I wanna listen to the trees, maybe stare up at the clouds. Yes, I want to get lost, let’s get lost

Another month down, we are now in August. June’s photos went up a little late, so this feels like July was even shorter than it was. One more summer month filled with great company and magnificent skies.
I have spent the last couple of days planning and writing the next months blog posts, so don’t worry – it isn’t becoming just my monthly photos. However, I hope you enjoy seeing a small collection of snapshots for July.

July, week one.
I am sure by now that you know I love a good sunset/sky photo. There’s something I have always been drawn to and felt the need to capture in the sky. This one was taken from my boyfriend’s garden, and the light is just spectacular. A fairly self explanatory selfie, always in my favourite necklace from Sugar and Vice. Christopher couldn’t decide what to do one day and as we were driving we came across a place to see Meerkats and a whole host of other cute animals that you could stroke. I wanted to put one of each in my bag to bring home though…

July, week two.
The second week of July brought showerwashywashy time into Dolly’s life. After ten years she finally accepts that this is going to happen from time to time and she goes along with it now, albeit unhappily. The process takes Floss and I to both keep her in the shower (much harder with a wet room), actually wash her and then quickly run after her downstairs to let her in the garden to rub herself on everything. May or June saw us go to the pier and we chose a bubble gun (for the dog) with all of the tickets we had accumulated. I think my sister and Sam enjoyed playing with it far more than Dolly did though. My dad came home with these curiously named burgers one day for dinner, we are still none the wiser as to why they are labelled this way though.

July, week three.
A selfie taken whilst sat under a tree with the dog, trying to keep up both cool whilst we waited for family to return from fruit picking in sweltering heat in the Kent countryside. A beautiful sunshine yellow Sunflower to place next to a photo of my mum. And the most delicious banana, strawberry and cherry sorbet/smoothie hybrid I’ve ever made. A photo of the haul my sister and Sam managed to pick when we went down to Kent, slowly working our way through the punnet of fruits.

July, week four.
It had been a very long time since I had seen the Surrogate Mothers Club, so it was arranged that we meet one evening for drinks and a catch up. There may have been some super sneaky shots consumed whilst waiting for our other drinks to be ready each time too. A really lovely evening sat outside chatting and enjoying a gin or five. The week following that weekend left me feeling really anxious, an underlying feeling of dread kept washing over me and I couldn’t shake it; as much as I felt I was going mad. So I slapped some makeup on (hence the selfie) and took myself off to see Christopher for twentyfour hours. Although I couldn’t fully shake the panic that evening, I was feeling much better on the Sunday. I could breathe a little better and I think it was just what I needed, a change of scene and pace. Another glorious sky photo, it was so blue and perfect just before I had to come home (which wasn’t as straight forward as it should be, two trains and a car ride home, thanks to Southern Rail, the most useless train providers ever).

