Fish Facts and Italian Figs

Hello lovelies! 

Oops. It's been a while again, hasn't it? If it helps, I've learned a helluva lot in these past few weeks, and I'm going to share some of it with you now; so settle yo' pretty self down to learn some wisdoms... 

Discovery number 1 was that, apparently, my non-competitive approach to most boardgames (I'm one of those annoying people who genuinely thinks it's the "just taking part" that counts) does NOT apply to Jungle Speed. Essentially, Jungle Speed is a more hardcore, multi-player version of Snap. There might have been an accidental hand-gouging incident and/or a moment when I nearly wrestled a fellow Jungle Speed-er onto the pub floor whilst grappling over the Jungle Speed stick (which looks rather disconcertingly like something you'd find in Anne Summers). It was possibly not my classiest hour, but I like to think the fact that the game is French (the root of all class) gave me a marginal touch of sophistication. Ahem.

[image source]

Secondly, I discovered that (apparently!) some fish like PARSNIPS; something I heard on a recent behind-the-scenes tour of Brighton Sealife Centre, along with a myriad of other aquatic facts. Other gems included the fact that octopuseseses can squeeze their entire body through a hole the size of their beak. Yes - beak. Admittedly, I already knew the beak part, but the idea of a motorbike-sized octopod wriggling through a hole the diameter of a Smarties tube seems rather creepily surreal. 

Say whaaaat?!

I have no idea why I chose those two metaphors, by the way; clearly I have subliminal, repressed urges to join a biker gang with it's own tuck shop. Ok, they're not that repressed. 

Thirdly, thanks to this summer's genius Lego/Sealife Centre collaboration, I can confirm I (somewhat shamefully) adore Girl Lego. I want to stress very strongly here that I am NOT OK with "made for girls" Lego; the idea of girls only being able to Lego Up when it comes in a Barbie-approved colour pallet is equal parts offensive, outdated and ridiculous. But I have to admit, the pink and purple bricks did make constructing a Lego jellyfish much easier; an opinion endorsed by my male Lego playmates. Ha.

I didn't photograph my jellyfish, so here's another fun fact

Number four is a different kind of discovery, and I would be very grateful if you could please all cross, double-cross and triple-cross your fingers (like Heston's triple-cooked chips, but less crispy) for me, because I think I've finally found somewhere to live that is not my parents' futon. I am incredibly grateful to them for the on-going use of said futon, but that hasn't stopped me planning my return to mattress-based solo living (which sounds much filthier than I intended). I intend to stay in bed for AT LEAST two weeks solid. You might need to post me snacks. 

The hot chocolate I bought to celebrate finding a flat.

And the ADORABLE cream tea I had for breakfast the next day. WHAT? I was still celebrating!!

Finally, given the current state of my futon-dwelling back, my general love for all things nice-smelling, and the fact that The Body Shop's coconut perfume is my "Signature Scent", I was excited x 3,000 when I received an invite to The Body Shop's summer range launch at Brighton Marina(!) Although, come to think of it, aside from anosmics, I guess everyone loves nice-smelling things?! Please do let me know if you're the kind of person who would reject a Hot Cross Bun scented candle in favour of Eau Du Unwashed Rugby Socks. 

Baskets of chips = the perfect seaside snack

Apologies; I digress. Post RSVP'ing (accompanying by girlish shrieking), I took Skye on a mini road trip along the seafront (complete with Taylor Swift car-eoke, of course!) to meet the team and hear all about turning my bathroom into a SPATHROOM. GENIUS. The Body Shop girls gave us a whistle-stop tour of the scrummy new products and some of the classics (the Body Shop's equivalent of a little black dress and a Breton top) in their newly branded Beauty Gems range (basically the in-store equivalent of a hot tip from your best friend).

I swear to God, this moisturiser is the best thing I have ever smelled. I wanted to spread it on toast.

We were then treated to a skin consultation session, during which Skye was told that her self-selected skincare products are perfect for her skin, and I apologised profusely for my skincare "routine" of scrubbing my face in the shower and the fact that my chin was covered in flaky pastry after I'd inelegantly devouring this whilst the consultant was talking to Skye: 

After physically forcing myself to put the Kukui moisturiser down, I spritzed on a squirt of their new Indian Jasmine perfume, which was delicious. I then subsequently discovered that I preferred the even more delicious Italian Summer Fig one, and found myself suffering from Spritzer's Remorse (aka a Serious First World Problem). Thankfully, the Body Shop saved the day like a perfectly-exfoliated, animal-cruelty free superhero by putting bottles of the Fig perfume in the goody bags! 

In summary- puns, chips, bubbles and smelly things?! What is NOT to love? OOH - and tiny pots of Eton Mess (I can't believe I almost forgot those!) 

Have you discovered any fun fish facts recently? 

Wishing you all a magical weekend full of adventures; like a grown-up version of an Enid Blyton novel- sponsored by red wine and brunch.

Katie xxx

Announcement: I have an annoucement

In the immortal words of Britney Spears: "It's Britney, bitch". 

No, wait, I mean- "Do you want a piece of me?"

