Today I'm a fabulous...

[todayimafabulous]

...poker face

Actually I wasn't great at poker at all.  It's fair to say I lost quite miserably.  Well, as miserable as you can be when you've still got a huge bowl of pistachios, endless bars of Green & Blacks chocolate, a bottomless tea pot and 4 new friends on a cosy snowy January night.

I did find out that I'm a risk-taker (I love the feeling of throwing those chips in the middle) and that I'm too proud for my own good (I refused to borrow chips from the winner even when everyone else did).

Probably says a lot about me.  

Although maybe it would be different had we actually had anything to lose.  Next time I'm playing for £s and then we'll see how proud I am!

[todayimafabulous]

...laugher

I have only one resolution for 2013: to laugh a lot.

2012 was a strange year.  Upsetting, worrying, heartbreaking, basically pretty intense with a fair amount of tears.  This year, however, will be full of love and laughter.  

So far (OK, it's only the 14th Jan), it's going extremely well.  Laughing really is good for the soul.

Here are a few things making me laugh at the moment:

watching my sister try out Just Dance 4 on the wii in her onesie.  'Beware of the Boys (Mundian To Bach Ke)' by Punjabi MC was an absolute favourite.  

trying and failing to do the handshake from Step Up 3 every night with my housemate before bed (see more about our Step Up obsession here)

'Despicable Me'.  How have I only just seen this film?  It's incredible and made me really belly laugh.  And cry a little bit (shh don't tell).

Playing the advert game - who can guess the name of the product quickest before it appears on screen?  Let the cheating/ sabotaging commence.

Pacing around the office trying out pedometers for an upcoming walking challenge (more on that to come) much to the confusion of work colleagues.

Getting funny looks in the car because of the enthusiastic singing and dancing involved when this song comes on the stereo.  Which it does, often.

People who laugh at themselves and who laugh at me.  Great banter.

The people around me brighten my world and stretch my laughter muscles with the fun and love they bring to me.

Which has got to be a good thing.  Because, let's face it, crying is so 2012. 

[todayimafabulous]

...street dancer

After watching Step Up 2 and Step Up 3 this weekend, I felt inspired enough to head to the famous Pineapple Studios (@pineappledance) for a street dance class. 

Although the moody dancer types in the changing rooms reminded me of my high school days when I was intimidated by the sporty girls and did everything I could to avoid PE lessons, the vibe of the class was very inviting.  People of all shapes, sizes and abilities, all there to have a great time.  And a great time was had to this tune.....  (click to play)

This is exactly how I think I looked in my head.  It's fair to say, to everyone else, I really didn't.

I loved the music, I loved exercising for an hour without even realising it (quite different to when I'm cursing every minute while out on a run) and although the dance was difficult (have you heard how fast that song is?!) I really enjoyed the challenge.  Sometimes I got it, sometimes I didn't, but that doesn't matter, right?

What matters is that we're all Born From A Boombox.

BFAB, yes, be fab.

** If you don't get it, you haven't seen Step Up 3.  Why not?   If you do, we should be friends  **

[todayimafabulous]

...specky four eyes

I'm pretty used to wearing specs. I got my first pair aged 5, when it was still quite novel and cute.  Instead of picking on me, the kids in my class thought it was cool so I suppose I was lucky with that.  The best name I got called was 'double glazing' which I still think is really funny!  My sister continues to call me specky four eyes which I now take as a term of endearment... 

But when you wear them every day, you do get bored with glasses.  So this year it was time to get a new look and some new specs.  After causing absolute havoc in Vision Express (I was parading up and down with my mum, sister and two extremely helpful optician ladies giving me their opinions and basically talking me out of buying some ridiculously hipster frames) I settled on these.  And I love them...

This is the first time in a while that I've been wearing my glasses all the time, as opposed to just for reading/ TV/ driving etc and I'm really enjoying it.  I feel like they're an integral part of my style.  Oh and I'm bumping into things less often.

Feedback has been brill so far, including admiration from a random girl in the ladies. Specky four eyes for ever.

[todayimafabulous]

...Cruella

When at uni, fancy dress was a common occurrence.  Cavegirl, schoolgirl, soldier, Madonna (circa 1985), the list goes on.  But it's been a while since I've donned a costume, so was excited at the prospect of a Disney Halloween party this year.

   I absolutely love fancy dress.  More than anything, because wearing a wig is always going to be easier than styling my own crazy hair.

