Austentatious Memoirs

19:53

2011-06-09T20:06:00.000+01:00

It's 19:53 and at this very moment it's raining. I'd say at a 45 degree angle. The sky is a kind of yellowish grey, the kind of colour which signals a summer storm. I just wanted to share this video with you all; today everywhere I turn someone's talking about Bon Iver, whether its tickets to gigs or the new album, but somethings been telling me to watch this video again and so I did.

I remember watching this video with two of my best friends on a cold wintry night, while we sat in a snuggly living room, clutching cups of green tea and being utterly spellbound. I hope you enjoy it.

"By night, Love, tie your heart to mine, and the two together in their sleep will defeat the darkness"

Pablo Neruda Love Sonnet LXXIX

Shalom,

Sarah x

p.s It's stopped raining. There wasn't a storm afterall.

Au Revoir to Childhood; Thoughts on the final days of King Edward VI Five Ways

2011-05-17T15:31:00.004+01:00

Today my childhood officially ended: Today I said goodbye to friends I've had for the past 7 years: Today the impact my school Five Ways has had on me became evident. My head hurts from crying now.

I'd rather forget Year 7 and 8 and bag them up as "character building". Year 9, 10 and 11 were brilliant; I finally found myself, Holly Baskerville became my best friend and everything was pretty rosy, despite GCSE German and cocky guys who thought they were God's gift to women. Study leave of year 11 was filled with picnics and relaxing in the garden and park with Holly, casually reading the textbooks, testing each other, taking photos and eating strawberries.

The start of sixth form saw my entire year turn on its head - the impact of frees, a-level lessons and workloads, but an influx of externals meant people started hating their friends, a fear of the externals kicked in and everything was generally a bit...weird. But it also bought with it a very special Clare Jones. I met Clare on the first induction day and I ask her to have lunch with me and my friends as she was an external and didn't know anyone and from there, the rest is history. I'm pretty sure Clare has pulled me through Sixth Form... when I was sad or depressed about art and work she cheered me up and she's always been there to listen to me moan. Her smile and laugh is infectious and she is literally a complete ray of sunshine: it might only have been two years but it feels like i've known you forever Clare. I'd also like to thank a very lovely Beth Grist for everything she's done for me over these past two years - you are craziest, most easily amused but caring person I have ever met but you are magnificent.

Because of the re-jigging of Sixth Form, other friendship groups deteriorated while others blossomed and I'm extremely thankful for the gaggle of friends I have to support me right now, you guys have been utterly wonderful and brilliant and I love you all, you know who you are. Thanks for sticking with me till the end, I think sixth form has made everyone realise who their true friends are and for that I'll be forever grateful.

It's pretty crazy to think I've spent the last 7 years of my life in the walls, corridors and classrooms of Five Ways but it's truly made me the person I am today. The teachers who seem more like friends now, especially Mrs Cooper and Mr Turner who have helped to develop my love of geography and english with their individual teaching styles, advice and support are are a true credit to Five Ways. These two teachers have taught me to have informed opinions about the world we live in, to believe in myself and to see everything in a different light, and for that I will always be grateful.

And so Five Ways, it's here that we part, we've had chav/nerd day, and old school uniform, the final assembly and the big crying goodbyes - to those who have been there since the start, I feel a bond with you that can't be recreated, I wish each and every one of you all the best with the future, these 7 years have been pretty hectic but it's been a priviledge to know you all. And to those who joined us in sixth form, thank you for livening us up, for creating new friendships, new laughs and new memories.

Whatever you're doing next year: uni, art foundation, working or gap year, and wherever you're going remember that Five Ways is a family and the friendships you've formed are special; you're free, go and enjoy the world and life, take whatever path you choose, be happy and love life - Thanks for everything guys, I'm going to miss you all. It's definitely the end of an era.

So as they say, not Goodbye but See you Soon!

God Bless,

Love Sarah x x

Oh and Jenny Weston? Its been 15years of time together, don't think you're getting rid of me now ;)

7 Days til Tel Aviv

2011-03-30T18:21:00.003+01:00

Taken and kindly lent by my childhood friend Andy (also Holly's boyfriend), and who is also coming to Israel with us. Check out his flickr here

Well, a week tomorrow I'll have landed at Tel Aviv airport, Israel, ready to embark on an adventure I feel sure will change my life. My friends are all getting incredibly excited, particularly one of my best friends Holly who has already bought the appropriate clothes, suncream, shoes and travel guide.

Then there's me. I haven't bought any of my clothes, I don't have a travel guide or rucksack and I haven't converted my British pounds into a mixture of shekels and dollars.

People keep asking me "Are you excited?" And to be entirely honest, it stilll hasn't really sunk in, so I'm not bouncing off the walls with excitement.

