sailtheship

My To Do List

2012-02-16T12:30:00.000Z

As I sit here, sipping on a hot lemon and honey to kick my cold into touch - I was looking at my to do list - but it's more of a to do pile - and it's been growing! Since long before we moved, however now it's more prominent than ever after I've cleaned the house.

I have a pile of magazines to catch up on and I suppose as I'm sick it's the best thing to do whilst watching Ella Enchanted on Netflix. I have to complete and send off my Passport renewal before I head off on a jolly holiday - otherwise the only place I'll be headed is a 2 week stint in Terminal 5 at Heathrow. Planning for etsy and the new home take up a lot of my time - I've managed to spend a little time this morning sorting out some important bits that needed doing...like hanging bunting. Priorities - I gots em!

I'm going to sit down today and plan my productivity because lately it's been nothing but shocking! If I can crack this pile then my plans for Ceri's 30th in June should be under way in no time! Otherwise he'll be getting it all when he hits 32!

Weight Loss Wednesday

2012-02-15T08:15:00.001Z

Loss this week: 2lb

Loss overall: 44lbs

Pounds till target: 51lbs

That's a little bit more like it eh! I played it a little bit fast and loose with points this week, I was more relaxed about what I was eating whilst still planning ahead - the last few days whilst I've been sick has completely blown all of that out of the water so I'm entirely sure that next week I'll see a gain.

I've been having a struggle with the whole weight loss thing this week - but just to justify my bad eating to myself - because I enjoyed eating brownies and ice cream after a veggie spag bol on Monday. Do I want to lose weight to be happy and healthy? Aren't I happy as I am (yes!) But what's driving me to lose all this weight? This week, I haven't been sure to be honest! Maybe it'll come to me in the next few days and by next week I'll be able to tell you. I knew at the start of the year but now I seem to have totally forgotten.

One thing I did want to share with you this week, is this fab website that lets you know what size you are in different shop based upon your measurements! What Size Am I? is a brilliant invention because you know what it's like - you're never the same in two shops - which for me, is an international scandal along with long lines in the Post Office.

It can often be disheartening to have to go a shop and pick up the size you KNOW you are - but it doesn't fit and you miserably go to pick up the larger size, lo and behold! The perfect sizing. It's awful! But now you'll know it's not you, you're fine! It's the shops and their ridiculous sizing policy! I would like to see an international sizing policy in shops so there's consistency - if you're a 12 in Topshop, you're a 12 in Jaeger..or wherever!

Lazy Sunday Breakfast

2012-02-14T12:00:00.000Z

The other day, I was reading my Google Reader for Valentine's day inspiration, when I stumbled upon Rebecca's post about a special kind of eggy breakfast. I wanted to make this for Ceri for a Valetine's breakfast, and call me lazy - I couldn't be bothered to get up out of bed that early to go to that effort. He probably wouldn't have eaten it anyways because we both have to rush to get out in the mornings! Last minute kinda people when it comes to getting to work!

It was all going swimmingly until I decided it would be a good idea to flip the bread to toast the other side of the bread, annnnnd it all went to seed.

The look did not affect the taste at all! It was delicious and I gobbled it all up! Brilliant Sunday Breakfast!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T09:00:00.000Z

Love to you and yours x

Dear World

2012-02-13T13:35:00.001Z

I wasn't sure how to share my feelings about this - whether to send it out in to the universe to Chris Brown or to the millions of girls who declared willing to let him beat them up.

Below is just a small sample of tweets and Facebook status' proclaiming that for Chris Brown - all is forgiven!

You can see the rest at Buzzfeed. I know that I'm not alone in finding this scary - however I think it's indicative of the culture we have around us where if you have enough money, fame or success - you can do anything - and get away with it.

Chris Brown himself, witnessed his own mother's abuse at the hands of her boyfriend. At an interview with Larry King after the event, Brown stated "I'm in shock, because first of all, that's not who I am as a person, and that's not who I promise I want to be." His mother stated that Brown had never had a record of violence previously - but on Good Morning America he still trashed a dressing room and threw a chair out of the window.

To my knowledge, he has never appropriately apologised for his actions that night and only wishes that people would let him move on from his past. Only I don't think that we should, because these are actions that are unforgivable.

And let's not forget that this wasn't an isolated incident, the crime report from the subsequent court case stated:

"Police investigating the February 8 attack 'learned of two earlier incidents related to domestic violence that went unreported'.

'The first incident occured in Europe about three months before the present offense' the report said. 'The victim and the defendant were involved in a verbal dispute and the victim slapped the defendant. He responded by shoving her into a wall.'

I know what you might say here - She hit him first, he was well within his rights to react. Or my personal favourite "equal fights for equal rights". Yes, she hit him which is wrong however, he was most likely physically stronger than her and a shove into a wall can hurt way more than a slap.

"Another incident happened in January, three weeks before the Hollywood incident, when Brown and Rihanna were visting her home country of Barbados, the report said. 'The defendant and the victim were visiting Barbados and were driving a Range Rover loaned to them by a local dealership. They had an argument inside the car. The defendant exited and broke the front driver and passenger side windows of the car"

Now you could say on this instance, that he didn't lay a finger on her however Women's Aid has a slightly different view:

"Domestic violence is physical, sexual, psychological or financial violence that takes place within an intimate of family-type relationship that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. This includes forced marriage and so called "honour crimes". Domestic violence may include a range of abusive behaviours, not all of which are in themselves inherently "violent".

You can click here for any other information.

Because the music industry/society etc has been so willing to forgive Chris Brown and others like him, young women and girls are being led to believe that this kind of behaviour is ok, acceptable and more horrifying - normal. We know that most cases of domestic abuse go unreported, across the world and all sections of society but we cannot continue to let these things go on silently because it will end up with young girls everywhere being hurt by hands or words of someone they care about and not being able to talk about it - which leads to a downward spiral of abuse which will lead to worse. That being said, domestic abuse isn't, of course, gender specific and although the projected figures are far less - it does occur on a woman to man basis.

Can we really let anyone, specifically the impressionable, go on thinking that it's ok to condone the actions of a person who has wronged another because they're "good looking", successful, popular? It starts with Chris Brown at the Grammys and ends with the cute boy in class who one day hits his girlfriend or forces her to do something she's not ready for.

If you're reading this, and concerned about anything at all - log onto Refuge for the UK or in the US they have the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Thank you

Another Rugby Weekend

2012-02-13T12:30:00.000Z

Another rugby heavy weekend has drawn to a close, I'm feeling a little bit lost truth be told! During the 2 months of 6 Nations - my weekends are entirely planned around games.

On Friday after work, Ceri & I went to watch Cardiff Blues at their own ground - Cardiff Arms Park - I've never been to a ground like it, the Blues don't play there anymore although there is a lot of pressure for them to return and win their fans back round. Being in the terraces was an electric experience and there was nothing but love for the Blues the whole way through! I had to give up about 10minutes from the end due to the cold and head to meet friends in a local bar before heading home, but it was an awesome night and something I hope I can do again in the future, weather permitting!

On Saturday, Italy played England in a rather boring game - I was hoping Italy would smash the English team and although they did give them a good run around they failed to put the points on the board! The Ireland game against France was cancelled 2 minutes before kick off - which was super annoying!

Sunday was spent...wait for it...in the pub! Wales were playing at home to Scotland - the first home game of the 6 Nations and these are always bound to draw a good crowd! The atmosphere was awesome! I always want Scotland to win against everyone because they really believe they can do it - so was totally on the fence for this game - but when Wales started dominating it was hard not to get sucked in to the screaming and shouting!

This week Ceri & I are being super sociable with having friends over! Which is going to be so nice to be able to show off our home even though it's not finished let alone started!

What's your week looking like?

Style Inspiration: A League of their Own

2012-02-12T14:00:00.000Z

Last weekend I conquered the Netflix, I had so many awesome films on the go I'm surprised I got much else done with myself! One film that I loved when I was a kid but haven't watched in years was A League of their Own - how could anyone fail to find it anything but awesome?

I was in awe of the style - the 40s have never particularly been my thing, I've always swooned over 50s and 60s dresses but the outfits in this film were so cute, feminine and flattering! Unfortunately, there isn't a lot on the internet for A League of their Own but there's some cute patterns available for 40s dresses to make for yourself!

Sensibility.com had some cute swing era dress patterns ranging from the 30s to the 50s, that were affordable!

The British High Street has a great selection of vintage style dresses at the moment

Dress 1 - Miss Selfridge - £35

Dress 2 - Miss Selfridge - £40

Dress 3 - Dorothy Perkins - £29

Whilst on the search for retro-esque shoes I stumbled across Tuppencehapenny Vintage which seems like such a cute blog about vintage style!

Operation Nice

2012-02-11T17:29:00.001Z

Today, I stumbled upon OperationNice.com, and it struck a chord with me.

I work in a job where sympathy and empathy are very important, I work with a wide group of people who experience diverse and complex barriers back to work triggered by health conditions and disabilities - It's important for me to listen, understand, facilitate a welcoming environment where those I work with feel that they can trust me an ask for help.

I enjoy what I do but of course I'm paid to be there. I hope I'm kind and polite to my friends, family and others that I care about - but when was the last time I did anything NICE for someone else or a stranger, just because?

Operation Nice is primarily about making the world a nicer place to be, Melissa Morris - the lady behind it, had an epiphany with a stranger in 2008 and has been trying to be a nicer person to friends and strangers, ever since.

It's not even about the big gestures - small, sometimes seemingly insignificant acts, can really improve the life of someone who you have no other connection with - than that moment.

From now on, I am going to consciously do 1 nice thing a week - hopefully from there, I won't even notice when I do nice things all the time! I know that it shouldn't take this kind of thought or effort to do nice things for others around me but unfortunately, that's not the type of world that we live in...so I hope I can do this and it becomes something I do in the future without having to consider it!

Project Unbreakable

2012-02-11T13:35:00.000Z

I came across this on Tumblr this morning and found it extremely moving, emotive and powerful.

Grace Brown started this photography project in October (2011? 2010? - I'm not sure) called Project Unbreakable, it's a variety of pictures of people - men and women, who are the survivors of sexual abuse. The pictures contain quotes from the person's abuser - what was said to them to keep them in fear, justify the abuser's actions of comments from parents who then found out.

Grace has received a massive response from people wishing to be photographed or submitting their own pictures via Tumblr.

Sexual assault and any form of abuse is something we should try to eradicate from all areas of our society - whether it's against women, men or children. It doesn't matter. I think this project is a massive step to making us all see how wide spread an issue it really is.

For more information, you can click the following links:

http://projectunbreakable.tumblr.com
http://facebook.com/projectunbreakable
http://twitter.com/projectunbreakable

Decoration Inspiration!

