Baby Guinea Pigs!

So when one of our old guinea pigs died in August, we thought it would only be fair to give Fat Ruth a new friend to spend her twilight years with. The general thought was that if we rescued an adult, they would be calmer and more suited to Ruth's food-is-all-I-care-about attitude. So off to the RSPCA we went.

 

Here we saw a guinea pig called Claudia who was the most perfect little thing but had been neglected by her previous owner. So we brought her home, gradually introduced her to her new pal Fat Ruth and all seemed fine and dandy.

 

Then she started to get fat. And not just putting on chub because she was previously really skinny, I mean 3 little fat lumps that kicked, wriggled and hiccupped. It became clear very quickly what the situation was...

 

So a couple of weeks later, I came down early in the morning and saw three perfect little beans chilling in the cage like they'd lived for weeks. They were so perfectly formed, and were already clumsily running round the cage eating hay. Maybe the whole stork dropping parcels of babies thing is true...

 

I'm SO pleased they were all healthy as with Claud's background being a bit rubbish, we didn't have particularly high hopes.

 

So now poor old Ruth isn't exactly enjoying a lot of peace and quite, but she's taken on a bit of a Grandma role and seems perfectly content. Here are some pictures of the little bundles of joy, taken over the past 3 weeks.

 

 

 



This is the Mumma!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Meeting Sprinkle of Glitter and MIRANDA SINGS!

Ok, i'll say this now. Prepare for some serious verbal diarrhoea. Yesterday we went to a Miranda Sings show when in London and I was freaking incredible. This all happened yesterday so i'm still on a complete high from it haha. Enjoy!     

Once we'd arrived in Chelsea, there was still three hours until the show started so we had a stroll up and down the Kings Road and grabbed some lunch at Pret. That managed to kill like an hour but to be honest I was too distracted by the idea of the show that afternoon. So we resorted to people watching, and if you're ever going to people watch, Chelsea is the place to do it. The little benches in the Duke of York square provide a prime position for sitting in awe of 99% of the people who walk past. Amazing.

Once it was a less-embarrassingly early time to turn up at the theatre (Cadogan Hall, just off Sloane Street) we made our way there. There was a queue outside which we joined. We didn't know what it was for but you know, it seemed a sensible thing to do you know, join a random queue. Thankfully it was the right one, given away by the fact the queue was scattered with people in waist-high red trousers, buttoned up shirts and crazy lipstick. At first there was a slight sense in the air that people were hesitant to show how truly obsessed they really were (I think being in central Chelsea didn't help haha), but its safe to say any reservations went out the window as soon as we were all inside the building.

T-Shirt bought, VIP wristband collected and everyone's excitement levels through the roof, we were allowed into the auditorium. Our seats were fantastic, second row back and pretty central. It was so funny to see a stool in the middle of the stage with THE red trousers and shirt piled on top, ready for action.

 

So the lights dimmed and everyone screamed of course, classic concert happenings. Then a video started playing on the huge screen introducing Miranda and explaining how she was a singer, dancer, actor, model, magician etc, followed by a slightly disturbing montage of her saying 'Hey Guys'. Then when the man who was announcing over the speakers tried to welcome Miranda to the stage, but when she claimed to be 'too busy' as she 'had to tinkle', instead came on Colleen Ballinger (who, if you don't know, is actually Miranda Sings).
 

 

I am obsessed with Colleen. She is literally the most hilarious person and so so talented, and has worked so hard for her success, which I admire a lot. She came on and sung a couple of songs; I'm not kidding when I say she has the voice of a Disney Princess. I'd love her to do a show as herself one day :)

 

Her final song she sung  as Colleen was Defying Gravity, one of my all time favourites. I'd watched a couple of videos of the show before so I kind of new the drill of what was going to happen half way through. Just search her performance on YouTube and I can guarantee you will shriek with happiness.

 

The whole Miranda Sings character seems to completely match my sense of humour. Physically, her legendary dances and facial expressions make me cry with laughter, but she's also hilarious with her innuendos, strange ways of talking and undeniable love for herself. I don't think describing it with words will do justice to how hilarious the show actually was. There are plenty of YouTube videos out there though, so have a gander!
 

 

After the show we got to meet Colleen (dressed as Miranda) and her sister Rachel. This was amazing as I've loved them both for ages. They were both so genuinely nice.

 

So that happened. AND THEN, we had literally just left the building and guess who was just stood there talking to a few other girls? Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter! So that was cool. I love her. This completely made sense as when we were waiting to go into the meet and greet, I heard a couple of girls screaming and running up the road, but I just assumed they had seen friends or something. Nope. It was Louise.

 

 

So that was my day. Sorry if this is a complete ramble! I know i'll probably read this back in a week or so and be like, oh dear, but for now, i'm happy.

 

 

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Pottering About in Manchester

Last week my Dad had to do an interview at the BBC in Media City UK, so I grabbed the opportunity to hit the Mancunian shops. Oh yeeah.

 

My Dad, (despite growing up over 200 miles from the city) is an avid Manchester United fan, so made sure a trip to Old Trafford was on the cards. The thing I got most excited about was a signed shirt of David Beckham's...

 

 

 

 

Then we wandered over to Media City. My dad went to do his thang and I basically sat in Costa Coffee people watching for a couple of hours. I must say though, its a pretty fun place to do so. I felt kinda left out as I literally felt like the only person without a lanyard, earpiece and clip-board but, you know, I had cake, iced tea and a tram ticket instead.

