Lifestyle | The Perfect Weekend Away!

As you know, last weekend was Valentines weekend, the perfect weekend for couples to get extra smushy, and lovey dovey. Now there's a lot of people who get on their high horse, saying that they don't need a specific day to show their love for their significant other etc, etc. But why not? Take the opportunity to go that extra mile, not because you have to, but because you want to.

This year, was actually in a proper, 'adult-grown-up' relationship (scary right?!), so we decided to get away from the work and life stresses and spend the weekend in the middle of a forrest. Trust me, it's more exciting than it sounds....

We went to Center Parcs!

As a youngster I used to go here all the time with my family, so it was full of nostalgia, and happy memories, and this year I got to share it with someone really special to me.

From scenic walks around the forrest (it snowed for half the weekend, so the forrest turned into Narnia and it was the best feeling ever!), to painting mugs, spa experiences, and pancake stacks for breakfast, it truly was a magical weekend!

Throughout the village there was a running valentines theme. After every meal you had a valentines chocolate attached to your receipt.

With every coffee/hot chocolate order there was a 'chocolate treat' for you and your beloved.

There's so many activities you can do as a couple, (you don't even need to be a couple, because everything here can be orientated around families, groups of friends, couples etc). Unfortunately just before the weekend, Pete hurt his back, so the amount of activities we could take part in were limited in an attempt to not injure him further, however there was still so much to do!

My favourite part of the weekend was our spa treatment. The minute you walk through the door, you were created by people who seemed so relaxed and at peace, and everyone was so peaceful!

We had a 'dual treatment', which is specifically tailored for couples. This consisted of a back and neck massage, and a facial. It was so relaxing. You changed into fluffy dressing gowns (one size does not fit all, as a 5 foot 1 lady, the sleeves got rolled and the hem was hiked up!), and the floor was warm! I hate walking around in bare feet because the floor is always so cold, but this place must have had some underfloor heating, because my feet were in heaven! The ladies were so good with Pete with his injury, and he said he felt so much better after!

You absolutely can't go to Center Parcs without feeding the ducks. We picked a villa which was lake facing, so when you step out onto the balcony you are treated by a whole gaggle of them who just know you'll be providing them with bread! Side note, don't do what Pete did and try to lure them into the villa, the ducks know their boundaries, and will just look at you like you're an idiot...

It was the most perfect weekend away, and we've already made plans to go back next year!

Lifestyle | Let's talk about First Dates

 First dates ay,, we've all been there!

After being single for a while, I thought maybe I should put myself out there for a bit...see what happens...

Now I met my ex through my brother, because they were friends and they worked together (yeah it was a bit awkward), so i've never really been in the dating world. Most of the time, I think it's safe to assume that that was a good thing.

But where do you start? I'm always busy at work, and my social life isn't exactly buzzing, so obviously the right thing to do was to go for a dating website, more specifically, Tinder. Yeah I know, don't judge me!

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So Tinder. You swipe left or right whether you like someone or not, and no-one knows which way you've swiped on them unless you've both swiped right, meaning you like the look of each other, and this then allows you to talk to each other. Sounds simple, yes?

Well it is. Maybe too simple. 

You get chatting with someone, everything seems to go well then, boom! Dick pic, in your face... Or the guys whose first message is 'Sex or pics'. A personal favourite, 'Do you like dragons?' ... 'Because i'm gonna be dragon my ball across your face later'...

So those guys are pretty much a right off straight away. 

Then there's the ones that you get talking to, who seem alright, who suddenly decide that they want you to be the new mother to their two children, and want you to get married and be a stay at home mum, baking apple pies and changing shitty diapers. Yeah, bye!

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Then we move over to the select few you dare to give your number to. The one's who seem normal, who you have a normal chatty conversation with, who will randomly send you a dick pic when you're innocently sat in the lounge eating your spaghetti bolognese, watching tv with your mum. 'So do you like animals?' 'Yeah I really like cats....' Hmm he must have sent me a picture of his pets... Nope! It's a dick pic!

Or, there's the guys who you have nice chatty conversations with who just stop replying, or you leave the staff room to do a root colour, forgetting that you haven't replied to a message until weeks later when you see that there message is still chilling there, without a reply, but by this time it'd just be awkward if you responded... yes it does actually happen.. Sorry Thomas!

But then there's a handful and by handful I mean a maximum of like, 2-3, who you actually think you might be interested in, and with the back up of a friend sat a few tables away, you agree to meet for lunch/ a drink.

Let me introduce you to a few of my first dates; NB Not all of these have come from Tinder, that was just the start point for this blog!

Mr 'I'm Better Than You Because I Have A Degree'

So it seemed to be going well, but then he asked me about my job, so I obviously replied saying that I was a hair and make up artist...

'So you don't have a degree?'

No

'Did you not get into uni?'

I never applied...

'I think you should do a degree, there's plenty of at home courses you can do, but there not as good as going to a real university, but at least it's something and you're not just stuck being a hairdresser'.

He walked home. Alone.

Mr 'So You're Coming Back to Mine right?'

I never actually went on this date. Because in the whole run up to it, this guy was suggesting that we 'skip the dessert and have pudding back at his'. 

How about no.