Don't get me wrong, I know I'm going to have an incredible time and I really am looking forward to it, but following the recent bomb attack in Jerusalem, I'm nervous we won't be allowed to go at the very last minute and if I build and build and build my hopes and daydreams up and then we can't go, I'll be completely devastated.

But let me look on the positive side. Israel is a place I've always been interested in from a very early age following my time at sunday school and attending the meeting. I can't wait to walk through the hazy streets and just soak in all the atmosphere, heritage and history, imagine Jesus standing here or there, preaching to an avid audience. I can't wait to do my daily bible readings in a place so closely tied into it all, to sit in the place I've been reading about for years. If all goes to plan, we'll be going to Masada, Petra, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, climb the Mount of Olives, Galilee, Bethlehem, the Garden of Gethsemane and so many other places; the itinerary is, like our suitcases are sure to be, bursting at the seams.

Saying that, I'm looking forward to coming home; at my Christadelphian meeting, theres a sign hanging on the wall which says "Let Jerusalem come into your mind". Once I'm back and I've returned to my normal routine, I can't wait to sit there, in an unimposing meeting hall in Dudley, on an average Sunday morning, look at that sign and let real memories, feelings and thoughts come flooding back to me. I'll finally, after 18 years, be able to let a firsthand experience of Jerusalem come into my mind.

Hope all my followers are well,

Sarah x

p.s the other two photos are courtesy of weheartit.com

Extract

2011-03-05T17:19:00.003Z

"She climbed the steep grassy slope to the bridge, and when she stood on the driveway, she decided she would stay there and wait until something significant happened to her. This was the challenge she was putting to existence - she would not stir, not for dinner, not even for her mother calling her in. She would simply wait on the bridge, calm and obstinate, until events, real events, not her own fantasies, rose to her challenge, and dispelled her insignificance."

Taken from chapter seven of Atonement by Ian McEwan

When did the simple acts of breathing, sleeping, reading, eating and working not become enough - when did the definition of "living" change so that something more is needed to be found, in order to qualify one's existence?

Apparently, my life now needs a new verb.

Dreaming of Ireland

2011-02-28T21:09:00.002Z

I'm 18! An adult; officially legal. So I've been wondering, what happened to my childhood? Hmmm

A couple of chums and I went to Dublin to celebrate and had the most wonderful time: I spent most of my euros on cider, coffee and cd's, made friends with Simon "says" and Alex, the lovely swedish boys, walked until my feet hurt and the soles of my news boots were worn significantly down, took part in an impromptu ceildh, was serenaded with "Brown Eyed Girl" "Happy Birthday" and my favourite song, "Galway Girl" and had the best birthday I could've imagined.

Here are some photographs, I might add some more in future posts, we'll see!

Hopefully going back to Ireland in the summer, fly to Cork and stay in hostels, travelling round until we come to Galway :).

Just want to say a huge, gigantic and enormous thank you to all my family and friends who made my birthday so incredibly special; thank you for all the speeches, hugs, presents, cards and lovely words. I feel very blessed to know you all.

I love life.

Sarah x

Honey, I'm home!

2011-01-23T20:13:00.001Z

Hello? Is there anyone out there, cos I'm back ;)

First of all, my most humble, gracious and... apologetic apologies! I don't have enough excuses in the world to reason why I've been so negligent of this blog and my lovely followers. I blame sixth form and exams (don't even get me started) but I'm now freeee to write as much as I want, when I want. I really cant wait to get back into blogging, both writing and reading; I've been feeling guilty about the lack of it for a while, but it's not until my friend Tish mentioned my 'Literary Hideaway' blogpost last night and said how much she adored it: "and i don't think i've ever had a more beautiful moment at 2:10am, on a saturday night" that I realised just how much I actually missed blogging.

So, I promise to try my very hardest to blog as much as I can from now on. However, I think this blog may be taking a new direction - I'm thinking, do you really want to hear about all my mundane day to day stuff? Not really is probably the answer swirling around your brain. So I realised, I'm going to tell you about the epic, inspiring, lovely, amazing stuff that happens in my life, with posts about baking, cushions, art, BOOKS and travelling in between. (This obviously means I've got to be more proactive to make sure that "epic, inspiring, lovely, amazing stuff" actually happens, which will be both beneficial for me and for you I guess.)

The above video reminds me of the most lovely time I spent with Beth and Kez recently. We lazed around Beth's warm cosy living room, eating buttered popcorn, falling in love with her new puppy Tallis, watching youtube videos and making some of our own (never to be seen by the public I think). If you've never heard the melancholic harmonies of First Aid Kit, I implore you to check them out!

