Family

This is literally the quickest post I've ever done. Mainly because it's 23.38 and I've just realised I need to get a June blog in before midnight, in order to keep my "at least once a month" post pledge going, which I started in August last year.

This is one I've wanted to do for a while and it will be short and sweet, and probably pure cheese, but it needs to be done every now & then.

As people close to me know the past 8 months or so have been pretty shitty for myself and my family, but the one constant thing we have is eachother. I honestly don't know what I would do without my family. I love them all so much and I probably don't say it often enough but every single one of them means the world to me. 

When I say family I mean my immediate family. My parents, my sisters, my bro in laws/future bro in laws, my nieces and nephews and, obviously, my boyfriend.

We might not all see eachother as often as we like but I know I can call any one of my family and they will be there in times of need.

My mum & dad would do anything for us. They have made me who I am today and, for that, I want to thank them. They taught me manners and how to respect people. I don't say it enough, because I'm not an overly affectionate person, but I love my parents more than anything in this world. 

My sisters are all amazingly talented and beautiful. I look up to every single one of them. I'm so lucky to have them and, again, they have always been there for me through thick & thin. I hope I can be there for them just the same way. I love them so much. The same goes for my nieces and nephews...I would do anything for them. So many different personalities but I can see they are all going to achieve so much in their lives.

The bro in laws (and future ones) they make my sisters happy and that makes me happy. 

And lastly, but by no means least, my boyfriend. Not enough words to describe how lucky I am to have him. He would do anything for me and loves me more than I've ever been loved before. He makes me so happy. I love him to the moon & back...which is a lot considering I don't really like flying so going to space would be a massive deal for me.

Anyway what I want to say is I'm a very lucky girl and am extremely grateful for my special, crazy, eccentric family.

Thank you for reading this pure cheese cringe fest post ;) xxx

Quick update!

This post comes to you direct from my car! Yep I'm currently driving down the M4 and blogging at the same time....Pure talent right here. Ok I'm joking. I am sitting in my car but the engine, I can confirm, is switched off. Basically I've just dropped my sister off to do someone's nails (this sister is a nail technician...manicures, pedicures, etc) so I thought, why not be productive, whilst waiting for her to finish and do a quick update for y'all.

Sooooo 2 weeks ago we did the Electric Run. I actually survived my first 5k in one piece. To be fair we all did really well. It was at night, so certain parts of the course were badly lit, meaning it would have been dangerous to actually run (no that's not an excuse). We did manage to jog a fair bit though. It was good fun and the atmosphere before we started was crazy. I did steal one of my sisters ideas and, when we got to the final part, I sprinted it just so I could be the first out of our group to finish. Yay me! I think the thing which sets the Electric Run apart from other 5k's is the fact that there is music the whole way around the course. Another plus is, at the end, there was a DJ and bars/food outlets which made it seem more like a festival vibe. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Other than that what else has been happening in my world? The usual stuff really. Drank too much vino rosé the other week and sang 'Backstreets Back' the whole way home with my sister and future bro in law as back up. Just, you know, that kinda everyday shiz that we all do once in a while.

Yesterday I had to go and get a slow puncture sorted out on my car (sorry for how boring this is). I knew the guy would try and rip me off being a girl and them assuming we know nothing about cars. As soon as I got there he was like "oh if we can't fix it then you will need to pay £80 for a new tyre". Um I don't think so mate. So he takes the tyre and goes to have a look for the nail which has caused the puncture. I followed him inside to check what he was doing much to his annoyance. Turns out he could fix it and that would be £20. So I go off to get some cash. On the way back I stop by a little shop and spot a book on grammar (God knows I need help in that department). I start reading it and almost fall in to a coma however I still purchase it. Great success. I go back to get the car and miraculously, because when they typed my number plate in to their computer my dad's name came up (he usually sorts all car related stuff for me), they decide the price is actually £18. Funny how it suddenly went down. Douche bags.

On a much more interesting note I've tried two burger joints in the past couple of weeks.

