Cateaclysmic

Donate Your Bras To Charity!

2013-05-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

After losing quite a bit of weight and working out daily I've found my usual bra size was starting to feel a bit lose on me so I decided to go get myself re-measured and yes my bra size has changed which means I'm left with a closet full of bras that no longer fit.

Quite a few of my bras have hardly been worn and are were in such good condition that it seemed a shame to just throw them out, so I did a little research and found a charity that you can donate you old unwanted bras to.

Sometimes we throw things out without a second thought and one of my goals is to be a lot less wasteful and to reuse and recycle as much as I can so when I saw the bra recycling campaign by Against Breast Cancer I just had to spread the word

"When you make a deposit at a Bra Bank, your illfitting or unwanted underwear will be whisked away to start a new life on the other side of the world, where traders support their families selling textiles locally. Successful ventures like this keep many families in developing countries out of poverty whilst providing employment for people at home in the UK."

Bra Banks can be found in various locations throughout the U.K. or you can do what I did and send them directly. By donating your unwanted bras you are not only helping the fight against breast cancer but supporting small businesses and families in poorer countries as well as reducing waste which is a win for everyone, so don't just throw those unloved bras away donate them!

Love & Life

Cate

xoxo

Inspirational Fashional Quotes #38

2013-05-15T04:42:00.000-07:00

"I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me, too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it’s true I’m here, and I’m just as strange as you."
- Frida Kahlo

8 Eccentric Etsy Fashion Finds

2013-05-10T06:22:00.000-07:00

Etsy is my favourite place to browse all things quirky and unique, I would quite happily buy my entire wardrobe from there. The best thing about buying from handmade/indie shops is that you're getting something that is not only unique but handmade with love, so here are some of my favourite geeky fashion finds.

The JOKER Dress

Batman: The Animated Series is one of my absolute favourite incarnations of the Batman world and this dress is the perfect embodiment of that. This design is perfect I love the bold colours and the use of onomatopoeia which reminds me of the always cheesy yet amazing 1960's TV series, this dress is 100% awesome and right at the top of my wishlist!

Pikachu Pokemon Glitter Shoes

PIKA~~~~ SHOES I CHOOSE YOU!!! Sorry I just couldn't resist a good pun but aren't these just the cutest things you've ever seen? If fact if you like these then you should go check out this shop as it's full of cute glittery shoes and I'm not kidding I would wear every single one of them!

E.T. Alien Mini Dress

Just as I saw this dress E.T. came on the TV it must be fate! E.T. is one of my all time favourite movies, I used to watch this all the time when I was a kid and totally blame it for my obsession with all things space related. This dress is the cutest and that image of E.T. is just adorable.

Red Felt Dalek Purse

You guys know I love my quirky bags and this one is definitely quirky, I almost can't believe this is a bag it looks that amazing! I'm really impressed with this bag and all the other bags in this shop there is something for everyone here so even if you're not a Who fan be sure to check them out.

Marvel Super Hero Dress

This dress is just perfect for the Marvel fan, I absolutely love it! I'm so jealous that I don't have awesome sewing skills because I think if I did I would have a whole wardrobe full of dresses like this. There is a whole load of geeky dresses in this shop but this one is definitely my fave I would love to wear this as my birthday dress.

Gryffindor Waist Cincher

Ok so I'm not really a big Harry Potter fan but I really liked these House themed corsets and how they incorporated colours and the crest into them that I'm almost tempted to put on that Sorting Hat and it you're not a fan of Gryffindor then check out this shop for even more beautiful corsetry.

Star Wars Comic Book Apron

Cooking is one of my favourite hobbies, I love experimenting with new recipes but it can get messy so having an awesome apron would be very handy and this apron would be perfect to wear when making recipes from the amazing Star Wars Cookbook don't you think?

Lord of the Rings Inspired Skirt

Fun fact about me I'm pretty much obsessed with ancient maps especially maps of fantasy lands. The Lord of the Rings is one of my all time favourite movies and although I've already started a collection of Middle Earth clothing thanks to Black Milk I would love to add this skirt into my wardrobe to.

Be sure to share some of your favourite Etsy finds in the comments!

Love & Lemons

Cate

xoxo

Dornish Red Mountain Stew

2013-05-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

Quinoa is one of those things I never know what to do with, I just can't seem to find anything really exciting to make with it so after a bit of searching I decided to use it to bulk up a stew in the place of meat. I don't usually use a lot of dried spices when I'm cooking but I wanted to go for a Mediterranean kinda taste for this with the days getting warmer and the result is something hearty yet fresh with a slight spice to it
and definitely something I will be making again.

Ingredients

1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup water
1 red onion
1 tbsp fresh chopped garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
2 sticks of celery
2 carrots
1 courgette
1 pepper (or 4 small)
10 cherry tomatoes
1 tin of butter beans
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 cup vegetable stock
1 bay leaf
sprinkle of chopped coriander
3 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine

(Serves 4)

♥ Dice the carrots, courgette, peppers, garlic, onion, celery and cherry tomatoes.

