Phoneshop: "Man-a-man's a Wagamama Man!"

I'm not much of a watcher of TV, but when I do indulge I love me some comedy. Sitcoms UK and US, stand-up, you name it. Now, I'm a little late in coming across this gem, but I've just discovered E4's comedy, Phoneshop. Already on it's second series (which started yesterday night), I can see why it's been a hit. Set in (you guessed it), a phone shop) the comedy follows 6 main characters, two of whom have a penchant for the use of language best found in the "Urban dicitionary). Jerwayne and Ashley "Man-a-man" have fast become my favourite duo, frequently bursting out with hilarious urban lyrics that throw me back to school days, or conversations you might overhear on the bus between a group of today's teenagers.Aside from their hilarious use of language their cockiness, wit and banter had me in stitiches in the first episode from the first series.

Ashley "Man-a-man"

The first episode started with the duo walking back to the office from the cash machine after Jerwayne (right) exclaimed that he only had £20 to last him the whole week, this led to "Man-a-man" empathising with him by trying to discreetly share with him that "if he thought that was bad..." at this point he looks round to ensure no one is watching, then opens his "man bag" for Jerwayne to have a quick peek - after which Jerwayne exclaims a bit too loudly "OH MY DAYS...... SANGWICHES!!!!!" (sic) Evidently for this image conscious pair, bringing sandwiches to work must mean you are seriously broke (and yes by the way I mean the mis-spell "sangwiches).
Now to understand the "Manaman's a Wagamama man" quote, you have to watch yesterday's episode, which is a continuation of the pair's conversation about being broke. Hilarious sketch, I'm definitely tuned in every week. Phoneshop E4: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/phoneshop/episode-guide/series-2/episode-1

An Audience with Tracee Ellis-Ross

Despite a chilly, grey and drizzly Tuesday evening, a gathering of well groomed and dressed ladies and gents (including moi), have braved the weather in support of Tracee Ellis-Ross who will be promoting her new sitcom Reed between the lines in which she not only stars, but produces.

Huddled in the lobby of The May Fair hotel's Crystal Rooms, we all eagerly awaited an intimate evening of drinks, canapes and Q& A's with the delightful Tracee Ellis-Ross. A chatter of excitable women looking as though they were awaiting the long overdue reunion with an old girlfriend or sister, the admiring comments can be overheard from a couple of gents observing the publicity poster behind security featuring Tracee. 

Once doors open, we make our way down the stairs greeted by champagne at the bottom (ahh this is the life I beam to myself). As I take in the proceedings with a few friends, a modest list of who's who join us and eventually after an opportunity to enjoy the drinks, canapes and mingle, we are all ushered into the Crystal Rooms' auditorium. Once seated we are warmly greeted by the CEO of Soul Marketing (the organisation responsible for this wonderful evening), then eased to a pleasant surprise including a raucous comedy routine by the hilarious Felix Dexter and rendition of Born Again by Rene Byrd.

Before long, the moment we have all been waiting for................(drum roll)..... an introduction to the delectable Ms Ellis-Ross. Stepping onto the stage, she elegantly slips off her tuxedo style jacket to reveal a 50's inspired strapless monochrome print dress and 'to-die-for' red suede YSL pumps (*drooooooooool*). She mics up, takes a seat and the cameras and camera phones snap and flash away like crazy.

Having found fame through one of her better known roles as Joan Clayton in the long running US series Girlfriends, you can tell that a lot of the women in the auditorium felt as though they were sharing an evening with a girlfriend. Ms Ross was engaging (even asking for the house lights to be turned up for the duration of the evening so she could see everyone),warm, funny, down to earth and inspirational. Definitely and a great role model, who despite a legend for a mother, has certainly paved a path for herself.

Reed between the lines starts on BET on Tuesday 15th November 2011 @ 8.30pm GMT

Beauty on a Budget!

Wow!! Had to make a quick blog about my recent discovery - the high street make-up brand MUA (Make Up Academy) available in Superdrug stores, and get this......................brace yourself............it only costs £1 per item!!!! 

MUA's range includes an eyeliner colour range from 1 to 20 different shades, nail varnish, lip gloss, bronzers, eyeshadow and lip stick, how can you go wrong?!

Beauty on a budget and without compromise. I'm already stocking up and testing it out for myself.

Get out there and try it for yourself.

MEN & INFIDELITY!

Ok! Before I begin I will forewarn you that I am in danger of going on a rant on this topic!!
Those in the UK will be aware that recently, one of our footballers (surprise, surprise) has been in the headlines for the past few weeks for trying to keep an extra-marital affair kept under wraps through a super-injunction.  Due the super-injunction being lifted (hurrah!! a foolish and clear misuse of such a law if you ask me) I am safe to mention the culprit - Ryan Giggs.

"Allegedly" he had an affair over a considerable number of months, even leading his mistress to believe that he would leave his wife for her (c'mon honey, seriously?!?!). Now (unfortunately), that story is nothing new within the football world (footballers cheating on their girlfriend's, wives, fiances is almost the norm), however this morning, Ryan Giggs took it one, no ten steps further, and was revealed to have also cheated with his brother's wife for 8 years!! Yes, you read right, his BROTHER'S wife, and yes, for EIGHT YEARS!!

