Saturday 5 November 2011

Knuckle down!

I'm coming to the end of my week off from work. It's been great to do NOTHING!!!
My other holidays were exhausting; Having an operation and recovering and getting married. So this time it was nice for Joe and I to just chill.
It's mainly involved eating loads of amazing foods (Krispy Kreme donuts, 7 Spices curry, homemade pizzas, Quorn sausage sandwiches for breakfast! Breakfast is a rare occurance here!) and Joe playing Batman Arkham Ciry on PS3. We've watched a couple of films along the way, had a few beers, a few afternoon naps.
This weekend, the last Saturday I will see before Christmas Day (eeeek!), I think we are going to go and look round the Abbeydale Antique centres then go for lunch at Amigos Kitchen for a tasty burrito!
Then it's staying in for NONfire night... veggie hot dogs, a film and looking after poor little Haylee who hates fireworks.

Monday 31 October 2011

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN 2011

Yay!
Despite the warm Autumn we are having it's always a milestone to get to Hallowe'en... my favourite mini-holiday! Of course I loooove Christmas but Hallowe'en is such fun and it brings back some great memories (except the year we couldn't go trick or treating due to torrential rain but I got dressed up anyway hoping when my parents saw me they'd relent. They did not thus I sat behind the dining room door in the dark and sobbed for hours.... No fun that year)
Not this year though! It's been a splendid year!
Last weekend was Celluloid Screams ( http://www.celluloidscreams.co.uk/ ) and the husband and I went to see INBRED ( http://inbredmovie.com/ ) which I would highly recommend to anyone interested in horror. A mix of black-comedy and gore... with a great cast who did a Q&A... perfect!
The next night was Tomie:Unlimited... Trippy! Followed by Re-Animator at the midnight showing, then up early to go see my favourite horror film, Hallowe'en, for and strangely scheduled 11.30 am showing. It was great to see it on original film on a big screen and I'm glad I roused myself.
What a great way to start the Hallowe'en season!
This weekend (The Real Deal) was spent pumpkin carving ( left; mine. right; Rachel's) with my oldest friend Rachel ( 24 years of friendship!) then settling down to watch Scared Shrekless and eat hallowe'en treats.
I used all my pumpkin-inners to make a pumpkin, raisin and orange loaf and a potato and pumpkin homity pie for my husband.
Saturday night was time for pizza, a bottle of red wine, The House By The Cememtery and a visit (again!) from Rachel and Kit.
Sunday, I managed to cram ANOTHER horror film in... The Woman. Interesting... Slow to start, bizarre indie soundtrack but ended on a bad-people-killing-high. Just the way I like it!
Tonight... Hallowe'en night... We've had our mini orange cream Oreo stash swiped by trick or treaters (resulting in us locking the gate . BOOOOOOO!) but are preparing home made pizzas and picking out some more films......
Goodbye Hallowe'en.... roll on Christmas!
Bring on the snow!

Thursday 8 September 2011

Edinburgh (3)

We took a train to North Berwick and it was so much fun!
We went to the Sea Bird Centre and looked out at the rocks where the gulls and puffins nest.
And I fewll in love with this lighthouse (I now have a hankering for my very own dolls house!)

Edinburgh (2)

We had a smug time being married...
And went to Hard Rock Cafe (I've never been) but the food was yummy (though I feared the veggie burger was real meat at first!)

Edinburgh (1)

I've not seen the sea since I went to Australia in 2005 so I got rather excited looking out the window!
... and spotted my dream house!
This was our bed (when we arrived!) it never looked so neat and fluffy again! It was actually the world's most uncomfortable bed and it woke you up with how hard it was!
Our first night we had a little wander and found the Brew Dog pub. Here we had a few pints of tasty ale but since we were still exhausted from all our getting married and stuff we toddled home and passed out!

Friday 19 August 2011

Just around the corner.

It was my birthday a month ago and to me that signals END OF SUMMER! I'm pretty much over summer, ready for Autumn and its tights - wearing weather. I need woolly hats in my life, crunchy leaves on the floor, a sprinkling of frost in a morning. Mittens! Soup! Dark movie nights!
I'm fed up of feeling sticky and looking like a sweaty red faced freak all the time!
Roll on Autumn!

Thursday 28 July 2011

THUMP! Back down to Earth! Well... sort of!

