Inside boys cupboards.

We've just got back from a short stay at Warr's folks house - it was so lovely to have some time with his folks. As you can imagine, we spent a good few hours snooping looking in all the drawers and cupboards in Warr's old high-school room to check out all the hidden treasures. I particularly enjoyed his "high-school-boy cupboard collages". You know the kind of thing: stuck up Prefects Pledges right below disciplinary hearings (naughty boy). Tons of old school pics, rugby team pics, high school cricket team pics, party invitations, international school exchange badges, school ball invitations and letters from old girlfriends. (lols)


Since it's "Throwback Thursday" I thought I would whack these up - just to show you what an absolute Kool Kat I have married - (I believe these pics are circa 2001.)


We also measured the man against his height chart and we are delighted to announce that he has grown approximately 1.5cm in the last 13 years. Well done Warren.

(please note: Junior Bob Card, bottom left)

We also found a massive bag filled with a stash of letters, notes and cards that I wrote to Warr when we first parted ways (at the end of his last year at University) and he went to Austria on a ski season. We haven't actually opened this bag yet (it's crammed full!) and I'm so excited to read all these old love letters - because I am sure there will be some gems in there! Will definitely fill you in when we've been through them!



Over dinner one night, his mom told me that right after Warren had met me, she got a call from him saying, "Mom, I don't know what to do. I have met someone who is awesome and I really like - but I know I'm leaving University at the end of the year and she's only in second year. I don't know if I should even get involved."

His mom replied, "I can't help you make this decision... but all I can say is, Follow your heart."

Thank goodness for moms.
x

The Gratitude Run

 I had an amazing experience last night.

Before I begin this post, I'd like to state that this is not a "boast post". This is not a "EVERYBODY COME SEE HOW GOOD I LOOK!". This is not a "I'm better than you, suckers!" post.

But last night, I went for a run.

Let me add - I enjoy running. I run and I enjoy it. But for the most part I usually find the actual running pretty tough. I try to run as often as I can - but it's never too far. When I (rarely) hit the 5km mark - I'm pretty chuffed.

So last night when Warr (who knows how good exercise is for my soul) was working late and messaged me to say I should go for a short run (his message read 3.9km exactly) I was all like "meh" but eventually laced up my shoes and dragged myself out the door.

Around the 3km mark - (and realising I only had 0.9km to go to reach "the goal") something inside me shifted. It was as if something in my mind said to me, "If Warren asks for a 3.9km run. Then that's what you should give him. In fact, you should always give him what he asks of you, and everything else you've got." 4kms came and went. 5kms came.

It could have been the new music playlist (or Warren's earphones that I'd swiped off the bedside table), but something felt different. And - strangely, not in my feet, not in my muscles, not in my legs, and not in my shoes. The difference was in my mind.

5.5kms came and 5.5kms went.

Something in my mind clicked over to the beat of the music and I began to think of all the things I am grateful for: I am grateful for my husband, I am grateful for this air on my face, I am grateful for this run, right now. And the list of gratefulness became a mantra:

I am grateful for the lighter evenings
I am grateful that it's getting warmer
I am grateful for my family
I am grateful for my father who is so loving and magnanimous
I am grateful for my mother for her strong mind and for being so caring
I am grateful for my brother  - for his witty chirps and his generous spirit
I am grateful that I am young
I am grateful that I am healthy
I am grateful that I get to wake up to my dream man every day
I am grateful for the talents that I have
I am grateful for my wit and my humour
I am grateful for the power in my legs that are carrying me through this run
I am grateful for a roof over my head
I am grateful for food to eat
I am grateful for a husband who believes in me through everything
I am grateful for having the most beautiful wedding
6kms
I am grateful for being able to pursue my dreams
I am grateful for yoga
I am grateful for meditation and the world it's opened for me
I am grateful for friends like Lulu who introduced me to yoga
I am grateful for friends like Bobbi who taught me to crochet
I am grateful for the success of The Photo Hunt
I am grateful for all my friends named Kerry, Kerry, Keri
I am grateful for being able to hear
I am grateful for the music in my ears
I am grateful for our trip to Tomorrowland
I am grateful for our trip home in two weeks
I am grateful for my parents coming to visit in June
I am grateful for our trip with them to Portugal
I am grateful to have such amazing parents-in-law who love me so much
I am grateful to have such amazing sisters-in-law
I am grateful to have such wonderful aunts and uncles
I am grateful to have such awesome nieces and nephews and cousins
7kms
I am grateful to have a man who treats me with nothing but love and respect
I am grateful to have dated someone who did not treat me very well - because it taught me a lot about myself
I am grateful for the growth I have seen in myself this year
I am grateful for puppies (I don't even own a puppy - what?)
I am grateful for my friend Angie who loves puppies
I am grateful for my friends Ings and Kristi who have recently lost their puppies :(
I am grateful for good books
I am grateful that I've stopped thinking about puppies
I am grateful for good literature, good poetry, good music
I am grateful for my blog and all the opportunities it has brought me
I am grateful for all the readers and people I have met through blogging
I am grateful to be able to make people laugh
I am grateful to be able to share my thoughts, words, pictures, cartoons with the world
I am grateful for all the things I have achieved in my life
8kms

