Wednesday Words #4

Painting by Fiona Phillips Click image for source.

Isn't this portrait beautiful? I found it on Pinterest and knew I had to share it with you all! It brings my Wednesday Words to a rather obvious reveal; 'Raining cats and dogs.' Pretty apt if you're in the UK this week. What a weird phrase, if a collie fell on my head from the sky I'd be pretty panicked! A persian would rip your face off, I wouldn't mind a spaniel though- Michelle would agree. It was thanks to a lovely lady who I discovered actually reads my blog and sent me a lovely link to an article she saw and thought of me that I came across this. 

"So where does it come from?" I hear ye cry?

Well, so it says; a long ol time ago, houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof... Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

And now we know. Watch out for those animals hiding in your roof, and if they are, be a dear and pop some floor grips down to avoid any nasty accidents.

Love Sophie Xx

Blog Posts to 'Look Out' For.

See what I did with this old photo of me? Blog Posts to 'Look' Out For? I'm so clever! Anywhooty, there seems to be an awful long build up of posts I've saved on Bloglovin because I've loved reading them and I felt that it may be time to share that blog reading love. Some may be a little old now but hey what does that matter? So put the kettle on, snuggle down and have a good ol browse. Who knows, you may find some new friends!

• Sunae aka Little Foal's Casual Spring Outfit post was super lovely and just what I needed after a rainy walk home from work.
• Bee aka Fill my little world's Lessons learnt moving out of home and away from London was refreshingly honest and so well written. 
• Sophie aka onetenzeroseven's Letter To My Young Self, Aged 17 & a Half was really inspiring! I think I'd like to do something similar sometime. It's good to look back. 
• Liona aka Oh! Leona's Spotlight of Awesomeness showed some really cute doggy illustrations! I'd like these all along one wall, like a library of doggies. 
• Rosie aka A Rosie Outlook's 40 hours in San Fransisco gave me huge wanderlust. I had never really rated it 'up there' as a place to go, her post has COMPLETELY converted me.
• Sarah aka daydreams of summertime's Saturday Switch Off makes a good point about how much time we spend watching tv, online etc. It's nice to stop with a cup of tea without these things.
• Michelle aka Life Outside London's The Kindness Project is my favourite blog post of the minute. I actually have a massive girl crush on Michelle and stalk her on a semi-regular basis.
• Emma aka Made In Hunters's A tour around Cornwall had some lovely photos of some lovely areas, definitely showcasing Cornwall at it's best!
• Rosie aka Life's a Cup of Tea's Travel: Blue Lagoon, Iceland, cements my wish to visit there sometime soon! Funnily enough Harps and I were considering it as our next destination just the other day!
• Louise aka Whiskey & Pancakes's #Camptober makes me want to wrap up warm and camp out with a huge fire. Any takers? 

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday

I am ready for bed. In both the mental, emotional and literal sense. Ever have those weeks where you sleep so badly that it becomes a routine of sleeping badly? Yeah that's where I'm at right about now. It has now got to today, where I am actually really bloody struggling to be an adult because all I want to do is cry until someone puts me down for a nap, strangely, not to dissimilar to what Harps did about an hour ago. Big baby right here. Don't judge me, I'm a loose, sleepy cannon. Any tips Thursday readers? Please tell me all about your week and your thankfulness so that I have something to read in the middle of the blinking night?!

I'm feeling thankful for...

1) That I'm not living in a war zone or place with any conflict. Pretty lucky here in the Cornwall shire. Turning on the news is pretty hard these days.

2) Thinking Clearly- See my new book above. I'm thankful that this little book is expanding my thinking and subtly encroaching on my life (in a good way.) I want to do a few little posts about some of my findings in here. Watch this space.

3) The little return of summer- Kind of. But it's been bleedy brilliant (I'm sure Michelle has been loving it too as she's sick of my GO AUTUMN attitude.) 

