Ugh. whatever.

I'm not really feeling it this week - pretty uninspired actually. Work's gotten kinda busy, so maybe that's it? (and I've noticed more than a couple of other bloggers saying the same thing - something in the air perhaps?). Off to London tomorrow for Fun With Mel, which I'm VERY excited about, so I'll be back on Monday, hopefully full of exciting things to report and some more fun wedding inspiration!

Oh, except for corporate speak Friday, which may still make an appearance.

cool image found here

And what's up with the text size. I'm trying to change it but blogspot isn't listening.

Lazy post - some things I like

So today I was having a look on Something Old, Something New, and found a couple of ideas that I really like (I also really like Something Old, Something New, by the way; Mackenzie's range of invites are really lovely. I'm quite a fan and a frequent lurker on her blog).

1) These ring pillows, also found here:


2) and, slightly more excitingly as they're just the thing I've been looking for; These stunning, glorious necklaces (and earrings etc etc etc):

Here's the direct link. Seriously, WANTING one of these. My dress is actually pretty busy though, so a pair of earrings may be more suitable. In any case, I'm loving how classic, yet unusual, these necklaces are. There's just something about them. I have a bit of a thing for pearls, and these are something special I think.

yep, I'm lazy. I shall try to write a deeper post tomorrow.

Ah my pretty

Look at our new toy!!

It's to replace our previous much loved camera that was stolen while we were in Italy a few weeks back (a mixture of a moment of carelessness on our part mirrored by a moment of evil on the part of an opportunistic delinquent). Every cloud has a silver lining and all - this time we really knew what we wanted in a camera - the only thing that bothered us about our old one was that it was really big (like digital slr sized, without the fun of actually being a digital slr) and a bit of a pain to truck around sometimes, so we've downsized with this one. She's still pretty chunky, but it would appear that we don't like our technology to be too small, and neither of us warmed to the teeny credit card-style digitals on show. Also, she's a little retro (especially the cool leica lens) which I like.

Hopefully the insurance cheque comes through soon...

Corporate Speak Friday

Buzz-tastic word of the week: Cascade (kas-keyd)

"anything that resembles a waterfall, esp. in seeming to flow or fall in abundance"



Apparently we no longer "pass information on" or "let people know" - oh no, loyal readers - we cascade.

In a sentence: "please cascade this {information} to managers and staff if appropriate"

I dare everybody to use Cascade in this sense (with a straight face) in the next week!

Also...

We have a wedding to go to in May, and, having left all my nice dresses and skirts in NZ, I don't have anything to wear! (and I mean that genuinely, not in the whingey "I have nothing to wear" way when i actually have plenty of options that I just don't want to wear. The only dress I own is solid black, and I don't really feel ok with wearing all black to an afternoon wedding).

I would love to buy something from Etsy (or get something made via Etsy Alchemy). Something a bit different. Something unusual and pretty that I'll get a lot of wear out of. Something that won't break the bank (that's the hard part). It seems that everything in the shops right now has an odd 80's feel to it that I'm not loving. Or really shiny and formal, and I don't want anyone thinking that I think I'm a bridesmaid.

Any suggestions (either UK or internet-shopping based)? Right now I love this, but it's a bit out of the price range (that should give you an indication of how small my pitiful budget really is).

It's a good look

Today I was sitting at my desk minding my own business, chewing the end of a pen as always, when I got a horrible taste in my mouth. I put my finger to my lips and it came away covered in thick black ink. I ran to the bathroom and yes, my mouth was full of black ink. And the surrounding area. And my hands.

Five minutes later I had to conduct a screening test for prospective employees. I got a few strange looks.

Maybe I should try to break my pen-chewing habit?

(by the way, I love Rorschach Ink Blot Tests. I know they aren't considered to be particularly scientifically sound these days, but I think they're old school and cool).

Photos, Paul Henry, and a concerning tv show

You simply MUST go and check out the latest installment of Sexy Red Frame's wedding photos. I've been following her posts of wedding shots, and loving them (so unposed, so natural), but this last lot takes the cake (the biscuit? something about that line doesn't look right). I'm going to direct (ha! I'm the BOSS) our wedding photographer to the blog to check out Ian's work, cause if we could emulate anything, I'd want it to be these. I should probably see what Dave thinks too ;)

Yesterday, a guy got in the lift with me and he looked exactly like Paul Henry, NZs "favourite" radio and tv broadcaster. I actually really love Paul Henry, he's a bit of a shit but he cracks me up. He ran for a relatively safe seat in government and was beaten by Georgina Beyer, the worlds first elected transsexual MP.