Here are a few of my costume do's and don'ts:

DON'T spend a lot of money on a costume.  The best outfits I've seen are ones thrown together with lots of creativity.  I love the challenge of seeing what I've got and can customise.  This year, I only had to buy the cigarette holder (which later got lost in a taxi), the wig and the gloves (which I'll wear again with a plain winter coat.  The gloves, I mean.  Probably not the wig.)

DO go all out.  Noone likes a half-hearted attitude to dressing up.  Don't 'come as yourself' or some other lame thing.  Embrace it and enjoy it.

DON'T get too into character.  This year I wasn't the only Cruella out and about in Peckham, but the other one was as cold as ice (to be fair, she didn't actually kill any animals, that I know of...).  Being in costume transforms everyone a little bit, and probably allows them to do things they wouldn't normally, but you are still you.

DO make sure that wherever you're going, other people will be dressed up.  I say this from experience.  cringe.com   Unless there are enough of you who will make it work and make everyone else well jel that they are wigless/ face-paintless.

DON'T overdo the sexiness.  Fancy dress shouldn't just be an excuse to dress slutty.  It should also be a chance to have a little laugh at yourself.  You can still be attractive in costume without going down the slutty schoolgirl, slutty catwoman, slutty devil (you get the picture) route. 

DO enjoy yourself!!

[todayimafabulous]

...Carrie

Another week, another awards ceremony.  This time, we didn't win, but I did get to attend a very swanky do at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane.  

Anyone who knows me will know that I love Carrie Bradshaw from SATC (in fact, she's even featured on my blog before).  Well, on my way to this swanky ceremony, I suddenly felt just like Carrie.  After a half an hour bus ride (stick with me, this isn't the Carrie bit yet, obvs), I arrived in central London and flagged down a taxi for the remaining 10 minute journey to one of London's poshest hotels.  It was somewhere amongst the bright lights and cold streets of London, as I hailed a *cab* that I had my Carrie moment.  I think it might also have had something to do with the fact that I was wearing these shoes....

Of course, the morning after my champagne-filled evening I came back to earth with a bump when I realised, unlike Carrie, that I actually had to get out of bed and go to work.

But it did get me thinking that maybe I was more similar to Carrie than I'd previously thought...

I have a very large nose

I rarely wear matching underwear

I'm a hopeless romantic

I always look like I need my roots doing 

I'm annoyingly analytical about relationships

I always sleep in an eye mask.  Check out my new favourite one from Zara Home. Carrie eat your heart out...

(See what I mean about the roots now...?!)

[todayimafabulous]

...award winner

Not the Oscar's, not the BAFTA's, but the Charity Times Awards.

Last night, we picked up the PR Team of the Year award! (I say "we" when actually only 3 of our 5-strong team were there to collect it. After all, we're a charity and can't be forking out for glamorous awards tickets!) We were absolutely thrilled that our hard work has paid off. And it has been hard work, I can assure you.

I fell into PR almost by accident but haven't looked back since. I love the fast pace, the variety, the creativity, the thrill of finding just the right phrase to say exactly what you want.

I'm also really proud to work in the third sector and think I'd find it hard to ever cross over to the private world. It's not because I have an overwhelming sense that I'm saving the world (some people expect charity workers to be martyr, do-gooder types) but it does make me feel like the energy I put into work is for something valuable in a sense beyond money or fame. A bit of recognition like this never goes a miss though. And it has certainly help boost team morale.

Now I'm off to polish the award. And my halo.

[todayimafabulous]

...follower of food fashion

Although London has a population of over 8 million, I've learned there is still scope for the city to have a 'village' feel about it. Living in Kentish Town, I've found that I soon recognise the same faces (including the posh families from the Highgate end of town, the frequent street drinkers and the HMV Forum ticket touts) and would say that the kebab shop owners and vegetable stallholders will probably appear on my Christmas card list.

On moving to London I was surprised to feel such a sense of community in this pocket of the city. 

It does mean that, when a new establishment opens up, it's the talk of the (kentish) town.  So when three restaurants moved in together, it certainly got tongues wagging.  On Highgate Road a couple of months ago, Dirty Burger, the Chicken Shop and Pizza East all took up residence.  My hairdresser was talking about it, my neighbours were talking about it, the Kentishtowner was talking about it.

I'd tried Dirty Burger a few weeks ago.  The corrugated iron hut didn't disappoint.  Delicious burgers, the best onion fries (basically straight onion rings covered in black pepper) I've ever had, and a good rustic, not-as-pretentious-as-I'd-feared vibe.

Waiting eagerly for a Dirty Burger.

