Wednesday Wish List

This week I've been coveting...

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These amazing colourful bags from Sophia Webster. They're way out of my budget, but if they weren't I'd be building a collection in a micro second. So. Much. Colour.

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I'm loving the latest additions to Erstwilder's Australiana collection, especially the bilby (#10) and the cockatoo (#9) brooches. Their designs are just fantastic.

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These two Lady Vintage Jasmine dresses are so pretty and eye-catching. I need both prints in my life.

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I'm also loving the new Lady Vintage Lady Voluptuous Summer Lyra dresses. They'd be perfect for every day wear this Summer, and could be layered up when Autumn / Winter rolls around again.

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I'm still a little addicted to fruit prints and designs, and these zesty pineapple print make up and wash bags from Skinny Dip are so funky! I definitely don't need any new cases, but I sure want these two. I'm also rather smitten with the pineapple and palm tree pins- they'd be perfect for all those Summer outfits.

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How cute are these Skinny Dip flamingo print tangle teezers?! I could definitely do with a tangle teezer to tackle my super long mane- it's so long now it's almost down to my backside!

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I love these embroidered Cath Kidston espadrilles. They'd make the cutest holiday shoes.

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As per use, I'm coveting Cath Kidston's latest brooches. The palm tree looks a little odd, but I'm dying to add the lobster and little heart to my collection, so I'm sure I'll treat myself to the set soon.  I need a lobster brooch in my life. The banana key fob is adorable, too.

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I'm really taken with the new Cath Kidston lobster range, especially the red lobsters on a blue background, so I'm loving this little selection of bags and cases. The make up bag and wash bag have my name written all over them.

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Speaking of lobsters, I adore Collectif's Camilla lobster motif cardigan, and the Jade seashell border swing dress is pretty darn awesome, too. I think the two pieces would go so well together.

Collectif Fancy Flamingo Basket Bag

This flamingo basket bag from Collectif is amazing! I want it to wear with all of my Summer ensembles.

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How incredible are the new Kate Spade Full Plume peacock bags?! The wicker peacock (#1) is incredible! Why am I not rich?

Toms Watermelon Espadrilles

And last but not least, these watermelon print Toms are the cutest Summer shoes I've seen in ages. I think I'll be needing a pair in my life.

For more of the fashion pieces on my wish list each week, check out my style wish list boards on Pinterest. You can also find all previous Wednesday Wish List posts here.

What's on your wish list this week?

50 Things I'm Grateful For

I don't have the perfect Instagrammable life- to be honest, it's about the furthest thing from it. I don't own my own beautiful home full of fashionable decor, have a high-flying career, a husband, a family, a large bank balance, a car, a thriving social life, the perfect body, a degree, a lot of stamps in my passport, or even my health. Especially not my health. In all honestly, I don't have a lot of things going for me at the moment, but c'est la vie; life isn't perfect. 

It's easy to concentrate on all of the things I don't have in my life and be upset and bitter about it, but I don't and I'm not. I know I have so many things that countless more don't have in their lives at all, and I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for the things I do have and have had in my life, and I've been thinking about that a lot lately. I sat down and wrote a list of some of the things I'm grateful for last week, and with all the awful stuff going on in the world right now, I thought there was no better time to share it than today.

Here are 50 things I'm grateful for.

1. All the good times I've had.

2. All the great places I've seen / been to.

3. My parents for looking after me since I became ill, even though it shouldn't be their job to anymore.

4. Freshly-washed bedding, straight from the dryer. No comfort like it.

5. Books.

6. My Kindle for making reading books even more accessible and addictive. (It's funny because I used to be soooo against e-readers, adamant I'd never use one because they could never compare to books made of paper -and who would want to read books on a device, anyway?- but then I realised how great they actually are, bought one, are and have never looked back).

7. Rainy days. Yep, I'm one of those weirdos who actually likes the rain!

8. Glasses. Without them, I'd walk in to things a lot.

9. Having an outlet to help me deal with life with chronic pain and illness in this blog.

10. My crazy puppy. She makes me laugh and gives the best puppy cuddles.

11. Colour. It makes me happy, and the world a more beautiful place.

12. Having a roof over my head.

13. Being able to live at home since my chronic illnesses set in and limited my mobility, independence, and ability to work, as otherwise I'd probably be living on the streets.

14. My lovely blog readers!

15. That concerts are a thing. They've given me so many amazing times, and so many happy memories with great people and a few band members, that I wouldn't change for the world.

16. Comfy PJs.

17. Memory foam mattresses- don't know how I ever slept without one. So comfortable!

18. People for putting up with me.

10. The few people IRL that haven't stopped acknowledging me since I became ill, that I can still count as friends and family. (Most people distanced themselves from me within a few months). The few people who have been there for me have been amazing, and I'm especially grateful for the friendships that haven't changed even though my circumstances have. 

