stand by me;

 I have been utterly useless of late but I promise that is going to change. 

I have finally got into the routine of full time working life and have lots of lovely things to share with you. I am really enjoying working at Urban Outfitters and it is definitely the people that make it so good - thesweet discount definitely helps too. We had staff appreciation last week so I FINALLY bought the Crosley record player I have been fawning over for about a million years. 

 Work aside, my social life just got interesting too. I had a rare Saturday off, so Oliver and I

decided to go carbooting with his sister Alex.

 If you have never visited the car boot sale on York race course 

on a Saturday you are severely missing out, it was pretty much the best I've ever been to. 

I had to hold myself back on several impulse buys though next time i'd probably not have the same sort of will power -I bought the Dirty Dancing OST on vinyl for £1. 

Oliver had to buy a friend a birthday gift and picked out three items, 

a Star Wars toy, a cowboy hat made from animal hide and my favourite of the three, a signed Blazin' Squad photo (yes, you heard right). We were done and home by 12 so we made a picnic and headed out on a bike ride near his house. Pot holes are no ones friend, needless to say I have a very bruised bum. We decided to play with an old Super8 video camera of Ollies', the countryside was the perfect setting, though you only get around three minutes worth of film per roll but I am excited to see how it turns out. Oliver showed me the eighties classic "Stand By Me" that weekend too, it's such a brilliant
coming of age film, definitely a must-see if you haven't already.

Alex and Chris's puppy Blossom.

Thursday was my brothers twenty first and so we had a bbq party in his honor. There was a pinata, cocktails,and of course rainbow cake. Blythe and Oliver came over to keep 

me company and we had lots of fun playing on my beautiful bicycle.

I went out for coffee with my friend Claire after work and discovered the most 

amazing, oversized treats in Costa Coffee, and of course I had to sample them - I genuinely

don't think the Costa guy had ever known anyone be as excited about the giant biscuit as I was.

We recently held a surprise birthday dinner for one of my lovely friends Stephie down in Nottingham. 

I introduced her to one of my best friends Will in December and they've been together ever since, one of my 

fave. couples EVER.

Mama and I recently attended a 40's war weekend at a stately home near our house. We decided

to take a break from the tradition and fuss to look around the gardens and discovered this hidden beauty spot, I need a walled garden!

Finally, another car boot sale bargain, I found this vintage thermos flask for just 50p, isn't it a peach. 

I also managed to pick up several vintage childrens books to add to my collection for very little money too.

I love carboot sales.

Have a lovely Wednesday.

Sincerely, Alexa ♥ 

star light, star bright, first star i see tonight, i wish i may, i wish i might;

My current wish list of things, which is surprisingly very small;


































Photographs c/o www.topshop.com
www.pinterest.com and www.weheartit.com

Sincerely, Alexa ♥

rebellion lies;

Rebellion Lies Cover; By Benjamin Leftwich

Growing up in a small town as I did in York, you become acquainted with a whole host of local bands, some memorable, others not so much. I was recently re-introduced to the beautiful and haunting voice of Benjamin Leftwich by my friend Emma. His cover of one of my favorite songs, Rebellion Lies by Arcade Fire, is absolutely gorgeous, and his own song, Pictures, is well worth a listen and can be found on youtube with a fantastic video accompaniment. Listen out for him on Radio One, and I highly recommend buying his album.

Sincerely, Alexa  ♥

christmas and resolutions;

My christmas this year was quite a strange one, and definitely not what I have been used to, though that is not to say it wasn't a lovely one. My papabear died earlier this year quite unexpectedly so it was our first Christmas without him; which left my mother, brother and myself. We had a fantastic distraction in my friend Lee, who we invited to share Christmas with us, and it was lovely to have four people in the house as usual. I don't know about you, but I was well and truly spoilt this
year, and got some beautiful gifts. These are just a few of my favourites;

pictures: a) milk duds and sweethearts.    b) urban outfitters satchel.
c) ceramic bird jewellary holder.
d) and f) a tiny clay bunny - my mothers little prank as i have been nagging her for a pet bunny for the past six months.
e) lilac fairy lights.   f) spirited away and all about my mother dvd's.
g) a gorgeous scented candle.   h) a lovely teapot (and matching teacups).
i) hummingbird bakery notebook.   j) whittards yummy fruit tea's.
k) absolutely gorgeous peter pan collar dress by renew at urban outfitters.

I hope you were all as lucky as I have been. I hope you all have a lovely New Years Eve too.  I am very excited for 2011 and all the wonderful new things to come. I don't have many resolutions really, as I feel my twenty two before twenty three list will be challenge enough, but the six I have decided upon are;

one. put more effort into my degree
two. learn to be more tolerant
three. say "yes" to more things
four. do more good deeds for others
five. stop being so frivialnt with my money
six. TRAVEL more

So all that is left for me to say is, Happy New Year my lovelies, see you in 2011!

Sincerely, Alexa ♥