One, two, three

This past week was fairly eventful and it was lovely to be finished off with my sister coming home for the weekend. Over the last few days, I've enjoyed spending time as a family and doing some work before another busy college week starts. I am however, looking forward to going to a private viewing show at the Tate on Thursday...I'll keep you posted! Have a lovely week! 

The cutest video - currently a big guilty pleasure of mine

Three peas in a pod - the vases also remind me of garlic...randomly

Most definitely my favourite part of my room - my Chanel prints

♥

One, two, three

It's been nice to have a couple of days to chill and catch up on things, without work getting in the way. And the weather has made it even nicer. I think cold, crisp mornings with blue skies and sunshine is complete perfection.

I've also recently been enjoying researching the endless number of universities for next year...I honestly didn't realise there were so many! But it's getting me very excited about it all - just need to write the personal statement!

Embracing Halloween in a big way

The little black jacket 

The fireworks that crackle after they've exploded - so pretty

♥

Cream of pumpkin soup

Everybody has a speciality in the kitchen. Chicken pie, spaghetti bolognese, cupcakes, maybe even cheese on toast. Mine is most definitely soup...no specific type, just soup. 

With Wednesday fast approaching and my little pumpkin sat outside waiting to be carved, I decided that today was the perfect opportunity to whip up a batch of pumpkin soup. I found a simple recipe and even went the extra mile with some croutons...

♥

One, two, three

I've never really been a big lover of Halloween. I mean, it was amazing when I was younger. I'd spend ages dressing up in bin bags with my sister and we'd pretend we were witches or ghosts, whilst dancing around a massive bonfire; however nowadays I think the decorations and hype of it is just all a bit too much. Weirdly enough, this year I'm actually looking forward to it. I'm going out for drinks with some friends and I have a pretty fabulous (if not rather creepy) looking costume, so it should be fun fun fun! 

Hope you all have a great halloween too...would love to hear what you have planned!

The little cola bottle in the middle of a sculpture at Liverpool Tate

Cosy, autumnal nights made even more perfect with my Orla Kiely candle

Saturday night + macaroni cheese + fair isle

♥

One, two, three

After what turned out to be a surprisingly chilled week, I'm now on holiday until the 29th. YES. With plans to meet up with friends and trips to visit a variety of different places, I'm actually pretty excited to have a week away from college. Just have to find time for a bit of artwork, somewhere in between.

Enjoy the week ahead!

Munchkin Pumpkins - appropriately named, I feel

Feeling ever so healthy by starting the day with this

A little bit of a redecoration 

♥

Ampersand

 A few weeks back, whilst doing an innocent bit of internet shopping, I came across these fabulous things and instantly fell in love with the ampersand design. I decided that as much as I loved it, I was not willing to part with that amount of money and so hadn't really pursued it any further. I then came across this when I was in Hobbycraft the other day and after previously being so inspired, decided to create my own ampersand (using a similar idea) with some amazing paper from John Lewis and a little PVA. Here are the simple steps I took...

et voila....simple really!

♥

Autumnal nails

I've read pretty much all of them. I think you've probably read pretty much all of them (Don't lie). Now I'm going to join the club and give you the five nail varnishes that I'm currently loving this Autumn. 

To start it all off is Raspberry by Barry M - I think this is my all time favourite nail polish (I'm wearing it as I type). It is a beautiful, deep cherry colour; perfect for any occasion, day or night. I think this is my third time of purchasing it. 

Next is Threadbare by Topshop - I'm a massive fan of Topshop nail varnishes; for the quality that you get, I think the price is amazing. This one is just a classic nude with a slight grey/beige tone, that looks great on anyone.

As you can probably already see, this is Rose Confidentiel by Chanel - there is a slight chance that I may have accidentally stolen this from my Mum (I'm a student. There is no way I can afford Chanel). Having said that, this polish is so wonderful in every way, that I think even I would part with the money to get this bad boy. 

This is Chateau by 17 - You may think that this is fairly similar to my Barry M choice, however once this is on your nails, the colour is much more red and there is a very subtle gold shimmer, that is perfect for an October party. 

Finally, I've chosen Khaki Force by Miss Sporty - I was quite surprised when I bought this, as green isn't really one of those colours that I go for when it comes to choosing nail varnish. Having said that, I am absolutely and completely IN LOVE with this one. It is so easy to apply (streak-free)and the colour is a gorgeous, dark green, that doesn't look harsh against your skin, in any way. 

What nail varnishes are you currently loving this autumn season?

♥

One, two, three

I think it's fair to say that it's officially winter. As I left for college, a few days ago, the sight of my breath and reading '4°C' on the car, confirmed this. As much as I love summer (and I really do love summer - with its long and occasionally sunny days), the fact that I'm practically living in my grey woolly tights and every leaf around me is quickly turning a deep shade of crimson...is somewhat exciting! 

It has to be said though, that I think it is a little too premature for shops to be selling advent calendars. I mean, I haven't even bought a pumpkin yet.

