Shame Academy

Well the DUO Christmas/New Year's/Beginning of February Oscars themed party has been and gone....Red carpet, free bar and an awards ceremony complete with little gold plastic men for the best of the Duo bunch etc etc. I've looked in the dictionary for the best word to describe the night and I've come up with:

IGNOMINIOUS Adjective

deserving or causing public disgrace or shame

Whilst draping myself over the "Duo Golden Boot Award for Most Fantastic Employee" and gesticulating wildly to my colleagues, I managed to knock a plastic Oscar award onto the floor and spectacularly decapitate it. In front of my manager, the managing director and the company owners. Good lord in heaven WHY?! To make matters worse, I felt so guilt-stricken I started scrabbling around searching for the missing appendage on the floor, arse in the air, photos flashing away recording the humiliation. The head was never located.

Quote of the evening: "Did it even have a head to begin with?"

Meanwhile Helen got so drunk that by the end of the night she was completely speechless, with a vague fixed grin plastered on her face. Plastered being the operative word. Grace was overlooking the proceedings hooting and cackling away.

Some photos from this eventful evening.

Gorgeous Helmand

The beautiful Daffers

Me and Helen

The legend that is Tom C

King's Confectionary

It is quite well known amongst friends and family that I am a wannabe patisserie chef.
I love biscuits. I love truffles. I love flapjacks. I love brownies (mmmmm browniiiieeeesssss). I love strawberry tarts. I love macaroons. I love cakes, particularly cupcakes. And carrot cake. And banana loaf cake. And lemon drizzle cake.
You get the idea.
So it was a dream come true when I was let loose on some confectionary based gifts. The end result was home-made orange chocolate truffles with candid orange peel and edible gold stars. Heaven.

The menu label inside the box. Oh the wonders of Photoshop.

And they tasted as good as they looked.

Model Village

I have been practising portraiture photography in preparation (is that too much alliteration?!) for the office Christmas party. Before you ask, the company I am working for is very backward.
My younger brother is the perfect subject. He's a bit of a stunner. And I had the commission to take photos of him as he is auditioning (daaaaahling).
I have not done very well. I just can't get my head around all the functions on this mega camera of mine. Maybe I should read the instructions manual.
This is my best attempt. Thank you to the camera's automatic function.

This is my real attempt. Complete and utter disaster. He looks like he's got cataracts.

Winter Walks: Stourhead

Would winter be complete without a walk through the gardens of Stourhead?! It has become a bit of a lovely tradition. That and guzzling clotted cream fudge, feeling decidedly sick on the way back and having to have a bit of a lie down at home to ease the quease.
Some photos from my meander with Mabel (and the parents).

It must be love love love

My hunt for the perfect lace peter pan collared item of clothing has been a long one. It is not an exaggeration when I say I have been hunting far and wide. I've had many an Ebay anticlimax, many a high street disappointment, many a "Oh, it's just not quite right" regret....
UNTIL NOW! Topshop has pulled through quite spectacularly and this little beaut arrived today.
As much as I find parcels in the post an immeasurable high, when what you've bought isn't what you expected, the come down can be horrific. But the post-arrival high has not dimmed with this fabulous gem, it just keeps on getting better!

Black Lace Peter Pan Collar Playsuit

I think it's true love ♥

Black Swan

Wowzer. What a film! The best and most original make-up I've ever seen and some incredible effects in the final scene when she transforms into the black swan. Deffo a look for Halloween this year. And the costumes and cinematography are amazing. AAAHH such a GOOD FILM!!

Go and see it!

Christmases Past

I've come over all nostalgic this evening. As I am a skint flint and have only five pound coins to rub together until pay day on Friday, I feel a bit of Christmas cheer is needed to blow away these January Blues. That and 'Tipsy Tuesdays' at the Archangel, hands up if you need a large (preferably barrel sized) glass of white wine to spend your last fiver on...If not for cheer, for medicinal purposes - How can it be SO cold??? What a joke!
Anyway, back to festive cheer. Here is a compilation of my favourite photos from Christmas, taken on the brand new fabulous camera.

Snow capped Old Vicarage

Mabel

Bath

Vintage shopping. In Frome? REALLY??!

So for my first proper post. Woop woop!
Yesterday I was introduced to the wonder that is Catherine Hill in Frome. After a pot of tea at the Little Red Cafe and a browse in the beautiful vintage shops, I was pretty much hooked. Definitely recommend a visit for anyone starved of good vintage shopping in Somerset...


DEADLY IS THE FEMALE 
We started off in Grace's favourite forties and fifties inspired boutique where we spotted these beauties. Who can live without Dorothy inspired killer heels?

MAKE AND MEND
An amazing jumble sale of old nicknacks, accessories and clothes. The lady who runs the shop has a alteration and repairs room at the back of the shop. Apparently she used to work for Christian Lacroix. What in crikey's name is she doing in Frome?!

Always wanted a Singer sewing machine but for practical and logical reasons, I will stick to modern technology. Or as modern as my worn out 90s sewing machine will allow. Though would be nice to hang necklaces off.

RANDOM SHOP
I'm gutted I can't remember the name of the shop where I took these photos, but this was my favourite one. Lots of vintage teapots and cups and saucers, old tins and vases, potted hyacinths, brooches, creepy witchy hand earrings...

Once pay day comes, I will be definitely be buying one of these silhouette bird brooches for my furry tippet and my blazer. Super cute.

Here's a link with all the shops on Catherine Hill: 
http://www.stcatherinesfrome.co.uk/. 
Goodtimes! Thank you Grace and Helen for showing me around x

Hello world...

Just a quick first hello from me. There is wine to be drunk with the winonas and I need to trowel on some foundation to my hideous pock-marked visage before they arrive. Oh the cruel affects of winter on sensitive skin.

Expect more to come very soon!