Secrets of a Secretary

Bridesmaid Shoes

2010-04-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

With only 4 months to go until my best friend's wedding I was recently set the challenge of choosing shoes for the bridesmaids. I accepted my mission and headed straight for ASOS with cream peep-toes in mind. I found and loved these straight away so sent a quick pic to my fellow bridesmaids keeping my fingers crossed. Thankfully they approved and we have 4 pairs on order!

Maxi Dresses

2010-04-11T12:12:00.001-07:00

1. ASOS £36.00

2. Poltock & Walsh £150.00

3. Lipsy £45.00

4. Monsoon £70.00

5. Aftershock £190.00

Spa weekend

2010-04-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

I am one of a three. My two friends, one recently home from a long stint in hospital, one planning her summer wedding, and myself.

Now my friend is at home recovering we are an active trio again so talk and plans of the hen do and wedding can resume.

On one of our many visits to Leeds Hospital we promised my friend a spa weekend which we have now booked! I reckon she deserves a break. We've chosen the very glamorous Forest Pines in Scunthorpe (they had a good deal!) for the end of May.

Very much looking forward to drinking pink champagne with the girls and lazing by the pool.

My Big Blog Break

2010-02-03T05:22:00.000-08:00

A few people have commented on my severe lack of posts recently. The blog has definitely suffered from neglect of late but I have had good reason and feel I should explain.

Early in the year, according to Red magazine, my current favourite, the boyfriend and I took a relationship sabbatical which apparently, in a recession, is a popular choice for warring couples. Without going into too much detail and being undeservedly brief, I wasn't happy, he wasn't putting the effort in and I decided one of us had to go. We needed a few weeks to realise what we had and see that it was worth working towards. But where to go?! My dad calls it a 'modern relationship'; one seriously lacking in spare rooms and with no parent round the corner to take you in. The boyfriend briefly moved in with a friend but it wasn't practical so to make things easier, and because I knew we'd have fun, I moved in with a friend while her marine boyfriend was away in Norway. After a few dates and lots of talking we realised we needed our heads banging together. In early February I moved back and so far its working. Happily ever after...who knows. But for now, we're happy.

3 days after moving back it was the eve of Valentine’s Day and I was cooking a meal for the boyfriend and I, we’d got a bottle of wine and a DVD, best laid plans and all, when I received a phone call from my best friend’s boyfriend to say she was in hospital on a life support machine and I should come. In total shock and panic the boyfriend and I got the next train to Leeds, where I met my other best friend and her boyfriend. The four of us and her boyfriend spent a very long night camping out in Costa Coffee in Leeds Hospital waiting for news and willing her to get better. Turned out she had Group A streptococci which can cause anything from mild sore throats to life-threatening illnesses. In her case it led to Pneumonia and Septicaemia. It was unimaginable. For days, and what became weeks, we talked of nothing else but her condition. How was her night, what are her oxygen levels, is she responding to treatment, when can we visit, can she hear us? Gradually she did start to improve and slowly she began her recovery. 38 days later I received a text that made me cry, this time with happiness: ‘I’m coming home!’.

Please understand I’ve written these events chronologically, not by level of importance!!

Boys Don't Cry

2010-01-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

Tonight the boyfriend is taking to the stage as Jason in Matthew Hattersley and Gavin Crippen's new play, 'Boys Don't Cry'. The production is being shown at Jabez Clegg on Oxford Street in Manchester and is running for three days.

He has been busy rehearsing for weeks now and I'm really excited about going to see him, I'm following his wishes and going on the final evening with a friend I lived with at university.

Break a leg!

ASOS Delivers Again

2010-01-10T10:30:00.000-08:00

It didn't take me long to find something gorgeous to wear with my fabulous new leopard print boots, a quick trawl through the sale items on ASOS proved fruitful and it won't be long before I am united with my latest find.

I love the silky berry coloured fabric, billowy sleeves and plunge v-neck to the back. I purposefully picked something loose, I'm not blessed with the flattest of tummies and having to breath in all day after an over-indulgent Christmas is not fun.

Now I just need a gift for my friend's birthday.

Happy New Year

2010-01-05T05:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I hope 2010 is full of fabulous outfits, successful shopping trips, delicious food, home made cakes, pink cocktails and beautiful shoes.

I celebrated the new year by treating myself to a pair of leopard print kitten heel boots. I can't wait to wear them, hopefully with something new and equally fabulous, for my best friend's 25th birthday later this month. I'm thinking a plain black t-shirt dress with white tights and lots of pearls. And maybe the faux-fur jacket I have been rabbiting on about and am yet to purchase!

I decided against making a New Years resolution, instead I will concentrate on being happy, spending time with friends and family and growing my hair. Oh and being a good secretary, obviously.

What are your New Years resolutions?

Its all fake darling

2009-12-09T05:29:00.000-08:00

Funny things keep happening to me.

I recently had done my first ever set of gel nails, a craze I never thought I'd become a part of, and I loved them, another surprise. Last night whilst out shopping after work I found myself coveting black faux fur cropped jackets, I even tried one on and now, not even 24 hours later, I'm desperate to get my hands on one before the work's Christmas party.

My friend, who recently got married, the wedding being the reason behind the false nails, is a huge fan of falsies and is quite partial to the occasional fake tan. She looks fantastic but its never crossed my mind to become a copycat. Is she to blame for these happenings?

I am concerned that within a few months I'll be booking my first ever spray tan and popping into Paul's on Oldham Street to enquire about hair extensions. There's absolutely nothing wrong with fake nails and the like but it's just not like me. Or at least I thought it wasn't me. Maybe its a phase? I can just about cope with the nails but if I catch myself even walking towards a pair of white jeans I'll be having serious words with myself.

There's a limit.

Giving in to the cold

2009-12-03T05:44:00.000-08:00

After walking around Manchester in the freezing cold wearing only my cape (and clothes underneath, obviously) to keep me warm I finally decided enough was enough. I needed a proper winter coat! With sleeves! Capes look good but that's about all they do.

I hadn't realised how dull shopping for a coat could be! Over priced, too thin, too short...the list went on.

Finally I found one I liked. This coat from Warehouse is classic and looks fabulous.

London

2009-11-11T05:20:00.000-08:00

St Paul's Cathedral

Catching a glimpse of a bridal shoot!

Our room

The view from our hall way's balcony

John Torode's Smiths of Smithfield

Macaroni cheese with smoked haddock

Corn beef Hash

Enjoying the complimentary slippers

The Theatre

Enjoying American pancakes and root beer in Soho

The Diner

Afternoon Tea at the hotel

For my 25th birthday the boyfriend very generously bought me tickets to see Diana Vickers on stage in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. This was followed with my mum offering to pay for our hotel. Thanks mum!

We booked the hotel via lastminute.com's top secret scheme. For those of you who aren't familiar, the hotel has such a good deal that they choose not to put their name to it until payment is received. You are given the star rating and a brief description of the hotel, keeping the address withheld until your payment is processed. We took a chance and ended up staying in a brand new 5* hotel, right next door to St Paul's Cathedral for £95. Result!

