My Oscar picks

I tried to keep my little eyes open, I wanted to see all of the stars shimming down the red carpet, however, after a busy six hours at work, having had only a few hours sleep, my lids were slowly closing. In the end I gave in, switched off my mac and instead went on to dream about the awards ceremony and those dresses...

This morning I went online and did some careful research into who I thought looked lovely!

These were my top 4, notice there seems to be a bit of a trend here..

The English Rose Bakery

I always like to hear of new ventures and businesses opening up in my surroundings, so when I spotted these lovely colourful delights I thought I would give it a mention.

I have yet to try the sweet tasting English Rose Bakery Macaroons, but I intend to soon (Manchester's Piccadilly Real Food Market this Friday, 25th Feb).

The website is so pretty with it's pastel colours and delicious looking delicacies. Mmmm

Now I just need to organize a party so I can buy up some of their treats and pass them around to friends!

Animal magnetism

I am somewhat drawn to articles of clothing, prints and wallpapers with animals upon them. The boldness, colours, shapes and textures that these images give off seems to be what appeals to me. I am not usually a fan of Henry Hollands clothing range, however, this little zebra blouse popped up (below) and I loved it. I am also continuing my love for leopard's spots and currently have on sale a little birdy dress that we picked up in Hong Kong (unfortunately it doesn't fit me so I selling it on). The connotations of animals on clothing also makes me giggle. It's fun and appealing to all. People can often relate to it as it's instantly recognizable.

Here are a few of my favs out there...

Yeh for Laura

So pleased to hear this!

Talent shone through on the night!

x

Sweetheart Day

Have a lovely day

x

The fashion line-up

As the sun shines and springtime comes into view. Pastel hues and block colours leap from my wardrobe and tiny snow drops pop their little heads above the dewey grass. As CC Vintage kick starts her springtime sales and yellow_polkdots features an array of colourful blouses(what's left of them) the Guardian's fashion line-up high lights a little spread in support of my chosen pieces...

"The fashion line-up: Blouses

"It's time to welcome your wardrobe star for spring: the blouse. Thanks to the Phoebe Philo effect, its sparse, minimal qualities are now its biggest virtues. Choose a plain colour, wear it billowing and revel in the simplistic chicness of it all. Don't complicate matters with fussy jewellery. If you must decorate yourself opt for a pussy-bow style, plain lace or a button detail – so much more refined"

You can read the full article here

Cinema visits

I have visited the cinema three times in the last week and one film that has totally gripped my heart, taken me to a whole new place, moved me and had my utter most attention is Alejandro González Iñárritu's Biutiful.

This is definitely one of my new favorite films . I suggest a trip to your cinema to see this!

Dinner @ Kim by the Sea

I love going to new places for food, especially ones that I have heard good things about and live up to expectations!

On Friday eve, a party of around 20 diners ventured to Hulme's, Kim by the Sea for a joint birthday dinner. The top floor of the tall narrow building was given to us, tables pushed together, mix-match of chairs, one menu shared between 10, a no thrills vibe is initially given off. However, as you cast your eye over the menu, particularly the specials that are around £10 each, the standard of food jumps up! I chose the Seabass Tom Yam special along with two others sitting next to me and my husband decided to go for the Duck Leg, also from the specials.

All the 20 dished arrived at around the same time, with just the one waitress having to trek up and down the stairs to serve us all. My meal arrived looking lovely and tasting absolutely fantastic. The flavours that were packed into that dish were truly splendid, the fish was grilled to perfection and the king prawns swimming in the hot and sour noodles were soft and delightful! For £10, this dish was a bargain!

I love to dine out, and managing a restaurant I understand that serving groups of 10 or above can be pretty demanding, especially having everything ready at the same time from an al a carte menu, with only a small kitchen.

Kim by the Sea definitely get's the thumbs up from me, set in it's grim surroundings, in an interesting shaped building with it's no thrills, tacky seaside resort feel and friendly staff attitude, I will be returning with more friends soon.

Too many restaurants in Manchester are style over substance, to me this place ticked all the boxes!

HapPY BiRTHday Aisling and Beech xx

Guy Garvey's Rainy City

Radio 6 presented this Sunday afternoon show to us about Manchester! The rainy city, the iconic features of the hum drum town. If you're interested in learning a little more about the grey skied city, why it rains like it does and the melancholy feel to the Manchester music, I suggest a listen again! Manchester's Guy Garvey hosts the show with some interviews thrown in there too, from 60s Manchester to the current day, catch up here...

"Manchester has become a powerhouse for progressive culture and politics".

