tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21915187691694941312024-02-19T16:39:28.851+00:00The Middle SisterThe wonderings, ponderings and other 'ings' of me. Lifestyle, review, news and opinion posts. Chic with a hint of sarcasm... hopefully!TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-38778585614621069172018-06-08T07:50:00.000+01:002018-06-08T07:50:54.850+01:00Hiatus...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Middle sister is going on Hiatus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I may be back, I may start something afresh, I don't really know yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You can catch my inane ramblings on <a href="https://twitter.com/Theemiddlesis" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> pretty pictures on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theemiddlesis/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Catch ya later alligator. </span></div>
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TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-36033279317227606602018-05-17T12:07:00.000+01:002018-05-17T12:07:08.269+01:00Mental Health Awareness Week - My phsical and mental health dealing with LBP<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That feeling of normality… when your mind is at peace and
your body well is, I believe, the most underrated feeling in the world.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Something you only really crave, or even appreciate
when it’s no longer there.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having not
felt in tip top condition over the past few months I think I’m more than
qualified to say this.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Feeling</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> sick SUCKS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve been advised I have low blood pressure and so what you
may say, that’s a good thing isn’t it? And yes to some extent it is. But if
your blood pressure is so low that you feel nauseous and lightheaded (like when
you hit an air pocket in a plane and it drops 50 ft) and even faint then it’s
not a good thing, it’s a very bad thing. You see this occurs when your heart isn't pushing blood to your organs or brain properly
which, you know, is kind of required to deal with the basic functions of being
alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the risk of stating the bloody
obvious this has meant my physical health is having a strong influence on my
mental health which is something I need to keep an eye on as I have been prone to a little anxiety in the past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The thing is once you know you have low blood pressure, you
are hyper aware of any and all symptoms that might be a sign its dropping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The notion that at any minute (because you
really don’t get much warning) a plan can be derailed and an evening,
weekend or week ruined is quite debilitating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Am I going to be sick or well today? Am I going to be sick but then fine
a few minutes later? Am I going to be fine then faint on my sister and the maitre’d
of the poshest restaurant in Cambridge again*? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Questions Questions! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It makes you not want to go out and resist making plans and I really feel for those dealing with chronic and long term diseases. I mean I’ve been a sulky mess
for a few months but this IS completely manageable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much harder would it be if this had been
going on for years or if the doctors didn’t understand what was happening to
me!? How depressing? How confusing? What anxiety inducing cycle of despair would that have put me in?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But like I said, for me this is handle-able and I’m finding
the silver lining in this fucker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My diet
and hydration are key so I’m paying more attention to
this. I’m listening to myself when I’m feeling unsure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m meditating more (using <a href="https://www.calm.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>Calm</b></i></a> which I’m finding extremely helpful!) I’m changing my exercise routine and
looking at the bigger picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On an
immediate level, I’ve got a blood pressure monitor so if I have made
plans to go out for an evening or am feeling unwell I can quickly find out if I
need to take action to up my blood pressure, putting the power back in my
hands! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that feels good.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So good that
I’ve now had 2 two whole days with minimal symptoms, which is something I am making a point</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to think about and be grateful for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What about you, what are you doing to look after your mental & physical well being?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Yes that actually happened!</span></span></div>
<br />TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-9052496473518127112018-04-14T14:44:00.002+01:002018-04-14T14:44:22.908+01:00Charming Chamonix: or Another Skiing Holiday!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rqD6p4uG56hWaioQiJvuh-UTyZLUl2QqWjMUf2mfMsDYsCKnLSUMnQPCHHHzHwOU6zPlX8OYzBb8i2BH5nz-s_8gLYG332DaZSdwd6gN0AhBvwR0EtItBjzjlbCwQ1Yph0uL5AGy4Dc/s1600/Chamonix%2528Phone%252901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rqD6p4uG56hWaioQiJvuh-UTyZLUl2QqWjMUf2mfMsDYsCKnLSUMnQPCHHHzHwOU6zPlX8OYzBb8i2BH5nz-s_8gLYG332DaZSdwd6gN0AhBvwR0EtItBjzjlbCwQ1Yph0uL5AGy4Dc/s640/Chamonix%2528Phone%252901.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s been a couple of weeks since my last post and while more change is afoot and a couple of family things have sprung up, one of the delays is due to a particularly privileged pastime. Yes dear reader I have been on ANOTHER skiing holiday*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This time Chamonix! We were in the extremely fortunate position of being able to rent an apartment at mate’s rates in the heart of the town**. A cute little place directly opposite a couple of bars that turned out to be our favourite hangouts. </span><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://monkeychamonix.com/" target="_blank">Monkey</a> </b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">did a mean brunch as well as tacos, burgers and cocktails while the owner of </span><a href="http://www.bighornbistro.com/" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><i><b>Big Horn Bistro and Bakery</b></i></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> became quite familiar with our faces by the end of the week. Their atmosphere, decor of animal hides and comfy leather chairs as well as the considerable gin collection made for very acceptable evenings. In short it was the perfect location.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chamonix has much to offer and is a popular resort familiar to most western middle class people that like to ski. From here you can get to both Italy and Switzerland on the slidey things attached to your feet if you’re good enough. We weren’t but no matter, from the charming, helpful people to the abundance of English speakers - my laziness truly knows no bounds - we did feel particularly welcome and managed to have all sorts of fun on the piste.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However come March the altitude being only around 1,000 metres does mean it’s not the usual walking around in a snowy mountain town I had come to expect.* With only black runs down to the centre you need to be advanced or a strong intermediate skier to get home without taking the bubble of shame (a cable car which transports you back down the mountain and is a real no-no in any of the higher resorts I’ve frequented).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That said being a ‘real town’ Chamonix is great for the non-skier as well. The landscape, food and, importantly for moi, coffee being some of the most pleasing aspects. I love skiing as much as the next person, unless the next person is my husband who would ski all-day-every-day for the entirety of the season if he were able. I’m more of a few hours playing in the mountains then off to see what other adventures I can find snow bunny. Luckily my interest in photography meant I had a lot to play with night shots being particularly entertaining. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Real ale drinkers might like to know Chamonix has its own brewery </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bigmountainbrewingcompany/" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><i><b>Big Mountain</b></i></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. Run by 2 brits it was small and charmingly shambolic when we popped in during a brew. While obviously busy the guys were so chatty and chilled happy to explain the process and generally be lovely. While I'm not an ale drinker I am advised their beer was the best in town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My home town of Cambridge has had more coffee shops open in the past few years then I’ve had ski holidays. I’ve not see the same dedication to the bean in the mountains, however it is starting to filter*** its way through. I LOVE a good coffee shop as my rather lovely husband knows so he sourced the best place for a morning brew. <a href="http://www.cafesmoody.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>Moody Coffee Roasters</b></i></a>, run by 2 brits**** is everything you'd want it to be, friendly staff, great cakes and wonderfully aromatic and tasty coffee. We sampled this most mornings and I was very happy with this ritual.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re invited on a ski holiday I would recommend Chamonix, whether you go for the pistes or the views alone is up to you but I think you’ll enjoy it. I certainly did though have visited France with alarming regularity this year and have a trip to Champagne on the way later next month. So I suppose I’d better stop being so bloody lazy and learn the language eh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*excuse me while I wipe away a crumb of privilege from my
pampered cheek!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">**without getting all mean girls about it you can’t use it.
You need to know Mrs M. or own a time machine, go back to 1990 and make friends
with her at school, then stay in touch. Or make friends with her now. Whichever
is easiest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*** pun TOTALLY Intended!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">**** sensing a trend here?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com074400 Chamonix, France45.923697 6.869432999999958245.746996499999995 6.5467094999999578 46.1003975 7.1921564999999585tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-47064101208585616242018-03-17T16:35:00.001+00:002018-03-17T16:35:26.049+00:00Review: The Ivy Brasserie <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wGrnKRC_KeuYOwCNqzckkerw9C726u4qotKAg2gdoEzJR74CoJnEBQoLP_J0W7E8gQDrzuXBbdAsgtEpK8f6wBirzQl1qFjybPAXTB0KanR_94GpPkTmJln0yrKC6qUZCHvCtGojluw/s1600/TheIvyBrasserie01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1600" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wGrnKRC_KeuYOwCNqzckkerw9C726u4qotKAg2gdoEzJR74CoJnEBQoLP_J0W7E8gQDrzuXBbdAsgtEpK8f6wBirzQl1qFjybPAXTB0KanR_94GpPkTmJln0yrKC6qUZCHvCtGojluw/s640/TheIvyBrasserie01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some morning are perfect and last Wednesday was one of those mornings.
I happily battled my way through the Cambridge rush hour traffic as even that
couldn’t dampen my spirits. Maybe because the first few days of spring
announced themselves in a parade of yellow trumpeted blooms and I could feel
the sun warm my shoulders.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course it
might have been that I was making my way to <b><u><a href="https://theivycambridgebrasserie.com/" target="_blank">The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie</a></u></b> for their opening
week Blogger Breakfast as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entering The Ivy for the first time you are greeted by a strong
and wildly colourful décor by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio*.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m a less is more women in general, but these
bright colours and in-your-face design really works as it’s paired with a 1920’s
sophistication, so you’re left attracted to the HUGE swan murals and sharp-angled
art that covers the walls.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bar begs
to be sat at by elegantly dressed persons and reminds me a little of the famous
Overlook Hotel** while the deep velvet of the moss green chairs invite you to
take a load off.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuqM520V9TamoiaECfZY2aykXtBOj4M8N64mvs1pImZCRI6mNSBbp6xf5gifxFNNDz5CzDxsNRu91FFpxkUjcZeBm8PGa-vOy16OgMadYdK8ry_x-WFzWBmiyodc3tPPv-mdUeXfSmUY/s1600/TheIvyBrasserie05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1483" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuqM520V9TamoiaECfZY2aykXtBOj4M8N64mvs1pImZCRI6mNSBbp6xf5gifxFNNDz5CzDxsNRu91FFpxkUjcZeBm8PGa-vOy16OgMadYdK8ry_x-WFzWBmiyodc3tPPv-mdUeXfSmUY/s640/TheIvyBrasserie05.jpg" width="592" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might be thinking ‘breakfast at The Ivy you say? No problem, I’ll just
take out a second mortgage/sell a kidney and be right with you’. The thing is
when you eat here in part at least, you’re paying to have your experience in a
prestigious institution.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But don’t think
that means they are simply dinning off*** the London reputation, in either
service or sustenance.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes the drinks were
over £3 each though as a Cambridge resident for many years I’d say the prices
aren’t too far from the average eatery. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Head
Chef Stuart Conibear has worked at Downing College and was chef to Prince
Charles for over 3 years so if it’s good enough for our future king its good
enough for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztnxvqbhe9eVCHSscv7Zqfr_ronSJscylbTv6DaWLSqM_EPAWTMeeh5DRJvqDrp-5P2wi_s75Db9JwmkNb1L7M1ukR8kTPYJXlEHV1gnj9eVYh7nU4gkN-C37vLcmcUtJw_9bvNycqgw/s1600/TheIvyBrasserie06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztnxvqbhe9eVCHSscv7Zqfr_ronSJscylbTv6DaWLSqM_EPAWTMeeh5DRJvqDrp-5P2wi_s75Db9JwmkNb1L7M1ukR8kTPYJXlEHV1gnj9eVYh7nU4gkN-C37vLcmcUtJw_9bvNycqgw/s640/TheIvyBrasserie06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As stated this was a blogger breakfast which meant there was much image
taking of instagramable dishes as we tucked into still warm pastries and coffee.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I indulged in tangy, seeded avocado on a toast
with (deeply yellow and perfectly poached) hen’s eggs. We also got a tour to
see the private dining area and walk around the restaurant fully and I could happily
have spent a few hours here either for a brunch or at cocktail hour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt9-ThTG0R60DxXEIJDu7OC1BYm7PJTBaGIPp6KQc2oWT6g00Fd1QOXGbh7VqUj2JssHjIE96sYxi_nsNNoGGmG0dvU43wg9gKSZ5WC7xWXihNkviWwD4PuVGzzEtnsGXZLixtpSRFHo/s1600/TheIvyBrasserie07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1600" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt9-ThTG0R60DxXEIJDu7OC1BYm7PJTBaGIPp6KQc2oWT6g00Fd1QOXGbh7VqUj2JssHjIE96sYxi_nsNNoGGmG0dvU43wg9gKSZ5WC7xWXihNkviWwD4PuVGzzEtnsGXZLixtpSRFHo/s640/TheIvyBrasserie07.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One side point that gives me just a little pause is when asked how the
food is sourced and if fair trade/ethical/organic concepts are taken into
consideration, the brasserie responded by saying “As with any responsible
restaurant group, we take the time and effort to make sure we work with the
best suppliers.” Not the <i><u>most</u></i>
convincing of replies so this is something I will keeping an eye on and I’d
love to know what you think as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCl52vHBGufUiOz5_oSwaWAUqT4VDul0cQRFk_o4mIyuZsGtUPQHH9OIKnYUbodc-b8gBU5lWTsXdx-wGsbj2AUA1wOYQxcZib1FcKzwI9Tlz3ABxOEz5IJt6KAfaJlzMWy8IcSf4wgs/s1600/TheIvyBrasserie11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCl52vHBGufUiOz5_oSwaWAUqT4VDul0cQRFk_o4mIyuZsGtUPQHH9OIKnYUbodc-b8gBU5lWTsXdx-wGsbj2AUA1wOYQxcZib1FcKzwI9Tlz3ABxOEz5IJt6KAfaJlzMWy8IcSf4wgs/s640/TheIvyBrasserie11.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All things considered I’m looking forward to going back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes dear reader, it looks like Cambridge culinary
lovers have yet <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">another</i> place to
