Louise Ireland

TEST POST

2011-04-02T17:43:00.002+01:00

OMG, long time, no see!

2009-12-27T17:55:00.000Z

My gosh, where have I been all this time?

Well, what a good question. I've started at my new job which is going pretty good. Lots to learn but I think I'm doing well. I'm working at a marketing agency, so it's quite different to my previous career in investment banking. But I am enjoying the challenge, and as each day goes by, I feel less and less like the new girl in school.

As per my previous post, I've been to see Where The Wild Things Are. What a treat of a movie! The characters have true-to-life human characteristics and problems, which means they're not at all sugary sweet like you may expect for a "kids" movie. In fact, I think this one's more for the grown ups. Please go and see it if you can. I give it 5 heartfelt stars!

Did you have snow over Christmas? We had it by the bucketload. I had to ditch my car halfway up an icy hill, dig it out again and then declare myself snowed-in! I've never known the like! It was beautiful though and I've taken so many photographs to put into my Christmas 2009 scrapbook. The snow even lasted through to Christmas day, which made for my first white Christmas in what must be over 20 years.

My back garden looked pretty instead of messy....

We trudged through streets of white to go and retrieve my car from the icy hill....

But the streets were all so breath-takingly beautiful that the inconvenience seemed worthwhile...

How was your Christmas? Did you party hard, or keep it low-key? I was entertaining guests over the festive period and boy am I exhausted! I've done a whole lotta cooking and eaten a whole lot more. We had goose on Christmas day which was lovely, but I would've been equally as happy with a (happy) chicken. Today I'm cooking the gammon that I forgot to cook for Boxing Day. In fact, I forgot to cook / use so much food on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, that I think we'll be eating it throughout the week to come! (Did someone mention the word "diet"?) Next year I might consider going abroad for Christmas....now there's an idea to kickstart some daydreaming!

Anyway, I hope you had a great Christmas and shared some precious time with your friends and family.

{retro sign-off warning}

Peace xoxo

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

2009-12-06T17:50:00.002Z

....how lovely are your branches?

Quite lovely, thank you! Ok they're not real branches, but nonetheless I am happy with my efforts this year when it comes to decorating our Christmas tree. Have you got yours kitted out yet?

I've received a small flurry of Christmas cards, so I've dedicated two hours of my life writing out mine today.

What a bore, but I know every recipient will appreciate them, so it's worth it. I actually made my own Christmas cards this year (I made them back in July when I was made redundant...nothing like being ahead of the game!). Here they are in all their glory:

To be honest, having fiddled around with them for so long, I'm a bit sick of them. In fact, I bought myself three packets of gorgeous ones from Tescos last weekend which totally defeats the point I realise. However, I didn't technically make as many as I actually need, so buying the extras was out of necessity ;o)

Well, I start my new job tomorrow, so I must love you and leave you. After all, I need to get my handbag sorted out (everyone knows that you must reorganise your hangbag before starting a new job!) and get my outfit planned and ready. They have a casual dresscode which actually is causing me more panic than if it were a smart dresscode. I need to find something inbetweeny which no doubt will prove a headache.

I hope you're having a lovely weekend - perhaps it's been a Christmassy one, or perhaps you're enjoying your last moments of un-Christmassy-ness before you emerse yourself in it. Either way, cheers!

xoxo

Inside All of Us is a Wild Thing

2009-12-01T18:13:00.002Z

I am bubbling over with excitement about the new movie, Where the Wild Things Are...

What a delicious trailer, don't you think? Utter gorgeousness for my eyes (breathtaking scenery...looks like Oregon but apparently it's Australia) and ears (I love love love Arcade Fire). What could be better?

This movie has so much going for it. Great story by Maurice Sendak, cute Jim Henson characters, directed by Spike Jonze, produced by Tom Hanks, soundtrack by Karen O with contributions from some Raconteurs members. Frankly for me it is pure heaven on celluloid.

It releases in the UK on the 11th December. I will be there with jingle bells on!

xoxo

Nine Simple Things

2009-11-29T23:00:00.001Z

Inspired by the fantastic Brigitte Dale and her latest "20 Seconds for 20 Days" video blog, here's my 9 simple things that make me happy:

1. Seeing a rainbow
2. Waking up and realising it's Saturday
3. Toasted peanut butter bagels
4. Eyeliner
5. Finishing a book and starting a new one
6. My Doorbell by The White Stripes
7. Fairy lights
8. Shiny taps
9. Post-facemask skin

What 9 simple things make you happy?
xoxo

Any Way the Wind Blows

2009-11-27T19:16:00.000Z

Two of my favourite things....The Muppets and Queen. Awesome!

xoxo

Tea is a Cup of Life

2009-11-26T10:37:00.001Z

Having been totally enchanted like never before by Ukraine's Got Talent 2009 winner, Kseniya Simonova, and her beautiful sandart, I was really excited to see the three new Twinings Tea adverts. My particular favourite being the Lady Grey ad.

But there's another for their Speciality teas...

And another for their English Breakfast tea...

I think they're just beautiful, and actually made from tea leaves, not sand in this instance. However, imagine my surprise when I found out that these adverts were not by the hugely talented Kseniya, but by another sand artist (and perhaps the original!), Ilana Yahav. Opening up a whole new world of sand art to my eyes via her Sand Fantasy website.

I think in these modern times of computer graphics, CGI and the like, it's just so refreshing to see such wonderful TV ads made by really talented artists using tangible materials, and all done in one take to boot! Simply marvellous.

Now, all this talk of tea can only lead to one thing.... xoxo

Now is the winter of our discontent

2009-11-25T15:35:00.002Z

Gosh, it's such a beautiful day here, at my house, in Berkshire. Clear blue skies and a brisk breeze to make your heart sing. The trees are looking skeletal, the leaves have all blown away and my cats no longer like going out. Nope, they would rather be licked clean by a dog. I think I can safely say that autumn has passed and winter is tip-toeing it's way into our lives.

My winter jasmine is singing it's little heart out today. And my violas are smiling into the sun.

In fact, it almost feels like Spring. Sadly however, there is officially still 67 days (or 1616 hours) to go until Springtime. So, best put the kettle on and prepare to enjoy the glorious winter to come. Care to join me?

xoxo

Paper Crafting on Steroids

2009-11-24T08:49:00.000Z

I love this beautiful advertisement from the New Zealand Book Council. It makes me want to do gorgeously clever things with paper...oh and perhaps read a book too.

I was initially frustrated that I couldn't understand what was being said, but then I think that adds to the charm. Like he's reading to himself rather than to us. Magical!

xoxo

Welcome to my Blog

2009-11-23T12:30:00.000Z

Welcome to my new Louise Ireland blog! Come in and make yourself at home.

My plan for this blog is to have a creative outlet. Whether it be posting snippets of inspiration that I find at every turn, showcasing a creative project or two, or simply just my random thoughts for the day.

Now, rather ambitiously, I would also like to write my biography. Not just your usual paragraph or two, but my whole bloomin' life! Selfishly I want to do this just to have a record of my own special memories but I also hope it will be interesting and entertaining for any readers I collect along the way.

So, introductions over, from here on in I hope to get to know you, and you me, a whole lot better!
Enjoy,
With love Louise

xoxo