Life Lately

Life Lately....Christmas Edition 2016

Hi everyone so I've not blogged in a while and as I'm feeling the festivity I thought I would write a bit of a catch up post before I do a Christmas post!

So much has happened this year, in the past couple of months even so I'll just give you the highlights and try not to bore you too much!

<- my happiness project

Happiness: This year I have grown up a lot and started to realise and accept who I am as a person and how to embrace the things and people that make me happy. I have finally become a vegetarian and have spent the past two months meat free, this was hard at first I did miss the bacon sandwiches and burgers but I have also loved a variety of vegetarian dishes anyway so it wasn't too much of a transition for me and I have enjoyed learning more about the planet in the process. For me this was a moral decision and before you ask Adam still eats meat, Its my personal choice and I don't push my views on others and my family and friends have been so supportive so thank you all! :)

Hummus and Pizza are still my favourite foods...forever <3

New Hobbies & Interests: One thing I have learnt to accept and embrace about myself is how much I love to try new things and learn new skills, I used to think being a "jack of all trades" - somebody else's words not mine! was a bad thing but then I realised that if I live my life experiencing so much how could that possibly be a bad thing!? so recently I have got into card making, I love making personalised cards for the ones I love to me it makes it a little bit more special! I have also wrote a couple of poems that I am going to frame and sell in my Etsy Store and I have just picked up a tarot card set so I can start learning to read tarot! Yep I'm going all mystic meg on you and releasing my inner witch!

Helping Others: Recently I took part in the big sleep out in Oxford whereby I slept outside on a cold October night to raise money to help the homeless this winter (thanks to all those who sponsored me!) it ignited my passion for supporting those in need and I feel very proud to say I now have a job working for May Day Trust a housing support charity in Oxford, I love working in pharmacy and will continue to do so also but having this opportunity to finally truly help those in need has made me very happy!

All about the paws...

 

I'm sure the whole world is aware that we brought our gorgeous kitten JiJi back in August well he is now 5 months old and has become a very handsome and loving young cat, like every feline he is a nuisance sometimes terrorising the Christmas tree and attacking our feet under the bedsheet but me and Adam absolutely adore him! He is our little fury bundle of loveliness and I cant wait to put his little elf costume on him at Christmas- that's right we're that couple! haha

I will try and do a 2016 round up post and then one for Christmas before the years out, hope you enjoyed this one and a very merry Christmas to you all if not, be Christmassy and be kind always!

Thanks- Kiki =] x

Life Lately....

Hi everyone =]
So its been ages since I wrote a post so I thought I would do a catch up post today, don't worry its not a life story just a few key snippets of life I've been enjoying recently!

The Body Guard (Musical & Theatre) 

(image not my own)

Recently I spent time in Leicester with my family and on the Tuesday night we went to see the body guard musical at the Demontfort hall, I hadn't actually seen the film and didn't know too much about it other than it starred Alexandra Burke, originally Whitney Houston and was supposed to be damn good!
It was a Christmas present for my mum and nan as I really wanted to treat them to something we could all do together (a bit of girl time!) it was AMAZING, so much more fun than I expected it to be- the singing and dancing was on point and even the gun shots were so realistic they nearly gave my nan a heart attack (bless her :']) all in all an evening to remember and one I would definitely recommend if your a fan of the theatre.

Warwick Castle  

Yeah that's me in front of a castle as you do... I loved my trip to Warwick castle with my mum, the weather was cold but dry and it was so nice to just take a picnic and have a nice walk around the castle grounds and and the towers (it is very expensive so 2-4-1 deals kind of a must!) the castle itself has great history and tells tales of kidnap, betrayal and murderrrrr! (ooh-er!) slightly jumped out of my skin in a particular haunted tower, no shame as it was creepy! its soooo much better than it was when I was a kid, there is activities going on all day and we got to see a bird of prey flight show which was a great experience...im talking giant vultures and eagles!

<- This is a not so giant but ever so beautiful type of owl (dont ask me what time I cant remember!)

 <- LOOK AT THIS WINDOW! its stunning, the whole castle was stunning and it definitely sets the bar for house goals (completely realistic and achievable!)