♥ Heat the olive oil in a pan then add the diced vegetables and cook until soft.

♥ Once the vegetables are cooked add the vegetable stock, tinned tomatoes, butter beans, cumin, chilli, paprika, ground coriander, oregano and bay leaf and simmer on a low heat.

♥ Whilst the stew is cooking wash the quinoa thoroughly until the water runs clear then boil it in a saucepan with a cup of water.

♥ Once the quinoa is cooked and all the moisture has been absorbed divide it into bowls.

♥ Add the Shaoxing rice wine to the stew then divide the stew into the bowls with the quinoa

♥ Sprinkle a bit of fresh coriander on top.

♥ Eat and enjoy!

Good Luck

Cate

xoxo

Things That Make You Go Oooooo (April 2013)

2013-04-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Another month gone and another month closer to my adventure, I'm so excited (news on that coming soon!), April has been such a fun month for me and we're finally seeing signs of Spring! I really don't know how to sum up April it's definitely taught me quite a few things and made me realise a lot about myself I've had to work hard this month to keep a healthy mind and thankfully I've had a lot to help me get through it so I hope you find these links as useful as I did.

♥ 30 Day Positivity Challenge - I love this idea it's such a great way to practice self-love.

♥ How Your Office Space Can Affect You Blogging, And What To Do About It

♥ A Beautiful Ripple Effect: How To Save a Life - I always strive to be a better person and these are some simple things to practice daily which could make a difference however small to your fellow humans.

♥ Beat the Bullies - I've been thinking about my own experience of bullies lately and what a negative affect it had on me growing up, I think things are a lot worse for kids now but the best way is to not give them a voice and not let them affect you because in the end they simply won't matter.

♥ 20 Thoughts To Help Relieve Anxiety and Depression

♥ Maintaining a Healthy Brain While Working Online - Awesome tips and swapping out those sugary snacks and replacing them with fresh fruit and seeds definitely boosts your productivity power.

♥ How Do I Get Noticed? - Crochet extraordinaire Twinkie Chan shares some tips for small business owners, I often get asked this question and although my shop is nowhere near as popular as Twinkie's I believe if you work hard and don't give up that eventually you will find success.

♥ 10 Ways to Tank Your Traffic

♥ How Blogging Has Helped Open Doors To Friendship And Career Opportunities - Nubby shares her story on how blogging has affected her life and the amazing opportunities it has given her.

♥ 10 Lessons For Creatives From Lena Dunham - Awesome tips here for fellow creatives from the girl in the know Lena Dunham.

♥ Miyazaki for Kids: Using Animation to Promote Strong, Healthy Girlhood

♥ Never Stop Learning - I could not agree with this more and I believe if you have a dream you should do everything you can to achieve it.

♥ Five Staples to a Domestic Art Goddess's Day - Simple tips on how to keep a relaxed and creative environment.

♥ 10 Reasons Why The Addams Family is Awesome(ly Feminist)

♥ 10 Kind Ways to Deeply and Unabashedly Fall in Love with Yourself - "Self-love is the biggest gift you can ever give yourself. It’s the greatest freedom you’ll ever experience."

♥ D.I.Y. Kitty Ear Bowler Hat - I've been seeing these hats everywhere lately and I absolutely adore them, this is such a simple tutorial that will bring cuteness an old boring hat.

♥ 30 Creative Ways to Repurpose Photos

♥ D.I.Y Cloud Sweater - This is the perfect way to add a bit of spring to your clothes and absolutely adorable I'm definitely adding this to my projects list!

♥ 10 Ways to Turn Around a Bad Day in 10 Minutes Or Less - The perfect little remedies for when life is getting you down, I use every single ones of these and they are an instant mood booster!

♥ Helen Mirren Confronts The Final Female Taboo

♥ 9 Things Everyone Should Try Alone - Everyone should try and do at least one of these things this month, there's nothing quite like getting over your inhibitions and enjoying your own company.

Love & Buttercups

Cate

xoxo

Read, Watch, Wear, Play

2013-04-25T02:30:00.000-07:00

April started off pretty quiet for me which meant I had some time to myself to catch up on my hobbies but it's ended kinda crazy so who knows when I'll have time to chillax again. I tried to try out as many new and different things as I could this month and although most of it I didn't really enjoy I have found some real gems so here are my top faves you all should check out!

Avengers Assemble

I promised myself I would try to read an actual book this month but alas decided to catch up on my comic book reading instead and treat myself to the new Avengers Assemble series. I honestly don't read enough Marvel but I really liked The New Avengers series so though I'd give this one a try and I'm glad I did, in relation I totally need this in my life!

