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Things I cannot get enough of this week:

• Spending time at my parents' house, with my gorgeous dogs.
• Walks by the canal 
• Olives. SO GOOD
• Blue skies. Spring is on its way!

2011 has been a funny old year so far. I just haven't felt like myself, at all. I've been stressed (which I very rarely am), have been worrying about things a lot and I felt like I'd lost a part of myself. Posts here have been few and far between and I think that's been indicative of my state of mind. I just felt like hiding. The last few days though, I'm starting to feel more like myself. I'm laughing more, I'm not going to bed at 9pm (which I always do if I'm feeling rubbish about things) and I finally feel like I'm getting my sparkle back.

Getting my hair cut has definitely helped as I feel like a weight's been lifted. Ridiculous I know but I feel like my head's a lot lighter of troubles now that the hair has gone! Next on my list is getting rid of the thing I hate most about myself. My belly.

I don't suffer from as many body confidence issues as I used to, when I was so much heavier, but I truly hate my belly. So it shall be banished. And soon. I've got a holiday to look forward to and I refuse to appear on the beach in a bikini with anything less than a flat stomach.


How's Sunday treating you, cherubs?

Hairy Maclary

This morning I had a lot of hair. A LOT. So much, in fact, that I'd grown a bit tired of people asking if  I had extensions. So I decided to finally take the plunge (I'm terrified of hairdressers - they wield TOO MUCH POWER) and booked myself an appointment this morning at 9.45am, so I didn't have time to chicken out. Apologies for my face in these photos. Deathly pale and sans makeup is just how I'm rolling today.

The result?

Apparently I make a lot of stupid faces when I get my hair cut.

I do love it though.

Although I feel bald and my head feels so light I'm scared it's going to float off.

Outfit Post: Sunday Blues

Lots of blues for a very grey day. I love these tights, although when I wore them last Saturday they attracted a lot of side glances and a comment of 'WOAH THEY'RE BRIGHT' from the man in the ticket office at the train station. They're not even that bright. Also, please let me introduce my back yard. Very Coronation Street. That building I'm standing in front of is my very own air raid shelter. Tru fax.

Not a lot to say today. It's been a funny old weekend. My darling Papa is having some tests tomorrow so, if it's your thing, say a little prayer. Ta loves xx

Top - Topshop

Skirt - ASOS

Tights - Unknown

Necklace - Tatty Devine

Scarf & Cardigan - H&M

Face - A sleepless night

The Weekend

This weekend I:

• Wore a lot of colour and revelled in the confused looks I received from old ladies and the man at Oxford Road train station
• Went on a protest march about the threatened closure of Levenshulme swimming baths. If you do get a second then please, please sign the online petition. My local community needs all the help it can get to save this vital leisure facility!
• Had a lovely afternoon in Liverpool. Tate, Brew Tea Bar (green tea vanilla latte, oh my!), noodles and beer and lots of fun. Ace. Look at the colour of that sky too! Gorgeous. We were only out of Manchester for about 6 hours but it felt like a proper little holiday
• Bought myself a dozen beautiful yellow roses. It's all about being your own Valentine, girls. Life is too short not to buy yourself flowers
• Made two dozen red velvet Valentine's cupcakes for my work colleagues. Those lucky lucky people

What did you get upto, my loves?

V Day

Valentine's Day. 

Two words that strike fear into the heart of singletons everywhere. Or not, y'know, depending on how overdramatic they are. With four days to go, I'm betting there are lots of men (and women) who are getting pretty panicky about what to get their current squeeze. Chocolates? Flowers? Lingerie? All standard and done to death.

Here's what I'd like to receive this V Day...

Yes. That is heart shaped cheese. And it is glorious. I bought my parents some for their Ruby Wedding Anniversary last year and it was delicious. Buy heart shaped cheese, assorted condiments and even vodka from the wonderful Godminster Vintage. Or, if you're feeling spicy, get your lover a heart shaped jar of Tracklements Chilli Jam. Say it with food, people. Say it with food.

Continuing with the food theme, buy me an English Cheesecake Company cheesecake and I'll more than likely marry you or promise you my first born (HA). However, I will not iron your shirts. Not even cheesecake is worth that.

If you're feeling wordy then Adopt a Word for your significant other. The words pictured are just a few of my favourites. Pig, in particular. Other words are available, etc etc. 'Love', maybe? Or 'simmering resentment'? Oh, that's two words isn't it? My bad.

Source

Three words. MONSTER TRUCK DRIVING. Available at buyagift.co.uk and numerous other places, I really can't think of anything more romantic. I'm not sure I'm joking either. The best Valentine's Day present that I ever bought anyone was a Sphereing experience. If chucking yourselves down a hill in a giant ball of death doesn't say 'we love each other' then what the hell will?!

So, there you go kids. Helen's guide to romantic gifts for Valentine's Day. Basically, food, food, amusing words and near death experiences. Take note.

Helen Explains It All

Hello? Hello? Is there anyone still out there?

Yes, I am the world's worst blogger. Ten days without a post. Shocking. As I said a few posts back, I just really haven't got into the swing of blogging this year. Work is so so busy and, by the time I get home, I just want to get in the bath, catch up with house things and then sleep. But, I do love my little corner of the blogging world so much and I really do need to make an effort to get back into the habit of writing. And of taking more photographs. My 365, predictably, ground to a halt after about ten days. I just haven't been taking photographs. Of anything. Which is really unlike me and something I intend to rectify post haste.

This isn't an outfit post, obviously, but those boots, those tights, the cardigan and the skirt are my four big loves at the moment. Double polka dots for the win. Prepare to see a lot of them (if I ever start doing outfit posts again!) as I'm currently on a total spending ban. I was already going to do it but then Gemma posted about 'Frugal February' and it spurred me on even more. So I won't be buying any new clothes, any new make up, any shoes or any jewellery for the whole of February. In addition, I'm laying off the drink (after the amount of wine I unintentionally drank last night it's very necessary), stepping up my running and getting back on the healthy eating bandwagon. I've been naughty recently and need to get back to my willpower ways!

Oh, and the post title? A nod to the wonder that was 'Clarissa Explains It All'. If you've never heard of it then I'm just not sure we can be friends. Soz.

So, how've you been?

Boots - Dune

Tights - ASOS

Skirt - H&M

Cardigan - ASOS