Shop Independent this Christmas

There are SO many benefits from shopping independently! Mainly you get a unique, lovingly made product and you support those amazing, creative, hard working people, directly. No chain store to take their 99%! If you choose a local independent store your money goes right back into your community. Which is pretty amazing! 

I've put together a must-visit list of some of my favourite independent shops to help you start your search for the perfect gift. I would really really love it if you dropped me a link of you favourites shops too!

Accid Wosh has some seriously beautiful tie-dye bits that your family and friends will seriously love. I'm a big fan of candles and these tie die candles are up there with the best. People seem to think that socks are crappy gifts, they're wrong! Socks are really really great gifts, especially those that are acid washed!

Mmmm... Guacamole. If you're looking for some awesome stocking fillers, check out Cous Cous Bang Bang. I'm a huge fan of a tote bag, and I absolutely love their Sex, Drugs & Guacamole design (even the colour!!). I'll be getting myself one of these real soooon. Also, Flat White?! So good!

Got a little person in your life? Then give Lemon and Magnolia a look. Her bloomers kill me, I've bought a pair for a little dude in my life already and they are the cutest. They're all stitched by one seriously talented lady who uses some of THE best fabric I've ever seen. The hardest thing is choosing.

For the writer in the family get over to Aubergine Fox. Their dipped twig pencils are amazing, I would love a set of those! And they have a super good selection of notebooks which pair together with the pencils beautifully. You can never have enough notebooks in my eyes.

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Christmas Travels.

Christmas where families live far apart results in a festive season of endless on train, off train, with huge suitcases. I know we are not alone in this (I have friends who have it much worse) but it is pretty tiering. We left our house on the 24th for Dixons parents in Sunderland, and yesterday was a pit-stop back at home, to pick up my parents presents now we're at my parents for our second Christmas. We will be back in Leeds to spend New Years with our friend-family, then straight back to work; which adds up to a very exhausted me.

It is worth it though, I love seeing our families spending time with each of them is pretty important and I can't imagine having Christmas without Dixon there. And, it really does make me appreciate my own home when we get to the end of it all. I'm never 100% comfortable unless I am in my own bed and able to work by my own schedule (and use my own coffee machine).

I hope your festive season is/was amazing, and that you're getting the chance to relax, appreciate and enjoy.

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Christmas v2.

Last year I  had a pretty shitty Christmas; on Christmas eve eve noro-virus got me. I was up all night throwing up, the next day was the same... It was awful. Dixon managed to get me us on a train to my parents house. Christmas Eve came around and the virus came for Dixon too. He was in a pretty bad way come Christmas morning, we had both hardly slept and hadn't eaten in a couple of days. We didn't want to be anti-social so dragged ourselves to my brothers for Christmas dinner; the food looked amazing and we filled our plates. But ate nothing. We weren't feeling fantastic by this point so we went and sulked away in the dark living room feeling sorry for ourselves. We lost our Christmas, and it really sucked. 

Today is the last day at work until the new year and I am making the most of feeling fit and healthy. The tree is already up. I'm going to bake, wrap and decorate.  I'm going to take very opportunity to see friends and family. I'm going to mull all drink possible and sprinkle cinnamon on everything I eat. I can't wait.

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A Story & A Quilt.

Back in 2008 when I was first planning to move to Leeds my friend Kate and I were going to rent a house together. Kate mentioned to me that one of her friends was looking for somewhere in Leeds too and suggested that we all look for somewhere together! The next week we all got together to views some houses; and thats when I first met Amy!

We quickly found a perfect 3 bedroom house and the next 2 years there were amazing. I think Kate was worried that Amy and me wouldn't get along, but it was like we'd known each other forever. Amy is one of the smartest, funniest people I have ever met. She is so much fun and always has the best ideas. She introduced me to so many things too, I'd have never eaten avocado if it wasn't for her! I'm lucky to have met Amy and, 6-ish years later, still have her as one of my best friends.

Now, she and boyfriend Anthony are leaving Leeds (just like Kate did!) and having a baby! I am gutted to see yet more friends leave, but I am so happy for them both and can't wait to visit their new home and little family.

