Weekends

Evening everyone!

If you're like me, you work Monday-Friday and have the weekend off. Now. The weekends ALWAYS seem to fly by, no matter what you do. You go to bed on a Friday night after a glass of fizz, and all of a sudden it's Sunday night and your alarm is set for 5:15!

The last couple of weekends I've been away and they've just vanished. Other times, I have lazy weekends, and they still disappear. Before you know it, you're back to work at 8am on a Monday morning, wishing you were asleep in bed.

For the last few weekends I feel like I've been busy and actually achieved something, others, not so much. I'm a big fan of lazing around in your pajamas watching Netflix and drinking endless amounts of tea. However, the closer we get to the wedding, the more time I'm spending trolling the internet or shops with my Mam for a billion and one things - my list never seems to shrink!

The last two weekends in January I was busy. We went to York to visit my friend, then London where we saw The Lion King and then Matilda the next night. Both amazing weekends and both I'd do again happily. I love going to musicals and performances, so our weekend in London was amazing. I recommend going to both performances - and Aladdin, we went to see that in June last year and I'm still singing the songs!

Weekends are precious. We work all week and are given two days off to recover and recuperate before it all starts again. We count down to the weekend and then it's gone in a flash and we can't remember what we did, or we feel bad that we wasted it by just doing nothing. 

I'm currently watching Once Upon A Time on Netflix and enjoying a cup of tea...a really productive Sunday evening!

Next weekend I'm going to have 2 of my bridesmaids fitted for their dresses and the other 2 the following week, so I'm feeling positively productive for the remaining weekends in February. The wedding invites need to be finished and posted soon too so, next weekend will also be spent doing that!

How do you like to spend your weekends? Are you a productive, always busy type or are you more of a lazing around in your pjs weekender? Let me know in a comment below!

Until the next time :) xxx

This is the year we've all been waiting for...!

HAPPY NEW YEAR :D

2017 is finally here! December seemed to fly over in a flurry of tinsel and mulled wine and now here we are, in the new year. Scary! Where does time go and why does it always seem to drag its heels then we look back and it's vanished?!

This is a big year for me personally, I get married this year! #goingtobeaMrs

We've been planning this day for nearly 2 years now, having  become engaged on holiday in June 2014, so now that we're finally in the wedding year it's becoming more real now!

We still have a list of things to do that seems constantly endless. But we'll get there... #bridezilla

The hen and stag do's are a thing that both groups of us can't stop talking about...there's no doubt I will turn into a bridezilla about that weekend!



It's becoming serious now. I'm spending this week assembling the wedding invitations with mam, trying to make a hen do invite and write an order of service too! What a way to spend the last week of my Christmas holidays from school!

You'll all be updated about the wedding of course! But. There will be no spoilers about anything, much to the disappointment of my bridesmaids! Sorry lasses!

If anyone has wedding tips/advice, please leave me a comment below!

I hope 2017 is a fabulous year for you all!

Until next time :) xxx

Friends are the family we choose for ourselves

Evening everyone!

I know I haven't been keeping on top of my blog for a few weeks and for that I do apologise!

I had a blog all mentally prepared relating to an amazing weekend away I went on with my girls and tonight, you shall read about some of that weekend and why it was so good!

So, the theme of this blog as you can tell by the title is Friends. My friends are amazing. They're so important to me that I don't know what I'd be like right now if I had no friends.


We always support each other. Through the best and worst times. Whether that be celebrating a new job with a night out, or mending a broken heart with a lot of vodka. It's safe to say we've done it all!

A few weeks ago we went to a cabin with a hot tub for the weekend. Now, the hot tub was the best selling point about this weekend, and it certainly did not disappoint! We were all lovely and pruny when we got out! We spent most of that Saturday afternoon drinking Prosecco and just chilling. The way it should be on a weekend. :)

Before we spent all of the afternoon in the hot tub, we went and did our food shopping. We were all set to go back and tub it up when we got distracted by the sign for "Fish & Chips". So, naturally, we all went and had an amazing dinner followed by an hour or so of behaving like absolute children in the amusements...I only spent 50p and came away with nothing. Rachel spent a little bit more but came away with some popping candy and a Frozen badge, if my memory serves me right! The weekend was brilliant and I hope to have many more like it in the future!

