It’s amazing how a book can make you feel and this piece of literature really moved me. In my humble opinion I think it deserves 5 out of 5. If I didn’t have Songbird by Sebastian Faulks to crack on with, I would’ve had the Kleenex at the ready and turned to the first page to read it again.
In a nutshell and without revealing too much about the plot, there are two protagonists Emma and Dexter who meet on the 15th July, the day of their graduation and spend the night together.
In each chapter you discover what the pair’s up to the subsequent year, following their lives until they’re in their early forties.
Em is bright and ambitious, yet she finds herself working in a Tex-Mex restaurant after graduating whilst Dex roams around the world. The characters both move to London where Dex becomes a famous TV host and Emma, after writing unsuccessful plays becomes a teacher.
Amidst the book, they endeavour to reveal their true feelings but coincidences deter such occurrences from taking place.
Dex develops a need for drugs which drives Emma away but a couple of years later they’re reunited at a mutual friends wedding to find that their attraction for one another still exists, albeit secretly.
The last few chapters certainly pull on the heartstrings and the end was simultaneously heartbreaking yet magical.
Hopefully, my almost amateur review has created somewhat of a cliff-hanger and you’ll want to find out why it’s so bittersweet.
Go on and scribble One Day on your to read list and enjoy the fabulous writing of Mr David Nichols.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Colour Conundrum?
The Situation
What’s a girl to do when her hair colour is trending to the masses? I mean, should she stick or twist?
I think there’s only one answer. At your earliest convenience make an appointment with your hairdresser and embrace a new style.
The Challenge
Faced with this drastic state of affair, I called Christopher Boyton and explained I needed to come in immediately if not sooner. Appointment booked, all I’m faced with now is the ultimate challenge of deciding what to opt for! Something pretty mainstream like blonde highlights with a long bob maybe? Or a really vibrant copper with a shorter cut? A fringe? Dreadlocks? A crimp? Okay maybe not that, I’d look ridiculous.
My hairdresser thinks I’m a serial hair-colour-changer as I can’t stick to a style for longer than 6 months but I suppose indecision is the key to flexibility, and you can’t argue with THAT.
The Outcome
To be continued (I bet you can’t WAIT!)
What’s a girl to do when her hair colour is trending to the masses? I mean, should she stick or twist?
I think there’s only one answer. At your earliest convenience make an appointment with your hairdresser and embrace a new style.
The Challenge
Faced with this drastic state of affair, I called Christopher Boyton and explained I needed to come in immediately if not sooner. Appointment booked, all I’m faced with now is the ultimate challenge of deciding what to opt for! Something pretty mainstream like blonde highlights with a long bob maybe? Or a really vibrant copper with a shorter cut? A fringe? Dreadlocks? A crimp? Okay maybe not that, I’d look ridiculous.
My hairdresser thinks I’m a serial hair-colour-changer as I can’t stick to a style for longer than 6 months but I suppose indecision is the key to flexibility, and you can’t argue with THAT.
The Outcome
To be continued (I bet you can’t WAIT!)
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Sunken Dreams
My blog and I have a boomerang relationship. I mean, I write a blog , then I’m gone for a while, and then boom I’m back with another post.
So I’m not a serial blogger, and obviously you know that too. But much more like an adhoc blogger who wanted to utilise this page almost as an electronic organiser – somewhere to store my travelling research, endeavours and dreams all under one umbrella.
For the last 10 months I’ve thought that I was going to see all of the places that other travellers have been to, the places that are there, waiting for us all to come and say hello to. Alas, a change of circumstances now means that plans for America 2012 are *gulp* terminated.
Wow, with a lump in my throat and a bit of smudged mascara writing this has truly hit home how disappointed I am. The power of the pen hey. Hang on, I’m typing...keyboard.
So I’m not a serial blogger, and obviously you know that too. But much more like an adhoc blogger who wanted to utilise this page almost as an electronic organiser – somewhere to store my travelling research, endeavours and dreams all under one umbrella.
For the last 10 months I’ve thought that I was going to see all of the places that other travellers have been to, the places that are there, waiting for us all to come and say hello to. Alas, a change of circumstances now means that plans for America 2012 are *gulp* terminated.
Wow, with a lump in my throat and a bit of smudged mascara writing this has truly hit home how disappointed I am. The power of the pen hey. Hang on, I’m typing...keyboard.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
East Coast Day Dreams
Roaming around the West Coast of America in July may not be all that manageable when temperatures can reach 50C, well only for some mad dog Europeans it may be, but it would significantly affect the shape of my trip when I have the national parks to go to, and apparently they’re home to some serious snakes during the height of summer, so going to take a rain check and camp out in the Sunshine State parks when it’s cooler.
