Fly anyways.

Print.

2012-07-02T15:16:00.001-07:00

On moving...

2012-07-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

I am moving into my flat in actually 9 days because the landlady brought it forward as she moved out quicker than expected!!! Ahhh exciting. So I have been searching the web for cheap furniture projects!

In lieu of actual wood to work with I have just this wee print I made :)

:) Wee lyric there from WAKEY! WAKEY! :)

Quickie

2012-06-28T07:53:00.002-07:00

In twenty days I will be moving into my very own flat!! I am so excited and can't wait to make it my own little space!!

:)

Finally finished uni and will be back on the scene soon x

Don't give up on finding..

2012-06-18T12:43:00.001-07:00

Went to the beach with my auntie, really enjoyed it. Felt good. I've always loved the beach, the rush of the sea, the gentle ebb and flow of the tide -- the certainty. I think I should spend more time there whenever I can. I saw the above photographed rock shaped like a love heart and thought it was the universes way of saying keep your heart open, love will find you soon.

Wanted to share that feeling.

It didn't last long but hey, little smiles day at a time.

Just Remember

2012-06-18T09:05:00.001-07:00

Life is chaotic atm, taken over by exam revision, driving lessons and flat hunting although --- I now have my flat and I am tres excited about that. Also, the break up of the longest relationship of my life has been occupying my mind of late.

Stay strong.

I am brilliant, I am beautiful, I am smart, I am successful. I am about to start the next chapter of my life. Everything happens for a reason.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Kind People -- Hunger Games Quote

2012-06-12T12:41:00.003-07:00

I love love love the hunger games books and made this quote print inspired by it.

Tomorrow might be be better.

2012-06-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

2012-04-25T10:46:00.002-07:00

I've been watching One Tree Hill instead of doing my many many essays for uni. GAH. I can't wait till this is over. So I am going to do the essays now and leave you with the above.

My Manifesto Audit

2012-04-21T03:33:00.002-07:00

It’s April. The month of my birthday. And I barely even noticed as it crept up on me.

I was reminded today, after a brief visit to tumblr which I still don’t entirely understand yet, about the Manifesto I made for myself on New Year’s Eve. A third of the way through the year is as good a time as any to have a wee review and see how I’m doing with it.

So. 2012 so far has not exactly been a great year and to be honest, when I wrote my manifesto I was anticipating this and that’s why I added make it happen.

This is about to get personal.

My mum died on Christmas Eve 2011 having only found out that the breast cancer we were celebrating the demise of only 1 year prior had returned with a vengeance earlier in the year.

2011 was a really tough year, for several reasons: the return of my mum’s cancer and the realisation that this time it was a life sentence, my own diagnosis of depression, repeated trials in the relationship with my partner and the pressures of being in my honours year at university – amongst other things. Sometimes it feels like all the bad comes at once.

When I found out that we wouldn’t be able to have the funeral until January 2012 I was devastated because in some niave way I was hoping I could contain all of the hurt into one horrible year and put it behind me with the new one. It doesn’t work that way though does it. But I tried to remain positive, I tried to deal with the sadness in a healthy way. I had the support of my family and friends and my boyfriend who at the time had been a rock for me. I was trying to take my life into my own hands and create a better year for myself. So I wrote the manifesto instead of resolutions.

And then about 20 days into January my relationship disappeared. I can’t say it any other way than that because it caught me so much by surprise. And that’s a whole other post which will hopefully one day come with a happy ever after in some way or another. But that was it. My hopes of a happy 2012 were gone. GAH. Although, slowly but surely I’ve lived day by day – somedays less “lived” more “lived in” – and here I am, in a good place. Sure I’m freaking out about the pressures of uni etc. but on the whole I’m feeling a lot more positive about life.

Anyways. Back to the matter at hand. The manifesto.

I have excelled at some of the things on my manifesto which is a nice feeling and I am glad they did because they are the things that brought me happiness during all the hard times.

Photograph everything – I have a large body of evidence on my phone which suggests I have been photographing! Just need to upload these to the computer and back them up.
Family – I spent a lot of time with my aunties and cousins, a lot more than I ever did before my mum died. And it was lovely. I have been getting to know them better and starting to feel more of a family tie. It’s been nice as well getting to know my mum more through them.
Giggle madly – Despite the many tears that have been shed there have also been many laughs, mostly with my flatmates, cousins and sisters and a great friend I reconnected with earlier this year.
Live and Learn – Reconnecting with that friend. Putting the past behind us. Learning what is more important. I am so glad to have this person back in my life and I love her dearly.
CREATE – I have done this in bucket loads and this led to me starting my etsy shop! I used the craft box that I “inherited” from my mum to get me started off making my earrings. It was my way of distracting myself.
Try stuff – I went go-karting which I LOVED!!! I also did two craft fairs!! My craft fair virginity was broken. AND I LOVED IT.

