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Monday 18 July 2011

I Give Up... for today

All day from the moment I woke up until roughly 10 minutes ago I've been setting up my online shop. I've been

 taking picture after picture after picture
♥ editing said pictures
♥ resizing said pictures
♥ uploading said pictures
 rearranging said pictures
 naming products
 pricing products
 playing with a lot of html
♥ making my shop look pretty

And though I'm nowhere near finished I think I've accomplished the last point.. my shop does look pretty. I am rather proud of my little shop. I may feel like my head is going to explode but it's definietly worth it. Half of me wishes that I was finished so I could declare my online shop open, but for now I'll make do with half finished. 

But for all you out there (hopefully someone) that is interested here's a sneak peak before the big reveal...

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Oh and yes I have used blogger but I think it works pretty well. Hopefully I will get a chance to work on it this week, but I doubt it due to a heavy work load, but I have got Sunday off. Yeay!

How has your Monday been?
I hope you all did something fun! 
Speak Soon,
Katie 
x

Sunday 17 July 2011

Happy He's Home...

KatieWrites OOTD
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The Single Girls to Do List
We headed off to the folks today. We missed Sunday lunch as my Mum phoned to tell us that she 'knew how much I liked my sleep' so instead we were invited to 'tea', which was ham and homemade chips. Nom Nom. It turned out that the ham was orange ham. Yes you read that correctly, 'orange ham.' It was awful. I originally thought that it had been laced with washing-up liquid which clearly was a stupid thought. My Dad's home by the way. He's back for about a week to recuperate then off over-seas again. I think when it comes to missing someone you learn to cope, but then when they are back home you are suddenly hit with all those feelings that you fought back. I can definitely say that I missed my Dad. I'm not looking forward to him going again but I'm going to enjoy the time I have. At the end of the day people have it a hell of a lot worse.
On a brighter note, what do you think about the new bow. I rustled this one up this afternoon and I'm in love. I'm now about to open up my crafting boxes and create a few more for every outfit. How sad?! But totally fun. (*cough* Geek *cough*)
Speak Soon, 
Katie 
x
P.S Today I finished Lindsey Kelk's The Single Girl's To-Do List, so the review will be up in my monthly reads posts. But as a pre-warning it's not that good. In fact I didn't even force it upon my Mum which I usually do with all my favourite books. 

Friday 15 July 2011

Look who got a package!

Check out my package KatieWrites
I entered a giveaway on Sometimes Sweet last month. I think giveaways are one of those things that you enter but never think you're actually going to win, but guess who won! Meeeeee! I got this lovely package which was shipped all the way from the US. And what was inside? A set of wrapped pens from this wonderful etsy shop. It's such an easy but original concept that from the second I saw them I fell in love. Obviously being a total book geek I had to have 'The Hunger Games' set, and I also got to choose pens. (you had a choice of pencils or pens) Whoop Whoop! They are so pretty and I love them.
Bouncing Ball Creations Pens KatieWritesBouncing Ball Creations Pens KatieWritesBouncing Ball Creations Pens KatieWrites
Please go check out their etsy shop called bouncing ball creations. I had it saved in my favourite as 'ah-mazing pencils' before I won. haha. The communication with the founder was fantastic and I was even given the option to pick a specific chapter or page I particularly wanted, which I thought gave such a personal touch. (Obviously being super indecisive I eventually left this in their capable hands.) I do think that good communication creates a returning customer. Communication is the key.

This is actually the second giveaway I've won since starting blogging in March. The first one I won was my wedding fragrance, Lola, from FleurDeForce's giveaway. I blogged all about it here. It's was one of those things that I really couldn't afford so I was so grateful when I won. I only ever enter giveaways that I really want to win because I'd feel awful if I won but didn't really want the prize.  

