brighton fashion week 09

I am pleased to announce that I am working the Brighton fashion show this week. Meaning I'm actually earning a few pounds. Check out the link below...

http://www.churchillsquare.com/index.php/brighton-fashion-week.html

In addition to drooling over all of the chic outfits I can't afford at the moment my duties involve looking after one of the female models. Making sure all of her outfits are organised, helping her rapidly change outfits during each show and hanging the clothes back in order.

It reminds me of dance recitals really. Fairly easy work but unfortunately not paid very well.

I laugh to myself everyday thinking about "mall models", oh we were sooo envious of them in middle school..... not. These girls are sweet and pretty though I have to give them that.

How did I get myself into this low paying glamorous job?

I went in to a recruitment agency on Wednesday looking for permanent work or temporary well paying jobs to tide me over until I find a real job. I then went out for drinks and dancing that night with Sarah thinking I had nothing on the next day. Thursday morning I received a call at 9:30 from the agency. Apparently on of the girls scheduled to work the show didn't turn up and they needed a replacement that very second. All I wanted to do was have a lie in then spend the day in comfy clothes working on job applications from my bed or sofa. But it was the first chance I've had to earn money so I had to take it. I jumped out of bed, quickly applied makeup, through on clothes trying to look presentable, scrubbed off the unprofessional stamps that were on my wrist from the club the night before and rushed into town. Thursday, Friday and even all day on Saturday I am spending in the mall making just over minimum wage. However, it does have its positive side... I feel a bit like Lauren and Whitney from the Hills, which makes me feel glam.

Love

"fall behind"

I don't think the little saying, "spring forward, fall behind," which helps people remember which way to move the clocks for daylight savings is transferable to England. Here the seasons are Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Fall is what happens when hypothetically speaking I'm distracted by an incredibly gorgeous man and continue walking whilst staring which causes me to trip over something silly like a crack in the pavement and within seconds find myself up close and personal to the cement. Whatever you want to call it that time of year is here once again along with the need to reset clocks forward one hour.

Benefit: My favourite day of the year! Getting that extra hour of sleep makes me wake up feeling rested and happy just because it was there.

Negatives: It's half seven right now and yesterday the sun would just be setting. Today its been dark for ages and I feel its almost bedtime.

Although, I think my new library card will easily turn this negative into a positive as it means I can read an endless amount of books as I snuggle up on the sofa with a cup of herbal tea.

I am beginning to truly appreciate Autumn. The beautiful changing colors, the spiced warm hearty food, the comfort of sweaters/jumpers, scarfs and gloves. And... it means Christmas is getting near! (but we wont mention that until after Thanksgiving although adverts and displays are everywhere already)

love

x factor

http://xfactor.itv.com/2009/ ....... the reason for half of England staying home on Saturday nights from eight to ten.

Seriously, last week witnessed the largest audience in X Factor history, 12.7 million out of 14.3 million people were tuned in. I think it is majorly impacting the success of pubs and nightclubs.

For those of you in America who have no idea what I am talking about X Factor is the UK version of American Idol. Both shows are thanks to Simon Cowell and search for the next number one pop star. Cowell is one of the four judges and provider of the record deal awarded to the winner. The other three judges include:
*Louie Walsh - grandpa-like irsh man and music manager
*Dani Minogue - sister of incredible Kylie Minogue who had a few hits of her own
*Ceryl Cole - beautiful and amazing Ceryl Cole is married to footballer Ashley Cole and a member of Girls Aloud who has just released her solo album.... check out her first single,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr31Vhu01fc, love it, love her!!!!

The judges narrowed thousands down to tweleve, and now they just provide support, mentoring and feedback as it is the general public who decides the fate of these talent individuals.

I am one of the addicted here. If it wasn't for being able to record tv I wouldn't even think of going out on a Saturday, but then again saying that I haven't missed it on a Saturday night yet. My favourite this year is Lucy Jones. I tend to always favour the girl who I think I would most likely be friends with, last year it was Dianna Vickars (still love her, I've even been to her website.... multiple times). I think this is because it is the contestant I can relate to in a way.

Although, if I'm honest about who is most likely to win it would have to be Danyl. He is obviously a league above the others. It is apparent the judges know this as well due to the overly harsh and out of line comments they gave him first round of the live show, Dani even called him out on stage and live tv for being bi-sexual, has to be bad for his teaching career. Oh well, apologies made the show goes on.

