tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53258609425573480702024-03-07T10:20:57.409+02:00Little Birds BlogLillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-48709888586640857132015-03-08T13:21:00.000+02:002015-03-08T13:21:28.755+02:00Read of the month: March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/murakami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/murakami.jpg" height="600" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
I draw a <a href="http://lilycupcake.blogspot.com/2015/02/building-universe.html" target="_blank">lilac girl</a> building a universe. A couple of days later I read about a lilac girl who is the universe to a little boy... in Murakami's latest book.<br />
"The Strange Library" is a very odd little book, weird and wonderful at the same time.<br />
The reason I love Murakami's stories so much is that he has the ability to break open all that is<br />
natural and real – and let loose all the magic and weirdness in the world. "The Strange Library" is<br />
no exception.<br />
The story itself is simple: a young boy stops by his local library on his way from school, in order to return books and check out others. What happens instead is that he's locked up in the library's reading room by an evil old librarian. He must face all his worst fears and find a way to escape, or else face a terrible death in the hands of the scary old man. It is the type of plot you would find in a children's book and in fact, it easily reads as a children's novel. However, a lot of elements of previous Murakami stories are present, twisting the story to a dark mystery.<br />
What I loved most about the book was, naturally, the quirky illustrations. They turn the book to a beautiful visual diary, adding much value to the reading experience... which is no more than half an hour or so. Perfect for your weekend read... and a keepsake for your Murakami collection.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/haruki_murakami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/haruki_murakami.jpg" height="300" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-82855848195257511492015-02-16T17:08:00.002+02:002015-02-16T17:08:32.801+02:00Building a Universe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/16325743410_b05c95629f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="849" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/16325743410_b05c95629f_b.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm building a universe while listening to <a href="https://soundcloud.com/philfrancemusic/the-swimmer" target="_blank">this</a>. </div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-71886041246571561152015-01-26T14:26:00.000+02:002015-01-26T14:59:08.412+02:00The importance of resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/sparkling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/sparkling.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A couple of days before the end the year I accidentally found my list of New Year's resolutions for 2014. It was a proper list: fifteen goals – some as simple as forming a couple of good habits, others somewhat challenging – like running a half-mararhon – third a bit too ambitious – like overcoming fears and stepping out of my comfort zone. 2014 was a nice year. I actually managed to finish a half-marathon. Twice. I bought myself a lunchbox and discovered the pleasure of home-cooked lunches. I moved to London for the summer and although I needed some time to get used to everything (let's just say it... I hated London in the beginning), I actually met a bunch of cool people, learned a whole lot of new things and visited some wonderful places there. I also tried the Sorting Hat, which directly falls into the category "childhood dreams come true". Resolutions for 2014: done, done and <i>done. </i>Resolutions for 2015: more, more and more. The list is open and growing.<br />
I'll make sure I travel more in 2015 (there's a separate list with dream-destinations, of course). I will do the best that I can to finally finish my studies once and for all (a thing that is constantly giving me headaches). I will learn more - design-wise, cooking-wise, communication-wise, life-wise. I will do more sport (who's getting at 7am every other morning to go to the gym? I am!) and I will definitely try to find time and draw a little more. I will keep a diary (this blog being a part of it), I will take pictures, I will read more and by the end of the year I'll be more than glad to see a better version<br />
of myself.<br />
That's why I find resolutions so important - because I like to have a plan, I like to know where I'm headed and what I can do to improve the things I do and the things I see. Setting actual goals is the best way to boost your motivation and give direction to what you want and what you need. It doesn't have to be a list of resolutions – but it's a good start of the year.Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-66888302667550149702015-01-13T15:06:00.001+02:002015-01-13T15:15:39.110+02:00Totem illustration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/15857054197_3309b0e0ba_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="840" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/15857054197_3309b0e0ba_b.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been keeping myself busy for the last couple of months, but now I'm here. I'm full of ideas and plans and recipes for this year - I've written tons of lists and resolutions already, per usual. 2015 is going to be amazing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Totem</i> is my last illustration for 2014, here's to a lot more in 2015. </div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-32680305334944722242014-12-01T15:48:00.003+02:002014-12-01T15:48:44.171+02:00Weekly Menu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/15235085704_04b0fe79e0_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/15235085704_04b0fe79e0_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Making a weekly menu plan might sound complicated, but it's actually the easiest thing to do. It might require some time up front, but it's definitely worth it in the end. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Planning your menu for the upcoming week gives you the opportunity to make a well-balanced and diverse diet, and saves you a lot of time, money and effort. And it's fun. It's real fun. I should have started with that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/15855368891_99ef967f19_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/15855368891_99ef967f19_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To make things prettier, I've made a cute template you can download from <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/k0qj5s3jsusop50/menu1.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">here</a>. You can plan your healthy drinks and snacks, too - so you can always know what you have in store. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to plan a meal for every single night. Think of three balanced meals you'd like to prepare for the week. Think about what you would like to eat, what is good for you to eat – and jot it down. With the visual in front of you you can make sure you are getting all the daily nutrition you need. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once you have your menu planned, it's a lot easier to shop groceries for the week and not get tempted by guilty pleasures. You'll start paying a lot more attention to the food you're eating and – hopefully – get inspired to cook your own meals more often. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7466/15671354089_820616d72d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7466/15671354089_820616d72d_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-30542919281553605432014-11-19T14:59:00.000+02:002014-11-21T11:58:12.980+02:00Щ is for shtu-ka (pike)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15438392569_9dd8c18de2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="848" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15438392569_9dd8c18de2_b.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Illustrating cyrillic letters might just be my new November tradition. This time, Щ is for shtuka (Bulgarian for pike), FCP is for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zww88qOSpZs&index=2&list=PLx_lY0Wz1gxTftgmC-Xg-Eik5Xr-oQxhB" target="_blank">Fox Capture Plan</a> and this November, exactly like <a href="http://lilycupcake.blogspot.com/search?q=flamingo" target="_blank">the previous one</a>, is for tangerines and hot jasmine tea. </div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-85102966811767282562014-11-16T12:37:00.000+02:002014-11-16T12:37:09.554+02:00Jewellery Fox Box DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/foxboxbysimona_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/foxboxbysimona_1.jpg" height="600" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
How does the perfect jewellery box look?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://ghost-puff.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Mon</a> will show you how: she has created the cutest little fox box to hold all precious things. It's a fox. It's a box. It's everything you've ever wanted. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can turn a plain wooden box into a cute treasure-holder fox in 4 simple steps. Here's how </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mon did it:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/foxboxbysimona_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/foxboxbysimona_9.jpg" height="600" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Take out your colour pencils, brushes and acrylic paint, put on some <a href="https://soundcloud.com/edward-vanzet/lichen" target="_blank">good music</a> and let's get started. Draw a quick sketch of a fox face, or use Mon's sneaky little foxy as inspiration. Using a light orange pencil, draw thin guides on the top of your box. Apply two coats of acrylic paint and let it dry for about half an hour. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once the paint is completely dry, you can start adding details and patterns. Use an earbud dipped in paint to easily create a dotted pattern in the inside of the box. Let it dry again and you're ready to put your most precious things inside. Your fox will keep them safe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/foxboxbysimona_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/foxboxbysimona_6.jpg" height="600" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/foxboxbysimona_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/foxboxbysimona_3.jpg" height="600" width="600" /></a></div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-31513133962781098882014-10-27T17:27:00.000+02:002014-10-27T17:28:23.766+02:00Lego Lunchbox: puff pastry pizza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15639204261_dce958801a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15639204261_dce958801a_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Lego lunchbox today:</span><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">broccoli + yellow and white cheese + olives puff pasttry pizza </i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">orange + grapefruit juice</i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Roo'bar </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">for dessert</span><br />
<br />
Preparing puff pastry pizza is as easy as making a <a href="http://lilycupcake.blogspot.com/2014/10/lego-lunchbox-pizza-crumpets.html" target="_blank">pizza crumpet</a>. It can be assembled in minutes and it tastes so good. You only need to unroll the pastry and put your favourite ingredients on. I layered white cheese, brown olives, yellow cheese and broccoli and baked the whole thing for about 15-20 minutes. Lunchbox packed, thermos packed and I'm ready for a whole day at the Uni. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-34500476131845791812014-10-25T16:57:00.000+03:002014-10-25T16:59:12.248+03:002 reasons for a happy dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15621930912_98296fd440_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15621930912_98296fd440_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
Dexter sleeps in on a Saturday. He is still sleepy while I put my winter coat on and get ready for our morning walk. He yawns lazily as I put his leash оn. Poor Dexter – he has now idea that today <i>is </i><br />
the day he's been waiting for so long.<br />
It is snowing outside for the first time this season. Not too heavily – but enough to make a golden retriever the happiest dog in the world. I remove his leash and he starts running like crazy, making impossible u-turns, his back paws sliding like he's a cartoon character. He stops every now and then to eat some snow (I try to be the voice of reason but he's a rebel, I give him that) and then rushes off again. Funny how he can run in the snow for so long, but finds it boring when I take him out for<br />
a jog.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/15000928263_33f58d2467_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/15000928263_33f58d2467_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As Dexter runs giddily from one end of the park to the other, an old girlfriend of his appears out of nowhere. She waits patiently next to me for Dexter to notice her which takes a good ten minutes or so. Dexter finally comes to greet her and a couple of minutes later they are both running and rolling in the snow. His girlfriend is not as excited about the snow as she is to be seeing Dexter – but he's a little too preoccupied to notice. Or, as I suppose, snow is, after all, a little more exciting than girls.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3945/15002407853_e7db5d3399_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3945/15002407853_e7db5d3399_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a whole hour of snow adventures we finally get back home. We make lunch, brew tea, and hide under a warm blanket. It's a nice Saturday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy first snow!</div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-14118473399536736612014-10-21T17:30:00.000+03:002014-10-21T17:51:17.905+03:00Things I Like in London: Portobello Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/15494338275_84e55b8685_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/15494338275_84e55b8685_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/portobello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/portobello.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remember my story about <a href="http://lilycupcake.blogspot.com/2014/09/things-i-like-in-london-columbia-road.html">Columbia Road flower market</a> being my favourite market in London? Forget it. It's only half true now because, yes – the smell of lavender and freshly cut grass and all sorts of herbs mixed together is wonderful – but I've found a new love. It's called Portobello Market and things are really serious this time. Have you ever seen <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125439/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Notting Hill</a>? Because that's what started</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
