this week.

1. My hair stylist - I'm extremely fussy when it comes to my hair. I've had some really awful cuts in my time, so when I moved to London I felt extremely anxious about trying a salon that I trusted enough to be let loose with a pair of scissors. Well, my hours of Google searching paid off and I'm now sporting what may become my signature look, a Louise Brooks style bob.
2. Miss Violet Lace on Etsy - I won't lie, as much as I love my natural dark brown locks I do on occasion wish that I had gone crazy with colour in my student years. Nowadays I wouldn't even consider colouring my hair as not only does the thought of coating my head in peroxide make me panic, but I don't think they would quite appreciate it at work. So I think that one day I may have to treat myself to one of Miss Violet Lace's fun wigs. You're never too old to play dress up!
3. My new winter clothes - although we're currently experiencing an odd warm spell, it has felt like winter is definitely on its way. I had found what looked like the ideal candidate for a winter coat on the Laura Ashley site, but when I tried it on it didn't feel like it was going to keep my very warm. In the end I decided to check out my favourite label and trotted off to Desigual. I bought myself a gorgeous thick coat and a cozy polo neck jumper, one that doesn't make my neck itch. My word I love that shop!
4. Discovering new blogs - A Beautiful Mess and The Dainty Squid to be precise. Wholesome crafty goodness with a smattering of cute interiors, yummy recipes and adorable cats thrown in.
5. Having time off work - I am loving my new job, but I have really enjoyed having two days off to recharge my batteries. It's always good to chill.

this week.

1. Skate Attack in North London - when I decided that I was going to be joining the LRG Rec League I searched for a shop in London that would be able to kit me out. I tried one of the recommended skate shops in Central London but they hadn't even heard of the training skates I was after. So I decided to travel that little bit further and go to Skate Attack in Southgate. Myself and Cardy went on Saturday as he had decided to get his own skates after watching the bout. He now has all the gear he needs including a swanky pair of Diablos, and I ordered some Vandals which arrived at work this morning. I'm really looking forward to trying them out tomorrow!
2. My fingerless gloves - we've had some really bitter mornings this week so I've been glad to have my gloves with me. I'm going to have to find some proper gloves for when it gets really cold though.
3. Buying my lunch in the morning - four words: pecan and maple yumyum.
4. Sitting by the radiator at work - pretty self explanatory really!
5. Roehampton hospital - I'm so glad that I'm lucky enough to be in the postcode range for Roehampton. They really are amazing.

this week.

1. The Chilean Miner story - call me soppy, but it was so heart warming to see the fantastic concluison to what could have been such a tragic story. I have been struck by the number of people who will openly tell how they had tears in their eyes watching footage of the capsule rising to the surface. It's rare that we have something positive and reaffirming on the news, and I am so happy for the miners and their families.
2. Live bouts - on Saturday myself and Cardy went to our first roller derby bout and it was amazing. We were there for five hours and, despite feeling rough as hell due to a sore throat, I had a briliant time. Cardy was so impressed that he not only bought himself one of the team t-shirts (The Harbour Grudges - boy has good taste) but he's planning on getting himself some
3. Napoleon Dynamite - this was our Sunday evening entertainment. I'd watched it with Cardy a while ago and didn't quite 'get it', so it was good to watch it again and understand the humour behind it. I definitely appreciate it a lot more, and I wish I could draw unicorns that
4. My new pencil case from TokyoInspired - I couldn't resist this fabulous pencil case from TokyoInspired on Etsy. Comical cats are always
5. Hot Vimto - I don't tend to drink that much coffee when I'm at work and so I will be relying on hot Vimto to warm my cockles over the winter months.

this week.

1. Winter recipes - Cardy and I have cracked out some of our warmer recipes in light of the change of weather. The other night we cooked a Malaysian chicken dish and afterwards my lips tingled from the chilli.
2. Whip It - I found myself with some time to kill the other day on my way to work and just so happened to be near a HMV store. They had Whip It for sale and I couldn't resist. Cardy and I watched it on Tuesday night and I was impressed. It's not the most realistic representation of roller derby, but in the same way that Indiana Jones isn't a realistic representation of archaeology. It got me thinking about what my roller derby name could be.
3. Hot Vimto - I have come down with an awful cough and this is one of the only things that is getting me through the day.
4. The return of The Apprentice - Sir Alan Sugar is a top bloke. I don't know how he manages to put up with some of the arrogant suits that pass through his boardroom. The best line in Wednesday's episode was from a particularly annoying man who claimed that everything he touched 'turned to sold'. What an idiot. I can't wait until he gets fired.
5. Our neighbours - we were invited to one of our neighbour's flats on Thursday for a building get together. It was brilliant! We left shortly before midnight and could've stayed for a few more hours if we hadn't have got to get up in the morning and go to work. It's so lovely to know who they are now. We will no longer just be people who pass each other on the stairs and have stunted conversations.

this week.

1. My new iPhone - I've never even had a contract phone before, so getting an iPhone was a huge step. I'm really glad I made the leap. i've already been in contact with people much more than I would've usually. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful geeky friendship.
2. The Hipstamatic app - I'm not ashamed to admit that this was one of the reasons for getting the iPhone over other SmartPhones on the market. I would love to be able to take my DSLR everywhere with me, but it isn't going to happen. This will be a great toy to take everywhere with me and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do. I've already started a 365 project.
3. The arrival of Autumn - while I do appreciate that summer bring sunshine, lazy days in the park and a brilliant excuse to eat copious amounts of ice cream, I'm not really a huge fan. If I had to pick I would have to say that Autumn is my favourite season. Burnished leaves, layered clothing and fuzzy scarves, it doesn't get any better.
4. hine on Etsy - I remember finding hine's Etsy store a number of years ago due to the cult status of her camera camera cases. I've recently treated myself to one of her iPhone cases and a Holga style purse that is meant for a digital camera but will serve as my make-up bag. I'm stupidly thrilled to finally own some of her work.
5. Douglas Coupland's Girlfriend in a Coma - Coupland is up there in my top five authors, and Girlfriend in a Coma and Microserfs are my favourite books of his. I try to get everyone reading Coupland, I think it would make the world a better and more beautiful place.