'And that was autumn' by Me

And that was autumn, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Autumn is pretty much over now. As usual it seems to have flown by far too quickly and I didn't take any of the gorgeous autumn photos I wanted to take. Here is the most autumny picture I did take thanks to my daughter who wanted to collect leaves on the way home from school one afternoon. It's hard not to love all the those beautiful yellows, oranges and browns. The trees are pretty much bare now and I can't wait for the spring blossoms. Which I WILL take some lovely photos of!

Happy weekend everyone!

'Sunny Day on the Patio at Mission Rock Resort' by rosemarie_mckeon

Sunny Day on the Patio at Mission Rock Resort, a photo by rosemarie_mckeon on Flickr.

Yesterday I told you I might just feature a messy sandwich of some sort. I searched but as I couldn't find one I really liked I thought I would take one myself. So, all in the name of art, I decided to make myself a fried egg sandwich for my lunch today. It turned out to be the least messy fried egg sandwhich I've ever made. Usually I end up with yolk running down my chin when I have this for lunch! But this time even when I cut it roughly in half with a butter knife it all stayed in place and looked rather neat. Weird, because you can usually count on me to be messy!

So, as I have no food related photograph to show you here is a photo I am posting in order to try and warm up. I am freezing at home today and this picture is reminding me how gorgeous summer is. I especially love all the oranges and yellows. Actually I am not sure if this image is warming me up or just depressing me! Hurry up summer, I want you back!

'My Wednesday sandwich' by Cubilla Milan

My Wednesday sandwich, a photo by Cubilla Milan on Flickr.

I never thought I would find a photo of a sandwich particularly stunning but I am just finding this one mesmerising. This sarnie isjust so perfect looking. So much time must have been spent making this look so precise. I bet a very sharp knife was used. And the photographer has captured it really well. I love the fresh bright colours.
Although, I must say there is something to be said for a messy sandwich too. Personally I love biting into an egg sandwich with a really runny yolk exploding out. Watch this space - perhaps tomorrow it'll be the turn of a really messy sandwich!

'13/52 - The Guardians' by A.J. Pye

13/52 - The Guardians, a photo by A.J. Pye on Flickr.

For some reason every time I go to Ikea I seem to feel the need to blog about it. Apologies for that but I love it there. Although I must share with you the experience I had there today. When we got near the exit I realised I'd forgotten to get something I needed. I therefore decide to get back for it. Now that was a surreal experience - going round Ikea the wrong way. It felt rather rebellious and a bit like driving the wrong way down a one way street. And if I think about it, it also made me a little dizzy! Ikea the wrong way round is weird.

Anyway, enough of my wrong way round waffling here is a photo of those iconic chimneys at Ikea in Croydon. Even though they are such a famous landmark in the south east they do seem to be quite difficult to photograph. This photographer has done an amazing job. I love the black and white. Even though you don't get to see the famous yellow and blue you don't need to. You know exactly where this is.

Right, best go, I have napkins, candles and random storage boxes to sort out!

'Hipstamatic pier' by Me

Hipstamatic pier, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

As you might have noticed I have failed in my challenge to blog every day this month. Tiredness was my downfall. I took my iPad up to bed with me on Wednesday night meaning to do a quick post from there but before I even got a chance to think about what I was going to post I had fallen asleep. When I woke up it was passed midnight so my opportunity for a post that day had gone! Then last night I just didn't get around to it either. Don't worry I'm not mad at myself. Instead I am impressed I've managed to blog as much as I have lately. Let's just see what happens now!

Here's another picture of Brighton taken by me. I love the hipstamatic app but more on that in another post.

Happy weekend one and all!

'pink sparkly shoes' by jacquelinetinney

pink sparkly shoes, a photo by jacquelinetinney on Flickr.

What I feared would happen with this blog challenge of mine is now happening and I am feeling a little uninspired. I guess I've just used up a month's worth of blog posts already. But I am determined, I will crack on and I was wondering if you lovely readers could help. What would you like me to feature on here? What kind of photos can I find for you? Let me know!

And I am sharing this particular photo with you here as it's pink sparkly shoes. You've got to love pink sparkly shoes and I love how this is all about the shoes and nothing else.

'Coloured fairy lights in black and white' by Me

Coloured fairy lights in black and white, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Whilst taking some photos of coloured fairy lights the other week I decided to switch the black and white setting on. I wanted to see whether I'd be able to take a photo of something very colourful in black and white and still make it seem very striking and interesting. I think I have achieved that, what do you reckon?

'rock water sun' by heatherkh

rock water sun, a photo by heatherkh on Flickr.

Tonight is one of those nights that I have nothing to say, I don't feel like blogging and have just had a nice night chilling in front of telly with my hubby. Normally this wouldn't be an issue but as this is 'blog every day in November' month I have to put something up here! I therefore thought I would share with you this photo that I find wonderfully calm and relaxing. It's so crisp, clear and fresh looking I half expect to be able to put my hand right in the water. Such an excellent photo.