What a fabulous weekend! Super-duper posh hotel, discovering John Torode's cafe and loving the peanut butter milkshakes, wearing my gorgeously pink suede ruffle shoes bought especially for the occasion, hearing Diana's voice live and finding her impressions of Marilyn Monroe, Edith Piaf and Shirley Bassey dreamy, being hugely relieved to find Balans restaurant (recommended to us by my step-sister) after running in the rain and trying to avoid the puddles, window shopping on Oxford Street, satisfying a pancake craving at an American Diner and having a girl-crush on the girl behind the bar (think blonde Dita Von Teese), wishing Manchester had an underground system, looking out for celebs and wishing we could visit more often.

Stitches

2009-11-04T05:27:00.001-08:00

You may remember the fabulous Lipsy dress I treated myself to a few months a go. I bought it with a friend's wedding in mind and as the big day is only weeks away I thought it best I try it on and check all is still well. At the time it fitted beautifully but I must have lost some weight as the dress was slightly too big!

Drastic action needed to be taken. Spending the day hitching my dress up would not be ladylike, especially whilst juggling my glass of wine, camera and handbag, all wedding essentials!

Several of the men folk at work have their suits altered at Stitches so I decided to give it a try. Apparently they have contracts with lots of the big designer stores so if its good enough for them I thought its good enough for the Lipsy lovely.

One lunch time I wandered over, taking my friend for moral support, and waited in the queue to 'try on'. The fitting cubicle is in their reception area so having to stand in my socks and dress was slightly embarrassing!

I wasn't stood for long though, the staff were fantastic and very quick! A lady pinned in my dress, checking all the time that I was happy and then I was told it would be ready in an hour!

I collected the dress, paid my £14 and rushed home to try it! I was so impressed, once again it fitted perfectly and you couldn't even tell it had been altered, their work was faultless.

Fireflies

2009-11-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

On Friday evening the boyfriend took me to see Fireflies at The Lowry in Salford. What a fantastic, energetic, hilarious and heart rendering play!

I'm not even going to try and review it, I doubt I would do it the justice it deserves, so please click on the link and see what the professionals have written.

Red

2009-10-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in so long. My new job demands so much more of my time, gone are the long lunches when I could sit and write, find new recipes or search for pretty dresses on ASOS. My normally tidy house and well stocked fridge have both suffered and I have even been guilty of buying the odd ready meal, albeit from Marks and Spencers, to save me cooking. The secretary is so busy she needs her own secretary!

I did manage to find the time to escape to Edinburgh for my friend's hen do. It was a fabulous weekend filled with cocktails, gossiping and dancing! We hired a huge apartment which turned out to be a great idea, it meant we could all get ready together and drink wine with the X Factor on in the background before going out to try out Edinburgh's finest bars, then in the morning we sat in our pj's and ate mountains of toast.

A previous guest, another hen perhaps, had left May's edition of Red Magazine. Red is not a magazine I normally choose but it kept me entertained for the whole train journey home, quite a feat.

I really enjoyed so many of their features, in particular an interview with Jodi Picoult. I am a huge fan of Jodi's work, in particular My Sister's Keeper (I stress, the book and not the film) and Change of Heart. In the interview she listed the books that were important to her, including Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes which was written over 20 years a go. In Jodi's words 'it's about a profoundly retarded man who becomes a human guinea pig for a procedure to reverse his condition'. This will be my next read, no doubt it will be a weepy.

Another article that caught my eye was 'Making friends with food', a column written by food writer Joanna Weinberg. She writes so beautifully about the friendships she has formed over platefuls of delicious food. As someone who loves to cook, feed her friends and have people over for tea I read it nodding in agreement. Joanna tells us she isn't a host who executes four course triumphs but instead serves her guests simple stews with hunks of buttered bread and chocolate bars for pudding. She dreams of busy kitchens full of people stuffing their faces with their elbows on the table surrounded by empty bottles of wine. I dream of just that, once I have a kitchen big enough for the table!

Next time I am travelling on the train I know exactly what to buy for the journey.

2009-10-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

I was so proud of my Yorkshire puddings I wanted to show them off for all the world to see.

To me a Yorkshire pudding should be both crunchy and chewy, not too dissimilar to a meringue and golden in colour. Perfect with roast chicken or dipped in treacle for pudding!

New Shoes

2009-10-03T04:19:00.000-07:00

After whining on about my struggle to find work shoes that are comfortable, long lasting and most importantly cute, I never thought I'd find a new pair with such ease.

The pair from Next I posted about a few months a go have served me well, they are comfortable, look great and the heels have held up well against heavy footfall to and from work, but no shoes last forever. They are starting to look slightly worn and a new pair needed to be sourced.

On Friday my best friend visited for a pre-birthday (I turn 25 tomorrow) lunch and shopping trip. We met my friends in Piccolinos for a long and lovely lunch where I had seafood risotto, minus any evil parsley, and and two glasses of mega expensive wine (£7 a glass!). Then we headed to Marks and Spencer to find my friend's boyfriend, sorry Fiance, some winter gloves. A quick detour around the shoe section saw me cooing over the red lovelies I have pictured above. I tried them on expecting to be disappointed so was surprised when they fitted perfectly and at only £25, they were a bargain! I headed to the till impressed with my find.

On Monday I will be pairing them with my new black pencil skirt from H&M and heading to work with happy feet!

Lily Cole

2009-09-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

Lily Cole is beautiful. I would very much like to be her friend but after reading that she achieved 5 A's at A Level I fear I wouldn't quite cut it. Instead I will admire her from afar.

Redhead Day

2009-09-10T01:22:00.000-07:00

My sister sent me this link and I read it feeling rather proud! Coming from a family of redheads I find it fantastic that somebody would want to celebrate us in such a way. For years I have been saying how special we are and to read there is an annual ginger gathering and ginger-only modelling agencies surely confirms this.

All those bullies were just jealous, I'm sure of it.

My New Job

2009-09-07T05:14:00.000-07:00

Recently a fellow secretary at work announced she would be leaving the company to pursue a career in mental health nursing. For me this meant a job opportunity working for the Head of Department, a much busier role and a possible pay rise. I discussed it with the boyfriend and decided I had nothing to lose and applied.

Two interviews and a long 10 days later I was called in to a meeting to be told I had the job, if I wanted it. Of course I wanted it!

The boyfriend and I celebrated in Ning which for a Tuesday, was a real treat.

I start next Thursday, wish me luck!

Miss August Bride 2010

2009-09-07T05:04:00.000-07:00

As you know my best friend is getting married next August. She won't mind me telling you that she has gone slightly wedding crazy, understandably I suppose, I imagine I would too.

As a way of recording her plans and sharing her planning tales she has followed in my foot steps and set up a blog.

Enjoy!

x

Vivienne Westwood

2009-08-21T05:23:00.001-07:00

Me likey...

The Angel Take II

2009-08-15T05:32:00.000-07:00

On Friday evening the boyfriend and I went to The Angel to take full advantage of the fantastic Manchester Confidential deal, £15 for a three course meal. We first visited back in February and were so impressed I'm surprised we waited this long to go again.

