A month in pictures: October and November

Now, don't judge me, but I am aware that I haven't actually posted last months Instagram mosaic yet, so here we have a two in one post - both October and November's month in pictures. So what did I get up to in October? Well...

I celebrated my 21st birthday, bought bread from the Lewes farmer's market, did a bit of autumnal cooking with a mushroom risotto, had a little package through the post from my Mum, made a Monday morning much more bearable with a Cath Kidston mug and moomin spoon, got going on a new cross stitch project for someone's Christmas present, baked a chocolate and banana loaf...

...and then wrapped it up in brown paper and string (whilst loudly singing songs from the sound of music), ate said chocolate-banan loaf in the staffroom at work, did yet more cross stitch preparation and watched the stormy skies from my bedroom window.

And in November...

I went to london with Mum and had the long anticipated paella in Covent Garden, we started singing new Christmas music at choir, Mum bought me a marzipan piglet from Harrods, I had my first gingerbread latte of the year, did a bit of christmas cross stitch on the train, practically lived in this lecture theatre for a day, burnt the first christmas scented candle of he year, did more chrstmas singing at choir, had an extended weekend in Dorset to celebrate Mum's birthday and had snuggles with this dozy lump of fluff...

...made marble cupcakes for Mum's birthday (and then forgot to take photos of the finished product), had more snuggles with Hector, saw the Christmas tree go up on campus and finally treated myself to a couple of cute Christmas decorations.

Sorry for such a long, picture laden post. I had a feeling that if I didn't do it now I never would and we most certainly can't have a gap in the month in pictures series now can we?

Happy Friday,

aLittleBlonde xx

PS You can find me on instagram as @aLittleBlonde or you can see my online profile here

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Accidental Christmas purchases

Just a quick post today whilst the photos for my next post are brewing and the dinner is cooking. I popped into one of the gift shops I frequent in Lewes earlier for a quick browse (fatal I know!) and saw these two. I did, however manage to be very self-restrained and refrain from buying them to save my pennies.

However, when I had to walk past the shop again this afternoon after my second trip to the supermarket to pick up the stuff I forgot the first time my self-restraint wavered a little bit and look what I accidentally bought....

Oops! I was a very good girl and managed to underspend on my weekly shop so thought I'd treat myself. Plus I've been meaning to make gingerbread for ages and had no suitable tin to store and transport it to work in so the tin was kind of an essential... kind of. And who wouldn't love the little wooden snowman calendar, hey?

Happy Wednesday,

aLittleBlonde xx

PS The tin appears to be made by dotcomgiftshop and you can find it here. I love that shop!

The Christmas ban is lifted!

I've been such a good girl and managed to hold off from mentioning the c-word for so long now, but now that's it's November I can finally say it. Yes, Christmas is coming! Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! As you may have guessed, I am quite excited that it is now only 29 sleeps away!

Despite having kept quiet about all things chrimbo on here it has gradually been seeping into my life over the past few weeks. What with various blogs I read starting to talk about making things for Christmas or writing about how they refuse to talk about Christmas yet, the general invasion of Christmas features in the various magazines I read and, probably most influentially, the fact that I've been surrounded by and selling Christmas items at work since the beginning of September. Personally I think I've been quite restrained until now! And yes, you heard it right, they did indeed have me sticking a display of Christmas items (mostly sweeties!!!) on the first of September. September, I ask you! Even for me that's a bit early!

Anyway, I have gradually started making a few Christmassy items and as well as planning and purchasing gifts. Want to have a peak at what I've been making? Well, I've started 3 different new projects for Christmas to date - two decorative and one present. I don't want to overload you with too much Christmas in one go, so I'll disperse my new projects over the next few days.

If you've been reading my blog recently you'll already have seen the beginnings of this little guy I've been stitching on the train, who's nearly finished already. I imagine he will be finished in the next couple of days, if not on the train journey to Sussex later.

If you follow my instagram you will also see that I've begun getting into the Christmas mood lately as well - I really am a sucker for a gingerbread latte!

Happy Monday,

aLittleBlonde xx

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Busy, busy, busy!

I apologize again for it being so long since I last dropped by. Whichever part of me thought it would be easy to balance the final year of a Psychology degree, a weekend job, write a blog and have some free time for craft was obviously just a little deranged! So what have I been up to since we last spoke? Well...

Mum came to visit a and I was a bit rubbish with remembering to take photos, we had a quick shopping trip to Brighton, including an expensive trip to Cath Kidston (thank heavens for student discount!), we paid a visit to the land of the blue and yellow flags, spent too much money yet again, ate meatballs, went on an adventure to London, had paella in Covent Garden, went to Harrods, was overwhelmed by how the other half live - they even sell puppies. Puppies I tell you! And, the main reason for Mum's visit - we went to the Hollywood Costume Exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum. It was a great exhibition and I thoroughly recommend a visit, regardless of what era film you're into. Particular highlights for me where the LBD from Breakfast at Tiffany's, Eliza Dolittle's flower seller outfit from My Fair Lady, Elle Woods' pink outfit complete with pillbox hat and bag for Bruiser from Legally Blonde and of course the classics - the blue gingham dress and red sparkly shoes from the Wizard of Oz and Marilyn Monroe's white dress - you know the one!

Image source: V&A Museum Website

It was a truly brilliant exhibition, if a little crowded, despite entry being ticketed within specific time slots. I also completely understand why strictly no photography was allowed, however I think they missed a real trick in not selling a programme with a few photographs and some information about the exhibition and some of the costumes. They sold a book with lots of photos and a guide through the exhibition, but with a £25 price tag it was a bit out of my range! The Hollywood inspired gifts and pieces of costume jewellery available in the shop were a nice touch though.

Image source: V&A Museum Website

Since then I've generally spent my time catching up on work, completing coursework and beginning the long and laborious process of seeking ethics approval for my planned project that will hopefully become my dissertation. I've also been back for a whirlwind trip to Dorset (all 49 hours of it!) to watch WOW Youth Musical Theatre's production of Oliver on Wednesday and then help out backstage on Thursday. In fact, I was in Dorset when I started this post, but I dare say I'll be back in East Sussex by the time I've finished!

However, despite all the rushing about I have had the chance to do a little bit of stitching, mostly on the train I have to admit. When I first started stitching on the train when travelling between East Sussex and Dorset over the summer I noticed the odd funny look from people on the train. However this week I was a girl on a mission. No amount of funny looks or snatched overheard conversation was going to put me off! Needless to say this little guy is nearing completion already

I am also aware I haven't managed to post October's month in pictures yet. What can I say? I'm sorry, it's a work in progress. I've also written 4 more posts that will be published automatically over the next couple of days, seeming as according to my rules I am now officially allowed to start using the C-word!

So, so long fare thee well, pip pip cheerio, we'll be back soon! (spot the naff reference to Oliver)

Happy Saturday, 

aLittleBlonde