Clear Your Heart

Plink Plink Fizz

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

It's 6pm on a Friday. If you haven't got a large gin and tonic in your hand (other beverages are available), you're doing Friday wrong. Fact.

The Hendricks, Tanqueray and Edinburgh gins were all gifts. People who give me gin are kind of my favourites. Just saying. The amazing 'gin and titonic' ice cubes were a gift from the lovely Hayley.

Happy weekend, everyone!

A Very British Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:37:00 +0000

Afternoon tea, that is.

If I said that the last three weeks had been frustrating, confusing, difficult and life-changing, then it would probably be an understatement. I can sum it up quite simply really. An injured boyfriend = no Afghanistan = the next year of plans gone. But such is life. And what better way to mark the end of 12 wonderful days of soldier-time than with sandwiches with the crusts cut off, cups of tea and homemade scones and lemon drizzle cake?

Scones made using this recipe, with the addition of cherries.
Lemon drizzle made using this recipe, recommended by the lovely Amy.

In Absentia

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:02:00 +0000

Yep, that there is a few of the reasons why I've a) not been here in weeks and b) gained approximately 12 gazillion stone (figures may not be accurate) in weight.

From Lanzarote to London to Easter at my house to Almost Famous in Manchester to lunch in the sun today with B. It's been boozy, foody and ruddy bloody marvellous.

I'm not quite back. Not yet. But I will be soon.

Promise.

A Room With A View

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:28:00 +0000

Hello!

So, it turns out that the time I used to spend blogging is now spent on telephone calls with The Soldier. When someone you love is going to Afghanistan in a matter of weeks then snatching every moment you can with them (even if it's only over the phone) becomes of paramount importance.

So, lack-of-blogging disclaimer aside, I'm still here. I'm still on Twitter, probably more than I should be given the stress levels induced by my job and I do still read blogs when I get the chance. Although I've narrowed my reader down to just my absolute favourites these days, given that time is scarce.

Last weekend myself and the Mr headed off to the glorious Lake District for 36 hours of absolute magic. We ate, laughed, drank, walked and experienced ALL THE WEATHER. Sun, fog, cloud, snow, rain, hail, sleet, wind. We had it all. And it was perfect.

I know, this post is a bit image heavy but I just couldn't cut it down any more! So, from top: A duck in Ambleside; sun cracking the clouds; Converse; the BEST burger ever (that picture isn't distorted, it was like a ball of meat in a bun) at the Wateredge Inn, again in Ambleside; the view from our room at The Lookout in Keswick; the ridiculously large bathroom with the most amazing bath; our in-room picnic <3; snow-topped hills and three dudes hanging out at Derwentwater; hot chocolate and beetroot brownie in Keswick; swans at Bowness.

Although we were only in the Lakes for a relatively short period of time it felt like a proper little holiday. The Lookout is the most wonderful little bed & breakfast and comes heartily recommended. If you can get a room that is, it's booked up until about the end of July! Waking up to a view like that made work, stress, financial woes and a myriad of other little problems seem so utterly insignificant.

The company was kind of magnificent too.

One Month

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:16:00 +0000

Oooooooops!

I swear I never meant to leave it a month between updates. Time kind of.... ran away from me. I guess that's what happens when you're happy. Oh, and the fact that I somehow managed to gain 20 pounds in six weeks (HOLLA!) kind of resulted in me hibernating, like a big fat hibernating bear. I blame the 20 pounds on Christmas, sheer gluttony, an affinity for all things cheese related and that soldier of mine. However, I have managed to drop 14 of those pesky pounds in the last two weeks so I'm feeling a little better. I'm not quite ready to slip on the leather shorts and parade through the streets of Manchester, but I'm getting there.

I'm going to ease myself back into this whole blogging thing slowly and what better place to start than with that blogger cliche... an Instagram post!

So, how've you been?

