Florence

Our place in Florence was right in the heart of the centre - just a stones throw from the Statue of David. We even got a balcony. Pure luxury! This meant we could hit the city by night, something we couldn't do in Rome. and how stunning does the epic architecture of Florence look at night....


Florence boasts of tons of top end stores and lavish jewellery quarters, especially along the Ponche Vecchio.



So many vintage bikes.

I've been absolutely attacked by mozzies. They love me. I hate them. Look how swallen my right ankle is!


Beautiful view of Florence...


Left my mark in this fountain...


Possibly the BEST pain au chocolat that has ever crossed my lips!


and most definitely the BEST icecream that I've ever tasted. Pisaccio, nutella and coffee. MMM!


Look at these yummies.

Holler from Roma

Bonjourno from Italy! ...Rome to be precise.

What a trek it was to arrive yesterday! But after 12 hours of straight travelling, hopping from train to train, train to aeroplane, areoplane to train, train to metro, metro to bus, we finally reached our first destination and place to call home for three nights...Plus Camping Fabulous, Roma.

Our little pad is pretty cute. The complex is like an Italian version of Butlins, and fits the bill.

Colosseum

Today we hit up the Colosseum, Arco di Constantino and Palatino. To you and I, that's a bunch of Roman ruins and a rather lovely looking arch.
The Colosseum was epic inside. It was sooo huge and completely different to how I imagined it to be. For a start, there were no visable seats anymore! (Well except a couple which were sealed off). I just wished that entering the building would have also taken me back in time so I could have fully experienced what the place must have been like...saying that, the Romans were pretty brutal, not sure if I would have wanted to witness murders for fun.
bearded house
Here's a beardy house.
Arch
Then we went over to Palatino, where we heard some fastinating tales about what went down there 2000 years ago, or so. I won't try to retell them, as I will just make it sound pants. But here is the Emperor's Arena, because he was too posh to go to the common arena next door (Colosseum), and some other epic sites to be seen in the Palatino...


roman ruins

The breeze makes my collotes look like parachute Aladdin pants.


I also saw this, but I have no idea what it's about, but it's called Ninfeo Della Pioggia.


...but it takes a nice picture.

The most fascinating I found out today, is that there is so much more of Ancient Rome that we, well ANYONE hasn't seen. 60% in fact, as it's all underground, and has been built on top of over the years. This is also why there are only two metro lines running through Rome, as every time they have tried to dig underground to build a new route, they bump into a Roman Bath, or part of a Stadium.

Rome is epic.

Bird Mobile for Baby Amber

Three weeks ago today, I finally got myself a baby niece!! I was soooo excited when I found out, as I already have a nephew, and now I have one of each! But the best part is, I can make cutesy twee things for a baby girl, so I began with her birth gift...a bird mobile.

My first complete birdy.

I got the pattern from my Cath Kidston Sew book.

Window Dressing

I started a bit of voluntary window dressing at two local charity shops last week. It's such a fun job! It’s like getting to peek through a GIGANTIC wardrobe and THEN getting to play dress up!


Week One
On my first week, the weather was miserable, so I decided to take out the strappy dresses from the window and replace with two coats. I placed waist belts around the coats to coincide with this season’s trend, and one was snapped up before I’d even gone in to do the finishing touches! …or get a photo (annoyingly!).

The selection of clothing is some what limited in the smaller charity shop, but I find that it just creates a greater challenge. Have a gander…

This coat was awesome! It's reversable. Apparently about eight people came in and tried it on, but it was sold the day after I put it out!

Beforehand, this display was cluttered with shoes and tee shirts. I tried to make it more simplified and stylish by creating a triangle of bags.

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Week Two

Today was my second week. I had been toying with the idea of making a weather-related installation or scene to go in the window as the previous week had been so miserable. However, this week we've seen glorious sunshine! This meant only one thing...out with the summer dresses!

Stock was low in the store today, but I manged to piece together two lovely blue numbers, with accessories to suit...

This dress had been snapped up just an hour later!

On it's own, I thought this belt was hideous, but it works so well with the dress.

This week I've mixed things up a bit and whacked some shoes into the mix...POW!

I WISH THESE WERE MY SIZE!!!

Raspberry and White Chocolate Cupcakes

I baked a batch of cakes at the weekend using a simple plain sponge recipe with a sprinkling of white chocolate chips. The frosting was a bit of an experiment, but my god it tasted good! I fused white chocolate, butter, icing sugar, syrup, single cream and creme de framboise together and piped on the top and WAH-LAH! Delicious cupcakes <3

English Rose

Today, I found out that I am a direct decendant of Anne boleyn. Not sure if that's a good thing or not, considering she got the chop, but it reminded me that back in June, I got involved in a Henry VIII inspired photoshoot in the middle of a creepy forest just outside of Leeds. It was an epic day, and with Adam Fussell behind the lens, it's bound to result in an incredible set of photos. Check out the epic tudor costumes...









Photography by: Adam Fussell Photography http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamfussellphoto/
...look him up.

Borrowers Tea Party

I started making these miniature teacup//teapot//cuckoo clock necklaces earlier this year, and I still have a few left. They on either a silver plated or gold plated 18" chain.

If you want to hang one of these little treats around your neck, they will set you back a mere six british pounds. Mail me: leanne_d44@hotmail.com <3