Making My Heart Sing

Because it's Mondays and the skies are grey, some flowers. To brighten, to bring a smile, to let my heart sing.

Enjoy.

xx
Libby

p.s. if I'm a bit scatter-brained and somewhat lost in my online presence over the next couple of weeks, apologies! I've got some school stuff to sort out and my mind is eternally elsewhere. xx

Sunday Scenes

It is never too early, too late, too hot, or too cold for a hug, and hot chocolate with marshmellows are edible hugs.

I'm an October birthdays, but these would be perfect gifts for me and big bro. Just sayin'.
Speaking of books, my 2011 reading challenge isto read one hundred new books--new, as in, new to me--in 2011, and am tracking my progress on goodreads. Any recommendations?

See that last picture? Paris, Paris, Paris. How many times can I say it? Paris, Paris, Paris. Paris... Paris. Easter twenty-eleven. Paris. Paris. Paris. Oh--Paris! Wednesday 20th April... Paris. Have you been to Paris? Where should me and mum visit in Paris? Oh--Paris. Paris, Paris, Paris.

Shut up now.

{I'm going to Paris, just f.y.i}

Weekends are good
xx
Libby

Butterflies & Inspiration

Catching inspiration is like catching fireflies in a jar or butterflies in a net. They are free and wild things that won't always co-operate, and that need some way of being captured and preserved before being released again.

Yesterday, I tackled the mountain of printed sheets, weathered magazines and scrapbooking paper to create some tangible, ever-lasting source of inspiration. The end result? An inspiration board, eight pages of collage and doodles in my 'art' journal, and a couple of pictures sticky-taped up near my desk. Beautiful.

It's such a fun process! You'll probably want a couple hours spare time if you're planning, like I did, to saturate your brain with inspiration, but just ten minutes to rip a few pictures out of a magazine works too. I started with about eight copies of Teen Vogue, and two issues of Country Living. I admit, I was a rather loathe to rip up my Teen Vogues so I just pulled out a few adverts and one or two pictures from those, but I went crazy with scisscors in Country Living. At this stage, just rip out whatever speaks to, on any level. If you think something looks pretty, rip it out. And if you see a quote you like, either rip that out or note it down.

{the really fuzzy part isn't really fuzzy. it's an article on marbling paper.}

Once you've done that, it's time to start arranging! I decided that, since my room has a red theme and my inspiration board would be on display at all times, I would share the 'red' images on that. I pinned, rearranged and shooed Tobycat off the pins to my heart's content, and then added a badge, a wreath, a keychain. Little nuggets of happiness and joy to keep me going.
Of course there was still so much left, so I pulled out my notebook which I daringly call an art journal. It's just some photos and quotes really. An inspiration book? Anyway, I just stuck loads of stuff in there, with a vague theme to each page, though if you're not me you probably can't see that! That's okay though. As long as this will spark some kind of creativity or happiness in you, it's okay.

{this page is my most favouritest. i want it to be my house, please}

Since I'd also ripped out a few adverts and a page displaying a craft room which I didn't want to cut up, I taped these to the wardrobe next to my desk where I can see them whilst I write or dream and keep inspired. I've got a bit of a thing for the Marc Jacobs adverts. I just love the photography in them, they're really magical.

Maybe you're tight on space, or you don't like cutting up magazines. There are loads of online alternatives too. Try Pintrest--you do have to wait for an invitation though--or even just opening up a word document and pasting things you like in there. I'm a little bit in love with clicking on the favourites pages of my favourite Flickr photographers--right now, I really like Beth Retro, gingerlillytea, {eva} going on, farmgirl in flipflops, and Abbey & Chloe --as well as trawling through blog archives {ruffles & light, anyone?}. Try searching around for some ideas of inspiration boards--Carlotta made a lovely one! Film is also an ongoing inspiration... This series is beautiful and I find this advert enchanting. Or maybe you keep inspiration in your bookmarks?

Let me know--do you have an inspiration board or art journal or the like? Also, am I the only one here who is intent on making cheap art? Beautiful cards are framed, nice fabric is stretched over cork, and of course the inspiration boards.
xx
Libby

Blue & Green

{top: zara, cardi: marks and spencers, skirt: mini boden, tights: next, shoes: marks and spencers}

Blue and green should never be seen
Without another colour inbetween

This age-old rhyme proves itself incorrect in most of the ways I dress. My favourite {blue} jeans with a beloved {green} jumper. My new {blue} skirt with a {green} tee. And today... a {green} pleated skirt with {blue} tights, {blue} top and {blue} cardigan. And what about the masterpiece that is sea-grass-sky? Undeniably gorgeous, I think.