Today, hating to miss out on the gossip and reviews, I had to see what Pizza East had to offer.  I'm not good with cheese, so went for the chicken stew instead of a fresh-baked pizza.  It was really, really tasty.  The side salad left a lot to be desired, but the stew really was yummy - perfectly herby and warming for an autumnal Sunday lunch.

Giggles on #sistersunday at Pizza East

An added bonus?  The good-looking staff.  I've read reviews which suggest that the waiting staff were a bit too keen, but there were no complaints coming from our table...

[todayimafabulous]

...packer

Packing, regardless of where I'm going or how long I'll be gone, usually ends up with me rolling on the floor in indecision,  desperation and grumpiness.  Sometimes literally rolling on the floor.  

I've developed a technique which saves a little on the turmoil of deciding what to take for days beforehand, which basically consists of leaving the packing for the morning of travel.  That way I quickly grab everything I need, and if I've forgotten anything, well, I'll get over it.

This week, something very, very strange happened to me.  I started packing a whole 7 days before I'm due to travel.  I got out my (flowery) suitcase and began joyously filling it with my (flowery) bikini, sunhat, yoga mat in its (flowery) yoga mat case, my favourite dresses (some of them flowery) and an obligatory Oprah magazine or two. Instead of dread and worry, packing felt really really exciting.

This can mean only one thing.  I am ENORMOUSLY excited for my yoga retreat holiday next week!!

(Actually it also means I like flowers. Oh and it also means I've spent all week climbing over my flowery suitcase which is firmly planted in the middle of the living room...)

[todayimafabulous]

..."activity person"

Not my words, but those of a colleague.  What she meant is that I've recently become a big fan of 'organised fun'.  I've joined a Brunch Club, a Book Club and I'll soon be going on my first ever yoga holiday.  

Paperchase Filofax: every activity-loving girl's best friend

I'd never been that keen on joining clubs or groups, mainly because I was a shy child, and - although those close to me would find it hard to believe - I am still quite shy.  Small talk would completely overwhelm me and I never thought I had anything interesting to say.  But, over the years I've gathered quite a lot of life experience.   Eurgh, I hate that expression.  What I mean is I've accumulated anecdotes, stories, opinions.  Living in different countries certainly gives me plenty to talk and ask about.  

So meeting new people hardly bothers me at all now.  And if there's a restaurant / book / beach to start the conversation going then, there's no stopping me!  

I love having something regular to look forward to and I really enjoy meeting people I wouldn't meet any other way.

This is not to say I don't love meeting up for a spontaneous glass of wine / discussion / party / lazy day.  That's why I leave a certain amount of blank pages in the diary for what I like to call the "not-a-club club".

[todayimafabulous]

...chopstick user

(Photo: mookinoodles.wordpress.com) 

I've used chopsticks 3 times in the last week, at a fairly varied range of oriental restaurants: Yo Sushi, Gilgamesh and Y Ming.  OK, not so much 'varied' as 'couldn't be more different'.

Only last night, half way through my Cauliflower Y Ming Style (so much better than it sounds), did I realise that it has been quite a few years since I've had to ask for a fork.  I'm not really sure how or when I developed such choppy skills.

Pretty cool when you realise you can do stuff you hadn't realised you could do.

That's all.

[todayimafabulous]

...hostess

In the last month, my sofa-bed has been a lot less 'sofa' and a lot more 'bed'. as I've played hostess to various friends and family.

I love having people to stay.  Admittedly, I stress beforehand that the bathroom isn't clean enough, the wine isn't cold enough and I haven't had time to hoover right into the corners.  Most often than not, these worries are legitimate concerns.  And, of course I haven't had time to make cakes.  I'm the worst person ever, I tell myself.

And yet, once my guests have arrived, I relax into it and have a jolly good time.  I like people seeing an intimate side to me that is my home.  Even if there are a few crumbs on the floor.  I like it when people comment on the photos I have displayed, or pick out an ornament/ candle/ cushion they like - to which I'll often respond with a long-winded explanation of where I bought it, who I was with, how much it cost.  Consumer tourettes.   

I like having my favourite people surrounded by my favourite things, listening to my favourite music.  I like late-night chats with wine (let's face it, that's how most of these nights end). 

But, more than anything, I LOVE it when people make their own cup of tea.  Not in a lazy, do-it-yourself way.  I just feel like, if someone really feels comfortable in a home, they won't have qualms about grabbing the kettle and finding the tea bags. It means they feel relaxed.  They feel at home.  And that's what I want to offer - a home away from home.  