2012-02-10T14:00:00.000Z

Pinterest is good for a few things and getting ideas for the new house is one of them! I have so many ideas in my head that it's difficult to cram them all in with style that's fluid!

sweetandlovelythings.tumblr.com

realhousewivesofbuckscounty.com

notmybeautifulhome.tumblr.com

sunnysarahs.blogspot.com

freshome.com

I've read and re-read the Style Your Space E-Course from Red Velvet since before we moved to get ideas and plan each room of our house properly! We're starting small but each thing we accomplish makes this place more like ours!

Things I love Thursday!

2012-02-09T12:30:00.000Z

This week, I'm food mad! And even though I'm not eating any of this stuff myself, unfortunately, it doesn't mean I can't look!

How amazing do these Brownie Batter Pancakes look from Inspiredtaste.net ?

Heatherlikesfood blogged about dipping pizza. Now this brings together two of my great loves - pizza and dipping things!

I was in a bit of awe when I saw this Brownie Pudding from MerryGourmet, I could sit down and eat it all!

Rebecca of EzraPoundCake blogged about this beautiful French Style Strawberry Yoghurt Cake with Whipped Cream and Berries! It looks amazing!

Who wouldn't want one of these Chocolate Raspberry Upside Down cakes from Foodess Blog? Can you imagine how amazing it smells?!

To me, this Rainbow Cake from HiddenPonies belongs in the Lourve, next to the Mona Lisa - it's a work of art and engineering. I WANT ALL THE CAKES!

♥ Ceri came back from Ireland on Monday - that was the longest weekend ever! I missed him terribly but was so excited to have him come home!

♥ The baby next door has cried a lot lately in the night, so we've had to re-arrange our bedroom furniture to get the bed away from the wall. It's not all bad - I love the way the room looks now! I'm even more excited to paint it and get my dressing table sorted - once I find it!

♥ Two of my friends are moving to Swansea, I haven't seen them in so long and I'm excited to start hanging out again!

♥ Ceri and I finally booked holiday at work for his 30th Birthday and our holiday in June/July! Two weeks of awesome fun and Ireland!

So much to look forward to and be thankful for!

Weight Loss Wednesday

2012-02-08T07:09:00.001Z

Loss this Week: - None! Gained 1lb

Loss overall 42lbs

Pounds till target: 53lbs

I can wholeheartedly tell you, I deserve that 1lb and more! I ate crap this week - cake, sandwiches, crisps.

Luckily, every Wednesday is a fresh start, clean slate and a chance to put right some wrongs. I don't even feel too guilty about what I ate, because at least I enjoyed what I was doing at the time!

I was talking to someone at work yesterday who is also trying to lose weight about our attitudes to food. I think there are 3 types of people:

♥ Healthy People - Doesn't matter what size they are - they can be slim, a little bit chubby - whatever! But they have a healthy attitude to food

♥ Changers - people who once had an unhealthy attitude to food who now take a conscious and healthy approach

♥ And me! I can be skinny as a rake but I will always be a fat girl inside, because I have a poor attitude to food through learned behaviour - first and foremost - I hoard it! Has anyone seen the Disney Film, Heavy Weights? I'd be Tony Pervis

So it's time to start again - planning meals, exercising and only snacking on fruits and healthy bits - joy.

6 Nations: Ireland vs Wales

2012-02-07T12:00:00.000Z

After a full day sat in the pub on Saturday watching rugby, Sunday was the day for a slower pace.

Because Ceri was on a Boys Weekend in Dublin to watch the Game with his friends, I spent a slower paced Sunday afternoon with his family.

Ceri's mum made Irish Stew, which I literally haven't had since I last saw my Nana Moloney when I visited her in Drogheda a few years ago. It was delicious, warm and so filling!

Ceri's family have two cats: Tito (after Paul Tito) and Kiwi (because Paul Tito is from New Zealand). They're brother and sister and polar opposites, Tito is the ultimate tom-cat, he comes home when he likes and fights with everything and everyone. Kiwi is like the female squirrel from The Sword in the Stone, she flirts with Ceri all day long. So when I turned up today, on my own - she was sniffing around me wondering what the hell was up?! Sorry kitty - no boyfriend for you today.

The game was tense, there was banter and I was a lone Irish voice in a room full of Welshies. Wales dominated the first half - Ireland came back fighting in the second but lost by 2 points after a penalty for a risky tackle - It was so close! Next weekend is ours though!

Recycle: Home Made Skirt

2012-02-06T12:30:00.000Z

I've had a pair of jeans in my wardrobe, gathering dust for about a year. The only time I've worn them is when Ceri and I have gone a bit far on the motorbike. Rather than let them sit there and do nothing I thought I'd make a new denim skirt for myself. I made one when I was 17, so I was familiar with what I had to do.

I tried the jeans on to see the length I wanted for the skirt. I think in this case, it's slightly more reliable than a tape measure, because you can see where the jeans sit comfortably. Pick a spot, mark it off - and cut!

Once you've cut along the leg, you should cut up the inseam to get the material to fan out.

I had some scrap material left that I wanted to use, it's a bit cutesy but I love it anyways! I got it from A Vintage Affair in Cardiff.

Ceri isn't home as I write this, so I can't get a very good picture of the skirt in action! But it fits cute!

Sunday Sponge!

2012-02-05T13:01:00.003Z

This morning I got out of bed with a little bit of an umph, I made a skirt (more on that later), and baked a cake.

I'm killing time until Ireland play Wales in their first 6 Nations games, yesterday was a day spent in the pub watching Scotland lose to England (sad face), and France win over Italy. Spending a cold wintery Saturday in the pub, when the snow is coming down outside is entirely underrated.

I tried out my new Russell Hobbs hand mixer out, which was a house warming present from some of Ceri's friends.

Ingredients

200g Flora Light

4 Medium Eggs

200g Self Raising Flour

200g Caster Sugar

1tsp Vanilla Extract

I used baking parchment for the first time, which seems to work on the TV

It didn't seem to have the desired results for me and although the cake set perfectly well, it didn't rise - which has never been an issue for me before? I was planning something different for the cakes - to split the tiers and turn it into a four tiered cake, but because of the the way the cake set - thin and a bit messy on the edges, it wasn't ideal.

Although it wasn't entirely how I planned it - it still tastes great! Also a fabulous celebration for 100 posts!

Snowy Saturday

2012-02-04T11:40:00.001Z

It's a snowy Saturday in Cardiff this morning. Temperatures have been hitting -4 in the day and worse than that in the night my lips and skin are dry and I have a runny nose then to top it all off, I was getting off the sofa last night and my left knee popped out of the socket - this morning it's been painfully swollen. It feels better this morning and is still visibly larger than my other knee but I'll live!

I got up this morning and finished a bag - my head wasn't in the game so I did silly mistakes that I can fix, but it's frustrating because I had to really concentrate to do anything this morning.

As I'm writing this, snow is falling in small flurries outside my window, my hope for spring being near is not totally shot out of the water.

Soon, I have to leave the safe warm refuge of my sofa and spend the day socialising in the pub for the beginning of the 6 Nations! A European Rugby competition that lasts from now until about April - and it always guarantees a good time and a good amount of banter around Cardiff!

The Great Cardiff Bake Off!

2012-02-03T12:00:00.001Z

I'm excited about the Great Cardiff Bake Off that is being organised by Forever Vintage in aid of Ty Hafan Hospice. There's been so much interest in Cardiff that places are limited to take part - although I do hope I'm selected because I'm planning a pretty impressive Victoria Sponge, even just going along for the day should be good fun!

The Bake Off isn't just for charity - although it is a really good cause! It's also a World Record Attempt to hold the most number of Bake Offs on one day - so other cities are organising their own events throughout the UK - log onto Facebook to see if there is one near you - alternatively - Why not be the person to organise it?

Things I love Thursday

2012-02-02T19:47:00.000Z

Happy Thursday! Ceri has gone to Ireland for the 6 Nations and I'm looking down the barrel of 4 days to myself! I think I'm going to enjoy the peace and quiet but I'm going to miss the human radiator!

I've fallen in love with this dress from Modcloth.com!

Kristen Bell recounting her brush with Sloths was too cute! For the Sloths, and Kristen!

I'm finding this design by Studio Muti super inspiring!

Oh Tumblr <3 Ceri & I run around the house yelling this at one another

♥ As I leave work everyday, it's getting lighter and lighter out - which means one thing! That even though it's -10 in Wales tonight and I have a runny nose - Spring will be here soon!

♥ My house is FILLED With flowers! Roses and Tulips - two of my favourites! I'm running out of vases!

♥ My dad called yesterday - he's been given the all clear from the suregon after his heart bypass in November!

♥ Pinterst has been giving me such good ideas for how we're going to decorate the house - The living room is first on our list but the bedroom is beckoning me!

New Blog Design

2012-02-02T08:08:00.004Z

It's here! It's finally here! The new Blog Design! I'm so happy with it, it looks awesome, Elizabeth from Freckled Nest/Delightfully Tacky did it for me and I was in awe of how she took some small ideas and turned them into this.

This is the start of some exciting things that I'll be up to with the blog this year, the blog makeover was step 1, step 2 - the Etsy Shop should be ready to go live in April this year which is super exciting for me and fills a lot of my thoughts throughout the day!

What do you think? xo

Weight Loss Wednesday

2012-02-01T07:57:00.003Z

Loss this week: 2lb

Loss overall: 43lbs

Pounds till Target: 52lbs

This week was a long and hard week, I wasn't feeling as full as I normally do by filling up on fruit and veg, then it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay motivated - infact twice this week I ate out - I had Chip shop Chips and last night I had a BBQ Chicken with chips, followed up by Waffles & Ice Cream - NOT EVEN SORRY! I loved it.

But seeing the 13 has kick started me again, and every Wednesday I can start afresh even if the week before hasn't been cracking.

I leave you with Honey Boo Boo Child form Tantrums & Tiaras...

Busy bee!

2012-01-31T12:00:00.000Z

Loads of ideas have been buzzing around my head and now I'm excite to get them out onto the table, then see how the pan out!

Work has been draining my will to live these last few weeks, my morale is low and all I can think is I should've applied to two recent jobs that came up that would've been good for me - even if they were the "easy" way out. I just feel like I'm doing a lot of work for nothing and there's no incentive for me to work to my full capability - even if it requires over time. Which previously, would've been no big deal and would've been happy to do but now I feel like I have bigger fish to fry and better priorities that I shouldn't be bending over backwards for an employer that doesn't value those who work for it.

Wouldn't a lottery win be lovely? I'd open a cake shop.

Things are taking shape...

2012-01-30T13:00:00.000Z

Finishing the tote bag on Saturday started a fire burning in my belly - a fire for business enterprise!

The cogs are turning, things are getting into place and in 2 months I'll be opening my first Etsy Shop! Hopefully with no delays!

I'm excited to do this, and I know I can do it well! It's something I can control and feel accomplished doing. It'll be a busy two months but I'm thrilled to put my head and heart into this project.

Wish me luck! xo

Sewing!