Home is such a lonely place without you, home is such a lonely place

It has been about eighteen months since my mother passed away. If you’re new here this may give you some background as to how I was feeling then. I still miss my mother every day, my heart aches to see her smile. I was no stranger to grief before my mum passed, but I was unaware just how hard it can wallop you, leaving you feeling breathless and disorientated. Grief has changed me, a little for worse and a little for better.
I am not as good at being alone as I once was. Before, my own company was something I would often seek, spending hours on my own and being quite content. Loss has made me anxious when those I love aren’t close or they’re difficult to reach. At the back of my mind I am worried that something bad has happened and I won’t know and won’t be able to save them, like I couldn’t with my mum. I am scared that they will leave me. The swirling oppressive panic rises and the haze can be hard to break free from. Irritating for those I burden with my messages, I am working on trying to hold down the adrenaline and assumption that everyone will leave me.
I am kinder, my edges are softened. Caring for someone you love whole heatedly will always have an effect upon you. I had to teach myself to be more patient, compassionate and empathetic. It’s not that I didn’t want to be, I just found it hard after spending years blocking out people’s negative comments about me, to let the walls come down. However, when the person who has cared for you and done everything she can to provide a loving and well rounded existence for you, the walls come tumbling down. Looking after my mum showed me how to be a little kinder than I have to be. I wanted her to know that I loved her; I hope she knew just how much. I hope I was kind enough.
Grief has changed my relationships. A different family dynamic had emerged when I was caring for my mother, but after her death it has changed once again. I have distanced myself from certain people because I have realised that I do not need or want their negative energy in my life. Our existence is too short and filled with horrible things that we have no control over, so to take decisive action upon the things we can change is something I am working on. That being said, I have also had the chance to strengthen previous relationships. The big group of women in my life that I had always had the ‘my mum’s friends’ relationship with have now become my friends and an added support system should I need them. The Surrogate Mothers Club.
My tolerance for other peoples shitty behaviour has depleted. Although I have never been backwards in coming forwards in my opinions, I would often let others get away with their hostile and hurtful attitudes towards me. For years I allowed comments on my appearance to make me feel small and angry and at twenty-six I still feel sick every time I have to walk past workmen. The panic rises as I know the staring or the jeers are coming, keeping my head down and hoping that if I don’t make eye contact, maybe this time it won’t happen. However, over the past couple of years (as you may have read here before), I am learning to take proactive stands against such people when this happens. It isn’t just strangers in the street that I have felt the need to put in their place, but aforementioned distanced people too. I try to do my part to take a stand for those that haven’t found their voice yet too and if you’re mean to my sister, I’m coming for you. I do not need people in my life that do not encourage and empower the people around them.
Today will mark seven years since I lost my Grandma, the other woman in my life that loved me unconditionally. To lose my maternal twin pillars before they saw me flourish, find myself and love is heart breaking. I hope in my lifetime and through my actions I can be as clever, sparkling and fabulous as they were.
Something terrible has to occur for us to experience grief and loss, but once we get there something good can bloom from the darkness. Eventually your eyes begin to adjust and you can start to make out the silhouettes around you and stop being so scared of the blinding, smothering blackness. It won’t be easy and I’m under no illusion that it will ever end, but you adjust and endure, bend with the changing tides.

“The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to.”

And we’re holding on when there’s nothing left to hold on to, so don’t tell me when it’s gone ’cause all I have left is you

May has come to a close and I’m a little sad about this. The past month has been filled with the best company, music, great memories. I am so pleased I started curating my months on here because it means I get to relive the lovely memories I’ve made. So, here is my May twentysixteen.

May, week one.
I love tiny plump sweet tomatoes. This day I ate an entire punnet to myself for lunch, it was a great decision. When I was seven (and my sister was born so my mum couldn’t be bothered to argue with me about it) I stopped wearing skirts/dresses/coats. Now nineteen years later as a grown up, I have to venture back into this world I do not feel at home in. This was one of many rejected options to wear to my boyfriend’s brother’s wedding next month. Being a plus size woman limits my choices of dresses and skirts, so it has certainly been a mountain of a task. However, stay tuned to see the dress I have (I think) decided upon in another blog post. May brought Lewis Watson back into my life, Floss and I went to see him play a “I want to see if you like my new songs before my album is released” gig in Shepherds Bush. We found a cute Mexican place for guacamole and delicious soft tacos.

May, week two.
A selfie, naturally. This week gave us more sunshine and a trip out for lunch with my aunt. We went to this cafe that is hidden away beside the sea, a favourite in our family. They sell the best banoffee cake too, so I made sure to grab some to bring home on my way out. A warm week called for a tiny Twister ice lolly, which Dolly thought should be for her, she was out of luck though.

May, week three.
If you have read the post before this one you will know that I hit twenty-thousand views on my blog this week. That’s amazing and I am so thankful for each and every single one. I love coming here and just writing whatever I feel like writing; but to have that many people willingly come and read it is incredible. Christopher makes excellent scrambled eggs, and he makes them for me every weekend I see him. I was craving them during the week though so I had to go it alone – they were pretty damn good. The Friday of that week brought a trip to Portsmouth with my sister that involved a much more complicated journey than necessary to the Passport Office. However, we made it in time and even did some shopping after before I went to meet Christopher for the weekend.

May, week four.
On Saturday we went for lunch with two of Christopher’s friends and their very cute and extremely chilled, most well behaved baby I’ve ever met. After lunch we decided to go and play adventure golf, which involved some playing in an arcade before hand. Amazingly I didn’t come last and tied joint second with Christopher. Sunday evening was home time and we passed this glorious masterpiece of nature on our way to drop me off. The bank-holiday weekend was filled with family as we had a very boozy gathering of people over. We drank lots, danced lots and laughed abundantly; it was the loveliest of days spent with some of my favourite people.

