Without instructions

50 years of The Beatles - my own reflections

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 18:44:00 +0000

I feel nervous about writing a post about The Beatles. It's a mix of fear that people will know the truth about why I love them so much and that they will judge my thoughts and taint the relationship somehow. This however is a timely post as it's 50 years to the day that The Beatles released their first album.

Please don't take this as a list of my favourite Beatles songs because if you want that then I suggest searching for "the beatles track list" on Google and deleting a few McCartney Ballads and any of the songs Ringo sang (sorry Ringo!).

I was brought up by a family that adored The Beatles. My Dad and my Brother especially. Not that The Beatles featured in a long list of favourite bands; more that they topped any list and the life lessons and memories I have of growing up is so completely embedded in the songs that I sometimes feel like my own memories might have merged with Lennon's lyrics.

In our house we used to have photographs in the hallway. My Dad had taken the prints from the white album and put them in frames in the hall for all visitors to see as soon as they walked through the door. A couple of friends, whose names I will withhold out of pity, had asked if they were my relatives. "No, John Lennon and Paul McCartney are not Uncles of mine" and I won't be inviting you round again, I would think to myself.

This is the first song I remember hearing by The Beatles:

My Dad would sing this to me when I was little to help me go to sleep. It's going to be the song I sing to my children, should I have any, because it's truly magical. In my humble opinion.

When I got older my Brother and my Dad would play lots of guitar and I be so envious that I couldn't do what they did and frustratingly resigned myself to playing Piano. There was never as much satisfaction playing a McCartney track as there would have been nailing this on guitar:

I watched The Beatles films and was in complete awe of the four men that made my favourite songs. Help was for me the best and apart from breaking up with an ex boyfriend to the album (if you look at the track listing you'll see it wasn't my finest or most sensitive moment, sorry about that!) the album is still my favourite.

There are so many great songs on this album I can't even chose one but if I had too then this one I remember for singing at the top of my lungs when my Dad would play it on guitar because he could never remember all the words:

Oh and maybe this one:

As I've got older my opinion of The Beatles has developed. They are not just the songs that my Brother and my Dad used to play and they are not a 60's pop band that so many people refer to as over exposed and overrated. They developed during their career and recorded songs that even now I'm astounded as they were so ahead of their time. (Again, my humble opinion).

This song still makes me want to get on a bar and thrash about:

And this song makes me think if they were still here together and releasing songs that there would be some current bands shaking in their boots watching the masters show them how it's done:

As I was once advised, I listened to this song one day with my friends when the sun was out, there was a little smoke and suddenly it all began to make sense:

When I was a teenager I secretly hoped that should a relationship get into trouble or you had a fight that a real man would pen a song, drive up to your house and sing his lungs out with a declaration of love similar to this. How wrong and disappointed I was...

I've visited The Beatles experience in Liverpool with my Brother and we both went very quiet in the White room with the piano and Imagine playing. When you love a band so much it's impossible to feel nothing when faced with their pictures, instruments and belongings especially when you'll never get to see some of them in person.

My boyfriend and I went to the Cavern in Liverpool before a Laura Marling gig last year and again, I sobbed my way through the cover set of this song (along with all the other drunk Beatles fans in there I'd like to add):

Finally, and mainly because I could go on all day through the Beatles back catalogue, B sides, Lennon's own songs and their visit to India, I want to finish with this song which still when I play it now puts a lump in my throat. It captures everything that I hope to reflect on and experience one day and that's all the introduction it needs. Enjoy:

While the cat's away the mice will play!

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:08:00 +0000

So my Mother's long awaited trip to Europe begins tomorrow so I will be house sitting, cat sitting and fridge raiding for a little less than 3 weeks with the Boyfriend. Even at the old age of 27 I still get excited about the prospect of a "free house" and my friends and I are still using that term regularly should we want to invite people over; with no shame!

As the weather has suddenly turned horrible and rainy and freezing cold I went out today to buy a few pick-me-ups as well as trying to decide what shmancy things to cook for the Boyfriend now I have the WHOLE kitchen to myself.

Firstly and completely unrelated to food I purchased a few little things to add to my Autumn wardrobe...

Racing green Soft Skinny Jeans from New Look (£20 - Bargain!!)

Barry M Nail Paint in Cappucino

Studded Suede look boots

Next onto the food and as this was more a spur of the moment shop than a considered trip with a list etc it shows more what I fancied for lunch rather than any sort of planning for the week ahead!

Firstly I bought some Nutella so that I could make Miss Glamorazzi's Nutella hot chocolate which you can see HERE! I would normally have the Hotel Chocolate Caramel hot chocolate but with the weather as it is the supermarket alternative would have to do!

The honey is because of my sore and croaky throat. After the Boyfriend's fancy dress party at the weekend my voice has gone and I sound a little "Macy Gray" today. I like honey in or on anything but as it's cold I'm going to make honey and lemon tea and NOT HAVE ANY MORE CIGARETTES!!

I've picked up some veggies which aren't terribly exciting (hence the use of Instagram!) but it does mean I'll be able to make Jamie Oliver's Butternut Squash Soup which is my all time favourite and a Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato mash a la the Good Food website HERE.

I am on the hunt for some more Autumnal recipes especially if they go well with a glass (bottle) of wine! Obviously just as a hot toddy ;)

30 before 30: Learn to dance - ballroom, ballet or hip hop?

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:58:00 +0000

When I deciding I want to learn to dance I didn't anticipate that it would be so difficult, so expensive and quite so embarrassing!

In theory, I wanted to emerge from my twenty-something cocoon like a cross between Ballet Beauty Darcey Bussell and Strictly Come Dancing's lush Latina Flavia Cacace whilst still being able to do a pretty good "Thriller" should the opportunity present itself. It seems I may have set the bar (barre) too high in wanting to learn to dance and I'm heading for a Napoleon Dynamite tribute act.

See example 1:

And even he made it look good in the end!!

I feel I may have missed the boat and if I leave it any longer I may do more damage than good - physically and socially! At 27 can I honestly join a hip hop class or sign up for the ballet class I left when I was 6?