Jeepers! It's been some time! Its partly apple's fault as I do so much on my iPhone I never really sit down with the laptop... but here I am!
I feel it is only appropriate to begin with the biggest thing that's happened in my absence!
The WEDDING!!!!
It was the best day ever! Lots of fun, got to spend time with friends and family, get dressed up and generally have a grand day!
The Bridesmaids slept over the night before for some crazy mayhem.... OK so we had a Greedy Greek take away then went to bed at 10.30pm but we needed our beauty sleeps!
I must say we looked pretty splendid!
They definitely added a bit of sauce to the proceedings!
The husband and I after our very solemn nuptials.... getting ready to par-taaaaay!
Keep your eyes peeled for updates on our wedding reception and honeymoon in Edinburgh.
If you fancy seeing the work by our professional photographer, who is fab, go have a look at www.siofraphotography.co.uk

Thursday 12 May 2011

Been a long time comin'.

I have been gone a long time and I feel like I have been very busy.... though I don't really have that much to show for it!
Firstly, I had my hen do in Manchester. I was lots of fun and my friends are so kind and threw me a lovely bash.
Above is just one of the shots of us, enjoying a flaming volcano rum based cocktail.
I finally got time to make my famed veggie lasagne. I made it while Joe was at work nd suprised him with a tasty tea in the garden with all our lovely flowers. (we did the garden recently too!)
I have spent some quality time with my lovely Haylee.
Who in turn has spent some quality time with Bunny and Lotso.

And I've had a good run in the charity shops. Here are a pair of cute cats that I got when I went on an adventure day out to Cromford.
My collection of pot animals is growing and growing..... expect an update on all the gang....
...Oh, and don't be a stranger!

Sunday 27 March 2011

Positive vibes.


Long has it been since I have worn a T shirt and felt comfortable. It's previously been all boob, no waist, big belly then legs sticking out the bottom. Not that I'm saying I'm body 2011 but I feel so much better!
Here I am showing off my Frank Sidebottom Tee (R.I.P) as bought at a gig of his on Valentine's Day 2008 by my lovely husband-to-be.

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Week OVER!

The post-op return to work has been smooth sailing but I'm so glad I've got a couple of days off!
The pain has decided to up the ante and I'm tackling this by sitting very still and watching Homes under the Hammer... considering a cup of tea.
Haylee has been entertaining me to cheer me up and here is a photo of her enjoying a little drink. The bathroom sink is her favourite place right now!

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Return to the daily toil.

Back to the daily grind tomorrow. Had a very relaxing, albeit slightly painful, two weeks off work and now it's time to suck it up and get back to work!
I've treated myself to a couple of new vintage dresses and am in a way looking forward to getting back into the real world.
It's been lovely at home. Plenty of wedding planning done and I must say... a lot of ebay surfing (and buying!). I've spent quality time with Haylee and had lots of snuggly naps. Visited my friend who lives nearby quite often and been fed by her! Even pancakes on Shrove Tuesday!
I've had so many cups of tea I think if you cut me I would bleed tea!
There is, however, only so much sitting round the house one can do.
So it's time to pack the painkillers and trot off to work.
Wish me luck!

Friday 11 March 2011

Waste not.

On my arrival home from hospital my lovely fiance bought me some hot cross buns. However, when you're off food ( the worst!) there are only so many hot cross buns one can eat.
So, using my stale left overs I am making bread and butter pudding. Whether I will eat much I don't know but it's worth a go!

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Who caught the bouquet?

Here I am at my friends' Shilo and Scott's wedding reception a few years ago pretending to catch the bouquet! Who'd've thought I would be the next to get married in our little group?
It's a big year.
I'm currently at home recovering from a breast reduction. It is seriously the best thing I could have ever done. Immediately after waking up from the operation I was happy with the results. I really wish I'd done it sooner!
It's uncomfortable and I have to sleep on my back but I really can't wait for them to fully heal! I put a proper dress on for the first time yesterday and it fitted me like a normal person! I was so happy!
Now its full steam ahead on my wedding preparations! I'm even more excited as my dress will fit so much better and I will be so much more confident and wont want to die when I see the photos!

Sunday 27 February 2011

Do you even exist?

Highlight of my day:
Woman: I came in at 10 and you weren't open.
Me: Yes, sorry that's because we open at 11.
Woman: I've wanted these boots for ages and because you were closed I had to go sit in MacDonalds.
Me: That's a shame. Did you have to travel far to get here?
Woman: Yeah. From Hillsborough.
Right so you got a tram, that comes every five minutes. Arrived in town 20 minutes later. Bet it nearly killed you......

