Early morning arcade parade.

The fates aligned to provide me with the earlier shift on Saturdays at work (if only I had a social life to dash off to, while my coworkers that work until the end of trade have about 15 minutes to get ready for a night out). This means I get up before the sun does and I head through suburbia on the number 9 bus. I roll out in the city centre and I walk across town as the sky is lighting up and life gathers momentum. Other early commuters don't dare make eye contact, we aren't quite awake yet. Whatever the weather though I always choose to find my way to work through the small and quirky shopping arcades of Cardiff. I've never come across any place like them. Old fashioned, but well maintained. Huge, clean slabs of stone make up the walkways. The shops inside range from art, delicatessen, herbal remedies, greasy spoon cafes, hair dressers, fancy dress costumes, goth boots, tailors, hippy boutiques, newsagents, stationary, you name it.
It's also feels a bit like you're on the set of Harry Potter.

Sleepy head.

This morning I started my usual wake up shuffle around the kitchen digging out the various tools I need to assemble breakfast. It was my day off special - hummous on toast and a pot of black coffee. While my coffee was brewing I emptied the dishwasher and upon stacking clean dishes in cupboards I clapped eyes on my 'seriously sleepy' insulator mug that Boyfriend gave my for Christmas 2010. It's made my breakfast a whole grade better. Thanks again, Urban Outfitters! (:
(You can buy 'Mood Mugs' from the two heads are better than one website).

Shiny things.

This season get your quirky jewellery at Next. I usually head for Topshop or UO but while collecting garments for my working wardrobe I was happilly surprised to find loads of youthful bits and bobs. Here are a few photos of my first haul. My favourite is the tea cup necklace.
(Top tip: cover costume rings in a quick coat of clear nail polish to avoid the 'green stain' effect!)

S.O.S.

Okay, so it isn't as dramatic as a ship distress call via morse code, but I really need a miracle when it comes to my nails this week. I've been through my polish collection and I have found my NAIL RESCUE  - SAVE ME clear polish. It claims to to give 'longer, stronger, harder and more resilient nails in two weeks, reducing chipping and splitting'. I was dubious the first few times I used it, but I don't remember following the 14 day program. I most likely got bored and took it off after two days claiming it to be 'bloody rubbish and a waste of money'. I hereby vow to wear it following their two week instruction and report back. 'Fingers' crossed. ;)

Calm One, Calm All - Soap & Glory

I've always loved the marketing of Soap & Glory and on my last trip to Boots I was very aware that I needed some new bubble bath so I headed straight for that section. I keep meaning to buy some of their well advertised Hand Food (every review of this hand cream screams of it's wonder results). Saturday in retail is usually the busiest day of the week, so after my full day of wearing my poor stubby feet into the ground and helping the big guns I felt a well deserved bubble bath was on the cards. I went the whole hog, candles, rubber ducky. The scent wasn't that noticeable but my better half said I smelt nice when I got out. The actual foam didn't rise very quickly, but the bubbles stayed up throughout the whole half an hour I spent in there. It has the added feature of built in body lotion which is really good, I was actually baby soft all over afterwards. All in all, a great bubble bath I will be buying again.

A day off.

Everybody needs a duvet day. I must clarify that I haven't called in sick to work, it's my actual day off. I slept for 11 hours. I've washed my face and had some coffee but I'm still in pyjamas. I seriously need to put the box of Cadbury's biscuits away (it's one of those huge tins, not just a packet). I might take down the Christmas tree, it is the 6th Jan after all - apparently it's bad luck to have keep your Christmas decorations up after the 6th. I might do some washing, I mean the basket is full. I might get dressed and meet my mate for a coffee. I might, but I might not. I can do whatever I want. Because it's my day off and it belongs to me. These moments are sacred.

Velvet & glitter.

My lovely new t-bar velvet and glitter black block heels. Got them a few days I go in the sale so I had that smug feeling knowing I got them cheaper than a small handful of people who were idiots and bought them back at full price. Okay, so they weren't idiots. I was just too lazy to shop during the six months I walked past them every single day in work - and it paid off. Less than half price off to be honest.
I just need an excuse to wear them now.

New year resolutions.

1# Be a better girlfriend.
Generally just be considerate. Do more around the house. Eat less junk. Dress nicely. Maybe cook.

2# Worry less.
I mean look at the name of my blog - PANIC. My co-workers laugh that all I do is over prepare and stress. I fall out with people because they don't follow 'the plan'. I just need to relax a bit.

3# Save money.
I live with a little debt. I have made my own plan, I want to fix my problem, this will work. Of course this means I will miss out on expensive things, but that doesn't mean missing the fun. Mix and match outfits instead of buying new ones. Saying good bye to my happy Starbucks barista.

They aren't daft and I look forward to the end of the year when I can look back and realise that I have achieved these things. I would normally ask for your good luck wishes but as much as I'd appreciate them I can do this without luck. I will need people around who understand that I can't go out for cocktails, so we will make them at my house. That know I don't have money to spend on shopping so they ask me for help with finding their outfit instead of shopping together. That understand that I get free texts and I won't be calling for a chat.

Happy new year and I'm sure all of your resolutions will be a success. xx

14 months behind everyone else.

I am officially old (okay, just in technology terms), finding out about cool iPod/iPhone apps 14 months after their release. My new fad is Instagram, a photo editing app. Mainly makes your pictures look like Polaroids, but you can simultaneously post them on your social networking sites as you finish the image. Everyone should get it, cos it's ace. Here's my first shot (with no make up on, rocking the natural look today).

New Year Cocktails.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful evening with family and  friends. As promised I made Cosmopolitans from scratch and they were declicious!

We got nicely sozzled and jumped about playing Dance Central on Xbox Kinect. I can't believe I got a good score on "Push It" by Salt-n-Pepa! (No, there are NO photos of this!).
Also, no hangover today! Bonus. Much love to all. xx