One of those 'stuff I really didn't need to buy, but bought anyway' kind of Hauls

A few things I have picked up over the past couple of weeks, all things which I didn't need but found them too charming too resist. 

Set of  Three Large Pinecones, Wilkinsons, 1.00

I picked these up as I thought they would be useful for blog photography props and also I thought they would look quite sweet to have in my room hanging above my bed. 

Turning 22

I can't quite believe I'm 22! in my mind I'm still 18. Although I feel like I'm not quite ready to grow up I don't really have a choice in the matter its kinda inevitable. My Birthday always makes me realise how lucky I am to be surround by Friends and Family who all love me dearly. Sometimes I think Birthdays can fall into the trap of being a bit of a pity party, realising that your not where you thought you would be at a certain point in your life. Younger me most likely thought I'd have moved out by now, have a permanent job and married if not at the very least engaged. But when I look at my life I'm truly happy and I'd much rather be able to say that then any of the above things, because those things will fall into place at some point (maybe). 

My Feel Good Autumnal Playlist

This is the playlist I turn to when I'm on the bus on my way to or from Uni, or when I feel like shutting the world out on a solitary walk. Every time I listen to this playlist it puts me in such a good mood. Apparently I am correct by calling it an Autumn playlist even in November because according to google Autumn doesn't officially end until December 21st. You learn something new everyday.

A Very Simple Thank You

In the grand scheme of blogging I suppose 50 followers on Bloglovin is quite small, but non the less I couldn't help but smile when it popped up in my emails. This is a very quick and simple thank you to all of you who clicked that follow button... so thank you. 

Pale Skin, Roll-neck Jumper + Sunday Chinwag

I like my pale skin. A Geordie girl who doesn't use fake tan, no I am not a mythical creature its like I said I just like my pale skin. I recently bought this jumper from eBay for the extortionate price of £1.00 and in truth I feel quite the fashionable lady in it, even if the roll neck does cover half my face up. But I don't care because I just feel too darn cosy in it. I couldn't be happier about the cold weather and the dark nights I am most definitely in my element...my winter element. I'm not usually one for selfies, but I thought what the heck I'm not ashamed to say I like these pics of me, nothing wrong with a bit of self love. I think we could all do with a lot more of it.

October Goals

Give more hugs to the people I love - This is something that has been spinning around my mind recently, that I don't hug people anymore, there seems to be no reason behind it, it's just something I just don't do but I plan to rectify that. 

Go on more walks in the evenings with Friends - I much prefer to go on walks in the evening during the autumn, being able to wrap up in thick woolly jumpers and long tartan scarfs to me is just perfection, and when long walks are accompanied with friends that perfection reaches its limit. 

Get stuck into University - I've been back at uni for  a couple of weeks now and I have started the final year of my degree, After a summer spent working, I'm more than happy to get stuck into drawing and creating again. 

Read at least one Book this Month - there was a time when I would always have a book firmly in grasp and wouldn't leave a seat without at least one hand holding onto a book. I would demolish four to five books in a month but more recently I can't remember the last time I read a book that wasn't an Art one. I picked up Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel to read this month and hopefully in my monthly favorites I will be reviewing it for you.  

Sell a piece of Artwork - as an aspiring artist/illustrator I can count on one hand how many times I have sold a piece of work and truthfully that number needs to be increased. So watch this space. 

Stay organised - I would like to say I am a relevantly organised person (sometimes) but over these past few months I have to say my organisation skills have been on point and hopefully they will stay that way. 

Friendship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently bought these two best friends necklaces from the Etsy shop 'Forget me not Grove' for £7.49. One for myself and the other for my best friend Celene, who is moving back to South Africa on the 26th of April for the second time. I bought these necklaces as a little parting gift. I've only known Celene for 4 years and for two of those she was in South Africa. It has always amazed me how quickly Celene and I became close friends, then again I suppose some people you just click with immediately.

