In reply to 'chaotic'... and my Thrifty Body Oil...

 In reply to 'chaotic' - helllo!!!

Well, any quality branded running gear will wick away sweat and attempt to get you warm simultaneously.

I am no expert, you understand - but my top tips are:

 - don't run in the cold unless you regularly run / workout anyway coz you might not be fit enough or have muscles that are prepared for the exertion and then you'll hurt yourself.

 - wear layers. I wear my Nike running tights for all year then i might add some 3/4 joggers over the top.

I wear my thin base layer (Helly Hansen) then layer up anything on top. I care not a fig if i look ridiculous.

 - i only run shorter circuits (that pass my car) in the cold so i can dump a layer back at the car if i need to

 - i only do runs of a few miles Max in cold weather, never set off into the countryside on a long one in the cold.

 - Wear a thin hat or a headband with ear covers and some gloves, running and thicker ones. Your hands will DIE running in cold weather.

so that is that :) or just go walking! totally exhilerating!

 Here is another top tip for cold weather.... walking, running, or sitting about:

Rubbing body oil into your skin will help maintain muscle warmth. The friction of rubbing helps stimulate the nerves and the blood circulation... the addition of oil will keep a layer on top of your skin and under your clothing adding a layer of warmth... like rubbing yourself in Whale Fat, like some cultures do.

So... i saw this amazing Clarins Body Oil that smelled DIVINE and was to cost me £36.00 for a tub.

Then i thought "hold your horses crazy lady - you can make a body oil just as good"

So, i went to the Health Store and bought: some Almond Oil (you can even get cheaper oil than this it doesn't matter) and i bought 3 essential oils that i know i love the smell of and that i knew would blend well together - Jasmine, Lav and Orange. cost approx £30.00

I played about filling half an old bottle with oil and then adding drops of essential oils till i had a combination that seemed good.

Voila.... i have been luxuriating in it ever since.

I rub this all over me before i get dressed for running and i rub it all over me at night too.

Then i made a room fragrance: using water / gin / essential oils from the same batch.

AWESOME

i now have 3 bottles of expensive essential oils that will last me for ages.

so, hey, there is a post fullest of Top Tips :)

 Hey Kirsty!

Where ya been? whatcha been doing?...

Well, it's like this:

 If you 'get' running and that, then you'll 'get' how exciting all this new kit is.

Headband with ear covers...

Winter Running Hat...

New Nike socks

etc...

 People at the School Gates:

"You are never running in this weather???"

ya-huh. Of course. I'm an addcit.

There is nothing more fun than running on a hugely cold day and watching your breath freeze. That cold pull on your lungs that makes you realise you are positively inviting Bronchitis.

 And weird running gloves make excellent hand puppeteering....

But, even if you don't 'get' the running, you will def. 'get'

70% off..... pure Sales joy.

 Hoooya!!

And here is a cute photo of my dog.

(awwww, he is so fluffy and fuzzy and he smells nice coz i showered him and he isn't called Hamish or Jack, he is called Mr Scottie Baggins and i love him terribly even though he does misbehave somewhat - or maybe because he misbehaves somewhat and i am a sucker for a cause...)

 And i have mostly been: Running, Body Pumping, Gyming, Fat Attacking, Army Training and Dog Walking.

I know.

Because i am an addict.

But i have also been doing Union Jack stuff, in anticipation of

2012 - go GB!!!!!

So, that is that.

X

Jubilee Bows and Owl Trim

 uh oh, P.S

also great for cake toppers = these mini fabric bows!

Cute, no?

 I love these. They are so London and definately what 2012 is about.

A bit of pride in our Nation and all that it encompasses. A bit of support for a Monarchy - that i do believe, generates much more money for the UK in Tourism than it spends. Sorry, that is my stance on the Royals.

 And my less controversial opinion on owls.

OWLS!

I live in "Owl End Way" so this trim is just gorgeous in my opinion.

Promise i will blog something clever and noteworthy soon...

(Ok, like i ever have blogged anything of the sort.... but maybe some more great cooking)

Olympic & Jubilee Cake Toppers...

 Cute, Quick, Crafty... don't say i never give you anything!

These cake toppers / decorations are awesomely easy and cheap. They take little explanation...

 Cocktails sticks with stuff on - great for kids but obviously watch how sharp the tops are.

For the Flag Toppers:

I bash one of my ends on the table to blunt it slightly before it goes inside the ribbon.

