March... heckhm ok I'm a bit behind... April 2009!

Sleepy smile for the camera :)

Hey hey everyone! Kes here! *wags and licks* :) How the devil are you all?! The Howl seems to have missed a month (nothing to do with Fayley having a big scary landmark Birthday in March and trying to hide it all from you I promise!).

We've all been rather hectic with a house move last month which seems to have swallowed up every spare minute, and I wouldn't want to bore you all with tales of painting, decorating and lugging furniture (being a dog I was exempt from all the hard work thankfully, and even managed to avoid rubbing up against the wet paint this time!), I'll just skip ahead to the good bit and say yay! its all finished and looking wonderful! I finally have enough space for all my dog toys (although there's still not quite enough room for all Fayley's gubbins, time to declutter a little methinks!).

Its been a hideous stormy day today so I've been a good girl and have snoozed in bed all day, giving Fayley time to focus all her attention on updating the website.

More items have been added to the sale and discontinued pages, there are some real bargains and not only that there are a couple of absolute gems on the discontinued page so grab them while you can!

Here are just a few of our favorites, if you like them order quick cos I know Fayley's not going to be able to restrain herself for long and will end up keeping them all, and her wardrobe really can't hold any more ;)

The items on the sale pages are still available in other sizes and colours on the main site, so if you can't get what you want on the sale page please browse the main shop categories. The items listed on the discontinued pages are only available in the size and colour shown and once they're gone they're gone for good, so be quick! There are also some pvc discontinued items - all sale goth, pvc and discontinued items can be found under the main menu title *sales ~specials*

Fay's also been pottering away on the links pages, so there's a few more interesting sites to ramble your way through when your finished on Dare :) If you have a relevant banner and would like to swap links please email us :)

The customer gallery is updated with some new pics of you very beautiful customers who've been brave enough to send me photos this month :)

I think you'll agree the four of them look a little lonely up here, so come on the rest of you get shooting and send me your photos - I love to be able to see you all :)

Kes xx (and Fayley)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

Wha-hey!! Snow galore! And oh my goodness isn't it so pretty? I hope you've had some where ever you are in the country! Its a rather rare event to get proper snow down here in Cornwall (a land much more inclined to mizzle or drizzle for 326 days of the year).

But yay and hoorah! We have had our share of blizzard :) Now I know I should probably moan about how tricksy it makes it to get anywhere on the roads, the delays it causes to the mail, the inconvenience of pipes freezing over, and the extra work involved with looking after the horses and other beasties during this white out... but NO!! Who care's about all that?! I LOVE SNOW!!!! *childish glee, childish glee, watch me dance in childish glee!!* Hehehe ^^

I did have a bit of excitement as I was travelling from Bath back to Cornwall this morning and got caught up in all the cancellations and delayed trains coming from London and the surrounding blizzardy areas, but made it home an hour before the snow hit big time here - and promptly got down to the serious business of snow ball fights (Kes thinks catching and eating snow balls is a great lark), and making snow angels, and well, generally running around screaming "Snoooowwwwwwww!!" at the top of my voice :) Happy days :)

Its also all three of the cats first ever experiences of snow, and although Mea and Dae were slightly more reserved, Nanook was pouncing and bounding around in it trying to catch all the snow flurries :) Utter cuteness!

Isha also decided to have a mad five minutes and galloped around the field a few times before rolling around in all the fresh snow like a mad woman lol Then she decided to be a snow plough and pushed her nose along the ground making tunnels and getting very snowy whiskers in the process :)

I think I just about have time to build a snowman this evening before it gets too dark, so I'd better dash, Kes and I still have some more snow time play to enjoy :) 

Hugs and snowflakes, fayley and Kes xx

Cold, wet and muddy January 2009!

Yuk, yuk, yukkity yuk, when will winter end?! I heard on the radio today that spring is due to arrive 2 days earlier this year than in the past due to 'global warming', but I seriously have my doubts at the moment, if it doesn't stop raining soon I shall start to grow gills!

We did have a lot of fun during the cold snap over December, Kes went on a few frozen walks and one pond she usually paddles about in was totally frozen over and so pretty :) She really wanted to go running about on it but I did my 'sensible mummy' act and wouldn't let her play on it, just in case.
I did let out my childish side as well though and thoroughly enjoyed stamping on all the frozen puddles - is it just me or does anyone else find the crunchy-snap of ice irresistible?

I've been making the most of the rainy weather by locking myself in the office and have finally updated the gallery pages, so thank you to all you beautiful customers who have sent in pictures, you are finally on the website!
Have a look at your fellow Dare shoppers in their wondrous new outfits!