Dave and my new favourite program is "Boys & Girls Alone" (it's a social experiment, not reality tv, dontcha know). I miss half of it because of dancing (which is going very well, except that last night we had to do a dramatic slide across the floor and I bruised my poor knee), but Dave catches me up. It's really interesting - for those who don't know, 15 boys and 15 girls are living separately in two farm cottage places in the middle of nowhere - with no parents. It's amazing (and at times both sad and heartwarming) to see how they build their own wee societies; the people that get shunned (sad), and the ones who rise to the challenge (heartwarming). It seems to me that the youngest kids, at 8 years old, just get on with things, whereas the older ones, at 10/11 years, get more caught up in power plays and dramatics. There is one girl in particular who is 11 going on 25 - waaaaayy too much drama, and bollocks for my liking (not that I was any different, I'm sure). What did slightly concern me though, was last night the two groups met for the first time at a party. The girls were so confident, which I think is just awesome, but the boys were almost cowering. They didn't seem to know what to say or do and seemed genuinely frightened by the girls. The girls ended up being really mean to them and chasing them away from the house. One of the boys ended up with a cut hand from where a girl hit him with a broom. I saw one girl kick another boy. None of the boys retaliated. Which I guess is good, but I thought it sad that whereas the girls were all so strong and sure, the boys were at a loss for what to do, and didn't defend themselves when they were actually getting really picked on. The parents (watching on cctv) thought it was all pretty damn funny - but I wonder what they would have been saying if it had been the other way round?

Like spooning?

The term "spooning" originated in Wales, where historically young men would carve a spoon for the girl that they wished to court. Her acceptance of the spoon confirmed her interest, and I guess after that they'd start going on dates and whatnot. Dave and I ended up catching a train to Wales for Valentines Day, spending a lovely day in the sleepy fishing village of Conwy (the castle rocked - check it out if you're ever over that way). When we were having dinner on Saturday night, Dave gave me a spoon he'd bought that day! (awwwww). He's since decided that next year he's going to try to whittle me one, and will continue to have a go at it each year until he carves one that's "good enough". how nice!

The spoon pictured here isn't mine, it's just one off the interweb somewhere. Mine one has a heart at the top and then a keyhole/cross thing below. It's very pretty.

What a nice tradition!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!! I know I'm a day early, but a) it is Valentines Day at home, and b) I don't think I'll be around to post tomorrow. Not sure what we'll be up to - hopefully hopping a train to Colwyn Bay in Wales for the day for a mosey around. We don't traditionally go all out for Valentines, but it'll be nice to just spend the day together near the sea. And maybe have a meal out, if we can find a restaurant with room.

It's funny being at work this time of year and hearing everyone's thoughts on Valentines; people are pretty polarised actually! I' usually on the "it's commercialised and stoopid, people should say they love each other every day" side of the fence, but sitting here on Valentines Eve I'm feeling on board. Love is nice, after all.

Annnnnnddd HAPPY ENGAGED-IVERSARY!!!! to Mel and Kane for tomorrow!!! this time next year you'll be smug marrieds!!! I hope you guys have a lovely day.

Beautiful image found here. More gorgeous paintings found at their Etsy shop here

bye bye my dear friend : a book review of sorts

Coca-Cola has been a very good friend of mine for a very long time. Whenever I want it, it's there - refreshing and fizzy and delicious. I've never experienced a moral crisis when drinking Coke simply because a) I never bothered to question the corporation or read anything concerning them; and b) their advertising is so damn good they had me convinced that they wander the earth doing benevolent good works - sponsoring schools, playing with villagers etc etc. And the Olympics, of course.

But lately I've been reading "Belching Out the Devil: Global Adventures with Coca-Cola" by Mark Thomas, and I have to say it's got me thinking.
It's kind of an expose with funny anecdotal asides - but the message does hit home: Coke stomps around doing what it wants, and doesn't really pause to care for the people or environment it is effecting. Ruining and depleting water supplies for some of the worlds poorest people in El Salvador and India, and preventing its employees from joining trade unions in Turkey and Columbia. To name but a few examples really. I am trying not to buy Mark's tale hook, line and sinker - he obviously thinks he's a bit of a funny bastard and the book is full of witty observations and snarky rhetorical questions (it is pretty funny in places though). I get the impression that although the book is well researched and properly referenced, Mr Thomas has both an agenda and a particular hatred for the Coca-Cola Company - and the story seems a touch one-sided. What little rebuttal there was from Coca-Cola is treated with derision and a smirk. But all that aside, it's clear that Coke either couldn't be arsed proving him wrong, or simply couldn't. And in any case the evidence is overwhelming: Coca-Cola has some business practices that are, to put it mildly, down right nasty.
So I've decided no more Coke products for me. I think the big question is how long will this last? will my moral fortitude outlast my thirst? will the Coke advertising machine wear me down in the end? If I'm making a stand on this, am I obliged to boycott products from Nestle and Pepsico (among others) too?
hmmm.