Thursday, 28 March 2019

Full Monty!!

So, last night I went to see Full Monty at Leeds Grand Theatre, and guys, it was absolutely amazing!

Now, I'll admit that I did have a couple of cocktails at a bar across the road before I went in, but even without that I would have been giggling for most of the show. Like the film it had it's sweet and heartfelt moments, but for the most part, the entire crowd was on the edge of their seats laughing.

I assume that most of you will already know what the Full Monty is about, but if not then you're definitely missing out. It's the story of a group of unemployed men from Sheffield trying to make some money for their various reasons, and deciding to do that by stripping.

It's actually about so much more than that really. A father trying to see his son, a husband who feels so unattractive that he can't have sex with his wife, a young guy struggling with his life, and an older man trying to provide his wife with the lifestyle that she's used to are just a couple of the stories running through it.

Honestly, on paper it actually sounds kind of depressing, but it's set in Sheffield, and in Yorkshire (and most of the north), the worse things are the more jokes we make. Which of course means that it is absolutely hilarious.

There are a few moments that stand out from the rest in my memory, I think the first is definitely at the end of the first half. If you've seen the film you'll remember the scene where they are interviewing dancers, and that there is one particularly well endowed member of the group. In the show, it was exactly the same, but when he pulls down his trousers rather than just seeing his (rather nice) bum and the reactions of the others, there was a hilariously large, what I can only assume was fake, penis. The whole audience was in hysterics.

My friend has told me that her favourite part was the dancing in the queue to sign on. It was her favourite scene in the film, and it worked really well on the stage.

And of course, the finale. Let's face it, the story is amazing, but every person in the crowd was just waiting for the boys to do their thing, and I speak for myself and my friend at the very least when I say that they definitely didn't disappoint. Gary Lucy recently posted on his Instagram that he's been earning from his bum since 1999, and based on last night, I can definitely see why.

The film translated really well on to the stage, which is no surprise since it was written by Simon Beaufoy who wrote the original screenplay. He did a fantastic job in adapting his work, but of course, just as in the film, none of it would have worked if it hadn't been for the natural Chemistry between the main cast. The relationship between Gaz and his son, between Gaz and Dave, between Lomper and Guy, and of course between all of the men is the glue which holds it all together.

Like I said, it was an amazing production, and although it isn't the most high brow theatre, it was still fantastic. And since I'm a Yorkshire lass myself its a film that I've always loved, so seeing it on stage was something pretty special.

I would most definitely recommend it to everyone and anyone, and I'd go and see it again if I could.

Tuesday, 26 March 2019

Time to make a change.

Right guys, I am officially going to make a change in my life. Actually, I've already started making a change. As of last Saturday I am going to get myself healthy and in shape.

I recently got a bit of a kick up the backside to try to get into better shape, and also to get healthy. It was a guy that caused the kick up the backside, but I'm not actually doing for the guy. I'm doing it for me.

I've been unhappy with my figure for a while. I eat junk and don't exercise enough, and over the past year I ended up gaining over a stone. It has seriously effected my self esteem, which outwardly I haven't let show, but internally it has caused me to feel awful.

So, on Saturday I got myself a Fit Bit Charge 3, which I already love. I'm cutting out bread and pasta as much as possible, and cutting down on fizzy drinks, and only drinking sugar free ones when I do.

My start weight is 11 stone 5.

My aim is to have a 1000 calorie deficit per day as often as possible, eating around 1200 calories per day and exercising at least 30 minutes per day. So far it has been a 15 minute HIIT video on Amazon twice per day.

Now, the main reason that I'm posting this on my blog, is so that I am accountable to more than just myself. I'm going to post a before picture today, and then take a photo every couple of weeks in order to keep track of my weight loss journey.

As well as weight loss I'm hoping to improve my resting heart rate which is currently pretty high, and also increase my stamina as I currently get out of breath climbing up a couple of flights of stairs. I'm also hoping that with and improvement in my health will come an improvement in my skin (I also just started using a new exfoliater and cleanser which I will review shortly).

If anyone else is starting, or progressing on a weight loss journey and has any tips that they would like to share then that would be great.

Wish me luck!

Wednesday, 13 February 2019

Creamy Candy Bubble Bar - Lush Review

So, I should start by saying that I'm not sponsored by Lush or anything, I just really love their products (annoyingly so does my 8 year old daughter so she often uses my stuff so I don't get to).

Last night I tried the Creamy Candy bubble bar, and I can't believe that this is my first time trying it, it was absolutely wonderful.
The official Lush description says 'If you'd normally reach for a sweet treat to lift your mood, this bubble bar does just the job.', and they aren't wrong. It smells incredibly sweet, like candy floss, which I love, and the scent stayed on my skin for quite a while afterwards.

For anyone new to Lush, a bubble bar is basically bubble bath in solid form. You can use the whole thing or break off a chunk of it, and crumble it under the water to create lots of bubbles and generally change the colour of the water.

It created a lot of thick foamy bubbles, they stayed the entire time I was in the bath and were just as thick when I got out. Usually bubble bath makes bubbles that are gone within minutes of getting in the bath.
It also turned the water a lovely shade of candy floss pink. I expected it to be brighter based on the colour of the bar before it dissolved, however I suppose the name Creamy Candy should have tipped me off that it would be a more creamy pink than a bright one.
My skin smelled and felt great after I got out, apparently the bar is extra moisturising because of the almond and cocoa butter it contains. I don't know how accurate that is, but I know that my skin feels soft now, so whatever the reason for it, I'm happy.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone as a good way to ease into Lush products as it's only £3.50 and you can break it into smaller pieces and use it for a few different baths, if you do it will just not create as much colour or bubbles, but will still be amazing. And as with all Lush products it is cruelty free.