Thankful Thursday// June

I may be all a bit out of sync. I knew that June would be a bit of a topsy turvy month; It's Grandpa's anniversary and my main holiday for the year all in one month! Talk about mixed emotions! It's nice to look back and think about it all together. There's so much to be thankful for in the last month, I'm sure to miss loads out...

• One year until we get married passed. Of course I'm thankful for this awesome milestone!
• The two books I read pictured above. 'The Versions of Us' is a great concept, how one choice can impact the course of a whole lifetime. I loved that about this read and am sending it on to Chelsea this week so I'm sure she'll give you a proper review of it! The other book; 'Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend.' Was leant to me by Leona and I read it in an entire day. She knew I'd love it as we discussed 'Curious Incident of a Dog in the Nighttime' and 'Room' (both two great reads.) It was just one of the best books I've read in ages and I'd thoroughly recommend it.
• Speaking of which, I'm pretty thankful for catching up with my gal Leona- wedding planning and conspiracy theory Game of Thrones chats over Wagamamas is a pretty sure way to my heart.
• Working in the prettiest of places. Just look how nice that harbour is above. You're all a bit jealous aren't you? Does it make you feel better that I spend 98% of my day inside?
• The kind words of you all when I was going through my Grandpa funk. It's this little corner of the world that really helps me get through it. I'm feeling better. Thank you.
• Batman making friends. Since we re-potted our parrot plant, Batman's taken to snuggling down next to his friend Piggy in an evening and it really makes me smile.
• Eva & Davis fragrance is my new favourite scent ever. It's pretty hard to find their website though so I'm not entirely sure how to stock up!?
• A dinosaur sticker on the platform floor. Because who doesn't want to see a dinosaur on the floor the morning after watching Jurassic World and dreaming of t-rex's? 
• Toasting marshmallows and putting the world to rights with one of my favourite ladies in the entire land. I always feel so much more centred and positive after time with her and recently we enjoyed the most delicious tapas followed by a sugar coma inducing dessert! 
• A charity golfing event that I helped to organise raised over £1500 for Cornwall Hospice Care. I'm really thankful to everyone who helped support the event!
• Quality time talking about the future and laughing at the past with Harps. Almost eleven months to go!

What are you all thankful for at the moment? Sunshine I'm sure! Thanks Lisette for inspiring me to be more thankful with your beautiful soul (and face!)

Love Sophie XX

In May I Stalked...

Happy June everyone! It's my favourite month of the year; summer starts to make an appearance, Cornwall comes to life and I always have a two week holiday! PLUS it's the month I'm getting married in (next year!) which means IT'S ALMOST A YEAR UNTIL I GET MARRIED GUYS! *I mean we get married of course...ahem* Anyway, as always when I take a blog-holiday it doesn't mean that I don't stalk you all like a dawg. (That's right, a dawg- so sue me.)