It was a set menu, herb-scented mussel and port of Lancaster smoked haddock broth to start, pot roast pork loin with lyth valley damson and claret, roasted carrots and duck fat with fondant potato for the main course and summer pudding to finish.

Despite the restaurant failing to receive our booking through the ManCon website they couldn't have been more accommodating, quickly rearranging tables to fit us in. The service was excellent and the food, delicious. The pictures above are from the website and there were slight differences between the food you can see and what was presented, a mussel or two less, slightly less clotted cream but these things didn't matter. The portion sizes were perfect, we full satisfied but not too full.

I have never tried summer pudding before, always choosing something a bit naughtier but this was a pleasure to eat.

It was an excellent evening.

Cash 4 Kids

2009-08-12T06:55:00.001-07:00

A huge well done to my friend, Heather, for helping to raise money for Cash 4 Kids, a charity supporting deprived children in the North West of England.

Heather, her brother Graham and his work mates have raised a fantastic £5,269!

Click on the link below for more details...
www.justgiving.com/tower2tower09

Summer Holiday

2009-08-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

Bento boxes in Walrus

Grease at the open air cinema

On our motor boat on Lake Windermere

I have now returned to work following a wonderful week off.

On Monday we went to Hebden Bridge to stay with a family friend in her hotel. She had allocated us her 'Juliet' room, a lovely room with a balcony. In the evening I wore my new mint green Grecian dress then we met in the bar for wine before going to Rim Nam, a local Thai restaurant. The food was fantastic! Giant juicy prawns, succulent duck, lots of crispy, meat filled parcels dipped in salty soy and then a desert I wish I could remember but by then a wine fuelled fog had surrounded me.

Tuesday was spent wandering lazily round the shops and reading the latest OK! and Heat with big mugs of tea, slightly regretting the amount of wine I drank the night before. For dinner we went to a great pub, The Stubbings Wharf, for local cider and excellent pub grub. I had game stew in a huge Yorkshire pudding and the boyfriend had steak and ale pie. This was followed by a huge portion of treacle sponge and custard for me and cider sorbet for him. Both lovely. Then it was onto my friend's bar for their weekly quiz, where we missed out on first place by 1 point! I can't take any of the credit though, I only managed to answer the maths question. This wasn't down to too much wine, just my inability to retain general knowledge. I have since learnt though what the Kremlin is.

Wednesday was home to Manchester, a quick outfit change then straight to Selfridges. I bought a black and cream striped mini-dress from Warehouse and a new pair of leggings from Topshop. I could have bought much more, namely a pair of black trousers for work that fitted perfectly and a cute red puff sleeve jumper, but I resisted. I love wandering around Selfridges, especially the food section, lots of huge bowls of delicacies and delights that leave me lingering in front of the glass counter and ridiculously expensive American breakfast cereals that remind me of childhood trips to Florida. There are often new oils and balsamic vinegars to try and the spice section never fails to excite. Recently I bought some unexpectedly super-hot paprika which I tried in a Spanish beef stew, and loved, so this time I bought the sweet version. Then I headed to Marks and Spencer for fresh bread, three different cheeses, Parma ham, plum tomatoes and chutney, all things that make for a very tasty, but effortless meal.

Thursday we got an early train to Windermere hoping for sunshine, a boat trip, fish and chips and lots of greedy ducks to feed. The pretty tourist town delivered, with the exception of rubbish 'chippy' chips (coming from Grimsby I have high expectations of fish and chip shops). We had a fantastic day, thankfully we had remembered the factor 30, with my red hair and pale skin I am very careful in the sun. Plus tans are horrid and the plan is to look 35 when really I am 50. We had to endure a long and noisy two hour train journey where a group of teenage campers sang every track on their I pod libraries, out loud and might I add, terribly, and, to make a bad situation worse, a group of toddlers squealed for a whole hour without once being told by their parents to shush. Then we went to Spinningfields to watch Grease at the open air cinema. Our seats weren't great but the popcorn and complimentary glass of Eve certainly helped and we had fun. I walked home singing...'totally devoted to youuuuuuu'.

On Friday we went to Walrus for bento boxes (very tasty but soggy tempura prawns) then wandered to the Chocolate Cafe for hot chocolates and chocolate marshmallows, both gorgeous. We sat in the sunshine and watched the world go by. Then it was home for a short sleep, (just a short one, you should never over cook the power nap) before getting dressed up and heading to EastzEast for possibly one of the best Indian meals I've ever had. A busy restaurant with a good atmosphere, excellent service, nice wine and a very good choice of dishes. To kick-start we had poppadoms and the pickle tray which had pickles I'd never tried before, like plum and ginger. For our main course I had the prawn dopiaza, the boyfriend had the chicken shashlik which is served with a masala chickpea sauce, and we shared a peshwari naan. For pudding I chose a traditional Indian desert that was soft white patties in a milk syrup delicately flavoured with saffron, cardomon and pistachios. It was all delicious. I have been raving about it ever since and can't wait to go again. Next time I'll make sure I haven't been out for lunch only hours before and actually have an appetite.

Saturday we had a very late breakfast in Cup and bumped into my friend, her husband and their beautiful son Roman. Then we saw The Taking of Pelham 123 at the cinema which we enjoyed. I had planned on seeing Coco Before Chanel, but I hadn't realised this was in French and rather shamefully subtitles on the big screen are a bit too much for me. I'll wait for the DVD.

Sunday was back to Hebden Bridge to meet my mum and sister and their men folk for Sunday dinner, expertly cooked by my friend. It was gorgeous! Roast chicken, huge Yorkshire puddings, creamy mash, lots of veggies and excellent homemade gravy. The sun was still shining and we were home in time for Jam and Jerusalem and Louis Theroux's latest.

You'll notice that food featured heavily in our week off, as a result this evening I will be torturing myself in front of my Davina DVD in the hope that if I get off my ar*e and do it three times a week I'll be back to my normal size in a month or so. Here's hoping.

It was a pleasure to spend a week with the boyfriend, he is rather good company!

Roman

2009-08-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

A quick update on my friend's new baby. With her permission I can now say welcome to little baby Roman Arthur!

He is adorable and is already making his mummy and daddy very happy.

I hope I look as well as my friend does this soon after giving birth, she looks fab.

Ruby Red Toes

2009-08-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

At 5.30pm on Thursday my annual leave officially began! The boyfriend and I have a week off work, our first since Christmas.

I headed straight to The Macdonald Hotel for a luxury pedicure! I recently entered a competition on Manchester Confidential to win an over night stay at the hotel and unlimited use of the spa. Sadly I didn't win but entrants were given 50% off treatments for the whole of August. A perfect way to start my week.

It was such a treat, an hour of being pampered. I chose ruby red nail polish and my typically not-so-pretty feet now look beautiful! The red goes splendidly with my black Bertie sandals and padding bare foot around our flat makes me happy.

I have been carefully planning our week off and after a quick trip to Grimsby to visit my dentist and an oh-my-god grey, meant to be white, filling later I'm back in Manchester, wine in hand with dinner in the oven. The boyfriend is out with 12 friends from Lancaster, his home town. Apparently having a lads night out on our week off is ok because its the weekend and only the week days count as actual annual leave! Hmm.

