Cally Ceilidh.

Friday night was the Inter-Club Caledonian Club Ceilidh! What an incredible evening!! Huge thanks to everyone involved, was a fantastic night and definitely one of the highlights of the year.

The night before, on the Thursday, I went to a friends house for Thanksgiving drinks, and didn't end up leaving until Friday morning due to my intoxicated state, and the fact I was driving home. So Friday was a bit of a mad rush. I had to drive home to Uxbridge from Chelsea, go to Uni, go into town, do some work on my dissertation, have a nap, get dressed and ready for the Ceilidh, and then drive back into London. And all of this whilst very hungover! Hence why during the day I only managed to eat a slice of toast...and one raw mushroom (I love raw mushrooms! So much nicer than cooked. But I could only manage one because I felt too ill).

The Ceilidh was a black tie event, so I wore my long evening dress. When I drove in I even managed to find a parking space at the ROSL Clubhouse :O which doesn't happen very often because they only have about five spaces and they're free to all members. So I high-fived my car for being so lucky and then went into ROSL to meet my friend Ciara and we went to the toilets to do our hair and make-up together whilst having a mini-gossiping session. And then of course we took photos in the loos...I mean come on, it's mandatory!

The classic 'mirror toilet shot' that all girls take

when going out somewhere, complete with big cheesy grins!

When we were all ready and had taken a few photos, we went to find a taxi, and were not impressed at all when a man stole one from us!! How dare he, how ungentlemanly of him. We eventually got one and headed to The Caledonian Club in Belgravia. It only cost £4.80 - bargain! After putting out extra bags and coats in the cloakroom we headed upstairs to where the drinks reception was being held. We were then all led into the room where our three course meal was being served, while bagpipes were played! It was all very exciting! We had traditional Haggis, Neeps and Tatties for dinner, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with the Haggis (Sheep's heart, liver and lungs, cooked in the Sheep's stomach). I very gingerly tasted a tiny bit, and then the pieces gradually got bigger and bigger until I realized I liked it and could then put normal portions in my mouth :) but I then made the mistake of pouring the whole glass of whiskey over it all...and I don't like Whiskey. Woops.

Lotte and I in our pretty dresses :)

After dinner the dancing started. I'm not the best dancer in the world and it was extremely hot in the ballroom, so I only did a few dances, but it was great fun! And the dance floor was a fully sprung dance floor!!! It was so cool, when everyone was dancing it bounced! :O You could actually see the floor bouncing up and down! Amazing!

A couple of friends and I left at around 2:30am, and when I got home I discovered I was locked out of my house! So I was standing there at 3am in a ball dress outside my house in the middle of Uxbridge, locked out. Fan-bloody-tastic. I kept trying my key and it just kept turning in the lock and it wouldn't open, but eventually I managed to get hold of one of my housemate's who came downstairs and let me in...turns out they had double bolted it when they'd gone to bed, haha. I don't know what I would have done if I'd been locked out all night, I would have had to of driven back to Guildford, or slept in my car in the driveway :/

The Help.

The Help - Kathryn Stockett. 4/5

The Help is a novel about the African American maids working for the white women of Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960's during the Civil Rights Movement. The book is told from the perspectives of two maids; Aibileen and Minny, and a white lady, Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan. Skeeter comes home to live at her parents plantation after spending years away at college, with high hopes of becoming a writer, and notices how her married friends treat 'the help'. Disgusted by the way her friend Miss Hilly insists on 'the help' using a separate bathroom to them to prevent disease, Skeeter decides to write a book from the help's perspective on how they are treated by the white households they work for.

A heartbreakingly beautiful story of friendship, loss and love, and the coming together of two opposite worlds, in a time when Americans were moving forward in the world of technology and going into space, while at the same time making African Americans use different bathrooms, grocery stores and barber shops. Not only does this book highlight the social segregations that were in place, but it gives us the intimate details and emotions of the maids and what they went through. Although criticized for some of the language used in the book, and the fact Stockett portrays the black men as violent abusers, I think it was pretty gutsy of Stockett, a white woman, to write a book about black women of the deep south in the 60's. Even now the slightest thing you say or do can be classed as being racist, so it isn't surprising this book had criticisms. I do agree that it was wrong of Stockett to portray black men in that way, while I was reading the book I did think it very unfair, untrue and inappropriate.

