Saturday 17 October 2009

They say laughter is the best medicine...

It’s hard to believe that there is still one whole week of British Summer time left – my fingers are so cold I’m pretty sure they’re turning into icicles! So to warm them up I thought I’d type my Michael McIntyre review……..

If you’re a lady and have tickets booked to see funny man Michael McIntyre then I have two words for you…. Tena Lady, because you will pee yourself laughing!

Just watching the number one comedian (in my opinion) skip onto the stage was enough to bring a smile to my face. Something I wasn’t sure would happen seeing as I had made the half an hour walk there in a pair of brand new boots which had well and truly one the battle against my little toes – ouch!

It wasn’t long until that smile turned into an outright belly laugh. It was only that morning that I was modelling/strutting/squatting around in a tiny changing room as I tried on some new jeans. So imagine the hysterics me and my sister were in as he pranced around the stage creating the same poses I had made as he took the micky out of anyone who had ever tried on a pair of trousers. It was great stuff that caused that uncontrollable, can hardly breathe laughter - which is why I was so surprised when my sister turned to me (granted with her hand clenching her stomach, tears rolling down her cheeks, mouth wide open and tonsils on full show) and spurted out
“that’s what you did!”

He made us laugh with jokes about trying on trousers, trying on shoes, doing the hovering, ordering wine in a restaurant and many many more. Though out the show was the sound of hysterical, cheek aching, belly wrenching laughter from everybody in the audience. And that’s the thing I love most about the floppy haired funny man- he makes us chuckle with everyday things that we all do, have done and will no doubt do again!

If I’m honest - Michael McIntyre could tell the most boring, unfunny jokes in the world, but the way he tells them along with all the animated actions will always make the corners of my mouth to curl every time.

If laughter is the best medicine then Michael McIntyre is certainly the number one doctor! My poor little toes certainly didn’t mind the half hour walk back after that concert! He’s a total genius in my book and scores an easy 10/10 from this fan.

Saturday 10 October 2009

Stayed tuned!

Well, it’s Saturday morning, it’s very early, my eyes are stinging and closing into slits, I REALLY want to be back in bed…. instead I’m sitting here while the cat and puppy make it there priority to annoy the hell outta me!
But it’s not all bad- its not long til the repeat of WWE Smackdown and it gives me a chance to update my blog which I did promise I would try to update more regularly! (Although as I was never a Brownie my promises don’t really count do they??)

Here in the Pickle household we use a laptop- therefore when I never updated my blog before I had the perfect excuse: “The only thing on my lap is my stomach!”
Yep, that quick witted reply always made me laugh, just like the joke when people ask me my middle name and I say “Sucks” LOL….. Think about it! Got it! Need more time! Laura…. Sucks…. Cox! I know, I know! Got me thrown out of a science class once that one did – good times!

Anyhow, these days I don’t really have that excuse what with my new Healthy Living Lifestyle (I call it that cos it sounds more fun, but I suppose all the calorie counting, rabbit food and painful exercise do equal a DIET!)

Oooh, one sec. Gotta pop the TV on – muscled up men in tight trunks are just about to come on the TV!


As I’ve been busy, busy, busy at work and doing my Beauty Stalker editorial (not easy when you’ve grown up with a face like mine!) unfortunately nothing that exciting has happened to me. No funny adventures, no hilarious stories and certainly nothing that’s really worth wasting your time with!

So I’m using this blog as an advert for my next blog! You see, tomorrow morning me and my sister will pack our bags, hit the road and after approx 4 hours will turn up in… wait for it …. Bournemouth! Yeah Bournemouth, in early October, with no sun at all and harsh blustery winds. Make that a harsh blustery SEA winds that will no doubt turn my snot to icicles!

Well, actually (all sarcasm aside) I am excited! And not just because we’ll be stopping at a Little Chef for lunch! But also because our main purpose of the trip will take place on Monday night as we sit in the BIC to watch the one and only Michael McIntyre! I’m expecting cheek ache, strained abs, a waterfall of tears! I know Mr McIntyre won’t let me down and you’ll be able to read all about it here – on my blog!