• Whisky and Pancakes posted quite possibly the most jam-packed post about a new move, a new job and an exciting trip! It made me smile just to read, it was so bursting with excitement and news!
• Not only did I stalk Rosie throughout her wedding AND honeymoon. I've continued stalking her all the way home again (I'm excited to see lots of Bali photos soon!) Anyway, over on A Rosie Outlook, she's been getting back to normality which includes lots of fitness and healthy living. Perfect inspiration timing as I'm about to start my wedding fitness plan! 
• Over on Underland To Wonderland there was a great, nostalgic DIY post about making zig-zag friendship bracelets! I could never make them but Danielle makes me want to try, or at least have loads made for me to wear like a cool kid. 
• I really missed following what Samsam Cherie was up to during her little blog break- it's great to see her back and in fine fettle. She also looks amazing at a recent wedding- I stalked her Facebook all day! *double stalking points here for moi.*
• Welcome to the world little Emily Victoria! Over at The Dusty Attic, you can coo over the prettiest little girl and send a massive congratulations to Anna! 
• Lisette Loves gets more and more babelicious every time she posts (which is more regularly recently hurrah!) and you should read everything she's posted in May and forever in my opinion..but look how magnificent this rape seed field was and how glamorous Lisette looks standing all casual-like in it!
• I'm so proud of Sunae for so many reasons, but most recently she's unveiled over at Little Foal, a wedding decor hire business she's starting. I'm totally wondering how much of it i can convince her to bring across the other side of the world later this year for me (and probably Leona) to hire!?
• If you're looking for a lady with a plan, head over and catch up with Love In Modern Life. Chelsea has just finished university! How exciting is that!? What's even more exciting is I'm sure she'll be reading more again (see said plan) and I can always find something to read thanks to Chelsea. 
• You should catch up with Michelle whilst you're on the catch-up train. I obviously stalk everything Michelle writes because it's so belly achingly hilarious (and she's damn fine) but if you're looking for a round up on Life Outside London -she's been doing just that this week.
• Has anybody else fallen in love with Mark sharing his artwork? I certainly have. That Gent Mark is such a great blog to always have tor read because it's so varied and Mark is a hoot! But seriously, look at this Galaxy collection. It's beautiful. If I wasn't saving for a wedding I'd be hiring Mark's talents immediately (that sounds a bit rude doesn't it?)
• Inspiring my Kimmy Schmidt addiction, Oh! Leona has shared a great book tag. I love buying books for Leona but more importantly, I love receiving them. There's a book that she got me for Christmas (or maybe my birthday) that has become one of my favourite books ever...She knows her stuff.

There are loads more...actually loads. I normally save the posts I'm stalking on Bloglovin- I'm one of those silent stalkers when I'm in a funk, always saving and never commenting. That's one of the blogging no-no's isn't it? It'll be fine. Anyway, if you want to see the many more posts I've been saving/stalking head on over there! 

Love Sophie Xx

Hey You Guys!

I'm so pleased right here that my face skin is literally cementing my glasses to my face. That's pretty darn pleased folks!
I got a little email through the other day informing me that my little blog had reached 200 followers on Bloglovin which made me both laugh (because seriously who even reads what I blabber about!?) and smile greatly that there are a few of you out there in the inter web stratosphere that deem my random Batman posts, Cornwall bumbling posts or the odd half assed cake recipe actually interesting. I mean I know I'm totally awesome, but who'd have thought so many of you'd agree? Must be my oodles of modesty...

I never started blogging with the intention of anything other than keeping my weird antics a little further from my colleagues on Facebook and maybe just maybe coming across a bit more normal to the general world. Here I'm free to chat about you ladies and gents about the best type of biscuit and the embarrassing antics that happen to me on a semi daily basis and I've even gone as far as to make some proper grown up (ish) friends out of some of you fancy pants! Who'd have known!?

Regularly you see posts about 'How to earn more from your blog." or 'How to turn your blog into a business." And for many this is an amazing opportunity; for me however, this little page is just somewhere to look back on, something to share and some friendships to be made. So far it seems to be working out pretty pretty pretty good.

Here's some of those mentioned above that I regularly stalk...

• Oh! Leona
• Life Outside London
• Little Foal
• Tanya L Reynolds
• Lisette Loves
• Cider With Rosie
• Love in Modern Life
• A Rosie Outlook
• Samsam Cherie 
• Underland To Wonderland
• Sunnydei
• Dear Ms Leigh
• Pretty and Polished
• tartanmouth
• duck in a dress
• Danielle Dinglehopper
• I Am Adorkable
• Stacie Clark
• Tracey Warbey

I'm sorry, I fear that I've just missed no less than shit loads of you from the list above- feel free to shout at me in the comments section! It's been my first day at my new job, don't judge me!

Thank you again so much everyone, you're all the super-est super stars in town!

Love Sophie Xx

Liona & Sharkbait.

Yes this is pretty much a love letter. And what? A few days ago you asked me if I'd cry when I see you in your wedding dress- rather you told me NOT to cry when I see you in your wedding dress. To which I responded for a very long time in many capital letters as to why I will. Here's an extended version of that...

Leona Jayne May‎Sophie Louise-Anne Russell

27 December 2008 · 

 

Hiii smile emoticon
I'm Robs frienddddddd & thought i'd add you!
How're you?
x

(Look at that saucy one kiss in your first message. You know how to woo a girl.)

