Sister Act!

Me and my sister, Louise are very handy to eachother. Louise has a degree in marketing and I have a degree in photography.
Louise has become increasingly interested in the crafts over the last couple of years (hands on not witchy poo craft). When Louise went to a tweet up and showcased some work the Brentwood Gazette people asked if she would feature in the newspaper and show how to make a christmas cracker. Unfortumately there wasn't a photographer at hand....in comes my role :)
So here are my pictures of my sister in the Brentwood Gazette. My first public work. Its very exciting!

Have a peek.

Lots of love :) xxx

Interesting/hilarious convo 1

On Monday 12th December 2011, after deep cleaning the spa again I felt well and truly shattered and fairly fed up.
However, Mondays = men only day at spa.
The men are much nicer than the women if not a little flirty but if they aren't chucking flannels at me or shouting at me bout temperature and boob exposure I'm a happy bunny! Anyway, onto the story.

Group of men discover I am doing a course in massage therapy and then produce, with team effort a career plan for me!

First man: You should join the Navy and massage the soldiers, that way you can see the world!

Second man: No, cruise ships! You can definitely see the world and its a bit safer.

First man: Okay, you should work on a cruise ship, get out of this place, see the world until you're 25, then come home and get married!

Third man: Theres just one problem to this plan...are you sea sick?

Me: Oh, I don't actually know.

First man: You'll have to hire a boat, just a paddle boat. Sit in it for a few hours and see how you feel, Then you'll know!

What a brilliant conversation!
How nice for these men to invest thought, imagination and life experiences into my massage therapy career conundrum!

Thank you gentlemen, you have made my week...possibly month.

Frances xxx

11.11.11

Last year as a photography project to celebrate remembrance day I visited the veterans at The Royal British Legion in Muswell Hill

Here were the results.

They were lovely people. Quite shy about having their photos taken but brilliant and patient. They are proud people who have helped carved out country into what it is today.

Frances x

Birdies :)

I have lived at my house for about 15 years now and pretty much every day swallows fly around near my window with their wonderful flight display. 

Today I had the energy to run around getting all the camera equipment together to photography the show :)

I love the formations they make. OK, OK, this is a small group compared to the swarm of swallows famed to cross the skies of Brighton, but these birds are majestic just the same. 

Isn't it great to find something in life that brings you to absolute attention and peace at the same time?

I hope you enjoy these photos.

On the theme, here are the musical stylings of Birdie, a 15 year old singer with the voice of a tweeter hehe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNzCDt2eidg

Frances xxx

Pamper week!!!

So after a weekend of working and then scrubbing down the spa for 3 hours yesterday I decided to treat myself!

A thermal face mask! Sounds off but it literally heats up as it touches your skin which feels very strange and im not entirely sure what the point is! The heat sort of wares out after a while and it was fun, even if i looked like a gremlin for a while hehe!

Ok so my day got a bit naughtier after i invested in a....wait for it...wait for it...

Oh yes! It was wrong but yet soo right! hehe! Ive hidden it out of sight for now :)

Its ok because ive lost 5kg! erm..11 lbs wow yay!

What do you do as a treat or a pamper?

Lots of love xxxx

B for beads!

I realise i have already done B for a photo a day but i couldn't resist including this.

I am pretty proud of this latest craft project. String still to be attached but it should be a decorative item which could go on the christmas tree or wedding table decorations or just simply something nice to have round the house.
I have hand stiched all the beads on myself with a few hurt fingers and a few hundred beads later it is complete!
What do you think?

Lots of love xxx

To make things interesting :)

Hello over there :)

I started a job about a month ago in a spa. I am a spa assistant which is a glorified term for 'cleaner' and 'person customers complain to'. Its not a great job. I get very hot and people arent very nice but I like the staff and feel safe in the knowledge that im doing my job well. Anyway it can get a bit boring so to pull myself through I thought I should try to find the funny side of it all!

The lists.

I have devised two lists so far. Here they are. I hope you can see the funny side too and read in a sarcastic tone!

(Marvin from hitch hikers guide to the galaxy. Grumpiest robot ever...we must be related!)


