Ms. B

Her new video. I'm already hooked:

I'm not sure whether it's Beyonce's newly heightened confidence, sex-appeal or direct approach, but I cannot get enough of this song.

Although modesty and composition are sort-after factors to anyone's character, with me, when it comes to Beyonce I loose all clarity, focus and sense... I am a true fan.

My boyfriend says I'm obsessed, and I could well be.

It all began at the age of fourteen, when some testosterone-ridden lad had broken my unexperienced heart. I felt like the world had ended, and the only thing I could bare to do was listen to music.

Photo by melika @ Flickr

Destiny's Child and their album The Writing's On The Wall (1999) was my first choice, and was eventually what dragged my sorry self out of bed and forcefully yet empathically told me to GET A GRIP.

I rebounded soon after the break-up, although I'm happy to say the fast-paced relationship is still going strong. Am I talking about a new boyfriend you might ask? No.

Yes it's cringey, but totally true to say that after hearing the girl group's second album, I fell in love with the straight-talking lyrics and hypnotic dance moves that belonged to Miss Beyonce Knowles. Although the other two band members' individual talents are often unfairly forgotten in comparison, I - who was a young, impressionable teen at the time - identified more with Beyonce then the others, and am proud to say I've been a devoted fan ever since.

Photo by mr azed @ Flickr

Wince all you want, but it's difficult to explain just how much I enjoy this woman's music, viewing her as not only an extraordinarily talented artist but an enlivening human being. Her professional work ethic, as well as her unrivaled determination and drive in all aspects of her career, makes Beyonce an unquestionably inspiring person. Her music is uplifting, raw and holds no pretenses, which is why I believe it appeals to such a huge number of people.

The girls and I outside the o2

My friends and I were lucky enough to go and see her during her I am... World tour (2009). I can safely say they would agree it was a truly breathtaking night, with Beyonce's performance worthy of every penny we spent (£120 per ticket)! Her energy was what amazed me most, with complex dance routines and powerful vocals throughout.

Each song sounded better then on any of her CDs I'd collected over the years, and her flawless presentation and engagement with the audience made the night feel well worth the money. The evening highlighted where her God-given talent lies among all the acting, fashion-lines, modelling and other career ventures - this woman can put on a damn-good show, and belt out tunes to match... A true performer.

Way Overdue...

There's absolutely no excusing the length of time gone past since my last post - it's disgraceful and won't be happening again! The only reason I have to offer is the lack of quality time I've had to spend writing about events that matter to me, which is a real shame as the past five months have been some of the most significant and memorable moments I've experienced to date.

Looking back at my last post, it really hit home just how busy I've been, and how my life has changed:

2:1 - BA Hons Broadcast Journalism

Yes, I did it. It's hard to describe the feeling of graduating, with pride being the obvious exception. I felt satisfaction in finishing what felt like a lifetime-long course, sad to leave friends and housemates, and huge amounts of anticipation for the future ahead. Not only was I a graduate, but an ambitious 22 year old woman to boot, with all the excitement in the world...

THEN I remembered the recession.

CVs went out with every hope I had in regards to getting my dream job (it's true what they say, applying for a job is a job in itself) - I heard nothing back. Months went by without any replies, until I eventually gave up and decided to focus more on work experience. I heard back from the PR department of a local council and was offered a placement over a six week period. I begin in two weeks, and am studying my socks off - which I surprisingly miss from my University days!

Good evening Miss Kerridge & Gilson!

In between this all, I've been spending some well-deserved time with friends, with three years worth of catching up to do. My hometown has changed considerably, with a University and an exciting waterfront as new editions. I have a part-time job at Snappy Snaps (my home for the past six years outside of term-time) an exciting placement in the pipe-line and fantastic people to enjoy the evenings and days off with.



One of my closest friends Abi also got married to her high school sweetheart. It was a September wedding and a beautiful day full of laughter, happy tears and far too much champagne.

Sunny afternoon at Abi & Luke's wedding reception

She looked stunning in an off-white and heavily beaded dress, and the whole day was utterly perfect for her.

So... I think we're up to date.

Alton Water

Making the most of a summers day is important to me during this unpredictable season. With it being scorching hot one moment then over-caste the next, going out and enjoying the sunshine is something I enjoy and look forward to. This weekend my parents, my boyfriend and I decided to go down to Alton Water, a reservoir on the outskirts of Ipswich.

