Everyman Cinema Chelmsford

Having not visited the cinema for just over a year, I have now visited the new Everyman in Chelmsford twice within one week and already can't wait to go back again.  I just can't get enough of it.

I really like the art deco style that they have gone with, it's not usually my style at all but it works so well.  It almost feels like you're stepping into Hollywood.

The whole atmosphere is so different to the Odeon and although the ticket prices are more expensive the experience is so worth the extra money.

The seats are mega comfy and spacious.  They serve drinks in glasses and alcoholic ones at that.  Food is served on a wooden platter and is brought to you at your seat.  The theatres are much smaller too, so you avoid all the usual noise you get from being in the cinema, plus no rustling packets either.  Basically they have managed to eliminate all the annoying things you usually experience when going to the cinema.  Great work Everyman.

I'll be back! (sorry I just couldn't resist)

~ Gem x  

London Sky Garden

I have wanted to visit the London Sky Gardens for ages, so was rather excited when I eventually managed to get tickets for myself and a friend to visit this past weekend.

On arriving at 20 Fenchurch Street we stepped in the lift and travelled the 37 floors right to the 38th floor at the top of the building.  Walking out into the open space we were greeted with the stunning view of London amongst a garden full of greenery and shrubs. 

The views were fantastic and most likely would have been better had the weather been clearer.  The fact that it's a free experience too is brilliant. 

I'm not entirely sure exactly what I expected, but I did leave feeling somewhat underwhelmed and disappointed.  I found it hard to understand what all the hype has been about.  The views are the same as those from The Shard (except for being able to see the Shard of course) and the gardens were lacking in anything inspiring, which I appreciate could be something to do with the time of year.  But on the whole I'm sad to say I wasn't all that impressed.

The concept of the idea really is great, I mean who would have thought of having a garden all that way up inside a building in the middle of London, it is a brilliant idea.  And as I mentioned the fact that it is free is great.  But I do think it could do with a lot more colour.  Maybe I'll visit again during the summer and hope then to be a bit more inspired.  At least for now it is something else I can cross off my list of 30 before 30.

Have you visited before?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

~ Gem x

Currently

Currently Feeling:

I have to say I'm currently feeling pretty good about life.  I'm loving the feeling of a new year and a fresh start and I'm determined to make it a good one.  I feel a sense of calm around me even though there is still so much going on, somehow I've managed to take the approach of letting it all wash over me and it feels good.

Currently Watching:

The Harry Potter films.  So far I've only got as far as the first 2 films but am hoping to have watched them all by the end of the month.

I've also found a re-born love of Big Brother.  Having not watched any of it for the past 4 years I just happened to catch the start of the latest celebrity series and am shamefully saying that I'm enjoying it.

Currently Reading:

Back in September I started reading Cecelia Ahern's Time of My Life, then I put it down as I just couldn't find it in me to sit and read.  I'm currently on page 117, so yeah that's going well.  But I have picked it up again and hope to have it finished soon.  I really want to allow myself more time for reading this year, but I shan't be putting any pressure on myself.  I intend to just go with the flow this year and do a bit of what I fancy, as and when.

Currently Planning:

Lots of get together's with friends.  I really want to make as much time for my friends this year as possible.  Not having one big group of friends does make this tricky as it means having to arrange lots of separate meet ups but I have started the ball rolling and am looking forward to some fun and exciting adventures ahead. 

I've also been debating whether or not to arrange a party for my impending 30th birthday later this year.  I do love planning things but am not sure how comfortable I feel knowing the focus will be on me.  Maybe I should just throw caution to the wind and go for it, besides it isn't every day you turn 30 is it!  I'll keep you posted on this one.

Currently Wearing:

Bit of an unusual topic for me to talk about as I've never really been a huge fan of fashion but I have been taking full advantage of the latest sales and after quite a bit of weight loss at the end of last year (size 14 to a size 8, thank you divorce, I'll take that),  I have been enjoying updating my wardrobe.  My current favourites are my new converse, ripped boyfriend  jeans and a cute black jumper embroidered with flowers.

So currently things are good in my world.  What's going on in yours?

