d.i.y. geometric earrings...

Here's a super quick d.i.y. for the weekend.

I hardly ever buy magazines but long waits at airports definitely necessitates some easy reading! I spotted a pair of cute metal geometric earrings by accessorize tucked away in one of the style pages. Now I don't know about you but I never find things shown in mags in the shop. and by the by I figured they couldn't be too difficult to make. So here they are! I wish I could show you the originals but I cannot find them anywhere on the internet and the picture from the mag is tiny. So you'll have to trust me when I say that they're nearly identical :)

The two types of wire I used are ones that I've had lying around for ages. Unfortunately I don't have their sizing anymore but the most important thing is that the wire for the shapes is flexible but holds it's shape and the thin wire is malleable.

1) Cut a piece of wire and using the flat nosed pliers mould into a diamond shape. This will be the largest of the pieces so make to your desired size

2) Cut the wire, making sure the ends overlap by at least 1cm

3) Next take a section of thin wire and wrap tightly around the middle of the overlapping ends. Wrap around the entire overlapping part. Cut the ends and push flush to the wire.

4) Next repeat these steps to create a circle and hexagon, each smaller than the last. To create the circle I simply pulled the wire tightly around a cork. Create two of each of the shapes.

5) Open a jump ring and add each of the shapes and earring. Repeat for the second earring.

And there you have some brand new earrings which should have cost you £10 but instead you spent just pennies and a little of your time!

Happy weekend :)

Oh lovely Croatia...

I had to remind myself this morning that sunshine is normal in July, because I was so surprised to find it shining on us today! In typical 2012 British summer fashion, I still left the house dressed in waterproofs etc..because who knows what will happen over the next eight hours while I'm at work :)

So I've decided to indulge myself a little in this post and remember my sun drenched holiday in June.

About 5 years ago I went travelling with friends over summer. We got the train around Central and Eastern Europe (which I would really recommend), finishing in Croatia. I loved that time but I have always wanted to head back to Croatia to fully explore it's gorgeous coastline.


I remembered crystal clear blue sea, cobbled windy streets and b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. sunsets.


So we went back this year. And it didn't disappoint - although I had forgotten all the steep steep stairways!

We planned our own little road trip, starting inland in Zagreb. The rain there made the UK's summer look like a drought. But all was good from day two.

We visited Plitvice and Krka national parks, which had the most stunningly (a word?!) clear water and waterfalls.

and after that we stuck to the coast visiting beautiful old town after beautiful old town.

 It was hot...like 36 degrees hot (and yet I still didn't tan-seriously body, what are you playing at!)

The we arrived in Split - a shock to the system as suddenly we were surrounded by cruise ship groups. Put that with tiny narrow streets in a very small centre meant plenty of ice creams were needed! It's old town is built into the ruins of a Roman emperors palace and Venetian fortress. To see the edge of a temple disappear into somebody's apartment was different to say the least!

Then we escaped to the islands of Hvar and Korcula. we eyed up all the posh yachts and swam in the sea. When I say swam I mean ending up perched on a rock without a clue where to step next because of the sea urchins that were everywhere.

and then we finished in Dubrovnik! We bizarrely ended up at a traditional Korean classical concert the first night and then spent most the time consuming far too many pizzas and ice creams (again)! I adore the red roofs and the way the buildings glow when the sun sets. I could have just stayed and kept working my way down the coast...alas real life called!

Back to the British weather for now!

My 'healthy' July...

So I had made a secret pact with myself that July would be the month where I finally got off my bum and did  some exercise and get all my fruit and veg. And this little ' oh look at me I'm going to be so healthy' month started with this...

Now to be fair I never said I was going to quit chocolate right? But even I will admit that this isn't the best of starts. Please just tell me I'm not the only one who tuts at the author of recipes for making me use this much butter and sugar?? But then proceeds to scoff half the mixture before it's even gone in the oven!

But it's all okay because this week I discovered that I actually like green smoothies. Initially I thought that anyone who wanted to put veg in a smoothie just had to be teeny bit crazy (sorry)...but I've been converted! I started by hiding my spinach in my orange and berry smoothie (didn't taste or look any different) but then proceeded to the full on luminous green thing...and it was good! I've yet to try any other greenery but I'm happy with spinach for now, here's what I had...