Confessions of a secret eater

I have a confession to make. I'm so ashamed.

Yesterday, as I was walking on my lunch break - I had a McChicken Burger from McDonalds.

My supposed healthy eating regime and budget conscious ways have just gone up shit creek this week, and I've been without the proverbial paddle.

Honestly, I can't control myself. The desire for bread, cheese and fried food just outweighs all desire I have for salad. And yet, I want to be slender and sexy with a toned ass that men admire as I walk down the street.

In fact the only place where I have been losing weight is my once exquisite cleavage. And this makes me very, very sad. 

So, I resolve to get back on the bandwagon next week, with power walking, pilates and salads galore.

Wish me luck xx

Afternoon Tea - Review

Sometimes I find the time to drag myself away from my blog and write for other people...

Here's a little recent review of Afternoon Tea at The Mayfair Hotel I wrote for the lovely team at Afternoon Tea

Go to article at afternoontea.co.uk


xxx

A Flat-Packed Dream

Yesterday I woke up battered and bruised, aching all over and cuts stinging my hands.

I hadn't been for a big night out, I hadn't been in an accident nor did I partake in any rough bedroom shenanigans.

My maladies are in fact, a result of spending my weekend putting together (or attempting to put together) flat pack Ikea furniture.

Work Expectations

Recently I had dinner with old friends and the conversation inevitably turned to work. It was when they said a lunch break is a luxury that I got a little cross.

Not cross at them obviously, but at the situation. And here is why - my time is valuable and my life is busy, and if you want my time you should pay for it. Whether it's monetary or through being an amusing companion.  

I am incredibly grateful to have a job and for the 7 hours a day I am contracted to work I will give you 110%. But I do not get paid for working over my lunch break. Nor am I paid to work after 5.30pm. Being a morning person I usually start work at least an hour and a half early already so I can stay on top of things, which I am not paid for. 

Throw in eating "al desko" during your lunch break and that amounts to nearly 500 hours a year you work for free. That’s 500 hours I could spend writing, exercising, working through my never ending to-do list or spending with the people I love. 500 hours a year that I have essentially spent for no monetary gain or recognition.

Is it easier to be single?

The Boy is an incredibly good man, who treats me well. Therefore because of his goodness I feel incredibly guilty when I complain about his behaviour. The majority of the time not a harsh word will cross my lips about him, and yet, sometimes I find him so infuriating that I want to cut holes in all his socks just to annoy him.

The thing is, as I was discussing with one of my most dedicated readers the other day, relationships actually require you to invest a lot of time and energy into keeping them maintained.

Frustrations about the mundane often make me wonder whether it would be easier to just stay single. When you're single you only have to worry about yourself (and maybe your cat if you're that way inclined which I most certainly am not),

Moving In

I have some news. It's pretty big actually - The Boy and I are moving in together. Into a proper grown up flat. In green, leafy grown up East Dulwich.

Since we found our place my head has been consumed with thoughts of homewares, trips to Ikea and DIY. But more that that I'm so incredibly looking forward to the prospect of living somewhere that isn't a share house.

Every morsel of food in the fridge will be mine to consume at will. No longer will

Spring is here, again, apparently

Spring is here, the daffodils are in bloom and the pages of the glossy magazines I now have to read for work are full of gorgeous floral dresses and colourful shoes sandals.  

Yes, it's that time of year again. The time when we paint our toenails and fill ourselves with foolish optimism that this summer is going to be the best summer ever.

I'm Back

Once again I find myself needing to apologise for my complete neglect of my readers.

If it's any excuse I've been made redundant, settling into a new job, finding somewhere to live, getting around London on crutches and finishing my journalism course. This was just more stress than this Ginger could tolerate at once It's no excuse though and believe me when I say (again, for the fiftieth time) that I've missed you. 

xxx

The death of Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica has announced that they are ceasing to publish printed sets of encyclopedias.

 

When I was in primary school, I delighted in spending time in the library, pouring over musty editions of an encyclopedia on the quest for facts for class projects (we should have established by now that I am well and truly a geek.. So just roll with it).

 

Yes they are heavy tomes and perhaps don't have a home in modern society. But I am filled with sadness that they no longer exist.

 

Books provide you with a journey of self discovery that you simply don't have with the internet. Typing something into Google may be convenient, but where's that Eureka! Moment you get when you find a fact buried in a book?

 

Now, before you all start going about how awesome technology is and I need to get out of the dark ages (I'm looking at YOU Jay), I'd like to point out that I'm not anti technology. I like my phone, I like Google, I adore the internet.

 

But I love books more. I love the books I was given as a child with messages from my grandparents. I love the books my grandfather gave me before he died that were given to him as a boy. I loved as a child reading to find out what I wanted to know.

 

My copy of Pride and Prejudice has been re-read hundreds of times since my father gave it to me at the age of 9 and it has never once, in 20 years has it needed recharging or run out batteries, nor have I been unable to read it when the wi-fi is playing up.

 

So, upon the death of Britannica, I implore you - Save the book before they disappear for good.