My Top 5 Blogs!

I am addicted to reading other people's blogs and if I find one I love I quickly become obsessed with it!  Here are my top 5 blogs I currently check every day in the hope that they have updated with a new post.

1. The Londoner - http://www.thelondoner.me/

Along with most of the blogging community, The Londoner is one of the best things I have ever come across. EVER! I check it obsessively to see what exploits Rosie has been up to or what she is recommending to cook in the kitchen.  She has recently posted a baked Camembert recipe that I am going to try when my parents next come to stay and I've also checked out a number of restaurants on the back of her recommendations.  She is the blogger I aspire to be!

2. The Glam and Glitter 4Ever - http://www.theglamandglitter.com/

Tamara is another blogger whose wardrobe I covet and she always looks pretty and stylish! Apart from major hair envy, she also owns most of the shoes and bags I would love to own and puts clothes together in a way I only wish I had the bank balance and creativity to do myself!

3. Glossy's Wardrobe - http://glosswardrobe.blogspot.co.uk/

I am still devastated that Talita has moved to Canada and ceased to post on her blog since October, but I am hopeful that she will restart her blog once she has settled on the other side of the pond. She is currently in London and so I am hoping for a few posts about her new Isabel Marant's/Louboutin's/general fabulousness soon.

4. Spring to Autumn - http://springtoautumn85.blogspot.co.uk/

This is the blog of my friend who lives in Paris.  She is a French and Spanish translator as well as taking some incredible photos and writing touching posts in her spare time. I still think she should combine her photography with her writing on the blog as she has an album of beautifully arty photos on Facebook of little walks she takes around the city.  Definitely a talented writer, she will transport you into a beautiful world of colour and emotion through the words she writes on paper.

5. Big Fashionista - http://www.bigfashionista.co.uk/

Kelly likes to rant and rant a lot about whatever takes her fancy.  Her light-hearted but heart-felt posts are great to read and I often find myself nodding in agreement at what she writes.  A great blog to read if you are pissed off with the world!

J'adore Paris

I thought I'd share this with you from my old blog. A little trip to Paris I had last Easter, it was so good! I cannot wait to go back in August!

*****************

A light hearted reflection of our day as high society ladies.

Last Saturday was all about the catchphrases for my friend Joanne and I.  Catchphrase number 1 ‘dress to impress’, catchphrase number 2 ‘it’s all about the confiance’.

Following our two mantras we dressed ourselves up in our Sunday finest - for myself, a little black dress, leopard print Louboutin’s and matching scarf and a Whistles hat - and off we went to enjoy our journée parfaite à Paris!

Outside La Duree

We started our ‘journée de rêve’ in La Durée with a café crème and a croissant for me, a hot chocolate and some macaroons for my friend.  We left in high spirits, but somewhat disappointed, the waitress was not up to the standards we’d have expected for such a high end establishment and we decided that this famous Parisian eaterie has become a victim of its own success as hordes of Japanese tourists flooded the tiny inside space, taking photos of anything and everything they could.

With our stomachs lined we started the walk along the shops in the area of Rue Saint Honoré, our first stop naturally being a French stalwart fashion brand, Christian Dior.  As we kept saying to ourselves ‘it’s all about the confidence’ à la Samantha Brick (the running joke of the day), we strutted inside and were immediately pounced upon by a demure shop assistant encouraging us to try on the spoils.  Never one to pass up on an opportunity, we were shown to the most luxurious fitting room we had ever seen - in fact it was not one room but two complete with numerous mirrors, flattering lighting and an expensive looking couch (which we had much fun messing about on with our camera when the shop assistant’s back was turned).  We’d told her I was looking for an outfit for a wedding and she came back with some gorgeous heels and a silk dress which I tried on and fell in love with.  At an eye watering 4000 euros for the two items we told her that we wanted to explore more of the Parisian shops before making a decision and hastily and carefully put the clothes back before we had a chance to spoil them.

The stunning silk Dior dress and tan Dior platforms

Moving on, we headed to Longchamp to purchase a handbag and had a little mooch in Miu Miu, Chanel and Maje before heading to our number one, highly anticipated destination…Christian Louboutin.  Unlike my previous visit where I pretty much waltzed in, had the shop to myself and tried on half the shoes before purchasing, this time we had to queue for an annoyingly long twenty minutes before we were allowed to enter.  Nervous with excitement my friend (with a little persuasion from myself) decided it was time to ‘pop her cherry’ and chose the most stunning pair of Nude Pigalle’s as her first ever Louboutin purchase.  Off we trotted, her elated with her purchase, me a little jealous that I wasn’t able to buy a pair for myself (but it always gives me a good excuse for a return visit).

