... a little bit of advice

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it

The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.

I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.
Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.

But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future.
Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.

The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives.

Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.

Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't.

Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either.

Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body.
Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it.

It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance - even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions., even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,
but with a precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.

Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths:
Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old.

And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you.

Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.

Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Follow Friday

Hello lovelies,

Today my first #FF is for the beautiful Scenic Glory blog created by the fabulous Lindsay.

Not only is this blog beautifully designed and set out, but Lindsay has created a great awe of friendships and love for her readers and other bloggers who follow and read her thoughts and wisdom.

Lindsay is an extremley talented graphic designer who married her soul mate last year and regularly posts about married life, her husband and life post wedding. Not only this, she let's the reader in to all the little projects she likes to do in her spare time.

I have signed up to be part of her 'What Would Journal Project' and I can't wait to add my journal entries to this.

She is a true inspiration to me, and I hope that one day my blog will become as awesome as hers!

Go check it out: Scenic Glory

Muchos Lovos.

Not on the High Street

I have just discovered this awesome English website filled to the brim of arts, crafts, housewares, gift ideas, clothing, jewellery and more! It's called 'Not on the High Street.com' go and check it out right now! I have just bought these wonderful items and am going to start making and doing as soon as I get them through the post! Yippeee!!

I love everything like this. If you know of any other websites that sell things like this please do let me know!

Hannah Loves <3>

A beautiful find

My Dad recently moved house and I was rooting through the loft (attic!) and found the most beautiful photo album of my Nana, my Father and my Aunt from the 1940's onwards. They also featured my Grandad who I unfortunately never knew as he died when my father was 8 years old. I fell in love with these photos instantly, my Nana seems so care free as she frolicks in the sea and laughs with her gal pals.



My Aunt told me that my Nana used to finish work at midday and then go down to the beach where she would spend the rest of the afternoon, whilst waiting for my Grandad to finish work and come to meet her. Of course this all changed once World War 2 started....



My Nana is still alive today. She unfortunately has dementia and so doesn't know who anyone is, or who she is for that matter which is just so sad to see. She is a shadow of her former self, but the plus side is, she still seems quite happy living out her daily life.


Last month this photo was featured in British 'Coast' magazine. Nana would be so proud if only she knew!! <3 <3

Love always wins

The Blitz Party.

Wow, it doesn't seem that long ago that a blogged about going to 'The Blitz Party', well the time came and we all had a night of glitz and glamour as we donned our 40's tea dresses, did our hair in victory rolls and wore tights with seams running up the back of our legs.

It was such a brilliant night. We got there quite early and went to 'The Light Bar' for a beverage whilst we waiting for the war bunker to open for the evening. As we approached the venue, we saw sandbags outside and some really friendly doormen greeted us and told us all how great we looked!

Inside, it was like we had just stepped back through time. The place was dimly lit (as was the way in the 194o's so as to hide from over head bomber planes). There were lots of Union Jack flags, and the music that filled the bunker was good old fashioned swing. We got some elderflower cocktails and beer in plastic beakers and then tottered about listening to the music, talking and taking photos of each other. The place soon filled up, and it wasn't long before I kept getting banged into which was due to how crowded it was (my only critisism for the entire evening, oh, and that there weren't enough toilets for the hoards of girls!)

At about 10pm, spotlights were shone and the air raid siren called which could only mean one thing. The band was about to start! The music was awesome and the performers were just so good. We danced the night away and had a jolly good time! I would definately recommend 'The Blitz Party' for a totally different night out with your friends.

Hannah Loves <3

Me (on the right!) and my bestie, Holly.

A little bit of crochet

After a few weeks of procrastinating, I went and bought some wool so I can start crocheting again. My last project was a baby blanket for my cousin's adorable baby, Ava, and after seeing this beautiful blanket on the awesome 'From Our Hearts' blog, I was decided to make another blanket, this time for myself!

I work in Southwark, London which doesn't have many shops to visit on my lunch breaks, but much to my surprise I found 'I Knit, London', a short walk from my office near Waterloo Station, and decided on the colours, bought a needle, and just started looping!!




I've only been doing it for 2 days... I <3>