The Ivaldi Blog

Tibetan silver - don't be fooled

2012-01-09T20:50:00.001Z

I spend a lot of time online looking for lovely new beads and charms to include in pieces for me and for future collections. A lot of the cheap stuff is labelled as Tibetan silver. I wasn't sure about it so I looked further.

Guess what? Tibetan silver CONTAINS NO SILVER (or at the best less than 30%)

Wikipedia (always worth a quick look) says "Currently, jewellery, beads and castings described as 'Tibetan Silver' tends to be a base iron 'cheese metal' casting, overlaid with this pewter and silver plating." HERE

eBay reviews have lots of info from customers on how NOT silver it is.

Just to let you now. I use sterling or fine silver as standard and will occasionally use silver plating for my fashion pieces. I am always VERY clear about the silver content of my jewellery.

Meditation Workshop

2011-10-02T20:52:00.001+01:00

I will be giving a Beads Meditation workshop on Sunday 16th October at the Hewitt MBS fair in Norwich.

I will also be selling my lovely jewellery. I would love to see any Norfolk people.

Keep looking on Twitter and I will be putting up a password for a show discount!!!!!

For your bead meditations

2011-09-09T11:57:00.000+01:00

Some lovely inspirational music. Enjoy

Rehydration fluids for Children and Adults - save a life!

2011-09-09T10:08:00.000+01:00

So this is totally off topic but I am in my 3rd day of a D&V bug, quarantined from my children and feeling awful. I am surviving on Rehydration fluids, this is the most important thing you need for rehydrating after vomiting or diarrhoea.

You don't need to buy Dioralyte or other branded rehydration solutions all you need is boiled water, salt and sugar.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the following mix. In 1 litre of boiled water dissolve 1 level tea spoon of salt and 6 - 8 teaspoons of sugar. Sip little and often to maintain hydration after a purge. Drop the salt a little for children.

Babies (under 1 year) should see a doctor the same day and children after 36 hours or if they become really unwell (ie floppy or unresponsive)

And whatever you don DON'T take anything to stop the diarrhoea, it will just keep the virus, bacteria etc inside your body and keeping you ill for longer.

For more information see the world health organisation's web site, or NHS Direct.
(normal service will resume soon)

Events

2011-08-28T21:04:00.032+01:00

This is the current list of events you can come and meet us, buy our beautiful jewellery and beads, try out our prayer beads and even make your own fingerprint jewellery (please email us to make sure we will be bringing the equipment)

See more information on events here or on out Facebook Calendar

I've been booking in loads of events to wake up the Spring and bring some beauty to Norfolk.

The Sale of Lurve - Online fair - 28/29 Jan

on the Supermums Craft Fair on Facebook

Ladies Night - Brundall Memorial hall - 4th Feb

7 - 10pm More info here

Catton Craft Fair - Christ Church Hall, Constitution Hill - 11 Feb

10 - 4 more info here

Acle MBS - Acle Memorial Hall - 2 March

6.30 - 9.30 Fantastic local MBS fair with a wide range of readers, stalls and therapists. More info here

TBC

THE EAST ANGLIAN GREEN GODDESS BODY and SOUL FESTIVAL
Fri 27th, Sat 28th APRIL 2012. The Forum Norwich

Previous Events

May 13 - Acle MBS.

7 - 10 pm The Bure Room, Acle Recreation Centre

Taster treatments for £10 and (hopefully) a meditation workshop by Sam using BlessedBeads prayer beads

May 28 - Brundall MBS.

9 - 5 Brundall Memorial Hall

June 9 - Ladies Pamper Evening, Ramada Jarvis Hotel

19.30 - 22.30, Boundary Rd, Norwich (click here for the FB Page)

Sunday July 3rd - Long Stratton MBS

Long Stratton Holistic Fair (Goodies Farm)

Friday July 29th - Acle MBS
evening event - more info soon

Wednesday August 10th - Meditation Bead Workshop
Brundall Memorial Hall, 7.30 - 10 more info here

Friday September 16th - Acle MBS 7pm - 10 pm
This will be our third visit to Acle, and a delightful evening it will be.

Saturday September 17th - Brundall School Fair - afternoon
A lovely community event that would appreciate your support

Sunday October 16 - Hewitt MBS - all day
Organised by Dianne Brannan, this is a staple in the MBS season and is not to be missed

Thursday October 27th - Ladies Pamper evening (CANCELLED - sorry)
Norfolk Show ground

Sunday November 6th - Rackheath Mind Body Spirit Day 10.30 - 4pm
Rackheath Villiage Hall, Green Lane West

Friday November 18th - Acle Recreation Centre NR13 3RA 7pm - 10pm
Your last opportunity before Christmas to visit this very popular MBS event. More info here

Money off voucher for Norwich MBS Fair in October

2011-08-23T21:08:00.000+01:00

I'll be at the Hewitt MBS fair on Sunday 16th October

If you would like to come please use the voucher for 50 p off.

Meditation Workshop

2011-08-06T22:56:00.001+01:00

I'm running a Mala and meditation workshop on Wednesday 10th August in Brundall (just east of Norwich)

It will be an opportunity for you to explore and make your own set of meditation beads in a friendly and supportive environment. The evening will end with a chance to use your new beads in a meditation focusing on Positive affirmations.

Please mail me or see the link above to book your place.

** Please book quickly to secure your place and allow me to confirm the room booking, thanks **

Positive Affirmation meditation

2011-05-29T21:43:00.000+01:00

Lovely day at the Brundall Holistic Fair

I had a lovely time at the Brundall Holistic Fair, Vikki raised loads of money for charity. I parted company with some lovely jewellery and had a very interesting tarot reading.

I ran a workshop on using my meditation beads and all the ladies (including my own little Gothling) were very relaxed afterwards and I got some fabulous feedback on the beads. The 'Earthly Delights' set were particularly hard to put down.

We looked at the 5 pattern elemental sets and used a positive affirmation based on the 5 elements (earth, air, fire, water and spirit) I chose a simple statement for each element to embody the strength of each element.

For Earth I chose I am/we are healthy. Earth represents the body, family and the tangible.
For Air I chose I am/we are heard. This speaks to the vocal aspect of air, it is also logic, thought and inspiration.
For Fire I chose I am/we are loved. Fire is all about passion, love, the heart and flame, and also electricity.
For Water I chose I am/we are calm. Water represents the emotions and deep sweeping change.
To draw everything together I chose I am/we are divine, to remind us that there is a spark of divinity in all of us.

This is the meditation we did.....

'With your feet on the ground close your eyes and feel the weight of your body through your feet and through your bottom solid on your chair. Remember, you are all divine and special.'

With your fingers on the first bead of your set, next to the pendant,
'We are healthy,' move your fingers to the next bead.
'We are heard,' move your fingers to the next bead.
'We are loved,' move your fingers to the next bead.
'We are calm,' move your fingers to the next bead.
'We are divine,' move your fingers to the next bead. Repeat this pattern 13 times

When you are completed with the full pattern complete the meditation
'Take a moment to own this affirmation, feel it within yourself.
Now feel the weight of your feet on the floor, hear the sounds around you, and when you are ready, open your eyes'

Brundall Holistic Day

2011-05-25T20:55:00.000+01:00

I had a fantastic time at the Acle Mind Body Spirit Fayre, met some fantastic people and selling LOTS of jewellery. Looking forward to the next one now.....

This weekend is the Brundall Holistic Fair. I would love to see you there..... http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136837853052073

I'll be doing a bead meditation workshop. If you've never used meditation beads come along for a try to see how my beautiful jewellery can be used for affirmation and meditation work.

21st Norwich Mind Body Spirit Fair

2011-04-26T14:00:00.000+01:00

I won't be selling at this fair, but will be attending to see all the fab stalls. A great event at Norwich's forum

Click here for a poster

Finger Print Pendants

2011-04-06T22:29:00.000+01:00

Finger Print Pendants & Charms

If you live near Norwich, Norfolk UK you can get your very own fingerprint charm. These are a unique way to capture a moment of your children's or loved ones life. This easy process can be done on a kitchen table, with all the specialist equipment either very portable or ready to use back at our studio workshop.

Why not get some friends together for a finger print party.

This is the pendant that I wear next to my heart every day. The smaller print is my son's (1 yr old), the larger my 5 yr old daughter's.

I chose an abstract shape directed by the placement of the prints, you can also chose heart, circle and rectangle shape pendants.

These are one off, can't be reproduced items. Prices from £25. Please contact us to book a party (we will come to you within 20 miles of Norwich) or to arrange a visit to us.

Brundall Holistic Day

2011-04-06T21:20:00.000+01:00

I will be at Brundall Holistic Day on Saturday 28th May 9 - 5 at the Memorial Hall.

This looks like it's going to be an interesting day with treatments, stalls and workshops. I'm going to be doing a meditation workshop on positive affirmations using the Blessed Beads, prayer beads.

It would be lovely to see you all.

View Larger Map

Meditations with prayer beads

2011-04-02T21:45:00.000+01:00

Here is a really simple 'How to' to using a set of prayer beads in a simple spellworking or affirmation.