The first was Five Guys in Kingston which I had heard mixed reviews on but I personally loved it. The burger was delicious and the fries held their ground well. One feature I loved about Five Guys was the drinks machine. Basically you just get a cup which you can fill as many times as you want. They have every possible choice of soda imaginable. I had Decaf Diet Cherry Coke! Amazing.

The second burger establishment I went to was Boom Burger in Notting Hill. All the reviews I've heard for Boom have been wicked so I had high hopes. I can tell you I was not disappointed. I had the Boom Burger which is their signature beef burger covered in cheese and bacon jam. This is absolutely friggin delicious. I also had the plantain fries and, OMG, just the thought of them now makes my mouth water. The place itself is really small but has reggae music playing the whole time. Defo one of my new favourite burger joints in London for sure.

Anyways that is all for today folks. Stay classy ;) x

I'm back...

Firstly I would like to apologise for seriously neglecting my blog lately. I can't even make out I've been leading an amazingly interesting life because, truth be told, the majority of the time all I've been doing is sitting on my arse watching Netflix.

I really didn't want to jump on the 'Breaking Bad' bandwagon but, curiosity killed the cat and, I got sucked in to the world of crystal meth. Not literally, of course, although some days I'm sure I do look like I've been blazing it up, especially when I venture out sans make up. Trust me if you haven't already watched it then get on board because it's seriously good tv. It's like when you're reading a really good book and you just can't put it down, because you need to know what happens next. 

So I've been sitting in my room watching episode after episode like an actual addict. At the end of each one I tell myself "Ok Francesca just one more and then you're going to do something"....3 hours later and I'm still on my bed, like an absolute slob only pausing the TV when my mum peers her head round the door to check if I'm still alive.

In between indulging in the lives of Walter and Jesse I have been working a fair bit for once which is pure yawnsville. The only interesting thing I can tell you about work is I served Rupert Everett the other day. He seemed nice enough....Oh and he was reading a script but I can't tell you more than that in case he sues me (I don't actually know why he would but you never know).

Outside of Netflix and work, since my last entry, I've had my boyfriend's 30th birthday party which went down as expected....In a blur of jagerbombs and someone slipping and cracking a rib (again no names mentioned as I don't want to be sued lol). After all the prep that went in to the party, by his sister & I, it was a really good night so pat on the back for the both of us! 

The week after that we then had a lunch date with my parents, my sister and her boyfriend at the Savoy Grill because that's just how we roll. That was a really lovely day. One of those days which was an experience from start to finish. Aside from the amazing food and drink I think the thing which blew me away the most was the toilets! Just take a little butchers at the pic below and tell me they aren't the best looking bogs you've ever seen?!

We've just had Easter weekend which I spent with the whole family in usual Ferrari style....Playing drinking games!! For once I was glad to be one of the designated drivers because after the 'neknomination' antics (don't ask) no hangover for me. This, in turn, left me feeling fresh as a daisy for my little Easter spa treat from my lovely other half....He's a good boy!

This weekend I will be doing my first EVER 5k run (ahem walk) with 3 of my sisters, which I shall up date you on in my next post. Wish us luck as it's meant to absolutely piss it down....great success ;) x

Honest Burgers

Hello my name is Francesca and I'm a burgerholic! I am obsessed with burgers. I dream about them, take pictures of them and, usually, stuff them in my face at least once a week (God that's bad)! If I carry on at this rate I'm destined to the same fate as Elvis....although I haven't quite got to the point of eating them whilst on the toilet yet!

Just so you can gauge the true extent of my problem, for my 27th birthday, I went to the ever so posh Ivy Restaurant in Covent Garden. This is a regular celeb haunt where you can spot the likes of Kate Moss, David & Victoria Beckham, etc. Now these guys probably opt for salads or grilled fish....what did this classy thing here go for?? Yep you've guessed it, The Ivy Burger! The burger was quite nice but not spectacular.

My sister, Carla, asked me yesterday what the best burger I've ever had is and, you know, I still don't think I've found it!  I am still in search of the Holy Grail of burgers. 

You might ask what exactly I'm looking for and, to be honest, I'm not even sure, but once I've found it I will know....if that even makes sense?! 