Two lengths of the flag used as this will fold over on top of each other.

I used double sided tape AND a splodge of glue because they *ping* apart if u don't.

 The Felt Ball Bobble Toppers:

I used the smaller 1cm Felt Balls

Get the sharpest end of the stick - dab a bit of wet glue on.

Push and wriggle it into a felt ball as far as you can - then leave it to dry.

 I also used the red balls as Christmas Toppers for Party Sandwiches, ala Rudolph's Rednose.

It's all a bit of fun and magic :)

 Best suited to mini cakes and muffins but this half scoffed Chocolate Cake was easy to hand for display purposes!! (only?)

 You can also try chopping a few small pieces of felt and making mini flags / bunting etc... as toppers.

Kids love this as it is quick and easy to do.

My BigFish shop on etsy, is stocking this vintage style flag Trim in 3 colourways, just inacse you need some.

What are your plans?

2012 is a great opportunity for some:

Street Parties

Bake Sales

Olympic Sofa Gatherings / Couch Coaching...

Kitchen Pretties...

 AAaahhh, Spring Pretties in the Kitchen : )

I confess, there is little of excitement happening in my kitchen at present.

I am one of the *many* (i imagine) who have taken the New Year as an opportunity to lose a few extra pounds that seemed to leap on me during December...

 But the *new* all singing - all dancing - custard yellow KitcheAid is being put through it's paces.

^^^Be still my Beating Heart^^^

This was an adored Christmas Gift to me & my Kitchen and she and I have been getting to know each other.

This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

 Smoothies and chopping and batters and some future cocktails (sshhhhh...)

 And then there is the Joy... of the Tassimo...

I know, yes i do know, there is nothing simpler than boiling a kettle in order to make Oneself a hot beverage.

Buuuuut - come on, it is a tidy wee kitchen gadget that makes all sorts of drinks using little pods and pressing buttons and a wee hiss. I bloody love a kitchen gadget. "Hello Joy-ous tassimo" (in red!)

I am mostly reading HUGH at the moment and loving his Every Day book.

But, how pretty do all these pinks look sat on the Kitchen Book shelf?

Oh hurry up diet and make me stick thin.

I want:

Toast & Marmalade

Cinnamon Bagels

Pecan Fudge

Lemon Cheesecake

A whopping great Hot Chocolate finished with Squirty Cream and chocolate shavings....

Pretty Shop Items...

 Stocking the http://paperfish.etsy.com/ shop ready for the upcoming SALE DAY!!

I know i have been making PinPots and NeedleBooks for an age now,

but i really love these designs. They are good designs and so pretty

(in my humble opinion)

 I had a very calm and relaxing sewing weekend and it felt so good to make things

'just because i like them'

and not because they are ordered.

 It is so satifying to trawl through my own stash and ribbons and trims,

rather than selling stash.

And it is SO satisfying when people love these items and i know they will sit in someone elses sewing box or on their table and inspire their pure joy of creating.

 I think this PinPot in Spring Yellows and Pinks is my current Favourite.

The tags at the top of this post are so quick and easy to make.

I am selling a few packs, but really, they are not rocket science and the idea is just to inspire and encourage peeps who love crafting. Whilst the weather is a bit drizzly, it is nice to stay in indoors with a bit of cosy sewing or crochet or knitting or gluing or....

Happy 2012!

Keep an eye on the blog for Full Details of my amazing ETSY SALE DAY!

Lists...

 LISTen, i know you are equally obsessed with List making as I am.

I have lists for EVERYTHING

Some are just dotted down to help me organise my thoughts

Some are actual longer-term lists i am working through...

 I have a notebook in my shopping bag that has lists of every measurement of every room in my house,

all the walls and the windows... just incase i see some bargain homeware and i need to know if something will 'fit'. You can suggest the term OCD if you want, but i won't listen.

Organisation is the key to any efficient lifestyle.

(HA!...)

I am currently on the lookout for a huge picture frame that i can spray paint and turn into a noticeboard

(to display my lists, obviously)

Lists:

House measurements and needs List

List of things to Sew for my home

List of things to buy next time i am in town

List of accomplishments i want for my business

List of phonecalls i must make and bills to pay

List of food from the supermarket today

List of improvements i need to make to all my webshops

List of new training exercises i want to try at the Gym

List of plants that might work in my garden

THAT Amazon List - you know you all have one...

Happy 2012 - go make a list!