By the earth that is my body
and the air that is my voice.
By the fire that is my passion
and the water of my blood.

Let (my will be done)

So mote it be.

Using one of my 5 bead pattern prayer beads sit in a comfortable position holding the first bead above the pendant.

Focus your mind on your intent, for example 'Let peace fill my home.'

Say the first line of the meditation.

Move your fingers to the next bead and say the second line.

Continue round to the 5th bead and state your intent, ie 'Let peace fill my home' and see yourself filled with peace. Start again on the next pattern with the first line of the meditation.

The necklaces have either 13 or 11 repeats of the pattern; the bracelets have 5 or 7 repeats. Continue your meditation, focusing on your intention until your have touched every bead.

As you wear your necklace or bracelet you carry the power of your intention with you. Each time you feel the beads against your skin, or touch them, every time you see your beads you will be reminded of your goal and reaffirm your will.

Regular meditation can help you to focus your mind, ease stress and help relax you.

I'll post more meditations, tips and maybe even a video or two in the coming weeks.

Blessed Beads

2011-03-13T20:45:00.000Z

I've just bought some beautiful grey cultured Pearls for a new set of prayer beads. I can't wait to go through my beads to find some lovely combinations.

What do you think would go with them?

I am blessed on International Women's Day

2011-03-08T22:32:00.000Z

I am a wild Cat of an independent western woman. I am well educated, I can (and do) support my family through my work and I have the rights to speak and travel freely and to express my cultural identity.

I AM BLESSED.

Too many women around the world still live in poverty, fear and are second class citizens in their homes and communities. The statistics also speak for themselves women do 66% of the world's work, earn 10% of world's income & own 1% of the world's property.

Spare a moment to think on these women and count your blessings.

Come and see me

2011-02-26T22:17:00.000Z

Hey all,

I will be at the Hewitt Mind Body Spirit fair in Norwich next weekend. It would be lovely to see any of you.

I will be sharing a space with Caroline Nash

BAFTAs 2011 - glam goth lives again

2011-02-14T20:48:00.000Z

Once again Helena Bonham Carter has stolen the show. Not only was her dress, Vivienne Westwood of course, absolutely stunning but her speech was a genius of randomness. For more BAFTA beauties see the Catwalk Queen blog

Get the look - Gok Wan's Mad Men catwalk look

2011-02-07T13:51:00.000Z

Last week on Gok's Fashion Roadshow, Gok styled up a fantastic 1950's MadMen inspired look. This was topped off with a beautiful pearl necklace from Susan Caplan Vintage Collection

You too can get the look, from me!!!!

This fantastic, one off vintage faux pearl necklace is just the thing for your glam, 50's look.

Click on the pic to buy this unique piece, with matching earrings for £35

New Stockist

2011-02-05T21:03:00.000Z

I've just taken lots of beautiful stone set silver pendants and rings, cut glass Chokers and a few other pieces to the lovely Caroline Nash at her Shop on the Street, in Blofield. Pop in if you are in the area and see a wide range of hand made crafts and jewellery.

View Larger Map

Dressing up to sit in the dark

2011-01-24T21:47:00.000Z

My New Year's Resolution was to date my fantastic husband much more this year. So, at 6.30pm on Saturday I started the delicate dance that is getting the gothlings to bed while getting dressed up.

At 7.15 we left the house, and our two children mostly in bed with a sensible grown up in charge.I was wearing my behaving badly shoes, a pencil skirt, purple lace body stocking and a little military jacket. Add to this a full face of make up, carefully chosen jewellery and a very cute beaded hair band (my new favourite accessory). I was Dita Von Teese incarnate.

Where were we going? The cinema! and I was about to sit in the dark with my husband. Part of me wondered why I was bothering. Did I really need to wear stockings and high heels to go out with the man who sees me in my dressing gown every morning, where no one would see me.

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!! After 6 years of marriage, 2 children and many trials and stresses I want my darling man to know that he is still married to "a woman who cares about herself". I want to be able to walk down the street with my head held high looking fabulous.

So for 4 hours I looked dead glam with GothDad on my arm, then I came home, took it all off and made a bottle for Bat Boy. 3 hours later I was up for the night feed in the dressing gown, but I still felt glamorous.

Spring wardrobe - GOTH STYLE!!!!!

2011-01-01T23:11:00.000Z

I've been perusing the high street and my NEXT catalogue for the gothic twist to the new season's fashion.

I'm pleased to say that relaxed knits, tunics and maxi / wide legs are prominent so we can all be stylish and comfortable once again; just don't forget some fantastic shoes and gothic / alternative accessories.

Lace is with us once again, which is great. That goth staple has been around for almost a year now, and I've just picked up a fab lace tunic from H&M's sale. Too good for work, but it will work casual with jeans and glam up with leggings and killer heels.

My big problems this season are the return of the jumpsuit!!! It brings back memories of the electric green one I had in 1983. It's just wrong!!!!! Also the big trend for nudes. They do look fab but just not at all Goth. The goth version of nude is frankly NUDE, so I will not be partaking of it. Even the beautiful nude platform peep toe sandals.......(*slaps*)

So bring out / top up your florals, lace and relaxed knits and look fabulous this spring.

In jewellery, we just can't get enough of charm bracelets and big beads. Fantastic

So keep an open eye on this blog for a fantastic new jewellery site (me and GothDad's world domination) for custom and cutting edge jewellery for the gothic fabulousness in you.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month

2010-10-10T21:48:00.000+01:00

I have had the shittiest week. Nothing has gone right and I'm exhausted. But all of that paled into insignificance when I got a text message from one of my team saying she couldn't teach her class the next morning as she had found a lump and was going to the doctors.

Now this is a horrible thing for anyone to go through and obviously I'm praying that it is a false alarm and when she sees the specialist in a week or so she will be given the all clear. Thankfully her doctor referred her immediately. Unfortunately she is the second member of our quite small department to have found a lump in the last few months and another of my team is currently off sick after having very invasive and exhausting treatment for breast cancer. I could quite legitimately get paranoid about our workplace and what it is that could be damaging the health of so many otherwise healthy women.

So the moral of this post is coming up. My friend is in her early 40s although she does have a family history (hence the really quick referral) she is healthy as you can be. ALL OF US LOVELY LADIES NEED TO BE CHECKING OUR BREASTS. I have collected some links to help us all.

Please check your breasts NOW, it may save your life!

http://www.coppafeel.org/ is a great charity raising awareness of breast cancer in younger women.

Get a text reminder from Breast Health UK with loads of information and help to ensure your breast health.

Raise some money for CoppaFeel by buying this gorgeous bra from Bravissimo

Movie watching

2010-08-15T21:24:00.000+01:00

I've just watched 'Frequently Asked Questions in Time and Space' from the BBC. It was bloody GENIUS. Exactly what makes British film making so good. Low key, excellently written, based around the pub (big nod to Shaun of the Dead there) and fantastic talent. It isn't available on the iPlayer unfortunately but you can buy it on Amazon for just £5.43, with free delivery - BARGAIN.

Hold Up, wait a minute

2010-06-18T22:41:00.002+01:00

I feel a site redesign coming on. I'm so over pink!!!!

8 mummy uses for baby stuff

2010-05-10T21:31:00.000+01:00

We all have houses full of baby crap. They are so small but need so much stuff. Well fear not, you too can benefit from all this stuff. Behold, 8 things you can do with your kid's stuff.

1. Bonjella - teething gel. This works great on burns. It will numb pain and help healing. Obviously the first aid stuff about running under cold water for ages still holds, but this stuff will help no end 30 mins or so later.

2 & 3. Sudacrem - nappy rash cream. This lovely white cream, beloved of sore botties world wide, is a godsend for your skin too. It will help clear annoying spots with it's antiseptic and healing properties and also works great on any sore, dry patches on your hands from washing them too much. If you have mild excema you can also use sudacrem if it's not bad enough for cortizone cream but too bad for normal moisturisers to cope with.

4, 5 & 6. Baby wipes. These are in constant use in our house, from bottoms to faces, they keep my world clean. And as an aside; you know they wash pretty well too - if they just get a bit of pee or general muck on them - and can be used again as disposable flannels. But back to us grown ups, Baby wipes have 3 additional uses in our house, most importantly as an eye makeup remover. Much cheaper than cosmetic wipes, and generally free of over drying alcohol, baby wipes will get off even the most gothic of make up. Next is as a mud remover. We have dark beige carpets but they still show every speck of mud that comes in on the paws and boots of the family. A baby wipe will get even the muddiest marks out without staining. Finally, in the car a baby wipe will quickly and easily get all that dust and muck off steering wheel and consoles and they smell great, giving your car a quick and easy valet in 20 seconds.

7. Nintendo Wii, or other games console. We bought a Wii for our oldest daughter but I have to say we probably use it more than her. The Wii Fit games are a great way to snatch a few minutes of activity a day to get that figure back to the one you remember from all those years ago. For my next birthday I am asking GothDad for Just Dance. My sister in law has it and it's brilliant for dancing around and being silly, and getting a great cadio workout. Consoles are no longer just for the geeks and teenagers.

