tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39081246211904065802012-02-16T19:29:46.751ZRuthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.comBlogger401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-14973635010025489902011-10-12T12:59:00.001+01:002011-10-12T12:59:46.922+01:00

I was perusing the fantastic blog Oh Happy Day for some inspiration and came across this amazing diy project for a light shade. I've been having trouble finding an inexpensive but fun/pretty way of covering the lightbulbs in our not so new flat. The kitchen has little spot lights but the bedroom and sitting room are tricky. We have low ceilings so anything big might be too much, but something

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-2822279423120885012011-10-11T14:17:00.003+01:002011-10-11T14:17:51.702+01:00

Look at these great bicycle helmets for children. Wouldn't they go well with some of these bike accessories for adults! They are found at Look Mum, No Hands, along with other great bicycle buys

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-49085799608788610392011-10-06T12:41:00.002+01:002011-10-06T12:43:08.901+01:00

Look at this amazing display of data visualisation from the 1930s, made by using woodblocks and hand printing: from Information Is Beautiful It looks so modern!

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-27585799707057205492011-10-05T13:31:00.002+01:002011-10-06T10:52:15.705+01:00

Forget about the new iphone, have you seen the augmented reality iphone app, 'Life of George'? It shows you a picture which you make out of lego. It then marks you for how well you made it and how long it takes, or you can race against people. I'm desperate for a hand-me-down iphone now! Thanks Mrs. Toad

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-38095837820850027962011-10-04T14:28:00.000+01:002011-10-04T14:28:39.016+01:00

I've grown to really quite like JK Rowling. In this time of applications and interviews and general need for a challenge, it is such a relief to see someone be inspiring. My wonderful friend Megan put me onto this fantastic TED video. It has made me well up a good few times!

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-74717909502912478562011-09-30T17:41:00.000+01:002011-09-30T17:42:11.565+01:00

Wow, look at this website dedicated to letterheads. I can hardly pick favourites there are so many! What a lovely thing to have, I say we bring back old fashioned letterheads and letters and good stamps and whistling posties.  Andy Warhol Hahhaa! A perforating machinery company! Simple and refined, Leonard Cohen Frank Lloyd Wright Walt Disney's wonderful world

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-1934494268282146882011-09-27T17:08:00.003+01:002011-09-27T17:09:03.106+01:00

Berkeley Brown is one of my favourite jewellery designers I've ever come across. She is from Canada but is Artist in Resident at Glasgow School of Art at the moment. She has taken food as her inspiration, because she loves the pasion that it brings out in people. Berkeley says that "everyone tends to have quite individual, personal responses to food and I hope to evoke that in a playful way."

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-72304398185197527242011-09-26T14:04:00.001+01:002011-09-26T14:21:04.981+01:00

A mug warmer that looks like a camping stove, and only needs a USB to work. You can even adjust it to your preferred temperature!

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-91212096560541895222011-09-26T12:12:00.001+01:002011-09-26T12:14:43.564+01:00

We had a week off, seeing some of the best people in the world and having exciting day trips. We went to Brighton and wandered the lanes, saw the sights, ate fish and chips and James kicked my sorry bum into oblivion on arcade games! Look at the Royal Pavilion, it really does feel like you've entered a whole new continent. Staying in London was also really great. We did lots of cycling

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-1821372196435629692011-09-16T15:24:00.001+01:002011-09-16T15:24:33.379+01:00

Hahaha! by Dan Meth

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-89957714820581759912011-09-15T15:24:00.000+01:002011-09-15T15:24:20.812+01:00

Django Django's single 'Waveforms' has had me humming along all week, it's SO good. They are doing a free single launch at the Shacklewell Arms tomorrow night which you should go to!

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-37331183246636860462011-09-14T15:43:00.000+01:002011-09-14T15:43:51.202+01:00

Mustardy yellow is such a scrumptious colour. Renting a flat means not being able to paint, and all I want is to have a mustardy wall in this whitewash of rooms. I bought a mustard scarf instead! Here are some other items that definitely cut the mustard. A design sponge makeover What a spooky face, but a very nice hat. I like the copper bow too. oooooooooooooooooh!