2012-01-29T11:27:00.002Z

I finally got my mum's sewing machine working, the tension had been all wrong and I was having yelling sessions at the bobbins but Ceri's mum gave me a hand by emailing me the right instructions and finally, it worked!

I went to A Vintage Affair in Cardiff yesterday, they have such a cute little haberdashery for a gal on a budget!

Ceri got me some of the Cath Kidston books for Christmas and I've finally cracked them open this weekend. I didn't go for anything particularly taxing or I could get terribly wrong! It only took a few hours - in between Dinner and watching Pirates of the Caribbean.

For a first effort, I'm really happy with it! I can already see things I want to improve upon and how to make it better for the next time! I actually can't wait to sew more stuff!

Making a house a home

2012-01-28T12:30:00.000Z

Now that the house move has settled and washed over me, Ceri & I are finally starting to get things into place around the house.

Colour charts are coming out, befores and afters are being planned and DIY ideas are being thrown around. I've got plans for every room that I'm excited to put them into practice! I say every room - except 2 - the "Studio" - the back bedroom that Ceri has taken over to do his music in - and the Kitchen because that was already done to such a high standard,

Anyone got any tips on decorating rooms with fireplaces but no fires?!

Exciting Plans!

2012-01-27T13:00:00.000Z

Increasingly recently, I've been growing frustrated and demotivated within my job - mainly due to the amount never ending work that seems to land on my desk but also the lack of support.

I've been growing jealous of those who work for themselves or that have jobs that they're truly passionate about. On Wednesday morning, I woke up super inspired to do something that myself that I got nothing but joy out of!

So I'm hatching plans, doing my research and scribbling away! I'm excited and kind of nervous but it's something I know I want to achieve even if it isn't a means of escape out of my office! But hopefully it won't be long before I can unveil it all!

My new spools finally arrived for the sewing machine and I was busy practising away on it, not that all the stuff I learnt 10 years ago came flooding back to me - far from it! But memories of being folded over the crappy old machines my high school had in the dead of winter did come to me - I remember them well!

Sweets!

2012-01-26T12:00:00.000Z

I have a really gigantic sweet tooth, so I like to have a small sweet something after dinner just to take the edge off a hard day...

Something I've enjoyed over the last few nights was Weight Watchers Ice Cream - which is so good! And only 2 points for 2 scoops - with a brownie sprinkled all over it. Only 3 Pro Points and is delicious!

I think once pay day rolls around I might make some brownies because I love the smell of something freshly baked in my kitchen!

Weight Loss Wednesday

2012-01-25T06:35:00.001Z

Loss this week: 1lb

Loss overall: 41lbs

Pounds till Target: 54lbs

To be honest, I'm a little disappointed that after 2 weeks of big numbers, I lost a small one this week - that being said - it's still a loss so it's always a step in the right direction and I achieved my minimum target.

It doesn't help that I've been PMSing like a mo-fo this week, but still managed to stay on track eating and exercise wise - just Mother Nature will get her way in the end.

My gym routine has been kicking my will in the goolies, it's been hard to get the push to get up and go in the mornings when it's still cold and dark out but I did it this week - Wednesday and Sundays are my days off so I'm enjoying my little lie in right now, even if my alarm is still set for 6.30am. I've been trying to push up the amount of time I can tolerate in the gym by 5 minutes each session and the work out its self is hard on my will! But I'm getting there.

1 Finished Project

2012-01-24T12:00:00.000Z

To teach myself how to embroider, I bought a kit from Sublime Stitching before Christmas - I started it but then with the craziness of Christmas, going to see my parents, New Year then moving house I didn't get any chance to do anymore about it until Sunday when I finally felt relaxed enough to sit down, pull it out and have another bash - and I finished it! I was pretty excited to get what was left done yesterday evening.

The Russian Doll is on an apron, so I'm adding some more bits so it's not all black space then just a Russian Doll in the middle. I'm excited to see how it all turns out! And it's definitely something I have a lot of fun doing.

My "new" Singer sewing machine

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000Z

When Ceri & I visited my parents at Christmas, my mum gave me her sewing machine that she had as a wedding present in 1978.

It's a heavy git - hence why it's on a towel, I haven't got over that "no marks on my brand new table" phase yet - and I couldn't bear to have marks on the table from the weight of the machine.

The machine had been sat in a cupboard in my parents new house since their move last May, prior to that I'm not sure when it last saw the light of day.

I was going through all the bits making sure they were there, so I could try a few bits out - I haven't used a sewing machine since I was in high school - when we made Christmas Stockings in Home Economics (mine was awful, by the way). But Ceri got me some books on sewing and stuff so I can re-teach myself, which I'm excited about.

However - when I was going through the machine to make sure everything was there, pretty much the most important part seems to have grown legs and got itself lost - THE SPOOL!? So now I have to find a replacement part, I popped into the John Lewis yesterday to see if they sold any - nope! So it's an online job because all the other haberdashery's aren't in the city centre and I didn't have my bike to cycle out of town. Bummer hey?

So for now, until my new spool arrives - I'm keeping myself entertained with embroidery on my cute little apron

A special date

2012-01-22T18:25:00.001Z

I'm not one normally for silly dates to mark progress through relationships - but this is an important one - today is my and Ceri's 9 Month-aversary! Congratulations to us - this is now officially my longest relationship - go me! And go Ceri for not being annoying!

I've been in a crabby PMS-y mood all day, Ceri went to the rugby to see Cardiff Blues but came home with a beautiful bunch of roses for me, I couldn't help but smile and swoon. He really, truly is a wonderful person and my best friend.

Recipe: Lasagne

2012-01-22T15:56:00.004Z

My mum is amazing at cooking Italian food, gifted almost! This isn't something I have picked up - my version of Italian is passable - no one has anything to fear yet!

Ceri won't eat mushrooms so I had to chop them up really tiny to hide them from him - he's a grown man of almost 30, don't get me started! But I did them really small along with the carrot, onion and garlic, chucked them into the frying pan with 500g of extra lean mince and a can of chopped tomatos to let it cook and simmer for about 50minutes. I know 500g seems like a lot - but I weighed out 140g for me to eat when I was done - gave Ceri a hearty portion and put the rest in the fridge to eat for a lunch this week!

As the mince was cooking, it was working off all the juices from the chopped tomatos so I had to add a big dose of Tomato Puree so it was still juicy when it came to being served. I know it looks like it wasn't much, but it filled me up - especially with some garlic bread! It was delicious and filling!

twee jewellery

2012-01-21T12:31:00.002Z

Before Christmas, I was looking at a seaside for my bathroom and logged onto Notonthehighstreet.com, which was a treasure trove of stuff that I hadn't been able to find in my shopping trips.

I'm not particularly known for wearing an abundance of jewellery and when I do, it's typically of the Costume Variety but when I saw this stuff my heart flipped.

The collection is from Jodie Anna, who also has her own Etsy - I just find this stuff utterly adorable and now I can't wait until pay day! I find Etsy really frustrating sometimes because it can be difficult to find great stuff because it can get bogged down with things that are of no interest to me, so when I find something I like on Etsy I do a little dance to myself - I feel like I've conquered the website and they try and keep great stuff hidden from me - I know that's not the case and there are so many people doing awesome things on that website, but it can get a little daunting having to filter through it all!

Date Night!

2012-01-20T12:00:00.000Z

Ceri & I finally got back to our regular date nights, in November and December I don't think we really made that much of an effort to do it - the weather was crappy, it was dark plus we had to save up to move into the new house.

Now that everything's settled, we can get back into our scheduled time of making an effort with each other. Not that we don't every other day but it's important to us, and for us, to still ensure we make that time for each other.

We had Dinner and went to a movie <3 Ordinarily, eating out when I'm trying to eat well fills me with dread but I generally get around this by planning ahead - it's the key to being successful!

My passion for pizza is quenched by Pizza Express and their Weight Watchers Pizza range

It would be awesome if Pizza Express made this range available in supermarkets, but they don't so I'll have to make do with the naughtier ones for now - but these Pizzas are thin, cripsy, doughnut shaped with their whole in the middle - craftily filled with a lovely salad.

Because I planned ahead, I was even able to dive straight into some Garlic Balls. Which were awesome by the way.

After Dinner, which went down a treat, we went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie which was awesome. I've always had such a crush on RDJ and between the film and the BBC Series, I'm in Sherlock Ruddy Heaven!

I'm going to....

2012-01-19T20:13:00.001Z

AMSTERDAM!

In May a few friends an I are off to a long weekend in Amsterdam! I'm so excited, we're staying on a house boat! I haven't stayed on a boat since I was a kid when my family & I would go on canal holidays throughout Ireland and France - they were awesome, now - I don't know how long I could go without my iPhone!

I really love city holidays, I'm not terribly good at sitting on a beach with a book - I like to go out exploring and see some different culture when I visit new places. I'm excited that Ceri & I will have the opportunity to go to new places this year, I'm taking him to Ireland to see where my family come from in the summer and hopefully we're going to make to make it to New York at some point this year, all being well with our jobs - being able to wangle the time off!

If anyone has been to Amsterdam before, is there anything in particular I should do or see?

Rachel Bilson ....

2012-01-19T08:15:00.001Z

I love Rachel Bilson - from the OC to her awkward film stage to now...

Weight Loss Wednesday

2012-01-18T07:01:00.000Z

Loss this week: 4lbs

Loss overall: 40lbs

Pounds till Target: 55lbs

Well I did it, I'm back to my Pre-Christmas Weight, and "square one"! Which is fine because as long as it's coming off I don't mind. Rather that than staying on or going up.

I've been thinking a lot lately about why I chose Weight Watchers particularly, compared to all the hundreds of other diets and healthy eating regimes around and I've come to the conclusion that it's this:

Weight Watchers is the only one that makes me accountable for what I put into my body AT THE SAME TIME as changing my attitude to food. I did Slimming World for a year and lost three stone, at that time I was still vegetarian so I lived on only "Green Days", veg, fruit, pasta, soups etc now thinking back, I find that extremely limiting plus I didn't know how to cook anything.

My speciality when I moved out of my parents house was spaghetti covered in cheese - no sauce. I grew up in pubs so whilst my parent's had the best will in the world to prepare us relatively healthy dinners - that all went out of the window when I hit my teen years when they felt my siblings and I could all "fend for ourselves". This explains why, until recently, I've had the diet of 5 year old at a birthday party.

When I compare what I eat now to what I used to eat, and not only that - what I can now cook - I'm shocked yet absolutely pleased.

Recently, I've planned my day's food before I get out of bed, so I know how many points I can be flexible with. The other day, I wanted a little bit of Garlic Bread with my Spaghetti Bolognase, counted the points and realised that because HALF of one was 8 points - it wasn't worth it. The meal was perfectly filling without it. I have found that I'm putting down a lot more than I was previously, which is a good thing - there was no need for my body to be taking on board what it was doing, because I wasn't then doing as much exercise as I needed to burn off that fuel that was then storing my arms as some pretty impressive bingo wings.

