There is someone out there

How exciting - I found an email in my inbox today telling me I was one of 100 bloggers invited to take part in a blogger survey. This is part of some research being carried out at Robert Gordon University.

The academic undertaking the research is Dr Sarah Pedersen and she blogs about her research (but, of course) here http://Sarah-validation.blogspot.com/

How exciting to be able to contribute such research.

Also today I've been trying to work out exactly what I need to take to Henlow Grange with me. Apparently most people forget to take gym kit and a swimsuit and pack far too much stuff that they don't need. I've always thought that I was an efficient packer so I do hope that I can live up to that. One of the most useful sites I found was www.spaaah.com - check it out. I particularly liked the spa virgin section. Spas are quite terrifyingly smart places after all.

Summer's over

Last night I packed up my summer clothes and got out my winter ones. As a result I am snuggled in pair of gray flannel type trousers today. It's rather pleasing to find that I already have so much grey in my wardrobe. I never imagined that I'd come anywhere close to having my finger on a style pulse.

Yet it seems like only yesterday I was telling you all how last night I packed up my winter clothes and got out my summer clothes. If I recall correctly the weather than wasn't all that different to today. However, at least I am properly dressed for rain today.

One the subject of clothes I found the most darling site the other day www.myvirtualcloset.com
I had a peek at sample wardrobes and was so impressed. I just can't imagine finding the time to take pictures of all my clothes, but I do like the thought of being able to view what I have online. Imagine if you were stuck for what to wear (as I often am and have to ask my style guru sister to tell me what on earth I should wear). Rather than people making suggestions in a vague sort of way, they could say wear this item and this item.

Sometimes I think the Internet is a work of breathtaking genius.

The biggest blog in history?

Blogging will provide for future historians a fantastic record of what 'ordinary' life is really like. Their only problem may be too much material. I've always enjoyed finding out about so-called ordinary life in the past. I suspect much of the time it was hard and we don't really know how lucky we are. But nonetheless the small details remain fascinating.

Inspired by the rather wonderful Mass Observation studies October 17th has been nominated as the day for the biggest blog in history! Log on to www.historymatters.org.uk and upload a blog entry for the day. Apparently the day has been chosen because it is totally insignificant and 'normal' day.

I'll be uploading an entry but as I'm going to Henlow Grange for a few days (I've never been to a spa before) it won't be anything like a normal Tuesday (e.g up really early, struggle with buses, lunch leaks over bag, frustrating day at work, buses late on way home due to volume of people who prefer to drive and roadworks that have been going on forever, finally catch up on Sunday's washing-up, go to bed far too early/late).

Isn't it funny that the spellchecker doesn't recognise the word 'blog'?

Eve - feel the Benefit of Happy, Easy Living, New Woman

I seem to have bought a number of glossy magazines recently. I normally try to resist if I just want to buy it for the free gift (I haven't worn a bikini in years so I didn't really need to buy Elle this summer). Another guilt inducing factor is that the magazine and gift are usually wrapped in a plastic bag and this type cannot be recycled in my area.

I was quite delighted with my purchase of Eve. I only really bought it because I needed some change and wasn't that bothered about the free clutch bag. I then realised that it was the perfect size to fit all the bits that usually hang around at the bottom of my bag (datasticks, work keys, mini first aid kit, spare phone battery, name badge, Enchinacea tea bags). Some are indeed already in cute little pouches but it feels so smart to have them in a bag of their own.

In fact the bag the bag I was using (free with Happy) looked rather smart with the Eve clutch and Easy Living make-up bag (Kath Kidson from sometime earlier in the year). I won't even start on the free scarf, umbrella and flip flops that also make up part of my kit.

I then bought New Woman (soon to be just NW) simply because I wanted the 2 Benefit make-up bags. I was thrilled to find a lovely brochure for their products inside (which I'll be passing in Dear Heart's direction as Yule approaches) but rather disappointed with the magazine itself. There was rather a lack of recipes. Then I realised that the diet plan was actually considered to fill the space a recipe might have taken. I think that I am probably not the market the NW is aimed at.

On the subject of Benefit I was travelling to an area to a different area for work when I spotted a Benefit shop! I was just so excited. I resisted the urge to venture inside as I am saving my pennies and Benefit purchases for a girly shopping trip at the weekend but I may have to return in the future.

From one Sunday to the next

Dear Heart and I were lying in bed yesterday morning thinking about getting up (well he was, I was nursing a headache as a result of not drinking enough water during the day and drinking too much red wine) and we ended up talking about the wedding. The strange thing was that it was really one of those conversations that we should have been having the Sunday before. We were talking about people that weren't there that we usually run into at family events. Rather sensibly the bride and groom only invited people they really liked and their partners so the atmosphere was fantastic (just like being back at university really). I started asking Dear Heart if he liked my hair and make-up. I had my hair curled at the hairdressers . I was a bit alarmed when it was first done as I had these really tight curls (flashback to 80's perm), but when the curls dropped a bit was so glamourous. I had my make-up to be done by Jenny Sherman from Perfect Creations www.perfect-creation.com and it was so fabulous. I felt like a movie star! It also stayed on all day even after I had my weep during my lovely sister's speech. I just can't wait to see the photos.

We also found ourselves discussing the flowers (done by the very nice Katie at The Flower Bar http://the-flower-bar.co.uk - her husband assures me he will put some content on her site soon). We all had these wrist corsages which looked great and meant you didn't have to hold flowers or find somewhere to put them. Additionally you simply couldn't wear a watch with it so no keeping an eye on the time (a curse of modern life I fear), instead one just went with the organic flow of things. We decided that the mysterious yellow substance that I managed to cover myself in was probably pollen (I kept my wrist corsage on the whole thing and alas it looked rather battered with wine stained ribbons by the end).

And the flowers decorating the mantlepieces had lots of picture of the bride and groom and their friends and family at various points in their life. It was great fun trying to identify who was in the photo.

And the dancing was such fun. The DJ played lots of really good cheesy dancing. I couldn't believe it when the lights came on.

Despite the headache and frequent rain showers the rest of Sunday turned out to be rather nice. I attacked the brambles on my allotment a little more and then came home and enjoyed a glass of red wine with Dear Heart. I went to bed unusually relaxed for a Sunday.

Let's hope the rest of the week is as stress free.