At the 8km mark - I ran right passed our house.
Let me say that again  -
After 8 kilometres of running, I intentionally ran RIGHT PASSED our house.
Yes, my knees were screaming and my legs were tired, but my mind had so many more things to be grateful for - and - when your mind is happy - your body is too. So I kept running.

I am grateful that I am not in a wheelchair
I am grateful that I have legs that are strong and a heart that pumps blood
I am grateful for nature, for the things around us that we overlook every day
I am grateful for my husband and how hard he works for us
I am grateful for our future - and whatever lies ahead
I am grateful for weekends
I am grateful for any special time or ordinary time that we spend together
I am grateful for the love I have for him
I am grateful that we live right next to a beautiful park
I am grateful for my friends Shelly and Noo and how much I admire them
I am grateful that we live on the doorstep of one of the most vibrant cities in the world
I am grateful for all the cool places to go and the things to see and the stuff to do
I am grateful for the Summer time coming soon
I am grateful for our Sunday traditions
I am grateful for red wine and couch days
I am grateful for the way I was brought up
I am grateful for the school I went to
I am grateful that I went on an international exchange
I am grateful for all the traveling that I have done
I am grateful for all the experiences I have had
I am grateful that I am living my dream and for the husband who encourages me to pursue it
I am grateful for friendships
I am grateful for my family
I am grateful for love
I am grateful for Warren

I am grateful for life.

I will be honest with you - somewhere around the 7km mark - 

I noticed tears streaming down my face.
Not from my aching knees or my tired muscles - but from the complete overwhelming gratitude I have for being alive.

And it felt amazing.

(by "fastest 10km - it really means "pretty much the only 10km")

(and just so you know - this run was completely out the blue. I have not been "training" or on any special program or anything like that.)


What my newfound LOVE for yoga/meditation/gratitude is teaching me - is that the most powerful thing in your life - is your mind. And you have no idea how far it will take you, until you allow it to. And not in the way of, "YOU WILL RUN SEVENTY-THOUSAND-KILOMETRES-BECAUSE-I-SAID-SO" but rather, in being open, being accepting. Taking a step back, being calmer, being more peaceful - and simply letting your mind into that new gentle space and just letting it do it's thing.

So my challenge for you, if you would like it, 

is to let gratefulness be your running mantra and then
 Run until you run out of things to be grateful for.

and just see what happens

* * * * * 

And then I poured my soup directly on the counter

Because you can't win everything.

lol.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
any exciting plans?

x

Friday Fun

I started this blog post with no clear direction.

Can you tell already?

(This picture was taken at a bus stop a few weeks ago - waiting outside in the cold. My physio-friend, Lulu told me that if you are desperate to wee, then you need to push on the soft area above your lip and curl your toes and it will help relieve the pressure on your bladder. My hands were too cold to take out my pockets - so the man stepped up to the plate. What a guy.)

Friday is "usually" the day for FUN FACT FRIDAY - but to be honest, I'm getting a little bored of it now. In fact, I get bored of things pretty quickly - It's a miracle I've managed to stay married SO long (10 months). 