4) Myself- I'm grateful to myself this week for being a strong ox who follows her own vision and own plans and actually is pretty good at these things! Who'd have known!? I'm in a place where I actually feel like I'm on Team Sophie and I feel proud for being about there. (Even if Team Sophie is about to throw a tantrum because she can't decide what to have for dinner/stood on a raisin) 

5) This quote.  Because it sums up EXACTLY how I feel right now. Which is a pretty good outlook on life I'd say?

Thankyou Lisette and Leona, you both inspire me to be more thankful, which I think is a wonderful thing to be responsible for.

Love Sophie Xx

P.s. Sorry if when I read this tomorrow it's just a rambley mess of messness. 

The Reading Tag.

That sexy beast of the southwest, Leona, tagged me in the reading tag...here goes...

1. Do you have a certain place for reading at home? I'd Probably sit outside on the grass or beach when I read if the weather always permitted. Alas, I live in Cornwall and it does not.  I've also got a spare room (dining room) that when we moved in, we decided would be my reading room. Like one of those fancy places that you see on Pinterest or on inspirational quotes? I still haven't got round to crafting my snug perfection so I tend to read on the sofa, in the bath (VERY CAREFULLY) or in bed.

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper? I usually use a bookmark that Harps and I received as stocking fillers one Christmas, but to be honest it bends the pages slightly that I'm on the look out for a nice new one. I might knit one?

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or certain number of pages? The sort of soviet Russia books that I seem to be reading a lot of these days, can go almost 50 pages without a new chapter, so I'm slowly adjusting to finishing at the end of a page and then re-capping quickly when I pick it back up.

 4. Do you eat or drink when reading? I'm pretty much a shark and always have some form of liquid around me. Seriously guys, I drink so much every day. Reading time usually involves a cup of tea and some cake or biscuits (of course) but I've perfected the knee book holder position to ensure I don't get my books all crumby!

5. Do you watch TV or listen to music when reading? Not out of choice. I'd much rather read in a nice quiet space but Harps also enjoys a good book and he can't read without background noise, so we usually have the iPod on or a bit of Classic Fm...Yes we're that cultured and amazing.

6. One book at a time or several at once?  One at a time.  I have and sometimes still do read more than one book at once, but purely out of disinterest for the first book. I read pretty quickly though, so I'm much more likely to just hurry through the boring book and start a new one. It's even rarer that I won't finish a book, even if I'm not enjoying it.

7. Reading at home or everywhere? Anywhere and everywhere. I sometimes walk to work reading my book. Luckily I know the route like the back of my hand. I don't really read at work anymore, probably more-so to give my eyes a rest from staring at a screen all day. Most likely at home.

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head? Usually in my head. I say usually because if there are certain parts that I just love, either the story or the way that it's written, I have to share it. Usually with Harps but sometimes I write quotes etc down. I think it's nice to have beautiful words kept. 

9. Do you ever read ahead or skip pages? Only a couple of times. I'm much more likely to skim read the boring parts. I recently read a book that described 'string theory' and I had to read backwards and forwards and fucking everywhere in that book to understand it!

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it new? Seriously, do you want me to break-a-your-face? 

11. Do you write in your books? I think I have twice; once when I gifted a book to someone and wanted them to have a little personal message to remember me by. And secondly, when I drew a penis on an illustration of a man in a science book. Sorry about that.

12. What are you currently reading? Starting a spot of Dickens. I have a newer copy of "A Tale of Two Cities" but I much prefer this newer one! Isn't it beautiful?

That was fun. I love reading! Let me know if you're doing the tag by posting in the comments below!

I tag: Lisette, Michelle, Stacie, Tanya and Sophie!

Love Sophie Xx

Weird & Wonderful News Wednesday #20 Steven Speilberg 'Poaching', A 'New Black', 'How to Kill a Man With a Blowjob' and #FreeArturo

Good Wed-nes-day to you all. I still say Wednesday like that in my head, does anyone else? The weather on my last few days off has meant lots of time outside and therefore lots of freckles emerging. I sure do love summer. What are all of your summer plans? Are any of you going away? Arranging a party? Doing something special like moving house a'la Michelle? 