What have you missed since October? Well there was my incredible adventure in Iceland (the country, not the supermarket) which has literally changed my life...stay tuned for a seperate blog post regarding that. Christmas, New Year, exams, lots of festivites, planning for holidays and 'healthy eating programmes'.
What have I got coming up to entice you into keep checking my blog? My 18th in DUBLIN in February (aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah :D), planning for travelling around europe with my friend Kezia, art college applications and interviews, Israel at Easter and so much more. 2011 is going to be amazing and I literally can't wait.

Anyway, I'll write to you all very very soon and hope you're all well,

Sarah x

Did you see September? It flew by just a minute ago...

2010-10-07T19:49:00.001+01:00

I'm so incredibly sorry for absence from the blogging world - I seem to have all the time in the world and yet so little of it right now (a contradiction in terms, I know) - everything's a bit hectic, crazy and things seem to have suddenly caught up with me. And if i'm honest, I was feeling a tad uninspired, I hope you understand.

I've got so many things to tell you about guitars and guys and hair dying and coffee shops and art gallerys and boyfriends and Iceland and 18th birthday parties and everything - I promise promise promise I will update you all as soon as I get a real chance.

Hope you're all splendid, we seem to have had some absolutely stunning sunsets over her in Halesowen recently, photos soon!

Love as always,

Sarah x

P.S, yes, i'm still in love with Marcus - I can't help it.

The first of many 18th birthday parties...

2010-08-31T16:09:00.002+01:00

Happy Birthday B! Hope you had a fab time, we all did!

What a night: Old friends, Rob's playlists, purple nail polish, strobe lights, taxis, left behind masks, comedy radios, 'hot stuff', queues for the toilet, boys with make up on, slug in my shoe?, 'don't drown in the pond emily, PLEASE', bruises and scrapes you don't remember getting, the 'windmill dance', embarrasing recollections and walks home with the best friend.

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."

- Helen Keller

The morning after? Exciting texts and a 'HUZZAH' at the breakfast table from Clare followed by baths, a bus ride and then cinnamon lattes and sausages in an extremely windy Birmingham.

Bring on the next one...

Love Sarah x

Summertime and the living is easy

2010-08-26T13:10:00.001+01:00

A big hello to everyone again, I haven't posted for a month so I thought it was about time I picked up the proverbial pen (or keyboard as the case is...) of blogwriting once again.

I can't believe that my summer holidays are coming to a close! They seem, as always, to have flown by, filled with weeks away and experiences vastly different to each other. London, with it's bustling, frankly caotic and impersonal crowds but glorious art, culture and vibrancy: Wales with my friends, no flushing toilets or working showers, green canvas army tents, but sleeping bag rolling races down the hill, jellyfish poking, hundreds of card games, painting warrior stripes on our faces using the clay from the stream and a barbeque on the beach with the setting sun: Derbyshire with it's grand houses - Chatsworth took my breath away, little villages, patchworks of fields, bookshops and quiet peacefulness. And now the days have gone grey and cooler, the perfect time to spend at my Grandparents' house: picking vegetables with Grandad and feeding the donkey, helping my Nan buy fancy outfits for their cruise and making dresses for myself.

On Saturday it's Bianca's 18th masquerade ball which I am completely excited about - laughter, music and drink with the people I love most in fancy dresses!

I haven't got much time to elaborate right now as I'm off to Kezia's house for some nosh and guitar playing, but i'll be around soon,

Hope your summer has been fantastic,

Love Sarah x

P.s Wish I was at Reading this weekend, seeing Marcus, Ted, Win and Ben, but alas I'm not. Booooo.Not that i'm bitter about it or anything...

Feelings on Fulham

2010-07-31T18:08:00.002+01:00

I've just arrived home from a fantastic week in London, complete with; signature lattes, faulty tube tickets, trips to sainsbury's frozen section to cool down, stylishly dressed couples on Brick Lane, countless jacket potatoes, pigeons in St James' Park, an arty geek moment infront of Milias' Ophelia in the Tate Britain, splurges of money on must-have jewellery, Oliver! the musical, plenty of sighing in Liberty at clothes we couldn't afford, detours into bookshops, crucial outfit selections, krispy kremes, plenty of reading and the most amazing house which no words can describe.

The week afforded me the chance to meet up with my very best friend Hannah who lives in Kent and who I only get to see a couple of times a year and although we're constantly emailing each other, there's nothing like the times I do get to see her <3

enjoying a latte and lemon tart in the Queen's back garden at Buckingham Palace

waiting for Oliver! to begin at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

I've got lots more photos, especially of the house in Fulham we rented which you have to see and of my purchases from Portobello Market and various other places, but I'm meant to be packing right now as I'm off camping tomorrow in Wales with friends from church, so I'll post more once I'm back! Hope you're all having a fab summer so far,

Love as always,

Sarah,

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart

2010-07-23T21:40:00.002+01:00

First of all - a heartfelt apology for being so quiet on the blogging scene. Things have been a little hectic, despite being the last few weeks of school, with little odd jobs that needed doing, enrichment week, outings to see various friends before the holidays start and we get separated, my sister's graduation etc etc. This might be a rather boring post, so if you manage to read it all I take my metaphorical hat off to you.

