Winter Is Coming: we’re ready for it!

It’s been quiet of late on my blog I know but here are good (if not so exciting) reasons for this.

The nights are drawing in quickly, my husband is now back at Uni and as such we did the usual and gave the house a thorough top to bottom clean. Everything has been taken apart/pulled out/lifted up and cleaned out/under. We’ve also done a few odd jobs that have been pilling up.

The bathroom light has been replaced (joy to any of our friends who have used our facilities within the last few months). Now it’s getting dark early we thought it best not to have people wee in the dark (I’m thinking of my floors). 

The cabinet now has a full working set of bulbs in it and we have a few spare, and it looks lovely when it's all lit up and we have guests over for dinner. Doesn't it look pretty?

The recipes that I’ve collected have been transferred into my book and the paper counterparts thrown in the recycling. I rediscovered the three versions of the Be-ro cookbooks I have and I’m definitely going to be working my way through them this winter.

We’ve also lived through mouse-gate. Yep, when we pulled out the fridge and freezer to clean behind them we found a hole that Jerry would have been proud of, and evidence (i.e. poo) that mice had been there. So we bought a humane trap, the mice didn’t take the bait. In fact, after scrubbing every inch of the floor they decide they would get on top of the cooker to see what was happening.

Tim found one on the side when he walked into the kitchen, it hastily scrabbled into a teeny hole underneath the kitchen units. It decided about five minutes to make a break for it and Tim (with quite scary cat like reflexes) caught it under a saucepan.

We drove out to the fields and let it free, came back, filled the hole with expanding foam. Tim scrubbed the rest of the kitchen with bleach and went to bed, only to find that we’d managed to trap a mouse in the kitchen when we filled the hole in. This one was again caught by Tim under a colander (Tim and Jerry!) and again let go in the very same fields. The kitchen was again scrubbed down with bleach and we haven’t seen evidence of any mice since.

I’m glad we managed to get them out quick. They are adorable but it’s not nice to think they’re scurrying about your kitchen in the night trampling their waste everywhere. Living in the area we do though it’s not a surprise we’ve had some furry visitors, we’re not far from the curry mile and that amount of food waste about attracts all types of rodents. I’m just glad it wasn’t a huge rat!

We sold a load of stuff on ebay and made a little extra cash to put into appliances for the house to make it a bit of a cheaper winter for us electricity and gas wise.  

I have purchased this fab invention; the heated airer!

Gone are the days of putting washing on the radiators to dry and running up the heating bill. This bad boy costs less than 5 pence an hour to run and you can fit up to three loads of washing on it at once!

It’s pricey at £85 BUT it’s certainly been worth the cash so far. It takes the chill off a room too which is great if you’re trying to save some cash. We've had it on in the bedroom with us at night to keep us toasty warm, and no need for the heating in the morning. Mind you the condensation does build up but we just open the windows in the morning before I leave for work to tackle that problem. 

I have also invested in a slow cooker. I bought it along with two slow cooker recipe books from Lakeland and I was quite surprised at how versatile slow cookers are. I am very much looking forward to experimenting with it over the next few months. I shall update my progress as I go. 

Glossybox: September 2012

 

This months' Glossybox was all about rising stars and it was designed by Maggie Li. I have to say it is much prettier than other Glossyboxes and will now house my stockings in my lingerie drawer.

 

 

 

Vichy Idelia Day Cream £22

This cream smells beautiful and is designed fro sensitive skin. I found it applied and absorbed easily without leaving my skin greasy. I don't know if I'd buy it as it is as good as other, cheaper, creams I've tried but I have certainly enjoyed using this product and would recommend it to others for the smell alone. 

 

Lady Gaga Fame Fragrance RRP £25 for 30ml

Now I'm not one for buying celebrities perfumes, in act I usually run a mile from anyone with them in hand in department stores, but there is something lovely about this fragrance. It's a lot stronger than other perfumes I wear but it still retains a strong floral smell rather than something horribly musky. 

I am completely in love with this and I will be purchasing when I next get paid. I like saying I smell of Gaga. 

 

Maghrabian Hair Oil RRP £13 50ml

I am terrified by using nay type of oil on my hair, being a person who spent their teenage years with the greasiest hair I have spent most of my adult life with beautiful flowing locks that have been well treated, so put oil near it on a regular basis again. Not on your life. I did the right thing though,  and I approached this hair oil with much trepidation.

It has made my hair a lot more silky and smooth but being someone with fine hair its results haven't made me want to rush out and buy it, my hair is in pretty good condition anyhow. If I had thicker hair maybe it would be a different outcome. 

 

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream RRP £20 for 15ml

I expect something to be wonderful when it has the word wonder in the title. Unfortunately I was let down, I have tried this a few times and it really doesn't make a blind bit of difference to my eyes, even when I am completely shattered after a weekend of performing and travelling. I really don't think it's worth the £20 price tag. 

Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum RRP £29 for 10 x1ml

This promised to plump fine lines and wrinkles and it delivered. I thought it wouldn't, having used similar things which promised the world and you ended up with crap results.  By 11am though I was back to looking tired, so quick fix yes....not no long lasting results. I don't think 'll be purchasing.

and 5 Minute Facial RRP £10.95 for 10 x 1ml 

This five minute facial promised to exfoliate and smooth which it did, but not up to a standard of other products I've used, especially the dermalogica thermfoliant, which I think gives a more impressive outcome. Again this is very expensive for results that don't compare next to other brands. 

Overall

A good box, but nothing I would purchase apart from the Fame Fragrance. 

Camping: Newborough, Anglesey, Llanddwyn Island - 7th - 9th September

It was with much excitement (super weather forecast) and much sadness (last camping trip of the year) that we set off for Anglesey on the Friday evening. The Journey was pretty uneventful apart from getting caught in a load of traffic around Queensferry.

We got to White Lodge Caravan Park and were directed to our pitch. It turned out we had one of the allotted ones for a tourer though as the camping field was full, it wasn’t any bother though and we got the tent and everything set up in just under an hour, inclusive of our new tent carpet (ah, the luxury!).

We munched on a supper of tomato soup and mature cheddar sandwiches before polishing off a bottle of wine and bedding down for the night as we knew we’d be up early.

The next morning we wolfed down an eggy breakfast and packed up a lunch to take with us on the walk we’d found via the BBC to Llanddwyn Island (link to their pdf here). The campsite wasn’t far out of Newborough where the walk began so we headed off in the general direction of the town to get on our way. The sun was dancing through the clouds and it wasn’t too hot, and being 9am it was really nice and quiet on the roads. We set off early due to the tide times, wanting to get a decent stretch of time on the Island itself.

We walked through the village and down to the forest, through the tall trees and made our way to the coastline. It was a lovely surprise at walking over a sand dune to find the most beautiful stretch of beach with Llanddwyn Island at the far right of us.

 

Spot the Ecologist. 

We walked along the beach and watched the waves roll out, down to the Island, crossed over onto it and wandered about the various coves and hills leading to the lighthouse and cottages at the end of the Island.

I took far too many pictures as the island is so beautiful and best of all we pretty much got it to ourselves, it was only when we started wandering back that we saw more and more people arriving and we were happy that we’d had a good few hours in relative peace.

Full set of photos in my camping album on flickr, which can be found here.

We stopped for our lunch in the forest at a little picnic spot that was deserted, most people heading for the beach in such glorious weather but not for us as eating sandwiches covered with sand is not my idea of ideal. Sandwiches, chocolate and squash consumed we headed back for the campsite. It was only when we arrived back we realised we’d been walking for five hours. I can’t recommend this walk enough though, it was absolutely beautiful and not too much of a stretch if, like me, you’re not the fittest of folk!

We spent some time cleaning the tent when we got back, and has showers (shower facilities really good, even though they’re places at the back of the kitchens…I can see the appeal in the winter when the weather’s cold though!) and then went to the restaurant for a couple of ales and then some dinner.

The food was beautiful and we had a full three courses, knowing it was the last camping trip for 2012 we though we deserved a little treat.

The service was great but, and I know this is somewhat a matter of taste, we really didn’t need to be asked every few minutes if everything was okay. One check back per course is fine. I know they were quiet but it was a little bothersome and we just wanted to relax and have a natter and not be interrupted every few minutes.

We retired to the tent, pooped after our day of walking and we were soon tucked up in bed listening to our audio books and feeling content.

It was a lovely end to a beautiful, sunny weekend. We’ll definitely be going back to Anglesey in the future, it’s gorgeous and great for a not too far away but far enough away camping trip for the weekend. 

The Dark Knight Rises

Oh. My. Word.

What an amazing film.

Not only does it have the handsome and teenage crush o'mine Joseph Gordon Levitt in it this time round, it gives him a great character, central to the story and something I had figured out around three quarters of the way through, which for me is a loooooong time.

