Oh who remembers the good old days of pink custard on classic school cake? Gillian Harvey does! The world famous author has kindly stepped into my time machine this month to transport us back to when Neighbours wasn’t an Emmy nominated show and the sponge was the highlight of any school day! Get ready to travel to a better time and place here!
Good Morning Lovelies,
Last month, I introduced the new series, Joey T’s Memory Lane, highlighting small brands and businesses, as the creators and myself take a trip back in time. With love still in the air, I wanted this month’s feature to be someone whose work I absolutely adore. And I’ve found the perfect person!
After spotting her prints, designs and gorgeous creativity on Instagram, I asked designer Holly Murray if she would be the star this February and she kindly agreed. Creating digital illustrations and custom designs, Holly features daily posts, which are full of positivity, fun and relatable content. The colours and patterns burst off the screen!
If you are following me then you will often see her posts shared onto my stories because I love her content so much. It’s been so good to read her daily messages for my mental health that I can’t help sharing the positivity with you all. And Holly is just as lovely and positive in this interview and real life too! There so, it’s time to step into our nostalgic time machine to find out a bit more about her…
Let’s begin by letting you introduce yourself to us? Tell us your name, age and the year you were born…
My name is Holly, I'm 32, and I was born in 1991!
Now, let’s step back in time! What year would you love to go back to and relive all over again?
2007. I was 15 and it was the year I really first gained a sense of freedom I think - I got my first boyfriend too. After school and school holidays consisted of cycling with my bff to meet up with friends, at the beach, just hanging out, no responsibilities, not a care in the world, just having the best time of our lives! Everything just felt new and exciting and life was good. Best music too! 😍
Okay, now picture this, you are at school and it’s lunchtime! What foods do you always associate with either your packed lunch or canteen?
Apples. I never ate from the school canteen, always a packed lunch, and for some reason all I associate with my packed lunches are apples! Green golden delicious ones were my fave! 😅 Primary school lunch time memory - I'm certain I had a blue lunch box with a hippo on but I could be wrong 😅 Yoghurt bursting open in those was the worst!
You’ve got to go into your last lesson of the day! What are you hoping it will be and why?
Double art - fave subject, and I even remember it was on a Tuesday at the end of the day!
Schools over, you have rushed home to watch TV. What are you turning on? Why this show in particular?
One show I remember being excited to get home and watch was Lost when that was on! I remember my parents recorded it on a video, the night before, then we had to rewind it etc, so old school! Younger than that, me and my sis were Nickelodeon kids!
You’ve reached the weekend and you’re going to the cinema! What film do you remember seeing the most when you were younger? Why is this one such a classic to you?
When I was a teenager and the first Mamma Mia came out - that was a bit of me, that became my happy dvd that I'd watch all the time! Younger than that some personal faves were Toy story, Aladdin, Beauty and the beast, The Little Mermaid!
You are back home and it’s time to play with your toys! What was the toy you most wanted when you were younger and why? Did you get it in the end?
I think the Woody and Buzz from Toy Story my parents got me and my sis when we were younger were a pretty big deal. We always talk about our Sky Dancers too! And we loved a Polly Pocket.
Is there anything you still own from your childhood that you simply cannot bear to part with?
Still have that Woody toy and don't think I'll ever get rid of him! He has a red felt pen stain on his chest, he looks like he's been shot 😅 I also have Scat, a grey TY beanie baby cat that I won't get rid of, with glittery nail varnish painted on his tail. Oh and a dog Tamagotchi too.
What moment in history do you think defined or stayed with you from your childhood? Can you explain why this left such a mark on you?
There's definitely a sad one that's made me the anxious person I am today. But keeping it light - my childhood best friend coming in to my life when I was 8 or 9 was a massive positive game changer for me. I'd never felt like I'd had a friend properly until I met her, we just vibed! And she made me feel like I could be the version of me I wanted to be!
Finally, would you go back and do your childhood all over again? Would you change anything about it? And how much has it impacted you as an adult and what you do now?
