Tattoo Anyone?

My lovelies, I've something to share with you and I don't quite know how to say it so I'm just going to say it really fast - I'MTHINKINGABOUTGETTINGATATTOO! Thinking about it, haven't completely decided yet but seriously considering it. I know what you're thinking, and yes, I'm getting a distinct whiff of midlife crisis about the whole idea myself, but is that a reason NOT to do it?

Because this isn't something that I wish I'd done when I was younger- Oh No! I was the goody two shoes who wouldn't even get her ears pierced twice, never mind get a tattoo and I remember saying, with all the sweeping arrogance of my twenties  'Oh no! Imagine getting it now and then going off it. Or worse, being eighty and ancient and all wrinkly with a tat!'

Now though, and (only just !) past the midway to eighty point, I think 'Feck it! I don't care if I'm eighty with a wrinkly tattoo.' Frankly, I think I'd just be happy to still be around and I rather suspect my concerns would be more about being healthy, living a good life and loving my family, rather than worrying what others thought of Granny's tramp stamp.

Anyway, the cheeky, bold and utterly thran part of me (yep, it's there!) might even be inclined to flaunt it on occasion, just for my own amusement you understand, at the chiropractor's office for example, or the bridge club or even in the Classic department in Marks and Spencer's. Who knows? And one might even argue, that it would hint at a life lived fully... chances taken.... being comfortable in ones own skin?

 First, of course there's the very important decisions of what to get and where to get it, and this is where I'm a bit stuck.  I thought about getting it on my upper arm, but there's NO WAY I'm drawing more attention to the bingo wings - I need arm spanx for those bad boys, not a tattoo.

So I thought for about a microsecond about getting one on my hip or my stomach, but only when hell freezes over would I allow a tattoo artist anywhere near my 'zone'....and anyway, I'm blessed to have acquired a few 'natural' tattoos there thanks to five big babies.

Are you sure????

And as for doing a Cheryl Cole- puh-leez! I mean, what's the point when no one would ever get to see it? (Loverboy doesn't count.) For goodness sake, I couldn't even see it myself without a full length mirror and I'm fairly certain it would cost an arm and a leg to get my (rather more ample than Cheryl's) derrière  covered with roses.

Sooooo, so far I've narrowed it down to three body parts-the back of my neck (which you'd only see when my hair's up), my ankle or my inner wrist. I'm thinking fairly small and discreet- no giant spider webs, reptiles or anchors. Oh, and definitely no writing in languages I don't understand, which always seems a leetle bit pretentious, and anyway it could be list of groceries on there and I wouldn't know the difference.

I kinda like it!

I think my problem is, knowing what I don't want but not what I do, but I'm pretty certain my lifelong love affair with leopard print or shoes isn't likely to wane anytime soon, so that seems like a good bet? I may even combine the two?

 Or perhaps something more meaningful- like a few inspiring words or one with a family oriented theme? Or maybe I'm just over thinking it and a butterfly or a star or a cute little dolphin would be just the ticket.

So there you are, Peeps, I've put it out there and now I'd really love to hear your thoughts and opinions on the matter-for or against, I don't mind! And as long as it doesn't include my birth date in Arabic, a Chinese proverb or a dripping bleeding heart, I'm open to any and all suggestions as well.
Laters lovelies, Emx 

That Old Thing!?

I've been a bit hit and miss on the blog over the last few weeks. My problem is never a lack to things to talk about-  (Yeah, Yeah, I know!)- but a lack of time to get sitting down and say them. It feels like we've been dismantling our house (or parts of it) and putting it all back together again...only somehow it feels different..in a good way.

 Its been an upheaval, no doubt about it. There's been a run of late nights, dust everywhere, loads of clearing and now I've a huge pile of stuff for a car boot sale, another  for charity, another for my sister. And of course there's still all the other day to day stuff that needs doing too-kids' routines REALLY get in the way of home improvements. BUT, before you write this off as a moan fest- it's actually okay!  More than okay- it's great! I'm enjoying feeling motivated because for so long I just didn't.

