Home: Crockery -an inspired life

I don't know about you, but I no longer buy anything for my home unless it's 'special'. Yes, it has to be functional and beautiful (a la William Morris); -but it must also be, 'built-to-last' and delight and inspire me. Because gone are the [wasteful] days of old -when you could afford to buy cheap bits and bobs [that last for a few months -and then need replacing etc]. The 'crunch' demands discipline, ethical, sustainable and sensible purchasing, -conspicuous consumption is died folks. Good sold furniture from local auctions, charity shops, antique shops and car boot sales along side a few choice 'new' pieces -is more appealing than a house bursting with 'flat pack' consumables. Caution, good cheap furniture can be addictive. Know your [home's] needs (they are different from your wants), -and if you are patient, -your interiors will speak to you and tell you what it needs, -because a Victorian semi has very different needs to a 70's tower block. It is also important to know your style, the size of the room -because if you don't know the aforementioned, you stand -to waste money and time. Also, a house full of clutter is a house full of clutter but a warm home, lovingly filled with a few choice pieces of furniture; books, art, plants and lovely crockery, is the most successful.

I love my crockery, but this hasn't always been the case. After I left home, I became a bit of an Ikea junkie (and whilst I still love Ikea and still buy their homeware) -I now prefer a mixture of old, new and eclectic -crockery [I can't stand that matchy, matchy look -and feel that a yummy mix of different plates -looks best]. Because, crockery like your clothes -should reflect your personality, -be stylish and inspired. Remember, style is life -and even the humble toast taste better when eaten off a statement plate. I have many different styles of crockery -but I refuse to be precious about them [life is too short blah blah] -and my four year old also uses them and enjoys them.

As I stated before -I favour a more eclectic mix of new (LSA and Linea from the House of Fraser), the classic (Royal Albert's Old Country Roses tea set, Wedgwood pieces and some hand painted delicate pieces etc) and Retro and collectibles pieces (like my 50's Midwinter collection, 60's floral pieces by Meakin, Hornsea tea caddy set and uber pieces like -the 'Sunflower set -above). Enjoy my collections above -and be inspired. If you have pictures, or know of any fantastic place(s) to buy fabulous crockery -let me know [it is a passion of mine] at: paulina_448@hotmail.com.......

Fashion et al Hearts Kelis

Where do I start with sister Kelis? Her milkshake, her hair, her super-bad-arse-ness, 'big pimping-ness' -is often imitated but never perfected. Hot -and soon to be yummy mummy -this firecracker is one of a kind. I love how she is... teddy boy one minute, an 80's go-go dancer the next, then a hot showgirl -and just when you think you have her style/look box-ed in, -she comes with something different. Hot and, outside-of-the-box -Kelis is fierce. And even though she doesn't always get it right [who does?] -she always looks like she having %^%$£ fun -good for you -Kelis......................xx

Music: Bat for Lashes – Daniel

Hauntingly beautiful -I loves this song and I am .........dedicating this to you; yes you, -the lovely lady who's about to embark on a Shanghai adventure. Love yer babes. Be fabulous, live fabulous -do fabulous............xx. P.s you better stock up on yer hair products B4U Go hons....hehehe

P.s I bet you find yourself -playing this over 'n' over again......xx

Fashion: Happy 125th Birthday -M&S

M&S is so hot right now. Full of fabulous on trend fashion, homeware, children, men and yummy quality food -M&S is my high street favourite. This treasure trove of quality goods -has got it just right -and is no longer just about underwear. The gorgeous Limited Collection, Pure Silk, Tutti Fruti Dress [above] is a must (£49.50). Go on line to check out their furniture -you will be pleasantly surprised and off cause they also offer a floral delivery service [and a 7-day freshness guarantee]. For more information visit: -www.marksandspencer.com

Hair: Toni & Guy Model.Me Jamelia High Maintenance Pomade

I'm loving Toni & Guy Model.Me Jamelia High Maintenance Pomade. It is a luxurious, hydrating hair pomade, -part of a moisturising and nourishing hair range that smooths dry hair and frizz -with Serum and Blow Dry Liquid. This hard set gel like Pomade is gentle, easy to use and washes out easily. Jamelia's pomade is so effective that only a small amount is need to stop your hair from misbehaving, -keeping diva hair in check and stopping flyaway hair from -flying. I love all the products from the Toni & Guy's Model.Me Jamelia range -it comprises, Toni & Guy's Model.Me Jamelia Enriching Shampoo, High Gloss Blow Dry Liquid and Affinity Serum. Scientifically created -with the expertise and Afro hair-care knowledge of the Toni&Guy team -alongside singer and model, Jamelia, -this collection lacks only -a rich, and nourishing hair treatment (like Roots of Nature remedies' Reconstructing Deep Treatment by Softsheen Carson).With its lovely and light -coconut fragrance -this pomade will also keep your tresses smelling fresh in between washes -and leave your crowning glory healthier, sleeker, glossier and in check. £5.86 from www.boots.com

Beauty: Self Love....................xx

The future is Julie!!!!!



Make-up? Please...... It's all about having a different face - for everyday of the week.......My goodness!!!!!!

