Heyy,
So wedding planning has been put on hold for a while, considering Halloween, Christmas and all those wintery, autumnal activities. However with Christmas fast approaching I have word from Santa and his Elves that our Tweedle is coming home for the Holidays! After a brief phone-call a moment ago with Mrs Tweedle-Dumb, I am pleased to announce that she will be coming back to the UK with her husband for Christmas, flying in on the big day and staying until New Years. Plenty of time for catch-ups, chats, sleepovers and wedding stuff.
One of the things I really need to hammer down on and get arranged when Mrs Tweedle-Dumb is back will be the bridesmaid's dresses. Now it is all good and well-going shopping and trying on dresses, however, I know that I will never buy them from a shop and more likely to buy online, almost certainly shipping them in from China or Asia as far cheaper and generally of acceptable quality.
Now initially, back in the day, I was suspicious of the pricing and the quality of goods from Asian countries, however, whilst looking for a cheap bargain on dresses for other peoples weddings or events I was going to, I began to trust and even become pro in ordering stuff online from cheap websites such as AliExpress, Wish.com and eBay. Our culture tells us that things are priced at specific points for a reason and to question anything that is below or higher than this.
Sizing is a big deal and I can honestly say it has been the one bugbear I have with ordering from Asian countries. There is no fat size? Now it is common knowledge that Chinese sizings often run small but some sellers are getting better and along with the bog-standard small, medium, large and extra-large, very often they will now post measurements in centimetres or inches to check against so that you order something that fits you right. This being said however they also they jump from country to country for dress sizes so be sure you are looking at the right one as a US, Australian, EU and UK dress size are not the same. Scour the listing very carefully to check which they're using, although on the other hand, if they're a Chinese designer/manufacturer and are making things for you themselves rather than a wholesaler, they will sometimes do made-to-order custom stuff, something I will definitely be keeping an eye out for when purchasing the real deal.
Now, this is not to say everything I have ordered from the East has been a success with multiple failures, returns and refunds made along the way the last few years, nevertheless I find a lot of the time you are buying the same goods but directly from the wholesaler or manufacturer, effectively cutting out the middle man. This can mean you get the exact same product for less than you would pay in the high street or online retailers and whilst sometimes it means the product is better, sometimes it means the product is worse because of that annoying middleman would order a sample before deciding which items are worth investing in fully. You win some and you lose some but if you're happy with a gamble it could be worthwhile.
On the subject of returns and refunds, be prepared that trying to return broken/damaged items to China are difficult at the best of times and sellers will make every effort not to accept returns, even if their listing says it does. Truth is, the return postage costs more than the original item itself so if you are going down this route, be prepared to save yourself the effort and either buy something you know you definitely want or be ready to make a decision to write off the cost.
Getting your item in the first place can always be a bit of an ordeal too and you will not have to search long or hard in order to find horror stories of dresses, wedding, bridesmaid or otherwise as well as many, many other things that are ordered and never show up. Sometimes they can take the expected four-weeks to a month to turn up, but other times they take well over that to arrive. Then again, other times, they amaze you by turning up in a week. The reasons for such a difference in postal timings is entirely dependant on the seller and their choice of the postal carrier. When it's free postage, you can't really complain though and ticking the "gift" column on customs declaration card can help smooth things along the way of providing faster delivery. Sometimes they say "commercial sample" in which case you may or may not get hit by customs charges but to avoid customs charges on personal purchases, make sure you put multiple purchases through separately and ask for separate shipping as it will save you many moula's and is completely legal in the UK - as long as you're not a business.
And so as I placed my order through eBay (all £600.00+ of dresses) I excitedly listened to my phone ping with notifications of the orders being accepted and shipped. Initially, my thought process is to order several types of different dresses and styles to check out quality, shape, fit, sizing and colour. Then I will send them all back, get a refund and then purchase similar or even better with the middleman cut out the same dress via a China-based store/seller, thus saving in the long run.
Yes it is a faff and yes it is a hassle, however with Mrs Tweedle-Dumb back for only a couple of short weeks, I need to make sure that what I am ordering is something that both her and Miss Tweedle-Dee will both wear and be happy in come my wedding day. The problem is that there are so many variations and even with these ones I get the girls to try on there are so many things that could change or be different about the ones ordered from China. UK ordered dresses may fit better and vice-versa or measurements might be out slightly. Don't even get me started on colours either - Is red a dark red or bright red? Is Burgandy the same colour as Wine? Are two Wines the same colour tone? Is Blush and Pink identical? Is plum actually just a lilac or a deep cherry? And what the fuck is a dusty peach?
Calm. Stressing aside, as long as I follow all the simple guidelines I have used for years I will be fine. Remember ladies (and maybe gents too) if you are buying from far-flung destinations make sure the seller has at least 98% positive feedback, be patient and size correctly and you should be fine. She says until all twenty-odd dresses turn up either late, way too small or damaged from being thrown over the fence.
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Showing posts with label Dress Up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dress Up. Show all posts
Monday, 16 December 2019
Monday, 28 October 2019
The Creation of Fear Pong
Evening,
Heading out for supplies I was not confident in the evening's frolics. Ever since I had any remotely valid social life I have wanted a Halloween Party. Something to rival Heidi Klum's or Jonathan Ross's. Something people would talk about for months after and anticipate from the sunshine haven of Summer. As the years pass it would go from mad house-party to a family event the school gates would buzz about from September right through until half term. My family's costumes would be infamous, like Neil Patrick Harris and Co.
