My Creative Space with Boden

 Wearing - Sandown Jumper c/o Boden | Jack Spade Chinos | Trainers c/o New Balance | CHUP Socks | 

Watch c/o Paulin Watches | Ray-Ban Glasses

We're all quite nosey by nature aren't we? Twitching curtains and ear wigging at the bus stop has slowly morphed into what we now call social media. We now see a lot of people's lives, but one thing I've always enjoyed is seeing around people's homes, especially those who work in a creative industry. Boden recently invited me to share My Creative Space, and although I still don't officially have an office (I'll work wherever I can find, and in this post it's at Hollie's parents' house), I thought it would be a great opportunity to get to know myself + Hollie a little better.

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How do I start the Day: Porridge, Tea + Emails

I usually wake up at about 7:30 throughout the Winter. I start most days with a large bowl of porridge with honey and cinnamon, BBC1 News on the telly and my head in emails. If it was the Summer I'd be at the gym for 7:30, but that isn't likely to happen in this freeze.
 

I'm Currently Reading: Cool Beer Labels by Dan Bellon + Steven Spegg

For anyone who's been reading Buckets & Spades for a while you'll probably know that this book is ideal for us. It sums us up. Beer, check, labels, check, stories about design and funny little anecdotes, triple check. There's ain't a lot of reading to be done, but that just suits me fine. The Tintin comics and Printed Pages magazine aren't far behind either.

What's in the Collection: Anything + Everything
Me and Hollie are both proper collectors. It's mostly stuff linked to pop culture, graphic design, and childhood keepsakes. We each have little corners around the house where we gather bits and bobs - can you spot the 3D model of Old Man Buckets?! We're currently pretty obsessed with the LEGO Simpsons minifigures. Nearly got the whole set!

What Am I Wearing: Something Comfy + Relaxed

I'm all about getting up early, showered, dressed and ready for work - it's my way of preparing for the day. I feel more productive if I'm properly dressed and ready to go. Ain't no work getting done in pyjamas. Today I'm wearing the Boden Sandown Jumper from their SS14 collection, relaxed Jack Spade Utility Chinos, Made in England trainers by New Balance and my favourite socks by CHUP. I was also very kindly send this cracking watch by Paulin Watches, which we featured back in December.

What I'm listen to: Not That Much Actually

I'm easily distracted so I don't tend to listen to music while I'm working, but lately when I've been trying to relax First Aid Kit, St. Vincent + Johnny Cash have been on-hand. Hollie's the musical one out of us two, she's amassed a pretty impressive collection of old and new vinyl.

A Special Memory: Visiting Savannah, GA with Hollie

We travelled to Savannah back in 2013, and instantly fell for its charm. The city is jam-packed with all sorts of cool facts, historically important events and extremely warm + welcoming people. Around every corner you're hit right in the face with another fact-bomb. A truely fascinating place, and somewhere we'd love to visit again some day. American road trip maybe?

My Guilty Pleasure: Pro-Wrestling

Not sure if it's classed as guilty if you're not embarrassed by it, but I'm a big fan of Pro-Wrestling. It stems from loving it as a kid (as most of us did), but I got back into it about three or four years ago. It's way better than any soap opera in my opinion, plus the live shows are a riot. Austin 3:16 said I just whopped your ass!

The Engagement Present: Alessi Bottle Opener

We didn't really make a huge fuss when we got engaged, we tend to keep our personal lives pretty low-key. We did however treat ourselves to this limited edition spotty bottle opener by Alessi. He keeps me company most days when I'm working alone.

What's in the Planning: Travel More, Explore More

I didn't explore that much earlier in my life but I'm more than making up for it in my late 20s. Next week I'm in Brighton, Birmingham and potentially there's a short trip to Gevena on the cards (fingers crossed!). Then there's this Euro Road Trip that myself + Nik are trying to arrange, we've pencilled it in for May. We so need to make that happen!

Hopefully you feel you know me a little more about me after this look into My Creative Space. A big thank you to Boden for inviting me to be a part of this series.