1. My life is one long wait. It turns out that having a boyfriend in the Army is quite hard. Who knew
2. A buffet at my house consists of all the major food groups
3. Best. Converse. Ever.
4. Putting the Christmas decorations away. Arduous and upsetting
5. £1.60 beers at Tokyou in Liverpool
6. Attempting to keep warm
7. The last supper. Amazing burger and chips at my friend B's 30th dinner in Nottingham
8. Turning over a new leaf and cooking all my meals from scratch once more
9. Quality time with the hounds
10. Subway salad. Excuse me while I polish my dieting halo

Joy to the world...

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:25:00 +0000

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!

As usual, it's been a while since my last post (new year's resolution - blog more). However, this time there is a very good reason. I've kind of been busy falling in love. Completely unexpected but, at the same time, mind bogglingly brilliant. I'm so happy I feel like I could pop at any moment. So, in the spirit of this magical time of year, a few little letters...

Dear Christmas,
I love you. You are utterly magical and you're better than ever this year. Don't ever change.

Dear waistline,
What can I say? I'm sorry. You're distinctly bigger than you were this time last year and it's all my fault. Don't get used to it though. Come December 27th we're going to sort you out.

Dear Marks & Spencer pork crackling sticks,
You are partially to blame for the above. Don't worry though, I still love you.

Dear love,
Hello. You're back. And bigger than ever before. I'm going to try really hard to not let you go this time.

Dear THE BOOZE,
We're going to be seeing a lot less of each other, come the new year. I'm sorry but the time has come.

Dear 30,
You've been the best year of my life so far and we're only two months in. I can't wait to see what the rest of you has in store for me.

Dear bank account,
I'm sorry I've not been kind to you this year. I like Topshop too much. I promise to try harder next year.

Dear 2011,
You've been a strange year. Possibly the strangest year of my life. The last two months of you have more than made up for any of the bad times though, so thanks for that.

And, finally...

Dear Soldier,
There really aren't enough words to say how happy you've made me. It may have taken eleven years but you were worth the wait.

It's doubtful that I'll be posting tomorrow as I'll hopefully be face down in a trifle come 2pm. So I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I hope you all have completely incredible, wonderful festive times. Eat, drink, dance, love, laugh and be thankful for every little bit of magic in your life.

Merry Christmas xxx

Ding dong the bells are gonna chime!

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:12:00 +0000

I love weddings. LOVE THEM.

My beautiful friend B got married at the weekend and I was lucky enough to be one of her bridesmaids. The whole day was, quite frankly, EPIC and I'm more than a little depressed that it's now all over. From the night in the beautiful hotel on Friday night, through the heart palpitations of Saturday morning, to the amazing meal (HELLO LAMB SHANK) and the hours of dancing like idiots to 90s cheese, the day was just perfect.

1) The amazing invitation. A tea towel! They bought them from The Original Wedding Tea Towel and were absolutely thrilled with them. I'm going to get mine framed as it's far too nice to actually use!

2) My bridesmaid shoes. Love them so much it hurts.

3) My bouquet by Swallows and Damsons. Utterly gorgeous. Also, champagne for the bride and bridesmaids at our hotel on Friday night.

4) Cava at the hair salon on Saturday morning and my bag.

5) Bridesmaid in full effect!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs J, it was MAGNIFICENT! xxx

Outfit Post: Step Into Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:27:00 +0000

IT'S CHRIIISTTTTMAAAASSSS!

Well, almost.

At this time of year I prefer to wear sequins exclusively. Yes, really. I'm off to London this weekend for fun and frolics and I'm so excited I could pop. I don't have time to write much as I've got a train to catch, some gin to drink and some laughing to do. Plus dancing and possible falling over. Hurrah!

Many thanks to the lovely people at Motel for the gorgeous dress. Whilst I'm not sure I'd quite have the guts to wear it out of the house just yet (noone needs to see my gusset), it is BEAUTIFUL. As a little treat for you all, enter SEQUIN15 at the checkout for a festive 15% off everything. Valid until Sunday 11th December.

Dress - Motel

Tights - Topshop

Shoes - ASOS

Hair - Follicle hell

Facial Expression - NO IDEA

A Very Instagram Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:55:00 +0000

1) Manchester Christmas Markets 2) Token work decorations 3) Free Starbucks chocolate coin 4) Gingerbread latte always and forever

5) My bridesmaid shoes 6) Free Starbucks mince pie 7) Winter sunrise 8) The freezing commute 9) Never a truer word spoken 10) Hell yes

In case you don't know me AT ALL, let me fill you in on something...

