SHOPAHOLIC SERIES

I started this book series when I was a teenager (about 15).

When I read the first book, I could relate so much because I loved to shop and buy things that I didn't  really need.  The author Sophie Kinsella, portrayed Rebecca perfectly, with just enough humour, wit and arrogance that made her memorable enough for me fall in love with and at the same time be annoyed with her.  Especially when she gets herself into sticky situations because she has brought something, told lies, or was too self centred.  Reading though the books to see what she would get up to was exciting because something different happened in every story and the ways she thought she could get out of them were funny and exasperating.

In the  first book it was an introduction  to her lifestyle and what she had to deal with.. especially  romantically!
In the second book, she moves abroad to start her career working on a TV show and get things in order. New York is one of the major places to shop which was not a good sign for Rebecca,  trouble before it even starts is written all over it. With endless letters to her bank manager and other clientele will it work out for her?
The third book  Rebecca gets married! She has finally found the one.. and obviously  with a wedding comes spending! Will Rebeccas dreams come  true... or  will they end up in nightmares? Such  an interesting read I loved to find out what she did!
The fourth  book she is back  from her honeymoon  and finds out  she has a long lost half sister she never  new about. Rebecca  thinks of shopping  trips and makeovers but hopes dashed as her  sister is the complete opposite- eco friendly  and money saving. So they do encounter trouble on the way!
The fifth book she is a mother to be! Yes that is right  Rebecca  Brandon is having a baby... and that means baby clothes, equipment, decorating and presents! Is pregnant life all Rebecca  thought it would be? All that spending  must tire her out!
The  sixth book is all about her as a mother and how she brings up her child! The shopping need has rubbed off onto  Minnie their daughter  and she causes mischief  from buying things she shouldn't  to throwing a wobble.. but that is normal  right?
The seventh book sees them move across the globe to Hollywood for Luke's job but Rebecca  has  lost the plot  for a while  and is snapped up in the high life of being a personal  stylist/shopper she loses context of what really matters  when her Dad and best friend  Suzes' husband  go missing together on a secret mission.
Which leads to the eighth and last book for now where  Rebecca  is now focused  on trying to find out why her dad and besties hubby  are on the run! What happened in his past and how  will everyone come forward...? You will have to read to find out.

Overall I loved the books and always will go and read if u have time!

FRIENDSHIP

Friendship.

Such a broad subject.

Definition of friends:
1. A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically  one exclusive of sexual or family relations.

Definition  of friendship:
1. The state of being a friend; association as  friends
To value a person's friendship.

I think  friendship  is such a precious aspect of everyone's life to experience. It is important to have someone to talk to and occasionally  go out and have fun with!

However people  can find it hard to make friends, keep friendships and let friendships  go.

I found it hard to make friends when I was younger  because  I was such an introvert, didn't  like doing what the other children  "normally" did. I would prefer to stay at home and read a book then go to  the cinema.  I did have a few friends which  I saw out of schools but I realised a few  years  later they weren't  true "friends". From then on I made friends more wisely  and easier.

During uni I made friends so much easier I got on with everyone and talked to everyone. I don't know if I was trying to make up for lost years or trying to hard because I wanted to keep them but whatever the reason I enjoyed my uni life. Still staying friends with my old ones  making sure  I met them etc.

Now obviously  not  all friendship  last for various reasons. Majority probably because people fade apart at different  times of their life and they end for no one's fault, it just happens.
Other times it can happen because  of a massive argument between both sides which no one can fix or forgive.
Some  are one sided  which  leaves the other  person confused as to why it happened.

The reason  I have been  thinking about this is because  I have realised when friendships end  (and not on my part as in no major arguments etc) I can't  let go of it. No matter how much I try to ignore it all I feel  I have to try.  I think it is because I want closure, I would prefer someone  say to me  sorry don't want to be your  friend  rather than me text  and try and meet up with no reaction. Hopefully  as I grow this  fades  away and I can deal  with the end of friendships but I am such  a "hate change" person who knows.

Do you have any stories of friendships you want to share?

Afternoon tea like a queen

Being British I do love a tea.. not that I am being stereotypical  saying  Brits only like teas I am not.. but I know many that do.

