Tuesday 17 December 2013

Crazy in Love!!

I think it's quite possible I have the best boyfriend ever.

Who else would surprise their girlfriend with two tickets to see the Mrs. Carter World Tour at the O2 in March 2014?!


"The reason for buying the tickets?" I asked
to which I said "But I have so many things on my list!" to which he responded "But I have 8 years to make it all happen, so that's plenty of time."

:) 

Monday 16 December 2013

Winter Wonderland, this time with Momma C !

This weekend saw my momma come down for a few days.
I decided that I would take her to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland after she saw my photos of when Dan and I went and said she'd like to go. After stopping for something to eat, we headed to Hyde Park.

We went into the Magical Ice Kingdom where there's beautiful ice sculptures in -10 cold!!





The castle is as big as a real house and on the side of it is an ice slide.
Since the last time I went on this slide was extremely slow, I decided I'd just let mum have a go and I would video her. She went down so fast! It was so so funny!! 



Following the slide we headed to the ice bar where I decided to introduce Mum to the fireball whisky.  The man behind the bar kindly said he would take photos of us.


Mum not looking at the camera.

Cheers! (with mum still not looking at the camera!)
There was an absolutely hilarious photo followed on from this which had Mum's face scrunched up with her eyes crossed over. Unfortunately I can't put it up, because she'd probably kill me.

After warming our cockles with whisky, we continued to look around and I was eyeing up the awesome ride.
I asked Mum if she wanted to have a go, and she obliged! Only when we got to the front of the queue did she say "Ruth, I hate heights." TOO LATE!! We headed for our seats before slowly getting taken up to the top which absolutely breathtaking views of London and Hyde Park all lit up. It was absolutely gorgeous. After keeping us on the edge of our seats (literally!), the ride dropped and Mum and I screamed like we've never screamed before. Oh my gosh my stomach was in my mouth! We screeeaammmmed so much!! It seemed to go on and on, going up, dropping down with screams all the way down!



Front of the queue: next up!!




In our seats waiting for the ride to take off.








After getting off and feeling like jelly and a little bit sick for a good 20 minutes afterward, we wandering round and enjoyed the sites and smells, grabbing a lovely drink of mulled wine.








The next day saw Dan off to his friends for a birthday do. It meant Mum and I could spend some quality time together so we travelled to Kings X to see him off.




Mum and I wandered down Oxford Street stopping for lunch and yummy Bodean's. If you haven't been yet, and are not a veggie, go! It's so tasty and the pulled pork is to die for.

After going into  a few shops, moaning about queues and people who suddenly stop when you're walking behind them, we started seeing a few santas. Then a few turned into a few hundred followed by thousands! There was some sort of drinking santa event going on, with people dressed in cheap pound land outfits getting lary.




After stopping on the way home for free Nandos thanks to Dan's high 5 card, we headed home and watched a girly film and chilled, since our feet were aching like mad. All in all, a wonderful, fun, filled weekend. Was so nice to spend time with Momma C :) xxxxx

Saturday 7 December 2013

Nelson Mandela 1918 - 2013

Of course, I couldn't write a blog post this week without paying tribute to an absolutely inspirational man who has inspired so many people, including myself.

Your courage, love, sincerity, perseverance and your fight to change something for the better is inspirational. You have left an ever lasting mark on people's lives and hearts.

Rest In Peace, Nelson Mandela.

"Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end."


Hyde Park Winter Wonderland!

On Thursday evening after work, I took a trip to Green Park to do a little bit of Christmas shopping and to wait for Dan to finish work. Oxford Street has such a nice atmosphere right now. Yes, you still have the grumpy commuters and the 'I-don't-have-any-clue-where-I'm-going' tourists but the Christmas lights and decorations make it look so beautiful and festive.


When Dan finished work, we met up and took a slow walk to the Winter Wonderland which was at Hyde Park. It wasn't as busy as I thought it would be - but people still got in our way! 




We were instantly hit with the gorgeous smell of cooked meat, cinnamon rolls, pancakes and mulled wine.It smelt so yummy and Christmassy!!

Dan had booked us tickets to see the Magical Ice Kingdom which was set at -10 degrees. It was absolutely freeeeeezing! But the sculptures were literally amazing - and huge.




We were so impressed with the life-size castle-palace, but it became even better when there was a slide to go down!! Dan had an awesome time sliding down that!












Right at the end was a pretty awesome ice bar. Everything was done to a really high standard and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone!

Of course, we didn't leave without buying a Christmas tree decorations, warm mulled wine and hot chocolate. Yum! 

Saturday 30 November 2013

First week in new job!!

Yes! This week has been pretty awesome and jam packed. I started my new job as a Junior Designer at Net Communities. I've already been working on huge household named brands - so exciting!

I've settled in well, with lots of lunches with colleges with pizza for lunch yesterday and beers for the team on Friday's.

I'm featured on their website which you can see here. You can also have a look at the type of work that I do.


First week down, many more to go! I'm so pleased to say I'm part of the team and working for such a great, people focused company in the heart of London.

Thank you for all those who have supported me in landing this position and encouraging me :)

Thursday 21 November 2013

September - November skies

It's been a few weeks since I updated ze blog so I decided I'd put something together for you to look at.

Pretty much every other evening (depending on the weather of course) I take a photograph of the sunsets outside our flat window. I've been able to capture some pretty beautiful skies so I collated them all together for you to see.


Enjoy!

Friday 8 November 2013

Julian Clune - LCE Show - Animal, Wildlife and Nature Competition

Congratulations Jules on winning 1st ! 


Last night Jules popped down to the London Camera Exchange (LCE) Show in Lincoln to meet Professional Wildlife Photographer, Danny Green and collect his prize for coming 1st in their Animal, Wildlife and Nature Competition!

You can visit C&G Photography's Facebook page here and like it, which I strongly suggest that you do. You can follow their updates directly there. You can also visit their website here for a look at their fantastic portfolio of work.


Once again Jules, a massive congrats on winning with an absolutely fantastic image named 'Beneath the Surface'. Absolutely stunning.



























These images are subject to copyright. Do not use these images without permission.

Thursday 7 November 2013

Arvo Pärt - London Festival Hall - Orchestra

Last night I had the opportunity to go to a live Orchestra concert at London Festival Hall. My kind friend, Nick was so nice to give me his spare ticket so I went along with him. I've never been a fan of orchestral music but I've never seen an orchestra live, so how could I say that I don't like it, if I've never been?

My mind was quickly changed. I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm not a fan of the brass. It's too harsh for me. The second half was incredible with just the strings and the choir. It was so soothing and beautiful that I could have drifted off into a deep sleep listening to it. It was simply beautiful.

Arvo Pärt is an Estonian composer of classical music and sacred music. Since the late 1970s, Pärt has worked in a minimalist style that employs his self-invented compositional technique, tintinnabuli.

I'd say to anyone that doesn't really Orchestra not to instantly dismiss it. Listen to it live and the experience of the music changes. You can feel the brass in your bones and the strings slowly creeping into your skin with its high notes. It's a whole different experience. Give it a go.
Thanks for a lovely evening out, Nick. Even if I did have too many glasses of red wine!