Alas though, the first year I have held one, I was a little miffed at the turnout, or so I thought. Having a bit of a dramatic meltdown (who me?!) to my fiance a few nights before, I confided in him that not many people were coming. I knew his brother and his family would come with the kids, I also knew my bestie, Miss Tweedle-Dee and Miss JoHo ould be in attendance along with Miss Tweedle-Dee's lil' bro and another friend. Miss Hackney would probably make an appearance hopefully and a couple from Mr. Warehouse's side of the family. But none of my work colleagues came, disappointingly, however not completely unexpected.
Nevertheless, I felt much more in the "spirit" of things come that afternoon as we decked out the house in bats, cobwebs, Halloween bunting and more, some of which was all the way from the all hallowed place that is the Doller Tree (or at least I hope so as they look incredible) as Mr. and Mrs. Tweedle-Dumb indulged me for my birthday in sending back some schpoopy gifts that I could use at my party. Despite the distance, Mrs. Tweedle-Dumb would be a part of my first ever Halloween party. Now I know a lot of people go OTT with Halloween party decorations, I can see myself being one of them but this can be verging on tacky however my theory is that if you can't go hard on Halloween then you should go home as it is all about being over the top and ultimately spooky. Obviously with Halloween parties you can take two routes.. The first being the classic creepy, gore and blood route which is great for a festive, clich̩ type event - Something I would love to achieve in a classy event with posho cocktails and dry ice - something glamorous and stylish Рdefinitely more of a treat than a trick.
Seven came and went, although I was anxiously awaiting the first guests. Dressed to impress I answered the door to our first guests, arm in arm with my little Frankenstein, complete with doggy dress up as a bat. Me? I was dressed in red, jet black wig and red veil, along with Mr. Warehouse in a black suit, green hair and purple sunken eyes, we were the Beetlejuice Bride and Groom - Betelgeuse and Lydia! Although this is maybe not one of our best ones, I certainly think it was a good going and certainly something I have wanted to do for a while. I had considered on a theme, say 80's slasher films or Hollywood's golden age, however, I felt as if this would put people off even moreso of a party where they have to dress up and make a bit more of an effort than normal. I mean of course I could do something like this in time, however Halloween is already so diverse, as long as your dead you can make it work but you know that there is always some lazybones that takes this as a way out and barely dress up at all!
Another thing I would have done if I was really hardcore about it and I wasn't using this as an excuse to drink at home would have been spooky food. Catering, I feel, can really make or break a party and give an excuse for people to chat and talk and mingle whilst snacking, especially to break up any awkward silences with the weird guy that has danced over for a chat. Themed food and DIY's are a great way of adding personal touches and a “center-piece cake” is an almost must, especially something like cupcakes as it’s something that can be given to kids and adults alike and is easy to eat whilst on the move around the room. Food dye and shape cutters are a godsend for amateur cooks such as myself and who normally screws their Pinterest creations up.
As the night continued, the drink flowed and I most certainly was not counting the Slimming World Syns in the prosecco, or the gin, or the mini sausages I was stuffing down my throat. The highlight, among the many that were had to be teaching my future niece and nephew play "Fear"-pong, a spooked spin on Beer-Pong whereby my niece and nephew would do the pinging and the ponging bit, and the tag-teamed adult would do the drinking. Basically, the kids made us all bladdered. Yes - Definitely a highlight and probably one of the best ideas Mr. Warehouse had. Suffice to say that as a direct result of said drinking game, myself, Mr Warehouse and my other guests were perfectly pickled and come witching hour, I was gone. As the party wound down and the guests dwindled I found myself in my bathroom, looking after a friend of Miss JoHo's who had his head in the toilet bowl. Next thing I knew, I was pushing him out the way to get to the next biggest vessel for my own bile.
By Midnight I was in bed, tucked up, listening to the rest of them get sorted out and heading to the land of nod too, and all thanks to Miss Tweedle-Dee and Mr Warehouse. I think that despite my reservations, and nearly cancelling at one point, I am glad I didn't, persevering and throwing what will be now known as the Halloween Party of the year!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Heading out for supplies I was not confident in the evening's frolics. Ever since I had any remotely valid social life I have wanted a Halloween Party. Something to rival Heidi Klum's or Jonathan Ross's. Something people would talk about for months after and anticipate from the sunshine haven of Summer. As the years pass it would go from mad house-party to a family event the school gates would buzz about from September right through until half term. My family's costumes would be infamous, like Neil Patrick Harris and Co.
Alas though, the first year I have held one, I was a little miffed at the turnout, or so I thought. Having a bit of a dramatic meltdown (who me?!) to my fiance a few nights before, I confided in him that not many people were coming. I knew his brother and his family would come with the kids, I also knew my bestie, Miss Tweedle-Dee and Miss JoHo ould be in attendance along with Miss Tweedle-Dee's lil' bro and another friend. Miss Hackney would probably make an appearance hopefully and a couple from Mr. Warehouse's side of the family. But none of my work colleagues came, disappointingly, however not completely unexpected.