Then a couple of weeks later, it was Halloween. As you can see by the photo, we went to a Halloween party! Everyone was there and we had a fab time catching up and having a good old drink. Nobody was hurt playing beer pong, and no ping pong balls were set on fire, it was a good time had by all!

Now, last weekend we had the privilege of going to see one of my besties from uni, Anna, marry her soul mate, at the amazing Slaley Hall. For those of you who don't know what Slaley Hall looks like, get on your internet and search! It's a beautiful building with lovely bedrooms and a cracking view of snowy hills over the golf course! There's also a spa which I didn't have the honour of experiencing, but maybe another time! I'd love a good spa day!

Anna is the first one our of us 4 ladies to get married, and scarily enough, I'm next!

The whole day was amazing and it was so lovely to hear the speeches from FOTB, Groom and Best Man tell the stories of love and friendship Anna and Rich have for one another! <3

I know we're all busy, especially with Christmas coming up. But what I love about my friends close to home and far away, is that we always make an effort and find time to see each other and catch up. Even if there's just a couple of us go out, we do it. We're there for each other through the good times and the bad times. Love you guys! <3

Until the next time :) xxx

October...already!

Evening all!

So as you're all aware, it's October. How...?

Is anybody else thinking about where the last 9 months have gone? It just feels like yesterday that it was the beginning of 2016...why is time going so fast?!

I'm sitting here thinking about what I've done since the start of the year that's worthwhile, and apart from getting the job I wanted, that's about all I can think of that's a major turning point for the year...so far!

The months have flown by and I'm struggling to think of what happened and when! Am I the only one this is happening to? Am I turning old before my time and losing my memory, or is everyone else the same? Months flying by = days and months merging into one muddled memory?

I can't believe it's nearly the end of the year. Sarah's birthday is the end of the month, and until then I'll try to not think about Christmas. It doesn't help that Christmas cards have been in the shops since August, I didn't need to buy birthday cards anyway...and now there's advent calendars and talk of Christmas nights out. 

I can't cope with Christmas talk this early,as much as I love it!

As much as I love Autumn & Winter; the coats, scarves, gloves and jumpers, it depresses me that I've just has to close the sitting room blinds at 7pm. Like, where did the summer go?! It was still light at 10pm a few weeks ago! My summer flew over and I'd quite like it back to do all over again thanks!

So soon everyone will be talking about the run up to Christmas. The presents, the holidays, the countdown...I dread this already! Everybody turns into a maniac...stay indoors people!

Although I might turn into one of these people, it's far too soon yet! I apologise in advance to anybody I speak to about Christmas!

The sad thing about it being October...temperature dropping, winds getting stronger. I'm going to have to start wearing boots for work. Now, up until this week, I've been persevering with my sandals, showing off my lovely foot tan, etc. but now...I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and force my feet back into boots full time! Sorry feet...

Boots & coats for yard duty I think looking at the weather forecast! The wind this week was awful and there's no doubting it's 100% Autumn now! But alas, Christmas will be here before we know it...and we'll start the cycle of flying months all over again in 2017!

If anyone has anything you love about Autumn; fashion tips, a favourite place, a comfort food and drink combo, please leave a comment below!

Until the next time :) xxx

Birthday surprises!

Hello everyone!

So as some of you know it was my birthday last week. I am now the grand age of 24...and I'm not sure how I feel about it!

One of the cards I got for my birthday said "Cake, booze and presents day", and I loved that! A birthday is a time when you can stop a diet, have some delightful homemade cheesecake and have a large glass of wine with your Italian birthday meal.

I was given a variety of gifts from amazing friends and family, including 2 bottles of fizz and a bottle of white wine...the fizz has gone down a treat!

One of my best presents from this birthday was from Daniel. He has a knack with presents and I don't know how he does it!
He got tickets to go and The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in London at the end of January! Excited is an understatement!

I love birthdays. Not to celebrate getting a year older, because I'm not really a fan of this getting old malarky...but birthdays are one of the many chances to get together with friends and family and be surrounded with love. And if there just so happens to be a glass or two of fizz going down, that makes I even better!

So my lovely readers, I want to what your best, or worst, birthday present has been. Whether it's something small and personal, or an amazing holiday, I want to know so leave a comment below!

Until the next time :) xxx

London baby!

Hi everyone!