think of when deciding where to go for a dinner date. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will I see you there?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">* Am advised this was ‘consulted on by’ so not entirely sure how much of a hand they had in this design.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">It’s really rather good either way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">** That gorgeous bar in The Shining, pre the Jack Nicholson crazed homicidal maniac murder spree of course!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*** pun FULLY intended</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsBinn3-OUBtt1ADwYVtM7YqQuuvK0mUxLjSqn-gvPDtnDoIAAbW771YOjvf2uXuAQOUAUz6Nhv3eju3SUykoOGNpQOAiCqnvC_7Q8gsNBkbXLVYyhbEUXu2rQJHrjMfllFnCGWFyyJU/s1600/TheIvyBrasserie04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1583" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsBinn3-OUBtt1ADwYVtM7YqQuuvK0mUxLjSqn-gvPDtnDoIAAbW771YOjvf2uXuAQOUAUz6Nhv3eju3SUykoOGNpQOAiCqnvC_7Q8gsNBkbXLVYyhbEUXu2rQJHrjMfllFnCGWFyyJU/s640/TheIvyBrasserie04.jpg" width="632" /></a></span></div>
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<br />TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-4711929703837837862018-03-10T18:36:00.002+00:002018-03-12T08:06:47.072+00:00Review: Urban Larder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkWSNxBZ_lIOQu88EcDS_I2qevp5MAJNhUIkPmiUwDKP-H8pHC_5vBahyphenhyphenMqOgSdEQJzgfKGPhceuTr5MZo8dIv2TQBrpn3pTfV9jdX-9WqUa9T2pDi8RiHe8Vp2Pkci12asZ9FrE2qv4/s1600/Urban+Larder02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkWSNxBZ_lIOQu88EcDS_I2qevp5MAJNhUIkPmiUwDKP-H8pHC_5vBahyphenhyphenMqOgSdEQJzgfKGPhceuTr5MZo8dIv2TQBrpn3pTfV9jdX-9WqUa9T2pDi8RiHe8Vp2Pkci12asZ9FrE2qv4/s640/Urban+Larder02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was a full time freelancer one of the places I loved to go for inspiration was Mill Road, Cambridge’s most multicultural street it holds a special place in the heart of many a local resident. It also just so happens to house one</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of the cutest coffee shops we have, <b><i><u><a href="http://www.urbanlarder.coffee/" target="_blank">Urban Larder</a></u></i></b>. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Set up just over 3 years ago (they had their toddler birthday the other week) this cosy corner has instagram worthy dark wood tables, a counter full of the most glorious pastries and a cheese toasty menu to salivate over. Here’s the Cool the Quirks and the Que of this particular coffee house:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The Cool</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Urban Larder was one of the first places I regularly frequented and I’ve had a soft spot for it ever since, evidently many people feel the same. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There’s generally a happy chatter going on between staff and customers and t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he owner, Duncan, is possibly the friendliest person in town. <i>At least</i> every third customer seems to know him personally and he has time for all of them as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The coffee itself is constantly evolving, from espresso to lattes to pour overs. Duncan serves it any way you want it, always intense but never burnt he and his merry band of worker bees truly know how to brew. But let’s circle back to those toasties shall we? At one time they had the dubious honour of having my best cheese toasty trophy though now I have to admit there is another </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">equally pleasing </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">contender. Not that Urban Larder have slacked off in their quality, it’s just that </span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u><a href="http://www.themiddlesister.co.uk/search?q=locker" target="_blank">The Locker</a></u></i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> arrived and now matches them for colour, taste and stodgy, gooey goodness! Lucky Us TWO places to get a cheese toasty fit for a goddess! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUEt3Ii5ESfS9kN6Uum5kgW92RSF2zfpiHEh_sMaptzAnXoarLsP6YCJ36-yC13uhWv5U6eauh1jV6FqzSqEpIqfqlOvYm9Ht4SYNMWA2l-HJndfEevmB8JY0S-PrVSNjDbE2dJ3lGXc/s1600/Urbna+larder+Cheese+toastie-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="1600" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUEt3Ii5ESfS9kN6Uum5kgW92RSF2zfpiHEh_sMaptzAnXoarLsP6YCJ36-yC13uhWv5U6eauh1jV6FqzSqEpIqfqlOvYm9Ht4SYNMWA2l-HJndfEevmB8JY0S-PrVSNjDbE2dJ3lGXc/s640/Urbna+larder+Cheese+toastie-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The Quirks</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For such a popular place it is extremely small. So much so that on any given Saturday if you are not there before 10am you will struggle to find a seat. Its also pretty popular with young families so there is quite a bit of noise when the kids (and sometimes the adults) start playing with the Lego boxes on all tables. Not the place to go for a little piece & quiet or to work. It also has one of the tiniest public bathrooms I’ve ever visited. You can barely turn around to get some paper without knocking your elbow on the wall. Not ideal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The Que?</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some oddities I’m still trying to work out is why they don’t seem to like loyalty cards? While I have it on good authority they do use them when I approached Urban Larder to chat about these fabulous free coffee cards for a Barista Magazine article, I was met with unease and reluctance and I’m still not sure why. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another question I had is with so many Cambridge roasters like <b><i><u><a href="https://silveroakcoffee.co.uk/" target="_blank">Silver Oak Coffee</a></u></i></b> and <b><i><u><a href="http://www.themiddlesister.co.uk/search?q=hot+numbers" target="_blank">Hot Numbers</a></u></i></b> why they go to <b><i><u><a href="https://butterworthandson.co.uk/" target="_blank">Butterworth & Son</a></u></i></b>, a Suffolk roaster, for their coffee beans? However the lovely larder people (Duncan I'm assuming!) were only too happy to answer this saying on Twitter "Just wanted to distinguish ourselves". He goes on "Butterworths are from where I grew up and they're blooming lovely people on top of all that.... oh and their coffee tastes pretty good too! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">😊".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Typically friendly chat eh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So it’s tiny but it’s lovely. It’s noisy but its friendly and above all it sells a damn fine cup of coffee!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you been to <b><i><u><a href="http://www.urbanlarder.coffee/" target="_blank">Urban Larder</a></u></i></b> yet? </span><br />
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TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com29 The Broadway, Cambridge CB1 3AH, UK52.198031600000007 0.1435867000000143926.675997100000007 -41.165007299999985 77.720066100000011 41.452180700000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-84379362160630880172018-03-02T12:36:00.000+00:002018-03-02T12:50:50.231+00:00Vero. True Social? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgHy4LUOsuGqqwTQMSJakN8sVz05GSIgzHKdiaJrm1HBfm5Li8iKP-bPucLavAdjk67BvkjxMhZxXt0NXzxG8dcC4WAuKoTsTtlk0zEZDg4BG14OPZtDQwZFwC8d7S93HVAliJ95xNAA/s1600/vero+image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgHy4LUOsuGqqwTQMSJakN8sVz05GSIgzHKdiaJrm1HBfm5Li8iKP-bPucLavAdjk67BvkjxMhZxXt0NXzxG8dcC4WAuKoTsTtlk0zEZDg4BG14OPZtDQwZFwC8d7S93HVAliJ95xNAA/s400/vero+image.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So did your Monday start with a search for what the heck <a href="https://www.vero.co/" target="_blank"><b><i>Vero</i></b></a> is? </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeah me too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After hearing about it on sunday from <u><b><a href="https://lifesacatwalk.com/" target="_blank">@lifesacatwalk</a></b></u> I was all set to ignore the hype much like I always do when a new platform comes along. But on Monday afternoon I signed up. Due in part* because I saw their super SWANKY advert:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LdJ-wl0l-Hk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LdJ-wl0l-Hk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I mean come on! They have a silky smooth female voice over saying all the things we've been bitching about (boo algorithms, adverts etc.) WONT happen on Vero! What self respecting instagram lover who has watched their engagement fail off a cliff could resist! It felt open, honest and woke, But is it as good as it promises?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lets start with the good stuff!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jjBnVq8_bAlzhu7nsd9hQ3BLANWXb99nFaVBuldaxpKXKOf_ZvRQS9IlJRZN-xTQy5Z1L_58QFTjBTN0CS9GtQyqf9yvIs_ky8wNWsTAbfk4hmRrIJlOLGXOiUyqSbsgPjXKSBqVu4A/s1600/LIFESTYLE_POST_MUSIC01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jjBnVq8_bAlzhu7nsd9hQ3BLANWXb99nFaVBuldaxpKXKOf_ZvRQS9IlJRZN-xTQy5Z1L_58QFTjBTN0CS9GtQyqf9yvIs_ky8wNWsTAbfk4hmRrIJlOLGXOiUyqSbsgPjXKSBqVu4A/s640/LIFESTYLE_POST_MUSIC01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>No algorithms:</u></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Since the Facebook takeover, instagram have ignored our pleases to reinstate the chronological order and kept their fancy-pants-tech-geek-computer-programme which push posts down the feed IT thinks aren't popular. My feed usually consists of three adverts and seven posts from a week ago instead of current 'just posted' images. This is particularly dumb when a post is scheduled to coincide with a memorable point in the year (Valentines Day, Christmas etc.) as this means you are STILL seeing valentines posts on 18th February. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bobbins eh? Vero is promising to pull no such technical shenanigans! How this will work when/if they get to a billion users is yet to be decided but for now its a real plus point.</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">No adverts</u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: Which means the big guns can't buy space on your feed and get their annoying as all heck post about insurance above that of lovely friends chatting about lovely things! </span><br />
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<u style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Links:</u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Theses can be clicked on directly from your post. Great for bloggers, no more #linkinbio rubbish!</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Classification</u>:</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> You can split your connections into acquaintances</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, friends and close friends (they can't see what you call them) and then decide who sees your posts. Gives you a little rush of power choosing who fits in what category doesn't</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> it? </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Its free:</u></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> At least for the first million users anyway then (supposedly) it'll be about tenner a year. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">** UPDATE they have now surpassed their 1 MILLION USERS but are still offering the app free 'until further notice' due to how lacklustre the service has been up until now**</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrbj22yxSQaz9VdptLrQZllKI21BAEO6ViuOxy-S_gGKqsqppKLIdI6DPpoovf6F26T1WE0OVhFupDU0G7CJ1Tf3fWYJMQ-2V-P2zobPFQfuwCHa-fO5pkg83lajjQ_yfU-YvHsu2YMM/s1600/free+vero.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="609" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrbj22yxSQaz9VdptLrQZllKI21BAEO6ViuOxy-S_gGKqsqppKLIdI6DPpoovf6F26T1WE0OVhFupDU0G7CJ1Tf3fWYJMQ-2V-P2zobPFQfuwCHa-fO5pkg83lajjQ_yfU-YvHsu2YMM/s640/free+vero.PNG" width="560" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However...Some aspects of this platform are not currently running all that well. True its only at beta stage so this may change, but if you signed up today be prepared for the following:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Bad Stuff!</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">S</span><b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">earch Engine Issues:</b></u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> You can post separately on things like books, music, TV etc but the search engine is weak. Some books can't be found at all and when I tried to @ my sisters in a post, Vero told me they didn't exist even though they most definitely do. Turns out they needed to post something before they could be found even though we had already connected, super annoying. It's equally bad at finding people </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">you know are on Vero but that you aren't yet co</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nnected to. You'll get anything from no results to an ever changing list of randoms... to both...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zqQ_aadLfyXI3p07kEoDrmBsD8r1WBHUMZKs7T2MewDg46ngDKdRaj01V9T55Xk2KQOAP2v9QGbEaPKknngqNIQtiJuCAtYHrAQkOaUyT5Z9pN_AIWqk5RHPcn2wr6Ak43oo_m8Gg0c/s1600/No+Results+and+Results_+VERO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zqQ_aadLfyXI3p07kEoDrmBsD8r1WBHUMZKs7T2MewDg46ngDKdRaj01V9T55Xk2KQOAP2v9QGbEaPKknngqNIQtiJuCAtYHrAQkOaUyT5Z9pN_AIWqk5RHPcn2wr6Ak43oo_m8Gg0c/s640/No+Results+and+Results_+VERO.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Follow or Connect:</u> </b></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Decide whether you want to connect or follow and connect to your friends straight away because the bloody follow button LITERALLY disappears if you don't do this on the first go. Should you change your mind you need to disconnect and reconnect to be given the opportunity of doing both again and its a major pain in the hole!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">SO. GOD. DAMMED. SLOW</u> Much like the little town of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Kingston Falls**</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Vero is c</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">urrently completely overwhelmed and fighting to stay alive which means the app is running like shit! Which leads me to...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Battery Drain</u> While my battery lasted 1.5 days BV**** now I'm lucky if it makes it to 8pm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the truly awful </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WTAF stuff...</span></span><br />