So anyway - since I am getting a little bored of FUN FACTS - maybe you are too?! (thoughts?!) Can you believe that I started that series 7 months ago?! That's almost as long as I've been married. Sheesh. Time flies. Maybe I will have to find another series that I'm inspired by again. Maybe FRIDAY FUN! Who knows. Not me. So in lieu of fun facts, I thought I would just tell you some random shizz:

The Husband is away in South Africa at the moment for a wedding - he flew on Wednesday evening. I have predicted various things happening during the time that he is away - 

• My sleeping patterns will drastically change. I am a total night owl - but force myself to "try" go to bed when The Warr does. Last night, I went to bed at 1am...and nearly got back out of bed to go do more "stuff". Oh, it's going to be a slippery slope til Monday. In fact, between now and Monday will probably only be one sleep.
• I will not wash any dishes. OR - more realistically, I will not make anything that requires dishes being washed. Food consumed in this period will likely be: boiled eggs, half a red pepper, spoonfuls of avocado and cereal straight out the box. Actually, that is exactly what I ate yesterday.
• I will attempt all sorts of "things". I have in my mind, an idea to MAKE THINGS WITH FEATHERS. I have no idea what these "things" are. But I just know I want to MAKE SOMETHING. and I want FEATHERS to be involved. More likely, I just want an excuse to visit Hobbycraft again.
• I have booked a yoga workshop on Saturday at the Bikram centre in Wimbledon. Also, if you didn't see my instagram feed - I've been doing some "home-yoga" headstands an all yo. - and I'm keen to have another session tonight! (I've been following videos off this website)

I'M BREAKING UP THIS LOVELY LIST WITH 

A PICTURE OF HUSBAND AND HIS BEARD:

I was trying to take a picture of The Mancakes while he still had his beard,

Me: Ok, now laugh like I've said the FUNNIEST THING IN THE WHOLE WORLD. PEOPLE MUST KNOW HOW HILARIOUS I AM.

He takes direction well - we should probably be in Hollywood.

I forgot where I was going with this.

Hmm.
Am obviously losing my mind without him here.

I have a lot to do today - tons of emails and guestbook enquiries and website stuff and Etsy orders. So I'm going to sign off... but I will leave you with this NUMBER ONE TIP!! (VERY NB): Always, ALWAYS start your blog posts with a clear direction, or you will end up nowhere in a pile of beard. HA HA HA HA HA.

* * * * * *

PS - If you are still desperate for FUN FACTS - you can read a whole bunch here!
Also - I have loved all the banter that went on the indieBerries Facebook Page about the curling cartoon I did! Loads of people sent me the David Attenborough Curling narration - if you haven't seen it, do yourselves a favour and WATCH IT.

Happy Friday!

Bad Day, good wife.

The husband had a horrible day at work the other day. Like. A really really horrible one. I could tell from his messages that he was feeling super low. And, I don't know about you - but when husband is feeling low - it breaks my heart. Ain't no amount of broken-heart-streaming-tear-emoticons can explain how it makes my heart ache. So - as my wifely duty, I decided to devise a little paper adventure to cheer him up when he got home.


The very first note, I stuck outside our apartment building - so that he would see it as soon as he got home to our block of flats. I didn't want to scare the neighbours off with soppy notes of love - so I put the first note into an envelope with just his name - (above) and stuck it outside:

The note inside the envelope (above).

The other side of the note in the envelope - 

led him to the fruit bowl in the apartment building entrance hall.

I had to be sneaky and hide it under the bowl - because I didn't want any ol' creep seeing it and thinking it was for them. No. You don't want that.

(above) the envelope under the fruit bowl.

Inside the fruit bowl envelope: A flaming bomb. 

Because you can't buy flowers for boys with beards.

If you give someone a bomb, you must certainly direct them to the fire-extinguisher. Which I most certainly did - located on the second floor - right outside our front door.

(I did not get a very good snap of this because I could hear someone coming up the stairs and it is very tricky to explain why you are taking pictures of the fire extinguisher without anyone suspecting you of an impending pyromaniac attack)

In the envelope behind the fire extinguisher -

And finally - on our front door -

Except - there was one problem when husband with his down-trodden-head arrived home -

And then?

What did I do - to my husband who has had the worst day in the world?

I shouted at him.

Which was fine...

because by the time he had gone back outside into the cold and collected 

every. single. message I had left for him,
he arrived back at our front door laughing.