Nevertheless, I felt much more in the "spirit" of things come that afternoon as we decked out the house in bats, cobwebs, Halloween bunting and more, some of which was all the way from the all hallowed place that is the Doller Tree (or at least I hope so as they look incredible) as Mr. and Mrs. Tweedle-Dumb indulged me for my birthday in sending back some schpoopy gifts that I could use at my party. Despite the distance, Mrs. Tweedle-Dumb would be a part of my first ever Halloween party. Now I know a lot of people go OTT with Halloween party decorations, I can see myself being one of them but this can be verging on tacky however my theory is that if you can't go hard on Halloween then you should go home as it is all about being over the top and ultimately spooky. Obviously with Halloween parties you can take two routes.. The first being the classic creepy, gore and blood route which is great for a festive, clich̩ type event - Something I would love to achieve in a classy event with posho cocktails and dry ice - something glamorous and stylish Рdefinitely more of a treat than a trick.
Seven came and went, although I was anxiously awaiting the first guests. Dressed to impress I answered the door to our first guests, arm in arm with my little Frankenstein, complete with doggy dress up as a bat. Me? I was dressed in red, jet black wig and red veil, along with Mr. Warehouse in a black suit, green hair and purple sunken eyes, we were the Beetlejuice Bride and Groom - Betelgeuse and Lydia! Although this is maybe not one of our best ones, I certainly think it was a good going and certainly something I have wanted to do for a while. I had considered on a theme, say 80's slasher films or Hollywood's golden age, however, I felt as if this would put people off even moreso of a party where they have to dress up and make a bit more of an effort than normal. I mean of course I could do something like this in time, however Halloween is already so diverse, as long as your dead you can make it work but you know that there is always some lazybones that takes this as a way out and barely dress up at all!
Another thing I would have done if I was really hardcore about it and I wasn't using this as an excuse to drink at home would have been spooky food. Catering, I feel, can really make or break a party and give an excuse for people to chat and talk and mingle whilst snacking, especially to break up any awkward silences with the weird guy that has danced over for a chat. Themed food and DIY's are a great way of adding personal touches and a “center-piece cake” is an almost must, especially something like cupcakes as it’s something that can be given to kids and adults alike and is easy to eat whilst on the move around the room. Food dye and shape cutters are a godsend for amateur cooks such as myself and who normally screws their Pinterest creations up.
As the night continued, the drink flowed and I most certainly was not counting the Slimming World Syns in the prosecco, or the gin, or the mini sausages I was stuffing down my throat. The highlight, among the many that were had to be teaching my future niece and nephew play "Fear"-pong, a spooked spin on Beer-Pong whereby my niece and nephew would do the pinging and the ponging bit, and the tag-teamed adult would do the drinking. Basically, the kids made us all bladdered. Yes - Definitely a highlight and probably one of the best ideas Mr. Warehouse had. Suffice to say that as a direct result of said drinking game, myself, Mr Warehouse and my other guests were perfectly pickled and come witching hour, I was gone. As the party wound down and the guests dwindled I found myself in my bathroom, looking after a friend of Miss JoHo's who had his head in the toilet bowl. Next thing I knew, I was pushing him out the way to get to the next biggest vessel for my own bile.
By Midnight I was in bed, tucked up, listening to the rest of them get sorted out and heading to the land of nod too, and all thanks to Miss Tweedle-Dee and Mr Warehouse. I think that despite my reservations, and nearly cancelling at one point, I am glad I didn't, persevering and throwing what will be now known as the Halloween Party of the year!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Monday, 8 January 2018
Welcome to Slim-uary!
Hello,
So as the chill sets in and everyone appears to be battening down the hatches in preparation for bad weather and a lack of social interaction due to the fact that nobody has any money for at least another fortnight or so. And here I am feeling like I have money to burn. The struggle is real and I am starting to wonder why I ever chose to not book a holiday early this year. You see after all my work colleagues had booked last minute holidays, all of them snatching up all the great bargains and good deals, leaving Mr Warehouse and I in a bit of a tizz as to why we have spent nearly seven-hundred quid on such a holiday that was barely worth half that.
With this in mind, 2018 will probably be our last big holiday until we own a home. This is why I am looking to go on an all expenses extra kind of holiday. Where to you ask but the thing is nobody knows. Well that is until about six to eight weeks before we fly that is. I would like to go somewhere warm and ideally long haul. Maybe America, Mexico, Caribbean or Hawaii? Who knows I may end up in Thailand eating noodles from some back end bar and having to pull Mr. Warehouse away from the Lady-boys! I am sure that where ever and when ever we book it will be magical and something to treasure whilst we save like squirrels for our house.
With the weather in England as unpredictable as my my hair colour (Blue, pink, orange, red - You name it we've been there) it is far too early to start thinking about summer yet. Now I am sure that you are just as eager as I am, ready and waiting to strip off, ready to hit the beach in a new bikini and have everyone turn to look at you. However the only reason that I think anybody would be looking my way on holiday is to see what a state I was or to clear the road to the buffet cart.