8. Petit Filou Chocolate pudding. OMG This is the best ever pudding in the entire world. Full fat, high octane taste. To make it look dead sophisticated take 4 or 6 nice champagne bowl type glasses, split the 4 dark chocolate pots between the glasses and then spoon the white chocolate on top. Then grate a little bit of chocolate (choc buttons etc) over the top and pop in the fridge until you need to serve it. If you don't tell no-one need know it comes from the kids aisle.

OK, I wanted to do 10 but I could only think of 8. If you have any siggestions please post a comment.

Chilled out Shoegazy music for a harassed Goth

2010-05-07T20:31:00.000+01:00

It's Friday night, I'm exhausted, but in my blog reader is a post about the fantastic 'Man without Country' from BBC Introducing.

Goth Spring Wardrobe

2010-03-05T14:39:00.001Z

I read enough about fashion and in an attempt to get my self back from new mumness I have gutted my wardrobe and created a spring capsule wardrobe. It didn't involve buying much, which is good as we are broke. But a quick trip to Primark and New Look has seen me right.

I am going with a lace and military theme in black (surprise surprise) and silver with pink accents ('cos I'm a sucker for shocking pink) and a bit of floral as I had it lurking. I've had to keep a few pieces aside for work wear as I will be going in a bit more now and can't rock up in jeans and a milk stained Tee.

The major principles of GothMum fashion are simple and very effective.

1. You can't spend much money. Use what you already have and buy from charity shops and discount high street. I have no pride, school shoes come before handbags!

2. All GothMum outfits should be glamorous and fabulous but also practical enough for a spontanious trip to the park; ie you should be able to pick up a small child without showing your tits or knickers.

3. It must wash or wipe, milk, icecream, chocolate and even vomit are all part of the GothMum world.

4.The Goth is in the details and in subtlety. These may look quite boring outfits but teamed with a pair of jack skelington ear studs, or a pair of killer boots these take on more of a Goth edge. I have finally realised I am not 17 any more and have to tone it down a bit.

OK, So here are the pics, this first one is the entirety of my wardrobe now, I'm quite chuffed with it.

This first outfit is my new grey lace dress. It looks great with jeans, leggings or tights and will be my glam staple.

This is my serious lace outfit, all from bits in my stash. I love Goth, it just keeps coming around. I can pull bits and pieces from my cupboards to fit a seasonal trend and really will only have to buy one or two key pieces each season to remain absolutely fabulous.

This is my guilty pleasure. Not Goth at all but very pink and girly, for those days when I don't want to kill everyone in the world.

But after all that Ill be the first to admit that a lot of the time I will be mooching around the house wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a drooly baby!

A goth in trainers, running!!!

2009-05-02T21:31:00.004+01:00

A hugely unflattering picture but as I have previously mentioned I am pregnant, tired, hungry and in a lot of pain.

We walked the race for life today (with a little bit of running at the end) for my God-father Grahame who passed away and my friend Bear who is winning his battle. It was a great day and the atmosphere was great. I had to stop reading everyone's back labels about who they were running for as I kept wanting to cry. I would love to raise loads of money, so would be really grateful if you would sponsor me. Anything you can afford would be so gratefully recieved. Just click on the link below to donate.

Thank you

WOO HOO I'm growing another gothling!!!

2009-05-02T21:00:00.003+01:00

That's right folks I'm pregnant again. 12 weeks now. I had a scan on Thursday and there is definitely a baby in there (and only 1 thank the Goddess).

So far I have been feeling sick, exhausted and my boobs are huge and very sore. To top it all my back is playing up and I can't take my horse pills (much much pain). If I didn't know I was geeting such a big prize at the end of it (well in mid November) I would be fairly pissed off already.

Tomorrow I'm going to buy some sensible shoes and some work clothes that will be comfy and glam. Hmmm, Appatemyly Blooming Marvelous is having a sale.

More later, on other things.

I've been a little absent...

2009-04-07T22:33:00.001+01:00

My humble apologies, all will become clearer later (in about a month). For now a little something from a Twitter friend. Enjoy.

Everyday is silent and grey

2009-03-01T20:18:00.003Z

I have been to Gt Yarmouth. It is March! Everytime I go to Yarmouth in the winter I can't stop hearing The Smith's 'Everyday is like Sunday' So I thought I would share it to you. One is a live performace and the second is the original video, but the YouTube police have taken off the audio (Duh!)

We went because Little Miss made a special request to go to the pool with the waves and slide. One of her bigger friends had been on the slide last time (in the summer) she had been with TheAngel. So she wanted to too, and she did, about 150 times, with me! She is too small for me to let her out of my sight so where she went so did I. Unfortunately the wave machine wasn't working, neither were the gents showers or the gents loo and I have so say, nice though the pool and changing facilities were a bit shabby.

The final straw came whe we waked out and I saw a HUGE poster advertising £600 for your tales of sexual woe, weight loss or other emotional trauma for those women's weekly magazines. Yes, people really do make money from people's trauma!

Making another Gothling

2009-02-24T21:41:00.002Z

Yes, that's right folks. We're trying for a baby. I can hear many of my friends whooping with delight as they read this as they ganged up on me late last year as told me money was not a good enough reason for not having a baby.

There is still one problem. Mechanical contraception has been been taken out of the equation (with a pair of pliers longer than my arm!!!!!) but there is still the small noisy one who likes to get into bed with Mummy & Daddy of a morning. Mostly I fall asleep before my head hits the pillow (too much work makes Goth Mum sleeeeeepy) but we have a standing offer of sleep overs and I really will stop working quite so much one day (maybe after the new PCs are in, or our big inspection is over, or the whole new curriculum I have to develop, or the new classrooms we are going to have to move into or the .... oops)

Anyhoo I will keep you all updated.

Here Be Dragons...

2009-02-21T19:28:00.005Z

Goth Dad took Little Miss and me to lunch today and then we went to the appointed place to see some Chinese Dragon dancing. IT WAS FANTASTIC as I hope you can see from the videos attached. These were taken on my phone so the quality isn't too good (sorry). Goth Dad grew up in the far east so is used to stuff like this but it was all new to me and I LOVED IT.

This was all part of the Norwich Dragon Festival. Norwich has a huge history of Dragons from Snap to the brilliant Dragon Hall and not forgetting the Norwich Beer Festival OK, so I had a great day but pizza has just arrived.

Ciao

Mathmatical Music

2009-01-30T22:41:00.000Z

Not much to say about this. It combines two of my obsessions, music and math. Go figure LOL.

Quote of the day:

2009-01-21T20:43:00.001Z

"Whatever you give a woman, she will make it greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit."

Manners maketh the Gothling

2009-01-13T21:29:00.003Z

I read this in my trawl of the net. I thought it was very interesting and certainly fits in with how we are trying to raise Little Miss.

Elasticated trousers

2009-01-02T23:04:00.004Z

I bought Little Miss a pair of skinny jeans from Next for Christmas and they had an adjustable waistband, she is very skinny and these jeans had a lot of give in the belly region.

I am pear shaped and could really do with trousers that I could just pull in a bit at the waist. Little Miss' trousers don't look like they have an elasticated waist, they just nip in nicely.

Why can't I have them too?????

A little something I made earlier

2009-01-02T22:32:00.003Z

As many of you are aware I've been teaching music production to my boys at work. It's had mixed success (as most things do in my line of work) and the institutional constraints are really exacerbated but I have had some real successes, some excellent engagement and it has sparked my creativity.

Much kudos has to go to my co-tutor on the other half of the course for his superior musical skills and experience and for his endless energy (cheers J) and we have managed a good handful of completed portfolios by the end of the year. First job back next week is to process them.

So, not only have my boys been doing fantastic things, but I have produced some half decent bits and pieces too. I've put some of them onto MySpace
if you want to have a listen. The little voice on the Christmas thing is Little Miss.

My Little Slave

2008-12-31T22:00:00.002Z

This is really a private post for Auntie H to show Nana the gift she bought Little Miss, but I thought I'd share. I know this will not last and in 10 years I will have to scream at her to pick up a plate, but for now I will enjoy...

Happy New Year

Hugs x

Get ready for 2009

2008-12-29T21:03:00.002Z

Right then. The only way to survive in this nightmare chaos that is being a working fabulous Mum is to GET ORGANISED!!!

Every day in our house is a well planned military operation (now stop laughing at the back, it is honestly), it has to be, with both of us working and little Miss having to get to Nursery and our Angel. Add in to this is Goth Dad's dyslexia time wandering, my last minute faffing and Little Miss' frequent refusal to put on clothes and you have a recipe for disaster if we don't get organised.

So the reason for this post is to evangelise the use of a family calendar. No more will I get confused about when that birthday party is or when Goth Dad had arranged to go out for that well earned drink.

So I would like to encourage you all to get a calendar and get organised.

OMG Where has the last month gone?

2008-12-29T20:32:00.004Z

OK, so December is nearly over and Christmas is well and truly done so wow another year nearly over.

I generally think that Christmas is a success if no-one packs and leaves home on Christmas day so this year went with a huge bang. We had some friends over for Christmas lunch and apart from the 4 month old baby being a bit grumpy, everything went very well. I drank far too much bubbly and fell asleep on Goth Dad at 11pm trying to watch a DVD.