So. Here are the things I want to try and do better in the next 4 months:

Here is me trying to inject some Christmas spirit in a way I know my mum would have wanted in the onesie she bought me. I need to get on it and USE it!

Cycle – my mum bought me my bike for Christmas.
Be thankful – I realise that when I think about the things I am thankful for I feel much better. I need to consciously work at this.
Chocolate is not a food group – woops! Isn’t it?! I really need to get my eating under control. I have comfort eaten my ass to a size bigger than it was last year. Gutter. Need to sort this out!!

On reflection, I guess this year hasn’t been as much of a write off so far as I had thought. There have been positives in amongst all the horribleness that I have felt. But hey, it will get better and better. And I have the power to make it better.

Love and Happy Thoughts,

JL.

Typography - 1

2012-04-20T06:36:00.002-07:00

I love typography. I love the written word. I love the urgency and potency in the messages of others. I love song lyrics and the way that they dance about my head and spring up in relevant situations. I am happiest sitting in front of photoshop with a beautiful quote and trying to make it look beautiful.

So I think I might make it a feature of mine in some way. A weekly posting of the various "posters/prints" that I create?

Feel free to use or pin or whatever but please link back if you do :)

This one is a quote I read in a book that I'm ashamed to say I'm reading -- "Self Matters" - Dr Phil. but I loved the quote because I guess, it is true.

I'm loving the greyish colours at the moment....

I know it's not much in the way of typography but hopefully I'll get better with time :)

University Living

2012-04-19T09:18:00.001-07:00

By the 8th of June, university will be officially finished for me. And I can't wait.
I've been doing it for what feels like forever now and I just want out!!

I've loved it, my time here as been great and I've met so many amazing people and had some wicked awesome times a long the way but it's also contained some of the less nice times in my life.

It's got to the point where I just feel like it's holding me back now from having the life I am so eager to have.

Here are the things I'm most looking forward to:

1. Flat of my own. I love my flatmates don't get me wrong but I need more space space space and to feel less guilty when my messiness overflows and spills into everyone else's lives as it inevitably does.

2. A whole fridge to myself which I can fill with yummy food and know exactly what's in there because it's all mine. And because I will have been able to meal plan without the lack of space hindering me.

3. Meal planning and being able to cook in excess because I'll have a freezer to put things in!!

4. Not having to haul my laundry up and down several flights of stairs every week because I'll have my own washing machine!!

5. Not having an electricity meter which beeps!

6. Not being in Stirling anymore away from all my home friends and family.

7. Being able to have enough time to finally resit my driving test so I can get my car and be mobileeee vrooooom.

8. Decent internet connection -- I WANT TO PLAY MY XBOX AGAIN -- nuff said.

9. Earning a proper wage at a job I enjoy.

10. Being able to have anyone over at any time without bothering anyone else.

WOOHOO!!!

Not long now!

I'm thinking about giving up chocolate.... AHHHHHH.

We'll see.

Wee print I made today inspired by -- Blind Pilot <3

You've Been Framed

2012-04-17T02:24:00.001-07:00

It was my flatmates engagement party on Friday, the first engagement party I have ever attended. It's a sign I'm an adult now.

We went to a charity shop and bought some frames for cheap so that we could do artsy looking photos -- it was an idea I saw on the web somewhere...

Lots of fun photos were taken :) which I photoshopped into polaroids :)

The happy couple!

A garish picture of me.

The groom to be and one of his best mates

The bride to be and her family

My wonderful flatmates with 2 missing

The bride to be and a friend of hers

Two of my lovely flatmates

Not much else going on at the moment. I am desperate to do some tutorials, features etc but I just haven't had a lot of time cause of Uni!! :(

Stay tuned though :)

Print

2012-04-14T05:41:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to the new fray album a lot, it's supposed to be helping me study but instead it just inspired me to make a little graphic.

Lyrics from - Run for your life by The Fray

Check out their new album! Another cracker!

Blog Award -- Am I Fully Fledged Now?

2012-04-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

I have two pieces of news:

1. I got an award.

2. Someone called me “cute”.

So, I got a wee message from a lovely blogger saying that they had given me an award and I was to check it out. I ambled over hereto find out what in the what was going on.

Turns out that the lovely Lauren from Window by the Seahad given me a little award!! And called me cute because of my hobbitish ways.

This wee award it turns out is given to bloggers by other bloggers who love them. Basically. But – the blogs must have NO MORE than 200 followers. Because you’ve gotta give some love out to those little fish out there (I am barely even a minnow!).