I'm going to play with my new pens now.
Speak Soon,
Katie 
x

Thursday 14 July 2011

Homemade: Felt Bunting

Felt Bunting
Felt Bunting KatieWrites
Felt Bunting KatieWrites

I made this bunting the other night. I wanted something cute for our bedroom, but unfortunately it's found a home above our fire. Pretty much like anything else that will hang nicely on our fire place, like the MR & MRS sign we were given as a wedding gift for example.

This is sure to be a new addition to my shop, which is almost ready. Exciting news! I've made the site, which is actually a new blog for now, the layout is almost there, the name is finalised, I've just got to finish up. I need a little quality time to put solely toward the site before I can say that it's up and running, but I'd say it will be up for my birthday in August. Fingers Crossed.

Speak Soon,
Katie 
x

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Cute Crafty Supplies

After a very relaxing movie watching day we headed to the range and this is what I wore... cue very uncomfortable picture...
Awkward OOTD post KatieWrites
We needed to make the trip to pick up some mini buttons as my supply was running very low, but as usual we ended up picking up more than expected.
Mini Haul KatieWrites
These are the buttons that I previously mentioned. They are a little expensive but I just love them so much. They didn't have the plain ones, which to be honest are the ones I went in for so I will still have to scour the internet for them. Ah well.
Mini Buttons KatieWrites
I also picked up a huge tub of cookie cutters. 101 pieces to be precise. These are mainly for my felting designs, but I'm sure I could also use them for actual cookies. Yum Yum.
101 Cookie Cutters
Alphabet Cookie Cutters KatieWrites
Finally I bought these cute book marks. As you know by now I'm definitely a bookworm, so when it comes to bookmarks it's a case of 'the more the merrier.' I fell in love with these immediately, and they were only £1.50. Ah-mazing!
Paperclip animal bookmarks KatieWrites
Giraffe Bookmark KatieWrites
Meet the new George. Is it just me that gives all Giraffe's the same name?

Anyhow, Speak Soon,
Katie 
x

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Do Not Disturb..

It's been one of those days at work. You know the ones, we all have them, sometimes we even have them at home. The ones where you start one task, which leads to another, which leads to another and before you know it you've cleaned the whole place! Sounds traumatic doesn't it?! But really I loved every minute of it. I've just popped home before heading to my Mum's so I can pick up a few supplies. I like to craft while I'm at my Mum's so instead of carting my stuff around all day I always pop home first. Today as I walked into the living room this is what I found....

Do Not Disturb the cat

This is what happens when you leave the husband alone with the pets. I dread to think what sign he's given the dog....

Speak Soon
Katie 
x

Monday 11 July 2011

OOTD: Michael Style

I'm sat here mid-way through cutting out felt petals, with a belly covered in felt scraps, and decided what a perfect time to post Michaels OOTD post. haha.

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Funnily enough he's dressed from head to toe in Primark excluding the shoes, though they are not in the picture anyway. I guess I'm not as good at taking OOTD pictures as Michael. I love these pictures and though it's not an actual OOTD, I do love how they tell a story. He starts by sulking, then poses, then pokes his tongue out in defiance, then laughs. Oh how I love my husband. 

Hope you enjoyed.
Speak Soon
Katie 
x

Sunday 10 July 2011

OOTD: Peach Polkadots

Peach Shorts KatieWrites
Peach Polkadot Shorts KatieWrites

Peach Polkadot Shorts KatieWrites
Peach Polkadot Shorts KatieWrites
Peach Polkadot Shorts KatieWrites

I picked up these shorts from Tesco's 50% sale for £5. I ordered them online and within a week they had arrived safe and sound at my door. I love the colour and knowing me and my love for polkadots the pattern is just perfect. I love how my new shorts also match my nails here perfectly, which also means if you have Barry M's Peach Melba you know what colour these shorts are. Yay!  

I just wore my hair up high in a scruffy bun with the addition of my favourite hair clip. I love scruffy/messy buns. I usually wear this hair style to work when I really cannot be bothered with anything more complicated and strangely it always gets the most complements.