Back to the clothes--it's the last Posh Frock Friday of the month, and once again I'm linking up with a skirt. Despite the rule-bending, this is a perfect Friday outfit. Since it's half-term, I'm going out instead of doing Latin, and that is just the perfect Friday feeling. The bright skirt I'm wearing compliments that feeling and also makes it feel just like spring. In fact, I'm beginning to feel like I might even be able to go out without a coat this afternoon, which, after months of frozen paths and drizzle and lacklustre snow, is a very welcome thought.

In fact, spring has most definetely been on my mind today. You see my hairclip? It's made witht the same method as the ones in the giveaway {go enter!} and I've been toying around with making them in different materials, as well as ripping up magazines for a very colourful, very textured and very pretty inspiration board which I'll share over the weekend.

Have a wonderful Friday and I'll talk to you tomorrow,
xx
Libby

A Gorgeous Giveaway {closed}

 *giveaway now closed. click here for winners*
Today...

A giveaway for you.

I've got some adorable things that you might just be able to win. After all, there are four prizes--yes four! As well as something made by me, Olivia and Carlotta generously donated lovely prizes too.


#1: two rosette clips

These handmade yellow cotton jersey roses are securely attatched to hairgrips with hot glue.Even when skies are grey, you'll be able to carry some sunshine with you. {free international shipping}

#2: $10 Robin Blogs gift certificate

Kindly donated by Olivia of Robin Blogs & oh, horsefeathers. fame, this voucher can pay for something beautiful to spruce up your blog for spring. She creates beautiful designs and puts together amazing graphics using scrapbook kits {the price of a scrapbook kit is not included in the voucher}


#3 $10 Olivia Collins Photography gift certificate

Olivia's breathtaking nature and still life photography is sure to create a statement in any room. From beautiful birds to rainbow candles to gorgeous sunrises, her prints are simply lovely and are sure to be the perfect addition to any space. {the gift certificate doesn't cover shipping}


#4: 4 4"x6" Carlotta Cisternas Photography prints

Carlotta, teen blogger and photographer, is offering four of her stunning 4"x6" prints for you. As well as choosing from the beautiful prints currently avaiable in her Etsy, you can also choose to have any of the othjer lovely photos she's shared on her blog made up.{free shipping in the us, international may cost}



ways to enter:
leave a comment--what was the last thing you created, be it a dress, a photograph, a cake, a poem or something else altogether?
extra entries: {leave a seperate comment for each extra entry please!}
Follow Catching The Stars
Olivia also runs an lovely blog, chronicoling her fashion, photography and words, by the name of  oh, horsefeathers. and her design blog Robin Blogs is a beautiful space whilst Carlotta charts daily life at her blog pastor's girl's ponderings and shares her Project 365 at embrace--follow these four lovely blogs too.
Let me know your favourite print from Olivia's photography shop
Let me know your favourite print from Carlotta's photography shop.
Tweet about the giveaway--please mention @libbyandnicki so I can track them
Blog about the giveaway
'Heart' Olivia's shop
'Heart' Carlotta's shop 

{just one comment for following oh, horsefeathers., pastor's girls ponderings, embrace & robin blogs please!}

Yes--that's a total of nine different ways to enter! Giveaway closes next Friday at midnight {that's 0:00gmt}. The winner for each prize will be pulled out of a hat, and announced {hopefully} on Saturday unless something means I am unable to access the blog. This is an international giveaway,

Don't hesitate to ask me if you have any questions. Either ask in the comments {I have comment moderation on and won't publish it} and I'll get back to you via your blog, or contact me through here.

xx
Libby

Mes Petites Mains

{no, not the magazine, though it's pretty cool}
Mes petites mains. My little hands.I can create so much with ten fingers and a sprinkle of imagination. Afternoons spent sewing are ultimately rewarding and beautiful. Seeing the 'fruits of my labour' in the form of pretty fabrics turned into gorgeous giveaway prizes {more on that soon!} makes me smile.

An afternoon spent baking brownies with a sweet friend. Attempting to finish little projects before dinner. Clutching a pen and just writing-writing-writing.  Little hands, little projects. Les petites choses are so easily ignored in an effort to get the stuff that looks better, bigger, higher.

