regularjen

Hi there.

I'm an artist and a former web and print professional. I take photos, write, and I drink more absinthe than I probably should. I have many tattoos and love books. I make my own wine. I don't watch much TV and I have a terrible memory for movies. For ten years I helped take care of lions, tigers, and (wait for it) bears. Yes, really. I'm an American expat and British citizen living in England. I often forget I'm naked in front of open curtains. That's probably the ADHD.

The dangers of learning accounting software

By jEN | Published: July 22, 2011

Troubled monkeyface. I’m sure it’s a genuine condition.

This is the only time in my life where I think it’d be great to be fourteen again. You know, before I could legally work and be required to pay taxes.

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Iffyton – uniquely British t-shirts

By jEN | Published: July 18, 2011

…And maybe that’s why many of them don’t make sense to me, like the one my husband picked when we were offered a t-shirt for review. I had no idea who Lord Lucan was, but the shirt made him laugh…

As familiar as I am with lots of British culture, there are whole sections of Iffyton I don’t really get, but they do have a growing selection of shirts that seem less specific. Most of the range, even the non-Brit specific, aren’t to my taste, but I’m maybe a bit picky on my humour and imagery.

As for the Lord Lucan shirt, Neil says it’s average quality in softness and fit, but nothing particularly outstanding. Most of the shirts aren’t to his taste either (and neither of us is a football fan) but he was able to explain plenty of the references to me.

Iffyton leaves us a bit neutral. It’s unique in its offerings, but too cultural-reference oriented to offer our wardrobe much. However, if you’re looking for British shirts with attitude, Iffy’s got you covered.

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Iffyton T-Shirt provided for the purpose of review by Iffyton T-Shirt Superstore.
I have not been paid otherwise.

You can also connect with Iffyton on Facebook.

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You should make yourself a tasty beverage.

Salad flowers

By jEN | Published: July 6, 2011

Jar of exotic salad flowers from my garden.

Posted in creative stuff, photos, tout le fromage | Leave a comment

A new fan of Vans in the house

By jEN | Published: July 5, 2011

It’s been a long time since I wore Vans myself (and an even longer time since I last skated in a pair), but when the lovely folk at Extreme Pie offered us a pair to try, I did the right thing and introduced Neil to the brand.

His thoughts on Vans?

The quality construction of these is immediately obvious when you open the box. They feel solid in the hand, as though they’ll be happy putting up with whatever you want to throw at them. This sturdy feel continues when you wear them, without feeling heavy and too bulky, and they feel very protective on your feet. Grip is superb on all surfaces.

I’m not used to expensive sports shoes, so the need to give these a little run-in time was a surprise. Initially stiff and a little uncomfortable, they started to give after a day of wearing around the house. After a few days, they have softened-up nicely, though still have some way to go to fulfil the comfort they appear to promise.

They are a little bulky for my taste, around the ankle, and particularly the tongue. With my foot shape, a heavy tongue can be tricky to settle in the correct position, and these were no different. It took a little time to achieve the desired tension through the laces. The shoes grip the laces quite firmly, so there’s less scope for them self-adjusting on your feet, and I’m still fiddling to get the tension just right and avoid foot movement within the shoe, particularly at the heel – though this is not an uncommon problem for me. Again, this is all a matter of giving them run-in time, much as you would expect from a good pair of shoes.

These Vans look and feel as though they will last me years.

Sounds like a new fan of Vans to me. For what it’s worth, I agree with most of what he’s said about Vans; I found my Vans chunky and needed a run-in, etc., but they indeed lasted years and years.

There are several things that caught my eye in the Extreme Pie shop, and with this coastal life we’re leading, I’m sure we’ll be doing a little future kitting out with them.

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Vans shoes provided for the purpose of review by Extreme Pie.
I have not been paid otherwise.

You can also find Extreme Pie on Facebook and Twitter.

Posted in regular, tout le fromage | 2 Comments