Also new to the cast Anne Hathaway does a great turn as Selena Kyle, acting the innocent fragile girl one minutes, brawling safe cracker the next, of course ins me ridiculously beautiful clothes and a leather suit (the sound of a million men applauding).

Bane is fantastic in it, although his voice is somewhat off putting, like a crazed ringmaster gone wrong, and some girls I am sure will be disappointed you don't get to see much of Hardy's lovely face BUT it's good job really because the man behind the mask offers a delicious taste of all that is wrong and evil in the world. Try doing that being all handsome.

Enough of the perving (did I mention fittie Gordon?).

I have noticed a lot of people unhappy with the film through feeds on facebook etc, I think I may have figured out why. There isn't much Batman. I mean, of course there is , Wayne is of course Batman and his character both masked and not goes through some extraordinary development over the hours of the film but not so much in costume. I think that's what people find to be disappointing about it.

Me personally, I loved it. It was the perfect end to a perfect three films. I came out and wanted to see it again, I was almost in tears three times. Batman film or not, it's an amazing thriller and gives credence to the reality of a masked man running about the place dressed up as a bat.

All performances are outstanding.

I just really want to know what the end means, will Gordon Levitt come back as Batman, or have we got a Nightwing on the way? They'd better make an announcement soon!!

5/5. Go and see it. See it now. Then see it again. 

Glossybox: August 2012 Review - The International Superstars Box

This month Glossybox was brought you in the form of an around the world package. I was quite pleased when I opened it up to find no perfume or lotions, not that I don't like getting them but I really do like getting a make up/nail centric Glossybox. 

 

 

Vera Valenti L'ombre Paupiere Maragarita (RRP £3.85)

A first glance, and especially when looking at the price of this eyeshadow palette, I thought it would be naff. It looked pretty cheap to me, and I have used cheap eyeshadows before that simply slide off as soon as you blink after application. I was completely wrong about that. 

I tried out the greens on this palette when I went out on Saturday for a date with my best mate (pic here, not sure if it's a good enough one though) and the shadow blended well and stayed put all night, even in a hot restaurant and the sheeting rain I was out in. 

I was rather impressed, especially for the cost!

 

Alessandro Pro White (RRP £7.85)

I was looking forward to trying this out. Optically brightening nail polish with an anti yellowing formula? Great stuff. 

Very disappointed. It really didn't do anything at all, it does however make a really good base coat and no matter how much washing up I do it shows no sign of chipping off, which is a bonus. I wont be purchasing though, almost £8 for a bottle of this stuff seems a little expensive anyway and especially for something that promises a lot but gives so little. 

 

Glossybox Lipstick in Glossy Pink (RRP £9.50)

The lipstick smells good (ie not cheap), the colour isn't a great one on me I don't think but it has a good consistency and glides on very easily. It's okay, not great, not terrible. Maybe if the colour had been a bit better I would have enthused about it a little more but it was all a bit "meh" really. 

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil (RRP £8.50)

Without a doubt my favourite product in this month's Glossybox. I have never tried an oil cleanser before but I am very used to taking my make up off with cold cream before washing my face of an evening. It's an absolute miracle of a face cleanser, it said on the bottle that it would dissolve my make up. I was quite surprised when it did exactly this. Even my waterproof eye-liner was gone after I'd finished massaging it into my face and I was happy that I wasn't left with that squeaky clean skin (= stripped all the oil from your face leaving you to slap a tonne of cream on to make up for it). My skin felt super soft after using this product. 

I will definitely be purchasing. 

Lipcote (RRP £3.99) 

Ah Lipcote, old friend of the teenage me. There were reasons why I stopped using lipcote in the 90s and these are the reasons I wont be purchasing any time soon as nothing appears to have changed about it but the packaging. 

It did keep my lipstick on, with almost none removed after a thirsty tea and cake date with husband but it still smells horrid, it still sings the lips when you apply it and makes them sticky then dry. I really thought they might have done something to combat those problems but alas not. 

So I'll stick to re-applying my lipstick I think. 

Broadway Nails Impress Press on Manicure (RRP £7.99)

I haven't used these press on nails yet. There are reasons for this: 

1. I am currently learning to play the ukulele

2. As with all fake nails which are coloured I can't use them to go out in because I have Brachy Type D thumbs (aka toe thumb/murderers thumb/clubbed thumb)  and going out to buy nail varnish just to match some free nails I've been given in a not very suited to me colour really isn't my thing. 

