TEAR SHEET TUESDAY :: 008

i treated myself to an easter vogue. i don't buy it every month as i used to for so many years but i occasionally feel the urge now and then and the may 2009 issue holds a gem of a fashion story alongside stella tennant's diary of the trip to damascus...so i'm not disappointed that i gave in to the glossiness.

i only happened to pick up the issue by accident though. i find the covers hit and miss. something like this from the inside on the outside would have had me running for the counter with my pennies...ok pounds then.

to me her haircut is the best. it is inspiring me to go for the chop. a bit more blondiness wouldn't go amiss right now either. i may be armed with bleach and dangerous by the weekend!

(photos :: tom craig)

LET THE EASTER TREATS BEGIN

dark chocolate nests have been made here. and i have eaten most of them already greedy person that i am...the next batch must be given away before i have more moments of weakness! and another batch must be made or that packet of shredded wheat just sits at the back of the cupboard until it goes out of date for the following easter.

it is so good to be on holiday for a long weekend. four days in a row is heavenly right now and we've got a few nice things planned to do plus a whole lot of time with nothing planned which my other half is particularly fond of being the spontaneous creature that he is! i fancy a go at dyeing some eggs as seen here...an old red cabbage in the fridge is calling me to try this. hope you enjoy your time off too wherever you may be and whatever you may be up to. my good intentions begin again next tuesday!

p.s. i'm loving whatever you are be a good one...from one of my favourite etsy shops paloma's nest

edited to add a photo of the dyed eggs...such lovely colours...it'll be hard to break those shells at lunchtime!

LONG LIVE LOVE

this day last year i did something pretty awesome...something i have never done before and probably won't again. i set up a blind date. and today they are celebrating their anniversary number one!

and even better the couple are one half my cousin and the other a very old school friend.

i am not a spontaneous person but for some reason i was that day. love is the best!

CALLING FRIENDS IN THE NORTH

well to be more specific in manchester!

i am travelling your way...for a little weekend break with my c. we are off to a do with gaelic football players aplenty past and present...dinner suits and posh frocks and lots of speeches and maybe the odd guinness...but i plan to sneak in some time to rekindle the flame with a city dear to our hearts (where we met nearly 15 years ago!) i am really excited to see how the city has changed and hopefully how it hasn't in places.

it's been a long time since we stepped out there and i wondered if any of you have suggestions of what a girl (ok. and. boy) should see/do in 48 hours?? i'm thinking along a creative line...exhibitions...a gem of maybe a shop or two...a great place to eat would be rather handy. hey it's only fair as i am giving half the stay over to the st. brendan's team!

SPRING SALTWATER

just a few favourites from the new collection. i love the name of this label. and on a spring sunny day like today i would love to don that dragonfly scarf. can't wait to bring that lightness into what i wear now it feels like a new season is really starting. you can now shop online. their website is here. dangerous!

(all these beautiful images are by saltwater)

A SPRING QUILT FOR BOSCO

another day...another excuse to spoil mr b. ikea linen print with some amy butler garden maze and a bit of ochre satin slub...all backed with a remnant from an old ikea quilt. he's in a mustardy mood this season.

this one is on our bedroom windowsill. you see he has different lookout posts and snoozing spots for different times of the day. because cats can you know. and you can't get quite as comfy on a plain wooden sill.

it's very important to be able to keep an eye on the goings on at front of the house.

if i had a girl cat i think i'd have no choice but to make something like this...how wonderful!

FANCY LACE IDEAS

a few web finds to share this saturday...

i am planning to pretty up my parcels with this tape from rockett st george

make breakfast-time special with a rubber lace tablerunner from design my world
{check out the bargain placemats too}

serve home-baked treats on these sweet doilies from plumo

and begin many projects as i have these beauties! they were passed my way by my very kind aunt lynda who has been having one major clearout...i have been so lucky to have bag-fulls dropped on my doorstep of the most wonderful trimmings and some quirky finds that i'll show and tell soon.