Deep Burgundy

My favourite shade for lips and nails right now.

Bicycle Lust

The two things I miss most about living in Abu Dhabi:

1. The weather

2. My bicycle

Fact of the Day

Accurate.

I don’t know who said this…

Sometimes you meet someone, and it’s so clear that the two of you, on some level belong together.  As lovers, or as friends, or as family, or as something entirely different.  You just work, whether you understand one another or you’re in love or you’re partners in crime.  You meet these people throughout your life, out of nowhere, under the strangest circumstances, and they help you feel alive.  I don’t know if that makes me believe in coincidence, or fate, or sheer blind luck, but it definitely makes me believe in something.

… but it rings so true to me.

New Year’s Resolutions

(in no particular order)

Be kinder

Eat more fruit and vegetables

Write letters

Find a way to be with that person I need to be with

Learn some Italian

Finish the Day Zero Project

Exercise

Be outdoors

Drink herbal tea

Relax

Keep my room tidy

Spend time with friends

Stay warm

Drive less

Read a ton of books

Get dressed up

Listen to people

Have a bedtime routine

Be thankful

Tell the people I love that I love them

Work harder

Wear bright lipstick

Take lots of photos

Breathe

Save money

Go to bed early

Hang out more with children and old people

Lose those few pounds

Compliment people (genuinely)

Spend time alone

Smile

Watch less T.V.

Nap

Make lots of lists and start crossing things off

Be brave

Stop gossiping

Dance

Read the Newspaper

Sleep-in at the weekend

Be gentle

Laugh

Cook more

Bake more

Get a massage

Be yourself

Survive another year

Thing #96: Make my own Christmas cards

Last year, I made a promise – a promise that if you sent me an email with your postal address, I would send you a card.  It was one of those situations where I had a whole lot of love inside me and I didn’t know what to do with it – so I resorted, as I often do, to expressing it through stationery.

I didn’t tell you I was going to make the cards.  That was the element of surprise.

I thought I would have a few extra cards to make and write… but it turned out that I got a lot of emails and what I imagined to be some leisurely Christmas crafting turned into a two-day factory-style card-making extravaganza.  There is zero complaint in that sentence.

I used regular acrylic paints to do the illustrations and blank cards and envelopes from Paperchase.  It was so much fun.  Thanks to anyone who took part, and for all the lovely cards I received back.

This year, Christmas is looking a little like Crazytown Central, so I didn’t make any promises (I still love you).

€5 has been donated to UNICEF Ireland for the completion of this ‘thing’.  Click here if you too would like to donate online.

How did it get so late so soon?

The wisdom of Dr. Seuss… anyone else feeling like this lately?

It’s Here

It’s here.  December is here.  We can start talking about Christmas now… officially… not in hushed tones. 

Day Zero Project: an update

If you’re a regular little t reader, you will know that I have been doing the Day Zero Project (working my way through a list of 101 things to complete in 1001 days).  You may have noticed that Day Zero has come and gone.  I was supposed to be all done by October 3rd.  1001 days seems like a long time, until those days start ticking away.  When I realised my time was nearly up, I thought it would be better to just keep going.  I’m a little over half way there and I’m not giving up yet, even if it ends up taking me 2002 days.

Anyone else doing this?  How is it going?

Fear

Taking Photos

Made me smile.  I’m so guilty of this.

Best of… October 2013

via Sorakeem

If there was a theme to this month’s ‘Best of…’ post, it would be ‘How to wear your boyfriend’s clothes and look completely adorable’.

Or your Dad’s, Brother’s, Grandad’s… whatever.  Make it work.

via Le Blog de Betty

You have to have a certain attitude when you’re wearing your Grandaddy’s clothes.  Betty’s got it down.  I’d aim for just shy of smug. 

via Fashion Toast

via Sincerely Jules

Jules’ coat is a steal from Misguided (not her usual designer threads): available here

via Sorakeem

Love (!) this grown-up metallic backpack

via Sorakeem

via Trop Rouge

via Sorakeem

Interesting fact:  this post starts and ends with two of my favourite style pictures ever.  Of all time.  So perfect.

Hemingway: on writing

I love how most of Hemingway’s advice on being a good writer applies, more generally, to being a good human.

Also, a cocktail inspired by this great man.

Sleeping on Strangers

This video makes my heart sing.

Once, after a couple of sleeping pills knocked me out on a long flight, I awoke to find myself resting on the rigid, bony shoulder of one of my fellow passengers: a young boy (no more than twelve years’ old).  A small drool patch was beginning to form on his t-shirt.  I remember thinking, underneath my mortification, how sweet it was that he didn’t shrug me off.  He let me sleep… for God knows how long.  Now, whenever I hear people complain about ‘kids nowadays’, I like to remember that one.

Say Whaaat?