Very cunning...

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

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

Am I an addict?

That's it. I've had enough of it. I can't stand it any more.

I can't get away from it, it's driving me mad.

I don't want to like it, I wish I hated it. I don't even know if I really like it.

Some (lucky) people have never encountered it, others (even luckier) don't ever want to.

I did and I'm regretting it.

What is it?

Facebook.

Once you step over to the dark side and get an account that's it. It's got you.

I've never had an addictive personality... I can cut a slice of chocolate cake and put the rest back into the fridge for tomorrow. I can pour a glass of wine and save the rest. I can even, and this is serious proof, I can even resist buying amazing shoes because I don't need them (sick I know, some serious willpower comes into play here).

But when it comes to Facebook, I'm a sucker. To test my resolve, I really tried to ignore it the other day. I promised myself I wouldn't go near it for three days (until Monday). Then, on Saturday morning, my phone flashed with 5 emails - all from old friends contacting me via Facebook.

"Don't do it!" my inner voice screamed "Leave it until Monday, you've not heard from them in ten years, what does three days matter, it'll wait!"... but no, I couldn't. I had to read their messages, I had to know... so I logged on, on a Saturday morning.

Give me strength.

Does anyone have a cure?

Eva xxx

www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - the local lifestyle guide for Busy Girls

Gerboas, gifts & groans - it must be Christmas

Fact one: It's definitely Christmas.

The proof:

The News has gone peculiar. News programmes normally dedicated to hard hitting, miserable stories of death, misery, doom and gloom have been forfeited for X-Factor results, the Gerboa (haven't you heard? Breaking news on BBC, they've found a mouse with kangaroo legs and elephants' ears), how to make Christmas pudding & stories of who has the most lights on their roof.

The whole world has gone shopping - together. Homes are deserted. Drive ways are empty. And every time I try to go shopping I end up wanting to tear my hair out and scream. Yes, everyone is shopping, at once.

White wine is out of fashion. In favour of something a little warmer - I'm onto Mulled wine as if it's going out of fashion - stuff the Chablis, I want cinnamon & spices.

Everyone wants to tell us what to wear. I can't open a magazine without being told which sequined top to wear with wide legged black trousers and sparkly sandals to the Christmas Party. Yawn.

Fact two: I'm definitely panicking.

Proof:

I still only have two Christmas presents.

I don't have my tree up yet.

I hate turkey.

What am I going to do?

Shut up and go shopping I guess...

Eva xxx

www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - The lifestyle guide for Busy Girls

little white technology lies

"I put it in the post last week!"
"Oh, goodness, my phone must be playing up again"
"I sent it yesterday - don't you have it yet?"

Sometimes, my phone plays up, it's true. Sometimes I post cheques and letters and they don't arrive. Sometimes I send emails and they bounce.

Believe me, I get really annoyed when this happens, because I did make the effort to send it, I did call when I said I would and I did take the time out to write the email.

But sometimes, and I can't believe I'm admitting this (but I'm sure it's good to be truthful, ouch) I pretend that my phone has gone on the blink, I turn off the computer even though I've not sent the email, and I find the letter I should have sent weeks ago, lurking in the bottom of my bag.

You see, the thing is, it's easy to lie nowadays, isn't it? Because technology, although quite incredible and utterly life-changing, can be totally unreliable too. And of course the Royal Mail strikes have ensured we can make up as many 'it's in the post' lies as we like, because even if it was, we know it wouldn't get there on time.

So, there you go, I've confessed. I'm a naughty girl, I sometimes tell tales about computers crashing, phones playing up and post not arriving.

Say it's not just me, surely?

I'm off to send the emails I meant to last night, post some letters and phone some people. I reckon I can redeem my ways!

Have a good day Busy Girls, a fabulous weekend and see you soon...

Eva xx

Buying myself Christmas presents

I did it again.

Went to the Vivienne Westwood Shopping evening last night at their glorious store on Kings Street in Manchester. It was a lovely evening, well it always is when you combine Christmas shopping with pink champagne cocktails...

So there I was loving the store and thinking of who I could buy presents for, I was having a little personal celebration as it had been a miracle of an evening already... I parked right outside the store - what a find!

So I'm browsing the jewellery and accessories and suddenly I catch myself - I'm shopping - for myself.

Yep, I'm trying on, prodding, posing and outrageously toying with which ring and necklace suits me more.

I'd forgotten within two seconds that I'm supposed to be Christmas present shopping and have settled on a lovely Vivienne Westwood ring and keyring - pour moi.

