Hiatus

Hola amigos! This isn't me saying I am leaving blogging altogether but I have decided to post less but make them a little bit more loaded with quality if you know what I mean? I have unfortunately seen my blog viewing figures decline quite dramatically recently and whilst I know it shouldn't be about that, of course it plays a factor in how often I blog. I am not quitting my blog but perhaps instead of every other day it may be just once a week. 

I don't write for viewers, I write for myself but of course, it is nice if people read it and recently I have dropped from about 40-50 views on a blog post to about 10-15! I can't help but feel that maybe it's because they are not as interesting as they could/should be but I hope to change all that. Also I know I don't particularly advertise my blog in any way, probably down to laziness, and whilst I am not worried about followers or readers, I do feel that posting less is probably for the best for now! 

However watch this space as I have an idea for a new blog in a few months time which I will be launching and it definitely will be very interesting! ;) I will still be blogging about my life/holidays/things in general...but only when I have the inspiration to do so. So thank you for reading and please check back here again soon.

xoxo

Cheryl gets back on track!

I finally managed to venture out today after pretty much spending a whole week recovering at home from this horrible illness! I am getting closer to my normal self-today me and Michael went to our favourite place to have afternoon tea-Kingston Lodge Hotel. With a special deal I managed to get it for £12 for two and I love it because each time we go it's a little different. This time we had some yummy finger sandwiches, delicious warm scones and a plate of various cute little cakes-brownies, lemon tarts and meringes (my favourite). 

All very calorific! But it has been nice getting back my apetite after almost eating nothing this week (I have lost about 5 pounds) so I figure a few cakes won't hurt me! That's my mentality anyway. I majorly missed cake when I was ill so I will no doubt be making up for it! Other than that I have been resting and watching the Olympics-I never thought I would enjoy it so much but I am loving it! Especially the gymnastics and we even have had the weightlifting on! I also have been browsing online at various clothes websites and trying to resist but failing! Especially ASOS-there is soooo much on there right now that I want but I am trying to think realistically and trying to save as much cash as I can for our Italy holiday (less than 4 weeks away whoooo!) an also planning my holiday wardrobe. Of course this has to be thought about very far in advance. If it is going to be very hot, which Italy always is in August, then I want to be prepared! 

So this is what I am loving on ASOS right now-I only really can afford to get one of them, what do you think?!

'Once upon a time' Watch £16-Now I don't really need one but isn't it lovely?!

 

 'Rabbit Bag' £20-This is mega cute but I am thinking perhaps it's too small?

'Cat Jumper-£30. Bit expensive but perfect for when it gets colder, it's so cute!

 'Heart print shoes-£14. I love these! I want these!

 So many pretty things, so little money! xoxo

Cheryl out of action!

Excuse the cheap clipart graphic but I think this sort of sums up how I have felt the past 4 days. On Weds afternoon I started getting stomach cramps/back pain but I just thought it was the usual IBS giving me jip and I thought nothing of it but by Thursday morning I felt awful and realised that it must be more than IBS. After calls to the NHS, being sick and spending pretty much all day in the toilet (too much information, sorry) it was decided that I either have gastroenteritis or the norovirus-lovely stuff! So since Weds I haven't been out at all, my diet has consisted of a few bits of toast and biscuits as I have had no appetite, I have spent more time in the toilet than I have anywhere else. Without sounding dramatic, I truely have never been in so much pain before.

 

Unfortunately I had to cancel seeing friends, Michael and I had to cancel both our trip to Arundel and going for afternoon tea which I was gutted about :( but I am just still not strong enough. I feel very weak and tired from lack of sleep and the pain, whilst not so frequent, is still occuring. I know I shouldn't moan but I seriously need to get it all out and this is my blog so I can say what I wish!

 

Seriously though my Mum and Michael have been a true godsend for me-they have been up with me in the night, bought me flowers, made me food, comforted me and kept me going-I have the best family in the world I truely do. I have lost a week of my summer holidays but I am hoping next week that I can start to do more things again. Because we had to cancel so many of our trips, Michael and I are going out for a trip to the West End Theatre to see Blood Brothers and stay in a hotel in a few weeks-so thank you honey!

On the only positive note I have lost 4lbs! Not an ideal way to lose weight but hey.

Hopefully once I feel completely better I will be back blogging again-in the meantime I will fight off this virus, watch the Olympics and stay in my pyjamas.

xoxo

My life in pictures...

I wish I could do those posh 'Instagram' posts that every blogger does. Unfortunately I don't have an Iphone or anything remotely exciting like that so when taking pics out and about I have to rely on my very dismal Samsung Ch@t camera which is probably something like 2 megapixels! Pants! But I still take photos here and there and thought I would share some recent ones with you-I am the sort of person who takes pictures of myself quite often so please don't judge! I am a bit of a poser, I admit.

1. First summer dress apearance 2. Amazing hot fudge sundae pop tarts

3. Fudge cake, my favourite 4. Beautiful flowers from work

5. Can't wait to use our Tastecard 6. Snuggles in Bed

7. Trying the hair tied back look 8. Cheeky midweek Subway

9. My dream car 10. Cute love card <3 

11. Posing in the sunnies, has to be done 12. One of mine and Michael's favourites

I have admittedly not been out in 2 days now! I have been crap today, awful back pain and I am going back to the doctors on Friday. My lovely Mum and Michael have been taking good care of me though <3 Michael and I planned to go for a meal and see Dark Knight today but unfortunately we couldn't so we stayed in and watch films and ate popcorn, was lovely <3 I am hoping to be able to make it out tomorrow, I miss the outside world! On Saturday, Michael and I are going to Arundel -our new favourite place! Hopefully the weather will be cooler by then-I HATE THIS HEAT-GIVE ME 2 DEGREES ANY DAY!

xoxo

How to make waffles-by the waffle queen!

