[ Lauren's Library ]

I love this!

Books! I love them. Well not all of them. I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to science fiction books. And weirdly (after discussing this with my friend Tony, books that use London as the location). I've decided to make this a little library where I can update my book list and hopefully, when I get a little better at 'internet-ing' get some recommendations from internet friends.

In a kind of 'read most recent' order.

Ben Aaronovitch - The PC Grant Novels

The full set on Amazon

I've enjoyed every single book in the series so far. Rivers of London got me hooked and I couldn't wait to read more. I caught up with them after Whispers Underground and waited not-so-patiently for Broken Homes. I've also spotted that there is a new novel in the series coming out in July... Ummm YIPEEEEEE. 

If you like magic, wizardry and a touchy of grimy London then you will be in for a treat. I get a bit geeky and overly excited when I have been to the pubs or streets that PC Grant goes to. 

Neil Gaiman - Neverwhere

Neverwhere

If you don't want to live in London Below after this, then we might not be able to be friends anymore. I read on the tube and honestly did not want to stop reading at the end of my journeys.

3. Daniel O'Malley - The Rook

The Rook

A really good quick read. The writing style was easy to follow and I liked the lead character and also the Gestalt's. I am a HUGE sucker for buying books depending on the cover design... This was a massive factor on this book.

Scarlett Thoms - The End Of Mister Y

The End Of Mr. Y

All I can say about The End Of Mister Y is that after reading it, I wanted to tell everyone in the whole world to read it. If you like science-y technical ideas of time-travel then you will love this and feel like you are so smart after reading it. Although you probably won't be that much smarter, just a little more curious to try small viles of liquid.


Lx

This Week { 30.3.14 }

This week has been ok-ish. I've kinda been feeling sorry for myself as I have had a weird virus, I think, where I have been feeling really lethargic and crampy. Which hasn't been fun... I'm feeling better today which is a lot more fun. It makes you lose your get-up-an-go so I haven't felt very enthusiastic about much during this week. Then I thought to myself, 'LAUREN! Snap out of it', so this weekend I put on my happy face, and my feeling better attitude and tried to make the most of it.

Print by AngelstarForever

Sam and I went to the Science and Industry Museum, for a flying visit, because neither of us are fans of loads of people and crowds. Then we drove to Twickenham to look for some materials for Sam, which ended up with us having a lovely pub lunch in the sun. YES! THE SUN! Definitely can't wait for more sunny days. WOO.

I have decided that the only way forward in life, is to make lists. Here's my list for this week.

Lauren's Life List 

1. Invest in a professional camera

I have been wanting to do this for years. I have SLRs but not digital. Currently going through the um-ing and ah-ing stage of which one to get. Current thoughts are the Nikon D3200 or the Canon 100D. Hummmmmmmmmm?????

2. Do more courses

I've found that I am normally at maximum happiness if I am really busy with plenty of projects. So with that in mind, here are some courses that I really want to look into:

• Journal your Life
• Blogging from the Heart
• Pattern Making
• Front-end Web Development

3. Start more projects

I've bought two dress patterns to sew and one knitting pattern. I've put these simple mood boards together for fabric and colour choice. The knitting pattern is probably going to be the biggest challenge as it doesn't look like a simple pattern. But I think the key is just to give it a bash, you can alway unravel. 

Simplicity 1690

Simplicity 1755

Sirdar Bolero

4. Save, save, save

I have never been really great at saving. And when I say never, I really mean it! I managed to get a small sum of savings last year but when Sam and I moved into our new house, because we are both freelancers, we had to put a 3 month deposit down. OUCH! It meant that all savings were GONE. It was pretty depressing. And I just haven't managed to get back into the flow. So I am trying to make a conscious effort now to make saving plans and goals. Trying not to make them unachievable is important too. So I am going to see how it goes.

5. Do more, outdoors

Now that summer is on it's way and after our little outing yesterday, it felt really nice just to have no plan for the day but go out and see different parts of the country. I know this involves money, so I am going to have to try and make a conscious effort to keep No.4 in the front of my mind. But everything in moderation, right? I would love to do a day trip to the seaside! 

Well... That's everything currently on my mind. I am sure there'll be more. But hopefully soon, there will be plenty of 'professional' photos of my craft work up here soon. 

Until next week...

Lx

Oh.... Life

It's been just under a year since I last blogged. It's been a weird time. Like really weird.

Over the last year a lot has happened. New jobs. Life changing. All of this was really great for some things, like becoming a little more confident in myself to feel at ease in new situations and being able to work in new creative roles and media. But it also brought a lot of doubt, that is always hard to push away. Am I good enough? Everyone else is doing better than me. It this, or anything, actually right for me? Unfortunately these thoughts help make me my own worst enemy. From that stemmed a whole bunch of weird doubt in who I am and what am I doing? It made a little cloud of negativity float around my head day in, day out. And it was tough. Everything felt really strange.