'Instagram Brighton on a rainy day' by Me

Instagram Brighton on a rainy day, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

There is a quote by fine art photographer Ansel Adams that I love. He said "There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs". I love this because it's something that I too really believe. I think everyone has the potential to take wonderful photos. You don't need to be a professional who fiddles with their camera getting the settings right to take a great photo. You can just be an average person with any kind of camera - a old fashioned polaroid, an iPhone, a compact camera or a fancy DSLR - and when you see that perfect shot you just point and shoot. I think best photographs come from the heart if that makes any sense.

I am always really pleased when I take a photo that turns out like this one. If I am taking a picture on my mobile phone that usually means I am in a hurry, only get to take one or two shots and have no time to think about photographic rules. When I saw this view I knew it would make a nice picture and after a bit of editing on my phone I ended up with this dramatic image.

What about you? Do you always play by the rules?

'Snowblind' by Jo Bradford

Snowblind, a photo by Jo Bradford on Flickr.

This is my 15th post of the month and because it is 15th November today that means I have got half way through this month posting every single day! I am really impressed with myself. I know I set myself a 'blog every day in November' challenge but I kind of thought it would end up as 'blog nearly every day'. I feel really motived now. I wonder if I will actually be able to end the month with 30 posts! *Just doing the quick "thirty days has September rhyme in my head to check there are thirty days in November*.

So anyway, let's kick off the weekend with a photo that just kind of takes your breath away. Well it took mine away anyway. It looks so beautiful in it's simplicity. It also looks rather cold.

Happy weekend everyone!

'Nude Shoe' by R.C. Loveland

Nude Shoe, a photo by R.C. Loveland on Flickr.

It dawned on me today that for the first year in ages I don't have a fancy Christmas party to go to. I don't think I will have an excuse to go shopping for a nice dress and sparkly shoes. I therefore thought I would blog about sparkly shoes instead. I love this picture. It's different as you can't see all of the shoes but that doesn't matter you can still see how pretty they are. And talking of pretty, I think the thing that makes this really pretty is the whole softness of the colours. I think I should perhaps start looking for pretty pictures of fancy dresses now!

'Untitled' by Lauren Treece

Untitled, a photo by Lauren Treece on Flickr.

It's hard not to love this photo and that's because even as an adult it's hard not to love a tent. Especially a makeshift one like this. Sometimes we will chuck a blanket over the dining rooms chairs to make a den for the kids but it's hard not to crawl inside as well. It looks like the person here has found their happy and safe place. I want to go tent building now!

'Ice Abstractions' by The Danish Girl

Ice Abstractions, a photo by The Danish Girl on Flickr.

I've been snuggled up this evening watching a film with my husband which was lovely except it meant I completely forgot about blogging. Therefore here is a quick photo before bed. This amazing picture was taken in Iceland. It looks like there is such beautiful scenery there. I would love to visit. In fact I have a friend who lives in Iceland. Perhaps she'll find me on her doorstep one day.

Right, speedy blog post done. Time for sleep. Night all!

'Brighton Pier' by Me

Brighton Pier, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Recently I've learned something very important - it's OK to quit things. This might seem obvious to most people but for me I've never felt like I can give up on things without feeling like a quitter. I have found myself in many situations, relationships, jobs, education etc which I know are bad for me or don't make me happy but I've always stuck at things for too long. For some reason recently I've found the courage to step back from a few things that weren't right for me and have stuck at for longer than I should have. Not my marriage by the way - no need to worry hubby if you're reading this! And you know what, it's been fine. In fact it's felt quite freeing. Now I have time and energy to put towards new things - of which I don't know yet - but who knows what the future has in store.

Here is a photo I took in Brighton. I could never quit loving Brighton.

'Project 365 - 11/7/2013 - 311/365' by cathy.scola

Project 365 - 11/7/2013 - 311/365, a photo by cathy.scola on Flickr.

And so ends a really wonderful weekend. As I have mentioned already we had a fantastic day down in Brighton yesterday and today we had good friends visiting and we just had a lovely chilled out day. We even managed to make a good start on our online Christmas shopping this evening.

I didn't know what photo to post tonight but I saw this one and I couldn't help smiling. What a cute selection of rubber ducks and such fabulously bright white tiles. Great photo, great bathroom!

'The sunshine after the rain' by Me

The sunshine after the rain, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

This weekend my husband and I decided we needed a break. A holiday would be fantastic but as that wasn't exactly possible a family day out seemed a like a good second option. We therefore thought we'd have a day out down in Brighton. It's not that far away from us but whenever we go we always have such a lovely time - today was no different.

When we got to Brighton it was hammering it down with rain. To be honest we really weren't looking forward to getting out of the car. But by the time we'd parked inside and got ourselves back outside the rain had stopped and it wasn't even that cold. We had a great time having lunch (pizza and pasta), shopping (mainly treating the kids to things), walking along the seafront (taking loads of photos) and visiting the Sealife Centre (hugely over priced even with a voucher but worth it because my one-year-old loves fish!).

Here is one of my favourite photos of the day. Even though we didn't get caught in much rain the day was pretty grey. However, when I stopped to take photos of the Brighton Wheel the sky looked like this. I've not edited this photo even a little bit, the sky really was that blue. It looks like this photo could have been taken in the middle of summer.