11. Living in a country and era where I'm free to be myself, live as I wish (within the law, at least- haha!), express myself, dress as I like, get an education, work, be paid fairly, vote, speak, read, write, drive, travel, party, drink, enjoy life... if and when I want to... or not.

12. Concealer for hiding a deep abyss of baggage from under my sleep-deprived eyes.

13. Spray in leave in conditioner and dry shampoo for making my life so much easier, and tackling my very long mane of hair. 

14. Having access to medical care. I'd be fucked without it.

15. My parents for generously paying for my private medical care. That shit ain't cheap.

16. My spinal surgeon and rheumatologist for believing me, trying to help me, diagnosing me quickly, and not brushing me aside like the NHS did for years. I doubt I'd even have any of my conditions diagnosed yet if it wasn't for their help.

17. Music, for soundtracking my life, offering escape, providing comfort, and being the root of so many good times.

18. Pizza.

19. Sunny days.

20. My best friend of twenty years, Angela.

21. My family, even if they do drive me crazy most of the time.

22. Living on the edge of the beautiful Cotswolds- everywhere is so picturesque and idyllic, especially the countryside, and the little villages filled with pretty cottages. Of course, I'm not rich enough to live in any of them, but it doesn't hurt to dream!

23. Snuggily. comfortable blankets.

24. Living a sheltered upbringing. We didn't have much money growing up, but we had a happy childhood in the safest little town away from real suffering, harm, crime, and violence, and for that I'm grateful. I know others aren't so lucky.

25. Growing up in the eighties and nineties before technology, especially the Internet  and mobile phones, took off and invaded our lives. I'm glad I got to experience a childhood away from a computer screen (99% of the time, at least), playing outside all day long until it got dark, doing handstands, going on adventures, zipping about on rollerskates, riding bikes, making rose water perfume, playing with Sylvanian Families, reading, building forts, and using my imagination. I'm addicted to technology now, but I wouldn't have wanted to grow up attached to a computer screen 24/7. I'm glad I spent my childhood in the real world, and I don't think I would have changed that for the world.

26. My dad for taking me to all of my medical appointments.

27. Chocolate.

28. The Internet. All the ways it's changed my life, and all the different ways it keeps me occupied and less isolated, even when I'm on bed rest. It's pretty awesome having the world and all these different resources at my finger tips.

29. Not being discriminated or in danger for my beliefs or for the colour of my skin. I can't imagine how that must feel for the billions of people who are.

30. Having enough food to eat and water to drink; not living in poverty or famine.

31. Starry nights.

32. Pretty sunsets.

33. Perranporth beach, in Perranporth, Cornwall for existing, and giving me so many happy, blissful holidays over the years. Best place in the country. Fact!

34. Everybody who has offered me support, friendship, advice (only of the welcome variety) and encouragement over the last five and a half years.

35. Nutella.

36. Having the use of my limbs, even though it often comes with pain and stiffness, so I'm able to do things for myself, live as independently as possible, and use my arms and hands for creative hobbies and other pastimes that help me get through the day, and make me happy.

37. Spring time, when everything starts coming back to life after a long, grey, barren Winter. I love it when the trees start blossoming, daffodils pop up everywhere, magnolia trees bloom, green returns to the trees and hedgerows, the sun comes out, the weather gets warmer, and the days finally start getting longer. Bliss.

38. The body positivity and plus size blogging communities for inspiring me and helping me learn to accept myself for who I am, be a lot more comfortable with my body, and hate certain parts much less, after a life time of hating my body and being self-conscious of it with every fibre of my being.

39. Everything I've done and learnt from blogging over the last five years.

40. Online shopping for making life easier, cheaper, and more convenient, and for being an introvert's dream.

41. Still having my family around me.

42. Black mascara for making me feel heaps prettier.

43. The Body Shop's satsuma shower gel for always smelling so darn good.

44. Living so close to London, and all it has to offer. I love being able to hop on a train and make it in to London in just over an hour, where a million good times are waiting to be had.

45. Having finally found a GP who seems to be trying to help me, and taking an interest, instead of ignoring the problems and shooing me away like so many did before her.

46. Light Spring and Summer evenings; how it brings the world to life again, makes me feel less like hibernating, and basically just improves life.

47. Long hours of Spring and Summer daylight that make taking blog photos a million times easier.

48. How far plus size fashion has come in the last five years, and how much more is available to us these days... even if it's still mostly online, and the variety for larger plus sizes still has a long way to go. I'm so glad there's more than just shapeless black hanky hem tops with butterflies and sequins  'decorating' them *gags* for us these days. Oh, so glad.

49. That I'm strong enough to fight what ever life may throw at me, and always have been.

50. That the future is full of possibilities.

What are you grateful for?

