Saturday afternoon cocktails

Yesterday L and I were going to have another quiet Movie Saturday, but when we met up we decided we should treat ourselves to lunch in Headingley. After eating our delicious burgers at Box, we thought it would be rude not to have a drink. It always seems slightly wrong drinking something non-alcoholic in a pub. Unfortunately, one drink always turns into more with us. We relocated to Arc so we didn't have to listen to the football on the big screen TV and had a couple more drinks, where I discovered that Bison Grass vodka is much more delicious than standard vodka. Just after 4pm, we moved to Trio's and hit the cocktails. Alarmingly, the bar was deserted and we felt like alcoholics drinking cosmos and daiquiris in the middle of the afternoon. Not that that stopped us. A couple of hours later, I remembered that I needed to pick up a few bits from the supermarket and then we traipsed back to mine. We watched Heartbreakers before Mr T and R came back, then soaked up the alcohol with a Chinese. A perfect way to spend a Saturday!

EBay annoyance

I love eBay. I can quite happily spend hours on there but have got good at curbing my bidding and I've become really picky about what I buy. I was delighted when I saw the Sara Berman taffeta dress that I'd been lusting after for ages - it was available at Urban Outfitters a couple of years ago but I opted to buy a different dress and have been regretting it ever since - and set a reminder on my phone so I didn't miss the end of the auction. Imagine my annoyance when I got home this afternoon, several hours before it was due to end, to find the auction had finished. What? How? That was supposed to be my dress. Nobody had bid on it so clearly the seller had removed it. I've emailed her to ask what's going on and hopefully I'll still be able to get hold of it. If not, it is available to buy on Sara Berman's website for £149. Half price, but still expensive.

Girly glamour

The agency called me earlier to tell me my interview at Creative Emporium has been rearranged for tomorrow, but that they have not heard back from Fast Signs yet but the initial feedback they had from them was positive. Am keeping fingers and toes crossed that one of these turns into an offer of employment.

Had a quick snoop in Topshop today and bought this gorgeous dress:



It's nearly identical to the lovely silk one by t.b.a. that has sold out on ASOS and Urban Outfitters but at £45 is a third of the price, so comfortably within budget. I'm in a very feminine mood at the moment and keep seeing lots of pretty dresses that I want but don't really need. I also seem to have developed an obsession with seamed tights - ordered two pairs in the last few days.

I've been contemplating having burlesque classes - it's something I've considered on and off throughout the last few years - and I think I'm going to summon up the courage to do the Leeds Burlesque course that starts in February. Even if I don't become a performer, it will boost my confidence and sounds like a lot of fun!

Good news and frustration

Yesterday was a mixed day. My interview at Fast Signs went well and I should find out soon if they want to see me for a second interview. Then my Dad phoned and said he'd be sending me money for some work I'd done at the end of this week - hooray, I will be semi-solvent again!

My interview at Creative Emporium was cancelled at the last minute - while I was on my way there - and has yet to be rescheduled. I still haven't heard about the CPM/Asda job which could mean they haven't finished shortlisting applicants or they just don't want me.

Annoyingly, this Christopher Kane style dress on ASOS has now sold out:



I knew I should have bought it last weekend even though I couldn't really afford it. Fingers crossed ASOS gets more in stock.

Jump in the (dating) pool

For some reason that my brain has yet to fathom, I've just joined an online dating site. I've gone for the free, basic membership so as not to feel like I'm wasting money when I come to my senses and realise that it's a ridiculous idea. I seem incapable of meeting new people when I'm out with my friends and I can't remember the last time a guy, attractive or otherwise, approached me.

I'm not a troll (unless your definition of a troll is a slim, 5ft6, dark-haired female) and I appreciate my group of friends may be daunting to approach (we are lovely, honest. Even if the boys are getting shots in and V's banter is borderline abusive) but a little male attention now and then would be gratefully received.

Hopefully online dating could get me out and about meeting new people and sparking potential romances. If not, then maybe it'll provide some humorous anecdotes.

Object of my attention - Sara Berman dress

I've been lusting after this dress for ages and now that it's half price I can justify buying it. Once I have the money.

Too timid?

Just found out I didn't get the job at Pace in Saltaire. Had my second interview there on Friday and the agency called this morning to say they felt I was too timid. I'm pretty disappointed about that, and am also wondering just how outgoing the other applicants were. I felt I was being pretty confident, but not arrogant, and was chatty and making jokes when appropriate. I think I am naturally fairly reserved in a formal situation like that - you don't want a potential employer to think of you as the office clown. Clearly I wasn't sparky enough and maybe that's something I need to work on. Also, my interviewer was very softly spoken and I know I have a tendency to be a little loud on occasion (usually under the influence of alcohol) so perhaps I was being quieter than I normally would. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Got two more interviews tomorrow so hopefully I'll have more success there.

Had a nice quiet weekend, mainly because I'm refusing to go out until V and L's birthdays at the end of January. L came over on Saturday and we had a quiet day in watching movies (Moulin Rouge, Romeo & Juliet, Footloose, Flashdance and 10 Things I Hate About You - girly heaven!) while Mr T and his friend R went walking in the Yorkshire Dales. In thigh deep snow. Fools.

Yesterday I spent as long as physically possible in bed then watched tv and caught the repeat of Glee on C4. I'm officially hooked and delighted that there is finally something for me to watch on Monday evenings that isn't a repeat of QI or Mock The Week or anything that Mr T wants to watch.

The first day of the rest of my life

A new decade warrants a new beginning. 2009 was a horrible year and I'm determined that this year will be much better. This blog is somewhere between a journal and a place for me to share my favourite things, be it clothes, shoes, perfume, music, books or anything else that takes my fancy. I can't promise daily posts but I will try my best to share regularly.

So, a little about me: I live in Leeds, West Yorkshire and up until last year worked as a journalist on a local newspaper. I left when the company hit financial difficulties and stopped paying their staff (my boss still owes me unpaid wages) and since then have temped on and off while trying desperately to find a more permanent role. So far this year I've had three job interviews and have more lined up so things are looking more positive.

I'm currently single and 29 and live with my housemate Mr T. I love going to gigs and music festivals, although I can't afford to go to many at the moment! I also love clothes, shoes and pretty things in general. I'm a dreamer and, underneath my cynical exterior, I'm a romantic longing for Prince Charming to rescue me from my room in the attic of a terraced house.