Vertigo: Unhappy Birthday To Me

waltzer

So this week was my birthday and birthdays have always been a big deal in my family: cake, cards, singing and presents were staples of my childhood and I’ve carried this tradition through to adult life. This year, as my birthday fell on a Saturday I decided to go dancing to celebrate along with a posh dinner the night before. Sadly none of it happened though as I was struck down with a case of vertigo which is far less fun than U2 would have you believe… Continue reading » “Vertigo: Unhappy Birthday To Me”

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Ah, Autumn. I’ve Been Expecting You…

autumn

Last Thursday evening my parents came over for dinner. We took a ride on the Emirates Cable Car over the Thames and it was so hot (80+ degrees), my mum was convinced she was getting burnt during the ten-minute ride. We ate ice creams, had a barbecue in the garden and sat out until gone 10pm sipping Prosecco, the ultimate summer accessory. Then on Friday, somebody flicked a switch and turned on autumn. Is that really it? Tugging my scarf round my neck this morning, it appears so… Continue reading » “Ah, Autumn. I’ve Been Expecting You…”

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Isle Of Wight: It’s An IOW Thing

IOW-beach-hut

Ever been to the Isle Of Wight? Me neither, until this week. I know someone who married a woman from there (hi Will!) and I knew vaguely where it was (down there) – but that was about it. I’d heard they like to eat ice cream, ride bikes and that the average age is around 75. And even though all of that was true, this city girl still found time to fall in love with the island… Continue reading » “Isle Of Wight: It’s An IOW Thing”

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Painting: The New Sexy

paint

So next week, I plan to paint our spare room which is where I’m writing this from today, sitting at my newly built desk. The desk means I’ll be spending way more time in here from now on, so clearly it’s time to put my mark on it. Currently the walls are a sickly yellow with a feature wall of peppermint green, both a hangover from the previous owners of the property who clearly thought this was the combination to inspire their toddler son. It doesn’t inspire me so it has to go… Continue reading » “Painting: The New Sexy”

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2013: A Year Of Firsts

2013

This year has been a strange one for me in many ways – but largely strange is a positive way, packed with things I’ve never done before. I mean, I’ve turned into an avid watcher of the Great British Bake Off (see here for more), I’m now a proficient jogger who doesn’t look like she’s about to die after ten minutes’ effort and I’ve managed to perfect the art of soft-boiling a quail’s egg. Yes, 2013 has certainly been a year of firsts… Continue reading » “2013: A Year Of Firsts”

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A UK Suntan? Unheard of…

deckchairs

In previous years of my life it’s been possible to detect a suntan on my skin – usually pretty faint, but undoubtedly darker than my bog-standard pearly white. Of course, being Irish my skin is of delicate persuasion and so to get to anything beyond my usual hue, I have to sit patiently in the sun for no longer than an hour at a time with factor 20 lathered on my skin – getting any colour is no mean feat. Which is why this year’s suntan has come as such a surprise, being that it’s not only been garnered on these shores but also by lounging in my back garden… Continue reading » “A UK Suntan? Unheard of…”

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The Great British Bake Off: Keep Calm And Bake On

gbbo

Tonight is episode two of the Great British Bake Off and the excitement around the country is palpable. Step outside my front door and I can see buses gliding along roads, Iceland full of shoppers, dogs being walked on taut leashes. Of course, this is all about killing time in between episodes. We have to keep up a facade that life goes on as normal but this is a MASSIVE LIE. The fact is that now the Great British Bake Off is back on our screens, life is built around it until we find out who, out of all the hopefuls in the big tent, bakes the bestest cake… Continue reading » “The Great British Bake Off: Keep Calm And Bake On”

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The World Of Weight Loss

scales

I’ve just finished watching last night’s documentary Welcome To The World Of Weight Loss, which followed a smattering of women and one lone man on their quest to drop the pounds. As someone who’s spent my life sparring with excess lard, it was interesting to watch their journeys and work out whether or not the various weight loss plans were actually working… Continue reading » “The World Of Weight Loss”

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Section 28: The Fight Continues

some-people

Yikes. That was my first reaction when I heard the news on the radio this morning that over 40 schools across the country had dug up the spirit of Section 28 from its rotting grave, dusted it off and declared it back in action once again. A bit of an understatement I’ll grant you, but it was only 9am and I was yet to have my first coffee of the morning, so forgive me. Now the caffeine’s sunk in, my reaction is more OMG WTF? I mean, I know the 80s are all back in fashion again, but surely this is taking it a step too far… Continue reading » “Section 28: The Fight Continues”

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Football: The Not So Beautiful Game

gareth-bale

I’ve been a Spurs fan all my life, ever since Hoddle and Waddle were dazzling with their silky skills at the Lane. I bought my first T-shirt aged 10, went to my first match aged 16, even moved to Stoke Newington so I could walk to games. I’ve also been a member at Spurs for the past 12 years. But lately, something’s happened – I’ve developed football inertia, football ennui. Put simply, I’m just not that bothered anymore… Continue reading » “Football: The Not So Beautiful Game”

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