The 'Sense' of April... 2

Part 2 of the magic of April..

In case we don't know each other- hi, I'm Sminks.

This is what I did and how I did it in April- you should read the other thing I wrote on the other page. It features some letters, a few numbers and a picture of two-so all manner of visual fun! Enjoy. Then come back here and read this and be doubled in your joy.

Here we go part 2...

See it

I own a TV, it's big and black and shiny and takes up room in my living room. I don't spend much time watching it- don't get me wrong, I have been known to go through obsessive television program zombie marathons and I will forever watch that one episode of friends that keeps repeating..

But, I don't use my television as a television to be honest. It is a place I play games, a place I play DVDs and even a place that I check if my bum is showing in my jeans (thank you shiny black surface).

When I do watch TV I am quite picky. I have only ever watched one series of X-factor; I have no love for soaps or gritty edgy dramas.. The type of television program that I love can fall into 2 very helpful categories-

1. I will happily enjoy a TV show featuring cake, cake making or twee crafts. I will also watch anything with Kevin Mccloud in or Sarah Beeney. I like to call this category 'Sunday evening mum TV' because; this is what I would be watching with my mum if I could.. Often an episode of something mysterious with a detective set in possibly the 20's/ 30's also pops up. However I see this as junk TV and will only watch it if I happen to have nothing in the whole world including cleaning my bathroom to do at all. I rarely plan my life around Grand designs. The best time to watch this kind of TV is when I am visiting home or when I am full from a meal. Sleepy TV.

2. The second category is cheerfully named 'American crack'. This is where my TV watching actually gets watched, this is what you will most likely see me sitting and drooling over as I complete yet another 5 hour marathon. I am a sucker for a good cheesy American TV series. Glee (still watching this even with the plot holes and how-do-they-afford-the-costumes-in-high school?), Awkward (Who wrote the letter to Jenna? Who!!), Big bang theory (because, you know everyone wants to own at least one of Sheldon’s tees)... The list is quite endless and I may even write a post about some of them so I will keep a few to myself for now. The addiction of these shows gives them their nickname. I have to watch them; no matter how much I want to bang my head against a wall I must know what happened and what will happen next week. I think the cheesier the better, although I have yet to actually watch an ep of Vampire Diaries.. I am resisting. 

Old series also get a big old crack addict sticker of approval- Buffy, Lost, Dead like me... I watch them all, eventually own the DVDs and then re-watch them until I can quote scenes like a pro (or nerd... depending on your view of such things)

Exceptions to the rule - I will watch any of the following that do not fit into the above categories. 

• Crazy space alien pyramid conspiracy shows.
• Jdrama and Kdrama featuring nothing that makes me cry.
• Anything with unicorns, meercats, foxes and otters
• Match of The Day 2 (the better one!)
• Question time.

During April it was necessary to zone out in front of my TV and watch a show that defines 'American crack'. If you have yet to watch it, look away now.. You may need to hunt it down and then there is no hope for you. 

Once Upon A Time...

I started watching it because I saw a few people on twitter mentioning how frustrating it was and also how they quite possibly wanted to hurt a few of the main characters- I instantly thought 'well, that sounds like I have to watch it'. Wanting to hurt a main character/ swear at a main character/ want to throw things at the TV when that main character does that stupid thing they always do (yeah- you know who) is a clear sign that the TV show will be a perfect crack TV show. Forget about the plot. Oh my days is this the most guilty of loves to keep me hooked and equally making me think 'why am I watching this?!' Once upon a time is a show based in 2 realities? One reality is the everyday world that you wake up and have some cereal and walk your dog in. The other is of course that magical (and somehow overflowing with characters to make episodes about) fairy tale land. With looping plot lines and crazy going ons, you could easily get drunk if you happened to drink every time one of the characters said 'Papa'..For serious. I don't want to tell you too much, I just want to link some pages that can do a better job.. I also don't want to be responsible for the addiction you may well have after you read about this show.. You have been warned.

Curious?

Essential OUAT-

1.  Learn the plot so far and the basics at the helpful Wiki page, or why not go look at the fan based wika page.  Catch up with the TV show on Channel 5 (UK) and marvel at the wickedness of a certain witchy character who likes to store organs in wooden things. Also marvel at her eyebrows- they are a work of pure evil and I want them

2. Love the show and want to know more? Why not watch some interviews on you tube this is awkward and I quite like it for that.. and watch this sneaky behind the scenes video.