She looked like she proper loved MacDonalds so I don;t know why she was complaining.

I hate people.

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Dear Digital World.


I never get photographs developed anymore. It's such a shame. I used to love looking through my parents' old photo albums and I even have one of my own.
With you, this digital age, I take photographs with a memory stick which inevitably breaks or I'm too lazy to take to the shop to get prints done. And Voila! No hard copies. All the fun times... LOST!
Well! No more! I will start getting prints done. I will make photo albums. I will put them in frames around my house.

Saturday 19 February 2011

What can't I do with bits of ribbon and some old buttons?


Last night I dreamed about snow. When I opened the blinds... there it was! Snow! Spooky huh?
So, I was meant to be going to Leeds for a friend's birthday but last minute shift changes and sloppy old snow conspired against me and here I am at home making decorations for my wedding!
Here are my finished place cards for the dining tables. I like them and think they will look cute all jumbly-up together. (shame my handwriting is like the scrawl of a teenage girl! I should have dotted the i's with little love hearts!)
I'm about to start some paper-chains out of lots of lovely paperchase parchment I bought (in the sale!). It's all about recycling and stuff you cn recycle again!

Sunday 13 February 2011

The year of dreams....

....there's so much stuff I'm looking forward to this year I am getting prickly in anticipation.
It seems like these cold, drab, long days are dragging on and on. I just want summer to come and my Mum will be here and I'll be getting married and going on our honeymoon.

Sunday 6 February 2011

Honeymooooon!

Yippee!!! We booked our honeymoon today!
We're keeping it real and heading on up to Scotland! We're going to Edinburgh for four nights and I super excited! I've never been to Scotland so its as good as an abroad holiday to me without the having to get a new (expensive) passport for both of us and live with the fear of losing it abroad and getting stuck there!
Ebay selling starts now.... need to save up some pennies for all the fun stuff!

Friday 4 February 2011

More cocoa please.

I'd pay good money to have another extra thick hot chocolate.
It's all I've thought of all week.

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Exhausted.


I wish I were peppy like these guys.

Monday 31 January 2011

The long and winding road.

What a super way to use my last holiday day pf the year! It was like a having a free "get out of work" card!
My friend Charley and I went on a little adventure to find a mystical charitable second hand warehouse.... and that we did! (despite Sheffield's ridiculous one way systems....)
It was full of lovely things but I was on a strict budget... I got a lovely China cat jug (which I want to get some flowers for today!)
The most speldiferous bit was the shop cat....... Kipper! He was adorable! Running round, miaowing, attacking anything he could get his mitts on.
It was super cold in the warehouse and our feet were like little blocks of unhappy ice so we went to Cocoa. The best chocolate shop in the world... bar none!
We had their extra thick hot chocolate and our favourite rose and violet creams. The hot chocolate ws so thick I did indeed end up eating it with a spoon!
Its such a lovely shop, and has a little snug for you to drink your tasty beverages in.
We got there at just the right time though because it started to get very busy! One of the lovely owners, Kate, took this shot of us displaying our post chocolate glow.
Quite frankly, I can't wait to go back to both of those places!

Sunday 30 January 2011

Such a peaceful life.


I wish things could be as simple as they are in my cat's life.
No worries.
No job, no money, no hassle.

Wednesday 26 January 2011

I need this in my life...

Just, y'know, generally.

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Get your sex out of my eye.

God I hate Mary Portas. If it wasn't for chumps like her my day to day life wouldn't make me feel like a worthless piece of crap on the bottom of the worst person in the world's shoe.
Primark? No customer service? No shit turd brain..... when you pay £6 for a dress, you're not paying for service.... you're paying to pick it up, buy it. End of story.
"Protest for better service" Protest and I'll punch you in the eye!
We retail monkeys should be protesting for better shoppers who aren't rude arseholes and the right to shout in their faces until they are polite.

Friday 21 January 2011

Plath in the bath.

I think I might have devastated my mind by reading Ariel by Sylvia Plath in the bath last night. I'm feeling rather deflated. I spent a long time (in my miss spent youth) reading Plath and really feeling connected to her writing (after all, it's every depressed girl's mantra). I think you can connect so easily with it as it flows like thoughts... the sort of thoughts you might have when you're really low, confused and fuddled with medication. There's also a slight under-tone of humour in some of it. That feeling of it's not funny but I'm laughing because it's all I can seem to do. Resignation that things wont change. It I don't laugh I'll cry.