I didn’t want to deprive you of some live Lewis Watson clips, enjoy.

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Someday we will all be ghosts 🌙 #lewiswatson

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I love you, I don't think you care ✨💕#lewiswatson @levvis

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You’re everything that I hoped for, that’s why I gave you my all

I came to write about something exciting, but first I am going to vent about the crappy day I am currently having (the exciting bit does come, I promise).
Today began with wiggly anxious feet, which is never the way a lady wishes to arise from her slumber. With too much unsolicited adrenaline my extremities tingle and I need to release this, so feet wiggling like I’m in Footloose is my usual go-to. Checking the time on my phone I realise I still have an hour before my alarm insists I get up. So I attempt to go back to sleep but I am met with the anxious thoughts that accompany my eighties dance movie choreography. Great. Then I receive a text from my sister to inform me that Dolly (the dog) has been sick a lot in the garden. Yippee. By this point it’s clear that I am not going back to sleep. I drag myself out of bed, eyes still mostly asleep whilst I get dressed to walk the dog and face the day. As I head downstairs I am met with an odor of vomit and two huge piles of sick. One of them is a revolting tangle of green slimy grass. Oh joy. As I go towards the back of the house to let the dog in to the garden, what do I see? Oh yes, that would be another 3 piles (this time its the raw chicken from last nights dinner), slick and putrid. Excellent. Then there is more in the garden and more in the living room I discover. Poor dog, clearly shes unwell but also, gross. It’s not even half nine in the morning yet. After spending a fair while doing my best Cinderella before she meets the prince impression, I walk the dog; who spends most of her time eating more grass…
My shopping is due to be delivered between ten and twelve today, so I await its arrival and get on with a multitude of boring house chores. However, the shopping still hasn’t arrived half an hour after the time-slot has ended. Weird. After logging into my account it would appear that I didn’t finish the transaction yesterday so our shopping won’t be coming today. And I haven’t even mentioned my strange enchanted hand that keeps going a little numb every now and then. I get to climb into a dark hole and never come out again now, right?!
Okay, I get that worse things happen at sea and certainly worse things have happened in my life, but today’s morning has felt relentlessly bleak. Roll on tomorrow evening and being with the boy I am incredibly fond of in a place that helps me breathe a little easier (when I’m not feeling anxious anyway *monkey covering eyes emoji*).

Now, onto much better news. On Tuesday the seventeenth of May, this blog hit twenty thousand overall views! I am so excited about this. I never thought I would actually keep up blogging, and I certainly never thought many if any people would want to read it. But I did and you did and now I’ve hit a huge milestone for someone who has just written a whole passage about dog vomit.
Thank you to everyone who reads my blog regularly or if you are entirely new and you’re helping me on my way to thirty thousand. I appreciate every view, every comment and every share I receive. You are all lovely people and I am so pleased that anyone would want to read my work.
I thought that I would link you my Facebook page, so should you wish to keep up to date and notified when a new post is published you can do so. Or, if you are a fellow WordPress user, feel free to hit ‘Follow’.
Here are some of my favourite pieces I have published on here, in case you missed them:

• Hold your head high, heavy heart (- Dear teenagers, it gets better or at least different).
• I have the dance moves of a mustache and the singing voice that sounds like a beard on the inside of my cheeks (- for all that love those with a beard and those that have careless whiskers to tame).
• And I am finally seeing that I was the one worth leaving (- Inspired by Frank Turner and moving on from something that never quite fit).
• You hid there last time, you know we’re gonna find you (-My tale of always being the fat girl and how some builders harassed me).
• But I am a ghost, just haunting myself (- An exercise in dissipating writers block, melancholic whimsy at its best).
• I’m ready to hope, swing me out of the low; wide awake in the glow, can’t do it alone (- Sadness and hope combined in melancholia. My canary sings no more).
• And I kissed him back like and arsonist with a pocket full of matches (-romanticised romance).

Once again, thank you.