Now all the excitement of Christmas is over and we're all feeling glum and skint, remember to check out the sale pages to grab yourself a total bargain and have some fantastic value retail therapy :) Everything on the sale pages is in stock to send immediately, and keep checking back as I've got oodles of things to add over the next week or two and all with at least 25% off the normal price - yay!

!click me click me! >>> *Sale ~ Special Offers* <<< ! click me click me!

Hehe ;) happy shopping, fayley xx

  

Merry Christmas time to everybody!!

So far Christmas is going brilliantly for us, the cats haven't even attempted to destroy the Christmas tree, and Kes has managed to resist unwrapping her presents early, although she has had a good stiff around and present pile and has correctly identified all the parcels containing balls, squeaky toys and dog chews lol - wrapping paper is no match for the power of her nose ;)

We've also bought the cats 'concentrated catnip spray' this year, hoping it has the same effect as the dried cat nip we usually buy them - there's nothing better than watching cats rolling around in catnip heaven :) Haven't decided what to spray the catnip on yet, but Kes has warned me to keep it away from her lol

Hope you have a wonderful time where-ever you are and whatever you are doing :) I'm sure you've all been very good girls and boys so enjoy all the presents Santa is bringing you ;)

We are turning off the computer for a couple of days and having a mini Xmas break, so don't be alarmed if you email and don't get an immediate response - we'll be back to chat and answer any questions from the 29th December.

Hugs and tinsel, fayley and Kes xx

Its October! Its October! *does a happy little 'Halloween is coming' dance* ^^

Gosh but I am excited already, I thought maybe I was getting a little ahead of myself planning my Halloween costume and getting decorations together, but actually now you are all clammering for your Halloween orders I think its definitely time to get excited ^^

Also to look forward to, we are going to be having a stall again at the Faery, Angel & Healing Fayre in Penzance on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2008, it would be great to see as many of you as possible, I do miss everybody so much now I am working soley on line, so to be out in the real world again for a couple of days is going to be fantastic :)

If you want any details of the event you can find all the info here: http://www.mysticfayre.co.uk. As well as various stalls there's live music, guest apperances from artists and writers, performances, free workshops and demonstrations and just a fantastic atmospher for a lovely day out :)

I've been a little bit naughty and have yet again inflicted upon Kes a new member of the feline variey to our family: introducing Nanook! The most confident and naughty kitten the world has ever seen!

There was much hissing and hackles when he first arrived, all from him! 

Kes was adorable in a resigned kind of way (I think she has admitted defeat where cats in her home is concerned). 

Mea and Dae were not so impressed and refused to come into the house for a whole week, I was starting to think it was all a huge mistake when on day 7 they marched in, sat on the sofa and looked at me as if to say "so what, its a new kitten, no big deal". Ever since then Mea has started acting all kittenish himself so now he and Nanook rampage around the place, cat wrestling and cat racing around the room, with rugs, cusions and ornaments being sent flying *sigh*

Nanook has also now managed to chew through no less than two mobile phone charger cables, thankfully not plugged in, but still more than a little annoying. Especially as we bought half of the cat pet shop toys in existance to keep kittens and cats entertained. Silly kitten!

fayley xx

Things are on the up ^^

Anyone who ready the last Howl will know of the horrid accident I had while out riding, well my beautiful soul mate mare Isha is finally on the mend, 7 weeks on, (grief it really has been a long time), still not able to ride her as she's still a little tender on hard ground but at least there's no oozing hole in the bottom of her foot any more! Also I am soon to be moving into a new bigger home - yay! Lots of space for Kes and the cats to run around!

 I've spent the last 4 days solid painting and laying carpet, (thank you Adam! we'll get that decorators business started soon, watch out rouge traders here we come lol), and today the kitchen will be tiled :)
 I've never done that before so it may look a little 'jaunty' by the end, but hey, who likes straight lines anyway? ;)

My living room is pale blue, but do any of you remember the lush 'cadburies chocolate purple' curtains I used to have as the shop dressing room? Well since I closed the Truro shop they have been sulking in a bag... well no more! They have been trimmed and rehemmed and are now looking beautiful as my living room and spare room curtains - huzzah!!

And utterly greedy of me, I have converted one whole room into a walk-in wardrobe *big grin*. Ok so its only a tiny room, but even so there is now room for many a rail and all of my shoes ^^ Going to start unpacking clothing into it today and really should resist buying any more... but now there's more space... I am sure I need more pretty clothes to fill it *digs out Dare catalogues* ;)

Right, I should stop typing I guess and get on with that tiling, but first just to remind any ex-DeviLutioners, its our monthly cinema meet up tonight for anyone who wants to meet up with old friends - 8.30pm at the Regal Bar in Redruth for the screen 7 showing of Wanted tonight (Friday 4th July).

