One for resolutions

 

Via: wish wish wish

Happy New Year! I know I put 'resolutions' in the title, but I actually try to go more for 'Aims' ... resolutions sound a bit negative somehow, like you're going to force yourself to run a marathon every day and never eat chocolate again (I don't plan to do either of those things.) 

This year my aims may well include: Getting things done a little bit at a time (rather than waiting for stuff to build up, and panicking), Writing more letters, and Making the effort to do things that I really enjoy. I also have a few secret plans and clever tricks about trying to turn a few of the creative things I do into money earners and having a few less part time jobs, but I'll share more about that if it happens!

Inspirations

One for today

Happy New Year's Eve!!

Inspirations

One for the weekend

Happy Festive Weekend! I hope you're all recovering gradually from all the festivities, in case you are looking for inspiration of what to do over the weekend (and the remainder of your holidays) why not:

READ: Selected Poems - Simon Armitage
Why not read a poem a day in the new year?!

WATCH: All is Lost
All the good films are coming out now in the run up to Award season!

LISTEN: Me and You - Barry Louis Polisar
From the amazing VW advert with dogs in it.

DO: Write real Thank You letters for your presents.

EAT: Warm Salad
Tasty Spinach Leaves, Crispy Bacon, and a little Butternut Squash?

MAKE: Plans of how you want to begin the New Year!

Murder on the Dancefloor? 

Books Film Food Inspirations Music Photography

One for today

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

I hope you have a wonderful, marvellous, stupendous sort of a day ... or a nice calm one; whichever you prefer.

Fashion Inspirations

One for work

 

I think this week's challenge of being trained to make Wax Hands is even more odd than last week, when I was dressed as an Elf ... oh well, that's another one for the increasingly bizarre CV!

Dublin Inspirations

One for the weekend

Happy Weekend my little monkeys, how are you doing? I'm pleased to announce, that this time next week, I'll be in London ... hoorah! If you're sitting looking out at the stormy weather and wondering what on earth you should be doing with your life (apart from Christmas shopping); why not start with a gentle:

WATCH: The Muppet Christmas Carol

LIGHT THE LAMP NOT THE RAT LIGHT THE LAMP NOT THE RAT!!

READ: Winter Story (Brambly Hedge) - Jill Barklem

A real classic.

EAT: Chocolate Pudding

It's time to hit the stodgy food with gusto!

LISTEN: 2000 Miles - The Pretenders

DO: Hit the Christmas Markets (there's a great one in Smithfield this weekend)

The best way to ensure you buy presents they won't already have!

MAKE: Gingerbread Men

I use the term 'men' VERY loosely

Dublin Film Food Inspirations Music Recipes

One for the weekend

Happy Weekend Everyone! Not long till hometime for the Christmas Holidays - 2 weeks today to be precise. Hoorah! We're also edging ever closer to the shortest day of the year; my suggestion to you if you have to go to work before sunrise (what is it ... 8am?!) is to listen to this: I did the other day when I had to start work at 7.30am and it brightened my mood no end!

In case you're at a loose end this weekend, why not:

WATCH: Fishes (Smock Alley Theatre, 8pm until Wednesday 11th)

One of the best (and funniest) new shows I've seen in a long time.

LISTEN: Le Petit Pain au Chocolat - Joe Dassin

This song makes me smile!

READ: Mary Poppins - P. L. Travers

Next on my book list ... still can't believe I won it!

EAT: Lemon and Lime Tart

Simple and oh so good.

DO: Have a wine and cheese night with friends

Lidl is a magical place to stock up on the goods.

Books Dublin Food Inspirations Photography Recipes Theatre

One for art

By: Georgiana Paraschiv Via: Design is Mine

I saw some artwork in a gallery recently that ... well, let's just say I think I could do better. But in the sort of way that actually made me go home and paint. The last one I did was a portrait, but I like artwork like this that repeats a single image ... these strawberries are particularly cool!

Art Inspirations

One for the weekend

Happy Weekend party people! Any big plans? I'm not sure how it's already hitting December; must be time to actually join in with the Christmas spirit that's been abounding in shops since October ... I don't approve of any sort of merriment before December really, you don't want to peak too soon!

If you're at a loose end why not:

LISTEN: Maggie May - Rod Stewart

The current song that's stuck in my head!

READ: Man with the Compound Eyes - Ming-Yi Wu

I can't wait to start this bad boy!

DO: Buy Christmas decorations, or make your own, or unpack them.

