Some big news :D

I hope everyone had a good Christmas!

Mine was pretty unforgettable. On 23rd December, Calvin and I's first Anniversary, at 00.01, he asked me to marry him!

We were both crying buckets, and it was the perfect proposal. Nothing too fancy for this homegirl. We had had a delicious homemade curry with coconut rice, watched a movie and had had a really nice chilled out day. He said happy anniversary and went upstairs saying he had a present for me, came back with a card and his phone out filming...The card was full of lovely things about how he feels about me, and I could hardly finish reading it, I was crying way too much already.

The next thing I knew he was down on one knee, crying as well, and asking me to be his wife. It still doesn't seem real. We've talked about getting married, he was actually going to propose on my 21st, at the end of November, but we both agreed that it didn't quite feel like the right time.

We've both agreed that we'll get married once I've finished university and got into a good job. There's no point rushing! But this does mean that I've already started planning, and Calvin even bought me my very own hand finished paper chase notebook so we can write down our plans.

Expect in the next couple of months/years to have the odd wedding-based post from me, I have a lot of fun ideas and great inspiration to share!

For now, I'll leave you with a terrible picture of the ring (I must admit, this isn't the ring Calvin proposed with, as sadly, even though it was incredibly beautiful, it didn't quite fit. We went out the next day and chose this one together, I love it!)

Peace and Love!

x

The Sales!

I shouldn't really need to introduce this, we all know what's coming after the Christmas and New Year festivities...and that's the big January Sales!

As I get older, and start to spend my money more wisely, I start to realise how great the sales can be! And the best way is to check out what you want, try it on and know where it is, so that you can go straight to whatever it is and cash in on those great deals!

I'm obsessed with Kirstie Allsopp, particularly her style, elegance, individuality and fun! She's a beautiful woman and I bet if her and Nigella Lawson had grown up together they would be best friends (the annoying kind that are always perfect and doing fun things!). 

Now and again, I do go through my phase of Kirstie Allsopp-esque clothing. Think knee high boots, good tights and a classically tailored, but whacky print dress. And I must say, I do love this phase! As it usually comes along with baking/cooking/crafting, which is always good!

Recently, I visited Kaliko. A brand that is probably aimed at an age a little higher than 21 (ahem) but can surprise you with some great items. A little pricey, with the average dress at £60-£85, but fantastic none the less. I was with my mum who did, I must admit, force me to try on a few dresses, that at first sight seemed a little dull. But when on, they looked great! The material, quality and cut of the dresses is above most found on the high street, and you just know that it will be a great staple piece for many years to come. 

These were some of my favourites, I tend to dress quite autumn/winter-y throughout the year, so I can see these with some nice soft leggings/tights, knee high leather boots and a great jacket. Oh, I can't wait for the sales!

Was £85 Now £40
I must admit, this is one of the dresses that I didn't like on the hanger,
but when I tried it on, it was just luxurious! The material is fantastic and the fit is just brilliant. 

Was £60 Now £20!
I love the alternating sizes of stripes, very clever and flattering.

Was £60 Now £30
A beautiful, versatile print, with pockets(!) and the material is quite soft and felty, lovely!

Over the next week in the run up to the January sales I will be bringing you more of my favourite deals, from some fantastic high street brands! 

Merry Christmas!

xx

P.S. This post was purely my opinion, and was not sponsored by Kaliko.

Season's Greetings!

Hello lovelies!

I hope you're all well, with loved ones nearby and able to relax in the run up to christmas.

Before all the frivolously festive photos, it must be said that 2012 really has been a mixed year for everybody. There has been so many tragedies, so many innocent lives lost, and I only hope that these horrors can be useful in turning the corner. Seeing the 26 acts movement, I wish that it provides some sort of solice and comfort to those who lost their dear children and family members so cruelly. My thoughts are with them.

2013 will be a new start, for all.

How inviting does this cabin look?!

It's Calvin and I's first Christmas together, (well technically second as we became "official" on 23rd December, 1st year anniversary coming up!), and this has meant a bit of a change in the way my Christmas normally is. I tried to keep up with the usual family traditions, like putting the Christmas tree up with Mum, I'll be shopping on Christmas Eve with my Dad and cooking together with Mum on Christmas Day. I even have a delicious new, tried-and-tested recipe for the veggie side (me and my Dad) which involves lentils, leeks, mushrooms, breadcrumbs and cheese! I'll be bringing you the recipe very soon.