OK so I may jest a little about my weight and in no uncertain terms and I taking the piss out of people that heavier or larger. You are beautiful each and everyone of you. Your bodies do fantastic things like keep you alive and bore you children. You should appreciate them and all that they do for you. So why am I hear bashing myself about my own weight you may say. Well, that is because I'm not happy with myself in the dress size I am. For what seems like year after year has now started to turn into decade after decade and despite being only in my mid-twenties, I feel like I dress like somebody ten-years older than me. I want to feel beautiful and for people to compliment me for once and actually mean it.
Rightly or wrongly I know that people, sadly mostly my family, make passing comments about my weight and have done for many years. My family has always been big especially on my father's side and with the recent deterioration of my grandfather and his health, I can only assume that his lifestyle choices will probably be the end of him. And sadly I have no sympathy for him. Don't get me wrong I fully empathise with his situation and following retirement from what was a very active lifestyle jumping in and out of lorries all day he is now fully bed-bound and in need of round the clock care. It is sad and upsetting to see him in this way especially when he has had such a huge influence on my life. We are not very close by any means but that does not mean that I do not care for him very much and it worries me to think that this time next year he may not be with us.
Maybe this is why I have joined a local gym and started a better and more healthier eating plan. I have signed up to you and been attending personal training sessions for the last few weeks with some astonishing figures that even I did not expect. In the last 6 weeks I have lost over ten-centimetres off my waist along with over seven-centimetres off my hips and sadly one-centimetres off my bust! Sad Face! And I don't want to be down to a size stupid, pottering around with a head bigger than my daily intake of calories and a waist the same circumference as a tangerine (Which by the way I would not able to eat since it was not vegan friendly, gluten free or multivitamin infused). I would however like to enjoy my summer prancing around in the sunshine, wearing a kitsch tea dress and looking as curvy and cute as I did back in college all whilst cramming down a hot-dog or two.
I want to enjoy my food as well as my figure and wardrobe. I don't really think that I should have to compromise on either in order to have a good time or indeed enjoy life. I would like to say that by the time the annual family fun day at work is in full swing and Mr Warehouse and I are preparing for another year celebrating a pool and darts tournament in aid of his grandfather I would like to be at least one dress size smaller than I am now. Hopefully I can get there however it will probably be quite a lot of hard work, determination and willpower. Now where did I put my kale and avocado smoothie ...
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
So as the chill sets in and everyone appears to be battening down the hatches in preparation for bad weather and a lack of social interaction due to the fact that nobody has any money for at least another fortnight or so. And here I am feeling like I have money to burn. The struggle is real and I am starting to wonder why I ever chose to not book a holiday early this year. You see after all my work colleagues had booked last minute holidays, all of them snatching up all the great bargains and good deals, leaving Mr Warehouse and I in a bit of a tizz as to why we have spent nearly seven-hundred quid on such a holiday that was barely worth half that.
With this in mind, 2018 will probably be our last big holiday until we own a home. This is why I am looking to go on an all expenses extra kind of holiday. Where to you ask but the thing is nobody knows. Well that is until about six to eight weeks before we fly that is. I would like to go somewhere warm and ideally long haul. Maybe America, Mexico, Caribbean or Hawaii? Who knows I may end up in Thailand eating noodles from some back end bar and having to pull Mr. Warehouse away from the Lady-boys! I am sure that where ever and when ever we book it will be magical and something to treasure whilst we save like squirrels for our house.
With the weather in England as unpredictable as my my hair colour (Blue, pink, orange, red - You name it we've been there) it is far too early to start thinking about summer yet. Now I am sure that you are just as eager as I am, ready and waiting to strip off, ready to hit the beach in a new bikini and have everyone turn to look at you. However the only reason that I think anybody would be looking my way on holiday is to see what a state I was or to clear the road to the buffet cart.
OK so I may jest a little about my weight and in no uncertain terms and I taking the piss out of people that heavier or larger. You are beautiful each and everyone of you. Your bodies do fantastic things like keep you alive and bore you children. You should appreciate them and all that they do for you. So why am I hear bashing myself about my own weight you may say. Well, that is because I'm not happy with myself in the dress size I am. For what seems like year after year has now started to turn into decade after decade and despite being only in my mid-twenties, I feel like I dress like somebody ten-years older than me. I want to feel beautiful and for people to compliment me for once and actually mean it.
Rightly or wrongly I know that people, sadly mostly my family, make passing comments about my weight and have done for many years. My family has always been big especially on my father's side and with the recent deterioration of my grandfather and his health, I can only assume that his lifestyle choices will probably be the end of him. And sadly I have no sympathy for him. Don't get me wrong I fully empathise with his situation and following retirement from what was a very active lifestyle jumping in and out of lorries all day he is now fully bed-bound and in need of round the clock care. It is sad and upsetting to see him in this way especially when he has had such a huge influence on my life. We are not very close by any means but that does not mean that I do not care for him very much and it worries me to think that this time next year he may not be with us.
Maybe this is why I have joined a local gym and started a better and more healthier eating plan. I have signed up to you and been attending personal training sessions for the last few weeks with some astonishing figures that even I did not expect. In the last 6 weeks I have lost over ten-centimetres off my waist along with over seven-centimetres off my hips and sadly one-centimetres off my bust! Sad Face! And I don't want to be down to a size stupid, pottering around with a head bigger than my daily intake of calories and a waist the same circumference as a tangerine (Which by the way I would not able to eat since it was not vegan friendly, gluten free or multivitamin infused). I would however like to enjoy my summer prancing around in the sunshine, wearing a kitsch tea dress and looking as curvy and cute as I did back in college all whilst cramming down a hot-dog or two.
