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Adventures
This post is going to be a little photo heavy, but I wanted to share some of my photos from my coach trip round Aberdeen before I disappear off again to Dundee to visit some friends there. 

I had so much fun being on this tour with my mum, she doesn't know much about archaeology so it was nice to be able to teach her a little. We also got to see some amazing sites, including several recumbent stone circles, some amazing rock art and a couple of beautiful churches.  

Plimsolls & Wet Feet

Outfit
Wow, I never would have thought life would get busier after all my major time constraints (ie full time education) finished, but the past few weeks have been crazy busy and absolutely wonderful. I spent a weekend away with my mum exploring archaeological sites in the Aberdeen area, which involved being stuck up there for an an extra day due to wind, I was gutted when I missed being involved in the 48 Hour Film Festival, although I am going along to the award ceremony this evening, and I have spent an amazing amount of my time hanging out with friends who are soon leaving to join the real world. 

These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago, and I am totally in love with this dress, I think white is the perfect colour for summer, although I do have a tendency to make a mess when I wear it...
Dress: Primark, Shoes: Primark, Caridgan: Primark

I don't think I am too good when I have too much time on my hands, so I was thinking of trying to come up with a post schedule of some kind. Do you guys find it helps if you put aside specific time for blogging? Or it it more when you can? Hope you have all had a wonderful couple of weeks. 

Jolly Spiffing


Is it just me, or does anyone else find it incredibly relaxing to curl up with a children's book? I love it, the lack of tension, my familiarity with the story, it is my favourite thing to do on a rainy day. Normally at this time of year I would be really frustrated by a couple of days of rain in a row, but I've been feeling a bit off this week so it's been a nice treat to hide out inside and curl up. 

Usually when I have the craving for a book I go with Harry Potter, or maybe one of the Narnia books, but this time I thought I would go further back into my childhood. 

Enid Blyton was my favourite author when I first learnt to read, I was desperate to go on an adventure, find smugglers or rescue someone who had been kidnapped. I even briefly wanted to go to boarding school, like Darrell in the Malory Towers stories. Even when I stopped reading them I refused to get rid of them, the photo you can see above is part of a doubled up shelf of Enid Blyton books I own, which made it really easy when I decided to pick one up over the weekend. 


I decided to go with the Adventure series in the end, although I have to say I am tempted by the Famous Five. Does anyone remember the tv series they did of it in the mid 90s? I think my parents might still have it on video somewhere... Definitely something to hunt out if we are going to have a rainy summer.

Do you guys have any favourite children's books, or authors? And how to you feel about getting rid of books? If I enjoy something I hate to get rid of it, I just know I will want to buy it again anyway. Not to say there have been lot of bits of bad bits of fiction that have gone to my local charity shop. 

Speaking of second hand books. If any of you are in Edinburgh this week the Christian Aid Booksale is on at St Andrew and St George's Church on George St and it is absolutely wonderful. I've popped along today but I'm heading back tomorrow to take some pictures and see if I can find anything interesting. There is every type of book imaginable there, along DVDs, videos, CDs, vinyls and even some original artwork. Maybe you'll see me there. 

Late Night Baking

Making Things
Is there anything better than lemon and ginger tea with fairy cakes as a midnight snack? I think not. 

Can't you see the satisfaction in my face? (And the terrible roots - thank god they are gone now)

I couldn't sleep on Monday night so I decided to do a little bit of impromptu baking. I figured at best it would wear me out, and at worse I would be able to pig out on cake for the next couple of days. I couldn't find my favourite recipe book, so after a quick scour of google I ended up with Nigella Lawson's Ultimate Fairy Cake's Recipe.



I totally adore my mums old mixer, she has a sparkly new one, but I have so many memories of baking with her using this one I just don't think they taste the same without it.





According the to the recipe you are meant to leave them in the oven for 25 minutes but I found that was far too long. I took the dogs out for a quick walk and when I got back 15 minutes later they were nearly burning. Luckily, they still taste good. By the time I had finished it was well past 1am so I didn't ice them, but I can always do it as I eat them.

PS - This post originally went up on Thursday but disappeared into the Blogger Blackhole. Hopefully it'll stay up this time

Spring Rain

"My Pack"
Despite the fact the weather was pretty miserable at the end of last week, I couldn't resist popping out and taking some photos. I actually kind of love the typical, miserable Scottish weather, it's a wonderful excuse to pull out some of my more wintery stuff and layer up. Besides, it gives me something to do while I sit in the park with the dogs.

Coat: H&M Jumper: Primark Boots: Primark Jodhpurs: H&M, Hat: My Granny

I was really excited about these boots when I spotted them, but thinking back now I might have just  been excited by the £5 sticker on them, I like the height (even if it does make me look like a giant) and the colour is okay, but I'm really not sure about the whole visible zip thing. Ah well, just shows I need to stop impulse buying.

Oh yes, and the hair, everyone has been so lovely about it when it was red, but I was getting angsty for a change. I don't have any piercings or tattoos, but I change my hair colour more than anyone else I know. This was kind of the inbetween stage, meaning I had bleached it but it was looking horrible and the colour was all patchy. I've fixed it up now thanks to Nice and Easy Light Auburn so I should have some photos of the finished product in the next few days.

How'd all your weekends go? I've been super busy the past  few weeks but I'm looking forward to some relaxation, having time to do some writing and a weekend away with my mum.

About Me: April 2011

About Me

Okay, strictly it isn't April anymore, but we'll just pretend this came up three days ago, okay?

