Olympics and Towie

Well, having not been excited at all about the Olympics I have been a bit of a geek with it all now.  I watched the whole of the opening ceremony (although had a little doze through the parts when all the different countries were making their entrance).  It was a very good tactic to put GB out last though as I actually stayed up.  I thought it was funny the story that came out about the Indian lady who lead their team in - no one knew who she was! Brilliant!  And although it was a bit Jimmy Saville-ish I loved the blingy gold on our jackets!

As for the opening ceremony, I thought it was spectacular.  A real British show, no American glitz or glam and it wasn't too weird or boring either (althought the NHS bit did drag a little!).  Although being a bit blonde I must say I was glad of the commentary as I'm not sure I would have understood the Industrial revolution bit if they hadn't explained it!! 

I loved the part when all the little petals were lit and rose up to make the Olympic flame and generally the whole thing made me feel quite patriotic.  I haven't read much of the commentary, but have heard some people say it was lefty crap - well you are always going to get people criticising - I thought it was great!

It was a bit cringey when Paul Mcartney started Hey Jude at the wrong bit but fair play he got back on track really well! I love the fact Dizzee Rascal played a bit part too.  He will definitely be featuring on the wedding playlist!

As for the Olympic events, I also thought I wouldn't be that bothered but have been loving the rowing, diving, swimming, equestrian and male gymnastics so bring on the athletics!!

Now dresses, you either love or hate the Towie girls and although they are over the top I actually really admire the way they always look so glam.  I've been doing a bit of research and have found a few good dress websites - and I think I have found my dress for the pre wedding night party!  It's a brand called Hybrid which is stocked on Sam Faiers website - yes her boutique Minnies is available online!  It's pretty good.  Hybrid dresses are also available on glamboutique.com and designerdesirables.com. 

A good friend pointed out to me that I shouldn't go for white or cream the night before the wedding as it might take away the wowness from my wedding dress the next day - great advice! So I thought I'd go for a really bright colour and decided yellow would be cool as I don't think I've worn a yellow dress before - so here it is - although I'm struggling to find somewhere that has it in my size at the mo.....

Being modelled by the lovely Sam, let's hope I can get hold of it.  I've also seen an ok one in River Island but not as nice however, it could be a back up!!

Update when I have been to Bluewater!

workingschoolmum xxx

PS We just won a silver in the equestrian I think woo hoo!

Kelly brook and travelling?

As I cannot afford Marchesa I had another thought re: my pre wedding outfit - if you've read Look or seen any recent press you may have seen Kelly Brook's New Look summer range. Now I am no Kelly Brook figure wise however, Amanda Holden was seen wearing her floral dress and I thought it looked lovely.

Although I don't think red is my colour and maybe it's not dressy enough for the pre wedding dinner? Hmm more searching. I've never worn a peplum style dress, for some reason I think they might actually make you look bigger?

A trip to Bluewater ensues....

As for travelling, I'm excited about the thought of another trip.  I haven't been for a few years, mainly due to 'settling down' having my daughter etc.  But I saw a charity advert to go trekking in the Himalayas and thought mmm is it possible with a young child?  If it was only for a week/10 days I think I could possibly handle it and Heidi is probably old enough....We would do it for charity and have some fund raising events.  Although having already been to Nepal, Thailand and Australia it got me thinking.  I wonder if there is a charity trek to South America as it is somewhere I've never been and would love to go....Guess where this is?

Research ensues.....

Workingschoolmum xx

Pre-wedding prep!

And that time has come again - the Summer holidays and the Summer blog.  Whether I keep it up daily as I did last year - who knows but I reckon I have a LOT to offload from my mind so here we go!
The pre wedding prep for many things has begun so I shall start with the body.

Things that I have started: Vibrating powerplate sessions. 

For those that don't know - you stand, jump, stretch or squat on a plate that vibrates loads of times per second to literally shake the fat off you!!  But you only need to do it in bursts of 30 minutes sessions! Genius! The lazy person's way to exercise - or I like to say the busy mum's way to exercise.  Who has time to go to the gym when you have a 2 year old to keep entertained?

'Excuse me could you look after Heidi for 2 hours while I go and sweat it out in the gym?'

I'd rather not use up my childcare vouchers for that!!

So far so good, the lady said I wouldn't feel achy or anything afterwards but I did, so I reckon that's got to mean it's working.  Session 2 on Wednesday - Cameron Diaz like toned arms here we come. Although is this too much?

Next - eating healthily - aren't we always trying to do that? But seriously, apparently if you eat every 2-3 hours it speeds up your metabolism.  You might feel more hungry but as long as you do more exercise, you burn off the calories more efficiently.  Food diary for today (maybe if I write it down I will feel compelled not to eat anything bad) - bowl of cranberry wheat cereal, cup of tea, hummus and oatcakes - so far so good - although shopping is being delivered at 2pm - it could go down hill from there.

Another thing I've started: 70 sit ups a night - granted I've only done it for one night so far but.....

Onto things that I need to do for the wedding:

Sort out printing the table plan - this is going to be annoying and tricky I think??

Buy the bridesmaids' shoes - we have chosen them - but I know as soon as I buy them they will go in the sale so I'm trying to hold out!!

Wear my lovely wedding shoes round the house to stretch them!

Find a dress for the pre wedding party hmmmm any ideas.  This Marchesa would be great but is essentially a wedding dress and is also far too pricey!

I'll have to try and find a high street alternative.

Make the place cards - this is boring and involves glueing, sticking and cutting.  Come on, it's the summer holidays - I do enough of that at school!

Try a hydrodermie facial - this involves electric rollers on your face but apparently that's a good thing.  I'd quite like to try it.

Exfoliate - I've read it's meant to make your skin super smooth - I'm going to try it and see if it makes a difference - as well as continue to use Dove Summer Glow slow tan - yes it really is as good as it says on the tin.

Phew - I'm sure there is so much more to do but I'll shut up now and leave with a picture of my hen do.

Thought for the day: Is it everyone's dream to have a massive country house with loads of cats, dogs and children? Because that's mine ; )

Workingschoolmum xx