The Power of a Playlist

Image from We Heart It

Recently, I was sorting through some old boxes and in between the old school files and photos, I came across an old mix tape made for me by my best friend Alex back when we were in college. It was called Depressed 2000 and it was obviously made for a time when we were feeling rather sorry for ourselves! But, I put it on in my car (I must be the only person who still has a car cassette player?!) and I was instantly transported back to a fantastic time in my life. Even though the selection was supposed to be depressing (Idlewild, Coldplay, erm even some Britney Spears?!) I had such a blast listening to it and reliving the memories that each song gave me. I laughed out loud and instantly rang my friend to laugh with her, laughing at the memories of Halloween parties, dyed green hair and baking mishaps.

It got me thinking- is there anything more powerful than a good playlist to take you back in time? My strongest memories are always associated with music. From the Genesis and Queen playlists of my childhood, to the mix me husband and I put together for our wedding in Italy and the journey there and back. I am starting to put together an amazing playlist for our trip to NYC and I am really enjoying it, there is nothing like a great playlist.

Do you love the power of a playlist?

Super Sequins

Images from sweet-station/ Virginiae Echeverria

Wow, how is it Monday already? Hope you all had a great weekend, what did you get up to? My weekend was filled with thrift shopping, Olympics and BBQs- a pretty great combination! I love these sequin collages from Virginiae Echeverria. The textures, colours and sequins (come on!) are prefect for brightening up a Monday afternoon.

Happy Sunday

Happy Sunday! I have absolutely loved the last week, the sunshine that has finally come out has been amazing which means I have been out and about every day to make the most of it- as these instagram photos show! Hope you have all had a great week.

Here are some fun links for you to check out this weekend- clouds, Olympics and coffee included.

Love this ribbon tied around the foot. So simple and effective!

This iced coffee recipe is amazing.

I love this page of amazing bedroom ideas.

Slow down, lie down and enjoy the clouds. Really.

Are you watching the Olympics? These photos from the early Olympics are amazing.

Let's Go To The Beach

Images from Gray Malin

Yes, it's Friday. This week has been long. I am so excited about the weekend though- what are your plans? We're watching the Olympics opening ceremony tonight (surprisingly for me, I am quite excited about it all!), then doing a bit of last minute holiday shopping tomorrow. There has also been mention of a BBQ, so it seems like a good weekend ahead! Are you going to be watching the Olympics?

As I am in a total holiday mood, I thought I would share the photography of Gray Malin. This series features beaches photographed from open doored helicopters all over the world. I am not a huge beach person at all, but I love these!

Perfect Pigeon Atelier

Images from Pigeon Atelier

Are you in the mood to look through some great vintage pieces? I haven't featured much vintage for a while, so I was really pleased when Maryse sent me an email about her great online store Pigeon Atelier. As you know, I do love an independent online store!  It is a treasure trove for all things vintage- from 1930's salt and pepper sets to that amazing cookie decorating set. Seeing things like that just always make me want to go back in time and bake sugar cookies in a killer vintage dress, while drinking an Old Fashioned.

Super Bright Sculpture

Images from Mike Perry

I think the sunshine is making me crave super bright colours. I dug out a bright patterned dress last night to wear for dinner out which was last worn on my honeymoon in Italy (I even have the bright, white legs to go with it!) and now I am looking through Pinterest for everything bright! These sculptures made out of wood by Mike Perry really caught my eye. I love the combination of colours and the texture. I think all of my favourite bright colours are included in these pieces!

Cities Never Sleep

Images from Haptic Lab

It's no secret that I love cities. I also love sleeping. So of course, I love these quilt maps from Haptic Lab. I would love to have a quilt of London, Paris or New York. Imagine going to sleep thinking about your adventures or planning adventures in these places! I can never get enough of planning trips, so this would be amazing.  I always love seeing a city planned out on a map- thinking what is possible in all of the streets and blocks. I also want one of their DIY kits- they might be a great option for chopping up and recycling my wedding dress!

What city or place would you like to be on a quilt?

A Summer Sunday

So, yesterday the sun came out! After weeks and weeks of gloom and rain, this was a much welcome sight to our sun starved eyes and it meant a nice walk in the countryside immediately, just in case it went away again. My husband and I went to one of my favourite places (we actually decided to get married here!)- some local fields and had a lovely walk. Sandals could even be worn! Amazing.

I haven't done a Love Where You Live post for a while, as frankly, the never ending rain has made everyone just stay inside and watch copious amounts of DVD box sets! But really, when the weather is sunny and warm, there is no better place to be than the Shropshire countryside.

Where is your favourite place to go when it's lovely summer weather?

Happy Sunday (Summer is here!)

Image from here

It's Sunday! And, as an extra bonus, summer seems to have finally arrived! Even if it is just for one day, that is fine with me as I am seeing warm, lovely sunshine everywhere. I woke up with sunshine streaming through the window. Yippee! I hope you're all having a great weekend, what are you up to? There are some lovely links below to peruse on your Sunday...enjoy! I am off to make iced coffee and dig out the sun cream- have to make the most of it!

Could you make your iphone waterproof? I think I would still be scared!

I love this kids bedroom! Such great style.

Imagine waking up with Paris every day!

Can you imagine seeing over 1000 marriage proposals?

The private beach of Queen Victoria is now open to the public!

Balloons and horses. What a great combination.