But this award comes with some heavy responsibilities which I am now going to fulfil although it were my destiny to do so:

1. Post the award on your blog

2. Show thanks to the one who chose you by linking back to them

3. Reveal your 5 picks for the award and let them know

4. Kick back, give yourself a pat on the back, and feel the love from the other supportive bloggers in the blogosphere

5. Share the love, love, love!

I would like to pass this award on to 5 blogs that I have recently begun following in no particular order:

- On my honour – A fab blog run by three sisters who share their love of many things including craft, music and various other day to day things. There are also some nifty tutorials over there too.

- A few good things – I love the name. And the blog is exactly as it says on the tin. A blog filled with good things. Collections of pictures, fashion, tutorials and some of the day to days of motherhood.

- Wanderlusted– Run by a girl who likes to “make things and go places”. A collection of her adventures and loves – all of which are very pretty.

- Life as Twiggy – An array of beautiful things all perfectly put together in one place. This blog is the place I like to go to inspire myself and day dream about all the things I wish I had!

- Woodi– A lovely and clean feeling blog with lots of pretty photos. A lovely natural feel, I always leave this page feeling like I’ve got a clear head.

Woop!

Go forth and prosper J

Instagram for Android and why I love it!

2012-04-10T15:38:00.002-07:00

So, I was far too obsessed with not getting an iphone and conforming with the masses when I decided to get an Android. I love my HTC sensation, Android is awesome but it's lack of instagram was something which filled me with jealousy. I would lust after the photos of others, gaze upon them with awe wondering how they created these beautiful pictures with just their phone!!

And now -- INSTAGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR ANDROID. I am not sure when this development occurred but I know it was recent as I was checking every few days.

Needless to say, it was downloaded asap.

So, I have spent the last few days creating pretty pictures from dull lifeless drab boring arty wannabes.

This evening I decided to conduct a wee experiment for those of you who aren't familiar with the photo wizardry that IS INSTAGRAM...

It can take a normal and pretty photo like this...

which I took with my phone camera

into this pretty and arty looking snap :)

perfect for blogging!

So, in the name of science I wanted to show you all of the different instagram filters :)

Basics.

1st. You choose a picture from your gallery or you take a picture using your camera.

2nd. You choose a filter to apply to it.

3rd. You can choose to brighten the picture or leave it and you can choose whether or not you want a frame.

4th. You upload the picture to your instagram account.

Normal Amaro Amaro Bright

Normal Rise Rise bright

Normal Hudson Hudson Bright

Normal Sierra Sierra Bright

Normal X-pro II X-pro II Bright

Normal Low-fi Low-fi Bright

Normal Earlybird Earlybird Bright

Normal Sutra Sutra Bright

Normal Toaster Toaster Bright

Normal Brennan Brennan Bright

Normal Inkwell Inkwell Bright

Normal Walden Walden Bright

Normal Hefe Hefe Bright

Normal Valencia Valencia Bright

Normal Nashville Nashville Bright

Normal 1977 1977 BRIGHT

Normal Lord Kelvin Lord Kelvin Bright

So. There is a sample of all of the effects :)

Like a directory if you will.

My personal faves are X-Pro Bright, Lord Kelvin and Toaster.

Can't wait to try these out on more photos.

As much as I love photoshopping etc, it's nice to have an instant way to make arty looking piccys.

Love.

2012-04-10T03:04:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I spent the day making and painting a blackboard for my friends cafe.
I also finally got instagram for android!

Hence =

I realise that if you read all the words on the board it seems a bit cheeky haha!

The Challenge - Day 17

2012-04-09T09:46:00.001-07:00

Lets just say this challenge is kicking my butt.

I did a few walks that I didn't document.... because they weren't worth documenting. But I think it's time I got a bit more serious about this. 60 days to go. And times a ticking.

Perhaps it would be better if I lay down some rules for myself.

Starting tomorrow because today I have too much else to do.

(BAD! I KNOW!)

1. You will walk for at least 30 minutes every day

2. You will complete one walk which is either at least 6 miles or lasts at least 90mins, whichever comes first.

3. You will check in with your progress report in on the 17th of April.

4. You will do at least one thing to fund raise between now and the 17th.

I think I will create a moonwalk motivation board on pintrest.

If I spent half as much walking as I did pinning...

Song Lyrics Posters

2012-04-08T02:19:00.002-07:00

Today I have made a few lovely coloured, song lyrics inspired, "posters".
There is something lovely about white words.
Original images by moi. x
Please link back if you use them :)

This still makes me smile...

2012-04-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

You know those things that people sometimes do that just make you smile? Sometimes long after the person is gone?

This is one of those things for me.

04/04/12

2012-04-04T11:10:00.002-07:00

seems sensible but sometimes keeping moving is hard.

Unsuitable Men - Pippa Wright

2012-04-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

I liked this book, a bit of light hearted reading that I picked up to take the edge of some of my heavier feelings.

