Happy Valentines Day!

Last year for Valentines both me and the mr were working and so I posted a list of nice things to buy (which I still think would be perfect) and shared some photos of us. Well this year, not much has changed, the mr is still working and I will be at uni all day in the print room. But there is a difference. This year is the 30th anniversary of my Granddad's death. And so I will be popping over to see my Gran with some flowers and treats for her, and will spend some time with her instead. Don't worry it's not a sad event, but is certainly one of the reasons I don't ever do anything romantic on valentines day. (Another reason is that it is mine and Mike's anniversary in a week so we would rather save our money to celebrate that! Can't wait!)

However if you have a date planned- please have a wonderful time!

Abiento x

It's Monday!

Good morning lovely folk. Well afternoon by now I guess. Hope your morning isn't feeling to grey. Today I am glad to be at uni, with a routine again! All of my housemates returned last night, plus our new boy, we now have 6 of us under one roof! eek!

Anyway, coming up this week are the usual rounds of Friday Fun and My Week in Photos, plus some Art Inspiration and more of the normal Journal Writings (that you may feel free to ignore! They are a requirement of my course... to ramble on and on about my work. Self evaluation they call it.) Plus I will also be chatting about the progress I am making with weight loss and the foods and exercises I have been doing to get there! Enjoy your Monday :)

Abiento x

Photo By Anna Hardy

A change is coming

So the standard new year new blog blurb would probably fit in here perfectly, but instead I'm gonna get right to the point. The blog is getting serious. Or rather I'm getting serious about the blog. Each regular post will now be on a set time of it's set days, making it easier to know when to come a visiting. This is scheduled for handy UK times, even though I know that most of my lovely readers are from North America. Sorry guys!

Just cause, you know, it's true!

I will also be bringing back the Weekly Word Photo project, as I don't want to do another 365 project when mine ends in February, but still want a focused and controlled photography project to help develop my skills and help me to get to know my new camera. This time however it will be done with more knowledge, interest and skill- plus obviously a better camera and editing software! I started the project originally when the blog was an infant, and didn't always pay it the attention it deserved. Hopefully this time around it will not only last longer but will be much better! I would like it to have a connecting theme however and

I chose to restart the Weekly Word Photo project after evaluating why I didn't like the 365 project, and what I could do to change it;

• I felt restricted by my own choice of subject. Taking a photograph to represent my day can be very tedious and boring. Frequently I photographed things just for the sake of it, and on the days where I did nothing, the images became boring and un-creative. Not what I had intended. Plus I often end up using my phone as I can't be bothered to cart my DSLR around with me everywhere I go! 
• I didn't like the daily task added onto my routine. Some days I would get to the end of the day and feel guilty for not taking a photo, resulting in me taking a rubbish photo!
• Taking a photo of your day often requires taking photos of people, which I get embarrassed doing. Often, to compensate, I would take photos of relevant objects to create a tenuous link to my day.

However I did enjoy the documentary effect of the project, and in 2013 would like to try again (from January to December) to have a full calender year that I can then put into a photo-book or similar.  Having the restrictions and discipline there, although not always enjoyable, did also mean that the photos got taken. It forces it out of you but sometimes that's the only way to get things done. 

I'm looking forward to the new project starting at the end of February and coming up with a good theme for the images. Any suggestions!? 

The new year will also see more of my journal posts (until I finish the foundation course) and more info on the workouts I'm doing, and the food I'm eating as I continue to lose weight. The onset of winter has seen my weight hit a plateau, and now that Christmas is over, it's time to kick it up a notch!

With a rough time-line of losing 20 lbs (or reaching a size 12- whichever I get to first) by late June/early July I am not starving myself or dieting, I am continuing with my chosen exercises at my local gym, plus netball twice a week and some healthier foods! Plus I want to start running again; mainly to improve my cardio. Wish me luck!

images found here, original here

Yes I do zumba. Every monday night thank you very much. And yes I look like that. I am grateful for all the people in front of me blocking my view from the mirror! Very grateful. 