~ Gem x 

Weekend Vibes

I don't know about you but I always find the weekends go way too quickly.  If you're not careful it is easy to blink and you'll miss it.  That said I try and make the most of them. 

This weekend, although not going as planned, was a good one.

Saturday was saying goodbye to Christmas.  For the first time in forever I was so ready for it.

The day ended with dinner at Bill's.  I've heard a lot about it via Instagram but was yet to try it for myself.  I enjoyed it, but forgive me for saying it, personally I don't see what all the fuss is about.

I was however pretty fond of their pink lemonade.  I was excited to try their chocolate martini too but currently being on antibiotics I'll have to save that till another visit.

The mini cinnamon doughnuts with strawberries and chocolate sauce were pretty good too.

Sunday started slowly as Sunday's always should.  Then I was out on the road for a Sunday drive.

First stop was Papermill Lock.  I've never visited in the winter before and although not as pretty, it seems to be the time to visit as it was very quiet.

Then it was back in the car and onto the country roads to see where would be next to explore.

Turns out that the next stop was to be Maldon.  Again it was relatively quiet and so it made for a lovely walk along the promenade in the sunshine. 

After blowing away the cobwebs it was back home for dinner, and then settling down to watch the first of the Harry Potter films (although I have seen this one already I wanted to freshen my memory before starting on the next ones).  I'm really looking forward to checking out the rest of them.

I always feel so much better after having a productive weekend and I'm certain I'm not alone in that.  What did you get up to, I'd love to hear about it?

~ Gem x

Roseberry Topping

I'm determined not to loose my connection with the countryside.  I'm not going to lie, I miss waking up everyday looking out over open fields, but if anything it makes me appreciate it that little bit more when I get opportunities to explore it once again. 

This past week was no exception when I headed up north and took the time to walk up Roseberry Topping. 

I'd heard a lot about it and was keen to check it out for myself but wasn't entirely sure what to expect.  Perhaps this was the best way to go at it. 

From the bottom it appeared to be a steep walk up a rather large hill.  Halfway up my opinion was much the same, but it felt good to be in the fresh air and getting that heart pumping.  From the top, wow, I was blown away.  The view was stunning.

After a short rest we made our way back down the other side and headed out into the moors.

It truly was breathtakingly beautiful and I felt amazing being at one with the countryside once more. 

I'm hoping it won't be much longer till I'm reunited with the country life once again.

~ Gem x

2016 A Year In Review

It's been somewhat of a crazy year.  If anyone had of told me in January what I would be experiencing I honestly would have laughed in their face, told them they were ridiculous and would never have believed them.  It wasn't all bad though and looking back over each month I can appreciate the year so much more.  It is definitely a year that has seen me grow, made me a far stronger person and shaped me into who I am today.

January

January saw me learning how to crochet, attending a bloggers event at Lush in Chelmsford to check out their new Valentines range, discovering the delicious rose and pistachio mocha at Starbucks, trying my hand at pottery and lots of cosy nights indoors.

February

February consisted of a lovely spa day with the bestie to celebrate her 30th birthday at Clarice House in Ipswich, a bloggers event at Chelmsford's Lee Stafford hair academy, and lots more crochet during cosy nights in. 

March

March brought me a break away to Center Parcs in Longleat, beautiful sunsets, a day out at the Country Living Spring Fair London, meeting Cecelia Ahern at her Flawless book launch event, checking out the Easter Barn at Norpar Barns, a short stay in the shepherds hut at Freshwinds campsite to help out with lambing season and Percy the Peacock who decided to come and live with us at the bungalow.

April

April included a visit to the Hobbycrafts craft show at Excel, me taking part in World Book Night for the second year running, a couple of country walks, and afternoon tea at Mulberry House with family.

May

During May there were long walks, a visit to admire the sea of bluebells at Hanningfield Reservoir, beautiful sunny days, a trip to Blanes in Spain which included a day trip to Girona, a day at the Essex Young Farmers show and a day out with my Nan to Osterley Park. 

June

In June I received my first ever piece of fan mail in the post, made trips to the garden centre, woke up to find a very flooded garden, finished my Peter Rabbit bookmark and had a short trip to Grimsby for a family friends funeral and stayed in the most beautiful hotel.  

