Autumn is Awesome

I know we've been spoiled down here on the Southcoast in that we've had more than our fair share of unseasonal October sunshine, but it seems we've had all we're getting - definitely getting autumney out there don't you think?

The trees are getting more and more naked, I'm adding more and more layers everyday.
There's a distinct chill in the air.
Brr.

It's dark in the morning, dark before teatime, and the shops are starting to break out their Christmas displays already. (couldn't we at least get Halloween out of the way first? No? Oh okay then retail fat-cats, you win.)

Still, it's not all bad. I actually rather like Autumn. The trees suit their new look - and the colours are beautiful. I like getting wrapped up all cosy and warm - I love knitwear; cardigans and jumpers and extra socks. Scarves and gloves and HATS! Oh I love hats. And boots. There's something really lovely about pulling on your boots & going for a walk, crunching through the fallen leaves. And from a new mummy point of view - there are few things cuter than a baby all bundled up in layers of knitwear with a hat on top!

Cold weather food is great too - I've already started throwing soups together with whatever veggies are in the kitchen - there's just really no place for soup in Summer. Same goes for casseroles, homemade pies, hot puddings with custard... okay, I'm stopping before I drool on the keyboard.

And, much as I love my summertime social life - beer gardens and barbequeues and days at the beach - out every night - making the most of every precious hour of sunshine - I also love that the onset of Autumn somehow makes it okay to just stay in and veg. It's cold out, so there's no shame in staying home, bundling up on the couch with your special someone, a movie & hot chocolate. How great is that?

So yes, it's getting colder, the days are shorter, the moon seems to be outweighing the sun, but it needn't be a bad thing. Wrap yourself up warm, go for a walk, and check out just how beautiful and fabulous Autumn can be.

(photo, is my dog Leia, she *loves* snuffling round in the fallen leaves - sunny days are far too hot under all that fur.)

Lazy like a Sunday morning...

...actually, not so much. A lie in since becoming a mummy, generally means 7.30am rather than 6.30am, which once you're used to it, isn't actually as bad as it sounds, and makes a lot of extra time for productivity.

For example, this morning I've managed to de-clutter my bead boxes (that's needed doing for *far* too long), edit a batch of photos, do 2 loads of laundry, and read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Dylan. Oh, and I may have indulged in a little online retail therapy in the shape of this cute retro dress from new look. Well, I had vouchers, and you know how I love a tunic dress :)

And, I've packaged up my contribution to Bling & Buy's Giant Giveaway, which will be in the post tomorrow. If Bling & Buy isn't on your reading list, go have a peek - Emma runs a lovely blog featuring all too many pretty things that have caught her eye, and the giveaway (starting next week), sounds brilliant. (no, not just because the prize includes a kooky creation!).

After all that productivity, I reckon a treat is in order - coffee and a Fiendish* Fancy anyone?

(*Commonly known as French Fancy, currently fiendish, because they've made the icing orange for Halloween. I know, I'm such a grown up :P)

Pretty New Things!

After all too many hours of photo taking and editing and uploading and listing, my etsy & folksy shops are looking considerably more stock-filled - yay! Go see if there's anything you fancy - and as always, if you find something you love in a shop you don't have an account for, email me [lesliexanne at yahoo dot co.uk] & I'll be more than happy to sort out a direct sale for you.

(pictured to the right, is a beautiful green beaded memory wire bracelet, up for grabs on etsy. If you like the style, but fancy a different colour theme, get in touch & I'll see what I can do!)

And, just to prove a point as to what a busy bee I've been (inbetween trying to be a yummy mummy and a good little wifey & the like), we also have a shiney new twitter account, and a facebook fan page.

Won't you come follow us & be our fan? All the cool kids are doing it!! :D
(and y'know, feel free to tell your friends!)

Once you've done all that, fancy some reading material? Then I highly reccomend you head on over to UK Handmade & check out the new autumn issue. It's positively brimming with great articles and ideas, and it's 100% FREE to download - what are you waiting for?!

Hope you're having a fabulous day whatever you're up to - and if you're feeling the chill in the air, may I suggest a hot beverage and something of the cake or biscuit variety for sustinance.

I Love Twitter

I really do.