So this time last week I was in London with my sister, Sarah.

I've been to London a couple of times but struggle to get around. I managed to get us from Euston to Leicester Square and  back again in one piece, so I'm classing that as a win!

We went down to London for a visit to the Harry Potter Studio tour, but spent most of the first day in London doing a sightseeing bus tour. I've done this bus tour before with Daniel, but I thought Sarah would love it, and I was right! The tour guides are brilliant; they've funny and witty, and obviously know a lot about London and its history!

I think we took a photo of every little thing we could, just in case we missed anything! We said we'd definitely have to go again as there's things we want to do that we didn't have time to do this trip. Buckingham Palace and the gardens, seeing a show like Mamma Mia in the West End, and the boat trip that comes with the bus tour. (I've done this before but Sarah hasn't!)

Although I don't enjoy how busy London is, it's a beautiful city with amazing history. There's so much to do, so much to see. We're definitely going to have to go for longer than 3 days next time!
I want to go to Harrods and spend all my money in their Christmas shop! Poor Daniel...

So. The main event. The Making of Harry Potter. It was absolutely amazing! If you haven't been and love Harry Potter, I strongly recommend you go! I'm going to have to take Daniel!

The studio tour is brilliant. They have everything that was used in the films; the sets, costumes, props, the list is endless. And it is amazing. So many photos were taken of every little piece of HP magic!

I don't want to give away any spoilers because that's mean! But it is brilliant, and you should all go buy tickets right now! The gift shop. Oh my goodness. The gift shop is equally as amazing. If I had an endless source of money, most of it would have gone to the gift shop, I literally could have bought one of everything! They had everything...hoodies, knitted jumpers, sweets, jewellery, mugs, glasses, keyrings, pens, owls, wands...everywhere you looked there was something you wanted.

We had an absolutely amazing time and would happily go back repeatedly! Of all the photos I took, here's a nice selection to show you our amazing time!

If you're a lover of London and feel there's something I should do/somewhere I should go, please leave a comment below!

Until the next time :) xxx

Edinburgh!

Howdy!

So last weekend I went off up to Edinburgh with my family. Now, we as a family love Edinburgh and go at least twice a year together and have done for countless years. 
We're slightly obsessed...!

We go up every summer to go and watch the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Not many people have heard of the Tattoo. It's Military marching bands, dance groups and singers from around the world, come together and put on a fabulous performance! If you youtube the Tattoo, you'll find a whole host of amazing videos, some from this year's Tattoo too!

Edinburgh is a massive city, full of steep streets that are always crowded, a lovely park with Scottish seagulls and a whole variety of pubs! The Royal Mile is a street full of tourist souvenir shops, cafe's and restaurants, and of course, pubs. I've only been in a couple of the pubs on the Mile, but they've both lovely with a really good atmosphere, friendly staff and not bad prices for 4 drinks!

What I like about even these most authentic of Scottish pubs, is that they've opened their doors to cocktails! Now those of you that know me, know I'm partial to a cocktail or two. So when we went to the Albanach pub on the Mile and I saw they had a Chambord Spritz on the menu...I was over the moon! 2 measures of Chambord, a large dose of Prosecco and then topped up with soda. Heaven in a glass!

There's so many things I love about Edinburgh. I quite enjoyed sitting in Prince's Street Park with my Mam before we got the train home on Monday. The sun was shining, the seagulls were scrounging for food, and the best part? The amount of people walking past. The languages, the accents, the variety in age...everyone! Edinburgh is a city that has something for everyone! So go! Experience it for yourself! They have museums, art galleries, comedy clubs, shopping, wining and dining, bus tours...the list goes on and on!

Another thing I love about Edinburgh is the tartan. Much to Daniel's disgust! He is not a fan whereas I totally want us to have a tartan house. Sorry dear. Still trying to get him into a kilt for the wedding...maybe if we all slyly bring it into conversation often enough he'll come around to the idea?! Worth a try ;) There's such a wide variety of tartan out there; matching with clans and surnames, even countries that participate in the Tattoo all have their own version of tartan! So diverse and I don't think two tartans are ever the same!

If you haven't been to Edinburgh before, I certainly recommend going for a weekend or a few days and just getting lost in the atmosphere of the city.