Abiento x

Welcome to 2012.

So, every year since we entered this millennium there have been rumors about the world ending. Luckily however we have made it. We have made it through hurricanes, tsunami's and a 10 year war. 2011 saw a lot of disaster for many people across the world. It did also see lots of smiles.

 Luckily for me however, I did not personally feel any of that in my life. 2010 ended rather un-dramatically, and I was not particularly happy, but throughout 2011 I have slowly fought my way back. My body has begun it's journey back to being itself after suffering with an under active thyroid. I am now halfway through losing the resultant weight I gained. I have also started to figure out what I want to do with my life. After leaving UBC in late 2010, I had no idea what to do with myself. And so I turned to photography and began this blog. 2011 has seen both flourish with excellent feedback. As the year came to a close, both have been left by the wayside slightly. I took the winter off to focus on myself more and paid less attention to both. And while I'm happy to let my photography stay as a sideline adventure, I'm not so happy to do the same with this blog. On a successful day in 2011 I had somewhere up to 150 readers. This made me proud and happy :) Sadly you guys don't come a visitin' that much any more, although I am grateful to those of you who do. And so I want to add this blog to one of my priorities this year. It can be one of my resolutions.

As today is the 4th, most resolutions across the world will have been broken by now. So I have waited to until now to even think about mine.

In no particular order;

1. Pay more attention to my blog; have at least one post a day (on weekdays) as well as an introduction of more weekly posts.
2. Drop another dress size. I'd like to reach a size 12 before easter! (That gives me 13 and a half weeks so should be more than do-able!)
3. Go to Italy.

I don't really make many New Year's resolutions, but I would like to make a few monthly resolutions to begin with.

January 2012:

1. Finish my new website (I started this a couple of months ago and am yet to finish it! eek!)
2. Write a good essay for my course.
3. Pick up my camera more often- especially now that I have a spanken new one!
4. Stay dedicated to working out, and tailer my workouts more to my weight loss- i.e do more cardio!

What about you? Do you have any goals for the year, the month or even just next week!? I hope I can achieve all that I want to.

Abiento x

Absence

Okay so 'Absent for a day or two' turned into Absent for nearly 10 days.... I'm sorry! I've been having far too much fun relaxing in the real world with my girl Cara :).

One of the things we've most enjoyed doing out here, is watching movies! We know we should be out and about exploring all that Canada has to offer, but the Island is essentially Cornwall, and therefore lacking. Especially when it's -1 outside! So, in order to truly relax and recover from all the year has thrown at us, we plonked ourselves down on the sofa and stayed there. So I thought I would share the list of movies we worked through, new and old to see if anyone else wanted to watch them or thought they were as great as we did! (Click on each film title to watch the trailer)

All About Steve. This one looks older than it is, and turned out to be hilarious; providing us with quotes such as 'my toes feel like 10 happy campers!' Features Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper amongst others.

Sweet Home Alabama. A classic rom com about a Southern girl (Reese Witherspoon) who heads to New York to make it big with Patrick Dempsey (Hello!)

Up! Heart-braking film from Pixar, if you haven't seen it yet, make sure you do!


A Knights Tale. Funny. Witty, and oh yeh, Heath Ledger is the main character. Need I say more!?


Midnight in Paris. Good film. Bit of a disappointment though. Includes a great cast, and a great story about Paris in the 20's, but somehow just didn't cut it. (Don't believe everything rotten tomato reviews say)


We Bought a Zoo. New to cinemas this Christmas, it is out here in Canada. When we read the synopsis it sounded cheesy. We watched the trailer and got goosebumps. We then went to the cinema and bawled like babies. It is wonderful. Blind Side type of hollywood film, but fantastic. I plan on buying it very soon!


The Family Stone. Christmas family fun at it's best. Must see!