The next minute I hear myself saying 'well, it is nearly Christmas, so why not?'

With this level of resolve it's not surprising I've spent up for Christmas already, on myself *chuckle*

Have a good day Busy Girl and enjoy your Christmas shopping this weekend - hope it's more successful than mine!

Eva xx

www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - lifestyle, shopping, fashion, health, food, reviews - for Busy Girls

Is it my fault I'm so Busy?

Every now and then I tidy up and get things straight. Whether it's my clothes which are strewn on the floor, which get a good tidy and file, or my kitchen cupboards covered in sugar which get a good clean, I seem to do things in chunks.

But quite frankly, I'm a bit all or nothing.

You see, there's no consistency in my efforts. I may spend a good couple of hours sorting a room out, but that's only when it's become too unbearable to keep looking at. By the time I'm done, I'm too tired or bored to do another room!

Should I blame myself for the mess in my house? I blame my job, I blame how much I try to cram into a week and I blame the fact it's only me who ever tidies.

But this brings me back to a point which has been bothering me for a while. I'm a busy girl, but it's definitely me who has got me here. It's my fault I've taken on so much. Don't get me wrong, Himself could definitely help more, but I think the only reason he doesn't is because I do it for him. I offer or I start doing things, so why would he interrupt and take over?

I've caused my own chaos. And the funny thing is, there's no point trying to change it now, because I've done it for so long it would pile up in days if I stopped now. I'd be climbing over washing and dirty pots in defiance.

I could be a bit more consistent with my cleaning and tidying though, I do drive myself mad - how did those clothes get on the floor? Wish I had some help...

Tidy wishes, Eva xxx

www.busygirlsguide.co.uk The ultimate Lifestyle Guide for Busy Girls

Busy Girl Eva goes to the gym, for 3 seconds

Last night as I drove up the final half a mile stretch to my house, the traffic ground to a standstill as usual. I just happened to stop before the turning for the gym, whose second exit just happens to come out past my house.

Hee hee... I can drive through and out the other side!

So, I followed a stream of cars into the gym. The car park was absolutely packed, I've never seen anything like it... every single parking space was full, I can only imagine how hideous it was to actually try and work out with that many people packed into the gym.

Funnily enough, research released yesterday stated that we are going to the gym more than ever, with more of us having membership (I think the whole country has membership to my local gym). But, and it's a big but, as a nation we're still getting fatter and more unfit.

That's because they assume going to the gym means we're actually doing something. I've seen, and been one of, the ladies who flits around doing nothing, trying to look busy pumping a 1kilo weight pointlessly.

Anyway, last night, I merrily drove past all the cars, to the second exit and scooted down the road, loving my cheeky short cut. By walking to the car in the first place, I probably did as much of a work out as half the people in the gym...

If you're off to the gym today, hope you put in a bit more effort than me! Have a good one,

Love Eva x

http://www.busygirlsguide.co.uk/ The ultimate lifestyle guide for Busy Girls

Are horoscopes fact or fiction?

At the beginning of every month, some Busy Girls religiously read our horoscopes desparate for some good news, fortune or romance on the cards.

I'm really quite torn when it comes to horoscopes, can't decide if they're worth reading or not - it just seems that some are so ridiculous, you know, like the Mystic Meg versions "... someone beginning with K and a man in a dark coat will cross your path today..." oh, give me strength.

Spookily though, horoscopes sometimes speak right to you, don't they? I've just read our Busy Girls horoscopes and I'm so hoping that this month's is right because it sounds fab!

Sucked in, right? Or just an optimistic soul? Either way I guess it's just nice to have an idea of what life's going to be like for the next few weeks... don't even get me started on tarot, now there's another minefield!

I hope you have a lovely day either way Busy Girl, predicatable or not...

Speak soon,

Eva xxx

Move a muscle and you're nicked...

Can't believe it. Just got 3 points and £60 fine, for using my phone in the car, whilst parked.

The world has gone mad.

The engine was on, I left it running as it was cold this morning, but I had the handbrake on and was going nowhere.

Most frustratingly, the police man was the most aggressive man I've met in a long time - you'd have thought I'd just shot someone in front of him. I could sense his delight at nailing me, for doing, quite frankly, nothing. Of course he was all sweetness and light as soon as he had my signature on the charge slip.

So, apparently, the law has gone to even greater lengths to keep our minds on the driving and our hands on the wheel. I thought my Busy Girl friends should benefit from my lesson - here's the full list of what will get you the same fate...

Apparently it's now illegal to:

• Hold a mobile phone while driving, this includes cradling the phone on your shoulder, or holding it by any other means.
• Hold a mobile phone any time the car's engine is switched on, even if the car is stationary, whether to make or take calls, send text messages, use Google Maps etc, or any other function.
• Hold a mobile phone while supervising a learner driver. Cause or permit anyone else to use a handheld mobile phone while driving.
• Or doing anything that suggests you wouldn't be in total control of your car - which can mean eating, smoking or finding mints in your pocket...

... humph ...

Eva x

Imagine a world without animals

Late home the other night, I passed a beautiful, huge fox loitering on the A34. Then I was stopped dead in my tracks when a stunning foot high owl flew past me and landed on the traffic lights. It was amazing, but just didn't seem quite right - two wild creatures living on a dual carriageway lit with orange-sulphur street lights.

Charity, recycling and the environment are constantly forced upon us, every day, pushing us to substitute our already paid taxes with additional funds to support where the government doesn't. Most of have our heart strings tweaked and support because we know there are people and places less fortunate than ourselves.

But what about the animals? The other beings that share our planet with us?

As a real animal lover, I'm delighted the media have finally started to focus on the welfare of animals instead of overdoing stories on rubbish and recycling. Don't get me wrong, we need to recycle and stop the excessive waste, but we all know that the proposed environmental taxes are doing the government's pocket a great deal of good.

So, finally, it seems we're focussing on the animals. Today, GMTV highlighted the need for the rehabilitation of ex-racing greyhounds, how we should be saving the countryside and helping to make kids more aware of nature around them. Not to mention the possibility of complete extinction for the wild and wonderful Tigers, Orangutans and Panthers.

Imagine a world without animals....

I don't know about you, but I don't want my grandchildren or great grandchildren to suffer that fate. I'm off to find out how to help.

Have a good day Busy Girls... love Eva xx

The price of living in paradise

While we were shouting at the TV all weekend, willing our boys to win the World Cup Rugby and later, the Grand Prix (don't say it was just me?), residents of one of the most luxurious and coveted areas in the whole world were fleeing their burning homes.

If you haven't heard yet, Malibu has been on fire all weekend as a result of naturally occuring fires. And there we are, always moaning about the British weather, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has discussed running off to sunnier climes. But it seems even one of the most fabulous places in the world has its problems.

Speaking of LA, how amazingly fantastical was the camera work on the new MTV programme Living on the Edge?! I watched the apparently 'real-life' docu-soap the other day and it was quite incredible.

It seems I don't have to think about moving; according to their programme I already live in LA! The camera panned around Alderley, showing a beautiful harbour with expensive yachts - Alderley Edge doesn't even have a river let alone a sea front! I'd love to get my hands on some of the MTV rose-tinted glasses...

Hope you have a good day in paradise Busy Girl

Speak soon, love Eva xx

stop putting yourself down!

"Oh, I'm just a mum", "I just work in an office, nothing special", "I have a rubbish job, I hate it"

I was at a ladies networking event (social not business) last night and I couldn't believe how people were describing themselves.

Us girls have got issues. The more women I meet, the more I see the general lack of self confidence.

Americans are known for being brash, bold and confident to the point of arrogance, but us British girls, we just don't seem to be able to blow our own trumpets - we're always apologising for ourselves and putting ourselves down.

We just hate to sound 'full of ourselves' so we attempt to put ourselves down before we start.

I mentioned what I felt to Lucy at The Busy Girls Guide last night and she promised to put something on the Guide about it tomorrow - as a lifestyle coach, she works with people on their confidence all the time, so I knew she'd have a solution! I'll post the link here later today...

So, Busy Girl, if this sounds like something you'd do, today I want you to join me in a little confidence practice - if you meet someone new today, try telling them what you do without making it sound dull, boring or unimportant - you are important and much more worthy than you make out!

Have a great day, and a lovely weekend and I'll catch you next week...

Eva xxx

Busy Girl Goes Training - shock!

Argh.

Went training with my new PT yesterday (Mike Bach from Body Planner - he's on www.busygirlsguide.co.uk). You see, he's joined The Busy Girls Guide as their new Personal Trainer & fitness advisor, which means he's had to pass their service and quality tests, so that must mean he's good.

And I thought that training with him would be fun. So I booked a session with him.

Fun? I conveniently forgot that I'd have to put some effort in - I had this idealistic image of myself trotting around the park in Alderley Edge, with a big smile on my face as I took in the beautiful surroundings, chatting to Mike whilst stretching out on the bench and generally looking quite glamorous in my matching Nike sportswear.

Reality check needed, Busy Girl.

I don't have matching Nike sportswear - I have old trackie bottoms and odd tshirts and I haven't had new trainers for 11 years.

Sweating, puffing, panting, groaning and moaning, wet feet, wet trainers, wet legs.

Don't get me wrong, Alderley is beautiful at 9am on a crisp, dewey morning - but I'm not.

I'm out of shape. I need help. Looking back, it was probably a good idea to find this embarassing fact out now.

So, I invite you to follow my progress Busy Girl - I'll be blogging about my Personal Training sessions every week, giving you the highs and lows. I invite you to come training with me from your computer screen, let me do the work and you can feel my pain!

Am aching now! Have a wonderful weekend Busy Girls and catch you next week...

Eva xx

www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - expert lifestyle guide for Busy Girls - Manchester & Cheshire

Facebook, Google & the Nation's nosiness...

We're a nosey bunch aren't we?

Every time someone new comes onto my friends page on Facebook, I just can't help myself but have a quick nose over their pics - to see what they look like now, what their partners are like and if I've not seen them for a while, whether they are married or not.

What on earth is wrong with me? I couldn't for a minute believe that it's just me that does this. So, I did a bit of a test - I delved into how Himself uses Facebook and then did a quick skirt of the male friends I have on there, to see what action was happening.

Well, funny discoveries, indeed. The boys all seem to have far more pictures of themselves - in fact one of them has a mighty 100 images of his own face, on his own profile. And as for Himself, well he came back with tales of who was living where, doing what and looked out of shape or otherwise.

So, it's not just me it seems - the boys are equally addicted to showing off, comparing and contrasting.

My main concern is that when I see someone doing well, looking happily married or engaged, or travelling the world, that I automatically, instantly and instinctively feel happy for them. I can't bear the thought of being in 'virtual' competition with someone I hadn't even thought about in years.

Just a thought...

Have a great day Busy Girls and I'll see you tomorrow

Eva xx
The Busy Girls Guide - www.busygirlsguide.co.uk
What's on around Manchester & Cheshire www.busygirlsguide.co.uk/calendar.asp

fashion weekend manchester - our diary, review & backstage gossip

Dear Busy Girls

You've got me today, Lucy, as poor Eva is feeling a little under-the-weather - there's something going round, isn't there? She'll be back by next week, bless her...

As it's the 'talk of the town' I thought I'd report back on Fashion Weekend Manchester, which kicked off last night with their VIP launch and fashion shows.

6pm












Arrived at Urbis, the home of Fashion Weekend Manchester with Nikki, I felt slightly over dressed as going to The MEN Property Awards afterwards but I didn't need to worry - talk about make an effort! Everyone was dressed to impress - like really dressed up -I've never seen Manchester so turned out!

After a welcome glass of pink champagne, we were escorted into the main shopping area - rows and rows of clothes at half price to 70% off! We were in our element for about 20 minutes, picking up some fab buys at really great prices.

The best bits we found were - Blush B-Lush Bags, Funky Ben De Lisi pieces starting from £40.00, D&G signature coats at £120.00, a bit of Vivienne Westwood (including some fab biker boots), loads of Van Der Lande, Gharani Strok (yes, we nearly died), fun Manchester brand Me & Yu and loads more.

Spotted Sara Cox picking up a few bargains - mostly a-line t-shirt dresses - lovely lady that she is...

7pm











Dashed upstairs in the funky Urbis lift, with Sarah Dunne from Hollyoaks and the cute little thing who plays 'Nancy', and a couple of the Emmerdale girls to find our place at the catwalk show.

There was a split rumour about who styled the show - some said it was the lovely Karen Jones Russell, some Rose (ex. Vivienne Westwood). Either way, it was a lovely show, with Boss Models strutting their stuff... it was actually VERY wearable, and not at all 'couture crazy' which surprised us.

There also seems to be a lean towards quite androgenous models - no 'girly gorgeousness' to be seen...

So, all in all - the show was packed full of wearable AW07/08 gorgeousness, floors 2 and 3 are packed full of clothes, bags, shoes and accessories that, quite frankly, you need your credit card ready for (there's no way you'll be able to resist buying something!)... it's worth a look definitely.

We went on the first night, and within half an hour, it was packed - we were saying that Saturday will be manic, so get your flat boots on, and prepare for a bit of mayhem - rails may be flying by lunchtime, so try to get there ontime...

email us experts@busygirlsguide.co.uk for the timetable for the rest of the weekend... have fun Busy Girls and let us know if you have any questions - we're always here to help!

Love Lucy x www.busygirlsguide.co.uk - The expert lifestyle guide for Busy Girls - Manchester & Cheshire

Stressed huh? Well, perhaps a little bit...

Apparently half of Britain are stressed - having time off work to 'recover'. I'm not surprised to be honest, it's a pretty stressful place to be at the moment - there's such a drive for materialistic gain.

This is so evident in the media where everyone seems to think you've only made it if you have the latest Chloe Bag or read the right magazines and been to the right parties.

I guess it's all about money, really.

As a bona-fide Busy Girl, my life often seems too full to be consumed by consumerism - I just don't have time to flick through magazines to find out which tote I should have my eye on, or which shoes I should be coveting. But, I do believe that it's that level of 'need' for 'things' that has us working like crazy, desperate to make another buck.

So, stress. We all have it to some degree, in our 'want it all, need it all' generation - we want the promotion, we want the family, the happy relationship, the nice meals-out, the lovely clothes, the 'happy life'... we want it all - so we strive to get it all.

No wonder we're stressed...

I'm off to make the most of my day, to forget which bag Grazia Magazine tells me I should have and to enjoy meeting some new faces, hear new stories and absorb real life - the people themselves.

Have a good one Busy Girl and if you do feel stressed, I'm a good listener!

Eva xx

PS: There's an article on The Busy Girls Guide about how to relieve stress - do have a peek http://www.busygirlsguide.co.uk/article.asp?id=42

how rude? Is Britain becoming worse?

That's it.

I've had enough of people beeping me because I'm a second too slow taking off at the lights.

I've had enough of the girl at the local shop who can't even be bothered to look at me when she serves me, let alone smile or say thank you.

I've had enough of the waiters who throw evils at me because I've not added a tip to the credit card slip - especially when I was intending on giving them some change instead.

I've had enough of pressing 75 different buttons to get through to the right person at the phone company, only to be cut off after 10 minutes of continual dialling tone - and they say they're in communications?!

I've had enough of watching chavs on tv getting away with murder, literally, meanwhile we're all worshipping chav-celebrities, who 'forget' to wear knickers to get in the press.

I've had enough of moaning about it all... do you think it will get worse or will it ever stop?

Rant over. Got it off my chest. I'm too busy for all this.

Love Eva xx

breakfast battle...

Unless I plan it, or have something I fancy ready to eat, I just can't help but let breakfast slip through my fingers.

I know it's the most important meal of the day. I know my metabolism will slow down if I don't eat breakfast and I know my body will move into starvation mode and stop breaking down the fat.

But when you're busy you really can forget to have breakfast, can't you?

But, it's another week, and being a fan of 'resolutions' I decided to put another 'plan' into action (if you've read this blog before, you'll know self-improvement is my religion). So this morning I decided to make an effort to eat something pretty much as soon as I got up. I actually went out last night and bought some Dorset Cereals porridge (talk about commitment to a plan) - the sad thing is, I looked forward to tasting it this morning!

It was actually very nice (I got the nutty version) and I know I'll be full up 'til lunch - the only thing is I was muttering disapproval through the whole process - it's hardly a quick option, it takes a lot of milk and a look of cooking.

My goody-two-shoes side of my brain tells me to shut up, and that in reality, it's only 10 minutes, so I should make an effort to queeze the time out of my schedule to fit it in.

So, a new week a new resolution, let's see if I can keep it up - hope you've had your Shreddies or your Weetabix this morning! Have a great day Busy Girl...

Love Eva x

http://www.busygirlsguide.co.uk/ The Lifestyle Guide to Manchester & Cheshire for Busy Girls

saying no...

Don't know about you Busy Girl, but I have a real issue saying "no". It's not just me, my more conscientious friends are the same - whenever someone asks us for a favour, we automatically say 'ok, yeah, I'll help you'.

I always seem to say yes to a seemingly simple task and then find out what I've really let myself in for when it's too late to back out. The favour usually becomes something I don't really have the time to do - like ferrying boxes backwards and forwards or waiting for hours for a delivery. I end up frantically rushing to get all my stuff done too - or it gets forgotten in the haste.

I'm going to make it my quest today to say 'no' to something that I'm asked for.

Can you imagine - the next time my boss asks me something I'll be like 'No!' - ok, maybe I'd better figure out my boundaries.

Why don't you try it too? Together we will become liberated Busy Girl (or sacked)...

Eva xx


The Busy Girls Guide Manchester & Cheshire