My Parents' Tree from last year!

I used to utterly detest putting up the family tree with my mum. Not because of the time it took (it's pretty huge!) but because it's a fake tree and dusty and gross! It usually happened after a long day at college or school and really was the last thing I wanted to do. But I'm glad I made time for it this year. Now I'm moved out totally, living in our perfect little house, I feel it's really important to do stuff like this with my parents.

A glimpse of Calvin and I's first tree before the cat wrecked it!

With our tree, we (meaning 'I' as Calvin couldn't care less), went for a red and white theme, including real peppermint candy canes <3 I spent less than £35 which is amazing considering Asda (my go-to) are selling similar trees (not decorated!) for £50+. The tree was £24.96 from Tescos, absolutely great for the quality, it's a 6ft bushy (not so much now it's the preferred sitting/sleeping place for Catface), with acorns and slightly white tips. And most of the decorations I got from a discount superstore called B&M, the large striped baubles were £2.99 for 6, the tinsel 3 for £2, the mushrooms were 4 for 99p, and the mini baubles about 12 for £1.99. I got the fake candy cane from Tesco for around 99p for 6 and the fake red pearls (?) for 69p. 

Over the years we'll probably get a larger tree and buy a couple of decorations each year in the sales! Oh gosh, I am so excited for the sales! More about that later!

For now, I'll leave you with a few more pretty pictures. 

Perfect Gift! Recipe here!

Peppermint, Oreos, and no Cream Truffles?!
I'll be making these in the next couple of days, yum! Recipe here!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

xx

Chocolate Chip and Hazelnut Cookies...

I'm usually utterly terrible at making cookies and gave up after my last attempted resulted in frothy, caramelised gunk!

It's Christmas though, and that does mean homemade cookies. Chocolate and Hazelnut was requested, and this is the result.

Yummy, perfectly round and just the right amount of sweetness!

This should make 2 dozen good sized cookies (I halved mine!)

1/2 cup of unsalted soft butter

1 1/2 cup of sugar (I use granulated white just fine)

2 eggs

2 capfulls of vanilla essence (not much needed!)

2 1/4 cups of plain flour

1 tsp of Bicarb of Soda

1/2 tsp of salt

1 cup of hazelnuts (use 50g of whole and smash 'em!)

100g of Chocolate Chips (Dark/Milk/White)

Add in cranberries if you like, which go great with white chocolate, or orange zest and dark chocolate? Yum!

Preheat the oven to 170C, get your sheet ready, preferably use a non-stick! (Poundshops/Wilkinsons, etc have these super cheap!)

Mix your wet ingredients first. Cream together the butter and sugar, then add in the eggs and vanilla, continuously stirring. I used a balloon whisk for this stage. 

In a separate bowl get your dry ingredients ready. Combine the flour, bicarb of soda, and salt.

Sieve your dry ingredients into the wet, and incorporate with a spoon. It'll start to come together and make a nice dough, you can then add in your chocolate chips, hazelnuts, whatever else. 

Take two tablespoons, using one to scoop up some yummy cookie dough, and the other to put it onto the baking sheet. Don't put too much on, about a pingpong ball size. 

Use a fork to squash them down.

Bake in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes, until they start to crack on the top. 

Open the oven and let them cool (I didn't use a cooling rack and they turned out great!)

Hope you enjoy! And let me know what variations you do! 

I'm going to chop up some candy canes and use them next! 

Who doesn't love peppermint at christmas?

Rebekah

x

Tis The Season...

Oh my! What a whirlwind the last couple of months have been!

Very sorry to all of my lovely readers! It's been very hectic!

Since August, I've moved in with my boyfriend, closed the shop (and the markets), started university, got involved as a Student Rep, learnt a whole mass of Japanese (!), turned 21 and moved house again!

The move was probably the most stressful, so much furniture and bits and bobs to move, so glad that my boyfriend and my dad could help (i.e. I just had to tell them where things needed to be!). The house is coming together, we still need bedroom furniture and more storage, but that can come in the new year! Until then, it's Christmas, which means trees, liquors, cookies, delicious homemade pies (nothing new in our house!) and some heartfelt presents. 