Our plans include Coco Before Chanel and too much popcorn, visiting my friend/adopted big sister and her son at her gorgeous hotel in Hebden Bridge, a day out in Windermere, eating too much in EastzEast, testing The Chocolate Cafe's hot chocolate which I'm informed is 'lush, rich and an endorphin inducing revelation', wandering round Selfridges in the hope I leave with a new yellow bag, having breakfast in Cup, pretending I'm abroad and wearing pretty outfits.

Super.

Hen Party

2009-07-22T02:20:00.000-07:00

This week I began the daunting, but equally exciting task of planning my best friend’s hen do. The bride has decided she would like Ladies Day at Newcastle Racecourse to be the main event and what the bride wants, the bride gets. I hope. This makes a refreshing change from a pub crawl in Blackpool wearing matching t-shirts and penis shaped headbands. Not that I don’t love a penis shaped headband, quite the contrary.

I’ve heard on the bridalvine that the best man is planning a long weekend in Benidorm for the stag do. My initial reaction to this was slight panic. Having to compete with sunshine, cheap cocktails and sandy beaches was going to be quite the challenge. But then I realised that firstly, it isn’t a competition and secondly, the bride’s wishes are completely different to the groom’s and as long as I follow her guidelines I’ll be fine. Plus, without offending the stags, isn't Benidorm a bit tacky?

On an obviously more important point, a long weekend in Benidorm doesn’t warrant posh dresses, fascinators and fabulous shoes.

One of my fellow bridesmaids prudently asked if it was too early to start shopping. My response? Its never too early to start shopping.

Give Blood

2009-07-21T05:48:00.000-07:00

As a student I gave blood fairly regularly, anything for free tea and biscuits, but since graduating I’ve only been once or twice which is terrible considering there is a drop in centre within walking distance of my office (Norfolk House Donor Clinic).

Last week my friends and I decided to make the effort to go so appointments were made and armed with the latest OK! I went today to donate my pint!

The two orange club biscuits afterwards made it all worth it.

I promise to try and make it a regular thing.

A New Arrival

2009-07-15T04:06:00.000-07:00

From previous posts, in particular 'Baby Shower' you will know a friend of mine has been expecting a baby.

Well, the baby has arrived!

I've not asked for permission to post this so for now all I will say that 'it' is a little boy and mummy and baby are doing well.

Congratulations! Can't wait to meet the little guy.

I will be popping to The White Company during my lunch break to choose a gift. (After 39 hours of labour, yes you read that right, I doubt my friend will read this for a while so it will remain a surprise!).

Huge Feet

2009-07-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

This morning I realised I hadn't updated you on the French Sole situation.

I met my friend (who is due to give birth in exactly 6 days!) for lunch at Bacchanalia (average, nothing special) before heading to Selfridges. Upon arrival we discovered that oh heck, they had a sale on. My French Soles were reduced by £36, a huge saving!

Their website warned me that their sizes are on the small side but I was stunned, traumatised even, that I needed a size 8, I'm normally a 6 and a half! But the purchase was made and I went home to parade around my flat in my new 'I've just been promoted and I've wanted these for months' shoes.

And then it hit. They were too small. The next day I returned to Selfridges to wish them well and say goodbye, more trauma!

I am awaiting an email from frenchsole.com to inform me that the next size is back in stock.

Miss Senior Secretary!

2009-06-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

Just a short post to share with you all some news...

My work have promoted me to Senior Secretary! Whoop whoop!

Tomorrow I shall be meeting my friends for lunch and proposing a trip to Selfridges to finally, yawn, buy the French Soles I have been dreaming about.

Hopefully I'll be skipping home with a yellow shoe box shaped bag!

Betty Silver

2009-06-22T04:58:00.000-07:00

A friend and I hadn't made plans for the weekend so decided to treat Betty Silver to an outing and get together for a sewing day. Once she arrived the boyfriend was put to good use and sent for wine and Maltesers. One wine bottle turned into 3. I don't know what's worse, the calories or the units?

10 months a go I bought some black and white flock fabric from material heaven Abakhan. It was a bargain and I had every intention of making cushion covers but never quite managed to make a start.

With my friend's encouragement we made a return trip to purchase the cushions needed and with scissors in one hand and wine in the other we began our envelope cover mission with a little help from Kirstie.

We had a great afternoon, I was so chuffed with the end results! The boyfriend has been warned that if I find a single droplet of spilt tea on my beautiful cushions he'll be shipped back to his mum's!

To my sewing partner, thanks for all your help! x

Baby Shower

2009-06-15T02:48:00.000-07:00

Baby showers are an American thing recently adopted by us English folk, although suitably toned down, thankfully. No-one could compete with the Tiffany gifts given at Miranda’s baby shower as seen on Sex and the City. Lets not be silly.

A friend of mine is 8 months pregnant and as I love to bake and feed people I suggested we organise a small tea party/baby shower for her and some friends. One last get together before the baby arrives and life is never the same again.

After being told not to ‘make a fuss’ I decided to ignore the boss and secretly ordered some decorations from babyshowerhost.com. Who knew these websites existed? There must be some keen baby shower hosts out there. I was also directed, by the gorgeous Nigella, to a fab online specialist cake company where I found the rather cute cookie cutters, as pictured above.

Then I set about planning my menu. We decided against alcohol from the off, if the star of the show couldn't drink I didn't think it was fair to let everyone else get giggly on the wine (plenty of time for that after the stork drops off the new arrival). As afternoon tea was the theme I decided upon smoked salmon sandwiches and cute cup cakes plus one show stopping cake to grace my Nigella cake stand. Any excuse to show it off.

Saturday was spent tied to a hot oven wishing outdoor kitchens existed. Then Sunday arrived and we whizzed through homemade lemonade, chocolate and Guinness cup cakes, a stunning red velvet cake with American frosting, rocking horse shaped double choc chip cookies (the Flamingos were sadly made redundant – their skinny legs and necks made transporting the pre-cooked cookie from work top to baking tray near impossible), sandwiches and orange jellies with jelly babies hidden inside. What a mission but 2.30pm arrived and we were ready. There was a slight last minute rush but my friend’s husband helped out by getting the ladders out and putting up our bunting!

We had a great afternoon, two of the girls bought their children, one being just a year old and the other only 7 weeks! Gifts were given, photos were taken and it was a really lovely occasion.

My latest lovely from Lipsy

2009-05-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

I wasn't actively on the look out for a new dress but when one catches your eye and dazzles you it's hard to resist. Even harder when it fits perfectly and looks fabulous! Pay day had finally arrived only a few days previously so I knew I could afford to splash out and with summer practically on the door step I figured I'd need a new dress for all the parties I was planning on attending!

This little darling is strapless, has origami pleats in the skirt, a deep waistband and a boned bodice. Gorgeously perfect for this season. I honestly couldn't help it!

The Gorgeous Girls Aloud

2009-05-31T11:03:00.000-07:00

This post is a little late, I had hoped to get it written last week but I've been a busy girl enjoying the glorious sunshine, shopping and drinking wine. A little too much of the latter two, but that's another post!