I always stress too much in the preparation and then it's all over in a flash. Next year I will be starting my preparations a whole lot earlier and trying hard not to stress as much.

So this year's presents were lovely, we got cash from our parents and with a bit of savings bought ourselves a new TV (Sony Bravia LCD - YUMMM). Little Miss got many much and her favourite are currently a carage with cars to zoom around and a Sportucus dress up outfit. Really I do have a daughter!!!

Today we were having a serious conversation (well as much as you can with a 3 yr old) about whether she would be a firefighter when she grows up or a swordfighting actor / stunt performer. She really wanted to be a knight, go figure!

Positive pressure

2008-12-12T22:29:00.004Z

Goth dad & I have been thinking about expanding the household. Now, we are thinking about a foreign black kitten to replace our beloved LuLu who passed earlier this year. But we are also thinking about another baby. Initial thought were that we would be evicted if I had to stop work for 6 months to have another baby (my employer only offers SMP) but everyone we talk to say DO IT! DON'T WAIT, and we have really talked ourselves around to the idea. More news as it happens. XXX

(what am I getting myself into!??!??!??!)

Home Dye, is it worth it?

2008-12-12T22:09:00.005Z

I've just dyed my hair at home. It's something I've done for years and I've got quite good at it. My bathroom did resemble the end of Carrie an hour ago but it's all clean now and I have red black hair. It actually looks quite a lot like it does on teh packet, which is encouraging.

i thought I'd have a bit of a change from the blue black that I have been for the last (stone me) nearly 10 years on and off. I did have a brief faray into cyber purple but it faded to auburn very quickly so I didn't try that again.

So I'm hoping that this stays true for a few months as I really can't organise myself to do this kind of thing too often.

I was thinking; as I sat with a plastic bag over my head, was it worth it to save £25. Should I just get my hair done at the salon like normal people. But then i thought that £25 was nearly a half term's worth of Gym classes for little Miss, so I decided that home dying would be here to stay.

By the way, this isn't a blatent Schwartzkopf advert. It's just that I haven't found any other hair dye that stays in my hair.

Bettie Page RIP

2008-12-12T20:57:00.002Z

I am saddened to discover (but not hugely surprised, she was 85) that Bettie Page died yesterday.

Here is a bit of naughty bondage Bettie...

And a sweeter side of Bettie...

I had been wondering what to wear for my works party tomorrow, but now I know. i will be Bettied up to the eyeballs.

Bettie Page has long been an icon of mine of glamourous femininity without conformity. Today I am a sad Goth Mum.

Miss Naked Beauty 2008 was nearly a GOTH!!!!!

2008-11-28T21:29:00.004Z

I have been watching Gok Wan's Miss naked Beauty for the last 6 weeks and Goth dad and myself have been cheering on the very lovely Dawn (pictured); 6 ft 2 of Glaswegian Bolshiness. We really couldn't believe it but she kept going through to the next round.

In the end she was beaten by Shona (pictured below) by 7 votes and we didn't mind because Shone is also lovely, but very much smaller and more celtic.

It is great to see Gok doing this series, looking at how women see themselves and how each of us can be beautiful without a whole heap of slap (not that I don't love the slap given the chance), and it has been great to see such a wide range of women being shown to us on prime TV as beautiful, desirable women who are all passionate about the female form.

So to all my lovely lady readers...

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, if you believe this and own this the world is your oyster.

Positive neglect - a parenting position

2008-11-16T21:54:00.002Z

I just read this and found that I was blessed, as they put it, by being ignored by my mother. My brother & I used to amble out of the back door to go and play out and come back when we were hungry, or it got dark whichever came first.

I try very hard to ignore Little Miss as often as possible, while still of course listening to her every move; she is only 3, and she is a stuborn, strong minded little madam. Excellent, just what I have been working for.

Shopping Paradise

2008-11-12T22:11:00.004Z

I've been building an Amazon Store. Please support this blog if you can and treat yourself to a fab goth present.

OK, I know there isn't much in there now but give me a coupel of days....

Radio 6 music saved my sanity

2008-11-11T21:49:00.004Z

Compare these two track listings

Duffy - Rain On Your Parade
Gabriella Cilmi - Sanctuary
Girls Aloud - The Promise
James Blunt - Love, Love, Love
Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight
Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
Lemar - If She Knew
Leona Lewis feat. Akon - Forgive Me

The Cranberries - Zombie
Soup Dragons - I'm Free
This Mortal Coil - Song To The Siren
Incubus - Are You In?
Siouxsie And The Banshees - Christine
Fall - There's A Ghost In My House
Ladyhawke - My Delirium
David Bowie - The Laughing Gnome
Metallica - Enter Sandman

On of these would make me insane and not nice to be around. One helped me do a huge pile of washing up on a Sunday morning and put a big ole smile on my face. The first is from my local radio station's playlist ARGHHHHH!! the second Radio 6 music. Oh how I love my Digital radio.

goth eye makup

2008-11-05T20:25:00.000Z

As a Corporate Goth girl I have to say that my eye makeup is a key part of my look and my identity. Obviously when I go to work I don't wear quite as much makeup as some of these lovely ladies but this little smudge (below) is pretty close to what I try to get going at 7am most mornings.

It's fairly normal (if a little biased towards grey and purple) except for the black eyeliner which MUST by heavy and smudged. In a black suit with boots and some simple silver jewellery, all complete with dark eyes and a bit of lip gloss, there really isn't too much doubt that 'Miss' is a bit of a wierdo.

This is the lovely AndromedaX who is this gorgeous at 7am on a Wednesday morning and 1am on a Saturday night.

I would like to point out that she doesn't go to work looking like this (bit of a shame really, but no one would ever get to work on time if we had to slap on all the war paint every morning) but still manages to look very goth without looking like the dolly girl below.

So, I guess the key point to this post is that if you can give a girl black eyeliner she will either hang herself and end up looking like a macabre clown, or she will make it her own and remain a Glam Goth Goddess, no matter how modest or corporately she needs to dress.

Party, Party, Party

2008-10-26T20:48:00.002Z

So, we got invited to a party. Friends of ours are going to Thailand for 6 months and will miss Christmas and Halloween, so they are going out with a bang. The invitation said children welcome so we took along Little Miss. It was a Friday night so we asked the Angel to try and get her to nap in the afternoon; fat chance. She didn't sleep in the car on the way over and ran around the house in her Halloween costume until 9pm. Then she curled up on a sofa with us and fell asleep! Yay! Then we could enjoy ourselves until it was time to pick up the bundle and got back into the car.

It was really nice to catch up with friends, and spend some grown up time with Goth Dad, I also did some singing of Christmas Carols and general Haloween chanting.

New glasses for Goth Mum

2008-10-22T20:37:00.003+01:00

I’ve just found a new way to buy a new pair of glasses. Previously I have had to get rid of the small person for an hour or so to enable me to get into town and pick a new pair of glasses, then trog into town all over again to pick them up. Now I have found Zenni Optical who has excellent value eyeglassesto any prescription MAIL ORDER!

I particularly like these glasses which will cost me $35 and with the exchange rate as it is that is less than £22!!!! I have never seen glasses that cheap in any store.

I think they are very quirky, the detail on the arms is lovely and nothing like the ones I had a choice of last time I needed to change my prescription.

The range is huge from $8 to some really funky cutting edge stuff up to around $45.

Their edge is that they manufacture their own frames and only sell direct to us. They do all the usual extras that you would expect; bifocal, tinted, photochromic and anti reflection. Anti scratch and UV coating are free and they ship worldwide.

I also found this article from the Chicago tribune, it’s, obviously, a bit US-centric but the sentiment holds.

Happy Birthday Goth Dad - Pt 2 The present

2008-10-06T21:33:00.002+01:00

This is an RC Vamp. It is very cool and Goth Dad has been flying it around the green outside the house. He has been dive bombing Little Miss who has been screaming with laughter and running away, fast enough not to get hit but slow enough to let Daddy keep up. It was so funny to watch.

There is an eternal question about what to get Goth Dad as a gift. Luckily he keeps a list of things that take his fancy. I love Amazon wish lists.

Happy Birthday Goth Dad - Pt 1 The Party

2008-10-06T20:48:00.003+01:00

Goth Dad got a little bit older this weekend and we had a bit of a do. We had a 'Dracula' menu'd dinner party (vegetarian of course)

We started with Champagne cocktails - E=MC2. 2 measures of Southern COmfort, 1 measure of lemon juice, 1/2 measure of maple syrup. Shaken with ice, strained into a Champagne flute then topped up with Champagne. It went down very easily and didn't taste a potent as it was. I lethal combination.

Then hadPaprika Hendl - with Quorn not chicken. Robber Steak - kebabs with fake bacon & veg and something with Aubergine - bit as that is the devil's vegetable I won't bring myself to mention it. We washed this down with some lovely Red Wine - which didn't last long enough for me to see what it was.