In fact, it  reminds me of my camel coloured coat (Bear with), that I bought years ago when we were living in  US. It was a really good, warm, full length one and every time I wore it my mum unerringly scolded 'That coat'll take you anywhere- I don't know why you don't wear it more often'. But then I  lost a bit of weight and anyway, camel didn't coordinate well with baby sick, so it hung in the back of the wardrobe for years and years. Too good to get rid of, too 'granny mush' to wear. There it hung t until a year or so ago,when I went along to a clothes revamping evening and finally saw its potential. A few weeks later and my old bag lady camel coat was 6 inches shorter, with a cheeky half belt on the back and I've hardly had it off my back since. I fell back in love with it again (sidenote- it also happens to work fabulously with leopard print so what's not to love?)

So anyway back to the house-  what I'm trying to say in a hopelessly roundabout way, is that sometimes you CAN fall back in love again with a thing, or a place or maybe even a person-even if you think that ship has sailed and your bags and your heart are packed up-just by seeing it in a slightly different light. Then, if you're really lucky, you look around and slowly it dawns on you why you fell in love in the first place.

 One lovely evening last week,  I glanced out into our garden and counted nine children- mine and most of our neighbour's - all playing there together. From toddlers to teens, they were just swinging, climbing, talking, bouncing, scooting....if ever I needed a decision affirming moment, then that was it.
In fact, the only thing that could possibly improve on it would be leopard print carpet on my stairs and landing.... watch this space!

Not my stairs...but it COULD be!

Not your average buncase

I just couldn't resist these little leopard lovelies......now the only problem, is to find cupcakes worthy of them. I'm thinking red velvet....or possibly carrot cake .....or maybe even banoffee? Suggestions welcome!

Hump Day

Just lush..

No words needed...

Never underestimate the power of blue leopard nail foils to lift one's mood on a wet Wednesday in November... Or Grazia magazine.... Or a new series of The Real Housewives.... Or a caramel square....




 Whatever it is that floats YOUR boat may, (like mine), be trivial or silly in the great scheme of things, and wonderfully different for everyone certainly, but IMHO, it's these mini milestones that  make an ordinary day all the sweeter... or at the very least, a little more bearable!
So go on, do share... tell us what's sweetening YOUR day today?

Key Words

You know, I'm really chuffed that a growing number of people are reading this wee blog, no matter how they happened upon it, and it's even better if they decide to pop back again and pass the time of day!
I must admit though, it always makes me laugh how some folks stumble across my blog by accident- by typing  certain key words into Google. For example, someone recently found it by typing in 'roomy hips'....and I don't mind telling you I was affronted...not least because it's true!
 Some searches make more sense than others -unsurprisingly 'caramel squares' is a big favourite and 'leopard print shoe wedge' pops up more often than you might think!
 Other more 'out there' searches, have included the priceless 'Gerard Depardieu front tooth missing', 'beach sexy for unfit' and 'camping insulated butter dish'. I love it! It always gives me a giggle, and sometimes I wonder if any of them actually stick around...I do hope so!

Yummy Mummy Meme

Okaaayyyyy- yesterday I got tagged in this Yummy Mummy meme by Cakes, Babies and Other Ramblings. Of course, being relatively new to the whole blogging world, I had to then frantically google 'meme' to find out what it actually was, and on the off chance that you're interested, here it is!

 First off, apparently it's meant to rhyme with 'theme', but as I've been happily rhyming it with 'gem' in my head instead, it's only gone and stuck like that. At times like this, I'm very grateful for potentially less embarassing virtual conversations.

 In science, a meme is a self-propagating unit of thought, that is spread from one host to another. Richard Dawkins invented the term as a kind of idea-gene. Like genes, as Memes spread they mutate or die. Only the fittest Memes survive.

 In the blogging world, Memes have become synonymous with internet quizzes, surveys, and novelties that people link to and pass around on their blogs, and popular ones are often interesting and give you an insight into different peoples thoughts and behaviours. And perhaps a little more cynically, they're also about links to other blogs and potentially getting new readers for your blog too! Of course, in my case that could totally backfire..... but here goes nothing!

The Rules
 When answering the questions, give as much detail as possible. It's all about the finer details people! Leave a comment Here  (BusyBee blog where the meme was created).
Tag three or more people and link to them on your blog.
Tweet # yummy mummy when you share on Twitter.


