Bright Lights in the Big City

My weekend in Edinburgh passed by in a blur of food, cocktails, shopping, super comfy bedsheets, great company and lotsa walking.

Grabbing a train, checking into the Crowne Plaza on Royal Terrace and then hitting the city for a late lunch at Jamie's Italian...shopping at Harvey Nics and a cold cider in the sun, a little nap and off to Steak for some salad...jus' kiddin' - for a big Sirloin! Passing out in a comfy bed, later check-out, scrapped plans to go to the zoo, squirrels in Prince's St Gardens, the National Art Gallery, make-up purchasing, lunch and cocktails at the Hard Rock, double vodkas at the Black Rose Tavern and a very drunken and random train journey home.

Happy 9month anniversary (see here - http://imaginarycocktails.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/edinburgh-bound-en-route-toot-toot.html) to the mister and here's to an expensive and exhausting weekend together!

 1. Comfiest bed. 2. It did work. 3. In case we were unsure. 4. Free bottled water - it's the little things.

 

1. Belini-heaven 2. The open-view kitchen at Jamie's Italian. 3. Edinburgh castle. 4. Kopparbergs at Tiles in the sun.

 

 1. Belinis once more (can you see a pattern?) 2. Vanilla cheesecake and honeycomb sauce at Steak Edinburgh

 

1. and 2. Cute squirrel in Princes St. Gardens. 3.A piper, making me feel very Scottish

 1. Manson's guitar 2. Riders on the Storm cocktail at the Hard Rock!

 1. Where it all began and ended 2. I'll take a bottle of the house red. 3. Train journey essentials

Phew, how did I get up this morning?

A Little This, A Little Tatt...

What a corny post title! meh...I'm going with it.

I'm so so into LA Ink, partially because I have a huge girl-crush on Kat Von D, a little because the tattoos the cast design are phenomenal and make me wish to the extent of anything that I had an artistic bone on my body, but primarily because I love the stories behind people's decision to "go done get inked"

I am far from a painted lady, I have one small tattoo with plans for one more. None the less, I thought someone might like to read about my tattoo, why I got it, do I still love it, and how I fainted in the inking process...

Towards the end of 2012, I wasn't feeling too hot...I was in a bit of a slump, struggling to get out of bed and find things to do at the weekend...I'm not sure if it was the weather, my recent break-up, working too much, but I just wasn't a happy bunny. However, I knew I'd pull through because the human capacity to survive and fight is unimaginably robust and we are so resilient. Hence my belief that you can "breathe" through most pains life might throw your way.

My lovely friend's dad runs a tattoo studio in my hometown, and once I knew what I wanted, I traipsed on down to make an appointment, ensuring my friend would be there to hold my hand.

**MID-POST DISCLAIMER** - I am a firm believer when it comes to tattoos, in loving a design/a picture/a phrase long before you want to get it placed on your body forever. I knew exactly what I wanted my tattoo to say, and had an idea of where I wanted it, long before I really thought of getting tattooed. I personally wouldn't go into a tattoo studio and choose something off the walls to have inked onto me. Also - this post is NOT endorsing tattoos :)**DISCLAIMER END, PHEW!**

November 17th arrived, and I popped into work to catch up on some things, threw on some numbing cream (I WAS SCARED, OKAY?!) and caught a lift to the studio. I hopped in the chair clutching my Red Bull and work began. I can honestly say the tattoo took around 20mins tops to complete. But...at one point I can remember hearing my friend (sounding as though she was at the other end of a tunnel) asking her dad why he had stopped work, and he replied that I'd "gone". Turns out that I'd ironically forgotten to breathe and had passed out for a few seconds, spilling my Red Bull all over myself in an inappropriate area.

Here's my tattoo all nice and fresh...

(It looks a little greasy due to the vaseline added, and only a little red, so not remotely off-putting I don't think. It did look far prettier once I removed the bandage 4-5hours later) and it still looks mighty pretty today!





