He's fabulous.
I wish to God he was around at lunchtime today when I had a fish burger, large chips and a big fat cupcake from Peyton and Byrne.
I ask you - is there a nicer sight than that? ... bar of course this (will you excuse me a moment?)
29 November 2007
He Did It Again
Last night, after dinner, he opened a box of Ritz crackers. After two he said "No more Kitty, you've had enough".
He's fabulous.
I wish to God he was around at lunchtime today when I had a fish burger, large chips and a big fat cupcake from Peyton and Byrne.
I ask you - is there a nicer sight than that? ... bar of course this (will you excuse me a moment?)
He's fabulous.
I wish to God he was around at lunchtime today when I had a fish burger, large chips and a big fat cupcake from Peyton and Byrne.
I ask you - is there a nicer sight than that? ... bar of course this (will you excuse me a moment?)
26 November 2007
Run Fat Girl, Run
I have been cajoled into taking part in the Leeds 10k Run for All in memory of Jane Tomlinson, who died in September this year. In the 7 years after Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer she took part in a series of gruelling challenges, raising £1.75m for charity (which makes my £5k for Macmillan look piddly).
On June 22nd next year myself and 28 of my work colleagues will be hauling our cookies up north and attempting to raise a bit more for her charity – Jane’s Appeal.
If you would like to find out more about the event, please log onto the run for all website.
To kindly part with some money our just giving site is safe, secure and speedy.
On June 22nd next year myself and 28 of my work colleagues will be hauling our cookies up north and attempting to raise a bit more for her charity – Jane’s Appeal.
If you would like to find out more about the event, please log onto the run for all website.
To kindly part with some money our just giving site is safe, secure and speedy.
One Small Step
Boo actually told me enough at the weekend. He was holding a special Christmas tub of M&S £4.99 honey roasted cashews which I was attempting to wrestle off him and scoff. He said “no, you’ve had enough”.
Well I never.
He then told me I was only allowed two chocolate hobnobs. Two?! He actually took two out of the tin, shut it and took it away from me.
Blimey.
I do love that man.
Well I never.
He then told me I was only allowed two chocolate hobnobs. Two?! He actually took two out of the tin, shut it and took it away from me.
Blimey.
I do love that man.
23 November 2007
Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome, in cabaret, au cabaret, to cabaret!
Off to The Theatre last night to celebrate Natalia's 30 blah birthday.
We started off with the trendy version of the Early Bird Special at Sugar Reef - for some Happy Hour Mojito's and Rose, together with a two course for £16 menu of good tempura battered tiger prawn starter and a first class crab, cucumber, red pepper, mango and coriander salad main.
Dinner done off to see Cabaret with Amy Nuttal. Yes, Amy Nuttal - Chloe from Emmerdale, who can actually sing and dance and act and look sexy all at the same time...
I vaguely remembered seeing the film Cabaret on the telly with Liza Minnelli. I remember stockings and bowler hats and a smoky nightclub.
I don't remember naked bottoms, penises, serious coke habits and prostitutes. Ah the innocence of youth!
Anyhow for those that don't know the story, roughly it goes like this - bisexual American novelist Clifford Bradshaw turns up in Berlin on New Years Eve in the 1930s and meets dodgy Ernst Ludwig. Ludwig recommends both some lodgings for Cliff to stay in and invites him to the Kit Kat Club, where he meets singer/dancer/hooker Sally Bowles. Sally then gets sacked from the club, turns up at Cliff's hotel (run by Fraulein Schneider) and begs to stay. They party for a while having a great time and it then goes horribly wrong. And I found it all a little overwhelming. The incredibly funny, camp and sinister Emcee manipulates the audience to such an extent that it's not until "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" that I remembered this is about the Nazis; but then the entire second half left me in no doubt of this musicals political message. Cliff's saxophone-playing male lover is beated up and taken away by the Nazis. Fraulein Schneider is told to reject her Jewish fiance by Ludwig and the exotic and sexy Kit Kat dancers turn into a huddle of naked figures in a concentration camp.
Thank god you're allowed drinks into the theatre... the healing and soothing power of Pimm's is not to be underestimated.
We started off with the trendy version of the Early Bird Special at Sugar Reef - for some Happy Hour Mojito's and Rose, together with a two course for £16 menu of good tempura battered tiger prawn starter and a first class crab, cucumber, red pepper, mango and coriander salad main.
Dinner done off to see Cabaret with Amy Nuttal. Yes, Amy Nuttal - Chloe from Emmerdale, who can actually sing and dance and act and look sexy all at the same time...
I vaguely remembered seeing the film Cabaret on the telly with Liza Minnelli. I remember stockings and bowler hats and a smoky nightclub.
I don't remember naked bottoms, penises, serious coke habits and prostitutes. Ah the innocence of youth!