Underground Public Library

Images Underground New York Public Library/ from Huffington Post

Yes, Friday! This week has seemed so long, I am super happy that it's the weekend! And photography time of course.

Whenever I go to a new city, I always use the local public transport system. I love the people watching and they're always the best way to get around the city. I always find you see cool stuff on there, from Acts of Kindness on the Tube in London, to super glamorous people obviously going somewhere amazing on the Paris Metro! So, I love this photo project from the Underground New York Public Library, a blog that records subway riders' reading materials. I love it because I am always intrigued as to what people are reading. It goes wonderfully with the Let's Talk About This Book label I featured a few weeks ago.

Do you like going on public transport in new places? Do you like to read on your journey?

The Little Things In Life

Image from the new black

I loved this Andy Warhol quote I stumbled across the other day. The yellow is awesome too. It got me thinking- I think sometimes it is easy to forget that the little things are the things that matter in life. I am as guilty as everyone thinking that I need a ‘big thing’ to be happy (buying a house, getting that job, going on that big holiday etc), but really the little things in life are the things that add the sparkle and the interest.

After a lot of consideration I came up with my top ten list of the little things!

 

·         Eating good pizza (never, ever gets old)

·         A new pair of pyjamas (one of my all time favourite pick-me-ups in fact!)

·         A really well made cup of strong, freshly brewed coffee at 6am

·         Hearing your new favourite song on the radio and turning up the volume

·         A glass of a delicious red wine

·         Waking up to sunshine after days of rain. Or waking up to rain when you want that cosy  Sunday staying in.

·         A surprise letter or call from a friend when you get home from work. Not just bills!

·         Playing that old album you haven’t heard for years

·         Laughing with friends and family, you know that ‘I can’t breathe’ laughter

·         Fresh flowers! Seriously, walking home with bouquet you have bought yourself is such a fun feeling!

What are your favourite little things in life? (Cue the Sound of Music soundtrack being stuck in your head for hours!).



A Colourful Submission

Images Ian Carpenter

Wednesday! I swear it was Friday yesterday, so I think that this week is going to be long! Don't you just hate that?!

I love getting submissions for the blog. It's like getting some exciting post instead of bills, like a letter from a friend or a postcard. So I was really happy when artist Ian Carpenter got in touch to tell me about his work- discovering new artists never gets old. I love the use of colour in his work and the painterly style.

If you would like to submit anything on the blog, just get in touch with the buttons on the right!

Neon On Your Wall

Images from Henriette Van't Hoog

I am still loving the neon love (it reminds me of shoe laces and shellsuit patches from the 80's, which in my opinion is a good thing!), especially in decor and especially on white brick walls like this. Stuff like this is why I love white walls so much- they are a perfect blank canvas! Artist Henriette Van't Hoog has all sorts of cool projects.

How do you feel about neon? Should it be left to the 80's?!

Photographic Threads

Images from trendland and here

Seriously, how is it Monday already?! Hope you all had a great weekend and  have some fun plans for the week ahead! I had the worst nights sleep ever last night thanks to some seriously crazy dreams, so I will be fuelled on coffee for much of today.

Although I can't claim to be a fan of ballet, I was really taken with these embroidered photo images from artist Jose Romussi. I love seeing the dark images come to life with some pops of colour from the threads. Embroidery can be so cool these days, I am really fascinated by it (I want to chop up my wedding dress and do something embroidery-wise with it!). You can check out more of Jose's work here.

Happy Sunday

Image from Ben Linley

Happy Sunday! I hope you're all having great weekends, what are you up to? Mine has been pretty chilled so far, as I am really trying to save money for our upcoming trip. Still, I have watched some great documentaries on Netflix and caught up on my reading pile...sometimes you just need a chilled weekend to get you ready for the week ahead.Below are some great links for you to take a look through- trips to France, gorgeous photos and a great digital magazine all included. Have a great Sunday everyone!

 

How would you feel about eating and biking your way through France? I think I would be ok with it.

These photos of the World Cliff Diving Series in Norway are insane. I am in awe of divers!

Would you give the world your number? This guy did.

Love these coastal photos from Ben Linley. Perfect colours.

Pancakes for breakfast? These look delicious.

Another awesome photo.

Have you read Sister Magazine yet? It's brilliant, so I suggest you do!

Ping Pong at 89?

Images from Ping Pong

So...do you ever give much thought to getting older? What can you see yourself doing at 80 or 89?

Downtown from Behind

Images from DFB

How is it Friday already? And half way through July?! Time is just flying by!

I was really excited when I stumbled across this photo series, Downtown From Behind. A because I love bikes and seeing people riding them and B, it makes me even more excited for my upcoming trip! The series captures subjects riding their bike from behind on 200+ streets below 14th Street in New York. I love it! Such a great representation of each street, New York and the people living in the city. I just want to be riding a bike round New York now, especially if I could be carrying flowers or a glittery umbrella! It makes my car trip to work now seem very boring.

Have a great weekend! What are your plans?

Rainbow on a Windscreen

Image from Helmut Smits

I was overjoyed this morning when I looked outside and I saw sunshine and NOT rain! The only good thing that has been about this weather recently is that I have seen a couple of rainbows. Don't you just love rainbows? I still get excited when I see one! I love this project from Helmut Smits.You don't even need to wait for the rain part to get the rainbow which is a great plus to me! Check out more work by Helmut Smit here- including some great ideas, like copying a cloud that floats by with spray paint on a wall- just some really fun stuff.