So until next time, remember to smile first thing in the morning- that way its outta the way for the rest of the day! xx

Sunday 4 October 2009

Mmmmm, food....

For me Friday night was full of fantastic food, great company and an amazing atmosphere! Since starting my healthy eating plan going out for meals has been a slight no-go, however when my lovely sister decided to treat to a gorgeous 3 course meal at The Plough in Fen Ditton I just couldn’t refuse.

The Plough is a popular restaurant pub with a huge beer garden that overlooks the river Cam which makes it the perfect place to spend those hot summer afternoons! But with it now being October we obviously sat our cold little butts inside.

The waitress gained a lot of brownie points for the fact she offered us drinks as soon as we sat at the table – it wasn’t long til the alcohol was on the table and we were ummming and ahhhing over the menu - there was just too many delish meals on that thing!

The restaurant was filled with the happy buzz of all the other giving a nice relaxing atmosphere. I love these sort of atmospheres as they make it very easy to have those little (and sometimes rude) chats without the whole world hearing hee hee!

A couple of Malibu and cokes had gone down very easily as the starters arrived. I was pretty hungry so it was no surprise that the baked camembert I ordered didn’t last long! It was truly mouth watering and left me gagging for my main.

And the great thing about the service was the meals weren’t rushed, but we weren’t left waiting an age either. So by the time my home made chicken and mushroom pie came I was set to go. The pastry – lovely. The chicken, mushroom and creamy sauce – delish. The seasonal veg – cooked to perfection. The wholegrain mustard mash- exquisite. Yep it was one good meal….. mmmm I could so eat it again right now!

The portion size was nice and big (just the way I like it) so my belly was certainly bulging over the jeans by the end of it. But as we all know, the Good Food Guzzler is never one to quit so my sweet tooth went ahead and ordered the chocolate hazelnut brownie…… with ice cream.

One word, WOW! It felt so wrong but everything about it was oh so right!

Bottom line: The Plough will no doubt have a table booked under the name of Laura Cox sooner rather than later, and if you like your food as much as I do then your name should be down too!

Tuesday 29 September 2009

Owwww!

Personally I’ve never crapped myself but if I ever did I imagine I would walk something like I am now! Slightly bent over, arse in the air, arms spread wide and legs very much bowed– not a pretty sight! As soon as I realise how much of a prat I must look, I quickly bolt up right and end up flicking the lower legs out as I step forward…. which tends to make the head bob back and forth and the arse wriggle a tad. Can’t picture it? Then think Egyptian walk crossed with John Travolta strutting down the street in Night Fever and there you have it!

You see, in my attempts to get the lean, flat stomach I can only dream of I have embarked on a new eating and exercise regime. There’s just one problem – its working! I know I know, this is good yeah? Well, not when my shins my hurt so much that in an attempt to prevent putting any pressure on them I end up walking like I’ve just had an attack of the bowels!

I had originally given up on the whole healthy living lifestyle to instead be comfortable with what I do have (which would be a great pair of tits!!) But as always curiosity got the better of me and I decided that I would once again tread onto the scales to you know... cause myself to fall into a state of depression! And depressing it was! God knows what the reading said, but seeing as I couldn’t read it as my stomach blocked the view I’m guessing it wasn’t good! Needless to say: I’m back on yet another health kick.

However, this health kick is much better than the ones I’ve previously been on. There’s no cutting out the carbs, fat or calories. Although there’s no cake, crisps, chips or burgers allowed on my menu there are lots of other yummy things I can have…. like Ricotta cheese! I’ve never had Ricotta cheese before but I’ve developed quite a taste for it and it's great when you spread some onto apple slices and sprinkle with a little Nutmeg. Mmmm, truly delish! As for the exercise, my shins can confirm there's no gain without pain! But the great thing is my workouts are all about doing less exercises correctly rather than lots incorrectly- fantastic!