Community

Saying Game of Thrones would be obvious so I thought I would instead share another show I have recently discovered, Community. I know, I know this is another TV show I'm late to the party on but I honestly hadn't heard anything about it until recently and I'm so happy I gave it a try as it is sooooo funnny and an instant mood boster, I often watch it when I'm on the exercise bike and can get through 3 - 4 episodes easily, so if you're not watching it yet what are you waiting for it's hilarious!!!

Black Milk

Ok so this isn't really a new find for me but it's only this year that I finally got my hands on some awesome designs from their shop and I've pretty much spend the whole month wearing it. The reason why I waited so long to get any was because I was paranoid about the fit and that they wouldn't be flattering BUT I'm so happy that it's the complete opposite, Black Milk make the most flattering clothes ever!

The Rubens

Thank you Supernatural for introducing me to this awesome band as I have been listening to this album non-stop this month and I love it, I just can't believe I'm only hearing about them now. I honestly have no idea what's going on in the music world at the moment and my last big find was The Black Keys so I'm so glad I've found a new band I can listen to.

What are some of your favourite things this months, do you have anything to reccomend to me?

Love & Strawberries

Cate

xoxo

Bye, Bye Google Reader

2013-04-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

Some of you may not already know but Google Reader is soon to become a relic of internets past much like the recently parted MSN Messenger (R.I.P.) but don't worry as there are alternative ways you can catch up on my latest blog posts.

Bloglovin'

Bloglovin' is pretty much the new Google Reader and in just one easy click you can import all your old reader feeds into it. Bloglovin' is also a great place to find new bloggers and most of the blogs I currently follow are happy discoveries found via them.

Facebook

If you haven't already liked me on Facebook then go do it, not only do you get updates on when new posts go up but also updates on my Etsy and Storenvy shops as well as sneak peeks from my Instagram feed.

Twitter

Twitter is probably the best way you can keep up to date with me as I always post important information and updates there first as well as chatting with people, posting pictures and generally talking nonsense, so be sure to follow me!

Love & Cupcakes

Cate

xoxo

Inspirational Fashional Quotes #37

2013-04-15T04:34:00.000-07:00

"I always wear what I’m comfortable in. If one designer doesn’t like what I’m wearing, the next one will."
- Coco Rocha

Winter is HERE!!!

2013-04-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

Although it's "officially" summertime here in Winterfell there is still a little bit of snow left on the ground. March ended with me being knee deep in snow unable to leave my cave so I did what any other person would do I put on my snow gear and built some epic snow sculptures!

Building snowmen is a surprisingly good workout and so much fun to, there's just something about snow that turns me into a big kid again and my snow building started to attract an audience, several times I caught my neighbours poking their heads out the window to see what I was doing....

Of course I wasn't building any old snowman, nope I decided to build a Direwolf to stand guard outside Winterfell and protect us from those White Walkers and as Easter was on its way I also built a giant bunny who I named Frank.

I probably had way too much fun building these and now part of me wants to move to the North Pole and become a snow totem builder but I'm a child of summer and as fun as snow is I need me some sun already!

Is there still snow where you guys are and what's the craziest snowman you've ever built?

Love & Snowflakes

Cate

xoxo

D.I.Y. Fashion Tutorial: How to Waterproof Shoes

2013-04-05T03:00:00.000-07:00

Good Luck!

Cate

xoxo

Things That Make You Go Oooooo (March 2013)

2013-03-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or does this year seem to be going really quickly!? I can't believe we're already going into April, March has just been one crazy blur for me but I got so much done and organised that hopefully I can start doing more fun stuff soon. I feel like March has been all about re-organisation and re-evaluation so hopefully some you'll find some of these links as useful as I did.

♥ Spring Cleaning (aka editing your mess of a closet) - I've tried to cut WAY down on my clothing items and have donated/sold over half of my wardrobe and even though I did feel kinda bad getting rid of a few things I can honestly say I don't miss them, these are some great tips on how to cut down on your clothes and how to store them and keep them looking at their best to!

♥ The Ultimate Guide To Looking Good On Spring Break

♥ 100 Beautiful Quotes To Inspire Your Life - Write them on you walls, mirrors, phone anyway you can think of so that every time you feel unsure of yourself you have something to make your day that litle bit more bright.

♥ How To Stop Bacterial Breakouts - I'm a bit of a clean freak as it is but now I'm being extra diligent with keeping things clean (especially my phone!) after seeing this.

♥ Embrace Your Inner Life Coach: 5 Meaningful Ways To Help Others

♥ Easy Ways To Save Time - Simple tips but very effective, I make lists for everything and always try to cross at least one thing off them a day.

♥ 8 Skills You Need When Running Your Own Business - I love this it's so true and there's some great advice for those of us struggling with running our own little empires.

♥ How To Find Fashion Blogger Sponsorship Programs

♥ Candid Thoughts On Sponsors And Courtesy Items - Some interesting thoughts here, I think sponsorship is a great thing however as tempting as it is I think it's very important to keep your integrity and be true to yourself and don't sell yourself short.

