congratulations mr and mrs mullen!
Congratulations to my stunning sister and her new husband Scott, who were married at the weekend. 
What an amazing day; I couldn’t have wished for anything more perfect. A great knees up!
All my love to the family, who I already miss dearly.
check your shoes!
I’m well into walking these days…
When I moved job locations to Farringdon I decided that I’d enjoy the view across the South Bank and walk to work (at only 35 minutes it almost beats the bus route too).
Now, with the aid of my trusty iPhone, I’m walking everywhere – and I’m totally addicted. The rule is, if it’s under an hour, I’m on foot.
And to keep myself occupied whilst strolling and listening to my cool, yes ‘cool’ iTunes, I’ve found a great new pastime – checking out what my fellow commuters are wearing on their feet!
The first thing I notice when I meet someone is what their donning on their feet. Come on, surely you do it too?!
If you know me well, you’ll know about my huge collection of shoes. In my book, shoes say a lot about a person. One glance and my judgement is made, in a matter seconds.
So, before you walk out the door tomorrow, and in particular if you’re wandering along the South Bank, check your shoes… What do they say about you?
And if you’re not checking them, I sure will be!
i hate goodbye
I was terribly sad to say my goodbyes to all at Tangent last evening, and was extremely touched by the complementary wishes (big fat blush). I’ve had a lump in my throat for a good two weeks now and expect it’s set in for a good while longer. You see, I simply hate goodbyes.
Almost two years ago I made a ‘better late than never’ decision to up sticks from my home in the depths of Yorkshire and head towards the bright lights of London, without a second thought… And what a journey it’s been.
My gorgeous colleagues (many of who are now dear, life-long friends) made my move all that much easier, and I cannot thank them enough for welcoming me with such open arms (you know who you are). I’m certainly now treated as ‘one of the boys’ and part of the furniture – I’m not sure if either are a good or bad thing!
Although I’ll miss Tangent times greatly, I’m delighted that I’ve made the right next step for my future path. I’ll be joining the talented, integrated agency, Amp, in less than a week and I’m nervously excited. She-ra strikes again!
So another fond farewell, and a big hello to pastures new.
Gone but not forgotten.
do you believe in fate?
Do we choose our own destiny? Or does fate take it’s course? Wouldn’t it be great if I had the answers.
Maybe we have a few paths that we can follow dependent on our decisions?
And are things just ‘meant to be’? Yes? Well perhaps we can simply sit back and watch our lives unfold, knowing that we can’t change the inevitable? I’m not sure I’d risk that one.
My mother’s a great believer of the ‘fate’ theory and after last week my life saw some dramatic, unexpected twists and turns, I’m now considering she may well be right (did I say that out loud (gulp)).
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Now that seems logical. I mean, we all learn from our mistakes (or most of them in my case!). I genuinly believe that last weeks’ events happened for a reason, as the outcome, although it initially knocked me sideways, simply feels right.
I’m still looking over my shoulder, as you never know what’s around the corner, but if my mother’s right, the upturn is the key to my future.
I’ve got those little nervous but excited butterflies…
who says it’s a girly read?! pah.
Since the clocks have stolen an hour from me, I’ve been a little lacking in the sleep department. After listening to me pacing the boards, my super-thoughtful housemate Vicky, suggested that I should read something ‘lovely’ before I drop into the land of nod… and she had just the tonic – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
A must-read...
From page four I was totally hooked; I probably lost more sleep as I just couldn’t put the thing down, and got through 248 leaves in record time!
Through a series of cleverly written letters, the tale surrounding Juliet unfolds, and the characters really do become reality (I’ve been left wanting to see those faces that I’ve got to know so well by character).
Previously, I knew very little surrounding the occupation of Guernsey in WWII, and authors, Shaffer and Barrows, have effectively collated a book that indirectly brims with historical fact.
So heart-warming, the tale is a complete breeze to read; it’s charming – both witty and touching to lighten anyone’s mood.
I would simply love a sequel.
another year older
older & wiser?