Follows the story of "Aurora Carmichael" aka "Rory" an art-history buff and journalist who has just come out of her only relationship, an 11 year one at that.

The story follows Rory as she tries to get over her heart break and propel herself forward in her job by writing a new age dating column in which she dates only unsuitable men.

There are lots of laugh out loud witty one liners that I couldn't help but chuckle at. Worth a read just for those.

Not heavy reading at all and I'd recommend it as brain freeze and escapism from every day life.

Nice wee ending which is good for anyone who has recently left the realm of coupledom and entered singledom. Made me think slightly.

The Challenge - Day 4

2012-03-27T14:33:00.001-07:00

My Countdown

So I was naughty day 2 and day 3 and did nothing in the way of physical exertion unless you count a quick game of "duck duck goose" with my most favourite 4 year old in the world and all of our imaginary other players....

I miss those girls so much. But that's another day.

Today has been an absolutely beautiful day. I handed in the essay which has prevented me from doing ANYTHING a day late. Yes, I know, I'm consistently rubbish at being a student.

BUT!!!

I did 2 miles today. Not a lot. But enough for me to feel like I have exercised and it was fast enough to give me a wee bit of a sore leg.

I walked into town and about looking for CORN MEAL. Dude, why is that so impossible to get in Scotland?!?!

Chanced upon a health food shop which had some, so STAY TUNED for my foray into making the most delicious thing I've ever put in my mouth...

Now I'm in bed watching HEROES on netflix.

Reminds me of my mum. Have been thinking about her a lot today. I wish she was around.

My goals for April when it comes around

2012-03-27T06:39:00.003-07:00

April Goals

Book driving test
Walk 13 miles a week -- training schedule!
Make a study schedule (and try to stick to it)
Go to more music events around Stirling
Keep site updated
Make £100.00 profit from selling my handmade goodies!
~~Read a good book~~
Raise more money for Moonwalk
Enjoy turning 22.
Make my 23 things before 23 list!

So, those are the goals I am setting myself for April. Hopefully by the end of APRIL I'll be able to come back and check them off!

I will report on my progress as and when!

Day 1 - 3miles in 1 hour - DONE.

2012-03-23T11:14:00.002-07:00

At 3pm I did what I thought every "power walker" does. I put on an ugly pair of leggings with trainers and a hoodie and tied my hair up.

Both of my flatmates were considerably better dressed than me but hey, I'm in training -- I feel I should look the part. Plus, I feel I don't make enough of an idiot of myself naturally...

So. We left.

I have an app on my phone which tracks miles and speed and cals burned... which btw... turns out to be not enough to justify my studying diet of doritos and dairy milk... who'd have thought it!?!

Started off well, did about a mile at a pace of 4mph. And then my ankles started to hurt.

I guess that's their way of saying -- hey, how dare you go out walking fast for a prolonged time after practically 21 years of avoiding doing so!! And how dare you do so without evening stretching first!!!

Kept going. Cheeks a wee tad pink. We took the route from our flat towards the Wallace Monument which in all my years of being a student in Stirling I have STILL never seen.

About a mile in and the walk becomes an uphill one. EEEEEEKKKKK.

My heart was hammering. HELLO UNFITNESS.

Red as a beetroot.

Got halfway up, realised we'd walked 1.5miles and that walk home would be 1.5 miles and that I was only supposed to ease myself in with a 2 mile walk so we decided to head back.

The downhill bit was a bit achey on the knees. Especially my right one -- might have something to do with that time a car smashed into it...

Did a wee stretch with my flatmates when we got in to loosen up a bit but now two hours later I'm feeling a wee bit stiff. Tomorrow is scheduled to be a rest day but I think I might use my rest days as an excuse to do some pilates. I have an app for that too! ;)

Sunday is supposed to be my next walk day. Not sure how I'm going to fit that in.

I have an essay due on Monday which I have currently written none of. I thought maybe the walk would help me focus more by getting rid of some of the frustrated energy I've been carrying about the past few days but nopes. I am sitting here as unfocused and mindwandery as ever.

How do you stop yourself from thinking about that one thing that takes up almost every mm of brain space? Because it is proving detrimental to my studies. And it's making me increasingly angry. Anyways.

Gonna get back to the essay. Day One - DONE.

OH.
Some graffiti i spotted on my walk that I LOVED as an AVID House fan.

The Challenge - Day 1

2012-03-23T06:03:00.002-07:00

Okay. So as you know I signed up to do the Edinburgh moonwalk a little while ago as an incentive to get fit, to create some sort of routine and as a way to raise money for a cause close to my heart.

So far, I have done nothing in the way of training unless you include finding buying and wearing my sexy new "running" shoes.

Today marks my first day of training.
I will let you know how it goes later.