The point of the 30 before 30 list was to do the things I've missed out on them whilst I can get away with it so the selfish, twenty-something me is going to bloody well learn to dance.

Now that Strictly Come Dancing is back on the TV I'll again start moaning to the Boyfriend that I want to dance like they did during wartime. Swtiching from Waltz to Foxtrot with a cheeky Swing Dance and then a Quick step. Like they would never see each other again; gazing into each others eyes in a tornado of sequins, kiss curls and sweetheart romance. Whilst we've tried to strut our stuff at weddings there's only so much shuffling you can do before you're found out as a fraud.

Another option is to go back to mirrors and tights and bleeding toes just with the added pressure of cellulite by taking up an adult Ballet class. (Do they actually exist?) I'm not delusional thinking that my Prima Ballerina Dreams are within reach but something like this from "Centre Stage" would be an achievement:

Finally, and this is probably what I'm secretly hoping to do is the type of dancing that anyone who knows me would not ever think me capable of doing is Hip Hop or Commercial Dance. Even typing it makes me cringe a little as I'm about as "street" as Mary Berry and have never owned joggers or listened to NWA. The attraction is simply the fact that it is so far from what I would normally do. So in tribute to my 30 before 30 list maybe that's exactly why this is the perfect choice:

So there are the options; I don't know whether to try all three and see how I go but I know it's going to be one thing ticked off of the list. To say I tried it, I smiled and I danced like no one was watching.

Royal scandal #2: Topless Kate Middleton Photos

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:51:00 +0000

Our regal Royals are drowning the tabloids again. Maybe not the British rags but the scandal is still out "there". The next morning after the news about Kate Middleton broke I don't think any of us had to look very far to find the link to "those" topless photos of Princess Kate Middleton on holiday with her new Husband Prince William.

Immediate reactions were naturally inquisitive, some vulgar, a few found it hilarious that a Royal was naked so soon after Prince Harry's Vegas exposure and one person I spoke to simply said it was "very sad".

Under normal celebrity circumstances I would scoff at the desperate attempt at a badly veiled "surprise" money shot but this left me feeling a little uncomfortable. I don't profess to be a Royalist; nowhere near in fact but I am a woman and I just felt very sorry for Kate Middleton and angry that the French magazine disregarded the mutual understanding of Royal privacy after the tragic loss of Princess Diana.

Kate is not as highly regarded internationally as Diana (although that may change) and I'm not attempting to compare the two but lessons could have been learnt about what's required of a Royal (former or current) as part of their public duties in exchange for stolen moments of privacy that are off limits to the press.

Neither Kate or William surrendered their legal rights when holidaying at Lord Linley's French Chateau so they have every right to challenge the publication due to it's tidal wave of repercussions for both them, their families and the representation of the British Government internationally.

These photographs did not uncover a scandal, they did not right a wrong or act as judge for a crime committed by anyone involved but exposed an intimate moment between newly weds for which we all hold guilt for our part in the staining of Kate's reputation.

Please don't think I'm a prude and that seeing a topless shot will make me think any less of our new Princess because it doesn't but on a personal note I appreciate how private and special certain parts of a relationship and character can be and for a media company to rob that is unforgivable.

As we move forward into a digital age where citizens are the journalists and ownership of images and words becomes blurred and irrelevant it's only a matter of time before we are all exposed to some extent.

Hobbies, Extra Curricular, fill your time: A 20-something's take

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:15:00 +0000

It's Monday and I'm doing my normal weekly review of my 30 before 30 list and gasping in horror at how, apart from the Wine tasting, the camping (sort of) and the "all nighter" I've not made much of a dent in the list. and I've only got 2.5years to do it all!

It's made me think why I felt like there were things I was missing out on before 30 that I might not experience unless I gave myself a challenge. When you're young it's generally your parents that dictate what you do with your free time, what will set you up in the future, what will educate you and provide a good foundation and range of experiences that you may continue when you're older.

Well if you're anything like I was as a child I changed my mind every 5 mins about what I wanted to do as a hobby! Below are some examples; please don't judge!!

Piano lessons
Guitar lessons
Clarinet lessons
French
Flower pressing
Rainbows, Brownies, Scouts! (Guides were had the boring trips away!)

Guten tag!

Due to injury a VERY short Ballet career

I still ride a little but not at 6am!

Quilling - straight out of Downton

We used to skate to pass the time

It may be that as you get older and you have more responsibilities you have less time for hobbies or new adventures but isn't it a shame to not try new things in case you don't get another chance?

So it's back to my 30 before 30 list because I don't want it to be too late to get away with skinny dipping!! ;)

Fancy Dress: J Party jeopardy

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 14:51:00 +0000

The Boyfriend and my Best friend share a Birthday so this year I am planning a fancy dress theme to our night out. As they share a letter it's going to be a "J Party" which is proving to be harder than I ever imagined. At first I was desperate to come as Jasmine from Aladdin; trying to fulfil a childhood dream and also base my look on my already dark hair and olive skin! Winner!

Magical Disney Princess

Bit of a Jezebel

BUT it seems unless you are 7 years old the options are more "on the bedroom floor" than flying on the magic carpet.

Could it be we're TOO OLD for fancy dress??

Google has suggested a few alternatives...

I have an idea of what I'm going to settle on and I have this lovely lady to thank for it! Now where to find my dream Kimono in 4 days....

Japanese Geisha Halloween Tutorial

Birthdays, Dinner and Chinese Poker - never a dull moment

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 14:17:00 +0000

After trying to stick to the Marine Commando Diet for the last week (and losing 4lbs - hooray!) There was no stopping me at the all you can eat buffet for my Step-Mother's Birthday. Nothing says support from your Boyfriend like being snapped at the buffet. Trust me, I was a lot more excited than I look here!

I don't normally eat Chinese but my Step Mother is Chinese so only fair we have her choice, I have to say the desserts were a highlight. Not traditional Chinese offerings but scrumptious none the less; lychees and mango, blackforest gateau and a chocolate fountain with foam bananas and shrimps!! Yum!

