October and November articles - etc Magazine

Work has been busy, busy, busy. Just finished December's issue, which involved a trip to East Sussex to meet some very interesting people and we are now on January so I have no idea what month it is.

All the digital editions of the magazine are online uder the emags tab and by clicking the archive tab on the side you can look back over the last few months - www.etcmag.net

But on the website here are some article I have written which you might be interested in:

Carving Magic - http://etcmag.net/carving-magic/ This was a lot of fun and amazing what they can make from a carrot. 

Winter sun Jamaica - http://etcmag.net/island-paradise/

Tamsin Egerton interview - http://etcmag.net/tamsin-egerton/

Garden designer Amanda Patton - http://etcmag.net/garden-paradise/

Delicious Chocolate by Miss Witt - http://etcmag.net/chocolate-by-miss-witt/

Old one from August - Martha Mitchell Designs from Brighton - http://etcmag.net/a-fine-line/

Plus lots more to read if you have a look around.

Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, Montego Bay, Jamaica - July 2013

This time last week I was in Jamaica preparing for my and my boyfriend's friend's wedding.

I was bridesmaid and he was one of the groomsmen. It was the perfect day, the weather was behaving and was just glorious and the day ended with the 16 strong wedding party singing, dancing and drinking on the beach long after the sun went down - amazing!

Coming back home the heat hasn't been much of an issue as in Jamaica it was probably a bit hotter but incredibly humid.

So the holiday, in one word fantastic! This is the first time I have done an all inclusive holiday and traveled to a sunny island out of the EU. Jamaica, what I saw of it, was brilliant, so green. I will admit we didn't leave the resort but the people were just so friendly, always singing and dancing. I really fell in love with the place.

As for the hotel - Secrets Wild Orchid, Montego Bay, it was huge and nothing disappointed. The food was delicious and as we were only there for seven nights we were unable to experience all the nine restaurants. We did try the Caribbean,  Italian and Japanese plus a lobster buffet - in the Japanese they cook on a hot plate and serve up the food direct to your plate, although I'm sure in Japan the cooks don't sing Shaggy and Sean Paul.

The world cafe is a buffet at breakfast and certain days in the week, if you go try out the lobster night, it was great.

In the day coconut water, Jamaican fruit and Jerk chicken stalls do the rounds. I have only tried coconut water once out of a carton but it is so much better direct from the source and the fruit was refreshing after indulging in far too much food. Also I have tried jerk chicken before and it is far spicier in Jamaica.

All inclusive obviously means drinks as well, and the cocktail list were extensive and delicious. A 'We Be Jammin' didn't taste very alcoholic so be warned. Also if you have anything with rum in be careful as the measurements were obviously a bit skewed as they were always really strong. My only regret I didn't have a Bob Marley.

The piano bar is a great place to chill with a cocktail and sing a song or two with the piano man. And Desires nightclub also has a karaoke night a couple of times a week.

The room was so nice and I have never been anywhere where the air con  worked so much we actually moaned a little that the room was too cold.

I loved this place, and can see why so many people were getting married there. It is the perfect place for a holiday, honeymoon or wedding.

I'm now saving up the pennies for my next trip to paradise.

Whoa I'm off to Jamaica

So by the time you read this I will be on a plane flying to Jamaica to the holiday of a lifetime. 

The wedding is on Friday, I will be bridesmaid and my boyfriend is one of the groom's men. I will share all when I get back!

2013 - unlucky for some ?

Sorry for the lack of posts, work has been hectic.

So 2013 got some gigs planned and a lot of musicals.

Going to see The Courteeners, Pink, and McFly.

Going to Priscilla Queen of the Desert, 9 to 5 which I cannot wait to see and Ghost. All coming to the Mayflower in Southampton I can't wait.

Also Jamaica this year and I am now a bridesmaid! I cannot wait, so honored to be asked and can't wait to go dress shopping on the weekend.

And I am crazy enough to be doing the Great South Run again! I know! I am running for Mind again but got one of their charity spaces so got a minimum amount I have to raise.

So this blog will be full of wedding comments, running moans and gig and musical reviews.

Roll on 2013 I think it is going to be my year!

The Big Fat Jamaican Wedding

I am at that age where everyone I know is either getting married or having a baby. Facebook feeds full of wedding woe and joy or baby scan pictures.

In the past three years I have been to three full weddings and one reception.

If you had read my blog before you will know I have been a bridesmaid and done a reading. All of which I was honoured to be. The last wedding I went to a couple of weeks ago was of a friend who I have known since infant school, and who I used to play Animals of Farthing Wood with. At this wedding I was asked to be a witness, which out of the three roles was by far the easiest, all I had to do was write my name.

I have felt very honoured to play a part in my friends' special days, I don't think I will do a reading again though in a hurry, too nerve wrecking on a day where you spend the ceremony crying with joy. Bridesmaid is good but a very long day, luckily my friend was no bridezilla so it was a breeze. I would be a witness though in a heartbeat, my name forever on that certificate. This is the last of my friend's weddings really though.

Next year however one of the boyfriend's best friends is getting married...in Jamaica.

It is going to cost a small fortune but I am looking forward to being a proper guest at a wedding not having to worry about my dress, a reading or if I can remember how to spell my name.

The venue looks amazing and we would never choose to go to Jamaica, mainly because of the cost, but I can't wait to see his friend's tie the knot on the end of a dock overlooking the sea.

The wedding is in July so I'm sure this blog will be populated with dilemmas on what I am going to wear and the impending payment dates.

So raise a glass of rum to the Jamaican nuptials.