The tastiest Champagne and apple cocktail at the Ritz

Having spent a good few hours walking in heels by this time (and having ruined a pair of Louboutin’s by scraping all the red off the sole walking around Paris) we sneakily stopped in a shop doorway and changed into flats to start our descent to Place Vendome with one thing on our mind…champagne to celebrate the Louboutin purchase.  Just before we stepped into the famous square we quickly changed back into our heels and strutted across to the Ritz, with such pizazz that even Victoria Beckham would have been envious of us, and were welcomed into the Ritz accordingly. 

We enjoyed the jealous looks of our waitress as my friend examined her Louboutin shoes just as much as we enjoyed our Champagne cocktail and nibbles and spent the next hour pondering how we might afford to live such a lifestyle day in day out.  Unfortunately neither my friend nor I were blessed with the goddess like looks of Samantha Brick and despite secretly hoping we’d receive a bottle of Dom Perignon sent to the table by some handsome George Clooney lookalike we had to accept that our time living the high life was drawing to an end. We settled the bill ourselves and left, looking back longingly over our shoulders at the day we had left behind.

My talented friend Jo, translator and writer.

Enjoying my time as a high society lady!

Back to reality and we hopped on the metro over to the Rush bar where we met the Liverpool French Branch supporters club, ordered a Corona and a JD and coke and cheered on our team in the good old northern way we are accustomed to.  Just as much fun, apart from another draw from the mediocre Liverpool side that seems to be ruining many an afternoon for Liverpool fans worldwide at the moment.

We finished the day with a pizza and, feeling exhausted, headed back to my friend’s apartment to watch a film.  Unfortunately, upon arrival I realised that I had left my iPhone in the Pizza restaurant but the nice and honest French waiter had put it behind the bar for me so we trekked back across the city to pick it up.  It may have been 11.00 at night but we finally decided we had had our Samantha Brick moment (obviously we were so good looking the waiter decided he could not possibly steal the phone from us)….well maybe not!

The day may be over but the memories will live with us until the next time we decide to live the high life! Vive la vie!

True friendships weather distance and time!

Before I start this post I have to apologise for the poor camera quality.  I am 6 weeks away from being able to invest in a new laptop and decent digital camera and once that time arrives there will be no stopping me on the blog front! I am going to become one of those annoying people that are constantly taking pictures of everything and blogging about it! I'm hoping my new investments will help increase quality and readership on the blog and I'm excited for the times ahead!!

***********

It's been eight long years since I last caught up with one of my best friends from school.  The last time I saw him was just before my 19th birthday when I flew over to Australia for a few weeks at the end of my first year of University.  He moved back to Australia with his family when I finished 6th Form nearly 9 years ago. In fact his last night in England was for my 18th birthday party and I can still remember waving him off from Grimsby train station as he left for Manchester to catch his flight home.  At the time I remember wondering if I'd ever see him again, if our friendship would fade into a memory as we continued our life journeys on opposite sides of the world.  I was pretty determined to use our friendship as an excuse to get over to Australia and, a year later, I was able to use some money my Nanna and Granddad had very kindly put away for me to buy a flight to Perth. At the time it was a trip of a lifetime for me and I had an amazing few weeks exploring Perth and Melbourne whilst catching up on the year we had spent apart.  Since then we have both grown into adults and between us have gained nearly 4 degrees, a girlfriend and a husband,  found jobs and careers and travelled the globe between us but have never quite managed to squeeze in another visit to see each other.  Until this weekend that is when we caught up in London over a few drinks and food.

J and me 8 years ago at Cohuna Park near Perth

8 years on in Shoreditch on Friday evening

It was also a great opportunity to meet up with another two friends, Tom and Mike, and we had an amazing time catching up on each other's lives as well as reminiscing about the past.  Tom has lived in Jersey for the past few years and, with me being in Liverpool, we were never really in the same place to catch up but now Mike and I both live in London he has no excuse not to pop over from time to time for some more fun times.