 What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Much as I'd love to say that I begin my meditation, the truth is I usually cop a feel of a sleeping Loverboy and then stagger to the bathroom to do something about my dog breath. ( TMI?)

  Do you shower daily?Are you an early morning shower or an evening bath type?
Jeez, is that a trick question? Surely the only answer to that is 'yes', otherwise you'll be calling me a right minger. I have to say though that I like to mix it up a bit - when I go for my early morning walk, I shower straight afterwards, although this is generally a speedy affair because our two year old insists on opening and closing the cold shower door on me the whole time. Otherwise, I love a long lazy bath after the kids go to bed- peace, magazines and a glass of wine and I've died and gone to heaven.

 Do you wear make up daily? 
 Mostly yes....except sometimes when I'm sure that only my nearest and dearest will set eyes on my pale and freckly bake. But then that's never the case is it? Sod's law means that as soon as I decide to do a Waynetta, perfectly coiffed and manicured friends pop in unannounced.

 What's in your make up bag?
Right now, I'm mad into BB creams that, to be honest, seem very similar to tinted moisturizers, only Grazia says they're more moisturizing(?) and have better sun protection, and that's good enough for me.  Either way, I look better with them on. That and a slick of mascara and lip gloss for day time.
If I'm going out though, it's time for the big guns. I LOVE my Naked 2 pallet from Urban Decay, all things Benefit and my Lancôme Doublewear lip duos. (I don't mind telling you I was GUTTED last year when they stopped doing my favourite 'coffee' one-I mean why they couldn't have retired the manky coral one instead, I do not know.)

 When you're having a slummy mummy day what do you normally wear?
 Waaaaaayyy too easy!  Jogging bottoms, a sweatshirt and my fleecy pink leopard print crocs. (Yes, you read that right.) Can I just say in my defense, that on these days I DO NOT LEAVE THE HOUSE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Although people do tend to call.(see above) 

Nails - how often do you get them done?

Like this, except with diamonds as well...

Almost never. Funny you should ask though, right now, I really fancy leopard print toenails with carefully positioned diamonds on. I'm currently sourcing a nail technician...because, quite surprisingly,  it turns out that not everywhere does it. But school's almost out for the summer, and I feel the need to fortify myself with fabulous toes- more is more, I say. (And no, before you ask, I'm not getting vajazzled as well.)

 Your top tips for tired eyes?
 Bloody hell- sleep of course! If that's not possible, and it's usually not round here, Benefit Ooh la Lift eye brightening boost is almost as good.

 Are you a Starbucks or Costa Coffee kind of girl?
 Both and all the others as well! I adore coffee shops and would happily set up home there. Free wifi, endless coffee and lots of cake- what's not to love? Now that we live in the country, I don't get my skinny latte (extra hot, extra shot), as often as I'd like, but I suppose that only makes me appreciate it more when I do!

 How many children do you have/want?
 I have five- four boys and one girl and yes, they are all mine and we do have a TV.  But I think that'll do us, thank you very much! 

 Where is your favourite place to shop for babies/children's clothes?
 Mostly online. I LOVE Boden, especially in the sale, but my daughter's getting to old for all the big printed dresses now- booo! Obviously M&S, and Gap too, and Primark's fab for jammies, socks and vests. Having four boys means there's a lot of passing down the line, so I find that the good stuff tends to last longer. Buy cheap, buy twice and all that...

 Flats or heels - everyday shoes are?
Heels, heels, heels! I do love the look of flats on other people, especially the ones adorned with jewels or Converse, but when I put them on,  I feel and look like a farmer. The only flats I wear are the aforementioned crocs, flip flops and running shoes. Otherwise, it has to be a least a wedge. Does that make me a bad person?



 As you can see, I was obviously tagged by mistake, as I'm clearly NOT a yummy mummy but too late! Now, in the spirit of the meme, I have to tag three fabulous ladies and hope they don't give me the cold shoulder...
 Sarah @ http://www.apartyofseven.com/
Another Sarah @ http://www.thevoiceofsarahmiles.com/
Dara @ http://mumofalltrades.blogspot.co.uk/