I always make a resolution not to make any New Year resolutions. And somehow I always end up making some anyway. So, without further ado, my plans for 2010 are:
1. Losing weight (it's pretty much a staple on every girl's list, isn't it?)
This is not going to be very difficult: I exercise a lot, so I should get rid of the extra pounds pretty soon. I try to eat healthily and never overeat - the reason being that I simply don't feel good when I'm stuffed. The only problem is my chocolate addiction. But I'll control that, too. I've even cancelled my membership in Hotel Chocolat's tasting club. And as I'd go mental without any chocolate at all, I'll allow myself a piece every week. No more.
2. Having a busier social life.
During this long and boring Christmas period I realized that I don't know anyone I could meet for a drink or Sunday brunch. I think I've become what I hate: the "we" person. My partner's not the type of person who enjoys going out. But I am. Until now, I curbed my urge to have fun, but not anymore. Ladies and gents, here I come!
3. Stop buying cheap clothes.
Why? Because it's false economy. And false economy is so 2009!
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
On your bike!
I've never been a huge fan of London public transport. At peak times it's an absolute horror: the smelly armpits so close to your nose you feel like screaming, the people using your back as a table for their newspapers, the constant noise of conversations and the tinny sound of so called music, played by teenagers on their mobile phones. Now I dread it even more than I used to.
Why?
The reason is simple: last summer I started cycling to work.
I got used to the good things: the wind in my hair, the freedom to go as fast or as slow as I please, the fact that I don't rely on any external factors, like engineering works or signal failures, and the exhilaration when I arrive at my destination. There's plenty of reasons to cycle: losing weight or maintaining a healthy one, fitting some physical exercise into a hectic lifestyle, saving money and helping the planet. Sure, they're important to me, but the most vital one is that I really enjoy it.
And who says that if you cycle, you have to wear lycra and look like a weirdo? I'm not one of those girls in tight-fitting, shiny shorts. In the summer, I even cycle in dresses. In winter, I just wear my normal clothes, plus flat shoes. If I go out after work, I take a pair of heels with me. And that's about it. The only time when I take the public transport is when I really have to dress up. And I end up thinking I should have cycled anyway.
Why?
The reason is simple: last summer I started cycling to work.
I got used to the good things: the wind in my hair, the freedom to go as fast or as slow as I please, the fact that I don't rely on any external factors, like engineering works or signal failures, and the exhilaration when I arrive at my destination. There's plenty of reasons to cycle: losing weight or maintaining a healthy one, fitting some physical exercise into a hectic lifestyle, saving money and helping the planet. Sure, they're important to me, but the most vital one is that I really enjoy it.
And who says that if you cycle, you have to wear lycra and look like a weirdo? I'm not one of those girls in tight-fitting, shiny shorts. In the summer, I even cycle in dresses. In winter, I just wear my normal clothes, plus flat shoes. If I go out after work, I take a pair of heels with me. And that's about it. The only time when I take the public transport is when I really have to dress up. And I end up thinking I should have cycled anyway.
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Christmas again
Oh my, did I have a long break! It's been over a year. There were some major changes in my life, including moving in to a new flat, almost breaking up with my partner and then making up with him only to realize this relationship won't last anyways (details later) and getting a Russian Blue cat named Loki. And it's that time of year again.
No, not Christmas. The sales.
Now, I'm not a huge fan of Christmas. I'm atheist, so any religious mystery that's behind it remains a mystery to me, too. As for the family part, my family's not that far away, but plane ticket prices stop me from flying over to Poland and spending some time with them. And my future-ex-boyfriend decided to go to the US to visit his mother this year. I actually wouldn't have minded if someone had cancelled Christmas this year. But it did happen. And it's over.
Phew.
Every year I dread Christmas and what it brings (the cost, the overeating, the laziness and the dull TV shows), yet look forward to the Boxing Day sales. It's not for everyone, granted: the crowds, the noise, the fighting for the last Nicole Fahri coat. It's war and mayhem, but it gives me a huge adrenaline rush. It's a bit like Marmite: you either love it or you hate it. And I just adore it.
What I love most is the fact that I can justify going overboard. I tend to invest in classic pieces that never go out of fashion: trench coats, stilettos, perfectly cut jackets. Then I update my wardrobe with cheap seasonal bits and pieces. I reckon if you only shop twice a year, you might as well spend big.
There are things I hate about the sales, though. Like all those people who think bringing a screaming two-year-old to Selfridges on Boxing Day is a good idea. Or guys who sit on the chairs in the ladies' shoes fitting area, laden with bags and looking exhausted, while you hover around and look for somewhere to try on those Kurt Geiger platforms. Why on Earth do some women insist on taking their men shopping? It's a disaster for both parties: the guy gets bored and starts moaning, you get all jumpy and p***ed off because of that and neither of you's actually havving fun. What's the point?
So tomorrow, before my future-ex-boyfriend returns from the States, I'm planning a trip to Bluewater. Just to have some peace and quiet while I focus on getting a bargain. Or ten.
No, not Christmas. The sales.
Now, I'm not a huge fan of Christmas. I'm atheist, so any religious mystery that's behind it remains a mystery to me, too. As for the family part, my family's not that far away, but plane ticket prices stop me from flying over to Poland and spending some time with them. And my future-ex-boyfriend decided to go to the US to visit his mother this year. I actually wouldn't have minded if someone had cancelled Christmas this year. But it did happen. And it's over.
Phew.
Every year I dread Christmas and what it brings (the cost, the overeating, the laziness and the dull TV shows), yet look forward to the Boxing Day sales. It's not for everyone, granted: the crowds, the noise, the fighting for the last Nicole Fahri coat. It's war and mayhem, but it gives me a huge adrenaline rush. It's a bit like Marmite: you either love it or you hate it. And I just adore it.
