stuff that i find fun now

A few things I've started to notice, as time storms ahead to my next [gulp] birthday in September.

I am getting worse and worse at small talk, socially.
I am getting better and better at small talk, professionally.

My perception of fun has really changed. Fun used to be going out, getting rowdy, caning a few bottles of wine with friends and smoking myself retarded on Marlboro Lights.

Before that, fun used to be going to a club and dancing like a primate in a retro club, while slotting Z-Grade cane.
Now, having fun is:

Buying a handbag
From Mulberry or my current, and less-sell-your-kidneys favourite, The Cambridge Satchel company. That do embossing and everything. It's been my summer bag - I took it on honeymoon, on holiday to Malta and day-to-day wear it all over London.

Can't really wear it in winter, because it's a bit bright. Too many bright colours in winter here is a little bit bolshy.

 (All my names. Every single one of them. One needs to max out when one gets embossed.)

Isn't it a work of art? I know the creator too. She spoke for me at an event, and she is an absolute doll.

Shopping in London and following fashion blogs and street trends
Without a doubt, London is the best place - in the world - to shop. Shared with Paris and New York.
Hands down.
No question.

I've traveled a lot of places and I shop in all of them, and as far as classic style, cutting-edge trends, price - yes price - you can buy for cheap here if you want to - my town is a shopper's fuckin' paradise.
And now, part of my job involves being on the PULSE when it comes to fashion and trends.

I have to say, I was disappointed by Singapore. I was promised a shopper's paradise, but price-wise and style-wise, it just didn't do it for me.

Absorbing lots of women and fashion magazines. I am doing more consumer focused PR, which means I need to know what people buy and want.

As you can imagine, this is the BEST part of my job at the moment. I am fucking loving this gig.

My desk does look like this though:

Messy.

But it does mean I know what's hot, what's going to be hot, and what is definitely ridiculous.

Anyway, back to fun. I love shopping. I do a lot of it. I live in a place that was built for such a hobby.
Except today, it did look like I was on my way to a baby shower. So I wouldn't consider myself an expert.

Driving a car around on a Friday night
It's becoming my Friday night thing to do. I might even hashstag that shit.
While normal people go to the pub, I get in the car and drive to a random village in Surrey, to look around, while listening to really loud music. Like Rythym Is A Dancer.

Wierd. But driving is still a novelty because we have a new car, and I haven't driven much in my 3 or so years here.

Going out to eat a really good meal
With people where the conversation flows really really easily. (See above.)

Running
I'm in my own bubble, listening to my own thoughts, sweating and purging stuff from my pores. Not sure how much it helps flatten my backside, but it doesn't wonders for me mentally.

Average for my hind; great for my mind.
I just made myself a mantra there.

Sometimes it is a slog, but I always feel fucking tremendous once I have got off the treadmill, scooped myself off the floor and recovered from the run itself.

Watching Breaking Bad
Jesus H. Lock me up in a padded cell with Netflix and a remote control. Who isn't completely obsessed with it right now? No one, that's who.
We are only on season 2, and we are as addicted as the dudes that take all that crystal in the show.
And it's not even winter, we usually only try and watch stuff when it isn't amazingly sunny outside.

Lying around in a park
Oh Great London Summer of Light, Mirth & Happiness. Please stay forever.

fashion victims

As part of my “take some fucking pride” campaign with myself, I have been taking an extra maybe 5 minutes in the morning to get ready. I can just about wear my pyjamas to work if I so wish, if I'm not out and about interviewing people. It would be dumb to wear my PJs, sure, but the thought crosses my mind every single day, as I awake to this cruel, cruel world.

I once dressed up when I had a hangover. You know, put my face on, threw on some earrings. And I swear my hangover was slightly less excruciating. So, I'm putting in almost as much effort with my general wardrobe in the mornings, as I do when I go out at night this year. No more just jeans and a jersey. And I'll actually brush my hair.

It's funny how our fashion foibles control how we leave our houses. No really. For instance:

I feel bi-polar if I put my bangles on both arms. They must either be on one arm, all chunky, and many, or I won't wear them at all. Martha Stewart has to wear a bangle on each arm, or gets panicked.
I never wear dangly earrings and a necklace at the same time.
I don't leave the house without at least one over-the-top ring on one of my fingers.
If it's white – and I have a lot of white in my cupboard – it's nearly always cotton.
I don't wear a watch anymore.
Pink and red together makes me feel like I'm tripping - in a a good way. If it clashes, I'll probably end up having a productive day.
The only nail polish I wear is red. On my fingers. They've been red since June last year. I'm naked without the red.

I honestly feel very out-of-sorts if this dressing ritual isn't kept to. Perhaps I'm obsessive compulsive. Do other women do this?

In other news, I'm a cheap date now. And 747 is also a cheap date, so really, it's a win-win situation.

For example, dinner at a restaurant last night:
medium rare steak, drizzled in pepper sauce, potatoes, and sauteed veggies A falafal.
Three gin and tonics A tonic water with ice and lemon.
A bottle of Fat Bastard (the shiraz) A tonic water with ice and lemon.
Creme brulee Five thousand packets of sweets, (body parts, fireball jawbreakers, watermelon gummies) and eight chocolates.
Filter coffee Green tea
A movie maybe, something light hearted like Horny Housewives 2 – The Uncut Version A documentary on the Crime & Investigation channel on the abduction of Pakistani children. Depression, how you old friend?

Total: around R500 around R200.

We both having a problem with outrageous sugar cravings and stuff at the moment. Can't get enough, and I'm not a chocolate person. Usually I go months without chocolate quite happily. So this is a bit strange.
This weekend will be the Big Test. It's been 11 days of Sobriety Club. But with housewarmings and dinners heralding on the horizon, the weekend nights are when Sobriety Club will seem overrated.
But I'm feeling so clear of mind and so full of restraint, you don't wanna fuck with me. So drink away in front of me – I can't wait to see what I (used to) look like after 8 tequilas.