Days Out...

Annabelle's Party

Today I spent the day at Spondon Village hall in Derby for a very special reason. My 4 year old cousin Annabelle has been clear of cancer for a whole year, which is the best reason for a party!

We drove there for about 3pm, and it was already busy when we got there. So many people had turned up who have helped Annabelle throughout her treatment such as my Auntie and Uncles' work colleagues, support workers, friends and family. It was lovely to see so much support and celebration all in one room.

There was a buffet that I loved, as it was very tailored to children - complete with dairylea triangles, party rings, dolly mixtures and grapes, and they had rented the local ice cream company for the day, so there were cones and cups available of delicious creamy ice cream in five different flavours. I opted for 2 scoops - one cherry and amaretto, and one vanilla with random chocolate pieces in it, including smarties, wafer and fudge!

There were lots of children there, and therefore plenty of toys and activities for them all to do, including a dress up table, doctors station and big roll of paper to draw things on. It was really nice how cards had been made to explain the activities and the relevance they had to Annabelle, to help the children to understand things a little better.

All along one wall was the whole story about Annabelle's illness, her treatment, recovery and current state, as well as lots of thankyous to people who had done charity work to raise money, looked after Edward and Lawrence (her brothers) and provided emotional support at a critical time. There was also a table with a guest book so we could all write our own messages to her, and it had leaflets with information, and Edwards Feelings Book that he did during her illness, which was insanely cute to read!

We left at around 7pm to drive home, feeling happy after seeing the family (including my sister Jasmine who had travelled from university in Leeds with my cousins who live there) and celebrating a brilliant milestone. As with everything, there is always a risk that it could return, but we are all hopeful that the worst is now over, and Annabelle can continue to grow up as a gorgeous little girl, loving life :)

Weekly Update!

Full-Time Work With A Dash Of Socialising!

This was the first week doing my nannying job full time and I love it! Not only am I looking after the cutest boy, but during the day whilst he is at school, aside from a bit of shopping and washing, I am free to do whatever I like!

Rather than be really naughty and spend the time shopping and coffee shop hopping (although I have done that a bit...) I have joined the gym, and so last week I did a yoga class, went swimming and ran three times - go me!

Aside from that and actually working, I haven't done much in the way of socialising, mainly as I'm still adjusting to long days with early mornings and getting into a routine. However, I went to Chris' for tea on Wednesday, and took some time over the weekend to enjoy myself which was nice.

On Friday I had my nails done, and then in the evening I went for a few drinks at the Moss Trooper with an old friend. I'd not seen him properly for two years (except a brief encounter at Benicassim which I can barely remember due to intoxication!) so it was good to catch up.

On Saturday after work, Chris came over and we met up with some university friends in Manchester. We started in Sam's Chophouse, which I'd never been in before, but it is apparently one of the oldest pubs in Manchester. It had loads of beers on tap and a mammoth wine list, yet wasn't too expensive and had a great atmosphere - so I'd like to go back sometime as it was a bit of a rushed visit!

Next we headed onto the Northern Quarter starting in TV21 and then Trof. Both were really busy, but in a vibrant way, and I had a lovely cocktail courtesy of Chris in the latter that tasted like Parma Violets - yum!

On Sunday after a nice lie-in and cooked breakfast, Chris left and Mum, Dad and I went to a family party in Derby (see previous post). Life is good!

Winter Sounds...

Lana Del Rey: Born To Die - 4 stars ****

I got this album as despite not being a huge fan of Del Rey's first single 'Video Games', I am totally in love with the second single 'Born To Die', and so thought I'd give it a go. The album has 16 tracks on it, and they vary from the melancholy 'Video Games' to urban tunes like 'Lolita' to uplifting choral numbers such as 'National Anthem'. It really shows her diversity as an artist, and her true musical talent, as nothing on the album sounds remotely manufactured. They are all quite personalised, with quirky lyrics, unusual compositions and also parts where rap-esque talking is laid over the backing music as in 'Born To Die'.