Everyday I ask Ceri what he would like for dinner, and I get 1 of 2 answers "dunno", which is my least favourite. The other will be some fatty dinner - followed up with "....but you can't eat that sooooo...."

This is where you are wrong dear boyfriend of mine. Tell me what you want for dinner and I will tell you how I can make it healthy either with a Weight Watchers recipe or I can ask my Mum....but I prefer Weight Watchers cause then I won't be on the phone for a half hour.

At the moment, I'm finding it really easy to stick to my points and not be tempted to splurge on a Mars Bar because if I want something I'm having it. Plus, blogging about things is a good motivation and so many people at work are eating well as well. I've been excited to weigh myself each Wednesday too!

See you next week, Scales!

Snack attack!

2012-01-17T18:40:00.004Z

Source

I work in an office, in a pretty demanding job and with that comes 2 things - sitting on my backside for the majority of the day and the constant longing to snack on something.

Our office is located right in the centre of Cardiff with a Tesco's Express opposite our front door and as soon as you walk in the front door there's a chocolate rack, it takes some will to walk by that aisle especially when you're craving a little sugar boost to make your way back to where the fruity goodness is kept.

The best way for me to overcome this is, obviously, not to go in there! And hopefully, plan ahead. For instance, I went in before work on Monday and came out with £8 worth of fruit and veg for the week ahead specifically so I don't have to go to the shop this week!

I work in a customer facing job, so chowing down on some grapes or banana isn't appropriate when I have a customer telling me about their barriers back into work, but I'm like a hobbit - I like my meal times and I'll try my hardest to squeeze as many in the day. Strategically planning when I can dive out to get a fruit bowl is a must.

Taking the easy way and ruining all the hard work isn't the best option - what's easy isn't always right - I think Dumbledore said that? The best part about snacking on fruit though, is that it does keep me quite cheery and motivates me more because I am taking the extra step to not be tempted.

Super excited to weigh in, tomorrow and see how the work this week has paid off.

This post has been interrupted several times by NY Ink. Thank you, Ami.

The Gym

2012-01-16T19:15:00.002Z

This afternoon was my first day back in the gym and it was PAINFUL! I haven't set foot in a gym properly for more than 2 months and certainly not for an extended period of time. So getting back into the rhythm of it all was a killer.

I lasted about 20 minutes...and I'm not even sorry! I can't lie, I hate physical exercise. I hate thinking about it and I hate doing it. From start to finish I'm cursing it, but I love the feeling I get afterwards when I've worked really hard, or generally just the up lifting feeling I get from all those happy hormones that are released when you exercise!

I can be difficult to start a routine and so easily to break if you're not 100% committed to it, apparently it becomes 12 weeks for a "routine" to become set in stone, we'll see! I meant to get out of bed and go to the gym before work but I had monster cramps so rolled over when my alarm went off and went back to sleep. I went after work instead and the place was fit to burst - if I can manage 12 weeks of getting out of bed for the 6.34am train I'll eat my hat! But I can only try, right?

The best thing for me to do - is to try different things and classes. So whilst I have a hardcore cardio programme (cause I do enjoy a bit of Cardio, despite my cursing it!) I find that I can get super bored or it starts to be less effective - so I mix things up with Zumba or Body Combat - anything that tickles my fancy really!

Now, I need to sit my ass in a bath cause it hurts!

Week of Instagram

2012-01-15T15:52:00.002Z

On Thursday there was a beautiful sunset all over Cardiff, and possibly even the whole of South Wales and the South of England too. Which subsequently led to a day of beautiful day of sunshine in Cardiff on Friday.

Wednesday night was spent with Mum & Dad as they passed through Cardiff.

Today, Ceri & I went to Jacob's Antiques, they were having a Vintage & Retro Fair and although when we went it was pretty quiet, we did have fun looking through the 2 other floors of vintage and second hand stuff, even if at the moment we can't afford any of it *sad face*.

Today, I have longed for Spring. Easter Eggs are already filtering into the shops which I know is crazy early but I want to be able to go further afield than Cardiff like the beaches and mountains but the days are ever so slowly getting longer and I can't wait to not freeze in my dresses!

Friday Madness!

2012-01-14T11:42:00.002Z

Friday is the kind of day where you want to grab a take out and a few ciders, am I right? I don't think I'm wrong. More so when I have to work late on Fridays, but never the less I persevered when I walked past the chip shop and ran all the way to my front door for home made Spicy Chicken & Chips with even spicier beans!

Really easy, you can grab spices that you have in the cupboard and chuck these rather generously into a bowl, in order to throw the chicken in and throw that onto a frying pan on a low heat.

I've been trying to figure out what KFC do to their Baked Beans to make them so deliciously spicy, and as yet - no joy! However, I stumbled on sticking paprika in - not only does it give it a gorgeous deep red colour, but it actually tastes really good!

All in all, it was a ruddy delicious meal and now I'm whiling my Saturday Morning away watching The Great British Bake Off.

Happy Saturday!

The Quest For a Non-Fatty Cupcake....

2012-01-13T12:00:00.000Z

The other evening, I "scoured" the internet searching for a cupcake recipe that wouldn't end with my scale breaking. I was unsuccessful in that venture.

I went to Poundland the other day and found this bad boy for - you guessed it! A POUND! Who would've thought?!

I opened the box for 2 packets of ready made mix, which I had to add water to. No biggie - how could it possibly go wrong, right?

The mix for the cakes, had the feel and look of Parmesan cheese. Declicious, I know. Just what you want from your baked goods.

The Instructions said to add 2 tablespoons of water, this is what I ended up with. Thinking "this can't be right?!" I added some more, the result wasn't a vast improvement, by any stretch of the imagination.

The recipe said it would make 12 cupcakes....clearly, it didn't. Or am I being piggy?!

8 - 10 minutes later at 220 degrees, these popped out.

Icing time!

I feel like someone's mocking me. I make no bones about the fact I like food, clearly, I do. I could eat twice my body weight in Ice Cream Factory from Pizza Hut and still go for round two. Hence why I've landed myself in this pickle, but nevertheless, the Quest for the Cupcake will continue....

The Mighty Potato!

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000Z

I don't know if it's because I'm genetically pre-disposed, due to being Irish, that I'm awesome with a potato or if I picked up from my Mum's culinary wizardry, but I make a good Baked Potato. Which is what we tucked into on Tuesday Night.

So fluffy and light, delicious and filling! I could eat it everyday!

With the arrival of January has come the non-shocking development, that everyone in my office is on a diet to lose the post-Christmas Bulge. Which is nice for the motivation however it means that not a snippet of chocolate is in the office.

Which then means that my cravings are going through the ruddy roof. I have scoured the internet this evening for "healthy" cupcakes or cake recipes that AREN'T covered in cream cheese and I've come up with nothing. Which looks like I'm going to have to create something of my own - which simultaneously fills me with dread and excitement!

Recipe: Mini Pizza!

2012-01-11T13:00:00.000Z

Hi, my name's Jen and I'm a Pizza-holic. Seriously, I chuffing love it. I would live on Pizza & Waffles if I could, I'm like Europe's answer to Leslie Knope.

The best part about this pizza malarky is that you can pretty much make what you want out of it. Roast veggies, meats, cheeses - whatever is tickling your fancy - it's something you can pretty much throw together with whatever is in your fridge or cupboard.

You can use pitta's for a healthier option (less is more!), or pop to the shop and get a pizza base OR! If you're feeling super adventurous, you can make your own base! Which I will be doing on Saturday, and I'm excited to do it!

Tomato puree is the easiest way to get your base tomato-y, less than a spoonful will cover a mini pitta.

I grated some Feta Cheese and Strong Welsh Cheddar together, mozzarella is good but I didn't have any to hand.

I gots to sprinkling and was pretty generous, I didn't have to be stingy because both cheeses were pretty light

I covered the mini pizza's with chorizo, only one each cause they're massive!

As you can see, Ceri's portion compared to mine was ridiculous - that kid can eat! And I, for one, don't know where he packs it away! But despite the portion sizes, we were both more than full and it was DELICIOUS!

Weight Loss Wednesday

2012-01-11T06:43:00.000Z

Loss this week: 3lbs

Loss overall: 36lbs

Pounds till Target: 59lbs

I'm super happy with my progress this week, losing 3lbs is a massive achievement when my body long ago hit a plateau! I found it easy to eat well, plan ahead to what I would eat and wasn't really tempted to eat sweets or splurge - apart from Sunday, but I still kept within my points allowance and went for a cycle.

This week will hopefully be as easy and, once my lungs return to full capacity, I'll be returning to the gym! Weirdly, because I'm a sloth incarnate, I miss that sweaty, smelly place full of overgrown men with pony tails. Aye Me.

There was something I touched upon in my "I forgot it was Friday" post that I wanted to mention. And that, dear readers, is that my boyfriend - is a FEEDER! In the most adorable way. He himself, has lost over a stone since we've been together, and I put that down to the fact that I make healthy dinners for him and increased levels of exercise - but he constantly offers me chocolate, chips, cookies, Starbucks - you name it and it's bad for you? He's tempting me with it. He doesn't know he's doing it, of course - he's being generous and kind, he see's no reason why I should lose weight, or want to lose weight, but I do - for myself. Nevertheless, temptation is always beckoning and one day I'll snap, and you'll find me with my arse hanging out of the freezer with my face in not one but likely two tubs of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough simultaneously. Now, wouldn't that be a sight?

One thing I was particularly chuffed with, is that a dress I bought from New Zealand, this dress in fact:

Had been tight before christmas, before I put on my Festive Half Stone. I had to wear it with my very sexy and alluring Spanx, if I was to wear them at all. But now, this side of Christmas it seems to fit like a glove in all the right places. GO FIGURE?! I am 100% not complaining mind you, just brilliantly stunned.

Recipe: Sunday Dinner!

2012-01-10T13:53:00.000Z

This was so easy to make, delicious to eat on a cold Sunday in January and only had 8 ProPoints on Weight Watchers.

I literally just chucked the chicken in the oven, covered in Mixed Herbs for about 20minutes. Whilst that was going on I got my mash ready and some steamed veg, covered in Bisto Chicken Gravy et voila! Ceri definitely gave it the thumbs up!

Now that all the house is pretty much sorted, apart from decorating - I can organise getting back into my knitting and embroidery! Monday was back to work and I'm sure that getting back into the routine of an 8 hour day will take it out of me this week! Ceri & I are returning to our scheduled Date Nights on Wednesday, which I'm so excited about and I'm making two different pizza recipes this week! I'm thrilled to bits!

Packages!

2012-01-09T20:05:00.001Z

Look what finally arrived! I don't know if everyone can read backwards, but it's the Bust: DIY Guide to Life. I can't wait to get cracking on it. It's not just crafty things but all sorts of useful advice from unclogging my sink, fixing my bike and buying a house!