Odd things people have said to me:

• You sweat because you're fat (Im size 14)
• Why can't i have my chest out? So all these women are shy here but oh no, when they go to a gynaecological doctor they get it all out! 
• You haven't heard of Kirk Franklin because you're white...
• Your not christian and you don't go to church? *rolls eyes*
• Whats the time?...(I was standing next to a giant clock)
• Oh, you only want to do massage?
• I thought this was normal coffee? (Big label saying decafe..gah)
• Is this bottled water? (Big containers of water...no i do not fill them with bloody evian.)
• This drainage tea - what does it drain?
• Your names frosty?
• If you go out with me you can count my money each night before you go to sleep. 
• I'm looking for a 39 year old widow with a big bottom and narcissistic, what do you think my chances are? 

Things i've found so far:

• A bead
• Apple cores
• Nectarine cores
• Peanut shells
• A hair net
• Bikini
• Womens chain necklace
• A clump of hair
• Small clumps of hair
• Hair mayonaise...
• Body creams
• water bottles
• mouldy strawberries in fridge
• Tub of sweat and sour sauce in the steam room
• A flannel over a light in the steam room
• Cotton wool in the flannel bucket
• Half a crisp
• A drawing pin 

I hope you've enjoyed this! 

Frances xxx

Day 12 - A Photo A Day

Day 12 = Anything beginning with B

Bloom!

I love the curled petal of this flower. I hope you enjoy this picture too :)


Frances xxx

Day 11 - A Photo A Day

Day 11 = A cloud formation :)

I like this shot with the bird flying across :)

Ah its nice to see some sun...ill just ignore the gale force winds!

Frances xxx

One Life

Ok, so i've been rubbed up the wrong way and it has inspired me to shout out to those of you who want to improve your lives. Be happy!
As the title of the blog says (which is debatable), there is only one life on earth. Some people feel they need to stick one thing, job, hobby or lifestyle out. Thats not true.
There are so many more opportunities out there now that weren't there before. I have a degree in photography as well as a Btec. I have decided to let that go for now but I have something to fall back on. Instead I am currently studying to become a massage therapist. This is something I have wanted to do for ages. Yes money is tight and I've got to work a rubbish job for a while but I will be happy in my life because ive given myself the opportunity.
Take that risk to improve your life. Don't let others ware you down. It takes a strong person to make that leap.

Here are some links to help you start your mission!

http://www.kickstartcareers.co.uk/workshops.php

http://www.acareerchange.co.uk/

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/career-planning/changing-career-these-days-i-go-home-feeling-relaxed-783829.html

I hope this helps inspire you other there. 

It could be a job change or facing up to a diet and exercise plan. Work out what it is which will make you happy and go for it! 

Theres always a way. 

Love Frances xxx

Day 10 - A Photo A Day

Day 10 = Something fluffy...not living.

This is a mascarade mask i made out of feathers, sequins and felt. I really enjoyed doing this and think it would be fun to make more!

If you want one in a specific colour please ask!

xxx

Day 9 - A Photo A Day

Day 9 = Anything yellow!

We have an Orchid collection of the front room window sill now. I love them, so elegant. They're are kind of annoying though...you just know they know they're pretty...

hehe xxx

Day 8- A Photo A Day

So I'm running around the house today getting lots of things done and catching up with the photo challenge too! ive either been too busy or too exhausted to take part for the last few days but now i have a good burst of energy!

Day 8 = Must have a triangle in it :)

sorry the pic quality isnt great. This is part of the wind chime that hangs in the hallway :) im not sure why its in the hallway exactly but its been there for years and years!

FLuff ;) xxx

Day 7- A Photo A Day

 Day 7= Draw a small picture and take a picture of it.

I've been drawing this kind of pattern since i was 15 years old. Some one I went to school with used to draw patterns, I tried to copy her but decided to draw my own pattern and have been drawing this type of thing ever since. You'll fins them on my note pads and beware not to leave paper hanging around...i will find it hehe!

LOve xxx

Skin care. The ins and outs :)

Hello readers,
Today I fancy talking a bout what makes us feel good, dolled up and ready to paint the town red: skincare, make up and the bits in between :)

Make-up...there is a vicious cycle which starts with make up. spots. We wear make up to look and feel our best but this encourages spots; so we cover up the spots with make up which gives us spots so we cover them up with make up...and so its goes on! But what can we do? A couple of things that i have found that helps is washing the face day a night with a light soap and using face powder rather than cream foundations so the skin can breathe a little. If you have any other suggestions please comment so we can all learn; whether its your favourite product or a tip like eggs in the hair to make it shiny!
Don't forget guys, especially with this on coming winter breeze, we're going to need our moisturiser! I personally use The Body Shop vitamin E moisturiser as it smooths the skin and reduced an itching of dry skin and adds a nice shean. However, it is a little thick and oily so i suggest using this before bed to give it time to sink in and then washing your face the next day.

