Nosy Bitches

Wednesday, December 21, 2011


Hmm, how to explain the Nosy Bitches? The easiest way to describe them would be a random group of women who chat on twitter, but that would make it sound tragic, so let's call it a network of smart, interesting, funny ladies who originally found each other through the A Practical Wedding community (which is, by the way, scientifically proven to be awesome) and who continue to offer each other support, advice, hilarity and cake through the medium of social networking. Does that sound any better? Probably not. Let's move swiftly on. 

So the super-stylish Ms Bunny organised the first ever Nosy Bitches Non-Denominational Gift Giver. This is essentially a Secret Santa, but shhh, don't tell them I said that. Inevitably, being the Joiner that I am (hello, In Her Own Words and APW Book Club and Any Other Party and Blook Club and and and...), I signed up. Because who doesn't need an extra gift to buy/make and send internationally in the middle of December? Not this girl!

Well, people, let me tell you. The Nosy Bitches are called that for a reason. They know things. Over the last few days, my twitter feed has been packed with incredulous tweets as, one by one, the recipients received thoughtful, meaningful, utterly perfect gifts and asked, without irony and without exception, HOW DID YOU KNOW?? 

The answer, of course, is BECAUSE YOU PUT YOUR WHOLE LIFE ON THE INTERNET FOR EVERYONE TO SEE. Which might be slightly worrying, if it weren't for the fact that there are presents. Presents make up for a lot. And the present my Nosy Bitch sent to me is no exception.

Before I tell you what it was, let's examine the evidence. 


EXHIBIT A: LIKES GREYHOUNDS.

You might not be aware of this, but I recently got a dog. I may have mentioned it once or twice. I'm not sure.


EXHIBIT B: LIKES VINTAGE STYLE

Much as the word "vintage" makes me squirm, I am on record as having a bit of a thing for classic silhouettes and period style. If you were to take a peek at my pins, the sharp-eyed might notice I have a bit of a thing for fashion illustration, like this beautiful watercolour, and if you're a serious, hardcore stalker, you might have clocked the reproduction vintage poster in the background of that picture of Smidgen up there. You might also be sitting outside my house right now. But let's hope not.


EXHIBIT C: LIKES PEOPLE POSING WITH DOGS

Like here, and here, and here. Oh and let's not forget here.

So, let's recap. Likes greyhounds. Likes vintage style and fashion illustration. Likes people posing with dogs. Hmm, if only there was some sort of vintage-style fashion illustration of a person posing with a greyhound sitting under my Christmas tree...


Can you actually believe it? It's so perfect, it's almost creepy. I love it. Thank you so much, Ariel. I am honestly, truly touched that you thought of me and what I might like, and didn't just shove some hole-y knitting and some chocolate in an envelope like I did (I'll tell you what I made for my Nosy Bitch when I know she's received it I've recovered from the shame of my crappy knitting). 

I've written before about internet relationships crossing over into our real, everyday lives. Having this package appear and sit underneath my Christmas tree for a few days, until I finally caved and opened it last night (what? It's meant to be non-denominational, okay?), felt very real to me. It was a tangible, visible reminder of how far I've come in the last 11 months of blogging and how many kind and generous people I've met, whether in person or otherwise.

I hope to be back with another post some time before Christmas but, until then, I hope the next few days are as calm, peaceful and filled with joy as they possibly can be.



{Images: 1. Typewriter by What Kristen Saw taken at the Lovely Pigeon Christmas Event 2. First posted here 3. Gemma Milly, first posted here 4. Me and Smidgen by Lauren McGlynn 5. By me, clearly.}

13 boats moored

  1. I love this ! It is perfect from you. And you are so right about the community building through blogging. When explained to third parties it can sound quite funny or strange even, but it really is something special . I saw about this exchange, and I know and read and comment on some of you girls blogs, but I am not on twitter, and well, I felt a little intimidated when Ms. Bunny said she would veto people that are not in the group. Let's organize something though, like a pen pal, or exchange, does not even have to be for christmas, I love setting up parcels, and snail mail.
    The gift is definitely perfect for you.
    Merry Christmas Kirsty !

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  2. Well Amanda, you'll just have to get yourself on twitter ;)

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  3. I'm so glad you love it. It gave me a valid excuse to rummage through my local 'vintage' market. I had two vintage Vouge covers picked out when I saw this one. I couldn't resist!
    I may have kept the Vouge covers for myself.

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  4. Amazing! You should totally model yourself and Smidgen on that picture at all times - time to dye your hair black ;)

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  5. This is amazing and so perfect for you!!! And I may have to forward this post to James simply because of your fabulous description of nosy bitches, which I had trouble articulating to him. Or, maybe it sounds strange to him no matter how I put it...? Haha

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  6. Yaaaay!

    Awesome!!

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  7. Nosy Bitches sound like my kind of gals. I'm off to stalk you over the interwebs. But isn't it marvellous when real stuff flows from the apparently virtual?

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  8. Awesome! Enjoy your first Christmas with your furry friend. Happy Holidays~

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  9. Brilliant gift - happy Christmas!

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  10. Oh internet friends do the best presents! And I'm definitely coming to terms with my status as a person who has friends she only knows through the internet. Other people might think it's a weird way to meet people, but I think randomly talking to people in a pub/bar/club is quite a weird way of making friends too, when you think about it!

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  11. Can I just say that the fingerless gloves I received from Kirsty are amazing, and perfect?
    I didn't give her a lot to go on, with my abandoned blog and pinterest with less than a half a dozing pins, yet they are so great that I've worn them for he past 3 days. I love my nosy bitches.

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  12. I used to follow your blog religiously and it suddenly struck me yesterday as i was tweeting that i hadnt seen a tweet or your blog for yonkers. I've no idea why you aren't on my blog list anymore but i just popped over to see if you'd stopped blogging and i discover that no, you haven't and in fact i even missedthe best news ever about your new and very gorgeous greyhound. That illustration is lovely btw and seeing as you like vintage style and dog poses you might like my walkies series of illustrations which i started way last year inspired by my love of dogs and fashion from bygone eras! (shameless plug over) i'm glad i remembered your blog and will rectify my lack of blurking forthwith!

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