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-63621353168696764002011-09-13T13:42:00.001+01:002011-09-13T14:09:45.348+01:00

Liberty Rocks! Yes, you know my love of Liberty fabrics, but this isn't my revery - it is actually the name of their latest collection. The Liberty fabrics are inspired by musical decades and designed in house by Liberty as well as by artists and musicians such as Florence Welch. Take a peek: Fabric by John Squire of The Stone Roses. It reminds me so much of my primary school library carpet.

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-7758674143031802342011-09-12T15:53:00.004+01:002011-09-12T15:59:34.469+01:00

Do you know the amazing glamping website canopy and stars? James and I stayed in a gypsy caravan in the Borders in the spring and it was the nicest holiday I've ever been on. They find the most beautiful places to stay in, from yurts to teepees, safari tents to old fire trucks! This is my dream holiday location with them: It's a treehouse at Harptree Court. Bath in bedroom, bedroom in

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-80371868594208391342011-09-09T12:14:00.001+01:002011-09-09T12:21:08.751+01:00

I've become a little obsessed with the British Film Institute archives. They are such a treasure chest of entertainment and information. Look at this one about making rabbit pie. Roll over Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, this woman would make an excellent British Bake Off judge! I've watched this one on the Peak District a few times too. 'Dirt. Smoke.' It makes me want to go hiking in the

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-81196275954182982472011-09-08T11:46:00.000+01:002011-09-08T13:20:36.934+01:00

London is getting chilly! I was worrying about getting too hot and sweaty down here, but I needn't have feared! I am going to have to sweep the patio tonight as the leaves have started to collect at the door. I do think autumn is beautiful, but I'm not ready to give up on summer just yet...I'm off to swim in a lido this evening to prove to myself that it's not THAT cold! If it's as goosebumply as

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-47443143452187938202011-09-07T11:31:00.000+01:002011-09-08T13:36:16.389+01:00

I love it when you wake up to an e-mail that makes you *super* excited. This morning I got a message from the very beautiful and talented Erika Spring from Au Revoir Simone. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love that band, and I think Erika's solo stuff is going to give me many hours of pleasure too. Take a look at her first single - 'six more weeks', it's pretty special don't you think?

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-15634083375468949592011-09-06T18:04:00.000+01:002011-09-08T13:21:21.502+01:00

Wouldn't this be fun? I dreamt of having something like this as a child, and am still dreaming...slides and stairs are my first purchase when I win the lottery! This image and more adventurous photos here Also, I keep thinking about this simple, fun and cheap idea for shelving. They are simply pallets! Oh, I do wish I lived on a farm again now! Instructions here

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-2019329995648794142011-09-05T16:08:00.000+01:002011-09-05T16:10:00.293+01:00

Since moving to London I've found out that a few friends haven't seen Twin Peaks (shock. horror.) Tonight this will be rectified by a night of Twin Peaks and popcorn, and maybe some tweed skirts. I have so many favourite wee moments and sayings that I know I'll be reciting for weeks, again! I also totally love everything about Audrey which means I'll be looking for saddle shoes and wearing red

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-12851628300739061842011-09-02T08:50:00.000+01:002011-09-02T11:10:04.789+01:00

I've fallen out of touch with finding new music due to not doing the radio show with Toad, but this Swedish band have made me want to trawl for all things beautiful. They have recently done a bedroom session for Pitchfork that sounds like a mix between Beach House and Au Revoir Simone...you can't go wrong! Here's the Winter Beats song in session, enjoy!

