It Happened!!!

So hey guys, guess what I am going to do first...

Yep, thats right, apologise! I am so so so so sorry for not being present on this blog. I'm not ashamed to say that I fell off the literary wagon for a second. This is key though...I am not ashamed. I'm finally having the courage to hold my hands up and go 'Sorry, that's just how I am'!
Yes, I love this blog.
Yes, I want to go on date night.
Yes, I will clean the car on my day off.
Yes, I am feeling ok.

The sad thing is only 50% of the above 'Yes' statements are true. I love my blog and I want to go on date night. Sorry Craig, I won't clean the car. Sorry everyone but I am not feeling ok. But that is ok and I am beginning to see that now! Now I do not feel shameful about how I feel.


You tend to find that blog posts toward the end of December months are usually an update on what Father Christmas dropped down your chimney, how much food you willingly ate over the two, maybe three, day period or what New Year Resolutions you are going to uptake as of the 1st January ....!

That was originally what I was going to post about in the new year alongside an obligatory, 'I will blog every week'  resolution, however something changed today. Today for me hasn't been a good day. Having been up the majority of the night coughing and wheezing in an upright position, the day didn't start well, nor did it continue to improve. The weather meant that many people were forced to ring in at work and so even though I looked like the corpse of many a dead cattle, I wrapped up in my winter warmers and trudged through the snow to work. That was until two hours later, it was thought it best that I go back home and stop infecting the world with my 'Walking Dead-esque' lurgy!
So what happened when I got home? Nothing. A big, fat, nothing. I pulled on my comfy jimjams, whacked up the heating to a tropical degree and crawled into bed full of beechams all in one (flueous goneous potion is my preferred term), and drifted in and out of consciousness for a good six hours!

It wasn't until half past 6 that I realised it had happened. I woke because I heard a stirring downstairs and moments later I heard a booming sound running up the stairs. And he was there. He was there just looking at me, asking me how I felt. Did I want a glass of water? Did I need more medicine? Do you want some food? And it was in that moment, right there, that I felt truly grateful for this life. In front of me stood a very tall, very cold man, who above everything only wanted to help me. I don't give him enough credit. Without going into a ridiculously generic speech about how amazing and wonderful he is, well he is quite amazing and wonderful. Through everything we have overcome I cannot believe we are here all those years later.

So after Craig had left to go out, I couldn't really face being asleep for much more of my day so I just lay down and started thinking about what I am grateful for. Much like the Americans do on thanksgiving. It started with things such as;
1. My family - Everyday gets harder but also that little bit easier
2. My friends - You guys are the glue to my bricks of life!
3. My career - You've taken a strange, but incredible turn!
4. My house - I have a sturdy roof over my head.

Then somewhere down the list, it turned to this...;
12. My health - Yes! I have my health. I may not be the most sane person you will ever meet, but I have my health. I suffer from panic attacks, so what?! I cry at ladies dropping bread in Asda, so what?! I do have anxiety of many forms, so what?! I may even be slightly depressed at times, but so what?! It could be so much worse than that. So for now, I will take what hand i've been given and from this moment on I am all in! Some people don't have half the opportunities that have been thrown my way. For some people, such simple tasks take months to perfect. I will no longer wallow in self pity and respond to this self destruct button that I have lurking somewhere in my body. What is the point?
Then after a few moments had passed, I smiled. I may be slowly turning into a zombie like creature thanks to the infamous flu, but right now I am in a happy place. So my mission for tomorrow is throw as much vitamin C down my throat as possible, steam all the cold out of me in a long hot bath and dose up on Flueous goneous ready for mad Monday at work!

As for resolutions... I won't be doing them this year. Instead, let's take a look at what happened this year that made it incredible!!

I went fishing for the cry first time!

My pooch makes me laugh every single day!

This happens nearly every night at bed time!

Eternal love for you guys! Waltzer kiddies!!

Me and Craig became hardcore kids!!

Primark released the BEST line of jimjams I have ever seen!!

My love <3 

Candid camera moments!!

Doglet's first snow night!!

This is for you Mullens!!

Prom July 2010

 This was me and Craig back in 2010 at my sixth form prom. We were young, thin and sort of cute in a way! Who would ever know that nearly 5 years later, plus one house, two cats, a dog, many hairstyles, day trips and laughs later we would look so much better together haha! Honestly, i thought stress and growing up was meant to be a bad thing! Craig if you are reading this, I love you with all of my body. You are my shining light, the one thing that keeps me constant. Let's just hope we keep growing up and keep making cute ass pictures together until we are old and grey!!

These days...

Specsavers Ball December 2014

And he still brings me a chip butty when I ask him too!!

I'm happy.
I will continue to blog.
I'm sure I will still be having many a dramatic moment in many months to come.
But I will be taking a more positive direction and I hope I can keep you all thoroughly entertained whatever I choose to blog about.