July

July was a tough one seeing the end of my marriage with James which understandably hit me pretty hard, but I received incredible support from amazing friends and family with copious cups of tea and endless hours talking, enjoyed a family wedding, a preview evening at the new Homesense store in Chelmsford, a spa day with my sister in law at Down Hall and a day with the bestie at Hitchin lavender farm. 

August

August involved getting some new ink after 11 years, dying my hair pink (which didn't work as well as I'd hoped) and revelling at V Festival with Michelle from Michelle Louise Love Blog.

September

September was a busy one trying a Pumpkin spiced latte for the first time and falling in love (many more followed after that one), trying out a writers group, attending the official opening of the Jane Means pop up stationary shop at Clifton Nurseries, going to watch Dirty Dancing at the Hylands House outdoor cinema, followed by Harry Potter the next night in Maldon, a craft day with Michelle, another new tattoo, a sneak peak of the brand new John Lewis store in Chelmsford and a night out with colleagues for dinner and drinks.

October

October was made up of walks in the forest, a trip to the pumpkin patch, meeting Giovanna Fletcher at the Fabulous Night In book event, going to a drive in cinema to see the new Bridgit Jones movie with a good friend, a day out in Greenwich, pumpkin decorating with Laura from Life By Laura Blog, a weekend up north visiting wonderful Whitby, A blogger event at Lush Romford to check out their new seasonal range and working with Laura Ashley on a Christmas themed post and having to decorate for Christmas.

November

November was the month of Christmas adventures with my sister in law to the Christmas Hobbycrafts show at Excel, experiencing Christmas at Kew spending quality time with my Mum, attending the Vuelio Blog Awards with Michelle and Laura, starting a new job and settling into a new home.

December

December was spent saying goodbye to my little bungalow and my chickens, ice skating at Somerset House, gingerbread house decorating with Michelle and Liv, spending Christmas with my family at Center Parcs in Woburn and generally enjoying the festive season.

As I'm sure you will agree a year filled with ups and downs.  But as I said earlier, it's definitely been a year that has made me a far stronger person and allowed me to grow as an individual and I intend to continue to do so.  Making sure to live for the moment and make the most of every opportunity because it really is true, you never know what is round the corner. 

Thank you to all of my readers for your continuous support.  I hope you all have a fantastic New Year.

~ Gem x

January 2017 Bucket List

Happy New Year to you all.  2017.  Wow, how did that happen?

I would really like 2017 to be a year of experiences and making memories.  It is something I started working on towards the end of 2016 after the ups and downs I'd been through and it really helped to lift my spirits and my mood.  So from now on I'm wanting to make the most of everything and really live for the moment.  

I still have my list of 30 before 30 to complete by July so that should keep me busy for at least half of the year, but I'm thinking it may still be a nice idea to start off each month with a monthly bucket list too.  These lists in themselves have become some what of a tradition In many ways.  So starting it off for 2017 I would like to:

*Read more blogs.

I seem to have mastered my own blog writing, however it has meant that my reading of other peoples blogs has slipped by the way side.  So I'd like to make some more time for that this month.

*Try to finish off a craft project or at least spend more time crafting

I've started quite a few different projects recently, but haven't committed all that much time to working on them.  So now Christmas is out of the way and the evenings are still dark and cold, I'm hoping it will be the perfect time to sit and craft.

*Make plans to meet up with friends.
We are all guilty of threatening to make a date to meet up with friends but I have been doing it way too much recently, so this month I want to make the effort to start getting some dates in the diary.

*Head to the coast to see some grey seals.
I've admired peoples images on Instagram for some time now and after doing a little bit of research the grey seals should still be around after giving birth to their pups.  A drive out to Norfolk isn't all that far from home so fingers crossed this is something I'll be able to do this month.

 * Put together a media pack for my blog.
This is a job I have been meaning to do for ages and I keep putting it off, hopefully I can change that during January.

All in all there are not too many things on the list this month, but they are all achievable (I hope).

Have you set yourself a list of goals this month or year?

~  Gem x