sophiatron

It’s nearly summer time. Time for picnics, short shorts, ice cream sundaes, and lots of fun with friends. My friend Aurelia and I had fun last week taking photos in my garden.

This photo reminds me of summer, San Francisco, the smell of chowder, old mechanical toys, and Diana. Am I too young to be nostalgic?

Snail Mail

I have the most awesome friends in the world who send me the most delicious treats and beautiful things to fill my room.

Caitlin, who is currently in Japan, sent me all these things. The white chocolates are in the shape of tetris pieces, the cookies are super crunchy, and I haven’t opened the burgers yet because they look so cute the way they are. She also sent me two mori girl magazines because she knows how much I like them, as well as a cute cat postcard, a bag, and buttons! The magazines are so nice and inspiring, I love the photography. It’s a very early birthday present but I am so spoiled. ^_^

And today I got a package in the mail from my dear Blythe friend, Erica. She sent me some very adorable fabric, lots of sweets, two Blythe dresses which are adorable, and my favourite thing: a little portrait drawing she did of me! You can’t see it clearly here, but it’s a picture of me wearing the dress and holding a Diana F+ camera and a Kenner Blythe. I think she is a super talented artist and I feel so touched by everything she put together. I’m planning now what type of things to send back to her once I get back to Australia.

Snapshots.

So after seeing my dear friend Zoya’s polaroid photos taken with her Fujifilm instax, I just had to get one for myself. Today was such a beautiful sunny day in Manchester that I just had to take some photos. Despite being washed out, I like the first one the best. My friend Chrissi took it for me (you can see her in the last photo). And why yes, I am wearing my new topshop sailor jacket - how observant you are.

My best friend drew this picture of me as a Blythe doll two years ago. I found it again on my computer and it made me smile. I love you, B! <3

You can see her work at her flickr or her tumblr.

This is how I live now.

I can’t believe I’ve been in Manchester for a month already! It feels like much longer. At first, a new city is scary and daunting, but then as you get to know it more and meet more people it becomes to feel more like ‘home’. While I wouldn’t say I don’t miss Australia, I think I am more than happy that I still have a good few months left in the UK. There is still so much I want to see.

One of the biggest changes since I’ve moved here is having to care of my own food. At first I thought that meant I would need to cook dinner every night, but I find now that I rarely stay home at night. I’ve probably only made a handful of meals since I’ve been here, but one of my favourite things to whip up is a single Mexican fajita.

Mitch came over for said Mexican night, and we ate our fatijas in my ‘ponchos’ (i.e. my American Apparel cape). My american apparel cape is probably my most favourite thing in my wardrobe, and I was so glad I could find a red one in London as well.

What is funny is how quickly my tiny dorm room feels like ‘home’. I think it must be because of all the stuff I’ve accumulated. To be fair though, most of the toys you see at the front have been gifts (sent by the sweetest boy there ever was). As for the books, I have no justification or reason for them. I was told not to buy any books because it would be a bitch to take back home, but if you factor in all the “3 for 2” book deals and the fact that novels here are a good 50% cheaper than those found in Australia, there is no such thing as self-control.

A close-up of two of my new critters. The loveheart is from mypapercrane and a gift from Malcolm. The Nibbler toy is a blindboxed toy from kidrobot and found in a designer toy store in the city centre.

One of my happiest purchases since I’ve landed in the UK is this colourlicious Holga. This particular model was sold out in Australia and the lomography store in London, but I stumbled across it in a tiny little art cafe/store in the Northern Quarter. I can’t wait to get some film for it and start snapping away.

Another one of the fastest growing areas in my room is my wardrobe. Manchester has done wicked things to my savings. Vintage and handmade clothing stores scatter the city, clothing fairs are not an uncommon sight, and bloomers (my new favourite thing) stock the shelves of American Apparel. Another novelty is of course shopping at places like Topshop and H&M, and even Zara, Mango, and all these other big European brands. Can I justify things by saying I’ve been getting good deals (65 pound doc martens?) or is this already a lost cause?

Sometimes I do forget why I am here. It just feels like I am on an extended holiday. But when reality and essays kick in, I give up my shopping ways and start reading.

London x 2

I love London. I used to think New York was the city I wanted to live in for my 20’s, but since staying in London I think I may have changed my mind. I went there again a few weekends ago (before Wales, if you care for chronology).

This time I went with two friends. Company always makes exploring so much more fun.

This time in London I did the usual tourist sightseeing stuff. First off, with Big Ben…

… and then Parliament House….

… followed by Buckingham Palace.

We finished the day with a night around Piccadilly.

I can’t wait to go back to London. Buses from Manchester to London are so cheap I want to go every weekend.

Spring, overalls & Blythe!

Hello, Spring! Welcome back! What better way to celebrate than to wear black overalls all day, and receive new Blythe lovelies! I had fun deboxing her today, I haven’t deboxed a Blythe since I got Soda last year, because I usually buy them second hand. I forgot how much fun it was! I’m not sure what to call her yet… how does Audrey sound?

Photo credit goes to Malcolm - probably the only boy I know who doesn’t mind my doll habit.

The night ends here.

Forget your name, forget your fear.

Outtakes.

For every photo that appears here, at least 10 don’t. This is a collection of some of those photos that didn’t quite make it at the time I took them.

What? You say I’m being lazy and unoriginal and failing to take new photos to upload? You ask me what happened to CapSty and Sophiatron? Well I spit in your eye and offer you these. Also, will the excuse that I am now a corporate whore (or at least, a hospitality whore) do anything to further my argument?

In either case, they are in chronological order.