Over the next few weeks I'll be bringing you delicious recipes, some fun traditions to get started (especially if its your first christmas living with your partner or your new little addition!), crafty gifts and the best from the high street!

I'll leave you now with a little hint of Calvin and I's very first Christmas tree! As well as our adorable cat, Catface. 

Rebekah 

x

The Perfect Study

Hey lovelies!

I've put my professional-business head on recently and have some very exciting plans in the pipeline which I can't wait to share with you! I've also been looking at new build houses with my OH and day dreaming of the perfect starter home! I don't think I'll ever rent, and the possibility of owning a new home using the amazing government/house builder loans which means you can get a 75% mortgage, while still only putting down 4-5% is amazing. This has also lead to looking at £200k houses and conning myself I could actually afford them, well, I need to get a job first!

So, the words professional and home can only mean one thing, home study/office! I've been collecting images on pinterest like it's nobodies business. Seriously, I am so obsessed with that site, I'll go through everything recent and 'like' the images that appeal, I'll then meticulously go through my haul and repin them to the most appropriate board....Yeh, you too?

Here are a few of my favourite study/office designs. That's probably what I'm looking forward to the most about moving out; a room with all my favourite things, so inspiring and colourful, totally feminine and totally me.

I love the white corner desk, and the gorgeous aqua chair matching the walls. Simple. 

The Wedding photo is perfect too.

Chevrons! As well as this funky design technique, 

ombre also seems to be popular; definitely using it my house!

Loving the grey with the warm yellow and the fresh flowers.

I always prefer offices/studies to be in a separate room, allowing you to close the door on work life/mess for the evening. So this room above is a little odd, but the rug is perfect and I love the warm greys with the white.

A little more traditional in decor. My main love of this design is the floor to ceiling bookshelf.

This is something I'll definitely need! Currently, even though I'm not in a state of moving, all my books are either in boxes, or random piles about the house. I can't wait to see them all together!

I LOVE the idea of having an office large enough to have a separate desk. It's a brilliant idea and I really think it would allow so much more creativity! You'd have your little computer desk to do your emails, accounts, (blog/pinterest) and get inspiration, and then your larger, electronic-less table to do crafts, sew, etc. I think it's so important to have a break from technology and reconnect with the world and yourself; this idea seems perfect for that. 

How is your office/study set out? Are you like me and can't wait to have one? 

Peace and Love

xx

Nigella's Own: Cheese and Onion Potato Pie

Hey lovelies!

I'm back today to share one of my favourite Nigella recipes with you. As a vegetarian, I often have to adjust many beloved "celeb chef" recipes to make them suitable, a great example of this is the variation on the Jamie Oliver Chicken Pie I blogged about here. But with this one, I can stick to it, word for word (apart from buying shop pastry!) and have something utterly delicious! I know, I know, it's summer, and hot cheesy pie isn't really very apt to the kind of weather we should be having. But thats exactly it, the weather in ol' Blighty has been utterly dire, constant rain, cold and windy. What happened to June! It used to be sunny, right?

So, I can go back to my autumn clothes, and my autumn food and indulge, knowing that I'm not being much of a weirdo by eating pie when it's 20C+ outside! Come to think of it, I may even have a log fire tonight!

Cheese and Onion Potato Pie by Nigella Lawson

This recipe can be found in her fantastic book, "How to be a Domestic Goddess"

500g Potatoes (waxy not floury) peeled and diced

100g Spring onions (about 6) chopped finely

125g Mature cheddar: 75g grated, 50g diced

2tbsp grated parmesan (I omitted this)

50g Red leicester; grated (I left this out too!)

2tbsp chopped parsely

4tbsp creme fraiche to bind (around 1 small pot of Asda's own)

First get all your ingredients together, all you need is potatoes, creme fraiche, parsley, 

spring onions and cheese (don't worry, not a whole block!). Oh and pastry, I used a shop bought puff pastry, but you could also use shortcrust, and homemade of course.

Peel and dice your tatties!

Put them in a pan of water and bring to the boil for 5 - 10 minutes 

until tender but keeping their shape. 

Once cooked, drain and leave to cool.

Prep your spring onions, topping and tailing and dice, 

leave 'em chunky if you like a bit of bite, 

they'll mellow out during the cooking anyway.

