Normal Service Will Resume Shortly

I've been a bit of a quiet blogger of late - just popping in every now and then to share something quick and leave some comments for other bloggers. I've been a little pre-occupied recently and my concentration has been almost non-existent. January is usually like this, luckily it's February tomorrow! (Surely it was Christmas just last week?)

And, fingers crossed, I shall be picking up my camera tomorrow afternoon; photographs of crafty projects will ensue and normal service will resume shortly. So. Hello old friends. Hello new followers. Thanks so much for sticking with me (or joining me) while I've been on the down low. Looking forward to seeing more of you very soon x

Artistic Outlet {My Creative Space}

My Creative Space is back for 2010. I'm looking forward to a reason to get my creative juices flowing again; I'm looking forward to getting my camera back (from the camera hospital) at the weekend; and I'm looking forward to starting some new creative projects. Like embroidery, mixed media and, perhaps, finally learning how to knit!

In the meantime, I'm going to share a couple of 'digital' illustrations that I created using Polyvore. Now, I know I've been mentioning Polyvore quite a lot recently, but it really is one of the most truly engaging and creative communities I have come across on-line.

Pink Elephants & Lemonade by OPCreative on Polyvore.com

Prelude by OPCreative on Polyvore.com

The best thing about using Polyvore to create these kinds of illustrations is that, unlike traditional scrapbooking, you aren't limited by your supplies (or lack of them) and, unlike digital scrapbooking, adjusting sizes, layers and layouts is much, much simpler. And, best of all, it's all free! (Music to my ears after Christmas!)

I've only really just started exploring, but to get a better idea of what you can acheive, you should have a look at the images created by JanieG, Lildreamer or Gypsy Soul. But be careful, it's very easy to become engrossed and before you know it, your morning has gone. *Poof!*

For more creative spaces, and to join in, head over to Kirsty's blog Kootoyoo.

Rompers? Really? {Fashion Forward}

When I was younger, I had a very, um, eclectic taste in fashion. Want a mental image? Do you recall the TV Series Blossom? Yeah. Exactly. I once hit up every gent that I knew for their unwanted ties so that I could make a skirt out of them. (Just like in the video.) It flared. Okay? I liked it!

But, there were lines I never crossed and, so it is with some slight chagrin that I bring you this week's Fashion Forward trend. Rompers.

It seems that rompers, jumpsuits, the all-in-one - whatever you want to call them - are evolving for 2010 and, judging by the range sported at some of the season's catwalk shows, anything goes. Some are as teeny-tiny as hotpants, whilst others are skimming the floor seventies style over the top of your platform wedges.

Personally, I've never been a fan of clothes that may require a combined force of talcing and shoe-horning. Nor have I ever been a fan of clothes that may require more than a slight pull up or down in order to pee. I mean, just imagine the trauma after a few too many beers!

Soft Shimmer (41/50) by OPCreative featuring Elizabeth and James Dresses. Items in this set: Elizabeth and James Suzette Silk/Jersey Playsuit; Grey Leather Bag; Alexis Bittar Skinny Tapered Bangle; and Monsoon Accessorize Sunglasses.

But, it seems that there are some truly sophisticated alternatives to the stereotypical, sleazy leather all-in-one - the fabrics are softer, the lines are cleaner and the colours are bang on trend. It's all I can do to suppress the urge to at least try one on and see if it's a look that might suit me. I just don't know if I'm brave enough.

Anyway, I'm keen to hear what my fellow Fashion Forwarders think about this particular trend. What do you think? Would you? I mean. Rompers? Really?

If you're playing along today, leave your link, visit the other Fashion Forwarders and be thankful that next Monday Katherine will be hosting on her blog, Paper Pocket, and there probably won't be a romper in sight! x

The Soundtrack Of My Life

Music has played a hugely important part in my life. From a very early age my parents would encourage me to listen to the radio or to their records - just as they encouraged me to read. As I got older, I used to sing along to the radio while my older brother and sisters were getting ready to go to school in the morning and tape songs from the radio to make my own 'collections'. I remember buying my very first single, on vinyl, of course.

Music became an every day part of life as I struggled to learn the piano, the saxaphone and quite a few percussion instruments as part of my high school orchestra and how, as life began to change, music helped me to make the difficult transition from teenager to adult. At university my most important possessions were my shelves full of albums and I would happily spend a week eating toast if it meant I could afford to go dancing in the evenings.

Older still and I realise that music has been a constant in my life. It has understood me when I felt misunderstood; lifted my spirits when I have felt low and said the words that I have sometimes felt difficult to articulate. It has never let me down.

So, when I found out that this month's second challenge at All About Me was to be The Soundtrack Of My Life, I knew that I couldn't possibly create a layout that included all of the songs that mean something to me - there isn't enough space or time - but I did know that not having a working camera wouldn't stop me. I had to do this challenge!

