2012 is finally over. Bring on 13 please, Bob!

It's pretty awful, I know, I haven't been around for a very long time! Which is terrible really, being that there is an awful lot going on at the moment. Mainly procrastinating from my Maths degree, which is pretty much what I'm up to now. Or knitting (although, I would consider these to be one and the same).

I've had a very good day of procrastination, really. Beginning with dipping into my bag of lush sale goodies I picked up from the shop yesterday. I'd never managed to make it to one of their 'January' sales before, so I trotted along with some Christmas money to buy myself something pretty. It's no secret that I've been struggling with pretty severe depression over 2012, and femininity is one thing which just gets thrown out of the window. Which is why my experiences with the following just had to be blogged about. They've made me really happy.

The Lush thing was a mystery ballistic(bath bomb) from one of their reduced gift sets. This big bad blue baby is known as 'Magic'. 

This was my bath today. It's discontinued, actually, so I'm not quite sure why I'm bothering to write to you about it, it was just lovely. I'm hardcore allergic to citrus, so this pepperminty, herby ballistic was ultimately refreshing. The deep teal-royal blue water put me in an untouchable mood. Unfortunately my landlady decided to pop that bobble for me, but that's another story!

In need of some galvanising of the bouncy mood? Buy A Streetcat Named Bob, a heart-wrenching tale of a recovering drug addict and an abandoned, destitute cat. They pull each other out of really awful situations to become the personification of best friends. Such an incredible story. And James Bowen has a sequel pencilled-in for next year. I can't wait.

"Such an incredible story"

I'd stopped reading fiction for the best part of 9 years, after a mind-bursting reading list for my Philosophy A-level. I'm certain it was a contributing factor in me leaving college early. I returned to reading earlier this year and have read 4 novels so far including Stephen King, Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy and now Bob. Bob touched me personally. Just such a wonderful story. I can't wait to meet them, I hope I'll be able to one day. Although I've worked in central London for years, I've never had the pleasure of running into James Bowen and Bob.

Another crafty return has been my return to knitting (woo!!!).
        March-April was when I'd hit rock-bottom, and although it sounds silly, anyone who knows me will realise that if I don't feel like knitting, something is well-and-truly wrong. It marked the beginning of 5 months where I didn't knit a stitch. Working for a knitting company, this was very worrying for both them, and me. I took a silly facebook quiz a long time ago; I forget what the questions were, but it 'typed' me as the 'bass guitarist' in a knitting band. Odd, yes; but also kinda true for two reasons. Firstly; I am (or was) a half-decent bass-guitarist. Secondly, bass guitarists support others (so the quiz was basically saying that you knit for others), so my fiancée Ben, and my Dad, have both had luxury jumpers on the go. I've enjoyed making them.

My Dyakcraft needle set; Hazelnut

What I haven't enjoyed is my experience with Linda and her team at Dyakcraft, the most poorly-run and anti-customer run company I've ever had the displeasure of having to come into contact with. I blame my Mum, it was her idea. Apparently they were the most luxurious knitting needles on the planet. Mum dressed these up as an 'engagement gift' (I know, lucky Ben, right?!) with the view that I could knit stuff for me, and the fella. So we both went on the waiting list for our hand-crafted pairs between December 2011 and January 2012.

After much nagging of the proprietor, we eventually recieved our needles over the last two weeks. But we had to fight for them, despite having paid for these nearly a year in advance. They're very expensive too. This is my most diplomatic way to encourage you to NOT buy these. I'm disappointed my Mum's money has gone to a company like theirs. I could be really nasty and go into detail, but I won't. Just trust me on that one.

My best friend left this year to work on a cruise ship. She's also a hairdresser, so finding a new one has been nothing short of fun! I've just gone for a local cheapie salon until she gets back. I miss her loads, hope you're having fun, Hinal!

So I guess that's my year! I mean, other stuff happenned too but not all great! Observe:

• Unnamed publishers re-printed half my book and decided to remove masses of my material, my signature, and acknowledgements without telling me
• Christmas, including shopping in Oxford Circus, blargh!
• Job move from one side of London to the other (still getting used to this one!)
• Two of my friends married, one christening and another new one on the way. That's pretty darn exciting actually!
• Rowan Mill Christmas Knitting weekend up in Holmfirth with me as the tutor, and my boss as my assistant. It was oodles of fun. Didn't feel like work at all!
• The new James Bond Film; Skyfall, with appropriate OPI nail-cessories to DEFINATELY own!
• My new kitty, Ziggy Stardust, with bollocks as big as footballs. Plays fetch. He's an absolute joy.
• Eurovision with Jedward.
• Oh and some other rubbish.. the Jubilee and Olympics. Meh.

So there's nothing left but for you guys to see some pictures of my Christmas gifts. Roll on Birthday presents. Getting old, people!

Nails Inc. Goodybunch!

Morning Everyone! I've been digging out the nail paint, much to the relief of my best mate Hinal, who constantly shouts at me for not using the ridiculous amount of nailpolish I use and buy. So check it out:

 

Nails Inc recently had a massive fature in Glamout Magazine (UK), of which I am a subscriber. Although I no longer wear make-up or nail varnish, I love to buy them and read about them. Just a true sign that I am lazy and have let myself go, which I'm now needing to reign in.

Above is the gorgeous new line from them; the brand new Nail Jewellery Range. Above is the Diamond shade and below is my use of the Sapphire Shade. I'm a Nails Inc Club member, which entitles you to a 10% discount, so I bought both, plus the red magnetic polish and a holographic topcoat. Essentially, a massive sparkly goody bag, with a mahoosive, lovely free gift bag!