Mix in with your creme fraiche.

Add the cheese, grate some and cube some. 

Add in your slightly cooled potatoes, mixing all ingredients together.

Add in some salt, pepper, even some mustard powder if you wish.

Put into your oven dish, you could make separate pies 

if you wish (like the recipe suggests).

Top with your pastry, give it a milk (or egg) wash and chuck in a preheated oven (at gm6/200c) for 20 minutes or until golden.

And there you go!

Peace and Love!

xx

The importance of a "career"

More and more these days, my thoughts of a career are turning from pipe dreams, to actual direct actions and steps that will get me there. Like many others, I have felt for years that a 9-5 is far from anything that I want. It's something that other people do; somehow I'll land on my feet and get the best job ever, travelling the world, doing what I love and getting paid for it. Of course, these thoughts stay with me; it would be rather depressing if I snapped into reality completely!

 I've recently updated my CV and wrote to a dozen or so Accounting practices in my local area asking for some sort of placement for a couple of days a week over summer. And it's got me thinking, me, Rebekah, the float through life, laid back, do whatever comes naturally, not thinking of the future, is doing exactly that! Naturally, because I'm studying in something vocational, I did seriously consider it as a career, but when I first started it wasn't really about that, more of using my time for something productive and keeping active (mentally, not physically, ha!). But now I've completed all of my exams (as of yesterday, yippee!!)  I've found myself feeling excited about a regular job, wearing office wear, chatting round the cooler, and scarily, having a boss being more A-OK!

 This change of thought is somewhat peculiar, making me think whether what I'm thinking is really me, or is it an environmental persuasion? Much like the desire for a flash car, or the latest must have what-cha-ma-call-it, is my want to have a salaried career a psychological need to conform to societal norms?

What got me thinking was the childhood cliched question "what do you want to be when you're older?" and the more I think about it the more awful it seems. Of course, to an innocent child, it's a fun concept; wanting to emulate their hero, idol, favourite toy (god forbid it be a "celebrity"!) but to the more cynical lot of us, it's the notion that our career becomes us, what we want to be  is a title of position or job.

For many, this question moulds the rest of their lives, not wanting to disappoint their inner child they go on to study biology,  and on to be a vet, and for those who manage success, well done! But for some, this simple answer back when they were a young child becomes a symbol of disappointment and failure. Is it right to be putting so much importance of what career we have?

Even as an adult, I find myself being asked "what do you do?"  as though the person I am, or going to be is what I find to do to pay the bills. Maybe I am being too cynical, I am certainly excited that in a few years time I'll be able to say that I am a fully qualified chartered accountant (hoping all goes well), but maybe I should be looking towards improving myself as a person as well as, so that I can say something important about who I am and not just what I do.

I'd like to say goodbye today with a few questions, leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

 Have you ever felt pressured when considering a career?

 Is it really that bad to be putting so much importance on "what you want to be when you're older?"

 Have you, or are you, following your childhood dreams, or are you like me and want to be something different everyday of the week? (I was discussing last night with my other half about opening a BBQ diner!)

 Peace and Love,
 Rebekah
Future business woman/wife/mother/nice person
 xx

Start of the Summer

College is all but done now. I have a few more exams and a few more accountancy classes to do, but my Monday to Friday schedule is almost completely free now, meaning that I'll be spending more time in my shop and hopefully dragging it up by the scruff of the neck to how I want it. I've been a bit lapse these last few weeks, letting it just trumble along and just about pay the bills; a terrible thing to do when you run your own business. 

I've found that whenever I have been in the shop, I can see that it's not what I dreamed it to be, the atmosphere, the location, the stock, is just all wrong. A drastic re-think is needed and needed very soon!

When I started to think about going into my business, I had all those hopes and dreams of how it would be, what it would look like and how well it would be doing. I planned everything precisely, budgeted, wrote business plans, applied for small business grants and did everything I felt I needed to give AS the best start.

Two and a half months on, and I feel like I've hit a wall, we're dead in the water and I don't know what move to make next. I've read a few similar things in my search for an answer, it seems quite a common thing to feel so lost. I think it's the case with most projects that are long term, you go into it full pelt but fail to think of any long term objectives or worst case scenario plans. 