♥ How To Walk Forward To Your Dreams - This is such a sweet story and I absolutely love this idea, I'm definitely going to be trying this out.

♥ Perfection and Imperfection

♥ 10 Simple Things to Make You Happier At Home - Your environment can have a big effect on your mood so this is a great way of restoring a bit of peace and harmony to your home.

♥ Juicing vs Blending - Some great info for anyone wanting to up their daily intake of fruits and vegetablea as you guys know I'm addicted to smoothies and although we have a juicer I definitely favour my blender.

♥ Emma's Fitness Story

♥ My Exercise History - Such a great story and something I can totally relate to, if you're looking for some inspiration for getting healthy then give this a read!

♥ R2D2 Heels - I am in LOVE with these shoes, this would make an awesome project and they get bonus nerd points for flashy lights!

♥ Gold Honey Bear Vase D.I.Y.

♥ Adventure Time Finn Plushie Brooch - This is such an adorable tutorial from my super talent friend and awesome plushie maker Violet.

♥ Boggle is Worried About You - If you suffer from depression or have a friend that does and struggle for advice then give this a read, it's a very open and honest read with some really helpful points.

♥ 13 Awesome Photos That Will Make You Happy To Be Alive

♥ The Zen of Dogs - Dogs are amazing creatures and they definitely bring a lot of joy to our lives, this is a great read, so very sweet and makes me realise just how much my pooch means to me.

Love & Snowdrops

Cate

xoxo

My Beauty Diary: Sheet Mask Review

2013-03-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

My Beauty Diary is a popular sheet mask brand in Asia which I stumbled across on one of my many visits to Watson's in Thailand and has become well known in Thailand as the must have sheet mask. I absolutely love using sheet masks and usually treat myself to one once a week to give my skin a quick nutrient boost and although these masks are pretty inexpensive I was lucky to get them on special offer (buy one get one free) so ended up bringing several boxes back to the UK with me to try out.

I love the packaging of these masks, they're super adorable and to my surprise each box contains 2 individually sealed sheet masks. There are many different types of masks available for a whole different selection of skin problems but Watson's only had these 4 for sale: Black Pearl, Hyaluronic Acid, Cooling and Bulgarian White Rose.

It's important to wash your face and remove all traces of make-up before you use your sheet mask. One of the things I love most about sheet masks is that they aren't too messy and you don't have to wash your face again after you're done you can just let your face soak in all those moisturising benefits, I often use these masks on long haul flights to keep my skin hydrated and fresh.

Sheet masks aren't the most flattering things to wear but is any face mask? Some sheet masks can dry out quite quickly but I found the My Beauty Diary masks kept moist for a long while. It's suggested that you leave the masks on for around 10 minutes but I tend to keep the masks on my face till they start to dry out then use the mask to wipe any excess off my face before disposing it.

My favourite masks from this collection are the Hyaluronic Acid and Black Pearl, I've been suffering from really dry skin lately and there isn't much that has been able to soothe it apart from these masks which have really hydrated and soothed my skin and unlike some of the other masks I've tried, which just give your skin a quick boost, the benefits of these seem to last a good week till I use my next one.

My Beauty Diary are definitely one of the better quality sheet masks I've used so I will definitely be buying them again. Have any of you guys tried them out and if so what is your favourite? Be sure to let me know in the comments!

Love & Cupcakes

Cate

xoxo

Honey Banana Oat Muffins

2013-03-20T03:33:00.000-07:00

Being healthy has been my main goal this month and as much as I love snacking on some fruit I also love me some cake to. Muffins can be a great way to start your day but all that sugar and fat can end up making you feel quite sluggish so created this healthy muffin recipe using bananas and honey as a natural sugar and oats and seeds to keep you feeling more satisfied and full.

Ingredients

1 + 1/2 Cups of self-raising flour
1 Cup porrige oats
1/2 Cup honey
1 Tsp baking powder
1 Egg white (keep the yolk for a hair mask)
3/4 Cup rice milk
1/4 Cup rice bran oil
1/2 Cup chopped nuts or sunflower seeds
2 - 3 Mashed bananas
A pinch of salt

(Makes 10)

♥ Preheat an over to 200°c and line a muffin tray with baking cases.

♥ Mix together the mashed bananas, honey, rice milk, rice bran oil, egg white and add a pinch of salt.

♥ Into the mixture add the baking powder, flour, oats and nuts and mix thoroughly.

♥ Place 1 - 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the baking cases.

♥ Cook the muffins in the pre-heated oven for 20 - 30 minutes until cooked throughout and golden brown.

♥ Once cooked remove the muffins from the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool.

♥ Eat and enjoy!

Good Luck

Cate

xoxo

Spring Clearout!