New Job, Fresh Start

I am starting my new job tomorrow and I am really excited! after 6 years in my previous job I felt it was the right time in my life to start following the career path I've always dreamed about (side of cheddar on that I know) I feel like the new hours and days off will give me the break I need to pursue other interests as well and allow me to socialise more!  (yay no longer a hermit!) my colleagues gave me some wonderful leaving presents featured above including two lush bunches of flowers, a bottle of bubbly and chocolates, truffles, sweet smelling bath bombs, a scented candle and a mindfulness colouring book (already started ;)) 

So that's it! I mean of course I've celebrated Easter and had other things going on and I have ALOT planned in the next month alone, so I will try and keep you posted as I go through spring! 

speaking of spring, how nice is it to see the bumble bees out and about and blossom every where!? it makes me happier instantly! 

Have a good week! 

-Kiki =] x 

February Wish List!

6 Things.......

Hi everyone hope your all having a really good week so far, just a short blog today a round-up of a few items which I thought were worth checking out/someone buying for me..... just kidding...or am I? anyway here we go! 

1] Pokemon: Super Mystery Dungeon 3DS £27.99 Game

So this game isn't released until tomorrow, but boy does it look good! Yes I know it is super geeky, but who in their right mind doesn't like pokemon?! In this game you play as a pokemon rather than a trainer and join your other pokemon buddies (up to 720 to be exact) in an adventure which promises to never let you explore the same dungeon twice! also if you haven't already seen the ads check out the new pokemon ap which is coming soon for your phone which brings pokemon to everyday life! it looks incredible- really! ^_^

2] Jimmy Choo Blossom: £36.00 (40mls) Boots 

A bit more grown up now, I've been spritzing a few fragrances recently to get me ready for spring and I instantly took a shine to Jimmy choos blossom; a perfect blend of red berries, rose, citrus and sandalwood this floral fragrance is my must have coming into march! The fact that is sparkly pink might also be a contributing factor... 

3] Ted baker Lingerie Debenhams

If you haven't already treated yourself or the lady in your life to some new lingerie this year, then now is the time to do it! Ted baker has partnered with Debenhams and has a gorgeous range of floral and non floral delights, With beautiful lace and silks and matching kimonos they are my go to store for 2016! 

4] Cup o' Coffee Face & Body Mash £6.75 Lush

If you are like me and a lover of all things caffeine then Lush has found the perfect way of injecting just a little bit more into our early mornings! It is STRONG it is STIMULATING it is not for the weak! haha I am hoping lathering myself in this most mornings particularly after a heavy night will wake up my skin even if I am feeling like the walking dead inside! 

5] Williamson Tea Caddy £12.99 Williamsontea.com 

This item combines two of my favourite things on the planet: Tea and Elephants (thank you holly for the introduction!) they are all loose Kenyan leaf teas and range from their version of english breakfast tea to ginger and lemon tea and all presented in unique and stunning tea caddys- something to brighten up the rainy English days! 

6] Princess Tiara Ring £40 Pandora 

This one is a bit unusual for me as I don't really see myself as a "princess" type of woman, however I would be more than welcoming to wear this little number on my finger, its so pretty and such a good price I really feel like I have to have this! Unfortunately I discovered this after valentines as this would make quite a romantic gift, but you know there's always birthdays....you can thank me later! 

So that's it! I hope I've introduced you to a few good things this Thursday, feel free to leave any comments below and enjoy the sunshine! 

Thanks- Kiki =] x 

Mini Break at the British Seaside!

 

Eastbourne

"A lovely place"......"really quiet"......"the place where people retire to its so nice" these were all the things that people said that encouraged us to book a couple of nights away in Eastbourne, now I don't know how long ago it was our parents went there but boy it was not what we expected!

Firstly, great little shopping center yes but as you got nearer the seafront at least half of the shops, bars and restaurants were closed down and the places that were open didn't exactly scream come in! But it is February at the seaside and from what we could gather Eastbourne is clearly undergoing a renovation project to make it more modern so im sure it would look ALOT nicer when their finished! 

