Ink on my fingers

Paying it forward... and a meme

Lots of bloggers have been paying it forward recently, and now it's my turn (thanks to Kristen!).  The first three people who leave a comment will get a little something from me, but only if they promise to pay this forward to three more people on their own blog. (I'm loving this - it feels Christmassy already. I bought some presents for my family this morning, but, shhh, don't tell them.)

And now for a meme, borrowed from Miss Daisies.

What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Earl grey rooibos tea

Can you do push-ups?
What are they?

Do you own a gun?
Obviously not, and I can’t believe that anyone in their right mind would think it’s a good idea to own one. THEY. KILL. PEOPLE. That is not something I would ever want to own.

What’s your favourite piece of jewellery?
My chunky silver charm bracelet my love bought me for Christmas

What is your secret weapon to lure the opposite sex?
My well-honed ability to flirt like a demon and disarm them with wit

Middle name?
Catherine

Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:
- I think I’ve eaten too much
- but I still fancy some chocolate
- stupid periods

Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:
- sparkling water
- rooibos tea
- decaf coffee with hazelnut syrup

What time did you wake up today?
9am - I had to set the alarm, but I usually wake between 9 and 9:30am

Current hate?
The rain; the vanishing daylight; the rain

Favourite place to be?
On my sofa, reading, or painting at my coffee table; in California; by the sea

Least favourite place to be?
In an office

Where would you like to go?
San Francisco

Do you own slippers?
Yes, but I’m not sure where they are

What shirt are you wearing?
Orange and cream stripey top

Do you burn or tan?
I try not to do either as I want to preserve my skin (ah, the vanity of it all)

Favourite colour(s)?
Turquoise, violet, deep blood red

Would you be a pirate?
Absolutely

What songs do you sing in the shower?
The last ones I listened to (currently this amazing singer/songwriter)

What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
I had two regular visitors in my nightmares as a child: 1) a scary creature that looked like a black silhouette - it would come up the stairs and get me, and I’d scream and scream but no sound would come out. And then 2) the demonic invisible presence that would lift me up into the air and pin me against the ceiling - cue more silent screaming.

What’s in your pockets right now?
There are no pockets in the clothes I am wearing

Last thing that made you laugh?
The Mighty Boosh

Best bed sheets as a child?
None stick out in my mind

Worst injury you’ve ever had?
Breaking my toe this year was pretty irritating; my broken heart hurt more, though.

Are your parents still together?
No

Do you wish on shooting stars?
Yes, though last time I saw one was circa 1995

What is your favourite book(s)?
Too many to choose just one, but the first that came to mind are The Hours and Written on the Body.

What is your favourite candy?
Dark chocolate.

How is the weather outside right now?
It’s been drizzling all day, and grey and cloudy. Right now it is dark outside, but I imagine it’s still drizzling. I hate this weather we’re having.

What was your first thought this morning when you woke up?
‘Did that really happen?’

"In a world drowning in useless information, poetry returns us to what is meaningful. The poem acts as a pocket of air in an upturned boat." ~ Jeanette Winterson

Pssst....

I thought I'd join in the Christmas preparations and run a two-week special offer in my Etsy store (ends Tuesday 4th December, leaving enough time for shipping). I've already started to buy presents for my family and friends (so far all are handmade - i love Etsy!) and figured a few of my potential customers might be doing the same.

In keeping with IOMF tradition I'd like to mark the occasion by giving away a 5"x7" print of the photo above (without the text, obviously), so for a chance to win it, simply leave a comment telling me what you'd like for Christmas :-)

I love

i love the smell of: my sister's hair when I hug her; Satya Aastha incense curling over my shoulder as I write this; hot pavements in the summer; cold damp woods in the autumn; frosty air in the winter; tuberose; nutmeg

i loved the sound of: his voice, saying my name

i love the taste of: that first bite of marzipan; sweet fleshy papaya; vinegary chips; syrupy full-bodied red wine; I remember the taste of his skin, hot and musky; persimmons

i love the sight of: vintage objects; old photographs; new photographs; red and its many variations; my home; my favourite books; a poem

i love the feel of: friendship; unconditional support; acceptance

i am thankful for: my health; my artistic nature; my family's love; lessons that have been learnt even though they were so painful... the promise of love.