I want to enjoy my food as well as my figure and wardrobe. I don't really think that I should have to compromise on either in order to have a good time or indeed enjoy life. I would like to say that by the time the annual family fun day at work is in full swing and Mr Warehouse and I are preparing for another year celebrating a pool and darts tournament in aid of his grandfather I would like to be at least one dress size smaller than I am now. Hopefully I can get there however it will probably be quite a lot of hard work, determination and willpower. Now where did I put my kale and avocado smoothie ...
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Monday, 6 November 2017
Being a Baby About It
Hello!
So after what it would seem as weeks worth of Halloween or fancy dress parties, this weekend saw Mr Warehouse and myself meeting up with some familiar faces from our old workplace to celebrate in true 90's style with an old work colleagues 40th birthday party. You would have thought that I had ran out of ideas to dress up as and I will be honest with you that by Saturday afternoon I still did not have a clue what I or Mr. Warehouse were going as.
For months I had been planning some ideas in my head something simple that would be easy to pull off. Maybe a Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake double denim combo? Or perhaps a Posh and Becks PVC leather catsuit look? Obviously Mr Warehouse and I had to be "Twinning" with whatever we wore. But what could be more 90's than pops power couples? Well it got me thinking. TV and film are always great starting points when looking for fancy dress ideas. So hitting up Google I decided to look into some of my favourite TV shows growing up.
One of the classics that I looked into was The Rugrats! With Angelica speaking to me in a way that no other cartoon character had before with her bossy attitude and need for constant attention I thought that she would be perfect! But that would certainly take a lot of effort and not being blonde at the present moment would mean I would have to buy another word for probably the fourth week in a row. Maybe some of the other characters would be a better choice?! Then like out of nowhere it struck me! Why not go as Phil and Lil from The Rugrats. It was so simple! And that was it! With the idea firmly planted inside my head I headed to town in Vivienne to purchase the necessary costume components. Hitting up Primark first I found all the pieces I needed in the men's section with extra large pink t-shirts and even larger green vests. Hopping from the town centre over to another retail park where I visited Hobbycraft in order to pick up some yellow, pink and white felt.
At home I made headway with only a short time before we had to leave the house again for some fireworks with Mr warehouses brother and his family. Grabbing my hot glue gun I got to work sticking down the yellow duck and tissues in the pockets of the outfits, adding in some pink bows for details on my outfit. Completing the look by fitting into some skin coloured leggings and curly hair I thought that we certainly looked the part even if Mr Warehouse had never seen a single episode of the nearly two-hundred that were made of The Rugrats that's found more than a decade.
After an eventful evening out watching some local fireworks with Mr Warehouses family we headed over to the party venue. I was excited to see some of my old work colleagues and was even more excited about the potential of having a couple of drinks whilst having a boogie on the dance floor. Unfortunately though it would appear that after arriving Mr Warehouse became very tired and weary. I could empathize as to why as Mr Warehouse had been working most of the day. I was almost certain looking at him there in the light of the disco set that there were many other places he would have preferred to being rather than at a party dressed as a toddler and with dance music banging through his ears. I on the other hand was well up for a party and was thoroughly looking forward to a good drink. But looking around I noticed only one or two of my old work colleagues had made it. I missed them all terribly.
As I got talking to my old supervisor I soon realized that my career move had been for the better. As much as I loved looking back on my time with my old company through Rose tinted glasses, it was certainly not all lightness and sweet. Whilst I had grown to adore my job as well as the people surrounding me in it, the sales peoples and engineers especially, as well as other office members, I think I knew deep down that it was not going to last much longer. In the months leading up to me leaving I had it been becoming increasingly dissatisfied with my working career and the fact that I felt like I was still being treated as the twenty-two-year-old girl that walked through the doors several years earlier was patronizing to say the least. The constant belittling and making me out to look as though I didn't know what I was doing, when in actual fact I knew exactly how to run the ship tighter and fairer than anyone was taking its toll. Enough was enough.
I hated the fact that I left, but I have to remember that this was a decision on took not only for me but also for my future self and family. Sounds ridiculous I know but I took the decision to move jobs because of the luxuries we would have as a little family with just me, the Dog and the Bae. Since my decision last year almost to the day, Mr Warehouse and I have indulged in a holiday (or a few) both with and without the dog and have many more fun things planned for the future. I don't think that I would have ever been able to afford to have Vivienne on the wages I was getting back there. But money isn't everything and whilst I have the progression and option to go further with the company I work for now, something I would have never got if I stayed where I was, I have lost contact I feel with some amazing people.
I wish that my old work life could have continued in the way that it had started with partying into the early hours most weekends, dating random fuck-boys and living life to the fullest, it was time to grow up. Whilst they were some of the most memorable and happiest moments of my life, every chapter must come to an end for a new one to begin.
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Monday, 30 October 2017
Off To See The Wizard ...
Hello Dears,
Who ever knew at the last week would have been so hard. After coming back from Basingstoke and all the fun that we had there it was like returning home after not having a weekend. No Besties and no fun! Just work! But one thing I was looking forward to was this weekend Halloween celebrations.