Wednesday Wish List

Since it's been a couple of weeks since my last Wednesday Wish List- we had no Internet connection this time last week thanks to my Dad accidentally cutting the cables while gardening- I've packed this week's wish list full of gorgeous pieces to make up for it. And boy do I have some beauties to share with you today!

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I adore the new Irregular Choice Rainbunny and Hoppity bunny heels; the little rabbits are so cute, and the colour and detail on each shoe is amazing! I'd gladly take a pair of these over an Easter egg any day- hint hint, Mr Easter Bunny.

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These novelty bags from Collectif are all so funky. I particularly need the flamingo one in my life.

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These dresses from Collectif are all to die for.

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I'm smitten with all of these applique and embroidery cardigans, and the awesome flamingo swing skirt from Collectif. I do love a good motif.

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As usual, I have a Lindy Bop wish list so long it could stretch all the way to Mars and back, so choosing which to share was a task and a half. I couldn't narrow them down further, so you get sixteen this week. Aren't they all gorgeous?! 

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Lady Vintage's latest Eloise dresses are so beautiful. I can't decide if I like the 'banana' or 'bird city' print best, although, saying that, the macaw 'unique parrots' pattern is pretty damn awesome, too.

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One of my favourite blogging duos, Katie and Amanda of Junebugs and Georgia Peaches, have teamed up with Erstwilder, and the result is this amazing collection of Country-themed novelty brooches. I want them all!

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How about these cactus and pineapple novelty bags from ASOS? I definitely need the cactus in my collection.

ASOS Desert Wide Fit Cactus Patch Trainers

Speaking of cacti, I love this pair of wide fit cactus patch trainers from ASOS. They'd be perfect for casual Summer wear.

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ASOS Curve always have the best pyjamas. One of each, please!

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And last but by no means least, I've got my eye on these pretty embroidered tops and dresses, and bold split front maxi dress from Boohoo Plus. Can I have all the embroidered things, please?

If you'd like to see more of the fashion pieces on my wish list each week, check out my style wish list boards on Pinterest. You can also find all previous Wednesday Wish List posts here.

What's on your wish list this week?

Photo Diary | March 2017

It's been a couple of months since my last Photo Diary, so I thought it was about time I shared a few of the snapshots I've taken over the last month- some you may have seen if you follow me on Instagram, some you won't have because I've not shared them anywhere until now. 

I can't say they're very exciting. March was another uneventful month. I spent the whole month still dealing with a racing heart, palpitations, and weird chest pains, so I spent most of it resting up, and at the doctors, but I felt a lot better than I did in February, and managed to venture out of the house a few times. I popped over to Cirencester and Stroud with Marie for the first time, visited a local garden centre, popped to Hobbycraft for new craft supplies (yay!), and went on a random drive in the country. I got outside in to the garden with Rosie a couple of times, she got spayed last week, I did a whole bunch of cross stitching,.. and, well, apart from blogging, that's about it. Pretty boring, but hey, that's my life!

1. Started a new flamingo cross stitch. // 2. Switched up the bags on the back of my bedroom door- so summery! // 3. Made a flamingo cross stitch.// 4. Spring is here! // 5. Marie bought me the new Cath Kidston duck brooch. // 6. Treated myself to some Real Techniques make up brushes.

1. Bought some amazing colourful cross stitch kits from The World In Stitches. // 2. Pretty purple pansy. // 3. Cath Kidston notebooks are my fave. // 4. Blossom in the garden. // 5. Found Milka Oreo eggs and mini eggs and they are amazing! // 6. Spring is in the air. Display at a garden centre.

1. Poster for a market in Stroud. // 2. Vintage suitcases. // 3. Another poster for Stroud's indoor market. // 4. Giant hare sculpture in the window display of a gift shop in Stroud. // 5. Interesting looking Greyhound pub. // 6. The Silent Busker silently busking in Stroud.

1. Pretty rugged rural countryside in Stroud. // 2. Cute door to a village primary school. // 3. Blossom, horses, and a little house that looks like a dollshouse in Stroud. // 4. A vintage bus we passed in a Cotswolds car park. // 5. Countryside close to home. // 6. A vintage steam engine on Burford high street.

1-3. The shell of an old barn or cottage on some rich person's farm we passed when we took a wrong turn last weekend on a random drive. // 4-6. A cute but dilapidated cottage we spotted on the same stretch of road.

1-3. A red kite circling around my home a few weeks ago when I was in the garden with Rosie. We have a pair of them nearby that circle over head most days. // 4-5. Bright yellow fields of rape seed are already popping up. So cheerful. // 6. Lechlade river in the sunshine last week.

1. Rosie enjoying the sunshine. // 2. Just chillin'. // 3. Rosie eats tennis balls for breakfast, while plotting evil things. // 4. Cheese! // 5. My pretty pup. // 6. Happy puplet after a game of fetch.