And this leads me to a rather convoluted explanation of how I designed my layout. Not having any digital scrapbook materials, I chose to create the main image using Polyvore. That's right folks. Not only can you use Polyvore to create fashionable collages, but also the most amazing illustrations. It's actually very simple to find items, arrange them in layers and create. Admittedly, to save the image, you need to e-mail it to yourself, then save the image as a useable file. But that's not really a big deal, right? Still much easier than fiddling with lots of layers in Photoshop.

Once I had the main image, I transferred it to Photoshop Elements and placed an electronic version of a Basic Grey scrapbooking paper behind it as a background. I then made some adjustments to the colours and added my text. Et voila.

Do let me know what you think before heading over to All About Me to see what the rest of the Design Team came up with. If you have any questions about Polyvore, etc, feel free to ask in the comments, okay?

Pretty Pastels {Fashion Forward}

Fashion Forward folks should make the most of their winter wardrobes, because spring is in the air and there is about to be a shift away from the strong, jewel colours normally associated with Christmas and New Year to a softer, more feminine look.

Heavily influenced by the trend for vintage clothing, we will soon be awash with pale (but interesting) shades of pink, lilac, mint, lemon and soft grey. The highstreet is about to get pretty.

Keep it simple, by combining no more than two colours together for a suitably subtle look and use black sparingly - lest you look like a liquorice allsort! Or maybe team those pretty pastels with a neutral like beige, khaki or tan, eh?

Blush by OPCreative on Polyvore.com

Items in this set: Temperley London Cobra Silk Dress, £440; Corduroy 3/4 Jacket, £21; Champagne Leather Shoes, £162; L'est Rose Satin Bow Clutch, £66; and Natural Bangle Set, £25

In theory, this trend is absolutely perfect for me. I love sophisticated glamour (when I can get it) and I am head over heels in love with vintage styling. So, what's the problem? Well, in reality these colours just don't suit me. I'm dark haired but pale skinned. Put a pretty, pale pink dress on me and I look as though I've been made-up as an extra for True Blood. Most unfortunate.

So, I'll be sticking to a slightly darker palette - though I might still treat myself to a little candy coloured retail therapy. The rest of you may want to head on down to New Look who have this trend completely covered and have some nice altervatives to that lovely, but rather expensive, Temperley Dress.

Oh, and before I head off, please check out the Official Polyvore Blog. They featured my Rachel set from last week's Fashion Forward in their weekly blog round-up. Yay!

You know what to do, right?

All About Me Design Team Call

At some point I am really going to have to embrace digital scrapbooking so that I don't rely on the camera so much. (It's at the 'camera hospital' now, by the way and I am hopeful that it can be fixed!) So, although I can't actually show you any of the scrapbooking and crafting that I've been doing recently, I thought that the scrapbookers amongst my readers would be interested in the DT Call at All About Me.

There are more details about the DT Call on the All About Me Blog, but I did want to tell anyone that's interested in applying that they should definitely go for it - even if it's not something that they've thought about before. The DT members that are staying on (me included) are all lovely people and, of course, Melissa who owns and co-ordinates AAM is supportive and generous and an all round wonderful person. You'll be well loved.

So, maybe give it a try? You have nothing to lose, right?

Gleek Chic {Fashion Forward}

Yeah. I know that Glee isn't really any big whoop to some of you (lucky people) who are resident in the United States and have already seen it, but Glee hits our UK screens this evening and I'm sorry, but I just couldn't help myself. Besides, Glee is bound to become a trending topic at the water cooler and we may look at Argyle Print differently in the morning. And, I need something to fill the space left by Ugly Betty and True Blood, okay?

So, what better way to celebrate the beginning of a new obssesion than creating myself a little bit of Gleek Chic?

So, first up - Rachel. How I love her perfect, preppy style. I totally wish I had her wardrobe - though I am fairly certain that my sixteen year old self would call it 'stuffy' and would have sneered at the blouses!

Next, something a little different - Tina. Tina rocks. Her style is actually far more in tune with what I probably would have worn when I was at highschool. A little bit grungey, trying to show my individuality. (Hey...um...how genius are those music themed nails?)

And, how could I possibly finish a Glee related Fashion Forward without a little Emma? Well, actually, I will. You see, this wee Glee obsession started a couple of months back (way before I'd even seen the programme) when the lovely Cindy posted a link to this article on dressing like Emma Pilsbury. She was dressed entirely in mustard and I knew, I just knew, I was going to become a total Gleek.

If you're playing along with Fashion Forward this week, please leave your details in the Mr Linky below so we can come and share your fashion passions.