We've been friends for almost seven years now. Scientists say that friendships that last for seven years have an 80% chance of being life-long friendships. Isn't that exciting? Don't do anything to piss me off in the next six months or so ok?

I remember the evening you got engaged like it was actually yesterday. In fact I remember bothering you on your entire trip that something fishy was going on and that you were definitely going to get engaged...every few hours checking in "What perfect and awesome surprise has happened now?!" I mean man what a day that was!


I remember being drunk in a pub at a staff party when you called me from the stadium. Screaming down the phone, I'm not sure either of us entirely said proper words as you tried to explain to me what had just happened. on stage. with Paramore. Serenading you. LIKE A FUCKING PRINCESS.

I remember screaming to an old man who was next to me in the smoking area and maybe crying a little on him...and him not really knowing what was going on. Neither did anyone else there really. It still makes me jump around with excitement thinking about that night.

You wrote on her Timeline.

19 December 2009 at 00:42

I KNEW IT AND ITS THE MOST LOVELY THING EVER THAT I CRIED!XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The night I got engaged I was all away in another country but I scoured the well wising comments from other people (sorry guys) to find yours (and a few others.) You had the best comment of course...* I really wish I could get onto my old Myspace account for the real origins of our friendship*

Leona Jayne May FUCKING YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leona Jayne May‎Sophie Louise-Anne Russell

2 November 2013 · Plymouth · 

FUCKING GET IN, SHARKBAIT!! I'm so happy for you both!! Xxx

Since these magical days we've been sort of kind of, not really planning because we can't afford it. And now we are planning to for real. With actual things REAL WEDDING THINGS purchased and choices being made it makes me absolutely burst with excitement thinking of sharing our days together. Not just you though, we're excited about seeing Leopard and Balsam all dressed up and it being so perfect that they'll be the days that we'll really look back on when we're 85 and are TOTALLY ADORABLE OLD PEOPLE.

And yes I will cry on your wedding day.
And yes I will cry when you give birth. (If not scream a bit)
And yes I will cry at every fabulous thing that ever happens to you...or to me...or to us.
And yes I will always try my hardest to make animals at the zoo like us.

Love Sharkbait. Xx

Late Nights & Bright City Lights. A Catch Up.

I've been a bit aloof again. The time to sleep has overruled the time to blog and write; resulting in finding myself a little lost to be honest. What started with a busy couple of weeks and just not being home/ near technology enough to write, faded into an uncertainty of what to write. I'm sure we've all been there.

 In truth my weeks haven't been as exciting as can be; I've spent some time away from home- travelled to the big city lights where I scrambled alone on the tube and ran across traffic to escape a stranger following me. I also had some achievements; completing the training and focusing on my promotion, coping on the city folk's impressive ability to survive on four hours sleep (no wonder they all look so fecking miserable by the way.) I've been learning that my ability to trust myself, far outweighs the responsibility and pressure from those around me and I've realised a few home truths that needed to be faced up to. It hasn't been the easiest couple of weeks for my self doubts and confidence- a marvel at the wonders of the human brain and how it surprises us all the time.

There have been a few surprises too. Pure joy at talking wedding talk with my best friend and the few quieter days that I've managed to snag with Harps have included my favourite things; plant shopping, cake eating and bed reading. I've been doing a lot of reading guys! 

So yes, I'm back again. I'm probably not at my absolute best self but I'm doing ok. Realisation can be tough and change can be tougher and I'm trying my best to embrace both. 

How is everyone? 

Love Sophie Xx

For Readers, Growers & Photo Takers.

I probably should have come up with a snappier title for this post, it's pretty much a little catch up of what I've been up to and discovering over the last week or so. You may remember a little over a month ago (isn't it weird that we're only a couple of months into the year but we talk about how fast this year's going?!) I posted about my reading list for 2015. I ventured into my local TkMaxx last week and came across a whole SIX Nick Hornby books for £10! I really couldn't resist even if it did mean almost snapping my arm taking a photo of my new list of books to read. I'm currently still re-reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird;' inspired by the recent Harper Lee controversy but I'd better crack on and get started on some of these new ones! Has anyone read anything on my book list? I'd love some recommendations on what to start next! Or maybe one of these books is currently stacked up, waiting to be read by you? If so, let me know and we could read along together! 


