Bee-oo-tiful

Since putting together my counterfeit kits, I've been dying to work with my version of 'Wildflower'. It's no surprise that it was my favourite of the kits I put together - and in fact - when I've been visiting other counterfeiters, it's generally been my favourite of their kits too!

I started with one of the many photographs I took on a beautiful weekend. One I will never, ever forget. Since the memories of that weekend are so special, I decided to be really, really brave and pulled out my favourite piece of cardstock - Japanese Tea Garden from Basic Grey's Pheobe collection and used that as a base for my layout. I added in a page from an old children's books and a journalling sheet from My Mind's Eye, plus several partial sheets of patterned paper from my kit.

I distressed the edges of my cardstock using my craft knife and then blended some inks onto the book page to give it an aged, antiquey look. It's the first time I used my new distress inks and I'm so pleased with how they turned out - something actually worked!

I swapped out the large flower from my original kit and replaced it with a pink one, then combined it with a couple of handmade flowers from last month's kit. The one I hardly used. I also added in some leaves, some of fabric and some of polymer clay - both of which have been in my stash for quite some time.

Of course, I knew that I wouldn't be able to resist adding in embellishments once I started (which is why I tried not to act smug when visitors congratulated me on keeping my kit embellishments to a minimum!) But I think that the freedom to add in bits and pieces is what makes the whole process fun. Besides, it's all from stash, so it's all good.

Casually Classic {Fashion Forward}

I've been so busy this last week the time I usually spend flicking through fashion magazines and sipping champagne (!) has instead been spent catching up the latest episode of Desperate Housewives and some well deserved sleep. So, this week's Fashion Forward is short - but still sweet!

I've been looking for the perfect spring/summer top to wear casually with jeans and a cute jacket - something I can wear for a lunch date with my mum; something I could wear shopping with my sisters; or something I could wear to the movies with some friends. It needs to be simple, but stylish and casual but classy. Eventually, I found it in the form of this beautiful Handmade Teal Twig Cowl from Recession. Isn't it glorious?

Since I don't wear them all that often, a fantastic pair of earrings will always make me feel special - and these Blue Rain Earrings from Fleur Fatale are just the thing to finish off a casually classic outfit. Now, I just need to start filling up my diary.

And, before you leave, a little news. Katherine and I have decided to bring Fashion Forward to an end. Much as we've enjoyed these last few months of shoes, shopping and solidarity, we'd like to spend our blogging hours creating some tutorials, crafty projects (and in Katherine's case, the odd vlog!)

We're hoping you'll join us for one last Fashion Forward next week when I'll be hosting a little giveaway. Oh and the dress code for our farewell party? Come as you are x

Edited: We realise just how much time it takes everyone to put together their posts and we're very grateful to everyone who's joined us. We will, of course, be staying in touch.

Edited (Even Later): And.....I forgot the Mr. Linky. Duh! This is what happens to me when I have no sleep!

Emerging From The Dark

I feel a little like a flower that has lain dormant during the cold, dark months of the winter, locking away all of the energy that suffused me during the summer months and keeping it safe until the warmth from the first rays of spring sunshine reach down into the dark.

The promise of new light, of new life, triggers within me a desire to leave my confines and struggle towards the surface. With every passing day, I feel stronger, more energised. Finally, after what seemed an eternity in the dark, I break free and I feel the warmth of the sun on my face.

A Light Exists In Spring {Fashion Forward}

A light exists in spring,
Not present on the year,
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here,
A color stands abroad ,
On solitary hills,
That science cannot overtake,
But human nature feels.

From A Light Exists In Spring by Emily Dickinson.

I actually had a completely different Fashion Forward post planned, but I woke up this morning to rays of sunshine and full of the joys of spring. I always feel such relief when the sun starts to shine, the birds start to sing and colour reappears in the world.

So, after a quick stroll around the park, I thought I'd show you an outfit I conjured up during the deepest, darkest days of winter when I was craving some spring sunshine. Florals are always a guaranteed trend during the spring/summer season and this year is no different, but the variation in choice is enormous.

A Light Exists In Spring by OPCreative featuring Bottega Veneta Bags

There are the traditional floral prints - big and bold or small and dainty - along with more graphic interpretations and photographic prints. Floral accents are also a major component of the trend this year, with fabric flowers featuring heavily on necklines, hemlines and in accessories. I'm loving it in all it's blooming gorgeousness!

But, if floral isn't your thing, you can still bring a little bit of spring into your wardrobe by incorporating lighter and brighter colours into your outfits and swapping your winter coats for light trenches or long cardigans - both key trends this spring. Then head out for a walk in the sunshine and take a deep breath full of new life.

For more fashion fashion inspiration, head on over to Paper Pocket where Katherine & Co. will be showing off their own wardobe workouts. And, don't forget, you too can join in Fashion Forward - the more the merrier!

(Things I Love Thursdays!) Sunshine

The past couple of days have been a little grey and miserable here in my corner of the world. The spring sunshine, which last week I found so uplifting, has tucked itself away and, as a result, I've been feeling a little uninspired. What I needed most was to look at some photographs. It is, and always has been, one of my favourite things to do and browsing Flickr has always been one of my favourite ways to do it. There's so much talent out there - it's untrue.

I love that I can add inspiring photographs to my 'favourites' to look back on another time and I often find myself revisiting a favourite photograph and then checking out the favourites of the person who took it. It's been an excellent way of expanding my own appreciation of photography. Imagine how happy I was to stumble across the Things I Love Thursdays! Group. Small collections of other people's favorites ready and waiting to be discovered.

So, in honour of the group - and for lack of any actual sunshine - my favourites this week all have a spring sunshine feel about them and have kept me inspired through the dull days.

1. r a i n b o w., 2. Picnic Bokeh {HBW!}, 3. dusk and summer., 4. head rush, 5. joanna, 6. White Stars, 7. Forest track, 8. Day 111/365, 9. Joy