Friday 5 .... things that have made me smile this month

Time for a little fun on a Friday and an opportunity to share 5 things that have made me smile this month....

1. James Corden recently kicked off hosting the Late Late Show and I am thrilled that he has injected much of his personality into the presenting and having lots of fun with his guests... this David Beckham underwear AD is just fabulous.... I could share 5 things alone that I have laughed and smiled at since he stepped into the shoes of David Letterman here
1. JC with Tom Hanks - Every Tom Hanks movie in 7 minutes - sheer genius
2. JC and Jennifer Hudson rocking the car pool karaoke - bringing back so many Gavin & Stacy fabulous moments
3. James headlines Burberry LA fashion show
4. Basic Instinct remake with Michael Douglas - so funny.... but my favourite has to be:
5. David Beckham & James Cordon underwear.

2.  There are some big movie releases this year, but this teaser trailer put a very happy smile on my face when released at the end of March.... happy dance that Daniel Craig is pulling on the Tom Ford tux again in the guise of 007 James Bond.....

• 3.  Following on from James Cordon sashaying down the runway for Burberry I loved this picture that appeared in the press from the front row of the Beckham family.... Harper looking in delightful in a Burberry trench dress who obviously wanted to kiss Daddy more than looking at the pretty dresses..... I had much the same thought when seeing him looking delicious!

• 4. Shaun the Sheep appeared across the city for the Spring and I am slowly finding them on my travels, however this promotional video from the gorgeous David Gandy introducing his Shaun.... Fine and Gandy is fun & flirty and showcases everything that is great in the British fashion business....



and finally Jeremy Piven ... aka Mr Selfridge has made me smile lots on social media... from sneaking into Selfridges last Saturday incognito, to calling out Bloomingdales standards and sharing Mr Selfridge meets Mr Darcy!!!....its been a fun month with Mr S.

I hope my 5 little snippets of frivolity have made you smile.... they certainly have me over the month... pop back next month for some more, or equally leave a comment and let me know what has made you smile this month I would love to hear.





Friday 5 .... funnies from February

Its Friday, its the end of what feels like a very long month and I so need a chocolate break, so grab a cup of tea whilst I share 5 things that have made me chuckle during February....

1. New York Fashion Week and the Grand Dame of the fashion industry Anna Wintour made me howl with laughter. They say  a look says a 1000 words, especially when AW cannot hide her look of disgust when North West threw a tantrum on the front row of the Wang & Kanye collections..... such a contrast from her reaction to Harper Beckham..... any of you that follow me on Instagram will know my thoughts on this... parenting & manners what a contrast.
   
2. Ellen's spoof trailer of 50 shades of Cinderella, a fabulous mix-up of the new Disney Cinderella movie & 50 Shades of Grey!.... loved it.                                                                            
3. London Fashion week.... this time Anya Hindmarch.... the designer that never fails to amuse with her quirky collections... last year it was supermarket favourites... this A/W we can look forward to hanging a handbag influenced by the M25 off your arm.... the London Gay choir dressed as roadside construction workers is just fabulous....                                                
4. OPI launched a polish collection in collaboration with the 50 shades franchise ... their PR and social media team did an fabulous job of selling the product to us... so much fun.
   
5. Google box returned and I laughed out loud lots, even at one point spitting my tea out!... who gave them Basic Instinct, Wolf Hall & Ukip winning the election! ... Scarlett Moffatt was just fabulous!... here's the full episode...Google box Ep1 season 5.
   

As you can see its a diverse mixture of things that have made me chuckle this month, many silly but so much fun,  and we all need a little fun in our lives.... what's been making you laugh this month?.... please share.... laters x

Friday 5... march treats

It's Friday, a week before payday so a little pick-up is needed. I've decided to use this Friday of the of the month to share my 5 treats from this month.

1. Asda Heart crumpets - at christmastime Asda's sellout success were their christmas tree shaped crumpets. For Valentines / Mother's Day they have packaged heart shaped crumpets for the occasion. Yes I know its an advertises dream, but this simple little treat put a smile on my face over breakfast this month, perfect for breakfast in the garden.
2. Spring flowers - I love spring flowers and this month daffodils and tulips have fallen in my basket frequently, an inexpensive way to brighten up the day and know that light mornings, blue skies and sunshine are around the corner.
3. Food magazines - its been ages since I have had time to sit and enjoy the simplicity of sitting and reading a magazine. This month I managed to grab an hour in the sunshine reading this months magazines, bookmarking some recipes that I want to try this spring.
4. DVF pouches - this year see's Diane Von Furstenberg celebrate 40 years in fashion. As one of my favourite fashion icons and 50% discount I picked this little pouch set up from work. The colour mix fits with lots in my wardrobe and as a huge tote fan I use pouches lots to hold different things in my large handbags!
5. George Michael Symphonica - I downloaded this album and purchased the CD. This is a beautiful album, featuring much from the set lists of George's symphonica tour accompanied by a full orchestra. Its the perfect backdrop whilst preparing dinner, background music and unwinding on the tube on the commute home. I was lucky to see George on this toute twice, the first in Verona and the second at the Royal Albert Hall. There are re-workings of some of George's songs and some beautiful covers all stunningly arranged ... this will be huge and a much deserved hit for George.
what treats have found there way into your shopping basket this month?