Now for a touch of news...

Steven Speilberg 'Poaching' a Dinosaur. Via Digg.com

Like seriously, what is wrong with the world? I first come across this picture when someone I know shared it on Facebook. It caught my attention for the ferocious amount of comments it had accrued, along with scathing remarks. When did people become such idiots? Poor Steven Speilberg is probably sitting on a yacht somewhere, PISSED THE HELL OFF at whoever took that picture when he made Jurassic Park. Poor bugger. 

The 'New Black'. Via Buzzfeed.com

Look how black this black is. It just looks like a never ending, deep space hole. Which is exactly how it's described. Read this fascinating article about this new material. Is it me? It definitely looks darker than 'old black'? Am I right? 

How to Kill a Man With a Blowjob. Via Huffingtonpost.com

This is actually the most hilarious video in forever. Watch Angel explain something called 'the grapefruit technique.' and how they can allegedly cause heart attacks in men. 

Free Arturo via Buzzfeed.com

You all would have seen about poor Arturo by now, and I don't want to make this Wednesday a sad end for you all. All I want to do is encourage you to, if you haven't yet already, sign the petition to move Arturo to a safer and healthier environment. 

Love Sophie Xx

Weird and Wonderful News Wednesday #19 Offering to Drive Drunk Strangers Home for Free, Bicycle Tricks From 1950's, Liquid Colour Sculptures & Embroidery Silhouettes.

Good Wednesday Wednesdayers, how are we all today? Waiting for the weekend I expect, if you're anything like me? Which of course you are, otherwise you wouldn't procrastinate so much reading my ramblings. Before the news of the week, which is once again a bit shit due to my love of sunshine and children's book reading to Harps, (he's 25 and LOVED it..I'm sure...Michelle liked it more I think) I just wanted to thank you all for your support following yesterdays post about grief. I got a message from a friend of a friend last night, who sadly is going through the initial heartbreak for her own dad, as we speak. She thanked me. Of course it made me cry, everything does this week. And I guess, I want to thank her too.  I know exactly how she feels. Exactly. And despite my rambling list of it being ok to be heartbroken right now, it gives comfort to know that someone else benefitted from reading it and not just me from writing it. ...And on that rather depressing note, let's check out some amusing and interesting stuff...

Driving Drunk Strangers Home For Free. Via Buzzfeed.com

Alex Sheen stood in front of a bar with this sign, founder of the Because I Said I Would Group, 'to better humanity through promises made and kept.' I just think if more people were like this, what a better world we would live in. In fact, others have followed suit and since this news going viral, there have been plenty of others that have done exactly the same. Hero of the week in my books. (P.s. I don't drive, otherwise I would be joining in!)

'In all the challenges that our society faces, remember that we all play a role. We can make a promise to care about the safety of others.

We can make the promise to never drink and drive. But do not hide behind ‘we’.

It is your sole responsibility. The only person in this world you can control is yourself.

Please share the memory of this innocent man.

Rest in Peace Vincent Canzani.'

Nastasja Duthois- Embroidery Artist.

Such a talent. Such an interesting craft! 

Liquid Art Sculptures. Via thisiscolossal.com

Floto and Warner Studio created these liquid art 'sculptures'. Images taken of colourful liquid and using stop motion photography, capturing them in these beautiful arrangements. 

Bicycle Tricks From the 1950's Via Wimp.com

Right let's crack on with the rest of this week.

Love Sophie Xx

Thankful Thursday.

Happy Thankful Thursday thankers and non-thankers! I hope that you're all enjoying April so far! Isn't it nice just to be able to say "It's April."...It may or may not have been bleddy cold and raining today though...I realised that I haven't shared my lovely mothering Sunday with you all. Well let me tell you, I'm most certainly thankful for that! I bought my mummy some daffs but in my busy state didn't look and just asked the florist possible moonlighting crack dealer   for the freshest bunch he had....They may have been a little too fresh? I also got her a lovely No7 beauty kit and we went and walked FOUR YES FOUR spaniels. It was wonderful. Then we had yummy roast. Yum yum yum! 

