Shortly Fabulous

Another day, another work function. This time I was not only excited, but my expectations were surpassed. Not something that happens often. Myself and two colleagues were attending the Virgin Media Shorts Awards, something I didn't realise until the next day were a very big thing.

We were welcomed on the evening with champagne - the only way an evening should start really. It was also exceptionally busy even though in effect it had only just started. Usually with work functions you can arrive a good 30 minutes to an hour after the allotted start time and still be there in plenty of time (such was the case with the structured vajazzle night...vajazzle).

It wasn't long before we were being lead towards the theatre for the ceremony. Here we were asked to leave our glasses (cue...downing champagne), but not to be a bad thing these were being replaced with wonderful little bottles of Lanson with straws, how very model-esque.

It only got better when we got inside, on the seats were bottles of water (largely left untouched) and boxes of popcorn (largely wolfed down before the awards started...standard). Attached to the popcorn was a small envelope with two cinema tickets inside to see a film of your choice at a PictureHouse cinema, it was a really nice touch.

Danny Wallace was hosting the evening and he was largely very funny. The 12 short movies were shown in batches of three with all of the finalists receiving their movie on 3mm film (I think this is right, correct me if I'm wrong).

John Hurt took to the stage to present the biggest award of the evening. I didn't know the name but I'm told he is a very famous actor from Elephant Man fame. I was more interested to hear he was in Harry Potter, however when he took to the stage he spent his time to build up the presentation of the award snidely slating the Harry Potter franchise. It was really obvious and really odd. i still don't know why.

After the ceremony it was back to the party for a selection of free cocktails and canapes - Paloma Faith was DJ'ing and we also did some celebrity spotting (albeit not a-list). I had the chance to meet Danny Wallace and also the very handsome Rick Edwards of T4 fame.

Edible flower in the punch

Paloma Faith DJ'ing with a shoe

It was a fantastic evening and had I not had work the next day one that had the potential to get a little messy. As it was I was very sensible and left shortly after midnight to get home. Well done me.

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Vajazzle, Vajazzle, Vajazzle

On Wednesday evening (yes I am incredibly slack at getting this post up) I attended an evening of discussion on the TV genre du jour...structured reality. That's fake reality TV to the common observer. Spencer from Made in Chelsea (MIC) was supposed to be on the panel - the main reason for my excitement at attendance. Once we were safely seated however it was announced he would not be attending. Hmmm, too late to back out. His replacement (available at short notice therefore much less interesting...) Ollie from MIC. He was sitting alongside Amy from seasons 1 and 2 of The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE).

Now I was a huge fan of TOWIE in the first season, it didn't feel forced and the people were pretty endearing. As it went on it became really panto and so unbelievable it was annoying - however for some reason unbeknown to me I can't stop watching it. I did however love TOWIE so much that initially I refused to watch MIC...It was a rip off, it was never going to be any good, the people looked annoying etc etc. Oh how that changed.

I love Chelsea season 1 miles more than the newer TOWIE episodes, however even that has become panto as it has gone on. What annoys me about these programmes now is how the characters are just using it as a springboard to make more money. Anyone watching TOWIE must think it's incredibly easy to open a shop, they're all at it. In MIC they're much more interested in profiteering from themselves whether it be a clothing line, book deal or recording contract. It's so unrealistic the breaks these people get and must be terribly frustrating for those watching putting in the years of hard graft to get where these people get effortlessly.

This brings me on to the main area of discussion for one person on the panel - pretty much the only area of discussion for that person. Amy is clearly getting paid to pedal Vajazzles. It was literally every second word she said even when there was no clear context. At one stage someone was talking about retaking a driving test and her input into the conversation? I'd vajazzle the car. It was honestly painful to hear.

Still, we watch and we talk so what more to TV producers want? I will knock it but I'll also continue to watch. Car crash TV or not it sure is compelling viewing.

What all the fuss is about...my very own vajazzle kit to take home

Star of MIC, author and soon to be (I'm sure) Vidal Sassoon/L'Oreal model)

Ollie and Vajazzler extraordinaire Amy (vajazzle)

If you can't beat them...

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So...I'm doing it again

Maybe it's a good thing, it may beat lots of wordy commentary, but I've had such a hectic week again the only thing I can do to capture it is another week in pictures. I've taken 74 on my iPhone this week (not including all the ones I delete as I go). I do however think I'll break it into two, a work week and the weekend. The work week has been fairly exciting though. I attended an evening panel discussion on the craze that has swept the nation, not so reality TV - or structured reality as they are calling it. I also attended the fabulous Virgin Media shorts awards whereby I rubber shoulders with the stars and supped champagne. It's a hard life....