Water for Elephants. Twilight fans want to see this for Robert Pattinson and his romance with Reese Witherspoon, however I would suggest that anyone go see it. It is heart-touching and wonderful.


Love Actually. There are no words. Just watch it at Christmas and you will feel all warm and gooey inside! :)

Have a wonderful Christmas! Be back soon!

Abiento x

I'm in Canada!!!

Hello from Victoria, B.C!! Yup, that's right! Saturday morning we woke up super duper early, and headed off to Newquay airport. 3 flights and a coach ride later we are with my mum! This week I will have lots of photos to share of what we get up to, and hopefully some interesting posts with a Christmas and/or Canada theme!

Abiento x

London Town!

So, I am back and just recovered from our little birthday trip to London! And I didn't get time to plan a post for yesterday, so sorry if you tuned in to find nothing!

We got back on Friday night, I don't even know what I did on Saturday (I was slightly comatose from lack of sleep....) and then worked a busy busy shift on Sunday! So after a full day in the studio yesterday, I am back and running and ready to share the photos from our trip!

We wandered all along the Southbank in London, after arriving super early off our sleeper train.

We popped over t St. Pauls, crossing the Millenium bridge just for the mr's mum!

We popped into the Tate gift shop (I don't like the Tate. Just the gift shop!) and also into Winston Churchill's War Experience.

We then also quickly visited the Fashion and Textiles Museum before lunch

Then the London Dungeon, followed by a delicious dinner with a bottle of champagne!

We ended the evening with stand up at the Comedy Store!

Then Friday we mulled around a couple more museums before renting Barclays bikes to zip across Hyde Park! We made it just in time to our train home with a picnic from M&S.

All in all it was beyond perfect and I cannot thank my lovely man enough for spoiling me for my birthday!!! Thank you honey, I love you :)

P.S Check out this hilarious part of an exhibit in the Churchill war exhibit....!!

Oh Yep. That's a noose, reserved for Hitler!

Abiento x

Landan Town

This evening we head out to Landan town on the sleeper train for 3 days in the city with my boy :) I can't wait to see what suprises Mike has lined up for and to celebrate being 21! Be back soon with photos!

Abiento x

P.S Oh yeh, we are the coolest!

Birthday Week

This Thursday is my 21st Birthday! I'm so excited! It's a rather strange excitement though; I feel like I've been 21 for quite a while already. Plus as my family and friends are spread across not only this country, but the whole world, it would be a small party! And so last night I had dinner with my family in Cornwall, tonight is cocktails with my friends in Cornwall, and then on Wednesday evening Mike is whisking me away to London for a couple of nights!

It's a complete suprise, I don't know what were doing at all! I'm not even meant to know where were going :) So, look out this week for photos of my Birthday week!

Abiento x

P.S The whole of that cake has now successfully been eaten :) Fatty Fatty me!

Lacking Inspiration

Ok- Back again! I feel like I have been so distant and boring here lately, and I have to admit that it's largely due to the fact that I've not been inspired much lately. I've been working lots, exercising lots, and then sleeping lots! But there is also a huge amount of good things coming up for me over the duration of the next season (yes people it is officially Autumn; Summer has now been and gone!). For instance, in my personal life I am starting a new course, moving into a bigger space (house or room, it's un-decided at the moment!), going on holiday with my best friend (3 times!!) and much much more. But I also have a few magazine features coming up; in Glamour and Cornwall today, along with a couple more shoots and another feature from the amazing Lou of Whimsical Wonderland Weddings! So why I am so dry in the head at the moment!?!

I have no idea, but roll on next Monday for this new course, and a creative kick up the ass!

Until then my dears, do me a couple of favours and watch this;

buy this book;

or even this app: 

listen to this;

and have a good week!

Abiento x

Old Photos

When I was at a family funeral a couple of weeks ago, my Sister found a tonne of photos of us as children, including these gorgeous ones of me and my mumma :)

I love finding old photos, of any era, and reminiscing with friends and family :).

Have a good weekend guys

Abiento x