Seeing as it was my Step-mothers Birthday and my Dad and her had just returned from China after spending hours playing cards over late night drinks there were a few rounds of Flight played. If you haven't heard of it I can honestly say it's the MOST COMPLICATED card game I've ever played!

There's some info on it here although this was quite hard to track down on the net. Seems it goes by a few names but apparently lots of Chinese women play this kind of Chinese poker (羅宋牌九) and win hundreds of pounds! Not too shabby although after playing it a couple of times I still have absolutely no idea what's happening or who the winner is.

The Mr seemed to be enjoying it though...

The hand above is a winning hand?! You must make a 5, a 5, and a 3 and lay them down on the table not changing any cards and not moving them once you've decided. A colour run is the highest you can get and goes at the bottom, then 2 pairs, a triple, pair etc with an Ace being 1 or 11. You are then awarded or penalised points against each other for rows 1, 2 and 3. Sound complicated?! IT IS! Thank god we're not yet playing for money!!

Reflections: The dreaded D&M

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 22:43:00 +0000

It's Saturday night and I'm in by myself for the first time in a very long time. The Mister has a cycle race tomorrow so is staying away as it's an early start. I really don't function well by myself; I find it's almost a waste of time that I could be seeing and chatting to people. It's strange being alone with your thoughts as it feels sometimes like your brain can't stop going over; or maybe that's just me?

So I've decided to get started with my letters and make the most of the quiet. I'm not sure I have many exciting things to share but I'll try my best to tell those people that I miss them and what it is about them that makes me smile.

I'm listening to the Garden State soundtrack and a little Elliott Smith. Maybe that's not helpful in making my mind stop thinking about things as the film itself leaves me a little vulnerable about mortality. This isn't meant to be a depressing post; more of a reflection that sometimes in moments of quiet the drama and pretence is gone and you can see things with a little clarity.

Goodnight to anyone that is reading this; I hope you savour that delicious moment of alone time as rare as it may be.

Letters to Cleo - An experiment

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:03:00 +0000

I've watched an awful lot of Downton Abbey over the last couple of days and I think it's getting to me. Whilst I don't want to ride horses to the next village or pretend that I care about falconry displays I would love to receive something exciting, secret or special in the post and hate that news from an old friend seems to always be in a Facebook wall post or text message. I suppose it's a bit quaint and clinging onto the dark ages but there's something very personal and delicious about opening up a letter from a friend that they've taken the time to write and send to you.

When I was at University my best friends and I used to write to each other and I can honestly say that during the worst home sick days they made me laugh, smile and feel like we were in each others thoughts despite being at opposite ends of the country.

I can't even remember the last time I had a handwritten letter sent to me and the last time I wrote one was to change car insurance and my hand was numb after the 2nd sentence! I'm not expecting delicate little notes to be passed to me on a silver tray by "Carson" but I do want to see if sending a letter to a friend still makes someone smile AND if it encourages them to write back. If I can incorporate any of my 30 list into the conversation too for help in reaching my ever nearing goal then I shall try as I'm not much nearer at all!

So, I'm going to post 10 letters to friends old and new, near and far and hope to bring them a smile. If any of them write back then I'll consider it a happy bonus!

First challenge, find out their address! How awfully 21st century that I don't even know my friends house numbers...

My new writing set - who knew they still made these?!

30 Before 30: Camp in a tent (high five for hats!) Postdated!!

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:21:00 +0000

It has been a little while since my last post and for that I must apologise. I have no dramatic or personal excuse other than "life" itself and all it's petty distractions.

During my time away though I have unknowingly ticked off one of my "30 before 30" challenges which is "Camp in a tent". Now before people who know me compose an angry response and tell me it's not "real" camping at a festival if you're not making your own fire and wiping your bottom on a leaf, let me assure you that it poses challenge enough for me to camp in any form.

I like to think I can be chilled out (when required), that I love music festivals, my friends and especially the sunshine so combining them should be a winner from the outset; BUT I DESPISE CAMPING. This isn't some Essex Princess rant about needing to be constantly pampered (Boyfriend manages to ground me/put me in my place on a regular basis) or that I'm just being awkward I just can't grasp why, unless absolutely necessary, someone would want to sleep in a tent?

Fast forward to Boyfriend, family and thousands of other Essex drunkards heading to V festival for a mixture of pop and grime in equal measure whilst those waiting for Noel Gallagher and Tom Jones get sloshed on the floor surrounding by teenagers! Hurrah for not caring anymore!

So I hope the following images will show that after a day of sunshine, approx 12 pints of your finest own brand cider and little more to eat than some doughnuts and a box of chow mein even the most critical "hotel" people can become the happiest camper EVER!

Awesome Autumn - breathe a sigh of relief, it's cosy nights from here on in!

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:53:00 +0000

For those that don't know me well (or at all - hello new friends!) they will be very aware that like badgers in the dark and Gremlins after a dip I can go a bit crazy for Autumn! I thought I'd take a second to note down my ideas before I explode in a whirlwind of finding my gloves and looking for cooking apples to bake!

Whether it's because I love to wear as many layers as possible, because I adore hot chocolate, cinnamon, leaves on the ground and boots that go with everything OR just because it brings us a season closer to Christmas I don't know BUT I simply do love this season. J'adore l'Automne!

Now the sun has gone (was it ever here at all?), cosy nights are drawing in and we're planning cheeky nights with friends and dirty takeaways rather than long cider filled days I seem to change my lifestyle to suit the cold.

I have to say goodbye to my favourite reading spot now the clouds are rolling in and it's getting bloody freezing on those iron seats!

My secret thinking/reading/writing spot
looks a little sad

Meanwhile, I shall be curled up on the sofa with a steaming mug of hot chocolate in my ski socks and an enormous knitted jumper, determined to get through the following before it's time to start watching Christmas films!