To celebrate this new chapter in Amy and Anthonys life a bunch of friends and family got together yesterday to wish them luck. And I had the chance to give them my gift; a baby quilt! I wanted to give them something special to take with them and decided that a quilt would be perfect. I had no idea how hard it would be! I'm pretty impressed with myself for actually finishing the whole thing. The patchwork itself was reasonably easy, although they don't all line up perfectly, but adding the batting and binding almost pushed me over the edge. I'm really not sure how long it will actually stay today, it definitely has character though! And I really love how the finished thing looks; the whale fabric is probably my favourite ever. I hope all three of them love it.

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Do you ever feel as though everything is working against you? Christ. Its sometimes so tough to stay positive when things start to pile up. We still can't connect to our internet 3 weeks after our 'go live' date and the company in question (TalkTalk) have the most atrocious customer service. We still don't have a fence in our yard which was supposed to be up before we moved in preventing us from moving forward with potential dog adoption. Our old landlords are taking way more time then they should be to pay my bond back. The cold tap in the kitchen doesn't work and the plug in the bath doesn't fit. It may seem like small things, but it's all adding up to one big ball-ache.

In the mean time come and find me on Twitter or Instagram.

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Phew.

Well, that was pretty scary. But, I am so so relieved to say that we will be getting the keys to our new home in 22 days! ! I thought it would never happen after losing the first place and our current landlord being the biggest douchebag of all time. But we found a letting agent that went beyond the call of duty to find us a new home, she has restored my faith in man-kind and there is a huge bunch of flowers on their way to her right now.

Although it wont be the house we initially wanted to move into, I am excited. We'll have much more space and a garden that I am so excited to spend my weekends in. We should also have a little more freedom when it comes to decorating (I'm already planning a few ideas and paint parties).

Now, it's time for boxes and parcel tape. Moving is usually pretty stressful, but I have a feeling that on the back of the last few weeks it is going to be a breeze. We may have more stuff than I initially thought, I've emptied out our huge bookcase and thats already filled 6 boxes!  And, I am really not looking forward to deconstructing and reconstructing all the furniture that we have accumulated in our two years here. I can't wait to organise our new rooms though.

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Moving.

The reason for the sudden tumbleweed silence over here is we're currently in the processes of trying to move house. Moving from rented house to rented house is a nightmare at the best of times. Finding somewhere within your price range, in an area you know (and like) and where the current tenants just happen to move out just as you need to move in seems almost impossible sometimes. This time we have had to work into the equation a potential dog we're hoping to adopt (landlords really seem to hate dogs). It's all very stressful and very expensive.

This move, however, has surpassed all stress levels I have ever felt before and moved into the 'Am I ever going to sleep again?'-realm. Our current landlord is trying everything within his power to stop us leaving his property. This includes lying to potential new landlord. They care little about us and what we have to lose. I won't bore you but I am a complete wreck We've already lost a beautiful house, we've already lost money and now we're losing time. I haven't been able to think of anything else for two weeks. I have cried a lot.

We may have found a way out, although I don't have much hope right now. Thank you to Dixon for keeping me sane. And thank you to those friends for standing by us. You're the best.

I am a believer that everything happens for a reason, but this is really testing me.

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Awesome Blog: Roller Derby.

I have been busy this week! Holy hell, I haven't had chance to think, yet I feel like I have done nothing at all. That, and I can feel an illness coming on. Bleh.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know I wrote a little article for the lovely guys at Awesome Merchandise this week! They sent me to a roller derby bout, particularly to see the Leeds Roller Dolls in action! Awesome Merchandise are there new sponsors you see. Those ladies are tough. You can read my thoughts on the Awesome Blog.

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Are you involved in roller derby? Do you support your local team? Or do you skate yourself? I knew nothing about it until I went along on Saturday and I had the best time! I've never really been involved in a competitive sport before, but something about derby really appeals to me! I'd recommend heading over to a bout, if you haven't already.


I have a bunch of stuff I am desperate to get writing down for you all. I hope you're having an amazing Wednesday! See you soon.