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</u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Hashtag Violation</u>:</span> Certain popular hashtags are always going to be searched but Vero seem to be having trouble keeping images of nudity out of the results. For example I searched for #Louboutin... About 10 pictures down I got a boob. No I'm not kidding. Am not adding the picture here but any that don't believe me please contact me directly and I'll show you! This NEEDS to be addressed pronto, there's nothing wrong with nudity but I didn't want nudity I wanted pretty shoes and I got flappy baps! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Bad Karma: </u></b>Rumours that the Lebanese billionaire owner is <b><i><a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/40537378/plot-twist-vero-the-new-popular-social-network-may-actually-be-bad" target="_blank">not a nice guy</a> </i></b>have been floating around all week dogging the possible runaway success the app could have been. Vero of course have put out a statement saying we're nice, honest (am paraphrasing). The conspiracy theorist in me feels it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility that a certain Zuckerberg owned company helped the rumour along*****. Either way its leaves a bad taste in my mouth.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Dv8fO3W9K034HvSWe0DW0Z9K4INRen-Lk2ieYVs5rgXueru_cbCf_5TYeSZo5i5ZKTBUXhPc_HHfhvsdtqSAt4oPeXP0GZh0xr3wr0oM3WEUOcy_DcZlxTfwEa3cgGQyzfEEh1vG0MI/s1600/BOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Dv8fO3W9K034HvSWe0DW0Z9K4INRen-Lk2ieYVs5rgXueru_cbCf_5TYeSZo5i5ZKTBUXhPc_HHfhvsdtqSAt4oPeXP0GZh0xr3wr0oM3WEUOcy_DcZlxTfwEa3cgGQyzfEEh1vG0MI/s640/BOOK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not everyone is going to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/paularmstrongtech/2018/02/26/why-you-shouldnt-put-your-brand-on-vero/#1a5dd2004370" target="_blank"><b>like it</b></a><b>, </b>and w</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hile it maybe be a little unfair to review it now as it is still beta, the fact is going viral means you get judged. The customer service team at <b><i><a href="https://www.vero.co/" target="_blank">Vero</a> </i></b>have an extremely limited time to get things ship shaped or, much like the Titanic, the ride will be over before it even really begun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm giving it a bit longer before I power down completely, will you be joining me on Vero? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for part read 100%</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">** ERM the town in THE GREMLINS! Jeez who didn't know that***</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*** Me thats who. Had to look it up to complete the analogy... Its not even a very good analogy, I probably shouldn't have bothered. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">**** Before Vero</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***** I base this on NOTHING its a theory only! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-7740463492778224162018-02-23T11:55:00.000+00:002018-02-23T12:15:38.718+00:00Privileged Pastimes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivcae51UyaCrYK4PQOkUbpLEL_SBAgDU7UxiUVHzoo2cvvl2ooabQ_XItDH2oorUKF4Q1BIB3lmo1IFU6zG-eS23Gc07rf07n5z69YgSptx32Yqmjbnfc-F5JfwGpUaFZfVHPQLHVCjs/s1600/Tamburlaine_Afternoon_Tea05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1543" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivcae51UyaCrYK4PQOkUbpLEL_SBAgDU7UxiUVHzoo2cvvl2ooabQ_XItDH2oorUKF4Q1BIB3lmo1IFU6zG-eS23Gc07rf07n5z69YgSptx32Yqmjbnfc-F5JfwGpUaFZfVHPQLHVCjs/s640/Tamburlaine_Afternoon_Tea05.jpg" width="616" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ah the trails and tribulations of a first world life. It really can be quite tiring enjoying all the freedom bestowed on a white, cis-gendered woman, able to come and go as I please and buy things. Sometimes it all gets a bit much and we need a break. So what better way to relax from the pains of doing whatever you please than to indulge in another privileged pastime. The Afternoon Tea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s given this cute name so that we can pretend this is an elegant affair, when really it’s an excuse to all out stuff our faces with as much bread products as possible while simultaneously providing an excuse to drink in the daytime. S</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ure t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he sandwiches are cut into small sections and the sweets miniature, but it’s only ourselves we're fooling into feeling dainty as that 6th cake is consumed. THAT SAID personally I feel its a worthy way to spend a few hours and Cambridge is a place that loves to indulge the desire. <b><i><a href="https://harrietscafetearooms.co.uk/" target="_blank">Harriet’s</a> </i></b>on Green Street, <a href="https://theivycambridgebrasserie.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>The Ivy</b></i></a> which is due to accept guests as soon as next month and <a href="https://universityarms.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>The University Arms</b></i></a> which we have on good authority will open this summer all prove foodies are well catered</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This review takes place at <a href="https://www.thetamburlaine.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b><i>The Tamburlaine Hotel.</i></b></a> A new(ish) addition to the scene and a literal stone’s throw from the train station. Once inside there is NO question about where you are, from the books in the library to the classification of the rooms (Fresher to Dean)<b><i> <a href="https://www.thetamburlaine.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Tamburlaine</a></i></b> embodies the essence of Cambridge. I find the lobby decorated with contemporary art particularly pleasing and the colour scheme classic yet bold, especially in the bathroom and garden room where afternoon tea is served.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHb93SpK_KoM92dH0IT7ufFs5by-xx5QuC9B_lcMC8lF5OLV9gGSlH1eQDbRdIRbo9zexaGsmzbQAukMxvb2d3rUYiZFZbGCYoEQNXE4RRGzKdGBAoV_BqmO9lqC_Lh1iYafZkGFQ9jQ/s1600/Tamburlaine_Afternoon_Tea03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHb93SpK_KoM92dH0IT7ufFs5by-xx5QuC9B_lcMC8lF5OLV9gGSlH1eQDbRdIRbo9zexaGsmzbQAukMxvb2d3rUYiZFZbGCYoEQNXE4RRGzKdGBAoV_BqmO9lqC_Lh1iYafZkGFQ9jQ/s1600/Tamburlaine_Afternoon_Tea03.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Presented with a three tiered copper tray each section filled with an array of goodies, I will admit to being a little disappointed at the amount of savoury options. However it soon became apparent it was an ‘eyes bigger than my belly’ situation as I failed to finish ANY of the cakes (small though they were). I only managed a bite of each before seeking comfort by sitting back in the plush chairs. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s worth noting this was not due to the flavours, while the rose macaroon was a little too intense for my taste buds** the chocolate brownie was rich and decadent and the red velvet cake red and velvety. I was just too full up to continue punishing myself.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Pathetic I know, I'm heading back again shortly to give it another go! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SdCwrZdXvCB4UxNngSFH_5GRqO_z7sigH7FjZaCMK0cHkEwj82iPTa8kSDfevvcUTOdVEuCG3hGVE2vFf5JmQSwC12Wf34OjitnT-igJOcYYcwstE2FT8KLwhPUvJdSu0bFJ4-2NCnY/s1600/Tamburlaine_Afternoon_Tea04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1600" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SdCwrZdXvCB4UxNngSFH_5GRqO_z7sigH7FjZaCMK0cHkEwj82iPTa8kSDfevvcUTOdVEuCG3hGVE2vFf5JmQSwC12Wf34OjitnT-igJOcYYcwstE2FT8KLwhPUvJdSu0bFJ4-2NCnY/s640/Tamburlaine_Afternoon_Tea04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I particularly enjoyed the special effort made as we were celebrating a friend's birthday. And while not strictly part of the afternoon tea experience, I highly recommend trying a cocktail from the marble bar afterwards, especially the French 75! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A perfect end to a perfectly gluttonous day! Have you tried <a href="https://www.thetamburlaine.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i><b>The Tamburlaine</b></i> </a>afternoon tea yet?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*Get it? Food, Catering, I crack myself up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">**Princess, moi?</span><br />
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TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com027-29 Station Rd, Cambridge CB12FB, UK52.1947324 0.1355197000000316626.6726979 -41.173074299999968 77.7167669 41.444113700000031tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-29957314725659444902018-02-16T12:14:00.000+00:002018-02-16T12:14:04.732+00:00Cambridge Indie Shops of Note - Lilac Rose <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*Gifted Item post*</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOhwAZ57o__VoBSZOy8BwV1BPB-X7G8wlQ3eanCldYSipAfcctRcotzXhVllWZXvpLrkVy8_0sawVHHjaqMmEvLoONTzanHSshyLMrPEm2bsOLffRww1brvIcpQhfCU9a-8qcK815sgI/s1600/LilacRose03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOhwAZ57o__VoBSZOy8BwV1BPB-X7G8wlQ3eanCldYSipAfcctRcotzXhVllWZXvpLrkVy8_0sawVHHjaqMmEvLoONTzanHSshyLMrPEm2bsOLffRww1brvIcpQhfCU9a-8qcK815sgI/s640/LilacRose03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever been to<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="https://www.lilacrose.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i><b><span style="color: cyan;">Lilac Rose</span></b></i></a> </span>in Cambridge?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe, but m</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">aybe not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe you've rushed past it on the way to the Grand Arcade, been too focused on getting a good <b><i><u><a href="http://www.themiddlesister.co.uk/search?q=coffee" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">cup of coffee</span></a></u></i></b> to really see a little white shop in the middle of Bridge Street. But the thing is you're missing something special so I'm self appointing a big </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">STOP sign in front of your lovely but busy face and encouraging you towards a delightfully fulfilling shopping experience. B</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ecause being a self involved sort I want you to like Lilac Rose not least because it happens to be one of my favourite places on the high street.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take the decor. As you step in its light, white and airy and has a delicate enticing feel. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You could say it was girly if you were one of those binary, labelly types, I prefer to describe it as </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a bright ray of retail sunshine on even the dullest of days.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not one of those places to ram in as much product as possible, the back third of the boutique comes c</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">omplete with a huge set of heart shaped dressing room lights</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is reserved for trying on pretty dresses and cute cardigans by <b><i><u><a href="https://www.lilacrose.co.uk/product-category/lilac-rose-clothes/?filter_brand=closet-dresses" target="_blank">Closet</a></u></i></b>, <b><i><u><a href="https://www.lilacrose.co.uk/product-category/lilac-rose-clothes/?filter_brand=sixton-london" target="_blank">Sixton Londo</a></u></i></b><i><u><b>n</b></u></i> and <b><i><u><a href="https://www.lilacrose.co.uk/product-category/lilac-rose-clothes/?filter_brand=louche" target="_blank">Louche</a></u></i></b>. Its not high end, but then it's never pretended to be, If <a href="https://www.lilacrose.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: magenta;">Lilac Rose</span></i></b></a> was one of your classmates it would be the genuinely nice girl. The one with no major issues or </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ulterior motives who's family all get along and never breaks curfew* What I'm getting at is this store doesn't make you feel like you can't afford it or shouldn't be there. At least in my mind which admittedly is privileged, white, employed with zero dependants and a fair whack of disposable income</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">... but still.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The jewellery ranges from the delicate and cute to the slightly out there and is generally under the £40 mark and this is where the original reason for my post comes in. <a href="https://www.lilacrose.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: orange;">Lilac Rose</span></i></b></a> kindly gifted me an item of jewellery from their range a couple of months ago**. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ8kAPtRq4qlkcpEtQvi_wWBv2k3fZqjd7RgGojvd2BE-j882Abm8_gOEKm7wr0Uv6z5ScVkDKvLlyAkA6oFgH83Gm9F566NetpOi0sfLeJMqKZCP2dLU1Nf8DhFu-WwmMPS7TBIZBWI/s1600/LilacRose01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1577" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ8kAPtRq4qlkcpEtQvi_wWBv2k3fZqjd7RgGojvd2BE-j882Abm8_gOEKm7wr0Uv6z5ScVkDKvLlyAkA6oFgH83Gm9F566NetpOi0sfLeJMqKZCP2dLU1Nf8DhFu-WwmMPS7TBIZBWI/s640/LilacRose01.jpg" width="632" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took the chance to chose something that wasn't my usual style and I really enjoyed picking out my something sparkly. It was VERY delicate and i</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">f truth be told </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">unfortunately the first one was faulty. Happily this seems to have been a one off and was swapped without hesitation by the wonderful Andrew*** who manages the Cambridge store. Since then</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> long silver statement piece below has been worn to work and out for dinner and complimented both outfits splendidly****</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrP8HJFKYwjaWcno_jU6hD5TYamwwLRdCohi06dZQWflpJubbWll9-KpNQt-0YMuWD3-kcBKjOcDjknlL_IPLcfiB-RsFdTDSrOdllCFvdwi2boggl76aIdpfr-ONbXnS_hSjdZViIBk/s1600/LilacRose05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrP8HJFKYwjaWcno_jU6hD5TYamwwLRdCohi06dZQWflpJubbWll9-KpNQt-0YMuWD3-kcBKjOcDjknlL_IPLcfiB-RsFdTDSrOdllCFvdwi2boggl76aIdpfr-ONbXnS_hSjdZViIBk/s1600/LilacRose05.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you're not in the market for jewellery, you might find something in the notebooks, how to's, stationary and accessories available and<u style="font-style: italic;"> this</u> is where the real magic of Lilac Rose shines through. Like going for a chat with an old friend these trinkets entertain, inform and beautify your day, many have a cheeky sense of humour and keep me coming back to browse and buy many times over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A shopping experience that b</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">orders on the adorable, <a href="https://www.lilacrose.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: purple;">Lilac Rose</span></i></b></a> is a pretty, instagrammable, tranquil haven. Check it out when you're next in town and maybe l'll see you there?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBt6K6_HBBiJGDYxpLp9xX4YbtItEaPNotdIpbhz7EbNVOm8OmzSCbDWYM0sj1jvK4mlPeYPBd_uPy0-GEPnJ_CobyuPmj62ZqNfaJBhsRcmJKpGH1yW9bra3heZ6ehT5jxfEPemSAnBY/s1600/LilacRose04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="666" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBt6K6_HBBiJGDYxpLp9xX4YbtItEaPNotdIpbhz7EbNVOm8OmzSCbDWYM0sj1jvK4mlPeYPBd_uPy0-GEPnJ_CobyuPmj62ZqNfaJBhsRcmJKpGH1yW9bra3heZ6ehT5jxfEPemSAnBY/s640/LilacRose04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*Is this a bit of an odd analogy? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">**Its a fair cop.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In all likelihood, I'm certain they would have wanted to see this written about before now but with Christmas, getting sick, car crashes, holidays and getting sick again (</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">long story, I'll tell you about it another time)</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> it got pushed back a little. - </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">sorry guys</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">***This man knows his stuff and is always on hand should you need an expert opinion on the wares available.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">****If I do say so myself"</span>TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com071 Bridge St, Cambridge CB2 1UR, UK52.2079467 0.1189603000000261126.6859122 -41.189633699999973 77.7299812 41.427554300000025tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-88986232976609668962018-01-04T19:30:00.000+00:002018-01-04T19:30:08.022+00:00Is it ok to upset brands?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a dedicated blogger, providing consistent content and good images* I eventually attracted the attention of some brands and it’s at this point I had my first blogger dilemma. These companies asked for my opinion and I SO wanted to please them, but on occasion the item I was reviewing wasn’t as good as they had described. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a number of brands over the past few years - some you may not have heard of, others you absolutely will know about. Many understand exactly what they are getting into when they hire bloggers accepting they are opening themselves up to a social dialogue about their product. If these brands handle any conversations that occur with honesty and humour they generally come out well. However I’ve noticed some have a certain ‘expectation’ about what the reviews we provide should consist of. So here's a little unsolicited advice…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>We are not marketers for your company. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our readers want to know the truth as we see it. That means 'our cross my heart and hope to die' God’s honest opinion, if that opinion isn’t 100% favourable well tough! You wanted sweetness and free publicity? Then you should have hired a marketing team and paid them a fair wage while you’re at it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rant alert: I was recently made aware a certain well-known brand’s PR person was annoyed at a post I wrote as it mentioned an issue I’d had with the product. I found this to be particularly unprofessional especially as they didn't see fit to mention their problem to me personally. If they had bothered to read my previous reviews they would have seen I don’t exactly shy away from the odd controversial remark and saying a product wasn't as I'd expected isn't even that risqué! It’s just the truth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This blog is (hopefully) choc-a-block full of tongue-in-cheek quips and balanced reviews, meaning I chat about the good, the bad and the ugly. I will hardly ever write one of those ‘it was super fun-everything was perfect-you’ll all definitely love it’ sugary sweet posts as I don't see many things that way. I will always look for the good in what I'm reviewing, whether or not I’ve been paid or supplemented for my opinion, but I'll look for what could be improved as well. And I won’t lie just to make the PR team happy**. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Trust is difficult to earn back once it’s gone. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There’s one blogger that comes to mind I no longer take advice from as they never have a less than glowing word to say about ANYTHING. I understand the desire to speak positively and dealing with the backlash that can occur if someone isn’t happy about what has been written can be hard. But personally I find it insulting if there isn’t any balance at all in a post. If you can’t 'fess up to an event or product being a bit shit on occasion I no longer believe you when you say how amazing it all was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honesty is my go to form for writing, And yes I do know that doesn’t gives me free rein to spew ignorant speech or purposefully cause pain with my words, anyone that uses a platform like this to further bigoted values IS a massive dill-hole***!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m also up for debate as believe it or not I have been known to get things wrong… on occasion. So go ahead and tell me what you think about what I think, heck if you feel strongly enough you might even change my mind on whatever it is we're discussing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In case you haven’t gathered it yet I’m a little outspoken and my opinion reflects that because that’s all blogs are, one person’s opinion. The bloggers I know are all dedicated to telling their own story and I'm lucky and excited to be doing the same. We may only be a micro influencers but aren't we the ones you trust to tell you what's really going on? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">* even if I do say so myself!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">** It's also worth mentioning if I've been sponsored or paid to review a product I say this up front not at the end of a 600 word endorsement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*** FACT!</span><br />
