Cat - wizard, burglar, zombie something-or-other...

Seems to me kids throw the lot on for trick or treating nowadays. Such fun!

Pumpkins, squashes and autumn sunshine...

It's half term week!

Trip up north

I used to work in the north east and still have friends there so it was lovely to visit and spend the weekend in Darlington. In between talking, laughing, eating flapjacks and drinking tea we visited Bowes Museum to see the Yves St Laurent exhibition. It's not a very big exhibition but it's well worth a visit if you are near Barnard Castle. You will see some of the most fabulous iconic outfits also many working drawings, embroidery samples and toiles. It's not on for much longer so get a move on if you fancy it : )

If you need a laugh...

...pop along and see Jenni Eclair, she's touring the UK NOW! Fabby fun, very rude and lots of swearing but I loved it and laughed like a drain. Jenny likes to paint and knit too. Check out Jenny's website here.

Who's a pretty boy?

This little fella makes me feel so happy when I look at him. I love his lumpy, bumpy, quirkiness. A lovely gift from a friend - thanks Ursh : )

My Great Grandad

Seeing the leaves change colour on the trees always makes me think of my Great Grandad. He loved Autumn, it was his favourite season. He served in the 1st world war and as kids he told us about being stung by a scorpion and how he survived being shot. We were fascinated by his stories but as an adult having learned what a brutal war it was, I know he was lucky to survive both physically and mentally. Despite his experiences, he was always a cheerful man, so full of life, determined to live life to the full. So, when I see leaves dancing in the wind and pavements scattered with beautiful colours I think of Arthur, my wonderful Great Grandad.

National Poetry Day - John Cooper Clarke

It was hard to choose my favourite poem by JCC but "I wanna be yours" is defo in my top ten. John Cooper Clarke's poem for the UK coast released for National Poetry Day can be heard here. Have poetic day : )

















I wanna be your vacuum cleaner
Breathing in your dust
I wanna be your Ford Cortina
I will never rust
If you like your coffee hot
Let me be your coffee pot
You call the shots
I wanna be yours

I wanna be your raincoat
For those frequent rainy days
I wanna be your dreamboat
When you want to sail away
Let me be your teddy bear
Take me with you anywhere
I don’t care
I wanna be yours

I wanna be your electric meter
I will not run out
I wanna be the electric heater
You’ll get cold without
I wanna be your setting lotion
Hold your hair in deep devotion
Deep as the deep Atlantic ocean
That’s how deep is my devotion
 

My new favourite band - The Foals

Artwork by Tinhead

I love the energy of the Oxford band The Foals. Yannis Philippakis vocals are haunting yet melodic and a little bit shouty. Their tunes are catchy but the best bit for me is how their songs build to a crescendo. They always have fab artwork for their promo. too : ) Stick this on loud and dance round the room.