My 2015 Christmas card illustration

Have a Great one everyone!!

Greenwich Stall

I had a stall selling some of my card designs and illustrations a few weeks ago. It was a windy day (storm Clodagh I believe) and despite my best effort to organise things nicely it would only take a whooosh of wind to scatter my entire display!The wind will not deter me and I plan to do more in the New Year

 The weekend after my Greenwich Stall I attended a 'Day of Wonder' which was run by The Sunday Assembly. When we arrived we sang power ballads to wake us up- which it really did! The day was filled with inspirational speakers, debates/ideas and I left feeling very passionate, positive and grateful to be on this earth. I really enjoyed the 'Mind Apples' presentation and tree. On the tree you could write your tips for keeping your mind healthy/maintaining happy mental health.

Highlights

I LOVE Halloween and this year I've been watching alot of Ru Paul's Drag Race (below my fav Jinx!) so was very inspired by the women's costumes and attitudes. I wanted to choose someone from History/Legend who was a strong, visually fierce woman. I choose Medusa because it was a chance to use PAPER MACHE again (yayyyy) for the snakes headpiece and have big hair.  The dress was from ebay and wasn't really the best but I like green velvet so it was ok. We went to The Vaults in Waterloo, they'd gone all out with the themed rooms/decor/music which is right up my street!

 

Improv 2015

This year I've done a horrible job keeping this blog up to date. It is not that I haven't had fun experiences or seen any greats shows/events It's just that I've let time run away with itself!! My main highlight this year was a trip to Vancouver, San Fransisco and then L.A (Hollywood). I've always wanted to visit Hollywood and take an acting class there so I attended one at the Actors Improv Studio in North Hollywood with Bill Applebaum. I also signed up for a show at 'The Second city' where audience members could perform short scenes with 2 hosts shouting directions. This year has been good for improv and me, the group I'm part of 'CSI Crime Scene Improvisation' played several Sold Out Shows at: Brighton Fringe, Camden Fringe and Leicester Square Theatre! We also played The Bridewell Theatre raising money 'The Samaritans' (a very worthy cause!).

Hollywood

Bette Davis

Glastonbury 2015

This year was my first visit to Glastonbury Festival. I was overwhelmed by how big it was and never would've remembered my way back to the campsite without friends and their smartphones. Each area had its own design/theme and we enjoyed spending the first night wandering from one 'area' to the other admiring the sets. The amount of detail really makes it a visual treat and just the lights in the trees made the whole thing feel all the more magical and summery. My favourite performance was Friday nights 'Florence and the Machine', I'll never forget how she lept around the stage beating her tambourine and spinning wildly

 My other festival highlights include: The HMS party boat in 'The Park' area, When Lionel Richie appeared on stage and the rain stopped, Discovering 'Mik Artistik' and his comic songs in a tent when sheltering from the rain, the wide selection of vegan food trucks, having afternoon tea, The Arcadia spider, John Hopkins stage/lighting display, Puddy bringing tins of Tuna as snack food,  Wharton's giant yorkshire pudding, the viewing tower in 'The Park', watching the sun go down on the first night and everyone clapping, having a nap in a giant tent in the healing area... and lots more that I can't remember right now

Miss Saigon

 

Last week I went to see Miss Saigon with Jack. It was one of the most incredible shows I've ever seen. Everything was so passionate, intense and powerful.... I came out overwhelmed but exhilarated. It is a sad story so do bring tissues. 

Before the show we had a drink on the balcony that overlooked the street below, it was one of those perfect summer evenings.

May 01

Yesterday Friday 1^st I had a very productive afternoon. First I attended a masterclass with Jessica Hynes (one of my favourite comic actresses!!) where we had a chance to do some improv on the Haymarket stage. Jessica was very encouraging of networking and I met some great actresses who like me are aspiring towards comedy. In the evening I attended a night of ‘Tim Burton’ inspired comedy at the Camden Head. I'd bought this for Jack's birthday as he's such a Burton fan and we were skeptical of how funny it would actually be. We were completely won over as soon as the Tim Burton mc entered the stage. The ‘weirdo’s’ comedy group did some fantastic adaptations of Burton’s movies, among my favorite a scared Amy Adams in ‘Big Eyes’, a crazed caterpillar and talcum powdered Scissorhands. 

reliving my past

Today I did a roly poly- I hadn't done one in years.

It was unexpected and quite good.

Easter in Richmond

 During Easter weekend Jack and I went to Richmond. We visited the park (for the first time!) and saw the magnificent deer. We stayed in a lovely hotel called 'The Richmond Gate' where we had afternoon tea upon arrival, went swimming in the evening and left the next day feeling very refreshed!

Easter Weekend 1

Summer Is A Coming

 This weekend we had a glimpse of the sun and it's left us wanting more.
At work when it's sunny I have the warmth of the sun directly on my back which is bliss. I also have the shard behind me- not bad eh?

My bedroom

My room was lacking fun so I decided to paint one of the walls white and illustrate something silly.
I chose a girl leaping in the air accompanied by a little feline friend.
After that I wanted to add more colour so added some red and gold/yellow hearts... it's not really like me to add hearts to something but I felt they went well. I'm not a heart type of girl usually I'd choose stars.
I decorated my window frame with ivy/trellis/plant patterns and now it feels more busy which I like.
Drawing on walls is lots of fun!! and as this image is one of the first things I see when waking, it immediately puts me in the right frame of mind for the day ahead. Surrounding yourself with positive, inspiring imagery is very important I believe and collecting/arranging such items is always a nice thing to do.  

CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation BARONS COURT THEATRE

So this month Ive had a wonderful time performing at The Baron's Court Theatre with my comedy group 'CSI Crime Scene Improvisation'. The theatre is a little gem under a pub called 'Curtains up'. Spending my weekends in the space was really nice especially when my friends came down to see the show and enjoyed in the post show festivities. 

My favourite night was when we were joined by 'The RH Experience' a 3 man comedy group. Other guest acts included Luke Sorba, Pippa Evans and Panthercanon (above). Were planning other Baron's Court dates in March and May and also looking forward to Brighton Fringe Festival!

 At the end of the show, I've also started illustrating the murder victim that featured that night. One of my favourite shows was the one on Valentines night, set in a cutlery making factory where the victim Penelope was found killed by a bow and arrow.

Snapshots and Sugarsnaps

 It is typical nowadays to take photos before leaving ones house. Always eager to enter into tradition, Jack and I posed for a few of our own snapshots in my room. The hour was roughly 7pm on a Saturday evening. The night was young.

That was Saturday, but this is Sunday and Sunday means preparing ones lunch for the next day ahead. I thought I'd use this space to share my current favourite foods/snacks/beverages.
Hydrating myself has not always come naturally to me. I have to remind myself to drink water and teas but find this easier now because of my zesty blood orange tea! Plus blood orange is such a fun work to say!
Love snacking? Then why not try these delicious sugar snap peas!? They are a little pricy but worth it as these sweet, crunchy little pods will keep you full without spiking sugar levels. Plus theyre green so they must be good.
Contrary to green goodness is number 3 the Smarties yogurt. This is an evening treat where creamy yogurt and mini smarties transport you away. The energy spike that hits me straight after this delight comes just before my bedtime. For roughly 30 minutes I'm bouncing off the walls. This is followed by an exhaustion so great that I'm asleep as soon as my head hits that pillow