I am SO down with the Americans, already.

So down, in fact, that I have my Halloween decorations up already.



Well, ceiling decorations, anyway. I'm sure there'll be a whole load more come Friday.

The weather has turned much colder this week, to the extent where I've had to switch my heating on every day. (That makes me sound like such a stinge bucket, but I do prefer just to chuck an extra jumper or pair of socks on instead of always relying on the central heating.) This means after it hanging in my wardrobe for about two months, I get to wear my new purple coat.



Terrible light in there, I know, but I do like the fact the colour compliments my hair so nicely.

I am also working my way VERY slowly through my new books, so I will have my Christmas plans set in next to no time. Not sure how New Boyfriend* will feel about all this early Festive planning, but it does make me feel all snowy and bright already. (At least, that's what I'm going to tell him. He he.)


* I must think of something else to call him, as, after eight months, he really isn't all that new anymore.

New Books Smell Yum

So does chocolate cake (my Red Velvet recipe without the Red) with a cinnamon buttercream centre.

It's official....

...it is autumn.

I know it is because I have:

a) Made Sophie Grigson's Braised Red Cabbage, my absolute favourite wintery vegetable.

b) Had the heating on three times now.

c) Knitted myself a new scarf.

d) Bought two new coats.

e) Been out walking in the park just to kick up the fallen leaves.

and f) Found Russets, the best apples ever, at the local market.





I love their rough, mottled green-gold skin. Their flesh is pale yellow and firm and juicy. Hom Nom Nom.

Autumn is my favourite season. And the weather, bar a day or two here and there, has been beautiful, golden and crisp for the past five weeks. I'm starting to think about Christmas and have already started my annual collection of Christmas catalogues. I have ones from Boots, Sainsbury's and Woolworths so far, and am constantly looking out for new additions every time I go into town. Sad, I know, but I love the feel of the build up to Christmas even more than the day itself!

New Moo

I got my new Moo business cards through this morning. I am uber chuffed with them, which is a really good thing as I was not in the best of moods when I spent hours and hours trying to upload them all last Thursday. Technical glitches aside, they're well worth the hassle. And they came so quickly, too.









I got a box of 50, which should last me a while. I really like the fact that you can have all different images on them, instead of having just the one you have to live with for ages.

The interesting thing is seeing my older and newer work laid out together, and how much my style has developed recently. It's clear to see where my work is now going, and how much I prefer it to my older stuff. The new work looks so clear and bold when printed, compared to the older. Exciting.

A little experiment...

The Past Ten Days in Pictures