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TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-45862442548693790622017-12-19T19:14:00.000+00:002017-12-19T19:14:39.538+00:00Review: The North Pole Ice Skating rink or How to look like a total tit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuLGwUt5Ke7_W6PfKFTGFUzBq6-hoYKrrkyt5Sr-u5j-TMpFPqlNpXKpdCERzEboD9ONlkRn4MJbm9BhSBd8H2ChTjuV0wSKW_kmIVyvJq9FX-inKk88gBiLgeI8r-kzZF4l062eYfx8/s1600/CambridgeChristmas02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1232" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuLGwUt5Ke7_W6PfKFTGFUzBq6-hoYKrrkyt5Sr-u5j-TMpFPqlNpXKpdCERzEboD9ONlkRn4MJbm9BhSBd8H2ChTjuV0wSKW_kmIVyvJq9FX-inKk88gBiLgeI8r-kzZF4l062eYfx8/s640/CambridgeChristmas02.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just so you know I'm not getting paid for any of this, I was given a session to <a href="http://www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i><b>The North Pole</b></i></a> (Cambridge,</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> not actual) which will feature in the post but no spondulies have changed hands. Coolio? then in we go:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ah Cambridge! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How I love my city, o</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ur architecture is bomfunkmental, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kings College with its statues of Kings (predictably), Trinity college with its statues of Trints... </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway we are s</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">eriously spoilt with our beautiful buildings and we decorate them brilliantly </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at this time of year. Cambridge really knows how to DO Christmas properly. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have some of the best lights, twinkly in certain streets, bright in others and all different colours. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> To badly mis-quote one of my favourite movie heroes 'if you have the means, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I highly suggest you look it up, it is so choice'*</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhCDjS7UuXWgCEaJcws4BFinBwwFG9EwwSEYn8HJTHO1HYU7FbsOa5wDSQ9WLi9OZRJmW5nVWrMV5XE97pRcjr60q6WkWbmYj4Ktv_uYqTAwN0mlUvvFWu0isMOM1TKvnCZrlCg-UYFk/s1600/CambridgeChristmas01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhCDjS7UuXWgCEaJcws4BFinBwwFG9EwwSEYn8HJTHO1HYU7FbsOa5wDSQ9WLi9OZRJmW5nVWrMV5XE97pRcjr60q6WkWbmYj4Ktv_uYqTAwN0mlUvvFWu0isMOM1TKvnCZrlCg-UYFk/s640/CambridgeChristmas01.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then just when you thought it couldn't get any better at Christmas time we get The North Pole over on Parkers Piece. Its a little different each year and this time is one of the best set ups ever. A fun fair and 'Austrian style' huts offering hot drinks and foodstuff are available and Christmas music plays out of speakers around the main event - the Ice Rink. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been to the North Pole a few times, this time (while I do miss last years big wheel) I have to say they've done a great job putting it altogether. The ice rink is </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">well maintained and cleaned but its the staff which are the real asset. Fun, helpful, chatty (possibly bored) but engaging none the less. Even to a couple of ridiculously bad skaters as <a href="https://lifesacatwalk.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>@lifesacatwalk</b></i></a> and I when we turned up for our session.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UTkenUE6rDz2JMVIrQ5DkWCJbz0B7XRVekuiLr6MRbB9HM485w53Y6kTnCyeyKiWy5NpYGzEHlOnUdncYKLLt_rDSXPJz6Jop4i6rqiMz3UrKsiA-78Fy2FrjTQwiQbQgBRF3G9-FSk/s1600/CambridgeChristmas03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UTkenUE6rDz2JMVIrQ5DkWCJbz0B7XRVekuiLr6MRbB9HM485w53Y6kTnCyeyKiWy5NpYGzEHlOnUdncYKLLt_rDSXPJz6Jop4i6rqiMz3UrKsiA-78Fy2FrjTQwiQbQgBRF3G9-FSk/s640/CambridgeChristmas03.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she is, looks like she knows what she's doing doesn't she? Trust me, she didn't!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I say ridiculously bad please know this is not said with any kind of false modesty. We were exceptionally, <i>truly</i> awful. Luckily we were in good company, true not everyone was as pathetic as us but one by one the majority of the 'ice skaters' entered the rink and proceeded to stumble around the edge gripping the side for dear life. We made the march of the penguins look like a Russian ballet. It was brilliant!</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11BtJ6S3m9EvTIMxHwUXWPvhhqlAt84dKagNyMa2UR38v1nUwqnB4VktaKaTd-3-54EfUvsW27zrdGntDnNEggy_B51vlBsdJ9TCpjv3Y9Mm4mHJAW8gVF-ZQqD1Jf-aX8sGFUYnbGbo/s1600/CambridgeChristmas04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11BtJ6S3m9EvTIMxHwUXWPvhhqlAt84dKagNyMa2UR38v1nUwqnB4VktaKaTd-3-54EfUvsW27zrdGntDnNEggy_B51vlBsdJ9TCpjv3Y9Mm4mHJAW8gVF-ZQqD1Jf-aX8sGFUYnbGbo/s640/CambridgeChristmas04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're both much better on ground than frozen water</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As each year it changes we don't know what it will be like next time so if you're going to Cambridge and like either ice skating or making a complete tit of yourself its worth popping along to The North Pole. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To badly misquote one of my favourite movie heroes... again* </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cambridge moves pretty fast, if you don't stop to look around once in a while you could miss it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*Duh Ferris Bueller!</span>TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0Parker's Piece, Cambridge CB1 1NA, UK52.2020711 0.1282393999999840226.680036599999998 -41.180354600000015 77.7241056 41.436833399999983tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-78911216550883840722017-11-23T20:20:00.001+00:002017-11-24T08:35:29.342+00:00Selfie Welfare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIAyZLj_ofmjvdxMEEmdj8O3eok2I3_b3RifSq1pVz_tugIWJgVIki1E-3a_UZfW38n2iC_wy5OKWuLgUJzyjDJqonqz4TVxzrVt3-LfFJqa5K8TvhbltqakktY63w_6cAHSz4_1O1PE/s1600/Selfie_me2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="767" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIAyZLj_ofmjvdxMEEmdj8O3eok2I3_b3RifSq1pVz_tugIWJgVIki1E-3a_UZfW38n2iC_wy5OKWuLgUJzyjDJqonqz4TVxzrVt3-LfFJqa5K8TvhbltqakktY63w_6cAHSz4_1O1PE/s640/Selfie_me2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alrighty then! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This might be a bit of long one but today I'm in the mood to chat </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">about selfies! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my experience, most people have one of two opinions when it comes to selfies. Either you like taking them and do it fairly frequently, or you don't and view those that do as narcissistic arseholes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have some friends who take many selfies, others who I have never seen take one image of themselves the whole time I've known them. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Throughout my journey as a blogger and photographer I too, have dabbled in the taking of selfies. Not as many as some, more than others and the thing I found most interesting is how those that don't admit to taking selfies viewed me. I say don't admit as in a study by Sarah Diefenbach* the 'selfie paradox is exposed. This states that while 82% of people say they do not wish to see so many selfies on social media 77% of people <i>regularly</i> take the damn things! I'm neither a psychologist nor a mathematician but even I can see there is some sort of Venn diagram of hypocritical twattery going on here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So why is so much shame being plastered onto selfie takers if most of us are doing it? </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was called a 'selfie queen' once, and while I'm certain there was no malice intended from the person that said this, it did feel quite 'judgey'. Like it was something I should be at least little bit ashamed of. As this comment was passed by someone I'm extremely fond of I felt somewhat chastised, but needed to see if they were right. And where else would you go when investigating your own image but the temple of the selfie taker... </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instagram. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Its here you'll see the most images of me and I'm sure its my account (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theemiddlesis/" target="_blank"><i><b>Theemiddlesis</b></i></a> in case you're wondering) that earned me the title in this persons eye's. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4N14xME3zK4KGHcuYmYVjhleeTXbCYsYiMVzfGNiMIR2baUBUZNnSooYYWtJFdrbmkpUbhVOapimepkDVb5pg1TkT6IlHfpHhi1ZwomJj5ZMv8CzPnYQvh12G8XpFy-kTG7elEMwk3s/s1600/Selfie_me3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4N14xME3zK4KGHcuYmYVjhleeTXbCYsYiMVzfGNiMIR2baUBUZNnSooYYWtJFdrbmkpUbhVOapimepkDVb5pg1TkT6IlHfpHhi1ZwomJj5ZMv8CzPnYQvh12G8XpFy-kTG7elEMwk3s/s640/Selfie_me3.PNG" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There I am with Christmas and Autumn, Two of my all time favourite things!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this is the interesting bit. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I went through each and every one of my instagram images, took away the number that were selfies and worked out that percentage. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was 18%. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yep 18 percent! In other words, 4/5th of the images I posted were of coffee, nature, fashion, events, books or the gazillion other things I am into, but it seems that 18% was </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">much more evident than the other 82%. And this is before Facebook took over so we can't blame the God awful algorithms**</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although this was some time ago the selfie is still a phenomenon that provokes discussion as the recent Intelligence Squared pod cast <a href="http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/me-my-selfie-and-i-huawei-and-saatchi-gallery/" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">'Me My selfie and I: Self expression in the Digital Age</a> shows. While it highlighted that, yes in 2015 more people died </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">taking selfies than were killed by sharks, it also pointed out that </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">some anthropologists believe the self portrait is critical to human development and evolution.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AqZY2DAsuXcgOmXEvBZKf3ISnIF4P6tFWc4hrCtfMUsJcfK4ay67H2Pnpn5CjgVsF89FVeDD_hn-88-hZYKVdY1e0pWgtDFaekdpcvFiVctKlTaAompcWMDcK6KWFiqG9MLOeaQUL0k/s1600/Selfie_me1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="786" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AqZY2DAsuXcgOmXEvBZKf3ISnIF4P6tFWc4hrCtfMUsJcfK4ay67H2Pnpn5CjgVsF89FVeDD_hn-88-hZYKVdY1e0pWgtDFaekdpcvFiVctKlTaAompcWMDcK6KWFiqG9MLOeaQUL0k/s640/Selfie_me1.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There I am again, twice in this set. A narcissist or someone that is comfortable in their own skin?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really enjoy seeing my friends images and love that their selfies are included in blog and instagram posts. Furthermore, as I know more about them than the few images I see on my phone, I <u style="font-style: italic;">know</u> these people are not overly self involved. The thing is just because a particularly affluent, attention seeking Armenian family are the poster people of selfies, doesn't mean that anyone that takes a selfie is the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So next time you see someone with a camera held aloft at the perfect flattering angle, think about not judging them. Not all selfie takers are the same. We don't all go to truly beautiful areas of natural </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">beauty and miss the scenery because we are taking 137 pictures of our own face. We don't all think that we invented the very act we are partaking in only 11 years ago #EyerollHilton.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of us are capturing a time in our lives we want to remember, a thought that's particularly important or yes having a moment of self expression. If that makes you feel uncomfortable then maybe you should try it, you might be surprised at the outcome. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Professor of market and consumer psychology at the Ludwig Maximilian's University </span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">** Oh My God I hate it I hate it when will we wake from this nightmare***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">** sorry FWP I know!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-67340661743724964502017-11-12T13:12:00.002+00:002018-01-11T11:58:06.583+00:00Review: The Locker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2aDiqZkBEROzt7w6VmIrHPzUqKTP1CPg6P9G72xH6pxihth9mUhQbOYHKL8ZpQXFC-yqFbB0maCdeXOVolaxK1E3tuC4qG7WM5BgT1kR64SVaI7hVPirKWhIMR5TIfn9KkrWcyuhkvw/s1600/Locker_Coffee_review02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2aDiqZkBEROzt7w6VmIrHPzUqKTP1CPg6P9G72xH6pxihth9mUhQbOYHKL8ZpQXFC-yqFbB0maCdeXOVolaxK1E3tuC4qG7WM5BgT1kR64SVaI7hVPirKWhIMR5TIfn9KkrWcyuhkvw/s1600/Locker_Coffee_review02.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So its been a while since I've done one of these - a full time job will do that to a blogger! But today I'm adding to my 'Coffee shops of Cambridge' series. Why you ask? Well because the town that needs a coffee shop like Santa needs another cookie has - you guessed it - got another coffee shop. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thelockercafe.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b><i>The Locker</i></b></a> on Kings Street opened in August 2017 and so its my duty and </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">desire t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">o review it for you lovely lot. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In we go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The Cool</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First off ea</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ch member of staff is achingly hip with at least one or more of the required attributes</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of the truly </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">trendy</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. A rainbow of hair colours and ear adornments grace the personage of each gorgeous young thing that greets you with a smile and fetches your beverage. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Talking of the coffee its obvious The Locker means business when it comes to the black stuff and the barista takes a great deal of pride in both brewing and beautifying his creations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The food also gets top marks. Simple yet wholesome their cheese toasties - and I do not say this lightly - rivals that of Urban Larder for the best in Cambridge.