But sometimes I just have to realise I'm not that skilled--yet--I'm not that great--yet--I'm not that talented--yet. I'm just thirteen, and I can only do so much. I can't do everything. My little hands can only do little projects. Anyway, it's about me developing as a creative girl, as a photographer and a writer and just as me. My way might not be your way, but maybe it's still the same way to the end result. As I read somewhere earlier today... "Create, don't compete."

Here's to afternoons spent stitching wings on small and sweet fabric birds, eating gooey brownies and sipping tea. And maybe reading this book because I can still dream big.

xx
Libby

The Julie/Betty Hybrid

The Seventies are making a resurgence, with flares and jumpsuits and floppy felt hats gracing the pages of glossies. Thankfully, we've not reached any Eighties flashbacks {peach and black legging-and-jumper combos like my Mum?}  but in fact seem to be going further and further back in time. Of course it started with Mad Men making the 1950's the 'it' era, with the hourglass silhouette and beautiful dresses and pearls, and now Boardwalk Empire is set to make flapper dresses and feather headdresses all the rage.

Today, I took inspiration from the Seventies, the Fifties, and my fabric hoard. With some thick elastic, a spare hour and my mum's help {and also her sewing machine} I whipped up  And the result? The Julie/Betty Hybrid. It takes a popular name, and a popular style, from both of the aforementioned decades. Julie, the 1970's aspect, was the thirteenth most popular girls name for newborns in the 1970's and this is reflected with a kitsch blue, yellow and brown floral print.

Meanwhile, Betty? She's a bit more sophisticated. She was probably born in the '30's or '40's and has a touch more class than little Jules. Her style is shown through the high-waisted aspect of the skirt, which, when paired with a brown top and tights, creates an hourglass silhouette.

I'll share an actual outfit post of this later on this week, but for now I'm just revelling in the joy that I can actually sew myself wearable clothes. And rest assured, I do not name all the clothing I own. Just some. But The Julie/Betty Hybrid is, I admit, a bit of a mouthful. How about the Jetty, or Bulie?

What's your favourite vintage era?
xx
Libby
P.S. Doesn't this make you wish you could knit? Oh--can you knit? And... hey! Look, you can grab my button. 
Thanks for the link, Katie.

ETA: I can't believe I forget this... Do you run an Etsy, a blog design, or something else where you would be willing to contribute your wares to a giveaway? Drop me a line please! xx

Hello Sunshine

Today, I have this craving to kneel on the dew-damp grass and let my hands pick up handfuls of soil and haphazardly plant little seeds of hope and colour into the ground. As the daughter of parents who run a landscape gardening business, I can justa about tell my buddleias from my buttercups and my secateurs from my sledgehammer, but I rarely garden. Okay--I never garden. Our garden is the personification of that old proverb about how shoemaker's children always go barefoot.

At first glance, I am expected to love and admire gardens, when frankly I'm shallow and cruel and prefer those hacked bunches of flowers that have had their short life cut even shorter by my desire for quick fixes, my impatience for growing and my love for colour. That said, I have deep respect for green-fingered people and I salute you. But I prefer brightening up a window sill with tulips over a weekend spent weeding.

Yet, every spring, I get that aforementioned need to be in the garden. At the first glimpse of sunshine, all those seed packets make a resurgence. This year, I vow, we will have a beautiful garden. The first glimpse of crocuses and primroses sets my heart beating and sunlight beating onto my cheeks is practically inviting me to skip.

And every year, I settle for gaudy flowers, bought from Tesco's in the village for a few quid. After halcyon weather and salad days, the grey skies return and my soul settles into British springtime.

Maybe this year, I will put my heart-beats into actions and cultivate a blooming garden of flora and fauna. Or perhaps I will take long walks with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other, and let my shutter and my pen describe ladybird wings, lacy shadows and beating sun.

Either way--spring can't come soon enough. Right now, I'm hectically layering summer dresses with cardigans and vests and deeply inhaling the cold fresh air from my window and staring up at mackrel skies.

What is the weather where you are? Spring or snow?
xx
Libby

p.s. You know those funky scroll-boxes that you can grab HTML for? Can any of you lovelies give me the name of them, or perhaps a tutorial? I'm attempting blog buttons. Kind of, at least.

I Like It When It Rains

"On the fifth day, which was a Sunday, it rained very hard. I like it when it rains hard. It sounds like white noise everywhere, which is like silence but not empty." --Mark Haddon {The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time}

It's raining. The comforting kind that makes me feel safe and happy and gives me valid reason to stay in reading, eating cake and writing short stories. It all feels peaceful and nice and terribly British. Today is the perfect day to start a holiday, full of hope and promise and rest. It's been a fragmented day, in the loveliest sense. The only way all these sentences have a link, albeit awfully tenuous, is that they are nice.