I LOVE CHRISTMAS.

I love it with every single ounce of my being. The food, the songs, the fairy lights, the SHEER JOY. This afternoon I finished work at 3.30, came home, put Mariah (<3) on Spotify and decorated my Christmas tree. All whilst wearing a festive jumper, naturally. Now I'm drinking Marks & Spencer Christmas coffee and basking in the glow of twinkling lights. Perfect.

I realise that I have, once more, been incredibly absent. There are a few reasons that I could give but the main one is that, quite simply, I've been busy being sickeningly happy. All will be revealed in time but, for now, I'm keeping the reason all to myself.

So, how've you been?

Life Begins At... 30?

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:51:00 +0000

1) Amazing cards; 2) Birthday outfit (excuse the drying washing) and a birthday present; 3) Super sugary cake;

4) Presents from the beautiful S and my housemate; 5) Another birthday present

Thirty is, so far, treating me very, very well.

I had the best birthday weekend ever. There was an amazing meal at Greens on Friday night (with a birthday kiss off the chef, Simon Rimmer) and then drinks in the Northern Quarter with my nearest and dearest on Saturday night. I got to bed at 4am (having broken my beloved Jeffrey Campbell Foxy shoes, sob). Then it was off to London at 9am for Brick Lane curry, vintage shopping and cocktails with S. Finished off with a salt beef beigel, obviously. Then yesterday there was lunch, wine, more wine, cocktails, meatballs and more wine with A and C, before a late train home to God's country. Perfection.

Today I am beyond shattered but I feel happier than I have for ages. I was utterly spoilt all weekend and feel truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

Thirty, I enjoy you. Keep it up.

30

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:46:00 +0000

Today I am 30.

Over the last 30 years I have:

Moved 6 times.

Loved 5 boys (4 properly).

Laughed, on average, 40 times a day.

Gained 2 degrees.

Been to New York 3 times.

Been to Glastonbury 7 times

Travelled to 15 countries.

Eaten alligator once.

Stayed up past sunrise more times than I can count.

Lived one wonderful life.

Outfit Post: Beetlejuice

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:21:00 +0000

After a two month absence...

Here are some clothes for your to look at with your faces. Hurrah. There was a sneak peak of this outfit a couple of posts back but I thought I'd show you it in all its Beetlejuice-esque glory. With added massive parka. I do live in Manchester after all and it's part of our uniform.

I would wear this every single day if I could. Which is odd, because I've got neither my legs nor "the ladies" out. And I'm normally all about the legs and the ladies and the showing thereof. Maybe I'm becoming modest in my old age. I do turn 30 (THIRTY. WTF) in less than two weeks after all. Now please excuse my while I weep, throw all my leather shorts out and de-hoochify my wardrobe.

Yeah right.

Oh, one last thing. Unfortunately I think we're all just going to have to deal with the fact that my hair is mental. Personally, I think Tulisa's actually copied me. The little minx. Blonde roots are the new black roots. Fact.

Parka - Primark

Jeans and Top - River Island

Cardigan - New Look

Boots - Topshop

Hair - Seven bazillion different colours

Glitter & Velvet

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:40:00 +0000

1. Deena & Ozzy boots

2. OPI 'Fresh Frog of Bel Air'

3. Topshop 'Adornment' with OPI/Sephora 'Only Gold For Me' topcoat

4. OPI 'Rainbow Connection'

5. The ultimate party dress from Topshop

6. THAT dress that every blogger seems to have

7. My beloved boots once more

Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:01:00 +0000

So, in my last post when I said that September was a month for "organising, cleansing and sparklifying my life", it appears that I also meant September was a month for taking some time out to reassess, reevaluate and reconsider. Ooh, I love me some alliteration.

I digress.

I've taken almost four weeks away from blogging, my tweeting has been minimal (for me, at least) and, instead, I've just been... living. I've been away to Nottingham for the weekend, I've been out for dinners and drinks and out on nights out and I've spent time just being me. And being happy. I've rediscovered the joy in life, the joy in the smallest of good things, the joy in feeling good about yourself.

