Tesco

Just a quickie to update you all on my Tesco missions. I'm delighted to announce that the weekly trips to supermarket heaven with my bags-for-life have continued! Last time I even discovered, and used, the lift! What an invention that is. I collected my mini trolley, hopped in the lift and ta-dah, I was safely delivered downstairs. Each week I spend 30 minutes wandering round pondering the delights on offer, select my goods and then await the arrival of the boyfriend who then carries everything home!

Long may weekly shops continue.

Bikram Yoga

Before moving to the city centre the boyfriend and I lived in Reddish, Stockport. We were new to the area and I wanted to join a group of some sort. Yoga was my choice. On Monday evenings I would walk 25 minutes to the leafy Heaton Moor and pay my £5.50. I wasn't great at it but I persevered. Then I made a new friend at work who lived round the corner so I roped her in and we would go together. 6 months later the teacher put his prices up and things got silly so we reluctantly gave up.

A whole year later and I found myself suggesting to the same friend that she join me for a spot of Bikram. A spot of Bikram...how naive I was. (For those of you who haven't heard of Bikram, click here)

Rather foolishly I read far too many not-so-glowing-reviews online and grew quite scared! The yoga I could deal with but the heat was going to be tough.

To the look the part I skipped off to H&M and bought some black leggings and a baggy white vest hoping it wouldn't cling to my tummy too much. What I hadn't realised was that after 30 minutes of Bikram your not-so-flat-tummy is the last thing on your mind. Did I say 30 minutes? I meant 5...

The studio itself was lovely, very clean and bright, and full of bare foot beauties, some size 6's in teeny tiny shorts and others more curvy in leggings and vests. We fitted in!

Upon entering the room the heat hit, wow it was hot. We began the 26 postures and within 2 or 3 I was wishing I could leave. Our teacher, although very good, had a very strong French accent and I struggled to follows her directions. It didn't help that she was so strict, eyes forward, no fidgeting, mouth closed, eyes open!

Beginners were encouraged to sit down if we needed to, at last permission to rest! I sat down a few times but so did the other beginners so I wasn't too embarrassed. The heat made me dizzy, and I felt sick but worst of all was the feeling of not being able to take a full deep breath. Minutes felt like hours and my idea to count each posture so I knew how long there was left soon melted away along with me, my brain couldn't manage it.

We were told to join back in for the last posture, as not doing would be like 'going to the toilet and not flushing' ahh what a nice thought. I obeyed and did my best to look interested. Then we were told we could lie down and rest, I grabbed my friend and ran! Finally, we could escape.

In the changing rooms we chatted to the other ladies and asked if they too all felt like dying, yes we were told, 'we've seen people drop like flies and throw up'. So we'd done well by staying conscious! That's encouraging.

I'd heard that Bikram would give you bags of energy and make you sleep like a baby. I walked home so slowly I nearly stopped, had a rubbish night's sleep and struggled to keep awake at my desk the next day! Not quite the desired effect.

And we paid £10 for the pleasure. Can I have a refund please?

Joking aside we were both rather proud of ourselves for finishing the class and I have considered going back, mainly to see if I can sit down less and join in more. I might have to wait a few weeks until I've forgotten the suffering.

For now I will be dancing in front of the TV to the newest Davina DVD that arrived from Amazon this morning. Speaking, breathing through your mouth and air conditioning are allowed.

20 Pretty Things for Spring

You wouldn’t think it but finding 20 pretty things for Spring, as I said I would, was easier said than done! 'Pretty' is quite specific, I had high hopes for lots of florals and frills, bows and ribbons. Turns out my love of afternoon tea pretty girl chic is just that, my love. That's fine with me though, seeing your next purchase on the rich girl in the next office is just upsetting.

Realising the challenge and compromising slightly I have chosen 10 items, rather than 20. Quality rather than quantity….

1 Vintage Cameo Ring - Monsoon - £7

2 Floral Belted Cocktail Dress - River Island - £49.99

3 Pearl and Corsage Necklace - Miss Selfridge - £30

4 Daisy Print Tea Dress - Kate Moss - Topshop - £60

5 1 Shoulder Play-suit - Topshop - £38

6 Knitted Floral Cardigan - Topshop - £32

7 Purple Short Waterfall Mac - Miss Selfridge - £60

8 Corsage Headband - Miss Selfridge - £30

9 Floral Headband - Accessorize - £6

10 Red Ballet Pumps  - Pretty Ballerina - £125

Easter Activities

There should be more 4 day weekends.

On friday afternoon my Tupperwear of salad and I, along with my book and the latest Glamour, hopped on the train and travelled to Grimsby to visit family and friends. I left behind the boyfriend, I think he needed some girlfriend-free peace and quiet.

Friday evening was spent at my Dad's house. His wife made Carrot and Coriander soup and she had baked bread, then we had lamb with roasted veg, and to finish, jelly and ice cream! It was yummy.

Saturday was new outfit day, my cute denim dress and white tights with pink quilted flats. I went out for lunch (nothing exciting to report I'm afraid on that front) with my best friend and we got rather drunken and giggled lots like silly girls. Wine in Grimsby is 99p a glass! Her mum joined us and I found myself dancing to a random man singing in a truly awful Grimsby pub. There has been talk of drunken videos of me but the videographer has been warned never to release the evidence! We had a great day. At 9pm I sent myself home to gatecrash my mum's dinner party. She plied me with water and leftover duck wraps (her starter) in an attempt to sober me up! Her poor guests.

Sunday I visited my Nana, she's been learning to use the internet and wanted some new recipe ideas so I directed her to the very reliable BBC Food and of course this thing, just so she can see what I've been up to. Nan, if you're reading, Hello! Then it was onto my Grandad's house for Sunday dinner with 18 other family members. Mental but fun.