I've always been lucky in friendship and have always had a great group of friends around me growing up, a select few that have seen me at my best and worst. When I was younger the more friends I had the better. As I have grown older I have begun to understand the importance of a close knit group of friends. Over the past few years I have lost touch with close friends, some through one particular horrendous fall out and others just simply drifting apart as we all begin to grow up and find our own way in this crazy world.

 

When I was younger my best friends knew my favourite colour, toy, book and my favourite set of top trumps. But now they know what makes me smile, laugh, cry and are the people I can completely depend on to be there when I need them most, who laugh at my terrible dad jokes when the silence gets to loud, listen to my rants, know how to cheer me up and put simply they just know me. I can count the amount of best friends I have on both hands and for that I am truly blessed.

 

 

A FEW JANUARY FAVOURITES

January has been a good month in fact it has been a great month, I don't feel as if I have accomplished a great deal but I have felt nothing but happiness this month, perhaps that's an accomplishment in its self. 

 

 

1. The Magician's Nephew: I've been reading my old and rather battered copy for most of January and its bringing back many memories of eight year old me looking in far too many wardrobes in the hope to find Narnia.

2. Delicate Bracelet: I've been wearing this simply and very delicate bracelet non-stop this month. I'm not really a bracelet kind of girl, but having discovered this at the bottom of my jewellery box I can't seem to get enough.

 

3. Fine liners: Oh where, oh where would I be without my trusty faithful fine liners?

4. Photographs: I've been rummaging through my families many many photographs and pinching a few to display around my bedroom, especially photographs taken on holidays to the lakes from when my Mum and Dad were younger.

5. Nail Polish: It's not often I wear nail polish, but I received a collection of Avon nail polish from my Aunt and these two were included. Being an artist is the perfect occupation to road test new nail polishes, and these two held up very well indeed, plus they are very pretty.

6. Listening: There has been only two songs that I have been listening to on repeat throughout January and they are: Billy Boyd - The Last Goodbye and Johnny Flynn - Detectorists. Go now and listen!

What have been your favourites for January?

VINTAGE BOOK HAUL

 

On Saturday my family and I made the short journey to Tynemouth, for a spot of breakfast and rummage through the market on the hunt for some 78s records. We also stopped by at a vintage book shop that was hidden away amongst some beautiful Victorian houses. The Book shop was incredible, in my opinion a 'proper bookshop' I wish I had remembered my camera. Books piled up everywhere, along with creaky floorboards and that old book smell, rooms upon rooms stuffed full with every book you could ever ask for, and I headed straight towards the children section, where I happened upon these beautiful finds...

Price: £5  Date: 1977

Anyone who knows me will tell you how much I love Alice in Wonderland. When I found a whole shelf full of Alice in Wonderland I really had to restrain myself, however once I found one illustrated by Arthur Rackham (a.k.a. one of my favourite illustrators) I knew exactly which one to get.

 

Price: £ 2.50  Date: Unknown

Treasure Island has always had a special place in my heart. Fond memories of my Brother, Dad and I escaping down to the beach on an early Sunday Morning looking for treasure, smugglers and making sure we escape Blackbeard's clutches come to mind every time I pick it up to read.

 

 

Price: £5  Date: 1975

What childhood isn't complete without Winnie the Pooh and is unforgettable friends?

 

FIVE HAPPY LITTLE THINGS

This last week has been incredibly busy, projects at Uni are starting to pile up and overlap. However there has been a few little things that have made me feel happy recently.

1. Taking this photograph, I walked into my bedroom and saw this through my window and I couldn't help but smile.

 

2. On Friday I think I may have had the most relaxing bath ever, rubber duck included and felt nothing but happiness.

 

3. I started my Dissertation, possibly a bit of a strange one to through in because writing my dissertation does not make me happy nor is it by any means little. However it isn't due till May and I'm glad that I have started it early.

 

4. On Saturday I went wedding dress shopping with my Aunt and Mum (for my Aunt) and rather enjoyed searching through all the wonderful dresses. Ending the 5 hour search with my Aunt finding the perfect dress that was in the sale too, I naively thought it wouldn't take that long.

