Retro Children's TV on Amazon Instant

Firstly, I'd just like to say that I'm not promoting Amazon Instant Video, or Prime or Lovefilm Instant or whatever the hell it's called now. In fact I've gone off it quite a lot since it's changed from Lovefilm as the new layout is rubbish. However, it does have an amazing selection of retro children's TV shows that have given me a huge dose of nostalgia.

I know this makes me sound really old, but they just don't make them like they used to. I don't have kids, but what I have seen of children's TV nowadays, Waybaloo and whatnot, makes me feel like I want to bang my head against a wall.

So when I discovered Amazon't selection of old TV shows I was in heaven. Here are a few of my favourites. If you don't have Amazon Prime I'm sure you'll be able to find them on YouTube somewhere.

Huxley Pig

I can't say Huxley Pig without saying oink oink straight afterwards. I love the cheerful narration by Martin Jarvis and the imaginative but simple adventures of Huxley Pig and Sam the Seagull.

Thomas and Friends

I never realised at the time that Ringo Starr narrates Thomas and Friends, a frigging Beatle! I don't really have to explain why Thomas the Tank Engine is a classic; the books were great and the TV show built on this. Every character is perfect, especially the Fat Controller.

The Wild Thornberrys

Speaking of not realising celebrities voiced characters, The Wild Thornberrys has loads of famous voices; Eliza is Lacey Chabert from Mean Girls (presumably before Mean Girls fame), the great Tim Curry voices Nigel Thornberry and, randomly, Flea from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers voices Donnie. Amazing TV programme, even if Eliza was a bit too much of a goody two shoes sometimes.

Rocko's Modern Life

I never actually realised that Rocko was a Wallaby, I thought he was some kind of dog. Rocko's Modern Life has got that simple but surreal comedy that always wins in kids shows. Especially love Heffer.

The Shoe People

I'm so glad I found this. The Shoe People was one of my favourite shows and I had a much watched video of it when I was younger. I just loved when all the dust cleared and the shoes started to come to life.

The Angry Beavers

I distinctly remember my dad laughing at this programme and saying that "somebody has a dirty sense of humour." Didn't get it at the time. Even though I do get it now Angry Beavers still reminds me of a more innocent age.

Charlie Chalk

I just love all the stop motion children's programmes; Postman Pat, Fireman Sam and more. Charlie Chalk was another great one about a clown who finds himself on a strange island.

Round The Twist

I don't think I ever worked out what Round The Twist was about, something to do with a lighthouse and a ghost? But it has the catchiest theme tune ever. Worth a watch just for the eighties/nineties fashions.

The Herbs

Finally I have The Herbs, this show is from the seventies and is one that my parents used to watch. The fact that it is still being watched shows how great the characters of Parsley the Lion and the other herbs are. I'm a very friendly lion called Parsley...


There are loads of other great old children's shows on Amazon but I can't be bothered to write any more. Instead I'm going to be a grown woman watching children's television on a Saturday night. I'm owning it.

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Right Royal Deal

Royal Baby

Congratulations to Wills and Kate on the birth of their baby boy.
And congratulations to all those companies who are using the birth of the royal baby to cash in with royal baby themed products and discounts.

But hey, who can blame them.
Though I will not be buying any memorabilia, most of it being naff and/or terrifying, I may just partake of the many discounts that have popped up in honour of the royal prince.

For all you other money savers/cheapskates out there, I've found five of the best discounts.

Mollie & Fred
Ending on Sunday 28th July, gift company Mollie & Fred have a 15% discount on all their products, enter BUNDLEOFJOY at the checkout.
This bird jewellery stand would be my pick.

Antique Gold Bird Jewellery Stand - Mollie & Fred

Ollie May
Get 15% discount until midnight 24th July at clothing boutique Ollie May with code royalbabyboy.
I like this dotty dress.

Pippa Dotty Dress - Ollie May

Tilly & Moo
This Blue Boy Circus Elephant cut out print from Tilly & Moo has 10% off with discount code ROYAL2013.

 Blue Boy Circus Elephant Cut Out - Tilly & Moo

Mothercare
Of course Mothercare are doing a discount. You have to spend £100 to get it though; 15% on orders over £100, ends 6th August. Not much use of you're buying a cuddly toy, but if you're getting an awesome rocking chair set it would be worth it.

