I'm (Still) Dreaming of a White Christmas.

Yes, I know it is already closer to February than it is to last Christmas but stick with me please.

White Christmas has been showing in Leeds since 25th November last year and has been so popular the run has been extended to the 24th January, if you are lucky there might still be some tickets available. If there are I urge you to see it.

I actually booked my tickets before Christmas but I was so busy in the run up that I simply couldn't fit it in before the big day. Not without giving myself a nervous breakdown at any rate. So I decided to stretch out the festive spirit by going to see it just after starting back at work on the 6th January.

I apologise for the late arrival of this review but one thing or another got in the way and capote me already writing something, clearly my iPad didn't think it was worth saving so here we go again. I am hitting save a lot this time!

 

I already knew a few people who had seen the show during this run and they all prised it very highly so I went in pretty confident that I was going to see a good production. One colleague went so far as to say it was a Broadway Standard production. I have never been to Broadway, but I have been to the West Emd it was definitely, beyond doubt on par with some shows I have seen there.

I hope you will not be disappointed with me when I say this was my first experience of White Christmas. I have not seen the film. I physically had to chatter over the woman sitting next to me to my theatre companion as she started to explain the plot to hers.

"Surely you've seen the film" she says.

"Nope" is the response.

"Well what happens is..."

"Lalalalalala I don't want to hear what you're saying!" Is my reaction.

 

I am not going to tell you about the plot. Not in detail anyway because I would always rather come at something without knowing what the story is. Even though I love rereading a book or indulging in reattaching a box set, it is so much more exciting to discover something new, and to go on the journey with the characters rather than know the path they will follow.

I will say that it contains: success stories, failures, schemes, a love story (of course!), an adorable little girl and some absolutely cracking songs! Those people could belt out a tune, that's for sure.

But it was the production I think that really sold it to me. Layers upon layers of sets. Backdrops that flew up into the rafters to reveal more and more backdrops. Costume changes. A revolving stage. Stairs to nowhere. Gold sparkles raining down. Glitz and glamour galore! Oh, and plenty of tap dance envy! I was transported to a whole new and different place where everything sparkled and shone.

 

I have never actually seen a theatre show more than once. There are so many out there and I don't have limitless time and money with which to see them that I have always chosen to see something new, even if I have really enjoyed a shoe before. This one though, I would look out for again, even if I just watch the film equivalent. For now though, I'll just watch the trailer and reminisce about how wonderful it all was.

http://youtu.be/5NjjU9q4hVo

 

Next on my 2015 Theatre Adventure is Stephen K Amos in February. I like to keep it varied.

 

TTFN. Ta ta for now.

Charlotte xx

 

 

Mid (ish) January Review

January is pants isn't it. We should definitely move the new year to a time when I actually have some motivation rather than a time when I want to hibernate to avoid the desolate feelings of never ending cold and being trapped indoors.

 

That small moan over, let's take a look at how January is actually going shall we?

 

 

The Lunch Box Challenge: Fail

First of all, I have already given up on my attempt to resurrect the Lunch Box Challenge. I think I made it two weeks before it was either spend money on buying my lunch that day or repeat a meal based on what was already in the house. Given that my biggest goal of 2015 is to cut back on unnecessary spending, the lunch box had to take one for the team and that goal died a death so another could fight another day.

 

That isn't to say though that I won't have another go at this again in later in the year. Perhaps instead of diving in blindly. I will make sure to have a few more ideas on standby.

 

 

Theatre Review: Fail

I have also failed miserably to post my review of White Christmas which I saw back on the 6th January. That is actually what I came here to do today. But it wasn't here. I started writing it, I did. I had written quite a lot. But now, for whatever reason, my blogging app hasn't saved it or I saved over it, and now it is gone. So, I will endeavor to rewrite it and get it up soon.

 

 

Projects: Fail

I have failed so far to complete any unfinished craft projects or to undertake my organisation ideas and clear out plans. Which is disappointing.

 

Having said that, I have been feeling pretty low and mustering up the enthusiasm has been tough. I'm sure if I had managed anything, from that last set in particular, it would've helped my mood a lot but that is the cycle which I have been inhabiting for the last week or so. Never mind eh...

 

 

But it hasn't all been doom and gloom. I have done some things that I am pretty pleased with.

 

 

Cut back on unnecessary spending: Win

I haven't spent any money during the day at work. This especially includes not spending in Primark and the Poundshop which are serious weaknesses of mine. I spend a lot on unnecessary things in the Poundshop. This is generally snacks or random tat things that I think I want. And I really don't need them at all. So I am not doing it. I am allowed to make necessary purchases, such as my favourite Menthol Lemsips, but not random bits and bats that I just don't need in my life.