On our way down, we stopped off at the Suffolk Food Hall for a spot of brunch and chocolate milkshakes. The hall is one of my favourite food markets in Ipswich, and sells a variety of locally sourced food and home-ware pieces.

Photo by Richard Atkins

The hall overlooks the impressive Orwell Bridge (see above) and is situated in a gorgeous part of my hometown. Here, you immediately feel distant from the hustle and bustle of Ipswich's town centre, and it's an ideal reminder that there ARE indeed prettier parts of the area.

On our way down, Chris and I weren't sure what to expect. My parents had said a fair amount of walking was in store - and I love a challenge! Teamed in a skirt (me) and Converse (Chris), we certainly weren't appropriately dressed, but, with our stomaches full, we were feeling optimistic. Mum had also decided to make one heck of a picnic, which consisted of crisps, sandwiches, nuts and fruit (as a girl who loves her grub, this was all the motivation I needed to get to the finish line). Thus, we were suitably and aptly prepared for the trek in front of us.

Humor jeans and an All Saints tee
 - suitable attire for a walk

As we began, we must've looked like complete novices to any practiced trekker. To be honest, I didn't feel particularly thrilled about spending a day traipsing through woodland. But, as the hours flew by and the sun beat down on us, I really started to enjoy myself. My parents (the professional walkers - boots and all) stormed ahead, leaving Chris and I to stroll along, look around and talk about anything and everything. With next-to-no phone signal we weren't distracted by texts or phone calls. It was surprisingly nice to be away from technology for a few hours, and have nothing but our conversation to entertain us.

Bolt-blue Dragonfly

One hour turned into two, which turned into three, then four, and before we knew it we'd walked over 6 miles. We decided to stop off, rest a little, and recharge our batteries with a well-deserved picnic. As I sat perched on a purple rug in the middle of nowhere, it struck me how much I missed being outside in the sunshine. After three years of working or studying through the majority of the sunny period, it was a real treat to be sitting in the sun, and for those moments, I hadn't a care in the world.

Not only was it utterly lovely to enjoy the stunning views of the reservoir, but it was strangely nice to be surrounded by nature - and all the earthly elements too. If, for example, I was on route to meeting friends or going to work, wind and straying dust would be my worst enemies. However, when you're out in the open air, with only a few bugs and birds aware of your presence, it's really not that bad letting loose and being at one with nature. I of course mean in the sense of looking a state, and not doing anything else 'to be at one with nature' - for however desperate you are for the loo, there is always somewhere nearby more suitable to go for a wee then a bush plagued with disguised stinging nettles.  

All in all, Alton Water is a place I'd recommend for those who enjoy escaping from the mundane experience of the average weekend in Ipswich, and who fancy doing something different and simplistic. 

Home Improvements

On returning home after my three-year University stint in Staffordshire, I was shocked to see the state I had allowed my bedroom to become.

I totally admit it; I have a hoarding problem. Whether it be clothing, bags, old magazines, jewellery or decorative pieces that had seen better days, I just can't bring myself to throw anything away. Granted, the mess apparent in this picture is not just my fault, and is also down to my family who have used it as a dumping ground for all of their hoarded things too bulky to fit in their own bedrooms. After stubbing my toe on one of these very boxes the other morning I knew enough was enough, and that something had to be done. 

So, last weekend I recruited the help of both my parents to revamp this room into something much more sophisticated. Gone were the days of clutter, pink shelving and endless boxes. We would embrace space, banish mess and rejoice in relaxation! It took a whole two days to complete, but it was worth it, as I was extremely happy with the end result:

The first thing we moved was the bed. I came across "The Fundamentals of Feng Shui" in an old charity shop in Ipswich, and thought I'd apply some of it's advice to the layout of my new room (for those who don't know, Feng Shui is an old chinese system of aesthetics used to help improve a person's life with positive 'qi'... oo-er). One of the key suggestions in the book was the importance placed on where your bed is positioned in your room. It explains that if your bed is diagonally opposite to the door, you should be in store for a peaceful and refreshing nights sleep - so I've given it a go!