Anyhow for those that don't know the story, roughly it goes like this - bisexual American novelist Clifford Bradshaw turns up in Berlin on New Years Eve in the 1930s and meets dodgy Ernst Ludwig. Ludwig recommends both some lodgings for Cliff to stay in and invites him to the Kit Kat Club, where he meets singer/dancer/hooker Sally Bowles. Sally then gets sacked from the club, turns up at Cliff's hotel (run by Fraulein Schneider) and begs to stay. They party for a while having a great time and it then goes horribly wrong. And I found it all a little overwhelming. The incredibly funny, camp and sinister Emcee manipulates the audience to such an extent that it's not until "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" that I remembered this is about the Nazis; but then the entire second half left me in no doubt of this musicals political message. Cliff's saxophone-playing male lover is beated up and taken away by the Nazis. Fraulein Schneider is told to reject her Jewish fiance by Ludwig and the exotic and sexy Kit Kat dancers turn into a huddle of naked figures in a concentration camp.
Thank god you're allowed drinks into the theatre... the healing and soothing power of Pimm's is not to be underestimated.
19 November 2007
P.S. I Love You
Whilst waiting to meet my friends for an altogether delightful Sunday lunch this weekend, I was perusing the 3 for 2 tables FOS in Waterstones Richmond, and came across the movie tie-in edition of Cecelia Aherns' fantastic P.S. I Love You. I remember reading that a movie was in production, but had heard nothing for about a year or so. Have checked on IMDb and it's true - the film hits the UK cinema screens on Boxing Day. Can Not Wait.
Here's the plot outline (as written by someone called Orange on the IMBd site)... Holly Kennedy (Hillary Swank) is beautiful, smart and married to the love of her life - a passionate, funny, and impetuous Irishman named Gerry (Gerard Butler). So when Gerry's life is taken by an illness, it takes the life out of Holly. The only one who can help her is the person who is no longer there. Nobody knows Holly better than Gerry. So it's a good thing he planned ahead. Before he died, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief, but in rediscovering herself. The first message arrives on Holly's 30th birthday in the form of a cake, and to her utter shock, a tape recording from Gerry, who proceeds to tell her to get out and "celebrate herself". In the weeks and months that follow, more letters from Gerry are delivered in surprising ways, each sending her on a new adventure and each signing off in the same way; P.S. I Love You. Holly's mother (Kathy Bates) and best friends (Gina Gershom) and Denise (Lisa Kundrow), begin to worry that Gerry's letters are keeping Holly tied to the past, but in fact, each letter is pushing her further into a new future. With Gerry's words as her guide, Holly embarks on a touching, exciting and often hilarious journey of rediscovery in a story about marriage, friendship and how a love so strong can turn the finality of death into a new beginning for life.
I tell you, if they fuck up the travel agent scene I will hunt someone down and do unspeakable horrors to their nether regions.
Here's the plot outline (as written by someone called Orange on the IMBd site)... Holly Kennedy (Hillary Swank) is beautiful, smart and married to the love of her life - a passionate, funny, and impetuous Irishman named Gerry (Gerard Butler). So when Gerry's life is taken by an illness, it takes the life out of Holly. The only one who can help her is the person who is no longer there. Nobody knows Holly better than Gerry. So it's a good thing he planned ahead. Before he died, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief, but in rediscovering herself. The first message arrives on Holly's 30th birthday in the form of a cake, and to her utter shock, a tape recording from Gerry, who proceeds to tell her to get out and "celebrate herself". In the weeks and months that follow, more letters from Gerry are delivered in surprising ways, each sending her on a new adventure and each signing off in the same way; P.S. I Love You. Holly's mother (Kathy Bates) and best friends (Gina Gershom) and Denise (Lisa Kundrow), begin to worry that Gerry's letters are keeping Holly tied to the past, but in fact, each letter is pushing her further into a new future. With Gerry's words as her guide, Holly embarks on a touching, exciting and often hilarious journey of rediscovery in a story about marriage, friendship and how a love so strong can turn the finality of death into a new beginning for life.
I tell you, if they fuck up the travel agent scene I will hunt someone down and do unspeakable horrors to their nether regions.
16 November 2007
No Longer A Virgin
For reasons too complicated/embarrassing/dull to mention, I cancelled my membership at The Gym at the end of September. It would appear that in just 7 weeks a person can put on about a stone in weight if they don't do any exercise. I also believe eating enough to feed a small family of four can add to that weight increase. I further believe (although I am awaiting a second opinion) that unless I pull my finger out of my whatever, and stop pulling the wool over my eyes I will be a fatty till I die. For the love of God why the fuck do I find this so chuffing hard. I mean, its not rocket science. JUST STOP FUCKING EATING. Please, I beg of you, if you see me within a 100 paces of ANYTHING that looks like food, will you please hurl a Tazer in my direction....
12 November 2007
9 November 2007
Booked!