I had a pretty perfect childhood I'd say, I really can't complain. My parents are the best. My sister is the best. And the impact it has had is that I'm so happy and grateful for where I am now. So I wouldn't redo it. However - if I could have it all on video to watch and relive in that sense whenever I wanted - yes that I would do ❤️
Holly is honestly such a kind, caring person, who goes out of her way to share the designs and prints that people long for. Head to her Instagram lovelies to discover all of her content and the ways to get in touch with her. She will help you as much as she can, whilst you help support a brilliant small business! One that will always brighten your day!
Joey X
Good Morning Lovelies,
Before Christmas, nearing the end of the summer, I went to the Big Christmas Press Show. Whilst there, I saw a number of high tech items that I couldn’t help but be amazed by. You will all know by now how much I love a gadget! Whether it be a phone, TV or camera, I can’t get enough of them.
Heading to the bright yellow, red and black signed stall of Kodak, I could feel my childhood wonder coming to life. Holding and playing around with a number of new products, the team introduced me to the Kodak Printomatic Instant Print Camera. To say I liked it a lot would be an understatement.
Coming out in a whole range of colours, the team kindly sent me a pink one a few weeks later. Light in weight but bright in tone, the instant print camera has all the features of a normal camera. However what makes it so unique is the instant print quality.
With a 5MP image sensor, microSD card slot, optical viewfinder, a flash and inbuilt printer, which can produce waterproof, adhesive backed glossy prints in a matter of seconds, it is perfect for first time photographers and nostalgic fans.
The Kodak Printomatic is my first ever Kodak camera. Having admired them for years, it was amazing to finally have one in my hands. Picturing myself and my nephew using it, I imagine that it would be perfect to teach the little ones how to get the perfect shot. Plus, with pictures being able to be stored without having to be printed, I loved that I didn’t have to waste the paper on not so good pictures.
For me, the Printomatic is the perfect camera to capture those intimate moments with. Left out on the table at a wedding. Gifted to little ones to capture all the magic of Christmas. Half buried in the sand as the sun beams down on a group of friends taking a picture to last for years to come. It’s the camera that creates the images that fill the pages of memory books.
Seriously, I was so impressed that I couldn’t believe it was only £50 to buy on the Kodak website. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, it would make for the best present to keep those happy memories stored in or printed from. Forget a photo booth for romantic shots, it’s time to embrace this beauty!
Along with the camera, the team also sent me a pack of extra paper, which I haven’t broken into yet. At around £12.99 for a box, it is now cheaper to buy these than to get a disposable camera printed. In fact, it’s cheaper than a disposable camera. An item that made so many childhood holidays and memories special.
I’m glad that instant prints haven’t gone out of fashion. It warms my 90s/00s heart! Kodak has made a camera that will inspire a new generation to keep the magic alive. And I couldn’t recommend it enough! The Printomatic is a camera that will last the years and I am all here for it. It’s a snap happy creation that just keeps on giving!
Joey X
Good Morning Lovelies,
Recently, I was watching a YouTube video, which featured a family discussing the best memory they have of their time in the house they were selling. Apart from the time spent in hospital, I’ve never not lived in my family home, so I’ve never thought about my favourite memories. There are honestly so many!
However, this video got me really thinking about it. From birthdays to little moments of pure joy, there have been many a times that I pray my Inside Out core memories never let me forget them. Yet, I think I’ve found the one for me. Of course, it features Christmas.
Christmas is my favourite time of year and I think it comes from how magical my parents made it. Every year, they would go above and beyond, getting bigger and bigger with plans and decorations. Something that still lives on, even when my mum now says no more. Case in point, her buying a giant inflatable gingerbread man after saying she was cutting down.
Though the best one for me was when I was small. I can remember on Christmas Eve, I went upstairs and snuggled up in my bunk bed watching all the Christmas specials. The sound of presents being wrapped coming from my mum’s room. The lights trickling all over the house. A giant turkey defrosting in the kitchen, whilst fresh mince pies cooled on the other side.
Getting into cosy Christmas PJs later that night, my dad helped me put out a carrot, a glass of whiskey and a mince pie for Santa before helping me into bed. I can remember trying to stay up for as long as I could. Hoping to hear the sounds of Santa’s sleigh. Yet, sleep won.