All in all I think its going pretty well and I’m certainly feeling the effects. But maybe I shouldn’t get too excited yet…..... it has only been a week…........and I did have a huge Dominos takeaway on Saturday :(

Monday 28 September 2009

Strictly V X Factor - The showdown!

For the second weekend, Saturday night was a clash of the titans as Strictly Come Dancing went one on one with The X Factor. The battle was kicked off in superb style on Friday as Ricky Whittle stole not only the show but the hearts of many wide eyed, drooling ladies! With some great Tango’s and wonderful Waltz’s the talent was really on show and a big highlight was the Karen Hardy (the one who won the show with Mark Ramprakash a couple of years ago) choreographed group dance. Just like all of Karen’s dances it was great fun and exciting to see and with moves like that on display this is one viewer that would love to see Karen back as a professional!
After the night before and the thought of Ricky Whittle dancing latin (mmmm, pecs and writhing hips!) it was Strictly that got my viewing on Saturday night. Ricky didn’t let me down and Natalie Cassidy also proved to be a hit in the Pickle household! Her cracking personality shone through and with the lovely Vincent Simone by her side it was proved that size doesn’t matter – it’s the way you shake it that does! It was a great show and although Brucey and his jokes were more than cringe worthy they didn’t seem as bad when accompanied by some of the “hide behind a cushion” performances. Richard Dunwoody was the bad yet funny performance of the night with his Cha Cha Cha - but despite this, it was a shock to see him knocked out of the show after he got the biggest “Awww” moment when he was shown doing some out of hours practising all on his tod -Bless!

On the other channel X Factor was less impressive. The beginning was filled with nothing but dreadful performances, two arrogant Irish twins and bad hair (green Mohican and afro? Ummm no!) It did picked up by the end of the show and it was great to see the female performers really shining and out doing the guys. Not to rule X Factor out completely I tuned in to the second part of boot camp on Sunday, just one word: Why? Whilst the show saw some great performances and tugged on the old heart strings as hopeful after hopeful was sent packing, my night was ruined as John and Edward (the irritating, big headed, arrogant twins) went through at every stage. It was made worse when they were picked as one of the final six bands and low and behold who would be there mentor….. fellow Irishman Louis Walsh! Looks like we’ll be seeing them in the live finals then! Forget about the twins and the show was much better than the previous night. It had the odd comedy moment – think Behrouz Ghaemi and his scary “WTF” eyes as he was sent packing– and in the end the performers left in the show seem to be a talented bunch. Simon ended up with the Over 35s, Danni got the girls, Cheryl’s with the boys and Louis has the groups - it looks set to be a hard battle for the judges to have the winning act this year.

So, what’s Pickle’s winner? Strictly!
Ricky Whittle certainly helped my decision – but so did the Irish twats, ooops I mean twins, from the X Factor.

Saturday 26 September 2009

Wow, my first entry for my new blog!

What to write? Hmmm.....
Okay, how about letting you guys know what this blogs about? Sound good? Doesn’t matter I’m gonna do it anyway.
Well, after much deliberation I am still the Good Food Guzzler and my life does largely revolve around my stomach! So there will still be the odd update on the healthy living (or lack of it!) lifestyle I have but with awesome things to go along side.

What sort of things I hear you scream!!
Well, I’m a single girl with a rather lovely sister who likes to treat me with dinners out, concert tickets, random weekend adventures and lots more. And you will be able to read all about it here! The great food I eat (and make! Yes, I cook and I’m rather good at it- If you’ve never tried my home made mince pies then your definitely missing out!), the amazing times had at some of the countries biggest concerts (Michael McIntyre and Alesha Dixon coming up), my reviews of the newest must buy products in the shops and not forgetting all the laughs, tears, tantrums and adventures that occur from living with a dopey puppy, temperamental cat and sometimes stroppy sister!

So what do you think? Good eh? This blog is gonna be all about the fun so if you’re ever find yourself In a Pickle than this is place for you! It’ll turn your frown upside down and give you insight into the best things out there!


Enjoy X