Today was my first full day back at work and boy did it draaaag! But I was surprised when I met Ceri at the station to a lovely bunch of flowers.

I'm super excited for Date Night on Wednesday, to spend some quality time together that isn't in a car, on a train or moving a box!

Recipe: Garlic Chicken

2012-01-09T08:04:00.000Z

Garlic chicken is one of my favourite things, it can be had with so many other bits and pieces but it's so creamy, moist and delicious - plus I know how to make it off my heart now that I can just throw it together!

Ingredients - Serves 4
2 Cloves of Garlic
3 teaspoons of Parsley
75g of medium fat soft cheese
Chicken Breasts
1 medium egg - whole
1 tablespoon skimmed milk (optional)
75g of breadcrumbs
black pepper

Method:
The oven should be pre-heated to 200degrees. In a bowl mix the garlic, parsley, soft cheese and black pepper.

Cut a slice into the chicken to make a pouch

Then, stuff the chicken with the parsley/garlic mix

Making breadcrumbs is easy! I just stick some bread in the toaster and rip it up into small pieces

To minimise mess, I lie the breadcrumbing process in a row so everything isn't going everywhere! Roll the chicken in the egg, and then in the breadcrumbs. Once this is done, I pour any left over breadcrumb over the top of the chicken before it goes into the oven for about 20minutes.

And there it is! You can serve it with anything - buttery new potatoes are good, or assorted steamed veg!

Recipe: Cupcakes

2012-01-08T10:09:00.000Z

Right now I'm curled up on the sofa watching Dawson's Creek, I've been thrown into a state of teen angst and it's all Dawson's fault. To be honest, I think I was a bit young for Dawson and the gang, the OC was way more my generation but still, I'm enjoying watching it. I loved Pacey <3

I made Weight Watchers Cupcakes earlier and wanted to share them with you, a really simple recipe that didn't take long to make at all!

Ingredients:

100g of soft Marg

100g Caster Sugar

2 medium eggs

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

120g self raising flour

Icing:

200g soft, medium fat cheese (I know...) I used Philadelphia

100g Icing Sugar

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180degrees, and get your tray ready with cases.

Mix the marg, sugar, egg, vanilla and flour into a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and then you can spoon straight into the cake cases (See?! So easy!)

So the cakes don't come out of the oven all wonky and odd, I smooth the top off with a spoon - it's a subtle difference - as you can see on the left vs. right cupcake, but it makes the difference when it comes to icing!

The buns go into the oven for about 20minutes, until they're golden brown on top. Which gives you plenty of time to get your icing ready.

Once you've taken the buns out of the oven to cool, you can ice and VOILA! If you make it, let me know what you think! I wasn't entirely sure about them but they're oddly nice!

Tomorrow - Garlic Chicken!

I forgot it was Friday

2012-01-07T08:54:00.002Z

I am loving bows lately and anything super feminine. In my hair, on my ears and on my dresses. I made a conscious decision in April 2010, to stop wearing jeans because I felt that they did nothing for me. And to make more of an effort to wear dresses and more importantly, for me, to dress nicely.

In my teens, I spent a number of years going to hardcore shows throughout the UK and jeans were the uniform of choice. Which was fine when I was slimmer, but once I started piling the weight on, I started to look like I was wearing Mum Jeans.

Mom Jeans

But at 24, I didn't think that was the look I wanted to be achieving, so I quit denim and have stuck with dresses or skirts ever since. And although, at times, it's been a challenge to maintain it because not all shops will have dresses that suit my body shape - once you find a diamond, you go out of your way to get it and your wardrobe becomes a more diverse place! There are days when I'll slop around in shorts if it's mega hot and I don't want to be bogged down in tights or leggings - but that's a rare occasion. Maybe once I start to shift a bit more of my Christmas Weight & General Weight, I'll start posting daily outfits - WHO KNOWS!? I'm crazy like that - fast & loose.

Friday was a pretty lazy day for me, despite the fact I went back to work for a half day - which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but two thirds of my appointments didn't turn up - so I could've stayed at home and enjoyed my last day of holiday! Oh the joys of being employed by others!

Ceri finished some bits up around the house, including his studio - which means, as soon as I'm well enough, we can start recording music again! Which should, eventually, make it's way to here.

So far this week, my heathy eating has been going really well - I've stayed within my points all days except for one - Friday, when I went 2 points over on an ice cream - TOTALLY WORTH IT! - But I've been noticing some bad habits - that aren't mine, which I'll talk about more on Weight Loss Wednesday but if it carries on, words will be had with the boyfriend!

Have a lovely Saturday!

Bloglovin

2012-01-06T19:35:00.002Z

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Recipe: Home Made Burgers & Chips

2012-01-06T15:29:00.000Z

Ceri & I are still sick, yesterday involved a lot of Dexter and trying to keep warm. I didn't particularly feel like cooking but I enjoyed it on Wednesday so thought I'd get some clothes on and go for it!

Ingredients:

300 grams extra lean mince beef

1 small onion

2 teaspoons oregano

2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce

1 egg

salt

pepper

In a bowl, mix the mince, chopped onion, oregano, egg and worcestershire sauce, like so:

Once mixed, I weigh out the mince to get the right serving - in the packs I use, you get 500g of mince, so I take the other 200g and make smaller burgers out of them to freeze for later.

Once weighed, the burgers can be moulded into patties and put to one side in the pan whilst you make the chips!

I used the same recipe as the one I used for the wedges on Wednesday, only I didn't put them in the oven - I used our acti-fry and a low-cal spray, which was healthier. The chips only need about 25-30mins, same as if you'd popped them in the oven.

The burgers themselves don't need terribly long - about 15minutes, making sure they're well cooked throughout!

As they say in Wales - "I'm full as an egg!"

I miss my bike

2012-01-06T10:59:00.001Z

December was so cold in Cardiff that I didn't ride my bike everyday like I do normally, so I've barely sat on Georgia the Bike since I got back from New Zealand. Boo!

One of my smaller, although not declared resolutions, is to ride my bike more often - train fares have gone up and I can't afford the luxury - plus trains in Wales are late constantly, or don't run at all - so I resent having to pay for a service that isn't up to standard.

I'm still full of cold today, but have to go back to work for the afternoon, before I start back officially on Monday - the last 2 weeks have gone far too quickly. Ceri & I have been thrown every which way in order to see family, move house and celebrate the festive season. But being full of cold means I don't have the lung capacity or the ability to breathe through my nose in order to cycle to work today. I'm heart broken.

New House: Sneak Peek

2012-01-05T14:15:00.000Z

The house is a long way from done and I don't think I'll have much energy or drive to do anything this month, other than hanging a few pictures. All the same, the house already feels like home. But, here's a preview anyways!

My new Place mats from Dotcomgiftshop - bagged, on SALE! <3

I'm excited to make this place ours, we're lucky we have a really relaxed landlord and all the time in the world ahead of us to be here, and hopefully, one day make an offer - but we'll see!

Dinner for all the family

2012-01-05T09:20:00.001Z

Last night the Burke Family & Davies Family came together for a lovely meal in my brand new kitchen. I have so much space to not only cook, but swing a cat - it's refreshing, new and I love it!

Ceri & I are both sick - horrible colds picked up from moving house in torrential rain and gale force winds but hopefully we were hospitable to everyone. Both sets of parents got the grand tour of the house. My mum is super critical and a massive control freak, traits I seem to have inherited and are becoming more apparent as I get older! But she was very impressed with the house! No one had seen it with all our bits in it - and although the house isn't finished, and won't be for a while, it still looks homey and nice for us.

For Dinner, I made this chicken concoction with steamed veg, rice and potato wedges. It was a bit of a departure from what I wanted to make but as I mentioned, my Mother is a bit of a control freak and took over my kitchen!

I started by chopping up a helluva lota chicken, to fill the bowl, and chopping up some onion. I "cheated" and used my new Kenwood Chopper that I got from Ceri's Mum for Christmas - I love it!

Chopped up some Garlic too, I had an old trick of putting the garlic in the microwave to soften it up and then chop but it would always end in disaster!

Pop the onion & garlic in the bowl with the chicken, then cover in chopped tomato, italian seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, salt & pepper. I covered the chicken and put it to the side whilst I prepared the potato wedges.

I don't have man hands or anything, I had to ask Ceri to cut the wedges because I can't do it - I can't wrap my head around it! So Ceri chopped up the potatoes, then I covered them in extra virgin olive oil, Italian Seasoning and Rock Salt. I popped both in the oven for 45minutes at 180 Degrees.

After dinner, we had cake & some coffee and there was a lot of talking! It was nice for everyone to meet one another and start the new house off with a family event like this.

Now, I'm going to enjoy the last few days of holiday I have left whilst also fighting this terrible cold! Bleurgh!

Weight Loss Wednesday!

2012-01-04T06:51:00.000Z

I have been trying to lose weight since February 2010 and so far I've mainly succeeded to lose and then sustain my weightloss. In total, I've lost 40lbs, but with Christmas/December - I've put on half a stone so we'll make it 33lbs, and I would like to lose another 62 to make it an even 7 stone. (I know...yeesh).

I'll be honest, the first year of weight loss was easy. Or easier that it has been in the last 6 months, where my weight has fluctuated and despite being fairly active with cycling etc - I've failed to see the results I've wanted - but the Chip Shop take aways didn't help.

Anyhow! Now, I'm back at the gym - it was going to be today, but I've come down with a cold so as soon as I can get there! And eating well. I know how well this works for me and there is no miracle cure to help you lose weight, but I have 52 weeks to do it! And if I don't? Well then - I'll just try harder!

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T18:33:00.000Z

After 5 days and 460miles, we're finally back in Cardiff! Ceri & I did some house moving on the 27th but then headed to Surrey to see my parents for a second Christmas on the 28th and spent 2 nights there. It was nice to see my family and check in on my Dad. He had his double by-pass in November and I hadn't seen him since I got back from New Zealand.

The time in Surrey was fairly relaxed but still only one part of a much busier Festive Period!

Mum was really generous in giving us stuff for the new house, and I managed to do a tiiiiiny bit of thrifting in a few of the MANY charity shops in that part of town. Even getting my hand on these cute owls

Mum even gave me her old Sewing Machine that she'd had since before she was married - it's still in perfectly good working condition and is something for me to practice on

We went through old photos and on the 30th of December, it was my parents 33rd Wedding Anniversary.

My dad playing rugby in 1967.

Ceri & I came back from Surrey on the 30th, did some more house moving and on New Year's Eve got the train to Tenby to meet Ceri's Parents and celebrate the New Year.

I'd never been to Tenby before, my family have and all love it - and Ceri's family have gone there for years - it's a tiny fishing town with a long history!

We walked around the town in the afternoon before going to a few pubs and seeing the New Year in with a big street party with balloons and fireworks

Ceri's Parents in the balloon aftermath!

