Frankie says relax...

Over the last two days I have indulged in some much needed R&R. Infact, I have spent most of the last 48 hours either asleep or dozing on my sofa. Even an appointment at the hairdressers yesterday afternoon gave me an opportunity to indulge in some down time inbetween a glass of prosecco and mulling over of glossy and weekly mags. 

It's been a while since I've had a weekend like this, and I have to admit, I've enjoyed every minute! Not having to get dressed up or put on any make up has been quite liberating. Instead I've been curled up in my joggers, hair tied back and enjoying time on my own at home. 

This chill out has been a long time coming so there has been no hesitation to indulge. I even declined an invite to the pub to watch the football last night and was in bed by 11pm, which for me, is alien! Sometimes you've just got to listen to your body though and relaxation is definitely what mine needed. 

All I need now is a yoga master class, a back massage and 20 minutes in a sauna and I think I'll be fully restored to the land of the living! 

oh dear....

Last year my car failed it's MOT - on what, I really can't remember. All I know is I had to pay out quite a bit of money to get it repaired, but I vowed I would only keep it another year and then get a new one.

12 months have now passed and guess what? Yes, you're right, no new car and yes, another failed MOT! You're probably wondering why I didn't take my own advice and get rid of it? Well due to an unfortunate turn of events, redundancy is looming and it was either pay out £280, or scrap and find a stupid sum of money from somewhere to buy a new one. As the latter wasn't an option, I had to go with the only other possibility...get it repaired.

I'll be honest, I picked up my car yesterday and it did feel a little like new again so it was obviously in need to rescuing. Then again, if I was corroding the way my car was, I don't think I'd be fully functional either! So for the last 24 hours I have felt like a new women...ok, ok, I won't go that far, but it's felt good to actually feel safe behind the wheel again.

That was until this evening when I walked out of Next to find my bumper hanging off it! Seriously, it never rains, it pours. I swear there is someone "up there" looking down on me and having a good old laugh. Thankfully, through the power of Whatsapp I was quickly rescued by my ever so amazingly reliable friend, Chelsey, who wizzed down in her sporty Astra and saved the day by hammering the thing off leaving my car looking like it's ready to pass over to car heaven and me in a daze of humiliation and bewilderment!

So now I am at home, trying to decide on what the best course of action will be to get the stupid thing repaired. Lots of advice has been offered to me which I am obviously always grateful for, and despite the initial outburst of tears when I got home and blowing up my jacket potato in the microwave, I am now fully restored to calmness thanks the bottle of Smirnoff in my fridge!

Things can only get better, right?

"Show me how you burlesque"

Over the bank holiday I unleashed my naughty side by taking part in my first ever Burlesque dance class. It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time, so when the opportunity came up as part of a hen weekend in Birmingham for my friend Lauren, I couldn't wait to get involved!


The hour and a half class for us hens was run by Twinkle; a cheeky, sassy and confident instructor who taught us to stand, walk, pose and act burlesque. From the Marilyn walk to side steps, swirling boa's around our body to a bit of bump and grind and working those bum cheeks to peeling off long gloves and stockings, we did it all!

Despite the little devil in me screaming to get out, I was a little apprehensive at first and did hold back until I found I was quite a natural at doing the shoulder shimmy! By then, I was very much in my element thinking I was Christina Aguilera dancing on stage waiting for Mr Diet Coke man to surface so I can seduce him before he realises what a novice I am!


Everything about the class screamed fun. I didn't find any of it tacky, in fact, it made us all very aware of using our bodies to seduce, but also show off what we have in a flirty and entertaining way. There are no set rules to burlesque so even if you make a few mistakes, it's easy to use charm and wit to cover it up...and maybe a cheeky arm to ankle extension to show off your cleavage!


We continued with the theme by braving a night out down Broad Street dressed in Burlesque costumes. Corsets on, hair extensions in, pouty red lips on show and boas at the ready, we piled into a few bars and it wasn't long before we were alcohol fuelled and putting our moves into practice.