This was me, coming to you from my sickbed, because I needed to talk to somebody...and it might as well be you guys! I'm off now to get even more sleep and taken even more medicine. I love you, you crazy bunch!!

Peace out!
xxxxxxxxxx

A Blogger's Guide To Life...

Hey there you lot!

Today I am back with an all new bloggers guide!!
I struggled to decide what to do for this, but decided to to a life guide as I am finding the content quite relevant at this moment in time!
Having 3 weeks off gives you soooo much time to reflect. Maybe too much time!


A Bloggers Guide To Life!!

1. Learn to breathe properly! Without a calming breathing technique, my word you will struggle when it comes to keeping calm, content and happy! Also, breathing really helps to stay alive!

2. Money isn't the key to everything! Sure it helps, but being comfortable is waaay more important than having weekly shopping splurges and constant nights in the town. Oh hell, what do I know!! 

3. Always wear clean underwear. It is usually a given, but my mother always said 'Always wear clean undies incase you ever end up in an accident'.

4. Following with the hygiene rule, always shave your legs. For the same reason as No 3! Unexpected things always happen in daily life, so just in case you spill coffee on your trousers at work and they only have skirts to change into, remember to always shave your legs! Admittedly I am the worst girl for following this rule, but I am getting better!

5. Only you know your skin. No matter how many beauticians you see or doctors or skin specialists, only you have lived with your skin since the moment you were born. You will know what works for you and what doesn't, so don't let any random made up beauty counter lady entice you over unless that is your intention!

6. Chilli is always better when it is reheated... the day after you made it. 

7. Puppies and kittens are the cutest!!


Enjoy just a few little bits of life advice that I find pretty handy from day to day!

No 45 - No 46 YouTube!!!!

Oh no!!!!!!

So i told you all i would be bored this week!

I made a haul.
It is now on YouTube.
I've completed my No's 45 + 46 but I am so scared about the footage!
Before anybody says it, I know I have to work on my editing, and my voice and my facial expressions. You just have to roll with it I guess!


AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH so scared!!!!!!


Lush Haul!!

Oh My Word - I might be sick!!!

Bye xx

Life is Crazy...

But I'm back!!!

Let me take this opportunity to apologise for the lack of blogs I've been posting! With the new pup and university and work it's all been a little crazy over the last few months. The most important thing is that I am back now and hopefully will be back to weekly blogs pretty much straight away!

As i have mentioned in a few previous blogs, I am currently meant to be in Ghana with work. However due to the ebola crisis, we are rescheduling our trip. This means that I am now on quite a long break from work so I can focus on this bad boy!


That's all i'll say for tonight, but be on watch! A new blog in the coming days!!

I love you all!

Byeeeee xxx

A Blogger's Guide To Public Transport!

Hello all!!

Yes, it is another bloggers guide! Last week I had the unfortunate task of travelling about 16 miles on a bus, in rush hour, immediately after I finished work. I am more than aware that many people do this everyday in an effort to get to and from work. You people are my new heroes. To do this everyday must be soul destroying and yet you always seem to wear a big smile across your faces!

These are the things I would strongly advise, following my experience on Wednesday!


A Blogger's Guide To Public Transport!

• Just because you pick that seat near the front that everyone is avoiding does not mean you will be left in peace. Inevitably you will end up with some poor child trying to make conversation with you and you will undoubtedly pray for their parents to come whisk them away. However we all know that never happens!!
• Do not make eye contact with anybody on the bus unless you want to hear a full run down of what's wrong with them. It isn't worth it. Nothing is ever worth it.
• Take some headphones with you. This way you appear anti-social to all the other travellers which is a bonus if you do not want to make any conversation at all.
• Don't eat on a bus. Not only is it messy, but it smells. So bad. Also, if someone is eating next to you they will continually drop crumbs and rubbish all over you without a care in the world. Not a lot of people do this, but just be aware!

Now this is only a little guide as I only had a very short experience on the bus. This is not me saying that all users of public transport are like this, but this is just so you are aware of the minority. 

Come back soon for a new update!

C yaaaaa xx

No 80 - Canter Through A Meadow!

Hellooooo!

I told you I would blog a bit more from this week onwards!!  So, I know I wrote the post about the play on Sunday, however I failed to mention that I ticked off another one of my list last week!

My lovely friend Kate has a beautiful horse called Wiggy who I go ride and cuddle occasionally. Last Tuesday we went for a dog walk/horse ride and went into the stubble fields round the back of Wig's paddock. We had a lovely trot and a good long canter through the fields.

Having recently got back into the saddle following an incident when I was younger, it feels so right to be up there again!
I'll be honest, I thought I would be utterly terrified at the prospect of getting on a horse again, but it didn't faze me at all!