To clarify; I am not trying to start a fight in Wetherspoons, nor am I selling my organs on the black market (I doubt they're worth very much, to be honest- they're pretty much all full of cheesecake). Instead, I have decided to open an Etsy shop letting people buy some of my crafty pieces. 

The reason behind deciding to sell the stuff I have been scribbling on recently is because: 

1. I do not have any more room for new craft projects, but I can't stop crafting- it's like a glittery disease I tell you! 

2. I am seriously, like, SUPER jealous of my fellow bloggers and their brilliant, successful Etsy/Folksy shops. I am doggedly ignoring the fact that they have more talent in their be-ringed, crocheting little fingers than I do in my entire cheesecake-stuffed body :p

3. My Etsy shop has actually been sitting around empty since about 2008; it's just taken me this long to decide what I wanted to put in it. I reckon I've finally tracked down my niche in the craft world, and feel it's time to fill it with ceramics covered in octopuses.

I've spent most of today up to my eyebrows in porcelain pen and second hand ceramics, and I'm hoping to upload my first products tomorrow once I've fired them in my kiln (aka, the oven) and checked they haven't cracked from the heat. It's a tricky business this, well, business malarky. 

You can visit my little shop here, although it's currently empty so may not be very fun to shop in today. In the meantime, here's a little sneak peek of my new wares for your eyes only:

Katie xxx

Pottery Pens Fun Time

Hello lovelies!

I hope December is treating you well :) In case you hadn't noticed, I've been feeling particularly crafty recently and whipping up all manner of Christmassy things (including candy cane, snowflake and dinosaur tree decorations, pom pom bunting, and an advent calendar) but after spotting Laura from Wrapped Up In Rainbows' fantabulous tutorial for Aztec-print mugs I knew I needed to DROP EVERYTHING AND DRAW ON POTTERY IMMEDIATELY. 

So I bought a pack of these super-easy-to-use felt-tip style pens for ceramics, grabbed some plain crockery from the kitchen, and hunted for some inspiration. I found this amazing design in the baby section at Threadless (if you've never visited the Threadless shop before you may want to hide your wallet!) which I copied onto a little sandwich plate - 

I designed this one myself, in tribute to the temporary felt-tip tattoo I sported during my Staycation with Fran in 2008. Also because octopi are awesome. 

My camera did something weird with the colours- he's turquoise in real life 

After spotting these festive beauties on etsy I decided the mugs I was drawing on also needed a festive surprise at the bottom; which would only be revealed once all of the tea mulled wine they contained had been consumed. 

For the outside of the first mug, I headed back to Threadless again and found this cutey-pie. 

I can't seem to settle on a design for the second mug; so I'm going to wait for inspiration to strike before firing them all in our oven to set the ink. If you've got any ideas for designs please do let me know/send me a link :)

Katie xxx

Super Stuff

Hello lovelies :)

Hope you're all having brilliant weekends! I wanted to share some of my latest discoveries with you, to try and banish the Sunday night blues...

I was recently introduced to the Rules of Tea Duelling, and can't wait to take part in one. Anyone fancy a challenge? 

My fabulously talented friend Lucy has opened an Etsy shop. I cannot stress enough how beautifully made Lucy's products are; she certainly doesn't subscribe to my "Bodge It Until It Looks Ok From Far Away" style of crafting.  Lucy's also got some gorgeous Halloween bunting up at the moment; perfect if you're planning to throw a scary soiree!

Lucy's spook-tacular Halloween bunting

I wish I had the space, money, and general piratical fabulousness to pull off this chair:

How fun are these cups? A ceramic version of the classic Heads, Bodies, Legs drawing game, in three different combinations of characters. 

I've just stumbled across Mellybee and fallen in love with everything in the shop. I'd definitely recommend checking the site out get some bargain Christmas presents in early. These are some of my favourite pieces:

I've mentioned how much I love Color Me Katie before, but particularly loved her recent post that included lots of stunning pictures of colour-coordinated toys. 

I'm a bit in love with the purple camel

This: 

And, last but definitely not least, I was seriously psyched to find out Tiger has opened a shop in Brighton!!! Eeep! I met up with two girlfriends yesterday specifically to go Tiger shopping, and we all went just a little bit crazy. It's like Paperchase, the homewares section of Ikea and Rice gave birth to a three-way baby.  

These are some of the goodies that I bought (afraid I can't show you all of them, because some of the things I bought are presents. This year I am determined to be Totally Prepared for Festivemas), and I think they were pretty bargainous too!

1. Black candles for my Halloween party - £1 for little one, £2 for big one
2. Extendible duster (owning one of these makes me far happier than it probably should) - £1
3. Adorable sewing tin - £2 (which I thought was a bargain anyway, and then I found out it was full of sewing equipment too! Pins, scissors, needles, thread, needle threader, unpicker, tape-measure, thimble...) 
4. Tiny ceramic-lid storage jars - 2 for £1. I have to admit they're a bit rubbish at sealing tightly shut, so probably wouldn't keep spices etc. very fresh, but they're perfect for storing buttons
5. Plastic toothpicks/cocktail sticks - £1
6. Beautiful pink size 6 crochet hook - £2. Tiger has loads of different colours and sizes, all £2. 
7. Wooden chopsticks - £2. 

What have you discovered recently that's made you smile? Please do share!

Katie xx