Flashback Friday- Our first holiday together.

Mr E and I's first holiday abroad together was to Cuba.  Since then we have been extremley fortunate and have travelled to some wonderful places all over the world but no holiday has had quite the anticipation as that first time. We were in our newly together phase and were so thrilled to be going away with each other.  We booked it last minute and managed to get the holiday for £500 each all inclusive which is obviously a really good deal to go long haul.


The flight was long and tedious, as we travelled with Thomas Cook and had to touch down on one side of the island to let some people off before flying over to our side.  This was tiring and not fun for someone who doesn't like flying. (me!)  When we got there it was then a long transfer to where we were staying.  It had been raining and it was really late at night and the air was so humid and wet.  We got to our hotel and we were greeted with the most awful smell of damp and as it was so late were given the dregs of the buffet which was cold and not very tasty.  When they escorted us to our rooms I sat down on the bed and it felt wet with damp.  I have been very fortunate to generally stay in very nice hotel's due to my job and I was so upset and just didn't feel comfortable.  We asked to change rooms and the next room was slightly better but I still wasn't totally happy.  I think everything seems worse at night, especially as we were so tired.


Fast forward to the morning and the sun was beaming through the curtains.  We went down to breakfast and although the food wasn't amazing, it wasn't too bad.  Everything seemed a lot better and I felt much more optimistic.


And I was right to be optimistic.  Although it wasn't the best hotel in the world, everyone was very friendly and we really had the most fabulous first holiday together.  We drank cocktails and got tipsy every night and sunbathed and ate all day!  We went swimming with the dolphins which was one of the most amazing experience of my life and we have a lovely video to treasure.


What made the hotel for me was the beach.  I have been fortunate enough to be to go to some wonderful hot countries, including Thailand, Barbados and Mexico, all of which cost a lot more money, but none of them had as beautiful beaches as Cuba.

I have never seen such clear water as we did on those beaches.  The above photos are not edited in any way- it really was that blue.


We went on a day trip to Havana which was really interesting- Mr E used to invent cocktails so we spent to two famous bars, one where the Dacquri was invented, and we also looked around the Havana Club Rum factory.  A lot of Mojito's were drunk!  We also loved looking at all the old Classic cars which are very popular over there and learning about the history between them and the US.  (They have a long standing history which means that no American products are allowed in Cuba and Americans don't tend to visit.)


All in all it really was the most amazing holiday.  We were young, had no worries and were totally wrapped up in one another and even though we had initial concerns with our hotel, for the price it was fine.  We have been very lucky to go on some wonderful holidays and although money is tight now we have Mads, I really love travelling and do hope to go on some more great trips. (Although not this year!)  However amazing, they will never have that anticipation of that first, carefree holiday and because of this I will treasure the memories forever.


Head over to Karin's abode and check out some more Flashback Friday's...

One of many fashion shames....

So the Tots 100 Blog Hop this month is all about 'fashion shames.'  I can safely say that I have my fair share, and I am going to share one with you now.


Let me take a deep breath and admit something to you all....


I used to dress like a Chav.  


Actually I just looked up the definition of Chav online and apparently I am a Chavette.  


There I said it.  It is now out in the open and I have told my deepest, darkest secret.  I am not a Chav, and never have been a Chav (I went to Private School dahling-albeit on a scholarship!) but I went through a period of time that I thought it was acceptable to have bleached blond hair, dark heavy eyeshadow, and more fake tan than you could even imagine.  The best thing about the aforementioned fake tan is that I could not apply it properly which you can see from my white patches in the photo below.


My outfits wouldn't of been out of place in your local red light district.

Please see example above.


No we are not in fancy dress.  I actually made the decision to leave the house like this and no one had the decency to stop me.
I am the one on the left.  Note the yellow hair to match my rather short skirt.  The heavy makeup and the rather delightful hoop earrings.  Also why we thought it was good to wear matching outfits I do not know.


Yes I know I look like Barbie on crack with a pimp for a boyfriend instead of the lovely Ken.


There is much more evidence where this came from but for now they are staying hidden.  I have to maintain some dignity.


At least I have managed to get it off my chest.  Please don't have nightmares.

Flashback Friday- The One Where We Get Engaged

As there is a rather small, low key wedding going on today, I felt like it was only right that my Flashback Friday for this week had a wedding theme.  Last week was my hen do and this week I have decided to take a trip down memory lane and write about the day Mr E decided to ask me to be his wife.


Mr E and I were living with my Mum at the time to save up some money for a deposit on a house, having moved back to Cambridgeshire from London.  He had told me that we were doing something exciting one weekend so as to make sure I didn't make any plans.  I had been going on and on about going to Go Ape so I honestly thought this was where we were going!


On the Thursday evening before said weekend we went out with my Mum and her partner to celebrate Mr E's 30th birthday as my Mum's partner was going on a climbing holiday and wouldn't be around for his actual birthday which was the following week.  We had a lovely time and drank lots of champagne and were quite tipsy so when Mr E awoke around 6am on the Friday morning I presumed it was because he was a bit hungover.


He was tossing and turning and obviously couldn't sleep so in the end I asked him what was wrong.  He turned round and out of the blue said 'Look under your pillow I think a fairy has been.'  I had just woken up and hadn't got my contact lenses in so was all disorientated!  I looked under the pillow and pulled out a small box.  I still don't think it really sank in but all of a sudden he uttered the best words 'Will you Marry me?'  I started crying my eyes out and jumping round the room.  My engagement ring was a beautiful platinum solitaire diamond.


He presented me with a goody bag which had lots of different bits in it including two plane tickets to Edinburgh for later on that afternoon.  He also had arranged for me to have my nails done that morning (in order to look my best for showing off the ring!)  He also arranged for some of my family to meet us in a bar near us for a champagne breakfast.


That afternoon we flew up to Edinburgh and it was one of the best weekends of my life.  We spent the daytimes mooching around the shops (where I also got terribly spoilt with perfume and a new purse!) and the first evening he had booked for us to go to Harvey Nichols for dinner.  One memorable part was when we decided to order a bottle of champagne.  As we were deciding the waiter came over with the bottle we were going to pick (Laurent Perrier Rose if anyone ever fancies buying me a bottle- its my favourite!) and a card.  We were totally confused until we opened it and my Mum had bought us one with a little card saying Congratulations.  That made me cry again!  The tables are quite close together and I dread to think what the couple next door thought of us!


The second night it was amazing because it was late August and the festival was just ending.  There was a lovely fireworks display on which was very romantic.  We got very tipsy as we went on a mini bar crawl.


Below is a small snapshot of photos from the weekend.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend, and Mr E made me the happiest person in the world when he asked me to be his wife.  Who would have thought that three years later we would have a lovely baby daughter!


Now head over to Cafe Bebe to have a look at some more memories...

Anyone for a spot of Orange?

One of my favourite brands is Innocent- of course we enjoy their smoothies, (and I am quite partial to their veg pots as well) but also because of their very clever and cute advertising campaigns and their approach to sustainable packaging and ingredients.  In fact I have their book 'A Book About Innocent: Our Story and Some Things We've Learned' on how they started and I really recommend it to anyone who is interested in the company.


Therefore I was quite happy to have a 'test' of their new orange juice. (Although lets just say it didn't hang around for long!)


First of all the difficulty was finding it.  Because it was nice weather all the local shops had sold out.  Finally we found some.  We decided to get the 'smooth' variety because Mr E is a baby and doesn't like bits.  However there is the 'with bits' option for adults and better behaved children than my hubby!  They also do a rather nice apple juice as well.


The juice comes in a 900ml carafe and there are 11 juicy oranges squeezed into it.  That is a lot of oranges! You can really taste them: the juice is sweet, thick and has very strong flavours.  We will definitely be buying it again.

As you can see Mads really wanted to have some like her Mummy and Daddy.  She is a bit young yet at only 17 weeks, but that didn't stop her having a nibble of the bottle!






Why not head over to Innocent and 'Shake the Tree'for your chance to win one of many great prizes? 

Whats in a name?

One of the first important responsibilities as new parents to be is to decide (without fighting) on a name for your new bundle of joy.

I think it is a big decision and not one to be taken lightly.  After all your new 'Princess Tiaamii' or 'Apple' is going to have to live with their new name for the rest of their lives.

