Christmas at Home

Here we are again. I have just arrived in Frankfurt airport and am now on my way back to my place in the wilderness. Kidding.

It is very late and I am running on about 5 hours of sleep. Last minute packing – not again. But I made it. Getting up, going to work, working, getting to the airport, flying, leaving the airport.

And even tho I am pretty knackered I could not help but notice that Frankfurt is getting more charming with every return. Staff at the airport is so nice, their smile could freeze hell. And the helpful guy who charged my 6 quid for two bottles of iced tea. And changing trains in Germany is a bitch.

But it’s all good and it’s all worth it. Because I can be home for Christmas! I will have food and pressies and cocktails and more food. Food until I pass out! And we will put up a huge tree and lots of Christmas light. I am gonna Christmas the shit out of this one, people!

Have you got all your lights and trees and presents out already, guys? Or are you really late to the party?

I was a bit down last year because I could not be with my family for Christmas due to work. It wasn’t too bad, I had a very nice English Christmas (including the veggies from hell – Brussel sprouts!) with a bunch of lovely people. But it’s just not the same….

So I am even more excited this year. Christmas is, as you might know by now, my favourite time of the year and I love our traditional meal (which is not very traditional) and being with the family and my ladies. Plus, this year we will have two little gems at our table and Mama K and the Princess are back as well.

Oh, I have to get off the train… I hope you’ll all have a wonderful, magical Christmas. Let’s hope Santa brings you a load full of awesomeness!

Oh So Fabulous!

Carrie Hope Fletcher, who’s currently starring as Eponine in Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre in London, uploaded a pretty amazing video about being healthy and happy. Please take a few minutes to watch it.

Well, I am not as confident as Carrie, so no measuring. But I do love the message of this video.

Love yourself! Be okay with the way you look! You ARE beautiful! Yes, you can wear that!

Believe me when I say that I do know what it feels like to not be comfortable in your own skin. It’s a pretty shitty feeling. And there are still days were I feel bloated and fat and like dressing in a bed sheet so no one will see my wobbly bits. But that’s okay. Because the next day - or even the day after that - I will feel fabulous in my new dress or favourite top.

And please, please, don’t let ANYONE make you feel crap because of what they think of your weigh, height, size, colour, hair… This is you. You are the only person who has to like it.

There will always be someone who won’t like your outfit or your hair colour but the good news is that it doesn’t matter. You are not here to please everyone.

If you want to lose a few pounds, fine, why not. As long as you do it the healthy way and don’t harm yourself or others. If you want to put on some weight, hells yeah! Whatever makes you feel most comfortable and happy – do it!

Sometimes, when I’m extra happy I put on one of my favourite “feelin’ sexy” tunes and have a little dance. Here are a few. Listen and let go, babes:

Jessie J – Sexy Lady

Alicia Keys – Girl On Fire 

McFLY – Party Girl 

Ellie Goulding – Burn 

Scouting for Girls – She’s So Lovely 

Shirley Bassey – Big Spender 

ABBA – Dancing Queen

I hope that Carrie’s video and this post have made your day a little bit brighter. You look fabulous, you ARE fabulous!

The Boat Party

A few days ago my company threw a boat party! Wicked, innit!

Right after work I changed shoes and we boarded the boat that would take us for a few rounds on the Thames. First thing I realised: new high heels on a boat are really not a good idea…

We started our night of wobbliness with a cool glass of white and turned the cabin into a dance floor. I work for an amazing company and being a fun person is actually in the job description so every time we have a work-related event it’s not just all business but a good old laugh as well.

I’ve done little boat trips but I’ve not been on the Thames before so it was wonderful to see beautiful London pass by while the sun was slowly setting. And of course there had to be food! We had a huge buffet and a BBQ and – CHOCOLATE CAKE! Delicious!

I was wearing new super amazing heels and I was so exciting about their first outing but after about 1,5 hours I had to give in and swop my heels for flats, because let’s face it ladies, dancing is so much more fun in flats! And it’s no real party without a little karaoke! Doesn’t have to sound great, just give it all you’ve got.

We had about 4 hours on the boat and once the sun was down and the lights of London came out to play the view was incredible. I am a sucker for big city lights and passing all those bridges and buildings was another reminder of why love this place so much! Fabulous!

Honestly, I had a ball and if you come to London and it isn’t raining, and you want to spend a few hours partying while enjoying the city’s lights go grab some mates, get on a boat and turn up the beat!

Hamburg's city lights

I spent my last day in Germany with all my favourite people. I saw my girl Marlain and the Bestie and ended the night on the sofa watching a movie with the Mumsy.

The last night is always the hardest because I am torn between going out and staying in. Times like that I do wish I could be in more than one place at the same time.

But let me tell you about Marlain’s and my trip to Hamburg….

We left early Monday morning, ready to explore the North. And against all odds, we did make it in less than 10 hours and in one piece; quite alive too. Our to-do list was quite long and we managed to do…nothing. No, not true.

We walked along the river, which I was very much looking forward to and we even had our own private city guide who, I am sure, has missed walking along the water with me. Unfortunately, I was raining cats and dogs so it was not as great as it could have been. I, living in London, was not much bothered by the wet weather but my girl was very much against spending the night catching a cold so we got hot chocolate and Marlain even lost her falafel virginity.

One thing you can’t miss out on in Hamburg is the Reeperbahn, which is lined with sex shops, brothels and the like. I think it might look a bit creepier during the day than at night but interesting nonetheless. We did not enter one of those buildings, sorry to disappoint on the naughty news front here.

And because we were on holiday we decided to treat ourselves to a few happy hour 4 pm cocktails. Yum! Oh and food, lots and lots of delicious food!

I have to admit, I pictured Hamburg a little differently. Not really more beautiful but maybe more…exciting? When we planned this trip we talked about bars and clubs filled with young, hot, well-dressed people partying the night away, downing shots and popping champagne bottles.

Didn't see any of that. I’m not saying that doesn't happen, we might have just ended up exploring the wrong nightlife part of the city.

But to be fair, tropical cocktails and a good old laugh with my girl is more fun than any club could ever be!

So we left Hamburg with a slight hangover, drenched clothes and – as always – loads of wonderful memories.

Was Hamburg worth the trip? Definitely! The food is incredible up there! Just make sure it won’t rain when you want to go…

I do miss my old room, and my loved ones and sometimes even the quite, but for the first time since I came to London I felt like I could leave Germany without freaking out about it. I usually worry myself sick about everything that might happen while I’m gone but this time I felt like… it’s gonna be okay.

And now that the sun has decided to finally show its face in London, I am (almost) ready for another wonderful summer in the city!