Goth Dad had made an EMOURMOUS baked cheesecake, baked means no glycerine, with a Blueberry glaze. It was fantasticly yummy. Then there was more champage, coffee and sleepy walks to the train station for the last train back to town for our guests.

It was great to see friends and get a little bit tipsy but Oh My GOSH there was a lot of washing up to do the next morning!

A quick piece of topical parenting news

2008-10-05T22:17:00.003+01:00

I picked up this article about "Elimination communication" on an RSS feed that I watch and it has touched a bit of a nerve for me.

We have had a lovely weekend together; it has been Goth Dad's birthday - much posting about all of that tomorrow - but I have spent the weekend wishing we had more time together. There is so much that I want to do with Little Miss, swimming, making Christmas Cards, reading books, playing hide and seek. I seem to spend half of my time saying we can do that later, next weekend, tomorrow; knowing that I normally have aprox 1 hr in the day with her that isn't getting up or going to bed, and we have to have tea in that time. At half term She has a Daddy week, and already there is a list of things Daddy wants to do with her.

Unfortunately, if we don't want to be living in a 2 bedroomed council flat in a sink estate (after living in B&B for 6 months) then both Goth Mum and Goth Dad have to go to work. I have been working full time now for nearly 6 months and as much as I love my job, I really wish I could do it in 3 or 4 days instead of 5.

EC doesn't really have anything to do with our parenting right now as she has been dry for months now, but it was the whole attachment parenting they talk about that tugged at my working mum guilt. Hmmmmm, I guess I will have to just make the best of what we have together and be thankful that we have a roof over our heads and no burnt out cars on the street corner.

/Edit: Goth Dad has just pointed out, as is his gift, that Little Miss gets lots of love and attention from both of us and from The Angel that is our Childminder. She knows and values us as parents and primary carers and does not loose out. If I want to share my time with her then that is good and proper, but I shouldn't feel guilty for either wanting to spend time with her or for not spending time with her. There, that told me. I can be as selfish as I want about wanting to not work, but I mustn't feel guilty about it.

Teaching teenagers about urban music

2008-09-25T22:12:00.001+01:00

OK, so this was my first week teaching Intro to Music Production. It went really well on the grown up site, very engaged students who were happy to discuss options and alternatives and asked for help and advice. I think we all learned a lot Tuesday afternoon. This morning was a little different. 8 teenagers who didn't want to listen to a word I said, apart from to whine at me when their PC didn't make any noise; the equiptment is broken Miss, it's SH*T!. No dear you just have to set up your sound card preferences.

I got told how I should be teaching by 2 students and 3 left the class after an hour. Still, 1 is doing really well and I burned 3o mins of 9 tracks he'd done during taster sessions.

Ho Hum, We really must all try better next week. I'll let you know how things progress.

Rant about text messages

2008-09-25T21:26:00.004+01:00

OK, this is where I know I'm getting really and grumpy. OMG I've turned into a grumpy old woman. We were all sitting on the sofa watching Charlie & Lola tonight when the letter box snaps. Little Miss rushes out to see what has been delivered and returns empty handed; a few minutes later it rattles again and again Little Miss rushes to look and returns empty handed. Goth Dad looks a while later to find a 'while you were out' card stuck half in and half out of the letter box. WE WERE IN!!!! The first rattle was their version of knocking on the door. We have a perfectly good bell that we can hear all over the house. Anyway, we had ordered some house crap as from this door to door catalogue thing as we are too lazy / busy to spend our weekends in DIY shops *shudder* and they had tried to deliver it. A text message conversation with the girl L quickly follows:

GM: "L, we were in! Please ring the doorbell next time. GM @ address"

L: "OK wot times wil ub in 2morrow :-)"

GM: "We will both be home from work by 5.30 and will be at home all evening. GM"

L: "Ok i wil pop bak afta 530 2mo.l"

I swear if she had replied "ta m8" I would have sought her out and strangled her.

I guess this is why I spend half my time teaching literacy in an IT class. It doesn't give me a huge amount of confidence in her business prowess!!!!!

I love technology, gadgets and fast communication devices, but if this is what text messaging is doing to the English language then I would quite cheerfully smash every last mobile phone.

**Goth Mum is going off for a lie down now**

Goth Mum gets let loose in London

2008-09-22T20:59:00.004+01:00

I had a weekend, on my own, in London this weekend. OMG!!!!!

I was there working, I was on a course (more can be found on my lovely new blog ) but I had to go into the west end to buy a guilt present for Little Miss and I seemed to fall into H&M.

Now, here in Norfolk H&M is shite, with the WORST range of clothes, but I love the London stores, especially Knightsbridge, they have such good collections. In 15 minutres I went from this

to this....and all for £20, £8 for the very cute hat and £12 for the wool dress.

I'm sorry about the pics but they were taken in the changing room mirror.
So, I came home very happy, very tired and only a little bit poorer. I saw BritWitch for wine Dim Sums, Icecream and chats (all a girl really needs on a Saturday night) but unfortunately couldn't sleep in my lovely hotel room; no cat no Goth Dad, no Little Miss to check on before I slept. So 3 tablets and half a book later I guess I must have fallen alseep as I awoke at 6am with the lights and TV still on, go figure!

I am coming to the conclusion that my style revolves around a blck base of classic rock chick chic with appropriately goth accessories. Shoe research me need to happen.

Lovely stuff in Sainsbury's

2008-09-22T20:42:00.004+01:00

I had a very un-Goth moment a week or so ago when I saw this outfit in my local Sainsbury's. I actually found myself thinking "oo that's nice, maybe I should buy it" O My Gosh. I can't believe I actually thought about it.

Having said that I did see some lovely bits for little Miss (pics below) and YAY the halloween stuff is in. This year I will be adding a pirate outfit to the dressing up box and have to check that her stipy tights all fit now.

Glamerous Goth Mum is inspired

2008-09-19T21:20:00.004+01:00

I have decided to become inspired. My new mission is to search out fantastic fashions for goth girls on the high street.

I'm starting with Dorothy Perkins simply because Gok Wan is linked to them and he is my style icon.

I love this dress. I could wear it with leggings or jeans during the day and with gorgeous tights for a trip out.

According to Gok I should be wearing these jeans.

I'm in the process of putting together my own Goth Mum style guide, it'll be fun.

Now I just need to get into town.....

Go and find some beautiful clothes here.

Watching TV in a busy household

2008-09-17T20:38:00.004+01:00

OK I'll admit it, the Goth Mum Castle is a bit weird (ok that's a given), but we don't have a TV. TheMadScientist had this HUGE monitor for his PC before we were married and watched TV on a PC card. This has stuck. Currently TMS is sitting across the room from me (v comfy on the sofa with my laptop warming my legs - less fleas than the cat!)putting the final touches to a physics paper of finding planets (don't ask me I have no idea). This means that no mater that Lost in Austen is on in 15 mins. I'm not going to get to watch the TV.

Also, I usually have work to do in the evenings and you can guarentee that the one thing you want to watch will be on over bedtime. So I have a 2 pronged attack. The first is a PVR, much more reliable that getting the PC to record and you get a cute little TV guide thing you can pick what you want from. Kinda like Sky + without the subscription. The second picks up when my memory fails me, frequently, or on the rare occaision that two things are on. Streaming video on the internet. I love it. Temper tantrum brewing because we have missed the Number Jacks? No problem, call up the BBC iPlayer and you have 4 or five to choose from. I missed the first Lost in Austen so I spent a very happy hour on ITV's catch up. Channel 4 and Five both have services too but you need to pay for some of their content (which means installing a player / downloader)

So I'm off now to try and work out when Lost in Austen will be alailable on catch up.

Sensible(ish) clothes for Goth Mum

2008-09-17T20:09:00.003+01:00

I have a dilemma. I find it really difficult to find appropriate clothes to go out in during the day to do normal stuff. For the rare night out I have a wardrobe full of lace and leather, corsets and pointy shoes and during the working day I have my 'Corporate Goth' uniform of black suit, black boots, black/purple shirt (you get the picture). This week I am at home; the angel that is my child minder is taking a well deserved holiday, and I am doing Mummy stuff (more on that later). So what does the stylish Goth about town wear to take the Gothling to nursery?

I am SO over velvet and PVC for the school run seems a little extreme. Today, for example, I am wearing blue jeans, a black t-shirt (with a Black Wytch Stout pic on the front) and I wore boots and a grey fluffy cyber jacket out. Not really very Goth but it was the best I could do and still be able to chase small person around the garden.

I went into our local Goth Boutique recently and found one skirt that was at all suitable for 'day wear', ie it would cover my modesty if I bent over and wasn't made of leather, satin, lace or velvet. Unfortunately it was made for a stick insect to wear, also known as a 15 yr old. I am pear shaped. I have curves and wobbly bits. I'm not fat and I really find it depressing when I try on a Large sized skirt and it does't even do up over my thighs (I kid you not).

So I shall continue to buy whatever the high street has (in black) and hope that I can maintain my Gothness while retaining some level of appropriate dress in the face of being old(er) and often covered in snot and Play Doh!