The People-

The people were really friendly and helpful, everyone seemed to be really jolly whether that's because their lives are genuinely better by the sea or they were just happy to have visitors I don't know but we definitely found a few favourite places to relax in! we did keep stumbling across some not so nice areas with alot of people swearing and shouting and making me feel like I'd stepped into a episode of two pints of lager and a packet of crisps, but on the whole it gave us a good laugh! (below- me at a great local pub showing off my non existent pool skills!)

The Food- 

The weather was predictably cold and windy so as soon as we arrived we grabbed a much needed late and a huge slice of cake (I regret nothing) we then continued on our indulgence  later that day by having 2 courses at a gorgeous Italian Restaurant "Pomodoro E Mozerella"  I had the bruchetta to start (standard) and we both had a veal dish for the main accompanied by alot of wine! The service was brilliant and it literally smelt of Italy as soon as we walked in the door which is definitely a sign you should eat half their menu! 

Coffee and Black Forest Gateau cake! mmm

Me enjoying my veal! 

Adams Goats cheese and Aubergine Starter!

Adam <3 

We finished the night with a four pack of beer and a packet of fish and chip crisps (remember those!?) classy I know!

Brighton- 

Walking down Eastbourne sea front we spotted a bus to Brighton, nearly an hour later we had arrived into beautiful sunshine and a bustling environment! we were starving by this point so heading into the centre to grab some lunch and found this gem! 

"The Western!" 

Offering a great selection of cocktails,ciders and delicious american style food with a chilled atmosphere, we both settled on the waiters recommendation of pork belly hash with crispy potatoes, blue cheese and a poached egg on a bed of salad and oh momma it was the best lunch we'd ever eaten! 

There is alot to see and do in Brighton, its got so many different shops and kooky restaurants in central and down all the back streets, its got a modern art museum, the sea life center, pier and the promenade so its great if you want a day to mooch around and relax! 

 

Seaside Cheese- 

Finally it wouldn't be a seaside holiday if we didn't gamble alot of money away in the arcades! after alot of various attempts at different games we triumphed with one Mario soft toy! yahoo! We finished our coastal trip with seashell collecting, watching Aston villa get owned by Westham on the big screen (sobs) and a damn good curry at Eastbourne's seafront tandoori restaurant! All in all a great and much needed break to "blow away the cobwebs!" as they say!   

Hope you enjoyed my summary of our winter trip to the coast! Going to put out a couple of tried and tasted ;) recipes for you soon, before my feb favourites round up! For now have a great weekend! 

Thanks- Kiki x 

Bright and Beautiful January Favourites!

 Happy Thursday! 

So today im talking about my January favourites; after the twinkly time of Christmas January is always a bit of a sad and long month of being poor, watching Netflix and feeling like I've ate my weight in food. 

I decided early on to kick January in the teeth, I got back to cooking delicious (and healthish) food from scratch, started to get more organised for work and began planing goals and fun things to look forward to- currently saving for Canada which im super pleased about!

Magpie Mug! 

 TK MAXX is fast becoming one of my favourite places to shop, I always manage to find at least one quirky purchase to buy and raid their clearance like a kid in a sweetshop! check out this cute magpie mug only £2.99!

Satchel of dreams! 

 I have to wear a uniform to work so to add a pop of colour to my wardrobe I've started using my green satchel Adam got me for Christmas (2 years ago!) team it up with some brightly painted nails and lippy and I feel much better about getting up in the gloomy mornings!

Lady Of Tea! 

 People that know me will know its best not to talk to me before my morning coffee fix, but recently I have switched it up and been drinking some tasty teas instead! the chamomile, vanilla and honey is perfect for a good nights sleep and the green tea is my rescue remedy when im having a stressful day!

Cleansing and Indulging! 

I've become a big No7 fan recently and their beautiful skin range is just "so!" I always moisturise from top to bottom after a bath/shower and this range makes my skin feel really fresh and nourished, the packaging is pretty as well and it feels a bit more luxurious then my staple Nivia/Dove products!

Amazing Box Sets! 

Dark rainy evenings have meant I get to catch up on some cracking television! from the psycho, scarefest that is American Horror Story to the hilarious and inspirational Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation I have been well and truly entertained this January! Looking forward to watching the 3rd series of AHS and I still have Fargo and Madmen to catch up on before the sunshine starts tempting me back outside! 