Wig and I then went for a little wander through the path's on our own whilst Kate did some horsey housekeeping and then we went for lunch.

I know it sounds like such a simple thing for me to have on my list, but it means ever such a lot to me!


                                                                                                                                                               

The other amazing thing that happened this week was the show!!!
I'm hoping that all you guys will join us on any new ventures that may crop up, but can I just take this opportunity to thank all my friends and family for their continued support. The show was incredible.

It say's a lot about an actor if they can hold a crowd's attention for a good solid few minutes by using  dialogue alone. To do this for a whole 90 minutes of tense drama, mystery and utter bewilderment is a true marvel. For people who do not know the story, Agnes of God by John Pielmeier is a play which explored both the sciences and the theories of religion are unearthed in a harrowing way. Agnes is a young nun who has been raised for 4 years in a convent. She unwillingly becomes pregnant and the subsequent baby is found deceased in a waste paper basket. The play follows Agnes, her Mother Superior and psychiatrist Dr Martha Livingstone as they try to uncover the truth behind the conception, birth and untimely death of the child.

Throughout the whole production, the air was deadly silent. There was almost a chill in the air as you took your seat in a quiet, quaint auditorium. Trust me, I was there. I know the play and it was still spooky! There is a lot I could say with regards to the performance, however my words would only shadow the brilliant reviews that have already been written. Because of this I will post a link to one of the reviews in a moment and you can go read what lovely things have been written about the cast and crew. It makes me so proud to be part of such a wonderful company and to have such incredibly successful and talented friends.

Eastwood Advertiser Review Of Agnes Of God!

The Cast & Crew!!

What an awful picture of me haha! Silly selfie angles!!

Buhbyeeeeee!

xxx

Honestly, The Best Thing That Could Happen This Week Would Be...

Hello all!!!

Once again, a considerable amount of apologies for the lack of blogging. The pup is taking up most of my spare time so fitting this in is a struggle at the moment. However, I have something very important to talk about tonight.

Right now, sitting here on a dark Sunday night, I get the feeling that this week is going to be a bit hellish. I know this because I had an awesome night on the town last night with some of my favourite girls, a lovely day today with the adopted family and I am about to sit down to a cheeky pizza. So why would this mean this week is going to be bad?
Well it's that old thing again...'The calm before the storm'. That and the fact that this morning I woke up with a god awful pain in my gums and it would appear my wisdom teeth are finally surfacing, to my absolute delight :-/

So I feel that you could all possibly do something that would mean so much to myself and to the people I hold close to me. As some of you may or may not know, I used to be part of a theatre company called 'Behind Bars'. As I started university I dropped out of the shows and instead just go and offer support through stage work and little bits and bobs I do on the night. The company has now rebranded to 'Zodiac' and this week is the start of an always nervous show week.

Please, please, please keep on reading...

Thursday 7th August is the only public night for this show. It is being performed at the Lace Market Theatre in Nottingham. The play itself is 'Agnes of God' by John Pielmeier.

THE STORY: A young nun is accused of murdering an infant she gave birth to in a cloistered convent. The psychiatrist assigned to her case meets opposition in the convent’s Mother Superior, and all three women explore questions of Faith, Memory, and the meaning of Sainthood.

 click here to learn more about John and about the play itself!

It would mean the absolute world to me and the rest of the cast if you would come see all the effort they have put in. The play is so testing for the actresses involved and they have put their heart and souls into preparing this. Please come and support your local theatre and share this link with everybody. 

You can purchase tickets here...

I'll be keeping my eye out for you lot! Come find me and say hello if you do attend, I would love to see you there!

Love Love Love!!! 

I will be blogging and tweeting throughout show week so look out!

xxx

A Blogger's Guide To Your First Puppy!!!

Yes, you read it correctly!

First of all, may I offer my sincere apologies for the lack of post this past fortnight. As you have read in the title of this post, Craig & I have some very special newsssss!

We bought a puppy. A beautiful, fluffy, ball of love. Who smells like puppy! Seriously though, WE BOUGHT A PUPPY!!!!!!!

So this 'Blogger's Guide' Is dedicated to the new addition to our home!!

Now Craig was brought up around dogs whereas I only had a pet bunny rabbit growing up due to my parents working schedules etc. So for me, going in to this 'Puppy fiasco' was all exciting and fun. For Craig however, it was more of a 'I need to calm her down & bring her back to the real world' moment! So here it is, my guide for you and your new pup!!

A Blogger's Guide To Your First Puppy!!

1. The best thing we have done with our pup so far is to get her crate trained. She now knows that when she is in there, she is to be quiet and relax. It helps that our house is big enough for a huge crate and that our pup is only a small breed. Of course this would be a lot more difficult if you go for a large breed. If you have decided to go for a larger breed of dog, I suggest a stair gate!