(all suggestions gratefully recieved)

Holidaying in Hell

2008-09-06T22:05:00.002+01:00

I have just got back from a week at a Haven Holiday camp. I really don't know what posessed us but we thought it would be a good idea. Well, I spent most of the week heavily medicated as the beds tripped off my back and I had to wear my headphones in teh club house with Bauhaus etc trickling into my ears so I couln't hear the cheesy pop that was always present.

We had a great, if cold, Bank Holiday Monday at a huge multi period re-enactment event where GothMum and Little Pickle (+ Daddy) did Ancient Greeks, Plantagenet knights and general Medeval merriment. I have a fab, if very unflattering, photo of us being Hopite warriors (that's Greeks to you all) and lille Miss is now obsessed with all things ancient and pointy.

The only thing that saved me from Discomgoogolation was the 3G on my phone that let me get my mail and hook up with my friends on Facebook, oh and Bacardi, red wine and chocolate!

Work is a blessed relief and once I've had a few more pills and a decent massage I'll be right as ninepence!

Singing Gothic Horror - Sweeny Todd on DVD is Bloodtastic

2008-08-07T22:14:00.001+01:00

At a recent girls night in it was unanimously agreed that Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman were the two yummiest men in the entire universe. The jury is still out on Sam Jackson but that's a different story. So, two hugely lovely men in the same film is a huge plus point to start with.

The story is a given, it's well known and not too messed about with but what gives it the edge is the songs. Helena BC singing about how bad her pies are, while crushing bugs with her rolling pin, is hillarous and the openning scene with Sweeny's return to London is atmospheric and sets the gothic chill to the whole film.

It really isn't for the fain hearted as it is very bloody, but it has black comedy, great songs and a gripping story. The fact that the two most gorgeous men in the word sing a duet about pretty girls is just the icing on the cake.

Not happy with your email address?
Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo!

A fantastic new site for Feisty Women

2008-08-07T21:28:00.002+01:00

I have just come accross Bitch Buzz. It has well written, edgy posts about a wide range of topics from sex to kids and gadgets.

I think I have a new favourite read

A confession...

2008-07-22T21:27:00.005+01:00

I've been pulling the wool over your eyes, dear reader. Your visual image of me is in fact about 6 years old and was taken well before I became the fantastic Goth Mum that I am now. A few weeks ago Chocolate Nana, Myself and Little Miss went to her nursery school and had a photo session. This is the first time for ages that I've glamed up and had my photos taken.

In my head I still look like the skinny, dread haired gothling that you see above. However, when I look in the mirror every morning I see a cross between Russell Brand and the nicely groomed Mum that you see here. How much time I spend getting ready depends on whether the final effect looks like Russell Brand or Dita VonTees.

This little minx is my lovely Little Miss; looking as grromed and tidy as I think I have ever seen her. 20 minutes after this photo was taken she was hanging upside down from the sofa showing her knickers to the world. I love this image of her. but my real favourite is this one....

... it's the face I see and kiss every day.

Parenting tips from way over there!

2008-07-17T22:29:00.002+01:00

I can in now way recommend or condone these parenting tips but this came to me through the ether and cheered me up after a long day at work.

I give you Duct tape as a Parenting tool.

Things to keep sick goth kids quiet

2008-07-16T21:12:00.003+01:00

We've all got a tummy bug. So between mopping up sick and various other bodily fluids I have been trying to keep Little Miss quiet yet entertained. Daddy is quite happy to be left alone with a book and I don't get the luxury of being ill *sigh*

I found this fantastic online app for creating your own super hero. We have been playing with it all day, along with watching Howell's Moving Castle and the Cat in the Hat, and have created this. It is suposed to be me. I tried to veto the trainers but got nowhere.

BTW I then had to cook tea wearing a cape and witch's hat while Little Miss zoomed around the kitchen in a purple bat mask and cloak! It's been a tough couple of days but I really have had some quality time with my little darling.

Top 4 Goth Chick Flicks

2008-07-14T21:01:00.003+01:00

As a complete sucker for a chick flick I often find myself drowning in a sea of sacharine. If you are in the same situation I give you my list of the top 4 Goth Chick Flicks.

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

4. Practical Magic. For sisterhood and over zealous lovers.

3. The Corpse Bride. For when you need to be watching wth the kids

2. The Crow. Love across the mmortal divide and the very lovely Brandonm Lee (may he rest in piece)

1. Moulin Rouge. Love, corsets and comsuption with singing, what more could a girl wish for?

BUT NEVER...

Romeo & Juliet with Leo Di Caprio & Claire Danes who are too smiley and need a good slap.

Love Actually or ANYTHING with Hugh Grant in it.

Feel free to add your favourites in the comments.

Goth icons for kids - part 1

2008-07-12T22:53:00.002+01:00

Captain Mack is Little Miss' latest TV obsession. Every day we have to watch him save the day at least twice. More often than not it is this lovely lad that is causing the trouble.

Marty Medler is terribly clever and very good with machines (so he thinks) but more often than not it all goes horribly wrong.

As a Goth icon he is well groomed, quirkily made up and has a thing for technlogy borderiung on a fetish. Also he reminds me of a DJ I knew a few years back *giggle*

I like to make sure that she gets a wide range of social influences. Today we were playing pirates and watching Disney's Enchanted. Lots of fun.

Goth Fashion exhibition in New York

2008-06-06T20:44:00.002+01:00

Gothic: Dark Glamour

I have just found out about a fantastic exhibition at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). I want to go to New York, just for this exhibition.

""The dark glamour of the gothic has made it perversely attractive to many designers," said Dr. Valerie Steele, director of The Museum at FIT and curator of this exhibition. "John Galliano told me that he saw the ‘Gothic girl’ as ‘edgy and cool, vampy and mysterious,’ while Rick Owens said that whenever he saw goth kids, he felt as though they were his children." (taken from the information for the exhibition). I am particularly drawn to the room on Haunted places influenced by Poe's metaphor for a disturbed mind.

My Husband (Oh! how I love him) has been looking over my shoulder at the FIT web site. He is now planning a trip to Boston to visit some friends then we can all go up to New York and the boys can look after the kids while me and my Sister-in-fantastic-shoeness go to the exhibition. I am seriously considering it. (BTW H if you are reading this we have just sunk a bottle of wine after a long week, mail you soon)

Love and Hugs from the Goth Mum
(elbow deep in lego and laundry and wishing I had acomplished more at work today)

The images we feed to our daughters

2008-05-19T22:20:00.003+01:00

The news today included a piece about Princess Beatrice and how certain parts of the media think that being 19 and size 10 is fat. You can read the BBC online take on it here.

OH MY GODDESS. If people are saying that a perfectly healthy young woman is overweight then how are any of us going to raise confident, beautiful daughters. I am pear shaped, not wholly happy with my butt and thighs, but generally body confident. It has taken me nearly 20 years to get to this point. I am already worried about how my daughter will see herself.

Media coverage like this just does not help.

When Goths grow up

2008-05-05T21:16:00.003+01:00

I came accross this little gem online from the Augusta, Georgia Metro Spirit.

Professor Edgar Johnson says “As more punk and goth people come of age and have kids and so forth, I think they project their own tastes onto their children, but we’ve also seen a mainstreaming of goth and punk culture to the extent that you can even go to Target and find punky boots. It’s like Hot Topic for kid’s stuff.”

It's nice to know that we're not the only ones who have grown up and got a bit sensible.

OMG the best baby goth music EVER

2008-05-04T22:39:00.002+01:00

If I thought Black Sabbath done in gregorian chant was cool then this has just blow my head off. Rockabye Babies have many many albums of lullaby music from rock songs. They have Metallica, Pink Floyd, Led Zeplin, Green Day and loads more. I love them so much. I will be purchasing so next time anyone comes over the cool ambient music in teh background will sound strangely familiar *giggle*

Huge thanks to Kitty Cat Black for the link in her LJ Blog.

BTW I'm really exhausted and on my way to bed so sorry for the badly written post. I will update properly tomorrow, honest.

A little extra help - Payday loans

2008-04-22T21:53:00.004+01:00

OK so it’s the 22nd of April and I have £13.65 in my purse. It’s kinda OK as I don’t have any bills to pay right now. However, my car being what it is and the fates cackling at me, I just know that something is going to crop up between now and the 28th.

It’s a good job that I have discovered payday loans. I can get £80 to £750 really quickly as long as I pay it back the next pay day. I have tried to get little loans before with very little success. You just can’t get anything less than a couple of grand unless you are a member of a credit union and you have to save with them before you can borrow anything. I have been tempted by pawn brokers before but my Mum wears the only valuable piece of jewellery I own so I don’t have anything to pawn.

It is really simple to apply; you just need a bank account to put the money in and a debit card to pay the loan back on the agreed date. You just fill in the online form and it should all be done in minutes.

There is just one fixed charge (£25 per £100 borrowed) with no administration charges.

I hope I don’t need to find any extra cash before payday, but if I do I know where to go.

Sophie Lancaster - Memorials

2008-04-22T21:03:00.002+01:00

There are so many memorial events coming up for Sophie, especially around the Whitby Gothic Weekend. If you would like to be part of an event to remember Sophie or would like to know more about the fund S.O.P.H.I.E or to make a donation; take a look at the My Space page set up by Sophie's Mum Sylvia.