And not just because I love the wonderful wordiness of Mr @StephenFry, or because it's a wonderful way to 'meet' interesting new people, but also because said interesting people tweet equally interesting links, meaning it's also a brilliant way to waste a chunk of your day find some of the fantastic stuff sprinkled across the internets that you might have otherwise missed. Such as...

* These 20 holiday craft patterns - because I hate to be the one to say it, but Christmas is hurtling towards us all too quickly. Sorry, s'true.

* I always envy people who are good at regular origami, I can make a lucky star and that's about it. Paper cranes are pretty, but these insects & fishies are just ridiculously good.

* And while you're gazing in amazement, have a peek at this big show off. (personally, I struggle to balance a house of three cards, so am pretty damn impressed by these.)

* The newest addition to my google reader, is The Sartorialist - a beautifully simple blog, full of real people, rocking real style. A perfect daily fashion fix.

* And, I don't care how childish it may be, and it does possibly, maybe, border on animal cruelty, but still, how could anyone resist dogs in Star Wars costumes? I for one, just don't know. Brilliant.

Do you tweet? Are you a purveyor of general interesting-ness? Then in the words of Robbie Williams, come follow me.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I must go see what Mr Fry is being all clever about now...

Monday Musings...

Back in my pre-baby days, when I had too much time on my hands, I used to take pleasure in procrastinating through my favourites & sharing lists of interesting links with anyone who cared to listen. I miss that. So hopefully, this post will be the first of many of it's kind. Baby permitting ;)

For now though, the little man in my life, having not slept all day, is completely sparko, which gives me time to meander through the internet & share some good stuff with you lovely people of blogland...

The Times have outdone themselves today (I could lie & tell you I'm a brainy chick who reads the paper version, but I don't, so I won't. I do however like the 'women' section online).
Firstly, there's a great interview with Alexa Chung, who I love. Technically, she should be one of those girls you love to hate - she's gorgeous, effortlessly chic, has a great job & a rock star boyfriend (who just so happens to front one of my favourite bands!), but she always comes across as so down to earth & just nice, that you can't help but think she'd make a great shopping-coffee-gossip chum.

Secondly, Heels are dead, long live flats! - HOORAY!! Yes, I'm a girlie girl, no, I don't do heels. Can't. I just wind up looking like Bambi on ice then toppling over after too many cocktails. So this, is music to my ears :)

And lastly, Writing letters is fashionable again! Personally, I don't think it ever went out of style, I *love* handwriting letters - emails & texts & twitter are all well & good, but no substitute for a pretty envelope landing on the doormat.

Outside of the virtual pages of The Times, here are some other bits & pieces that have made me smile today:

* Possibly the very best cake EVER!

* God bless twitter for bringing this little beauty to my attention!

* And ohmygoodness how cute is this??! Did I mention it's my birthday next month? ;)

And as a certain tiny person is waking up (most likely hungry), that's your lot for now. Want to make sure you don't miss the next round up of internet goodies? Why not become a follower or a subscriber? :)

Have a fantastic day whatever you're up to xx

And the winner is...

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway - and extra special thank you's to everyone who also tweeted & blogged about it - much appreciated! :D

Anyway, all the names went in my little man's cheeky monkey hat, and the one that got pulled out, was... drumroll please!.....

~*Sandy Calico*~

Congratulations!! Let me know your address (email lesliexanne at yahoo dot co.uk) and I'll get your prize on it's way :)

If you didn't win this time, fear not - there's another competition in the pipeline for this month, detials wil be posted later today!

*at last!* ...a shop update!

Uh-huh, yes, really!

It's taken several days of quick-baby's-sleeping-finish-things-off-photograph-them-list-them! madness - but there are officially pretty new things in my folksy shop!

Such as...


And, to celebrate, I'm going to have a little mini giveaway - it's mini, because I've got something special planned for August, so this is only going to run until Friday night.

What to do: go visit my folksy shop, and tell me what your favourite item is, and why.

The names of everyone who comments before midnight (London time) on Friday will go into a hat, I'll pull one out at random, and the lucky winner will receive a set of 3 any occasion emergency cards!
Feel free to link back to this in your own blog, or tweets, but it's not compulsory!
Anyone can enter, from anywhere in the world.

It could be yooou! :D

The winner will be announced over the weekend.