Triple J

I have to admit it I'm hooked to this years Big Brother and it's mostly down to this pair

Every year I've watched the show on and off even missing last years series having lost interest in the show.

Being the last series I felt duty bound to tune in this tim around and I'm glad I did!

Obsession has got to such a point I've even signed up (and paid for!) the online live feed which is interesting as you can see how the producers easily manipulate the footage to lead the audience opinion one way or another

Have you been watching?

What do you think of this years BB romance?

I hope it isn't all an act, if it is the pair of them deserve Oscars in my opinion!

I can't wait to see what happens when they leave the house - which for John James I hope isn't tonight!

Birthday Lists

The text message I received from my brother last week

for a birthday isn't until September!

Book Review | I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

This week it's the latest instalment in Lindsey Kelk's "I Heart" series; I Heart Paris

I have a strange relationship with these books, the first I Heart New York I enjoyed but I Heart Hollywood not so much that I can't even remember actually finishing it. I started reading I Heart Paris the end of last week and I'm trying to persevere with it. I like the characters but it's not the sort of book I'm reluctant to put down but not one that I want to give up on just yet - I'll let you know how I get on

Quiet Weekend

My weekend has been fairly quiet following the tiring 3 hour trip to Tesco Friday

How are we going to get all this and my friends shopping in the car???

Like this

Saturday I had a quick lunch with my brother & SIL and then came home to do some housework

After a visit from the new Mrs Allan I had a reading from a psychic and a well needed early night

Sunday I found myself in the usual position of having nothing to do so after doing some laundry I sat on the sofa, dozed, watched movies and read the Sunday papers

Not very exciting but just what I needed!

Friday Night Plans

It's pay day and not so long ago my plans would have revolved around purchasing a new outfit to wear for a night on the town but now I'm excited about a trip to the local Tesco superstore with a friend

The saddest funniest part is we have such a giggle shopping together. Our trolleys are usually overflowing with all manner of goodies (and that's even before we reach the food aisles) walking around sipping our coffees from the instore Krispy Kreme and munching roast potatoes from the hot deli counter

Oh how times change!

Book Review | Wedding Babylon; Confessions of a Wedding Planner

Sometimes you can judge a book by it's cover as last weeks read really was Splendid - I'd finished reading it by Wednesday and can't wait to get my teeth into another book by Julia Quinn

Having finished Splendid I managed to work my way through another couple of books last week. I started but didn't finish Scandalous by Tilly Bagshawe. I wasn't particularly enjoying it on my journey into work and the minute I start looking at the magazine stand for a glossy to read on the way home I know the book and I weren't going to get along.

Two books I did enjoy were Heroines which was an easy read of bedtime (I try and pick books I can pick up and put down otherwise I'll never get any sleep!) and Confessions of a Reluctant Recessionista. If you love Confessions of a Shopaholic this is a must for you

So back to this week.... my journey into work was accompanied by Wedding Babylon by Imogen Edward-Jones

I've read all Imogen's other Babylon stories (I especially loved Air Babylon) so I'm expecting good things from "Confessions of a Wedding Planner" - I have a feeling some stories about Bridezillas and naughty Grooms are likely to feature - what do you think?

My Weekend

My weekend started Saturday by bumping into a friend and deciding to catch up over some breakfast in the local Wimpy

I haven't been in a Wimpy for years!

Back home I gave my hall doors another coat of paint and then started playing with my latest purchase from Lakeland

Just what I need to organise my growing spice collection

Sunday was spent doing more jobs round the house (further painting of the hall was put off till next weekend!) namely tidying my spare room so that I can actually get into it!

It was nice to open the window and have some air circulating

 Still not a functioning craft room yet but it's getting there!

