Cocktail Making Classes

Cocktail Classes - WSS - Norwich

So a few weeks ago (time really is flying by, maybe it's the cold weather, 'Winters Coming' after all) I attended my first Cocktail Class, and my first bloggers night. - tick, tick. ✔✔ I signed up to it without even having started blogging, (so yes I was already thinking they'll think I'm a wally and just there for the cocktails..) but I knew it was something I was planning on doing and well just thought I'll dive straight into the deep end and then I can blog about it. Even though this evening was a few weeks ago now, I feel bad about how long it has taken me to write up about it. That's the thing though, don't feel bad, feel okay, you'll get it done, just in your own time.. I've been pretty busy lately, I haven't been home much as away with modelling, and trying to do this whole 'think positive' and then you'll 'feel positive' thing.. something that I'm writing about in another blog post soon (but I've got to do some research first).

Before I talk about the event itself, I just wanted to say that the reason I wanted to start blogging is because it's something to do, it's sociable and I do love meeting new people and listening/reading about what they have to say. I also think it fits in pretty well around what I'm doing in life at the moment. Modelling. I've worked with numerous fashion designers and brands as well as make up artists, body paint artists, stylists, photographers etc. Social media is so apparent these days I still think it's weird but it really is an amazing way to advertise through the numerous platforms around. I thought I'd write about experiences on shoots and the makeup I've discovered (through very talented MUA's) finding out about products and all this contouring and highlighting shizzle is really beyond me, but I'll get there and I am not afraid to ask questions (even though I feel like a massive wally) So it just so happened that I've taken the plunge and gone for it - not sure how to expand or get interest in the 'stuff I write about' - but always best to keep positive and take the risk!

So back to the Cocktail Class. I met up with Norwich Bloggers (their blog) (founded by Courtney, Justine and Hannah, I haven't met Justine or Hannah yet so am looking forward to at the next event, plus I couldn't find their blogs so shall add these in later too). 
So at this particular event there were 10 of us in total, bloggers of all kinds. Everyone has so many different stories to tell and it was really interesting to find out more about the girls on a face to face basis rather than just reading their blogs (which I have done and think they're great) I've listed everyones names and blog sites below if you'd like to check them out as I think it's always great to appreciate others work and support them as well as have a read! Words and Pictures. :)

From left to right in the photo above -

Laura Ellen Wright - https://www.lauraellenwright.com

Shelley Beth - http://shelleybeth.com

Laura Stafford Smith - http://www.laurastaffordsmith.com

Sami Loton - http://petitelegs.co.uk

Kate - http://www.beautybabbles.com

Christie - http://www.christieslifestyle.co.uk

Amy Eastlake - http://www.andeastthesun.co.uk

Me

Lindsey - https://thelifeoflindseyb.wordpress.com

Then there's Courtney Fullerton who's taken the photo - http://www.courtypeach.co.uk

The Cocktail Masterclass was held at Warwick Street Social - WSS - off Unthank Road, Norwich. To be honest I hadn't actually been there since the refit - it used to be called The Mad Moose and was a pub pub, good for food and watching football and lots of seating. It was always really busy when I used to go when I was a student and living off Unthank Road and so I was a little sceptical about this new refit as I (as well as many other people) am not great with change. I am aware that statement isn't particularly a positive one, but I try to tell myself I am fine with change and I can deal with things, little things yes maybe but big things no not really. I had seen the menu earlier on during the Summer and it did look good, I like fish dishes and there were a few listed, I feel this is usually something that Norwich restaurants/pubs miss out on, I don't know whether this is purely because 1) fish/seafood is expensive and 2) perhaps it's the wrong time of year. I'm trying to branch out though and get into new things. Maybe I'll do a blog about trying new things, that is being an adult.

Even though I was really sceptical about this new pub/gastro WSS actually I was really impressed with the place. Yes it does look completely different from before, but sometimes you just need a uplift and a new start and then you just get used to (like having a hair cut, initially straight after the cut you're like oh m g's like should I have done this?? Then after a few days you're like hmm.. then after a week you're like oh m g's I LOVEEEE it). The WSS felt strangely homely and warm, very Scandinavian/ Swedish clean and minimal characteristics I do think these new places just need to be lived in a bit more so give it time. We were in the Snug room which was really quite cute as it's separate to the main pub area and we had our own bar too, so this would be perfect for hiring for small get togethers or clubs!

