Illustrations

I've been drawing since I was a kid. I thought I'd be a high rolling graphic designer, or change the world with my exquisite works of fine art when I first started out.

The more art I studied and took in, the harder I tried to emulate my heroes, and the more disappointed in my own abilities I became.

So I 'packed it in' and concentrated on real things instead, like babies and a marriage jobs that paid the rent.

I still doodle, and now the marriage is gone, the babies are young men.

I spend too much on art books though, and too much time doodling when I should be cleaning or studying, and it breaks my heart that I never tried harder to get better at putting the things I dream about onto paper....a cautionary tale to the young there...

Sometimes, I'll start a drawing, and amaze myself with the accuracy or the ease the images appear...other times I'm surrounded by scrunched up pieces of paper and overwhelmed with my own inadequacies...but I never stop trying.

Sometimes I'll spend ages sharpening pencils and never commit them to paper.


If any of this strikes a chord I'd love to hear from you.

Pleased To Meet You

My first memories of being a child in the seventies are of CRAVING my grandmothers orange beaded drop earrings..

I think I wanted to put them in my mouth. 

Then I remember rubbing Atrixo face cream in circular motions for HOURS at a time in the privacy of the kitchen downstairs. 

Years later, waiting for my Dad to finish prepping his set (he was a nightclub dj), the girls at his clubs would sit with me, and I was transfixed by their glossy lips, high lights, glitter eye shadows and shiny clothes. 

Still now, the way I remember the seventies is shaped by boob tubes, lurex, glitter and perfume.

As a teenager, I would adopt the personalities and costumes of whoever I hung out with, Ray Bans, checker inlaid jacket, doc Martens  for the indie crowd, lycra Top Shop mini dress, thigh high boots for the rock crowd, suits for Mum, and the make up to match each outfit.

I have a life long passion for clothes, makeup, accessories and perfume.

I have no daughter to pass on the experiences I've had or the things I've seen and loved, or tried and hated, so I choose to share these things here. 

As well as a normal blog about the ups and downs of a single mum to two boys, one grown up, one in high school and with autism and quite special needs. 

There are so many more things to think, rave or rant about than shopping and beauty. But we can only handle so much at a time.

If you want to get in touch with me in a more private way than the comments and Twitter, please email me at

Mbelater@gmail.com

I'd love to hear from you

Claire