Guh!

I cannot even start to believe how much I have neglected this blog. Man, what an odd year. Either way, here I am, back in action and ready to try to post more frequently. Hang tight as our wedding is in a month from now, but hopefully posts on here will be more frequent in the up coming months.

In the meantime, check out this new Treasury list I've made on Etsy today. I'm really tired of this boring, muggy humidity and very much looking forward to Autumn. Etsy Apples and Pumpkins Treasury.

Boiled Eggs and New Adventures.

Ok, most people wouldn't consider a boiled egg to be an adventure, but it was a big step of bravery for me. Here in the UK, it's a pretty traditional thing to have a boiled egg with a runny yolk in an egg cup and "soldiers" (toast cut into thin slices). I love eggs, but I've always despised the icky taste of the yolks. I just haven't liked them at all my entire life. Still, after seven years living in Wales I've always been intrigued to try this rather fun looking breakfast.

I've recently just finished working a temporary Christmas position at a well known kitchen store here in Britain. While a lot of the things they sell can be found in America, sometimes I would find great examples of products incorporating British design. I LOVE British design. I found this really cool egg cup/toast holder  that I just had to have and realized this may be the appropriate time for A to teach me about eggy soldiers. So he very happily did.

The funny thing is, the yolk doesn't taste as yolky as a hard boiled egg does. It was nice, and fun. He cooked me a second one immediately after I finished my first one since I seemed to enjoy it so much. I ate them both very happily.

I'm still trying to get the knack of the timing right when I cook them myself, but it'll come along. You just boil a medium/large egg for about 5 or 6 minutes. The timing is important though. It's the only tricky bit. In fact, it's all it is anyway. Haha! Cook it a minute too short and it isn't cooked enough, and a minute too long and it may as well be hard boiled.


Nom nom nom. . .

Speaking of "OH EHM GEE I LOVE THAT!"

Kate Spade Mona Coat

. . . ok, I didn't say that, but now that it's been brought up. . .

Funnily enough, didn't I mention Glee in my previous post? Well, now I will reference it again despite the fact that the "oh ehm gee" was not directed towards the show tune oriented television show.

Here in the UK where I am currently located, Glee is a little further behind than in America. A and I just watched the episode where Ms. Emma Pillsbury was wearing this FANTASTIC Kate Spade Mona Coat. Since I have yet to have children, may I be allowed to indulge myself in this $750 coat that is currently on sale for $250?!?!?!?! Please, please, please comment and say "Yes, Taylor! You indulge your materialistic wants and desires because you can, and if you die tomorrow, at least you'll die only slightly behind last autumn's most beautiful fashions!"

Oh Dear, I've Become One of Those Musical Theatre Fans. . .

-This happened pre-Glee, thank you very much-

Some of my favorite songs from musical theatre:

1. "You Can't Stop the Beat" - Hairspray
2. "Defying Gravitiy" - Wicked
3. "Do You Hear the People Sing?" - Les Miserables
4. "Welcome to the Sixties" - Hairspray
5. "I Dreamed a Dream" - Les Miserables
6. "On My Own" - Les Miserables

What are some of your favorites, and do you have any recommendations for me? I've only seen a handfull of shows, but I love love love it! It amazes me how the actors/singers/dancers are so multi-talented! :D

Happy St. David's Day

 

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d6cb5e738438eefafd0dd56/happy-st-davids-day?index=0

It's the first of March. Happy St.David's Day! (Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus!) St.David is the patron saint of Wales. It's just like how St.Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland which is celebrated on the 17th. England has St.George and Scotland has St.Andrew. Naturally, we care most about St.David. Go ahead and check out the gorgeous little St.David's Day treasury I set up on Etsy if you want. :)

If You Have the Chance to Splurge. . .

. . . then do it with purpose.

In the past few years I have pro-actively stopped wasting money on multiple ordinary purchases. I don't buy clothes because I pass them in the store and say "Oh, that's a nice top". For me to buy something now, I have to be floored by it when I see it. I have to be able to envision it in my life. I have to find it extraordinary and practical. . . and I must say, this new way of living has saved me pennies and made me happier.

I love shoes and hand bags (I am female after all), but I don't have to have every pair of shoes I like and every bag that would match that one top. It has to be something I love on its own. I suppose in a way, that nowadays I have to look at each purchase I make as an item that must be able to stand independently and be fantastic while also working well together with at least 61% of anything else I own that it could be paired with. With the money I don't waste spending frivolously on something I would only end up donating to a charity shop, I am able save up and buy something nicer that can last a lifetime.

Let's talk handbags. I've spent the past almost one third of my life in the United Kingdom. I've found that recently if I buy something over here I want to look at is as "a life souvenir". This means that it has to be something very British, Welsh, or English. It has to be something that will remind me of the UK. It can't be something I could get anywhere. I've purchased a few Cath Kidston hankies as souvenirs in the past year. I love them to bits and I decided recently that to really ice the cake I should save up and treat myself to a Cath Kidston handbag.

Cath Kidston "Candy Flowers" Day Bag

Handbags to some people (and a lot of men) may seem ordinary. What's the point of spending a chunk of money on something that you just carry your junk around in? Well, if one thinks about it, a lady's handbag goes around with her all day long. It's almost like another arm. So what's so wrong to have one that really brightens up your day by it's colorful design? Not so much in my opinion. I'm certainly not one of those gals that has to have a hundred to pretend she's happy, so I consider my interest to be healthy. Either way, bags by designers such as Cath Kidston or Amy Butler don't run supermarket cheap. They most certainly don't cost in the range of Dior or Gucci, but they do cost more than Target or Tesco. However, the price is there for a reason. They are thoughtfully designed and well made. Take care of it, and it will last you a long long time. That's what I like about things. It's actually better economy.

Amy Butler "Josephine" Bag

So, I popped down to London recently and I most certainly treated myself to my first ever Cath Kidston bag. It is so beautiful! Although 100% practical in every way, I could totally put it in a box frame and hang it on my wall. . . it's that lovely. The stitching is gorgeous and even the zipper on the inside pocket has a leather pull. I told A that you could tell the quality of a handbag by the fabric they chose for the lining. The fabric in my new bag is the same gorgeous print inside as it is outside. It's a Day Bag to hold at your side or on your elbow, but it's so thoughtfully designed that there's just enough room to put it over my shoulder should I want to wear it that way. I love it. I love it just as much as my gorgeous Amy Butler bag that my mom got me for Christmas a couple of years ago. They are now both running neck and neck as my favorite bags. I'm really glad I worked hard and saved my pennies so I was able to have a little splurge. It means so much more when you have to wait patiently for something you want. Most good things in life happen that way.

Ciao Bella!

This little lady has found a new home! I'm going to miss her. She has been one of my favorite clothespin dolls that I've made. I'm posting this as a sort of personal documentation of her existence, but I'm really excited that she'll bring someone else a bit of joy. As a relatively new Etsy seller that is really just running my shop in a spare time/spare tire sort of way, it's really really exciting for me to make a sale. It's so neat thinking that something you loved making is something that someone thinks is worthy of trading their earnings for. I feel so blessed sometimes that I have an interest and love in making and creating things, and having someone love what I make is a really unexpected bonus. I'll miss you little acorn hat lady!