Tom, me and Mike, 2 of our other friends from 6th Form. Mike, I see quite regularly but Tom and I worked out it had been nearly five years since we had last caught up! Next time we won't leave it as long. 

I have to admit I was a little nervous about meeting up with someone who I'd not seen for eight years, especially when I told my year 9 class and they started asking me questions like 'what would you do if your husband doesn't like him?' and 'what if his girlfriend has a really annoying laugh?' (?!?!?!)  However, from the minute we saw each other it was just like old times, we chatted, we laughed and equally as important, we both absolutely loved each other's other halves. We all agreed that we should not leave it so long until the next time and I am already plotting as to when we can get over to the other side for a visit.  Especially as I've discovered that Perth is only a few hours from Dubai so I am thinking a little Dubai-Perth-Sydney trip could be perfect over October half term or the Christmas holidays!  Watch this space...

The tastiest Mojito I have ever tried, I just had to share it with you!

Love the people who love you!

I saw this and really liked it. I wish I took more heed of this saying though, I really do spend too much time worrying about what other people think of me when really I should just embrace those that I know love me.  

Honestly Healthy

This little story takes my weird stalker tendencies to a new level but on a plus side for me I have discovered something new which I am going to share with you tonight.  A few weeks ago my friend and I went to a taster session at the new Pilates studio opened at my gym in Richmond.  As we were leaving, we noticed that  the well known interior designer Kelly Hoppen turned up with her daughter for a private session.  Being nosey as I am and already following Kelly on Twitter, I had a little look to see if she had tweeted about heading over to the Pilates studio and noticed a conversation with someone else (who turned out to be her daughter).  When I clicked on her daughter's Twitter I discovered Honestly Healthy which is what today's post is about.

Honestly Healthy is a new cookbook that has been written by Kelly Hoppen's daughter based upon the alkaline diet.  I clicked onto her website and started to read about how she had lost 2 stone and also felt so much healthier since she had started to follow the alkaline diet, a vegetarian diet based around eating foods that digest as alkaline in your stomach.  Impressed with what I saw I went onto Amazon and bought a copy of the cookbook for myself and my Mum (unfortunately it's been about 10 days since I ordered it now but it still hasn't arrived and if my Mum reads this before it's delivered her surprise will be spoilt!).

In the meantime, I am not the only person to have discovered Honestly Healthy as about 3 days after I first went on the website, Victoria Beckham herself tweeted that she was a fan of the cookbook and since then it has exploded with articles in the Daily Mail and an endorsement from self-titled food and fitness guru Gwynnie Paltrow.

So, whilst I am waiting for the full cookbook, I have had a little go at two of the recipes available on the website.  I don't know what has got into me recently, maybe my Nanna's constant chidings about me being the worst wife in the world have had an effect as I have cooked more in 2013 than I have in my whole entire life put together!

The first thing I had a go at were the Carrot and Halloumi Patties.

  I grated four large carrots and some red onion.

I then mixed it in a large bowl with grated halloumi cheese, rice flour, egg white, coriander, lemon, garlic and spring onions.

I then fried some fennel seeds in oil before adding it to the mixture above and blending it all together.

I took a handful of the mixture, squeezed out the moisture and made into patties.  At this point I was panicking, I am not the best cook in the world and it wasn't really sticking together or looking much like a patty! However I stuck with it and lashed it in the pan and 'seared' on both sides until golden brown.

I then closed my eyes and prayed that I could get the 'patty' from the pan into the oven tin! As you can see I just about managed it and then baked in the oven for 15 minutes until 'golden brown'.

I then served on a bed of spinach and watercress salad and added a dressing of olive oil, lime and agave honey nectar.

It tasted absolutely delicious but I was not fully satisfied after a pretty hefty session in the gym! Therefore I decided to treat myself to another recipe on the website aptly named 'Best Hot Chocolate Ever!'  I am so glad I have found this recipe as it has given me a yummy hot drink that sticks to me giving up dairy.

I blended some coconut milk, cashew nuts and cocoa powder so that it was smooth.  I then heated it in a pan and then 'voila'...enjoyed a nice hot chocolate as below!

If you want to check out the cookbook, learn more about the diet or just have a nosey at what all the celebs are going mad for, check it out at http://www.honestlyhealthyfood.com/

There's no place like my spiritual home!