The joy in ...

...dressing like Beetlejuice for work. Oh yes.
...ridiculous new jeans.
...a rainy Manchester evening.
...driving over The Snake Pass at sunset. Breathtaking.
...a big fat burger with chips and coleslaw.
...not hating what I look like anymore.

Hello. My name is Helen. I'm back.

One Week

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:23:00 +0000

A sneak peek into my Saturday morning for you there...

So, one week ago I wrote this post and, judging by the comments, it seems that a lot of us have been having a bit of a rubbish time recently. Over the last seven days, though, I've followed my own advice and, touch wood, I feel so much better. I've been sleeping well, I've been eating better and I've been focussing on the positive and making plans for the future, rather than wallowing in the negative.

I have plans for virtually every single weekend right up to December. I've created a budget spreadsheet which, whilst not rock 'n' roll in the least, is a necessary evil and, strangely, it has given me a sense of control that I've been lacking all year. I've even developed a skincare regime so I must be taking better care of myself. Ridiculously, that was one of my resolutions at the start of the year and I wish I'd done it sooner. Liz Earle, where have you been all my life?! I'm using the 'Healthy, Beautiful Skin Kit' and it's revolutionised my face. Fact.

September 2011, it would seem, is a month of organising, cleansing and sparklifying my life. And I'm relishing it.

Miscellaneous things that have delighted me this week:

Fresh sunflowers // OPI's Miami Beet // Nakd cocoa orange bars // Clay pigeon shooting. I went with work on Wednesday and it was so much fun. BRAP BRAP // Dragonfly Morrocan Mint Green Tea // The return to my lovely little house, following a week of dogsitting at my parents' // Joe's Sausages (Slimming World ladies, have you tried these? Most of the products are syn free and they're amazing!) // Extreme Couponing. Ultimate guilty pleasure television // Skrillex - Ruffneck // A cinema date to watch 'The Skin I Live In'. With warm cider and Cadbury Nibbles. No spoilers, just watch it

And here's a bonus for you. Me looking confused by the GIANT courgette I managed to grow...

Why yes, I am an idiot. Thanks for noticing.

The Girls' Guide To: Pulling Yourself Out Of A Funk

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:23:00 +0000

♥ Get a dog called Daisy. She will make it impossible for you to feel sad when she's around. She will leap on your knee, attempt to lick your face and make you feel like you're the most important person in the world. All just because you've come home from work

♥ Put your favourite music on full blast. Dance. Sing. Cry. Laugh. Just feel. For the last few months I've spent so long feeling numb. Anything is better than numb, for me at least

♥ Make plans. Plan weekends away, nights out, days out, holidays, dinners with friends. Make the effort to get in touch with people you don't see often enough. It's so tempting to hide away when you're feeling low but this will only result in you reaching for that second tub of Ben & Jerry's. That, my friends, is a COLD, HARD FACT

♥ Smile at strangers. Seriously. Some will think you're crazy but a lot will smile back. Sharing a smile with a complete stranger is one of my favourite ways to brighten up my day

♥ Put on your favourite dress and a pair of killer heels. Even if it's only to go to the shop in. Or even just to stay in, in. I hoovered in my favourite French Connection dress and a full face of make up the other day. Oh yes I did

♥ Have a party for one on your sofa. Get a DVD of your favourite TV series (fyi, Peep Show, Monkey Dust, Inbetweeners, Oz, Law & Order: SVU and The City all work for me), grab some nail varnish, a face pack, some snacks (crisps if I'm being bad, fresh berries if I'm being virtuous) and bask in the glory of a day spent doing nothing at all

♥ Run. Swim. Exercise. It never fails to make me feel better. If I haven't done any exercise for a while then I know I'm not in a good place because, for me, nothing lifts my spirits quite like feeling that I'm doing something good for me. A boozy dance off comes a close second though, obviously

♥ Go for a walk and take some photographs. Write a letter and fill it with glitter. Paint a picture and hang it on the wall. Bake a cake and give it to your friends or work colleagues. Creativity is an excellent funk-getter-outer-of

♥ Do some volunteer work. There's nothing quite like helping someone else to lift your mood and make you feel pretty damn good. Win-win situation

♥ And, finally... accept that it's ok to not be ok. Don't beat yourself up about it or feel like you're alone. You're not. If you need to wallow, wallow. But limit the wallowing. Give yourself an end date.

