Girl from a small town...: 2010

Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas to you all, I am blogging today from the sunshine of Tenerife where I am here for the New Year celebrations and thought I would do my Christmas 2010 update.

Christmas this year must have been a snowy day for most in the UK, but it always feels so much more Christmassy when you can have the fire roaring to open your presents.

Christmas day went really well, the first christmas in our new home, first Christmas as man and wife and my first time cooking christmas day dinner for the inlaws. Thank god for Marks and Spensers thats all I can say.

I am always spoilt at Christmas time, but did recieve just what I asked for; yes my glue gun!

Although I don't look that excited in the photograph, I really was. It probably just took me 20 minutes to unwrap it! haha x

As usual at Christmas I was joined by my little brother, I say little brother but he's 26 in a few weeks. He thought it humourous to wrap my christmas presents in such a fashion that I sustained a papercut! haha x I really was shattered, there must have been 50 layers of paper with the odd layer of cling film and cardboard thrown in for good measure. What a joker!

Never ending christmas present, I think this one's a record!

Merry Christmas to you all and a very happy New Year xxxxx

Go Vintage...

I intend to embrace my curves post the christmas indulgence, and go a little bit "dita von tease" by injecting my waredrobe with a bit of vintage.

I recently inherited part of my mums vintage handbag collection, so its only fair to embelsh with a few choice evening items, note evening items, I am thinking 50's pin-up not granny day wear.

Check out one of my favourite blogs at this site below
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PennyDreadfulVintage

However check out the master site at etsy.com you can buy lots of vintage or handmade items for yourself or your home, and the best is yet to come. You can also sell items like these yourself. http://www.esty.com/

So any vintage magpies who want to buy and sell, this is the site and well worth a check.

Check out these 50's originals for around £80 each

However you don't always have to go the full monty with vintage, there is always vinatge inspired outfits, or what I like to call vintage of the future.

Check out Dita's summer look below in a relatively modern vintage inspired vivienne westwood dress.

Or these fun summer dresses to brighten any waredrobe (yes I am thinking of summer already!) again around £80 from etsy.com, don't miss out. Check it out!

Don't fancy floral or pin-up then try the sophiticated hepburn look with a shift dress

All available at monsoon, but I have my eye on one of these already my lovely ladies!

I want a glue gun for Christmas!

Project wedding is now back in full swing and I have so many ideas to put my craft making skills into action.

My latest fasination, is with a lady called Sheena Holland.

Sheena Holland is the Original Feather pad Headband creator and has graced the pages of fashion magazines, such as Vogue.

Sheena's headbands are one off pieces using only Antique and Vintage jewellery. Her clients have included singers Pink and Lily Allen amongst otherpeople, each piece is hand-made and can be bespoke. Bespoke pieces start at £145, owch!

an expensive fansination you might say but I have inside knowledge and intend to craft a few of these beauty's for myself.

All I need is 1 x silver headband, 1 x piece of thick felt, 1 x selection of beautiful feathers, 1 x selection of old vintage style jewllery, brooches or broken necklaces and finally 1 x glue gun...

So ladies, get raiding the charity shop for me, I need more jewels!

Keep watching this space, and I will give you a step by step guide or alternatively let you know when I have glue'd the feathers to my new dining room table! haha x

Long lost update

I just remembered I haven't done an update since the money pitt became my home.

Check out the before and after and thanks to Andrew for all of his hard work throughout the entire house xxx

Before:

After:

Reflexology

I always like to keep my life busy and my brain active so I have recently joined a Holistic Therapy School to learn Reflexology. Its a 12 month course for which I will receive a full vocational certificate in Reflexology, allowing me to practice on willing clients.

So what is Reflexology?

Reflexology is complementary therapy, which works on the reflexology points on the feet or hands to aid healing to the whole person not just to prevailing symptoms.

Reflexology may be used to help restore and maintain the body's natural equilibrium. This gentle therapy encourages the body to work naturally to restore its own healthy balance.

There is some suggestion that reflexology may aid:

Stress related conditions, Back Pain, Headaches, Fertility Issues, sleep disorders and hormonal imbalances to name a few...

Around the world and throughout history, reflexology has been rediscovered time and time again. Archeological evidence points to ancient reflexology medical practices in Egypt (2330 BCE), China (2704 BCE) and Japan (690 CE).

I was amazed that straight away I was able to detect the areas on my feet which directly link to known medical conditions. It's really is amazing, and if you would like to have a taster session, I need clients for my course so let me know.

I still love weddings!

I don't know what it is about weddings, but I love them.

I just can't get enough of all the excitement of planning, creating and seeing people so in love plan their futures together its amazing!!

I am still lucky that I have another 2 wedding to enjoy in 2011 and so still get to send you all my ideas.

I found a great blog today called "I DIY"

It's fantastic for downloading information on how to make crafts for your wedding and even downloading vintage labels that you can print.

Check it out at: www.i-do-it-yourself.com

I also get to grow as many flowers as I can for my friends wedding next year, I am really looking forward to crafting and gardening on a larger scale.

Check out the colourful ideas:

Top tip: Remember to find out what flowers are in season for your wedding. Maybe consider growing your own, and don't forget potted plants. These can be arranged same a normal flower displays but will last for the rest of the year. These would make great gifts for your guests to take home and can often be grown from seed in a small greenhouse.

Get Creative

Since I have got married, I have unleased my craft making skills.

I love it and its the perfect way to de-stress and make some lovely gifts, or just nice things for your home.

I must admit I love Kirtsies Home made homes

gets some ideas for making your own craft by visiting:

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/kirstie-s-homemade-home/

or just visit me instead!

Girls Christmas Nights Out and Shells Birthday Dec 2010

Presseco, cocktails, chinese, Karaoke and dancing.

Always my favourite combination for a night out.

Oh and check out the entertainment....... I feel sorry for the couple in the corner trying to have a romantic meal! hahahaha xx....... and did I just spot Miss Dodd's having a snooze!

Cath & Andy get Married - Aug 2010

August 14th 2010 saw Miss Catherine Smith become Mrs Reay and a fantastic day was had by all, the sun shone and I was bridesmaid. Congratulations to my special friends xxx

Wedding Garden Party

Super Sunday 30th May 2010, and yet another sunny day for wedding celebrations. Makes a change, the last party we had in the garden was for my graduation and it chucked it down.

Althought the day was to celebrate our wedding, it has officially been renamed "vinstock"

Plenty of live music and a stage in the garden, not to mention a bar!!

Hope you like the pictures!!

Thanks to the John Doe Band, Syfa and Sugarfoot and everybody who joined us for the celebrations.

Best Wedding Picture Poll

Well as I said earlier, we can't decide which is our favourite and it took ages to pick out just nine so we are putting it to the vote, as to which picture should hang on the wall in our new living room. Haha x

Photo 1: