Popped into the Trafford Centre for lunch with a friend at the weekend. On my way out I thought I have a quick squizz around the shops (would be rude not to), and stopped off at my old favourite TopShop - next to HMV.
I was delighted to lay my hands on some lovely bits - a gorgeous cobalt blue tshirt dress (only £35), a stunning blue party dress (only £30?!) and a rich yellow t-shirt dress. I couldn't believe only ten minutes in and I'd found 3 perfect items.
It was then that the confusion set in... what does DP stand for? Dorothy... "why have they got Dorothy Perkins stuff in TopShop?", "I never go to Dorothy Perkins, it's too old fashioned?!?"
It was only then I realised that about a month ago, TopShop had moved to the other side of the Trafford Centre and Dorothy Perkins must have taken their old store on. More to the point, they had totally copied TopShop's store layout and branding.
Well - that's really opened my eyes. I was blind to Dotty P's before this (too old, too dull, etc) - I'd become a convert - purely by thinking I was in TopShop
So I guess I'm saying get yourself down to Dorothy Perkins Busy Girl!
Ella xxx
Thursday 20 November 2008
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Give in or get up
Somedays it's just so hard to get out of bed... I can honestly say that lying in bed on a cold winter's morning is so lovely, so comfy that I really can't tear myself away.
Yet I'm surrounded by people who need very little sleep - only 4 to 5 hours a night, some of them. I simply can't understand it - unless I have my full 8 hours I'm absolutely useless, yawning at 2pm and asleep in front of the TV at 8pm!
This morning really was a case of 'get up or give in'... could I get away with a day in bed? Not really. What would I say I'd been doing all day? I literally had to convince myself that getting up was the best option. How lazy?!
I haven't spent a whole say in bed since I was a University Fresher.
That's it you see. The truth is, too much of a good thing is bad for you, even lying in bed gets boring after a while.
Only 16 hours and I can do it all again...
Ella xxx
Yet I'm surrounded by people who need very little sleep - only 4 to 5 hours a night, some of them. I simply can't understand it - unless I have my full 8 hours I'm absolutely useless, yawning at 2pm and asleep in front of the TV at 8pm!
This morning really was a case of 'get up or give in'... could I get away with a day in bed? Not really. What would I say I'd been doing all day? I literally had to convince myself that getting up was the best option. How lazy?!
I haven't spent a whole say in bed since I was a University Fresher.
That's it you see. The truth is, too much of a good thing is bad for you, even lying in bed gets boring after a while.
Only 16 hours and I can do it all again...
Ella xxx
Tuesday 11 November 2008
how can this be? am I really that feable?
I've actually worked it out. In the last 3 months, I've had 2 year's worth of colds.
How can this be? Surely my body isn't so decrepit that it can keep on letting in the bugs? I've been necking echinacea like it's vintage Veuve (I wish, for £2 a bottle!) and have been chewing my Bassetts 'soft and chewy vitamins for me and you...' like I'm having a Friday night Haribo-fest and yet, yet, I'm still bloomin' ill!
Oh to live in a warm, bright and light country where I would never catch a cold...
... I should have been born in the wild plains of South Africa (the non-violent area of course), as a child playing in the never-ending heat and sunshine, with monkeys and tigers as my friends... I'd set up my beautiful home with billowing handmade silk sheets strewn around rustic huts surrounding my open air bedroom, with nothing but the sound of exotic birds and animals to keep me from my dreamy sleep each night...
But no. I live in the reality of South Manchester, in November.
Cold, wet, miserable and dark.
From now on, you can call me Jane... now where's Tarzan with my cup of tea?
Ella xxx
How can this be? Surely my body isn't so decrepit that it can keep on letting in the bugs? I've been necking echinacea like it's vintage Veuve (I wish, for £2 a bottle!) and have been chewing my Bassetts 'soft and chewy vitamins for me and you...' like I'm having a Friday night Haribo-fest and yet, yet, I'm still bloomin' ill!
Oh to live in a warm, bright and light country where I would never catch a cold...
... I should have been born in the wild plains of South Africa (the non-violent area of course), as a child playing in the never-ending heat and sunshine, with monkeys and tigers as my friends... I'd set up my beautiful home with billowing handmade silk sheets strewn around rustic huts surrounding my open air bedroom, with nothing but the sound of exotic birds and animals to keep me from my dreamy sleep each night...