Ok, of to get messy with tile paint, if I'm not at the cinema tonight I'm stuck to the wall, someone come rescue me lol ;) fayley xx

Yucky yucky

I am having a horrible month. It all started off quite well, beautiful sunshine, getting loads of work done on the fields and in the greenhouse, but now I think maybe the world is out to get me again :(

I'd had a couple of weeks of non-stop work and very little time to chill out and relax and the one thing that really gives me solace from the hectic world around me is my horse. So any hour I can find spare I tack up and head out for a good gallop. As I said, I'd been too busy to ride much for a couple of weeks and was going stir crazy, so early on bank holiday weekend I decided to get out and blow off some steam with my mare Isha.

The ride started of wonderfully, we went through our local woods and enjoyed the bluebells all coming into flower, the birds singing, and the general peace and quite being up before everyone else on the bank holiday.

Then as we turned for home Isha suddenly stopped in her tracks, kicking out with her back leg. I jumped off and found, to my total horror, what I thought was a nail sticking out of the bottom of her foot.

Thankfully we'd just turned onto the road so I waved down a passing driver who held her while I tried to pull the nail out.
No luck.
So I held her while the driver tried to pull the nail out.
No luck.
The driver holds her while I hold her foot in the air and make a frantic phone call to my dad to bring tools. There is still a good inch of nail sticking out of her foot above the line of her sole and all I keep saying over and over is "good girl, calm girl, don't put your foot down, don't put your foot down".

Thankfully the next car to pass us is a friend who also has horses, so she stops as well as distracts Isha with mints and cuddles while I continue my mantra.

We get passed by 3 cars. Isha stands perfectly still, foot in the air. 5 minutes go by. We get passed by 4 trial motorbikes. Isha stands still, foot in the air. 5 minutes go by. Isha looks at me, "why haven't you made my foot better mum, I don't like this". She still stands patiently waiting for me to take the pain away.

Then two horses ride by. Now Isha is usually a total drama queen when she sees other horses out hacking, she wants to be with them, hates going away from them. But she stands still, foot in the air. Until just after they've gone past, then all she does is shift her weight slightly so she can watch them go, and down goes her foot. In goes the rest of the nail. Three very loud gasps and a long groan, from me, the driver and my friend.

Dad arrives with his tool box, and has to use a crow bar to pull it out. Then I see exactly what it is - not a nail - a threaded bolt - no wonder I couldn't pull it out by hand. Embedded a good 2" deep into her foot.

Apparently the public byway, used by dog walkers, riders and cyclists is the perfect place for fly-tipping. Usually I keep my eyes peeled for dangers and rubbish, but this kind dumper had set fire to the rubbish, so the surface of the ground looked like dark mud. Under the surface was a tangle of glass, bolts, metal etc.

We got Isha home, got the vet out (bank holiday vet's bills - not sure which is going to hurt more, Isha's foot or my bank balance). Thankfully the vet thinks the bolt missed bone so all we are looking at is high risk of infection and lots of soft tissue damage and deep bruising. Should I be thankful for small mercies?! At this point I want to go out hunting for fly-tippers, I still have that crow bar to hand....

Its now 2 weeks on, Isha has finished her long course of antibiotics but is still on painkillers, we tried to reduce them over the last week but she's still hopping lame. The scariest part seems to be over, it doesn't look like there is any infection there, but we may be facing x-rays next week if she's still lame in case there is any bone damage after all.

So far we've missed our first two shows of the season, and a lot of sunny evenings riding. But if that's the worst of it I will be a very relieved and happy horse mum.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Then today, with my bank balance reeling from vets bills, I get my latest phone bill. I don't use my land line much, so my quarterly calls are usually under £30.
This bill total is... £297??!!??.... hold on... what the *&*%£$"*!!!!!!!!?

I have been charged for engineering work carried out outside my property?! Yes I had an engineer out. Wanna know why? Because the phone line running to my house was rubbing on a power cabel. So much so that the phone line had worn through and my phone did not work.

To be honest I was more worried about the risk of sudden electrocution while walking to my house rather than a lack of communication! So I call BT, they send an engineer, who replaced the line and lowers it away from the power lines. he even said "you wouldn't have thought this line would have been put in like this originally". No, no you wouldn't.

And yet, despite being told I am not eligible for costs of work carried out outside my property, and being told by the engineer it was the location of the line leading to inevitable damage, I have been sent this whopping bill.

So far today I have spoken to no less than 3 different BT employeers, who couldn't pass me on to the next person quickly enough 'oh, ah, um, let me pass you to so-in-so until you get bored of holding the line' Apparently someone will call me back later with news on the charge.

Maybe its time for that crow bar again...