It's been a busy and long old week. I'm pretty stacked out at work. But of course, there's always the time to be thankful. (and I'm getting there with planning my posts.)

1) Bosom Buddies UK- BosomBuddiesUk is a charity that was started by a lovely local lady (Pauline Giles) when she battled and won her own fight with cancer and wanted to help others. A dear friend of mine is doing a firewalk to help raise money for them and any sponsors would really help. I'm thankful to you, Paul Morgan, for helping to fight against cancer.

2) Whaling ban in Japan- I'm thankful that the whales are a step closer to being safe.

3) People holding the door for me- Thanks kind people, you restore my faith in humanity! I'd gladly do the same for you!

4) My glasses- Did I mention it's been a long week? Working in finance means that the end of tax year IS THE BANE OF MY LIFE. Thank you glasses for stopping me from going blind.

5) The series 24- Ok ok, so I know I've missed the train with this one. But thanks Jack Bower for confirming my suspicions that I would make AN AMAZING SECRET AGENT...Maybe with a bit of help to stop using caps lock?

Also, a few of you bloggers have stopped me from going insane this week.

Thanks to the following:

Michelle- EVERY post you write makes me roar with laughter somehow! Most recently being your sexy new work clothes post. I wanna see you get your work wear on!

Sunae- Your post on your illness really made me make this post much less crabby than it would have been. You are awesome and I adore you. P.s. Your new Wednesday Wishlist is AMAZING!

Tanya- I have constant hair envy and I wish I could pose like you do! Your photography is inspiring.

Tracey- Always a pleasure, never a chore. I can't wait to write about our recent adventures when the second image is done!

Jojo- Your post about bunny ears hair scrunchie has made me decide that I NEED one in my life. I'll be getting the sewing kit out this weekend!

And of course, it goes without saying; thank you especially to the wonderful Liona for always being a babe and making me laugh out loud so much that Harps looked up from the tv on your Wednesday Loves post. And to the super duper Lisette for inspiring me to be more thankful!

Have a great week everyone!

Love Sophie Xx

Hey There Thankful Thursday!

Hellooooo again! Welcome to you all to this week's thankful Thursday! I've been really busy recently that the weeks just seem to be flying by! I'm ready for the weekend that's for sure! 

This week I am thankful for;

• THE SUNNY DAY OFF I HAD! It was like a magical vortex had sucked me up from this doom and gloom weather that IS Cornwall at the moment and I got spat out into this wonderful spring time, fresh, glowing world, that actually scared me a little because I didn't know whether to trust it...Do you take a hat or not Sophie? Ooohh the conundrums! I didn't and was fine by the way!

• Creme Brulee....Because it's amazing. Fact. (My brother made this actually. I went to eat at his restaurant on this sunny, magical day with a magical lady friend and felt ever so fancy being a 'lady that lunches') P.s This burger was fricking delicious too!

• Batman. Bless him, he scared himself and fell down the stairs the other day. *shakes head* (I'm genuinelly amazed that he hasn't killed himself yet.) And though yes, he did survive, he was in a very bad mood that evening. So the next day, I got him a lovely gift of hay ball stuffed with spinach and a juicy pear. It sure cheered him up!

• New blogger friends. There are some blogs that I love and am becoming slightly addicted to. The only thing I find hard is catching up on so many! If anyone has any tips, they'd be greatly appreciated! Some that I'm loving though are; Life Outside London- Michelle is super nice and has the most ADORABLE puppy! Everyone loves Miss Jojangles- Well because everything Jojo does is just amazing. True story. Little foal- Sunae is just brilliant. She's definitely one of my most addictive bloggers to read. She's just a delight (and I know she's not feeling great, FEEL BETTER SOON SUNAE!) All of these ladies are more than worthy of your attention, much more than I am anyway! Hahaha! 

As always, there are two lovelies who not only are blogger superstars, but inspire me to be extra thankful. Good evening and thank you to Liona and Lisette.

Love Sophie XX