It's been quite some time since I read poetry (I'm quite a big reader but lately I've been plowing through tacky crime thrillers like no other literature exists) and I was really engrossed in it. So much so that I got out the bath and read about her life on the internet. I'd pretty much read it all before but it'd been a long time.
There's such a fascination with suicide, especially where young women are concerned, but I think it's interesting to look at the reactions to depression back then and the treatments prescribed. Electro-convulsive therapy, Insulin shots, crazy stuff. Seems like a very physical response to mental illness.
I wouldn't say that today's treatments are that much better..... tablets from a doctor you most likely will never see again, one appointment at the hospital to see a psychiatrist who tells you to wear an elastic band on your wrist and snap it if you feel panicky, sort your own councelling out.
It seems we've moved on from knee-jerk panic treatment to raising awareness of such a disorder yet responding lazily.
I'd love to think of a way to approach treatment for depression, having suffered for years you'd think I might know how, but I'm stumped.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

This must be why old people get up so early...


... I've got so much done!
Had an early hospital appointment so was out the house for 7 am. Since then I've visited a friend, done the post, been to the supermarket, rectified some of the damage caused to my garden by the harsh winter AND made a bean burger mixture! I'm doing really well!
I also sorted out my house plants and a bunch of flowers I got on Christmas Day that are still going strong!

Sunday 16 January 2011

Holidays are over. My face is over.

Well, I had a week's holiday to use up by the end of January and that I did. That, I did.
It's been a great week, especially after working in a shop all Christmas and being very ill to boot. It was great to have a rest.
We went to Nottingham on Monday where I got a new wedding dress to replace the teeny weeny one that didn't fit and I like this one more! It's lovely and there are more options with it.... much more fun!
Nottingham was...... interesting. I've been before but a long time ago. I wouldn't say it had much to offer that Sheffield doesn't. And if I lived there I don't think I'd go out after dark! as soon as the night started lots of scary bad people surfaced!
The best thing about Nottingham was going to the pub for dinner where I had battered Halloumi and chips and it was the greatest EVER! (picture above is me with a picture of Robin Hood waiting for my food to come!)
On Tuesday we went for tea with our friends at The York in Broomhill (where we want our wedding meal). We drank quite a bit of beer and ate some tasty food and examined the menu and drinks in preparation for our meeting there on Thursday.
On Wednesday we went to see The Kings Speech which is fantastic. You can't really fault anything in it! Well worth a watch, and possibly a re-watch too! Then it was home and Greedy Greek for tea!
Thursday was a trip to the gym (well, you've got to have a guilt trip with all the drinking and eating out!) followed by our meeting at The York. The staff are really helpful, very organised and think of things I've not thought of yet! We (again) had tea there and sampled foods that will be on our wedding food choices. I had a goat's cheese, red pepper and walnut frittata and it was sooooo tasty and soooo filling! Following this we went to the Devonshire Cat and I drank lots of wine and Joe drank lots of beers with strange names.
Friday.... a teensy bit hungover, we went to see The Green Hornet. A good comic-book movie. I'm quite a fan of Seth Rogan and superheroes so it was a win-win for me! We followed this by (more) halloumi! We went to the Common Room and had Halloumi and cherry tomato skewers with flatbread and chunky (and i mean CHUNKY!) chips then back home for a nap!
That night my friend (and also my bridesmaid) came over for tea and with a hot-off-the-press delivery of .... our wedding invitation!!! It's a beautiful design and I can't wait to get it back from the printers and sent out! (You can see the wonderful work she does here http://charleydreams.blogspot.com/. We had some tasty veggies, I ruined the roast potatoes and then watched an interesting Giallo with Edwidge Fenech called All the Colours Dark.
Saturday was breakfast at the local greasy spoon "Bloomers" with Joe (a bit dirty but when you work in a shop you rarely get a Saturday morning! So we thought we'd join those lucky 9-5'ers and read the Sun in a proper caff! Then it was lunch out with two of my Bridesmaids (MORE FOOD!) and a wander around the charity shops. Followed by a night in. Finally! We watched Talledega Nights (I also love Will Ferrell!) and laughed our little socks off. I just love silly made up things and I particularly liked the bloopers!
Sunday; the last day before doom descends upon me. It was a friend's birthday and we went in a big group for dinner at The Fat Cat in Kelham Island. There is a real life beautiful tortoiseshell cat who roams the pub, he comes for a little sit and tickle with you too. It's well worth a visit just for cat joy! I had the tastiest mushroom, mustard and tarragon pie with veggies followed by jam roly poly and custard.....