it all. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Notting Hill is a romantic comedy where young Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts meet on Portobello Road 142, and almost instantly fall in love. It's really sweet and made me want to see all the colourful buildings and queer shops for myself. And door number 142, of course. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15307687748_7ae2a04f21_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15307687748_7ae2a04f21_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/lilla_portobello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/lilla_portobello.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/15491187461_714905b674_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/15491187461_714905b674_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/portobello3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/portobello3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Notting Hill (the actual place, not the movie) looks a lot different than any other part of London. Narrow roads meander and curve, revealing beautiful architecture. Victorian terrace houses are squeezed tightly into the available space, creating intimate atmosphere. Even on a grey gloomy weekend day the place is vibrant and rich in colour: bright yellow facades, pumpkin-coloured doors, baby-blue terraces, lavender window sills. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Portobello Road is, of course, full of people, especially on market days. People from all around London – from all around the world, actually – have come to see one of the oldest and most famous antique markets, that is nearly 150 years old. It's a place for precious antiques, quirky fashion, delicious food, books and music. Portobello Road is also home to the Grade II Electric Cinema, one of Britain's oldest cinemas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On busy days, market stalls stretch a mile along Portobello Road. Even heavy rain can't stop hundreds of traders from selling all sorts of just about everything. You can eat delicious french banana chocolate crepes and try fashionable winter coats all in one place. You can find antique gems like a hundred year old mechanic watches, pearl necklaces, diamond rings, letterpress stamps, silver cutlery... the list could go on forever. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15307426989_69d0af184c_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15307426989_69d0af184c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/portobello1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/portobello1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/15307623130_c7e1875dcd_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/15307623130_c7e1875dcd_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/15307426369_32f01346a1_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/15307426369_32f01346a1_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15307685908_b5f7f10399_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15307685908_b5f7f10399_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15491180971_59ce40d551_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15491180971_59ce40d551_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
As if the market stalls weren't enough, surrounding Portobello market are lots of unique independent shops and pubs and restaurants. You can grab a cup of bubble tea and visit the Japanese stationary shop, find a street sign with your name on it or try all the quirky sunglasses in the world until you find the perfect pair. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Portobello has loads of character, a melting pot of people from all around the world and lots of good food. If you're in London right now – go discover a great treasure whenever you get the chance. If you're someplace else – don't worry! Hugh Grant is great in Notting Hill.</div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-40614671619465072512014-10-15T16:00:00.000+03:002014-10-15T16:35:05.885+03:00Read of the month: "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his years of pilgrimage"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15422619642_38cd033578_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15422619642_38cd033578_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Murakami can never disappoint. At least not me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been waiting for his latest novel ever since I finished <a href="http://lilycupcake.blogspot.com/2012/07/read-of-month-june-july.html">1Q84</a>. I found <a href="http://lilycupcake.blogspot.com/2014/09/things-i-like-in-london-columbia-road.html">London markets</a>, <a href="http://lilycupcake.blogspot.com/2014/09/things-i-like-in-london-mayfield.html">lavender fields</a> and weekend burritos a bit more exciting than reading, but somehow managed to fit this brilliant 300-page story into my busy schedule. Murakami is <i>that </i>good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You cannot pass a book called "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his years of pilgrimage", even if you're not a Murakami fan. The title is mysterious and inviting - and you know that the story would be just as weird. But leave the title - you cannot pass a book that looks like that. A true piece of art.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The story tells of an ordinary "colourless" Tsukuru Tazaki whose friends one day mysteriously announce that they no longer want to see him or talk to him or be friends with him any more. His life then stops. He doesn't know how to react, what to feel, how to handle the situation. As time passes, the wound grows deeper. Two decades later - he's never been able to understand exactly what went wrong. One day, with the help of someone, Tsukuru decides he can no longer live without knowing the whole truth. He tries to collect all the pieces of his past in order to carry on with his present.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Colorless Tsukuru's mystery is solved towards the end, but - as usual - a greater mystery remains unsolved. The novel feels like a puzzle and only when you read it you'll find out that there's a </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