Million Dollar Man sounds like a 50s style musical track, you can almost see Lana walking through a gloomy American city singing the lyrics in pursuit of her lover. 'Radio' is quite humorous, as she uses love clichés in the lyrics, but they are filled with irony such as 'lick me up and take me like a vitamin 'cause my bodies sweet like sugar venom'. This occurs frequently and lets her personality shine through, which gives a cynical overtone to the album.

Despite Lana Del Rey having her own distinct style and voice, I couldn't help but think that certain songs sounded a lot like some other famous female vocalists. Without You is quite high pitched and dreamy, reminiscent of 80s Kate Bush tracks, and in Blue Jeans she sounds like Gwen Stefani - which, as she is one of my favourite artists ever, is a massive compliment!

Overall I would recommend this album to someone who wants a bit of a change from the usual girls that dominate the saccharine pop world, yet don't want to stray too far into unknown territory. Give it a go.

Weekly Update!

New Cafes & New Clothes!

This week was my last week doing both my jobs, before finally being just a full time nanny next week! Because of this, again it was a pretty manic one, so I didn't really get upto anything that exciting.

On Wednesday I went out with my mum to Yogberries in Hale (see previous post) which was fun, and then on Friday Chris came to stay and we went out in Altrincham with Charlotte and Natasha. We started in the Belgian bar called Le Trappiste before moving on to Costellos wine bar in Goose Green, and then finally Bloom Jazz Club. We got a lift home at around 1.30am, and Chris and I had a couple more drinks when we got home which was nice.

On Saturday I was working at the pub, and then I babysat in the evening- it was nice to just chill out and read my book for a few hours. My gorgeous new Dr Martens boots arrived too!

On Sunday I went shopping in Stockport with mum, where I spent far too much money! I got a lovely gold chunky knit jumper from New Look, an emerald wrap around dress and a black moleskin ruffled skirt from H&M and a few bits from Primark; including some beige snakeskin skinny jeans and a couple of presents. Altogether it came to £73 though, which I didn't think was too bad for how much I bought. However, I also then came home and bought a green waterproof Adidas watch, and a Roxy multicoloured check suitcase, so it was a pricey day to say the least!

Winter Reads...

The Road Home by Rose Tremain- 4 stars ****

This was a book I bought for 50p from the pub where I work (we have a bookshelf where money raised goes to a dogs charity) so I wasn't expecting much. I knew the author from seeing another of her books in Tesco and after googling her I realised she's actually really famous!

The book is about a man called Lev from Auror (a fictional town situated in Eastern Europe) who moves to live in London after he loses his job at a sawmill. He has a young daughter, Maya, who he leaves behind with his elderly mother because his wife died from cancer a few years before. The whole book details his journey as an immigrant in an unknown country, from his arrival, through his relationships and charting his dreams to open a restaurant back in his hometown.

The first person that Lev encounters is on the coach to England, where he befriends a woman called Lydia, who is a translator. Despite her openly confessing her feelings for him, Lev turns her down and so a trend begins of him taking her for granted. He rents a house owned by the lively Irishman Christy, who is struggling to come to terms with his divorce, and disinterest of his little girl.

Lev gets a job in a restaurant run by chef GK Ashe (who seemed to be based on Gordon Ramsay in my opinion!) and discovers a passion for food and cooking. He meets a young sous chef there called Sophie, and the pair embark on an intimate relationship, helping him to finally get over his dead wife. Sophie leaves him for another man however, making Lev realise how much he has hurt Lydia (who has since left the country as a rich conductor's mistress) and also costs him his job when GK fires him, choosing to keep Sophie on.

Back in Auror, a dam is being built, placing his family and best friend Rudy in a predicament meaning they are being evicted from their homes to live in a new neighbourhood. But due to Sophie, Lev has met Ruby, an old lady in a carehome where she used to volunteer. He begins to go regularly to visit her, and eventually manages to get a job in the kitchen there. Ruby dies and leaves Lev some money, so that together with his earnings he can return to the new town, where he opens a restaurant, his one true dream.