Personally I loved this book, it was beautiful, touching, and felt very personal, as if you were really reading into someone else's life. I admire Kathryn Stockett for having the courage to write it, but I gave it 4/5 instead of 5/5 because I didn't agree with the way black men were portrayed throughout the book. All in all, a fabulous read, I couldn't put it down!

PS; Be warned - you may experience reading and thinking aloud in your head in a Mississippi accent...for the duration of the book, and even days after finishing the book. I have personally experienced this.

The Notebook.

The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks. 3/5

First impression - disappointing. A surprisingly short book, it seemed more like a novella to me. Reading it felt like a novella too - could easily read it in one sitting. Unfortunately it didn't have much content, in fact, very unusually, the film seemed to contain much more content than the actual book! Which is a very rare thing, I've never ever known that to happen before.

I was incredibly excited about reading this book. I've seen the film countless times, which is very rare for me, usually I read a book first before seeing the film version, and every time before I have preferred the book over the film. But not this time. Film wins hands down in this instance!

Many of you will probably have heard the 'love story to end all love stories', and you've probably seen the film. It starts with an elderly man in a care home reading a story to a lady, also in the care home, with Alzheimer's. The story is of two young adults - Noah and Allie, and of their incredibly passionate summer romance cut short by Allie's wealthy parents who believed Noah to not be good enough for their daughter, as he worked in the town lumber-yard. Years later they meet again after Allie sees Noah in the newspaper, and decides she needs to visit him and see him one last time before marrying her fiancé Lon. When visiting Noah old feelings and emotions are reignited and confusion occurs. Allie must choose who to spend the rest of her life with, the wealthy Lon, or her first love, Noah.

Unfortunately the only good thing about the book is the quotes, there are a few beautiful ones that are not in the film. My favourite is;

'In times of grief and sorrow I will hold you and rock you, and make it my own. When you cry, I cry, and when you hurt, I hurt. And together we will try to hold back the floods of tears and despair and make it through the potholed streets of life.'

Nicholas Sparks definitely has a way with words, and is one of those writers who can delve into the deep depths of his heart and soul and pour everything out into words that move everyone who reads them and ignites a belief in true love. There's no doubt that he is incredibly talented, but this book lacks content, it lacks those moments you get in the film, the little things like the Ferris Wheel moment, when Allie and Noah lay in the middle of the road and when they dance together. It's a shame because all of Sparks' other books have those little moments, the ones that remind you of someone you know and love or have loved. All in all it's a good read, especially if you haven't seen the film. But it definitely isn't as good as his other works or other books I have read recently, hence the 3 out of 5 score.

Nosy Puppy.

Sunday is always my relaxing day, I have a lie-in, take the dog for a walk, and spend time with my family. Yesterday I took Dylan up to the downs where we walk him, and it was thick fog! All i could think of was 'The Lovely Bones'. I was absolutely bloomin terrified! Poor Dylan, I eventually let him off his lead and he went running off, and then came running back to me and did a lil jump in the air and a small run before looking at me all confused as if to say 'what are you doing!? I want my walk!' No way was I going into that fog! So I just stood there by the entrance to the downs and kept telling him 'where's the cat!? Chase the cat!' and he went running round searching for this non-existent cat.

Then I got spooked when I saw the dark figure of a man suddenly come through the fog, so I ran away and we went straight home, dragging Dylan with me, obviously.

The fog!

Dylan always sits by the window with his head resting on the sill,

staring out and watching the world go by. Such a nosy little puppy!

Ted Baker Raul Dress.

I want this dress. The Ted Baker Raul Lace Ball Dress. I just need a spare £399....which I don't have right now. Literally the most beautiful dress I have seen for a long time. I am in love.