Instead, one of the most bustling metropolis on earth NYC seems as though it steals every visitors heart and I’ve always wanted to take a bite of the big apple myself so first stop JFK.
Harlem’s been known as a no-go area but if you zig-zag through the not-so-mean streets it seems as though there’s some cool places to visit. The Apollo Theatre is where mega stars like James Brown, Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder all launched their careers plus the amateur night which is held on a Wednesday has been going since 1933 with the 1965 winner being the ledge Jimi Hendrix! Wouldn’t be that bad spending your hump days down in that den would it.
I’ve also read that Harlem is known for its gospel music and inside their churches; choirs clap their hands and swing their hips along to joyful songs. I can imagine the community to be very welcoming but I’m not sure they’d allow me to join in with the swaying and singing when it sounds as though an owl is being strangled when I sing.
Somebody’s said to me ‘When in America, go and watch American football’. So I will do, on the East Coast. I’ve only ever been to one football match before and that was at Anfield when Liverpool played against Wigan in 2009 with a 2-1 victory for the Reds and I have to say, loved it. I drank pints, ate a pie and screamed blue murder at the referee from time to time. But after watching an episode of Stephen Fry in America when he goes to watch a soccer game between two US colleges, I expect my American football experience is going to be somewhat more colourful and simultaneously over the top, theatrical, chaotic, overwhelming and probably matchless to that of LFC vs Wigan. And I can say that because I’m not a loyal Red. Fry was completely taken aback by the thousands of supporters, cheerleaders, mascots, singers, the sound of face-painted fans singing their homemade soccer songs, foam fingers and more extraordinary sights. A massive grin just spreads across my face when thinking if this is what the yanks do for an amateur soccer game, I can’t really comprehend what it’d be like going to see the professionals play! I’ll probably get that drunk off beer and the crazy atmosphere that it’s probably a 2-1 chance that I’ll run onto the pitch with my top over my head.
I joke.
But I’m definitely painting my face, buying a wig, a foam finger in the style of Joey’s from Friends and will stuff my face with hot dogs.
Instead, one of the most bustling metropolis on earth NYC seems as though it steals every visitors heart and I’ve always wanted to take a bite of the big apple myself so first stop JFK.
Harlem’s been known as a no-go area but if you zig-zag through the not-so-mean streets it seems as though there’s some cool places to visit. The Apollo Theatre is where mega stars like James Brown, Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder all launched their careers plus the amateur night which is held on a Wednesday has been going since 1933 with the 1965 winner being the ledge Jimi Hendrix! Wouldn’t be that bad spending your hump days down in that den would it.
I’ve also read that Harlem is known for its gospel music and inside their churches; choirs clap their hands and swing their hips along to joyful songs. I can imagine the community to be very welcoming but I’m not sure they’d allow me to join in with the swaying and singing when it sounds as though an owl is being strangled when I sing.
Somebody’s said to me ‘When in America, go and watch American football’. So I will do, on the East Coast. I’ve only ever been to one football match before and that was at Anfield when Liverpool played against Wigan in 2009 with a 2-1 victory for the Reds and I have to say, loved it. I drank pints, ate a pie and screamed blue murder at the referee from time to time. But after watching an episode of Stephen Fry in America when he goes to watch a soccer game between two US colleges, I expect my American football experience is going to be somewhat more colourful and simultaneously over the top, theatrical, chaotic, overwhelming and probably matchless to that of LFC vs Wigan. And I can say that because I’m not a loyal Red. Fry was completely taken aback by the thousands of supporters, cheerleaders, mascots, singers, the sound of face-painted fans singing their homemade soccer songs, foam fingers and more extraordinary sights. A massive grin just spreads across my face when thinking if this is what the yanks do for an amateur soccer game, I can’t really comprehend what it’d be like going to see the professionals play! I’ll probably get that drunk off beer and the crazy atmosphere that it’s probably a 2-1 chance that I’ll run onto the pitch with my top over my head.
I joke.
But I’m definitely painting my face, buying a wig, a foam finger in the style of Joey’s from Friends and will stuff my face with hot dogs.
Monday, 8 August 2011
California Dreamin'
Next year is certainly going to be a special one as the boyfriend and I are taking off from our usual hangout the UK and escaping to the U.S of A! We’ll touchdown in San Francisco circa July to do nothing but travel around the Pacific Coast and inland areas, probably in sweltering temperatures! Like Che and Granado in The Motorcycle Diaries, we’ll be relying on our own version of ‘The Mighty One’ aka a motorcar to get around.
Once we’ve spent some time in colourful San Francisco, the preliminary itinerary is to hit the road and drive down the coast to Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego and then move more central onto Las Vegas! Hopefully we’ll leave with some dignity after the latter but probably not, meh.