Now don't get me wrong I understand that a lot of people will probably not get the whole Halloween vibe, even going as far as to say that it is far too American for our British culture and that by adopting this as well as the Black Friday Saga that seems to come round every year we are slowly but surely losing out on the good old fashioned British values. But what people fail to realise is that this time of year made Britain what it is today. Some of my fondest childhood memories are in the autumn, when the leaves fall and I used to spend the weekends watching fireworks with my family and celebrating remembrance parade halfway through November. One fond memory that is missed off the list is from Halloween.
As a child I always wanted to celebrate the spooky nature of All Hallows Eve and all that it brings. Getting dressed up in the scary costumes and playing trick or treat on all the neighbours doors was something in our household growing up as kids that was found upon and seen as a form of begging. I barely got the chance to stay out long enough on a school night to even attempt a trick or a treat. Oh how I longed to go to a high school Halloween party or even throw one of my own.
As I separated from my family I grew into my own and realised just how much I enjoy this holiday, even if it is an all American import. Halloween for me celebrate everything about being fun and creative, making costumes and carving pumpkins. I love being scared and making others scared, although I draw the line at some haunted houses as it is almost certain I would have a heart attack just walking into place. Unlike our American cousins we have decided to take a truly British spin on Halloween, keeping as traditional as possible with a scary twist making sure that All Hallows Eve remains of the day we celebrate the dead and send home all those that are Lost Souls.
Over the years I have dressed as many different characters including that Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, a scary Doctor/Nurse, A Fallen Angel and this year was no different for I had gone and bought myself a proper outfit for the occasion. Unfortunately I'm bringing it home Mr Warehouse took one look and said that he could easily have pulled off the look himself. And what girlfriend would I be to deny him of this choice. And so, this weekend Mr Warehouse donde blue gingham dress, wig and red socks over his shoes in order to pull off one of the most shoddily put together Wizard of Oz outfit I think I have ever seen. And Me?! Well of course I could not go as Toto so indeed I went as the cowardly lion, complete with his heart ripped out of his chest, ready to begin his quest to find it. Now I will be honest in the fact that it took a few people some goes to get the whole idea of what we came as, but once they understood laughter soon ensued.
Now normally Mr Warehouse is not bothered at all by Halloween and I am usually planning our outfits at least a year in advance, but this year as we stood watching the fireworks in the local village Mr. Warehouse wondered outside what we would be dressed as this time next year. Since I have used up all the liquid latex and my makeup brushes will be going to get ruined, I figured that maybe we should go for a more simpler and easier look next year. I seriously considered going as Cruella DeVille and Horace who stole the puppies, however I know that I would be reaching for the liquid latex once again for the cheekbones and chin would not chisel themselves. I considered also the latest cinema releases this year including Beauty and the Beast, however yet again they would be much preparation for the dress and the suit are quite hard to come by.
I am not quite sure yet what Mr Warehouse and I will be wearing this time next year on Halloween however what I do know is that it will probably be a little bit easier to come by. The thought of simply being a vampire or even that Frankenstein and his bride was far too tame for me before, although I feel now that this would be something quite apt for the occasion and in all fairness rather easy to do. Although a small part of me feels that after so many years of prosthetics, liquid latex and toilet paper all mashed up with some homemade fake blood that I would be taking a rather easy route out of the Halloween outfit hall of fame. Who knows what the next year holds, maybe we will go as Chucky and his bride or maybe we will go at something more challenging. But one thing is for sure that in the next 12 months I am sure to have a lot more fun! And to think Mr Warehouse have another one in a few weekends time! Roll on the 90's!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Who ever knew at the last week would have been so hard. After coming back from Basingstoke and all the fun that we had there it was like returning home after not having a weekend. No Besties and no fun! Just work! But one thing I was looking forward to was this weekend Halloween celebrations.
Now don't get me wrong I understand that a lot of people will probably not get the whole Halloween vibe, even going as far as to say that it is far too American for our British culture and that by adopting this as well as the Black Friday Saga that seems to come round every year we are slowly but surely losing out on the good old fashioned British values. But what people fail to realise is that this time of year made Britain what it is today. Some of my fondest childhood memories are in the autumn, when the leaves fall and I used to spend the weekends watching fireworks with my family and celebrating remembrance parade halfway through November. One fond memory that is missed off the list is from Halloween.
As a child I always wanted to celebrate the spooky nature of All Hallows Eve and all that it brings. Getting dressed up in the scary costumes and playing trick or treat on all the neighbours doors was something in our household growing up as kids that was found upon and seen as a form of begging. I barely got the chance to stay out long enough on a school night to even attempt a trick or a treat. Oh how I longed to go to a high school Halloween party or even throw one of my own.
As I separated from my family I grew into my own and realised just how much I enjoy this holiday, even if it is an all American import. Halloween for me celebrate everything about being fun and creative, making costumes and carving pumpkins. I love being scared and making others scared, although I draw the line at some haunted houses as it is almost certain I would have a heart attack just walking into place. Unlike our American cousins we have decided to take a truly British spin on Halloween, keeping as traditional as possible with a scary twist making sure that All Hallows Eve remains of the day we celebrate the dead and send home all those that are Lost Souls.