2. Do not get your pup into the habit of coming upstairs with you at bedtime. It is important for you to have your own room or space just for you. Nobody wants to have a wet, slobbery tongue licking your ear at 5.30am when you would really be in the land of nod! 

3. Buy loads of toys. You may buy 3 or 4 and think that is enough for your new furry friend. It isn't. They will need more. If you decided not to get any more, they will claim your things as their own. They will take off with your shoes and even worse, they will just bite you constantly!. I decided to get a collapsible storage box to keep all our little ladies toys in. She knows that when she needs a toy, it is here she will find them. In this box we keep all her puppy related items such as harness, lead and coats.

4. You will need the essentials when going anywhere with puppy! These are poop bags, doggy treats, handbag sized toy, portable dog bowl and a bottle of water, harness/collar and lead. As he/she are so little, they will need these items in order to keep themselves entertained on car journeys or even to reward good behaviour when out. 

5. Put a towel in the boot of your car. You will know why!

6. Doggy bath time is insane! I never knew that all dogs have this strange reasoning that when you have a bath, you absolutely must run around chasing your tail and throwing yourself around the floor for a good 45 minutes afterwards! Imagine if you did that after you had a shower or bathed?
Mental!!

7.  You will need to own a treat box! As with the toys, you need wayyyyy more than you would think. Different types, different sizes, different flavours. You were warned!

8. Pick a good name. Your pup is stuck with this name for a damn long time so make sure it's a good one! Our puppy was already responding to a name when we bought her and Craig really like it. As this was the case we decided not to change it as she was so good at recall when walking and off her lead. So here she is, the first blog picture of our new baby...

World...Meet Pippin!!!!!!!!!!!!

So this is Pippin. Our beautiful Shih tzu puppy. She is 19 weeks old now and full of love. There really is nothing better. She is proving to be fine with Morrissey and Luna our two beautiful cats and all is well in the Foster-Shotton household!!

Byeeee xxxxx

No 7 - Zoe & Craig Went On An Adventure To Brighton!

Hey guys!

Yes, as the title will show, Craig and I recently decided to up and leave for a couple of days and went of to sunny, jolly Brighton!
Now I have always wanted to go and so on a massive whim, I booked a two night stay in a seafront hotel for just the two of us last Wednesday and off we went! Getting there was an absolute nightmare as the roads through Luton and Heathrow were horrendous, but we finally got there 4 and a half hours later with aches and pains running through our leggies! I cannot express to you all how beautiful Brighton is. It has amazing architecture and beautiful views of the ocean. Craig even tried his best to try and sea France when we were stood at the top of the pier but his efforts were in vain.
We arrived about half 7 and unpacked everything in our room, then ventured out to find some din dins! We were staying at the Umi Hotel which is a partner hotel of the Queens hotel. Our room was freshly decorated and was appropriate for what we needed it for. I am not one to want massively fancy hotel rooms and plush bathrooms, I am more of a comfy bed and somewhere to shower kind of girl. I would much rather be out and about exploring the area and what trouble I can get in!

The food is amazing in Brighton. Among other things, they really know how to cook!! The first night was crazy as all I wanted to do was explore, but my belly started talking to me and I reasoned that we needed to eat. We found this American Diner just on the seafront called JB's Diner. As soon as you walked in it felt like authentic American diner. The walls were covered in Amercian memorabilia and the had old runs of Tom & Jerry on the tv screens! The food was even better. Local to me at home are a few Ok Diner's which are quite novel in the north of England. The are nice as they transport you back to that wonderful era, but they are nothing in comparison to JB's!
After our dinner, we went for a little walk around the pier and for a drink on the seafront. I had well and truly fallen in love with Brighton!

The next day was full of adventure. We got up bright eyed and bushy tailed, washed, dressed and ran off to the lanes. Now being 'tourists' in the area, we didn't know that the shops in the lanes don't generally open till 10 o'clock. For us, this was rather lucky as we went and had some amazing breakfast first at a little quaint cafe, Cafe Coho! The food was incredible. We both had fresh berry, yoghurt and honey pancakes and I have never tasted anything so amazing in my entire life. It was that good, we went back the next morning too!
After the beautiful start to our day, we both decided a haircut was definitely in order. I was having a crazy, I hate my hair moment, and Craig just needed a good trim. So an hour later and about 8 inches of hair lighter, we were back in the lanes wandering around all the shops. For lunch we ate in Jamie's Italian and then went for a walk into the pavillion.

This was the best day of our trip because after our evening dinner where we ate at Bohemia, we went for a long, peaceful walk towards the west of the pier. We walked for a good two hours and it was lovely to just be so calm and without thought. We laughed, played a childish game of eye spy and just watched the tide come in. Perfection. If I could do that every week, I know I would.

