'Being Little' Creative Prompts for March

Happy April 1st everybody! 

My oh my, this has come around quickly hasn't it.

Just a second ago, it feels like I was discovering Lyzi's post from 'Being Little' about the start of her Creative Prompts for March and now it's done and dusted! 

As it's the first of the month, and I'm at home with my parents for the week, meaning I have a lot more free time - I have decided to post this on time. Rather than have to 'wait until I have time'. 

This post is going to be a round up of my entries for #BLcreativeprompts. 

I have to be truthful on this - it was quite difficult to keep up with it. 

I absolutely loved doing it, but being in work full time, trying to get enough sleep, have a social life, spend time with Alfie blah blah blah - I just wasn't able to keep up. 

I had every post written down for each day, and there would only be a handful of entries I'd miss at a time - but I would ALWAYS find time to catch up on them. 

Even if that did mean having to draw 6 entries in one night. 

I think this was a really great idea and I'm glad I did it. 

Drawing has always been one of my favourite things and even though it's not something I'm pursuing as a career, I will never forget my love for it. It helps me relax, helps me wind down after a day in work and keeps my little creative head on the go. 

This has made me remember those things! 

So here are my entries - hope you enjoy! 

I had to miss out two entries - one because the 'Weather' was in fact mist, and I couldn't think of any way shape or form to draw that. Secondly, the collage I can't currently do as I'm not in my house with all of my usual creative things, so I will leave that until I get back. 

All these were posted on Instagram as well so if you wish to take a look you can find them here! 

Have a wonderful start to April everyone and I'll see you in my next post!

elfums x

CONTINUE READING

No Exceptions Made Launch

A new fashion brand was recently launched in Cardiff called ‘No Exceptions Made’ by Nem McCarthy - a 24 year old graduate from the University of South Wales. 

The concept behind ‘No Exceptions Made’ is to create a bohemian, quirky and fun clothing company that promotes unique and individual garments that make people feel special! N.E.M provides dresses, tops, t-shirts and bags that are all handmade & hand printed. The clothing is bold with colour and the fabrics on the made to order garments have a very unique and different look to them. The S/S ’14 collection features various prints such as Paco the Llama, a chameleon and Nem’s dog Fletcher. These garments are also available in unisex and ladies sizes from an online platform. 

Nem also brought out a Christmas range which she launched at the Cardiff Bay Christmas fair which was very successful and gave a feel of what was to come from the brand. 

So, on 23rd March, 2014 we saw Nem’s dream come to life where the Spring/Summer collection was debuted to the public, her family and her friends in Gwdihw - Cardiff. 

The launch was fun filled, from a stall with the new collection, musical acts, social media competitions and of course - llama snacks. 

As soon as you walked through the door, there was an area where you could enter the first competition of the night - whereby you write your name & twitter address down and you get picked out during the night to win some treats! You also had to resist the complementary cupcakes! 

After some meet and greets as the guests arrived, the brand was officially launched as Nem gave a lovely and humble speech around her journey through the beginnings of the brand, what the night will bring, some thank you’s and then a video which shows the brand come to life in the promotional photo shoot. 

After a little more socialising, the very talented Hayley Cowan took to the stage and performed some songs of her own and also a few covers. Personally, I hadn’t heard Hayley sing before and I was truly blown away and I’m sure that goes for everyone else in the room. You can also find her music on iTunes which I would for sure recommend you do. 

Then came the competition winners, and of course the treat prizes which looked very tasty. Nem also announced that throughout the next day, the best photo posted on social media would be picked to win an item of the new S/S range - can’t go wrong! The hash tagging soon started…

Then finally, the musical stylings of Ben Milburn & Alton Williams took to the DJ booth and started playing some truly incredible mixes. Those two together are genius, and sometimes trouble… 

Find Alton's music at http://www.mixcloud.com/kenburnseffect/

Find Ben's music at https://soundcloud.com/edocronian/

The night was a massive success and Nem should be extremely proud of herself. I’m very excited to see what’s to come - and also if Paco makes anymore appearances! The brand has got some plans to work with other illustrators and designers to create some more fantastic work. 

The 'No Exceptions Made' brand has been launched online at http://www.noexceptionsmade.com and will hopefully appear in craft fairs and boutiques in the very near future. You can also find N.E.M here:

https://www.facebook.com/noexceptionsmade

https://twitter.com/NEMclothing

http://instagram.com/noexceptionsmade

elfums x

CONTINUE READING

the birkett's go to the country

Hello everyone! 