But no. I live in the reality of South Manchester, in November.
Cold, wet, miserable and dark.
From now on, you can call me Jane... now where's Tarzan with my cup of tea?
Ella xxx
Thursday 9 October 2008
morning dew
If you've ever had the misfortune of being woken up by the dog barking at 6am, then you may also have noticed how beautiful the sky can be at that time in the morning.
After feeling like I'd been hit with a shovel (in my book there's nothing worse than being woken from a deep sleep) I turned to face the window and saw a beautiful red glow from outside.
Not the usual hideous orange tinge that eminates from the street lights (why do they have orange?) but a pale pinky red haze of morning sun. It was so beautiful I decided then and there to get up, put on my cycling shorts and go for a very early morning cycle, to appreciate the beauty of the morning - how divine.
It seems that getting more sleep was a far more divine option. The next thing I knew it was 7.04am and my phone alarm was blaring out 'Bleeding Love' whilst I pulled a pillow over my head to try to drain out the beautiful (but irritatingly loud) Leona Lewis.
So much for my good intentions... maybe I'll cycle at 6am tomorrow - if it's another beautiful day of course...
BGG xx
After feeling like I'd been hit with a shovel (in my book there's nothing worse than being woken from a deep sleep) I turned to face the window and saw a beautiful red glow from outside.
Not the usual hideous orange tinge that eminates from the street lights (why do they have orange?) but a pale pinky red haze of morning sun. It was so beautiful I decided then and there to get up, put on my cycling shorts and go for a very early morning cycle, to appreciate the beauty of the morning - how divine.
It seems that getting more sleep was a far more divine option. The next thing I knew it was 7.04am and my phone alarm was blaring out 'Bleeding Love' whilst I pulled a pillow over my head to try to drain out the beautiful (but irritatingly loud) Leona Lewis.
So much for my good intentions... maybe I'll cycle at 6am tomorrow - if it's another beautiful day of course...
BGG xx
Wednesday 8 October 2008
Winter fashion's driving me wild
Have you seen this season's fashion collections? Just one trip to the Trafford centre had me in a wild 'buy now!' panic - and I'd only walked through Selfridges...
Have the designers spent their summer at the 'excel yourself' boot camp and come back armed with panache and style? Everything this season is easy to wear, diverse enough for all shapes and sizes and in a fantastic selection of colours to suit all skin types - it's simply fantastic.
Chunky knits, pencil skirts, party dresses galore, lace, vintage, cashmere, stunning 'Marc Jacobs' and Dior style boots - and that's only TopShop!
I never thought I'd say this but I couldn't wait to get into my black polo necks, ponchos and woolly tights this year. After many a day of tripping into town in peep-toe sandals only for the skies to open and rain on my fashion parade, I was delighted to be able to pull on my chunky knee-high boots signal a 2 fingered salute to the impending rain.
I am Loving wearing big baggy jumper dresses. I can't Wait to find a stunning pair of black biker-style boots to wear with my new black poncho and I simply can't Contain myself until ski season.
I've taken winter by its woolly lapels - I'm loving it. Now, if the rain could just hold off long enough for me to wear my favourite suede boots, I'd be even more impressed.
BGG xxx
Have the designers spent their summer at the 'excel yourself' boot camp and come back armed with panache and style? Everything this season is easy to wear, diverse enough for all shapes and sizes and in a fantastic selection of colours to suit all skin types - it's simply fantastic.
Chunky knits, pencil skirts, party dresses galore, lace, vintage, cashmere, stunning 'Marc Jacobs' and Dior style boots - and that's only TopShop!
I never thought I'd say this but I couldn't wait to get into my black polo necks, ponchos and woolly tights this year. After many a day of tripping into town in peep-toe sandals only for the skies to open and rain on my fashion parade, I was delighted to be able to pull on my chunky knee-high boots signal a 2 fingered salute to the impending rain.
I am Loving wearing big baggy jumper dresses. I can't Wait to find a stunning pair of black biker-style boots to wear with my new black poncho and I simply can't Contain myself until ski season.
I've taken winter by its woolly lapels - I'm loving it. Now, if the rain could just hold off long enough for me to wear my favourite suede boots, I'd be even more impressed.
BGG xxx
Monday 19 May 2008
3 loads of washing, the dog, the bed & work
Ever worked from home? I must say on a sunny day it is a rather welcome compared to the four grey walls of the office. The only problem I have is distractions...
A friend of mine, Emma Jones, has a very handy website www.enterprisenation.com which is all about how to work at home. Thought you might like this link to some great ideas on how to work at home... maybe this should be my new bible.
Now... where's that kettle?
Eva xxx www.busygirlsguide.co.uk
- The dog barks constantly all day, so I'm up & down putting him outside & then letting him back in.
- My washing sits on the floor by the washing machine saying 'wash me & benefit from economical drying in the sun!' so I have to do it.
- I need a cup of tea far more often than I would in the office (because the kettle's so near!)
- I don't get dressed properly until 11.30am (because I don't have to!)
A friend of mine, Emma Jones, has a very handy website www.enterprisenation.com which is all about how to work at home. Thought you might like this link to some great ideas on how to work at home... maybe this should be my new bible.
Now... where's that kettle?
Eva xxx www.busygirlsguide.co.uk
Tuesday 11 March 2008
Call centre fury
It's been a while Busy Girls, I've been, well, Busier than you could imagine.
I wondered when I'd ever have the time to blog again - in fact I've been thinking about it for a few days now, but coulnd't do it.
Something has just forced me to write...
Did you watch the channel 4 programme on call centres the other night about companies who have employed 'super centre representatives' skilled in handling the most difficult customers...?
Obviously BT missed it.
I'm on the phone as I write, simply trying to pay my BT phone bill.
I've been listening to a recorded voice giving me hundreds of useless options, for 15 whole minutes.
I just want to pay!!!
By the time the customer service girl gets on the phone, I'll want to shove the payment in ... (you get the picture).
British Telecommunications - is that an oxymoron?
I'm back
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - the ultimate lifestyle & city guide for busy women
I wondered when I'd ever have the time to blog again - in fact I've been thinking about it for a few days now, but coulnd't do it.
Something has just forced me to write...
Did you watch the channel 4 programme on call centres the other night about companies who have employed 'super centre representatives' skilled in handling the most difficult customers...?
Obviously BT missed it.
I'm on the phone as I write, simply trying to pay my BT phone bill.
I've been listening to a recorded voice giving me hundreds of useless options, for 15 whole minutes.
I just want to pay!!!
By the time the customer service girl gets on the phone, I'll want to shove the payment in ... (you get the picture).
British Telecommunications - is that an oxymoron?
I'm back
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - the ultimate lifestyle & city guide for busy women
Wednesday 13 February 2008
Valentines Day - a commercial scam? Who cares?
"You know it's a scam by shops who just want you to spend money" himself exclaimed last night after I reminded him again that it was Valentine's Day on Thursday.
"I know it is..." I replied dejectedly.
But that's not the point is it? We know that Tescos ads selling cheap pink bubbly, Thorntons ads selling heart-shaped truffles and Interflora ads selling stupidly overpriced flowers are all the spin created from such commercialism, but that's not the point.
The point is, us girls want to know that those boys care. We want to be showered with gifts (ok, maybe not showered - I had that once and it turned me right off "ugh! That's way too soppy, get off me!").
We just want evidence that our nearest and dearest can break from his macho-self for just one day and be a bit lovely.
Now, don't get me wrong - I don't wish to sit in an over-packed restaurant on Thursday night, full of couples-who-don't-get-on-but still-go-out-once-a-year, but a little gesture would be lovely.
Wonder how many blo**dy bouquets will be delivered to the office tomorrow... do I have to be present when the shreaking starts? Good grief.
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk The ultimate guide for Busy Girls
"I know it is..." I replied dejectedly.
But that's not the point is it? We know that Tescos ads selling cheap pink bubbly, Thorntons ads selling heart-shaped truffles and Interflora ads selling stupidly overpriced flowers are all the spin created from such commercialism, but that's not the point.
The point is, us girls want to know that those boys care. We want to be showered with gifts (ok, maybe not showered - I had that once and it turned me right off "ugh! That's way too soppy, get off me!").
We just want evidence that our nearest and dearest can break from his macho-self for just one day and be a bit lovely.
Now, don't get me wrong - I don't wish to sit in an over-packed restaurant on Thursday night, full of couples-who-don't-get-on-but still-go-out-once-a-year, but a little gesture would be lovely.
Wonder how many blo**dy bouquets will be delivered to the office tomorrow... do I have to be present when the shreaking starts? Good grief.
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk The ultimate guide for Busy Girls
Sunday 27 January 2008
Love is all around
Oh god... it's nearly Valentine's day - you can tell because the Sunday mags are raving about the limited edition Marmite pots with 'I love you' written on them (love it!), the shops are full of heart-shaped Ferrero Rocher boxes (love them too!), and I keep getting emails about singles nights and romantic restaurant specials (don't love them).
As for my loving, well it's not happening this week - Himself is away for a week, so I'm home alone (well, me and the Dog).
One night in, and I'm lying on the bed, wearing a face mask with moisturiser thickly spread all over my feet, watching Wife Swap and eating bio-yoghurt straight from the super-sized tub.
You can tell Himself is in another country!
Although I miss him when he's away I do have a nice little time to myself you know, preening and cleaning, faffing and watching crappy TV... fabulous!
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - the ultimate lifestyle guide for busy girls
As for my loving, well it's not happening this week - Himself is away for a week, so I'm home alone (well, me and the Dog).
One night in, and I'm lying on the bed, wearing a face mask with moisturiser thickly spread all over my feet, watching Wife Swap and eating bio-yoghurt straight from the super-sized tub.
You can tell Himself is in another country!
Although I miss him when he's away I do have a nice little time to myself you know, preening and cleaning, faffing and watching crappy TV... fabulous!
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - the ultimate lifestyle guide for busy girls
Monday 21 January 2008
Miserable? Is it just January?
We're all so damned miserable today. Fed up, annoyed, grumpy, let down, under challenged, demotivated, aggravated, just plain old rubbish.
I've chatted to five friends today who all feel the same. But you know, it's January 21st - it's the most miserable day of the year - fact.
It's raining like nobody's business in Manchester - so wet and cold that I ate frozen meatballs for dinner - with one-week-old curling lettuce leaves. I couldn't go out to shop - it's too wet out there! So I sat and ate frozen meatballs (well, heated up) with curly week-old lettuce and then, yep, felt even worse.
Now, I'm sat here sneezing. Not another cold, surely? I've just got rid of one.
Ohh.... I want to run away to Australia - I hear it's warm there today. Who's coming with me?
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - the ultimate lifestyle guide for busy girls
I've chatted to five friends today who all feel the same. But you know, it's January 21st - it's the most miserable day of the year - fact.
It's raining like nobody's business in Manchester - so wet and cold that I ate frozen meatballs for dinner - with one-week-old curling lettuce leaves. I couldn't go out to shop - it's too wet out there! So I sat and ate frozen meatballs (well, heated up) with curly week-old lettuce and then, yep, felt even worse.
Now, I'm sat here sneezing. Not another cold, surely? I've just got rid of one.
Ohh.... I want to run away to Australia - I hear it's warm there today. Who's coming with me?
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - the ultimate lifestyle guide for busy girls
Friday 11 January 2008
Chicken war
Oh my goodness. We watched the Hugh Fearnsley Whittenstall programme on Wednesday, about how chickens are mass produced. If any of you watched it, I'm sure you're with me, it was quite shocking.
That's why I'm feeling so damned guilty this morning.
I'm watching Jamie Oliver on the BBC talking about his programme tonight, and wishing that I'd not been part of the mass-market chicken production.
I have bought 'normal' chicken, for quite a few years. I must admit that recently organic has featured more in my shopping trip, but when there's nothing but 'normal' chicken there, that's what I buy.
Not any more. I didn't realise, naively, how awful the treatment of chickens was. My friends have chickens at home and apparently they all have individual personalities - they even call to be let out in the morning and go quiet and calm as soon as the door to their hut is opened.
That's it. Can't bear it. Sometimes I wish I could be a veggie, because I do love my animals - but I end up struggling to find enough veggie meals to make.
Might give it a go again, why not? Save a life, do some good - makes sense to me.
Over to you...
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk
That's why I'm feeling so damned guilty this morning.