And I’m the best worst thing that hasn’t happened to you yet. The best worst thing

The month of February is filled with birthdays in my house. Usually it is filled with cake, prosecco and celebrations; this year was a little different with the anniversary of my mother’s passing. However, we made the best of the month and it was filled with lovely people, cake and daffodils.
So, here is February:

February, week one.
My twentysixth birthday was the very first day of February and my morning was filled with lovely presents from my family. A sparkly crown, which I wore all day long and almost forgot to take off before bed. Some beautiful perfume, a bangle and a giant fluffy pompom amongst other lovely things. A selfie, because why not? I have also discovered that the window in my front door works as a soft box, perfect lighting. A gin and elderflower with a pretty straw, which I sipped gleefully whilst out for a meal with ‘The Surrogate Mothers Club’.

February, week two.
The eighth of the month marks my dad’s birthday, this year he turned the big five-oh. This is the cake my sister and I made him, yes I am aware that it looks a little like is says ‘SO’ instead, but sprinkles are hard to work with! Dolly all snuggled up on the chesterfield in the kitchen, under the blanket I crocheted for her. Look at her little scruffy face. And another selfie. A very quiet week really.

February, week three.
Wearing my daffodil pin on my mum’s birthday, which was also Valentine’s Day, for a lunch out by the sea with my dad and sister. It was a beautiful sunshine day and it always reminds me of my mum at the particular place we went. Tina and Laney bought me the most awesome unicorn slippers for my birthday (which rarely leave my feet and my boyfriend wont let me wear out). And yes, I am wearing them with my Cookie Monster pjs, because I am 7 really. A selfie I took whilst waiting for Christopher to come back from picking up his broken down Land Rover.

February, week four.
After not feeling very well and having a panic attack the day previously, it was nice to get out for a very cold and blustery walk in one of my very favourite places. Even if it was so cold my face hurt afterwards. Some beautiful daffodil’s as a nod to the anniversary of my mum’s death. She loved daffodils and had a personality as bright and beautiful as the bloom. A catch up and a potential business meeting with one of my favourite ladies, Naomi, on a very chilly day. I hadn’t seen her properly in months so it was really lovely and we covered a lot of ground and exciting possible ideas for the future.

Maybe I’ll find something real, not a fantasy so divine

It’s almost my twentysixth birthday. There will be more to come at the end of the month regarding how that truly makes me feel. Your midtwenties are weird, you feel the sense of getting older and more pressing responsibilities and yet there are other moments when you still feel like a teenager.
To combat my vague sense of impending doom, I have compiled a list of lovely things I would like to receive for my birthday. Because, who doesn’t like presents?!
Here is a link to my wishlistr page, where (if you feel so inclined) you can buy me wonderful things without duplicating with other friends and family.

Prints:

I love a good print and I try to only buy original pieces. Art that someone has taken the time to make themselves rather than a stock photo. These wondrous pieces are all on Etsy, and are all really affordable. The dinosaur is so cute and witty. I asked my friends on Facebook whether I needed the Shia LaBeouf print as much as I think I do, the general consensus was a resounding HELL YES! (although it was a resounding hell no! off of Facebook, but what do they know?!..). If you know me well or happened to stumble across my Wednesday Addams post, you’ll be familiar with my pure and resounding love for this awesome character. A great role model for girls and women alike, to true be yourself no matter what everyone else is doing.

Books/written word:

My name is Lydia, and I cannot stop buying books. The feel, the smell and the excitement resonating from some paper with words typed across them is something I relish in every time a new book comes to live with me. I read their stories, I fall in love and then they become my friend, sat upon my fully loaded bookshelves. Bookworms like I will understand this, I promise. And then there is Darling magazine, with their mission statement of “Darling is the art of being a woman”, “Darling is a catalyst for positive change; leading women to discover beauty apart from vanity”. Checkout their website to read all about their full mission. A magazine that is articles and essays about womanhood and inspirational women. None of the photos used in the magazine have been retouched and they use real women, you aren’t being subjected to the images the mass media want you to absorb until you feel bad about yourself.