The novel is very passionately written, and the relationships portrayed are genuine and relateable. Though the plot is fairly simple, the book contains a great deal of anecdotes and flashbacks, and really plunges you into Lev's world, so it is a truly gripping read. Unfortunately I kept having to pick it down and come back to it, so I don't think I got its full potential, but towards the end I found myself staying up late to finish it - and that, in my opinion, is the sign of a good book!

New Tastes...

Yogberries, Hale

Today I had a spare bit of time in between my two jobs (that I've nearly got down to just one!) so I met my mum for a while in Hale. Rather than just go for coffee like we normally would, we thought we'd try out the frozen yoghurt bar there that a few of my friends rave about called Yogberries. It is the only one around, and seems to be proving very popular- all the local schoolgirls go there as the cool hangout after the bell rings!

You choose a size (small, medium or large) and then a flavour of yoghurt that varies seasonally; when we went it was either vanilla, natural or chocolate/ natural swirl. You can then choose different toppings and sauces to go on it. We got a small size (which was plenty big enough for me) with two toppings, and it cost £2.45. I chose the swirled version with mini oreo cookies and raspberries, and my mum had natural with raspberries and blueberries. You can get more toppings or bigger sizes dependent on price.

I've never had frozen yoghurt before, but it was actually really nice. I found the swirled variety a little strange, as the chocolate tastes more like ice cream, so it doesn't go especially well with the natural yoghurt flavour, but my mum's was really nice, so I would probably have that next time. You could get loads of different toppings too- coconut shavings, chocolate coffee beans, passion fruit, peanut butter cups, walnuts, marshmallows, kiwi, honeycomb, it was endless! They also do smoothies, milkshakes and fresh youghurt/ granola/ fruit versions. The wide range meant you really could tailor it to anyone's taste.

It was somewhere a bit different to go, with friendly staff, and great decor! I would definitely recommend trying it out if you're in the area.

Weekly Update!

Crazy Week!

This is the only time in over 18 months of posting on here that I have only managed to get 1 post out (apart from when I've been on holiday) This is basically because I have been so busy this week, working my notice whilst beginning a new job (a total of 53 hours!), that I haven't done anything interesting to write about!

So as well as being the only post, it will also be fairly brief. My mum made a cheese soufflé on Wednesday for our tea which was delicious, and surprisingly filling despite being light in texture. On Friday I went to Chris' after work, and we had a lovely meal of salmon followed by pork chops and sat chatting around the table until 2am!

I was at work at the pub yesterday, but afterwards I went round to Emily and Smeed's new house, which is gorgeous, and we had a few drinks before going out in Manchester. We were celebrating my friend Natasha's sisters birthday, and she hired out The Living Room on Deansgate. We had some nice wine, and a good dance to some classic tunes before getting a pizza (after being the last ones to leave!) and I went back to Emily and Smeed's to sleep.

On Sunday after a nice lie in, I got a lift home, and caught up on some television. Then some family friends came around for Sunday dinner. My mum made beef carbonnade and sticky toffee pudding, which we followed with cheese and biscuits. It was the perfect thing to quench my hungover hungriness!

Weekly Update!

Cleaning & Cage-dancing!

This week it was back to work as usual in preparation for the return of the family I am housesitting for- hence the short post. The only time I stopped cleaning and tidying was when Chris came to stay on Wednesday evening, when we had a nice chilli and watched Up! The following day we went to the cinema to see The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which was amazing (see previous post).

On Friday I had an 'interview' for a full time nannying position with the family I did a temporary job for- said as so because their last nanny has upped and left without any notice, so it was more a question and answer session than an actual interview. Afterwards I drove to Chris' and we went for a pub dinner at a two for one place called The Woodside. We shared potato skins with salsa and then I had chicken topped with cheese and Jack Daniels sauce, while Chris had a surf 'n' turf. The whole meal cost £14, and it was really nice- even if I did get salad instead of corn on the cob with mine as mentioned on the menu!