On that note... I feel like a massive roly poly. I need to go back to work. Eat healthily. Rediscover fruit (what's fruit?). Go to the gym. Drink water.

All that boring stuff.

Boo Hoo

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Goodbye Mad Men :(

So the Mad Men wedding dress didn't fit as the measurements given were wrong (6 inches smaller than it said!) I was a little bit sad as it was a really lovely dress. Thankfully the seller was great and has refunded me and apologised. (I will be visiting her again as her stuff is lovely!)
I've made a pretty quick turn around though and went to Nottingham and found a new dress in Backlash Clothing. The lady in there was lovely and there were so many dresses to choose from! I tried on quite a few including some pretty epic Shirley Bassey fishtail numbers covered in tulle, net and pearls! Sadly there were no room for my boobs so I didn't get one of those (probably a good thing! I don't think Sheffield Town Hall or my Fiancee would be ready for that!)
I did find one in there though and spent all day wandering round thinking about it so I went back and bought it. I really like it but it needs a bit of tweeking as it's more an outer dress (I think it would be more porno dress if not tweeked.... it's see through)
So I now have a little customising mission which makes it all the more fun! Now when people ask where I got my dress I can say this bit was from here and I made this bit and blah blah blah!
Tomorrow we are meeting the planner at the restaurant/pub we want our wedding meal at. We went last night for tea and got our heads around the menu and drinks so we can go to meet the lady and be prepared. It's quite exciting now things are starting to come together. 5 months and I'll a grumpy old Mrs!

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Bridezilla 2 - Return of the planner.

With the new year and the fact I have no money until pay day I've been getting really frustrated with wedding planning! It's all getting done bit by bit but I wish I could just get loads done in one go!
I was lying awake for hours the other night worrying about getting the meal booked for after the ceremony.... but I think that was partly to do with the fact I'd not taken my medicine in over a week and it was the first day back on them!
I love this 1960s bride doll, I'd love one of these as a decoration at the wedding so I will keep my eyes peeled, I'm sure I will find one in 5 months! There was a huge one at Langtons Antique Centre when we went and bought our new 1930s 3 piece suite but I refrained..... maybe she'll still be there next time I go!

Sunday 2 January 2011

Onwards!


Christmas is over!
I had a lovely time, its the first Christmas in about 1o years where I've felt I really belong and that I am part of a family.
We did Christmas Day at our house; presents under the tree, full veggie dinner and sticky toffee pudding for dessert, Christmas family movie (Toy Story 3! Again!)
I got all lovely presents, things I love! And things I need! ( I got baking equipment so I can now make something other than Victoria Sponge which I can make without measuring the ingredients!) Lots of lovely bath products so I've had a very decadent week bathing-wise!
Sadly I got ill ON CHRISTMAS DAY! Boohoo! I think my ear infection weakened my system and I caught a bug off Joe's brother Jake. So I spent the whole week coughing, spluttering and sleeping....
New Year is always garbage! We stayed in, watched Anchorman (very funny! Triggering some spectacular coughing fits!), had a few beers and were asleep by 10.30!

...on to Mad Men.....
I bought my wedding dress! I don't really watch Mad Men, though Joe adores it so I am aware of it and find it a treat for the eyes, but the only way I can describe my wedding dress is a mixture of Betty and Peggy.
I got some lovely money for Christmas which I'm using for my wedding outfit, I'd been spending my ill days in bed scouring the internet for vintage dresses. There are some gorgeous tulle ones but all are TINY, EXPENSIVE and IN AMERICA! So not at all great for me.
The problems with wanting a vintage dress for your wedding is finding the right one and it being tiny so you'll never fit in it or finding a nice one but thinking you'll keep looking then not getting ANYTHING! So I got it. And I can't wait to get it in the post!
Now I have the dilemma of BRIDESMAIDS!
I'm not having a "weddingy" wedding but I have three best friends who are the equivalent of bridesmaids therefore they need to wear something. But I don't want bridesmaid dresses for them and all three are so different anyway.
It's very stressful having a small unweddingy wedding! I can't imagine doing a big wedding!