3. Okay now for the creeper stuff.. 

Want to dress like a character? Of course you do! And judging by previous posts by myself and my love of people who wear twin sets I am all over Mary Margaret Blanchard's wardrobe. Thankfully so are other people and they provide me with links Check out this twee blog and sigh wistfully as you admire the possibility of dressing like this.. There are a whole load of Polyvores for Mary M and yeah.. There’s also a tumblr  

Miss the Huntsman as much as me? Yeah you do! There’s a facebook group to rant on about how much he and Emma needed to be together and so what he's dead- he's not really dead right? RIGHT? 

Well, why don't you go creep on this tumblr too because you cant not be a OUAT fan, and not want him back.

Touch it

When I was a wee Sminks I would buy a magazine almost everyday, and since I already confessed to not having pocket money I really should confess that the magazines were mainly bought with money I should have been using for food at school/ books/ pencils and paper.. I was more concerned with problem pages and fashion spreads than eating human food. I lived on a bar of chocolate and a happy bliss that new magazine print can bring. 

There were many many publications I had to have- More magazine with it's racy stories, Just Seventeen with its too cool fashion tips, even Sugar with it's cute cover and cute name. To be honest every other smidgen of print that was aimed at a female audience. 

Before the internet and being able to drag and drop images that I loved, I was a solid collage maker and page ripper- my walls were covered in inspiration, cartoons and outfits I would most certainly would own when I reached pop stardom. As I got older and eventually pestered my parents enough to own a computer I still craved print, but I was able to at least make digital collages (Which was lucky really as I was running out of room on my walls and I think the ratio of wallpaper verses blue tack was unhealthy). 

Still I bought magazines when ever I had a spare bit of change or walked past a news agent (and being from the North East, you can expect one every other shop next to the Greggs and betting shop) Every glossy book that was over £5 was my new bible, I even started to look for imports and rare finds. I was convinced and part of me still is convinced that there is nothing as good as a fresh magazine and a fresh editorial. 

I only stopped my addiction as recently as 3 years ago, I became more reliant on the Internet for my images and words and all manner of lusted objects of love.. I also started to become a bit more streamlined and minimal. I even recycled a collection of Face magazines I had collected for many years and mutilated the pages for College and Uni inspiration.. I still wonder if I would go back and slap myself for doing that. (Possibly- I mean, it was The Face. That magazine was genius.)

I now own very few magazines and find myself bored when looking on newsstand shelves, no longer can I justify buying drivel celebrity gossip rags. I feel like now, I buy a magazine and expect much more than glossy pages and perhaps an interview with someone who might be hot- even fashion magazines that I still happily buy to feel the rush I once did must have at least a designer I admire or an article I find interesting. I no longer simply buy Pop and Another Magazine because it happens to be there. Magazines are tested and under strictest rules- you don't pass and you don't get kept for longer than a month (I hear my 10 year old self weep at this.)

So it may surprise you that my most touched magazine and most admired magazine is quite humble and no more than £2.. I bought Company magazine after it's quite clever refit and have been buying it without buyers remorse ever since. I think I admire it mostly because it feels like a website that I can hold in my hand.. Strange but the best way I can put it. The articles are snappy, the fashion is more Lookbook than look-what-you-can-buy-if-you're-loaded (beautiful as those might be.. and believe me there are some nice editorials like this). It features mainly bloggers and models that are not as household as you may expect. I enjoy not seeing the same face in every photo spread so I quite like this. The beauty is also quite trend heavy- playing to a tumblr market with dip dyed hair and inverted crosses a plenty. I even like the handwritten font that is often used.

Want to know more and flick through a copy yourself?

Essential Company stuffs-

1. Get a snippet of a taste by visiting their website although I find the online version more teen aimed and more OMG than I would care for it's still a good place to wander on a tea break or 5 minute procrastination.

2. Want to really read about Company? Why not check out what it's like to work there. Not only is Gem Fatale's blog cute as several buttons being played with by a kitten it is also a cute education into working for a magazine and wearing nice outfits too.