Homemade Vanity Mirror

I decided to make my own dressing table instead of buying one. This choice was mainly due to lack of funds, but also because I wanted to be creative. The mirror was a total bargain from The Range, costing £1.99. The chair was also cheap, and a fantastic find by my mum at a second hand furniture store. The shelf was a recycled piece from my old room, which I repainted and reattached to the wall at the appropriate height. The satin hearts above the mirror add a nice feminine touch, as does the small Turkish-style rug. Although the gold colouring of the mirror contrasts with the silver and white theme of the room, it's eye catching and a gorgeous blast of colour.

My favourite piece in the room is the vintage clothing rack. It was a great buy from Dunelm Mill http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/vintage-hanging-rail-111162 , and is the perfect size for my room. I added a little something extra by wrapping fabric flower lights around the top, along with placing a white full-body mirror beside it.

Storage Boxes - IKEA

Storage was a massive problem in my old room, as I have so many odd bits and pieces. I threw out a shameful amount over the weekend, but there was still lots I wanted to keep (old school books, trinkets, photos etc...). I ended up putting a huge amount into these boxes, and they've luckily turned out to be incredibly sturdy. Not only do they look the part, but they're a great form of storage that I hope to use for years to come.

Expandable Shoe Rack - £14.99

Just like with the clothing rack, I wanted to have the majority of my shoes out in the open for me to see. This shoe rack - also from Dunelm Hill - expands to whatever length you require. It fits nicely into this corner of my room, and is a practically simple addition.

I found these decorative pieces at the Suffolk Food Hall yesterday, and I was thrilled to see that they go perfectly with the colour scheme of my room. When decorating, I wanted to achieve the 'shabby-chic' and Parisian style. I love the clean and fresh look of the rooms, and as I'm a self-professed lover all of things pretty, it gave me the excuse to buy lots of little bits to complement the look. The scented candle was a particularly appropriate purchase, as it's smell resembles freshly washed linen, and definitely adds that finishing touch! 

Ms. Maya...

Those who know me well will know that I love to read. Whether it be a novel, a girly-holiday book, or a fashion magazine, I'm forever looking for something to flick through and grab my attention. With an ample book shelf as a welcomed new edition to my bedroom, I'm able to start a real collection of my own that I hope one day will rival any book collector's:

Reading books for as long as I can remember, there have always been certain books that have stayed in my mind and made a real impact. However, recently due to the demanding work load of a third year student at University, my reading has been shamefully pushed to the wayside.

The last book I read was a struggle, taking me two months to finish, although I must mention this was purely due to having hardly any time to read it. The book was amazing, and worth every moment. It was written by the extraordinary Maya Angelou, and will remain in my memory as one of the best books I have ever read.

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" was written in 1969 and is the first of a six volume series; all autobiographies about Angelou's early adult experiences. The book explores the writer's young life, and tells the story of a black girl's struggles, dealing with the issues of rape, identity and racism. It's a book that was given to me by mum, and holds an importance for us both as it's also one of her favourites. The elements of despair, strength and towards the end acceptance in oneself makes the book somewhat poignant in it's relevance to any young girl's life.

Angelou's beautifully written chapters kept me engaged throughout, as she divulges into the her personal experiences as a young woman with style and simplicity. Her remarkable resilience is something I hold with me, and is a sobering wake-up-call when dealing with life's trivial problems.

Having received over thirty honorary degrees, along with many awards for her books, it's needless to say she is the definition of an inspirational woman, and is a highly respected writer of her generation.

Photo by zsrilbrary @ Flickr

"All my work, my life, everything I do is about survival,

not just bare, awful, plodding survival, but survival with grace and faith.

While one may encounter many defeats,

one must not be defeated" - Maya Angelou. 

Ms. Lady Muse

This blog was initally designed to be a tribute to the extraordinary women who have encouraged me throughout my life. I wanted to make known all those who have motivated me, influenced me, and most of all emotionally touched me through their mediums. Thus, the meaning behind the name 'Lady Muse'.

I felt however that this would limit the substance of my blog, and perhaps remove possible freedoms within my writing. Having a more generalized blog offers me the virtual platform to explore many different forms of inspirations that positively impact my life on a day-to-day basis. So, I have chosen to dedicate certain posts to these fantastic women (along with the name of the blog), whilst leaving the contents of the blog entirely up to life's overall inspirations.