Thursday 29 December 2011

New Pandora charm!

Mam gave me a green glass Pandora charm two years ago as part of my birthday gift on my new bracelet but as I've collected charms over the years it didn't fit the theme, (quirky silver charms, basically). It was only when she suggested that I ask here in the shop in Cardiff if I could exchange it for another one that I considered doing anything with it. It had lived for two years in a box, looking brand new, in my chest of drawers. Every time I would have a clear out I would open the box and look at it and think of Mam. I would never have thought to exchange it myself, (I think the word I'm looking for is shy? Polite? Scared to offend?).
So here it is. My lovely new aeroplane charm. There. On the far left, next to my Christmas tea pot. Cute, huh?


Go Karting.

What a brilliant day! We had lunch at Frankie & Benny's then went Go Karting. I can't believe I could keep up with the boys (I came in behind Boyfriend on lap times #smug). I already want to go again. I'd recommend you wear converse or similar footwear, my Uggs were fine just too warm as the engine underneath my right arm in my Kart made everything a bit hot. Leggings and a tshirt are enough under your overalls. Helmet and gloves are communal so germophobes probably won't cope well, but they do spray them with germ killing stuff regularly. Everybody should give it a go. I haven't had that much fun in ages. Skidding around hairpin bends, nudging ahead and trying to overtake, not knowing your lap times and simply trying to drive faster and faster. Loved every minute.


The Helicopter.


Here is what I gave Boyfriend for his birthday this year. I was gushing with pride that he loves it to bits. It's only small, the main bulk of the body is about the size of my hand (and I have small hands). It's pretty nifty and it's a proper boy toy, remote control, screw drivers, batteries, flashing LED lights, blah blah.  The propellers make this shredding, buzzing noise too. I'm also terrified of it. It seems Boyfriend finds nothing funnier than to target areas above my head in which to hover this noisy, unstable contraption. The Christmas cards are all knocked over in the living room. I fear for our paper lamp shades. It's a death trap! Perhaps the less I love it, the more he does. (No doubt in my mind).

Team Geek.

I could not be more excited! Today we're celebrating Boyfriend's birthday in style. Sadly his birthday was actually yesterday but as I was mostly in work he spent it with his family and today is our day. We're going Go Karting and I am all jumpy and ready to go. I used to go with my family in Spain (there's this cool track down in Fuengirola we liked) but I haven't been for years. Super excited. (:
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Monday 26 December 2011

Thank you.

Christmas shouldn't be all about the presents, but I am so very grateful for my amazing gifts off my friends and family. Amongst my amazing gifts (guess I was on the Nice List?) I've been given two bottles of Miss Dior perfume (my favourite!), make up, L'Occitane creams, Jack Wills nail varnish, a new tea pot Pandora charm, and a brilliant Clinique lip repair balm. I have been absolutely spoilt and I am in love with all of my gifts. Thank you very much!
(What did you get for Christmas?)





Sunday 25 December 2011

Happy Merry Christmas.

Christmas is evolving. Once a wholly Pagan celebration (the Feast of the Son of Isis - Goddess of Nature), then adapted by Romans as their Pope declared December 25th a day to celebrate the Lord's birth. Nowadays we use Christmas time to remind our loved ones that they are special to us by giving luxurious or meaningful gifts, we gather our close ones and family as a way of raising spirits.
For me Christmas is a reminder that life is good, a season to appreciate our loved ones and eat too much good food, drink naughty drinks (if I'm in the mood - damn this flu!), turn the heating up, listen to cheesy songs and cover the house in fairy lights to forget about the cold, grim weather and to cheer us up in the short dark days of winter.
Happy Christmas everyone! May your Yuletide be a cosy one. xx (or a time for raucous partying, whatever floats your boat).

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Oh, Christmas tree...

Here it is. I have found the loveliest Christmas tree.
Behold the marvelous display by Sarah Morton and family.
Please share your Christmas tree photos! (:

Tuesday 20 December 2011

My beautiful cousins.


I just have to say how amazing my cousins Kathryn and Rachael are. After such awful grief they are getting on with life. It seems with more loss and strife, we become stronger. Thinking of Auntie Ann & Uncle John today. R.I.P. xx

Monday 19 December 2011

Cosmo, anyone?


I'm going to try and make cosmos for New Years Eve. 
Here is the quickest recipe I've found:

40 ml vodka
15 ml Cointreau (or other triple sec - Curacao, Grand Marnier)
15 ml concentrated lime juice
30 ml cranberry juice

Shake vodka, triple sec, lime and cranberry juice vigorously in a shaker with ice.
Strain into a martini glass, garnish with a lime wedge or the more traditional coin sized piece of orange 'flamed', and serve.