* It comes with a fresh salad and balsamic glaze which not only cuts through the pleasing stodge of the tangy cheese but also works as a visual aid for other hungry customers to salivate over. Vegan and gluten free choices are also available as you'd expect from a post 2015 diner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The decor and design </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is a well thought out masterpiece. Low hanging light bulbs </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are placed strategically so as not to interrupt your dining experience**</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dding that inviting glow required for any self respecting eatery. M</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ulticoloured structural beams and </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pottery used as water cups are s</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">platter painted as if by a genius toddler.*** Everything</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> else is sleek, inviting and perfectly functional, no wobbly tables displacing your chosen drink here! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The Quirks</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reportedly named after the owner's dog (Davy Jones so Davy Jones 'Locker') the moniker of this establishment is a little odd. Davy Jones Locker is regarded as the grave of those who died at sea. So it seems a little strange to name a bustling, friendly cafe after something so morbid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The Que? </u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Onto the balanced part of this review, what wasn't 'quite perfect'. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The soup: I heard the server advise the 'soup of the day' flavour no fewer than 25 times in the hour I was there. Why it wasn't added to the completely <u style="font-style: italic;">erasable</u> chalk board behind the counter, therefore speeding up the process is beyond me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The coat stand: With the copious amounts of people coming and going, the current coat stand is not sufficient for its needs. Something I demonstrated when I knocked the overly laden thing over after breathing near it. Having to replace each coat and accessory with the delicacy required for the game of bucking bronco, I'd ask the owners get a bigger sturdier stand, two even!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seating: Such is its popularity the cafe was full the whole time I was there with many customers asking staff if there was room upstairs. The addition of a camera showing the availability would have shortened the disappointment felt by those that didn't arrive at a lucky time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But who am I kidding, as complaints go these are pretty lame. The soup's not named, the coat stand is wobbly and the staff can't see through walls isn't much of a drawback and neither should it be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get yourself to The Locker if you're looking for home made foodstuff, well brewed coffee and posts for instagram. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just get there early and be sure not to wear a heavy coat! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*the place I declared served the best cheese toasties a couple years back)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">**take note <a href="http://www.themiddlesister.co.uk/2017/02/Cambridge-coffee-1.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Bould Brothers</i></b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*** that's a compliment, not a criticism </span>TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com054 King St, Cambridge CB1 1LN, UK52.207308 0.123622999999952326.685273499999997 -41.184971000000047 77.7293425 41.432216999999952tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-16072328291275991242017-10-29T14:26:00.000+00:002018-02-27T09:00:05.497+00:00A Wonderful Weekend - CBG Town Indoor Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, as promised today I'm chatting about </span><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%23cbgtownindoormarket" target="_blank">#CBGTownIndoorMarket</a> </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cambridge's own blogger market/cake stand/creative workshop event which a bunch of us went to last weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spending time with both <i><a href="https://twitter.com/GirlRunningLate" target="_blank">@girlrunninglate</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://twitter.com/pippa_ctx" target="_blank">@pippa_CTx</a></i> - two of my favourite people - is always fun but this was super-girly-autumnal-creative-blogger-on-steroids kind of fun*. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The always chic </span><a href="https://www.amaella.com/" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Ama Ella Lingerie</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> where there, which you remember, I wrote about a while ago. Feel free to re familiarise yourself with <a href="http://www.themiddlesister.co.uk/2017/06/Elegant-Atelier-AmaElla-Neals-Yard.html" target="_blank"><i>my post</i></a> though, I'll wait...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All the cool kids were present and correct. However while I'm loving this trip down memory lane - chatting about how gorgeous <a href="https://twitter.com/feioi_interiors" target="_blank">@feioiInteriors</a> looked and how I enjoyed catching up with <i><a href="https://twitter.com/sophiekateblogs" target="_blank">sophiekate</a>, </i><a href="https://twitter.com/claireabellemks" target="_blank"><i>@claireabellemakes</i></a> and </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://twitter.com/kellyannerist" target="_blank">@kellyannrist</a> </i>- if you don't know this lovely lot it might be a bit dull for you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But fear not, I'm getting to the point because the real highlight of the day was the workshop run by <i><a href="https://thetrovecambridge.co.uk/" target="_blank">@TheTrove</a>.</i> We all got to decorate letters or ampersands with gold paint, autumnal colours, glitter and flowers (doesn't get much girlier does it!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was when the magic thing happened. When you put the right group of women together and give them something creative to do with their hands its like the stars align. We put the world to rights, I swear had any of us actually been prime ministers or presidents there'd have been peace on earth by Saturday evening!</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The comfort level was tangible to the point where some of us r</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">evealed a little about ourselves and in the process, became closer as a group.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At least that's how it was for me. I'd say a stack of the good vibes were due to Pippa's mum who is one of the most vivacious people I have met in a while (she even got chatted up the new coffee shop we went to afterwards). I find something quite soothing about being around a stable, happy member of the previous generation. Not sure what that says about me...</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway it was </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">honestly one of the best weekends I've had in ages and it kind of took me by surprise. But</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> its the kind I like. Have you ever had something that was going to be just 'fun' turn into something a bit more meaningful? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*NB Not saying steriods are fun hmm'kay?</span>TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-22395466434758197192017-10-22T15:28:00.001+01:002017-10-22T15:59:49.036+01:00Visiting Undley Pumpkin Patch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYQn2c0BQ-PVysFdxe4VfwATnxdNXo8xpKTMmDiI6dnj0H3dvlyZh2PA0DcHCdZTmBQjzdc-4d0OTjk_6Zi22ONDiNCNflM1MnKKpTEfg5jjECYnRjIdLCV0DGi31uASEC1gNZ5p4RiQ/s1600/Pumpkin+Patch05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="700" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYQn2c0BQ-PVysFdxe4VfwATnxdNXo8xpKTMmDiI6dnj0H3dvlyZh2PA0DcHCdZTmBQjzdc-4d0OTjk_6Zi22ONDiNCNflM1MnKKpTEfg5jjECYnRjIdLCV0DGi31uASEC1gNZ5p4RiQ/s640/Pumpkin+Patch05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hola, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I'm doing the thing everyone tells us not to do today by adding </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a random post after not updating my blog for a while. I honestly have about 10 half finished ideas for blogs at the moment, none of which have been completed because 'lazy' and 'busy'. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However I <i><u>had</u></i> to add a little post today as this morning I went to <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://undleyfarmevents.co.uk/" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Undley Pumpkin Patch</a> </span>which d</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">epending on your view and whether you have/like kids is either ridiculously fun or hell on earth! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a child-free person that loves the autumnal season in particular I'd say its a bit of both. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">True there were some kids screaming and contorting their spine 'til you swear its about to snap because they aren't allowed on the bouncy castle again. H</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">owever if you can ignore this the pumpkin patch is the best around, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I lost count of the sheer number of shapes, sizes and colours that were available.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They have a huge array of the weird, wiggly, 'hipster pumpkins' or gourds/squashes as well. T</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hese little beauties were the very reason we drove for 45 minutes and I was not disappointed. I'd even go so far as to say this is it the happiest I have ever been in a field, in the middle of nowhere, watching #StormBrian whip small children</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> up in the air and fling them over to live out their days in the land of Oz*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whatever your family situation if you're a fan of autumnal veggies - for creative or edible reasons - Undley Farm is definitely the place to go. Those that aren't used to being around a mess** of littl'uns I would suggest military precision planning to get in, get your squash and get out before the hoards arrive!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/charlottesteggz" target="_blank"><i><b>Charlotte Steggz</b></i></a></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> whose instagram post inspired my trip. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Incidentally, Charlotte arranged <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%23cbgtownindoormarket" target="_blank">#<i><b>CBGTownIndoorMarket</b></i></a>, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a clothing and crafts fair in Cambridge which was </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">my other creative seasonal event this weekend. We enjoyed a wonderful workshop</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> run by </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thetrovecambs/" target="_blank"><i><b>The Trove</b></i></a></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in which we decorated letters and signs, a necessity for any self respecting blogger's bedroom or office. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you want to know more you'll have to pop back next week as t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">his will be the topic of my next post. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This stuff isn't just</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> thrown together you know***!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*Fairly huge exaggeration.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">** yes that is the correct grammatical term of a collection of children</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">***Well not often...</span>TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com1Undley Road, Beck Row, Bury Saint Edmunds IP28 8BX, UK52.3944786 0.4902713000000176226.8724441 -40.818322699999982 77.9165131 41.798865300000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-64227324772911206022017-09-26T19:58:00.001+01:002017-09-26T20:07:37.802+01:00I bloody love Autumn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvzzwnpVP4rJkejBxf5nEBWsfsLUSDcdx5ej6sGj6vTdbPAyXBlIQTF-a_Ch5_UR-FpnuqNb5faEVLBcbwTNN-Iafa_OyjW8v6zKbU7dh_Oe8_hJ4yx28O5RcUTkwHYV0EW83C7NlirU/s1600/20170921_183305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvzzwnpVP4rJkejBxf5nEBWsfsLUSDcdx5ej6sGj6vTdbPAyXBlIQTF-a_Ch5_UR-FpnuqNb5faEVLBcbwTNN-Iafa_OyjW8v6zKbU7dh_Oe8_hJ4yx28O5RcUTkwHYV0EW83C7NlirU/s640/20170921_183305.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I bloody
love Autumn, w</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hen most other people are like 'b</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">oo hoo summers over' </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m Winnie the Pooh on the first day of Autumn. You've probably all seen the gif but its pissing me around so I'm not adding it here. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">And yes I did just compare myself to a round, yellow bear... But I digress</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I seriously
do not understand not being into this season, it’s so pretty! It’s still
usually quite warm, less extreme than summer and means that Christmas is
less than 100 days away. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s also a
season when fashion gets dangerously cosy, if it were possible to be snuggled
to death it would happen in Autumn. Add
to that the fact that shades of maroon, burgundy and deep red - my favourite
colours - have consistently been on trend in the third quarter and you get a Middle Sister who is pretty much giddy with crisp
seasonal contentment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, when
<a href="https://www.boudoirfemme.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i><b>Boudoir Femme</b></i></a> had a 'new season' evening I had to go! As one of my first stops
for independent Cambridge couture I’m always happy to see what they are
recommending for our attire, and they didn’t disappoint. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHKCQz4vw0B2Owp2uLchI5fNHAwW0Kny2HLCyCG3gNRFyYW4OVCQg6Q2zuIqAjB5JT6qsJncDxphCNTNw9NK1OKKjrEjR_w3Xzadew220jzdFQFqN669DysC9_MP9q0ITP4PpQ06IyjA/s1600/20170921_183231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHKCQz4vw0B2Owp2uLchI5fNHAwW0Kny2HLCyCG3gNRFyYW4OVCQg6Q2zuIqAjB5JT6qsJncDxphCNTNw9NK1OKKjrEjR_w3Xzadew220jzdFQFqN669DysC9_MP9q0ITP4PpQ06IyjA/s640/20170921_183231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cute cross
body bags in blood red (#toldyouso) leather, fedora style hats that beg to be
worn at jaunty angles and studded ankle boots, with just enough heel to give
you an edge but not so much that you fall arse-over-tit were all on offer. </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UysruLSrktoGqrSxd1_qussf4ueqqKRr_ryowoS1HTZZwzUJb_PoM1kNkoOvLINniizX6NkrSZcSVFyT5dwgICasDsbLamYY35DplU6VGJ3Q7CzqwglHKN9-uY7PFoFp_mPLruHZ8T0/s1600/20170921_183130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UysruLSrktoGqrSxd1_qussf4ueqqKRr_ryowoS1HTZZwzUJb_PoM1kNkoOvLINniizX6NkrSZcSVFyT5dwgICasDsbLamYY35DplU6VGJ3Q7CzqwglHKN9-uY7PFoFp_mPLruHZ8T0/s640/20170921_183130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was particularly
taken with this year’s collection of kitteny soft jumpers which were accented
with colourful hearts or sparkly patches.
One designer, <a href="https://www.scotch-soda.com/gb/en/women/tops-t-shirts/ruffle-sleeve-wool-top/140844.html?dwvar_140844_color=Black&cgid=80&start=36&cgid=80&prefn1=searchColor&prefv1=Black" target="_blank"><b><i>Scotch & Soda</i></b></a>, even go so far as to, on occasion, gift their customers with accessories when they buy an item of clothing. In effect meaning you are saving money at the
same time as investing in a gorgeous jumper.
It <i>just doesn’t</i> get any better than that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hanging out
with </span><a href="https://lifesacatwalk.com/" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><i><b>@lifesacatwalk</b></i></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and</span><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <a href="https://girlrunninglate.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">@girlrunninglate</a></b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is always a joy, and this time I got to
meet </span><a href="https://www.sallymorganmoore.com/" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><i><b>@saysallymay</b></i></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> as well.
