My Week in Pictures

This week was my last week at my current job in affiliate marketing. It's been an interesting (and frustrating) six months and I'm relieved to have finished but I've met some great friends and discovered the world of blogging. I've also learnt that I really enjoy training and "managing" people so I may have even discovered a few things about myself.

We spent the day Saturday buying a Christmas tree and brand new decorations as our other one is currently residing in storage. We then went to Bath Christmas Market today with my parents, and were planning on putting up the tree when we got back but I've been feeling a bit nauseous today so didn't get round to it. I've got the day off tomorrow so I'm going to put it up tomorrow and Jack's going to help me decorate it when he gets back from work. That combined with a getting my hair done and lunch with the girls makes for a pretty sweet first day as a lady of leisure!

Bye E-tail

Bath Christmas Market

 

 

Bye Bye Movember

Christmas Decorations

In Bruges

As a surprise for Jack's 30th I planned a trip to Bruges. I'd wanted to take him on a city break for his 30th for a couple of years as he's always whisking me away on trips and holidays and I desperately wanted to take him away for a change.

I found the most gorgeous looking B&B on Trip Advisor, Huis Koning (check out my review here) and the last room was available over Jack's birthday so it seemed too good to pass up! I booked us onto the Eurostar - a bargain at £40 each, each way - and took Jack off to Kings Cross for our mini adventure!

Upon arriving in Bruges I fell in love instantly! It is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited. The architecture, quaint cafe's and vast canals had me in awe. The B&B didn't disappoint either. Positioned next to a shallow part of the waterways and exquisitely decorated, we were greeted with a smiling and accomodating host who brought us fresh coffee and Belgian chocolates. After being up since 5am this was a very welcome sight.

We spent everyday of our trip exploring the streets of Bruges, and sampling the local cuisine which mainly consisted of Beer, Frites and Cheese! They have amazing Brown pubs that stock vast amounts of beer at varying percentages. Our favourite was one that was recommended by our host, t'Brugs Beertje, which stocked over 300 varieties. We spent our first evening sampling the 9% and munching cheese and salami with mustard. Everything is within walking distance in Bruges so it's a fantastic city if you don't want to deal with public transport and taxi's. We were lucky enough to be treated to blue skies for most of our trip, even if it was a bit nippy!

We spent Jack's birthday seeing the sites and sharing the city with 1000's of Birmingham City fans. Luckily it didn't ruin the trip as we were leaving the day of the match and both teams are known as the hooligan types. We took a trip up the Belfry, as made famous in the film In Bruges, and finished up with the most amazing (and expensive meal) I've ever had at Rock Fort - another recommendation by our wonderful host!

Other highlights have to include the Frites Museum (the weirdest Museum I have ever visited, and that includes a visit to a sex museum in Paris) and a trip on the canal - cannot recommend doing that enough! It was a wonderful way to see the city, and we had an brilliant tour guide who kept us all laughing the whole time. It amazes me how the locals can switch in and out of English, French and Flemish.

All in all this has to be one of the most romantic and fantastic holidays that I have ever been on, and I was so happy that Jack had such a fab 30th. We've still got another celebration to look forward to, as unfortunaltely many members of Jack's family couldn't make it to the party so there's still more to look forward to!

Jack turns 30

I was a pretty impressive girlfiriend the week of Jack's 30th Birthday! Not only did I arrange his birthday party but I whisked him away on a surprise trip to Bruges *smug*

I'd been having sleepless nights about both events and couldn't wait for them to hurry up and happen so I could stop worrying about them! But thankfully they both went better than I could of hoped, despite that some loved ones couldn't make it. Everyone was amazing in offering a helping hand and I'm so grateful to everyone who came as Jack had a great night and was chuffed to bits with his big chocolate cake and photo montage of a cute (and then very geeky) mini Jack - here are some of my favourites!

Unfortunately, the outfit I'd planned to wear didn't quite work out as there was a fault with the dress and I didn't have the chance to shop for something else. In the end I settled for an old Motel dress, which I'd only worn once or twice before and hadn't yet been caught in any photographs.

Choccy Cake!

 

Me and Jack (a little bit drunk at this point!)

 

 The Birthday Boy

 Me with the work girls all looking gorgeous! - lisforlucie, Hannah, Haus of Coco Elle, Memoirs of a Wardrobe

Reading Rocks

So I wore my Motel t-shirt today that I inherited from Kate. I rarely do round neck t-shirts but I actually really like this.

Jack's at Reading Festival today. He's gone on his own as I couldn't afford a ticket and we would of spent the whole day watching other bands anyway. He's desperate to see Jane's Addiction whereas I would be at the main stage watching The Strokes. We do tend to have very similar taste in music but there is the occassional one that I just can't get into (Deftones being our main disagreement! - guess which one of us likes them?)

I've told a few people that he's off on his own and I've been met with the same reaction - really!? A note to add here is that these reactions are from people who haven't met Jack. He's the friendliest person you could ever hope to meet and can make friends anywhere with anyone! Last time we went to Leeds Festival with friends I barely saw him all weekend. He returned to the tent one night with one shoe and wearing jeans that were shredded to the thigh. We then made our way to see Queen's of the Stoneage and Jack was plastered all over the mega screens, going crazy and chucking beer all over his head. So I think he'll be just fine. He's staying in a hotel in the middle of Reading and then driving back early tomorrow as we have my Step-Nephew's Christening to go to so he hopefully won't get too drunk! I'm watching the coverage of Pulp at the moment and kind of wishing I was there. I feel a bit old for Reading now. The last time I went was 2004 - the year Jack and I met!

I've been lusting over the Model's Own website for most of the day. I painted my nails in Models Own Feeling Blue - it's a lot darker than it appears online so a little misleading if you're after a light blue. I'd go for bloobloo instead. I do absolutely love the colour though, especially contrasted against the red of my t-shirt. I currently have £40 worth of nail varnish sitting in my basket but I haven't actually purchased just yet. The main reason I'm so tempted is because they're running a 50% off promotion until Monday to celebrate reaching 50,000 facebook likes. You just need to enter 'fiftyfifty' at the checkout to claim your discount. To buy or not to buy...?

T-Shirt: Motel Rocks

Nails: Models Own Feeling Blue (3 for £12 at Motel from Monday)

Update: I bought them! oops

Celebrations

Today has been a day of celebrations.

It was my (not so) little sister, Joanne's, 19th Birthday! I can't believe she's already 19. It doesn't seem so long ago that she was an annoying 7 year old trying to get into my room and gatecrash my sleepovers. But now she's a gorgeous grown up and I'm so very very proud of her!

And another person I'm very proud of is this cheeky chappy. He only went and got a promotion! A long overdue promotion in my opinion.

So here he is... Manager Jack!