New things in my life

After working far too hard for months, I have recently taken the decision to reclaim some time for the things that I love in my life: and it's a pleasant journey to be making. This weekend, we had intended to go to Brighton, but due to lots of snow in southeast England we've had to postpone it; this turned out to be a sort of blessing in disguise, as we replaced it with a lazy, luxuriating weekend hiding from the cold, visiting a local (and amazing) secondhand bookshop, buying amazing food from local farmshops and spending hours looking at new fashions for the year (and buying a few).

We also spent the evening watching Skellig - I am a huge fan of David Almond's books, all of them, and while I don't think the film is as good it is magical and manages to catch some of the darkness and mystery of being young that Almond does so well.

Plus, I really, really wish I'd known Mina, a real independent spirit, when I was young. Love her.

Other new things in my life are:

A lovely copy of The Hobbit, present from my boyfriend. CAN'T WAIT for the film - so excited!

I found this brand new book that has been on my wishlist, for two pounds!

I got this amazingly beautiful book from my brother, full of to-die-for 1920s and 30s fashion - expect more from this soon!

And this found its way home with me - because secretly I've always wanted to be a Victorian housekeeper...

And I couldn't believe this beautiful dress I've been lusting after was 50% off in the Topshop sale. I wasn't sure what it would look like in the flesh, but it is gorgeous, hangs beautifully, and feels so expensive... I love a real one-off design :)

Bicycles, Rupert Bear, the seaside, and straw hats

Today has involved one of my most favourite mornings - a trip to the town where we used to live in order to explore my favourite second hand book shop, charity shops, and garden centre. My hair has just grown enough to allow me to get my fringe back, so I am happily wearing my new vintage-style hats at every opportunity. Something about this one makes people smile at me and small girls say hello.

I went all out in the feeling girly and young again fashion stakes with matching ankle socks, and the universe responded by unearthing two great childrens' books for me and a stripy, heart print jumper for £3. I had to have the Rupert bear book as soon as I saw the Victorian-style clothes on the bears - and all the talk of seaside and ice creams has made me very impatient for our trip to Cornwall!

As you can see, my cat was determined to take part in operations today! Meet Freckles - she's 12, and was adopted by me two years ago. She is a real sweetie!

Skirt and hat (£2!) from Primark, ankle socks and shoes from New Look, pearls from a charity shop.

Dreaming...

Why, oh why, do I not live here? I think I might never go out. I think I could daydream endlessly until that book I always wanted to write emerged.

From Kitschy Living.

We're all mad here.

I love this t shirt - a bargain in the sale at Orphans Arms, who are my favourite unusual-slogan quoting outfit, because their clothes contain lots of literary allusions that I love - and definitely think there should be more of! Even better, I got this one in the sale, and the skirt was an H&M buy from Ebay that was only a few pound. So a brilliant way to dream of chasing white rabbits for next to nothing. And that's all I've been doing today - reading, dreaming, clearing out old things, rediscovering old books. Perfect. Now time for a cup of tea to go with that teapot...