Since I have a tight budget, and am going home for Christmas, I might stick to cheap and tacky.

EAT (well, drink): Mulled Wine

T'is the season of mulled wine, people. Better make the most of it!

WATCH: Big Fish

Tim Burton at a less 'Tim Burtonesque' moment 

MAKE: A list of what you're going to buy people...and Moussaka.

I made my best Moussaka yet the other day...quite an achievement!

Books Film Food Inspirations Music

One for embroidery

Via: Wit & Delight

Inspirations Signs

One for making

Via: Peonies, Pearls, and Promises

Inspirations

One for Dinovember

Dinovember, and the reasons behind it (spending the month convincing their children that the Dinosaurs come alive at night to cause havoc) are absolutely ingenious. As someone mentioned on the page already, I'm sure a lot of people would like to buy prints of the images ... but in the meantime, they really brighten my day!

Inspirations Photography

One for exploration and art

Oh dear, where on earth have I been?! I always forget the changes in work when it comes to winter ... the downside of working partly in the tourist industry, is that everyone goes into hibernation at the end of October. On the plus side, FREE TIME!! I took this photo in a quiet corner of the National Gallery in Dublin. I didn't know this part existed before; somehow the Gallery is one of those places where I always seem to get lost! 

Has anyone else been watching the Sky Arts 'Portrait Artist of the Year'? It's a great show, and is making me want to paint more, and to visit the National Portrait Gallery in London again ... maybe when I'm home at Christmas!

Inspirations Photography

One for naps

From: DesignLoveFest

I don't think naptime really gets the recognition it deserves ... what a great thing it is. I'm sure if more people were allowed to nap, there would be less pointless arguments, less stress, and less tears. Maybe we could finally achieve world peace ... who knows! And you know what the above picture is of? A Napping Tent! What a marvellous idea: every home and office should have one. The world would certainly be a better place!

House Porn Inspirations

One for the weekend

Hello Team, how are you all? If you hadn't noticed yet, it has slipped seamlessly into a yellow leaved, dark eveninged stage of Autumn ... I know I should have prepared for this day, but the summer was so unusually long and warm that I was quite prepared. Bring forth the winter coats! So what  have you been doing? Yesterday I spent the day climbing walls and crawling through mud (literally) at an outdoor adventure centre ... great fun, but I did enjoy getting the mud out from between my toes when I got home!

If you are in need of inspiration, why not: 

READ: Brambly Hedge: Autumn Story - Jill Barklem

Just to get you in the mood for the season ... next up, the Winter Story (my favourite)

LISTEN: Les Champs Elysees - Joe Dassin

I'm currently learning this on the Ukulele

EAT: Shepherds Pie

I just discovered that my manfriend makes it nearly as well as my Granny...hoorah!

WATCH: The Bear's Tuxedo - Theatre Upstairs (13:00 and 19:00 until the 16th)

DO: Find a sport, join a club, or make up your own group

While writing a play I'm going to meet with a friend of mine so we can spur each other on!

MAKE: Real Hot Chocolate

(serves 2)

1 1/2 Cups (360ml) Milk

3oz (90g) Good Quality Chocolate (I prefer Dark, but whatever you fancy!)

1/2 tsp Vanilla Essence

1 tsp Espresso Powder or 1/2 tsp Cinnamon (optional)

In a saucepan, gently melt the chocolate in the milk over a low heat, whisking until all the chocolate is completely melted. Bring the mix gently to a simmer and whisk in the espresso/cinnamon until combined. Pour into two cups and top it off with whipped cream, grated chocolate, nutmeg, marshmallows, or whatever you fancy.

If you're feeling extra racy, you could use a milk frother to make it all extra bubbly and scrumptious...they're selling them at the moment in Tiger (which I'm only allowed to visit with adult supervision because they have so much cool stuff.

Loughcrew, Meath

(before getting covered in mud)

Books Dublin Food Inspirations Music Recipes Theatre

One for preconceptions

Via: I love charts

Virginia Woolf ... and the most common searches on google about mental health.

Inspirations

One for parties

Via: Hostess with the Mostess

I may pretend to be a grown-up occasionally, but I'd still like to have a Harry Potter themed party ... just look at it!

Inspirations

One for ink

Via: Cold Wind and Iron

Art Inspirations

One for recording memories

Via: Live, Laugh, Love

Inspirations Photography

One for being a man's man

Via: Wood is Good

If you're going to chop down giant trees, might as well do it in style! It reminded me of this song ... enjoy.

Inspirations Music Photography