It was fair to say everywhere we went we didn't go un-noticed. There were some guys who looked really impressed, and a few who just didn't know where to look! All of them contributed to a great night out for us though and Twinkle's lesson earlier that day paid off whilst we were on the dance floor because we really did show them how to Burlesque!

It was a great experience and have to admit, I felt really sexy in my corset so it definitely brought out a side of me that I liked, so much so, I'm looking to enrol in more burlesque classes locally within the new few months. My friends have even joked about me becoming a full time instructor myself! All I can say to that is never say never....

Days like these...

It all started when I decided to do overtime and get into work for 7 this morning but only wake up at 10 past! I then proceeded to make a slight, and I mean slight, dent in the copious amounts of work that needs doing with the help of some Skittles and Starburst this afternoon.

I also planned to go to the gym this evening because I am in need of a good workout so decided on a different (and quicker) route but got caught in a traffic jam and was diverted only to get stuck in more traffic, and yes, another diversion. When I finally got there and parked my car I realised I left my kit at home! I cannot tell you how annoyed I was!

Plan B was a quick stop off at Morrison's which turned out to be the worst plan ever because I soon found out everyone in Northampton had the same idea, except the staff! I'm guessing they were either all on strike or just enjoying the sunshine! The queues to pay were ridiculous and someone even abandoned their shopping on an empty till point it was that busy.

After finally getting back to my car I resigned to pouring myself a large vodka and diet coke as soon as I got home. It was all I could think of until I got stuck in more traffic! I couldn't believe this was happening to me. Thankfully it wasn't too bad and I soon neared home, until I found myself stuck behind a learner driver....

It's safe to say today definitely wasn't my finest but I am home now, enjoying my second vodka after the first went down a little too quickly! Let's hope tomorrow is a better one!

In an octopus's garden with you....

Without sounding like an opening to an advert for shampoo, when it comes to styling my hair, I’m no expert! I love looking through magazines or pinning ideas on Pinterest but I can never quite master the look I’m aiming for. Even learning to curl with straighteners was a mission. Thankfully, due to a win at a local charity event, I have been lucky enough to indulge in some much needed hairapy after winning a month’s free gold membership at what is now my new favourite salon, Octopus Hair.  

Based in St James, Northampton, the newly revamped salon has become a gem of a place to be pampered. It was obvious from the moment I walked in and met the owner, Dana, that I was in for a treat. Now I’m not one for taking hair risks, unless of course you exclude the time when I was 12 and opted for a Kylie Minogue perm which I thought looked amazing, especially with my goofy teeth and my favourite pair of washed denim jeans with zips at the ankles!  However, sitting me down with a latte and biscotti to discuss my hair needs I suddenly felt very important! She explained the membership included unlimited wash and blow dries, treatments specific to me, styling sessions and ending with a colour and cut. I was in heaven!  

Spending most of my life opting for blonde highlights my hair has been through a lot of dye and bleach, not to mention the copious amounts of spray, styling products and straightening so it came to no surprise when Dana suggested a course of conditioning treatments to start me off. Leaving the pro’s to it, I was more than happy to let them take control and do what they needed in order to replenish my mane! I assumed my first treatment would be one of those 10 minute deep conditioning packets you can pick up in your local supermarket but little did I know that it was so much more! Sitting back I relaxed into a deluxe four step process that involved stripping my hair of all its toxins and replacing it with goodness, along with having the most amazing head massage I have ever experienced!  

Styled and ready to party

Staggering back to my chair feeling drunk-like, I sobered up with another latte and biscotti whilst my hair was brushed, dried, styled and curled. Perfect timing as I was going out for a friends’ birthday that evening and I’ll admit I felt really good. I even got a few compliments throughout the night too!  

The rest of the month consisted of various other conditioning treatments from the team, who also tried out different styles on me too. From sleek and straight to wavy and loose curls, I feel like I have been thoroughly indulged and spoilt. My favourite of them all had to be the final cut and colour where I was treated to both foils and paint, something I have never had done before and I absolutely loved how it looked at the end. Definitely the best colour I have ever had. It’s no wonder they call themselves colour experts!  