 

5.  On Friday night I went for a curry with friends then for few drinks at the pub listening to some live music, the night was packed full of laughter and it reminded me how lucky I am to have friends like them.

 

CHRISTMAS TAG

With it only being 10 days before Christmas I thought I would do a Christmas tag.

What is your favourite Christmas Movie?

I absolutely adore Christmas Movies and own quite a lot, simply because every year my mum, brother and I all break up for Christmas on the same day and we always have a christmas DVD day. My favourite Christmas movie has to either be The Polar Express.

Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Christmas morning.

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

I'm not quite sure I can pick just one, but I think my favourite is...I remember one year when I was 8 and my brother was 7. I woke up on Christmas morning to hear that my brother had seen Santa's sleigh. He had woken up in the middle of the night looked out his bedroom window and saw Santa flying away in his sleigh. Even to this day when you bring it up he will say that he definitely saw something but it was most likely not Santa.

Favourite festive food?

It has to be Chestnuts....roasting on an open fire.

Favourite Christmas gift?

I've been given so many wonderful gifts over the years that its difficult to pick just one....but the one that sticks in my mind is the dolls house that I got when I was 10 (I think). I still have it and found out only a few years ago that my dad built it which makes it even more special.

Favourite Christmas scent?

I don't think I have a favourite festive scent....if I had to choose I think it would have to be the smell of Christmas Dinner cooking.

Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

My Mum always buys my brother and I new bedding which we put on on Christmas Eve. On the evening my family and I always go to church which we always walk to as its only a 15 minutes away, when we get back we always have something to eat and sit down and watch a Christmas movie and play a few games in our new Christmas Pj's. Christmas Eve is quite a late night for us but always a fun filled family one.

What tops your tree?

A star

What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Seeing everyone opening the gifts I've gotten for them, it makes me feel so happy.

As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) you always asked for but never received?

I can't remember ever asking for anything extravagant. When I asked my Mum she replied with 'Not really, you asked for a lot of pink plastic tat, that stuff wasn't cheap`. Ok then.

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS WRAPPING INSPIRATION

 images from pinterest

Some people see wrapping presents as an absolute chore, but for me it's my favourite thing to do besides actually hand the presents out. I suppose it's my artistic flare coming through. I spend way too much time wrapping presents until they are absolute perfection, only to see my hard work destroyed in a flurry of excitement, but they do look oh so pretty for those few days they sit under the tree. Last year I did a tartan theme and this year I'm going to be using (if you haven't already guessed) brown paper which I will decorate with buttons, string, stamps, ribbon, washi tape and perhaps some twigs and leaves from the garden. I'm rather looking forward to wrapping my presents this year, more so than usual. I'm using every inch of my will power to stop myself from wrapping them too early. Fingers crossed I manage to keep myself restrained for another week. But for now I think I'll continue to scroll through pinterest.

　

SEALED WITHIN THE PAGES



I suppose its quite a cliché to start a book post with 'I love to read and don't remember a time in which I didn't' no matter how true that cliché is, so I shall start another way...

 

Old books, those are my favourite. The one's that you need to handle carefully in fear they will fall apart. The one's where you need to blow the layer of dust that has gathered upon it before being able to open the front cover. And of course there's the smell, that glorious smell only old books have. I must admit I'm quite a fan of the oldies. But what I love more than an old forgotten book is when that old book has a handwritten sentiment in it. A lovely moment sealed within the pages.

1. Han's Christian Anderson's Fairy Tales, found in a charity shop in Carlisle.

2. Enid Blyton's The Mountain of Adventure, found in a vintage book shop in Tynemouth.

3. Enid Blyton's The Ship of Adventure, found in a vintage book shop in Tynemouth

A LITTLE NOTE ON HAPPINESS

Happiness... it's a bit of a strange one. There will be times when I think to myself 'in this moment right now, I feel completely and undoubtedly happy' and of course there will be other moments where I won't be so happy, and thankfully these times are just 'moments'. Recently I've been thinking quite a lot about happiness and in particular my happiness.