We decided to take a few pictures before heading out to Hobbycraft for some felt for a few projects I'm planning. I'm not the hugest fan of hobbycraft but they do have a larger selection of colours than anywhere else I know. If anyone knows of any other places that have a good supply of felt I would love to know, either stores or online, I don't mind either way.

Mike's First OOTD is up soon. haha.
Speak Soon 
Katie 
x

Saturday 9 July 2011

Day Out, Instagram Style

I'm sure that many of you share my love for Instagram. It has the amazing capability of making an average almost unusable picture, pretty. I do have a problem where I can only use the same style for my pictures if they were taken at the same time. I know, I know, just one more example of how strange humans really are. 

Last week we went for an unexpected shopping trip to Homebase of all places. I needed some wooden doweling for my felt moustaches, which is still propped up in the corner of our living room as we speak, and the pictures from out trip have been sat on the computer waiting to grace to presences of my blog ever since. 
Day OUT KatieWrites

What better way that to start the day with funny faces? / Or a cuddle from a furry monster? / Bamboo Munching / An unimpressed Michael / Myspace style / No explanation.

Drifter McFlurry KatieWrites

And what better way to end the day than with a Drifter McFlurry? Not happy that they used the Oreo packaging, but you can't win them all. 

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. 
Speak Soon, 
Katie 
x

Friday 8 July 2011

A Flash Back in Music Time

Recently I've been on such an odd music obsession. Now I'm sure that you've noticed by now that I have kind of an obsessive personality. 

I can eat the same food every single day just because I love it so much. 
I can become completely engrossed in one task that I wont stop until I finish. 
And music is no different...

For the past week I'm been on a Sting and The Police rampage. They are the only band/artist to appear on my ipod, particularly one song, "Don't stand so close to me," that has been stuck on repeat... shame. haha. 

Yes I am one of those people that will listen to the same song over and over again until it's imprinted on my brain and I no longer need to listen to the song to even hear it. But then I still choose to listen to it again. So I thought that I'd share this with you guys. 

I'm sure that everyone has heard of most of Stings Greatest Hits, and I can't almost guarantee that almost every girl and probably most boys have drooled over him in his younger days. Or maybe that's just me...
But these are my current favourites....










And there we have it. The list could have gone on and on, but I thought I'd stop. 
Speak Soon, 
Katie 
x

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Fighting Spots Head On!

I'm sat here catching up on my daily reads after removing all of my make-up. I'm currently having major skin problems and nothing seems to be helping. I've used so many different skin products designed for sensitive skin, acne prone skin, you name it, I've tried it. So with at least 10 huge, painful lumps for spots all around my mouth/chin area I decided to take drastic action and after work today I picked up some Quinoderm. 
Quinoderm cream KatieWrites
Now if you've never heard of this before, it's a pharmacy only product and is rather strong. The main acting ingredient is Benzoyl Peroxide 10% which is very strong indeed. I didn't really want to try this at first as it's renowned for drying out the skin, and basically this is how it works, only problem is that not only will it dry out the spot itself but it will also dry out the skin around it or anywhere else you just happen to pop it. Originally I wanted PanOxyl 5 gel, because as the name suggests this is half the strength of the Quinoderm at only 5% and if you can get hold of this then please try this first because it really is better for your skin, but unfortunately they are having problems getting the stock at the moment in certain pharmacies. 

Initial Reaction
I must say that my first reactions are pretty good. After removing all my make-up (apart from my waterproof mascara which is refusing to budge) I firstly moisturised then applied the thinest layer of Quinoderm to each individual spot taking care to avoid the surrounding skin. Almost instantly I felt a slight burning sensation where the cream had been applied, proving that the product is slightly too strong for my delicate skin, but that gradually faded, taking with it the pain from my acne. I can deal with the burning sensation if this is the result. You see I'm not overly bothered about the look of my unsightly spots because I don't have to look at my face all day, but what does bother me is the throbbing pain. 