Friday 5 ~ Beauty Essentials...

This weeks Friday 5 is beauty essentials. I can say that I've struggled to just picking 5, but here are mine:

• YSL's Luxurious Mascara, can't live without mascara, do feel like I'm walking out the door naked without it! ( really not a pleasant thought!)  this is my trusted faithful, always in Brown, never black.
• Clarins Beauty Flash Balm ~ the hangover cure for skin, this brightens the tiredest skin and makes it glow... too indulgent for daily use but is the essential pick-up.

• Bobbi Brown Lip gloss ~ just a basic lip glaze with incredible staying power...always in the bottom of my bag.
• Charles Worthington Dry Shampoo ~ I have long thick hair, which takes forever to dry so washing it in the morning is not always an option (especially when I leave home at 6.20) and I can't wake the neighbours daily with the hair dryer!... this is my absolute fail safe especially when I wear my hair up... a couple of sprays at the roots and just like magic it looks fabulous... a real lifesaver.
• Chanel Eyebrow trio ~ I have fair eyebrows which without a little help & definition get lost on my face. This is the creme de la creme of eyebrow glamour and although expensive it is worth every penny and lasts ages...

whats your beauty essentials?.....

check out the other Friday 5 girls (link on the sidebar)

Friday 5 ~ Dear Santa....

This year I would like.....

This weeks Friday 5 is Christmas Wish List.... it may seem strange talking about Christmas in august, but for someone who works in the recently awarded "Best Department Store in the World" Christmas has already arrived!

this was a little challenging for me, due to recent birthday but I have pulled together 5 wishes, although I don't think I can wait until Santa brings them!!

In no particular order: This year I would like.....

Christian Louboutin Boots, who doesn't covet a pair of red soled shoes... heaven!

Books.. I am a book girl, never disappointed with books, My wish list on amazon grows daily!, however Kirsties Homemade home is a must for me this year.

Smeg Cream fridge/freezer ... I would love this fridge, (however for a singleton I can't justify £1000 on a fridge to hold a pint of milk & M&S ready meals!) I have longed for this ever since I bought my house... one day perhaps!

Sex & the City 2... released at the end of November.. don't think this can wait for Santa, a romp from start to finish!

Tiffany Shoe charm... Shoes & Tiffany blue will look lovely hanging off my wrist!

I am hoping that with posting early Santa won't get as muddled as he did last year, (too much brandy!)

I have posted some pics of the Christmas room... how cute are the cupcake decorations... they will be my tree additions for this year.... what's on your list?

Check out the other Friday 5 girls.. (links on the sidebar)

Friday 5 ~ 80's films

I couldn't miss this Friday 5, I am known by my friends as a bit of an 80's girl!....Ohh lots of flicks to choose from, but after much deliberation here are my 5 complete with trailer clips!

• Dirty Dancing ~ it had to be there didn't it!... this film took you to a bygone era, made watermelon a popular fruit and took on a whole new meaning of baby in a corner!.... and how can we forget Patrick Swayze's moves.... mmm
• An Officer & a Gentleman ~ what girl didn't want to be swept off her feet by a marine!.... Richard Gere in Navy whites....
• When Harry met Sally ~ can a girl be friends with a guy?...still a debatable question and who can forget the scene in the diner!
• Working Girl ~ this film screams 80's, glamour and started by complete love affair with New York... sailing across from Staten Island on the orange ferry to Manhatten.
• Top Gun ~ Oooooh, this film need no explanation... and launched the glamour of  ray ban sunglasses,  alongside many future stars; Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards ( Mark Greene ER)...

There were many others that could have made my list and could easily had another 5!.... Fatal Attraction,  Rain Man, About Last Night, Flashdance and ET!