Our Cocktail Wizard was called Scott (I didn't get a surname so if you'd like to speak to him about classes then either go in or email them) We had some nibbles - the food looks incredible and I was very tempted to get something - although I had just had a massive dinner at my mothers house so I just nibbled on some chips! I can't wait to eat there and I've recently signed up for the Christmas Blogger Event night with the girls later in November, so that will be fun.

The idea of this Cocktail Making evening was to pick a cocktail selected by us for the welcoming drink for the bloggers Christmas evening on the 25th November at WSS - there are only a limited number of tickets so if you'd like to come get in touch here. There were 6 cocktails to choose from, 3 normal ish ones and 3 made up ones found on the tinternet by Courtney.

The list of cocktails we made were:

* Mojito

* Bramble

* Pina Colada

* Spiced Gingerbread

* Pumpkin Fizz

* Candy Cane

Scott would explain how to make each cocktail as he is the pro wizard and then we each took turn to make a cocktail first hand which was great as I've always wanted to learn how to make them because: 

1) they taste great 

2) it's a real skill getting it right.

The favourites were - Bramble (who doesn't love Gin), Candy Cane and Spiced Gingerbread. I had written down the information for each one (mainly the favourites but I've somehow misplaced my note pad so when I find it again I'll either edit this or do a blog about Christmas Cocktails at home)

After a lot of deliberation (and a few more tastings) we decided the winner would be Spiced Gingerbread, plus the addition of the little gingerbread man was really quite cute! The Christmas cocktails were a firm favourite, keeping in mind of the season we would be in, the other finalists were very much up there but come on it's Christmas and we want people to feel the Christmas spirit !

There were also thoughts of having the candy cane cocktail as a refresher drink after the main course, to refresh our palettes! So I believe that may make an appearance, we shall see. If not I believe it will be around if you'd like to try it!

It was such a good evening and I'm really pleased I attended and took the social risk into the blogging world. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who's looking for a sociable friendly atmosphere to meet new people with similar interests and you get to check out places you haven't been to before which is always a plus. (I like to know a place well so can recommend it to friends) and it gets you out of the house, always a plus for the fresh air.
Hope you've enjoyed my blog, thanks for reading,
Speak soon,
Lots of Love,

Amy
xx

You did it, you went to a gig by yourself.

I can't really add all the usual font styles as in my last few posts because I'm writing this one from my phone. I think that it's going to have to be the way it is from now on. But I'll write it as I usually do, so nothing changes there.

I recently went to a gig that I've been looking forward to for AGES. I tried to find someone to go with, someone who would appreciate the music that I do. I couldn't find anyone, or perhaps I didn't try hard enough. Maybe I should have asked around a bit more. Had more of a night of it, an evening of it really. Alas, I went alone.

It's pretty scary doing things alone. Most people would be okay going alone, especially venturing on new things, however it is something that I struggle with. It's an anxiety thing really. I used to be fine. I used to have a little more confidence to do these things you do alone. But idk, recently my brain has been all muddled and I'm finding it hard to adjust to the norm. To let go of that what was before.

So the band that I went to see is called The Japanese House, (signed with Dirty Hit - I hadn't really heard of this label before but then I don't research on music labels/artists as much as I used to) they're referred to as 'alt pop' in the electronic genre. Sounding similar to Imogen Heap, The 1975 and The Postal Service (influencers) and it's clear to hear these similarities in their music. If you're looking for some easy listening 'cute' music then check them out.

I heard of them quite a while ago via Hype Machine - an app I've been using for years and am pretty much a big fan. It mostly contains remixes of songs and some covers but then you get to hear lots of new stuff and you think 'Ooh this is good, I'll listen more' you can research on the artist and 'love' tracks that you add into your playlists. Mine is pretty random as I'm into anything from Hip Hop, Trap, R n B, electronica, house, grime, indie and all the little bits inbetween.

So this gig was at Norwich Arts Centre (NAC), it's a small intimate venue which I love as I feel with most bands it makes you feel really connected to the artist and the sounds. I'll add in all the hyperlinks at a later date (as I don't have that option with using my phone sadly)

I have to admit I missed both support acts because the thought of going alone terrified me so much I didn't want to feel like a wally. I'm fine with meeting new people and chatting but in my head I was very 'up and down' thinking 1) I'll be fine, I can do this, I'll go early, I'll have a beer (though tbh I'd really prefer a cup of tea) and then I'll just tell myself that this is what people do, they go places alone to see things they want to see because that's what you do and well the other part 2) why are you going alone, people will just stare at you and you'll just feel silly and look around like you can't see them staring at you.. So I went late, I did get a free ticket (because I work at a pub part time as we provide NAC leaflets about gigs so we can get on the guest list which is pretty cool) .. So sadly I did miss the support acts. Next time I'll make sure my head is in a better place and go early and take full advance of the evening.

