Just a Minute.... January

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Making: Spaghetti Bolognese! I cooked for my chef boyfriend (with his direction) for the first time in a looooong time, oh and it didn't taste horrible!! Yay.

Watching: 'Never Let Me Go', 'Black Swan' and um.....America's Next Top Model.

 Gotta keep the balance between intellectual and trash ;)

Listening: Sleigh Bells, The Decemberists and Christina Perri.

Loving: Making plans for the new year, even if they are pipe dreams in my head involving sunny holidays, gigs, mini city breaks and extravagant nights out.

Buying: Birthday presents for my boy, a pretty rust coloured dress for me and a few trips to the swimming pool for my bod :)

Black Swan

Went to see Black Swan today....

I have been looking forward to seeing this film since August last year, when my boyfriend pointed me in the direction of the trailer (I even blogged about it here) and I'm pleased to say that after months of anticipation, it totally lived up to my expectations.

I must admit, I do have quite a 'pretentious' taste in film (so I've been told anyway!) so this metaphorical twisted thing of beauty ticked all the boxes for me.

Natalie Portman is brilliant and I have fallen in love with her acting skills even more after this. The film is claustrophobic, difficult to watch and at the same time utterly beautiful. I'm sure not every one will agree, but for all those who love their movies with a healthy dose of surrealism and a side of interpretive thinking, I suggest taking a peek.

Oh and the costumes by Rodarte are simply stunning....

Anyone else seen it? What did you think?

Favourites

Just a few of my favourite things I have discovered this week....

(there are some cool things on that there interweb)

This 'How to make vinyl record bowls' DIY from Darling Disarray

This look from Ironic Fashion......

This image from Lights Drive my Soul....

This song from Love, Zsara

This book from So Much to Tell You

And finally this amazing carrot cake whoopie pie from Shell + Blossom

(Which I was lucky enough to sample in real life- delish!!)

Quite an eclectic selection, non?

What have you been discovering this week?

Song of the Week.....

This week I'm going for a band I stumbled on due to a random act of Kindness. I had written an article about discovering new music for a website and had casually mentioned that I was obsessed with a certain song I'd heard on an advert....

A week or so later I received a kindly worded email from a reader telling me who it was that sang the song and what their album was called :)

How thoroughly lovely is that? I thanked the kind stranger profusely and proceeded to buy the album and I have been in love ever since.

The band is called The Dø and their album is called 'A Mouthful' and it is BRILLIANT! so diverse.

This is the song from the advert (oxford notebooks i think?) called 'On My Shoulders'

isn't she gorgeous? Love it.

Through the eye of a Hipsta....

Now any of you that follow my 365 project may have noticed that I have a new photography related obsession....

Hipstamatic.

This brilliant App for the iphone turns any mundane image into a thing of beauty, dipped in a glorious vintage hue. And I am a woman obsessed. After geekily searching the web I discovered other Hipsta lovers submit their images to: 'Hipstamatics', a great blog full of unique photography.

This blog and its contributors are also bringing their art into the real world with a exhibition at the Orange Dot gallery.

And these aren't images taken by artists, they're taken by Hipsta geeks just like me. Brilliant.

I loooove vintage style photography and think that merging new world technology with old world beauty is simply genius.

Anyway- enough of me blabbering on- here are some of my own Hipsta pics....

Anyone else use this App??

Je t'aime

I have a new style crush.

Her name is Josephine de La Baume and she is a French actress and singer (and supposedly 'hanging out' with a certain Mr. Mark Ronson).

I love her nonchalance and her effortless style....

When I grow up can I be a French actress/singer/beauty too?

And FYI, I quite like her band too- 'Singtank'

*sigh* je t'aime

Tag....you're it

Oooh looks like I've been tagged in a little bloggers quiz by Leslie over at Strategic Skin :o

I've had a slightly rubbish day and am now relaxing in my PJ's, so I'm in a great frame of mind for an easy Q and A bog post....

1. What is your dream job?

To write about fashion- working on a high-end publication like Elle or Vogue would be the dream :)

2. What is your favourite fragrance for winter?

I tend to stick to the same fragrances- Dolce & Gabbana 'Rose the One' and DKNY 'Delicious'

3. How do you take your tea/coffee?

I don't.... I do like a cheeky mocha, frappacino or hot chocolate on occasion though!

4. What is your most important beauty secret?

Use a good quality cleanser- I use Liz Earle Polish & Cleanse, love it.

5. If you had an all-expenses paid vacation anywhere, where would you go?

Australia, my sister went a couple of years ago and it sounds like it would be my second home.