Books:

The Hypnotist - Lars Kepler
Sweet Tooth - Ian McEwan
"Object Lessons: The Paris Review Presents the Art of the Short Story - Various

Films:

Anna Karenina
Les Miserable
Raaz 3

TV:

The Thick of It
New Girl
Winners and Losers

The breathtaking Olivia Palermo

Another of my Autumn treats is to pour over the glossy leaves of some of my favourite magazines in search of the perfect coat, knit, boots, dress and early ideas for the "hard to buy for"s. Shallow? Possibly! Deliciously self indulgent? Of course. Whilst I'm not a slave to trends it's exciting to see a fashion shakeup and why not? It's a new season and a new chance to play dress up! When I'm not rocking some kind of striped top with coloured skinny jeans I shall be sampling a little of the following:

Autumnal highlights:
Brocade - think glitz, gold, silver, vintage flock, threaded silks, rich materials and beaded and gilded from head to toe
Gothic - Beaded, lacy, leather and suede, blacks and greys with spikes and chains and belts
Heritage - More of a standard Autumn/Winter trend but with Downton as an influence it's more gentry than farmyard
Peplum - As a woman of curves, meat on her bones and a desire to hide rather than attract the eyes to my middle I shall be in search for the forgiving Peplum!

This year's A/W trends suggest I will again have trouble pulling off my much loved "Cat" jumper for the 3rd year running...thankfully for the Boyfriend, I'm sure.

Lastly although not least of the things I have planned for my first official day of Autumn (or the first that I've stopped wearing flip flops on) are these. I don't believe they need anymore introduction. And, you're welcome.

Taken from BBC Website from the glorious Lorraine Pascale

Bloglovin'

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:09:00 +0000

As I try to grapple with Blogger, my HTML plays tricks on me (user error) and my Broadband throws a hissy fit every time it rains all I can do is wait it out and indulge in some of the delicious blogs from clever Brits on Bloglovin' such as...

http://jakandjil.com/

http://www.conversationpieces.co.uk/

http://www.thelondoner.me/

http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/blog/

As well as a plug of my own (a demand of the registration with Bloglovin' - which makes me feel less narcissistic, until I start a new blog post that is)
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

"Spoilt" vs "Paying your own way"

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:03:00 +0000

I've had to decide over the last couple of days whether to write a post about a scenario that happened this week or just call it a "bad day" and leave it there, but I can't shift it from my thoughts and so for that reason I must get it off of my "literary chest".

"Spoilt" vs "Paying your own way".

For those who may not know I've got a full time office job (home based but a 9-5 job none the less), I work as a freestyle hairdresser in the evenings and weekends and am currently saving every penny I have for half the deposit of our future home.

If the tiara fits?

I am very lucky to have a thoughtful, clever and funny boyfriend and he is in a similar financial position; ambitious, on the first few rungs of the career ladder and saving. He is also welcoming of my modern feminist stance on "going dutch" and can very rarely afford to treat me like a princess even if I wanted him to.

I love shopping and going to the pub with my friends on pay day but still drive around in my first car, live at home with my Mum and still recycle my old faithful summer/winter wardrobe.

Alas, this week somebody very close to me said I was "Spoilt" because the money I have left over from bills is normally spend on myself.

As a twenty-something in 2012 I don't have the responsibility that others do- children, a mortgage or debt (other than student loans) so I've been making the most of being utterly selfish (with a huge list of demands before 30) whilst I can. However, I fund this ALL myself.

As a woman who earns her own money, pays her way, goes dutch on dates with her boyfriend and has been saving for the future for what seems like forever, being called "Spoilt" feels like a step back for equality; like we can fight to have it all like men do, as long as we don't flaunt it?

Gone are the days when men had to buy us a home or put food on the table and I for one am all for the new age as it means I get buying power and can be proud of what I've earned whether it's shoes, a house or a holiday with the girls!

It's my money and I'll spend it if I want to

Does being "spoilt" depend on what you bought? Who bought it? Whether it was a treat for yourself or a necessity to survive?

What is the difference being "spoilt" and just paying your own way?

30 before 30: Write a book

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:29:00 +0000

It's often said that every Journalist is writing a book (with very few finishing) and whilst my professional writing jobs have been few and far between the desire to put pen to "fictional genre" paper has been snowballing.

Whether it's like playing music; your inspiration seems to be overflowing whenever you're going through a miserable time or because you get to a certain age and feel that your experiences need laying to rest before you start to live the rest of your life, I don't really know.

Knowing a few people who have endured the personal struggle that is writing a novel I begin to appreciate how it's probably going to take over my life and eventually I'll be the only one who reads it; but like with the remainder of my 30 before 30 list I am naively determined.

As I am going to start to think about putting some ideas down I thought I'd share some of my favourite/memorable reads; not because they are popular but because I really like them! (This list is very big so may be added to at a later date).

A must read for every woman

Bryson is the perfect travel read!

Daring poetry

Brilliantly written - don't watch it!

For anyone who has ever felt they didn't fit in

Beautiful book for Hemmingway fans

A chilling read

His and her authors, deliciously sweet

Just because.

Amsterdam - Bikes, Boobs and blurred vision

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:34:00 +0000

Let's not beat around the bush. Amsterdam was on the "30 before 30 list" for the same reason that Vegas is on every "lad's" stag weekend list. You get to do all the things you would never dare to and without any of the repercussions (and I had a Birthday to celebrate!)

Miss Sensible and Captain Pac-a-mac were off to let their hair down and try to make it back to England in one piece...

I had Birthday bubbles, chocolates and gifts delivered to the hotel :) - Yes they are tickets to the Burlesque show, as if the Amsterdam boobies weren't enough!!

We learnt that Amsterdam has some amazing bakeries and a "Condomerie" in between them.

We had a city tour (500+ BF points, obvs) Apologies to all the men getting an earful from their missus' that THEY didn't think of that:

We saw the smallest house in Amsterdam.

He ate yummy things like this:

We learnt the difference between a Coffee Shop and a Cafe and to avoid any confusion there IS a big difference.