It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, it's just an inner worry of mine, I know that. I got there and stood at the back with some people who were really nice and chatty and it was fun. Then I thought you know what I love the venue and I love 'being in the music' in the 'sound' a 'part of it' so I ventured down to the main area and stood on my own in the middle and wow it was good. - I got a few stares from some of the crowd (it wasn't me being silly, so I just smiled at them.. Idk what they were thinking) I just was there enjoying the music, like everyone else.

I was a bit sceptical at first of going to a gig like this when their music is so good listening on apps online and the radio but actually it was exactly the same as it is when you watch their videos at home/ via apps. So that was good. You know there are those bands that are really good and you love them and then you go and see them live and you think 'Oh so that was just all a bit of clever editing' .. The Japanese House are well worth seeing live. I was very happy to be able to see them and overcome my fears of going to a gig alone. I'd love to share the experience with someone another time, next time for sure.

Hope you've enjoying reading, I'm not sure how to categorise each blog into a separate field,
Music, Fashion, Lifestyle etc but I'll find out soon and sort it out for you so is better to read and follow. I've tried to attach a photo and video to this blog but I'm not sure if it has worked!

Speak soon,
Lots of Love
Amy xx

Dinosaur LED Lamp

My new Dinosaur LED Lamp

If you're a fan of dinosaurs, like myself (I'm pretty sure there's other people who have watched Planet Dinosaur, Walking with Dinosaurs and all the dinosaur documentaries on Netflix/YouTube more than once) or can almost recite words in the Jurassic Park films.

I've recently purchased a dinosaur LED lamp from a local shop in Norwich, Lisa Angel https://www.lisaangel.co.uk the design is from Disaster Designs http://www.disasterdesigns.co.uk I would have never had discovered this AMAZING light if it wasn't for my good friend who had bought the set of 3 for her and her housemates. (Below)

I couldn't decide which one to get but went with the green one - diplodocus type - as I thought it'd go better in my room and green is more calming than red. White was a strong favourite but I went for green. Obviously decision making is not my strong point so asked a lot of peoples opinion on which would be better for me. Those little things that everyone else is just okay with, I'd worry if I'd make the wrong decision. But I am happy with my decision. I think he is cute. I haven't thought of an exact name as of yet (If you are a naming sort of person you'll get this) .. Like name your car, name your plants, name things with names... 


Below is a photo of my dinosaur LED lamp next to my Mexican Hat Plant. (Reminds me of Jurassic Park) Because I really am that cool. Having lots of plants in my room feels like I'm sleeping in a Jungle, I used to have my room painted green at my parents house and collect plants - and stones - but that's another story) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryophyllum_daigremontianum

Mexican Hat Plants (or otherwise known as Devil’s backbone, mother-of-thousands, alligator plants) are really cool because when they flower they produce tiny leaves on their big leaf - like all their kids (plantlets) pile on the edge of the big parent leaf and then when they are ready to leave the nest they fly off somewhere else to produce more Mexican Hat Plants. Although there is no weather inside my room, no wind or insects/animals to help my little baby hat plants into adulthood and onto another journey, so they all drop off and then land at the bottom of the big hat plant and grow altogether like a happy family. Maybe that's for the best as they would be out of their comfort zone in a new place, maybe the risk is just too big right now, maybe it's purely because they don't have a different understanding of this world and they are just happy doing the same thing forever.

Maybe that's what life is, progress and be happy. 

"Don't dream big, you'll never get there"

"Don't give up, just keep going, you'll get there, trust me"

Being positive in a world so unknown is always a bit tricky, worrying about failure is always taunting. Just being happy is the first step. For me, buying this dinosaur lamp, even though some would say it's just a 'silly' overpriced thing.. for me it makes me smile and it makes me feel like me again, pull myself out of the lost world and think about life a bit more. I like plants too, they are hard to look after and I got very upset when my succulents died (because I am usually here or there and not much in-between) - with modelling and travelling- so I water them when I am home or I remember, apparently it's easier to kill them by over watering rather than unwatering, even tho I've tried to bring them back to life (it hasn't worked yet and all I can see is soil)

I don't really want this blog to be too confusing to read and 'get' and I need to make it more adjustable to the 'general'.