Square Two?

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:18:00 +0000

Firstly, I just wanted to say thankyou for the lovely comments on yesterday's post. They have made me smile and cry in equal measure. You're all too kind. Truly.

Secondly, I feel I should clarify yesterday's post. I think it may have given the wrong impression, but I wanted to write it because I knew I hadn't been around much.

I know that I'm not as big as I used to be. Honestly I do. I know that the amount of weight I lost was a huge achievement and that I should be proud of myself. I also know that my weight shouldn't be the be all and end all of my happiness. And it isn't. Most of the time. Honestly, I thought I'd got to the point, back in January, when my weight was no longer an issue. For me or anyone else. I no longer felt like people saw me as "the fat girl." But I was wrong.

Wider issues that had lain dormant for a long while were triggered. And so on. And so on. Until a couple of weeks ago, when everything kind of imploded in on itself. Myself. When I'm feeling rubbish, my weight is the first thing to be affected. Because I eat rubbish. I wallow and I stop taking care of myself. I stop, shock horror, being hopelessly vain. I jest. I think.

As an example, I haven't enjoyed picking out clothes to wear for about five months. It's been a chore. I felt frumpy and fat in whatever I did choose, so I just stopped making the effort. I started wearing my glasses more. I started scraping my hair back into a ponytail. I started wearing whatever clothes made me feel least fat, whether they looked good or not.

For me, my weight and eating habits are an indication of my happiness. My increasing waistline has been a symptom of my decreasing joy and bombastic Helenism.

But there is light. This morning I woke up, put on a ridiculous pair of tights, donned a playsuit and heels and skipped off to work with a smile on my face. The playsuit is too short. It's too low cut for work. But for the first time in months, I feel like myself.

I've said that before, in hopes of forcing myself to feel like, well, myself. But this time I really do.

Square One

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:09:00 +0000

Right. It's time to 'fess up.

If you're a long time reader of CYH you may have realised that I've really not been myself this year. It's fairly easy to tell when I'm not feeling great. I stop posting pictures of myself. I stop posting altogether. I hide away. So, yes. I've not been feeling great. It's not something I want to discuss in any detail, suffice to say I don't really know what's happened to me this year. I seem to have lost myself. After C I promised myself that I would never let my happiness be defined by someone else.

And it worked. I got thin (ish) and happy. Happier than I'd ever been. That picture up there? Lady decadence? That's a Markus Lupfer dress and I bought it because ohthedecadence is my Twitter name. The phrase came about years ago, during a very drunken evening with friends. The word decadence entered our vernacular and we used it to excess. I became known as Decadent Helen. To me it meant happy, exuberant, joyous in the extreme. But I never really felt like that... not until last year.

Then I met a boy at the start of this year. And I kinda liked him. And, inevitably, it went tits up. There were subtle hints about it, if you knew what to look for. Here and here, for example. And definitely here, which was a direct quote from a conversation between me and S. Anyway, my confidence ended up getting crushed in a fairly horrific way and, for some reason, I just never really recovered from it. It brought up old issues from the past and they grew bigger than I could cope with, resulting in some not-so-great happenings.

I'm fairly ashamed to admit it, to be honest. I'm fairly ashamed to admit that I started to hate the way I looked. That I started to avoid looking in the mirror and certainly avoid taking photographs of myself. Towards the end of last year I actually loved the way I looked. Call me vain if you like but I did. I even felt... sexy. Which had never happened before. I felt confident and attractive and so happy. So I'm more than fairly ashamed that I let that get ruined and that I've let it affect me so badly. My state of mind has been pretty bad for the majority of this year and I'm not proud of that. Not at all. Self doubt is a terrible thing and, for me, when it creeps in it affects everything, resulting in some fairly erratic behaviour.