I can't believe how quickly the last week has gone! I'm on my last day off before heading back to work tomorrow, sorting through unpacking, laundry, college work & of course a new blogpost. 

So, as I mentioned in my last post, this past week I have been in Somerset with my family staying at a very big house in the lovely country! So I thought I would share some photo's with you from the week and also if you would like to see my Instagram posts from the week I will link that here!

Above is the house that we stayed in and the surrounding area which is so lovely.

The tree is one of the best things about staying here. 

Thankfully, the weather was absolutely beautiful bar a couple of days where the mist and fog was so heavy! It still made the fields look incredible and creepy.

On one of the first few days the sun came out and we just couldn't not go for a walk down the lanes by the house and the farm. The owner of the area has two pigs by the entrance which the little one's were really excited to go and feed with all our leftover rubbish food. The pigs however were being lazy and were asleep, but the walk was so lovely. Oddly, there was a one eyed horse in the fields which I didn't know what to make of! Plus, Chloe & Kyle holding hands all the way was just one of the cutest things I've ever seen :) 

It was my Uncle Darren's birthday on the Wednesday, so as it was a nice day still we ventured out to a Cider Farm - there wasn't a huge amount to do, but we had a lovely lunch, wandered around the museum and a walk around the vineyards a little. The little ones also had a play in the park area. 

Overall it was a lovely week, we ate incredibly well, the weather was wonderful, I got to spend time with family who I rarely see & also met my new baby cousin. 

I can't believe the week is over but here's to the next Birkett trip away hopefully! 

I'm also heading to North Wales in about two weeks so family time is not over yet :) 

Hope you've enjoyed looking at these photo's! 

Talk to you soon! 

elfums x

CONTINUE READING

hello march, i'm quite looking forward to you

My oh my, I don't think I like how fast we're getting through this year already. You'll also probably see me write that in my first post of every month. What I do like is that it's not always dark when I wake up, and not always dark when I leave work every day. I'm looking forward to getting rid of that feeling of constantly living in what seems like night time. Although, I wish my sleep pattern would sort itself out. That's something that is truly getting on my last nerve.. 

Anyways, it's Sunday morning, already the 2nd March - I've had my breakfast & caught up on my favourite blogs & youtube videos, and it's time to write my first blog post of this month. I've thought about what it might contain, and decided on a little theme. Instead of me writing about my goals etc for the month, I'm going to write about what I'm most looking forward to. March is going to be a little busy to say the least - so here goes :)

- x -

Somerset with the Birkett's 

- A few years ago, a bunch of my family & myself went to Somerset to stay in a very large country mansion to spend a week relaxing and celebrating birthdays. We're doing that again! I can tell you, it has come at the right time, as I need some serious time away. I will be spending it with my favourite family, hopefully with good weather *here's hoping!*, a pool & jacuzzi, and lots of places around us to go and walk and adventure around! Plus, there's two new little Birkett's that will be attending this time so that will be fun! It will also be about remembering our wonderful & beautiful Nan who won't be there this time - but it will all be good memories. It's going to be a lovely little week away! 

This is a photograph from the last time we went :) 

Andy & Jo's Wedding

- One of our good friends Andy & his other half Jo are getting married this month. It should be a lovely day! Plus they're getting married in Craig-y-nos Castle which means it's going to be a great little area for a wedding. I love weddings! Plus it's one of a few this year. So many of our friends are getting married, I don't want everyone to grow up so soon! But it's so lovely to see. Myself, Alfie & a bunch of our good friends are heading down, staying overnight to truly enjoy the day. Can't wait! 

N.E.M Clothing Launch

- Another of our friends from work, Nem, has started her own clothing brand called No Exceptions Made and her launch party is towards the end of this month. I shall link her website here and also here is a youtube video of Nem explaining about her processes and brand :) it should be a really good night - can't wait to see what comes of this! I will also be spending some time with Nem soon, so expect a review and blog post on the brand some time in the future. 

A week at home in North Wales

- One of my goals for this year was to spend more time with Family. Now because my parents are 4 hours away on the train, rather than 45 minutes away like they used to be, I miss them terribly ALL THE TIME. They are like my anchor and usually the voice in my head most of the time, and to not see them that often at all, sometimes only a couple of times a year, just breaks my little heart. So I thought to myself ''STOP WORKING ALL THE TIME'' and booked a week off to go and chill with my Mumma, Papi & the pups. The last two trips I've taken home, Alfie has been with me too, which has been so lovely, but I want my parents all to myself this time :) I can't wait for home cooked meals, the mountains, puppy cwtches, puppy walks, papi talks, movies with mama & just all round loves.