Pushing Daisies

2008-04-16T21:02:00.003+01:00

I have just got to the first episode of this fantastic US show on my PVR (I know but you try being a working -in the evenings too- Mum and still keep up with your TV)and now I find out that I'm going to jump an episode. Now I'm not usually one for file downloading etc but I may have to make an exception in this case. I just love the dry, quirky humour, and the way he pets his dog is just too hillarious (you have to see it to appreciate it).

Roll on Saturday night I say.

Little black dresses

2008-04-13T12:33:00.004+01:00

I have just found Black Essentials.

Not specifically goth but some very sophisticated black clothes. They are based in Edinburgh so UK shipping won't be the usial 3 week wait followed by customs bill that we so often have from US companies.

I am particularly fond of the Black Fridalis Dress which I would quite happily wear to work and out with the family (and it would look hot with a leather waist clincher and a pair of killer heels)

Bedtime stories: we all have a tale to tell

2008-04-12T20:33:00.003+01:00

After a very fraught day I have just put Little Miss to bed with a bedtime story. Often she presents me with a "Rollie Polie Olie" book with no plot. So I have to make it up as I go along, with a little help from her. Currently we are jetting off to planet stinko to save the world from various cheese related dilemas (honestly, most of it comes from her).

I found this article from the daily telegraph and felt a little more inspired to create interesting stories at bed time.

I remember a vivid fantasy world my mother created for my little brother and I which revolved around a family of fluffy people (a bit like flumps) that lived under our bin at the bottom of the garden. I'm 34 now and I still remember those stories and the bed times we shared together.

I hope I can give Little Miss memories like that.

A matter of trust in the parent

2008-04-07T21:52:00.003+01:00

I am just posting a quickie before I go to bed. I've been meaning to post about this for a while but couldn't quite find the words. I don't know if I have them now but I will try.

Before I go to bed I go into Little Miss' room, pick her up and carry her through to the bathroom. There I pull down her PJs, sit her on teh toilet and softly say "have a wee darling". Little Miss then obliges, often muttering something unintelligible about trains, or monsters or one of her friends (she takes after both of us there), and then I re-dress her and carry her back to bed.

This little ritual has served us well for quite a few months and has kept the bed dry. If fact one night I was up a bit late and she woke herself up, wandered through to the bathroom and announced her intentions (luckily we are fairly open plan and heard what she was up to from downstairs). But anyhow, the nature of this post is the trust that she places in me and Daddy and how that plays out in daily life.

Could I, as I have pondered as I kneel on the bathroom floor balancing a sleeping child on one arm, take her into a different place (ie the kitchen) murmur the words and would she wee on the kitchen floor? How easy must it be for parents to spin a child into a world that we would find horrific, because they trust their parent / carer and they know no different.

The thought that often nearly overwelms me as I carry a half sleeping child back into her bed is what a huge responsibility we have, as parents, to create a safe and happy and challenging envoronment for our families. I could really screw her up.

A friend of mine is a fab mum, she won an award and everything, and the reason that she is such a positive parent is that her mother is a bitch who made her feel like dirt for the majority of her childhood and she never wants her daughter to fell the same way. In 20, 30, 50 years time what will Little Miss think of her parents.

What do you think about your parents?

I've got small boobs...

2008-03-31T20:46:00.002+01:00

...and I find it almost impossible to find nice undies that fit and look fantastic.

Then I found Dainty Ladies and I am in tiny boobie heaven. Designed and hand made in the UK there are loads of ranges from comfy stuff to absolute stunners. I have already dropped hints for my birthday, but I may not last until then and just buy it myself.

This range is my current favourite.

So appologies to all you big girls who have underwire and serious scaffolding but today it's all about the pert little tits that could do with a bit of a hoof up.

Sophie Lancaster, an end of sorts

2008-03-27T20:54:00.003Z

A child has been convicted of the death of Sophie Lancaster and the brutal beating of her boyfriend Rob Matlby. Ade Varney talks to the BBC about the realities of living as a goth in an increasingly gang dominated culture. He is "campaigning to have the definition of hate crime to include offences against people based on their appearance or subcultural interests." PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sign his petiton to the government here.

Love is...

2008-03-24T20:57:00.002Z

...washing vomit off a pink fairy duvet at 3am. Being a mother means doing it naked in cold water. Such was my Friday night.

The good news is that the bug worked its way out (at 2 hourly intervals) in time for the Easter Sunday egg hunt and general chocolate extravaganza.

I love my daughter, my family and my life but forgive me for wishing I was elsewhere at 3am on Saturday morning.

I've had a lot of experience with such stuff and have come up with a few very important tips and considerations for the Goth Parent.

- NEVER let an ill child into your bed if you have satin, velvet or anything lush anywhere around the bed. If you sleep on rubber then go for your life.

- Black sheets are very cool but children will but all manner of bodily fluids on them at very frequent intervals and you can't boil wash black and keep the colour (believe me I've tried). This also applies to baby grows and vests / onesies. White / pale cotton really is the way to go. Then you get Grandma to stitch a fantastic quilt to go over the top of the bed so it looks both Goth and PINK.

- I have extended the rule above to our bed and the towels. I have boiled too much in the last three years to have any colour left.

I did have some beautiful black sleep suits and vest for Little Miss when she was a new born, but they got pooped and sicked on so much that they were grey within 6 weeks.

So take the wisdom of my experience; and sleep on rubber sheets if you want a good night's sleep with a sick child in the house.

Happy Ostara all

2008-03-23T22:07:00.005Z

Little Miss say "MMmmmmmm Chocolate."

Goth Mum say "What the F'ck happened to Spring"

Thank the Goddess the vomiting has stopped in time to hunt chocolate. We had a big chat about how things are growing and the Earth is waking up but the most coherent thing we got back was that there was a magic rabbit that brought CHOCOLATE. Ho hum! Well I enjoyed hanging blown eggs (shocking pink and covered in smiley face stickers) on to the branches of our giant cheese plant and decorating my altar in yellow.

Although I do feel that sharing a chocolate egg while drnking gin was maybe not such a good combination and I may have to go and have a little lie down.

Happy Ostara to you all and the blessings of the Goddess be upon you all in this time of growth.

Brand new Bauhaus

2008-03-21T21:29:00.004Z

I've just caught up on the Dark Culture podcast and heard some fantastic new music, including a track (Adrenalin) from the new Bauhaus album "Go away White". Cinka has some audio snips on the Dark Culture Blog.

This is their first studio album in 25 years (Russell Hall interviews Pete Murphy here

It is very very cool. I love to put Bauhaus on my MP3 when I have to do a supermarket shop at the end of a very long day. The new material is new and fresh but still soooo Bauhaus.

Enjoy

I want another baby....

2008-03-15T22:15:00.002Z

Just so I can give them this....

$12.99 from Halloween Town. Thanks to Meridith posting at Droolicious.

Corset Obsessions and the 1980's

2008-03-15T21:25:00.003Z

It's not a wierd as it sounds. I've been watching Ashes to Ashes on the BBC and there is a shot in the titles of Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) in the most fanstastic red leather belt / corset. It's right at the end of the sequence (about 50 seconds in) and shows a fab 80's grey dress and this beautiful red corset thang.

I was so corset obsessed that I wore a waspie to go into the city shopping with the pickle this morning. I looked stunning, even if I do say so myself. Long victorian boots, back and white print long a-line skirt corset over a gauze top and lashings of dark smudgy make up. My daughter wasn't impressed but I felt great!

I find myself doing this more and more. Some days I just have to get dressed up. For no other reason than I haven't worn lipstick for a few days. I think my husband appreciates it, so it's not a complete waste of slap.

Sophie Lancaster

2008-03-14T21:11:00.003Z

Sophie's Death has brought back some unhappy memories. A few years ago Mr V & I used to enjoy a Friday night at a local pub where a friend would entertain us and a large number of the local goths with excellent tuneage. This event quickly ended when the weekly beatings of various young men began. Someone would get beaten up on their way home every week. We were lucky and only had to go down the road. A year or so later my professionalism was stretched to the limit at work. I teach in a secure environment and one of my students was talking about the local gang he used to run with and the goth bashing they used to enjoy. That I didn't reach over and smash his head into a table shows just how non judgmental and professional I am.

While there are still people out there who will make judgements about others based on what they look like, there is no hope that incidents like this will stop hapenning.

What's on my MP3 player?

2008-03-11T21:37:00.005Z

In a bid to rid myself of the daytime playlists of Radio1 I have taken to listening to my MP3 player on the way home from work rather that Scott Mills.

Currently I am having a bit of a Dave Grohl thing. My groovy little Zen Stone is full of Foo Fighters and Nirvana. I set in on Random so I am constantly surprised as I have a few little random nuggets of Ramstein or the Sisters of Mercy.

I also have to keep up with my Podcasts.

Since Pandora stopped broadcasting to the UK I have missed listening to new music but I have found a few good podcasts on the net.

