Bike Ridin', Polaroidin'

Twice in one day, what a treat!

Today was the first day that it hasn't been raining/stormy in about two weeks (typical Wales) and I've been depressed due to lack of cycling, so obviously I jumped on to my bike at the first sign of sunshine. I'm lucky enough to have a park at the end of my road so I have somewhere to ride, other than the streets of Newport. I've gotten into the habit of piling my basket with cameras just in case there's something photo-worthy which, in my case, there always is. I don't know what I'd do without my basket, it's so handy and I can fit so much in it inc. all my bike tools (pumps, spanners & the like), my Instax camera, my Olympus Trip 35 and various other necessities. Typical for me, it did start raining halfway through my ride when I was taking a shortcut through this huge cemetery in my neighborhood, rain isn't too nice when you're cycling against the wind with nothing to protect your face, but it soon stopped and I managed to get a couple of polaroids and photos on my phone during the journey, here's a few:

View from bike seat, moderngirlblitz bag in basket, my favourite coat, tartan scarf which clashes with my trousers.

Shameless bike/outfit selfie

Polaroids: cemetry (gates) fence and tree (excuse the Morrissey pun), old looking house & trees

I'm loving these 'what's in my bag' posts/videos by bloggers at the moment, maybe I'll do a 'what's in my basket' next time I go for a ride....?

Cat. X

My Favourite Things At The Moment

Aloha bloggers,

There's a couple of things that have made me particularly happy lately and I thought I'd share/recommend them to you!!!

First up - this baby:

This is my Fujifilm Instax Mini 7, I got it as a 16th birthday present in November and I've been in love ever since! It's an instant camera and so it creates the most adorable credit-card sized polaroids, you can get this in a bunch of cute different colours and there's also the newer model 'Mini 8' which looks slightly different. I chose the black & white model because I loved both the black and the white but couldn't decide, then I found this one and I just loved the '60s vibe it had to it. I love the funkiness of the camera and the polaroids it produces and I think it makes a great first instant camera! I've been wanting an instant camera for ages but most new models are expensive and most vintage models require film that is no longer produced so, for me, the instax mini was perfect as I've never had an instant film camera before and it was only around £60 which is quite affordable for a brand new camera. As expected, the quality of the photos isn't brilliantly focused but that's what I love most about instant film! And I'm forever captivated by watching the image appear, I don't think my fascination will ever fade, it's just so so cool. If you haven't already, I suggest you go out and get yourself one of these babies and I promise, you won't regret it!

Here are only a couple of my favourite photos so far (I've already been through 3 packs of film!):

Up next, my latest book obsession:

The Mortal Instruments Series. I've had my eye on these books for a while now but books are so expensive that I hadn't been able to buy them, so I asked for them for Christmas and just wow! I've just finished the third book (City of Glass, pictured above) and I'm well and truly hooked. For 2 years now I've been shamelessly obsessed with The Hunger Games series and it's my favourite book series of all time, I never thought I'd find another book series which would even come close to that but well, that's certainly changed. I love this series just as much as THG -I never thought I'd say that about anything- and I just can't wait to read the rest of the books! There are 6 books in the series and I'm currently waiting for the fourth book 'City of Fallen Angels' to be delivered to the library so I can satisfy my craving for more TMI (ok I admit I have read a couple of chapters of it online, I told you, I'm obsessed!). Seriously, you need to read these books, Cassandra Clare is an utter babe for writing these. If you love all things mythical and magical and young adult fiction-y, this series is a must-have!

Last but not least...

Of course, I have to give my beloved bike a mention! In December, I was lucky enough to get my dream bicycle for Christmas from my Dad, to say I've been lusting over vintage bicycles for years now is an understatement. Being the vintage obsessed girl that I am, my dream for about 4 years has been to own my dream bike: vintage style frame, wicker basket, leather handlebars & complete with a leather seat, I looked everywhere but each dreamy bicycle I found was either way too expensive (£350+) or in desperate need of a revamp. Then, to my delight, I found this model on Ebay in December for only £180, I couldn't believe it! I double checked the description about 10 times to make sure there wasn't some kind of catch involved but there wasn't, so I went to the seller's website to check it out and saw that it was even cheaper on there, £170, I had to have it. Now I finally have my dream bike and I couldn't be happier, I ride it whenever I can and feel extremely cool doing so, especially in my uber girly flowery helmet, yes that's right imma cool kid alright. Check out this website to bag yourself one!

Cat. X

Back With A Brand New Track

*intense, anticipating music plays* *single spotlight, center stage* *gasps from audience*
*faint murmurs* *goosebumps*..........................I'M BACK...at last.

Yes, the rumours are true, I've made a reappearance in the blogging world and have returned to my deeply neglected blog. It's been a few months and now that we've slipped into yet another new year, I feel like I should make an effort with my blog. (a very belated happy new year to you all!!!) Now, I know I've said it a thousand times but this time it's happening, I'm sticking at it!

Anyway, moving on, with a new year comes a new shop name and I'm really excited to reveal that my shop is now called 'Above Nostalgia', which I think has a much more sophisticated sound to it and better describes the wicked items which I sell there. I can only hope that 2014 is another great year for my Etsy shop, 2013 was my first year of owning A.N. and I can honestly say that I've learned a lot and it was really successful. In this year I hope to achieve even more than my first, with loads of great new products and fresh ideas, I'm feeling really positive about it. I hope to trade at my first vintage fair and get more recognition for my shop, along with doing a lot more advertising and branding. Although I've only really turned from 15 to 16, I feel that it's been quite a big change. Since turning fifteen, I've opened a shop, created things which I'd never even thought I could make myself, made my own money and gained some independence and responsibility. It's so great to know that people out there actually want to buy things that I've made and since making my 100th sale a couple of months ago, I feel really proud of what I've achieved. I know I'm still young and all that but I really hope that my shop continues at this rate and continues to improve as I think it would be the most perfect career in the future!!!

I hope I can document my progress regularly (I will!!!!!!) and actually make some decent posts in the mean time.

Laters,

Cat. X