 

In terms of cutting back on Primark, this does also cover all clothes shops, but I highlight Primarni in particular because it is cheap, cheerful and a two minute walk from my office. I buy a lot of stuff in Primark. The hardest thing so far has been turning down a pair of Minion Jogger Bottoms. They look so comfy as they are basically the same as my Hogwarts pair which I just love for lounging in. But... Sadly for me, I don't really have space for another pair and I don't REALLY need them so I didn't buy them.

 

I am considering setting them as reward for completing something this week though. Although I haven't decided what yet...

 

 

Night before clothes prep: Win

Another thing I have managed to do is get my clothes out the night before for work the next day (except one day which I really regretted in the morning. I used to do this all the time and then for no reason I just stopped. Starting again has really made my morning easier. I am hoping to find some more tricks to really help me get through the morning successfully.

 

 

10 minutes of organisation per day: Massive total fail

I am a disorganised, overly cluttered, has too much stuff, hoarding mess. And I am overwhelmed by it. I feel so much better when I am tidy but my natural tendencies means I just end up with a big fat heap on the floor. I decided I could commit to spending just 10 minutes a day tidying up. I figured even though it would take a long time, 10 minutes is better than none and it would get me there eventually.

Apparently I can't commit to this.

I have only actually managed this twice. Although, one of the day's was a weekend day. And I did about an hour that isn't the point. It was supposed to be a routine that I got myself into. And I haven't. Yet.

I am blaming it on my mood of late but I am really going to try again and look at this week as a fresh start. In fact, if I can do my 10 minutes every day until Friday, I will go back and get those joggers! Come on incentive, please help out!

 

 

I fear that I have rambled on enough now and that none of you is actually bothered about my goals but writing this out has helped me so that's okay. Maybe you have been more successful in your goals so far. Or maybe you too are struggling. Either way we can get through this and achieve things COME ON US!

 

 

TTFN. Ta ta for now.

Charlotte xx

 

New Year... Still Old Me.

 

Is it just me, or does anyone else sometimes find New Year a bit overwhelming.

Not the partying, that's not for me, but the 'opportunity' of it all. The fresh start. The clean slate. The chance to change your ways and fix all the stuff about you and your life that you wish could've been better last year.

I have already written about how I like to set goals for the new year. And this year will be no different. But actually, if I am really honest about it it makes me feel anxious. I feel pre-emptive failure. I feel scared that this will be another year where I don't make 'progress'. It is so easy today to compare your life to those of others. And I don't know where I want to end up, so finding a away there is difficult.

But... If I don't set some sort of goals, I feel like I am missing an opportunity. So I go around in a vicious circle where I feel like I let myself down either way. Yay.

 

My attempt to avoid this in 2015 is to set goals that are actually thngs I can do. That I can tick off the list.

I am also going to try and keep them manageable and not overly time consuming. I don't do well at things that drag on.

So this is whati have got so far:

In January I shall resurrect the LunchBox Challenge.

Finish my half finished craft projects:

• Pom Pom cushion
• Hedgehog pin cushion
• Snowman teacosy
• Pinecone wreath
• T-Shirt quilt
• Decoupage jewelry box
• Sewing Repairs:
• Sew buttons on white shirt
• Sew button in blazer
• Sew new buttons on spotty coat
• Fix pocket in red coat
• Fix purple coat belt

After those are completed: Start other craft projects:

• Decoupage mirror
• Make a woven denim rug
• And / Or a french knitting rug
• Pull out cream jumper and re-knit
• Knit a Christmas jumper
• Make a phone case
• Knit more blanket squares.
• Sew an infinity dress
• Scan in all my old birthday and Christmas cards
• Make a photo book of my third trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tour (If I can find a good offer)

Make more handmade presents.

• To help me do this I plan to set a 2 month, then a 1 month warning on my phone calendar to remind me to get my thinking cap on for presents without having to rush.

So, that is what I really think I could have a good stab at.

 

My more 'vague goals' are things like:

 

• Cutback on unnecessary shopping. Especially in the Poundshop and Primark!
• Pass my driving test
• Read all the books I own but haven't read
• Same for DVDs
• Declutter
• Start using Instagram
• Keep saving up
• Do stuff. You know, fun stuff.
• Try not to worry and stress about EVERYTHING!

 

Okay my blog post chums, thanks for reading this far. I would love to know what you think about New Year. Do you make resolutions? If so what are they? Do you have any tips for my ambitions?

 

I really hope you have an excellent 2015.

Let's give it a good go anyway shall we?

 

Love Charlotte xx