Over the years I have dressed as many different characters including that Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, a scary Doctor/Nurse, A Fallen Angel and this year was no different for I had gone and bought myself a proper outfit for the occasion. Unfortunately I'm bringing it home Mr Warehouse took one look and said that he could easily have pulled off the look himself. And what girlfriend would I be to deny him of this choice. And so, this weekend Mr Warehouse donde blue gingham dress, wig and red socks over his shoes in order to pull off one of the most shoddily put together Wizard of Oz outfit I think I have ever seen. And Me?! Well of course I could not go as Toto so indeed I went as the cowardly lion, complete with his heart ripped out of his chest, ready to begin his quest to find it. Now I will be honest in the fact that it took a few people some goes to get the whole idea of what we came as, but once they understood laughter soon ensued.
Now normally Mr Warehouse is not bothered at all by Halloween and I am usually planning our outfits at least a year in advance, but this year as we stood watching the fireworks in the local village Mr. Warehouse wondered outside what we would be dressed as this time next year. Since I have used up all the liquid latex and my makeup brushes will be going to get ruined, I figured that maybe we should go for a more simpler and easier look next year. I seriously considered going as Cruella DeVille and Horace who stole the puppies, however I know that I would be reaching for the liquid latex once again for the cheekbones and chin would not chisel themselves. I considered also the latest cinema releases this year including Beauty and the Beast, however yet again they would be much preparation for the dress and the suit are quite hard to come by.
I am not quite sure yet what Mr Warehouse and I will be wearing this time next year on Halloween however what I do know is that it will probably be a little bit easier to come by. The thought of simply being a vampire or even that Frankenstein and his bride was far too tame for me before, although I feel now that this would be something quite apt for the occasion and in all fairness rather easy to do. Although a small part of me feels that after so many years of prosthetics, liquid latex and toilet paper all mashed up with some homemade fake blood that I would be taking a rather easy route out of the Halloween outfit hall of fame. Who knows what the next year holds, maybe we will go as Chucky and his bride or maybe we will go at something more challenging. But one thing is for sure that in the next 12 months I am sure to have a lot more fun! And to think Mr Warehouse have another one in a few weekends time! Roll on the 90's!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Monday, 9 October 2017
Drowning - Under Da Sea
Heyy Heyy,
So when most people say that they feel as though they have not had a weekend, I can almost literally relate as for the last week I feel as though I have not had a single day outside of the office including this Saturday and Sunday just gone. A combination of anger, disappointment and frustration has left me well and truly exhausted this weekend and I am thoroughly looking forward to having this weekend off ... Hopefully. I will be honest with you all now that I am completely drained and in all fairness am done with the whole situation after being let down.
Anyway, on with the show and what a show it was. So after Saturdays letdown I had headed home in order to relax a little before heading out to a party that evening. But this wasn't just any type of party. Oh no! This was an 80's themed 30th birthday party. The lady in question was Mr Warehouse's friends from when he was growing up in and around Marston Moretaine. She was turning thirty (I mean I was shocked when I heard that it was the big three-zero that she was turning. Looking at her you would have assumed as I did that she was not a day older than me at twenty-six). In celebration to where she came from was celebrating the era that was the 1980s. Everyone of importance was there - Michael Jackson, Sinitta, Madonna, Smurfette, Slash and me - Ariel from The Little Mermaid, in toe with Prince Eric of course.
The idea of The Little Mermaid had been around for awhile in my head and originally started out as a sort of macabre version of a Halloween costume, complete with fishing hook through the cheek and all. But on hearing that there was another fancy dress party to add to the two Mr. Warehouse and I were already invited to in the autumn of this year I was thoroughly excited to look at the possibilities that seemed almost endless with the 80's churning up some creative and indeed crazy fancy dress ideas. Obviously I toyed with the idea of being Cyndi Lauper with my Prince or George Michael by my side however everyone would be doing exactly the same and I wanted myself and Mr. Warehouse to stick out in the crowd. The Disney Classic splashed it's way onto our screens in 1989 as the red-haired princess tried to figure out a way of growing legs and becoming a human in order to live a normal life on land with her Prince.
The legend that is The Little Mermaid started its life not in the deep, luscious oceans of Barbados or the Caribbean, but off the coast of Denmark. When Hans Christian Andersen, the Scandinavian answer to the Brothers Grimm, started writing books like The Ugly Duckling and The Princess and The Pea, he probably had no idea just how popular the little Danish icon since at the time in the mid-1800's stories like this and others were overlooked and not given the proper credit they deserve. The innovative and adventurous Hans made friends in later life with world famous Charles Dickens, responsible for Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol. Hans even made a journey over to visit his British friend in the late 1840's and since then had been a major influence on other British writers such as A A Milne who inspired Winnie The Pooh and even Beatrix Potter who brought us the fun times of Tom kitten and Peter Rabbit. Hans Christian Andersen died after he sustained a serious head injury after falling out of bed in his home in Copenhagen, Denmark but on further inspection by Medical teams was seen to start showing early signs of liver cancer and in the summer of 1875 he died, aged seventy.