Job. Done.

And just so you know....



I'm true to my word.

And even something extra because nothing says "boo hoo"
like eating ice cream out the tub.



xx

Lists. Because I felt like it.

I just felt like making some lists today. That's all.

A list of things I LOVE

• Warren. Obvs. And family and friends.
• Drawing, doodling, cartooning, journalling
• Bikram Yoga, I've only just started it, but i LOVE it.
• Popcorn.
• Making lists.
• Cute, unnecessary stationery. (to make lists on).
• Taking a time-out from my computer. I spend so much of my day at my Mac, that it's super refreshing to get away from it once in a while. 
• Good music.
• Snail mail and packages.
• Laughing at my own jokes. (I spent the good part of last night in hysterics in the kitchen - all on my own).
  (Warren enters: what are you laughing at?
  Me: Nothing. I don't know.... *shrugs*...
  Sigh, it's SO FUN inside my mind.)
• Photos and lomo snaps.
• Sushi.
• Electric Blankets. Trust me, if Sidney Russell hadn't got there first - I would have invented a way to strap a heater onto my back before bedtime.
• Sheets with SUPER HIGH thread counts - I have inherited this from Warren. 
• Pet shops. Because, when was the last time you felt unhappy in a pet shop? Exactly.

A list of things I'm totally impartial to

• What Paris Hilton wears, eats or in fact anything she does. meh. In fact - the vast majority of celebrity stuff I actually am not too bothered with. If something about someone famous popped up on my screen, I may read it - or I may not - but I never intentionally keep up with their lives.
• The choice between cats and dogs

A list of things I HATE.

• The complete disrespect of young school children in London who don't even attempt to make a path or move off the sidewalk for people who are much older (and sometimes frailer) than them.
• When something in the shop says "EXTRA VERY INDIAN SPICY" and you buy it and then get home and are like "WHY IS THIS NOT BURNING MY FACE OFF?!?"
• Food being tepid. Especially soups and coffee. Conversations in our house often go like this: "Is the soup ready?" "Well, yes - mine is - but yours will probably need another 2 hours in the microwave." I want that shizz to BURN ME. (Am into hot things).
• Frogs. 
• Cooking.
• People with no manners or complete disregard for others. (see also delinquent children above)
• Getting out of bed in the mornings, generally.
• Those little pink sweets that are like tiny cylinders and taste like grannies moth balls. You know the ones?

Link of the day: some food for thought over at Midlands Musings.
Word for the weekend: Celebrate! Life, love, being alive.
Quote for the moment: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” - Mahatma Gandhi

A picture paints a thousand words...

I had something else in mind that I wanted to post today - but the honest truth is, I have so much other stuff I'm trying to get done - that I don't have the time to give it the justice that it deserves. (Side note: also in the process of sifting through foodie wedding snaps that I promised - it's quite a slow process trying to find pictures that I can use - anywhoo).

I wasn't even going to post anything today but, I was just trying to delete some crap off my computer - (because I have actually lost sight of my desktop which makes it very difficult to try and find the file I need to work on) - As I was moving some things off, I came across this photo and thought WOW! That picture has SO many little stories in it! So I thought I would just quickly share them with you - because, you know what they say... a picture paints a thousand words.

The Picture:

The Scene:
This shot was taken in my lounge when I was living in South Korea - teaching english. I was there for 3 and a half years - and it is still one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. (Actually one of my sponsors this month - Skype English Now - was founded by an American guy I met in Soko - he is still teaching english via skype classes - I think it's an awesome idea!)

The Pup:
This pup is "Chung-me" (which means "Rose" in Korean) - she belonged to two of my very good Canadian friends, Justin and Kristi - who had returned to Canada between their contracts and asked me to look after their little pup for a few months. It was the first time I had ever looked after a puppy by myself and it was honestly quite terrifying. I got over my fear after the first week and then we bonded. She's too cute!

The Art Cushion on the right
In South Korea, I lived and worked right opposite the most awesome little Art Village. It was so much fun to wander around all the galleries on the weekends - and was a great spot for lomo snapping! Another of my Canadian friends, Anige, bought me that art cushion from Heyri - the art village, because she said it reminded her of me! Gotta love those Canadians!

