My Love Affair with Newquay and The Island

For a lot of people my age, their childhood holidays weren't spent in Spain they were spent on the coast of the UK, whether their parents' preference was Barmouth, Swange or Skegness depended on their. My parents loved Newquay.

As I was an only child until I was 10, and a very demanding and stroppy child at that, my very patient cousin Zandra was like a sister to me and would come on every single holiday. Whilst she was a tomboy, I was a girly girl. When at home she would climb in trees and I would sit inside and colour but when on holiday this all changed. Holidays were spent paddling in the sea today in our vests and shorts (the concept of swimwear abandoned in haste) and posing on the rocks for pictures pretending to be the Ariel from the Little Mermaid. (Well I did that, Zandra just grinned with a spade in her hand whilst building sandcastles.) The most memorable moments include Zandra reminding us to be careful when in the sea... "Don't go too far out the cherries will get you!" Currents Zandra, currents.

My mom and I paddling in the sea at Newquay

Upcycling and Independents

As you know, I contribute to several magazines but you may not know that on March 1st my first article for FAKE magazine was published. As this issue (their fourth) was based on nature the lovely editors, Kerry and Sophie, asked me to write about upcycling. You can buy the issue here - and if you do make sure to let me know what you think!

As an independent magazine that supports new talent it was the perfect opportunity to highlight some of great independents from across the county and the role upcycling has within their business and on society. The article was accompanied by a specially commissioned illustration by Lucy Driscoll and features:

Yellowstone Art Boutique - Based at Trentham Gardens' retail village, Yellowstone sells work by fresh, exciting new makers and designers. It offers an outlet for the new artists on the contemporary craft scene, whilst concentrating on quality and an attention to detail.

Cellardoor Magazine: Snow Angel

I have been rather lacklustre with my blogging recently. You have probably all forgotten I exist. In case you haven't, I promise to find time to catch you up on some recent activities soon. In the meantime, you can read more of my writing in Cellardoor Magazine. Yes, I admit my lack of blogging is potentially because I have been spreading myself a bit thin and often the thing that gives is the thing with no deadline.

The mini winter issue launched late last night and I have a short story called Snow Angel on p.59. They are a great magazine to contribute to, so much freedom and it is always so beautifully put together. In case you haven't heard of it before you can also find Get it Loud in the Library, a feature of mine, in the Spring Fling Issue (p.78-81) and a short story called Daisy in the End of Summer Issue (p.84).

Valentines Gift Guide

As you can imagine I have had an extremely busy what with starting at Video to Viral last Monday. In addition, right before and during my first week I was working on features for both Area and FAKE magazine. It's always good to see the fruits of your labour though and now the February issue of Area is out! You can pick it up around Birmingham or view online here. My Valentines Gift Guide is on p.34 - 41.

Napping, Cluedo and the Wrong Number

As I know I will be spending most of my time in front of a Mac when I start work tomorrow I have been really trying to stay off my computer until then. (Needless to say this post is a bit of a mess of things - apologies!) I have devoured all but one of the Sookie Stackhouse novels that I got for Christmas (the last is nearly finished too), ate a LOT of Quality Streets (all but the fruity ones) and spent this weekend with my boyfriend.

We seem to have spent most of it napping or "resting our eyes"; I dread to think what I'll be like next week after my first full week back at work in over a year. On Saturday that was very useful as he had made me spend what felt like hours in Boardwise trying to select a pair of snowboarding trousers and I was exhausted. Of course, he brought the ones I had suggested about 10 minutes in.

We did go to see Girl with the Dragon Tattoo... nobody told me it was a who-dunnit, it reminded of a big game of Cluedo. Maybe that's because last Sunday I played a lot of Cluedo with my sisters, tipsy mother (who had only two small glasses of red wine) and one of her dogs. Oscar just couldn't help but poke his nose in...

Dressing for the Office

As I am starting my new job very soon I figured it was about time I invested in some clothes. The office for me is a creative studio so a suit isn't required (nor is it my style) but I did want something that could be adapted to see clients, was fashionable and comfortable enough when sat working at a computer. Oh, and that I could adapt to be wearable in winter. If I see one more pair of 7/8 trousers I may scream, as much as I love them. Oddly enough I don't want my ankles to freeze and this wind is not productive to anything less than full length/thick tights.

Finding clothing that transcends AW11/12 and SS12 is not easy. The process becomes even harder when you try to find something that won't require you to wear heels. My poor ankles are currently very weak (who knows why) and as such heels aren't really suitable for trotting around in all day. I've not had much luck, except for a few items in Next and Oasis, but there are some great new pieces showing up in the spring collections and I can't wait!

 Marks and Spencer

Left: Deco Diva Limited Top £35, M&S trousers £25, Shoes £29.50, Earrings £12.50, Watch £25

Right: Park Avenue Autograph Top £45, Trousers £45, Shoes £29.50

Happy New Year

Now if you aren't already its time for you to sit down because I have something to tell you. It's 2012. Can you believe it? I can't. This year is the Olympics, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and my 24th birthday. It is also the year that I officially put university behind me and head out into the big wide world. To kick that off I'm starting a placement at Video to Viral in Birmingham in a few weeks. It's a busy year, and one I'm excited about, so of course I celebrated in style...

I went to Hull to see my boyfriend and on New Years Eve Eve we went for some impromptu drinks at the pub, which of cause led into a long night that left us a little worse for wear on New Years Eve. Due to this there was no posh outfit, no expensive entrance fees or queueing 5 deep at the bar, no dancing and no drunkenness. We woke up very late, had a team nap with his flatmate around 7 (by which I mean we all fell asleep in the living room watching television, not that we all snuggled down together) and woke up to see in the New Year with Jools Holland (only at the last minute for the countdown - I'm not a fan) and drank champagne that he had very thoughtfully purchased and had chilling in the fridge.

Hornsea Beach

I had a great time. New Years Eve Eve is the new New Years Eve don't you know. It meant that on New Years Day we were bright, shiny and smiley so we decided to go to the coast. I've never visited a northern beach, I'm all about Cornwall and Wales, so Hornsea's surprisingly brown sea wasn't quite what I'm used to but I loved it nonetheless. Pottering along the sand and listening to the waves is one of the most relaxing things to do. Oh, and we got back in the car just before the heavens opened from those grey clouds. Amazing timing. I hope my luck continues for 2012 and that you all have a great year.