If there's anywhere you think I should go, please leave a comment :)

Oh, and the best part of this year's trip to Edinburgh? The Harvey family selfie we took at the castle!

Until the next time :) xxx

KGVI 2016

Hi everyone :)

So last week I had the privilege of spending a week with some amazing youth down at Boys' Brigade HQ. I was helping tutor these amazing people who are becoming the next wave of Boys' Brigade leaders.

I've done this course myself and I have to say it's a fantastic course, setting you up with everything you need to know about being a leader, holding a camp etc. You even get to do a first aid course!

We do the course down at Felden Lodge, BBHQ and I can testify that it is a very special, spiritual and emotional place. If you don't feel a little bit overwhelmed when you're there, you need to go back and try again!

The week is a brilliant week. Getting to meet all the youth, we all come from various parts of the country, so a regular topic of conversation always revolves around accents and how people say certain words! It is hilarious!

The week prepares you with sessions such as building relationships and challenging behaviour, but one of my favourite sessions is sharing your skills. Each member of the group brings an activity they do with their BB company and shows it to the rest of the group. This week we had a fantastic Jonah and the whale craft, a whizzy prayer and playing the Star Wars theme on xylophone keys, just to name a few!

I thoroughly enjoy going down to Felden. It's where I met two of my very best friends, Alice & Sarah, it's a place where I've developed my faith, and some of my best Boys' Brigade memories have been made there!

I love working in the BB and continue to work my way up and up...who knows, I could be the next BB Director for England and Wales. ;)

Until the next time :) xxx

2nd blog post of 2016...sorry about that!

Hello everyone!

My good friend Alice mentioned to me the other day that it has been a year since I did my first blog post! Which was crazy to think about, a year has flown by!
But then I felt guilty. I let it slip, a lot, and this is my second blog post of the year...and it's practically August. For this I sincerely apologise!

Since my last blog a lot has happened in my little life!
I found a teaching assistant job and have been there since after Easter. The kids I work with are 6 and 7, smallest I've worked with within a school setting, but they're canny. I'm looking forward to being there at the start of the school year, gives more time to see how well they improve and grow before going up another school year.

In the same line as my job, I'm currently writing this from one of my favourite and most special places, Felden Lodge. Down here for the week with Boys' Brigade. Helping tutor the next lot of young leaders, which is quite terrifying since I only did this course 3 years ago! There'll be more BB news to come within the next few months so watch this space!

So for those of you who know me personally, you know that I get married next year...in 370 days to be precise! Now I've always been a planner, but planning a wedding is another kettle of fish.
There's so much to include that everytime I make a list, I'm always sure I forget something!
It's a terrifying and exciting time for everyone involved, but I'm sure we'll get through it!

In the next few weeks I'm going on some little adventures with the family. Edinburgh for the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo, then off to London with the sister. We're going to don't the typical touristy thing of a bus sightseeing tour, then Harry Potter studios the next day. I'm far too excited!

So, for now I think that might be all! I do apologise for there not being a post for months on end, but I do intend to keep on top of this blog!

Until the next time! :) xx

2016

Afternoon everyone!

I know I've been rather quiet since before Christmas and for this I do apologise!

I hope you all had a good Christmas and were spoiled rotten by your family and friends, ate lots of food and drank lots to be merry!

Now we're in the glorious year of 2016; where does the time go?! How is it 2016 already!

The scary thing is that I get married next year, and we're not organsied. Scary!

I usually make a New Year resolution, but I'm one of those people who always break them! So, I haven't bothered to make one per say this year as I don't see the point. There's the typical thoughts of weight loss, gym, more fruit and veg, etc, etc. as I think most people do - it is a truth universally acknowledged that gyms are always heaving in January due to all us resolution makers!

If you made any resolutions and are still sticking to them, please leave a comment :)

I've had the week off work - woohoo! - and I've actually missed going in and having something to do! I've lazed around, slept in, had a pyjama day. All the things you're 'meant' to do on your week off work, but I can't wait to go back in on Monday and sample more amazing perfumes I've missed!

The days are lasting longer already. It's quarter to five in the evening, and the sky is still kind of light! A few weeks ago it was pitch black at this time! Longer days = summer is coming! It'll be here before we know it!

Nothing new to report about the year so far really. Still working at The Perfume Shop and enjoying every spritz of it!

Until the next time! :) xxx