As you know, my friends and I headed to Birmingham to see the fabulous Girls Aloud one Wednesday in May. A hotel was booked, a dress was bought and I was excited!

It was my job to print off directions to the hotel and the NIA, Google helped me out and I had the maps at the ready. Once we were all lip glossed and looking lovely we headed out to the venue. My friend, map in hand, lead us girls to...not the NIA, but Birmingham's business quarter. I'd mistakenly printed directions to the law courts. Never again will I be given the task of sorting out directions.

A speedy emergency taxi ride later we eventually arrived! Once wands (a tradition) and drinks were purchased we took our seats, which were, by the way, excellent!

The next morning we all woke up with super hangovers wishing we'd gone a bit easier on the Sailor Jerry's, fantastic night though! Thanks girls! x

Stop! Shoe Thief!

2009-05-22T01:17:00.000-07:00

After seeing the gorgeous Girls Aloud in Birmingham I spent the return trip to Manchester nursing a mega hangover. This was made even worse by a text I received informing me that another secretary at work has my new shoes! My new fabulous frill shoes! I go away for 2 days and look what happens.

Quite frankly I pride myself in keeping well away from the hugely predictable uniform of black trousers and white shirts, like lots of office workers, and always make the effort to dress with a little more imagination.

My new shoes fit perfectly into my wardrobe. I especially love wearing them over brightly coloured tights, which I often do, the frill really stands out and bright tights make your day pop.

Having the same shoes as another secretary is not something I'll enjoy.

Run fat boy, run!

2009-05-19T05:36:00.000-07:00

On Sunday the boyfriend ran the Bupa Great Manchester Run, achieving a running time of 58 minutes, not bad after only 5 weeks training. My friend's husband was also running and us girls spent the day supporting our men and cheering them on.

The boyfriend raised £220 for Marie Curie and my friend's husband ran to support the Stoke Association, raising £445.

Well done boys, heres to next year! Maybe I'll join you...

Monthly Gatherings

2009-05-13T05:10:00.000-07:00

I have a small group of girl friends in Manchester, all of whom I met at work and have been secretary to, and once a month we try to get together at someones house for drinks, nibbles and plentiful gossip. It's a winning combination.

Its no surprise that when 5 girls get together and drink cocktails things become lively, but some occasions are more eventful than others. Last Summer I was cooking potatoes in my friend's kitchen and after detecting a strange smell I discovered my top was on fire! A piercingly loud scream (by me), 4 blank faces and a very quickly thought-out shake of the fabric later I was left in my jeans and bra in shock! I still to this day blame cooking with gas, we at home have electric, and not the 3 glasses of wine I had gulped.

We're all getting older now and we even have a party member with-child so evenings together are sometimes a little more sedate, getting so drunk you can't speak properly isn't all that funny, more mortifying, when one of you is on the lemonade! She's kind though, she doesn't sit and make embarrassing jibes about the foolish things we've done (thankfully!). Behaviour like that and she'd be struck off.

As we're all readers and the occasional book swap has been known to happen I had the idea of introducing an official book swap. It turned out a success!

At the moment I am, for the second time, trying to get through The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I lazily gave up the first time after deciding it was too intelligent for me but I've been encouraged to make the effort and give it another go.

We arrive, pour the drinks, swap books, trash someones kitchen, greedily eat the host's offerings then drink and gossip well into the night.

Moving to Manchester was quite daunting but this group of friends and our evenings together has made living here all the more wonderful.

My New Outfit!

2009-05-12T05:51:00.000-07:00

As you know the boyfriend and I are attending a work friend's wedding reception at the weekend and I wasn't sure what to wear. Panic hadn't quite set in but I was getting concerned...

I ummed and ahhed over my Marlene Birger dress but its rather special and I don't want to show it off too often, plus dry cleaning bills are rediculous!

As usual I wanted a new outfit but my budget was teeny tiny! I scouted around on ASOS and a few other websites for inspiration and found the above. Its cute, summery and perfect for a wedding reception with the dress code 'casual'. What does that even mean?!

I found a floral tulip skirt in Primark for a tenner and a black bandeau top in H&M for a fiver. Perfect and at £15, its an offical bargain! I'll be teaming my new finds with the evil purple New Look shoes I've been complaining about. Wish me luck!

Busy Times

2009-05-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

Busy busy times have arrived.

On Saturday the boyfriend and I hopped on the tram and went to see An Inspector Calls at The Lowry Theatre. I studied the play at school and really enjoyed it so I was very much looking forward to seeing it on stage. Stupidly I left my glasses at home and our seats weren't great but the set was fantastic and we had a great time. After the play we went to Walrus for their Beef Mussaman, its delicious!

Over the weekend I started a new project, as I've said before I hate denim skinnies so out came Betty Silver the sewing machine and now the unwanted skinnies are on their way to being transformed into a fab pencil skirt.

For his last birthday I bought the boyfriend tickets to see Eric Clapton play at the MEN. That’s happening on Thursday. Can't wait to hear Layla.

Friday I have the day off work to travel to Grimsby as my friend has bought my sister and I tickets to see Derren Brown. That will be interesting, I’m prepared to come away totally baffled and questioning life itself. Or I might decide he's a big fraud...I'll update you.

Saturday its back to Manchester to attend a work friend’s wedding reception. As of yet I don't have an outfit, no wonder I'm not sleeping at night. I'm thinking perhaps my recently dry cleaned bright pink Marlene Birger dress with the horses, hounds and foxes paired with my new black Bertie sandals.

Sunday the boyfriend is running the Great Manchester Run for Marie Curie. When I first heard of this and his date to start training came and went I was rather worried he'd look an idiot and I'd be forced to deny even knowing him but now training is in full force and I'm actually rather proud!

Next week me and 3 friends are staying over in Birmingham (boo hoo, hideous place) to see Girls Aloud. Miss Selfridge served me well and I have a very cute new dress for the occasion. My new dress, my friends, a twinkle wand, a few cocktails and a hot dog makes for fabulous evening!

Flamingos

2009-05-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

Ah the flamingo...

Some days I wish I were a flamingo. Gloriously pink and elegantly balanced on one leg basking in the Florida sunshine. They are quite simply beautiful. Lately I've noticed a few flamingo decorated items on the high street.

Disappointingly the fabulous flamingo isn't being showcased quite as spectacularly as it should. In particular Next, before uni I worked there and frankly the above items scream Next. And not in a good way.

Topshop didn't do much better.

There's nothing glorious or fabulous about Topshop's efforts. Dull dull dull.

ASOS did much better. This dress is pretty, feminine and perfect for the summer.

I'm secretly hoping that a flamingo craze wont spread the nation but just incase it does, I loved them first!

When the boyfriend and I finally get round to buying a house this will most certainly be my first major purchase.

This picture was taken in the men's toilets of a Miami zoo in 1998 when Hurricane George threatened their safety.

The Great Search

2009-05-04T06:45:00.001-07:00

I was born with rather odd toes.