Accessories (part one):

In my family it is a tradition to adorn your wrists with silver bangles. My grandma always wore hers, my mother always wore hers and now my sister and I jingle and jangle, our right wrists always adorned by our own set. I like how we each have our own unique melody, if you know us well enough you will always know who is coming round the corner. I have been looking for a thin hammered bangle for ages, and this one is lovely.
These three incredibly cute, by way of witchy, enamel badges I also found on Etsy. Perfect to add a little gothy twist to my already entirely black outfits…
These Pansy temporary tattoos have had me lusting over them for around two years now. I haven’t got around to buying them because they’re fairly expensive for what they are. And always “do I really need them?” is swimming around in my head…I mean you’ve all seen what I want so far right? It’s a sensible red cord in my brain.
A big fan of BloodyMaryMetal, I have been coveting this pricey but beautiful piece of jewellery for a long while now. I love that now my generation have gotten older, there are fine pieces of jewellery and accessories made for the alternative kids who aren’t ever ready to let go. For those of us who will forever be low key emo.

Pretties that hold things:

Terrariums are back in style and thank god because I have been after one for ages. Thankfully with the rise in popularity they are now much cheaper than when I first wanted one. The copper lined ones are particularly lovely.
I was shown the company that sell these bags on Amazon around a month ago, and have been lusting after this gorgeous overnight bag ever since. Pricey (although on sale) and made of real leather, its gorgeous. Living where I live often means having to stay elsewhere when I go on a night out and due to some new circumstances in my life, it means I shall be staying elsewhere more often and I would much rather do it with this beauty beside me.
In true magpie style I own a tonne of jewellery and I am always looking for more places to store it. I already have one of these clear acrylic draws but I could always do with another one. If I can see all of my jewellery I am more inclined to remember I have it and therefore wear it more often.
This lovely, thick notebook is the exact same one I bought for my sister for Christmas; and the exact same one she almost didn’t end up with because I wanted to keep it too much. I was expertly talked out of keeping hers, but I still want my own version.

Accessories (part two):

A friend recently showed me her newly purchased Gwen Stefani X Urban Decay palette and it was glorious. Mostly beautiful neutral/gold tones with a couple of vampy brighter shades; it truly is a masterpiece.
I already own a trioshade of purple rose flower crown from the masterful Crown and Glory, but then I saw this majestic navy one and I think that needs to come and live with me too. I have already chosen a gigantic glittery bow from them that I plan to wear for my birthday. However, for my everyday glitter needs these adorable glitter star bobby-pins are a must!
Jo Malone perfume is a very frivolous luxe product. So expensive for a small amount of perfume, but the Peony and Blush Suede is delicious. An incredible floral scent that is almost identical to my favourite perfume that was discontinued by Stella McCartney.

Misc.:
I have been planning to make myself one of these for ages, but for one reason or another I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. This pentagram harness is everything a mid-twenties goth girl desires…and this one is studded people!!!
After seeing a friend from school get a tattoo from this lady I have been obsessed with her work. Rebecca Vincent works at Parliament Tattoo in London, and the picture above is pretty spot on for the tattoo I must have and have been searching for for five years. This ladies work is pure magic and just simply perfection.

All the things listed in this blog post are on my wishlist with links and prices for your own perusal. Or if you happen to be my mysterious and unfathomably rich benefactor, to buy me for my birthday.

The words are hushed, lets not get busted

It’s been another month of me being absent on here and I feel bad about it. I like it here, I love to write but I just haven’t been feeling inspired recently. Every time I sit down to type something out my brain’s engine sputters and chugs and eventually comes to a heaving halt. Fear not though, fore it is January and I have decided to write a post every week, even if it is short and I don’t love it.
Here is December in all its iPhone glory:

December, week one.
The time of the year that our house gets transformed into a twinkling wonderland. White paper balls and giant snowflakes hang from the ceiling in our backroom/kitchen. It takes my dad and I around four hours to put up all the paper decorations and lights in just this room and the hallway. Here is a glimpse of our backroom and just a small fraction of the prints we own done by Alex Binnie and Jason Missori. And what kind of week would it be without a gratuitous selfie?!

December, week two.
I borrowed my sisters MAC lipstick in Diva and I love it. Amazingly it works perfectly on both of our skin tones (shes more olive to my transparent complexion). I must own it. Some beautiful tulips, I can never resist a good bunch of tulips. I came across these old photos of me as a tiny person, I think I was around three (nineteenninetythree). My hair was/is still mental and my sister thought it was hilarious that I looked like an old lady.