On Saturday after I had finished working at the pub I drove to Lancaster, as it was my friend Geoff's birthday during the week, so a few of us decided to go out to celebrate. We drank in the house beforehand, and then went to Wetherspoons, Hustle and ended the night in Elements. Elements was full of the locals, who are none too desirable, but it was a fun night, even if I did get stupidly drunk and dance in a cage! The following day I stayed in bed until lunchtime (for obvious reasons!), before having some breakfast and then driving back home in the afternoon, after watching the Manchester derby on TV. Then I had an early night in preparation for my next couple of crazy weeks!

Candid Article 11

2012: Head-to-Toe Fashion

With the January sales in full flow, it is often difficult to decide whether the blouse reduced to eight of your hard-earned pounds really is an investment buy, or just another top to stay label bound in your wardrobe. With this in mind, I thought I’d stray from my usual more formal articles, and throw together a little guide to what appears to be looking like big fashion news for 2012, to make sure your post-Christmas pennies are put to use properly.

Starting at the top is the hair. Now I know this isn’t something you can really go out and buy, but a bit of extra time preparing your tresses can turn an everyday style into one that is highly envied. Following on from the 1940s-esque makeup last season, updos on the Spring/ Summer catwalks got a double shot of glamour, with Jean Paul Gaultier opting for a statement style featuring a large barrel curl on each side of models’ heads, which included the likes of Karlie Kloss and Jourdan Dunn. Maybe not one to try out for work, but for those with a penchant for experimentation, it could be just the ticket to turn heads on a night out. Dior also followed suit with some tasteful retro classic hairdos, and even used headscarves in some looks.

Next - the face, beginning with the eyes. Metallic eye makeup is a clear favourite in the new trends selection, with every fashion house from DSquared2 to Armani sending their models out decked in silver and gold. Whether you choose pure glitter, pearlised eyeshadows, a light bronze shimmer or go all out with gold leaf as seen at Fendi on Natasha Poly, you’ll be flying high in the fashion stakes.

Moving onto the wardrobe; be prepared to be taken over by sealife! There was everything from sections of mock-sharkskin on tops at Givenchy, to beautiful ruffled dresses at Alexander McQueen that looked like anemones in bright corals and waves in pale greys and blues. Versace used prints depicting underwater scenes and shades reminiscent of the seaside, while Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel gave the theme his own slant, designing clutch bags shaped like conch shells that were adorned with beads and pearls. Unfortunately the majority of us cannot afford to spend a few thousand on a tailor-made couture gown, but the colours, shapes and materials used can all to be seen in the latest high street ranges around now. Think floaty translucent fabrics, ice cream colours and bold prints; or if you want to go for the more obvious, a shark’s tooth necklace or starfish clasp belt does the job just as well.

Footwear had elements of the underwater trend too, with Versace using gold seahorse embellishments on hot pink straps. Shoes as a whole this season are very dramatic and bold, with anything from super high heels to stud detailing being a staple design choice. Large gold plaques were seen on footman style slippers at Yves Saint Laurent; and at Miu Miu there were some crazy bright leather boots that made Irregular Choice creations look tame.

Whatever you choose to splurge on this January, there is a new trend to suit everyone. Whether you are a shrinking violet looking for something understated but on trend, or a fashionista ready to go all out, it is easy to put your own slant on any piece you buy. Happy shopping!

Winter Views...

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - 5 stars *****

I was eagerly awaiting the release of this film after seeing a billboard advertising it over summer, and being an avid fan of the books, I was excited. I never got around to watching the original Swedish versions of the films, but heard they are very good, so they are on my to-see list.
The plot is pretty complicated, so I'm going to cheat and say you can find it on Wikipedia using the link at the bottom of the page. Otherwise I'd spend this whole post going over the storyline and not actually talking about what a brilliant film it is.
First of all the cinematography in this is awesome, there are loads of great scenery shots, and techniques that are effectively used to really visually enhance the movie. The standard of acting is great, but then it is Daniel Craig who plays the lead, so it was always going to be a pretty safe bet. However, backing from Stellan Skarsgard (Bootstrap Bill in Pirates of the Caribbean) and Joely Richardson adds icing to the cake, and the actor who plays the 'baddie' is nasty in a really spine-tingling way - he would make even the most mild-mannered of people want to kill him. Perhaps the person who caught my eye the most though, was Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander, the lead female. Not attractive in a standard way, but the feistiness and 'don't care' attitude that she exudes really blows you away, and as a fan of alternative looking people, I had quite the girl-crush on her!  
A word of warning to those thinking of watching this though. There are quite a few scenes that are very graphic and emotionally disturbing, so if you are not good with violence or blood, then perhaps give this one a miss. I must admit, I was quite shocked at the level of intensity that some scenes showed considering this had a pretty mainstream Hollywood cast. I knew the Swedish version was very loyal to the book (which is 463 pages long and very detailed!) but I expected a diluted version from an American adaptation. It's a good thing though, as it doesn't lose any of the grittiness and drama of the book.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Girl_with_the_Dragon_Tattoo

