I know that for today’s Blog Every Day in May post we are supposed to be talking about our own talents and what makes us unique, well, I don’t know about you, but lifestyle blogging can get a bit ‘me, me, me’ sometimes, and frankly, I’m tired of talking about myself. So instead I’m going to encourage you to go out and appreciate other people’s talents.
On Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting my old learning haunt, Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus to check out the Photography Degree Show.
Lisa Boyd, Mods: Olya Tyukova, Circus Kids.
Louise Anne Kennedy, Lolitas.
Olya Tyukova, Circus Kids: Donna Clarke, Over a Century.
Thomas Hofer, This Must be the Place : Carmen Haigh, Simulacra (just seen).
My photos obviously do them no justice so you’ll have to go in to see some really great work from these promising photographers. After the whole community has been shaken by news of the GSA fire, we should really be making a conscious effort to show support to our creative students. The Napier Photography students are currently raising money to take their work to a gallery in London, here’s the link if you’d like to donate to them. The Degree Show is only on until 1st June so hurry.
At this time of year there are Degree Show exhibitions all over the UK and I really urge you to go to one. You may just meet the next Rankin.
Today I wanted to show off my Instagram book from Blurb. One of the things I wanted to do from my 
Keeping my pictures in date order, I decided to go with a square, 4-a-page layout with the odd single page photos. I think that this looks really effective. There were lots of choices, including for the images to fill the whole page, but I liked the borders. It leaves the option on going in and adding details like date or prompt name later if I decide to. Just like an old-fashioned photo album.
I then laid out the front cover (is three photos of myself on the front a bit vain?), and added the book title to the spine. Lastly, I choose the format of the book, going for a hardback book with no dust cover and premium matte paper. The finished book has 101 pages and cost £35.77 including postage. Pretty good deal I felt! It arrived within 10 days which was a lot quicker than I expected.
Overall, I really happy with my little book. The photos look great, considering the fact that Instagram is fairly low-res, and the finish of the book is great. I would definitely order from Blurb again and would happily recommend them if you were thinking of having a photo book printed.
Oh hello chocolate biscuit! Appropriate to have this as one of the last prompts of the year seeing as the word of 2013 was very much #selfie. Still haven’t mastered my dainty, non-claw like hand for the mirror selfie though. Damn.
Being the hermit crabs that we are, me and David celebrated Hogmanay with tonnes of fooooood! Inside. By ourselves. This will be our last takeaway for a good while, that’s for sure. The New Year Diets start now.
It’s become a bit of a Christmas tradition for me to always watch It’s a Wonderful Life with my friends, either at my house, or our favourite cinema, Filmhouse. This year me and Sadia caught an almost sold out screening after work. The audience applauded at the end. I love it when that happens. Attaboy Clarence.
And the prize for Best Wrapping 2013 goes to…Kerry! I love these sequin ribbons. Almost makes you not want to open it. Almost!
The best bit of my day was actually Christmas dinner with the family and seeing my niece and nephews on such good form. But I wasn’t on camera duty so all I have is their Dad looking ridic in his super tacky Christmas jumper, so that’ll have to do.
At David’s parents house.
Skiving at work. It was very quiet.
Present pile! Just some of the amazing things my totally brilliant friends and family got me.
My job here being made permanent was pretty awesome. Meant I could book a nice holiday, move in with David after almost 5 years and of course have the pleasure of working with some amazing people for an amazing company for a bit longer.
Donning the appropriate attire for ‘Secret Santa Day 2013′: Christmas jumper and Christmas nails!
Hard to get out tree in a square frame!
Jealous of people who work in big, spacious offices like this.
…celebrate! Went for cocktails with Louise who had just handed in her dissertation. Strawberry Woo Woos and Lynchburg Lemonade – maybe a bit summery for this time of year but went down well none the less.
Some Ramones.
Deer coat hook on the bedroom door.
Glitter bauble. Sparkly enough?
It was a fairly grey, normal day for this time of year.
Robin!
Green cacti.
My #BBSecretSanta parcel arrived! Didn’t stay wrapped for long, post up on Wednesday.
For composition I tried to take a straight picture. My horizon lines are always usually off do this was a challenge but I went for the wrong subject because my floorboards are squint! Damn!
Slurping the Relentless.
Star fairy lights.
On Princes St waiting for a bus home after a spot of after work shopping. I went for Secret Santa/stocking filler bits but ended up buying a whole heap of nail stuff for myself. Oh well.
Currently rocking a silver and multi-glitter mani. I heart China Glaze ‘Pizzazz’ so hard.
Er, yeah this was tiny, it’s just the perspective making it look huge. Honest. Met Laure for a catchup and wander round the Christmas Market.
Fully stocked up for my winter baths after dropping in on the Lush 1st Birthday Party (more on this event on Tuesday).
Urban Decay’s Book of Shadows ‘UD Loves NYC’. This week I pre-ordered the Naked 3 palette and added the Black Market eyeliner set to my ever-growing wish list. Guys, seriously, just take all my money.
Trying out some of my new nail goodies. Post coming on these bad boys on Monday.
Vow to buy at least a couple of things locally this Christmas and check out my post on it here.
Somewhat unusual christmas decorations made with film reel.
Always remember!
Wah hate waiting for the train at prime commuting time.
Having a real fireplace in this freezing flat.
I love this scent.
Louise is almost all done with her dissertation so we cracked open the vodka.
I had a wee visitor today in a rather fetching red christmas jumper.
Mirrored cabinet which houses my jewellery.
In the kitchen. It has blue LEDs for some reason.
Old school land line.
Missing Murphy this week since David has been working every evening. Really want a feline companion but Murph is busy keeping my mum company while my dads in Korea. He’s an in demand cat.
Who’s behind the peephole?
We went shopping for Christmas decorations and picked up some lovely, simple glass baubles from Sainsburys.
Fire! Heading to the cinema now to see Hunger Games: Catching Fire – excited!
