Selling cards

Had a fantastic time yesterday at my first event selling my cards. It was really fun. What a great opportunity to get feedback on my cards and also support a good cause at the same time. I think it was a good day for the Autism Directory and a chance to see a swishing event for the first time.

List of lovely crafty blogs

Recently I've been exploring lots of beautiful blogs.  Pretty, feminine designs and templates really appeal to me, as well as crafty ideas and projects.  So I thought I'd share my list of favourites with you.

http://patchworkharmony.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.91magazine.co.uk/
http://melgetsscrappy.blogspot.co.uk/
http://beingscrappy.blogspot.co.uk/
http://sweetlyscrappedart.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.skiptomylou.org
http://wishcraftcards.blogspot.co.uk/
http://daizy-mae-designs.blogspot.co.uk/
http://ideastoinspire.blogspot.co.uk/

Trip to Aberystwyth

I spent yesterday in Aberystwyth, working on an event in the National Library.  I went to university in Aberystwyth, and lived there for a year after graduating - working in the same hotel where we stayed on Thursday night.  It's only my third time back in the four years since I moved away, and although it's a pretty town in the sun, I'm glad I moved away. It wasn't the place for me to build my career and future.  I doubt I will ever be a frequent visitor, but it was nice to go back, and be happy to come home to Cardiff.

Livechic.co.uk

As I've been working hard on my craft ideas and inspirations, I came across livechic.co.uk.  This new gift website struck me as being something rather special, so I got in touch with owner Rebecca Piper to discuss why it was created, why is it a unique business and how she is attracting customers...

"Well as huge fans of unique gift ideas, we just love the amazing work that small British designers offer. There are so many great and talented businesses out there that have amazing products but they are often hard to find without spending hours trawling the net. So we decided to create a website and put our money and time in to developing a place where we can bring all these small businesses together for others to enjoy... 

"We wanted to offer this exclusively for women so designed a site which is attractive and easy to use and full of vintage inspired, shabby chic style gifts and home ware ideas we know women would love! Made for women by women!

"We are working hard to build a social network with our suppliers and with our customers to raise awareness of the brand, investing in marketing and advertising through social sites and Google. We have a seo specialist working with us as part of the Live Chic team so we have a secret weapon on our side!  Most importantly we want to interact and listen to what our customers like and what they want so we can make the site a place they want to keep coming back to. It will be updated regularly with new products and we will be running regular discounts and giveaways through the site and our social platforms."

You can read more about the story here: http://www.livechic.co.uk/the-live-chic-story/

Interview with Ani Saunders

Today I have an interview for you with fabulous fashionista, artist and singer, Ani Saunders.  I pumped her for information on her style inspiration and fashion tips...

1.       Describe your personal style.

I'm forever refining my wardrobe. It's true what they say; out with the old, in with the new. I would say that I'm quite experimental, though my curiosity generally lies in textures an fabrics rather than colour and shape. I rarely wear tight-fitting clothing and generally drown myself in over-sized, boyish shapes.

2.       Who is your style icon?

Coco Chanel without a shaddow of a doubt. Effortless glamour and timeless. Though my aim is perhaps to portray "effortless glamour" it then seems quite ironic that in reality, I put quite a lot of effort into it. Darn!

3.       What inspires you when putting an outfit together?

It depends on quite a few factors; my mood, the weather, where I'm going etc. Before I go to sleep at night I may see an item of clothing from the corner of my eye and decide that I'm going to build an outfit around it in the morning. Often not, so the outfit generally compromises of early morning manic panics and messy hair.

4.       What are your favourite ways of accessorising an outfit?

I usually only accessorise  when I'm wearing a simple outfit. I don't like too much clutter and I prefer when there's a focal point. At the moment I'm constantly wearing a very large and chunky necklace and so my outfits (though quite textured) are generally quite simple with a minimal amount of colour.

5.       What would you advise someone who is looking to change their style?

The best way of changing your style and to make it convincing is to find a muse. When I'm feeling uninspired and "stylistically-challened" I tend to refer back to my muse which of course is Coco Chanel. That's when the stripes and boyish trousers come back out. Now you know.

Follow Ani for her latest updates at http://www.s4c.co.uk/tag/c_ffasiwn.shtml, http://thelovelywars.com/ and https://twitter.com/TheLovelyWars

Liverpool

I am just back from a two night stay in Liverpool and wanted to share the joy of my trip.  It was my dad's 60th birthday and he loved every minute, every meal, every present.  The moment we arrived was priceless - Dad didn't know he would be joined by me and my boyfriend on this trip, and when we pulled up by his car in front of the hotel, it took his brain several seconds to register what was happening!

We stayed in the Adelphi Hotel, where we've stayed a few times before.  It's in a great location and has a history connected to the Titanic. We were staying in suites, and although the decor of the hotel was a little out of date, the rooms were large and airy and we had such a nice stay.

Then, for pleasure, we went shopping and enjoyed a meal in Bella Italia and a drink in the hotel bar.  The next day we went to Albert Dock, for a refreshing walk and to wander around the shops.  Later we stopped for lunch at the only Beatles themed hotel in the world, the Hard Day's Night Hotel.  We had some lovely sandwiches and mini cakes, very afternoon tea!  We were tired after walking so much in the sun, so next up was a Beatles taxi tour.

I hadn't expected it to be so fab!  We went to locations which we would never have found on their own, or know their significance; the colleges the Beatles attended, their childhood homes, where John and Paul met... For someone who knows a relative amount of Beatles history, I learnt some new facts, and I was struck by the humble beginnings of these young men who shaped music history.  In particular, the innocuous church hall where John and Paul were first introduced!

Later, we went for a bit of pub grub and then on to the Cavern to enjoy the atmosphere and live music.  Yes, a Beatles themed day, but it was my dad's birthday and he's a big fan.

Next morning before heading off, we had a look around the St George's Hall exhibition and civic buildings.  A lovely way to finish our trip.

Looking forward to going away for my boyfriend's birthday and our holiday now!