Whats your moisturiser? The make up moisturising world has matured and combined with this product:

Garnier Skin Naturals, Miracle Skin Protector.
Enough of the face!

HANDS!!!

So I have to attempt to keep my hands nice and soft as I am currently training to become a massage therapist and lets face it, no one wants and sand paper massage! Its a little difficult keeping my hands soft at the moment because I am working as a spa assistant which is a glorified term for cleaner! My hands have become dry and coarse but i have found two great moisturisers! Hurrah!

This is the Almond Daily Hand and Nail cream from The Body Shop. It may seem strange but there aren't any warnings about nut allergies so I'm guessing that its just the scent and no traces but I'd check that! this is great for out and about but if you need something a little more heavy duty how about this:

The Body Shop, Hemp Hand Pretector.
Yes, I'm a fan of body shop products! This one is a life saver. It smells a bit like mud so the reviews are mixed but it helps your hands become supple and does great things for your nails. I like to use this before bed along side the Vitamin E on my face and I wake up a soft as a babys bum bum!

I hope you have enjoyed and this has helped. If you have any tips please comment!

xxx

Day 6- A Photo A Day

Day 6 = anything you want but photographed in landscape rather than portrait.

I was inspired by @CajameCreations blog: http://cajamecreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/let-them-eat-cake.html I just had to get baking! I also made flapjacks but somehow they failed to survive...hehe!

Ive topped my sponge with butter icing, mini smarties and white choc chips!

Yummy!!!

Wild life!!!

Ever since I was young ive been mesmerised by wildlife programmes from Attenborough to Steve Irwin.  I love to find out about sea life along side land animals. I got the Life series for christmas last year which was made by Attenborough! Did you know he has been in film for so long that he has filmed in black and white, HD colour and even 3D!

I find this video from 2011's BBC Proms very fitting + hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Iv7hDxEso

On Sundays on bbc Oceans Giants is on. If you're interested in wild life this ones a smasher! So far it has covered Bowhead who live to around 200 years maybe more, the Orka whale, the Blue whale (biggest animal on the planet!). This programme has explored the intelligence of Dolphins aswell. Definitely watch it!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013q50m

                                               The Bowhead Whale!

                                          This is the Boto Dolphin, found in the Amazon river.

                                            The Narwhal whale, the unicorn of the sea!


Theres so much out there in the big wide world, lifes too short and too expensive to see it all but why not learn about it instead!

lots of love and knowledgy stuff!
xxx

Day 5- A Photo a day

Day 5 = free choice but list 3 reasons why you have chosen it.

This was a tricky one but i have chosen my favourite wooly hat! It would seem that summer has ended here in London and it was blooming freezing last night! I got this hat from Fat Face in Birmingham last December when me and the boyf went and stayed in a fancy hotel with ceiling to floor windows. This was for his birthday. Unfortunately it would seem the sea bass the night before disagreed with me so i sat in the hotel bed with my hat on eating a tub on Ben and Jerrys. Ice cream solves most things and the hat hat helped too!

Lots of love xxx

Day 4 - A Photo A Day

Its day four for me in the photo challenge today which means photographing your favourite cup or mug which is easy for me as I definitely have a favourite mug which holds my much adored tea or hot chocolate!

Here it is :)

Yes, thats right. My KitKat mug! I love red, love chocolate and my family call me kitty, cat or squid...but thats another story! So this one makes me happiest. Also the red hasn't faded so thats a plus.

 Oooh...time for a cuppa i think!

Lots of love xxx

A photo a day! Day 3

Day three = anything edible.

Now, this something edible really could have been anything but it had to be this...ROAST DINNER!

Ive started a new job which is very physically tiring and theres not a lot of time for a proper lunch. However, my amazing mum dished me up this beauty to fuel me for a while when I got home. It was great! You cant beat a good roast. Stuffing is my favourite guys, yes..i would trade potatoes for stuffing! :O there, I said it!

Hehe!

I hope you're all salivating and have early/late roasties too!

Love Love Love xxx

Photo A Day- Day 2

Day two = a pet or stuffed toy!