I also took a couple of iPhone photos today that I really love. I will share those with you soon as well.

'Magical' by Tony Cornish.

Magical, a photo by Tony Cornish. on Flickr.

I started my blog every day in November challenge a week ago and I am really pleased with how it's gone so far. Apart from feeling a little bit unmotivated on day two it's not actually felt like a chore which kind of surprised me. I was wondering whether I had lost the blogging love but no I haven't and that makes me happy. And I mustn't forget that blogging is a two way thing. It's not just about posting on my own blog it's also about reading and commenting on others. Therefore I plan to comment more on the blogs I love reading regularly. I would also like to discover a few new blogs to read so any suggestions you might have would be very welcome.

Here is a beautifully tranquil photo. It sort of represents how I am feeling this week about blogging. In a crazy life full of all sorts of highs and lows of emotion this really is my happy place. Unless I think it really necessary I don't want to be negative here and moan about things. I want to post pretty pictures and write about happy things. And there is nothing but happiness and peacefulness shown in this image. I love it.

Happy weekend everyone xxx

'country apples.' By lara sheleheda

country apples., a photo by lara sheleheda on Flickr.

Our garden isn't particularly big but it does house a plum tree, a pear tree and a cherry tree. Unfortunately this doesn't really excite me a lot as I really don't know what to do with the plums and I don't actually like pears that much. Luckily I hate cherries because if I liked them I'd be disappointed. The birds always get to them before they are even ripe. What I would really like to have in my garden is an apple tree. I would love to be able to pick a basket full of lovely juicy apples just like in this gorgeous photo. I don't know what else to say about this picture other than it is just lovely and really sums up all the good things about early autumn.

'Halloween biscuit decorating' by Me

Halloween biscuit decorating, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

I'm so proud of my daughter. So far this week she has been given a glowing report at her first parents evening and has also achieved her first badge in her gymnastics class. I therefore thought a photo of her as today's blog post would be a good idea.

Here she is decorating biscuits on 31st October. She gets really excited about halloween which is kind of funny because she also gets freaked out by anything too scary. You obviously can't tell from this but she is dressed as a pirate so nothing too frightening!

This photo also reminds me that I love photos taken from above like this especially of tables with food on. I must try and take a few more. And share them here of course.

'Fireworks Seattle' by JM Clark Photography (jamecl99)

Fireworks Seattle, a photo by JM Clark Photography (jamecl99) on Flickr.

As it's the 5th of November and firework night I thought it would be appropriate to show you an absolutely stunning firework photo. What's not to love about this one? The composition is amazing. And the sky is such a gorgeous colour. It's a perfect piece of artwork.

'Fairy lights' by Me

Fairy lights, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Whilst rummaging around in the loft this weekend I came across a random string of fairy lights that hadn't been packed up with all the other Christmas bits and bobs. I therefore decided to take the opportunity for a bit of a fairy light photo shoot as I've never really taken such a photo that I am happy with. I am pleased with this though. It seems pretty clear and crisp, the colours are good and I love the shine of the light. Can't wait to start snapping away at more Christmas decorations now!

'Balloon Inflating' by Ingrid Truemper

Balloon Inflating, a photo by Ingrid Truemper on Flickr.

It's Sunday night and not only is it the end of the weekend but it's the end of half term too. I've had such a lovely (and busy) week and as I'd hoped it was lovely spending so much time with my daughter again. I'm going to miss her tomorrow and I my son is going to miss his big sister too. I also can't believe how quickly I got used to not having to set the alarm again. Tomorrow morning is going to be painful.

Here is a photo which just made me think "Wow". Hot air balloons are so huge and this photo really shows off the size. It's a really colourful shot too and I do love a bit of colour - especially on a rainy Sunday evening. I so hope the rain goes away before tomorrow morning's school run!

'Untitled' by raquel fialho

Untitled, a photo by raquel fialho on Flickr.

It's been a busy day and I'm shattered. Last month if I was feeling like this I wouldn't have bothered blogging but I set myself a challenge for November and I can't mess up on the second day of the month! Therefore here is a very autumnal photo that I think is great. It's such a simple concept that just makes me think 'why didn't I think of that?'. I think that the photo has extra depth because of graininess of the image and also because the windowsill isn't perfect.

Right, that's that done. I need some Zzzzzzz.

'99 colourful balloons' by aimeeclaire

99 colourful balloons, a photo by aimeeclaire on Flickr.

I feel like I have lost my blogging mojo of late and that makes me sad as I do love my little blog. I am therefore planning a 'kill or cure' approach (if that's the phrase I am thinking of). I intend to blog every day in November. Even if I've not got much to say I will just post a picture I took that day on my iPhone or an image I've seen on Flickr that makes me smile. Fingers crossed I can rise to this little challenge. And if you like what you see here please do leave a note. I know that reading some comments here will keep me motivated.

So here goes. A photo that is happy, colourful, pretty, simple, well observed and just lovely really.

Happy November and happy weekend everyone xxx