To celebrate my success in completing the 19 Day Body Challenge, I hopped on the 21.04 out of Euston on Friday night and headed back to my spiritual home.  The best thing about no longer living in Liverpool is coming back to visit, I get so excited and everyone says that I am bound to end up back there one day.

Saturday morning, I was up nice and early and headed straight to my old gym for a session with my Personal Trainer, I miss having him put me through a gruelling routine twice a week but still haven't got around to sorting one out in London.  To be honest I think I am just going to upkeep my own routine for now until I feel I need a shake up once my body gets used to the new workouts I've been doing as part of the detox programme.

Maz putting me through my paces a few months ago pre-wedding.

Afterwards I headed over to Relish on Allerton Road and stuck with the healthy and clean eating plan by having a green tea, 3 poached eggs and smoked salmon with the husband and my best friend.  The waiter seemed a bit confused about my bizarre breakfast request saying, 'what d'ya want that on? Just a plate?' Despite his reservations, it was possible to enjoy it without any bread.

We then headed into Liverpool One for a little shopping, I needed basics desperately and I bought a few tees, blazers, leggings and jumpers from H&M and Zara but I will blog about those in a different post.  I had a sneaky look in Cricket but they only had 2 of the Celine Luggage bags I'm currently desiring left, and they weren't in the colours I want, so I headed over to Nail Nation to get my nails done.  They've just got the new Gellish Neon collection in and I went for the shocking pink (I wasn't daring enough to go green, yellow or blue but maybe next time)!  I think they look fab and they certainly went with my outfit for the night time.

Gellish Neon Collection

After meeting more friends for coffee we checked in at our hotel, 62 Castle Street, a small boutique hotel on the same street as my favourite restaurant which we happened to have booked for later on that evening.  The receptionist seemed very keen to inform us that our suite had recently been occupied by Charles Dance for two weeks.  Apparently he's a famous film star, but I've never heard of him!  The room was pretty amazing with THE biggest bed I have ever stayed in and a nice view across Liverpool.  We got ready and headed downstairs to the bar for my first alcoholic beverage in three weeks!! If I'm honest I think 3 weeks is the longest I have managed without alcohol since I was about 14 so it was well enjoyed, I can tell you that!

Dress - Cop Copine, Necklace - Maje, Blazer - Zara

My favourite restaurant in Liverpool is San Carlo, an Italian hotspot renowned for hosting most of the city's footballers, wags and numerous other designer clad, fake tanned, bouncy haired scouse girls.  I finally persuaded my friends to join me for dinner there (it's not really their scene but I knew that they would love it if they came) and they all agreed that the food was on top form last night!! I was too busy chatting and forgot to get pictures of the starters but here are some of the mains:

Seared Tuna with Lentils, Sides of spinach in garlic, fried courgettes and green beans

Turbot with onions and cherry tomatoes, boned and served at the table by the waiter.

I opted for the seared Tuna and Lentils which was deliciously tasty and shared some sides of spinach in garlic, green beans and fried courgettes.  The fried courgettes were a great alternative to chips and the spinach was the tasty thing I have eaten in a long time! I didn't even feel too guilty as, apart from the fact the courgettes were fried, it was all pretty much in line with the healthy eating I have been trying to stick to since the new year.  You know you've had a good meal when you can't stop thinking about it, and I literally have not stopped thinking about this all day!  My friend went for the Turbot which, quite frankly, was huge and was prepared at the table by the waiter, I had a sneaky try and it was delicious! She struggled to finish it!  My other friend had the seafood pasta, which I have had before and I know is as scrummy as it looks.  The pasta sauces are to die for at San Carlo and there is so much choice it is hard to know whether or not you have made the right decision.  Fortunately though, I have never regretted my choice on any of the many occasions I have eaten there.  The husband is a sucker for pizza and went for a Spicy Italian Sausage Pizza, it was hot but he loved it and devoured every last piece!

Seafood pasta, the tomato sauce base was to die for!

Spicy Italian Sausage Pizza

One of my friends did not have quite the appetite as my husband and could only manage half of her chicken and mushroom pizza so the waiter styled her a slice in a handbag shaped doggy bag so she could take it out dancing with her! I've just seen her Facebook status and it made it through the night for breakfast this morning!

All in all absolutely fabulous evening was had and we headed into the night to enjoy more cocktails and a good natter about the goings on in our busy lives in the three weeks since we had last met up. As I headed home back down the M6 (The husband had come in his car) I was already plotting as to when I can next return up North for some more fun times!

