from Hong Kong

~ this was waiting for me when I got home tonight.  I was excited about the envelope a little bit more than the contents....

 Shiny new toys inside... I won't show you though, because it's a present for someone else!

Parkland Walk [& graffiti]

I recently discovered the Parkland Walk; a beautiful glimpse of country side running through north London.  Following an old railway track, it is in two parts.  The first (south) begins in Finsbury Park and leads you along to Highgate.  You know you've reached the end of the section as you are met with two towering archways, boarded up:

I couldn't resist climbing up the side of them through all the over-growth to see how it looked from up there:

 You have to join back with reality and walk along the main road for a couple of minutes until you get to Highgate Wood.

Having never been there before, I took a long meander around and fell in love with the small but charming reminder of a greener way of life.  It was a sporadic hot day last month that I went; so was happy to discover an in-use drinking fountain there too:

 Straight out the other side of the woods you pick the north section of the walk back up.  This leads you to Alexandra Palace and you can see from the photo below the climb you are making as the old track ascends:

 I loved spotting the old remnants of the train track as I went along.  For the majority of the walk the trees are so tall they meet in the centre above you.  There really was something quite enchancted about it all.  The London traffic was barely audiable for the most part, which really added to the escapist effect.

 Not only is it an attractive wildlife walk, but there is also the reminder of a modern day influence and some amazing graffiti can be seen along the way. 

My favourite spots was first of all this wall, just as the north section ends and you enter Alexandra Palace park. It was obviously brightly sprayed at one point but since painted over this green colour. With weathering the paint has begun to peel back in places and reveal glimpses of the colour beneath:

 In the south section of the walk there are even more treasures.  Something about this tree's roots, enclosing around the remainders of a red brick wall, really grabbed my attention:

In the final stretch back to Finsbury Park are numerous archways demonstrating a world of street art:

 Not to mention this fella - I really want to know what he is doing there!

For more info on the history of this walk see http://www.parkland-walk.org.uk/

It's a great way to spend a day or free afternoon, touch back with nature a bit.  I took some reading and enjoyed the sun in Alexandra Palace park once I got there, before heading back.

good reasons to be poor

Things I've been spending money in the last week (which I probably shouldn't have) but am happy I did...

This book 'Just Kids' that I cannot wait to start reading! About £5, brand new from Ebay.

This super cute bike necklace, £7 from Accessorize, on a nice & long gold chain. I couldn't walk away from it...

This dress from Traid charity shop on Holloway Road (one of my all time fave charity shops) for only £4.49.

This vegan face mask with avocado and goji berry was £6 from Superdrug and it's soooo good.  Great to have affordable vegan beauty products more accessible!

This nail jewel set was only from the 99p store at the end of my road... I couldn't not get it! I did this two days ago and half the jewels have fallen off now, but it's a lot of fun and worth it if you want to bling up your nails for a big night out, haha!

Headphones (£4 from a sports shop) and water bottle from Sweaty Betty... I also got an amazing sports bra from them too. That was the big spend of the week; but it was so worth it.

Went out for a run the night I'd gotten it and ran for 7 miles - my new personal best! Being able to listen to music (finally) when I'm running was a major help too. Oh and having water with me. You don't even have to grip this bottle because it just sits on your hand.

I became a member of Sweaty Betty for free and get to attend free excercise classes they hold in the evenings - Wednesday is running club. I can't wait to go along to one!

mohair pullover

I went back to my family home a few months back and one of my favourite things to do, is rummage through the shambles of my old bedroom (I left it in such a mess!), find old projects & remind myself of the substantial wool stash still there.  I found this half-finished project, from maybe three years ago.  I'd done it all - the knitting, the side seams, everything except sewing up the shoulder seams.  I have to idea what stopped me (read: distracted me) but I brought it back to my London space and have finally sewn it up.  Now it just needs it debut wear (which I think will have to happen today).

I improvised this pattern and can't remember the details; but here is how I appear to have made it...

 There's a K2 P2 rib an inch high at the bottom edge to help give some shape.

 The front & back were knitted in two separate pieces, just plain stocking stitch [I was letting the yarn do the talking with this one] then sewn together down the sides.

However, around halfway up the front piece I knitted a row of purl stitches, which gives the impression of a seam - I'm not too sure if this was purposeful, but I like the appearance of structure it creates.

The shoulder seam is only a few inches wide, allowing the sleeves to hang naturally.

I'm really happy with the volumous shape that the knitting creates - the front has more fabric then the back piece does, which presensts itself as a cowl style neck.  The pullover measures roughly 19" long and 22" wide.  The best thing is, I also found a fair amount of this yarn left, so there's room for some matching items too...

Here is it on Ravelry [with a few extra pics]

JAPANESE stationary

Just amazing.

 Lots & lots of squares of beautifully patterned paper, about 2" x 2"

 I don't want to slide the gold clips off quite yet, because it just looks so pretty as it is - so perfect!

I can only imagine all the beautiful, delicate layers that are underneath.

This little bundle of paper joy came from a stationary shop in Japan and was bought by a work colleague for me.

STRIKKETOY & knitting

STRIKKETOY / knitter + 1" spring pegs

(Norwegian + local 99p store)

Cabled sock cuffs + Lacey box crop top

 (Pattern from a magazine + making it up as I go)

Pleat Treat

I've been brooding for a pleated midi for a small while now.

On the off chance, I thought I'd check out the charity shops of Richmond on my lunch break today.

I walked into the Cancer Research shop on the corner of Hill Street and there it was.

The skirt I'd been wanting all this time.

Brand new with tags.

In my size.

[What are the chances?!]

 I also had to have a quick gaze at the jewellery section.

I found this piece.

At first I picked it up as I thought it would be great to reuse all the chain for my creations.

Then I realised I actually quite like it just for myself.

That's my outfit sorted for the rest of May then...