 

 

I had a wander round, and found a new addition to the site which I'd not seen before; the Coronation Street set. You can't see anything, apart from the odd actor leaving the gates. I recognised a few faces but to be honest my Corrie knowledge is limited to viewings on odd evenings at my Grandma's house. I also saw some of Blue Peter being filmed, but the fact I didn't recognise any of the presenters made me realise how ancient I am...

 

 

 

Afterwards, we trammed it back to the city centre and had some food at Jamie's Italian. I had only ever been in the one at Westfields Stratford, and this one couldn't be more different. Whereas the London one is very modern, the Manchester restaurant is set in an old bank with so much character. I felt like I was in the bank from Mary Poppins! I should really start taking photos of what I eat in these places, but I get embarrassed as I just know people in there are gonna judge haha. But anyway, I ate Arancini Margherita for starters, and Honeycomb Canelloni Trio for mains. Tragically I was too full for desert. Cry :(

 

 

The afternoon was then spent pottering around shops and desperately trying not to spend money. I'll be back in Manchester for the Christmas Markets in December, which I LOVE and it just screams, i'm gonna say the word, CHRISTMAS.

 

 

 

 

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Back to Brighton

I love Brighton. The quirky little shops, endless promenade and the delicious smell of freshly made donuts as you enjoy the quintessentially British pier. A day trip here is always inevitable when visiting family in Surrey.

 

 

On arrival we went straight for breakfast at Bill's (surprise surprise). I had the buttermilk pancakes with strawberries and blueberries an it was deeeelicious. It's always a hard decision between that and the Full English, but that day the pancakes had the edge.

The morning was then spent exploring the North Laines, which have some of the most amazing shops I've ever been in. I'm considering going down in December purely to do my Christmas shopping. Some of my favourites included Snooper's Paradise, Vintage Magazine Co., Oliver Bonas and This is not a Butcher's, but there were so many more.

 

 

Then we wandered down to the sea front, to enjoy donuts and impressive views on the pier. Our walk took us via the Pavilion, which is such an amazing building but unfortunately lighting was not on my side so the picture is a bit...naff.

 

 

 

 

To ensure the most was made out of the sunny day, we thought a walk down the promenade would be a good idea. Although we did get a bit carried away, and ended up all the way down at the beach huts by Hove Lawns. But I do love them, so it was totally worth it.

 



The one on the left was my favourite!

 

 

Hunger then struck, and I was adamant that the only way to solve this would be a Bagelman... And I can confirm this worked a treat.

 

We still felt as though we had some leg power left in us, so we then had a good nosey round the Lanes nearer the sea. Jo Malone, Mac, Space NK, Jack Wills...man I was in heaven.
 

A lovely day was had by all. I can't wait to go back in the winter and see the place in all its Christmassy glory!

 

 

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Cornish Delights

I'm currently lying in bed, feeling oddly jet-lagged after a seven hour drive home from Cornwall. But I've had the most wonderful two weeks and just had to get it down on paper.

 

 

Our bi-annual visits to the county begun when half of my family moved there from Surrey. They've settled near Wadebridge, a beautiful historic market town just 10 minutes away from stunning beaches including Rock, Padstow, Daymer Bay and Polzeath.

(Sorry. I've just read that last sentence back and it sounds like a blumin holiday brochure. Anyway, on with the show…)

 

Polzeath beach is where any surfing I attempt happens. A tourists’ favourite, yes, but that doesn’t detract from how cool it is. (Funny story - I was body boarding a few years back here. I caught a wave and looked over to the left to see that I was sharing it with PRINCE WILLIAM and it was a beautiful moment.)  If you’re there, prioritise the Sandbar or Waterfront for fabulous food and atmosphere, and in the afternoon wander up to New Polzeath to enjoy banter, surfing gossip and delicious pancakes from Mr Surfy.

 

 

 

Rock is probably my favourite beach of all, and the one we spend the most time at. My point of recommendation would be a little further down the beach where its quieter, but beware, you’ll have to walk back over the dunes when the tide comes in. I love mooching round the little shops on the beach front, and always make a b-line for ‘No.1 at Rock’ for a-may-zing food. And if you don't spot royalty here I can guarantee a run in with Made in Chelsea's finest.

 

 

Along with days spent at the beach sunbathing, surfing and BBQ-ing, we spent an evening at a ‘Party in the Park’ at Pencarrow House, watched the Wadebridge Carnival, wandered round beautiful Padstow, did plenty of walks along the coast and through Cardinham Woods, and happily ate our body weight in food.

 

 

Party in the Park. It rained...

 

 

 

My foody highlight was our evening at Rick Stein's ‘The Seafood Restaurant’ in celebration of my Auntie and Uncle's 40th anniversary. I had a lobster risotto to start, a char-grilled Fillet of Sea Bass for mains, and an Apricot Gazpacho with Almond Parfait and Rosemary for my pud. Deeeelicious.

 

 

 

I love spending time with my two little cousins, who, to my despair, are growing up ridiculously fast. But they're both at such a gorgeous age (3 and 7) and are hilarious. I'm completely obsessed. 

 

 

 

This area in Cornwall is my favourite place, home or abroad. Obviously the beaches and scenery play a massive part in that, but what makes it extra special is the fact I get to spend two weeks with my family who I wish I could see far more often. I'm completely in love with it.
 

 

 

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