Sleek and Straight

I enjoyed every appointment I had with the membership and actually found myself getting excited about each visit just so I could see what they were going to do next. All the staff are so friendly, nothing about them is pretentious or clicky like I have felt in the past from other hairdressers. Every member of staff comes across as extremely passionate about their job and want to make sure you walk out feeling good and most importantly, have great hair! They are dedicated and focused on ensuring your hair is well looked after and maintained and they give great advice on how to look after it too.  

Since winning the prize, I have been back for a colour and cut, and once again, they didn’t fail to disappoint. I’ve even booked in for another appointment next month along with one to get my hair styled for a wedding I’m going to…I can’t wait for that one! I’m so pleased I won it because I feel like I’ve found a business I didn’t even know existed and absolutely love it. I would definitely recommend them even to the fussiest of people because they have the ability to take you from feeling like an ogre to princess in an instant, and that is something worth shouting about. 

 

The end result!

 

 

To find out more about Octopus Hair, you can check out their Facebook or follow them on Twitter @Octopushair

Here comes the bride...nearly

Wedding fever hit me this afternoon as I went to see a friend try on her bridal dress for her big day next month. Seeing her standing in front of us looking so beautiful and elegant filled me with much excitement because it will be 1 of 2 weddings I am attending in the next few weeks, along with the hen party too! Admiring all the beautiful dresses on display and looking at the gorgeous accessories made me wish I was getting married!  

One day, maybe… 

It did get me thinking again about what I should wear though. I ordered a dress last week but that’s already gone back to the shop and bearing in mind the last wedding I went to involved me buying about 30 dresses and not keeping 1 of them, I am slightly worried about what state I’ll get into this time!  I’ve started browsing around, but as yet nothing has grabbed my attention. I’m thinking I may have to invest in a personal shopper purely for the sake of all of my friends so they don’t have to put up with my drama!  

Whatever I choose, the only important dress on the day is the brides and seeing how amazing she looked today, I don’t think it matters what I wear, so whether I choose something elegant or turn up in a bin bag (don’t worry, I won’t) she is going to be the most beautiful person there and have everyone admiring her, and that is all that matters.

The Nation's Favourite Indian (The Shirley version)

It’s not every day you get to meet someone famous, especially when you’re sweat laden and fighting against a steep incline on a treadmill at your local gym, but it happened to me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I can’t quite believe it, but recently I had the pleasure of finding out for the last year and a half, maybe even longer, I have been working out unknowingly in the presence of the Nations Favourite Indian. 

Now you’re probably wondering who, of such an accolade, would spend their time in a gym in the middle of Northampton Town. Well let me tell you; he’s a funny, witty, fleece wearing, bicep building hulk of a man, otherwise known as, Par Dhonsi… 

Oh come on, you must know who I’m talking about? No? Well let me tell you. Par is a personal trainer at Pure Gym, Northampton who entertains us all with funny stories, provides great PT sessions and does one hell of a spin class. In fact, I would even go as far as saying he’s my second favourite instructor there!  

The ironic thing about this revelation is I have known Par since becoming a member of the gym, but never realised the extent of his popularity. We did get talking about blogging one day after he befriended me on Facebook and I noticed in a not-so-stalkerish-way that he also likes writing too….for Hollywood! Yes, that’s right. He only casually dropped into conversation that he’s a visionary screenwriter.  For crying out loud, that’s stuff small town girls like me dream about! I remember asking him how he got into it and he simply replied ‘by accident!’ As.If!  I wish those kind of accidents happened to me. The most I get is falling flat on my face after drinking too many glasses of wine!  

It’s no wonder he’s so popular. Despite telling me he thought my name sounded like a toothpaste brand, and finding it hilarious to dial 999 on my mobile, the guy is so laid back and understated it’s easy to see why everyone loves him. He’s obviously really passionate about the work he does and you only have to look at his photos on Facebook and Twitter to see why.  

If you don’t know him, you need to, and if you do already have the privilege, I can completely understand why he’s been dubbed the Nation’s favourite. He’s definitely one of a kind, and if I’m honest I do feel quite lucky to know him. Seriously, the guy is a legend, and he didn’t even pay me to say that!