Afternoon tea is a posh occasion to dress up in your best attire and basically have a cup of tea..... not any old tea though, so many  different  flavour tea some you would never have hears off!  It also comes with little sandwiches, scones and a few small desserts. 

Over the past few years I have been too 5 afternoon teas  (mostly last year). Each for different  occasions, pre wedding, birthday, Christmas  and casual. Each special, different and yummy.  

I thought I would do reviews of each of my experiences.

WEST LODGE HOTEL

My sister and I  went to this hotel  in North London for a pre wedding get together just for the girls. It was in a very  big room  with loads of tables set up and decorated  in white with  ribbons and balloons put up everywhere.
The tea itself was just normal tea (Earl grey I think), the sandwiches  were shaped as a finger and they were really yummy and kept getting  refilled when they were eaten. There were scones, macaroons and other little cakes to eat. Overall it was nice for a big group party.


MILLENNIUM  HOTEL KNIGHTSBRIDGE

January 2016, I took Alex here  for afternoon tea  as part of his Christmas  present. This was a very posh hotel, and we were seated in this lovely  room all done up! We each had  a glass of bubbly each; there was a wide range of tea selection with different  fruit infusions  but I just went for a normal English tea as I am not one for fruity teas.  The sandwiches were very delicate, with salmon, chicken, egg and cucumber; they were yummy and just enough.  The scones, jam and clotted cream were delicious!  They are quite filling though because of how they are made. I did eat both though... greedy me!  For the little desserts, there were a carrot cake, a chocolate cake and a fruit cake.  I couldn't have the carrot cake as I am allergic but had everything else.

VALERIE PATISSERIE

My mum and I went here mid last year for a treat together as we always talked about having one but then it never happened!!  I was interested to see what it would entail as  I have had it in a hotel. We were seated straight  away and ordered our tea. When the tray  of goodies  came out there looked really  yummy! We had the normal kinds of sandwiches  and scones  but  when it came to the little dessert treats there were a different  range which  were yummy! I don't know if I would  go again as  I could go there and get a normal dessert!

SOMEWHERE IN EUSTON

I can't remember the name of this hotel/ restaurant that Milly took me too for my birthday in July.  She took me too this very chic place where we sat upstairs, the decor was minimal which suited the white interior perfectly.  Again there were a lot of different teas to choose from and I had a breakfast tea because I don't like changing aha.  I can't remember what Milly had!  The sandwiches that came with it was very cute and tasty just enough to fill us up! The scones were so yummy and crumbly with strawberry jam and clotted cream, just the way I like it! The desserts were different because of my nut allergy so I had one specially made for me which was a really nice chocolate mousse.  I appreciated that they did this as they had late notice.  The other desserts were just as good and we spent a good while chatting, eating and enjoying ourselves on such a lovely sunny day.

MILLENNIUM HOTEL MAYFAIR

I took Milly here for Christmas not realising it was a different branch to the one I had been at previously.  I was intrigued to see what laid ahead in the hotel and I must say I was amazed.  It was better than the one in Knightsbridge in the sense it was far more posh and fancy.  From stepping into the hotel, there was an air or efficiency and helpfulness.  The area where the afternoon tea is held was breathtaking, all the cutlery and plates were matching, the decor was lovely and it had such a good atmosphere.  There were so many teas too choose from which I knew Milly would love as she loves her teas and trying different ones.  In the end, she chose white rose and fig tea and I had my normal English breakfast tea!  When they came, it also came with a tea timer where you had to wait for the specific timer for your tea to end before pouring into your cup!  As I am allergic to nuts, I had informed them beforehand, when the selection of sandwiches, scones and desserts came, they were on two different stands and I was explained what was there and which ones were different.  This was my first experience where they had remembered my allergy and that they had gone to great lengths to make sure I was safe.  The sandwiches were so nice, I did have two cucumber sandwiches as the chicken one had nuts, I wish they had asked me before what I would have preferred as I love salmon and cream cheese one! The scones were delish as usual but could only have cream cheese as they had a mixed berry jam which included cherries and I have a slight allergy to that and the other option was something I didn't know but was like a mango.  The desserts were all nice, apart from the creme brulee it didn't really hit the spot I think especially as I was so full by then.