missing piece. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Brilliant Murakami, as always. Easy to read - not so easy to understand.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
P. S. - the limited english edition comes with a bunch of stickers inside. Could this get any more awesome?</div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-39455178417528812922014-10-09T13:59:00.000+03:002014-10-09T17:23:16.151+03:00Things I Like in London: Lunch at Barbican<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15399887696_e69d2fb0d2_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/15399887696_e69d2fb0d2_c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For me, London works like this: I see something for the first time and I hate it. I see it again and think to myself - well, it's not that bad. Third time is a charm and I fall deeply in love. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It took some time before I fell in love with Barbican. I first saw it on a sunny Saturday morning and wasn't at all impressed by the Brutalist architecture. Being raised up in post-communist Bulgaria makes massive concrete buildings a little less exciting, I guess. Besides - gloomy London is grey enough. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Barbican Centre is, for starters, a lot of concrete in one place. Cold, monochromatic and out of place - at least that's what my first impression of it was. I surely needed time to find the beauty of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15399908676_91e0218bde_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15399908676_91e0218bde_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3928/15422941785_c27567f93d_c.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15399893916_836c76dae7_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15399893916_836c76dae7_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Somehow I didn't feel like Europe's largest performing arts centre should look like this. It took me some time to get used to it and start to see that it actually has character. It is distinctive. And yes, it is <i>out of place </i>in the middle of London, but in a good way. Not such a bad place after the second visit, that's for sure. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
With multiple performing arts venues, galleries and theatres side by side, the Barbican is the essence of the "big idea" architecture. That's what makes it magnificent. It pulls you in like a labyrinth and you become an explorer, discovering what's down this hallway, what's up these stairs, what's around the corner or hiding behind that column. I only visited one exhibition (robot snakes are a little less terrifying than real ones - although I don't want to meet either anytime soon) and couldn't get lost inside - but I'm sure that finding your way through numerous galleries and halls would be even </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
more exciting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/15422948285_6e377e1838_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/15422948285_6e377e1838_c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/lunch_barbican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/lunch_barbican.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15419762661_7c2a2f21a2_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15419762661_7c2a2f21a2_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Barbican's a good place for art. And theatre. And films. And music. And lectures. But let me tell you what it's really great for: lunch. I fell in love with Barbican... at lunchtime. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It only took a nice lunch from the nearby food market to make me realise that, after all, Barbican is actually nice. It's not at all cold if you eat a warm buckwheat crepe there. It's not monochromatic if you walk around the place in your multi-coloured kicks. It is definitely out of place, but - after all, I am too.</div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-70937649138630100632014-10-02T17:42:00.000+03:002014-10-02T17:42:14.076+03:00Lego Lunchbox: pizza crumpets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/15258792511_4ed727854f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/15258792511_4ed727854f_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
Lego lunchbox today:<br />
<i>pizza crumpets</i><br />
<i>love tea - </i>rose, chamomile and lavender<br />
<i>Nakd raw bar </i>for dessert<br />
<br />
When I first came to London I was curious to try three things: liquorice, Marmite and <i>crumpets. </i>Marmite is good, liquorice is really good, but crumpets... Crumpets are the best.<br />
<br />
Crumpets go well with everything - peanut butter, jam, chocolate, cream cheese - whatever you prefer. But the best way to eat a crumpet is to make a tiny pizza out of it. That actually might be the easiest way to prepare a pizza - and a good one, too. Just add your favourite pizza ingredients on top of a crumpet and bake for a minute or two. Easy as that. And de-li-ci-ous!Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-30410985341433655142014-09-28T13:05:00.000+03:002014-09-28T13:06:12.584+03:00Night Stand Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3919/15186674707_884e544680_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3919/15186674707_884e544680_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One fine Saturday afternoon, as I was walking home after a long expedition around London (a casual weekend activity) I found... a night stand. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have an unquenchable need to give life to old furniture and - pretty much - repaint everything in black and white patterns... so I couldn't just leave an abandoned night stand in need. Even if it was exceptionally boring-looking.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I invited it home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitleaaaad-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitleaaaad-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spray-painted the night stand in white and let it dry completely for a couple of hours. I used black acrylic paint for the patterns and some paper tape for the reversed patterns on the drawer. And it was no longer exceptionally boring-looking. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/aaaaaaa-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/aaaaaaa-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mind you, the place you see in the pictures is not how my room looks like. Only showing you the night stand in his... so to say... natural habitat. I can assure you it is now in my room, keeping all my books and art supplies and Honeydukes sweets safe. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By the way, speaking of Honeydukes... Sherbet lemons are the best.