Looking Back.

Tomorrow is By the Locks First Blogiversary! A whole year has passed since I sat down to write a little blog post. I had absolutely no idea what I was planning to do with this space then, and I also had no idea this blog would introduced me to a whole bunch of amazing things and some even more amazing people (hello!). It is cheesy as hell but it has really changed my life. I have learnt so much and been so inspired by all of you. I still get excited every time I see a comment pop up, or a new reader follow. Thanks to every single one of you. Tune back in tomorrow for even more of a sob-fest.

I thought I'd reminisce a little and share some of my all time favourite posts. I've never done this before but I know some people do each month, I found it so tough! I'd never be able to do it each month. Click through the photo to see the original post. Enjoy!

1// A Stitch and a Story 2// Sweet Potato + Pinto Bean Burger 3// Book a Week #8 - Jaws! 4// Dog Day 6// Candied Macadamias 7// Hand-printed Cotton Napkins

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Gemma Correll - A Pugs Guide to Etiquette

Gemma Correll is a super talented and funny illustrator. I've been a fan of her work for a while, so I was very excited when Cico books offered to send me a copy of her new book- A Pugs guide to Etiquette. Upon receiving it I was so happy to see Gemma hasn't veered away from her usual sense of humour. Expect fart references and butt sniffing.

The Pugs Guide to Etiquette is 64 pages full of amazingly cute puggish illustrations. Filled with hilarious rules on how exactly a pug should act to up-hold its breeds reputation. Through the book you'll learn how such well-bred pups should hold themselves in certain situations; from grooming to sports. You'll find out when it's acceptable to lick (Answer: Always) and what after-dinner entertainment your guests will enjoy. The 'Entertaining' chapter had me in fits of giggles through-out.

I highly recommend the Pugs Guide to Etiquette for all dog fanciers and lovers, whether a pug owner or not. I also recommend a look over at Gemmas amazingly funny blog roll, it keeps me entertained daily. Her narrative illustrations has me snorting (the herbivore dinosaur is me all over). 

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A Pug’s Guide to Etiquette by Gemma Correll is published by Dog ‘N’ Bone at £9.99 and is available from www.cicobooks.com.

Wreck This Journal

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I want to share something with you. I was given this amazing little wreck it journal by Dixons sister this Christmas (Thanks Lindsey!!). I'd never heard of Keri Smith before, but man, I love it! It has been travelling everywhere with me. Every time I have a minute I flick to a page and do whatever it says. There are some quick ones and some pages to collect things too. I love when books look weathered and worn, it means they're loved right? So this is perfect. The only problem with it is I want to do everything in it now! I've made paper planes, pressed leaves and drawn with my mouth. I'm worried it wont last me the year!

Keri has a whole load of other books in her store, I highly recommend them! Especially as a gift. Have you wrecked a journal?

Stay Inspired.

I have always been quite a creative person so over the years I have had my fair share of blank moments. I thought it'd be fun (even, helpful?) to share with you my own personal tried and tested methods on how to get over, and avoid, creative block. I work my way through these steps (in no particular order) whenever I can't seem to get anywhere with a blog post idea. This also relates to finalising new projects and craft ideas.

Get up, move! - You've got a concept in your head, you've been sitting staring at your screen for an hour now and no words are coming. Stop refreshing twitter. Get outside! Go for a 20 minute walk. There is so much you could see on your travels that might start a different thought pattern. A change of scenery will make the world of difference. I love moving my work to a cafe. I take my laptop along, get a coffee and start again. It really works for me.

Write it down - I'm sorry if this one seems obvious, but I think its a great tool when you're looking for fresh creative inspiration. Start by making two lists of things you love, then mix and matching them together to make completely new combinations. Many new projects and DIY ideas have come to me this way. I sometimes have to remind myself it's an amazingly effective way to build on ideas. You can brainstorm too; write one idea in the centre of your page and build outwards with whatever comes into your head.

