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Arachnocampa Luminosa

I don't know why, but I think it's kind of poetic that something as beautiful as these strands of silk in new zealand's caves could be made by something like this slimy little worm, just as a means of getting food.
Another odd fact is that as soon as the glow worm pupates into a fungus gnat, it flies straight into the silk traps laid by it's neighbours and is eaten.

I don't know why this stuff is so interesting to me, it just is.

musing.

Lately, I've had quite a lot going on and a lot to remind me of the fact i'm starting 6th form (college) in about 3 weeks. To be quite honest, it scares me... but most changes in life do. I just need to live through results day, then take stock and decide on the course my life's going to take from here...

In other news, I've also looked into getting involved with young volunteers. Now, I have never been much of a 'do-gooder' (if that's what you call it); I didn't want anything to do with scouts or brownies when I was growing up, I passed on the chance to become a counsellor for younger students and I don't really go to any 'extra-curricular' clubs or anything (much to my gran's disgust may I add), but lately I feel I need to meet new people, and I need to get some life experience outside of school and work.

So far, I've had one meeting and I have some numbers to call, so hopefully I can get motivated to call around and get this thing going- it actually looks like a blast, and I can pick and choose exactly what I want to do. If you're interested, their website's here- vinspired.com (although it's england only, sorry!).

(I've just realised I sound like one of those cheesy adverts that tries to 'relate' to teenagers- sorry!)

Slipping In

Ah, vintage slip dresses... they really are a little piece of fantasy. Chiffon, silk, beads, sequins... everything a girl needs :) at least everything a girl without boobs and a bum can wear successfully! That's the one major downfall of these things- cutting a dress out of only two pieces of fabric doesn't leave much room for fitting, but at least until they invent a pair of full body control pants I have polyvore to fantasise with...

Moodboard.

Finally, some Frank Turner lyrics-

Slumber-blind I speak my mind
When I'm out cold (or so I'm told)
And so I'm scared to rest my head in company.
You're not scared of words unsaid,
You close your eyes, say your goodbyes
And so I'm left to watch you drift away from me
So peacefully.

And I'm just looking for the person
Who will smile at all my questions,
Who will tell me I'm just tired, and then send me
Back to sleep.

You stole the covers in the night,
You turned away, turned out the light,
But it's OK because I'm already miles away

Folding to Demand

I've always had a little fascination with origami (I even remember making one of those fortune teller games so small I had to fold it with a pin), it's always a great way to waste a few minutes and strangely therapeutic!
I saw origami jewellery at the Victoria and Albert museum's gift shop, made from beautiful floral cardboard and mounted in silver chains, pins and earring hooks. If they hadn't been at a ridiculous price, I would've had one there and then but, let's be honest, this is London ;P
A few months later, origami jewellery wanders across my mind once again, only this time I have google to help me.
First of all are the solid silver creations by french designers Claire Naa and Arnaud Soulignac- sharply folded and in unusual shapes (I've never seen an origami unicorn before!), these neat little pieces bordering on whimsy would look great with pale, layered knitwear to show them off.



I also managed to track down Frucci's graphic jewellery- I really like the trio of rings.. although I'm kind of hoping she makes them into nice chunky bangles (wink wink nudge nudge ;P)

If anyone finds any other jewellery, please share! it's murder to find good ones on the internet

Barbados

All images by me.

Barbados is an absolutely beautiful place. It's as if you took england and injected the life back into it- the houses are every colour except grey and brown, the people actually talk to you and go out of their way to give you a nice day- even if you're not buying anything from them they'll still have a chat and people share the island with the native wildlife- there're no sterile, lifeless shopping centres here!
On my trip, I managed to swim with sea turtles the size of a small car, snorkel on a coral reef, burn my back from neck to ankles whilst surfing and have dinner with a troupe of monkeys.

Fantastic.

30.06.10

Image from Here

I may have mentioned in passing over the last few weeks that I'm going to a little place called barbados for a fortnight (eeee!).. :D
Therefore, I don't know how this blog will be updated in that time. It would be cool if it was and there's a computer in the house we'll be staying in, but to be honest I'm not sure whether I'll be in the mood to sit on the computer on my holiday. If I don't see you until I get back, goodbye!!!

Image from Here

Things I know I want in life.

From Here

HAPPY

above everything else, i have always, always known that no matter what job i have in the future, no matter how much i earn, i simply want to be deliriously happy in life. if i end up as a bin lady, then i'm ok with that as long as i'm a happy bin lady :)

From Here

THE SEA
I want to live by the sea. simple as that.