All whilst sipping a glass of fizz and mentally working out what I had just bought in my head and if I really needed to pay my mortgage this month or could I just have ALL THE THINGS!</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
clothing in <a href="https://www.boudoirfemme.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i><b>Boudoir Femme</b></i></a> isn’t what I would call easily affordable, but if you wanted to treat yourself… very nicely indeed, I would highly recommend
you take a turn around this small but perfectly formed boutique. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See you
there? </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com02 King St, Cambridge CB1 1LN, UK52.2071568 0.1215634000000136452.2070048 0.12124840000001365 52.2073088 0.12187840000001364tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-9221722373496652172017-09-07T12:30:00.000+01:002017-09-07T12:30:05.895+01:00Tourist in my own town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I lived a hop (train) skip (tube) and jump (walk) away from London I didn’t take advantage of all it had to culturally offer. And it seems I learnt little from my past behaviour, having lived and freelanced in one of the UK’s most beautiful towns I still haven’t fully explored it. Back in July I decided to accept a full time job and while I was genuinely excited, I quickly realised my ‘free time’ to wander these gorgeous streets would be greatly diminished. I felt I hadn’t seen the cool sites tourists see when they visit Cambridge so I spent the day being a tourist in my own town. I’ve always loved it here but had no idea what an intriguing place it truly is. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNDJatnOnB1CiX4cW2qOpYXYPBgoXPrrD1lYY7S535E9JSoMkZOD1_mv8wIXk7k394MQu2pQQAaUOeYxYlPig-zt5lSYFGXIdHa-fbx4Y9RDZJOdOaHY8VJXrgzxBI0es2NxmOsEntR8/s1600/Archaeology_Anthropology_Museum-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1493" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNDJatnOnB1CiX4cW2qOpYXYPBgoXPrrD1lYY7S535E9JSoMkZOD1_mv8wIXk7k394MQu2pQQAaUOeYxYlPig-zt5lSYFGXIdHa-fbx4Y9RDZJOdOaHY8VJXrgzxBI0es2NxmOsEntR8/s640/Archaeology_Anthropology_Museum-4.jpg" width="596" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Museums</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For example did you know there was a full size totem pole in the <a href="http://maa.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank"><b><i>Museum of Archaeology</i></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://maa.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank"><b><i> and Anthropology</i></b></a>? Because I sure as heck didn’t. They currently have a very interesting photography exhibition as well. ‘The </span><a href="http://maa.cam.ac.uk/kholwa/" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><i><b>Longings of Belongings</b></i></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">’ shows images by the South African photographer, Sabelo Mlangeni, portraying Zionist Christians in contemporary South Africa. On until 10th of this month if you want to see it you’d better crack on! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfSbyRUAudf_7nIfr3NbHAzW5RPvObVENk7lYl1DatcmDeX1LjOBlvVm-LosyTJQ8CMgde1ov7Ss99s28tMn2pc6p8EmrgQHTRqLhie4GPtv7gBWuc29decrTBKlNoaEF_IRf1BDTZfw/s1600/Archaeology_Anthropology_Museum-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfSbyRUAudf_7nIfr3NbHAzW5RPvObVENk7lYl1DatcmDeX1LjOBlvVm-LosyTJQ8CMgde1ov7Ss99s28tMn2pc6p8EmrgQHTRqLhie4GPtv7gBWuc29decrTBKlNoaEF_IRf1BDTZfw/s640/Archaeology_Anthropology_Museum-3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Likewise I had no clue there were<a href="http://www.sedgwickmuseum.org/" target="_blank"> <i><b>fossils</b></i></a> and dinosaur bones dating back to 400 and frozen to death* either. The sheer amount of information available to us for free is staggering!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Botanic Gardens</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While not free this is well worth the few quid it costs to wander the<i><b> <a href="http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Home.aspx" target="_blank">gardens</a></b></i>. Expertly chosen plants ensure whatever time of year you visit you’ll be greeted by a plethora of colours and scents. Like our own mini Kew, just without the annoying train/tube journey and ‘London’ expense.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwEMAtwROwO-Fw8HdAGP617bC8GpdIMiolrq85uBiiQ_oNjbAEmKaCgTm7u0WIjcWn_K-fHzJgjtKwPVUPYG3oFGnFmnIX_tANTwEBt_iYVaLEXBdEmlJ0zhnVF_-pfM2QX826kE4SFs/s1600/20170608_185228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1562" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwEMAtwROwO-Fw8HdAGP617bC8GpdIMiolrq85uBiiQ_oNjbAEmKaCgTm7u0WIjcWn_K-fHzJgjtKwPVUPYG3oFGnFmnIX_tANTwEBt_iYVaLEXBdEmlJ0zhnVF_-pfM2QX826kE4SFs/s640/20170608_185228.jpg" width="624" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Respite</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I could (and have) gone on and on about the coffee shops of Cambridge, the fact is we are very much spoilt for choice here. Whether you frequent <a href="http://www.themiddlesister.co.uk/2017/02/Cambridge-coffee-1.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Bould Brothers</i></b></a>, the latest coffee bar to open or <a href="http://www.themiddlesister.co.uk/2017/04/Hot-Numbers.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Hot Numbers</i></b></a>, what I think of as the first cool coffee shop to hit the streets, you’ll find a cup of java for you. One that I end up at quite frequently is <a href="http://novicambridge.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b><i>Novi</i></b></a>, basically instagram porn with marble and wood tables, pretty meadow flowers and latte art. They also have a roof terrace and visually appealing cocktails in the evening.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0KB3C7vB1RRarQnL3boQgN-OoXbgrZ0e159GGqCajVtuGy24o2SPHT2BAzVKVZ6kCoxMW4fWuDRVMEbPavlZM2vlJZeQSavvlw_x2FFpURxgmEyvLlcu4x2SzCSunGAqg5y6AtWT7Y0/s1600/Novi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0KB3C7vB1RRarQnL3boQgN-OoXbgrZ0e159GGqCajVtuGy24o2SPHT2BAzVKVZ6kCoxMW4fWuDRVMEbPavlZM2vlJZeQSavvlw_x2FFpURxgmEyvLlcu4x2SzCSunGAqg5y6AtWT7Y0/s640/Novi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cambridge is everything I've ever wanted in a home city, but now I'm working again I get to explore other places. It wont be long until they crop up here, I'm sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What are some of your favourite places to visit?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*Not a real time period.</span>TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0Cambridge, UK52.205337 0.1218169999999645452.1274775 -0.039544500000035454 52.2831965 0.28317849999996453tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-40193602721825403712017-08-28T14:38:00.004+01:002017-08-28T15:01:56.513+01:00Starting Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwhijxbWwLKYKPsaHrZk5njS5zpQdxbFDb8EK_hyphenhyphenLkwrGKAQyGlfzZuoDFJx49ehiLGcbJyjYajOdvBdtdeDv3mJYHMJssDi3A2TU0EkX1lGYMUmZH6ioi_w7-JdmRKQTwjIeTIKc61w/s1600/WwindingRoad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwhijxbWwLKYKPsaHrZk5njS5zpQdxbFDb8EK_hyphenhyphenLkwrGKAQyGlfzZuoDFJx49ehiLGcbJyjYajOdvBdtdeDv3mJYHMJssDi3A2TU0EkX1lGYMUmZH6ioi_w7-JdmRKQTwjIeTIKc61w/s640/WwindingRoad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Starting a new job can, at times, be difficult. You don’t know anyone but they all each other, you’re not sure what to wear, whether you can swear and it can all be a bit intense. But for all this uncertainty there is one thing that’s a real plus. You get to make a f</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">irst impression. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like signing up to Facebook* with a brand new profile, you get a clean slate. Your colleagues don’t yet know you and, if they are anything like the lovely people I’ve just started working with, they’ll want to remedy that ASAP. Seeing as there is no chance to second guess what they want to hear you’ll just have to be honest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the past I spent way too much time weighing up what I thought other people wanted to hear before giving ‘my opinion’. Anything from if a dress suited them to my political stance would be 'tweaked' to accommodate who I was with. Not always mind, but regularly enough that a few years ago I realised what I was doing and made a conscious effort to stop. Now when I’m asked a question I try to answer as honestly as I know how. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wonderful thing here is that I get to show people who I am at this point in my life and have a chance to make that person my best self. We all know about our best self, it’s the person we’d most like to believe we are or are becoming. The person that communicates, feels and loves in a way that feels intrinsically ‘right’. For me it’s becoming more about sincerity and honesty. The people that have come into my life over the past five or so years know me as I am, not as I was at 20 or 30. I can honestly say I’m more comfortable in their presence than I am in the presence of others I’ve known for donkeys. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That’s not to say old friends aren't truly valuable and to be cherished. They’re the ones that already understand if we’re not morning people and if saying the words ‘its fine’ actually means ‘it's not fine, get here now, bring gin! They know if we say something that comes across a bit cruel was meant that way or if we just phrased it badly. They know how much we can handle having the piss taken out of us and (if a decent sort) won’t push our buttons just for the sake of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The flip side to all this is people that we met and got to know 10 or 20 years ago, carry a bit of that person with them throughout the relationship. We all do it, myself included because its human nature to subconsciously label things, it makes us feel we have a handle on what or who someone is. The longer a relationship goes on, the stronger that label can get. The problem lies in if the original opinion of us was a misconception, whether it’s one we initiated or one they came to doesn’t much matter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting to know people in later years, as we change and grow is cathartic. It’s freeing and so unbelievably cleansing I genuinely believe we should all make an effort to bring new people into our lives regularly. While we’re at it maybe we should also sporadically wipe everything we put on Facebook and force us all to start afresh there too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What do you think?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">* or some other social media platform</span><br />
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TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-43958333384574875352017-08-19T16:37:00.000+01:002017-08-19T16:37:11.292+01:00Review Time: Clarins Double Serum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsI27ulcPgw2PQnsvZO2blLhqJtQB3Pu65Z0NYkUcIUdFawTfGngbZ43IYtmYt4uQVWwFHnnMXPh1qCD-f1nqFU88S2ysyhEi9FHnzCxapnDXZT2NVt3Nrp_OQdlI11ptUcPriTsZ6qI/s1600/Clarins_DoubleSerum2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsI27ulcPgw2PQnsvZO2blLhqJtQB3Pu65Z0NYkUcIUdFawTfGngbZ43IYtmYt4uQVWwFHnnMXPh1qCD-f1nqFU88S2ysyhEi9FHnzCxapnDXZT2NVt3Nrp_OQdlI11ptUcPriTsZ6qI/s640/Clarins_DoubleSerum2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s time for another one
of those posts that make people think we swan around getting free shizzle all
the time. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s truly not the case and even
if it were could you pay your bills with beauty products and candles? That
said this morning I went to <b><i><u><a href="http://www.clarins.co.uk/" target="_blank">Clarins</a></u></i></b> in John Lewis at <b><i><u><a href="http://www.grandarcade.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Grand Arcade</a></u></i></b>. <b><i><u>J</u></i></b><u><i><b><a href="https://www.johnlewis.com/" target="_blank">ohn Lewis</a></b></i></u> were kind enough to
allow the <b><i><u><a href="https://twitter.com/CambMeetUp" target="_blank">@Cambmeetup</a></u></i></b> bloggers a free facial to try out their new double serum. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 20-something
beauty consultant (20SBC) was very sweet and knew her stuff, although when I asked about
Clarins ethics in relation to fair trade she couldn’t answer me. This is a bit of a bugbear as anyone that
reads my posts know this is my go to question. She assessed my face with a test
where she held my cheek skin slightly higher than usual, let go…and watched it
fall. </span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwX3X-x2y66j4YJCj8awQ7EE0Imj4S-OcipLNbD2cKk8I25PXQzXH7U8vhN0CSuKBpIaoTud9KZGYttq94kX7ReeF9YK48gcjqT-yGMVgF_pqTAcGl63zxrjPzYAUnLlz2pB3pG_P3PQ/s1600/giphy01.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="500" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwX3X-x2y66j4YJCj8awQ7EE0Imj4S-OcipLNbD2cKk8I25PXQzXH7U8vhN0CSuKBpIaoTud9KZGYttq94kX7ReeF9YK48gcjqT-yGMVgF_pqTAcGl63zxrjPzYAUnLlz2pB3pG_P3PQ/s640/giphy01.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timber!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As some dude on Game
of Thrones said last week nothing f*cks you harder than time! </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily 20SBC was well
trained in not looking aghast and began happily chatting away. She checked my ‘current beauty
regime’ which I <i>highly</i> exaggerated the way you do when you go to the doctors and
tell them you drink ‘moderately’ and exercise ‘frequently’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My skin is as cantankerous as my personality so it’s oily in places, dry in others and down right snake like at times as well. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> However </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">we got cracking with
a one-step facial cleanser and then comfort mask</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US">with wild mango
butter. Whilst we waited for that to
sink in 20SBC gave me a hand massage using the same cream as the queen. Not sure what that says about how old she
thought I was but hey-ho! </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mask was then
taken off with a liquid exfoliator with white nettle, apparently using an
exfoliator regularly makes your other products 70% more effective*</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now was time for the double
serum which they are relaunching with spanky new ingredients like turmeric. Turmeric fights over 300 antioxidants
in the body* - it also includes teasel extract which fights fine lines. How exactly I’m still not sure, maybe it goes
all Jessica Jones and literally pushes the lines off my face.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLbDz76uYlqT_OpkqSWd5qO0FEydoO0rlZ0bhIs5UsS5wW3XFi5bTApU2jX73FKQFZWrh1Ati2w58-ISJxEv6mbneRN5nmo6nvOC08ROJrddPMutgC826UCeVqBBQwrUnjjXL6nzEFPg/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLbDz76uYlqT_OpkqSWd5qO0FEydoO0rlZ0bhIs5UsS5wW3XFi5bTApU2jX73FKQFZWrh1Ati2w58-ISJxEv6mbneRN5nmo6nvOC08ROJrddPMutgC826UCeVqBBQwrUnjjXL6nzEFPg/s200/giphy.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alright maybe not</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then came the eye
cream</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I’ve not
really used these before but this was incredibly cooling and soothing plus it
has a spatula which helps get rid of puffiness, we don't like puffiness.