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-29399819238373851702011-09-01T12:02:00.000+01:002011-09-02T11:11:51.539+01:00

Wow! I'd never seen her be anything but blonde, I think she looks amazing. I'm still sometimes tempted to bleach my hair, but I get too scared as I've been a brunette all my life. This photo makes me happy to be a scaredy cat! Thanks to Another

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-64365005322858000122011-08-31T16:35:00.000+01:002011-09-02T11:10:29.434+01:00

Karina, the Scandinavian wonder that brought Kakao by K to Edinburgh, has some beautiful things in store just now. I've moved to London now but if I was still up north I would be going and grabbing myself this amazing dress: For work, for parties, to dress up to dress down. It makes me want to be partying in Paris in the 60s with smokey eye makeup and patent shoes. 

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-61630934030377188832011-08-30T16:38:00.000+01:002011-08-31T20:36:49.006+01:00

I love the restrained crowd!

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-67892894459087280032011-08-26T17:09:00.000+01:002011-09-02T11:11:04.425+01:00

I hurt my neck yesterday and couldn't do much, so James and I had a night in with iplayer! We decided on The Great British Bake Off, which my friend Mary told me to watch. Have you seen it?  It's SO GOOD!  (Also, there is a sweet baker with beautiful eyes to watch out for!) In the one we watched last night, they had to bake different types of cakes, and they (mostly) looked so delicious. James

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-32821039058209403532011-08-26T16:55:00.000+01:002011-09-01T17:25:54.295+01:00

This is too amazing! Wouldn't it be perfect for sending a special message?

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-61861602017381027332011-04-25T15:37:00.000+01:002011-04-25T15:37:33.321+01:00

Hurray! At last you can check out Catherine's illustrations! Her website is up! and what a marvellous one it is! People and places, buildings and babies...I think they're all amazing. Don't you wish you could live in a house like this sometimes? I can't really complain about the weather over the last few weeks, but on Saturday we had a rainy day in a roulotte (more to follow) and it made me

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-15932022100164700872011-04-03T20:47:00.000+01:002011-08-26T17:11:18.110+01:00

I've had a busy old week this week, it feels that everyone has been flat out. There's been lots of excitement though! Yesterday my aunt held a Beetle Drive, which became VERY competitive and full of energy (between the tea and cakes). I think we should bring back games sessions, it was such a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon. My first ever friend, Bryony had a baby last week. I can

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-91485128361411980672011-03-28T20:59:00.000+01:002011-03-28T20:59:51.991+01:00

Another wee thing we got up to in London was a trip to the Natural History Museum where there is an amazing exhibition called Sexual Nature. If you get the chance, do go and see it! It's brilliantly curated, and has the BEST videos of Isabella Rossellini dressing up as different animals and acting out the way they reproduce! The costumes are hilarious and I love the fact that all the props are

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-33079377019845673782011-03-22T22:33:00.000Z2011-03-22T22:33:33.276Z

I had a break through last week. I fell in love with London. It's true. Ever since my time in New York I didn't think it was possible to find somewhere as energising and exciting. I went to London straight after my New York adventure and thought it was the worst, but I think it was a case of the wrong place (ie. the wrong part of London for me) at the wrong time (straight after the time of my

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-91545505511602170872011-03-06T22:39:00.000Z2011-03-06T22:40:39.475Z

Geeeeeee Whiz...We've been trying to dig up a bamboo root this weekend, and by golly it's strong. We have got through two spades and think there might be a couple more to go yet, but we have determination and we are desperate to get a raised bed in before it's too late to start planting. Anyway, it made me think about my Aunty's intrepid adventures to India, where she tells me the

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-41619234123327848962011-03-03T20:12:00.000Z2011-03-03T21:31:32.604Z

We're back! This week I feel like I've been a bit frantic, so I've had a bit of a last minute dash for a playlist with a little help from my friends. Let's hope Toad has some treats up his sleeve. Listen in HERE 1. Devotchka - All The Sand In All The Sea 2. Golden Ghost - Plain Sight 3. Ermit Bloch - Dorothy - Demo 4. Ermit Bloch - Dorothy - New version 5. Thao & Mirah (featuring tUnE-YarDs)

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-22574454283942495552011-03-01T12:51:00.000Z2011-03-01T21:10:01.288Z