A couple of weeks ago, me and my best friend Clare went to Shugborough Hall. We had a lovely day with Clare forming special bonds with the animals in the farm, particularly the pigs!

Last week it was Enrichment Week at my school where everyone is off timetable and do 'educational' activites and so I also went to Shakespeare's Globe in London.

This is Beth looking oh so attractive on the coach, but I love her

I had a really great day - first me & my friends went to Starbucks for a coffee, then we had a little tour, a drama workshop in which me and my friend Nikki had to demonstrate our acting abilities to the rest of our group, and then we watched Henry VIII which I really enjoyed, despite standing up for hours as we were 'groundlings'.

Last Wednesday it was my sister Rachel's graduation at Lancaster Univeristy. She got a first class honours in English Literature with Creative Writing and it has to be said i'm incredibly proud of her :)

This is Rachel on the left with her uni friends Erica (who graduates next year) and Sarah

As I had a half day on Thursday due to the end of term I scooted off to Merry Hill (THE shopping centre in the west midlands) and managed to bump into my friend Eilish on the bus so we had a good catch up. I had a look through HNM's men section and bought two gorgeous baggy jumpers for later on in the year for when it gets cold - £5 each which was a bargain! I also bought a tan leather notebook with the words 'globe trotter' on the fron which I'm going to use as my holiday sketchbook, and a beautiful opal ring (£15) from Accessorize which I love love love. During the week I also had a coffee with one of my best girlfriends Beth - the last outing before she goes off to Uganda for the summer! We had a lovely afternoon sipping cinammon and gingerbread lattes, eating brownies and paninis and exchanging tales of romances.

Right, my mama's nagging me to do some packing as I'm off down to London tomorrow for a week! I'm super excited as I'll finally be going to Portabello Road Market and doing all the tourist-y things that I haven't done for nearly a decade. I'll post again later in the week, my last chance to blog before I go camping for a week in Wales with my friends from church.

Hope everything's going wonderful for you guys and I wish you all a thoroughly magical summer!

All my love and God bless,

Sarah x x x

p.s the title of today's post is the most beautiful quote by William Wordsworth. It was said during a pretty awful film I watched today on the disney channel called 'Harriet the spy: Blog Wars' - haha yes I know, I should've expected it to be terrible just from the name, will I ever learn?

Probably not.

Forgetting the blues of Yesterday...

2010-07-07T20:21:00.004+01:00

Yesterday, I had a bad day. I came home, had some nutella toast, a big cup of tea, and snuggled under the duvet with a romance novel and decided not to care.

And it seems to have worked.

ANYWAY.

So last Friday was the opening of the art exhibition at school, and I thought you might like to see the instillation I exhibited:

Sorry the photos aren't of the best quality - they're off my phone :)

The piece is called 'Austentatious Memoirs' after this blog, and it's basically a celebration of all those who have contributed to the person I am today - the jars and boxes on the table are the main people, including my family, my favourite teacher, and my best friends Hannah and Clare. The collage behind includes all my friends etc and I love every single one. :) I want to take a second to thank everyone who's complimented me on the piece and said how amazing it is - it honestly feels so nice. You're the ones who inspired me so credit goes to all you folk.

What else has happened... oh yes! I got a blackberry! I completely love it, and now that I've got unlimited texts and blackberry messenger I feel so much freer and able to talk to my friends without thinking about the cost which is great.

I also found out my sister got a first for her degree in English Lit and Creative Writing so sending all my congratulations and love to her! I'm so proud, and the whole family is going to the graduation next Wednesday and I really can't wait.

And finally, this afternoon me and one of my great friends Charlotte booked tickets to see Ludovico Einaudi (again) but this time in London in November, and safe to say - I'm so so excited! They were selling like hotcakes, but we managed to bag some for £40 each, while they're now selling for £120. It's on a Friday so we're going to stay the night in a travelodge, scout around London's shops and go to the pub the next day and then catch the train back. I can't wait, he's so amazing and if you've never heard anything that he's composed, I wholeheartedly recomend him to you,

Here's just a quick link to a video I found on youtube featuring one of my favourite pieces

Odd Days/Giorni Dispari - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BszRS1r2gk4, hope you like it :)

If you like that, another favourite is 'Password' and I'm sure if you type that in together with his name on youtube you'll find it.

Hope you're all having a fantastic week,

All my love & God Bless,

Sarah x x x

p.s rest of the photos are from weheartit.com

Oh so Bridget Jones....