A friend stayed over this week and the following morning, when I was at my desk in the office, I received this photo and a message saying she couldn't have been happier sitting in my pyjamas, reading Oprah's Big Book of Happiness and drinking tea.  That's when I smiled and thought, "job done!"

[todayimafabulous]

...hairdresser

When I visit my folks, I always get roped into helping out with something.  It’s not ideal, as I normally plan to visit their house – my country retreat – to get some serious r&r and generally lounge around in my pjs.  But then, they did (and to a certain extend continue to) raise me, feed me and support me, so I feel it’s only fair to pay a little bit of something back. 

Normally the jobs assigned to me involve technology.  When my parents moved into their house last year, they spent 2 weeks without using the central heating system, the burglar alarm or the dvd player, as they were scared of breaking something and preferred for me to come and deal with it all.  We’re talking a whole new level of techno-phobia.

So, I was relieved this weekend not to be working through pages of manuals or playing around with dials and buttons, but instead to be getting a little more creative.

 My Dad needed his hair cutting. 

  Armed  (that doesn’t sound like the right word…!) with electric clippers, I got to work while we chatted away about how silver his hair had become, what he was growing in the vegetable patch of the garden and what was on the menu for the country retreat dinner that evening.  Proper father-daughter time. 

Aside from a minor nick of the ear – there was bleeding, but it was brief and controllable – it turned out brilliant.  My Dad was super pleased with his new ‘do and I was extremely proud of myself.  Turns out it is good to pay something back.  And it still feels great to impress your loved ones with things you do well, no matter how old you are.

[todayimafabulous]

...train passenger

Absolutely not to be confused with ‘train spotter’. 

Somewhere between London and the West Midlands

I love travelling on trains.  It’s the steadiness.  Constant movement but at a steady speed.  And a brilliant reason to just sit.  I often take books, work reports, Sudoku puzzles (yes, I am one of the few people outside of the noughties who still does Sudoku), convincing myself that they will entertain me on my journey.  And yet, more often than not, they remain untouched in my over-packed bag while I sit and daydream.  That’s why the best train journeys are the long ones.  They’ve got to be at least a couple of hours, like today’s.  That’s when you can really get a really good train of thought going.  No pun intended. 

This probably comes from being quite inherently lazy.  I’ll jump on any chance I can get to sit still and do nothing.  The difference here is that when I try doing that at home I feel guilty because I *should* be doing something. But on a train, there’s no guilt.  What else can you do?

My particular love for trains also means that I make a pretty good train companion.  I don’t talk loudly on my mobile, I don’t spread my newspaper over your knee as well as mine and I don’t eat.  OK, well I might munch on the odd packet of salt and vinegar Discos (especially if it’s a hangover train journey), but I won’t eat anything hot or smelly.  That’s the only part of train journeys I hate.  I don’t want the stench of your bacon sarnies, Cornish pasties or Big Macs forced upon me. Because they will either fill me with nausea or just make me extremely hungry.

Instead I will simply put my headphones in, stare out of the window.  And just sit.  Bliss.

[todayimafabulous]

...DJ

This morning I went running for the first time in two months.  It didn't go well.  I started off too fast, burned out, got a stitch and so walked for most of it.  But, in true 'Today I'm a Fabulous' fashion, I decided not to be too disappointed and instead focus on the fabulous parts of my run:

today broke me in after a long time off from running - I know next time will be better 

I had a lovely walk round Hampstead Heath on a beautiful day full of sunshine and summer spirit

I debuted an amazing running playlist on my iphone which has already got me excited about my next run

There's an awful lot of Beyoncé (@Beyonce) in here - from across the decades - because, let's face it, she's a great companion for exercising, socialising, working, life in general.

I don't know where Sam Sparro (@sam_sparro) has been these last few years but his songs remind me of a fabulous series of nights out at uni with good friends.

You'll start to see here my recent obsession with Florence + the Machine (@flo_tweet).  Listening to them make me feel like somethin epic is about to happen.  I love that feeling.

I remain convinced that the best music to run to is old school garage music, hence the inclusion of 'Flowers'. 

This live version of The Gossip's (@GossipMusic) 'Heavy Cross' is one not to be missed.

I've always been a Stevie fan, but have only recently become aware of the pick-me-up quality of 'Part-time Lover'.  Listening to this on the way to work will put you in a good mood all day.  Or at least until you actually have to do any work.

Toni Braxton (@tonibraxton).  Not a bad song to her name.  Nothing more to say.

I hope this has given you some ideas to keep you motivated and energised!