For Christmas, I received the most beautiful bike I can imagine, complete with wicker basket and brown leather seat. My only problem is, my oh so practical and very important helmet just does not do it justice! I've been doing some research and here are some of my favourite accessories at the moment: 1. Wouldn't it be nice if we could use these instead of locking up? 2. Or being pretty in the

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-57369936175351124372011-02-24T20:29:00.000Z2011-02-28T12:47:38.463Z

Toad and I are back for another week of fun and games. You can listen to our antics here: http://www.freshair.org.uk/ Here are the tracks we're playing, as we go along... 1. TuneYards - Bizness 2. Joni Mitchell - Little Green 3. The Honey Pies - Get It Right 4. Dr. Dog - The Breeze 5. The Leg - Twitching Stick 6. Zed Penguin - This Town 7. Dusty Springfield - I Think It's Gonna Rain 8.

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-17975653634243151092011-02-20T22:54:00.000Z2011-02-20T23:13:01.392Z

I can't believe the weekend is coming to a close. What a nice one it has been. James and I shared the biggest plate of nachos yesterday then felt we had to do something to deserve it, so cleared the garden ready for planting and growing. We found so many little shoots from bulbs crying out for sunshine and spring time. What a symbol of positivity! Today we got on our bikes and I picked up a

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-19441128980215973222011-02-15T22:55:00.000Z2011-02-15T22:55:31.487Z

Every time I get my Toast catalogue, I find myself obsessing over at least three items. This weekend I got the new catalogue, and today I have decided on which ones I will obsess over! I am completely enamoured with this hairband. As someone who tries hard to wear headscarves but inevitably finds them falling off, this is the most perfect accessory I can imagine. Then, we have footwear!

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-29749048870603195842011-02-13T21:42:00.000Z2011-02-13T21:42:19.547Z

Another year older is what I became last week, hence the delay in posting!I went away to the lake district for a lovely relaxing, musical, walking, eating, drinking medley of a time and had an ice cream cake (from my mum...what did I tell you about inheriting her importance of birthday cakes gene?). We stayed in the most relaxing, cosy house you could imagine. It belongs to this very talented

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-54000667691794417882011-02-02T23:39:00.000Z2011-02-02T23:39:43.746Z

Aren't these pieces BEAUTIFUL? My good friend Sophie Elm graduated as an Illustrator from Edinburgh college of art in 2008. Since then, she has illustrated two childrens books, as well as undertaking a variety of commissions, from wedding table names and events posters, to designing and painting tea sets and fruit bowls. She produces a variety of work from ceramics to print based

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-52338430580233269152011-01-28T21:57:00.000Z2011-01-28T21:57:45.703Z

Liberty's new range of fabrics never fail to excite me! This winter they have used children's book illustrators as designers/inspiration. Here a couple of my favourites:  This one is inspired by Quentin Blakes' illustrations from his 'ABC' book. It feels like it should illustrate the nursery rhyme 'Mary Mary, quite contrary' to me! It is called Lola Weisselberg. Another print that I

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-23895040318939844562011-01-28T14:29:00.000Z2011-01-28T14:31:31.712Z

I saw Iron & Wine for the first time (after many years of adoration) at End Of The Road Festival in September, and my love grew into a near obesession. Sam Beam's ability to work stories into songs is something like the way my mum can knit a sock with no seam.  This song 'Rabbit Will Run' from his new album 'Kiss Each Other Clean' boasts breaking-into-the-vulnerable vocals and a (verging on

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908124621190406580.post-85034859694939644072011-01-28T09:52:00.000Z2011-01-28T09:52:39.345Z

I have made a habit of ensuring that anyone I know with a birthday, gets a home made cake. These have come in all shapes and sizes, child like barbie cakes to diet irn bru cans (no really!). It is my flat mate Clara's birthday tomorrow and I'm laid out with a nasty cold, but I might get James to help me create this yummy looking delight so that she doesn't miss out! It's a bit more

Ruthiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02343761442099096305noreply@blogger.com0