Today was back to Manchester with my Easter Egg and probably a few extra pounds from all the Easter feasting. The boyfriend met me from the station and carried my bag. Everyone say ahhhh.

On the train, between crying all over my book, which I finished through bleary eyes (Before I die, Jenny Downham) I saw so many new lambs and bright daffodils, Spring has definitely arrived.

Celebs on Sunday did a feature on 20 Pretty Things for Spring. See my next entry for my version.

x

Super Find!

I saw this in the Miss Selfridge sale on my lunch for £20. Guess where I'm heading after work!

Its darrling!

Weekend Activities

Yesterday I visited the French Soles in Selfridges. 

Recently the little beauties slipped off the agenda slightly but worry not my friends, they are now firmly back in my sights and next time I'm in Primark thinking ahh that top is only  a tenner, I will step back and say 'look missy, that's a tenner you could be putting aside for the feet treats'.  How sensible I can be. 

I had a lovely day, 2 friends and I went wedding dress shopping (note to brides-to-be: give Pronuptia a miss, I've been to 2 now and the service is rather poor). My friend is getting married in 7 months and as of yet, after 14 dress shops, she still hasn't chosen the one! After trying on 6 dresses and no decisions being made we went to Bluu for lunch, fishfinger sarnies again, and then round the shops to look at potential bridesmaid dresses. We finished our day in Bread and Butter with cake and peppermint tea. How splendid. 

I went home and wrinkled in the bath for 2 hours reading my new book, Before I Die by Jenny Downham. 

Talking of weddings, I am yet to announce on this thing, that I am to be a bridesmaid, finally! Its only taken 24 years of whining about my sister being one, twice! 

My best friend's boyfriend proposed on Christmas Day and they are to be married next August. I am not only a bridesmaid, but a chief bridesmaid! I am secretly more excited about me being a bridesmaid than her being a bride! I'll not tell her that. She might de-bridesmaid me!

Unfortunately I cannot share the details of my dress incase the groom sees but I promise to after the big event! 

The only thing to spoil this weekend is the horrid cold I have caught. Snot is never attractive. 

x

Ps - just to be clear, I am being a bridesmaid for my best friend next August, the friend I shopped with on Saturday is getting married in November. 

Daffodils

My Nana loved daffodils. Whenever I see them I think of her. They let us know that Spring has finally arrived after a long and cold winter. They are my Mum's favourite too. My sister and I often joke that she'd better die in the Spring or else we'll be forced to have plastic daffodils at her funeral! How horrid! She wouldn't like that at all.

It was my Nana's birthday yesterday and as I couldn't buy a gift I have filled my house with Daffodils. They look so bright and cheerful.

Here's to pretty summer dresses and long lazy afternoons sitting in the sun with a glass of wine and your friends. How delightful.

Swansea, Larry Lamb and Food

My deepest apologies for I have been a lazy blogger.

I haven’t got a specific topic to talk about I’m afraid so instead I will share with you my ramblings.

The boyfriend and I returned safely from Swansea on Monday. For three days we, rather worryingly, easily transformed back into students. Eating burgers, drinking cider and sleeping in until midday wasn’t such a chore.

In Swansea we stayed with my friend and her hamster, Audrey. I have been trying to persuade the boyfriend to let me buy a hamster but so far he is having none of it. He reasoned that we have nowhere to keep even the smallest of pets and after our fish, Walter, passed away I cried like a baby so I’m probably not ready for another pet. People seriously underestimate how attached you become to your pets.

Coming from Grimsby I found Swansea rather familiar, apart from the Welsh accent of course, which I loved! It’s like living in the middle of a Gavin and Stacey episode. I find it bizarre that I can love Larry Lamb so much in one programme and hate him so much in another; his character in Eastenders is horrid!

We came home to a very empty fridge, void of anything that could even remotely be turned into a meal so for tea that night I ate 2 Breakaway biscuits and a lump of red Leicester. Hardly substantial but it kept the hunger pangs at bay.

I am not one for weekly shops, usually I will go to the supermarket after work and find something for tea but yesterday I decided enough was enough! I was organised and took my supply of Tesco ‘bags for life’ into the office ready for my shopping adventure. What I hadn’t considered was how I was going to carry the mountain of food back to our flat. In the end I had to ring the boyfriend and ask him to rescue me from my plight. Never before have I used a trolley in a Tesco Metro, I really did mean business!

When I eventually got home and unpacked all the shopping I was so proud of the fridge being full I took a picture to send to my friend after she kindly told my mum my fridge is always empty! Not any more it isn’t!

Totally changing the subject my sister and her boyfriend are coming to stay for the night soon. They've not visited our new flat yet and as we live in the city centre now (we used to live in Reddish, Stockport) I wanted to take them to a good restaurant nearby.

We are big fans of Ning and I was planning on booking a table there for the sibling's visit but today I heard a disappointing review.

My friend and her husband were there on Friday for a meal. They had booked for 7pm and arrived on time. Their food was, as always, lovely but totally let down by the service. Before my friend had finished her main meal the waitress tried to take her plate away. Despite this more drinks were ordered and they were considering dessert. Unfortunately they were then presented with the bill, without it being ask for, and they were told the table was needed! When the booking was made there was no mention of the table being booked for the next sitting, nor that they were busy and my friends might not have the table all evening. I find this incredibly rude, staff had failed to pre-warn them that the table might be needed so an alternative table should have been found for the next customers. My friends go regularly and are now thinking of not going again as they found the service so poor.

Ning have a lot of deals on at the moment and I wonder if they are trying to rush people to get as many bums on seats as possible. What a shame because this place is a gem and I'd hate to see it being spoilt by greediness.

Any suggestions for where I should take my sister and her new bloke?

x