I need to be more pro-active, and certainly by having a lot more spare time I can do this. It's just a problem of where to start. I think it would be a lot easier to have fresh eyes and go into the shop and see it how someone else sees it. I know something is wrong but I just can't put my finger on it. 

I've been researching a few shop interiors, its the little things that I'm interested in. How they display their clothes and accessories, the colour schemes, etc. Obviously we want to be able to reflect the clothes we sell, which is 50s rockabilly day and evening styles, it's hand picked, and beautiful clothing. But we also sell "designer outlet", such as Monsoon, which is up to 70% off and has proved to be our day to day income and helped us to pay the bills, whether I like it or not. 

from toast.co.uk - one of their shop interiors

*I love the bright red floors with the sumptuous teal walls. The clothes also go well with the colour scheme

which I think is really important. It's bold, but it works well*

from http://buttercupandroses.blogspot.co.uk/

*isn't this just the cutest shop front? It seems so homely and effortless, but I just know it is well

choreographed. The colour scheme is darling too*

An anthropologie store display

*Shelving <3 just proves how useful it can can be! The paper rose display is great too*

Anthropologie again

*I love the use of the crates as display, and hanging the belts on nice old hangers, really nice and useful!*

A few I found from the blog "http://the-lark.blogspot.co.uk"

*Oh, how darling is this?! The colours, the sweet prints, the nicknacks, the flowers. 

Now to just apply this to a 50s clothes shop!*

Have you ever felt this way about your business? Totally stuck in a rut and not knowing how to move on? Did you manage to find a way?

I think my next step is to source some bits and pieces and consult the colour wheel, get some paint and get cracking. Going to try some different advertising techniques and get some window stickers too. 

Peace and Love

xx

For the love of Art

Hello my beauties :) How is everyone today? I'm well, had a relaxing day doing a few errands and going to college. The weather is terrible here, but I'm hoping it will get better soon!

A week or so ago I bought one of the most beautiful bikes ever! It's very simple, but dutch, traditional, pink, has a big wicker basket and cute print panniers. It's also very comfortable to ride and is steeped in history, which I love! It's a Gazelle Basic Single Speed (Gazelle being the oldest Dutch bike company) and it's PINK (Havana Pink to be exact) <3 I bought it from the lovely people at East Coast Bicycles in Hull, you can find them here and here.

<3 The start of a life long love affair I think!

I had a video to hand in for a college deadline, so, as is me, I got it done the week before (fantastic you think! Until I tell you we've had the brief for about 4 months! Whoops!) I headed over to Flamborough North Landing, an absolutely tiny bay on the East Coast about an hour away from Hull, just past Bridlington. It was a perfect location and I can't wait to go back when the weather is better to get some more footage and photos. I also took the opportunity to use up the film in my camera for college, we have a landscape assignment due in the first week of May, where we must use film (eeep!). I'm eagerly awaiting their arrival so I can get them scanned in and see what they're like, really loved using the Canon EOS 3. 

The shop is going well, we've added some new stock from Sourpuss last week, you can check it out here :) Hull's Angels Roller Derby are having a bout May 13th in Hull against the Bruising Banditas and we'll be having a stall there among some over local business. For more info check out the Facebook event. 

Recently I've been indulging in reading the blogs of some of my favourite people, specifically Honey Bee In the City, Cupcake's Clothes, The Plus Size Life of Tess Munster. 

Also pinning everything in sight on my pinterest account, remlangton, especially French Bulldogs, home interior, crafting and delicious food <3

Tess Munster <3

Texas Trash 

1 package cream cheese 1 cup sour cream 2 cans (16 ounces, each) refried beans 1 packet taco seasoning 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded 2 cups monterey jack cheese, shredded... must try:)

I can so see Calvin doing this sometime in our future!

I'd call him Frank <3

Beautiful Ranunculus <3 Quickly becoming my favourite flower!

I live by this!

How gorgeous is this print combo? I think a polka dot skirt is in the making!

I'll be posting soon enough with something a bit more structured, but for now you'll have to put up with this brief update and pretty pictures!

XOXO

Altered States Collection Now Online!

I've finally found an e-commerce site that I like in BigCartel. It's very handy, fairly priced, easy to use and designed well.

Find the new shop at http://alteredstatescollection.bigcartel.com/ ! Very excited, and I hope you all check it out, more stock to be added in the next few weeks :)