December, week three.
Florence’s boyfriend bought her a Polaroid camera for Christmas, she was too excited to wait until Christmas day to open her presents so she opened them on the end of my bed after he’d left. I am impressed with the new Polaroids. Christmas day consisted of opening our stockings on my dad’s bed whilst Dolly snuffled all the discarded paper. Boxing day saw our family and friends release twenty five magenta helium balloons in memory of my mum. It was our first Christmas without her and we always have a big get together on boxing day; this was a nice way to remember her.

December, week 4.
That weird week between Christmas and New Years Eve. A selfie, naturally. Some zombie targets I made to go along with a zombie Nerf Crossbow present I had bought; complete with fake blood from Halloween. My sister and dog invaded my room and Dolly was being so cute, so here she is with her little fluffy face.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I am not a huge fan of the celebrations surrounding NYE, as I have written before. However, this year was very pleasant and chilled. We released the last balloon for my mum and let off a huge glitter confetti cannon (which we are still walking into our house now…and its all up the street. whoops). Oh, and obviously there was Jooles Holland to be watched.
I hope you all enjoyed your festivities over the last few weeks, and I shall see you all next week.

 

These pictures can tell lies and my words will still fall short

I have tried writing something of substance several times now but my house is full of people and a barking dog…and then I was distracted by the IKEA bedding section. Yes, it is going to be one of those days. One of those days that occurs for me far too often in succession. Once again on the regal throne; surveying my kingdom of procrastination. I cannot seem to make the silent sentences in my head readable words that come from the tiptiptapping of my fingers. With a song stuck in my head that I have to listen to, only distracting me further from writing this post. I find that just sitting and writing is usually the only way to focus my mind, the flowing incoherent thoughts swirling around finally finding a resting place where sometimes they become something legible. Matters are only made worse when I finally get into the ebb and flow of writing only for my laptop to die as quickly as a Victorian lady could faint.
As Charles Bukowski said “writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all”, so here I am, writing about not being able to write. I enjoy blogging and I wish that we had been able to explore this style of writing at school, rather than the standard letter, short story or article writing we are all taught from an early age. To be able to express ourselves and connect with others in a medium that is truthful and inviting is something I love more each day. No finagling on Facebook and overstating on Twitter, blog writing is honest. I knew when I started belleofthebluegrass that I wanted it to be authentic in a society that revels in omissions. If I am pouring my heart out, I want you to see blood. However, when sat atop my velvet covered diamond encrusted throne; tending to my kingdom of procrastination, when the words wont form into sentences I start to write about attractive men and what I wish to buy. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy writing those posts and finding the photos of cheekbones with sharp jawlines too, but they are always the easier ones to write.
I am not really sure where this post has taken me today…I have written this post about not being able to write this post. It really is one of those days.
On a slight side note though, I am more than thankful to anyone who has read anything on my blog, whether of substance or other. I have now surpassed five thousand views on my blog, which is absolutely thrilling, so thank you one and all. I promise I shall try and be less disjointed next time we meet. 

(I do not own this image).

In the corner of your room, you’ve stockpiled millions of my memories

I have started the very long process of sorting out my bedroom this week. I say started because frankly it has been far too hot since Monday to carry on, that with my relentless battle against procrastination (/internet shopping) means I haven’t quite finished yet. But I have organised the majority of my jewellery and main storage in my room, so I thought I would show you how I store most of my jewellery. (Click on the images to make them larger)

Before I took these photos I had a ridiculous amount of adornments, a lot I had forgotten about or they were broken and old. So, I took a bold leap and threw a lot away…it isn’t often that I get these urges to do away with trinkets in my possession (always erring on the side of borderline hoarder), but I was missing a lot of things I do like to wear because wading through it all was such a chore.

These bangles never leave my wrist, I’m not even sure I could get them off even if I wanted to. Unfortunately one of them broke and I haven’t had it fixed yet, but to briefly outline: the bottom 2 I got with the broken one for my twenty-first birthday from my parents. The twisted one was my grandmas, the big plain silver bangle I bought for myself with some birthday money I got this year. My lovely lovely skulls I bought with money my parents gave me for my twenty-third birthday. As I have mentioned before, wearing bangles is a tradition in my family.