Day three was just as lovely. After the breakfast at our new favourite cafe, we went for a wander onto the pier and around the beach bars before returning to our car ready for the long, 5 hour, journey home. This was perfection. I am so in love with Brighton. The place, the people, the atmosphere. Everything,
We will be going back and I thoroughly recommend going if you have ever wanted to go. Just do it.
Be spontaneous.
Be willing.
Be free.

Brighton Pier

View from the Pier

Yummy Dinner at JB's

Breakfast Of Gods!

Lunch At Jamie's Italian!

A Little Stroll Down The Beach

Beautiful Ocean

Seaaaaa!!!!!

The Most Amazing Bakery. (Angel Food)

Best Thing Ever. Ever.

Awwwwh Just Us! Freshly Hair Chopped!

Byee Guys!!!
This means another one is ticked of my list!!

Zoe xx

Things Are Hard. Things Are Real..

Eugh.

^ Word of the day.
This is not a happy, chirpy post today guys. It's more of a literary release for myself. It took me a good 3 hours to be bothered to get out of bed today. I tried to save a birds life, it died in front of me. I went to see a brilliant film which I will post a review about when I feel up to it. The sad thing is, it should have made me feel fortunate. It didn't. I'm sure in the coming days I will see sense and appreciate the beauty of the story but right now i'm blind to it. I know that there are people who have waaaaay bigger problems than their own demons right now and for that I feel selfish about moaning. But sometimes, you need to moan.

It's been a whirlwind weekend, with one of my favourite songs circling my brain...

The Seekers - World of our own.

Close the doors, light the lights.
We're stayin' home tonight,
Far away from the bustle and the bright city lights.
Let them all fade away.
Just leave us alone. 
And we'll live in a world of our own.

We'll build a world of our own 
That no one else can share.
All our sorrows we'll leave far behind us there.
And I know you will find
There'll be peace of mind
When we live in a world of our own.

Oh my love, oh my love,
I cried for you so much.
Lonely nights without sleeping while I longed for your touch.
Now your lips can erase
The heartache I've known.
Come with me to a world of our own.

We'll build a world of our own
That no one else can share.
All our sorrows we'll leave far behind us there.
And I know you will find 
There'll be peace of mind
When we live in a world of our own.

We'll build a world of our own 
That no one else can share.
All our sorrows we'll leave far behind us there.
And I know you will find 
There'll be peace of mind
When we live in a world of our own.

And I know you will find 
There'll be peace of mind
When we live in a world of our own!

Till next time folks... x

A Blogger's Guide To Being Spontaneous!

Hi you lot!

This last week has been insane!
Insane good? Insane bad? Who knows?!!?!

 I had a week holiday leave and I'm preeeeeetty sure I went through a mini-meltdown. However, having now had my meltdown I feel like a huge wait has been lifted. Here are some hints and tips on being spontaneous. I think spontaneity helped me this last week, I definitely feel more like my old self!

A Blogger's Guide To Being Spontaneous!

1. Make sure you are being spontaneous. If you have being thinking about a specific thing for a while and then finally do it, is that really being spontaneous or is that just finally doing something? You have to make sure your decisions are out of the blue!

2. Don't over think it. If you decide on something...just go for it!! The more you procrastinate the harder it will be to have some get up and go! Live for the moment, don't live always thinking 'what if?'. 

3. If it costs more than £200, it's generally not a good idea. Things above that price range generally come under the 'life crisis' category. If it is going to fall under that price bracket, i'd take a moment to step back and think, just for a moment, about how this action will change your life.

4.  Things involving animals are a no go! You think it's a good idea at the time and then hello, 2 months later you're walking the dog twice a day because that 'teacup' Jack Russell you bought turned out to be a full size pooch and wants all the exercise ever in the world!!! Either that or you hear the constant creaking of a hamster wheel whilst you're trying to get over THAT hangover. 

5. Always take a mobile phone. Somebody will no doubt need to get in contact with you. You don't have to keep it on loud, vibrate will do, but you need to take it with you. Wherever you go. Unless it's swimming in which case that is a really bad idea. Don't communicate via telephone and swim kids, it doesn't work great!

6. Chocolate. As always. Have chocolate.

Hope this helps!

PS. As a side note, the two most spontaneous things I have done recently are going to Brighton for a little getaway and cutting all my hair off! Look out for my next blog, full of pictures of our trip.
Ciao! xx

May Favourites Are Finally Here!!

Hello!!

I know it's a little late in the month but my May favourites are finally here!

1. Banana Bread!! I love banana bread and it is so easy to make. My mum makes the absolute best and she is always giving me tons and tons to gorge on! Her recipe is also 100% vegan and therefore super healthy!