Charms

I have a real thing for little jewels, charms and trinkets. I love to collect pieces and scour through piles of someones cast offs! Old bits from charity shops, seconds shops, car-boots and designer sale pieces too, make my collection an eclectic mix. Etsy is another place I keep searching on, especially as there is so many lovely hand made unique pieces. Wearing a simple outift, finished with a quirky piece of jewellery is the way I like to dress. Here is an adorable little shop I came across online. Based in San Diego, the items are all one of a kind, which make you feel even more special. I love the little Swan pendent pictured below...

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This landed in my mail box so I thought I would share with you...

Hasbeens for H&M and for ME!

I LoVE this little collection and cannot wait for it to land in H&M in April, another reason for Spring time to hurry itself along!

This is what the label had to say...

"We have a strong belief in making better shoes for a better world," Blixt said. "We want to make fashion more fun, creative and friendly to both the environment and people. We have loved designing for H&M! It's a fantastic opportunity to spread the idea of Hasbeens and make these shoes available to more people around the world."

And this I also LoVE!

The shoe label Swedish Hasbeens (also has a wicked site, worth checking out) will bringing three styles of it's clog range to around 150 stores. They will be somewhat cheaper than their current range too, yippee!

Last year my little Clarks Clogs saw me through my summer time, so I shall be sticking with the same 70s Nordic vibe I think!

Roll on Spring/Summer!

My blouse collection

My love for feminine blouses grows and grows. How pretty they look, the colours, the fabrics and the cut. How they can hang loose or fit like a glove, showing the perfect silhouette. During my travels in Asia, I came across a lovely selection of blouses. Oriental shapes, featuring high necklines, silk materials, perfect little collars and gorgeous prints. I have decided to sell some of these online, share them with others that may not get the chance to go and see China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Japan themselves. Blouses are worn throughout the world, a staple piece of clothing that can be seen in many a wardrobe. I hope you like this first collection. There will be more to follow shortly, plus hopefully one day my very own range.

With love, CC

Tuesday 11th January

I don't really know why, but today felt different.

Outside felt calmer and winter seemed to be drifting away.

The sky looked brighter and the air felt warmer.

My chosen outfit today also reflected this, as I reached into my wardrobe I pulled out my little beige chinos, pale pale denim shirt and my sandy suede German brogues.

A polkadot bow scarf in my, heart brass badge and pearl chain necklace, I was good to go.

Is today going to be the start of a good thing...

Springtime? Not quite, but you know what, it doesn't feel that far away.

x

Please note: my thermals are still sticking close and hiding away under my springtime outfit!

Mr Machine

For Christmas I received a lovely little new toy! It's red, 10 inches wide and 9 inches tall... It took a while to set up, it can make things look pretty but is useful too! My new little companion is a mini sewing machine. I loved loved my textile lessons at school and as my passion for design grows I am now looking to create my own home-made pieces. At the moment I am just polishing up my rusty skills, but I soon hope to creating some little accessories and eventually my own line...

Welcome Mr Machine, I think we're going to have great fun together.

The CC Army

CC Vintage on the road

A few weeks ago CC Vintage went on the road to Stockport Old Market Hall. The building is a lovely venue, perfect for a vintage fair. Selling silk blouses, little jewels, fur and shearling coats, scarves and fur shoals my little stall looked rather pretty. Here are some cc snaps!

Fortune Cookie Coin Purse

What will your fortune hold for this year?

Who knows...

What I do know is these little purses rock.

Thank you Diana Eng.

x

While clearing out some of my things the other day, I came across an old fortune I had once found inside a cookie. This is what it said

"your love of music will play an important part in your life"

I kept it.

Photo books

My husband presented me with a brilliant anniversary gift the other day, a photo book that he had made of our trip to New York. This great invention means that you can upload all your photographs via iPhoto and compile them into your very own unique photo book.

This service gives you the opportunity to print the album exactly how you want to, the layout of the photos, the overall finish; hard or soft bound, the words you use to narrate your pictures, background colours all presenting you with a very personal keepsake. Click here for more info.

2011

As January the 1st approached, I started to think about what this new year would bring. On NYE I received the news that my childhood best friend was expecting her first baby in April 2011, and this thrilled me to bits! 2011 is not only a new year, but also the start of a whole new decade. When I think back to being young, 2011 would have sounded so futuristic to me, I would have imagined car doors that lift up and open, everyone wearing silver clothes with funny hairstyles and even the possibility of skies filled with cars and people flying around! A lot like life was in The Jetsons...

I am excited to see what this new decade will bring, how life will move on and what changes will occur. I have great hopes for this year too, focusing on a new business venture, traveling and exploring new places, finding a new house and making a home.

I am lucky to have the family and friends I have, and I think one of my main new years resolutions is to always remember just how lucky I am, to not take things for granted. Also, to realize that over the next ten years I will not be able to eat the amount I eat without it pilling on my hips! In other words, getting healthier will be a priority!

Goodbye 2010 and welcome 2011

x