This is Cindy my beloved Winter White dwarf hamster. Shes very small and sort of flat and actually turns white in winter! Cindy is a curious creature who is rather friendly but if she doesn't know you she'll have a little nibble of your finger to see if your food or not! Hehe!

She likes to read...ok not really. Cindy would rather eat the paper than read it lol!!!

Lots of love and fully stuff! xxx

A photo a day!

Yes thats right guys ive decided to join in! Have a good nose hehe!

Here are the rules so you can join in:

http://sat-child.blogspot.com/p/blog-challenge-rules.html

Day 1- any picture I want to post :)

I converted my sisters old room into my massage room! doesn't it look comfy! A little girly though!

Oh dear, Its been a whole month since I wrote my last blog post. Not good.
Well, lets hope this makes up for it! A little while a go i started using Twitter properly and have gradually been gathering followers!
Its so interesting to discover what and who is out there, and can I say crafts is so much bigger and popular than I realised! It has been a busy month with my older sister moving out, my massage course getting harder and being set homework...weird and I have also got a job in a Spa. I can't help but continuously find great jewellery, home ware and great gifts for all occasions!

Here are a few I've found.

Zara Taylor has produced these creative pieces:

Find more of this jewellery at zarataylor.co.uk and follow her on twitter @zaratayloruk
Celebraties such as Fearne Cotton and Gabriella Ellis have been wearing her jewellery.

Heres more jewellery I found from Storm In A Teacup.

Big, bold, creative items which could be worn from day to day or for the occasional dressy occasion or night out! I love the colours used and vintage effect, It's nice to find someone having fun with their products and executing it well!
You can find more from www.stormteacup.co.uk or follow on twitter @stormteacup

Last but not least for now is Bill and Betty at Home.

There is a lot to chose from this website. The quality is brilliant! I have chosen these items because I am currently in love with the french boudoir vintage style at the moment. What better way to decorate your home then to pick fabulous pieces which will never age.
Find more at www.billandbetty.co.uk and follow on twitter @BillandBettys

I hope you have found some inspiration from my blog today and I hope that my grammar and spelling hasn't been too awful.

Lots of love and fluffy stuff! xxx

Fascinating Fascinators!

I am very excited to say that I have found a new crafty thing for me to do! I love jewellery making, it's a relaxing activity and I enjoy it :)

However, I have decided to start making fascinators and other hair accessories.

I have been making a few today and love it! I have used a variation of different coloured feathers, plastic jewels, felt and hair clips and grip...not forgetting the glue gun which my mum had nicely stored away with a billion glue sticks! 

Here are some I made earlier...always wanted to say that!

                                          This one is my favourite!

I hope you have enjoyed, any tips or advice would be most appreciated! 

x

Weight Loss...yay...

Ok guys so I am officially fed up with my current weight. I have steadily been gathering fat stores incase of sudden hibernation for a while now...ok i've been a piggy. But its time for things to change!
I used to be quite fit and enjoyed feeling, well, alive! Over the last three years i've not moved too much and the sluggish feeling of dragging myself through day to day life is rather irritating.
Im not massive but plump!

Anyway, there is a metal device in the shape of an excersise bike sitting in the backroom gathering dust..lots of dust. Its time to dust that baby off and get going.

That bit I can deal with; what i really need help with is diet!
I'm not much of a chef so my diet is limited.
Your mission readers is to inspire me with deliscous, healthy meals which are relatively easy to make

Thanks guys :D

Hampton Court Flower Show 2011!

For those of you who are interested in plants of all shapes, sizes and colours this event is a great opportunity for you to go and develop great ideas for your garden! For many of us our garden is our haven. The escape and place of peace after a hard day of week at work. So don't be afraid to fill this space with big bold plants as well as the smaller ones!
I only got a half day ticket but would have easily stayed for the entire day. The flower marquee was brilliant and full of colour.

 This is my mum! She her worn the perfect top for flower camouflage! These chairs are lovely. There were a few stands with flower surrounded furniture which gave the perfect picture of what your garden could look like.

There were many brilliant  gardens and one i particulally liked was this pink garden with great levitating tap water feature...im going to have to get one of those.
Here are some more highlights from the show.

The garden by Anglian Windows! Good idea...i get it,  but surely they wont survive for long like that!

What? It was Pimms O'clock!

And after a long day walking around and picking up ideas and eating ice cream, the day was completed with a full rainbow :)

I hope you have enjoyed this post.

x