Boo and I booked our wedding venue this week. OH MY GOD! We are doing-the-do in The Conservatory on 3rd May 2009 at 5pm here...
... at The Inn on the Green. It is perfect and stunning and can host exactly what we want.
So about that diet.....
... at The Inn on the Green. It is perfect and stunning and can host exactly what we want.
So about that diet.....
Spa Wars
I loved Marrying for Money, the last Chris Manby title I read before Spa Wars which is coming in Hardback next February. I gave it 4 out of 5 in the review I posted on the waterstones.com website. I think I'll give Spa Wars a 3 (and a half). In film terms, the first 45 mins is great - but the last 15 feels rushed and you're left feeling a bit cheated as the credits roll. Spa Wars is a brilliant idea - girl opens her own beauty salon and potters along for a bit. Z list celeb at the height of her 15 minutes of fame visits said Salon to get her nail fixed one night and girl's life and business gets turned around. Then a series of unfortunate events spell doom for everyone - and everyone learns a bunch of lessons about "what goes around comes around". Etc etc etc. As is usual with a Chris Manby book - there are some really funny scenes and some very well crafted characters (and maybe it's just me and maybe I'm wrong), but I thought the ending could have done with a chapter or two more....
5 November 2007
Little White Lies
I got quite tipsy with Bernadette Strachan once after she had been Guest of Honour at a lovely little Afternoon Cream Tea that Hodder kindly put together for the Waterstones Chick Lit Forum at The Charlotte Street Hotel. (Oh happy happy days….) We had a lovely evening putting the world to rights over several glasses of wine and she revealed, amongst other things, that her husband wrote the duh duh duh duuuuuh music for “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
That fact aside – I have been a fan of Bernie and her writing since The Reluctant Landlady in 2004. So when I left my (smuggled out of Hodder Towers) proof of Little White Lies in a friends car for nearly a month I was gutted…
Thankfully, said friend finally dropped it back last week, so having been traumatised by Child 44, I was over the moon to be able to get stuck in.
It’s adorable. My only criticism of Bernie's last book (Diamonds and Daisies) was that for some unspecific reason I couldn’t stand her leading lady (Sunny). Not so with Little White Lies.
Billie Baskerville is summoned by her Aunt Babs to deepest, darkest Sussex. Aunt Babs is going to Australia on a OAP-GAP year, and needs Billie to take over running her wedding dress shop. Putting a cynical, groom-hating, wedding-loathing, bride-detesting girl in charge of such a shop should be a disaster waiting to happen, but Billie can't help but get swept away with the romance of her customers and with village life. She gives the shop a much-needed makeover and starts rebuilding her life again.
Scattered with very funny characters – the illustrator Gay Best Friend, hippy chick Dot and Chav Debs, together with Billies “actress” mother and inspirational speaker brother – Bernie has written a PROPER laugh-out-loud-in-places book. I chuckled a lot whilst reading this, even though I feel quite miserable at the moment – and was hooked till the end.
The end is however, very surprising. I won’t give anything away, but it all felt like a bolt out of the blue, and I’m not sure whether I wanted to happen, what did happen (if you see what I mean). But it doesn’t take away from the fact that Billie is a much much better character than Sunny – and I loved the whole “running away to find happiness” lesson…..if only I had my own Aunt Babs.
That fact aside – I have been a fan of Bernie and her writing since The Reluctant Landlady in 2004. So when I left my (smuggled out of Hodder Towers) proof of Little White Lies in a friends car for nearly a month I was gutted…
Thankfully, said friend finally dropped it back last week, so having been traumatised by Child 44, I was over the moon to be able to get stuck in.
It’s adorable. My only criticism of Bernie's last book (Diamonds and Daisies) was that for some unspecific reason I couldn’t stand her leading lady (Sunny). Not so with Little White Lies.
Billie Baskerville is summoned by her Aunt Babs to deepest, darkest Sussex. Aunt Babs is going to Australia on a OAP-GAP year, and needs Billie to take over running her wedding dress shop. Putting a cynical, groom-hating, wedding-loathing, bride-detesting girl in charge of such a shop should be a disaster waiting to happen, but Billie can't help but get swept away with the romance of her customers and with village life. She gives the shop a much-needed makeover and starts rebuilding her life again.
Scattered with very funny characters – the illustrator Gay Best Friend, hippy chick Dot and Chav Debs, together with Billies “actress” mother and inspirational speaker brother – Bernie has written a PROPER laugh-out-loud-in-places book. I chuckled a lot whilst reading this, even though I feel quite miserable at the moment – and was hooked till the end.
The end is however, very surprising. I won’t give anything away, but it all felt like a bolt out of the blue, and I’m not sure whether I wanted to happen, what did happen (if you see what I mean). But it doesn’t take away from the fact that Billie is a much much better character than Sunny – and I loved the whole “running away to find happiness” lesson…..if only I had my own Aunt Babs.
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