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-90620819408620819892014-09-18T18:00:00.000+03:002014-09-18T18:00:00.022+03:00Things I Like in London: Columbia Road Flower Market <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5581/14878960905_eb7a13ca79_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5581/14878960905_eb7a13ca79_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/14878959405_f80d482b2d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/14878959405_f80d482b2d_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Markets are a <i>big </i>thing in London. Food markets, vintage clothing markets, antique markets, flower markets, flea markets, a<i>ll-kinds-of-markets. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although I often find myself in Spitalfields market (near a cupcakery. oh-oh!) and every other Sunday go to Bricklane market for a salmon bagel... my favourite London market so far is Columbia Road Flower Market. It's a wonderful place that makes me want to read all the gardening books in the world, move to the village and have a huge garden. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/14692436797_5ae5e95cc0_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/14692436797_5ae5e95cc0_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Columbia Road Market is the kind of place you want to be on a Sunday morning. Londoners are crowding only to buy some fresh flowers, sellers are shouting, dogs are barking excitedly. And it smells of roses and lilac and coriander and lavender and rosemary and lily of the valley altogether.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I couldn't resist buying a bunch of smiling sunflowers. And a succulent. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But I would have bought everything if I could. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I definitely need more plants in my life. But after killing an innocent succulent I might need to educate myself on the matter first. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5577/14692360438_e4c3aa036f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5568/14878623602_21a744125b_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Markets have become my little weekend ritual here in London. How about you? Are you in the mood for a salmon bagel and some flower shopping?</div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-46190425437069485742014-09-14T16:10:00.000+03:002014-09-14T16:10:01.777+03:00What's in my bag?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/15234453022_9620aa7bd0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/15234453022_9620aa7bd0_c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I rediscovered tote bags.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rediscovered as in I used to hate them and now they're my favourite choice. Plus, they come in really handy if you carry around a lot of things. And I always do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On weekdays my Lego lunchbox is somewhere inside, too - but usually I only bring the tiny version of it (which is packed with chewing gum). I carry raw bars (you never know when you're going to be needing a snack!) and tea (same goes for drinks... and when it comes to tea - I might as well bring a cup for it, no?) and water (you've already seen my beloved bobble bottle). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3907/15048075300_37e940c47a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3907/15048075300_37e940c47a_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I always carry around my Moleskine and some pens and pencils, although - to be honest - I rarely use them when I'm outside. But I know - the moment I leave them home I'll come up with the coolest idea and I wouldn't be able to write it down/make a sketch. I have to be on the safe side here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I carry the usual stuff, too - a wallet, house keys (can you see my super cool chocolate frog key holder?), sunnies, sanitiser, phone and - of course - an umbrella.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Because now I live in a place where I have to carry an umbrella all the time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-39739340291072009802014-09-07T22:21:00.003+03:002014-09-07T22:21:40.462+03:00Things I Like in London: Harry Potter Studio Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/15160694005_ec82435a41_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/15160694005_ec82435a41_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I visited Hogwarts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I still cannot believe it but yesterday I actually visited Hogwarts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And it was <i>magical.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Harry Potter and all the hype around it will always have a special place in my heart. I grew up with the books. I've read them <i>at least </i>a million times. I used to spend hours in the library checking what names and symbols and places meant. I wrote letters to whoever was involved with this magical experience. I made all props I could think of using whatever I had at hand. And yes, I had a hand-knitted Gryffindor scarf. I was that<i> </i>crazy kid. At least I didn't wear round glasses. But hey - now I do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But seriously - I was a huge Harry Potter geek. I knew every single name, every single spell, every single potion. I dreamt of buying a book from Flourish & Blotts, I dreamt of trying pumpkin juice and Butterbeer. I dreamt of chocolate frogs and magic wands and invisibility cloaks and flying broomsticks - and it all came true yesterday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitlead-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitlead-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5560/14974580448_8b479f2deb_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5560/14974580448_8b479f2deb_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/15137644986_34bf08ab8f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/15137644986_34bf08ab8f_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untiasdtled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untiasdtled-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3847/15157497271_d08f480eb4_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3847/15157497271_d08f480eb4_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/14973769519_5488c8ff31_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/14973769519_5488c8ff31_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I guess Harry Potter Studio Tour would be exciting for everybody - just because it is truly fascinating how a magical story is turned into reality, to touch all the costumes and see all the sets and have a look at all bits and bobs crafted in such detail.<br />
It was a lot more than that for me, though - you could imagine. I was more excited than all the kiddos there combined and I honestly cried of joy during the whole experience. I wore the Sorting Hat, drank butter beer, ate chocolate frogs and fizzing whizz bees, tried magic wands... I visited Hagrid's Hut, The Burrow, professor Dumbledore's office, the Dungeons, and my most favourite Diagon-Ally. I met Dobby and Fawkes and Buckbeak and Aragog. I knocked on the door of Privet Drive Number 4, I rode the Knight bus, read the Daily Prophet and <i>almost </i>rode a broom. It was amazing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitledasdasdasd-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitledasdasdasd-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5586/15165790661_f932de6d06_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5586/15165790661_f932de6d06_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/asdfasdf-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/asdfasdf-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This was probably my biggest childhood dream - to enter this magical world and be a part of it.<br />
