Peachy Keen: The Dog Ate My Homework...

Robert Mitchum and John Payne... single handedly ruining 21st century boys for me :)

I wanted to write a really fun blog piece today.  I've had a couple of ideas bouncing round my head and they're taking form nicely.  But.  I've just got back from my second of four twelve-hour days this week and all I want to do is have a cup of tea and go to sleep!  So here's just a couple of interesting things I've found on the internet this week...

I have decided to quit smoking! Aaaaaaaargh.  Yes, I've already done this at least once in the history of this blog, but I'm getting a good vibe about it this time.  I'm preparing myself by not taking my cigarettes out the house when I go to work (eek! apparently, I had "attitude" yesterday lol), and my quit date is next Wednesday for real.  I ordered a quit chart from the NHS website, and am going to put it up in my room and use the stickers and try to keep inspired :)  After next week, any more outfit photos of me with a cigarette, please firmly tell me off!

And thinking of giving things up... 4-5 of March is National Unplug Day!  Do you dare to step away from the technology?  I'm going to certainly try :)  It's an idea that's sprung from the Sabbath Manifesto, but even if you don't agree with the religious sentiment, I think unplugging yourself can be a rejuvenating experience sometimes.  I probably won't be parting with my mobile as I'll want to call the Mamma Bear, but everything else will be switched off for 24 hours.  Yikes!  Is anyone else giving this a go?  What will you be doing instead?

Well, I'm a bit rambly and very, very sleepy.  A post of more coherence will occur soon :)  Hope you're all enjoying your week!

Jen xxxx

Peachy Keen 22.02.11

Happy Tuesday everyone, hope you're all having a super start to the week :)

Spring is here! Actually, it's still freezing here and not feeling much like spring at all.  But the spring clean is definitely on.  Today was my first day off with no uni work for months (hurrah!) so I cleaned, baked and planted like the domestic goddess I sincerely wish I was.  In the kitchen we now have fresh homemade bread and yummy sweet potato and lentil soup as well as peppers and onions planted in containers ready for sprouting.  I love home days.

This week's Peachy Keen is a short one, I'm looking forward to having lots more time to waste on the internet! (That's a joke... kind of)

Miss James has a darling blog, and she recently linked to these old / new photos by Irina Werning.  Such a cute concept!

I'm a massive Haruki Murakami fan, his novels are amazing.  And I absolutely can't wait for the film of Norwegian Wood.  Check out the trailer here.

These gin cocktail recipes are making me long for lazy summer evenings.  The Blue Moon sounds particularly delicious!

And finally... someone has turned The Great Gatsby into an 8-bit game.  It's a little bit genius actually, but I had to stop on the second level because a) I'm rubbish and kept dying and b) I really need to go to sleep!

Right, that's it for me... super tired and already curled up in bed with a chai latte, what a lovely way to end the day!

Jen xxxx

Peachy Keen 15.02.11

Hello lovelies!


Well, I've had a rather super Tuesday.  Most of the day was spent being highly productive with my uni work (yay!) and I've had a fab evening cooking up a storm.  Because the next two days are 12-hour workdays, I try to do lots of cooking on a Tuesday so I've got lots of easy things to heat up.  On the menu today was satay vegetable cous cous, leek, potato and honey camembert soup and asparagus pizza. Yummy!


I was feeling a bit casual today, so here's what I wore to hit the books.

My high waisted jeans are such a go-to item of clothing when I'm feeling lazy!  While I was taking photos, Lilycat was meowing on the side, so I figured she wanted her moment in the limelight :)  Does anyone else have to pull all their hair off the face when they're concentrating?  I can't think if there's fringe in my eyes!

And onto what's been gracing my screen this week (when I've not been writing essays lol)...

I loved this story about a couple who have used the same Valentine's card for 70 years. Cuteness ahoy!

This animation from 1936 is amazing.  And also kind of adorable.  Rainbow dance!

Not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I still love climbing trees. Think it's a Robin Hood thing. This treehouse is just the coolest thing ever.

Charade is one of my favourite blogs ever.  And I love the post Megan wrote for Yes and Yes.  Everyone needs a bit of luxury.  My luxuries would have to be a glass of Prosecco, some big band on the stereo and an Agatha Christie novel :)  What's your favourite treat?

Last but by no means least... I want this dress!!!

Hope you're all having a lovely start to the week!  It's early but I'm going to hit the hay with a cup of tea, and maybe check out one of the films in my film noir collection.

Jen xxxx

Peachy Keen 08.02.11

Hello lovelies! Are you having a good start to the week? Mine's been mostly filled with essay work, boo, but in a week's time it'll all be done (for now!) and the fun can start again...

Otter love! Just because we all need some cuteness sometimes :)

So what's been happening in my world of the internet this week?

