Afternoon all!
Well I trust you are all having a super Sunday.  I set my alarm this morning in an attempt to get Glastonbury tickets.  Needless to say I wasn't successful, but I'm not going to dwell on it.  Sniff...
So, how was your week?  I managed to finish off the two collages I made a start on last week - and here they are!  I might play with another today - the truth is I really want to do a bit of painting but, as I work in slow-drying oils, I'm putting this off until after I move.  Which, incidentally, I'm no further along with.  Don't get me started...

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this, but buying a flat is not easy in London, yet is something that, when you get to my age (34 - yes, I lied last week when I suggested I was a touch younger...) is almost expected of you.  Last night my friend Vicky and I bemoaned all the Facebook posts reminding us of our friend's and aquaintances achievements, from buying houses, getting engaged and having children.  But then, after further discussion (and a bit more wine) we came to the conclusion that, whilst for some people reaching these milestones was a natural progression, the rest of us want to make our own rules.  In London this is a lot easier, and folk are more accepting of an alternative.  This week I was out until 3am two nights in a row and have been more than a little consumed with thoughts of music festivals - quite normal to me, but apparently not so to others.  I'll never forget clubbing in Birmingham before Christmas and noting that, apart from one rogue couple, everyone else was younger than 25.  Even more amusing was when a lad barely able to shave suggested I was only there to pull a younger man.  No, I'm not kidding...
So, whist I'm not married with kids (estate agents; please note that such assumptions are NOT acceptable) and object to being referred to as "madam", I'm embracing certain aspects of grown up living - but for me, not because I think I should or other people expect me too.  I'm going to buy my flat and am in the process of rediscovering my love of cooking (Roquamole, anyone?) but can't wait to hit the festival season this summer - and my next night on the dance floor.  Where I'll be shaking my bootie for me and no one else.

Happy Easter Monday everyone!
Whether you're religious or not, you can't help but love Easter - never mind all the chocolate, for me it's all about the four day weekend!
My Easter Sunday ended up being quite traditional - with an alternative edge.  In the morning I went to the Sunday Assembly, a Godless congregation which, rather than banging on about a higher power, makes its mission to help people realise their full potential.  It was quite fun, with singing (strictly secular) songs, a poetry reading, a personal memoir on giving up things for lent (no alcohol?  For 40 days?  Respect!) with tips on how you can help people in this predicament, and talks on optimism and how important is is if you want to succeed.  All in all, very thought provoking with some useful reminders on the power of positive thinking - something I am now making a conscious effort to put into practice.

One of the things that was pointed out to us during the talk on optimism is that, if you want to be something, you have to take action - and keep going, even when you feel like giving up.  So, with that in mind, I'm chuffed to say that this weekend I've made a start on two collages which, after a little titivation, will be good to go.  I've also sent a "pen portrait" to Mslexia magazine in the hope that they will consider it for their next edition.  The theme was "Caged Animal" and you can see my (very short) interpretation of this subject here.  I hope you like!

Anyway, I digress.  After the Assembly I ended up having a traditional Sunday Roast before winning a big bag of Maltesers in an Easter egg hunt - all in the pub, of course!  Today I am going to keep the Bank Holiday tradition alive with a spot of mattress and fridge shopping (Middle aged, me?  Well, maybe getting there...) as, although things have stalled, I am still hopeful that I will be moving into my little flat in two weeks time.  Assuming the tenants in the place I'm trying to buy eventually move out...
So, without further aplomb, I shall wish you adieu.  Enjoy the rest of the holiday!

Ciao!
Yep, you guessed it - I've been to Italy.  At the grand old age of, erm, 21, I finally got to the country that has fascinated me ever since I saw Helena Bonham-Carter in A Room With A View as a teenager - and it didn't disappoint.
I stayed in the small city of Trieste, near the borders of Croatia and Slovenia, with my mate Lisa and her Italian Stallion (ahem!) Simone.  It was beautiful, with two castles, a Roman ampitheatre and the largest public square on a sea front in Europe.  And, after a two hour train journey, I found myself in Venice too and, whilst I was very impressed by San Marco piazza, it was the tiny streets and meandering canals that blew me away.
The food and drink wasn't half bad either - I had some of the best seafood I've ever tasted, amazing pizza and glelato, and discovered Faranghina wine and the local tipple, Aperol Spritz.  Nom....
So, this week, I thought I'd share with you lovely people my favourite pics from my foray.  I hope you like...

So, back here in the UK, I'm feeling refreshed and inspired - if a little bit anxious about my impending move to Walthamstow - and becoming a home owner for the first time.  Gulp!  Now I just need the vendor's solicitor to get his butt in gear so I can move in before my current landlord chucks me out...
Anyway, I'd love to stay and talk, but I have to go on Freecycle to find some packing boxes to move all my tut.  It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks...
Arrivederci!
P.S.  Read more about my travels (this time in the UK) on my Underground Overground blog here!