Ten, Nine, Eight

Ten Whats

1. What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up? How is it 11am already?
2. What did you do last night? Last night I looked after a very ill puppy and then went for a drink at a friends house
3. What is the most important part of your life right now? I don't think any one part of my life is taking over from the others at the moment. Although studying probably should be...
4. What would you rather be doing right now? Sitting on a beach, somewhere warm and drinking cheap beer. 
5. What did you last cry over? Watching the Extreme Makeover Home Edition marathon last Monday I teared up a couple of times (I'm a complete sap)
6. What always makes you feel better when you are upset? My family (especially the puppies)
7. What are your plans for tomorrow? I'm hoping to study, see Hesther, go over to John's for the evening and get an early night
8. What are you worried about? My education, money, the future, probably the same as everyone else...
9. What are you looking forward to most this week? Dogsitting this weekend
10. What is directly to your right? A cup of white tea - yum. 

Nine Have-You-Evers

1. Have you ever liked someone with a boyfriend or girlfriend? A long time ago, and never again, it only leads to heartbreak. 
2. Have you ever had your heart broken? Yes, but I really believe it is healthy to have loved and lost, it makes you appreciate it so much more
3. Have you ever played on a sports team? In high school I was a goalie for the hockey team, and later on I joined the curling team
4. Have you ever been out of the country? Yes, most recently Romania, Italy and Sweden, but not for a year and a half
5. Have you ever had the cops called on you? Not me specifically, but they have turned up at a couple of parties I've been at
6. Have you ever been stabbed in the back by a friend? No one who really mattered
7. Have you ever dated someone younger than you? Yes, by 10 months
8. Have you ever read an entire book in one day? Frequently, when I get in to something I just cannot put it down
9. Have you ever been in love? Yes

Eight Whos

1. Who was the last person you saw? My brother
2. Who was the last person you hugged? Tuppence (my Yorkie) to make him feel better
3. Who was the last person you called? My parents
4. Who was the last person to call you? My parents
5. Who was your first crush? Paul McCartney
6. Who was the last person to text message you? John, just before I met him last night
7. Who was the last person you texted? Sean, to let him know I was coming to visit him
8. Who did you last yell at? I don't think I have yelled at anyone for a while, so probably the boy just after we split up 6 months ago

Seven Whens

1. When was your last shower? I showered last three days ago, but I had a long bath last night so I don't smell or anything
2. When did you last see your mum? Yesterday morning
3. When was your last hug? This morning
4. When did you last dress up? I play dress up every day 
5. When was the last time you cried? Haven't I already answered this? It was last Monday
6. When did you last do the the movie theatre? I've not been since I saw Harry Potter in January
7. When were you born? August 23rd, 1987, and roughly 8am

Six Wheres

1. Where do(es) your best friend(s) live? Dundee, Edinburgh, London and a couple of travelling through China at the moment
2. Where did you last go? Stirling, to visit family
3. Where did you last hang out? In the park with the dogs
4. Where did you go to school? George Heriots and the Royal High
5. Where is your favourite place to be? Wherever the people I love are, although when I am stressed nothing beats walking by the Water of Leith with the pups. 
6. Where did you sleep last night? In my bed, where else?


Five Do/Does


1. Do you like someone right now? Does Jackson Rathbone count? 
2. Do they like you too? I'm gonna go with no, seeing as I'm not sure we have ever been in the same country. 
3. Do you ever wish you were someone else? Occasionally I wish I could do things like other people, but actually being someone else, no thanks. 
4. Do you know the muffin man? Who lives on Drury Lane? 
5. Does the future scare you? Of course, but no more than is healthy


Four Whys


1. Why are you best friends with your best friends? Because they are the best people I know
2. Why did you start blogging? Originally I had a private blog which I used as a diary - it felt more secure than paper. I started this blog to encourage myself to make an effort and give myself something to do after a bad break up. 
3. Why did your parents give you the name you have? My grandmother approved of it, she was an opinionated lady
4. Why are you doing this survey? (Is it just me who hates questions like this?) To get to know the people who read this a little bit better I guess...

Three Ifs

1. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? The ability to do magic (I want to be the female Harry Potter)
2. If you could go back in time and change one thing, would you? I would go back and work harder at my education
3. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one thing, what would it be? Probably Nikki, she would keep me sane, plus she is a nurse so insanely useful

 Two Would-You-Evers


1. Would you ever be friends with someone again, who you promised yourself you never would be, because they were mean to you? I made plenty of mistakes in my youth, so I would like to think I wouldn't judge them and just forgive and forget
2. Would you ever shave your head to save the person you love?  Of course, it is just hair, although I would complain about it a lot after


One

Name a dream you wish to fulfil: To die happy, with no regrets

Well, I don't know if you guys feel like you know me any better, but this was a wonderful way to waste an hour. 

Frolick

Adventures
Despite a shaky start on Friday the sun finally came out over the weekend, which in Edinburgh means one thing - a picnic in the meadows. A couple of friends and I foraged through our respective homes and ended up with a mini feast, which we took up the road with us where we camped out for the afternoon to watch the cricket. 




Outfit: Primark both new and second hand


I think this hat is going to be a staple of my summer, I completely adore it! It is also perfect for tucking my hair in to when I get too warm, it is fantastic. I love the pattern on this Primark dress as well, although the cut doesn't look great on me - maybe if I have time I will take it in later, but for £5 I can hardly complain.

Have you guys used the long weekend to do anything special? I loved getting the chance to just sit outside for a while, and to eat my Easter eggs. Yum.