2013-03-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

Spring is the perfect time clean out all those dust bunnies and re-organise your closet and I've decided to list a few more of those hidden gems I've had hiding away in my closet for sale on eBay so be sure to check them out as I've got some really great items going for really cheap!

Happy Bidding

Cate

xoxo

Inspirational Fashional Quotes #36

2013-03-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

"True beauty always has something a little strange about it. The flaws in something are sometimes the most beautiful bits. The perfect Barbie doll that has the huge inflatable lips, boobs redone to look all perfect: I don't think that's very interesting."
- Daphne Guinness

It's All About Smoothies!

2013-03-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of this year much to my horror my precious coffee machine which has been with me for the past decade and a half broke down and was no longer producing that smooth, silky, strong coffee I needed to start my day. That coffee machine pretty much got me through all the major moments in my life I have no idea how I would have survived University without it and I was all set to go out and buy a new one till I realised that a similar model would cost me near to £200 which is ridiculous considering I bought mine for £30! Feeling a little resigned I was all set to start my day on instant coffee when I saw my old smoothie maker sitting on a shelf in the garage (which has been with me almost as long as my coffee maker) so I pulled it out of retirement and have since found a whole new love for smoothies!

If you've been following me on Twitter and Instagram lately will know that I'm pretty much obsessed with my smoothie making and that I can't start my day without that fruity burst of healthy goodness and to my absolute joy lots of you have been joining in on the smoothie fun to and sharing your tips, tricks and recipes.

A lot of people seem to think that smoothie making is expensive and yes while fresh produce can be expensive you don't have to spend a fortune to make something delicious. Frozen fruit can be found in most supermarkets for pretty cheap, I get a bag of mixed frozen berries from Morrisons for £2 and that will last me at least a week. Be sure to check the bargain tables to as you can pick up some pretty great items for cheap, remember it doesn't have to look pretty to go into a smoothie, a couple of bruised bananas won't kill you although I would suggest you throw the mouldy stuff away!

I love my smoothies ice cold so I nearly always use frozen fruit and to save myself time in the mornings I often cut up all the vegetables and fruit I want to use the night before put it in a bag and stick it in the freezer so it's ready for morning. Another tip if your fresh fruit and vegetables are looking like they're going off is to cut them up, add a bit of lemon or lime juice and freeze them, it'll save you so much money and cut down on waste, I often buy "ripe" fruit for cheap then cut them up and put them in "daily bags" to freeze.

Simple Green Smoothies has become one of my best resources for recipes, their daily posts on Instagram and weekly newsletters have me so inspired and I love seeing what new ingredients I can add into my smoothies, I almost always stick exclusively to fruit but thanks to them I've been adding some vegetables into the mix and I have to admit they taste pretty damn good.

So I've switched my possibly unhealthy coffee habit to a nice healthy smoothie obsession and despite the lack of caffeine in my system I'm feeling even more awake and energised from all the healthy goodness, so I fully recommend you guys all go out and invest in a blender as smoothies are an awesome way to start your day!

Fun & Fruits

Cate

xoxo

A Brand New Storenvy

2013-03-05T13:55:00.000-08:00

With all the craziness that has been my life lately I completely forgot to tell you guys I've opened a new shop on Storenvy. This might not be new news for those of you who follow me on Twitter or Tumblr as I actually opened the store late last year but I thought after gaining my first few sales it deserved a formal introduction into the world.

In the past people have asked me if there is an alternative website to buy my handmade goodies on which doesn't require a sign up and I'm happy to say that Storenvy is that alternative and if that wasn't great news enough you can also purchase items directly from my Storenvy shop via my Facebook page

Prices are listed in USD which is great news for my US customers as it means you'll be able to shop in your own currency with no conversion fees and Storenvy is not just limited to selling handmade items I will be offering other items there to, such as headbands, stationary and more.

I also made the decision, as Storenvy doesn't charge fees like Etsy does, that all the money made from this shop will go into an account for Thailand. My family in Thailand are very important to me and as the kids are growing up and my grandparents are getting older I want to do my part to help out so I feel like this is one of the ways I can support them.

Over the coming months I'm hoping I can grow and improve my Storenvy shop and make is as much of a success as my Etsy is, that being said I won't be leaving Etsy just yet I will still be offering all my handmade items for sale there as well as supporting my fellow Etisans.

Are any of you guys on Storenvy? Be sure to comment below and link me to your favourite shops!

Cupcakes & Bunnies

Cate

xoxo

Things That Make You Go Oooooo (February 2013)

2013-02-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

February seems to have flown by but I can most definitely say that 2013 is getting better and better, healthy habits have been created, new alliances forged AND and brand new exciting adventure planned for later this year. It's really amazing how much things can change in just a month and I really believe that if I keep a healthy positive attitude that I can make things happen so with that in mind here are the links I've been loving this month...

♥ Ultimate Lists: Blog Organizing - I am most definitely a list maker, although I must admit things I've let things get a bit crazy around here lately so I definitely time to restore some order!