The Artwork
Lying on the coffee table is some of the artwork that I created for a bespoke recipe book that I was commissioned to make for a friend Vanessa. Her boyfriend secretly contacted me and asked me to cartoon some of their favourite recipes that he could put together in a book for her as an anniversary gift. It was such a fun project to work on! I will be sharing more of my portfolio stuff when my new website is up and running! Can't wait!

The red/pink Cushion on the left
I bought this cushion cover from a little indian restaurant in Seoul. Seoul introduced me to "real" Indian food and my tummy has been thankful ever since. I bought similar cushions for friends when I went traveling in Bali.

The blue scarf/blanket/throw
I wanted to make myself a scarf. Like a big chunky one - for the winter snow months. I actually really love knitting - but I am pretty crap at it. (If you follow my instagram account, you will know that I have recently tried to teach myself to "crochet". I have knitted myself a square and by "square" I mean triangle.) So anyway, I started knitting this scarf and then, I just couldn't stop.

Firstly because i was "gettin-into-mah-knittin-groove" and really enjoying it. But mainly because I didn't know how to. SO, I just kept going until I had this ginormous blue-blanket-thing and the wool ran out. Sometimes I wore it as a scarf (wrapped three times around my head and half way up to my eyeballs), and sometimes I used it as a blanket on my couch.

It was super multi-functional.

and extra warm.

And that's my two cents for today.

x

Conversations (with mother)

Our internet has been down for the past two days - which basically means I have had a complete FLATLINING experience. This is not a joke. Yesterday was all KINDS of kak.

Mid-way through conversation with my mother on Wednesday morning:

Mother: So, your brother arrives on Sunday.
Me: What?
Mother: Blake is coming on Sunday.
Me: What? To where?
Mother: London, your house, on Sunday.
Me: THIS Sunday?
Mother: Yes. I thought you knew.
Me: But not THIS Sunday!!
Mother: Yes. THIS SUNDAY. He leaves on Saturday.
Me: WHY did nobody tell me this?!
Mother: We thought you knew! Did you not know?
Me: No. Clearly not!!
Mother: And then we leave next Wednesday.
Me: What?
Mother: I said, we leave on Wednesday.
Me: What? Where are you going?!
Mother: Oh, we're going to Thailand.
Me: WHAT?!?
Mother: Oh, I thought you knew.
Me: GEEZ mom! Is there anything else you want to tell me?! Are you having a baby?!
Mother: What?! You're having a baby?!?
Me: NO. YOU! Are YOU having a baby?!
Mother: Why would I have a baby?!? I'd SHOOT myself if I had a baby. But are YOU having a baby?
Me: NO. It would be lovely if you could inform me of these THINGS.

Anyway, from there the day just went from bad to worse, to worser. Shelves fell on me. The internet broke. I had a headache. There was no chocolate. I had the gremlins of self-doubt. It was ALLLLLL happening. Now, when I am feeling all down in the dumps, husband has named me his little blue berry. Sad face emoticon. Last night, he brought home a delicious blueberry muffin and he made me a delicious mug of milo and we ATE ALL MY FEELINGS.



Then I followed husband around the house for a while.

Husband: Why are you following me?
Me: I don't know *shrugs* you make me happy- I just like being near you.
Husband: um...ok...
Me: ...like when I'm near you I'm less blue berry and more Strawberry.
Husband: Ok then - come along!

Sometimes all it takes is a blueberry muffin and mug of milo to make the world right again

(oh, and a good husband that'll also do the trick)

______________________

* I had a great cartoon on the calendar for yesterday - but now you will just have to wait until Monday when I get a gap to upload it all to the blog - right now, as you can imagine with two days of no internet  - I'm all sorts of behind on client emails that I need to send!

Toodles yo!
_____________________

And just for the record: I'm NOT having a baby.
And neither is my mother.

Rusks: a spattering of poetry.

rusks || via Pinterest, originally from Getaway Blog

I have a lovely Mom,
She's as sweet as toffee
She makes delicious rusks
which are PERFECT for your coffee.

When I was home in SA
just not too long ago
she packed a batch of rusks
in my bag to go

I traveled with these rusks
across the world so wide
all the way to Wimbledon,
where we currently reside.

Me and husband dear
have been feasting on these delights
Although we try to savour them -
each and every bites!

