I have to share this video with you. Yesterday the very talented students of East Devon Dance did a fab Flash Mob routine in front of Princesshay shoppers in Exeter!
Enjoy!
L xx
If only I could…dance!
Reply
Category Archives: General, copywriter, home, work
25 Questions Tag: Facts about me!
What is your middle name?: Clair
What was favourite subject at school?: English or Drama
What is your favourite drink?: A cup of Earl Grey tea
What is your favourite song at the moment?: I’m loving Passenger’s Let Her Go at the moment
What is your favourite food?: Mmmm, I’d probably pick anything Italian…
What is the last thing you bought?: French vocabulary books
Favourite book of all time?: I’d probably have to say Pride and Prejudice, I just love Jane Austen
Favourite Colour?: Blue
Do you have any pets?: Yes, a dog called Molly and two cats, Poppy and Buzz
Favourite Perfume?: Miss Dior
Favourite Holiday?: Anywhere warm, I like beach holidays and summer city breaks
Are you married?: Yes, this year we celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary this month!
Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times?: Yes, too many to count
Do you speak any other language?: Spanish and hopefully French soon!
How many siblings do you have?: One sister, Hollie
What is your favourite shop?: There is a lovely antiques shop in Honiton, called Fountain Antiques, which I love browsing in
Favourite restaurant?: Locally it’s The Holt in Honiton…delicious!
When was the last time you cried?: I cry watching TV a lot, but the last time I properly wept was watching Comic Relief…I have to turn it off after 5 minutes 
Favourite Blog?: I’d have to say The Londoner
Favourite Movie?: Shawshank Redemption, The Colour Purple, As Good As It Gets, Dirty Dancing…the list is endless!
Favourite TV show?: I love Mad Men, and we’ve just started House of Cards which is brilliant. But, you can’t beat a good ol’ episode of Friends
PC or Mac?: Mac
What phone do you have?: iPhone 4S
How tall are you?: 5ft 6
Can you cook?: Yes. When I first met my husband I wasn’t great, but now I do all the cooking. I’d still love to learn a bit more from someone professional
Celebrating women in business – The Devon Venus Awards
Last month I was invited to the launch of the Natwest Venus Awards Devon at Sapphire Living Space at Dart Business Park, Topsham.
With the success of the Dorset and Southampton awards, organiser Tara Howard decided to expand and reward even more women. With the help of Celia Delaney of SpeakingSuccess they hope it will prove a great success.
Speaking about the awards Tara says: “It is important women reach their full potential and we intend on helping them do that with encouragement and self-empowerment.”
I, for one, am in full support of anything that recognises the work done by women. I think here in Devon we have an active community of women in business, including those who work from home and juggle busy family and work lives.
As you may know, if you read my blog regularly, I have just joined Exeter-based company Aspect Windows, and here I have come across a couple of women who are demonstrating their business prowess in a male-dominated industry.
But it doesn’t end here. As an avid Twitter ‘geek’ I follow a number of strong, independent business women who are all making a name for themselves in our beautiful county (and further afield!). So, I have no concerns that the Natwest Venus Awards Devon will have no trouble in celebrating and recognising these inspiring individuals.
At the event I was able to meet plenty of lovely, like-minded people and learn a little more about the categories, including The Heart Business Mother of the Year (a woman who successfully juggles business and a family life), The Exeter Daily Employee of the year (a lady who goes beyond the call of duty) and The Old Bag Company Inspirational Woman (for a woman who goes out of her way to help others).
Nominations are open until May 18th, so if you think you know someone who deserves a ‘pat on the back’ for her achievements, let her know by nominating her for an award.
Good luck!
L xx
Recipe: Lazy lunch
A few weeks ago we were invited by friends for dinner. As a starter they served a lovely crab pasta dish, and I just had to ask for the recipe (note: the rest of the dinner was equally delicious and, as always, the company great fun!).
So, last week I was wandering through Ottery St Mary on my way to buy some fruit and veg from the lovely Otter Produce, when I passed the fishmonger. Outside, there was a sign which read: ‘Local crab on sale today’. I couldn’t resist, I love all things ‘local’…food in particular!
After a friendly chat with the fishmonger he told me that they were struggling to source local crab at the moment, due to rough seas. He also had a great variety of lovely looking fish and shellfish – I plan to return for some mussels soon, I have a great Thai recipe which I know the hubby adores.
Delighted with my purchase I practically skipped back to the car!