From Here

TRAVEL
if it's possible for one person to see the entire world, then i'll do that. I don't want to live on a planet as fantastic as the earth and not see any of it. I want to see jungles, seas, deserts, forests, mountains. I want to see everything, meet everyone and show people just how much life is worth.

*****
i got a bit carried away with myself at the end, sorry :P i'm not a very decisive person, and what i want changes all the time but those are the three things i have always wanted throughout my whole life, and when you're me anything constant is pretty important.

tagged- Summer Holidays

Image from Flickr

the passenger:
me! MilkNoSugar C:

the getaway:
barbados, i'm going with my mum to visit her cousin (my second cousin?). actually, i'm going in two weeks :D

Image from Flickr

the carry on:
i am having some big, serious love for monsoon accessorize at the moment. it's a nice change from all those different shades of beige they call 'neutrals', and this bag looks nicely big and squishy-
Image from Accessorize

summer staple:
i've always loved panama hats- so easily cool and classic, and i love the boyish twist they give to a floaty summer dress
Image from Accessorize

beauty bliss:
bourjois has just brought out this weird but amazing lippy- it's completely matte and really soft. i tried it on in Boots and was like 'whaaat?!'. i'd have it in the really cute cherry red and team it with zero make-up for ultimate impact :)

Image from GeniusBeauty

color code:
bright, tropical colours like coral, yellow, turquoise and peach. i'm very tempted to go for topshop's super bright 'flash' nail polish for my toesies, provided it's as bright as it looks on the computer screen of course!
Image from Topshop

page turner:
Ugh, this is a real problem for me at the moment, since I'm absolutely terrible at choosing books. I'm such a big reader, but I hardly ever get new ones because I don't even know where to start! I'm looking for a really nice fairytale this summer, but since all the adult books are too grown up for that sort of nonsense, I think I'll stick to the children's section ;P

(this is my favourie book in the whole world, only it's meant for 12 year olds :P)

shaken or stirred:
Although I'm not usually an alcohol drinker, I'll be sampling Barbados' finest in mimosas and pina coladas, trust me :D
Image from MarthaStewart

the soundtrack:
i'm absolutely loving fyfe dangerfield at the moment- Faster Than the Setting Sun would be perfect for driving to, She Needs Me would be excellent for walking round the shops and boulevards to, and She's Always a Woman is just, well, perfect.

Friday night, celebrating a friends birthday and the end of our exams! wooo! (that thing on my head is a chefs hat that they give to kids to colour in. apparently it's not just kids now :P)
Onto my latest obsession-
Have you ever seen these? I think they're absolutely excellent! Mini terrariums- little jars filled with plants that need little or no care, and can just sit on your desk- I'm thinking when (not if!) I get to uni I'll have to get one of these- you can't keep a countryside girl away from her green fields for long! Although, since etsy is a mainly american website live plants aren't allowed to be exported, so I may have to settle for a homemade effort-

16.06.10

This is an amazing video of Rob Ryan and his team creating a beautiful piece for some exhibition (cba to check what it was). I really love his work, as it doesn't try to be anything pretentious or high class (meaning they don't try and create some hidden meaning that means art snobs can go "oh, you didn't spot that? scoffscoffscoff"). It's just a collection of actually beautiful, intricately cut images that speak about subjects everyone experiences and can feel with him- family, love, friends, daring...
Imma shut up now and let you look at more of his stoof.

15.06.10

Just though I'd show you a couple of random things I've been up to this week ♥

I always try to get just a couple of flowers in my room- it always helps me feel happier :D These were just a product of me running round the garden with a pair of scissors and a jam jar thinking 'oooh, this would look great!'. i fail at flower arranging, so I always prefer the 'arty', higgledy-piggledy look ;P

Just a notebook I covered in peony leaves+ petals this afternoon, I might take it as a journal for Barbados :D surprisingly easy to make, although I had to varnish it in two coats of PVA and it took AGES to dry!

Finally, a sneaky look at my prom dress!! :D purchased two weeks before the actual prom, may I add :P
So, have any of you been preparing for prom? What would your absolute perfect dress be? (luckily, I've got mine already :P)

Summer Playlist

If I had a barbecue to go to right now, I'd totally be listening to these non-stop :)

Free Energy

Free Energy

Here Comes the Blackout

Stornoway

Radar Detector

Darwin Deez

Rio

Duran Duran

Pack Up

Eliza Doolittle

Zorbing

Stornoway

Ego

Beyonce

****

Had a very productive day today, 3 more xams left until finished! Love xx