Who will be voted off this week?? Tough call, but I doubt John and Edward will manage to stay around much longer, although they are excellent for comedic value. We shall see.

love

the local

Its an integral part of English culture, the local pub... aka "the local." My local pub is The Three Graces.

http://www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk/venue.html?venueid=2860

This chilled out pub is a great place to relax any day, granted I've only been there three or four times to date. One of the best things about this pub is the happy hour specials that occur everyday from noon until six. As I have yet to find a job, it pleases me to get any good deal I could find. At this pub it is a deliciously fruity glass of rose for 3.25GBP. Not to bad.

There is a giant portrait of John Belushi, candles dripping with wax and the classic fruity. "What is a fruity?" I am sure you are asking. It is a gambling machine of sorts: A lot of flashing lights and buttons to push. I really don't understand them. The bottom part is like a slot machine where the fruits have to match, and if they do you move to the upper part of the machine where there are other games and bonuses that give you more money. Don't ask me any more about them because I have no clue. I much prefer an It Box, which this pub sadly does not have. An It Box is another gambling machine:but one with various games such as Deal or No Deal and Monopoly that ask you trivia questions. You put one pound in to play, usually I don't get them back. Not because I am dim, but because a lot of the trivia involves parts of British culture I did not grow up with. Playing these you really get a feel of the social aspect of pub culture as often a stranger standing nearby will chime in and offer the answer.

I enjoy the pub culture, it is something not found anywhere else in the world. What I enjoy is you can meet a friend for a drink in an environment you can actually have a chat. The music is usually not blaring and there are not TV's on every wall distracting you with sport.

So when you visit England, make sure to spend an afternoon or two in a pub.

love

life of an unemployed

9:00 wake up

9:15 bowl of muesli with rice milk and a warm mug of gaurana coffee alternative

10:00 hot yoga class or run along the seafront

12:00 shower

12:30 salad

1:00 dry hair and straighten hair, apply a little makeup and put on a proper outfit so I feel like I have actually gotten ready for something in the day

1:30 clean the kitchen and tidy the room

2:30 start more job applications

4:00 very bored so make a cup of tea, head starting to feel fuzzy

4:30 more applications

7:00 supper

7:30 TV for the evening

11:00 good night

Really, that is about how every day goes. Until the weekend at least, then its all fun and games. I definitely am ready for a job, I am not cut out to be a cleaning lady. Although, I will have to find a new yoga routine.

Don't get me wrong..... I do enjoy the easy life, but I think I am ready to start earning some dosh.

love

contemplations on scrabbles

I have successfully kept my pet hamster, scrabbles, alive for about four months now (granted two of those Tom's mum was looking after her, never mind). What an accomplishment!

I was playing with her this evening, and realized, I really don't understand hamsters. They run and run and run constantly. From one hand to the other to the other. You let her free for a second, she rapidly scrabbles away, catch her, move her to starting point and there she goes again, Repeatedly. Where is trying to go? What is she looking for? She can't possibly just be scavenging for food can she? Are hamsters just A.D.D. and incapable of sitting still? At times I really do wish she would just sit in my hand cuddling as I watch telly, should have got a cat.

Really though, do they possess any ability for cognitive thought? Every now and then she will pause, look up for a second, then carry on. It is obvious she was thinking something, but what? And they can hear, but what do their thoughts sound like? squeaks?

Can they really stay entertained running around and around a cage all day? I think she truly is. She knows where her food is, so when hungry she must think, "my tummy is rumbling let me go look in my food bowl (fridge) and see if anything is there" (just like a human). But what else could a hamster think about... maybe, "man my legs that seem to small to support my body are tired I can't wait for the sun to come up so I can go burrow in my home and rest."

Humm, would it be worth it to spend a day as a hamster????

love

brighton beach

Internet is finally here! Now, rather than a journey to the pub I can stay warm and cozy in my own home... own bed, and connect to the entire world.

When I feel like going outdoors I am fortunate to have Brighton Beach a mere 5 minute walk away.
A perfect place for bbq's, reading, sharing a few drinks, relaxing with friends or for those who can brave the slightly chilly water, going for a swim. The beach is covered in pebbles; however, I actually managed to find a bit of real sand on this area which is a straight walk from where I live. Another benefit of this area is that it's away from the hordes of mainly Londoners who come down on sunny days. In the distance is Brighton Pier full of arcades games and rides, with many beach bars, artists selling funky jewelry, the burnt down pier, restaurants, clubs and sand volleyball courts on the way. It's wonderful.

Prime property in this area are the beach huts.
Going for 18,000 GBP if you can get your hands on one, some people would prefer purchasing a quality car. They are prefect storage for regulars. Families hosting picnics, kids pulling out their beach toys, couples relaxing in beach chairs are common sites when walking past these colorful sheds.

A day at the beach is excellent for people watching, and always entertaining.

love