Apparently when I was a toddler my mum would tape my toes together in an attempt to straighten them out. Growing up people dared to presume that my parents bought me cheap, ill-fitting shoes. What they didn't know was that when my dad was a young man he was the Assistant Manager of Clarks and learnt the importance of a well fitting shoe! Throughout my childhood he insisted my sister and I get fitted properly at Clarks and wear 'proper shoes'. The measuring machine and Princes Key made it all worth it, I was so proud! Things turned sour when I became a Clarks wearing teenager surrounded by friends sporting the latest Kickers.

My sister, who has perfect feet (although she's a size 5 and at 5 ft 8 that clearly makes her a freak), loves to tease me for mine. Only last month when I stepped on my mum's Wii in bare feet she pointed and laughed! Sisters can be so mean.

This weekend the boyfriend and I spent some time at my friend's house and we got onto the subject of shoes. Clearly not believing me when I moaned that because of my feet I struggle to buy shoes that fit I decided to do something most unheard of: I showed them! My friend soon understood but her husband wasn't convinced. He proceeded to get on his hands and knees for a closer look! The shame!

Not only are my toes freaky, shoes never fit me properly and to top it off, a lot of shoes I do buy are ruined within weeks.

Recently I bought a pair of black, patent, lace up heels from Wallis. I wore them for one day, on the 10 minute walk to work, around the office, up and down the aisles in Tesco and then home again. After only one day and hardly over-use one heal had come loose and there was a hole in the toe of the right shoe! Ruined and beyond repair they went in the bin!

Maybe its the way I walk?

To replace the Wallis pair, keeping in mind I'd already spent money on work shoes once this month, I bought a cheap pair in New Look that seemed to fit at the time but after a day at work I walked home in pain upset that I'd wasted even more money! They'll no doubt live at the back of the wardrobe for the next 6 months until I admit they don't fit and throw them away.

Only a rich man buys cheap shoes. I am neither male nor rich. But here is my dilemma, do I buy cheap shoes knowing there's a chance they'll be ruined within a week or do I risk buying expensive shoes, in the hope they will last?

Over the last few days, since the painful walk home in the cheap New Look pair, I've been on a mission to find the perfect pair of shoes. I thought carefully and decided the shoes had to be...

reasonably priced (£30-£40)
2-3 inches high - I'm 5ft 7 and giant secretaries are scary
black - to match most outfits
a material that cannot be damaged when being caught between paving slabs on the Manchester streets!

I have looked in 10 shops and tried on over 50 pairs of shoes. I never thought shoe shopping could depress me this much. They either didn't fit, were too expensive, pinched, rubbed, were uncomfortable or just plain ugly.

I've been thinking of jobs that don't require wearing nice shoes and now I'm seriously considering quitting my job to follow in my Dad's footsteps and become a plasterer. Do overalls come in pink?

Tesco

2009-04-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Super Find!

2009-04-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

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

Its darrling!

Weekend Activities

2009-04-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-04-03T03:38:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

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?

Pink GHD's

2009-03-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

I have been wrestling with my curly locks for years now. Before straighteners were invented I thought maybe if I brushed my hair 100 times my unruly curls might drop out. They didn't. Now I don't even own a hair brush, but I have discovered Frizz Ease.

When I was about 14 my Nana bought me Babyliss straighteners out the Argos catalogue. They had interchangeable plates, wave, straight and crimp. I used to spend hours trying to get my hair straight.

I did eventually upgrade from my £15 white and pink straighteners but surprisingly I never bought a pair of GHD's. I always wanted some, all my friends had a pair, but to me they were always too expensive so I made do with a cheaper option.

I have, in time, learnt to appreciate my curls and they do make an appearance very occasionally, mainly for my Grandparents who aren't fans of my straight hair!

Yesterday the boyfriend and I headed to Hebden Bridge to visit my friend and stay in her gorgeous hotel.

We had a fantastic time, excellent company, lovely food, lots to drink, a lie-in and no hangover! It was made even better by the gift bag waiting for me with a pair of fabulously bright pink GHD's inside! Aren't I a lucky girl? A very straightened lucky girl.

I was truly spoilt. Thank you! x

French Sole

2009-03-18T06:14:00.000-07:00

Now I've definitely decided to treat my feet and start saving for my first pair of French Soles I realise I will have to make the all important decision. Which pair do I choose? Being the most indecisive person in the land the decision will not happen easily.

Do I go for the quilted patent black pair that will go with everything? Or should I choose the classic French cream and black pair? Or do I act my age and choose leopard print? And if so, leopard print with black toes or leopard print with a pink trim?

Which would you choose? Please help me!

Phoebe

2009-03-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

This morning on my walk to work, in between wishing I’d made time for breakfast and thinking maybe I shouldn’t have stayed up until half past midnight watching The Departed (Mark Wahlberg is yum!) I noticed the sun, or Phoebe as my mum would say, had finally made an appearance.

What a delight! It’s a good job because the elastic on my Christmas hat (to be clear, a hat I received at Christmas, not a Christmas themed hat) has just about given up on life and the not quite matching clash of my purple mac and purple suede gloves was starting to bug me.

Surely now I’m not braving the arctic conditions to get to work I can start planning my spring/summer wardrobe! Any excuse…

I am thinking lots of pretty floral dresses, cream cardi’s, pearls, totally over the top corsages, bows for my hair and white gloves, with cute t-bar flats or ballerina pumps. And those white tights I’ve had my eye on. Won't I be a cutie pie?

At the end of the month the boyfriend and I will be crossing the border to visit a friend in Swansea. It’s a long journey and I am thinking of sourcing a travel Guess Who and maybe even Yahtzee to keep us entertained. Heck, the boyfriend will be thrilled.

According to my friend, my fashion plans would be wasted on Swansea (no offence Swansea, I’m taking her word for it) so it's probably best I wait until we get back to hit the shops.

There’s no harm in looking though is there? A girl can look.

ASOS seldom lets me down (bar their occasional display of disappointing customer service) but today I found very few items of interest.

Topshop fared better.

French Sole ( http://www.frenchsole.com/index.php) had so many pretty flats, I think I owe it to my feet to save up and splash the boat out.

What are your spring/summer plans?

Living on a budget

2009-03-06T07:15:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to say how impressed I was with this.

Lucinda was rather posh in The Apprentice so I am surprised she coped so well and saw the funny side in serving 6p a packet Angel Delight at a dinner party!

Personally I love Angel Delight, butterscotch is probably my favourite but the other flavours are tasty too.

I have a friend who has just signed on JSA, maybe she will take note and start making carrot soup to survive?

Skinnies

2009-03-04T01:49:00.000-08:00

Skinny jeans are so overrated.

In fact I hate skinny jeans. They are so restrictive, you can't bend your knees and when you sit down the whole world sees your knickers, it's not attractive. Plus denim fades. And they rather unflatteringly bag at the zip area.

Skinny trousers are the way forward. Far more forgiving, better movement and normally a lot cheaper than jeans. Plus they don't fade and you can eat bigger dinners (always a bonus).

H&M do excellent skinny trousers for £15. I have them in purple and black. Great for work, shopping and nights out. They serve me well.