♥ How To Create Time

♥ On Gratitude and Cutting Your Body some Slack - It's so easy for us to get down about our body that we forget how amazing they are, instead of focusing on the negative we should change our habits and start loving our bodies for the amazing machines they are.

♥ Tips For Starting A Blog - Whether you're new to the blogging world or an old pro these tips are a great starting point for anyone wanting to take their blog to the next level.

♥ 6 Ways To Stop Procrastination & Actually Get Things Done

♥ Blogger Compensation: To Charge or Not To Charge - A great guide here for anyone wanting to make money off blogging but is unsure where to start.

♥ Sad Girl Walking: What To Do When You Feel Like Your Heart Has Been Ripped Out - February can be a hard month for some of us when it comes to love, this is some great advice on how to deal with the hurt.

♥ 4 Steps To Address How You Really Feel

♥ Pearls of Wisdom: On Self Love + Learning To Love Yourself - I have been taking each on every point made here and making a real effort to do them and you know what as simple as they sound it actually works!

♥ Is Hand Art The Next Big Thing In Beauty? - These photos are simply amazing, I'm blown away with how realistic they look... WOW!

♥ Little People: A Tiny Street Art Collection

♥ DIY Constellations Scarf - I love this idea and it's so simple to make.

♥ Why Programmers Work At Night - I can totally relate to this, I always blog/craft late at night or early morning before everyone else wakes up so I can get things done because as soon as there's an interruption I completely lose all inspiration and motivation .

♥ 23 Ways To Meditate Without Going Crazy

♥ How To Create The Right Mindset To Pay Off Your Debts - Debt can be overwhelming so this is some very good advice for anyone that's struggling with those loans.

♥ 6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You A Better Person - A great article and totally inspiring, take note and change your life!

♥ 28 Common Racist Attitudes and Behaviours

♥ 20 Ways Life is Amazing Even When it Hurts - When you're feeling down sometimes all you need to do is look at those small things in life you take for grated to realise the world isn't such a bad place after all.

♥ What I Learned From My Mother's Overspending - It's always interesting to see how our parents spending habits affect our own attitudes towards money although I must admit most of my money habits I learned on my own the hard way...

♥ The World Of A Professional Naked Girl

♥ Keyboard Piano Plush Toy - I love a good crafting project, this is super cute and surprisingly simple to do and would brighten up a room or make a great gift for someone.

Love & Adventure

Cate

xoxo

Read, Watch, Wear, Play

2013-02-21T07:44:00.000-08:00

This month I really feel like I've expanded my mind and learned something new, although I haven't had as much time to relax as I would have liked it's a good thing to keep busy and keep the mind and body working. If you guys have an recommendations for any good books, TV shows, movies, make-up, food or anything be sure to leave them in the comments and I'll check them out.

Duncan the Wonder Dog: Show One

It's difficult to sum up this graphic novel in a few words as it's the vignettes that surround the main plot that really create this world, a world which challenges you, philosophizes and questions your beliefs, this is much more than a commentary on animal rights it's a question about humanity and what that means to us. I read a review of this a long time ago and it had almost escaped my mind until it showed up on my doorstep as a Christmas gift and I'm so happy it did as I honestly don't think I've ever been so moved by a graphic novel before...

Asia's Next Top Model

Have to admit I'm kinda obsessed with this show, I used to watch America's Next Top Model religiously but for the past couple years the show has become a bit stale for me and I haven't watched it at all but I absolutely love the Asian version and of course I love the Thai contestant Jessica, she's so sweet and totally reminds me of Ginnifer Goodwin off Once Upon a Time (another great show). Watching it has also inspired me to get healthy again after my holiday binge (which spilled into January) so I can feel as body confident as these beautiful girls.

Lioele Water Drop BB Cream

This BB cream has been my skin saviour, I've been suffering from very dry skin recently and nothing has been able to soothe it apart from this. It comes out of the tube quite thick but goes on the skin like water and blends in perfectly, I absolutely love the texture of this and the way it makes my skin glow. I've always been loyal to my Skinfood BB creams but I have to say I love this one even more, it's the absolute best I've ever used. I searched pretty much every Watson's in Bangkok to find Lioele products and finally found one which stocks them on my LAST day so it was a VERY lucky find!

WNYC'S Radiolab

I've wanted to listed to more podcasts for a while now so downloaded this one to listen to at night whilst I work on the computer and I really enjoy it, the subjects are so interesting and well presented and they really get you thinking and give you something to talk about. I've downloaded the whole archive and have been listening to one or two a day and it's a really great way to wind down in fact it has become one of the most enjoyable parts of my day, I totally recommend you check them out and give them a listen as no doubt you'll find it very interesting.