I celebrated becoming another year older over the Bank Holiday weekend, and I am delighted that I stayed in London for the occasion. It was my first ‘London’ birthday and it was a great feeling being surrounded by amazing friends, old and new.
There were cakes and chocolate galore to back up the red wine selection; Hannah made a delicious carrot cake (my favourite) and Rosie baked up a treat with my number of years in a cup cake tower. Truly delicious. It is now a house rule that all guests must leave with something sweet until we run out of temptations!
cup cake envy
I’m getting a bit too close for comfort to my next big age milestone, and I’ve been left wondering where will I be this time next year, and what will the next 12 months bring… ? Answers on a postcard please (or email to mailme@chloegilchrist.co.uk).
retail really is the best therapy
now you've got my attention...
I’m not usually a fan of dragging myself around the shops – yes, honestly, it’s true. I adore clothes/shoes/boots/bags/make-up/accessories (as you may well know) but you see, I’m an Internet browser or a purpose shopper.
Take Saturday evening for instance; I knew I had a friend’s birthday party to celebrate and therefore I scouted for a suitable number online. Or, I may spot a pretty piece in a magazine and then find my take on the look. If needs must, I’m into the shop, find the answer to my vision and am out – no changing room queuing or mirror hogging.
After a stressful last week with a lack of sleep, I felt pretty ‘rubbish’ on Sunday morning and called the lovely Hannah for a pick-me-up. Hannah persuaded me (honestly, I felt forced!!!) to join her on Bond Street… and do you know what? It was the perfect day to get me back on track.
I’d totally forgotten how much fun it can be wandering around the shops without having a real reason. Problem is, the beautiful new range in French Connection started calling for me, and all of a sudden I really ‘needed’ that stunning £150 handbag!
The outcome was a happy Chloe and some new goodies to unpack, hang up neatly and add to my overflowing wardrobe.
And… even though I was exhausted the next morning (losing that hour didn’t help my tiredness), I put on my new floral dress and naturally a smile appeared.
i cannot stop ‘popping’
I suppose I ought to start by giving you my definition of the urban word ‘popping’, which I was only introduced to a few months back.
twitter | chloegilchrist
So here goes…
To ‘pop’: a random comment, that thing on your mind, talking without thinking, spiel, blurb, a pointless remark, a conversation breaker, chatter, a tweet, speaking nonsense, chit-chat, babble, gas, gibber.
For example, one of my latest pops whilst watching the wildlife from my window, included, ”The squirrels around here are like monkeys the way that they swing and bounce about in the trees. It’s amazing.”
No doubt you are now agreeing with the title of my blog?!
… and since one of my new colleagues pointed out my ‘pop’ habit, I cannot help but notice the endless popping going on around me. I’m even doing it right now.
Just check out the Twitter feed on my home page to enjoy (yeah, yeah, yeah) my regular pops.
Pop!
simply beautiful
I have fallen in love with the following poem by Derek Walcott; the words are extremely thought-provoking and it is just beautiful.
Love After Love
The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who
was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
This poem is featured in my latest book club entry – The Time Traveler’s Wife – and a perfect start to a novel I have been informed
time-and-time-again is a fantastic read.
19′s a crowd
I have at last put down The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff after reading the final 606th page!
At first I became totally submerged in this read, however once the two stories that this book focuses on intertwined, I found myself less eager to get lost in it. I think this was mainly due to the vast, in-depth historical content, which made the book a very lengthy read; it could have done with being a good 200-pages reduced. By the half way point, I was definitely trying to read on a little quicker.
I would say that the book swayed towards the negativity of polygamy (if there are any positives, other than the obvious, I do not know!) and sheds much light on the Firsts and Mormon beliefs. The stories of Ann Eliza and Jordan were both extremely gripping in parts, but I think a shortened version of this novel would potentially keep the reader engaged for longer.
I really wanted the final paragraphs to blow me away, and sadly this was not the case.
I’m thinking three stars…
Now onto the next Book Club selection – The Time Traveler’s Wife.