Yesterday I bought another black pair with pink polka dots. They are rather special. Come dress down Friday they will be going on their first outing.

In Victoria Beckham's 'That Extra Half an Inch' Mrs Beckham warned that if you wear skinnies with flats you'll look like a golf club. I disagree! Admittedly I'd rather wear skinnies with flats on size 4 feet than my size 7's but I don't think I resemble a golf club. I'm not skinny enough for a start.

When Spring finally shows it's face I'll be transforming my denim skinnies into a mini. They are so last year.

Long may the skinny trouser reign.

My Nan

2009-03-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

My Nana made the best Corned Beef Ash (no H) ever. When my sister and I were little we would go to her house and that's what we'd have. We would sit at the table and eat huge platefuls with plastic white bread and butter. We loved it. When I went to university my nana wrote to me with the recipe and I have been making it ever since.

I absolutely insist that you try it.

Heres the recipe...

3 large potatoes
1 or 2 cans of corned beef, depending on the size of your casserole dish (and you greed for corned beef)
1 large onion
a small jug of ready made gravy

Put your corned beef in the freezer for 15 minutes, this helps you to slice it thinly and evenly. Peel and halve your onion and cut into thin half moons, mustn't be chopped any further, the soft stringy onions add to it. Then peel and slice your potatoes thinly.

Put a layer of potatoes in any oven proof dish (a lid doesn't matter), then add a layer of the corned beef slices, then scatter over some of the onion half moons. Repeat until the bowl is full, making sure the top layer is potatoes. Then pour over the gravy. Bake in a hot oven for 90 minutes. Test with a knife to check all the potatoes are soft. You might need to put tin foil underneath the dish to catch any drips of gravy. Cleaning ovens isn't fun.

It's perfect comfort food.

Nana was also a fantastic baker. Sausage rolls, mince pies at Christmas, plum bread (a joy with butter and cheese), coconut tarts. When I was young she would let me sit on the work top and help weigh out ingredients and be her little assistant. She taught me well.

Miss you already Nan. Don't have any kids in.

x

Flippin 'eck!

2009-02-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

Pancake Day has arrived!

I was reminded of this last week whilst queueing for my OK! in Sainsbury's. This lazy person's short cut, see left, was on offer in a bargain bin on route to the till. I know the idea isn't to buy ingredients for pancakes, but instead to use what we have left in the larder before lent, but this is taking it to a new level! (Although admittedly, I doubt I'll be giving anything up for lent so I should hardly be preaching about the ins and outs of Shrove Tuesday).

Are people such poor cooks that they can't mix a cup of flour, 2 eggs and some milk? How hard can it be?

I was looking forward to getting the whisk out and the boyfriend even offered to do the mixing. Our fillings of choice were the classic lemon and sugar and a new one for us, banana and chocolate spread.

I managed 5, how about you? Are you a buyer or a mixer?

Birding

2009-02-23T12:15:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been coveting pendants. In particular birds and words. Never before have I taken such a keen interest in birds. I am becoming a bird watcher, does that make me a twitcher?

Accessorize are offering lots of lovely birds, I found this Bird in a Cage pendant (£10) rather special but was weary of somebody over excitedly making a play for it and giving the poor thing a heart attack.

I was in the shop on Saturday for so long that the boyfriend had to go and 'wait outside'. By doing this he thinks he can coax me out like a terrier in a rabbit hole, he's wrong. I ended up choosing a word, Forever (£6). It was tough going for a minute.

A few years ago I saw word pendants as school girl chic, and not in a good way, but since the famous 'Carrie' pendant I have grown to like them. This, of course, depends on the word you choose. At the Clothes Show I saw a 'Special' pendant and was about to part with my pennies when my friend reminded me of what 'Special' can sometimes mean. It was an awful shame.

Any other twitchers out there?

The Angel

2009-02-21T05:16:00.000-08:00

For 2 days this week we haven't had hot water at home and in February it can make a girl mardy. I decided an evening out was well deserved.

People had told me good things about The Angel so at 4pm I decided to try and book, rather last minute I know but if you don't buy a ticket you can't win the raffle. They had a table, we were in.

I'd been told to expect an old man's pub with horrid toilets and excellent food. An unusual combination. I rang the boyfriend and ordered him to down tools and come home early, a rare occurrence but when cold showers were on the cards for the following morning he really had little choice.

So glad I made that call, the food was delicious. Rack of lamb for me, Wood Pidgeon and Black Pudding for him, with lovely fondant potatoes and buttery veg. Yum. I was looking forward to jam roly poly and custard but it had a night off unfortunately. Instead I settled for rice pudding which was delicious and very vanilliary. He had the eccles cakes which were served with thick, generous wedges of cheese. A good choice.

My sources were right, it was full of old men, the toilets were horrific and the food was excellent. We'll be going again!

Tonight I'm dressing up and going out with the girls for cocktails and dancing. They'll be no old men and I'll be too drunk to care about horrid toilets.

Life is good.

Girls Aloud

2009-02-19T12:05:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge Girls Aloud fan so was mega thrilled when they won their 1st ever Brit last night for Best Single with The Promise. I'm not ashamed to admit that a small tear was shed.

Its been a long time coming, six years, so Sarah was definitely on the money when she screamed: 'It's about time!'! It certainly was.

The girls looked stunning, a sharp contrast to how they looked when they started out, in particular Nicola. Shes my favourite, must be a ginger thing, I was a massive Geri fan too. I loved Nicola's dress, she has impeccable taste and looked like a porcelain doll.

I would get married in that dress!

I'm looking forward to May when I'll be seeing Girls Aloud with my friends in Birmingham. Get your twinkly wands ready girls!

Bread and Butter

2009-02-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

I'm never one to keep quiet about new discoveries and fab finds and this place definitely qualifies.

A friend and I planned to meet today, I owed her after she kindly bought me dinner last week and subsequently sent me home drunk (and on a school night!) so we headed to Tib Street (Manchester) for a Bread and Butter fix.

It's the sweetest place, very pink and girly and we frequent regularly. I adore their cup cakes and was so impressed by their Guinness Cake that I stole the recipe and had a go myself, with huge success! (Nigella does an excellent version)

Their main offering are yummy piadinas with fillings like homemade meatballs and mozzarella, spicy chic pea, onion marmalade and mozzarella (my personal favourite) and minted lamb, although this has recently turned into Moroccan lamb which doesn't work so well. As an extra you get a small serving of homemade coleslaw and salad.

It can be quite hit and miss, depending on what you choose but for the mega cheap prices, plentiful peppermint tea and glorious sweet offerings you have to keep going back. They did once stock Twinings Rose Tea but haven't had it lately which is a shame as it tasted just like turkish delight, I loved it.

I'm all for supporting local businesses and when the seats are heart shaped I simply can't resist.

I've heard a few negative comments (only a few, mind) about the service but whenever I go in the staff are all really friendly and the service speedy. Plus some of the girls who work there look rather fabulous and their outfits are always worth a look.