I've been planning lots of things to do and read once my work's out the way.  And Persephone books is definitely responsible for my to-read list growing!  I'm tempted to try the 6 month subscription... it's a vintage reading geek's paradise :)

I love the film noir genre.  There's a super box set sitting on my table, again waiting for me to finish my work.  Radio 4 has this interesting background piece on some of the big names in film noir; I've not listened to any of the shows, but I want to!

This article on book collecting is a bit like my 'ghost of Christmas yet to come'.  Yep, I really am a book geek... the bookshelves on my landing are arranged my colour and then alphabetically, the ones in my room are all my favourites (still two book cases' worth) and are organised into genres :)  Secret librarian fantasies maybe?

I found this super interesting.  I spend a lot of time worrying that I'm not achieving enough, and reading this article was exactly what I needed.

I'm not an online game person, but Winterbells is just adorable. Bunny in the snow!

And finally...

Katy Carr! I'm learning to play this on my ukulele at the moment :)

Just in case the otters didn't fulfill your daily cute quota...

And now it's time for me to catch up on Lark Rise to Candleford!

Jen xxxx

Peachy Keen 01.02.11

Image from A Softer World.  Love it!

Happy February everyone!  Can't believe we're a whole month into the New Year already, whew.

So this weekend one of my housemates moved out to his very own batchelor pad.  It's a bit strange because he was the first friend (rather than boyfriend) that I've lived with, and he will be much missed, but also I'm excited as we suddenly have lots more space and it's time to get rearranging!  I've spent all day moving furniture and cleaning, now there's that lovely knackered feeling where I just know curling up in bed is going to be great :)

So what's been good on the internet this week?

I'm loving the Tea, Love & Anarchy blog at the moment.  She's just started a series about frugal living, which is something I love and really need to try harder with.  I'm there on the food and general living side, but just can't resist lattes and pretty dresses lol.

Failing to help me in my bid for frugality is Puttin' on the Ritz.  They're a made-to-measure vintage repro business and it's all just beautiful.  Someone hide my purse!

Rod's 1940s' Events Calendar is an essential for all you vintage enthusiasts in the UK... I find out about all the best events here.  Roll on Hedna's at the weekend, yay!

I felt bad when I giggled at this.  But I still giggled.

Peachy Keen

There's no reason for this picture, other than I like it...

(image from here)

The world on the internet is vast and exciting.  Sadly, most of my internet use has been searching for articles to spice up my history of youth work essay... and facebook for general procrastination.  However, along the way I've found some gems as well.  Check it.

Culture. Etiquette. Style. With a tagline like that, how can you resist MIEN magazine?

When I get sad, I like to look at otters.  Otters are amazing!  The Daily Otter does exactly what it says on the tin... a new picture of an otter everyday.  (If otters aren't your thing, they have The Daily Bunny too!)

Vintage Movie Magazines is well worth a visit if you just like looking at pretty things.  My favourite cover? James Dean and Natalie Wood, no contest.

There are many reasons why you should read The Grumpy Owl.  It features robots and owls on a regular basis; Ryan (the grumpy owl) writes in a way whereby even things that don't interest you in the slightest (baseball?) seem worthy topics; there is pink suit appreciation; the use of the word flaneur; it's nice to read something that offers a little intellectual stimulation while still being utterly dapper and slightly frivolous. Yeah. Just go read.

Megan shows us exactly how to throw a clothes swapping party.  I've always wondered how you make this more than a couple of girlfriends turning up with carrier bags.  Let the planning commence!

Hope you're all having a lovely Tuesday
Jen xxxx

Peachy Keen 06.04.10

It finally feels like spring is here!

[image from here]

Did everyone have a lovely Easter? Mine started off a bit manic; the first 36 hours were spent hanging out with friends, dancing and maybe a couple too many ciders, oops.  But the last couple of days have been lovely!  I spent Sunday at Sacrewell Farm with my friend Jade, we had cream teas and bottle fed baby lambs - they were soooo cute.  Yesterday I went to visit my mama bear; we went to a big bank holiday market and charity shopping.  I managed to come back with four(!) Mrs Beeton cookbooks and the most amazing hat ever, which will probably feature soon (my hair is soooo not photographable today).  Today I've spent a few hours planting out potatoes and onions in the garden, and got very excited that my cauliflowers and chili peppers have sprouted.

Plea for help actually: does anyone know if it's okay to grow cauliflowers in containers or grow bags? My house is rented and I'm not sure how much of the garden I can dig up...

Anyway! What's been gracing the macbook screen this week?

It's a bit old, but Solanah's tutorial on doing rag curls makes it look super simple.  I'm starting to not be able to sleep with bendy rollers in my hair, so will be trying this out soon.

This has been popping up everywhere, so apologies if you've seen it before, but these bloomers are the most squeeably cute thing I've seen in a while.  Must make me a pair!

The Collette Patterns blog is a total visual treat and full of inspiration.  I've been spending far too much time reading through it the last couple of days.  Uni work? What uni work? Lol.  Check out the patterns too if you're into sewing, there's some gorgeous things.