Meditations & Relaxations

Cate

xoxo

Inspirational Fashional Quotes #35

2013-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

"It's up to you to make everyday as perfect as possible. It's a question of will and discipline."
- Karl Lagerfeld

Fruity Cider Puffs

2013-02-10T16:27:00.000-08:00

These delicious treats were something I created over Christmas as a lighter alternative to those heavy mince pies and although Christmas is over for another year I thought these would make an excellent sweet treat for Valentine's Day or any time you want to just spoil yourself.

Ingredients

1 packets of puff pastry
1 bottle cider
1 cup of mixed fruit/sultanas
1 cup honey
1/2 cup glacé cherries
1/2 cup dried prunes
1/2 cup demerara sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
Chopped nuts
Icing sugar

(Makes 15*)

♥ Add the cider to a saucepan and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and skim off the foam on top.

♥ Add the vinegar honey, sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger and fruits to the saucepan, allow to boil once more then reduce the heat to a low simmer.

♥ Allow the fruit mixture to cook and reduce to a syrupy consistency and remove from the heat, you will know when it's done as the syrup will lightly coat the back of a spoon.

♥ Preheat the over to 200°c and lightly coat a cupcake baking tray in oil.

♥ Roll out your packet of puff pastry and cut out circles (or hearts) of at least 2" in diameter, then place them in the greased baking tray.

♥ Cook the pastry in the oven for 10 - 20 minutes until they have risen and are slightly brown on top.

♥ Once cooled use a spook to make a hole in the center of the puff, then add about a teaspoon of mixture to the center of each puff.

♥ For an added touch sprinkle with some chopped nuts and lightly dust some icing sugar on top.

♥ Eat and enjoy!

Sugar & Spice

Cate

xoxo

*You will have a lot of the fruit mix leftover but don't worry if you put it in container and keep it in the fridge it will last for months and you can use again or add it to porridge, cereal or other cakes as an extra treat.

Daily Outfit: The Rose of Winterfell

2013-02-05T13:19:00.000-08:00

The snow came falling down a couple weeks ago much to my delight as I absolutely love snow. There's just something incredibly calming about the way snow falls, it's so graceful and seems to bring a sense of peace and beauty to our landscape, so I decided to join in on the blogger fun and take advantage of its brief visit to play dress up.

Iceland was the last time I wore this outfit and although I very rarely wear Lolita fashion now, having parted with most my wardrobe, I find that because of all the layers it's really suitable for the cold weather. After admiring the fashion for many years this dress from Princess Doll was actually the first Lolita dress I ever bought and remains to be one of my most favourite designs.

These Dr Martens Darcie boots are perfect for frolicking in the snow, believe it or not I've found Ugg boots are pretty much useless outdoors in cold snowy weather and even though these Darcie boots have a heel they have a pretty good grip on the ice and they keep your feet nice and dry which is a must if you're ankle deep in snow!

♥ Cape/Coat - Topshop
♥ Dress - Princess Doll
♥ Shoes - Dr Martens
♥ Fur Stole - Vintage
♥ Floral Crown - Beau xoxo

Snowflakes & Winter Roses

Cate

xoxo

5 Handmade Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

2013-02-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

I think Valentine's Day is a great excuse to get crafty but don't worry if you're not that skilled even making a cute card to give to your sweetheart is a beautiful gesture, so you're looking for some ideas, running out of time or just can't find that perfect gift then check out these great handmade gift ideas.

Valentines Crochet Necklace

The added details of gold thread used in the heart gives it that extra sparkle and I love the addition of the arrow, this is a truly beautiful necklace and the perfect gift for your sweetheart.

Bomb Diggy Valentines Bath Bomb

Baths can be so relaxing and romantic so I don't think you can go wrong with some great smelling bath bombs, whether you use it before your big date to get you in the mood or for a romantic night in this one has an added hint of Ylang Ylang a popular aphrodisiac *wink*

Red Heart Patched Leggings

You guys already know I'm pretty much "hearts on everything" type of person so I thought these legging were adorable and simple gift idea which you could even try making yourself.

4 Hand Stamped Rings

Rings have become that universal symbol of love and I adore the idea of personalising them and being able to share something that can also be worn as one, it reminds me of those friendship necklaces I used to have with my school friends, so cute.

Icelandic Soy Wax Candle

Iceland is a country that has stolen my heart and candles always make wonderful gifts which can be very romantic to, there's nothing quite like that soft candlelight glow to get you in the mood for love.

Love & Cupcakes

Cate

xoxo

Things That Make You Go Oooooo (January 2013)

2013-01-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

A new year is upon us and the first month is already over how has your 2013 been so far? I feel like 2013 hasn't really started for me yet as I'm still feeling the effects of 2012, I haven't even thought about what I'd like to accomplish this year! I am slowly starting to get into the right frame of mind as there's so much great advice out there so check out these links for some inspiration.

♥ Make 2013 The Beast Year Ever - Love these resolutions and have already started to introduce a few into my daily life and you should to!

