1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13

I adore:

1. Sleeping in. I love warm sheets on early weekend mornings & the way they crinkle. I love having time to dream & wander about in fantasy. I love waking up next to someone awesome.

2. Cloudwatching. I like to watch the clouds on the way to work. I don’t look for pictures or images. I just enjoy the shapes the way they are & let my mind wander. My favourite clouds are cirrus clouds, the ones that are high up & full of ice. Delicious!

3. AWESOME! My new word it seems! I’ve found myself using the word awesome to describe just about everything. It’s so much more refreshing than the usual “nice” or “fine” that I used to pepper my speech with. & you know what, the more I use it, the more it applies. Life is pretty awesome right now.

4. Homemade pizza. Nothing beats pizza you made yourself. The choice of toppings & the perfect cooking time make for a ridiculously tasty dinner (or lunch, or breakfast!)

5. New appliances. It’s nice to have a few conveniences after a period of denial. Boiled water is one of them ;-) Can you say pot of tea?

6. My new pen. I recently bought a new pen. It’s a glorious Parker pen that glides over the paper like nothing I’ve seen before & leaves a beautiful trail of black ink. I love the weight & feel of it in my hand. It’s just itching to record my thoughts. I’m thinking about giving it a name.

7. Crispy fresh fruit. I’m riding the deliciously kaleidoscopic high that is fruit salad.

What do you adore right now?

]]> http://bellasthreads.com/uncategorized/adoration-17th-april-2009/feed http://bellasthreads.com/bella/where-in-the-world-is-bella http://bellasthreads.com/bella/where-in-the-world-is-bella#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:43:20 +0000 Bella http://bellasthreads.com/?p=348

Image by margolove

This is both a quick update & an apology. My world has been in a state of flux for the last week or so & will probably continue this way for at least another week & a half. I’m adjusting to a new job - one that doesn’t allow me to commune with my computer as often as I would usually - & I’m moving house. Yes, it’s stressful, but no, it’s not a bad thing. I’m embracing these changes & hoping to get back into a regular posting routine once all the wrinkles are ironed out. I won’t abandon you!

So if you’ve been wondering where I’ve been for the last couple of days I apologise! Hopefully soon enough, you & I will be able to get back to weaving the wonderful tapestry that it Bella’s Threads.

<3

~Bella

Have a lovely weekend everybody!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

• The most amazing umbrella ever.

• Doe Deere shares 11 ways to go green & save money. Some ideas I have wholeheartedly embrace already. Others sound a bit too much for me. Showering only every three days? I think I’ll stick to my four minute shower timer!

• I am in love with this photo shoot & I don’t know why. Is it the colours? Is it the adorable model? Could it be the wacky glasses? Who cares! It rocks my socks!

• Ayomeday shares some really wonderful journalling ideas. I like the bit about writing letters - I’ve definitely been inspired!

• For a bout of nostalgic national pride I recommend You Know You’re Australian If…

• Dark Roasted Blend share some kooky sheet music. Is it just me, or would some of these make awesome T-shirt designs?

• Like an online identikit but way more fun. Face Builder lets you construct fictional (or perhaps real) faces & upload them to the rogues gallery. Why not invent a few imaginary friends?

• Ikea hacks have always been inspiring. I love it when people show how they do it too! These tables are pretty neat don’t you think?

• Matte nail polish. Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? I want I want!

• How to make miniature ice cream. Instructibles is a wonderful site. If you haven’t had a chance to go exploring it yet I recommend you do so now!

• Sarah Von always says it perfectly. How to be wild at heart.

• & so does Seth Godin.

• Scanwiches. Cross-scans of sandwiches. For some odd reason I love it when people document food but I sure hope that scanner bed is clean! Holy corned beef batman!

• Writing for Gizmodo John Herman composes an appropriate eulogy for the Space Bat. Beautiful!

For the last time, he felt the primal joy of flight; for the first, the indescribable feeling of ascending toward his dream—a place far away from piercing screeches and crowded caves, stretching forever into fathomless blackness.

• The New York Times expresses perfectly what it is like to live with cables. My father & brothers are big on computers & computer hardware. We are surrounded by multicoloured spaghetti!

• If you live in the UK you can get a free box of stuff!

• I used to think that Vagina Pagina was for women who were super-comfortable discussing their lady bits. You know, happy (but afflicted) “I heart my vagina” types. Apparently I was wrong. We’re all a little uncomfortable or even resentful of our functions sometimes & the comments are hilarious!

• & while on the subject, behold the scariest tampon advertisement ever. I mean it!

• These artful bras sure are creative. Not necessarily wearable though. I do like support your favourite boob however!

• Bulletins backstage at runway shows.

You feel great. You’ve just had the shag of your life. You’re cute as hell. You know it!!!

• Fight Club is really a retelling of the Calvin & Hobbs comics. Who knew!

• Three quirky cooking videos:

• Pst! La Carmina of the above is having a competition! Check out her blog for details!

Coconut + Vanilla Tartlets with Lime

• 35 miniture pre-baked tartlets cases
• 30 grams dessicated coconut
• 30 grams softened butter
• 40 grams vanilla yoghurt
• 90 grams caster sugar
• 1 egg (at room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

Beat the butter & sugar together & then beat in the egg. Add the juice, zest, vanilla yoghurt & vanilla essence & mix well. Gently fold in the dessicated coconut & use a teaspoon to scoop into pre-baked miniature tartlet cases. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for fifteen minutes (or until puffed, golden & delicious). They will deflate a little when removed from the oven. Serve sprinkled with vanilla sugar. I think these are best eaten while warm from the oven but they will keep pretty well for a couple of days, provided you can resist them for that long!