All in all, I love my new lamp, I love dinosaurs and plants. Lisa Angel don't stock the dinosaurs anymore, but you can get them online on Disaster Designs or probably elsewhere. I love Lisa Angel's online shop and the shop in Norwich, the girls in there are so friendly and I could literally spend HOURS in there, it's really a great place to go if you're looking for presents for people!

I am aware that Lisa Angel are bringing in NEW animals which are amazing! I'm thinking of some for Christmas Presents...

Speak soon, lots of love.

Amy xx

To Be Honest

So.. I'm aware my last blog was quite a long time ago, as these blogs go - some people write everyday, some write every week, every month, or whenever. How much is enough? How do you know how much to give? (A common life question).
I've been reading and doing some research on other peoples blog and how they write and I've found that to make your blog engaging and fun you just need to be a normal person. Don't try too hard to use all these long words and write paragraphs about what you had for breakfast and how many miles you've ran this morning. Look you went shopping again and spent all this money on those 'on trend' pieces which you know will be out of fashion in a few months but you gotta keep up with it, everyone else is doing it why shouldn't you do it to? I have farr too many clothes to justify buying that much every month.

Each to their own of course. :) <3

I have to admit that I have a (very) short attention span and therefore get distracted easily so perhaps  that's why I've found blog number 2 so difficult to get my head around. What do I write about? Do I explain why I've not blogged for such a long time? Do I express my actual feelings about things atm.. Do I just talk about things I like and add some photos along with them? - That 'Wrap' tool on the old MS Word was so much fun.

Blog number 1 was really more of an introductory blog. I've got to admit, having the motivation to write about things that I think are interesting and relatable to others is more difficult than I initially thought. Well, I think for me (and probably many others) it's more of a confidence thing, and I've got to admit that my confidence has dropped considerably more than I had anticipated over the last few months. That is due to many changes that I, to be completely honest, I have not really got over.

The answer to all of this is Time.

And I guess it's about building yourself up again, to get back to you.

And I'm trying honest, but I would be lying if I said that I'm not struggling on a daily basis.

So, here we go, another blog done. Blog number 2. Read it how you like. You'll either get it or you won't. I'll make the next one a little sooner (like in the next few minutes as I actually already know what I'm going to talk about)

- get me - 

So I hope you've enjoyed being in my head again, 

I'll let you in piece by piece, just like the real world.

Lots of love
Amy x

Hello You,

So, I've been thinking about starting a blog for about a year now or maybe more. I've thought of SO many things that other people can probably relate to (unless of course it is just a 'me thing') and I thought writing a blog would be the best way to write about those things, to talk to the screen really, so hello you and hello screen.

For anyone you knows me, knows that how I write is how I speak (think about it), and everyone else who doesn't know me, you'll just have to go with it.

I do have a tumblr account which I've had for YEARS, way before Instagram and Twitter came along (not intended to offend) and I always used to post music videos up that I liked or art/photography that I was interested in. It was mainly so I wouldn't forget about them (because my memory can be quite shit) So basically tumblr for me was like an online journal just for myself and now I thought you know what I should branch out into the world and have my say. It probably won't be 'world changing' but I'll try and make it interesting and relatable.

In terms of blogs these days I understand there needs to be some sort of 'theme',what you'd like to blog about and how that creates interest in your audience. I don't have time to go and study blogging so I'll be picking it up from the basics..

I'd like to blog about life in general, (if you've got this far I can imagine your eyes are now rolling) all the little bits you probably think about but definitely don't talk about because you think you'll seem like a weirdo or something. I don't know if that will create any interest apart from me 'letting go of feeling silly', more silly than I may feel whilst writing posts.. Maybe I'll just scrap those random things.. I don't know yet, we'll see what works. Let's not go off on a tangent!

And.. Welcome to my Brain.

So I do modelling, I've done it for a few years and so I'll probably have Fashion and Beauty covered here, as well as Travel and Lifestyle. Maybe even some Food posts.

Right now I don't know how to catalogue all these subjects into separate fields or 'buttons' but I guess I'll learn that over time. Bare with.

Okay so that's the first post done. Just to summarise (especially if you're a scroller) I shall be covering these topics : Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle (Including Travel) and maybe touch on some Food

Thanks for reading/scrolling

Amy x