As the skin around the eyes are 7 times thinner than the
rest of our face, it’s here we see the evidence of our own mistreatment. The late nights, crying over crap boyfriends or girlfriends, drinking too much blah blah blah. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Next came the day
cream which she mixed with a lotus oil</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US">and warmed in her hands first to
activate the ingredients. This really
smelt amazing and did remind me of a particularly relaxing spa treatment. Finally it was neck cream time. 20SBC advised
to always stroke up, not down, when applying neck cream because there’s no need
to help the aggressive bitch that is gravity. I’m paraphrasing of course but you get the
drift.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that was it, my
skin did feel incredibly soft and I left feeling quite pampered. I
will advise that being a super sensitive sort, after a few hours my cheek did
get ever so slightly irritated. That could
have been caused by a number of attributes though; weather, the fact that I’d been to the
salon and small pieces of my own hair seemed intent on tickling the hell out of
me or the cheese toasty I had from Urban Larder. I’m not meant to eat bread but these buggers
are so good on occasion I scoff one anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of all the products
used I rate the eye cream and face oil highest for scent and effect. While the experience was incredibly relaxing
I’m not sure I have the 20+ minutes every day to apply all the creams and the
cost is definitely a drawback. If you’re
time/money rich and have an extensive interest in beauty products I see no
reason not to give Clarins a try.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOBEFdRd2uZKY0OD_bbSZxpFBnW8MQLgvT7TT_lraCoRDvOOQRkZ8WlBPoRZQX0PywoOk_96ZuvJ1b8Ctp2WnCM_Cjce3oegoNU6agiWKjnM9OP6YtIhOavXu5pjUJtFCB5X5BnpKt78/s1600/Clarins_DoubleSerum5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1600" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOBEFdRd2uZKY0OD_bbSZxpFBnW8MQLgvT7TT_lraCoRDvOOQRkZ8WlBPoRZQX0PywoOk_96ZuvJ1b8Ctp2WnCM_Cjce3oegoNU6agiWKjnM9OP6YtIhOavXu5pjUJtFCB5X5BnpKt78/s640/Clarins_DoubleSerum5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Product Prices </u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Cleanser = </span><span lang="EN-US">£</span><span lang="EN-US">21.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Comfort mask = </span><span lang="EN-US">£30.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Liquid Exfoliator = </span><span lang="EN-US">£26.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Double Serum = </span><span lang="EN-US">£57.00/£75.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Eye Cream = </span><span lang="EN-US">£35.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Day Cream = </span><span lang="EN-US">£42.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Lotus Oil = </span><span lang="EN-US">£33.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Neck Cream = </span><span lang="EN-US">£45.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">* However 57% of statistics
are made up on the spot sooooooo</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com5Cambridge, UK52.205337 0.1218169999999645452.1274775 -0.039544500000035454 52.2831965 0.28317849999996453tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-2632495812501023382017-08-11T12:35:00.000+01:002017-08-11T12:35:08.297+01:00My Favourite Podcasts - 2 of 2<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One good thing about
podcasts is they are very much about sharing your attention. Unlike television programmes that demand full
loyalty for months on end then disappear without a second glance. Podcasts actively talk about other series that we might
like, and so it is that <a href="http://www.themiddlesister.co.uk/2017/08/my-favourite-podcasts-1-of-2.html" target="_blank"><b>The Guilty Feminist</b></a>
and now I give you <a href="http://www.intelligencesquared.com/">Intelligence
Squared</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6HhvyEELeXSzxjdxffVzASvt_PQWzkmEMUsls496DMvzPWx2SzygCS9P7S-SvGqmGQRVLHWgomxdUp3XnL99GvfakUTvQKYz7GNIo7LJ3PcXopRG0CIeTUbt1uz3QQe4MI29IbaOc40/s1600/Intelligence+Squared.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="589" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6HhvyEELeXSzxjdxffVzASvt_PQWzkmEMUsls496DMvzPWx2SzygCS9P7S-SvGqmGQRVLHWgomxdUp3XnL99GvfakUTvQKYz7GNIo7LJ3PcXopRG0CIeTUbt1uz3QQe4MI29IbaOc40/s640/Intelligence+Squared.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This cast tackles some
serious issues and calls for balanced opinion listening skills.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not my strongest suit but with Brexit and
Trump and all the other 'End of Days' malarkey that’s kicking around I think its
important to spend time trying to understand those who think differently than us. Something this podcast requires us to do droves!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you can, Intelligence Squared is pretty good at showing us opinions and political ideas which - and this is the important bit - are backed up with well thought out motivations. It</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> has also shown me I could respect and have some common ground with someone who’s political views I do not agree
with.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some (republican!) dude called <a href="http://www.pjorourke.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>PJO’Rourke</i></b></a> seems on the whole to be a tolerant, intelligent person.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> While some of h</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is views have me raising an eyebrow, his likeability was surprising.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I enjoy that kind of surprise.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the other two
podcasts are educational, inspiring and informative this final one is anything
but. Its filth, it’s a dirty burger,
it’s a whacking great slab of cheesecake you know will make you feel sick but
you can’t help shovelling down your throat anyway. Welcome to <a href="https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/my_dad_wrote_a_porno/">My
dad wrote a porno</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVc3AbZekK2yuHkSBRMfTkhPPZCvzJOQxXIJ64f2H0q5-kNtsTuDmbQXth23WsG5KsINbY17oITQfxVbXjsyOtFnB9FVea_4Ynbx8dJNKfSX8K35_76wVtahv8uzkPukHIh-qKd5XonKk/s1600/podcasts_my_dad_wrote_a_porno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVc3AbZekK2yuHkSBRMfTkhPPZCvzJOQxXIJ64f2H0q5-kNtsTuDmbQXth23WsG5KsINbY17oITQfxVbXjsyOtFnB9FVea_4Ynbx8dJNKfSX8K35_76wVtahv8uzkPukHIh-qKd5XonKk/s640/podcasts_my_dad_wrote_a_porno.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please note this is
not porn.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s about as sexy as a
watching a dog die of rabies and definitely as gross.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Read by Jamie Morton</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (a man who, I suspect, may well be working on an ‘eternal sunshine of
the spotless mind’ style mind zap as I write) its snort out loud funny.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His two long suffering comrades, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">James Cooper and Alice Levine, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">basically rip
the ever loving piss out of the ‘story-line’, ‘writing’ and ‘character
development’ of the book.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s not big, it’s not clever but it is bloody funny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love to hear the
side chats the three of them have about their time at Uni together all while
rehashing what would already be a car crash experience of a book.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I’m not actually recommending this on any
normal level as it makes no sense, either grammatically or erotically. But it worth listening to if you want to escape</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> from anything serious at all. It is truly hysterical and confounding in equal parts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So there we have it. Do you listen to any of these podcasts and if not, why not?</span></div>
TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-25057124884463357502017-08-06T11:47:00.002+01:002018-03-10T17:38:45.219+00:00My Favourite Podcasts - 1 of 2<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A short while ago I
posted a tweet advising </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">these days </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I listen to podcasts on my headphones more than music. I thought I would be the only one but it seems many people feel
similarly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1U2blqXDoHQzCnk5_-436C9yu7XxpYEisfAkVXTDyuV787QpXxztgPnAsX4ePX2pSwL8W535ztU40uR1qIzvQJDQtcWIUZGK618k0M1Cphu-M6tOUIHd647xe033nC0Q8CtuH3OtG1N0/s1600/Podcast+Screenshot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1U2blqXDoHQzCnk5_-436C9yu7XxpYEisfAkVXTDyuV787QpXxztgPnAsX4ePX2pSwL8W535ztU40uR1qIzvQJDQtcWIUZGK618k0M1Cphu-M6tOUIHd647xe033nC0Q8CtuH3OtG1N0/s400/Podcast+Screenshot.png" width="225" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Podcasts are something
I hadn't paid a great deal of attention to until recently but now believe they
could be the answer to the myriad of problems life has given us.* They're the
new black, the new cool, the new clean eating, they reflect how we live and
what we strive for. If I start the day with a podcast I generally start
with a snort of coffee through my nose from laughing too hard, which I'm sure we all agree can only
be a good thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So you too can
begin your morning with liquid spewing from your nasal cavity today I’m
talking about the ones I like</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. I was going to do all three in
one post but I had so much to say about this first one I and am in no mood to
sensor myself these days #Fuckit.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So am
splitting them into two separate posts both up <i>this week </i>because I’m such a
damned hero!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagL3Jm4OxMLMFZvnaIVsj1tuiVjXBMrytQ2AuEBfCozbyl4HO_TPFwmJ-elxF38x0ELVprfFs67He3wIS3gmikOlHk9gmQFm8AQgpS39nkYekM1hO4hfLdA45AoYpvD4Si6itBrZxRPY/s1600/superman.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="500" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagL3Jm4OxMLMFZvnaIVsj1tuiVjXBMrytQ2AuEBfCozbyl4HO_TPFwmJ-elxF38x0ELVprfFs67He3wIS3gmikOlHk9gmQFm8AQgpS39nkYekM1hO4hfLdA45AoYpvD4Si6itBrZxRPY/s640/superman.gif" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">See, even Superman thinks I'm right!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m giving you the good stuff straight off as without
question this is my absolute favourite. I was told about it by two friends, both of
whom’s opinion I highly respect, and am so glad I listened to them. Step up The <a href="http://guiltyfeminist.com/">Guilty Feminist</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was a year late to
the GF party so binge-listened to all available episodes in a matter of weeks and
it’s had a profound effect on me. This pod cast and the women (and sometimes men) that guest on it can make you feel OK about the hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine our feminist ways. At the same time they fire us up to take note of how society can disrespect and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">condescend </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">women, whilst paying them less money than </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a man</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> would get for <a href="https://fullfact.org/economy/UK_gender_pay_gap/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_JrMBRDPARIsACis1HxivaSrPkWWfMV-0B4t_LJGjAROzeswwHZUvOe8bPkcndZlr9GHUe8aAttkEALw_wcB" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">doing the same work</a>. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It has caused me to both check my
privilege (as a white, first world woman) and systematic disadvantage (as a non-male type). It also introduced me to a whole
gang of funny, cool, clever, eloquent</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> women that I have become </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">mildly</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">** infatuated with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The one that sticks
with me as the funniest thing since funny things were first funny is <a href="http://guiltyfeminist.libsyn.com/21-not-having-kids-with-susan-calman" target="_blank"><i><b>No 21 Not having kids with Susan Calman</b></i>.</a> I’ve
listened to it several times and still laugh out loud at her candour and exasperation
with the world of white guilt and being overly pc. If you are offended by those with a potty mouth you might want to give this one a miss but your life will be lesser because of it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sarapascoe.com/" target="_blank"><b>Sarah Pascoe</b></a> and <a href="http://sindhuvee.com/#Home" target="_blank"><b>Sindhu Vee</b></a> are now names I
look out for in comedy or panel shows, you should too. They make me just a tad ashamed that I
was one of those people that (many years ago) said ‘yeah I just don’t think
women are that funny’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I know!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The real star of the show has to be the woman that started it all, <a href="https://deborahfrances-white.com/" target="_blank"><b>Deborah Francis-White</b></a>. I’ve been fan-girling
after her ever since the she first came to my attention.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I was lucky e</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nough to be see <a href="http://guiltyfeminist.com/live-shows/" target="_blank"><b>Guilty Feminist live</b></a>, I practically auctioned off my husband - who had been kind
enough to accompany me – just for the chance to </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">talk</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to her.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whilst I admit
this was highly pathetic it only bloody worked because now we are </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">best</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> friends***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You should go listen to it this insrtant, then come back and check out the other podcasts I favour and let me know which ones you like too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">* Recognise this Heathers quote anyone?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">**for mildly read
completely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">***in my mind</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-40931892303252908222017-07-26T20:17:00.000+01:002017-07-26T20:17:23.655+01:00The Return of Guilty Viewings<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I use this blog as a place to disclose things that I probably
shouldn't. But as that seems to be a theme this year I may as well go all
in. Its confession time again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's right, I have another guilty televisual pleasure. Being a self-confessed tele-addict it was
bound to happen again. Yes again, I’ve
written about these before way back in 2010 when I had NO IDEA <a href="http://www.themiddlesister.co.uk/2010/08/guilty-viewings.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>the Kardashians</b></span></a>
would turn into the multi-million dollar empire of egotism that they are. Just so you know</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have been watching some well-produced, brilliantly written,
thought provoking TV - I’m looking at you </span><b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.nowtv.com/watch-billions/96a4d62716284510VgnVCM1000000b43150a____?DCMP=KNC-Generic&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--DLBRCNARIsAFIwR256YXvqg2cGhUC35iTTKLXBfKsnRZ4XRXL9mh5XXk9BXuPZKTQOCdUaAic6EALw_wcB" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Billions</span>,</a> <a href="https://www.sky.com/watch/title/series/da8a9969-0e80-4fa8-9aa9-60e3cbf8c859" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Big Little Lies</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-handmaids-tale" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">The Handmaid's Tale</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. However I’ve also taken to ‘de-stressing’ with some mind numbing trash.
While the rest of the world was binging on </span><a href="http://www.itv.com/loveisland" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Love Island</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> I've gone retro.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step up <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">The Real Housewives of New York</span></b></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I KNOW! Alright, I can’t help it.