It might sound cheesy in a blogpost about Harry Potter... but let me tell it to you either way: dreams do come true - and you get a warm fuzzy feeling in your stomach. Or it might just be the butterbeer.<br />
<br />
I am definitely doing a Harry Potter movie marathon this week - I'm sure I'll see all things differently now that I've taken a closer look at how everything has been made. I'm packed with sherbet lemons and every flavour beans, so it's going to be great.<br />
Unless I get an earwax flavoured bean, that is.<br />
<br />Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-17543975221069437012014-09-04T11:30:00.000+03:002014-09-04T11:30:00.428+03:00Things I Like in London: Mayfield Lavender<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/15098182592_43f4a1aceb_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/15098182592_43f4a1aceb_c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
London is... <i>lilac</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you get up early on a Monday, London's everything but lilac. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you get up early on a Tuesday or Wednesday - it's mostly gloomy and dark and grey.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you get up early on a Thursday you might catch a sun beam or two.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you get up early on a Friday - gloomy and dark and grey again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But if you get up early on a Saturday, you might find London lilac. Let me tell you how.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Essential is to <i>get up early </i>on a Saturday. Eat a spoonful of chia. Go out for a quick run. Take a long shower. Put a raw bar or two in your bag, pack a good book, throw a coat on and catch the first train to south London. Get lost a couple of times. Take the underground. Take the overground. Take a bus and then another bus and then walk a little. Or just check a map before you do anything like that and go straight to the place. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3922/15098181432_0a7f4ddde8_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3922/15098181432_0a7f4ddde8_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3905/15098532255_9638796264_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3905/15098532255_9638796264_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When you get to Mayfeild Lavender dark and gloomy and grey London has magically turned lilac. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bees are buzzing around, it smells of lavender and you get the feeling that you're someplace far far away from everything you know. It is <i>nice and lilac.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You are nice, London. I like you way too much now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3836/15108254426_4cf88e5e04_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3836/15108254426_4cf88e5e04_c.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-19418319825393960502014-08-13T16:30:00.000+03:002014-08-13T16:30:00.462+03:00Adventures in London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14573238618_b74ddb3b35_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14573238618_b74ddb3b35_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
I remember very clearly sitting in the plane, listening to this <a href="https://soundcloud.com/toramusic/get-like-it">tune</a> and taking pictures out the window. The clouds were shining white, the sky was bright and blue and the sun was shining. Then we dived into the clouds and started to descend and everything changed - the sky turned from blue to grey, the sun hid behind а thick layer of clouds (which were no longer puffy and white but heavy and dark) and I thought to myself - well yeah, that must be London.<br />
<br />
I won't lie - I didn't really like London for the first couple of weeks. I didn't like the place, I didn't like the weather, I wasn't really sure whether I wanted to spend a whole summer in the busiest city in Europe or not. I was really confused with the left-hand traffic, with the ridiculously complicated underground, with double-deckers travelling almost at the speed of light, with coins that have no numbers on them... I wasn't impressed by the traditional 'Fish &Chips' and I most definitely hated Marmite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14691337194_257d338246_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14691337194_257d338246_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitlasded-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitlasded-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It took me some time before I finally gave London a chance. It couldn't be that bad... you start to get used to looking at the opposite direction when crossing the street. The underground isn't that complicated and double-deckers travelling at the speed of light are actually useful when you're running late. It still takes me some times to count my change but I'm slowly getting better at it. As for the food here - traditional english dishes might not be impressive but since you can find cuisine from all over the world here - it's not at all bad. I'd have a veggie Mexican burrito any time. Or a halumi wrap. Or green thai curry. You name it.<br />
<br />
I visit museums. I go to food markets and flower markets and wine markets. (Markets are a serious business around here!). I discover small hidden shops that hide all kinds of treasures. I admire wonderful murals and street art installations. I drink lots of coconut water and rose lemonade. I buy sunflowers and succulents and dream of a big garden. I learn a few new english words every single day (word of the day today: salience). I munch on raw bars and caramel shortbread like crazy. I sometimes run, too. Not as much as I used to, but I'm keeping it up. London, that must mean we get on pretty well, no?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/aaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/aaaa.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/14693445832_e6a391b708_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/14693445832_e6a391b708_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/asdfasdfasdf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/asdfasdfasdf.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/1111.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/14567864205_960aa214c5_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/14567864205_960aa214c5_z.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