Waking up the next day, I can remember the strong smell of the turkey roasting away. Rushing down the stairs with my brother, the presents were stacked high, in our sacks and the floor. Santa had been! Before we could unwrap them, we were made to get dressed up. I still remember the utter joy I felt when my mum got out some white, Holly and berry Barbie themed tights for me to wear under a red festive dress. You can bet I got upset when I caught them later on that day whilst out with my brother Gio.
Every single Christmas morning, me and Gio would get up early to watch the new Wallace and Gromit special. The year I’m remembering was the year The Wrong Trousers came out. We laughed a lot! After it had ended it was present time. Barbies were my thing and I can remember getting the dream house, a kitchen set and a few dolls. Life made!
Hours were spent playing before we were made to go to the table to eat dinner. The table was always full to the brim, with my mum cooking up a meal for seven, sometimes eight of us. Sprouts, carrots, potatoes, pigs in blankets, stuffing, you name it, we had it! Dessert followed with mountains of profiteroles, the classic Vienetta, trifles and gateau’s galore. All of this was followed by a buffet later on that day.
I remember this Christmas Day for lots of reasons. Every one of my brothers got on. My parents were so in love. My dad even wearing his cracker hat to please my mum. The endless hours spent playing with toys and games consoles. The pure joy of Christmas.
Christmas in our house is always a dream! Year after year, we make new memories. But this one from when I was around five or six is a truly magical one! And now just because of the Barbie tights! Although, does anyone know where I can get a new pair?
Joey X
Good Morning Lovelies,
Tonight marks a very special occasion for me. I don’t head to gigs that often anymore, as I find big crowds a bit overwhelming at times. However, for a long time I have wanted to go to see ABBA Voyage in London. And finally the day has arrived in which I will be!
ABBA have always been a huge part of my life. All thanks to my dad! Papa Tamburello loved them so much. I mean, watched the Mamma Mia films if they were on TV, even going to the cinema to see the second one, listening to their music all the time and even taking me to see a tribute act based on them.
In fact, it is that last moment that has inspired this post. Whilst I am at the concert, I will be wearing the Italian flag, with his name and dates on them, around my shoulders. A sign of respect but also a reverse moment in history shall we say. Here is why…
My dad’s love of ABBA caused him to book the tickets for that tribute show in my local town theatre. I had to be around four or five at the time, meaning I had never been to a concert before. Yet, my dad requested that me and my mum get dressed up and ready to dance. He told us he was taking his, ‘dancing queens’ out for the night. So, we did just that.
Jumping into the car, my dad drove us all to the event, before walking with us both hand in hand to the Hertford Theatre venue, where the concert was happening. I was so scared. I remember the feeling of panic bubbling in me. Especially when I saw my dad drinking a shandy, which I thought was beer, as I worried about him crashing the car home.
When the lights went down, my worries grew. I wasn’t a massive fan of the dark and to suddenly be placed in full flow of it, along with a screaming crowd, was terrifying. I began to cry.
Looking down at me, I can recall my dad telling me it was all going to be okay. He picked me up and placed me onto his shoulders, away from the people and those around me. We were at the back, so we caused no problems for anyone.
My mind was blown when I could then see the band on stage. The lights. The outfits. The songs I had grown up with being played out loud. Everyone singing and dancing along. I can remember my parents doing exactly that, holding onto me and each other, as we danced the night away.
The moment was unreal. It’s a core memory that I can remember every little detail of. My dad made sure we all danced until our feet hurt. When it was all over, he kept me on his shoulders and carried me, whilst holding my mum’s hand to the kebab shop along the road.
I thought he was the coolest person alive and we were an unbreakable trio. Something I still think now, even though he is no longer with us. There so, I am wearing the flag around my shoulders to dance with him in memory, like he put me on his shoulders when I was little. A guiding support no matter what.
As soon as Dancing Queen is played tonight, I know I will start crying. ABBA was so important to him that I chose the song to play at his funeral. Now, I can’t hear it without tearing up or crying. They will be tears of both joy and sadness. Forever will I be one of his dancing queens!
We will be flying the flag for you today Pops! Your two, forever yours, dancing queens!
Joey X