Longleat Centre Parcs and a hen do

A few weekends ago I went to a Centre Parcs (Longleat) for my sister in law to be hen do. I had never been to a Centre Parcs before but it was good fun. Our cabin was lovely, the forest itself was stunning and it felt great walking around. Luckily it didn't rain!

Here a few pics of the weekend:

We mostly drank, ate and relaxed! On the Saturday we went to the spa which was lovely, each steam room was different and cleared my nose! The water beds were wonderful, I could have just fallen asleep on them.

We also went to the water park which was a laugh, the water rapids were great (although my knees were quite bruised by the end of the weekend!) even though the water park was outside the water itself was warm so we didn't freeze.

UK followers have you ever been to a Centre Parcs? If so what did you think?

Mid week roast with chocolate fudge cake

I went home for a bit of mum's cooking, this time we had a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings. One of my fav meals of all time.

I love bread sauce with roast chicken, yum, such a comforting food. To follow we had chocolate fudge cake with double cream.

Chocolate cake is my absolute fav type of cake, I much prefer my cake cold, I don't really enjoy cake as much when the frosting in the middle has melted.

New Jewellery Storage

My other half and I gave each other money for Christmas because we just couldn't really think of anything in particular we wanted. I spotted a gorgeous jewellery cabinet and when I checked the price it was expensive (£80 expensive) but on that day the whole shop was 50% off! 

Wooden jewellery cabinet from Past Times, £40.

The two doors on the end are magnetized and hold necklaces on silver hooks which I like, they don't get tangled up which they used to before in my old jewellery box.

Then the top opens up and holds rings, there is also a mirror in the lid.

The other draws have different sized compartments:

I love the simple girlie paint work on the front:

All in all a great bargain, I hope it doesn't topple over, the kittens tend to jump on top of the table and try and sit on top of the cabinet. 

A lovely Christmas present

I got a lovely Christmas present from my friend Nicole (Noir Lacquer) lots of gorgeous smellies and nail polish and other bits. I also sent her a package but unfortunately a bottle of nail polish broke but luckily this was the only item damaged. In all our swaps and birthday presents over the last year this was the first casualty. Not bad going I guess.

Here are a few shots of what I received:

First up some Bath and Body Works, (I still wish the UK had this chain!) some lovely body lotion in the scent Sea Island Cotton, which smells just like a light laundry detergent scent. Then my new love! Antibacterial hand gel in Raspberry Frost Donut, the smell is spot on and I adore it! I just keep opening the bottle and sniffing it. I think this maybe my fav smelling one so far. The other scent is Marshmallow Treat which as you can guess smells of marshmallows, but this one had a slight alcoholic smell to it too. 

Next up are some bath fizzers (I guess like bath bombs?) in twisted peppermint scent, these two are also in the shape of a snowflake.

Now on to some nail polishes, a gorgeous Nicole by OPI Merry Must Have Minis, the colours are All Reindeer Go To Heaven, Extra Snow-flakes Please, Miss Claus' Night Out and How Rude-olph!

Then we have Unicorn (Sinful) Give Me A Price Quate (Wet n Wild) Firework (Kleancolor) and a nameless shimmery turquoise from Bon Bons.

Close up of the glitters, drool....

Sally Hanson polish strips, I have never used strips before and am keen to try these out, I have heard lots of praise for the Sally Hanson ones in particular.

Finally a Lip Smacker in DR Pepper scent (very accurate!) and a self heating clay mask. I love face masks, I always find popping one on and relaxing in the bath really helps me relax.

Thank you Nicole for such a lovely Christmas gift, I can't wait to try everything out.

Happy New Year :-)

Happy New Year everyone!

Have some nice pictures of fireworks!

and some NYE shots!

Thankyou to each and every one of my followers, and those who comment and have given me encouragement over the last year. Roll on 2012 and see what it brings!

Hope you all had a good Christmas?

Hope everyone had a good Christmas? I ate way too much as usual! Luke and I went to my parents for Christmas lunch, we had so much food. Starters, main and pudding and lots of tea and chocolate.

After helping mu, clear up we had pudding: honey glazed clementines in a brandy snap basket, I also added a dollop of Devonshire clotted cream. Nobody in our house likes Christmas pudding. I do quite like Christmas cake, which I guess is just fruit cake!

Mum also did two party bags so we could bring those back for the kittens, they had a little bit of turkey and gravy. They spent most of the evening ripping wrapping paper. Lights came on and candles were lit and the rest of the evening was spent watching TV. 

Hope you all had a good Christmas? What did you get up to?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

How fast is December going? Actually, scrap that, the whole of 2011 has gone so fast! Picture heavy post full of Christmas photos I have taken.


Ok, these were taken last Christmas but I wasn't blogging then so I will share now. Every year at work we have a Christmas pod competition. People who work on the same desk (or pod) decorates it to win a prize. My work partner and I created this.


A cardboard house with lights, snow topped roof and candy cane and biscuit windows. Other people could then take these and dip them into the chocolate fountain. We also put out marshmallows and fruit. Unfortunately, we didn't win.


Other people did a Shrek manger and a don't drink and drive scene. There were lots of other pods decorated but I didn't manage to get pictures of everyone.

Quality Street tin of chocolates, my favs are the purple ones, followed by strawberry creme! I actually love coffee chocolates which I know lots of people don't, wish Quality Street had some in there! 

Frosted mint and Black Forest hot chocolates, with whipped cream of course! I had the BF one and Luke had the FM. I had a chocolate tiffin slice and he had the creme brulee cup cake. Both gorgeous! 

Things that annoy me!

We all have those little things which really get on your nerves, I have a few, I like to think I have a relatively high tolerance level, but there are some things which just wind me up!

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I think it goes without saying that everyone likes good manners, yes? 

One of my pet hates is when people don't have good manners. Little things such as when people don't say 'thankyou' if you are out shopping and stop to hold a door open for them. I also can't stand it when people chew with their mouths open, hello human washing machine!

Punctuality is something which is quite important to me. I have a friend who is never on time for anything! If we arrange to meet up for dinner or something he is at least 20 minuets late every time, without fail. I have joked to him that I will buy him a watch for Christmas! 

Sales shopping, oh how we all love the grab ourselves a bargain, but I can't stand it when people push and barge you out the way. I know sometimes you have to be ruthless and stand your ground, but there is a difference between this and just plain rudeness. I will save my poor toes the bother of getting trampled on.

Dog owners who don't pick up their pup's poop! I have seen this so often and is disgusting, especially on beaches or parks. There are usually plenty of bins around and doesn't take too much effort does it? 

I am not a parent, so I don't know how I would feel, but I am pretty sure this one would annoy me!  I feel sorry for parents who struggle to find car parking spaces designed for them but are taken up by people who don't have push chairs or car seats. The same applies for blue badge holders. Those car parking spaces are designed for those who need it, everyone else can park a little further away and walk, it won't kill you.

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I think I will stop now because I am in danger of sounded like a grumpy old cow! I would love to hear what winds you up too! Let me know.