2010-07-06T14:42:00.001+01:00

Okay. Im in the art room and 3 of my so called friends just said that:

1) I am an middle aged, sad, lonely cat lady. Or will be in the future.
2) "When you say Bridget Jones, I think of Sarah Fennell"

Never have I been so insulted in my entire life.

HA. I feel so tragic.

The Literary Hideaway

2010-06-25T18:38:00.003+01:00

This is what fills my daydreams:

all photos are from weheartit.com

So let me tell you about The Literary Hideaway. Walking through the glass panelled door, the bell tinkles a melodic tune, the smell of gloriously old books, coffee and jasmine meet your nose. To the right and left are huge bay windows with window seats covered in pink floral fabric. Two avid readers recline there, lost in a book.

Up ahead there are shelves lined with books, each one handpicked, & bound beautifully. One wall is partially covered in post-its, old photos, film strips, jokes, drawings, pressed flowers - a wall for the customers & owner to connect, where people can leave photos and comments about the shop, philosphies on life, share a joke, advertise a job opening for a nanny or feature the sale of a fridge circa 1972.

The strains of someone playing the piano can be heard from the next room - it's common as anyone is allowed to play it, so long as they can play. Paintings adorn the other walls, unique pieces by yours truly, while over on the far side are delicate pieces of handmade jewellrey and handsewn cushions and hanging hearts. Twinkly lights surround the till and line the ceiling, looking like stars, reflecting in the big brass victorian till which stands proudly on the desk. Behind the desk is the tea and coffee machine, not to mention floral plates stacked with freshly made muffins and victoria sandwich. There's a poetry reading session going on upstairs, so you sit down and snuggle into one of the many comfy sofas, picking up the copy of Pride and Prejudice which is casually lying on the little table next to you.

You love it here, it's your hideaway.

And this is my dream.

Feeling fizzy...

2010-06-22T21:20:00.001+01:00

So it thought it was about time I blogged, it's been a while.

On Saturday, my sister Rachel got baptised. I won't go into details, safe to say it was the highlight of my 2010, I thank everyone who came, everyone who wished her well & everyone who prayed for her; I've never been more proud of her. Rachel, I love you.

After the baptism, I scooted off to my friend Laura's garden party where I saw my friend Abi who I hadn't seen for years & years, so it was nice to see her again :). Us four girls, Laura, Abi, Eilish & myself all got rather "fizzy" (as Eilish so eloquently put it) with the guys doing a grand old job of impressing us with their football skills while destroying the roses, & credit goes to Andy & Dave for doing a bang up job on the barbeque!

Me & the lovely Eilish <3

Abi & Laura

a few doing the killer plank race...

I hope you're all okay & i'll post again very soon. I'm currently busy planning the school art exhibition, sorting out & planning my future life, trying not to fall behind with A2s, attending open days, enjoying the sun & of course, doing an unhealthy amount of reading :)

All my love & God bless,

Sarah x x x

Eleanor Rigby

2010-06-15T18:54:00.004+01:00

I'm in love with a boy who sang Beatles lyrics at me, because I was wearing a t-shirt that said 'John, Paul, George & Ringo.'

Ever since that moment I have loved him. Beatles boy.

I can remember every detail of when he turned round in the car passenger seat to face me. He looked through the square hole in the chair headrest and smiled and the sun was setting behind us, illuminating his face with an orangey glow.

I forgot to tell you,

I love you.
And i'm scared you're never going to know because I'm such a coward, I'll probably never tell you.

photo from here

White Blank Page

2010-06-13T21:08:00.004+01:00

Hey guys,

I've unofficially finished exams! Huzzah! Except I have two more general studies exams, but let's be honest, they don't really count! It feels so good to be free of revision, stress & cramming knowledge into my brain!

Anyway, I just recieved a blog award from the incredibly kind Chloe from Chloe In Reality. :) Here are the questions i had to answer:

1. Who is your style icon?

Arrrgh. Erm, the Olsen twins always look stunning, apart from that I dont know. I admire lots of different outfits from lots of different people, but i think the pair of them always look divine!

2. Which is your favourite socialite book?

? I have no idea what that is haha!

3. Favourite party theme?

Fantasy/ Woodlandy / Fairytale

4. Go to Halloween costume?

I know this is probably terribly shocking, but i've never celebrated halloween, so unfortunately, i've never dressed up for it!

5. Extravagance you cannot live without?

My camera. I don't trust my memory to remember in 50 years time all the tiny little details that make life amazing.

6. Living person you admire.

Grandad. Again, I'm sorry I always seem to mention him.
But he's always there for me, to cheer me up, make me laugh, inspire me, tell me stories and just be my Grandad. I love him far too much for my own good.

7. Greatest fear(s).

Losing people.
Never finding love.