Tributes to his work and art can be seen all around the world including countless stage shows and films not to mention an an amusement park in Shanghai. But for me personally one of the most touching tributes to such a influential storyteller has to be the magnificent statue that sits in the harbor of Copenhagen showing a little sea creature in all her beauty. I plan on visiting her one day, however with Ryanair flights getting cancelled left, right and center because HR cant get their pilots to plan holiday effectively and Monarch being the latest casualty in the bargain bucket prices of a cheap holiday abroad I am not so sure when I will get a chance. Besides I have Prague to save for as well as a Luxe beach holibob next year with the Bae.
Thinking about it just now, re-enacting Kylie and Jason's wedding from Neighbors would have been a really good idea and probably a lot more simpler and effective in the long run since everyone kept asking who I had come as. Maybe we'll save that one for next time! I mean the possibilities are never-ending and I can only hope that I am able to get the same level of inspiration for my Halloween costumes with Mr Warehouse as well as the 90's themed party in less than a few weeks of an old work colleague. I have already suggested to Mr Warehouse that we dressed as a couple back in the 90's. I'm not talking of loud shirts and baggy pants. I was more along the line of a double-denim Britney and Justin look or even and all out Posh and Becks PVC twinning. Either way I am sure that we will name it just as we always do. And who knows maybe I will be able to take another one of my Disney Princesses of my list of dress-ups.
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
So when most people say that they feel as though they have not had a weekend, I can almost literally relate as for the last week I feel as though I have not had a single day outside of the office including this Saturday and Sunday just gone. A combination of anger, disappointment and frustration has left me well and truly exhausted this weekend and I am thoroughly looking forward to having this weekend off ... Hopefully. I will be honest with you all now that I am completely drained and in all fairness am done with the whole situation after being let down.
Anyway, on with the show and what a show it was. So after Saturdays letdown I had headed home in order to relax a little before heading out to a party that evening. But this wasn't just any type of party. Oh no! This was an 80's themed 30th birthday party. The lady in question was Mr Warehouse's friends from when he was growing up in and around Marston Moretaine. She was turning thirty (I mean I was shocked when I heard that it was the big three-zero that she was turning. Looking at her you would have assumed as I did that she was not a day older than me at twenty-six). In celebration to where she came from was celebrating the era that was the 1980s. Everyone of importance was there - Michael Jackson, Sinitta, Madonna, Smurfette, Slash and me - Ariel from The Little Mermaid, in toe with Prince Eric of course.
The idea of The Little Mermaid had been around for awhile in my head and originally started out as a sort of macabre version of a Halloween costume, complete with fishing hook through the cheek and all. But on hearing that there was another fancy dress party to add to the two Mr. Warehouse and I were already invited to in the autumn of this year I was thoroughly excited to look at the possibilities that seemed almost endless with the 80's churning up some creative and indeed crazy fancy dress ideas. Obviously I toyed with the idea of being Cyndi Lauper with my Prince or George Michael by my side however everyone would be doing exactly the same and I wanted myself and Mr. Warehouse to stick out in the crowd. The Disney Classic splashed it's way onto our screens in 1989 as the red-haired princess tried to figure out a way of growing legs and becoming a human in order to live a normal life on land with her Prince.
The legend that is The Little Mermaid started its life not in the deep, luscious oceans of Barbados or the Caribbean, but off the coast of Denmark. When Hans Christian Andersen, the Scandinavian answer to the Brothers Grimm, started writing books like The Ugly Duckling and The Princess and The Pea, he probably had no idea just how popular the little Danish icon since at the time in the mid-1800's stories like this and others were overlooked and not given the proper credit they deserve. The innovative and adventurous Hans made friends in later life with world famous Charles Dickens, responsible for Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol. Hans even made a journey over to visit his British friend in the late 1840's and since then had been a major influence on other British writers such as A A Milne who inspired Winnie The Pooh and even Beatrix Potter who brought us the fun times of Tom kitten and Peter Rabbit. Hans Christian Andersen died after he sustained a serious head injury after falling out of bed in his home in Copenhagen, Denmark but on further inspection by Medical teams was seen to start showing early signs of liver cancer and in the summer of 1875 he died, aged seventy.
Tributes to his work and art can be seen all around the world including countless stage shows and films not to mention an an amusement park in Shanghai. But for me personally one of the most touching tributes to such a influential storyteller has to be the magnificent statue that sits in the harbor of Copenhagen showing a little sea creature in all her beauty. I plan on visiting her one day, however with Ryanair flights getting cancelled left, right and center because HR cant get their pilots to plan holiday effectively and Monarch being the latest casualty in the bargain bucket prices of a cheap holiday abroad I am not so sure when I will get a chance. Besides I have Prague to save for as well as a Luxe beach holibob next year with the Bae.
Thinking about it just now, re-enacting Kylie and Jason's wedding from Neighbors would have been a really good idea and probably a lot more simpler and effective in the long run since everyone kept asking who I had come as. Maybe we'll save that one for next time! I mean the possibilities are never-ending and I can only hope that I am able to get the same level of inspiration for my Halloween costumes with Mr Warehouse as well as the 90's themed party in less than a few weeks of an old work colleague. I have already suggested to Mr Warehouse that we dressed as a couple back in the 90's. I'm not talking of loud shirts and baggy pants. I was more along the line of a double-denim Britney and Justin look or even and all out Posh and Becks PVC twinning. Either way I am sure that we will name it just as we always do. And who knows maybe I will be able to take another one of my Disney Princesses of my list of dress-ups.
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
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