3. Other magazines you may love if you love Company and their new look-

Nylon

Betty

Teen vogue

It's all around us

 I am a huge giant big fun loving bead-wearing sticking of innocence hippy. I am proud to admit it and I really love to embrace it. As a teen the word 'hippy' was thrown at me as an insult as I didn't really look or act or to be honest want to be like all the other kids. I am a Scorpio and as instructed by my lovely but sadly no longer here grandmother that made me connected to 'something else'. My grandmother was a wonderful person and incredibly open with her spiritual side so I embraced it, I lusted for tarot cards and crystals from an early age. 

Life gets complicated for many people and uncomplicated and loose for others- for me, I feel like I have had a few years of complicated. I often imagine it was like a wee tangled ball of yarn and one strand is all that needs to be tugged to loosen all the knots. I only recently allowed myself to explore that secret happy little witchy hippy living inside. Exploring the things I once knew were part of me, and belief systems I could finally understand. 

I am not going to try to sell you anything or tell you anything that you don't need to know. I will not be telling you my fantastical journey and hugging it out. I guess the whole thing is a bit flowery right now and you might need to go and light a candle and possibly chant a few things for some of it, and others you will simply need to be whatever you want to be and perhaps learn how to do a downward dog. See, it's complicated being happy on the inside. There are lots of parts that you can stumble upon and float out of. So instead I will simply post the most useful thing to be useful to me right now.

Affirmations. I am obsessed and I am truly loving them. What in the why? It's simple- 

A formal declaration by a person who declines to take an oath for reasons of conscience

So am I chanting or telling myself lies- no, that would be something creepy and I am too lazy to be that creepy. An affirmation is basically a statement I say in my head or sometimes out loud that I can use to help create a feeling I want or perhaps create a mood I need. Spooky.

 I believe that a thought can control how you feel, I also believe it is possible to create a healthier body, mind and maybe even a nicer cup of tea by thinking it. I know, it's silly to think about at first but stop- think to yourself- why am I thinking this way, does it make me feel happy thinking this way and if you are not satisfied wouldn't you like it to be different. You can do it- simply think it.

I have been using affirmations for a few months now and I honestly feel like it has changed my life in so many different ways. I wish I could list them but they are long and would need some kind of herbal tea to help explain. Instead I will say that the biggest and best thing that really changed my life was I was able to heal myself from an awful cold virus quickly by using an affirmation and that is enough proof that this is something that I will constantly keep.

I wish I could explain this better but I think that the biggest and best thing about this section of my monthly catch up is that I can post links to folk that know more and that I admire greatly. I can waffle as much as you can handle but the people I look up to are the pros and hopefully you will enjoy some of the information. 

Essential things to know if you want to know about affirmations-

1. The first place to start is learning what affirmations are and how to use them- there are a lot of websites out there if you tap into google and start searching through ads and book reviews but how about I just link the basics huh?

The genius that is Louise Hay explains the basics of what an affirmation is- she also shows you a book you can buy but you don't have to, she's a nice lady and would most likely simply tell you all that without you buying anything.

How to create affirmations and be awesome. 

2. So you like the idea but you are still unsure

How about some reading material?  

Oh, it's that Louise lady again I honestly think that anything Louise Hay says and does is kind of a tiny bit of magic wrapped in a unicorn. She is that awesome. I would and will one day buy everyone reading this a copy of this book (I may need a few million so give me time okay- a few years or whenever I get that around to it). 

Sometimes cheesy but completely useful The Secret is an awesome book to get your noodle around positive thought and touch upon the laws of attraction.

And finally.. What not watch something? What the Bleep do we know? This is again cheesy in places; so much so that you may find yourself having a giggle but persist- watch it a second time and it will always reveal something new. 

3. If all else fails and you are still stumped or you are completely in love with the concept of positive thought and you want more.. Or maybe even if you just want to see a cute girl with fashion sense and a keen pair of heels I recommend spending time with Gala Darling

My top affirmation links from Gala

100 ways to start loving life

Be happy

Why not read a blog inspired by Gala Here.

And so, that was April..

What’s next? Lots of things- tea, toast, bubble baths, eating fruit, riding my bike and hopefully sunny weather to do the riding it in! Check back next time, in a bit guys x