6. If a genie popped up in your lap right now and offered you three wishes, what would they be?

1. To achieve my career dreams 2. To be comfortable financially 3. To live in a hot climate!

7. If you could only have breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert foods for the rest of your life, which would you pick?

Probably lunch- Just for the variety. Saying that- could I eat chocolate for lunch??

8. If you were Hello Kitty, what colour hair bow would you wear?

Odd question- I dislike hello Kitty and bows. It would be the colour of confusion.

9. What is your biggest make-up pet peeve?

Fake Tan- just looks like you need a wash!

10. If you could wear only one piece of jewellery for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Good question. Probably one of my necklaces that my sister has given me, simple and classic. 

11. What one talent do you wish you had?

Photography skills!! I'm working on it...

12. Which product will you continue to purchase?

Probably the Liz Earle cleanser I mentioned earlier- it makes my skin happy.

13. If you could look into the future, would you? And what would you want to know?

Noooo. Your future is what you make it- nothing's written.

14. Who is your biggest celebrity crush? Include pictures 

Oh dear, so many. Has to be Johnny Depp though, that talent! That face! Nom.

15. What made you start a blog?

The need to keep my brain from turning to mush after returning from uni jobless and full of dreams.

 Here are three little beauties who i want to know more about

Is This Real Life?

Looking Glass Girl

Shy Shoegazer

(Images via here)

Hello Sunshine

It's that time of year again. While the rest of us are still freezing and cosying up in winter knits, the fashion world are steaming ahead to sunny-er destinations.....

Spring / Summer 2011

There are some great lookbooks floating around, I'm liking what I see at Whistles and Topshop already, and I'm sure I'll be sharing more as the months wear on.....

but the one I have fallen head over heels for has to be ASOS.

Check out their dreamy 70's hued imagery. LUSH.

I found these beautiful pictures from the gorgeous Bleubird Vintage blog- one of my faves :)

While we're on the subject of spring / summer, I would love it if you guys could take a look at a S/S trend report I wrote for a competition at Elle.com (take a look here.)

If you wanted to 'pick' or comment my piece? I would love ya forever :)

The prize is a 6 month paid internship at Elle.com....aka my dream.

Many thanks to those that read xoxo

Look what I JJJJound....

Discovered a very cool website I wanted to share....

JJJJound.

A site full of beautiful imagery in its simplest form- no titles, no words- just eye candy.

This is minimalism at its best :)

Song of the Week.....

I had been getting a little sick of Florence and her musical Machine lately, purely because every song has been sooooo over played.......

But then I came across a song I hadn't heard of before.

It's called 'Heavy in your arms' and it's made me fall in love with this band all over again :)

Was I the only one to miss this incredible track first time round??

Fancy a Cuppa?

***Cocktails served in teacups***

As someone that doesn't drink tea or coffee *pauses to allow shock to pass* I think the idea of drinking cocktails from tea cups is utterly delightful. Now me and my fellow non-tea drinkers can unite and drink from cute vintage looking cups to! I love the idea of redefining high-tea for grown-ups ;)

Bourne & Hollingsworth is just one of many bars that does this in London, looks incredibly cute in there what a swanky interior.....

Looks like somewhere I could spend an evening.....

Who's coming?

Words

Just a few words for the weekend :)

I've actually got a weekend off for a change and get to spend it with my lovely boy for his birthday- Can't wait! What are you guys up to?

Xx

PS am typing this from my very shiny and very pretty new Mac laptop! It's my first one so may take me some time to figure out- but bare with me. Photobooth looks fun.....

(oh and all images from here)

Look Lust: Tucking in / Trousers

The last few days at work I've been experimenting with my uniform. For my part-time retail job I have to wear black bottoms, (I wear either trousers or a maxi skirt,) and a black shirt....

 and I've rediscovered the joys of tucking in. Something the rebel within us has learnt to hate, tucking in has become my new favourite thing to do.

This new aficionado has also made me desperate for a new pair of trousers. Preferably high waisted....and in camel. I own 2 pairs of trousers- both black, both boring.

I need some new trouser blood in my wardrobe.

(all images from Lookbook)

This calls for some investigative online shopping....

Anyone got any tips on where does this well? I'm thinking Zara....

Limbo's First Award

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Well, this was very unexpected! My rather modest little blog has won its first award! Awarded to Limbo by the lovely Bethan from Bethan-no-y who's blog was one of the first I started reading back when I entered the world of blogging- very pleased to see her back in the blogging world :)

Here are the little Q's and A's that go along with the award...