Right, now for the recipe. The best part of this is that it is super tasty with very little hassle, ideal for a lazy weekend lunch or quick supper.
Spaghetti with crab, lime and chilli (serves 2)
150g of crab meat – I prefer only the white meat but toss some extra brown meat in my husband’s portion.
Juice and zest of 2 limes
Juice of 1 lemon
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
1/4 cup of chopped spring onions
1 small red chilli, finely chopped
1tsp of sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
200g of spaghetti
Place the crab meat, lime and lemon juice and zest, garlic, parsley, spring onions, chilli, salt and pepper in a small bowl and stir in the olive oil to combine. Cook the spaghetti, according to the packet, and drain well.
Then finally, toss the pasta into the crab mixture and serve… simply divine.
Let me know if you try this, and I’m also very keen to try new recipes if you have any favourites.
Lxx
Original girl power
Whatever your political beliefs or feelings, today is a very sad day.
The death of Britain’s first, and only, female Prime Minister is poignant for me. As a child of the 80s, she was the original founder of ‘Girl Power’ and allowed me to believe women could rule the world.
Lxx
RIP Margaret Thatcher
“The lady is not for turning”
Add the exotic to your Spring wardrobe
I just had to share this beautiful jewellery from Gili Jewels.
Made locally in Exmouth, Devon, Bertie Wooltorton has created a gorgeous line in costume jewellery.
After a trip to the Gili Islands in 2007, Bertie was inspired to create a range of jewellery to reflect her time there. From the vibrant colours of the tropical reef, to the softness of the landscape, she uses natural stones, pearls and other high quality materials to make each piece.
The fun pieces are reasonably priced and come lovingly wrapped in an organza bag – making the perfect gifts!
I picked up a couple of birthday presents for friends and couldn’t help buying myself a long, butterfly cluster necklace – well a girl deserves a treat every now and then doesn’t she?!
Go on, take a look and add the exotic to your winter…sorry, I mean spring, wardrobe!
L xx
Doing it for charity!
First up, sorry for the blog silence. Things have been busy, busy, busy…which is no bad thing. But, it has meant that to keep all the balls in the air, I’ve had to keep a little quiet here.
However, I have stolen five minutes to myself and I just wanted to share with you a little (well, actually quite big!) achievement. On Friday, together with two of my fabulous new workmates, I organised a cake sale in aid of Comic Relief.
On starting my new job I was told that the staff had a fondness for cake, and when I raised the idea of doing something for Comic Relief it was quickly evident that the way to my colleagues’ wallets was through their stomachs!
So, we set a date, emailed a few local businesses, sent out flyers and took to Twitter to ‘shout’ about the cake sale. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Not only did people donate an array of delicious, homemade cakes and biscuits, but everyone got into the ‘charitable spirit’ and dug deep to help change the lives of children in the UK and Africa.
In fact, one co-worker came up trumps when his girlfriend made an incredible Red Nose cake…which was too good to serve up and instead we auctioned to the highest bidder!
All together we raised over £300 for Comic Relief – hurrah! So, as I sat down last night to watch Lenny Henry and the Comic Relief gang, the tears flowed, but this year I had a lovely, proud feeling that we had a played a small part in helping.
But, Comic Relief doesn’t stop there…you can still donate through our online page.
L xx
A word from the wise on International Women’s Day
“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”
Spoken by a truly inspirational woman ~ Audrey Hepburn
There is still time…
…to make your mum feel special this Mother’s Day.
Treat her to a gorgeous magnetic noticeboard, from The Magnetic Noticeboard Company, perfect to show off kids’ artwork, photos and even keep that important letter safe!
My favourite is this pink union flag version which will go in any home office, kitchen or hall.
At only £16 (plus p+p) it is sure to put a smile on mum, and dad’s, face!
L x
I know it’s been quiet, but…
…I’ve had good reason.
I’ve recently had a change of career and moved, as some call it, over to the ‘Dark Side’ as head of marketing and public relations for a lovely, family-run business in Exeter.
After a decade in journalism, the time and circumstances were right for a change and I am thrilled to say that my new managing director, Steve Cooling, and the whole Aspect Windows team have welcomed me with open arms and made the transition really enjoyable.
I’m excited to say that there is lots happening at Aspect and I have plenty to keep me busy…watch this space!
So, apologies for the silence recently, but I will soon be back to my blogging self as my ‘new life’ settles down (well, if it ever settles down as a working mum!).
To read more about my new position on The Exeter Daily click here.
Lxx