We made the choice to find out the sex of our baby at the 20 week scan.  We thought it would be easier then to decide on a name if we knew what 'flavour' we were having.  Unfortunately not.  We still couldn't agree on a suitable name for our new baby girl.  Millie, Isabella, Charlotte and Madeleine were our top contenders, however in the end we had 99% settled on Madeleine before she was born.

When you are pregnant everyone wants to put their two pennies worth in about your own personal decisions.  First everyone wants to know whether you will find out the sex and gives their opinions on what you should do.  Next people want to know what names you have thought of.  I have friends who have not mentioned any names until the baby has been born in order to keep it a surprise but we did tell a few people our shortlist.  Most people told us their favourite off the list and that was it.  However I did tell one guy I worked with that one of our favourite names was Madeleine.  He turned to me and said 'Oh don't call her that, she will be forever associated with Madeleine McCann.'

He really upset me.  If I had told him that after she had been born, I am sure he wouldn't have dreamt of saying that so why say it to me before?  Why do people find it necessary to give their opinions to a very personal decision?

I have always loved the name Madeleine and one imbecile almost stopped us calling our daughter a name we both loved and agreed on.  I know I shouldn't have cared what he thought but I started to question whether others would think this as well.

If no one ever called a baby a name of a celebrity/historical figure/person from their past then there wouldn't be many names left.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I know that not everyone will agree on names, but I think for our next baby we will keep quiet about what we are calling them until they are actually born.

According to Bounty the top girl's name for 2010 was Olivia and the top boy's name was Jack.  Madeleine didn't make the top 100 but Katie was No 20.  At least I can say to her that her Mummy is still trendy in some respects!

Flashback Friday- Cluck Cluck

So it's Flashback Friday time again and I have decided after my post yesterday about how I 'Used to be Cool' (not really!!) I would write about the memory of the last drunken night out I had with all my friends- my hen do.


My hen weekend was in November 2009.  We got married a month afterwards in December and then I fell pregnant in the March, so it was my last real night out with my girl friends. 


My bridesmaids and another one of my good friends had the task of planning my hen do.  I had no strict requirements so I ultimately let them decide, the only thing I wanted was for it to be a surprise.


I knew that we were going to Newcastle but apart from that I knew none of the other details until we got there.


My friends totally surpassed themselves and I couldn't have asked for a better 'last weekend of freedom.'


They had hired us a penthouse apartment in Newcastle and on the Friday night we decided that we were just going to have a couple of drinks and a girls night in chatting and reminising.


It started off that way...

However it soon progressed to us deciding it would be a good idea to go out into Newcastle city centre in our pj's.


This is how our 'quiet' night in ended up.

The next day they told me that we were going to do a secret activity.  This turned out to be pole dancing.
Anyone who knows me knows that I have absolutely no rhythm or coordination so I was a little nervous about the whole experience.  However the instructor was really good fun and we all had to dress up in the costumes that she provided.  I got the 'bride' outfit which looked like something the Bride of Frankenstein wouldn't even be seen dead in.

I can definitely say that pole dancing was not my forte!


On the Saturday evening my bridesmaids presented us with coloured tights and we all wore black dresses.  We had some cocktails in our apartment and they organised me a 'Mr and Mrs' quiz.  They had already asked Mr E some questions and we had to see if our answers matched.  I am pleased to say I did quite well.

We all went out again, first to a teppenyaki restaurant which was really nice and then to a karaoke bar, where we managed to get the whole bar up and dancing on the tables!  We then went and danced the night away in a cheesy nightclub.  (The last time I was in a nightclub!)


This is how the second night ended.  The perils of high heels!

All in all it was a fabulous weekend and it made me realise how lucky I am to have such brilliant friends.  Unfortunately none of them live near me since we moved, a lot are in London, and a lot are up North but we talk on the phone all the time, and they really are the best friends I could ask for.  We all are at such different stages in our lives, some are married with children, some are in long term relationships, some are single, some are travelling, some are working, but I know that if I needed them they would be there in a flash.


I enjoy nights like this occasionally but it has been so long now, I think I would be tucked up in bed after one glass of wine!  




Now head over to Karin's abode and check out some more...