Share 7 things about yourself-

1. I'm at my happiest when I'm reading fashion magazines and listening to great music, which I rarely get to do these days thanks to my having 2 jobs! Simple pleasures though :)

2. I miss learning. If uni was free I would go back to study anthropology.

3. I have been with my boyfriend for over two years now, but before that I was single for 6.

4. My sister is my style Icon, I've learnt so much from her.

5. My friends are everything to me.

6. Taking a risk and studying photography at college was the best risk I ever took, I'm still not very good but have discovered a new passion.

7. When someone first asked me 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' I said writer. I then changed my mind to vet, then singer, then masseuse, then back to writer. Turns out I had it figured out early.

Pass it along to blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy-

Oooh this will be tough so many! Will limit myself to just 3 though or I'll be here all day...

From Gem With Love- as this award is for versatility I couldn't not mention Gemma, a great blog that touches on some important issues and showcases her beautiful photography.

Glitterball- I love the personal touches Louise adds to her blog, always enjoy reading her updates :)

Love Zsara- Always read thought provoking posts here, which I love. Zsara has also been incredibly sweet and asked me to write a guest post for her blog this month which is really thoughtful, I like it when the less well known bloggers support each other- its a big and intimidating blogosphere out there, a bit of kindness really is nice to see.

10 Questions:

1. Why did you create this blog?

I created this blog when I returned home after 4 years studying and working in Southampton. I was unemployed and desperate to go travelling, To Limbo and Beyond became a scrapbook following my struggles with dreams Vs reality.

2. What kind of blog do you follow?

I follow so many! I love fashion blogs, music blogs, design blogs and everything in between. My favourites are the 'versitile' blogs which incorporate a bit of everything.

3. Favorite Makeup Brand

Umm if I could afford it? Mac and Benefit.

4. Favorite Clothing Brand

Loads! Again if I could afford it- Urban Outfitters, All Saints etc. I prefer mixing up branded clothes with charity shop buys though for a more unique look. For example I like a bit of Topshop.....but the Topshop clones scare me.

5. Your Indispensable Makeup Product

Eyeliner. My eyes get lost without it.

6. Your Favourite Color

Blues, greys and greens- my wardrobe is full of it.

7. Your Favourite Perfume

Dolce & Gabanna 'Rose the One' Also love Ralph Lauren 'Romance'

8. Your Favourite Film

Argh- too many. Probably 'Into the Wild' for the beautiful cinematography, dialogue and musical score.

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

SO many I still need to see, Morocco and Berlin are next on my list, closely followed by Australia and Japan.

10. Are you a Cat or Dog person?

Both! Have grown up with cats but have always wanted a dog too, would love a husky!

Thanks again to the lovely Bethan and to those that follow Limbo :)

The List: 2011

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I love this time of year- a truly fresh start, the time to plan / dream / wish / hope and, of course, draw up lists of what you want to achieve in the next 12 months. I don't like the word 'resolutions' feels far too restrained and almost doomed to fail. I prefer a list of goals that are realistic and do-able. So you won't be seeing any 'join the gym, quit drinking, lose a stone' shiz here.

No.... here is the place for achievable wishes written by the bossy boots within me...

1. Keep writing, writing, writing. For work, for fun, whatever. Never give up the dream.

2. Be OUT of part-time retail by Christmas. And *hopefully* be writing full time....

3. Get yourself out of your overdraft....and save up for a deposit on a flat.

4. Learn to cook real food. Pasta and cheese just ain't cutting it anymore, (start baking tasty treats for the boy too whilst you're at it, he deserves it after cooking for you all this time).

5. Get a Mini Diana camera and learn more about photography...even when your 365 project is over.

6. Get more technologically savvy, buy books, speak to friends, most importantly- learn.

7. READ more, (always on your list).... Make time for it this time.

8. Be a touch healthier. You said this last year- how about keeping it up this time? Your body and mind will thank you for it.

9. Do something you haven't done before every month, (and then blog about it!). Inspired by your friend Emily who has made the same pact. Life is made up of new experiences after all :)

10. Live in the moment. Again always on your list, and to be fair to you- you always achieve this one. Keep it up.

"Winter is for dreaming, imagining, planning - so that when spring returns you are ready"

Quote found here

Last but not least here is a pretty song I've been listening to today, gearing myself up for the New Year. I especially like the lyric 'We are not frightened anymore, we stood up'

 Hope you all have a year full of love, fun and happiness :)