Fastforward a year in my life and I am so much happier, but I still adore my tattoo. Despite it not being applicable just now, I know there will be more pain to come, and I also know that I can breathe through it :)

Writing this has just spurred me on to book my second tattoo appointment! Hmmm...

Anyone got any tattoos? Anyone actually make it to the end of this post?

Edinburgh Bound - En-route TOOT TOOT!

Though I would love a quiet weekend, spent primarily in my bed...sadly it's not to be. Mister and I are off to the bright city lights of Edinburgh to celebrate an anniversary. (If I explain the circumstances surrounding the anniversary celebrations, you have to promise not to laugh?) We haven't been together for a year, quite yet. More around the 9month mark...BUT...I'm a firm believer in the asteroid theory. (see the film Remember Me) Whereby, you shouldn't wait to experience things you really want to, in case you get hit by an asteroid. The female lead in the above movie always eats her dessert first when dining as she's scared she'll die somewhere between the entrees and the main course. I LOVE THIS IDEA.

So, last month, I booked us a room at the Crowne Plaza in Edinburgh for this Saturday night (marking our first 9months together) and some trains to get down there. We have grandiose plans for lounging in bed, tangible cocktails, lovely food and some SHOPPING - that last part might be a little more in my favour.

I want to start my Christmas shopping in the big city, I have some things in mind that I'd like to pick up from the Disney store for my niece and I may frequent  some of the smaller boutique stores for some little thought gifts that I can't get up here.

For the more selfish purchases, I plan on hitting one of the many Superdrugs in Edinburgh, searching out a Sleek vendor (my local Superdrug is not a sleek-lover) and I will pick up the Romance collection if I find it...I love the look of those gorgeous purple eyeshadows and I adore my Sleek collection thus far.

I may also pop my MAC cherry. This is a BIG day for me folks.

My bank balance hates me already.

I'll update with pics and details of our little weekend and all of my purchases.

My Weekend went a Little Like This...

J'habite en ecosse. There's something to be said about affirming where you come from in a foreign language. Granted I've never had a need to use that phrase outside of the classroom, never having visited France...but I like to think my French teacher would still be proud of me! This weekend I fell headfirst back in love with Scotland, once more.

On the Friday night, my boyfriend and I had ZERO interest in cooking, so settled upon the idea of an Indian takeout. As previously mentioned, I've just moved to a slightly larger town/city to my hometown, and Mr & I are still on the hunt for the HG Indian takeout joint. Which I'm willing to wager we discovered Friday just passed. (I wish I'd taken a picture of our little floor picnic!!).

Saturday, we got up WAY too early to head down the road and visit Mr's family. He's from the central belt, whereas I'm a northern girl, so it's quite a journey. But one with beautiful scenery for the most part. Upon arrival, we spent time with his sister and nieces and attended a PartyLite party where we made this cheeky little purchase...

  A Partylite Consultant's Website with Image

Saturday night, we had dinner with my boyfriend's dad at Frankie and Benny's. I did try and take a picture of my face-sized calzone, but for some reason, technology failed me in this instance. I, however, owned the cheeky little pizza and finished the bad boy right off.

The tailend of the weekend was spent on a trip to St. Andrews, a place very important to his family. So I felt incredibly honoured to be invited along. And I think I have found my most beautiful place in Scotland, absolutely stunning. We had a Costa and some laughs on the road up there, with the roof down and the sun blaring atop our heads. Definitely a day to remember.

 

(L-R) 1. The Open Road (roof down!) 2. and 3. The beach at St. Andrews

(L-R) 1. The cathedral in St. Andrews 2. and 3. Tombstones  (morbid much?)

(L-R) 1. Crunchie Milkshake! 2. Snoozing in the car en-route back 3. Two degus in a petstore tandem running!

P.S. Sampled the new Chocolate Orange Mocha Latte from Costa - mmmmmmm! Probably not a drink for a die-hard coffee fan, as there really didn't seem to be too big a caffeine kick to the drink. But it was deee-licious!