R.I.P Michael Jackson (1958 -2009)

It must be very difficult to 'BE' -when the whole world thinks you are one thing -but you are really another. It must be difficult to truly express yourself -when your image is, -constructed, owned by others [and worth Billions] -and you are not happy. It must have been difficult -to have the whole world loving you -when you can not love or connect with yourself. Thus, the excess and the loathing. The hate of your own black skin -and then , the adoration. What a crazy, crazy world you inhabited. A world where your every wish/whim is acted upon and obeyed and -thus you became a sort of God -and no man should be or can be -God [and you knew this, -because deep down you are a simple 'child of God']. And thus, the self hate and the fear. Then the plastic surgery, and more plastic surgery and more adoration, -and things got [sort of] twisted -and you started to believe the hype [and it would seem -the paler you got, -the more success you had, -removing the fear -that you may one day become like -your father]. And the more success you had -the less real your life became -causing you to become a sort of 'Peter Pan' [one of the many childhood hero's you escaped through -when you was made to work harder and give more of yourself at an age when many children are still playing], -a sort of sexless, boy/man. But instead of people telling you the truth like, 'Michael you cannot be best friends with a monkey, Michael your feet are way off the ground or Michael you have had enough surgery' -they left you to spiral out of control -turning you into some sort of 'freak show'. And we all know -'your people' enjoyed watching you become a 'freak show'; -eating all the money -but Michael,what did you care? You just wanted a childhood [because even though you were and still are loved by billions -this was never enough. Because, no matter your success Michael, -your childhood was never too far from you). I can not believe it, but like Lady Diana -I didn't know I loved you -until now, -and now, I am sort of stunned but not surprised that you have gone. Too much ***, too much fantasy, too much***, the denial, the pain, a life lived at a pace that would have killed many -sooner. A life lived on stage, -in the full unrelenting glare of the world. Did all those ugly words touch you? Did all those negative eyes, and tongues [talking rubbish about you] penetrate your soul -or were you surrounded by people who were praying and loving you? Did you have 'conscious' people cancelling, all those arrows of hate coming your way [daily]-or did the love of your fans, their goodwill and all your charity work and goodness -block the negative? What a crazy life you have lived Michael -or maybe it was normal for you. But is it possible for any one to have lived your life and not -been touched/effected or damaged by it's crazy, craziness? How can a life of excess, of having-it-all [materially] -and the pills you had to take at the end -to make you function -like your old self, -not effect the sanest of people? No, I now believe that you lived it the best way you could Michael, -God rest your soul. Michael I am sad you have 'passed over' but thankful that -your MUSIC will live on forever. I pray for your children and your family -may they live in peace and in the TRUTH -and may you, Michael -finally, be at peace -Amen. Thank you for the music...............x

Music: "Birthday Sex" by Jeremih is soO Hot!!!

Birthday Sex


A fan of the eclectic and the quirky -I usually find the R&B of 'now' sooo boring -but "Birthday Sex" by Jeremih is so...... $%*&@?Passion$£$&&@Passion%$£$$$£$. It's my birthday on 29th June -I wonder????..........................xx

Next Big Thing: Adwoa Aboah

Adwoa Aboah is 'red' hot. Of Ghanaian and English origin, -this fierce beauty with boombastic red hair is the daughter of uber couple, Charles and Camilla [Lowther] Aboah. Hauntingly beautiful, this freckled princess has just signed with, Storm model agency -and is about to blow-up -big stylee.....so watch out world. www.stormmodels.com

Beauty: It's Summertime -the season of, 'The Body Beautiful'!!.....OMG -hold it back -I am not READY....

OMGoodness it's SUMMERTIME -ER and the Pres-SURE's not EAAAA-SY.......I guess it's time to get 'the body beautiful'...I didn't make it last year -or eeerrrrm ..this year....[errrrrm another year of covering my arms] .....-Not to worry, I'll take my cue from RURU (above) and try again next year...OOOhhhH.

Fashion: The Ice-cream........has run out!!!

Would you Adam and Eve it? This cute and whimsical -clear plastic shopper by Mulberry [-it features yummy ice-cream illustrations by -Julie Verhoeven] has sold out -worldwide (where is the recession when you need it?) (£100.00) www.net-a-porter.com.

Fashion: katharine Hamnett's Slogan T-shirts -the new classic!

There was a time in Flash-ion when it would have been considered sacrilege to describe a 'common' T-shirt as -a classic. Because, whilst acceptable classics like; -YSL's Le Smoking, the humble 'grey cardigan', Gianfranco Ferre's white shirt, Hermes' silk scarves, Salvatore Ferragamo's black court shoes and Azzedine Alaia's LBDs -are tattooed unto every fashion insider's heart as bona-fide classics, -the t-shirt is only seen -as an essential 'basic'. Well I don't agree, -step forward, Katherine Hamnett's 'Women's Bring Back God' organic cotton t-shirt. Ethically and environmentally made in India, this T-shirt is not just 'now' but a relevant, must have -and a true classic (£40.00) www.katharinehamnett.com

My kind of People: Britney Spears -with Love.....xx

I love Britney. And like me, -she is a working [single] mother. But is Baby Mamaaaaaaa Britney really ready for her C-I-R-C-U-S tour?... A good friend of mine saw her last week -and he said she was kind of detached [at times] during the show -and that her fans are still crazy about her and are pleased to see her back. But is she really back? Personally, I just hope she is ready for the crazy schedule, the adoration on stage and the madness that ensures off stage. I hope and pray that she enjoys her tour -and that the love of her fans, -BRINGS HER BACK......xx
OOOoops..... Hang on ......I think she's back!!!

Fashion: Must have 'Doorknockers' at Bling Deenie

Have you ever felt like someone has climbed into your head and stolen your ideas? Well the uber on trend [and International trend-scout and fashion stylist] Nadine Hutchinson, -affectionately known as 'Deenie' has fabulous taste/talent -and is creating the type of jewellery I would make if -I was a ...errrm -a person who made jewellery. Every piece is hot -and I totally agree with her when she describes Bling Deenie's style as, "inspiration from the timeless style of eccentric rock chicks, queens of the dancehall and the flamboyance of Tokyo's Harajuku district". There are too many fabulous pieces to choose from so I have selected a cross section of designs -to feast your eyes.......Check out the rest at: www.blingdeenie.com