FADING LIGHT

25 NOVEMBER 2013

Normally, I'd be complaining that the days are getting shorter and the sun is almost set by the time I get home from work, but there's something so mesmerizing about a fleeting autumn sunset, that to capture its beauty makes the fading light of almost-winter all the more bearable. Below is an image I took of the sun in the moments as it set on Saturday night. So beautiful.

LOVE | Hannah

DV IN BIRMINGHAM

23 NOVEMBER 2013

I can't believe it's the last week of November already! I haven't even scratched the surface of my Christmas shopping, and as work is getting busier and busier I can just feel the days slipping away. I've barely had time to breathe this week, but at least it has been a productive one. 

As you may know, I've been working with Birmingham South Central CCG to tackle the problem of domestic violence in Birmingham. After a series of meetings, a little research, and a lot of writing, the CCG has published my latest blog on my experience. If you have a spare minute, I would love it if you could follow the link below to read my post and help spread the word about domestic violence.

http://www.bhamsouthcentralccg.nhs.uk/2012-02-13-08-29-02/bsc-blogs/566-domestic-abuse-and-my-visit-to-the-freedom-project 

To find about more about healthcare in Birmingham,  follow us on twitter @BSC_CCG orvisit our website http://www.bhamsouthcentralccg.nhs.uk/.

LOVE | Hannah

THE GREAT WALL OF VAGINA

18 NOVEMBER 2013

No, I haven't made a spelling mistake, I really did mean to say 'vagina'. I love meaningful art, especially feminist art, and The Great Wall of Vagina by British artist Jamie McCartney is just that. The 400 plaster casts of vulvas were individually taken from women from a variety of different backgrounds, including women aged 18 to 76 years old, pre and post natal women, mothers, daughters and transgendered men. 

The aim of this 10 panel piece is to demystify the vagina, challenging the image of the 'perfection' portrayed through erotic art and pornography that leads women to undervalue themselves and have a distorted body image. More recently, such a body image has caused women to turn to extreme and dangerous labiaplasty surgery to achieve 'normality'. McCartney's piece illustrates the variety of nature and shows that when it comes to vaginas, there is no 'normal'. Each woman is unique, and unique is beautiful. 

You can find out more about The Great Wall of Vagina here, where you can also view all 10 panels and see just how beautifully varied we really are.     

LOVE | Hannah

LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE

17 NOVEMBER 2013

I've been feeling a little under the weather this weekend - husky voice, stuffy nose, pounding head, the works - but still I managed to drag my sorry self into the kitchen for an hour to see if I could bake myself better. Strangely, I've never baked a lemon drizzle cake before, so I thought I'd give it a try. This recipe is from Paul Hollywood's How to Bake, and is probably one of the nicest sponges I've ever made. It's so light and fluffy, one slice just isn't enough! Click here to follow the full recipe.

LOVE | Hannah

CHA-CHA-CHA

13 NOVEMBER 2013

So, I promised you an update a while ago following my first ever dance class. Well, I've now had two lessons learning the cha-cha-cha and I have to admit I'm a little addicted. I can't stop twirling around my kitchen, practicing the steps! Not only is it amazing exercise (I'm definitely feeling the bum and thigh ache!), but it's great fun and gives you a sense of achievement. I've always loved sports for the feelings of personal success they give you, but with dancing you get the enjoyment of sharing these feelings with your dance partner. 

If your looking for something new to do, and you've got a friend or partner you can take/drag along, I would definitely recommend ballroom or latin dancing. And don't be afraid of knowing nothing, trust me, you won't be the only one there who's feeling nervous! Just relax, and I'm sure you'll enjoy.

LOVE | Hannah

AUTUMN

10 NOVEMBER 2013

With annual leave to use up I had an extra long weekend this weekend, lucky me. I had big hopes to get out and about with my camera, but typically it rained all day Friday and most of Saturday. But Sunday lived up to this name and gave me some rays. I love Autumn, especially when it's sunny. There's so many beautiful colours to absorb, and such a short window in which to capture them as Autumn fades quickly to Winter. Here's a couple of shots I took this afternoon...

