Friday Quicktakes

1. So it's all over for another year, and if I'm honest, I'm kind of relieved. The Christmas decorations are down, all except for the crib anyway- I like to give the Three Kings a victory lap-but come Sunday, their five minutes are up and they AND their camel are off to the attic.
 I'd also forgotten how busy this first week in January inevitably is-if  I wasn't making appointments (doctors, orthodontist, dentist, optician), I was driving small people to and from them. I've also been planning our January parties - two boys have birthdays this month -which in hindsight, was exceptionally bad financial planning on our part.

2. January's depressing, non? The darkness, the shitty weather, the credit card bills, the diet and fitness ads...Unless of course  you're a celeb in which case right about now, you're en route first class to Barbados. I don't like to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty certain that I'd make a wonderful celebrity. I've given it a lot of thought and I'd go for uber glam obvs (think a post modern Mrs H), effortlessly mixing designer with high street, while clearly still in touch with my roots and more than happy tochat to my fans. I'd be involved in lots of worthy charity work, to offset all the free designer shoes and handbags, and I'd definitely make a point of popping on to Desert Island Discs  to chat with my bestie Kirsty. (Girl crush, anyone?) Hmmmm, possibly toooo much thought has gone into this.


3. Back in the real world, I can't complain really, because after a super busy December the New Year started, rather fabulously, with a few rose- mantic nights away just Himself and Myself. And in case you're wondering, I'm very pleased to report that, we still got it going on, baby!

It's a joy to realise that you're not  too old for silliness-like getting your face painted with shamrocks and glitter-and that you haven't completely forgotten what's it's like to just enjoy each other's company, without being distracted about what to leave out from the freezer for tomorrow's dinner,  or whose homework needs checked, or which bin needs putting out.

 To have time to look back and reflect, and look forward and dream, and to make each other laugh or just be in the silence. I'm really glad we didn't make too many plans - it meant that we lived in the moment- one day all we did was walk hand in hand by the river after staying in bed till lunchtime! A decadently lovely, deliciously sexy few days..........I'll savour the memories while I'm peeling the spuds later!



4. Despite January's shortcomings, it does somewhat redeem itself  with the sales. During our little trip a deux,  I managed to twist his arm and drag him off to the outlets in Kildare.Which actually meant that while I lusted after various handbags, he went elsewhere to wash the car and check the tyre pressure! I DID get a few bits and pieces, including a gorgeous weekender bag by Cath Kidston for the Caravilla, but overall I showed admirable restraint.
Online was a different matter -once Johnny had thoughtfully emailed me to let me know that the Boden sale had just hit 70% discount, I was feverish with  excitement. I instantly snapped up this leopard  print bag (£149 to £44) and these velvet boot slippers (£45 to £11.40). Two key purchases that'll take me anywhere...and very possibly together.

5. Finally, this week's car seat boogie is a little piece of nostalgia. I was reminded of it when both Miranda Hart AND Ant and Dec chose it as one of their tracks on Desert Island Discs. Morecambe and Wise- you s bring me back to my childhood and make me smile.... January, you  can do one.
http://youtu.be/ZedhoqYdfTM


Enjoy and Happy Friday lovelies. Xx

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/