We got drunk with the Bulldog Cafe staff (and somehow ended up BEHIND the bar) (Yes this was about 6:00pm):

I was very excited about all the bikes thanks to Mikes Bike Tours:

The locals weren't shy (cheers mate!):

We found out about music venues like this:

We ate a LOT of cheese! (Certified cheese tasters now - get us!)

... and supped more wine!

We saw lots of beautiful sights like this:

He rode a bike called: (not a euphemism)

We went to the Sex Museum to see the "art":

We drank our way around Dam Square:

We tasted some of the local "baked goods" and don't remember much after (red eyes? Try no eyes!) The chocolate brownies are the yummiest and funniest apparently:

And then we recovered the only way you should:

We saw some red light ladies, some red light boys and some things I don't know how to describe to you. (2euros and you can have a "Peep" yourself!)

It took a while for the sound of the acrylic nails tapping on the glass to stop ringing in my ears and for me to stop staring as the curtains fling open to reveal a very shocked man in the window hurrying to pull his pants back on!

Smile buddy, you're famous!

So to conclude... all those things you hear about Amsterdam are absolutely TRUE!

Good times and a bloody good Birthday!

30 before 30: Pulling an all-nighter

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 19:42:00 +0000

Just a short post for today as my bruised ego and my pounding head are too much to contend with on no sleep.

I endured a wine fuelled all-nighter last night with just a few glasses of water and a porcelain pillow in a tiled bathroom to aid me in the twilight hours.

It wasn't the MADchester rave that I remember from uni days, I wasn't discussing who was better (Stone or Beatles) with new friends smoking pipes at the back of a smoky bar and I didn't fall asleep to the sounds of Dylan whilst crashing at a friends loft apartment.

It seems that times and I have changed.

It's not big and it's certainly not clever and nearly 24hours on and I think I might need to call myself an ambulance.

The kids can keep their binge sessions; this twenty-something is out!

Living together vs Marriage - Which is better?

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Marriage

noun

· 1the formal union of a man and a woman, typically as recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife:

2a combination or mixture of elements:her music is a marriage of funk, jazz, and hip hop

As one of my “30 before 30” goals is to “Buy a house” and to do this with the BF this can often lead to a question being asked. (Mainly by the over 50’s).

“So, are you two getting married?”

Had I been talking to someone my own age (20-something) then I doubt the question would even be asked! Whether it’s an age thing, a cultural thing or just a personal thing there still seems to be 2 camps; those that believe in cohabiting and those that don’t.

Take the comment from one of the guests on a UK daytime TV show this morning when the Olympic flame torch runner proposed to his heavily pregnant girlfriend.. "They can't not be married yet, she's already pregnant?" Errr Hello? It's 2012!

Coming from a mixed race and fairly religious background my family have almost all got married before living with their partners. In almost every case this has resulted in divorce somewhere down the line. Both sets of Grandparents passed away still married to their first love and whilst I find this wildly romantic is it just that for their generation it wasn’t an option to separate?

Cohabit

verb (cohabits, cohabiting, cohabited)

[no object]

· 1live together and have a sexual relationship without being married:an increasing number of couples are cohabiting E.g Mary is now cohabiting with Paul

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cohabit

Unlike me who has only lived away from home whilst at uni (living with 2 boys and a girl) many of my friends have lived with their partners and cohabited. Despite the relationships ending and them going their separate ways would anything have been different had they been married? Would they have felt obliged to make it work or felt bound to stay unhappy?

Before we think about the legal bit or the many, many statistics on the topic we should consider the emotional commitment. As the Oxford dictionary says, a marriage is a legal joining of two people but also a joining or coming together of two elements. A legal document can only go so far when someone is said to be your father or mother but it’s the emotional relationship that tends to be the strongest bond. Can this be applied to sexual relationships? If you love someone, you want to make a home with them and the feeling is mutual then does that need to be validated by a marriage certificate?

"Researchers found that all couples had a honeymoon period right after they got married or moved in together—they were happier and less depressed than those who stayed single. The study also found that couples who just lived together had bigger leaps in happiness and more self-esteem than they did when they were living alone. Married couples also were happier than before, but didn’t get the same big boost." Read more: Pass This On To Your Pushy Mother - Cohabitation Happiness Study - Cosmopolitan

The "try before you buy" theory suggests people may want a get out clause should there be trouble in paradise or is it just a way to ensure you make the most of the fun stage before settling down and getting serious?
For some, is a public declaration of love a true test of someone's feelings and a way to document that you want the same things? Coming from a traditional(ish) family I have seen how marriage can be both fabulous and destructive; sacred and irrelevant.

Kim Kardashian and Britney Spears are the queens of publicity stunt marriages with theirs lasting little more than a yoghurt would in the fridge but are the regular folk capable of the false gesture only to have to admit our mistake or change our minds?

In the Uk it’s recorded that there are approx. “ four million couples living together in England and Wales in cohabitation” http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/governmentcitizensandrights/yourrightsandresponsibilities/dg_10026937

Considering this and the current Uk divorce rate which has been growing again since the recession, couples may wonder if more and more people are trying to secure their relationship by not getting hitched?

Love and Sex

It’s not a new idea that marriage changes a relationship and film and TV have dramatised and inflated the issues as seen in “Barefoot in the park”, “Love and Sex” and the light hearted but somewhat realistic ending in “Bride wars” where only one couple ties the knot and the other breaks up. Had that couple not been faced with an ultimatum of declaring their love in front of friends and family would they have continued in cohabiting bliss?

As we grow up must I give up on the idea that "one day my prince will come" and present me with a diamond as proof of their undying love?

Research into this topic brings up more results about the legal reasons for and against marriage then any of the emotional ties. In Norway the rights for a cohabiting couple are very similar to their married neighbors but in the Uk it is not the case.

Many people think that, after living with their partner for a few years, they become 'common law husband and wife' with the same rights as married couples. This is not the case. In fact, couples who live together have hardly any of the same rights as married couples or civil partners. There is no such thing as ‘common law marriage’.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/governmentcitizensandrights/yourrightsandresponsibilities/dg_10026937

As the divorce rate increases again the danger is that should a couple part ways you could end up losing your home if your partner legally owns it outright; regardless of how long you have lived together. Whilst this is something to consider, should it ever be as important as whether that person is the one you want to spend forever with or has naive romanticism died a rather unromantic death?