 

If your new to my blog then you might not know that I'm currently study Fine Art at University, however the course I'm doing is a Foundation Degree. A Foundation Degree is the first two years of any University course, you have the option at the end of the second year to keep it at a Foundation Degree or you can do a top up year which will bring it to a BA Degree. Anyway the point I was making is I have a lot of thinking to do as to what my next move is and where do I want to be in a few years time? and of course the biggest question of all what the hell am I doing with my life? 

 

After a good chat with my dad, it came to my attention that very few people have their dream job but that doesn't necessarily make them any less happier than a person who does. I think the point I'm trying to make is life doesn't always work out the way you plan, and that's ok. You may have a job that you hate but the people you work with are the people you couldn't quite live without. I'm beginning to think you don't need to love your job or enjoy it to be happy.



THE SUNSHINE BLOGGER AWARD

I was recently tagged by the lovely Danielle over at Midnight Blues. Who's blog I think you should all a take a moment to a admire, she has the ability to write such beautiful and homely posts.

The Rules

1. Post a picture of the sunshine blog award.
2. Link back to the blogger who nominated you.
3. Share 11 facts about yourself.
4. Answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.
5. Nominate 11 bloggers that brought sunshine to your blogging experience and inform them about your post
6. Write 11 questions for your nominated bloggers.

The Facts

1. I have no piercing what so ever! I also don't have any tattoos and I have never dyed my hair. (Weird? I'll let you be the judge of that)

2. Not too sure if I want to share this one....the consequences could mean death but here it goes...I have never read any of the Harry Potter books and the worst part I don't plan to either.

3. I live in a Red House.

4. I'm not very good at thinking about facts about myself.

5. When I draw I either listen to Disney music or I'll watch Disney/Pixar films because for some strange reason this helps me concentrate and draw.

6. I love going on walks to the beach in the evening especially during the summer.

7. I'm not confrontational at all, not one bit

8. I prefer the Winter to the Summer.

9. I spend waaaaaaaaaayy to much money on DVDs and Books about the Titanic.

10. If I won the lottery I would buy a pirate ship, wouldn't even need to think about it for a second.

11. I can't stand Sarah Beeny!!!!

Danielle's Questions

1. What completes your day?
Especially during the summer, every evening I will either sit in the garden and watch the swallows and just take a moment to step back and think. I will also go for a walk down at the beach about 8:30ish and watch the surfers and the rabbits (yup we have rabbits at our beach).

2. Are you going to pursue blogging? If not, what is it that you are passionate about and will be pursue?
I will never stop blogging, I love it to much. I couldn't see my self pursuing it as a career but I can see me using it as a platform that goes hand in hand with my career. I'm passionate drawing, sketching, illustration anything art related that’s what I will be pursuing.

3. Do you believe in forever?
I've never really thought about it

4. How close are you to God?
I believe in God and I know if I ever need help he's there, However I do not go to church on a regular bases or prayer on a regular bases.

5. What one piece of advice would you offer a newborn child?
Never care what other people think, just be you and everything else will fall into place.

6. Which is worse: failing or never trying?

Never trying

7. Have you been the kind of friend you’d want as one?

I hope so, I have amazing friends who have been there for me no matter, I would like to think I am the same.

8.What are the top five things you cherish in your life?

- Family and friends

- My Cat Charlie

- Little moments where I feel completely content

 - My Memories

- A small section of my wall in my bedroom, where friends have written little quotes and things we used to say when we were younger.

9.Should you be focused on today or tomorrow?

Today.

10. What is the lesson you have learned that you can't forget about?

'Never forget the salt' (private joke between my dad, me and a book from my childhood).

11. If you were given a chance to change something in the world, what would you change and how will you do it?

Every child in the world having a Christmas because every child deserves a wonderful Christmas present and a magical Christmas day. I have no idea how I would do this I just know I would need

help.

My Questions

1. When are you at your happiest?

2. What three things would you say to your younger self?

3. If you could make one mythological/fairytale creature real, what would it be?

4. Favourite memory?

5. The strangest thing anyone has ever said to you?

6.Yes or No?

