Hollywood (again!)

I know I intended to blog more regularly, but, to be honest, but I've been spending SO much time at the gym, and cooking healthy meals, not to mention practising the guitar until my fingers bled, etc, that I just haven't had a minute.

My friend Debs came down from Birmingham for the day on Saturday, and we met at the V&A, just before they took their magnificent tree down from the entrance hall.

We visited the Hollywood Costumes exhibition - (my  second visit, and I'm planning to go again in a couple of weeks) followed by my third visit to see the Ballgowns (this has closed now)  Then we went for lunch - Debs had never seen the cafe at the V&A before and was very impressed with the decor

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and I opened my beautifully wrapped present

With this pretty rubber stamp set  inside ..

A lovely thoughtful present, thank you Debs.

I'm afraid to say that in spite of my best intentions, the chocolate coins and the little packet of Lovehearts included in the parcel were inadvertently consumed on the way home.

I have managed a bit better with some of my other 'good intentions' - I've done Pilates and Yoga classes, with more sessions already booked, and I've walked to Ware and back on two separate occasions, and  I've cooked delicious, warming homemade soups, (from real veg!).

As for completing ongoing projects, I've now crocheted all the squares I need for a cushion, and I've joined them together.  

So, not quite finished, but on the way.  

I have, however, finished a jumper I was knitting.  I'd bought 13 balls of Patons Husky yarn from a charity shop a couple of years ago.  I searched everywhere for a suitable pattern, then believe it or not, I found that I still had a pattern for the same yarn that I'd knitted when I was about 17. 

See, maybe it does pay to be less than ruthless when decluttering. 

Although it says Beehive, the Husky was a pure wool alternative on the pattern. I wanted to change it a bit to a funnel neck, and I had to make it an inch shorter in the body due to having barely enough yarn, but it turned out fine - and as I was meeting the girls for knitting today, I took it with me and put it on for a photo opportunity. 

Fairly sensible pose ....

and a less sensible one

And in case you were thinking "Blimey, that healthy eating regime hasn't come a moment too soon!", can I say that what appears to be excess flab around the middle, is definitely, at least partially, loose jumper.

In fact, I have knitted exactly the same size that I knitted when I was 17!  Although I am prepared to accept that this one isn't quite so baggy on me now.

Hollywood - Marina and the Diamonds