I would say thought hat looking at their website they do some lovely colours and designs. 

I will try them at some point and update when I can. 

Overall

Some duds, some goods, but that's all part of the fun of thying these thigns though right? Thanks to the Glossybox team for another great box! 

Camping - 20th - 22nd July 2012 - Shell Island

It was with some trepidation that I booked Shell Island for our annual girls only camping trip. I had been told it was full of scallies, I had been told it was noisy as hell, but recently my friends had been and they had the most brilliant time, which somewhat made me happier when it came nearer to the day of departure.

The don't like taking single sex groups, so we had to send them our dates of birth so they knew we weren't a load of 18 year old party animals (those days are long gone for me).

We arrived and the weather was glorious, the folks at reception were friendly enough, it took us about an hour to get everyone set up in their respective tents, then it was on with the barbecue then down to the beach to watch the sun set.

This ended is disaster for Bella, who while having fun with her pup Barney, tripped over a rock and went full throttle into the sea.

Then to our delight we saw dolphins in the bay, swimming separately, then side by side. It was a lovely moment and something I'll always remember (I think everyone else may remember me spoiling the moment by saying this and such other things, as wow! this is amazing! etc etc for the whole time it as happening!)

We spent most of the following day on the beach and then in the pub, talking about lots of stuff boys would blush at. I then built the best campfire in the world ever.

Then it was time to pack up and go home.

Shell Island: Done. It was lovely weather and I was with great company, the campsite is clean, not too noisy (especially considering we got there at the beginning of the school summer holidays) and the surroundings are beautiful.

The Black Swan Hotel - Ravenstonedale - 6th July

With the weather crappy we decided on going home a day early so for our last day we needed some indoor activities, so off we went to the Vue cinema in Carlisle to see The Amazing Spiderman (review is here).

I wore my Shrek 3D glasses and ate much popcorn.

We decided, as it was out last night, to go for a meal in the local village to our campsite, Ravenstondale. We opted for The Black Swan Hotel. It was recommended by Rosie and we were warned we would have to book in advance, we thought we'd take our chances at 6pm. 

We arrived and were told that there was room in the Lounge area so we took our seats and perused the menu (with Tim pretending to be a stag in between). It's a beautiful hotel, the staff are friendly and attentive and the place was soon buzzing with guests, a large part of which appeared to consist of an American National Geographic tour group, who were pleasant enough. 

We started with olives to share £2.95. My only problem being, not enough green olives, yet this is always the way when you order olives in restaurants, I know the green ones are more expensive but a 50/50 split would be nice.

 

For a starters:

I had Thornby Moor goats cheese stumpy which was delicious, the balsamic onion topping it off perfctly. £5.95

 

Tim had crab, peppadew and spring onion croquette, which I had a sneaky bit of and it was lovely, I'm not too fond of crab but this wasn't too bothersome for me. £5.95

 

Mains time!

I went for the beef, sliton and green peppercorn pie. I don't think I've tasted a pie quite like it, the stilton wasn't too heavy being melted just under crust, the beef was cooked to perfection and it came with peas (did I tell you how much I love peas?!) £11.95

 

Tim had the rather gorgeous looking pan fried lemon and black pepper bass fillet. I did have a sneaky mouthful and it was a melt in the mouth moment. Very yummy with the chive risotto setting it off a treat. £13.95

 

Then Tim's ears did that super cute thing the do when he eats too much, they go all red. Adorable! 

 

After a half an hour break it was time to tackle the pudding list (I know, I know, filling our faces as we were, but the last day of the holiday is a special one!). 

I opted for the almond bread and butter pudding with custard. Bread and butter pudding is one of my favourite deserts and I wasn't at all let down with this glorious pudding £4.50

 

Tim went for the gooseberry sponge with ice-cream which was again delicious. £4.50

All deserts are made on site at he black swan and aren't bought in like a lot of places offering home cooked food will tell you (trust me, I used to assistant chef in a pub many moons ago). 

It was a great experience dining in this lovely hotel, the atmosphere was very relaxed and the surroundings beautiful and comfy. Throughout the meal we were asked if everything was okay, asked if we required further drinks etc, even when the place was packed we were still attended to. It is no surprise that the restaurant, lounge and bar get fully booked every evening of the weekend.

I'd love to go back and stay in the hotel at some point, hopefully something we will do in the future.