Monday started with a trip to the Soho Hotel for a meeting followed by sushi

Tuesday I got to enjoy some of my favourite things, the red cups at Starbucks (second only to the Coca Cola advert to know Christmas is coming!) and something cold and sparkly...(alas not a diamond)

On Wednesday lunch was minorly marred by the student protests, or more accurately the grossly over exaggerated police presence. There were literally hundreds of them - and we saw about 20 protesters. Nice to know my tax dollars are being well spent...hmmm

Quite a pretty horse through. Now what is better than chocolate cake? Eating chocolate cake off Justin Beibers face, that's what. A birthday at work prompting a sugar overload.

And while we're on the subject of overloading on food, in honour of some American guests in the office we ordered a vast amount of fish & chips...giving them a real British welcome. After eating this I was literally stuffed for the day...luckily all I had to eat in the evening was canapes.

Luckily as I've been consuming a ridiculous amount of calories I managed the same number of workouts as last week (all before work of course) - four 3 mile runs, 2x 30 minute swims and 1x 45 minute walk to my hour long personal training session. I also ran for 10 minutes to the supermarket today with an empty backpack and then back with a full one, not the longest in the world but as they would say...every little helps!

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There is no before...

Due to my sleeping in to an unbelievable time of 12.37 in the afternoon (!) I had no time to do the things in the morning I wanted to do before getting my hair cut - including taking a before picture. I did however make it to Soho in time for my appointment.

I like to look at the hairdressers hair in a salon to get an idea of which one I think I want to do mine. Turns out the lady who was lucky enough to be assigned with my tresses had very short hair, almost shaven to her head. Not a look I would be emulating. When consulted on colour I was armed with a picture but then told it was hard to work out from a picture and I'd have to work from the tiny strands of hair they have in the book. I really wanted to be told this is what you need this will look good, but alas I chose my base colour (no6 light brown) and my gloss (honey chestnut).

The cut I was equally as vague as the colour, again wanting to be told what would look good. My hair has been the same forever. I need to keep my fringe and I don't want to lose the length - so not much can be done. She did however go a bit snip happy on my fringe when it was wet so predictably it is too short and a bit concave. It does grow quickly though so hopefully will be OK.

I now have lots more hair in the fringe so it's much thinker which I quite like. The colour I also like...here is the evidence. I have just chosen a picture from the recent archive to act as the before.

Overall I'm fairly happy with it; although I'll be happier in a week or so when my fringe grows down a bit...

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The week in pictures

It has been an exceptionally busy week...hence being at home cozied up in PJ's at 8pm on a Friday night. I am however exceptionally proud of my fitness regime this week, although I have been out every night I have managed to get up every morning and get in a workout before work. Running 3 miles to work Monday (and swimming for 30 mins), running 3 miles Tuesday and Wednesday, walking the route Thursday followed by an hour personal training session....my first in a while and the 3 mile run this morning followed by a 30 minute swim. I had the pool to myself as well and it was utterly divine.

The best way to give an idea of the rest of my week is through my unfortunately low 6 mega pixel...

Charbonnel et Walker truffles in Liberty chocolate room...added to the Christmas list!

Filet at The Hansom Cab

These fabulous looking concoctions are from Purl in Marlybone

More venues should have pinball tables

Balloon making - kitsch but oh so cool

Rounding the week off with lunch at Shoreditch House

Next week is looking equally busy...you can tell it's the run up to Christmas. I'm also having my hair cut and coloured tomorrow - the first time this the very odd experience. Here's hoping Headmasters do a good job. I may even do a before and after post.

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Shake and bake...

"That is the best thing I've ever put in my face" was a comment from one lucky recipient of the brownies I made. Admittedly they were delicious, and incredibly easy to make. The hard part is burning them off.

It is seriously easy to do...packet cookie mix (I used white chocolate chip) packet of Oreo biscuits (I alternated the rows between chocolate stuffed and original) and a brownie mix (I opted for Betty Crocker fudge, standard).

Following the recipe on the cookie box I found getting the greaseproof paper staying in the dish to be the hardest thing. After spreading this out, top with the biscuits and finally the brownie mix. Bake for 35 mins and voila...delicious melt in the middle gooey yet crunchy on the top and bottom brownies.

Speaking of burning off, I also joined the gym this week near the office. The plan is to run there (3 miles) followed by a leisurely swim and shower before heading to the office. I have only encountered a couple of problems thus far...

1) You have to pay extra for a towel at the gym...I find this odd since there is a pool - do you really have to pay £1 a time?! that is really going to add up on an annual membership. Taking my own towel not only takes up lots of space in my back pack that I'm running with - it also needs to dry during the day.