I've been monitoring these rusks
because with every little chew
our bellies get so happy
but the bag gets few and few.

We are currently nearing the end
- I'd say it's "a code red"
I'm starting to think of alternatives
to dunk in my coffee instead.

I really shouldn't panic because
we have about six remaining
So to ween myself off of them
I've tried some light abstaining.

It really doesn't work though -
because they are so delicious
and packed full with All Bran flakes
so in (some ways) so nutritious!

Husband thinks I should learn
to make these rusks divine,
But given my cooking record
I very politely decline

He says that they will be
so delicious - A real tasty HIT!
I say "Are you serious?
I can't cook for shit."

The mom is quite "famous"
in our little town
for her tasty rusks -
so delicious golden brown.

I don't need the fame
or the RUSK BAKER CROWN
I'd just like more rusks please -
with my coffee, slippers, gown.

If you are good at baking,
and live in my postal code -
POP OVER FOR SOME COFFEE!
(and bring a little load)

I shall update you all
on our tasty rusk demise
i doubt it will be necessary
since you'll probably hear my cries.

An ode to Mom's rusks -
so ends my little story
We'll miss you little rusks
in all your dunking glory.

_____________________

If you are not South African and unsure what a "rusk" is - click here. 

If you are South African and are unsure what a "rusk is - I disown you.

___________________

Tutorial: How to take your conversations to the next level. (A true story)

A true conversation in the Dyer House a few nights ago:

Her: How do I tell if this chicken is ready?
He: We eat it - then wait a few hours to see if we die.
Her: *blinks* That's not very nice.
He: Well, at least we'll die together.
Her: But... your stomach is stronger than mine - which means I will die and you will go on without me.
Him: Then I will just eat your remains and die from that.

I cannot make this stuff up.

 * * * * * * *

Other conversations with husband: see here, here, here, here and here.

We have a lot of conversations,
clearly.

gathered. A story of collection.

I have a story to tell you today.

The other day I went for a run around the Wimbledon Common - as I was heading home from the run, alongside the busy through-road, my shoelace came undone. I bent down to tie it back up - when i spotted the most gorgeous little thing nestled in a pile of dirty mud and leaves. i picked it up. (obviously)  - and because I was completely enamoured with it, I excitedly rooted about searching for more. At this point, I was so completely excitable about the gorgeous tiniest little thing that I had forgotten about my undone shoelace and was now fully searching through mud, dirt and soggy leaves on the pavement - while the 5 o clock rush hour was stopped at the traffic light up ahead and starting to stare at me through their Bentley windows. (Wimbledon Village, Daarling). So there I was, shoelace undone, fingers in the dirt - proclaiming loudly (to myself) "WOW! AN ACORN! IT'S SO CUTE! OOH! A FEATHER!! LOOK!! A FEATHER!"

Proper six year old style.

I couldn't help but think how very cute all these little objects would look gathered together in a photo - all so cute and tiny. So my muddy little fingers carried them all the way back home where I set them in a pile on the side table.

Husband came home that evening and sees my beautiful little pile (ok, to be fair, at this stage it was more a pile of muddish leaves and extra dirt).

Husband: What is this?
Self: IT'S THE THINGS!! LOOK!!! CUTE THINGS!!
Husband: *no reaction*
Self: IT'S SOME LOVELY TREASURES!! I GATHERED THEM ON MY TRAVELS! LOOK!! THEY ARE SO CUTE!! LOOK!
Husband: *no reaction*
Self: (wondering: why is he not getting this?)
Husband: Um... that's... nice.
Self: (seriously! why is he not so enamoured with my treasures? what is wrong with him? * looks over to pile of mud-things* )

And then he spots it:

Husband: whaaa.... IT'S. AN. APPLE!
Self: I know.
Husband: A TINY BABY CUTEST APPLE!! IT'S SO TINY!! THE TINIEST BABIEST APPLE!! and a TINY BABY STALK!!
Self: I know.
Husband: LOOK AT IT! it's SO CUTE!
Self: I know... I gathered it on my travels! Look at the acorns! They are the same size as the apple! And the feathers!! OOH!! the FEATHERS! They are BIGGER THAN THE APPLE!!!
Husband: Wow. good work.
Self: I know, The Bentleys were looking at me very strangely - but I'd say it was worth it.