Mr ' I've seen your face on Tinder so i'm going to assume that I can sit down next to you'

So I was waiting to have a meeting with someone about joining the Fellowship of British Hairdressing. And some guy, who I didn't even recognise, decided to announce to the whole of Starbucks that he'd recognised me from Tinder, and decided to have a seat... 

The most awkward part? When the guy I was meeting turned up from the Fellowship, he stayed there... Sat chilling there like a third wheel on something that could have potentially been a turning point in my career... Bit invasive to be honest!

Mr 'I'm so casual and laid back, and i'm going to talk all night about my kid and my ex girlfriend who's a psycho bitch'

The dinner was fine. The atmosphere was okay. The fact that he talked about his son didn't even bother me, who doesn't like it when someone is open and honest? But going on, and on, and on, and on, about his ex girlfriend (who he was SO over by the way...), just wasn't cutting it. So I mentioned that maybe we should change the subject, to which he agreed. Which lasted for about 10 minutes...

Don't get me wrong, some first dates go well (obviously, or everyone would be single). In my experience, ONE of my first dates have gone well, but then I caught a bug the day before the second date, and well... that's a story for another time.

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Lifestyle | 10 Things I've Learnt While Being Single

I've been single for over a year now. Don't get me wrong, i'm not a relationship grinch who thinks all men are just waiting to screw you over, and I do enjoy the thought of spending your time with someone who is truely and madly in love with you, but this past year, i've focussed on me. An i've got to admit, it's gone really well. I really think i'm the one for me.

So as part of my 'Independent Ladies' series, i've decided to share with you everything i've learnt during my time of singledom. (Not sure if that's a word but let's go with it.

1) You do things for yourself, not for another person. 

I used to have the mindset that I needed to look good for said 'significant other', and I don't. I get my nails done because I love having nice nails. I shave my legs so I can look good walking down the street in a split leg maxi skirt. I wear bright lipstick and curl my hair, because daymn, I look good in bright lipstick an curly hair!

2) You become less bothered if you catch a guy checking you out. 

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean the creepy guys who cat call you in the street, which is verging on sexual harrassment. But if i'm out with my friends, or just doing a bit of shopping, if I notice someone looking at me, knowing that I look good, I don't mind it. I no longer feel guilty and think 'oh my boyfriend wouldn't like that'. I work hard to look good. It's nice to have other people appreciate that sometimes.

3) You go to the gym to feel good about yourself, not because you don't want your other half judging your wobbly bits.

I joined the gym back in September, mid-singledom. As I was single I didn't feel like I was going to impress another person. I went for me. I wanted a smokin' hot body for my girls holiday the next summer, I wasn't doing it for the sake of a boyfriend. Everyone has parts of their body they're not happy with, but you should never change them for the sake of another person. I've always had the mindset that if someone didn't like me for who I am, to put it simply, they can do one!

4) Single dates are a thing!

The thought of going to a cafe or a coffee shop and sitting there eating or drinking alone would terrify me. But then what do you do when you mega-crave a cheese an ham toastie with a side of Caramellatte from Costa? Do you order it to go and sit and have it in your car? No! That's not fun! You take a book or a magazine, and you own that table by the window, because that is your table by the window and by god you're going to enjoy that cheese and ham toastie!

First step coffee shop, next step, Nandos!

5) You can do what you want, when you want.

Within reason of course. I don't mean you can go off terrorising people and robbing a bank just because you fancy it. If you want to go on a girls weekend you can do so without thinking your other half might feel left out. Another more personal example, If you want to write a blog about life and beauty, and basically any other things that come into your head, you can, without your boyfriend saying it's a stupid idea and no one would read it. (Tell that to my over 1000 readers, we so showed him guys!).

6) Seize the moment.

Last minute barbeque at Alice's house? Yep, i'm going. Mid-week trip to Ibiza? Sure, let me grab my suitcase. Tattoo of a cat on your arm? Tattoo away! Do you get the idea?

7) Normal people, don't respond to texts all day everyday.

You see, most people have lives. I was use to every message being answered, within the hour at least. But whilst being single, I've come to realise that not everyone does that, because they have jobs, and friends, and other things which mean they're not attached to their phones all day. 

8) Family is there forever.

As cheesy as it sounds, your family (and real friends that are basically family), are the only ones that will actually be there for you. These are the people you need around you.

9) Netflix and Duvets were made for you... and cats.

Sometimes when you've had a bad day, work's been stressful, you just feel like utter crap for no reason, your duvet will always be there to welcome you home with open arms. So grab the cat, stick on the tv, and binge watch your favourite programme until you decide you want to shower. No one's going to judge you.

10) DO NOT SETTLE!

Irrelevant of how long you've been single for, days, months, years, it is absolutely the most important and vital thing, that you do not settle. The right person is out there, and you will fin each other. Don't settle for someone who isn't giving you what you want, just because you want to be with someone. You're better than that.

I've been on my fair share of first dates, and this is the most important thing. If it doesn't feel right, don't force it. The situation wont change. When you find the right person, you just know. I am the most shy and awkward person in the world when I first meet anyone, employers, friends, potential boyfriends, and when I meet someone who i'm suppose to be with, all of that will vanish. Conversation will flow, I won't overthink every tiny detail, and I wont be afraid of smiling in front of them because of my wonky teeth. It'll just feel right.