7. Do you have a catch phrase or something you say all the time?

8. If  you could spend a year inside a book, which would it be?

9. Is social media a good or bad thing?

10. What inspires you?

11. If you could meet one person from history who would it be?

I Nominate:

Lizzie at Head Full of Flowers

Helen at Lovebirds Vintage

Cory at Cranberry Deer

Gemma at Faded Windmills

Carly at Carly Watts Illustration

Serena at Serena Talks

Aida at Cotton Candy

Araina at Miss Tasmin

Kate at Violet Daffodils 

Lauren at That Girl Called Lauren

Zoe at Floral and Feather  

And that's it, thanks again to Danielle for nominating me and I will look forward to reading all your answers :)

XO

BLOG RE-DESIGN

Hello dearies, 

Just a little post to let you know that I'm having my blog re-designed by the lovely Cory from http://frecklesandhedgehogs.blogspot.com.au and http://cranberrydeer.blogspot.co.uk. Therefore there will be a lack of posts for the next couple of weeks or until the re-design is complete. 

Hope your all well and have a lovely week.

XO

Jess

NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.

“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.”

 - Brad Paisley

   

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 Hope you all have a glorious day and Santa brings you everything you asked for.

I just wanted to say thank-you for all your lovely comments and support for my blog over the past few months and I shall see you all very shortly.

Goodnight and God bless

xx

DO YOU REMEMBER ME?

Hello!!

Do any of you even remember me? Probably not because it's been an age since I last posted on this blog I just wanted to write a little sorry for the lack of posts. But today I'm not at uni and today I will be very productive and write as many posts as I can, I promise I pinky internet promise (yes this is a thing because I just made it a thing).

 I drew a Hare.

XO

25 RANDOM FACTS

Helloo!!!

Its dawned upon me that you don't know a lot about me the only thing you do know is my name and that I like to draw. Its not a lot to go on. I've seen this tag/post floating about recently and thought it would be a great chance for you all to get to know me a little better.

1.My full name is Jessica Kate Mary Donnelly (my parents clearly got greedy with middle names)

2.I discovered peanut butter on toast at the start of the summer and been addicted ever since

3.I did Karate for  5 years, so you better watch it 

4. When I was little I used to eat the bubbles in the bath.

5.As soon as I get in from uni I put pyjama bottoms on and a big oversized jumper 

6. I did drama in secondary school. I played the frog in Alice in Wonderland but the costume shop and already handed it out, so I had to wear the green telly-tubby costume underneath an old fashioned navy suit...fun.

7. I absolutely love old westerns/ war films/ black and white films - oldies are the best.

Arsenic and Old Lace is my Favourite 

8.My favourite time of the year is Christmas. 

9. I have amazing friends just saying.

10.I have a younger brother he's 19 he's called Matthew James Hilton Donnelly (told you my parents are greedy with names).

11. I love history, especially my own family history.

12.I know a lot about the Titanic and I mean a lot.

13.I was going to be called Charlotte.

14. If I'm in serious drawing mode I will listen to Disney Songs because for some reason it really helps....Weird.

15. I write little poetic paragraphs, I might share some with you one day.

16. I have no piercings or tattoos.

17. I have a really close knit family.

18. I'm shy when you first know me and then I'm weird.

19. I love to laugh and make other people laugh.

20. When I got my GCSE results I was more devastated at the fact I got a B in art than the fact I got a D in maths ( I resat and got a B).

21. I do a lot of Fell walking (walking up mountains in the lakes and Scotland) 

Photographs I took last time I was in Scotland 

22. I've never been abroad and that includes Ireland.

23. I HATE it when people touch my wrists it freaks me out.

24.I speak fluent sarcasm

25.  I would love to one day work for Dreamworks or Pixar designing new characters or sets, to be honest I think I would be happy getting coffee.

Hope you liked this slightly more personal blog post and now know a little more about me and hopefully don't think I'm too weird. 

XO