Notebooks at the ready -  My day job is pretty busy, through the day I might have ideas spinning around my head but I don't have much time to work on them. So, I always have a notepad handy which I use specifically for scribbling or sketching down ideas. I come back to these ideas later, expand and explore! It's great to look back at even older ideas I didn't work more on at the time, for whatever reason. I also love using my phone to snap things I see in magazines or screen-cap websites. Tiny reminders of little things I love that could inspire a new project.

Forget about it! - Even if after all of the above I just can't think of anything much past a cup of coffee, it is time to forget about it. At least for now. Sometimes the best ideas sprout up when my head is empty. There is a good chance the pressure I'm putting on myself is the reason I'm struggling. Time to take a bath and watch some crap TV (Teen Mom anyone?). We'll try again tomorrow.

Finally, if I've come back the next day and I still have nothing, or what I have sounds crappy. It's time to ask some questions, is this idea really working for me? Sometimes an idea which had me super excited just fizzles out. Run the idea past an honest friend, what do they think? If you're forcing yourself to write about a subject, it comes across as forced to the reader. Maybe the idea isn't right, right now. Sideline it for another time.

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Remember, these tips relate to me writing here, but they can be tweaked to fit with whatever is happening in your own life! That could be planning a fun trip away, hand-making a gift or baking a pie! I would really love to hear what you tackle inspiration block. Or maybe you're lucky enough to never have had this problem, in that case, let me know your secrets!

A Story & A Stitch.

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I grew up in a pretty tiny village on the outskirts of a pretty tiny town. As soon as I hit 18 I was desperate to get out of there. I chose a city about 40miles away, Leeds! And started applying for jobs. After a load of hard work I finally landed one. Commuting from my parents house into Leeds was a bummer. I was tired. So, as soon as I had a little money behind me I started looking for a place to live in the city. This was tough as I wasn't earning that much money and knew no-one there. Then, over a mutual fondness of a fat cat called called Prince Chunk, I met Kate! 

A couple of months later myself, Kate, along with her best friend (and soon to be my friend) Amy found the perfect 3 bedroom house and moved in together! The house was on Ashville Avenue, and I loved that place. We stayed there for almost 2 years, and I really had the most amazing time.

Kate introduced me to so many amazing things I still love now. If it wasn't for her badgering me into going out one night I'd have never met Dixon. It's safe to say my life would be pretty shitty if I hadn't met Kate.

Tonight, the three of us are getting together again to say see ya to Kate, as she is moving away! Booo. I'm super sad to see her go. To make sure she never forgets our time together, I have made this little hoop. Ashville Forever.

Christmas Travels.

Not being a couple who has a driving licence and who's families live a hundred or so miles apart splitting Christmas equally can be hard (and tiering!). This year it was my parents turn to have us on Christmas day. My middle brother hosted Christmas dinner we had an amazing meal and ended it on the sofa watching films. Then yesterday we hopped on a couple of trains, with two suitcases stuffed with presents we've received and presents still yet to give. Up the country we shot for Christmas number 2 with the Dixons'. Lots more presents, chocolate and time with the puppies.

I love seeing both families equally, but hell, its tiring!  It means we don't usually get back into the comfort of our own bed until the new year (this year a little before) which is exhausting. This year it was made a little bit more complicated as we both got pretty ill (I wont go into detail but it involved a whole heap of throwing up). You know what though? I wouldn't change it. Although, our own car would make it that little bit easier.

Do you have to split your time at Christmas? How does it work out? I hope regardless you've all had an amazing, exhausting festive period and are looking forward to the new year.

3.

Today, me and Dixon are 3 years old. And I am super lucky. We met completely by accident just over three years ago, and I can't imagine things any other way. Dixon is my best friend who is the funniest, kindest and smartest person. 

To celebrate we're going for a meal at Prashad. We've both been dying to go for a while, but never made the effort to travel over to Bradford. So guess how excited I was to find out it moved 25minutes from our flat!? We may go see the Hobbit too, but we are both awful at making it to the cinema. Maybe we'll go bowling! Either way, its going to be a fun day.

I really couldn't imagine a person I would rather spend the last day on Earth with. Heres to another amazing year (if we survive the apocalypse).