Sunday Mornings Should Look Like This....

So, I can't sleep - it's actually just gone five thirty in the morning while I'm writing and scheduling - and to pass the time I started scouting for a few kitchen items. As you do.

Our kitchen is rather lovely. Small, but lovely. But it now that it's finished, and full of white cabinets, dark wood work surfaces and stainless steel appliances, it could do with a bit of colour - so, artwork and accessories.

I've been getting a little bit tired of the same old 'Keep Calm & Carry On' stuff, so I was delighted to spot this rather accurate picture depicting the British love of tea. (In this regard, I am VERY British!) By the time I was finished 'shopping' and putting it all together in a neat little collage, I felt very patriotic!

Since I'm still up and may, therefore, miss quite a bit of the morning, I thought I'd share my perfect Sunday morning with you. It involves books, tea, and toast with lashings of nutella - all brought up to my bed by someone else!

How do you spend your Sundays?

Edited: The Keep Calm & Carry On image is available for private, non-commercial use and there is also a downloadable desktop version. The Cosy Slippers image is from the Toast winter catelogue and the rest of the items were simply imported from Polyvore

It Makes Me Angry...

...to tell you that even though there is a new prompt up today at All About Me, I have no layout to show you, because I dropped my camera and can't download the photographs. It makes me angry with myself to know that I took those photographs and didn't have the time to download them straight away. It makes me angry with myself to let Melissa down at the last minute - and on her birthday, no less! I'm so sorry Melissa!

And it makes me stupidly angry that, because we've had almost three inches of snow (and this constitutes adverse weather conditions in the UK) our local buses aren't running. What? Sorry? Not running? I'm fuming!!!

Anyway, if you'd like to find out what makes the girls over at All About Me feel angry, do head over and take a look at their layouts. Then join in the challenge and tell us what really twists your melon.

Finding Your Style, Finding Yourself {Fashion Forward}

It occured to me last week, that even when we had only just started Fashion Forward, I never really explained why I wanted to start a meme that was focused on fashion - not even when I first, tentatively, mentioned the idea to my wonderful co-host Katherine.

In my mid-twenties, I was a happy and healthy person, full of energy and enthusiasm for life - and, more importantly, full of confidence. I had a job that I liked, I was fit and healthy and, despite a few hang-ups (we all have them) I was happy with myself and my body.

A few years, and an unfortunate series of events, later found me working in a job that I didn't like, with no energy left for life (let alone exercise) and I had gained enough weight that I felt both unattractive and unhealthy. I had lost my self confidence and, perhaps more importantly, my sense of self.

I left my job and thought things would improve, but in reality I spent my days feeling sorry for myself, slobbing around the house in jogging pants and over-sized t-shirts and I felt disgusting. Then, one day, when I was meeting an old friend, I had to make a bit more of an effort. I took the time to have a nice bath, blow-dry my hair, do my make up and pick out an nice outfit. I looked okay, not wonderful granted, but I felt so much better about myself - so much more me - and I was reminded of the link between looking good and feeling good.

Miss Modest (16/50) by OPCreative

Items in this set: Ted Baker Silk Mix Big Bow Dress; Marni Suede Platforms with Bow and Jewel Detail; Marni Fabric Frame Clutch; Raso - Kiss-Lock Evening Clutch - Francesco Biasia; Alexis Bittar 'Silver Dust' Skinny Tapered Bangle.

But, somedays, it felt like so much effort and I realised that I needed a reason to start taking more of an interest again - in clothes, in make up, in myself - and the idea for Fashion Forward was born. When I approached Katherine with the idea of co-hosting, I honestly thought she might laugh at the idea of me being fashionable (let's face it, she's so cool!) and she has my undying gratitude for being so supportive of the idea. Since then, I have developed an unparalleled love of Brian Atwood shoes and an unhealthy obsession with creating sets in Polyvore. I have re-discovered my love of fashion and my sense of style. And I have made some wonderful friends!

So, as Fashion Forward moves into 2010, I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has participated and everyone who takes the time to visit each week. We may not have taken the world by storm with our little meme, but you have helped me to start changing my life for the better and I am very, very grateful.

If you're playing along this week, please pop a link in the box below so that everyone can come by and 'oooh and ahhh' and, if you're a Fashion Forward newbie, you can find the guidelines over on Katherine's lovely blog.

I Am Resolute

I won't be making any New Year resolutions this year. Why would I bother? Way back when, I started this little blog as a way to talk about what I wanted to acheive with my life. In 2010, I may be taking a new approach, but the goals essentially remain the same - individuality, happiness and dreams.

Let's face it, when you think about the definition of resolute - firm in purpose and belief or characterized by firmness and determination - it sounds a bit like obstinate, doesn't it?