2) When I was running to work previously it was direct to the office - therefore I had left all toiletries, make up, towel, shoes etc there leaving lots of space in my bag. Faced with running to a gym I am having to carry this back and forward every day (the office isn't unlocked early enough for me to pick it up at the end of my run - another perk of previous office/running situation I had the keys and alarm key since I was usually the first person in.

By the time my towel, make up, clothes etc etc are in my backpack there really isn't room for a coat - not ideal in the winter. Also shoes are a squeeze - totally ruled out wearing knee high boots. I've also been trying to be good and make my own lunch to take in - again the need for space is a compromise. What gets left out?

3) I'm not a fan of taking a back pack out with me in the evening, especially as I have so much on in the week.

So that is the current situation. After joining on Tuesday I managed to run on Wednesday. Wednesday evening I had an awards ceremony thing - to which my back pack accompanied me. It was a fairly late night and I knew I was out on Thursday and didn't fancy a big back again so decided against the run Thursday vowing to do an extra hard workout Friday morning, little did I know I was going to have such a good night on Thursday I wouldn't be getting home until Friday morning. Damn.

As ever with Sunday nights....I promise to be better this week! I've made my lunch already so that needs to go in. With it being Halloween tomorrow I have a party to go to in the evening so will have to carry the bag. I also have very difficult decisions to make regarding footwear. The aforementioned knee high boots I purchased yesterday from Office in the sale (£25 off £120, pics to come) are divine and incredibly comfortable. I also want to wear a fairly structured blazer which doesn't pack down very well...

The joys of trying to be fit!!

Thank you to The Londoner for the fab brownie recipe...recommend the blog

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The Good Life

After a freebie trip to Luxembourg and thinking that plane was very small, I was in for a real surprise when we made a long awaited trip in a friends plane to France. I'm not sure what I was expecting, I knew how many people the plane could hold but was not expecting exactly how small it was.

Let's admit it, a pilot friend with a plane is a good friend, but it's been literally years until we have found a weekend where we along with two other friends have all been free - and the weather has been good enough to pop over to France for a) the flying experience b) some fabulous lunch and c) the purchase of some amazing wine and food.

I was fortunate enough to pick up some nice bottles of red in Cora the week before - so was mainly looking forward to the first two. I dressed in what I believe to be suitable jet setting attire, a new mini maxi dress (I love this style) boots and a Karen Millen jacket (we were told to wrap up), and of course, Ray Bans. Not aviators, although the pilot was wearing those - standard.

Checks had to made on arrival at the airfield along with a refuel. We waited outside the cafe which is a really nice set up. There are lots of picnic tables and a koi carp pond. Once we had a mandatory safety briefing (and I actually listened, not like when I'm on a Boeing...) it was time to board. I was lucky enough to be co-pilot, but did spend the flight trying not to touch anything or get my knees in the way. It was a bit like being on the helicopter in Vegas with the headphones on.

The runway at Panhanger is only 875ft long, therefore take off was fast and surprisingly smooth! Turning, however is slightly different. 'Banking' the technical term you are literally doing a steep wing over and can see the floor - scary the first time but it gets very fun (especially post two bottles of wine).

Landing was probably the smoothest landing I've ever done, it was amazing. The destination was Le Touquet on the northern coast of France. It was beautiful. We browsed the shops but really our mind was on food. The pilot, being a frequent visitor knew where we could get the best mussels in Roquefort in town, sold. The restaurant was absolutely charming and the smell was out of this world.

A wonderful bottle of Sancerre, 3 portions of moules frites and a duck for a non-seafood loving friend and I was very happy. Following the Sancerre we went for a bottle of Bordeaux and creme brule - I really need to switch to a new desert soon, I feel like that's all I've been eating.

After lunch we walked on the beach - and what a beach it is. The sand was soft and it was so deep. There are also grassy sand dunes, so we decided to attempt the climb and work off some of those mussels. It was really hard to get up some of them, and at one stage I ended up flat on my rear with sand in my boots. Oopsie.

Finally a trip to the shops where we all picked up handmade chocolates and wine. The flight back I was in the back - and feeling a bit braver fuelled with Sancerre the pilot did some acrobatics. Flying at zero G with the chocolates floating around the cabin was hilarious fun, as was serious banking over the sea. They really were the screams of joy and it left with the same feeling as riding a roller coaster.

We vowed to not leave it as long next time, and to go back in the summer where we can lay on the beach and snooze off the cheese. Amazing. It is so good to get a taste of the high life. I could get used to this.

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