Would you go with your heart, your head or your wallet?

Watch the Top 50 movies of all time - Named by IMDB

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:00:00 +0000

So, next on the list and probably the cheapest and laziest of them all:

Watch the Top 50 movies of all time.

Leon

I have a Brother and best friend who are movie buffs (read geeks) and constantly highlight my peasant knowledge of classic films and directors but, no more! I shall be conquering the Top 50 films and dropping into conversation things like, "Coppola certainly did start on the path of success in her role in the Godfather - oh you didn't know that? No, not many people do"... and other haughty lines.

I'm pretty pleased with my score so far (I've seen the ones in purple); so only the westerns and a few "dodgy" films left and I'll have seen them all!

How did you do? And is there a better list than IMDB I should be looking at? Click below for the link to the live IMDB list.

Top 250 movies as voted by our users (IMDB)

For this top 250, only votes from regular voters are considered.

Rank	Rating	Title	Votes
1.	9.2	The Shawshank Redemption (1994)	773,460
2.	9.2	The Godfather (1972)	574,581
3.	9.0	The Godfather: Part II (1974)	364,037
4.	8.9	Pulp Fiction (1994)	608,483
5.	8.9	The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)	240,243
6.	8.9	12 Angry Men (1957)	190,326
7.	8.9	Schindler's List (1993)	406,053
8.	8.8	The Dark Knight (2008)	713,015
9.	8.8	The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King(2003)	546,691
10.	8.8	One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)	327,840
11.	8.8	Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back(1980)	393,318
12.	8.8	Fight Club (1999)	589,189
13.	8.8	Seven Samurai (1954)	130,112
14.	8.8	Inception (2010)	565,904
15.	8.8	The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)	569,333
16.	8.7	Goodfellas (1990)	344,367
17.	8.7	Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)	442,116
18.	8.7	City of God (2002)	256,098
19.	8.7	Casablanca (1942)	222,201
20.	8.7	The Matrix (1999)	566,328
21.	8.7	Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)	109,976
22.	8.7	Rear Window (1954)	165,473
23.	8.7	The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)	489,852
24.	8.7	The Silence of the Lambs (1991)	376,094
25.	8.6	Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)	339,216
26.	8.6	Forrest Gump (1994)	494,603
27.	8.6	The Usual Suspects (1995)	372,504
28.	8.6	Se7en (1995)	446,323
29.	8.6	Psycho (1960)	203,653
30.	8.6	It's a Wonderful Life (1946)	141,203
31.	8.6	Leon (1994)	325,069
32.	8.6	Sunset Boulevard (1950)	75,623
33.	8.6	Memento (2000)	411,187
34.	8.5	Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)	202,382
35.	8.5	Apocalypse Now (1979)	238,928
36.	8.5	American History X (1998)	355,154
37.	8.5	Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)	357,999
38.	8.5	North by Northwest (1959)	123,339
39.	8.5	Saving Private Ryan (1998)	402,866
40.	8.5	Citizen Kane (1941)	177,805
41.	8.5	Alien (1979)	264,417
42.	8.5	Avengers Assemble (2012)	244,563
43.	8.5	City Lights (1931)	45,228
44.	8.5	Spirited Away (2001)	168,780
45.	8.5	American Beauty (1999)	420,686
46.	8.5	Toy Story 3 (2010)	216,738
47.	8.5	Taxi Driver (1976)	239,631
48.	8.5	The Shining (1980)	273,076
49.	8.5	M (1931)	54,826
50.	8.5	Vertigo (1958)	124,753

Spirited Away

I think that there are some more foreign films missing but that because I'm a sucker for the French and I think Amelie should be at #1! Saving Private Ryan is far too high up (in my humble opinion) and Spirited Away is not high enough.

I am sure GeekandSpell will have plenty to say on this matter so I will await the expert opinion Or you could visit the site where they know much more about films and have reviews galore!

First time UK buyers – Advice, saving, planning and a few giggles!

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:00:00 +0000

After my previous rant about the negatives of living at home I felt that a sensible, informative but still a little fun post was required for those planning to fly the nest (and how to do it without getting stung by the tax/insurance/financial or legal “man”). It's currently IMPOSSIBLE to get an 100% mortgage and the interest rate for 95% is a joke so it's vital that us 20-somethings have at least a 10-20% deposit if we stand any chance of buying. (Feeling the "double-dip" blues yet?)

If you’ve got to the point of finding your “roomie de maison”, your “other half”, the cream to your sugar, the cheese to your toast, the Ben to your Jerry – well you get the idea- then CONGRATULATIONS, you’re at least a tenth of the way there! We've gone back to the 50's where a woman needs a man to give her a home and a baby.. don't worry feminists, it'll all blow over fingers crossed!

Buying as a couple (platonic mate or fairy-tale romance) means you have double the capital and double the borrowing power. As the BF and I have discovered, in the age of reduced lending, soaring interest rates and a stagnant housing market it takes planning, patience, lots of tea, even more beer, phone calls, visits to the bank, delusions of grandeur and an open mind to get closer to the dream of owning your own home.

The following info is what WE have learned SO FAR on our journey to buying our first home in the UK in 2012. Those of a financially nervous disposition look away now; it ain't pretty…

· Your initial calculations – For those cheeky monkeys that up until now have inflated the truth or laughed off the price of how much your new Zara blazer really cost then it’s time to come clean.

Pour yourselves some nice wine, order a takeaway and get out all your bank statements, pay slips, mobile phone/gym/LoveFilm/sport subscription bills and tally up how much you are currently earning and spending. The key to this, it seems, is to BE HONEST and look in every nook and cranny (I have no idea what a "Cranny" is).

Anything you do forget may come back to bite you in the bottom later! Try a budget planner like this one on "Thisismoney.co.uk" or create your own in MS Excel.