B.I Creative Prompts

- The last thing I'm looking forward to is taking part in the 'Being Little' Creative Prompts mini project. Lyzi from 'Being Little' is doing something creative every day this March and has invited anyone to go and do it too. Now, I am a very creative person, but don't give myself enough time to actually be creative - this month that will change. I've even written every daily title in my diary. 
Click on the link above and do it too! 
Here's my first entry of 'patterns' :) 

- x- 

In between all this, I will be attempting to stay awake through my full time job, continuing with my A-Level work, hopefully consistent blogging, spending as much time with Alfie & my friends as possible and getting some proper sleep & trying to stay poorly free for as long as I can. 

Now this has been a rather large post - but it seems that's what my hands & brain wanted to do this miserable Sunday morning! 

So, I'm going to end it there!  

What are you going to get up to this March!?

Enjoy your Sunday.

elfums x

CONTINUE READING

couldn't wait for pancake day

Thank goodness it's friday right! 

Well i still have two days left in work.. never mind! 

- x - 

Source

Last week, my boyfriend & I had a morning off together, so I decided to treat us to a pancake breakfast before he had to head off to a meeting. I have been craving pancakes for a very long time, but just never had the time or the cooking utensils to make them. So I made a mini goal for myself to buy the kitchen goodies on a budget and realised I only needed to purchase flour & eggs and bam! we had ourselves some yummy pancakes with strawberries. The only difference is, is that I had to substitute regular flour for gluten free flour. I'm having a few issues with gluten & wheat at the moment, and whilst i figure that all out, i'm cutting it out. They didn't taste as good as my Mumma's used to, but they were still yummy none the less! So I thought I would share a few photo's and the recipe i used to make them - hope you enjoy! 

Recipe

Ingredients:

110g/4oz plain sifted flour *i used gluten free flour

a pinch of salt

2 eggs

200ml/7fl oz milk mixed with 75ml/3fl oz of water

50g/2oz

and any topping you wish *we used strawberries & sugar!

Method:

- Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl

- Make a well in the centre of the flour, and crack the two eggs into it

- Whisk the eggs with either a whisk or a fork until you get a paste 

- Gradually add the water/milk and mix until you get a smooth batter

- Melt the butter and then add 2tbsp into the batter and mix

- Use the rest of the butter for use in the pan before you make each pancake

- Get your pan really hot, then turn it down to a consistent medium heat

- Using a ladle, spoon the batter into the pan, so you have a good thickness to the pancake

- To keep your pancakes warm, have a pan of water on a very low heat with a plate on top, this allows you to rest the pancakes on top without them losing heat *it says to use greaseproof paper in between each one, but i don't see the need to

- Once you've made your pancakes, you may eat them with your favourite toppings! 

Ever since I was little, my Mumma used the Delia Smith recipe for the pancakes she made for me from a DS recipe book. Luckily, this recipe was on the BBC website *link just here*. 

Don't get me wrong, I do like american style pancakes, but these are just the best! 

- x -

 

 

Hope you've enjoyed this post!

Have a wonderful weekend!

elfums x

CONTINUE READING

adventure time, snowdonia time

Happy Sunday everyone! 

I really can't believe that it's February already. The last month, as I'm sure you'll all agree, has gone way too quickly. I really hope the entire year doesn't go that quickly! 

Anyways, I thought I would share with you some photo's from this week that I took. Myself & my boyfriend, Alfie, took a little trip up to North Wales to stay with my parents for a few days. I didn't get to see them for Christmas, and this week was the only time I had. Even though we were only there for four days, and I miss them so much, but it was so so lovely. The four of us went up to the top of Snowdon on the week of my birthday last year, but Alfie & I really wanted to walk up. So that's what we did on Wednesday. As it's winter, and the weather is so bad, we didn't go all the way to the top. It didn't matter though, as the views were still spectacular, and I got to climb the 'Miner's Path' with my favourite. So here's a few snaps from our little adventure, which I took on my Canon 550D - also, here's a link to my Behance where you can view them too. Enjoy! 

-x-

I hope you enjoyed having a look! I truly recommend going to Snowdon if you haven't before. We will definitely be going back to go further and also along a different path. I'm also lucky enough that my parents live only an hour away, and also a Mumma who is amazing to wake up super early to drive us there! 

Hope you've all had a wonderful relaxing day! 

elfums x

CONTINUE READING