  

I'd bought the Sapphire with a view to matching my engagement ring. But being that I'm so aversed now to having a bit of colour on my hands, I start off with each colour by trying them on my feet. Above is one coat (allbeit, a thick one) of sapphire over two coats of Betty Blues by No7 with a couple of coats of Sally Hansen Mega Shine Topcoat.

The shine is dazzling. I own a million glitters and this is by far the most multi-dimensional with a deep, thick cover of colour. It's gorgeous. Im so happy I bought it. That Deep Electric Blue is pretty much my favourite colour.

With that in mind, I felt a French Mani was in order. My new book is just out and I'm teaching a knitting course in Peterborough on Saturday, I'm just praying it will last really, but it would be nice to have prettified hands for the day! So a special mani. I'm a little out of practice, so don't mind the mess!

 

I'm tring really REALLY hard to stay recession-proof at the moment. My money seems to be going nowehere. So having my nails done is not a viable option. But with the amount of polish and gadgets I own, it shouldn't be, really.

As you can see, my nails grow quite well, they always have done, but for added strength, I use OPI Nail Envy for Dry/Brittle nails, applying every other day as suggested. It contains Vitamin C and lots of other nutrients which help reinforce the natural structural integrity of your fingernails.

The polishes used are OPI 'Alpine Snow' (White) and 'Passion' (Sheer peach), 2 coats of the latter, with a subtle (yes - very subtle, it's not really come out in the picture..) coat of 'I Juggle.. Men' over the top. In an effort to get them dried quickly, I've used the China Glaze fast drying top coat so I could get on with packing for the weekend ahead.

I quite like this mani. But if you're not-so-confident with freehand tips, you can get self-adhesive french manicure guides which stick to your fingernail like a stencil, and you just paint over the top, helps keep them looking straight. I used them once, but they adhered to a not-quite-dry base coat and ripped it up when I removed it. You can get them off ebay but be careful!

 

DO NOT TRUST SOY!

So this whole 'dairy free' thing is, to be honest, getting me down a little. You'd be surprised what foods contain dairy sometimes. When was it made a rule that cow boob-juice had to be splashed willy nilly into let's face it; everything. Oy.

The real sincher has been the tea. I swear by my tea. Several cups a day, easy. With a sink and kitchenette in my room, I'm pretty self-contained, so tea is no problem. Let me tell you people, rice milk and soy in tea is probably what hell tea would be. Makes the whole thing taste like scout camp conditions; s***ty water.

My problems all really kicked off with dairy when I became addicted to caffeine. Living and working in and around central London 6 days a week will do that to you. Starbucks' secret language drinks, once you've mastered the lingo, are addictive and equally expensive. But when I say master the lingo, having started off with black americanos, after several years, I began to ask for;

Grande Skinny Latte With Two Extra Shots And Sugarfree Hazelnut Syrup

...even I was amazed that I could come out with said sentence after a wheezy running-of-the-commuters at 8am in the morning. Anyway, all of a sudden the eczema had returned with a vengeance, and it was time to stiop kidding myself that I was ever, nor had ever, been a dairy queen. Fudgeth. So, okay; I can still have my secret lingo coffees, just gotta 'soy them up'. I felt like an utter ponce adding the word 'soy' to the above order, and like a fool gaining weight the second I'd switched.

In fairness, unless you wear a suit, have an over-trimmed moustauche, briefcase and an obsession with being a faster walker than the dude to your left, I've always felt like an outsider in that place! So giving up the expensive coffees wasn't a problem. Withdrawal is over and I can type and everythgni.

My point being, that soy generally, is a lie. Don't fall for it, people. I've been all around Europe and goats' milk is preferable in many countries. Soy is full of fat and sugar being that it tastes like licking a backed-up cistern. Don't fall for it. If you want to fall for something, try the freefrom tesco chocolate bars. They're gorgeous!

Switch to goatsmilk, Olivio spread, and dark chocolate. It's not as disgusting as I once thought. Now Ben, (the old ball and chain) has taught me to suck, and not chew, our relationship has never been better. Enjoy.

Free Colour Gotye Cross Stitch Chart - Courtesy of Me!

I've had a bash at making cross stitch charts. Hope you like this one. This is the picture on which it is based, Uses Anchor Threads, for a finished size of 20" in Width on 16ct Aida. Click on the below link to download directly from my skydrive. I am so OBSESSED with this song. It'll be totally worth it.

Knitting Rocks

So I've had the recent honour of taking over the ol' Knitting Rocks campaign on Facebook. Our first meeting was today, and was a plethra of super-cool knitters we've had the pleasure of meeting over the years. It was great!

Author Emily Blades attended, a professional puppet-maker, sequin knitter and Rowan Consultant Annette Traves, which was kind of awesome.

Coats Crafts provided us with allsorts of goodies including customised T-shirts. Here I am, from the reverse (left):

 

Of course, no special occasion like the Knitting Rocks launch party, should go without a very special nail polish creation, and after my best friend Hinal's latest rant about how I'm 'not Fred anymore' for not doing my nails and wearing make-up, I thought I'd give it a bash. So what do you think?

 

Featured here are the following polishes;

OPI Shorts Story (Pink), Gossip Girl Serena Collection on my Ring Finger (Black with Blue flecked overcoat), OPI Black Crackle and China Glaze quick-drying topcoat, followed by Sally Hansen Silver Bottle topcoat. Lovely stuff.

It's a little odd coming back to nail polish after such a long time, so it came straight off on Saturday!