 

#18 - Enjoy time Alone.

Being alone is something I've always struggled with. I would shudder at the thought of sitting in a cafe,  shopping or exploring a new place alone. Even in the comfort of my own home, weekends alone would drag (which is something that, as a football-widow with not too many friends, happens every other week). I've always found it difficult to keep myself entertained.

A few months ago I decided this was no good. I wanted to be comfortable with my own company and make the most of my time. Turns out the solution was actually completely simple. I bought myself a little notepad.

And with that notepad I started to sit in a cafe on my lunch hour. I sketched and made lists. All with a wonderful coffee by my side. It suddenly seemed like I had masses of spare time. I have no idea how I managed to waste that time before. I had the time to plan things, research and read. I plotted a little trip for myself. And you know what? The trip was fun! Being able to do what I want without the worry of my company getting irksome easily out-weighed the awkwardness I initially felt. I spent ridiculous amounts of time in second hand book-stores, taking photographs of flowers and staring through a bakers window at all the amazing bread trying to decide which one to go in and buy. It was completely my time.

Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with friends, specifically I love spending time with Dixon. I'm just starting to see the benefits of sometimes being with me. And thats something I would never thought I'd say. I'm even thinking that maybe in the Spring I'll take a trip out to the lake district for the weekend, or maybe to the coast. Really test myself.

With a coffee and a notepad I can go anywhere. (As long anything doesn't mean going to a restaurant alone I am so NOT ready for that).

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You can read all about and follow my adventures through all my pre-25 challenges here.

Tomorrow, August 12th, marks exactly 1 and a half years until my 25th birthday (February 12th 2014), the big quarter century. So I thought it'd be a perfect time to start a bit of a count down. Unlike a lot of people I am actually looking forward to getting older, so this will be more of a celebration than a last ditch attempt to get things done before I'm past my prime. A chance to get myself in an amazing position to enjoy my late twenties.

So with 18 months to go, here are my eighteen things to do before I'm twentyfive:

1. Learn to bake my own amazing bread. Perfect focaccia anyone? Sourdough maybe?
2. Give some time to charity, regularly (with animals preferably, or kids).
3. Get my driving licence !! Or at least start towards it and have a few lessons.
4. Go to the Lake District! Or the lake. & row a boat!
5. Go whale spotting, which is pretty expensive actually, but may be a 24th birthday trip?
6. Get my qualifications for work. I currently have 4 exams to pass.
7. Go carbooting.
8. Go to the Manchester Velodrome again, either to cycle, or see an event.
9. See more bands play live.
10. Keep up with my 'Book a week' posts.
11. Lose weight! My first target is 2 stone. Stop being a douchebag and go to the gym. & go swimming!
12. Explore Yorkshire! Particularly the natural side, spend a day walking around the Yorkshire Dales.
13. Ride bikes with Dixon, lots (on my beautiful bike), aim to do 30miles in a day? & maybe even further.
14. Take more photos (especially film) and frame them to hang around the flat. I'd quite start to like a 'Places we've been' wall. (Idea completely stolen from Jen).
15. Sort my finances out, get rid of that over draft. Start some savings! Get a good credit rating. I'd ideally like to buy a house, but I'm not sure how realistic that is. This will most likley involve a spending ban.
16. Host a dinner party. Cook everything from scratch.
17. Go see a play.
18. Learn to enjoy time along. Go to a coffee shop and read, sit in the park, go for a walk!

And the reward? As my 25th birthday celebration I am going to do some falconry! I literally want to burst with excitement just thinking about it, I will most definitely cry on the day. Its something I have always wanted to do, but it's pretty expensive so could never justify it. Owls, hawks, eagles. Cannot wait.

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Would you believe I've been finalising this list for about 3 months now? It's changed so many times. I tried my hardest to think of realistic things, obviously there are both time and money constrains. I think I'm pretty happy with the final product. A good mixture of challenges and enjoyment. Some are big that'll take time, and some are small, but I'm going to make the most of it! Plus, I'll keep you all up to date on how I'm getting along.

What do you think? Do you have any goals set?