I can't decide which colour I prefer though - the pink shows off the lace detail more but that colour drains me...and the black is more versatile. Hmm. I think the mauve is my favourite.

Andrew Vass.

Amazing amazing amazing!! A friend of mine directed me to his youtube page, and he is incredible! His voice is just so pure and beautiful, he is so talented so I just had to share his music with you all. He sounds a bit like James Morrison?!

Here's the link to his facebook page - go like it, now.

Here are a few of my favourites;

WHY IS THIS GUY NOT SIGNED ALREADY!?

Drinks With the Girls.

On Tuesday evening I headed into London to meet a couple of my girlfriends for drinks at the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) on Pall Mall. After two bottles of wine in the Long Bar, a lot of gossiping and catching up, we stumbled around the club to give Ciara a tour, as she hadn't been before.

We got some free champagne (we found it in the library!? It must have been there a while though because it was flat...), and then headed to the TV room to do what girls do best...take photos. To be honest I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out as we were giggling loads...but we had a lot of fun! I guess we were contained in one room though, so it wasn't so bad. Here are just a couple of photos that warm my heart and make me giggle a little :)

Love us ♥

Cutest photo ever? I think so!

The Savage Club.

Friday night I went to an Inter-Club event at The Savage Club. I made the mistake of wearing shoes I can't really walk in, but they are gorgeous (they're a deep red wine colour), and as I was wearing a black dress I didn't want to wear black shoes as well. But after I had had some wine, they made me look even more drunk than I already was. *sigh*.

Anyway, the event itself was brilliant, so much fun! We had a three course meal upstairs in The National Liberal Club (The Savage Club have always been 'nomads' and resided within another club - currently they are inside The National Liberal Club.), which included a delicious 'Supreme of Pheasant en Croute with a Truffle Jus' for the main course, before entertainment that included a violinist, singers, a pianist, and a comedian. Once the entertainment was over we moved downstairs to the Savage Club for drinks. We didn't end up leaving until about 1:30am! And I'm afraid we didn't even get any photos, we were having far too much of a good time!

The Savage Club is a bad influence on me.

Lest We Forget.

Today is Remembrance Day. Not only is it a day for us to remember those killed and injured in WWI and WWII, but also a day for us to remember those who have been killed and injured in all wars, especially the war still going on in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's important for us to remember those men and women who died fighting for our country. Everyone will know someone who died for our freedom. Thankfully we only have two members of our family who were killed. So today, on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, I will be remembering Reginald Woodcock, and Henry Ellis. Lest We Forget.

Why do I wear a poppy? I'll tell you if I may,

Because I believe remembrance is not only for one day.

I wear it for the fallen, And for those falling still.

For those who come back broken, in body or in will.

For the parents, spouses, siblings, where bereavement takes its toll.

Whose pain will never leave them, it eats into their soul.

For the wino in the corner, of his old life nothing's left.

Now he wishes when in battle, he had died a hero's death.

For the lad who loved a kick-about, in the park with all his mates,

But now his legs are held together, with pins and metal plates.

For the selfless men and women, whose final journey home,

is in a Union flag-draped coffin, on comrades' shoulders borne.

For all those marching proudly, in Remembrance day parades,

My Poppy's worn in gratitude, for the sacrifice they made.

Henry Ellis

Born 11th January 1887

Died 25th September 1917
Rest In Peace

Laying down flowers when I visited Henry Ellis's grave in 2006. I was an un-cool 15 year old - please excuse the clothes.

Grave number IX.E.20. Duhallow ADS Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We will remember them.

'The Richest Hill on Earth'.

This morning when I was at my Grandma's she told me she'd found something exciting, that I was going to love. I guessed it was something to do with the family tree, but I had no idea what it would be exactly. What she produced was incredible. She had been looking for a necklace in my late Grandfather's drawer and found a letter folded up...but it wasn't just any old paper letter. It was a copper letter, from the copper mine in Butte, Montana. It was dated 28th September 1933, and was from my Great Great Uncle Daniel, to my Great Grandfather (Daniel's brother) Frederick. It also has a small message from Dan and Fred's sister Frances on it, as Frances and her family lived near Daniel in America. We have been researching the family tree for many years now, and I have taken an active role since I was seven years old. It's always been important to me to find out who I am and where I've come from, and I love the rush of adrenaline and excitement you get when you find out something new.