· Savings – Work out how much you both have in savings and decide how much you can REALISTICALLY save each month. Don’t leave yourselves completely poor, you still need a life! As my friends and I are discovering, saving is depressing and long and you just want to go out with everyone else on a Friday night so do yourselves a favour and allow a little "fun money".

Invest in an ISA, put into a monthly savings account and try premium bonds (interest rates are so low the bonds may beat the best market interest). Set up standing orders to transfer to your savings account and decide how long you can realistically to save for – the more you save the better! Money Saving Expert has a great review of the best savings accounts here!

· Credit score – EEEK it's the scary bit! Check out BOTH your credit scores using a free online site like Experian. Use their advice to cancel any old payments, register on the electoral roll and ensure you resolve/avoid any missed payments or unnecessary credit checks (they stay on your file and reduce your score!) Again, there is no point in being secretive; if you’re the naughty one then own up to it! I did and I feel all the better for it!

· Financial advice - Contact a Financial/mortgage adviser (You can find a qualified one here!) and find out how much you can borrow (pending a “decision in principal”). It will be a good way to work out your budget, how much you will need as a decent deposit and where/what houses you can afford. They will also summarise the fees, how much you’re likely to pay in your chosen area and keep in touch as your savings increase. THEN you can start the FUN BIT! Woo hooo!

· Houses, houses, houses! - Websites like Right Move, Zoopla and Prime Location are a great starting point to get a view of the market in the areas you like. They show you info, photos, energy certificates (boring yet important for your bills!), the tax band and if you track properties weekly (or daily as most eager house hunters do) you can see when a property has had the price reduced! Zoopla is a great way to track how much properties in the same road, area or the same size sold for so you know if you’re getting a good deal or not. Handy when you are restricted to the penny!

· Estate Agents - Try to be patient, try to be nice, try to not give ALL your contact details (trust me on this one) and above all REMEMBER – they want to make a sale! Obvious I know but when you hear the spiel, look at the pretty photos and get bombarded by calls, emails and even SNAIL MAIL on a daily basis it can make you a little blindsided.

· House Viewings – There are some things to think about when going to a house viewing. Lots and lots actually but for time and blog space I’ve made a quick and dirty list below:

· Book the viewing at rush hour so you see the worst of the traffic

· Get there early so you can take a walk around the property (have a nose at the locals!)

· Once there look at parking, bus train routes, neighbours, road works etc

· Take note of the weather, temp, sunlight, direction of the garden – is it a cold house? Does it let in a lot of light? Do they have the heating on but the windows open? (yes, we’ve seen this in winter so the house seems to be warmer than it is!)

· As you go from room to room think about how YOU would live there? Is it big enough? Could you entertain, study, eat dinner, have children, have guests?

· Look for changes, extensions, repairs, obvious problems, opportunity to extend and how you might work the property to suit your lifestyle.

· Ask about the heating, boiler, are they on a water meter, plumbing, what Council Tax band they are, do they pay a residents fee, do they have broadband already?

· Ask how long they’ve been there, what changes they’ve made, why they are moving (most will tell you), where are they in their chain?

· Confirm what is staying and what they are taking with them. For first time buyers you’d do well to already have an oven, fridge, dishwasher etc.

· Try not to talk about YOUR budget. The most they need to know is you’re not in a chain so are in the best possible position for THEM!

· Ask about the neighbours, schools, public transport, pubs, clubs, parks and nurseries. Whilst you might be a 2 now you may be 3 soon and you want to make sure everything is close by!

· Seriously check out the garden. Whilst you may not be green-fingered yet once you have children the garden will be much more important.

· If you’re unsure or want to know more then JUST ASK! Either ask on the day or call the estate agent if you have any questions. They will be eager to make the sale so it’s likely they’ll find out for you.

· If you are going for a 2^nd viewing then take a parent, friend or someone “in the know” E.g an estate agent friend, a builder or a surveyor. Another opinion will be invaluable!

The following sites and blogs are brilliant for advice and tips!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/firsttimebuyers

http://www.reallymoving.com/content/173/First-Time-Buyers-Guide.aspx

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/buy-sell/

http://blog.propertyowl.co.uk/

http://thebuyingagent.wordpress.com/

Once you think you’ve found “the one” then the real work begins to ensure you get it. I’ll go through this in my next post but for now…. HAPPY HOUSE HUNTING!

First time buyer-itus - The tale of two grownups still living with their parents

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Apparently loads of us are doing it and it's "Ok". They say it's nothing to be ashamed of and if anything we should be praised for our clever forward planning. We shouldn't feel like we HAVE to be like everyone else and if anything it's US that are setting the trend for future generations.

If that's true then why am I sitting here watching another awful episode of "Outnumbered", my mother and her "new friend" are passing round the tinned shortbread and I'm feeling like I'm 15 again and grounded for smoking and drinking the "good port"?!

I am currently stuck at my Mum's house looking like this:

When I could be in my OWN house doing THIS....

There are some very basic issues with buying your first home. Unless you're very lucky you'll probably need to save some serious money. If you're buying with another your saving is always harder (there's always a better saver; in case you're wondering, that's me! Woo!) That means for most people (us and everyone we know) you have to move back home which is in as few words as possible... AWFUL!

Once you've tasted the freedom of moving out it's a bitter pill to swallow having to move back with your parents. You instantly revert back to a sullen teenager where every answer you give is ambiguous and you surround yourself in mystery just to feel like you're winning the bigger battle.

Saving money when you just start to earn a serious amount is rubbish too. You're dressing like a student even though you're earning a grown up woman's salary.

Last but not least and because it's such a crucial one it needs to be in bold... Your sex life will be RUINED. Think back to when you were a teen; both silently dry humping your way to chaffed euphoria whilst listening for any movement downstairs (unintended pun). Yes, that.

I may start a help group for those who are still living at home waiting for the next stamp duty freeze and we'll meet occasionally for a moan and a beer. Only it won't be at the pub because we can't afford it...

Girls who are boys, who like boys to be girls....

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:03:00 +0000

...who do boys like they're girls, who do girls like they're boys?
Ladies, are we just getting it all very wrong?

