Good morning Sun

I cannot express how happy I am to be sitting on my bed at midday with a sea of lists around me and the biggest, warmest housecoat on EVER. Fear not, I have been up since 8am drinking tea, eating toast, cuddling Dexter and sorting out stuff for the blog which I have somewhat neglected over the past couple of months. Summer has flashed before my eyes as I went from a feature film onto a two part drama for the BBC, with a designer and team who I am completely over the moon to be working for and hoping these gigs with them will be the first of many. So today see’s me with my first proper day off in a very long time, with no other work on the horizon but enough money in the bank and enough personal lists and goals to keep me going until the next contract comes along. I’ve got lots planned over the next wee while, so looking forward to having some well earned rest and catching up with my nearest and dearest. 

I’ve been given a wee education lately from my friends at Twinnings. For someone who has a tea related tattoo – I actually don’t know much outside of my breakfast tea with milk and 2 sugars setup, or the odd herbal tea! I guess I know what I like so I tend to stick to it 🙂 But I have been branching out lately, given the amount of hot drinks I consume at work (we should be best friends with the guys at Ringtons Beverages – the Ringtons commercial coffee machines belong on a film set as well as a cafe with the rate we go at!) As the days get darker and colder I’ve had a look at different tea gifts on the Twinnings website (mulled wine tea for Christmas, HELLO!) and ended up getting the ‘A New Year, A New You’ Green Tea Set, complete with tote bag (who doesn’t love a tote bag) and a little book of tea tips.

 I couldn’t make the infographic any bigger but if you click this link you can have a wee zoom in and look for yourself. Good to geek it up once in a while eh? The green tea has been helping me on my path to feel healthier outside and in. It doesn’t match my awful sweet tooth but I have been adding a little slice of lemon or a teaspoon of honey and it’s just right.

And I don’t want to quite declare that it’s helped me with my weight
loss but it is certainly a guilt free cuppa, since I am now 2lbs away
from my personal goal, and then a stone away from my goal weight. Which is a really liberating feeling, since I have still been going out for nice dinners here and there and evenings out drinking (see above! Myself and Olivia on a double date with our boys) John ruining the picture right there too 😉

I fly to Marmaris a week today, so I need to start sorting out my case, but I do have my holiday reads lined up already! Life Of Pi is borrowed from my friend Luisa who has recommended it highly, and the Dexter book is borrowed from my boss! Has anyone started watching series 7 yet? Oh my, I have not been into a tv programme like this in a very, very long time!

Once I get back from my holiday, october is a busy birthday month for me. I’ve got all my pressies and cards etc sorted, but the lovely new boyfriend of my best friend Jenn was in touch to ask my advice for some presents he was picking for her. He had done a great job though before even asking for my opinion – she is going to be spoiled rotten! So it was rather strange timing when I got an email through a few days later from the people at Ask Her Friends. A site to help guys find the perfect present for all the lovely ladies in their lives. I wish I’d given Paul this to try out for Jenn, but I ended up testing it for myself. And after filling out some very easy and straightforward questions I was pretty gobsmacked with the results it brought up for me:

Tatty Devine, Lomo Camera and Dahlia dresses to name a few! I was very impressed, I would be over the moon with any of the above gifts. The questions I answered didn’t even throw me at much of an advantage (have a try and see it for yourself) but it just so happens that this site links to a lot of really lovely brands that most women would actually adore. At this stage, you are then given the option to email, private facebook message or tweet the list to your girlfriends friends for their opinion. I really want to explore this site further and see if it works just as well with a boy on the reigns, and what they think of the different inspiration sections and overall catalogue they have on here. It pulls together a lot of unique designers and brands you wouldn’t find on the high street. I hope that the creator Ben is proud of this fabby piece of work! And if you share with any of the men in your life, let me know how they get on 🙂

On a final note, I have not shared nearly enough pictures of Dexter lately. Look how big he is getting! What a fluff ball. Also, I have started my under the sea inspired sleeve with this wee lady…

My mermaid pin up! Have only done the outline for now, and I’ll go back for all the colouring after halloween. Money will depend how frequently I can go back after then, it’s going to be a gradual process but I am so excited to get it started. I better head off and get ready, I’ve got a Next blogger event at the Blythswood tonight and our wrap party for work at the fancy Corinthian in Glasgow, so need to get some outfits at the ready!