Good luck to everyone striking today, or standing next to public sector workers on marches & picket lines. Because the private sector has shitty pensions is not a reason to down grade those in the public sector. If, in the work place for example someone is discriminated against, you do not then decide to discriminate against everyone so it's equal, you sort out the original discrimination. If they wanted better pensions, they should've fought for them & put pressure on the government to put pressure on their employers. 

Anyway, today is not about the sceptics, it is to show just how much our country relies on hard working, low paid public sector workers to keep everything going. I think I could live without a couple of bankers, or retail workers (which I am one of) but I could not live without nurses or teachers. That's why they deserve better pensions & a bit of fucking respect.

& don't even get me started on the bullshit that cascaded out of George Osbourne's mouth yesterday. Literally, lets behead them. Or read Channel 4 new's fact check & smile/cringe/cry.

I can't actually remember how I found Christopher Patrick Ernst's website, but really I'm just glad that I did. His photos conjure up the kind of mental, sparse, depressing America that I've always wanted to wallow in. & the palm print just brings to mind that Versace for H&M stuff... & better palm prints that have been swilling around in my head for some time. Plus, his penchant for crazy wallpaper is wonderful.

I'm so nervous today because I'm going to the school where I'm sort of volunteering /shadowing an art teacher for the next months or so. It was basically because I felt like I needed to do something that felt like more of a step towards what I actually want to do with my life. But I'm not so sure that's it anymore & it's just awkward. Like hello 16 year olds, I'm only 3 years older than you & there's no reason why you should give a fuck what I say because since I finished college I have done nothing productive. Oh well, maybe it'll be fun, maybe I'll get a job out of it. But right now (well when I'm writing this, so...night before) I just want my day off instead. Sorry.

Oh how 90s throw back. Mohair, exposed midrif & short skirt appliqued with sequin hearts. Wore this a couple of days back to sort of waft around post illness getting a surprising amount of my Christmas shopping done & getting nothing done at Staples. This week is going to be a little bit dreadful. Too much to do & although my next day off is not till Friday, I spent yesterday clearing out the loft with my mum & brother. Who knew I had so many teddies/beanie babies?

I'll admit I'm in a bit of a stupor clothing wise, because on one hand I've been dressing for practicality (work, manuel labour, illness) & on the other it all seems a little pointless when you just put a coat over it in the end anyway. But I do have a couple of new things I'm excited about so maybe when I find some much needed down time I can somehow figure it out. Anyone else with me on this?

Wish List Gifts

Clockwise from top left: House of Harlow Peacock Cuff, £149, Oh So Boho, Fairisle Crofting Blanket, £120, Johnstones Cashmere, Illesteva Meyer Sunglasses in Dark Brown, £401, LN-CC, Our Exquisite Corpse Large Beaded Skull, £489, LN-CC, Yarnz Chic Karl Print Scarf, £125, Liberty, La Perla Bra, £215, Net-A-Porter, The Art Museum, £125, Blackwell's, Delfina Delettrez Make Your Finger Ring, £252, Opening Ceremony

Obviously this was the funnest list to make & I've been hankering after some House of Harlow/Delfina Delettrez jewellry for a while now. I know the first is designed by Nicole Richie but it's fucking fantastic. & we have The Art Museum at work next to the desk, every time someones put it on some Renaissance portrait I flick it back to Frida Kahlo or the Feminism page. Is fun to have little conflicts with the customers. & obviously that skull. That skull. Damn, I hope it's not cultural appropriation because it was made in Mexico...

I'm finally better! Went back to work yesterday & everyone was extra nice to me so it's all good. & I'm getting really Christmassy, bought a surprising amount of my presents although I am making a few things that I really need to get cracking on with. That's probably contradictory to the whole "gift guide" thing that's been going on this week, but oh well, sometimes people are so hard to buy for that you have to make them things *coughmumcough*. Also have to write 2 essays on a really tricky theme for next week so I'm stressing out slightly. Oh well. It's nice to be asked to write things! I am grateful!

Anyway that's the end of the gift guide, although it will of course live here forever on the internet for the next time I have a last minute birthday present to buy... What did you think? Did you like it? If so, I might try & do it next year too! 

Gifts under £20

Clockwise from top left: V&A Art Box, £12, V&A Shop, Donna Wilson My Beard Tea Towel, £12, John Lewis, Initial Heart Locket Necklace, £12, Urban Outfitters, Kurkdijan Violet Perfumed Blowing Bubbles, £15.50, Liberty, Love Message Bottle, £10.50, Liberty, Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia, £16.95, Urban Outfitters (REALLY want this), Skull Snow Globe, £15, Urban Outfitters (again).

Gifts under £10

Clockwise from top left: Moomin Papa Soft Toy, £7, Art Box, Christian Lacroix Notebook, £9.95, Liberty, Freud Little Figurine, £4.90, Culture Label, Moustache Eraser, £2.50, Tate Shop, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Colouring Book, £5.99, Blackwell's, Alphabet Stamp Set, £7.95, Muji, Miffy Mug, £8, Art Box, Totem Pole Tape by Ben Newman, Betty & Dupree.

Glad you guys are liking these & it actually worked out pretty well because after coming home from work on Monday morning I've pretty much been welded to my bed. So these gift guides mean I don't have to force photos of my lovely ill pale face at you! Yay for everyone! PS. I want that tape. A lot.