Totes packaged

Two new tote bag designs and an order from Paris called for a re-think of my packaging.  Here's how my totes and tea towels will now be packaged from now on.  Hope ya like it.  Happy weekending, x

Appreciating disc-blasting technology

So here's what I've been learning/reading/making/watching/listening/eating/drinking/wishing:

Spent a whole day with my brother and sister, my parents, cousins and my aunts and uncles, a large dog, some cows, giant Jenga, a moderate amount of rain and a lot of cake.  Lucky me for having a pretty nice family. Funny how it takes a nerf gun and a game of tetherball to make you realise things like this.

I'm reading Extremely loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer - I'm halfway through it on my kindle and still not completely sold.  Might not be up there on my Goodreads list but it's alright.  Looking forward to starting a handful of other books that are on my shelf.  Anyone have good book recommendations? I will add them to my list! 

I did a 10k run in May and totally made these lemon date bars from Tracy Shutterbean's website as a pre-run munch.  They were delicious and maybe even partially responsible for my (personal best) finishing time of 53 minutes! I'm running the British 10k on July 8th and if you'd like to sponsor me I'm raising money for AKU, a lesser known charity setup by a friend of a friend.

We went to see Moonrise Kingdom the other week.  It was wonderful and funny and just so clever.  I suggest you go and see it. 

I'm listening to TriSwim coach podcasts - and I don't care what you say!  Been training for a one mile open water swim which takes place next weekend so it's good to hear some tips and motivation in my ears while I'm working.  You can still sponsor my swim and even sign up yourself if you fancy!

Totally addicted to coco pops and just discovered Chipotle Tabasco sauce.  I'm not sure these two things should ever be combined but they will most definitely be appearing in my life in excessive amounts until I no doubt overdo it.

Minimum of two black coffees before 11am or things can get nasty.  Brew Dog Punk IPA has had me loosey goosey a few times this month - good stuff but strong.  I've also been really getting my drink on with my water intake.  I deserve a sticker or something.

I need a helmet.  I wish I would hurry up and decide on one.

Other things of interest:
I totally got interviewed by etsy for their "Quit your day job" series.  You can read the post on the etsy blog.
I designed some cards for a lady to send after a close family member of hers died.  I chose a Johnny Cash quote and some thistles and had them printed on some nice textured matt card.
I've become mildly addicted (I'm pretty sure this is entirely normal) to Pinterest and relatively obsessed with the idea of buying a new (different to the one I already have) bike.

I'll leave you now, as I have some delicious pulled pork rolls to eat.

SWIM update

If you have been following my athletic activities online you may be aware I have been training to swim one mile as part of the Great North Swim.  Well due to horrendous weather the swim in Lake Windermere tomorrow has been cancelled.  Our B&B was booked, all potential fish that may be encountered had been googled, our picnic was just about to be packed, and near on everyone had wished me good luck - when I got a call to say it had been called off.  SO gutted.

So after a little sulking and cursing the British weather (pointless) I have bagged a spot at the Great Manchester Swim in Salford Quays for next Sunday instead.  Still bummed out that I won't be doing my mile in a picturesque lake but already looking forward to the atmosphere that will no doubt be fantastic in Manchester - and it means I can squeeze in a little more training - and fundraising - in the meantime!

Man op zak

Pretty nice to come home to a copy of Flow magazine this week; the nice people who make the magazine sent me a copy of issue 4 which contains some nice dutch words about my pocket manfriends!  The pages are full of lovely pictures and gorgeous paper stock - and from the small paragraph that I've translated, some very good writing and product features as well!  Find them on twitter and facebook.  Proost :)

Embracing rubber (and pain)

I'm swimming one mile in a cold lake next month.  It's going to be a major challenge for many reasons despite the lake being freezing cold;

-My front crawl up until about two months ago was nothing less than a thrashing, drowning-type scenario ending in a mouthful of water and minor indecent exposure.

-I don't know about you but I tend to panic when my face is in water and I can't breathe.

-As a general rule I usually try to avoid wearing rubber clothing but in this case the rubber is avoiding me wearing IT - goddamn this kit is an effort to get into/out of.

My training started about two months ago and I'm improving slowly.  It's all so painfully new.  The goggles, the swim cap, the breathing... the one-piece speedo suit.  It's a challenge.

I'm doing all of this mostly for my own pleasure (/pain) but also to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.  They help improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

So if you'd like to get involved in my challenge, you can sponsor me on my sponsorship page.  If you'd like to be entered into winning a kitty tote bag, just take a guess at my finishing time for the swim and put it in the sponsor note.  You can pledge as much or as little as you'd like.

Provided I don't get eaten by a lake monster, I'll announce my finishing time and the winner of the goody bag on June 24th! In the meantime, stay tuned - I may show you a photo of my sexy wetsuit.