8. Traits you deplore in yourself.

I'm really rather impatient, & i tend to judge straightaway. Oh & i get annoyed easily.
Aren't i just a barrel of laughs? :D

9. Which talent would you most love to have?

I would love to be able to act! It's such an amazingly powerful gift to have

10. Greatest Achievement?

Erm. Getting A* in history GCSE, i worked so hard for that haha! ah that's so sad.

I was also tagged by Chloe to answer these next 8 questions & then I have to come up with my own & pass them on :)

1. How would you describe yourself in five words?
romantic, wistful, witty, big heart

2. What are your biggest aspirations?
I want to fall in love and someday have a family of my own - be a mama. At the moment I'm dreaming of having my own shop selling handmade jewellery, my own art work, second hand books, tea & coffee, crafts & there'll be a little corner with comfy sofas & a little library where you can come & read the classics. There'll be poetry sessions and writer's guild meetings, and my sister will do a special reading every month from one of her books & we'll have 'featured upcoming artist' etc. & there'll be a wall where people can add their own witty anecdotes, photographs, job features, poems, drawings etc. We'll use an old victorian brass till too, and everything will be snug & gorgeous.

3. Brains or brawn? ;)
Brains! With brains you can be devastatingly witty, a perfect example being Oscar Wilde. Love that man!

4. Who is your greatest role model?
Hmmmmmmmmmm. Again, im going to have to go with a pretty predictable answer & say my Grandad? or my sister Rachel. I don't know! this is hard :(

5. What are you most afraid of?
Losing those I love.

6. Where is your favourite place in the world?
Tough question. One of them would to be my bedroom. I turn off all the lights, apart from the twinkly ones wrapped around my birdcage which is suspended above my bed, & a string of lights that run down my wall, light some candles, then i turn on my ipod and play out Einaudi & snuggle under my duvet. Its the most thought-provoking thing in the world.
Another place would have to be anywhere my Grandparents/family are. I know that sounds corny, but it wouldn't matter where we were, because it would just be special <3
The countryside. Either Cumbria or Ireland. So beautiful, so romantic, & again, so thought provoking & inspiring.

7. Who frequently appears on your music playlists?
Mumford & Sons - it's all I seem to be listening to at the moment! Johnny Flynn, Patrick Dempsey, Owl City, Ludovico Einaudi

8. What is your favourite food?
I love jacket potatoes, nom nom nom nom,
Hazelnut spread <3
but my all time favourite would have to be cinammon whirls/danish pastries! bum-ting-a-ling!

I'm passing this on to:
Alice at Alice Said
Emma at Jersey and the Monkey
Charlotte at Oh Charlotte
Anna from Passport Glamour
Isabel at Taste the Rainbow

I sincerely recomend you take a look at their blogs, believe me, it's worth it!
& Thanks again to Chloe for giving me this award, she really is a sweetheart :) x

Okay, my questions for those tagged are:

1) If you could meet anyone from the past who would it be? (Dead)
2) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
3) What's your philosophy on life?
4) Regrets?
5) Do you believe in love at first sight?
6) Where's the most incredible place you've been to?
7) Would you rather have 1 best friend, or 5 good friends?
8) What are you aspirations, your hopes & dreams?

Well done if you read all that! I'll blog properly soon,

All my love & God bless,

Sarah x x x x

p.s, title of this post is a shout out to an amazing song by Mumford & Sons, check it out, i'm in love with it! x

Dream On,

2010-06-08T19:28:00.002+01:00

Hey guys!

Just a quick post to say my lovely red bag arrived today from Just Vintage! It is simply beautiful; it's big, but not too big, sturdy, has gold coloured clasps at the end of the handles, and is just the most delectable shade of red in the world. I am one happy little girl.

If that wasn't good enough, my english exam seemed to go okay today, but I'd rather not dwell on that, only to say that it's one more down, and only one left! SO happy. I really cannot wait for summer!

My friends are already starting to get in the party spirit, my friend Beth is having a fairytale party on Friday night which i'm looking forward to, just need to decide on a costume - any ideas? Bear in mind i'm blonde!

I'm contemplating having a party myself, in my Nan & Grandad's garden which is rather large. It'll be all wistful, woodlandish, etherial & whimsical, kind of alice in wonderland,? Like with bunting everywhere and pinic rugs and hopefully look somewhat like the Smirnoff advert? I'd LOVE to have a party like that, not sure where i'd get the chandelier/fancy seats from but thats the ideal party for me. Here are some photos inspiring the party:

I'm all for summer & sunshine, but I have to say, I'm loving the recent downpours we've had. There's something about being warm and cosy while it's tipping it down outside. I love the sound of heavy rain when snuggled up under the duvet in bed <3

Oh, & the title of this post is a shout out to a song which is currently on repeat on my itunes. I downloaded it yesterday and i've already listened to it 24 times! Check it out here.