15 minutes later...
After 15 minutes or so the pain has subsided so I can actually wiggle my jaw and the obvious redness and soreness of the break out seems to have calmed down slightly. Don't get me wrong it's not a miracle worker and neither did I expect it be, but after only 15 minutes of applying the product my skin has dramatically improved. Maybe it's all in my head because I wanted it to work, but I don't think it is. I'm going to apply one more layer before I go to bed and see how it is in the morning. I think I will still be on  the look out for the weaker strength, but for the mean time I have to say that this cream is fantastic. I'll keep you all updated on it because you never know I could end up with a rash and or more spots in the morning, so we wont count out chickens just yet. 

You can buy Quinoderm from most pharmacies. I got mine for only £2.65 for a 25g tube. 

How are you dealing with your acne prone skin?
Or are you one of those lucky buggers who never breaks out?
either way..
speak soon, 
Katie
x

Monday 4 July 2011

Homemade: Personalised Felt Bunting

Today I wanted to crack on with my felt moustaches, instead I found myself creating personalised felt bunting. I've made these as a gift for a friend but I'm definitely going to add these to my shop once it's up and running because, well I blooming love them. 
Felt Bunting KatieWrites
Personalised Felt Bunting KatieWrites
I think that these would be perfect for children, either on bedroom doors, bed frames, or even over babies cots/cribs. I also think they're great fun for adults too, I'm definitely going to be making one for myself. Ooh and wouldn't Bride and Groom ones be just the perfect cute addition to any wedding reception?! Obviously not in such bright vibrant colours though. 
Star Stencil KatieWrites
Star Cookie Cutters
I also picked up these stencils (well cookie cutters.. shhh!) a few weeks ago but never really got around to using them, but they are great. Perfect sizes, and I don't know if it's just me but getting a perfect symmetrical star shape is a nightmare. Oooh and today I found all the bits for my felt moustaches, who knew that doweling was so expensive? Well I do now. Hopefully I'll be able to get it a little cheaper next time, but for now I'm just going to have fun. 

Speak Soon, 
Katie 
x

Felt Moustaches... Obviously

For our wedding 'way' back in May we were consumed by the idea of props, from 'Just Married' signs to moustaches, but encountered problems along the way. In the end we ended up making cardboard moustaches two nights before the wedding which worked perfectly on the day...
Wedding Moustache Prop KatieWrites
Bride and Groom Moustache Props
Bride and Groom Moustache
but it wasn't until last night that the obvious idea occurred to me,

Why did I struggle with thick cardboard and messy permanent markers when I could have just used felt?

A softer, more handmade feel would have just perfect, but I guess that a bride has so much to think about just days before her wedding that practicalities are the lasts thoughts to be had. 

Which lead me to think, just because I couldn't make them for my own wedding, why can't I make them for other people's? Plus they would be just perfect for birthdays, hen do's, stag do's, or even just a great night out. So I got my little cogs turning and created a rough plan, all I need now are a few bits and pieces and my felt moustaches will be my newest of creations. 
KatieWrites
What's more, with these designs I can also create the juicy pink lips I so much desired for my own wedding. 
Hope you're looking forward to seeing these as much as I am.
Speak Soon,
Katie 
x

Sunday 3 July 2011

Phew! It's been a long but productive day...

I had planned on enjoying the sunshine today, but instead I spent the whole day redesigning my blog. It's been a long time coming, but to redesign an entire blog (minus the header) without a lot of knowledge takes a long time. Google has been a good friend to me today and has given me some fantastic answers, well one amazing one really, but still it has been greatly appreciated. It's been one of those things that one you start you just can't stop until it's finished. This is the screen I've been looking at pretty much all day. 

blogger html
For a long time I've wanted a three column blog, but due to my rather large picture sizes, every time I tried to change for two columns to three I ended up with my pictures overflowing the page borders. The only answer I could come up with was editing each and every post so that all the pictures were inside the borders, but to me this was just stupid. There had to be an easier way, and after a lengthy google search I realised that I was stupid, and that there was an easier way. Whoop whoop! So now I have a three column blog like I've always wanted. There are still a few thing I want to change that I can't quite get my head around yet, but with the correct google search I'm sure I'll find my way. If not I'm just going to have to start sending out help emails. haha. 