How wrong could it go?



*Famous last words:
Okay so I actually looked up how to "flame" an orange peel...

Friday 16 December 2011

Beyoncé, you're my favourite.

Katy Perry is an all-American beauty. GaGa is a creative genius. Rihanna is an exotic urban princess.
But it's Beyoncé who tops them all. Perhaps the biggest feminist of them all (not to be confused with a man hater, far from it!). Her message envelopes something deep down we all believe, that women are strong, beautiful, powerful, intelligent, emotional, careful, sexy, creative, maternal, friendly creatures. I'm not ashamed to admit that when I see her on tv, or hear her on the radio or my iPod I just want to get up and dance. Even on the bus home from work I have to stop myself from having a little stomp. (I'm sure other passengers can see me having a little wiggle in my seat!). Of my four favourite female music sensations, Beyoncé is my absolute favourite.


Wednesday 14 December 2011

Congratulations Mia & Mike!

An enormous congratulations to Mia and Mike who welcomed their beautiful daughter, Alisha, into the world on November 25th. She's a little angel! I can't wait to meet her in person. xx

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Drug Addict.

Caffeine! If I could wear a big badge that read 'caffeine' I would. Coffee is one of my favourite things. I am friends with the baristas in Starbucks in town and I make a mean cup o' Joe at home too. I always like it black with as many sugars as I can take. The only trouble is that the general british public aren't that clever when it comes to brewing good coffee. Please don't give me Nescafe or another granule based beverage. Bleugh.
I haven't enjoyed milk in coffee since I was 18, but I always ask coffee shops to 'leave space for milk' as it really bugs me when they fill it right to the top and then it spills all over your hand, even if they put a lid on it.
I like simple coffee. But it's ever so easy to get wrong.

Saturday 10 December 2011

A day to remember.

This was one of the best, lazy, easy days of this summer. It was in my friend's Sophie's big green garden in Whitchurch in Cardiff. We had booze, happy music and oodles of glorious sunshine. I really look forward to another secret trampoline party. Thank you for a day I'll never forget Sophie.
(Follow Sophie on Twitter @Soph_Olive).


Monday 5 December 2011

My first true love.

I had my first notion of Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin's irreplaceable leading lady, Tank Girl, when I was a very young girl and the older traveller girls had photos, canvas prints, tee shirts and even hair styles devoted to her. I would dress up as this majestic demon of a tomboy for Halloween when I could find enough tatty punk clothes small enough, or enough camouflage print fabric and a plaster for my forehead.
When I was 14 years old my Dad gave me two thick paperbacks. The back to back comics of Tank Girl, right from the very beginning, with a new insight to her childhood and the roots of her rebellion.
Her real name is Rebecca Buck, something few people know. She has a boyfriend called Booga, a mutant kangaroo. I guess it's no surprise that she drives a tank, and actually used to work for the government until she was outlawed for obnoxious behaviour and became a bounty hunter. The comic's style was heavily influenced by punk visual art, and strips were frequently deeply disorganized, anarchic, absurdist, and psychedelic. The strip features various elements with origins in surrealist techniques, fanzines, collage, cut-up technique, stream of consciousness, and metafiction, with very little regard or interest for conventional plot or committed narrative.
Basically she never grew up, never gives in and never lets you down. I wouldn't have it any other way.

True Colours.

I am a fickle, materialistic little girl at heart. I can admit it.
But new nail polish makes me so happy.
I had walked past these Rimmel nail colours in Boots quite a few times, but it was yesterday when I had finished all of my Christmas shopping and I had pennies to spare I took a chance and bought them.
I'm so glad I did because they are beautiful!
I'd had 'Barry M' mint green and lilac polishes, but they were old and clumpy. I was pretty geared up to just replace them with the same, but after using Rimmel polishes for the last few weeks I am happy to announce that it's the range for me.
So, dear Internet, I present to you 'Rimmel Professional Finish' in '500 Peppermint', '420 Aqua Cool' and '312 Ultra Violet'.
For work today I've gone with Aqua Cool.
Ahh the benefits of working the late shift.

Sunday 4 December 2011

Christmas Cheer.

Today I finally finished all of my Christmas shopping, well, for presents at least. As I am wandering through Christmas shoppers, surrounded by decorations, I found a small brass band playing lovely soft festive music.
That, my friends, surely is one of the best ways to spread Christmas cheer.