I'm in London to make some illustrations & design, learn some cool new recipes, visit new fun places and drink all the rose lemonade possible. I didn't really like it during my first days here because I couldn't stop comparing it to my most beloved <a href="http://lilycupcake.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=vienna">Vienna</a> - and you might very well guess that they have absolutely nothing in common. But after a month and a half here I must admit... London is actually <i>nice. </i>Yes, it is busy and crazy and loud and unpredictable. But very nice whatsoever.<br />
<br />
Let's be friends, London - I'm nice as well.Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-71772517940079989602014-06-04T16:38:00.000+03:002014-06-04T16:38:00.284+03:00Geometric pattern nesting dolls DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/nestingdollsdiy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/nestingdollsdiy.jpg" height="575" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
June is here, summer is almost here and I am finally here, too (wow - it's been a while, huh?) with a couple of fresh new illustrations, a bunch of fun DIYs and a delicious recipe or two out of my red lunchbox. June is going to be great, I promise you that. And because June is great and I feel great and everything feels like rainbows and sunshine - I decorated a set of nesting dolls and I'm going to tell you aaaall about it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5559/14144354230_3cac124b7c_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5559/14144354230_3cac124b7c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/Untitled-1-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/14330261234_4b8ae6517d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/14330261234_4b8ae6517d_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
I love matrioshka dolls and I loooove geometric patterns in black and white - it was about time to combine the two. For this project you are only going to need acrylic paint, permanent markers and a set of blank nesting dolls.<br />
Start with covering your dolls in your primer colour. I used white spray paint at first but it doesn't really work well on wood, let me tell you this. Or at least mine didn't. So I applied generous coats of white and black acrylic paint to my dolls and let them dry for a couple of hours. I used pale pink to paint the faces and a pinch of red for the cheeks.<br />
I find markers to be a lot easier to work with than brushes, so I used permanent black markers to draw all the cute patterns on my matrioshka dolls. If you want perfect straight lines and forms - use the help of some masking tape. Drawing patterns is always lots of fun - the moment I finished decorating my dolls I wished I had a couple more blank sets to work on.<br />
Go crazy with colours and shapes or win a couple of extra points in my book by keeping everything in black and white. Either way - have fun creating your own set of customised nesting dolls!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5073/14307841306_0195ea1536_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5073/14307841306_0195ea1536_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-2780557808075155112014-05-12T18:29:00.001+03:002014-05-12T18:29:55.762+03:00No.25<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/14104501901_600ee892e6_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/14104501901_600ee892e6_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is a magical cabin in a magical forest where magical things happen. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/soulection/tom-misch-the-journey">Quiet music</a> plays in the background, everything is illuminated and time doesn't pass. </div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-60905116728861529402014-04-27T20:30:00.003+03:002014-04-27T20:30:39.183+03:00Perler Bead Dreamcatcher DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/13650162885_1056d876c3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/13650162885_1056d876c3_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have a giant jar full of perler beads. Mon has one, too. Picking the project for our next craft Saturday wasn't exactly difficult. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/13650199744_8db0504d15_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/13650199744_8db0504d15_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Craft days mean good music, good food, quality fun, colourful messes and - of course - crafts. The music Mon picked was, well... weird (no offence here!), the lunch we had was nice and the snacks were the usual <i>almost </i>healthy. The idea of a bead dreamcatcher was probably a little too ambitious, but we had lots of fun and ended up with something that - hopefully - resembles a dreamcatcher. At least a tiny bit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Оur only problem was that we had two giant jars of perler beads and not one tiny bead in a fancy colour. But oh well. We work with what we have. This project will look a lot nicer if you have perler beads in your favourite colours, but if not - brown, yellow, orange and red is not such a bad combination, is it? You could always say that you're going for that native look. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/60.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Dreamcatchers are said to catch and hold bad dreams and energy and make them disappear into the spider web across the hoop. The web lets all good dreams and spirits pass through - they slide down the feathers to the sleeper. I am not sure if this works for perler bead dreamcatchers, but we did everything almost in a spiritual manner so it wouldn't be a surprise if our dreamcatcher truly has magical powers.<br />
We made a hoop and three super simple feathers (since our circle pegboard was only this big we had to make tiny feathers as well to keep everything proportional... which didn't let us go crazy with the designs) аnd used red thread for the web. It came out a little too small to hang over your bed, but it's the perfect size for your inspiration board.<br />
Who knows, it might catch a good idea or two? :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/13649846025_845c0fb25b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/13649846025_845c0fb25b_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-7433571324136938112014-04-08T14:42:00.000+03:002014-04-08T14:42:57.046+03:00Lego lunchbox: courgette salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/13576237515_7d50b4b1eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/13576237515_7d50b4b1eb.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lego lunchbox today:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Courgette salad </i>- courgettes, lemon juice, olive oil, feta cheese, dill</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>water</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>mango </i>for dessert.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Did you know that you could eat <i>raw </i>courgettes? Yes? Well lucky you. No? Don't worry - I didn't know either but I'm here to save the day with this wonderful super easy recipe. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Courgettes are just as delicious raw as they are in a cooked meal. The secret to this recipe is how you slice them: the thinner the slices the better. Whisk lemon juice (or orange or grapefruit juice if you're feeling adventurous) and olive oil and leave the courgettes to marinate for about 10-15 minutes. Add feta cheese and dill and you have the perfect lunch. A mango for dessert makes it even better. </div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-5623189603486974342014-03-30T19:13:00.000+03:002014-03-30T19:20:05.493+03:00Felt Fox DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/IMG_8293copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/IMG_8293copy.jpg" height="450" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Crafts are always fun. But it takes two to turn a craft day into a party and i'm glad i've found the perfect partner in crime for that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As soon as <a href="http://ghost-puff.tumblr.com/">Mon</a> and I visited an art supply store together (and ooh-ed and aah-ed at just about everything inside) - it was clear that we needed a craft day. We decided to make felt plushies, packed materials, bought <i>somehow healthy </i>snacks<i> </i>and made it official: Saturday is craft day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/13512288724_aba284bb02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/13512288724_aba284bb02.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We made homemade lemonade, munched yoghurt rice cakes and chocolate and listened to <a href="https://soundcloud.com/emancipator/02-black-lake">Emancipator</a> while cutting out paper stencils, threading needles and stitching felt pieces together. Craft days are definitely my new favourite thing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/600-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/wicked_kid90/600-1.jpg" height="600" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Making a fox plushie out of felt is super easy and super fun on a craft day or any day. You only need orange felt for the body, black and white thread for the details, some stuffing and a tiny piece of cloth of your choice for the scarf. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Make a paper stencil of your fox (or print <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/13513420053_eb996735b4.jpg">this one</a>) and cut out front and back pieces from the felt sheets. Don't forget to leave space for stitching! Use thick white thread for the details and make a pattern than you like. You can cut out the nose and eye out of black felt or embroider them... i picked the easier way. When you're done with all the little details - start stitching the front and back pieces of the body and tail together. (do them separately and stitch them together after stuffing.) I decided that a thick black thread would go nice with the eye and nose but a thread in the colour of the fox might be a better choice. Leave a little hole so that you can stuff your little fox with whatever you have at hand. (I might have asked for Dexter's help for that). Add a scarf or a necklace or a ribbon or whatever you can think of to give your fox a more sophisticated look. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Either you plan on making a felt fox оr an advanced three-dimentional wolf or a bear or another forest creature - have a craft day with friends. Drink lemonade. Make a mess. Eat chocolate. Have fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/13509262564_08392d9b82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/13509262564_08392d9b82.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5325860942557348070.post-91218405825290326762014-03-04T15:12:00.003+02:002014-03-04T16:18:45.447+02:00Full of ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/12925251945_26cb6d1cdd_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/12925251945_26cb6d1cdd_z.jpg" height="600" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dexter and I are partners in crime. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are the perfect team: he's the brains, because all of his ideas are <i>brilliant, </i>and I am the looks, because - well, he is a handsome mister, but I am a girl and I would have been very upset with any other arrangement. We go on all sorts of adventures together: sometimes we go on an expedition to find the best waffles in the neighbourhood, sometimes we go out for a run (we both agree exercise is important - especially after a waffle), and sometimes we randomly decide that gardening is our newest hobby so we seek for lilac tulips and supplies and advice on how to take care of flowers. Dexter is pretty excited to participate in just about anything (excluding cleaning) but sometimes he likes to do things his way. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a short list of some of his most brilliant ideas:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Can I have half of your breakfast? It looks pretty tasty and I'm sure you don't need that much food anyways. We're pals, let's share. You know you can always have some of my dog food, if you want.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- A midnight walk! But not just tonight! Every night this week! Don't worry, I'll let you know when the time is right. 3am should be just fine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Do I see another dog across the street? Lets totally freeze until we know for sure if it's a friend or a foe. Trust me, it's a good tactic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- It's raining cats and dogs and it's also freezing outside - we might stay out for a couple of hours, wouldn't it be fun? Dancing in the rain, playing in puddles, digging holes - all sorts of fun activities to choose from!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Can I have some of your lunch? I didn't have much breakfast. Sharing is caring. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Did I just see a cat hide under that car over there? Let's check - I think we will all manage to fit in there and have a party. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Let's examine this piece of rock thorougly - half an our of sniffing should do the trick. I think I might have found something. I need time. More time. More time - oh look! Another rock! Forget the first one, this is it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Let's bring all sorts of sticks home and hide them under the sofa. A tree might magically grow. An apple tree! Apples are tasty. What's for dinner?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dexter is a funny little guy but sometimes he gets a little too excited. We couldn't hide under the car with that one cat. Nor was it such a great idea to play in puddles because - as it turned out - mud is fun only until you try to get it all off. But we're having so much fun together it doesn't matter that things sometimes end up with boring baths or light bruises or scratches or - like that one time - with a black eye.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We're adventurers.</div>
Lillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347811073208594403noreply@blogger.com3