I've also added my favourite blogs to the right hand side of my blog. Don't worry I have many more to add but this takes forever to do because I have to link each and everyone. Plus not all of my favourite blogs have blog buttons so I've had to steal their blog headers and create my own. haha. I'm now going to go around and send emails to these people just to make sure they don't mind. Fingers Crossed. 

I'm really enjoying building my knowledge of HTML, it's bringing back all those old MySpace memories. And just incase you didn't know, that's where Michael and I met, so they are very good memories. I'm even getting to the point of editing certain button html before I put it on my page to delete unnecessary bumph. I think I should really stop before I get to big for my boots. haha. 

Anyway I hope you like the new and improved blog, I certainly do. I just need to do something about the blog header now, as it's just not right. Have a play around with my new features and if you find something that doesn't quite work, then let me know. There's bound to be a few kinks, or broken links. 

Speak Soon, 
Katie 
x

June Reads + Mini Reviews

To keep me on track not only of my yearly book challenge but also of my 30 book challenge, I've decided to do a post of my monthly reads. For me June has been a good month book wise and has seen me flick through the pages of 5 books, 4 of which are part of my 30 Book Challenge. That's just over a book a week which is pretty impressive, but seen as I'm always rather competitive with myself I'd like next month to be better. 

June
Cocktails for Three - Madeleine Wickham (Sophie Kinsella)
Who's That Girl? - Alexandra Potter 
Silent Witness (Point Horror) - Carol Ellis 
I Heart New York - Lindsey Kelk 
Evermore - Alyson Noel 


I really enjoyed this book. It was a very easy but enjoyable read. I'd read so many mixed reviews before I finally picked this up, suggesting that it was nowhere near as good as Sophie Kinsella's previous work, but if you embark onto reading this with an open mind I'm sure you will love it too. 
The story is about 3 completely different women who meet at least one a month and catch up over cocktails in their favourite bar. Life is changing for all three characters though pregnancy, love and huge changes and through everything they must fight to keep their friendship alive. 
Like I said I enjoyed the story line but most of all I loved that it was easy to put down. Not normally a good point when reviewing a book but the characters were so easy to relate to and easy to remember that every time you picked it up it was like you'd never left. Plus when your only opportunity to read is on your lunch break then a book that's easy to put down is a must. 



 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

I was lent this book by a colleague at work and though I loved the concept of this story line I felt the author could have taken it a lot further and been a little more adventurous. 
Who's that girl? is about Charlotte who meets herself aged 21. She accidentally travels back in time and decides to give her younger self all the advice she wishes she had been given, but instead ends up being taught a thing or two. 
When you have a concept such as time travel the world is your oyster, and I felt that Alexander Potter didn't do the story justice. It took almost half the book to set the scene and ultimately I knew more about her banker boyfriend, who predictably didn't have that much of a large part, than any other character. Also there were seemly important topics raised that were taken no further and I felt that the ending was a little rushed. 
That being said I don't regret reading it, but I did feel that I came out of it thinking I could have done better. I know that sounds awful, but when reading the last page and closing the book I felt frustrated and filled with so many different ideas of where I could have taken the story. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

I was never lucky enough to find Point Horror in my early teens and though I was always a reader I was never a 'huge' reader. When I finally found them in my late teens I was hooked and have been hunting them down ever since. I picked this one up in a local car boot and pretty much starting reading it as soon as I bought it. 
I love Point Horror books. They have a straight forward writing style, and though the series is made up of many different writers I'm yet to find one that I haven't enjoyed. I love how all point horror books have this air of mystery about them. They all have a predictable ending but it's also such an enjoyable journey. 
This book was about a tape which is given to Lucy after her friend tragically dies. Little does she know that this tape contains a deadly crime that someone is desperate to keep secret. 
I would recommend anyone to pick up Point Horror books and give them a read. I don't believe that they are published anymore but I'm sure that you will find them in charity shop, car boots, and most definitely on ebay. 