I'm watching Jamie Oliver on the BBC talking about his programme tonight, and wishing that I'd not been part of the mass-market chicken production.
I have bought 'normal' chicken, for quite a few years. I must admit that recently organic has featured more in my shopping trip, but when there's nothing but 'normal' chicken there, that's what I buy.
Not any more. I didn't realise, naively, how awful the treatment of chickens was. My friends have chickens at home and apparently they all have individual personalities - they even call to be let out in the morning and go quiet and calm as soon as the door to their hut is opened.
That's it. Can't bear it. Sometimes I wish I could be a veggie, because I do love my animals - but I end up struggling to find enough veggie meals to make.
Might give it a go again, why not? Save a life, do some good - makes sense to me.
Over to you...
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk
Wednesday 9 January 2008
Resolutions? Did I have any? I can't remember...
Although this is a bit like a private diary, except hundreds of you Busy Girls are reading this, purely for your own benefit, and not mine, I'm going to be brutally honest about how my resolutions went.
Erm. Not the best.
1. No caffeine
9.07am 1st Jan - had a cup of tea.
2. No naughty words
I don't swear a lot, but I don't like it at all, so I'd hoped to give up completely.
Unfortunately, I watched 'half a ton Mom' on the TV and that was it - a naughty expletive came out (I think it was the part where her legs were black from not moving for 4 years that did it).
3. No chocolate
No chance. Managed about 4 hours and had a snickers for elevenses. Weak!!!
4. Exercise more
Got to the gym once last week. Once. That was it - I even cancelled a spinning class with my friend because it was 'too dark' (it was 5.30pm)
Please tell me it's not just me, and that you're all sporting, fit, healthy eating whizz kids. Please!
Off to make a herbal tea - does it count if I start again today?
Love Eva xx
Erm. Not the best.
1. No caffeine
9.07am 1st Jan - had a cup of tea.
2. No naughty words
I don't swear a lot, but I don't like it at all, so I'd hoped to give up completely.
Unfortunately, I watched 'half a ton Mom' on the TV and that was it - a naughty expletive came out (I think it was the part where her legs were black from not moving for 4 years that did it).
3. No chocolate
No chance. Managed about 4 hours and had a snickers for elevenses. Weak!!!
4. Exercise more
Got to the gym once last week. Once. That was it - I even cancelled a spinning class with my friend because it was 'too dark' (it was 5.30pm)
Please tell me it's not just me, and that you're all sporting, fit, healthy eating whizz kids. Please!
Off to make a herbal tea - does it count if I start again today?
Love Eva xx
Tuesday 1 January 2008
more resolutions than ever - 2008 is a BIG year
Wow.
I didn't realise quite how in need of improvement I was until today.
Resolutions? I've got loads stacked up, ready to break within days, or hours.
My resolutions don't stop at personal ones (1. eat healthily, 2. have breakfast every day, 3. look after myself more, 4. be less stressed, 5. be less argumentative, 6. drink less wine, the list goes on) No - I've made work resolutions, home resolutions, friend resolutions and even pet-care resolutions - there's so much to improve.
I'm beginning to wonder how I got to the end of 2007, being so inappropriate.
I've not told anyone all my resolutions of course, they'd think I was mad. When asked this morning what her resolutions were - my friend proudly said she didn't have any. Not a one.
Imagine being that perfect!
Here's to breaking the first one - oh the shame.
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - the lifestyle guide for Busy Girls, Manchester & Cheshire
I didn't realise quite how in need of improvement I was until today.
Resolutions? I've got loads stacked up, ready to break within days, or hours.
My resolutions don't stop at personal ones (1. eat healthily, 2. have breakfast every day, 3. look after myself more, 4. be less stressed, 5. be less argumentative, 6. drink less wine, the list goes on) No - I've made work resolutions, home resolutions, friend resolutions and even pet-care resolutions - there's so much to improve.
I'm beginning to wonder how I got to the end of 2007, being so inappropriate.
I've not told anyone all my resolutions of course, they'd think I was mad. When asked this morning what her resolutions were - my friend proudly said she didn't have any. Not a one.
Imagine being that perfect!
Here's to breaking the first one - oh the shame.
Eva xxx
www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - the lifestyle guide for Busy Girls, Manchester & Cheshire
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