Often on a Saturday when the boyfriend is otherwise engaged I'll treat myself to Glamour magazine and lazily sit with a latte and huge slice of cake before wandering round the shops trying on shoes I can't afford. Perfect. Well, nearly, perfect would be being able to afford the shoes!

Check it out!

Ps- Today Nigella's website (which I love love love) directed me to the cutest website - http.//www.coxandcox.co.uk

Jog on? How rude!

2009-02-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

Please accept my apologies in advance, today I need to rant. I did warn you I might.

Have you ever wondered why people feel the need to constantly use phrases like 'at the end of the day' and 'you get me, yeah?'? To me, it simply highlights their lack of intelligence and inability to extend their vocabulary beyond irritating idioms. I asked people in the office their thoughts and they all agreed, adding that phrases like 'can we touch base?' and 'at this moment in time' are hugely overused and meaningless.

A fairly new one that I find truly annoying is 'innit', especially when used at the end of a sentence. (Well, mainly then because most of us have lazily shortened isn't it to innit and thats quite acceptable)

"Lets go to the pub, innit' If this is you then you sound like a moron! A friend at uni was guilty of this and it made me want to slap her.

Recently a friend's brother told me to 'jog on'. I couldn't decide whether it made me feel 100 years old or glad to be past phrases like that. End of, that's another. Thankfully my boyfriend has never thrown that me at me during an argument but when he does I might have to consider replacing him.

The misuse of the word 'literally', 'I literally died I was so hungover' or 'that electricity bill was literally an arm and a leg'. No, it really wasn't.

Does saying 'no offence, but...' qualify you to say something offensive?

I admit that some idioms are meant to be fun and I am guilty of using some myself, in particular the phrase 'how rude' and the overuse of the word 'like'. "I like, love those shoes!' But I am trying to cut back. Honest.

Ok, that's enough, rant over. I even bore myself sometimes.

On a far more cheerful note I returned to Marks and Spencer yesterday for the white version of the underwear set I bought last week. It had to be done! Now I'm much less worried about being run over.

The underwear strike is over

2009-02-14T02:48:00.000-08:00

For ages now I have worried about getting run over. Apart from the obvious concern of dying, theres the thought of the ambulance people seeing my ill-fitting bras and cheap cotton knickers from Next (sometimes with a hole in). Oh the shame!

Yesterday I decided enough was enough!

I had the aftertoon off work to meet up with my friend Lesley. We had a lovely lunch in Bluu of fish finger sandwiches and skinny fries with a glass of pink for me and red for her, yum.

(Please check out Lesley's fab boutique hotel in Hebden Bridge)

Anyway I digress....

After Lesley went home I had a few hours to kill before meeting another friend for another glass of wine (heck its difficult isn't it?) so decided to tackle the underwear situation.

Next didn't offer me much and New Look was quite frankly just cheap and horrid so I headed to Marks and Spencer. On first glance I didn't like much but then found and tried on the lovely set in the picture. Pretty, practical and wouldn't make even the cruelest of ambulance staff laugh!

Underwear shopping? Done!

I want never gets

2009-02-11T10:08:00.000-08:00

Just a few things I've been wishing for lately...

Gucci by Gucci

This new Gucci perfume is delicious! Love the packaging too.

Elizabeth Arden's new Eight Hour Lip Protectant (£15.75)

I have a rather disgusting habit, I pick my lips (gross, I know!) and have tried every lip product going. Normally my budget would be a lot less than the RRP for this but I'm thinking it could be worth the extra pennies. With Valentines coming up maybe someone will treat me?

Lunch at The Modern

I tried to book The Modern last time my mum and her husband visited but it was fully booked. The menu looks gorge! This Friday I am meeting a friend for lunch and this could be a contender but is a little extravagant so far from pay day. Oh, the waiting!

Pink Suede Pointy Flats from New Look (£25)

Oh heck, aren't these fabulous? I recently bought the black patent ones and took ages deciding which to choose, I figured rainy Manchester wouldn't be so kind to pink suede. I still have Christmas gift vouchers so may have to make a return trip! It wouldn't be so wrong would it?

A renewed OK! magazine subscription.

I have bought OK! every week without fail (well, nearly every week, I did go on strike once when I was getting fed up of Kerry Katona) for years now and as a birthday present my work bought me a 3 month subscription. Each Wednesday I would sneak out into the communal hallway where I live (normally in slippers and half an outfit) to check the post box! The only down side to a subscription is that you have to wait an extra day but it does save queueing in the Sainbury's round the corner from work, and it means you avoid the chocolate aisle!

The third Jennifer Worth book, Farewell to the East End.

I have a huge interest in Midwifery and have loved this series. The final is out in April so I am waiting, not so patiently! I keep meaning to write to Jennifer and congratulate her, its on my to-do list. Jennifer, if you are reading, please keep writing!

Lulu Guinness Cameo Tiny Umbrella (£25.00)

My nana has lots of cameo jewellery so whenever I see it I think of her, combined with Lulu Guinness, who's designs are amazing, this umbrella would be perfect, especially as recently my rather beautiful polka dot brolly went missing. Stop, brolly thief!

What's on your wish list? Don't be shy.

Love

2009-02-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

Whilst taking a break from typing reports at work (yawn) I was scouring ASOS for cute accessories and found this fab necklace. Its a copy of the LOVE keyring Jenifer Hudson's character, Louise from St Louis, gave to Carrie in the Sex and the City movie.

Tomorrow I will definitely be making a purchase!

It was amazing to hear they are making a sequel, I loved the first movie. Bring on 2010!

Pink Tulips

2009-02-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

While out and about on Saturday I came across this little beauty. Isn't she lovely? At £35 she was a little pricey (sob sob) so instead of crying about being in the red I treated myself to a bunch of pink tulips instead, much cheaper at £3. They are equally beautiful although sadly will die after a week (so the label tells me).

I love floral print, its so feminine and romantic. Plus the shape of the tulip is so flattering, nipping in the waist and showing off the legs.

White tights are on my wish list at the moment and would go perfectly. With a twin set and pearls and pink patent round toes, any girl would look a doll.

Simply delightful.

Dreams

2009-02-04T11:30:00.001-08:00

I have wanted to write for a long time now. I remember walking the family dog as a child and making up stories in my head, always promising myself I would write them down. I was never a child that did, instead one that imagined and day dreamed. As a result, my dream remained one that only grew in my head.

During the lead up to new year I carefully thought about what I wanted 2009 to bring. Along with a smaller waist and more money in the bank, predictable I know, I decided my want to write needed to be realised.

I have poured over books, recipe introductions, restaurant reviews, magazine articles and for a short time thought, I wish those were my words. But in fact, I don't, I would rather my own words. Why be anybody other than yourself?

Instead of choosing just one topic for my blog I plan to ramble about lots. When I try a new restaurant I want to share my impressions, when I fall in love with shoes I can't afford I want to show off their beauty, when customer service is shocking I want to rant, when I'm harbouring a secret I want to whisper it.

Quietly I have wondered who will read, who will pay attention, if anybody at all. I hope someone out there does, for the moment though, I am happy to ramble, audience or no audience.

If there is someone who has found me please say hi and leave a comment.