13Thirteen is a great place to listen to unsigned and barely known artists mixed in with a few classics and the Radio 1 alternative / indie / punk / whatever podcasts are really good if, like me, you can't stay up until 3 am listening to the radio. I particularly enjoy the Rock show with Daniel P Carter

What I really need is a DAB radio in my car then I can listen to 6 music, or Asian network. Anything but daytime playlisting.

Going to drown out 'Alphabeat' with a large glass of Gin now (that will teach me!)

Goth on the catwalk

2008-03-01T22:20:00.002Z

Alexander McQueen Holds (Goth) Court This link from the Wall Street journal tells of the Goth / Victorian influences of the Fall 08 collections. I can't wait to see how they filter down to the high street.

I've got a new phone

2008-02-29T19:43:00.002Z

... but it isn't as good as this one...

Why don't ELC make toy hearses? any other such questions

2008-02-27T21:14:00.003Z

Little Miss was playing happily with her Happy Land stuff today when Mr V came home from work. She was enthusiastically rounding up some run away animals who had escaped their plastic pen.

Why isn't there a funeral parlour? he asks me, and where is the abatoir? They really should make these play sets more realistic.

Our daughter was hiding sheep down the back of the sofa telling me they had gone to the cinema and sending little boy off to the tooth fairy's shop. I'm not sure she is ready for reality!

So, who am I really?

2008-02-20T21:43:00.002Z

For the longest time I have been aware that there a number of 'me's inside; a princess that wants everything right now and it had better sparkle, a very cynical me, a vamp me that wants to hurt people and a mother figure who wants to cuddle everyone to name but a few. All of these mes kinda smoosh together in a fluid and ever changing manner to create my personality and moods.

I am becoming aware now that there are outside mes too and they all want a piece of the action.

In my late twenties everything was fantastic. I knew who I was and where I was going and my priorities were clear. Now I'm in my mid thirties; a mum, wife, teacher and I want to do so much but I just can't seem to find the time. Where are my priorities?

My friend Roses has been having a dilema of priorities, work for her son's future or immerse herself in her creativity. I am so proud of her for making those hard choices and figuring out what is important to her.

So what is important to me? My husband's career has to quite near the top, as he needs to finish his studies before we expand the family anymore (I guess that's another thing I want) and at the moment getting enough cash in to pay the bills is pretty damned important too.

OMG there is so much going on. This needs some more thought.

How do you decide what to prioritise?

More important things than education?

2008-02-19T20:49:00.003Z

The Daily Telegraph reported this week about a a pagan parent taking her daughter out of school to attend Summer Solstice celebrations. Read the full story here. They weren't very positive. I know that I get a couple of days off at Easter (that was pinched from the pagan festival of Ostara) but it would be nice to be able to celebrate the occasional festival at the right time.

I do understand the schools' needs to get as many children in class as possible but attending a festival could certainly be justified, couldn't it?

can I justify....

2008-02-13T22:52:00.002Z

paying £20 for a hoodie for pickle which she will wear for aboth 3 months? It is very cute though.

We saw this in a shop in the city, but the pic comes from the Darkside Clothing web site

I could have spent a lot of money today, on her and me.

Camden Market, up in smoke

2008-02-13T22:44:00.003Z

One of the best places for alternative culture to hang out and look scary went up in flames on Saturday night. The BBC has a lot of coverage and pics but suffice it to say that a lot of goths, punks and generally alternative types lost a lot of money and their way of life over the weekend.

I remember when Kensington indoor market was condemmed, many traders moved to Camden. Where will they go now?

Too tired to post

2008-02-10T18:31:00.000Z

I was all set to post a deep and meaningful paragraph or two on not smacking and the violence on TV but I am sat here listening to the sounds of hair washing coming down the stairs (not v happy) and I just can't find teh words.

Today I have cleaned the house, sorted laundry, played football, snap, catch, pretend and drawing, been to the park, drawn chalk flowers in the yard, scooped kitty poop, brushed hair, listened to and advised a very pissed off friend and I still have a mountain of mending and ironing to do, not to mention the pile of washing up waiting for me in the kitchen. I never got to clean the car or dye my hair *sigh*

So excuse me if I feel a little drained. I wouldn't mind but this was a normal Sunday.

Maybe a large G&T will sort me out.....

My new Favourite web site

2008-02-08T21:17:00.000Z

Oh My Goodness. No more tantrums about 'the numberjacks' or 'tweenies' not being on TV. Now I can just go onto BBC i player and watch shows from the last week. The full screen image is pretty good quality and we have a naff download speed and it runs really smoothly.

It also means that when I spend the whole evening running up and down stairs to a groaning sneezing child, I can rewatch what I have been missing.

Imbolc celebrations

2008-02-03T14:52:00.001Z

Oh what a night I had last night. Imbolc is the celebration of the first stirings of spring and of Bridget's inspiration.

I gathered together with a very grand group of women friends; artists, nurses, writer, teachers, mothers, scientists, seasmistresses and pharmacists. We had not been together for quite a long time and we bagan by walking the labyrinth in a local park. On the way in we meditated on the things that hamper our creativity and on the way out we sought our inspiration for the coming months.

Once we had sufficiently frozen our extremities we retired to a nearby home and gathered a feast. We had all bought far more that we could wat but we sat, ate and gossiped for a good two hours. Wine was drunk, men were reduced to sex objects and the world was made a better place.

We ended the meal by all telling what our creative projects for the coming months would be. Some of us are writing things down, some are learning new skills, one is making a baby! It was fantastic to hear all the fabulous plans we have.

Eventually we left the table and lit the candles on the altar; a beautifully decorated table with daffodils, greenery, stones and candles. We have all been chanting together for more years than I can care to remember, although now much less frequently that at other times, so we bickered a bit until we decided on our favourites and had a good chant for an hour or so. At points the beauty of the sound made my heart ache and at others the energy flowed through the room and made every cell in my body tingle.

I love to sit in circle with a group of friends, making music and magic.

Mental health and parenting

2008-02-01T13:13:00.002Z

I am watching this story from the BBC and on most mainstream media about a newborn being taken from his mother. He was originally returned to his mother but has now been taken into social services care again.

The mother has not abused or neglected the child (hardly possible in 2 hours in hospital) but has mental health problems and had a troubled childhood herself. She was cared for by state and has been deemed by that state as not fit to make the day to day choices and decisions we all take for granted. She is, allegedly, not fit to be a mother. The state didn't do a very good job of bringing her up, so why do they think they will do a better job with her son.

I completely understand the role of social services in protecting vulnerable children, if fact I this 18 year old girl is still classed as a vulnerable child. However, I think that she is being severly let down by those that have cared for her at a time when she needs all the help and support she can get to adjust to a new way of life.

I shall continue to watch this story with interest and I hope she regains custody very very soon.

The Ivaldi Blog

Tibetan silver - don't be fooled

Meditation Workshop

For your bead meditations

Rehydration fluids for Children and Adults - save a life!

Events

Money off voucher for Norwich MBS Fair in October

Meditation Workshop

Positive Affirmation meditation

Lovely day at the Brundall Holistic Fair

Brundall Holistic Day

21st Norwich Mind Body Spirit Fair

Finger Print Pendants

Brundall Holistic Day

Meditations with prayer beads

Blessed Beads

I am blessed on International Women's Day

Come and see me

BAFTAs 2011 - glam goth lives again

Get the look - Gok Wan's Mad Men catwalk look

New Stockist

Dressing up to sit in the dark

Spring wardrobe - GOTH STYLE!!!!!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month

Movie watching

Hold Up, wait a minute

8 mummy uses for baby stuff

Chilled out Shoegazy music for a harassed Goth

Goth Spring Wardrobe

A goth in trainers, running!!!

WOO HOO I'm growing another gothling!!!

I've been a little absent...

Everyday is silent and grey

Making another Gothling

Here Be Dragons...

Mathmatical Music

Quote of the day:

Manners maketh the Gothling

Elasticated trousers

A little something I made earlier

My Little Slave

Get ready for 2009

OMG Where has the last month gone?

Positive pressure

Home Dye, is it worth it?

Bettie Page RIP

Miss Naked Beauty 2008 was nearly a GOTH!!!!!

Positive neglect - a parenting position

Shopping Paradise

Radio 6 music saved my sanity

goth eye makup

Party, Party, Party

New glasses for Goth Mum

Happy Birthday Goth Dad - Pt 2 The present

Happy Birthday Goth Dad - Pt 1 The Party

A quick piece of topical parenting news

Teaching teenagers about urban music

Rant about text messages

Goth Mum gets let loose in London

Lovely stuff in Sainsbury's

Glamerous Goth Mum is inspired

Watching TV in a busy household

Sensible(ish) clothes for Goth Mum

Holidaying in Hell

Singing Gothic Horror - Sweeny Todd on DVD is Bloodtastic

A fantastic new site for Feisty Women

A confession...

Parenting tips from way over there!

Things to keep sick goth kids quiet

Top 4 Goth Chick Flicks

Goth icons for kids - part 1

Goth Fashion exhibition in New York

The images we feed to our daughters

When Goths grow up

OMG the best baby goth music EVER

A little extra help - Payday loans

Sophie Lancaster - Memorials

Pushing Daisies

Sponsored content

Little black dresses