Those of you who love meat and buns as much as me (that sounds weird doesn't it) will probably have heard of Honest Burgers. They are among the top rated burger joints in London with branches in Brixton, Soho, Camden, Portobello and Kings Cross. On Monday I decided to treat the other half to a slap up meal at the Portobello Honest for his birthday (Yes he has finally turned 30...and no I'm not a cradle snatcher...it's only 1 year difference ok!!).

I'm gonna cut to the chase and just say the burger wasn't amazing. Don't get me wrong it tasted, and looked, nice but I personally felt like it lacked something. After hearing so many good things about the place this was disappointing. The chips, however, were lovely. They were rosemary salted and came with the burger as standard, so no extra cost, which was a bonus. I can't fault the staff either, who were really helpful at explaining the menu, etc. The bill was really reasonable and only set us back £30 in total. This was for two burgers & chips, coleslaw, onion rings, two soft drinks and a cocktail. 

Would I recommend Honest...I probably would still. It's cheap and cheerful, but don't expect a knock your socks off burger. 

Therefore my search continues....Oh and before anyone says it I do not think I am some amazing food critic, this is just my opinion so hush up ;) 

Thank you for reading x

Until we meet again

This has been a hard post to write. I've deleted and rewritten it so many times. How do you broach the subject of death without being all morbid and depressing!? This might sound strange to some people but, I've always wondered, why we never really learnt much about death at school. If we did, then at least we wouldn't be so scared of it, because your kind of prepared to know what will inevitably happen to every single person one day. It's a part of life after all. 

The saying "one minute you're here and the next you're gone" is very true. When someone close to you passes away it's really hard to grasp the fact that you won't be seeing them again, especially when it's unexpected. 

My Grandad Tom had just turned 89 when he was sadly taken from us exactly one month ago today. I know 89 is a great age but he was still very much active, independent and had all his marbles about him. I guess the main comfort we can take is that he was happy and, was doing something he loved, just before he passed away....drinking a pint of John Smiths. 

My Grandad had a really interesting life when he was younger which, I only learnt about after he died. Actually let me rephrase that,  I probably was told when I was younger but either a) I have a memory like a fish and it didn't register or b) I was too busy being a teenager obsessed with Backstreet Boys to actually pay any attention. Sad really! 

Here are a few Grandad Tom work related facts for you:

*He worked voluntarily with the Fire Watchers because he was too young to join the army. When the London Docklands was bombed in 1940 he ran to raise the alarm of the impending attack.

*He wanted to be a Fighter Pilot but couldn't due to his poor eyesight. Instead he joined the Navy as an Engineering Officer.

*He was a Proof Reader for The Times Newspaper.

*He also worked as a bar man, a handy man and many other jobs to make ends meet to support the family. 

I think it's fair to say he worked hard and therefore he deserves a break now up in Heaven...although with my late Nan up there I'm sure she is keeping him busy! 

Until we meet again Grandad :) x

It's my biirrrtthhhdddaaayyy!!

It's currently 3.40am and I'm wide awake! Why? Only god knowes. On the plus side it's my born day today :) Infact at this exact time 31 years ago I was still all warm and cosy in my mums tummy without a care in the world. 

I actually didn't make my grand appearance until 11.58pm on the 10th February 1983, therefore my birthday only lasts for 2 minutes! Do you know what weirds me out about birthdays is that, for example, 32 years ago I didn't exist. Like where was I? I was nothing basically. Does that freak anyone else out or am I the only weirdo? I can't really think about that for too long because my little brain can't cope with that much thought but I've always over analysed that (much like everything else in my life). 

I can't believe I'm 31 already though. Only seems like yesterday I was being a diva over turning 30. I actually don't feel too bad about being another year older, especially as I got asked for ID whilst purchasing alcohol in Waitrose yesterday (the shop assistant was partially sighted but let's not dwell on that). As the late Aaliyah sang "age ain't nothing but a number" after all. So long as you're healthy and happy that is all that matters.

On that note I'm gonna leave you with this mega cute picture of moi and my mother taken literally just after I was born :) x

Adios '13...Bonjour '14!

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