We walked on the beach and looked at the stars after midnight, I felt so excited and positive for 2012 and all the things I know are going to happen, as well as the surprises it will bring. When I was at my parents, my Mum said she'd never seen me so happy which is something I don't take for granted by any means!

New Years day was a bit of a lazy one for us - there was a lot of napping! We went for a walk along the beaches, which was cold and sea air knocked me for six!

My New Year's Resolutions are pretty definite this year!

Lose 3 Stone - which equals 1lb a week between now and next New Year's Eve. Hopefully, there'll be an outfit post as the big unveiling!
Cook a new meal each week - with my new kitchen, I'll have so much space and opportunity to cook something new each week for Ceri & I - be that a main meal, starter or desert!

I have other small things - such as keep to my routine, cycle more often even when it's cold or wet! See my family more, see friends who live far away more! Hopefully this will all be very do-able?!

Happy New Year! What are your resolutions?!

Nadolig Llawen!

2011-12-26T13:04:00.001Z

Nadolig Llawen! Which is Welsh for Merry Christmas! I hope everyone had a lovely day, that was spent with the people you care about! Ceri & I had a lovely first Christmas together and I wouldn't have spent it any other way!

On Christmas Eve, we went to the Jeweller's to pick up my ring which I had broken at my Company Christmas Party. I'd been without it for 2 weeks and was missing it! But it looks wonderful now and is hopefully a bit stronger! Then we went to visit Ceri's Parents - came home and I started work on the Gingerbread Village from John Lewis.

Normally, I just get one big gingerbread house but there were none left in the shop, so tackling an entire village was new for me...and it wound up horribly! Next year, I might try to do the whole thing myself - making the gingerbread etc - but lesson learnt this year! Don't try to take on too much!

In the evening, we cycled over to the local pub for drinks with some of Ceri's friends and to watch a band - the weather was awful so we were tucked up in bed by 10.30 waiting for Santa to come!

Christmas Morning we woke up at 6am and opened our presents. I got Ceri a big map of the world and took it to a nice framers in Cardiff - I was so pleased with how it turned out but nervous about how much he'd like it! I also got him the little print in the corner by Becky Filip from The Honey Trees & Steve Job's Autobiography. The map will look lovely in our new living room, because of the green and the gold will go with our new chairs - which are the comfiest things ever.

After presents, we had showered and had a lovely Christmas Morning Breakfast - with some lovely Bucks Fizz! Whilst watching Episode 11 of American Horror Story - which has been amazing! Ceri had a fry up whilst I had my traditional Cinnamon Pancakes <3 Then we made our way over to Ceri's Parents house for the day to begin.

Ceri's Mum made us a beautiful Cross Stitch pattern for our new house, I'm planning on hanging it by our front door with other prints & paintings I have that are a "home sweet home" theme, I absolutely adore it.

Ceri's dad got a Shake Weight, which is as bad in real life as it looks on the youtube videos...

For a first Christmas away from my own family and our traditions, it was a lovely day and Ceri's family were very welcoming,

The rest of the day was spent watching television and eating food. My family run pubs so Christmas Day, for us, has always been about work but because I don't work in the pub industry - I spend most of Christmas Day on my own waiting for the pub to close - so yesterday was the first time I've been surrounded by people all day and had a "traditional" Christmas Day - and it was lovely! I had such a nice day, it was relaxing and I was so stuffed!

Ceri got me lovely presents, including this wonderful Harry Potter Horcrux Bracelet

Ceri's family & grandmothers were very generous and I was flabberghasted with all that I received - I think I got their presents quite right!

Today, Ceri and I are doing some online shopping for the new house - tomorrow we're moving house and on Wednesday we're on our way down to my parents for a Burke Christmas!

Christmas is coming!

2011-12-23T08:17:00.000Z

This is our festive flat ... and me doing my knitting!

We started to move into the new house yesterday, so the bedroom is looking pretty sparse (and messy) the living room is the only room in the house that is still festive and clean!

Today is the last day of work for 2 weeks! But there'll be no relaxing in the Burke-Davies house!

I'm getting super excited and planning on having my christmas playlist blaring all day, work will be finishing early and then I can get home and finish the last bits that need tying up!

I can't wait for the new year to be done, the move finished and everything to be settled! I have so many fun plans for 2012 and I can't wait to start cracking on them!

Year Review: 2011 Part II

2011-12-19T19:35:00.000Z

I'm busy planning a romantic weekend in London for Ceri and I, we're going to my parents between the 28th and the 30th but there isn't a lot to do in their village so we're going to meander into London and head to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland! I'm pretty excited because I love Christmas but this is also the first time I haven't spent Christmas with my family, which is weird and makes me nostalgic for the Christmas' we have had - even though they weren't as exciting in reality!

Looking over some pictures from the last 12 months, I fall in love with South Wales all over again and all it has to offer, I can't wait until the weather warms up a bit to head back to the beach on those balmy summer days that Wales has about 4 of in May!

What are you looking forward to in 2012!?

Year Review: 2011 Part 1

2011-12-18T19:14:00.001Z

2011 is quickly drawing to a close, I have 5 more days of work to go - then 2 weeks off which will be jam packed with all sorts of festive fun! From time with Ceri's family, going to London to see my Family, New Year in Tenby and then rush home to move house!

2011, for me, was one of the best - overall! Sure, there were some lows - periods of uncertainty throughout the summer where I almost lost my job due to redundancy, had to move house twice and my family moved from Cardiff to London but the good far outweighs the bad.

I met the person I plan on spending the rest of my life with in Ceri. Who is the single most generous, kind and giving individuals I have ever encountered. Which leaves me in awe on a regular basis, that he is so altruistic and kind hearted. I am eternally grateful that I have met someone who is my best friend - makes me laugh constantly and even now when he said I looked blue - offered to let me punch him (I didn't).

I achieved things that I'd wanted to do for so long, that I can't help but be proud of myself. I did things I said I would do. And finally, after so long, I felt confidence in myself - which inwardly, I've been lacking for so long - that faith that you feel that you CAN in fact do things and not feel like that awkward 14 year old, like I so often do.

January - June

Oh Christmas Tree!

2011-12-04T19:48:00.001Z

We put our christmas tree up today, currently we're sat watching It's a Wonderful Life - I've never seen it before and I'm totally in awe of Jimmy Stewart. Legit Old Hollywood Hottie.

I've been planning our Christmas Tree for two months! Since New Zealand and it's finally come all together - I went for a cute food theme, which I think has worked out pretty well!

I made a garland of popcorn - which isn't very common in the US, but I hate tinsel and I didn't want the tree to look bare.

You'll need:

String

A needle

Popping Corn

Oil

Instructions:

I used vegetable oil, cause it was all we had lying around - I don't know if any other types are any better. But put enough oil in the bottom of a sauce pan to cover a layer of corn.

I got a bag of popping corn from Holland & Barrett for £1.39 - it could feed the hungry for a little more than 10 years. A little corn goes a long way!

Pop the corn on a high heat and cover, because otherwise it'll go everywhere! one layer should be enough to string on a 6ft tree.

See! More than enough!

String the popcorn onto the needle, for as long you want it - It took me about an hour and a half to get enough for our tree - and loop it all the way around! It was a long time, but it was worth it!

Then it was time to decorate our tree!

(I'd love to say I made the stockings, sadly they were straight out of John Lewis...)

I'm really proud of putting our decorations together and planning something that Ceri & I will have a long time to come. Hopefully by next year I'll feel more confident about making things and we can have a whole house full of christmas goodies!

I also turned Cardiff upside down trying to find Nutcracker Stocking Holders but no joy! Maybe next year!

Tis the season!

2011-12-01T08:07:00.001Z

It's December 1st! We've ordered our Christmas Tree, some presents have been purchased and I feel super organised - but not all that festive, unfortunately.

I will however be planning lots of festive things for myself to get into the festive mindset! Like Wrapping paper, decorations and all sorts! The first thing I did this morning was to listen to Danny Brito's new Christmas mix (available here)

My dress for the Christmas Party has been purchased and now I just need to accessorise!

I hope we have a little dusting of snow soon...but not too much like last year!

Travels!

2011-11-29T21:08:00.001Z

I have clocked up 800 miles in the air in 24 hours, a quick jaunt to Glasgow for work. I've never been to Glasgow and no offence to it - I probably wouldn't go again. The weather was horrific! I still can't feel my feet.

I seem to be infected with some terrible wanderlust now, after all my recent travels - all I can think about is the wonderful adventures that Ceri & I are going to have next year, and even one without him when I go to Amsterdam! So exciting!

Ceri & I are planning bits for the new house and have managed to get our hands on my dream table, it's similar to this one (but not as expensive!) We've been picking up some real bargins, but we don't move into the new house for another month, I desperately want to be in there and start decorating, hanging pictures and making it ours...just 4 more weeks!

Knitting!

2011-11-27T20:27:00.001Z

This morning I woke up with the strong urge to knit! Don't ask me why, I really couldn't tell you! But I went to Hobby Craft, bought some wool and some needles!....then asked Ceri's mum to teach me.

I tried to learn from youtube videos but they were wayyyy to quick for me so I had to have it slowed right dow.

I'm really excited for some crafts and learning something new - I'm making a scarf... so this time next year it might be ready!

Words from Henry Rollins

2011-11-15T21:05:00.001Z

“You are beautiful like demolition. Just the thought of you draws my knuckles white. I don’t need a god. I have you and your beautiful mouth, your hands holding onto me, the nails leaving unfelt wounds, your hot breath on my neck. The taste of your saliva. The darkness is ours. The nights belong to us. Everything we do is secret. Nothing we do will ever be understood; we will be feared and kept well away from. It will be the stuff of legend, endless discussion and limitless inspiration for the brave of heart. It’s you and me in this room, on this floor. Beyond life, beyond morality. We are gleaming animals painted in moonlit sweat glow. Our eyes turn to jewels and everything we do is an example of spontaneous perfection. I have been waiting all my life to be with you. My heart slams against my ribs when I think of the slaughtered nights I spent all over the world waiting to feel your touch. The time I annihilated while I waited like a man doing a life sentence. Now you’re here and everything we touch explodes, bursts into bloom or burns to ash. History atomizes and negates itself with our every shared breath. I need you like life needs life. I want you bad like a natural disaster. You are all I see. You are the only one I want to know.”
Henry Rollins

Christmas Baking Special: Gingerbread Men

2011-11-13T12:56:00.001Z

I love gingerbread men, they signify the Festive Season to me! So I've spent the last few days getting back into making them - I made some last week but didn't have a chance to decorate them - so I made some more today.

Ingredients:

75g of dark brown sugar

50g golden syrup

25g black treacle/molasses

1tsp ground cinnamon

1tsp ground ginger

a pinch of ground nutmeg

95g of sugar

225g of plain flour

1/2 of bicarbonate of soda

royal icing to decorate

Measure out the brown sugar, golden syrup, molasses and spices then put them into a pan on the hob, on a high heat until all the sugar has disolved.