After completing some initial homework there’s certainly some boxes that have to be ticked and to name a few, Muir Woods to view the Redwoods, Alcatraz which will be historically fascinating and I’m not going to California without sampling their grapes. The Golden State is well-known for its vineyards and boasts more than 100 different varieties of wine grapes thanks to its diverse topography, soils, climates and growers. And what makes it even more amazing is many of the vineyards seem to offer certian cheeses to compliment the wine too! Wine and cheese: the perfect food marriage. *Wipes dribble from chin*.
I’m uber excited about the scheduled stops but have a fine feeling about the improvised ones. Each spontaneous location I’m sure will have something so quirky and unique to the town that’ll be totally unexpected and therefore will add to the wonderfulness.
Cutting loose from the coast and stumbling upon quaint towns I’d be stoked to find some funky RnB bars and Back to the Future like diners, very retro and stereotypical, old-school American digs. Awesome. And yes I’m gradually adopting American slang, I actually can't help it.
I'm not going to lie, holiday 2012 is certainly going to achieve epic road trip status. Ah Joie De Vivre!
Any suggestions on attractions /useful travel websites /motels (preferably with free valet parking) please holla!!
To be continued...
With love
Once we’ve spent some time in colourful San Francisco, the preliminary itinerary is to hit the road and drive down the coast to Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego and then move more central onto Las Vegas! Hopefully we’ll leave with some dignity after the latter but probably not, meh.
After completing some initial homework there’s certainly some boxes that have to be ticked and to name a few, Muir Woods to view the Redwoods, Alcatraz which will be historically fascinating and I’m not going to California without sampling their grapes. The Golden State is well-known for its vineyards and boasts more than 100 different varieties of wine grapes thanks to its diverse topography, soils, climates and growers. And what makes it even more amazing is many of the vineyards seem to offer certian cheeses to compliment the wine too! Wine and cheese: the perfect food marriage. *Wipes dribble from chin*.
I’m uber excited about the scheduled stops but have a fine feeling about the improvised ones. Each spontaneous location I’m sure will have something so quirky and unique to the town that’ll be totally unexpected and therefore will add to the wonderfulness.
Cutting loose from the coast and stumbling upon quaint towns I’d be stoked to find some funky RnB bars and Back to the Future like diners, very retro and stereotypical, old-school American digs. Awesome. And yes I’m gradually adopting American slang, I actually can't help it.
I'm not going to lie, holiday 2012 is certainly going to achieve epic road trip status. Ah Joie De Vivre!
Any suggestions on attractions /useful travel websites /motels (preferably with free valet parking) please holla!!
To be continued...
With love
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
The curious case of saving?
So I’m saving money for an immensely stretched holiday next year which means I now have to save heaps of cold, hard cash in order to go. I’ve always spent every single last penny of my wages; mostly to fashion stores, and I’ve never limited myself to a monthly spend so this should be, erm, nice, ahem. Growing up with SATC basically has shaped me to become a fashion marketer’s dream. *My names Mary and I’m addicted to buying clothes, shoes and hair accessories*. Anyway the latter craving is actually really kind to the pocket so I can still justify hats and hair scarves purchases...right?! . The trouble is, when I go into a fashion store, invariably Topshop, the most expensive thing in there always seems to wink at me and then I go on to talk to the piece of fabric in similar words to, ‘oh go on then, come here’ and take it off the rail and trot along to the cashier's desk.
Alas, this HAS to stop.
So I think I’ve expressed the fact that saving has never come naturally to me so you may be incredulous about the holiday booking going ahead, but I do think I've managed to develop a sound strategy.
One of my tactics to raise some money is to put my wardrobe on an extreme diet to get rid of the unnecessary weight it’s been carrying for years. The pile of unwanted apparel will be split between ebay and an impending carboot sale with the proceeds immediately going into the piggy bank. Chi-ting!
And to satisfy my needs for fashion, I've come up with a solution that’ll entail a sewing machine, patterns, material, coffee and a good album. Yes I’ve decided to make my own clobber.
So afterall, this saving and cutting back malarky doesn't seem so challenging afterall.
Any tips for saving/making clothes...all welcome.
With Love
So I think I’ve expressed the fact that saving has never come naturally to me so you may be incredulous about the holiday booking going ahead, but I do think I've managed to develop a sound strategy.
One of my tactics to raise some money is to put my wardrobe on an extreme diet to get rid of the unnecessary weight it’s been carrying for years. The pile of unwanted apparel will be split between ebay and an impending carboot sale with the proceeds immediately going into the piggy bank. Chi-ting!
And to satisfy my needs for fashion, I've come up with a solution that’ll entail a sewing machine, patterns, material, coffee and a good album. Yes I’ve decided to make my own clobber.
So afterall, this saving and cutting back malarky doesn't seem so challenging afterall.
Any tips for saving/making clothes...all welcome.
With Love
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