I made Red Velvet cupcakes with a recipe from the lovely Abbey. They taste good, very good.

We spent the day eating bread, drinking tea and reading the paper.I read about this exhibition, J-Brand jeans and cats in jam jars.

I discovered that rain smells fresh and clear and like spring.

March's story is all typed and edited with a snippet being prepared, and notes are being doodled about April.
The lace trim on the pocket of my apron looks like the shadow of wings.

This blog is not for the hungry, nor for the haters of breakfast. But it is certainly beautiful.

Blogging pal Katie is planning a super-secret project. If you're not already taking part, drop her a line because it's such a lovely idea! I can't tell you though. Why? Well, because that would be telling!

My nails are painted pink. They make me smile every time I see them.

Today a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird arrived at the library. It's continually on hold--I ordered it during this series--so actually finally holding it felt like such a treat. I'm excited to start it. I'm also looking forward to collecting copies of The Particular Sadness Of Lemon Cake and Never Let Me Go from the library and starting The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

How are you today?
xx
Libby
P.S. Thanks to Starr, Hannie, Katie & Sara for being my first four incredibly lovely followers at The Daily Captures.

Ever So Much Easier

{dress: white stuff, tights: m&s, vest: tesco, cardi: zara, belt: vintage shop}

In the words of the wonderful L. M. Montgomery,

It is ever so much easier to be good if your clothes are fashionable.

When your clothes are pretty, fit well and really compliment the rest of your wardrobe, I just feel happier and kinder and gooder. Often this is my favourite jeans and my Latitude '09 top, or this skirt. But sometimes it's the reverse. I'll dig out something I've not worn in a while because my day has been so shiny and happy, and it will work because my brain is on the good stuff, not what I'm wearing.
Today, I had that second feeling. It's the beginning of half-term {more on that in a moment} and I'm in a good mood. The kind of mood that requires goodwill to all men--and all dresses. Hence the reason I finally got around to sharing this dress with you all. I struggle to match it; it's too cold not to layer but doesn't quite match what's in my wardrobe. But today, I think it worked.

***

Just a quick word on the English schooling system:
SeAutumn term starts in September. There is one week off {called half-term} in late October, and then seven or eight more weeks until Christmas holidays, a two-week break. Then in the New Year we start the spring term and February half-term starts on Monday. We return to school until Easter, when we have another two weeks off. After that we return to school for the Summer term, with a week off  again half-way through. The summer holidays started in mid-July for six weeks.
Basically, half-term falls in the middle of each term {or semester}. It works because we have only six weeks at summer instead of the two or three months in other countries.
My half-terms are usually full of reading, trips to London and lunch with friends. This one will keep all of that, and I'll also be doing starting the Creativity Bootcamp.  And also, finally, I'm taking the plunge. The Project 365 blog that's been sitting, unshared, on my dashboard since the start of February is kicking off today. The Daily Captures is my Project 365--or, should I say, Project 316! I wasn't sure whether I would manage a photo a day so I tried it out for a while in early February, and I succeded. So go check it out please!

Are you doing a Project 365? How about Posh Frock Friday?
This post was all over the place--I will try and be a bit more coherent tomorrow.
xx
libby

Ready For The Weekend

It's been a long week thus far, and I'm dreaming of free days spent baking and sewing and reading. This weekend?

{images property of: bbc/breadandbuttons/alisa burke/forty-sixth at grace}

I'd like to whip up these delicious macaroons featured on last night's Baking Made Easy--and isn't Lorainne Pascal just so pretty? Also, these sweet shortbread buttons in pastel hues look perfect for spring, and the recipe itself is a work of art.
Speaking of spring, this recycled rose wreath looks like it would brighten up any door in preparation for spring, and these felt strawberries look good enough to eat!

Roll on Friday night, when nine days of freedom will begin; half terms are wonderful.

See you tomorrow,
xx
Libby

This Is My Map

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

{eta: Katie shared this picture on her blog. It's super-wonderful and... she did it first. So, yeah, not conciously copying but she is a wonderful photographer and writer so it's well worth checking out her blog.}

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." 

"They were maps that lived, maps that one could study, frown over, and add to; maps, in short, that really meant something."

"Paris is always a good idea."

"They say that home is where the heart is/I guess I haven't found my home/We keep driving around in circles /afraid to call this place our home."

"Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home."  

