looks a bit limp and old, then I obviously wouldn't, but this was crisp and fresh. 

xoxo