2.  Animal pillows. I am so grateful for pillows with animals faces printed on them! The ones in the picture below have all been purchased from Primark. At first, it started with pugs and then ask they stopped printing different pug pictures, I started purchasing different animals. I am so in love with these all over my bed! Let's see how long I can take it!

Crazy bed.

3. Soap & Glory! I love this stuff! The Sugar Crush body was is my absolute must have!! It smells incredible and leaves my skin so soft and nourished. Recently I have become obsessed with these products and with good reason! Everybody wants to smell nice after shower or bath time don't they!

4. Through May I've used this bad boy. TreSemme's liquid gold hair serum. Now my hair is naturally rather frizz prone and because of this Summer and humid climates are always a nightmare! I was a bit skeptical about trying this as my hair is not brilliant with TreSemme shampoo's and conditioner's, so to be honest I didn't hold much hope.  As you have probably already gathered, as this product is in my favourites, this stuff IS liquid gold! It must be. The serum is so smoothing  and light, without leaving your hair greasy or heavy. When I purchased this it was on offer for £6.00 and I believe that full price it is about £9.00? Either way I will definately be buying this product when I run out!

5. Last but not least, I have my new favourite mascara. I recieved this in the April Glossy Box and was thoroughly satisfied! I was not in need of a new mascara as I had been using the Mayblline Big Lash mascara, I was equally glad to try this. The wand is a wonderful shape if yo want to create a full lash look. Again, this is another product I will be purchasing when I run out!

There it is then. My belated May favourites!

Byeee x

A Blogger's Guide To Travelling Solo!

Hi again!!

I figured that the first 'Blogger's Guide' I did went down quite well as I had some good feedback and the viewing ratings were rather impressive. So, for your reading pleasure, I think I will start doing a weekly 'Blogger's Guide To...'.

Last week I had to venture up to Birmingham on a training course for work. This meant that I had to endure a two hour train journey and on overnight stay all by myself! Now anybody that knows me, will know that me sleeping by myself is dangerous when I have to be up for a specific time. I am a self confessed 'snoozer'! 

So this was going to be quite a challenge for me!

A Blogger's Guide To Travelling Solo!!

1. Wear comfortable clothing. Now this goes for train journeys, car journeys, even plane journeys! There is nothing worse than constantly fidgeting around trying to get that 'comfy spot'. Let's face it, if we could board the train/bus/plane in pyjamas and a dressing gown...we probably would! Now I wasn't fortunate in being able to choose my travelling clothes as I had to be sporting my uniform. However, given the chance, I would have worn yoga pants and a loose fitting t-shirt. In no way stylish, but i'd have been the comfiest traveller going!

2. Always carry headphones. Guaranteed that as soon as your board your mode of transport, you will find the 'quiet' zone. This is the area on the vehicle where everyone keeps to themselves, reads quietly or are even just sleeping. Until... you get to the very next stops where four loud mouthed beings decide to come and ruin the tranquillity of the 'quiet' zone! This means it's headphones at the ready because you are going to want to drown out the noise of insufferable conversation that these people are shouting across a whole carriage. Here's a solution loud people, sit closer together maybe? That might help! Or not, whatever you fancy!

3. Always carry bubble bath. There is nothing worse than arriving at a fancy hotel and seeing thay have the most amazing bath you have ever seen in your life, & you haven't brought any bubble bath! Here is the situation. You NEED to use this bath, but you most certainly cannot have a bath in just plain water. What do you do?

4. Don't ignore the wake-up call service. If like myself you are a heavy sleeper, grab the opportunity with both hands!! Let's face it, if I refused this service I would be face down in fluffy pillows until housekeeping came!! At the end of the day, it's free and will save you from great embarrassment.
5. (This one is for the ladies) Take pamper products! When you're in a hotel room for a whole night, bored out of your brains, what better thing to do than to catch up on some pampering. After you have had your lovely bubble bath, slap on a face mask, ex-foliate those legs and kick back with a glass of wine! If it has been a particularly bad day, a bottle of wine may be required. 
6. Finally I recommend taking a spare pair of undies. Just in case your flight, train, bus etc is delayed or there is any problems during your stay!
7. Oh and chocolate. Always!

I hope these hints and tips help all you lovely readers. Here is a little snap on my last solo travelling experience! Yes, I went for bath, bubbles and chocolate!

Bath times!!

Love you all and leave you!

Another bloggers guide will follow shortly!

Byeee xx

No 65 - Go To A BBQ

Yayyy it's finally BBQ weather!

Sunday just gone was one of the few Sundays I have to work and therefore meant that I couldn't be bothered to cook anything when I got home. So it was absolutely perfect that we were invited to our friends house for a BBQ!