It’s not a wish to be like them, it’s more “living vicariously without
having to deal with the drama, wind down at the end of the day” type of
situation. I started to watch 1 episode a day from the beginning a couple of
weeks ago as E! is now showing it from the beginning. While the quality of the picture now emulates
the content, it’s still highly addictive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love Bethany.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear, sweet and as
grounded as you can be when you’re a millionaire daughter of absentee father who is desperate for marriage and a child* Bethany. I hope to hell I’m not like Ramona, who’s
emotional maturity looks to have only just entered kindergarten**.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I like Jill for her intellect though question
her materialism and I think Alex needs to be a bit more honest with herself and
LuAnn to take herself less seriously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And really I think this is exactly what this sort of TV is for.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s harmless, they will most likely never
know and won’t care what you think anyway judgement!</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I find watching the clothes, the parties and
the childlike misunderstandings all deliciously indulgent while being oh so
grateful I’m not one of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m certain there are people judging me for my viewing habits as harshly as I’m judging the housewives. Well judge away! A glass of wine, bar of
chocolate and RHONY binge can be exactly what the doctor ordered. Its true, I have been known to get bored as
easily as I get addicted, so my affection for the show many not last all the
way up to the present season anyway (can you believe there are 9 series?!). For now though, I'm enjoying the
ridiculousness of the...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What’s your guilty viewing?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> *Season 1 obviously<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">**Hey American review, American words </span><br />
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TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0New York, NY, USA40.7127837 -74.00594130000001839.942317700000004 -75.296834800000013 41.4832497 -72.715047800000022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-51201962046574527052017-07-12T12:30:00.000+01:002017-07-12T12:39:22.194+01:00Why do I blog?<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8pzNKcKZM0s9ZIZVsJsoKUoBB5lnixRmPWiuuebMuWEPp7E1inWcX8PHpDeej3zho4KF0CZw8GNZumvuWpMvjsq6E8CN1-BEYHK9E2ywAfypyMdRLhpyjn9AXi6WJOgfXASkLRrHpeU/s1600/IMG_0571.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8pzNKcKZM0s9ZIZVsJsoKUoBB5lnixRmPWiuuebMuWEPp7E1inWcX8PHpDeej3zho4KF0CZw8GNZumvuWpMvjsq6E8CN1-BEYHK9E2ywAfypyMdRLhpyjn9AXi6WJOgfXASkLRrHpeU/s640/IMG_0571.CR2" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s a question I’ve pondered quite a bit recently. Why do we write about our passions or what drives us? And why do we then </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">post these thoughts on the internet for anyone to see? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me it started as something to do when my husband went off on mountain biking weekends and I was bored. It featured a few snarky comments on red carpet dresses or celebrities I wasn't particularly taken with however now its become so much more. Its a creative outlet where I am governed by no one but myself, w</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hether I am writing about the events and opportunities I am fortunate enough to be presented with or something more personal.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I decide what to write and what to leave out and that's something I'm aware not everyone understands. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've come to believe some </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">view it as exhibitionism, surmising ‘who would talk about personal
issues then put it on social media if they weren’t simply seeking attention’?</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> What these people may not see is that adding these more personal posts is a great </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">coping mechanism for me.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> blog on my life and thoughts its to pursue understanding about why I do what I do and feel what I feel.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It gives me clarity and makes me feel
empowered in a way nothing else in my life has*. But it has another outcome, b</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y spewing my thoughts out into the world it stops them from constantly circling around my head, stops self-reflection turning into self-centred narcissism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Privacy is something else people question but again I've discovered this means different things to different people. For example with the exception of the one black and white image on my home and contact pages, I rarely add pictures of myself to my blog these days**. I’ve tried it a few times and it just doesn’t
feel right so I keep private in that way. However I <b><i><u>love
</u></i></b>seeing my friends on their sites especially if I have been involved in
taking the images. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In part I'm writing this in defence of us all. The people I have met within this industry are passionately engaged, seeking to better themselves and the world around them.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They are brave in a way I wish to emulate.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> They spend what precious time they have after work and family commitments, d</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">iscovering new skills and desires or making societal changes. They talk about everything from fashion and beauty to mental health and personal issues. </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While not all will include delicate aspects of their life in their blogs, for me to be authentic I need to. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s just who I am and I'm happy with that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blogging isn't without its consequences. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recent events highlighting some mistakes I've made here goes to show </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don’t always get the balance or tone right, but I'm learning all the time. And, i</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f I feel a situation I am going through now is something I will want to reflect on in years to come
I <i><u>will</u></i> write about it.</span></div>
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flummoxed as to why I wrote a blog about why I blog. However I’m guessing people that do, will know
it was the only response possible for me to achieve some sort of closure.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNwYsVkmlxMOJhuWfrYc4oyB-8sMyBQ39_vln0z6pWdPyezORCNr6Bmk4scbRymIMNuGHYC10y9Vg7KcoBsaCn2SzslkPKEuWj9s0bp5S002C2Xhyj8hHMs0fx10HVfJeLFMJNw1LQEQ/s1600/Novi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNwYsVkmlxMOJhuWfrYc4oyB-8sMyBQ39_vln0z6pWdPyezORCNr6Bmk4scbRymIMNuGHYC10y9Vg7KcoBsaCn2SzslkPKEuWj9s0bp5S002C2Xhyj8hHMs0fx10HVfJeLFMJNw1LQEQ/s640/Novi2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m genuinely curious to know why you blog and if you see
yourself in any of the above?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*yet!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">**instagram yes but not my blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-36188162422697968942017-07-05T12:30:00.000+01:002017-07-05T12:30:19.647+01:00My Favourite You Tubers<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So last
week I randomly found myself with a free Saturday afternoon and spent some of
it on You Tube. I’ve been watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE7faqz-mqjbUa4UaMZGAvw" target="_blank"><i><b>Nicole Arbour</b></i> </a>since THAT
video. She’s not exactly PC and I get that her humour isn't for everyone, but personally I find her take on religion,
social media, ex-boyfriends and America etc. quite hysterical. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But there are
only so much sarcasm even I can take, so I asked my blogger friends to
recommend who they watch, and boy did they deliver. Now I have some new favs to learn from/waste
hours over. Because addiction love
company I’m hoping you’ll get hooked as well.
Gowarn, just watch one, everybody’s doing it…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9jQ_8cLM_m7vYsUYb6loZWG7yXYVuTje2ABij5UBVT5HWUA5ngF7HUb1lz45bN-M2FHYiMqKPd77bIKxMH_kT6Bm0eYXGoRrcPe-wGRwBMYf9AZ2iT7X6BVG0tHmKgzxcBz1ssoA5H0/s1600/Anna.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="906" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9jQ_8cLM_m7vYsUYb6loZWG7yXYVuTje2ABij5UBVT5HWUA5ngF7HUb1lz45bN-M2FHYiMqKPd77bIKxMH_kT6Bm0eYXGoRrcPe-wGRwBMYf9AZ2iT7X6BVG0tHmKgzxcBz1ssoA5H0/s640/Anna.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZC45sBWNdkqSQ9Bwtt5lfA" target="_blank">Anna Akana</a></u></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This chick
is my new spirit animal. She manages to
be both informative and funny. I crave
her articulation skills and her honesty about life, sister’s suicide and her
own mental health issues is highly commendable.
Her every day bravery is helping me be brave in a current life fuck
moment I appear to have found myself in as well. Her videos are super short,
most are only 3 or 4 minutes long, so are perfect for me and my goldfish style
attention span. That said it is
incredibly easy to sit down to watch one, then check the time and see you’ve spent
an entire afternoon/day/month watching a cat obsessed nut job*.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1D-5AxMx8-IL4en18DBsD1rzlpgxkJFYFXocNQOpq1hQ9bntrLGiE_ej_M4hs48drTbHpqrK0aDAOziPpmCe2xKHvXkB7kFkVRJ9H-SnbXmqPFjJIdR7_vv8h2_zWSW5ogpuQJnQ4es/s1600/Claire.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="978" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1D-5AxMx8-IL4en18DBsD1rzlpgxkJFYFXocNQOpq1hQ9bntrLGiE_ej_M4hs48drTbHpqrK0aDAOziPpmCe2xKHvXkB7kFkVRJ9H-SnbXmqPFjJIdR7_vv8h2_zWSW5ogpuQJnQ4es/s640/Claire.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJyfryZQsoN_ttLFe6vYKmw" target="_blank">Hey Claire</a></u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These
videos are a quite a bit longer than Anna’s. While I'm not into the endless beauty posts those touching on topics a little deeper, like her mother's alzheimer's or personal growth are wonderfully stylised. She’s
also got mad editing skills.
My favourite videos are ‘Mary’ ‘Do you ever feel’ and ‘where have you
been’ I love that she swears in this one
as she seems so calm and collected most of the time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkPjoUtu3Lc7xadLUoU9BzEvglU4LSVOuxGuSex6Ja9LsAQCd3FhCTEUl8s87G-lASbf_-MnZqVKOsY-WBlHhX6iaZgSWkx6j5GkCdhmXSqdEo3tkj0OryKh2yBw3pZeIiGj8V1G4gQo/s1600/Devine.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="1006" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkPjoUtu3Lc7xadLUoU9BzEvglU4LSVOuxGuSex6Ja9LsAQCd3FhCTEUl8s87G-lASbf_-MnZqVKOsY-WBlHhX6iaZgSWkx6j5GkCdhmXSqdEo3tkj0OryKh2yBw3pZeIiGj8V1G4gQo/s640/Devine.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ1eOHDT-C3AVbfjJr2bZOA" target="_blank">SomewhereDevine</a></u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m not
usually one for perfect videos with perfect toddlers in the arms of perfect mums, but I’ll make an exception here. While
they are A LOT like swanky life adverts for some product we
all need to be this awesome, they are worth watching for the cinematography alone. The images of different places
they've travelled around the world and soothing musical soundtrack are great
for when you’re having a bit of a hard time and want to escape.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So there
you have it. I’ve really enjoyed finding new two dimensional friends who have NO ideas we are in a relationship. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who are
your favourite Youtubers to watch?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*in case you hadn't noticed I'm a big fan of cat obsessed nut jobs. </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-75667292563202385802017-06-30T12:00:00.000+01:002017-07-03T10:12:40.348+01:00Gig Review: Royal Blood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsjhUGvmu5_P7eFIUdL5OXsT2sM9gP6SrsVM6PTv0dxHQAV_KzL7tGdzqiB2FmJdmrXxV0rikbYWrs8sML4WO1zndvzWouj4jPyCuojm7y-kHvmq2EdgySFahCCafN1OY2VJUFZe8WIg/s1600/20170517_210321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsjhUGvmu5_P7eFIUdL5OXsT2sM9gP6SrsVM6PTv0dxHQAV_KzL7tGdzqiB2FmJdmrXxV0rikbYWrs8sML4WO1zndvzWouj4jPyCuojm7y-kHvmq2EdgySFahCCafN1OY2VJUFZe8WIg/s640/20170517_210321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All right lets change the mood a bit here.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Summer kicks into gear, festival and music goers tour the UK seeing their idols perform. I thought I’d review the experience (not music) I had when I saw Royal Blood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I’ll start by saying I L.O.V.E.D their first album and played it
disturbingly loud for the best part of the last few summers. The dirty baselines and telling lyrics of Mike Kerr
(vocals, bass) and Ben Thatcher (drums) is just what rock needs right now. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What it doesn’t need is any more attitude... but it looks
like it’s getting it anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">At the Corn Exchange the guys did a great impression of two people
making amazing music together but not wanting to be there or actually acknowledge the room full of their
fans. Each song (played with flare and precision) was followed by 10-15 seconds
of sweet FA! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">A black whole of
interaction. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I’ve never really understood why bands react this way. I mean it’s not like we are doing anything
but singing along to all the songs we know or enjoying one of our favourite bands. I know they don’t suffer
from anxiety the way some other lead singers have been known to because I've seen them
support Foo Fighters and watched Mike strut out on stage like he was headlining. So
what gives? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m not asking for a deep and meaningful, just a ‘Hello Cambridge’ at the
beginning a ‘Goodnight’ at the end and a couple of sentences in the middle
while they fiddle with their guitar strings. If </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Frightened Rabbit </span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">can do it, a 55 year old Axel Rose can do it
and </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dave Grohl</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">can make an art form of it, you guys can too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">From where I was sitting it looked like Royal Blood experienced a very
forgiving crowd who chanted their name, filling the empty space usually reserved for the band members to makes us feel like part of a tribe. Which is why it was all the more perplexing to hear Mike tell
us we had a lot to make up for when he deigned to (finally) ask us if we were having a good time... just before the last song. Small piece of unsolicited advise? </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It might help if you pretend
like we've all paid £25 to come and see you and put on a feckin' show eh?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Proof that I'm all for second chances (and I do rate them as a band) I'm heading to see them in Nottingham later this year, fingers crossed for a different experience.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever had an experience like this with a band you love?</span></span></div>
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TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com02 Wheeler St, Cambridge CB2 3QB, UK52.204348 0.1196390000000064926.682313500000003 -41.188954999999993 77.7263825 41.428233000000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2191518769169494131.post-1268784248089788402017-06-23T12:30:00.000+01:002017-06-23T12:30:00.220+01:00Event: Winsor Bishop Independent Jewellers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aH8_ruBykAnXBFyGhSyvwLj0-kPps3omPDNCpU3YYIp1-LdJeOjXb6LJjNjCJyICBZPB126hNHqwineBa1ioJFlDVfzcYlx3XYUGpvoCNBKmOmyoOjFEYcyMXgd0GOe3lK4khE45-0c/s1600/Winsor+Bishop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1378" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aH8_ruBykAnXBFyGhSyvwLj0-kPps3omPDNCpU3YYIp1-LdJeOjXb6LJjNjCJyICBZPB126hNHqwineBa1ioJFlDVfzcYlx3XYUGpvoCNBKmOmyoOjFEYcyMXgd0GOe3lK4khE45-0c/s640/Winsor+Bishop.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is it just
me or do you too find posh stores can sometimes be a little intimidating? </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s not just a fear of the ‘pretty woman’
once over, sometimes I feel a bit like a fraud for even daring to step into the
place.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m sure a neon sign that says ‘she is wasting your time’ goes on over my head that only staff of luxury boutiques can s</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ee.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm a wait and save up kind of women, and if I really like something I know I'll get there eventually so it doesn’t stop me, but I will admit to feeling a little uncomfortable at times.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One place that really doesn't stress me out though is <b><i><u><a href="https://www.winsorbishop.co.uk/" target="_blank">Winsor Bishop</a></u></i></b>, this independent Trinity Street store has
the most welcoming and accommodating staff.
You really feel like you are sitting round a friend’s beautiful lounge
when you go in… If your friend had more bubbly than a champagne house in France
and a whole shed load of precious stones that is!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A fortunate
few bloggers (myself included) got to have an exclusive look around the Cambridge
store at their blogger event this week. Mini
cakes and prosecco was offered (and gratefully accepted) and we got to try on
anything we wanted. Hearing the staff
tell stories of the ‘Indiana Jones dude’ who sources their gems not only
conjures up ideas of magical adventures, it also puts my mind to rest on if their
jewels are conflict or not*. And that’s a
really good thing because these gems make me wonder if I need both my kidneys
or if one kidney and a tennis bracelet would suffice? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the
quality jewellery is pretty expensive because much of it is made in the Norwich
store the middle man is cut out, so the price isn’t as crazy as you might
think. They also stock a number of other
well-known brands as well as a few I’d not heard of. A new favourite of mine is<span style="color: blue;"> <b><i><u><a href="http://www.halcyondays.co.uk/" target="_blank">Halcyon Days</a></u></i></b></span>, and
<b><i><u><a href="https://www.winsorbishop.co.uk/" target="_blank">Winsor Bishop</a></u></i></b> is the only stockiest of their embossed bangles and bracelets in
Cambridge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Norwich
store being open since 1834 has already cemented stories of generation after generation
coming to purchase their engagement rings, push presents and first
watches. However the Cambridge shop is only
six months old and has all <i>its</i>
stories still to come. Wouldn’t it be
cool to be a part of them?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you
been inside yet?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> *they’re not in case you were wondering.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
TmShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357076206480765690noreply@blogger.com0Trinity St, City Centre, Cambridge CB2 1TB, UK52.2064466 0.1182487999999466452.2040141 0.11320629999994664 52.2088791 0.12329129999994665