Take it off the heat, and stir in the butter until it's melted

Move the mixture to a big bowl, and sift in the flour and bicarbonate of soda until the mixture has formed a dough.

roll the mixture into a ball, then cover in clingflim and place into the fridge either for 1 hour or overnight.

After this, pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees / Gas Mark 4, and cover a baking tray with baking paper.

Roll out to the mixture to 2mm thickness, cut out the gingerbread men with your press and pop onto the baking paper.

Bake in the oven for about 10minutes, or until they're a little bit soft to touch. Then, take out and let them cool (I cheat and put them in the fridge cause I'm impatient).

Last week, I tried to use Royal Icing to decorate my gingerbread men which ended in an almighty tantrum, so this week I just elected to use ready made icing - I'm a terrible cheat I know.

Then, feel free to enjoy!

We're Moving!

2011-11-11T08:12:00.001Z

It definitely wasn't planned and like with all things, these things just kind of happen - don't they?

Ceri and I had been talking about moving once our lease was up - neither of us were particularly actively looking for anything, but when I was in New Zealand I decided to have a little browse one day.

We knew what we would need and this house came up - really close to where we live at the moment and the area we want to stay in.

We went to see it this week and totally fell in love with it - now we're moving in over New Year. Which maybe won't be the best time to do it but I've booked the first week of January off in order to ensure that we're doing it right, smoothly and starting off on the right foot.

I am so ruddy excited!

Bonfire Night

2011-11-07T19:10:00.002Z

Untitled from jennifer burke on Vimeo.

Bonfire Night

2011-11-06T21:05:00.000Z

Ceri Davies Flickr

Bonfire Night has to be one of my most favourite nights of the year! And this year was no exception! In fact, we didn't just have ONE evening of fireworks - we had two!

On Friday, we headed over to Ceri's Parent's house, to set off some fireworks with Ceri's sister, Rachel - we'd pooled our resources to get our own fireworks and had a hoot in the Garden.

I've never set my own fireworks off before, but I guess that's one of the perks of when you become an adult? That being said - we were careful and stood a good distance back!

On Saturday, we decided to head into town and scope out the Christmas Present situation for everyone. I/We have a lot of people to buy for this year and the more organised we are the better! I had my first Red Cup of the Season (Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Cream)

(I don't know who Carry is - I think it meant to say Ceri)

Once we got home, we had some dinner and headed straight back out again for Sparks in the Park.

It was jam packed, apparently 15,000 people were there -I didn't think there were that many people in Cardiff let alone South Wales! But there we go!

I've really been feeling the cold since I got back from New Zealand - maybe it's the shock to my body of coming back from Spring to Autumn/Winter - but I've been feeling it more than I normally would be. After the fireworks, it was straight home to bed to snuggle up with some popcorn and hot chocolate!

New Zealand - Part 4

2011-11-05T10:08:00.001Z

Arkles Bay is a lovely little beach, and a stones throw from the house - so much so that you can hear the water hitting the sand all night.

Chocolate Cake

2011-11-05T09:40:00.001Z

I have a confession, I love to bake. It's not particularly a secret I just haven't had much opportunity to do it.

My mum is a master in the kitchen and although I'm not a brilliant cook, I think I can bake, a bit.

The Chocolate Cake is the a Moloney Classic.

Ingredients:
7oz. self raising flour
1 oz good cocoa powder - Chocolate powder is not preferred but can be used at a push

8oz caster sugar

8 oz Flora

4 large eggs.

Method:

1. Beat Flora & Sugar together very well, until white & creamy.

2. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until smooth. Sieve in the flour and cocoa, mix by hand first to wet the flour and prevent it flying around the kitchen, then beat together well.

3. Grease two cake tins and pour mixture into each, spread out and flatten in the middle. The middle will rise most so flatten it before baking to give an evenly risen cake.

4. Place in oven 180degrees /Gas 5 for 20 minutes.

Test with a knife to see if it's baked, push a dry knife into centre of cake, if no uncooked cake comes out on the knife, it's done. Otherwise, give it another 5 minutes or so.

Allow to cool in tin for 5 mins and turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Icing:

6oz Icing sugar

2 oz cocoa

4 oz flora

A few drops of boiling water

Mix all together, add water first and mix by hand to prevent icing sugar decorating kitchen.

Wait until cake is cool and ice.

On my Mum's Recipe Card, it has a lovely note "DO NOT EAT ICING WHILE WAITING FOR CAKE TO COOL!!!! Lick bowl and spoon. Enjoy!!".

You don't have to, but I pop ground up Maltesers over the bottom layer and over the top - adding some whole Maltesers along the top.

New Zealand - Part 3

2011-11-03T06:44:00.002Z

If there was one thing that intrigued me more than anything else in New Zealand, it was the plant life - which was so diverse, rich and colourful. There's so much green land, and although the areas that are populated are heaving with people - there is so much greenery

Jet lag is getting easier to contend with, last night I managed to stay awake till a massive 8.30! But I've had a constant headache since Saturday that is seriously grating.

I've been thrown off kilter by how dark it's been getting - New Zealand was heading into Summer and now I'm heading into Winter, I'm feeling the cold more than I should be - on the bright side I may not be fatigued by Winter when it comes to mid-January!

New Zealand - Part 2!

2011-11-01T08:11:00.001Z

I haven't had the chance to upload all the pictures I took with the camera yet, so I'll be sharing some more Iphone photos with you.

Auckland is a weird city - form far away everything seems pretty flat from far away, but when you get in there and you're walking around every thing is on a pretty steep hill. My calfs still feel like cast iron from all that walking!

Geographically, the North Island, is fairly similar to Wales - only a little bit more exotic! For instance I did spot Parrots just flying around freely on one or two occasions but I have no idea whether they were wild.

I'll get around to uploading the camera photos at some point this week, hopefully the sooner the better to cross that off my list! But honestly, some of the best bits were things I didn't manage to catch too much on Camera - the World Cup Final for instance, purely because they went so quick there wasn't an opportunity to - and I'm kind of glad in that way because as good as it is to have pictures to remember things, not every little thing needs to be documented in this way.

Halloween

2011-11-01T07:58:00.001Z

Halloween was a bit of a non-event in our house, living in a flat we didn't have any trick-or-treaters, but luckily we didn't plan for them either!

I do get excited about all varieties of holidays and Halloween is no exception, the only downer was that I wasn't here to organise anything - next year however, watch out! I have so many cute plans and between my planning and Ceri's technological wizardy - we'll have the creepiest house on the street!

I did purchase a cute variety of Cookies & Cakes from Waitrose for my family before we headed back to Cardiff, they went down a storm...probably better than if I had baked them myself!

I did manage to sort out my broken phone with Orange - being replaced today, and my jet-lagged behind made it to 8.30pm before I tapped out, I feel way more human this morning.

Plans!

2011-10-31T06:14:00.001Z

I'm super excited and super motivated lately, and I'm happy to share this with all of you!

Other than getting back from New Zealand, getting back to work - organising stuff at the flat and all other manner of things that mean I doubt I'll be sitting down to relax between now and New Year! There will be lots happening on the blog - my favourite thing to announce is that I'll be uploading some of the music that Ceri & I have been recording and messing about with - but I'm not entirely sure when that will start.

There will also be a re-vamp and all manner of other things that I'm sure will keep you on the edge of your seats! So keep your peepers open!

And Happy Halloween!

New Zealand - Part 1

2011-10-31T06:08:00.003Z

After accumulating 22825.76 miles, I am finally home - Safe and Sound!

New Zealand was absolutely amazing, although it's quite similar to the UK in terms of culture - it's also seriously americanised but in a "small town USA" kind of way, which I found utterly endearing!

It's back to work today and I am struggling with some massive jet lag, I was up at 3am this morning and although I could do with a few more hours sleep - I have so much to do that I want to take a crack at it rather than get home tonight and not want to be bothered with anything!

I've already cleaned out my fridge, done all the food shopping, washed my clothes, packed away all the amazing shopping I brought back with me - and caught up with my family and my boyfriends - I am a power house of efficiency!

I don't want to dump a lot of photos on you, so I'll break them down as much as possible - today, I'm going to give you iPhone Photos!

I was staying with my friend, Deva, in a small town north of Auckland called Whangaparaoa, the view form her house was Rangitoto Island, which is a dorment Volcano, it hasn't erupted in over 600 years but still is a sight to behold! Especially as, if it were to erupt, Auckland and much of the North Coast would be wiped off the map!

My Flight landed in New Zealand at about 11.30am NZ time, which was a 12 hour difference to the UK - I didn't think Jet Lag would affect me as much as it eventually did but we spent the first day seeing what the Peninsula had to offer - which is a lot in the way of amazing views, a lot of sky and beautiful beaches, apparently! If there is such a thing as a modern paradise - this was pretty much it!

There are more pictures available on Flickr, and more will be updated over the course of the next few days and weeks!

New Zealand post!

2011-10-20T03:45:00.000+01:00

Kia ora from New Zealand!I'm still here, relaxing not too far from the beach! The weather has been crazy the last few days, so today I've been kicking it in the trampoline and later on I'm making pizza for everyone!I've felt super motivated during my time here and as much as I'm having a fab time in the Land of the Long White Cloud, I can't wait to get home and start preparing for Christmas!I land on Saturday 29th and normal service should resume around then, with lots of exciting stuff coming up!

Things I love thursday!

2011-10-06T21:03:00.000+01:00

This week has passed in a haze!

This beautiful Deer!

The story of my life

Sometimes I think Kris Jenner and myself are the same person

Gemma Correll

Other things I'm loving this week!

Dad being out of hospital

Opportunities at work

New Zealand tomorrow

Awesome date nights to see crappy movies!

Back Home

2011-10-02T20:24:00.000+01:00

We're finally home, snuggled up on the sofa catching up with X-Factor.

To say I'm exhausted is an understatement and I am beyond grateful to Ceri for driving me to London to see my family, as I don't drive and trains would've been a nightmare!

We got to London in 2 and a half hours, was able to catch up with my Mum about dad's condition and relax before going to the hospital to see him. I snuck in before visiting hours officially started and to be fair you probably shouldn't surprise someone with a serious heart condition but the look on his face was a picture. I was able to catch up about how he was and fill him in on the Rugby, then later Ceri came to join us and we sat chatting for about an hour and a half.

We left him to nap then, so went home to get dinner and catch up on some sleep.

This morning we got up to watch the Wales and Ireland games, have some breakfast and mosey on over to see Dad - luckily the hospital is a 5 minute walk from my parents house, we took him the iPad to show him as he loves technology!

Dad's due to see a Surgeon on Monday and hopefully will have Bypass surgery this week, I go to New Zealand on Friday and I'm not home again until the 29th of October, so all being well he'll be out of hospital next week or so and relaxing when I get home!