In the first small perspex draw are my rings. Mostly I have silver rings with various crystals in them, a Butler and Wilson wing ring, a vintage mirror ring and a sparkly heart that I got one year for Christmas. In the box at the back is the most beautiful transparent pink acrylic unicorn ring from my friend Jasmin as a birthday present last year. The Brighton based company specialise in laser cut jewellery and I want one of everything! I am a complete fiend when it comes to rings, I just cannot stop buying them, I ran out of fingers a long time ago.
The second small draw is filled with various earrings and 3 nautical themed charm bracelets, one from primark, one from Lyme Regis and another as a gift for Christmas – I am  a complete sucker for anything nautical and anchor related (the photos came out really blurry though and then my camera died, so you’ll have to use your imagination I’m afraid).

On to the next two draws. The first one has my Sugar and Vice ‘Dia de los muertos’ and custom made ‘Magnificent’ necklaces. On top of the magnificent box is my silver chain with 3 tiny keys on that I got in the Isle of Wight a couple of years ago. A Lydia name necklace, pentagram pendant that I’ve had since I was 13 and my very favourite, often adored big rose necklace from New Look about 8 years ago.
The bottom draw stores my Primark chunky gold necklace, a leather rose ring, a spinning sparkly anchor from Camden, a little round clay pendant with a black bird with gold flowers on and a sparkly starfish ring. In the box at the back are the most fabulous cross earrings that are glass with a pink A/B finish that were my grandmas, a metal blue humming bird pendant and my beautiful multi crystal winged pendant. A tiny sparkly gold elephant, my adorable Tatty Devine blue anchor necklace from my friend Samantha for a birthday and a huge red heart from primark for a whole pound.

To the right of that is a pink plastic goblet that I got from Tiger and it holds all of the things I like to have out, but don’t wear as often. The felt tattoo style heart brooch was a birthday gift from my Mum’s friend. The tiny tile with a little sail boat on is just darling and a gift from my cousin and the L scrabble tile ring was a gift from my mum. There are also a few random rings and bobby pins scattered in there.

On the left of the perspex storage is the gorgeous Pandora’s box from my parents that I have stored all of the jewellery I can’t quite throw away but don’t really wear inside of. Here you can see a flower ring that when you twist the gem in the middle lights up, a pair of massive hoop earrings, a pink plastic anchor, two faux crystal rings, a large metal rose ring, a skeleton holding a diamond that you wear across 3 fingers and a multicoloured bead bracelet my sister made me.

On top are 2 velvet covered jewellery hands, The black one is holding my giant Butler and Wilson rose, a twenty-first birthday gift from my aunt and uncle. The pink hand is holding many bracelets as well as the four rings that are my go to day-to- day jewellery. At the bottom is a Turquoise with silver leaves ring from the Isle of Wight. On top of that is a Hematite thumb ring that also came from the Isle of Wight and my beloved Bloody Mary Metal stacking rings – the Lonely Bone and a personalised stacker that has ‘Heavy Heart’ stamped across it, taken from the lyrics: “Hold your head high heavy heart, and save your strength for the morning after” of ‘The Phrase That Pays’ by The Academy Is… Go and check out the BMM website though (closed until 25/7), because it is all bewitchingly enchanting and I cannot wait for the new Luna Tribe range to launch (more rings)!

On top of the perspex box is my dazzling Tatty Devine mirrored swallows necklace. Now I have to say I haven’t worn this a whole lot because the edges are super sharp, but now I have had a sort out I’ll remember to file down the edges a little so I can wear it more. It is far too pretty to sit inside a box all the time.

And that’s about it, I do have more in a hanging storage thing but that is mostly hair accessories with a few bracelets thrown in. I have a few more bedroom tour style blogs to come in the future, so I hope you liked this one. If you would like to see my already massive and ever growing hair accessories box just let me know.

The chair where you would swing, a yard so full of leaves. Hum the song that comforts me

Today I needed some cheering up and a little lightness injected into my life…and online shopping usually does just the trick for a while. In that vain this post is going to be a wishlist of all the things that I want to buy (and cannot really afford), that the naughty little spending gremlins keep nudging my hand towards.

I have been coveting these earrings by Sugar and Vice for months now. I saw them in an Instagram post a while back and have wanted them ever since. I have a two necklaces from the same amazing jewellery company – a custom word necklace saying ‘MAGNIFICENT’ and a sugar skull with roses mirrored beauty. All of the handmade jewellery is made super well and are very reasonably priced. One day, they shall be mine!