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Alabama Museum of Wonders

The beauty of taking a few days off at Christmas is that I actually get to watch telly - I can go weeks without even giving TV a second thought sometimes. So when I came across a programme called 'American Pickers', I instantly realised I've been missing out on a total goldmine. These chaps have a brilliant job - they travel around America, looking for interesting items to buy and sell on, to make a profit. But the interesting part of the show is that we get to see inside some of the most intriguing and curious places you could ever imagine. Dream job!

Above is the Alabama Museum of Wonders, Seale, AL, run by artist/mad-collector Butch Anthony. A quick Google Maps search suggests this place is properly in the middle of nowhere, "drive up anytime and hook your horn to find me", the website say! The American Pickers had a field-day, discovering rare VW memorabilia, original mascot costumes from the 1950's, rare medical equipment, sought-after pottery, odd rock collections, fast food and transport signs and even a section with questionable Big Foot-related paraphernalia. We should celebrate our curiosity, you just never know where I might lead us. Imagine it taking you to a place like this?!

Read an interview with the man himself here. See more photos of the Museum of Wonders here. One man's junk is another man's treasure hey.

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Store Visit...Present & Correct

Present & Correct, London.

If you wander away from Islington's busy high street you will find the holy grail of stationery and ephemera shops. Present & Correct have been plying their trade online since 2008 and have recently opened a small but perfectly curated store in one of London's busiest districts. Over the past few years P&C have single-handedly made collecting office goods and educational aids cool again. They were "pinable" before it even existed.

The two graphic designers behind P&C are constantly sourcing well made, eye-catching products from all around the world. Some one-offs/vintage and others made by little companies who stick to a winning formula. The guys do it out of the love of nice looking, fun and interesting products and their enthusiasm rubs off on you as soon as you step through the door. You'll want to buy everything!

If you like what you see here then I recommend following them on Pinterest here. Better still, if you're in the area pop in and have a gander. Present & Correct, 23 Arlington Way, London, EC1R 1UY.

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Design Your Own Superhero

 The Hulk Marvel Bobblehead

An email popped up this week saying, "do you fancy designing your own superhero?". A no-brainer for me really, so where do I signed up? To promote the launch of NOW TV's Superhero campaign, they're doing just that. The first 500 people to submit their characters get a month's free movie subscription and a t-shirt with their own superhero on it. Then if you're lucky enough to be voted in the top 3 design (chosen by the public) you will have your superhero turned into a proper animation! Sweet deal indeed.

Just a quick word about our newest Blog Sponsors - Pavillion Clothing is an independent men's and womenswear stored based in Cardiff, Wales. This season they're stocking some cracking brands instore and online, you're likely to find Barbour, Edwin, Hiut Denim, Norse Projects, Patagonia, YMC and plenty more. Pavillion currently offer 10% first purchases with code, "FIRSTORDER". Visit their online store for more details.

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#whatmattersmost with John Lewis - Collectables

Vinylmation Urban Series 6 by Maria Clapsis

What matters most to me? This question popped into my inbox this morning. This week John Lewis are running a competition across  their social networks to find out about the stuff that really matters to each of us. Friends and family are the first thought but that's too obvious; that got me thinking about what I really love. As a few of you may know, over the past couple of months I've made a conscious decision to take Buckets & Spades on full time, because it's what matters the most to me. The easy answer from a blogger's perspective would be laptop and camera, these are of course high priority but what makes sitting in front of a computer screen all day much more enjoyable is being surrounded by all the ace collectables and oddments I've accumulated over the years. See my other Vinylmation figure here. So, #whatmattersmost to you?

As part of the campaign, John Lewis are asking the public to join in and share the things that mean a lot, by creating a short videos on Vine and sharing it on Twitter using the hashtag #whatmattersmost. Everyone that does this will be entered into the #whatmattersmost competition to win either £1000 John Lewis Vouchers or one of three Canon 700D (Best purchases I've ever made, other than Hollie's engagement ring that is!).

If you would like to enter the John Lewis #whatmattersmost competition* you'll have to get your skates on, it ends this Sunday 8th September! 

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