Disclaimer: Today I'm a Fabulous accepts no responsibility for you running too fast to keep up with the beats, stopping mid-run for a booty shake and/or people looking at you funny for singing while you run.

[todayimafabulous]

...Madrileña

OK, so right now I am neither a native or a resident of Madrid.  But that does not stop me being a Madrileña.  My heart is in Madrid.  I am at home in Madrid.  I really believe everyone has 'their' place in the world.  And mine is Madrid.  Like all relationships, my bond with the city has sometimes been a rocky one.  I still enjoy being elsewhere.  But, for me, there is just nowhere else like it.  That doesn't mean you have to love it too (in fact, I get a bit possessive if you love it too much) but you should at least believe me when I say that it really is a fabulous place to be.

After I'd left in a whirlwind six months previously, I returned to Madrid for 10 days.  I was apprehensive to see how I would feel and utterly relieved when it felt like I'd never been away.  Comfortable.  Satisfying.  Peaceful.  Right.  Circumstances had changed, I had changed, the city had changed, but just like meeting up with that lifelong friend, the one who knows you so well, there was nothing unnerving about these changes.

I managed to experience almost every corner of the city during my stay.  Near to each other, but offering something different.  I'd never want to give  away all my Madrid secrets, but here are a few of the highlights of each 'barrio' during my stay:

http://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=365073

Retiro (purple) - for listening to street music, watching boats on the lake and daydreaming the hours away. Also to browse the annual book fair (@FLMadrid) and eat a bocadillo de tortilla de patata (#carbfest)

Lavapies (blue) - the multicultural end of town for a Bollywood festival and curry dinner at Anarkoli.

Fuencarral (yellow) - my old corner of town for some intense nostalgia.  Also the quietest and greenest public swimming pool in Madrid (Piscina Municipal de Santa Ana). Fuencarral

Sevilla (green) - back to a favourite restaurant (La Finca de Susana) with old and new friends, reminscing about an emotional meal there exactly 5 years ago.  How things had changed?!  And how they hadn't!

La Latina (black) - away from the Sunday crowds for a midweek visit to the gloriously decorated vegetarian restaurant, Viva la Vida.  3 of us (veggie friend included) full up and happy.

Malasaña (red) -these funky little streets are home to some of the coolest bars, cafes and restaurants. Cool and unique, but not pretentious.

Malasaña

Chueca (grey) - taking photos with friends on a rooftop terrace - Mercado de San Anton (@mercadosananton) - with wine in hand

Tirso de Molia (white)  - a breakfast meeting point, surrounded by flower stalls

Gran Via (orange)  - shopping galore!  But always time to squeeze in a natural lemonade from Le Pain Quotidien (@le_pain_q_es)

Of course, aside from the city itself, the people make it for me.  Not the stroppy shop assistants or the rude old ladies who stare, but the special friends I have there - old, new, Spanish, British, Greek, friends of friends, ex colleagues, family...

I particularly enjoyed this trip because I got to introduce some besties from Blighty to 'my city'.  And I'm pleased to say they loved what I shared with them (I just hope they don't love it *too* much!)

De Madrid al cielo.

[todayimafabulous]

...bridesmaid

I had been a bridesmaid twice before - once as a little munchkin in a peach dress for a family friend, and once as a rather older, rather sophis young lady in a gorgeous green number for my sister - but this time I really felt I had been "chosen". And that's a big thing between girls. Particularly for someone like me. The initial excitement, however, wore off when I realised there would be responsibilities attached to the role, and I am not really good at anything arty or girly. Oh dear.

That said, between the five of us bubbly bridesmaids, we managed to find roles that suited us and ways we could all be helpful. Here's where I stepped in:

Months in advance I reassured the mother of the bride that she looked stunning in the purple dress and convinced her to keep it

I arranged a quirky game of 'Mr and Mrs' for the hen do

I put together a beautiful keepsake book of photos for the hen

I occupied the mother of the bride while the bride herself had some quality time with the groom-to-be (crucial just a few days before the wedding to avoid fraid nerves!)

I translated for guests, family and hairdressers

I organised a super duper spreadsheet to verify the guest list and table plan (oh I do love a spreadsheet)

I handled a table plan emergency and bossed lots of people around so we could get the name places organised and in the right place (measure of success = the bride had no idea this even happened!)

It was an astoundingly beautiful day and I am so honoured to have been part of it. We made a pretty fantastic team which I hope made the day even more special for the beautiful blushing bride.

True, I cannot do makeup or make bouqets but I am good at style, spreadsheets and a bit of Spanish!