Complete lyrics: http://www.directlyrics.com/ingrid-michaelson-are-we-there-yet-lyrics.html

Complete lyrics: http://www.directlyrics.com/ingrid-michaelson-are-we-there-yet-lyrics.html

 xx

Libby

And if we were to fill our lives and our homes with things that reminded us: I'd like it to be a pretty thing. And if I weren't to win either this or that, I'd like you to, please. 

The Queen Of Hearts

Alternative titled: Another Unromantic Day
Just another Monday. My friends came over after school, and we conducted a very scientific survey on the difference between the taste of Fair Trade and non-fairtrade chocolate; this was actually part of our English assignment, and very tasty.
Here, Valentine's Day isn't really a big deal. My American friend was explaining to me how she gave everyone in her class a Valentine, how they all went hyper on candy, and so on. When I was that age, Valentine's was a big kids thing. And hey, I'm still not a big enough kid.
Valentine's Day, to me, is still a big person thing of romantic gestures, red roses and sparkling engagement rings. Whilst it would be nice for that to happen some day, right now I'm crushing from afar, and I'm cool with that. In our house, romance is my brother buying his girlfriend a book about cats and my parents eating heartshaped cheese. And for me?
Reading love-struck passages from well-thumbed books, wearing pink socks and drinking tea. Sharing heart-shaped biscuits with friends, blowing kisses to the cat and listening to songs about love.
Because I am just so cool like that.
For some heart-day goodness... Blow Me A Kiss, Lulu Guinness, this doodle, Starr's 'sweet' photo, adorable love stories, this beautiful stationery room and, today of all days, remember that love is louder.
How was your Valentine's Day? Link love in the comments please!
xx
Libby
♥♥♥

Philosophical Tangles

With my nose pressed against the cold car window, pas de chats and arabesques spiraaling through my mind, lights flashing in the distance...

Take a break and live in the present and embrace every minute. Don't sweat the small things; the split ends and the unprinted homework and the messy room. Because right now you are doing amazing things. Watching your friend dance like her life depends upon it, eating pizza with people you love, reading life-changing beautiful books. This is good and this is real and this is living.

Because you are living once and you are living well and you are living now. Don't get lost in trying to be as good as the next person, because you are you. One person can only do so much, but they can do so very much. And maybe doing one thing brilliantly is better than doing seven things okay.

And what's the deal with okay? Sometimes real is better. Sometimes tearstained pillows and slammed doors and angry words are better than okay.
And sometimes, you have to realise those flashig lights are in the very distant distance.
And sometimes, you have to realise you have no idea what you're writing about. That pictures and words won't co-operate, and that these thoughts need to go down somewhere.

xx
Libby

Going All Audrey

The moment I saw The Dress, I knew it was The Dress and thoroughly deserving of the capitals. That elusive dress, the one that is comfortable whilst being elegant and a current trend whilst being timelessly stylish. It is simply beautiful dressed up for a Sunday with family or toned down for homework sessions... I've been basically living in this for the past few days.
Have you seen Breakfast At Tiffany's? Whilst the story is somewhat fishy, it's such an elegant movie in terms of the styling. Audrey Hepburn wears that timeless Little Black Dress, is veritably dripping in diamonds and has the best hair ever, I think. Everything she wears is simple and structured, but has these beautiful accents in gorgeous Tiffany necklaces and perfect hair. She is quite possibly the epitome of style, elegance and grace.
Admittedly, The Dress isn't as uncluttered as a Hepburn dress ought to be. There's pockets--practical and pretty--, a Peter Pan collar I'm smitten with, and lovely beige accents. But it's my Hepburn dress. In it I stand taller, smile better and walk prouder. Remember:
"For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others."
So, yeah, I think I might get married to this dress. I've worn it cuddling a cat on the sofa with bright pink slippers and parading round my room with thrifted heels. With elegant silver jewellry and with no makeup and bad hair.

{yes, sadly my mirror is that dirty.}

{dress: next, tights: next, cardigan: marks and spencers, shoes: thrifted}

Plus? It matches those thrifted heels best of anything I own, bringing my height up to over five foot nine. Sadly I can't walk in them, but sat at the computer I do feel like the editor of Vogue or some such stylin' publication.
Do you have a perfect piece of clothing that makes you feel wonderful and that you can wear anywhere? And, if you're wearing a skirt or dress, blog and enter Posh Frock Friday!
xx
Libby
P.S. I'm actually going to a screening of Breakfast At Tiffany's on Sunday... Guess what I'll be wearing?