pennywhistler

Hello. I am a librarian in the UK. I currently live in the country, but I am planning to move back to London which is my home 'town'. The last couple of years have not been great for me so I just started the 101 in 1001 challenge in an attempt to challenge myself and get out of my rut. I have started a blog about it at http://girlreborn.blogspot.com/

In my spare time I enjoy mooching around museums and art galleries. I also love the cinema (mainly foreign and art house) and the theatre. One of my resolutions is to go to more concerts and comedy gigs. I love learning new things and get frustrated that there are so many things in the world which I don't know about!

I love trying out new crafts and my favourite is jewellery-making. I cannot go past a bead shop without being tempted inside. I have done cross stitch since I was a teenager, but I now only make cards as I haven't got the stamina for large projects! I will give most crafts a try, but hate knitting and crochet because I find them too difficult and stressful. I have just got a sewing machine so am looking forward to trying to figure out how it works! My mum is fantastic at cake decorating so I am planning on going on a sugarcraft/cake decorating class soon.

I am a huge book lover (no surprise given my profession). I will give most things a try, but I am not keen on chick lit/romance and science-fiction. I especially like crime novels and Terry Pratchett. If you are a member of Bookmooch you can find my ENORMOUS wishlist there (I am also 'pennywhistler' on BM). I am also a member of Bookcrossing.

I love Bollywood films as they are such great escapism. I am also a big horror fan and I especially like the horror films coming out of Japan and Korea. I have a massive wish list on my DVD rental site because I will give almost any film a go, although I am not really into a lot of typically girly films. I have just discovered the Twilight films though - you just can't beat a sexy vampire!

Likes:

Orangutans (I adopt a grumpy orangutan called Amy who lives in an ape conservation park not far from where I live).

Writing paper. I have a bit of a fetish for beautiful and quirky stationery. I also love stylish notebooks and have a slight obsession with Moleskins.

I love toiletries and beauty products, especially brands I cannot get in the UK. I love lip balms/tinted glosses and hand cream. I also adore perfume samples.

I like anything to do with India. I love Bollywood movies, Indian fashion, art and design.

I am fascinated by Japan and hope to visit one day. I absolutely love Hello Kitty, but have no idea why because I am not a cat person! I like Amigurumi and other kooky stuff like that. I am fascinated by the whole Gothic Lolita scene (probably because I like Victoriana and eccentricity), but I don't think the full-on look would suit me!

I like things with butterflies on.

Other Random Things I Like:

Chimpanzees

Emily the Strange

Medieval/Neo-Gothic design

Steampunk

Neo-Victorian stuff

Reusable shopping bags

Dumpling Dynasty and Miso Pretty

Jill Bliss stationery

I am currently looking for wooden scrabble tiles, other game pieces and small wooden blanks I could use in jewellery making.

Gil Elvgren and other retro pin-up art of this kind.

Cemetery art. I also love Simon Marsden's spooky photography.

Jelly Belly jelly beans (especially coconut and sizzling cinnamon)

Beautiful fabric.

Dislikes:

I have just been diagnosed with a milk allergy so cannot have any chocolate.

I am allergic to champagne. I know no one is likely to send me a bottle of champagne, but sometimes friends mistakenly give me champagne truffles! I also have trouble with ear-rings in that I can only wear ones with gold or sterling silver posts or I get a rash. My skin is okay with other types of jewellery not being made of precious metal though.

I don't drink tea or coffee.