Also, I now have 11 followers! Eeek how exciting (and sad that I'm excited?) I really appreciate it & a big thank you! :)
Much love & God bless,

Sarah x x x

Back from Bowland

2010-06-05T13:52:00.007+01:00

I'm back, safe and sound from the Forest of Bowland, which turned out not to be a forest after all. I can't believe how early we're back - I had to get up at 7am so that 'the day isn't wasted' and we managed to dodge any traffic meaning it only took 2 hours to get back! I started this post about half 11, and it's taken me till now to upload and oragnise all my photos etc!

It's safe to say I adore the countryside. It makes me feel like a heroine in a romantic novel, all wistful and thoughtful. I won't bore you with details of what we did every day, but I will tell you of a little treasure trove I found on (how cute is this!) Twitter Lane! An adorable vintage shop by the name of Just Vintage, I really reccomend you take a look at their on-line shop. The shop is set on a converted farm area, along with other shops and studios which sell art, candles, clothes etc.

Here are some photos from inside the shop:

How cute is it? I swear I could've spent all day there, rifling through rails and rumaging through gorgeous old leather bags. While I was there I thought of two girls I know would have loved it: Izzy of Bella's Boutique and Chloe of Chloe in Reality. Wish you girls could've been there!

Anyway, my mama bought me an adorable little cream crocheted handbag (can't remember how much, sorry) and a beautiful silk scarf (£10) which I can't wait to wear to sixth form later on in the year. She also bought me a turquoise pendant, set in silver (£62) which is actually divine, from a shop called 'Melt'. Here are some photos of my lovely purchases!

What do you think? :)

I've also just given into temptation and ordered this beautiful vintage red bag off the online shop too for £38:

Very Hermés-esque! Can't wait for it to arrive.

The beautiful scenery also afforded me opportunities for taking some photographs, so here are a selection:

A photo I took which i'm actually rather proud of, taken at sunset, just on the field opposite to our cottage.

out for coffee in Chipping

spot the sheep?

"world's greatest 70 year old"

Is it just me, or does my Grandad NOT look 70 at all, he looks so much younger? I can't really comprehend he's been on this earth 70 years!

on a walk with Siv, keeping a look out for birds

sitting in the garden during a moment of vanity, I apologise

We've been all over Lancashire, to little villages like Waddington & Whalley, sitting by the riverside everyday having a picnic, soaking in the sun and drinking too much coffee. I also went to Pendle Antiques Centre (I adore places where you can get lost, looking at beautiful, interesting and old pieces that have had previous owners and uses). Grandad bought some fancy chemical scales which were actually quite pretty but it cost him £120!!!! I begged him to buy the gramophone for £180, but alas, he didn't listen. Anyway, it was 3 floors of piled high antiques - it was bliss :)

I've had a really beautiful and relaxing week, I hope all you fellow bloggers had similar half terms, and like me, did very little revision! :D

All my love &God bless,

Sarah x x x x

I think I'm in love with Marcus Mumford.

2010-05-28T22:56:00.001+01:00

So, I've finished all my exams that are before half term, which means I've got a blissful couple of days where I can get away with not doing revision and just lounge around, soak up some sun, listen to the strains of Marcus Mumford and his band and take photographs.
Sorry for the shameful relative shortness of this post, but i'm in the midst of packing for a holiday with the family - we're going to the Forest of Bowland and it's my Grandad's 70th birthday while we're away. I'm so excited to see my sister Rachel who'll be stopping by at the cottage for a couple of days before returning to uni in Lancaster, and also my Aunt, Uncle, Cousins and Lucy the dog who'll be travelling over from Yorkshire to see us: I'm really looking forward to it.
Not to mention, mama bought me some lovely dresses and jewellery which I can't wait to wear out, I only hope the weather stays beautiful!
On Wednesday my friend Beth came for a 'sleepover' to celebrate the first part of the history exam being over - we watched far too much television, ate fish & chips, slathered our faces in masks (mine was a revolting smelling white chocolate one, but hey my skin feels smoooooth now) and finally switched on my fairy lights, got into our pjs, under the duvets and had a really good heart to heart. Beth, I love you :)

Anyway, I'd better be going, mama is nagging at me to carry on packing, I have a feeling there's a dreadfully early start tomorrow morning....
Expect lots of photographs to look at when I get back, something thats sadly missing in this post - sorry!

All my love & God bless,

Sarah x x x x

Musings on Me

2010-05-21T22:06:00.005+01:00

As I've only recently set off on this blogging expedition, I should probably let y'all know a bit about me, so here goes: This is who I am.

