Is Summer Really Here?

In the UK for the last week the sun has been oh so hot. I am so loving it. The weather in the UK can be so unpredictable so I am enjoying it while I can. I bought 2 maxi dresses from Primark just to celebrate. Though because of my height 5ft 1", I have to wear a belt to pull the dress up off the floor and also to give shape as my bosom is ample and these dresses turn into curtains on me. 

People seem so much happier when the weather is like this 25C being the top temperature so far where I live. I know other areas have hit 28C. Yes please Lord, more sunshine like this. Especially as my sons school fayre is over a month away and last year thunder and lightening ruined such a fun day. I have a task at hand now. To find clothes for my oldest son who is so slim he has to wear a belt of adjustable waist. I bought some cotton shorts only to find the drawstring was an accessory an served no purpose. All labels popped off so I cant even take it back grrrr.

As for me I hoping to break out of my shell this year. Since my weight gain which I have yet to conquer I have played it somewhat safe. Though I am now starting to venture into colours and styles I would usually avoid. My friends seem happy about this. Curvy fashion bloggers like Gabi Fresh I find so inspiring when it comes to clothes. I used to be as toned as her but smaller in size but two kids later and a less active lifestyle now I have rolls (bb sad face). However it is nothing a spare of spanx or some lesser known brand cant solve. I will I will conquer my weight. I just won't give up. In the meantime no need to look frumpy.

All I need now is a decent pair of sandals that I can drive in and I am good to go. I hope you all are enjoying the summer weather wherever you are. Have a blessed week!

January snow 2010

Why is it snowing. Yes I know it is winter. Though that snow is getting beyond deep and settling which means the whole place will be slippery very soon. Driving on crushed snow come ice is not easy. It is a slippery journey in which your wheels do not grip the roads. Where are these salt and sand gritters. I hope they are working tonight.

It is so funny how the UK practically comes to a stand still when it snows. The UK needs to start investing in snow ploughs and whatever else will clear the roads to keep the cities going. Let us hope and pray this is the worst of it as I have to work next week otherwise I do not get paid. I NEED the nursery to be open.  Food supplies are okay for now.  Oh snow please go away. I just know when you melt there will be stories of flooding somewhere. So sad but so true.

The picture is of my car covered in fresh fallen snow that is still dropping from the sky.

Jerk Chicken anyone?

Yesterday was such a lovely day in the UK. The sun was hot hot hot and although it may not be as sizzling hot tomorrow it is due to be hot. So what do you do on a hot day like this? Huh? Well I do not know about you, but hubby, children and moi decided we would jerk some chicken.

I searched online as normally due for purchases and found a barbecue that hubs liked for about £60. I was cussing that it cost too much. Though still picked up a scrubber brush and some weed killer. At the till the price for everything comes in at just under £40 and I questioned the cashier about the price. I really did say to him “are you sure that is the right price as I thought it would be higher”. He was like you got a bargain. Hubs thinks I am silly for querying the price. But you know what I was just so pleasantly surprised. For a second I even wondered if I picked up the wrong one.

The children enjoyed the hot sunshine and freedom to run free in the garden. Our dinner was Jerk Chicken and hard dough bread. Yummy can not complain. All I need now is a sun lounger so I can make good use of my Calypso carrot oil. I need to fully embrace the sun. My only complaint is that British summer brings so many bugs to life it is unreal.

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine!

February snow!!

On Sunday went to church as usual. It was so cold outside. I almost thought to myself I should be staying inside. However I was ready and off I went. By the end of service snow was lightly falling. It is beautiful to look at it when it is light.

By early evening the snow was picking up some pace. Everywhere is covered in snow. I was just so amazed to see it coming down thick and furious. I woke up this morning to the chill factor of thick snow. I had to spend a few minutes getting the snow of the windows . So what do I do? I open my car door turn on the wipers and end up covered in snow and the inside of my car too. I just was not thinking. Maybe the snow clouded my brain lol.

Last time I faced driving in the snow, I was skidding and quite scared. This time I made sure I got to the main road ASAP. Driving was a breeze. The place just looks so bright and frosty. The weather reporters say more snow is eminent but it will change to sleet than rain to wash it all away. I do not think I could manage Canadian snow.

As for London. Oh my days!! I just have to wonder why is it so easy for London to come to a stand still. There is no reason for the nations capital to be brought to a standstill. Public transport not looking so great now huh. Plus the strikes against the Italian foreign workers at the refineries are walking up and down in the snow.

Anyway I am fully prepared now and have bought myself a winter essentials car kit. I know I should have bought it when winter began, but hey. It comes with 1 litre screen wash, 400ml deicer spray, lock deicer, scraper/squeegee/sponge, chamois di-mister pad and a bottle of WD40 spray. All for just £9.99 from Halfords.

Listening to the news now and apparently there is more snow to come. Russia threatens our gas supply with their feud with their neighbour. Now they have given us their snow. LOL.

December snow and Xmas prep

If you did not know it was winter you must have the best insulation and central heating in the UK. Plus you must surely not leave your yard at all.

I woke up to a blanket of snow....Well I didn't actually. I woke up to look outside and everything was covered in frost. Within 10 minutes or so it started snowing thick fluffy snow. It was settling like it had no intention of leaving. I was not thinking it was a beautiful sight to see. I was actually more concerned with if I could drive in the snow filled road. I have had my license for one year and a bit now and have never had to drive in snow.

My husband didn't seem concerned. As I set off for work I went slow and each time I got a little confidence with lickle bit more speed but not too much the tyres began spinning and skidding and the car started to edge sideways. Thankfully the main streets were just slush and snow well trodden. Phew. Always in life there is a time to experience something new.

The pictures look pretty. The picture above was taken outside my bathroom window. I like the way I actually captured the snow falling. Winter mornings do not look inviting.

Well for the 1st time in years I have bought a Christmas Tree. I usually let husband decide when to get one and we always end up 2 days before empty handed as they have all been sold. This time I made it my mission. After all I have 2 boys now and the oldest is 3yrs old. He will appreciate the decor.

I bought a 6ft black and silver dressed tree. It comes with 50 decorations and 60 clear fairy lights and 519 dipped tips. I have know idea what dipped tips mean. So I am guessing it means the ends gave a colour tinge or something. What is even more better is that the original price for the tree was £39.99 and I snapped it up for a mere £9.99 from Argos. That is a credit crunching bargain. Pity they couldn't add on the extra VAT discount that the government is issued to all. Hey it is still a bargain.

Now all I have to do is buy presents. If I could £150 only on presents and do something creative for gifts I would love that. Any Christmas shopping tips and gift ideas welcomed.

Summer time, Hot sunshine

Well the last week has been so nice. The sun has been shining bright and hot. Driving in the sun is rather new to me. I now understand why people complain about the rays of the sun on your arms when driving.

I bought some tanning oil. I know you are probably thinking what is a sister buying tanning oil for. Well I have varying shades as you do and I figured that I can use it to even out my skin colour especially the under neath's of my arms that seldom get exposed.

I bought Calypso carrot oil which gives a brilliant deep tan and Calypso Aloe Vera after sun gel. My friend came back from holiday and her skin looked healthy and well tanned. I might go on holiday this year but in the meantime it is rather hot in the UK so I might as well make do.

Now I am not sure if I can use sun cream with the carrot oil. The carrot oil has no SPF. My favourite sun cream is Nivea and I buy SPF 50+ for the children and for myself I usually buy SPF 30 or higher. I know I can probably get away with a lower SPF however few years ago I was in Miami and I suffered a mild sunburn on my chest. I didn't burn or peel. It just let me know that I need to be protected.

Hope you are enjoying the summer sun.