What I love most is the fact that I can justify going overboard. I tend to invest in classic pieces that never go out of fashion: trench coats, stilettos, perfectly cut jackets. Then I update my wardrobe with cheap seasonal bits and pieces. I reckon if you only shop twice a year, you might as well spend big.
There are things I hate about the sales, though. Like all those people who think bringing a screaming two-year-old to Selfridges on Boxing Day is a good idea. Or guys who sit on the chairs in the ladies' shoes fitting area, laden with bags and looking exhausted, while you hover around and look for somewhere to try on those Kurt Geiger platforms. Why on Earth do some women insist on taking their men shopping? It's a disaster for both parties: the guy gets bored and starts moaning, you get all jumpy and p***ed off because of that and neither of you's actually havving fun. What's the point?
So tomorrow, before my future-ex-boyfriend returns from the States, I'm planning a trip to Bluewater. Just to have some peace and quiet while I focus on getting a bargain. Or ten.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
'Tis the season
In case the Santa hats and seasonal cookbooks in every shop, decorations and lights in your neighbourhood or the songs that are constantly being played on the radio were not enough for you to notice, Christmas is coming. And that means Christmas parties. Which, in turn, means dressing up.
Now I don't know about you, but for me dressng up was always fun. I used to spend hours on end planning what to wear, what make-up will go with it and what part of my personality I would be channeling this ear. Turns out 'fun' was exactly what some of my peers were making of me, seeing some of my sartorial disasters. I didn't know what I was doing wrong until quite recently. There was a big wedding party in my partner's family and I didn't know most of the people invited. Normally I would do my best to impress them and outshine all the ladies present. I wanted to do red-carpet glamour, long gown, dazzling jewellery and all, so I spent countless hours looking for the perfect dress and was furious, because none of the ones I tried on suited my plan. And then it dawned on me: I was simply trying too hard. So I ditched the plan, found a fabulous pale pink silk frock which was not only feminine and sexy, but also comfortable, added a bit of shimmer to my usual make-up pallette - and thoroughly enjoyed the night. What I loved most was being me instead of trying to look as someone else.
I've seen lots of fashion mistakes in the past. I've seen the usually prim and proper girls attempting to do rock chic glamour and ending up looking cheap and tacky. I've seen grunge girls donning classy gowns and pretending to be posh ladies, then spending the night in the corner of the room, sitting stiffly and not having much fun. I've seen serious women in girly, flirty prom dresses sneaking out of clubs and hoping none of their co-workers has actuall seen them.
The key is: be you. Whoever you are. Dress up, but don't dress as someone else.
Now I don't know about you, but for me dressng up was always fun. I used to spend hours on end planning what to wear, what make-up will go with it and what part of my personality I would be channeling this ear. Turns out 'fun' was exactly what some of my peers were making of me, seeing some of my sartorial disasters. I didn't know what I was doing wrong until quite recently. There was a big wedding party in my partner's family and I didn't know most of the people invited. Normally I would do my best to impress them and outshine all the ladies present. I wanted to do red-carpet glamour, long gown, dazzling jewellery and all, so I spent countless hours looking for the perfect dress and was furious, because none of the ones I tried on suited my plan. And then it dawned on me: I was simply trying too hard. So I ditched the plan, found a fabulous pale pink silk frock which was not only feminine and sexy, but also comfortable, added a bit of shimmer to my usual make-up pallette - and thoroughly enjoyed the night. What I loved most was being me instead of trying to look as someone else.
I've seen lots of fashion mistakes in the past. I've seen the usually prim and proper girls attempting to do rock chic glamour and ending up looking cheap and tacky. I've seen grunge girls donning classy gowns and pretending to be posh ladies, then spending the night in the corner of the room, sitting stiffly and not having much fun. I've seen serious women in girly, flirty prom dresses sneaking out of clubs and hoping none of their co-workers has actuall seen them.
The key is: be you. Whoever you are. Dress up, but don't dress as someone else.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Where courage lies
My partner has a penchant for finding good films and he's hardly ever wrong with his recommendations. Quite recently, he's found 'Four Feathers', a 2002 film starring Heath Ledger. It surprised him that I'd not seen it before, as it was apparently quite well known. Now I fully understand why.
The film is set in late XIX-th century and tells a story of a young man. He's got it all: a lovely fiancee, a general for a father, a bright future ahead of him. He's just about to finish his military service, get married and live with his new wife in peace - but suddenly all soldiers in Her Majesty's service are called to Sudan, where Britain is fighting against rebellious natives. Instead of following the call of duty, the hero makes a choice of quitting the military. That choice, as life shows, changes everything.
It's a beautifully told story: there's love, there's passion, there's sacrifice. And, above all, there's courage - it takes many forms, but eventually shows even in those who were thought to be cowards. Heath Ledger delivers an Oscar-worthy performance - he's emotional, authentic, real. A definite must-see.
The film is set in late XIX-th century and tells a story of a young man. He's got it all: a lovely fiancee, a general for a father, a bright future ahead of him. He's just about to finish his military service, get married and live with his new wife in peace - but suddenly all soldiers in Her Majesty's service are called to Sudan, where Britain is fighting against rebellious natives. Instead of following the call of duty, the hero makes a choice of quitting the military. That choice, as life shows, changes everything.
It's a beautifully told story: there's love, there's passion, there's sacrifice. And, above all, there's courage - it takes many forms, but eventually shows even in those who were thought to be cowards. Heath Ledger delivers an Oscar-worthy performance - he's emotional, authentic, real. A definite must-see.
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