So, from this I am trying to find that a new happy place. Less doubt. More happiness. Less worry about what other people think, or are doing with their lives. You only have one, so you might as well make it the best right? (To be fair, that is a lot easier to type then actually put in to practice, but hey ho)

I want to make a more personal space where I can share my thoughts, and I want it to be an honest place for me. Bad days, good days, grey days, neutral days. It's more of a challenge for me I guess. I'm not very good at opening up. But I want to. And if that means using the internet to chat to strangers because it's easier than doing it with the people closest to you, then I think for now, it's ok. It will still be a little Lauren hub of things I am working on, be it work or craft. And nice things I've seen. So, not to worry, it's not all deep and meaningful.

Anyway.

I saw this on the Brave Girls Club Facebook page and thought it was pretty lovely.

Lx

Squishy Giant Plush War Tourist

Just before ToyCon UK the super talented Holly (A Little Stranger) and I did our very first collaboration together on a GIANT plush War Tourist. The resin War Tourist is a collaboration between Planet Domu and rundmb which you can buy here. It was an awesome project to work on, and I learnt SO much from Holly. 

The one of a kind, handmade GIANT plush war tourists are a whopping 18 inches across and squishy super soft and ready to cuddle. We have made just one in each colour - purple or grey.

Each is made from highest quality plush fabric with a soft velvety feel, and features a rotating head for maximum fun.

They are going on sale via the Planet Domu Shop and are available now.

Ps. they give very lovely hugs.

Lx

{ What I want Wednesday }

This post is a little late in the day, but better late than never, right?

I am going on super budget whilst I start freelancing but I can always plan something lovely for the future. Today I was totally inspired by all things kitty...

1. The GORGEOUS Hooked On A Feline Dress. 2. Very glamorous Newlook Blazer 3. Ollie & Nic Libby Shoulder Bag 4. And my FAVOURITE Irregular Choice A le Kat heels


I am totally a cat lady... And proud.

Lx

*| MONDAY MUSINGS |*

This week I will mainly thinking about:

• My driving test next week. I can't believe it really, I sometimes often put a lot of pressure on myself saying "you'll never be able to do that" and other totally useless negativity, but this time I kept my goal completely focused (with extra added positivity, which doesn't always come easy) in my head and now the time has COME! I am feeling pretty good about it. Obviously I would love to pass but I also don't want to put too much pressure on for the day.

Image via Reminisce Magazine pinterest

• Freelancing! This week is all go to get out there as it's my last week at my currently role! Scary but exciting!

• Updating. Updating. Updating. I don't know about you, but I find the task of keeping my sites updated one of those projects I always procrastinate around. Promising myself that I WILL do it 'tomorrow'. This is really bad. It's where people will go first to have a nosey at the work I do and I know that I have a fair few projects that I haven't posted ANYWHERE yet. Bad Lauren. So this is the week! 

• Clean eating. I got this app: Clean Eating Recipes as I saw a friend post about it on Facebook and I decided to give it a go. So far I have tried the Chicken Satay and the Lemon & Chilli Chicken and they are all extremely tasty. It's a great app and the recipes are very simple to make. So I'm getting right back on it this week and I am looking forward to trying more of them out. Do you have any good food apps?

Yurt at Dapper Camping Club

• Planning future getaways. I really really really would LOVE to go 'glamping'. I am constantly on the Dapper Camping Club site daydreaming about being there. But right now, it's just a bit too far out on the budget. We've decided that we WILL be camping this year though, so I have been looking at some pretty awesome tents. How awesome are these old canvas tents, I HAVE to have one!

Some pretty things for your eyes:

Awesome work by Eight Hour Day

Pretty fonts I want need on Myfonts:

Carolyna Pro Black

Mishka

Yummo

And finally, some MEGA CUTE facts from Holly from A Little Stranger's  new character Usagi






Soooooo cute!

Lx

Oh Hai Freelancing World!

I am all for new experiences and change, even if it does scare the bejeesus out of me! So this year, I decided, is the year!

I have been freelancing, well more of a long term contractor at my agency for almost two years and that has made me very comfortable but I do find that working on one major client can make briefs seem a little less exciting. So as of May I'm teaming up with my lovely copywriter (and friend) Jules and we are entering the big bad world of freelance Advertising.

I do find it a little intimidating - not much guidance is out there, well there is, sites such as freelanceadvisor is really good for the important bits like accounting and tax, but I have been doing my own books now for over a year, and as long as you get a good accountant then you should be ok! What I mean is the friendly advice, like, the best way to chat to recruiters. Handy portfolio tips. Promoting yourself to agencies. And all the little bits along the way. Right now I have found the best thing to do is channel your inner sales guy. The over enthusiastic guy. And make him sell you. Confident. (I get a little nervous chatting about myself to new people so this one is where I have to make sure I channel Mr Sales rather than be fumbling Lauren!)

What is exciting is that we got ourselves some new mini Moo business cards and they are lovely!

I am getting pretty excited now for new ventures and I am 10000% certain I will ramble on about how I am managing in the big bad Freelancing World!

From the soon-to-be proper freelancer,

Lx