It was so lovely just to be sat outside and chatting with a nice cold drink and the sun beating down. Now anyone in England will testify that the weather is being a bit strange at the moment, we keep having beautiful sky and then sudden torrential downpours and hail storms. Wonderful british weather not making it's mind up I guess!

Our hosts were awesome for this BBQ. As I am not eating meat they even went out of their way to buy me Quorn sausages and make a Quorn chilli so we could have chilli dogs! Absolute stars!!
I have now decided that I definitely want a puppy thanks to the two little rascals that were running around the garden. They were the cutest dogs I have ever seen!

After the first storm caught us outside we went inside to perform lots of different party tricks and see who was the master of the Arm Wrestle Challenge! Turns out that most of us were quite strong. Not me though, I'm super weak in my upper body*! We then decided to venture back outdoors and just sit and chat for the remaining hours.

All in all, I really enjoyed the evening and the company was brilliant!
Hopefully, many more bbq's/dinner dates to follow!

Love you and leave you all, another one bites the dust!
Bye xxxx

*Note to self; Work on upper arm muscle!

No 42 - Trip To The Seaside!!

Let's all go to the seaside, let's all go to the sea!!!!!

We went to the seaside!
It was only Skegness but we had a lovely day in the sun!

We set off at 9am (Craig, Lindsay and I) and arrived about half 11. We ate chippies, wandered around the seaside shops and played in the arcades with all our 2p's!! Then obviously we went and had a massive sprinkle covered ice cream and walked down the pier. If you ever go to Skegness, you must have chippies from Tony's fish bar on the sea front. The food is beyond amazing!!! It's worth the journey just for them, i swear!
Isn't funny how coppering up your coins and shoving them into a huge 2p machine can be one of the most satisfying things to do at the arcades? It's almost law that when you have a purse full of them, you have to arrange a seaside visit.


All in all, it was a fun filled day!
Here are some pictures!!!

Chips from Tony's!!

Craig looking satisfied with his dinner!

Had to have jelly shoes, obviously.

Arcade bowling.

Sunshine :)

Yummy ice-creams!

Ice cream times and the beach!

Now, is it just me or have they cleaned up Skegness quite a bit? We were pleasantly surprised that the sand was so clean and the water was so clear!! Maybe my memories of Skegness have been tainted in my younger years and it was never bad in the first place? Oh I don't know, but we all had a cracking day!

Ciao for now,

BBQ blog coming up next!!

Byeeeee xx

Ladies Night!!!

Hi again!!

So sorry that I have not blogged in sooooo long! This last week or so has been crazy with different work things and sickness and just general silly stuff. I guess on this post I will just give you a quick round up of the week, I haven't ticked any more off my list so you haven't missed anything!!

I went to see the new X-Men movie. Die hard fan. Loved it anyway despite the indiscretions with the plot. Hugh Jackman. James McAvoy. Michael Fassbender. That is all I have to say on the matter.
Whilst we were at the cinema, Craig and a friend took a ride in the Postman Pat Van!

Where's the black and white cat?

I also attended the Ladies Night event at Meadowhall this week. I wasn't so taken with any of the discounts as they were for shops I don't usually go in, however I did pick up some beauty bargains and of course some Millies cookies. It was just quite nice to have a wander round and watch all the pop up boutiques in action. I will admit to staring mindlessly at Amy Childs. I don't understand the hype myself but she sure has done well for herself! Them clothes were flying off the shelf quite literally.

I was so happy because we managed to get our skin colour matched at boots and I bought some new foundation. Now I have never had no7 foundation, however a friend of mine swears by it so as I was running low I thought what the hell. A colour match, skincare sample and a free gift later I walked back out into the Meadowhall madness!
I managed to pick up some new shades for my MAC palette whilst I was in  Debenhams and it is starting to look really pretty. Now all I need is an occasion to get dressed up so I can create that perfect smoky eye!

Foundation in 'Warm Ivory', Lipgloss ad Blush

MAC refills in Beauty Marked, Black Tied and Green Smoke!

Squeeeeee my palette so far!! Only four more spaces and then I can arrange it properly!

So there you have it. Everything I have done up until today! Sorry for the lack of updates, it's definitely been a weird one! What you will be glad to hear is that on Friday I am doing something very fun that will be featured in a blog so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Night guys,
Byeeeeeee x

A Blogger's Guide To Babysitting!! No 53 ...

Babysit for my brother!

Hello again!

As promised, this blog will feature the guide to babysitting that we have all been waiting for!
So this Saturday just gone, my brother and sister-in-law asked me if I would babysit for my gorgeous nephew and niece! I have never really babysat properly for them before as normally my mum has the honour of entertaining them all day and I just stay with them whilst they sleep. Also my brother and sis-in-law are so devoted to the family that they rarely spend much time away from the kiddlywinks. (If they're reading this, i'll definitely get some brownie points for that!!) Now this was no problem at all other than I had no idea what to do with them as Craig would have the car till he finished work.