What do you love?

Birthday girl

Happy Birthday Miss Swirly!

Housekeeping

It feels good to be working hard, good to be putting my energy into something I not only love but believe in too. Tomorrow I'm taking portraits at a one-year-old's birthday party, which should be just lovely; Sunday I'm having coffee with another client to give her the prints from her shoot. My heart took a contented sigh as I listened to her tell me how much she loved her photographs. On my business website I talk about capturing memories, and that is exactly what I feel I am doing - recording the moments they'll want to treasure in years to come. It feels good... It feels right.

My little Etsy venture continues to grow steadily, and this week I was accepted onto the Trunkt website, giving me the chance to promote my photography to more potential art buyers.  What started as a way to make a bit of pin money is blossoming into such a satisfying bonsai business. I love getting my photography out into the world and feel so passionate about my pictures it thrills me to share them with others.

SPC: What i wear ~ week two

I believe this post is what the blogging professionals might call a lazy post - when you haven't got the energy to write something insightful, you throw up a couple of images of yourself and link to a community site and SHAZAM, another post is written. Maybe if you've got the energy you'll add a few links to the (fabulously cheap) shop where you bought the (fabulously cosy) garment you're wearing (the most recent item you've bought).

I'm tired tonight.

How about you?

Guess who...

...came to stay this weekend. The very beautiful, funny and oh-so-happily engaged Miss Meg joined me for a  weekend of junk-shopping, two extremely high-calorie dinners and a night of art journaling. She also brought with her a book that has caught my imagination and given me lots to think about, so I'm sharing a page here for you too...

Little by little...

{Light catchers, 10 x 8 print, available in my Etsy store}

If I'd have known how long it would take me to heal I might have given up at the start. Now that i'm here in this place I can see the wisdom in the little steps I've been taking, each leading me to the next layer of healing that was needed. I'm far enough along to no longer really think of myself as a grieving woman - I'm not grieving, not in that old keening aching way. I cried exhausted tears at the airport when I didn't see his familiar face welcoming me home, but when I finally walked through my front door, I didn't think of him... I thought of my friends and how I missed them. He's fading, rightfully, into the most beautiful and delicious memory - I remember only good things now, and perhaps that's exactly as it should be.

This morning I took my first yoga class, and anyone who knows me will vouch for how much i hate the idea of exercise, so this little step is in fact HUGE for me. I figure it's time to build on all the good work i've been doing with healthy eating and cutting out alcohol - it's time to get this tired 30-something body into shape. And as my body learns new movements, my mind is clearing out old sorrows from the past, starting with the non-relationship I have (haven't?) with my absent father. This is when the true benefits of therapy become apparent - when you're finally brave enough to tackle the shit you never thought you'd be able to face.

I'm ready.

SPC: What i wear ~ week one

{Frida, Boho Boy and me, taken by Denise}

I was advised to bring layers, that the weather was changeable and could cool off in the evenings, and so i did what any sensible English girl would do, and I packed sweaters and pashminas and a sexy cowl-necked wool dress that would look good over my jeans. It's autumn, right?

Turns out that autumn in southern California is rather like summer on my planet, so  of course three-quarters of the clothes I'd packed remained unworn. In this photograph you see me in the jeans I wore on the plane flying out and my raggedy old Jigsaw vest (the one intended for lounging around the house) that ended up being my shit-it's-hot-best-wear-this staple of the week.

You may also notice that I am sporting a blue tiger lily on my arm (as far as i can recall this is its first outing on this blog),  a ten-year-old tattoo that I don't love like I did when i first had it inked on my arm. I just don't  see it these days, and am often surprised when someone makes a comment on it - as I boarded the plane in LA the man at the gate quipped that he didn't need to see my passport as he recognised the tattoo from when i'd checked in.

Which made a nice change from 'Is it real?'

 
For more sartorial discoveries, go here.