My wonderful gift selection from Leona for my birthday (which is always the best birthday gift selection!) Included this lovely little porcelain plant pot and pack of forget me nots' which I started growing about a week later to cries of Harps shouting 'They won't grow, you're planting them too early." Well shove this in your face fecker, they have just started to sprout over the last couple of days and I'm very excited by all their germinating and growing and stuff! New house plant high five to you all! 


I also have started to buy little bits here and there for our wedding next year. I have the theory that if I buy the odd bits throughout this year, the financial tornado won't completely fuck me over next year. Great plan right? So I've been collecting a variety of thank you cards, from robots to hand drawn illustrations (who says everyone needs to get the same design?!) and last week I came across this brilliant company online called PrintKlub where you can get your Instagram or Facebook photos printed into polaroids. It was really a good price and I want to make a little display at our wedding, after a few clicks they were ordered. I was delighted when just a few days later, the adorable box that they came in arrived, showcasing my fancy little polaroids that were great quality. I'm super impressed and will definitely be using them again! If you fancy ordering some yourself, you can get €5 off by using the code SOPRUQ!

Lastly, how brilliant is pancake day? We gorged ourselves on all the pancakes and it was delicious. What's your favourite topping? 

Love Sophie Xx

I've Been Stalking You All Since February Began...

Here's a totally unrelated photo of the comedy frog Harps bought me for Valentines day!

That's right. I said it. I've been away for the first half of February (thanks Batman again!) This doesn't mean that I haven't been catching up on some of my favourite blog posts in that time. So sit under your favourite blanket with your favourite beverage in your favourite cup and who knows, maybe you'll come across something that you missed or even someone brand new!

•  As always, Alvy has been making me chuckle with her tales of being abducted by aliens...
• Jojo has the sweetest illustrations in town and I swear she brings a ray of sunshine to the internet. 
• Sarah's travel posts have been giving me major wanderlust! Her photography is so beautiful! 
• Sophie posted a fabulous 90's grunge inspired outfit that she'd definitely rock! 
• Aimee has the most AMAZING new home for her cat Rocky. Seriously I'm so jealous. LOOK AT IT!
• Danielle takes the loveliest photographs. Her nature ones are always my favourite and catching up on her 'My Life In Photos' post is always a treasure chest of beautiful images.
• Karen's pregnancy updates are super exciting and it's all getting rather close now!!
• Rosie's getting to the exciting planning stage that I really can't wait for! Choosing wedding rings isn't something I'd ever thought about being 'one of the best parts' of planning your wedding until I read her post. It made my heart do a little leap thinking of Harps choosing his ring! (She also roasted a chicken that made my mouth actually slip a little bit of drool out!)
• Leona's inspiring 'Don't Fear The Smear' series is both insightful and calming. As someone who very soon will be getting that dreaded letter through the post, she and the others that have also shared their experiences have really put my mind at ease! Thanks ladies!
• I have actually taken up a small residency on Michelle's blog, I spend so much time stalking it. There's so much to enjoy! Better late then never HOORAAY for Michelle's real life column in a real life newspaper! The kind that get printed out! Ink's expensive stuff don't you know?! Also, her 'Who am I?' post made my day. AND an adorable few snaps of those snazzy spaniels of hers give me puppylust (is that a thing?)
• Lisette's ombre napkins look awesome. As a fellow budgeteer these really inspired me as a possibility as some sort of table cloths for our wedding? I've been looking at nice fabrics recently and alas, my pennies say no.
• Chelsea met some deadlines and got her graduation date! How exciting! Also kudos on the recipe being printed in your student magazine! Like I said above- REAL LIFE PAPER!
• Lou posted a rather romantic and heartwarming anniversary post! Happy anniversary guys!
• I actually totally relied on Louisa's 'Here Is The News' posts whilst I was away, she always finds the best catch up posts to read! Take a look at even more great bloggers! 
• Dei went for a beautiful walk in the woods and her outfit post was just beautiful. P.s her hair is always brilliantly beautiful too! 
• Emma's birthday wishlist is full of goodies that I'd love myself! Actually, I'd really like all of it please. Also 'Emma' is a brilliant book, I can send you my copy if you don't get it!