When they asked me if I would we didn't expect the weather to be so nice. So some of the points you may have to adapt to suit your own climate. Here is a short guide for you lot, in case you ever get called upon for babysitting duty and don't have a clue where to begin...

A Blogger's Guide To Sitting on babies Babysitting!!

1. Take spare clothing.  You tend to do unexpected things with kids. Water fights? Messy foods? All situations like these can mean a change of clothing would be useful. Also, even just taking your trusty pj's so that when they settle down at night, you can comfy too!!
2. If you have long hair...tie it back. One thing you can guarantee is that being a babysitter means you are the entertainment for the night. All these mums who look amazing every single day, are with these children every single day. You on the other hand, are a novelty. They want to see how many times you can do a roly-poly down a hill. They want to see you do a cartwheel so they can show your yours and tell you how to do it correctly. They want you to run around playing monsters in the garden. Trust me, tie long hair back. If you think that you would not give in to their requests you are horrible mistaken. They will know how to push your buttons. Be aware!!
3. Have a camera at hand. Kids do funny things. All. The. Time.
4. Plan a baking/cookery activity. These activities have everything kiddies love. Food, mess, playing and fun! Just don't expect them to make the worlds best panacotta and you will not be disappointed! I planned on doing this over the weekend but due to the weather being so bloody beautiful, we made ice lollies instead! Again, fun, cheap and delicious to eat in the sun!
5. Always have a colouring book. What little girl doesn't love to colour?
6. Scooters are a good choice.
7. Despite what the parents say, chocolate is a wonderful bribe! Use it to your advantage!
8. If you tire them about by taking them to the park, playing in the garden etc, they won't resist bedtime. Also, if they exercise before bed, they will hopefully sleep right through and not disturb you in the night! This also means that when mum and dad get in from a wild night out, they have undisturbed sleep through the morning and are able to sleep off that tequila hangover!
9. Have some cash handy. You ARE going to need to go to the shop for either food, dilute pop or toilet roll. It is inevitable. You also may want to order food because you have been such a good babysitter!
10. Remember what it was like to be a kid. Everyone has that one babysitter they remember because they were mean, or made you go to bed too early, or wouldn't let you have anything other than water to drink or put you on the naughty step all the time! So, remember that. You don't want to be that babysitter. You want to be the cool one who goes to the parks and does cool things. Again refer to No.7

So there is my guide for you all to follow if you wish. One of the most important thing to remember in this is that you are giving up your time to babysit so don't make it boring. Make sure you have fun, cherish the moments with the kiddies and put your feet up with a good movie when they are all asleep!

I'll leave you with this picture...

Ice lollies!!!

Byeeeee xxx

PS. Did you enjoy reading this? Should I start doing a 'Blogger's Guide To...' every week? Let me know what you think in the comments!
xx

Such A Bad Blogger!!

I am so sorry!! I know I was meant to be uploading the bloggers guide to babysitting but I have only just sat down after a hectic day.

So, this is my plan...
Get up and go to work tomorrow!
Go to the gym
Have bathtimes!
Write the guide to babysitting and update the surprise day out blog with pictures?
I promise with sugar dusted cherries on top that I will upload tomorrow!

Goodnight and i'll see you guys tomorrow night!
Byeee xx

No 71 - Surprise Day Out

Hello again!

This is going to be a short one for you all as I am having to type this on my mobile phone and it's typo's galore!
Auto-correct fanatics would have a field day!

I'm in Cambridge tonight as I have an exam to take tomorrow! Boooooo! So i have taken a short break from revision to write this for you all!
On Thursday I took Craig to the zoo to see some monkeys and the zebra!
Now I really wanted to upload the pictures tonight but due to the internet restrictions here it wont let me do it quickly.
Instead, i will upload the pictures tomorrow along with my babysitting survival guide blog from the weekend! Aren't you lucky ??
What I will say is this, seeing the smile on Craigs face as we walked around the enclosures reminded me of why he's my best friend and partner in crime!
Now I should be off to sleep because not only have I got an exam tomorrow, I have to drive back home straight after in this heat! It's going to be a long day!!

Good Luck to anybody reading who also has exams on at the moment!
love you all!!
Byeee x

Picture Update!!!!!!
Zoo Timessss...

Cute little baby monkey on momma monkey!

Ottersss!

Walking with Lemurs...NOT dinosaurs

Craig ;)

Beautiful kitty! I wanted to take it home!

Penguinss

Wild dog. Even though I still contest that it's a bear cub!

Beautiful zebra!

Cambridge food times..

yum

Yumyum

YUMYUMYUMMY!