After having Skins paused for the millionth time due to Ms. Richards pixie face contorting into another perfectly cheekboned snarl I've decided the question needs to be raised:

"Do all men really want lipglossed, heeled, fake tanned barbies or are we wasting our time when we could just throw a vest and army boots on and go?

Less talking and more pondering over these beauties rocking it for the androgynous girls.
BOYS: please answer the question
GIRLS: who's up for giving this look a go and see where it gets us?

Noomi Rapace

Shannyn Sossamon

Dakota Blue Richards
Copyright Holly Falconer

Dakota Blue Richards

Let's not forget that it's THIS photo that made it onto hundreds of teenage boys walls back in the day. Was really JUST because of it's 2 girls kissing...?

Tanya Chalkin

Answers on a postcard please...

Horoscopes vs HORRORscopes

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:55:00 +0000

Note to the reader: It's my "off day" apparently so be kind on me please; Taurean operating at less than her best.

It's bred into us from an early age as a result of our Mother aggressively licking her thumb and flicking furiously through the pages of a glossy magazine with demonic fervour until landing on that mystical oracle; the horoscope.

I've never delved into how these snippets of my future are concocted and despite thinking of myself as a mature (occasionally), clever (2:1 in Journalism don't you know) girl I STILL have to have a delicious little peek at what's in store for Taurus!

I do it slyly in the queue for coffee at work in the mornings terrified that someone will notice my experienced style of working backwards from "sport" to make sure I don't miss it. Why do I always feel guilty that I WANT to look even if I'm just going to laugh it off anyway (unless it's a good one promising money and great sex). I still have to know in case I miss a trick.

My heart pounds as I try to think who the "backstabber" in my midst might be and if I've already supported my family member through their tough time. I'm not sure if it's the fear of what's to come but those few carefully chosen words stay with me for the rest of the day as I go about my business, anxious that it's already coming true.

Take this little gem above for February; well yes I have neglected my body recently (constantly) and the word "vice" instantly makes me want a large gin and a cigarette but I still look at it and think it relates to nearly everyday of my life since 2001 hence why everyone knows they're just made up.

SO WHY DID I HURRY HOME ON 18TH FEBRUARY JUST TO MAKE SURE I'M WEARING MY "HIDDEN AT THE BACK OF THE SPECIAL DRAWER" PANTS ???

For those, like me, who secretly crave this sneak a peek into the future.. on this occasion the cosmic description of 18th February was pretty spot on.

London Fashion Week 2012 and chocolate

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:32:00 +0000

If something in this post title doesn't tickle your fancy then I'm not sure we can be friends anymore. It is of course London Fashion Week 2012 and after pouring over photos and videos of the shows so far (something I have the luxury of doing when my iPhone is the only thing I am solely responsible for and it doesn't require entertaining at the weekends!) I have to declare my new fashion love...

The highlight of LFW 2012 so far for me has been Turkish Central St.Martin's graduate Bora Aksu's A/W 12 collection which showcased victorian inspired undergarments mixing mesh, layered corsets and ruffled silk fabrics that floated down the catwalk. The pictures do all the talking...

Credit: catwalking.com

London Fashion Week 2012's website is showing videos of all the shows with delights including the gorgeous garments and pretty bicycles from PPQ, Orla Kiely's vintage dresses and dainty collars, the 90's grunge take on 2012 from Unique and the Men's Day wear show. More highlights to be posted as Day 3 has just hit the site but until then there are videos to pour over with a cup of Hotel Chocolat Caramel Hot Chocolate; may I suggest you do the same and enjoy a very fashionable, chocolatey Sunday afternoon...

"Things to do before 30" - The adventure List!

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:11:00 +0000

After a little research and some frightening tales from my "new parent" friends I decided enough was enough. I may not have instructions for this 20-something adventure but by gum I'm certainly not going to stand around waiting to die*.

*turn 30.

So I've decided to do what many other organised, motivated and procrastinating folk would do and make a list of all the things I want to do before I turn 30. It seems there are many other bloggers out there who have done the same and had amazing success and an even better time so, here I go! Enthusiastic and with a very quiet Friday night ahead of me.

I've started the list off with some of the more predictable ideas:

Learn wine tasting
Choose a religion (and try to stick to it)
Learn a foreign language
Visit Amsterdam (for the museums, art and culture obviously!)
Do a charity sporting event
Buy a car/house/pet (I still drive around in the tin can "hand-me-down" I passed in and park it on my parents driveway)

I want my list to really reflect me and include some of the things I've dreamed about; not just the things offered to you on an 18-30's holiday, so to the ...

Live in a foreign country - even just for a short while
Quit my job and try doing something I love (this one scares me even as I type it)
Perform one of my songs at a real gig (not just to my friend Lee when drunk)
Start a business venture - even in these bad financial times

I'm still adding to the list now but am making a start ticking things off as I go.

I'll be updating on my progress but as an 80's glam rock band once said:

"I've made up my mind,
I ain't wasting no more time
Here I go again!"
- Whitesnake, Here I go again.

x

Grown up rule #2 Don't scratch your gnat bites

noreply@blogger.com (JJ) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:21:00 +0000

2am - My foot feels like it's been stung - I use my emergency bite light (iPhone) to check the damage and sure enough I have a gnat bite on my foot. With a little scratch I go back to sleep.

2.01am - That scratch wasn't quite enough. Ahhh that's better; back to sleep.

3am - Another sting and I've got 3 burning bites on my foot. With a few scratches and one for luck I'm just sitting with the light on watching listening to the taunting buzz of the gnat who had the last laugh.

3.21am - I use the duvet to scratch; less dramatic but not quite as satisfying.

4.15am - I lick my hand and apply the natural antihistamine. Naturally, this doesn't work and with a cheeky scratch and I continue where I left Angry Birds.

7.20am - I should be up by now but instead I've resorted to the trusty favourite to try and get some sleep - I find my longest nail and apply the condemning cross hair to each tingling bite. And wait; as I know that this will end the madness.