I would definitely recommend both of these series as a "must see!" 

That's it my round up of January favs! I hope you enjoyed my blog and find your own ways to make your winter days brighter!

Cheers- Kiki =] x

Crepes, Cats and Cappuccino- A trip to Croatia!

Sipan & Its Surrounding Secrets...

First Impressions:

Lets be honest I had no idea what to expect from mine and Adams first trip together, Croatia was just one of those countries under my radar that I knew very little about from their culture to their climate, but with one suitcase between us and a wallet full of kuna we were on our way.

We arrived late and all happened very quickly, the plane landed with a bump (terrifying start!), we got in a taxi which took us to a port and by moonlight and in the freezing cold we were bundled into a boat which took us to our hotel (also slightly terrifying but very cool!) 

"Hotel Sipan" 

Waking up in a sea view room to the sound of fishermen and the sunlight climbing through the blinds was a surreal feeling, breakfast was divine! I would take feta cheese and bread for breakfast over cereal any day! 

The whole island was beautiful, with crystal clear waters and panoramic views...its a quiet island Sipan so not a place to go if your seeking party central but for a couple just wanting to get away from it all and experience Croatian culture it was perfect!A must if your a lover of cats as they were literally EVERYWHERE. 

The best thing to do when your in a remote and unfamiliar place is to hop on the first bus you see going "any where" luckily for us the island is surrounded by lots more islands either accessible by bus, boat or ferry we took many trips to Sudarad in particular as it welcomed a great bar and lots of coves and rocks to climb and explore for crabs.  We also did alot of hiking (not a trip for expensive/nice shoes) and helped ourselves to a few local attributes...into an abandoned church...on somebodies vehicle....fresh peaches from the trees a great island for hidden gems! There was at one point a coffin...we did not help ourselves to this and left quite quickly! 

The Food...

Oh my, where do I start with Croatian Food!? Steaks, Pastas and the fish was the best fish I had ever had  Caught that morning, grilled with seasoning and olive oil and lemon. That's it simple dishes but packed full of fresh flavour! 

We tried nearly all the restaurants on the island including the famous Konoba Cod Marka a luscious local favourite who didn't offer a menu but simply "what would you prefer meat or fish?" and then the chef/owner would prepare you a delicious 3 course meal to suit. Our personal favourite and one we visited a few times was the restaurant Tauras, with its romantic setting and exceptional service all the food here was of a exceptional standard and for a very reasonable price! 

My favourite dish of the entire trip had to be the fresh fish platter, an off menu item from Tauras which included fresh tuna, barracuda and anchovies- a taste sensation!  

Activities and Old Town...  

During our trip we tried to cram in as much as possible yet still had the most relaxing time ever! cycling, hiking, swimming, shopping, dining, trips to the beach and we even hired a pedlo took a few beers and headed out in the sea and reluctantly down a slide into the deep blue. 

For a quiet place there's alot on offer if your willing to seek it! and a obvious choice of destination is to check out "old town" with its famous exterior of bullet holes that still remain in its towering walls from the war to its vast selection of restaurants and shops down every side street, its a must see for tourists but still remains as untouched and spectacular as ever. 

Its best to hit the town first thing in the morning before the public traffic emerges to get a really good look before it comes to life, we stopped off to have cappuccino, ice-cream and crepes for breakfast before checking out the shops and architect which was just so tasty! 

I would definitely recommend a guided tour if you are doing a day trip to old town unless your really clued on Croatian history you will miss alot of incredible stories! Being great fans of the show the Games of thrones tour was an obvious choice!, showing us all the amazing locations the show has been filmed including (the shame stairs- pictured above) be prepared for ALOT of stairs, I cant even tell you how many we walked up not recommended for those with a fear of heights! But it was totally worth it to find out how the show filmed iconic scenes such as the purple wedding and even ended with a chance to sit on the "iron throne"- excitement much! 

For a trip in October the weather was so good for that time of year the temperature reading 35 degrees! we had such an amazing time and I would definitely recommend it for anyone that wants to go somewhere extraordinary!