Weekly Update!

Family, Friends & 2012 Begins!

This week has been very pleasant, as I am still housesitting so could fit my chores around all my other plans, so I didn't miss out on anything.

On Monday (Boxing Day) it was my mum's birthday, and so we went for a nice walk in Dunham during the day, followed by a meal at a family friend's house with cheese, wine and games. My sister came back to Millington with me for the night afterwards which was good, and then in the morning we got ready for our Christmas Day!

We drove back home, where my grandparents had just arrived, and Chris came shortly afterwards, followed my my auntie, uncle and two young cousins, Adam and Hannah. We opened our presents, ate a full Christmas dinner, and then played some games before Chris and I caught a taxi back to Millington.

The following day we had a lie-in, and then went sale shopping in Stockport with the remainder of the family. I got a lovely teal coat with a red fur trim from Primark, for just £15. Apart from that and a couple of little bits though I didn't get much, as all the good stuff appeared to have gone. That evening I went for a meal at Croma in Manchester with my girlfriends (see previous post).

On Friday I had my hair dyed with the silvery toner I have used before, and then actually got some work done. I went back home later on to stay over ready for an early start yesterday to go to London for New Year (see previous post). Happy 2012!

New Years Eve!

A Roadtrip To London!

This New Year's Eve, my friends and I had decided to travel to London to celebrate it as we did two years ago. My friend Hana's dad has an apartment in Canada Water, which has marvellous views of the London Bridge, The Gherkin and the Eye, so is a perfect pad for watching the fireworks at midnight.

We set off at 10am as we wanted to get there so that we had time to settle in before starting the festivities. Because there were 6 of us, we travelled in two cars, but coincidentally stopped at the same service station on the way there, so rendezvous-ed at Starbucks in Corley, near Birmingham. We finally arrived in London at about half two, as our brief stop turned into an hour long lunch-break due to our company!

After dumping our bags, we split into two groups, as a few of the girls wanted to go to Camden Market for a wander. I went with the other two to Tesco to get our supplies for the evening. We decided to do a Caesar salad for dinner, and then get some buffet style nibbles (spring rolls, onion bhajis, chicken skewers etc) for later on when we were a bit more peckish. We also got in the alcohol, although I had brought a bottle of Prosecco and a bottle of wine with me, so didn't need any more!

When we got home we started getting the food ready, in between getting changed and made-up for the evening to begin. Our salad was lovely, and we accompanied it with a glass of champagne each courtesy of Hana's dad. After the food we played some board games for quite a while, as we started the proper drinking! We played Rapidough, where you have to mould objects specified on a card, Articulate, the classic, and Scattergories where you have to write lists of things beginning with a designated letter. By this point we were all rather tipsy, so the final game was rather challenging for us!

As it neared midnight, we headed out onto the balcony to watch the fireworks, which were amazing! It was a gorgeous clear night, and the display went on for over half an hour. Afterwards, fuelled by alcohol we made the decision to try and go out for a drink somewhere, but after wandering for over an hour we gave up and came home, where we crashed into bed at 4.30am!

The following day, I felt especially worse for wear, but luckily I wasn't driving, so slept for the four hour drive home. I had a fabulous time though, and it was great to get all the girls together, as it doesn't happen very often. Happy New Year!