LOVE | Hannah

MY FIRST SALE

8 NOVEMBER 2013

A little while ago I started an Etsy shop for Chantilly Press to sell off some off some of things I've crafted over the last few months. There's only so many paper flowers one house can take! Last week, I made my first sale! Here's the white and green rose that I handcrafted for the lovely Carol in Middlesex...

 To see what's on offer in my Etsy shop, ChantillyPress, follow this link: 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ChantillyPress

LOVE | Hannah

MOVEMBER

6 NOVEMBER 2013

Yes, it's that time of year again - Movember. The one month of the year where men all over the world unite in manliness and refrain from shaving their upper lips. Moustaches of all shapes and sizes slowly appear on the faces of men normally trimmed and shaved to a peachy smoothness. But why?, you might ask. Well, all this uncharacteristically shabby grooming behaviour is for a fantastic cause - to raise money for, and awareness of, men's health. In particular, Movember aims to get men talking about prostate and testicular cancer, and mental health, and to raise the profile of men's health by using the moustache to put a fun twist on a serious issue. 

So, to all the men out there taking part in Movember 2013, may your 'mos' grow thick and fast in the battle to change the face of men's health and get men talking about their health problems. God luck, and here's to a bountiful Movember!  

LOVE | Hannah

DOMESTIC ABUSE UPDATE

5 NOVEMBER 2013

Today's Quote of the Day is inspired by my day at work. You might remember that a few days ago I wrote a post about domestic abuse, and some exciting opportunities coming up for me to get involved in the battle against domestic abuse in Birmingham.

This morning, Birmingham Council House was home to the first meeting of the Violence Against Women and Children Steering Group. Being the first meeting, it was difficult to establish much direction in terms of making changes to the current provisions for preventing and managing domestic violence. However, it was painfully clear that all Bodies involved are suffering from a serous lack of resources following the major government cuts and savings targets.

In light of this, and with domestic abuse becoming ever more widespread across the region, it is also clear that a radical approach is the only approach to tackling domestic abuse. Political changes and restructuring introduced by the current government are bringing healthcare and politics closer than they have ever been before. This also means that funding for things like domestic abuse will be distributed differently. With this in mind, we must do all we can with the funding we are given. I have no doubt this will require some seriously imaginative thinking, but I'm confident that it can be done, that we can start making changes for the better for the sake of all those suffering the effects of domestic abuse.

To do this we need to work together, remaining curious about the issues facing us and ambitious about our goals, and doors will start to open with new ideas and paths to solving the problems we face. On Friday I will be visiting the Freedom Project in Kings Heath where I hope to find out more about what they are doing to help victims of domestic abuse, with a view to forming some of my own ideas about the best ways to battle domestic violence in the new world of healthcare commissioning and government cuts. Let's be curious and look to the future - you never know what we might achieve. 

LOVE | Hannah

5 NOVEMBER 2013

Around here...we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

- Walt Disney Company

SUITCASES

3 NOVEMBER 2013

I've been rooting through my old photos this afternoon, and came across these little gems. I found a couple of vintage suitcases on eBay and saw an opportunity to flex my up-cycling muscles. I love a little design project, and so took to lining them with a gorgeous paisley print fabric. These are perfect for using as storage or as a quirky side-table in a bedroom or living room. Cute.

LOVE | Hannah

NOVEMBER

1 NOVEMBER 2013

So, November is here. October is over and the transition from summer to autumn is truly complete. The days are getting shorter and colder, I'm enjoying soups for lunch, and I'm starting to make the most of my winter wardrobe. I love nothing more than to snuggle up watching a film in a cosy jumper and knee-high socks on these chilly autumn nights...

Before we know it it'll be Christmas, and 2014 will be upon us. It feels like only yesterday that we were in the throws of last year's festive season. Is it only me, or are the years just flying by? Well, you know what they say, 'time flies when you're having fun', and it's true, I've had an amazing year - new job, family holidays, Chantilly Press...

I hope to continue this trend into 2014 with plenty to keep me busy in the run up to the new year - dance lessons, bonfire night, Christmas shopping, Christmas baking, my involvement at work in campaigns against domestic abuse, and of course blogging about it all! I wish you all a happy, safe and cosy November. Enjoy.

LOVE | Hannah