1. Helping Rosie play with her new dinosaur toy in her Cone of Shame. // 2. Rosie sitting in her favourite spot on top of the sofa. // 3. Poser. // 4. Happy pup. // 5. Suspicious pup. // 6. Rosie does not like her Cone of Shame. (She got spayed last Thursday, came home in a giant Cone of Shame probably best suited to a Great Dane, and kept getting stuck face down on the floor, and between the furniture. We got her a smaller cone the next day, and she's doing much better coping with it on now).

1. Last week's Hobbycraft Haul. // 2. Bought a couple of canvases with pre-printed words and a flamingo motif to paint. // 3. Treated myself to some Easter fat quarters to turn in to Easter hoop art. // 4. Making progress on my flamingo cross stitch. // 5-6. Been sewing colourful geometric squares in a rainbow of colours.

If you enjoyed this, you can find me on Instagram here, and all previous photo diary posts here.

What did you get up to in March?

The World In Stitches Colourful Geometric Cross Stitch Kits

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled up on the most incredible range of colourful modern cross stitch kits when I was window-shopping on Amazon, which had me squealing at the laptop screen in excitement. Yeah, I don't get out much... 

The colourful, geometric designs are exactly the style I've been wanting to try doing freehand for several years now, but have never got around to doing, so I was excited to find such an awesome range of affordable kits online, and snapped two of them up almost immediately. I ended up being so impressed with them on delivery, that I ordered two others on my wish list straight away, and fully intend to return for more of them once I've made the ones I bought.

I'll of course be blogging the finished projects once I've made them, but I wanted to give you guys my first impressions of them now because it's going to take me months to make them all, and they're just too good to keep to myself.

The kits are from an English brand called 'The World In Stitches', who make original handmade modern cross stitch kits and patterns that are suitable for both beginners and cross stitch pros alike. They currently sell a variety of different designs, from geometric patterns and mandalas, to folk and scandi, and I think they're all absolutely gorgeous.

It was so difficult to narrow down my favourites, but I purchased the Geometric Heart and Geometric Squares kits on my first order, and then went back for the Spectrum Mandala and Spectral Mandala kits after the first two arrived because I was so impressed with the quality and the amazing colourful designs.

The designs are all so colourful, fun, vibrant, and eye-catching, and a world apart from the traditional and often frumpy cross stitch designs usually marketed at the older lady. I'm sure you'll agree, there's nothing frumpy or old-fashioned about these kits! I think lot of people are still under the impression that cross-stitching is still a dull, old-fashioned craft for dowdy old ladies and nothing more, but I hope these kits will prove that cross stitching doesn't have to be like that at all. It can be fun and modern and fashionable, and an enjoyable hobby for people of all ages- because it is. Sure, there are plenty of traditional kits out there only your Granny would want to sew, but there are heaps of modern kits out there for stylish younger crafters to enjoy, too. The choice of designs and styles out there is actually insane, and there's something out there for everybody.

Everything included in the kits are of fantastic quality- the aida, the threads, the needle, even the instructions.

They include thick, 14 count white aida.

The threads are DMC stranded cotton, which are basically the best quality embroidery threads you can get, and they're so brightly-coloured that they're going to be so fun to sew with.

The chart and instructions are printed in colour on high-quality, thick paper. They're nice and large, and very clearly colour coded, so they're very easy to follow and decipher, which is exactly what you want from a cross stitch chart.

The threads are also pre-sorted, which makes life easier- although it's unlikely you'll have difficulty matching up the correct colour threads to the symbols with these kits, since the rainbow colours are easily distinguishable.

Each kit also includes a clear and detailed beginner's guide to cross stitching with colour photographs to help you get started, so even beginners can make these awesome kits without much difficulty. 

The kits include almost everything you need to make them (aida, threads, needle, chart, beginner's guide); you'll just need to get your hands on an embroidery hoop, embroidery scissors, and a pencil or highlighter to mark the chart with as you go along. I usually use coloured pencils to cross mine off because I find it easier to see where I am when I'm stitching, although that works best on black and white charts.

I'm extremely impressed with the quality of all four of my kits, particularly because they are so inexpensive. The kits start from around £8.49, which is very reasonable for a cross stitch kit of this quality, and great value for money. The geometric heart and squares were both £8.49, and the mandalas, which are much larger in size were £17.49 each. They also sell some patterns separately for just a few quid each on Etsy.

I couldn't be happier with the four kits I bought. and I honestly couldn't recommend them to you more. They're some of the best cross stitch kits I've ever seen. If you're thinking of learning how to cross stitch or are a cross-stitcher looking for some new projects to make, give some of these kits a try! I promise you won't regret it!

You can find The World in Stitches on Amazon and Etsy.

Do you cross stitch in your spare time? Do you do any other crafts?