Tutti Bambini GC35 Deluxe Reclinable Glider Chair and Stool in Antique Pine - Mothercare

Finally, Gulliver's Theme Parks are discounting their children's ticket price to the weight of the baby: £8.60. Clever huh? Frankly, this place looks pretty horrendous, there is a terrifying mouse mascot, but kids will probably like it.

There, I feel I've done my part for royal baby fever.

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If I Were A Rich (Wo)Man: Art Prints

This week's wish-list is all made up of art prints, inspired by the new Penguin prints from Easy Art.

First up...

The Wind's Tale: I Used to Meet Her in the Garden by Edmund Dulac

The Wind's Tale: I Used to Meet Her in the Garden by Edmund Dulac. This print is of one of his many illustrations for Hans Christian Anderson's stories. I think it's the book art style that appeals to me. Plus, I'd like to wear a dress like that and wander around in the wind outside of a castle. This print is $76 from Artsy Craftsy, which has a great selection of products. It's dangerous to start looking around on the site.

Case in point is my next print; Hanging the Moon and Stars by Arthur Rackham.

Hanging the Moon and Stars by Arthur Rackham

This was apparently inspired by the short story Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving. I haven't read it and I may now have to. This picture manages to be sweet yet slightly disturbing, which may be why I like it! I love the idea of hanging the moon and stars up.

Most of my choices are from or inspired by books, the next one's no exception.

Kicking Leaves by Shirley Hughes

I've posted about Stories by Firelight by Shirley Hughes previously. Her stories and illustrations bring back memories from my childhood. Kicking Leaves by Shirley Hughes is a limited edition print, £95. Too much for me but I'm considering saving up for this; not only does it remind me of my childhood but it sums up the joy of crunching through Autumn leaves.

Finally, I came across this next print on Etsy.

Stepping into Woodland Light by EarthsWhisper

Stepping into Woodland Light comes from Etsy shop EarthsWhisper. At £388.51 it's much too expensive for me but I can still admire it. I love the dappling of light and the green shades.

That's it for this week.
Have a happy Friday.

Tattoo Trends: Who The F*ck is Alice?

Image via Pinterest

Alice in Wonderland tattoos; every alternative wannabe and their dog has one nowadays.
However, there is a good reason; let's face it, the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass books are fantastic. Their continued popularity shows humanity's need for something nonsensical and out of the ordinary.

Alice tattoos seem to be split into four categories, firstly quotes. Alice in Wonderland has to be one of the most quoted books of all time, with phrases that have worked their way into our vocabulary. But with such great sentences, it's not a surprise.

Image via Pinterest

Image via Tattoo Ideas Central

Image via Otter1 on Deviant Art

Image via Pinterest

Some are more original than others, unfortunately 'We're All Mad Here' has been vastly over used.

Another popular Alice in Wonderland tattoo theme is the original drawings by Sir John Tenniel. These are my favourite type of Alice tattoos. You can't beat the original illustrations and I love the sketched style of the tattoos. It's a great way for tattoo artists to display their talent and, although as usual these are getting more popular, they are slightly more original than most.

Image via South Side Tattoo

Image via Pinterest

Image via Sarah B Bolen

Image via South Side Tattoo

The next trend in Alice in Wonderland tattoos is the art from the 1951 Disney film version. I have to admit this is one of my favourite films. Yes, they did Disneyfy the story a bit but they managed not to sugarcoat it too much and it keeps the surreal feeling of the book fairly well. I'm less fond of the tattoos as they tend towards the cutesy, but there are still some great ones out there.

Image via Gurl Gone Geek

Image via Photobucket

There are some also not so great Alice film tattoos...

Image via Tumblr

Close, but not quite there.

Finally, as you've probably guessed, is Tim Burton's 2010 Alice in Wonderland film. A combination of Tim Burton and Alice is just perfect really and provides surreal and sometimes disturbing art to base tattoos on.

Image via Pinterest

Image via Tumblr

This looks like a trend that shows no sign of dying out and demonstrates how the book has spawned a following that will most likely last far into the future. My only nit pick really is that Alice tattoos are so vastly copied and, I want to ask lots of the people who have them, have you actually read the book?

I know, I'm a book snob...and I like it.

