Goodbye dear friend two thousand and ten

A heady New Year’s Eve awaits, do we plump for a friend’s DJ set in ‘Nathan Barley’ country or head to Brixton for another’s gig...well instead I’m sitting on the sofa drinking bubbly eating left over buffet and watching bugger all on TV.

This is the life of a 30’s something couple with no baby sitter (sob, sob). We’re trying to console ourselves with the fact that firstly the cabs will be either nonexistent or extortionate, the clubs will smell of B O and old booze. Mr C (husband) takes great joy in telling me that my dancing is now more ‘Rod Jane and Freddy’ than Rave though his South East London two step leaves a lot to be desired...Any hoo... We’re indoors being civilized, chatting and reflecting on 2010, so what was it like?

Well, it was made up of 12 months, it started with January and it will end in December, and it’s almost over. So what did I learn from 2010 as I sit here wearing my animal beanie, sheepskin aviator, mad men dress and platform 70’s heels, I learn that not every fashion trend should be worn at once.  But more importantly I learnt a bit more about what I really want out of life...Generally happiness and not all the shiny stuff I thought I wanted. I learnt that things change and there’s nothing you can do about it it’s just the way it is and as long as I am healthy that’s what is important.

So what’s 2011 going to be all about? Apart from more 70’s clothing and platforms I think it’s going to be good. I’ve got no hard and fast evidence of this, it’s just a hunch. I’m not one for horoscopes as I tend to turn into a sniggering 8 year old as soon as I see comments like ‘Entering a phase of Uranus’, I’m a Virgo and as such my horoscopes are generally always a bit pants!

So what if you are venturing out to a club tonight. Firstly I wish you luck, it will be overpriced and sweaty and you will have a nightmare getting home, but if you are under 35 you won’t care about any of the above

- So have fun I’m jealous xxxx.

No Man’s Land....

So we are now in ‘No Man’s Land’, neither the build up to Christmas nor the heady excitement of New Year’s resolutions.

Today’s post is a semi rant (let’s call it a ‘sant’), by now the shiny fantasticness of the festive holidays is wearing a little thin. The joy of breaking the seal on a fresh tin of Roses (again, other brands are available) and inhaling the fresh chocolate aroma has been replaced by a baron tin of empty wrappers and orange creams. The fridge is full of half eaten Christmas pudding and anonymous cheese. All my clothes feel a little bit too snug and the three ‘G’s of God, Giving and Glitter have been replaced with Gluttony, Guffs and Gossip (post Family get together analysis).

Today is a Tuesday, and as such a working day, but instead it is a Bank Holiday. Holiday at this time of the year = mad shopping experiences involving buying items you wouldn’t normally because they are cheap. My rant is ‘Why are we having these Bank Holidays’s now?’ surely it’s better to have these days spread out? Currently I have a stir crazy Mr C (husband) and a daughter experiencing ‘Post Christmas Come Down’ trauma.

The Science part... for those not in the know this is what a Bank Holiday is by definition...

‘A Bank Holiday comes from the time when banks were shut and so no trading could take place.’

There are currently a total of 8 permanent bank and public, these include Christmas Day and Good Friday, which in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are common law' holidays (they are not specified by law as bank holidays but have become customary holidays).

Most European countries (what with us ‘what I call’ a European country and all) have on average 11 public holidays and they are spread out across the year. So when the sun is beating down in summer/ beginning of autumn, we currently have no Bank Holidays- go figure?! So in my ideal world, being an armchair politician and all, I just feel that I would rather be lying on a lounger with a large glass of something cold, letting the sun warm my healthy frame than indoors trying to decide what’s better, eating the food I don’t really want rather than throw it out as it’s just wasteful.

Oh well, on with the pyjama bottoms and off to the fridge I go...just after another game of Twister first.

Right hand on Green!

Christmas aftermath..

Ooh..Thank goodness for harem pants and their elasticated waist, that’s all I can say. We seem to have discovered a brilliant schedule for Christmas Day (thanks to my S-I L) we meet at a pub in Greenwich, on the Thames and enjoy a big, fat family Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Then (in case you’re not on the verge of a hernia in your navel from over eating) they offer you a smorgasbord of cheese and biscuits. This all lasts for on average 3.2 hours (not that I am timing it) then we all return to our respective abodes, so that I can play (sorry 'M' can play) with all her gifts and toys, PERFECT.

This year was magical, I really think kids make Christmas. In the lull of children in my family (my brother and sisters are 14 years my senior, yes, I was that ‘mistake’!) When there were no overexcited little ‘uns Christmas was more a time of reflection and became a bit more sombre as a consequence. There are close loved ones who are sadly no longer with us and at these times a parent's absence is always more painful...ANYWAY, yesterday was magical, 'M' was thoroughly spoilt but “ooh’ed” and “aaah’ed” in all the right places that it was all worthwhile.

I must admit I was shocked at how few people were sporting new Christmas outfits, in previous years people are normally in their new frocks and shoes, but this year I spotted more dressing down- what a shame. Has no-one heard of ‘make do and mend’? Today I shall be sporting a discount Chloe dress (with support pants- I'm getting to that age) and sample sale heels (but don’t tell anyone) with a bit of old costume jewellery I’ve had for years if you can’t look fabulous at Christmas when can you? NO Pat Butcher earrings though please.

Well enjoy the rest of the festive period, more family gatherings today, and I'm not the designated driver- Yee Ha!

That's all folks!

PS. If you missed 'Swingin Christmas' on BBC2 on Christmas Day, be sure to check it out on BBC four on Friday 31st at 10.15pm. Anna Jane Casey was fabulous! x
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wyltw/Swingin_Christmas/

Starting Out...

So with trepidation, I start this blog...I'm sure some will be complete ramblings but hopefully most will be concise, informative posts. Currently I'm working my notice from a full time Senior Design/ management position, using up the holiday which I accrued whilst there. Full time employment/ childcare is still the most difficult thing to manage that I have ever experienced. You can't beat the liberating feeling of eating a whole Twix (other chocolate bars are available) uninterrupted whilst immersing yourself in a project deadline. However the fun stops when you get home late from work and have to put your Mummy hat back on with an overtired overawed little one who is not so keen to go to bed. In my experience no one really wins in this situation and I am really, really lucky to be in a position where I can work from home doing a job I am really passionate about and get quality time with my daughter.

I am really looking forward to freelancing again; I had been freelancing with my own company Lam of London, for two and a half years before making the decision to dip my toe back into the world of full time. It was a purely selfish reason to return to work, I wanted to just be ‘me’ again, (and the tempting salary, complete with benefits, bonuses and sick pay) The buzz of a design office can be a great thing, but you can get that feeling in your own environment too by making sure you work as a freelance network (something which I will talk more about in other posts).

So this week, what am I coveting.....Tommy Hillfiger’s Duck Boots, just cos it’s snowing doesn’t mean you can’t still be glamourous!!- Such Fun! (sorry I have the Miranda bug)

Take care in the snow!