 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

I received this book free in a copy of Glamour magazine last year but never picked it up until now. The only down side about this book was the font size which was tiny, but that was only due to copy being a magazine freebie. And that's all I have on down sides because this book was amazing! 
I heart New York is Angela's story, who has recently broken up with her long term boyfriend, and to get over her heart break she runs away to New York. But instead of finding herself lost in a huge city she finds herself embarking on her biggest adventure yet. 
I loved everything about this story, and I think I feel in love with Angela's character as soon as I read the first page. It's unreal once that you finish the story that the majority of the story only takes place on about 3 weeks. So much happens, so much changes, and Angela grows so much, that you think you've known her for years. 
One down side to the story is that I don't yet own I Heart Hollywood, but I do own I Heart Paris! I also cannot buy it because I'm on my 30 Book Challenge. I'm holding out for birthday gifts in August and leaving plenty of hints in the mean time. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

I bought this in one of my recent ebay hauls. I'd never heard of the Immortals Series before so I had no idea what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. I read this within about a week, but no because I didn't enjoy it. The story of this was pretty intriguing, not entirely original, but still thoroughly enjoyable. It's about Ever, who after an fatal car accident which kills her family becomes able to read minds. For Ever this is not a gift, and instead she fights a constant battle trying to block out these unwanted thoughts, until she meets Damen. 
Now the only down side to Damen for me is his name. Throughout the story you are to believe that he is evil so it may be intentional that his name sounds evil. I don't know if it's just me, but all I could think of when I read his name was Damian, eg. the evil, devil child from the 1978 movie The Omen. Probably just me. 
By the end of the book I was so in love with all the characters, including the evils one, that I had to pick up the second book. 
I believe as a stand alone book it doesn't have a very strong story line, but combined with the second in The Immortals series it is spectacular at setting the scene. You need to pick up this series. 


 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

So there we have it, my June reads. I have enjoyed all the books this month, and though one did leave me rather frustrated I don't regret reading it. I'm going to try to do this every month now, as I've loved summing up my month of reading. Plus it's nice to actually see everything laid out right in front of me. 

I'm loving goodreads at the moment as it enables me to keep track of everything. Personally my favourite feature is that it shows shows me how far I am through my current read in percentages, and I can record the date I started and finished each book. It's nice to see how long it actually takes me to read a book. If you have a goodreads account then please add me, I love seeing what everyone else is currently reading. 

What have you read this month? 
Speak Soon,
Katie 
x

Saturday 2 July 2011

A lovely long weekend ahead

My long weekend off from work has finally come around again. I love to sandwich my weekend with lazy days. 

             ♥ Today being Saturday I had a lovely long lay in, waking up at 2pm. Some would say that this was a waste of a day, but it's just what my body needed. 

              ♥ I then stayed in bed to finish my book which was incredible but had such a sad ending, which in turn made me sad. So when Mike called me from work I told him just how sad I was. haha. Michael is doing a long shift at work so isn't home until 10pm. But he is bring pizza and cake home with him so I guess that make's up for it.

            ♥ Now I'm enjoying some much needed guitar time. I've played the guitar for a year now on and off, learning from my amazing husband who has played for 8 years. He really is amazing on it guitar and I am nothing in comparison but that doesn't make me love to play any less. 

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I love how you can see my PJ bottoms and my funky slippers in the reflexion. haha.


Stunning screen shot. haha.

I've recorded this cover of one of my favourite songs ever, Moon River. I don't do it any justice but I love to sing this song about as much as I love to listen to it. Hope you enjoy singing along too. (and don't mind the dodgy eyeliner and the facts that is the only make-up I have on, it's my lazy day.)

Speak Soon,
Katie 
x