I just wanted to put this out there, really. To show that there is a very real reason why I've not been around so much and why the content of the blog has been disjointed at best. I rejoined Slimming World last night, in an effort to lose the monumental amount of weight that I've gained back due to the Extreme Sadness Anti-Diet (tm). I'm not sure if I've ever really posted on here about my issues with food. About the demons that have haunted me for the best part of 15 years. I don't think I have and I don't intend to now but, if you are interested, the whole warts 'n' all story can be found on my other blog. It doesn't make for pleasant reading, just to warn you.

I am on my way back, it just might take me a little while to get there. Until then, have some photographs of a girl who was learning to love the body she had...

Clear Your Plate: Mutton Fast Slow Stew

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:01:00 +0000

Vegetarians, look away now.

I was contacted by the lovely Kathryn at The Blackface Meat Company and asked if I'd like to receive some of their 5 year old mutton, to cook up into a delicious meal. As anyone who knows me will tell you, meat is one of my big loves* so I was hardly going to say no, was I? So 1kg of mutton duly arrived at my door, ridiculously well packaged and extremely prompt. Along with the mutton, I was sent some recipe ideas and I decided to make the Mutton Fast Slow Stew, with a few variations.

Blackface is a small family business, run from their farm in the South West of Scotland and they do a huge range of different meats, including venison, grouse, lamb, pork and haggis. They also do a range of seasonal boxes which I'm dying to try so if someone would like to buy me the Small Packages (snigger) box then please FEEL FREE. If you like meat, and you have the money, then get yourself over to the website now and get meated up. You won't regret it. Delivery is included in the price and if the delivery is anything like mine, it'll be at your door by 9am. Amazing service.

Ingredients:

2 large onions, roughly chopped
1kg diced Blackface mutton
Chantenay carrots, peeled and chopped (I didn't weigh these, just used a decent amount)
2/3 pint vegetable/beef stock
Balsamic vinegar (a few good splashes)
A sprig of rosemary
2 bay leaves.
A sprig of thyme
3 cloves of garlic
Ground pepper and salt to taste
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tbsp olive oil

Method:

Heat half the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and carrot and sweat for eight to ten minutes, until softened. (I always use a piece of baking paper, just placed over the top of the vegetables, to assist in the sweating)

Add all the spices to the vegetables and fry for a few more minutes before transferring to tagine or casserole dish. Turn up the heat under the (now empty) pan and add the rest of the oil. Brown the meat quickly and add to the vegetables. Pour over the stock and the balsamic vinegar, ensuring that the meat is just covered. Add the herbs, pop on the lid and place in a low oven for 3 hours.

Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans and DIE with joy when you taste how incredible that meat is. Seriously. So so good. It melts in your mouth.

Notes: The recipe called for "good" stock but I used Oxo cubes (two vegetable and one beef) and it worked just fine. I ommitted the apricots from the original recipe as I can't bear fruit in savoury dishes. Instead I added the carrots to bulk it up a bit and it was perfect.

*The others? Gin, cheese, a really nice pert bottom and Mark Owen. The last two are not mutually exclusive.

The Ten Commandments

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:07:00 +0000

1. Thou shalt smile, even when you can't think of a reason

2. Thou shalt eat, drink and spend in moderation but love to excess

3. Thou shalt not let others dictate your happiness

4. Thou shalt be the best that you can be, always

5. Thou shalt not be scared of liking someone, for fear of rejection

6. Thou shalt not worry about money

7. Thou shalt let go of the past and believe in the future

8. Thou shalt not be defined by past heartbreak

9. Thou shalt believe in yourself

10. Thou shalt follow your dreams and LIVE

Tru Dat

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:23:00 +0000

That.

Is.

All.

Image by the amazing Being Little.

Thrifty August: Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:03:00 +0000

So, we're more than half way through August now...

I get paid two weeks tomorrow and part of me cannot wait. I was absolutely dreading this month, as I knew how short of money I was going to be, BUT it's actually not been as bad as I feared.