London

2011-10-01T07:21:00.000+01:00

Ceri & I are making an unscheduled stop in London this weekend as the call came yesterday that my Dad is in hospital and is going to have a by-pass.

Heart troubles run down my dad's side of the family, his father died at 50, his brother Harry died 10 years ago and his other brother has had similar issues. Dad hasn't had anything "major" with his heart in about 2 years, but since I was 15 there have been worries - strokes, heart attacks and the like.

Ceri is being very good and driving me down to see my Dad in hospital but suffice to say that I shan't be going to New Zealand until I know everything is ok.

My Dad, despite his faults as the result of a staunch Catholic upbringing, is the most wonderful Dad I could've asked for. I love my parents and if anything happened to them I'd be catatonic, so here's hoping he's ok!

Date Night: Beach!

2011-09-29T18:48:00.000+01:00

The last few days have been busy! And I think I'm on the brink of exhaustion! I've been trying to get so much stuff done at work before I go to New Zealand next week that I'm surprised at how much I've managed given the fact we don't have the internet in the office - until today that is!

This week we've had a mini-heatwave in Wales, a last flash of summer (that we never really had!), before we're subjected to months of ice age like darkness and cold! Which I am super looking forward to!

Cycling to work in the mornings has been amazing, because I've been working earlier this week I've cycled in on my own and whilst I miss the companionship of cycling to work with Ceri, I've enjoyed being able to listen to music and watch summer tumble into autumn.

Yesterday, as I tried to lock my bike up outside the house, a gang of unsavoury looking youngsters took it upon themselves to scope out Georgia and I panicked which resulted in my taking her into our very small home whilst waiting for Ceri to get home with the key to the back yard!

In order to make the most of the sunny weather while we have it, Ceri and I hopped on the motorbike and ran over to Ogmore,

We made it down just in time to catch the sunset which seemed to go on forever, and I was forgetting how quickly the tide was coming in. So you can imagine my surprise when I was all of a sudden the tide was heading towards my ankles. I jumped up and ran because I had a camera lense in my pocket and didn't fancy having cold feet when we were on the motorway home.

This was the picture I was busy taking:

And this was my face right after I had managed to make a swifty escape:

Tonight I'm making us a delicious dinner before we go to visit Ceri's Parents as they're off to San Diego tomorrow and I won't see them until I get back from New Zealand in November!

Things I Love Thursday!

2011-09-29T06:09:00.000+01:00

This little guy!

Dogs! I'm dog obsessed lately, I just wish I had a garden to have one!

A little bit of perspective for everyone

This ring that Ceri got me

I know not everyone likes it, but I did laugh a lot during the New Girl!

So Many Activities!

2011-09-27T19:58:00.004+01:00

I feel super motivated today! 10 days until I go to New Zealand and nearly everything is organised, I just have to change the last of my money over on payday!

Other than that, I'm planning lots of activities and surprises for when I get back in November! My new gym will have opened whilst I'm away and I'm excited to start going back to the gym again, I'm LOVING cycling to work everyday!

Ceri and I have been practising a lot of music lately and when I get back we're going to start recording and mixing things properly, hopefully able to post some too!

Oh gosh I'm excited! Although I don't know where this evening has gone, at all!

Peter Pan Collars

2011-09-25T15:27:00.000+01:00

Trends can be hard to follow and even more difficult is finding a style that suits you!

It's taken me 25 years to find clothing that flatters my shape - I achieved this originally by banning myself from wearing jeans. (Shorts are OK, weather permitting!) But jeans do nothing for me, so I only wear dresses and skirts.

But dresses with Peter Pan Collars are everywhere. And I love them! But by the same token, I am busty so I have to be careful as to the cut of the rest of the dress/top.

I did some dress shopping yesterday for my New Zealand Holiday and luckily a lot of places were having their End of Season Sales, so I picked up some cute dresses and cardigans with peter pan collars but this is the best of the rest...(according to weheartit.com).

Veruca Salt - Style Icon.

Fast Car

2011-09-22T19:56:00.002+01:00

just listen

Things I Love Thursday!

2011-09-22T14:00:00.000+01:00

This! I love this! Weather in Cardiff is quick to change and I'm not sure about how much of this I'll get to do! But I definitely want to do as much off this list as I can! Except a lot of these things we don't have in Wales so I'll have to work around it!

This cute couple SLAY ME! They're so adorable! I wish my grandparents were this cool!

This GIF screams positivity to me!

I'm going to make daily lists of things that I'm loving, just to stay positive on a daily basis!

Lazy Weekends

2011-09-19T19:13:00.004+01:00

The weather is very changeable in Cardiff at the moment, and with that has come a host of predicaments for cycling! Mainly waterproofing and cycling against gale force winds - neither of which are ideal! My legs feel like steel at the moment, whether that's a good thing, I couldn't tell you!

This weekend was nice and lazy, which is just what I needed! Particularly as I've felt on auto-pilot the last few weeks, our weekends tend to be pretty packed so it was nice to just take a little time out and slow things down.

On Saturday we cycled to the local village to check out the thrift shops, I keep seeing cute typewriters everywhere that are generally fairly cheap, but I don't NEED one and I'm not sure I have the space for one either.

Currently, Ceri & I are living in a one bedroom flat which isn't ideal, but it's not forever and ideally next year I'd like to find a bigger house with a garden for us that we can grow into. Then I won't feel guilty when I buy cute things and have to justify it to myself because we don't have the space for it!

Although we live in Cardiff, there are lots of little villages within that boundary of the City, that are little worlds all to themselves. The most out of this world is Whitchurch, which holds it own at Christmas! Because it's full of old people, it has so many second hand thrifty stores and has recently opened a traditional sweet shop with a Milkshake Section - it's like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but way less cool.

On Sunday, Ceri and I went for a cycle to ASDA which entailed a trip through the local nature reserve, it also involved a trip past an abandoned railway line!

If there is one thing I enjoy most about living in Cardiff, it's the diversity of the areas that means one minute you'll be on a busy high street and the next you will be a cute market street, there is really no where else like it.

Busy Busy Bee!

2011-09-15T19:29:00.005+01:00

The rugby world cup is in full swing, and the early mornings have killed me! On Sunday morning, Ceri & I watched Ireland's game, then cycled over to the pub, at 9am no less! To watch Wales play South Africa with a full compliment of breakfast! The rest of our Sunday was fairly lazy, I was so tired I struggled to lift my limbs!

The rest of this week has been a blur of weird ass weather, the result of a hurricane of the Caribbean which has caused gale force winds here, pretty difficult to cycle in!

Normally, Ceri & I set a specific date night to make sure that no matter how tired or busy we are in the rest of the week we spend some nice time together - but this week we've had two!

On Monday we went out for dinner, and last night we went to see Jane Eyre - on the cycle home there were bats everywhere! It was amazing - they were swooping down so close to us to catch flies by the river, I was astounded!

Ceri and I are planning a holiday for next year, he's jealous I'm going to New Zealand and he's not! o we're planning a week in New York and a week in Boston, possibly a fly in visit to Harry Potter Land....

9/11

2011-09-11T13:46:00.004+01:00

I'm at home watching the 9/11 Commemoration Service in New York and to be honest, I'm choking up.

I didn't think I would be but obviously 10 years is a long time to reflect about an event that changed the entire world and the way in which we interact with each other. Some in positive ways, but negative in others.

I don't think a person in the world has been left unaffected by the events of that day, from people who lost their lives in the planes and towers, to those around the world who have lost some one as a result of the ongoing War on Terror.

My Uncle worked in the North Tower for a number of years, my cousin lives on 23rd & Lexington,
my friends dad was a pilot flying from Boston that day whose plane could've easily been one of those hi-jacked, but luckily it wasn't - another had a brother in New York that day who was due to visit the Trade Centre had it not been for his alarm not going off and missing the time they planned to go.

The stories of that day will stay with us forever and has shaped the future of the world we live in to something different than it would've been.

New York suffered the most from this day, however the world lost something too.

To those who died, you are remembered and missed by those who loved you.

social butterfly, thrifting and bikes!

2011-09-10T19:09:00.000+01:00

Last night some friends and I went out for dinner and drinks, with an opening night to boot. Only it was the worst opening night I've ever been to and my Mojito tasted like I was licking a Mint Plant. Far too minty! That being said, it was nice to spend time having drinks and dancing which I literally haven't done in months!

I have a new found love for strawberry daiquiri! Done well, obviously.

I love cocktails, but I have a hard time taking them from people who aren't trained to make them, hence my super minty Mojitos!

I left my bike at work so Ceri and I headed into town to pick it up and then decided we wanted to go thrifting around Cardiff, we went to one or two not so good second hand stores in Cardiff, and my favourite antique place that now does clothes as well. I found a beautiful dress in there but unfortunately it was a size too small!

In one of the Second Hand places, which is in an old Georgian building near the train station, they had a cupboard full of old cameras! We picked up two beautiful ones from the 60s and 70s to add to our ever growing collection of old cameras - now we just have to get some film that will go in them!

Like anyone, I find nesting dolls entirely adorable - more so when they're a little "out there" so when I saw these John Lennon ones, I had to have them - unfortunately with New Zealand coming up, I can't afford to splash out on them so I'll have to see if they're still there in November!

One thing I love most about Cardiff, is how vastly different all the areas are. For instance, on a daily basis I cycle down the Taff River Trail to get to and from the city - and it never looks the same twice.

It takes you from the Castle, through Bute Park, through some woods, up by different parks and there are so many different types of people on the trail.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cerid/

Rugby World Cup

2011-09-10T18:37:00.000+01:00

It's that time again! Rugby World Cup time! We're big Rugby fans in this house, Ireland and Wales respectively.

We've got the pools taped to the fridge to keep a track of all the games, scores and who goes through to the next round. I'm in New Zealand for the Final, which will be amazing. Suffice to say, Ceri is pretty jealous that I'm going!

On the downside, the proportion of bad language and shouting at the TV has drastically increased since yesterday morning, when the whole tournament kicked off!

This morning I was nursing a bit of a hangover, so Ceri made me a lovely breakfast during the England vs Argentina game (Anti-English Sentiments abound in this house!) there was a lot of shouting at the TV that ensued!

Bike Advenutres!

2011-09-07T17:45:00.002+01:00

I am exhausted, I have cycled to and from work every day which is about 8 miles round trip and my thighs are KILL-AAAAHHH!

But I'm loving it!

I haven't had much of an opportunity to take pictures when I've been cycling because it's been raining, all day, every day and that includes my cycle! Today is the only day I didn't get caught in the rain.

We've had so much rain that all the rivers are close to bursting their banks!

I've started doing an NVQ Level 4 in Information, Advice & Guidance today - I'm stoked! But there is so much work to go with it, in addition to all the other work I have to do but I'm excited!

Life is so busy I can barely keep up AND (i know this is early but...) Christmas is just around the corner, or it will be by the time I get back from New Zealand which means I have to raid Marthastewart.com for some awesome ideas!