Laurania

Hi! I'm Lauren :)

UPDATE: I've not been on here for about a year or so because I got a new job and moved away and have been loving things and found very little time! I had an op on my ankle last year so went through quite a few swaps whilst off work then but otherwise will just do the odd swaps as and when work isn't too hectic!

I'm 27 and am working as a small animal vet. I have had pets in the past - a cocker spaniel called Merlin who was lovely if a little insane, and a tabby and white cat called Katie. I now have a lovely young cat called Lily (she's cream and longhaired with dark brown points - she looks like a ragdoll or a birman but is actually a moggie!).

At some point when I have more time/space I intend to get a bernese mountain dog or some other giant fluff ball of a dog, realistically I'm looking at getting something smaller and more practical like a border terrier or similar sized cross. My favourite animals are lemurs. I currently intend to specialise in small animal surgery but haven't decided yet.

I like many things - reading, painting (or anything crafty), playing piano, cooking (especially baking), horse riding, ice skating, skiing, shopping and of course I like to go out partying (and cocktail drinking...!) with my friends.

I have some examples of my work on flickr (above) - and don't worry about spoilers, I only take things off private view once I know a swap has been received :-)

Note: I re-use packaging so things may not look perfect on the outside, but I secure everything well with plenty of parcel tape so should make it to places fine - figure it's best to re-use though (unless the packaging is beginning to look really battered!)

I love everything from classical music and songs from musicals (especially Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera) to Slipknot! My favourites are probably Green Day, Kaiser Chiefs and Franz Ferdinand.

I also enjoy playing the piano and guitar (although neither particularly well!)

I have quite a broad taste in books, I tend to just go to the bestsellers 3 for 2 section and pick up whatever takes my fancy. I tend to quite like fiction with a historical bias (for example, Kate Morton)

In terms of classics I like Jane Austen probably the most. To be honest I've not read too many classics but I'm slowly rectifying this.

I really enjoy popular science books (especially astronomy and natural history).

I think my favourate genre is sci-fi/fantasy. I'm currently reading the Game of Thrones series. Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman are fantastic as well, my favourite book is probably Good Omens and I'm reading the discworld series (probably about 2/3 of the way through now), Mort is my favourite so far.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated :-)

I tend to opt for painting and drawing, but have recently discovered the existence of ATCs and would love to get involved. I've just started a scrapbook too. When I get a house of my own, I intend to take up some larger projects and modify some furniture but until then I'll probably stick to the small things. I went through a knitting and sewing phase for a while as well a few years ago and have just taken it up again.

I'm sure I will probably like anything you send.

Anything handmade would be great, and I love seeing other peoples' styles rather than saying anything I like in particular.

My favourite colour is purple, I don't think there are any I dislike though. I like pink a lot too.

I love quirky things like sheet music, book pages and latin.

See my Etsy faves above for an idea of my kindof style ...or a treat ;-) Some things on there are things I plan to try to make myself as well.

I adore anything girly and flowery (think Cath Kidston!)

Cocktails and things related (although see below for flavours I dislike)

Recipes (again, see below)

Cupcakes and decorations (e.g. edible glitter/toppers)

Cute socks (size 38 / UK 5)

Pretty much anything crafty e.g. pretty paper, embellishments, magazines, ATC related items, fabric, ribbon, stamps, notecards to send swaps in etc etc

Science (eg astronomy, zoology, physics, anything really!) and Maths

Animals - e.g. cats, mongooses, horses, lemurs, dogs (esp cocker spaniels or bernese mountain dogs), elephants, baby animals

Books

Video games, especially nintendo (Zelda is my fave)

Musical things related to guitar/piano

Old books/other antique type stuff

Lavender

Old fashioned things

I'm quite a romantic, so anything to do with love is nice

There aren't many things I dislike. I would just request nothing religious - but other than that I'm not fussy!

I'm a bit more fussy when it comes to food/drink though - I'm not a fan of almonds, aniseed, cinnamon, liquorice, marzipan, nutmeg or melon. Everything else should be fairly safe! Don't really like dark chocolate either (milk or white are great though!)

I also prefer not to receive toilettries (unless lavender or just really nice/pretty)

I hoped I would never have to add this section that I've seen on other peoples' profiles. I will always allow a length of time if people are having issues or communicate with me before rating a 1 or adding this but sadly despite this I still have to - I've been flaked on a lot recently, I went for months on swapbot wondering why people were complaining about these flakers now it seems to happen all the time :-(

@TamiLynne for 'Where you Live ATC and Bookmark' swap: http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/95774

@alyciastinson for 'Cupcake Recipe Swap' (didn't realise people flaked on simple email swaps!!): http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/99447

** @halfevel for 'Themed sewing swap #4 - Animals/Pets' http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/101025

@lucky12324 for 'ATC travelling the globe - series makeup' (Paris) http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/103761

** @laurahudd - the host - for 'Individual Trinket Search' swap: http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/105260

@sammyclaire for the "perfume bottle ATC" swap: http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/112066

** - the most disappointing flakes, I was really looking forward to receiving all of these :-(