It turns out that, once you stop buying clothes, make up, jewellery, etc, it really doesn't take that long until you don't miss it anymore. Not spending money just feels normal to me now. Bar food, a couple of nights out and a few essentials, I haven't spent any money. On anything. This obviously excludes my Ikea purchases at the weekend, which were made using the last of a loan I took out when I bought my house.

One of the main things I really wanted to do this month (as well as finally finish decorating) was cook more. I love cooking. I find it really therapeutic. But with one thing and another this year my kitchen has been barely touched. Thankfully I have finally pulled my finger out and I've been cooking up a storm. Well, a mild squall anyway.

From the top: Lemon and garlic cous cous, feta, peppers, cucumber & lettuce; turkey and vegetable curry; mega roast potatoes; mutton tagine (made using amazing Blackface mutton; recipe to follow shortly)

Aceeeeeeeed

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:58:00 +0000

1&2 - AMAZING cupcakes from Hey Little Cupcake! in Manchester. I work far too close to this little piece of cupcake heaven and can often be found trying to talk myself out of going in and diving headfirst into a New Yorker or a Red Velvet. They can also make pretty much any cake that you can dream up. The ones pictured were for my friend E's birthday. Acid house cupcakes. Obviously.

3&4 - Thrifty August continues apace and I've discovered the sheer joy that comes from growing your own vegetables and herbs. Yes, really. Never mind the fact I'm not really that keen on either courgettes or tomatoes, I GREW THEM!

5 - Star-shaped ice cubes make any glass of water infinitely more fun. And any glass of gin. Obviously.

The weekend just gone was unintentionally very hectic. Considering I was supposed to be having a quiet one, I barely spent any time sitting down. More sitting down is needed. Yes.

Highlights included:
++ My friend B finding the perfect wedding dress. I may have shed a tear or two when I saw her in it. For "may have", read "wept". I've gone soft.
++ Cooking a roast dinner for four on Sunday and my friends turning up with three bottles of wine and three desserts. This is one of many reasons why they are my friends. Yes.

Lowlights included:
-- Spending £773 in Ikea on Sunday. I was very nearly sick when I handed over my credit card BUT I now have virtually all the furniture I need for the palace. Bye bye home loan, you were fun.
-- A recurrence of the cold of doom. I just want to be sniffle free, is that too much to ask? WHY ME.

How were your weekends, loves? Anything exciting to tell me?

Outfit Post: Yellow Fever

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:13:00 +0000

A word of warning:

These Jeffrey Campbell shoes are amazing to look at but AGONY to walk in. As I found out this afternoon whilst wedding dress shopping with my friend B (the bride-to-be) and the other bridesmaids. I'm hoping a bit more wear will break them in and reduce the truly excruciating pain. PLEASE GOD.

Today I am wearing some clothes but, most importantly, and horrifically, my hangover face. One gin 'n' slim too many last night and my head is a fuzzy mess today. So I'll keep this short and sweet.

Jeans - Dorothy Perkins

Denim Jacket - New Look

T-shirt - I love Boxie

Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell

Ring - Gift

Brooch - Lazy Oaf

Satchel - Primark

Umbrella - M&S

Face - A 4am finish

I ♥ MCR

noreply@blogger.com (Helen) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:54:00 +0000

Manchester Town Hall

A post about anything other than what's been happening around the country over the last few days wouldn't feel right. When the riots came to Manchester yesterday I was genuinely very very upset. Now I'm just angry. Yes, there are problems in this country. Yes, there may be a lost generation. But a lot of the people looting and causing trouble in Manchester last night were not kids. They were not 'youths', as the BBC so loves to call them. They were grown men. The oldest person arrested was 58.

I don't have a lot to say about the subject. I don't really have a lot to add that couldn't be said better by numerous other people. All I know is that my city woke up today, dusted itself off and stuck two fingers up to the looters. 300 people gathered to help clean up. That's all I care about today. The good in people.

Of course, there are some situations that can't be helped just by grabbing a broom and a few binbags. Like the case of Aaron Biber. The 89 year old barbershop owner whose business was destroyed. He doesn't have insurance and can't afford the repairs. A donation page has been set up for him. If you can afford it, please give a little. Or a lot.

Out of the darkness comes light.