I love this poem by Charles Bukowski... although I'm the furthest thing from a tortured artist it still greatly entertains me!  I love the bit about not forgetting your Brahms, or Bach, or beer.  (If you're not a fan of cuss words or the Bukowski-style vulgarity then don't click (: )

What inspiration have you found this week?

Jen xxxx

Peachy Keen Apologises for Its Lateness :)

mmm, period drama boys... *swoon*

[image from here]

Sometimes, my internet likes to stop working. Which makes me cry, and then I put a record on and read a book and feel much better :)

*Random side note... I listen to a lot of vinyl, and this always feels completely natural. Then yesterday, I played a CD while getting dressed for work and it felt totally old-fashioned. Weird, huh?*

Anyway! When my internet isn't breaking, this is what I've been checking out...

I found an amazing list of sewing projects. Seriously, I now have a to-sew list as long as my arm. But apparently my mamma picked up a massive batch of fabric while on holiday and is donating all the bits she isn't using for curtains to my stash... she's the best :)

I WANT THIS MUG! My cupboards are bursting with mugs though. I'm trying very hard to find a way to justify buying it other that 'But, I love it, I love it, why can't I have it?' Lol.

Despite having two jobs, a masters on the go, and some volunteering on the side, I'm still a massive procrastinator. I really have no idea how I manage to get anything done sometimes. This article has been quite helpful over the last few days in getting my ass in gear. I'm not a high-powered business woman by any means, but uni work and piles of crafting keep mounting up while I spend hours reading Jane Austen fanfic and watching Miss Marple...

And finally... I picked up in a charity shop this week a record of TS Eliot poems. So in honour of how much I'm enjoying it, rest your brain on The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock. What a fab poem :)

Hope you're all having a lovely week, I'm off to bake some cakes!

Jen xxxx

Another Serving of Peachy Keenness!

Oh HAI blog.

Huh? What do you mean where have I been?

Here's a fact about me: sometimes, I'm useless. Life gets on top of me (see: uni, ear infections, boys, OFSTED inspections) and I spend a week in jeans, sleeping and watching Richard Armitage on Youtube. It's not big, and it's not clever but I emerge refreshed and determined to do good things.

So! Onwards with what I've been filling my screen with.



Dorcas Lane! She's just so awesome. Just in case you haven't picked up on my love of Lark Rise to Candleford, here it is again. I want to be an independent lady with a post office and a forge. And the dress she's wearing in this picture. Oh, the dress. It's love.

Jodi from If You Never Did, You Should posted a link to an awesome campaign called The Girl Effect and I think it's something people definitely need to get behind. I'm already trying to think how I can incorporate raising awareness of it into my work. I skipped the intro video the first time round, because I'm impatient but, seriously, please watch it.

Casey is one of my favourite bloggers, she's so super-stylish and talented! Her new guide to sewing is a brilliant read; I don't know anyone else away from the internet that makes their own clothes, let alone vintage inspired so it's really great to see how other people work.

Vintage at Goodwood is a new festival starting this year. It looks AMAZING. If anyone's thinking of going, please let me know! I really want to be there, but need to convince some friends first :)

I can't remember how I stumbled across her, but I've really enjoyed reading Mary Van Note's blog. And this is possibly the best photo I've seen in a long, long time.

In other news, my mama's starting to think about moving, so I got to raid through her wardrobes. Yay! Among other treasures I found a beautiful pinafore dress. I shortened it a little bit and now it's just about my favourite thing ever. Check it out :)





I'm not so good at the posing thing... It'll come with practice :)

Well that's it for this Tuesday. I'm off for another cup of tea and then work!

Lots of love
Jen xxx

Peachy, With A Side Of Keen

...And Tuesdays are bringing together all the lovely things I've been looking at!



I look at Richard Armitage a lot, mainly because he's just beautiful...

*Ahem*

I love this tutorial on how the washing up got done in the 1940s! It's especially awesome because I've been explaining to my housemates for weeks that there's a specific order dishes should be done in, and now I know it's not just me :) (Yeah I know, OCD much?)

This is the best recipe for vanilla cupcakes! Instead of the icing though, try whisking up some buttercream, add a little rose syrup, and you have the dreamiest butterfly cakes ever.

Cut-Out-And-Keep has a lovely how-to for embroidering a deer. As I might have mentioned already, I'm really keen on embroidery at the moment and this would make the cutest decoration for a bedroom!

If, like me, you're a lover of vintage and reading then head on over to the Queens of Vintage social network and join the vintage book club! We've just finished reading 'The Moving Finger' by Agatha Christie (which was brilliant) and thinking about what to read next... I'm crossing my fingers for The Great Gatsby or Lady Chatterley's Lover.

That's it for this week! It's a bit of a short list, but after finding the washing up tutorial I've been mostly reading the rest of the Behind the Curtain blog, it's fab :) What's been occupying your screens this week?

Hope you've had a lovely Tuesday!
Jen xxxx