Oh Charlotte Tilbury, you enchantress you! Every woman wants to look like a silver screen siren and this does magical things to ladies faces. I have only seen this in YouTube videos and in others blog posts, but this beguiling palate of sculpting and highlighting loveliness needs to live with me. Contouring the face can work absolute wonders to ones complexion (and is an everyday staple to the Kardashian clan). Swoon.

This ‘Invasion of the killer curves’ slash neck tshirt is just wonderous. I came across the website that sell them when scrolling through my Instagram feed and seeing the captivating George of  Fuller Figure Fuller Bust, wearing a couple in her photo. They range from small sizes all the way up into the plus sizes and I am absolutely in love with this one.

I cannot explain to you how much I want this book upon my shelf. Gruesome horror for fans of YA novels, the book follows the story of a group of girls performing an exorcism on another girl…although their plan to rid the girl of evil may be more like torture. “By the shockingly twisted end, readers will be faced with the most haunting question of all: Is there evil in all of us?” So as a fan of young adult novels and the occult, I really want to read this. But even more than that, I need to own this book for its bewitching cover.

A fan of Delilah Dust jewellery for a while now, when I spotted this delectable cuff this morning I knew it had to be added to my want list. I have had a thing for druzy quartz since I bought a ring with it in around 9 years ago, it was so glittery it sang to me with its siren song. After that it was fairly hard to get a hold of for a few years, but it seems to be a fairly widely used crystal now when looking for cheaper crystal jewellery. I still love it, and to have this masterpiece upon my wrist would make me extremely happy.

This cute as a button puppy. I have long been vaguely obsessed with sausage dogs and I really need one in my life. Unfortunately my current dog doesn’t like any other dogs (or the post man, people wearing red, most men, hi-vis and potatoes), so I can’t get one. But every time I see one I want to cry with the cuteness overload. Just look at it!!!

A Glow in the dark skeleton purse has me written all over it! My current phone case is black with a glow in the dark skeleton hand on it (an h&m halloween special). I love my phone case and I think it would only be right to also own a matching purse to sit inside of my goth-tastic hand bag covered in spikes and studs. If only I could find this in an actual shop so I could see the dimensions and the layout inside, all the important stuff.

I would really like a years subscription to Oh Comely magazine, it isn’t even expensive at £22 but I just don’t have the spare cash at present. The magazine has features ranging from people, craft and music to art, food and film.The photos and illustrations are stunningly beautiful. Last year they even got their readers to do a box swap with each other. I was entirely jealous when I saw all of the heart felt and charming little things they all received when looking through the Instagram tag.

Gelato Gusto is located on Gardner Street nestled in the Laines of Brighton. Last summer when I was working near by and the days were oh so super hot, it was only right that we went and got some cooling refreshments…often. I have tried the Salted Caramel, Banoffee Pie and Rose with Dark Chocolate gelato – all more than delicious, but the best thing I have ever had (possibly out of all food, ever) is their Rose and Lychee sorbet. It was as if angels had come floating from the sky and the world had got a little brighter and shiner after the first taste. If you live in Brighton, even if you don’t, make sure to go out of your way to try some of the heavenly mouthwatering flavours on offer. You will not be disappointed.

I have a confession. When writing this post and visiting all of the things that I really really want…I may have fallen prey to the 20% off everything summer sale at Crown and Glory. I may have just purchased this darling ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ headband in Bramble. I could not resist any longer after wanting one for years now. Look at how pretty it is though, can you really blame me? And with £4 off of my order it would have been rude not to. (One more justification – ) The colour scheme works all year round with these lovely purples in cadbury, aubergine and lilac too, so its not like I’ll just wear it in the summer. I could have done a whole lot more damage though, as everything is just beautiful. Glittery and girly and some with a gothic twist plus lucky dips worth £50 for only £20?! (another day…). Perfect for this seasons festivals too. I cannot wait for mine to arrive.
This post could be alarmingly long, but instead I have put some of the other things I need in my life into an Amazon Wish List. If you fancy having a peek at some, feel free to head on over. Also, if anyone would like to do a box swap, please let me know in the comments as I absolutely positively would love to do one!

(I do not own these photos).