I love waffles! And I completely forgot that I have a waffle iron, kindly donated to me by Michael's mum. I also have a donut maker, toastie maker and cupcake maker but that is besides the point! It is so easy and quick to make waffles and I highly recommend purchasing one-they can be picked up for around £20 online and can be used for years and years! I love waffles as a sweet snack, breakfast or they can be made savory depending on what you put with it. I normally chose Nutella because, let's face it, it's the best. If I could smother everything in Nutella (easy now!) then I would!

All you need for a waffle mix are eggs, flour, milk, vegetable oil, salt, caster sugar, baking powder and anything else you want to add like strawberries. Sounds a lot but to be honest, most of this was left over in my cupboard already.

I followed this recipe I found online: http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/1908/mum-s-best-waffles.aspx

Using the correct amounts, I mixed the flour, caster sugar, baking powder and salt together and then added in 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons of oil and 400ml of milk. It was as simple as that!

While I was mixing, I also let the waffle iron heat up and when it was ready, the light flashed and before pouring the mixture in, I smothered the waffle maker in some butter just so the mixture wouldn't stick.

 Once the mixture was in, I shut the lid and left it for a couple of minutes until the ready light flashed. The mixture had stuck very slightly but all in all it was a success-be careful not to burn yourself whilst lifting out the waffles (this is where I called Michael for help lol) as it's very hot at this point.

I then decorated the cute heart shaped waffles with some strawberries, smothered on some nutella and ate it all very quickly and felt sick. Simples! 

xoxo

Life lately according to me!

Well the summer holidays have officially begun and I am loving it. Yesterday Michael and I had a 'date day' and we ventured out in the sun to Greenwich, a lovely place in South London-home to the (newly rebuilt) Cutty Sark and Maritime/Naval Museum. It is a busy area but not too touristy and has a beautiful park. I would definitely recommend Greenwich as a place to visit while in London. When Michael and I started dating, we used to go there a lot as Michael lived close by, so it carries lots of lovely memories :) We had a delicious lunch at a Mexican restaurant called 'Desperado's'. They haven't had the best reviews but we thought we would give it the benefit of the doubt and as we had 50% off with our tastecard we thought why not?! Michael had fajitias and I had steak and between us we saved £14! The food was actually delicious and the service very decent but best of all, my stomach was happy!

We then went on to the naval museum, cutty sark, Greenwich Market and got some yummy ice cream from an Italian deli-it was so good! We also visited this cute little vintage market and I got 2 bargains with a 'Groundhog Day' style clock for £2 (pictured below) and I also bought a gold rabbit necklace for £2. All in all, it was such a lovely day :)

 I seem to have gained a somewhat super strong shopping urge (well to be honest, it's nothing new) recently and have bought some other nice bits and pieces the past few days. I decided to get myself a few new pairs of shoes because I have a horribly painful ingrown toenail and I need comfy shoes! So I bought these two pairs from George at Asda for £13 and I think they're pretty cute!

Also, a used some of my John Lewis vouchers today on a Cath Kidston purse (£6), some East of India ribbon (£3.75) and a lovely heart memories box (£12) which I am going to use to fill with all our photos and mementos from our relationship-I am a super cheesy romantic but I think it's rather a nice idea don't you?

Tonight I am getting the waffle maker out and making some waffles with nutella-wish me luck! xoxo

School's out!

Yipeeeeee! I didn't think I would but I made it to the school holidays! 6 whole weeks of lovely lie ins and trips away and lots of relaxation! Yay!

 It has been a really manic week for me at work, Wednesday was my last day in Nursery which was lovely and then yesterday was the staff leaving party at school! I got some beautiful presents including a bouquet of flowers (I took a pic, see below!), a lovely cat print scarf and silver bracelet from Oliver Bonas which the staff bought me. Today was the last day at my job-I felt sad because I will miss the children but I feel happy and relieved to be moving on to hopefully a happier environment for me. It hasn't been the easiest of years but I feel like I have done the best I can in my role and that is all you can really do isn't it?

I also got a lovely big card that my class made me and wrote lots of messages inside which brought lots of tears to my eyes! As well as some lovely other things including some John Lewis vouchers from the parents which I am excited to spend! Whilst it was lovely to get these things, it was really heartwarming to know that the kids enjoyed having me in my class and I really will miss them-I know it's not all about the gifts! (although that is a nice perk!)

However saying that I have already had a little peek at the John Lewis website and seen loads of things I want to get! I am a big fan of Cath Kidston but her stuff is a bit too steep for me normally. However John Lewis sell a big rage of her stuff-I especially this super cute messenger lunch bag and shoe tidy for my wardrobe.

 John Lewis also stock a designer I lurveeeee called East of India-they make beautiful boxes, signs and generally very pretty things which are covered in life quotes.

 I am going to keep looking before I commit to using my vouchers! I am going to relax tonight with a takeaway and film with my Mum as Michael is at his end of year school meet up. Tomorrow Michael and I are heading to Greenwich (many an early date was spent there!) and hopefully use our tastecard for the first time! It arrived yesterday and I can't wait to use it.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and here is to a lovely summer ahead! 

xoxo