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Children's Classics: Stories by Firelight

Stories by Firelight - Shirley Hughes

Shirley Hughes is one of the most talented and well known children's book authors and illustrators of the 20th century, maybe all time. Her stories illustrated my childhood and her characters, like Alfie and My Naughty Little Sister, became familiar faces.

My Naughty Little Sister - Shirley Hughes

One of my favourite books of hers is actually a collection of short stories and poems; Stories by Firelight. I was always drawn in by the warmth of the cover but the main reason I liked this book is that the stories were were a little bit different to her usual work, they had more bite.

Stories by Firelight - Shirley Hughes

Do you like my artfully placed coffee cup? Pity I didn't put any coffee in it.


One of my favourite stories from the book is Sea Singing, it's about a fisherman who falls in love with a Selkie (a seal who conveniently turns into a woman). It's being told to a young girl by her artist friend who lives by the sea, the illustrations of the water are a wonderful mix of the real and the fantastic. I always wanted to have dark hair like the little girl.

Sea Singing - Shirley Hughes

It's a story of love and, forgive me for getting deep here, the struggle of being who you are and getting what you want. Pretty intense for a kid's book.

Sea Singing - Shirley Hughes

These illustrations are so expressive of the man's need and the woman's sadness. Shirley Hughes combines adult emotions with the innocence of a child's imagination.

It's not all big emotional themes like love and loss though; she begins the book with a poem indicating the coming of Winter and ends with one celebrating the onset of Spring. A bit of a religious theme creeps in with the poems Inside the Inn and First Light; not being a Christian these could be a bit much for me but Shirley Hughes writes them without lecturing and with a light sense of humour that shines through most of her work.

Another of my favourites from the book is A Midwinter Night's Dream, a story with no words, which is quite strange for me as I was, and am, an avid reader.

A Midwinter Night's Dream - Shirley Hughes

The tale follows a young boy who falls through a door in his otherwise normal house and travels through underground passages. The pictures tell a story of strange creatures and a fantastical world that is always out of the corner of his eye or hidden round a corner.
I suppose it appeals to me and others who hope there is something magical just round the corner, and one day we'll be quick enough to glimpse it.

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If I Were A Rich (Wo)Man: All The Horses

Another Friday, another list of items I can't afford, but want in my life.

First up is this lovely GROTTO necklace from jewellery company Rosita Bonita.

Copyright Rosita Bonita

Though it looks like enameled metal or wood it is in fact leather. It's inspired by mermaid carnival exhibits from the 20th century.

Copyright Rosita Bonita

I love the seahorses and the matching shell earrings. £86 isn't unreasonable for a handcrafted piece of jewellery, but still off limits for me.

I wish I could while away an afternoon listening to songs on this Roberts Revival DAB/FM Digital radio from Very.

Roberts Revival Radio - Very

I know it works exactly the same as a normal radio and that at £199 it is a rip off as I can get a modern radio for a tenth of the price. But it's so pretty! And it's Leaf Green, not just plain green, leaf green.

From seahorses to rocking horses.

Vintage Wooden Rocking Horses - Nordic House

At first I thought they were a bit creepy, but they've grown on me and now I desperately want one in my home. It's like the magnetic wallpaper all over again; I don't have a child, I just want these things for myself. I love the traditional look and hand carved style of the horses. I also had a beloved rocking horse when I was younger called Alice, I think these guys are reminding me of her.

There's quite a lot of green in this week's items, this last one carrys on the theme.

Valentino Resort 2014 Collection

I have no idea how much this beautiful thing is but as it's from Valentino's Resort 2014 collection I suspect it's miles out of my price range. I like the contrast of the tight bodice with the long flowing skirt and the leafy pattern is to die for.

You'd think the model might look a bit more cheerful.

That's all for this week, tune in next Friday for more expensive goodies.

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Dolls and Daydreams

Just a quick post.
My friend is pregnant with her first baby and I've been looking for presents to get her that aren't the usual pink or blue rubbish. I came across these sewing patterns by Dolls and Daydreams.

Teddy Bear Sewing Pattern

I'm not brilliant at sewing but I reckon I could learn for these.

Pocket Prince Knight Sewing Pattern

I love how they've got an old fashioned feel, without any sparkly bits, but are also modern. I can imagine one of these becoming a much loved favourite toy.

Little Red and Wolf Sewing Pattern

I have a few months until the baby's here so I can get practising.

Elephant Sewing Pattern