♥ 7 Things To Remember When People Don't Support You

♥ Beat the Freshman 15 - Even if you're not starting college this year these tips are great for everyone and sure to keep you healthy.

♥ Being Kind - I love this story about random acts of kindness, a small thing can brighten someone's day and I think we should all make an effort to be more kind to each other.

♥ The Pressure To Be Naturally Perfect

♥ Superfoods - I haven't been as healthy as I've wanted to this month but I've decided that February I'm going to get back on the health train so I will definitely be trying these out!

♥ Candid Thoughts On Ethically Produced Clothing - This is definitely something that has been on my mind for a few years now and one of the reasons I've changed my shopping habits. I love supporting independent and handmade designers even if they cost slightly more especially because I'm part of that community and the fact that bigger brands are starting to make that change to is amazing!

♥ Time To Chose Your Own Adventure For 2013

♥ 10 Ways To Get Your Creative Juices Flowing - These are some great tips, every so often I find myself in a creative rut but I find once I unplug and have a bit of "me time" my brain is full of ideas again!

♥ Good Ideas Take Time - This is so true and there are some really great tips here which actually work, sometimes you just have to take a break to come at something with new eyes.

♥ Work, Life And Side Projects

♥ Buy Nothing New For A Month - Sometimes I feel like I want to throw out everything I own and just live clutter free so I'm loving these tips although some of them are only relevant to Austraila I'm sure we can all take something useful away from it.

♥ How To Optimize Your Instagram - I've been kinda confused about what to do with my Instagram (and Facebook) lately after all the "changes" they announced so these tips offer up some great advice for creating a place that's interesting and appealing.

♥ What Kind Of People Are Writers?

♥ How To Dress Glamorously Without Attracting Unwanted Attention? - Love this advice from Dita Von Teese it's so true, never be discouraged from dressing they way you want to dress!

♥ The Art Of Being Happily Single - If you find yourself celebrating another Valentine's Day along then do not be sad being single is one of the best things in the world so make the most of it and celebrate you!

♥ Five Must-Do Workouts For Cold Weather Fan

♥ Apple Plush Pillow Tutorial - We all want something to cuddle up to in this cold weather and this is just adorable!

♥ How To Stay Focused When Working From Home - Anyone who works at home knows how easily distracted you can get so a schedule is great thing to have!

♥ Dealing with Change: How to Hold on when the World is Spinning

♥ Do You Have A Frankencloset? - I'm all about de-cluttering and these are some great tips on how to get your closets purged and organised

Snowflakes & Cinnamon

Cate

xoxo

Read, Watch, Wear, Play

2013-01-28T14:27:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest lessons I've learnt this month is that every so often I need to give myself a time out, shut myself off from the word and just enjoy some unadulterated me time. There's nothing quite like time to yourself to just read a good book or watch some TV or partake in some fun gaming time so I thought I would share a few of the different things I've been relaxing to and enjoying this month.

Batwoman: Elegy

This has been sitting in my "to read" pile since September and I've only recently had the time to sit down and enjoy it and boy did I enjoy it! Batwoman is such an amazing character and this story just broke my heart it's so emotional. The artwork is amazing I love how disjointed and manic the frames are for Batwoman in costume compared to when she's out of costume and the subtle use of sepia tones to represent the flashbacks. This is definitely one of the best graphic novels I've read in a while so I totally recommend it!

Breaking Bad

I can't believe I've waited until now to watch this especially now it's ending (booooo!). Breaking Bad is one of those shows that seemed to escape my radar for a long time but after hearing so many people sing it's praises I gave it a try and I LOVE it, it's hilarious, heartbreaking, exciting and introspective all at the same time, I highly recommend this to anyone but just be warned it's more addictive than meth!

Majolica Majorica Lash King

I've been blessed with naturally long lashes but sometimes I need a little help making them look fuller and this mascara works an absolute treat. I've had this sitting in a drawer for months now but only recently started using it and it has quickly become one of my faves, I use it almost daily! What I love the most about it is that it has a lot of fibres which will give you a fuller look and the brush is so soft yet full and does a great job at keeping my lashes separate giving that extra full effect, amazing!

The Walking Dead Game

iTunes recently had the first chapter of this game for free so I decided after hearing the amazing reviews it got to give it a try and now I understand the hype. I love these sort of games which don't follow a linear path but take into account the decisions you make and completely immerse you into the game, if fact when I first played it I got so immersed into the game that I nearly had a panic attack when that first zombie came after me! I haven't played too much of the game yet but so far I love it, the storyline is so awesome that you are almost literally living out an episode of the show and I love that they included one of my favourite characters Glen into the game. I can't wait to see how my journey ends although I'm trying to take my time with this one as I just don't want it to end, but the great thing is that one difference decision can affect the whole game so it's definitely got that re-playable factor! Have any of you guys played it yet? What do you think?

Cupcakes & Chai

Cate

xoxo