19 Day Body Results

Friday saw the last day of the 19 Day Body Challenge I had joined up to at the beginning of January and it was time to take my measurements, weigh myself and do the 'after pictures'.  One of the reasons I set about doing this 19 day challenge was to prove to myself that I had self discipline when it comes to food and exercise, as I had been a little disappointed in myself over the last few months with some of the lifestyle choices I had made since moving down to London.  When my mind is set on something I can be extremely stubborn and I stuck to the 19 Day Body Plan to the letter. I did everything correctly and properly and as you can see from the pictures below it has definitely paid off.  In all I have lost half a stone in weight (which is probably the least important and least impressive aspect of my transformation) and a total of 9cm from around the waist (measured across the naval), 4cm off my bust, 4cm off my hips and 6cm off the largest part of my thighs.  That is a total of 23cm lost around the body as well as the visible toning effects that you can see below:

I think the picture results speak for themselves but I am absolutely over the moon with the outcome.  Just in case there are any doubters out there, both the before and after photos were taken on the same iPhone and I have not altered the pictures in anyway, these are real changes to my body as a result of a strict diet and exercise regime over the last 19 days.  Having finished the plan, I plan to continue with cutting out dairy and gluton from my diet, as I am convinced that I have an intolerance to these foods and have felt so much better, physically and mentally since cutting them out of my diet.  I hope that I can continue with the 'clean' eating as much as possible although I will obviously allow myself a few treats, life is too short to deny yourself all the time and anyone who knows me knows how much I love to eat out!

The story of how I came to do the 19 day body started more than 18 months ago when I saw an interview with Wild At Heart Actress, Lucy-Jo Hudson on This Morning.  I was amazed at how good she looked and how much weight she had lost compared to when I had last seen her on-screen as a teenager in Coronation Street and so contacted her on Twitter to ask what her secret was.  She replied telling me to follow Mark Raynsford, her Personal Trainer based in Farnham, Surrey who had changed her life.  I did and quickly found his blog and joined up to his newsletter 'Weight Loss Tips' which I have been receiving ever since.  I first started to consider signing up to the 19 Day Body he runs online numerous times a year around 12 months ago but, I admit, I was a little sceptical as to whether or not I could achieve results without actually having someone help me face to face.  I had a Personal Trainer who had done wonders for my fitness but had not managed to get me eating correctly, despite his best efforts, and I thought to myself if I couldn't even listen to my personal trainer who I was paying a lot of money to on a weekly basis, why would I follow the advice of someone who I had never met.  

My only regret with this whole 19 Day Body journey is that I had not pushed aside my reservations sooner and done it a year ago.  I can honestly say it has revolutionised my life.  It has made me realise how so much of how we look is through choice and, despite working long hours, if you are really focused and want to achieve something you will make time to fit exercising and cooking in.  Over the last four months I had used my long working days as an excuse to skip the gym or just snack on cheese on toast for dinner.  In the last 3 weeks I had 2 parents evenings that went on until 7.30 pm as well as meetings and training sessions lasting until that time on top of my usual planning, marking and resource making sessions that often keep me working until late into the evening.  I did not skip one exercise session or use being busy as an excuse not to rustle up a healthy and nutritious meal using the 'allowed' foods of proteins and super veg such as kale, broccoli and asparagus.  I am hopeful that now I am in a routine from the last 3 weeks, I can continue to do this when I go back to work tomorrow and will be setting my alarm for 6.00 am as I have done the last 3 weeks in order to fit in a morning workout.  I think the main thing I have gained through this experience is a re-energised mental strength, I know how to workout and eat healthy but now I have the mental power to discipline myself to follow that knowledge correctly.

I have to thank Mark for making me think differently and make the right choices when it comes to food and diet.  I'm almost tempted to buy a car just so that I can drive out to Farnham and have him as a PT or join in on his bootcamps, but for now I shall make do with subscribing to the 'Tribe Fit' programme he runs which offers online food, exercise and general healthy lifestyle tips and ideas.  If you are interested in finding out more of the programmes he offers you can follow him on Twitter at @MarkPT or visit his website http://www.theweightlosstips.co.uk/ 

Be warned though, once you have discovered Mark and his wonderful ways your life will be changed forever!