My company at breakfast time - beautifully dip-dyed pink

This song is so incredibly wonderful, it can't help but make you feel good inside 

Love a good open day - SO excited for next year now

♥

Forever changes

Being the art student that I am, I have recently started to feel an overwhelming need to visit every gallery possible...and with this one being textiles based (I'm hoping to specialise in textile design, you see) I couldn't say no to the oppurtunity to pop in.

Ruthin Craft Centre is currently exhibiting a vast range of work which documents Michael Brennand-Wood’s practice over forty years. His fascination with the geometric beauty of stitch structures, resulted in him producing a series of grid works in which stained and painted wood was threaded and wrapped with yarn, fabric or paper. 

And of course, after a hard morning of trundling around a pretty large gallery, the obvious thing to do was stop in at the cafe on the way out. Even though we only had a light lunch (they do make a mean open sandwich), their cake display was amazing...I did have my eye on a cheeky chocolate brownie!

So to any of you fellow 'arty' people, or those who just like the odd gallery from time to time, I would most definitely recommend that you visit Ruthin. As well as the fact that the main exhibitions are ever changing (Michael Brennand-Wood is running until 25th November), there are a few smaller studios which you can have a look at as well. Then again, you could just go for the cake...

♥

One, two, three

This past week hasn't particularly been the most exciting, so I'm afraid I don't really have much to tell you lovely lot! If I haven't been in college or doing artwork, then I've been getting used to how everything works at my new job. However, this weekend I have most definitely taken advantage of the few extra hours in bed, in the morning...and have enjoyed every minute of it!

Here are a few things that have made me smile this week...  

In charge of bedtime stories when babysitting my little cousins (MOOOOOO...)

Heaven on a plate - literally been living off this

A wooden postcard - yes, woooden

♥

Sugary blackberry crumble

I've always thought that crumble is one of those dishes that just screams 'winter' at you, and with the days getting shorter and the weather getting colder, it seemed like the perfect way to welcome October. With its crisp, sugary topping and the warmth of the soft fruit below, it is a dessert that I find difficult to say no to. (Even more so when there is a large dollop of fresh custard to accompany it.) 

♥

One, two, three

This week was a good one. It started with drinks and dinner out with three of my close friends, and ended with a lovely weekend away in Bristol (which went far too quickly). There may have been a cheeky purchase of a BRAND NEW camera somewhere in between as well. Possibly. 

Hope you all enjoyed the weekend as much as I did. Have a great week!

The perfect way to spend a chilled Monday evening

Quite possibly the cutest bib. Ever. 

Clifton suspension bridge on a sunny Saturday afternoon

♥

One, two, three

Well, what a week...

Let me first start by apologising for my complete and utter absence over the last week; a mix of a busy schedule and slight blogging-block resulted in no blogs whatsoever-and a 'One, two, three' post that is a day late. Whoops. I'm truly sorry for that. 

It's getting to the point now that pretty much all of my friends have disappeared off to their unis all over the country, so last week was spent bidding them (a little teary) farewell. Along with college, getting a new job (squeeeee!) and finally adding the finishing touches to my bedroom, I haven't really had much time to stop and think. I'm hoping this week will be the first to be a little less hectic!

A belated birthday card - sometimes simplicity is so much better

Expect many future Hummingbird related posts with this little addition to my life

A little glimpse of my fabulous new wallpaper

♥

One, two, three

Apart from the glorious British weather, this week has been pretty fab. On Wednesday it was my nineteenth birthday (weeeeeee...) and so I had a day filled with loveliness and the odd one or two presents. I went out for a bit of a boogie on Thursday evening, to celebrate with my friends and had lunch out with the family yesterday. All in all, it was perfect. 
Here are three things that are currently making me smile, in the hope that next week will be just as good.

The reappearance of it on my dressing table - there is nothing I don't love about this perfume

A surprising twist on my birthday cake from one of my friends

William Morris at Liverpool Walker Gallery

♥

Chunky chocolate cookies

Last weekend, whilst feeling pretty glum that the sunshine was starting to disappear and with signs that winter was creeping ever closer(don't get me wrong, I am also quite the fan of the odd knitted jumper but it's always a sad moment when summer officially ends), I decided that cookies were the perfect way to brighten up my Sunday afternoon. 

With that said, here is the recipe for approximately 12 rather large yet delish cookies. And when I say large, I do mean the size of your head.

What you'll need:

• 350g unsifted flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 225g butter
• 175g caster sugar
• 175g soft brown sugar 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 350g dark chocolate, crumbled 

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375F/Gas 5. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.

2. In another bowl, place the butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract and mix until creamy. 

3. Beat in the eggs.

4. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Then, using a rolling pin, smash the chocolate, before adding it in with the rest of the ingredients. Mix until everything is fully combined.

5. Cover several baking trays with baking parchment (unless you want to chisel the cookies off once cooked) and carefully spoon out the mixture, onto the trays. It is up to you what size you make them, but make sure they are widely spaced apart as they do spread A LOT. Each cookie should be about 2cm thick, and baked for 9-11 minutes or until nicely golden.

6. Once cooked, leave to cool for a few minutes on the baking trays (to allow the cookies to harden slightly) before transferring onto a cooling rack. 

Team with a cup of Pukka's cleanse tea (mentioned in my One, two, three post) for the ultimate afternoon snack.

♥