Diamonds in the Rough

They say that five good things can happen to you in one day, but that if one bad things happens amongst it, all five good things are forgotten.

Just like that, all of that good gets discounted.

Whilst I have not had five good things and one bad thing happen today, I have had a crappy last few weeks. And by past few weeks, I mean month and a half. And by crappy, I mean crappier than crap. Literally, April, and May so far, has been S*@%. Beyond S*@%. But today, after stumbling into the photo's and video's I took before everything went to pot, I remembered that...

 ...Yes. Life can sometimes knocks you down, and whilst your down it can, and often will, kick you over and over again, and when everything seems to have calmed, and you finally think it's stopped, and you make your way to stand once more...BANG. It'll kick you down again, but when I can (and I say "when I can" because sometimes your head's just too battered in do anything for a bit.) I have to take note of the good stuff, 

We so often miss, or take for granted the small stuff that make us happy, or the good people that surround us or come into our presence,

So right now, I acknowledge the diamonds in the rough. (I know that phrase is used in reference to people with great, but hidden, qualities, but I really feel this fits here, so I'm rolling with it) I  acknowledge those little (or big. I'm in no way discriminatory here) things that pop up, or are always there, but are overlooked, (especially during the crappy times.)

And for me, a good ol' diamond I've been focusing on to get me through, is family.

Mother's day (a good two months ago now) and that look on my mum's face = a Diamond moment.

The way this massive cupcake I made for my brother's 13th birthday turned out so yummy (according to him) and so gorgeous = a Diamond moment

The look on my brother's face when he found, and scoffed, said cupcake = a Diamond moment

The togetherness, and the Frozen cake I was given for my birthday = a Diamond moment.

And there are so much more.

So, even if I can only muster this for a day, today I refuse to feel the weight of my current circumstances. Today, whilst laying here   on this figurative floor, with my face crushed against its oak panels (for some reason it's an oak floor in my mind. Don't ask me why.) I shall acknowledge the greatness amongst all the crap. A shall acknowledge the beauty of the grooves in the oak. I shall find the diamonds in the rough.

xxx

Kartonia

VEGAS!

Last summer I spent a week in... VEGAS, baby!!!! 

And I know, I know. I should have filled you in then. but as much I had a story to tell, (shhh shh. "What happens in Vegas..." and all that), I hadn't the snaps to add. But all of that has changed.now. 

From an unknown source, (my cousin), came these little rascals. Photos. Evidence. And it's been a long time coming. 

So, without further ado, here's a snippet of my Vegas adventure in a few snaps. I daren't add the one of me passed out in a bath tub, mind. 

It all started off so sweetly. Here we are at Gatwick airport. "Ooh, Look. There's a massive teddy bear, Lets's go make friends." say's my cousin and I. So off we went.

Having landed in Vegas, the heat was a shock. As we searched for the taxi rank. I stated, '"It feels like when you open an Oven door and get a wafting surge of heat in your face. Except this is constant...and all over my body. Then off in an air conditioned Taxi we went in search of our hotel.

As each night fell, out came our drinks in the hotel room for a little preparation for the nights events...

And so our partying began.

Don't ask me who this guy is. I have no idea.

The day's were often filled with strolling and lounging around, often in search of these alcoholic Slushies.  

Having spent the first two nights at the Paris hotel, we moved to spend the rest of of our holiday in the Cosmopolitan hotel. (it was a lot cheaper that way, trust me). With the hotel being slap bang in the middle of the strip, check out the view that greeted us from our balcony both by day...

,

......and night

Day: Strolling, lounging, searching for more slushies...

Night: Slap on the make-up, and party.  And Repeat.

We were on a loop, but it was a good'un.

xx

Winter Dryad | Substituting My Canvas For My Face

It's SNOWING OUTSIDEEEEEEEE. It's early Saturday morning, like early, early Saturday morning, like 5am early, and as I write this it's SNOWING. Well, it's not actually snowing snowing, but there's a blanket of snow covering the cars and street, so, yeah. And,as it's Saturday morning, it's like the song goes "and since we've no place to go, let it now, let it snow, let it snow"

It's also perfect timing for me to share this look with you. I call it my Winter Dryad.

Yes. I've been at play with my makeup, No. It's not the look I go for when popping to the shops.

Lately, I've been less at work with my canvases, and back to my roots of playing havoc with my face, As a result, my version of a winter Dryad has taken over.

And here's a video of the process...

Kartonia
xxx

On the twelfth Day of Christmas...| Goodnight, Christmas

There's been smiles like this...

There's been days jam-packed with laughing, followed by arguing, followed by giggling, followed by chases all amongst food and drink that has left us so knackered we'veconked out on the sofa like this...

...but it has come. The last day of Christmas, (sniff, sniff), and whilst the lights in our house, and along the streets of the nation, will shortly be coming down, I want to officially bid farewell to the beautiful, sparkle that has made my heart so warm and snugly on these cold winter nights.

Goodnight, beautifully, twinkling Doorway. You welcomed me home with a love so warm, and twinkling, radiating far in the dark mornings, afternoon and nights.

 Goodnight, Christmas Tree. This Christmas you once again kept my Gifts for other warm, whilst simultaneously cuddling the gifts that surprised me. Gifts that I will adore for time to come

 I mean, check out my new measuring spoons. Cute or what? (Mum definitely spoiled me this year with a range of presents. Not to mention a Smart TV. Definitely didn't see that one coming.)

Goodnight, Reindeer.

Goodnight, Christmas, 'till next time. xxx