P.P.S Does anyone have any good pic/collage tools that they use? Mine don't come out as I'd like...

Lusty Leering: Zoella Mint/Black Sunglasses by Detour

Summer may indeed be over for us in the UK - it's not defeatism, it's called being a realist.
That doesn't stop me leering like a little creep over some beautiful sunglasses designed by Zoella for American company Detour Sunglasses.

Mindlessly looking through Zoella's blog, I stumbled upon a post where she mentioned being asked to design some sunnies for a company and linked to the finished product. I mosied over to the site, and fell promptly in love.

These bad boys are STUNNING! - http://detour-sunglasses.myshopify.com/products/zoella-mint-black-polarized-smoke-lens-eminence

I'm not sure what it is about them, but I want them so damn bad.

Have a peeksee at Zoella's post for details on how she designed them, and the meaning of the quote on the inner arm of the glasses.


I have a couple of sunny holidays planned for next year, (Kos and Bali/Lombok - eeeeep!!) and I think these babies might be making the trips with me. IF I can suck up the shipping costs from the US of A.

I WANT THEM SO BAD!!!!

JL x

MD Formulations Illuminating Solution Kit

Sitting here in my trackie bottoms with a little yesterday's mascara smudged none too sexily under my eyes, I'm in dire need of a good kick.

My skincare style always follows this little cycle...

What's that? No more! I will buy some products and break the cycle? Well alllllrighty then...

I purchased the MD kit based on some reviews, and due to the reduction in price. I don't care if I'm being ripped off or falling victim to a marketing ploy. I love a bargain.

Without further ado, please meet the my new skin saviour...potentially...

(L-R) 1. The Full Kit unboxed, 2. The instructions - giving a step by step morning and evening cleansing process) 3. Facial Cleanser 60ml

(L-R) 1. Illuminating Serum 10ml. 2. Moisture Defence Antioxidant Creme 15ml. 3. Moisture Defence Antioxidant Eye Creme 5ml.

(L-R) 1. Continuous Renewal Complex 15ml. 2. Illuminating Masque 30ml. 3. Sun Proctector Factor 30 10ml (a girl can dream!)

This girl's quest has begun, I'm off to take off my make-up and start my regime with a bang. Wish me luck!

Wednesday's a Skive Day...

Whilst I'm not technically skiving/playing hookey from work, it definitely feels as though I am. In actual fact I had today off to attend an appointment later on in the afternoon.

I still felt a little naughty, still being at home at 10:30am on a Wednesday morning, hanging out in my sweatpants and doing little else.

Today has been a day of non-work related productivity, and I am feeling good!

My day went a little like this...

Up at 9am (at least an hour after my boyfriend - who usually commandeers the weekday lie-in due to his closer than mine proximity to work. Swiftly followed by a mixture of the Chocolate Orange Shreddies and the Frosted Shreddies (it's like fusion in a bowl!)

A quick shower with my dear friends Mr and Mrs Tresemme, and Mr and Mrs Soap&Glory.

Spending far too long looking for my laptop charger whilst listening to songs from the Lion King on Youtube. (I credit this with my fantastic mood today.)

A little unboxing of the new skin care solution I picked up from Look Fantastic and a little before shot of my lovely skin tone for a blog post that should follow this post once I've finished putting all of the pictures in.

A trip into town (since I moved in with my boyfriend, I'm now in what Scotland calls a "city" though I'm not quite convinced, however, it's a lot bigger than my home town and contains some shops, so I don't like to complain too much) for some bits and bobs I needed wanted. 

A little caramel latte at Costa :)

The aforementioned appointment, followed by a little dinner and snuggles on the sofa. GTA V for him (anyone else single thanks to this game?!) and a little blogging and Youtube for me.

If this is what not being at the office mid-week looks like, I think I may need to go part-time.

:)

Imaginary Cocktails?! - Say WHAAAT?!