I found a bunch of these on the footpath while walking home. They’re flyers for a flyer distribution service. Apparently Aivis & Mandy will deliver your flyers into people’s homes for just $40. They’ll also leave a few lying around on the footpath, you know, just in case. Bonus points for littering! I had a quiet chuckle & then put them all in the nearest bin.

What is your current obsession?

Packing things. I’m a little bit obsessed with getting all my possessions sorted out.

What are you wearing now?

Floaty floral print dress. This dress is falling apart because I really do wear it too much.

Do you nap a lot?

Not really. But I do take “day-dream breaks” so I can just sit & imagine things for ten or so minutes without being disturbed.

Why is today special?

Tonight is Nerd Night! This always makes me super excited!

What would you like to learn to do?

Forgive indiscriminately.

Image by Jeff Bauche

What’s for dinner?

Probably chilli with corn chips!

What was the last thing you bought?

A lemon & four limes. Hey, you asked!

What are you listening to right now?

My intuition.

What is your favourite weather?

I like cold rainy days & windy days & warm sunny days & thunderstorm days.

What is on your bedside table?

I don’t have a bedside table.

What’s your style?

I’m still in the process of figuring this out. I don’t think it’s anything static though. My tastes are very fluid & unfixed.

What is your most challenging goal right now? If you could have a superpower what would it be?

To make people smile the moment I meet them.

If you could take an all expenses paid trip to one place where would it be?

The Czech Republic. Again.

Name the things you cannot live without.

Daydreams, warm beverages in general, cheese, colour, public transport.

What would you like to have in your hands right now?

My destiny!

Image by checoo

What would you like to get rid of?

Bad vibes, nasty thoughts, junk & stuff in general.

What was the last book you read?

Pyramids by Terry Pratchet. I read a new Discworld novel each week - it’s a guilty pleasure.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Scotland.

What languages can you speak?

English, LOLcat & smatterings of Czech, German & Latin.

What language(s) do you want to be able to speak?

As many as possible!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I don’t ever want to grow up thank you very much.

What is the worst job you’ve had?

I worked in a food court & it was mostly physical labour & my boss had a habit of standing too close.

Name something that makes you deliriously happy.

Getting hugs via a text message. It’s almost as good as the real thing except that you never expect them.

• White cotton stripe bouse
• Black satin sash
• Black cotton slip dress
• Black knee-high socks
• White Doc Martens
• Silver bangle
• Silver & amber ring
• faux croc bag

Schoolgirl chic. For some reason I decided to wear bright red lipstick. I think it was these photos of Emma Watson that made me do it! Anyhow, this is what I pranced around in while running errands. It was a really hot & humid day so I returned home looking a bit dishevelled. Despite all the cotton I was still too hot! I think this outfit would look better with some red high heels a la Agent Lover & a bow tie instead of a sash.

Image by mrlerone

1. Listen to sad & downbeat music. Music has a profound affect on mood. So if you’re looking for a sure-fire way to feel grumpy put on some sorrowful or angry tunes.

2. Drink a glass of wine. Or a bottle of vodka. Most drugs & alcohol are mood amplifiers & will enhance whatever your feeling at the time. Drinking heavily or taking drugs when you’re feeling down will only make things worse. Bonus points for drinking alone.

3. Pick a fight with someone you care about. Be a completely selfish diva & yell & call them names. Not only will you feel really guilty, but you will also have no one to talk to either.

4. Drink soft drink or eat lots of sugar. Sugar provides a temporary high. But after your body has processed all that glucose you’ll be left will sugar withdrawal & feeling lethargic & depressed.

5. Think nasty thoughts about everyone. The people on the bus, the chick at the checkout & that guy who’s walking in front of you taking up all the room on the footpath. Selfish bastard. Spread your negative vibes!

6. Watch the news. The nightly news is full of conflict, violence & horror & it’s all real. If you want to feel bad in no time then immerse yourself in stories about people at their worst.

7. Stay at home. Don’t go out & don’t talk to anyone. Even the most hardcore introverts will eventually become lonely if left by themselves for too long. Follow their example. Black out your windows.

8. Frown lots. Also, don’t forget to be rude & inconsiderate. Like attracts like, so you’re bound to bump into other grumpy people this way.

9. Read depressing stories & poetry. Shakespeare’s tragedies are a good place to start (Othello, Hamlet etc) East of Eden & The Bell Jar are two other contenders.

10. Likewise, watch gloomy films. A Scanner Darkly, The Grave of the Fireflies or just about any film about the Second World War are three that come to mind. Watch them alone.

11. Eat unhealthy food. You’ll feel really sluggish & guilty for treating your body like crap.

12. Remember every horrible thing ever said to you. All the insults & hurtful things that people have said to you over the years. Believe each one. Give those other people power over you.

13. Bottle it up. Refuse to cry & instead bury all your emotions. Then you will be resentful & even passive aggressive to those around you.

14. Wear lots of black. Don it with a sombre significance as if you are in mourning.

15. Quit smoking & drinking caffeine cold turkey & without any help or support. Watch as you grow more anxious & moody. If you do thins right you’ll go back to smoking or drinking coffee pretty quickly & then hate yourself for it.

Image by danske

Alternatively, you could realise that happiness is decision that you have to make on your own. Life is a matter of perspective & you can make the choice to be happy. Read 15 ways to lift your mood & feel awesome! & congratulate yourself on a job well done. Because you’re awesome & you know it!

<3

Product Details

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Lauren is going to Ibiza to meet up with old friends. They will stay out all night dancing to gabba & singing at the top of their lungs. During the day Lauren plans to sunbake by the side of hostel pool reading magazines & flirting with cute boys, though most of the time she takes a nap instead. She packs her neon yellow dancing boots, purple sandals, pots of glitter face paint, fishnet stockings as well as plenty of sarongs & berocca.

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