Friday 5 ~ Childhood TV

This weeks friday 5 is childhood TV, so here's my 5 in no particular order:
1) Blue Peter, earliest memories was of Lesley Judd, John Noakes and Peter Purvis along with Shep & Petra the dogs. I loved Blue Peter,sticky back plastic, washing up liquid bottles and 'here's one I made earlier ' are part of my fondest memories and collecting tin foil for the Guide Dogs for the blind appeal!
2) Top Cat.... what a cool dude this cat was.... can you name all the gang? and click on the link for the fab theme tune!
3) Grange Hill ~ Tucker Jenkins made school look so cool, and how many girls wanted to be like Trisha Yates. I went to a local comprehensive and we could of staged our own Grange Hill!
4) Multi Coloured swap shop ~ Saturday mornings you were either a swap shop fan or a Tiswas fan.... it was MCSS for me, always loved the outside broadcasts because something always went wrong!
5) Dangermouse.... how fab was he!... my fav was
of course Penfold.
check out the Friday 5 girls for theirs (links on the side bar)......

Friday 5 ~ Cities....

no surprises on this one!....mmmm what could my favourite city be?....it is of course NEW YORK!
since writing my blog I have 31 posts of New York... please feel free to check them out!

So back to my 5.....
1.New York ~ so good they named it twice!... can't wait to go back for Christmas.
2.London ~ never thought I would commute into the City, but I love it, and quite often take myself off on random walks round London. an amazing city with soooo much history on the doorstep.
3.Paris ~ romantic, glamorous, and so very chic....and not forgetting macaroons to die for!... looking forward to our Ladies that Lunch Day in Paris....coming soon, the Montmartre, Sacre Coeur area is probably my fav part.
4.Rome ~ Culture, Couture & the Colosseum all in one city.... scooters & Italians I don't have to say anything else!
5.Washington DC ~ iconic and stunning.... loved the FBI trip... and was very lucky to see Bill Clinton running out onto the lawn to jump in his helicopter!

Friday 5 ~ Comfort Food

mmmmm  it makes me hungry thinking about this! and too many favs to pick just 5 but here goes;

• Sausage & Mash.... one of my favs, with fluffy buttery potatoes (preferably roosters) with pork sausages from the butchers with red onions & gravy.... and fresh runner beans.
• Blackberry & Apple Pie ~ no one else makes this as well as my nan, she made the most amazing pastry and we used to pick the blackberries from Gramps's allotment and make pies!






• Chunky Monkey ice cream - comfort food is incomplete without ice cream --- especially for those Bridget Jones moments.. also a great accompaniment to cupcakes!


• Beef Stew with Dumplings - homemade of course!... you can tell that I grew up with my nan, all her comfort food recipes have been passed down and really bring that feeling of home, perfect for a cold winter night.


• Loaded Jacket potatoes.... all fluffy inside with crunch skins, stuffed with bacon & mushrooms and Cornish cheddar! yum yum perfect for a Saturday night on the sofa!

Thanks to Caroline for a great Friday 5.... looking forward to next week.... what's your comfort foods?.... I'm off now to cook up a treat!

Friday 5 - Childhood books

I've recently been partnered with Caroline over at "What's happening at my House" in a swap so have been popping onto her blog to get ideas and have avidly followed her Friday 5.
Each Friday she posts 5 things on a mutual topic. This weeks topic is Childhood Books..... what better way to start than post my 5 fav books from my childhood, as an avid reader from an early age this was very difficult to just pick 5!
1. The Wishing Chair & Magic Faraway Tree series - Enid Blyton. I could of quite easily filled my list with  4 of Enid Blyton's series but have restrained with 2. I loved these books, I would curl up on my Gramps lap in his old rocking chair and we would transport ourselves away to a far away land with Molly & Peter and Chinky the pixie.
2. Pollyanna - Eleanor H Porter - a nickname that stuck from my grandparents all their life... heavily influenced by my obsession with always having my head in this book from a young age usually sitting on the backstep in the garden. It still sits in my top 5 films and will always be known as my 'Glad book', stemming from an orphaned girl sent to live with her stuffy aunt in a repressed town, where she teaches them the Glad game.
3. Secret Seven Series - Enid Blyton, Oh I so wanted to live with these guys and be part of their adventures, these 7 started my investigative nature which obviously led to the famous 5 and then into my love of all CSI now!.... it just makes you want to drink lashings of ginger beer and jam sandwiches!.... many a night with a torch under the bed sheet to finish the last chapter!
4. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - Kate Douglas Wiggin - large family of siblings sent to live with two maiden aunts on a farm,a heartwarming tale where Rebecca's joy for life inspires the aunts (eventually)... spending summers in the country in Suffolk gave me a feel of life in the country and this book as always my reading book of choice here.
5. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott - This is the book that took me through childhood into teens, as the character association changes dependant on what age you read it! and a book that I still read now.... from a family of strong women this book was always going to figure in my top 5.