My last name is Fennell. Apparently people find it really hard to cope with this fact, as I've heard just about all the 'comedic' variations you could imagine. 'Flannel' and 'Funnel' are my particular favourites, but the most popular is 'Fennelface' - thank you William Golightly for that. But I lovelovelove it when people pronounce it 'fenn-éll', it makes me feel french and upper class.

From an early age I have had a passion for drawing, and one day, I hope to make a living out of it - I'm not too sure as yet where it's going to take me, whether it will be illustration, fine art or art & design, but I know it's what I want to spend my life doing. One day, I'm going to illustrate my sister Rachel's books - we've always said we'd collaborate on something and I am determined for it to happen.

I live in Birmingham, (well technically, The Black Country, but you won't know what that is). It has to be said, I much prefer the countryside, but I realised a couple of days ago how fond I actually am of Birmingham. If you look above the normal eyeline, it's got some pretty beautiful georgian and victorian buildings, it's got character, spirit and above all, it has those signature weirdos you see everytime you go.

It is a truth, universally acknowledged that I love Jane Austen. This adoration of everything polite, mannered, gentlemanly and romantic has been instilled in me since the age of eleven when I first read Northanger Abbey. Essentially I was born in the wrong century: I yearn for a place with breeches, Mr Darcys and where afternoon tea is a necessity. I love everything that's quintessentially Georgian England, and this is pretty integral to who I am.

I am a Christadelphian, and this is the most important thing to me.

I have a fascination with old photographs - I think there's something unique, and old-school about film cameras and I adore my polaroid camera, I just wish the film was more available and less expensive.

I am a complete and utter hopeless romantic, and I'll admit, I'm scared I'll never find the right person.

My family mean everything to me and I am extremely close to them. My Grandad is my guide to life, I live by his sayings and his example. Oh and he looks like Santa. Everyone says it, and to be honest it's true, it's one of the many things I love about him. I'll post a photo of him soon so you can see what I mean ;). I like to spend as much time as possible with my grandparents because they really are wonderful people.

Erm, there'll probably be a continuation of this later on, but for now this will do. Just as a side note, I now have 4 followers! Yay haha I'm so happy!

In other news, it was one of my best friends' birthday last week and we all went out for a meal to Frankie and Benny's. Happy birthday Rob! Love you :) He managed to eat the biggest plate of ribs ever, one moment they were there, the next time I looked, they'd gone!

Me and Alex at Rob's meal

I had my geography exam today and it went suprisingly well actually! Still need to learn the entire Russian history course for Wednesday but oh well. :)

Thanks for reading,

God bless,

Sarah x x x

Tea at ten to three

2010-05-18T16:54:00.001+01:00

Afternoon!

Just thought I'd share the view I spent most of my day looking at (instead of revising Geography).

Mmmmmm good cup of tea and nutella toast - infinitely better than learning about conservative plate margins and other mind-numbingly boring topics in my opinion! In other news, I went to Vision Express yesterday to get fitted for contact lenses! I spent 3 and a half hours in there. But, at the end of it, I'm now somewhat free of glasses and I managed to put them in this morning without a hitch - huzzah!

Anyway, I guess I better get back to at least attempting to look like I'm revising,

God bless,

Sarah x x x

Galway Girl

2010-05-13T22:11:00.001+01:00

Hello to anyone reading this, my very first blog! eeeeek, I feel very new to all this & you wouldn't believe how long it took me to fix all the layout and everything. But anyway, thanks for stopping by.

I promise to be somewhat faithful in posting on here, I will try my very hardest. Thanks should go to Chloe Tam for inspiring me to do this, visit her blog here: http://chloeinfinite.blogspot.com
She really is a sweetheart!

Recently, I have had an insaitable urge to visit Ireland. I've been before and I adored Dublin; it's music, history and architecture - it was beautiful. But I have an inkling that the reason is due to the music I've been listening to. Namely Mumford & Sons. Yes I'm aware they're from London, not Ireland, but I think they've got a sort of divine, irish twang in their songs which is just beautiful. Plus, I watched 'P.S I love you' yesterday starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler - of course I downloaded most of the soundtrack which has a definite irish feeling and features artists such as 'Needtobreathe' and 'Flogging Molly' who I sincerely recomend to you. :) Combinations of guitars, double basses, accordians and ukuleles seem to do the trick for me!
Anyway, I now have this nagging desire to go to Ireland. I managed to persuade my friend Chris to row us there across the Irish Sea, although maybe that's not the best of ideas.

The title of this post is a shout out to the most amazing song which I happened to stumble across in my exploration of irish music and is actually the song Gerard's character sings in P.S I love you. Check out this beautiful video I found which sums it all up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKIl-v18mgo

Sorry this might not be the most exciting of posts, but bear with me :)

God bless,

Sarah x x x