I do love a weekend pottering around at home and crossing so much off my to do list

Prom Night

This evening my cousin Beth (who you may remember from her Sweet Sixteen Party) had her Prom so of course we had to go and see her and her friends getting ready to leave

I was particularly proud that my cousin's style of dress was different to the full skirt variety of her friends

Looking much older than her 16 years

Her dress was shipped from America by Sherri Hill

My mum treated her to a corsage

They travelled in a stretch Hummer

Tomorrow Beth and her friend Lauren are joining me for dinner so I'll look forward to hearing all about their evening

Nigella Lawson Roast Poussin and Maple Ribs

After a nice few days off work it's fair to say that I'm suffering that "back to school" feeling right now!

All my laundry has been done, the flat has been kept clean and tidy - I've even started painting my hall (more on that when it's completed!) and I've been popping backwards and forwards to my parents who have been babysitting my nephew, I could quite happily become a lady of leisure!

There's also been some more cooking from Nigella Express; Saturday night I made Roast Poussin & Sweet Potatoes. It was nice but not worth £2.39 for a poussin in my opinion. I'd rather spend more on a whole chicken and eat over a few days like I have done previously

Today's lunch I will DEFINITELY be making again; Maple Chicken & Ribs

These were delicious and I favoured these as the ribs were not drowning in sticky sauce like some do. I had so much that after feeding myself and a friend I was able to make a delivery to my parents and save a couple for dinner this week

And what follows a good meal? Dessert of course!

My ice cream maker came out of it's box last week in preparation to make Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream from Gizzi's Kitchen Magic (using leftover Marbled Chocolate Brownies)

Unfortunately I hadn't read the instructions for my ice cream maker and the bowl needed to be frozen for a minimum of 8 hours before using so plans were postponed till this weekend

It was worth the wait and I think anyone would be hard pushed to tell the difference between my ice cream and Ben & Jerry's (if I do say so myself!)

I will definitely be making more ice cream if it tastes this good - or maybe it was just because it's chocolate!!

For those of you thinking about buying an ice cream maker from this experience I'd say go for it, especially if you have children. I was concerned that I would be using more space on storage but they recommend you keep the bowl in the freezer so it's always ready to use leaving just the lid and paddle to be stored. It'd be great fun for children to watch their ice cream churning and once you've made up a basic vanilla recipe you can add anything to it

So there's my weekend, how was yours?

Move over Weddings...

It's now all about BABIES!

Not only is Kelly expecting a little bundle next year but so are my brother and his wife.....

Kelly, my SIL Sarah and I all got together for lunch last weekend and there was lot's of baby talk and baby shower planning (others we put together can be seen here and here) so there is certainly some exciting times ahead (and expensive Christmases coming!)... Sarah and Kelly are already putting together their shopping lists for me to take to Vegas in December!

Burgers & Bridesmaid Gifts

Aside from the honour of being Kelly's bridesmaid there is the additional bonus of gifts!

Kelly brought me one of the Pandora bracelets I have been lusting after since buying my cousin one for Christmas last year and I'm happily admiring it on my wrist as I type. A bracelet was a fitting gift as it replace the corsages we wore as bridesmaid (you can see it in this photo)

Having caught up on my sleep and able to say goodbye to wedding duties today I've  been enjoying a day at home organising cupboards and catching up on my laundry... this was hungry work so I decided to open Nigella Express and make "High-Speed Hamburger with Fast Fries"

Ingredients were gathered

I do love a good burger and this didn't disappoint!

I'm just about ready for a night with Big Brother (I know I know but it's the last one I have to watch it!) and a slice of vanilla cheesecake

Have a great weekend everyone

and they lived Happily Ever After....

We may have woke up (from 3 hours sleep!!!) to an overcast sky and some rain but a few hours later the sun shone and Kelly & James wedding day couldn't have been better

Here a few photos from the day

The flowers were stunning!

Kelly & I... followed by proud mum!

Mr & Mrs Allan having their first dance

And here are my family all dressed up for the occasion

Last Night of Freedom

Beauty treatments complete and bags packed it's of to Angel's house this evening to join Kelly for her last night before becoming a WIFE!!

I'm honoured to be following Kelly down the aisle tomorrow as her bridesmaid so I thought I'd share with you some fun photos of us together

And here's my credential for the role of bridesmaid....