So ermm yeah, told you I'd been watching. I'd love to know if you've made any new blogging friends through this little bunch!

Love Stalky Sophie Xx

My Name is Sophie and I'm a Twitterphobic.

You may or may not have noticed that last Sunday I participated in the #lbloggers chat on Twitter. For me this was a pretty big deal. Though I had the fastest hour of my online life, I had a brilliant time and look forward to getting to know some of the lovely people I got to talk to. (Which wouldn't happen if I didn't man up and get used to using Twitter. )

You may have caught onto the fact that I'm petrified of using Twitter. I just don't understand it and feel like I've let that train get to the other side of the country before I've even got to the platform! When I rarely venture into the realms of that little blue bird I just feel overwhelmed by how much there is! Honestly, it boggles me! It started when I signed up to Twitter in 2012, late but not too late into the game- I was drunk and some friends created me an account "Everyone does it now Sophie" they said. The next morning, opening my laptop in a hungover, sensitive state my screen read the following. "Barack Obama is now following you." I got scared, logged off and stayed away for about a year, however long it took for Leona to keep mentioning that I should start using it...

Being used to 'catching up' on the day over on Facebook (before that I was a Myspace queen) and that's just not possible/what Twitter is about. Anyway, this year I told myself I was going to be braver, it's pretty much the hub for me to catch up with blogger friends and I want to spend more time talking to you all. So I created Twitter lists which I'm not that sure if is going to help me because when I started categorising people after the first hundred or so Twitter stopped me in my tracks (I still don't know why!) 

Also I still don't understand hashtags? To me they still mean number. Do they go mid-sentance/ end of tweet or just none at all? How many hashtags is too many? Is it ok that I make hashtags that nobody, anywhere, ever will look up? Is it acceptable to use the hashtag FriendsWithBenefits on a photo of Batman and a stuffed elephant? Will my employers fire me because of my improper use of hashtags? *If I haven't stressed you out about Twitter you're a warrior.*

When did emoticons become emojis? Is there a difference? Why does the poop emoji have eyes? And eyebrows? 

Do you make introductions on Twitter or just talk on anything and everything? Is that tweet-hyjacking? When people/companies follow me should I follow back (even if I don't care about them?)

And whilst we're on it, is there a way for me to make sure I don't miss out on what you lovely people are up to? Are lists the best way? 

PLEASE HELP ME and if you're brave enough follow me on Twitter @SophieHasNoName

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday: A Cosy Home This Christmas.

Thursday is here my thankful friends, and despite missing the last couple of weeks posts, I've come to the conclusion that I don't really put my heart into these as much as I'd like to. I panic on a Thursday evening that I haven't written that when I do, they become disjointed and lacking in depth. After seeing that my gal, Leona, has quite probably been on the same wavelength as me, recently changed her Happy Things Thursday to a monthly thing, and in the spirit of not regurgitating the same old shit about how I'm thankful for wooly hats (duh-I always am), I'll be saving up all the real life loveliness for a monthly post!

Something that of course I'm grateful for at this time of year is precious hours with my friends and family, I thought I'd share with you all a few official christmas decorating photos! Batman helped of course! Actually he mainly got himself covered in glitter and chewed the ribbons on 4 out of 9 of my new decorations. *shakes fists*

Every year Harps does the lights...

Whilst I made some delicious hot chocolates! Seriously amazing!

Traditional and homemade is this years theme- red, white, green
and a little brown.

I love this 3d snowflake from Wilko. 

Batman busy jingling some balls..and chewing the ribbons...

Ahh this time of year makes my little heart swell with joy. How is everybody? Feeling stressed or full of festive cheer? I was pretty stressed a couple of days ago! Have you all decorated the house yet? I've made some more paper chains but haven't started on my snowflakes, to the scissors I go!

Love Sophie (and a sparkly Batman) Xx