Just to hold a 70 year old letter in my hands, that was written by one of my ancestors, was incredible. It even has their fingerprints very clearly on it! It's very difficult to read, but here are some photos;

Just in case you can't read it, it says;

'Dear Fred

Just a copper souvenir from Butte, the greatest mining camp on Earth. Here on business & pleasure & visiting Frances and the family.

Sincerely

Dan Lux'

The bottom part says;

'Harry Bertrand'

'Kenneth Bertrand'

'Hello Freddie and Minnie, from Frances'

(So I'm guessing they signed their names at the bottom of Dan's letter as a kind of 'Hello/from all of us' thing.)

Baby Mini Cooper.

I've spent the past few days at my Grandma's house in North Wales. While I was there I spent a day with my best friend Anna, and 11 month old God-daughter Rosie. We took her to Toys r Us where she had great fun playing in a pink baby Mini Cooper, and then we went into Chester to go for lunch at Zizzi's. We had such a funny day - everything kept going wrong, but it gave us lots to laugh about!

She looks like a such a little pro with one hand on the wheel and the other on her knee!

Bonfire Night.

For Bonfire Night me and some of my friends from the Inter-Club group went to the Ealing Fireworks, before heading to Star Bar in Ealing for an after-party. The event itself was fantastic, but the fireworks were a bit disappointing, the Stoke Park ones in Guildford are much more impressive. But, it was soooo good there actually being a bonfire there on bonfire night! The ones in Guildford aren't allowed a bonfire for some reason and it always ruins it. After all, it's bonfire night, you have to have a bonfire! Huge thanks to Arleen for organizing such a fantastic event, and Piers for the sparklers!!!

Mexican Moustaches.

Last night was one of my best friend's 21st birthday party. Emma and I have been best friends since we were four years old, and she even came out to Australia to visit me when we lived out there for a year and a half. The party's theme was 'Mexican Moustaches', everyone had to dress as something Mexican, and wear a moustache, so I went as a bandit and Emma as a Chilli, and Ursula just wore normal clothes with a 'brigadier' type moustache.

As you can see we all look incredibly attractive. I do think that the bandit mask and moustache make me look rather like a man, which worries me a bit.

Here's a beautiful photograph of my mono-brow I created using another moustache...

The Shadow of the Wind

The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 5/5

It is very rare that I get drawn into a book to the point I feel I am apart of it. To the point where I feel I know the characters, the places, the events taking place. This book is one of those rarities. I always know I've found a book like this because it takes me a while to get into it. Usually I can just pick up a book and read, but on the rare occasion I can't do that, and I need to re-read the first chapter or two over and over, I know I've found a special one.

The Shadow of the Wind is the story of Daniel Sempere. Spanning over 10 years of his life, it starts when he is 10 years old, and his widower father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, where Daniel plucks a book from the shelf called 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Julian Carax. He becomes obsessed with the author, desperate to find out as much as possible about him, and his quest for knowledge is only heightened when he discovers there is a mysterious cloaked figure burning every Carax book he can find. Daniel and his father befriend a tramp and ex-secret agent, Fermin, and together they risk their lives to find out the true story behind Carax's characters in his stories, the burning of the books, and Carax's unusual and unsolved disappearence. This book is full of darkness, mystery, suspense and heart-wrenching emotions. There is a twist with every turn of the page, causing the story and the lives of those in it, to weave into your heart and soul. Best thriller I've read in a long time!

Share a Coke With Catherine.

Thank you VERY much to Chaya Ahern - a friend of mine from Australia who managed to find a 'Share a Coke with Catherine' Coca-Cola bottle and send it over to me :)