So...I feel a little explanation is in order, to let you know what on was going through my mind when I created this little space on the internet.

Imaginary Cocktails to me are a celebration. Whenever I think about something big happening in my life (getting promoted, getting engaged, moving house) I always think who I would want to come out for drinks with me to celebrate! (Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks in terms of Woo Woos and Cosmopolitans?!)

However, you can't be dragging your friends, family and significant others out for fruity drinks each and every time you have a little triumph. Well you probably could, but they'd start expecting you to pay! To combat this, every time something goes right for me...(I manage to paint my nails and not get any nail varnish on my fingers, I have a particularly good hair day, or I meet a stressful deadline.) I take a moment to reflect and give myself a little imaginary cocktail to mark the little achievements in life that get me from day to day.

I wanted that positivitely to spill over into a creative outlet, and this little baby was born.

Feel free to raise a little cocktail every time something goes right for you, and if you tell me what you fancy...I might even pay! x

New Blog-olutions

I'm such a sucker for a fresh start. I haven't been drastic enough to move country (I did move out of my hometown this month however, can I get a HELL YEAH?!) in search of a completely fresh start. But I do love a fresh notepad, or a brand new piece of paper devoid of scribbles and mindless nonsense. I love New Year, the idea that somehow you will make yourself better in the coming year.

I had a failed attempt at a blog a couple of years ago, where I had no idea what I wanted to write about, when, and to whom. I gained 3 followers in one week and decided it was too slow paced/too much effort, and I promptly gave up. Of course, I could easily have re-started the blog, surprised my 3 followers by still being alive and continued in the original vein. But I decided a fresh piece of paper would make me happiest. Hence Imaginary Cocktails.

With any fresh start in view, it's good to have goals and some guidelines for the task in hand.

With that in mind, I present to you, my NEW BLOG RESOLUTIONS 101. 

1. Write truthfully, freely and frequently. (There's nothing worse than loving a blog and having to wait weeks/months between posts. If I promise to write as often as I can, does someone promise to love my blog? ;))

2. Scribble down post ideas as soon as the mood strikes. (I don't care if that be on the bus, in my dreams or in the shower. Pen will make contact with paper as soon as I have some inspiration for a post.)

3. Slog it out, talking to myself for as long as necessary until someone, somewhere finds me and likes what I have to say.

4. Gain a follower or two along the way.

5. Create a series or two, so that anyone who stumbles upon the blog and decides to stay can have something to look forward to. (I already have a few in mind)

6. If purchasing nice products - (face/hair/make-up) with the view to reviewing them, actually remember to use them! I am so guilty of a cursory face wipe before bed, and no make-up/hair thrown in a bun for work the next day, just so I can have an extra half hour in bed. MUST STOP!!!

7. Make someone smile solely at what I've written.

8. Not really blog related, but smile a little more.

9. Again not blog-based, remember to breathe.

HAPPY NEW BLOG TO ME! x

Tentative Steps...

I'm a great believer in valuing everyone's individual skills and merits. And something I'm fantastic at, is talking myself out of something. I have reasoning power beyond comprehension. So this is why I'm sat at a PC after reading blogs for the last 5 years, talking myself out of starting one for the following reasons:

1. No one would EVER read it and actually be interested in anything I had to say.
2. Whilst I love it, I don't buy or wear enough make-up to justify a blog on it.
3. Where will I find the *delete as applicable* time/energy/inspiration/space to write frequent posts?
4. What if someone I know reads it and mocks me senselessly?
5. Those first few posts (like this one) where I'm just talking to myself are pretty embarrassing.
6. Despite working in I.T.  - I really can't get my noodle around HTML....my blog is going to look rubbish. 

However I have a name, I have a basic layout. I have some post ideas and a basic grasp on the English language. And more importantly, I have a snooze button for the insecure little voice in my brain! If that's not worth raising an imaginary afternoon cocktail to, I really don't know what is.

In the words of Kel, of the ever famous Kenan and Kel...AWWW HERE GOES!