Publicist Max Clifford, put it simply and perfectly "The biggest own goal in history!"

First and foremost, I feel incredibly sorry for his long suffering wife. Imagine the shame, public humiliation and embarrassment. You put your faith in a man, build a future with him, stand by his side, only for him to throw it all away because of weakness of the flesh, and with your brother's wife too!!! HAVE YOU NO SHAME MAN!! Is nothing sacred?!!! Evidently not the sanctity of marriage (yeah some of do still believe in it), evidently not the relationship with his brother, evidently not his wife, evidently not his family.

I believe infidelity stems from lack of self worth and self love. After all hasn't it been long said that you must love and respect yourself in order to love and respect others?!

I've also noticed that most people try and determine what the partner of the person who cheats looks like (maybe he / she cheated) because he was upgrading!! Sometimes though, going by most of the affairs revealed in the media, there is no understanding why, because the partner is a looker in the first place. Perhaps it's a case of being like a kid in a candy shop, not happy with just the one sweet treat, you have to have them all (rolls eyes). Whatever the reason, it's wholly selfish to to cheat, if it's not working let the other person know, either try and work on it or walk away. It takes a coward to string someone along. It's also not fair that you are preventing your partner from finding someone who can and will treat them better and they way they deserve because of your weak, selfish desires.

There had been times when, come the end of one of my long term relationships, I was faced with the dim prospect that "the majority of men" cheat, sorry to sound general, actually I'm not sorry, I speak from experience (direct and indirect). Yes it could be that I'm looking in the wrong places, picking the wrong men, but I also go by conversations from female friends and colleagues spanning across a myriad of backgrounds, age groups and personal taste in men.

Now in case you haven't guessed (I'm sure most of you have ;), I have been "cheated on", and it hit me like a ton of bricks, especially as I'd been very open and honest with this person and even made it clear I had my concerns that something was being held back (this was a new relationship). He had the option at this stage to be open and honest in return, and I trusted that he would respect me and what I'd been through in my past enough not put me through such pain. Aahh, perhaps because he thought I would never find out especially as we didn't have the same social circle. But find out I did! The way in which I found out, I can only say was through fate. I felt like I had been dropped kicked in my gut, and I literally crumbled.

I still have faith and hope in men, well the right man being out there. The man that is stronger than most in being able to hold one woman down. A man strong and confident enough in himself to know that once his picked his partner there is no desire to look elsewhere or even entertain the idea. A man that respects and loves himself enough to give the same love and respect to me.

WONDERFUL WORLD OF WEDGES!

Now I've always been a lover of wedges; since buying my first pair about 13 years ago I've never looked back. To me they're a more comfortable way to wear heels as they provide more balance and support.

As with most fashion, the trend has come around again this Spring/ Summer, and they are absolutely everywhere!! Casual, evening, work, there's a wedge for every occasion.

Here are a few of my favourites.

The Deanna wedge. Special edition, alas only available at Aldo in the United States :(

  

Grey & black detail wedge sandal. River Island

African Inspired wedge. Aldo

Fuschia cutout wedge sandals. Dior

MIRROR, MIRROR.............

The good you find in others is in you too. The faults you find in others, are your faults as well. After all, to recognize something you must know it. The possibilities you see in others are possible for you as well. The beauty you see around you, is your beauty. The world around you is a mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself. To blame and complain will only make matters worse. Whatever you care about, is your responsibility. What you see in others shows you yourself. See the best in others, and you will be your best. Give to others, and you give to yourself. Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful. Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love and you will be loved. Seek to understand, and you will be understood. Listen and your voice will be heard. Teach, and you will learn. Show your best face to the mirror, And you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.

Now aren't those some words?!?! A friend of mine sent this round robin email the other day, and it landed in my inbox at a pretty poignant time in my life, and I must say, no truer words spoken.

Sometimes, we complain so much about what's wrong with the world, looking to others to make the change, looking at other people's faults, etc. Really we all need to start looking within. It won't be easy, I won't pretend, but isn't the end result worth the effort?!

In short, "be the change you want to see in the world" (Mahatma Ghandi)

Car Crash TV (you know you shouldn't)!

Made in Chelsea on E4

Ok, so I have a confession to make. I have a weak spot for
"car crash" tv! You know, the kind of programmes (usually *ahem* "reality" tv shows / fly on the walls). Last night's Made in Chelsea was no exception.

The life of guys and girls from the exclusive Chelsea area in London are followed throughout the series, giving us an insight as to "how the other half" live.

One of the funniest comments noted from last night, that only demonstrated to me that money can't buy everything (e.g. intelligence), was that from Binky during a conversation with her fiends Cheska and Oliver.

Binky: "So who wrote Winnie The Pooh?"
A few ums and aahs came from Cheska and Oliver before Binky offered "It was Charles Dicken's wasn't it?"

Classic!