  

I also spotted a used elastic band - which I very nearly picked up - but I had to stop myself, because well, I'm not six.

BUT OOOH!

Imagine I'd found a nest!

Taking Stock

image sourced via Pinterest originally from Ponderings

My main sponsor from last month and one of my current sponsors have recently published blog posts that are very "introspective/taking stock" type of posts - see here and here. I really enjoyed reading them so have decided to do my own "taking stock" post - inspired by The Daybook (also one of my faves) as seen on Midlands Musings.

Making: You mean, what am I not making? Doodle books, greeting cards, business cards, postcards, websites, party packs, stationery... it's a mad house here.
Cooking: haha... that's funny.
Drinking: Red wine. Although my glass is currently empty. That's disappointing. 
Reading: Not enough! SOB. (see "making" above) :( I have a Crafts Magazine UK next to my bed - not that it counts.
Wanting: my husband. He has been in Botswana for the week, I have been in South Africa. I will see him again next Thursday.
Looking: at my mom and dad in the lounge, watching that American talent show.
Playing: Poliça, Bastille.
Wasting: good sleeping hours on "making things"
Sewing: I wish.
Wishing: for extra hours in the day. And maybe a fully furnished villa in Spain.
Enjoying: ticking things off the never-ending to do list.
Waiting: for emails so that I can confirm my doodle book batch print!
Liking: my new hair cut.
Loving: being alive! Even though it's crazy, busy, exhausting.
Hoping: to get out for a run tomorrow.
Marveling: at the guy on TV eating whole eggs with the shells on. (Dude?!)
Needing: a professional-quality printer. Buy one for me?
Smelling: the leftover Thai curry my dad cooked - it was delish!
Wearing: pyjama pants, slippers, Rhodes hoodie
Following: a non-dairy diet.
Noticing: trends in blogging and creative business ownership - more to follow.
Knowing: that husband will call me in the next half an hour. HAPPY GIRL!
Thinking: about new stationery ideas, new blog posts, new book ideas, new cartoons, new things to print and ways to promote - ALWAYS thinking. It's a busy little mind up in here!
Bookmarking: the answers to the question I asked on twitter, "if you could have any super power what would it be?" - some good ones!
Opening: too many internet windows at once.
Giggling: at the cartoons I made last night.
Feeling: overwhelmed. I could do with an extra week of sleep. Lol.

What can you take stock of at this moment?

In other news: I am heading back to London tonight - I will be reunited with the husband after almost 3 weeks. Which is an excellent thing because I have been saving up all my jokes to spam him with when I get back. If I stayed away any longer, I would start forgetting all my punch lines and then WHAT kind of wife would I be? Our very first Photo Hunt Event is taking place this weekend in Shoreditch - we have had such a good response (esp considering it's just our first little event!) and I'm so excited for it! Will have loads to share about it after the weekend. We already have loads of cool goodies for our participants! Get excited yo!

Thank you! {and a free printable download}

A little while ago on the blog I asked for everyone to complete a quick survey - so that I can get a better idea of what you all like about indieBerries, what you want to see more of and why you keep coming back. It was really insightful and some of your answers and extremely kind words made me almost a bit teary. (I'm serious).

I promised free bananas for all those who completed it

and I have subsequently run out of bananas - 

but for those of you who would like - I designed a set of  business card sized "compliment cards" (like the one above) a few years ago - 

in the time long before my SLR

(can you tell?)

Now, I know this is no substitute for a banana, but they do make lovely additions to any gift wrapping project or for a quick note to hand to someone, or to leave on a pillow, mirror, lunchbox or whatever for someone special to find it.

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You can download a PDF printable set of compliment cards here.

and you can download the .jpg (slightly quicker download) here.
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I also recently posted an easy-peasy tutorial for drawing your own Mickey Mouse, I've had some awesome submissions from readers which I thought I would share - 

Left: Andrea Motley & Right: Janina Oberholzer

Left: Alice Stevenson & Right: Kerry Wickens

And my favourite - "retro Mickey"

from By word of mouth :

Am well impressed with all your Mickey Talent!

If you haven't seen the drawing tutorial - 

give it a bash here.

Happy Thursday x